(>.z.lii
^v' PRINCETON, N. J. 'fj^
Purchased by the
Mrs. Robert Lenox Kennedy Church History Fund.
Division Q. /N, . [Q^.O
Section ft.LT.. ..(..fc™
HISTPORY ,.#sn™«^
OF THE
JUN 3 1914
Churches of Qod
IN THK UNITBD SXATBS OF
NORTH AMBRICA
BY
C. H. FORNEY, D. D., LL.D.
Thou, too, O church! which here we see.
No easy task hath builded thee.
Long did the chisels ring around!
Long did the mallet's blow rebound!
Long worked the head and toiled the hand
Ere stood thy stones as now they stand.
— Breviary.
PRICE. $2.65. POSTPAID
Published by the
Board of Directors of the Publishing House and Book Rooms of the Churches of Go»
1914
Authorized by the General Eldership of the Churches of God, in session at Fort Scotty
Kansas, in igog
Read and Approved by the Book Committee of the Board of Directors
Copyrighted in the year 1914, by the Board of Directors of the
Publishing House and Book Rooms oj the Churches oj God
Harrisburg, Pa.:
Pt'BLisHiNG House of the Churches of God
1914
7<? //^^ heroic ministers of the gospel who, in the
early decades of the nineteenth century, despite dis-
paragement, persecution and poverty, tmder the
leadership of John Winebrenner, of whotji none
but himself could be his parallel, set up their ban-
ner in the 7iame of the Lord, in defense of one
common faith once for all delivered unto the saints,
a7id for the hiilding of the house of God, which is
the church of the living God, the pillar and grotmd
of the truth, the following pages are appriciatively
inscribed. The Atithor.
o
o
w ^
o .
OS
w
CO
INTRODUCTION.
How far wrong Napoleon was in his definition of history, when he said it is "but
a fiction agreed upon," the following pages, with the bibliography of even
French history, will abundantly testify. In one particular Faust is more nearly
right, when to an enthusiasic student he said: "My friend, the times which
are gone are a book of seven seals; and what you call the spirit of past
ages is but the spirit of this or that worthy gentleman in whose mind these ages
are refiected." The biographies of a dozen ministers, thoroughly written, would
be the history of the churches of God. Hence, the pages following necessarily
give pre-eminence to a few men out of the two thousand and more which have
been ordained to the Christian ministry in the churches of God. Yet this
characterization does not describe the History of the Churches of God as
now written. Nor yet do these pages conform to the thought of Bishop Butler,
who says, that "the best booE which could be written would be a book con-
sisting of premises, from which the readers should draw their own conclusions
for themselves." And so the reader of these pages is apprised in advance, that
they contain few, if any, direct conclusions drawn by the Author. In an elaborate
outline of a proposed "History of the Church of God in North America," pub-
lished in 1872, the suggestion was made, that the work should have nine Divi-
sions, the writer concluding, that "doubtless upon mature reflection many other
important and useful things will suggest themselves which are not here men-
tioned at all." Histories are written on a variety of methods, or plans, the
best of which are an imitation of "God's plans, which like lilies pure and white
unfold."
The first recorded suggestion of "History of the Church of God" came from
the pen of A. Snyder, who in a two-column article in The Advocate of March 6,
1872, strongly urged the General Eldership in May, 1872, to make provision
for the writing and publishing of a "History of the Church of God in North
America." There were no public funds which said body could use for such a
purpose, and it was too expensive a project for private capital to undertake,
and so it fell through. But later, when funds were available, on at least
three occasions the General Eldership took definite action to have such a work
written and published. In 1899, the Committee on Resolutions reported the fol-
lowing, written by S. G. Yahn, which was unanimously adopted:
"Whereas, there is among us an unquestioned need for a brief, but com-
prehensive, work covering the history and doctrines of the churches of God; and
Whereas, we believe that such a work would be of great value to the
brotherhood in general, and especially to the ministers; therefore.
Resolved, That we request Rev. C H. Foraey, D. D., to write, and the
Board of Publication to publish, such a volume, provided that a sufficient num-
ber of advance subscribers can be secured before January 1, 1900, to justify the
undertaking."
Nothing resulted from this action because the suggested writer of the work
(vii)
viii Introduction
was already burdened with other labors and duties. In 1902 the Committee on
Resolutions reported, and the General Eldership adopted, a resolution, "recom-
mending and urging C. H. Forney to edit and publish a concise, plain and prac-
tical treatise, setting forth the history, doctrines and polity of the churches of
God as held by this body in the United States." But for a like reason this
action bore no fruit. In 1909 C. I. Bi'oa\ti submitted for action by the Gen-
eral Eldership the following, which was "adopted by a rising vote."
"Whereas, there is a continued and deepened conviction among the members
of the churches of God, that the history of the Church, together with the doctrine
and polity of the same, should be carefully written and published so as to
be available for the class-room of our educational institutions, our Eldership
Courses of Study, and for introduction into the homes of the Church; and,
Whereas, the conviction deepens from year to year, that Rev. Dr. C. H.
Forney is the one man pre-eminently qualified to write such a historical and
doctrinal treatise; therefore.
Resolved, That the General Eldership hereby most earnestly requests Rev.
Dr. C. H. Forney to write, and the Board of Directors of the Publishing House
and Book Rooms to publish, a work in one or more volumes on the History,
Doctrines and Polity of the churches of God."
Having retired from the editorship of The Advocate in 1909, the suggested
writer of the work indicated would have the time to write the volume or volumes;
but it was early realized that this undertaking would require a vast amount of
exhausting and laborious work, extending through several years, at least, and
so was undertaken with unconcealed reluctance. But in July, 1909, work was
begun. It was entered upon without a definite plan, excepting the guiding
principle of all true history, that it be a faithful record of facts. The thought
of forming a plan in advance, and gathering the facts to suit the plan, did not
commend itself sufficiently to be accepted. The outline given by A. Snyder, in
187 2, was suggestive, to wit:
1. "That the material would be gathered from living men and women, wit-
nesses of the facts. That this should be done by a paid Agent, or by commit-
tees of Annual Elderships."
2. "That the contents should consist, first, of chronological reports of the
origin and progress of the Church, containing names of all the first preachers,
with short sketches of their lives and labors; first churches organized, location
and names, and the names of members and of their officers."
3. "Reports of the first regular circuit, where it was formed, its limits, and
what it was called, and who traveled it. When and where the second, third and
other circuits were formed, and what they were called, and the name or names
of the preacher or preachers who first traveled on them."
4. "When and where the first Eldership was held, the names of all the
members that constituted it; the order in which it was held, its name, etc."
5. "When and where the first protracted meetings and camp-meetings were
held; when and where the first, second, third, etc., meeting-houses were built."
6. "When and where the first General Eldership was held, the names of the
members that constituted it, its order of business."
Introduction ix
7. "Report of the extension of the Church in the several States of the
Union; the name or names of preacher or preachers who were first sent into
this or that State, and where and when the first churches and circuits were
formed."
8. "Of the special awakenings in the different counties, towns and neigh-
borhoods; why they occurred; what preachers labored there, and also of the
special opposition and persecution of the wicked, and all other remarkable oc-
currences."
9. "Of the missionary operation of the Church, where the first missionaries
were employed by tlie Church; the name or names of the mission or missions, and
the names of the preachers employed as missionaries; also of the formation of
missionary societies, when and where first formed, and the second, third, etc., and
the names of the officers."
10. "History of the printing press, and when it was started; the name or
names of its editors; the difficulties it encountered; its success." He admitted
that this was not an exhaustive plan; but it was suggestive.
For sources of information The Advocate was found the best and most re-
liable. Next to this, the Journals of the Annual Elderships, and of the General
Eldership. Recourse was also had to the prominent workers in the mission
enterprises, in missionary societies and in the Christian Endeavor work. The
formative idea of the work as it is now given to the public was first to get
all the available historical facts, classify them and then organize the work. In
large measure this has resulted in a History embodying all that, and much
more than, was contemplated by Snyder. It required an amount of labor which
experience alone can appreciate. Nearly seventy-seven volumes of The Advocate
had to be searched, page by page, and a score of books" of historic value, besides
hundreds of documents in pamphlets and manuscripts. Notes or data thus taken
filled nearly 800 pages of manuscript, which would cover nearly 400 pages of the
work as printed. First to gather all this material, and then to rewrite the
Notes under classified Divisions, occupied the Author's time from July 1, 1909, to
July 19, 1911. The work of writing the History was entered upon July 17, 1911,
and was finished September 11, 1913. The amount of material gathered was so
enormous that it required constant efforts at condensation and abridgement. And
with all the strenuous endeavor to keep the work within 800 pages, it was found
impossible. It was to be a "history of the churches," and, hence, they occupy more
than customary space. With the countless details and dates found in the work,
it is conceded that there may be many inaccuracies and errors. Explanations for
these are easy to find. How true the words of ex-President Roosevelt are was
realized, and, too, how difficult the task he lays down for the historian, when he
says in a historical address delivered at Boston, in 1912: "The great historian
of the future would be the man who had the genius to reconstruct for his readers
the immense panorama of the past. He must possess knowledge and wisdom. He
must use his material with such potent wizardry that we shall see the life that was,
and not the death that is. If the facts permit him, he will put before us the men
and women as they actually lived, so that we shall recognize them for what they
were, living beings." This has not always been possible, for a vast amount of the
material is impersonal and official.
X Introduction
One of the most critical features of the work was that which relates to char-
acter sketches. The material was mainly of an incidental nature. The danger of
underestimation or exaggeration was an ever present one. It was not thought
necessary in order to be true to facts to give any prominence to foibles and natural
human weaknesses. The critical judgment would use these to modify the coloring
of the pricture, knowing that this faculty rarely works in unison with the creative
faculty so as to secure harmony and unity. It is a dangerous thing to label a per-
sonality, and possibly the more so where there is personal knowledge. The reader
may have a different angle of vision, or he may belong to the class spoken of by
the Roman poet Horace, when he says: "The luster of a lofty character and an
excelling genius is galling to inferior men; but when the man of genius dies, envy
is changed into love." The supreme aim in all that is written along this line
has been to see character vindicated and truth and justice come to their own.
When the question was tentatively decided that the insistent request of the
General Eldership should be heeded, at a meeting of the Board of Directors, held
on October 7, 1909, the question of one, or of two volumes was taken up. The
decision reached was that there should be two. One was to be "The History of
the Churches of God;" the other, "Doctrine and Polity of the Churches of God."
This was also to be historical, and not a System of Theology. It was also de-
cided that the History should be illustrated, which added to both its size and cost.
The work has been done with special care. Not only is this, true so far as the
gathering, arranging and classifying of the materials are concerned, and the compo-
sition, or preparing, of the manuscript; but the manuscript before going into the
hands of the printer was critically read by a very competent committee. Another
committee read the proof with special care. The inaccuracies, mistakes and errors
which doubtless will be found, despite special care to be accurate, are such as no
vigilance could reasonably have avoided, and which charity will cover. The weary
hours, running into months and years, while the execution of this great task has
been in progress, have also been hours of unusual pleasure. The historian walked
and communed with the fathers of the Church over their old fields of labor and toil
for the Master, and through scenes which are now unknown. A vast majority of
these he had personally known, and so in prosecuting the work he was associated
with those whose labors and merits were an open book, and for whom, whether
living or dead, he cherishes the sentiments of true Christian affection and
regard. If the readers of these pages should become equally absorbed in their
contents they will become better acquainted with the past labors and triumphs of
the Church; will cultivate a higher regard for the noble and heroic, the altruistic
and self-sacrificing spirit, and the true greatness of the early and later leaders in
the Church, and will have their zeal for future enlargement greatly quickened.
That these may be results of the publication of this work, leading to the praise of
the Great Head of the church, is the cherished hope of him who commits it to the
considerate judgment and the good will of all its readers.
THE AUTHOR.
Harrisburg, Pa., Sept. 11, 1913.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
Dedication iii-
Frontispiece, v.
Introduction, vii.-x.
Table of Contents, xi.-xii.
List of Illustrations ; xiii.-xiv.
DIVISION I. — CxENERAL HISTORY.
Chapter I.— 1797-1820 3-10
Chapter 11.-1820-1825 11-18
Chapter III.— 1825-1830, 18-36
Chapter IV. — 1830-1835 36-45
Chapter V.— 1835-1840, 46-54
Chapter VI.— 1840-1845, 55-67
Chapter VII.— 1845-1850 68-78
Chapter VIII.— 1850-1855 79-101
Chapter IX. — 1855-1860 101-118
Chapter X. — 1860-1865, 118-129
Chapter XI. — John Winebrenner, His Character and Works 130-141
Chapter XII. — 1865-1870, 141-158-
Chapter XIII. — 1870-1875 158-173
Chapter XIV. — 1875-1880, 173-189
Chapter XV. — 1880-1885, 189-207
Chapter XVI. — 1885-1890 207-219
Chapter XVII. — 1890-1895, 219-234
Chapter XVIII.— 1895-1900, 234-250
Chapter XIX. — 1900-1905 250-264
Chapter XX. — 1905-1910, 264-278
Chapter XXI. — 1910-1913 278-288
Chapter XX. — Life and Work of C. H. Forney, 289-310
DIVISION II. — HISTORY OF THE ANNUAL ELDERSHIPS.
1. The East Pennsylvania Eldership, 313-37 7
2. The Ohio Eldership, 377-394
3. The West Pennsylvania Eldership, 394-425
4. The Indiana Eldership, 425-453
5. The Iowa Eldership 453-486
6. The Michigan Eldership 486-508
7. The Illinois Eldership, 509-541
8. The German Eldership 541-556
9. The West Ohio Eldership 556-589
10. The Texas Eldership, 589-595
The Texas and Arkansas Eldership, 595-608
11. The Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership 609-617
The Southern Indiana Eldership, 618-628
12. The Kansas and Missouri Eldership, 628-634
13. The Maryland and Virginia Eldership, 634-652
14. The Nebraska Eldership, 652-669
15. The Missouri Eldership, 669-682
(xi)
xii Table of Contents
Page.
16. The Maine Eldership, 683-688
17. The Kansas Eldership 689-704
18. The West Virginia Eldership, North, . 705-718
19. The Oregon and Washington Eldership 719-729
20. The Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership 729-737
21. The West Virginia Eldership, South 737-745
22. The Arkansas Eldership (Colored) , 745-750
23. The Colorado Eldership, 751
DIVISION III.
History of the General Eldership, 755-800
DIVISION IV.
History of the Printing Establishment, 803-813
DIVISION V.
History of the Periodicals of the Church, 817-841
DIVISION VI.
History of Institutions of Learning 845-87 0
DIVISION VII.
History of Mission Work and Missionary Societies, 873-896
DIVISION VIII.
Hymnology, 899-910
DIVISION IX.
Bibliography, 913-918
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Page.
Board of Directors, Frontispiece
Glade School House 7
First Church Building in Harrisburg, 11
Salem German Reformed Church, Harrisburg, Pa., 13
Stone Church, Opposite Shiremanstown, Pa 17
Mulberry Street Bethel 21
Present Bethel, Fourth Street, 22
First Bethel, Linglestown 24
Second Bethel, Linglestown 25
Third Bethel, Linglestown, 26
First Bethel, Shippensburg, 31
Second Bethel, Shippensburg, 32
Present Bethel, Shippensburg, 33
First Bethel at Landisburg, Pa., 38
Second Bethel at Middletown, Pa 39
St. Lucas Church Building, Uniontown, Md., 41
Present Bethel at Uniontown, Md., 42
John Winebrenner, 44
Thomas Hickernell, 49
Jacob Keller, 50
John Hickernell, 51
Alverton Bethel, 52
Lancaster Bethel, 60
Second Bethel, Landisburg, 62
Ruins of First Bethel, Auburn, Pa 73
Present Bethel at Auburn, Pa. 74
Bethel at Camp Hill, Pa 75
Joseph Ross, 80
B. Ober, 82
E. Marple, 83
George Sandoe 84
Daniel Wertz, 85
A. Megrew 86
J. M. Klein, 87
Kimmel's Bethel, 92
James Colder, 96
G. U. Harn, 98
I. B. Boyer, Ill
John Winebrenner, .130
Monument of Winebrenner, 133
A. Swartz 143
J. M. Domer, 144
J. C. Forncrook, 180
First Bethel, Oklahoma 230
Lamar Bethel, Colorado 285
George L. Chapman, 2 87
C. H. Forney, 291
Andrew Miller, 314
David Maxwell, 315
James Richards, 316
(xiii)
xiv List of Illustrations
Page.
John Martin 426
Jonathan Hawk, 454
Alexander B. Slyter, 486
House in Which Illinois Eldership was Organized, 510
David Keplinger 629
S. Spurrier 636
C. B. Konkel, 690
Gravel Street Bethel 705
Thomas Woods, 706
J. F. Schoch, 719
E. M. Kirkpatrick 729
L. F. Murray 738
George Ross, ' 807
Central Printing and Publishing House 809
G. W. Fox, 811
H. W. Bowman 812
J F. Weishampel 819
E. H. Thomas, 823
S. G. Yahn 828
J. H. Redsecker 831
George Sigler, 832
W. A. Laverty, 833
P. Loucks, 834
J. M. Carvell, 835
D. S. Shoop, 836
Lydia A. Forney, 83 8
W. J. Schaner, 839
Findlay College, 853
John R. H. Latchaw 854
William N. Yates, 858
Charles T. Fox, 859
Charles Manchester, 861
Charles I. Brown 863
William Harris Guyer 865
Barkeyville Academy, 867
Fort Scott Collegiate Institute 868
O. A. Newlin, 869
Clara Landes, Missionary to India 883
Group Picture of Miss Hershey and Rev. Bowers and Wife, Missionaries to
India, 887
Mrs. M. B. Newcomer, 888
Mrs. Clara M. Ritchie, 889
Miss Mary Witsaman, Missionary to India, 890
Miss Leah Becker, Missionary to India 891
A. E. Myers, Missionary to India 892
H. W. Cover, Missionary to India 893
Mrs: C. I. Brown 894
Mrs. O. B. Huston 895
DIVISION I.
GENERAL CHURCH HISTORY.
DIVISION I.
GENERAL CHURCH HISTORY.
CHAPTER I.
1797—1820.
HISTORY in general, in a work on "The Study of Biology," is defined by
Thomas Hobbes to be, "The register of knowledge of fact." But as Church
History especially has two sides, a divine and a human, it must include more
than a recital of bare facts. On the part of God it is his revelation in the economy
of grace and in the order of time of his plan of infinite wisdom, justice, mercy and
love, looking to his glory and the eternal well-being of mankind. On the part of
man it is largely the biography of prominent actors, and of the moral and spiritual
development of those who have come under their influence, or through their
agencies under the saving power of the gospel. And in the establishment of a
religious body of people its history is largely the history of one man. Hence, the
story of its founding, like that of the great Reformation, is best told by a biography
of the man under God whose work assumed the largest proportions. Every move-
ment, political and religious, also has its indirect, previous and often hidden causes,
which may extend into a more or less remote past. It is not against a divine
providence, nor yet against an intelligent human purpose, that this fact is recog-
nized. The environment, physical, moral, political and economic, has a determin-
ing force in the history of even our highest activities. This important feature of
written history requires some investigation into these mediate causes and their
portrayal in a clear light. That the picture itself may be clearly and correctly
painted it is a prerequisite that there be first a true historical background. More
than a century has passed since the man was born who, in the divine providence,
laid, humanly speaking, the ecclesiastical foundations of the churches of God.
It is, therefore, the more necessary, in order that the history of the churches of
God may be as nearly complete as practicable that the reader have a correct
perspective; that the antecedent facts be given their relative importance. True
history requires that, so far as may be, the view be taken from the standpoint of
an actual observer. Neglect of this important principle gives a distorted view of
the distant past. Or, on the contrary, as Hazlett so justly remarks: "Seen in the
distance, in the long perspective of waning years, the meanest incidents, enlarged
and enriched by countless recollections, become interesting."
The proper measurement of the present is by the past. And only as we know
the past in its entirety can we correctly estimate it. We live in a new world.
Marvelous changes in every department of human life have taken place. Not only
in State and Nation is this true, but in all ecclesiastical affairs. A century ago the
wildest romancer could not have pictured the present age. Nor can the living
generation, in the absence of historical data, conceive conditions at the close of
the eighteenth century.
"With smoking axle, hot with speed, with steeds of fire and steam,
Wide-waked to-day leaves yesterday behind him like a dream;
Still from the hurrying train of life, fly backward far and fast
The milestones of the fathers, the land-marks of the past."
The growth and development of our common country have had no parallel in
the world's history. The meager millions of '7 6 have become almost one hundred
millions to-day. The first census of the population of the United States was taken
in 1790. The total population as then computed was 3,929,214. In 1900 it was
75,303,387. Three years after the birth of Winebrenner it was .5,308,483. This
population was scattered principally along the Atlantic sea-coast, extending a few
4 ' History op the Churches of God
hundred miles inland. Of the sixty-seven counties in Pennsylvania only twenty-
five were organized prior to 1800. The population of the State of Pennsylvania
in 1790 was less than one-third of the present population of Philadelphia. This
relative proportion is everywhere evident. The total Continental troops in the
entire period of the Revolution was but 130,917. Great things then would seem
insignificant now.
There are many land-marks of historical and biographical importance which
the thoughtful reader will recall with profit in this connection, so as to secure a
proper setting for the story of the founding of the churches of God in the United
States. They will transport the reader into the environment of the last decade of
the eighteenth century. Thus, the birth of the great American Republic occurred
twenty-one years before the birth of Winebrenner. Seven years before the latter
event the Constitution of the United States was adopted by the last one of the
original thirteen States, while a year earlier Washington was inaugurated the first
President of the new Republic. The corner-stone of the Capitol at Washington
was laid but four years prior to the birth of Winebrenner, and it was not until
three years after his birth that the archives of the Government were removed from
Philadelphia to Washington, preparatory to the convening the ensuing November
of the first Congress in the new metropolis. Two years after the birth of Wine-
brenner Columbia's most honored, venerated and renowned son, George Wash-
ington, ended his illustrious career. His Farewell Address was published in Sep-
tember, 1796. In his case, as in many in less exalted station, the ordinance of
divine wisdom was verified, that the great boon of earthly immortality shall be
attained only through the portals of the grave, to which decree the illustrious and
the humble are alike subject.
While every youth in America remembers that John Adams, the second Presi-
dent, was inaugurated in 179 7, and Thomas Jeffei-son, Vice President, it is not so
generally remembered that among the distinguished men born in that year are
Dr. Charles Hodge, a powerful ecclesiastical leader and a fine example of the mod-
ern expositor of the dogmas of Calvinism; John Hughes, Catholic Archbishop of
America; Samuel Joseph May, American clergyman and abolitionist; Franz Schu-
bert, "the immortal melodist"; Thurlow Weed, one of the oldest American journal-
ists, and that Abraham Lincoln was born but twelve years later. John AVesley,
founder of Methodism, died six years before the birth of Winebi-enner, and Charles,
his brother, the celebrated Hymn-writer, nine years earlier.
At the close of the eighteenth century the economic conditions of the country,
with its largely preponderating rural population, were of the most primitive and
antiquated character. Slavery was not yet abolished in Pennsylvania, as in 17 80
there were 11,000 slaves in the Colony, which probably marked the highest figures
in its history. Maryland in 1800 had 105,635 slaves. There were no public service
utilities; no transportation lines except the stage coach and the Conestoga wagon.
In 1790 there were only twenty-five post-offices in the whole country, and up to
1837 the rates of postage were twenty-five cents for a letter sent over four hundred
miles. There were no canals, no railroads, no telgraph or telephone lines, no gas
or electric lights. The most sententious contrasts can be drawn between 1801 and
1901 in economic, civic, political, scientific and religious conditions. In area alone
the figures for 1801 are 827,844 square miles, and for 1901, 3,631,000 square
miles. Then they had the quill pen, now we have the fountain pen and the type-
writer. Then the springless stage coach, now the locomotive, the dining-car, the
bicycle and the automobile. Then the tallow-dip, the fiint and steel to strike fire;
now the sulphur match, the Roentgen rays and the electric light. Then the needle;
now the sewing-machine and the knitting-machine. Then the sickle, the scythe
and the fiail, the farmer's harvesting tools; now the reaper that cuts and binds and
the header and steam thresher. Then hand type-setting and the slow printing
press; now the almost human linotype machine, and the octuple steam press, turn-
ing out one thousand papers a minute, pasted, folded and counted. Such wonderful
achievements as these and scores of others make the grandest epochs in the history
of the world. They are also the exponent of the mental development of the race.
In newspaper enterprise the same remarkable progress has been made. Its
beginning dates back to 1690, when "Publick Occurrences" appeared in Boston.
Progress was slow the greater part of the century which followed. By the com-
mencement of the struggle for independence the Colonial press numbered but thirty
publications, all weekly. But with the opening of the nineteenth century the
periodical press grew rapidly in number, circulation and influence. And at the
General History 5
close of the century the number of the newspapers and periodicals of the United
States easily leads the world. The annual expenditure of a single metropolitan
daily operated on a large scale is computed at not less than $3,000,000. The re-
ligious press has had an equally rapid development. The first distinctively relig-
ious newspaper the world had ever seen appeared at Portsmouth, N. H., in Septem-
ber, 1808. To-day the number of religious publications of a periodical character
exceeds the wildest anticipations of a century ago.
The churches of God in modern times having had their origin in Eastern Penn-
sylvania and the border counties of Maryland, it is quite important that something
should be said of the early immigrants to these sections, their culture, language,
customs and religious peculiarities. In the study of the history of any people, as
Pierson says of all great forward movements, "it is always important to begin at
the beginning." For "history is a constant ethical lesson to the studious and
candid observer." The first general settlement of Pennsylvania by Penn with a
colony of English Quakers was in 1682. This was followed by the first cargo of
German immigrants in October, 16 83. A few years later this immigration assumed
large proportions, aggregating over thirty thousand names of Germans, Swedes
and Hollanders by the close of the year 177 6. They were all of the poorer class
of people, and lived at first in small log cabins in the primeval forests. In many
sections extending as far westward as the Cumberland Valley, in Pennsylvania; the
northern counties of Maryland, and the Shenandoah Valley, in Virginia, they formed
fully nine-tenths of the population, while throughout the Province they constituted
more than one-half of the population. The Netherlands, the Palatinate, Scotland,
Ireland, Bavaria and other countries contributed their proportion to the mixed
population of Pennsylvania at the close of the eighteenth century.
Religiously these people who fled from the terrible persecutions of the Old
World represented quite a variety of religious organizations. English and French
Infidelity was also represented, especially during and following the War of Inde-
pendence. The principal denominations thus early established in Pennsylvania
and the border counties of Maryland were the Dunkards, the Mennonites, the
Moravians, the German Reformed, the Lutherans, the Presbyterians, the Quakers
and the Methodists. There were also organizations of some less widely known
bodies, such as the River Brethren, Schwenkfelders, Swedenborgians and Shakers.
The United Brethren Church originated in Lancaster county. Pa., with the revival
preaching of Philip Otterbein, of the German Reformed Church, and Martin Boehm,
a Mennonite minister, about 1789. Simultaneously the "outward organization" of
the Evangelical Association, then more generally known as the German Methodist
Church, was effected. In the formation of both these religious bodies the pressure
of external circumstances, the passion in a few devout souls for a deeper spiritual
experience and the burning desire and zeal for the salvation of their fellow men,
under the divine providence, were the predominant factors.
The religious life of the church has been a succession of ebbs and fiows, of
high tides and low tides. It is human to degenerate. And so after the high tides
of spiritual revivals in the past two centuries there followed a season of depression
and dearth. Ritualism, sacramentalism, secularism, rationalism and infidelity
proved fatal to genuine piety and spirituality. The Mennonites, Dunkards and
those of other faiths fied from the intolerance and oppressions of the Old World
to enjoy liberty of conscience, and a free worship in the New World, but to become
enslaved in forms and ceremonies. When they reached the New World their piety
was unaffected, their morality of a high order, and the spirituality of their religion
genuine and sincere. But before the middle of the eighteenth century there was
a general eclipse of vital godliness. In most sections of the country religious
experience had ceased to be a test of church membership and disappeared from
the pulpits as a theme of discourse, and even the ministry was filled with unregen-
erate'men. Laxity of belief and morals prevailed, and candidates for the ministry
often refused to answer inquiries in regard to both faith and experience. Then
came "The Great Awakening" under Edwards and Whitefield. It did not, however,
deeply effect the spiritual life of Churches in the Middle States, and was soon
followed by the inevitable reaction. General moral degeneration, skepticism and
infidelity prevailed to an alarming extent. This condition was somewhat relieved
by the introduction of Methodism, which dates its organic existence back to 1766.
A more general revival followed all over the country, which has been characterized
as a counter reaction against the skepticism and immorality which had distinguished
that period of the century. These earlier Methodists were originally from the
6 History of the Churches op God
German Palatinate, and were to some extent scattered among the German settle-
ments in eastern Pennsylvania. Their first house of worship was erected on Fourth
street below Vine, Philadelphia, in 1769. They were self-sacrificing, zealous and
persevering in their efforts to disseminate experimental religion in the Colonies.
Their converts multiplied with unprecedented rapidity. The first Conference was
held in 1773, in Philadelphia, with ten preachers and eleven hundred and sixty
members. But when the General Conference convened in New York City in 1812
there were reported six hundred and eighty-eight preachers and one hundred and
ninety-five thousand, three hundred and fifty-seven members. But the Methodist
ministers followed in the main the English population. , They discouraged German
preaching, believing that tht; German language would die out at an early day.
The Revolutionary War had a disastrous effect upon the Churches. Moral
deterioration is a concomitant and a consequence of war. The twenty years fol-
lowing the Revolution was a time of the lowest general morality up to that date
In American history. In the churches there was general lukewarmness and griev-
ous apostasies. There was a lamentable decay of vital piety, and gross immorali-
ties increased to a signal degree. French infidelity came into the country during
the continuance of the war. It spread with unusual rapidity, and swept over the
country like a devouring fire. Colleges and universities were filled with youthful
skeptics. At Yale, in 1795, there were but four or five who were willing to admit
that they were members of churches. Similar conditions existed at Harvard,
Princeton, the University of Virginia and others of the then large institutions of
learning. They were as thoroughly hotbeds of skepticism as they were nurseries
of higher learning.
The dawn proverbially follows the darkest hour of the night. It was hastened
by the labors of such men as Otterbein, Boehni, Albright, Dwight, Asbury, Griffen
and a host of local co-laborers. British Christianity had been powerfully quick-
ened, and new beneficent agencies were starting into being. There were indica-
tions of an immense advance all along the lines of Christ's militant host. The
churches of the new world happily were destined to share in this onward and
upward movement. The Great Awakening under Edwards had been arrested in
Pennsylvania by the German language. The German churches were now them-
selves to be the agents in this new awakening. And so the pen of history has
recorded on its annals the equally great, but more widespread, revival of the closing
years of the eighteenth and the opening years of the nineteenth centuries. The
influence of this revival extended into almost all portions of the country, quicken-
ing and multiplying churches, turning back the dark and desolating floods of infi-
delity and immorality, and giving birth to numerous powerful religious and re-
formatory agencies. Perhaps the Churches least affected by this great revival
were the Dunkard, the Mennonite, the German Reformed and the Lutheran, whose
members and adherents constituted the largest part of the population of eastern
Pennsylvania and the northern counties of Maryland. In these Churches the spirit
which prevailed to so unhappy an extent was arrayed against men who preached
experimental religion, and procured the expulsion of most of them from the com-
munions in which they stood.
It was at the inception of the great revival of 1800-1803 that John Wine-
brenner was born. Two different dates have been published, one in Histories of
Dauphin county. Pa., respectively by Dr, AVilliam Egle, and by Luther Reily
Kelker. The other is given in the "Biography of Elder John AVinebrenner," by
Dr. George Ross. The former give the date of March 24, 1797; the latter gives it
as Saturday, March 25, 1797. The publications of the churches of God, however,
uniformly quote the date given by Dr. Ross. The correctness of this date is
■verified by Winebrenner himself in the article which he furnished over his signa-
ture for "The Testimony of a Hundred Witnesses." He says: "I was born in
Frederick county, Maryland, on the 25th day of March, 1797." He was the third,
son of Philip and Eve C AVinebrenner, whose maiden name was Barrick. The
place of his nativity is Glade Valley, Woodsborough District, Frederick Co., Md.,
near the present town of Walkersville. This section of the county is known as
the Glades, the most fertile. and wealthy part of the county, having within its
limits five farms, with beautiful and picturesque scenery, affording the delightful
variety of mountain and valley and woodland. His parents were of German
descent, but German was not spoken by them in their family. His father was
born near Hanover, York Co., Pa., Dec. 4, 17 59, and when a young man moved
on the farm in Maryland, where he died Dec. 11, 1841. His mother was born
General History . 7
June 1, 1757, and died Sep. 14, 1831. His father had a limited education, but
possessed a strong mind, a remarkably retentive memory and unusual decision of
character. His mother was a woman of gentle and pious disposition, with a good
mind and scripturally adorned character. The father pursued the occupation of
a farmer with a good measure of success. The farm which he owned, and on
which his eminent son was born and raised, is a valuable homestead of about two
hundred acres, with a spacious stone mansion, built in 1810", to take the place of
the old log house in which John was born. Both his parents were members of the
German Reformed Church. Their bodies rest in the Glades Reformed church
grave-yard, a country church about one mile from the old homestead. Young
Winebreimer received his rudimentary education in the Glades school, a log school-
house, standing by the roadside within a stone's throw of the church, and about a
mile from his home. It still stands, and is occupied as a dwelling house.
Glades School-House.
Thence he went to an academic institution in Frederick City, eight miles
south-east of his home. Later he went to Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., at that
time and until 1833 under the control of the Presbyterian Church. Here he
pursued his classical course, being a non-graduate of the class of 1818. From
Dickinson College he went to Philadelphia, where he studied Theology for about
three years under the instructions of Rev. Dr. Samuel Helfeiistein.
Winebi-enner's religious training began in infancy. He was baptized accord-
ing to the ritual of the German Reformed Church when two months old, May 28,
1797, by Rev. John William Riinkel, pastor of the Glades Reformed church from
1784 to 1801. At this church he attended services while at home, Rev. Daniel
Wagner becoming his pastor in 1801. In Philadelphia he attended the ministry
of Dr. Jonathan Helfenstein, pastor of the First Reformed church, Race street,
between Third and Fourth. These ministers are characterized in "The Fathers
of the Reformed Church" as "eminently good, active in the ministry, and aiming
as much as possible at immediate effects."
But Winebrenner contemplated the ministry and was pursuing his studies
with that end in view, when he was as yet destitute of the saving knowledge of
God. It was in Philadelphia, in his twenty-first year, when his theological studies
had been already commenced, that he became scripturally converted. The graphic
narrative of his conversion is thus recorded with his own pen, dated at Harrisburg,
Pa., July 22, 1858: "As my mother trained me from my youth up in the fear and
8 History op the Churches oe God
admonition of the Lord, and instructed me in the great principles and duties of
religion, I was graciously brought to feel my obligations to God at an early age,
and my mind was deeply exercised on the subject of my soul's salvation. These
convictions, however, would sometimes wear off, and then be renewed again.
Hence I continued sinning and repenting for a number of years, till in the Winter
of 1817 [But in a Note in The Gospel Publisher of Feb. 18, 1842, he says: "I
was converted, or born again, in the Spring of 1817"], when deep and pungent
convictions laid hold of my guilty soul. Then, lilie Job, 'I abhorred myself; lilie
Ephraim, 'I bemoaned myself; with the prodigal, I said, 'I will arise and go to my
Father,' and with the publican, I cried, 'God be merciful to me, a sinner.' And
after 'chattering like a swallow,' and 'mourning as a dove' for three or four months
my poor woe-fraught soul found redemption in Immanuel's blood, even the for-
giveness of sins. It was on Easter Sabbath, in the city of Philadelphia, in the
presence of a large congregation of worshipers, that Jesus, the 'Sun of Righteous-
ness' arose and shone upon my soul 'with healing in his wings.' Truly that was
the happiest day of my life! My darkness was turned into day, and my sorrow
into joy. Jesus became the joy of my heart and the center of my affections. His
people became lovely and precious in my sight. His word was my delight. In it
I beheld new beauties and beatitudes. Sin, that dreadful monster, became more
odious and hateful to my soul. Zion's welfare lay near my heart. My bowels
yearned for the salvation of sinners. I was in travail for my friends and kindred.
I felt constrained to join with 'the Spirit and the bride' and say to all, 'Come, O,
come to Jesus.' " Winebrenner's conversion is in many respects almost parallel
to that of Albright, the founder of the Evangelical Association. He was instructed
in the catechism and confirmed by a Lutheran minister, baptized and entered as a
member of that Church, but knew nothing of true conversion. He had similar
experiences before conversion, and finally his conviction became clear and deep,
and he emerged into the light with unspeakable joy. And still a more complete
parallel is the religious experience of Otterbein, founder of the United Brethren
Church. He was brought up in the German Reformed Church and became a min-
ister and pastor in it before his conversion. During his pastorate in Lancaster,
Pa., the great crisis in his religious experience "brought about a most marked
change in his spiritual consciousness."
AVinebrenner's inclination toward the ministry of the German Reformed
Church developed early in life, so that when a lad he often essayed to preach to his
school comrades, and at other times he would "preach in a wood near his home,"
or under a "majestically beautiful oak along his road to school." He was reverent
in his demeanor at church, and an ardent lover of the truth as he understood it.
Plato's striking definition of man as "the hunter of truth" applies to Winebi-enner
from boyhood to old age. He exemplified it in making devotion to truth his chief
end, and found in searching for it his highest pleasure. He was always ready to
make sacrifices in the interest of truth. After his conversion "the work of the
ministry became," as he says, "the uppermost desire of my heart. This desire
became like a pent-up fire in my bones from youth up. In later years my mind
became strongly impressed with the duty of preparing myself for the gospel min-
istry." He opened his mind to his parents, and requested them to have him edu-
cated for the sacred calling. His mother readily consented, but his father opposed
it, and sought in every way to divert his mind to mercantile pursuits, to medicine,
or to the law. This only seemed to intensify his desire to become a minister of the
word. When his father finally yielded he entered upon the necessary course of
preparation, which he completed in 1820. The Reformed Church in Harrisburg,
Pa., having been without a pastor for several months, on the recommendation of
Rev. Jonathan Helfenstein, of Frederick City, Md., invited Winebrenner to preach
a Sabbath for them. He accepted the invitation, and delivered his first religious
discourses Sunday, Feb. 28, 1819, and revisited them Sunday, May 21st, and Nov.
2 8th. Very favorable impressions were made by these sermons, so that at a meet-
ing called by the Vestry of the church, held Dec. 16, 1819, the young theological
student in Philadelphia was elected pastor of the Harrisburg charge. He received
forty-three out of forty-eight votes cast, his competitor, Rev. Lewis Mayer, D. D.,
receiving five. But the call was made unanimous. In a letter dated Dec. 27,
1819, the unanimous call was communicated to him to become the pastor of the
four churches constituting the charge, viz.: Harrisburg, Shoop's, Wenrick's in
Dauphin county, and Salem's, near Shiremanstown, in Cumberland county. His
salary was fixed at $1,000.00 per annum. This call was accepted in a letter dated
General History 9
Jan. 28, 1820, with the statement that he could not take charge of the congrega-
tions until he had completed his theological course and been ordained by the Synod
within whose bounds these churches were located. This being agreeable to the
churches, he proceeded to Hagerstown, Md., where the General Synod of the Ger-
man Reformed Church convened, in Zion's church, where he was ordained to the
office of the sacred ministry on Sep. 24, 1820. He then, on Oct. 4th, sent his-
formal letter of acceptance of the above-named charge. He preached his intro-
ductory sermon at Harrisburg, Pa., on Sunday, Oct. 22, 1820.
During these years of preparation for Winebrenner's life-work important
events were transpiring whose influence his receptive mind could not escape. In
the religious world there was a series of new movements of momentous import.
These included the distinct and separate organization of some religious bodies
destined to exert a far-reaching, powerful influence on American ecclesiastical life.
Otterbein and his followers had previously organized the first Conference of the
United Brethren Church. But it was in 1800 that titles of the new organization
were dropped, and the present distinctive name assumed. The relation of this
new organization and its possible effect upon the German Reformed Church may
be inferred from the fact that the analysis given of the original Roll of Conference
members shows that of the seven men present five were of Reformed antecedents
and two of Mennonite; of those enrolled but absent four were Reformed, two Men-
nonite and one Moravian. Otterbein indeed never formally severed his relation with-
the Reformed Church, and he persistently cherished the hope of seeing the revival
movement inaugurated under his preaching spread more extensively among the
Reformed churches than Pietism had in Germany. While Martin Boehm, his
faithful coadjutor, labored earnestly to develop a true spiritual life among his own
people, the Mennonites. He, like Otterbein, did not desire to separate himself
from the Church of his childhood. They were eminently successful in promoting
revivals in the lower tier of counties in Pennsylvania, including Dauphin, and in
Maryland and Virginia. Many members of Reformed and Mennonite churches
accepted the gospel invitation which they heralded throughout those regions.
At this time the Methodist pioneer Bishop, Francis Asbury, had much fellow-
ship with Boehm and Otterbein. The Methodist Church operated largely in the
more eastern counties of Pennsylvania, coming westward into Lehigh, Berks, Nor-
thumberland and Dauphin. Their itinerant system was better adapted to country
evangeliaztion. But they were disinclined to perpetuate a German ministry.
When Jacob Albright, founder of the Evangelical Association, was converted, he
joined the Methodist Church. He was born in the Lutheran Church. He was a
man of great zeal, and an effective exhorter and later a preacher of unusual power.
He was deeply interested in the spiritual welfare of his German fellow citizens.
He began his ministerial labors in Montgomery county. Pa., in a community of
Schwenkfelters. He felt specially called to lead the neglected Germans to a life
of vital piety. This he would do in the Methodist Church. Like Otterbein, he
had at that time no intention of organizing a new denomination, a step which
would have antagonized the sentiments of the better disposed professors of religion.
But "classes" were formed, organized work was planned, "big meetings" were
held, Pentecostal meetings were inaugurated and new circuits were formed. They
also began holding camp-meetings in 1810, as did the United Brethren in 1815.
Thus his work extended into the northern parts of Lancaster county, into Lebanon,
Schuylkill, Dauphin, Mifflin and Huntingdon. Like burning and shining lights
these heralds of a true spiritual life went through these eastern counties of the
State. So thoroughly Methodistic was this work that the first Conference adopted
as a name "The Newly-formed Methodist Conference." It was a German Metho-
dist organization, with the Methodist Discipline, Confession of Faith and Polity.
But this movement toward a higher spiritual life had little effect upon the older
religious bodies. It reached scores of individuals in those Churches. But the
doors and hearts of these Churches were closed against this new gospel. And by
1810 the lines were so strongly drawn that but few converts were made from these
older faiths. Revivals on an extensive scale did not occur between 1810 and 1825.
Not only is there a periodicity in revivals, but the religious life of a people is like
the surface of the earth as seen in some of the American States. There are the
lofty, majestic mountains, the lower foot-hills, the ravines and the deep valleys,
with their streams and rivers, their deep soil and their fertile plains. So there
are great upheavals of a religious character as seen in the memorable and wide-
reaching revivals when a continent was stirred to its very heart. Others like the
lo History of the Churches oe God
foot-hills of our mountain ranges. But the quieter seasons yield the largest per-
manent results.
Besides these movements out of which grew the United Brethren Church and
the Evangelical Association, in the year 1803 the "Christians" assumed the form
of a united body, composed of Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians. The Re-
formed Methodist Church was organized in 1814. In 1816 the African Methodist
Episcopal Church was organised, and in 1820 the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church. In 1818 the first General Convention of the Swedenborgian, or New
Jerusalem, Church was organized. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church origi-
nated in Tennessee in 1810. In other lines there was also a decided increase in
religious activities. In 1810 the American Board of Foreign Missions was or-
ganized, followed by the American Baptist Missionary Union in 1814, and the
Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1819. Indeed it was in
these two decades of the nineteenth century that the missionary movement which
places the present time above any since the apostolic days began to manifest itself.
And almost simultaneously came in the spirit of division and sectarianism which
divided the Christian forces in America into so many hostile camps.
Other eponymous events during this period are the Second War with England,
1812, which as usual had a dem.oralizing effect upon the people; the admission
into the Union of Ohio in 1802; of Louisiana, in 1812; Mississippi, in 1817;
Illinois, in 1818, and Alabama, in 1819. Among the renowned men who occupy
so large a part in the history of the United States that were born during this period
and were Winebrenner's cotemporaries are Abraham Lincoln, the great War Presi-
dent, whose apotheosis has been proclaimed by an admiring world; AVilliani H.
Seward, his brilliant Secretary of State; Kobei't E. Lee, the master spirit of the
militant Confederacy; Charles Sumner, the illustrious champion of the anti-Slavery
movement; John Lathrop Motley, accomplished author and diplomatist; Frederick
Douglass, the ex-slave, whose oratorical fame is world-wide; John B. Gough, of
unsurpassed talents as a temperance orator; and abroad such celebrities as Count
Bismarck, the iron Chancellor, Premier and Statesman of Germany; William E.
Gladstone, England's greatest prime minister, who as a theological, political and
economic writer and an orator and debater has ever had few superiors; Lord
Beaconsfield, author of "Endymion" and other great works manifesting originality,
vivaciousness and wit, and a controlling figure in the government and prosperity
of England, and Queen Victoria, the beloved Sovereign of Great Britain, under
whose beneficent reign greater and richer advantages in religion, science, art, com-
merce and literature were enjoyed than under any other modern sovereignty.
Among the princes of the American pulpit born during this era may be named
Henry Ward Beecher, the most eloquent of pulpit and platform orators; Matthew
Simpson, the most celebrated Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in a cen-
tury; Thomas H. Stockton, who in his time is said not to have had a peer as a
pulpit orator in the country; Horace Bushnell, Congregationalist author and di-
vine, and Theodore Parker, Independent minister and representative of Liberal
Theology.
General History
II
CHAPTER II.
1820—1825.
WHEN in October, 1820, Winebieuiier "settled in Harrisburg, Pa., as a min-
ister of the German Reformed Church, he took charge of four congrega-
tions, one in town and three in the country." The town congregation
worshiped in an old log building, on Third street, below Chestnut, the logs having
been cut in the woods, or forests, in the immediate vicinity. It was the first
•church building erected in the town, and was built by public subscriptions, in 1787.
It was repaired and weather boarded in 17 9 5, and so has by some been called a
frame house.
First Church Building in Harrisburg.
Prior to this the people of all Protestant denominations worshiped together,
when a minister came, in a one-story log school-house then standing at the foot
of Capitol Hill, on the north-west corner of Third and Walnut streets. When the
town was laid out the pioneer settlers took measures for the erection of a church
building, and John Harris, its founder, granted a lot on the town plot, at the
corner of Third and Chestnut streets, for that purpose. On the lower end of this
lot the first church building was erected. The building had a front of thirty-five
feet on Third street, and a depth of thirty-five feet on Cherry alley. The subscrip-
tion list states that the building was to be "a church and school-house," and was
"to be used by all denominations." The Lutheran and Reformed churches in 1791
erected a separate school-house on the same lot. After the death of John Harris
his heirs released their interest in the church lot to the trustees of the Reformed
and Lutheran churches. In April, 1816, the Reformed congregation purchased
the interest held by the Lutherans in the old church lot and buildings, and became
the sole owners. In anticipation of this severance of the two churches the
Lutherans had purchased, in 1814, a lot on Fourth street, between Market and
Chestnut streets, on which the same year they erected a handsome brick church,
dedicated October 1, 1815.
12 History of the Churches of God
The history of Harrisburg begins in 1733, when it was known as Karris'"
Ferry. It was platted by John Harris in 1784, and called Harrisburg. In 1785
the name was changed to Louisburg. In 1791, the year that Harris died, it was-
incorporated as a borough, and called Harrisburg. At this time it had two hundred
and twenty houses. In 1811 the seat of government was removed from Lancaster
to Harrisburg, and the first Governor inaugurated at the new capital was William
Fiiidlay, on December 16, 1817. The corner-stone of the new capitol was laid
May 31, 1819, and the building completed in 1821. During the building of the
capitol the Legislature met in the Court House. The language spoken by the
people was so largely German, that the first English services in the Reformed
church were held about 1808. And preaching in German and English continued
in the Reformed and Lutheran churches for many years.
The population of Dauphin county in 1820 was German and Scotch-Irish, the
former largely preponderating. The latter were Presbyterians, the former prin-
cipally Reformed and Lutherans, with small organizations of Methodists, United
Brethren and Evangelicals. The earliest churches to be established were, by tne
Presbyterians, in 1730; the Lutherans, in 175 3; by the German Reformed, in
1768; by the Episcopalians, in 1766; by the Methodists, in 1801; the United Breth-
ren and Evangelical Association about 1800, and the Catholics, in 1810. Only
four of these Churches, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Reformed and Methodist, were-
represented in organic form in Harrisburg when Wiiiebrenner began his ministerial
labors, the Methodists having built a church in 1816 and the Presbyterians, in
1808. The religious condition of nearly all these Churches was low, and desti-
tute of spirituality. It was void of soul and faith, a form without substance. A_
writer of that period describes this condition as being "mostly formal, the mem-
bers having a form of ceremonial religion, but without the enjoyments which
true spiritual religion affords." "There was a great want of a genuine work of
grace." The churches were barren and stagnant, producing a state of religious-
Inactivity. Even the ministers of the Evangelical and United Brethren Churches
lamented the barrenness and stagnation among their people. While the con-
census of views is that among the other religious bodies, with few exceptions,
"ministers and members were unconverted and ignorant of the right ways of the-
Lord."
Under these conditions Wiiiebrenner began his ministry among the people of
his charge. He preached in German and English, as especially the churches at
Wenrick's and Shoop's were composed of German farmers. Being a man of fer-
vent piety and an earnest Christian, his preaching was clear, pointed and powerful.
He was in favor of revivals of religion, Sunday-schools, prayer-meetings and other
evangelistic measures. Soon after his settlement in his charge a work of grace
commenced among the people, both in town and in the country. This developed
great and bitter opposition, which became more intensified with succeeding years.
It continued for five years, and resulted in his separation from the German Re-
formed Church. He was not unmindful of the material interests of his charge.
The congregation in Harrisburg had outgrown the old log church, and on January
15, 1821, at a congregational meeting it was resolved to erect a new church, front-
ing on Chestnut street, corner of Third street. The corner-stone of the new-
structure was laid June 11, 1821, and the new church was dedicated August 4,
1822.
Under Winebi-enner's leadership a Sunday-school was organized soon after
he became pastor of Salem church. He became popular among the more spiritual
people of other Churches, and would preach in their pulpits, and would invite min-
isters not ordained according to the theory of apostolic succession to preach for his-
congregations and to assist him in evangelistic meetings. These things gave
serious offense to some of the members of his charge, and accordingly an appeal
was sent up to the Synod of the Reformed Church, which met at Harrisburg,.
September 29, 1822, requesting an investigation of the causes of dissatisfaction
existing in the congregations of the charge. Another document was submitted to-
Synod containing a series of complaints. Synod only noticed the appeal, upon,
which it appointed a committee of seven of its members, which met in Harrisburg,,
October 2, 1822. It took up the whole matter, and after careful deliberation it
decided to advise reconciliation by forgiving and forgetting all past differences and
living in future in peace and harmony. The following are the items in the com-
plaints sent to Synod:
GKNERAL HiSTORY
"Coniplaints against the Rev. John AVlnebrenner.
13
"I. That he proceeds in the affairs of the church at Harrisburg as if there
'were no Vestry, as he never consults them on any occasion.
"II. In his recommendation to attend strictly divine worship he mentioned
the Methodist church particularly as a suitable place for his congregation, and on
the same day after such recommendation he preached in the Methodist church.
He further stated that if any members could not derive benefit by attending our
■church they should leave it, and that he himself would never have joined this
Salem German Kefoi-med Church, Hanisburg, Pa.
Built During Winebrenner's Pastorate.
Church if he had not devoted himself to the ministry. And at the time of the
Quarterly Meeting of the Methodists, at Harrisburg, Pa., he attended there and
took Love-feast with them, and kept his own congregation waiting till he returned
from the Methodist meeting-house.
"III. He held prayer-meetings denominated anxious meetings, where he di-
vided the members into two classes — first, those who say they have experienced
a change, and believe themselves to be Christians; and, secondly, the sinners, those
who believe themselves to be mourning sinners. And during all prayer-meetings
14 History of the Churches of God
he encourages groaning, thereby disturbing others who might, if the groaning were-
omitted, receive some benefit. Allows during prayer certain persons to respond
'Amen! Amen!' thereby drawing the attention of the gazing crowd which usually
collect on the outside.
"IV. At a meeting held, which he called a conference meeting, on the last
Monday of July, he allowed persons to converse, encouraged the Christians to
speak to sinners, when Mr. Wiiiebreuner, Mr. Jacob Helfenstein, Mr. Knouse, Mr.
Krause, Mr. Officer, Mi-s. Wetherholt and others at one and the same time ex-
horted, prayed and continued until James Officer commenced singing a lively tune,
which produced a state of confusion among them. After that Mr, Wiiiebrenner
called out if any person wished to be prayed for they should come forward. That
then numbers came forward, and Mr. Knouse prayed for them.
"V. At a meeting held the last Monday in May, which he called an experience
and conference meeting, which began at seven o'clock in the evening, he kept
together all who would stay till four o'clock in the morning, at the breaking up of
which he said, 'This is the way to fan the chaff from the wheat.'
"VI. His denunciation from the pulpit towards members and others has
caused members to withdraw themselves from the church. And on one occasion,
when he preached a funeral sermon, he said, 'If I were to judge from Scripture, the
majority buried in the neighboring graves must be in hell,' from which expression
he gave a general dissatisfaction to the by-standers on the burying ground. After-
ward he said from the pulpit, he excepted the children from the expression given
in the grave-yard, thereby evidencing the general displeasure his expressions have
given to the people.
"VII. He is now making, or has already made, arrangements to give up two
of the congregations which form a part of our connection, viz.: at Wenrick's and
Shoop's churches, thereby imposing a burden upon the two remaining congrega-
tions to provide support for himself and his successor, which was ere this done by
the four congregations. All this is done without consulting the Vestry, or mem-
bership of the adhering congregations.
"VIII. He has given such general dissatisfaction that on several late occas-
ions where there were funerals in families of his members they passed [him] by;
would not have him attend their funerals, and obtained ministers of other denomi-
nations.
"IX. He has admitted persons (who on account of misconduct in the church
they previously belonged to were expelled from membership) to become members
of our church without consulting the Vestry.
"X. He is very remiss in visiting members of our congregation, especially at
such times when any are sick; and he absents himself from his residence that he
can not pay the necessary visits to his members, and he has refused to baptize
children of the members when he had been particularly requested."
Winebrenner's defense was based largely on the incorrectness of these allega-
tions. He said: "I am brought to the disagreeable necessity of declaring a great
portion of them incorrect, and devoid of truth. There are, however, I admit, some
facts contained in the paper, which, when freed from error and misrepresentations,
I am not ashamed to confess." He admitted, under the first complaint, that he
did not always consult the Consistory, because he knew that no harmonious co-
operation could be had; but he did sometimes. Besides, the Consistory did not
consult him invariably either.
On the second, he admitted that he did preach for the Methodists, took Love-
feast with them, and on a certain occasion when he intended to preach for them
he invited his people to come to hear him. And as his congregation was without
preaching every other Sabbath he recommended it to go to other churches on the
intervening Sabbath. But that he kept his congregation waiting longer than usual
at any time he took Love-feast with the Methodists was incorrect. Moreover he
was grieved to see so many professors of religion so desitute of charity as scarcely
to go into any place of worship than their own.
On the third, he stated that he held anxious meetings, and in order to ascer-
tain who were awakened and who were not, it was mentioned that they should
occiipy separate rooms, or different parts of the same room; but every one was free
to determine where and with whom to sit. That he did not encourage groaning;
however, when sinners groan for redemption he delighted to hear it, but when it
proceeds from mere habit it was vain and unprofitable.
On the fourth, his words are: "The object contemplated at that meeting was
General History 15
to hold a free conversation with each other on experimental religion." He con-
ceded that what was complained of is true, with the exception of a few mistakes.
On the fifth, he stated that he did keep up the meeting till four o'clock in the
morning; "but the last expression was unfounded."
On the sixth, he said: "If men will become my enemies; yea, withdraw them-
selves from the church, because I tell them the truth, I can not help it. But I
know of none save perhaps the few men who have lodged these complaints against
me." And in reference to the probable state of the dead, other than unaccount-
able children, he referred them to Matthew vii. 13, 14, and Luke xiii. 24.
On the seventh, he called attention to the fact that as Middletown and Hum-
melstown were once part of the Harrisburg charge, and are destitute of preaching,
he intended to supply them for awhile, provided the arrangements could be made
with the country churches.
On the eighth, he revealed the strong affinity between kindred spirits, by say-
ing: "I do rejoice to say, that, so far as I know, the pious and serious part of the
congregation have always been my warm and affectionate friends."
On the ninth, he admitted that he did receive one person who was formerly a
member of another Church, and had been excommunicated; but that at the time
he was admitted to church fellowship he had professed religion.
On the tenth, he stated, that he was not aware of the fact of a certain person
being sick, or he would have visited him. He acknowledged that he had refused
to baptize the children of unbelieving parents, and declared his intention to con-
tinue to do so.
Conditions at Harrisburg remained unsettled during the Winter of 1822-3.
An incident occurred on March 23, 1823, which precipitated the final crisis. On
that day Wiiiebrenner preached in German, and having a funeral in the country
in the afternoon, he announced that he had engaged a Mr. Brown to preach in his
stead. As Brown was not a minister of the German Reformed Synod some of the
authorities of the church prohibited the sexton to ring the bell and to unlock the
church door. In the evening Winebrenner preached in English, and at the close
of the services he said: "I shall not appoint the time for another meeting, as I do
not know that I can be the pastor of this congregation any longer, unless that I
shall again preach on Friday evening next. And if I do preach then, I will preach
on the following Sunday." A conference with the Vestry followed, when Wine-
brenner was asked why he had made this announcement, to which he replied, that
he desired to know whether they approved of the course of one of the Vestry in
preventing Mr. Brown from preaching, and also whether they would pay him the
same salary they had paid him the first year. To the first question the Vestry an-
swered, "Yes." To the second, one vestryman replied, "No; because through your
course many of the paying members stayed away, and consequently we could not
do it."
A very critical condition had now been reached. Efforts were made by Wine-
bi-enner's friends to bring about harmony. A division of sentiment existed in the
congregation, and an effort was made to reconcile the parties, on condition that
Winebrenner would quit holding so many prayer-meetings, to which he declined to
agree. For some reason he did not preach, as conditionally announced, on Fri-
day evening. This the Vestry regarded as a virtual resignation of the charge.
W^inebi-enner, however, did not so understand it, and continued to manifest a de-
sire to preach for the congregation. On this account, and because fully one-half
of the membership were his friends, the Vestry met at his home on a week-day
evening, when it was stated that they had come to have a conference with him as
to what he intended to do, and also to inform him what arrangements they pro-
posed to make with him for the future. The Vestry stated that they had collected
the salary due him, and that if he would conform to their rules they would pay
him the money, and continue him as their pastor. They insisted that he must
preach for them only, and not for other congregations, and thereafter not invite
so-called unordained ministers to preach in his pulpit, and not to hold more than
one prayer-meeting a week, nor keep it up later than nine o'clock at night. Wine-
brenner answered: "I will not consent to these arrangements; for I am a free
man, preach a free gospel, and I will go where the Lord calls me to go." The
revival spirit by this time was dominant in his heart. February 19, 1822, he had
written to his sister, stating: "We have very good and pleasant times here; from
three to four prayer-meetings in our congregation each week. And the Lord
sometimes comes in sacred nearness to our souls while we are waiting for him.
t6 History of the Churches of God
Sinners are awakened and made to cry for mercy. Oh, that God may be with us
still, and delight to bless us." The church had largely increased numericaly dur-
ing his short pastorate.
The Sunday following the conference between the Vestry and AVinebrenner
he went to the church to preach, but the door was locked, and a large crowd had
collected on the pavement and street. Finding that he could not enter the build-
ing, he and about one-half the congregation, with many others who were attracted
there, proceeded to the bank of the Susquehanna river, two. blocks away, near the
grave of Harris, where he preached his sermon. The line of division had thus been
drawn. Part of the congregation soon after this held a meeting and resolved that
it considered itself freed from the relation of pastor and people which had hitherto
existed between it and Winebreimer, dating from his announcement from the pul-
pit on March 23, 1823. This did not accord with the views of the other and larger
part of the congregation. Accordingly another meeting of the male members of
the congregation was held on Friday, April 18th, for the purpose of deciding
whether he should resume the pastorate. After what they called "a full debate
and a great discussion," they resolved by a unanimous vote not to retain him as
their pastor. But this vote consisted of but twenty-one ballots, as the friends of
Wiiiebrenner had withdrawn before the vote was taken. The whole difficulty was
brought before the German Reformed Synod at Bedford, Pa., which decided that
the Harrisburg charge was not vacant, and that an election must be held to de-
termine whether Winebreimer shall be their pastor. The Synod met in September,
1824, and on October 11th, AVinebi-enner notified the Vestry of its decision. No
attention being paid to this notice, printed notices were served on the congrega-
tions by Winebrenner's friends, ordering an election on November 3, 1824,
by printed tickets, as follows: "For J. Winebreimer;" "Against J. Wine-
bi-enner." But this election did not heal the breach, nor cure the trouble,
because Winebrenner's opponents did not attend the election. Of those who did
attend a majority of nearly two hundred male members voted for him. His oppon-
ents ignored the whole matter, for long before this meeting they had called and
elected Alfred Helfenst^in, Jr., who became pastor March 24, 1824. A formal sep-
aration had thus been effected, and a large number of the friends of Winebrenner
withdrew from the congregation. These, with Winebrennei', worshiped in the
Court House, in the market-house, on the banks of the river, in private houses and
In groves. AVinebi-enner also preached at other points in Dauphin and Cumberland
counties, as it is said: "The work of grace spread far and wide, and calls for
preaching came from many places, which were cheerfully and quickly responded to.
As the word was preached with great power, both in English and in German, by
the now noted revivalist, multitudes flocked to the standard of the cross."
At the other three churches of which Winebrenner was pastor — Shoope's and
Wenrick's, in Dauphin county, and the Stone church, or Salem, in Cumberland
county — he received similar treatment to that in Harrisburg. At Shoope's there is
no available record beyond the fact that "the members voted Winebrenner out."
At Wenrick's, a member of said church, and afterwards a minister in the church
of God, Jacob Myers, who settled in Linglestown as a physician in 1823, briefly
narrates events at that church in 1824. He says: "My wife and I were com-
municant members of Winebrenner's church, and AV^inebrenner christened our first
child. At that time there was considerable opposition to AA'^inebrenner by many
here as well as in Harrisburg, where he resided. They said he was too much of a
Methodist, and departed from the old landmarks of the German Reformed Church.
The reason they said so was because he held prayer-meetings, and preached earnest-
ly, and insisted on the people to repent and embrace heartfelt religion." The doors
of this church were also closed against AA'inebi-enner, but not until a few years
later. An eye witness of the last services which AA'^inebrenner held at the Stone
church says: "I was also present during the time that a meeting was held in the
Stone church, near Shiremanstown, Pa., about five miles west of Harrisburg. A
great reformation was going on, many were at the altar for prayers, with many
weeping and some shouting praises to the Savior on account of salvation from sins
forgiven. After this revival meeting had continued for about a week, the door of
this church edifice was locked. John Winebrenner stood on the stone steps before
the house and, looking up toward heaven, said to a large congregation which had
come to hear him: 'The people can lock houses, but they can not lock the door of
heaven.' This saying affected and excited the people so much that many wept, and
others praised God aloud. Then the audience went to the old school-house close
Genicrai, History
17
by, and Winebreniier preached there, continuing the meetings for many days, and
many were saved from their sins." This building is still standing, but the Re-
formed church is about extinct. Th^ Lutheran church, which worshiped in the
same house, built a fine brick edifice; but once a year, the last Sunday in September,
they "hold the chief service in the old Stone Church." This church was built in
1798, the corner-stone having been laid June 12, 1798, and the church dedicated
May 19, 1799. The school-house was also the property of the Stone church con-
gregations, and stood on the corner of the grave-yard. It has been replaced by the
township with a brick school-house, and is used by the common school of the dis-
trict.
Thus Winebrenner's relation as pastor was broken with two of the churches
of his charge, yet he continued to preach at the other two points, and was still a
member and minister of the German Reformed Church, in regular standing in the
Synod which ordained him. The proceedings by the two churches of his charge
had not been brought before the Synod. But his work in the Reformed Church
was evidently nearing its end, although the Synod had not yet dissolved the pastoral
relation. There was also more or less unrest among other Churches during this
The Stone or Peace Church, Opposite Shiremanstown, Pa.
period. Among the Lutherans the revival spirit spread to a limited extent. But
the general religious condition in both the Reformed and Lutheran Churches was
not improved. Persecution was the weapon taken up against those who were
classed as Methodists. The old element seemed to wax worse, and the pulpits were
replenished with unrenewed men. It is the testimony of men of this period that
"all kinds of sin and vices reigned in all the Churches, or so-called Christian con-
gregations; and when now and then a person was found who saw the corruption to
some extent, and ventured to censure it and to disapprove the spurious service of
God, he was considered and despised as a fanatic. The few individuals who were
better disposed and anxious to save their souls, were suppressed, and had but little
influence on their rough fellow-members." - Even among the United Brethren and
Evangelicals "the work had begun to stagnate, and then to retrograde." But this
served only to inflame the zeal of those self-denying ministers who endured the
hardships of an itinerant life. Through their prayers and efforts the dawn of a
more blessed day began to break with the year 1823. There were "glorious awak-
enings" in counties within a radius of fifty to seventy-five miles from Harrisburg.
The first camp-meetings in this section were held by the Evangelicals "which were
richly blessed with God's grace and the conversion of many precious souls."
C. H.— 1*
i8 History of the Churches of God
In 1822 the "True Reformed Dutch Church" was formed. It seceded from the
Dutch Reformed Church on account, as they declared, of errors of doctrine and
looseness of discipline; but in reality it was the culmination of an old feud. Yet
generally more stress was placed on doctrine than on piety and morality. A knowl-
edge of this fact makes it more easily conceivable that matters of doctrine in no
wise entered into the original movement which resulted in the organization of the
United Brethren Church, the Evangelical Association and the Church of God.
In 1820 the first Methodist church was organized in Harrisburg, in what is
now the Jewish Synagogue, on North Second Street. Later a house of worship was
built on Locust street. It was with this church that Wiiiebrenner sometimes wor-
shiped, participated in the Love-feast, and for which he occasionally preached. It
is now Grace M. E. Church, on State street.
Two events of this period of a political character occurred which became
memorable in their subsequent effect on the ecclesiastical and political history of the
country. These are the admission into the Union of Maine, in 1820, and of Mis-
souri, in 1821. The former was the first State to adopt a rigorous Prohibitory Act,
which became known as the "Maine law," and which figured so largely in the
temperance discussions and deliverances of religious bodies for a number of years.
The admission of the latter marked a new epoch in the political world, as it began
the first geographical division of political parties in the United States, and was
intimately connected with the religious controversies and the ecclesiastical schisms
of later years.
CHAPTER III.
1825—1830.
THE year 1825 marks a new epoch in the life and labors of Winebrenner. He
was still the minister of Shoope's and Wenrick's churches, and the Synod of
the German Reformed Church had not yet acted on his case. But he soon ceased
to be a pastor, and became an aggressive revivalist. He had not changed his theo-
logical views, which had always been consistent with evangelistic conceptions and
methods. But soul-saving now became the dominant principle of his ministerial
life, and he became distinctively and preeminently an evangelist, in which line his
labors were crowned with unusual success. He modestly recorded this fact in the
"History of All the Religious Denominations in the United States" in these words:
"About this time (1825) more extensive and glorious revivals of religion commenced
in different towns and neighborhoods, to wit: Harrisburg, Shiremanstown, Lis-
burn, Mechanicsburg, Churchtown, New Cumberland, Linglestown, Middletown,
Millerstown [or Annville], Lebanon, Lancaster, Shippensburg, Elizabethtown,
Mount Joy, Marietta and various other places. In these glorious revivals there
were hundreds and multitudes happily converted to God. The conversion of these
scores and multitudes in different places led to the organization of churches."
Under his "searching ministrations" this work of grace began in Reformed
churches of which he was pastor, and had already resulted in the closing of the
houses of worship at Harrisburg and near Shiremanstown. The latter was later
reopened for preaching by Winebrenner, and he preached there until 1827, when he
closed his labors and "left it of his own free will, whilst a large majority of the
members of that church followed him as he preached in private houses and other
meeting-houses as an independent preacher." It was on this independent basis
that churches of God were first organized, as AVinebrenner stated in 1844 — "Sub-
ject to no extrinsic or foreign jurisdiction." At Wenrick's church he continued to
preach with the consent of the church until the Spring of 182.6, when there were
two other candidates for the pulpit, and AVinebrenner was defeated by one vote,
two of his friends being absent. He continued to preach in said church until the
following Spring, when the do6r was locked against him, and he preached an im-
promptu sermon on the stone steps, from the text: "The door was shut." The
congregation at Shoope's church in 1826 also voted him out.
But AA'inebrenner was still a member of the Synod of the German Reformed
Church. In 1825 the troubles between AA'inebrenner and the churches of his
charge came before Synod from the Lebanon Classis, an intermediate judiciatory
Gi-:nerai, History 19,
between the churches and the Synod. The action of the Classis was approved, but
the character of the action is not on record on the Minutes of the Synod. Wine-
brennei" was present at this meeting of the Synod, the last one he attended. At
the meeting of the Synod, held at Frederick, Md., September, 1826, records show
the following:
"The Committee on Correspondence reported:
"A letter from the Rev. Henry Hoffniier, in which he complains, in a moderate
way, of the disorderly conduct of the R«v. J. AVinebi-enner, H. Habliston and D.
Werz.
"Resolved, That this Synod can not take up and decide this matter, because
the complaints in the letter against the brethren should properly, in the first place,
come before the Classis."
In 1827 the Synod met at York, Pa., when the matter came up from the Leb-
anon Classis through the Committee on Minutes of Classis. The Committee re-
ported from said Minutes:
"Charges against the R«v. John Winebrenner.
"Resolved, That they be referred to a committee, who shall meet in a place to
be appointed by themselves, to try these charges against Rev. John Winebrenner,
and make report to Synod. The Committee are Rev. F. W. Vandersloot, Lebrecht
L. Hirsch and Jacob Beecher."
At the meeting of Synod held in 1828, at Mifflinburg, Pa., the following action
was taken:
"The Committee which had been appointed by the Synod at a meeting held at
York, Pa., to investigate the case of Revs. Messi^s. Winebrenner and Hobliston, and
to report at this meeting, reported that Mr. Winebrenner had not obeyed their
citation, and he did not appear before them, and that in their opinion he ought not
to be any longer considered a member of this body."
"The report and the judgment expressed in it, were approved."
Two different constructions were afterward put on this final action, and hence
two different dates are given when AVinebrenner's connection with the Reformed
Church ceased. The action of the Synod has been interpreted as equivalent to
expulsion, and thus the date of Winebrenner's severance from the German Re-
formed Church would be September, 1828. A letter dated September 30, 1843, by
"A Friend to Truth," calls the action of Synod "the expelling act." And a letter
dated July. 14, 1843, by "A Friend to the German Reformed Church," states that
"Synod excommunicated him in 1828." But the former also declares that "Mr.
Winebrenner did secede, or cease to meet with Classis and Synod for three years
before" 1828. This accords with the Minutes of Synod. Winebrenner nowhere
speaks of having been expelled. He says: "However, my reasons for withdraw-
ing from your Church were not merely because 1 found her thus exceedingly de-
generated, and was persecuted by both ministers and people. I withdrew from her
communion for various reasons." Hence, biographers of Winebrenner, writing
from his point of view, have generally stated that he himself severed his relation
with the German Reformed Church in 1825. This is confirmed by his own state-
ment in a letter to Dr. J. W. Nevin, dated "Harrisburg, Pa., Sept. 30th, 1842," in
which he says: "1 withdrew from the German Reformed Church in the year 1825,
and not, as you state, in 1829."
The movement by Winebi-enner was not schismatic. It was reformatory. If
the German Reformed Church had responded to it a reformation would have re-
sulted in the Church. It did not divide the Church, nor detach a part of it to form
a new Church. But the larger portion of the converts under Winebrenner the first
few years of his independent labors were members of Reformed and Lutheran
churches. The religious conditions in these two denominations were extremely
low. The membership was largely composed of unsaved persons. Under the char-
acteristic preaching of Winebrenner large numbers of these unconverted members
were brought under conviction and sought the blessing of regeneration. These
Churches constituted good ground on which to do evangelistic work. Not only did
Winebrenner characterize the Reformed Church of that early day as "exceedingly
degenerate," but also possessed of "a diabolical temper — 1 mean a spirit of pride,
biogtry and persecution." Dr. Nevin, one of the great leaders in the Reformed
Church, acknowledges that "True serious piety is too often treated with open and
marked scorn. In the bosom of the Church itself it is stigmatized as schwaermerei.
kopfhaengerei, or miserable, driveling Methodism. Experimental religion in all
Its forms was eschewed as a new-fangled invention of cunning impostors brought
20 History of the Churches of God
in to turn the heads of the weak and to lead captive silly women- Prayer-meetings
were held to be a spiritual abomination. .Family worship was a species of saintly
affectation barely tolerable in the case of ministers (though many of them gloried
rather in having no altar in their houses), but absolutely disgraceful for common
Christians. To show an awakened concern on the subject of religion, a disposition
to call upon God in daily secret prayer, was to incur certain reproach." The con-
census of historical views is that in this third decade of the nineteenth century
among these Churches of the Reformed faith scarcely any spiritual life could be
discerned; that formalism took the place of religion; that to have been baptized,
then confirmed, and afterward to take Communion once a year was considered
quite enough to constitute a man a good Christian, and that all kinds of sins and
vices were practiced both among professors and non-professors of religion.
Winebrenner did not entertain the purpose of founding a new denomination.
These bodies he stigmatized as sects. Professor Nevin called the United Brethren
and like bodies "rolling balls," and accused Winebrenner with "putting in motion
a similar ball, which continues rolling to this hour [1842], not without abundance
of noise." Winebrenner denounced this as gross misrepresentation: "But, sir, I
did not retire for the ignoble purpose, as you have intimated, of putting another
sectarian ball in motion. No, not at all. I had seen, through mercy, the great
evil of these rolling balls, put in motion and kept in motion by the cunning crafti-
ness of men and devils, and how by their repeated and unhappy collusions they
hindered and marred the work of God in the earth; and, therefore, I resolved to
fall back upon original grounds — to stand aloof from all these sectarian balls, and
to do the work of an evangelist and minister of Christ by building up the church
of God (the only true church) according to the plan and pattern as shown us in the
New Testament. This is the high and firm ground we take. Our ball, therefore,
is not like your ball, nor similar to other human balls. Ours is the Lord's ball.
It was not cut out of the Romish Church by the hands of Calvin and others as was
yours. But it was 'cut out of the mountain without hands.' The ball commenced
rolling upwards of eighteen hundred years ago, and it continues rolling to this
hour; yea, and it will never cease rolling till every other man-made ball shall be
either crushed or rolled up by it, and until the sound of it shall be 'like the sound
of many waters, and as the voice of great thunder.' "
Though these views were expressed much later than the date of Winebrenner's
first revival campaign, they represent his original purpose. The results of those
early labors were the manifestation and exponent of that purpose — "extensive and
glorious revivals." These began at Harrisburg, near Shiremanstown, at Lisburn
and Linglestown, at which points he labored as a Reformed minister, and where
some hundreds — "multitudes" — were converted before a church was organized.
During this period his labors extended as far as York, Lancaster, Lebanon and
Shippensburg, but principally were limited to a radius of nine miles from Harris-
burg. The converts were largely members of Reformed and Lutheran churches.
These no longer found a congenial home in these formal churches, and so began
to agitate the question of local church organizations. During the revival in Har-
risburg, which followed the closing of the doors of Salem church against Wine-
brenner, there were about one hundred conversions, which with those who came out
of the church with him made a company of nearly two hundred souls. They had
no permanent place of worship. The use of the old log church which the Reformed
congregation vacated on August 4, 1822, was refused to Winebrenner and his fol-
lowers, and they were obliged to worship in the Court House, the Market House,
on the river bank, in private houses and lumber yards. AVlnebrenner was indis-
posed to begin the organization of churches. The uniform testimony of his con-
temporaries is that he "had not at the beginning the remotest idea of organizing
a distinct or separate body of people." But driven out of the pulpits of the Re-
formed Church, ostracised and persecuted, he was led to a closer personal investi-
gation of church polity. He went to the highest source for light. He applied
himself with singleness of purpose to the study of the word of God. The result
was a material modification of his former views on ecclesiology. As he himself
testified later: "As the writer's views had by this time materially changed as to
the true nature of a scriptural organization of churches, he adopted the apostolic
plan, as taught in the New Testament, and established spiritual, free and inde-
pendent churches, consisting of believers or Christians only, without any human
name, or creed, or ordinances, or laws." The local church was the unit. It possessed
perfect autonomy. It was wholly independent of every other unit. Each such
General, History
21
unit "possesses in its organized state," as AVinebrenner expressed it in 1829, "suf-
ficient power to perform all acts of religious worship, and everything relating to
ecclesiastical government and discipline. Every individual church is strictly in-
dependent of all others as it respects religious worship and the general government
of its own affairs." Fellowship between these "free and independent" units there
would be, but no higher organization was then recognized by Winebrenner which
could limit the powers of the local church. Each of these local organizations would
accept no human name, creed or ordinances; but would adopt the divine name,
and creed, and ordinances. Winebrenner had not yet changed his views on doc-
trine and ordinances. In his broad platform he saw a basis of the union of all
Christians and Churches. And so the imperative duty of cultivating union between
all believers was strongly urged. These views prepared the way for Winebrenner
to fall in with the growing demand for local church organization. For the multi-
tudes of converts had "conceived the idea of, and begun to talk about, organizing
themselves into churches founded on Bible doctrines and principles even before
W^inebrenner had determined in his own mind to do so."
Mulberry Street Union Bethel.
The First House of Worship Built by a Church of God.
There has been a good deal of contention over the question of priority in the
organization of churches of God. Claims have been strongly urged in favor of
each of three organizations, viz.: Lower Paxton Township, commonly called Mil-
ler's church; Linglestown, and Harrisburg. Winebrenner has left nothing on
record touching this question. Primacy has to be established by other testimony.
The earliest date given is 1825. Judge Pearson gives this date in his Opinion in
the Equity suit of John Winebrenner et al. versus James Colder et al. He says:
"In the year 1825 a congregation of worshipers was formed in this place [Harris-
burg], calling itself 'the church of God at Harrisburg,' and professing to have no
other creed than the Bible, with an independent church government. The denomi-
nation thus started continued to flourish and spread over the State, forming many
congregations, having no connection with each other until the year 1830, when a
confederation took place, as the witnesses say, for the mere purpose of co-operation,
by which an Eldership was formed." This Opinion was delivered Aug. 3, 1861.
Winebrenner was one of the witnesses, as the case was started more than n year
before his death. The principal corroborative testimony is found in the "Bill in
22 History of thk Churches of God
Equity" in the suit above referred to, in which is this statement: "Your Orators
further show that the church of God at Harrisburg was duly organized about the
year 1825." That the organization was effected prior to 1827 is the testimony of
A. O. Raysor, who received his data from Andrew Miller, in whose house the Lower
Paxton church was organized, and who was a member of the first Eldership. Upon
this and other evidence he avers that the church in Harrisburg was the first organi-
zation of a church of God. In September, 18 56, J. F. Weishampel, Sr., who was
connected officially with The Gospel Publisher and The Church Advocate when the
editorial department was in the basement of the "Mulberry Street Bethel," wrote
that said bethel was "built by the first congregation of the church of God." J. Q.
Fryer, in March, 187 3, gave public testimony that the church in Harrisburg was
Fourth Street Bethel, Build 1854.
first organized: "I was present when they went into the first organization at Har-
risburg, Pa. That created considerable stir among sectarians, but up to that time
some of them had hoped that Winebrenner would unite with them. They raised
the cry that he had set up for himself." So that while a later date has been given
(1829) by some writers, it seems evident that "the church of God at Harrisburg"
was organized prior to 1827, and possibly in 1825.
As to the date when the first house of worship by a church of God was built there
can be no dispute. True, there has been rivalry on this point between the advo-
cates of priority for Linglestown and Harrisburg; but the testimony in favor of
either is clear and explicit, and is in favor of the latter. Inscriptions in stone are
better than the testimony of witnesses. Weishampel calls the bethel in Harrisburg
*'the old, original bethel." He saw the corner-stone, and states that "the church
Ge:neral, History 23
here has reserved the pulpit for their own use, and the seats for sale; and they also
will take out of the wall the corner-stone and its contents." He adds, that the
bethel was built in 1827. AVinebi-enner, at the laying of the corner-stone of the
Fourth Street Bethel, in September, 18.54, in his Address on the occasion, says:
"Twenty-seven years ago we laid the corner-stone of the 'Union Bethel' on Mul-
berry street." A. C. Kaysor, later a member of the West Pennsylvania Eldership,
but who was born and raised within two miles of Harrisburg, and whose father
was a member of the church organized at the farmhouse of Andrew Miller, wrote
in February, 1880: "I remember reading the inscription on the corner-stone of
the bethel on Mulberry street many times. I think it reads: 'This Union Bethel,
built A. D. 1827.' " According to AVeishampel's statement this corner-stone was
"reserved" by the church when the Mulberry street property was sold, and for many
years it was lying in the cellar of the Fourth Street Bethel. When the Nagle Street
Bethel, Harrisburg, was built it was removed, and changed to be the corner-stone
of that bethel. But the old inscription remains on the stone. "The Harrisburg
Telegraph," in its issue of Nov. 6, 1874, gives an account of the corner-stone laying
of the Nagle Street church, in which is this paragraph: "The corner-stone was
taken from the old church building on Mulberry street, where the City Hospital
now stands. It bears the following inscription: 'The Union Bethel. Built A. D.
1827.' "
Other testimony is to the effect that it was in the early part of the Summer of
1827 that this Union Bethel was built and dedicated. This property was sold
when, in 1854, the present house of worship on Fourth street was erected, and
which Winebrenner strenuously insisted should be called "The Metropolitan
Bethel."
In 1824-5 AVinebi-enner began preaching at intervals in Linglestown, or St.
Thomas as it was originally called, before the doors of Wenrick's Reformed and
Lutheran church were closed against him. This church is located about half a
mile eastward from the village. Later, in 1827, he preached regularly in the vil-
lage, in the school-house, in private houses and under the trees. As school-houses
were everywhere open for preaching there was less immediate need for the building
of a house of worship. Yet the order was reversed, and the bethel was built before
the church was organized. A number of Winebi-enner's friends, some of. whom had
been catechized by him and who were afterwards converted under his preaching,
withdrew from the church and followed him to the village. They felt that "they
could not retain their spiritual life by remaining in those churches to which they
had formerly belonged, and which had totally sunk into a dead and spiritless for-
mality." Yet for more than two years they maintained their separate existence
without an organization. According to the official Records a meeting of these con-
verts was called for June 29, 1829, when a regular church organization was effect-
ed. They drew up a regular "covenant" in these words:
"We, the undersigned, do hereby mutually covenant and agree to form our-
selves into a church of God on the New Testament plan.
"We further agree to take the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as
the only authoritative rule of our Christian faith and practice.
"And, moreover, we promise cheerfully and quietly to submit to the order of
•Christ's house, and to obey the office-bearers who are, or at any time may be,
placed over us in the Lord."
To this covenant were signed the following names: John Moyer, Peter Bona-
witz, John Walborn, Frederick Deal, John Forney, John Bretz, Daniel Lingle, Abra-
ham'Shope, John Strohm, Conrad Laudermach, John Carmany, David Shafner, Solo-
mon Felty, John Huffnagle, William Cassel, William Crum, Jacob Huffnagle, Wil-
liam Pretz, Christian Forney, George Burgoen, John Geesey, John Duncan, Joseph
■Gerverich, Thomas Pretz, Benjamin Reeme, Peter Crum, Samuel Hicks, Augustus
Stoner, John Hatz, Jacob Burgoyne, Henry Geesey, David Maxwell, David Walborn,
John Shope, Elizabeth Gerberich, Elizabeth Crum, Sarah Miller, Catherine Bretz,
Elizabeth Shope, Margaret Walborn, Barbara Urich, Barbara Lingle, Sarah Smith,
May Shartzer, Catherine Unger, Polly Pletz, Catherine Shaffner, Jane Culpin, Ame-
lia Fritchey, Sarah Strohm, Elizabeth Nantel, Mary Stoner, Elizabeth Garverich,
Matilda Dorsey, Catherine Wenrich, Elizabeth Reeme, Mary Felty, Maria Baker,
Jane Pergey, Anna Burgeon, Elizabeth Shaffner, Dorothy Fritchey, Elizabeth
Dumars, Mary Bretz, Mary Reeme, Mary Burlin, Polly Carson, Barbara Forney,
•Catherine Foeht, Susanna Smith, Elizabeth Forney, Catherine Huffnagle, Mary
■2\
History of the Churches of God
Stuart, Margaret Stuart, Rebecca Feezer, Barbara Bonawitz, Mary Garverich, Mar-
garet Garverich, Sarah Huft'nagle and Anna Cassel.
The church thus constituted proceeded to effect an organization by the election
of the following: — Elders: John Walborn, Peter Crum, Peter Bonawitz, William
Pretz, Christian Forney. Deacons: John Bretz, John Forney and Benjamin Reeme.
"These brethren," the. Minutes state, "were duly elected by a majority vote of the
members."
The date of the building of the first bethel in Linglestown is not quite so
definitely known. Benjamin Reenie, one of the deacons elected in 1829, in a letter
published in February, 1880, says he worked at the bethel during its erection, and
that it was "built in the Summer of 1827, just before harvest." A. Snyder, in a
discussion of this subject in the same year concludes that "the old bethel in Lingles-
town was built in the forepart of the Summer of 1827." But evidently the work
was not finished at the time here indicated, for Benjamin Reeme further testifies
that the house was "dedicated on Christmas day."
First Bethel, LinglestoAvn.
A "protracted meeting" began with the dedication, which resulted in quite a.
revival and a number of accessions to the as yet unorganized church. Those were-
the "seasons of glorious revivals" with which these young churches were blessed.
In them many "who were confirmed as members of the Reformed and Lutheran.
Churches, but who afterward found themselves still poor sinners, without religion,
and without peace to their troubled souls, sought the Lord like weeping Mary, and
found him to the joy and comfort of their souls."
After standing twenty-four years, in 1851 a tower and steeple were built at
the south gable end of the bethel and a bell placed therein, "which continued to
call the multitudes to the service of the sanctuary till the old bethel was replaceci
by a new building," in the year 187 0.
GiiNERAL History
25
struck by lightning during funeral services September 15, 1893, it escaped
serious damage, and withstood the storms of thirtj'-five Winters, to be finally torn
down and replaced in a new location in the village by a building of modern archi-
tecture, in the year 1905.
The work in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin county, at Andrew Miller's,
was peculiar. Andrew Miller's dwelling-house, on his farm, a mile south of Shoope's
church, was the "meeting-house." There was stated preaching there every eight
weeks by John Neidig and Jacob Roop. The former was a regular minister of the
United Brethren Church, a farmer, of German birth, and formerly a member of the
Mennonite Church. Roop at this time was not a minister of the United Brethren
Church, but had affiliated with them. He taught and practiced immersion and
feet-washing, as did Neidig. It is from this source, and not from AVinebrenner,
that they received these ordinances, and that they were introduced into the United
Brethren Church of that day. Boehm, a prominent leader in said Church, was
Second Bethel, Linglestown.
also originally a Mennonite. Abraham Moyer, another minister of the United
Brethren Church, baptized Andrew Miller and his wife and one daughter. Many
of the members of this little company of believers were converted as long as ten
years before a church organization was effected, or even before Winebrenner left
the Reformed Church. They were principally German farmers, and worshiped God
in the humble simplicity of those early days. It is not in evidence that any of them
had been members of the Reformed Church. But whether or not, they stood aloof
from all ecclesiastical bodies, and because of their aversion to sectarianism did not
organize themselves into a local church for some years. Neidig and Roop urged
organization. Winebrenner had no connection with them. They had ministers
of the United Brethren Church to preach for them. They held prayer-meetings
26
History of tiii-: Churches of God
and observed the three ordinances of immersion, the Lord's Supper and washing
of the saints' feet.
When these believers were finally prevailed upon to consider seriously the
matter of church organization, a meeting was called for that purpose at the farm-
Third Bethel, Linglestown.
house of Andrew Miller, four miles east of Harrisburg. The meeting was called by
Jacob Snyder and Jacob Roop, Snyder also being an accredited minister of the Uni-
ted Brethren Church. They were both present and participated in the delibera-
tions and the services. Koop joined the organization, but Snyder did not. Roop
afterwards went back to the United Brethren Church. The date of this meeting
General History 27
can not be positively fixed. It was on a Tuesday evening, but the day of the month
and the year are uncertain. A. C. Raysor states in a communication of February
25, 1880, that it was "in the beginning of the year 1830," but in a general state-
ment in the same communication he says it was between 1828 and 1830. The
point was a part of a United Brethren circuit, and Raysor Icnew that Neidig was
preacher in charge of this circuit during the period from 1828 to 1830, "and in that
time the church was organized." Samuel Miller, son of Andrew Miller, in his "Rec-
ollections of the History and the Origin and First Organization of the Church of
God in North America," published in 1905, says the church at his father's house,
was organized "about the year A. D. 1828." He fixes this date by the date of the
first organization at Linglestown, June 29, 1829, which was "soon after the or-
ganization of the church at the dwelling-house of Andrew Miller." '
Winebrenner's connection with this movement began with this meeting. He
was invited to be present, and "to aid them by his counsel." When the company
had assembled they concluded that a sermon should be preached, by one of the
preachers present, on "The Scriptural Organization and Government of the Church."
Winebrenner was selected to preach the sermon. He at first declined, saying, that
he "had not come there to take any part at all, but simply to see and to hear."
But being strongly urged, he finally consented, and preached the substance of what
is since known as "Winebrenner's Brief View of the Formation, Government and
Discipline of the Church of God." As this work was first published in 1829, and
possibly prior to the organization of the Lower Paxton Township (or Miller's)
church, it helps to fix the date of said organization in 1829. After the sermon they
proceeded to enroll the names of those who were ready "to enter into a church re-
lationship with each other, and to take nothing but the Bible as their rule of faith
and practice." Nineteen names were subscribed, viz.: Andrew Miller, Abraham
Bomberger, Christian Hoover, Daniel Raysor, John Raysor, Jacob Roop, Daniel
Shell, John Lenkert, Barnard Shope, Thomas Whitmyer, Henry Herr, Anna Miller,
Fanny Hoover, Esther Hoover, Barbara Raysor, Susannah Raysor, Elizabeth Shope,
Nancy Swartz, Catharine Lenkert. The officers elected were: — Elders: Andrew
Miller, Abraham Bomberger and Daniel Raysor. Deacons: John Lenkert and
Barnard Shope.
At the close of these services the ordinances of the Lord's house were admin-
istered, and Winebrenner was "invited to participate with them in the ordinance of
washing of the saints' feet religiously." He replied: "Brethren, I can not go any
faster than I have light." Miller states that "soon after that meeting he received
light, and observed the ordinance of the washing of the saints' feet religiously, and
advocated its observance." Up to this time he had changed his views only on the
organization, name, government and discipline of the church. This Lower Paxton
church, though it became largely disintegrated by removals and withdrawals, is the
parent of the Progress church of God, and the grand-parents of the Penbrook
church of God.
One of the most notable meetings held by Winebrenner in his early years was
what was called "the great revival at Lisburn," in Cumberland county, near the
York county line, south of Shiremanstown. He paid his first visit to this little
village in 1824. "The people of Lisburn hired him to preach for them in the year
1825." A nvimber were converted during that year, among them were Samuel
Sherick, Benjamin Mohler, Isaac Millard and "the father of Thomas Hickernell,"
subsequently the great revivalist of the West. But "the great revival" followed,
in 1826, when the Hickernell brothers were converted. Thomas Hickernell states
that "the meetings were held in a large room in a tavern-stand owned by Mr. Mc-
Cann. He himself was converted on the last Friday in February, 1826. In graphic
language he recites one of the most impressive scenes of the great meeting: "On
the evening of the above-named day, when the congregation was assembled, \\ inc-
brenner came from an adjoining room with a child in his arms, and held it up be-
fore the people, and said, 'Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye
can not enter into the kingdom of heaven.' A certain Presbyterian lady cried out
most bitterly for mercy. In less than five minutes her soul was set at liberty, and
she called on her husband, and after they embraced each other, weeping over each
other's necks, they took their seats. AVinebrenner still stood erect, with his eyes
closed and his arms stretched -out, crying out with a loud voice, 'My God! and hast
thou sent me here to preach to-day?' He then stood up on a bench and preached a
short but plain discourse. When he was through quite a number got down where
they were sitting to be prayed for." Others came forward to a bench near where
28 History oi" thk Churches of God
Winebrenner stood while he preached. An unusually large number of persons pro-
fessed conversion at this meeting.
Many of these converts associated themselves together and held prayer-meet-
ings and other religious services. John Hickeniell not long after his conversion
"occasionally exercised in exhortation," and later entered the regular ministry.
Thomas Hickeniell "commenced opening religious meetings at the age of sixteen,"
and when twenty years of age he entered the ministry. For about two years these-
converts were thus held together, when in 1828 the first organization was effected.
Thomas Hickeniell, March 31, 1880, recorded this fact in these words: "The
church at Lisburn was organized in 1828, two years after I was converted." But
there was considerable native talent in this church, by the use of which, and the
deep personal piety of the members, its life was preserved and its growth continued
uninterruptedly during this chaotic period. Five of these converts, including the
two Hickernells, became preachers of that same gospel which so gloriously saved
them.
Andersontown, York county, within a short distance of Lisburn, has by some
been given priority over all the other organizations of churches of God. The pastor
of the circuit which includes Lisburn and Andersontown, in 1880, stated that his
field embraced "some of the points where the Church was first organized and known
as the Church of God a little over fifty years ago." He then claims that "the
church at Andersontown was first formally organized about the year 1826, with the
following named persons: John Hutton, William Tate, Jacob May, John Ayres,
Samuel Arter, Henry Beck and a few others whose names are not mentioned."
Among others "who were gradually added were John Wiley, George Wiley and wife,
Jacob Traver and wife and a few others." Jacob Traver died at Marysville, Pa., in
October, 1880, and was survived by John Wiley, who, according to his pastor's
statement, was "the only one of the original organization which survived him."
He stated at that time that "the church at Andersontown was organized in the year
1836."
"The History of Dauphin County, Pa., by Luther Reily Kelker," 1907, states
that "the first members of this congregation [the Middletown church of God], in
1827, were Susanna Smuller, Bare, Elizabeth King, Jacob Rife, Joshua
Heppich, Jacob Benner, John Benner, Henry Siple, Joseph Ross, George Smuller,
George Etter, Conrad Seabauch, George Baker, John McFarland, Eliza Longhead
and Eva Crist. The first elders (1827) were Joshua Heppich and John McFarland."
The corroborative item in this narrative is, that this occurred about the time of
the organization of the church at Linglestown. This evidently refers to the build-
ing of the bethel at Linglestown, and not the organization of the church. This
date also corresponds with other facts and evidence which are accessible.
As early as 1822 AViiiebrenner contemplated preaching at Middletown. One
of the complaints heard by the trial Committee on October 2, 1822, was that Wine-
brenner "has already made arrangements to give up two of the congregations which
form a part of our connection." Winebrenner's answer to this was, "That as Mid-
dletown and Hummelstown were once part of the Harrisburg charge, and are desti-
tute of preaching, he intended to supply them for awhile, provided arrangements
could be made with the country churches." How long he preached at Middletown
can not be determined, but he had made quite a number of friends, some of whom
were recognized as "members of his congregation," and who secured his services at
the funeral of Mrs. Black prior to the Winter of 1825. He also had pronounced
enemies, who at this funeral "refused to have anything to do with him, on the
ground that he was not a minister in good standing in any Church." The funeral
sermon was preached in the old Lutheran stone house of worship, and so favorable
was the impression made upon the minds of many in the congregation that he was
invited to return and preach. This he did in the Winter of 1825. At this time
there were only two houses of worship in the town. The doors of the Lutheran
house were soon closed against him, the interest being so intense that the house
at times could not contain half the people that gathered from town and country to
listen to the eloquent and impressive sermons which fell from the lips of Wine-
brenner." But Mrs. Flanagan, who had charge of the Ebenezer Methodist meeting-
house, opened that building to him, and under his ministrations a great revival
commenced. He continued preaching alternately in this house with the Methodist
circuit preacher for some time. Jacob Benner was one of the converts of this meet-
ing, the first revival services Winebrenner held at Middletown. But no church or-
ganization was formed at this time.
General History 29
In January, 1827, "AVinebrenner, in connection with some other ministers,"
again conducted a revival meeting in Middletown. One of the converts of this
meeting w^as Jacob J. Miller, later a minister in the Iowa Eldership, who died July
5, 1874. He gave the date of his conversion as "Sabbath evening, January 27,
1827," and states that this was "before there were any churches of God organized."
But as at the time he was living in Conawago township, York county, he might not
have been informed of what had been done in other localities in Dauphin county.
In his account of the laying of the corner-stone of the second bethel at Middletown,
July 8, 1874, the pastor, George Sigler, read a brief history of the church of God at
Middletown. He states that "the little group of Christians which was formed in
1827 continued to spread its influence until this whole community has felt its power
for good." If this statement is equivalent to the organization of the church, then
the year is positively fixed.
Winebi-enner's first visit to Elizabethtown, Lancaster county. Pa., was in the
Summer of 182 6. Dr. George Ross, a native of the place, and later one of the most
prominent and influential laymen of the Church, in 1880 gave an interesting ac-
count of Wiiiebrenner's preaching there at that time. The news of his separation
from the Reformed Church caused "the wildest opposition and the most intense
religious excitement." The multitude are impulsive; move quickly, and lack the
self-restraint of the few. They were anxious to hear the new leader of religious
thought, and he received many invitations to visit the town and proclaim the gos-
pel. His fame had preceded him, and wherever he went large numbers flocked to
hear him, traveling often long distances for that purpose. There were remarkable
displays of God's power under his preaching. When he consented to preach a
sermon at Elizabethtown no church-house could be secured in the village, and ar-
rangements were made for him to preach at.Ober's meeting-house, on the turnpike
about two miles west of the town. A great crowd came together, many walking
the two miles from Elizabethtown. AVinebrenner was no sensationalist. It was
only the power of the gospel he preached which created sensations. Many, how-
ever, believed that he possessed supernatural powers over his audiences. His text
on this occasion was characteristic: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If
any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with
him, and he with me." The report went out from this service that "the preaching
was very plain, and wonderful in its power; that he was a superior preacher, and
spoke nothing but the truth." This gained him an entrance, through one of the
ruling elders, into the pulpit of the Lutheran church in the town. There he held
services later in the same Summer. But it made such a disturbance in the church
that one of the elders withdrew from the church, and the pastor was obliged to
defend himself for permitting Winebrenner to preach in his pulpit. On this occa-
sion his text was, "Our Father, which art in heaven." He insisted that only Chris-
tians could say, "Our Father" with truth, and that the wicked and unconverted
could with more propriety say, "Our Father, which art in hell."
He next visited Elizabethtown and preached in the Fall of 1826. The services
were held in the bar-room of the hotel, kept by Major Michael Breneman, in which
benches and chairs had been placed to accommodate the people. While opposition
became fiercer, friends increased and gathered around the faithful gospel mes-
senger. The use of an old school-house, standing in an alley, was secured, and
here Winebrenner preached occasionally. Many were converted at his meetings,
which were nearly always held on week evenings. His plan was to preach in the
afternoon, and hold prayer and inquiry meetings in the evening. In some in-
stances violence was threatened; but while opposition was intense, a restraining
providence held back the enraged mob. The converts of these meetings, however,
were not constituted a church, and duly organized, until about ten years later.
Persecuted and despised; practically driven out of the Lutheran and Reformed
churches, "they banded together and defended each other against the assaults of
their enemies. The scoflings of the people brought about a strong bond of union,
and love, and Christian fellowship. They kept together, however, and held prayer-
meetings. For a while there was no preaching in Elizabethtown, but in the vicinity
of it, chiefly at the house of Michael Cramer, east of town."
While Lebanon county is referred to as territory on which work was done by
Winebrenner prior to 1830, no churches were organized in said county until later.
He held a protracted meeting in Annville (then Millerstown) , near the town of
Lebanon, "soon after he had commenced his labors independent of the Reformed
Church"; but the church at said place was not then organized, though quite a
30 History of thi> Churches of God
number of unconverted members of the Reformed Church sought and found the
blessing of the new birth, which AVinebrenner so faithfully preached." Some of the
converts at a camp-meeting held at Middletown in 1827 were from Annville, and car-
ried the good news to that village. Besides, in 1827 a camp-meeting was held in
a woods close to the borough of Lebanon, at which Winebrenner preached, and in
the meeting-house near by. "There were marvelous displays of God's power. Men
fell prostrate on the ground; scores cried for mercy, and pardoning grace was-
poured into many hearts."
The church of God at Lancaster city, Lancaster county, Pa., is the oldest con-
tinuous organization of the Church of God in the United States. It was established
about the year 1816, under the ministry of John Elliott, a member of the first Eld-
ership. It was an independent church, of Baptist tendencies, but had Reformed,
Methodist and Baptist ministers in addition to Elliott. The date when it first
affiliated with the followers of Winebi-enner can not be definitely fixed, but prob-
ably about 1827. The fact that the first churches of God were all organized "on
an independent basis," and that their faith was virtually identical with that of the
Lancaster church, also called a church of God, would prepare the way for mutual
fellowship. They owned a house of worship known as the "White Bethel," located
on East Chestnut street nearly opposite the present Pennsylvania Railroad Station.
Elliott was an Englishman, "a great and mighty man." Winebrenner was invited
to Lancaster in 1827, and assisted in a revival, characterized as "the first great
revival in Lancaster." "He preached with wonderful power. He was so wrought
upon that in the middle of his sermon he stopped, .and with extended, uplifted arms-
and trembling hands, stood in the pulpit and wept. The congregation wept aloud.
The people fell on their knees all over the house, crying for mercy. About forty
were converted that night." It may be assumed that from this date on the Lan-
caster church was one of the local organizations marshaled under the banner of
the Church of God.
The divine will, like the human, works through the instrumentality of means.
The Duke of Argyll, in his profound and subtle book, "The Reign of Law," thinks
it curious how the language of the grand seers of the Old Testament corresponds
with this idea. They ascribe all the operations of nature to the working of divine
power. All things, too, are represented as in some way, often very mysterious to
us. working out the divine purpose. Even the heat and passion of men, their
"wrath," shall be permitted, restrained and controlled to praise God. Thus the
passion of wicked men against the servants and people of God is often tributary to
his praise. Furious winds, says Spurgeon, often drive vessels the more swiftly into
port. So it was in more than one instance in the absence of such purpose in the
rapid succession of events in those earlier years of AVinebrenner's labors. The
origin of the church at Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county. Pa., was of this char-
acter. Winebrenner had been in the neighborhood of this then small village as
early as 1823, as a minister of the German Reformed Church. He held some re-
vival meetings, which were stigmatized as "new measures," and earnestly taught
the necessity of regeneration as a prerequisite to church membership. Oa this ac-
count he was proscribed by many of the Reformed ministers and people. Five
years later, or "about the year 182 8," occurred the dedication of the Trindle Spring-
church, near Mechanicsburg. One of the elders of the Reformed church invited
Winebi-enner to attend the dedicatory services. He did so, but "was slighted by
the Reformed ministers present," and not invited to dine with them "because of his
zeal in revival measures." One of the elders of that church invited Winebi-enner
to dine with him; "but Winebrenner preferred praying to eating." This carried
conviction to the heart of the elder, and he invited Winebi-enner to preach in his
carpenter-shop, which he agreed to do. At the appointed time this rustic old
building was temporarily converted into a meeting-house, and in it under Wine-
bi-enner's affecttng preaching of the word "a great revival of religion commenced,"
which resulted in the conversion of nearly all who were members of the first or-
ganization in that vicinity of the church of God. Among them was Daniel Markley,
an elder in the Reformed Church whose carpenter-shop was used for church ser-
vices. Also William Hinney and Jacob Beelman, elders in the same church. Fol-
lowing this revival a church was organized, on the following basis, in the form of
a church covenant:
"We, the undersigned, do hereby mutually covenant and agree to form our-
selves into a church on the New Testament plan, called the church of God at Me-
chanicsburg, Cumberland county. Pa.
GENERAL History
31
'•We further agree to take the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the
only authoritative rule of our Christian faith and practice.
"And, moreover, we promise cheerfully and quietly to submit to the order of
Christ's house, and to obey the office-bearers who are, or at any time may be, placed
over us in the Lord."
This is an exact copy of the Linglestown covenant, suggesting the inference
that it was drafted by AVMnebreiiner, and that the two organizations may have been
effected about the same time. The testimony indicates that Winebrenner organ-
ized the Mechanicsburg church. The names subscribed to this covenant are: Jacob
Coover, Ann Coover, Jonathan Rees, May Rees, John Greeger, Jonathan Ward,
Elizabeth Ward, Jacob Beelman, Elizabeth Beelman, David Wise, Daniel Markley,
William Hinney, Samuel Beelman, John Zearing, Mrs. John Zearing, Samuel Worst,
Mrs. Samuel Worst, Michael Hoover, John Houser, Mrs. John Houser and William
Wiley. The church was organized in the dwelling-house of William Wiley, half a
mile west of Mechanicsburg. The officers elected were: — Elders: William Hinney
and Jacob Coover. Deacons: Jonathan Rees and Michael Hoover. For some years
the dwelling-houses of Daniel Markley and William Wiley were used as preach-
ing places, while other meetings were held in other private houses in the surround-
ing country. The power of the Spirit was realized in these meetings, and there
were frequent conversions. The memory of these precious experiences lingered
long and kept warm the hearts of those that realized them.
Before the people in the neighborhood of Oak Grove Furnace had feven heard
First Bethel at Shippensburg.
of Wiiiebi-enner, in 1826 or 1827, a work of grace resulted at that place from the
earnest labors of E. West. Scores were converted, among them William Adams,
who in 183 6 was ordained as a minister in the Ohio Eldership. Also John Reiber
and wife, M. Finacle and wife, G. Dentler, A. Bony, T. Such and many others. They
had no preaching for some time after West left. At the end of a year or more,
during which time they read the Scriptures closely, counseled together, held prayer
and experience meetings, they bcame convinced of the duty of closer relations to
each other. They knew little of any movement to organize churches of God. A
meeting was called at Reiber's school-house, where those present "entered into
an agreement, pledging themselves to live as brethren, take the word of God for
their rule of faith and practice, and whatever they found there to be their duty
they would do." They adopted no name, but "believed that they were born into
the church of God when converted." They learned that "nothing but being buried
with Christ in baptism would answer," and so they "refused to be sprinkled." West
returning about this time, he immersed thirty-four in Sherman's creek. This be-
came a little later the church of r-cd qt. Onk Grove Furnace.
The history of the church of God at Shippensburg, Pa., begins earlier than its
first association with other churches of God. It elucidates the principle that the
living are not to be looked for among the dead. Live Christians under whatever
ministry converted can not remain in dead churches. Thus it came to pass that in
1825-6 a number of the members of the Lutheran, the Reformed and Presbyterian
churches at Shippensburg were converted. Through their endeavors many others
z^
History of the Churches of God
were brought into the fold of God. These associated together for worship and re-
ligious work, which aroused strong opposition on the part of the other members of
these churches. The Lutherans and Presbyterians jointly occupied what was known
as "the Brick church." Because of differences of views in regard to doctrine, ex-
periences and manner of worship, the doors of this church were finally closed
against all who favored this new departure. Thus excluded from their church-
home, they entered into a separate organization, holding their meetings in private
houses until they became able to build a house of worship for their own use. This
they did in 1828, when they drew up the following "reasons for the building of this
house:"
Second Bethel at Shippensbur^
"The German Lutherans and Presbyterians held the 'Brick Church' together
in the borough of Shippensburg;
"And whereas, some differences took place as to the manner of worship, and
then to the right of said church, it caused disturbance in the ranks of both congre-
gations;
"And whereas, there were some of both congregations wishing to live in peace,
it was thought best to build a house of worship for their use, and a meeting was
held at the house of David Kenower, in Shippensburg, on the first day of January,
1828, and subscriptions were drawn up, and some days after the following named
persons were appointed a building committee, to wit: John Blymyer, John Mull,
David Kenower, David Waggoner and Samuel S. Redat, all of the borough of Ship-
pensburg, and said committee entered upon their duties immediately, and on the
General History 33
2oth of February, 1828, the contracts were given out for the mason and carpenter
work. On the 16th of April, 1828, the corner-stone was laid, on which occasion
public service was held on the walls of said building by Kev. Brown, in the German
language."
»-^ 4^ _i*t
Third JU'thel at Sliippensburg.
This house of worship was dedicated October 27, 182 8, by Rev. Rebo, assisted
Tjy Revs. McLane, Moody, Wilson and BrowTi, of Shippensburg. On October 13,
182 8, a meeting of those who were associated together in this work was called,
when they entered into a new organization, adopted a constitution for their govern-
ment, and assumed the name of "The Union Christian Church." The officers who
signed the constitution were: — Elders: John Hick, Jacob Dewalt and John Bly-
myer. Deacons: David Waggoner, Michael Ziegler, Henry Keifer and John Taugh-
enbaugh. Trustees: Jacob Knisely and John Carey. One Article in this constitution
provided that no minister should be called who was known to be a Free Mason.
C. H.— 2
34 History of the Churches of God
Preaching was to be half the time in the English language, and half the time in
the German.
The church prospered. Its doctrines and practices gradually became identical
with those of the other churches of God organized during those years, so that later
it came into fellowship with the Eldership, adopted the name church of God about
1834, and received, or called, ministers of the Church of God. It outgrew the
limited accommodations of its first house of worship, and in 1870 a more commo-
dious bethel was erected, during the pastorate of George Sigler.
The third bethel in Shippensburg was built in 1903-4, and dedicated Septem-
ber 25, 1904, under the pastoral labors of C. I. Brown.
Some years ago a letter was written to America from a Spanish port relating
to the death of a friend who had perished in the wreck of an ocean liner which had
gone ashore on the coast of that country. The writer, in referring to his friend,
rightly, from a Christian point of view, laid stress on the fact that her death was
the will of God, and was therefore best for her. A scientific writer, looking at the
same event, might have viewed it as part of an immense context of phenomena.
He would have taken all the proximate causes into consideration to show how these,
and the more remote antecedents, would naturally account for the catastrophe.
When in later years we watch the career of that masterful leader and great editor
of the Church of God, Edward H. Thomas, we wonder what causes were operative .
one hundred miles away from Harrisburg, where the name of Winebrenner had not
yet been heard, to bring this man into the fellowship of the Church of God. Our
researches are rewarded by finding, in 1827, that there was a Methodist Protestant
church located in West Kensington (now Cohocksink) district, on Cadwallader
street, above Columbia avenue, which Thomas joined after his conversion on "the
first Sabbath evening in January, 1828." In 1829 about forty of the members of
this church, including Thomas, withdrew from this church "on account of difference
of views on the subject of human creeds, human church titles and the ordinance
of baptism, and organized the church of God in West Kensington, with no other
creed or rule of Christian faith and practice but the New Testament." In 1830
they first heard of Winebi-enner, and in 1832 or 1833 co-operation with the Elder-
ship was begun. Later the church was disbanded.
While no church was organized in York, York county, Pa., as early as the
first quarter of the nineteenth century, Winebrenner preached there at least on one
occasion, and a gracious revival of religion followed. This was in the Winter of
1825-6, in the German Reformed church. The pastor was Rev. James R. Reily,
and he invited Winebi'enner to assist him at a Communion. "The Lutheran Ob-
server" of August 17, 1877, in a brief history of the Reformed work in York, speak-
ing of this meeting, says: "Mr. Winebrenner was then in his prime, and was a
powerful and effective preacher, especially in German. The interest commenced in
the Reformed church, but soon spread over the whole community."
The "new measures" introduced under Winebrenner were the mourners'
bench, the inquirers' meetings, camp-meetings and woods-meetings. But these
measures were not absolutely new with Winebrenner, as the mourners' bench was
used as early as 1800, and camp-meetings and woods-meetings were held earlier
by the Methodists, United Brethren and the Evangelical Association. But they
were relatively new in this section of the State. Besides, Winebi-enner was far
more concerned about the salvation of souls than any human methods of conduct-
ing the services. He early became an ardent advocate of camp-meetings, which
developed largely out of the environment of the earlier settlers in Pennsylvania and
In other sections of the country. In 1810, when the Evangelical Association did
not have a single church edifice, and "private houses were too small to accomo-
date the masses of the people," the Conference ordered two camp-meetings to be
held in the eastern part of Pennsylvania. Under Winebrenner's labors the first
camp-meeting was held in a woods near the Dauphin county Poor House, in 1826.
It was a union meeting, participated in by Methodists, Presbyterians, United Breth-
ren and others. Winebi'enner preached at this meeting with marvelous power. A
camp-meeting was held in the same woods five consecutive years by the churches
of God. In 1826 one was also held in Andrew Miller's woods, when some of the
members of the Lower Paxton church were baptized. It was a union camp-meet-
ing. In 1828 the United Brethren held a camp-meeting in John Raysor's grove,
not far from A. Miller's, at which Winebrenner and Maxwell were present and
preached. In 1828 the first camp-meeting was held in' Cumberland county, in a
woods owned by John Bowman. The same year one was held in George Millizen's
Generai, History 35
woods, near Linglestown. In the same grove another one was held in 1829. Also
in Andi-ew Miller's woods. The United Brethren at their camp-meeting immersed
believers and observed the Communion and washing of the saints' feet. At this
time AVinebrenner had not yet accepted feet-washing as an ordinance. Neither did
he practice immersion, as in a conversation with J. Myers, later a minister in the
Eldership, in 1828, he told him that he had "nothing myself of baptism but what
I received in my infancy, and my parents have told me. I sometimes think if we
have plenty of spiritual baptism, it is of more importance than all water baptism."
Myers had come to the conclusion that as he was sprinkled in infancy he had not
been scripturally baptized, and asked Winebrenner for advice. Winebrenner had,
however, abandoned infant baptism.
As early as 1827 there was considerable religious interest aroused in Frederick
and Carroll counties, Maryland, intensified by the reports of the great revivals in
and around Harrisburg, Pa., under Winebrenner, and denunciations against him
from German Reformed pulpits. Winebrenner had also preached at several points
in these counties prior to 1827, but there was no formative church work done in
the State up to 1829.
In 1829 Winebrenner published his "Brief View of the Formation, Government
and Discipline of the Church of God." This was an enlargement of the sermon
which he preached at the organization of the church at Andi-ew Miller's, or the
sermon an epitome of the book. It is a masterly discussion of ecclesiological sub-
jects. He here assumed the suffix "V. D. M.," which subsequently was used by him
for many years, and by other ministers of the Church of God. The only departure
from the German Reformed faith indicated in this book relates to church name,
and church formation and government. He taught that "church of God" is the
only proper name for an organized body of believers, and that it applies to the local
church. The local church is absolutely self-governing, having no subjection to
any power outside of itself. He had as yet no conception of an Eldership (pres-
bytery) outside of the local church. How co-operation between these local
churches was to be carried on, if at all, does not appear. These views in later
years, as well as the title of the book, occasioned the churches and ministers much
trouble. And while AVinebrenner changed his views on some points, he did not
publicly recant what he had written in this book.
The churches at once proceeded to put these views into effect. In the
"Records of the church at Linglestown, Pa.," is an entry of the first ordination of
ministers. It reads: "November 15, 1829, David Maxwell and John AV'alboni,
having applied to the church of God at St. Thomas for ordination, the church ac-
cordingly met together at the house of Brother Shaffner, on the evening of said
day, when their cases were made known, and the vote of the church was taken on
the question, 'Shall our brethren be ordained to the office of teaching elders in the
church?' Whereupon it was unanimously agreed that they be solemnly ordained to
preach the gospel. They were ordained the same evening." This Record further
shows, that on "January 19, 1831, Jacob Myers, having applied to the church of
God at St. Thomas for ordination, the church accordingly met at the house of
Brother Peter Bonawitz, on the evening of said day, when his case was made
known, and the vote of the church was taken on the question, 'Shall our brother
be ordained with the laying on of hands to the office of teaching elder in the
church?' Whereupon it was unanimously agreed that he be solemnly ordained to
preach the gospel. He was ordained the same evening, and got his license."
From the churches at Miller's and Linglestown seven preachers entered the field,
viz.: Andrew Miller and John Lenkert from the church at Miller's, and John AVal-
bom, Jacob Burgoyne, David Maxwell, C. Forney (local) and J. Myers from the
church at Linglestown. There are no available records to show whether other
churches thus ordained men to the ofl[ice of the gospel ministry.
While these events were transpiring in eastern Pennsylvania, what is called
"a schism" occurred in the southwestern section of the State. Thomas Campbell,
the leader of the movement, was a minister of the "Secession" branch of the Presby-
terian Church in the north of Ireland. He emigrated to this country at the begin-
ning of the century, and settled in Washington county. Pa. Having, like Winebren-
ner, conceived a strong aversion to ecclesiastical creeds and discipline, he drew up
and published a "declaration and address," setting forth these views, and inviting
all who sympathize with his sentiments to form a union upon that basis. A num-
ber responded, and the first congregation was formed at Brush Run, Washington
Co., Pa., Sept. 7, 1810. Campbell was polemical, and having rejected sprinkling he
36 History of the Churches of God
soon became known as a champion of immersion, and several public debates were
held. In 1823 the Brush Run church became connected with the Redstone Baptist
Association, but upon the express stipulation that "no terms of union or com-
munion other than the Holy Scriptures should be required." Friction soon arising
between the Association and this local church, a number of its members, with Ale.\-
aiuler Campbell, who had become joint pastor with his father, was dismissed to
Wellsburg, Va., where they constituted a new church. This church united with the
Mahoning Baptist Association, Ohio. As a result of almost constant discussions
with such a disputatious leader as A. Campbell, the whole Association adopted his
views. In 182 8 it rejected all human formularies of religion and relinquished all
claim to jurisdiction over its churches, and resolved itself simply into an annual
meeting for the purpose of receiving reports of the progress of the churches, for
worship and mutual co-operation. Thus originated the Disciples, or Church of
Christ.
In the year 1829 another important event transpired in western Pennsylvania.
The General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, sometimes called the
New Light Covenanting Church, or for brevity, the Covenanters, was organized. The
Covenanters hold that public social covenanting is a duty; believe in the leadership
of Christ over the nations, and reject hymns of human composition, and use only
the Psalms.
The body known as the Hicksite Quakers, or Friends, was organized in 1827,
having seceded from the parent organization. The schism grew out of heretical
views promulgated by Elias Hicks, "denying or invalidating the miraculous concep-
tion, the divinity and atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ, and also the authenticity
and divine authority of the Holy Scriptures."
In 1828 the first steps were taken toward the organization of the Methodist
Protestant Church. This movement was hastened by the expulsion of some from
the Methodist Episcopal Church because of their opposition to the office of Bishop
and desire for lay representation in the Conferences of the Church.
Several prominent religious newspapers, which still survive, were started dur-
ing this period. The first, which for that time soon secured a phenomenal list of
subscribers, was the "New York Christian Advocate," which has ever since been the
organ of the Methodist General Conference. In 1827 the German Reformed Church
began the publication of "The Reformed Church Messenger."
CHAPTER IV.
1830—1835.
WITH the opening of the third decade of the nineteenth century the United
States entered upon an era of unprecedented progress and development in
every line of thought and activity. There began a new stage of vital
energy. The nation experienced a rebirth, a renaissance more marvelous than that
which marked the transition from the period of history which we call the Middle
Ages to that which we call Modern. The population had increased from 9,638,453
in 1820, to 12,866,020 in 1830. Immigration from the various countries in the
Old World and increasing streams of emigrations westward in the United States
kept up a steady flux of the population. The amalgamation of German, English,
Scotch and Irish nationalities produced a race of energetic, intelligent, progressive
and indomitable people. Their development in the arts and sciences, in philosophy
and literature, in mechanical and inventive genius, and in all that made for better
conditions was unprecedented. One of the first fruits of this spirit of progress,
this political rebirth, was the building of railroads and other improved means of
transportation. In 1830 there were but twenty-three miles of railroad in the
United States. In that year the first railway steam engine built in America made its
first run on the first railway constructed for locomotives. The first omnibus was built
and run in New York City. R. M. Hoe made the first cylinder printing press in
America. The great Canadian Welland Canal was opened for navigation. It was
not until after 1830 that the dreams indulged in from the date of the discovery
that electricity could be conducted by wire to a distance were beginning to be
General History 37
realized in the use of chemical electricity to operate a telegraphic apparatus for
the transmission of messages.
This development was also manifest in morals and religion. There was grow-
ing dissatisfaction with formalism, sacerdotalism, priestly authority and sectarian-
ism. The ministers of the Evangelical Association reported unusual "progress,
persecutions and victories." "Great numbers of the people were awakened and
professed to have experienced a change of heart and to have found peace with
God." Under the preaching of ministers of the United Brethren Church extensive
revivals were promoted. Winebrenner with renewed energy, assisted now by sev-
eral ministers ordained by local churches, became more aggressive,- and the terri-
tory was much enlarged and the converts greatly multiplied. Church extension
now became the paramount object. Among these "able men, who took upon them-
selves the solemn and responsible office of the gospel ministry," were David Max-
well, John AValbom and Andrew Miller. These supplied the different churches with
preaching, and went abroad on missionary tours. But AV^inebrenner was the leader,
and did most of the evangelistic work, besides ministering to the congregation at
Harrisburg.
The church at Fredericksburg, Lebanon county, was one of the first churches
organized in 1830. Under whose ministry is not known. The town and neighbor-
hood were visited in that year with the outpouring of the Spirit, and many experi-
enced religion. The most of "the converts joined the United Brethren, and others
the Evangelical Association, while a small number, believing the Bible, and it
alone, to contain the whole will of God to man, and being sufficient in itself to
govern the Christian, resolved to form themselves into a church upon the New
Testament plan, choosing their elders and deacons to take care of the little flock."
It does not appear that any minister of the Church of God was present.
Charles Huff, who in 1851 removed to Grandview, Iowa, had earlier resided in
Cumberland Co., Pa., near Oyster's Point, not far from the Stone church, states
that "Winebrenner preached at said place in Bro. AVanier's house in 1830, and or-
ganized the church, consisting of Warner and wife, J. Bowman and wife, J. Sadler
and wife, Parens and wife, J. Rupp and wife and myself and wife."
The work in Lancaster city made steady progress, the church attaining a
membership of about four hundred souls. Winebrenner preached there in 1830.
In June, 1830, he came up from Lancaster to Mt. Joy and held the first meetings
in that town. A camp-meeting was held near there at the time, and a few persons
were converted. A revival followed in the school-house in town, at which Israel
Brady, later a minister in the East Pennsylvania Eldership, was one of the converts.
There was at this time no house of worship in the town. During the Winter of
1830-31 a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit was manifested, scores were con-
verted and a remarkable reformation .took place under the labors of AVlnebren-
ner, Ma.\well, Richards and others. Following this revival, on the evening of
March 15, 1831, Winebrenner organized the first church of God in Mt. Joy, con-
sisting of thirty-five members, as follows: William McFadden, Israel Brady,
George Brady, William Booth, David Booth, Samuel Minichen, Levi Herr, Henry
Bender, John Mateer, David Snyder, Jacob Ehrhart, John Barlow, John Leh-
man, David Brady, Mother Booth, Elizabeth Booth, Nancy McFadden, Catha-
rine Sulivan, Anna Brady, Jane Henry, Esther Myers, Jane Barlow, Jane Ray-
mond, Louiza McFadden, May Flint, Mary Develin, Jane Lehman, Fannie Stoh-
ler, Mary Carickner, Catharine Carickner, Mother Hess, Mary Breneman and
Margaret Brady.
Israel Brady and AVilliam McFadden, also later a minister in the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership, were appointed the first elders. And the first deacons, elected
in 1843, were John C. Booth, later a minister, and David Stoner.
At the Eldership held in December, 1833, James Richards, residing in Col-
umbia, Lancaster county, reported work in Columbia, to which his labors were
principally confined "in consequence of their peculiar situation as an infant
church."
Considerable work was done in Perry county. Pa., in 1830-1831. A few Church
of God families had moved into the county. In 1831 a camp-meeting was held in
Shafer's Valley, and some of the converts who were baptized by John AA^albora
united together in church fellowship. But the year 1833-34 were the seasons of
the greatest revivals in that county. Meetings in Landisburg were at first held in
the house of Henry Wingprt, a local minister of the church, and pioneer emigrant
38
History O'F the Churches of God
of the Church of God to Perry county. Winebrenner had visited Landisburg and
preached in the Reformed church April 10, 1821, while collecting funds to build
Salem Reformed church, Harrisburg. Heni-y Wingert began preaching in Landis-
burg in 1828, and in 1832 he organized a church in an old log school-house in the
village. This was used for religious services by the little church until 1836, when
Wingert was instrumental in building a small bethel on a lot which he owned.
One of the remarkable beginnings of church work in those early years occurred
at Churchtown, Cumberland Co., Pa., in the Winter of 1832. A "protracted prayer-
meeting" was held at the private houses of Samuel Biicker and Rudolph Krisher.
A "revival broke out, and was carried on from house to house until the whole
neighborhood was filled with the gospel of the Son of Cod." A. Megrew, who be-
came a minister later, removing to Ohio and thence to Iowa, was a convert of this
meeting. Samuel Bricker was another convert of this meeting. Winebrenner
preached sometimes during this meeting, as did Maxwell, Machlin and McFadden.
An organization was effected on Feb. 19, 1833. Later Bricker leased to the church
the ground from the corner of his farm on which the first bethel was built by the
church.
In the early history of the Church emigrants from eastern points where
First Bethel at Landisburg, Pa.
churches had been established to more western points proved like seeds scattered
by the winds, as in apostolic times. Wherever a Church of God family located a
church would spring up. In 18 32 John W. Mateer and wife removed from Lan-
caster county. Pa., to Blair county, the famous Morrison's Cove, and evef after
made their home in Martinsburg and vicinity. It was through their fearless ad-
vocacy of the primitive faith, and their earnest and self-denying efforts that the
Church of God was first established in that country. They had embraced religion
under Winebrenner's preaching, at Mt. Joy, Pa. When located in their new home
they began holding prayer-meetings, and also called for ministers to visit and
preach for them. E. West, Israel Brady and William McFadden were among the
earliest ministers to visit the Cove. But it was not until some years later that or-
ganizations were formed and systematic work begun.
In 1832 the church at Middletown erected its first bethel, on the east side of
Union street, near Center Square. It was a frame structure, lathed and plastered
on the outside. It had a basement, in which the Sunday-school was held. In
1852 it was enlarged by extending the front to the house-line, casing the outside
with brick and adding a vestibule and gallery. In 1873 it was decided to erect a
new house. A lot was bought for this purpose on the northeast corner of Spring
General History
39
and Water streets. Ground was broken June 9, 187 4; the corner-stone laid July
8th, and the house dedicated Oct. 22, 1876.
The worlc at Camp Hill, Cumberland Co., Pa., was closely connected with the
movement near the Stone church, at Oyster's Point, as some of the members of the
church organized at Warner's house were later members at Camp Hill. The
date of the organization of this church, as nearly as can be determined, was in
1833. It worshiped in the Walnut Grove school-house until 1849, when the build-
ing was erected which is still used.
The church at Shippensburg continued to receive accessions. In 1833 Wine-
, ■■ ^.t.
it^ii i '*
Second Bethel at Middleto^vn, Pa.
brenner and Mackey held revival services there, and a number were converted, bap-
tized and received into fellowship. Mackey had been "called" by the Shippens-
burg church as its pastor. He submitted the call to the Eldership "to confirm or
reject the same." He was then appointed to said church, and took charge on April
1, 1834. About this time the name "Union Christian church" was dropped, and
the title "church of God" accepted, and the church came into connection with the
Eldership.
The first revival meeting held at what is now Goldsboro, York Co., Pa., was
conducted by J. Keller, D. Maxwell, William McFadden and Winebrenner in 1833,
in a school-house on the river bank.
At Mechanicsburg Winebrenner held special meetings in the Winters of 1833
and 1834, when the church received quite substantial additions.
40 History of the Churches of God
When Mackey assumed charge of the Shippensburg church he also entered
upon evangelistic work in the villages in the upper end of Cumberland county and
adjoining sections of Franklin county. He was the leader in the work in that sec-
tion, and those of like faith were long known as "Mackeyites." One of the villages
in which he did his first work was Newburg, where he "organized a church in the
old meeting-house (the only place of worship in the town), in 1834." The follow-
ing names were enrolled as members: Levi Diehl, Martha Diehl, John Myers,
Eliza Myers, Christian Pislee, Catharine Pislee, Margaret Miller, E. Hawk, Jacob
Ober, Eliza Ober and Susan Thompson.
The work in Maryland was measurably of local origin, and began at Union-
town, Carroll county. In 1830 there were two churches in that town, the Metho-
dist Protestant and St. Lucas' German Reformed. Winebi-enner had preached in
St. Lucas' church at different times while yet pastor of the Reformed church in
Harrisburg. But the reformation, except as to vital godliness, did not originate
with his preaching. As to experimental religion the same conditions existed at St.
Lucas' as elsewhere in Reformed churches. "Many of the members of said church
became converted, and enjoyed the indwelling of Christ's Spirit, and felt a longing
desire to conform more to the will of God in all things. These were not satisfied
with anything short of a knowledge of divine truth as taught by Christ and his
Apostles." Abraham Appier and a few others began also to entertain doubts
about the validity of infant baptism and the different modes by which the ordi-
nance was administered. "In reading the Commission they saw that Christ only
authorized the baptism of believers." And they also soon saw that the mode was
"the burial or immersion of the body in water." This created a schism in the
Reformed church about 1830. And as most of the prominent members were per-
sonally acquainted with AVinebrenner, and had heard of his great work in Pennsyl-
vania, they invited him to come to Uniontown and hold a series of meetings. As
he had other engagements he sent John AValborn and Andrew Miller in his stead.
This work continued thus in St. Lucas' Reformed church for about four years.
Meanwhile the first four persons to be baptized were Abraham Appier and wife,
Mrs. Charity Hollenberry and Mrs. Nancy Senseney. "This event," says a writer
in reviewing the record of this church, marks the establishment of the church of
God in Uniontown, as it is the first record of a change of faith by any members of
the old congregation." But there was no separate organization, and St. Lucas'
church continued to be the place for public worship, except when services were held
in Appier's house. "The church building was held by Jacob Appier, Sr., father of
Abraham Appier, and his co-trustees virtually as their own. In fact the building
was sometimes called 'Mr. Appier's church.' " By 1834 the Appiers and nearly the
whole of the St. Lucas' church went "into the young organization." "The church
of God thus became the established successor of the German Reformed church at
St. Lucas, first by most of the Reformed members adopting the faith of the Church
of God; and second, by the organization of the Board of Trustees as authorized by
Act of the Legislature in 1834." They thus became the legal owners of the church
property. This was the first church building erected in Uniontown.
St. Lucas' church was beautifully located on a hill at the edge of town. The
architecture was of the prevalent German character, a type of the Reformed and
Lutheran churches erected a hundred and more years ago. It had galleries on
three sides. There were three entrance doors, one at the end opposite the pulpit
and one on each side, with the two aisles crossing each other in the center. The
aisles were laid with brick. The corner-stone was laid Feb. 22, 1815, and the
building was completed and dedicated in 1819.
The present church edifice was erected in 1882, and was dedicated Oct. 29th
of that year. Abraham Appier was a delegate to the Eldership in 1833. A field
of ministerial labor in Maryland was established at said Eldership, and called the
"Maryland Circuit," with E. West as pastor.
Work was also begun about this time in Washington county, Md. AVinebren-
her preached there, with Mackey and AA'alboni. The church-houses were closed
against them, and the meetings were held in school-houses and private dwellings.
AA^inebrenner was also instrumental in the conversion of his nephew, John P, AA'^ine-
brenner, in Frederick county, Md., in 1831. He later removed to the West, and
was successively an earnest, active and influential member of the church at
Wooster, Ohio, and at Decatur and Chicago, 111.
Cedar Spring, now Milltown, in Cumberland county. Pa., is another of the
original churches of God. It is nearly two miles south of Camp Hill. Religious
Gkneral History
4i
services were held here as early as 1833, in an old distillery, and in that year, or
1834, a church was organized.
Work also began in the neighborhood of Landisville, Lancaster Co., Pa., as
early as 1834.
The influence of these revivals and the reports of camp-meetings gradually
spread northeastward into Schuylkill county, Pa. In 1832 a "number of brethren
and sisters from near Orwigsburg" attended a camp-meeting held in the grove of
George Milleizen, in Dauphin county, when some of them were baptized. James
Mackey was baptized at this camp-meeting. In the same year Samuel Steigei-Avalt,
after whom the Steigerwalt Bethel is named, near McKeansburg, Schuylkill Co.,
Pa., was converted, and later was a leader in that church. Hawk was preaching
then in that section. In 1833, during the time of "the great meteoric showers," a
revival was promoted at Orwigsburg, in said county. John Walboni was the
preacher. "The doctrine of the Church of God, a new thing then, stirred up the
people greatly. A class leader of the Evangelical Association and nearly his entire
St. Lucas' Reformecl Church, Uniontown, Md.
class embraced the faith of the Church, and came out and constituted a church of
God organization." This was George Kimmel, subsequently so prominently identi-
fied with the work of the churches of God in that county. The History of the
Evangelical Association calls him "the chief leader of the division at Orwigsburg,
an honorable man, but very much inclined to new-fangled notions and fanaticism."
Perhaps the most significant event of this period was the change in the doc-
trinal views of Winebrenner, and his consequent adoption of immersion and of the
washing of the saints' feet as a religious ordinance. His own silence and the
absence of any documentary evidence render it impossible to speak with any
degree of certainty on these points. But it has already appeared that probably in
June, 1829, he had not yet "received light" on these points. But he received it
soon after so far as washing the saints' feet is concerned. And while he immersed
believers prior to 1827, at the Poor House camp-meetings, he did so as any pedo-
Baptist minister would when the candidate demanded it. He had changed his
views on the subjects of baptism, but not on the action. The Mulberry Street
church was principally a baptized church in 1829, when there were about three
hundred members. Winebi-enner was slow in changing his doctrinal views. "He
42 History of the Churches of God
did not reach a decision until he had given the subject a most thorough investiga-
tion." He first took a decided stand on the formation, government and discipline
of the church, in 1829. He had not yet decided the question of baptism. He had
rejected infant baptism, but the "mode" was still an open question. When Jacob
Present Bethel, Uniontovvn, Md.
Erb, of the United Brethren Church, was pastor of a "field including Halifax and
Fowl's Valley, Dauphin county," in 1830 and before, Winebrenner "baptized
Susan Etter by the mode of trine immersion." This inference is admissible from
what J. Myers wrote in 1872: "There was not much said on the subject of baptism
until the year 1830. I then resided in York county, Pa., when baptism was agi-
tated more than any time since the great revival. Winebrenner and the converts
General History 43
in and about Harrisburg awoke on the subject. Winebrenner wrote and published
a. sermon on the subject." This is the sermon he preached on the day he was bap-
tized. In 1828, at a camp-meeting near Camp Hill, H. Habliston preached a ser-
mon, declaring most positively that washing of the saints' feet is an ordinance.
Winebrenner sat on the pulpit an apparently unconcerned looker-on. J. Erb came
to him, clapped him on the knee, and asked him to participate in the ordinance.
Winebrenner replied, "Do not bind your brother's conscience. You believe that it
is a positive command, and I do not." But during the year he gave the question
a thorough examination, and at a camp held at the same place a year later he pub-
licly participated in the celebration of the ordinance. So on the subject of bap-
tism. At the Poor House camp-meeting in 1826 he baptized the converts by several
different actions. But by 1830 he had studied this subject by "reading the Bible
on his knees," and had reached the conclusion he ever afterwards defended with
great clearness and ability. And having decided the question, he at once arranged
to practice his new faith. He selected Jacob Erb, a United Brethren minister, to
baptize him. Erb was preaching on the Dauphin county circuit, extending as far
up the river as Halifax. On the morning of July 4, 1830, he preached at Peter's
mountain appointment at 10.30, and thence rode horseback to Harrisburg, a dis-
tance of fifteen miles, where a large congregation had assembled at 2 o'clock p. m.,
in the Mulberry Street Bethel to listen to a sermon on baptism by Winebrenner.
Immediately after the preaching, between 3 and 4 o'clock, they proceeded to the
Susquehanna river, a hundred yards from the bethel, where Erb baptized him.
This sermon was written and published in a neat pamphlet, and republished in
1873. The United Brethren Church was in advance of Winebrenner on Feet-wash-
ing. They also immersed three times forward, as do the Dunkards. Erb was
seven years younger than AVinebrenner, having been born in 1804. He was con-
verted near Wormleysburg, across the river frem Harrisburg, when sixteen years
old, and was living at Wormleysburg at the time of Winebrenner's baptism. He
was ordained in 1823, and in 1849 he was elected Bishop by the United Brethren
General Conference.
The revivals following Winebrenner's separation from the Reformed Church
gave occasion for a new- hymnody. Few of the old hymns were suited for revival
services. This need Winebrenner supplied by the publication of his "Revival Hymn
Book," March 25, 1825. Several editions were published, and new and popular
hymns were added. He also published "Das Christliche Gasong Buch," a German
hymn-book, which became very popular among the German people.
Camp-meetings became quite popular as the revival spirit spread, and were
meetings of unusual power. Hundreds were converted at these meetings, and the
churches were greatly strengthened. Houses of worship were few, and preaching
services were infrequent. Churches everywhere held camp-meetings. Among
the most memorable ones held between 1830 and 1835 was one in 1830 on the farm
of Jacob Beelman, between Mechanicsburg and Churchtown, where a large number
were converted. Another one at the Poor House, Dauphin county, at which time
Winebrenner for the first time insisted on immersion one time backward "as the
only way in which he would administer the rite." Fifty-nine were thus baptized
by him at this time in the river at Harrisburg. Another one was held here in
1831, with most encouraging results. This ground having been refused for 1832,
this camp-meeting was held in Millizen's woods, and over one hundred conversions
were reported. Other camp-meetings of great power were held at Mt. Joy; one
near Shippensburg, in 1832; one in the grove of John Heck, Cumberland county,
the same year, and again in 1834; one near Roxbury, Franklin county, in 1832;
one between Shiremanstown and Lisburn, in 1833; also the same year in Millizen's
grove, in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county, and one near Middletown. In
1834 one was held in Lebanon county, 3 miles west of Jonestown. The one held
on the farm of George Kinmiel, near Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, in 1834, is
notable as being the first in that county. One English sermon was preached dur-
ing this meeting, by J. Myers. G. W. Wilson, later a minister in the Ohio Elder-
ship, who had met Winebrenner the first time in 1832, was at this camp-meeting.
At some of these meetings there were marvelous displays of divine power.
In the early Summer of 1830 a movement was begun, looking toward some
system of co-operation between the churches which had then been organized. It
at once encountered opposition. This grew out of the intense anti-sectarian spirit
which characterized the whole revival movement of 182 5-30. It was stimulated
into renewed vigor by the views W^inebrenner advocated in his "Brief Scriptural
44
History of the Churches of God
View of the Formation, Government and Discipline of the Church of God," in 1829.
He insisted that all power is in the local church, and that there is no human au-
thority, or power, or organization, above and over it. But the idea of inaugurating
some system under which all could co-work prevailed, and finally "these min-
istering brethren, able men whom it pleased God to raise up to take the office of
the gospel ministry upon themselves, with a few other great and good men with
similar views and kindred spirits, agreed to hold a meeting for the purpose of
adopting a regular system of co-operation." This was in October, 1830, when
what is now the East Pennsylvania Eldership was organized. Winebrenner was
elected to preside over the meeting, and after the organization and "spending the
morning session in solemn prayer and deliberation, the meeting was adjourned till
2 o'clock p. m., when a sermon was preached by the Speaker, based on Acts v.
38, 39.
John Winebrenner.
The question of Sunday-schools received early attention by AVlnebrenner.
Shortly after the building of the new Reformed church under his pastorate he took
up the subject and prepared "A Compendium of the Heidelberg Catechism, or
Method of Instruction in the Christian Religion," published in 1822, which, as he
says in the Preface, "I have chiefly intended for the use of the Sunday-school."
Only about sixteen Sunday-schools were known to have been organized before 1800.
They were strongly antagonized and "fierce onslaughts" were made upon them as
"subversive of that order, that industry, that peace and tranquility which consti-
tute the happiness of society." But in the beginning of the nineteenth century the
movement took new life, and made rapid progress. In 1824 the "American Sun-
day-school Union" was organized. State conventions were organized, and finally,
in 1832, the first national convention was held in New York. The system of con-
ventions grew out of local organizations. But it required years of persistent effort
to overcome the deep-rooted prejudice against the institution which regarded it as
"so far from deserving encouragement and applause, it merits contempt, and
ought to be exploded as the vain, chimerical institution of a visionary projector."
Among the Germans in Pennsylvania this opposition was most persistent, and but
General History 45
few Sunday-schools had been organized among them prior to 1830. AVinebrenner
became somewhat familiar with Sunday-school work in Philadelphia, and he never
lost his interest in it, but steadily threw his influence in its favor.
There is a close connection between the Sunday-school and the day or com-
mon schools of the United States. The former was for some years "a school for
secular instruction on Sunday," as well as for "instruction in the catechism and the
Scriptures." Even the American Sunday-school Union "petitioned the Legislature
of Pennsylvania for the establishment of Sunday-schools as free schools." The seed
thus sown bore fruii in 1834, when the first public school law was passed by said
Legislature.
Other events of importance in the religious world during this period include
the organization of the Mormon Church in 1830. The Book of Mormon was first
printed in 1830. The same year, April 6th, the first regularly constituted church of
the Mormon faith was organized in Manchester, N. Y. It had six members. And
in June 1, 1830, the first Conference of the Church was held at Fayette, N. Y.
In 1833 the so-called gift of tongues was conferred.
The Plymouth Brethren had their origin about 1830, in England.
The origin of the Adventists may be dated from the time when in 1831-3
William Miller began his preaching and predictions as to the time of the end of the
world, in 1843.
The association of the ministers and churches of God with the Free Baptist
Church has been closer than with any other denomination. It is the more inter-
esting, therefore, to note that the General Conference of said Church was organ-
ized in 1827. Their Book Concern was started in 1831. Their Foreign Mission-
ary Society was organized in 1833. Like the Church of God, the Free Baptists for
a number of years practiced the washing of the saints' feet. In a work called the
"Faith of the Free Will Baptists," published in 1834, by authority of the General
Conference of said denomination, the following is found: "The following ordi-
nances or institutions were appointed by Christ or his Apostles, and are obligatory
on the Church: I. Christian Baptism. II. The Lord's Supper. III. Washing
the Saints' Feet." "Baptism is immersion." Except as to name, the Free Bap-
tists then were identical with the Church of God. So the United Brethren in their
Confession of Faith of 1815 "recommend. . . .that baptism and the remembrance
of the Lord in the distribution of the bread and wine be observed, also the washing
of feet where the same is desired," as "outward signs and ordinances."
In 1834 the United Brethren Publishing House was established, and "The Re-
ligious Telescope," a semi-monthly folio, was started. Both were located in the
basement of the church at Circleville, Ohio.
The first General Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church convened in
Georgetown, D. C, May 6, 1834, with sixteen ministerial and fourteen lay dele-
gates. This item derives much of its significance from the fact that lay repre-
sentation was one of the demands whose refusal resulted in the secession from the
Methodist Episcopal Church and the organization of the Methodist Protestant
Church.
The history of Oberlin College begins with the location of P. P. Pease on the
ground, April 19, 1833. The beginnings of this institution destined to occupy so
prominent a place in the great slavery agitation in later years were of the humblest
character. Not less than half a dozen ministers of the Church of God later re-
ceived part of their classical and theological training at this institution.
Prior to 183 5 considerable missionary work was done beyond the Allegheny
mountains. The tide of emigration to Ohio began to rise about this time. Among
the early families locating in the State were the Beei-ys, Sheriicks, Beidlers, Funks,
Metzlei-s and Hartmans. Samuel Sherrick devoted a great deal of his time "to the
promotion of the cause of God. He was very plain and pointed in his preaching.
He was very successful in doing good." John Beidler labored much in a local ca-
pacity. Peter Hai-tman did much in the way of opening new points, and was a
good instructor. Samuel Metzler and John Funk were spiritual and zealous
workers, sound in the principles and doctrine of the Church of God. These pre-
pared the way for the regular circuit preachers who traveled in Wayne and ad-
joining counties and helped to build up the Ohio Eldership. These local ministers
helped to prepare the way for the appointment of a minister by the Pennsylvania
Eldership to the "Ohio circuit," in 1833, in response to a call in a letter written by
J. Greeger, "praying that help might be sent them." They all became members
of the first Eldership organized in Ohio, in 1836.
46 History of the Churches of God
CHAPTER V.
1835—1840.
THE second half of the fourth decade of the nineteenth century was rich in re-
sults crowning the labors of the ministers of the Church of God. In Penn-
. sylvania and Ohio the number of conversions and of churches organized was
relatively very large. There was an active, aggressive campaign over the whole
territory as if Church extension had been the inspired motto. The number of
active workers steadily increased, and there was co-operation on every hand. So-
called "Big meetings," "Protracted meetings" and camp-meetings were held all
over the territory, and at quite a number of new points. The term "evangelistic
meetings," or "evangelistic efforts," was not then in use. The protracted meeting
so commonly meant a "revival," the conversion of sinners, that the term "revival
meeting" was quite generally used even in anticipation. The "big meeting" was-
so called because of the unusually large attendance. Churches co-operated ia
these meetings, and members would go long distances to attend them. Every
church would have its protracted meeting, and it proved a serious disappointment
if there were no conversions. A number of churches in Pennsylvania and Ohio
originated in revivals held in private houses. The churches were taught to work
and pray for revivals, as "the spirit of revival is the genuine spirit of Christianity.
No believer in divine revelation who will attentively and prayerfully read the Acts
of the Apostles can doubt the truth of this position. A correct answer to the oft-
repeated and truly important question, 'Why are revivals of religion so unfre-
quent?' would be a severe censure on the character and conduct of many a pro-
fessed follower of Jesus." They defined a revival to be "an unusual quickening
and conversion of many sinners." And they believed that "all that is genuine and
durable in a time of revival is effected by the special influence of the Holy Spirit."
But they as strongly insisted on "the truths of the Bible" as the means used by
the Spirit, and "ministers by their preaching; Christians by their devoted lives,
and often the providence of God are the agents or instruments in conveying and
applying the truth to the minds of sinners." During the Winter of 1838 it was
recorded that "revivals of religion are prevailing over the length and breadth of the
land, with greater power and depth and permanency than have ever yet been wit-
nessed." This widespread revival followed a year or two of comparative barren-
ness, so that a "dearth of revivals" had been reported in 1837. "Meetings were
thin, preaching without effect, the few scattering additions which are made to the
churfches but just redeem them from absolute decline in members." These pro-
tracted meetings often lasted from four to six and ten weeks, with conversions
nightly. That they were sometimes abused is conceded; but incalculable good was
accomplished through them. Indeed, these meetings, along with camp-meetings,
were the essential means by which the United Brethren Church, the Evangelical
Association and the Church of God were originated and built up.
Camp-meetings were unusually numerous in these early years, and were pro-
ductive of much good. As the results decreased, their number decreased. In
order that they might not interfere with each other it was the custom for the
Eldership to appoint a camp-meeting committee, which would fix the dates of all
the camp-meetings, and sometimes assign the ministers. While the camp-meet-
ing spirit prevailed almost universally, yet the ministers strongly urged upon the
churches the importance of such special means of grace. It was "the service of
the Lord," and while "it costs time and money, trouble and labor, has any man
ever lost anything by putting time, money and labor into the service of the Lord?"
"Many a Christian father, mother, brother and sister feels himself or herself amply
rewarded for the labors of camp-meetings by the conversion of friends." In 1835
eight camp-meetings were held in the East Pennsylvania Eldership, to wit: Near
Linglestown, Dauphin county; in Perry county; in Powl's Valley, Dauphin county;
at Beelman's, near Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county; near Orwigsburg, at Kim-
mel's, Schuylkill county; in Foutz's Valley, Perry county; near Mt. Joy, Lancaster
General History 47
county, and near Uniontown, Carroll county, Md. One was held near Jefferson,
Wayne county, Ohio. This was the first camp-meeting held by the churches of
God in Ohio. It began on August 21st. Jacob Keller and Thomas Hickeriiell
were in charge as the circuit preachers. Keller preached the first sermon, in Ger-
man, from Mark xi. 24. More than half the sermons were in German, as several
other brethren preached also in German. Other ministers present were John
Funk, John Greeger, John River, Samuel Sherrick, Peter Hartman and William
Adams. The preachers in charge reported about forty-five "real conversions" at
this camp-meeting. P'ull reports are wanting from all but three of the eastern
camp-meetings. At these three the conversions numbered about one hundred.
The largest of these camp-meetings was the one held in Beelman's grove, near
Mechanicsburg, with between ninety and one hundred tents.
In 183 6 nine caiup-meetings were held in the Pennsylvania Eldership, viz.:
near Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county; Fowl's Valley, Dauphin county; near
Fredericksburg (then called Stumpstown), Lebanon county; near Middletown,
Dauphin county; near Shippensburg, Cumberland county; in York county; near
Landisburg, Perry county, and at Kimmel's, Schuylkill county, and one near Union-
town, Carroll county, Md. A camp-meeting was also held this year on "the
Wooster circuit," the same ground on which the one of 1835 was held. The re-
ports of these meetings are very incomplete, but exceeding one hundred conver-
sions are reported at five of them, and at one other it is specially noted that there
were more conversions than the previous year.
In 1837 the number of camp-meetings held was thirteen, three of them in
Ohio, one on the East circuit, in Holmes county; one on the West circuit, Wayne
county, and one north-west of Canton, in Stark county. These three camp-meet-
ings reported over eighty conversions. At the camp-meeting near Shippensburg,
Pa., fifty conversions were reported. Mackey says concerning this camp-meeting,
that "the three last days were days of power in such a degree as I have never wit-
nessed." It was "held on the premises of Bro. Knisley," who years later was
treasurer of the East Pennsylvania Eldership. Here M. F. Snavely was converted,
who after preaching the gospel for a number of years met a tragic death in a rail-
way accident. The results at other camp-meetings are not on record.
In 183 8 eleven camp-meetings were held in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and
four in Ohio, one each in Wayne, Richland, Holmes and Stark counties. Nearly
two hundred converts were reported at these meetings, yet there was complaint
that the number was "small" at three or four of them.
In 1839 the Ohio camp-meetings were held in Richland, Wayne, Tuscarawas
and Stark counties. In the East there were seven, one of which was held in Mary-
land. In western Pennsylvania the first camp-meeting was held in Venango county,
which was part of the Pittsburg mission territory, under John Hickemell. The
general results this year were less encouraging than during former years.
Substantial and inspiring progress was made during the second half of this
decade. Converts multiplied; churches were organized in many new localities,
and the work throughout seemed to be in a very prosperous condition. The cause
these devout and energetic men had espoused found favor with God and man.
Even the hardships and persecutions they had to endure fanned the fire of their
zeal. In a number of places houses of worship were built. One of the churches
organized in 1835 was at Good Hope, Cumberland county. Pa., where H. Murray,
later of Iowa, and John Briggle, who removed to Ohio, became members of the
church. The work in Schuylkill county, Pa., was widening out under the labors
of J. Walborn and J. Lenkert, followed in 1835 by Jonathan Hawk. When he
went there "things were small, but promising." But they "soon had several power
seasons, where the Lord broke in upon sinners, and a goodly number experienced
a change of heart." Hawk extended his labors as far toward the south as Ham-
burg, Berks county, and westward into East and West Hanover, Dauphin county,
where a number were converted.
Meanwhile the work was making good progress in Cumberland county. Oc-
tober 11, 1835, "the new house of worship at Markley's, near ShepheMstown," was
dedicated. In 1836 the bethel located about one-half mile from Churchtown was
built. This house was torn down in 1849, and a new, two-story bethel built, well
located, in the village. This was remodeled about forty years later, and made a
one-story house. The same year the church at Andersontown was organized.
The work in Newville antedates the year 1837, when the Shullenberger family
moved to that village. D. Kyle and L. Records were the first ministers of tha
48 History oj^ the Churches oe God
<!hurch to preach there. They held services in the "Old School-house," near the
Presbyterian church, and in private houses. In 1837 the church was organized
by Kyle. They secured ground in the West end of the town and built what was
years after known as "The Old Bethel," and was used later by the colored brethren,
when in 1860 the new bethel was erected. The first bethel at Shiremanstown was
built in the Summer of 1838, and dedicated November 23rd of that year. The
work also extended into Franklin county, Fayetteville being the place of quite an
extensive revival in 1839. The church, however, was organized prior to this date,
as it had twenty-seven members before this revival began. This year also a house
of worship was built by the church at Newburg, Cumberland county, under the
labors of E. AVest. There were several small organizations effected in 1837 be-
tween Carlisle and Newville at points known as Smoketown and River's Meeting
House.
The work in Franklin county, Pa., was closely connected with that in Wash-
ington county, Md. William Smediner was a pioneer preacher in that section, in
1837, and reported overflowing congregations, in a place called Hancock, and many
conversions. He went across into Virginia and preached some in that State. A
church was organized at Broad Fording about this time. Sinedmer two years later
held a very successful revival meeting at Westminster, Carroll county, Md.
In Lancaster county this semi-decade also showed good results of faithful work.
Revivals were held at Hinkletown, East of Lancaster city, as early as 1837. Jolin
Stamm, later a member of the Eldership, father of J. S. Stainni, sent to Centralia,
Kas., as Phincipal of Centralia College, in 1867, was one of the first members of the
Hinkletown church. George Sandoe, first missionary to Illinois, was born and
converted there. "The new meeting-house in Columbia" was dedicated Novem-
ber 8, 1835. At Elizabethtown the church was organized a little over a mile East
of the town, at the house of Michael Cramer, by David MaxwelL There were but
six members — Abraham Breneman, Michael Cramer and wife, Martha Kapp,
Hannah Kapp and Margaret Cramer. Others were in co-operation with them, but
had not been baptized, and as Maxwell taught that no one could become a member
until immersed, they "stood aloof." The work at Landisville started at the home
of John C. Laiidis, where there was a revival in 1839. This became thereafter a
regular appointment on the Lancaster circuit. The church at Mt. Joy was also,
from 1833, a part of the Lancaster circuit. It worshiped in a school-house known
as "Log HaJJ" during the first seven years of its existence. But in 1838 a bethel
was built, which was dedicated December 23rd of that year. The church at
Washington Borough, which was organized in 1837 or 1838, did not build a house
of worship until 1844.
Adams and Lebanon counties also were included in the active missionary en-
deavors between 183.5 and 1840. Special meetings were held at points from
Gettysburg northward, and revivals followed. At Annville (then called Millers-
town), Lebanon county, a church was organized in 1837. One of the original
members of this organization was Mrs. Sarah Hepler, a sister of James Lick, later
a California millionaire.
In 1838, "in a school-house on the river bank where Goldsboro, York county,
now stands," the first members of the Goldsboro church were converted. An or-
ganization was effected, but no bethel built at that time.
Revivals were reported during this period at Landisburg, Shaffer's Valley and
other points in Perry county. A regular circuit had been established in 1832, with
E. AVest and John AA'alborn as pastors. Juniata county was added in 1833, with
Jacob Myers as pastor.
Fulton, Bedford, Blair and Huntingdon counties were added to the previously
occupied territory at the beginning of this period. About 183 6 the first mission-
aries visited the Broad Top mountain region, having come from the neighborhood
of Ft. Littleton, Fulton county. These were Snavely and Hawk, who held a re-
vival meeting at the Mountain House, "in the kitchen," at which "many were con-
verted:" This whole territory from Ft. Littleton to Martinsburg, Blair county,
was included in one field of labor. Jacob Keller and John Hickemell made a tour
through this territory as far as Martinsburg, Blair county, in the Winter of 1838,
and thence on to Westmoreland county.
In the evolution of religious bodies in the United States, especially those which
originated in the first half of the nineteenth century and prior thereto, the work
has followed the line of emigration westward. None of these Churches has been
able to make much progress eastward of the point where they began. And the
General History
49
work widened as the stream of emigration flowed westward. The families of a
Church are its surest seed. They commend, or they discredit, the faith which they
represent. These facts are exemplified in the history of the United Brethren
Church, the Evangelical Association, the Free Baptist and the Methodist Protestant
Churches, as well as of the Church of God. The earlier emigration of Church of
God families was principally to Ohio. It consisted largely of farmers and families
seeking homes in the country. This determined the first fields of extra-State mis-
sion work westward, as well as the localities where the earlier churches were
established. Indeed it has been a determining factor in all the missionary oper-
ations of the Church of God.
As early as 1816 "there was a strong emigration from eastern Pennsylvania
into Ohio." This tendency westward continued for years, as glowing reports
reached the East of the fertility of the soil, the cheapness of farm land and the
Thomas Hiokernell.
prosperity of the citizens generally. The families of the Church became early in-
tected with this western fever, and emigrated in considerable numbers to the new
land flowing with milk and honey." a land even "like the Garden of Eden " The
earlier emigrants settled in Wayne and adjoining counties, and by 1833 had asso-
ciated themselves together in different localities for public religious services.
Joseph Adams was their first minister. In 1833 1). Maxwell was appointed by the
Pennsylvania Eldership to the "Ohio Circuit." but did not go. J. Greeger preached
some for the Ohio brethren during this year. In 1834 the Eldership received
several letters from Ohio, giving a favorable account of the state of religion- re-
questing laborers to be sent there; recommending several persons to the Eldership
tor license, and testifying to the usefulness and faithfulness of Bro. J. Adams."
m response to this request, Thomas Hickeniell and Jacob Keller were appointed
to the "Ohio Circuit."
C. H.— 2*
50 History of the Churches of God
Hickernell became the great revivalist of the West. He traveled all over
Ohio, Indiana and a great part of Illinois, and was very successful. During the
first year of the joint labors of Hickernell and Keller they reported one hundred
and forty conversions, and the second year one hundred and fifty. Jacob Keller at
the expiration of two years returned to Pennsylvania and spent the residue of his
years as a member in the East Pennsylvania Eldership.
Jacob Keller.
His letter containing the report of his labors in Ohio during 1835 conveyed the
request of the Ohio brethren for "the privilege of holding a yearly Eldership in
Ohio."
AVilliam Adams, a native of Perry county, Pa., and son of a Presbyterian, was
converted under E. West, and emigrated to Ohio in 1835. He was a co-laborer
with Keller the second year of the latter's labors in Ohio, when they traveled the
Sugar Creek circuit. When Keller and Hickernell went to Ohio they "took up
twelve appointments to commence with." By the end of two years "our appoint-
ments had swelled to the number of forty." Wayne county was the principal part
of their field of work. In 183 6 this territory was divided int'o two circuits, the
Eastern and Western, and two ministers were appointed to each. In 1837 three
circuits were formed. In 1839 St. Mary's Mission was formed. As many as two
hundred converts were reported some of these years. In 1837 there was a revival
in Richland county, under the labors of Hickernell and Logue, at which twenty-
five converts were reported. A similar work of grace had been reported by Hicker-
nell at "Crooked Run meeting-house," Tuscarawas county, in the Spring of 1836;
also in the Fall of 1836, at "Henry Myers', near Strasburg," in the same county.
St. Mary's Mission was in Allen and Mercer counties, in the extreme western part
of the State, and Hickernell was the missionary in 1839. He had ten appoint-
ments this year, and "my mission," he says, "is about fifty miles long." In 1838
there was a circuit in Stark county, with E. Logue as pastor. But two meeting-
houses, or bethels, had thus far been reported, viz.: Funk's, in Chester township,
Wayne county, and Crooked Run.
A few families of the churches East emigrated to Westmoreland county. Pa.,
to Pittsburg, and to Venango and Butler counties between 1835 and 1840. Among
these were the Gray and Yoiisling families, which located in Pittsburg; John Ross
Gknerai. History
51
and family, the Ayreses, Becks, Muinpheis, Cockleys and others who went to
Venango county. These brethren as usual called for ministers of the Church of
God to visit them and preach for them. To these calls the Ohio Eldership re-
sponded in 1837 by appointing Thomas Hickeniell to the Pittsburg Mission; or, as
he reports it, "to open a mission in western Pennsylvania." To what extent he
labored on th* Mission is not clear; but he reported preaching in Westmoreland,
Butler and Venango counties, and in his general review of the year he states that
"in this year the work of the Lord continued as usual, both on the Pittsburg Mis-
sion and in the State of Ohio." In Butler county a successful meeting was held,
at "Old Harmony," while a number of conversions were reported in Venango
county. In November, 183 8, the Pennsylvania Eldership appointed John Hicker-
nell and E. AVest to the Pittsburg Mission, Hickeniell having received license at
this Eldership.
While this field was called the "Pittsburg Mission," it included five counties — ■
Allegheny, Westmoreland, Beaver, Butler and Venango. Hickeniell reported:
"I have to ride two hundred and sixty or seventy miles going and coming my
SlMMi^"' ^ ^'"""^^
route." It was not until 1839 that he "preached his first sermon in Pittsburg, in
the Fire Engine House on Water street." He preached in the city at first every
two weeks, but was obliged to change to three weeks on account of the many points
on his field. J. Keller was his co-laborer part of the time, and assisted him in a
meeting in Westmoreland county. They began the work at Stonerville, now Alver-
ton, m 1839, preaching in the Mennonite meeting-house. An important feature
of the early history of church work in this neighborhood is the influence of the
Mennonite Church, which was strong over that section of the country. It later
persecuted the leaders and members of the chxirches of God, but thus only made
the Church of God people more resolute in their work. Many of their own people
were converted to the doctrines of the Church and became pillars therein, as well
as transmitted to these churches of God the same type of vital godliness and
spiritual loyalty and conservatism. A series of meetings was also held in the C.
Landes school-house, about four miles south of Stonerville, where a number were
converted and a church organized "composed of ten or twelve members." Thomas
Hickeniell, missionary from East Pennsylvania Eldership, in 1839 organized a
church at the home of Henry Rosenberser, then living where is now the village of
Bethany. This church in the year 1841 "built a small, plain house of worship."
The church in the Landes neighborhood was finally broken up by the removal of
52
History of the; Churches of God
most of the families to Iowa, where they constituted the church at Harmony.
Through some defect in the title the property at Bethany was lost to the little
church. The membership, having considerably increased at the different points
around Stonerville, selected this place as the common meeting point, and worshiped
for some years in the "Stoner Grove Meeting House," owned by a number of
brethren who called themselves "Brethren in Christ," some of which became mem-
bers of the church of God. In the Spring of 1863 they "determined to erect a new
and more commodious house of worship in a more central location." This house
was dedicated on Sabbath, December 27, 1863. E. H, Thomas "did the preaching,
and A. X. Shoemaker the financeering." J. M. Domer and Peter Loucks were joint
pastors of the circuit of which this was one of the points. It was called "Center
Bethel," being located in the center of the communities where these three churches
had been formed in earlier years. In the Mennonite meeting-house near by Wine-
brenner, about 1836, sowed the first seed for the Church of God. He stopped over
Bethel at Alverton, Pa.
Sabbath with one of the families of the Church, and in his sermon he set forth his
"views of the church of God." The bethel built in 1863 was enlarged, remodeled
and modernized in later years.
A church was also organized at Slippery Reck, one at Old Harmony, and one
in Irwin township, "Venango county, in the year 1839. Much of the preaching was
in German.
At the beginning of this half decade the religious paper called "The Gospel
Publisher" was started by AVinebrenner, the first number being dated June 5, 1835.
In No. 27, Vol. I., he published the outlines of a sermon on Regeneration, one of
the earliest published utterances on a doctrinal subject on which he himself
preached with so much power. Whether or not there were any apprehensions of
schism in the Church of God, or whether it was intended as a rebuke of existing
schisms in the general church, Winebrenner published a number of selections
against "schism," and strongly urged union among all God's people. He was the
harbinger of th^t charming symphony of union of the twentieth century. But his
own utterances on "Church of God" as the only proper name for the church, being
"more ancient," "more descriptive^" "more scriptural" and "more appropriate,"
and his opposition to "baptism the door into the church" were distinct and without
a shadow of compromise. The voice of the Church of God those years gave no un-
certain sound on the question, "Who should be members of the church?" Regene-
ration the door, and credible profession of godliness the only terms of admission
into the fold. Otherwise there is no salvation. Universalism, which had become
quite active, was repudiated as "unscriptural and absurd." "Plainness of dress"
was taught as a Christian virtue, and the Elderships adopted resolutions enjoining
it. Infant baptism was wholly repudiated, and the immersion of believers as the
only scriptural baptism was strongly emphasized. Occasionally baptism as a con-
dition of fellowship was taught. Feeling as a guide to duty, or an evidence of
conversion, was not accepted, though it strongly characterized revival meetings.
GeneraIv History 5j
and its evidential value was much abused. The duty of Restitution, of Fasting and
other obsolete virtues was not overlooked. As the practice of "ordination by the
imposition of hands" was introduced into a few of the original churches, it was
natural that a controversy on this subject should manifest itself as early as the
Pennsylvania Eldership of 1839, when the question was "laid aside till the next
Annual Eldership." The support of ministers, which was exceedingly meager, re-
ceived considerable attention; but the Eldership in 1839 resolved "that it be
deemed expedient according to Scripture to discontinue the practice of preachers
going into an article of agreement to hire themselves to preach for wages." Yet
the paltry support during and following the great financial panic of 1837-8 made
it all the more difficult for ministers to continue in the active work. Discussions
on baptism, both action and subjects, occurred on several occasions, but were con-
ducted by correspondence, or through the columns of the religious press. The
question of women preaching had not yet arisen in the churches, but the more gen-
eral topic of "women speaking in public " received more or less attention. Possi-
bly because of too inadequate support, Winebrenner did not devote nearly all his
time to preaching. He served churches in and around Harrisburg, before appoint-
ments were made by the Eldership, in 1830 and 1831. In 1832 he was appointed
to Harrisburg and Middletown. But at the Elderships between 1833 and 1840 he
had no charge. He was a "general missionary," but without any provision for his
support. In addition to editing and publishing "The Gospel Publisher," he prepared
and published his "Reference and Pronouncing New Testament," a work of great
value. In liquidation of a debt he came into possession of a drug and book-store,
at which he had his editorial oflfice. He became deeply interested in "Morus Multi-
caulus," or the culture of the silk worm and of silk manufacture, and devoted, ac-
cording to objections urged, a disproportionate space of the paper to the subject.
To aggravate matters, this newly discovered industry, heralded so enthusiastically
as promising fabulous returns to investors, proved an utter failure to the loss of
those who heeded the fatal syren's song and embarked in the enterprise. By yield-
ing to "the necessity of seeking secular avocations, the Church to quite an extent
lost Winebrenner's invaluable services, and the cause suffered serious detriment.
There is a variety of synchronological events in this period, social, secular
and religious, which should impress every thoughtful mind. Especially the phil-
osophical student of history will not be satisfied to confine himself wholly to one
particular line of research. He desires a broader outlook, a limited degree of
familiarity with more immediate surroundings. While Winebrenner was out-
spoken and clear "upon the unjustness of the division of the church into sects,"
and emphatically taught that "to divide the church of God into various denomina-
tions is wrong because it begets and promotes sectarianism"; others, leaders in
their Churches, also advocated the "Christian union of all the Churches." On May
9, 1839, "a meeting was called at New York of several gentlemen of various de-
nominations for the purpose of devising and adopting a plan to unite Christians of
different denominations in a more intimate and friendly alliance." A Constitution
was adopted, and the name of the Society which was organized was called "The
American Society for the Promotion of Christian Union on Apostolic Principles."
At the same time schisms occurred in Churches in Kentucky and Tennessee, and
also in eastern Virginia. Several new denominations were also organized. The
Christian Reformed Church was formed in 1835 by a separation from the Dutch
Reformed Church. The same year the Catholic Apostolic Church was organized,
more commonly called "Irwingites," after Edward Irwing, an eloquent Scotch
preacher, and one of the original and most influential promoters of the movement.
Also the Adventist Church. The Presbyterian Church in 1837 was divided into
the Old and New School branches.
Mission work received a new impulse. The Board of Foreign Missions of the
German Reformed Church was organized in 1838. In 1837 the Presbyterian Board
of Missions was formed which took up the work of the Western Foreign Missionary
Society. The same year the Foreign Missionary Society of the Lutheran Church
was organized. The Free-Will Baptists had preceded, having organized their Mis-
sionary Society in 1833. April 4, 1838, the first Missionary Society of the Evan-
gelical Association was organized. The Conference organized itself into a Mission-
ary Society. It adopted a regular Constitution, calling itself "The German Evan-
gelical Missionary Society of North America." And in the Autumn of 1839, the
first Woman's Missionary Society of the Evangelical Association was organized.
There was increased enterprise in the newspaper world. The "Public Ledger,"
54 History of thk Churches of God
Philadelphia, was established in 1836. "The Christliche Botschafter," German
organ of the Evangelical Association, made its first appearance January, 1836.
The "Religious Telescope," the organ of the United Brethren Church, appears as a
semi-monthly, December 31, 1834. The unprecedented financial and industrial
panic of 1837 unsettled everything, and retarded the enterprises of the Churches
In all lines. Specie payment was suspended; State banks failed bj"^ the
scores, and "Shin-plasters and speculation are now the order of the day." People
everywhere were "in the highest state of excitement in consequence of the derange-
ment of money matters." These conditions embarrassed seriously the Methodist
Church which the year previous suffered the total loss by fire of "our noble Book
Concern," and of the Conference Seminary at Norwalk, Ohio. Bishop Emory, of
said Church, died the same year.
By this time, too, the anti-Slavery agitation became heated and acrimonious.
Under the fiery appeals of William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips and other elo-
quent philanthropists and abolitionists to the American conscience, the cry of im-
mediate abolition was taken up by Churches and ecclesiastical bodies throughout
the country. Winebrenner took an active part in this agitation, and used the col-
umns of "The Gospel Publisher" freely to advocate the cause of emancipation. He
was a member of an anti-slavery society formed in Harrisburg in 1836. The
assassination of Revs. Lovejoy and Bewley, in 1837, who "fell martyrs to the holy
cause of Abolition by the hands of cruel, blood-thirsty bands of ruffians and mur-
derers," greatly inflamed the passions of the multitude. The public "anti-slavery
meetings encountered violent opposition, hissing, mobs, pelting and personal abuse,
and was followed by social ostracism of the reformers."
The deepening interest in popular education resulted in 1834 in the passage
"by the Legislature of Pennsylvania of a law establishing a system of free and public
schools. Two years later a "determined effort was made by the combined forces
of ignorance, prejudice and caste to repeal this Act. The hero of the battle for
free schools was Thaddeiis Stevens, of Lancaster City. In 1909, in Lancaster
county, a monument in his honor was erected "as a tribute to the signal services
rendered by him in the Legislature of Pennsylvania in preventing the repeal of the
public school law enacted in 1834."
This was a controversial age. Several public debates were held which at-
tracted general attention. Already in 1829, at Cincinnati, Ohio, one between the
forces of skepticism and infidelity, led by Robert Dale Owen, an astute and versatile
disputant, and the redoubtable Alexander Campbell, the peer of any debater of the
century. Another in 183 7 between Campbell as the champion of Protestantism
against Bishop John B. Purcell, in defense of the Roman Catholic Religion. A few
years later Campbell had for his antagonist N. L. Rice, Presbyterian, on the action,
subjects, design and administrator of baptism, and ecclesiastical creeds as terms
of union and communion. The churches of God were made familiar with these
discussions by the publication of extensive excerpts in "The Gospel Publisher." The
spirit of controversy had also gotten into the minds of some ministers of the
Church of God. At Uniontown, Md., in June, 1838, a debate on "infant sprinkling
and immersioij" took place between Joseph Adams of the Church of God, and Rev.
R. Weiser. The same year, in April, Elder W. Smedmer held a debate at Akron,
Ohio, with a Universalist, Freeman Loring, on the question, "Do the Scriptures
teach that all mankind will be ultimately holy and happy?" Later in the same
year Smedmer had a debate with Rev. Dr. Shaffer, of the Methodist Church, on in-
fant baptism and immersion.
In 1835 Texas declared itself independent of Mexico and established a pro-
visional government, and in 1837 it became an independent republic. April 2,
1836, the bill to admit Michigan into the Union was passed by both Houses of
Congress. April 4, 1836, the Act for the admission of Arkansas became a law.
The American Temperance Society held its eighth annual meeting in 1835, and re-
ported 2,000,000 persons in the United States who had ceased to use intoxicants,
with more than 8,000 local societies. In 1839 that remarkable temperance worker
and organizer, Frances E. AVillard, was born, who for years was President of the
Woman's Temperance Union. Dwight L. Moody, the greatest evangelist of the
century, was born February 5, 1837.
General History 55
CHAPTER VI.
1840—1845.
THE period beginning with 1840 was one of unprecedented activity and auspi-
cious success. By the close of the year 184 4 practically the territory which
now comprises the East Pennsylvania Eldership was quite well covered.
There are more churches now within the territory, but many local points have been
abandoned, and several counties have been taken off the ecclesiastical map. There
were then churches, or preaching points, in eighteen counties east of the Allegheny
Mountains. Clearfield county has since been added, but Berks, Lehigh and Mont-
gomery have been abandoned.
One of the stimulating elements of this period was the Millerite excitement.
While few, if any, ministers of the Eldership accepted Miller's theory, the whole of
eastern Pennsylvania was wrought up to an unusual degree over his predictions.
The ministers were probably all pre-millenarians, and so could earnestly and con-
scientiously preach the doctrine of Christ's second coming to judgment; yet they
refrained from fixing dates. But not so a percentage of the lay membership.
AVilliam Miller, "the prophet," earnest and confident, predicted "the end of the
world" about the year 1843. He began preaching this theory prior to 1840. A
native of Pittsfield, Mass., when four years old he, with his parents, removed to
Hampton, N. Y. Thence at the age of twenty-two he removed to Poultney, Vt.
He preached that Jesus Christ would appear a second time in 1843, in the clouds of
heaven; that he would then raise the righteous dead and judge them, together
with the righteous living, who would be caught up to meet him in the air; that he
would purify the earth with fire, causing the wicked and all their works to be con-
sumed in the general conflagration, and would shut up their souls in the place pre-
pared for the devil and his angels; that the saints would live and reign with Christ
on the new earth a thousand years; that then Satan and the wicked spirits would
be let loose, and the wicked dead be raised — this being the second resurrection —
and, being judged, should make war upon the saints, be defeated and cast down
to hell forever." The first General Conference of his followers was held in Chardon
street, Boston, October, 1840. They first claimed the whole of the Jewish year
from early in 184 3 to March, 1844, the earliest date fixed by any of the Adventists
being Feb. 10, 1843, the forty-fifth year from the date when the French army took
Rome, in 1798. Then Feb. 15th was fixed, the anniversary of the abolition of the
Papal government and the establishment of the Roman Republic. Then as these
dates passed, the Passover was fixed, being April 14th. Next the date of the
Ascension. Great excitement and extravagances everywhere attended the move-
ment. It was a movement widespread, intense and enthusiastic. Sermons and
lectures on the subject were everywhere delivered. And while Winebi-enner and
"The Gospel Publisher" did not endorse ]VIiller's views, the advocates of the theory
liad access to many pulpits of churches of God. And Weishanipel in his editorials
rather apologized for those who "violently opposed, and in some instances were
embittered against, these men for preaching the near approach of the end," and
urged them "not to condemn them. It is their privilege to look for him." Yet he
urged the churches "to get these lecturers by all means. Revivals follow their
lectures wherever they go." There were not wanting "signs" that the prediction
would be fulfilled. There were signs in the sun, a well-proportioned cross on the
sun "having been seen by many." Signs in the moon — "three black streaks run-
ning across the moon on a horizontal line." "Strange sounds" were heard in
various places, so that "those who were in the fields ran home. Some thought the
earth shook, and there were sounds like the roaring of cannon." Thomas Hicker-
nell states that as he traveled through Delaware and Union counties, Ohio, a dis-
tance of thirty-three miles, "the same strange sounds were heard all along the
road." Then came the strange visitor, to many so portentous of evil, the comet of
1843, with a tail 130,000,000 miles in length, upon which many gazed night after
night appalled "at the wonder of the heavens." Multitudes of good men in the
^Christian church, down to a recent period, saw in the appearance of comets not
56 History of the Churches oe God
merely an exhibition of "signs in the heavens," foretold in Scripture; but also
divine warnings to repentarrce and improvement of life of vast value to humanity.
As forecasting the end of the world, to say nothing of the many examples in the
earlier mediaeval period, cometh in the tenth century strengthened the belief in the
approaching end of the world, and increased the distress and terror of all Europe.
Then, too, the stars began to fall "like streaks of light in the sky, trailing the path
of destruction." In other parts of the heavens there was a phenomenon like "a
perpendicular column of red fire, twenty-five feet in length and one foot in di-
ameter." "The moon was encircled by a large ring, within which six or seven
other apparent moons appeared, all dotted over with seeming stars." Newspapers
were full of these descriptions, which inflamed the minds of the credulous, and
incited others to blasphemous scofl[ing. Papers wholly devoted to the advocacy of
this theory scppeared in various places. Advent camp-meetings were held in divers
localities.
Preceding and simultaneous with the appearance of these prophetic signs ex-
tensive revivals were promoted, and the converts among the churches of God were
numbered by hundreds. Men and women were "powerfully convicted," and often
were in great agony of soul. The preaching was terrific, and brought correspond-
ing fruit. It was regarded as "not the work of man, however human agencies may
be employed." That there were "imperfections" was freely granted; but "in all
that man touches there are imperfections. However, the phenomenon itself we
regard as the work of the Holy Spirit alike beyond human power to produce it or
to control it." These revivals were enjoyed at almost every preaching point over
the whole East Pennsylvania territory, while the Editor of "The Gospel Publisher"
reported "powerful revivals in progress in Ohio." From various points it was re-
ported that "the altar is nightly thronged with penitents." In small villages like
Milltown as high as twenty were at the altar in one night. At Springville, now
Florin, Lancaster county, Pa., seventeen. At this place forty-three were baptized.
At Linglestown "from ten to fourteen are forward every meeting to be prayed
for." A characteristic report came from Washington, Lancaster county. Pa. On
Sunday night "one came forward and was blessed. On Monday night seven came
forward. On Tuesday night fifteen. On Wednesday night thirty. On Thursday
night about thirty. On Friday night about thirty." At the Eldership in 1843
nearly every minister reported that he "had seen the Spirit of God poured out
in a very special manner, and many sinners converted " Lancaster and Dauphin
county circuit, with Keller and Thomas as pastors, reported "that between five
hundred and six hundred had been converted from New Year, 1843, to April 1st,
and that he and Haiii had, during that time, baptized about two hundred and fifty."
At the Eldership in 184 3 Winebrenner said: "The Lord truly has done great
things for us and the people during the past Eldership year. The numerous ac-
cessions to the Church are without a parallel in the history of the Church of God."
Camp-meetings under the direction of committees appointed by the Elder-
ships, were held in many localities over the territory in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Early in 1841 counsels and directions were given through the paper concerning
these meetings. Similar admonitions were frequently repeated. Chief among
these was the advice "to go praying that God might bless their labors and convert
sinners." This in view of the statement that "camp-meetings got a little out of
credit, because there was so little good done for a few years back." There should
be "not so much feasting, but the chief concern should be for souls to be brought
into the ark of safety." Hence "more good was done last year at camp-meetings
than was done for several years before." In 1840 camp-meetings were held three
miles from Taneytown, Md.; at J. Baker's, near Linglestown, Dauphin county, Pa.;
near Lisburn, in York county; on Kister's farm, near Goldsboro, York county;
near Old Harmony, Butler county; at Millerstown (Annville), Lebanon county;
near Fayetteville, Franklin county; at Churchtown, Cumberland county; near Lan-
disburg. Perry county; in Powl's Valley, Dauphin county, and one at Andrew Mil-
ler's, four miles east of Harrisburg. Six were held in Ohio, to wit: at Daniel
Bauchman's, 13 miles north of Canton, Stark county; at Crooked Run, Tuscara-
was county; at Joseph' Sherick's, Wayne county; at Canton, Stark county, at Fred-
erick Clark's, 8 miles north of Mansfield, Richland county; on St. Mary's Mission,
Mercer county. The reports from these camp-meetings are meager, but there were
from six to eighteen and more conversions at each one, a probable total of three
hundred and fifty.
The year 1841 surpassed the former year in the number of camp-meetings and
General History 57
in results. There were thirteen held in East Pennsylvania, viz.: near Lancaster,
Lancaster county; near Fayetteville, Franklin county; near Kingston, Cumberland
county; near Pine grove, Schuylliill county; in Shaffer's Valley, Perry county; near
the Poor House, 3 miles from Harrisburg; near Newburg, Cumberland county;
near Entriken's Bridge, Awkwick Valley, Huntingdon county; in Powl's Valley,
Dauphin county; Frankfort tovi^nship, Cumberland county, at Harter's Mill, Fautz's
Valley, Perry county; and one in Plain Cabin Valley, Huntingdon county. Awkwick
Valley is on what earlier was the Fort Littletown circuit, near Walnut Grove. The
name is derived from the creek, called the Big Awkwick (differently spelled), and
the Awkwick school-house was one mile from Maddensville. Here J. Lininger,
who emigrated to North Bend, Iowa, was preacher in charge when the camp-meet-
ings of 1842 and 1843 were held. Three were held in West Pennsylvania, viz.: one
in Venango county, near Bro. J. Ayers'; near Old Harmony, Butler county, and one
near Mt. Pleasant. Three were held in Maryland, one near Uniontown, Carroll
county; one near Broad Fording, Washington county, "on Bro. Bean's place," who
became a minister of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, and later lived at Bain-
bridge, Lancaster Co., Pa., and one near Hawk's Meeting-house, in Frederick
county. There were five in Ohio, viz.: at Canton, Stark county; eight miles west
of Wooster, Wayne county; St. Mary's Mission, Mercer county; near Fracksville,
Richland county, and on ground belonging to David R. Shelly, three miles east of
Smithville, Wayne county. Very imperfect reports of these twenty-four camp-
meetings were ever published, but five hundred conversions is a conservative esti-
mate. This is based largely on statements as to the number at the altar at dif-
ferent meetings, and the number fellowshiped. At one camp as many as twenty
were at the altar in one night, and thirty-nine converts are reported. AV. Barr, of
Harrisburg, reports that at the Harrisburg, or Poor House, camp "about sixty
mourners were down at one time, and on the last night of the meeting thirty young
men went forward in a solid column and knelt down at the mourners' bench."
This was in part the result of the spirit which animated the camp-meeting people,
aided by environment, and favored by the remarkable presence and power of the
Spirit. For those who "concluded to tent prepared their minds and their spirits with
fasting and prayer. You would hear them talking much about the meeting, and
but little was said about the preparation of the necessaries of life. Anything would
do them for the body. Their principal concern was about the soul, how they might
be built up and sinners converted to God."
In 1842 there were eighteen camp-meetings held, nearly all on old grounds.
West Pennsylvania had but one, while Ohio again held five, one possibly at a new
point called "Allaman's farm," but no county is named. It was at this camp-meet-
ing that Isaac Whisler, later of Fredonia, Iowa, was converted. He says "it was
an old-fashioned. Holy Ghost meeting." In East Pennsylvania the Bedford county
camp-meeting probably took the place of the Awkwick Valley camp of 1841, as it
was on the same circuit. It was held three miles east of Stonerstown. One of the
converts of the Broadfording camp, Washington county, Md., was Abraham Resh,
who in 1847 emigrated to Venice township, Seneca Co., Ohio, and ten years later
was ordained by the Ohio Eldership. About two hundred conversions were wit-
nessed at the camp-meetings which were reported. At all these meetings there
was considerable German preaching. Often revival meetings followed the camp-
meetings, as at West Newton, Westmoreland county. Pa., formerly called Robbs-
town, where Dobson reported that "since our last camp-meeting the Lord has
aboundantly blessed the labors of our hands."
In 1843 the brethren in Ohio held six camp-meetings; Maryland, two; East
Pennsylvania, ten; and West Pennsylvania, two. One of these was held "on
Abraham Sherick's land, formerly J. Myers,' near the Mennonite meeting-house,
Westmoreland county."
The Summer of 1841 was the banner year for camp-meetings. By 1844 some
opposition against them developed among those who had formerly strongly en-
dorsed them. This was the result in large part of the lack of encouraging results,
as the number of converts decreased from year to year. The reaction from the
Millerite excitement also manifested itself. Yet the number of such meetings held
in 184 4 did not decrease.
The number of camp-meetings held in 1844 was twenty-four. East Pennsyl-
vania and Maryland had twelve; Ohio had the same number as the previous year,
and West Pennsylvania had four more. These were partly in new territory. One
was in Irwin township, Venango county; one in Rockland, same county; one in
58 History op the Churches of God
Westmoreland county; one in Fayette county; one in Indiana county, Indiana Mis-
sion, and one at Slippery Rock, Beaver county. One of the East Pennsylvania
camp-meetings was held at Two Taverns, in Adams county, a county which has
been almost wholly abandoned by the Church. The one at Rockland, in Venango
county, was held by the church at that place, where Thomas and John Hickemell
had organized a church a few years before. J. Myers says "the people in general
were of the lower grades, just beginning to be properly civilized after they em-
braced religion." Reports published of the number of converts at these camp-
meetings exceeds one hundred and fifty. The number of tents ranged from eight
to thirty.
As the fruits of the combined labors of the bannered hosts of the Lord dur-
ing these five years are reviewed the thoughtful reader well-nigh feels as if he
were in an atmosphere of romance. The workers were coherent, enthusiastic and
potential. Revival meetings, protracted meetings, barn-meetings, woods' meetings,
quarterly meetings, and camp-meetings were the incessant order of the day. Op-
position there was, but it was overruled for good. Within the ranks of ministers
and churches "unity of sentiment and feeling and brotherly love prevailed." The
royalty of friendship was exemplified. There was faithful, plain preaching on
church government, ordinances, church name and other distinctive tenets held by
the brotherhood. The ordinances were observed at each camp-meeting, and it was
not uncommon for Methodists and members of the Evangelical Association to par-
ticipate in the ordinances, and occasionally a Methodist minister. Some despised
these illiterate men. On one occasion one "handed down his Greek Testament in
contempt, as if his dabbling in Greek would authorize him to abuse us either in
English or in Dutch." Indeed often in reporting work the statement that "there is
considerable opposition" was followed by the assurance, "but I take that for a
good sign." But persecution was no new and no strange thing. The Jews were
the first willful persecutors of Christianity. Intolerance, especially in religious
matters, seems congenital. The habitual impatience of new truth, or of new doc-
trine in opposition to cherished ideas, which have long had a quiet lodgment in
the mind is difficult to resist. And this species of conservatism is eminently de-
veloped in theologians and religious classes. Then the ecclesiastical jealousies
liable to be awakened do not tend to make the path of the reformer a smooth one.
Fanaticism is also engendered in behalf of any creed or cause with which personal
feeling has become associated. It must also be remembered that ministers those
days were not always polished and honey-mouthed in dealing with the "errors of
the sects." Illiberality and rusticity are closely allied. But opposition and per-
secution discouraged but few. As of old when Pharisees and Sadducees, long at
variance in religion and politics, united in their enmity first against the preachers
and then against the people, in vain did they attempt to suppress the miracles and
the preaching which kept the name of Jesus ringing in their ears. Prisons were
in vain when a divine hand opened the door. The church soon learned to under-
stand the philosophy of persecution. So in these more modern times. They saw
that experimentally persecution has no logic to convince the thinking mind, no
pathos to warn the soul, no terrors to convert men. It confirms the true disciple
in his faith. The results justified this confidence.
In 1841 the Board of Missions of the Pennsylvania Eldership sent Samuel
Conrad as a missionary into Virginia, and while "a number had been converted"
during the year, no permanent work was established. To get appointments was
easy, for McCaitney had six the year before; but while "prospects appeared good,"
he left no permanent fruit. This was in Berkeley county, to which Conrad was
sent in 1841. Somewhat better success attended the efforts in what is now West
Virginia, where John S. Kerr labored in 1842. He gathered a small band in Brooke
county, and organized the first church at the Forks of Fish Creek. As no other
minister of the Church had been in that country, he urged brethren to come to his
help, "so that the odious name of Kerrites may be avoided."
An incursion was made into Sussex county, Delaware, in 1841, the most south-
ern county in the State, by Levi Record, of the Pennsylvania Eldership. He re-
ported that he had "baptized several persons. The people seem to be much excited
on the subject of baptism"; "requests the saints in Pennsylvania and elsewhere to
pray for the success of the work of God in Delaware," and invited "such of the
preachers as preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth to come
and help us." But about this time he "surrendered his license," and so ended his
work in the Eldership.
Geni-ral History 59
A persistent effort was made during this period to establish the cause in Balti-
more, Md. Jesse Appier had moved to that city in 1840, and urged preachers of
the Church to visit the city. "If they could come they could preach in the Court
House yard, vi^here thousands of people could hear them." Evidently this call was
responded to, for in 1842, through the earnest labors of McFadden, the work had
so far progressed that when Winebreiiner visited the city in the Spring of 1842 he
organized a church. The preaching then was "in the open air, in market houses
and other places." In the Fall "they rented the Paca Street Institute, in which
they met for a short time. This becoming too small to contain the increasing con-
gregation, they rented a larger hall at the corner of Lexington and Eutau streets."
Lack of preachers prevented the appointment of a regular pastor for 184 3. Bam-
berger and McFadden labored there from the Fall of 1842 until the Spring of 1843.
Mackey spent some time there a little later, followed by Flake and Keller. Wine-
brenner had been in Baltimore in December, 1841. He went by way of Hanover,
Walkersville and Uniontown, and preached in the Reformed church at Hanover, at
the Glade Reformed meeting-house, in Uniontown and Baltimore. Of Baltimore
he said, "I think on the whole the prospect for raising a church of God in Balti-
more is pretty good." He speaks of "the fertile and delightful Glade Valley, the
pleasant and delightful home of my childhood and youth." He returned home
over the same route, stopping at his brother Christian's to attend the funeral of
his father, Dec. 11, 1841. In Frederick county, Md., at a point called "Resolu-
tion" a church was organized Feb. 14, 1841, of which G. U. Ham, then "a beard-
less boy" was elected elder, and Jesse Leatherwood, deacon. The work had its be-
ginning in a special meeting, at which five were baptized, one a Methodist
preacher's son, and another a Methodist for thirty years. In the Fall of the same
year a church was organized at Pine Grove school-house, of which most of the
members at Resolution became members. In Washington county Smedniar re-
ported that the "cause is prospering slowly, but surely." Conrad, in 1841, or-
ganized a church at "Manor," possibly Sample's Manor, and "opened up a number
of new appointments." Work was also begun at Waterloo, Carroll county, and at
Blairsville, in 1842. J. H. Hurley, later of Illinois, in 1843, gives an account of a
revival at Pleasant Grove school-house, in Cotoctin Valley. The Hagerstown
circuit in 1844 was served by G. U. Ham, and he reported "most of the churches
In a quite prosperous condition." He had a revival 5 miles from Emmittsburg,
with about twenty conversions, "several of them members o'f a certain church
numbering about one hundred and fifty members, and only three persons who will
pray in the congregation." Ham sometimes walked nine miles to an appointment,
preached, and then walked back. Baptism was preached everywhere, and the
converts were forthwith baptized. At Frizzlesburg, in Carroll county, a "new
meeting-house was built and dedicated May 12, 1844."
In Pennsylvania east of the Allegheny mountains the ministers were pushing
out everywhere as they were able, extending their fields and promoting church
work. Some of the circuits became too large to be served by one or two men suc-
cessfully, while stronger churches were demanding more preaching, especially on
the Sabbaths. Snavely, who was located at Bainbridge, on the Susquehanna, in
Lancaster county, says: "The extent of my circuit now is about forty miles." He
not only preached over the territory in the county westward of Lancaster City, but
eastward and northeastward, at Ephrata, Reamstown, Adamstown, Hinkletown and
other points. Other points called for j)reaching, but he could not respond. He
had fifteen appointments, and he says- "there are now many other places where the
people want preaching." This demand was heard from nearly every section of
the territory. There is a suppressed complaint on account of "the support being
cut off by making stations of those places able to support." The largest circuit in
the Eldership was in Lebanon and Schuylkill counties, on which the preacher had
to travel one hundred and fifty miles on one round over his field. This was all
done on horse-back. The spirit of aggression was in the hearts of the ministers.
They were adding new preaching points to their fields and extending the borders
in all directions. They felt that they were "well able to go up and possess the
land." Many churches were established during this period. At Carlisle, in 1840,
there was a company of believers who worked diligently, and occasionally others
through their labors and at* protracted meetings "joined themselves to the Lord."
But the formal organization was effected in 1843. In Landisville, Lancaster
county, more rapid progress was made. In March, 1840, Jolui C. Landis wrote "in
behalf of the scattered brethren of East Hempfield township, Lancaster county,"
6o
History of the Churches of God
saying, "We have had only three sermons preached here this whole Winter. We
have no organized church yet." But the main reason was removals of Church
families to the West. " But the revival wave of 1842 swept over that community;
many were converted, and a church was organized in 1842. Jacob H. Hei*shey,
who died in 1898, was long an office bearer in this church. In October, 1843, the
church "began the erection of a meeting-house," and on Oct. loth, laid the corner-
stone. The house was dedicated to the Lord Jan. 7, 1843. Harn, in 1844, in an-
nouncing a camp-meeting near Mt. Joy, invited the churches at Maytown, Landis-
ville, Marietta and Rohrerstown "to attend, with as many tents as they possibly
can." Protracted meetings had been held at Maytown in 1841. At Rohrerstown
a protracted meeting was held "in H. Bear's ware-house, beginning Oct. 28, 1843,"
but no organization reported. But at Marietta, May 2, 1841, Snavely reported
that "we have constituted a little church, ten in number, and soon, from present
prospects, expect to swell the number to twenty."
Lancaster church had many vicissitudes in its history. Organized in 1816,
it had become small in numbers, under the long pastorate of John Elliott, from its
organization until 1838. In the seven succeeding years "it had the labors of sev-
Bethel at Lancaster City, Pa.
eral ministers, until 1840, when it had no regular pastor." It "had become rather
discouraged, when it pleased God to visit them again." On the 22nd of January,
1841, Winebrenner, Flake and Ross went "to Lancaster to hold a meeting for a few
days." This meeting'continued until in March, resulting in from one hundred and
fifty to two hundred conversions. The church decided to build a new bethel, and
purchased a lot on the corner of Prince and Orange streets for $1,500. Here the
new house was erected. The corner-stone was laid Aug. 12, 1841. So Flake re-
ported in August, 1841, though in 1861 he gives the year as 1842. He laid the
corner-stone and Winebi-enner delivered the address. Besides these two ministers,
Wm. Miller, Wm. McFadden and J. Keller were present and took part in the ser-
vices. Winebi-enner wrote the hymns used on the occasion, as also one of the
hymns for the dedication, which took place on Sunday, March 20, 1842. Wine-
brenner preached at 10 a. m., from II. Kings viii. «3; in the afternoon Flake
preached from Heb. xii. 22-24, and in the evening Ross preached from Luke xiv. 22.
"The new meeting-house of the church of God at Elizabethtown" was dedi-
cated Sunday, Oct. 1, 1843. For nine years the church at Washington had no
General History 6i
house of worship. But in the Summer of 1844, a bethel was built, the corner-
stone of which was laid in July, and the house was dedicated Dec. 22, 1844.
In Lebanon county a bethel was built at Millerstown in 1842, and dedicated
Oct. 1 and 2, of that year. The name of this town has been changed to Annville.
At Stumpstown, now Fredericksburg, Lebanon county, the work was making good
progress during 1841-43. Additions to the church were frequently reported.
Finally in 1844 the church decided to build a bethel, of which the corner-stone was
laid Aug. 25th. T. Strohm preached on the occasion, from Ezra iii. 9. Wiiie-
brenner also preached, and he laid the corner-stone. Monroe Valley, or Kreizer's,
is a point four miles from Fredericksburg, where successful church work was also
done at this time.
The work at Mahantango Valley, Schuylkill county, began as early as 1834,
but not under the preaching of Church of God ministers. The converts first re-
ceived light on baptism, and were immersed by United Brethren ministers. It
was then that Church of God ministers entered the Valley, such as Snavely, Keller
and Strawbiidge. The Heplers and Haases and Klingers were among the first con-
verts. At Weishampel, in the adjoining valley of Deep Creek, the first church of
God was organized, in 1842, under the labors of Thomas Sti-ohm. At Scotchman's
Lock, on the Schuylkill river, now called Auburn, Samuel K. Meyer and Joseph K.,
his brother, natives of West Brunswick township, Schuylkill county, were among
the earliest converts, and members of the first organization of the church of God,
formed in 184 3.
In Dauphin county the small band of Christians at Hummelstown slowly in-
creased. Protracted meetings were held under adverse conditions, and souls were
converted. At Highspire, in 1843, the church built a house of worship, which was
consecrated "on the first Sabbath in August." J. K. Buser, who died in 1887, was
the leading instigator in the erection of\he first, bethel, and was a member of the
first organization of the church of God in Highspire. At Rockville, five miles
above Harrisburg, a bethel was built in the Summer of 1843, and was dedicated
July 4th. Winebreimer preached in the morning from I. Kings viii. 63, and at
night he preached on the ordinances, "which were then administered to a goodly
number of disciples." There was also regular preaching at McAllister's, a few
miles above Rockville; at Dauphin, still further up the river, and at Clark's Ferry
and Chubb's school-house, in Fowl's Valley.
Cumberland county showed good results of the labors of these years. In War-
rington township "a new church of thirty-two members was organized." At Cross
Roads a new house of worship was dedicated. At Cedar Spring, now Milltown, the
beginnings of Sunday-school celebrations are seen. Three schools, Walnut Grove,
near Camp Hill; Shiremanstown and Cedar Springs, in 1841, united in a grove
under "their own respective marshals" to hold a union Sunday-school celebration
"for the purpose of treating the children to a procession, address and repast, to
encourage them in attending Sabbath-school and learning." This was on Satur-
day, July 24, 1841. Sixteen rules were laid down. It was on Sabbath, Septem-
ber 12th, following this celebration that "the new house of worship at Cedar
Spring" was dedicated, David Maxwell, William Miller, J. Winebreimer, and Jacob
Keller officiating. At Good Hope a bethel was built in 1843. It is the old
neighborhood of H. Murray, later of Iowa, who in later years deprecated the low
condition of that church, which has become extinct. In the Winter of 1841 the
Mechanicsburg church held a revival meeting at which there were over one hun-
dred conversions. In 1843 they decided to build a new meeting-house, but de-
layed the matter for various reasons. In 1841 the brethren in Newville had "suc-
ceeded in getting a little house of worship;" "but as the people have got the idea
that we are a poor set of deluded 'Mackeyites' (as we are termed), they do not
think worth while to come and hear our preaching brethren." A work of grace
was enjoyed in 1843 at Marsh school-house, three miles below New Cumberland.
"The church of God in John Basehore's neighborhood," Cumberland county, in
"the Conodoguinnet creek." dedicated "their new house of worship on Sabbath
morning, October 29, 1843."
In Franklin county a church was formed at the Wolverine school-house, now
the Lurgan church, by E. West, in about 1840. In 1842 the Orrstown church was
organized by James Mackey, at the home of Joseph Strawbridge.
Sections of York county have always been good ground to sow Church of God
seed. It has yielded good fruit. At Siddonstown, in 1843, it was noted by the
Editor of "The Gospel Publisher" that "there is a young church of warm-hearted
62
History of the Churches of God
disciples formed, consisting of about fortj^ members." Shaw and Hinkle were the
pastors. There was regular preaching at York Haven. At River School-house,
now Goldsboro, a church was organized in 1842 by J. G. Kister. In 1843 there
was a revival here and at Newberry at which one hundred conversions were re-
ported. Buttstown, at Bro. Baker's, and Yocumtown were also points at which,
there was stated preaching. Adams county, with a number of preaching places,,
was at this time part of the West York circuit. Petersburg and Bender's School-
house had small bands of disciples.
Second Bethel at Landisburg, Pa.
Perry county yielded good results to the early labors of the ministry of the
Church. Good work was done by emigrants into the county from churches
further East. In 184 0 quite a revival was experienced at Shaffer's Valley, where
thirty-seven were converted. This is near Landisburg, where a good foundation
was laid for permanent church work. In 1842 they began the "building of a
meeting-house," under the labors of C. Price and S. Conrad. It was finished and
dedicated October 1.5, 1843. AVinebrenner preached the dedicatory sermon. This
was a brick building, considerably larger than the original house built by AV'ingert.
It was replaced in 1873 by another and larger brick building, 53 by 35 feet, which
was dedicated November 2 3d of that year. G. W. Seilhamnier was pastor.' Min-
isters at the dedication were G. Sigler, A. X. Shoemaker, Je.sse Kennedy, AV. L.
Jones and J. B. Soiile.
About six miles eastward from Landisburg is the old Soule neighborhood.
General History 63
John Soule and family moved to this locality about 1830, bought a farm and began
improving it. He opened his house for religious worship, and for some years ser-
vices w^ere held there. Soiile, his wife and two sons, Henry L. and Jacob B. were
converted in 1840. The sons later entered the ministry. It was shortly after
their conversion that a church was organized in Soule's house, of which John
Soule and George Kintner were chosen elders, and Peter liJntner, deacon. M. F.
Snavely was pastor at this time. Snavely also preached at Pisgah, Oak Grove,
Montabella Furnace, Deardorf's, Newport, Kumler's School-house, Wild Cat Valley,
Turkey Valley, Kennedy's Valley and Buffalo Valley. In a school-house near the
present Red Hill Bethel, a protracted meeting was held in 1843, Jesse Oren and his
wife being among the converts, and a church was organized.
The work extended from Perry into the adjoining county of Juniata, and by
1844 sufficient points for preaching were opened to justify the making of a field
called Juniata circuit. In the Winter of 1840 Samuel Angle, of Shippensburg, as-
sisted Snavely and J. W. Collins at a protracted meeting at Waterford, Juniata
county, as a result of which they "were called upon to organize a church which
has its name from the New Testament." The elders were D. A. Clugston and
Joseph Hazelet, and the deacons, George Kline and John Sei-ves. There were
eighteen members.
Good success attended the labors of the ministers further across the moun-
tains, in Huntingdon, Fulton, Bedford and Blair counties. In 1844 there was an
Awkwick circuit, to which Lininger was assigned, but at the meeting of the Elder-
ship in 1845 it was vacant, but J. Lininger was sent to Broad Top and Awkwick.
This field extended from Saxton to Ft. Littleton. Lininger had been pastor on this
field from 1841. It was at a meeting held in Bedford county in the Winter of
1842-3, that the Carpers were converted, which in 18 54 moved to Bureau county,
111. Under Lininger's labors a revival occurred at Awkwick School-house, in 1842,
where some of the Gutshalls and Kaniseys were converted, .who became members
of the first organization of the church at Walnut Grove. The Raniseys later emi-
grated to Iowa. Lininger also organized a church in 1842 at Round Knob School-
house, with eight members, of which William Figard was elder, and John Sear,
deacon. Plowman pushed further south in Bedford county, and held protracted
meetings within three miles of Bedford. Work at Stonerstown and Puttstown
was making good progress. There was quite a revival at Puttstown in Septem-
ber, 1841, in the school-house, where Lininger organized a church, with Jacob
Reed as elder, and David Berkstresser, deacon. The organization was effected on
Sabbath evening, October 17th, and consisted of thirteen members. Puttstown is
a short distance above Saxton, and Stonerstown below. At Entriken, nine miles
toward Huntingdon, and Coffee Run, revivals were also enjoyed in 1841-42. In Oc-
tober, 184 0, Lininger and Snavely held a protracted meeting on Broad Top moun-
tain, at Anderson's, and reported a few conversions, with "many more in search of
truth." In May, 1841, Snavely organized a church there, with seven members.
Samuel Anderson was elected elder, and James Edwards, deacon. "More will soon
join in with them." In 1843 a bethel was built in that neighborhood. At Wood-
bury, in the north-eastern corner of Bedford county, a church was organized by
Keller in 1841. In 1842 quite a revival occurred in a barn near the village.
There was German and English preaching by Miillenix and Keller, and "some of
the people got their eyes opened respecting sectarianism." This place is in the
Morrison's Cove, where the Church was firmly planted some years before. In 1841
quite a revival was held at Mary Ann Furnace, not far from Martinsburg, where
"many were powerfully convicted." Lininger, writing from Martinsburg in June
17, 1841, says: "I have now ten appointments, which I fill every two weeks, and
the cry of the people still is, 'Come and preach for us.' " He had organized a
church at Entriken's Bridge, with twelve members, and was also pushing the work
in the Cove. At the Eldership he reported that he had organized three churches
on the Cove Mission during 1841. In 1842 a church was organized at Martinsburg,
and they proceeded at once to build a bethel, which was dedicated August 11, 1843,
when the dedicatory sermon was preached by Winebrenner, tht other ministers
present' being Snavely, McCartney and Lininger. In 184 4, C Price "paid us a
visit," says J. Keiser, of Hollidaysburg, Blair county, and "preached for us in. the
Baptist meeting-house." "We have good prospects of getting two more openings
about 4 to 6 miles towards Pittsburg." "Opposition is strong."
And toward Pittsburg the church extension work was pushed vigorously. In
1842 the Pennsylvania Eldership appointed J. M. Klein across the Allegheny
64 History of .the Churches of God
mountains into Indiana county, where he began his labors in the Spring of 1843.
He preached at Cherry Tree with very good results. He reported baptizing "a
number of believers." At his camp-meeting that year he states that "we shall not
overreach by saying fifty were converted." A church was organized with thirty-
five members. On August 12, 1S43, a church was also organized at Brush Valley,
with Michael Fett^rman, elder, and David Fetteniiaii, deacon. For 184 4 Klein
and Price were appointed to this mission. Price, however, was changed by the
Standing Committee to Cove Mission. Klein reports laboring in Indiana and
Cambria counties. "The churches are on the increase, and generally speaking in
a good condition." Already in 1842 Lininger had extended his labors into Indiana
and Cambria counties, and "had seen about fifty converted." He "formed a
church in Indiana county." Also in Susquehanna township, Cambria county,
where he organized a church in July, 1842, of twelve members, with Isaac Gifford
for elder, and William Gift'ord, deacon. It was known as Grass Hill bethel. In
August, 1840, John Buhaup, "one of the building committee of the meeting-house
just built by the church of God at Pittsburg," reported "the house now ready for
preaching." It was located "at Byardstown, Pittsburg." Before dedication a pro-
tracted meeting was held, and Keller preached in it August 20th. They had "been
holding worship in it since that time," wrote Buhaup June 4, 1841. The church
then "numbered about twenty members." In Westmoreland county the church or-
ganized at Rosenberger's, or Bethany, prior to 1844, had built a house of worship,
in which the Eldership session of 1844 was held. At Funck's successful meetings
were enjoyed. At Mt. Pleasant E. AVest and Bauermeister held a successful meet-
ing in 1841. At West Newton a church of twenty members in 1843, "all Ger-
mans." They at once formulated plans "to build a house of worship this coming
Spring" — 1843. Work in Fayette county was reported by Dobson in 1843, where
they enjoyed "a glorious visitation of God's reviving Spirit." This was "8 miles
east of West Newton.',' A camp-meeting had been held at same point in Fayette
county in 1843. The first converts in Fayette county were under the preaching of
Thomas Hickeraell "when on his mission to western Pennsylvania." D. Wertz, in
1844, held a protracted meeting in Greene county, at Windy Gap School-house.
Following this meeting, AV'ertz went home with Henry Sherick and preached near
his home in a United Brethren meeting-house, in Washington county. Sherick
was one of the converts of the big revival at Lisburn, Cumberland county, in 1825,
and removed to Washington county some years later.
In Butler county, the work at Harmony following the camp-meeting of 1841,
and at Slippery Rock, made steady progress. At the former place the church in-
creased to forty members, and at Slippery Rock to thirty. Yet Hickeniell
lamented that "not so much good is being done; very few conversions. And it is
the same in Venango county." Butler and Venango counties constituted a circuit
in 1841, with Hickeniell and Ramsey as preachers. A church was organized this
year eight miles from Butler. One had been organized "in the neighborhood of
Bros. Camer and Snow, of twenty-three members," in the Winter of 1840-1. In
Venango township, Venango county, quite a revival took place early in 1842.
Church organizations were effected wherever there were revivals, as Hickernell
wrote: "We in Venango county, when preaching and meeting with success, form
the converts into a church, and then proceed to teach them further their duties."
In April, 1842, one new meeting-house was dedicated in Venango county. Work
was also begun in Mercer county, where "at the Meshanick," Thomas Hickernell
held a successful meeting toward Spring of 1843.
During this quinquennium in Ohio Eldership, the work was carried forward
with resolute purpose and commendable zeal. The churches prospered, the
borders were enlarged, new fields were opened and additional counties were added
to the territory. The mission work was pushed with characteristic energy. In
Pennsylvania there were three circuits besides the Pittsburg mission. In Ohio the
new counties entered were Miami, Summit, Marion and Columbiana, with a mission
In the "Western Reserve" and one in the State of Indiana. A bethel had been
built at Sugar Creek, where the Eldership met inl841. Also at "Bro. Funck's,"
where an adjourned meeting of the Standing Committee was held in 1840. Hicker-
nell organized a church at Hyattsville, 14 miles north of Dayton, in 1843, consisting
of twenty members. John Simons removed to Wayne county, where in 1841 there
was a church organized "in Bro. AUman's neighborhood." From Richland and
Mercer counties Hickernell reports twenty conversions at Gallion, and smaller
numbers at other points, with eighty-five baptisms within a year. The work in
General History 65
Marion and Miami counties began largely through the labors of David Shiiner.
He was a native of Frederick county, Md., and his parents were members of the
German Reformed Church. He was converted at a camp-meeting near Hawk's
meeting-house, in Maryland, and united with the Methodist Protestant Church.
When he moved to Ohio, in 1833, he joined the same Church. Hickeriiell led him
into the light on what became to him by this time a troublesome question, bap-
tism and human creeds. He was baptized by Win. Adams, and his house became
the meeting-house for the neighborhood. In 1844, at a special meeting in his
house "some sixty persons embraced Christ," and a church was organized. Shriner
was elected elder, and Lemon C Haines, deacon. Hickeniell and Adams also did
effectual mission work in these counties. Hickernell in 1842 spent some time in
Su^mmit county, part of the Stark county circuit, where they "realized an unusual
manifestation of God's power." During that Winter "thirty embraced religion."
In Columbiana county, adjoining Stark county on the east, and bordering on
Beaver county. Pa., a mission was established in 1842, to be supplied by E. Logue
and A. Hollems. In 1843, J. Hickernell was appointed to this mission, and served
it during 184 4.
In 1841 George Baker, of Indiana, attended a camp-meeting in Mercer county,
Ohio, bordering on Indiana. He was an emigrant to Indiana, and was a lay
preacher in the Church. At the Eldership, October, 1841, a circuit was mapped
out, comprising Mercer, Van Wert and Allen counties, Ohio, contiguous territory,
and Adams county, Indiana, adjoining Van Wert and Mercer. In 1842 Indiana
Mission was created, with J. Martin as preacher.
As yet there was but little attention given to the question of Sabbath-schools.
The matter received but limited attention by pastors, for their hands were full and
their time required for other work. One of the first schools established was at
Mt. Joy, Lancaster county. Pa. The lead had been taken in that county by Ludwig
Hacker, a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church, in the middle of the
eighteenth century. But the vine he planted was of slow growth among the Ger-
man people of that county. The Mt. Joy school was organized in 1840, and D. M.
Mai-tin, who however gives 1843 as the date, says this step "should induce the
different churches of God in Lancaster county, and elsewhere, to organize Sab-
bath-schools." The church at Shippensburg, Cumberland county, organized a
Sabbath-school on New Year's day, 1841. It at least celebrated its first anni-
versary on New Year's day, 1842. At Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, a Sabbath-
school was organized in September, 1844. These schools were invariably called
"Sabbath-schools." "Celebrations" were held in the Summer, when the schools
would go to the woods nearby in processions. The time was spent in singing,
prayer, addresses, sermons and recitations by children ranging in age from seven to
fifteen years. A "repast" was served at noon, which meant "a plentiful dinner.'*
After a brief intermission the order of services of the forenoon was repeated, with
different speakers. There were no amusements.
As yet the brotherhood was not agitated with the discussion of questions on
which divergent views prevailed. They were too much engrossed with church
work. Yet some questions would naturally arise as the consciousness of a grow-
ing brotherhood was awakened. They were a grave, austere body of people, with
sentiments bordering on Puritanism. Theaters were as popular then as now, but
the ministry of the Church endorsed the "Gospel Publisher's" view which character-
ized them as "cradles of vice, schools of scandal; yea, trap-doors of hell." To be
a Christian and patronize the theater, ball-room and like places was considered
totally incompatible.
The Bible Wine controversy had hardly become a living issue at this time, and
indeed at no time became of general interest among the churches of God. It re-
ceived but occasional mention. To nearly all the churches of God and their min-
istry "wine is grape juice fermented," and they left it at that.
Naturally they defended the "mourners' bench," or "anxious seat," which was
so unpopular with formal Churches. It was an evolution, and not a studied inno-
vation. Winebi-enner did not introduce it, but it grew up under his preaching.
Sinners were so deeply convicted that they fell down anywhere in the congrega-
tion and cried with loud voice for mercy. It was found more practicable to bring
these struggling souls together in order to instruct them and pray with them.
They did not, except in private houses, have ante-rooms into which to take them.
They were very boisterous, and cried mightily to God for pardon. And while at
iirst kneeling was considered "a most proper position for one asking forgiveness
C. H.— 3
66 ' History of the Churches of God
of God," they needed no instructions on this point. And so the custom of inviting
penitents to "the altar" became firmly established. There, "in the agony of their
souls, they made often a great bodily struggle, and sometimes fell over upon the
floor, and tossed themselves about, until by faith they laid hold on the promises
of the Savior, and he blessed them." But what was first a convenience soon be-
came a sine qua non, a necessary condition of salvation, so that it was thought no
one could be saved without going through this experience at the mourners' bench.
It was therefore quite a concession when as early as 1843 it was admitted
editorially that "we do not preach up a mourners' bench as a divine command.
We use it only as a human measure."
Aside from baptism, the washing of the saints' feet and experimental re-
ligion, nothing provoked more heated discussions than the Church itself. Is it a
"sect," and by what right is it assuming the name "church of God"? The de-
parture from the teachings of VVinebrenner's "Scriptural View of the Formation,
Government and Discipline of the Church of God," and conformity to other
ecclesiastical organizations opened the way for incessant and acrimonious discus-
sions of this question. With one voice, including Winebrenner's, and with some
degree of ungentle and trenchant diction, they resented the charge that they were
Winebrennerians. "They reject the name AVinebi-ennerian and utterly abhor that or
any other human appellation." "It is entirely discarded by all the members of
this body of Chistians." "The Church discards every human invention." "The
name AVinebi-enneiian is entirely disowned by the Church, not one member being
willing to wear it." When the opposers of the Church denounced the arrogant as-
sumption of calling the new body of believers the Church of God, saying, "No body
of Christians has a right to call itself the Church of God," they replied that they
Should not be "censured for glorying in scriptural names." The "Presbyterians
have no right to call themselves the Church of God. Nor any others. It would
be inconsistent. Nor are they willing that any body else should call them so."
"But we deem it the filial duty of the child to own the father's name. So we,
if we are the children of God by conversion, should acknowledge the same in
our individual capacity, and in a collective capacity as a church." With equal
and vigorous consistency they repudiated the charge that the Church of God is a
denomination or sect. No terms were too expressive with which to denounce
"sects" and "sectarianism," and so to resent such a charge against themselves.
Editor McCartney in caustic terms denies those charges as published by the "Bap-
tist Record," saying: "He errs in calling the Church of God a sect. She is no sect,
much less a modern sect. She existed before sectarian names and practices in-
troduced their concomitant evils into the world, paralyzed in a great degree the
efforts of Christ's chosen ministers, enervated the motives of the gospel, hardened
men's hearts against the sympathetic and melting appeals of Calvary, rendered
them deaf to the claims of heaven, taught them to observe the traditions of the
elders rather than the word of God, and gained popularity in an almost entire
departure from primitive principles. He has committed an egregious error in
saying that J. Winebreimer is her 'leader and founder.' " All this Winebreimer
emphatically taught. In answering A Converse, of the "Christian Observer," in
1844, he said: "I wish you to let the readers of the 'Observer' know that the
'Church of God' is no sect, of which Mr. AV. is the leader. No, sir; her name, her
leader, her laws and her subjects are the same now as they were from the begin-
ning." The "Baptist Record" persisted, and Winebrenner replied: "We said the
'Church of God' is no sect, and we say so still, and stand prepared to prove it
whenever the editor of the 'Record' will cease his puerile nick-naming, and take
his stand like a Christian, and a scholar, to defend the opposite."
Baptism was a constant theme of pulpit discussion. It proved the great bat-
tle ground for a generation, and was the decisive question for scores and scores of
converts of the Methodist, the German Reformed and Lutheran Churches. It was
prominent in sermons everywhere. The washing of the saints' feet was fre-
quently assailed, and was vigorously defended. Its observance was universal in
the churches of God, and it was quite generally practiced by the United Brethren,
the Mennonites, and to some extent by the Free-will Baptists. The arguments and
objections of those who opposed it were frankly stated and forcibly answered.
They generally insisted that "if feet-washing be no commandment, then there is
no commandment to be found in the gospel." Some strong advocates, like Peter
Nead, members of Churches which rejected the ordinance, were freely quoted.
These discussions were more frequently between the editors of "The Gospel Pub-
GeneiuaIv History 67
lisher" and editors of other religious papers. These amenities of editorial life
were a characteristic of the age.
A somewhat protracted discussion was conducted in 1843 through the "Re-
formed Church Messenger" and "The Gospel Publisher" between Winebrenner and
J. \V. Neviii, of Mercersburg Reformed College, and later President of Franklin
and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa. It was on Winebrenner's part a most lucid
and trenchant "defense of the views and doctrine of the Church of God."
Minor questions were also mooted. Among these was the title "bishop,"
which for a while seemed to be popular, instead of "elder," as all were opposed to
"Rev." Human creeds were discussed, only to be reprobated with extreme severity
and intemperance. They were characterized as "calculated to deceive and be-
wilder;" their "requirements are unreasonable;" they "circumscribe us in the
pursuit of knowledge;" they "enslave the church of God and her free-born chil-
dren;" "they prevent the spread of the gospel," and "they are the work of fallible
men, who have had the arrogance to assume that they had the right to dictate to
their fellow men how they should interpret God's blessed word."
The question of ordination by the imposition of hands began to be discussed
pro and con in 1842, and continued to monopolize considerable time and space in
"The Gospel Publisher", "The Advocate" and Eldership sessions for twenty-five
years. A debate on baptism was held at Mechanicsburg in the Winter of 1841 be-
tween E. West and Rev. Mr. Weiser, a Lutheran minister. West maintained that
"immersion of believers is the only Christian baptism." The controversial spirit is
likely to grow on a man, and especially when as successful in maintaining one's
position as West was at Mechanicsburg. And so W^est was soon in another "pub-
lic debate on baptism at Landisburg, Perry county. Pa., with Rev. H. Slicer, a
Methodist minister." The proposition was "both the subjects and mode of bap-
tism." This was in the Spring of 1842. Whatever connection the question of
rebaptism had with the baptismal controversy, it arose at this time. It was
charged by pedo-baptists that to immerse one who had been sprinkled was a
second baptism, which by act denied the first baptism. How, then, when one who
had been immersed, fell away and was reclaimed, when he applied for baptism?
Winebrenner, W. Miller and McCartney discussed this question in the Fall of 1841,
and gave it as their clear conviction that "baptism before conversion is unlawful,
and therefore a person should be rebaptized after he becomes a believer." Or as
Editor Weishampel put it: "Christ's order requires faith and repentance first, and
then enjoins baptism as a Christian duty." As for infant baptism, that is
"rantism, and should not be considered valid because done unauthorizedly." But
rebaptism of a baptized believer, after having fallen away and being reclaimed,
was not approved.
Care was taken not to make baptism a condition of church fellowship. At
first the ordinance was too often neglected, and stronger ground had to be taken,
involving the danger of making it the door into the church, or a prerequisite to
church fellowship. But baptism during this period was strongly preached every-
where, and but few ministers failed to keep the matter of church fellowship a
secondary consideration.
The well-known singer and evangelist, Ira D. Sankey, was born at Edinburg,
Pa., in 1840. The celebrated moral suasion crusade, known as the Washingtonian
movement, had its origin in the reformation of a Baltimore drinking club in April,
1840. The organization of Washingtonian Temperance Societies became endemic.
The churches favoring total abstinence took a very active part in the movement.
But it had spent its force by the end of 1843; yet it is claimed that "a quarter of
a million would be a low estimate of the number of habitual drinkers of intoxi-
cants reclaimed through the instrumentality of the Washingtonian agitation."
The order of Sons of Temperance was the offspring of this crusade, instituted in
New York City, September 29, 1842.
The Evangelical Synod of North America was organized in 1840. Also the
German Evangelical Lutheran Protestant Church. It was opposed to Synodical
organizations.
Under guise of a divine revelation in favor of polygamy, Joseph Smith and
Hyrum Smith, Mormons, for a criminal act were arrested and lodged in jail at
Carthage, 111., in June, 1843. On the evening of June 27th, a mob attacked the
jail, and both the Smiths were killed. Brigham Young was appointed head of the
Mormon Church.
In 1844 the Southern Baptists began their separate organization. In 1843
the Wesleyan Methodists withdrew from the main body on account of slavery.
68 History of tihi Ciiurcmes of God
CHAPTER VII.
1845—1850.
THAT astute political philosopher and great popular leader, .James G. Blaine,
begins his "Twenty Years of Congress, from Lincoln to Gai-field." with a 're-
view of the events which led to the political revolution of 1860. In doing
so he goes back to the original compromises between the North and the South in
the Constitution; the acquisition of Louisiana from France, in 1803; the agitation
of the slavery question in connection with the application of Missouri for admis-
sion into the Union as a slave State in 1820, and the Missouri Compromise; the
annexation of Texas in 1845, and other great historical events of the first half of
the century. So there are three factors which in a measure determined the re-
ligious trend of the period upon which the Churches in America entered in 1845.
Of these, two were identical with the political events of the country — Slavery and
the war with Mexico. The war with Mexico began officially May 13, 1846, and
the treaty of peace was ratified by the United States Congress on Friday, March 10,
184 8. Not only had this war a demoralizing effect, but it intensified the popular
disposition for territorial acquisition. The impoverished condition of Mexico in-
duced the cession to the United States of California, New Mexico and Utah the
same year. All claims on the part of Great Britain to Oregon, Washington and
Idaho had already been extinguished in 1846. The history, political and religious,
of all this vast territory on the Pacific coast thus hinged, for the time at least, on
the war with Mexico, and the significant events following the discovery of gold in
California in 1847.
But slavery had a more immediate effect on the condition of the Churches.
Beliefs and opinions are largely determined by heredity and environment. In the
slave territory of the United States ministers and Churches advocated and de-
fended the system of involuntary servitude upon scriptural grounds. In other
sections they were at first divided, but gradually became strongly in favor of the
abolition of the entire system. In border territory it created bitter antagonisms
and heated controversies, and greatly interfered with the peace of churches and
all aggressive church work. The churches of God in Maryland maintained a
neutral attitude, although nearly all the ministers' were opposed to slavery. But
in West Virginia some trouble developed. Even in Greene county. Pa., bordering on
West Virginia, there was serious dissatisfaction. The Church there was "greatly
Injured by dissensions on the slavery questions." They had "excluded pro-slavery
persons from Christian and church fellowship." This AVinebrenner seemed to
disapprove and "censure." But he explained by saying: "I do not censure
churches fqr excommunicating slaveholders when the action of the church is
regularly had, but I condemn all irregular and proscriptive proceedings." "The
church alluded to did not exclude slaveholders from their communion, but those
members who cast their votes in favor of slave-holding candidates for civil office.
Now, the exercise of such proscriptive power was evidently not intended to be
sanctioned by the General Eldership." Religious bodies in the North became
strongly anti-slavery, and adopted resolutions on the subject at all their meetings.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a leader among women in the anti-slavery agitation, as
also famous in the woman-suffrage movement, was at the zenith of her power at
this time.
Nothing had a more quickening influence on American life than the increasing
facilities for transportation and intercommunication consequent on the building
of railroads, the growth of periodical literature and the invention of the magnetic
telegraph, the offspring of American genius.
The tide of emmigration continued to rise, and with it many families of
churches of God in eastern Pennsylvania were carried westward to Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois and Iowa. And even from Western Pennsylvania and Ohio further West.
This depleted many of the churches, while many of these families were scattered
far apart in their western homes. The great work of the period was to rebuild
General History 6g
the decimated churches in the East, and to follow these families to their newly
made homes. Ministers in proportion also went with the tide, but only too often
to quit the active work and homestead on the rich government lands under the
Homestead Laws which had been enacted by the State and Federal Governments
in order to stimulate emigration and to remove some of the hardships of the com-
mon law. In some instances there was an effort to colonize, and thus nuclei, or
centers of development of church life were formed, resulting in the permanent
establishment of churches. Men and means were the great need of the Church,
and there was immense consequent loss. Winebrennei- was the undisputed leader
in all the work of the Church. He was not ■ only primus inter pares; he was
premier. But his time was too much preoccupied with duties in the East to be-
come a general missionary in the West. The Hickernells, Ham, Logue, Hawk,
and others worked heroically, "but what are these among so many?" Winebrennei"
not only visited the Ohio and West Pennsylvania Elderships, but also some of the
camp-meetings in their territories. In 184 7 Harn made a tour to the West by way
of the Ohio river to Cincinnati, St. Louis and then up the Mississippi to the
northern counties in Illinois. On this tour he preached. He preached in Athens
county, Ohio, the south-east corner of which borders on the Ohio river. S. S. Rich-
mond was on this charge as the appointee of the West Pennsylvania Eldership. He
also preached for the brethren in Meigs county, on the Ohio river, adjoining
Athens county on the south. Thence he proceeded on his journey via. St. Louis to
Burlington, Iowa, within 30 miles of which place, at Trenton, la., Logue was en-
gaged in missionary work. Thence to Davenport, Iowa, and Savanna, 111., from
which point he went across Carroll county, III., into Ogle county, the second county
eastward from the Mississippi. Here he found some brethren from Maryland, his
native State. He preached at a Methodist camp-meeting in Ogle county. Also at
Mt. Carroll, Carroll county. This country he characterized as a "new world."
From this point on he says he "preached almost continually." He visited Boone
and McHenry counties, and preached at various points, and made an incursion into
Wisconsin. Two observations made in his letters indicate how much the Church
lost by not having men and means to make the best use of its advantages. "My
soul has been grieved and deeply distressed that so much ground should pass un-
cultivated." "Circuits are unsupplied that used to support two preachers."
The prospects in 184 5 were not so encouraging. From different points in
Pennsylvania and Ohio the reports came that "there is nothing very encouraging
to communicate." In making its report on the state of religion the committee
of the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1845 said: "The state of religion at
present, and for the last year or two, has not been so cheering and prosperous as
in former years." At this time "the whole number of ministers in the three
Elderships." was ninety-three; "the number of churches and preaching places,
about five hundred, and the number in membership, about ten thousand." In
Ohio churches were being edified and some new ones organized. In Richland
county, E. West was stationed at Vermillion for the year 184 5, and the church
increased. In 184 5 H. Murray traveled the circuit, with A. Megi-ew, which in-
cluded Wayne, Holmes, Tuscarawas, Coshocton, Stark, Portage- and Summit coun-
ties, on which they "had about thirty appointments, giving the people of our
charge preaching every two weeks." Progress was made, and the work was di-
vided, leaving Murray twenty appointments. The third year the work was re-
duced to Stark, Portage and Summit counties. He opened new points until he
had eight preaching places. He organized a church "in the Stump neighborhood
in 184 6," in Stark county, which grew until it had fifty members when Murray
left. At Dalton, Wayne county, Megi-ew organized a church in 1845, and a
bethel was built. Calls from Darke county, Ohio, along the Indiana line, were
responded to by T, Hickernell, the indefatigable missionary, and good work was
done. Also in Clark county, east and south of Darke. The first preaching in
Hancock county was about six miles west of Findlay, where John Bolton, father
of the three Bolton brothers who became ministers, located in the year 1847.
He was a native of Lebanon county. Pa., of German descent, a "member of the
old school Lutheran Church." He was converted in Stark county, Ohio. Upon
his invitation AVilliam Adams, of Richland county, visited the Bolton neighbor-
hood and preached in John Bolton's house. The "first church of God in all this
country" was "organized there in the Summer of 184 8, in a meeting held by W.
Adams aided by H. Murray." It consisted of .lohn Bolton, Mary Bolton, John F.
Fox, Susan Fox, Martha Heck and Elizabeth Geyer. John Bolton was elected
JO History op the Churches of God
elder, and John F. Fox, deacon. Hickemell also penetrated into Montgomery
county, where he had preaching at Father Shupp's, one mile from Dayton. At
Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, A. Megi-ew organized the first church of God in May,
184 8, consisting of sixteen members. Charles Huflf was elected elder, and J. P.
Wiiiebi-enner, deacon. John J. Bear, assigned to Ashland circuit, moved to
Shenandoah, Richland Co., Ohio, and traveled "a circuit which is nearly 200 miles
around." M-. A. Cook was sent to Athens county, Ohio, by the West Pennsylvania
Eldership in 1845, where S. S. Kiclunond had been doing good work, and did suc-
cessful preaching. He held a camp-meeting during the Summer. He extended
his labors into Meigs county, on the Ohio, south of Athens, and even penetrated
into Adams, four counties further west, where he "found matters partly encourag-
ing, and partly to the contrary." In Canaan township, Athens county, a church
was organized at the time of the camp-meeting. Other organizations existed at
this time in Athens county, and were visited also by John Hickemell, in 1847.
Hanj, in June, 1847, had visited Athens county on his tour to the West. He preached
in the Court House in Athens county, on the Commission, and at sundry other
places. Richmond again followed Cook in 1847, and did good work. Columbiana
county, Ohio, was part of the West Pennsylvania Eldership territory, and was in
good condition. T. Hickemell went as far South as Preble county, Ohio, the third
county north from Cincinnati, on the Indiana line, and held a protracted meeting
of two weeks near Twigsborough, and organized a church of twelve members, with
Alexander Makee and Wni. Hutton, elders, and John Mutton, deacon. Yet the
brotherhood in Ohio was not satisfied with the results of their labors, and the ques-
tion found public expression, and attempted solution: "Why is it that the Church
of God does not have more success in Ohio?" In 1848 "the brethren at Madison-
ville, four miles north of Wooster, on the turnpike, erected a large and commodious
house for the worship of God. It was dedicated on the 22nd of October, 1848." E.
Logue preached the dedicatory sermon.
The three ministers appointed to Indiana by the Ohio Eldership in 1844 were
local missionaries, and did not accomplish much. They are classed among the
"General Missionaries" at the Eldership in 1845. J. Martin became an active
worker, and was efficient in the work in the years following. T, Hickemell in
184 6-7 preached in Adams county, at the home of "Bro. Snayers," and at "Bro.
Walter's," De Kalb county. These families had emigrated from Pennsylvania,
with a number of others, and had been members of churches of God. Hickemell
was assisted in 1848 by A. B. Slyter. They worked westward and northward, into
Wells, Huntingdon, Allen, Whitley, Noble, De Kalb and La Grange counties. In
Noble county they held a successful camp-meeting in 1848. Work progressed so
favorably that they arranged for a meeting in the neighborhood of John Martin's,
Milford township. La Grange Co., Ind., in November, 1846, to organize an Elder-
ship. In 184 9 AV"m. Booth emigrated to Wayne county, Ind., on the Ohio line, east
of Indianapolis, and called for Hickemell to come and preach for them. By such
means the work was extended from county to county, until in 1849 ministers were
regularly appointed to five counties, while there was considerable preaching in
several others. "Winebrenner and Ham preached at points in Allen county, at
John AVinebrenner's, in Noble county, where a cousin, Andrew Winebrenner, de-
sired a regular preaching place to be established. Also in Elkhart county. Families
of churches of God in Ohio and Pennsylvania had emigrated to these and various
other counties; and while some stood aloof, waiting for ministers of the Church
of God, many others had united with other Churches.
The principal Church work in Illinois during the years 184 5-50 was done in
the northern section of the State. Emigration to that section was then much
larger from Pennsylvania. Already in 1837, John A. Shuler, years after the or-
ganization of the General Eldership one of its treasurers, had moved from Mid-
dletown, Pa., to Ottawa, La Salle county. A colony of Church of God families
emigrated from Lebanon county, Pa., to La Salle county, 111., in 1849, and settled
at Troy Grove. Among them were the Klinefelters, Fahlers, Kreisers, Gephards,
Fii-estines, Hawks and Waggoners. The population of Chicago at that time was
19,725. Others settled in Bureau and Henry counties, west of La Salle. But
more located in Carroll, Ogle, Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties, in the extreme
northwestern part of the State. Some of these were from Washington county,
Md., and constituted the "Maryland Colony," such as the Millers, Keidenours, Mc-
Cormicks and Shaeffers. Jacob Miller and family emigrated to Carroll county in
184 6, and "were five weeks on the road." It was to these brethren that it was
General History " 71
proposed to send Hani as a missionary in 184 8, and to raise $200 by subscription
to support him. On his tour to the West in 1846 he had visited them and preached
in these northwestern counties in Illinois. He baptized a few persons in Mt.
Carroll. John Blickenstaff, an Indiana minister, also preached some in this sec-
tion in 1847. This year the East Pennsylvania Eldership established an Illinois
mission, but left it unsupplied. There was also preaching in Whiteside county,
south of Carroll, in 1847. There were some eighteen Church of God families in
Ogle and Carroll counties in 1847 which had emigrated there from the East, and
prospects for Church work were most encouraging. In Fulton and Adams counties,
some distance southward, were also Church of God families which were calling
for preachers. The only church of God organization mentioned as early as 1848
is that at Mt. Carroll, Carroll county, which was formed about that time by G. U.
Hani.
Iowa, "the most purely agricultural of all the United States," was originally
a part of the immense territory included in Louisiana, and ceded to the United
States in 1803. In 1838 the Territory of Iowa was organized in due form. In
1844 a State Constitution was framed, and after some delay, on Dec. 28, 1846, the
new State was admitted into the Union. It lies in the Zone of the greatest move-
ment of migration; is "the beautiful country," and after its organization as a State
attracted emigration from all the States eastward. The earliest emigration of
Church of God families was in 1837, when the families of Jacob Smith and Jolin L.
Waitnian located in Henry county. Then came David Neft", John McConnick, John
Zentmyer, John Neff and their families, with a few others, who located near
Trenton, same county. This is in the southeastern corner of the State. They
soon began to hold prayer-meetings in their homes, and invited ministers of the
Church to come and preach for them. "Father Joseph Barton was probably the
first one to preach for these people. He was followed in 184 5 by Samuel Scott
and E. Logue." Logiie reported his labors in Iowa, and "prospects in that coun-
try," to the East Pennsylvania Eldership in November, 184-5. On March 4, 1847,
he wrote that he had held a protracted meeting near Trenton, where he lived; that
"twelve or thirteen were converted, and ten united in church fellowship." In
May, 1847, Hawk, who lived 50 miles North, in Johnson county, visited Trenton,
Henry county, and preached to this "small church," and he states that "they are
all Germans." There was then a small company of Church of God people at North
Bend, Johnson county. Hawk's home. Henry Bechtel, of Cumberland county, Pa.,
emigrated to Johnson county, Iowa, in the Spring of 1845, and in the Fall of the
same year he moved to North Bend. He says "there was no church of God in
those parts, and there was no one to contend for the New Testament doctrines as
held by the Church of God save myself and companion in life." "John Kepfoi-d
and family were the next to come to this beautiful prairie country." A prayer-
meeting was started and a Sunday-school organized. "In the meantime Logue
came into the southern part of the State, and hearing of this little band started
out in search of us" Jan. 20, 1848. Logue visited North Bend the second time
and organized a church of six members, with J. Hawk as elder, and H. Bechtel,
deacon. The other members were Mrs. Hawk, Mrs. Bechtel, and John Kepford
and wife. Logue continued to preach in Henry county and other points for some
three years. In the Spring of 184 9, M. F. Suavely emigrated to Johnson county,
Iowa, and settled at North Bend, followed in the Fall by J. Lininger and others
from Huntingdon and Bedford counties, and "six or eight families from York
county." Others during the early part of the Summer of 1849 emigrated from
Pishing Creek, Dauphin county. Pa., to near Grandview, Louisa county. Up to
Aug. 17, 1849, there was no post office nearer North Bend than Iowa City, and no
"blacksmith, wagon maker, shoemaker or cabinet-maker nearer than Iowa City,
from seven to ten miles off." Big Creek, 12 miles from Mt. Pleasant, Henry
county, became the home of Joseph Barton, of Stark county, Ohio, in 1839. In
1845, his brother Thomas located near him, and in 1847 a church organization
was formed, the place being known as "the Home Bethel."
At the Indiana Eldership in November, 184 8, A. B. Slyter was appointed mis-
sionary to Southern Michigan. His work was interrupted, and limited results fol-
lowed. Already in 1841 a church was organized in Michigan under "the labors of
a good brother" which, after carefully canvassing the question of a title, decided
"to call it the church of God in . This is the Bible name," writes one to
the "Union Herald" in that year. "It is naming the body after its Father." "If
Wesley, or Calvin, or any other man, or set of men, is the author of the church.
y2 History of the Churches of God
then label If after the person who has begotten it; but if God is the father, then
let it bear his title." This movement was not under the labors of a minister of
t"he Church of God.
In 184 7, when on a tour to northern Illinois, Hai-n "traveled in eight counties
and a part of Wisconsin Territory," but no permanent work was accomplished.
In the Fall of 184 7, Elder H. Rupp, of Richland county, 111., with several
other families, moved to Missouri, where he did the first preaching by a minister
of the Church of God. But as he remained only a short time in the State, nothing
permanent was accomplished.
Work in what is now West Virginia was pushed forward with considerable
success. In Brooke county John S. Kei-i* organized a small church in 1847, and
the people generally "assented to the truth we preached." A mission established
in Wood county in 1845 was making fair progress. D. Wertz reported successful
meetings in Marshall county in 1848, with "prospects of the reformation grow-
ing more flattering." He organized a church with Samuel Smith as elder, and
Lazarus Ryan, deacon, which had increased to seventy-five members by May 23,
184 8. "The new meeting-house at Woodlands, Marshall county, W. Va.," was
dedicated in 1849. The East Pennsylvania Eldership continued its mission in Vir-
ginia, in Berkeley county, with but small success.
In Maryland considerable progress was made during this period. At Sandy
Mount, Carroll county, there was a good beginning made for church work in 1849.
At Parksville, in Washington county, a church was organized in 1849. The church
at Sample's Manor the same year secured by purchase by Thomas Grim the union
school-house for a house of worship. A church was also organized in 184 8 in a
dwelling house near Emmittsburg, Frederick county, in 1848, and steps were taken
to build a bethel. In Baltimore persistent efforts were put forth to establish a
church on a lasting foundation. The church "had become somewhat scattered and
discouraged," wrote Winebrenner, when in 184 8 he assisted McFadden in a special
meeting. But he thought "the church in Baltimore is likely to do well." The
church was laboring under serious disadvantages. Not able to build a bethel, it
worshiped in 184 6 in Howard Street Chapel, a Methodist house of worship which
it rented. But it had to "give it up, and go back into a hall it had used for sev-
eral years." An effort was made to build a bethel, or to buy a suitable building.
This was partly successful, for in 1847 "the Cove Street meeting-house" was pur-
chased, a small building, "forty by thirty feet in dimensions," for $800. But ac-
cording to Winebrenner's statement in 1849, the work moved along very slowly,
and with not very inspiring prospects. The debt contracted by the purchase of
the Cove Street property proved a menacing hinderance.
The general interests and the work in the West Pennsylvania Eldership were,
with slight exceptions, in good condition and were making steady progress. Vir-
ginia was still a part of the territory of said Eldership. Greene county. Pa., in
the southwest corner of the State, contiguous to Marshall county, Va., on the west,
and Wetzel county on the southwest, was the scene of encouraging revival work
in 1846 and following years. A church of "upwards of fifty persons [fifty-six]
was formed upon the original New Testament platform" in the Winter of 1846.
At Aleppo, Greene county, a house of worship was built in the Summer of 1847.
The work in Cambria county, under the labors of J. M. Klein, made encouraging
progress. Joseph Glenn, of the Rockland circuit, Venango county, in 1848 "ex-
tended his labors into the adjoining county of Clarion" with good results. At Brush
Valley, Cambria county, in 184 8, a new meeting-house was built. The work under
Hickernell and Ober, of the Westmoreland and Cambria circuit, was pushed south-
ward into Fayette county. The Perryopolis Mission in said county was established
in 184 5, under Daniel AVertz as missionary. In 1849 Indiana county was part of
the Westmoreland field, and a good degree of success attended the labors of Ober
and Hickernell. In 184 9 a church was organized at Mill Creek Furnace, near
Johnstown, Cambria county, by Ober. The same year at Fayetteville, Mercer
county, the church continued its building project, and dedicated in the early part
of the Summer. Special efforts were made from 1846 to 1849 to save the church
at Pittsburg. The Eldership was not able to supply it with a pastor. Harn
agreed to serve the church, and located there in 1846. In June, 1847, he reported
that "things began to wear a promising aspect." Also that "the church has taken
a new place of worship, over which they hold the sole control." Harn was suc-
ceeded by J. A. Dobson, and the prospects apparently grew brighter. In January,
1849, J. Myei-s expressed it as his judgment that "the church in Pittsburg may do
General History
7Z
better in future than it ever did heretofore." But at the Eldership in October,
1849, no pastor was assigned to Pittsburg, and Winebrenner in December, 1849,
wrote: "The things most unaccountable to us are the giving up of the Pittsburg
station," etc.
A similar course of events attended the work in Philadelphia, in the East
Pennsylvania Eldership. In March, 184 5, the church numbered thirty members,
with J. Quigley, pastor, and the "prospects are flattering." "A conditional con-
tract" was made for a house of worship prior to the E]ldership in November, 184.5
In May, 1846, there were two separate church organizations in Philadelphia, with
Quigley and Deshiri as pastors. Winebienner visited and preached for the breth-
ren in Philadelphia in January, 1847. In April, 1848, Hani was appointed as
Quigley's successor, Quigley serving the other congregation. Services were held
in Howard Hall, Shippen street, between Third and Fourth, and in Native Hall,
on Third street. But Philadelphia as a station does not appear on the Journal of
the Eldership from the Fall of 184 8 until October, 1865, when D. A, L. Laverty
was appointed to the Philadelphia Mission, to take charge April, 1866. While the
work in Philadelphia was thus suspended for eighteen years, elsewhere it was
4
<
1
«
i
Ruins of Fii'st Bethel at Aiibuni, Pa.
carried forward with unabated energy. A number of houses of worship were
built, and thus a more permanent character given to the churches. At Woodbury,
Bedford county, the first bethel was erected in 1845. John Carper and George
Diltz were the Building Committee. The house was dedicated by Samuel Angle,
of Shippensburg, who presented a pulpit Bible to the church. At Siddonstown,
York county, "the new meeting-house" was "dedicated to the worship of God on
the 1st day of January, 1845." The years following to 1849 "very gracious out-
pourings of the Spirit of God" were enjoyed, and "many obtained the pearl of
great price." At Auburn, Schuylkill county, steady progress was made by the
church. It was one of the twenty-eight appointments on the Dauphin, Lebanon
and Schuylkill circuit served by T. Strohni and A. Snyder, extending from Mato-
moras in the northwestern part of Dauphin county, to Orwigsburg, Schuylkill
county. Winebrenner preached there in 1848 for several days, and says "the
little church in that place bids fair for the kingdom." A bethel had been built
there in 1846. Prior to that they held their meetings in private houses, and then
74
History of the Churches of God
in an old building used as a pottery. "The brethren put the clay apple-butter aad
milk crocks in the upper loft, and, cleaning the rubbish and dirt out, put benches
In it, and then it was ready for the preacher. It is said that in less than one year
over fifty persons embraced religion in the old pottery shop."
The present house of worship was erected in 1868, and was dedicated Sept.
27th. The services continued two weeks. Keller preached the dedicatory ser-
mon, and was assisted by J. Haifleigh and I. Brady.
The church at Orrstown, Franklin county, organized in the house of Elder
Joseph Strawbridge, built a bethel in 1845. The trustees were Jacob Knisley,
Abraham Hostetter and Emanuel Kendig. The church then numbered forty-two.
"A snug little bethel" had also about this time been erected at Hollidaysburg,
Blair county. There were about "eighteen or twenty members." The town had
five hundred of a population, with five churches.
At Soule's, Perry county, the church erected a log bethel in 1846, which was
Present Bethel at Auburn, Pa.
dedicated by Winebrenner. The ground was donated by John Soule, in whose home
the church had held its services for nearly six years. He and his two sons, Heniy
L. and Jacob B., both later ministers in the East Pennsylvania Eldership, "mainly
built the house."
A church was organized at Hinkletown, Lancaster county, Feb. 5, 1847, with
John Stanim, elder, and Rodgers, deacon. In January, 1848, they decided
to build a bethel; laid the corner-stone on May 28th, and the dedication took place
Sept. 24th of the same year, Winebrenner, Swartz and Keller officiating.
On July 27, 1847, John C. Booth, pastor, states that the "remnant of five
members" of the church at Newville, Cumberland county, rebuilt their bethel,
which had been wrecked by "a terrific gale," and dedicated it, and organized a
church of twenty members.
At Maytown, Lancaster county, the services were held in a school-house from
1847 to 1849, when the need of a bethel was strongly urged by the pastor,
endorsed by Winebrenner,
In Perry county, "the new bethel near Bro. Kumbler's (Red Hill) was dedi-
cated Dec. 18, 1849.
At Smoketown, York county. May 13, 1849, the bethel was dedicated by the
little church which "had come to the conclusion to prove the Lord in the matter of
Gkneral History
75
tithes." "The new bethel at Andersontown, York county, was dedicated on Dec.
31, 1848.
On Dec. 25, 1849, "the bethel at Camp Hill, near Bowman's, Cumberland
■county," was dedicated. A collection had been announced. It amounted to
$45.00. Winebrenner, Maxwell, Howard, Seabrooks, Dresbach and J. F. Miller
were present. This bethel is still used by the Camp Hill church.
Bethel at Camp Hill, Pa.
The Churchtown bethel, removed into the village, was dedicated Nov. 11,
1849.
Plans were matured in January, 1849, to build a "meeting-house for the wor-
ship of God" in Newport, Perry county.
Successful work was done during this period on the Awkwick circuit in Hunt-
ingdon and Bedford counties; at Orwigsburg and vicinity, in Schuylkill county; in
Blair county from Hollidaysburg to Martinsburg; at Goldsboro, York Haven, New-
berry, Lisburn and other points in York county; in Dauphin county, and in the
Mahantango and Deep Creek Valleys, Schuylkill county. The mission interests in
Lehigh and Berks counties were well cared for by J. Keller, with favorable indica-
tions. One new point was opened in Berks and three in Lehigh, and "he had in-
vitations from four or Ave different places."
At the Eldership in November, 184 8, Benjamin Howard, "a member of the
Church of God in the State of New York," being present and made an advisory
member, "gave a brief sketch of the origin and views of the churches of God in
that State and Nova Scotia." He reported a church in Ogden, Monroe county, N.
Y., thirty years old, "in order and practice the same with yourselves," with "a fine
meeting-house, and sixty to eighty members, wealthy and respectable." Also one
in Livingston county. "There are also in Nova Scotia a number of churches called
the churches of Christ, or churches of God. They refuse all human titles."
Howard remained the greater part of a year in Pennsylvania, preaching among
the churches in Perry, Franklin, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster and other coun-
ties in the State, and Carroll county, Md.
Many Sabbath-schools were organized during this period, the Eldership and
ministry generally taking a positive stand in their favor. Eight camp-meetings
were held in Pennsylvania in the Summer of 1849; three in Ohio; one in Indiana,
and two in Maryland.
In 1849 A. D. Williams, Free Baptist, wrote of the ministers and members of
the churches of God, "They are peculiarly a zealous and fervent-spirited people."
76 History of the Churciiks of God
The ministers were self-sacrificing, devoted and resolute. The fields of labor were
in many instances very large, as some circuits extended through two and three
counties, a distance of from sixty to one hundred miles between the extreme points,
with as high as twenty-eight preaching places. Four weeks were required to
make a "round" on the circuit, during which the minister was absent from home.
Ministers rode horseback, with saddle-bags for an outfit. To serve such fields in
heat and cold, rain or sunshine, with a very limited financial remuneration, re-
quired contempt of dangers and hardships, courage to meet obstacles and diffi-
culties almost insurmountable, tenacity of purpose of an intrepid character, and
heroism of the highest order. There was nothing empirical in their make up.
Their ambition was to enlarge their fields and to save souls. Underlying all re-
form movements with them was the universal panacea of the gbspel — a regener-
ated spirit. They had no utilitarian theories, no eudemonism, which made the
permanent elevation of the race possible without genuine, radical godliness. And
so they had but one mission.
The membership of the churches in these early years was of high repute for
piety and practical godliness. Discipline was rigidly administered. The local
eldership was watchful, paternal and jealous of the good name of the church.
Delinquents were admonished, and from the incorrigible fellowship was with-
drawn. The church was careful to have no communion with the world. They
were radical in their views concerning worldly associations. This developed in
the position taken relative to Secret Societies. It was their zeal for the purity of
the church and the good name of its members that led them in many instances to
oppose the joining of Benevolent Societies, Odd Fellows, Masons, and even Sons
of Temperance. The underlying thought of this opposition was primarily that
the church is "based upon principles of most unbounded philanthropy and benev-
olence," and does not need these worldly organizations. Also that fellowship in
these organizations is contrary to the teachings of God's word, which require the
believer to have no fraternity with the world. The church is sufficient for all
purposes. In this view they were sustained by the Elderships, which were explicit
and positive in their deliverances on the subject. Winebrenner, however, did not
take such a radical position. Answering the advocates of the then popular view
on these organizations he said: "We accord to men the right of private opinion,
and will not proscribe and condemn them for holding different views and opinions
In matters of indifference." "We are neither their advocate, nor their judge.
We are willing that to their own master they should stand or fall." "We are
opposed to Secret Societies. Masonry and Odd Fellowship we hold to be far more
anti-Christian orders than the Sons of Temperance. Yet there are doubtless many
good men connected with them." The Evangelical Association officially took the
same radical position against Secret Societies, and it would not ordain men to the
gospel ministry who were members of these Orders. And in the United Brethren
Church membership in these Secret Orders was "totally prohibited," and "there
shall be no connection with secret combinations."
To quite an extent intermarriages with persons in other religious bodies, and
more especially with non-Christians, was discouraged. Family worship .was in-
sisted upon, and the family altar was erected in every church home. The subject
was frequently the theme of sermons and the topic of discussion in "The Church
Advocate." Specific directions were often given as to time and order of conducting
this service. Fasting and prayer were inculcated, and special days were almost
annually named to be thus observed. Prior to the opening of the camp-meeting
season of 184 7 Winebrenner wrote editorially: "We cordially recommend to the
churches of God the observance of days of solemn fasting and praying in reference
to the approaching camp-meetings. Such days, rightfully observed, are among the
best means of preparing for a successful effort upon those occasions."
The matter of tithing received considerable attention. Winebrenner advo-
cated tithing in a series of editorials in 184 8. But while individuals in the
churches adopted it for their own rule, it failed to receive general endorsement.
On judicial oaths there was greater unanimity, and the practice of "affirm-
ing" instead of "swearing," was quite general. Mackey, for a generation a Justice
of the Peace, insisted that judicial oaths before magistrates are not anti-scriptural.
Miller questioned his conclusions, and contended that an "affirmation alone is
scriptural." He had the churches largely with him.
While the question of the relation of baptism to church membership came up
repeatedly, it was only in comparatively few churches that baptism was held to be
General History 'jy
a pre-requisite to church fellowship. While there was considerable sentiment in
favor of unfermented wine and unleavened bread in the administration of the
Communion, it at no time became the general practice. The example of Christ
was urged in favor of the practice, but it did not convince the ministry and
churches that it had the authoritative sanction of command. And so it was con-
sidered a matter of opinion, and a non-essential. But this did not enter into the
question of temperance, or total abstinence. The ministry and churches always
strenuously insisted on abstaining from the use of intoxicants.
The question of union of the churches of God and the Free Baptist Church
was considerably discussed during 1847 to 184 9. A. D. Williams, a Free Baptist
minister, in a communication in "The Church Advocate' of Feb. 15, 1847, favor-
ed such a union, and urged that to this end the two bodies should seek to become
better acquainted. Wiiiebi-enner replied to Williams by private letter, concerning
which Williams, in another communication published a month later, said: "I can
not refrain from expressing my satisfaction with the spirit of all you sent me."
He continued to urge union, not "like the mechanical mixture of oil and water, but
that union of aim and object, actuated by the same hallowed spirit, that like
melted wax mingles and loses all traces of its former plurality, or separation."
Ham interpreted this correspondence to mean that Wiuebrenner was considering
"the propriety and expediency of a union between the Free Baptists and the
churches of God." He favored further efforts in that direction, and expressed his
desire "to see more of these fraternal epistles." He himself manifested this spirit
when later in the same year on his tour to Illinois he was entertained by, and
preached some days for, a Free Baptist pastor in Athens county, Ohio, and later
in northern Illinois he "preached seven times to a little church of Free-Will Bap-
tists," speaking "near three hours in my Sunday discourse, giving an outline of what
were our views." They agreed with all but two points, one of which was "the
title we give to a church," on which point "they say it was their original practice,
and they were certain we were right." But evidently Wiuebrenner was misunder-
stood, as later expressions of his views indicated that he could favor union only
on the New Testament basis of one true church, the church of God, so construed as
to give no recognition to sectarian denominations, for to his mind the church of
God is not and can not be a sect. In 184 8 "Benjamin Howard, a member of the
Church of God in the State of New York [Free Baptist] was present and invited
to a seat as an advisory member" of the East Pennsylvania Eldership. During the
Winter and the following Summer he preached among the churches of God in the
Eldership, and organized a church of G'od in Pfoutz's Valley, Perry county. Be-
yond thus creating sentiment in favor of a closer union between the two bodies
nothing was accomplished. Such were the clearly defined and positive views of
ministers and churches against sectarianizing the church of God that organic union
with any denomination was considered impracticable. In August, 184 6, the
World's Christian Convention for promoting Christian union was held in London,
England. Brethren suggested that the Church of God be represented, and Wiue-
brenner declared that his "whole heart and soul would be favorable to the proposi-
tion, provided some of our rich brethren would furnish the means." The "unity of
all saints," he declared, is "a consummation devoutly to be wished for." Wiuebren-
ner would have been the delegate had the means been secured.
The work of Howard revived the question of local church ordination. Wiue-
brenner had taught in 1829 that "the presbytery of the church" has the right to
ordain to the ministry. At that time he recognized no authority higher than the
local church. And while he was foremost in the organization of annual Elder-
ships, and of the General Eldership, the former of which assumed certain of the
powers of the local church, he did not convince all the churches that his later
position was scriptural. Howard was accordingly "licensed as a missionary to
travel and preach among us and elsewhere wherever his labors may be desired"
by the church in Pfoutz's Valley. Thus was revived the controversy over local
church licenses which, as AVinebreuner stated editorially in December, 1849, was
settled by Eldership resolution in 184 6.
The official title of a minister received considerable attention toward the close
of this period. Wiuebrenner quite early affixed "V^. D. M." to his name, and con-
tinued to use it as Editor to the close of his connection with "The Advocate," and in
all his later publications. Other ministers followed his example. To distinguish
teaching elders from ruling elders, when the two classes became clearly recognized,
the use of "bishop" became somewhat general. "A Letter from Bishop "
78 History op the Churches of God
was a common heading of contributions for "The Advocate" in 1845-9. But as this-
savored of episcopacy it was abandoned. "Rev." was anathematized, and so the
scriptural title of "Elder" was everywhere accepted. It was proposed to make
Winebreimer a "Bishop," but it seemed so inconsistent that few favored it.
This period is notable for the widespread grief awakened among the churches
by the death of some very excellent young ministers, including J. H. Bamberger
and Jolui C. Booth. Bamberger's relation to Winebreimer, and his most promis-
ing future, made his early death a sorer affliction. VVinebrenner's funeral sermon,
delivered before the Eldership in 184 6, was the apotheosis of a Christian minister.
Text — Acts viii. 2.
While the churches of God were earnestly contending for the unity of the
body of Christ, schisms developed in some organizations, and new denominations-
sprung up. The Seventh-Day Adventists arose in 184 5. The Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, effected a separate organization the same year. The Southern
Baptists the same year separated from the general body because of slavery. The
Millerites organized themselves into a Church about this time. In 1846 the Evan-
gelical Alliance was founded. On May 27, 1847, an Anti-Slavery Presbyterian
Church was formed, and adopted the name "The Presbyterian Church of America."
The Spiritualists, while not assuming a strict denominational organization, trace
their origin back to 1848. The first National Assembly of Archbishops of the
Catholic Church met in Baltimore, Md., in May, 1849. The Mormons emigrated to
Utah in 1848, and settled in the valley of the Great Salt Lake. In December,
1845, Texas was annexed to the United States, but was invaded by Mexico, which
had never acknowledged its independence, and thus originated the war with the
United States. The war continued until March 10, 184 8, when the treaty of peace
was ratified by the Senate of the United States.
General History 79
CHAPTER VIII.
1850—1855.
THIS semi-decade witnessed certain events of a religious and political character
closely connected with ecclesiastical affairs which were of tremendous im-
port. The Churches became more apprehensive of the political power of
the Catholic Church than in earlier years. The foreign immigration had been
slowly advancing, and said Church was thus receiving large accessions. They re-
tained for years the ideas, prejudices and customs of the Old World. This grow-
ing strength of the Church, so un-American in its genius, emboldened its priest-
hood and led to certain aggressive movements upon some American institutions.
The leaders ventured upon a fuller development of the peculiarities of their system
than had ever been made in this country. In its "festivals," its relics of apochry-
phal saints, the official advertising of "indulgences," the chastisement of offenders
for the purpose of keeping others in subjection, and its resort to the whip and to
excommunication with their terrific accompaniments, a great advance was made
toward that type of Roman Catholicism then prevalent in Europe. The Churches
became apprehensive of the permanent establishment of European Romanism in
the United States. And it was equally feared that with it would come funda-
mental changes in our political institutions. The first Plenary or National Council
convened May 10, 1852. Among its most offensive acts was the condemnation of
the system of public schools which had been generally established. The activity
of the Jesuits in bringing forth their peculiarities more conspicuously intensified
popular apprehensions. Hence arose the Know-Nothing party, which flourished
from 1853 to 1855, and was somewhat of a politico-religious character. Its pur-
pose was to prevent the election or appointment of any alien to office under Fed-
eral, State or municipal governments. They had their great strength in the anti-
Catholic portion of the people, and were largely recruited among the Protestant
Churches. Mackey as one of the Editors of "The Advocate," in 1854, endorsed the
movement, for "there is, we trust, virtue and integrity enough among us to pre-
serve the nation." The public announcement of the dogma of the Immaculate
Conception on Dec. 8, 185 4, as a part of the Roman Catholic Creed, and the
Provincial Council at Baltimore, Md., adopting the "Blessed Virgin, conceived
without sin, as the special patroness of the United States" came as great surprises
to the Christian public of the United States. The Church of God was intensely
anti-Catholic, and its members were in fullest sympathy with the movement to
restrict the power of the Catholic Church. What proportion of the 23,191,074
population at the census of 18 50 was Catholic does not appear; but as three-fifths
of the foreign immigration during the decade was Catholic, the ratio of Catholics
was steadily increasing.
During this period the first general battle for Statutory Prohibition was
fought. Hitherto, except in the State of Maine where a limited Prohibitory Law
was enacted in 1846, and made more stringent in 1848, moral suasion was em-
ployed by the advocates of temperance. License laws with certain prohibitory
features were placed on the statute books of all the States, but the temperance
people depended on moral means to overcome the evils of the excessive use of in-
toxicants. But on June 2, 1851, the Legislature of the State of Maine adopted the
Prohibitory Law which was the type and example of all such laws which were
passed in other States, and were "Maine laws." This was the first battle and the
first signal victory in the celebrated campaign of 1851-4 for legal Prohibition.
The ministers and churches of God gave no double-tongued utterances and assum-
ed no equivocal attitude on this great issue. Not only for themselves did they
boldly enter the open door of casuistry and perplexity of Paul's fine statement of
the law of consideration for others by adopting total abstinence; but they were
ready by all proper means to help to crush out the evil which was ruining so many
lives, and which has ever been the most fruitful source of corruption, poverty and
crime. "The Church Advocate" was freely used by Winebrenner, Weishampel,
Mackey, Flake, Ham, Thomas and others in advocacy of a Prohibition bill before
8o
History of the Churchks of God
the Pennsylvania Legislature in the Winter of 1851-2. Some misunderstood the
terms of the bill, as it was "erroneously stated by the press generally over the
State that the liquor bill was the same as the Maine Law." Wiiiebreniier correct-
ed this, by stating that the bill which originated in the Senate did "prohibit the
liquor traffic altogether, in a manner similar to the Maine Law," but that "it was
so entirely changed and modified" before it passed the Senate "as to defeat the
object of the numerous petitions sent to the Legislature." But the bill was de-
feated in the House. Christian people at once renewed their efforts, beginning
this time with a purpose to elect a majority of the next Legislature "composed of
men pledged to legislation in the shape of a Prohibitory Law." At the session of
the Legislature of 1853 a resolution was introduced "referring to a vote of the
people the subject of a Prohibitory Liquor Law." Winebrenner and others
freely used the columns of "The Advocate" in behalf of this measure. Voters were
urged to pledge themselves '.'to make the question of Prohibition the main issue
Joseph Ross.
in the next election for members of the Legislature." And as the Legislature
failed to pass the Prohibitory resolution, the work of organizing the voters was at
once begun. The slogan was, "The Maine Law." Winebrenner published on the
editorial page an unsigned "Temperance Address. To the Voters of Dauphin
County," saying, "The sum total is to work and battle for the Maine Law." Edi-
torially he stated that "the ministers of Harrisburg, and throughout the Common-
wealth, have all taken their stand in favor of the Maine Law." He answered the
question, "Whom shall we vote for?" by saying, "3rd, Vote for such only as are
from principle avowed, well-known and openly pledged Prohibitory Law men."
Joseph Ross, Middletown, Dauphin county, merchant, lay preacher and Treasurer
of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, was one of the candidates on the Prohibition
ticket in October, 1853.
Winebrenner was "on the stump" during the campaign at many of the "Maine
Xiquor Law Township Meetings." But the Democratic party carried the election.
General History 8i
Yet on Jan. 14, 1854, Winebi-enner wrote: "The prospects for the enactment of a
Prohibitory Law are decidedly encouraging." A bill was carefully prepared and
introduced, but it failed of passage. The work of reorganizing the temperance
forces began at once, and the "marshalling of the Temperance Hosts of the Old
Keystone" was pushed "with promptness and vigor." To secure a majority in the
Legislature in favor of Prohibition at the session of 1855 was the avowed purpose.
In other States the temperance people were more successful. In Michigan
the Maine Law was "approved by the people by a majority of ten thousand." In
New York the Maine Law was submitted to popular vote by the Legislature," and
it resulted "in a glorious triumph." Vermont in 1853 enacted the Maine Law. A
popular election in Wisconsin resulted in favor of the Maine Law. In Connecticut
"a stringent and well-guarded Act of Liquor Prohibition passed both Houses in
1854 by a very decided majority." Retailing of liquor to be drunk on the premises
was prohibited in 1851-3 in Illinois. Ohio in 1851 adopted Section 18 of the
schedule, which prohibited the granting of any license in the State to traffic in
intoxicating liquors. The Maine Law was enacted in 1852 by the Legislature of
Rhode Island.
On Sept. 6, 1853, the World's Temperance Convention met in New York. It
was an occasion of great interest, and Winebrenner urged brethren to attend it,
as it was held immediately preceding the World's Fair in the same city. There
were two thousand delegates in attendance, among whom was Winebrenner. An
incident in this connection reveals the spirit of the times on the slavery question.
Winebi-enner had permitted "Jr." to publish a note on the editorial page on the
Convention in which he stated that "admission was gained by Wendell Phillips,
the noted Abolition and Disunion agitator. . . .with others of the fanatic species so
common in the North," and that the Convention the second day "rejected these
turbulent spirits, and proceeded to business." This called out several pungent
replies in which slave-holders were denounced as "ungodly, heaven-daring, God-
provoking, hypocritical." Colored people had also been "excluded from that
august combination of pro-slaveryism, calling itself the World's Temperance Con-
vention." Winebreiuier was silent during this controversy, and in his report of
the Convention made no reference to Wendell Phillips' presence.
The public conscience in the North had been outraged by the passage of the
Fugitive Slave Law in 1850, and the efforts to enforce its provisions made it each
year increasingly odious to the people of the Northern States. The thought that
the black man was included in the brotherhood of man developed slowly, but it
gained ground rapidly under the teachings of Phillips, Garrison and men of that
type. In these great-hearted men one gets at the heart of the abolition crusade,
the undeflled spring of brotherly regard, out of which all their gracious conduct
flowed, not as an exaction, but as free token of fundamental sympathy. Men
were made also to see the moral principle involved, and multitudes seeing it did
not lack courage to maintain it. Yet the friends of the slave were greatly in the
minority. Winebrenner was conservative. He called slavery "a great moral
wrong, but there are mitigating circumstances which forbid a wholesale unchris-
tianizing of all who are guilty of the wrong." Two years earlier, in 1851, he pub-
lished an editorial, "Our Position on Slavery Re-defined," in which similar views
are expressed, and declares that the resolutions on slavery adopted by the General
Eldership in 1845 "do not bear the construction that they are intended to disallow
any one, under any circumstances, who bore the relation of master to slave to be
received or retained in the Church, or to be at all entitled to the exercise of Chris-
tian forbearance and toleration."
Hence, when the time came to send missionaries of the Church of God to
Texas, a slave State, Winebrenner was foremost to favor the movement. Oppo-
sition early developed against the project, but AVinebrenner persistently favored it.
Wertz wrote to Winebrenner in 1854, "I think your proposal for two missionaries
for Texas is extravagant, and out of place. Why go to that slave State, while
there is so much needed in our free and prosperous States?" The genesis of mis-
sion work in Texas was similar to that in the Western States. Cheap land and
most fertile soil invited emigrants. Among the first from Church of God families
was Elias W. Hollar, from near Shippensburg, Pa., who wrote a letter for publica-
tion in March, 1852, urging the sending of missionaries to Texas. The suggestion
was at once approved by Winebrenner, who continued to urge the movement until
missionaries were appointed. He at once called for a missionary, when A. X.
C. H.— 3*
82
History of the Churches of God
Shoemaker responded, offering to go if his support were guaranteed. Thomas^
Swartz and Hiniiey were the Board of Missions of the East Pennsylvania Eldership,
and on April 23, 1852, they proposed to "appoint a missionary to Texas, provided
we can get a suitable person to go, and sufficient means." Meanwhile additional
Church families removed to Texas, among them Joseph and Sarah Cunningham,
John Cunningham and Eliza Wagoner, of Broad Top, Pa., and Conrad Seabough.
Hollar located in Dallas county, the third county south of Oklahoma, and the fifth
west of Louisiana. The others located 9 miles west of Paris, Lamar county, bor-
dering on Oklahoma, and the third county west of the southwestern county in
Arkansas. J. A. Kupley and Mr. and Mrs. Eberly, of the Cumberland Valley, emi-
grated to Texas in the Winter of 1853. By this time the colony was so enthusias-
tic over the missionary question that on Jan. 31, 18 53, Cunningham wrote, "Send
us an able preacher. We will support him." The General Eldership in 1854
adopted a resolution, recommending that the Board of Missions appoint two mis-
sionaries to Texas immediately. Through some misunderstanding the brethren in
Texas got the impression as early as the Winter of 1853 that two missionaries had
been appointed to that State, for on April 24, 1854, Joseph Cunningham wrote,
''We are under many obligations to you and the Church for the preachers you sent
us out here in Texas. We have been looking daily for them ever since the first
B. Ober at the Age of 32.
B. Ober at the Age of 87.
of January." The East Pennsylvania Eldership did not carry out the recommen-
dation of the General Eldership, as it did nothing relating to the Texas Mission
that Fall. But at the session in 18 5 5 it had before it the names of B. Ober and E.
Marple, of the West Pennsylvania Eldership, as candidates for the Texas Mission,
and it referred their names "to the Board of Missions, to meet in Middletown on
Tuesday, Nov. 13th." At this meeting the Board, consisting of AVinebi-enner,
Thomas and Colder, appointed "B. Ober as a missionary to Texas."
He was then in his thirty-second year. He was converted on Sunday night,
Jan. 2, 1844, at a prayer-meeting held in a private house near Woodbury, Bedford
Co., Pa. Shortly after he was baptized by the pastor, J. Lininger, "in the old
Woodbury Furnace Dam, where the ice was eighteen inches thick." He united
with the church at Martinsburg, Blair Co., Pa. Thence he moved to Indiana
county and united with the church at Garman's Mills, where he preached his first
sermon, after he was licensed by the West Pennsylvania Eldership at its session at
what is now Barkeyville, Venango Co., Pa., in 1847. He traveled with J. Hicker-
nell on the Westmoreland and Cambria circuit. Pa.; then on the Marshall county
circuit, W. Va., and the Wheeling Mission. He died suddenly at Butler, Okla.,
Sept. 26. 1911, in his eighty-eighth year.
'3
General History
At a later meeting (March 27, 1856) the Board of Missions appointed E.
Marple missionary to Texas to accompany Ober.
Marple was a native of
West Virigina, and was of
a Protestant Methodist
family, but declined to be-
come a member, as "they
don't preach and practice
all the gospel; but then
there will be a Church
somewhere that will preach
all the requirements of the
gospel, including feet-
washing, and when that
Church comes around I
will certainly join it." He
heard D. Wertz preach a
doctrinal sermon sometime
later, and when he was
through Marple said,
"There is my Church, and
I will join it." In the
Summer of 1852, under
the labors of B. Ober, he
joined the Church of God
and was baptized. That
Fall, being twenty years
old, he was licensed by the
West Pennsylvania Elder-
ship. He was appointed
pastor with A. C. Marple in
1853 on the Marshall
county circuit, W. Va. In
the Fall of 1854 he "went
to Iowa, looking for a
home and a new field of
labor," returning in the
Spring of 185 5 with the in-
tention of going back to Iowa. "But being appointed to the Texas Mission, all my
bright prospects in Iowa went to the tomb."
Following up Church of God families as much as possible was the rule, and
proved the right method of Church extension. This was T. Hickerneirs method.
Preparatory to undertaking mission work in Illinois he traveled through Whiteside,
Adams, Clark, Morgan, Sangamon, Crawford, Jasper and Cumberland counties.
This was characteristic work in those days, though it involved privations and hard-
ships. Through emigration from eastern churches nuclei of churches were formed,
and calls for preachers came from many distant points. "Come in God's name.
This is too good a country for anybody to wait for food or raiment." "We desire
to have one or more of the preachers to come and labor in this part of Illinois."
"Send us a preacher, and we will help to support him. It is a pity to see such a
field open, and no laborers in it." Such were the Macedonian voices from Iowa
and Illinois in 1850, 1851, 1852 and 1853. Men and money were the great needs
of the hour. Churches in the eastern sections were being decimated by emigration,
and the law of self-preservation demanded heroic efforts to gather these emigrants
into churches in their new homes. Where ministers were located with their newly
formed churches revivals were promoted, as at North Bend, la., in 1851, and other
points. A colony from Westmoreland county, Pa., in the Spring of 1850 located
13 miles west of Burlington, la., and began church work. Among them were Elder
William Vance, Christian Landes, C. M. Dillinger, C. E, Stoner, Henry Rosenberger
and William Spear and their families. In 1851 another colony from Ohio located
near Grandview, Louisa county, among them Elder A. Megrew and the Huff fami-
lies. A party of eighty-three left Harrisburg, Pa., in the Spring of 1850 for the
vicinity of Muscatine, Iowa. From Trenton, Iowa, Joseph B. Nickel wrote in April,
E. Marple.
84
History of the Churches of God
1851, "And behold the tide of emigration! Thousands are flocking to Iowa." From
Johnson county, Iowa, Snavely wrote in the Pall of the same year, "Emigrants are
flocking into the State in great numbers." This was also true of Illinois. Had
colonizing been the rule, and not the exception, mission work would have been
much simpler and less expensive and laborious. Another serious embarrassment
to mission enterprises was the tendency on the part of ministers going West and
missionaries sent out to locate. Lack of support sometimes made this necessary.
With conditions more favorable hundreds of churches could have been built up in
place of tens. When in 1850 the establishment of a mission in Iowa was being
considered, Winebrenner wrote: "We now have the offer of a good and able mis-
sionary to the State of Iowa, provided he can be sustained. In order that the
Board may be able to make effective and timely arrangements for the support of
those large and promising missionary fields in Iowa and Illinois it is desirable that
George Sandoe.
our general missionary agents should proceed with their work as speedily as pos-
sible." The scheme was a large one for the East Pennsylvania Eldership to under-
take alone. Subscriptions and donations were solicited to sustain five missionaries
in the West — two in Iowa and three in Illinois — during the next Eldership year,
commencing with April, 1851, and ending with March, 1852." Vance had gone to
Parish, Des Moines Co., Iowa, in 1850, and MegreAv followed in 1851. They were
the advance guard in a movement which "will ever be memorable in the history of
the Church of God, as 18 51 was the year in which successful missionary work was
inaugurated in the States of Illinois and Iowa. It is true that some work had been
done in these States prior to the above date, but nothing like organized effort had
been attempted in Illinois, and but little in Iowa" (Sandoe). It was at the Elder-
ship held at Churchtown, Cumberland Co., Pa., October, 1850, that "arrangements
were set on foot" to begin this great work. It was committed to the Board of Mis-
sions— E. H. Thomas, A. Swartz and Wm. Hinney. At their meeting held at Me-
GSNERAi. History
85
chanicsburg, May 1, 1851, they officially ratified previous arrangements, and ap-
pointed "A Megrew to Iowa; Jacob M. Klein, to Central Illinois; Daniel Wertz to
the Rock River Country, 111. ; George Sandoe to Southern Illinois and Indiana, and
Thomas Hickernell, general missionary for Indiana and Illinois."
The amount of $1,200.00 was appropriated toward the support of these five
men for one year. They were reappointed the following year.
Daniel AVertz was a native of York county. Pa., born Oct. 21, 1816. He was
raised in the faith of the German Lutheran Church, and to carry out his own relig-
ious convictions as he approached his ma-
jority he was compelled to forsake houses
and lands, father and mother and kinsfolks.
For he was converted at the age of nineteen,
and at once identified himself with the
Church of God, and became an active worker
in his Master's cause. For a while he
preached exclusively in the German lan-
guage, but gradually acquired the English,
and therefore did not much preaching in
German. When in his twenty-third year,
having removed to Ohio, he was licensed to
preach by the Ohio Eldership in October,
1839. The Ohio Eldership a few years later
sent him into western Pennsylvania, where
he was preaching when the West Pennsyl-
vania Eldership was organized in 1844. He
spent the closing years of his life in Iowa.
He had the true missionary spirit. He had
the reputation of being "an efficient and suc-
cessful minister, a devoted and zealous
Christian and an excellent man."
Archibald Megrew was a native of Al-
legheny county, Pa., born in 1810; but was
converted at Churchtown, Cumberland Co..
Pa., in the Spring of 1833, and united with
the Churchtown church at its first organiza-
tion. He emigrated to Ohio when a young
man, where he received his first license, in
1841. His principal ministerial work was done in Ohio and Iowa, to which State
he emigrated in 18 51. As a member of the Iowa Eldership he was held in high es-
teem, having been elected Speaker in 1852, the second session he attended, re-
elected in 1853 and 1854, and at later sessions. He was elected by the Iowa Elder-
ship a delegate to the General Eldership of 1854, 1857, 1866,.1869, 1872 and 1875.
He was regarded as a man of strong and clear convictions, and was never afraid
to express them. He was always solicitous for the purity and continued prosperity
of the Church. His was a spirit of contentment, and he lacked those qualifictions
which the insinuating preacher of discontent usually has. Oreater usefulness could
have attended the labors of his life if he had been kept steadily in the field, in-
stead of devoting so large a portion of his time to the farm. He died at Letts,
Iowa, July 6, 1894, aged 84 years, 7 months and 10 days.
Other ministers entered the active work in both Illinois and Iowa. Jacob
Lininger, residing at North Bend, Johnson Co., Iowa, in 1853, "extended his
labors over seven counties — Johnson, Washington, Des Moines, Henry, Louisa,
Muscatine and Cedar. M. F. Snavely also did effective work in Iowa, as did
W. Vance. All the regular missionaries traveled over extensive fields, and re-
ported most encouraging results. On Feb. 9, 1851, Vance reported the organi-
zation of a church at Danville, la., which worshiped in a school-house. At North
Bend, Johnson Co., Iowa, they worshiped "in a humble school-house" until the
Summer of 1853, when they built a "meeting-house 30 by 35 feet, frame," which
was dedicated on Dec. 11th. David Gill, who removed to Buchanan county, Iowa,
from Wayne county, Ohio, labored some in the ministry, seeking to "establish the
Church of God." A. Megrew preached in said county in 1852. Megrew had
reached his Iowa field in June, 1851, and found "the Church of God hardly known
here." He began his work in Louisa county, and gradually extefrded the field into
Daniel AVertz.
86
History of tiik Churches of God
Des Moines, Buchanan, Henry, Johnson and Muscatine counties during his first
year, these being the southeastern group of counties, except Buchanan, which is the
third county south of the Minnesota State line and the third west of the Missis-
sippi.
Elder Thomas, Indiana, was the first minister of the Church to preach near
Glendon, Guthrie Co., Iowa, the fourth county east of the Nebraska State line. The
first church was organized in the county in 1853, with eleven members. A prosper-
ous church was organized at Dodgeville, Des Moines county, which, in 1854, began
to arrange to build a house of worship, having been "shut out of the school-house."
In 1854 Megrevv made "a preaching tour up North about 120 miles," into Cedar,
Linn and Buchanan counties, preaching in school-houses and holding protracted
meetings. In some places other ministers ignored him because "they could not
understand what kind of a Church the Church of God is." At North Bend the
A. Megrew.
church lost some converts because it "has taken a stand not to receive any into fel-
lowship except they be first baptized." But the church prospered and grew strong.
In 1854 J. Hawk labored in Scott county, la., his "field of labor," on the Mississippi.
The three missionaries in Illinois opened a large territory. VVertz located in
Jo Daviess county, the extreme northwestern corner of the State. His work ex-
tended over Jo Daviess, Carroll, Ogle, Stephenson, Winnebago and Boon counties,
a circuit of 200 miles, with twelve regular appointments the first year, and about
one hundred conversions. He found twelve Church families when he entered on
the mission In a distance of 80 miles; no organized church, and no prayer-meeting.
In September, 1851, he baptized fifty-eight at Pleasant Valley, and had baptized
twenty-six before. A church was organized at that meeting, and measures were
General History
87
J. M. Klein.
started to build a bethel. By March, 1852, this church numbered eighty members
He reports, March 6, 1852, having "organized a church of about fifteen members
in Mt. Carroll." The church and German Baptists "are about making an effort to
build a meeting-house in Mt. Carroll."
Klein located in Homer, La Salle Co., 111. He left Venango county. Pa., where
he was pastor, April 26, 1851, by private conveyance, and reached his destination
June 25th. His field, while called the Cen-
tral (111.) Mission, was in the northern-cen-
tral section, south-west from Chicago, with
Homer (Troy Grove), La Salle county, as the
headquarters. In addition to his home
county he traveled over Livingston, Wood-
ford, Peoria, Fulton, Henry, Putnam and
Bureau counties, lying south and west of
La Salle. He established the first year
twelve regular appointments, giving them
preaching every three weeks. He found
Church families very much scattered. Part
of the time he had the assistance of D. L.
Byers. A church was organized at Troy
Grove, a Pennsylvania settlement, of twenty-
six members, in 1851. Also one at Hollowa,
one at West Bureau and one at Moory's
school-house. Bureau county, and one at
Eden's Point, LaSalle county.
Sandoe was a native of Lancaster county.
Pa., and, with Klein, had been licensed by
the East Pennsylvania Eldership. His field
was nearer the center of the State than
Klein's, as he located at Martinsville, Clark Co., on the boundary line between
Illinois and Indiana, as he was to travel in both States. He left Pennsylvania for
his future field of labor May 11, 1851, and reached Martinsville, 111., June 5th. His
territory embraced a circuit of 350 miles, as he described it — 75 miles to Decatur,
Macon county; thence southward to Jasper county, 80 miles; thence eastward to
Greene county, Ind., 85 miles; thence northward to Park county, Ind., 55 miles,
and thence back to Martinsville, 111., 5 5 miles. The counties included are Clark,
Macon, Moultrie, Coles, Scott, Cumberland, Jasper and Crawford, 111., and Park,
•Greene and Vigo, Ind. The first church which he organized was in Park county,
Ind., composed of twenty-three members. He also formed churches at Rife's and
Shroll's, Macon county. III., Jan. 17, 1852; at Martinsville, in the Garver settle-
ment, and at other points. The work prospered, so that he insisted on more min-
isters being put on the territory. He had the assistance of T. Hickeniell, the Gen-
eral Missionary, and in 185 3 I. E. Beyer, of Pennsylvania, reached Decatur and
began mission work by taking four of the preaching points in Macon county. In
1854, D. Kyle, of Pennsylvania, arrived at Decatur, and took up some of the points
in Macon county. Sandoe preached in Decatur in 1852 and 18 53. Around Mart-
insville he had the assistance of Rupp.
By 1854 work was started in Sangamon county, by J, H. Hurley, earlier of
the East Pennsylvania Eldership. The General Missionary sent to Indiana and
Illinois in 1851 with the three other missionaries, Thomas Hickeniell, proved an
indefatigable worker. He reported in 18 52 that "my mission now takes in terri-
tory of 1,000 miles and upwards. He organized churches at different points, to
which pastors were afterwards appointed. Among the first was one in Auglaize
■county, Ohio, adjoining Mercer on the south. A German minister of the M. E.
Church, living at Kossuth, sent for him to baptize him. A revival followed and a
■church of God was organized. Hickernell continued his work southward in Ohio
through Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Adams counties. The whole southwestern
group of counties were territory of much promise. In his work in Ohio he was
assisted by C. Sands, who preached largely in German. He complained that many
of the points which he opened were neglected by the ministers sent there after he
left. In Indiana he preached in Miami county, five counties west of his home.
Here he attended a camp-meeting in 1853, and thence traveled 200 miles in his
■carriage to attend a camp-meeting in Illinois, west of Homer, La Salle county.
88 History of the Churches of God
Some nights during this tour he says, "I slept quietly in my carriage till morning."
He also preached in Parke, Vigo, Greene, Marion and Wabash counties, Ind. In
Illinois he got as far north as Tazewell county, in central Illinois, and labored in
revival meetings in Macon, Moultrie, Marion, Jasper, Clark and Crawford.
In 1851 when these vast enterprises were inaugurated the statistics published
showed that there were 168 churches of God, 375 preaching places, 130 ministers,
and 17,550 members. Of the number of churches 27 were reported in Ohio in
1854, by which time the total number had considerably increased. For while the
missionaries sent out into Indiana and Illinois were diligently at work in those
States, other ministers in those States and in Ohio were making full proof of their
ministry. The need of more preachers was deeply felt, as calls came from many
directions which could not be answered. The Indiana Eldership had a mission in
Defiance county, Ohio, with several churches, where J. Martin and D. Keplinger
preached. The latter also traveled through Huntington, Whitley, LaGrange,
DeKalb, Allen and Wells counties, Indiana. At Georgetown, Defiance Co., Ohio,
a church was formed in 1852. The church at Zanesville then numbered twenty-
six. Keplinger, who labored also at Zanesville, Wells Co., Ind., traveled from 200
to 230 miles every four weeks, and preached "from fourteen to sixteen times every
round." In 1853 he had F. Kemp as a colleague, and his field included also Elk-
hart, Kosciusko and Wabash counties, with several "missionaries" to help him.
His field was "as much as 4 50 miles round." The work had been so successfully
extended into Miami county that a camp-meeting was held there in 1853. J.
Martin had organized a church in Jackson, Steuben Co., Ind. They had introduced
"quarterly meetings," which F. Kemp says "are of great utility and interest, as
people are more likely to attend on such occasions, and hence we can have access
to their hearts."
In Ohio "the Church of God is still engaged in pushing onward the great gos-
pel car of salvation," wrote David Baker in 1850, when reporting from various
points in Wayne county. In this county, at Wooster, in 1854, the church decided
to build a house of worship. They were not able to do this alone, and so they
canvassed twenty-seven other churches for funds. A serious accident occurred in
"putting up the timbers," in which a dozen men were more or less seriously hurt.
This delayed the work, so that the dedication did not take place until Aug. 5, 1855.
Winebrenner preached the sermon. The work was also extended into several new
counties southward and westward from Wayne, into Wyandot, Hancock, Coshoc-
ton and Seneca. In Columbiana county, which the Ohio ministers again took up,
M. Coates organized a church Dec. 14, 1851. Also in Tuscarawas county, and at
Paris, Stark county. A bethel was built in Stark county in 1852. In Canaan
township, Athens county, a new meeting-house was dedicated in 1853. The work,
however, was languishing in Athens and Meigs counties for want of preaching. A
church was organized near Upper Sandusky, Wyandot county, in 1851, and one
near Columbus, Franklin county. A bethel was built at Father Stump's, Stark
county circuit, and dedicated June 22, 1851. In 1853 the meeting-house at Dal-
ton, Wayne county, was completed. The Tiffin circuit, in which Seneca county was
included, was making progress under the labors of West and Wilson, and a mission
church was formed in Tiffin City in 1854. Other counties in the northwestern part
of the State in which good work was done were Defiance, Crawford, Logan, Henry
and Wood. In Wood county a church was organized by J. M. West in June, 1852.
It consisted of fourteen members. In Tuscarawas county the church at Windfield,
"being shut out of the United Brethren church put up a very neat bethel, 34x40
feet in size," which was dedicated in November, 1854. In 1853 continued work
around Findlay, Hancock county, was reported, a church having been previously
organized in Liberty township, about six miles west of Findlay, on the Blanchard
river. Also at another point four miles north of Findlay, and one southward about
six miles. West was pastor. J. Myei"s, on his way to Blanchard Fork to a special
meeting, preached in a school-house in Findlay in November, 1853. A. L. Nye did
efficient work in Henry and Defiance counties in 1854. But complaint was early
made that many points where these aggressive, enthusiastic missionaries had
gathered small churches were neglected, or abandoned. School-houses, too, were
often closed against the preachers, and the few members not being able to build
houses of worship these points were necessarily discontinued. This was true in
all the States.
Closely connected with the contemplated mission work on the part of the
General History 89
East Pennsylvania Eldership in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa was the tour made
through the whole territory in 1850 by Winebreniier and Ham. Winebrenner on
May 1, 1850, announced that he and Ham would "take a journey to the West dur-
ing the ensuing Summer." It was to be "a preacBing tour for the good of souls
and the promotion of the cause of all causes — the church of the living XJod. We
design to make it an exploring missionary tour. Our brethren in Ohio and the far
West have long pleaded for a visit." Flake, who had charge of "The Advocate"
during Winebrenner's absence, also states that "a visit of this kind was much de-
sired by the brethren West of the mountains." He informed his readers that the two
tourists "went in a plain and strong and roomy carriage, with two horses,
which will permit them to seek the scattered members of the Church in their jour-
ney of a thousand miles or more, to Iowa." He calls it "an old-fashioned visit to
the churches," probably recalling similar tours by Wesley, Asbui*y, Albright and
Whitefield. They started May 20th, on which evening they held services at Me-
chanicsburg. Thence to Shippensburg, on the 21st; McConnellsburg, on the 22nd;
Bloody Run, on the 23rd; Woodbury, on the 24th; Martinsburg, on the 25th and
26th; Shellsburg, on the 27th; Somerset, on the 28th; Bethany, on the 29th; Mc-
Keesport, on the 30th; Pittsburg, on the 31st; Old Harmony, on June 1st and 2nd;
Wooster, Ohio, on June 8th and 9th. At Wooster they had preaching simultane-
ously in the bethel and in the court-house at 10 a. m., and "in the afternoon and
evening in the Baptist meeting-house." Ham's controversial spirit developed at
Wooster. Hearing that a Methodist minister would preach on Monday evening on
baptism at Moreland, he went there to hear him, and then arranged to reply to liim
on Thursday evening. Winebrenner heard Harn's sermon, and regarded it as "a
more triumphant refutation of any man's argument than I have ever heard." Not
so Mr. Parker, the Methodist minister, for he at once arose "in the congregation
and challenged Brother Harn, or myself, to a public debate." This challenge they
declined to accept as they "wer*; on a journey through some of the Western States,
and had a chain of appointments already out." From Wooster they went to Men-
don, Mercer county, via Jeromesville; Ashland, county seat of Ashland county,
where they preached in the Court-house; Bucyrus, county seat of Crawford county;
Wyandot, Brownsville; Kenton, county seat of Hardin county, and Lima, in Allen
county, reaching Mendon, Mercer county, June 21st. At Kenton the Methodists,
Baptists and New School Presbyterians had a revival in progress, which they at-
tended, with one hundred and fifty conversions. At Mendon, Thomas Hickernell
had a revival in progress. From Mendon, O., they passed on to Fort Wayne, Allen
county, Ind. Thence through Noble, Elkhart, St. Joseph and La Porte counties to
New Buffalo, Mich., on Lake Michigan. From here "we entered, horses and all,
on board the splendid steamboat 'Julius D. Morton,' and crossed the lake to Chi-
cago," where they arrived at 2 o'clock on the night of June 29th. They did not
preach in Chicago, but attended services in the Presbyterian, Methodist and Bap-
tist churches, where "the preaching was plain and practical, but the worship
cold, heartless and formal." Leaving Chicago July 1st, they went by way
of Napiersville, Dupage county; Aurora, Kane county; Syracuse, De Kalb county,
and Ogle county, near Mt. Morris, where they found settlers from Washington
county, Md., and reached Mt. Carroll, Carroll county. 111., their main objective
point in that State, July 5th. On the evening of July 6th they "commenced a
series of meetings in the court-house in Mt. Carroll." During Lord's day "the
court-house was thronged all day." Four sermons were preached that day.
From Mt. Carroll, on the 9th, they came down to Whiteside county, and thence
still southward into Rock Island county, visiting Church of God families, until
they reached Stevenson (now Rock Island), where on July 11th, they crossed the
Mississippi to Davenport, Scott county, Iowa. Thence down the river to Musca-
tine, county seat of Muscatine county, where they "met a number of former friends
and brethren from Pennsylvania." Thence westward to Iowa City and North
Bend, Johnson county, reaching North Bend near midnight, July 13th. This was
a Pennsylvania settlement. Here they preached in a school-house, July 14th. The
church at that place had "some twenty members or upwards." Returning to Iowa
City, they had "preaching in the Baptist meeting-house in the evening" of July
14th. July 15th they left for Louisa county, stopping at Columbus City. Thence
still southward into Henry county, and across Des Moines county to Burlington,
where they recrossed the Mississippi into Illinois on their return journey July 18th.
They "took the direct road towards Peoria," where they arrived July 20th. Here
90 History of the Churches of God
they "preached three sermons in the Methodist meeting-house and two in the Bap-
tist church." From Peoria they went due south to Springfield, Sangamon county.
TEey passed eastward south of Decatur, Macon county, stopping with Church fami-
lies, to Charleston, county seat of Coles county, and on to Martinsville, Clark
county, near which place "on Sabbath, July 28th, we held a woods meeting at Bro.
Fasig's." There was "a small church of God in that neighborhood, numbering
some twenty odd members." From Martinsville, 111., on July 2 9th, they went to
Indianapolis, Ind., passing through Vigo, Clay, Putnam and Hendricks counties "on
the National Road," into Marion, where the capitol of the State is located. From
here eastward they again had "a chain of appointments ahead," reaching to Wayne
county, Ind., at the Ohio line. These appointments were in Lutheran, Methodist
and Presbyterian houses of worship, ne.ar which families of the Church lived. All
along their route these families were found, living many miles apart. They passed
through Preble county, north-eastward across Montgomery, Miami, Champaign into
Union, and thence south-eastward to Clintonville, Franklin county, four miles
north of Columbus, where they again met T. Hickernell, who was conducting "a
two-day's meeting" with "a church of God of about twenty members." They
reached this point Aug. 10th. They visited the State capitol "in course of erection,
and other State institutions." There were several Church of God families living
in Columbus. August 13th they left Clintonville, and went north into Delaware
county, and thence through Morrow county toward Mansfield, Richland county.
Thence eastward through Ashland county back to Wooster, Wayne county. When
they reached WDoster they had made a circuit of 1,700 miles. They went 8 miles
northwest of Wooster and "attended the Chester camp-meeting, held on the lands
of Bro. Pet«r Sherick and Daniel George." Thence on the 22nd they went "to the
Summit county camp-meeting," the next county northeast of Wayne. Returning
to Wooster, they tarried there, preaching at various near-by points, until Aug. 30th,
when they went to the Reedsburg camp-meeting, in Wayne county. Sept. 2nd
they started homeward through Stark and Columbiana counties, into Pennsylvania,
their first objective point being Fayetteville, Lawrence county, and thence to the
Venango county camp-meeting, which they reached Sept. 5th. After camp on Sept.
12th, they left for Evensburg, Butler county, and on to Old Harmony again, and
down to Pittsburg. They went as far south as Washington county, and then east-
ward to West Newton and Bethany, Westmoreland county, which they reached
Sept. 20th. Thence, after a four days' journey they arrived home in Harrisburg
on Sept. 2 8th, after "an absence of four months and eight days, during which we
traveled 2,500 miles, preached 124 sermons, passed through six States and 217
cities and towns. Our traveling expenses amounted to $92.65, and our receipts in
the shape of collections, etc., to $120.75." In September, 1853, Winebrenner visit-
ed western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, assisting at woods meetings and camp-
meetings at various points.
Overtures toward union between the Free Baptist Church and the Church of
God were more of a local, than general and official, character. A. D. Williams,
Free Baptist minister, and brother-in-law to G. U. Hani, unofficially labored more
or less for union of the two bodies. He preached at many points for churches of
God, and wrote considerably for publication in "The Advocate." These local move-
ments were earnestly fostered by Benjamin Howard and his son, S. B. Howard,
who lived in Eastern Pennsylvania for a number of years and part of the time,
about 1850, and again much later, was a member of the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship. B. Howard, after his preaching tour ill East Pennsylvania Eldership in
1848-9, made a tour westward as far as Illinois. He was in Illinois when in 1850
Winebrenner and Ham were on their western tour, and wrote, desiring to meet
them. He advocated local union of Free Baptist churches and the Church of God.
And ministers of the Free Baptist Church in some localities organized churches
of God, some of whidh became identified with Elderships. Such a course was quite
objectionable to the leaders of the Free Baptist Church. Their organ, "The Morn-
ing Star," on September 24, 1851, answered this question: "Is it right for a F.
W. Baptist minister to lay aside the usages of the F. W. Baptists, and organize a
church, calling it the church of God?" The answer was: "It is not. Have we
not suffered enough by some of our members and ministers going into almost any
and every new notion that is got up? If any are not satisfied with our name and
usages, the way is open for them to unite with those whose views are more con-
genial to their own." It is clear that at that time the name, "Church of God,"
, General History 91
-was a vital point, and on this "The Morning Star" said, "The name is of little con-
sequence compared to the nature." Not so did those P. W. Baptists thinlt in cen-
tral and western New York, which called themselves churches of God, and from
■which the Howards came. Nor thoSe in Ohio and Illinois which held like views,
and some of which united with those Elderships. But while B. Howard failed to
meet Winebrenner and Harn in Illinois, he returned to eastern Ohio by the time
the camp-meetings were held there which Winebrenner and Harn attended. At
the Summit county camp-meeting the three met; but whatever may have been sub-
jects of discussion or conference between them neither gave any account thereof.
But at the Ohio Eldership, held in October, 1850, Howard became a member of the
Eldership, and was appointed a "missionary among the churches in Ohio." AVithin
the territory of the Ohio Eldership were some Free Baptist churches, and one of
Howard's duties was to work for union between them and the Ohio Eldership. At
the same Eldership "Bro. Ray, Free Will Baptist, applied for a union between the
Church of God and the Society [church] with which he labors." In 1851 the
Standing Committee of the Ohio Eldership appointed Bro. Dennis "to take charge
of the Washington and Middletown churches of the Free Will Baptist Association."
In the West Pennsylvania Eldership similar efforts of a local character were made
by F. W. Baptist churches in the southern counties in New York, and a missionary
of the Church of God was sent among them. Winebrenner's and Hani's tour ex-
cited much interest among Reformed, Lutheran and Methodist ministers in various
localities. They preached in a number of places on the scriptural view of the
church of God, and on baptism and other Church doctrines. In some places, as
In Miamisburg, Montgomery Co., Ohio, each of the pastors of these three churches
"delivered addresses on the subject of baptism and the original organization of the
church of God exclusively."
In Michigan not much was accomplished during this period. Prospects were
reported good, but the supply of ministers was inadequate to meet the calls. Wm.
Adams in 185 3 organized a church in Genesse county, the fourth county north of
the Ohio line. A. B. Slyter, the missionary of the Indiana Eldership, lived in
Barry county, the third tier of counties north of Indiana, and the second east of
Lake Michigan. He preached over "nearly one-half of the southern peninsula of
the State, making some four hundred miles round."
In the territory of the West Pennsylvania Eldership there was progressive
activity, with inspiring success. It is true that when J. Myers was in Pittsburg in
May, 1854, he sadly exclaimed, "No church here, and the few remaining of the
used-to-be church" are still attached "to the principles of the Church. That, how-
ever, is all." Yet not so elsewhere. . In the Virginia part of the territory Davis,
Ober, M. Coates and Wertz labored with self-sacrificing zeal, which was amply re-
warded. They labored principally in Marshall, Harrison and Wetzel counties. A
number of churches were organized. Houses of worship were built at Bowman's,
Upper Turkey Foot, Antioch and on the Wheeling Mission. In Pennsylvania, in
1850, a church was organized of seven members near Laurel Hill Furnace, West-
moreland county; one at Red Stone, same county; one at Stevens' Mills, Indiana
county, and two in Somerset county. In this county William Davis enlarged the
mission field during 1853 by adding six new appointments, with the prospect of
opening more. "Prospects are flattering at these new appointments." Near Jack-
sonville, Greene county, Stephen Barnhart, a local minister, did good work. Re-
vival meetings were held in many places, and a good number of converts was
added to the churches. In the Summer of 1852, the church at West Newton, West-
moreland county, built a meeting-house, which was dedicated Nov. 12th. In 1853
"the brethren and friends in the Slippery Rock Settlement, near Wurtemburg,
Beaver county, 12 miles north of New Brighton, erected a new meeting-house,"
which was dedicated October 28th, "the day previous to the sitting of the Elder-
ship" at said place. There was still considerable German preaching in Venango
and several other counties.
In East Pennsylvania Eldership more attention was now given to confirming
and permanently establishing churches than to aggressive Church extension work.
Indeed with its five missionaries part of this period in Illinois and Iowa, and the
prospective mission to Texas, there were not sufiicient funds for mission work at
home. Conditions, too, were changing. The United Brethren and the Evangelical
Association, and to a less extent the Methodist Church with its exclusively English
ministry, were quite successful in their work, and were establishing churches not
92
History of the Churches of God
only in counties around those in wliich the Church of God was working, but
through the territory in which the Church was successfully operating. And the-
Reformed and Lutheran Churches, and even the Presbyterian Church, were becom-
iiig more evangelistic, and were beginning t6 meet the spiritual needs of their
membership more satisfactorily. School-houses were being closed especially against
night preaching and revival services, thus making not only missionary work more
difficult and expensive, but necessitating the abandonment of many such points
where churches could have been established. But the ministry, true to its divine
vocation, devoted itself with unabated and well-sustained zeal to its work, and the
results justified the self-sacrifice with which the cause was advanced.
The work of the East Pennsylvania Eldership south of the Potomac was limit-
ed to Berkeley and Jefferson counties, W. Va., (at that time a part of Virginia),
and Frederick and Loudoun counties, Va. William Johnson was the missionary in
this territory in 1853 and 1854, except Loudoun county. He had ten appoint-
ments, which he "intended to fill every two weeks."
In Maryland disaster finally overtook the work in Baltimore. "Owing to the
inability of the few brethren at Baltimore to sustain their preacher and keep down
Kimniers Bethel.
the ground rent on their bethel, the committee have sold it for $800." This was
in 1852. But for certain reasons the purchaser refused to take the property, and
a second sale was necessary. The Uniontown church, in 1850, after "rejecting
from her communion all those who had so far backslidden as to give no evidence
of acceptance with God," but receiving "a goodly number into fellowship," "num-
bered about eighty." There was a church at Waterloo, and one at Sandy Mount,
Carroll county, organized in October, 18 50, of twelve members, but which in a
short time doubled its membership. At Sigler's appointment, Frederick county, a
church was organized Sept. 28, 1852. One at Aushour's school-house, MiSdletown
Valley, same county, on Sept. 28, 1852. Henry McBride was elected elder, and
George Sigler, deacon. Protracted meetings were held in the vicinity of Emmitts-
burg, Frederick county, Md. In Washington county the cause was advancing
under the energetic labors of the young pastor, A. X. Shoemaker. He had nine
appointments, and added a few new ones, among which was Williamsport, on the
Potomac.
In Pennsylvania this period was one of church-building. At Plainfield, Cum-
berland county, the brethren worshiped in a Union meeting-house, built about
General History 93
1850. The church was organized by Peter Clippinger in 1854. At Liberty Hall,
Wild Cat Valley, Perry county, the church dedicated a new bethel on Nov. 12,
1854. J. Winebrenner and J. F. Weishanipel officiated, the latter preaching in
German in the afternoon. The church in Martic township, Lancaster county, de-
-cided to build a meeting-house in 1850. Martin Huber donated one acre of land
for the purpose. The Building Committee were Martin Huber, Stephen Wiggins,
Samuel Martin, Abraham Mylin, John Albright, Philip Fraiikford, Jonathan Seth-
ultz and John Lighteiser. It was a stone house, and was dedicated Feb. 15, 1851.
The membership of the church numbered "seven or eight." C. Price preached his
first dedicatory sermon on this occasion. In the "new town of Goldsboro," York
'County the church began the building of a bethel in 1851. Green Spring church,
Cumberland county, dedicated their new bethel Nov. 6, 1852. Winebrenner preached
the sermon. The church numbered about forty. On Nov. 28, 1852, "the bethel at
John Soule's, Perry county," was dedicated by J. Winebrenner, who stated that
"the cause is prospering and the churches appear in good spirits." "Having en-
larged and refitted the bethel," the church at Middletown, Dauphin county, held re-
dedicatory services on Feb. 6, 18 53. Winebrenner preached in the morning; E.
H. Thomas, in the afternoon, and Wm. Mooney, in the evening. At Kinimers,
Schuylkill county, they "built a handsome brick meeting-house" in 1852. This
house of worship was built on the corner of George Kimmel's farm, who later be-
queathed his estate to the German Eldership. Special interest attaches to the
building of the bethel at Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, Pa. April 30, 1853, it
^as announced that the church at said place "having lost their meeting-house, have
resolved on building another." The house was not destroyed, nor honestly lost.
But with indomitable courage the church went to work to build a new house,
which Winebrenner pronounced an ornament to the town, and as handsome as any
meeting-house in the East Pennsylvania Eldership. The corner-stone was laid by
-J. C Owens, July 3, 1853, and the "large and handsome new bethel was dedicated
■by J. Winebrenner Dec. 18, 1853." Other ministers who participated in the ser-
vices on Saturday afternoon and evening and during the Sabbath were J. Keller,
E, H. Thomas, J. C. Owens, J. Ross, A. H. Long and Helfenstein, a Re-
formed minister. At Weishampel, in Deep Creek Valley, Schuylkill county, a
church was organized in 1853, composed of twenty-one "charter members." "Steps
were immediately taken to build a house of worship." A stone building was erect-
ed "at a probable cost of between $800 and $1,000." The Shippensburg church,
in Cumberland county, re-fitted and modernized its bethel in the Summer of 1853,
and rededicated it Nov. 6th. The Newburg bethel was built during the same Sum-
mer, located 7 miles from Shippensburg, and was dedicated on Oct. 30, 1853, being
the Sunday of the Eldership held at that place. E. H. Thomas preached the morn-
ing sermon, from Zech. vi. 12, 13. Near Marsh's (or Musk's) school-house, in
York county, under the pastorate of J. H. Hurley, the brethren built a comfortable
meeting-house in the Fall of 1853. They had been worshiping in a school-house
"originally designed for the double purpose of meeting-house and school-house,
and had been so used for thirty years. But by some art and craft it has latterly
fallen into the hands of sectarian directors, and they have unrighteously taken in
hand to exclude Bro. Hurley and the brethren of the Church of God," "informing
us that we had night-storming enough, that we could no longer have the use of the
louse." The new house, also later called "Fairview Bethel," was dedicated June
4, 1854. James Colder preached the sermon. G. W. Coulter preached on Satur-
day evening. D. Maxwell, as Colder said, "the Bishop in charge," "solemnly
dedicated the house."
The most costly and magnificent church enterprise of this period was that of
the Mulberry Street church, Harrisburg, Pa. The inception of this project dates
from about the 1st of February, 1854, as AVinebrenner announced on Feb. 11th,
that "the church of God in this place has concluded to remove their place of wor-
ship from Mulberry street to the corner of Fourth and Walnut streets, there in-
tending to erect a large and commodious house of God, worthy of the capital of
Pennsylvania, and worthy of the Church of God. They bought the plot of ground
extending southward from the corner of Fourth and Walnut to the Alley midway
between Walnut and Market streets for $5,000. The elders, John Young, Jacob
Meily, David Lingle and Isaac St«es "were authorized and empowered to sell so
much of said lot or piece of ground as might not be required for the erection of
a house of worship and a parsonage." This they did, for the sum of $3,200. re-
serving ground for the house of worship on the corner of Fourth street and the
94 History of the Churches of God
Alley, and a parsonage lot adjoining, which thus cost them $1,800. The Union
Bethel on Mulberry street was "sold to the School Directors of the borough of Har-
risburg at and for the sum of $1,800." In this first announcement by Winebren-
ner of this movement to secure a new home for the Harrisburg church he called it
"the Metropolitan Bethel," and adhered to, and advocated, this name until, and
after, the laying of the corner-stone. James Mackey was the pastor, and on June
10th he announced that "the new church edifice, which our brethren intend to erect
in this borough, is now in progress. The size is 55 feet by 70 feet, and it will be
built of brick." The church could not build this house without help from the com-
munity and from the other churches of the Eldership. They had the ground, but
not a dollar more. McFadden and AVinebrenner were active in collecting the
funds, a total of about $10,000 being required. The corner-stone was laid Sept. 10,
1854, Winebrenner delivering the address. Mackey, then one of the Editors of
"The Advocate," as well as pastor of the church, "solicited a copy of his address-
from Winebrenner for publication, which he has kindly furnished." A part of this
address was published Sept. 21, 1854, and in it Winebrenner said: "The house
which we have here commenced. . .we have taken the liberty of calling 'The Metro-
politan Bethel.' " He acknowledged that "this is a name not exactly approved by
all our friends; nevertheless, we think it is happily chosen and quite appropriate."
To this Colder, one of the Editors, appended a Note: "In justice to the brethren
in Harrisburg, we must say, that we have never known one of them to use or ap-
prove of this name for the new bethel." Winebrenner did not furnish the balance
of his address for publication. The bethel was not completed by the time for the
meeting of the Eldership, Oct. 26, 1854, as was anticipated, and so the place was
changed to Mechanicsburg. At said Eldership Colder was appointed Mackey's suc-
cessor at Harrisburg, taking charge April 1, 1855. The work on the bethel was
resumed early in the Spring of 1855, and the house was completed and dedicated
Nov. 4, 18 55, the Eldership having convened in it Nov. 3rd. "AVm. Mooney offici-
ated in the morning; J. C. Owens, in the afternoon, and E. H. Thomas and J. Ross,
in the evening. As late as March 29, 1855, Winebi-enner still called it "Metro-
politan Bethel;" but this name does not appear in connection with the dedication
and Eldership notice. The record in the Journal is: "The East Pennsylvania
Eldership of the Church of God met in the Lecture Room of the Fourth Street
Bethel." This has been its name ever since. The controversy over the name was
the first outward sign of friction between Winebrenner and Colder, which consti-
tuted such an unfortunate episode in the history of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership.
Work was still carried on at Marietta, Lancaster county; Hummelstown,
Dauphin county; Pottsville, Schuylkill county; Colebrook Furnace, Lebanon
county; New Market, York county; Bloomfield Furnace, Huntingdon county; Rox-
bury, Franklin county, near York Haven, York county and various points in Adams
county where no churches were permanently established. In Schuylkill county,
Mahantango Valley, Keller in the Winter of 1850 reported about fifty conversions.
In the Hepler community permanent work was done. Also at Kessler's, Pine
Grove, Port Carbon, Shamokin and Tremont, Ashland and Schuylkill Haven by
1853. In 1852 Keller organized a church at Donaldson, with Abraham Wenitz as
elder, and Jacob Hostter, deacon. The Juniata and Matamoras circuit was stead-
ily enlarged, including from ten to fifteen points, among them Matamoras, Millers-
town, Red Hill (Perry county), Thompsontown, Lykens Valley, Clark's Valley,
Turkey Valley and Wild Cat Valley. In the Winter of 1850-51, A. Snyder, of the
Matamoras and Juniata circuit, organized a church at Millerstown, Perry county,
consisting of nine members; and one at Thompsontown, Juniata county, consisting
of seven members. The Perry county circuit grew by 1854 to have ten appoint-
ments. Work was begun in Reading, by Keller, during 1850. In 1850 J. H.
Hurley succeeded in organizing a church in New Bloomfield, Perry county, the
county seat. In 1852 A. Snyder reported organizing a church at Rebecca Furnace,
Morrison Cove circuit. Churches were also organized as follows: At Red Hill,
Cumberland county, in 1851; one at Corbin school-house, Huntingdon county, in
1852; one at Deer Lick, under A. J. Fenton, in 1852, on the Fulton county circuit;
one at Spruce Hollow, Bedford county, under A. Snyder, pastor; in Dauphin Wine-
brenner preached for a small church organized in 1853 in the Hall of the Sons of
Temperance, J. Haifleigh, pastor; one at Knobsville, Fulton county, in 1853, of
fourteen members. In Altoona, Blair county, church work was begun in the Win-
General History 95
ter of 1852-3, by Wni. Clay. The preaching was in the Baptist meeting-house.
In November, 1854, Winebrenner, Hani and Weishampel held a protracted meet-
ing there. No church was as yet organized, though there were about a dozen
Church families in the town, and Wiiiebi-enner urged organization and the building
of a bethel. A lot was at once "selected for a bethel."
The missionary spirit continued to prevail among the ministers and churches.
There were new and inviting fields East of the Alleghenies, as well as West, and in
the far southwestern State of Texas. Keller, who had much experience in mission
work, in December, 1852, suggested the creation of a new mission in Northumber-
land, Montour and Columbia counties, lying immediately North of Schuylkill and
Dauphin counties. A few points had been taken up in the southern part of North-
umberland county, and Weishampel had visited Columbia county and preached in
different places. It was to be known as the "Susquehanna Valley Mission," and
pledges were at once solicited for the support of the missionary. In 1853 Stees
was appointed "to labor as he can on the Susquehanna Mission." Another propo-
sition for a new mission was made by WilUain Johnson, in January, 1853. This
was to be in Huntingdon county, embracing the territory around Mount Union,
"including Mill Creek, Huntingdon and all the villages east of Tusseys Mountain,
from Shirleysburg to Warrior's Mark." The same year Simon Fleegal, who was
on the Broad Top circuit, opened appointments in McConnell's Cove, and reported
good results. At the Eldership in 185 4 A. J. Fenton and Philip Shaw were ap-
pointed to the "Iowa Mission." In Lancaster City a division occurred in the
Orange Street church, about 1852, and a second church, known as the Chestnut
Street church, was organized, with W. G. Coulter, pastor, followed by A. Snyder in
1853. Both "churches seem to be in a prosperous state," said Winebrenner after
a visit to the second church April 3, 1853. But "a worm smote the gourd that it
withered," and by the beginning of 1854 the Second church "dissolved their con-
nection with the Eldership, by an arbitrary act of their own." Winebrenner sel-
dom was so severe in his denunciations as in this case. He "did not believe them
capable of perpetrating such a folly and shame." The following week he publish-
ed another brief editorial "respecting the disorderly and sinful movement of the
Second church of God at Lancaster." "The church is greatly at fault for rashly
attempting to dissolve their connection with the Eldership and Church of God," and
"recreantly transferring themselves to a sectarian community;" "a criminal move-
ment." The church was taken into fellowship by the United Brethren, who "erred
in manifesting a grasping and proselyting spirit, and by opening their arms and
showing a readiness to receive into their communion such as by their own legisla-
tion they have declared unworthy of Christian fellowship." But the church did
not long survive.
An event of far-reaching significance was the return to the United States of
James Colder, AVinebrenner's son-in-law. He located in Harrisburg, his native
city, where he was born Feb. 16, 1826. He was educated in the schools of Harris-
burg, at the Harrisburg Academy, Partridge's Military Institute, and Wesleyan
University, Middletown, Conn., where he graduated in 1849.
In 1850 he was married to Ellen Winebrenner, who died March 24, 1858. In
September, 1849, he joined the Philadelphia M. E. Conference, and was appointed
to a circuit in Lancaster county, which he served until 1851, when he was ap-
pointed a missionary to China. He reached Fuh-Chau in July, 1851, and labored
there as a missionary until the Spring of 1854, when he returned home, reaching
New York on April 7, 1854. He had changed his views on the ordinances and
Church Polity while in China, and was immersed at Hong Kong, China, November
6, 1853, and severed his connections with the M. E. Church and resigned his ap-
pointment as missionary. He had been a frequent contributor to "The Church Ad-
vocate" while in China. In May, 1854, he was licensed by the Standing Committee
of the East Pennsylvania Eldership. At the Eldership in 1854. he was appointed
to Fourth Street church, Harrisburg, and became its pastor in April, 1855. Mean-
while Winebi-enner had associated him with himself as Assistant Editor. Colder
brought with him from China a youth, Ting Ing-Kau, and a married woman,
Cheung Chio. This youth he proposed to educate for a foreign missionary. For
this purpose he lectured on China in many pulpits of the Eldership, and as far
West as Wooster, Ohio, and received quite an amount of money. The movement
was endorsed by the East Pennsylvania Eldership, and by the General Eldership in
1854, Winebrenner personally endorsed it, saying: "Why should not the Church
of God awake to the subject of Foreign Missions, and take immediate steps to as-
96
History of tiiiv Churches of God
sist in this mighty and glorious work of Christianizing China? She can at any
rate easily afford to educate young Ak-Kaii, as he is familiarly called, and send him
to his country-men as a messenger from the Church of God."
Interest in camp-meetings did not seem to abate during this period. In 1850
eamp-meetings were held as follows: On the Dauphin county circuit, Landisburg
circuit, York county circuit near Newberry; Newburg, Cumberland county; near
Churchtown, same county; Broad Top; at Kimmel's, Schuylkill county, and in
Mahantango Valley, same county. Also one near Uniontown, Md. All these in
the territory of the East Pennsylvania Eldership. In the West Pennsylvania
Eldership territory camp-meetings were held in Brush Valley, Indiana county; in
Irwin township, Venango county, and one in Marshall county, W. Va. In the Ohio
Eldership territory three camp-meetings were held, viz.: Chester township, Wayne
county; Reedsburg, same county, and in Summit county. One was held in De Kalb
county, Indiana. One was held in Barry county, Mich. 'I*he number of conver-
sions reported was one hundred and fifty. The number of tents aggregated from
five to twenty-four.
James Colder.
In 1851 there were twelve camp-meetings held within the territory of the
East Pennsylvania Eldership, as follows: In Carroll county, Md., and in Washing-
ton county, Md.; on the Dauphin county circuit, on Broad Top circuit; near Ship-
pensburg, Cumberland county, and at Newburg, same county; near Churchtown,
same county; near Elizabethtown, Lancaster county; near Mt. Joy, same county;
near Goldsboro, York county; one in Fulton county, and two in Schuylkill county,
one of them at Kimmel's, and one in the Mahantango Valley. In Ohio Eldership
territory the following were held: In Knox county, in Summit county, in Wayne
county, one eight miles north-west of Wooster and one near Smithville; one in
Ashland county and one in Geauga county. The Indiana Eldership held three
camp-meetings, to wit: one near Laketon, Wabash county; one in Whitley county,
and one in Mercer county, Ohio. One was held in Kent county, Mich. The West
Pennsylvania Eldership reported but two camp-meetings. One of them was held
in Indiana county. Pa., and one in Marshall county, W. Va. The brethren in
Johnson county, Iowa, held one near North Bend. The number of conversions re-
ported is one hundred and seventy-three.
In 1852 eighteen camp-meetings were held. Iowa held two, one at North
General History 97
Bend, and one in Benton county. Illinois held one in Pleasant Valley, on the Rock
River mission. Indiana held one. Ohio held one in Wayne and one in Ashland
county. In the West Pennsylvania Eldership territory one was held in Venango
county, Irwin township; one on the Susquehanna River, in Indiana county; one at
Turkey Foot, Somerset county, and one in Marshall county, Va. In the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership territory the following were held: Near Newburg, Cumberland
county; Broad Top circuit, Huntingdon county; Orwigsburg and Mahantango Val-
ley, Schuylkill county; in York county; and one in Washington county and one in
Carroll county, Md., and "The General and Model Camp-meeting" near the Camp
Hill Bethel, Cumberland county. This was an attempt to hold a large camp-meet-
ing, with corresponding results. Camp-meetings in other parts of the Eldership
were discountenanced by the leaders, with but partial success. Winebrenner an-
nounced and encouraged it editorially, and called it "the great gathering of the
people." A day of fasting and prayer was officially fixed for the Tuesday before
the camp opened. There was a general camp-meeting committee,, and seven sub-
ordinate committees. Ten "Rules and Regulations" were published in advance.
President C. G. Finney, Oberlin College, who had world-wide fame as a revivalist,
was invited, but could not come. It was to be "a camp-meeting for the promotion
of piety and the conversion of sinners." It began Aug. 20th and closed Aug.
30th. The general committee had secured one hundred tents from the State
Arsenal. Only fifty were needed. It rained the greater part of the time, yet on
the second Sunday, with a clear sky, it was estimated that 5,000 people were on the
ground. Thirty-four churches were represented. There were forty conversions.
The following ministers were present: Winebrenner, Thomas, Swartz, Keller, Mc-
Fadden, Hurley, Owens, Price, Snyder, Maxwell, Kyle, Hartman, Laveily, S.
Fleegal, Haifleigh, J. J. Miller, Bowser, Stamni, Johnson, Hoover, Rockafellow.
Kister, Mateer, Shoemaker, Ham, Hinney, Morenzo and Weishampel. The total
number of conversions at all the camp-meetings reported was only one hundred
and forty-six. Immediately after the camp-meeting season the question was
mooted, "why so little good is done at camp-meetings and other meetings." There
was a growing tendency to omit the ordinances of Feet-washing and the Com-
munion, but baptism was generally administered to the converts.
In the Summer of 18.53 the following camp-meetings weje held: Near Dodge-
ville, Des Moines county, Iowa. In La Salle and Macon counties. 111. Near Peoria,
Franklin county, and in Miami county, Ind. In Wayne county, Ohio. One each
in Lawrence and Somerset counties, Pennsylvania, and one in Marshall county,
Virginia. In East Pennsylvania, one in Deep Creek Valley and one at Kimmel's,
Schuylkill county; one in Lancaster county. One near Dillsburg, and one near
Andersontown, York county. One in Washington county, Md. One at Stoners-
ville, Bedford county, and one at Nobbsville, 8 miles from McConnellsburg, Fulton
county. One near Landisburg, Perry county. One hundred and fifty-nine conver-
sions were reported. The number of tents ranged from nine to twenty-six. At
the close of these meetings Winebrenner expressed it as his opinion that "the day
is probably past for camp-meetings." The churches were losing interest in them,
so that the Standing Committee of the Ohio Eldership "Resolved, That we very
much urge the propriety of the circuits and churches in waking up to their duty in
sending in their requests for camp-meetings."
There were twenty-five camp-meetings held in 1854, as follows: One each in
Des Moines and Louisa counties, Iowa. In Illinois one was held near Mt. Carroll,
Jo Daviess county, and one in Macon county. One was held in Kosciusko county,
Ind. Ohio held one in Stark county, and one in Tuscarawas county. In the West
Pennsylvania Eldership territory one was held in Marshall county, Va. ; one in Fay-
ette county, one in Venango county, one in Indiana county and one near Black
Lick Furnace. In the East Pennsylvania Eldership territory camp-meetings were
held as follows: One in Washington county, Md., and one in Carroll county, Md.;
while in the State of Pennsylvania the following were held: East York circuit,
West York circuit, Perry county circuit; Franklin county, near Orrstown; on the
Lancaster county circuit, Broad Top circuit, Cumberland county, near Mechanics-
burg; Dauphin circuit, near Linglestown; in Deep Creek Valley and near Orwigs-
burg, Schuylkill county, and one near Fredericksburg, Lebanon county. Compara-
tively few conversions were reported. The camp-meeting held near Mt. Carroll,
111., reported forty conversions, while less than that number were reported at all
the others.
The Churches at this period were permeated with a spirit of controversy.
C. H.— 5
98
History of thk Churches of God
Theological polemics were the delight of some of the strongest men in different
denominations. The slavery question, more and more agitated in Church and
State, contributed to this. The Christian Church was very aggressive under the
erudite and forceful leadership of Alexander Campbell, whose spirit was largely
Imbibed by the ministry of his Church. They kept the subject of baptism promi-
nent in all their ministration; attacked other Churches, and issued repeated chal-
lenges to debate the question. The ministers of the Church of God possessed much
of the same belligerent spirit; but they confined themselves largely to their own
pulpits. Winebrenner was not by nature and training a controversialist. He dis-
cussed all the theological questions of the times, as his favorite phrase was, "pro
and con." But he never had a formal debate with a minister of any denomination.
He generally preserved an attitude in which dignity at times seemed singularly
George U. Harn.
blended with disdain. Not so with Harn, as may be seen in his keen, penetrating
eye and aggressive countenance.
He was a man richly endowed by nature, and of studious habits. He was
fortunately placed for the development of his talents, and he rose steadily to larger
and larger prominence and usefulness. He was ambitious, and was restless as a
caged lion. Fearless, resolute and resourceful as a preacher or antagonist in the
arena of debate, he made a splendid record in the theological marathon. Every-
where he went he kindled the beacon-fire of truth touching the distinctive doctrines
of the Church of God. As Ii-ving says, he was none of those "who stand shaking
in the wind, irresolute which way to steer." There was a bustling, disputatious
tone in his preaching, instead of the drowsy tranquility of pulpits in earlier days.
Harn was a trained controversialist. He had his first public debate when not over
seventeen years of age, on the evils of slavery, in his native State, Maryland, and
in the midst of slavery and slave-holders. He was prepared to talk eight hours.
The episode at Moreland, Ohio, on the tour which he made with Winebrenner in
1850, revealed his character. Out of it grew a challenge from the minister to
i
GiiNEKAL History 99
whom he there replied to debate the subject of baptism. Harn accepted the chal-
lenge. It was a newspaper debate, Mr. Parker, Methodist minister, apparently
preferring this. Winebrenner had charged Parker with teaching that "immersion
is not baptism." Harn made a specialty of this, and in discussing the mode or
action of baptism confronted Parker with the proof of Winebrenner's charge taken
from Parker's published sermons and books. The discussion of the subjects of
baptism followed. The debate between Ham and A. Keller, a Methodist minister,
on the same questions, was held in Irwin township (Barkeyville) , Venango county.
Pa., in 1853. It continued five days. Harn affirmed that "Immersion in water of
a proper subject, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,
is the only apostolic baptism." Keller affirmed that "Infants are scriptural sub-
jects of baptism." It was a memorable debate, not forgotten for a generation.
In 1850 J. H. Hurley and Rev. McDougal had a spirited debate on the subject
of washing the saints' feet. It was held in Perry county, Pa. The same year
Hurley states that he "had a spirited controversy with J. F. Weishainpel on the
validity of lay baptism, he affirming, and I taking the negative. After discussing
it in a friendly manner in "The Church Advocate" for many months, J. F. Weis-
hanipel exhausted his store of arguments, and gave the subject over to Elder G. U.
Ham. After five more months of debate I gave the closing address."
B. Ober, from a natural trend of mind, was disputatious, and this spirit was
fostered and developed by environment. It might, with James Feniniore Cooper,
be said of him what Cooper said of the Indian Chief Mohegan, "That his faults were
those of an Indian, and his virtues those of a man." He was a brave and self-
reliant disputant, having great tenacity of purpose. The Disciples were the domi-
nant element in southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. Ober
often came in contact with them while preaching in and around Wheeling. On the
action of baptism they agreed with the Church of God. But the name of the
Church they repudiated, and often made it a subject of discussion. In 1851 Ober
and Dickey, a Disciple minister, held a public debate on this subject at Proctor,
Wetzel county, W. Va.
In 1850, at Shiremanstown, Cumberland county, Pa., Elder J. Keller had a
five days' debate with A. Owen, of the United Brethren Church, on the Action and
the Subject of Baptism. It was quite fully reported in "The Church Advocate" and
"The Religious Telescope." Keller was a strong antagonist, but not by nature nor
training a controversialist. He was modest and unassuming. He was a tall, well-
proportioned man, with strong features and rather commanding presence. He
had the reputed intellectual honesty of Montaigne, and made a most successful de-
fense of the propositions he affirmed.
Greater divergence of views on theological questions now began to be mani-
fested with increased intellectual development and wider reading on the part of
the ministry of the Church. Winebrenner urged unanimity, but there were fre-
quent discussions of questions on which they did not agree. On the "essentials of
baptism" Winebrenner taught that faith, immersion and a scriptural administra-
tor are "essential to the validity of Christian baptism." Hence, he further de-
fined a scriptural administrator to be one "to whom Christ has given authority,"
a minister duly ordained. This brought up the question of lay baptism, which was
defended by several ministers as justifiable in exceptional cases. They thought
Winebrenner's view came dangerously near the doctrine of Apostolic Succession,
though they accepted it as the rule.
The question relative to the admission of persons into local church fellow-
ship before baptism was of a more serious and practical character. In 1851 AVine-
bi-enner in a lengthy editorial answered a series of questions, leading up to the
final one as to whether it is right and scriptural to receive persons into church fel-
lowship before they have been baptized. While he acknowledged that in the in-
stances referred to in the New Testament the converted persons were first bap-
tized; yet "not before they were in the general church." His conclusion was that
"baptism may be administered either before or after addition to the local church."
To this view exception was taken by several writers, so that Winebrenner was con-
strained to reply in another long editorial on "Terms of Church Membership." He
laid down the proposition that "Baptism is not the door into the church," and in-
sisted that it "has nothing to do with bringing in of a soul or body into the gen-
eral or local church." But this did not settle the question. The opposition in
fact gained ground, and in 185 3 the Ohio Eldership adopted a resolution "instruct-
ing the ministers to teach churches not to admit unbaptized persons into the
loo History of thk Churchks of God
churches." From Ohio ministers and lay members emigrating to Iowa there in-
troduced the same practice. In 18.54 questions on the subject were again ad-
dressed to Winebreniier for editorial answer. He replied by reproducing his edi-
torial of 1851, with some additional proofs of his position. In the same issue
"Sister M. A. A." taught the contrary, but Winebrenner made no further reply.
In subsequent issues of "The Church Advocate" Winebrenner's position was contro-
verted by Henry Fleagle, K. A. Moore and J. E. Ciumliighani, of the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership, and M. F. Suavely, of the Iowa Eldership, where baptism before
church membership was generally insisted upon. A. L. Nye, of Michigan, defended
Winebrenner's views, and Winebrenner himself made brief replies to several of
these contributors.
There was general unanimity on the question of rebaptizing persons who,
having been converted and baptized, fell from grace, and were reclaimed. It was
quite generally answered negatively. Not so in the case of a person to whom
baptism had been administered while in an unregenerated state. Winebrenner
taught that "the baptism of unregenerated persons is invalid, from the fact that it
is nowhere authorized in the New Testament."
A discussion of the subject of ministerial ordination was precipitated in 1850
through the mental illusion of several ministers of denominations who mistook the
shadow for the substance, the form for the real thing. One of these ministers,
says J. H. Hurley, "very politely informed me that we, as a ministry, were not set
apart by the imposition of hands; and if we were thus consecrated we were with-
out the regular succession, and consequently unordained." Hurley does not dis-
cuss the subject, but simply states that this polite remark caused him to doubt the
validity of ordination without the laying on of hands of regularly ordained min-
isters. D. R. Rockafellovv had a similar experience, and though not skeptical, yet
was not prepared to meet the objection. Thus the matter rested from April, 1850,
to May, 1852, when Winebrenner wrote an editorial in answer to A. Swartz, who
had raised several inquiries touching "a time-honored custom to be found marking
the history of the church that by us as a religious body has been practically re-
jected." Winebrenner called the imposition of hands "a ceremony of supereroga-
tion," said that he "fully agreed with the denominations around us in the whole
form of ordination, except that of laying on of hands," and then called "on the
affirmants of this question to show their authority, and they shall be accommodated
with a respondant, and perhaps this mooted and perplexing question may be satis-
factorily settled." He was sustained in very brief articles by several corre-
spondents, but Swartz demanded that Winebrenner prove his position, which in an
editorial in July he declined to do, on the ground that the demand would require
him to prove a negative. But he again flung down the gauntlet, and said: "Who,
then, among the masters in Israel will come forward as the champion of this
time-honored custom? Whoever will undertake the task shall find a respondent."
But while Swartz and a writer under the sobriquet of Apostolic Truth each wrote a
long article, it was little more than fencing for position. Thus the matter rested
until 1854, when a protracted discussion of the question was conducted in "The
Church Advocate." It began by the simple statement by J. G. Cunningham, New
Grenada, Pa., that "we as an individual church have come to the conclusion to
select an elder and deacon, and have them ordained after the Apostles' manner,
by fasting and prayer, then by the laying on of hands." He adds, "We think we
are surely taught this by the Scriptures." Colder demanded proof of this state-
ment, in a foot-note to Cunningham's article. This challenge Harn could not re-
sist, and he replied in a four-column article, taking the affirmative. Meanwhile
the General Eldership Minutes were published, in which there was found the fol-
lowing: "Resolved, That in the opinion of this Eldership persons entering upon
the sacred work of the ministry among us should be solemnly set apart by prayer
and the imposition of hands by one or more of the bishops of the Church of God."
This resolution was not voted on, but it was referred for discussion to the
columns of "The Church Advocate." Swartz began the discussion in a six-column
article, reaching the conclusion "that there is not a precept or example in the
New Testament for us to do that which the resolution contemplates we should do."
Hai-n followed with arguments in favor of the resolution of which he says: "If
these arguments are capable of refutation, I confess I am inadequate to the task."
E. H. Thomas coincided with Harn, and in consecutive articles submitted "the
testimony upon which I rely to prove the doctrine of the resolution." W^inebren-
ner followed Ham, taking, as he did before, the negative side of the resolution.
General History lor
He continued the discussion in a series of nine editorials published at intervals, and
closing in the issue of "The Church Advocate" of January 24, 1856, with these
words: "In no one signle case do we find that the Apostles ordained, or set apart,
men to the ministry by the imposition of hands." But Thomas Jefferson's words
still remained true: "I never saw an instance of one of two disputants convincing
the other by argument."
In October, 1851, the first, but limited, discussion on the "right of female
preaching" was begun by Ellen Stewart, Copley, Ohio. There was neither senti-
ment enough in favor of women preaching, nor interest enough in a discussion
of the subject, to give it more than a short lease of life. William Byrd's thought
was not verified in this case: "So very pliable a thing is frail man, when women
have the bending of him."
Sporadic polemical outbursts can also be found on the questions of church
music, reading sermons, plagiarism, the mourners' bench and church government.
Donations as evidences of good will, and to supplement the small salaries of min-
isters were strongly urged during this period.
Several notable events outside of the Church, which are of abiding interest,
occurred during this period. John Newland Moffit, one of America's greatest
revivalists, died in 1850. The death of Adoniram Jiidson, the senior foreign mis-
sionary in India of the London Missionary Society, died the same year. He was
a native of Maiden, Mass. On the voyage he changed his views regarding bap-
tism. On reaching Calcutta he and his wife were immersed. This led to his
withdrawal from the London Missionary Society, and his subsequent identification
with the Baptist mission work. June 29, 1852, Henry Clay, who "would rather be
right than President," died at Washington. His remarkable intellect, power of
gesture and voice placed him in the front rank of America's greatest statesmen.
October 24, 1852, Daniel Webster ended his marvelous career. Son of a farmer
of moderate circumstances, he gradually rose to such distinction in the councils of
the Nation that his public life became so intimately interwoven with the history
of his country that both have come down to posterity together. The stupendous
work of revising and retranslating the sacred Scriptures by the American Bible
Union was begun in 1852. The ministers, churches and Elderships of the Church
of God took a deep interest in this work. AVinebrenner in 1853 "strongly
favored the new version;" but he recognized the fact that "it will take a long time
to overcome existing prejudices and supplant the use of the present English ver-
sion, imperfect and antiquated as it is."
CHAPTER IX.
1855—1860.
IN studying the history of this period it will be observed that there was one issue
which was soon to overshadow every other question in Church and State.
Metaphorically, as literally in the days of Elijah, who appeared on the stage
of sacred history with startling suddenness as the Melchizedek of his age, might the
servant of some great political prophet have announced that "There ariseth a little
cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand." This cloud continued to enlarge until
it overspread the whole political heavens, and then burst forth with incredible fury
in the great war of the Rebellion. This issue was the old one of human slavery.
It was thought that the United States Constitution, together with that "wise and
patriotic Compromise of 1820," had settled the question, except as a moral issue.
But in 1854 the Missouri Compromise was declared to be inoperative and void, and
the advocates and the opponents of slavery were invited to a trial of strength on
the public domain of the United States. Already the earlier Compromise of 1850
contained a virtual repeal of the Missouri restriction, which had been treated by
both sections of the country as a finality. This act was considered by the vast
majority of the people of the free States to be most perfidious, and intense ex-
citement ensued. The Kansas-Nebraska bill only increased the "frenzy and wrath
of the thousands and tens of thousands in both the old parties, who had never be-
fore taken any part whatever in anti-slavery agitation." The great struggle for
the P/Ossession of Kansas between the anti-slavery and pro-slavery forces continued
102 History of the Churches of God
until 1859. The pro-slavery party aimed to bring both Kansas and Nebraska into
the Union as slave States. Here was the unmistakable beginning of that later
series of events v^rhich led directly to the great Rebellion and the most sanguinary
civil w^ar. No previous anti-slavery excitement bore any comparison with that
which now spread over the North. It was felt that compromises were unavailing
and at an end; "that no compromise could acquire weight or sanction or sacred-
ness, if one which had stood for a generation could be brushed aside by partisan
caprice, or by the demands of sectional necessity." There was no possible con-
cealment of the issue, that nothing remained "but a struggle between the slave
States and the free States, growing more and more intense and more and more
dangerous day by day."
It may be considered a perplexing problem in psychology to determine under
what kind of a moral hallucination or mental illusion, with such social and
political conditions, an anti-slavery Church could decide to send missionaries into
a pro-slavery section of the country. Churches not already divided were rent
asunder by this question, like the New School Presbyterian Church in 1857, which
declared that "American Slavery is a sin, and can not be justified under the gos-
pel." The Church of God would have in like manner experienced a schism had
churches and Elderships existed in the pro-slavery States prior to the War. Events
in Texas are the proof of this. The two missionaries to Texas, B. Ober and E.
Marple, by the Spring of 1856 found everything in readiness for them to emigrate
to Texas. They left Wheeling, W. Va., by steamer on May 5th, and reached Paris,
Lamar county, Texas, June 1st. Lamar county borders on the Red River, the
boundary between Oklahoma and Texas. They found the moral and religious con-
dition of the people extremely low. Lynchings and murders were frequent. Yet
there were many churches and church-going people. Politically the country was
a unit. American slavery was one of the paying and popular institutions. No
anti-slavery sentiments were tolerated. "No liberty of speech, or press, or out-
spoken consciousness antagonistic to that principle" was recognized. The people
were suspicious of strangers. Even to be suspected of anti-slavery sentiments
rendered one insecure. Excitement on the slavery question ran higher than ever
before because of Acts passed by Congress and conditions in Kansas. Even before
the missionaries reached Cunningham's home, upon inquiring the way of a man
at work in his lot they were asked, "Are you those preachers whom the Cunning-
hams are looking for?" Upon receiving an affirmative answer, he remarked that
he "understood that the Church which we represented is an abolition Church, and
that we were sent to stir up the people on that question, and establish an abolition
sentiment Church, and if so you will have a warm time of it." Immediately upon
beginning their work reports of various kinds were soon in circulation, and opposi-
tion at once began. The principal charge against them was that they are
abolitionists, and members of an abolition Church. To sustain this charge "a
number of anti-slavery resolutions passed by the General and annual Elderships,
with extracts of letters from 'The Advocate' were published." But the mission-
aries answered that they "are not abolitionists in the sense of that term as under-
stood; nor yet members of an abolition Church." Violence was threatened them,
and it became necessary to use the press as well as the pulpit to defend them-
selves and explain their position. But in doing so they offended Church senti-
ment in the North, and were in turn assailed by the Editor of "The Advocate," who
also republished the anti-slavery resolutions of the General Eldership and of An-
nual Elderships, thus "encouraging our enemies and confirming their charges."
"Winebrenner endorsed our course," says Mai-ple in his history of The Texas and
Arkansas Eldership in July, 1880, "both by private and printed publications, as
long as he had the use of 'The Advocate,' which, however, was soon closed against
him also," as it had been against Ober and Marple, The Church and its mis-
sionaries in Texas were thus largely placed in at least a neutral position on the
question of slavery. They held their first protracted meeting eight miles west of
Paris, Lamar county, in August, 1856, where the first church of God in Texas was
organized. Marple states that "at this meeting the question with reference to
slave-holders was tested. J. M. Brackeen, of the M. E. Church, a slave-holder, and
a man of noted piety, respectability and infiuence, presented himself for member-
ship, and was received." Several others were also received, one being specially
mentioned as a slave-holder. Soon after this "the church was organized in Hop-
kins and Fannin counties," adjoining Lamar county on the West and South; "and
within twelve months a considerable Church influence was gathered." The oppo-
General, History 103
sition in the North became more general and vehement, so that they became con-
vinced that "our support from the East Pennsylvania Eldership would be discon-
tinued at its next regular meeting, and our names dropped from the Journal of the
West Pennsylvania Eldership, and we would be left here in a flood of persecution,
without either support or license." Then they conceived the "idea of the forma-
tion of the Texas Eldership." At first Marple opposed it, and Ober advocated it.
But Mai'ple yielded, the announcement was published, and the meeting was held
with the church at Liberty, Lamar county, July 31, 18.57. One resolution adopted
which declared that slavery is a religious and political question, and greatly agi-
tated at the present time by both religious and political men North and South, we
think it not expedient for the Church of God to interfere with it." And so they
protested "against the resolution of the General Eldership on the subject of slavery
as a test of church fellowship." Colder, as Editor of "The Chnrch Advocate," re-
plied that "we believe that churches can be established in Texas without receiving
slaveholders. If it can not be done, then there can be no churches of God there, and
the sooner our brethren come out from among such people the better." Yet, good
reports of the work and prospects continued to be sent North. In 1857 A. J.
Cannedy stated that the "Church of God is prospering in Texas." "We have two
small organizations here, one in Hopkins county and one in Lamar, and a fair pros-
pect for several more in adjoining counties." In Titus county Ober had been doing
some preaching, and results were encouraging. The first meeting-house "for the
use of the Church of God in Texas" was built by "the church at Liberty and
vicinity," in 1859.
Different Elderships adopted resolutions condemning the course of the breth-
ren in Texas, both as to the slavery question and the organization of an Eldership.
The General Eldership in 1857 took no action on the work in Texas, nor on the for-
mation of an Eldership, as the session was held prior to the organization of the
Texas Eldership, and application was not made for a Charter. In 1860, however,
the brethren in Texas expected action to be taken on their Eldership. As late as
August of that year they were "anxiously waiting for the proceedings of the Gen-
eral Eldership"; but they frankly stated that "we look for nothing else than to be
rejected, judging from the past treatment we have received from the Church of the
North." But Colder replied that "no application was made by the Texas brethren
for admission into this body." "The Advocate" having been closed against the fur-
ther discussion of the Texas Eldership, Ober and Maiiile, who were "publishing a
county paper at Mount Pleasant," called "The Union," began the publication at
the same place of a religious periodical called "Bible Advocate." Winebrenner
was the chief apologist of the cause pursued by the missionaries in Texas, though
a few others also took up their cause and wrote in their defense. The main points
made in extenuation of the course pursued in Texas were the political practice of
the slavery question, and the earlier practice on the part of some churches of God
in "receiving slave-holders into the church, under certain circumstances." Colder
had questioned the authorship of Ober's reply to one of his editorials, and this
brought forth a stinging answer from AVinebrenner in which he sought to "disabuse
your suspicious mind on the subject, by telling you plainly that said reply is Bro.
Ober's own defense against your austere onslaught upon him, as one of our mis-
sionaries in Texas, through "The Advocate." The personal correspondence between
Colder and Winebrenner was conducted with considerable asperity, as each recog-
nized. But as Winebrenner insisted that "the controversy is not of my own seek-
ing," and that he had been "assailed and insulted by slanderous statements, and
held up to the world in a false and odious attitude"; he avered that he was only
acting in "self-defense and in the performance of a duty which I consider I owe to
myself, to the brethren in the Church, and to the public at large." But Colder in
his capacity as Editor refused to publish any more of AVinebrenner's articles,
though he informed Colder that "the Board of Publication have given me the right
to reply." Winebrenner, therefore, published in a pamphlet of twenty-eight pages
a "Letter on Slavery, with an appendix containing various rejected articles ad-
dressed to Elder James Colder, Editor of 'The Church Advocate.' " The pamphlet
was published in 1858, when already the troubles had begun in the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership which threatened to disrupt the body. The Letter on Slavery was
subsequently published in full in "The Advocate." AVinebi-enner's course in pub-
lishing this pamphlet was disapproved in resolutions adopted by several Elderships.
At the Eldership held at Mechanicsburg in October, 185 4, James Colder re-
ceived as his first appointment Harrisburg station. He took charge April 1, 1855.
I04 History of the Churches of God
Already the speck of a cloud, a portentous sign of the approaching storm, was vis-
ible to the discerning eye. Little rivalries and jealousies, half unconscious in the
minds of the principal actors, were revealed in connection with the Swatara Col-
legiate Institute project, at first favored by Colder under the leadership of Wine-
brenner, and thence abandoned in favor of the Shippensburg Institute; and also
the sharply outlined diversity of opinions as to the Metropolitan Bethel (Fourth
Street), Harrisburg. Yet for two years the agitation in connection with the slavery
question was the only issue which was generally recognized. The graver aspects
of this question in the political relations of the country began to overshadow the
more local and ecclesiastical contentions. By August, 1857, the property of the
Shippensburg Institute, a school established some years before by JX A. L. Laverty
and S. Knisley, with whom G. U. Hani had become associated, came under the con-
trol of a Stock Company, made up of members of the Church, so that on Sept. 3,
1857, Colder stated, that "the transfer of this Institute into the hands of the
Church has so far progressed that we presume it may now be said that we have a
school under our own control." Two-thirds of the trustees being members of the
Church of God, Colder was elected Principal, to enter upon his duties with the
opening of the Fall term, Oct. 14, 1857. Being pastor of Fourth Street Church,
Harrisburg, and Editor of "The Church Advocate," Colder realized that he would
have too much work if to these duties were added those of Principal of Shippens-
burg Institute, which he also felt it his "duty to accept." Sept. 17th he "laid be-
fore the church his resignation as pastor, to take effect on the 1st of October," and
"requested the church to take immediate steps to secure a successor." The church
accepted his resignation, and chose AVni. Mooney, pastor of Shippensburg church,
as his successor. Colder removed from Harrisburg to Shippensburg on Oct. 4th,
and Mooney came to Harrisburg Oct. 11th. Colder also became pastor of the
Shippensburg church. On Sept. 23rd, "on application of the church at Harris-
burg," the Standing Committee "ratified their acceptance of the resignation of
Bro. Colder as their pastor, and also their call of Bro. Mooney as his successor."
At the Eldership in November, 185 7, Colder was appointed to Shippensburg, and
Mooney to Harrisburg. On March 24, 1858, Mrs. Colder died. On May 26, 1858,
Mooney died. These two distressing events determined Colder's resignation of the
Principalship of Shippensburg Institute, though for the time he continued to act
as pastor of the church; but changed his residence to Harrisburg. The dissensions
between AVinebrenner and Colder now developed into a veritable feud, a state of
open enmity, in which the local church and the Eldership became involved. Colder
on May 13th published an editorial, "A Word of Explanation," and another, "The
New Hymn Book," which reflected somewhat on Winebi-enner. To these AVine-
brenner replied, under the caption, "Remarks and Queries to Faultfinders," with a
series of ten incisive questions. Colder published these under the head, "A Com-
munication from Elder J. AA'^inebi'enner," in which, after some caustic introductory
remarks, he took up and answered each question successively, the answers abound-
ing in disagreeably penetrating personalities. On June 24, 1858, upon petition of
sixteen ministers and delegates of the Eldership of 1857, G. U. Harn, Speaker,
issued a call, "that said Eldership will meet and hold a special and extra session,
at Shiremanstown, Cumberland county. Pa., commencing on Tuesday, the 6th day
of July next, at 10 o'clock a. m." When the Eldership met, "certain charges
against Colder. AVinebrenner and McFadden, and against three ruling elders of the
church at Harrisburg, were preferred and read." After considering the first charge
against Colder, and three of the specifications, the whole matter was disposed of
by certain findings, and a reference of the matter "to the disposition of the Stand-
ing Committee for final action, by which they are to abide." It was further re-
solved, that "if the above parties fail to meet the above recommendation, then the
Standing Committee is authorized to proceed and deal with the parties according to
our Constitution." At the extra session Colder was enrolled as pastor at Shippens-
burg, but disclaimed sustaining that relation, as he was acting as pastor at Harris-
burg. As per action of the Eldership, the Standing Committee held three meet-
ings between July 7th and Aug. 16th, but at each one "Bro. Colder failed to sub-
mit his case to the Standing Committee as required by the Eldership." The Com-
mittee decided that it had "no power to appoint Bro. Colder to Harrisburg," and
it "authorized Bro. Flake to preach for the church at Harrisburg until the Elder-
ship." It also declared that it "considered the church at Harrisburg to have com-
plied with the demand of the Eldership in submitting their case to the Standing
Committee." But on Aug. 16th "the church of God at Harrisburg held a meeting
General History , 105
in the bethel for the purpose of considering the recent action of two of the mem-
bers of the Standing Committee." In the resolutions adopted the church approved
of Colder's declining to submit his case to the Committee. It also "declined the
offer of the services of Elder J. Flake, being already well supplied by a pastor." A.
controversial letter, "in reply to certain proceedings in the church at Harrisburg,"
was issued on Aug. 24, 1858, signed by Winebrenner, Chairman, and Thomas, Sec-
retary. To this the elders and deacons made circumstantial reply on Oct. 22nd.
Officially the existing relations remained in statu quo, until the Eldership con-
vened on Nov. 3, 1858. Charges were preferred "against a part of the church at
Harrisburg," and three "charges against James Colder," and were acted upon.
Everything in an official sense seemed to have been adjusted. The great battles
had been fought, and the forces, which were somewhat divided, all seemed to view
the final result with satisfaction. Colder had been appointed to Harrisburg until
the Spring of 1859, and he declared: "We have no inclination to quarrel with
the Eldership, and are willing to acquiesce in the decision of that body wherein it
has made any. The brethren had a difficult and unpleasant task to perform, and
we are willing to suffer some things rather than to protract strife." And the
Standing Committee two months later, in partly reviewing the actions of the Elder-
ship said: "Harmony and concord once more seemed to prevail, and all parties ex-
pressed great satisfaction as to the result. But not everything was settled. Two
elements of future trouble remained. A. X. Shoemaker was appointed to Har-
risburg, and J. Colder to Camp Hill; and "Bro. Colder and Winebi-enner were auth-
orized to submit their personal difficulties for adjustment to the Standing Commit-
tee." This Committee consisted of James Mackey, Jacob Keller and E. H. Thomas.
Said Committee met, transacted its business, and published its report Jan. 6, 1859.
The serious character of the troubles is reflected in the final paragraph of its report:
"We can not close the above exposition and statement we have been compelled to
make of the circumstances, involving as it does more or less the whole-religious con-
nection of the Church to which we belong, without expressing our heartfelt sorrow
of the circumstances which have led to this most unhappy dilemma. The greater
part of half a century in which we have heretofore toiled together successfully for
the prosperity of our Zion, our God has revealed to us no such severe trial of our
faith, nor anything even approaching the deep anguish of soul which, as the people
of God, we are at this time called on to suffer. Nor can any one tell how far into an
unlimited eternity the dreadful results may stretch themselves which have thus be-
fallen us, and gathered in thick, dark clouds around us." On Jan. 3, 1859, Colder
wrote to the Standing Committee: "I feel it is my duty to dissolve my connection
with the East Pennsylvania Eldership. I therefore hereby request you to take
such action as may be necessary to consummate the above purpose." The Com-
mittee, however, did not act on this request. Colder's review of the report of the
Standing Committee clearly indicated his indisposition to abide by the conclusions
reached. The church had also "remonstrated against the appointment which the
Eldership had made for Harrisburg from the first of April next" (1859). It asked
that a change be made by the Committee. On this remonstrance the Committee
did not act, so leaving the appointment stand. In the same issue with the Com-
mittee's Report, the Secretary of the Harrisburg church council published an
action, declaring that the church "will not receive Bro. Shoemaker," and request-
ing "the Committee to make no appointment for next year." At the same meet-
ing the Council also recommended Colder "to withdraw from the East Pennsylvania
Eldership, and we, as officers of the church of God in Harrisburg, pledge ourselves
to stand by and sustain him." By this time it became evident that the spirit of
rebellion had possessed the authorities of, if not the whole, church at Harrisburg,
and that extreme measures were imperative. Accordingly at a meeting of the
Standing Committee held Jan. 18, 1859, Colder was "suspended from the Christian
ministry among us;" the pulpit of the Harrisburg church was declared vacant, and
"Elder John Winebrenner was appointed to the pastorship of the church until the
first of April next." The general charge upon which the suspension of Colder was
based by the Committee was, that he "was repeatedly guilty of insubordination and
contumacious conduct, which can no longer be tolerated." In obedience to the
action of the Committee, on Sabbath morning, Jan. 23rd, Winebrenner proceeded
to the bethel "to claim my rights, and to enter upon the duties of my office." He
had been previously notified by the four elders that "the action of the Committee
will not be acquiesced in by the church; and you are further notified that any effort
on your part to exercise the duties of pastor among us will be resisted." When
io6 HisTOKv ov ruK Churches of God
Winebrenner reached the bethel he, to his "great surprise, found my entrance into
the pulpit intercepted by a quaternion of men on each side thereof; and besides, as
a further preparatory measure to prevent my getting into the pulpit, the Sheriff
and high constable in attendance, to afford them aid and comfort." AVinebrenner
protested; offered to read to them "the power and authority under which" he
acted; but to no avail. He then left the house, and "a portion of the congrega-
tion followed" him. The. sermon which he had intended to preach was based on
Rom. xvi. 17, 18. Theme: "The Power and Duty of the Church Against Offend-
ers." The permeating thought of the sermon is "The doctrine of loyalty and sub-
ordination to all rightful authority in the Church." Shoemaker, having removed
to Harrisburg, on April 1, 1859, addressed a note to the elders of the church, ap-
prising them that he intended "to enter upon my duties as pastor of the church,
and preach in the Fourth Street Bethel on next Sabbath morning and evening."
He was promptly notified that "any attempt on your part to supply the pulpit would
certainly be resisted." And when he went to the bethel and was "about to pro-
ceed into the pulpit; he was met at the steps" and prevented from going further.
Colder and his followers having possession of the bethel and all church property,
the law was the only recourse where redress could be secured. Accordingly, on
April 11, 1859, a Bill in Equity was filed "in the Court of Common Pleas in and
for the County of Dauphin, sitting in Equity in and for said County," by John
Winebrenner, Isaac Stees, Jacob Updegrove, Michael Newman, Heniy Clay, Henry
P. Rodearniel, William Brown, George Yonsling, Michael Forney, John Bi"Ooks, A.
X. Shoemaker and William McFadden, vs. James Colder, John Young, A. W. Barr,
Jacob Miley, Theodore F. lioyer, P. S. Atticks, S. W. Myei-s, G. W. Felix, John
Ferguson, Jonas Rudy and Joshua Jones. Charles C Rawn and B. F. Etter were
Solicitors for Complainants.
While there was considerable disaffection among the churches on three or four
of the fields in the Eldership as a result of these troubles at Harrisburg, there were
no other schisms; and while it produced a degree of lukewarmness, few severed
their church relations. One minister, however, was disciplined for co-operating
with Colder after his suspension, but he remained a faithful member of the Elder-
ship for many years, and died loyal to the cause. Three others withdrew from the
Eldership, one of which was restored later, and another one made tentative over-
tures.
When people were more superstitious than they are now, and had still rem-
nants of the faith of the ancient Greeks and Romans in omens, signs and portents
of calamitous events, what has already passed under review, and controversies, dif-
ficulties and variances following, might seem foreshadowed in the distressing an-
nouncement at the close of the preceding period, and more fully at the opening of
the present period, of the death of M. F. Suavely, North Bend, la., as the result of
a railroad accident, on the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad, near Joliet, 111.,
which occurred to the train on which he and Mrs. Snavely were returning from a
visit to East Pennsylvania. Both he and his wife were "badly scalded," and he
died eleven days thereafter. He was not quite forty-five years of age, and was "an
amiable and affectionate minister of the Church of God, greatly esteemed by all
that became acquainted with him." The only other catastrophe recorded was the
destruction by fire of the meeting-house in Adams county, Ind., Dec. 2, 1859, "be-
lieved to have been set on fire." But there were more or less troubles and conten-
tions, and numerous controversies and debates. A good deal of the acrimonious
belligerency incident to the division in Harrisburg and the Texas Mission disagree-
ment was carried into western Elderships through the dissemination of Winebren-
ner's Pamphlet on Slavery. The anti-slavery feeling was more acute in the Church
in the West than in the East. The Dred Scott decision in 1857, and the bitter
contest between Free Soil and Pro-Slavery emigrants which at the same time were
pouring into Kansas, each determined its adherents should decide the destiny
of that grand Commonwealth, did not tend to put the western religious mind in a
state to consider even the question of the possibility of a slave-holder's regenera-
tion as a test of his fellowship in an anti-slavery Church. This was immediately
followed by a strong and protracted discussion by Harn and others of "Politics, Re-
ligion and Slavery." Harn was as much in his native element in a debate as the
bird in the air. It was his daily diversion. And it was immaterial to him whether
it was theology, religion, or politics. A debate reported in the early months of
185 5, in the "neighborhood of Winfield, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, was between
Ham and J. AVeaver, who ten years later was elected a Bishop of the United Breth-
General History 107
ren Church, who for his Church "performed service with a degree of success and
acceptability not surpassed in its history." Harn affirmed that "Immersion is the
action ordained by Jesus Christ as the one only baptism." Weaver denied. Weaver
affirmed that "Children of believing parents are proper subjects of baptism." Ham
denied. J. W. West wrote: "The whole was a decided victory in favor of gospel
truth, which has since been fully attested."
It was not often that ministers of the Church of God came in contact with
ministers of the Protestant and Methodist Church, as their territory was largely
along and below the southern borders of that of the Church of God. But in Mary-
land and the soutern part of the territory of the West Pennsylvania Eldership fields
somewhat overlapped. It was in this territory that Joseph Glenn, of the West
Pennsylvania Eldership, heard Rev. McCulIoiigh, of the Protestant Methodist
Church, on a sacramental occasion, preach a sermon in which he "alluded to the
humiliation of the Son of God, who condescended to wash his disciples' feet in ac-
cordance with an ancient custom." At the close of the services, as was then not
uncommon, Glenn "challenged the proof of this statement." McCulIough in re-
turn "demanded proof that washing feet is an ordinance in the Christian Church."
Correspondence followed, and a debate was arranged. Neither was considered a
debater, but Glenn was credited with having "discomfited his opponent."
The first public debate by A. Swartz was held at Mt. Joy, Pa., with T. Mont-
gomery, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, beginning July 15, 1856. There were
four propositions debated, to wit: Swartz affirmed "that the immersion in water
of a proper subject, in the name of the Trinity, is the only action of Christian Bap-
tism ordained by Jesus Christ." He also affirmed "that believers are the only sub-
jects of Christian baptism." Montgomery affirmed "that sprinkling or pouring
water on a suitable subject, in the name of the Trinity, is Christian or scriptural
baptism." Also, "that the Scriptures teach that infants should be baptized." The
brethren had complete confidence in Swailz's ability to defend successfully his
propositions. He was an analytical reasoner of exceptional power. He could fol-
low a line of deductive reasoning with equal facility. His arguments were cold
logic, as he was apparently a man of largely undeveloped but nascent sensibilities.
He had, too, that tremendous firmness of purpose never to be trified with in an
opponent. Winebrenner and other ministers of the Church were present and gave
Swartz their moral support, and perhaps more, as Montgomery "charged his op-
ponent with being surrounded with a conclave of his brethren, who were counsel-
ing and sustaining him." Winebrenner said: "The debaters in this contest were
pretty well matched," without any special commendation of Swartz beyond stating
that "believer's baptism by immersion stands sure and safe." He did not approve
of, and delight in, such "public discussions;" but he attended this one "for the pur-
pose of reporting the outlines" for the columns of "The Church Advocate." Per-
haps the best fruits of this debate was that it led Swartz to write his work, "The
Trial of Mr. Pedo-baptist," of which Colder said that it "promises to be not only
very interesting and readable, but also a very valuable help to all who are con-
tending for the right ways of the Lord"; that it is "a storehouse of arguments for
all our preachers and people."
Discussions between the ministers, with an occasional layman and one woman,
also marked this period. It was in some things a transition period. The science
and art of music were being more generally taught. This was somewhat of a
specialty with H. L. and J. B. Soule, both ministers in the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship. They not only taught music, but gave "concerts of sacred music" and "musi-
cal festivals," and strongly urged more scientific singing at church services; but
they favored the introduction of choirs and instrumental music. Colder, Wlne-
bi*enner and other ministers were in sympathy with them, although Winebi*enner
deprecated "the tendency and fashion of the times as calculated to drive congrega-
tional singing from the house of God. Choirs and organs are becoming the order
of the day, and people who attempt to comply with the instructions of Paul are re-
garded rude and unchaste. In fine, the tendency of the day is to elevate the choir
to do all the singing." Even Bishop Mcllvaine, Protestant Episcopal Church, in a
pastoral letter spoke in similar vein. In this controversy, which continued for
several years, Ellen Stewart, of Copley, Ohio, who also was a preacher, though un-
ordained, took a conspicious part, declaring that as under the Levitical dispensation
"their worship was necessarily so much of the outward sort, they could employ
musical instruments; but as our worship is so inward and spiritual, we have serious
io8 History of the Churches of God
doubts whether we can worship acceptably in the use of them." In the churches
this controversy often waxed quite warm and created a great deal of friction and
bad feeling. The change which was impending was a revolution.
Ellen Stewart naturally figured in the revival of another controversy, which
as yet had few to take the aflBrmative — the right of a woman to preach the gospel.
She castigated some Methodist ministers through "The Church Advocate," who had
treated her "with great respect as a private member," but when "under a strong
impression of duty she asked permission to deliver an exhortation to the people,
was repulsed with silent contempt." She argued her side of the question with a
good measure of skill. She had an opponent in Maria E. Brown, but she had less
of the argumentative faculty. As yet there was no disposition apparent among
women to enter the ministry, and no one had been licensed by any .Eldership. But
women in the churches of God freely exercised the right to pray in public.
From 1856 to 1859, under initiative by Ham, who was irrepressible, the ques-
tion of the use of the plural of "Church" in Eldership titles was agitated in print
and on the floors of the different Elderships. It might be- inferred that the Editor
of "The Church Advocate," Winebrenner, was disinclined to open the columns of
the paper for a discussion of the subject, as the Ohio Standing Committee in April,
1857, "urgently requested" him "to permit Bro. G. U. Hai*n to express his views on
the Church title in the columns of the paper." His resolution to use the plural in
the Constitution of the East Pennsylvania Eldership had been adopted in 1853, but
rescinded in 1854. Whether in active opposition or not, Winebi-enner's patient,
silent influence was the one great obstacle which Ham could not conquer. Yet in
no other trial of strength did he so nearly succeed as in this. It must always be
assumed, however strong the temptation to the contrary, that the actions of dis-
putants proceed from pure and honest and upright motives; and so, though ambi-
tion and rivalry might have been strong elements in his character, it is but just to
Harn to credit him rather with having not a particle of respect for the opinions of
any man or body of men, but homage solely for the truth itself as he perceived it.
Strong men were on both sides in all the Elderships. But in this trial of strength
Ham temporarily gained the victory. Colder, in the first volume of the paper
under his control, spoke in the Preface of the "Mission of the Churches of God."
By October, 1859, the West Ohio Eldership, the East Ohio Eldership, the Southern
Illinois and Indiana Eldership, the Iowa Eldership, the Indiana Eldership, the Illi-
nois Eldership and the Michigan Eldership used the plural title. Yet in 1860,
when the Amended Constitution of the General Eldership was under consideration,
and Harn offered his amendment "to use the plural form of the word 'Church,' "■
the "amendment was lost."
From 1856 to 1859 the subject of ordination of ministers, and sometimes of
lay-elders, by the imposition of hands was continued from the previous period. It
was practiced in the local churches in some localities as early as 1831 and 1832,
when they exercised the power to license men to preach the gospel. Winebi-enner
in his "Scriptural View of the Church of God," published in 1829, taught that after
choosing men to fill the office of elder, including the two classes of elders, "there
ought to be a public declaration and recognition of it either with or without
the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." He was never an advocate of the
laying on of hands. "Justice" held that Heb. vi. 12 taught "that baptism and the
laying on of hands are visible ordinances," and that "each of these is declared by
the authority of the Holy Ghost to be a 'principle, or first principle of the doctrine
of Christ.' " His conclusion was that we "are no more at liberty to reject the lay-
ing on of hands than we are to refuse repentance, baptism, the resurrection of the
dead, or the final judgment." The discussion originated' in a resolution of the
General Eldership in 1854, which "referred the discussion of the subject to the
columns of 'The Advocate.' " But the resolution affirmed that "ministers among us
should be solemnly set apart by prayer and the imposition of hands by one or more
of the bishops of the Church of God." In opposition to the doctrine of the resolu-
tion was A. Swai-tz, who unlike Irenteus as being all for peace, was generally ready
for a debate. He could have waited for the advocates of the resolution to main-
tain its teaching, but they were silent. Ham, with a genius for controversy which
was both good-natured and caustic, marshalled his arguments in support of the
resolution; arguments of which he ingenuously said, "If they are capable of re-
futation, I confess I am inadequate to the task." E. H. Thomas, a calm, clear-
headed reasoner, unpretentious, but convincing, so forcibly set forth the affirma-
General History 109
tive side of the question that Swartz concluded "he no doubt feels great security
and hope of success," as "he signifies his position to be invulnerable." Wine-
breimer also entered the arena of debate, and declared that "Bro. Thomas is
mistaken in his corollaries or consequent truths drawn, as he affirms, from
this discussion." And he affirmed, "that our practice is apostolic, and, of course,
in harmony with the New Testament." James Mackey, James Colder and a
few others also participated in this protracted discussion. Only on the ques-
tion of tithing did Winebrenner write at such length as he did on the laying on
of hands, and he felt convinced that "by the strong array of arguments we
have succeeded in showing, not only from the testimony and admissions of eminent
writers on the other side of this question; but by strong and conclusive arguments
drawn directly from Scripture and sound reason, that" our opponents are "evi-
dently in error on this subject."
Somewhat edifying and instructive discussions of three or four other topics
mark this period. Among these was the old question of Christian union, on which
Mackey wrote a series of discriminating articles. The writers of the Church of
God were always indisposed to advocate Church union, insisting that this is not the
union taught in the New Testament.
The order of the ordinances provoked controversy, as it was reversed in prac-
tice in the German Eldership, and to some extent in the Indiana Eldership.
Harn, a persistent advocate of the Bible Union project of a new version of the
Scriptures, started a discussion, in which he had Thomas as an antagonist, of the
translation of ekkleesia. He would reject the word "church," and substitute "con-
gregation" or "assembly."
An animated discussion of "Creeds" occurred, as a few believed a declaration
of what the Church of God believed would be proper and serviceable. Mackey, R.
H. Bolton, H. L. Soule and S. M. Hoover were the principals in this discussion. As
to Creeds, in the more common sense of the term, the avowed advocates were in-
disposed to show their hands. But there were signs of a tendency to be as our
neighbors in that the phrase "our Church" had gained some currency, as also the
prefix "Rev.," and the designation of the Church as a "denomination." It was also
charged that a leaning toward "independency" which might threaten disintegration
was fostered in various quarters. Ohio seemed to be the best soil at this time for
such a growth, when it was charged by the leaders that there is "a prevalent
opinion that the churches have a right to reject whom they please, and make their
selection of any man from any field of labor."
Dependence for church upbuilding and enlargement up to this time was almost
exclusively on revivals and camp-meetings. They considered these two methods
of soul-saving closely connected. They were mutual outgrowths of each other, and
as the latter became less fruitful in conversions, they were discontinued. It was
still customary in many churches to have a day of fasting and prayer preceding a
"revival meeting." For they were so accustomed to see sinners converted at their
protracted meetings, which with them was a "revival," that they called them so in
anticipation. But during 18.55 and 1856 the revivals were not so numerous, and
generally also fewer conversions. There were a few rather extraordinary excep-
tions, like that at Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, Pa., where up to Feb. 21, 1856, "over
one hundred had already professed conversion." It was not uncommon for reports
to end much in the way Winebrenner ended his brief reference to the revival at
Harrisburg: "From eight to twelve are nightly out at the altar; but not half as
many converts as we should like to see." At some smaller and newer points pro-
portionately better results were witnessed. In 1857 the country experienced one
of the most general and disastrous financial panics in its history. It was recog-
nized as a "crisis," and in many pulpits became a theme for sermons. It was pre-
sented as "a season of peculiar distress," and as a divine visitation as "a conse-
quence of the sins of the people." Fasting and repentance were strongly urged.
Whatever the philosophic relation of such events to the kingdom of grace, they are
quite frequently followed, or accompanied with increased religious fervor. And
so in this instance, more revivals were reported in the latter part of 185 7 and the
beginning of 1858 than for several preceding years. From all over the territory of
the different Elderships came the same enthusiastic reports of meetings of unusual
interest and results. Writing on the prevalence and power of these meetings on
March 18, 1858, the Editor of "The Church Advocate," James Colder, said: "There
is at present in progress in our country a revival of religion so extensive and glori-
ous that it well deserves the name Great. Making its appearance in New York
no History of the Churches of Gou
City, it has spread to hundreds of churches in other places, until now it is accomp-
lishing its heavenly mission in about twenty-three States of the Union. So ex-
tensive has been the revival that it has been estimated that in one of the weeks
recently passed fifty thousand persons professed to be converted." And reviewing
this period on Jan. 26, 1860, the new Editor, E. H. Thomas, said: "The years
1857-58 will long be remembered, especially in the large cities of our own country,
as seasons of great outpourings of the Spirit of God, under the influence of which
tens of thousands were brought under the converting power of divine grace." But
this marvelous "refreshing from the presence of the Lord" was followed in 1859'
by "a great drought in revival news."
In 185 5 camp-meetings seemed to languish; interest waned; criticism de-
veloped; ministers and even Standing Committees urged churches in the matter,
and the indisposition to tent reduced the number of tenters to a minimum in some
places. Yet there were eighteen camp-meetings held this year, to wit: In Iowa,
two; in Illinois, two; in Indiana, two; in Ohio, five; in East Pennsylvania, six, and
in Maryland, one. The results were discouraging, as less than one hundred con-
versions were witnessed.
In 1856, with the approach of the camp-meeting season, J. F. Weishampel, Jr.,
under the Department Head in "The Advocate" of "Baltimore Editorial Depart-
ment," conducted by him, published a two-column article "Against Camp-meet-
ings." His objections, however, were mainly against such gatherings near large
towns, because "the evil committed overbalances the good that accrues." But the
churches were not ready to accept this view, and hence vigorous replies to Weis-
hampel's article by G. W. Wilson, of Ohio; and by "Augustus," were at once pub-
lished. That the churches endorsed these sentiments is evidenced by the fact that
twenty-four camp-meetings were held in 1856, distributed very much as in 1855.
The results in the way of conversions were much more meager than In 1855.
Iowa in 1856 had increased the number of its camp-meetings to three. In
1857 an effort was made by the Standing Committee to increase the number; but
instead only two were asked for, and so the Committee "earnestly urged the breth-
ren and sisters of the churches of God in Iowa to take an interest in the camp-
meeting enterprise." When the Ohio Standing Committee met to arrange for the
camp-meetings for 185 7 there "had been no applications." Ministers, however,
took the matter up, and as a result, five camp-meetings were arranged for. East
Pennsylvania and Maryland held fifteen; Iowa, two; Illinois, two; Indiana, one,
and West Pennsylvania, one, making a total of twenty-six . The reported number
of conversions was over one hundred, though not quite half the meetings were re-
ported in "The Church Advocate."
In 1858 the number of camp-meetings was reduced to fourteen, of which four
were in the East Pennsylvania Eldership, two in West Pennsylvania, four in Ohio,
one in Indiana, one in Illinois and two in Iowa. At some of these meetings there
were no conversions. At others "several" were reported. "Not much in the way
of conversions," reported another pastor. Eighty-five is the total reported.
The total number of camp-meetings in 1859 was twenty, the increase being in
East and West Pennsylvania Elderships. But fifty-six conversions were definitely
reported, while other pastors reported "a few," "some," "small number," "not
numerous," "fruits not so much as we could have wished."
But while results of camp-meetings were far below expectations, work through
other means made gratifying progress. The first steps were taken to extend the
territory West of the Missouri river. As early as 1847 H. Roop, of the Ohio Elder-
ship, had removed to Missouri; but he remained only a short time. The section of
the State eastward of the Missouri river and bordering on Iowa was the earliest to
attract Church of God emigrants. In Clark county, in 185 5, Henry Sherick and
family located, and called for preaching. In 1857 George Thomas and family and
Samuel Thomas and family, of Bedford county. Pa., removed to Greene county,
Mo., in the southwestern part of the State. They Invited ministers to visit them.
In 1859 other families from Blair county. Pa., emigrated to the same section of the
State. But up to this date no regular Church work was done in the State.
A mission was started in Nebraska in 1857. On Feb. 20th Winebrenner an-
nounced that it was the intention of the Board of Missions of East Pennsylvania
Eldership to send a missionary to Nebraska and one to Kansas in the Spring, "if we
can raise the funds." The inception of this project should be attributed to a "B.
B " (Dr. Becker), who on Dec. 16, 1856, reported from Wyoming City, "a
new town situated in Nebraska Territory, at the mouth of Weeping-Water river.
Genejrai, History
III
surveyed and platted in September, 1S56," that "one lot will be given to the
Church of God for a meeting-house and parsonage, and a piece of ground for a
cemetery." On March 4, 1857, the Board of Missions appointed I. E. Beyer, of
Mt. Joy, and "former missionary to Illinois," to Wyoming City, Neb. Ter., "prom-
ising to sustain him to the extent named in his letter to the Board." He spent
nearly tvv^o months canvassing for funds, and then, on April 24th, he left for his
mission via the P. R. R. to Pittsburg, and thence by boat dov^^n the Ohio river to
St. Louis, and up the Missouri to his destination, which he reached May 25th.
Otoe county. Neb., in which Wyoming City was located, is on the Missouri river, the
third county North of Kansas. June 8th Beyer reported that Dr. Becker "has ar-
rived, and is going to make good his promise." Accordingly, Beyer selected "in
block 33, lots 5 and 6, donated by the town company. . . .secured by obligation, and
deeded to us when built upon." By October 27th there was quite a change in the
outlook, when "times are dull, banks are closed, money scarce, and not much to
do in any way." The projector of this mission enterprise. Dr. Becker, had "gone
East, and it is not likely that he will return again. He did not give me any lots at
all." The Board failed to secure funds beyond the $160 in hand when Beyer left
Pennsylvania, and so he concluded to leave the mission, and on October 29th
started for Illinois, holding protracted meetings during the Winter in Iowa. In a
letter dated December 9, 185 8, "To whom it may Concern," he says: "Nebraska
Mission. That is an entire failure." His advice is: "Abolish the Board of Mis-
sions." Meanwhile the Illinois Eldership had passed "a vote of censure" on Beyer,
"for leaving the Nebraska Mission."
I. E. Beyer, a native of Lancaster county, Pa., was licensed originally by the
East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1852. He had been attending the Shippensburg
Institute, taking a short course preparatory to
entering the ministry. While there he contributed
his first article to "The Advocate" on "Christ our
Example." In the Spring of 1853 he went to Illinois
to enter the field as a missionary. Of too limited
means to pay his fare, brethren at Mt. Joy, Eliza-
bethtown and Orrstown gave him some assistance;
but this he had to supplement on the way by stop-
ping off at several points to earn money to reach his
destination. By the last of May, 1853, he had
reached the eastern part of his work, and met
Sandee, with whom he held his first meeting in the
neighborhood of G. Schrell's. By June 2 0th he was
at Decatur, where he made his headquarters. His
mission field extended to Jacob Bear's, three miles
from Decatur; another point four miles north-west
from Decatur; one six miles north-east and the
other six miles due South. In September, 1853, he
urged young men from the East to come to Illinois
and enter that inviting field of mission labors. Sup-
port to some extent was guaranteed by brethren
agreeing to pay six per cent, for five years on
amounts varying from $25.00 upward. He engaged
in more general missionary work in 1854, his tours
taking him through Moultrie, Coles, Cumberland,
Jasper, Crawford and Cook counties, Illinois, and Vigo and Parks counties, In-
diana. Later in the year he also extended his labors into Christian, Sangamon,
Morgan, Scott and Pike counties. In 1857 he was back in Pennsylvania, and
agreed to go as the first missionary to Nebraska. A town was laid out in the
south-eastern corner of the State, and lots offered free tor a church and parsonage.
The East Pennsylvania Eldership sent him there to open a mission. This proved
a failure, and Beyer came eastward into Iowa, and later to Illinois. He was a
good preacher of the gospel; was self-sacrificing and faithful, and was honored
by the Illinois Eldership by elections to different official positions, among them
Speaker and delegate to the General Eldership.
Iowa received two accessions to its ministerial ranks in 1855. At the East
Pennsylvania Eldership the previous year P. Shaw and A. J. Fenten were ap-
pointed to the "Iowa Mission," and on January 11, 1855, it was published they will
leave for their field "next Spring." Already on January 1, 1855, the Iowa Stand-
I. E. Beyer.
112 History of thk Ciil'rches of God
ing Committee had appointed Fenton on "the Northern circuit," North of North
Bend, and Shaw to the territory "extending South of North Bend," Johnson county.
They left Harrisburg March 25th, and reached their destination April 15th, so that
by April 26th Shaw wrote that he is on his field, and "nearly around my circuit."
In Cedar county, bordering on Johnson county on the East, an emigrant from
West Newton, Pa., called for preaching, saying, "our house is open for ministers to
preach in." Later a "revival of religion and the organization of a church of thirty
members" was reported from said county. At Pleasant Valley, Johnson county, a
revival was enjoyed under Lininger, in 185 5, and a church formed. Scott county,
second county east of Johnson, on the Mississippi, had received some emigrants
from Cumberland county. Pa., as early as 1850, and these were visited by Hawk,
and Fenton and Gill preached there in 1855, doing good work. Buchanan county,
north-west of Johnson, also enjoyed a revival, and a church was organized at Pine
Creek. It was in this county, at Pleasant Prairie, two and one-half miles East of
Independence, that the second bethel in the State was built, and was dedicated
December 9, 1855, A. 3Iegrew, J. Lininger -and D. Gill officiating. In Louisa, Des
Moines and other counties the work was advancing, the churches in various places
being strengthened by additions of families from the East. The church at Har-
mony, Des Moines county, built a meeting-house in 1859.
In October, 1855, AVinebrenner wrote this prophecy: "In less than one gen-
eration from this time the States of Illinois and Iowa will embody the great central
strength of the Church of God." The progress made in Illinois from 1855 to 1859
indicated the verification of this prediction. In 1855 what was called the Win-
chester Mission, Scott county, was assigned to George Sandoe; but because of ill-
health he resigned, and I. E. Boyer was appointed. Scott county is the second
•county East of the Mississippi river, where several families of the Church had
located. At Lamot Creek, Crawford county, on the Indiana State line, Boyer and
Rupi> organized a church of ten members February 11, 185 5. April 22, 1855,
Kyle and Sandoe "succeeded in organizing a church of God in Brother Ephraim
Bear's neighborhood," near Decatur, Macon county. This is probably identical
with "Brother Rife's neighborhood," where "the brethren built a very fine bethel"
in 1857, which was to be dedicated "the last Sabbath in January," 1858; "but for
certain reasons the dedicatory sermon was not preached until September 19, 1858."
This was the first house of worship built in Illinois by the Church of God. It has
since been known as the Boiling Spring church. From the date of the building
of this bethel to 18 86, one bethel a year, on an average, was built in Illinois. Con-
siderable success attended the labors of D. S. Byers and D. AVertz in Joe Daviess,
Carroll and Bureau counties, in the northern part of the State, during 1855. A
church was organized at Rush Creek, Joe Daviess county. "Mt. Carroll Mission is
enlarging her borders." After a successful revival at Troy Grove, La Salle county,
increasing the church to thirty-six, arrangements were made in 1856 to build a
parsonage. Here, in 185 8, Kyle, the pastor, J. H. Hurley, Klein, Cain and Reed
held a meeting in "a mammoth tent put up for the accommodation of the people,"
which "was attended with a mighty outpouring of the people from all quarters,"
coming "from a distance of from thirty to forty miles." In Livingston county,
adjoining La Salle on the south-east, Andrew AVagoner organized "a church of a
few members" in May, 1856, nine miles north-east of Pontiac. In August, 1857,
D. S. Byers and D. Kyle held a "protracted meeting in Pontiac" and organized a
church of six members. A church of six members was also laboring with some
success at Ottawa, La Salle county, in 1857. A new mission field was formed
in 1856, to which Rudolph White was appointed, called "Monmouth Mission," con-
sisting of Warren, McDonough and Fulton counties, near the Mississippi. In De-
cember, 1857, a church was organized at Homer, Champaign county, composed of
five members. A. J. Fenton, in April, 1857, organized the church of "about a
dozen," in Decatur, Macon county, but they had "no house of worship;" but "the
brethren think of building next Summer." And this dozen consecrated members
had tenacity of purpose, and on September 9, 1858, published the dedication of
"the new bethel built by the church of God in the city of Decatur," which then had
a population of 9,000. The dedication services were held October 17, 1858. The
preaching services up to this time had been mainly held in the Disciple house of
worship. A church of twenty-two members, all heads of families, was organized
by D. S. Byei-s at Eight Mile Grove, Henry county, toward Spring, in 1859.
The Michigan Eldership seemed to be in a hibernal sleep during this period,
until in September, 1859, when it held its sixth annual session, having adjourned
General History 113
the fifth of October, 1853. Its territory was partly cultivated by ministers of the
Indiana Eldership, as A. R. Slyt<»r, the most active missionary in Michigan had
again united with the Indiana Eldership, and was appointed to the Thornapple
circuit. J. B. White, who called himself "a young preacher," was licensed by the
Ohio Eldership in 1853, and lived in Genessee county, Mich., the fourth county
north of the Ohio line. In 1855 he reported the church at Flushing, his home,
"much discouraged because they have not more preaching." "Our trials and per-
secutions are almost more than we can endure." But the light soon broke through
the lowering clouds, for in 185 6, in the month of .June, he had a successful meeting
in Montrose township, Genessee county, and organized a church of twelve mem-
bers. Two brothers, Moses and Ezekiel Kelly, also licensed by the Ohio Eldership,
in 1855, removed to Hillsdale county, Mich., bordering on Ohio. This was a new
locality for Church work, but this same year they had a revival, and organized a
church of twenty members in Allen Township. Success also crowned their labors
near Jonesville, same county, and a church was organized. In the Indiana Elder-
ship, through the energetic labors of T. Hickernell, D. Keplinger, David Neidig, F.
Konip, A. Ij. Nye and others quite cheering progress was made. At least twenty-
four new churches were formed, and conversions aggregating not less than from
one hundred to two hundred and thirty souls were reported by the pastors. A few
houses of worship were erected, but as yet a majority of the churches held their
services in school-houses. The territory traveled over by the ministers and mis-
sionaries of the Eldership extended into not less than sixteen counties of the State,
and several counties in Ohio. They reached La Porte county, in the north-western
part of the State; a group of ten counties in the north-eastern part of the State;
established a few churches in Wayne and Henry counties, in the south-east, and
reached within eight miles of Terre Haute, Vigo county, and organized a church
there, and crossed Clay, south-eastward, into Greene county, both counties lying
in the south-western part of the State. This territory in the south-west was so far
removed from the work in the north-eastern section of the State that late in this
period a new Eldership was projected.
In Ohio it is only needful to go over the list of counties, of not less than
twenty-eight, in which the most of the successful Church extension work was done
between 1855 and 1860, to be impressed with the fact that the center of Church
population in the State was rapidly moving westward. In the south-eastern corner
were Athens and Meigs counties, and adjoining Beaver county, Pa., west of Pitts-
burg, was Columbiana county, measurably neglected between the two Elderships,
and the work was slowly dying. Around Wayne county, the original Ohio mission
field, were the older circuits in Stark, Tuscarawas, Holmes, Summit, Coshockton
and Knox counties. From here the work spread westward and northward across
the center line North and South of the State, into Richland, Crawford, Wyandot,
Marion, Logan, Hancock, Seneca, Wood, Auglaize and Shelby counties, until
reaching the Indiana State line, Williams in the extreme north-west corner, and
Defiance, Paulding, Van Wert, Mercer, Darke and Preble, every county in succes-
sion on the Indiana line except the two most southern counties, had more or less
preaching by Church of God ministers. Belmont county in the south-east was
occupied by the West Pennsylvania Eldership. It was but reasonable under these
conditions that the Ohio Eldership should desire a division of its rapidly expanding
territory, and have two Elderships organized, and also have the State line between
Ohio and Indiana made the boundary on the West. The initial steps were taken
in 1855, and the division was harmoniously accomplished in 1857, after favorable
action by the General Eldership. This new Eldership led the way in requiring
ministers to go to their new fields in the Fall. During the five years from October,
1854, to October, 1859, there were notable accessions to the ministry of the Church
in Ohio. Ham went to Wooster, under appointment by the East Pennsylvania
Eldership made in October, 1855, under whose labors the church realized that "a
murky atmosphere does not quench the stars." With their new bethel, which had
been dedicated August 5, 1855, and a man of Ham's personality, they received
new inspiration. In the Spring of 1859 Ham was elected "Mayor of Wooster
City." Also L. B. Hartinan, a young man of some culture, who became a leader
among them; M. Beck, a Boanerges, and his brother, B. F. Beck, a man of great
natural refinement and conscientiousness, the first minister of the Church to re-
verse the order by going to East Pennsylvania, in 1858. to make it his permanent
home; W. H. Oliver, a hard-working revivalist; R. H. Bolton, evangelist, mission-
ary and collector on a more extensive scale than any other minister of the Church;
C. H.— 5*
114 History of the: Churches of God
J. W. Aukemian, a man who always spoke with the conviction of one who has
given sufficient thought to his subject to know that he is speaking the truth; W. P.
Small, mild, firm, and who would convince men by the simple truth rather than
discursive reasoning, and James George and James Wilson, each, with James, the
Lord's brother, "a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ." Altogether the
ministry in Ohio was a strong force at this time, going everywhere preaching the
word as the power of God to save, redeem, elevate and ennoble men. They knew
nothing of any other means or measures to reform and improve society, and
would scorn the more recent systems of eugenics as co-operative agencies with the
gospel in the moral and religious regeneration of the race. While the work ac-
complished is but partially on record, it is known that churches were formed at a
number of places, several in Hancock county, and others in Seneca, Williams, De-
fiance, Paulding, Stark, Wyandot and Crawford counties. At least a dozen new
houses of worship were dedicated, besides the one at Wooster. Among these was
one at Blanchard Road, six miles below Findlay; one in Venice township, Seneca
county; one five miles West of Shelby, Crawford county. Some of the circuits had
grown very large, as the Attica circuit, which in 185 8 had fourteen appointments.
Two regular missions were established, in addition to the extension of fields
already occupied. In answer to an application by E. Logue, in 1855, "a mission
was given him in Stark and Tuscarawas counties, to be called the Canton Mission."
Canton is one of the four points named. Another one was known as the Akron
Mission, in Summit county, which had ten appointments in 1856, and "the pros-
pects as far as I can judge at present are flattering," said the pastor, M. Beck.
Progress in the West Pennsylvania Eldership during this period was limited.
While there were revivals and accessions on nearly all the old fields, only a few
newly organized churches are reported. The work in Virginia "had gone down,"
and the Marshall county circuit "was broken down." One church was reduced from
seventy to six members, "after we had used the old Jerusalem broom," as the pas-
tor described the process. But revivals were enjoyed at nearly all points in that
section, and in Greene county. Pa., and Belmont county, Ohio. The latter be-
longed to the Wheeling Mission, and at Harrisville a small organization was pre-
pared for by giving the hand of fellowship to some converts. At Pleasant Grove,
three miles nearer Wheeling, a church of seven members was formed in 1855.
On Wheeling Creek, Greene county. Pa., a church numbering seven was formed
the same year. Another at Bowmian's, in 1857, composed of nineteen members.
One in Marshall county, W. Va., with a small membership. In Somerset county
fair progress was made. A meeting-house was built in 1855 in Upper Turkey
Foot Valley. In 1858 J. A. Plowman went into the town of Somerset, county town
of Somerset county, and held a meeting in the Town Hall, and succeeded in or-
ganizing a church of twelve members. Armstrong county called for preaching,
but West Pennsylvania lacked men. In 185 8 J. M. Domer and A. C. Raysor were
in McKean county, on the New York State line, and organized a church at Brad-
ford. The first movement for the opening of a mission in Clearfield county, then
part of the West Pennsylvania Eldership territory, was in 185 6. Clearfield lies
across the summit of the Alleghenies, adjoining Cambria county on the North,
and Jefferson and Indiana counties on the East, in which work was being done by
ministers of the West Pennsylvania Eldership. But the way was opened for East
Pennsylvania to take the initiative by the removal from Lisburn to Clearfield of
the family of J. H. Jones, at whose father's home at Lisburn Winebrenner, thirty
years before, was often entertained. The Standing Committee in 185 6 appointed
J. F. Wieshampel to visit Clearfield. He did so, and opened the work, establish-
ing twenty preaching places in school-houses within a radius of ten miles of the
town of Clearfield. It is but about twenty-five miles from Clearfield, the county-
town, to Cherry Tree, Cambria county, where there was an organized church. But
West Pennsylvania had "no suitable man to send to Clearfield, and so the work
was suspended for the time."
The work in the Virginia section of the East Pennsylvania territory was
greatly neglected at this time. It was mainly limited to Berkeley county, but no
permanent results followed. Four and five appointments were kept up part of
the time by the missionary, when one was on the field.
Favorable indications attended the work in Maryland, in the counties of
Washington, Frederick and Carroll, and in Baltimore City. Revivals attended the
labors of George Sigler, H. L. Soule, T. Bean and other faithful ministers. Near
Brownsville, Washington county, September 16, 1855, a church was organized by
General History 115
Sigler, which by October numbered twenty. At Carrollton, in 1857, Jacob
Wickert donated a lot to the church on which to build a bethel. The church, in
October, resolved to erect a meeting-house on it. Work was resumed in Baltimore,
by "our German brother," J. M. Busch, in 1855. They had no regular place of
worship, the most serious drawback, he says. He preached at the Alms-house,
and observed the three ordinances. As yet he had no license, but in the Fall of
this year he received license from the German Eldership. In 1856 a church was
organized, and they were encouraged to believe they "will increase very rapidly."
One of the members and leaders, Presley T. Davis, applied through AVinebrenner
for membership in the Bast Pennsylvania Eldership. Another organization,
known as the "Union Church of God," also existed in the City, and in 1859 ex-
pressed a desire to unite with the church Busch had organized. Winebrenner
visited Baltimore this year, in May, and preached in German in the morning in the
Otterbein United Brethren church, and "in Old Town for the 'Union Church of
God' in the evening."
Within the State, the East Pennsylvania Eldership was devoting its energies
quite largely to the substantial, permanent work of the churches. The building
and auspicious dedication of Fourth Street Bethel, Harrisburg, gave added im-
pulse to better the material environments of churches and pastors. More than a
score of good meeting-houses were built in this semi-decade, and the wisdom,
comfort and economy of having parsonages became more evident. The term
"bethel" to designate houses of worship in various ways commended itself to the
churches. But as from its use to designate the building it was transferred to the
organization, a tendency originated to reverse this order, and call the house as
well as the church "the church of God." In commenting on a notice of the
dedication of the Fourth Street Bethel by the Harrisburg "Patriot," Winebrenner
strongly disapproved of this practice. The "Patriot" said: "Last Sunday a week
the new Church of God, on Fourth street, was dedicated with imposing cere-
monies." Winebi-enner said: "The notice here quoted requires a slight cor-
rection to make it right. Instead of saying 'the new Church of God,' they should
have said the new Bethel (or Metropolitan Bethel) of the Church of God was
dedicated." In some sections, as in Adams, Juniata, Lehigh and Berks counties
the work was somewhat neglected, and was measurably declining. In others new
churches were organized and general and healthy growth revealed. While the
church on Broad Top mountain become extinct by removals, and their bethel fell
into ruins, at the other end of the circuit as it then was, Simon Fleegal, in January
1855, reported the organization of a church at Fort Littleton, numbering twenty-
six. In July, 1855, "a gracious revival broke out in the little village of Worm-
leysburg, on the opposite side of the river from Harrisburg." Up to a few months
prior to this "no organized church" was there. There was "an old, dilapidated
building there, belonging to the Methodists, and which a society of that denomina-
tion had formerly used." In this building McFadden preached, and later in the
school-house. At the Eldership in the Fall McFadden reported "the organization
of a church" at Wormleysburg. In York county J. Machlin organized a church
at Cross Roads appointment, in 185 6, and one at Maytown school-house. William
Krieger in January, 1855, organized a church "about four miles from Shellsburg,
in a school-house, at the foot of the Allegheny Mountains. J. M. Hebler in the
Summer of this year began regular preaching in Pottsville, county-town of Schuyl-
kill county, in a school-house rented for the purpose, and "there are prospects of
soon raising a church of God in this place." There was regular preaching at
many points, and protracted meetings held, at which no organizations of churches
were reported. This was the case at Mt. Pleasant and at Mountville, Lancaster
county; at Cumberland Furnaces and Milltown, seven miles South of Newville,
Cumberland county; Thompsontown, Juniata county; Forney's school-house,
Dauphin county; Deer Lick, on the "Broad Top circuit," and very many other
points. Some of these points had a sufficient membership to have ordinance meet-
ings. At Mt. Nebo, Lebanon county. Dr. George Ross bought the right to preach
in a union meeting-house. The "Matamoras and Juniata circuit" in 1858 had ten
appointments. As on many other circuits, a majority of these were in school-
houses, and had not the local strength to become permanent.
One of these school-house appointments in 1855, which grew into a strong,
permanent church, was located at the "Forks of the Creek," or confluence of the
Sidling Hill and Little Aukwick, Huntingdon county, later called Walnut Grove.
ii6 History of the Churches of God
Here a bethel was built in 185 5, dedicated by A. X. Shoemaker. Simon Fleegal
was the pastor, who "with his own hands laid part of the foundation." At New
Kingston, Cumberland county, the church in April, 185 5, decided to build a meet-
ing-house; completed it during the Summer, and held the dedicatory services No-
vember 30th. J. C. Oivens was pastor, and W'inebrenner preached the Sabbath
morning sermon. The Adventists had an interest in this house, and J. Litch, one
of their prominent ministers, officiated on Saturday and Sunday evenings. At
Doubling Gap, same county, the brethren, under the supervision of a Building
Committee composed of Peter Baker, Leonard Weast and Heni-j' Snyder, began in
May, 1855, to collect "funds for the building of a meeting-house for the use of the
church of God" at that place. As appointee by the German Eldership, J. F.
Weishanipel, in April, 18 55, went to Reading, Berks county, as a missionary. He
"rented a large store-room on the corner of Eighth and Walnut streets which he
fitted up so as to accommodate over a hundred people." This was "dedicated to
the worship of God on Sabbath, May 13th. Winebrenner preached the dedicatory
sermon in German, from Ezekiel xliii. 10, 11. In the afternoon Weishampel
preached a German sermon, and in the evening AVinebrenner preached an English
sermon. In Schuylkill county, during the Summer of 1855, two houses of wor-
ship were built, one in Mahantango Valley and one in Deep Creek Valley, about
three miles apart. These were dedicated late in the year, on successive Sundays,
by AVinebrenner and Keller, The latter is located in Weishampeltown, and the
former on the land of Brother George Hepler." Two houses of worship were built
In this county in 1856. One about a mile East of Valley View, in Lykens Valley,
removed into the village in 1871. The other at Osmanstown, Lower Mahantango
Valley, dedicated August 10th. On June 1, 1856, the corner-stone of "the new
bethel in the neighborhood of John Miller and John Felty, Susquehanna township,
Dauphin county," was laid. The dedication took place November 30th. Colder
preached Saturday evening and Sabbath morning, and Keller, Sabbath evening.
At Hummelstown, same county, the church worshiped in the Methodist house; but
in December, when Winebrenner, J. Ross and Keller went there to hold a pro-
tracted meeting they were "shut out of their meeting-house." They held the ser-
vices in the "Union Meeting-house." This prepared the way for "agitating the
question of erecting a bethel for their own use." The church in Maytown wor-
shiped in Mailin Beck's meeting-house, a mile from town, before it was organized
in the town by G. Sigler, May 24, 1858. The Beck house was built on Martin
Beck's land, and principally by himself. It was dedicated by J. Litch, of Phila-
delphia, December 25, 185 6. Under Sigler and A. H. Long the work in town was
started, and in 18 59 the building of a bethel was undertaken. The corner-stone
was laid August 7th, and the house dedicated November 13th. S. Fleegal was
then the pastor, and Winebi-enner, Thomas and Long conducted the dedicatory
services. In York county the church at Newberry built a bethel during the Sum-
mer of 18 56, which was dedicated by Winebrenner February 1, 1857. C. Price
was the pastor. Under Price's labors in the same county, during 1857, the church
at Ball Hills built a bethel, which was dedicated August 2nd, Swartz and Ross
officiating. August 9, 1857, under Price as pastor, the church at Goldsboro, York
county, laid the corner-stone of their new bethel, with AVinebrenner as minister.
The house was dedicated on Whit Sunday, May 23, 1858. "The corner-stone of a
new bethel now building in Fairview, York county," was laid by James Colder,
August 23, 1857, J. Keller, pastor. The church at Oak Grove, Perry county, built
a "new bethel" in 1858, which was dedicated by Colder, October 24th. The church
at Newville, Cumberland county, began the building of its new house on the main
street in the after part of the Summer of 18 59, and laid the corner-stone on Sat-
urday forenoon, September 20th, Thomas officiating. In Bedford county th6
church at Lafayetteville was reorganized at Bakersville in 1856. In 1858 they
built a meeting-house, which was dedicated by A. H. Long, December 5th. Spruce
Hollow, Blair county, were "making ready to build" in 1856, to dedicate in the
Fall. They wfire delayed, and in January, 1858, formed a new resolution to build
during the Summer, and actually began work in 185 9. AA^ishampel regarded this
place as "headquarters for the Allegheny circuit," lying between the "Cove" and
the Allegheny Mountains.
At the Eldership held at Middletown, beginning November 4, 1857, the Bap-
tist church at Chambersburg, county-seat of Franklin county, proposed to trans-
fer their unfinished house of worship to the Eldership in consideration of "the
* General History 117
payment of certain claims now held against the building." The Standing Commit-
tee and Board of Missions were "authorized forthwith to attend to the matter, and
take such steps as will secure the property to this body." The house in its un-
finished condition had cost the Baptist church $2,700. The committee appointed
tor the purpose bought it for $1,245. But the "Baptists released to us the sur-
plus above the judgments, which was $425, thus making the actual cost of the
property about $800." The house was finished, and the dedication services were
held September 26, 1858. Wiiiebreiiner preached the sermon. Other ministers
present and assisting were Mackey, Thomas, Owens and Laveity. The church was
organized by Laverty December 19, 1858.
Work on the Montgomery county mission continued, with favorable results.
Soule, Long, Keller and others labored there, and a number received Christ. A
Sabbath-school of forty was organized at Kulpsville, with the intention of organ-
izing a church. Preaching places had increased to ten.
Divisions in Churches occurred occasionally during this period. The Advent
Christian Church, in 1855, grew out of a division "over immortality." They be-
lieve "the dead sleep in unconscious repose until Christ comes; that immortality
is conditioned upon receiving Christ, and that the wicked will utterly perish."
The efforts at union sometimes brought results. The United Presbyterian Church
of North America was organized in 1858 by a union of the Associate and Associate
Reformed Churches. But not all the local churches went into the union, and
these formed the Associate Church of North America. The Free Methodists about
this time effected a general organization. The ministers and churches of God re-
ceived encouragement in their contention in favor of the washing of the saints'
feet as a symbolical ordinance by learning the fact that in North Carolina and a
few other States were churches which held this faith.
Credit is due J. F. Weishampel, whose prolific brain evolved various projects,
for the suggestion made in 1853, that the General Eldership of the Church of God
be represented in the Washington Monument, at Washington, D. C, by a block of
marble with suitable inscription. The suggestion was intended for the General
Eldership in 1854; but no action was taken. He had visited Washington in 1853,
and saw the Monument, in course of erection, and noticed the marble blocks of
various sizes and colors contributed by the different States, Societies, Churches
and foreign Governments. The General Eldership having overlooked the matter,
Weishampel renewed his suggestion to Mackey, Haifleigh and Myei-s, Speaker and
Clerks. He urged them to endorse his plan and urge contributions. He estimated
the cost of a block of Pennsylvania marble, four feet long, two feet wide and one
foot thick, at $100.00 delivered and ready to be placed in position. He also
worded the Inscription, to wit:
"To God be all the Glory! Who raised up AVashington, the American Moses,
to lead this Nation out of British Bondage. Contributed by the General Eldership
of the Church of God in the United States."
As his first appeal elicited no responses, Weishampel repeated it in February,
1855. He also published a "Circular Letter" to the churches, soliciting funds.
Mackey on several occasions endorsed the enterprise. Ham strongly commended
it; but with his congratulations he insisted that the word "Church" in the Inscrip-
tion be changed to "Churches," which Weishampel refused. Hani threatened to
oppose the project if the change were not made. The stone was to be delivered
February 22, 1855, but there were then but $25.00 promised. By the latter part
of 1856 work on the Monument was suspended. Interest in the matter of fur-
nishing a block of marble by the Church had vanished. On February 22, 1859,
Weishampel was again in Washington, and saw the unfinished shaft. Two hun-
dred blocks were in position, with one hundred in the shed awaiting the progress
of the work to be put in their respective places. Weishampel renewed his appeal,
insisting that "the General Eldership must be represented," and declaring that he
"would raise the money by the meeting of the body in 1860," and would have the
"block ready to present to the General Eldership." For the time all was a
kaleidoscopic vision. The Monument was completed December 6, 1844, a year and
sixteen days after Weishampel had been gathered to the fathers.
Early in this period general activity in behalf of Prohibition continued in the
Elderships, the churches of God, The Church Advocate, and by temperance people
in the Northern States. Prohibitory laws were enacted, or Constitutions amended,
so that the universal triumph of Prohibition appeared at hand. But the tide begau
ii8 History of the Churches of God
to recede, and toward the end of this period Mackey editorially lamented that "not
a word is heard on Prohibition," while most of the ground which had been gained
was again lost, and Prohibition was pronounced dead.
The question of "healing the sick," according to James v. 14, 15, was some-
what agitated in 185 6-7. Winebrenner regarded the texts as "a recognition of
that power given to, and exercised by, the Apostles." And "if it was not the design
of God to continue this power in the church, why did Jarhes, a servant of God and
of the Lord Jesus Christ, thus write to the twelve tribes scattered abroad?"
The sentiment against Christians frequenting balls, theaters and like places
of amusements was emphatic and general in the Church. The theatrical season
was called "Satan's annual festival." No "heart renewed by grace can desire such
carnality." The theater "is inconsistent with every Christian principle." To be
there was "to be on the devil's ground." These sentiments are expressed on the
editorial page, but it is not indicated whether Winebrenner, Mackey or Colder was
their author. But Winebrenner did teach that only "mere professors, and not
such as possess what they profess, visit these demoralizing places." And, "We
hope that God's ministers and people will unite to pray and preach down all these
abominations." To call theaters "Synagogues of Satan" was regarded as a happy
appropriation of an expressive patronymic.
CHAPTER X.
1860—1865.
THE period from 1860 to 1865 is the most momentous in the history of the
United States, and at the same time it was a period of tribulation and trials
and dissensions, in the Churches in the Northern States. The Church of
God did not escape the vexations incident to the slavery controversy and the war
for the preservation of the Union. For notwithstanding the radical deliverances
of the General Eldership and the Annual Elderships, as well as of religious bodies
of other Churches, there was a strong, if subdued, feeling in the North in favor of
compromising with this relic of barbarism. For the nation, like another Laocoon,
was entering upon the final struggle with the folds of the serpent of slavery, and
stood face to face with disunion and death. In many places sentiment was divided,
and there was a strong minority which had no sympathy with the anti-slavery prop-
aganda, nor with any effort of a militant character to preserve the integrity of
the Union and to eradicate slavery. Mr. Blaine says: "The Winter following the
election of Lincoln was filled with deplorable events. In the whole history of the
American people there is no epoch which recalls so much that is worthy of regret,
and so little that gratifies pride." While Lincoln had an aggregate of 180 elec-
toral votes, as against 123 of his opponents united, yet on the popular vote he re-
ceived but 1,866,452, wholly from the free States; while, of his opponents, Douglas
received 1,295,574; Breckenridge, 850,082, and Bell, 646,124, or a total of 2,787,-
7 80. Douglas's vote was mainly from the North. The questions at issue could
not be kept out of the Churches. Especially in the border States, southern Penn-
sylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, there was much friction and
heated passions. A correspondent at Glen Easton, West Virginia (then Virginia),
states that "in this part of the Lord's vineyard the Church has had almost insur-
mountable trials from two sources, viz.: Sectarianism and slavery. As to the
latter, a minister has not the liberty of speaking his mind on it; and as the Church
of God is strictly anti-slavery, and known to be such, she meets with many sore
trials from without, and I fear from within also." Conditions were not amelior-
ated to any appreciable extent when the secession of the Southern States became
a fact, and the war was actually begun. Pulpits and religious newspapers general-
ly alligned themselves very positively with the Government, and in favor of a
relentless prosecution of the war for the suppression of the Rebellion. Spiritual
declension followed almost everywhere, and the minds of the people became su-
premely engrossed with scular and military affairs. The lamentation over the
condition of the Churches was quite general. "We have to bewail our leanness
and want of spiritual life and vigor. Throughout most portion^ of the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership," wrote the Editor, Thomas, "this is most lamentably the case.
General History 119
and the consequence is, if we are not going backward, we are really making but
slow progress." As tbe bloody years of the war dragged along, a large proportion
of the men, and many ministers, enlisted in the army, or later were drafted. Of
those on record in The Advocate were C. S. Bolton, A. Hollenis, G. U. Ham, David
Neidig, A. G. McConiiick, J. R. Suavely, J. W. Hawkins, J Ij. Cramer, A. Wilson,
U. Dochtei-man, E. R. Linsley, F. F. Kiner, J. W. Neeley, D. Keplinger, W. L. Jones,
E. I). Aller, J. S. Miller, J. AV. Bloyd, J. C. Foi-ncrook, J. M. Mullen, W. Seifriet,
1>. H. Mununa, S. S. Richmond, G. Sandoe, H. AVhitaker, C. S. Wilson, O. J. Farling.
There was a consequent insufficiency of preachers, and in some Elderships fields of
labor were unsupplied and much of the ground was lying fallow. Church work was
greatly hindered and finances were inadequate to do aggressive work. While the
ministry was with few exceptions loyal to the Government, and the Elderships ex-
perienced little trouble from this source, there were occasional exceptions. Thus in
the West Ohio Eldership Elders Dobson and Now came under suspicion of disloyalty
during the notorious Vallandio'liam campaign, and were cited to appear in person
and answer to the charges; and "Elder William Hammon, Indiana Eldership, was
expelled because, after having enlisted to escape conviction of "flagrant crimes,"
he "deserted from the army." In some of the Elderships ministers were "examined
as to their loyalty to the Government of our country." The brilliant and talented
Harn laid down his life on the altar of his country. The house of worship at
Chambersburg was laid in ashes with the burning of a great part of the town by
General McCausland, .July 30, 1864. The human mind is susceptible of most
peculiar religious hallucinations. So sacred to many appeared the Union cause,
and so of the nature of a religious sacrifice the heroism unto death of the soldiers
who fought under the Stars and Stripes, that the question was mooted in many
places, whether a loyal soldier killed in the army could be lost, or damned. Was
it a case of human sympathy and reason against "the incontrovertible stand-point
of the Bible?" The South held its cause to be equally sacred, and was confident
that God would "remove far off from you the Northern army" because of the
wickedness of its purposes. Religious fervor was intense, and fellowship with
Churches in the North was repudiated. In 1861 the Presbyterian Church in the
Confederate States of America was organized to emphasize its abhorrent discent
from the Presbyterian Church, North. The only assigned reason for this course
was the adoption by the Old School Assembly of a resolution which declared that
it is "the duty of Presbyterians to support the Government and preserve the
Union." For other reasons about this time there was a small secession from the
Methodist Episcopal Church from which the Free Methodist Church was organized,
between some of the leaders of which and ministers of the Church of God there
was a bond of sympathy. In 1863 the General Synod of the Lutheran Church,
South, was formed. And in 18 64 the Christian Union Churches organized them-
selves into a body.
At the beginning of this period, and following "the seasons of great out-
pourings of the Spirit of God in 1857-8," "there seemed to be a great drought in
revivals." Then came the great revival in Ireland, where about one hundred
thousand souls were converted. Gradually the churches in America became in-
fused with more of a revival spirit, and during the Winter of 18 60-1 there were
some local revivals of much power. The Winters of 1862-3, and 1863-4 were the
most fruitful of this period. The depressing effect of the war proved auxiliiary
to spiritual meditation. With Lincoln, people turned their thoughts toward God
as the God of victory, and vowed to do righteousness, that the judgment of truth
and peace might be realized. Lincoln, on Sept. 22, 1862, issued his preliminary
Emancipation Proclamation, followed on Jan. 1, 1863, with the decree in which he
'•ordered and declared that all persons held as slaves within said designated States
are and henceforth shall be free," and further "declaring and making known, that
such persons of suitable condition will be received into the service of the United
States." Later the same Winter the President issued a Proclamation, setting
apart "a day of national humiliation and prayer," "to confess our national sins,
and to pray for clemency and forgiveness." Appeals went out from many burden-
ed hearts to ministers and churches, urging fasting, prayer, confession of sins and
agonizing with God for the revival of genuine religion in the hearts of his people
and the salvation of the lost. On a limited scale revivals among the churches
of God were witnessed over all the territory of the General Eldership, and the
waste places were refreshed and began to take on new life. Nearly every circuit
and station in all the Elderships reported conversions and ingatherings.
I20 History of the Churches of God
At the time for announcing camp-meetings, in 1860, Thomas lamented the
absence of the camp-meeting spirit. But while the churches were slow to move
in the matter, fifteen were finally held. Of these eight were in the territory of
the East Pennsylvania Eldership; five in Ohio, one in Illinois and one in Iowa.
Only about fifty conversions were reported.
In 1861 Thomas again strongly urged the churches to hold camp-meetings.
L. B. Hartman, Ohio, echoed the same sentiments. But the brotherhood was
largely indifferent, and as a result but three such meetings were held in the East
Pennsylvania Eldership, and one in Ohio. The results were disappointing, and
but one report was published, stating that "some were converted."
When camp-meetings are held with a view of saving the unconverted and edi-
fying the churches, no amount of persuasion can induce the churches to expend
time, labor and means where these results do not follow. The camp-meeting spirit
still survived in the hearts of the pioneer preachers, and these, like Thomas,
would exhort, and sometimes seek to chide, the churches into this form of Chris-
tian endeavor, with indifferent success. In July, 1862, Thomas regreted "exceed-
ingly that th.e camp-meeting fires are so nearly extinguished among us as a peo-
ple." The reasons given for this tendency to abandon camp-meetings he called
"vain excuses and silly subterfuges," and "vain babbling." "If camp-meetings
are out of date and are useless," his reason is, "that vital religion is out of date
and has become useless with such objectors." But such reasoning did not prove
persuasive, for this year there was only one camp-meeting held in East Pennsyl-
vania, two in West Pennsylvania, one in Iowa, and the Standing Committee ap-
pointed three in Ohio, but there was but one reported. The results were so dis-
couraging that but two were written up by the pastors in charge. In 1863 but
one camp-meeting was announced, held "on the old camp-ground near Garman-
town, Cambria county. Pa." Three ministers were in attendance, and seventeen
souls were saved. Woods meetings were to some extent taking the place of camp-
meetings. The Standing Committee of the East Ohio Eldership in 1864 appointed
a Union Camp-meeting, "to continue ten days, the place to be located by J. S. Mc-
Kee and L. B. Hartman," Chairman and Clerk of the Committee; but it does not
appear that it was held. Plowman held one in Indiana county. Pa., at which there
were seven conversions.
But if camp-meetings were gradually dying out as expensive and fruitless
means of grace; and while this period was somewhat barren, some permanent
results crowned the labors of the ministry and churches. Wertz, as General Mis-
sionary in Iowa, organized a church 16 miles north of Davenport, Scott county,
with twenty-two members. Kiner organized one at Park school-h-ouse. H. Borg-
ner, Feb. 26, 1860, gathered a church of fifteen members in Fishing Creek Valley,
Dauphin county. Pa. J. Haifleigh succeeded in forming a church in Albany town-
ship, Berks Co., Pa., in 1863. A church was constituted in Ft. Wayne, Ind., June
2 8, 1861, with S. V. Sterner as pastor. Gillespie succeeded in effecting an organi-
zation of nine members on the St. Joseph circuit, Mich., in January, 1861.
Small and Bolton about the same time held a successful revival in Union town-
ship, Mercer Co., Ohio, and organized a church of twenty-four members. Plow-
man, a man of good talents, as a missionary and organizer, did some good work
in McKean county. Pa., called the "Northern Mission," in the early part of the
Summer of 1861, and then came South into Somerset county, where, at Buckstown,
"on the Allegheny Mountains," he effected a church organization. On March 20,
1862, the elders of the church at Pleasant Valley, Johnson Co., Iowa, exchanged
fraternal letters with the churches at Palestine, Lone Tree and Harrisburg, Iowa,
which "have now been fully organized as local churches."
Four important new enterprises were inaugurated in 1863. At Altoona, Blair
county, Pa., S. K. Boyer, of the Martinsburg charge, began preaching in private
houses, principally in the home of Sister Alloway, In January, 1863, the Armory
on Ninth street was rented, in which to hold a protracted meeting. This resulted
in the organization of a church of twenty-five members. S. S. Richmond became
the first pastor.
Work was also resumed at Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pa., and a church
organized in June, 1864, with B. F. Beck as pastor. Dr. George Ross, on Sept.
15, 1863, bought what was known as the "Old Seceder Church," originally built
by the "Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church," or the "United Presbyterian
Church," for $1,325.00. He expended $600.00 more in necessary repairs. Part
General History 121
of this money was collected, but Dr. Ross paid the most of it himself. On June
5, 1864, the remodeled house was dedicated. A. Swartz officiated in the morn-
ing, using I. Tim. iii. 15 for his text; J. Mackey, in the afternoon, and G. Sigler, in
the evening. The ground on which this church was built was donated in 17 99 by
William Penn to the Associated Presbyterian Church, and they built the substantial
stone house of worship, 36x46 feet, in the year 1802.
The proposition to start a mission in Philadelphia was canvassed at the Elder-
ship in 18 63. Thomas called attention to it in May, 1864, and urged it strongly,
stating that "overtures have also been made to one of our most active and efficient
preachers to take charge of the mission." At the Eldership in 1864, however,
nothing was done; but the enterprise was not abandoned, and plans were being
matured so that when the auspicious day should dawn everything would be in
readiness.
The most stupendous mission enterprise hitherto conceived and inaugurated
was that which A. X, Shoemaker, East Pennsylvania Eldership, suggested when on
a preaching tour to Illinois, in the months of September and October, 1863. He
visited Chicago, and from there, on October 8th, he wrote: "In this great, central
city we have no church organization. The enlarged and almost unparalleled
facilities of Chicago struck our mind most forcibly as being the place we should
most certainly commence immediate missionary operations." He at once out-
lined a plan to secure funds, and stated that "if the Church at large, or the Board
of Missions, furnished the money, we will find the man." Upon his return East,
at the Eldership held at Middletown, Dauphin county. Pa., he brought the matter
before that body on Saturday afternoon, October 31st, and before a missionary
meeting on the evening of November 2nd. There were objections to the project
based on the probable cost and the "deficiency now in efficient laborers for the
work already opened." But Shoemaker had already succeeded in securing the
endorsement of the Chicago Mission plan by the West Ohio Eldership, which he
attended, and which resolved that "as an Eldership, as churches and as individuals;
we give our influence in favor of opening and sustaining said missionary enter-
prise by contributing our pro rata share to this laudable undertaking." He was
also present at the session of the Illinois Eldership, and chairman of "the Special
Committee on the Chicago Mission Project," which declared in favor of "taking^
steps immediately to establish a mission in Chicago." The East Ohio Eldership
had also resolved to "encourage the enterprise with our means, our influence and
our prayers." Accordingly the East Pennsylvania Eldership also approved the
project, and directed the Board of Missions to "appropriate $300 annually for
three years, provided the Board of Missions of the General Eldership conclude to
establish said mission," and gave Shoemaker permission "to take personal sub-
scriptions for the Chicago Mission project." Shoemaker was released from serving
a charge in the Eldership. He at once began an active canvass for funds. Gen-
eral and deep interest was developed, which seemed prophetic of the financial
success of the work. The Board of Missions of the General Eldership approved
the project by correspondence and appointed Shoemaker to the Mission, with "an
appropriation of $1,000 annually for three years." He reached Chicago with his
family on June 20, 1864. Without delay he bought a plot of ground on the
corner of Warren and Roby streets, 51x125 feet, for $1,600, and commenced the
erection thereon of a bethel and parsonage. The building was completed soon
after the holidays, and dedicated March 12, 1865. Shoemaker preached in the
morning, and was assisted during the day by R. White, H. AV. Conley and J. M.
Klein, of Illinois, and D. Gill, of Iowa. The cost of the mission to this date was
$8,000, of which $6,000 had been secured.
The ashes of the Chambersburg bethel were scarcely cold, after the destruc-
tive conflagration of July 30, 1864, until plans were being perfected by the Board
of Incorporation, which owned the property, on Thursday, August 11th, "to rebuild
as soon as there is a guarantee that rebel raids are over in that section of the
country." The loss was estimated to be "fully $3,000. The lots, foundation
and bricks are all that is left of a house which would cost $5,000 to build." As
a result of these deliberations "the Board has appointed C, H. Forney, the pastor,
to go abroad among the churches and communities to solicit aid for this purpose."
In the work thus indicated the pastor visited every church in the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership, including Maryland and the German Eldership, and also by special
invitation the churches in Westmoreland, Fayette, Allegheny, Beaver and Venango
T22 History of the Ciiurciif.s or God
counties, West Pennsylvania Eldership, and some of the churches m Wayne, Stark,
Wyandot, Richland and Seneca counties, Ohio. On May 11, 1865, a building
committee was appointed, consisting of E, H. Thomas, J. Rife and C. H. Forney,
"to receive proposals for the rebuilding of said church, and to take the work gen-
erally in hand."
In no period of the history of the Church was there such a large amount of
money raised and expended for missions and church buildings and parsonages as
from 1860 to 1865. In addition to the work at Chicago, at Carlisle, Chambers-
burg and Philadelphia, more than thirty church buildings were erected. It was
an era of inflation. Prices were unusually high, but money was more than abun-
dant. Early in January, 1861, John Snyder, ruling elder in the church known as
the "Union Bethel," Indiana, started out through Ohio and into western Pennsyl-
vania to collect funds to rebuild said bethel, destroyed by fire December 2, 1859.
S. V. Sterner, pastor, made appeals for help for the church, "poor in this world's
goods." A good, brick house was erected, 30x36 feet. A short time before this
enterprise was started Mt. "Vernon bethel, Indiana, was completed and dedicated.
The house of worship built by the church at Milford, La Grange county, Ind., was
dedicated January 1, 1865.
The church at Mt. Carroll, Carroll county. 111., dedicated their "new bethel
on Sunday, April 26, 1863. D. AVertz preached the sermon; David Kyle was pas-
tor. Two miles south of Buda, Bureau county, 111., on land owned by John Berk-
«tresser, father of W. Irving and Mary, ministers in later years in the Illinois Eld-
ership, the church erected a bethel in the Summer of 1863, which was dedicated
October 11th. A. X. Shoemaker preached in the morning, and J. H. Hurley, in the
evening. The brethren at Troy Grove, La Salle county, 111., "principally Germans,
full of hospitality and in a good degree liberal," built "a beautiful house of wor-
ship" in the Summer of 1864, which was dedicated November 27th. The work
was done under the leadership of J. M. Klein, pastor, who secured A. X. Shoe-
maker to officiate at the dedication.
Incidentally F. F. Kiner, of the Des Moines circuit, Iowa, reported on Feb-
ruary 22, 1860, a "third protracted meeting at Bro. C. Landes's, at which time
their meeting-house was dedicated. E. Logue preached the dedication sermon."
In Jefferson township, Williams county, Ohio, "the meeting-house built by
the church of God" was ready for dedication in February, 1860, but was not dedi-
cated until June 16, 18 61. G. W. Wilson officiated. If not a dedication, it was
as good an event for the future of the Wooster, Ohio, church, when in the early
part of December, 1860, E. H. Thomas and Dr. George Ross, of the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership, went to that city and saved the property, "their valued and beau-
tiful church edifice," from "the Sheriff's hammer." Dr. Ross "stepped forward
and at considerable trouble and pecuniary sacrifice rescued the property from the
hahds of the officers of the law." For some years Wooster church was under
the care of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, which supplied it with pastors. On
June 9, 1861, G. W. Wilson reported the dedication of the bethel east of Upper
Sandusky, Wyandot county, Ohio, as having taken place. The observance of the
ordinances "with the rest of the exercises gave the occasion a peculiar pleasant-
ness." Midway between Dalton and West Lebanon, Wayne county, Ohio, W. H.
Oliver and S. Lilley, pastors, a new house of worship was dedicated May 23, 1863.
The church at New Brighton, Beaver county, Pa., "worshiped in a room in
the private dwelling house of Elder John Tintsman" until in the Winter of 1860,
when the trustees, John F. Tintsman, Gottlieb Greib and George M. Nippert, M. D.,
purchased a house of worship for $850.00." Some .$300 additional was spent in
making repairs and improvements, aggregating a total cost of $1,100. After the
dedication a debt of $750 had to be provided for, and in January, 1862, the pastor,-
J. A. Plowman, was "appointed our agent to travel through the different Elder-
ship territories to collect moneys to pay off the debt." The dedication is some-
what memorable because of the inability of Winebrenner to preach the sermon,
June 3, 1860, on his return trip from the General Eldership at Upper Sandusky,
Ohio. E. H. Thomas took his place in the pulpit, assisted by J. Ross and Jesse
Kennedy. J. M. Domer was the pastor in 1860. At a meeting of the Standing
Committee of the West Pennsylvania Eldership, held at Pittsburg, Pa., December
9, 1861, the report of the committee appointed by the Eldership "to solicit sub-
scriptions and purchase the house known as the 'Old Asbury Chapel' in the city
of Pittsburg, if they found it practicable" was taken up. This committee, con-
sisting of Hickemell, Domer and Squire Cook, was enlarged by adding Loucks and
Gknkrai, History . 123
"Wm. Ober. The Standing Committee decided to buy Old Asbury Chapel, for
$2,500, paying down $150 in confirmation of sale. The church in Pittsburg then
numbered "some seventy members." Old Asbury Chapel was located on Towns-
«nd street, between Colwell and Clark streets. Immediate possession was taken,
and under the labors of Hickernell and Mrs. M. J. Beecher a revival followed and
a church of seventy members was organized. The meeting-house known as Center
Bethel, in East Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county. Pa., was built under
the labors of P. Loucks and J. M. Domer, pastors, and was dedicated December
27, 1863. K. H. Thomas, of Lancaster, Pa., and A. X. Shoemaker, of Harrisburg,
Pa., did the preaching. June 26, 1864, "the new bethel at Carrolltown, Cambria
county, Pa., was dedicated and a church was organized, under the labors of J. A.
Plowman. J. Hickernell and Martha J. Beecher officiated at the dedication.
The three ordinances were observed during the day and evening.
Coming East of the Alleghenies where, as reported November 15, 1860, by J.
C Owens, Uniontown, Md., "our dedication meeting at Pleasant Ridge continued
about ten days, during which time we had some precious seasons of reviving
^race." "The bethel is located in a thickly settled country." December 25, 1859,
"the new bethel at Siddonstown (Mt. Pleasant), York county, Pa., was dedicated
to the worship of God." J. Mackey and J. Keller did the preaching. At New
Grenada, Fulton county. Pa., the Building Committee, J. G. Cunningham and K. A.
Moore, requested, on February 16, 1860, "the teaching elders, and all others in-
terested, who have not forwarded their autographs for deposit in the corner-
stone of the bethel under course of construction, to do so as soon as practicable.
Remittances thankfully received." The house was dedicated November 25, 1860.
The services were conducted by Simon Fleegal, "assisted by the Indian Preacher"
(P. D. Collins). At Newville, Cumberland county. Pa., after "preaching in the old
hethel on Saturday evening," the dedicatory services were held in the new bethel
on Sunday, August 12, 1860. The house cost $1,800. W. G. Coulter was the
pastor, and for the dedication he secured the services of Thomas, Mackey, Laverty
and Snyder. The dedication of the bethel at Wormleysburg, Cumberland county,
Pa., took place on November 11, 1860, with preaching by James Mackey, J. C.
Owens and H. L. Soule. A. X. Shoemaker served the church as pastor in con-
nection with Harrisburg. In Shaeffer's Valley, Perry county, Pa., "the
brethren of the churches of God completed their new house of worship and had it
ready for dedication December 30, 1860." Saturday evening Wm. Johnson
"preached an appropriate discourse." Sabbath morning and evening E. H. Thomas
preached. J. C. Seabrooks was the pastor, and he had secured the services of
J. B. Soule to lead the singing. Thomas mentioned him as "worthy of all com-
mendation, both for the cultivation of his own musical gifts, and for the deep in-
terest he has always manifested in its cultivation in the churches." A "Union
house," in which the church had an interest, was dedicated at Union Deposit,
Dauphin county. Pa., July 27, 1862, by J. Keller and Miles, of ttie denomination
which owned the other share in the property. P. D. Collins was the pastor. For
sundry reasons the mission work at Altoona, Blair county. Pa., was hindered and
crippled from 1860 to 1863; but early in the latter year some of the brethren
began collecting funds, bought a lot and paid for it, and began in July to build
the foundation. By the latter part of December the building was completed, and
on January 17, 1864, it was "dedicated to the worship of God." E. H. Thomas,
with the pastor, S. S. Richmond, conducted the services. Thomas regarded Al-
toona "to us as a Church a point of considerable importance, as it is the connecting
link between the East and West Pennsylvania Elderships." Partly for this reason
Hickernell and Domer, of the latter Eldership, were expected at the dedication.
At Palmyra, Lebanon county. Pa., 15 miles east of Harrisburg, a "two days' meet-
ing" was held by I. Brady and S. CraAvford, August 29, 1863, at which arrange-
ments were to be made to build a bethel. On October 22nd they bought a lot,
and on Saturday, October 24th, the corner-stone was laid by Thomas. By Feb-
ruary 18, 1864, the house was finished, and on March 13th, the dedicatory ser-
vices were held. Thomas and George S. Petry did the preaching, with the pastor,
I. Brady, also present. The house was built of brick, 34x46 feet, and lot and build-
ing cost $1,800, of which Dr. Ross paid about one-third. He was the most liberal
and efficient layman of those years.
The Bill in equity which was filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin
county. Pa., the Hon. John J. Pearson, President Judge, against James Colder
^t al., April 11, 1859, praying for "a writ of injunction. . . .commanding the said
124 History of the Churches of God
James Colder that he absolutely desist and refrain from preaching, teaching, or in
any manner officiating as pastor or minister in the said church edifice or bethel on
Fourth street," was made "returnable the 2nd day of May next, and the Court fixes
the 10th day of May next as the time for the appearance of the defendants to show
cause why the preliminary injunction should not be granted as prayed in the Bill."
On August 3, 1861, the Opinion of the Court was delivered, in which the conten-
tion of Colder et al., was overruled, to wit: that said Fourth Street Church hav-
ing "been incorporated by Act of the Legislature was thereby granted the specific
powers to sever its connection with, and make it independent of, the General or
the East Pennsylvania Eldership of the Church of God in the United States." The
Court therefore made "a decree dispossessing and removing these trustees, or
elders, as prayed for in the Bill, and ordering and directing the election of new
elders by the qualified members of the congregation." The Court also decreed
"the restraining and perpetually enjoining James Colder from preaching, teaching,
or in any wise officiating as pastor or minister in the church edifice of the church
of God at Harrisburg." The Court said further: "We must also enjoin the de-
fendants and this congregation from appointing any pastor to officiate in said
church building who is not in regular standing and in full communion with the
East Pennsylvania Eldership and Church of God in North America, regularly li-
censed thereby, and appointed as a pastor within the church of God at Harrisburg,
according to the rules, principles, practices and usages of the General and East
Pennsylvania Eldership." The Court declined to order "the defendants to render
an account of any funds received by them." Also, the Court refused "to enjoin"
the church "to receive the pastor attempted to be placed over them by the East
Pennsylvania Eldership." This was a fatal weakness in the decree of the Court,
and was so recognized in these words: "We are well aware that the effect of this
decision is to close the church building against the whole congregation, as well the
friends as the enemies of the present incumbent and the appointee of the East
Pennsylvania Eldership, and thus render it a useless structure as to all." The
decision was unsatisfactory to either party, and accordingly each appealed to the
Supreme Court of the State. At the June term of said Court Chief Justice W. B.
Lowrie handed down an Opinion and Decree, in which, as Thomas said, "The errors
of the lower Court have been corrected, and the great principles for which we
contended are fully confirmed and established." But neither Opinion required
Colder and his adherents to "account for the large accumulation of debt upon the
property, and show how certain lots and pieces of ground have been disposed of
by them during the period of their illegal administration of the affairs of the
church." The ownership of the church property having thus been determined "in
favor of those members of the church adhering to the Eldership, and all the pre-
liminary steps ordered by the Court having been taken," arrangements were made
to rededicate the house to the worship of God on Sabbath, September 7, 1862.
This reopening was rather more of a jubilation than a dedication. For nearly
four years the Eldership and church were kept out of their own. After four years
of contention, of deprivations, of trials, of patient waiting, as the doors of the
bethel on Fourth street again swung open to admit the loyal pastor and his little
flock, they gathered to have a devout celebration of the victory secured. For three
years and six months Shoemaker had been excluded from the pulpit he was to oc-
cupy that delightful September morning. He "delivered a very interesting sermon
on the character, obligations and responsibilities of the Christian ministry." The
churches at Mechanicsburg, Middletown, Shiremanstown, Camp Hill and Lancaster
were represented, with the choirs of the first two churches. Ministers present be-
sides the pastor were W. McFadden, A. Swartz, D. A. L. Laveity, S. Crawford, J.
T. Bender, C. H. Foi-ney, J. S. Stamm, B. Mateer, D. R, Kockafellow and E. H.
Thomas. The latter preached the evening sermon.
On this day of triumph and congratulations no one could forget that "the
venerable Winebreiiner was not there as at the first dedication." And Isaac Steese,
whose name was joined with that of Winebrenner in the Bill in Equity, and as one
of the Appellants and Appellees in the Supreme Court. Indeed this was a period
rich in death's harvest. In the middle of March, 1860, Wm. Clay, licensed by the
East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1849, died at Homer, La Salle county, 111. He
"was a young man of genius." On March 26, 1860, Christian T. Forney, Dauphin
county, Pa., "through the inscrutable providence of God" ended his useful career,
at the age of 53 years, 6 months and 14 days; "a man of sterling worth, unflinch-
ing integrity and unmistakable piety, whose preaching, both in English and Ger-
General History 125
man, was very acceptable." On September 17, 1861, James F. Machlin ended his
labors in the militant church. "He was a very useful man in his Master's cause,
and had a great influence in his own neighborhood." John S. Hostetter, Mechan-
Icsburg, Pa., died on May 6, 1862. He had for some time been a licensed minister,
but was an eflicient, well qualified school teacher, and for several years publisher
and editor of a monthly paper for boys and girls called, "I Will Try," which he
"conducted with marked ability." The "painful and melancholy duty to record
the sudden and unexpected death of our venerable and beloved brother in Christ,
Elder Jacob Flake" rested on Thomas, February 12, 1863, he having died on the
7th. He was licensed in 1834, and was a man universally beloved. His "style of
preaching was easy, pleasant and affectionate; very plain and simple." March 26,
1863, Elder Joseph Ross, Middletown, Pa., in the fullest confidence "of getting to
the kingdom of heaven," ended a very useful life, with the words on his lips:
'Jesus is my friend, and 1 would rather be absent from the body, and present with
the Lord." Ross was a merchant, but did a great deal of preaching, and was a man
who enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all who knew him. On February 22,
1863, Elder Joseph Brenneman, one of Winebreiiner's early converts, departed to a
better country, at Springville, Lancaster county. Pa. He was a man "whose Chris-
tian virtues illumined the entire circle in which he moved." At Lancaster, Pa.,
September 2, 1863, Elder Samuel Crawford ended his eminently useful career, aged
68 years. "His preaching was plain, pointed, practical and pre-eminently evan-
gelical." In addition to Harn, David Xeidig sacrificed his life on the altar of his
country, as did Joseph Ross Suavely. The former died at Memphis, Tenn., July 3.
1863; the latter, with shattered health, returned to die at his mother's home, John-
son county, Iowa. Neidig was licensed by the Ohio Eldership in 1844, and preached
principally in western Ohio and Indiana. Snavely was a member of the Iowa
Eldership, licensed in 1859. At Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county. Pa., March
20, 1864, Elder William Hiimey closed "a long and useful life." He was mainly
a local minister, one of the oldest members of the Eldership. January 30, 1864,
the life-long, personal friend and associate of Winebrenner, and also one of the
Plaintiffs in the suit against James Colder et al., William McFadden, "fell asleep in
Jesus." He was aged 57 years, 8 months and 27 days. A man of rare physical
■courage, a warm and affectionate temperament, a well-balanced but untrained in-
tellect, gifted in song and speech, he braved dangers, wrought mightily for God,
conquered obstacles and always cultivated a spirit "of industry and earnestness
which evinced the sincerity of his heart." In the outside world brilliant stars were
•eclipsed by death. On June 3, 1861, Stephen A. Douglas, member of Congress,
United States Senator, three times candidate for the Presidency, in 1860 against
Lincoln, ended his illustrious career. The English poetess, Elizabeth Barrett
Browning, died in 1861. December 24, 1863, died the lecturer, poet and novelist,
William M. Thackeray. His was a successful literary career. The author of "The
House of the Seven Gables," Nathaniel Hawthorne, died May 19, 1864.
If all internecine strifes and contentions are supposed to be at least adjourned
when the gates of the Temple of Janus are open, this was not verified among the
ministers and churches of God during the Civil War. While there was war with-
out, there were not only fears, but contentions almost incessantly, within. Whence
come these "wars and fightings among you?" asks James. Origins are some-'
times difficult to trace. Perhaps the departure of the great leader and arbiter of
doctrine gave new license to the spirit of contention. Possibly the slumbering
jealousies and schemes of ambitious aspirants to leadership had been restrained,
as the second-rate heroes of ancient days postponed their contest for the armor of
Achilles until the last honors had been paid to the memory of the illustrious de-
parted. A score or more trials of strength in debate, written or oral, engrossed
attention between 18 60 and 1865. One of these was transmitted from the former
period. This was the question, of an almost purely academic character, of the
best translation in the Scriptures of ekkleesia, which the General Eldership de-
clined to discuss, but relegated it to The Advocate. Harn contended that the word
"church" as a translation should be exchanged for "congregation." But he was
not in haste to open the debate, and so Thomas, after "a little fireside controversy
with Bro. Ham" at Wooster, virtually challenged Harn to submit his arguments,
facetiously remarking that "we think our arguments are unanswered, and we
refer to this little incident merely to call out our brother, if he sees proper, in the
columns of The Advocate, in defense, not of a new translation, but of that par-
ticular word — 'congregation.' " Harn was, however, in no mood for precipitate
126 History of the Churches of God
action. He waited from July, 1859, to January, 1860, before he took up the-
gauntlet. In six consecutive issues of the paper he set forth his views with un-
usual clearness and force, maintaining that " 'church' is a very dark, unfair and
equivocal translation of ekkleesia." He would prefer transliteration of the word
rather than the authorized translation. He insisted that this "equivocal char-
acter of the word 'church' was the potent motive for James I. to demand its re-
tention by his translators, and to forbid them rendering ekkleesia in the New Testa-
ment by 'congregation,' as they had done in the Old." Indeed the use and trans-
lation of ekkleesia in the Old Testament was the keystone of his argument.
Thomas made an elaborate reply to Harn's arguments, and with that perspicuity of
statement peculiar to his style vigorously defended the retention of "the word
'church' in our common version as the better translation of ekkleesia, according to
our usages of these words."
Infant Depravity and Infant Regeneration, not wholly speculative doctrines,
were brought under argumentative review by A. Swartz, as against Dr. C. P. Wing,.
of the Presbyterian Church, Carlisle, Pa. The latter had published a pamphlet
on "The Relation of Baptized Children to the Church." In analysis Swartz had
no superiors in his day, and in a most trenchant series of articles he maintained
the position that infants are depraved, and that they must be regenerated, which
does not take place at their so-called baptism, which Wing taught is "the only
door of admission into the visible church which the New Testament, or our Di-
rectory for Worship recognizes."
Of more direct and vital interest to the Church of God was the kindred sub-
ject of "total depravity." Eldei* C. Now brought this subject forward by a ques-
tion addressed to the Editor: "Does the Bible teach the commonly taught doc-
trine of total depravity?" Thomas answered briefly, that "If the brother means
by the commonly taught doctrine of depravity the doctrine taught by the Church
in all ages on that subject, my conviction is that it does. That is, that depravity
is both universal and total." Winebreiiiiei- gave "the faith of the Church of God"
on this subject in these words: "She believes in the fall and depravity of man."
Long, Soiile, Bolton and others were drawn into this discussion, some contending
that depravity is natural, universal and total; others in more or less modified
forms denying each of these three predicates.
About the first open tendency to discontinue the Itenerancy was revealed in.
the action of the Iowa Eldership in 1859, "establishing the congregational sys-
tem." And while this action was rescinded in 1860, and the Eldership resolved ta
"resume our former and established plan;" yet in the minds of men like Thomas-
even this movement created anxiety. He was the persistent, inveterate and un-
yielding opponent of the congregational system. He accordingly took up and dis-
cussed "The Itinerancy" in The Advocate, August 30, 1860. H. L. Soule replied
to Thomas, and the discussion continued for nearly six months. Personalities-
marked this discussion; but this was habitual. Thomas had the Elderships and.
the brotherhood with him.
The first oral debate transpired in "the beautiful grove of S. K. Moyer," at
Auburn, Schuylkill county, Pa., June 28, 1860, on "The Ordinance of Feet-wash-
ing," between Rev. M. Stetzel, of the Evangelical Association, and Elder J. K.
Moyer, of the Church of God. Stetzel was one of those disputants which are dis-
posed to vaunt and overvalue what they are, and so he entered the arena of de-
bate "boasting that he had vanquished an advocate of Feet-washing in Lebanon
county." Moyer was a man of limited acquirements; but he was of that strong
stalwart, positive, self-reliant type of character then so often seen among the Penn-
sylvania Germans. He was a "farmer divine," while Stetzel made a profession of
scholarship. "Each disputant spoke three times, three-quarters of an hour at
a time." Both sides claimed the victory.
June 5, 1861, at 10 a. m., began a debate which was long remembered, at Old
Harmony, Butler county. Pa., between G. U. Harn, of the Church of God, and Rev^
D. P. Mitchell, of Johnstown, Pa. Hani affirmed that "Immersion is the only ac-
tion called baptism in the Bible." Mitchell affirmed that "Infant children are-
Scriptural subjects of baptism."
A practical question arose at this time, and was discussed for more than a
year, touching the publication of the Journals of the Elderships in The Advocate.
It was proposed either to exclude them altogether, or to publish abridgements. As
always, there were many readers of the paper sufficiently interested in the Journals
General History 127
to desire them published in full. The bond of personal union was then much
stronger by reason of personal acquaintance of ministers and lay members over
the whole territory. In place of the uniform practice up to this time it was pro-
posed to publish all the Journals separately at The Advocate office, or to publish
them annually all together in uniform volumes. The old style prevailed.
By this time, too, opposition to the mourners' bench began to manifest itself.
Apparently ministers were in the lead in this opposition, and were warned by
others to "take heed how they interfere with such things." "Let the sinner be-
lieve while we preach," was their plea. Conviction, penitence and prayer for par-
don were to be ignored. Opposers were characterized as lacking religion them-
selves. "Moderation" was severe on advocates of the easier way. J. Myers de-
clared that "the mourners' bench system is unscriptural." This was the main
argument. J. F. Weishainpel discussed the question quite fully, defending the
mourners' bench as essentially scriptural. Perhaps the most remarkable feature
of this discussion was the reproduction in The Advocate of a brief article addressed
to the editor of the "Lutheran Observer," and the editor's reply. The article
quoted from another one in the same paper a paragraph on "inquiry meetings," in
which it is suggested that these meetings be "held either in the lecture room, the
pastor's study or at the residence of the convicted ones," and that "without any
theatrical or startling expedient, without recourse to 'mourners' seats' or 'anxious
benches,' or any such human devices." The editor approves giving advice and
"instruction to awakened sinners;" but he does not see "why the pastor's study,
or a private house should be deemed a more appropriate place for the performance
of such a duty than the house of God; or why the one should be approved as right,
and the other proscribed as a 'human device.' " And he thought "it as scriptural
to do so in the house of God at the front seats as in the pastor's study, or at private
houses." Evidently a modification of the highly exciting services at revivals was
felt to be desirable, and hence Geo. Sigler later followed the more clearly antagon-
istic views before expressed with an article on "Abuses of the Mourners' Bench
System."
In the Spring of 1861, G. \V. Wilson, of the Ohio Eldership, had a debate with
Rev. Butler, Adventist, Gilboa, Ohio, on the Seventh-day Sabbath. It became
largely a wrangle about the word "Sabbatoon," and Wilson's opponent lost his
temper, and converted an honorable debate into sheer logomachy.
The soul-sleeping heresy in 1861 began to secure converts in some of the
western churches, and found several ministers of the Church in quiet sympathy
with it. It was not openly defended or advocated by them, but to reclaim them
and to fortify the churches against its inroads, the doctrine was vigorously attack-
ed by R. H. Bolton, Thomas and others. Bolton reproduced Alexander Campbell's
exhaustive arguments on the subject. It was a doctrine which had survived as a
residuum after the second Advent excitement.
The ministry of the Church was always Arminian in theology. While very
few had studied systematic theology, they read Arminianism in their Bibles. Cal-
vinism they abhorred. Hence, when in 1861-2, "judging from sermons lately
preached, some of our brethren have been unsuspectedly inveigled into the turbu-
lent meshes of the long-exploded dogma of Calvinism," it created more than inter-
est. It surprised, pained, irritated, almost horrified many of the ministry and
churches. The applause Calvinistic Presbyterians gave such ministers as ventured
to teach Calvinistic dogmas vexed and mortified. These preachers, very few in
number, labeled the doctrine "Bibleism;" but that did not make it more palatable.
They were challenged to "come out in The Advocate with this new-fangled ism,
and let us look at it." "Bobeshala," who thus threw down the gauntlet, aimed his
weapon at "East Ohio Preachers," and was answered by "Montgomery," who de-
fended what he "preached on Monday night at the Eldership." He preached,
"first, that man must be born again." "Second, that man is born but twice, once
into the natural world, and but once spiritually." As many another shallow rea-
soner, there is where he tripped on an analogy, and there is where he was "en-
snared by the bewitching enchantment of the goddess" of error. The discussion
hinged principally on "the can't fall doctrine." It was participated in by Thomas,
the Editor, who uncovered and revealed this 'Bibleism" as "the Calvinistic doctrine
of the Perseverance of the Saints," with all its logical implications. These five
editorials for the time silenced the advocates of "unconditional perseverance." An
unusual addendum to this discussion followed in October, 1864, when B. F. Beck
128 History of thk Churches of God
preached the Opening Sermon at the East Pennsylvania Eldership on the theme,
"The Saints' Perseverance," which was soundly Calvinistic. Thomas as a watchful
guardian of the theology of the Church at once denounced the doctrine thus
preached by a representative of the Eldership, and in caustic terms upbraided the
course of the preacher.
On November 8 and 9, 1860, L. IJ. Hartnian, of the East Ohio Eldership, and
A. B. Way, of the "Disciple" Church, debated the proposition affirmed by Hartman,
that "the washing of the saints' feet, as practiced and enjoined by Christ, is a posi-
tive ordinance in the church of God, and devolving upon all Christians." "The
debate passed off very pleasantly between all parties," says J. S. McKee; although
Hartnian called some of Way's arguments "trash and diction concerning our Sav-
ior," and "is profanation and open blasphemy, and needed no reply." After a
lapse of two years, on August .5, 1862, Hartnian had another debate, with J. J,
Excell, of the Reformed Church, when the proposition affirmed by him was thus
stated: "Is feet-washing an ordinance of the church of Christ, instituted by him,
observed by the Apostles as such, and as equally binding upon us as an ordinance
as the Lord's Supper and Baptism are?"
For some inscrutable reason almost simultaneously with these debates on
feet-washing the question of the private observance of the ordinance became
mooted among ministers and churches. The open discussion of this question was
started by J. H. Hurtey, Illinois Eldership, who asked, and answered in the
negative, the question, "Did Christ ever intend it as an ordinance to be observed in
the presence of the world?" He conceded that "here I probably differ from nearly
all my brethren." Long, Hartnian, Bolton and Mackey wrote strongly, the latter
rather sadly, against Hurley's position; "Alpha" alone came to Hurley's defense,
while Thomas took for him the very unusual course of indifference, believing that
the place, time and circumstances were not essential. He rather seemed to think
with Ficlite, that "there is always harm in placing accidentals on a level with
essentials."
For many years churches and ministers were super-sensitive on the question
of a Creed. Ministers of other bodies were accustomed to listen with incredulity
to their vehement onslaughts on these symbols, and then would refer them to
Winebrenner's "View of the Formation, Government and Discipline of the Church
of God," and his statement of "The Faith and Practice of the Church of God,"
in which there are twenty-seven Articles of Faith. For this reason it was impossi-
ble to induce the General Eldership to republish the "View of the Church," or to
reproduce in separate form "The Faith and Practice of the Church of God." It
would be a grave inconsistency, and so these publications were condemned rather
than commended. To send forth authorized editions would look like organized
hypocrisy, and so also their original publication was deplored. But by 1860 to
186 6 broader views began to prevail, and many read with some satisfaction H. L.
Soule's plea for some formal statement of what the Church believes. Thomas,
while antagonizing Soule, declared, "Give us Winebrenner by authority." Not so
a majority up to this time. Yet at the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1862 a
resolution was adopted instructing the delegates to the General Eldership in 1863
to urge upon said body the propriety of writing out and publishing in some form
a statement of the things more commonly believed by the Church of God. This
resolution was discussed in a series of four articles in The Advocate, by C. H.
Forney, in the Spring of 1863, in which he strongly pressed the propriety of pub-
lishing what he called a "Doctrinal Compendium." Levi Kauft'man and others
endorsed and approved the views set forth, while no opposition was manifested.
The right of women to be ordained to the ministry received some attention
at this time, as it had earlier, but was not regularly discussed in The Advocate.
The occasion was the reception of Mi-s. M. J. Beecher into the West Pennsylva-
nit Eldership as "a coworker in the gospel" and "recommending her to all with
whom she may labor in word and doctrine," and the reputation she gained by
her preaching in Pittsburg and other large towns. She, however, took the of-
fensive on the subject more to meet private criticism than open antagonism.
About the same time a Miss Johnson was licensed by the Michigan Eldership, and
the Indiana Eldership licensed Mi's. Elizabeth McColley. Mrs. Beecher while co-
pastor in Pittsburg in 1864 made a tour among the churches in her Eldership and
delivered a "Lecture on Female Preaching." "Tickets of admission 2.5 cents, and
all moneys collected will be applied to paying the debt yet remaining on the Pitts-
GEXERAf. History 129
burg bethel." Thomas seemed disposed to discountenance any thing that "may
be said against Sister Beecher's preaching, or of females as a class preaching. As
long as God makes her useful in the good work, we feel with our whole heart to
say amen."
In stating the Faith of the Church Winebrenner said: "She believes in the
immortality of the soul." In 1864 there was a more active effort to inculcate
contrary views on this subject. "Men of talent and learning," said Thomas; "men
of great research," were connected with this propagandism. Hence, "some of our
own brethren are in danger of yielding to, if not embracing, the error above al-
luded to." In a series of five editorials he submitted proofs and arguments that
"man is immortal as to his spiritual nature." What did he mean by this? "We
use the term 'immortal' in its usual acceptation; that is, perpetuity of existence;
indestructible." On this he did find that "some of our brethren had already em-
braced the error he combatted." That the soul is conditionally immortal; that
there is good ground for accepting annihilation as to the finally impenitent — -
these were tenets a few ministers had accepted, and were now defending as against
Thomas.
Nothing seemed capable of suppressing or dissuading the advocates of a
change in Eldership titles. If beaten to-day, they were ready to resume the bat-
tle to-morrow. Apparently victorious one year, they lost their vantage ground
the next. At annual Elderships and in The Advocate the discussion was resumed
at different times between 1861 and 1863, and later. The most exhaustive and
prolonged discussion of this subject was conducted by Ham, Swartz, Thomas and
Forney, the last two on one side and the first two on the other side. In 1862
seven of the ten Annual Elderships changed their titles, and adopted "churches of
God," leaving but three which adherred to this "old landmark." In 1864 the dis-
cussion was again resumed, participated in by Weishampel, Hartman, Thomas,
Forney, Swartz and Bolton. Possibly as a result of this review of the whole ques-
tion there was a remarkable change in the Annual Elderships, and so a reversal of
majorities. They now stood eight for the singular, Eldership of the Church of
God, and three for the plural.
April 21, 1864, "the elders and brethren of the church of God at Lancaster,
Pa.," announced "a general convocation of the saints on Witsuntide," to which
they invited the "ministerial brethren and the brethren and sisters in general"
throughout the Eldership. They expressed the hope that "the ministers will close
their houses and come, bringing with them as many of their flocks as they can."
The Church had in its earlier years paid little heed to holidays, remembering their
origin. It was hence rather an innovation to seek to have "a general convocation
on this Church festival day, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit. The
idea wholly originated with the Lancaster church, but it was endorsed by Thomas,
who said: "The idea to inaugurate such a meeting to be perpetuated from year
to year, changing the place of holding it, is certainly a good one." One object
of the proposed meeting was to cultivate the spirit of fellowship and brotherhood.
The meeting was to begin on Saturday and close on Monday evening. It had no
specific name, but was announced as "An Old-fashioned Meeting." Thomas com-
pared the meeting to annual gatherings of "the Dunkards, the Quakers and some
other religious bodies," and represented "the annual convocation of the brother-
hood of the Church of God throughout the United States as certainly a grand and
glorious one in conception." In reporting the meeting he for the first time called
it "the Pentecost Meeting,"- and by this name these gatherings were thereafter
known. In attendance from outside of Lancaster there was disappointment; yet
so much was the church encouraged that the belief was expressed that "thus was
inaugurated what we have no doubt will become a permanent institution in the
Church of God, an annual Pentecostal Festival." It was suggested that "all the
Elderships of the Church of God in North America" will adopt "the great yearly
feast begun at Lancaster.'.' And Thomas was so exultant over it that he wrote:
"We prophesy that in after years the record of the introduction of the Pentecostal
Festival will be viewed as one of the brightest pages of the Church's history!"
In the Fall of 1864 the Eldership took charge of the Pentecostal Meeting, fixing
the time and place. Other Elderships soon followed, until nearly all had their
annual gatherings of this character.
C. H.— 6
I30
History of the Churches of God
CHAPTER XL
JOHN WINEBRENNER— HIS CHARACTER AND WORKS.
OHN WINEBRENNER was born March 25, 1797; died September 12, 1860.
I He was ordained September 24, 1820, and preached his first sermon as pas-
V tor of Salem Reformed church, Harrisburg, Pa., October 22, 1820. From
this date to the date of his death he was a citizen of Harrisburg. From the date
of the organization of the Eldership of the Church of God, by which act a new body
of people was formed, for thirty years he stood in the calcium light before the
world as did no other minister of the Church of God. Thus the psychological ob-
server of human character has been able to see the man as he really was in the
varied relations of minister of the gospel, preacher, evangelist, author, leader in a
great reformation, citizen and business man, and to discern the real type and
quality of the man in more legible lines as he has followed the relation of the
conspicuous acts of his life than he could in any biography which might be writ-
ten. Yet biography has its eminent mission; and this work were incomplete
without a monograph of this character. Biography itself is a species of history
peculiarly interteresting and useful. Few pages of the Volume of Inspiration are
General History 131
better calculated for our learning than those which delineate character to the very
life, the writers fearing no displeasure, concealing no imperfections, sparing no
censures. None the less do they prove their wisdom and prudence than they thus
give evidence of their impartiality. They knew not the art of flattery. Against
the flatterer there is always the general outcry voiced by Sir Richard Steele, but
perhaps not with his reason, that is, "that there are so very few good ones." In
writing the Character and Works of AVinebi-enner no fair-spoken words of the
charmer, no over-wrought eulogium of the servile courtier, are needed in order
to paint a portrait that will challenge admiration. When the time came in the
dispensation of a wise providence to speak the man's real worth many were ready
to elevate him to the position and relation he had richly earned.
His life was short. Thirty years had run their course from the formation of
an independent religious body of which he was the authoritative head to the day
when he was called to a higher sphere of divine ministry. Most men restrain
their thoughts as they contemplate the brief span of human life. Inspiration has
so chastened our spirits that the believer needs no erudite theodicy to inspire him
to sing with Lowell:
"All is of Godr
Angels of life and death alike are His;
Without His leave they pass no threshold o'er;
Who then would wish or dare, believing this,
Against His messengers to shut the door?"
Theophrastus, naturalist and philosopher, may "think it extremely hard to
die at ninety, and to go out of the world when he had just learned to live in it."
Or Aristotle, his predecessor as teacher in the Lyceum, may find "fault with nature
for treating man in this respect worse than several other animals." But not so
thought the greater philosopher, Paul. Nor the sainted and immortal Winebrenner.
They would have answered, that to think such thoughts is to presume that the sys-
tem of the universe would have been more wisely contrived if creatures of our low
rank among intellectual natures had been called to the councils of the Most High;
or, that the Creator ought to mend his work by the advice of his creatures.
Winebrenner did not come to his early end without premonitions. Those
who heard him preach in the Winter of 1858-9 knew that the foun,dations of the
house made with hands were undermined. He was passing through an ordeal
from 1858 to 1860 which many knew he was not likely to survive, so that his death
on September 12, 1860, was not the unexpected lowering to half-mast at midnight
of "the flag which had floated so proudly at the mast head" in the morning, as in
the case of Lincoln, the martyr. In the Autumn of 1859, at the session of the
East Pennsylvania Eldership, he was attacked "with a new and alarming disease,
which resulted in a protracted illness, from which he only measurably recovered,
in answer to the united prayers of God's people." Remarks he addressed to
Thomas, Richmond, Snyder and Shoemaker as they were leaving him during this
illness reveal much of the spiritual character of the man: "Brethren, don't for-
get to remember me in your prayers. I don't know what the Lord is going to do
with me. If he raises me up, I intend to spend the residue of my days in the min-
istry. I have nothing in view but the interest of the cause, and it is the one thing
for which I live. I have had great pleasure in preaching the gospel. Brethren,
'preach the word;' make full proof of your ministry. I have committed my little
all into the hands of the Lord; he will make the necessary provision and arrange
all things according to his pleasure." But while his life was spared, he never
fully recovered. Though somewhat weak and emaciated, he attended the General
Eldership at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, May 28, 1860, where, on Sabbath morning he
preached his last sermon. Of this sermon and the preacher, R. H. Bolton wrote,
June 31, 1860, as follows: He "favored us with a solemn, plain, systematic, sym-
pathetic, soul-melting and most evangelical sermon. His text was Jer. xxxi. 18-20.
Theme — 'God's Compassion to the True Penitent.' He possesses in a high degree
natural and easy eloquence, and for plainness and comprehensiveness of speech I
never heard him surpassed. For fervor and pathos when reading the hymn, prayer
and sermon, I never heard him equalled. The sermon was full of life and power,
and moved the audience as if electrified by a discharge from heaven's battery, and
loud 'Amens,' 'Glory to God,' etc., went up from many present. I acknowledge
that the character and conduct of true penitents, and God's great compassion and
mercy for them, were clearer and plainer revealed to me than I ever heard." On
132 History oi- tiii': Ciu'rciiks of God
his way home from the General Eldership, in company with Thomas, Dr. Ross and
Kennedy, he stopped off at New Brighton, Beaver county, Pa., to fulfill a previous
engagement to preach the dedicatory sermon of the new house of worship, on June
3rd. But he was suddenly taken sick on Saturday, and "was not able to be out of
bed from Saturday afternoon until Monday forenoon." "He returned home in a
very enfeebled state of health." "On the morning of July 3rd, on retiring from
the breakfast table, without eating a bite, he fainted, and was quickly borne by his
wife and son, John A., to the sofa in the parlor, fearing he was in the agonies of
death. But in a few minutes he sufficiently revived to retire to his room, only to
be borne back to the same place on the morning of September 12th, by the hands
of Elder Wm. McFadden and myself [A. X. Shoemaker], after the spirit of the re-
former, the evangelist, the husband, the father, the brother had fled." He died at
No. 262 North street, Harrisburg, Pa. A few weeks before his death he answered
a question touching his past life and ministry in these words: "There are things
in my life which I have to regret; but, upon the whole, I have lived with a con-
science void of offense toward God and man. And if I had my life to live over
again, I do not know that I would change it in any particular, except some little
things in which I may have erred in judgment. I have never felt free to waste my
time and talents, and sometimes I have thought I taxed my mind more than my
body was able to bear. None of my troubles through life at any time disturbed
my sleep, or destroyed my appetite. I have not been without my temptations to
ease and comfort; but I have withstood them all, and find it is the best to go with-
out the gates and wage war against the devil. And the great comfort of my life
is to know, feeble as the effort has been, God has blest it." Within half an hour
before the spirit took its departure he spoke touchingly of his family and children,
and then of "friendship," exclaiming: "Oh, how much I appreciate friendship!"
Being assured that he had very many friends, he replied: "Yes, and I have many,
many enemies, and false brethren;" and then added his final message: "In the
event I depart, preach Jesus. O, the glory of preaching Jesus! I have never seen
the necessity of preaching Jesus in the days of health as I have seen it since I have
been sick. Preach Jesus in the days of your health. Tell the brethren to stick
together!" Release had come! The final battle had been fought! He had paid
the debt of nature! On Friday, September 14th, the funeral services were held
in the Methodist church, on Locust street, the bethel for whose erection he had
spent many anxious days being in possession of the opposition. E. H. Thomas
preached a very appropriate sermon, from Heb. xi. 4. Addresses were also de-
livered by James Mackey, Joseph Ross and A. X. Shoemaker. The choirs of the
churches at Mechanicsburg and Middletown did the singing. "It was a most sol-
emn, feeling and weeping time."
The last resting place of the remains of this truly great man is near the inter-
section of Poplar and East avenues, in the beautiful necropolis north of the corner
of State and Thirteenth streets, Harrisburg, Pa. A monument was erected over his
grave on September 23, 1868, with the contributions of churches and friends. It
is of hexagonal form, thirteen feet high, and surmounted with an urn entwined
with a wreath of oak leaves. On one of the tablets is this inscription:
"Erected by the Church of God to the memory of John AVinebrenner, born in
Frederick county, Md., March 25, 1797, Died in Harrisburg, Pa., September 12,
1860." On another tablet is the following:
"An able minister of the New Testament — earnest and signally blest, in his
efforts to save his fellow men. He has perpetuated his own memory, not on tables
of stone, but on fleshy tables of the heart: 'They that turn many to righteousness
shall shine as the stars forever and ever.' A successful reformer, he labored to
build up the Church of God, she having one name, one faith, one baptism and one
mission. This: To gather together in one all the children of God that are scat-
tered abroad."
AVinebrenner had his critics; he also had his cynical detractors. He had his
faults, as he was human. But it clearly is less than charitable to accept his own
view of these as "errors in judgment." For criticism there is always room; for
detraction and defamation there is no apology. Some scars he bore were those of
wounds received in the house of his friends. He had a constitutional weakness
which led him to see future things in too large proportions. He was often too
sanguine as to the efficiency of means to reach results. He was not so much a
chimerical theorist, or lacked in practicalness and want of prevision; but his ex-
ecutive powers were disproportioned to his faith in results. Hence, some of his
General History
133
enterprises may seem Utopian. In the light of experience this seems true of the
constant hope he held out of the money-making power of The Gospel Publisher,
through which relatively so much was lost. Also in the Texas Mission project he
so earnestly advocated, and which in the end created such bitter antagonism. Or
Winebi-enner Moniiinent.
the incipient Nebraska Mission. Or even the more unfortunate morus multicaulis
dream. But who that has had his heart aflame in behalf of the Church and the
kingdom of Christ as Winebrenner had is in a position to cast the first stone? He
who does things makes mistakes. Yet through these errors of judgment, and the
busy tongue of "Sir Benjamin Backbite," his fame on several occasions suffered a
partial eclipse. Was he more maligned than was Daniel Webstor, Henry Clay,
134 History of the Churches oe God
Abraham Lincoln, George Washington? But as is so often the common lot of
great men, it was rather after his death that the public estimate of Winebi-enner
did him justice. In reasonable time that estimate became measurably correct and
moderately appreciative.
Winebrenner was the incarnation of integrity and honor. He was accustomed
to perform, and to insist on others performing, every part of social justice. Fidel-
ity to every trust and contract; tenacious of every promise; disdaining to dis-
semble or prevaricate, and regarding every act of injustice as a meanness to which
he would scorn to stoop — these were ingredients in his character. Integrity was
to him only entireness of one's moral being in unison with moral law. When he
stood up to address the people, or the Eldership, in his closing years he could have
been introduced as Laniartine did De la Eure to the riotous populace, saying:
"Listen, citizens! It is sixty years of a pure life that is about to address you."
He was ever faithful to his word. He would have thought himself as much un-
done by breaking his word as if it were to be followed by bankruptcy. Hence,
against an almost solid opposition he insisted on paying the Texas missionaries
what was promised them after they had opened the door of the Church to slave-
holders. Nor did he pride himself in this or any other virtue. He knew not what
pride is. Yet there is no affection of the human nature so much blended with
better traits, or so wrought into our very being, as this vice through which the
evil angels lost their first estate. Had it been otherwise he might have yielded to
the tempter when the thought was more or less seriously entertained to make him
Bishop of the Church. There could not be in such a nature the least tendency to
affectation, nor to dissimulation. These are only manifestations of lack of truth,
which had no place in Winebi*enner's moral make-up. Even in business relations
he was too sincere and honest to accept Chestei-field's dictum, that "dissimulation,
to a certain degree, is as necessary in business as clothes are in the common inter-
course of life." He was never known to be resentful. If he found no other and
nobler way to deal with injuries received willfully from others, he dismissed them,
like Samuel Johnson, "with frigid tranquillity, having little to fear or hope from
censure or from praise." His friendships were not tainted with partiality, and
rarely were the shafts of criticism met with sallies of anger. And yet there was
enough of the combative element in him, though graciously restrained not quiet-
ly to put up with what he might deem unprovoked insult. He was free from self-
interest, or what is properly regarded as the expectation of particular rewards,
distinct from the general good which would result from one's labors and pains.
Taking out this alloy from the gold in his character, it might be said that if the
blaze of some other reformers is brighter, of Winebrenner's the heat is more regu-
lar and constant. If others as their characters and works are studied surpass
expectation, Winebrenner never falls below it.
Winebrenner was superior to prejudice. There were no barriers between him
and the poor or the rich, the cultured or the illiterate, the white or the black, the
children of toil or the elite. He was in all these relations like Barnabas and the
Gentile converts. When the first purely heathen converts were brought in to the
church by the nameless men of Cyprus and Cyrene, they leaped the barrier which
seemed impassable to the church at Jerusalem, and solved the problem over which
Apostles were hesitating. But Barnabas crucified his prejudices, and, like a true
man, he yielded to facts and widened his theory to suit them. All such problems
raised by artificial and natural distinctions were to Winebrenner solved in Christ.
For ye are all brethren. In Christ is neither Jew nor Gentile, rich or poor, white
or black. Necessarily, if unusual, he was a man of great catholicity of spirit.
Perhaps circumstances, as well as divine grace, helped to develop this trait. In an
age of limited mental attainments, he was a man of culture, and had the advantage
of good training. Raised in a rural home, he yet walked and communed with the
refined and educated. A native of a slave State, his life was spent among anti-
slavery people. The qualities he loved and cultivated, he admired and intuitively
recognized in others. He was modest, and without any jealousy in his nature.
He was not disposed to assert any superiority, but was content to yield the prec-
edence to another, and to walk loyally and lovingly by his side. Thus he was un-
observant of the immatureness, the weaknesses, the foibles and failures of the
young men who without preparation entered the ministry. If he erred in these
things it was on the generous side. He was clothed with, and delivered his mes-
sage in, genuine humility. "Boast! but how can I boast? I am an empty vessel
in myself; whatever good there is in me was put in me by God; I merely received
General History 135
it, and not by any right, or purchase, or power of mine, but as a gift," one can
easily imagine he hears him say. He learned from Paul the answer to the ques-
tion, "Who malteth thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou didst not re-
ceive?"
Leaders often lack tenderness. Even in the apostolic leaders in the church
this characteristic does not appear in all. There was one, however, who was called
the "son of consolation." Perhaps on this account he enjoyed almost beyond any
others the confidence of the early church. We find him sent on almost every dif-
ficult and delicate mission. Nor was Winebreniier opinionated. That he held
tenaciously to the views and doctrines he conscientiously received is only to say
they were honest convictions. But he did not unduly adhere to his opinions, nor
was he indisposed to listen to, and weigh, the opinions of others. And thus in
controversy he was considerate of the views and convictions of opponents. Broad
of intellect, he was patient and courteous in debate, rarely losing his dignity or
his temper. He was self-sacrificing and indefatigable in his labors. He subordi-
nated his own and material good to the demands of the Church. He sought to
render the highest and best service to the- Church, and the law of perfect service is
always the law of self-sacrifice. It makes, as it did in his case, the whole life of
a Christian minister and Church leader a life of ministration to the Church. Spirit-
uality and moral goodness were harmoniously wedded in his life. He was full of
faith, and was not a lover of this world; but he found in religion and the Church
the absorbing business and the delight of his life. He zealously endeavored to
make other men religious and to minister to their spiritual necessities. As Mac-
kenzie says of Barnabas: "He was a good man, good in all the relationships of
social and domestic life; good in his influence and fulfillment of public duties;
good in the diffusive benevolence of his spirit and his social bearing — he was 'a
good man.' " In nothing was his spirituality more clearly evident than in his
tests of regeneration. He always insisted on "the evidence within." Evidence
there must be, but it is not in the dialects and metaphysics of Paul; but in the
simple love of John. The evidences, the proof, the satisfaction must be within the
human breast.
Winebrenner was remarkable as a man of prayer. Often on special occasions,
revivals, dedications, or critical times at Elderships, while others slept he prayed.
Like Cornelius, "his were no morning and evening orisons hurried over in a few
minutes, as though the least important part of the work of the whole day, and
accompanied by no desire for heartfelt communion with God." Like another
Jacob when "there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of day." "And
the man said. Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee
go, except thou bless me." Here was the hiding of his power as a preacher and a
leader. True, naturally speaking his singular talent for government and leader-
ship was founded also and equally on his temper and capacity. God filled the
vessel he had made. Endowed with a great command over himself, he obtained
in the earlier years an almost uncontrolled ascendency over the people identified
with him. He was sufficiently tolerant of dissent not to seek to force his opinions
on administrative matters on others, wherein lies the true secret of managing re-
ligious factions. And so his qualities as a religious leader, with no considerable
exceptions, were the object of undisputed applause and approbation. And so to
the very end of his illustrious career nothing seriously diminished for any length
of time the luster of his character. His life was altogether a serious one. With
sincerity, candor and fairness he faced and dealt with every problem and every
man. Firm, and yet gentle in a singular degree, he impressed every one with the
thought that the business of his life was sacred and serious. There never was any
Indication that he lacked moral courage. That he was non-combative, indisposed
to disputation, was not because of any element of cowardice in his nature. "The
best hearts are ever the bravest," says Lawrence Steme. He was undaunted in
face of failure, of disappointment and of difficulties.
Winebrenner's life ^9as a very busy one. The record of his work is mainly
written in tangible deeds and on human hearts. Little note was made of this by
the world. His friends did not sing and shout his praises, as falls to the lot of
some. But when he was laid to rest
"Beneath the lone green tent
Whose curtains never outward swing,"
many pens recorded and many voices spoke his praise, and never with a shadow of
136 History ok the Chukches of God
variance in tlieir appreciation of his character and work. He was most of his
years from 1825 a "preacher at large." In 1830 and 1831 no appointments were
made. But from a statement made in a report to the Eldership about 1845, he
evidently preached in Harrisburg, and occasionally for the churches around the
town. In 1832 he was stationed at Harrisburg and Middletown. From 1833 to
1840 he had no charge. It was during these years that he started and edited and
published The Gospel Publisher. In 1840 he was pastor at Harrisburg, Middle-
town and Lisburn. In 1841 he was stationed at Lancaster. In 1842 to 184 5 he
acted, under appointment, as General Missionary, Agent for The Gospel Publisher,
and Agent for the Missionary Cause. His last charge was Lisburn, in 1846. From
1847 to 1851 he was "preaching at large," or as General Missionary, as he was in
1859. But no regular provision was made for his support, so that he was often
thrown largely on his own resources. He devoted part of his time to various busi-
ness enterprises, and also to his own publications, from which he probably derived
considerable of an income. On May 1, 1846, he revived The Gospel Publisher
under the name of The Church Advocate, of which the editorial and business man-
agement remained in his hands until May 1, 1857.
As a preacher AVinebrenner was systematic, methodical, perspicuous and
forceful. His theological views were definite and comprehensive, and were ex-
pressed in a didactic style. While logical in conception and outline, they were
not argumentative. The faculty of stating truth in such a manner as to carry on
the face of it its own proof was characteristic. Many of his written sermons were
fine specimens of homiletical literature. He was at home in different kinds of
sermons, though nearly all his published sermons are textual-topical, with a strong
practical and experimental trend. As a Reformed minister he wrote his sermons
often at full length; but later he seldom depended on manuscript. He was a fine
extemporizer. Self-possessed, with a ready and expressive vocabulary, he could
preach with Bible in hand with boldness, accuracy, fervency and precision. There
was unction and fervor and pathos in his preaching which were at times irresist-
able. The fervor and severity tempered with sweetness were of such an order as
to excite the emotions of piety and devotion. He was never accused with being
brilliant, or oratorical. He had a great message of truth to bring to the people,
and he was more absorbed in this than in the vehicle which conveyed it. Indeed
few men have stood before dying men with a message from heaven that seemed so
utterly unconscious of self as did John AVinebrenner. Henry once said of himself
and brother preachers: "We should be in gospel worship as the angels, who are
seraphim — burners." So AA^inebrenner was in the pulpit. No trifling word, or
sinister thought, or puerile act marked his ministrations in the pulpit. His style
in prayer and sermon was reverent, humble, serious, simple and devout. He wrote
and spoke in English and in German with equal precision and fluency. He had
cultivated the art of writing to such a degree of accuracy and legibility that his
manuscript was as if it were script. "A long poem," says Edgar Allen Poe, "is a
paradox." In no sense can this be true of a sermon. AA'^inebrenner is remembered
by those yet living as a preacher of interminable sermons — "long-winded." Not
so. The length of sermons is determined by conditions. His regular sermons
were of the usual length. But no man preaches short sermons on special occa-
sions, or special subjects. In his prime, sermons of two hours were no rare excep-
tions on such occasions. The length of a sermon is not determined by the clock.
AAlnebrenner's private character and domestic relations are of interest to the
Church. The cardinal virtues, the temper and behavior of this good man in pri-
vate life were such as to adorn his memory with an added halo. It were easy
to enlarge on the devotion, the affection and the tenderness with which he filled
up the relations of husband and father if the subject were not of too delicate a
nature to admit of a particular detail. It is sufficient to submit a few facts, and to
say, that his behavior in them was founded on the same excellent principles which
influenced the rest of his conduct, and discovered in a high degree that sweetness
and benevolence of temper for which he was remarkably. He kindly interested
himself in the concerns of his wife and their home. And in the education and
training of his children he endeavored to act upon the advices which he recom-
mended to others in his sermons on that subject. AAlnebrenner was married Oc-
tober 10, 1822, by Rev. James R. Reiley, to Charlotte M. Reutter, of Harrisburg,
Pa. To them were born six children, of which four died in infancy. Two daugh-
ters grew to womanhood and were married respectively to James Colder and J. C.
Cassel. Mrs. AA'inebrenner died May 20, 1834. He was married the second time
General History 137
by Elder James Mackey, on Thursday, November 2, 1837, to Mary Hamilton
Mitchell, of Harrisburg, Pa., but a native of Norristown, Montgomery county, Pa.,
who survived him, dying at Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, Pa., May 22, 1888. To
them were born Emma C, married to E. L. Christman, of Washington, Washington
county. Pa., and John A., Albert M., and Marshall H. The mantle of the fatheV
as a preacher has not fallen on either of the sons.
Winebrenner's labors were not limited to preaching and editing The Gospel
Publisher and Church Advocate, during the sixteen years he was connected with
these periodicals. He was foremost in every project and enterprise of the Church,
abounding in every good word and work. His own publications, beginning in
1822, and continuing at intervals to the close of his life, required much time and
often quite an amount of research and labor. But in the Church he was active in
every movement. He early advocated the need of an institution of learning, and
took a leading part in the earliest project of that character — the building of
"Bethel College," or the "Swatara Collegiate Institute," to be located at Middle-
town, Pa. He matured the idea of a co-operative body called "the General Elder-
ship," afterwards the East Pennsylvania Eldership. The present General Elder-
ship was the creature of his brain, and he personally managed the preliminary
campaign which resulted in its organization in 184 5. If a more opinionated man
had been the leader indications point to the probable wreck of this institution be-
fore it was four years old. He was active in the anti-slavery movement, and in
several temperance campaigns delivered political speeches. The industrial im-
provements interested him to such an extent that for several years he was much
devoted to silk culture and the introduction of machinery of a labor-saving char-
acter. Being so much of his time in the saddle, and other means of conveyance,
he knew the hardships of those methods of transportation, and hence delighted in
the prospect of railroad lines being built over all the country, and editorially en-
listed the good will and sympathies of those whom he could reach with his pen.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, in his somewhat amusing contrast of the lawyer, the
doctor and the minister, insists that the duties of the latter "do not tend to make
them sympathetic," even if he comes "next to the lawyer in point of talent." But
Winebrenner, living apparently a somewhat sub-conscious life, was intensely and
broadly sympathetic.
Descriptions of Winebrenner's physique are naturally limited. Why, up to
the time of his death, describe his physical appearance when nearly every reader
of the Church's publication knew him personally? So the earliest attempt on
record to draw a pen portrait of his physical person was in 1860, a short time be-
fore his death. R. H. Bolton, with the other delegates to the General Eldership
of 1860, saw him on the floor and heard him deliver his last sermon. In "Notes
By the Way," published July 12, 1860, reporting the General Eldership as Cor-
respondent, he says: "He is sixty-odd years old. And the silver threads appear
amid his hair, and especially in his beard [worn only the last few years of his life].
He is tall and rather sparely built. His personal appearance is commanding, his
address graceful and winning, his gestures accomplished; his voice is full, soft,
flowing; his delivery free, unaffected, energetic, animated."
Samuel Hinney, who knew Winebrenner and attended his preaching in "Peace
Church," also known as "Salem Church," or the "Stone Church," near Shiremans-
town, between 1820 and 1825, in 1864 gave this description of him as he then
saw him: "I well recollect seeing him, coming up the road on horseback, a tall,
lean, young man, with a modest, unassuming, humble and meek appearance."
George Gamer, who heard him in Maryland when he was yet a Reformed min-
ister gave his recollection of Winebi-enner about the same time. Gamer lived
only a few miles from the old Winebrenner home. He says: "When Winebren-
ner was a Reformed minister he would come over to visit his friends, and would
preach for the minister in the big house in town. He was tall and portly, well
dressed and of a commanding appearance, but not proud. He was the most priest-
ly looking man I ever saw, very pious."
Samuel Boyer remembered Winebrenner in 1824, and heard him preach in
Maryland. In 18 80 he wrote about him as follows: "Well do I remember Wine-
bi"enner. When he would shake his finger at the congregation sinners would
tremble, as his whole slender frame would do."
In 1861 Elder Jacob Flake, Philadelphia, Pa., wrote some "Recollections of
Rev. Brother Winebrenner," beginning with their first meeting of each other. He
says: "The first time I met with Bro. Winebrenner was in the Summer of 1834
138 History of tiif; Churches of God
or '35. I had heard of him, but had not seen him. He called to see me in Phila-
delphia, where I was sojourning at the time, having returned from a five years'
service in the West. He was tall and slim, wearing a straw hat; plain in person,
and manners, and dress. His conversation and deportment were serious and
gentlemanly, very much like a Christian of the olden times."
In his "Biography of Elder John Winebi-enner," published in 1880, Dr. George
Ross thus describes his personal appearance: "He was tall and slender, about six
feet high, and very erect, whether walking or standing, or in the pulpit; with high
forehead, and rather long, thin face, bluish eyes inclining to gray. His hair was
smooth and of light chestnut color when younger, but later in life it was slightly
mixed with gray, and which he wore rather long. Dignity and solemnity were
prominent features in his countenance; and it was impossible to be in his com-
pahy without feeling that you were in the presence of a great and good man. Yet
there was little stiffness in his manner, so that a little child could readily approach
him with confidence."
While there are men of decidedly good judgment who believe in "undersized
geniuses," who have gone so far as "to declare that great height and genius are
incompatible." They can cite in confirmation of their views such celebrities as
Napoleon the First, Alexander the Great, Edgar Allen Poe, Alexander Pope. And
it may be admitted that the list of men of undoubted genius who have been short
of stature, some indeed almost dwarfs, is long. But it is not so difficult a task to
overthrow the theory that great minds and short statures are closely allied. Cran-
ium and brains after all count more than bones and muscles. Among the long
list of very distinguished men in America are some of large stature, such as
Charles Sumner, Jefferson, Jackson, Samuel Adams, George Washington, Lincoln,
Beecher, Choate, O'Connell, some of which were considerably over six feet. The
testimonials to Winebrenner's greatness are numerous, and from men who had a
long and intimate association with him. These men pronounced most enthusiastic
eulogies upon the character, abilities and gifts of the immortal dead both as they
were assembled in annual convocations, and in published memorials. They found
in him treasures of heart and of intellect which in their deliberate judgment en-
titled him, now sleeping in the "dwellings of the dead," to a real superiority among
his cotemporaries in the American pulpit, and which made an enduring place for
him in the gratitude and remembrance of posterity. They had seen him and heard
him and associated with him during the weary years of his arduous labors, and
many of his marvelous, pungent and spirit-stirring sermons and speeches they
could never forget. To few of them was he known except as the great preacher;
a preacher whose sermons, "like pollen-dust, usually penetrated to the conscious-
ness it was to fertilize and bring to flower and fruit." They found it hard to speak
of his sermons so as not to do them injustice, and still more to do them justice.
In the sermon Thomas preached at his funeral he characterized him as a preacher,
a theologian and a writer. In general, looking back to the time when the inex-
perienced theologue entered the Reformed pulpit in Harrisburg, he said: "We
hesitate not to say, without being convicted of boasting above our measure, that
Winebreimer, under the blessing of God, did more during the first ten years of his
ministry to dispel the moral darkness and to infuse a new life into organized and
unorganized Christianity in and around Harrisburg than any living man of to-day."
He spoke of his ability "to pour forth those higher strains of pulpit oratory which
bring all hearts under their control and power, yet many years ago he discarded
for conscience's sake, as he told me, all that was mere display, tinsel and show in
his pulpit efforts, and confined himself to preaching the word with all plainness,
simplicity and point. And that in which he most excelled was the clear, lucid
manner in which he expounded the word of God,' and the point and power with
which he applied the truth to the hearts and consciences of his hearers." "As a-
writer he was strong, vigorous, clear and methodical." "His works prove that as
a theologian he was no mere novice, either in the doctrinal or practical." Thomas
enumerates "the qualities for which AVinebreiiner was most distinguished as: 1.
Great zeal and perseverance in his Master's cause. 2. Great decision of character.
3. Great Christian charity. 4. Unbounded benevolence. .5. A self-sacrificing
spirit."
Dr. Ross in his memoir says of Wiiiebremier : "His preaching was generally
methodical, and so logical that his positions were almost irresistible. His delivery
was easy and deliberate. And while he was mild and affectionate to inquiring
penitents, his reproofs to rebellious sinners were often terrible in their character.
General History 139
He used his index finger with telling effect in his gestures." "His sermons had
great power in convincing men of sin, and through his splendid reasoning his
hearers yielded willingly to the power of the gospel. His language was so plain
that every one understood him, and his reasoning so strong that people listened
with attention, and before they were aware of it were convinced." "Seldom using
notes in his labors, he would preach, exhort and sing for hours at a time in ap-
parent forgetfulness of everything else."
In 1880 G. W. Wilson, of Ohio, wrote of Winebrenner, that he "was a ripe
scholar, a fine Christian gentleman, a sound theologian and an eloquent and enter-
taining preacher, and a humble, zealous and devoted servant of the Church."
R. H. Bolton wrote in December, 1860, that "Winebrenner as a gospel
preacher had few equals. His personal appearance was commanding, his address
graceful and winning, his gestures accomplished, his ideas clear and well arranged.
All these, with other good qualities, combined with deep, fervent piety and the
high sense of the imperishable majesty and glory of his calling, and the glorious
results of his labors, place him among the best speakers of his age." Bolton
named twelve of AVinebrenner's traits: 1. Strong faith. 2. Strong hope. 3.
Very sanguine. 4. Courageous. 5. Plain and pointed. 6. Bold and un-
compromising. 7. Never entered into sectarianism. 8. Great zeal. 9. Un-
tiring perseverance. 10. A good man. 11. An earnest man. 12. Relied on
the truth of the gospel.
J. Hinkle, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., thus bore testimony to Winebrenner's noble
qualities: "We wonder at various matters respecting the departure of our brother,
which will doubtless not cease while we have our dwelling among men. We con-
template his instrumentality in the hands of the Supreme Ruler of the universe
and mighty Arbiter of nations in bringing sinners to Christ, and wonder why he is
no more. We view his high intellectual endowments, and the respectable literary
acquirements with which these natural talents were adorned, and our amazement
is only increased why his life is over. We look at the special and superior meek-
ness which qualified him for the exalted office of the ministry, and we gaze with
remembered delight upon the halo of glory which often encircled the congrega-
tions of the Lord whilst he preached the unsearchable riches of Christ, and we in-
quire. Why has the mighty fallen? We wonder why so eminent a man reached no
higher number of days on earth, while thousands of his inferiors had, and many
now have, reached quite beyond the length of his sojourn. In his fall a bright
star has been thrust from its orbit in the moral heavens."
J. C. Owens, then at Uniontown, Md., March 13, 1861, spoke thus of his first
acquaintance with Winebrenner and the impressions received in social conversa-
tion: "I soon found that I had met with a gentleman, and as such few could excel
him. In company he was polite, and remarkably agreeable. No one could remain
long with him, or be in his company, without learning something profitable. He
was free from trifiing in conversation, or with the feelings of those with whom he
associated. His tone of voice, his pleasant countenance and his dignified physical
structure gave weight and infiuence to his character upon the minds of those who
heard him. I also learned that he was not only a workman of no ordinary skill,
and as well a gentleman; but a clear and well qualified debater. In these respects
he had but few equals in the Church or in the nation."
One of his erstwhile friends, and alleged detractors, suggested at the time of
his death that a common funeral dirge be chanted at all the Elderships, whose ses-
sions were approaching. There would have been an impressiveness about such an
epicedium which would have appealed strongly to the imagination; but it could
not be arranged for. But what approached it at least in spirit was the spon-
taneous symposium of sentiment developed and revealed at the sessions of quite
nearly all the Elderships. Yet there was no concert of action, as the first Elder-
ship met eighteen days after Winebrenner fell asleep. It was the East Ohio. On
the second day, in the afternoon, a motion prevailed, that "Elder G. U. Hani be
requested to deliver before this body this evening a discourse on the life, labors
and death of our esteemed and venerable Bro. AVinebrenner." This he did, using
Acts viii. 2 as his text, to a "congregation large, attentive, solemn and weeping."
In the resolutions the Eldership spoke of "the vast circle of devoted friends" from
the midst of v/hich Winebrenner was called; of "his ministerial career as a re-
former, evangelist and Christian," in which capacities he "has ever shone as a star
In the clerical constellation of his age with unsurpassed brilliancy and luster." It
140 History or the Churches of God
was recommended that a funeral sermon be preached in every church of the Elder-
ship.
The West Ohio Eldership met on Wednesday, October 15th, and on Tuesday
afternoon appointed Thomas Hickemell "to preach to-night on the death of EUler
Winebreimer." He "preached a solemn and impressive sermon from II. Tim. iv. 7.
The Eldership spoke sadly of "the mysterious providence which removed our ven-
erable and beloved Bro. Winebreimer;" that "a great man has fallen; one who
possessed a strong, deep, clear, original and well-cultivated mind, and a graceful,
gen.erous and noble spirit. In preaching, his style, arrangement and manner of
delivery were peculiarly his own. His easy, unaffected manner, always accom-
panied with great simplicity, and his warm, gushing heart, overflowing with kind
feeling, did not fail to secure the love of those by whom he was surrounded."
The Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership met October 22nd. It expressed
the deep sense of the loss sustained by "the death of our beloved and much
esteemed Bro. John Winebrenner," and "deeply sympathize with the brotherhood
in our common bereavement."
On the 29th of October the Indiana Eldership convened. John Martin was
"appointed to preach a sermon on the death of Elder J. Winebrenner, and delivered
an impressive discourse from Gen. xlix. .53." In resolutions the Eldership com-
mended Winebi-enner's "labors, so untiring and successful," which "will ever be
cherished in the memory of multitudes."
By a regretable oversight, the Illinois Eldership, which convened October 3rd,
had "not a line, or a sentence, or a syllable; no, not so much as even an allusion
in the remotest degree," in its Journal, of the venerable and lamented Elder John
Winebrenner. But the omission was explained as entirely undesigned; that the
Eldership was in no sense "insensible to the great and irreparable loss the Church
has sustained," and that it was the intention to take "suitable action with regard
to a subject of so much moment to the Church as that of the death of our much
lamented Father W'inebrenner." "It was certainly the intention, as well as the
expectation, of the Eldership to have added their testimony to the well-known
virtues and high moral and religious worth to which our lamented brother at-
tained in this life."
In the morning session of the first day, October 23rd, the West Pennsylvania.
Eldership appointed S. S. Richmond "to deliver a funeral discourse on the life and
death of Elder Winebrenner." This was done on Friday evening, from Rev. xiv.
13. In resolutions adopted after the sermon, Winebrenner is characterized as
"our venerable and much beloved brother and father in Israel," in whose death
"the Church has lost an able counsellor, the Bible a faithful advocate, the world a
great reformer and the community a worthy man."
The East Pennsylvania Eldership held its session at Bainbridge, beginning on
Wednesday a. m., November 8th. The preaching of the opening sermon fell to the
lot of the life long friend and associate of Winebrenner, William McFadden, in
place of Winebrenner, appointed to that office by resolution in 1859. The Elder-
ship was orphaned, and sat in mourning. A special committee on obituaries was
appointed, consisting of Swartz, Thomas and Mackey, than whom none knew AV^ine-
brenner better, nor appreciated him more highly. The Committee feelingly spoke
of "our much honored and venerated brother. Elder John Winebrenner; that in
this afflicted bereavement the Church of God of the East Pennsylvania Eldership
has lost the most honored and useful instrument in the hands of God in the or-
ganization and establishment of said Church; that by the sterling character and
success of his ministry he has associated his name with the most noted and ac-
knowledged reformers of modern times." Mackey preached an extempore sermon,
from Luke ii. 29, 30, on Winebrenner, which, by request of the Eldership, was
written out and published in The Advocate. He testified that "few knew Wine-
brenner better in life than myself, and then added: "And throughout this long
acquaintance of over thirty years, I may truly say, I know not one solitary act of
his which in my estimation deprived me of confidence in his Christian character.
He was a close, impressive, sound reasoner. generally methodical yet spiritual in
his ministrations; great solemnity pervaded his efforts, and as a consequence deep
and lasting impressions were made upon the audiences he addressed."
The Iowa Eldership, immediately after organization on the third Monday
morning of October, "appointed A. Megrew. A. McCormick and J. Huff a committee
to draft resolutions expressive of the sympathy of this body relative to the death
of Elder John Winebrenner." The Committee thereupon reported, speaking of
General History 141
the deceased as "one who has long adorned the doctrine of his profession as a
faithful minister, a reformer and as a devoted Christian, ever laboring vi^ith an
untiring zeal to vindicate and spread the principles of the Bible, and was the hum-
ble and highly honored instrument under God in the conversion of many; believ-
ing him to have been one among the brightest stars that has ever adorned the min-
isterial constellation of his day."
The grave holds his mortal tenement of clay .till the resurrection of the just.
But he being dead yet speaketh. There is a glorification through death I Le Sage
was right when he said: "Their deeds alone can praise them." And no other
praise is of good effect where great names are concerned. And it needs but the
simple story of his deeds, faithfully recorded, to sustain the glory of John Wine-
brenner.
CHAPTER XII.
1865—1870.
THE first year of this period has ever been regarded as one of the most memor-
able years of American history. The events which give it this distinction
were of a character deeply to concern the Churches and Christian people,
and can not be separated from their corporate life. "General Sherman's march
of three hundred miles directly through an insurgent country," "the most remark-
able feature in the military operations of the year," says Lincoln, had culminated
at Savannah, Georgia, with entire success, and "with an eclat indeed which startled
Europe as well as America." He was marching northward, driving the Confeder-
ate army before him. Grant was meanwhile tightening his hold on Richmond and
on the army of General Itee. In the southwest the military power of the Confed-
eracy had been effectually destroyed by General Thomas. The country was excited
to breathless expectation, and the Christian people who for four years had not
ceased to pray for the triumph of right and justice began at last to see the fore-
gleams of a complete answer to their prayers. On April 9, 1865, E. M. Stanton,
Secretary of War, announced the surrender of Lee, and ordered a "salute of two
hundred guns in commemoration" thereof. The surrender of Johnston speedily
followed. In large head-lines even The Church Advocate proclaimed, "The War
Over!" "Thanks be to God!" In many and various ways the end of the war af-
fected the Churches.
While events of the most momentous character were thus transpiring on the
bloody fields of war, other scenes of equal significance were enacting in the halls
of legislation. Maryland had taken the matter of the solution of the slavery ques-
tion, which had agitated and rent Churches for years, under her own control, and
deliberately abolished the institution. President Lincoln knew that in the Con-
federate States and some other Border States its abolition depended upon the
validity of his Proclamation of Emancipation. He would never retract or modify
said document; but what the Supreme Court might do was an unsolved problem.
In his Message to Congress he made an effective plea for the adoption of the
Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution. January 6, 186.5, this Amendment
was brought before the House of Representatives, and on January 31st it was
adopted by a vote of 119 yeas and .56 nays. Having been adopted by the Senate,
it was at once submitted to the States, and in less than eleven months after Con-
gress had spoken the Secretary of State announced that the Amendment had been
ratified by the Legislatures of twenty-seven States, and was a part of the Constitu-
tion. Slavery in the United States was dead!
April 15, 1865, "a crime without a name" was perpetrated in Washington,
D. C. Lincoln was a martyr! The idol of the Christian people and Churches of
the loyal States was shattered by the assassin's bullet. It was startling and terri-
ble news to the country, as it was to the world. If hero-worship is not approved
by the enlightened Christian conscience, the apotheosis of Lincoln is an exception.
President Johnson directed that Thursday, June 1st, "be observed as a day of
humiliation and mourning." ^t the Eldership in the Fall of 1865, instead of
resolutions on the war and slavery, eloquent tributes of praise were recorded with
earnest unanimity, recognizing in the martyred President "the worthy type of the
characteristic virtues that should distinguish the Ruler of a free people, and that
T42 History of the Churches of God
we shall ever cherish his memory and embalm his name in the warmest affections
of our hearts as a special gift of Providence to the Nation in the darkest period of
its eventful history." Looking back over the year 1865, on December 28th,
Thomas said editorially: "O, what a year was 1865! How big with interest!
How momentous in fixing the destiny of our own, and perhaps all the nations of
the earth! The year 1865 has been a glorious, as well as a sad, year." And the
"New York Observer": "While the present generation lives, and in the traditions
of generations yet to come, the year now closing will be Annus Memorabilis, the
memorable year of our country's history."
But while the material of war, the swords and the spears, were being con-
verted into the implements of husbandry, and "wars without" ceased, and
"The bright day long seen afar, sublime,
Bent now from heaven in final, full-orbed peace,"
in the Church and Elderships there was much controversy. Psychological reasons
there doubtless are why contentions and disputations in Churches are both cause
and effect; but in this case it is a question the answer to which may be held in
suspense. But to contend earnestly for the faith delivered to a Church, even in
public debate, while perhaps not profitable, may indicate a condition of vigorous
health and delicious harmony in the body. This is illustrated in the champion
disputant of the 'Disciples of Christ," A. Campbell, who died on March 4, 1866.
He held five public debates from 1820 to 1843, in which he defended the faith of
the "Christian Church." He was Winebi-enner's senior by eleven years, and out-
lived him six years. B. Ober, however, had a number more public debates than
Campbell. One at Proctor, in West Virginia, in 1851, has already been noticed.
In Texas he had several of a semi-political character, but somewhat informal. His
second debate of a religious nature was in 1865, with a Mr. Polly, of the Disciple
Church, on Feet-washing; Title of the Church, and Design of Baptism, all three
specialties with the ministers of the Disciple Church. This was held in Fannin
county, Texas. Sometime later he discussed the same subjects with Clark Braden,
a trained disputant, in Hunt county, Texas. In 1884, after his removal to Arkan-
sas he encountered a Mr. Randolph, also of the Disciple Church, and debated the
same questions, at Uniontown, Ark. Returning to Hunt county, Texas, in 1884,
he joined issue the same year with a Methodist minister by the name of Landreth.
on the same subjects. In McKinney county, Texas, in 1884, he tried conclusions
with another minister of the Disciple Church on the old issues. But at Paris,
Texas, in a debate with Mi-. Porter, Methodist, infant baptism and immersion were
the propositions.
Had a discussion of Feet-washing as a divine ordinance, in The Advocate, by
J. S. Stamm, in 1866, and between Stamm and C. H. Forney the same year, been
taken at its full value as proof that Stamm had renounced the ordinance, possibly
the history of Centralia College could be differently written. When Principal of
said institution he came out more positively against the ordinance, and finally re-
signed his position and membership in the Church.
A pleasant and interesting debate was held in Franklin Hall, Mechanicsburg,
Pa., between A. Swartz, of the Church of God, and Rev. Dudley Downs, of the
Christian Church. The proposition, which Downs affirmed and Swaitz denied,
was: "Baptism is essential to the remission of sins." Each disputant made four
speeches. "A pretty full report of the speeches was furnished for the columns of
The Advocate by the Junior Editor." The two evenings of May 7 and 8, 1867,
were devoted to the discussion. In strong, deliberate, logical arguments Swartz
dissected the positions attempted to be maintained by his opponent. The burden
of proof rested not with him, and so Swartz had less opportunity to exercise his
special talent for analytical discussion. Yet he realized that before a popular as-
sembly he could not, for the sake of his cause, limit himself to the negative; and
so he also advanced eight arguments in proof of the correlative to the proposition
under discussion, which Downs did not undertake to meet. Of the published re-
port of the debate Mr. Downs said: "The report I take to be a fair and honest
one."
August 18 and 19, 1869. a public debate was held at Wesley, Venango county.
Pa., between Elder J. M. Domer, of the Church of God, and Rev. Thomas Graham,
of the M. E. Church. The proposition submitted by Graham and accepted by
Domer was in the form of a question: "Did Christ institute feet-washing as a
permanent ordinance of the New Testament Church?" Domer was comparatively
General History
143
a young man, aged about thirty-eight years. His opponent was his senior by not
less than twenty years. Domer had been in the ministry some twelve years; Gra-
ham probably forty. Domer in his manner was. very deliberate, calm and grave;
Graham was of an excitable temperament. Domer's language was eminently
chaste, smooth and aptly expressive, delivered with a well-modulated voice; Gra-
ham, as a result of over-taxing his voice in preaching, spoke in more rasping tones,
and in a rather high key. Domer was a good, logical reasoner; Graham, though
.reasonably well versed in logical forms and terminology, was often seriously at
fault in his reasoning processes. This was the first debate in which "humility"
as an element in the ordinance of feet-washing was discarded, and "humiliation"
substituted. Domer gave these elements: 1. Divine origin. 2. Recognized
subjects. 3. Object or design. 4. Must relate to the worship of God. Gra-
ham gave the elements somewhat differently, specifically insisting that every or-
dinance must be "commemorative," in proof of which he cited Winebrenner. And
that the thing commemorated must be a historical fact, like the death of Christ.
A. Swartz.
It was a critical point in the debate; but when Domer caught the full significance
of the flank movement he turned his guns with tremendous force against Graham.
Accepting Graham's elements, he portrayed in eloquent terms the historic fact of
the "humiliation" of Christ, as significant and essential as his death, and declared
that to be the monumental fact which we insist ii commemorated in the washing
of the saints' feet. Graham failed to reform his lines after this masterly stroke of
dialectic strategy. Besides "the Junior Editor," who published a full report of
the debate, there were present of the ministers of the Church of God, P. Loucks,
A. C. Raysor and Heni-y Rarkey. The conduct of some of Graham's friends in re-
peatedly leaving the house during Domer's speeches indicated lack of refinement
in manners and charity of spirit. But their deportment was better than when
years before, in the same locality, a debate was conducted between G. U, Harn and
Rev. Keller, also of the M. E. Church.
In view of the radical antagonism between the Christian Church and the
Church of God on the design of baptism, as developed in the Ober, Swailz and
other debates, and in many published articles, the futility of efforts at union be-
144
History of the Churches of God
tween the two bodies is self-evident. Yet "A Disciple" in December, 1865, ad-
dressed a letter through The Advocate to the Church of God, in which he "asked
and desired to have answered the following important question: "What is to
hinder the union of the people known as the Church of God and those known as
Disciples of Christ?" He gave five points of agreement. But the proposition
seemed so clearly inadmissible as a practical question, that though "A Disciple"
suggested that delegates attend the next General Eldership to discuss it, it had not
vitality enough to survive the Winter.
A spirit of disputation was rather widespread at this time. A large number
and variety of theological and practical questions were discussed on both sides in
The Advocate. Objection manifested itself at times in strong terms, perhaps not
so much to the proper elaboration by arguments of the subjects treated of, as to
the discursive, diffuse, non-consequential character of many of the articles. And
yet more, to the absence of that restraint which holds disputants in check in a
public discussion. Personalities revealing an ungracious and virulent spirit were
J. M. Doiner,
not uncommon. As has been frankly said: "We have seen many on their getting
warm becoming rude and shooting one another," instead of contending for or
against propositions. Good humor is the best lubricator in a debate, as it is a
strong preservative of peace and tranquillity. Not only was the spirit of the con-
troversial articles distasteful, but the effect was feared. "What is the use of
preaching union when we are not united ourselves?" "Can not brethren hold in
with their peculiar notions?" "Must everything be given to the public in which
we are divided?" "I am actually ashamed sometimes to let our sectarian neigh-
bors see and read The Advocate." Such were the sentiments expressed relative to
these controversies.
But some of these contentions scarcely concealed impending schisms, and also
helped to widen them. This is true relative to questions of co-operation which
were matters both of discussion and of official action. Will Winebrenner's dying
message lose its charm — "Tell the brethren to stick together"? Radical differ-
ences of opinion developed from 1865 to 1870 on matters of Church Polity. They
centered on two points — -The Itinerancy; and, the Authority of Elderships. A few
ministers serving stations, both East and West, contended not only on abandoning
the itinerancy, but replacing it with the call system. Several churches carried
this theory to the extent of refusing to receive ministers not previously called by
them. The act of appointing them by the Eldership was only a ratification, not
i
General History 145
only in form but in fact, of the previous choice by the church. The discussion at
several points threatened to end in insubordination and church independency. The
claim to the right to discipline a church on account of any want of co-operation
vi^as treated with disrespect. "To your tents, O Israel!" was heard from a few
places, the significance of which could not be misunderstood. Men held their
breath, wondering how soon the rumblings of the earthquake would be heard!
The discussion widened, taking in the relations of churches to the Eldership,
church autonomy, and all the kindred issues. Official censure was resorted to by
Standing Committees and Elderships, which in the severity of their terms and the
extreme authority assumed served rather still further to inflame the already over-
wrought passions than to restore quietude and foster a spirit of submission. But
the equivocal action of the General Eldership in 1869 gave evidence that so far as
the Itinerancy being fundamental to our plan of co-operation, it was not generally
so accepted when it included the time-limit. Strong men like Thomas, Swartz and
scores of others with pen and voice defended the Polity of the Church, the author-
ity of Elderships, the right of government and the principle of subordination of
the less to the greater, until we reach the corporate unity of the Church in the
General Eldership. Yet in some respects the discussion resulted in changing the
tendencies toward irresponsible power and undue centralization. It also cleared
the atmosphere in that the principles of co-operative action were set forth in
clearer light. But it was characterized with considerable rancor and virulence,
which are seeds never yielding good fruit. If, like the Methodist Church, the
Church of God did not have lay representation this agitation could have been
turned to good account to secure it. But where laymen, representatives of the
churches, have equal rights in the deliberative assemblies, all questions of admin-
istration should be more easy of satisfactory settlement. The danger to a small
body of people in such a spirit of revolt and reform is seen in the schisms, or
secessions, in the Methodist Episcopal Church during its history. It was after
long and at times acrimonious discussion and agitation that in 1869 the victory
for lay representation was won. But the power of the episcopacy was not dimin-
ished, so far at least as the form is concerjied. Meanwhile five protesting parties
withdrew from the Church and organized independent denominations. The "Re-
publican Methodists," because of the power of the Bishops in appointing preachers.
The "Methodist Protestant Church," because of "the unlimited legislative, execu-
tive and judicial power vested in the episcopacy and the ministry, to the exclusion
of the lay members." The "Wesleyan Methodist Connection," to form "a republi-
can form of government, in which a majority should rule and the laity have equal
rights." The "Free Methodist Church," whose fundamental principle was that
"laymen on credentials of proper election, including women, shall be admitted to
the District, Annual and General Conferences." And the "Congregational Metho-
dist Church," which insisted on a more democratic government, to the elimination
of the episcopacy and the itinerancy. And as a sixth and later movement of like
character, the "New Congregational Methodist Church," whose main object was to
secure the entire parity of the ministry and the exclusion of the episcopacy. In
the Church of God the form of the protest differed; the principle was similar; and,
if not wisely controlled, could have been disastrous.
Discussions were often started by the asking of questions. In this wise the
question of the observance of the Jewish Sabbath was introduced in February,
1865, and was continued until December, 1866, participated in by A. W. Reeder,
who inquired by what authority and by whom the day was changed. Oliver
Hoflfer answered by denying that there was any scriptural authority for the change,
and hence Christians should observe the seventh-day Sabbath. A. Swartz replied,
and was in turn antagonized by R. H. Bolton and Oliver. Swartz contended that
the Jewish Sabbath was local; that it passed away with the coming in of the gospel
dispensation, which is general, and that object and design of the two institutions
were different. The discussion was in good spirit, but Thomas nevertheless put
up the bars in order to end the controversy. The Church being so generally com-
mitted to the Lord's day, there was some impatience over a long drawn out dis-
cussion which was not likely to change a single mind, and so the Editor thought
it was doing "injustice to our readers" to permit its continuance.
Beginning in April, 1865, and ending in December, 1866, the question of the
relation of baptism to salvation was almost continuously debated. After it had
been in progress for three months, and himself being one of the leading disputants,
Thomas somewhat apologetically stated that "it has not been introduced into our
C. H. 6*
146 History of the Churches of God
columns by our own choice or election, and both have assumed proportions, in
words at least and repetitions, that make us rather regret that we have suffered
them in at all," including "the discussion on the Sabbath question." Like the
latter, the debate on baptism in its relation to salvation was begun by a question
submitted by AV. P to the Editor: "Does the Church teach that baptism
is essential to salvation?" Thomas answered in a guarded, qualified manner, after
a careful definition of "essential," that the Church did not teach thus. "Veritas"
affirmed in opposition that "baptism is for the remission of the sins of a penitent
believer." A bad name fastened upon a doctrine is with many a strong argument
against it. Thomas was not a stranger to the arts of a controversialist, and he at
once headed his reply to "Veritas," "Baptismal Regeneration," and adhered to it
to the end. For some four months these two disputants entertained the readers
with long articles antagonistic to each other. In December, 1866, R. H. Bolton
struck at the heart of the question as argued from the Disciple view-point, and
inquired through The Advocate of C. H. Forney, the Assistant Editor, whether
"the preposition 'for' in Matt. xxvi. 28 and Acts ii. 38, means the same in both
cases." The answer was wholly philological, and the conclusion drawn was
against the position that baptism in any sense is the cause or condition of the re-
mission of sins, or that remission of sins is the effect or result of baptism. In 1868
the subject was again brought forward by a question to the Editor by P. Curtis, in
which his position as against admitting persons to church fellowship before bap-
tism was revealed. Thomas at once turned this question so as to give it a clear
allusion to the former question, and so answered at length, that "baptism is
neither a condition of salvation, nor of church membership." To this answer J.
L. Cramer objected by quoting the old texts which he claimed teach that "baptism
in every case is connected with remission of sins." This reiteration of what to
Thomas was an exploded theory made him impatient, and he replied somewhat
hotly, that "no one but a perverted disciple of A. Campbell would assume that the
texts quoted mean baptismal remission of sins, or baptismal regeneration." These
earlier controversies were frequently besprinkled with lancinating terms; but
would it not be an indignity to such noble souls to assume that these things, pro-
ceeded from other than pure and upright motives and a holy jealousy for the
truth?
Though Thomas disclaimed all intentions of "invoking or provoking a contro-
versy on the subject of Calvinism," an editorial on "Calvinism" in June, 1865, did
that very thing. There was a revelation of some contention on the subject, "es-
pecially in the bounds of the East Ohio Eldership;" a statement that letters on
the subject had been received, and a hint touching the zeal of new converts to a
faith. Indeed already in May the spark which can start a conflagration was
dropped by "Quilibet," in referring to the reasons why there "was no revival at
Sugar Creek, Ohio, during the last meeting," and wondered whether it was not
"too much Calvinism in the pulpit." At once J. F. Shock, Illinois, took up the
Calvinistic point of final perseverance. H. L. Soule entered the arena of debate
in a series of controversial questions addressed to A. H. Long, intended to affirm
the doctrine Shock had advanced. But this socratic method seldom misleads the
experienced theologian, and Long calmly replied in denial of the conclusions Soule
meant to force on him. But the most elaborate defense of this doctrine was un-
dertaken by B. F. Beck in his opening sermon at the East Pennsylvania Eldership
in October, 1864, but withheld from publication until September 28, 1865. Thomas
stated that "for prudential reasons this sermon was not published at the usual
time, and we had hoped the good brother would have reserved it for his own
private benefit, and not urge its publication in The Advocate." He further
declares that "there were but few who heard the sermon but deeply deplored his
[Beck's] imprudent and unwise course in stepping aside from the usual courtesies
of the ministry, and preach a doctrine that he knew was repugnant to the feelings,
and in opposition to the views, of nine-tenths, if not ninety-nine hundredths of his
hearers, and this, too, as a representative sermon." He then in characteristic
manner repudiated the doctrine of the sermon. He felt so chagrined that he
declared he "shall propose and advocate hereafter a scrutiny of every Eldership
sermon authorized to be delivered before the body prior to its publication." The
East Ohio Eldership by resolutions condemned the preaching in its pulpits of "doc-
trines strongly tinctured with Calvinism," and by name referred to Beck's sermon
as "containing doctrine antagonistic to the teachings of the Bible and contrary to
the principles of the Church of God."
Geneeal History 147
Less prolix discussions were occupied with such doctrines as the divine call
to the ministry, rebaptism, promiscuous sitting in the house of God, lay preaching
and revival methods; but along with the support of the ministry, dancing and
other amusements, pastoral visitation, reading sermons, the door into the church,
close Communion, the second advent, non-resistance and other minor questions
they took up in the aggregate considerable time and space. The doctrine of
human depravity was more elaborately debated. R. H. Bolton began it in Feb-
ruary, 1866, defining it as "corruption of nature," or a "vitiated state of the mind
and heart," and as being "wholly corrupt in all the faculties of soul and body.'*^
It is "total and hereditary," involving the idea of original sin. This he contro-
verted in several strong articles. With the issue containing the first one the
Editor apologized, under the head "Apologetic," for publishing it "without con-
siderably modifying it before it went out to the public," and characterized it thus:
"Just before going to press we got hold of the proof, and detected our very ortho-
dox brother riding over the gospel turf on an old heterodox horse, beautifully
caparisoned with conjugated verbs, comparative and qualifying adjectives with
hyperbole mountings shining in great splendor, but still discover the same old
gray rode by Arians, Socinians, Unitarians, Fniversalists and errorists of almost
every hue for many years and even centuries." Besides ordering, as did the
colored preacher another errorist, to "get off that horse," there was but little in
the way of argument in "Apologetic." After a delay of two months Bolton turned
on Thomas, and renewed the discussion. He insisted that so far as the ministers
of the Church were then concerned "a majority, together with nearly the entire
brotherhood in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois dissent from your views." The dis-
cussion was thus begun afresh between these two disputants, and continued from
April to October. Mackey agreed with Thomas, and contributed several clear and
convincing articles, in which he "defended the scriptural view of the subject.'"
G. W. Wilson came to the help of Bolton, while Swai-tz contributed a remarkable
analysis of "Man's Natural Condition" which strongly favored the view taken by
Thomas. It seemed to have been Thomas's prerogative to act, like Oliver Crom-
well as "Lord Protector" of the faith, so that quite generally when a contributor
advanced, or defended, views which he did not regard as in harmony with the
orthodox sentiments of the Church the same issue, or the following one, would con-
tain an editorial on the subject. In this way a discussion of the relation of meta-
physics and theology began between the Editor (Thomas) and the Assistant
Editor (Forney) in 1868. And yet in answer to a question by Soule, as to
whether the Church teaches "that in the resurrection the material body shall be
raised up," he said: "As long as Brother Soule and others are resolved that no
published declaration by authority shall be made as to the faith of the Church, it
is in vain to ask us, or any one else, what is the doctrine of the Church on the
resurrection, or on any other subject." Thus originated the discussion of the
question of Creeds, which for several years occasionally occupied considerable
space. Thomas always insisted that "the Holy Scriptures are our guide," and so-
no one can "harmonize these two principles — the Bible is all-sufficient; humaa
Creeds are essential." But it was not so much what is commonly called a CreecS
that was advocated, as a compilation of doctrines the Church taught. To ascer-
tain on what points of doctrine the East Pennsylvania Eldership had declared'
itself, a committee, consisting of Thomas, Swartz and Forney, was appointed in
October, 1867, "to examine all the records of this body, and report" the same.
This report was published in May, 1868, but most of the "points" reported are
not strictly doctrinal.
In July, 1865, C. C Marston, Iowa, started a discussion of Sanctification by-
asking publicly A, Swartz: "1. Can man have the privilege of being wholly sancti-
fied from sin? 2. When a man is sanctified is there any possibility of that man be-
coming a castaway?" Swartz was diplomatic, and confined Himself to the
etymological meaning of "sanctify," as a setting apart, which "does not imply
moral quality," and that all moral states must be voluntary. But this was only
the forerunner of a controversy which raged in revival Churches for several years.
It had its origin in the Methodistic bodies, where by 1868 it had developed such'
proportions that "Holiness Camp-meetings" were held and periodicals sprung into
existence. Church members, like penitents, came to the altar, seeking "entire
sanctification," and "the fulness of salvation," or "entire cleansing from sin."
While the churches of God were less agitated with this doctrine, here and there
a minister and some laymen accepted the theory and professed the experience.
148 History of the Chukcmks of God
It became a subject for discussion to a considerable extent in 1868-9. The "Holi-
ness Camp-meeting" of the Methodist Church, held at Manheim, Lancaster county,
Pa., furnished the text for an editorial by the Assistant Editor on "Methodist
Sanctification," in which not the doctrine of sanctiflcation, but the Methodist
theory was entirely repudiated. It was followed by an editorial by the Editor a
week later, in which the Methodist theory was declared not to be in accord with
Scripture. These editorials reflected the prevailing faith of the Church. A. H.
Long, P. LoTicks, A. Swai-tz, and others wrote on the subject, expressing the same
views. But while Swaitz held views in opposition to the Methodistic sanctification,
Thomas objected to his "fundamental principles," and so a discussion between
these two strong men on a side issue continued two months. After the death of
Kditor Thomas, in December, Editor Forney resumed the discussion, in which he
took the position that "essentially the work of sanctification takes place in con-
version, or when a man is born again;" that "it is extended and intensified as life
progresses," and that it is "perfected in the ratio of man's natural perfection of
mind and spirit." Mackey was interrogated by Bolton, and asked what the Bible
doctrine of Sanctification is. In his answer he endorsed Swartz and Foniey, and
further defined sanctification as "a dedication to God, and refers to a state, condi-
tion or employed vocation, and seldom, if ever, in the Old Testament to a special
or particular moral quality."
The question of Eldership titles, or the singular or plural form of the word
"Church," was more one of action during this period than of public discussion.
There was a gradual falling back on the original title — "Eldership of the Church
of God." Thus in 1865 four Elderships held to the new form — "Eldership of the
Churches of God." But in 1867-1869, there was only one.
The introduction of choirs and instrumental music created considerable fric-
tion in churches, and brought this question to the front for more or less con-
troversy. "\Veishanii>el, in February, 1868, defended both, insisting that there is
nothing "linscriptural in church choirs in themselves;" but he would have "the
main part of the choir, including the leader, to be true worshipers of God." And
he could "find just as little Scripture argument against instrumental music. That
there was both choir singing and instrumental music in the Temple at Jerusalem,
by divine appointment, is evident." Swartz argued against instrumental music
on the ground that it is not an ordinance under the New Testament dispensation,
and that it is a dangerous principle to assume that it is right to do a thing because
it is not forbidden; and that "instrumental music is not mentioned as being used
in the primitive churches." He was followed by "Kay," who favored instrumental
music on authority of the Old Testament. Foniey recast Swartz's article, and
made it an argument against building "houses of worship" by simply substituting
**hoiises of worship" for "instrumental music," and thus republished the whole
article. W. O. Owen made a direct attack on Swartz's position, that instrumental
music should not be used on the ground that the New Testament is silent on the
subject. Swartz replied to his two antagonists in vigorous terms. Mackey took
the same position that Swartz had so ably defended. Thus the discussion con-
tinued for three months, when the Editor announced that "No reply. . . .from any
quarter will receive attention."
Among the last controversial editorials Thomas published was a defense of
feet-washing as an ordinance against an attack upon it by the editor of the "Evan-
gelical Messenger." But while thus defending the institution, the brethren were
disputing between themselves on the matter of its private observance, separate
from the Communion. A few advocated this practice, and the charge was made
that "'some of our infiuential brethren are advocating a separation of feet-wash-
ing from the Lord's Supper." But they did not do so publicly. The suggestion
brought out strong opposition against such a practice, as it would put asunder
that which Christ joined together, and that it would be only the first step toward
the non-practice of the former ordinance.
"Do Souls Sleep?" was discussed by M. S. Newcomer in 1868, as against sundry
persons who advocated this error in Illinois and one or two other Elderships. He
attacked it as "a growing phase of popular error." Thomas ably defended the
"conscious existence of the soul after death" as a dogma conclusively settled by the
Savior. He also answered a question by "Methetes," as to whether belief in the
unconscious state of the dead should not be made a bar to church member-
ship, as well as ground for exclusion from the ministry. The answer was some-
what equivocal, as "a man's heart may be better than his head." Editor Forney,
General History 149
in December, 1869, was asked to decide whether the doctrine of soul-sleeping is
not "a heresy," and its advocates "heretics according to the Bible meaning of
the word." C. C. Marston attacked the soul-sleeping theory as "materialism,"
and charged that it militates seriously against true piety.
Minor sporadic discussions characterized this entire period. These were'
often a defense of old views and practices as against agitators who were vastly
in the minority. It was thus insisted upon that the term "church of God" should'
not be applied to the house of worship, nor "bethel" to the church. The con-
version of children became a live issue by reason of the work of E. M. Long among
children, and the holding in a few instances of "Sunday-school protracted meet-
ings." It developed that these dissenters were in many instances of the class
which is composed of persons with an "ingrowing conscience," or who were
righteous overmuch. It was with impatience that their views were discussed,
sometimes the disputants developing intemperate heats of passion. The ministers
who defended the "old landmarks" showed no lack of mental grasp, nor of cour-
age in all their encounters with keen-witted and aggressive enemies in or out of
the Church. Any thing new was viewed with suspicion, and a reluctant and
partial hospitality of thought was granted its advocates.
It can not truthfully be inferred, however, that the period was throughout
predominantly controversial, and without spiritual activity. It is true that after
the war came the demoralizing influences incident to a post bellum period. "Gross
immorality, crime, luxury, extravagance, reckless pecuniary ventures, intemper-
ance, etc., characterized the period." Yet the war had taught some wholesome
religious lessons. The conditions prevailing also forced on the attention of
Churches the need of greater activity, which soon resulted in a new impulse of
spiritual life and power in large areas. Revivals of religion became more com-
mon, and at times were conducted on larger scales than for a decade. Spirituality
became better sustained and piety less spasmodic. The lay activity of the
churches again began to grow, fostered and sustained by the Young Men's Chris-
tian Association introduced before the war. Reviewing the year preceding May
1, 1866, Editor Thomas says: "The aggressive movements of the Church have been
more successful than perhaps in any former year. The revival news from all
parts of our work published in this volume makes it a most invaluable record."
And Mackey, in February, 1866, says, "the cheering news of the many revivals
from various localities of the Church are truly encouraging." These revival meet-
ings continued late into the Spring and began again early in the Fall of 1866.
Reports of conversions and ingatherings came from every Eldership, and from a
majority of the churches. Humiliation, fasting and special prayer, with supreme
reliance on divine power, were urged as necessary to a true revival. Similar re-
ports came in during the Winter of 1866-7, so that late in December, 1866, Thomas
said: "The news from many fields of labor of our brethren is quite cheering.
The Lord in great mercy still inclines his ear and accepts the feeble petitions of
his children, and in answer thereto is pouring out the spirit of grace and supplica-
tion upon sinners and wanderers from home." And on January 10, 1867: "The
news from various parts of our work at present is most gratifying and cheering.
The revival influence in many of the churches of God is more than ordinarily
prevalent." In various places these meetings were still in progress at the end
of May. With some decrease in power the work continued during the Winters of
1867. 1868 and 1869.
With the approach of the camp-meeting season in 1865 Thoma.s said that "it
would appear from the profound silence observed upon the subject that the old
camp-meeting fervor and spirit have almost entirely died out among our breth-
ren." Ross apprehended the same, and criticised camp-meetings as more recently
conducted, attributing the want of results to the manner and spirit in which
these meetings are being held. B. F. Beck, who had charge of one, sought in ad-
vance to meet the objections which were urged against them. But five camp-
meetings were announced, one in Ohio, one in Maryland and three in East Penn-
sylvania and German Elderships. The results so far as conversions were con-
cerned were quite disappointing.
In 1866 there were two camp-meetings held in Ohio, one in West Pennsyl-
vania, one in Maryland, five in East Pennsylvania and one in the German Elder-
ship. Few conversions were reported. In 1867 one camp-meeting was held in
Iowa, one in Ohio, one in West Pennsylvania, one in Maryland, one in the German
Eldership and six in East Pennsylvania. In 1867 Children's meetings were fre-
"ISO History of thi: Churches of God
quently held at a number of the camp-meetings, at which addresses were made
and songs sung by the children.
The importance of holding camp-meetings was again strongly urged in 1868
by Thomas, both as a sign of spiritual vitality and as a means of growth and
progress in the divine life. In Ohio Oliver made a strenuous effort to awaken in-
terest in these meetings. An "Eldership camp-meeting" was projected in East
Pennsylvania, but was only partly successful. Iowa held one; Ohio, one; Mary-
land, one; German Eldership, one, and East Pennsylvania, four. But four of
these were reported, at which there were twenty-seven conversions. Camp-meet-
ings had undergone a radical change. Originally the sole design was spiritual.
As a rule they began on Monday and ended on Saturday. Conversions were- num-
erous, and quite often the revival influence spread as the people returned to their
different circuits, and the results were seen in the enlargement of the churches.
Five camp-meetings were held in 1869. One of these was held in Louisa county,
Iowa. It had been appointed by the Eldership in 1868 to be held in Benton county,
and reappointed at the Extra Session, but was changed. It was earnestly com-
mended to the ministers and churches by C. W. Evans, pastor. The Ohio Stand-
ing Committee recommended that "one or two camp-meetings be held," but none
was announced. One was held in West Pennsylvania; one in Maryland; one in
East Pennsylvania. The disinclination to hold camp-meetings manifested itself
among the Methodists, the United Brethren and the Evangelicals.
At their inception Pentecostal meetings were considered of such merit as to
"become a permanent institution. They were of such an excellent spirit that not
only the local churches, but the Eldership, manifested eager interest in them.
TBey encountered difficulties and obstacles. Could they survive them? In 1865
the Ohio Standing Committee appointed three; but only one was later announced
and reported. One was held in East Pennsylvania. But in 1866 six were held,
-one each in Maryland, East Pennsylvania, Iowa and Ohio, and two in Indiana. But
an 1867 only one was held, in East Pennsylvania. In 1868 East Pennsylvania
lield one; Ohio, three, and Illinois, one. Strong appeals were addressed by min-
"Isters in the East to Elderships and churches West to hold these meetings. In
1869, two were held in Ohio; two, in Illinois; one, in Iowa, and one, in East Penn-
■sylvania.
The present period was not only somewhat noted for academic and practical
'ra&scussions, but as well for constructive Church Extension work. The first sug-
jgeslion to organize a Church Extension Society was made near the close of this
g»Kriod, by A. G. McCoiTiiick, then of St. Louis, Mo. He advocated the starting of
unissions in that city, in New Orleans, San Francisco, as well as in Chicago and
■piiiladelphia. The object of such a Society in the General Eldership he outlined
"to 5be to set out the land and pre-occupy the ground in all our important towns
<on all our railroads, and there establish churches that may be radiating points into
fthe interior." These extravagant dreams were inspired by the glamour of the
ICliTcago Mission. No one could then realize the difficulties it was to encounter,
©r the slow and costly progress, much less its final failure. All the energies and
avaJlable resources of the Church were at its service. A year after the dedica-
tion of the bethel, at the Decatur General Eldership, 1866, Shoemaker was reap-
•poiTited to Chicago. As expenses were increasing and a Sunday-school organized.
-(Continued and earnest appeals were made for funds. It was also proposed to build
■^tenement-houses" on the vacant lots as an investment. The mission was pro-
moiinced by some who went to Chicago after the General Eldership as "certainly a
success." Families from other points in Illinois, and from Ohio and East Penn-
sylvania removed to Chicago, and thus formed the nucleus of a good church. Yet
toy December, 1866, some opposition developed, and some doubts and fears found
expression, which, however, were rebuked in resolutions adopted by several Elder-
ships. By the middle of July, 1867, Shoemaker conceded how difficult his work
will prove, as "to build a church [in a city like Chicago] is not the work of a day;
l)ut, on the contrary, that of years, requiring patience, faithfulness, toil, time,
■money and prayer." This had a dampening effect on the zeal of the brotherhood.
And withal it would prove a blow to the itinerant system, as no one could step into
■Shoemaker's place and carry on the work. Yet by January, 1868, a church of
about thirty members had been gathered, with good congregations and a good
Sabbath-school, and the third anniversary was successfully observed on March 11,
1868. In 1869, at the General Eldership, the Board of Missions reappointed Shoe-
4naker to Chicago, under instructions from the Eldership, after an effort to trans-
General History 151
fer it to the Illinois Eldership had failed. His report showed "whole amount re-
ceived, $15,074.85. Expended, $15,305.86." But as the salary was not paid in
full, there was due him $1,052.51. Mutterings of discontent began to be heard
in the Summer of 1869 because of apparent disparagement of work elsewhere in
the West. To secure the property at Chicago to the Church, it was ordered that
it be deeded to the General Elldership. That there was a feeling of discoui'age-
ment arising is evident from an editorial by Thomas, the subject of which was
stated to be an inquiry "whether there is any real cause for discouragement, or
real cause for the Church to slacken its hand in the support of the Mission." But
the sentiment this editorial was intended to mitigate was somewhat persistent,
as the editorial seemed to foreshadow what it denied. However, the Annual Eld-
erships in October repeated their endorsements of the Mission. Removals late in
this year weakened the Mission, and Shoemaker realized that "there is a weariness
in this good work on the part of the contributors, and who think the mission ought
now to be self-sustaining."
The mission enterprise in Philadelphia, under contemplation for several
years, took definite shape when at the Eldership in 1865, D, A. L. Laverty was ap-
pointed missionary there, to take charge in April, 18 66. He was also appointed
General Collector to canvass the churches for funds to pay for the mission prop-
erty bought by the Board of Incorporation of the Eldership. A. H. Shott, for-
merly of the church at Middletown, Pa., but who had united with a Baptist church
in Philadelphia, several years before had started a mission Sunday-school and
erected a mission building on Diamond street, near Sixth, about 3 miles North of
Market street. This the Board of Incorporation bought for $1,900.00, of which
$400.00 was on ground rent. With the property the Sunday-school, of two hun-
dred and forty members, was turned over to the little church of twenty members
when, on April 1, 1866, possession was given. Most of these members had re-
moved to the city from churches in Lancaster, Dauphin and Schuylkill counties.
Success attended this enterprise, and larger quarters were needed. On November
14, 1866, the Board of Incorporation decided to sell this property and buy the
Cohocksink Presbyterian church on Germantown avenue and Berks street. The
former was sold to the Mennonite people for $1,950, and the latter was bought for
$10,000, to get possession April 1, 1867. This house was re-dedicated March 24,
1867, the services being in charge of Laverty, assisted by Owens, Hartman and J.
S. Stamm. This mission was dear to the heart of Thomas, and he lamented his
physical inability to be present at the re-dedication. He wrote an editorial on the
Philadelphia Mission shortly before his death, in August, 1869, in which he re-
joiced over the success of the project. On February 18, 1868, the German Elder-
ship Standing Committee appointed A. W. Stouffer missionary to labor among the
German people in Philadelphia. The German Eldership also opened the West
Penn and New Albany Mission in 1867, in Berks and Schuylkill counties. At New
Albany a church was organized in the Winter of 1867-8. It appointed two Ger-
man ministers as missionaries in Baltimore, Md.
The Board of Incorporation, through its Committee and Agent, completed the
rebuilding of the bethel in Chambersburg, Franklin county. Pa., prior to March
1, 1867, and the dedication took place on March 10th. The Agent had collected
$4,394.21, outside of Chambersburg, of which sum $370.00 were contributed by
members of the Legislature of the State. The dedicatory sermon was preached by
C. H. Forney, from Luke vii. 5.
At the Pentecostal meeting held at Lancaster, Pa., June, 1865, resolutions
offered by C. H. Forney, proposing that a meeting of the Board of Missions of the
General Eldership be called at Pittsbu«rg, Pa., to perfect plans to open a mission
among the Freedmen of the South, were unanimously adopted. In October fol-
lowing the East Pennsylvania Eldership approved the suggestion. The matter
was further urged upon the General Eldership, to meet in May, 1869, by J. F,
Weishampel, who enlarged the project so as "to send the gospel South by mission-
aries;" "the next project should be a Southern Extension Mission." At the Lan-
caster General Eldership in 1869, the matter was referred to the Board of Mis-
sions, which appointed "E. H. Thomas and Dr. George Ross to inquire into the
practicability of the same, after it had "created four missions one among
the Freedmen." It also urged the "church at Harrisburg to open a mission in
West Harrisburg, which was done, and the establishment of All-workers, or Green
Street church followed. It also recommended that "the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship open a mission in Reading, Berks county. Pa. The Board of Missions of said
152 History of the Churches of God
Eldership on July 21, 1869, began this work by appointing D. A. L. Laverty to
canvass Reading for funds to erect a mission chapel. By September 10th, $1,800
had been secured. A lot was bought in December. By March, 1870, $954.00 had
been secured. May 18th the corner-stone was laid, A. H. Ltong, missionary, in
charge. The corner-stone was laid and address delivered by C. H. Forney. On
November 24, 1870, the Mission Chapel was dedicated. Keller preached in the
morning; Laverty in the afternoon and evening. Another mission, known as the
Berks County Mission, was also kept up during this period, I. Hay having charge
of it in 1869, Amos Bowen having located with his family in Renovo, Clinton
county. Pa., in 1869, and suggested mission work in that place and surrounding
territory, with Lock Haven as a center. He at once began holding prayer-meet-
ing, so often the beginning of permanent church work. In October the large-
hearted, liberal Dr. Ross went to Renovo, "purchased three lots of ground which
were paid for and deeded to the East Pennsylvania Eldership" for the proposed
mission.
A few new churches were organized in East Pennsylvania during this period
and a number of church houses built. In October, 1866, at a revival at Fox's
school-house, Dauphin county, about forty persons were converted, under the
labors of W. L. Jones, and a church was organized of thirty-two members. At
Mercersburg, Franklin county, E. D. Aller conducted a successful revival in a
building, owned by the Lutheran church, and on March 11, 1867, "organized a
church of seven devoted members." May 5, 1869, George Sigler organized a
church at Red Hill, near Boiling Spring, Cumberland county, composed of fourteen
members. The dedication of the Pine Grove house of worship, in Perry county,
took place on June 17, 18 66, T, Still, pastor, assisted by J. M. Carvell. John
Hunter did the preaching. On February 17, 1867, the Altoona church rededicated
its "renewed house" with appropriate services, under the pastorate of P. D. Col-
lins, E. H. Thomas officiating. December 20, 1868, Thomas and Laverty held the
re-dedicatory services of "the thoroughly repaired and renewed bethel" at Eliza-
bethtown, Lancaster county. Pa. On the same day "the newly refitted bethel at
Washington, Lancaster county. Pa.," was rededicated. I. B. Hartman and J.
Hunter did the preaching. The church at Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county,
having built a new bethel, it was dedicated on September 20, 1868. C. Price
preached on the previous evening, from Ps. Ixxxiv. 1; C. H. Forney, on Sabbath
morning, from Jer. xvii. 12; W. O. Owen, in the afternoon, from Rev. xxii. 18, 19,
and in the evening, D. A. L. Laverty, from Gen. xxviii. 17. George Sigler was
the pastor. Under the labors of J. W. Deshong a house of worship was built in
Progress, Dauphin county, during the Summer and Fall of 1868. It was dedicated
December 6th. C. H. Forney preached the sermon from John ii. 19-21, assisted
during the day by the pastor and J. C. Owens, J. Haifleigh, and W. L. Jones. The
rededication of the Milltown bethel, Cumberland county, occurred March 28, 1869,
C. L. Amy being the pastor. Under his labors a house of worship was built in
Marysville, Perry county, the corner-stone of which was laid September 19, 1869.
The house was dedicated January 16, 1870, by C. H. Forney by a sermon based on
II. Chron. vii. 5. George Sigler preached the evening sermon. The church had
helped to build a "union house" some years before, but it became a house of strife,
and they lost their interest in it. The church in Todd township, Huntingdon
county, at a small village called Beavertown, built a bethel in the Summer of 1869,
under the labors of Simon Fleegal, which was dedicated October 17th. Preaching
Saturday evening. Sabbath morning and evening by C. H. Forney. Having re-
modeled and repaired their bethel at Landisville, Lancaster county, under the pas-
toral care of J. W. Miller, it was rededicated November 21,18 69. In the Summer
of 1868, a lot of ground was donated by the gentleman who laid out the town of
Donaldson, Schuylkill county, on which the church was to build a house of wor-
ship.
Considerable activity was manifested in Maryland between 1865 and 1870,
and substantial work was done. On March 1, 1865, the movement which took
shape at the Eldership in 1864, was definitely inaugurated to join the divided
territory by establishing the Frederick County Mission, and S. Spurrier, mission-
ary, moved on the field, locating at Creagerstown. He secured the school-house
for preaching services, and also opened appointments at Oakdale and German-
town. J. Ross and W. P. Winbigler also served the mission during parts of this
period, and added other points. At Creagerstown a bethel was erected in 1866,
General History 153
and dedicated December 25th, George Sigler and C. H. P'oriiey conducting the ser-
vices. At Carrollton, Carroll county, Md., a substantial stone bethel was built in
the early Summer of 1866, C. L. Amy, pastor, and was dedicated July 8th. J. C.
Owens officiated at the dedication. The cost of the property and building was
$1,700.
In the German Eldership there was an effort made to do mission work in Bal-
timore, and a new mission was established in Dauphin and Northumberland coun-
ties, known as the Susquehanna Mission, to which J. M. Hepler was appointed, and
a salary of $400 guaranteed. The bethel at Summit Station, Wayne township,
Schuylkill county, was dedicated May 20, 1866, A. Snyder doing the preaching,
from Ps. xxvi. 8. The internal troubles greatly interfered with successful work
being done. On the Lebanon circuit the churches desired an East Pennsylvania
preacher. Also in the Mahantango Valley some were dissatisfied. The Kimmel
Will and other causes made trouble in that section. The Will was contested in
court by the relatives; but it was upheld. Part of the Kimmel church withdrew.
They were disciplined and declared no longer members. Being restored by the
action of the General Eldership, the Kimmel church became an East Pennsylvania
church, and an appointee from said Eldership served them. These troubles pre-
cipitated "a crisis in the history" of the German Eldership, and to aggravate mat-
ters drastic actions were taken by the Standing Committee, which resulted mainly
in further alienating members and churches, and weakening the body.
Limited aggressive work was done in the West Pennsylvania Eldership dur-
ing this period. Abraham Lasher, Jr., and J. A. Plowman, in 186.5, "purchased
a meeting-house six miles north of Kittanning, Armstrong county, which was later
rededicated. A "Johnstown Mission" was recommended by Plowman in 1866.
The meeting-house at Carrolltown, Cambria county, and at Fayetteville, Lawrence
county, were sold, and some of the proceeds were used to build one at Paddytown,
Somerset county. Pittsburg was always more or less unfortunate. In the Spring
of 1867 "their bethel caught fire and was partly burned." Repairs having been
made and the house reopened, it was encumbered with a debt of about $2,500. A
new house of worship was erected in Irwin township, or Wesley, Venango county,
and was dedicated on October 20, 1867. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by
J. M. Domer. On the Perryopolis and Fayette City Mission, where Plowman began
to labor April 1, 1867, good results were realized. The church at Fayette City in-
creased to ninety-two. At Stickle Hollow on said Mission a church of fifteen mem-
bers was organized. The Perryopolis church increased by the accession of seventy-
three new members, and arrangements were completed to build a bethel. In the
Winter of 1869 Plowman labored along the Allegheny River, north of Pittsburg.
At Brackenridge twenty-three miles above the city he organized a chufch, having
had a revival at which "many precious souls were converted." Antioch Bethel,
Marshall county, W. Va., was dedicated by P. Loucks, December 6, 1868. \V. J.
Davis was the pastor.
Though conditions in the East Ohio Eldership were not so auspicious, an
aggressive spirit prevailed in the body. In 186 6 action was taken to "establish a
mission in Canada West." J. L. Jenner was appointed the missionary, with $2 00
for an appropriation for the first year. Jenner had been a member of the Evan-
gelical Lutheran Church. Thence he went to the United Brethren Church, under
whose direction he had labored, prior to 1866, for three years "as a missionary in
Canada." To this territory he was appointed by the East Ohio Eldership said
year, he having united with the Church of God and the Eldership the same year.
He died March 7, 1874. He started for his Mission "in the northern land" Novem-
ber 25, 1866. A revival at Maryboro, Wellington county, C. W., in March, 1867,
resulted in gathering a small church. A bethel was built and dedicated in 1866,
at Milton, Wayne county, Ohio. Also one at West Lebanon, Wayne county, under
the labors of M, Beck, which was dedicated October 27, 1867. In May, 1867, the
church at Smithville, Wayne county, under the pastoral care of J. H. Besore, "de-
cided to build a new bethel, and pushed the work with characteristic energy, so
that by December 15th they were ready to dedicate. A. X. Shoemaker preached
the dedicatory sermon, and was assisted in the services by M. Beck and D. Blakely.
A new house of worship was dedicated at Vermillion, Ashland county, August 23,
1868. L. B. Hartman preached the dedicatory sermon. McKee, Beck, Selby,
Devless, Oliver and Blakely took part in the services. "The corner-stone of a new
church edifice in the village of Kirby, Wyandot county, was laid by J. AV'. Seiiseney
154 History of the Churches of God
August 22, 1868. On November 28, 1869, the dedication of Sugar Creek Bethel,
Holmes county, took place. The sermon was preached by G. W. Wilson. The
Board of Missions of the General Eldership on June 2, 1869 "recommended the
Ohio brethren to open a mission in Mansfield. But already in February, 1869,
the "Mansfield and Shelby Mission" had been created, and in March, 1869, J. Myers
had "urged the importance of sending a good missionary to that point." In
December, 1869, in accordance with the instructions of the East Ohio Eldership,
the Board of Missions of said Eldership paid a visit to Mansfield to establish a
mission there." The bethel at Blooming Grove, Richland county, was dedicated
January 9, 1870. B. F. Beck, of East Pennsylvania Eldership, delivered the dedi-
catory sermon from II. Sam. vii. 13. L. H. Selby, pastor; J. W. Senseney and J.
Landis assisted in the services. W. P. Small organized a church at Fairview, and
the other "in the settlement of Bro. C. Long," during the Winter of 1867-8, both
in Mercer county. At the former place "they built a new house of worship,"
which was dedicated October 18, 1868. G. W. AVilson, T. Hickeniell and W. P.
Small were the ministers present, the former two doing the preaching. By action
of the Standing Committee of the West Ohio Eldership, September 2, 1865, the
church at Findlay, Hancock county, was "urged to persevere until the work is
completed," and "brethren and churches were urged to contribute toward the ac-
complishment of this important work in Findlay." G. AV. Wilson, pastor, made a
public appeal for help, stating that "we must have help from abroad." In May,
1866, they commenced building a brick house, 40 by 50, and 17 feet high. It
was completed during the Summer, and dedicated December 30, 1866.
The Indiana Eldership felt the inspiration of zeal and success which was re-
ported from other Elderships. Churches enjoyed revivals, received accessions
and planned new enterprises. Regular preaching, with special meetings, was ar-
ranged for in 1865 in Terre Haute City, Vigo county. Also at Indianapolis, the
State capital, Marion county, both under the labors of the General Evangelists,
R. H. and C. S. Bolton. One mile north of Roann, Pleasant township, Wabash
county, a bethel was built in the Summer of 1865, and dedicated December 3rd,
by A. X. Shoemaker, J. E. McColley being the pastor. C. Sands organized a new
church at Ream's school-house. La Grange county, of twenty-six members, in the
Spring of 1866, where he had "a glorious meeting in the midst of a Disciple com-
munity" against whose "theory of baptismal remission of sins" he had to contend.
Up to April 10, 1866, he witnessed one hundred and one conversions on his field.
There were still enough "German brethren within the bounds of the Indiana Eld-
ership" to induce the Standing Committee to grant them the privilege of securing
the services of a "minister from the East Pennsylvania Eldership" to preach for
them. During the session of the Indiana Eldership at Syracuse, Kosciusko
county, November, 1867, the new bethel, costing $3,000, was dedicated. The
bethel built by the church at Zanesville, Wells county, was consecrated on October
18, 1868, during the session of the Indiana Eldership, R. H. Bolton officiating, E.
Bi-yan being the pastor. In the same county, "the newly erected bethel near
Beaver Dam Lake was dedicated to the worship of God November 29, 1868, R. H.
Bolton preaching the dedicatory sermon. The Eldership appointed Bryan General
Evangelist in 1868, and authorized special collections where he would preach, but
amounts thus "paid to him should not lessen the support of the circuit preachers."
November 29, 1868, "the newly erected bethel at Yellow Lake, Kosciusko county,"
was dedicated. J. Martin preached the morning sermon in German, from I. Kings
vi. 12, and R. H. Bolton "spoke from the same chapter in English in the afternoon."
Eight miles southeast of Columbia City, Whitley county, "in the Brandenburg
community," a bethel was built in the Summer of 1869, and dedicated on Septem-
ber 12th. "It was christened Evergreen Bethel." Bolton preached the morning
sermon from Dan. ii. 44, 45. E. B. Bell was pastor, who with Hahn, Smith and
Callison, participated in the services during the day. Prior to the Spring of 1869
the Indiana Eldership had been "agitating the propriety of inaugurating a mission
in Ft. Wayne," and was strongly urged by outside influence to undertake the work.
The Board of Missions of the General Eldership in June, 1869, recommended "that
the Indiana Eldership open a mission, and that Ft. Wayne be the center." The
General Evangelist began preaching in said place during the Summer of 1869.
Internal troubles in the Illinois Eldership during part, at least, of this period
militated against the interests of the churches. At Decatur, the pastor, D. Kyle,
"withdrew church privileges from J. H. Hurley," and an appeal was taken to the
General History 155
Eldership, and charges and counter charges were preferred, until the greater part
of the Eldership became involved. A temporary settlement was effected by the
Standing Committee in November, 1868, but the virus to some extent continued
to work, finally resulting in more severe acts of discipline. One dedication was
announced in the State, being that of a new bethel in Clark county, called the
"Wabash Bethel," within the territory of the Southern Illinois and Indiana Elder-
ship. The dedicatory services were held March 24, 1867, R. H. Bolton officiating.
German preaching was still in demand at several points, principally at Troy Grove,
La Salle county. The Board of Missions, April 29, 1867, stated that "we pro-
pose making special efforts to open a mission in Springfield," capital of the State;
but the enterprise was deferred. H. L. Soiile, of the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, having become pastor of the church at Mt. Carroll, April 1, 1866, he was dis-
satisfied with the location of the bethel, and succeeded in inducing the church to
remove it to a more eligible location. After extensive repairs, it was rededicated
October 21, 1866. "The outsiders" offered to buy and pay for the lot. A. X.
Shoemaker preached at the dedication.
Iowa churches and ministers were quite active during these five years, and
success crowned their labors. In the Spring of 1866 the church at Cairo, Louisa
county, completed their "fine bethel," and dedicated it on May 2 7th. F, F, Kiner
was minister in charge. The Standing Committee planned large things, and set
about "raising a large missionary fund for the purpose of sending out mission-
aries on new territory and opening missions in some of the principal towns in
Iowa." The "sum of not less than |5,000 for the present year [1866-7] is ex-
pected to be raised." A. Wilson was appointed General Missionary to raise the
money. He had been licensed in 18 61, but labored largely in a local capacity for
several years. He was a missionary a good part of his time. In 1867 he was on
the Eddyville Mission, Klein on the Marshall Mission, and D. Gillion on the London
Mission. At Grundy Center, J. M. Klein, after a successful revival in February,
1868, organized a church of twenty-three members. At North Bend, .Johnson
county, in the Summer of 1868, "they built a large 'house of worship,' but it is
not called a bethel." It replaced the bethel built in 18.53. The old house was
30x3.5 feet; the new one was 38x56 feet, and 60 to 70 feet to the top of the belfry.
D. Wertz and Mrs. Wertz were the pastors. The house was dedicated October
18th, during the session of the Eldership. H. L. Soule preached the morning ser-
mon, from II. Chron. vi. 18; A. X. Shoemaker, at night. At this dedication "be-
tween seven and eight hundred dollars were pledged for the Marshall Mission."
On October 2 5th, the bethel in "the Garner neighborhood" was dedicated by H. L.
Soule, who preached from Isa. v. 1-7, Shoemaker assisting. Nine miles northeast
of Tipton, Cedar county, a house of worship was built called "Pairview Union
Bethel," which was dedicated October 25, 186 8. At Washington, Washington
county, a new bethel was dedicated, under the labors of F. F. Kiner, June 27,
1869. H. L. Soule officiated at the dedication. On Sunday evening the ordin-
ances were administered. September 12, 1869, the dedication of "the newly
erected bethel at Victor, Iowa," was held, C. L. Wilson, pastor. The Southwestern
Iowa Mission was established by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership
in 1869, with George Thomas as missionary. The mission was located in Page
county, Iowa, and the adjoining county of Nodaway in Missouri. Work was also
being done in that section of Missouri by the Konkle brothers. Two organizations
had been formed on the mission by the last of December, 1869. In January, 1870,
another church of sixteen members was organized, at the Montgomery school-
house. Mo. The first suggestion of a mission on the Pacific was made at a mis-
sionary meeting held at the Iowa Eldership in 1868. J. A. Sallinger, in July,
1868, writing from Woodbridge, Cal., had expressed the hope that "emigration of
Church of God men and women would come right along here, and settle down and
build up the Church."
Considerable work was done in Missouri from 1866 to 1870. The General
Eldership's Board of Mission in 1866 advised opening a mission in St. Louis. Elder
A. G. McCormick had moved to the city from Iowa, and was working for the United
States Christian Commission, but in August, 1866, contemplated going to work
for the St. Louis City Missionary Society. But in January, 1867, he had begun
work to open a mission for the Church. But, except in Nodaway county, the first
systematic effort to begin mission work was by the Indiana Eldership, when D.
Keplinger decided to remove to Cass county. Mo., and the Eldership commended
156 History op the Churches of God
him to the people of Missouri. He reached Pleasant Hill, Cass county, October
25th. He was duly appointed later as missionary by the Indiana Board of Mis-
sions, and reported as such in March, 18G7. He preached in Cass and Jackson
counties, from Kansas City southward. Eld. J. E. Cunningham had emigrated
from Texas to Cass county. Mo. Keplinger also visited brethren in Bates county.
These three counties border on Kansas. He organized the first church in Jackson
county prior to March, 1867, composed of thirteen members. Another one was
organized later the same year at Smith's school-house, Cass county, of eleven
members. On July 2 8th one was organized at Harrisonville, Cass county. In
November, 1867, Keplinger extended his labors two counties northward, into Cald-
well county, where he succeeded in organizing a church of six members. The
Texas Eldership in 1867 recommended Cunningham, in Cass county, to organize
an Eldership, and in June, 1868, Keplinger expressed the opinion that "no doubt
an Eldership can and will be organized." Keplinger also visited Morgan county,
to which place AVni. Berkstresser and others had emigrated in 1868. This county
is the fourth east of Cass county. On October 20, 1868, D, Blakely, of West
Pennsylvania, reached Benton county, second county east and south of Kep-
linger's home, and began mission work under the direction and support of his
Eldership. He visited Morgan county, and also preached in Hickory county ad-
joining Benton on the south. Daniel Gross, of Decatur, 111., removed to Lawrence
county, near the southwestern corner of the State, April, 1869, and called for the
missionaries to visit that section. In the Winter of 1869-70, S. V. Sterner emi-
grated to the same section and began mission. work. Blakely organized a church
about this time at Shiloh school-house, Alexandria township, Benton county.
Clarke county is in the northeastern corner of the State, a short distance from the
Iowa work. At Peakesville in this county R, H. Bolton "held a series of meetings,
resulting in conversions and the organization of a church of about thirty members."
George Thomas, missionary in Page county, Iowa, and G. E. Ewing were the
first ministers to emigrate to Kansas, in 1865, locating at Centralia, Nemaha
county, the two counties being less than thirty miles apart. The provisions of the
Homestead Act drew hundreds of families. C. S. Bolton followed in September,
1866. He later went to Marshall county, adjoining Nemaha on the West. Other
Church families which located in those counties were H. Gary and son, Eli Hawk
and Daniel Utsey. These two counties are on the line between Kansas and Ne-
braska. When in 1866 the General Eldership secured Centralia College, J. S.
Stamm, East Pennsylvania Eldership, was sent there as Principal and preacher.
P. K. Shoemaker, also of said Eldership, accompanied him, in the Spring of 1867.
Elders P. Clippinger and P. Shaw also located at Centralia. Under Stamm's
labors a Sunday-school was organized at Centralia, April 28, 3 867. The same
year a church was organized of forty members. Shoemaker opened appointments
at various places in Nemaha and Marshall counties. One of these was at Seneca,
the county seat of Nemaha county. One at Barrett, Marshall county, where in the
Winter of 1867-8 he had a successful meeting and organized a church of eighteen
members. He also visited Clay Center, Clay county, where A. W. Ree<ler and fam-
ily lived.
In 1869 Shoemaker was appointed to the Kansas and Nebraska Mission, as
Church families were moving into the lower tier of counties bordering on Kansas.
Among these were the Moore brothers from near New Grenada, Fulton county,
Pa. K. A. Moore reached the Moore Settlement in September, 1868, in Lancaster
county. These lower counties in the State were part of Shoemaker's mission field.
Already in 1867, William Ensminger, who emigrated to Lancaster county. Neb., in
1865, secured three lots as a gift in Lincoln City after it was made the State
capital, upon which to erect a house of worship for the Church of God.
Ober, Texas missionary, considering conditions much more favorable in that
State in 1866, and "prospects flattering, came North to secure aid for the work,"
and if possible induce some ministers to go there and take his place, and that of
E. Marple. The latter also strongly urged a change of missionaries. T. A. Per-
kins, Chairman of the Standing Committee made an offer of $55 0 a year, and
twenty acres of good land. But there was opposition. The Texas Eldership had
never been recognized by the General Eldership, and bitter feeling still prevailed
North and South during the Reconstruction period, so that nothing was done.
In 1866 some families from Southern Indiana emigrated to Anoka county,
Minn., about 130 miles north of the Iowa line, on the Mississippi River, with
Anoka as their post-office. They at once called for a missionary. Sandoe, Bolton,
Gexeral History . 157
Ross and Wilson urged the matter, and a subscription was opened in The Advo-
cate to raise the funds. It was considered a good field, and Sandoe strongly em-
phasized the importance of following such families of the Church in every direc-
tion: "We must follow them with missionaries." On April 29, 1867, the Stand-
ing Committee of the Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership licensed J. L. Fasig,
one of the emigrants to Anoka; constituted the Anoka Mission, and appointed
Fasig the missionary. Fasig proved recreant to the trust, and in August of the
same year left the work and united with the M. E. Church. G. W. Wilson had
offered to go to Minnesota as missionary, and so the Southern Illinois and Indiana
Standing Committee dismissed Fasig and recommended that Wilson be appointed
by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership.
It was also proposed to start a mission in Richland county, Wis., the third
county north of Jo Daviess county, 111., whither some families had removed from
Southern Indiana in 1867.
At the Michigan Eldership in 1869 three hundred and eighteen members were
reported, but "many of the churches have not been heard from." In 1867 R. H.
Bolton removed to Berrien county, Mich., and entered upon the work in said
county. A bethel was built near St. Joseph, and was dedicated December 6, 1868,
by A, X. Shoemaker. Seifried was doing good work in Barry county. Work was
done on four missions, besides the four circuits. Ten ministers were serving these
fields.
Inspired by the excellent Sunday-school institute held in Grace M. E. church,
Harrisburg, Pa., in the early Spring of 1868, D. Shelley, C. H. Foniey, L. Kauff-
nian, J. A. Winebrenner and others planned to organize a "Sabbath-School Con-
vention of the East Pennsylvania Eldership." The preliminary meeting was held
at Harrisburg, May 15th; a call issued, and June 16-18, fixed as the date, and
Mechanicsburg as the place. This was "the first Sabbath-school convention of
the Church of God in East Pennsylvania — the first also in the history of the
Church." Delegates were appointed by the different Sunday-schools in the Elder-
ship. The attendance was large, interest deep and well-sustained, and the con-
vention was pronounced "most successful and profitable." The temporary organ-
ization consisted of AV. L. Jones, Chairman; J. Haifleigh, Secretary; A. H. Long,
Recording Secretary. C H. Forney was elected Conductor, and the following
were chosen permanent oflRcers: Chairman, Daniel Shelley; Secretary, J. H. Red-
seeker; Recording Secretary, A. H. Long. On Tuesday evening, 16th, C. H.
Forney spoke on "Sabbath-Schools and Sabbath-School Conventions," followed by
Laverty and Jones. Wednesday morning Forney spoke on, "The Wants of the
Convention," followed by German, Kolp, Jones, Kauffman and Alleman. G. Sigler
discussed "Topical Lessons." He was followed by a general discussion of "The
Importance of Sunday-School Music," in which fourteen brethren participated.
This was followed by an address by D. Shelle.v on "Sunday-school Organization
and Order." Next topic discussed by Forney, was: "The Blackboard in the Sun-
day-school." At 2.20 p. m., the Conductor opened the Question Drawer, read the
questions submitted, which were answered by Laverty. The two questions:
"What constitutes a good Teacher? How may good Teachers be secured?" were
discussed by Forney, Sigler, Beck, Hannnm, Keller, Shoemaker, Jones, Owens,
Kauffman and Gemian. Then followed Reports of Superintendents. Wednesday
evening "The Antiquities of the Bible" was the subject of an address by Forney,
followed by a discussion of "The use of the Blackboard," by Shelley. Thursday
morning, after further reports from Superintendents, E. M. Long, a Children
Evangelist of Philadelphia, spoke on "The Importance of the Conversion of Sab-
bath-school Scholars." A. H. Long spoke on "The Relation of the Pastor to the
Sabbath-school." "Mission Work" was discussed by Shoemaker. In the after-
noon J. H. Redsecker spoke on "Libraries and Sabbath-school Rooms;" E. D.
Aller on "A Deeper Interest in our Work," and W. O. Owen on "The best means
of awakening an interest in our Work." On Thursday evening John A. Wine-
brenner delivered an address on "The Geography of the Bible." The Secretary
said: "The Convention was of unusual interest." The second Convention was
held at Middletown, Dauphin county, May 18-20, 1869. A Constitution was
adopted. C H. Foniey was the Conductor; D. Shelley, President; A. Hostetter,
Vice President; J. H. Redsecker, Secretary; A. H. Long, Recording Secretary,
Isaac Frazer, Treasurer. R. White, of the Illinois Eldership, and P. Loucks, West
Pennsylvania Eldership, were present. A resolution was adopted for the appoint-
ment of a committee "to devise some plan by which at least three hundred dollars
158 History of the Churches of God
may be raised for missionary purposes." The Editor of The Advocate was re-
quested "to set apart a portion of that paper for Sabbath-school matters."
The deaths of at least six prominent ministers occurred during this period.
February 13, 1865, "Bishop" David Maxwell died, aged 74 years. He was one
of the six ministers who organized the first Eldership. Elder James Charlton died
July 5, 1865, "esteemed and beloved by all who knew him." Andi-ew Miller,
member of the first Eldership, died March 22, 1865, aged nearly 80 years. He
was a co-laborer in every interest with Winebrenner. On January 15, 186 6,
James George died seven miles west of Findlay, Ohio, aged 28 years. November
12, 1866, Elder George Kimmel died near Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, Pa.
Death in this instance "has pointed his javelin at a shining mark." He be-
queathed most of his estate to the German Eldership. On Saturday, September
11, 1869, the Editor of The Church Advocate for seventeen years, ended his
illustrious and successful career. To Winebrenner, Mooney and Crawford, of the
East Pennsylvania Eldership, and to several members of western Elderships, the
churches, like the ancient Angives, "looking upon them as among the best of men,
caused statues of them to be made," or monuments to be erected. But to Thomas,
the Elderships like the Athenians, directed public funeral service to be held and
the highest honors to be paid. Among other great and renowned men who died
during the period were Thaddeus SteA-ens, the Great Commoner; Fitzgreen Hal-
leck, American poet; Henry Harbangh. eminent Reformed divine and poet; and
James Buchanan, ex-President of the United States, and Francis Wayland, cele-
brated Baptist minister, educator and philosophic Avriter. The silent language
of these dead incited others to nobler deeds of Christian fidelity and heroism.
CHAPTER XIII.
1870—1875.
^4'Tr^ HE Outlook" in 1870 was portrayed in quite encouraging terms at the open-
f ing of this period by the Editor of The Advocate. The indications upon
which the forecast was based are given as being the marked revival in
Sabbath-school and missionary interests, fields considered both large and promising
to "yield an ample harvest if properly cultivated." The introduction of better sys-
tems in selection of fields and the securing of funds is favorably mentioned. Then
the movement to establish churches in the larger cities was taken as a good omen.
The deeper and more general interest in the gathering of funds, and the zeal of lay
members, and especially of the sisterhood, were emphasized as features in the for-
ward movement of special significance. And the conditions of realizing these ex-
pectations were sought to be impressed on the churches and brotherhood, to wit:
Faithfulness to our trust; preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace;
a persevering and aggressive spirit; boldness in entering every open door which
Providence presents to the Church.
The dark shadows of death again fell upon the Church early in this period, as
they had done in the two preceding periods, when two of its great leaders were
stricken down. But by this time the Church had learned that the work can go on
even if great leaders fall at their posts. The Eye which watches with deepest
solicitude over the body of Christ, which is his church, slumbers not, and provision
will be made to replenish the ranks and furnish the leaders. If some great light
goes out in the greater light of the perfect day, another one will arise to the faith-
ful Church. Five ministers laid down their armor during this period of whom
special mention may be made. The first to do so was W. H. Mullenix, in Linn
county, Iowa. He was licensed by the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1840. He
labored with commendable zeal in several Elderships, and finally located in Iowa,
where he was .esteemed a "good man" and an able preacher of the word. He died
March 15, 1872, not quite fifty-two years old.
Already the shadows were gathering which portended the death of J. M. Domer
when at the General Eldership at Mt. Carroll, 111., May 29, 1872, he was chosen to
preside over that body, which he did with dignity and efficient impartiality. To re-
flect light on the gathering shadows the Eldership chose him to preach the opening
sermon in 187 5, and elected him Assistant Editor of The Church Advocate. He
General History 159
died at Barkeyville, Venango county, Pa., his natal county, November 15, 1872, at
the early age of 41 years, 11 months and 1 day. He was converted under the
labors of S. S. Richmond, and united with the Church of God, in which he was a
shining light. He held a sanctuary in the hearts of the brotherhood wherever he
was known. He was a strong defender of the faith of the Church of God, though
brought up under the influence of the Evangelical Association, of which his parents
and nearly all his relatives were members, two of his brothers being ministers in
said body, and one in the M. E. Church. His long and intimate friend, P. Loucks,
preached his funeral sermon, in which he spoke in most commendable terms of this
great and good man. Others both East and West spoke in such endearing and
eulogistic terms as gave unmistakable evidence of the high esteem in which he was
held.
A still younger minister was called down from the walls of Zion March 2,
187 3, in the person of Pet«r H. Clippiiiger, a member of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership. He was a descendant of the Clippingers near Newburg, Cumberland
county. Pa., staunch members of the Church; but he was converted among the Uni-
ted Brethren, and received his first license to preach from a Quarterly meeting of
said Church. But being in full accord in faith and practice with the Church of
God, he became a member of the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1870. He was a
young man of good promise. His age was 27 years, 6 months and 6 days.
But a short time after, Iowa was called to mourn the death of W. D. Bowker,
a young minister of special promise, a faithful and zealous worker. He had been
licensed in 1870, and so the dispensation of providence which recalled him so early
seemed the more mysterious and the greater loss to the Eldership and the Church.
One of Winebrenner's early converts who entered the ministry was Jacob J.
Miller, of Conewago township, York county, Pa. He was converted January 27,
1827, at Middletown, Dauphin county. Pa. Though there were no churches of
God then in York county, he learned the faith of the Church, and was early moved
to enter the ministry. Failing to do so then, he became negligent, and lost his
spirituality. Removing to Cumberland county, and seeing his danger, he was re-
vived and began to preach. In 1843 he was licensed by the Eldership. Nine
years later he removed to West Pennsylvania, preaching in Indiana, Cambria,
Somerset and other counties. Thence, in 1857, he emigrated to Iowa, where he
ended his militant career at Epworth, Dubuque county, Iowa, July 5, 1874.
Other religious bodies, and the world of poetry, politics and science lost heav-
ily during this period. Albert Barnes, born a little more than a year after Wine-
brenner, died December 24, 1870, a preacher and expounder of the word who se-
cured a world-wide reputation. On December 7, 1873, Right Rev. W. E. Arniitage
died at New York. He was the Episcopal Bishop of Wisconsin. The great Baptist
revivalist of America, Jacob Knapp, born in 17 99, died December 7, 1874. Though
reared in the Episcopal Church, he joined the Baptist Church when twenty-one
years of age, and was ordained in 1822. The number of his converts is given at
100,000. February 12, 1871, died Alice Carey, author of "Lyra and Other Poems,"
"Snow Berries," "Lyrics and Hymns." The great American musical composer,
Lowell Mason, born 1792, died in 1872. Several of America's greatest statesmen
also joined the invisible host. Foremost stands Lincoln's Secretary of State, W. H.
Seward, marked for death the same night his chief fell a martyr to the assassin's
bullet. He died at Auburn, N. Y., October 10, 1872. Horace Greeley, broken-
hearted aspirant to the Presidency, yielded up his life shortly after his memorable
defeat, November 29, 1872. Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, the wizard of finance
in the Lincoln Cabinet, died May 7, 1873, aged 66 years. The peerless orator and
abolitionist and statesman, Charles Sumner, died at Washington, D. C, March 11,
1874. The conqueror of Lee at Gettysburg, Pa., Gen. George G. Meade, ended his
illustrious career at Philadelphia, Pa., in 187 2, but a few months before the nephew
of the great military genius. Napoleon I., and ex-emperor of France, Louis Napoleon,
terminated his unfortunate career. The thirteenth President of the United States,
Millard Filmore, died March 8, 187 4. The pioneer abolitionist, Joshua Leavitt,
died January 16, 1873. On August 11, 1873, Richard S. Ston-s, who had officiated
for sixty-two years in the same pulpit, ended his earthly ministrations. Thus one
by one Winebrenner's cotemporaries joined the great majority.
It has been inferred that when James says: "Behold, how great a matter a
little fire kindleth," that he referred to the "flame of discord and insubordination
one man, by his persuasive tongue, may kindle among the common people"; but
may it not be an aphorism of wider application? The suggestion by the newly
i6o History of the Churches of Gon
elected Board of Missions of the General Eldership in 1869, that unless the Board
were given authority to do something it would better be discontinued proved the
"little fire" which kindled the great missionary enterprises which were so ener-
getically pushed forward during 1870-'75. Sometimes zeal was not guided by ade-
quate knowledge, and promising enterprises proved abortive; but on the whole
vast good relatively was done. Not only did the Board itself energetically devise
and put into effect plans for enlarged frontier work; but it fostered mission enter-
prises by different Elderships, and inspired the organization of movements to bring
the sisters of the Church into more immediate connection with mission projects,
thus realizing more nearly than had yet been done the conception of the first Gen-
eral Eldership, in 1845, to make of the whole Church a missionary society.
Excellent and permanent work was accomplished in the territory of the East
Pennsylvania Eldership between 1870 and 1875. Some projects, however, finally
failed. This is true of the Renova mission, in Clinton county, where the Phila-
delphia and Erie Railroad Company had donated a lot and Dr. Ross had bought
two additional lots for church purposes. Some Church families had removed to
Renova from other sections. A committee, consisting of Laverty and Ross, visited
the place in 187 0, and reported quite favorably. Forney was directed to accom-
pany the missionary, A. V. B. Orr, when he went there to take charge of the work,
in 1871. But on Eebruary 12, 1873, the Standing Committee released Orr, and
sent him to Christiana, Lancaster county. Pa., after a committee had visited the
place and made a favorable report. A Hall was rented, and Orr was authorized to
collect funds to built a house of worship. No success attended this project.
There had been preaching at Mt. Carmel, Northumberland county. Pa., some
years before, but in the Spring of 1870 work began there in a school-house,' under
the preaching of A, Snyder. In the month of June a small church was organized.
The Eldership in the Fall of 1869 decided to establish a mission in Columbia,
Lancaster county, where a church had existed many years before. W. Li. Jones,
pastor at Washington Borough, was placed in charge. He with the brethren at
Columbia were urged to buy a lot and prepare to build, but the matter was delayed.
Harrisburg church in 1869 was named as one of the churches by the Board of
Missions of the General Eldership which should undertake mission work. This
was done in May, 1870, when two mission Sunday-schools were organized, one
called the Broad Street Sunday-school, and the other the Vernon Street school.
In February, 1872, another one was organized in South Harrisburg. The Broad
Street school developed into the All-Workers' church, corner of Green and Calder
streets, where a bethel was built, which was dedicated May 21, 1871. The cost of
this property was $3,200. Shoemaker preached the dedicatory sermon, and was
assisted during the day by Owens and Laverty. The Vernon Street school was
abandoned after being carried on successfully for several years. The South Har-
risburg school grew into a church, and at the Eldership in 1873 Laverty was ap-
pointed missionary to build a church-house. He took charge April 1, 1874, and on
November 5, 1874, the corner-stone of the new bethel was laid. C. H. Forney de-
livered the address, assisted in the services by Seabrooks, Sigler and the pastor.
The corner-stone had been the corner-stone of the Mulberry Street bethel. The
dedication took place on February 7, 1875. A. Swartz preached the morning ser-
mon from Mark vi. 56; J. Cooper in the evening. The total cost of ground and
house was $4,471.00.
York county was always territory for successful work when proper efforts,
with the right kind of men, were made. In 1869 the Eldership decided to enlarge
the work in said county, and during the Winter of 1869 and 1870, the Standing
Committee mapped out the Lower York Mission, in the vicinity of the county seat,
and appointed S. C. Stonesifer, a young man from Maryland "of excellent talents
and commendable zeal and energy." He took charge April 1, 1870. He opened
eight appointments, and in June he organized the first church, consisting of twenty
mei:i^bers.
That the various mission enterprises might be supported, a Sunday-School Mis-
sionary Society was organized, which at first supported the Nagle Street mission,
and planned to raise $1,000.00 a year through life memberships and the Sunday-
schools. The Board of Missions also laid an assessment in 1870 on the churches
aggregating a little over $3,000.00.
Clearfield county, on the northern slope of the Allegheny mountains, was in
the territory of the West Pennsylvania Eldership, and the first missionary work
done there, after Weishampel had broken the ground, was by Plowman. Then
General History i6i
H. M. Lynn was appointed. Under his labors, a bethel was built at Paradise, one
mile from the county town, Clearfield, and dedicated on November 7, 1870. Loucks,
of the West Pennsylvania Eldership, did the preaching. March 23, 1872, the East
Pennsylvania Eldership Standing Committee directed its Secretary to write to the
West Pennsylvania authorities, requesting the transfer of Clearfield county to the
former Eldership. This was done about May 29, 1872. Work at Wallaceton,
Clearfield mission, was in good condition in 1871. A union house had been built,
but the majority party soon demanded rent from the church of God. T. M. Still
was sent to the mission by the East Pennsylvania Eldership. He had a successful
revival in the United Brethren house of worship in the Spring of 1873. The need
of a bethel was keenly felt, and the project was strongly urged by H. A. Shimniel,
who secured the gift of a lot for that purpose from the "land owners." At a meet-
ing held in Laurel Run school-house it was finally decided to build. The house
was finished and dedicated December 7, 1873. Sigler was the preacher, assisted
by the pastor, T. M. Still.
The church at Shippensburg, with its energetic pastor, G. Sigler, decided in
1870 that they needed a new house of worship. They entered into a contract with
a builder to erect a new bethel at a cost of $11,090.00 and the old building. It
was ready for dedication by the time of the convening there of the Eldership,
on November 13, 1870, when W. O. Owens preached an admirable dedicatory ser-
mon from Hag. ii. 9. The building was of brick, two stories.
In Germany Valley, Perry county, under the labors of S. S. Richmond, a bethel
was built in the Summer of 1870. It was dedicated November 27, 1870, by W. L.
Jones, assisted by the pastor.
The church at Plainfield, Cumberland county, dedicated their new bethel
October 16, 1870. Sigler ofl[iciated at the dedication.
At Churchville (now Oberlin), Dauphin county, the church joined the Hoff-
manites, a small body which had seceded from the United Brethren Church, and
erected a house of worship in the Summer of 1870. J. M. Carvell was pastor.
Joint dedicatory services were held September 12, 1870. A minister of the Hoff-
manite Church preached in German on Saturday evening. On Sabbath morning
two sermons were preached, one in German by a Hoffmanite minister, and one in
English by C. H. Forney. A German sermon was delivered in the evening.
Mechanicsburg rededicated its renovated and improved church building De-
cember 4, 1870, Sigler occupying the pulpit.
At Rohrerstown, where years before work had been done, the interest was re-
vived under the diligent labors of J. A. MacDannakl, On March 22, 1871, the
matter of building a bethel was seriously discussed. The church was organized
with twenty members on April 23, 1871. Considerable outside pressure was
brought to bear on the little company and its earnest pastor not to defer the matter.
But two years were permitted to elapse before the project took tangible form;
meanwhile the church worshiped in the school-house and in private houses. S. C.
Stonesifer succeeded MacDannald, and under his labors the building project was
revived and work begun, so that on July 20, 1873, the corner-stone was laid,
Forney, Brady and Weishanipel, with the pastor, conducting the services. The
house was finished and dedicated November 23, 1873, B. F, Beck preaching the
dedicatory sermon, assisted during the day by A. Wiley.
At Ellwood, Schuylkill county. Pa., also called Port MiflBin, and Suedberg, I.
Hay held an unusually successful revival in April, 1871. He reported eighty-five
conversions, and the organization of a church of thirty-eight members, explaining
that very many of the converts were members of the New Lutheran Church. Dur-
ing the year they matured plans to build a bethel, and began the work in the
Spring of 1872, laying the corner-stone May 19, 1872. I. Brady and J. M. Carvell
assisted Hay, the pastor. During the Summer the house was completed, and on
November 17th it was solemnly set apart for divine worship. The ministers offici-
ating were Cai-vell, Sigler and Hay.
Under the labors of D. Tovvnsend the church at Newville, Cumberland county.
Pa., repaired its house of worship, which was rededicated July 23, 1871, by Foraey,
Laverty, Sigler and J. Kennedy.
The church at Andersontown, York county, Pa., with W. L. Jones as pastor,
rededicated its improved church building December 10, 1871. J. B. Soule
officiated, assisted by R. White.
The rededication of the bethel at Fredericksburg, Lebanon county. Pa., under
C. H.— 7
i62 History of the Churches of God
the labors of I. Hajt% took place January 21, 1872. Brady, Laveity and S. Smith
did the preaching, Laverty preaching in English and the others in German.
W. Ij. Jones having been transferred to Morrison's Cove, he succeeded in build-
ing a bethel at Fairplay, Bedford county, which was consecrated June 9, 1872, by
R. White. Also at Waterside, Bedford county, he succeeded in the erection of a
bethel. Here the church had been holding services in an old shop. J. Shoenfelt
donated ground in 187 3, on which a bethel was built, which was dedicated June
16, 1873. R. White and P. D. Collins preached the sermons.
An old landmark disappeared in Linglestown, when in the Winter and Spring
of 1870 the original bethel built in 1827 gave place to a new, two-story building,
projected under the labors of T. M. Still, who in April was succeeded by Simon
Fleegal. The corner-stone had been laid on October 17, 1869. It was dedicated
June 12, 1870, W. O. Owen preaching in the morning, and C. H. Forney in the
evening, when the ordinances were observed.
At Donaldson, Schuylkill county, S. Smith, pastor, a church was organized,
which built a substantial bethel in the village, which was dedicated on September
22, 1872. Lavei-ty preached morning and evening in English, and I. Hay in the
afternoon in German. They were assisted by W. G. Miirdock, C. Noll, D. Shope and
H. Borgner.
The rededication at Newburg, Cumberland county, took place October 27,
1872, under the pastorate of H. E. Reever. Laverty officiated.
Under J. Cooper as pastor in the lower end of Perry county, the church at
Duncannon worshiped in a school-house until the Summer of 1873, when they
began to put into effect a resolve formed in November, 1872, to build a bethel.
The house was finished and ready for dedication by January 25, 1874, when it was
solemnly dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. Shoemaker, J. Hunter and
G. W. Seilhanimer did the preaching.
Roaring Spring, part of the Morrison's Cove circuit, at the time served by
W. L. Jones, built a house of worship in the Summer of 1872, which was conse-
crated on December 29, 1872. J. R. Soiile and R. White preached the sermons.
P. H. Clippinger, who soon thereafter ended his brief career, succeeded in re-
pairing the old bethel at Rockville, Dauphin county, which was re-dedicated Jan-
uary 19, 1873.
The Woodbury, Bedford county, church built and dedicated its second bethel
in 1873. The dedication took place January 11, 1874. Preaching by Laverty, as-
sisted during the day by Simon Fleegal and the pastor, G. W. Seilhammer.
After J. A. MacDannald was transferred to the Port Littleton circuit, Fulton
county, seconded by the counsel and co-operation of J. G. Cunningham and the
New Grenada church, he began mission work in Huntingdon, county-shire of Hunt-
ingdon county, and soon had plans in shape to build a bethel in the western part
of the town. Dr. R. A. Miller agreed to donate a lot worth $200.00. A church of
ten members was organized, and at least $400.00 secured in subscriptions. But
they were not sufficiently encouraged to carry through a project so well begun and
promising so much.
Up on the mountain the work succeeded better under MacDannald's labors.
The mission, extending from Clearfield to Phillipsburg, Center county, prospered.
And at the latter point he organized a church, June 28, 1874, of eight members.
At a point known as Mt. Zion, Lebanon county, there was an abandoned house
of worship owned by the Methodist Church. It was on the Lebanon circuit, four
miles north of Annville, within the circuit served by C, Noll. He had been preach-
ing in the house, and a revival followed. Dr. Ross went out and bought the house,
and had it repaired. It was dedicated May 3, 1874. The preaching on the occa-
sion was by S. Smith and I. Hay in German, and John Price in English.
Work was begun in Stony Creek Valley, above Dauphin, in Dauphin county,
the latter part of the Summer of 1874, in two school-houses, by B. Dochterman and
O. J. Farling.
The church at Middletown, Dauphin county, under Sigler's pastorate, built a
new, two-story, brick bethel in 1874, laying the corner-stone on July 8th. Sigler
having been sent to Philadelphia, April, 1875, the house was finished under the
labors of W. L. Jones, his successor. Slow progress was made, and the house
was not ready for dedication until October 22, 1876. Price preached on Saturday
evening, Sigler, on Sabbath morning, and Swartz, in the evening.
At Doubling Gap, Cumberland county, under the labors of J. M. Stouflfer, a
General History 163:
bethel was built during the Summer of 1874, and dedicated by D. A. L. Laverty, ort'
September 27th.
W. P. Winbigler, on the West York circuit, succeeded in having the Fairview
bethel removed to a new location, and rebuilt. The house was dedicated by G.
Sigler on November 15th, assisted by the pastor.
At Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, with A. Wiley, pastor, the church, under the-
energetic efforts of J. Kennedy, in charge of the Soldiers' Orphan School, and a--
local preacher, built a fine new bethel in the center of the town, which was dedi-
cated January 17, 187 5. C. H. Forney preached in the morning, and G. Sigler, la'
the evening, assisted in the services by A. H. Long.
An awakened interest in church extension and mission work was also mani-
fested in the Maryland part of the East Pennsylvania Eldership. Washington
county afforded a good field for aggressive work. Fairplay was the first point at
which substantial work was done. Spurrier, a hard-working, self-sacrificing min-
ister, was the pastor. He enlisted the few families at Fairplay in the work of
building a bethel, the corner-stone of which was laid by W. O. Owen, on September
3, 1870, assisted by D. Townsend. The house was finished and ready for dedica-
tion January 2 9, 1871, when Laverty officiated. The bethel in Zittlestown was
built and dedicated in 1870.
At Brownsville, same county, J, E. Araold began preaching in a school-house
in August, 1870. Within a year a house of worship was built under his superin-
tendence, which was dedicated May 28, 1871, under W. Palmer, preacher on the
circuit, but J. E. Arnold preached the dedicatory sermon. Arnold had the mission-
ary spirit, and as Fairplay and Brownsville are located within a comparatively-
short distance of Hagerstown, county seat, and Sharpsburg, he urged the extension
of the work to these larger towns, where already a number of Church families re-
sided. Accordingly it was ordered that work shoiild be started there. The next
pastor on this field, C. L. Amy, began to preach at both places. But the work was
soon discontinued because Amy was found "guilty of misdemeanor unbecoming a
minister of the gospel," and was suspended from the ministry, and finally expelled.
In Carroll county a mission was opened, called the Carroll County Mission,
with P. D. Collins, missionary. He soon opened three additional points, with others
calling for preaching. The prospects were most encouraging. He began his work
in April, 1873, and by July the project of building a bethel at Warfieldsburg was
practically decided. Soon after the work was begun, and on Lord's day, August
16, 1873, the corner-stone was laid by W. Palmer, assisted by Collins and D.
Fuss. The new bethel was dedicated December 28, 1873, Palmer officiating, as-
sisted by Fuss, SpuiTier and the pastor. A great revival followed the dedication.
On December 21, 1873, the bethel at Samples Manor, Washington county, Md.,.
was set apart for divine worship. P. Lookingbill was the pastor, and he secured
P. D. Collins to preach the dedicatory sermon.
The South Mountain Mission, P. Lookingbill, missionary, promised encourag-
ing results. It was in Frederick county, with Germantown as one of the principal
points. At this point the school-house was used, but soon "the Lord put it into
the hearts of the people to build a house of worship," and they pushed the work
with such energy that on January 14, 1872, the house was ready for dedication.
P. D. Collins preached the sermon.
This period promised much for the work in Virginia and that part of West
Virginia belonging to the East Pennsylvania Eldership. Though an old slave State,
the ministers of the Church found ready access to the people, but the Eldership did
but little directly for the field. W. McElroy was the missionary, and he was un-
vearied in his efforts to advance the cause. He labored in Berkeley and Jefferson
counties, W. Va., and in Loudoun county, Va. These counties border on Maryland,
south of Hagerstown. February 8, 187 0, he reported the organization of a church
between Mt. Hope and Gum Springs, in Loudoun county. "This is something new
in these parts," said the "Washingtonian," published at Leesburg, Va. At "Bro..
Davis's, four miles west of Hedgeville, Berkeley county, McElroy held a successful
meeting in a school-house and organized a church, which "intends to build a
bethel." In February, 1872, Spurrier went over to help to erect this house, he
being a mason as well as a preacher, which was finally completed and dedicated
September 13, 1874. Lookingbill officiated at the dedication. At Pipertown, Jef-
ferson county, a church of sixteen members was organized in 1874. In 1874 C. L.
Amy was sent to serve the Virginia Mission. He removed to Martinsburg, Berkeley
county, W. Va., and began preaching there in April, in King Street Hall, where on,
-164 History of the Churches of God
December 6, 1874, he organized a church of "good substantial members, being the
third organization in the State." He had six appointments.
Some progress was made in the work among the German churches in East
Pennsylvania, although there was a growing tendency to return to the English
Eldership. In 1870 there were two active ministers in the field, but in 1874 there
were four. Snyder worked northward from the Mahantango Valley, Schuylkill
county, and organized a church in Mt. Carmel, Northumberland county, the first
church of God in said county. It was small, consisting of seven members. He
opened four additional points during the year; Grim added three points to his field,
and Eli Sowers, one. The total number of organized churches adhering to the
German Eldership in 1870 was nine. In 1871 Snyder organized a new church at
White Horse Station, on the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Railroad, near Pine Grove,
Schuylkill county. The Kimmel Will was upheld by the Schuylkill county Court;
appealed to the Supreme Court, and the decision of the lower court affirmed in
1874. This gave the German Eldership an estate estimated to be worth $16,000.
Apparently no more clearly providential and propitious opening for mission-
ary work had yet presented itself to the East Pennsylvania Eldership than that in
Maine and New Brunswick in 1871. There were three or four small Baptist bodies
in Maine, which held doctrinal views almost identical with the faith of the Church
of God. One of these, numbering from one to two thousand souls, had separated
from the Free Will Baptist Church, which locally was known as the Star Baptists,
patronizing the "Morning Star," and another the seceders, which were called Re-
pository Baptists, as they patronized the "Repository" newspaper. Also the Primitive
Free Will Baptists, as they held more closely to the "old landmarks." In 1871
H. Mills had organized a church which was called the "church of God." It was
about 1847-8 when this division occurred, and separate organizations were main-
tained thereafter. In 1872 John Dennis, of Skowhegan, Somerset county, in the
southwestern section of the State, learned of the Church of God and of its publica-
tions. He sent for The Advocate, and made himself better acquainted with the
<Jhurch. He felt convinced that the "Repository Baptists," and possibly one or
two other bodies, could be brought together under the more scriptural name of
the Church of God. He called for a missionary to be sent by the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership. No man was more imbued with the missionary spirit and more
alert for new openings for Church extension than Dr. George Ross. He at once
planned a visit to Maine, and got the consent of G. Sigler to accompany him. It
"was a brief tour of inspection, made in an unproptious season of the year. The
Standing Committee, learning of Ross's purpose, appointed him and Sigler a Visit-
ing Committee. They left Lebanon, Pa., on their tour of some 650 miles, to
Skowhegan, Maine, on March 4, 1873, and were gone ten days. Sigler preached a
number of sermons, setting forth the doctrine and practice of the Church, which
seemed to be most cordially approved. Through the influence of Dr. Ross and J.
H. Redsecker, P. L/oucks was induced to visit Maine in June, 1873. He spent
most of his five or six weeks in Kennebec county, immediately south of Somerset,
though he made excursions into Somerset county. More at large he preached the
faith of the Church and its views on Christian union, which called out hearty re-
sponses of "Amen" and "truth." He preached these views at two of their Quar-
terly Meetings. On September 24th he made a second trip to Maine at the earnest
solicitation of Dr. Ross, and attended a Yearly Meeting. Meanwhile the senti-
ments of the Church were being more and more widely disseminated, and a demand
made for a missionary familiar with the views and principles of the Church to be
sent among them. Accordingly the Standing Committee appointed J. \V. Feli.v,
who started April 1, 1874, for his 4istant mission field. He located in Kennebec
county. But his stay was short, as he was released from the appointment by the
Standing Committee August 26, 1874. But by this time sentiment had sufficiently
crystallized to warrant bringing the brotherhood in Kennebec and Somerset coun-
ties into an organic form, and accordingly under the leadership of Mills, on Septem-
ber 19, 1874, the first Annual Eldership was held at Palmyra, in the south-eastern
corner of Somerset county. A loud call for help issued from the meeting, as "doors
are opening in every direction for labor, and Church of God principles are gaining
ground."
The West Pennsylvania Eldership, including West Virginia and several coun-
ties in South-eastern Ohio, was not favorably located as to territory for Church ex-
tension work. The territory was not contiguous, but widely scattered, with long
distances between fields of labor. It also invited limited emigration. But it al-
General History 165
ways had a few earnest, persevering missionaries, although its ranks were often de-
pleted by their emigration to western States, and two to Texas. West Virginia
was good territory to work in after the Disciple influence began to decline. On
the Irish Creek circuit a remarkable j-evival occurred at Windy Gap, Greene county.
Pa., but under a West Virginia pastor, at which one hundred and seventy-four con-
versions were reported. The building of a bethel followed under the labors of
James S. Marple, and was dedicated November 5, 1871, W. J. Davis, Joseph Grimm
and P. Loiicks officiating. There were estimated to be at this time six hundred
members in West Virginia, and tw^elve organized churches. Being far distant from
the Pennsylvania territory of the Eldership, except the counties in the extreme
southwest, it w^as thought a wise thing to organize an Eldership in West Virginia.
The work was also being extended southward, and the prospects were reported
very encouraging. At Sugar Grove a bethel was built "by the citizens," under the
pastoral labors of G. J. Bartlebaugh, in 1872. Another one was erected at Stull's
Run, under the labors of L. F. Wilson. Also one at Mt. Union, where J. W. Davis
was pastor, which was dedicated by P. Loucks on December 14, 187 3. At Lower
Proctor, Wetzel county, on September 13, 1874, a small church was formed.
In Pennsylvania, beside the territory served by West Virginia preachers, there
was commendable progress made. A number of relatively large revivals were
held and some new points established. At Ursina, Somerset county, under the
labors of W. J. Davis, a new bethel was dedicated June 4, 1871. M. S. Pritts occu-
pied the pulpit on Saturday evening; P. Loucks, on Sabbath morning, and J. S.
McKee. in the evening. At Bully Hill, Venango county, also called Congress Hill,
two miles from Franklin, county town, W. B. Long pastor, a new house of worship
was built, M'hich was consecrated on December 24, 1871. P. Loucks preached the
morning sermon, and J. M. Domer in the evening. One of the most auspicious
enterprises brought to completion was the mission house at Mt. Pleasant, West-
moreland county, where there had been preaching for some time by Loucks, whose
home was "a few miles off." The "Mission Chapel" was finished and ready for
dedication March 17, 1872, when J. M. Domer preached the dedicatory sermon.
Under the labors of D. T. Leach a bethel was built at Rich Hill, Fayette county,
which P. Loucks dedicated August 18, 1872, assisted by the pastor and J. Gallatin.
At Harmony, Butler county, with J. Hovis as pastor, the bethel was dedicated by
A. X. Shoemaker October 6, 1872. G. J. Bartlebaugh and J. W. Bloyd, joint pas-
tors, built a bethel at Fall Run, which was dedicated the latter part of January,
1873, followed by a revival. J. Hickernell officiated at the dedication, and preach-
ed about two weeks thereafter with great power. Templeton, in Armstrong county,
where in 1873 Bartlebaugh was pastor, repaired its house of worship in the Sum-
mer of 1873, and rededicated it on November 2, 1873. John Hickernell did the
preaching, assisted by R. Vanaman, J. Grimm and the pastor. M. S. Pritts organ-
ized a church of eight members at Lyons school-house, January 18, 1874.
More work was done in the West Ohio than in the East Ohio Eldership terri-
tory. Serious trouble and much friction existed in the latter which hindered
Church work. Yet there were redeeming features. For a time the Mansfield Mis-
sion was a hopeful enterprise. At first, in 1870, it was the Mansfield and Shelby
Mission, with J. W. Senseney as pastor. On February 2.5th he had organized a
church, with J. Myers, a minister who had located there, as elder, and J. Foreman,.
formerly of the church at Fayetteville, Pa., as deacon. In October, 1870, a con-
tract was entered into to build a bethel, and the corner-stone was laid on November
6th. M. Coates was appointed by the Eldership to canvass for funds, and $3,000.00'
was apportioned to twenty-one churches. On April 9, 1871, the lecture room was
dedicated. This was used for preaching services until the house was finished. It
was called "Trinity Bethel," and was dedicated September 3, 1871, with quite a
debt resting upon it. O. H. Betts was appointed to succeed Senseney, and Coates
to succeed Belts. Under Coates there was a somewhat extensive revival in Febru-
ary, 1874. And while the debt militated somewhat against the progress of the
work, congregations were good. The debt did much to interfere with the final suc-
cess of the mission by discouraging the brotherhood, which was constantly appealed
to for funds to support it. Near Greensburg, Summit county, under the labors of
S. Lilley, a house of worship was built in the Summer of 1871, and was set apart to
the worship of God December 3, 1871. The preaching was done by T. Deshiri, J.
A. Plowman and O. H. Betts. The bethel at New Washington was dedicated under
the pastorate of D. S. Wanier and Thomas James. J. S. McKee preached the dedi-
catory sermon October 6, 187 2. Though their experience with a union house
i66 History of the Churches of God
Jointly owned by two churches had demonstrated its unwisdom, the brethren of
the church of God at Lattasburg and the United Brethren proceeded to repair their
Siouse in the Summer of 1872, and by November 17th it was ready for rededica-
tion. G. W. AVilson was the pastor, and it was arranged that he preach the even-
ing sermon and Bishop Glossbrenner, of the U. B. Church, the morning sermon.
The preaching points in Stark county had approached Canton on the north within
such a distance that by 1867 it was deemed advisable to consider the wisdom of
seeking an entrance into the county-seat. Oliver was appointed that year to the
■circuit which included Stark county, taking charge April 1, 1868. But he got no
nearer than the holding of a woods-meeting in the vicinity, which he had to turn
over to M. Beck on account of illness. Beck was appointed to Stark circuit in
1868, and he began preaching in Canton. In 1870 he was appointed to Canton
Mission, with Moreland and Stump's Bethel. The work made steady progress, with
|)reaching at first every four weeks, and later every two weeks, up to 1873. The
services were held in a log meeting-house under control of the Mennonite Church,
and then in the Disciple house of worship. Plowman fallowed Beck in November,
1874. The mission was reported "in a prosperous condition, and is a success in
<8very point of view," the church numbering "fifty efficient members." As late as
April, 1875, Plowiiian held a special meeting in the Disciple house. At Cedar Val-
ley, 7 miles northwest of Wooster, the second bethel was built in the Summer of
1874, and dedicated October 4th by A. X. Shoemaker. G. W. VVilson, M. Coates,
Ij. Selby and M. Beck participated in the services.
m the territory of the West Ohio Eldership durable progress was made in
-every department of Church work. At Basswood, Williams county, probably the
same as Madison, with James Neil and J. V. Updike as pastors, a bethel was built
an the Summer of 187 0, which A. X. Shoemaker dedicated on September 2.5th.
Snyder, J. Bumpus, Joseph Neil, brother of the pastor, and H. Pressler as-
sisted in the services. In the country, 3 miles West of Upper Sandusky, Wyandot
fcounty, September 18, 1870, a new bethel was dedicated by T. Deshiri, D. Shriner
and W. P. Small. With some Church families living in Tiffin, county town of
Seneca county, and a church not far from the town, the Eldership was desirous to
get a foot-hold in the town. It realized that first of all in such a place a house of
worship of some kind was needed. Hence in October, 1870, a committee was ap-
pointed to "see if a house of worship can be bought in Tiffin." At South Bridge-
water, Williams county, James Neil pastor, the church succeeded in erecting a
bethel in 1871, which was dedicated December 31st, by O. H. Betts, who had J. V.
Updike to assist him in the services. The Union Chapel, 4 miles northeast of
Mendon, Mercer county, was solemnly set apart for religious worship on June 8,
1873. In West Unity, Williams county, where James Neil labored so efficiently, a
house of worship was completed in the Fall of 1873, which was devoted to religious
ruses on January 4, 1874. T. Hickernell preached the morning sermon. 31. Beck
rand A. Kline were also present. On December 28, 1873, a bethel was dedicated in
Hardin county, by J. C. Seabrooks, A. Kline, J. Bvimpus and \V. P. Small, James
Neil, pastor, with the church at Georgetown, Defiance county, completed a bethel
■jat that point, which A. X. Shoemaker dedicated June 7, 1874.
Possibly with the ultimate object of beginning work in Toledo, county seat of
"Liucas county, the Toledo Mission was placed on the list of appointments of the
West Ohio Eldership in 1873, with East Toledo as one of the points named. H. S.
McNutt was assigned to this mission. He reported six appointments, and the or-
ganization of a church at Snyder's school-house, one at Crane Creek, Ottawa
county, adjoining Lucas on the southeast, and one in the village of Martin, in the
same county. On November 8, 1874, W. P. Small went into Toledo to "hunt a
place to preach." He preached in a private house, and reported that the work
there needs "a house, a man and means."
It took considerable time and the loss of quite a sum of money to divest the
brethren of the idea of having Eldership tents. G. S. Petry, a fine German
preacher originally from East Pennsylvania, in 1870 started a project to get a tent.
It was to be called "The Union Tabernacle," and was to be owned by a stock mem-
aaership, at $25.00 a share. In October, 1870, he had secured five subscriptions.
Ross wrote against such a project, unless authorized and controlled by an Elder-
ship, and warned subscribers that they are likely to lose their investments.
In the Indiana Eldership the event of special significance which occupied the
attention of the brotherhood from 1870 to 1874 was the mission work at Ft.
Wayne, county town of Allen county, third county south from the Michigan line,
General History 167
bordering on Ohio. The formal inception of the work may be dated April 1, 1871,
when the Standing Committee appointed W. VV. Lovett, "our young, energetic and
worthy brother," to go abroad among the churches to collect funds to buy a lot and
build a bethel. This action was based upon a resolution adopted by the Eldership
in 1869, proposing "to open a mission in the city of Ft. Wayne, to be under the
control of the Eldership, and the property to be deeded to this Eldership." It was
"to be a center and rallying point for our Eldership." They were encouraged and
commended by prominent members of other Elderships. November 4, 1871, the
Board of Missions of the Eldership appointed a Building Committee. November
13th a lot was bought, and in November, 187 3, a contract was made with Daniel
Kemp to erect the building, finishing it by June 1.5, 1874, if means are in hand.
The building was beautifully located, and was 32 by 50 feet, with a tower over
eighty feet high. Under Lovett as pastor, the house was dedicated June 28, 1874,
by A, X. Shoemaker, leaving a debt of $300.00. John Martin and John McColley
assisted at the dedication.
At Center Jackson, De Kalb county, 4 % miles south-east from Auburn, under
J. Bumpus, pastor, a bethel was built, and w^as dedicated May 28, 1871. Mrs. E.
McColley preached the sermon, and Smurrh and Bumpus assisted in the services.
At Union, Adams county, under Lovett as pastor, A. X. Shoemaker, on August 20,
1871, dedicated a new house of worship. Mrs. McColley held another dedicatory
service on October 1, 1871, at Monroeville, Allen county. In Kosciusko county,
the church at Beaver Dam, built a bethel in the Summer of 1872. Their pastors
were B. F. Bear and I. W. Lowman. The house was dedicated by Lovett on
December 8, 1872. Under E. B. Bell's labors a bethel was built in the Bgolf
neighborhood, 4 miles north-east of Columbia City, Whitley county, which was
dedicated on Whit-Sunday, June 1, 1873. The bethel at Flat Creek, Wells county,
3 miles south of Zanesville, was dedicated November 15, 1874. A church was or-
ganized by I. W. Lowman at South Wabash in the Winter of 1872-3.
"Michigan is favored with revivals," wrote B. D. Bright in the middle of this
period. But, as he also stated earlier, it was "quite a disadvantage that the Church
of God had so few houses of worship, as the ministers can not hold revivals" as
others do. Shoemaker, in September, 1874, said: "As a people we have effected
but little as yet in the State of Michigan; nevertheless, we have now some open-
ings of promise." The work was also considerably scattered, yet fair progress was
made from 1870 to 1875, in Allegan, Barry and Eaton counties, adjoining each
other from Lake Michigan eastward, and in Isabella, Saginaw and Gratiot counties
near the center of the State. A't Calimo, Eaton county, Linsley, on April 14, 1871,
reported the organization of a church, of which a Methodist minister became a
member, and then the minister. At Maple Grove, Saginaw county, a bethel was
dedicated by A. X. Shoemaker, on August 23, 1874. He was assisted by Gillaspie,
Edwards and White. At Burnips Corners, Salem township, Allegan county, under
the labors of S. D. C. Jackson, a bethel was erected in the Summer of 1873. The
Ministerial Association of the Eldership was appointed to be held there October
27 and 28, and for convenience the dedication services were held on the 26th. A.
X. Shoemaker officiated. B. D. Bright succeeded in building a house of worship in
Casco township, Allegan county, which was dedicated by A. X. Shoemaker on Sab-
bath, November 29, 1874. Bright had also organized a new church at Casco on
March 15, 1873. And in Isabella county I. W. Lowman organized a church of
twelve members on January 15, 1874.
In Illinois interest so generally centered in the Chicago Mission, and its de-
mands for money were so large relatively and incessant, that few new undertakings
could be started. Mainly an individual enterprise, it had the hearty endorsement
of all the Elderships and of the General Eldership, and from 1866 Shoemaker was
appointed to the mission by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership. But
he was responsible for the means for the work and for his own support. The
territory of all the Elderships was open for him to canvass, and he visited almost
every church in the whole body, and many of them repeatedly, from 1864 to 1874.
As an indication of what some of the stronger churches paid toward the mission
an item in one of Shoemaker's reports is worthy of note. He stated that up to
June, 1870, the church at North Bend, Iowa, had paid toward the mission $1,000.00.
But by this time the churches realized that the burden was becoming very heavy.
Also a spirit of skepticism as to the final success of the mission was beginning to
find occasional expression. At this time — 1871 — came a call for an extra $1,000.00
for sewers and paving, and from January to June, 1871, there were repeated ap-
i68 History of thr Churches of God
peals published for means to meet these assessments. Friends rallied to Shoe-
maker's support, some of them seeking to revive the old spirit by representing that
the great fire would benefit the mission, as many of the homeless families would
locate in that section of the city. The membership, it developed about this time,
was not increasing, and at the seventh anniversary of the formation of the church
there were few persons in fellowship which had not moved into Chicago from
churches in other parts of Illinois and other States. Shoemaker himself betrayed
some faintness of heart, notwithstanding his indomitable spirit, at the now real fu-
ture of his work which began to replace the imaginary. Reporting the seventh an-
niversary in 1872, he said: "I have always believed that God in his own time, and
in his own way, will vindicate this work." In 1872 he was again reappointed by the
Board of Missions of the General Eldership for a period of three years, with a
proviso, that "a change in pastors may be made, if necessary, at the end of one
year, or in two years." But the impression steadily grew that the work could be
carried onward no further under Shoemaker, and in December, 1872, public de-
mand was made that a new pastor be secured by the end of the first year of this
three-year term. It was felt that to spend more money at Chicago under existing
conditions would be wastful. A new pastor, however, would have to be largely
supported by the churches, and hence the suggestion that Shoemaker be released
and put in the field as general collector. "Investigator," "A Friend of Missions,"
and others now published articles which foreshadowed final defeat. The plea was
that with the limited success and the enormous cost it would be better to stop.
The crisis had come. Yet the Board of Missions was not ready to quit, and so on
May 31, 187 3, it appointed W. P. Small pastor. He resigned October 15, 1873,
At an extra session of the Board held at Chicago on this date it declared that it
had no man for the mission, and it recommended that the Executive Board take
the property, improve it and make such disposition of it as would bring in some
revenue. A. J. Hull, of Michigan, was sent there as a supply, but remained only
a short time. By request of the Board, the East Pennsylvania Standing Committee
appointed A. H. Long, to take charge after J. Kennedy had held a special meeting;
but he declined. And while several other Elderships, Iowa and Ohio, urged that
the work should be continued, in April, 1874, the bethel, for the time, was closed.
And at the meeting of the Board of Missions of the General Eldership on May 23,
1874, a resolution was passed "urging the sale of the mission property," and that
"provision be made for the resumption of worship in some other locality in the
City of Chicago." There was due Shoemaker $1,500, and other bills were unpaid.
It was estimated that by the time all bills and dues were provided for the total
amount the mission would have cost would be between $20,000.00 and $25,000.00.
But though this period closed with the dark shadows of disaster evidently
hanging over Chicago mission, it was a period not void of encouraging and sub-
stantial progress. A new circuit was started in the Spring of 1871, called Maroa
circuit, with R. J. Funk, of Iowa, as pastor. It consisted of Fairview, Belle
Prairie and Friends Creek. At Spring Grove, Warren county, near Alexandria, a
new house of worship was built and ready for dedication January 16, 1870. I. E.
Beyer was the pastor, and he secured R. H. Bolton to preach the dedicatory ser-
mon. Joseph Moreland was instrumental in the erection of a bethel, called "Macon
Bethel," which A. X. Shoemaker dedicated on November 12, 1871. Moi-eland,
"with a few of the leading men in the neighborhood," also built a house of wor-
ship about 10 miles south of Decatur, which was dedicated by Shoemaker October
8, 1871. "Zion Chapel" was built by a church composed almost wholly of Scotch
people, converted during a revival held on Cedar Creek, under the joint labors of
1. E. Boyer and J, M. Cassel. They at once began the erection of this house of
worship, which was dedicated a little over a year later, March 17, 1872, by these
two ministers. At Fairview, Macon county, 7 miles east of Decatur, a church was
organized by M. S. Newcomer in February, 1871, of seventy-five members, which,
under the pastoral labors of G. W. Thompson, built a bethel the following Sum-
mer. It was dedicated by Newcomer, November 5, 1871. The Mt. Carroll bethel,
H. L. Soule, pastor, was remodeled and ready for rededication on the Sabbath of
the General Eldership, June 2, 1872. G. Sigler preached the morning sermon.
At Coalville, 111., a meeting-house begun by the United Brethren, but which they
failed to complete, was bought by a Board of Trustees, finished and dedicated as a
Union house, under the labors of E. Fulton, by A. X. Shoemaker, June 23, 1872.
In Ford county, under J. M. Cassel, pastor, a "Union Bethel" was dedicated July
13, 1873. H. L. Soule having gone to Decatur, in the Summer of 1873, the church
General History 169
at thai place repaired its bethel, which Shoemaker dedicated December 21, 1873.
He was assisted by I. E. Boyer, James AVarner, O. V. Kenniston, A. J. Fenton and
Jacob Bear.
In Iowa the work made regular, but not rapid progress. Several new mis-
sions were undertaken, and edifying work was done on all the old fields of labor.
The first new house of worship begun during this period was in April, 1870, at
Colo, Story county, in what the energetic pastor, A. Wilson, called "the geograph-
ical center of the State." As he did not find the church and people as ready to
give as he had hoped, he borrowed the money out of bank on his own account, and
went ahead. His faith was rewarded, and on September 17, 1871, the new bethel
was dedicated by F. F. Iviner. Cedar Bethel, Louisa county, on W. Vance's circuit,
was built more expeditiously. It was dedicated by R. H. Bolton on June 26, 1870.
Within 3 miles of Fredonia, Louisa county, also on the circuit which Vance travel-
ed, "Pleasant Grove Bethel" was built in the Summer of 1870, and was dedicated
by Shoemaker on November 27, 1870. Six or eight other ministers were present,
among them Megrevv, Hollenis, R. H. and B. F. Bolton and L. F. Chamberlin. This
bethel some years later was destroyed by fire, and rebuilt. At Sand Prairie, Ben-
ton county, under W. D. Bowker, a new meeting-house was dedicated December 17,
1871. A. Hollems preached the dedicatory sermon. D. Gill and J. Kepford were
present and preached during the day. The Stone Bethel, Lee county, had been the
property of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. It was leased for ninety-nine years
by the Harmony church, repaired and rededicated June 16, 1872. P. Loucks, of
the West Pennsylvania Eldership, officiated, aided by the pastor, R. H. Bolton, and
B. F. Bolton. D. Wertz, in 1873, was pastor at Allen's Grove, Scott county, where
a bethel was erected during the Summer. It was consecrated by A. X. Shoemaker
on September 28, 1873, O. V. Kenniston assisting. The "Union Bethel," Cedar
county, was built under the pastoral labors of J. D. Meads, and was dedicated Jan-
uary 4. 1874. D. Wertz and Mrs. M. J. Beecher-Wertz officiated.
There was during this period of 1870-187.5, most commendable missionary
activity in Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas, attended with encouraging success. In
Missouri, Clark county, in the north-eastern corner of the State, was part of the
Harmony circuit, Iowa. In 1870 R. H. Bolton was the pastor. The church at
Peakesville was organized by him on March 31, 1870, and on April 4th it decided
to build a house of worship. It was completed under the labors of B. F. Bolton,
and was dedicated by I. E. Boyer on December 25, 1870. Arthur Shuler donated
two lots on which the bethel was built. The privilege was reserved for other
Churches to use the house when not occupied by the church. Nodaway county, in
the extreme north-west corner of the State, was part of the Page county, Iowa,
circuit. At Union Grove, in this county, a church of twenty-two members was or-
ganized in February, 187 0. G. W. Thomas and C. B. Konkel preached here, fol-
lowed by N. J. Howard. R. M. Pine entered Putnam county, on the Iowa line, in
April, 1871, and established a regular appointment at Unionville. Keplinger
preached at a number of points in Caldwell, Ray and Jackson counties, along the
Missouri River, east of Kansas City, in the Summer of 187 0. Clinton county, sec-
ond county east of St. Joseph, on the Kansas line, became one of the most promis-
ing points in the State. A colony from East Pennsylvania settled near Cameron
in said county, in April, 187 0. Among these were P. D. Heffleflnger, S. Kendig,
W. Row, D. Wolf, G. Sudsbeny, John Miller, Jacob Long, W. Keesaman and their
families, all Church of God people. It was known as "The Keystone Union Settle-
ment." R. H. Bolton was the first minister of the Church to preach for them, and
he organized them into a church of fifteen members in May, 1870. Services were
held in a dwelling house just built, and used for day-school, Sunday-school and
preaching. S. V. Sterner followed Bolton; and then came Konkel, and C. S. Bol-
ton later. They put up with the inconvenience of worshiping in private houses
and school-houses for some eight years. Near Osborn, De Kalb county, the next
county north of Clinton, Joseph 3Ioreland organized a church in June, 187 2. At
Polo, Caldwell county, adjoining Clinton on the east, J. Slaybaugh, a layman, con-
stituted a church in the Winter of 1870-1. These three counties in 1874 were
made a circuit, with good prospects of giving a pastor a living. In Ray county,
adjoining Caldwell on the south, at a new village called Allenville, a "Union
Bethel" was built by the church of God at said place, the Southern Methodists and
the Baptists, which was dedicated December 3, 1871, R. H. Bolton and L. L. Moyer,
Methodist Church, South, officiating. A church was organized in "McNeal's neigh-
borhood," Nodaway county, in 1873.
170 History of the Churches of Gon
South of the Missouri River the work was spread more or less over the seven
■counties below Kansas City, along the Kansas State line, and the next tier east,
with Morgan near the center of the State. In the latter county W. Berkstresser
was located, a Pennsylvanian, near Versailles, where Blakely preached occasion-
ally in 1870, and where later a church was formed. In 1870 a church was or-
ganized at Camp Branch, Cass county. The churches at Pleasant Hill and Harri-
sonville, Cass county; Knobnoster, Johnson county; Versailles, Morgan county, and
Sedalia, Pettis county, were formed into a circuit in 1871, and were to support
Blakely, their pastor. There was also a church at Lisbonville, Ray county, and
in April, 1874, Keplinger organized one at Round Grove, Lawrence county.
When in 1869 the Board of Missions of the General Eldership became alive
and active, it prosecuted its work with meritorious zeal and energy. This fact
appears in the number of missionaries in its employ and the means it secured for
their support during the present period. From 1845 to 1869 it had not one mis-
sionary in the field. But for the years ending from 1870 to 1875, it employed at
different times and for varying periods eleven missionaries, and spent in their sup-
port not less than $7,000, besides funds raised for the Chicago mission, and
nearly $1,000 contributed for several successive years by a comparatively small
band of sisters in East Pennsylvania under the leadership of Mrs. J. S. Gable, Mrs.
Dr. Geo. Ross, and Mrs. J. Kennedy. Except Chicago, these missionaries were all
employed in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. P. K. Shoemaker was for several
years the missionary on the Kansas and Nebraska Mission, as he was located near
the State line. He called himself "the Missionary of the West." He was an East
Pennsylvania minister, brother of A. X. Shoemaker. He went as far north as Lin-
'coln City, Lancaster county, Neb., Capital of the State, then but two and one-half
years old, with two hundred houses. Here the General Eldership had a conditional
grant of lots for a bethel. He was succeeded by D. S. Warner, of Ohio, who was
appointed to the contiguous counties of York, Fillmore, Polk, Hamilton and Sew-
ard, on the west of Lancaster. He organized a church in February, 1874, at Fair-
mount, Fillmore county, of twenty-four members. Also one at Cropsey and one at
Evergreen; one in the Anderson community. Steward county, of sixteen members,
and one other. The Andersons were from Broad Top, Bedford county. Pa., Church
of God families. He had fourteen preaching places. The church in York county
fellowshiped a Baptist minister, who became its pastor. When the family of Wm.
Mooney, a deceased East Pennsylvania minister, emigrated to Crete, Saline county,
Neb., adjoining Lancaster on the south-west, they called for a minister. Under in-
structions of the Board of Missions of the General Eldership, Dr. George Ross and
J. Kennedy visited Crete in 1872. They reported favorably, and on January 1,
1873, E. D. Aller, of East Pennsylvania, was appointed missionary at Crete. Ac-
cording to Aller's report, Crete was truly a godless town. When he reached there
the number of Christians in the place was sixty, which was six per cent, of the
population. But he soon gathered a small church. Bolton had preached in Crete
in July, 1872, and immediate steps were taken to build a bethel. Backed up in
the enterprise by Ross and Kennedy, the work was pushed to early completion,
and the dedication services were held October 20, 1872, by Bolton. He was assist-
ed by Rev. Alley, a Congregational pastor at Crete. Bolton, on August 18, 1873,
preached in Richardson county, the south-east corner of the State, where he or-
ganized a church which was known as the church in "Barada Precinct." The pur-
pose to build a house of worship was at once agitated. At Barkey school-house, on
February 6, 1874, Aller organized a church of fifteen members. The Iowa Elder-
ship in November, 1871, established a mission in Elk Horn Valley, Neb., and ap-
pointed A. li. Nye as missionary. He located at Clinton, Stanton county, third
county south from the South Dakota line, in the north-eastern part of the State.
The work in Kansas was in the north-eastern and south-eastern parts of the
State, with one-third of the territory between the two districts unoccupied. In
Washington county, on the Nebraska State line, Henry Ankerman, a layman, began
holding prayer-meeting, which in 1871 resulted in constituting a church. C. S.
Bolton preached at this point in 1873. He also labored in the adjoining county of
Marshall. He organized churches at White Hall, French Creek and Barrett. In
Nemaha county a church was formed at Kilmer's school-house. In Marshall county
P. K. Shoemaker organized a church at Vermillion, April 12, 1874, and one at
Wohlford school-house, April 26, 1874. At Vermillion they decided to build a
house of worship. In the Spring of 1870 Keplinger moved from Missouri into Kan-
sas, locating 6 miles south-east of Cato, Crawford county, on the Missouri line,
Gkn];Ral History 171
second county north of the Oklahoma State line. In the C B. Konkel neighbor-
hood, 6 miles south of Cato, a church of fifteen members was formed in the Winter
of 1870-1. The Iowa Standing Committee recommended Konkel, a member of the
Iowa Eldership, to labor in that section as a missionary. Near Girard, Crawford
county, February 19, 1871, Keplinsei- organized a church of fifteen members. He
visited Bourbon county, of which Ft. Scott is the shiretown, and held a woods
meeting not far from Ft. Scott. W. Shipinan, of Southern Indiana, resided there,
supposed to have been the first Church of God minister to locate in Kansas. In
Crawford county Keplinger organized a church at the Barber school-house of
twenty members, and one of six members in Ozark school-house. Contiguous to
Bourbon county on the west is Allen county, where near Humboldt a small church
was organized in April, 1872. Keplinger also went into the county next south of
Allen, Neosho, and held meetings. He established an appointment at Mulberry
Grove, Crawford county, in 1870. In 1874 he also organized a church near
Cherokee Station, Kansas. C, S. Kilmer, who removed from north-western Mis-
souri, licensed by the Iowa Eldership, preached at R. A. Slyter's, in Pottawatomie
county, adjoining Nemaha and Marshall on the south, and formed a church of eight
members.
As J. W. Keplinger in 1870 moved across the Ohio River into Lyon county,
Ky., some 50 miles east of the Mississippi River, he began to do lay missionary
work, mainly in the way of organizing Sunday-schools. He introduced several
hundred copies of The Gem, and secured some subscribers for The Advocate. He
reported enthusiastically "the good prospects," and all that he asked was "a good,
active minister to visit them and see for himself." To this call Sandoe, of the
Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership, responded in October of the same year.
The work in Arkansas began when in 1870 some members of the Church in
Texas emigrated to Franklin county, in the north-west corner of the State, the sec-
ond county east of Oklahoma, and the third south of Missouri. In 1872 Ober fol-
lowed, and began missionary work, preaching two years in that section, leaving
with one church of fifty members. At the Texas Eldership in 1873 he was regu-
larly appointed to the Franklin county mission, with an appropriation of $125.00
raised on the floor of the Eldership. In 1871 the Eldership had licensed G. T.
Bell, of Arkansas, "a young man of good natural ability, and full of the Holy
Ghost," whom in 1874 the Eldership appointed to serve the Arkansas mission.
Being so near the Missouri State line, Enos Hilton, licensed by the Kansas and
Missouri Eldership, and living in Barry county. Mo., on the Arkansas line, he found
"quite an opening for Church of God preaching in northern Arkansas.
Texas was neglected, and was calling for a preacher from the North. It
needed "help, sympathy and prayers." There "are great openings for the Church
in the State." For sixteen years Marple had been preaching there, and he felt that
his work was done, so that both he and Ober issued strong appeals for ministerial
help.
By 1873 a few Church families had emigrated to South Dakota, Clay county,
bordering on Nebraska, in the south-east corner of the State. These called for
preaching. So there were calls from Colorado, California and Oregon. D. Lewis
and A. Longenecker removed to Oregon from Illinois in 1873, followed by G. M.
Stroup, of Iowa. They urged the sending of a missionary to the Pacific. Thus
the horizon widened, but the constant apology for not responding to these urgent
calls was a want of men and means.
The history of the Freedmen's Mission, apart from what preaching among the
colored people was done by Stanton and others, was short lived. In 1871 the East
Pennsylvania Eldership licensed J. H. Gaines, and appointed him to the "Freed-
men's Mission." He left Harrisburg, Pa., for Martinsburg, W. Va., and began a
meeting on December 14, 1871, continuing it to the 26th "with some converts."
Then he received a call "from the Freedmen at Marysville, Pa.," to which he re-
sponded, holding a special meeting there from December 31, 1871, to January 23,
1872. The project of building a meeting-house was at once proposed. Paul Miller
offered the donation of a lot, and $184.00 were at once subscribed. A Building
Committee was appointed, and the money was to be paid and the building begun
when Gaines returned. In 1872 his license was placed in the hands of the Stand-
ing Committee, and his name disappeared from the Roll of the Eldership.
Contending for the faith in public debate was still somewhat prevalent be-
tween 1870 and 1875. One of the first was held at Burnt Cabins, Fulton county,
Fa., in the Summer of 1871, between R. White and Cyrus Jeffries, a Swedenborgian
1/2 History of the Churches oe God
minister, on the peculiar vieAvs of that Church on the Resurrection — that it is past,
and the judgment is now in progress. The same year, at Colo, Iowa, A. Wilson
had a debate with a Rev. Mr. Meyer, "leader of the sect called Soul-Sleepers," on
the kingdom of Christ as already established, and baptism for the remission of
sins. In August, 1871, D. S. Warner and Rev. Baker, of the Disciple Church, de-
bated the proposition: "The Church of God, of which I am a member, is the only
Church of divine origin." In March, 1872, a discussion began in The Advocate
between Newcomer and G. W. Wilson on the "Secresy" question. Newcomer was
an unyielding, almost fanatical, opponent of all secret orders, while AVilson was
less opinionated and dogmatic, but a good apologist. The discussion continued for
a good part of a year. D. S. AVarner and Leonard Parker, M. E. Church, in June,
1872, debated the old subject of baptism. In the Spring of the same year the
forum of debate on the ordinance of feet-washing was, by request of the Editor of
"The Central Baptist," St. Louis, Mo., transferred to his paper, and A. G. McCor-
mick requested R. H. Bolton to defend the institution. This he did against B. F.
Taylor and J. D. Mui-phy, of the Baptist Church. In the Fall of 1872 A. Wilson
discussed baptism, washing the saints' feet and the name of the Church of God with
P. J. Russell, Christian Church. The same year he tried conclusions with a Mor-
mon, I. N. White, on the question, "Is the Church of God of which I am a member
the true Church?" May, 1873, a discussion of man's spiritual entity; the image of
God, and the conscious state of the dead was held between D. Blakely and Mr.
Stoneway, in Moniteau county. Mo. A new disputant entered the arena of debate
September 23, 1873, when, at Lorain, Stephenson county. 111., J. H. Besore and
Rev. Davis, of the Evangelical Association, were the belligerents on the simple ques-
tion of immersion as the only baptism taught in the Scriptures. Waraer, May 15,
1874, near Orton, Neb., defended the perpetuity and public observance of feet-
washing as an ordinance against E. Evans, of the Disciple Church. The questions
of the scriptural name of the Church; feet-washing as an ordinance, and literal
water-baptism as essential to the remission of sins were the subjects of discussion
between A. Wilson, and M. Nichols, of the Disciple Church.
Almost incessantly some controversy was in progress between ministers of the
Church in The Advocate. The subjects took a wide range, and the discussions
were participated in by scores of brethren. Nor were the amenities of fraternal
debate always observed. The recrudescence of no subjects was so common as those
of the titles of Elderships and the imposition of hands. The former was more or
less discussed each year until the Fall of 1872, following the action of the General
Eldership of that year. The relation divinely established between baptism and the
remission of sins and church fellowship could for years not be so conclusively estab-
lished as to put a cessation to controversy. And then for some years the second-
work sanctification theory not only provoked controversy, but became a source of
trouble in some local churches. There were too few real advocates of creeds to make
the question of wide interest when an effort on diiTerent occasions was made to
revive it. The question of the resurrection scientifically considered, and in rela-
tion to the Advent and the Millennium, awakened more than common interest as it
was discussed at Ministerial Associations and editorially. The sin against the Holy
Ghost on several occasions was carefully discussed, showing quite a divergence of
views. Before the prevalence of "the faith healing" epidemic a protracted discus-
sion of the "gift of miracles," gradually drifting into the "gift of healing," was
carried on in The Advocate on the affirmative by J. Richards, J. C. Clippinger, C.
C. Moi-ston, Jesse Little and R. H. Bolton, and on the negative by Sandoe, Swartz,
Newcomer and B. F. Beck, with Mackey, who had reached "no definite opinion."
It began in April, 1870, and continued with some interruptions until March, 1872.
Bolton had been under treatment by Paul Carter, at his "Healing Infirmary," and
while in no sense infatuated, he declared that "Dr. Carter professed to possess the
gift of healing, and has treated me most successfully." He cited AVinebi-enner as
teaching that "James v. 14, 1.5, is a recognition of the power of healing given to,
and exercised b/, the Apostles, according to Mark vi. 13, and that it was the design
to continue this power in the church."
Pentecostal meetings were now being held quite nearly in all the Elderships
on Whitsuntide, the German Eldership having held its first one May 27, 1871; but
there were signs of decadence which forecasted their early discontinuance. Camp-
meetings gradually fell into such disfavor that the number decreased annually.
Sunday-school conventions were becoming the popular gatherings, and were begin-
General History 173
ning to be held in nearly all the Elderships. Even the holding of "a General Sun-
day-School Convention" for the whole Church was discussed at the Iowa Eldership
Convention in 1872, and but for "the great expense" would have been approved.
It had the sanction of individual workers in other Elderships. Following the lead
of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, by 187 5 these organizations existed in all but
two of the annual Elderships. They proved of such interest and edifying value as
to give them elements of permanency.
Three events in the Temperance world greatly interested Christian people.
The first was the revival of the prohibition sentiment. Prohibition was not only
again made a live issue; but a party was formed of which this was the vital plank.
It was organized in 1869, but held its first national convention and nominated
James Black, of Pennsylvania, as candidate for President February 22, 1872, at
Columbus, Ohio. The second, was the Local Option movement. Under a Local Op-
tion law passed in the Winter of 1871-2, the people of Pennsylvania voted on this
question at a State election held March 26, 1873. About 15,000 of a majority
were cast against it. These two movements were somewhat antagonistic. The
former also made it a political question, and thus lost to some extent the church
support. Its candidate for President in 1872 received but 5,607 votes. The third
was the "Woman's Crusade," first inaugurated in Ohio in 1873. The women in
bands visited saloons, sang, prayed and expostulated with proprietors to close their
houses. Like a prairie fire it swept through nearly all the Northern States to the
Mississippi River, and also into some Southern States.
Of less interest to the churches of God were some more purely religious events.
Of these was the great reunion of the Old and New School Presbyterian Churches,
which occurred at Philadelphia May 19, 1870. Then also, the same year, the loss
to the Pope of Rome of his temporal domain, and the declaration of the Pope's
Infallibility by the Vatican Council. The Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was
organized in 1870 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The same year the
Old Catholic Church seceded from the Roman Catholic Church on account of the
dogma of Infallibility. The final adoption of lay delegation by the M. E. Church,
North, occurred in 1870. The Reformed Episcopal Church was organized in 1873,
as a result of disaffection of certain prominent men by reason of the restrictions
placed upon them by the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which they were mem-
bers. Doubtless the best fruits of the "Woman's Crusade" was the organization on
November 17, 1874, at Cleveland, Ohio, of the W. C. T. U., whose work has been
strongly endorsed by all the Elderships year after year.
CHAPTER XIV.
1875—1880.
WHATEVER connection there may be between the adversities and failures of
a body of people and internal diflaculties and troubles is a problem for the
psychologist, and not for the historian, unless he chooses to enter the
domain of the philosophy of history. But as the historian deals with facts, he can
not overlook the frequent coincidence of the two classes of facts here noted. It is
evidently true, as Rollin observed, and Plutarch before him, that "adversity alone
can place greatness of soul in its full light, and render the real merits of men con-
spicuous." He also quotes Cato as saying that "Adversity, in humbling the spirit,
restores us to our reason, and teaches us what is necessary to be done." But ex-
perience also teaches that adversity often weakens the ties of friendship and fra-
ternity. Sparks of dissension more readily kindle a fire. The serpent-seed of dis-
cord finds too often good soil on which to bear unhappy fruit when hearts are wear-
ied with disappointing toil. Shipwrecked hopes often fill men's hearts with sup-
pressed bitterness and, hatred; and then, if controversies arise, they are conducted
with indecent acrimony. Criminations arise, misunderstandings develop, result-
ing in wretched quarrels and irreconcilable disputes among those who call them-
selves Christians and brethren. These violent contentions often make a Church,
which should be the Zion of peace, in consequence of the selfishness of the natural
man, to become the Babel of confusion. James speaks of envying one another as
the great spring of strifes and contentions, in the third chapter of his Epistle; but
in the fourth, of a lust after worldly things, and setting too great a value on world-
174 History of the Churches of God
ly pleasures and friendships. This, he seems to say, "carried the divisions of the
Jewish Christians of his time to a shameful height," says Henry. Whether or not
a solution is here suggested of the coincidence of adverse conditions in the work
of Church extension of the churches and Elderships in 1875-1880, and the internal
troubles which prevailed, the facts are conspicuous and must attract attention.
Notice the blight which befell the work in Nebraska so auspiciously begun dur-
ing the previous semi-decade, and awakening so much missionary enthusiasm. The
bethel at Crete, the first one built in the State, was destroyed, in July, 1875, at least
to such an extent as to be "unfit for use." About the same time began the grass-
hopper plague, which devastated almost the entire State for successive years, and
parts of Missouri and Kansas, making those who remained dependant on public
charity. Not only did it practically put an end to aggressive work in that section,
but the existence of some churches already organized could not be maintained.
Some of the missionaries and scores of Church families removed to other States,
and the devastation of the country seemed inevitable.
The utter failure of the Chicago Mission, toward which more than a score of
thousands of dollars had been enthusiastically contributed, was not fully realized
until the General Eldership in 1875. It threatened to prove disastrous to all plans
to establish churches in the large cities.
Toward the close of this period the almost despairing cry was heard concern-
ing the Fort Wayne, Ind., Mission, "Do not let it fail!" "Save the Port Wayne
Mission!" But it also failed.
Mansfield Mission, after an auspicious beginning, and the expenditure of quite
an amount of funds contributed by the churches in Ohio, finally had to be aban-
doned and the property sold.
In the East Pennsylvania Eldership the work at Carlisle was suspended and
the property sold. And the mission in the city of Reading was in such a hopeless
state in 187 8 that "the church was actually in a disorganized condition" when
vSnytler was sent there to revive it, and "the bethel had been closed." It was too
late, and the work was finally abandoned.
During and following these disastrous events most of the Elderships had their
internal troubles. Even in the Nebraska Eldership, which began its existence
almost simultaneously with the advent of the grasshoppers, had some more or less
serious dissensions. Charges were preferred against one of the missionaries, which
produced bitter feeling and considerable alienation. The Standing Committee
stepped in to save a church which was being rent in twain by acts of discipline, at
which "witnesses were sworn," who testified at the hearing. It also expelled a
local elder and one teaching elder from the Church of God for "continual railing
against the Church of God," and for "abusive language." This trouble threatened
to spread by being brought into The Advocate.
In Iowa one of the missionary collectors was made the subject of somewhat
serious charges, which naturally became a widening circle, and until cleared up in-
terfered with the raising of missionary money, and cast discredit upon missionary
agents and upon the system. Another minister was disfellowshiped for acts of
insubordination. The spirit of unruliness was indeed somewhat epidemic, and de-
veloped instances in other Elderships. Thus in Illinois the Standing Committee
had to deal with three cases of ministers who defiantly disregarded the provisions
of the Constitution of the General Eldership in the matter of co-operation, and of
the Illinois Constitution. One pastor from another Eldership persisted in his re-
fusal to become a member of the Illinois Eldership. He "took an independent
stand," declared the Standing Committee, so that it felt it to be necessary "to with-
hold official connection with him." This resulted in further troubles in the church
which he served, which seemed in danger of d'isruption and death. Another pastor
disregarded the provision of the Constitution by leaving his circuit without the ap-
proval of the Standing Committee, and was strongly censured. And a third was
charged with violating the General Eldership Constitution by removing, without a
transfer, into the territory of another Eldership and not handing in his transfer.
Yet another member of the Eldership was denied an "open transfer."
Indiana Eldership was obliged to discipline one minister for "his schismatical
course," and pronounced him "unworthy of confidence and fellowship." Another
minister was expelled under such circumstances as threatened to involve the Stand-
ing Committee in a civil suit, as well as to create friction between that Eldership
and the East Ohio Eldership. It sharply censured the last named body for grant-
General History 175
ing said minister a transfer, with a clear recommendation, while it laid itself open
to an action at law for publishing not alone the facts, but declaring it to be their
opinion that he was "unworthy of the confidence of any person, and unworthy the
name of citizen."
In Ohio several ministers were expelled, and for heretical teaching; one for
insubordination, and one for "bringing reproach upon the Church." Extreme
measures were also found necessary in dealing with what the Standing Committee
declared to be "disloyal members" in one church, and "persistently insubordinate"
members in another church, both classes being expelled from their churches by the
Standing Committee.
The Maryland and Virginia Eldership found it necessary to discipline one min-
ister for "violating the Rules of the Church of God and the usages of the Elder-
ship."
The contentions between the churches in Schuylkill and Lebanon counties. Pa.,
and the German Eldership were chronic, as were also the troubles between said
Eldership and the East Pennsylvania Eldership. But in the latter body there were
acute troubles. Personal alienations entered more or less into these, some from
local causes, and some growing out of the Chicago Mission failure. A division oc-
curred in the church at Lancaster, which resulted in the organization of Salem
church of God. The rejection of an article by the Editor of "The Gem" was made
the occasion of charges before the Board of Publication. There was unusual fric-
tion in the Eldership, evidencing an unhealthy moral and fraternal condition, no
doubt partly explained by the words of James.
Whether cause or effect, it was conceded that at this time there was an evi-
dent "decline in religion" in the different Elderships, with redeeming features as
the revival movement under Moody began to make itself felt in ever widening
circles. And then credit must be given to the influence of the great revival of mis-
sionary interest in 1869, yet unspent, in carrying the Church safely through the
storms and the calm incident to these failures and contentions. For the work did
not stand still. The spirit of aggression survived, and the churches and the Elder-
ships turned their attention to other fields.
Not for twenty years, or since "the great awakening" of 1857-8, with which it
was compared, had there been such remarkable and general revivals as during the
early part of this period. The same conditions existed in the religious world from
1843 to 1857, that were witnessed between 1858 and 1876. Spiritual movements
were slow, heavy and sluggish. Revival work languished. But as in 1857-8 the
tide turned, and a glorious inflow was realized, and Christianity achieved splendid
results, so in the Winters of 1876, 1877 and 1878 there were revivals of wonder-
ful power. The most remarkable was in the Winter of 1875-6, but the whole
period from 1874 to 1880 was one of the spiritual eras in the history of American
Christianity. The work began under the leadership of Dwight L. Moody, the most
conspicuous example of lay preaching in modern times. Assisted by the incom-
parable singer, Ira D. Saiikey, vast concourses of people in New York, Philadelphia
and Chicago were powerfully swayed, and thousands were added to the churches.
Moody came to Philadelphia upon invitation of a large committee of ministers rep-
resenting every Protestant denomination. The old freight depot of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad, Thirteenth and Market streets, was secured and fitted up in which
to hold the meetings. Ten thousand, nine hundred and sixty chairs were placed in
the building, all of which at many services were occupied. The meetings began
November 21, 1875, and continued uninterruptedly until January 16, 1876, during
which time it was estimated that Moody addressed 869,000 people. The numbers
converted are not definitely known. The total cost of preparing the building and
carrying on the meeting for two months was in round figures $30,000. People
came to the meetings from a radius of over 100 miles, as many as five hundred com-
ing in on trains in one evening. These carried the revival spirit into their home
churches, until the whole of eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Dela-
ware was ablaze with revival fires. In these revivals the churches of God largely
shared. From different points reports came of unprecedented works of grace.
The pastor of the church of God at Middletown wrote: "Such a movement as this
has never taken place in this town." Similar reports came from many other points
east of the Susquehanna river. From Elizabethtown it was reported that "the
house is filled to overflowing every night." Many of the meetings in the larger
towns were union meetings. One of these was held at Newville, Cumberland
176 History of thk Chukchhs of God
county, Pa., which was never equalled. The number of converts in the town and
country for 10 miles around was estimated at five hundred. The whole Cumber-
land Valley was aflame with revival enthusiasm. On a smaller scale the work
extended across the mountains and westward as far as Kansas. At Center Bethel,
Westmoreland county. Pa., as many as twenty to twenty-five penitents were at the
altar on some nights. At Puttstown, Bedford county, there were one hundred and
twenty-seven reported conversions; at Auburn, Schuylkill county, seventy converts
were reported. In the Winter of 187 6-7, Moody held a meeting in Chicago similar
to the Philadelphia meeting, but not equal to it in power and influence either in the
city or the surrounding country. The meeting continued eleven weeks, during
which time three thousand conversions were reported and one thousand drunkards
reformed. It was estimated that six hundred and forty-five thousand people at-
tended these meetings. Special attention was given to the reclaiming of drunkards,
as the meeting was coincident with the revival of the temperance work under what
was known as the Murphy Movement. This movement began in Pittsburg, Pa.,
In January, 1877, under the labors of Francis Murphy, of Maine, himself a reform-
ed saloon-keeper and an inveterate drinker. From Pittsburg the work spread east-
ward and westward, the churches and religious bodies earnestly co-operating with
the movement. By 1879 more attention was given to local option. It was con-
sidered by many to be peculiarily a moral issue, and churches and Elderships
espoused it with general unanimity. Others regarded it as a political movement,
disassociated from legitimate church work. Prohibitionists generally opposed it,
thus creating division in the ranks of Christian workers.
With unquenched zeal the churches of God continued diligent in the work of
the Master in every department of Christian endeavor. The revivals of the period
added hundreds of new and enthusiastic members to the churches, men and women
not wedded to old traditions, but ready for new methods and new enterprises. Yet
the disposition and tendency to preserve what is established was strong enough to
prevent either the introduction or radical innovations, or the abandonment of ex-
isting institutions. To some of these many of the older members were almost con-
scientiously attached. This was true of camp-meetings, for the continuance of
which strenuous efforts were made, despite the burdens they imposed, the absence
of any real need and the discouraging results. As a partial substitute grove meet-
ings were held by many churches in all the Elderships. But in 1875 four camp-
meetings were held, two in East Pennsylvania Eldership, one in Venango county,
West Pennsylvania, and one on the Toledo Mission, western Ohio. In 1876 only
three camp-meetings were held. The idea of holding Eldership camp-meetings was
first suggested in Iowa, in 1876. The Standing Committee on June 5, 1876, ap-
pointed Besore, Bolton and Murray "a committee to mature a plan for the organi-
zation of a Camp-meeting Association." But this committee reported at the Elder-
ship that "the action was not complied with." By persistent urging, eight camp-
meetings were held in 1877, one in Maryland, four in East Pennsylvania and three
in Ohio. In 187 8 Ohio held but one camp-meeting, Maryland two and East Penn-
sylvania four. An effort was made to unite all the churches in East Pennsylvania
in the holding of one general camp-meeting, under the management of a committee
named by the Eldership. It was held on the grounds of the M. E. Camp-meeting
Association, near Oakville, Cumberland county, and was considered a success. It
was repeated in 1879, during which year eight camp-meetings were held, one of
them in Maine. The Ohio Eldership followed the lead of the Bast Pennsylvania
Eldership, and held an Eldership camp-meeting near Smithville, Wayne county.
The effort to hold an Eldership camp-meeting in West Pennsylvania the same year
failed. Results during these five years were exceedingly meager. A Pittsburg
paper reviewed the camp-meetings held by the Methodist Church in 1877, and
stated that the "general verdict is that they have not proved a success." And this
view was endorsed by The Advocate by the careful citation of facts.
Pentecostal meetings of a general character were destined not to be as long-
lived as camp-meetings. Much as they were acclaimed for a few years, they had in
them elements of weakness which served to forecast their early discontinuance.
Decadence was noticeable already in 187 6, when they began to become more local
in character, and in 1878 when the Indiana Standing Committee voted against hav-
ing one, and the Ohio Standing Committee voted two to three in favor of suspend-
ing them, though the Rules required two to be held annually, and two were held,
but were local. East Pennsylvania Eldership, where they originated; Maryland,
General History 177
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska held Pentecostal meetings in two or
more of the five years of this period. The meetings were of a highly spiritual char-
acter, tending to deepen the piety and quicken the spiritual vitality of the churches
where they were held. The effect of the revivals and of the zealous work of the
ministers and churches during and following them is given in the statistics com-
piled by A. Snyder, and published on December 26, 1877, as follows: Number of
annual Elderships, 13; number of licensed preachers, 384; number of preachers in
active service, 193; number of preachers licensed during the year, 39; number of
circuits, 117; number of stations, 30; number of missions, 35; amount of mission-
ary money collected during the year, $2,906.81; probable number of members, per-
haps not far short of 50,000. Snyder also kept an account of the conversions and
accessions to the churches of God as reported during the year of 1878, and in July,
1879 published them as follows: Conversions, 4,237; accessions, 2,958; baptized,
1.428.
Ministerial Associations were held once or twice a year in all the annual Eld-
erships except the Texas, the Maine and German Elderships. To reduce the expense
to the ministers they were often held in connection with some other meetings, such
as the Pentecostal meetings, or the Eldership sessions, or Conventions. Their main
object was the edification of the ministers. In some of the details they differed.
Most of them began with a sermon the first evening, and the discussion of specially
assigned topics during the other sittings. But in some Elderships more sermons
were delivered, on subjects or texts designated by the committees on programs. In
some Elderships exegeses of special texts were a regular part of the program. It was
quite customary to have a critic, whose duty it was to pass rigorous judgment on
addresses; to point out faults in syntax, diction, manner, gestures, and in general
to submit critical observations and detailed examinations and reviews of the work
of the members of the Association. It was thought by many to be an ofiice ex-
posed to faults and dangers, which in itself might seem to invite severe criticism
And Brewer could be quoted: "Nay, if you begin to critic once, we shall never
have done." The office did not long survive. The topics took a wide range,
although a little close observation shows that many of the same topics, a little
varied in phraseology, were on the programs of different Associations in the course
of a year or two. Current questions outside of a doctrinal and practical and re-
ligious character were generally ignored. Looking over the topics of this period
one will find such as these: Church fellowship, what is it, and what are the terms
and conditions? How can we best promote a revival of religion? The qualifica-
tions needful for an efficient ministry. Should manuscript be used in the pulpit?
Do the soul and spirit have conscious existence after death? The order of the
ordinances. The change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the
week. Regeneration, in a variety of forms. Conscience as a guide. Forms of
modern infidelity. In what does the happiness of heaven consist? Conditions and
proper subjects of prayer. How to bring the elements, lay and ministerial, in the
Eldership into the most effective service for the Church. Best methods of prep-
aration for the ministry. How to best care for converts. Family religion. What
is the best way to deal with local church difficulties? Prayer for the influence of
the Holy Spirit. Increased efllciency in the work. Hindrances to the promotion
of Church work. True evidences of a state of grace. Instrumental music.
Ground of justification. Christian perfection. Call to, and qualifications for, the
ministry. Prayer-meetings. What is sanctification? Christian union. The
Bible and its origin. How to secure and promote a healthy church state. Fasting.
Christmas as a holiday. Are we observing the proper day as a day of rest? Jesus
and his office work. In some Associations there was a question box, but it was not
much more popular than the critic.
As many of the topics submitted for discussions at Ministerial Associations
were questions on which there was a division of views, debates not unfrequently
characterized the sessions, which needed guidance and restraint, just as those in
The Advocate. For as there were those "whose words are not framed to tickle
delicate ears," especially of opponents, so there always were writers who wielded
somewhat venomous and virulent pens. Some of the questions discussed at these
Associations had been canvassed in the columns of The Advocate, or vice versa.
This was often for a purpose, as, for instance, the order in the observance of the
ordinances, which was reversed in some churches in Indiana, and the churches in
the German Eldership. There were two public debates between 1875 and 1880.
C. H.— 7*
178 History of tiir Churches of God
One was held at Osborn school-house, near Seward, county seat of Seward county.
Neb., between D. S. Waraer, of the Church of God, and C. L. Boyd, Adventlst.
The proposition discussed was: "The first day of the week has been set apart by
divine authority as Sabbath or Lord's day." The discussion was the outcome of a
series of addresses by Boyd on the Seventh-day Sabbath. So well did AVarner de-
fend the proposition, that at the close of the debate the congregation present voted
thirty-six to sixteen that he had established it. The debate continued three
evenings, November 23, 24, 25, 187 5.
At Cedarville, Ark., in May, 1877, G. T. Bell had a debate with a Mr. Hyde, of
the M. E. Church, on The New Birth. Bell had the negative of the proposition,
"that natural water produces the new birth." He "claimed it to be spiritual water,
or the gospel, which flows from the fountain, Jesus Christ."
A quasi public discussion took place in Harrisburg, I'a., on the subject of "The
Washing of the Saints' Feet," between Dr. J. Swartz, pastor of Zion Lutheran
church, and G. Sigler, pastor of Fourth Street Church of God. Dr. Swartz preached
a sermon in his church against the ordinance, to which Sigler replied January 5,
1879. These sermons were followed by a brief newspaper discussion between the
two pastors. Sigler's sermon and the newspaper articles were subsequently pub-
lished in pamphlet form. The Eldership in October following specially commended
Sigler "for his able and faithful defense of the doctrines of the Church." At dif-
ferent times and in various forms this subject was under discussion. In 187 5 a
writer in the "Findlay (Ohio) Jeffersonian," under the pen name of "Philip," at-
tacked the rite as an ordinance, to which "Sincerity" replied in several articles in
The Advocate. Editor Forney defended the ordinance in 187 6 against a writer in
the "American Christian Review," a Disciple periodical. Said writer based his
argument on I. Tim. v. 10, where he affirmed that it is classed with good works;
on any reference elsewhere by Paul to the rite, and on the want of evidence that it
was observed in the primitive church. Editor Forney also reviewed, the same year,
a sermon by Rev. AVeible, preached in Lebanon, Pa., and published in a Lebanon
paper. Weible laid special stress on the fact that feet-washing is mentioned only in
one of the Gospels. Forney, in 1877, also reviewed "Homo's" contention that there
is "no command or precept" for the observance of this rite. In 1877 Foi-ney took
issue with "The Christian at Work," which endeavored to prove that "Feet-washing
was not instituted by Christ as an ordinance." He also published two articles in
the columns of The Advocate presumably from members, if not ministers, of the
Church, the influence of which he endeavored to counteract, one of which suggested
a change of the time of day when to observe the ordinances, from the evening to
the forenoon. The main reason given being "the accommodation of old members
of the churches." The other one, while in form an argument against abandoning
Feet-washing as a religious ordinance, yet the intimation that "a great deal is being
said about the Church of God dropping Feet-washing," seemed to call for vigorous
criticism. In connection with these discussions a hymn composed by Mi-s. L. B.
Hartnian years before was republished. The impression often sought to be made
that this ordinance has in modern times been accepted by few religious bodies
was from time to time corrected. It appears that then and since the following re-
ligious organizations besides the Church of God either have at one time observed,
or still continue to observe, the ordinance, viz.: Scotch Baptist Church in Nova
Scotia, Seventh-day Adventists, Free-will Baptists; General, or Arminian, Baptists,
Separate Baptists, United Baptists, Duck River and kindred Associations of Bap-
tists, Primitive Baptists, Colored Primitive Baptists, Christian Connection, Two
Seed Baptists, Brethren in Christ, United Zion's Children, Christian Union, Church
of God and Saints of Christ (colored). Church of the Living God, Amana Society,
German Baptists, Mennonites, New Congregational Methodists, United Brethren,
United American Free-will Baptists.
As the observance of the Communion before Feet-washing was mainly based
upon the words in John xiii. 2, "Supper being ended," Editor Forney in 1875 in a
critical editorial showed that this was not the Lord's Supper, and also that it was
not then "ended." But as arguments seemed ineffective in convincing brethren of
their error in this matter, the subject was repeatedly revived and rediscussed. In
187 8 "The Order of the Ordinances" was the title of three elaborate editorials, in
which the whole question was reviewed and ample authorities cited in confirmation
of the general practice of the Church.
For some years with great persistency the question of Faith Healing in var-
General History 179
ious forms would come up. As "modern miracles" it was claimed that Mark xvi.
9-2 0 assured the church of the perpetual presence of such a power. Others ad-
vocated it under the title of "divine healing," or "faith healing." But mind heal-
ing, or mind cure was regarded as a better diagnosis of the various cures reported.
That this was nothing new, and that it was not essentially religious, was made evi-
dent in discussions during 1875-1879, in which different brethren participated.
The excessive enthusiasm and unreasoning zeal of some advocates of faith healing
made it necessary at times to use discipline; but by finding the true philosophy of
the undeniable phenomena the harm which fanatics had the power to do was re-
duced to a minimum. The Church of God was not the only religious body which
had to contend against the perversion of such truths as must be admitted in con-
nection with this subject, or the facts which were credibly established. For nearly
half a century, says A. T. Pierson, in a work published in 1905, the inquiry has
excited increasing interest: "How far may we carry to the Lord bodily ailments in
prayer and faith for healing?" This question could not be ignored, as bodies of
believers, both numerous and respectable, affirmed belief in divine healing as a
truth taught in the word, and as a fact of their own experience. Two duties
seemed clear then: To restrain men and women from creating dissensions and
schisms; and, to arrive at the real truth on the subject. This seems to have been
the aim of discussions on what had the appearance of antagonism to the advocates
of faith healing.
During this period there was a revival of controversies on Infant Depravity
and Infant Salvation, by C. Price, in review of a sermon on the last subject by the
Rev. \V. B. Bromie, Presbyterian Church, and by Editor Forney on "How are In-
fants Saved?" in answer to a question on the subject, in two editorials. The
former topic was also discussed editorially in answer to "Truth," who reported a
minister of the Church of God as teaching that "an infant is perfect depravity."
The inadvertent insertion in the columns of The Advocate of a short paragraph
which referred to "original sin," brought on a discussion between Editor Foraey
and James Mackey on this abstruse question. The book entitled, "The Christian
Ordinances" is in the main a reproduction of a series of eight editorials, in which
thfe pamphlet by James Quiiiter, German Baptist, on the Origin of Single Immer-
sion, is exhaustively reviewed and answered. They were called out, as many other
controversial editorials were, by the request of a subscriber "to answer the posi-
tions taken by Elder Quinter, and to defend the practice of the Church on the sub-
ject of baptism."
So little is said these days on the Premillennial Advent that it is not so easy
to realize the controversies which were formerly conducted on this subject with
considerable warmth. October 30, 1878, began a Pre-millennial Convention in
New York, which created more than ordinary interest in this subject. B. F. Beck
and C. C. Bai-tels, of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, were present and were in
hearty sympathy with the views advocated. Bolton reports that they returned
brimful of the premillennial doctrine," which he characterized "a precious doc-
trine." Dr. Tyng's address on the subject was reproduced in The Advocate, while
the Editor published strictures of the resolutions embodying the sentiments of the
Convention. Other and minor questions were discussed briefly, and without cre-
ating general interest.
The Second International Convention of Sunday-school workers was held at
Atlanta, Ga., April 17-19, 187 8, and gave some additional impulse to Sunday-school
work in the United States. East Pennsylvania Eldership had taken the lead, ten
years earlier, among the churches of God in convention work; but nearly all the
Elderships followed during the present period, Indiana holding its first convention
in 1875, and Nebraska in 1879. There was much uniformity in the manner of
conducting these conventions, and a similar line of topics was discussed. The first
evening there was an address of welcome, a response, enrollment of delegates, re-
port of treasurer, followed by voluntary remarks. The next morning the officers
were elected, and then two or three subjects were discussed during each sitting by
one or two whose names were on the program, "and others."
The earnestness and zeal with which frontier mission work was carried on is
indicated by the men which the Board of Missions of the General Eldership kept in
the field. Its territory then embraced Michigan, Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas,
Texas, Indian Territory, and all the country westward. The following missionaries
were in its employ in 1875, either during the whole year, or for different periods:
G. E. Ewing, P. K. Shoemaker, I. S. Richmond, James Neil, G. F. McElwee, E. D.
i8o History oi' the Churches of God
Aller, 1). Keplinger, I). Blakely, C. li. Konkel, C. S. Bolton, D. S. Wai-ner. Of
these, six wei'e in Nebraska, four in Kansas and Nebraska, two in Missouri and one
in Michigan. In 1876 it had W. H. Oliver in its employ as General Evangelist in
Michigan, and in 1879 li. D. Bright held the same position. Four missionaries in
1876 were stationed in Nebraska, two in Kansas and one in Missouri. Most of
these, with several additions, were continued during 187 7. In 187 8 the force was
increased. In Nebraska were the following: E. D. Aller, AV. R. Coveit, J. Kjiger,
C S. Ivihiier and A. L. Nye. J. A. Smith was employed in Texas; E. AVilsou in Mis-
souri and P. Shaw in Kansas. Changes during the year were sometimes made, and
additional men employed. In 1879 the Board had calls for missionaries from
Colorado and California, but could not answer them. It appointed G. T. Bell to
Arkansas and Indian Territory; in Kansas it had M. C. Ogden and J. C. Fonicrook;
in Nebraska it had in addition to E. D. Aller, General Evangelist, W. T. Harris and
A. Li. Nye. E. Wilson was appointed to north-western Missouri, while E. Marple
was General Evangelist in Texas. Of all those employed during this period none
bas labored with greater success in different departments of Church work and in
Jay C. Fonicrook. »
different Elderships than Jay C. Forncrook. He was born in Wayne county, N. Y.,
December 23, 1845. In 1868 he removed to Battle Creek, Mich., and thence in
1874 to near Crete, Neb. Here he heard for the first time a sermon by E. D. Aller
"on the distinctive doctrines of the Church of God." He was "thoroughly con-
vinced that it was the truth." He was converted at a meeting at the Salt Creek
school-house, nine miles east of Crete, conducted by John Barkey, on March 24,
1877, and united with the church of God newly organized at Salt Creek. In the
Fall of that year he was sent as a delegate to the Nebraska Eldership, and while
there he "was convinced" that he ought to enter the ministry. Without being an
applicant, the Eldership voted him a license. On his return home he preached
his first sermon at Salt Creek school-house. In the Spring of 187 8 he visited north-
western Kansas, and located land in Norton county, and in the Fall he started for
his new home, but stopped during the Winter at Phillipsburg, Phillips county,
where he taught school and also conducted some revival meetings, and organized
one church. Resigning his school, he entered the mission field, at the solicitation
of the Secretary of the Board of Missions. He succeeded in organizing two addi-
tional churches that Winter. In the Spring the Board appointed him missionary
General History i8i
in Norton and adjoining counties, and he removed to the place he had located a
year before. Here in the following Winter he organized the church at Clayton,
Norton county, and during the same year the church at Brenneman's, in the same
county, and one at Wallace Mills school-house. He also organized the church at
Ellis school-house, 8 miles below Clayton, one of the strongest churches in that
section; but which was unfortunately converted into a Disciple church under the
influence of the missionary who followed Forncrook, and deserted the Church..
This field he served for five years, except the year he was General Missionary iii
Nebraska. In 1883 he was called to Lanark, 111., where he remained as pastor
four years. Thence to Decatur; but at the end of one year he was prevailed upon
to re-enter the mission field as General Missionary in Kansas. But soon after
entering on his labors he was called to Ft. Scott, Kans., where he succeeded la
establishing the church, and building a house of worship. After a successful pas-
torate of four years he resigned and accepted the Crawford county work. After
two years on this field and one year as General Missionary in Missouri and anoCher
year in the same capacity in Kansas, he removed to Iowa, thus ending his success-
ful career as a missionary.
A commendable record of results accomplished on the territory under the con-
trol of the Board of Missions of the General Eldership was made during these five
years. And yet much of it was temporary, and necessarily neglected opportunities
for doing greater good were often lamented. Missionaries had too large fields in
many instances, and were employed for too brief periods. A. L. Nye, first sent to
the Elk Horn Valley, Stanton county, Neb., 100 miles north-west of Omaha, was
later appointed by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership. He states that
for three years he labored "with little or no success"; but in January, 1875, he
organized a church. In July, 1878, he extended his labors into Knox county, on
the Dakota line, and did the first preaching by a Church of God minister. He
succeeded in organizing a church. May, 1878, near Oakdale, Stanton county. A
little later he organized one at Millersborough, Knox county. In October, 1878,
the Iowa Eldership appointed D. S. Guinter missionary to South Dakota. E. D.
Aller was for a number of years the missionary at Crete and in Saline and Fillmore
counties. For two or three years the work was greatly hindered by the swarms
of grasshoppers which destroyed vegetation of every character. There were re-
vivals, but the people who remained were too much perturbed and too poor to
engaged heartily in church work. Times were hard, crops destroyed, and in-
dustries stagnant. This plague extended into Kansas and Missouri. In June,
1875, one of the missionaries said it was the darkest cloud that we have ever be-
held. Another one wrote: "Grasshoppers have swept over our fair country and
have laid bare nearly the whole country, east and west for perhaps 100 to 130
miles, and north and south about 300 miles. Nearly all the wheat, hay, tame grass
and the growing corn, with nearly all the growing garden vegetables are eaten up."
Even the foliage on the trees was stripped off. And in 187 7 one of the Nebraska
missionaries wrote: "A rain of grasshoppers fell on our fields, and in a few short
hours every green thing in fields and gardens was destroyed." Yet there were
calls for preaching, and revivals, as Howard, on the south-east Nebraska mission
wrote. In York county, D. S. Warner, in June, 1875, organized a church of thirty-
one members. And to such an extent were the ministers and churches encouraged
that they conferred together on the advisability of organizing an Eldership in
Nebraska. In January, 187 7, the rebuilt bethel at Crete was dedicated. A church,
was organized by Barkey, in Saline county, of fifty members, and another one a
year later in Gage county. A new mission was formed November, 1878, embrac-
ing parts of three or four counties in Nebraska and Kansas, and A. B. Slyter, for-
merly of Michigan, appointed to it. J. Li. Jackson organized a church in Fillmore
county, in April, 1879, and one at Oliver's school-house.- The work extended, by
June, 1879, over a large part of eight or ten counties in the south-eastern corner
of the State, besides the missions in north-eastern Kansas, in Norton county,
Kansas, and in Stanton and Knox coynties, Nebraska, making nine or ten fields of
labor.
Among the missionaries in north-eastern Kansas was P. K. Shoemaker. His
chief complaint was that fields were too large, as he said in 1875, and consequently
points are often neglected and die. He was instrumental in building the first
bethel in Kansas, located at Vermillion, Marshall county. It was dedicated by his
brother, A. X. Shoemaker, November 19, 1876. It cost $3,100.00, of which $900.00
remained unprovided for. C S. Bolton also labored in the north-eastern section of
l82 HlS'l'ORV OF THK ChIRCIIKS OF GoD
Kansas. He traveled as far westward as Washington county, where there was a
small church. Some work was done by him in Ottawa and Cloud counties, south
of Washington, in the Summer of 187 5. He organized a church in Pottowatomie
county, in 1877, of seven members. A church was organized in Brown county,
April, 1878, of ten members, by P. Shaw. More substantial work was done in
south-eastern Kansas. It extended as far toward the north as Osage county,
where, in 1878, Peters had quite a revival and organized a church at Rock Creek
of twenty-two members. And in 1879 he organized another one at the Booth
school-house, of ten members. M. C. Ogden succeeded in getting a foothold in
Reno county, over a hundred miles west of Ft Scott, where he organized a church
in 1878. There was a bethel in this county in 1879, where N. Hill preached. In
the Spring of 1879 a church was formed in Ness county, seventy-five miles further
west, to which county five families emigrated from Indiana. This region was
known as south-western Kansas. It included Kingman county, where in Febru-
ary, 1879, Ogden organized a church in Smutch Creek Valley, of nineteen members.
In this county a bethel was built and dedicated October 29, 1879, under Ogden's
labors, known as Keystone Bethel. K. H. Bolton preached on the occasion. He
organized another church in Kingman county, of twenty-six converts at one of his
revivals. J. H. Woodheiry was traveling a circuit in 1879, composed of Wilson,
Allen and Neosho counties, which he said was 160 miles in extent, and in May or-
ganized a church of eleven members in Wilson county. These counties are in the
south-eastern corner of the State. AVoodberry, J. M. West and J. E. Cunningham
about this time began their machinations to organize a new and independent Elder-
ship, which gave considerable trouble and did harm to the cause. His reasons
were deviations "from the landmarks of AVinebrenner" ; "troubles in the Elder-
ship," and "troubles in the churches." AVoodberry had talents to do good work
Jiad he proved faithful.
Missouri interests were not so well looked after. Blakely had done some
'work in Saline county in 187 5. Keplinger was missionary in Cass county, with
eight preaching places. S. D. C, Jackson labored in Morgan county. Neither had
special success. AVoodberry was on the Nodaway county work, in the extreme
north-western part of the State. He reported in 1876 that the work was "on the
increase." He organized a church at Marysville, while R. H. Bolton formed one
at Coatsville the same year. In 1877 AVoodberry did good work in Atchison
county, in the north-west corner of the State, where he had organized a church in
1876. J. M. AVest was his co-laborer in 1877, and he organized a church at Union
Grove with seven members. In De Kalb and Harrison counties Blakely and E.
AAllson conducted successful meetings.
AA'oodberry, in 187 8, worked a little south-eastward into Caldwell and Ray
counties, where he regarded prospects good "to work up a Church of God element."
He had seven appointments. Blakely, in 1878, succeeded, "after ten years," in
"building a house of worship at Keystone, Clinton county, which was dedicated in
November, 1879, M. S. Xewcomer, of Illinois, officiating. There was at this time
another body of people called the Church of God, in Mercer and Harrison counties,
on the Iowa line, which held views in all respects identical with those of the
brotherhood. They originated in 1872, and at this time numbered one hundred
and fifty.
The Kansas and Missouri Eldership realized the distinction it acquired when
at its session on October 4, 1877, it appointed John P. Coulam to be a missionary
In Alvingham, South Lincolnshire, England, his native place. He had returned
fliither on account of his health. The Eldership regretted its "inability to come
to his aid in remuneration for his labors; but the Board of Missions of the General
Eldership in the same month made an appropriation to him of $50.00. He re-
ported four conversions later in the year, and on February 13, 1878, stated that he
had "fairly introduced the Church of God teaching," and that he expected "before
long to see a church of God organized."
G. T. Bell was the great missionary and revivalist in Arkansas and the Indian
Territory. He labored principally in Franklin and Washington counties, in the
north-western part of the State, during this period. In November, 1876, he or-
ganized a church at Boston, Madison county, adjoining Franklin on the north.
Also one at Natural Dam, Crawford county, contiguous to Franklin on the west.
His work was enlarging, so that he earnestly called for a missionary to be sent to
his assistance. In November, 1876, he organized his third church. During the
year prior to this date he had received one hundred and fifty members into fellow-
GENliKAl, HlSTOK^' 1 83
ship. June, 187 7, he organized a church at Cedarville, Crawford county. This
year he extended his mission into Sebastian county, south of Crawford. At the
Eldership in 1878 he reported having received three hundred and forty members
and organized ten churches; but this may mean the total during the time he had
been on the mission; but he was a remarkable revivalist, often reporting "revivals"
at his regular preaching services. He is the only minister known to be on record
as having a "revival" at a funeral service. In 1878 Bell started a mission among
the colored people. He organized a church, into which he received two Methodist
ministers, whom he "licensed to preach." He also held a camp-meeting this year
in Franklin county, near Grand Prairie. In the same year he crossed the line into
the Indiana Territory, where he reports organizing "the first church among the
Indians," at Honey Hill, Cherokee Nation, composed of fifteen members. Riddle
followed Bell in 187 9, and organized a church at Mt. Vernon, Crawford county.
Ark., of fifteen members. Among the members at Honey Hill was James Beniiet,
a carpenter and painter, through whose efforts "the Church of God was introduced
to the Cherokee Nation." He began work among the Indians in 1877, and in 1879
he was appointed missionary to the Cherokee and Choctaw Nations. He organized
a church at Caney, Flint District, Cherokee Nation. He had formerly been a
preacher in the Baptist Church.
There was some improvement in conditions in Texas, where they were badly
in need of a new man. Marple was still there, and during the year 1879 was Gen-
eral Missionary; but he urgently called for help. "Texas wants a preacher." He
also made strong appeals for emigrants from churches North. The Board of Mis-
sions finally sent J. A. Smith, of Ohio, to succeed Marple. In 1879 he reported
prospects good for the organization of three churches. There was at this time
quite a religious awakening in Texas, and in proper hands the interests of the
Church of God might have been revived. '
It was hoped that a beginning of church work would be made in Colorado in
the Fall of 187 9, when D. B. Rendell, of the Maine Eldership, removed to that
State. He reached Livermore on November 6th, and wrote that he would "try to
preach the word of God."
In Michigan but little was accomplished. On March 1, 1877, James Haskins
organized a church at Eavenson school-house, Gratiot county, all heads of families,
consisting of fifteen members. He was followed by W. Seifried, who did success-
ful work during the Winter of 1878-9 and later. He organized the church at New
Haven Center in January, 1879. In Lenawee county James Neil and Lavina Alle-
man, pastors, succeeded in building a house of worship, which was dedicated De-
cember 16, 1879.
When in 187 5 J. Garrigus and Snodderly and their families removed from
Page county, Iowa, to Washington county, Ore., and three other families from
other counties in Iowa, Ganigus urged the sending of a missionary to that country.
He was seconded by the Editor and by the Secretary of the Board of Missions. S.
V. Sterner, then of Missouri, offered to go; but there were no means to support
him. In December, 1875, J. A. Smith submitted his name to the Board for mis-
sionary to Oregon; but the same answer had to be made. Meanwhile Garrigus
began work by organizing a Sabbath-school and holding prayer-meetings. Calls
for a missionary to be sent to Minnesota in 187 7 had to be disregarded for the
same reason. The want of men and means, two topics so often discussed, greatly
retarded Church extension work.
In Iowa a good deal of aggressive and substantial work was done from 1875
to 1879. A. Wilson reported the dedication of a new house of worship at Alice,
Grundy county, in 1875. At the historic spot where sleep the remains of E. Logue,
near Trenton, Henry county, at Moorhead's Grave-yard, stands Green Mount Tem-
ple, which was dedicated January 31, 1875, by A. X. Shoemaker. J. S. Miller and
W. R. Covert were also present. Another new house of worship, dedicated by
Shoemaker, June 20, 1875, was built at Moneka, Cedar county. C. L. Wilson was
pastor. A. C. Gamer assisted in the services. There were now four bethels in
Cedar county. Shoemaker also dedicated a new bethel near Grundy Center,
Grundy county, on January 30, 1876. J. M. Klein was pastor. In the Spring of
187 6 A. C. Garner removed to Sac county, Iowa, adjoining Ida on the east, the
latter being the second county east of Missouri River. His post office was Sac City.
He proposed to preach quite a good deal, supplying points which had no pastors.
Such calls came from Sac, Ida and Buena Vista counties. Thus the standard of
the Church was planted in the north-western section of the State. It was also
i84 History of the Churches of God
about this time that A. X. Shoemaker first visited Ida and Sac counties on an In-
spection tour. He became a real estate agent, and sold lands to many brethren of
the Church in Eastern Pennsylvania, who located largely in the country around
Ida Grove. He preached at a number of points for nearly three years. When the
propitious time had arrived, on April 27, 1879, church work was begun in Ida
Grove, M. S. Newcomer on that day preaching the first sermon. At the Eldership
in 187 8, D. S. Guiiiter was appointed to the Sioux Mission, Iowa. This was in
Sioux county, on the South Dakota line, and the second county south of the Minne-
sota line. Thus the Eldership territory now extended entirely across the State,
from Des Moines county in the south-east corner, to Sioux county in the north-west
corner. Guinter had moved to Canton, Dakota, in March, 1876, but did little, if
any, work prior to the Winter of 187 8-9, when he began his labors on the Sioux
Mission and in Canton, South Dakota.
The history of Church work in Illinois during this period is somewhat brief,
but indicates substantial advances. It begins with the dedication of the bethel at
Buda, Bureau county, December 19, 187 5, by A. X. Shoemaker. The house cost
over $3,000.00, and was built during the pastorate of M. S. Newcomer. On October
3, 1875, under the labors of G. Sandoe, a new bethel was dedicated at Oak Point,
Clark county. And one 3 miles East of Charleston, Coles county, June 11, 1876.
Coming across from Danville, Iowa, on May 12, 1877, R. H. Bolton organized a
church near Disco, Hancock county. 111., on the Mississippi River, below Burlington,
la. Another new organization was effected by Newcomer, pastor, near Tampico,
Bureau county, in 1878. On November 23, 1879, the new house of worship 4 miles
south of Mazon, Grundy county, was dedicated, M. S. Newcomer preaching the dedi-
catory sermon. W. B. Allen assisted during the day, as did the pastor, J. Bernard.
Mission work at Mendota, 111., was determined upon by the Eldership in October,
1879, when the matter was referred to the Board of Missions. Said Board entered
into an agreement with the trustees of the Congregational Church for the lease of
its house of worship for two years from January 1, 1880, for $120.00 a year. M.
S. Newcomer was put in charge of the work by action of the Standing Committee,
December 3, 1879. In the regular Church work quite a good deal was accomp-
lished, and through revival efforts many were brought into fellowship, thus greatly
edifying the churches.
The Indiana Eldership during this whole period was working in the shadows
of impending failure of the Ft. Wayne Mission. When in 187 6 it was left without
a pastor, the supplies of the pulpit regarded the prospects still quite good. In
March of said year the Board of Missions borrowed money to meet immediate
claims. And as "necessity demanded immediate action," by request the Board of
Missions of the General Eldership released Indiana Eldership from its assessment,
and W. P. Small was secured to canvass the Eldership for funds. Lovett was re-
appointed pastor. When Small had completed his work he was put in charge of
the mission, in June, 1878, when a visitor said "the church is alive, but breathing
faintly." In July, 1878, an assessment was laid on all the churches in the Elder-
ship to raise the amount needed to support Small. He did not remain long in
charge of the work, and Lovett was again appointed. Strong appeals were made
not to "let the bethel pass into other hands;" "save the Ft. Wayne Mission!" No
appointment was made in November, 1879, and so regular preaching was suspend-
ed, while B. Ober was appointed to canvass Ft. Wayne City for funds, and I. W.
iVIarkley the whole territory of the Eldership. At Nettle Lake a new house of
worship was built in 1875, which was dedicated August 22nd, by A. X. Shoemaker.
James Neil, Joseph Neil and H. S. McNutt were present. Another bethel was built
at Potter's Station, Ind., and dedicated May 21, 1876, by Elizabeth McColley. It
cost $1,260.00. J. Parker was the pastor. W. AV. Lovett officiated at the dedica-
tion of a new house of worship near Columbia City, Ind., July 13, 1879, which cost
$2,000.00. D. Keplinger was the pastor. The Standing Committee arranged for
a new circuit in November, 1879, after the Eldership, called Eel River circuit, with
eleven preaching places. A new church was organized at Churubusco, Whitley
county, April 25, 1875, by I. W. Lowman.
At Mansfield, Ohio, there was substantially a duplication of the history of the
Ft. Wayne, Ind., Mission. By October, 1875, the work had so declined that the
church was "torn and scattered." A reason for such failures was in part found in
the want of sympathy, or "the disparagement of city missions" by the country
membership. This was intensified by the outcome at Chicago. Conditions were
so unfavorable, with a debt of $2,700.00, "besides missionary funds invested,"
General History 185
that at a meeting of the Missionary Society on October 5, 1875, it was decided to
sell the property. About $1,500.00 missionary money was invested in it, and
there was grave danger of sacrificing the whole of it. Hence, collectors were kept
in the field during 1876, 1877 and 1878. And as late as November, 1879, payment
of subscriptions was urged. Naturally such work alienated the minds of the
brotherhood from such enterprises in general. Almost simultaneously there were
sales of other church properties, as at Pleasant Valley, Seneca county, which was
ordered in January, 1875, by the Standing Committee. So also on February 16,
1875, the Standing Committee directed the sale of the church property at Clinton-
ville, Franklin county. The parsonage at New Washington, Crawford county, was
sold in 187 7, to pay the debt resting on it. But to relieve the situation in a degree,
successful work was reported on the Toledo Mission by J. A. Smith. Several new
churches were organized, one at the Stuller appointment, with twelve members, in
February, 1875, making the fifth church on the mission. On the Paulding Mission
there were eleven preaching points served by D. Sands, and on January 13, 187 5,
he organized one new church. In Hardin and Marion counties S. Kline, despite
his conflicts with the Disciples, was rewarded with good results. Plowman, at Can-
ton, Stark county, gathered the wrecks of the original church which were loyal to
the Eldership notwithstanding the seeds of error and disloyalty sown by M, Beck,
and organized them into a loyal church on August 4, 187 5, Daniel Bayler being
elected elder, and S. H. Addams, deacon. They at once appointed a Building Com-
mittee "to take the necessary measures to erect a house of worship," as up to this
time the services had been held in church houses owned by other bodies and in
dwelling houses. Plowman also preached in Medina county, where he was success-
ful in organizing a new church. At Primrose, Williams county, near the Michigan
State line, McNutt succeeded in building a new bethel, which was dedicated by A.
X. Shoemaker on January 23, 1876. He had the assistance of \V, P. Burchard, S.
Chamberlain, James Neil, and his brother Joseph. A bethel built at Freedom,
Henry county, E. Poling, pastor, was set apart for divine worship on May 7, 1876,
by J. W. Aukennan, assisted by J. V. Updike. At Neptune, Mercer county, in April,
1876, the church resolved to build a new bethel, which was completed and dedi-
cated January 13, 1878. J. W. Aukerman preached the dedicatory sermon. The
work was in charge of J. H. McNutt. Another bethel under the same pastor was
built in the Now settlement, which Aukerman dedicated May 26, 187 8. The mis-
take had been made here years before of building on land for which they had only
the promise of a deed. The man died, and later the house was sold to the Evan-
gelical Church, involving quite a loss to the local church and making the task more
difficult to build a new house. Gari-ison succeeded in forming a new church in 187 6
at White House, Lucas county. The bethel at Pleasant Ridge, near Webster, Han-
cock county, was dedicated by G. AV. AVilson, October 14, 1877. The pastor was
Isaac Steiner. A house of worship being for sale at Belmore, Putnam county, the
Standing Committee, in response to the general desire of brethren residing there,
directed its purchase. While the General Eldership held its triennial session at
West Salem, Wayne county, in May, 187 5, the church did not own a house of wor-
•ship. But through the indefatigable labors of J. M. Cassel the work of raising
funds to build a house for themselves was begun in April, 1878. Cassel also had
the bethel at Wooster repaired, which W. P. Small dedicated December 15, 1878.
He also succeeded in repairing the house at Cedar Valley, which was reopened May
18, 1879, J. V. Updike officiating. On June 1, 1871, under S. Dickerhoof, the new
house of worship at Middle Branch, Stark county, was dedicated by J. S. McKee.
During several of these years the Eldership was contending against the inroads of
heresies advocated by D. S. Warner. It had finally to resort to the old remedy of
excission in order to prevent the spread of the disease and restore the body to good
health.
In proportion to its numerical strength the West Pennsylvania Eldership leads
during this period in the number of houses of worship built and dedicated. Eleven
are reported over the whole territory. Of these the first was in Butler county, on
the field of which Bartlebaugh was pastor. It was dedicated December 20, 1874,
J. W. Davis preaching on Saturday evening and P. Loucks on Sabbath. At Eden-
burg, Clarion county, under the labors of R. Vanaman, a bethel was erected during
the Summer of 1876, and dedicated by Shoemaker on January 11, 1876. The cost
was $2,000.00 or over. A church of fourteen members was organized at said place
about the same time. In Venango county, in the McQuiston neighborhood, near
Scrub Grass, Loucks dedicated a new house of worship, December 26, 1875. M.
i86 History of thi-: Churches ok God
Davis was the pastor of this charge. The work in Cambria county was in good con-
dition, and a new house of worship was built at Garman's Mills, and dedicated by
Loiicks January 2, 1876. As pastor at Benwood, Marshall county, W. Va., J. S.
Marple was successful in having a bethel built in the Summer of 187 5, at the dedi-
cation of which Loiicks officiated on December 1, 187 5. There were some rather
large revivals in Greene county, Pa., in January, 187 5, under the labors of \V. B,
Long, at one of which there were over forty accessions. Also in the county of
Fayette, under the labors of AV. J. Davis, a very successful revivalist. Davis, in
the Spring, went to Greene county, where, at Windy Gap, he succeeded in build-
ing a house of worship. This was dedicated by D. Wertz, August 27, 1876. S.
Woods was in charge of the work in Somerset county, and in the Summer of 187 6
built a bethel at Kingwood, which was dedicated by Loucks on October 8, 1876.
After the holidays, in 1878, the revival at Templeton, where about fifty were con-
verted, prepared the way for the building of a bethel, which was begun in April,
187 8, under the labors of J. W. Adams. Butler county had another dedication on
January 26, 1879, at Glade Mills, at which Loucks officiated. M. S. Pritts was the
successful pastor. The church at West Newton was organized in 1843. In 1852
it built a small bethel, which it used until the Spring of 1879, when a better and
more commodious house was built, which was dedicated on October 12, 1879, by
G. Sigler. It cost $2,454.00 and was erected under the labors of J. W. Bloyd, pas-
tor. The bethel at Avenue, 1 mile from Tarentum, Allegheny county, was built
in 1879, under the labors of R. Vanaman. It was dedicated November 30, 1879.
This church is also known as the Brackenridge Avenue church. The church was
organized by Plowman in 1869; the bethel was built during the Summer of 1879.
The dedicatory services were conducted by B. F. Bolton. The Eldership had a
mission in Jefferson county, in 1875, with J. W. Adams as missionary, who or-
ganized a church at Cool Spring of twenty-three members, "the greater part of
them heads of families." He was succeeded by M. McV'ay in 1877-8, who had re-
vivals at Center Point and at Emericksville. He extended his labors into Elk
county, preaching at Crossburg in an Adventist house of worship, the church being
without a pastor. The church at Cool Spring was in danger of losing its house of
worship, owing to a small debt which it claimed to be unable to pay. Another mis-
sion, in which W. J. Davis was pastor, was in Kanawha county, W. Va. There was
a small church at Grandview, and in January, 1879, he organized one in Jackson
county. This was the beginning of work in this county. T. Woods opened the
Proctor mission, Wetzel county, where he had good success, as the Disciple influ-
ence was waning. He opened nine appointments. In 1879 W. B. Smith was sent
to open a mission known as the Bradford Mission, on which he was quite successful.
Good success attended the work on the Morrison's Cove circuit, including
Stonerstown and other points on the east of the mountain. East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, in 1875, under G. W. Seilhanuner, so that the Standing Committee divided the
field January 19, 1875, and gave Stonerstown to J. M. Speese. Roaring Spring
was assuming some importance, as a revival toward Spring resulted in ninety-eight
conversions, a majority of which united with the church. In 1877, with H. E.
Reever as pastor, the work was still further enlarged by the organization of a
church at Snively's, which elected James Miller and George Snively, elders, and
Jacob and Samuel Snively, deacons. It has rarely been the case that a board or
committee of the Eldership has been so radically divided, or two boards or com-
mittees so sharply antagonistic, as was the case from March, 187 5, until the session
of the Eldership. The division was in the Standing Committee, of which a ma-
jority was in conflict with the Board of Missions. The matter at issue was the
authority of the Standing Committee to appropriate missionary money. It had ap-
propriated $300.00 to certain missionaries. This the Board declared to be an in-
valid act, and refused to recognize it, or to pay the appropriations. The Elder-
ship sustained the Board. In June, 1875, a bethel was projected at Idaville, Adams
county, and work begun, but no statement of its completion is on record. D. H.
Mumma, the pastor, was an energetic missionary, and he lamented that the work
in this county had been so much neglected. But prospects were still good. He
was successful in building a house of worship at Harmony, York county, near the
Adams county line, in the Summer of 1877, which was dedicated on the unusual
day, December 9, 1877, being Saturday, at 10 a. m., by C. H. Forney, who also
preached on Sabbath morning and evening. At Zimmermantown, Schuylkill
county, a bethel was built in the Summer of 1875, under the labors of S. Smith,
which was dedicated October 10th, by A. Snyder, assisted by I. Hay and D. Shope.
General History 187
In Windsor township, York county, a bethel was built on Daniel Holtziiiger's farm,
and known as the Holtzinger Bethel, which J. Keller dedicated November 12, 1876.
C. Knoll was the pastor. T. Still and S. E. Hei-nian assisted at the dedicatory ser-
vices. At Hummelstown, Dauphin county, the building of a bethel was begun in
the Spring of 1876. The corner-stone was laid by B. F. Reck on July 2nd, and on
December 10th the house was solemnly set apart for divine worship, the morning
sermon being preached by G. Sigler and the evening sermon by W. L. Jones. S. C.
Stonesifer was pastor. Under the labors of F. L. Nicodemus the church at Shire-
raanstown, Cumberland county, made extensive repairs on its house of worship in
the Summer of 1876. The original house was built in 1841, but was remodeled and
enlarged, and on October 8th was rededicated by C. H. Forney. The bethel at
Maytown, Lancaster county, built in 185 8, was also repaired and much improved
the same Summer, under the pastorate of I. S. Richmond. It was reopened No-
vember 12, 187 6, C. H. Forney preaching the sermons, with the presence of J. W.
Deshong, I. Brady and J. C. Owens. The original bethel at Altoona was "a shell
of a house," 2 6x40 feet, and was also becoming too small to accommodate the peo-
ple who desired to listen to "the eloquent Irish preacher," J. Hunter. Accordingly
the church went energetically to work in 187 6 to build a house which would seat
from four hundred and fifty to five hundred people, which was dedicated the
nearest Sunday to St. Patrick's day, 1877, C. H. Forney officiating. The Annville,
Lebanon county, church, originally organized in 1844, and once a strong church,
had become extinct. But a few families of the church removing to the place, with
Dr. Ross and family, of Lebanon, reorganized it April 2, 1877, with sixteen mem-
bers. J. A. MacDannald was then pastor, who secured for the occasion the services
of G. Sigler and A. Snyder, the former preaching an English sermon and the latter
a German sermon. The most phenomenal enterprise developed in Lancaster City,
Lancaster county, where a division occurred in the church, and nearly one hundred
members withdrew and began to hold regular services in a large hall. They
called J. B. Soule to be their pastor. They manifested a remarkable spirit of ag-
gressive missionary zeal. With no house of worship, they established two missions,
one on Dorwart street, and the other in the northern part of the city. The former
was started July 18, 1876, the latter December 24, 1866, known as the Antioch mis-
sion. The church was organized June 8, 1877, and on July 15, 1877, the corner-
stone of their house of worship was laid by C. H. Forney. November 18, 1877, the
house, known as "Salem Church," was dedicated. C. H. Forney preached in the
morning, and W. L. Jones, in the evening. The church at once went to work to
build the Antioch mission bethel, which was dedicated May 19, 1878, by C. H.
Forney. At the session of the Eldership in 1878, J. W. Miller was appointed to
Salem church and its missions, and J. B. Soiile was sent to Altoona, to take effect
April, 1879. The church resented this action, and declared itself independent of
the Eldership. It did not long survive, and the enterprise with such an auspicious
beginning utterly failed. Bainbridge, Lancaster county, with D. S. Shoop as pas-
tor, began the erection of a new bethel in the Spring of 1877. C. H. Forney
preached and laid the corner-stone July 29, 1877, and also dedicated the new house
May 5, 1878. A. H. Long assisted at both services, and at the dedication W. L.
Jones preached in the evening. The colored brethren at Brownsville, Franklin
county, began the work of building a bethel in June, 1878; but owing to lack of
means made slow progress. The mission at Columbia, Lancaster county, was mak-
ing steady progress under the energetic labors of J. \V. Deshong, and on July 29,
1878, with preaching in three or four churches in the town by Forney, Shoop and
Beck, the former, in the afternoon, laid the corner-stone. The dedication occurred
March 23, 1879, when Sigler, Jones and Laverty officiated. The church at Reading,
having become disorganized and scattered, was reorganized August 18, 1878, with
"twenty-five or thirty members." On September 1, 1878, under the pastoral labors
of W. P. Winbigler, the corner-stone of a new bethel was laid at Lisburn, Cumber-
land county, and the house was dedicated December 22, 1878, C. H. Forney officiat-
ing at both services. A new point of promising church work was opened at North
Middleton, Cumberland county, near Carlisle, I. S. Richmond being pastor. The
corner-stone was laid by C. H. Forney October 20, 1878, C. C. Bartels being also
present. The preaching was in the barn of John Lightner near by. The house
was completed and dedicated May 4, 1879, under the pastorate of O. H. Betts. C.
H. Forney preached in the morning, and F. L. Nicodemus, in the evening. Other
ministers present were R. M. Pine, H. Hackenberger and J. F. MeixeL After
needed repairs, the bethel at Marysville, Perry county, was reopened September 28,
i88 History of the Churches of God
1878, under the labors of J. W. Felix, C. H. Forney preaching the sermons. The
Fairview bethel, Lancaster county, was built under the labors of D. H. Mumina,
and was to have been dedicated December 25, 1878; but the services were deferred
until June 1, 1879, when C H. Foraey preached both morning and evening. At 4
o'clock p. m., the church was organized. Near the home of John Soule, father of
the Soule brothers, the Sandy Hollow bethel stands, built in the Summer of 187 8,
and dedicated by W. L. Jones and J. IJ. Soule December 22, 187 8, F. L. Nicodemus
being the pastor.
In the Maryland and Virginia Eldership the work of confirming the churches
was earnestly pushed forward, and there were many successful revivals. The pros-
pects in the Virginia part of ' the Eldership apparently brightened under the labors
of C. L. Amy. It was regarded as excellent missionary territory, but was generally
much neglected. Amy in 187 5 had eight appointments around Martinsburg, and
in 187 6 began the building of a bethel in Berkeley county. But at the Eldership in
18 7 6 the only other bethel in that territory was ordered to be sold to pay a debt
resting on it, and the field was left without a preacher, to be supplied by the Stand-
ing Committee. At Oak Hill, Creagerstown circuit, J. W. Kipe, pastor, a new
house of worship was dedicated December 24, 1876. In 1877, a bethel was built
at Piney Creek, 1% miles from Taneytown, Carroll county, under the pastoral
labors of S. W. Naill, and was dedicated by C. H. Forney, December 16th. Under
the labors of J. A. Staub a new bethel known as Mt. Briar meeting-house was dedi-
cated May 11, 1879, by S. W, Naill. The new bethel at Appier's Mills, with J. A.
Sa.vton, pastor, was dedicated by Wm. Palmer on June 1, 1879. On December 21,
1879, the bethel at Sigler's, Frederick county, was dedicated, C. H. Forney and
G. Sigler officiating. A. Philhour was the pastor.
Conditions in Maine were peculiar. The cause had elements of strength and
prosperity. Naturally a stable people, conservative and truth-loving, only the best
and most permanent results could have been anticipated. The faith and practice
of the Church of God appealed to them; they were in a measure prepared for them.
They earnestly called for missionaries, and seemed anxious that representatives
from East Pennsylvania should come among them and devote their years to the
cause in that State. In April, 1875, \V. H. Engler left Maytown, Pa., and went to
Maine, reaching Enfield on the 10th. He organized a church of God at Dixmont
on April 15th, with twelve members; one at Orono on the 22nd, with fourteen
members, and one at Bradford, April 28th, with twenty-five members. He re-
mained only a short time, but returned again in November, 1877. These brief trips
by different ministers were not satisfactory, and John Dennis said they were usually
at the wrong season of the year for that climate. But still the work grew and
enlarged. Mills dedicated a church building at Fort Fairfield in February, 1876.
At Windsor he organized a church March 11, 1876, and in 1878 the Quarterly
Meeting convened with the church recently organized at Lincoln Center, in their
new house of worship. Of this church Dr. J. I. Brown was a member, the only
Maine minister who ever attended a General Eldership. In May, 1876, Mills or-
ganized one church at Monroe, and one at Swanville. In June, 187 6, A. F. Bi-own
formed two organizations, one at Glenburn, and one at South China. Quite a large
revival was carried on at Islesboro by Mills and others, and with the sixty-five
converts a church was organized in 187 8 by E. F. Hanson. Also one at Searsport,
June 16, 187 8. These churches were located in the counties of Somerset, Waldo,
Kennebec, Aroostook and Penobscot, and numbered twelve or more. But the ele-
ments of disintegration manifested themselves as early as December 19, 1878, when
three preachers withdrew, "not being satisfied with the proceedings of the body
here in Maine." And in July, 1879, the churches in Waldo county, at a Quarterly
Meeting, voted "to withd-raw from the body in Maine and form an Eldership under
the Rules of the East Pennsylvania Eldership." Six churches in Waldo county
joined this movement. As early as 183 8 B. Howard found churches of God in
New Brunswick, where probably this movement in Maine originated. He went
from Eastport, Me., to Halifax, N. S., where he found a church of God. Also at
Picton. He established churches with this name and faith at Cornwallis, Falmouth..
Liverpool and Port Midway and other places. At St. John's, N. B., he found a
similar church, and himself organized one at Orimocto, and at two other points.
Some of these churches existed during the time that this movement was in progress
in Maine.
While the number of deaths of ministers of the Church of God during this
period was small, outside of the Church quite a number of distinguished men ended
General History 189
their illustrious careers. Those in the Church who fell in the battle of life were
P. D. Collins, of the Maryland and Virginia Eldership, but first licensed by the East
Pennsylvania Eldership in 1858. He died May 13, 1875. He was followed October
1, 187 6, by William McElroy. He was licensed by the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship in 1840. He received his early religious training in the Episcopal Church; but
after his conversion he united with the Methodist Church, and later with the
<Jhurch of God. He reached the age of 7 8 yeai's. For a short time he was a mem-
ber of the Maryland and Virginia Eldership, as he generally labored within its
territory, much of his time in Virginia. On June 1, 1878, D. Keplinger wrote:
"Our much beloved fellow-laborer, George H. Thomas, has fallen." He died in San
Antonio, Texas, whither he had gone for his health. He reached the age of sixty.
He was ordained to the ministry by the Ohio Eldership in 1843. Thence he went
to the Indiana Eldership, where most of his active ministerial life was spent. But
for short periods he was also a member of the Illinois, the Iowa and the Kansas
Elderships. "He was one of the ablest ministers of the Church of God for many
years," is the testimony of one who was well acquainted with him. In other re-
ligious bodies the most prominent men who passed away during this period were
Charles G. Finney, the eminent theologian and educator. President of Oberlin Col-
lege, who died August 16, 1875; Richard Fuller, the celebrated Baptist minister
of Baltimore, Md., pre-eminently a Bible student and a Bible preacher, died in
October, 1876; W. G. Brownlow, Methodist minister, journalist and political leader,
who died April 28, 1877; Dr. Muhlenberg, Protestant Episcopal minister and poet,
died in 1877; Charles Hodge, of the Theological Seminary, Princeton, N. J., a theo-
logian of world-wide reputation; Pope Pius TX., who died at Rome, Italy, Febru-
ary 7, 1878, whose death was considered "one of the great events of the decade."
He was born May 13, 1792, and was named Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti. His
successor, Gioacchino Pecci, was elected in March, 1878, and assumed the name of
Pope Leo. XIII. Howard Malcom, a noted Baptist divine, born in 1799, died in
1879. He is the author of the edition of Butler's Analogy of Religion, with Intro-
duction, Notes and Conspectus, which is still a text-book in the Course of Studies of
the East Pennsylvania Eldership.
CHAPTER XV.
1880—1885.
THERE is something fascinating about memorial days! We all keep them,
whether they be observed by public celebrations, or in the quiet of our own
hearts! In silence, secretly and alone, we often wander back along- the
traveled road of life which lies behind us, and gratefully raise our Ebenezer. But
more inspiration is realized, and a deeper enthusiasm created when the people of a
town or city, a State or a Republic join in a common commemoration of some his-
toric event, like that of the nation's birth, or the beautiful services of Memorial
Day, when a nation repeats year after year that magnificent poem:
"Cover them over with beautiful flowers.
Deck them with garlands, those brothers of ours,
Lying so silent by night and by day,
Sleeping the years of their manhood away."
Thus the nation in 187 6 celebrated the centennial of its existence, and in melodious
symphony chanted Whittier's majestic "Centennial Hymn:"
"Our Fathers' God! from out whose hand
The centuries fall like grains°of sand."
Perhaps this "Centennial," pre-eminently so-called, with a few others, awakened
the suggestion, which took form in 1878, to observe the semi-centennial of the
formal organization of the Church of God during 1880, the first year of this semi-
decade. A recommendation was made to the General Eldership in 187 8 to arrange
for a suitable commemoration of this event, and said body appointed C. H. Forney
and M. S. Newcomer to prepare a plan for such a service. This work was done in
good time, and on September 1, 1879, a repoi't was made to the Executive Board
of the General Eldership convened at North Liberty, .lohnson county, Iowa, Lin-
inger, Bailey and Besore, of the Board being present. This Program was approved
190 History of the Churches of God
by the Board, with the exception of "Item II.," which provided for "a semi-centen-
nial camp-meeting, under the direction of a semi-centennial camp-meeting com-
mittee." All the Boards of the General Eldership were to meet on the camp
ground. One sermon was to be preached by a minister of each Eldership which had
been organized. The other items in the Report provided for were: "A semi-
centennial Anniversary or Memorial Day on the Sabbath preceding the date on
which the first Eldership was organized," with a complete "order of services."
Each annual Eldership was requested to set apart a day during its session in 1880
to hold special Semi-centennial services. The first Sabbath in January, 1880, was
named on which the Semi-centennial year was to be opened by the preaching of a
sermon by each minister in charge of an appointment in every Eldership, touching,
the missionary, educational and publishing interests of the Church, and to urge
special contributions during the year to these interests. A certain number of
brethren were to be appointed by the Board of Publication and the Editor and
Assistant Editor of The Advocate to prepare fifty-two special articles on assigned
subjects, to be published in the fifty-two issues of the paper during the year. On
December 11, 1879, the Board of Publication and the Editor met in Harrisburg,
Pa., to agree upon the topics for the suggested articles and the writers. They
arranged for three series, one on Church Doctrine and Church Polity, one on the
History of the Church, and one on Biographies of Fathers of the Church. These
with their authors were as follows: Church Doctrine: — Fall and Depravity, G.
Sigler. Doctrine of Sin, J. S. McKee. Atonement and Redemption, P. Loucks.
Ability and Free-Will, M. S. Newcomer. Conversion and Regeneration, A. X.
Shoemaker. Providence, D. Wertz. Ordinances and Rites, A. Swailz. Riile of
Faith, G. AV. Wilson. State of the Dead, George Sandoe. Local Church Polity,
A. HoUems. Annual Eldership Polity, D. A. L. Laverty. General Eldership Polity,
R. H. Bolton. The History of the Church was to be written in periods of ten years,
which were as follows: Up to 1840, T. Hickemell. From 1840 to 1850, W. Vance;
1850 to 1860, A. Megrew; 1860 to 1870, C. Price; 1870 to 1880, I. E. Beyer.
Annual Eldership Histories. The East Pennsylvania Eldership, A. Swartz. East
Ohio Eldership, J. A. Plowman. West Pennsylvania Eldership, A. C. Raysor. In-
diana Eldership, J. E. McColley. Iowa Eldership, J. Lininger. Illinois Eldership,
W. B. Allen. Michigan Eldership, C. C. Linsey. German Eldership, A. Snyder.
Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership, W. Booth. West Ohio Eldership, W. P.
Small. Texas Eldership, E. Marple. Kansas and Missouri Eldership, D. Blakely.
Maryland and Virginia Eldership, J. H. Chew. Nebraska Eldership, E. D. Aller.
Maine Eldership, H. Mills. The Biographies were arranged as follows: J. Wine-
brenner, by Dr. George Ross. G. U. Ham, by J. W. Ankerman. AV. Mooney, by A.
Swartz. E. H. Thomas, by J. H. Redsecker. AV. McFadden, by Mrs. J. AVine-
brenner. E. Logue, by F. F. Kiner. D. Maxwell, by D. Shelley. J. Keller,
by Mrs. M. J. Ross. A. Miller, by J. Haifleigh. James Mackey, by Mi"s. E. R.
Gable. John AValbum, by George Smuller. J. H. Bamberger, by W. L. Jones.
J. M. Domer, by J. Hickernell. George Thomas, by D. Keplinger. AV. Adams,
by S. Lilley. J. Flake, by J. M. Carvell. Early local workers, by George
Sigler, Jos. Neil and B. Ober. The Editor of The Advocate had assigned to
him his predecessors as editors, and the history and finances of the paper. The
Board of Incorporation of the General Eldership also arranged to have a semi-
centennial Sunday-school service in every school throughout the whole territory.
In the Order of Services for Memorial Day the following were the items: 1. Dox-
ology. 2. Hymn (original, and the Executive Board appointed M. S. Newcomer
to write it). 3. Scripture Lesson — Matt. xvi. 13-2 0; Col. i. 12-28; I. Peter ii.
1-10. 4. Prayer. 5. Hymn No. 414, Church Hymn Book. 6. Historical Ser-
mon. 7. A thank-offering for General Eldership mission work. 8. Hymn No.
420, Church Hymn Book. 9. Prater. 10. Hymn No. 79 8, Church Hymn Book.
11. Benediction. One object of this Semi-centennial w^as indicated as "a special-
ly appropriate one"; that is, "to labor for a deeper and more pervasive piety among
the members of the Church of God." What the results were of this anniversary no
one can venture to estimate. Records do not show. On June 16, 1880, a reader
of The Advocate made a report on three items as he gathered them from the paper,
and which were evidently incomplete. His report takes in every State in which
ministers of the Church labored, and shows for the months of January, February
and March a total of conversions, 1,53 8; baptisms, 5 35, and accessions, 1,110.
February 24, 1881, Mrs. Elizabeth R. Gable made an appeal for $1.00 from every
member of the Church, to raise $50,000 "for the Lord's treasury over and above
that raised other years, for the beginning of a Permanent Fund." It, however,
General History 191 •
elicited no response. The Alverton, Pa., church and Sunday-school enjoy the dis-
tinction of making "a semi-centennial donation to the Permanent Fund of the
Board of Missions in June, 1880."
A subject of world-wide interest in 1880 was "The Robert Raikes Centennial,"
or the one hundredth anniversary of the introduction of Sunday-schools by Robert
Baikes, of Gloucester, England. There was very much to rejoice over during this
anniversary, and the Church of God and its Sunday-schools all over the territory
of the General Eldership heartily participated in it. On June 2, 1880, when the
Board of Incorporation was in session at Fort Wayne, Ind., J. H. Redsecker pre-
sented the matter in a letter addressed to the Board, in which he urged that ap-
propriate action be taken "touching the celebrRticn cf the establishment of Sunday-
schools one hundred years ago by Robert Raikes." The Board appointed a com-
mittee to report a suitable plan. This committee met on June 17th, and drew up
an order of service, and named September 5th as the day, recommending that this
day be observed by all the schools, with the use of the Order of Services agreed
upon. There was to be an appropriate sermon in the morning, and a sermon and
addresses in the evening; selections of Scripture, responsive readings, hymns of
praise, selections of music and addresses to the schools in the afternoon. Essays
and addresses were also provided for at the Sunday-school conventions. These
services everywhere created general interest and awakened new enthusiasm in Sun-
day-school work. To Robert Raikes Providence had in no adequate measure re-
vealed the future grandeur of his work, and eloquent speeches and sermons scarcely
did justice to the splendid achievements of the army of workers in this divine
cause.
The Semi-centennial also naturally revived interest in the "Life and Times of
Elder John AVinebrenner," and so the Board of Incorporation called upon the Ex-
ecutive Board, "urging said Board to take immediate action on this matter." Said
Board had been "instructed to appoint Sister Elizabeth R. Gable to write" this
work; but nothing had been done. While not connected with the movement, nor
directly concerned in its results, the Church of God felt an interest in the Pan
Presbyterian Council which met in Philadelphia, Pa., on September 23, 1880. It
was composed of "all the religious bodies in the world whose government is presby-
terial and whose creed is in harmony with the concensus of the Reformed Confes-
sions." Many topics were on the program for discussion which had been receiving
a good deal of attention from the churches and ministers of the General Eldership.
This was especially true of Bible Revision, or a new translation of the Scriptures,
which in different forms had been exhaustively discussed in The Advocate. The
preparation and publication of the new version was unquestionably the most im-
portant literary enterprise of the nineteenth century, and its completion was
waited for with curiosity and anxiety by hundreds of thousands. It was the re-
vision of the Bible published in 1611, known as the Authorized Version. The pur-
pose was to complete the work in 1880, the fifth semi-centenary of Wickliflfe's
Bible, the first complete translation of the Old and New Testaments into the Eng-
lish language. But these calculations were not realized. It was not until May
17, 1881, that the work was in the market in England, and May 20th in the United
States. So great was the demand for copies of the new version that several enter-
prising daily newspapers published the entire Revision within a few days after
the appearance of the first copies. To many, however, the Revision was a disap-
pointment, though the recognized scholarship of the world generally approved it.
But the public expressions of judgment by ministers of the Church were unfavor-
able, except that the Editor of The Advocate defended it. Far less interest was
manifested in the publication of the revised Old Testament. The first edition was
published in England on Saturday, May 16, 188.5, and in the United States the first
copies were placed on sale May 21st. Fifteen years had been occupied in com-
pleting the entire work.
The Church of God was more or less interested in the discovery and publica-
tion of "Teachings of the Twelve Apostles," which appeared in 1884. The work
adds its testimony to that of the Scriptures and other early writers against sun-
dry denominational theories, chief among them being that of the doctrine of
Apostolic succession and the various theories of the episcopacy. Also there is in
it not a word in favor of infant baptism.
The uniformly close connection of the Church of God and the Free Baptist
Church added interest to the celebration of the latter's centenary, or the holding
of its "Centennial General Conference" in July, 1880. Not only is there an essen-
192 History of the Churches of (tod
tial similarity between the two bodies; but not unfrequently in those earlier years
did ministers of the Church of God serve as pastors of Free Baptist churches in
north-western Pennsylvania and south-western New York, and in Ohio, Illinois
and Kansas. Some Free Baptist churches also assumed the name of "Free Bap-
tist Church of God." These were received through their delegates at the Yearly
Meetings, and the question was raised in 1880 whether they might not send dele-
gates to the Elderships of the Church of God.
As this period was noted for semi-centennial and centennial anniversaries, so
the entire nineteenth century was characterized by the production and develop-
ment of some of the greatest agencies which have given such vast impulse to the
advance of Christianity. But it was reserved for the latter part of the century to
give birth and permanent evolution to one of the most remarkable of all Christian
agencies, and in which the churches of God and the Elderships have manifested
a well sustained interest. It is known by the comprehensive name of "The Young
People's Movement." Sporadic organizations here and there, and without any
connection, were formed as early as 1867. But the seed from which sprang the
"Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor" was planted by Dr. Francis E.
Clark, Congregational minister in Portland, Maine, February 2, 1881. The object
as then conceived was "to hold and to train in Christian work the young converts
who had been brought into the church during a recent revival." It is an organi-
zation which seemed to be the outcome of a real, felt necessity of training and
guiding aright the young Christians who might otherwise stray away. Of slow
growth at first, it has developed to enormous proportions. It was at first opposed
by the older members and ministers of the Church of God; but its gradual intro-
duction conquered opposition, until a very large proportion of the churches have
organized societies.
Notwithstanding this unusual activity so far as the formal elements of Chris-
tianity are concerned there was an ever-deepening conviction that the Churches in
America and Europe were in a state of spiritual declension. In this lack of vital-
ity, spirituality and power the Church of God was not exempt. It was a question
of anxious concern for two or three years to determine the causes and the remedy.
In an article published in The Advocate in April, 1882, Mi's. M. E. Megrew, of
Iowa, dwelt strongly on the "loss of spiritual power" in the churches: "It is a
subject of thought, conversation and prayer, why it is that spiritually we as a
Christian nation are losing, instead of gaining, in influence over the unconverted
and skeptics of every order." January 3, 1880, was designated by the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership as "a day of special prayer for a revival of religion throughout
the bounds of this Eldership." In discussing this action it was stated editorially
that the spiritual condition of the churches loudly called for such special prayer.
Goldwin Smith was quoted in these words: "A collapse of religious belief of the
most tremendous kind is apparently now at hand." It was said to manifest itself
"in practical atheism, and hence a total disregard of all those higher sanctions
which come with a reverence for God and the thought of immortality." The same
testimony came from the old world: "A wave of infidelity was steadily advancing
over Protestant Europe." Not only was this declension noticeable in the grow-
ing infidelity, but in formality in the evangelical Churches and in loss of power.
The low religious temperature was lamented, and at various Elderships committees
on the state of religion made special reference to the lack of spiritual vitality in
the churches. The "dearth of revivals" deplored by the "Lutheran Observer" was
one of the evidences of the prevalent spiritual declension: "There has not been a
time for many years in which so few revivals have been reported in the various
Churches of our country as at present" (April, 1881). There was a falling off in
attendance of Christians and others at public worship which, as a rule, has never
been regained. The reasons assigned were numerous. Ministers of the Church
of God usually put emphasis on the absence of personal piety in the members; a
"drifting toward sectarianism"; worldliness; use of carnal means and methods in
religious work and especially in the raising of funds for religious purposes, such
as fairs, sociables and festivals, and worldly amusements. Until late in the year
1883 these matters were earnestly discussed, especially the "drifting toward sec-
tarianism" and amusements. The craving for public amusements has in all ages
of the church been taken as a sign of low spiritual vitality. While religion is any-
thing but sanctimonious gloominess and bodily austerity; yet its source of joy is in
the well-spring of a consciousness of pardon and of fellowship with God. It has
General History 193
no need of recourse to worldly frivolity and sensual amusement to keep up the
steady flow of that peace which "passeth all understanding."
The churches were aggressively active in the various forms of Christian labor,
even if there was a weakening of their spiritual forces, and watchmen on the walls
of Zion were falling at their posts. A rather disproportionate number of min-
isters were summoned to their great reward during this period. Death respected
neither age nor stalwart manhood. The veteran James Kirliards, the last one of
the six who constituted the first Eldership, was the first to hear the whispered
words of the Angel of Death, "O child of earth, I call thee home!" He died March
6, 1880, aged nearly 80 years. Israel Brady, first elder of the church at Mt.
Joy, Pa., and Jacob Strawbridge, Orrstown, Pa., also ended their labors in 1880.
Others who during the semi-centennial went to the chamber of death, the death-
bed of the just where angels minister as "on a post of honor and of joy," were
Moses Gault, aged 73 years, and Abraham Resh, nearly 72 years, both of the Ohio
Eldership. In 1881 the most prominent minister to answer the final summons
was P. Loucks, of the West Pennsylvania Eldership. A fellow-minister of said
body, but who had for a number of years been in the East Pennsylvania Eldership,
S. S. Richmond, preceded him by four months. J. M. West departed this life in
August, near Quitman Station, Mo. He was one of the early ministers who so
faithfully and successfully preached the doctrines of the Church of God in Ohio,
he having been licensed in 1847. In 1882 J. C. Owens ended his career at the
advanced age of nearly 78 years. Of the younger men whose premature deaths
cast a deep shadow especially over the East Pennsylvania Eldership, were Alex-
ander Wiley, in 1880, but a few months over 35 years old, a man of fine character
and good talents; J. E. Arnold, than whom few stood higher in the scale of moral
excellence, and S. W. Naill, "a good man, and full of faith and of the Holy Ghost."
A. C. Raysor, of the West Pennsylvania Eldership, and T. H. Deshiii, of the Illi-
nois Eldership, both full of years and of good works, followed these younger men
in 1884 to the realm of "kinder skies, and milder suns, and seas pacific as the soul
that seeks them." Two laymen, whose names and faces were for years as familiar
as those of any ministers, ended their useful lives during this period. From 1859
to the day of their departure they were on the Board of Publication. George Ross
was the first of the twain to be "called home to a glorious rest." He died Novem-
ber 30, 1880, at his home in Lebanon, Pa. He was followed on August 11, 1881,
by J. S. Gable, almost a life-long elder of the church at Lancaster, Pa. Illustrious
men in other walks in life and in other Churches, cotemporaries of these servants
of God, who joined them in the other world, were Dr. Buit Baldwin, founder of
the American Sunday-school system, who died January 23, 1880; Luci-etia Mott,
eminent and widely-known member of the Society of Friends, social reformer and
a delegate to the World's Anti-Slavery Convention in London, England, who de-
parted November 11, 1880; the scholar, author, theologian and Royal Chaplain to
the Queen of England, A. P. Stanley, July 18, 1881; Bishop Matthew Simpson,
June 18, 1884, the most eloquent Methodist prelate of the century.
It was during the Semi-centennial that the Salvation Army, which by 1878
had developed into a regular organization, invaded America. It has had a vary-
ing career, and has been highly lauded and sharply criticised. During these five
years the work of the Church of God was carried forward by the use of the estab-
lished means of grace, uninfluenced by the wild vagaries of the Salvation Army, or
the formalism of less evangelical Churches. Camp-meetings continued to be held,
with a gradual tendency toward permanent places and the organization of Asso-
ciations. Maine also was holding one each of these five years. All together there
were seven in 1880, nine in 1881, five in 1882, six in 1883 and five in 1884. Texas,
under the leadership of J. A. Smith, of Ohio, came into the list in 1880, and
Missouri held one in 1880. The Venango county camp was under the control of
a regular organized Camp-Meeting Association, and in 1880 held a "Semi-centen-
nial Camp-meeting." It had leased a grove for a period of ten years. No xamp-
meetings were held during this period in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois or Iowa. In 1879
the Iowa Eldership directed the Standing Committee to arrange for a camp-meet-
ing in 1880; but there was so little to encourage the committee that when the sub-
ject came up it was "indefinitely postponed." A series of sermons on previously
announced subjects, by different ministers, was an innovation at the "Venango
county camp-meeting in 1882. The same year the method in vogue among the
Methodists of raising funds by charging an admission fee to the grounds was in-
troduced at the Landisville camp-meeting, and provoked much adverse criticism.
C. H.— 8
194 History of the Churches of God
The results reported from the thirty-two camp-meetings held during the period
were exceedingly meager.
Pentecostal meetings continued to be held nearly each year in the following
Elderships: German, East Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, so that
they numbered from three in 1881 to seven in 1880. But they were losing in
power, and were becoming more local, individual churches holding them for their
own edification. No special results were effected.
Ministerial Associations were held in nearly all the annual Elderships. Grad-
ually a change of time was made from Ohio westward, and a day or two were de-
voted to these meetings immediately preceding the convening of Elderships. They
proved instructive to ministers and profitable to the churches where they were
held. The topics covered a very wide range in personal and church life, and in
dogmatic theology. As examples the programs of the Associations of the dif-
ferent Elderships during this period can be cited as good specimens. A few may
be quoted: East Pennsylvania — "Sermons, and how to prepare them." "Does
the Holy Spirit act on the human heart independent of the word of God?" "What
are the fruits of the Spirit?" "Does the devil command an influence independent
of human agency?" "Should young ministers take a skeleton into the pulpit?"
West Pennsylvania — "Have preachers a scriptural right to receive members by
the right hand of fellowship?" "Ministerial character." "Evidences of a Chris-
tian life." "Necessity of religion to society." "Revivals, best method of conduct-
ing them." Maryland and Virginia — "Is anointing of the sick with oil in the name
of the Lord an ordinance of the Church of God?" "Is baptism a condition of sal-
vation?" "How should the church proceed with a faultfinder?" Ohio — "The
Bible — why do we believe it to be inspired?" "Should there be unity of work
among all the churches of God? If so, how can it best be promoted?" "What
are the conditions of effectual prayer?" "Is instrumental music profitable in the
churches?" "Is man a dual, or a triune, being?" Indiana — "Define the God-
head." "What is foreordination?" "Best manner of sermonizing." "Has the
day of miracles passed?" "What is the resurrection, and what are its bene-
fits?" Illinois — "How to conduct a prayer-meeting." "What is the Christian
duty in regard to the present temperance reform movement?" "What is
scriptural sanctification?" "Is the office of ruling elder as held by the Church
of God scriptural?" Iowa — "The nature and extent of the atonement." "How
are we brought under the benefits of the atonement?" "What are our pres-
ent needs as an Eldership?" Nebraska — "What position shall we take on
the Prohibition agitation?" "Relation of ministers to the children." Kansas —
"Is the soul of man immortal?" "What is the scriptural way of conduct-
ing ordinance meetings?" "What is the scriptural plan of supporting the
gospel?" Southern Indiana — Subjects for discussion: Repentance, Faith, Re-
generation, Hope. West Virginia — "What is the Church of God, and its foun-
dation?" "What is the kingdom of God, and when established?" "How are rul-
ing elders constituted?" "How are deacons constituted?" "When, where and in
what Church did divisions originate?" Quite a number of the essays on these
topics were published in The Advocate. Some of the Associations had regularly
framed Constitutions and By-Laws, and were conducted under parliamentary rules.
Actions taken in the form of resolutions were, as a rule, confined to the work of
the Associations. Quite frequently the topics discussed at Ministerial Associa-
tions were echoes of current questions. This was true of Instrumental Music.
At the time this subject was on the Ohio program the controversy over it was in
progress in the United Presbyterian Church, resulting in the sending down to the
Presbyteries of an overture rescinding the law against the use of instrumental
music in their churches. Or the doctrine of the Resurrection, in the Indiana Asso-
ciation, which had been pretty thoroughly discussed in The Advocate by a minister
of the adjoining Eldership, in Illinois. Or High License and the Prohibition ques-
tion, in which the Church and Elderships always manifested a deep interest.
High License dates from the passage of such a law in Nebraska, in 1881, and it
spread eastward as far as Pennsylvania within a few years. It was antagonized
quite generally by Prohibitionists in and out of the Church. Hence, this question
of the Christian's duty with reference to the temperance reform movement, as in
the Illinois Association; or the position we should take in the Prohibition agita-
tion, as in the Nebraska Association. From Iowa to Pennsylvania Prohibition
was advocated as against all license measures. Prohibition had made its greatest
conquests between 1850 and 1860, after which for over two decades it lost nearly
General History 195
all the ground previously gained. High License and Constitutional Prohibition
came into prominence together, and temperance people had to choose between
them. Especially in Iowa, Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania did this become a live
issue for Christian people of all denominations. And as the ministry quite gen-
erally favored prohibition it was not only a safe question to discuss at these Asso-
ciations; but it afforded an excellent opportunity to reach the public where these
gatherings were held. Hence, in a few instances mass meetings were held in the
evening, and these topics earnestly discussed in favor of Prohibition.
Few of the remarkable developments of this century were more rapid and
substantial than that of the Sunday-school. The convention idea met an inborn
desire for, and need of, mutual helpfulness. It rests on a broader basis than that
of the C. E. Society. Its platform is the only one upon which all evangelical
bodies, both sexes and the representatives of all ages, meet to discuss and plan
the evangelization of the world. Hence, its growth into a great system, from the
district convention to the international convention. Thousands of such conven-
tions are held every year. They are a great evangelical force. The third and
fourth International Conventions were held during this semi-decade. As the
Church of God was always earnestly aggressive in Sunday-school work, it was but
natural that it should be deeply imbued with the convention idea. Distance in
most of the Elderships was a great barrier; yet in 1880 conventions were held in
five Elderships — East Pennsylvania, West Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Ne-
braska. West Virginia followed in 1881, and other Elderships later. The pastors
with rare exceptions were leaders in these assemblies, and they devoted their
energies and talents zealously to the work. The themes discussed were generally
of a practical character. As a sample of programs, that of West Pennsylvania in
1883 may be taken. There were twelve topics for the seven sittings, as follows:
"Have our conventions been a benefit to our Sunday-schools?" "Is the Inter-
national plan a success in our Sunday-school work?" "Is the industry of teachers
increased by means of Lesson Helps?" "Is it prudent to introduce Helps other
than the Workman and Lesson Leaves in our Sunday-schools?" "Is it best to use
the blackboard in the Sunday-school?" "Should the conversion of children under
twelve years be encouraged?" "The order of exercises in the Sunday-school."
"Teachers' Meetings — should they be encouraged?" "What constitutes a Sunday-
school teacher?" "The teacher's implements." "What is ocular teaching?"
"Sunday-school prayer-meetings." "The relation of the Sunday-school to the
family."
The ministers and churches of the German Eldership carried on their regular
church work in the common way, with none of the special services except occasion-
ally a Pentecostal meeting. They had no Ministerial Association, no Sunday-
school conventions, and even camp-meetings were less frequently held. Their
territory became gradually more and more contracted, by reason of the dissatisfac-
tion which induced the churches to apply to the East Pennsylvania Eldership for
pastors. There was but one circuit at this time, supplied by a minister not a
regular member of the Church. No aggressive work was done. The Independent
church at Auburn united with the Eldership, thus giving it some additional
strength.
In the State of Maine there was considerable activity, and reports indicate
successful work in revival meetings, camp-meetings, now held annually, and at the
Quarterly Meetings. H. Mills was a traveling evangelist, who carried the work
forward in three or four counties in the State, and preached part of the time in
several towns in New Brunswick. Churches were organized at Tracy Mills,
Andover, Lakeville and Upper Wicklow, N. B. They were, ho"wever, as yet not
fully indoctrinated, as in February, 1880, in answer to a direct question, whether
the churches in Maine observed Feet-washing, Mills replied that they did not; but
that they were preparing the way to follow this command. Unfortunately the ele-
ments of disaffection and division existed in the churches of Maine. In June, 1880.
after debating the question for several years, the "Waldo Quarterly Meeting with-
drew from the general body in Maine, and organized an Eldership, assuming the
name of the Waldo Eldership." It adopted the Rules of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership, of which Mills was at this time a member. Its territory embraced the
counties of Waldo, Penobscot, Kennebec and Lincoln. There were twelve
churches and eight preachers in this Eldership. Three of these counties are
comparatively small, and lie contiguous, in the southern part of the State; while
Penobscot extends from the northern border of Waldo to Aroostook county, the
196 History of the Churches of God
northern-most county in the State, adjoining New Brunswick on the west.
In this county Mills was successful in organizing some churches. In February,
1882, an Eldership was organized in this section of the State, called the East
Maine Eldership. This included New Brunswick. The action in organizing this
Eldership in Maine, in addition to the one authorized by the General Eldership,
and which had the State lines for its boundaries, was criticized, and was defended
by Mills on the ground that the distance from the Aroostook and New Bruns-
wick part of the territory to the territory of the Waldo Eldership was too
great to be conveniently traveled by ministers and delegates, being from 150 to
200 miles. And also on the ground of natural right for ministers and churches
to organize Elderships when they think advisable to do so: "I supposed," said
Mills, "that ministers had a perfect right to form themselves into an Eldership in
any State, or Province, at a proper distance from the Maine Eldership." If the
brethren who organized the Eldership in the southern counties of the State before
the General Eldership in 1881 approved such a step, "have the brethren not the
same right in New Brunswick and Aroostook county, Maine?" However, the
Editor who had criticised this action was not convinced of this reasoning, and so
in the issue of The Advocate of April .5, 1882, he fully explained the polity of the
Church as embodied in the Constitution of the General Eldership. These same
elements of a centrifugal character were at work more or less in all parts of the
Maine territory, and it was feared would ultimately prove disastrous.
This was a period of reconstruction, rather than extension of the work, in
East Pennsylvania. Some mission enterprises were begun within the old terri-
tory, as at Mt. Carmel, Northumberland county, in Perry county, Fishing Creek
Valley, at several points in Dauphin county, and one in Lancaster county. But
the repairing, enlarging and rebuilding of houses of worship was the special work
of these five years. At several points the interest decreased to such an extent
that houses were closed, and finally sold. This was the case at Carlisle, Cumber-
land county. In January, 1880, a committee was authorized by the Board of In-
corporation "to rent the bethel to the Dunkard Brethren." And not long after
the property was placed in the hands of the Standing Committee to sell. The
bethel at Strinestown, York county, was sold in the Summer of 1880. The re-
dedication of the bethel at Green Spring, Cumberland county, after extensive re-
pairs, was reported in February, 1880. The preaching on the occasion was by
O. H. Betts, who was assisted by R. M. Pine and H. Mills. In Lancaster City the
church at Prince and Orange streets undertook the work of establishing a mission
at the intersection of Green and Christian streets. A Sunday-school was organized
June 1, 1879, and a mission chapel built during the Fall and Winter following.
This was dedicated by the pastor, D. A. L. Laverty, assisted by A. H. Long and J.
W. Deshong on March 1, 1880. Mission work in Northumberland county was
carried on energetically by J. C. Hoover and D. H. Miunma. Hoover organized a
church of twenty members at Mt. Carmel, and one of ten members at Rocktown,
both in the Spring of 1880. A house of worship was erected at Mt. Carmel, and
dedicated October 4, 1883, under the pastorate of S. Smith. At what was known
as the Shoemaker appointment, Lurgan township, Franklin county, under the
labors of F. L. Nicodemus, a bethel was built in the Spring of 1880, and was dedi-
cated July 4th, G. Sigler officiating. This is a historic spot, as it was the home
of the parents of A. X. and P. K. Shoemaker. As early as 1850 or 1851 A. X.
Shoemaker preached there, and held a very successful revival meeting. Only a
few of the converts were brought into the church, and with the disadvantages
under which the church labored, worshiping in a private house, or the school-
house, no progress was made. Nicodemus became pastor in the Fall of 1879, and
had a large revival. The work of building a church-house was at once begun,
and the corner-stone was laid by C. Price on April 30th, assisted by G. L. Cowan.
At Rockville, Dauphin county, the church, though almost extinct, had the unique
experience of two dedications within one year. Under the labors of C. I. Behney
the bethel was repaired, and was rededicated December 19, 1880. W. L. Jones
had been secured for the dedicatory services, but was prevented from attending,
and the pastor preached the sermons. O. J. Farling was present and assisted in
the services. In the Spring of 1881 the Pennsylvania Railroad Company made
a proposition to the Chairman of the Standing Committee and Agent of the Board
of Incorporation, C. H. Forney, to purchase the lot on which the bethel stood for
the laying of an additional track. The sale to the Company was effected, and the
building was removed to the new location, and was dedicated November 20, 1881.
A. H. Long did the preaching on the occasion, assited by the pastor, J. A. Mac-
Genijkal History 197
Dannald. On what was then known as the Stonerstown circuit (Saxton), S. B.
Howard had an extensive revival in the mining town of Robertsdale, Huntingdon
county, in the Winter of 1881, and a church was organized, which under the labors
of W. J. D. Edwards became quite strong. But while it felt that it "ought to have
a meeting-house," the work was deferred, and the church, by removals and deaths,
was reduced to a few families. At Martinsburg, Blair county, under the pastoral
labors of G. Sigler, the bethel was dedicated May 22, 1881. Through the zealous
efforts of P. Stanton, a colored minister, the church at Brownsville, Franklin
county, succeeded in building a house of worship, which was dedicated August 7,
1881. While J. A. MacDannald was pastor at Marysville, Pei'ry county, two dedi-
cations took place on that circuit. Extensive repairs were made to the meeting-
house at Marysville, and it was reopened with appropriate services on September
25, 1881, D. A. L. Laverty doing the preaching. The year following the church
at Hartman's, Fishing Creek Valley, erected a substantial frame bethel, which was
dedicated on August 27, 1882, by A. Swai*tz. The bethel at McClure's Gap, Cum-
berland county, was built in the Summer of 1881, and dedicated December 18th.
G. W. Seilhamnier preached the sermons, assisted in the services by the pastor,
W. S. Smith. With J. M. Carvell as pastor, the bethel in Shippensburg under-
went "a complete transformation," and was dedicated by S. D. C. Jackson on De-
cember 13, 1881. The church at Auburn, Schuylkill county, with I. Hay as pas-
tor, built a new bethel, nearer the center of the town, which was dedicated May
21, 1882. The house of worship at Palmyra, Lebanon county, was rededicated on
September 17, 1882. The pastor, F. L. Nicodemus, secured the services of I. Hay
for German preaching on Friday and Saturday evenings; A. Swai-tz, Sabbath
morning, and J. C. Seabrooks, Sabbath evening, both in English. S. Spun-ier,
architect, builder and pastor, during the Summer of 1882, built a bethel at New
Baltimore, Franklin county, which was dedicated by W. J. D. Edwards, November
5, 1882. Spurrier, after the dedication, went to a point called Hughes Old Forge,
5 miles East of Waynesboro, Franklin county, and held a brief revival meeting,
which resulted in the organization of a church. The Camp Hill church, under the
labors of C. C. Bartels, remodeled and repaired its house of worship, which was
dedicated by S. D. C. Jackson, February 11, 1883. The Mt. Pleasant house of
worship, York county, was rededicated on February 18, 1883, by G. W. Sellhammer,
assisted by A. H. Liong. H. E. Reever was the pastor. Another point on his field
was Wellsville, York county. Two miles from this village a bethel was built,
which was dedicated May 27, 1883. G. W. Seilhammer preached on the occasion.
This house of worship was christened "Mt. Olivet Bethel." The church of God
and the River Brethren joined in building a meeting-house at the Clover Creek
appointment, Blair county, which G. Sigler dedicated June 10, 1883. D. S. Shoop
was pastor. The River Brethren were represented on the occasion by John Bowei-s
and Peter Keagy; and the Progressive Dunkards by "Elder Spanogle." With \V.
Sanborn as pastor, the church on Nagle street, Harrisburg, was renovated and
repaired in the Spring of 1883, and rededicated July 1st, by Thomas Neal, G. W.
Getz preaching in the evening. C. C. Bartels officiated at the rededication of the
bethel at Wormleysburg, Cumberland county, July 29, 1883. J. Haifleigh par-
ticipated in the services. The church at Puttstown in the Spring of 1883 decided
to build a new bethel at Saxton, midway between Stonerville and Puttstown, the
corner-stone of which was laid September 16th, with appropriate services con-
ducted by D. S. Shoop. The house was completed by the following Spring, and was
dedicated May 25, 1884. J. Haifleigh did the preaching. F. L. Nicodemus was
the pastor, and besides him H. W. Long, Simon Fleegal and H. Whitaker were
present at the dedication. In Altoona, Blair county, the original bethel was re-
placed by a new and much larger house, under the labors of J. W. Deshong, and
was dedicated by D. S. Shoop on November 4, 1883. S. D. C. Jackson officiated at
the rededication of All-Workers Bethel (Green Street), Harrisburg, March 16,
1884. The pastor was Thomas Neal. O. J. Farling, an active, aggressive mission-
ary, began holding meetings "of his own accord," in the new village of Baldwin
(Steelton), three miles below Harrisburg, in 1882. He rented and fixed up a Hall
for a Sunday-school, in which he held a successful revival in the Winter of 1882-3,
which resulted in the organization of a church. In the Winter following the
Standing Committee appointed T. Still to this mission, and authorized him to pur-
chase ground, collect funds and proceed with the building of a bethel. This was
done in the Spring and Summer of 1884, so that on September 21, 1884, the corner-
stone was laid. G. W. Getz preached on the occasion. The house was finished
198 History of the Churches of God
during the Winter, and the dedicatory services were held February 22, 1885. G.
W. Seilhammer preached the sermons, and was assisted in the services by S. C.
Stonesifer. The bethel at Andersontown, Yorlc county, after undergoing thor-
ough repairs, was rededicated on December 7, 1884. O. H. Betts was the pastor.
S. D. C Jackson officiated at the rededication of the Churchtown bethel, Cumber-
land county, on December 28, 1884. The preacher in charge was J. C. Seabrooks.
During the pastorate of J. M. Speese, the church at Washington Borough, Lancaster
county, thoroughly repaired and greatly improved the house of worship, which
was reopened with sermons by G. W. Seilhammer and B. F. Beck on November 9,
1884.
It might be said of the ministers and churches of the Maryland and Virginia
Eldership, in the words of Gray, that during this period they "kept the noiseless
tenor of their way." But little out of the routine of church work is noticeable.
Four new houses of worship were built and dedicated. Of these, one was located
in the beautiful Middletown Valley, Frederick county, Md. The church there was
organized by Winebi-enner and Bean in 1852, and during nearly thirty years had
worshiped in a school-house. While several times they planned to build a bethel,
the purpose failed of execution until late in the year 1879. By December 20,
1879, the new bethel was completed, and on that evening the last services were
held in the school-house. On the morning of the 21st they met in the bethel,
which was solemnly consecrated to the divine worship, G. Sigler preaching the
sermons, and Sa.\ton, Staub and Philhower taking active part in the services. The
second one was built at Mayberry, Carroll county, Md. The corner-stone was laid
May 29, 1880, four ministers participating in the services — Lookingbill, Naill,
Selby and Palmer. The dedication occurred October 31, 1880, when W. L. Jones
did the preaching. Naill, Palmer and Selby took part in the services during the
day. The historic church at Uniontown, Carroll county, Md., early in the year
1882 resolved to build a new meeting-house to take the place of the old Reformed
church in which they had worshiped from the time of their organization in 1833.
The church was composed principally of the Reformed members which had been
converted under the preaching of Winebrenner and his colaborers. They retained
for their use the Reformed house of worship, built in 1817. But when they de-
cided to build a new house, they bought out the right of the Reformed Church
Synod, and used the materials in the new house. The corner-stone was laid June
3, 1882. A. H. Long preached morning and evening in the Methodist Protestant
house of worship. Lookingbill and Fleegal assisted in the services. The house
was finished, and was dedicated October 29, 1882, G. Sigler preaching the ser-
mons. Long, Fuss and Lookingbill participated in the services. After hard
struggling and great sacrifices, the church at Sharpsburg, Washington county, Md.,
succeeded in completing their house of worship, and dedicated it December 17,
1882. W. Palmer preached on the occasion, and the church also enjoyed the
presence of J. A. Saxton, J. W. Kipe and J. A. Staub.
It was quite natural, and of great importance to the West Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, that persistent efforts should be made to build up a strong church in Pitts-
burg. Conditions, however, were so adverse that repeated failures were experi-
enced. In the Spring of 1880, with G. A. Bartlebaugh as pastor, a new preaching
point was opened in Allegheny City. A church was formed of eight members, and
a Sunday-school organized. Bartlebaugh preached alternately at this point and
at the Pittsburg bethel. The debt on the latter property weighed heavily against
tho work. An effort was made to provide the means to liquidate the debt by sell-
ing the vacant lot in the rear of the building, with a frontage of 63 feet and a
depth of 32 feet. The entire property was placed for sale in the hands of the
Treasurer of the Eldership in 1882. At a point about 5 miles from Stonei'sville,
Westmoreland county, lived Solomon Fulmer. He invited B. F. Bolton to visit
him and preach for the people in his community. This he did in September, 1878.
In 1879 he held a grove meeting there, and on February 18, 1880, he began a
revival meeting in a school-house, which resulted, on the last Sabbath in the
month, in the formal determination to build a bethel. In March a church of
twenty members was organized, and the work of erecting a house of worship
entered upon. The corner-stone was laid on August 8, 1880, by P. Loucks, who
was assisted by D. A. Stevens and J. Gallentin. It was decided to call the new
house of worship "Grandview Bethel," and it was so dedicated November 14, 1880.
The dedicatory sermon was preached by G. Sigler. The cost of the house was
$1,500. At Draketown, Somerset county, under the labors of G. J. Bartlebaugh,
General History 199
a "Union Bethel" was built in the Summer of 1880, and was dedicated by J. Hick-
emell on December 19th. In Fayette county the work was in good condition, and
one church was organized in 1881. J. W. Davis was doing mission work in Frank-
lin, Venango county, during the Winter of 1880-1. He organized "a mission
church in the city." When A. R. McCahan was appointed to New Brighton,
Beaver county, in the Fall of 1880, the church at that place decided to erect a new
bethel. This they did the following Summer, at a cost of $1,700. The house was
dedicated October 2, 1881, the sermon on the occasion having been preached by
J. S. Marple. Other ministers present and participating in the services were B.
F. Bolton, R. Vanaman, D. T. Leach, N. M. Anderson, W. H. H, Criswell and W.
B. Elliott. The Center Bethel, now Alverton, Westmoreland county, which was
built in 1863, had become too small, and needed repairs. In the Spring of 1881
the church decided to modernize the building and to enlarge it by the addition of
a cross section of a building in the rear, 44 by 24 feet, at a total cost of $2,319.00.
The dedicatory services were held October 30, 1881, with preaching by M. S. New-
comer. The efficient pastor of the church was R. L. Byrnes. The bethel at Indian
Creek, Fayette county, erected under the labors of J. W. Gallatin, was dedicated
September 3, 1882. The sermon was preached by R. L. Byrnes, who was assisted
during the day by J. Hickemell. The house cost $974.75. The West Pennsyl-
vania Eldership included Garrett county, Md., adjoining Somerset on the south.
In the Summer of 1882, with Joseph Grimm as pastor, the little church at Sand
Spring, Garrett county, Md., built a bethel, which was dedicated by J. S. Marple
on September 2nd. It was christened "Grimm's Chapel." J. R. H. Latchaw came
to Venango county from Iowa in the Fall of 1881, and took charge of the work in
and around Barkeyville. Under his labors a bethel was built at Hickory Grove,
Victory township, Venango county, which was dedicated May 14, 1882. J. W.
Bloyd, D. T. Leach and W. R. Covert were the ministers present. October 17,
1882, with D. A. Stevens as pastor, R. L. Byrnes dedicated the new bethel at
Laurel Run, Westmoreland county. H. D. Grimm formed a new church of forty-
seven members at a point in Greene county. Pa., in January, 1883. The church at
West Newton, Westmoreland county, "enlarged and greatly improved its house of
worship," virtually rebuilding it after its partial destruction by fire. The corner-
stone was laid May 11, 1884, and the finished bethel was dedicated August 31,
1884, by G. W. Seilhammer. J. W. Davis was the pastor. The work in West
Virginia was making steady, if not rapid, progress, and the territory was being
enlarged. There were indications of growing permanence in the building of
houses of worship and in the missionary spirit which seemed to prevail among
ministers and churches. At Cameron, in Marshall county, a bethel was built in
1881, and dedicated by J. S. Marple on July 3rd. At Pipe Creek, Ohio, on the
Woodland circuit, W. G. Steele began preaching in 1882, and succeeded in
organizing a church of twenty-seven members. They bought a Presbyterian house
of worship; remodeled it, and dedicated it November 16, 1884. W. R. Craig
preached on Saturday and Sabbath evenings, and J. C. Cunningham, on Sabbath
morning. In 1883 work was begun in the extreme southern part of the State by
W. H. Bailey. He had a revival in Raleigh county, and found calls coming in
which he could not answer. He strongly urged ministers from the North to come
and occupy the ground. He also preached in Greenbrier county, where In 1884
conditions were so favorable that "a church of from twenty-five to one hundred
might be organized if we had a man to preach for them." Belmont county, Ohio,
belonged to West Pennsylvania. In 1881 D. T. Leach was pastor of the Riverview
Mission, in this county, and he had successful revivals at Riverview and Franklin
Station. At the latter place the church had increased to fifty-two, and they had
"bought a house to worship God in," and were raising "funds toward building a
new house." At Bellaire, same county, the church, under the pastoral labors of
W. B. Long, built a new house of worship, which was consecrated to the worship
of God February 24, 1884. J. S. Marple officiated, assisted by J. C. Cunningham.
In July, 1883, J. W. Bloyd, pastor of the Uniontown Mission, Fayette county. Pa.,
"erected a large. tabernacle-tent on the old show ground in the southern part of
the town," where he carried on a series of meetings in an "endeavor to effect the
organization of a church of God."
Ohio had at this time an energetic, aggressive ministry. And though naturally
somewhat discouraged by the failure of the work at Mansfield, they went to work
with unabated zeal to "strengthen the things which remained." More formal or-
ganization of local church work was effected and a number of new church houses
200 History ok the Chukchhs of God
were built and old ones repaired. Ministers, too, manifested a deeper interest in
their intellectual culture. A "Literary Class was organized for mutual benefit," of
which many of the pastors became voluntary members. More attention was given
to the proper deeding of church property, so that all possible losses might be pre-
vented. As an instance of circuit organizations for the purpose of looking after
the financial interests, the McComb circuit may be cited. On December 16, 1882,
the officials of the different churches on the field met with the pastor, A. P.
McNutt, and adopted a Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of Order. This circuit
council consisted of the elders and deacons of each church, and the pastor. It
fixed the salary of the pastor, and apportioned it to the churches. Prior to this
date individual churches in Elderships in Pennsylvania had been framing Con-
stitutions for their more orderly government. The first dedication in this period
was that of the bethel at Liberty, which occurred August 22, 1880. The preach-
ing was done by J. W. Aukennan. On November 21, 1880, the Evergreen Bethel,
two miles north of Fostoria, was dedicated. T. Koogle preached on the occasion.
He also was the preacher at the dedication of the bethel at Kirby, which took
place on January 1, 1882. J. M. Cassel preached the Sabbath evening sermon.
The bethel at Beery's, after being extensively repaired under the labors of E.
Poling, pastor, was re-opened January 22, 1882. Small and Koogle did the
preaching. At Rising Sun, Wood county, J. M. Cassel officiated on January 1,
1882. T. J. Lewis and M. C. Mowen, with the pastor, J. H. McNutt, also par-
ticipated in the services. A feature of many of the Ohio dedications was the
presence of so many ministers. At the dedication of the Colton Bethel, June 18,
1882, six ministers were in attendance, including the pastor, C. N. Belman. J. M.
Cassel officiated, with the assistance in the services of Koogle, Vaas, Poling and.
Lewis. Center Bethel was rededicated on the same day. It is located in Seneca
county, and had for its pastor W. P. Burchard. J. W. Aukerman was the
preacher, who had as assistants G. W. Wilson and W. H. Oliver. The church at
Moreland built a new house of worship in the Summer of 1882, which was dedi-
cated by Aukennan on November 2 6, 1882. There were also present besides the
pastor, W. P. Burchard, these ministers: Thomas Metzler, C. Winbigler, W. P.
Small, E. Poling and G. L. Cowan. A new house of worship was finished at a
point seven miles west of Belmore, Hancock county, under the labors of A. P.
McNutt, which was dedicated on January 14, 1883. J. M. Cassel preached the
dedicatory sermon. Other ministers present and assisting were Buchard, Belman,
WaiTen and J. H. McNutt. One mile and a half south-east of Mercertown, Mercer
county, a new bethel was built under the supervision of the pastor, E. Poling,
which was dedicated by T. Koogle, September 9, 1883. The enterprise of the
people and church at Enterprise, Van Wert county, where T. Koogle was pastor,
was lauded by J. M. Cassel, who preached the dedicatory sermon of their new
bethel on December 2, 1883. On Thursday evening previous W. P. Small
preached, and on Friday and Saturday evenings, B. F. Bolton.
Ft. Wayne Mission is not the only Church enterprise which was crippled or
killed by a heavy debt incurred at its incipiency. The present period opened with
a meeting of the Board of Missions of the Indiana Eldership in January, 1880,
when a resolution was adopted "to make one more effort toward liquidating the
debt on tlie Ft. Wayne Mission property." Ober was appointed to canvass the
city, and Markley the Eldership territory. They were instructed to take sub-
scriptions exclusively, to be called in when the entire amount of the debt had
been secured. At this time the Board's assets were $166.00; its liabilities,
$739.30. To give moral support to the mission, the Board of Missions of the
General Eldership held its annual meeting at Ft. Wayne; but it could otherwise
do nothing for the work there. The Eldership was not able to supply the pulpit
with a pastor in October, 1880, as it was making "every effort to pay off the debt."
In December, B. D. Bright, of Michigan, was requested to come to Ft. Wayne and
"hold a meeting of days as soon as possible." The Board also "requested
the Sisters' Missionary Board to raise $200.00 to support a minister at the Mis-
sion." After the holidays, in 1881, Bright held a meeting as requested, and re-
ported "little accomplished; none came into fellowship." In September, 1882, he
was impressed that "this mission work does not meet the hearty approval of the
brotherhood and sisterhood of the Indiana Eldership. And so they withhold their
means." The debt on the mission property in October, 1883, was "$467.28, over
and above the Eldership loan and stock certificates." The Board of Missions was
Gknekal History 201
directed to repair the house and send a minister there. As this could not be done,
the mission was made part of the Roanoke circuit. In October, 1884, the property
was placed in charge of D. Kemp, and the mission was left off the list of appoint-
ments. Little progress was made in other parts of the Eldership. At Sugar
Grove, Green township, Noble county, a new house of worship was dedicated by
S. D. C. Jackson, May 29, 1881. Under the labors of I. W. Markley, the church
at Sheldon, Allen county, built a new bethel, which was dedicated December 2 5,
1881. Lovett preached the dedicatory sermon in the morning, and in the evening
an ordinance meeting was held. Three and one-half miles south-east of Columbia
City, Whitley county, a house of worship was erected during the Summer of 1883,
which was dedicated by R. H. Bolton on December 16th. It was in the Summer
and Fall of 1884 that the name of Mrs. Maria B. Woodworth first appeared as a
preacher in the Indiana Eldership. In the latter part of July and the first week
in August she, with her husband, held a large revival meeting at Buzzard's school-
house, Indiana, and organized a church of ninety members. Before she left they
had raised $400.00 toward building a bethel. At the Eldership in 1884 she was
licensed to preach and was appointed "Eldership General Evangelist."
One of the most serious disadvantages under which the ministry in Michigan
was laboring from the beginning of its history was not only the inadequate, but
almost the total want of support of the active preachers. After the dedication at
Bangor the pastor, Charles Moulton, wrote: "The greatest and most distressing
evil that we have to overcome in the Michigan Eldership is to get our people to
see the necessity of supporting the minister in charge of a work. They think that
he should work in the field, or woods, or some other place during six days of the
week and provide for his family, and preach on Sundays for nothing. We must
seek to effect a change in this respect, and redeem our cause in Michigan."
Almost no progress is indicated in the Eldership during these five years. A
colored church was organized in Cheshire, Allegan county, of which R. Smith was
made pastor by the Standing Committee in January, 1881. In Branch county, on
the Indiana State line, some progress was made in several new localities. At
Bangor, Van Buren county, the church had for some years been worshiping in a
meeting-house built by some other religious body, which had spent $3,800.00 on
the property, mortgaged it to pay bills, and was not able to redeem it. It became
the property of the mortgagee, who lost about $3,000.00. He had permitted the
church of God to worship in it rent free, and in the Spring of 1882, sold it to
the church for $600.00. It was "a good, spacious and substantial" building, ac-
cording to S. D, C. Jackson, who officiated at the dedication on June 4, 1882.
S. Spencer and "Wm. Redding were present and gave assistance in the services.
The final events in the history of the Chicago Mission transpired in 1881-2.
At the General Eldership in 187 8 final settlement was made with Shoemaker,
when there was due the Eldership $1,329.10. By the meeting of said body in
1881 this had been paid, except the small balance of $13.70. On June 22, 1881,
the General Eldership authorized the Board of Incorporation to sell the property.
Said Board on June 22, 1882, directed its committee to proceed with the sale,
which was done, and the property was sold for $8,000.00. Total cost of sale
was $435.10, leaving a net balance of $7,564.90, which was set apart as a Per-
manent Missionary Fund of the General Eldership. A new church organization
was effected at Todd's Point, February, 1880, by E. C. Tui-ner. The failure of
the Chicago mission enterprise did not subdue, nor seriously repress, the courage
of the Illinois brethren. In 1879 they planned to start a mission at Mendota,
La Salle county, with M. S. Newcomer in charge of the work. Part of his duty
was to collect money to pay the rent of the house of worship secured for religious
services and to support himself. After laboring in this double capacity for a
year and a half, he wrote, "We at last see a gleam of light." This was on
August 8, 1881, when a church of nine members was organized. He was fol-
lowed by I. S. Richmond, who "took hold of the matter energetically, assisted
by the sacrificing help of W. B. Lewellin. Ground was bought, and the work of
erecting a small mission chapel was begun. The corner-stone was laid June 29,
1884, and the building was completed and ready for dedication October 12, 1884.
It cost $500.00. The dedicatory services were conducted by M. S. Newcomer. He
had also officiated at the dedication of "a house of worship completed on the
Shelby county mission," on February 6, 1881. Many years previous, Sandoe had
preached, in the Enfield school-house, near "Father Bear's." In the Winter of
202 History of the Churches of God
1880-1, E. C. Turner had "a gracious revival" there, when they concluded to build
a house of worship. Sandoe preached the first sermon in the new house, Saturday
evening, February 5th. In January, 1883, Sandoe did good evangelistic work in
Coles county. Thence he went to Piatt county and assisted Gregory in a meeting
at Milmine, where on January 31st they "organized a church of twenty-two mem-
bers, all heads of families." An "imposing house of worship" was built at War-
rensburg, Macon county, in the Summer of 1883, Newcomer being the pastor,
with Mrs. A. C. Newcomer as his assistant. It cost $3,500. It was dedicated
December 23, 1883, the preaching on the occasion being done by W. W. Lovett,
with W. I. Berkstresser and D. Weigel present and participating in the services.
Unable to complete their house of worship without foreign help, the Board of
Missions of the Illinois Eldership appropriated $100.00 for that purpose, on
condition that the deed be so written as to secure the property to the Eldership
in case the church should become extinct. The bethel built at Melrose, Clark
county, under the labors of D. H. Rupp, was dedicated November 9, 1884. Also
one at a point three miles north of Martinsburg, on Rupp's charge, which was
dedicated November 16, 1884. Sandoe and Bernard preached the sermons. A
spirit of non-co-operation developed in certain churches in the northern part of the
State, which was severely rebuked by the Board of Missions as "revolutionary."
Newcomer, as Assistant Editor of The Advocate, regarded this as one of "the
dangers which confront the Church." That the Church is in danger of "losing
vital force; subside to a dead, lifeless formality," and that one cause which "con-
tributes to this result is lack of co-operation."
After the failure of the Chicago Mission enterprise, A. X. Shoemaker decided
to seek a home, and possibly a field of ministerial labor in north-western Iowa.
He finally selected the beautiful Maple Valley, in Ida county; and while he did
quite a good deal of preaching, he gradually became interested in an extensive land
agency. Through his influence quite a number of Church families bought farms
and located in Ida county, in the vicinity of Ida Grove. Among the families which
invested extensively in land was that of Jesse Kennedy, of Mt. Joy, Pa. In 1879
he located there, and began agitating the question of Church work in the county
by the appointment of a regular missionary. There were families of the Church
scattered through the county of sufficient number to form several churches, all
good, true and energetic members of churches in the East. As I. E. Beyer had ar-
ranged to move on "one of the Foniey farms in March, 1880, to farm and preach,"
the Standing Committee was asked to appoint him missionary to Ida county, which
was done February 18, 1880. D. Wertz had also located there, and did a good
deal of preaching. November 15, 1880, Boyer was reappointed, with an appropria-
tion of $175.00, he to devote all his time to mission work. But he reported
"meeting interests have not been very prosperous." He had three regular preach-
ing points — one near Ida Grove; one six miles south-east, and one six miles north,
of Ida Grove. He also preached in the court-house, but this was soon closed
against religious services. Arrangements were then made with the Baptist
church to hold services in their house of worship. Realizing the need of a bethel,
they decided to build in the Fall of 1881; but a partial failure of crops prevented
the work from being begun. January, 1882, G. T. Kimmel, the new missionary,
entered on the work. His field also included Woodbury county. He had a re-
vival in a school-house near Ida Grove, which further stimulated the brethren to
plan for a house in "the little city" of Ida Grove, which had a population of from
1,200 to 1,500. On May 21, 1883, "the Church of God people in the vicinity of
Ida Grove held a meeting and decided to build a bethel at a cost of from $3,000 to
$3,500. They at once subscribed $2,000, and in a short time began the work. In
August, 1883, Mrs. McFadden, widow of \Vm. McFadden, of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership, reported the work so far advanced that "we expect soon to have a bethel
to worship in." But this anticipation was not realized for some years. Before
work was begun at Ida Grove successful mission work was done in Guthrie county,
by A. Wilson. A bethel was built in the Beaver District of said county, known as
the "Beaver Bethel," which was dedicated by S. D. C. Jackson on July 4, 1880. In
Mahaska county, toward the south-eastern part of the State, J. M. Mullen suc-
ceeded in organizing a church of twelve members on July 28, 1880. A mission
was also created in Union county, in the south-west, and L. F. Chamberlin was ap-
pointed as missionary, to begin his work in April, 1882. F. C. Melson had been
preaching more or less in the county.
Generai, History 203
In Nebraska the work was making slow progress. Some of the original
ground was lost, and the new fields were not making much progress. The Crete
parsonage was rented, and the committee to which the question of the disposition
of the entire property was referred reported in favor of its sale in 1880. It had
an offer of $700.00 for the bethel and two lots. As the title to the property was
vested in the East Pennsylvania Eldership, the Board of Incorporation of the Gen-
eral Eldership could not sell it. Said Eldership was therefore requested in 1883 to
transfer its title to the Board of Missions of the General Eldership. The de-
pressing effect of this failure on the work in Nebraska could not be concealed. In
Fillmore county better success attended the labors of Aller and others, and addi-
tions to the churches were reported. W. T. Harris was the missionary in south-
eastern Nebraska. A. G. Bogart in Seward and Polk counties. J. Etherton in
1882 was general missionary in the State. He was succeeded in the Fall by J. C.
Pomcrook as General Evangelist. He had a number of successful revivals, and
during the year organized two churches. Work was done to an encouraging ex-
tent by Shaw on the Otoe Indian Reservation in the south-eastern corner of the
State. In the Winter of 1883, Mary Berkstresser, licensed by the Illinois Elder-
ship in 1881, visited Clay county. Neb., and at the solicitation of friends held a
series of meetings in the Liberty school-house, during which "between fifty and
sixty manifested a desire to accept Christ." "Elder Evans assisted in the ser-
vices." J. C. Fomci-ook visited the place on March 18th, and organized a church
of nineteen members, which shortly after was considerably Increased.
In Missouri, as elsewhere in these western States, the ministers were some-
what unsettled, and for want of a full support in many instances left their fields of
labor, and the cause suffered. This was true in the north-western section of the
State. Yet the people were receptive to the truth, and when they received faith-
ful preaching responded, and the work prospered. In 1881 D. Blakely was pas-
tor in the north-western counties of Missouri. At Alanthus Grove, in Gentry
county, a meeting-house was erected under his labors, which was dedicated Au-
gust 28, 1881. The failure of C. S. Bolton to reach the place gave to C. Gaston the
honor of preaching the dedicatory sermon. Blakely lamented that notwithstand-
ing the liberal manner in which the Board of Missions had treated the field "there
is no move elsewhere on the territory to build houses of worship." Good work
was also done in Harrison county, adjoining Gentry on the East. J. N. Smith re-
signed the charge in 1881, and C. S. Bolton succeeded him. Revivals were en-
joyed, and there was a demand for more laborers. What was known as the Cen-
tral Missouri Mission, Morgan county, also experienced a number of revivals under
the labors of M. C. Ogden in the Winter of 1882-3. At Elmo, Nodaway county,
Blakely began to preach in the Town Hall in 1881, and after a revival steps were
taken to build a bethel. But the work was deferred for a year, when under the
pastoral care of C. S. Bolton the house was built, and was dedicated on October 15,
1882. F. F. Kiner did the preaching. G. T. Bell came up from Arkansas and
held revival meetings in Barry county, organizing two churches in the Winter of
1882-3.
Kansas continued as part of the Kansas and Missouri Eldership until 1881,
"When the Kansas Eldership was organized. At the Eldership session in 1882 there
were fifteen churches and fifteen additional preaching points, with ten or twelve
ministers within its territory. Some churches had gone down because of neglect
by the ministers, or removal of their members. The ministers were men of zeal
and a self-sacrificing spirit; but only a few were supported fully, so that they could
devote all their time to the work. M. C. Ogden was an active missionary. In
1880 he was on the South-western Kansas Mission, preaching in Reno, Kingman
and Rice counties. In January of that year he organized a church at Sego, Reno
county. He was followed by Newton Hill, who met with encouraging success.
In March, 1883, assisted by C. B. Konkel, a good revival meeting was held in the
Mendon school-house. Rice county, resulting in the organization of a church of
seven members. J. C. Fomcrook was missionary on the North-west Kansas Mis-
sion, embracing Norton and Phillips counties, and one or two counties in Nebraska.
The work was prospering. In the Spring of 1880 he organized a church at Hugh
Prairie, Phillips county. Later, one at Long Island, with eleven members. In
August, one at Chessman's, with four members, and one at Clayton, with ten
members. In 1881, he organized a church at Hall's, or Hale's, in Phillips county.
J. W. Felix went to Ellsworth county from East Pennsylvania, and preached the
204 History of th?: Churches of God
word faithfully. In April, 1881, he organized a church six miles north-east of
Wilson, near the center of the State. Clara Yutzy, who was licensed in 1877, was
appointed by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership to the South-eastern
Kansas Mission. She had been preaching some at New Pittsburg, Crawford
county, Kas., and at Pleasant Hill, Mo. Under her labors a church was organized
at Ozark in the Summer of 1883. A bethel was built on her field, six miles north-
west of Oswego, county seat of Labette county, which was dedicated September 12-
14, 1884. It was called Center Bethel. P. K. Shoemaker preached on Friday
evening and Sabbath evening, and C. S. Bolton on Saturday evening and Sabbath
morning. A new house of worship, the first in southern Kansas, was built six miles
north-west of Center Bethel, at Parsons, Labette county, under the labors of R. T.
Sargent, which was dedicated January 14, 1884. The preaching on the occasion
was done by Mary Newcomer, of Illinois. The licensing of Clara Yutzy induced the
Standing Committee to appoint a committee to draft "a form of female and ex-
horters' licenses." The Standing Committee also found a serious trouble in the
church at Keystone, Kingman county, owing to the expulsion of a prominent mem-
ber by action of the church. It declared the action illegal, and decided that the
ruling power is in the elders duly elected by the church. Some friction developed
between the Kansas and Missouri Eldership and the Nebraska Eldership because a
member of the latter was laboring in the territory of the former without becoming
a member. The trouble was aggravated by the passage of resolutions by the Elder-
ships, instead of taking the constitutional course in such cases. W. H. Cross
labored successfully in Wilson and Allen counties, and then in Labette county. J.
A. Miller, missionary in Taylor county. Neb., crossed over into Republic county,
Kas., where he organized a church, in 1882, at the Cuba school-house. The min-
isters in the southern part of the State, led by C. B. Konkel, began in 1880 to agi-
tate the question of a Kansas Eldership. The principal plea was the great distance
ministers and delegates had to travel in going to the Eldership meetings. Min-
isters in the northern counties opposed it. But a meeting was called at Keplinger's
school-house, Crawford county, "to meet September 18, 1880, to discuss the pro-
priety or impropriety of organizing a new Eldership in Kansas." A majority of
those present voted in favor of a Kansas Eldership.
The work in Arkansas was of an unstable, fluctuating character, possibly
owing to the character of the people; yet evidently also as a result of instability
on the part of ministers and the emotional element in their preaching. Some-
times half the preachers would quit their fields, leaving the entire work in a few
hands. Extensive revivals were followed by reactions which proved well nigh
fatal to newly organized churches. In the Winter of 1 879-' 80, D. S. Summit was
the missionary in Montgomery county. He organized a church in January, 1880,
called the Rocky Creek church. G. T. Bell preached in Benton county, where at
the Redick school-house he organized a church of twenty-six members. J. W.
Riddle was the missionary in Franklin county, and witnessed forty-one conver-
sions in the Winter of 1880, and baptized fifty-six converts. In 1881 Bell suc-
ceeded in getting a number of families together for a church organization at Wild
Cat, Benton county. He notes the fact that a number of "preachers have quit
their fields," and that he and a few others "are left to care for twenty-five
churches." The work was making fair progress among the colored people, and
several colored ministers were diligently preaching the word. They had their
own Standing Committee, duly appointed by the Eldership. In September, 1883,
Bell organized a church of sixteen members at Pleasant Ridge, Sebastian county.
At the close of a "protracted meeting at the Highland meeting-house," Washington
county, in August, 1884, Bell organized a church of over thirty members.
Reports indicated that prospects were good for the establishment of churches
among the Indians of the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory. The Board of Mis-
sions of the General Eldership in 1880 appointed G. T. Bell as missionary to the
Cherokee Nation; but he declined to accept the work. Later B. F. Reese was ap-
pointed. He entered upon the work with commendable zeal. He had seven
regular congregations to preach to, and his field extended 120 miles. He re-
mained there only a short time. In February, 1882, James McCaithey, a full-
blooded Indian, preached for the Indians. In 1883 J. W- Riddle spent part of his
time in the Indian Territory, and with G. T. Bell conducted a successful meeting,
followed by an organization of a church of Cherokee Indians. He also had good
success at Camp Creek, where in September, 1884, the work of erecting a bethel
General History 205
was well under way, and was finished in October, and dedicated. Camp Creek is
in the Sequaway District, in which there was another organization at Redland.
There was also one in the Flint District.
A persistent effort was made to redeem the worlc in Texas. The northern
missionary, J. A. Smith, appointed by the Board of Missions of the General Elder-
ship in 1880, labored on the North-west Texas Mission, and E. Marple was as-
signed to the "East North Texas Mission." Smith reported the organization of
a church at Duckworth school-house. He preached in Denton, Fannin and Collin
counties. In the latter county measures were taken to build a meeting-house. A
church was also organized at McKinney, in Collin county. Smith held a camp-
meeting in Collin county, beginning July 5, 1880, at which there were fourteen
conversions, eleven baptized and a church organized of twenty-four members.
Three or four of the old churches were reorganized, while one church, with six
members, was organized in Denton county; one, with thirty-two members, in
Hunt county, and one, with fifteen members in Lamar county. The total number
of members in the State was given as being two hundred and thirty-five. These
encouraging reports were partly discredited by J. M. Brackeen, a member of the
first organization in the State, as also by B. Ober, who, under appointment as
missionary by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership, returned to Texas
in the Spring of 1882. He "did not find things in good condition," and reflected
severely on Smith. In September, 1884, he reported the organization of one new
church of ten members at Whitsborough. The new missionary to Texas, G. T.
Kimmel, of the West Ohio Eldership, entered upon his work in July, 1884, under
appointment by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership.
With the beginnings of Church emigration to Colorado, California and Wash-
ington, the brethren, especially in the West, began to think of mission work in
those newer sections of the country. From the neighborhood of Polo, Mo., "quite
a number of our families are about to emigrate to Washington Territory," wrote
the minister in that county. They expected to locate "near where Brother
Snodderly and other families of the Church are living," and it was suggested
that they thus colonize and begin church work. J. E. McColley, of Roann,
Wabash county, Ind., in June, 1880, made it known that he "contemplated going
to Colorado, with the intention of laboring for the salvation of sinners and estab-
lishment of churches of God." The Board of Missions of the General Eldership
thereupon "heartily approved of this noble work, and wished him Godspeed."
D. B. Randell had removed previously to Livermore, Larimer county, Colo., and
was preaching at several points. P. Clippinger, of the Kansas Eldership, in 1883,
stated his intention to visit the brethren in Colorado and California. The Elder-
ship thereupon requested the Board of Missions of the General Eldership "to
recommend him as a minister to the confidence of the brethren in Colorado and
California." Thus to follow Church families of good repute was the economical,
good old way of doing effective Church extension work. It was only the lack of
means which hindered the establishment of permanent churches in any number of
localities to which Church families emigrated from points further East. Oregon
called for a minister in January, 1880. J. Gariigus had removed to Greenville,
Ore., and expressed his desire that "some good preacher might come this way and
preach for us," and hoped "the day is not far distant when we can get a preacher
to come here and preach for us."
Of all the oral discussions thus far conducted between ministers of the
Church of God and ministers of other bodies, in several respects the most unique
was one between AV. Pahner, of the Maryland and Virginia Eldership, and Elder
C. C. Wells, of the Church of God of Jesus Christ." The challenge came from
Wells. It was reported to the Eldership at its session in October, 1880. Formal
action was taken, resolving, "That this Eldership gives its approval of said dis-
cussion." Four propositions were debated. 'Wells affirmed one negative: "That
Feet-washing should not be practiced in the Church of God, because as taught and
practiced by Christ and his Apostles it was a Jewish custom." Palmer affirmed
three propositions: "That the spirit of man has a living, conscious existence
after the death of the body;" "To baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy
Ghost is the only authorized formula of Christian baptism," and "The punishment
of the wicked is eternal, conscious suffering." The debate was held in the bethel
at Germantown, Frederick county, Md., and began January 7, 18 81. A debate
between W. R. Covei-t, of the Church of God, and Rev. Williams, of the M. E.
2o6 History of the Churches oe God
Church, was held at Harmony, Butler county, Pa., on August 9 and 10, 1881.
Williams had the affirmative of the negative proposition under discussion: "The
washing of the saints' feet is not an ordinance of the New Testament." It was
pre-arranged "that no decision was to be given;" but J. \V. Davis, who reported
the debate, stated that the opinion prevailed that "so far as argument was con-
cerned Covert gained the victory." Covert had fine natural talents for polemical
discussions, to which was added a deep-seated self-confidence. Then he had been
practicing a little in a one-sided debate with Clark Braden, to whose arguments
he had carefully listened in a sermon on "A Campbellite Conversion; or. What I
Must Do to be Saved," delivered July 10, 1881. He dissected Braden's arguments
with a keen-edged scalpel, and then showed the fallacies which were hidden in
a wealth of words. Eager for other triumphs. Covert challenged through "The
Dispatch," of Pittsburg, Pa., C. T. Kussell "to discuss in a public debate the Creed
of the Church of God, which is the inspired revelation known as the word of God."
But "Mr. R. failed to come to time," and so Covert published him in the Pittsburg
"Times" as having virtually "conceded that my position is true." B. Ober in a
debate with Clark Braden in October, 1882, was "almost unanimously admitted,,
except their own members, to have fully sustained every point in debate." There
were four propositions, of which Ober affirmed these two: "Church of God is the
only proper, scriptural church title;" and, "The washing of the saints' feet is an
ordinance commanded by Christ to be perpetuated in the church." Braden af-
firmed these two: "The kingdom or church was organized on the day of Pente-
cost;" and, "Water baptism is one of the conditions of remission of sins of the
penitent believer, or sinner." In 1883 Covert had a public discussion with
Robert Singer, of the Christian Church, during the session of the West Pennsyl-
vania Eldership, at Ursina, Somerset county, Pa. There were two propositions, of
which Covert affirmed that "Washing of the saints' feet is an ordinance in the
church of God instituted by Christ." Singer affirmed that "Immersion in water
of a believer in Christ, the Son of God, is essential in order to the remission of
sins." Some one telegraphed the Editor of The Advocate this laconic dispatch
after the debate had closed: "Covert vs. Singer. Debate ended. Church
property saved. Brethren jubilant. Enemy vanquished. Covert retires with
fresh laurels from the theological contest." December, 1883, finds Covert in a
very different role, the actor in a drama of another character. Pittsburg, Pa., was
"in great excitement over the recent debate between Prof. Granger, of New York,
and Prof. Seymore, who affirmed, and Elder W. R. Covert who denied, the proposi-
tion: Resolved, That animal magnetism exists and is the principal element in
mesmerism." Again "Covert gained a decided victory," wrote W. B. Elliott. In
May, 1884, Covert had a debate with a Morman Apostle, involving these three
propositions, or questions: "Is the Book of Mormon of divine origin, and are its
teachings entitled to the respect and belief of mankind?" "Is the Church known
as the Church of God in harmony with the church established by Jesus Christ and
his Apostles as found recorded in the New Testament?" "Is the Church known
as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in harmony with the church
established by Jesus Christ and his Apostles as found revealed in the New Testa-
ment?" The debate took place in the bethel at Pittsburg, and began May 5th.
Only the first proposition was discussed, for eight consecutive evenings, when
Covert "refused to debate the other two with the present opponent" because of
the failure of W. H. Kelley "to produce any tangible arguments upon the ques-
tion under discussion," and because of "W. H. Kelley and his brother E. F. Kelley,
acting as moderator, failing to conform to parliamentary rules and usages of pub-
lic debate."
The decrease of the disputatious spirit was indicated in the falling off in the
number of controversies in The Advocate as well as in oral debates. And yet
during this period there was a total of over thirty controversial articles and
editorials published. Among the more prominent were these: "The Unpardon-
able Sin," discussed by John M. Han-el, of Iowa, and by the Editor. Various ques-
tions relating to the ordinance of washing the saints' feet, beginning May 24,
1881, with an article in favor of the ordinance, by Noah A. Cofmann. This was
followed by two articles from the pen of Geo. W. Ashton, Iowa, in defense of the
ordinance against the Editor of "The Standard," a Baptist paper of Chicago. The
Editor of The Advocate on May 10, 1883, replied to the Editor of the "Reformed
Church Messenger;" on May 17 and 31, and June 7 and 14, on "The Time of the
General History 207
Washing of Feet by Christ," and on June 21 on "The Apostolic Practice of Feet-
washing." On November 28, 1883, Newcomer began a series of ten articles on
"Is Feet-washing an Ordinance?" "Critic," of "Smoky City" (W. R. Covert), crit-
icised Newcomer's articles sharply in two issues of the paper. "Philo" followed
in "A Critic of the Critic on Feet-washing." "V. D." came to the aid of New-
comer in March, 1884, and Newcomer in two replies closed the discussion Sep-
tember 27, 1884. The discussion of the Communion question was broadened by
adding to the mooted subject of the order of the ordinances, those of the inter-
pretation of "supper being ended," "breaking bread" and "the love feast." Eight
editorials were devoted to "TheLove Feast and the Communion," in reply to ques-
tions and strictures on the subject by "An Inquiring Friend." The prevalence of
faith-cures, and the doctrine of faith-healing, were warmly debated under these
headings, and under the subject of "miracles," as many of the alleged cures seemed
miraculous. Largely in the same connection the divisive doctrine of second-
work sanctification was strongly antagonized as heretical in theory and mis-
chievous in practice. The apparent tendency to the dual life of believers led to a
careful discussion of "the unity of moral character" by the Editor as against
C. W. Evans, of the Iowa Eldership. The Editor declared in an editorial on
"Hungering After Righteousness" that "It is a stupendous delusion to think that
we can be right in part. Righteousness is a unit. It is in the singular." This posi-
tion was antagonized by Evans, and at once the form of the question was changed
to that of unity of moral character, showing that supreme ultimate intention or
purpose determines character, and not desultory executive acts of the will. The
discussion continued eleven weeks. A similar discussion was precipitated be-
tween A. Wilson, of Iowa, and the Editor, on the old subject of receiving unbap-
tized persons into church fellowship. "The Divine Sonship of Christ" was
thoroughly discussed editorially in reply to skeptical questions on the subject.
A few notable events characterized this period: Of these, two were of special
interests to the churches in their temperance work and social purity. The White
Cross Army was commenced by Rt. Rev. Dr. Lightfoot, Bishop of Durham, early
in 1883. It was a popular movement among Christian workers generally. Brave,
pure-hearted men and women enlisted in the cause and labored with great zeal.
It was said that in many places "the order of the meetings is a very solemn one."
It was introduced into many Sunday-schools. Then came the White Ribbon
Army, a new phase of the temperance movement, which grew out of the Interna-
tional Sunday-school Lesson for December 7, 1884, Prov. xxiii. 29-35. It had
its origin in the Bethany Sunday-school Hall, Philadelphia, Pa.
On December 6, 1884, an enterprise was completed which had been before the
public at different periods from the early Summer of 184 8, and in which all re-
ligious bodies in the United States were interested, as well as other organizations
and the States as political units. This was the Washington National Monument,
at Washington, D. C. Weishampel, in 1869, agitated the matter of having a
marble block placed in the Monument by the Church of God, with a suitable in-
scription. This was to cost about $200,00, and the money was secured by
voluntary contributions.
CHAPTER XVI.
1885—1890.
THE decade from 1880 to 1890 in the development of the churches of God
bears in a minor degree a resemblance in certain particulars to the
Renaissance of the fifteenth century. The latter was a gradual evolution
of the European races, a sort of rebirth, which denotes the transition from the
period of history which has been called the Middle Ages to that which we call
Modern. It was marked by a fresh stage of vital energy in general, which mani-
fested itself in a freer exercise of the intellectual faculties stimulated by the re-
vival of learning and its application to the arts and literature of modern peoples.
Symonds regards this revival as a function of that vital energy, an organ of that
mental evolution, which brought this modern world, with its new conceptions of
philosophy and religion, its reawakened arts and sciences, its firmer grasp of the
2o8 History of the Churches of God
realities of human nature and the world, its manifold inventions and discoveries,
its altered political systems, its expansive and progressive forces, into being. This
forward movement on the part of the churches of God centers around two main
institutions organized during this period, viz.: the principal institution of learning
under their control, Findlay College, and the gradual development of the mis-
sionary spirit in organic form, as later seen in the Woman's General Missionary
Society, both of which are reserved for separate consideration in following di-
visions of this work. Almost every department of Church enterprise felt the
stimulus of these two factors. There was an augmentation of energy, an inflow
of new blood into the leadership of the churches. The few remaining veterans in
the ministry, a small remnant of the heroic men of the early decades of the
Church's history, passed away during this period. The second generation of min-
isters was fast disappearing and new men gradually came to the front as leaders
in the various Elderships and in the churches. Old activities were intensified in
some instances; worn-out methods were exchanged for newer ones, and more
recently tested forms of organized work were put into effect.
One of these new forms of activity was the Young People's Society of Chris-
tian Endeavor. While the first organization of such a society was effected in
1881, and a constitution adopted which has stood the test of more than a quarter
of a century; and while an annual convention was held as early as 1882, and the
first national convention prior to 1885, in 1883 there were but a few societies
outside of New England. The new movement received attention in The Advocate
prior to 1885, and was under discussion and favorably acted upon by the Bast
Pennsylvania Eldership in 1884. Only a few local societies were organized at
that time in the territory of the Eldership; but they increased each year, until
by 1890 a majority of the churches had effected organizations. In West Pennsyl-
vania one of the first societies organized was at Stoner's, now Alverton, which was
formed in the Summer of 1887. In Illinois Eldership the first society was organ-
ized at Decatur, July 5, 1887. Martinsville followed in 1888. The movement
spread rather rapidly throughout the territory of the General Eldership, as it did
in all Churches, until by 1890 societies had been organized in a majority of the
Elderships represented at the session of the General Eldership in that year. A
Y. P. S. C. E. Union was also formed in East Pennsylvania Eldership, and one in
Illinois, in 1890. The interdenominational character of the Y. P. S. C. E. seemed
one of its most objectionable features. Another weak point discussed in those
years was the age-limit. It was felt that to confine it to young people would
prove detrimental to spirituality, and would divide churches into classes having
but little practical sympathy. The churches of God were disinclined to follow
the example of the Methodist Episcopal, the Baptist and a few other Churches,
which organized their young people into societies of their own. In Canada the
Methodist Church prefixed "Epworth League" to the general term of Young Peo-
ple's Society of Christian Endeavor. The churches of God did not consider them-
selves as of sufficient numerical strength to adopt such a safe-guard against the
influence of interdenominational associations.
Another important movement which began about 1883 in the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership, and which gave added impetus to the Sabbath-school cause, was
Children's Day. The main original purpose of this day was to give special recog-
nition to the children in the public service of the sanctuary. The date of the first
recorded service of this character is not now known. It was held in Pilgrim church,
Brooklyn, N. Y., of which Rev. Dr. Storrs was pastor. The day was observed by
Isolated churches in the East Pennsylvania Eldership several years prior to 1885,
but there was no concerted action. Even after the Sunday-School Convention,
which met at Camp Hill, Cumberland county. Pa., in 1883, adopted a resolution in
favor of the observance of the day, it received only a partial recognition. In the
Fall of 1884 several annual Elderships endorsed the action of the General Elder-
ship of that year, and thus prepared the way for the formal introduction of the
new movement in 1885. The second Lord's day in June, 1885, was the day fixed
for the service. The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Findlay
College prepared a program for all the schools to use. It consisted, besides the
usual devotional services, of two addresses; one exercise by children, and two
essays. It was originally not a day to raise money; but other Churches had
turned it to this use. When the General Eldership made it synchronous with
College Day the paramount object was to secure funds for Findlay College. In
General History 209
this it has been eminently successful, as was anticipated by the fact that in 1884
Children's Day brought $7,000.00 into the treasury of the Evangelical Associa-
tion; $10,000.00 into that of the Baptist Church; $196,000.00 into the Mission
Fund of the Presbyterian Church; $225,000.00 into the treasury of the Methodist
Church, and comparatively large amounts into the treasuries of other Churches.
Very beneficial effects of the faithful observance of the day have been generally
realized.
The churches, and especially the Elderships, continued to take an active in-
terest in the temperance question. Elderships favored State and National pro-
hibition, which was a live issue in Iowa, Pennsylvania, Kansas and West Virginia
during several years of this period. The interest was intensified by three facts,
to wit: First. The organized opposition of the liquor interests, through which it
became increasingly a political question, and was generally encouraged by the
two great political parties. The churches of God in the main gave their official
endorsement to the Prohibition party. A few of the ministers were candidates
for Legislatures on the ticket of this party. Second. The cold-blooded assassina-
tion of Rev. George C. Haddock, Sioux City, Iowa, August 3, 1886, by a crowd of
brewers, saloon-keepers and roughs, against whom he was collecting evidence in
liquor cases then pending. Third. The decision, in 1887, by the Supreme Court
of the United States, declaring that prohibition without compensation is valid, in
two cases in which the State of Kansas was a party. National prohibition thus
became more clearly the question for the churches to agitate, as it was realized
that local and State prohibitory legislation and amendments can be only partially
successful without National prohibition. Then, even prior to the formation of the
Anti-Saloon League, there was as early as 1885 an organized Anti-Saloon move-
ment which enlisted many of the churches, as more speedy results of a local char-
acter were expected.
Pentecostal meetings continued to be held to the close of this period, in from
one to six different Elderships. This tenacious interest in the person, functions
and offices, the inworking and outworking of the Holy Spirit indicated the Im-
portance of this spiritual movement. Not to know the presiding and controlling
power, and the corresponding need, of the divine Spirit, of all deficiencies in Chris-
tian experience is the most lamentable and deplorable. To effect such an experi-
ence was ever the purpose of these meetings. Yet the obstacles they encountered
increased the tendency to localize and finally abandon them. In East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership two were held, wholly of a local character, in 1885; and none was
announced after that date up to 1889. Illinois Eldership appointed two, one in
the northern and one in the southern part of the territory, for each of the five
years of this period. Indiana Eldership had one in 1885, 1886 and 1889. Iowa
Eldership had two in 1885 and one in 1886, all of a local character. Ohio Elder-
ship appointed but one in the five years, in 1886. Michigan, one in 1886. Kansas,
one in 1886 and one in 1888. Southern Indiana, one in 1889. Missouri, one in
1888.
Most persistent efforts were made during this period to keep burning the
camp-meeting fires. The lack of spiritual results, the growing indifference of the
churches, the increasing expenses made it very difficult to hold local camp-meet-
ings. In 1885 one was held in East Pennsylvania, one in Maryland, one in Ohio
and two in West Pennsylvania. In 1886 West Pennsylvania again held two,
Maryland one, Indiana one, and Maine one. In 1887 and in 1888 one was held
each year in Maryland and one in West Pennsylvania. In 1889 seven were held,
one each in East Pennsylvania, West Pennsylvania, Maine, Maryland, Indiana,
Illinois and Indian Territory. A Camp-meeting Association was formed in West
Pennsylvania, to hold an annual camp-meeting not far from Sewickley, on the
Methodist Episcopal camp-ground. W. R. Covert, a man of indefatigable energy,
but of a volatile and flighty fancy, with S. Arnold, "secured perpetual right in be-
half of the churches of God of the West Pennsylvania Eldership to hold an annual
camp-meeting." A similar Association was formed in Venango county. West
Pennsylvania Eldership, which conducted a camp-meeting in said county in 1887.
In 1886, in addition to the camp-meetings already noted, one was held at Ander-
son, Ind., by the evangelist, Mrs. M. B. Woodworth. It was held on the fair
grounds, and continued ten days. It was one of the first camp-meetings under
the auspices of the Church of God at which a "gate fee" was charged. The meet-
ing was reported quite a success in the number of converts, as shortly after its
close a few over one hundred were baptized; but in some other respects the repu-
C. H.— 8*
2IO History of thk Churches of God
tation of the meeting was not good. While less time was given to the cultivation
of social and recreative interests which were becoming so prominent, bearing no
conceivable relation to the original purpose of camp-meetings, some characterized
the meeting as "not any better than a fair;" or, "little religion about this."
Mrs. Woodworth was a revivalist of remarkable power; but after a brief
period of constant activity she relapsed into obscurity. She was licensed to preach
by the Indiana Eldership in 1884. She was at once appointed Eldership Evange-
list, and reappointed in 1885. She was so successful in her work that she soon
became noted as an evangelist of more than ordinary power, and was invited to
hold revival services in churches of other religious bodies, in halls and in one
instance in the court-house. In 1886, in the territory of the Southern Indiana
Eldership, of which she became a member, she began her special career as an
evangelist. She began her first meeting, with four helpers, in the Royal Skating
Rink, at Muncie, Ind., in November, resulting in the organization of a church of
150 members. Thence she went to Indianapolis, Ind., and early in December began
her meeting in the Meridan Skating Rink. It continued over the holidays, and
resulted in about 175 conversions. Her husband also reported "over twenty
healed In soul and body." From the Rink they went to a large Hall, with a seat-
ing capacity of 5,000, where on March 19, 1887, a church of 168 members was
organized. Trances became now a feature of her meetings, the subjects claiming
to be "overpowered by the Holy Spirit." Faith cures in large numbers began to
be reported. "The lame were made to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear."
While she had been at Anderson, Ind., in 1886, her most successful meeting held
there was in the latter part of June, 1887. A large church was organized. As
elsewhere by this time, "many were the wonderful cures" reported. After a brief
stay at Greensburg, Ind., Mrs. Woodworth and her party crossed the State line
into Illinois, and held a four weeks' meeting at Urbana, in September, 1887, re-
sulting in one hundred converts. In August, 1887, she held a camp-meeting at
Boiling Springs, 111., concerning which it was reported that "the faith-cure busi-
ness is overshadowing all other things in the meeting." From here she went to
Oakland Park, Decatur, where she remained until October 2nd, closing her meet-
ing with "one hundred conversions." About the middle of November, 1887, she
began her work in the W. C. T. U. Tabernacle, Hannibal, Mo. The number of
converts was given at 150, and "twenty were healed." A church was later or-
ganized with 100 members. In the Winter of 1885-6 she made an attempt to
carry on her work in the territory of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, but she
was officially notified to desist, and so was recalled by her Eldership. In July,
1888, she held a successful meeting in Springfield, 111. Thence she went to
Louisville, Ky., in August, using "our own tabernacle" in which to hold the ser-
vices. "Hundreds of souls" were converted, a Hall was rented and a church of
God was organized of "over 100 converts." By the close of the year 1889 the
results of her four years of revival work were reported as follows: "We have a
membership of nearly 1,000 as a result of her work, representing about a dozen
churches. Half a dozen church houses have been erected, a dozen or more
preachers licensed, quite a number of Sunday-schools carried forward, and pros-
pects for rapid church upbuilding." Mrs. Woodworth encountered strenuous op-
position everywhere after she began to defend and advocate faith-healing, visions,
trances and other vagaries. She conceded that she was confronted with "opposi-
tion on every side;" that in some cities where she held meetings "the ministers in
council agreed not to co-operate with her, nor to give any countenance to her
work." Even the large majority of the ministers of the churches of God, and
most of the Elderships, had no sympathy with her views on faith-healing and
modern miracles. Her work was ephemeral. Disintegration of churches she or-
ganized followed at early dates, and the proofs abounded that she built with
wood, hay and other infiammable materials.
An encouraging effect of Mrs. Woodworth's wonderful revivals was the in-
spiration to energetic endeavors felt by ministers and churches in the work of
evangelism and Church extension. Her work, with all its defects, was of a very
serious character, and it suggested the propriety of "days of fasting and solemn
prayer for revivals" in many localities. Gratifying results followed.
The material interests of the churches were faithfully attended to during this
period. There was a tireless struggle after progress, a cheerful optimism and a
power and activity in the pursuit of better things which were rewarded by a good
measure of success in competing with other religious bodies. As in the early
General History 211
days, there still survived the belief that the Church had a special mission to carry
the torch of "the faith once delivered to the saints" throughout the land and to
be the bearer of truths which otherwise would be neglected. To make permanent
the fruits of their labors ministers realized that houses of worship owned by the
churches, and parsonages, needed to be built, and they urged this strongly on the
membership. Responses were generously made, and a comparatively large num-
ber of houses of worship was erected and others repaired and improved. The first
to be dedicated was the new bethel at Taylortown, Ohio, where the church had
been worshiping in the Town Hall. The house cost $900.00, and was built
under the labors of S. Kline, pastor, and dedicated December 21, 1884, C.
Winbigler officiating. J. W. Riddle was quite successful as missionary among
the Cherokee Indians, Indian Territory, and in the Winter of 1884-5 built
the bethel at Camp Creek, which was dedicated in the Spring of 1885. Through
the labors of J. F. Meixel, pastor of the Upper Perry circuit, Pa., the project
of building a bethel at Center Square was started in 1882 or '3, but the work
was delayed, and not until 1885 was the new bethel finished, under the pas-
torate of W. J. Grissinger. It was dedicated June 7th, when S. D. C. Jackson
preached the dedicatory sermon. The cost of the building was $715.00. In Riley
county, Kans., J. A. Miller and E. L. Latchaw as pastors, a bethel was built at
Riley Center in 1885. The church had existed for three years without a church
home. The dedication took place August 30th, the services having been in charge
of J. R. H, Latchaw. In 1885 J. C. Fomcrook was the efficient pastor at Lanark,
111., and under his labors "Summit Bethel" was erected at a cost of $4,000.00. It
was dedicated October 10, 1885, Latchaw preaching on the occasion. Trinity,
Wells county, Ind., was pastorless in 1885; but the church heroically went to
work and built a bethel, which E. Miller dedicated November 15th. This exhibi-
tion of church efficiency and of appreciation of- moral responsibility received just
commendation. J. M. Cassel, who on September 27, 1885, preached the dedi-
catory sermon of the Pleasant Grove Bethel, St. Mary's circuit, Ohio, pronounced
it "a monument to the zeal and energy of the pastor, T. Koogle." It was a sign of
"the prosperity and progress of the church." The presence at the dedication of
T. Hickemell and J. A. Dobson was noted as "connecting links binding us to the
early history of the Church." At Shambaugh, la., under the labors of A. Wilson,
pastor, a new bethel was built in the Summer of 1885, at a cost of $2,500.00. It
was dedicated by M. S. Newcomer on November 22nd. At Copley, Summit county,
Ohio, a bethel was finished and dedicated December 20, 1885. W. P. Small was
pastor, and J. M. Cassel officiated at the dedication.
At Cool Spring, or Sprankle's Mills, Jefferson county, Pa., a house of worship
was built under the labors of L. B. Appleton, which was dedicated by him on
January 24, 1886, in the absence of the minister who had been engaged for the
occasion. The new bethel erected at White Oak, Clark county. 111., was conse-
crated on May 30, 1886. Wm. Johnson was the devoted pastor. George Sandoe
officiated, assisted by J. Bernard. A bethel which had stood for nearly forty
years, at Slippery Rock, Beaver county. Pa., gave way to a new edifice erected dur-
ihg the Summer of 1886, under the labors of J. W. Davis. The new house was
more commodious. The corner-stone was laid on May 30th, and the dedication
took place October 10th. The name was changed to Connoquenessing Chapel.
The second bethel at Highspire, Dauphin county. Pa., was dedicated July 25, 1886,
when J, T. Fleegal was the pastor. G. W. Seilhammer preached in the morning,
and J. W. Miller in the evening. The house cost $2,407.00. In Kennedy's Valley,
Perry county. Pa., the corner-stone of a new bethel was laid June 27, 1886, when
on account of the failure of the preacher for the occasion to be present, W. J.
Grissinger, pastor, officiated. The building was completed and dedicated on
March 6, 1887, when G. W. Seilhammer did the preaching. Under the pastorate
of W. P. Winbigler, the church at Frizzlesburg, Carroll county, Md., built a house
of worship, which was dedicated by G. W. Seilhammer on November 21, 1886.
The rededication of the Syracuse Bethel, Ind., under the labors of I. W. Markley,
took place on July 11, 1886. The dedicatory sermon was preached by E. Miller.
The house had been "repaired, remodeled and refitted, and was commodious, at-
tractive and superior to the former house." On Herr street, Harrisburg, Pa.,
under the pastoral care of J. W. Jones, the little church of colored folks began to
build a bethel in the Summer of 1886. The corner-stone was laid by C. H. Forney
and J. M. Carvell August 15th, but they were not able to complete the building.
Better success attended the church at Highland, Dauphin county. Pa., which,
under the pastoral care of H. E. Reever, began the erection of a bethel in the Sum-
212 History of the Churches of God
mer of 1886, laying the corner-stone September 19th. C. H. Forney and J. M.
Canrell officiated. The building was completed at a cost of $2,300.00, and was
dedicated by J. W. Deshong, January 23, 1887. The ordinances were observed in
the evening. T. Still had meanwhile become the pastor. The church at Mt.
Olivet, York county, Pa., having built a spire and put a bell into it, rededicated
the house September 12, 1886. H. E. Reever and T. Still preached on the occa-
sion, and with the pastor, J. F. Meixel, conducted an ordinance meeting in the
evening. A new house of worship was built by the church at Sugar Creek, Wayne
county, Ohio, and dedicated September 26, 1886, W. P. Small preaching on the
occasion, assisted by G. H. Ritchie. Under the labors of W. J. McNutt, a bethel
was built at Sugar Ridge, Van Wert county, Ohio, which J. M. Cassel dedicated in
October, 1886, assisted by D. Sands. I. W. Markley as pastor succeeded in build-
ing several bethels on his field in Indiana. One of these was in Columbia City,
Whitley county, at a cost of $3,200.00. It was dedicated by M. S. Newcomer
November 14, 1886. The church was the outgrowth of Mrs. Woodworth's labors
in 1885. Another was built at Butler, at a cost of $3,800.00. It was dedicated
November 21, 1886, M. S. Newcomer officiating. At Round Grove, 111., with O. B.
Huston pastor, a new bethel was built at a cost of $1,300.00. It was dedicated by
Geo. Sandoe October 10, 1886. The bethel at Wallaceton, Clearfield county. Pa.,
after undergoing extensive repairs, was rededicated November 21, 1886. J. W.
Deshong did the preaching. Thos. Young was pastor. Such extensive alterations
were made to the Lancaster, Pa., bethel in the Summer of 1886, that it "was not
recognizable as the old bethel," at a cost of $3,682.00. The consecrated C. Price
was t)astor. The rededication took place November 14th, G. W. Seilhammer and
G. W. Getz officiating.
In 1887 E. L. Latchaw succeeded in gathering a small church in a new settle-
ment of sod-house dwellers, near Utica, or Kansada, Ness county, Kans. They
worshiped in a sod school-house, 12x15 feet. They decided to build a frame
bethel, 2 0x30 feet, which was dedicated on May 28th. The sermons on the occa-
sion were preached by W. H. Cross. On May 8, 1887, the bethel at South Fair-
view, Cumberland county, Pa., was to be dedicated, when G. W. Seilhammer offi-
ciated. But the act of consecration was deferred in order to cancel the entire in-
debtedness. This was done, and on the 22nd J. B. Lockwood preached and dedi-
cated the house. O. J. Farling, a minister actuated by the old missionary spirit,
succeeded in organizing a church in Stoney Creek Valley, Dauphin county. They
began the erection of a bethel soon after; the corner-stone was laid June 18, 1887,
by C. H. Forney, assisted by M. M. Foose and J. Berkstresser. The house was
completed and dedicated September 18th, when G. W. Seilhammer, M. M. Foose
and I. A. MacDannald officiated. The cost was $940.00. Mission work in Mt.
Pleasant, Westmoreland county. Pa., was begun in an old school building, bought
by D. S. Fox for $500.00. An additional $500.00 was spent in alterations and
Improvements, when the new church building was dedicated, July 17, 1887, with
G. W. Seilhammer, W. R. Covert and J. S. Mai-ple as the preachers of the three
sermons of the day. The bethel at New Kingston, Cumberland county. Pa., built
thirty years before, was repaired under the labors of D. W. Keefer, and rededi-
cated July 24, 1887. G. Sigler and A. H. Long did the preaching. At Olive
Branch, Miami county, Ind., R. H. Dempsey, pastor, a bethel was built in the
Spring of 1887. A. F. Dempsey officiated at the dedication on July 24th. The
Fairview Bethel, York county. Pa., was rededicated July 24, 1887. J. C. Seabrooks
preached on the occasion. At Tobias, Putnam county, Ohio, a new church edifice
was ready for dedication on September 4, 1887, under E. Poling, pastor. J. R, H.
Lat<'haw was present and preached, but the act of dedication was deferred on ac-
count of failure to cancel the indebtedness. Under the new pastor, J. W. Auker-
man, the money was secured, and in the latter part of October, 1887, R. H. Bolton
dedicated the house. It was christened "Pleasant Valley Bethel." The bethel in
Mendon, Mercer county, Ohio, built under the labors of J. W. Bloyd, at a cost of
$1,600.00, was dedicated on September 25, 1887. M. S. Newcomer did the preach-
ing ;W. B. Allen and W. P. Small assisted in the services. "The Mission Bethel
of the Ohio Eldership," which J. W. Aukerman, General Missionary, succeeded in
building in Putnam county, was dedicated by T. Koogle on September 25, 1887.
The village of Centennial, in which it was built, was located "in the woods," and
services had been held in the school-house and in a blacksmith shop. On the
same day the church at Steelton, Dauphin county, Pa., H. E. Reever pastor, re-
dedicated its house of worship. J. Berkstresser and M. M. Foose preached the
General History 213
sermons. November 6, 1887, the church at Anderson, Madison county, Ind., or-
ganized by Mrs. Woodwoi-th, dedicated its new bethel. H. H. Spiher was the
successful pastor. President Latehaw officiated. R. H, Bolton and the Wood-
worths assisted in the services. The rededication of the bethel at Marysville,
Perry county. Pa., occurred October 23, 1887. The pastor, H. W. Long, secured
the services of M. M. Foose for the occasion. At Camp Hill, Franklin county. Pa.,
a new bethel was built in the Summer of 1887, J. W. Kipe being the pastor. It
was dedicated by Wm. Palmer, November 27th. The bethel at Boiling Spring,
Mac6n county. 111., which had been occupied for thirty years, was destroyed by
fire in October, 1887. A new one was erected under the pastorate of W. I. Berk-
sti-esser, which was set apart for divine worship on December 2 5, 1888. Geo.
Sandoe and J. Bernard preached on the occasion. Hayes Chapel, Ida county, la.,
was built in 1888. J. W. Kiddle, missionary among the Cherokee Indians, Indian
Territory, built a bethel at Sallisaw, costing $670.00. It was dedicated May 27,
1888, by C Manchester. Remodeled so as to "look like an entirely new house,"
the Landisville Bethel, Lancaster county. Pa., built in 1843, was rededicated under
F. L. Nicodemus, pastor, April 29, 1888. The preaching on the occasion was by
C. Price and J. B. Lockwood. Under the supervision of S. Smith, a German and
English preacher, a bethel was built at Cove Station, Huntingdon county. Pa. It
was dedicated May 6, 1888, by F. L. Nicodemus. The bethel at Orrstown, Frank-
lin county. Pa., having been "renovated, thoroughly renewed, embellished and
beautified within and without," was rededicated by G. W. Getz June 10, 1888.
The ordinances were observed in the evening, the pastor J. T. Fleegal, being in
charge of the services. The rededication of the bethel at Reedsville, Wayne
county, Ohio, occurred July 22, 1888. S. Kline was the pastor; President
Latchaw filled the pulpit. W. G. Steele succeeded in building a bethel at Peter's
Run, Ohio county. West Virginia, which was consecrated July 29, 1888. X. M.
Andei*son did the preaching. On the Hillsdale Mission, at Bright's appointment,
Mich., a new bethel was dedicated under the labors of J. F. Slough, pastor,
August 26, 1888. J. M. Cassel did the preaching. The dedicatory services of
the new bethel built at Woodland, Marshall county, W. Va., were held Septem-
ber 23, 1888. I. D. Cousins was the pastor. The Eldership held its session
in the new building, and N. M. Anderson preached the dedicatory sermon. L.
F. Chamberlin officiated at the dedication of the bethel at Showman, Iowa,
August 26, 1888. At a meeting in the Methodist house of worship at Markle-
ville, Madison county, Ind., a number were converted and desired to be or-
ganized into a church of God by the pastor, H. H. Spiher. This they were not
permitted to do in the M. E. house. They withdrew and organized in a private
house. They resolved to build a bethel, which cost $1,800.00, and was dedicated
by President Latchaw August 26, 1888. The corner-stone of the Vander Avenue
bethel, York, Pa., was laid by W. Rice on September 2, 188 8. The self-denying
pastor, O. J. Farling, pushed the work to completion, and the house was dedicated
November 25, 1888, by G. W. Seilhammer. Cost, $1,500.00. The town site of
Riley, Riley county, Kans., having been changed so as to be on the Rock Island
Railroad, the bethel built some years before was removed to the new location. It
was dedicated September 23, 1888, by C. S. Bolton, assisted by the pastor, J. M.
Klein. At Henrietta, Blair county. Pa., J. M. Waggoner, pastor, a new bethel
was built, which was dedicated by G. Sigler on December 16, 1888. The Mt.
Carmel Bethel, Northumberland county. Pa., was dedicated by W. Rice on
December 23, 1888. The house had become too small under the pastoral labors of
F. Y. Weidenhammer. At Milmine, Piatt county. 111., T. J. Crowder, pastor, suc-
ceeded in building a bethel at a cost of $1,500.00. President Latchaw officiated at
the dedication on January 6, 1889. The church at Ft. Scott, Kans., was organized
late in 1888, after a revival meeting conducted by J. C. Fomcrook. A lot was
bought and work begun on a house of worship. The corner-stone was laid by
Fomcrook, General Missionary, on April 27, 1889. The rededication of the bethel
at Linglestown, Dauphin county. Pa., under C. Y. Weidenhammer, took place Feb-
ruary 3, 1889. The preaching on the occasion was by Wm. Rice. Under W. J»
Grissinger's pastorate at Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, Pa., the remodeled
bethel was dedicated January 27, 1889. G. W. Seilhammer preached the sermons..
Though not a "union house," the Union Chapel, Williams county, Ohio, built under
the pastoral labors of J. W. Bloyd, was dedicated by Latchaw on January 27, 1889.
A bethel was built at Pleasant View, Mercer county, Ohio, under the labors of
L. T. Lemunyon. It was dedicated by Latchaw June 2, 1889. Latchaw also dedi-
214 History of the Churches of God
cated the new bethel at Muncie, Ind., February 17, 1889. H. H. Spiher was the
pastor. The property cost $7,000.00. The church was organized two years be-
fore, with two hundred members, the fruits of Mrs. Woodworth's labors. At
Amboy, Mich., a new bethel was to be dedicated by Latchaw July 1, 1888; but
failing to secure the cash or its equivalent, he refused to dedicate the house. W.
H. Oliver followed J. F. Slough as pastor. He raised the needed funds, and
Latchaw returned and dedicated the house in February, 1889. At Metz, or Welty,
Marion county, W. Va., under the labors of Geo. E. Kemp, a bethel was built,
which N. M. Andei"son and S. B. Craft consecrated May 19, 1889. Roaring Spring,
Blair county. Pa., lost its bethel by fire, February 24, 1889. Under M. M. Foose
as pastor, the work of rebuilding began at once, and on December 1, 1889, Geo.
Sigler officiated at the dedication of the new bethel. The Blooming Grove Bethel,
Ohio, Jos. Neil pastor, was dedicated by Latchaw May 12, 1889. After extensive
repairs under F. W. McGuire as pastor, the house of worship at Matamoras,
Dauphin county, Pa., was rededicated May 19, 1889. J. H. Esterline officiated.
The church of God and the M. E. church built a union house on the Raleigh
circuit, W. Va., known as Dick's Chapel, under the labors of S. E. Stewart, which
was dedicated in September, 1889. At the Clay appointment, Defiance county,
Ohio, J. W. Bloyd pastor, a bethel was built, which Latchaw dedicated September
18, 1889. The West Auburn bethel was moved 3 miles and extensively repaired
under S. Rothrock's labors. G. H. Ritchie officiated at the dedication on Septem-
ber 8, 1889. Latchaw preached the dedicatory sermon of the new bethel at
Dewey ville, Ohio, September 22, 1889. W. T. Cross was the pastor. On the
same day the new bethel at Southwright, Hillsdale county, Mich., was dedicated
by Jas. Neil, W. H. Oliver being pastor. In August, 1889,* the Front Street
church, Findlay, tore down their house. The corner-stone of the new bethel was
laid November 3rd, Prof. W. H. Wagner and G. W. Wilson delivering addresses.
The house was finished under the pastoral labors of W. N. Yates, and dedicated
April 27, 1890, by M. S. Newcomer. Under J. W. Bloyd as pastor, the Belief on-
taine Chapel, Ohio, was built. It was dedicated by R. H. Bolton September 8,
1889. The ordinances were observed at night. At Williamstown, Ind., H. H.
Spiher pastor, a bethel was built, which was dedicated September 23, 1889, by
John Vincent. The Pleasant Prairie Bethel, 3 miles from Independence, la., built
in 1854, was replaced by a new edifice in the Summer of 1889. It was set apart
for religious services November 17, 1889, when M. S. Newcomer and C. L. AVilson
officiated. The bethel at Zanesville, Ind., J. A. Wood pastor, was repaired, and
dedicated December 1, 1889. A new bethel was built at Collamer, Ind., under the
labors of I. W. Markley, costing $1,519.00. It was dedicated by Latchaw Novem-
ber 24, 1889. The Blue Grass Bethel, Illinois, built under D. H. Rupp's labors,
was dedicated October 13, 1889, when Geo. Sandoe preached. Failure to raise
sufficient money to pay all bills occasioned the postponement of the final act of
dedication at an earlier date. The Progress Bethel, Dauphin county. Pa., was
rededicated under the labors of C. C. Bartels on December 1, 1889. The pastor,
W. J. Grissinger, preached on the occasion of the rededication of the bethel at
Mt Joy, Pa., December 8, 1889. The East Steelton Mission, Dauphin county. Pa.,
under the labors of D. W. Keefer, pastor at Highland, laid the corner-stone of its
house of worship December 22, 1889. The building was finished, and was dedi-
cated February 23, 1890. Geo. Sigler preached the sermon. At Breakneck, Fay-
ette county. Pa., the Union Bethel was dedicated on December 1, 1889. W. R.
Covert preached in the morning and Dr. Morgan, Baptist, in the evening. A
house of worship known as Silver Creek Bethel, in Fulton county, Indiana, on the
field served as pastor by J. W. Stringfellow, was dedicated January 5, 1890, by
J. Biimpus and I. W. Markley.
While the churches gave these unmistakable indications of material progress,
the spiritual work was not neglected. A large percentage of the new houses of
worship built during this period was in new localities, where churches had been
organized. But Church extension work was diligently carried forward in other
localities. In New England but little progress was made. One church was or-
ganized in New .Brunswick. Several new names were added to the ministerial
Roll of the Eldership, and the original mover in the work in Maine, Jolin Dennis,
was called to his final reward. H. Mills, the most active worker, was becoming
discouraged. The ministry and churches of the Eldership lacked the interest in,
and loyalty to, the Church of God of the General Eldership which he realized and
manifested. Most of them had been Free Baptists, who were dissatisfied for
General History 215
sundry reasons, and withdrew. The broad platform of the Bible as the creed, and
the name "church of God," appealed to them. The influence of this teaching spread
into Massachusetts, and the churches of Pittsfield constituted themselves into "the
church of God of Pittsfield." The New York "Independent" declared that "the
people of Pittsfield have got hold of a most important idea." There were numer-
ous revivals in Maine and New Brunswick, and the local churches were in a fairly-
prosperous condition.
In East Pennsylvania Eldership the principal church extension work was at
Altoona, where a mission was established in December, 1886, to be in co-operation
with the first church. The Henrietta church was added to the Morrison Cove cir-
cuit. At Shamokin, Northumberland county, work was begun in 1883, and a
church was organized which was making fair progress during this period under
the labors of S. Smith and C. Kahler, successive pastors. In Clearfield county the
field was enlarging, and new points were being added to the two circuits. The
Lower York Mission, near York, Pa., added several new points under the labors
of O. J. Farling. But the principal work in the Eldership consisted in the
strengthening of the churches through revivals and improving their material con-
ditions.
West Virginia was fruitful territory. The older organizations were aggres-
sive, and were measurably strengthened. The work in Ohio and Brooke counties
was carried forward with energy and good success. Raleigh and Kanawha coun-
ties, in the south-western part of the State, were being occupied and churches or-
ganized. A small church organization existed in the city of Wheeling. The whole
territory of the Eldership in West Virginia appeared to be ripe for an abundant
harvest.
The most promising fields for Church extension work were in Nebraska,
Missouri, Kansas and the Indian Territory. In Nebraska the work was carried
forward in the counties of Howard and Greeley, by Eli Stark, who located in
Howard county in 1885, and in the Fall of said year organized a church of thirty-
one members. Another church was organized by him in Greeley county, in Octo-
ber, 1885. George W. Misener preached in Serman and Custer counties, and or-
ganized several churches. In Kansas, E. L. Latchaw removed to Ness county and
began work, with a good measure of success. Stafford county was also the scene
of active mission work by J. N. Smith and C S. Bolton, as was also Pratt county
immediately to the south. Thus the area of cultivated ground in Kansas was con-
siderably enlarged, and the work pushed into the south-western part of the State.
Ft. Scott, in Bourbon county, on the Missouri boundary line, became a center of
interest in 1887. J. W. Keplinger had been preaching in the town, and had the
assistance of D, Blakely and G. J. Bartlebaugh. The securing of a lot on which
to build a bethel was undertaken in the Fall of 1887, and brought to a successful
issue in 1889, the church having been organized under the preaching of C. Man-
chester and J. C. Fomcrook in December, 1888. In 1889 there were twenty-six
Church of God organization in the State, scattered through fifteen counties, with
an aggregate membership of 610 and five houses of worship.
The work in the Indian Territory during these five years was in the care of
J. W. Riddle, E. M. Kirkpatrick, C. H. Ballinger and J. C, Caswell. They labored
mainly among the Indians of the Cherokee Nation; but in 1889 Caswell preached
in the territory of the Creek Nation. The work was also strengthened by the
removal into the Territory of some Church of God families from Texas. By No-
vember, 1885, four churches had been organized. In September, 1886, Riddle
reported that "three hundred and fifty souls belong to the Church of God in the
Cherokee Nation." Kirkpatrick became pastor of three of the churches in the
Cherokee Nation. He organized an additional church of thirteen members. In
August, 1887, Ballinger succeeded in organizing a church of twenty-six members,
and Caswell one of fourteen members. Caswell, in 1889 began work in the Creek
Nation. By this time the membership in the Territory had increased to 637, or-
ganized into thirteen churches.
There were inviting fields for mission work in half a dozen States where the
Church had not yet begun operations. The most inviting of these were on the
Pacific Coast. In 1886 J. Garrigus, Oregon, published earnest calls for a mis-
sionary. Others who had removed to that State also made appeals for a minister
to be sent them. In July, 1886, J. T. Force began work there, and soon had a
small band ready to organize a church. In July, 1887, he declared "the field is
ripe in Oregon. Send us one, two, or three preachers." In 1888 the Nebraska
2i6 History of the Churches of God
Eldership asked the Board of Missions of the General Eldership to appoint J. \V.
Adams, one of their ministers, missionary to Oregon. In April, 1889, Garrigus
appealed again to the Board for a missionary, urging that "now or never" was the
time to begin work in that State. In June, 1889, the Board of Missions of the
General Eldership considered the appointment of I. S. Richmond, of Illinois; but
did not feel justified to make an appropriation.
In the Winter of 1885-6 D. Keplinger, Kansas, removed to Los Angeles
county, California, and at once planned to begin missionary work. He opened an
appointment in Antelope Valley, to which he soon added several others.
The first call for a minister to come to Colorado was published by Grant L.
Woods in 1889. He had removed from Shambaugh, la., to Kit Carson county,
Colo., and desired the Church to open a mission in said county.
Dakota seemed a promising field for mission work, as Church families from
Iowa were moving into the Territory. Among these was A. C. Bixler, who in 1885
started a Sunday-school in his neighborhood. Religious interest was awakened,
and he began to hold "prayer-meetings from shanty to shanty." Twenty-five were
converted at these meetings, when he sent for C. C. Marston, who preached on
baptism and Church doctrines, and baptized nineteen of the converts. H. L. Soule
and D. S. Guinter, in the Winter of 1885-6, conducted revival services in a school-
house in Lincoln county, now South Dakota, resulting in the organization of a
church.
P. Clippinger removed from Kansas to Florida in the Winter of 1886, and
began preaching. His field extended along the S. F. R. R. from Sanford to Tampa.
He organized two Sunday-schools in 1887; baptized ten believers, and organized
a church of eighteen members.
While the era of controversies was apparently passing, and a spirit of greater
tolerance was developing in ministers and churches, there yet was a good deal
of discussion during this period. Public debates, however, were more infrequent.
Only five are reported during this period. The first was conducted in Wetzel
county, W. Va., between S. B. Craft, of the Church of God, and Rev. Speers, of the
M. E. Church, South. It was held in June, 1885. The subject was Christian
Baptism, Craft affirming that "immersion is the Bible act of baptism," and Speei-s
denying. The result was claimed as "a perfect victory for the Church of God and
immersion." In April, 1886, A. Wilson had a debate in Page county, Iowa, with
Rev. A. L. Cooper, on the following Proposition: "The Church with which I, A.
Wilson, stand identified, known by my brethren as the Church of God, possesses
all the Bible characteristics which entitle it to be regarded as the visible church
or kingdom of God." A. L. Cooper denied. H. MuiTay, who was Wilson's mod-
erator, reported, that "the decision of the Chairman, who was not a member of
either Church, was, with myself, that Elder A. Wilson sustained his affirmative of
the entire Proposition well, and did honor to himself and the Church he repre-
sents." A "discussion with an Adventist" transpired between W. B. Elliott,
Church of God, and W. H. Cain, "advocate of Adventism," at Cookport, Indiana
county, Pa., June 14, 1886. The resolution debated read: "Resolved, That the
doctrine of the innate immortality of the soul, as understood by the denomina-
tions, is untrue, and that conscious, active life in the soul begins at the resurrec-
tion of the body, and not at physical death." This Cain affirmed, and Elliott de-
nied. The reporter states that "by previous arrangement, the question was to
be submitted to the audience for decision at the close of the debate." But Cain
"objected vehemently," and so no vote was taken; but "from the demonstration
of the audience it was evident that Elliott had won the victory." At Creagers-
town, Md., May 17, 1887, W. Palmer, of the Maryland and Virginia Eldership, de-
bated the following Proposition with V. Thompson: "1. Do the Scriptures
teach that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is the Christian Sabbath, hav-
ing its origin in Eden? Thompson affirmed; Palmer denied. 2. Do the Scrip-
tures teach that the first day of the week is obligatory upon us as the Christian
Sabbath? Palmer affirmed; Thompson denied. 3. Do the Scriptures teach the
eternal, conscious punishment of the wicked? Palmer affirmed; Thompson de-
nied" Palmer proved himself an effective debater, handling his part of the debate
with incisive deliberateness and convincing reasoning. Beginning on September 6,
1887, N, M. Anderson, West Virginia Eldership, had a public debate with R. H.
Singer, of the Disciple, or Christian, Church. Six Propositions were debated, to
wit: "1. That in connection with faith, repentance and confession, water bap-
tism is a command of the gospel in order to the remission of sins of an alien sin-
J
Generai. History 217
ner. Singer, affirmative; Anderson, negative. 2. That hearing, repenting, praying
and believing are necessary to the remission of sins, which takes place prior to
water baptism. Anderson, affirmative; Singer, negative. 3. That the washing
of the saints' feet is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Christ the
same night he instituted the Communion, and is binding on all God's people till
Jesus comes to judge the world. Anderson, affirmative; Singer, negative. 4.
That the Communion of bread and wine was instituted the night of Christ's be-
trayal, to be observed by the disciples every Lord's day, or every first day of the
week. Singer, affirmative; Anderson, negative. 5. That the Church to which 1,
R. H. Singer, belong is the church of Christ, built by Christ and the Apostles, and
is identical in teaching and practice with the Apostles. 6. That the Church of
God, which I, N, M. Anderson, represent, is in faith and practice in harmony with
the original." "Observer" stated that "an overwhelming niajority of people who
attended the debate (outside of the Disciples) claim that Anderson gained every
Proposition." In Arkansas, at Mt. Olive, in December, 1889, J. M. Howard, of the
Church of God, and W. P. Spain, of the Disciple Church, held a public debate on
the design of Christian baptism. Spain affirmed that "water baptism to a penitent
sinner is for the remission of sins." Howard denied. The debate continued two
days, and "in the evening of the second day Spain begged Howard to let him off,
and not say anything, he giving up the debate."
Discussions between ministers of the Church, or of mooted questions, in the
columns of The Advocate during this period, though less frequent and numerous,
still numbered nearly half a hundred. They decreased from thirteen in 1885, to
five in 1889. Some were called out by the public debates. Others were for the
correction of errors into which inexperienced ministers fell. While still others
were on doctrinal questions on which Churches differed on the received views of
the Church of God. The latter was notably true of the Sabbath question, agitated
by the Seventh-Day Adventists which came in contact with ministers of the_ Church
of God. Also the design of baptism, ever kept prominent by the ministers of the
Christian Church. Thus the "Sabbath Question," whether the first or the seventh
day should be observed by Christians, was discussed by L. B. Appleton, of the West
Pennsylvania Eldership; W. D. Faulkender, a layman of Blair county. Pa., and
S. P. Rogers, of Arkansas, in the Winter of 1885-6. They resumed the discus-
sion in the Fall of 1886, joined by N. O. Cofman, a layman of Mendon, O., and J.
G. Cunningham, a layman of Fulton county, Pa., and continued it into April,
1887. In April, 1888, John Wilder, Ottawa Lake, Mich., wrote on the subject,
defending the first-day Sabbath. He was followed by an anonymous writer by
whom the discussion was prolonged into June. The length of these discussions,
the poverty of ideas hidden in the multitudes of words, and the long periods over
which they were continued seriously detracted from their value, and gave occa-
sion to much complaint. The two conspicuous theories of the Millennium were
discussed in 1885, and again in 1886, when Winebrenner's views on the subject
were called in question as being no longer the views of the Church. Winebrenner
taught the essential points of the pre-millenarian theory; but "there has been
quite a change on this subject since his time, and it is a doubtful question to-day
whether pre-millenarian or post-millenarian theories have the majority of ad-
herents in the Church of God." The subject of faith cures, divine healing and
miracles was given great prominence as a result of the teachings of Mrs. Wood-
worth and many of her converts. They claimed that all kinds of diseases can be
cured by faith, or by the direct intervention of divine power. This view was an-
tagonized by a large majority of the ministers. Such alleged cures were repre-
sented as miraculous; but it was insisted that "the day of miracles is past." The
discussion continued at intervals during this period. At no time was the doctrine
of Sanctification so thoroughly discussed by ministers of the Church as in 1885-7.
Mainly it was a defense of the old doctrine on the subject, which was a pillar of
the undoubting faith of earlier and simpler days, as against the newer theory of
an instantaneous second work of grace. The schismatic tendency of the second-
work theory created trouble in certain churches, and the discussion was designed
to eradicate this heretical theory and preserve the peace and unity of the churches.
This was the trend of a series of articles by W. R. Covert in 1885. He was fol-
lowed by D. Blakely, who insisted on "the doctrine of the simplicity of moral
action," and concluded that "conversion is entire consecration," and that "sancti-
fication" is but another term for consecration. Edification and growth in grace
2i8 History of the Churches of God
follow, and continue through life. L. B. Appleton discussed the subject from the
viewpoint of mental philosophy. Thus the discussion ran its course during the
Winter of lSS.5-6. It was resumed in March. 1887, when some of the advocates
of the second-work discussed it experientially. This called out forceful replies
from A. Wilson. D. S. Guinter and L. B. Appleton. R. H. Bolton voiced the senti-
ments of many who objected to the discussion partly on the ground that "much
of the writings are unintelligible and with no good effect." He also assured the
Editor of The Advocate that he, with many readers of the paper, "desire you to
write articles upon this theological question." In compliance with this request,
the Editor began a series of ten editorials, running from August 24th to October
26th, in which the underlying thought was the^ duality of man's being — the "per-
son" and the "nature." The conclusion reached was that the sanctification of the
"person" takes place necessarily at regeneration; that of the "nature is progres-
sive," and may not be perfected until mortality is swallowed up of life. S. X.
Sorenson, Beloit, la., took exception to this conclusion in two long articles, in
which he sought to defend the second-work theory. W. W. Roberts, while en-
dorsing the Editor's views, yet had some adverse strictures to offer. Owing to
certain erroneous views on the phrase "born of water," preached in Arkansas by
members of the Texas and Arkansas Eldership, the proper interpretation of the
text was discussed by the Editor and others in the Spring of 1887.
Quite a controversy was revived touching the private observance of the or-
dinances, introduced in February, 1888, by F. W. McGuire. and participated in
by W. H. Oliver. Mrs. M. Woods, S. P. Campbell and E. M. Kirkpatrick. The min-
ority, represented by McGuire and Mrs. Woods, advocated private observance. The
discussion continued for nearly a year, and was made the subject of action by
some of the Elderships, all of which insisted "that the ordinances should be ob-
served publicly."
The Itinerancy, Amusements, the Perseverance of the Saints, Church Union,
Deaconesses, Church Fairs, the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, Tithing, Christ's
Resurrection Body, the Moral Character of Adam and Eve, were among the other
more important subjects more or less elaborately discussed.
An important step was taken in the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 18 87 in
the organization of the "Mutual Beneficial Society." The object of the Society was
to secure "mutual benefit in case of death" to the members. There is a small
annual payment required, and at the death of a member each member of the
Society is required to pay 51-00 into the treasury, the total to be paid to the widow
or family of the deceased.
An equally beneficent, but more general, project for the aged minister of
the Church was suggested in July, 1889. Many had felt the need of some pro-
vision of this character, but how to secure it without an extra tax on the member-
ship was the unsolved problem. At the meeting of the Board of Missions of the
General Eldership, held at Findlay, Ohio, in 1889, Warren Mosher, of near Pierce-
ton, Indiana, submitted a proposition which seemed to meet the case. He pro-
posed "to build a home for indigent ministers." The proposition was approved by
the Board, which appointed "I. W. Markley and I. Schrader a committee to confer
with Mosher with regard to said institution." Unfortunately the project was not
consummated, though the need of such a home has never ceased to be felt.
The churches of God have only to a very limited extent been interested in
such Orders as "The Brotherhood of St. Andrew;" yet in the "Order of the King's
Daughters," or "Daughters of the King," appealed sufficiently to some of the
sisters of a few churches to induce them to form societies of the latter Order.
The Order was founded in January, 1886, and has for its main object the develop-
ment of spiritual life and the stimulation of Christian activity.
The ministers which held pre-millenarian views were quite interested in the
"Prophetic Conference" held at Chicago in November, 1886. Fewer, however, at-
tended the Conference than were present at the one held in New York in 1878.
The Church has always placed more stress on other and more vital doctrines,
though it has ever strongly held, in some form, to the second advent of its ador-
able Founder and Head.
Because of the proximity of the United Brethren Church to the Church of
God in many of the Annual Elderships and the generally friendly relations and
similarity in doctrine and ordinances in earlier years, the brotherhood was much
interested in the schism which occurred in said Church in 1889. Its twentieth
General Conference held its session at York, Pa., in that year. Four "recom-
General History 219
mendations" had been submitted by the previous General Conference to a vote of
the churches. The first related to a revised Confession of Faith; the second, to
the amended Constitution; the third to lay representation, and the fourth to the
section of the Constitution on Secret Societies. All were adopted by majorities
ranging from 39,696 for the fourth item, to 47,760 for the first item. Immedi-
ately upon the reading of "the Proclamation of the Bishops," the final "step to be
taken to complete all that was requisite to put the amended forms of the Con-
fession and Constitution in full effect," Bishop Wright, with fourteen others, dele-
gates from different annual Conferences, withdrew from the General Conference
and organized the Radical United Brethren Church. The Church of God has
happily been spared such an experience, owing possibly to the absence of a human
Creed or Confession of Faith and greater elasticity in its polity.
CHAPTER XVII.
1890—1895.
THE semi-decade of 1890-189 5 was marked by certain great religious events in
which the churches of God were deeply interested, though not formally con-
nected therewith. The most pregnant one was "The World's First Parlia-
ment of Religions," held at the World's Fair in Chicago in September, 1893. It
embraced, not the Christian denominations of the world, but representatives of
the religions of the world. It was a congress which awakened universal interest,
and the topics discussed by theological scholars and eminent laymen were of a
character which appealed to very many of the ministers of the churches of God
which had kept in touch with the progressive thought of the day. They raised
the question: "Is it a milestone in the path of Christianity?" Or: "Is it an
indication that the reputed followers of the Anointed One are seeking a religion to
suit all mankind, and in which should be amalgamated the faiths of the religious
world?" Or: "Is it a sign of the decadence of what has been for centuries be-
lieved to be the only true religion?" Almost in fear and awe the churches of
God viewed the marvelous phenomenon of Protestant Christianity in its strongest
and most pronounced type inviting Roman Catholics and Orthodox Greeks, Pagan
and Mohammedan, the worshipers of Buddha and of Confucius, the followers of
Zoroaster and the descendants of Abraham, and representatives of all faiths and of
no faith, to meet together and discuss the deep problems of their respective re-
ligions, or want of religion, in a friendly and even a fraternal way. Besides, topics
were discussed which on various occasions had been debated by ministers of the
churches of God, such as The Religious Reunion of Christendom, God and Modern
Science, Man's Spirituality and Immortality, Religion as Distinguished from a
Moral Life, Religion and Music, Religion and Temperance, Arbitration Instead of
War. The Advocate by its presentations of the events of the Parliament kept the
churches informed and interested. Quite a number of the ministers were present
during part of the seventeen days the Parliament continued in session.
The movement toward the federation of Protestant Churches, which assumed
prominence in 1890, naturally excited the attention of ministers of the churches
of God. It did not appeal to them as a plan or method of abolishing sectarianism,
against which they always contended; but as an evidence that the Christian
Church was becoming more deeply conscious of the great evils of the divisions into
which the body of Christ had been rent. But with the idea of effecting a union of
all denominations into one great, universal organization they could have but
little sympathy, as it is not in harmony with the scriptural polity of the church.
Neither the union, nor the federation, of Churches or denominations, they held,
is Christian oneness. Besides, the platform on which they stood precluded any
active participation in such a movement.
Nevertheless, the further division of Churches into rival or antagonistic or-
ganizations the churches of God deplored. They had always been on friendly
terms with local churches of the Evangelical Association, and so when that body
was "split in two" in October, 1891, as a result of "the rebellion of twenty-five
years' growth," they viewed the result with unconcealed concern. The Associa-
tion had thus been sundered into two distinct and violently antagonistic parties.
220 History of the Churches of God
And while they regarded the division as in the main the legitimate fruit of sec-
tarianism; yet they could not remain oblivious to the existence of like dangers
among themselves, as disclosed in the secession movements in Kansas and Mis-
souri, and earlier in Michigan, as also in such conflicts of authority as existed in
1891 between the Elderships in Illinois and Indiana. Not doctrines, nor polity,
but personal contentions and unholy ambitions, could prove the puissant cause of
schism in a body. It suggested the thought, strongly emphasized editorially,
that for Christian men there should be found a remedy for such evils in a well-
developed scheme of arbitration.
While as a body the Church did not interest itself in the anniversary of the
"Haystack Movement," which contemplated the carrying of the gospel to the
heathen of all lands; nor yet in the Volunteer Movement" among college students,
with the motto: — "The evangelization of the world in this generation" — which
held its second quadrennial convention in Detroit, Mich., in 1894, with 1,325 dele-
gates; yet individual workers and some local churches joined with other churches
in meetings with appropriate services. The principal benefit the churches of God
derived therefrom was the resultant inspiration and enthusiasm in their own mis-*
sionary work. They realized the ever-present danger, that the banner which the
Church had lifted up in the name of the Lord would be lowered by too active
fellowship with denominations prominent in these movements.
In 1890 the Presbyterian Church began the revision of its Creed, or Confes-
sion of Faith, nearly two-thirds of the 213 Presbyteries having voted in favor of
revision. A committee was appointed for that purpose, which did its work during
the year, and reported to the General Assembly in 1891. The work to be done
was to harmonize the Confession with the altered views and the spirit of the
Church as they were then apprehended to be; but "no alterations or amendments
are to be proposed which would in any way impair the integrity of the Reformed
or Calvinistic system of doctrine taught in the Confession." The antagonism to
all creeds by the Church of God gave it a negative interest in this work. It was
pointed out that these creeds are not generally believed by the Churches which
adopt them; but are accepted largely because of their historical value. They set
up a standard of orthodoxy outside of the Scriptures, and become occasions of dis-
sensions and schisms. Hence, the Church in all its past history bore testimony
against them. It rarely experienced any trouble by reasons of heresies taught by
its ministers. Only one such instance occurred during this period, when the
Standing Committee of the Kansas Eldership suspended a minister "accused of
preaching doctrines contrary to the Scriptures." The membership of the Church,
however, could not be insensible to the allegation that it has some standard of
orthodoxy, as well as that a general similarity had developed between it and the
surrounding denominations. Hence, the question began to be propounded: "Is
there no difference between the Church of God and others, such as the Methodist,
or United Brethren, or Reformed Churches?" As Winebi-enner much earlier had
clearly indicated what these differences are, so again was the duty an urgent one
to teach the churches the essential characteristics of the Church of God, and to
differentiate it from the denominations. The subject in different forms was dis-
cussed at Ministerial Associations. On the question of the union of the Church of
God and any denomination, discussed in The Advocate in 1893, and prior at -the
East Pennsylvania Eldership, the general conclusion reached was, that "we are not
in a position to second any effort looking toward union with any denomination."
Yet this position so consistently held for sixty years did not develop a spirit of
bigotry or exclusiveness. That there is one common brotherhood of believers was
cordially accepted, and hence churches of God in many places joined in good faith
in holding union evangelistic meetings.
In its specific work among the young people the Church of God manifested
this same catholic spirit. While the Methodist Church in the United States or-
ganized the Epworth League in 1890, instead of affiliating with the general Young
People's Society of Christian Endeavor, and the Baptist Church organized its own
Young People's Union in 1891, the churches of God regarded this as "a step back-
ward from Christian unity." Local societies were formed during this period in
the East Pennsylvania, West Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Kansas Elder-
ships, nearly all in co-operation with the interdenominational Y. P. S. C. E. In
East Pennsylvania a "Union" was formed of a number of societies, at a meeting
held September 15, 1892, in the Nagle Street Bethel, Harrisburg, of which the
officers were J. W. Mackey, President; O. P. Partliemore, Secretary, and S. Sey-
General History 221
more, Treasurer. Two societies had been organized in the Ohio Eldership in
1892. In Illinois the first society was organized at Decatur, in 1887. A Y. P.
S. C. E. Union was organized in 1900. In Kansas societies existed in a few
churches in the Winter of 1891-2, one having been organized at Naron, Pratt
county, in January, 1892. There was considerable opposition to these organiza-
tions of young people in the churches; but the enthusiasm of a few earnest min-
isters and laymen soon made them popular.
Among the special services inaugurated in earlier years which had about run
their course by this time were the Pentecostal meetings. Except in Illinois, where
the Eldership continued to control them, they had become entirely local in 1890.
In this year one was held in Illinois, one in West Virginia, one in East Pennsyl-
vania and one in Maryland. In 1891 and in 1892 two were held; but in 1893 and
1894 none was published. The passing of this special form of service at about the
same date with the beginning of what is called "The Pentecostal Movement" is
evidential of the fact that it lacked the elements which made the latter quite
celebrated for a brief period. Both were wanting in the factors which tend to
permanent stability. It was different with the Sunday-school Conventions, and
also the Ministerial Associations. These continued through this period in most of
the annual Elderships. In Elderships from West Pennsylvania westward the
latter were being held in connection with, and immediately preceding, the sessions
of the Elderships. Topics for discussion were doctrinal and practical, and in some
Elderships exegetical. A peculiarity of some which were held in West Virginia
was the adoption of resolutions after topics were discussed, expressing "the sense
of this body that there is taught in this topic" such and such a doctrine or senti-
ment. In nearly all the Elderships these Associations discussed questions which
at the time were in controversy in The Advocate. Among these could be found
"The Laying on of Hands in Ordination," "Worldly Amusements," "Gospel Tem-
perance," "Prohibition and Local Option," "The Design of Baptism," "Support of
the Ministry," "The Ordination of Women to the Gospel Ministry," "Educated
Ministers," "Reasons for the Existence of the Church of God," "Social Parties
Aniong the Young People," "Is the Y. P. S. C. E. Beneficial to the Church?" "Min-
isters in Politics," "A Doctrinal Test for Membership in the Church," "The Itiner-
ant System," "Tithing," and scores more. In East Pennsylvania Eldership in-,
terest declined to such an extent that the Association was discontinued, none
having been held in 1894.
Camp-meetings in western Elderships ceased to be held after 1890, with rare
exceptions. But in Maine they survived, one having been held at Maple Grove,
with fifteen ministers present, in August, 1894, which continued ten days. The
camp-meeting held by the church at Washington Borough in 1893 and 1894 be-
came a general camp-meeting under a regularly organized Association. The min-
isters and churches in East Pennsylvania held quite tenaciously to these meetings
in God's first temples, four having been held in the territory in 1892 and in 1893.
In 1894, however, there were but two, Washington Borough's Central Manor camp,
Lancaster county, and Walnut Grove, Huntingdon county.
The ministry and churches assidiously devoted their energies to the advance-
ment of their spiritual and material interests in the employment of the regular
methods and agencies of church work. In Maine conditions were peculiar, and
there were indications of an impending crisis. They needed a few strong men
from older Elderships, and made repeated and urgent calls. They had strength
both as to numbers and talents; but lacked cohesion and unity of purpose, as well
as loyalty to the General Eldership. In 1890 the churches in Maine were credited
with "twenty ministers and 1,900 church members;" yet H. Mills, one of the most
active workers, reported "the outlook in Maine not as hopeful as it was some time
ago." The work had been extended southward into Massachusetts, where Dr. J.
I. Brown labored. A church was organized in Pittsfield, and one in Lowell. The
Lowell church was a missionary church, for "under its direction," J. H. Wilson, in
1890, "commenced mission work in Providence, R. I. He preached at Johnson;
Lester Hall, Providence; Central Falls, Haverhill and Bethany, and reported
prospects "good for establishing a church of God at Providence." In December,
1890, the Maine Eldership "appointed J. I. Brown missionary to the State of
Massachusetts." A "quarterly meeting" was held in the State in the latter part
of December, 1890, at which four ministers were present. In April, 1891, "Dr.
J. 1. BrowTi was appointed President of the Eldership in Massachusetts, with power
to grant licenses under the protection of the Eldership of Maine." In 1891 the
222 History of the Church rs of God
Board of Missions of the General Eldership authorized G. Sigler, of the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership, to visit the churches in Maine and Massachusetts, in answer to
the earnest call of Mills and Brown. Brown was heartily in accord with the polity
of the Church, and urged the election of a delegate to the General Eldership in
1893. In the Summer of 1893, R. H. Bolton, of Ohio, removed to Maine, followed
by his son, John W. They became the general missionaries. But as the former
had been subject to discipline by the Ohio Eldership, his reception into the Maine
Eldership was a violation of the General Eldership Constitution. The Ohio Stand-
ing Committee, April 10, 1894, called the attention of the Maine Eldership to this
"irregular and non-co-operative action," and insisted that it be reconsidered.
Bolton appealed to the next General Eldership. He had to be debarred from the
columns of The Advocate, and began the publication of a paper for the Maine
Eldership. These complications apparently hastened the impending disintegra-
tion of the Maine Eldership.
In East Pennsylvania there was evident a spirit of improvement and progress
in material things. Churches were strengthened in numbers, and inspired with
broader and higher aims, and this led to material improvements and efforts at
enlargement. And while the territory was not appreciably extended, new points
were added to the fields of labor. Work was begun, however, in Lycoming county,
at Williamsport, where some colored families had located. The Eldership ap-
pointed John Brown to open a mission. He rented the A. M. E. Zion church build-
ing, and on December 29, 1889, organized a church. At Shiremanstown, Cumber-
land county, under the labors of C. I. Behney, the bethel was remodeled and re-
paired, and was rededicated March 9, 1890. At Mt. Laurel, on the old Dauphin
circuit, the building of a bethel was begun and the corner-stone laid on April 13,^
1890. The dedication took place August 24, 1890. C. Y. Weidenhammer, under
whose labors the church was constituted, preached the first sermon, on Saturday
evening. C. C Bai-tels was the pastor in 1890, and he secured the services of
C. H. Forney for Sabbath morning and evening. Prior to this the membership
at this point belonged to the Linglestown church, but had regular prayer-meetings
and stated preaching at Forney's school-house. At Donaldson, Schuylkill county,
the bethel was extensively remodeled and repaired in the Fall of 1890. On No-
vember 16th it was reopened for divine service, F. L. Nicodemus preaching the
sermons, assisted in the services by the pastor, S. E. Herman.
Under the labors of J. T. Fleegal on the Lower Perry circuit a new bethel was
built, which was dedicated April 6, 1890. The church on the Allegheny Moun-
tains, Clearfield county, town of Brisbin, began to solicit funds to build a meet-
ing-house in 1887; but it was not until 1893 that they were able to carry the work
to completion. Then, during the pastorate of C. Kahler, the bethel was finished,
and was dedicated by M. M. Foose on July 30th. The bethel at Newberry, York
county, with O. E. Houston as pastor, was extensively repaired, and rededicated
July 6, 1890, Wm. Rice ofliciating on the occasion. The church at Steelton built
an addition to their bethel and repaired the main building at a cost of $850.00,
F. Y. Weidenhammer being the pastor. C. D. Rishel preached the rededicatory
sermon on July 20, 1890. The large Skating Rink at Hollidaysburg, Blair county,
which the church had bought and converted into an audience room and parsonage,
was rededicated August 3, 1890, by J. W. Deshong and J. H. Esterline. Suedberg,
Schuylkill county, was a new point on the Lebanon circuit. A good church-house
was built there in the Summer of 1890, and was dedicated on September 29th, J,
W. Winters being the pastor. After the bethel at Oak Grove, Perry county, was
"neatly repaired and beautified," it was rededicated January 18, 1891. D. W.
Keefer officiated. Wm. Palmer was the faithful pastor. At Bowmansdale, Cum-
berland county, the pastor, C. D. Rishel, preached in a warehouse, where on De-
cember 7, 1890, he organized a church of thirteen members. They at once bought
a lot in the new village, and in the Spring of 1891 began to build a bethel. The
corner-stone was laid on May 2nd. The building was completed at a cost of
$2,235.00, including ground, and was dedicated August 30, 1891. G. Sigler
preached in the morning and C. I. Brown in the evening. In the Summer of 1891
the church at Cherry Grove, Fulton county, began the work of building a bethel
to take the place of the school-house formerly used as the place of worship. The
house was, however, not finished until in March, 1893, when on the 5th it was
dedicated by E. Myers, assisted by C. F. Reitzel. At Brownsville, on the present
Walnut Grove circuit, S. Smith pastor, a layman, Levi Anderson, undertook to
build a bethel in 1891. He traveled extensively to collect funds, and succeeded
General History 223
in finishing the building ready for dedication on April 24, 1892. G. Sigler preached
the dedicatory sermon. All-workers church, Green street, Harrisburg, had the
unusual experience of having two rededications of its house of worship in a little
more than two years, both under the same pastor, J. W. Deshong. After extensive
repairs the first rededication services were held July 5, 1891, when D. S. Shoop
officiated, assisted by C. H. Forney. In 1893 new pews were put in the main
audience room, and rededicatory services were conducted by B. F. Beck, on Sep-
tember 3rd. The bethel of the church at Columbia, Lancaster county, was re-
paired in the Spring of 1892, S. C. Stonesifer being pastor. It was reopened on
May 15th.
The bethel at Smoketown, York county, built in 184 8, was repaired under the
labors of H. E. Reever, and was reopened September 14, 1892. Preaching by
O. E. Houston and W. J. Grissinger. Aggressive mission work was begun at
Eighteenth and Walnut streets, Harrisburg, by F. L. Nicodemus, in February,
1892. A very successful revival was held in Springdale school-house. The work
was of such an extent that in June, 1892, a site was selected on the corner of
North and Linn streets, which was bought by H. J. Forney and Mrs. Margaret
Calder and donated to the church. Here the Pleasant View Bethel was erected,
the entire cost of ground and building amounting to $3,000.00. The dedication
took place August 6, 1893, when C. Price officiated, assisted by C. H. Forney, J. W.
Deshong and J, Haifleigh. June 12, 1892, the Good Hope Bethel, Cumberland
county, built in 1843, after needed repairs, was rededicated by B. F. Beck. Under
the labors of their young pastor, C F. Reitzel, the church at Beavertown, Hunt-
ingdon county, repaired their house of worship, which was rededicated June 19,
1892, by Wm. Rice. Walnut Grove Bethel, same county, with S. Smith as pastor,
was remodeled and repaired in the Spring of 1892. It was reopened July 24th,
when J, T. Fleegal did the preaching. Fleegal was pastor of the Lower Perry
circuit in 1892, which included the town of Duncannon. After repairing the
bethel, dedicatory services were conducted August 28th, with G. W. Getz as the
preacher. At Hepler's, Schuylkill county, where a church was organized in 1847,
services were held in private houses until 1854, when a bethel was built. This
was replaced by a new building begun in 1892, under the labors of J. F. Meixel
and his successor, S. Smith, at a cost of $2,000.00. It was dedicated October 28,
1894, when D. S. Shoop preached the sermons. A mission was started in Altoona
in 1892, called the Union Avenue Mission, by certain active laymen of the first
church. They succeeded in building a bethel, which on June 4, 1893, was
solemnly consecrated to divine worship. Preaching by Wm. Rice and M. M. Foose.
With Wm. Pahner as pastor, the church at Landisburg, Perry county, greatly im-
proved their house of worship, which was rededicated by George Sigler on June 11,
1893. After completely remodeling the bethel at Andersontown, York county, at
a cost of $450.00, under their energetic pastor, O. E. Houston, the church held
reopening serices on August 6, 1893, the pulpit being filled by C. I. Brown.
Brown was pastor at Camp Hill and Milltown, and had the bethel at the latter
point remodeled and repaired in the Summer of 1893. The rededication took
place October 22nd, D. S. Shoop preaching in the morning and O. E. Houston in
the evening. The colored brethren at Newville began the work of building a
church-house for their use in 1893, laying the corner-stone on October 22nd, when
J. T. Fleegal and F. W. McGuire officiated. The building was finished in the
Summer of 1894, at a cost of $900.00, and was dedicated August 19th. Besides
the pastor, J. W. Jones, these brethren were present and did the preaching:
J. T. Fleegal, F. W. McGuire, J. W. Deshong and C. Price. A new bethel was
built at Smithville, Lancaster county, under the labors of A. P. Stover, in the
Summer of 1893, at a cost of $1,419.00. B. F. Beck preached the dedicatory
sermon on November 12th, assisted by F. W. McGuire, ex-pastor. For the third
time church work was begun in Carlisle, county seat of Cumberland county, in
1893, by the wide-awake pastor, C. D. Rishel. He rented Sipe's Hall, where he
preached his first sermon on January 21, 1894. After an address on church or-
ganization by C. H. Forney, on January 25th, an organization of a church of
thirty-six members was effected. On account of the division in the Evangelical
Association, their local church at Carlisle lost its house of worship. It was bought
by the church of God, and possession taken in December, 1894. The house of
worship at New Grenada, Fulton county, after being repaired at a cost of $514.00,
W. S. Smith, pastor, was rededicated by M. M. Foose on December 16, 1894.
In proportion to its territory and numerical strength, the Maryland and Vir-
224 History of the Churches of God
ginia Eldership failed to do as much progressive work during this period as
had been done in East Pennsylvania, or even in earlier periods in its own history.
The bethel at Carrollton, Carroll county, the theater of the first active operations
of the Church of God in Maryland, was repaired and modernized early in 1892.
It was rededicated by G. AV. Seilhammer on May 15th. J. A. Staub was the
esteemed pastor. At Mt. Briar, Washington county, G. W. Seilhammer, on June
19, 1892, officiated at the rededication of the renovated and repaired bethel. S. J.
Montgomery was the pastor. The Washington county circuit extended across the
State line into Franklin county. Pa., and the Frederick county field extended into
Adams county. Pa., both by mutual understanding between the two Elderships,
though the State line was the boundary. Mt. Hope, Adams county. Pa., was one
of the Frederick county appointments. Here a bethel was built under the earnest
missionary labors of S. Spurrier, which was dedicated by O. J. Farling October 16,
1892. Montgomei-y's circuit in 1892 included a point called "Manor," where on
the 4th of December the bethel was dedicated by J. W. Kipe and W. H. Engler.
Hagerstown, county-town of Washington county, lies almost in the center of
Church of God territory. The Eldership was favorably disposed toward mission-
ary work in the place, and steps to that end were taken in 1893. The Standing
Committee on December 7, 1893, "suggested that the brethren at Hagerstown
secure a lot, raise the money and pay for it, and deed it to the Maryland and Vir-
ginia Eldership, and the Eldership will assume the responsibility of erecting a
house of worship." While there were no churches of God near Baltimore, Balti-
more county, yet members and families from Carroll county, adjoining Baltimore
county on the west, occassionally removed to, the city. Hence, for fifty years the
churches in Maryland were desirous to establish a church in Maryland's largest
city. The attempt was again made in 1894. J. M. Johnson, a member at Union-
town, with his family, located in Baltimore. On March 4, 1894, he reported to
the Standing Committee that he was actively engaged in missionary work, and re-
quested a license to preach. This was granted, and he was "appointed missionary
to work up the interests of the Church of God in Baltimore until the Eldership."
On April 4th he reported that they had secured a house of worship at the corner
of Cross and Cleveland streets. On April 18th he organized a church in "the
bethel of the Church of God," consisting of twelve members.
In West Virginia the work was making progress, more, however, in the way
of revivals, the organization of churches southward, and in the gathering of Sun-
day-schools. In Marion county G. E. Stewart had successful meetings, at one of
which there were seventy-six converts, fifty fellowshiped. They had organ-
ized six Sabbath-schools. Geo. E. Komp did efficient work in Kanawha county.
A new bethel was built in 1891 at Mt. Tabor, 3 miles south of St. Albans, at a
cost of $1,000.00, reputed to be "the finest country church-house in the county."
It was dedicated September 20th, S. B. Craft preaching on the occasion. The
West Virginia Eldership is dissimilar from all other Elderships, in that its terri-
tory lies in three States. On October 1, 189i, one of its bethels, called "Cen-
tennial," in Greene county. Pa., was dedicated, during the pastorate of G. E.
Stewart. August 6, 1893, the bethel at Bellaire, Ohio, was reopened for divine
worship. I. D. Cousins was the pastor, and N. M. Anderson, J. S. Marple and J.
R. Campbell preached the sermons.
The ministers of the West Pennsylvania Eldership generally labored in a very
unobtrusive manner. They had much to contend with, but they were reserved,
and with occasional exceptions, made no attempt to secure applause or notoriety.
Two of the most serious hindrances to their work about this time were the lax
morals on the part of some few otherwise efficient workers and the schismatic doc-
trine of a second-work sanctification. The latter was zealously preached by sev-
eral of the ministers, resulting generally "in a division among the brethren" where
they were permitted to preach. Thus in Breakneck Valley, Fayette county, where
a new house of worship had been dedicated and a special meeting was in progress,
one of the advocates of this erroneous doctrine began to preach "a few doors from
the church-house." As the Eldership stood firmly in opposition to the doctrine,
these men had to be made subjects of discipline when other measures failed to
silence them. This discipline was administered not because of any opposition to
the doctrine of sanctification, nor to deprive ministers of the right to preach their
conscientious convictions; but because their teaching promoted contention and
schism in the churches, which are worse than theoretical heresy. But the work
of the Eldership made steady progress. It was always deeply concerned about
1
General History 225
church interests in the city of Pittsburg. It is the geographical center of its terri-
tory, whither church families frequently removed from other parts of the country
around. Yet church work was most difficult, and the cause suffered many reverses.
There were periods when it seemed hopelessly lost, and the Eldership was disposed
to cease further efforts. Thus in 1891 "the church at Pittsburg was not supplied
with a preacher." "The outlook seemed very dark for the little vine." But the
services of W. T. Cross, of Ohio, were secured, and the work was resumed. "The
church at Pittsburg ought to be encouraged by the Eldership," was the sentiment
which largely prevailed among the brotherhood. Cross was quite successful, for
during the year he was pastor "there were twenty-one accessions." But in April
of that year the church property was sold, and the struggling little band of self-
sacrificing members was left without a church home. In October, 1893, W. H.
McKlveen became the pastor. He found "the membership very much scattered,
not having a regular pastor much of the time." But work was again begun with
commendable zeal; "special services resulted in the conversion of seventeen per-
sons"; "a Y. P. S. C. E. was organized," and "congregations increased, and the
Sunday-school more than doubled." Without a house of worship, "yet we are
encouraged to believe that at no distant day the church at Pittsburg will find her-
self in a new bethel erected for the worship of God." The Board of Trustees of
the Eldership was ready to co-operate to this end. Work was to be "continued
both on Fulton street and in the East End," and "the brethren in the East End"
were authorized to lease or purchase ground on which to build a bethel, the Board
agreeing to give $2,000.00 toward the building." Meanwhile "a mission of the
church on Butler street" was started.
Elsewhere the interests of the Church were being well looked after. At East
Liberty, Fayette county, under the labors of Geo. D. Statler, a bethel was built,
which was dedicated on July 30, 1893. R. L. Byrnes preached on Sabbath morn-
ing. The services continued for a week, special subjects being discussed each
evening by as many different ministers. In 1891 Statler was pastor in Jefferson
county. A bethel was built at Rathmel, which was dedicated June 21, 1891. S.
Woods preached the dedicatory sermon, W. R. Craig and J. A. Hetrick assisting
during the day. The Milford Bethel, Somerset county, was built during the pas-
torate of T. Woods. It was dedicated on June 14, 1891, G. Sigler officiating. On
March 27, 1891, the house of worship at Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland county, was
destroyed by fire. The church at once proceeded with the work of rebuilding.
The cost of the new bethel, with an additional lot, was $10,000.00. R. L. Byrnes
was "the faithful pastor," and he secured the services of J. R. H. Latchaw for the
dedication, which was held on May 1, 1892. At Emericksville, Jefferson county,
the dedication of "the bethel of the church of God" occurred on July 27, 1892.
Geo. D, Statler, pastor; dedicatory sermon by R. L. Byrnes, and evening sermon
by C. Manchester. At a distance of 7 miles from Barkeyville, Venango county, a
bethel known as "Olivet" was built in 1893, under the labors of Herbert Dyke,
It was to be dedicated by Chas. Manchester on May 14, 1893, but "owing to the in-
clemency of the weather," though "the larger part of the indebtedness had been
raised," the formal dedication was postponed to June 4th, when S. G. Yahn offici-
ated. This was a new point, where Manchester, in the Winter of 1891-2, had held
a series of meetings and organized a church of forty members. The new bethel
at Butler, county seat of Butler county, was dedicated September 17, 1893, with
"three sermons during the day." A new house of worship was built at Maple
Summit, Fayette county, on J. H. Means* circuit, which was dedicated September
17, 1893. The preaching was by S. G. Yahn, Sabbath morning; R. Vanaman,
afternoon, and S. Woods, evening. Pine Grove Bethel, Indiana county, was com-
pleted in January, 1894, though the beginning was made in 1888. It was dedi-
cated February 18th, R. L. Byrnes preaching Sunday morning, and W. B. Elliott
on Saturday and Sunday evenings. J. F. Smith was the pastor.
In Ohio, with the overshadowing Importance of Findlay College and its in-
sistent demands for funds, less attention seemed to have been given to local
church interests. Consequently the work was not making the progress which had
been anticipated. Fewer houses of worship were built, or old ones remodeled and
repaired. Yet there were devoted and earnest pastors, who labored with gratify-
ing success. Among these was 8. Dickorhoof, who In 1890 was pastor of a field
In Wood county. At Bloom Center the church erected a new bethel, at a cost of
11,400.00, "a credit to the cause of God, to the good people of the neighborhood
and the church and pastor." It was dedicated by J. R. H. Latchaw August 24,
C. H.— 9
226 History of the Churches of God
1890. Rededication services were conducted by J. M. Cassel, of the Walnut Creek
Bethel, on W. C. Fuller's circuit, August 10, 1890. A new house of worship was
built at Hopewell, Seneca county, with G. A. Bartlebaugh as pastor, which was
dedicated August 17, 1890, J. M. Cassel oflBciating. Under the labors of W. T.
Cross a meeting-house was purchased at Carey, Wyandot county, "formerly occu-
pied by the English Lutherans," a church was organized, and after needed repairs
the house was dedicated on December 14, 1890. Preaching by J. R. H. Latchaw.
The total cost of the property, including repairs, was $1,400.00. A Methodist
house of worship, located 2 i/^ miles west of Findlay, Hancock county, was bought
in May, 1891, and was christened "Bethel of the church of God at the Infirmary."
It was repaired and rededicated June 7th, when W. N. Yates delivered the dedi-
catory sermon. The bethel at the Union appointment, Mercer county, was rededi-
cated August 23, 1891, when W. N. Yates preached the sermon, J. F. Slough being
pastor. The church at Folmer, Paulding county, had a peculiar experience in
building its house of worship. The work was begun in 1887, and was so far ad-
vanced that the same year the house was "occupied for religious services; yet in
October, 1891, it was "not fully completed." In September, 1891, W. R. Covert
was there to dedicate it; but the heavy rains prevented. October 4, 1891, R. H.
Bolton was secured by S. S. Hunter, the pastor. The church was poor, and it
resorted to "a roast ox dinner on Saturday, the proceeds of which were to go
towards the indebtedness of the bethel." "The ox roast dinner affair was to be
continued on Lord's day," but the rain interfered. Bolton "recognized the hand
of providence in this matter." A new church organization was effected at Center,
Putnam county, February 1, 1892, by R. H. Bolton. The Eldership having as-
sumed a debt of over $500.00 resting on the Wooster bethel, Wayne county, the
house was repaired under the labors of J. W. Bolton, and rededicated May 15,
1892, by J. R. H. Latchaw. He also officiated at the dedication of "a. neat and
substantial house of worship" at North Bridgewater, Williams county, December
11, 1892. It was built under the labors of J. W. Clark, at a cost of $1,800.00.
The Center Bethel, near Belmore, Putman county, was dedicated January 15,
1893, Latchaw "conducting the dedicatorial exercises." The new house of wor-
ship, known as the Jackson Bethel, near Hoytsville, was dedicated by W. N. Yates
September 23, 1894. J. W. Kingston was the pastor. E. Poling was instrumental
in building a bethel on his field of labor in Henry county, 3 miles west of Holgate,
which was dedicated by W. N. Yates on December 2, 1894. Yates had become the
successor of Latchaw as President of Findlay College, who had "renounced the
authority of the General Eldership of the Church of God, and left the Church."
Progress in the Southern Indiana Eldership was hindered on account of the
spirit of insubordination which developed in several of the churches where the
Woodworth element predominated. Several ministers were involved, and their
licenses were "revoked." The falling away of many of the Woodworth converts
also had a very depressing effect. However, those who were true and loyal mem-
bers of the churches labored faithfully under these adverse conditions. At Ander-
son a church was organized February 28, 1891, of twenty-seven members. They
bought a lot, and also a large school-house which they removed on to the lot, re-
paired it and seated it with pews, and held the dedicatory services in February,
1892. At Shiloh, Daviess county, a new bethel was built under the labors of J.
Vinson, which was dedicated by J. W. Neely on June 19, 1892. At Mt. Zion a
small, frame house of worship was erected in the Summer of 1892, which was
dedicated on October 2nd. In 1893 a lot was secured in Indianapolis by the pas-
tor, J. Vinson, and his mother, on the corner of Le Grande avenue and Leonard
street. A bethel was built thereon, which on October 7, 1894, was dedicated by
W. B. Covert.
On W. W. Lovett's field of labor, in the Indiana Eldership, the bethel at Au-
burn was dedicated April 27, 1890. The dedicatory services were conducted by
J. A. Wood. The. Mt. Tabor bethel, on J. W. Stringfellow's charge was rededi-
cated September 21, 1890. J. Bumpus preached on the occasion. The church at
Ft. Wayne was reorganized by Ernest H. Shanks In January, 1891, with twenty
members. A Sabbath-school was also started. A few more members were added
in February, 1891. Shanks strongly urged the Eldership to sustain the mission,
giving a number of reasons why the work in this central city of the Eldership
should be made permanent. On November 1, 1891, W. N, Yates and the Re-
formed church pastor dedicated the new Union Chapel, near Turkey Creek, Steu-
ben county, built at a cost of $1,500.00. It was built jointly by the church of
GEJSfE^RAi, History 227
God and the Reformed church at that place. The Thorn Creek Bethel, on the
circuit served by G. T. Kimmel, was dedicated November 29, 1891. In 1893 a new-
house of worship was built at Blue River appointment, on the circuit of which Geo.
E. Kemp was pastor. It was dedicated June 21, 1894, by I. W. Markley. With
M. S. Hemminger as pastor, a bethel was built at Paddytown, Wabash county-
Disappointed by the minister who was to officiate at the dedication, Hemminger
preached the sermon on January 6, 1895.
In Michigan the work was in a rather stagnant condition, if it was not act-
ually retrograding. A few self-denying ministers had the consciousness of duty
well performed, while others were quite inactive. Their justification was want of
adequate support. In Calhoun county there was even opposition to organizations,
as well as to a paid ministry. The south-eastern counties of the State were in-
cluded in the Ohio Eldership territory. Here, in 1890, C. N. Belman was the pas-
tor. Under his labors the bethel at Ottawa Lake was built and dedicated October
26th, for which he secured the services of T. Koogle. The bethel at Sodus, where
Isaac Crago, of Indiana, labored, was repaired, and on July 6, 1890, was rededi-
cated by W. W. Liovett.
The Illinois Eldership was especially interested in the work of the church
in Springfield, where at the opening of this period E. H. Baker was the zealous
pastor. He labored against serious obstacles. As elsewhere, the elements brought
together during the Woodworth meetings were not homogeneous, and contentions
were not uncommon. There was also great lack of stability, as well as defects in
moral character. In Springfield they were divided, one church having a "meeting-
house" on the corner of Seventh and Mason streets, where Baker was pastor, and
another one worshiping on Third street. The former enjoyed a revival after New
Year's, 1890, with over twenty converts, and was reported "doing well." At an
ordinance meeting in March fifty participated in the first ordinance and seventy in
the second. But Baker left Springfield in the Fall, and the work was much
neglected. At Lodge, Piatt county, a new bethel was built under the labors of
C. Manchester. He had organized the church the previous year. The dedication
services were conducted by Mary Berkstresser, on September 14, 1890. In Shelley
county, under the labors of O. B. Huston, the Pleasant Grove Bethel was built in
the Summer of 1890. It was dedicated August 10th, W. B. Allen preaching on
the occasion. At Hazel Dell, Cumberland county, where Mary Berkstresser was
pastor, a house of worship was built, which was dedicated December 7, 1890. W.
I. Berkstresser was the preacher. W. B. Allen officiated at two dedications in the
month of February, 1891. A new bethel was built in a community in Schuyler
county called "Richland," which was set apart for divine worship February 8th.
Allen was assisted by W. A. Smith. The other one was located in the adjoining
county of Brown, and was named "Mt. Zion Bethel." It was dedicated Febriiary
15th. E. Parks was the efficient pastor. In March, 1891, the building of a new
house of worship was begun in the village of Buffalo, where B. F. Tilley was
pastor. He was succeeded by John Ritchie, during whose pastorate the build-
ing was finished. Mary Berkstresser and her brother W. I., officiated at the
dedication. At Wabash, Clark county, a new bethel replaced a "delapidated
one" in the Summer of 1892, with D. H. Rupp as pastor. It was dedicated No-
vember 20th, with an ordinance meeting in the evening. W. B. Allen preached on
the occasion. I. S. Richmond, who was "deservedly popular on his field," the
Plum River circuit, Jo Daviess county, succeeded in having a house of worship
built at Morseville, and also a parsonage. The bethel was dedicated May 28, 1893.
It replaced a union house, which was destroyed by fire in the preceding Winter.
M. S. Newcomer preached the dedicatory sermon. The bethel in Decatur was re-
paired at a cost of $300.00, during the pastorate of C. F. Rogers. It was rededl-
cated by E. H. Baker on July 30, 1893.
The progress of the cause in Iowa seems to have been impeded during this;
period by causes which are not now readily discernible. The spirit of emulation,,
which often becomes an added force in the attainment of ends sought even in
sacred things, was largely lacking. The approaching General Eldership of 1890,
which was to meet at North Bend, Johnson county, in May, stimulated the "Tab-
ernacle Committee" to greater diligence in its work. This tent was to be used'
for the entertainment of this body. In February, 1890, the Committee met at
North Bend, presided over by John Huff, when final arrangements were made for
the purchase of the tent. The new bethel at Millersburg, where D. Long was pas-
tor, located "in a very good belt of country of well-to-do farmers," was built iia
228 History of the Churches of God
the early Summer of 1890. It was dedicated by Wm. Vance July 6th, who spoke
principally on the subject of Christian Union. Harmony Bethel, "an old camping
ground for the Church of God," was originally built in 1859. A new bethel was
built in the Summer of 1890, during the pastorate of D. Long, which was dedicated
by J. R. H. Latch»w November 16, 1890. It cost $1,500.00, including work "done
gratuitously" by the brethren. In the extreme north-western county of Lyon, and
in O'Brien and Woodbury counties, considerable work was done in the Winter of
1890-1891. D. S. Guint«r was the pastor. "After years of continuous working
and waiting and hoping and praying the crowning day came at last," wrote J. R.
H. Latchaw after the dedication, "when the church of God at Ida GroTe had a
house of worship." Ida Grove is the county-seat of Ida county, the center of a
settlement made up largely of Pennsylvanians, who were induced to buy farms
and locate there by A. X. Shoemaker. They began the enterprise of building a
bethel in 1883; but the leaders "demanded a $12,000.00 or $15,000.00 house."
For this reason "the project fell through, and was not seriously revived until 1891,
when the corner-stone was laid. The house was finished and the day of dedica-
tion set for June 26, 1892. Latchaw preached in the morning and H. L. Soule in
the evening. Total cost, $4,800.00. At Carroll, the shire town of Carroll county,
the need of a house of worship was felt in 1891, when one brother offered to give
$500.00 for that purpose. But the church decided first to buy the Evangelical
property, church building and parsonage. "They proposed to repair and refit the
house," but after careful investigation they concluded to build a new house. This
"Was finished and ready for dedication, at a cost of $2,700.00. M. S. Newcomer
officiated at the dedication, in August, 1894.
The work in Nebraska during the present period suffered considerably on
account of drouths. Ministers could not be adequately supported, and many of
the churches were discouraged. "More aggressive work must be done" was the
prevailing sentiment in the Eldership; but the means were lacking to enable pas-
tors to devote all their time to preaching. Fields were consolidated, so that there
were but seven circuits in 1894, instead of the twelve in 1891. The territory was
too extensive to enable the ministers to do most effective work. There were
churches and preaching points in the following counties: Hitchcock, Sheridan,
Gage, Saline, Polk, Custer, Frontier, Lincoln, York, Sherman, Dawson, Clay and
Logan. Notwithstanding the poverty and weakness of the churches, they were
actuated with a true missionary spirit. If the rule is to be applied, that "organi-
zations are to be judged by their products, and not by what they claim for them-
selves," then these churches must be accorded sincere commendations for their
persevering endeavors to sustain and advance the cause. They had a State Wo-
man's Missionary Society, and local societies in a majority of the churches. A.
Wilson was the General Missionary in the employ of the Board of Missions of the
General Eldership. In 1891, and again in 1892, he reported two new church or-
ganizations. He succeeded in the erection of a house of worship, "built of sod,"
24x34 feet, at Huxley, Custer county, in 1892. It was known as the "Cedar Bluff
Bethel." That Church work could be maintained at all in many sections of the
State speaks strongly of the zeal and devotion of the brotherhood. Wilson labored
principally in the southern and western parts of the State. "Crops," he wrote
in the Fall of 1894, "are cut short all over the State more or. less." "In large por-
tions of the western part of the State there are no crops whatever." "It is hard
on Church work." Many families left the State, and in some instances churches
were disorganized.
In Kansas, except in a few counties bordering on Nebraska, conditions were
more favorable than in the latter State. The regular Church work was vigorously
carried on, and additions to the membership of the local churches numbered up-
ward of two hundred each year. The employment of a general missionary was a
popular idea, and part of the time J. C. Fomcrook labored in this capacity. A
"tabernacle" was proposed, so that evangelistic meetings could be conducted in
towns where no suitable buildings could be rented. In 1890 there were twelve
charges, two of them stations — Ft. Scott and Topeka. These were in the follow-
ing counties: Crawford, Labette, Virdigris, Rice, Riley, Pratt, Republic, Norton,
Fulton, Shawnee and Ness. In 1892 Dickinson and Geary counties were on the
list, and in 1893, Phillips. The circuits had to be rearranged, and sometimes two
thrown together for want of a sufficient number of ministers to supply all the
fields. In 1892 there were sixteen appointments; in 1893, thirteen, and in 1894,
fourteen. The missionary spirit possessed ministers and churches. A State Wo-
General History 229
man's Missionary Society was formed In 1890, and the sisters engaged zealously
in the work. Only a few houses of worship, however, were built. The one at
Englevale was dedicated August 9, 1891. W. T. Turpin was the pastor, and J. C.
Forncrook preached the dedicatory sermon. There was general interest in the
work at Ft. Scott, the county-seat of Bourbon county. In 1890 the Board of Mis-
sions of the General Eldership appointed Forncrook missionary at Ft. Scott. He
held a successful revival meeting in a Hall, at which there were fifty reported con-
version. He had the assistance of E. H. Baker, an evangelist of Illinois. While
the new bethel was not yet finished, services were transferred to it in November,
1890. The original estimate of the cost of the bethel was |1,800.00; but owing
to "a blow down,"^and installing of a bell and a heating furnace, and other extras,
the total cost was ?2,350.00. It was dedicated November 23, 1890, E. H. Baker
doing the preaching. Another point of absorbing interest as a center of Church
work was Topeka, Shawnee county, capital of the State and county town. Mrs.
Woodworth held a revival meeting there in September, 1891. By her Invitation
C. S. Bolton went there in November to take charge of the work. He baptized
124, and organized a church of over 100 members, which increased to 222 within
the year. Also a flourishing Sunday-school, and a Young People's Society of
Christian Endeavor. At their first ordinance meeting over 100 participated. While
the church at once resolved to build a bethel, the work was delayed, so that when
in 1894 W. T. Turpin took charge they worshiped In a leased two-story brick
building. The "church was passing through the fire," and much of the heterogen-
eous material was consumed.
An effort was made in Missouri In January, 1890, to divide the Eldership, and
organize two Elderships in the State. The fields of labor were so located as to be
widely scattered, some being in the northern counties; some along the Mississippi
river on the east, and some in the south-western counties. The work, too, was in
a prosperous condition, with early promise of sufficient strength to sustain two
Elderships. A Petition was accordingly circulated for signatures, to be presented
to the General Eldership in May, 1890. The church at Hannibal, Marion county,
organized in 1888, was "enduring severe persecutions," and "wading through deep
waters" in 1890. Earnest calls for help were published. There were schismatics
in the fold, and a spirit of insubordination to the Eldership which threatened the
life of the church. It was going through an experience similar to that of other
Woodworth churches. Mrs. Woodworth began her evangelistic work in St. Louis
In July, 1890. Meetings were held in her Tabernacle until the weather became
too cold, when a Hall was secured. The reports stated that "from 75 to 100 were
at the altar at one time," and "4,000 to 5,000 people attending the meetings
nightly." On August 31, 1890, C. S. Bolton "baptized 54 believers." A church
was organized, composed "largely of persons of German extraction." H. H. Spiher
became the pastor In the Fall of 1891. During his pastorate a bethel was built at
a cost exceeding |7,000.00. It was dedicated by J. R. H, Latchaw August 14,
1892. C. S. Bolton was General Missionary In the State by appointment of the
Board of Missions of the General Eldership. He was present, with the pastor,
J. M. Klein, when "Center Bethel," at Osborne, was dedicated, November 9, 1890,
by J. R. H. Latchaw. Good work was done by Bolton in Pettis county In the
Winter of 1890. Other ministers labored faithfully in Hickory and Perry counties.
In Sullivan county, where A. J. Hill was pastor, the Ivy Hill Bethel was built in
the Fall of 1892. He officiated at the dedication January 22, 1893. He also suc-
ceeded in building the White Water Bethel, where a church was organized in 1891.
C. P. French and J, N. Smith were to dedicate It December 24, 1893; but failing
to get there, Hill officiated. The Doe Run Bethel was dedicated by Hill and Smith
on May 13, 1894. The Hawkeye Bethel, Sullivan county, was built and dedicated
under the labors of G. L. Bowman, September 2, 1894. H. W. Allen preached on
the occasion. A State Woman's Missionary Society was organized. One of the
effects of the Woodworth meetings was the call of women to the ministry. Two
were licensed by the Standing Committee in March, 1891, one of them living at
Hannibal. In 1893 thirty organized churches belonged to the Missouri Eldership,
ten of which had their own houses of worship. It was believed that the Church
in the State had fine prospects for continued and permanent growth, and had
"nothing to fear except the outcroppings of the spirit of disloyalty."
The planting of the Church of God in Arkansas, Indian Territory and Okla-
homa, except In the northern parts, is properly to be credited to the brethren of
the Texas Eldership. And while the work languished in Texas, some Church of
230
History of the Churches of God
God families and ministers removed into Arkansas, Indian Territory and Okla-
homa, and began work there. During part of the present period B. Ober was the
General Missionary in Texas, appointed by the Board of Missions of the Gen-
eral Eldership. He preached in Collin, Cook, Lamar and Sebastian counties.
In 1891-2 E. B. Nelson was laboring in these counties as General Evangelist of
the Texas Eldership. Ober removed to Oklahoma, locating at Arapahoe, Custer
county, in September, 1893. He began preaching there in 1894, when the
citizens united in the building of a school-house "on the corner of my place,"
says Ober, to be used "for public school and preaching." C. Brundage, August,
1893, located at Arlington, Lincoln county, Okla. At that time he stated "the
Church of God is not yet in an organized form in Oklahoma; but he knew of
half a dozen Church of God families which had secured homesteads in the Terri-
tory. He began to preach at different points, and urged the Board of Missions
of the General Eldership to send a missionary there. B. R. Parks began preach-
ing in north-western Oklahoma in the Winter of 1893-4. In April, 1894, he or-
ganized the first church of God in a log school-house in Woods county, on the
Kansas State line. It consisted of twelve members, with Henry and J. M. Bosley
elders. They at once also organized a Sunday-school. H. W. Allen organized the
first churches of God in Dewey county, at Leedey and Burmah, about the same
"Ober Bethel," Indianapolis, Okla., Fii-st Bethel Built in Oklahoma.
time. In 1890 the Board of Missions of the General Eldership sent D. Blakely,
of Missouri, to the Indian Territory as General Missionary. In 1891 J. C. Caswell
was appointed by the same Board missionary to the Creek and Choctaw Nations,
and E. M. Kirkpatrick to the Cherokee Nation. In April, 1893, a church was or-
ganized by Caswell at Davis Chapel, Creek Nation, of thirteen members. Kirk-
patrick effected an organization at Hanson in 189 4. In Arkansas J. W. Riddle
was the General Missionary in 1890, and in 1891 he was restricted to northern
Arkansas, and D. S. Summitt was appointed to southern Arkansas. A bethel was
built near the Texas line, and dedicated in December, 1891. In February, 1890,
J. W. Riddle "enjoyed a precious revival meeting at Ft. Smith, Ark.," after which
he organized a church of twenty-one members. Work was also carried on among
the colored people. In 1892 a colored church was organized at Webb City, Ark.
There were also churches at McLain's and at Montreal. The total membership in
1893 was 105, with 8 preachers. A body of colored people, known as the "Chris-
tian Friendship Church," had been formed in 1892. They had 32 ministers, 20
churches, all in Arkansas except one, which was at Sulphur, Texas, and a member-
ship of 600. They opened negotiations with the Secretary of the Board of Mis-
sions of the General Eldership to become identified with the Church of God. A.
C. Cromly, leader among the colored ministers of the Church, antagonized this
movement, insisting that the Christian Friendship Church must join the colored
churches of the Texas and Arkansas Eldership.
General History 231
In the Fall of 1889 A. W. Reeder, of Ness county, Kas., removed to Moscow,
Idaho, in Latah county, adjoining Washington, and the third county south from
British Columbia. He strongly urged Church of God families to locate there and
build up an organization. In 1892 W. F. Howard also located in Idaho. He
joined Reeder in calls for a minister, as "openings are good to begin Church
work." But most of the emigration was to Oregon, and a little later to Washing-
ton. J. F. Schoch, a minister of the Illinois Eldership, removed to Oregon in the
Fall of 1889. He found a few other families within a radius of 30 miles. He
began preaching in a school-house near his home. J. Ganigus had also located
near Greenville, Oregon, and made strong appeals for a missionary. J. W. Force
preached at North Yam Hill and other points. The Board of Missions of the Gen-
eral Eldership in 1890 appointed M. S. Newcomer missionary to Oregon. He
reached the home of J. Garrigus and preached his first sermon July 20th. The
meeting was continued several weeks, resulting in a number of conversions, and
on August 3rd the first church of God was organized by him in Oregon, consisting
of thirteen members, with J. Garrigus as elder, and R. S. Bullock, deacon. New-
comer, however, resigned; but by that time there were at least eight preachers in
Oregon and Washington, so that it was thought an Eldership could be organized.
In 1891 J. F. Schoch was appointed General Missionary by the Board of Missions
of the General Eldership, and continued for several years. He organized the
church at Buckley, Ore., in the Winter of 1892-3. The ministers which met at Fir
Grove, Ore., in October, 1891, in the capacity of an Eldership, appointed four of
their number to circuits. They held Ministerial Associations each year in con-
nection with the Eldership, and in 1893 one extra session. A church was organ-
ized in Salem in 1893, and on February 6, 1894, one was organized at Aumsville.
The church in Salem had members of German and French descent, as well as
Americans, and one of their number who was licensed by the Eldership could
preach in English and French. At Oak Grove a church of seven members was
organized in 1894. Less work was done in Washington during this period. R, A.
Slyter preached in Clark county in 1892, in the Methodist house of worship, with
good prospects of organizing a church. At Nooksachk a church was organized in
1894. J. F. Schoch's labors as missionary extended into Washington. The Minister-
ial Association held its session at La Center in 1894. The Board of Missions of the
General Eldership in 1890 appointed D. Keplinger General Missionary in Cali-
fornia. He began work in the latter part of the Summer of 1890, and by 1893 he
had three regular preaching places, and had arrangements made to open a fourth.
His territory was mainly in Los Angeles county, in the southern part of the State.
The Church families lived so far apart, and the work made such slow progress,
that it was difficult to effect organizations. More Church families had emigrated
into several of the counties in the central and northern parts of the State, but were
also too much scattered for economical and efficient Church work.
The church at Louisville, Ky., was maintaining its existence, but in March,
1890, it was rather a "scattered flock," when H. H. Spiher, Indiana, held a three
weeks' meeting, when "a number were converted," and the membership increased
again to fifty. He reported that "the church's prosperity is assured."
In the Winter of 1890-1891, E. M. Kirkpatrick, missionary in the Indian
Territory, came eastward into Tennessee, and began Church work in the western
part of the State. He did not remain long enough to do permanent work.
A good beginning in Church work was made in Colorado in September, 1894,
by I. H. Greene. He began a meeting on September 20th at Rand, Larimer county.
He and his wife "stood alone" when the meeting began; there "was not one that
would even kneel." At the close of the meeting he "organized a church with
twenty-four members." They at once began the work of "building a church, 20x36
feet." It was dedicated January 20, 1895. January 13, 1895, Greene organized a
church of ten members at Walden, Larimer county.
The era of public debates was about ended in the middle and eastern sections
of Church of God territory; but in the south-western section, where the Disciples
and Missionary Baptists were relatively strong, their disputatious spirit made it
sometimes necessary to defend the doctrines and practices of the Church in oraJ
discussions. For sharp, irritating, acrimonious debates even among themselves,
the Baptists in the south-west were somewhat notorious. W. T. Turpin, on the
evening of June 16, 17 and 18, 1890, debated the ordinance of Feet-washing with
a Mr. Bramblet, of the Missionary Baptist Church. It was held in Crawford
county, Kansas. The congregation was to vote on the merits of the arguments
232 History of the Churches of God
presented by the disputants. But at the close of the debate "the opposition ob-
jected to this." A compromise was agreed upon. All members of the Church of
God and of the Baptist Church were excluded. Then "the vote stood twenty for
the Baptist side and sixty for the Church of God." In Nebraska C. S. Kilmer held
a public debate at Arnold, Custer county, with a Disciple minister, "on washing
the saints' feet." This was in March, 1891. Kilmer was "a clear and able de-
fender of the doctrines of the Church of God." August 6 and 7, 1891, "a discus-
sion was held by J. M. Howard, of the Church of God, and J. T. Evans, of the Mis-
sionary Baptist Church, at Oak Grove, Franklin county. Ark." The following
were the propositions debated: First day — "Resolved, That the Missionary Bap-
tist Church, of which I am a member, was set up by Christ, and will be perpetuated
till his second coming." Evans affirmed. Second day — "Resolved, That the Church
of God, of which I am a member, is the church of God according to [its original]
organization." Howard affirmed. There were three judges, "one a member of
the Church of God, one a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and a gentle-
man who was no professor of religion, and acted as umpire. The first allegation
he gave to Howard, and the second to Evans." But on the Sunday morning fol-
lowing the debate he stated that "Evans did not make one point in his defense."
"This gave us one of the grandest victories we have had in the State of Arkansas."
B Ober had a good reputation as a debater and he was regarded "a power in de-
fense of the truth." In January, 1892, at Uniontown, Ark., he held a public de-
bate with E. Randolph, of the Disciple Church. "It ended in a complete triumph
for Ober." J. C. Caswell in debate was alert, resourceful and aggressive. He
held a debate with a Missionary Baptist on October 6-8, 1892, the proposition being
the rather common one at that time, which was thus worded: "The Church of
God, or which I am a member, possesses the characteristics which entitle it to be
the true Apostolic church, and its name was the church of God." His opponent
affirmed the same of the Missionary Baptist Church. Caswell claimed that his
opponent "was so completely whipped that he could not stay to preach for his con-
gregation." A debate continuing six consecutive nights was held in Clare county,
Mich., beginning August 7, 1893, between M. D. Rogers, of the Church of God, and
J. A. Carpenter, of "the Josephite Branch of the Mormon Church." Three prop-
ositions were debated, viz.: "1. That Joe Smith was a prophet of God." "2.
That the Church of God, of which I, M. D. Rogers, am a member, is in harmony
with the church of Christ and his Apostles of 1800 years ago." "3. That the
Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints is in harmony with the church of Christ and
his Apostles of 1800 years ago." The decision on each proposition was submitted
to the audience, and on each one was unanimously in favor of Rogers. At the
Star school-house. Bates county, Mo., a debate was conducted "night and day be-
ginning Tuesday evening, February 20, 1894, till Thursday night, March 1st, ex-
cept Sunday." The disputants were J. H. Ohlhousen, of the Church of God, and
J. T. Young, of the Mormon Church. These were the propositions: "That Joe
Smith was a prophet called of God." "That the Book of Mormon is an inspired
book, and entitled to belief as much as any book of the New Testament." "That
the reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is identical in faith,
church organization and practice with the Old and New Testaments." "That the
Church of God is identical in faith, church organization and practice with the Old
and New Testaments." During the third week in October, 1894, J. C. Caswell de-
bated during four consecutive nights with Collier, of the Disciple Church,
at Enterprise, Indian Territory. The propositions debated were: "1. Do the
Holy Scriptures teach that the Apostolic Church is God's?" "2. Do the Holy
Scriptures teach that the Apostolic Church is Christ's?" The first was affirmed by
Caswell; the second, by Collier. "A unanimous vote of the congregation decided
a victory in favor of Caswell.
The period from 1890 to 1895 was somewhat fruitful in discussions, rather
than debates, in the columns of The Church Advocate. Often called out by ques-
tions submitted for editorial answers, they also were made topics for Ministerial
Associations, at which there was frequently debating which was exceedingly il-
luminating. As these questions presented issues which were canvassed by min-
isters and churches in different localities their discussion was regarded as a valu-
able contribution to the Church's current literature. This was especially the case
with questions handed down by the General Eldership on which the annual Elder-
ships were requested to act. This was the case in the Fall of 1893, when the
question of a Life Certificate of Ordination in place of the Annual License was to
General History 233
be considered and recommendations adopted to the General Eldership in 1896.
Three questions of general interest were revived in connection with the Wood-
worth revival meetings. These were Faith, or Divine Healing; Trances, and Sec-
ond-work Sanctification. The prevailing sentiment of the Church was antagonistic
to the views and practices of Mrs. Woodworth and her followers. While certain
phenomena reported at her meetings were difficult to explain to the common
reader, the fact that they are not peculiar to religious experiences, and that they
lack essential evidences of their supernatural character discredited them with
thinking people generally. Trances were discarded as phenomena of no value,
and as lacking New Testament recognition. The second-work theory was readily
disproved by a more scientific exegesis of New Testament proof-tests. And thus
gradually these unsound views gave way to a more rational and Scriptural ex-
planation of experiences which could readily delude certain classes of believers.
The value of a Church periodical as a defender of the things commonly believed by
a body of people was seldom more forcibly exemplified. This is true also of
another theoretical innovation which was advanced and mooted during 1890 and
1891, and which disturbed the peace of some of the churches. It was the novel
question among the churches of God of the duty and privilege of prayer by peni-
tent sinners. The suppliant cry of the penitent for pardon had been heard with
approval and delight by ministers and churches of God for over sixty years. So
that this antagonism to a sentiment that was claimed to be age-old and apostolic
proved quite repugnant to the churches everywhere . On account of a reversal of
the order of the ordinances of some churches in Arkansas, this subject was revived,
and was discussed at Ministerial Associations. It was also critically examined,
and the arguments refuted, in two editorials in November, 1890, and again in July
and in December, 1891. The organic union of Protestant denominations found
tew advocates, and was vigorously disputed as "a pleasant dream," but as in no
wise being the oneness of Christ's followers for which he prayed. It was not the
union the ministers and churches of God stood for in the early years of the Church.
Laymen and the administration of the ordinances was discussed at several periods.
It was conceded that ruling elders have the right to assist in administering the
Communion. And even the administration of baptism was considered defensible,
but not advisable, as against the Baptist position. The innovation of sitting
during prayer in public service was generally resisted by the ministry. At no time
was the itinerancy so generally discussed as in the Fall of 1892 and the Winter
following. The Ohio Eldership had decided to try the call system. In East Penn-
sylvania a strong sentiment developed in its favor, and a discussion followed in
February, 1893, under the head of "The Stationing Committee," in which F. W.
McGuire took the lead. He claimed that an Eldership should not do that which
the churches themselves can do. And as they can select their own pastors, the
Stationing Committee should be abolished. He had several opponents who vigor-
ously disputed his premises and conclusion. The most notable debates during this
period were the one on the "First Resurrection," in the Winter of 1890-1891, and
that Involving a change in Eldership titles in. 1892-1896. The former was mainly
between F. W. McGuire and the Editor. It had its origin at a Ministerial Associa-
tion, where, by request, the Editor gave his views on Rev. xx. 1-6. These were
reproduced in an editorial, which was answered by McGuire. The discussion in-
volved the correctness of the pre-millennial theory of the Second Advent, but cen-
tered on the question of a first resurrection. Hence the first two editorials dis-
cussed the question, "Is there a first resurrection?" These were answered by Mc-
Guire In the affirmative. Then followed four editorials on a "Simultaneous Res-
urrection," and one on "Revelation" as "A Symbolical Book." McGuire replied in
five articles on "The Resurrection of the Just." The Editor then discussed in
order In two editorials "A Little Chiliastic History;" "No Two Resurrections in
Dan. ii. 2;" "Simultaneous Judgment," and five editorials on "The Angel in Reve-
lation XX. 1," and one on "The Advent and the Resurrection." Four other writers
participated in the discussion. D. Blakely wrote against the Editor's views in
answer to the question, "Is there a First Resurrection?" S. Morrett followed in
the same line of thought. C. Price wrote two articles on "Rev. xx. 1-6." And
Michael Newman, one of Winebrenner's first converts, wrote two articles in de-
fense of the pre-millennial theory. It was an exceptional discussion in that it was
entirely devoid of personalities. The debate on Eldership titles was protracted
and thorough-going. The question slumbered from 1872 to 1893, and was revived
unintentionally and unexpectedly. At the session of the East Pennsylvania Eld-
234 History of the Churches of God
ership held at Lancaster in 189 2, a committee consisting of C. H. Forney, G. Sigler,
B. F. Beck, J. M. Carrell and D. S, Shoop was appointed "to revise the Constitu-
tion." This committee agreed to change the title so as to read, "The East Penn-
sylvania Association of the Churches of God." It also authorized Forney to pre-
sent the matter before the General Eldership in 1893, and request that body to
grant the East Pennsylvania Eldership permission thus to change its title. This
was done; but the General Eldership directed that prior to the meeting of said
body in 1896 the Editor should take the initiative in the discussion of the ques-
tion, which should then be voted upon in 189 6. Accordingly the Editor opened
the discussion on April 11, 1894, and closed it May 20, 1896. He laid down the
rule, that he would discuss the question affirmatively, and publish no contributed
articles until he had finished. Then every one in order should be permitted to
write one or two articles giving his views for or against the proposed change.
After all shall have written who desired to do so, the Editor would review articles
dissenting from his views. The Editor published six editorials, closing his discus-
sion on May 20th. Thirteen contributors furnished articles, which were published
In consecutive issues of The Advocate. F. W. McGuire agreed with the Editor
in the change from "church" to "churches," but was not in favor of "Association."
N. M. Anderson endorsed the Editor's position. W. C. Leonard preferred "As-
sembly." W. H. Cross was "bitterly opposed" to the change of title. C. H. Grove
stood squarely with the affirmative. So also did J. G. Cunningham, a layman.
M. S. Newcomer was opposed to any change, but simply demanded that the Editor
answer his own arguments submitted, as he claimed, to the General Eldership in
1872. D. B. Zook*s views coincided entirely with the Editor's. S. V. Sterner
favored "churches" and "Assembly." H. C. Copeland wrote against "Associa-
tion." So did G. W. Wilson, and "Advocate." J. C. Caswell wanted no change
made. The articles in opposition were then reviewed at length by the Editor.
He relented on the rule made at the opening of the discussion to allow G. Sigler, S.
Morrett, C. F. Reitzel and F. W. McGuire to publish articles in opposition, and C.
H. Grove to reply to Sigler. Thus ended a discussion more widely representative
than any preceding one. It was not "a storm of human passions" after which
"always comes a purer atmosphere, making a wider horizon possible, and giving a
new impulse for advance;" but a calm, dispassionate and logical exchange of rea-
sons on a fundamental question in church polity.
CHAPTER XVIII.
1895—1900.
THE last five years of the century furnished convincing proof of great changes
silently effected in the religious life of the American Churches. Causes
which, in the main were occult and elusive had been at work for two de-
cades, and were now recognized chiefly in the results they were producing. They
gave decisive evidence of the power of action as contrasted with that of mere de-
clamation and discussion. The forms of activity were multiplied and intensified.
The spirit of fraternity was deepened. Liberality in doctrine as well as in practice
became more universal. But revivals of earlier days grew more infrequent as a
rule. Nor was the spiritual good of all these diversified forms of activity and of
organization perceptibly increased. Rather the reverse. Conversions during at
least a part of this period were comparatively fewer than during many former per-
iods. Decrease in church attendance was lamented. The Methodist press of the
country deplored the fact, that during the ecclesiastical year 1897-8 the increase
of membership of said Church was "alarmingly small as compared with other
years." The new forms of activity, with the fever for big evangelistic revivals,
produced unfavorable results, in that more than sixty per centum of the reported
converts never became members of Churches, and the Churches were being built
up more of a disproportionate number of unsaved members. For the Church of
God the question was frequently raised, "Are we not as a Church retrograding?"
It was evident that adverse influences were operating, not evil in themselves, which
made progress and success more difficult. In view of these facts, and the general
General History 235
stagnation and spiritual deadness of Churches "prodigious efforts" were made in
the Winter of 1896-7 "to secure a general and powerful revival in this country."
The "consummate generalship of Mr. Moody was employed in making every pro-
vision for a successful campaign. The ablest lieutenants the country afforded were
at his command, and the pastors put themselves and their customary church ser-
vices largely at his disposal. But the revival did not come!" Among the churches
of God there were some local revivals of considerable power. But apparently the
hidden forces at work had ended the period of the great religious awakenings of
earlier years
In the territory west of the Missouri River, the work of the churches was
seriously hindered in 1894-6 by the failure of crops, especially in Nebraska. A.
Wilson, who traveled in the counties of Frontier, Hitchcock, Lincoln and Custer,
Nebraska, reported the brotherhood as suffering for the necessaries of life, and
being in great destitution. This was general in those sections. Geo. W. Mlnzer
represented conditions in Sherman and Blaine counties as equally serious. As
other Churches represented in those sections sent relief, as well as various Orders,
so the churches of God east were appealed to for help. During the Winter season
food, clothing as well as money were needed. Under such conditions no church
work could be done, and many families which could get away returned to their
former homes in States further east. The "unreasoned and unscientific banking
and currency system, as it has since been called, is held responsible to a large ex-
tent for developing and promoting panics. It is held to be "responsible for the
■commercial, industrial and social disasters which flow from panics, which attack
directly or indirectly every home in the nation." One of these financial panics
occurred in 1897, and as usual interfered with religious work. Even if "it was
entirely unnecessary and unwarranted by natural conditions," as affirmed by Uni-
ted States Senator N. W. Aldrich, it could not preclude the natural effects. Even
the revivals which followed previous panics were not realized. Churches in larger
towns and cities suffered most, but the sympathetic effect was felt everywhere.
It is doubtless true, if not everywhere conceded, that the growing liberality
and spirit of fraternity among the Churches, largely the outgrowth of the Chris-
tian Endeavor movement, did not conduce to the growth of the weaker bodies of
Christians. As with individuals, so it has been thought of Churches, as Browning
says: "Make life a ministry of love and it will always be worth living." Chris-
tian love and fraternity made almost any denomination a congenial Church home.
The Church of God has always been non-sectarian, non-exclusive and catholic in
sentiment; but its fundamental principles have prevented it from taking an active
part in projects of organic union and consolidation. Even the confederation
movement has not appealed so strongly to its leaders. But it could not stand
aloof from the Christian Endeavor movement. This had enlisted nearly all the
Churches, and at the close of the century there were 59,712 local societies in the
United Societies, with a membership of 3,582,720. The Methodist Church had its
Epworth League, the Baptist and United Brethren Churches had their Young Peo-
ple's Christian Unions, the Lutheran Church had its Luther League, and so had
other Churches their own general organizations. Not so with the churches of God.
Yet many pastors entered heartily into this movement, and local societies were
■organized in a majority of the Elderships before 1900. In 1897 the number was
about ninety. In several of the annual Elderships, as East Pennsylvania, Ohio
and Illinois, State Unions were organized. In March, 1893, a Christian Endeavor
Department was started in The Church Advocate, with M. M. Foose as Conductor.
He proved quite efficient, but his incumbency, as indeed his ministerial career, was
short. He died June 16, 1896, in the prime of life and at the height of his use-
fulness as a minister and pastor. He had been ordained in 1884, when thirty-five
years old. Beloved by his Eldership, sitting in the darkness of a deep sorrow, it
resolved to perpetuate his memory by erecting a monument over his grave. He
was President of the Church of God State Union of Christian Endeavor Unions.
C I. Brown was his successor to conduct the Christian Endeavor Department in
The Advocate. Not only did the Christian Endeavor societies of the churches of
God affiliate with societies of other Churches in general county and State conven-
tions; but they were represented at the National Convention at New York, Detroit
and Nashville, and a few were in attendance at the sixteenth International Con-
vention, at San Francisco, Cal., July, 1897.
It is philosophical to think that there is more than a revulsion from sectar-
ianism in the efforts at union or consolidation of Churches, or Church Federation.
236 History of the Churches of God
Sectarianism is more directly antagonistic to a spirit of liberalism and of Chris-
tian brotherhood. As this spirit began to predominate it was an easier task to
formulate bases of union, or for one Church to become consolidated with another
and larger Church. In some such way twelve denominations disappeared from
the United States Statistical Report of 1896, and four denominational families also
disappeared. Hence, the discussion of the unity of Christian denominations, ac-
cording to Dr. Charles H. Small in 1898, "is not only in the air, but it is in con-
ventions, assemblies, conferences and in newspaper and magazine articles." And
these discussions bore fruit because the spirit of fraternity already existed. Al-
ready in a prior General Convention the Protestant Episcopal Church' presented
"a basis of union" for all the denominations. For several years a committee of
the Presbyterian General Assembly carried on a conference with the Episcopal
Commission on this basis. The Disciples of Christ later issued a declaration of
essentials in four articles as a basis of union, and made in a spirit of brotherly
love and harmony. In 1895 the National Council of Congregational churches pre-
sented proposals in four articles "as a basis of unity." In April, 1896, a confer-
ence of Congregational and Christian churches in Ohio was held to further union
on this basis. In 1897 a strong movement was organized to reunite the Northern
and Southern Presbyterian General Assemblies. In 1898 the commissioners of
the Methodist Episcopal Churches, North and South held sessions to carry into
effect the "plan of federation" of the two bodies. Indeed the organic unity of
Protestant Christianity was so evidently not "Christian unity as proved by the
Scriptures," that the logical judgment of Dr. Theodore L. Cuyler was very gen-
erally accepted, that "Christian unity I go for; Church union, on any basis, looks
like an 'iridescent dream' at present." The Church of God could not be uncon-
cerned about these movements. But no official action of a specific character was
taken during this period. But the question was quite frequently and extensively
discussed in print. More particularly the federation of Churches, was the subject
of editorials and contributed articles in The Advocate. But even this "uniting^
in a league" with the denominations was not approved to any extent, as it con-
travened the most fundamental principles of what was conceived to be the church,
of God of the Scriptures. The few who seriously contended that "the Church of
God is a denomination," and some who were disheartened, were favorable to
either federation, consolidation or merging with some larger body. The voice of
the Church has been consistently against the thought that the Church of God is a
denomination, and this was emphasized in 1897 in protests against the habit of
so stigmatizing it. A partially successful effort was made in 1897, at union be-
tween the Church of God in the Indiana Eldership and the "White County, Indiana
Conference of the Church of God." But while this spirit of union and federation
was thus potently at work, divisions and schisms also occurred, so that in 1896
seventeen denominations were reported in the official statistics of the Government
which were not known in 1890. With only two of these was there much affinity
on the part of members of, or churches of God. These were the Evangelical
Association and the Salvation Army. The division of the former body occurred
in the previous period, but the litigations continued into the present period, and
were subjects of interest to the Church of God. They were among the discordant
notes In the harmony of sound produced by the advocates of union and federation.
The division in the American branch of the Salvation Army occurred in 1896, when
the American Volunteers formed a distinct and separate organization, with Com-
missioner Ballington Booth as Commander-in-chief. It has Articles of Faith, ad-
ministers the Lord's Supper and baptism by ordained officers, and permits mem-
bership in churches. The equality of men and women in service and in office is
fully recognized. This Article became of interest to the churches of God in the
controversy over the ordination of women to the ministry and as delegates to the
Annual and General Elderships. While the General Eldership never expressed it-
self explicitly on either question, leaving it wholly with the Annual Elderships, it
did so implicitly, by receiving licensed women as delegates. The question of
women as representatives in the Methodist General Conference was also agitated
at this time. With the churches of God this was not the direct issue; but, should
women be ordained to the ministry? Or, as it was also stated, is it in harmony
with the Scriptures to elect women as elders? This was discussed in 1896, as
against those who contended that "in the church there can be no male and no
feihale." In 1897 the question was in controversy in this form, suggested by a
nflnlster in an Eldership which licensed women to preach: "Upon what texts of
General History 237
Scripture does the Church of God base its practice of ordaining women to preach?"
Interest was added to this discussion by the formal ordination to the ministry of
Mrs. Ballington Booth in January, 1898. She was ordained a minister of "the
General Church of God by the laying on of hands on the part of her husband,
assisted by three other officers of the Volunteers of America." Mrs. Woodworth,
licensed minister of the Southern Indiana Eldership, was still actively engaged in
rerival work, though less constantly, and apparently with waning power. At
Fostoria, Ohio, in the Winter of 1896-7, she held a very successful meeting, when
"the number of conversions was 400; number of persons healed of various dis-
eases, 200; received into church fellowship, 26." Sentiment against her views on
"divine healing," however, seemed to have been steadily growing, and in June,
1897, the Board of Missions of the General Eldership notified the Southern Indiana
Eldership to "withdraw all official relations from Sister Maria B. Woodworth, or it
will refuse to make any further appropriations" to fields in said Eldership. This
action was resented by the Standing Committee of said Eldership. The Eldership
itself, however, took a more conservative course, and required Mrs. Woodworth to
labor more within the bounds of the Eldership. The Board of Missions in Novem-
ber, 1897, rescinded its action of June, 1897, after receiving a "protest" against
it from the Indiana Eldership.
The interest in mission work, and especially foreign mission work, was greatly
stimulated by the departure, in the Fall of 1896, of Miss Clara Landes, a minister
of the Iowa Eldership, for the mission field in India. A Department in The Ad-
vocate had been started, devoted to the work of the Woman's General Missionary
Society, which was in charge of Mary Berkstresser. It was also the purpose of
another movement to inspire new zeal in the churches, viz.: To begin "the Cen-
tenary Memorial Mission," in 1897. Its character was not clearly defined. In
general terms it was "to raise an Ebenezer of praise to the Giver of All Good for
his gracious leading of the Church thus far." And specifically, "to place a memor-
ial for Winebrenner in this his centennial year." It was proposed that contribu-
tions be made by all the churches during "the Harvest Home month," Thanks-
giving, and during December, 1897. Elizabeth R. Gable, Ida Grove, la., formerly
of Lancaster, Pa., was author of the project. It was during this period that the
United Brethren Church perfected arrangements to celebrate its centennial, from
September 25, 1899, to September 25, 1900. Because of the deep and abiding
interest the churches of God always manifested in the temperance question, it
could not but join in the world's sorrow over the death of Neal Dow, October 2,
1897. Dow and John B. Gough were the two most widely known men in this
country whose fame rested mainly on their labors in behalf of the temperance
cause, and the world's debt of gratitude was devoutly acknowledged. Then the
brilliant evangelistic star of Dwight L. Moody was eclipsed by death on December
22, 1899. From him hosts of ministers had received inspiration in their labors as
revivalists, and learned valuable lessons. He was one of God's chosen vessels of
honor and power.
The interest in their own intellectual improvement and better equipment for
their work was seen in the number of Ministerial Associations held each year. In
1895 seven were reported, with their programs. In 1896, fifteen. In 1897,
eleven. In 189 8, twelve. In 1899, sixteen. They served another great purpose
— promoting a more general uniformity of views. This made them a bond of
unity for the whole body, for not only were the same mooted questions under dis-
cussion at nearly all these gatherings, but conclusions reached did not differ ma-
terially. Then the community of thought fostered through the press was another
great factor in preserving the unity of the churches. Thoughts are the parents of
deeds, of character and of life. The Association was a better place than the Eld-
ership to discuss those questions which the General Eldership handed down, or
questions on which the annual Elderships and the churches were to act. The
range of subjects was quite extensive. But no special propaganda seems to have
been admissible. Any attempt to use an Association to exploit peculiar ideas was
not tolerated. When the Christian Endeavor movement became most aggressive,
early in 1895, different Associations discussed the Church's attitude toward it,
and its inter-denominational character. The new ideas concerning feet-washing,
such as its private observance, the separation of this rite from the Communion,
refusing Communion to those who did not observe feet-washing, were sure to be
on Ministerial Association programs. In connection with the so-called "divine
healing" was also discussed the purpose, or design, of Christ's miracles. As the
238 History of the Churches of God
Church had no published standards of doctrine, it was becoming more important
year after year to know "how to promote unity in preaching among the ministry."
This suggested the placing of many doctrinal subjects on the programs. In all
these fhe Bible was made the ultimate touchstone of orthodoxy, and all human
authority was negligible. Elderships which held their Ministerial Associations
Immediately preceding their annual sessions not infrequently discussed questions
in the Associations which were to be voted on in the Eldership. This was the case
in 1895 with the subjects of Eldership titles, imposition of hands in ordination and
life certificates. In only a few of the Associations was there a vote taken on any
question under discussion, and no reports published of positions taken by the dis-
putants, except in few instances. There is a seriousness in the subjects of the
sixty-one Associations of these five years which impresses every reader of the pro-
grams. No capricious, fanciful, freak topics, such as too often appeared in
pulpit announcements, can be found on these programs. During 1899 there were
subjects discussed which evince a consciousness of the close of the century.
Among these were: "When will the Millennium begin?" "How to attain a higher
plane of spiritual life," "The Second coming of Christ," "Is the kingdom of heaven
now here?" While the current discussion of Church union and federation is re-
flected in the question, "What defense have we for our distinct and separate or-
ganization as a Church?"
The camp-meeting fires were burning low at this time. Twenty-three camp-
meetings in the territory of the General Eldership were held in these five years.
One was held in Iowa, in 1896, 3% miles south-east of Grandview; one in West
Pennsylvania, near Butler, in 1896. Each year one was held at Linwood, Md.
The balance were held at Conewago, Walnut Grove, Stoverdale, Central Manor and
Mahantango Valley. At all these meetings only eighteen conversions were report-
ed. They were considered "not successful" from that point of view. In too many
Instances they were regarded as Summer resorts, so that one, in 189 5, was adver-
tised as "by no means a pleasure resort." To others Christian people were invited
for recreation, as preferable places for such a purpose than Summer resorts. The
religious services and the preaching were, however, spoken of as spiritual and in-
structive, and the labors of the ministers were much appreciated and highly com-
mended.
For Church ingatherings this was not a notable period. However, commend-
able and encouraging progress was made in different Elderships. On the Pacific
Coast the borders were extended. J. F. Schoch was General Missionary, under
appointment of the Board of Missions of the General Eldership, during the greater
part of this period. Organized work was carried on in California, where in 1895
R. P. Bushy, after receiving license from the Standing Committee, was laboring at
Los Angeles. This part of the State was declared to be a part of the Oregon and
Washington Eldership, and later the whole State. D. Keplinger and E. E. Cory
also preached in southern California. In Oregon and Washington the work was
pushed with energy, and was "in a fairly prosperous condition." Without giving
the names, it was reported in the Fall of 1895 that "a number of churches were
organized." Several additional counties were entered by missionaries. At Salem,
Ore., there were two church orga]aizations effected, one English and one French,
with also some Germans. The building of a bethel under the labors of G. W.
Kemp was determined upon in September, 189 6. A lot was secured, and appeals
made for funds. Two ministers were laboring in Salem in 1897, and seven in
other sections of the territory. "Everything was encouraging all over the field
spiritually." There was a great deal of "financial embarrassment" experienced.
Most of the ministers were obliged to do manual work to support their families;
but the Church was "gaining ground," so much so that in 1899 there were eleven
fields of labor, two in California. J. W. Force had "prospects of organizing seven
churches, and building at least one bethel." Mary E. Madill labored in Washing-
ton county. Ore., in 1897-8, and organized a church at Ray school-house. The
great need was houses of worship, which the small churches organized did not
have the means to build. In 1899 a mission was established in Tillamook county,
Oregon, on the coast. Spokane Mission, in the eastern part of the State of Wash-
ington, was added to the fields of labor. The century closed with a hopeful out-
look.
Despite the destitution resulting from the drouth, the work in Nebraska was
pushed forward with commendable spirit. For four years A. Wilson was General
Missionary, employed by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership, and C. S.
GenivRal History 239
Kilmer the fifth year. Wilson was an experienced missionary, and he spared not
himself in his energetic efforts to advance the cause. He also interested himself
in the amelioration of the temporal condition of the suffering people. As condi-
tions improved the prospects for successful Church work brightened. But 1895
was a discouraging year. A number of "organizations were scattered, and some
became extinct." The Barada bethel was sold. No new territory was occupied.
Work, however, was continued in the following counties: Gage, Saline, Clay,
Polk, Sherman, Sheridan, Custer, Logan, Lincoln, Frontier, Furnas and Hitchcock.
Holt county, in the northern part of the State was added in 1897-8. But several
counties in which work had been done in earlier years do not appear on the
Journals. On the territory still occupied conditions improved after the drouth.
In 1896 there were numerous revivals, with many conversions. New churches
were organized, and a few extinct ones were resurrected. Missionary societies
were organized, and the sisters were actively engaged in this line of church work.
In some of the churches Societies of Christian Endeavor were also formed. In
1897 there were fewer revivals, as also in 1898 and 1899. The money panic did
not have much effect in Nebraska, outside of a few of the largest towns, and the
revivals which so often accompany or follow financial and industrial depressions
were not realized throughout the Eldership. There were, however, some churches
organized in 1897, but no new territory added. The years 189 8 and 1899 proved
even "less prosperous, and not so much good was done." Custer county, in the
center of the State, was at this time the "stronghold of the Church of God in
Nebraska," the sections originally occupied in the south-eastern part of the State
having lost ground. The building of houses of worship during this period was a
difBcult undertaking, and no reports of new bethels are on record. Services were
held in school-houses and private dwellings. Some of these were sod houses. The
Eldership on two occasions held its annual sessions in a sod school-house.
The Kansas Eldership in 1894 became enthusiastic over the proposition to
carry on evangelistic work by means of tabernacle services in places where no
churches of God had been organized. The tabernacle was bought before Spring
of 1895, and had a seating capacity of 500 persons. J. C. Fomcrook, General
Worker for the State, was given the charge of the work. He had agreed to remain
in Kansas one more year, and with his daughter Florence, and the assistance of
other ministers, he entered upon the work. The success was less than was ex-
pected, the great and constant problem being the finances. Fomcrook found that
"the denominations in the towns visited would not contribute of their means to
build up churches of God." The Board of Missions did not understand, or did not
keep, its contract as understood by the Kansas authorities, and so there was in-
sufficient support for tabernacle work. The Standing Committee in February,
1897, offered to sell the tabernacle to the Board of Missions of the General Elder-
ship; but the offer could not be accepted. This foreshadowed other failures, so
that at the General Eldership in 1899, the Standing Committee petitioned that
body to release the Eldership from paying its delinquent assessments. The reason
assigned was general: "In consequence of disaster to the Church work in Kansas,
due to causes, largely, over which we had no control, thereby discouraging the
workers." The work in Topeka also proved a depressing failure. The member-
ship, by June, 189 5,. when F. F. Manchester took charge, had fallen below sixty.
Meeting with some success at first, he soon found that existing conditions were too
antagonistic to inspire confidence. Discouraged, he resigned the charge, and the
Standing Committee in May, 1897, petitioned the Board of Missions of the General
Eldership to take the work in hand. The Board's negative answer, with a state-
ment of money it had paid to keep up the work, showed that it had dwindled to
almost nothing. It had paid $100.00 in 1894; $300.00 in 1895; $400.00 in 1896,
and $600.00 was asked in 1897. In September, 1896, the Eldership licensed
Lizzie Dupree, a colored sister, who began mission work in Topeka. In October,
1897, she was appointed a general mission worker among the colored people in
Topeka and elsewhere. She succeeded in organizing a small church in the city,
and asked for the furniture of the house of worship of the white brethren for use
in her mission house. But at some points success attended the labors of ministers,
so that in 1898 there were ten fields of labor, 31 preaching places, 21 churches,
277 conversions, 194 accessions, and the pastors received $1,523.00 support. The
missionary spirit was buoyant, and a State W. M. S. was kept actively at work;
some local societies were organized, and the Eldership appointed two of its min-
isters, who had removed to Colorado, missionaries in that State. But the fields
240 History of the Churches of God
of labor were reduced from twelve circuits and two missions in 1895, to nine cir-
cuits and the two missionaries In Colorado in 1899. But some of the churches
prospered, and some new ones were organized. A house of worship was built at
Ozark, or Union Center, Crawford county, which was dedicated May 26, 1895,
under the pastoral labors of W. H. Kepford. It cost $1,700.00, and was dedicated
by J. C. Fomcrook, assisted by W. T. Turpin. A bethel was built at New York
Valley, Woodson county, where T. B, More was pastor. It was dedicated Decem-
ber 1, 1895, W. T. Turpin officiating. In Barber county, under the labors of W.
H. Cross, a church-house was built during the Winter of 1896-7, and was dedi-
cated February 7th. Cross had W. T. Turpin as assistant pastor. A parsonage
in Rice county was sold "because there was no longer any use for it." It was
located on Little River. The Harrison Chapel, after extensive repairs, was re-
dedicated July 10, 1898. This was on W. H. Cross' field, and W. T. Turpin offi-
ciated at the dedication. J. W. Kingston, pastor at Fort Scott, officiated at a dedi-
cation at Geuda, 5 miles north of Ashton, in Sumner county, on June 26, 1898.
T. B. More was the pastor. At Arma, Crawford county, on W. T. Turpin's field of
labor, the corner-stone of a new bethel was laid November 19, 1898. The work
was carried to completion during the Winter, and on April 30, 1899, the dedi-
cation took place, W. H. Cross preaching the sermon. In the evening the ordi-
nances were observed.
After the Indian Territory was separated from the Texas and Arkansas
Eldership, in 1892, it was always associated ecclesiastically with Oklahoma Terri-
tory, until it lost its identity in the State of Oklahoma. The latter was opened
to settlement in 1889. It is "the beautiful land," with a climate said to be de-
lightful most of the year. And while both the beauty and fertility of the Terri-
tory were exaggerated, yet it has always been regarded as a very desirable place
for settlement. And when it was thrown open for settlement Church of God
families and a few ministers from Texas, Arkansas, Kansas and States eastward
as far as Pennsylrania emigrated thither and secured Government land. It thus
became good missionary territory, and along with the Indian Territory became a
promising mission field. In 1895 E. M. Kirkpatrick was appointed by the Gen-
eral Eldership Board of Missions to the Indian territory, and enjoyed some suc-
cessful revival meetings. At the same time B. Ober was preaching at two regular
appointments in Custer county, Oklahoma. In September, 1895, he "completed a
good sod house, 18x30 feet, covered with shingles, for use as a church and school-
house." There were other ministers who did efficient work, so that in the Fall of
1895 eleven organized churches, with eight fields of labor, were reported in the
two Territories. In 189 6 Kirkpatrick labored among the Cherokee Indians; in
189 7 he was again General Missionary in the Indian Territory, J. W. Riddle and
B. Ober, in Oklahoma. In 1898 Ober was missionary in southern Oklahoma;
J. C. Caswell, in northern Oklahoma, and Kirkpatrick, in the Indian Territory.
The year 1896, with one exception, showed good results. Churches were organ-
ized at Shady Grove, Nelson school-house; Dripping Spring and Timbered Ridge,
Creek Nation; at Illinois Station; near City of David and Five Points, Cherokee
Nation, and Mud Springs, Choctaw Nation. The church at Sallisaw Bethel,
Indian Territory, became extinct, and the house of worship was sold. In 1897
churches were organized at Salt Creek and Adel, Lincoln county, Oklahoma;
Wanetta and Pleasant Valley, Oklahoma, and at South Bethel, Cherokee Nation,
Indian Territory. The work was less successful in 1899, so that reports were
meager. In 1898 the cause suffered a serious check in the death of J. W. Riddle,
at Wanetta, Oklahoma. He was one of the most earnest and active missionaries
in the employ of the General Eldership Board of Missions. He was converted in
1867, and united with the Missionary Baptist Church, by which he was ordained in
1874. In 1877, while laboring as a missionary for the Missionary Baptist Church
he heard G. T. Bell expound the doctrines of the Church of God, and was con-
verted to the faith, and at once became an aggressive missionary of the Church.
Dissensions arose among the churches in Oklahoma over ordinances, church or-
ganization and doctrine. "Non-ordinance, non-organization and second work of
grace heresies are held among them," was the charge. And some of the churches
suffered loss, and were weakened, before these teachers of error could be
separated from them. In Texas the prospects were not encouraging. In Arkan-
sas, In 1895, "the religious Interest In the northern and southern parts of the
territory was not good." But In the central part prospects were brighter. One
church was organized In Montgomery county, and one at Mt. OUre, In Logan
General History ' 241
county. Thirteen ministers preached regularly for the churches of the Elder-
ship. In 189 6 a church was organized at Friendship, Scott county; one at Moun-
tain Home, Garland county; one at Rose Creek, Perry county, and one at Shady
Grove, Washington county. There was less work done during 1897-9, when it
was conceded that "religion is at a very low ebb throughout our bounds," and,
"The cause of Christ seems to be languishing." Only a few churches were organ-
ized during these years, and some were unsupplied; yet there were thirteen fields
of labor in 1898. The colored churches and ministers in Arkansas were active,
an(J the "outlook was good in every respect." There were too many preachers
for the number of churches and members, and it did not promote active co-
operation, nor efficiency of service.
In Missouri conditions during this period were somewhat cloudy and un-
settled. The assistance extended to the work was confined to the years 1897-9,
during which several general missionaries were in the employ of the Board of
Missions of the General Eldership. In 189 6 H. AV. Allen was the appointee for
southern, and W. H. Hickman for northern, Missouri. This arrangement was con-
tinued in 1898. In 1899 G. L. Bo^nnan was the missionary of the Board in
Gentry and Sullivan counties. The success of Mrs. Woodworth in St. Louis gave
quite a degree of inspiration to the brotherhood in the State. She had organ-
ized a church which by January, 1895, numbered five hundred, with a fine house
of worship. H. H. Spiher had become pastor, and there was a closer bond of
fellowship with the Southern Indiana Eldership than with the Missouri Eldership.
On January 1, 1895, joined by Spiher and a few officials of the church, offered to
the Standing Committee of the Southern Indiana Eldership a transfer of the
church (but not the bethel) to said Eldership. This offer the Committee ac-
cepted, and so St. Louis became identified with the Southern Indiana Eldership.
In 1897 F. T. Shore applied for, and received, license from the Standing Commit-
tee of the Southern Indiana Eldership, and at the same meeting of the Committee,
with forty-two others, requested to be organized as the Second Church of God
in St. Louis, or the "Park Avenue Church of God." It was so organized on Jan-
uary 6, 1897, and also became a church of the Southern Indiana Eldership. The
work in the State was greatly impeded, and became burdensome to the ministry,
by inadequate financial resources. There were fourteen charges in 1895, but three
of them were unsupplied. And of the same number in 1896, five were unsup-
plied. By 1899 fields of labor had to be reduced by consolidation to ten, and then
not all the churches had pastors. The churches, too, under this arrangement
could not be served to good advantage, as they were so widely scattered as to
make the work arduous and less fruitful. In a measure to overcome these un-
favorable conditions general workers were appointed. In 1896 P. L. French was
Eldership General Evangelist. In 1897, with "religious conditions fairly pros-
perous," J. B. Murphy was the General Evangelist, and H. W. Allen and W. H.
Hickman, State Missionaries. In 189 8 it was alleged that "there is an indis-
position on the part of ministers to be active, and to put forth efforts to revive the
work." But eight ministers were ready to engage in the active work as pastors
of fields of labor, leaving some of the churches unsupplied. These conditions
account for the fact that Church extension work languished; few, if any, new or-
ganizations were effected, and there were no new enterprises inaugurated. How-
ever, the sisters were active. In 1896 they organized an Eldership Woman's Mis-
sionary Society, and were quite active during the following three years, en-
couraged in 1899 by the State Missionary, H. W. Allen, and the General Evan-
gelist, Thomas Scott.
While there was a church of God at Canton, South Dakota, of which H. L.
Soule was pastor, neither he nor his church would unite with the Iowa Eldership.
Their partly-finished brick bethel was used for services in 1898, and A. E. Kep-
ford and D. S. Guinter conducted a successful meeting toward Spring. Soule had
become "independent," following tendencies manifested while in the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership, and objected to all forms of ecclesiastical organizations above
the local church. Guinter lived in Canton, but as a member of the Iowa Eldership
he served the Spirit Lake charge, Iowa, in 1898.
Conditions in some sections of Kentucky and Tennessee were favorable for
Church work. Through the efforts of G. L. Chapman, of Missouri, and ruling
elders T. G. Ferguson and R. M. Chapman, of Kentucky, a church numbering
seventy-five members was organized at Ivy Hill, Ky. It had built a good country
bethel, but had no pastor. It conducted prayer-meetings and a Sabbath-school,
C. H.— 9*
242 History of the Churches of God
and held ordinances services. At Nashville, Tennessee, L. B. Shannon and his
church organized themselves into a church of God. They, however, did not hold
fast to the faith, and "some of them went off to the Pentecostal People; part of
them went into other Churches, while several remained faithful, and stood alone
for the Church of God."
A hopeful and somewhat aggressive spirit prevailed in Iowa during this
period. The evangelistic services in 1895 and 1896 seem to have had an inspiring
effect. A tent was used during the Summer and early Fall. Some of these meet-
ings were sensational. Francis A. Sharp and George Stone pitched the tent two
miles north of Columbus Junction the first week in September, 1895, and "had a
grand meeting from the beginning," with "powerful results." "A number at dif-
ferent services fell under the power." The result was the organization of a
church of thirty-five members. Shai-p organized a church at River Junction.
The tent used had a seating capacity of three hundred. In 1896 similar tent ser-
vices were held by Mrs. M. Sutliflf, State Evangelist. Her methods and preaching
were similar to those of Mrs. Woodvvorth. At a point known as "The Valley," as-
sisted by Clara Landes, she held protracted services in 189 6 with good success.
With the use of the "Tabernacle" she also held what was known as "the Donavan
camp," at which eighty-two converts were reported. The Eldership, and especially
the faithful church at North Bend, Johnson county, were always cherishing an
ardent expectation of seeing the Church of God firmly established in Iowa City.
To this end the North Bend church was ready to make sacrifices. In the Summer
of 1895, N. Zeller, S. Green, M. Snavely and J. Snavely, of North Bend church,
bought a brick house of worship, 60x35 feet, in Iowa City, for the use of the
church. Under William Burch, pastor, the house was prepared for dedication,
and appropriate services were held August 4th, when L. F. Chamberlin preached.
Then in Muscatine, under the labors of Chamberlin, they enjoyed a rich harvest
of souls in 1896, when there were seventy-two conversions. It was quite a suc-
cessful year. Churches were organized at Spirit Lake, Glidden and Mikesville,
and were rec^ved into the Eldership in September, 189 6. Especially in Carroll
county was the work prospering. Mi*s. Woodworth and Emma Isenberg had con-
ducted revival services in Carroll county a few years earlier. Their efforts were
followed by the labors of J. K. Nelson, W. H. Kepford and E. W. Moyer, who
cared for the converts and presided over the churches organized. At Glidden,
with a church numbering 115, a bethel was built, costing $2,500.00, which was
dedicated June 28, 189 6, J. C. Kepford officiating, assisted by G. W. Elliott and J.
K. Nelson. The church at Carroll now numbered 150, and the one at Dedham
40. The latter erected a new house of worship in 1898, costing $1,500,00, under
the labors of W. H. Kepford. It was dedicated August 14th by E. W. Moyer. In
Cedar county, at a point known as Green Grove, a bethel built "over thirty years
ago" was replaced by a new house in the Summer of 1896, which was dedicated
November 29th by G. W. Elliott. The devoted pastor was E. E. Heltibridle. The
church located three and one-half miles south-east of Grandview, Louisa county,
which had worshiped in a school-house, in the Summer of 1897 built "Lone Tree
Chapel," which C. Manchester dedicated August 27th. I. Ossman, pastor; George
Stone and D. Long assisted in the services. The latter was pastor of the Newburg
charge, where rededicatory services were held September 4, 1898. In Calhoun
county the work was in charge of J. W. Ault. A new house of worship was built
in 189 8, at Twin Lake, which was set apart for divine worship on September 15th.
The morning sermon was preached by J. C Forncrook; the evening sermon by
D. S. Guinter. The Eldership year 1897-8 was characterized by "good progress,"
and "four new churches were organized, and the membership has been materia,lly
increased." The first church organized in Des Moines had been received into the
Eldership by the Standing Committee on November 13, 1895; but it did not se-
cure title to the church property until December, 1898. At the Eldership in
1898, L. H. Belles reported the organization of the second church in Des Moines,
located in South Des Moines. G. W. Elliott organized a church at Omega Center.
In 1899 a bethel was built in Wright county, and one or two in other localities.
New church organizations were also reported. The bethel in Wright county, near
Gait, was built by "the few brethren and sisters living there," some of them of the
Wilson family, as "a son of A. Wilson, and his brother-in-law. Jay Bowington, and
their wives, who were the prime movers. In the latter part of December, 1899,
A. Wilson officiated at the dedication. At the close of the year 1899 the total
Genivral History 243
number of churches in the Eldership was 44; houses of worship, 32; membership,
1,610; fellowshiped during the year, 131.
While in Illinois "the outlook was encouraging," and "the churches generally
in good spiritual condition," yet the rate of progress was very slow during the
present period. At a few points the work retrograded. At Streator, in Septem-
ber, 1895, the church property was on the market, as the church had been dis-
banded. The mission work at Mendota had to be abandoned, and the property
sold. Still "the interest in Church work was good," and at the close of the year
1896 not only did "general harmony prevail," but among the churches there was
"reasonable advancement." This year the church lot of the old Union Bethel, in
Clarke county, was sold, and the proceeds were applied toward the erection of a
new bethel, which was dedicated on November 15, 1896, under the labors of F. K.
Mansfield. The preaching on the occasion was by D. H. Rupp and C. F. Rogers.
In 1897 a new bethel was built at Frederick, Schuyler county, which was dedi-
cated on June 6th. It was a newly organized church, the fruits of a revival held
during the Winter by C. A. Schaaf. C. F. Rogers preached the sermons on the
day of the dedication, the evening sermon being followed by an ordinance meet-
ing. Rogers also officiated at the dedication, on Sabbath morning, at Hildreth,
in Edgar county, August 8, 1897. The pastor, F. K. Mansfield, preached on Sat-
urday evening, and W. R. Johnson on Sabbath afternoon and evening. There was
quite a missionary spirit in the Eldership, which deepened following the de-
parture of Clara Landes to India. But it did not manifest itself in Church ex-
tension work in the State. Between $400.00 and $500.00 was raised annually,
divided equally between frontier and Illinois Mission Funds. The Illinois Fund
was used to assist in suppporting pastors on weak charges, there being no mission
fields so designated by the Stationing Committees of the different sessions of the
Eldership. The number of fields of labor varied, there being twenty in 1895;
twenty-three in 1896; twenty-one in 1897; twenty in 1898, and nineteen in 1899.
Part of this period the Eldership kept a general missionary iu the field. It was
maintained there were four prevailing causes of weakness in the churches, to wit:
1. Admitting unconverted persons into fellowship. 2. Lack of discipline. 3.
Worldliness. 4. Insufficient support of pastors.
In the Michigan Eldership both the temporal and spiritual interests seemed in
a state of declension in 1895-1900. While at times the "outlook was hopeful,"
yet most of the period seemed unfruitful. Ministers spoke of "the isolated and
discouraged condition of many of our brethren in the Eldership," and of the
"need of earnest and faithful and honest laborers," as also of "the conditions in
our Eldership" as not being good. The number of charges varied from thirteen
in 1895 to nine in 1899. In 1895 one new church was organized, with nine mem-
bers, and. the total number of accessions to the churches during the year was re-
ported to have been 138. In 1898 another new church was organized; fifty-one
were baptized during the Eldership year 1897-8, and forty-four received into fel-
lowship. In other years the reports indicated that "some advancement in the work
was made during the year." Quite an interest developed in 1895, and was main-
tained during the following years, in the work of the Woman's Missionary Society
of the Eldership. At Benton Harbor a new bethel was built by the church, as
before that they worshiped in rented rooms, and "labored under great disadvan-
tage." "A neat and respectable building was erected" during the Winter of 1897-
8, and was dedicated March 27, 1898. J. Bunipus, of Indiana Eldership, preached
on the occasion, assisted during the day by J. E. Mofflt and the pastor, J. R.
Oniweg. At Seville Center, Gratiot county, work was started on a new house of
worship, and the corner-stone was laid on July 8, 1899. S. S. Teed was the pas-
tor, and he arranged for preaching on the occasion for Saturday evening. Sabbath
morning and evening, followed by an ordinance meeting on Sabbath evening.
The new bethel at the Spencer appointment, in charge of D. L. Wiles, Mt. Calm
county, was dedicated late in November, 1899. W. J. McNutt was the preacher
on the occasion.
The Indiana Eldership regarded the "prospects for the Church within its
borders brightening, and the churches growing in strength numerically and
spiritually." There were nine fields of labor in 1895, and the same number in
1899. During the ecclesiastical year ending October, 1899, there were 156 con-
versions reported, 70 baptized and 149 received into fellowship. One church
property was sold in 1896, located at River Dam. Sunday-school work was
zealously carried on, and a healthy interest developed in the work of the Woman's
244 History of the Churches of God
Missionary Society. At Lockwoods, DeKalb county, four miles south of Auburn,,
a new bethel was erected, under the pastoral labors of George E. Komp, which
was dedicated August 11, 1895, by W. W. Ijovett. Under Komp's labors another
bethel was projected and work begun, at Helmer, Steuben county. The house was
finished under M. S. Hemininger's pastorate, and was dedicated on December 22,
1895, by M. S. Newcomer. The Mt. Tabor bethel was built during the Summer
of 1898, under the labors of E. Tatman. The dedicatory services began on Satur-
day evening, August 13th, with a sermon by George E. Komp. On Sunday morn-
ing J. E. McColley, Jr., preached, and in the evening J. W. Bloyd. The bethel
at Collamer, Whitley county, after extensive alterations and repairs, was rededi-
cated January 1, 1891. The pastor was J. W. Bloyd.
In the Southern Indiana Eldership there was a decidedly deteriorating ten-
dency manifested during this period. Under the stimulating influence of several
strong personalities there were surface indications of revived vitality; but the
blighting effect of the reaction which followed the Woodworth revival wave could
be discerned everywhere. In 1895 there were eleven fields of labor; in 1899 there
were seven. Reports from some of the fields in 1896 showed "a gain in member-
ship," and in 1897 and 1898 "the state of religion was in a reasonably fair condi-
tion, and a few were saved." In 1896 the church property at Curtisville was sold.
The church at Anderson in 1898 had become so weakened that an appeal was
made to the Board of Missions of the General Eldership to appoint a missionary to
Anderson, Greensburg and Williamstown. The mortgage on the Anderson prop-
erty was foreclosed and its sale finally effected. The Board of Incorporation of
the General Eldership in 1897, in order to save the property at Muncie, proposed
to assume the debt of $1,500.00, on certain conditions. As these were not com-
plied with, the church building, costing about $10,000.00, fell into the hands of
creditors, and was ultimately sold to the United Brethren Church.
A hopeful spirit, based on reliant faith, pervaded the atmosphere in the Ohio
Eldership during this period. Results of persistent endeavors to advance the
various interests of the Church may not always have vindicated this faith; but it
gave courage and fortitude for the labors and sacrifices demanded. The greatest
miracles are wrought by faith. Decisive victories on the battlefields of the world
were won by the faith of generals in themselves and their soldiers. Geniuses have
penned their most wondrous poetry or worked marvels with the brush or chisel
by faith in their ability to create masterpieces. Yet the net outcome viewed at
this distance is not so inspiring. Several new houses of worship were built, but
fewer were reported in 1899 than in 1895. The south-east corner of the State of
Michigan was included within the boundaries of the Ohio Eldership. Here C. N.
Belman opened an appointment in 1893, and organized a church at Ottawa Lake,
or Pleasant Hill. During the Pall and Winter of 1894 the young church, under
Belman's labors, erected a bethel, "on the county line north of Ottawa Lake and
south of Deerfleld, Mich." It was dedicated January 20, 1895, by W. N. Yates.
The work at Fostoria, Seneca county, Ohio, where Mrs. Woodworth had quite a
revival, was making irregular progress. In 1895 it was in charge of G. A.
Bartlebaugh, when the work of building a bethel was started. The church was
financially weak, and in April, 1895, it received permission to canvass the Elder-
ship territory for funds to build, on thfe condition that the property be deeded to
that body. The corner-stone was laid September 7, 1895, when M. S. Newcomer
preached. But becoming financially embarrassed, the work was hindered, so that
in November, 1897, T, Koogle was appointed to look after the financial interests.
The creditors threatening to foreclose, a committee of the Eldership was named
to visit them, which succeeded in having the claims quieted, and the work was re-
sumed under the labors of E. Poling as pastor. He was succeeded by W. P. Small,
under whose supervision the work was completed, and the house was dedicated
on June 23, 1901, G. Sigler ofiiciating. The church, however, had worshiped in
the building during several years previous to the dedication. A bethel was built
at Durbin, Mercer county, during the Summer of 1895, under the labors of L.
Rothrock. It was dedicated by W. N. Yates on September 15, 1895. Th^ bethel
at Madison, or Basswood appointment, was old and dilapidated, and the church,
having no pastor during the year 1896, decided to build a new one. The Elder-
ship donated "the old house which was at West Liberty," and the new bethel was
finished when in the Fall of 1896 J. F. Slough became pastor. It was dedicated
by Charles Manchester on January 9, 1897. He also dedicated the new bethel at
Olive Branch, on the Belden appointment, where J. A. Witham }vas pastor, on
General History
245
August 29, 1897. The building, besides gratuitous labor, cost $1,300.00. A
house of worship, afterward known as "Scott Bethel," was bought in 1899, which
was repaired and remodeled, and dedicated August 27, 1899. The services of
J. A, Witham were secured for the dedication, by the pastor, S. S. Hunter. Mrs,
Anna G. Withani also "preached during this meeting." An effort was made in
1898-9 to renew Church work at Mansfield, Richland county. On February 24,
1898, T. W. Bellingham was sent there by the Standing Committee "to work up
the interest in Mansfield." During his pastorate he secured the services of C. B,
Fockler, with his tent; The effort was successful, as thirty-seven converts were
reported, and twenty-seven believers were baptized. These desired to be organ-
ized into a church. Two church properties were ordered to be sold, and two
church lots: The Evergreen Bethel, January 15, 1896; the Ferguson Bethel,
December 7, 1898; the "ground at the Blanchard Bethel," and the lot at West
Auburn. The membership varied, according to the Eldership statistics. In 1895
the number reported is 2,781; in 1896, 2,528; in 1897, 2,758; in 1899, 2,598. In
1895 there were 75 churches, 86 houses of worship, 838 conversions, 640 acces-
sions, 398 baptized, and aggregate salaries, $8,149.00. In 1896 there were re-
ported 58 churches, 730 conversions, 572 accessions, 320 baptized, and aggregate
salaries, $8,583.00. The statistics for 1897 give 71 churches, 758 conversions,
612 accessions, 191 baptized, and aggregate salaries, $6,497. In 1899 there were
75 "churches and preaching points," 76 bethels, 507 conversions, 360 accessions,
183 baptized, total salaries, $6,847.00. During 1899 mission work was carried on
at Scott, Lima and Delphos. The two churches at Canton were consolidated.
In the West Pehnsylvania Eldership much effective work was done between
1895 and 1900 to give greater stability and permanence to the churches, and to
develop a steady interest in all forms of Church activity. The organization of
Woman's Missiorikry Societies and Christian Endeavor Societies in the local
churches received special attention. Systematic plans for raising funds for local
and general use were matured and put into effect. The numerical increase of
membership was, however, slow, although the churches enjoyed revivals, and addi-
tions were relatively numerous. But the net growth was very small. Some years
the aggregate membership even decreased, so far as reports indicate. Thus in
1896 there were 2,482 members; in 1897, 2,389. The number of churches was the
same in both years: The number of converts reported in 1896 was 563; in 1897,
643. Baptized in 1896, 281; in 1897, 349. The number of accessions in each of
these two years Was 463. Salaries paid in 1896, $7,454.00; in 1897, $8,044.00.
The number of charges varied from 26 in 1895, to 29 in 1899. There were eight
new houses of worship built and dedicated, increasing the number from 42 to 50.
At Markleysburg, Fayette county, where T. Woods was pastor in 1895, a new
house of worship was built jointly by the church of God and the Baptist church.
It cost $1,640.00, and was dedicated on August 18, 1895. J. C. Cunningham
preached on Saturday evening; Rev. Wood, Baptist, on Sabbath morning, and
J. Smith Marple, on Sabbath evening. The church at Bagdad, Westmoreland
county, had been organized in a school-house, January 4, 189 5, by George D. Stat-
ler. He began preaching there about a year previous. The newly organized
church at once decided to build a small bethel, with a seating capacity of 150. It
was finished, and ready for dedication on August 25, 1895. The pastor delivered
the first sermon, on the evening of the 24th; D. A. Stevens preached on Sabbath
mo'rning, and H. H. Spiher, on Sabbath evening. The house of worship, known
as "Mt. Nebo Bethel," Fayette county, was dedicated August 16, 1896, by S. G.
Yahn. The donation of two acres of ground for the building and cemetery was
made by George Craig. The pastor to whose arduous labors the success of this
work was largely due was S. P. P. Young. At Hill View, Fayette county, where
S. P. P. Young was pastor, Lovina Geseky donated two acres of land on which to
build a hou^e of worship. It was rea!dy for dedication on December 27, 1896,
when Young preached on Saturday evening and Sabbath morning, and W. B.
Elliott on Sabbath evening. At Claridge, Westmoreland county, under the
labors of W. B. Elliott, a bethel was built in the Summer and Fall of 1896, with
a seating capacity of 250. It was dedicated on January 1, 1897, when W. H.
McKlveen preached on Saturday evening from Matt. ii. 2, and on Sabbath morn-
ing from Ps. Ixxxiv. 11. Elliott preached in the afternoon, and McKlveen again
in the evening, after which the ordinances were observed. The church in Pitts-
burg always had a precarious existence, and was finally disbanded where it had
maintained a struggling existence for many years. W. H. McKlveen began work
246 History of tiik Churches op God
in the city in 1893, and in 1894 a location was secured in the East End, where ser-
vices were conducted in a Hall. In 1895 steps were taken to build, ground having
been bought on the corner of Spahr and College avenues. The bethel was com-
pleted, with a parsonage attached, at a cost of $14,000. It was dedicated on
October 4, 1896. At Jacob's Creek a new bethel was built during the Winter of
1897-8, under the pastoral labors of AV. B. Elliott. It was dedicated on May 22,
189 8, S. G. Yahn officiating in the morning, and R. L. Byrnes, in the evening.
The Mt. Tabor Bethel, Payette county, was built in the Summer of 1898, under
the labors of S. P. Fulton. S. G. Yahn preached the dedicatory sermon on Sep-
tember 25, 1898, and was assisted in the services during the day by the pastor,
and by James Means, J. C. Boyd and W. S. Sannei-s.
The value of hope has been stated forcibly in these words: "The greatest
thing which any one of us can give to any other of us is hope; the next greatest
thing is that courage which enables us to labor toward the realization of that
hope; the next greatest thing is formulated knowledge which will help us to thus
labor with intelligence." Through some agency the ministers and churches were
inspired to work hopefully in building up and extending the cause in the West
Virginia Elderships. And yet at this distance the results of their labors year
after year were not the most encouraging. In the building of houses of worship
the public record is almost barren. A union house, costing $600.00, was built
by the church of God and the Methodist church at Liberty, Putnam county, and
dedicated August 29, 1897. The morning sermon was preached by Rev. Alley, of
the M. E. Church; the afternoon and evening sermons, by T. Woods, of the
Church of God. During the day, owing to the large crowds, the services were
held in the grove adjoining the bethel. At Blairsville, Ohio, West Virginia Elder-
ship, North, under the labors of S. M. Parry, a new bethel was built in the Sum-
mer of 189 8. It was dedicated by B. D. Eden on December 11th. This Eldership
at different times found an independent, or insubordinate, spirit developing among
churches. The Constitution empowered the Standing Committee to suspend a
church for this offense. Accordingly on January 1, 1898, said Committee "sus-
pended the church at Martin's Ferry, Ohio, from the Eldership until May 8, 1898,
or until the church agrees to be governed by the Eldership or the Standing Com-
mittee." The church availed itself of its rights, and appealed to the General
Eldership. Fortunately the matter was amicably adjusted at the Eldership in
the Fall of 189 8. Two church properties in the West Virginia Eldership, North,
were sold. One at Metz's Crossing, in 1897, and one at Green Valley, in 1898.
The boundaries of circuits were so frequently changed that it was difficult to in-
duce churches to build parsonages. The matter received special attention in
1895, and the Eldership was petitioned to make boundaries more permanent.
The territory of this Eldership was "large, and much of it unoccupied, so that it
was customary to appoint general missionaries, or general evangelists, to labor on
unoccupied territory." The fields of labor were, however, not increased in num-
ber, though some of them were enlarged. Thus there were twelve circuits, with
thirty preaching points, in 1895; while in 1898 there were only nine. The num-
ber of conversions in both Elderships was quite large in proportion to the mem-
ship. In 1897 a total membership in the Southern Eldership was reported of
368; fellowshiped, 201; salaries, $432.59 on the eleven fields of labor. In 1898
the number of conversions in the Northern Eldership was 228; fellowshiped, 214;
total salaries, $1,124.83. The "price of each sermon," the Clerk naively re-
corded, "was 91 cents." The usual disparity in the number of conversions, or
fellowshiped, and the number baptized is seen in this Eldership. In 1898, when
214 were fellowship only 93 were baptized. The West Virginia Eldership, South,
had eleven fields of labor in 1895, which were reduced to eight in 1898, and in-
creased by one in 1899. There was aggressive missionary work done, as a gen-
eral evangelist or missionary was kept in the field, who organized local mission-
ary societies and preached on the mission circuits. There were four missions in
1897. The total number of preaching places in the Eldership was as high as
forty.
During this period the Maryland and Virginia Eldership sustained some
irreparable losses in the deaths of several ministers and the removal of a few to
other Elderships. Some of the fields of labor could not be supplied satisfactorily,
and the progress of the cause was retarded. In 1895 there were ten fields of
labor, with at least thirty-four preaching places. In 1899 there were eleven ap-
pointments, but no increase in the number of preaching points. The largest num-
I
General History 247
ber of places designated for pastors to preach at was in 189 6, when there were
thirty-six. Under the labors of A. W. Philhower a church of thirty members was
organized at Roclcy Springs, and a bethel was built in 1896, at a cost of $600.00.
It was dedicated November 22, 1896, when S. J. Montgomei'y preached one ser-
mon from Eph. ii. 19-22, and one from II. Chron. xxix. 31. An ordinance meeting
was held in the evening. This church was received into the Eldership, upon re-
port of a committee, in the Fall of 189 6. T. B. Tyler was doing substantial work
in Washington county, Maryland, and Franklin county. Pa., part of which was
included in his circuit. Under his labors a bethel was built at "The Corners,"
Franklin county, Pa., which was dedicated January 1, 1899, by S. J. Montgomeiy
and A. W. Philhower. Also at Blair's Valley, under Tyler's supervision, a house
of worship was erected in the Summer of 189 9, which was dedicated by G. H.
Bowersox and J. W. Kipe on October 22, 1899. In 1897 a church was organized
at Cotoctin, which was formally recognized by the Eldership of 1897. The
Eldership had for years been desirous to have work inaugurated in Williamsport,
on the Potomac river. There was regular preaching at Harper's Ferry, which,
like Williamsport, had acquired notoriety during the Civil War; but the project
of establishing a church in the latter town had hitherto met with little success.
However, on September 3, 1899, the hopes of the Eldership were realized, when
T. B. Tyler organized a church of God in the Town Hall, which was rented for a
term of years. He set forth in plain, clear terms the doctrines of the Church of
God before organization was effected. At the Eldership in 1899 this church was
received. The Eldership gave much attention to mission work and the organiza-
tion of a Woman's Missionary Society, and a number of local societies were organ-
ized. Nearly every year a general missionary was appointed, J. A. Saxton serving
in that capacity several years.
Whether there was a general receding wave of prosperity in the Christian
Church could not be conceded, judged by a purely mathematical standard. But
there were not wanting evidences at the close of the century that the era of the
most marked advancement in Church growth in America, as in Europe, was past.
The proportion of Church members to the total population was so large that
slower progress was inevitable. Perhaps, too, the old proverb was being realized,
that "the sun will put out the fire." Worldly prosperity added fuel to the fire of
love of the world, and the love of God and worldly love can not stand together in
intense degree. In East Pennsylvania during the last semi-decade of the century,
like in the other Elderships, there was less accomplished than during some earlier
periods. No new territory was occupied. Progress consisted in the growth of
local organizations, the increased activity of societies, the intellectual advance-
ments made by the ministry, the formation of several new churches, the build-
ing of nine new bethels and the repairing, enlarging and remodeling of at least
twelve church houses. A new and prosperous church was organized at New
Cumberland, Cumberland county, and a mission church was organized in Dover
Hall, Philadelphia, but it was short-lived. At Central Manor, Lancaster county,
a thriving church was formed in 1895, largely the fruit of the Central Manor
Camp-meetings. The church at Washington Borough deservedly received the
credit for building a house of worship for this new church, which was considered
its ward. It was built in the Summer of 1895, Ira A. MacDannald being the
energetic pastor, at a cost of $1,500.00, and was dedicated August 4th. The
morning sermon was delivered by C. H. Foraey; the afternoon, by H. Whitaker,
and the evening by C. I. Brown. The rededication of the bethel at Lisburn, Cum-
berland county, took place September 8, 1895, when J. W. Deshong oflSciated.
Wm. Palmer was pastor. In 1895 F. L. Nicodemus secured Dover Hall, Marshall
street, Philadelphia, for religious worship. He "organized a mission on the first
Lord's day in November," and at once began Sunday-school work. The pastor
regarded the enterprise a "success, and its future bright." A church was organ-
ized before New Year, and all the arrangements made for permanent church
growth. But it was decreed otherwise, Niccodemus, as another "warrior knight
of Christian fame," prior to the ides of March, 1896, fell mortally wounded. The
church at Washington Borough, Lancaster county, dedicated its fine new house of
worship on December 29, 1895, I. A. MacDannald being the worthy pastor.
Preaching on the occasion by C. H. Forney, from Acts iv. 12. After "expending
$495.00 on inside repairs," led by the faithful pastor, A. P. Stover, the church at
Bainbridge reopened its bethel for divine services on September 27, 1896. C. I.
Bro^vn preached morning and evening, respectively from Luke xxiv. 32, and
248 History of the Churches of God
Matt. xxii. 42. A new house of worship was built at Weishampel, Schuylkill
county, in the Summer of 1896, under the pastoral labors of I. Hay. It was dedi-
cated November 15th. In 1897 A. P. Stover was pastor at Mt. Carmel,
Northumberland county. He at once agitated the project of building a new
bethel, and on June 27th the corner-stone was laid by J. W. Deshong. The house
was dedicated November 21, 1897, with D. S. Shoop, F. Y. Weidenhammer and the
pastor occupying the pulpit, Shoop preaching the sermons, while Weidenhammer
and E. Myers preached during the week following. Building and ground, in-
cluding ground for parsonage, cost $3,300, toward which there was realized from
sale of the old church property the sum of $1,500.00. After undergoing exten-
sive repairs, the bethel at Wormleysburg, Cumberland county, was reopened
on July 18th with appropriate services. C. H. Forney officiated at 10.30 a. m.>
and C. H. Grove, at 7.30 p. m. With J. M. Waggoner as pastor, the church at
Progress, Dauphin county, repaired its bethel, which was rededicated September
5, 1897, C. H. Forney delivering an address on "Aggressive Christian Work."
Having "undergone considerable repairing, both inside and outside," with C. C.
Bartels as pastor, the church at Rohrerstown, Lancaster county, reopened its
bethel September 12, 1897. The bethel at Auburn, Schuylkill county, after "con-
siderable repairing, beautifying and cleansing," was rededicated September 5,
1897. E. Myers was the pastor. The Newburg, Cumberland county, bethel,
where J. A. Staub was in charge, was rededicated September 26, 1897, by C. I.
Behney. At Fairview, Lancaster county, a new house of worship was erected in
the Fall of 1897, at a cost, including one and one-half acres of ground, of
$1,217.36. The dedication services were held on December 19, 1897, when the
sermons were delivered by Ira A. MacDannald. J. Berkstresser was the pastor.
In Carlisle, Cumberland county, the resolute pastor of a small church of colored
people, Alfred Young, determined to build a bethel for his people. The corner-
stone was laid September 12, 1897, by C. H. Forney, who preached from Mark
i. 38. "The neat brick structure" was completed at a cost of $850.00, and was
dedicated December 12, 1897. The morning sermon was delivered by C. H, For-
ney, from Acts iv. 12. J. H. Esterline, of the First church; Rev. Hollard, of the
A. M. E. Church; Rev. McCord, of the Baptist Church, and Marshall Walker and
J. W. Jones assisted the pastor during the day. Mission work at New Cumber-
land, Cumberland county, was placed in the care of the Board of Church Ex-
tension by the Eldership in 1897 and the pastor of the East York circuit, H.
Whitaker. The Board, with its proficient President, F. W. McGuire, at once went.
to work, and on November 26, 1897, began to lay plans for the building of a
church house. It enlisted the aid and co-operation of the Eldership Y. P. S. C. E.
Union, and in the Spring of 1898 began the erection of the bethel, the corner-
stone of which was laid July 24th, J. W. Deshong delivering an address based on Ps.
Ixxxvil. C. H. Grove and H. F. Hoover assisted in the services. The house was:
finished and ready for the dedicatory services November 13th. On the evening of
the 12th the church was organized, when C. C. Bartels delivered an address. On
the 13th C. I. Brown preached at 10.30 a. m. ; J. T. Fleegal, at 2.00 p. m., and
T. H. McAfee, at 7.00 p. m. The most celebrated event in the building of church,
houses during this period was the erection of a commodious and costly bethel on
Germantown avenue, Philadelphia, under the successful labors of W. N. Yates,.
pastor. The corner-stone was laid May 22, 1898, the address on the occasion
being delivered by G. Sigler, who spoke on "Our Responsibilities Commensurate
with our Opportunities." The dedicatory services were held December 4th, and
"continued throughout the following week." The preaching was by former pas-
tors, viz.: G. Sigler, 10.30 a. m., and B. F. Beck, 7.30 p. m., Sabbath; J. W. Miller,^
Monday evening; J. H. Esterline, Tuesday evening; "Temperance Rally," Wed-
nesday evening; "Neighbors' Night," Thursday evening; Y. P. S. C. E. meeting on
Friday night. The total cost of "building, furnishings and yard improvements''
was $15,200.00, of which $7,200.00 was paid and subscribed by the end of dedi-
cation week, leaving a three-year mortgage of $8,000.00 on the property. O. J.
Farling, a missionary of persistent energy, succeeded, with the co-operation of
the small band of brethren, in repairing the house of worship at Mt. Olivet, York
county, in the Spring of 189 8. The dedication took place May 22nd, when J. AV.
Deshong preached the sermons. During the pastorate of J. A. Staub the house
of worship at Sandy Hollow, Perry county, after extensive repairs, was "reopened
for the service of God" on June 5, 1898. J. H. Esterline preached on the occa-
sion. After "repairing and beautifying" the bethel at Columbia, Lancaster
General History 249
county, at a cost of $450.00, under the charge of T. H. McAfee, the reopening
services were held on April 9, 189 9. C. I. Brown preached at both services, using
as texts 1 Sam. vii. 12, and 1 Chron. xxix. 3. On July 8, 1899, the church at
Plainfield, Cumberland county, after expending $300.00 in improvements and re-
pairs, rededicated its house of worship. The pastor, Wm. Palmer, was assisted
in the services by J. H. Esterline and A. H. Long. The preaching at the reopen-
ing services at Landisville, Lancaster county, was by F. W. McGuii-e, pastor, in the
morning, and I. A. MacDannald, in the evening.
The age of disputations and debates was about ended. Public debates were
growing less in number year after year, and pulpits and press devoted less time
and space to polemics, and more to the questions of practical piety. The first
public debate of this period had this peculiarity, that the disputants were both
members of the Church of God, and ministers in the same Eldership, viz.: G. M.
Virgin and L. F. Murray. The debate was held at Red House, W. Va. Three
resolutions were debated: "1. That in the resurrection there will be two classes,
the sanctified and the justified." Virgin affirmed; Murray denied. "2. That
the sanctified will be resurrected to immortality, eternal life, and the justified will
be resurrected to life and placed on trial for eternal life." Virgin affirmed; Mur-
ray denied. "3. That infants, and all not included in the household of faith,,
will also be resurrected and placed on trial for eternal life." Virgin affirmed;
Murray denied. A. Wilson accepted a challenge made by a "Seventh Day Ad-
ventist to debate the following proposition: 'Do the Scriptures teach that the
first day of the week is the Lord's day, or Christian Sabbath?" " The Adventist
was willing "to meet any man in Nebi'aska" on this question. The debate was
held at Independence school-house. Frontier county. Neb., and began January 11,
1897, and continued five evenings. "Before the discussion was over AVilson had
his opponent lying helpless at his feet." During the months of January and Feb-
ruary, 1897, C. H. Forney and Rev. F. L. Kerr had a discussion in the "Penbrook
Times," Penbrook, Dauphin county. Pa., on Infant Baptism. W. R. Covert, of the
West Pennsylvania Eldership, had a protracted debate with Moses Hull on Spirit-
ualism, which he reported quite fully for The Advocate through the Winter of
1897-8. He denied the following: "That the phenomena and philosophy of
modern spiritualism are in harmony with history, reason and the Bible." Covert
possessed nearly every element of a successful debater, some of them not general-
ly approved; but he was a disputant of strong powers, and delighted to be in the
arena of controversy. On Monday evening, April 14, 1899, he began a debate
with Rev. Wilfred M. Kellogg, of the Protestant Methodist Church, to "continue
six evenings of two hours each." Covert affirmed that "John the Baptist immersed
Jesus in the river Jordan." He denied that "Holy Ghost baptism is the only
Christian Baptism." And he affirmed that "only those who have been born again,
or received the Holy Spirit, and have been properly taught, are the true scriptural
subjects of baptism." Covert was admirably equipped for such a debate, and won
a signal triumph. In August, 1899, G. L. Chapman, of the Missouri Eldership,
had a public debate with J. H. White, of the Primitive Baptist Church. The fol-
lowing resolution was debated: "Resolved, That salvation from sin, or eternal
life, is' unconditional on the part Of man, and independent of the written or
preached word of God." This Chapnlan denied, and upheld his denial with logical
reasoning, reinforced with abundant quotations from Scripture.
Discussions in the columns of The Advocate were becoming increasingly un-
popular. And that not because they occurred more frequently, were more pro-
longed, or more acrimonious; but because of a change in public sentiment. As a
result, controversies were forbidden by the General Eldership in 1899. Prior to
that the most prominent during this period were on Divine Healing, Ordination,
Church Polity, Observance of Ordinances, Sanctification, the Mourners' Bench, the
Christian Sabbath, the Millennium and Divorce. The advocates of Divine Healing,
or Faith Healing, were not inclined to enter the arena of controversy; but testi-
mony was given, with an occasional controversial article. It was one of those
exceptional subjects which required little direct defense. The phenomena so often
observed at religious services held by those who believed in divine healing weighed
more than any labored argument. And it was a long-pending discussion, revived
again and again during 1896, 1897 and 1898, but gradually subsided, and faith
cures became largely discredited. The discussion of ordination with the laying on
of hands was revived in 1896. In argument those in opposition usually had the
advantage; but the natural human tendency to forms, liturgies and ceremonials
250 History of thh; Churches of God
can not be reached by argument. An ordination service is impressive, and argu-
ment was finally hushed by a practical compromise in the adoption by nearly all
the annual Elderships of an ordination service minus the imposition of hands.
For some possibly latent and unaffirmed reasons, questions pertaining to the or-
dinance of feet-washing were occasionally revived. Some always contended that
it was a fact prophetic of an ultimate abandonment of the ordinance. Especially
when one of three phases of the controversy were under discussion — the private
observance of the ordinance, the spiritual nature of the service, or its parity with
baptism as a rite to be observed but once by each believer. The advocates of these
phases of the subject were generally held under suspicion. The discussion of
sanctification was revived in 1897 and again in 1898. In the latter year the Chris-
tian Sabbath was discussed at considerable length owing to the persistent and
aggressive activity of Seventh Day Adventists. The divorce question in 1899 was
discussed with great interest by nearly all Churches, and was a prominent subject
at Eldership sessions as well as in The Advocate. The State and National Govern-
ments were devising new legislation, and had appointed Commissioners on uniform
divorce laws and reduction of the number of causes for which divorces were to be
granted. The Canteen problem became a live issue in religious circles when
Congress passed the Anti-Canteen Act. Army oflicers in many instances were
strongly opposed to the measure, insisting that such legislation would not decrease
drinking by soldiers, but would lead to conditions far worse than had previously
existed. As a rule temperance advocates, and prohibitionists especially, could not
dispassionately read, or listen to, arguments in favor of, or apologies for, the con-
tinuance of the Canteen, and resented the thought of a religious journal having
the temerity to do so. Hence the discussions in these papers were often character-
ized with crimination and bitterness, which The Advocate did not wholly escape.
CHAPTER XIX.
1900—1905.
THE year 1900 was one of the world's great review periods. It was a year of
retrospect. When it was finally decided that it closed the nineteenth, and
did not begin the twentieth, century, historical data of every description
were explored and compared to determine the degree of progress which had been
made. True, it was an artificial line of demarkation, for whether time be counted
by seconds or by centuries, it is not done by the clock of our solar system. Time
IS a measured portion of infinite duration; measured by God's handiwork. It is
poetic to say:
"Our Fathers' God! from out whose hand
The centuries fall like grains of sand."
The earth and sun measure the ceaseless flux of time, giving the rotations of
day and night, the revolving seasons and the rounded year. But there is room
for moons and decades, for semi-centennials and centennials. And much time was
given by writers and public speakers during 1900 to measure the progress of the
Church, the Nation, the world, the race. In some lines of inquiry the discovery
was made that as population increases and becomes more dense, man is less gov-
erned by reason, and more by sense and suggestion. The psychology of the
crowd reveals a tendency toward extravagant, irrational and nonsensical things;
a disregard for established order, and a craving for novelties. It was observed
that in this respect religion had lost much of its sacredness and solemnity. There
was a large increase in Church membership, the total as reported in the Statistics
of Religious Denominations in the United States being 26,971,933, or a little more
than one in three of the whole population. There were 165,000 Christian min-
isters, who received about $100,000,000 in salaries. But Church growth was slow,
and Church attendance disproportionate to the population. Compared with former
years the spirituality of Churches was at a lower degree, and there was much
barrenness. Organizations of a religious character, however, were constantly in-
creasing, and there was a degree of activity never before witnessed. With it,
unfortunately, came a tendency to lay less stress on Church doctrines, and to con-
General History 251
done that skepticism touching fundamental doctrines which earlier would have
been denounced as heresy.
Outside the Christian Church the progress of the century was marvelous.
The testimony of publicists was to the effect, that the political changes wrought
during the nineteenth century surpassed those of any other since the fall of Rome.
In the field of invention and engineering achievements it could be seen at a glance
that the century was pre-eminent over all others. Nearly all the developments
in the science of chemistry, including analytical and synthetical chemistry and the
chemical laws of definite proportions, are limited to the nineteenth century. In
the line of adventure and exploration the history of the century reads like a ro-
mance. In literature, art, music and the fine arts generally the hundred yfears
now ending witnessed a progress which is simply not to be measured. The ma-
terial changes of the world in a hundred years are great beyond appreciation. The
increase in population of the globe may be a matter of inference or deduction
from the increase of the United States from less than 6,000,000 to more than
76,000,000; the United Kingdom from 16,000,000 to 39,000,000, and correspond-
ing if not equal increases in other civilized lands. The moral advancement of
the world as distinct from the religious and spiritual is a subject grateful to re-
view. There are those who question it; but this is not reasonable when facts are
marshalled in the presence of a true standard. Slavery has been abolished, prison
reform has been effected, education has made immeasurable strides, law and jus-
tice have been more surely established upon their thrones, social relations have
been imbued with light and charity and love. In fact there has been on every
hand such a forward movement toward the realization of the universal brother-
hood of man as a dozen centuries before had scarcely dreamed of or hoped to see.
These are steps which unmistakably indicate "the sure progress of the world to-
ward that day when 'comes the nobler Eden back to man,' and when 'springs the
crowning race of humankind.' "
These were, however, not conditions which served to make the work of the
churches of God and their ministry less difficult and more successful. While not
reactionary in any sense, but partaking of the progressive spirit of the age, they
were but little troubled with the liberal and rationalistic tendencies of the age.
Here and there a church abandoned to some extent old methods and practices, or
a minister now and then affected some leaning toward tenets of the New Theo-
logy; yet officially the body contended earnestly for the faith of the fathers.
Rarely were there departures from the faith originally at the root of defections
from the Church. Walls of partition are so low now they are virtually obliterated
b^ the trailing vines and sweet-scented flowers of charity and brotherly love. With
the hunger for large things, smaller bodies of Christians are under constant strain
to maintain their separate entity. But a review of the work of the first semi-
decade of the new century shows with what Christian patriotism and heroism they
wrought for the cause to which they were consecrated. The increased interest in
the reading of the Bible and Bible schools was first signalized by the introduction
of Bible Readings. They became a regular thing at camp-meetings. Some of the
Elderships abandoned their Ministerial Associations, notably East Pennsylvania.
In a majority of the Elderships they were held the day before the annual session,
with an occasional mid-year meeting. At least fourteen Elderships had Associa-
tions in 1900. Nearly all these continued during this whole period. Between the
General Eldership of 1902 and 1905, more doctrinal questions were discussed, but
always intermingled with questions of a practical nature. The old questions as to
the subjects and design of baptism, the order of the ordinances, and their private
observance; ordination, including that of ruling elders; the distinctive doctrines
of the Church, and Rules of Co-operation were frequently on the programs. A
number of topics were discussed in all the Associations. As occasionally a min-
ister was ready to admit that "the Church of God has sister Churches," the ques-
tion, "Is the Church of God a sect?" reappeared at different Associations. And so
the allied question: "Are the churches of God apostolic organizations?" The
contentions and troubles following the action of the General Eldership in 1902
with reference to the Woman's General Missionary Society gave occasion for the
discussion of different phases of the subject at Association meetings. These even
included the Legislative Powers of the Annual and General Elderships, the bind-
ing character of our Rules of Co-operation, as well as our missionary interests in
general. In this line, too, was the question discussed by one Association in 1904:
"Is the moral issue involved in the W. G. M. S. controversy of sufficient importance
252 History of the Churches of God
to justify the [former] W. G. M. S. in an effort it is making to maintain its posi-
tion?" There were serious danger of so inflaming passions by these discussions as
that the unity of the body .became endangered. It however soon became evident,
that subjects of this character should be left for discussion by the Annual Elder-
sliips, if not largely by the General Eldership which had power to act in the
premises. With the multiplication of church organizations the question of De-
partments of Church Work became an interesting topic. In the south-west the
question of second-work sanctification, formal reception of persons into church
fellowship and kindred questions were in order. Amusements were frequently in
controversy as Christian people more and more engaged in, and frequented places,
of, worldly entertainments. It was a serious, practical question. Not remote
from this was a revival of the old question of the adornment of the body. Vanity,
pride and extravagance in dress in early years had been unreservedly denounced.
But for years the pulpit and press were generally silent. Extremes to which the
world went in bodily adornment, followed by the nominal church, created some
alarm, and an effort was made to lead the more spiritual part of the churches to
follow the inspired teachings on this subject. With the decrease in old-time re-
vival work, the Associations not infrequently discussed "Evangelistic Work — Its
Uses and Abuses." Also, "The Personality and Office Work of the Holy Spirit."
Sunday-school and Christian Endeavor Conventions received much attention.
The interest in Sunday-school work was steadily maintained in all the Elderships,
and a majority held annual Conventions. In connection with these, one day was
usually devoted to Christian Endeavor work. Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio and
East Pennsylvania were most active in Christian Endeavor interests. In East
Pennsylvania the Christian Endeavor Union, which had started a Christian En-
deavor Church Extension Fund in 1898, continued its active work in this line, con-
tributing annually toward new Church enterprises. As to camp-meetings, the
exceptional ones require some notice. The Central Manor and Walnut Grove
Camp-meetings had become permanent institutions. Results in the way of con-
versions were very limited. The Maryland camp-meeting, under the management
of the Linwood Camp-meeting Association, was still held in 1900. In July, 1900,
J, v. Smith, pastor, announced the beginning of "a camp-meeting at the Mooi'e
school-housfe, in a tent; by Mrs. M. B. Woodwoi'th, in Naron township, Pratt county,
Kans." The project of holding a camp-meeting near Elm Hall, Mich., in 1901,
was changed into a grove meeting for want of sufficient encouragement. A camp-
meeting under the supervision of J. H. Cuminings, pastor, was held in September,
19 02, at Blue Lick, Saline county. Mo. Tents were furnished by the management
at $2.00 during the meeting. C. H. Ballinger, in July, 1904, held a camp-meetiiig
at Stone Bluff, Creek Nation, I. T. "There were a number of conversions and
five accessions to the church." One was baptized by Ballinger, "and others will
be." The project of a General Eldership, or National camp-meeting, which had
slumbered for many years, was revived by the Southern Indiana Eldership at its
session held at Cross Roads Bethel, Greene county, Ind., October, 1902, when a
resolution was adopted "favoring the organizing of a National Camp-meeting and
'Chautauqua,' or 'Forum,' " and inviting "sister Elderships to join in with us."
Pentecostal meetings, long waning, were the exception, and gradually ceased
during this period. One was held at Pleasant Valley, 111., in 1900, and one under
direction of the Standing Committee in Southern Indiana. In 1901 the Mt. Carroll
church held one, and in 1902, the church at Lanark. In 1903 the small church in
Stony Creek Valley, Dauphin county. Pa., was the only church which held this
special service.
The period was not fruitful in conversions, except in isolated cases. This
fact was general. It was lamented especially by the revival Churches. It is indi-
cated by the statistics. No accurate statistics for all the Elderships are available,
but those of Elderships which are measurably accurate show a small per cent, of
increase in the membership. The total increase of membership of all the Churches
in the United States in 1901 was reported at 929,675; but relatively small as this
increase was, much of it was attributed to a large abnormal growth of the Catholic
Church. This seems to be confirmed by the total gain in 1902, which was hut
403,743. Seven denominations reported an aggregate loss of 44,326. Dr. H. K.
Carroll, who prepared "The Statistics of the Churches of the United States" an-
nually for "The Christian Advocate," New York, gives the following figures for
the churches of God: 1901 — ministers, 460; churches, 580; communicants, 38,000.
He gives the same figures for 1904, making the gains and losses balance each
General History 253
•other. There are three special reasons for these facts, along with the general
reasons for a small percentage of net increase in all Churches. In 1903 and 1904
the total net gain was about 1,500,000 for all Churches. The question was every^
where discussed: Why this small increase in Church communicants? It was a
subject debated at Ministerial Associations and in The Advocate. And with
greater concern because of its possible bearing on the future. It became obvious
that Church growth numerically could not keep pace with that of earlier decades.
In 1904 the population of the United States was given at 82,000,000; communicant
Church members, 30,000,000. More than one-third of the population was in the
Churches. Among other reasons assumed to account for the undesirable facts
were these: Too much superficial revival work, and consequent reactions, had
set the people against the old methods of making converts. That the Churches
lost courage, patience and faith. That the Church membership had more largely
become property-holders — become rich — and so had naturally become more con-
servative, less aggressive. That sin had assumed so many attractive and ap-
parently innocent forms as to beguile and ensnare many Church members. Carnal
amusements weakened the power of the gospel. The spirituality of the Churches
had declined to an alarming extent. That the preaching had become too intel-
lectual, and that the emotional element in human nature, so powerful a factor in
earlier years, had become neglected and eliminated. That the spirit of the age
and the general atmosphere which prevailed in society was antagonistic to vital
piety. The manner and methods of modern preaching; the disposition to interest
and amuse, were much discussed, and along with the admittedly large and increas-
ing proportion of unconverted and carnal Church members were held responsible
for lack of power to reach and save the unconverted. Notwithstanding, quite ag-
gressive and successful work was done in some of the Elderships. In East Penn-
sylvania much of this work was under the direction of the Board of Church Ex-
tension, which aided in gathering funds and in supervising the work. This was
the case at West Poplar Street, York; at Rowenna, Lancaster county, and at New
Cumberland, Cumberland county. At York, the self-denying pastor, J. H. Martin,
began work on West Poplar Street in 1899, and in 1900 organized a church of ten
members. They at once bought ground for a church and parsonage, with special
terms if the bethel were built within a year. The work was at once begun, and
on July 8, 1900, the corner-stone was laid, I, A. MacDannald preaching on the occa-
sion. The building was completed and ready for dedication December 2, 1900.
C. I. Brovm delivered the morning sermon, and T. H. McAfee preached in the
evening. F. W. McGuire was on hand as President of the Board of Church Ex-
tension to help along with the work the week following. The church at Kimmel's,
Schuylkill county, after extensive repairs, rededicated their house on May 13,
1900. J. F. Meixel was their faithful pastor, and he had secured the services of
J. M. Waggoner, a former pastor, and J. M. Fahl, of the German Eldership, for the
occasion. Mission work in Philadelphia was always considered of the first im-
portance in the interest of the First Church. Hitherto it lacked both means and
a good opportunity. The first enterprise had failed after the death of L. F. Nico-
demus, pastor. With the zealous assistance of C. D. Rishel and G. H. Knox, two
local ministers in the city, a new mission was started prior to 1900. It had no
permanent location, but when it secured a Hall at Twenty-six and Cumberland
streets, it had considerable success, having a Sunday-school of over one hundred
and a church nucleus of nearly twenty. Proper encouragement and financial assist-
ance, which failed, might have made this work a success. The rededication of
the bethel at Mt. Joy, under C. I. Behney, pastor, took place November 4, 1900,
after undergoing considerable repairs. C. I. Brown preached from John i. 29.
A. H. Long assisted in the services. A new bethel was built at a small mining
village called Ashland, in Clearfield county, under the labors of the faithful pastor,
H. D. Boughter, which was dedicated November 25, 1900. C. H. Forney preached
morning and evening, and C. H. Grove in the afternoon. On the Saxton charge,
Bedford county, J. A. Staub, pastor, the bethel at Fairplay was repaired and re-
dedicated December 9, 1900, by O. E. Houston. At Bethlehem, Clearfield county, the
work of building a bethel was begun under the labors of the pastor, W. H. Snyder.
The corner-stone was laid by H. D. Boughter on May 12, 1901. After commenc-
ing the renovation of the Green Spring Bethel, Cumberland county, the storm
nearly wrecked the building. Through the persistent efforts of the pastor, E.
Myers, means were gathered and repairs completed at a cost of nearly $500.00. On
August 4, 1901, the house was rededicated, C. I. Brown and J. H. Dohner preach-
254 History of the Churches of God
ing the sermons. The church at Martinsburg, Blair county, with its beloved pas-
tor, O. E. Houston, early in 1901, secured a new lot for a bethel and bought the
adjoining property for a parsonage, thus securing a location for the new bethel to
be built on the corner of two prominent intersecting streets. There they built a
beautiful, attractive and convenient house of worship, which was dedicated July
20, 1902, C. H. Forney preaching morning and evening. Besides the pastor, J. M.
Waggoner, J. A. Staub, C. H. Grove, Rev. Wharton and Dr. Gvvynn participated in
the services throughout the day. After spending $1,000.00 in repairing, remodel-
ing and refurnishing their bethel, the church at Highspire, Dauphin county, held
rededicatory services February 15, 1913. J. W. Ault, pastor, secured the presence
of C. I. Brown to preach the morning sermon, and C. F. Reitzel, the evening ser-
mon. C. H. Forney delivered a dedicatory address, concluding with the prayer of
dedication. After suffering serious loss "when the waters had overwhelmed us,"
and months of anxious waiting, praying and laboring, the church on Main Street,
Steelton, succeeded in erecting a new and attractive house of worship, which, in-
cluding bell and furniture, cost $9,500.00. J. R. Stonesifer, pastor, had labored
diligently to carry this work to completion, collecting quite an amount of the funds
from thirty-four churches of the Eldership. On Sunday morning. May 3, 1903,
C. H. Forney delivered the dedicatory sermon, from Acts viii. 37. C. I. Browa
preached at night, from Deut. viii. 2. An extensive revival, under the labors of
W. H. Shade, was enjoyed at Fairplay, Bedford county, and a church of forty-four
members organized in November, 1903. The bethel at Auburn, Schuylkill county,
was repaired under the pastorate of S. N. Good, and had a rededication on May 1,
1904, when C. H. Forney preached at both services. The mission enterprises of
the East Pennsylvania Eldership were energetically pushed during these years, co-
operated with by the Board of Church Extension. There were fourteen charges,
receiving help from the Board of Missions, while the Board of Church Extension
assisted in building new bethels and freeing others from burdensome debts. The
work at Rowenna, Lancaster county, was mainly in charge of the latter Board.
It was a new point, connected with the Bainbridge and Maytown field. A lot was
bought and a bethel built at a total cost of about $1,800.00. The corner-stone was
laid on May 15, 1904, when addresses were delivered by T. H. McAfee, A. H. Long
and H. S. Hershey. The house was dedicated August 21, 1904, C. H. Forney
preaching in the morning, and C. I. Brown in the evening. I. A. MacDannald, T.
H. McAfee and C. F. Reitzel assisted in the services during the day. The Board
of Church Extension was still interested in the work at New Cumberland, Cumber-
land county. J, A. Better, pastor, with the united co-operation of the church, re-
paired the bethel, and rededicated it June 19, 1904, when J. C. Fonicrook offici-
ated. The devoted pastor, C. I. Behney, and the church at Elizabethtown, Lan-
caster county, made repairs to their bethel at a cost of $500.00. The pastor had
accorded to him the honor of preaching the sermons on the day of rededication,
June 5, 1904. The most modern, attractive and elaborate house of worship and
parsonage combined within the territory of the Eldership was built by the church
at Shippensburg, Cumberland county, being finished in the Summer of 1904, at a
cost of $35,000.00. The credit of this fine enterprise is due to the zealous pastor,
C. I. Brown, and the co-operation of the self-sacrificing council and church. The
splendid edifice was dedicated on September 25th, when C. H. Forney delivered the
dedicatory sermon, and W. N. Yates preached the evening sermon. With H. S.
Bickel as pastor, the church at Milltown, Cumberland county, completely remodel-
ed its house of worship, and it was rededicated by I. A. MacDannald on December
11, 1904. A unique service under the auspices of a committee appointed by the
Eldership, known as a "Reunion," was held by the churches at Williams Grove,
Cum,berland county. A large representation of the various fields of labor was
in attendance. Four addresses were delivered, two in the forenoon and two in
the afternoon. The themes and speakers were: Philosophic Basis of Ordinances,
C. H. Forney, Our Plea and Mission, George Sigler. Churches of God in North
America, J. C. Forncrook. The Truth Treasured and Transmitted, S. G. Yahn.
The meeting was also partly of a social and recreative character.
Very little material progress is recorded in the Maryland and Virginia Elder-
ship for 1900-1905. One house of worship was extensively repaired, at Broad
Fording, Washington county. It was rededicated by J. D. Clark and W. H. Engler
on November 16, 1902. At Wakefield, Carroll county, where the meritorious T.
B. Tyler was pastor, a handsome new brick bethel was built. It was dedicated
July 10, 1904, J. D. Clark officiating in the morning, and L. F. Murray in the
General History 255
evening. A unique dedicatory service followed the evening sermon. The pulpit
was set back a few feet; the open Bible was laid on the place where the pulpit
had stood; the pastor, Murray, and the members of the church kneeled around
the open Bible, and Murray made the dedicatory prayer.
In the West Virginia Eldership, North, the church at Martin's Ferry, Belmont
county, Ohio, built a new, handsome, frame bethel, under the leadership of A. J.
Stanley, pastor, which cost $2,100.00. It was dedicated December 17, 1901,
Thomas Woods preaching on the occasion. Other ministers present were Lucas,
Shimp and Rader. The Centennial Bethel, built in 1876, Greene county. Pa., was
replaced with a new building in the Spring of 1904, at a cost of $2,200.00. In
June C. Manchester was there to dedicate it; but rains interfered, and failing to
raise sufficient money to pay the debt, the dedication was deferred until October
30th, when W. R. Covert preached, collected the needed funds and dedicated the
house of God. N. M. Anderson was the devoted pastor. In the territory of the
West Virginia Eldership, South, the material part of the work seemed stationary.
One house of worship, at Mt. Tabor, was repaired, and rededicated September 25,
1904, under the pastor labors of R. L. Workman.
The West Pennsylvania Eldership had extended its work into Garrett county,
Md., the extreme western section of the State. Here A. W. Snyder was laboring
with considerable success. On two successive Sabbaths S. G. Yahn dedicated two
houses of worship. The first was at Liberty, where the pastor, J. S. Boyd, had
done excellent work during the year, greatly improving the bethel. The dedi-
catory services were held August 17, 1902. G. W. Byrnes, J. O. Martin and W. B.
Elliott assisted in the services. The second was at Latrobe, where the church had
erected a new house of worship, which was dedicated August 24th. The church
had been organized in 1901, under the efficient labors of the pastor, R. B. Bowser.
R. L. Byrnes, the diligent and faithful pastor of the church at Brackenridge, suc-
ceeded in enlarging and greatly improving the house of worship at that place, at
a cost of $1,450.00. On February 15, 1903, the dedicatory services were held,
S. G. Yahn preaching in the morning, and J. L. Updegraph in the evening. A
very successful revival meeting was held at Grange, Jefferson county, by J. W.
Huffman in the Winter of 1902-3. There were sixty-five converts, of which num-
ber, on March 4, 1903, thirty-five entered into an organization of a church of God.
They rented a Hall, but also at once began the work of building a bethel. This
was completed, and was dedicated May 8, 1904, by S. G. Yahn, Forney O. Eakin
meanwhile having become the pastor of the new church. The Fairview church,
Westmoreland county, having decided to build a bethel in the village of Kecks-
burg, began work in the Summer of 1904. Led by their enthusiastic pastor, the
work made good progress, and on August 7th the corner-stone of a $4,000.00
building was laid by S. G. Yahn, assisted by W. J. Umstead and W. B. Elliott.
The dedication took place on New Year's day, 1905, when Wm. Harris Guyer
officiated. W. B. Elliott assisted, while J. L. Updegraph preached in the evening.
Successful work in certain lines was accomplished in Ohio during this period;
but it was disappointing in its character and extent. In 1903 the official Minutes
showed a decrease in membership in the State of 539, and there was a sense of de-
pression among the aggressive ministers and churches. These were struggling
heroically in a number of localities, and were rewarded with a fair measure of
success. A bethel built at Haysville, where A. C. Osborn was the pastor, was dedi-
cated June 17, 1900. J, A. Witham preached on the occasion. The two churches
at Canton having united, they at once entered upon the work of repairing and
beautifying their house of worship, led by their assiduous pastor, W. E. Turner.
The rededicatory services were conducted by C. Manchester, May 27, 1900. At
Flat Rock, Paulding county, a new bethel was built under the labors of S. S.
Hunter, pastor. It was dedicated by T. Koogle, June 17, 1900. At Killbuck, near
West Salem, under the faithful leadership of its pastor, A. C. Osbom, the •church
repaired its house of worship, which was dedicated by S. Kline and T. W. Belling-
ham on September 1 and 2, 1900. On June 18, 1901, the Standing Committee
authorized T. Koogle to sell the church property at New Washington, and the
Trustees to execute a deed. A church building owned by the United Presbyterians
at Belmore, Putnam county, was bought by the church at that point in the Summer
of 1902. W. P. Small was the loyal pastor and leader in this enterprise. T. Koogle
officiated at the dedication, September 14, 1902. With W. P. Bui-chard as pastor,
the church at Ohio City made needed repairs on its house of worship, which was
reopened on May 10, 1913, J. F. Slough officiating. The house of worship at the
256 History of the Churches of God
Union appointment, Mercer county, was removed to a more eligible site, and ex-
tensively repaired, under the labors of the consecrated pastor, S. D. Harlan. The
rededication took place on July 31,1904, when Chas. H. Gatchell preached the ser-
mons. On the St. Joe Mission, with A. C. Osborn as pastor, the house of worship
at Nettle Lake was dedicated October 23, 1904. The ministers preaching on the
occasion were J. F. Slough and J. A. Witham.
Two houses of worship were dedicated in Michigan during this period. Under
the pastoral labors of D. L. Wiles the bethel at New Haven Center, Gratiot county,
a new stone edifice was built during the Summer of 1901. It was dedicated by
■C, Manchester on December 22, 1901. The church at Saville Center, where W. J.
McNutt was the efficient pastor, followed by M. S. Heinminger, built a bethel in
1904, which was dedicated September 18th, J. E. Moffltt officiating. The work was
apparently contracting, or fields were consolidated, as in 1901 there were fourteen
charges, which were reduced to nine in 1904. Efforts to quicken the energies and
increase the activities of churches and ministers were made; but conditions were
adverse, and small results followed. Funds were scarce; ministers inadequately
supported, and only a small amount of missionary money was received.
In the Indiana Eldership there was revived activity in certain forms of re-
ligious endeavor. There were, however, reports of only two church dedications.
E. Tatman, pastor at Disko, reported a dedication at said place, which took place
September 22, 1901. J. E. McColley preached the sermons. In 1902 Tatman
was pastor at Akron, where a new brick bethel was erected. This was dedicated
by J. E. McColley on November 2, 1902. Annually the Eldership was assured,
however, that "quite a number were converted and added to the churches on the
different fields of labor; that the churches are in a fair condition spiritually, and
that there had been quite an advancement in all lines of Church work." An un-
usual temporary impetus was given to the work by two simultaneous propositions
favorably acted upon in 1903, and consummated in 1904. The first was the con-
solidation of the Indiana and Southern Indiana Elderships into one body. The
second was the organization of "the Indiana Eldership Assembly," on the general
principle of a Chautauqua. It was endorsed by several other Annual Elderships,
and in its incipiency seemed pregnant with good results. Its first meeting was
held at Syracuse, Kosciusko county, just prior to the "first annual meeting of the
Indiana Eldership of the churches of God, united." It continued from Wednesday,
September 21, 1904, to Sunday, the 25th. I. W. Markley was the chief promoter
of the enterprise, and arranged the program for the first Assembly, and "conduct-
ed the meeting with signal success." "Lectures, music and recitations constituted
the principal attractions."
There was much to interest and excite that transpired in the Southern In-
diana Eldership in its final semi-decade. W. R. Covert could complacently regard
himself as hero in these events, including the final consolidation of the Indiana
and Southern Indiana Elderships in 19 03-4. Other prominent events, in which he
was earnestly seconded by H. H. Spiher and others, were the receiving into the Eld-
ership through action of the Standing Committee, February 12, 1900, of F. O.
Biunpus, "who presented a regular license of the Missionary Baptist Church, Junc-
tion City, Ky."; and also J. A. Manes, minister of "the General Baptist Presby-
tery of the Flat Creek Association of Indiana." The former was made General
Evangelist of the Southern Indiana Eldership, and the latter was appointed pastor
of the church at Matamoras. The most memorable event was the final consumma-
tion of a proposed union of the Church of God, White River Conference, sometimes
called New Dunkard Church, at Idaville, White county, with the Southern Indiana
Eldership, and the appointment of Covei-t as its pastor. It was comparatively a
strong church, of nearly one hundred and fifty members. On February 12, 1901,
it voted to join the Eldership. It was an old church, first organized in 1844, and
was one of a dozen similar organizations united in an Association which as early
as 1897 was almost unanimous in its action to become a part of the Southern In-
diana Eldership. But sentiment changed, and only the Idaville church came into
the Eldership. A lawsuit followed to get possession of the property, which in
September, 1902, was decided in favor of the Idaville church. A dedication, re-
ported by R. M. Pine, in January, 1900, who preached on the occasion, took place
at Fairland, December 17, 1899. This new bethel was built under the labors of
Jacob Jonas, pastor. A new bethel was built on Eel River, Clay county, under the
pastoral labors of G. W, Miller, costing $1,000.00. It was dedicated in June, 1903,
when H. H. Spiher preached in the morning; E. M, Love, in the afternoon, and
General History
257
W. R. Covert in the evening. At one time Mrs. M. B. Woodworth's influence domi-
nated this Eldership, and her methods, views and practices largely prevailed.
Covert vigorously antagonized her vagaries; churches gathered under her preach-
ing disintegrated and died, and her position became untenable. In May, 1900, she
returned her license to the Standing Committee, and resigned her membership in
the Southern Indiana Eldership.
Conditions among the churches in the Illinois Eldership were regarded as "in
a good, healthy state." There was "a spirit of progress and advancement through-
out the Eldership." Some new church organizations were reported at several
annual sessions of the Eldership; but the fields of labor do not indicate an en-
largement of the territory, as in 1900 there were twenty-one, and in 1904, nine-
teen. Material progress was indicated in the payment of debts on houses or wor-
ship, and also in the new bethels which were erected. The Eldership had a
Church Extension Fund, and through this assisted some of the general enterprises.
Among these was the project started in 1901 to secure "a tent to be used for mis-
sionary campaigning in Eldership territory." In 1902 an appropriation of $100.00
was m^de out of the Church Extension Fund toward paying for the tent. I. S.
Richmond was given charge of the matter, who was "to raise $200.00 additional
by canvassing the churches." He so far succeeded that he announced his purpose
"to begin tent meetings at Lodge" in the Spring of 1903. The Y. P. S. C. B. had
"become a potent factor in the upbuilding of the churches of God in this Elder-
ship." It held its fifth annual Convention of two days in June, 1904, at Martins-
ville. In the Winter of 1903-4 the great catastrophe whereby "from five to six
hundred men, women and children were burned, crushed, suffocated and trampled
to death" in the destruction of the Iroquois Theater, Chicago, intensely excited re-
ligious circles all through the State, as it shocked the whole country. The pulpits,
as well as the press, discussed the awful calamity. It was given a religious turn,
as some ministers insisted, in a somewhat ambiguous manner, that "the fire that
burned these six hundred people was God's fire." As such catastrophes so often
called out skeptical sentiments, the pulpit combatted these, answering the ques-
tion, "Is there a God?" This perhaps especially in view of the fact stated, that
"nine-tenths of the victims of this horror were women and children." Can Provi-
dence be justified? Is there a reasonable explanation of such catastrophes? These
and kindred questions the pulpit had to answer to protect the interests of the
church and to fortify believers against infidelity. They resolved themselves into
the age-old problem in theology: "Is it possible for finite man to construct a
theodicy which will justify the divine providence by reconciling the existence of
evil with the goodness and severity of God?" Kant said it is impossible. The
mission at Mendota having failed, the property was sold and the proceeds covered
into the Eldership treasury by the agent. The church at Martinsville, under the
pastorate of J. W, Kingston, built a new bethel, costing $4,000.00. It was dedi-
cated November 11, 1900, W. N. Yates preaching morning and evening. The
church at Mt. Pleasant, two miles from Charleston, organized about 1875, con-
cluded to abandon the house built in 1876, and erect a new bethel a mile nearer
town. With O. B. Huston as pastor, they succeeded in building a house at a cost
of $3,000.00, which J. Bernard dedicated November 4, 1902. The new bethel at
Melrose, Clark county, where W. H. Cross was pastor, was set apart to the worship
of God on September 20, 1903.
The spirit of the Iowa ministry was aggressive, but not so hopeful, during
this period. With the churches they labored diligently, but under rather dis-
heartening conditions, to hold fast what they had, and if possible extend the
borders. But while their zeal was rewarded in a few instances, in other places
the work languished. There was considerable decrease, according to statistics, in
the total membership of the churches. Some four or more churches became ex-
tinct, while others were classed as "non-supporting." Yet earnest efforts, were
made to secure funds to support the work, and some missionary labors in Minne-
sota resulted in the organization of at least one church. There were elements of
discord which hindered the progress of the work. The most serious of these was
the missionary controversy, which became somewhat acute as the time approached
for the holding of the General Eldership in 1902. The embers of some of the old
controversies were also still alive. Among these was the question of unferment-
ed wine' for Communion purposes, to which the Eldership was committed. The
churches were not all in sympathy with this view, and insisted on using fermented
C. H.— 10
'258 History of the Churches of God
wine. Several pastors resigned their appointments, and were sustained by the
Standing Committee, which declared the churches to be in error. To secure
better co-operation and inspire greater activity, every field of labor in the Elder-
ship was to be visited at least once during each year by some member of the
Standing Committee. Much interest was awakened in Des Moines county because
of the semi-centennial services of the beginning of Church work in said county.
In 1850 William Vance removed into said county from West Pennsylvania.
Among other places where he began preaching was Harmony, largely a settlement
of families from Westmoreland county. Pa. There he succeeded in organizing a
church on April 14, 1851. On April 14, 1901, he preached the memorial sermon,
from John xii. 26. A new town called Royal, in Clay county, was laid out about
1900. It was within the territory in which Conrad Fatland was laboring. With
the faithful co-operation of the brethren and friends he succeeded in building a
house of worship in Royal, costing $810.00. It was dedicated on June 2, 1901,
by G. W. Elliott. The church at Mt. Ayer, served as pastor by D. Long, some
years before had suffered the loss by fire of their house of worship. In February,
1901, they resolved to begin gathering funds to rebuild, as the rented house of
worship could no longer be had. They received permission to canvass othei
churches for assistance. The house of worship at Greenmound, where D. Long
was pastor, was dedicated December 8, 1901. J. C. Kepford preached on the
occasion. In their misfortune, the church at Pleasant Grove, Louisa county, with
their pastor, A. B. Chaniberlin, manifested the sum of heroic qualities, when the
day after their bethel was destroyed by fire they resolved to begin at once the
work of rebuilding. The calamity befell them November 13, 1904, and on August
13, 1905, their new bethel, costing $2,000.00, was solemnly dedicated to the wor-
ship of Almighty God. L. F. Chaniberlin preached from 1 Kings ix. 3-5.
In Nebraska there was but slow growth during this period. In some sections
of the territory no progress was made. The spiritual condition of most of the
churches was good. There was an' evident feeling of spiritual heaviness, of heart-
sinking, at the deferred realization of hopes cherished. Means were limited, so
that missionary enterprises either suffered, or could not be entered upon. The
indomitable missionary, A. Wilson, went to the Pacific Coast. The Board of Mis-
sions of the General Eldership failed to keep any missionaries in the territory of
the Eldership. The fields of labor varied from eleven in 1901, to seven in 1904.
Thi« in itself does not mean a contracting of the territory, but a rearrangement
of charges so as to supply all the churches. Often single churches were supplied
in this way by ministers who largely supported themselves. Opportunities for
successful work abounded. The fields were inviting the reapers. Great things
were possible. But the men, and more especially the means to support the men,
were wanting. The machinery of the Eldership was adequate, and was well
worked. Funds were instituted; but the receipts did not flow in. There were
seven different funds in 19 01, but the total amount of money in them was $239.
An assessment was regularly niade, one-fourth for the Contingent Fund and
three-fourths for the Missionary Fund. The aggregate was as low as $66.00.
There was all possible activity in every department of healthy church work.
There was an Eldership Woman's Missionary Society, whose ambition was to or-
ganize a society in every church. The standing and influence of the Churclj in
the State were excellent. Perhaps an indication of this may be .seen in the
unusual fact that in January, 1903, a former Catholic priest, Leo B. Vander
Haden, and a member of the M. E. Church, W. R. Hodges, applied to the Standing
Committee for Certificates of Ordination, which were granted. The forme'r was
at once "appointed to do evangelistic work in the territory of the Nebraska Eldet-
ship," and the latter "to do evangelistic work wherever he finds an opportunity
to do good within the bounds of this Eldership.'* Earlier, in July, 1902, tWo
churches which "were formerly allied with the Free Baptist Church," reorganized
"under the name, polity and doctrines of the churches of God," and "asked to be-
come part of the Nebraska Eldership." These were the church at Mills, Key-
apaha county;^ with a membership of twenty-nine, and the church at New HoptK.
same county^ with a membership of twenty-two. . With these churches came! three
applicants recommended for license — G. W. Snodgi-ass, George Grahatn and Sist^f
ly. S, Trout., These applications were favorably considered, and the cliurtheS w§l*e
to i)e under the pastoral care of these licentiates. During' these five years th^
work w,a§ carried forward, ip the following* coiinties: Polk, Richardson, ^^C-^
Phersbn, Gage, Cu'stef; Lincoln-, Logaiiirii^yapi^ha, Holt, Clay and Saline. n.^'
Ge^neral History 259
The Board of Missions of the General Eldership employed missionaries in
Kansas each year during 1900-1905. Especially was Ft. Scott well provided for,
as O. A. Newlin was the alert and earnest missionary at that point from 1900 to
1903. Several other missionaries labored on other fields. A hopeful spirit per-
vaded the Eldership and churches; but funds were inadequate to do the best
permanent work. In 1902 the eleven pastors received only $882.00 from their
fields. But in 1904 the amount had increased to $1,420.00. While the number
of church organizations increased from thirteen in 1902, to fifteen in 1904, the
number of "preaching points" fell from nineteen to fifteen. There was a remark-
able falling off in these two years on three other items in the statistics. Conver-
sions in 1902, 233; in 1904, 71. Fellowshiped in 1902, 425; in 1904, 85. Total
membership in 1902, 675; in 1904, 575. Though results do not indicate it, there
was commendable activity among the sisters, as they maintained a State W. M. S..
and sought to have an organization in every church. Still one of the enthusiastic
pastors, at the close of the year 1904, exclaimed: "Praise God for the growth
of the Kansas Eldership!" This more in view of the additions to the Roll of
Ministers, which was full of promise had there been means available to keep
them at work. Material evidences of prosperity were not wanting. The bethel
built at Englevale in 1891 had not been dedicated because of a debt resting upon
it. This was provided for, and on February 17, 1901, the house was dedicated
by O. A. Newlin. This good work was accomplished under the labors of the
spirited pastor, W. E. Tuttle. The church at Riley having "disbanded," the
Standing Committee on September 14, 1901, ordered the property to be sold.
This was also the case with a church in Ness county, and on December 19, 1902.
the Standing Committee ordered the bethel to be sold, and the proceeds to be
used toward building a house of worship in Pratt county. At Maple Grove, under
the pastorate of A. J. Leonard, a new house of worship replaced one destroyed
by fire in 1901. It was dedicated by O. A. Newlin on February 23, 1902, with
"all bills paid and receipted." W. E. Tuttle and A. Miller conducted an eight-
week revival at Mulberry after New Year's, 1902, and organized a church of one
hundred and twenty members. The building of a bethel was at once determined
upon, and the corner-stone was laid March 8, 1902, by O. A. Newlin. The house
was completed, at a cost of $1,300.00, and was dedicated by Newlin and J. F.
Thomas on August 17, 1902. While the white church at Topeka had become ex-
tinct, and the mission among the colored people of the city, conducted by
Elizabeth Dupree, did not prove a success, in the Summer of 1902 Missionary
Dupree collected money, bought and set up a tent, and began work anew. She
succeeded in organizing a small church of white people, who were "willing to have
a colored woman for a preacher." Here, as in some other sections, the "second-
work agitators made considerable trouble."
The Kansas Eldership assumed urisdiction over Colorado, but it was not able
to do much work there, not being financially strong enough to care for the fields
in Kansas. The Board of Missions of the General Eldership came to its assistance.
and in 1900 appointed P. L. French missionary to Colorado. In 1901 it appointed
French to the territory around Parachute, and G. E. Konip to eastern Colorado and
western Kansas, Komp also being the appointee of the Kansas Eldership. In
1904 W. T. Tui-pin was appointed "Missionary in Colorado" by the Illinois Elder-
ship, and also by the General Board of Missions. H. S. AVayne, Parachute, Colo.,
secured the presence and labors of A. Wilson, of Nebraska, in the Spring of 1900.
He had a revival two and one-half miles south of Parachute, and organized a small
church. French reached there in October, 1900, and had successful meetings at
the same point and at Rifle. When Komp arrived at Clover Meadow in 1901, he
found a church there of forty members, worshiping in a school-house. In Feb-
ruary, 1901, he labored at Lamar, where a small church was formed. An ap-
pointment was opened at May Valley, three miles from Clover Meadow, so that
when in 1902 W. T. Turpin took charge he had "four regular appointments."
The Kansas Eldership in 1902 appointed W. T. Broad to Parachute. The small
churches in Colorado were quite active, and organized Sunday-schools and C. E.
Societies. There was a surplus of ministers and hopeful openings, but the funds
were not available to properly sustain the work.
Missouri was still in the main a mission field during this period. This the
General Board of Missions fully realized, and it did all it reasonably could to help
the Eldership to care for the work. It had from one to three ministers in its em-
ploy in the State during these five years. J. F. Thomas was the missionary in
26o History of the Churches oe God
south-western Missouri in 1900 to 1903. G. L. Bowman was in northern Missouri
In 1900-1. In 1902, W. W. Richmond was appointed to Sullivan county, and in
1903 to north-eastern Missouri, with J. W. Primrose to Clinton and DeKalb
counties. In 1903 G. L. Chapman began mission work under the General Board
and continued during 1904 and beyond. He had the true missionary spirit from
the beginning; is earnest, active and aggressive, and intensely devoted to the pro-
gress of the cause in Missou-ri. In 1904 the General Board sent him to the
southern part of the State. Of a sanguine disposition, there were times when he
anticipated the future with some apprehensions, as when in an article in 1902 he
viewed largely the dark side of the question of "What shall be the Progress and
U^estiny of the Missouri Eldership"? The work did not seem so prosperous then;
yet the missionaries were accomplishing some good. A few new churches had
been organized by Thomas in 1900, and up to the Eldership in 1901 he reported
three new organizations. A spirit of aggressive work pervaded the active min-
istry, and at times it was inspired with new hope, and made earnest resolves to do
greater things. In 1903 a new church was received at the Dover appointment.
Many conversions were reported in 1904, and there was commendable activity in
the missionary cause. Satan vexed the churches to some extent during 1903-4,
when even one of the ministers "pulled off from the Church," and sowed the seeds
of discord and division. While they suffered some loss, peace, harmony and co-
operation were restored.
The concensus of opinion of ministers in Oklahoma and Indian Territory, and
of visiting brethren, was that there was a splendid opportunity for Church work,
and that the doctrines of the Church were readily received. There were com-
plaints, voiced by B. Ober, Oklahoma, that the territory was too much neglected,
especially by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership; while others prayed
and pleaded for ministers to come to Oklahoma and build up the Church. But
the Board could not answer all calls. In 1901 it appointed J. D. Shoemaker mis-
sionary in the Indian Territory, and J. C. Caswell in Oklahoma. In 1902, C. H.
Ballinger was assigned to the Indian Territory not included in the Kansas Elder-
ship, and P. L. French to the Kansas part. In 1903 H. W. Allen was the Board's
appointee to western Oklahoma, and Ballinger to eastern Oklahoma. Allen was
also appointed by the Missouri Eldership. The work at Bartlesville, I. T., had
assumed such proportions by 1904 that French was appointed by the General
Board to that point; Allen to western Oklahoma, and Ballinger and J. W. Bums
to the Indian Territory. The Board authorized its Secretary, S. G. Yahn, in 1904,
to visit this part of its vast territory, and in June 4, 1904, he held a conference
with missionaries French, Allen, Bums, Richmond and others at Bartlesville, to
discuss missionary problems and plans. By this time the church at Bartles-
ville had completed its new bethel, at a cost of $3,200.00, under French's labors,
which was dedicated June 5th, S. G. Yahn officiating. Bartlesville was a thriving
town of 2,500 population. Allen, Ober and others were enthusiastic in their
praise of Oklahoma, and strongly urged colonization of Church families, as "now
is the time to settle in Oklahoma; now is the Church's opportunity to possess the
country." W. R. Covert had been called to Bartlesville, a few years prior to the
building of the bethel there, and had a successful debate with a Baptist minister,
which gave the cause in general quite an impetus. But in western Oklahoma
Warner and his "Come-outers" were making the churches of God considerable
trouble during this period. "They work under the false guise of Church of God
ministers," says Ober, and bring the doctrines of the Church, and its name, into
disrepute. To get into the towns where the Church had no houses of worship, the
Standing Committee in October, 1902, decided to "secure a tabernacle" for use
"in the Indian Territory." E. M. Kirkpatrick and George Kirk were appointed to
"receive money and purchase the tabernacle," which was to be "in charge of the
Standing Committee for the Indian Territory." In view of the apparently en-
forced policy of expansion versus concentration in frontier Church work, the
question of J. F. Thomas, in July, 1904, is significant: "What is the use for us
to want more territory when we do not take care of the territory we already
have?"
Limited results followed the labors of ministers and churches in Arkansas
and Texas from 1900 to 1905. Two missionaries were kept in the field by the
General Board each year, one among the white people and one among the colored
people. These were J. H. Whittington, white, in 1901 and 1903; J. M. Howard,
white, in 1902, and D. S. Summit, white, in 1904. The missionaries among the
J
General History 261
black people were J. D. DeGraftenreed in 1901, and in 19 04; M. Bonds in 1902,
and W. A. Daniels in 1903. Howard reported the organization of a new church
in 1903. There were revivals at various points, with accessions to the churches.
The Arkansas Eldership (colored) and its churches were not favorable to women
as pastors. In 1902, when Elizabeth Dupree, of Topeka, Kans., went to Arkansas
to labor among her race, the church in Logan county rejected her "on the ground
of being a woman." The Standing Committee not only sustained the church in
this action; but it went further, and declared, "that Sister Dupi-ee shall not be
pastor of any of the churches on the same ground." Women, however, were
licensed, and were also appointed missionaries. The Texas and Arkansas Elder-
ship had some where about twenty or upward church organizations. It was still
doing work in Texas, where J. D. Henson was missionary part of the time. The
condition of the Eldership was regarded in 1903 as "at least hopeful." The
number of appointments varied, being frequently rearranged, and ranging from
nine to fourteen. In the colored Eldership exigencies required frequent changes
of fields of labor, so that churches might be supplied with preaching by ministers
largely dependent upon themselves for their livelihood. They varied from four to
six. Considerable work was done in the Indian Territory, where one, two and
three ministers labored at different periods. .
In the Eldership on the Pacific coast slow progress was made. The churches
did little more than hold their own. There was considerable activity in mission-
ary work, as some societies were organized, and an Eldership W. M. S. was pro-
vided for. The territory was exceedingly large, and churches were scattered, so
that fields of labor were often rearranged, and numbered as high as twelve, with
two in California. Troubles originated in the latter part of this period, and one
church seceded, and several ministers were involved in serious dissensions. A.
Wilson was the missionary of the General Board of Missions from 1900 to 1904,
devoting much of his time to the work at and near Salem, Oregon. He was strong
in his convictions of truth, and an uncompromising advocate and defender of the
churches of God and their polity and doctrines.
Some mission work was done in isolated localities in three different States
in the northwest. Families of the Church emigrated to points in Idaho, where
A. W. Reeder made his home as early as 19 01. The Advocate was "the only
Church of God preacher" he had seen in the State. He strongly urged the
colonization of Church families in the section where he lived. Later J. C. Caswell
located at Priest River, Idaho, and began preaching. He also began work at
Newport, where he held a special meeting. He found it "hard work to build up
the Church of God in Idaho." "We are progressing slowly." "People do not
receive the word as readily here as in the South and East." J. L. IVJcClanahan
located at Juliaetta, Idaho, and did some preaching. He was more sanguine, even
expressing his "hope for an Eldership in Idaho." Families of the Church in
Iowa and Colorado located at Payette, Idaho, about this time, and began church
work. In 1902 W. E. Wolfe, of the Michigan Eldership, made Monitowac, Wis.,
his headquarters, and began preaching, having secured at different times rhe
Presbyterian and the Disciple houses of worship. His Eldership authorized him
"to work up a work in Wisconsin." When he advocated feet-washing the doors of
these houses of worship were closed against him. He regarded Monitowac "a
good place for missionary work." In Minnesota mission work was begun by G. W.
Elliott, of the Iowa Eldership, which appointed him State Missionary. Families of
Iowa, which were members of the church of God at Alice in 1903, located at May-
nard, Minn. There Elliott had a regular appointment in the Presbyterian house
of worship. When he proposed to organize a church, after a revival service at
which "twenty-two professed saving faith in Christ," "the Presbyterian minister
in charge refused us his church to organize in, or to preach any longer in it."
They retired to "Brother Real's house and completed our organization." This on
the evening of January 24, 1904. They at once made arrangements to begin the
work of building a bethel, and by March 1st had about $500.00 pledged for that
purpose. In the Fall of 1904 this church was, upon petition, received into the
Iowa Eldership.
The famine in India, in view of the missionaries and mission interests of the
General Eldership, deeply affected the churches. The missionaries were in no
immediate danger; but the natives in their district suffered to quite an extent.
What would our small gifts be among these thousands? Nevertheless, during
262 History of tiik Churches of God
the Summer and Fair of 1900, through The Advocate, nearly $1,000.00 were se-
cured for this purpose.
Public debates had become almost a discarded mode of defending truth. But
two are on record during this period in which ministers of the Church of God
participated. Both were naturally disputatious, and rather invited controversy.
The first was held at North Middleton, Cumberland county. Pa., and began at 10
a. m., October 18, 1900, between W. Palmer, pastor of the Plainfield circuit, and
VV. Kiilght, pastor of the Church of the Free People, Strattenville, Clarion county.
Pa. Two propositions were debated, the first affirmed by Palmer, and the second,
by Knight. These were: "The church of God authorized by Jesus Christ, and taught
by his Apostles, was a man-made, organized church." "The Christian ordinances,
water baptism and the Lord's Supper, so-called, are Jewish ordinances, and are
abolished." The second, was held at Bartlesville, Ind. Ter., between W. R.
Coveit, of the Church of God, and C. B. Grady, Missionary Baptist Church. The
debate began on December 11, 1902, and was to continue not less than nine
evenings. Four propositions were agreed upon, the first and third affirmed by
Covert; the second and fourth, by Grady. These were: 1. "That the churches
of God, with which I am in fellowship, are most essentially identical with the
churches of God founded by Christ and the Apostles, in name, ordinances, teach-
ings and government, according to the teachings of the New Testament, or word
of God, than the Missionary Baptist churches are." 2. "That the Church I am
identified with, known in history as the Missionary Baptist Church, is scriptural
in faith and practice, and is the church founded by Jesus Christ and his Apostles."
3. "The washing of the saints' feet is a church ordinance, instituted by Christ as
such, and ought to be observed by all the saints, or churches of God." 4. "That
a man who has been regenerated, or born again, will not, and can not, be finally
and everlastingly lost." The debate was called "The Missionary Baptists'
Waterloo."
While "controversies" were forbidden in the columns of The Advocate, there
was quite a good deal of argumentative or dialectic discussion. It kept the
atmosphere pure, and served to confirm the faith of believer's in the distinctive
doctrines of the churches of God. Some questions were resuscitated periodically,
and discussed by new men, and sometimes from new view-points and fuller knowl-
edge of facts. This was true with the various phases of the temperance question,
local option and prohibition, as these problems in social and civic relations came
before the people, as in 1901, when local option was agitated; in 1903 when the
anti-saloon question received a fresh impulse because of the National Anti-Saloon
Convention, and prohibition in 1904, when it was a live issue in Congress and be-
fore the American people as to the extent prohibitory legislation should be applied
to Government buildings, the Capitol, immigrant stations, forts. Soldiers' Homes,
Hawaii, interstate traffic, the Indians, Alaska, and the Pacific and Philippine
Islands. Likewise the subjects of the Federation of Churches, the Church of
God not a sect, baptism and the remission of sins, born of water, order of the
ordinances, and their private observance; the mourners' bench, sanctification, the
millennium, imposition of hands, the scriptural authority for Elderships, General
Eldership Church polity, and authority of said body; church discipline, faith-heal-
ing, the so-called second-work, old landmarks, and a number of others were dis-
cussed often by new men, or as live issues in certain sections of the territory of
the General Eldership. From 1902 to 1905 some of these questions became more
practical and vital by reason of the relation of the W. G. M. S. organized in 1890
toward the General Eldership and the W. G. M. S. organized in 19 03 to take its
place.
Wider differences on doctrinal questions began to develop with this genera-
tion of ministers; yet not on such points, nor of such a character, as to disturb
the harmony of the churches. The reasons were evident. Mainly they were
environment, intellectual training and wider acquaintance with scientific, literary
and theological literature. Having no published system of theology, ministers
made selections of standard works according to their tastes, or under divergent
influences. Many also acquired their theological knowledge from other and un-
reliable sources. But standard works on theology differ radically on some doc-
trines, and so disagreements were to be expected among ministers who had been
careful in their selection of text-books. Neither reason, nor the Scriptures inter-
preted by human minds, proves an infallible and uniform guide. It was but
reasonable, therefore, that on such a subject as the vicarious atonement of Christ,
' General History 263
so recondite, so hidden from ordinary and easy perception and intelligence, dis-
putations should arise. ' The theory of the atonement prevalent among the min-
isters of the (ihiirches of God had always been that advocated by C Price in a
lengthy discussion of the subject in 1900. He defined the "vicarious atonement"
to mean, that "Christ suffered the penalty of the broken law, and made a
vicarious atonement for sin by suffering in our place and stead." He gave fifteen
reasons in proof of this doctrine. Prom this view, traditional in the Church,
others began to dissent. This is true in all Churches. No doctrine of the
reconciling work of Christ has ever yet been developed that can be said to have re-
ceived the consent of the Christian world. Those opposed to Price's position con-
ceded that the idea of expiation, and of penal substitution, lies on the face of
Scripture; but that this was not the true meaning and method of reconciliation.
The "vicarious" nature of salvation through Christ they did not deny; but only
that to interpret it to mean that Christ stood in the sinner's place, had his sins
imputed to him, and became legally guilty, and was punished accordingly, thSy
repudiated. This was the vital point in the discussion, and it did not aim at any
further attempt at the solution of a problem which has bafiied the wisest
theologians in all the ages.
In 1900, and again in 1903, the mooted question of an "invisible" church
was taken up by different writers. The discussion grew out of a question
answered editorially, in which it was requested that an explanation be given of the
meaning and object of "the right hand of fellowship." The answer made a clear
and absolute distinction between the "visible" and the "invisible" church, and
maintained that of the latter a person becomes a constituent part by reason of the
new birth, and that in it are included all true believers. That the former is an
external organization, of which one becomes a member by official action of a local
eldership. And that this distinction is recognized in the Scriptures, though the
terms do not occur. Winebrenner was quoted against this view, though it was
really an argument of silence, deduced from his characterization of the church as
possessing "visibility." A singular and pathetic coincidence marked the ending of
this discussion, in that on May 13, 1903, an article from the pen'of W. P. Small,
Ohio Eldership, appeared in opposition, and on May 20, 1903, his death was an-
nounced.
Whether the sin of "plagiarism" was more common in those days, or the
church's conscience more sensitive, there were repeated discussions of it. In
1900 and in 1902 the evil was severely animadverted upon, and the moral de-
generacy of guilty ministers held up to reprobation. That even "the world has
indulged a universal sneer at the church for tolerating such immoralities in its
ministry and members" was affirmed. The church was called upon "for its own
vindication, and the highest interests of its adherents," "to make the basis of this
sneer absolutely false," by repudiating the offenders. ^
The question of worldly amusements was becoming very prominent. Ap-
parently a process of readjustment was in progress in the Christian church. The
practical ethical standards of the church were receiving modifications and elimina-
tions with a freedom which was alarming to conservative minds. The churches of
God had always denounced worldly amusements, such as dancing, card playing,
gambling of every variety, theater-going, etc. It stood with the Methodist and
like Churches in opposition to all these forms of diversion. In the discussions of
1900-1903, carried on by different writers, recreation and amusements were not
indiscriminately anathematized. They were classified as needful, innocent, doubt-
ful and sinful. The latter two were put under ban.
Electioneering in churches and Elderships was by most of the writers totally
condemned, both from the West and the East. More discriminating thinkers
realized that not every form of electioneering, or activity in canvassing for votes,
is pernicious activity. This was the dividing line along which the discussion was
conducted.
The question of the mourners' bench began to broaden out into that of evan-
gelistic methods. In 1902-1904, as to some extent in the preceding period, the
mourners' bench was beginning to lose its place even in churches of God. It had
a formal place in most revivals conducted by the pastors; but less stress was
laid upon it, and other methods were becoming popular. The discussion was in
the main negative. "Evangelistic" instead of "revival" services was the order.
Editorially the use of the new term was approved, being a revival of a scriptural
word, but used in too limited a sense. The evangelist is the preacher of the gospel.
264 History of thk Churches of God
Evangelistic services, however, meant "religious services conducted especially with
a view to a revival, or the bringing the unsaved into the church." The discussion
did not antagonize changes; but it did severely criticise methods employed. The
fundamental thought in the criticisms was the increased liability under the new
methods of superficial work, resulting in bringing multitudes into the churches
without a real change of heart. A majority of professional evangelists were dis-
credited by Churches and communities on this account.
A limited space only was given to the discussion of individual Communion
cups. They were generally opposed. Those ministers and churches which ap-
proved of their use were indisposed to invite censure or criticism by publicly ad-
vocating them. Elderships were silent. Here and there a church adopted them,
and was confirmed in its faith.
"Higher Criticism," for obvious reasons, received little attention from min-
isters of the churches of God. When the subject was discussed during this period
it«was almost invariably with marked disapprobation of the new science in every
respect, and with unfeigned alarm at the consequences. But occasionally some
one had the temerity to venture an indirect endorsement of some of the results
reached by the more conservative of the higher critics. Positively to endorse
Higher Criticism would not have been tolerated. The discussion, as elsewhere,
showed great bias and limited information when viewed in the light of such
illuminating articles as those reproduced in The Advocate from conservative
scholars like Dr, W. H. Green, of Princeton Theological Seminary.
The sinlessness of believers was a deduction from the second-work theory of
sanctification. It was discussed, and repudiated at various times between 1900
and 1905. The sense of sin, it was admitted, was declining, and the liability to
deception increasing; but no one is perfect, no, not one, was the general belief.
The explanation of John's teaching, that he in whom the divine seed remains can
not sin, was not easy; but it was thought to have been found in the metaphysical
distinction between the moral and physical natures of man, as also in the duality
insisted upon by Paul.
In no practical question was there more general interest than in that of the
country church. In 190 3 and 1904, the Editor, F. W. McGuii-e and a few others
devoted some space to the discussion of this question. The importance of the
country church; the difllculties under which it labors, growing more formidable;
the dying condition of many country churches; the absence of enthusiasm and
progressive energy and activity; the constant losses of its most talented and useful
younger members, and the best methods of work in country districts were themes
of earnest and thoughtful discussion.
CHAPTER XX.
1905—1910.
IN her review of the decade preceding A. D. 1912, Ella Wheeler Wilcox
characterizes it as "one of wasteful extravagance, unhealthful excitement,
unnatural appetites and an utter disregard of the rights of others." She
speaks specifically of the financial and social world. But closely connected with
that sphere of human activity is the religious world, only presumably in more
vital relation to him in whom all things consist. The same human basis under-
lies both, and so this analysis in a measure applies to the feverish condition of the
religious life. The earth itself seemed in active sympathy with the spirit of un-
rest in the religious and social world. Its blind natural forces were in great ac-
tivity regardless of ultimate results. Uncontrolled and unguided, they spent
their energies to no beneficent end. During the present period these seismic dis-
turbances were numerous, widespread and violent; destroying life and property in
almost unprecedented measure. The victims during these five years numbered
over 200,000, and the property destroyed aggregated hundreds of millions. From
1905 to 1909 the surface of the social waters in the United States were agitated by
the divorce question. It was debated in the halls of legislation, in congresses and
conventions, in ecclesiastical gatherings and the pages of religious and secular
periodicals. On two or three occasions the Editor of The Advocate and con-
General History 265
tributors discussed the various phases of the subject, and the East Pennsylvania
Eldership, and other Elderships, devoted parts of their sessions to this absorbing
problem. Uniform divorce laws, with a largely reduced number of grounds for
granting divorce, were the main issues. Opinions varied from that held by the
Catholic Church, which makes the marriage relation absolutely indissoluble, to the
flexible laws of the State of Nevada, the most liberal in their provisions of all the
States. The churches of God quite generally approved the conclusions reached
by the Divorce Congress which met at Washington, D. C, February 19, 1906. It
greatly reduced the grounds for divorce, and prepared a uniform divorce bill for
the different State Legislatures to enact into law. The views embodied in this
bill were far in advance of the laws of a majority of the States.
Potentially the most important of the movements of the early years of the
twentieth century was that which enlisted the more general, and hearty support
and co-operation of the laymen of the churches in the various forms of aggressive
church work. Among the most conspicuous of these was the one to organize the
men of the churches for direct Christian labor, for more systematic giving and in
gesneral for more efficient service in the kingdom of our common Lord. Under
various names these organizations became widespread among the men of all
Churches. Laymen's Conferences, Missionary Societies, Bible Classes increased
with remarkable rapidity. Their purpose was to promote Bible study, increase
attendance at church services, maintain altars of prayer in every home, enlarge
contributions for missions, especially foreign missions. Under the auspices of the
Laymen's Movement so-called "missionary campaigns" were held in many towns
and cities throughout the country between 1906 and 1909. The churches of God
were not indilferent to these Movements, and they were earnestly admonished to
become more active in all these lines of Christian endeavor. And while very little
was done by way of organized effort, the churches felt the stimulating influence
of these Movements. In eastern Pennsylvania conventions were attended by a num-
ber of representatives of churches of God in 1908 and 1909. And in November,
1909, the churches of God in and around Harrisburg, and as far distant as Altoona,
following a Laymen's Missionary Convention held in Harrisburg, Pa., held a
Conference in the Fourth Street Bethel. No formal organizations were effected,
but in the West Virginia Eldership, North, an "Elders' Association" was formed
in 1904, and the laymen of the East Pennsylvania Eldership organized a "Lay-
men's Association" in 1909. The purpose of this organization was to form "a
closer bond of Christian fellowship and to secure greater usefulness in furthering
the cause of our Lord." More than any other of these popular Movements, that
of the Adult Bible Class appealed most generally to the churches of God, and scores
of them were organized in the different Elderships. The Ohio Eldership in 1908
"spent some time in discussing its use in the church, and passed a resolution re-
questing the ministers to organize adult Bible classes in all their Sunday-schools
where possible." The organization of the churches of God in Indiana of the
character of a Chautauqua, in 1905 became the "Inter-State Assembly," to be
participated in by active workers in missionary, Sunday-school and other organi-
zations. It was contemplated to make it in a general sense "a real help to the
churches of God." Strong endorsements of this project were received not only
from the Indiana Eldership, but also the West Virginia, the Ohio, the Illinois and
the East Pennsylvania Elderships.
With the rapid increase in wealth came enlarged benefactions. In proportion
to their material substance it is safe to assume that the churches of God donate
as largely to religious, educational and benevolent institutions as does the mem-
bership of other Churches. They can not compete with the larger and richer
Churches, nor with the individual millionaires of foreign faiths. Yet between
1905 and 1910 they challenge admiration for their liberality. It was a period of
munificent giving. Carnegie gave $10,000,000 "to hasten the abolition of war and
establish a lasting world-peace;" $10,000,000 additional to the endowment of Car-
negie Institution at Washington; $1,250,000 "in furtherance of philanthropies at
his Scottish birthplace;" $1,250,000 for a "Hero Fund Foundation for Life-savers
in Germany." John Stuart Kennedy made a bequest of $5,000,000 to the Board of
Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Russell Sage in 1907 "set
aside $10,000,000 for the Endowment of the Sage Foundation." In February,
1907, John D. Rockefeller "announced a gift of $32,000,000 to the General Edu-
cation Board." Along side of these princely gifts others seem insignificant, such
as Carnegie's of $12,500 to Findlay College's new endowment of $50,000, com-
266 History of the Churches ov God
pleted in 1910. John Miller, of Linglestown, Dauphin comity, Pa., a retired
farmer; son of Andi-ew Miller, who died April 29, 1909, created a fund of $25,000
for the benefit of six churches on the old Dauphin circuit. Mai-y E. Heckendora,
Landisburg, Perry county. Pa., in 1905, bequeathed to the General Eldership
$200.00 for foreign missions. On June 12, 1905, Pindlay College was guaranteed
$20,000 by a member of the East Pennsylvania Eldership to endow the President's
Chair. This must not be accepted as an exhaustive list of bequests and gifts by
members of the churches of God during this period.
A number of the "movements" of this period, as some of earlier periods, were
of a non-denominational, or inter-denominational, character, and thus served to
promote a spirit of concord and conciliation between Churches. This was especi-
ally true of the Young People's Missionary Movement in connection with
the Y. P. S. C. E. Unofficially the churches of God were interested in this
movement. When the First International Convention, under the direction of
the Y. P. M. M. of the United States and Canada, was held at Pittsburg, Pa.,
March 10-12, 1908, representatives of churches of God were in attendance.
The Convention was discussed and reported in The Advocate, and it was claimed
that its "effects will be felt in many different ways; but the way it cemented
the different Churches in one bond of brotherly love is probably the best and
greatest result." The Movement had been organized July 18, 1902, and six
years later was fully equipped for world-wide mission work, being "a Movement
of the Mission Boards of a number of Churches." The effect predicted in a meas-
ure followed, in the intenser feeling of amity and unity between these Churches.
The inter-denominational Sunday-School Conventions had the same tendency.
The World's Sixth Sunday-School Convention was held at Washington, D. C, May
19-24, inclusive, in 1910. Unofficially churches of God manifested their interest,
and sent representatives there. Denominations between which there was a degree
of doctrinal unity and similarity of polity naturally began to discuss the problem
of organic unity. This was true of the Congregational, the Methodist Protestant
and the United Brethren Churches in January, 19 05. The COngregationalists,
however, through their National Council, adopted principles, or a "platform,"
which "only means co-operation, or federation, within prescribed limits. It doe^
not contemplate organic union of the Churches." In the Fall of 1905 the move-
ment to secure "federal union between the different bodies of the Reformed family
of Churches" was well under way. A convention was held in New York at this
time for the purpose of "securing official Church Federation among all Protestant
denominations." It contemplated a "General Council" in which the denominations
"approving of the purpose and plan of the organization" were to be represented.
It was specifically provided "that no phraseology contained in the plan of union
shall be construed to imply any doctrinal basis whatever." In 1909 the initial
steps were taken to reunite the Evangelical Association and the United Evangelical
Church, and Peace Commissioners were named by both Churches. These Commis-
sioners met at Chicago the last of January, 1909, and their "deliberations were
eminently satisfactory," and prospects for final union very hopeful. These various
movements were generally discussed in religious periodicals, including The Church
Advocate, thus keeping the churches of God fully informed of their nature and
progress. No official action on the question of the union or the federation of the
churches of God with other religious bodies was at any time seriously proposed.
The Advocate favored neither, and its position was approved by the non-action of
the Annual Elderships and the General Eldership. It was held that such a posi-
tion was in no wise in conflict with the earlier teachings on "union," which was a
prominent item in the platform of Winebi-enner and his co-laborers. The union
or federation of Churches is consistent with sectarianism, against which earnest
protest was always made. It is not the Christian union of the word of God, and
so is not in harmony with the platform of the churches of God.
With all this activity and earnest spirit of co-operation the fruits of Christian
labor were somewhat disappointing. Forecasts based on current conclusions were
pessimistic. The editor of "The Missionary Review of the World" in June, 1908,
wrote on "The Forecast of a Spiritual Panic," and gave "four signs of a coming
crisis." They were grave signals, but were declared "certainly to exist." Re-
vivals were not numerous, and generally limited in results. Already at an earlier
date, though speaking for England, yet true of the United States, Dr. Joseph
Parker said: "It is well known that many Christians have come to have a dis-
taste for the word 'revival' when used with reference to religious work." And
GENERAL History 267
while it was conceded by the ministers of the churches of God, as expressed in
1907, "that there is a great need for the old-time revivals," it was also the belief
tliat "the day for old-time revivals is nearly past." The Torrey-Alexander evan-
gelistic meeting in Philadelphia, which began iFebruary 4, 1906, was generally
known as a "revival." This influence was felt throughout a radius of a hundred
miles, and a number of revivals in churches of God were attributed to it. That
there was but a small per centum of increase in the membership of the churches
of God during 1906 is shown by the absence of reports of extensive revivals. The
same is true for 1908 and 1909. It can also be inferred from the general statistics
for the United States. In 1906 "the increase of the whole communicant body was
2.72 per cent. In 1908 the total increase in church membership was 1.5 per cent.
The method of conducting services for the conversion of the unsaved had material-
ly changed with the ministers and churches of God. The mourners' bench in many
•churches was practically abandoned. In others it was optional. "The easier
method" of rising in the congregation, lifting up the hand, or kneeling at the pew
was substituted. Nowhere was the same stress laid upon this form of making
the great decision that was almost universal half a century and more ago. It was
sometimes defended in The Advocate, and insisted upon, as the preferable way
for a sinner to make the most important decision in the history of a human soul.
Yet editorially the question, "Is it necessary to use the mourners' bench in revival
meetings?" was thus answered April 3, 1907: "No forms are necessary. We
have always emphatically taught that the vital point is conversion, regeneration.
To this end repentance and faith are necessary; but no posture, measure, form or
physical demonstration."
That results were somewhat meager does not justify the conclusion that the
•churches of God were not making progress. They were being confirmed and
strengthened, conditions were improved and their various interests placed on a
better basis. Church extension work was also being done with commendable zeal
and liberality. Only the lack of means prevented the planting of many churches
in new localities, and in new States. In Idaho a few families located in and near
Fayette, Canyon county, in 1905, which had been members of churches in Carroll
•county, Iowa, and at Grand Valley, Colorado. In March, 1905 A Wilson paid them
a visit, and preached for them. He found ten former members of churches of
God. He returned and preached for two weeks in the dwelling house of S. B.
Alspach and in a Hall, until June 23, 1907, when he organized a church of eleven
members, of which S, B. Alspach and H. S. Wayne were the elders, and G. P.
Abei-nathey, deacon. By December, 1907, the membership had increased to
twenty, but the church had no pastor. In February, 1908, L. T. Fredericks, of
Nebraska, conducted a successful revival meeting, at which twenty-nine converts
were fellowshiped. On February 12th, S. B, Alspach bought "a church building
formerly occupied by the M. E. Church," which the church later secured, and after
needed repairs dedicated as the first bethel of the Church of God in Idaho. De-
cember 12, 1908, W\ T. Tui'pin reached Payette to become pastor of the church.
A gracious revival followed in January, 1909, during which twenty-five more were
fellowshiped, bringing the total membership up to seventy-four. An unfortunate
schism occurred in the church during this year, growing out of the W. G. M. S.
troubles, and resulting in a lawsuit which threatened for awhile to destroy the
church; but which was finally adjusted, and unity and peace restored. At Moscow,
Latah county, Idaho, and several other points, A. Wilson preached at different
times, and regarded prospects good for establishing churches.
The work in Colorado was not neglected. In May, 19 05, W. H. Cross went to
the assistance of W. T. Turpin in a meeting at Buffalo, where Church of God fami-
lies from Kansas had located. Other points afforded good openings for mission work,
at one of which G. Swan preached in January, 1907. D. Long was doing mission
work at several points in Prowers county in the latter part of the Winter of 1906-7.
There were two organized churches in the county. I. H. Greene did considerable
preaching in Wyoming during the early part of this period. Jesse Huddle, of
Iowa, preached some at Canton, S. Dak., in 1906. H. L. Soule's church was mainly
a church of God in doctrine; but it was not in fellowship with an Eldership.
Better success attended efforts to establish the Church in North Dakota. J. W.
Cabbage located near Hazelton, Emmons county, in April, 1906, and began mis-
sion work. Also in a school-house 7 miles distant, in September, 1907. Here he
had a revival in December, 1907, with about thirty converts, and on December
22nd he gave the hand of fellowship to thirty-four, completing the organization
268 History op the Churches of God
January 1, 1908, with a membership of thirty-seven. It was the first church of
God in North Dakota, called the church of God at Pleasant Valley, Emmons county,
N. Dak. A Y. P. S. C. E. of fifty members was organized, with Mi's. J. \V. Cabbage
as President. C. D. Bradley having temporarily located in Montana in 1909 re-
ported great destitution prevalent everywhere as to preaching, with the most en-
couraging prospects for church work, if he could be supported. The fields every-
where seemed ready for the reapers of the Church of God; but they could not be
kept in the field to gather in the ripe grain. This applied to Kentucky. In the Fall
of 1906, after the Missouri Eldership, of which he was a member, G. L. Chapman
revisited southern Kentucky, where he had organized two churches in 1904. He
found them "all at work like busy bees," with "a flourishing prayer-meeting, and
a house of worship built," which he dedicated October 14, 1906. It was the "first
house of worship of the Church of God in Kentucky," and was deeded to the
General Eldership. In July, 1907, Chapman was called to Nashville, Tenn., to
preach, as he understood, at a revival service; but on his arrival there, July 20th,
he found a church inquiring "about the Church of God and its doctrines." After
preaching ten days, on Saturday evening, August 3rd, he organized the church of
God in Nashville, Tenn., with a "pastor, two elders, three deacons, two deacon-
esses, a clerk and treasurer, and seventy-six members." It was the result of a
division in the Free Baptist Church growing out of the preaching of the pastor,
L. B. Shannon. The church and the pastor were received into the Missouri Eld-
ership, August 15, 1907, and Shannon was reappointed pastor in October, 1907,
and granted a Certificate of Ordination. J. A. Swanson preached at Tennessee
Ridge, Tenn., in November, 1909, where a revival followed, with thirty converts.
It is the general belief, that no thing so effectually weakens and destroys the
power for usefulness in a religious body as contentions, divisions and schisms.
Not only is fellowship broken, but confidence is destroyed, and that good repute
with the world is lost which is a condition of success. Unfortunately this was the
case to a deplorable extent in the Oregon and Washington Eldership during this
period. The division became an open rupture in 1907-9. In the former year a
rupture took place in the Eldership, and in 1908 two Elderships were called, and
intense feeling prevailed. In 1909, an independent Eldership was organized by
those who withdrew from the session appointed to be held by the General Elder-
ship in 1909. Some work was done at Portland, Oregon; but the expected organi-
zation of a church was not effected. In other localities the churches languished,
so that at the close of this period the cause had suffered serious loss. In Douglas
county, Washington, where no work had previously been done, E. M. Kirkpatrick,
of Indian Territory, began preaching in 1907. He located in this central county
in 1905, and after becoming somewhat acquainted began preaching, and had fair
success, having had fourteen conversions at a revival he held. This was east of
the ground occupied by the ministers of the Eldership. The fields of labor had
increased to eleven in 1907, two of them missions, which were supplied by the one
party to the schism, while the other party made eight appointments, but on the
same territory in the main. There were eight fields in 1905, when the Eldership
was united; but in 1909 the remnant which was left after the schism made but four
assignments. In consequence of these conditions the Board of Missions of the
General Eldership made no appointments to the Oregon and Washington territory.
The Nebraska work was largely sterilized, according to reports submitted.
Each year the note was "spirituality of churches not what we could wish it to be;"
"the churches in some parts are in a lethargic condition;" "spirituality had been
at a low ebb." This was relieved in 1909 by the assurance that many of "the
churches which had been at a low ebb were increasing in spirituality." There
was also quite a healthy zeal in the Eldership for the various interests it repre-
sented. It was steadily urged that a higher standard of religion should be
preached, and then lived up to. "A deeper sense of the great responsibility rest-
ing upon ministers" was insisted upon. The burden of missions was felt, and
what the Eldership could do with its limited means it was desirous to do. The
help of the Board of Missions of the General Eldership was strongly solicited.
Ministers were incited to greater zeal in revival efforts and in teaching the doc-
trines of the Church. The number of active ministers was inadequate, and so the
fields had to be rearranged, and varied from six to fourteen. But nine of the
fourteen in 1907 were unsupplied. The women were active in organizing Woman's
Missionary Societies, and also a State W. M. S. Work was being carried on in the
General History 269
following counties: Logan, Lincoln, McPherson, Custer, Saline, Polk, Keyapaha,
Gage, Lyon, Clay, Richardson and Thurston.
Under somewhat depressing conditions the devoted ministers and the true
and loyal churches in Kansas continued the work of church upbuilding and church
extension. Efforts were made to do mission work in Oklahoma and Colorado, but
without the funds to support the missionaries. Even the fields in Kansas could
not always be supplied. The Board of Missions of the General Eldership kept
several men constantly in its employ in the territory of the Kansas Eldership,
which included Colorado and a strip .50 miles wide in northern Oklahoma. Bartles-
ville, Oklahoma, was thus supplied by J. W. Bloyd during this period. O. A.
Newlin was the General Missionary on that part of the frontier field. The Ft.
Scott church was favored with the services successively of J. W. Piimrose, W. W.
Richmond and T. M. Funk, under whose labors the interests of the church were
zealously cared for. In Ft. Scott mission work was successful in the northern
suburb, where in February, 1905, J. W. Primrose began his labors in a school-
house. In April he began a seven weeks' revival in a tent, at which twenty-eight
persons were converted. He secured "an old stone building," in which he or-
ganized "the second church of God in Ft. Scott (Belltown)," with twelve members.
The number of fields of labor varied from nine to fifteen, as some of them often
consisted of single churches which were supplied from Ft. Scott, or ministers who
could largely support themselves. Possibly the attempt to take care of too much
territory operated against successful work, for in 1909 the Eldership realized that
"the work is not up to the standard we would like to see." In the northern parts
of the State there was almost nothing done during this period; but in the Indian
Territory and Oklahoma the work was in a promising condition. In District No.
3, Indian Territory, and Woods and Woodward counties, Oklahoma, churches were
being established. In Kansas the fields of labor were in Bourbon, Barber, Craw-
ford, Cherokee, Chautauqua, Elk, Edwards, Labette, Pratt, Stafford and Sumner
counties, being in the southern three tiers of counties. The interest in current
practical questions on the part of ministers and churches is revealed in the topics
discussed at the meetings of the Ministerial Association. Among these were "The
Duty of a Pastor to the Church." "How Do We Know That We Are Saved?"
"Duty of Preaching the Doctrines of the Church." "Best Methods of Promoting
a Revival." "Preaching to the Young." "Care of the Young Converts." The
missionary spirit was prominent, and the sisters interested themselves in a State
W. M. organization, as well as in forming local societies.
An open field for work was found in Oklahoma and the Indian Territory, and
the Board of Missions of the General Eldership manifested a disposition to assist
liberally in occupying it. E. M. Hickman was the missionary in eastern Oklahoma
in 1905-6-7, and in central Oklahoma^ in 1908. H. W. Allen labored in
western Oklahoma in 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909. And in 1909 J. D. Sutton
was the missionary in south central Oklahoma, and C. H. Ballinger in north
central Oklahoma, with J. W. Bums in eastern Oklahoma in 19 0 8. Bums
had been the missionary to the Indian Territory in 1907. The experiment of
holding a camp-meeting was tried by Allen on his mission field in western Okla-
homa, near Burmah, in August, 1905. There were at this time in the Oklahoma
and Indian Territory Eldership fourteen organized churches. In 1907 it reported
fifteen, one having been organized at Francis, Indian Territory, by J. D. Henson
in the Winter of 1906-7. Revival work was carried on by E. K. Howe in Woods
county, western Oklahoma in the Winter of 1905, and a number were converted.
At Indianapolis, Custer county, under the care of B. Ober, a house of worship was
erected, and it was dedicated on the third Sunday in December, 1907. Through
the energetic labors of P. L. French a house of worship was built near Cleo, Woods
county, which was dedicated by J. W. Bloyd July 19, 1908. B. Ober assisted in
the services.
The Texas and Arkansas Eldership was stimulated in its endeavors to
strengthen the things that remained and to extend its borders by the generous help
of the Board of Missions of the General Eldership. It had in its employ in Arkan-
sas D. S. Summit in the southern part of the State in 1906, and J. H. AVhittinj^ton
in the northern part. It retained Whittington during the three succeeding years.
He conducted a camp-meeting, which began July 20, 1908, at Grand Prairie,
Arkansas. At Charleston, county seat of Franklin county, Ark., he succeeded in
organizing a church of eleven members in 1907. He labored here under serious
competition, as the meetings were held in a union house, also occupied by the
270 History of the Churches of God
Presbyterians and the Christians. Whittington was misnamed by the Presbyterian
minister as "a Godite preacher." In the same county J. T. Shelby opened several
new points. But as he came under the influence of the "Holiness Doctrine,"
charges were preferred against him for "preaching and practicing the so-called
holiness doctrine." These were sustained, and his Certificate of Ordination was
withdrawn. This schismatical doctrine was unflinchingly opposed. There was
a division of views on the order of observing the ordinances, and this led to occa-
sional controversies. The teachings of the Church of Christ on baptism made the
question of the subjects and design of baptism a timely one for discussion before
the churches. The support of ministers was very limited, and this was a frequent
topic at meetings of the Ministerial Association. While in common with all the
Elderships much active interest was evinced in the question of ordaining men to
the ministry. Occasionally such abstruse questions as election and predestina-
tion, or the office of the Holy Spirit were debated.
In quietness and dispassionate earnestness the ministers of the colored Arkan-
sas Eldership pursued their labors. The General Board of Missions gave them
some encouragement, as S. P. Petei*s, colored, was in its employ in 1906. The
practice of fasting for religious purposes was still retained and the zeal so char-
acteristic of the race was not wholly quenched by the serious obstacles encounter-
ed, nor by limited success. The fields of labor were small and weak, but the
desire to enlarge the occupied territory induced the churches to make sacrifices.
Some funds were raised in 1905-6 to help to support a missionary. In 1906 the
missionary was reappointed, and the two circuits were supplied with pastors. A
better financial system was put into effect in 1907, and a missionary was elected
in 1908, to be supported by the churches. In 1909 two mission points were to be
supplied by the Standing Committee. There were promising openings in the In-
dian Territory, which the ministers were desirous to enter, so as to enlarge the
territory of the Eldership. Considerable interest was manifested in the Ministerial
Association, maintained under disadvantageous conditions.
A strong and persistent effort was made to advance the work in Missouri.
Generally two men were employed by the Board of Missions of the General Elder-
ship each year. In 1905 D, L. Cox was appointed to Sullivan county, in the north-
ern part of the State, and W. E. Kelly in the central part of the State. G. L.
Chapman in 1906-1908 was assigned to the south-eastern Missouri mission. He
was general missionary of the Missouri Eldership during several years, as the
Eldership manifested deep interest in Church extension work. In 1907-9 J. F.
Allman was the appointee of the General Board in south-western Missouri. James
F. Sutton was laboring at Keystone and other points in 1908, whilie in 1909 he
was the missionary in northern Missouri, as was D. L. Cox. The reported results,
were not commensurate with the labors and the means devoted to the work, as
judged by the published reports. Chapman had successful revivals in Saline and
other counties in 1905. In St. Louis the church was in a critical condition, partly
as the effect of an effort on the part of Mrs. M. B. Woodworth to get possession of
the property. When the bethel was deeded by her to the Eldership she reserved
the right of "spiritual direction during her lifetime." This the courts decided to
b6 "synonymous with physical possession." And as this was refused her, she
made an effort in 1905 to gain physical possession by legal process. At Johnson
City, under the missionary labors of O. A. Newlin, a successful woods meeting was
conducted, beginning July 4, 1907, which resulted in the organization of a church
of eleven members, increased to twenty a fortnight later. G. W. Wyatt had begun
work there in 1906. At Crane the church began building operations in August,
1907, when $1,000.00 were secured for that purpose. On the south-west Missiouri
mission a new bethel was built at McCullah, near Baxter, which was dedicated by
J. F. Allman in 1907. A church of fourteen members was organized August 11,.
1907. In the Fall of 1906 a church was formed at Leadwood, and the building of
a bethel decided upon. S. A. Rambo conducted a revival meeting at Lakeview,
beginning February 15, 1908, at which there were nineteen conversions, and on
February 26th a church of twenty-two members was organized. The number of
fields of labor varied from ten to twelve, according to the supply of active min-
isters. Even when there were twelve appointees, some churches remained un-
supplied. In 1909 J. B. Shannon, Nashville, Tenn., withdrew from the Eldership,
an^ the work in that city went down. Mission interests were diligently looked
after by the State W.M. S., with which the Eldership was in cordial sympathy.
An effort was made in 19'0 8 td stimulate interest by the liolding of a camp-meeting
{-, '^ ■:•') General History 271
near Versailles, Morgan county, near the center of the State. J. W. Primrose
was in charge, and continued the meeting for three weeks. Later the same year
he used a tent for revival services, during which he witnessed thirty-five con-
versions. A camp-meetijig was also held at Linn Grove, from September 2 5 to
October 10, 19 09, conducted by Lum Neal and Samuel Van Meter. The results
in the way of conversions were disappointing, but God's children were edified and
confirmed, and the observance of the three ordinances was a feast. The general
conditions throughout the Eldership were reported in 1907 as "in better condition
than they had been for several years," although the net increase of the churches
up to 1910 was quite small.
The missionary spirit in Iowa was strong and healthy. The W. M. S. met
regularly at the same time and place with the Eldership. The circuits usually
included several mission fields, toward the support of which missionary funds were
appropriated. Work of this character was done in Missouri, Minnesota, North and
South Dakota. The number of fields of labor varied from fifteen to twenty-four,
some of them being unsupplied each year. Local Pentecostal meetings were held
in a few instances, but were no longer under Eldership auspices. L. F. Cham-
berlin held one at Harmony in 1908. Ministerial Associations were regularly
held prior to the Annual Eldership sessions. Many of the subjects discussed
originated in the local or general conditions which prevailed in the churches of
God during this period. No Eldership was more vitally interested in such ques^
tions than was the Iowa Eldership. Hence, such topics as the following were dis-
cussed: "The unity or oneness of the Church;" "Are the demands of Elderships
arbitrary, or simply co-operative?" "What do we as a Church need most in the
line of co-operative law?" Local conditions would suggest the discussion of the
question of "Demitting the piinistry;" or, "The relation of baptism to regenera-
tion;" or, "The voter's relation to political parties;" or, "The time limit of the
pastorate." The five-year term was thought to be ^.dvisable for the older ministers;
a shorter term for the younger men. Other topics related to the "dangers of the
ministry of the churches of God;" revivals, and "how best to promote them;"
"care of converts," and the "financial side of religious work." But the fruits of
the devoted labors and self-sacrifice of the ministry were somewhat disappointing.
While the churches were taking commendable interest in their spiritual and ma-
terial advancement, there is little evidence of successful aggressive work. Under
the pastoral labors of E. E. HeUebridle extensive repairs, at a cost of $l,QO0.0O,
were made to the house of worship at Alice, and rededicatory services were held
December 2, 1906. The bethel at North Bend was destroyed by fire about midf-
night of November 15, 1906, involving a loss of $5,000.00. But with- that un-
faltering spirit and intrepid courage before ^hich timidity and wavering disap-
pear, the church at once prepared plans to rebuild. And before the twelve njonths
were past, on October 14,. 1907, E. E. Heltebridle dedicated the new house of wor-
ship. The pastor, J. C. Kepford, labored with meritoripus zeal in this work. In
Sunday-school work the ministers and churches in Iowa were generally quite
active. Societies of youriig, people received mpre or less attention; but as the
interest in foreign missions was supreme, the work of the W. M. S. largely eclipsed
all other forms of church activity.
The Illinois Eldership during this period devoted its energies assiduously to
the upbuilding and strengthening of the different churches and fields ojf labor;
the perfecting of its financial system, and the advancement of its various auxiliary
organizations. It continued its two Pentecostal meetings, one in the northern
and one in the southern part of the territory. The tent for evangelistic services
during the Summer was generally in use, and was at the service of any pastor and
church which desired it and made itself responsible for expenses. Deep interest
was manifested in the Y. ,P. S. C. E. organization and work. C. T. Ishler, Fred.
M. Newlin and other leaders in this form of activity were enthusiastically at worlc
Annual conventions were held. A few new societies were formed, and the Elder>-
ship Union was a live organization. The Society was regarded as "a powerful
force for establishing our young people in the faith of the, Church of God." There
were fifteen local societies in 19;09. Iinportant questions bearing on the interests
of the churches wei?^ Gq,refully;cai?.v^s^e(i at the meetings of the Ministerial Asso-
ciation, which were regularly held, Some of these were: "Is the Church of God
a Divine Institution?" "Should the Church of God Defend its Reputation?" ''The
•ModCii Paatorjj" "The Model Church;',': "What is a Revival?" '.'How to Promote 0
Reviv:aJ;"-"'Why Dq ^SVeJFail in Promoting Revivals?" , For several y^ars au Eldr
272 History of the Churches of God
ership camp-meeting was held 4 miles north of Decatur. I. S. Richmond had the
supervision of the one held in 1908. The one held at Sangamon in 1907, con-
ducted by J. W. Bobb, was to be "an old-fashioned one." It was to be a "State
camp." The more frequent observance of the ordinances was deemed important
to the spiritual progress of the churches. Besides, the condition of the country
churches was giving the ministry much concern. It was an increasingly interest-
ing and difticult problem. So little aggressive missionary work had been under-
taken that in 1908 the question was agitated, "Shall we open a Home Mission this
year?" One general worker was kept in the field, those named being W. R. John-
son, in 1905; L, T. Frederick, in 1906; C. A. Schaaf, in 1908. The largest num-
ber of fields of labor was in 1906, when there were twenty-one. The church at
Martinsville made improvements to its house of worship which cost $1,500.00. An
addition was built to the bethel to accommodate the flourishing Sunday-school.
A baptistery was installed, and a new piano. The pastor, C. T. Lshler, secured
the services of Geo. M. Hubne for the rededication on August 1, 1909. The total
church membership increased from 1,196 in 1907, to 1,500 in 1909.
An orderly and constructive purpose is evident in the work of the ministers
and churches of the Indiana Eldership during the period of 1905 to 1910. There
were clear-thinking and well-poised men at the helm. Interesting parallels are
noticeable between old days and new. There was a lack of ministers to cover the
territory with efficient laborers, and so not only had fields to be merged, but some
remained unsupplied. The number varied from nineteen in 1905 to fourteen in
1909. The highest number of organized churches reported was forty-one, in 1907.
There was fluctuation in their spiritual condition, as judged by the Committees
on State of Religion. "In some places bad; in some places pretty good," was the
report in 1906. "Spiritual condition poor, and on the decline," was the conclu-
sion in 1908. But improvement was noticed in 1909. There was an expressed
"desire to become more firmly rooted and grounded in the truth." They were not
inhospitable to new ideas, and accepted innovations which their judgment ap-
proved with cordiality. There was occasional friction in the churches, adding
proof to the old truth that next to the quarrel in a family there is nothing quite
so sharp and earnest as a contest in a small church. Several of these controversies
were appealed to the Eldership. With little evidence of Church extension work,
there was praiseworthy activity. This is clear from the work done by the W. M.
S., and the interest taken in the organization of Y. P. S. C. E. in a number of local
churches. In 1908 a convention of these societies was held, and a State organiza-
tion effected. The Eldership Assembly awaked a degree of enthusiasm which was
full of promise; but it was destitute of the elements which are necessary to insure
permanence. Pentecostal services were held under Eldership direction in connec-
tion with the Assembly in 1908. There was a well-conducted camp-meeting held
in 1908, near Sugar Grove Bethel, under the direction of M. W. Johnson, pastor.
Efforts were made to revive the work at Anderson, and I. W. Markley and H. H.
Spiher were authorized in 1905 to investigate conditions with that end in view;
but Andei-son does not appear on the list of churches in 1909. The Eel River
Bethel, near Roann, Wabash county, was sold in 1905. At Auburn, DeKalb county,
a new house of worship was built at a cost of $4,200.00, under the labors of H. G.
Herendeen, the young and energetic pastor. It was dedicated February 26, 1905,
by M. S. Newcomer. Probably one of the finest new houses of worship in the Gen-
eral Eldership was built at Idaville, White county, in 1908, when E. M. Love was
pastor of the church. It cost $9,187.00, and was dedicated December 27, 1908,
by C. I. Brown, assisted by O. A. Newlin. The Idaville church confirmed the gen-
eral truth that a local fight almost always ends in benefit when all the member-
ship in unison take part in it. The attempt to revive church work at Ft. Wayne,
Allen county, had an auspicious beginning. H. H. Spiher was the missionary, and
began work in a Hall in November, 1907. He found seventy-five persons in the
city who had been members of the Church. On Sunday morning, August 25, 1908,
"the new church was organized with thirty-three charter members." Immediate
steps were taken to raise funds to build a house of worship.
The evidences of healthy life and activity in the Michigan Eldership from
1905 to 1910 are mainly found in the work done in the use of a tent, and in the
Ministerial Association. But in the latter much of the time was devoted to ex-
egesis. The practical questions of practical ministers were not much in evidence.
Thus at the meeting in September, 1906, the only question discussed was whether
it is necessary to the progress of the churches of God to use Church of God litera-
General History ^73
ture in our Sunday-schools. It does not presume that the literature published by
the General Eldership was not patronized, nor that the ministry of the Eldership
was opposed to it. The journals of the Eldership are witness to the contrary.
The texts of Scripture on which exegeses were delivered were not of a practical
character, but may have had some relation to erroneous views which were being
propagated, such as sanctification, heavenly citizenship, the baptism of the eunuch,
and bodily mutilations for spiritual ends. There was usually a General Mission-
ary, though with inadequate support to enable him to do real mission work. In-
deed heavy sacrifices were demanded of the ministers who were pastors of the five
to seven fields of labor which were maintained. The churches and ministers were
headed right, but the tides of influence were not propitious. Evangelistic work
with the use of a tent, in 1907, gave promise of good results. In June, 1907, J. E.
Palmer and G. Andrey began their work at Beaver Creek. They remained there
several weeks, and witnessed a number of conversions, and organized a church.
In July they were at Rock Lake, and "had victory all through the meeting." Aug-
-ust 2nd they began a tent-meeting at Berten Lake, and "the Lord blessed their
labors with a number of souls, and a church was organized, and F. Spaler appoint-
ed to look after the work." A two weeks' meeting was held, beginning August
17th, at Stanwood. This campaign exerted a good influence.
The influence of Findlay College was felt to a clearly recognizable extent in
the Ohio Eldership. Quite a proportion of the pastors were connected with the
College as professors and students, or had taken a course at that institution. This
promoted unity of sentiment, and fostered a spirit of loyalty under the leadership
of the President of the College. The pulpit maintained its hold upon the churches
quite well, if not as well as before the present deluge of newspapers, magazines
and public libraries. The fields of labor varied very little from 1905 to 1910,
being thirty-one in 1906, and twenty-nine in 1909 for 1910. Several of these
were missions, two in Findlay in addition to the two churches. At Fostoria a mis-
sion was partly sustained by the Eldership. While the number of fields of labor
did not increase during this period, the total church membership did, reaching a
total of 2,231 in 1909. In 1905 there were 73 preaching places, 72 organized
churches, 77 houses of worship, and 434 accessions. The interest in Y. P. S. C. E.
work was general, and an effort was made to have a society organized in each
church. This, however, seemed impossible, as there were only fourteen societies
in 1905. The movement was regarded as "educational and practical in awaken-
ing our young people to their responsibility in home and foreign missions." The
Ministerial Association was maintained, and contributed materially to the awaken-
ing of interest in practical questions bearing on Church growth. Church extension.
Church federation, evangelization, men's Bible classes, the Sunday-school
as an evangelizing agency, the evangelistic methods and other practical ques-
tions of interest to the churches were topics for discussion. Material in-
terests received some attention. The Pleasant Grove church spent $539.00
in repairs on its church house, under the pastoral oversight of W. E. Turner.
The rededication took place November 12, 1905, the pastor officiating, with
preaching three preceding evenings by O. O. Tracy and J. W. Johnson. What
had long been known as "The Synagogue," now Vermillion Bethel, Ashland county,
after extensive remodeling and repairing, under Leroy De Hays, was rededicated
on October 14, 1906, when T. H. McAfee preached the sermons. Near Hamler,
Henry county, Zion's Bethel was repaired during the Summer of 1906. It was re-
dedicated September 30th, when C. I. BrowTi officiated. The church at Rising
Sun, in the Spring of 1906, realized the need of enlarging its church building to
accommodate the Sunday-school, especially for the primary work. Under the
leadership of its faithful pastor, C. H. Gatchell, this was accomplished by building
and addition, or "wing," 26x26 feet. The dedication took place December 30,
1906. The services being in charge of J. P. Slough, who had been pastor there
for six years. During the Spring of 19 08 the church at Wooster, under the pas-
torate of S. D. Harlan, who had the reputation of being "a good general and a care-
ful financier," spent $3,000.00 on the extensive repairs made to their house of
worship. The dedicatory services were held May 3, 1908, in charge of C. I. Brown,
assisted by C. F. Raach. A new bethel was built at Ohio City in the Summer of
1909, at a cost of $3,600.00. The faithful pastor was C. H. Gatchell. Prior to
the dedication, November 18, 1909, S. F. Banders and J. F. Slough preached three
nights, and O. A. Newlin officiated on Sabbath. The ministers and church actively
engaged in the local option campaign in 1907-8, resulting in the passage by the
C. H.— 10*
274 History of the Churches of God
Legislature of a local option law. Among its provisions was one requiring the
State official to order an election whenever thirty-five per centum of the voters
petitioned for it. Under this provision thirty-eight counties voted out the saloons,
with an aggregate majority of 44,247.
"The statistical foot-rule applied to the walls of Zion" is repudiated by the
"Homiletic Review." There is a "deeper valuation that is gaining ground," it is
claimed. "In the kingdom of God results are weighed, not counted." This in the
main depends on what the statistician is after, and his honesty in handling results.
The West Pennsylvania Eldership made no mistake when in 1907 it gave these
statistics: Appointments, 56; church houses, 48; organized churches, 52; con-
versions during the year 1906-7, 633; accessions, 463; total membership, 2,387.
The conclusion was that "the Church is making progress." In 1909 it was claimed
that "the churches are still making material progress. Old churches are being
strengthened, and new ones are being organized." There were 25 fields of labor,
52 churches, 54 church houses, 2,209 members. There was considerable mission
work done among the foreign population by Jacob Luchansky, and several churches
organized. An earnest missionary spirit prevailed, manifested in the activity of
the W. M. S. and its conventions in connection with the Ministerial Association,
and in topics discussed, such as "Apostolic Revivals," "Revival Methods," "How
to Interest Children in Missions, "Mission Work in the Coke Regions." The Chris-
tian Endeavor interests also received systematic attention, and gave rise to ques-
tions for discussion, such as: "How to Care for the Converts," "Preaching Our
Distinctive Doctrines," "Our Young Men." In May, 1907, the Standing Committee
requested George M, Hulnie and John H. Gross to open mission work in Franklin,
Venango county. These were two "capable, earnest and energetic young men."
As Church of God families from churches in the county were locating in Franklin,
it seemed an auspicious time to begin mission work. Their efforts were success-
ful, and a fine house of worship was built in the Summer of 1908. Connected
with it is a good parsonage, which was bought with the lot. The corner-stone
was laid May 24, 1908, by S. G. Yahn. The building was dedicated October 18,
190 8, when C. H. Forney preached the morning sermon, and S. G. Yahn the even-
ing sermon. T. S. Woods, J. W. Whisler and J. S. Boyd were also present and
participated in the services. An extensive revival followed, during which many
souls were saved. At Pine Hill, Vanango county, a new bethel was built under the
labors of George M. Hulme. It was dedicated on December 22, 1907, John H.
Whisler preaching in the morning from John iv. 24, and J. L. Updegraph in the
afternoon and evening. The cost of the house was $3,000.00. In 1908 the Min-
isterial Association and Missionary Convention had these questions on its program:
"Essentials of Biblical Revivals," "The Spirit of Missions," "Joys of Mission
Work." This year successful work was done at several points. The house of
worship at Hill View, under the pastoral oversight of F. O. Eakin, was extensively
repaired, and on July 26, 1908, was rededicated by W. Harris Guyer. Pastor J. C.
Cunningham succeeded in having the Maple Summit house of worship repaired
during the Summer of 1908, which was rededicated August 2, 1908, by W. Harris
Guyer and J. G. Wise. At Ellwood City the church bought the house of worship
owned by the Union Welsh church for $600.00. It received title on December 31,
1908, when the pastor, J. W. Whisler, on January 10, 1909, began a revival ser-
vice, which continued to February 11th, with fifty-seven converts. On February
7th a church was organized of forty-one members. Repairs were made to the
house, bringing its value up to $2,000.00. Whisler also in the early Fall of 1909
secured the use of a small church building at New Castle, where he organized a
church soon after.
The West Virginia Eldership, North, made progress in temporal and spiritual
interests. The pastors in their Ministerial Association discussed the greatest needs
of the territory of the Eldership, the duties and responsibilities of a good pastor,
the secret of soul-winning and kindred topics. The bethel at Mt. Carmel, Greene
county. Pa., was rededicated in December, 1906. Z. H. Yoder preached on the
occasion. The church at McMechen, long known as the Gravel Street church, or-
ganized in 1871 by John Hickernell, built a fine, new brick house of worship, at
a cost, lot and building, of $15,000.00, with a splendid organ costing $1,200.00,
half of it paid by Andrew Carnegie. It was dedicated on April 26, 1908, C. H.
Forney preaching morning and evening, and J. L. Updegraph in the afternoon.
Under the pastoral labors of A. J. Stanley, the Pipe Creek church, Ohio, dedicated
their new church building August 27, 1905. W. R. Covert delivered the morning
General History 275
sermon,, and J. L. Lucas preached at 4 o'clock p. m. In Wetzel county, 5 miles
from Proctor, on the farm of Meshack Yoho, called Highland, the highest point
in the county, a house of worship was built and paid for by Bro. Yoho. It was
dedicated on June 7, 1908, under the pastorate of J. L. Lucas. C. H. Forney
preached on Saturday evening, Sunday morning and evening, and N. M. Anderson
on Sunday afternoon. The church at Elm Grove, with W. W. Anderson as pas-
tor, in the Summer of 1908 erected a new house of worship at a cost of $2,812.50.
which was dedicated by C. I. Brown December 20th. Other ministers present
and assisting in the services were N. M. Anderson, J. C. Beam, Z. H. Yoder and
B. D. Eden.
There was far less doing in the territory of the West Virginia Eldership.
South. Serious obstacles were encountered which hindered the progress of the
work. Churches and ministers manifested an abiding interest in the progress of
the Church; but their endeavors were less fruitful than in earlier years. Discus-
sions of doctrine were in a measure superseding questions of practical theology.
Yet such questions received prominence as: "How should a minister of the gospel
carry himself to have the best Christian influence?" "What is the best method of
conducting a revival, or an evangelistic, meeting?"
Intelligent interest was manifested in Christian Endeavor and Sunday-school
work by the churches and ministers of the Maryland and Virginia Eldership. Con-
ventions were annually held, and the International Convention of the Y. P. S. C. E.,
held at Baltimore, Md., in 1905, was attended by a number of active workers.
The sisters were also active in missionary matters, having a Woman's Foreign
Missionary Society which held annual conventions. The temporal interests of the
churches were well cared for by faithful pastors. Under the labors of S. J. Mont-
gomery the work of building a bethel at Sample's Manor, Washington county, was
begun. It was brought to completion under the labors of S. A. Kipe, and was
dedicated September 20, 1908, by L. F. Murray. At Woodsborough, Frederick
county, the church bought a hoGse of worship, put it in fine condition, and dedi-
cated it August 8, 1909, during the pastorate of J. M. Cai*ter. The preaching on
the occasion was by C. H. Forney. A platform meeting in the afternoon was ad-
dressed by F. Y. Weldenhammer, J. A. Saxton and L. F. Murray. While W. S.
Shimp was pastor at Germantown an addition was built to the bethel, and the
house repaired, and rededicated October 17, 1909. V. K. Betts preached in the
morning, and O. A. Newlin, Field Secretary of Findlay College, in the evening.
A live and earnest ministry is indicated by the work done during this period
in the territory of the East Pennsylvania Eldership. The membership does not
show a large net increase, as 7,223 were reported in 1905, and 7,655, in 1909. But
accessions ranged from a little over 1,000 in 1908, to 582 in 1909. Losses were
relatively large, occasioned by deaths, removals, dismissal for various reasons and
purging of church records. Fields of labor increased from 58 in 1905, to 62 in
1909. Parsonages numbered 28 in 1905, and 32 in 1909. The interest in Chris-
tian Endeavor work was well maintained, and the local societies increased from
65 in 1905, to 70 in 1909. The women were quite active in missionary work, and
new societies were organized each year and large amounts were collected. The
total contributions by the churches for all purposes for the year ending October
1, 1910, were $88,149.17; for the year ending October 1, 1905, $64,314.49. The
churches and ministers manifested a permanent interest in the temperance ques-
tion as it was agitated by the Anti-Saloon League. Agents of this organization
had access to many of the pulpits, and petitions to the Legislature were circulated
at church services, praying for the passage of a local option law. The Church Ad-
vocate discussed the bills before the Legislature, and published the text. As the
effort failed in 1905, 1907 and 1909, the friends of the measure, after each defeat,
with renewed zeal resumed the fight for the next session. The Eldership each
year elected two of the ministers to represent it on the Board of Trustees of the
Anti-Saloon League, except in 1912,. Sunday-school and C. E. Conventions were
held annually, and were largely attended and enthusiastic. Two camp-meetings
were held each year, both now under the control of Camp-meeting Associations,
and having permanent grounds. The one at Center Manor, the other at Walnut
Grove. The spiritual results were unimportant. Conversions were rather the ex-
ception. Extremists termed them "religious picnics." The opinion was wide-
spread "that the camp-meeting has had its day; that it has outlived its usefulness.
and that as a religious agency in our modern life there is no longer any place for
it." Even the money panic of 1907 failed to check the spirit of improvement in
2/6 History of the Churches of God
the temporal interests of the churches, as may be seen in the building of new
church houses and the repairing of old ones often at a cost exceeding that of new
buildings years before. At Coalmont, Huntingdon county, where F. W. McGuire
was the devoted pastor, the corner-stone of a new bethel was laid June 18, 1905,
at which T. H. McAfee officiated. The building was completed at a cost of
.'^1,100.00, and was dedicated December 3, 1905. C. H. Grove preached in the
morning; J, T. Fle^gal, in the afternoon, and J. A. Detter in the evening. With
J. A. Staub as the faithful shepherd, the flock at Pairview, York county, was led to
repair the bethel, which was rededicated June 4, 1905, by G. Sigler. The church
at Walnut Grove, Huntingdon county, under the pastorate of E. Myers, built a new
bethel in the Summer of 1905. It was dedicated August 6, 1905, C. H. Forney
preaching both sermons. J. T. Fleegal had charge of the finances. The house of
worship at Suedberg, Schuylkill county, with W. H. Snyder as the energetic pastor,
was repaired in the Summer of 1905. At the dedication in September, 1905, C.
F. Reitzel preached the morning sermon, and T. H. McAfee, the evening sermon.
Under the labors of the veteran missionary, O. J. Farling, the East Steelton house
of worship, Dauphin county, was remodeled, and was rededicated August 20, 1905.
C. H. Forney preached the morning sermon, and H. F. Hoover, the evening ser-
mon. C. C. Bai-tels assisted in the services. At Pitman, Schuylkill county, the
affectionate pastor was moved to repair the bethel which had not been used for
several years, and had it ready for rededication September 10, 1905, when C. H.
Forney preached morning and evening, W. S. Sturgen having occupied the pulpit
on Saturday evening. The church at Lancaster, Lancaster county, made extensive
improvements to its house of worship, which was quietly rededicated August 27,
1905, by the beloved pastor, J. W. Deshong. After much-needed improvements,
the bethel at Orrstown, Franklin county, was rededicated November 19, 1905, by
1. A. MacDannald. The zealous pastor was C. H. Heiges. Through the persistent
labors of J. D. Clark, pastor of the Dauphin circuit, Dauphin county, the church
at Linglestown bought a lot near the center of the village on which the third bethel
was built in the Summer of 1905. It was consecrated November 26, 1905, when
C. H. Forney preached the dedicatory sermon in the morning; O. J. Farling, O. E.
Houston and J. C. Forncrook conducted a platform service in the afternoon. I. A.
MacDannald preached in the evening. At Wormleysburg, Cumberland county, a
"neat and beautiful new bethel" was built under the labors of the efficient pastor,
G. Sigler, which was dedicated April 1, 1906. The morning sermon was delivered
by D. S. Shoop; the evening sermon by H. F. Hoover, and the afternoon platform
service was in charge of J. C. Forncrook, H. S. Bickel and J. R. Stonesifer. The
Maclay Street church, Harrisburg, was first known as the Kelker Street Mission,
holding its services in the Hall of the Kelker Street Market House. In the Spring
of 1906 the Board of Incorporation of the Eldership bought a lot on the corner of
New Fourth and Maclay streets, for $2,975.00. The work was then placed in the
hands of the Board of Church Extension. But in the Spring of 1908 it was turned
over to the church, which proceeded to erect a commodious brick bethel, at a cost
of $13,790.00. It was set apart for divine worship September 27, 1908, when the
dedicatory sermon was preached by C. H. Forney. The afternoon meeting was ad-
dressed by C. I. Behney, S. N. Good and C. C. Bartels. The evening sermon was
preached by J. C. Forncrook. In Altoona the Fairview mission was begun by the
indomitable pastor of the First church, J. M. Waggoner, in 19 06. His efforts were
reinforced by the Board of Church Extension, and were so successful that on June
14, 1908, the new house of worship was dedicated by F. W. McGuire, assisted by
the pastor and by J. A. Snyder. The bethel at Newville, Cumberland county, was
extensively repaired in 1906, A. P. Stover being the aggressive pastor. It was re-
opened September 2, 1906, when F. W. McGuire and C. H. Forney preached the
sermons. At Six Mile Run (or Fairplay), Bedford county, the corner-stone of a
new bethel was laid September 30, 1906, by J. M. Waggoner. The first bethel had
been built in 1870. The second house was dedicated March 17, 1907, when J. A.
Detter preached in the morning and C. H. Grove in the evening. F. W. McGuire
was the indefatigable pastor. Under the labors of W. H. Snyder the bethel at
Shiremanstown, Cumberland county, was repaired in the Summer of 1906, and
dedicated August 12, 190 6, by I. A. MacDannald. As a large proportion of the
membership of the Progress church, Dauphin county, lived at Penbrook, less than
a mile from Progress, it was decided to begin church work in Penbrook, during the
pastorate of the wide-awake O. E. Houston. A house of worship was the first re-
quisite. This was erected during the Summer of 1906, and on November 18th
Gene-^rl History 277
the fine bethel, costing $12,000.00, was set apart for religious worship. C. H,
Forney preached the dedicatory sermon. Platform addresses were made in the
afternoon by J. C. Foi-ncrook, G. Sigler and C. H. Fon-est. The evening sermon
was preached by C. H. Grove. After spending $1,400.00 in remodeling their house
of worship, under the labors of the efficient pastor, G. W. Getz, the church at Car-
lisle, Cumberland county, reopened their bethel January 23, 1907, the sermon on
the occasion being delivered by I. A. MacDannald. The sum of $1,200.00 was
spent by the church at Camp Hill, Cumberland county, in renovating and improv-
ing their church building, under the labors of their resolute pastor, H. S. Bickel.
It was rededicated December 30, 1906, by D. S. Shoop. Another house of worship
on F. VV. McGuire's charge, at Round Knob, Bedford county, was built in 1907.
The corner-stone was laid June 23rd, by W. H. Shade, and the house was dedicated
November 3rd, G, W. Getz and J. T. Fleegal officiating. A part of the bethel at
Washington Borough, Lancaster county, was badly damaged on March 9, 1907, by
the explosion of the acetylene lighting plant. The necessary repairs were made,
and the house was rededicated by C. H. Forney June 23rd. J. H. Gervin was the
pastor. The church at Sanborn, Clearfield county, had been worshiping in a Hall
until the Spring of 1907, when under the labors of their zealous pastor, W. H.
Shade, they bought a church building in Brisbin, and removed it to Sanborn. When
completed the total cost was $1,500.00. The corner-stone was laid August 18,
1907, by J. T. Fleegal, and the house was dedicated November 10, 1907, by F. W.
McGuire. The house of worship at Landisburg, Perry county, after undergoing
needed repairs was rededicated August 18, 1907, by G. Sigler, assisted by the dili-
gent pastor, VV. S. Sturgen, and W. H. Dressier. Enola, Cumberland county, a
new town, seemed a promising place to begin church work. It was placed in the
hands of the Board of Church Extension, which secured the services of G. Sigler,
pastor at Wormleysburg, who with commendable zeal pushed the work of building
a bethel. It was completed and ready for dedication October 20, 1907, when J. C.
Fomcrook preached in the morning, and C. I. Behney, in the evening. The entire
cost was $5,000.00. With characteristic energy, G. H. Bovversox, pastor of Lower
Perry circuit. Perry county, began the erection of a bethel in Newport. It was
completed at a cost of $2,500.00, and was dedicated January 12, 1908. C. H.
Forney was announced to preach the dedicatory sermon on Sunday evening; but
in his absence I. A. MacDannald preached morning and evening, and W. S. Sturgen
at 2.30 p. m. The rededication of the bethel at Plainfield, Cumberland county,
under the labors of J. A. Staub, took place December 1, 1907. J. W. Deshong did
the preaching. Repairs costing over $700.00 were made to the Kimmel's church,
Schuylkill county, under C. F. Reitzel, pastor, and the sermons on Saturday even-
ing and Sunday morning and evening of the rededication were preached by C. H.
Forney. At Smith's Corner, Blair county, a union house was built in the Summer
of 190 8, which was dedicated on September 27th by G. Sigler. The church at
Columbia, Lancaster county, repaired its house of worship, and held dedicatory
services February 9, 1908, at which C. H. Foraey and C. H. Grove officiated. J.
A. Detter was the capable pastor. The church at Vander Avenue, York, York
county, under the leadership of their experienced pastor, made needed repairs at
their house of worship, and rededicated it May 17, 1908, the pastor preaching in
the morning, and J, T. Fleegal, in the evening. At Valley View, Schuylkill county,
a new bethel was built, the corner-stone of which was laid by C. F, Reitzel on July
12, 1908. The proficient pastor, B. B. Wenger, pushed the work to completion,
and the dedicatory services were held December 4, 1908. C. H. Foraey preached
on Saturday evening, Sunday at 10.30 a. m., and 2 p. m., and I. A. MacDannald
at 7 p. m. The new house of worship built by the church at Doubling Gap, Cum-
berland county, under the pastoral labors of the esteemed pastor, J. A. Staub, was
dedicated July 4, 1909. C. H. Forney preached at 10 o'clock a. m.; AV. R. Ward at.
2 p. m., and G. H. Bowei-sox at 7 p. m. The rededicatory sermon of the church
at South Fairview, Cumberland county, under the labors of S. T. StoufYer, were
held July 25, 1909. Preaching on the occasion by J. A. Staub. The Fourth
Street Bethel, Harrisburg, was remodeled and repaired in 1909, at an expense of
$4,000.00, under the efficient pastorate of J. C. Foraci-ook. It was rededicated
October 17, 1909, C. H. Foraey preaching at 10.30 a. m., and S. G. Yahn, at 7.30
p. m. The Nagle Street church repaired its house of worship, and held reopening
services September 26, 1909. The diligent pastor, H. S. Bickel secured the ser-
vices of J. C. Fomcrook to preach on the occasion. On November 21, 1909, Forn-
crook preached the morning sermon and O. E. Houston the evening sermon at the
-/'
History of thk Churches of God
rededication of the Pleasant View bethel, Harrisburg. A. G. Herr was the un-
tiring pastor, who also arranged for an afternoon platform service at which ad-
dresses were delivered by J. C. Forncrook, W. S. Sturgen and B. L. C. Baer.
During this period death took a terribly high toll among prominent ministers
in other Churches, in all of which Christians of all religious bodies were sympa-
thetically interested. They deepened a larger tolerance for, and a greater faith
on the part of other faiths in, the divine stewardship of dissenting ministers.
The first leader to fall was Bishop E. B. Kephail, of the U. B. Church, beloved and
admired by his people. He died June 24, 1906. Bishop C. C. McCabe, of the
M. E. Church, the most beloved of the then Board of Bishops, ended his illustrious
life on December 19, 1906. It could never be said that his eulogists evidently
wished to gild refined gold or paint the violet. Sam. P, Jones, the greatest evan-
gelist of the Southland, preceded McCabe, having died in October, 190 6. Bishop
('. H. Fowler, who rendered unusual services to the M. E. Church, and to the cause
of Christian culture, passed away March 20, 1908. His devotion to duty and his
splendid ideals, illustrated by extraordinary performances, were proof against de-
traction, and allayed all doubts and misgivings touching his high character. Ira.
D. Sankey, whose marvelous gift of poetry and song gave him a place in the hearts
of Christian people in aJl lands, joined the angelic choir August 13, 1908. Bishop
J)aniel Ayres Gootlsell, of the M. E. Church, reached the final goal December 5,
19 09. He was of the best type of Methodist Bishops, participating in all the in-
tricate problems of Church government with wisdom and singleness of purpose.
Two public debates were held between 1905 and 1910. This first was at
■Joplan, Montgomery county. Ark., July 26, 1907, between J. H. Summit, of the
Church of God, and A. Cai-ter, of the Church of Christ. Summit affirmed that the
church is the body of Christ, and that the scriptural name is church of God.
Cai'ter agreed with the first part of this proposition, but affirmed that the proper
name is church of Christ. Summit affirmed that the new birth is the door into
the church. Carter insisted that it is water-baptism, which is for the remission
of sin. Summit was successful In defending his propositions. A debate between
E. M. Kirkpatrick, of the Church of God, and S. O. Pool, of the Christian Church,
was held at Riverside school-house, near Pearl, Douglas county, Wash., June
26-30, 1909. The propositions debated were the Church and the washing of the
saints' feet. Kirkpatrick made a very successful defense of his propositions.
A question of world-wide interest occurred in 1909, when Pope Pius X.
promulgated a Syllabus in which he authorized the revision of the text of the Bible
known as the Vulgate Version, and named the Monks of the Benedictine Order to
do it. Coming at the time when the Protestant world was preparing to celebrate
the Tercentenary of the Authorized Version, it intensified interest in the Pope's
Syllabus. Reverence for the sacred text had decreased in a remarkable degree.
Much had been learned of Hebrew and Greek to discredit the translations of cer-
tain words, and there was general acquiescence in the demand for a verbally
correct translation. There was no such sentiment in Protestant Churches as that
which prevailed in Athens in 1901, when there was rioting in the city because the
Queen suggested the translation of the Gospels into modern Greek.
CHAPTER XXI.
1910—1913.
THE Right Honorable James Bryce, British Ambassador to the United States, in
an address before the Clerical Conference in New York City, February 17,
1913, said, that "in looking back over the last fifty years he observed two
very great advances that had been made in the work of the various religious
bodies, and in their attitude towards the problems of the day." The one was "that
different religious bodies were now far more willing to co-operate with one another
than they had ever been before in every kind of work that made for the material
and moral improvement of the people." The other was "the stronger feeling that
the sense of duty to God and the love of God should be shown in endeavoring to
help his creatures." These are great truths, but their danger lies in the fact that
the original conception as found in the divine Scriptures is that in applying such
General History 279
truths the thought of the masses, which is the thought of the average man, should
be guided and tempered by the colder logic of the elders of the church, and by the
judgment of a higher criticism. The churches of God realized these changes to
some extent within the past ten years; but not to the fullest measure. Always
somewhat more liberal as to standards of doctrine than Churches which had Creeds
and Confessions of Faith, they, too, developed a tendency to lay still less stress
upon theological differences, and more upon all that Churches had in common.
While theological differences were held as existing as much as ever, the churches
of God were still largely untaught in dogmas and doctrines of systematic theology.
It was easy for them to recognize and emphasize that which they had in common
in worshiping one Almighty Ruler of the Universe, and in recognizing him as the
author of all good, and in feeling that as his children they were bound to one
another by ties which rose above their differences. But as with all the smaller re-
ligious bodies this operated against the growth and progress of the churches of
God.
Moreover, the commendable facts to which Mr. Bryce refers had lurking in
them dangers which developed in various localities, though not necessarily in-
herent in "the great advances" he had observed. They are found in the terms he
employs: "problems of the day," "material and moral improvement of the people,"
"a great part of the service of God lay in the service of man." Only a small per-
centage of ministers and churches fell into these dangers to the fullest extent; but
a large majority did so in part. Those which did presented a picture of moral
deterioration which is almost inconceivable. Secular subjects were the topics for
sermons in many pulpits, and were discussed as if the church were a town meet-
ing, or a board of trade. On the pretext that the church was getting away from
the masses; that it is becoming alienated from the masses; is not progressive
enough, and because the church fails to appreciate the very human prpblems of the
masses, in not a few instances in the large centers of population the pulpit often
rather furnished cheap, care-killing amusements than a divine and soul-saving
gospel. These pulpits and the congregations to which they ministered with a pro-
fusion of anecdotes, legendary tales, fairy tales and fables, which provoked laugh-
ter and applause, were often compared to places of worldly amusement. The
"parish calendar" of many churches not only provided for banquets and social
parties; but for eucher parties and dancing classes. By such means and others
churches were increased in membership, while a better class of men and women,
whose moral lives were faultless, would not desire fellowship. That few of the
churches of God yielded to such tendencies, except in the introduction of secular
topics into the pulpits, enabled them to maintain an enviable moral and spiritual
standing before the world. Then the fact that so large a proportion of the
churches of God is in rural districts saved them from these demoralizing tenden-
cies. Securing signatures to political petitions was, however, not exceptional,
though none went so far, as it is believed, as "to have registration oflBcers present
at the prayer-meetings at various churches," as was the case at Los Angeles and
other Pacific Coast towns. There were defenders of the "amuzement craze" in
the pulpit. To what extent this spirit contributed to the emptying of churches is
matter for conjecture; but it was stated as a fact that at the end of this period
"there were 10,000 unused churches in America," while thousands were slimly
attended. What follows, but that "when religion shuts up shop the devil works
overtime;" that when such conditions prevail spirituality is a vanishing quantity?
Religious indifferentism was the universal complaint. The ministers of the
churches of God were not passive observers of these deteriorating influences and,
demoralizing institutions and practices. When some other Churches tolera,ted
the introduction of "moving pictures the organ of the General Eldership spoke in
emphatic terms against the institution as of a demoralizing tendjeiicy. The slogan
of the churches of God still was, "Preach thie word, whether men will hear or for-
bear."
The age, however, was pre-eminently pragmatic. Doing, not thinking or
teaching, was the universal demand. Hence the prominence of "social ChristiauT
ity." The church was called by the American Federation of Churches to stu(Jy
the church and social purity, safeguarding children and youth, amusements, the
social evil, immigration, the church and the workingman, hours of labor, degree
of leisure, organized labor, wages and cost of living, organized labor and wage?,
unsanitary occupations, housing and sanitation, tuberculosis, and what the church^
c^n do, and hundreds of other topics. Even in some churches of God these were
28o History of the Churches of God
topics for the prayer-meeting, or the C. E. meeting. In material interests this was
a period of ever-increasing progress and prosperity. It was also a year of large
things in philanthropic lines. In 1909 the churches of God entered with deter-
mined energy upon the task of raising $37,500 to meet the Carnegie proposition
of new endowment of $50,000 for Findlay College, led by the efficient and zealous
Field Agent, O. E. Newlin, and the undaunted President, C. I. Brown. The work
was accomplished by April, 1911. And the project was started in May, 1911, to
secure $24,000 additional endowment by 1916, one brother pledging $1,000.
Always active in every phase of Christian Endeavor work, the churches of God
in the East took an active interest in the International Convention held at Atlantic
City, July 12, 1910. Representatives were in attendance who voted to make the
slogan for the following year, "A Saloonless Nation by 1920." With twenty-two
States having constitutional or statutory prohibition in 1910, this did not seem
visionary. That Christian citizenship has a claim on the church was recognized at
least by the East Pennsylvania Eldership by the appointment of C. H. Forney, S. G.
Yahn, J. A. Detter, Geo. Sigler and I. A. MacDannald as delegates to the Christian
Citizenship Convention, which held its session in Philadelphia, November 16-20,
1910.
In the main the work of the churches was along quiet and smooth paths.
There were no disturbing questions to cause friction or provoke acrimonious dis-
cussions. The final action on the W. G. M. S. problem was taken at the General
Eldership In 1909, and it was no longer open for discussion. The questions, eccle-
siastical and legal, were also disposed of which were raised by W. R. Covert in the
West Virginia Eldership case, the West Virginia Eldership being sustained on all
points. Two Pentecostal meetings were held in Indiana. The one in 1910 was
held at Blue River, in connection with the Sunday-School Convention, and the one
in 1911 at Syracuse, in connection with "the Young People's Meeting of the In-
diana Eldership." The two camp-meetings in the East Pennsylvania Eldership,
conducted by Associations, were held each year, with but a few conversions. The
formation of the Walnut Grove Association had led to several law suits, detri-
mental to the church at Walnut Grove and a hindrance to the work of the camp-
meeting. The courts upheld the Association, and the law prevailed. F. W. Mc-
Guire endured hardships like a veteran soldier, and managed affairs and conducted
the camp-meetings with admirable tact and discerning judgment. With the excep-
tion of these two, the only camp-meeting held was the one in 1910, authorized by
the Illinois Eldership. The committee appointed by the Eldership selected Sanga-
mon as the most suitable location, five miles east of Decatur, and August 11th as
the time for it to begin. It continued ten days, "with good interest." There was
a more general interest in revival work. In all the Elderships more or less ex-
tensive revivals were enjoyed, and the aggregate number of conversions was large
and the churches were in a healthy, growing condition. Less work was done in
Oregon and Washington because of a division in the Eldership and discouragement
of many of the best workers.
In the East Pennsylvania Eldership a Ministerial Association was organized
January 10, 1910, to meet statedly in or near Harrisburg. This proved successful,
and was well attended and interesting and instructive. Theological and practical
questions were discussed, not in a controversial sense, but as a medium for the
friendly exchange of views. Christian Endeavor work was carried on in most
of the churches, so that in 1911 there were 47 societies, with a total membership
of 2,042, and the contributions for the year to the Church Extension Fund were
$190.76, and to the Foreign Mission Fund, $256.05. Annual Conventions of the
Society were held in connection with the Sunday-school Convention. There were
in 1911 78 Sunday-schools, 12,722 officers, teachers and scholars, 569 conversions
and 489 accessions. On May 15, 1910, the beautiful new bethel at Chambersburg,
Franklin county, built under the labors of M. T. Lovejoy, was dedicated. C. I.
Brown preached at both services. The bethel at Mt. Laurel, Dauphin county,
which was struck by lightning and destroyed on September 27, 1910, was rebuilt
the following Spring, under the new pastor, Jonas Martin, and was dedicated June
4, 1911. The dedicatory sermon was preached by C. H. Forney; the evening ser-
mon by S. G. Yahn, J. T. Fleegal, a former pastor, assisting in the services. In
addition to the Fairview Mission, Altoona, there was a flourishing mission at Lake-
mont, near Altoona, and at Hollidaysburg, county seat of Blair county. The re-
dedication of the Newburytown Bethel, York county, where H. P. Aston was pastor,
took place March 12, 1911, the sermons being preached by W. S. Sturgen. A new
General History 281
church was organized at Central Manor, Lancaster county, where W. Seibeil. Houck
was pastor in connection with Washington Borough, on February 5, 1911. C. H.
Forney preached the sermon and presided at the organization of the church. The
Mt. Joy church held its eighteenth anniversary by special services, beginning on
March 15, 1911. With the exception of one sermon by S. G. Yahn, the preaching
was by ex-pastors, in the following order: March 16th, C. I. Behney; March 17th,
C. F. Reitzel; March 18th, C. H. Grove; March 19th, C. H. Forney in the morning,
and G. W. Getz, pastor and ex-pastor, in the evening. April 2, 1911, Maytown,
Pa., had a special service at which a mortgage representing the last installment
of its debt, was publicly burned. The preaching on the occasion was by C. H.
Forney morning and evening, assisted by the diligent pastor, E. E. Kauffman. The
wide-awake pastor of the church at Wormleysburg, Cumberland county, A. P,
Stover, succeeded in making needed repairs to the bethel, after which, on May 28,
1911, the house was rededicated, S. G. Yahn and I. A. MacDannald preaching the
sermons. A splendid and elaborate anniversary service was held by the Fourth
Street Church, Harrisburg, under the enthusiastic pastor, W. N. Yates, September
27-31. It was the eighty-fifth anniversary of the organization of the first church
of God in the United States. On the evening of the 28th a "Historical Address"
was delivered by C. H. Foi-ney. He also preached the anniversary sermon on Sun-
day morning, and G. Sigler in the evening, the oldest ex-pastors living. The
church at Landisville, Lancaster county, laid the corner-stone of its new bethel on
August 11, 1912, under the labors of its worthy pastor, H. S. Hei*shey. The ad-
dress on the occasion was delivered by W. N. Yates, who was assisted in the ser-
vices by G. W. Getz and J. W. Deshong, The church at Waterside, Bedford county,
spent $1,551.94 on the extensive repairs made on the bethel. It was then rededi-
cated on September 29, 1912, when D. S. Shoop officiated. B. B. Wenger was the
energetic pastor. The church at Enhaut, Dauphin county, burnt the last evidence
of indebtedness against it on August 11, 1912, on which occasion the diligent pas-
tor, C. I. Behney, was assisted by his predecessor, R. L. Crawford. To lay a
corner-stone twenty-six years after the building of a church was the exceptional
experience of the church at South Fairview, Cumberland county, the result of the
enterprising spirit of S. T. Stouffer, the pastor. The address was delivered Sep-
tember 22, 1912, by W. N. Yates. The Laymen's Association of the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership kept up its organization formed in October, 1909, and did some
active work. A local organization was formed November 6, 1911, a,t Fourth Street
church, which was imbued with a true missionary spirit.
In Maryland in 1911 thirty churches were enrolled under the annual assess-
ment for different funds. There were at times unsupplied fields, either because of
scarcity of active ministers, or of insufficient support. The question of the scarcity
of ministers was discussed, and it was insisted upon that the radical reason is the
small salaries paid ministers in contrast with salaries in other callings. Whatever
the cause, one effect is that men of more limited talents and qualifications hear,
or at least heed, the "divine call" to the ministry. The churches and the cause
suffer. Not much progress was made in Maryland from 1910 to 1913. There was
praiseworthy activity among the sisters, which kept up their State W. M. S. organi-
zation and held semi-annual meetings. The C. E. Society was doing good work,
and made efforts to organize local societies in all the churches. It is a serious dis-
appointment when the day and hour for a dedication are fixed and the preacher is
not there. The church at Blair's Valley, where W. G. Stine took charge as pastor
in the Fall of 1909, decided to make needed repairs. The day of dedi-
cation was August 7, 1910, and when Stine returned to the bethel from the rail-
road station he did not bring with him the preacher of the hour. He preached the
sermon, as also in the evening, and the people responded with the cash to pay for
the repairs. The church house at Bark Hill was repaired at a cost of $247.87,
under the labors of W. G. Stine. July 16, 1911, W. S. Shimp preached in the
morning, and S. B. Craft at night. A reunion of a number of the ministers and
representative Church members was held on August 7, 1911. It proved so agree-
able a service that resolutions were adopted to make it permanent. Accordingly
on September 5, 1912, a general reunion was held, largely attended and enthu-
siastic in spirit.
The ministers and churches of the Virginia Elderships were zealous in their
work; but it was mainly along old lines, and with less encouragement than during
some former periods. There were revivals, some of considerable magnitude, and
282 History of the Churches of God
a number of churches were strengthened. Pastor E. W. Meyer, Greene county,
Pa., took a very active interest in repairing the bethel at Windy Gap, where is
found the oldest church of God in the county, organized by I). Wertz about 1846.
At an expenditure of $600.00 the house was put in excellent condition, and was
rededicated in August, 1911. A new bethel was built at Lincoln, where R. L.
Workman was the faithful pastor. It was dedicated September 29, 1912. Inter-
est was manifested in C. E. work. The West Virginia ministers at one of their
Associations discussed the importance of each church having a C. E. Society. The
importance of the prayer-meeting to the spiritual life of the local church was a
topic for earnest discussion. They felt the need, and appreciated the importance,
of a missionary for the Eldership territory. In the midst of the laxness in Church
relations they sought to present to the people the New Testament church. At the
session of the Eldership in 1910, there were reported 4.59 conversions, 181 acces-
sions and 149 baptisms. In the West Virginia Eldership, South, there were seven
circuits in 1912, including nineteen points. As to the ministry, they expressed a
felt need of better educated men, and of "Spirit-filled" men, and earnestly dis-
cussed these topics at Ministerial Associations. But there were other "evils"
which prevented progress, and they made prayerful inquiry, and sought to answer
the question, "What are the greatest hindrances to the progress of the Church?"
The historian notes the exceptional events. Where these are absent, and
there is no progress, the current is at a standstill. Thus judged, the West Penn-
sylvania Eldership made less history from 1910 to 1913 than during some other
years. There was the same patient, persistent, loyal effort to make progress in all
departments of Christian labor. The sisters were zealous in their efforts to ad-
vance missionary interests, and held their conventions at stated times and employed
systematic methods to raise funds. The C. E. department of Church work was
pushed forward with intelligent, co-operative effort. The Ministerial Association
was helpful and inspiring, and many of the questions discussed were of practical
value, and gave indications of the trend of thought and aspirations. While the
problem of Church union did not appeal to the ministers and churches of the Eld-
ership, true "Christian unity" did, and it was earnestly discussed. "The scandal
of Christendom" was detested. There was more than grief, there was frank in-
dignation, that efforts at Christian unity should be rendered futile by time-worn
propositions at sectarian union. "The value of the Church school" as a source of
pulpit supply was growing in importance, and received due attention. The Elder-
ship was not strongly impressed with the thought of modernizing the church and
adapting it to the times. Nor did it look with too much favor on modern evan-
gelism. The agitation of the second-work holiness theory had not wholly sub-
sided. It was antagonized with the faithful teaching of Bible sanctification. A
very conspicuous phase of religious work peculiar to West Pennsylvania was mis-
sion work among foreigners. It was a practical question in that some churches
were located in the midst of populations representing foreign nationalities. It
was therefore a question for practical discussion. In most instances the language
was an insuperable obstacle. But in the divine providence the men were called
who: could minister tb those foreigners in their own tongue. The Luschansky
bi^'Others did good work at several points in the coke regions. Joseph Seckley, a
man who could make himself understood and could instruct in ten languages, was
employed in 1911 as a missionary among the Bohemians, Slavs and other foreign-
efs*y the Eldership. In 1910 the church at West Newton, Westmoreland county,
under their esteemed pastor, G. W. Byrnes, spent $2,000.00 in renovating and im-
proving their house of worship. It was rededicated by C. I. BrowTi, assisted by Wj
H; Guyer, September 18, 1910. During the pastorate of J. W. Whisler at Butler,
B'utler county, the bethel was "repaired and beautified" at an expense of $567.72.
The rededication took place October 2, 1910. A new house of worship, at a cost of
$2,495.00, was built at Kennerdell, Venango county, under tlie labors of L. E.
Ytthn. It was dedicated May 21, 1911, when J. L. Updegraph preached the morn-
ing sermon; Geo. M. Hulme spoke in the afternoon, and J. W. Whisler preached in
the evening. The sum of $9 42.2 6 was spent in "completely remodeling" the Indian
Head Bethel, Fayette county, F. O. Eakin being the diligent pastor. It was dedi-
cated by J. L. Updegraph on July 30, 1911. The Limestone Bethel was jointly
owned by the church of God and the Brethren in Christ. H. Armstrong was the
pastor of the church of God, and through his persistent labors the house was ex-
tensively repaired, at a cost of $1,100.00. It was rededicated May 5, 1912, Geo.
General History 283
M. Hulme preaching morning and evening; J. A. Slagel and Nicholas Lasher repre-
senting the Brethren in Christ.
The state of the churches in Ohio was gratifying and hopeful. There were
reported fifty-nine appointments, fifty-six organized churches, fifty-nine houses of
worship and six parsonages. The number of conversions during the year pre-
ceding the Eldership in 1912 was 928; baptized, 354; accessions, 331; total mem-
bership, 4,680. The ministerial ranks were being replenished with young men
from the College, so that among the active workers were men with a genius for
hard work, and with a courage which does not fear, if it does not invite, opposition
when questions of principle are at issue. They held fast with the ardor of intense
natures to the faith of the fathers, yet they perceived that new conditions were
arising which imposed new duties and responsibilities. But as change of methods
does not necessarily involve change of principles, they ceased not to contend tor all
that the churches of God stood for. They calmly discussed at Ministerial Associa-
tions, which were regularly held, "How best to meet the dangers besetting the
churches of God." Or, "The undeveloped resources of power in the Christian En-
deavor Society for the churches of God." To reach the churches with the illumi-
nating and matured thoughts thus called out many of the principal addresses were
published. They felt that the "crying need of the churches of God in Ohio was
more conversions and larger accessions." C. E. interests were carefully looked
after, and conventions were largely attended. The material interests showed less
progress. At Wharton, Wyandot county, on O. O. Tracy's field of labor, "a mag-
nificent new house of worship" was built in the Summer of 1911. The corner-
stone was laid June 11th, when T. Koogle and W. E. Turner made addresses, and
G. A. Bartlebaugh assisted in the services. The house was dedicated October 22,
1911. T. Koogle preached on Friday evening; S. D. Harlan, Saturday evening;
C I. Brown, Sunday morning, and W. E. Turner, Sunday evening. The bethel at
South Bridgewater was struck by lightning on June 25, 1911, and burned. The
new bethel at Mendon, Mercer county, was built under the labors of C. F. Raach.
It cost $6,000.00. The corner-stone was laid July 2, 1911, when addresses were
delivered by T. Koogle and C. H. Gatchell. Before the house was finished the new
I)astor took charge, S. F. Baudei-s. The dedicatory services were held December 3,
1911, when C. I. Brown officiated morning and evening. Rededicatory services
were held with preaching by T. Koogle on Friday evening, and C. H. Gatchell on
Saturday evening. At Canton, Stark county, a new house of worship was built,
costing $14,500.00, under the supervision of the energetic pastor, Leroy DeHayes.
It was solemnly set apart to the worship of Almighty God on February 18, 1912,
when C. I. Brown delivered the sermons. The text for the morning sermon was
Luke xxiv. 32, and for the evening, John xiii. 23.
While the spiritual condition of the churches in Indiana had improved, a seri-
ous defect was noticed in the decline of family religion. The ministry made this
a matter for special teaching, so as to raise the standard higher. There was also
slackness in the observance of the ordinances, a natural sequence of low states of
spiritual life. There was more life and activity in missionary interests, and con-
ventions were held and agents were in active service. The young people were
looked after, and more complete organizations were effected. The church at Ft.
Wayne enjoyed revivals each Winter, so that the membership increased from forty
when the church was organized in 1909, to one hundred and twenty-eight in 1912.
At Ari, in 1911, a revival resulted in the addition of forty-three to the member-
ship. Other points realized in a measure an answer to the Eldership's prayer, that
"a great wave of spiritual power may sweep over the land, until many precious
souls shall be brought from the wickedness of this world into the glorious king-
dom of Jesus Christ." There were sixteen fields of labor, with forty churches.
Under the labors of Emma L. Isenberg the house of worship at Fairview was so
extensively repaired as to make it a "beautiful and up-to-date bethel." On Sep-
tember 18, 1910, H. H. Spiher officiated at the rededication. He gave the cost of
repairs to have been $1,200.00. The sum of $1,500.00 was expended in remodel-
ing the bethel at Little River, where H. G. Herendeen was pastor. It was rededi-
cated by C. I. Brown on September 11, 1911, assisted by C. L. Hidy.
While there were revivals in Illinois during this period, the aggregate results
were limited, though the total net increase in membership fails to indicate growth.
Comparing 1911 and 1912, the tables show the following: 1911 — converts, 53;
baptized, 33; accessions, 54; membership, 1,140. 1912 — converts, 84; baptized,
284 History of tiik Churches of God
40; accessions, 80; membership, 1,140. The year 1907-8 was the most successful
in five years, the number of converts having been 260; baptized, 150; accessions,
213; membership, 1,273. This net loss was not wholly exceptional, as other whole
Churches suffered decreases. The Census of 1909 shows that the Free-will Bap-
tists lost 3,532; the Christian Church, 10,224; the Disciples of Christ, 10,398; the
German Evangelical Protestant Church, 15,000; the, Northern Presbyterian Church,
33,816, and the Reformed Dutch Church, 4,071. These facts prompted serious in-
quiries into the causes. In Illinois questions like these were considered: "If no
visible results follow a minister's labors in one year should he be removed at the
end of the year?" "The dark side of our work as an Eldership." "How can we
best promote revivals of religion?" "Are special seasons of religious services
worth while?" There were twenty-three fields of labor in 1912, served by diligent,
faithful pastors. Most of them interested themselves in Christian Endeavor work,
with a State Union managed by enthusiastic ministers of the younger class. In
1911 it decided on an effort to raise $500.00. The women were active in mission-
ary work and the organization of societies. The most notable event of the three
years was the building of a new bethel at Decatur, one of the finest religious edi-
fices in the body, as it cost, with the ground, $18,000.00. The honored pastor was
O. B. Huston. Under his direction the corner-stone was laid May 5, 1910, when
addresses were delivered by city pastors, and by J. AV. Primi'ose, I. S. Richmond
and C, F, Rogei-s. C. I. Brown dedicated the house October 23, 1910, preaching
in the morning from Luke xxvi. 32, and in the evening from John xi. 2 8. An
Illinois Eldership tent-meeting was held in 1911, near Warrensburg, under the
supervision of I. S. Richmond.
In Michigan conditions were reasonably satisfactory, and the churches were
"fairly prosperous." When possible the Eldership kept a general evangelist in
the field. No aggressive work was done, and there was no general concert of
action in Endeavor or missionary work. The principal sign of healthy vitality
was in "the opening of two new works" in 1912, and the resolution "to push for-
ward the great work of saving precious souls." Several revivals were enjoyed in
1911. In 1910 there were seven fields of labor; in 1912 there were five.
While there were some revivals in Iowa during this period, the progress of
the churches was less marked than during some other periods. A comparison be-
tween the statistics of 1909 and 1912 shows twenty fields of labor in 1909 and
fifteen in 1912, a result of consolidations, as the number of church organizations
was the same. There were twenty-three organized churches in the Eldership in
1911. Christian Endeavor work received considerable attention, and several Wo-
man's Missionary Societies were organized in co-operation with the W. G. M. S. of
the General Eldership. The territory of the Eldership was large, and the churches
widely scattered. They were located in the following counties: Grundy, Wright,
Bremer, Buchanan, Cedar, Johnson, Jasper, Louisa, Des Moines, Henry, Page,
Guthrie, Ida, Sioux, O'Brien, Carroll and Washington. The bethel at Shambaugh,
Page county, was struck by lightning on August 20, 1912, and totally destroyed,
involving a loss of $4,000.00, as the insurance had expired a short time before.
A State evangelist was generally kept in the field, and the ministry was alive to
the interests of the cause. The discussion of sundry questions gave evidence of
the fact, and also afforded some intimations of difficulties with which the churches
had to contend. Among them were these: "Difficulties of present-day ministers
on our mission field." "The church — her source of strength." "The unity of the
Church." "What is loyalty to the Church?" In no Eldership was the work more
difficult and beset with more serious complications during the period of 1903 and
1913 than in the Iowa Eldership. And these internal troubles were constantly
interfering with the spirituality and progress of the churches. There was some
mission work done in the State, 3,nd there was a field maintained in North Dakota,
where in 1910 J. W. Cabbage was the missionary. Local missionary work was
done by some families living at Sansarc, South Dakota, where in 1911 they had a
good country Sunday-school.
Nebraska had several things in its history of this period which might seem
encouraging. During the last part of it Richard Jackson was the missionary of
the General Board in the State. In 1909 and 1910 C. S. Kilmer, Sr., was the Eld-
ership's general worker. Lack of means prevented the opening of a mission in
Houston county, Tenn., where in 1911 J. Swanson was located. One of the min-
isters, D. B. Zook, had removed to Sunny Side, Wash., but did only local work. J.
General History
285
L. Williams resided in Minnette, Ala., and preached in a local capacity. J. H.
IJarkey had located in 1909 in South Dakota, but, while doing some preaching, he
•could not open a regular mission. The state of religion is from year to year re-
ported as manifesting "some increase in spirituality," with "some in a lethargic
state;" or, in "a fair condition;" or, "some points lower than usual;" or, "state
of religion is at a very low standard and in a critical condition." This was in
1912, when four of the eight fields were unsupplied with pastors. The ministers
were strongly admonished "to do all in their power to uplift the cause of Christ."
In 1909 there were ten fields; in 1910 and 1911, eight; but three were unsupplied
in 1911. The common routine of church work was followed, except that the W.
M, S. was active to the extent conditions would permit.
As the church at
Payette, Idaho, was
rent in twain, but lit-
tle could be accom-
plished. Efforts at
reconciliation were
but in part successful.
In June, 1911, the
Board of Missions
recognized one of the
' organizations as the
•church at Payette,
Idaho, after several
members of the Board
— A. C. Gamer and C.
T. Fox — had used
their good offices to
effect harmony. In
June, 1912, Charles
Sprout was appointed
missionary; but he
did not remain long.
The church enjoyed
several revivals, and
these, far more than
the law, brought about
a union of the two
parties, and in Oc-
tober, 1912, they were
in harmony and peace,
and prayed for a mis-
sionary.
The division of the
Eldership in Oregon
and Washington con-
tinued, as there seem-
ed insuperable bar-
riers to union to ex-
ist. There was good
ground for successful church work, and calls came from different unoccupied
counties for preachers; but there were none who could respond, and no means to
support them. There were five fields kept up by the Eldership whose reports were
published, and work done by the other body, which seemed indisposed to accept
terms of union upon conditions which did not to them promise permanent peace
and harmonious co-operation.
The work in Colorado centered in Lamar, Prowers county, where in 1910 D.
Long was the missionary of the General Board of Missions. Under his ministry a
bethel of reinforced concrete was built at Lamar, which was dedicated in Feb-
ruary, 1910. The Board made an effort to care for this church, but was only
partly successful.
There was no noticeable deficiency of interest and zeal on the part of the
active ministers in Kansas; but the record they have made indicates a declension
in the work in the State. They received full recognition by the Board of Missions
Lamar Bethel, Colorado.
286 History of the ChurchEvS of God
of the General Eldership. In 1910 the Board supplied Ft. Scott by the appoint-
ment of T. M. Funk. Others followed him in 1911 and 1912. G. W. Wyatt was
appointed to part of Crawford county in 1911, and in 1912 E. A. Bradley served,
part of the same county. A house of worship was built at Mingona, by the church
of God and the M. E. church, and dedicated in April, 1911. The ministry by dis-
cussions and sermons aimed to awaken a healthier interest among the churches,
so that the cause might prosper more. Among questions in this line which were
canvassed were these: "What new methods should we adopt in our church work?"
"What are the hopes of a coming revival?" "What faith could do for Christ in
Kansas." The W. M. S. was active, and efforts were not wanting to keep the C. E.
fires burning. The number of fields of labor varied some, as the Lamar, Colo.,
mission was sometimes on the list, and in 1910 a mission in southern Texas. There
were nine fields in 1909, and ten in 1910. The accessions ranged from 82 in 1909,
to 10 in 1910; conversions from 126 in 1910, to 99 in 1912. Two new churches
were added in 1911, bringing the number up to ten; but in 1912 there were only
nine, though one new church was organized, with thirteen appointments and
twelve bethels. The total membership in 1911 was 268. In 1912 the Committee
on the State of Religion made the statement, that "we have fewer appointments
than last vear, and fewer sermons preached, less members and fewer converted
and baptized than in the year 1911."
Apparently the winds were less contrary in Missouri than westward of that
State. The ministers maintained the Ministerial Association, and discussed sun-
dry important questions before the churches where the meetings were held. The
churches realized, as did the ministers, that the missionary spirit is the spiritual
barometer of a body, and they encouraged the W. M. S. and the missionaries in
their work. The religious state of the churches was reported favorable. The
"need of more competent ministers" was emphasized, and it was felt as a matter
of high importance that pfforts should be directed toward building up churches in
towns. In 1912 ther% '^V^ fifteen fields of labor, and in addition to the mission-
aries under the BoaT*fii/>bf Missions of the General Eldership there were two Gen-
eral Evangelists. Tlie support was limited, as salaries were from $150.00 to
$300.00 a year. The.* missionary in northern Missouri in 1910 was Ii. E. Mitchell,
and in south-western Klissouri, J. Allman. The latter was continued in that sec-
tion during 1911 and 1912. In 1911 and 1912 G. L. Chapman was the missionary
in south-eastern Missouri. J. A. Miller and D. L. Cox were missionaries in north-
western Missouri respectively in 1911 and 1912. There were at this time twenty-
five churches in the State. Gratifying success attended the labors of these devoted
men. At Leadwood, under the pastorate of Charles Hale, a house of worship was
built, which P. L. French dedicated on October 2, 1910, preaching from Josh. i. 7,
8. He was assisted by J. F. Schoch. At Belgrade, G. L. Chapman, after being
locked out of the M. E. house of worship, preached in the Odd Fellows Hall. He
organized a church there early in 1911. "Other new churches had been organized
around Belgrade."
George L. Chapman was born in 1870, near Rockbridge, Monroe county, Ky.
His parents were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He was converted
when about eleven years old, and united with the Church of his parents, and was
baptized January 24, 1881. He at once became quite active in all forms of church
work. After his marriage, December 2, 1887, he emigrated to Missouri, locating
in Sullivan county on October 16, 1890. He first heard the doctrine of the Church
of God preached by A. J. Hill. He accepted the truth and united with the church
at Ivy Hill, Sullivan county, in 1893 He began to preach in 1895, and was or-
dained to the ministry by tne Missouri Eldership at Versailles, September 9, 1897.
The greater part of his ministerial life was spent on mission territory. In 1911
Chapman built a bethel at Cherryville, which was dedicated in May, 1911. A
church was organized at Ester, in January, 1911, by M. S. Sikes and Charles Hale,
with twelve members. Also, one was organized at Elsey^ in May, 1911. In May,
1911, Chapman formed a new church at Furnace Creek. Under Samuel Van Meter
a church of twentv-one members was organized in December, 1911. at Richmond.
After a revival at Cape Fair, conducted by J. F. Allman, a council was called "to
discuss the matter of building a house of worship." After a discourse on "Let us
rise and build," it was decided "to build next Fall" (1912), and committees were
at once appointed. These churches and ministers gave practical illustrations of
lessons taught in the discussion of such questions as; "How shall we educate th,e
GENERAL History 287
churches in auxiliary church work? Or, "System in Eldership and church work.'"
As also an answer to the question: "To what extent
should we emphasize the ordinances of the Church?" >^
South of Kansas the principal work done during this '^
period was in Oklahoma. Active missionary labors, sus-
tained by the Board of Missions of the General Elder-
ship, resulted in the organization of a number of
churches. J. W. Bloyd was retained at Bartlesville dur-
ing the entire period. H. W. Allen was kept in western
Oklahoma. J. W. Bums was in eastern Oklahoma in
1910 and 1911, and north of the Canadian River in 1912.
C. H. Ballinger in central Oklahoma during the three
years. De Loss Crawford was the missionary at Leedy
in 1911, and J. H. Whittington in eastern Oklahoma, in
1912, south of the Canadian River. In 1910 and 1911
J. H. Whittington was the Board's missionary in Ar-
kansas, and J. H. Summit in northern Arkansas. The
Kansas mission in southern Texas bore fruit. A church
was organized by W. E. Tuttle at Big Wells, Texas, in (Jeorge L. Chapman.
April, 1912, and the new bethel was about ready for
dedication in December, 1912. It was deeded to the General Eldership.
At Oak Valley, Okla., a church was organized by J. D. Henson in 1909, with
six members, which in December, 1912, had increased to twenty-two. At Russell-
ville, under the labors of J. W. Bums, a bethel was built, which was dedicated May
15, 1910, by E. M. Kirkpatiick, assisted by B. L. Knight. At a point about six
miles north-west of Stroud, Okla.. a church was formed by J. D. Henson early in
1910. On his mission field in eastern Oklahoma J. W. Bums succeeded in effect-
ing a church organization at Artisee, in September, 1910. J. W. Bums had a
unique experience at Raiford early in July, 1911. He went there to hold a meet-
ing, and found a number of Free-will Baptists, with a Free-will Baptist preacher.
The latter organized a Free-will Baptist church, after which Bums continued the
revival, meanwhile preaching the doctrine of the Church of God. The result was
that he organized a church of God, taking into fellowship all the members of the
Free-will Baptist church. Near Mounds, at Duck Creek school-house, in July,
1911. S. O. Cox organized a small church. In various places in Oklahoma families
of the same nationalities located in colonies. Such a colony of Germans consti-
tuted the bulk of the population at Bessie. A. J. Hill went there to hold revival
services in December, 1911, and began "preaching the doctrines of the churches of
God." He found them receptive to the truth, and "could have organized a good
church if a German minister could have been had." In April, 1911, a church was
organized at Mounds, Okla. When the town of Leedy was laid out, not far from
a school-house in which A. J. Hill preached, the Town Site Company donated a lot
for a bethel, with the condition that "this Winter it was to be used for school pur-
poses." The house was built at a cost of $1,500.00, and was nearly finished and
ready for dedication the last of September, 1911. Hill proposed to erect the Tab-
ernacle which he had bought for the use of the Eldership on ground adjoining
the bethel. As there were few church houses in the Eldership, it was thought a
"Tabernacle would be the most efficient and the quickest way to evangelize and
reach the people." After the Eldership in 1911 F. C. Melson succeeded in organ-
izing a church at Ringwood. He and H. W. Allen also organized a church of
twenty members at Green Bay school-house in February, 1912. In October, 1912,
C. H. Ballinger and L. H. Sullins were instrumental in holding "the greatest re-
vival known in that section [Owala] for a long time." They organized a church
of twenty members. In Arkansas there were few signs of spiritual life. A Min-
isterial Association was in existence, which discussed a number of practical ques-
tions. A new church located at Story was received by the Standing Committee
into the Eldership on November 5, 1910.
An event of much interest to the churches of God occurred October 1, 1911.
It was thus announced in "The Literary Digest" of October 2 8th: "We now see
the Free Baptists sacrificing their identity to the main Baptist Church." One hun-
dred years ago those bodies were formed by a separation on the theological doc-
trines of Calvinism and Arminianism. During recent years these doctrines have
no longer been a test of membership in either body, and the union was simply a
288 .History of the Churches of God
recognition of the fact that the differences which caused the separation have dis-
appeared.
No less were the churches interested in the publication in December, 1912, of
"a new version of the Scriptures by the American Baptist Publication Society," of
Philadelphia, Pa., which was called by others "The Baptist Bible." It is called
"An Improved Edition (based in part on the Bible Union Version)." The latter
version was published in 1866, and was strongly endorsed by different Elderships.
It translated "baptize" uniformly by "immerse." The new version does not go
that far. It translates thus: "To be baptized (immersed) by him." It has been
severely criticised by those who dissent from Baptist views. "The Baptists have
gotten out a Bible of their own. It immerses people instead of baptizing them,
substitutes the less terrifying word 'underworld' for 'hell,' and makes a few other
changes which do not look toward very close fellowship with other Christian de-
nominations, much less a reuniting of Christendom." Some called it "sacre-
ligious" and "blasphemous." This is not intelligent criticism. It contains a very
large number of deviations from the Authorized and from the Revised Versions.
A critical examination may reveal the fact that nine-tenths of these are more accu-
rate translations than those in the other versions. That is the only reasonable
test of the merits of a translation. For many reasons believers in immersion will
find the study of this version profitable. The persistent interest in Bible revision
is indicated in Ja«ob H. Schiflf's offer, a banker and philanthropist, to donate
$50,000.00 to aid in completing and publishing the new Bible revision under way
by the Jewish Publication Society of America.
The prevailing absence of controversial discussion of subjects is very notice-
able during this period. The General Eldership by its final action at Fort Scott
in 1909 eliminated the W. G. M. S. question. The firm hand with which the
second-work sanctification theory was dealt with relegated that subject to the past,
although the scriptural doctrine of sanctification was not made obsolete. Min-
isters in politics and the degradation of the pulpit by the discussion of question-
able topics was the subject of animadversion. But it was not of the churches of
God that a popular evangelist said: "Our churches have deteriorated into third-
rate amusement bureaus, with religion left out. That is why 7,500 churches in
this country did not report a single conversion in 1912." Miracles and faith-heal-
ing called out considerable discussion, though the churches did not have their
peace disturbed by agitators. The question of the eligibility of deacons as mem-
bers of Elderships was discussed pro and con by the Editor of The Advocate and
three or four ministers. The discussion arose out of an attempt to amend the
Constitution of the Oklahoma Eldership so as "to provide that the deacons be
members of this Eldership by virtue of this office." The Editor was requested to
discuss the question, as it was postponed until the meeting of the next Eldership.
Others followed. It was not a new thing in the south-west, as deacons had been
members much earlier in the Texas and Arkansas Eldership.
The establishment of a Republic in China in 1912 was a matter of interest to
all Christian people. It seemed to point to an early era of universal tolerance in
the ancient empire. The principal misgiving was as to the capacity of the people
of China to maintain self-government. The Christian civilization taught and lived
by foreign missionaries had been an influential factor in bringing about the new
order. The open questions were: "Will Christianity be benefitted by the
change? "And, in turn, will Christianity embrace the new opportunities for
service?"
General History 289
CHAPTER XXII.
LIFE AND WORK OF REV. C. H. FORNEY, D. D., LL. D.
By REV. S. G. YAHN, D. D.
Editor of The Church Advocate.
ONE of the most important actions of the General Eldership of 1909 was that
which has resulted in the preparation and publication of this volume. We
had been making history for more than eighty years. Our part in the de-
velopment of the religious life of the country during that period is of much interest
to us and of some value to others. But no systematic effort had been made to
put the record of these events into permanent form. It was in recognition of this
fact, and to supply this need, that the General Eldership took action earnestly re-
questing Dr. C. H. Forney to prepare such a work.
No better selection could have been made. The author of this book is a man
whose memory goes back to the early days of our work, and who enjoyed a per-
sonal acquaintance with John Winebrenner and most of his co-laborers. At the
same time he has kept in close and sympathetic touch with the men and events of
the passing years up to the present time. His pre-eminent ability as a writer is
unquestioned. His long period of service as a member of the General Eldership
for half a century, and as Editor of The Church Advocate for forty years, afforded
him facilities which were not possessed by any other man among us. And, if any
further evidence of the wisdom of this selection is needed, it is furnished by the
eloquent testimony of the book itself.
The Board of Directors, however, to which the publication of this book was
intrusted, encountered one difficulty. During the past forty years the author of
this volume has been more influential than any other man in shaping the course
of events concerning which he was selected to write. And, with becoming mod-
esty, lie declined to write anything about his own work through these years of
activity, except to merely mention his official connection with boards, committees,
and local and general enterprises. But the Board of Directors, feeling that he
was entitled to a more prominent place in the history of our work than he would
assign to himself, and that a fuller recognition of his long and faithful services
was demanded in the interest of historical completeness, selected the author of
this article "to write the biography of Dr. C. H. Forney."
His Early Years.
The beginning of this narrative takes us back about three quarters of a cen-
tury, to a farming community in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, of which the
village of Linglestown, about eight miles from Harrisburg, is the center. Most
of the farmers of this locality, like those of many other communities in Eastern
Pennsylvania, were of German descent. Being industrious, honest and frugal,
they were naturally prosperous, as prosperity was measured at that time. Harris-
burg was then only a town of about 5,000 inhabitants, and many things in the sur-
rounding communities were of a primitive character; but the advantages of the
people were equal to the average of that day, and they were contented. Their
material comfort was not hampered by poverty, and their spiritual stature was not
dwarfed by great riches. They belonged to the large middle class of common peo-
ple, who in the long ago heard the Master gladly, as soon as they had a favorablei
opportunity.
Such an opportunity to hear the truth came to the people of this community
through the ministry of Rev. John Winebrenner, about the year 182.5. It was the
preaching of the word "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power," or what
was then commonly called "experimental religion," and which resulted in Wine-
C. H.— 11
290 History of the Churches of God
breimer's separation from the German Reformed Church. The readers of this
volume have learned that Winebrenner, while a German Reformed pastor, had
three churches in the country in addition to the one in Harrisburg. One of these,
known as Wenrich's church, was located less than a mile from Linglestown. When
the doors of this house of worship were closed against him, Winebrenner went to
Linglestown and preached in the school-house and in private houses. The Lord
graciously blest these efforts of his servant in the salvation of precious souls, and
in June, 1829, one of the first churches of God in the United States was organized
at Linglestown.
Two of the charter members of this church were Christian T. Fomey and his
wife, Barbara S. Forney. In the Spring of 1839 they moved about four miles east
of Linglestown. Here they owned and cultivated a farm of one hundred and forty-
five acres. The family occupied a log house, such as was common in that neigh-
borhood. And it was here, on the seventeenth of October, 1839, that Christian
Heni'y Forney, their fourth child and eldest son, was born. An excellent religious
spirit pervaded the community at that time, a full share of which was found in
the Fomey home. The father and mother, like most of those who were converted
under Elder Winebrenner's labors, were deeply devoted to the interests of the
kingdom, and this influence was felt in both the home and the church. The min-
istry was considered a high and holy calling and was regarded with profound ven-
eration. As a result the churches of God have been blest with at least eleven
preachers from this neighborhood, ten in addition to the one to whose life and
work this article is devoted, five of them belonging to his family relationship. His
father, Christian T. Fomey, was a lay preacher, and frequently conducted religious
services at the home church in Linglestown, and filled pulpits for other ministers
as opportunities arose. He also officiated at funerals whenever he was requested
to do so. He could preach in English or German, as the occasion required, and
was an able expounder of the Scriptures. He might have been an ordained min-
ister had he not believed that he could serve the Master best in a lay capacity as
an elder in the church at Linglestown, which position he filled acceptably for many
years, and until his death. He was also deeply interested in educational matters,
and was a member of the first school board under the common school law of Penn-
sylvania, which was enacted in 1834. He took a leading part with those who were
supporting the public school system, which, being in its infancy at that time,
needed all the moral and financial encouragement that public spirited citizens
could give. His genuine interest was shown by a gift of four acres of his farm,
containing a beautiful grove, for school purposes. The building erected on this
ground was called the Forney school-house. The right to use it for religious pur-
poses was reserved when the gift of ground was made to the school board, and
here Mr. Fomey conducted Sunday-school and prayer-meetings, and held several
successful revival meetings. He was a delegate to the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship in 1833 (the first year that the names of delegates were recorded), as well
as in later years, and was also a delegate to the General Eldership. That his life
was such as to command the continued confidence and esteem of his brethren is
evident from the following action of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, taken at its
first meeting after his death: "Resolved, That in the death of our venerable
brother, Christian T. Forney, the Church is bereft of one of its most distinguished,
faithful and veteran office-bearers, a man of great natural goodness of heart, a
counsellor of uncommon prudence, wisdom and skill, and a lay preacher of extra-
ordinary talents and gifts for usefulness in the Church and in the world."
The early and genuine conversion of children who live in a true Christian
home is in harmony with a reasonable expectation, and so it proved in this case.
A bethel had been built at Linglestown in the Summer of 1827, two years before
the church was organized. Here the converts of Elder Winebrenner's meetings
enjoyed many precious seasons of grace, and their efforts in winning souls were
crowned with success. It was in this bethel, in December, 185 3, at a service con-
ducted by his father, that C. H. Fomey, then fourteen years of age, went forward
to the altar of prayer and was converted to Christ.
This brief glance at the early history of this community !s sufficient to show
that the conditions could scarcely have been more favorable for the early training
of one who was to become pre-eminently a leader in the work of the churches
of God.
Genkkal History
291
292 History of the Churches of God
As Student and Teacher.
It was in the building before referred to, on his father's farm, that C. H.
Fomey attended public school until 185 4. He then went to the Miller public
school one Winter, about nine miles from home, and to the Churchville (now
Oberlin) public school, thirteen miles distant, the following Winter, for more ad-
vanced instruction, especially in mathematics. About this time Professor John
Focht started an academy at Linglestown, which, in keeping with the original
name of that village (St. Thomas), he called The St. Thomas Institute. Here
Mr. Forney attended school for three years, each academic year running from April
to October. He pursued the i'egular course of studies, giving special attention to
mathematics and surveyirtg". His school work and standing during these early
years was a clear indication of the exceptional talents which were to be still
further developed and devoted to useful service as time advanced.
Mr. Forney's experience as a public school teacher dates from the Autumn of
1856, when he was seventeen years of age. That Winter he taught the Progress
school, nine miles from home, and the next two Winters he taught the Forney
school, on his father's farm. His selection as teacher for the home school is a
creditable indication of his standing in his own community, just as the early age
at which he began teaching shows his unusual intellectual attainments as he ap-
proached young manhood.
In the Spring of 1858 Mr. Forney went to the State Normal School at Millers-
ville, Pa., where he remained for one school year of three terms. This, his first
year in school away from his home community, was one of much value to him.
Professor James P. Wickersham, author of several well-known books on teaching
and one of the most prominent educators of Pennsylvania, was the Principal of
the Millers-^ille Normal School at that time, and its moving spirit. And the
teacher of mathematics was Professor Edward Brooks, author of Brooks' Mental
Arithmetic, a work which was then in press. That Mr. Forney made good use of
his opportunities is evident from the fact that he was selected to make the class
address at the end of each term, both because of his record in the work of the
school and his proficiency in public speaking. In the Pall of this year, September
21, 1858, he received a Teacher's Permanent Certificate, which at that time took
the place of the present-day Normal School diploma.
It was in the Winter of 1858-59 that Mr. Forney first received impressions
which turned his mind in the direction of the gospel ministry. When he ex-
pressed these feelings to his father the latter was very much gratified, and they
at once took up for consideration the subject of a suitable college at which
he might receive the necessary training for his future work. The churches
of God not having an educational institution at that time, the question was not
an easy one to decide. Naturally they sought the counsel of Elder AVinebrenner,
who was at that time conducting a meeting at Linglestown, and on the latter's
advice it was decided that Mr. Foi*ney should go to college at Oberlin, Ohio,
which he did in March, 1859.
Oberlin College, in its origin, was closely identified with the anti-slavery
movement. Tappan Hall was erected by Mr. Arthur Tappan, one of the leading
opponents of slavery. Students were admitted without respect to color. The
President and Faculty of the College were pronounced abolitionists, and anti-
slavery sentiment was voiced with no uncertain sound. That this attitude was
maintained regardless of opposition and danger is evidenced by the fact that
when Mr. Forney reached Oberlin two of the professors were serving jail sen-
tences in Cleveland for having assisted a fugitive slave to escape through Ohio
to Canada. The President of Oberlin College at that time was Rev. Charles G.
Finney, the ablest and most successful evangelist of his day. Through his
spoken and published sermons and lectures hundreds of formal churches were
being quickened with new life, while thousands of lukewarm church members
were being revived and multitudes of sinners saved. If in connection with
these two facts it is recalled that the churches of God from the very beginning
were committed to the anti-slavery cause, and that they were distinctively
evangelistic, it will explain why Mr. Winebrenner advised Mr. Forney to go to
Oberlin College, and why the advice was accepted.
Mr. Forney decided to take what was known at Oberlin as the Elective,
or Ministerial Course, preparatory to taking a theological course. He had made
a diligent study of Greek at home during the preceding Winter, which he con-
General History 293
tinued at Oberlin in connection with his other studies, advancing in philosophy,
astronomy, and higher mathematics as far as the senior class in the regular
course. After spending one school year of eight months at Oberlin, he taught
the Hopewell public school, in Hopewell township, Seneca county, Ohio, during
the Winter of 1859-60, pursuing his college studies at the same time. His
Teacher's Certificate, received at Tiffin, Ohio, in October, 1859, was of the highest
grade. In the Spring of 1860 he returned to Oberlin to continue his course,
little thinking that in a few short weeks there would come to pass an event
which would not only bring deep sorrow to the heart, but also change his plan
of preparation for the work of his calling. This was the unexpected death of
his father, which occurred March 26, 1860, at the age of fifty-three. Mr. Forney
reached home the day before the funeral, and did not return to college. This
was due in part to changes incident to his father's death, and in part to the
urgent need for ministers. It should be remembered that in those early years
very few of our people recognized the advantages of a college education as a
preparation for the ministry. On the contrary it was the general belief that
men who were called of God to this sacred office should enter it without waiting
for such training. And not a few of our people were openly opposed to college-
trained preachers. In view of these facts it is not strange that Mr. Forney did not
finish his college course, but rather that he went to cpllege at all. At that
time it was a rare exception for a young man to go to college, and that he
followed the exception rather than the rule, shows that he was prompted by
the spirit of the true student. And the termination of his school days did not
seriously interrupt his course of studies. He continued to apply himself with
the same thoroughness and patient perseverance that had characterized his
work as a student and teacher. Nor did he limit his application to a popular
course of reading and a general line of theological studies, as many ministers
do. He did not shun the more difficult branches, which are seldom pursued
outside of college or seminary. For example, he took up the study of Hebrew
unaided, and mastered it to the extent of being able to read the Old Testament
in the original, as his knowledge of the Greek enabled him to do with the New
Testament. He has been a life-long student in the fullest sense of the word.
He feels most at home in the midst of his books, which have been wisely
selected, and which have grown into a library of over seventeen hundred volumes.
As Preacher and Pastor.
Though almost his entire lifetime has been spent in his native State, within
a radius of fifty miles in and around Harrisburg, it was in Ohio that Mr. Forney
began the sacred work of the gospel ministry. He preached his first sermon
In the Hopewell bethel, about a mile from the public school of which he was
the teacher, on Sunday morning, November 20, 1859, from Isaiah iii. 10, 11.
During the Winter he preached nine times at Hopewell, once at Tiffin, twice
at Attica, once at John Kline's and once at Pleasant Grove. His first sermon
in his native State, preached May 6, 1860, a few weeks after his father's death,
was a funeral sermon. During the Summer of this year he preached forty-five
times at various places in East Pennsylvania, including seven sermons at Lan-
caster, where he came into personal touch with Elder E. H. Thomas, Editor of
The Church Advocate. The Standing Committee of the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, of which Elder Thomas was Chairman, granted Mr. Forney a "Preacher's
License," September 2 5, 1860, without an application having been made and
without any examination. This unusual course was no doubt prompted by
the recognized ability and promise of the one upon whom this distinction was
conferred, as well as by the urgent need for ministers. In the Autumn of
1860 he attended the meeting of the East Pennsylvania Eldership at Bain-
bridge, and was elected Second Clerk.
Elder Forney's first regular charge was the church at Mount Joy, which
he served from the Fall of 1860 to the Spring of 1863. The church had been
without a pastor during the preceding Summer, and his appointment from
November 9, 1860, until the Spring of 1861, was by the Standing Committee,
from which time his Eldership appointment continued for two years, which
was then the time limit fixed by the Eldership. During the last year of this
period, from April, 1862, to April, 1863, Mount Joy and Washington Borough
were united, and were served jointly by Elders Forney and Thomas. Elder
294 History of the Churches of God
Forney conducted the revival meetings, and in the very beginning of his work
as a pastor received .the most gracious evidences of divine approval. His first
protracted meeting at Mount Joy continued from December 22, 1860, to February
27, 1861, and resulted in eighty-four conversions and sixty-five accessions to
the church. The revival services of the following Winters were not so pro-
tracted, but resulted in a number of conversions and additions, both at Mount
Joy and Washington Borough. An encouraging growth was also seen in other
respects, especially in a broader vision of Christian responsibility. The pastor,
both in his pulpit and pastoral work, laid special emphasis on the subject of
missions, and directed the people in formulating and putting into operation a
proper financial system, with the result that the church at Mount Joy was soon in
the front rank both in missionary activity and the amount of money contributed
for that purpose.
Elder Forney went from Mount Joy to Chambersburg in the Spring of
1863, where his pastorate was attended with some of the most trying exper-
iences of his life. It was^a critical period in the progress of the Civil War,
and his field was only about fifteen miles from Mason and Dixon's Line. The
great conflict between the North and the South was rapidly approaching a
crisis, as was shown a few months later in the battle of Gettysburg, July 1st
to 3rd. The passionate feelings of that time can be understood only by those
who were in touch with the awful experiences of the War. So intense was the
interest that Elder Fomey, with others, walked from Chambersburg to Gettys-
burg, a distance of twenty-five miles, on Monday after the battle. There was
no means of conveyance, railroad transportation having been interrupted by
the destruction of tracks, and even the farmers and others who had teams had
gone farther north to escape the Confederates. Shortly after his return from
Gettysburg, Elder Forney suffered a severe attack of typhoid fever. During
this affliction he was comforted and encouraged by Elder Thomas and others
to hope for recovery, and, while the outcome was for a time in doubt, his life
was spared for the greater service to which the Master had called him. July
29, 1864, General McCausland, with a Confederate cavalry force of about five
hundred men, crossed the Potomac and made a raid as far north as Chambers-
burg, where he demanded $500,000 in greenbacks or $100,000 in gold under pen-
alty of burning the town. Because the citizens failed to comply with this
demand, the heart of the town, including the bethel of the church of God,
was reduced to ashes, on Saturday, July 30th. The Board of Incorporation
of the East Pennsylvania Eldership decided to rebuild, and Elder Forney was
appointed to collect money for this purpose. He traveled over all the territory
of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, and through Westmoreland, Fayette , and
Venango counties in West Pennsylvania, and Wayne, Richland, Wyandot and
Seneca counties in Ohio. Our people were liberal in supporting the faith for
which the common brotherhood was contending, and in this particular case
there was the added element of patriotic devotion because of the circumstances
under which the people in Chambersburg lost their house of worship. As a
result, the necessary amount of money was secured, about $.5,000, which in-
cluded $300 contributed by members of the Pennsylvania Legislature.
While on this collecting tour Elder Forney made his first and only political
speech.. It was in Wooster, Ohio, on the evening of October 6, 1864. A mass
meeting had been arranged for that date by the Republican County Committee,
which was, largely attended and marked by the intense interest and enthusiasm
known only in the exciting days of the Civil War. In the forenoon eloquent
addresses were made by Senator John Shennan, General James A. Gaiiield and
two local ministers. In the evening Elder Forney made an address in advocacy of
the re-election of Abraham Lincoln, his subject being, "The Principles That
Should Triumph — Where Are They Found?" The Wooster "Republican" had
the following to say concerning the address:
"The meeting in Arcadome hall to listen to the address of Rev. C. H. Fomey,
of Chambersburg, Pa., was a most complete success. The address of the reverend
gentleman was learned and eloquent, and gave the best satisfaction to the large
and intelligent audience present. We have seldom listened to a more effective,
convincing and learned argument in favor of the Union cause, than that of Mr.
Fomey."
As a life-long Republican, Elder Fomey has always taken a deep interest
General. History 295
in civil affairs, as a private citizen. And, had he felt free to take a public part
in governmental matters, he would no doubt have exerted a very effective
influence in favor of that which is highest and best in political life. But he
has always contended that a minister of the gospel, for the best interests of
his calling, should take no active part in politics. And to this rule he has
invariably adhered, with the single exception before mentioned when the extra-
ordinary circumstances of the time demanded the help of every loyal tongue
and pen in behalf of the preservation of the Union.
Elder Foi-ney continued as pastor of the church in Chambersburg for three
years. While the time limit was only two years, an exception was made in this
case on account of the erection of the new house of worship. The only time
during this pastorate when the church had a bethel in which to hold revival
services was the Winter of 1863-4. And when this is remembered, in connec-
tion with other trying experiences through which the people were passing in
consequence of the War, the reader will not expect to learn of very much
having been accomplished in the way of spiritual development and church
upbuilding. But by faithful pastoral work the flock was kept together, and
a number of persons were fellowshiped and baptized.
The Fourth Street Church of God, Harrisburg, was Elder Forney's third
appointment, which he served from April, 1866, to April, 1868. The severe
trials through which this church had passed, as recorded elsewhere in this
volume, were still matters of recent history, and the flock that remained required
more than ordinary care and devotion on the part of the pastor. In this the
people were not disappointed, as the record shows 206 sermons preached and
about 600 pastoral visits made during the two years. Not only was the flock
properly cared for, but the efforts of pastor and church were rewarded with a
gratifying increase in membership. Forty-four persons were received into fellow-
ship the first year and forty-nine the second.
It was during his pastorate in Harrisburg that Elder Forney served as Chaplain
of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The ministers of Harrisburg,
who had been rendering this service alternately, took action requesting that
a Chaplain be selected to serve statedly. Elder Forney was appointed to carry
this request to the Capitol, where it was favorably received, and he was elected
the first regular Chaplain of the House of Representatives, in January, 1868.
The "Harrisburg Telegraph," speaking of the close of this pastorate in the
Spring of 1868, says: "Long before the ringing of the bell last evening the
large audience room of the Fourth Street Bethel was filled to overflowing, and
ere the time for opening the services the galleries, aisles and stairways were
also crowded with persons who assembled to hear the farewell sermon of Rev.
C. H. Forney, who was to close his second and last year's labors as pastor of
the church During the two years just closed Rev. C. H. Foraey has
labored most efficiently in our midst, and he bears with him to his new charge,
in Lancaster, the prayers of all good people for future success."
Elder Forney's last pastorate was in Lancaster, where he served the church
from April, 1868, to April, 1870, the last seven months in connection with his
duties as Editor of The Church Advocate, to which position he succeeded
on the death of Elder Thomas. Here his work was characterized by the same
careful attention to the duties that pertain to the office of preacher and pastor.
He instructed the people more thoroughly in the doctrines of the New Testament,
and was diligent in seeking the salvation of souls. Twenty-nine persons were
received into fellowship, and the church was built up and strengthened in the
faith.
Had Elder Forney continued in the work of the active ministry his career
would no doubt have been one of increasing usefulness among the churches of
God. He had the talent necessary to render acceptable service in any pulpit.
He had the personal interest in the members of his congregations which insures
faithful pastoral work. He was equally strong in executive ability and wise
administration. And back of these qualifications was an unselfish devotion to
the cause he loved. This fact stands out prominently in his report to the East
Pennsylvania Eldership at Middletown, in October, 1863, while pastor at Cham-
bersburg. The report closes with this paragraph:
"I give myself into the hands of the Eldership to send me wherever in her
judgment she deems best. I have no personal wishes and desires to be gratified.
At home or abroad, on the missionary field, circuit, or station, wherever, brethren.
296 History of the Churches of God
you think my services most needful and promotive of God's glory and the
interests of perishing souls, as well as of the Church, thither send me. With
and for the Church I mean to labor and in her commission I expect to die."
But it was only a few years until this consecrated young man, as before
mentioned, was called to the editorial chair to begin a period of service to
all the churches, which, in the goodness of God, he was able to continue for
forty years. During that time, in order to husband his strength for the onerous
duties of the editorial office, he preached only on special occasions. These
included dedicatory and reopening services, and sermons on doctrinal and other
important subjects. He preached the opening sermon of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership on several occasions, and also preached the opening sermon of the
General Eledrship in 187.5, and again in 1909. Beginning with the dedicatory
sermon at Chambersburg, Pa., March 10, 18 67, while he was pastor of the Fourth
Street Church, Harrisburg, he has officiated at fifty-five dedications and re-
openings. The church that is fortunate enough to secure his services on any
special occasion considers itself highly favored, because of the instructive and
inspiring character of his work in the pulpit. He is pre-eminently a teacher
of divine truth. For this reason he was most worthily honored when Hillsdale
College, Hillsdale, Michigan, a Free Baptist institution, conferred upon him the
degree of Doctor of Divinity, in 18 81. He was the first minister in the churches
of God to receive this degree.
It is in order, in this connection, to make a few comments concerning Dr.
Forney's ability as a preacher. Two things, on the human side, determine the
strength of a sermon. These are its preparation and its delivery. And this
twofold consideration of the subject of preaching, which discloses the ability
of the preacher, calls attention to the study and to the pulpit. The work of the
latter is more familiar to the people, but that of the former is of no less im-
portance; for a lack of preparation in the study is certain to result in a lack
of power in the pulpit. With Dr. Fomey the preparation of a sermon is not an
irksome task. He enjoys the companionship of his books, especially the Book
that records the word and will of God. Many of his most delightful hours are
spent in his library, and he finds as much pleasure in the preparation of a sermon
as in its delivery. Having selected a theme and text appropriate to the occasion
for which a sermon is to be prepared, he seeks, first of all, to discover what the
Spirit of inspiration desires to express through the text, in order that he may
thus hear the voice of God and repeat it to the people. Then follows the logical
development of the theme thus presented, with such practical applications as
the needs of the people to whom he is to preach may require. In this work of
preparation he goes to the word of God as found in the original languages, and
studies the text, context and parallel passages, with the help of concordances,
lexicons and commentaries. In addition to his hermeneutical and homiletical
helps, the subject under preparation is further enriched by the results of his more
general study of theological works. He has a passion for the truth. His sole am-
bition is to "preach the word," believing that it is the only means whereby the
unsaved can be brought to Christ and built up in him. He delights to preach "the
unsearchable riches of Christ," and his sermons are prepared with the cross in
view. While his preaching for many years has been limited to special occasions,
which suggested the propriety of using special subjects, the supreme theme of
the gospel has never been forgotten. When he preaches on the subject of the
church, as he frequently and appropriately does on dedicatory occasions, he
exalts Christ by exalting his body — the church. And his sermons on the ordi-
nances accomplish the same purpose by making more significant the three great
facts in the Master's life — his humiliation, his death and his resurrection. He
keeps in touch with the best books that come from the press, and avails himself
of the volumes of earlier years that are found in his well-selected library, both
poetry and prose. The Bible is his treasure-house of truth, and other books are
used only as they may throw light upon its interpretation and application to
human life. These facilities, each of which contributes in one way or another \
to the preparation of the sermon, have no place in the finished product. They
are all left in the study. Even the written outline is committed so that it need
not be carried into the pulpit. Thus the discourse, while a scholarly production,
is entirely free from the pedantic element. Nothing is brought before the
General History 297
congregation but an exposition and application of gospel truth that has previously
been made a part of the mind and heart of the speaker.
The delivery of the message is in keeping w^ith the high character of the
sermon. Phillips Brooks, himself a prince of power in the pulpit, said: "Every
sermon must have a solid rest in Scripture, and the pointedness which comes
of a clear subject, and the conviction which belongs to well-thought argument,
and the warmth that proceeds from earnest appeal." These elements are clearly
manifest in the sermons of Dr. Foniey and in their delivery. He deals with the
fundamental doctrines of the word of God. He has always been unalterably
opposed to the introduction of secular and sensational themes into the pulpit,
believing that they are not entitled to a place in the sacred desk, and this position
is emphasized by his own course as a minister. The spectacular is as foreign
to his sermons and their delivery as it is distasteful to his judgment. He not
only excludes extraneous subjects from the pulpit; but, so far as possible, con-
ceals himself in the shadow of the cross. He humbles himself that Christ may
be exalted. His sermons disclose no effort at rhetorical display, or desire for
personal prominence. His pulpit oratory is unstudied and unaffected. He is
sparing in gestures. He is in no sense open to the common criticism that min-
isters assume an unnatural manner and voice in the pulpit for effect. He is as
natural before a congregation as he is in the quiet of his home. With an im-
plicit trust in the One for whose cause he is to speak, and the confidence which
a well-preared message affords, Dr. Foniey comes before his congregation with
perfect self-control. With his sermon-outline clearly in mind, he trusts to the
inspiration of the moment to furnish words for the expression of his thoughts.
In this he is never disappointed, for philology has been one of the delightful
studies of his life, and has resulted in a rich vocabulary that never fails to
furnish the most precise and expressive word at the proper time. There is a
dignified sincerity in his sermon delivery which manifests itself in the blending
of a choice phraseology with a tenderness of feeling. He speaks with a freedom
born of a knowledge of the truth, and a liberty produced only by the presence
of the Spirit. His impressive manner brings the conviction that the truth which
he preaches is a personal treasure, and that it is transmitted out of the abundance
of the heart. His preaching contains the essential elements of true eloquence,
which we are told is the power to convince the Judgment, kindle the imagination,
move the feelings and give impulse to the will.
It is more than an ordinary privilege to sit under the preaching of Dr.
Forney. It is both pleasant and profitable. It is the privilege of listening to
one who, while his voice is not so strong as that of many public speakers, has
an enunciation so clear as to be heard by the average congregation with ease.
And there is a melodiousness in his voice which adds to the impressiveness of
his utterances, as well as to the pleasure of listening. It is the privilege of hear-
ing one who has a clear apprehension of the truth, whose loyalty to the truth
is unquestioned, and who is in every way worthy to speak in the name of the
Master. His logical analysis, his clear exposition, and his simplicity of speech
combine to make the truth stand forth with a prominence too plain to be mis-
understood. And while his sermons are of greater length than those to which
the people of to-day are accustomed, the amount of truth presented is fully equal
to the time used in expressing it, and this is the true standard by which to
determine the proper length of a sermon.
Back of the message is the man, who, so far as human agencies are con-
cerned, gives to the sermon its vital power. The words of a speaker are effective
only so far as they are backed by a corresponding example. And those who
receive instruction from Dr. Forney's preaching, and have the needs of their
hearts carried to a throne of grace by his comprehensive and fervent pulpit
prayers, realize that they are being helped by one who speaks, not alone from
the printed page of the Scriptures, but also from the epistle of Christ written
on his own heart by the Holy Spirit. And they go out from the service with
feelings which can be appropriately expressed by a quotation from Hawthorne:
"His words had power because they accorded with his thoughts; and his thoughts
had reality and depth because they harmonized with the life he had always lived.
It was not mere breath that this preacher uttered; they were the words of life,
because a life of good deeds and holy love was melted into them. Pearls, pure
and rich, had been dissolved into the precious draught."
298 History of the Churches of God
As a Leader.
While there is no superior order in the ministry of the churches of God,
there are leaders to whom special duties are committed, either by official action
or common consent. These men become leaders by virtue of their efficiency and
fidelity. Their ability is recognized by their brethren, who concede to them
positions of trust and responsibility. And their fidelity is a stepping-stone from
the lower to the higher positions. True and permanent leadership, therefore,
is inseparably connected with faithful service. One may attain a leading position
in some other way, but it will not be long continued. The only one who can
exert a controlling influence through the years uninterruptedly is the one who
is constantly devoted to the cause with which he is connected. He must serve
before he can rule, and the extent of his leadership will be determined by the
measure of his devotion to the duties that devolve upon him.
Among the names of men who by intelligent and faithful service have
attained positions of leadership in the work of the churches of God none stands
out with more prominence than that of Dr. Foi-ney. What Elder Winebrenner
was to the churches, to the East Pennsylvania Eldership and the General Elder
ship during the first part of the history recorded in this volume (a period of
some thirty years), Dr. Fomey has been during the past forty years or more.
And the record of these years furnishes a clear illustration of the frequently-
expressed belief that when one leader in the cause of righteousness falls the
Lord raises up another to take his place. For it is interesting to note, in think-
ing of these two faithful servants, the close connection between the end of the
labors of the one and the beginning of the work of the other. It was only
thirteen days after the death of Elder Winebrenner that Mr. Fomey was granted
a "Preacher's License" by the Standing Committee of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership. Elder Winebi-enner attended the East Pennsylvania Eldership for
the last time in 185 9, and the following year Elder Fomey was in attendance
for the first time. The last General Eldership that Elder Winebrenner attended
was that of 1860, while the next meeting of that body, in 1863, was the first
one attended by Elder Fomey. It should not be inferred that Elder Fomey
was the immediate successor of Elder Winebrenner. That distinction naturally
and properly fell to Elder E. H. Thomas, Editor of The Church Advocate. But
it was only nine years after the death of Elder Winebrenner that Elder Thomas
was called to his reward, and was succeeded by Elder Fomey.
The leader of a religious body is the one who does most to shape its policies
and stimulate and direct the thought of the people. And it was as Editor
of The Church Advocate that Dr. Fomey, for forty years, exerted an infiuence
of this kind that no one else was in a position to wield. It was to him that
the brethren were wont to turn for counsel and guidance, and they never looked
in vain. It was in the editorial clumns of The Church Advocate that their
perplexing problems were solved, their discouraged hearts inspired, and their
hesitating footsteps directed. In this position of leadership Dr. Fomey was
thoroughly loyal to the old landmarks. He was true to the spirit of Winebrenner,
Thomas and other leaders who had preceded him. At the same time he was
aggressive. He developed the plans of Winebrenner into wider spheres, and, when
wise and necessary, carried them out with new methods, but always with an
eye single to the honor of the truth and the prosperity of the churches. Most
of the enterprises of the General Eldership for the past forty years had their
inception in his editorial suggestions and discussions, and to a great extent the
same is true of the annual Elderships. In these matters his conservatism and
aggressiveness were always blended in proper proportion. His attitude as a
leader has been eminently fair. He has kept in close and sympathetic touch with
both the old and the young. He has used his infiuence for what he believed
to be the highest good of every institution and individual. Instead of cultivating
an ambition to surpass his brethren, he has devoted himself to the development
of his own talents and the improvement of his opportunities for usefulness.
In discussing the leadership of Dr. Fomey attention must be given to both
the East Pennsylvania Eldership and the General Eldership. Present space
will not permit even the enumeration of the many official positions which he
has held in the East Pennsylvania Eldership, for it would require quotations
from the journals of more than fifty years. A few examples must serve as an
imperfect index of a half century of official service. In 1869 Elder Fomey
General History 299
was elected as a member of the Standing Committee, a Committee of which he
is now, and has been for many years, the Chairman. He is President of the
Board of Education, and his service in this connection dates back to 1875. He
offered the resolution which created the Board of Church Extension, in 1880,
and has been a member of it ever since. On the Board of Missions, of which
he is the President, he has rendered faithful service for many years. He was
the Secretary of this Board in 1863, and its President as early as 1865. He
was also instrumental in the formation of the East Pennsylvania Sunday-School
Missionary Society, an effective organization of earlier years. He was the Presi-
dent of the first two Sunday-school conventions in East Pennsylvania. He served
as Speaker of the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1874, 1877, 1883 and 1889.
Besides these elective positions, he has been a member of the most important
appointive committees from year to year.
The simple statement of these facts may mean but little to the uninformed,
but to those who have served in similar positions it stands for an immense
amount of work, especially for one who, like Dr. Forney, is always an active and
never a nominal member of a board or committee. His burden of work is heavier
than that of any other member of a board or committee to which he belongs.
As Chairman of the Committee on Ordination he leads in the examination of
all applicants for ordination to the ministry. As President of the Board of
Education he arranges for and conducts the examination of students in the
Eldership Course of Studies, a Course which he, for the most part, prepared and
Tevised. As Chairman of the Stationing Committee his judgment is the principal
factor in solving the problems connected with the perplexing work of appointing
pastors. As Chairman of the Standing Committee he has "the care of all the
■churches" during the year, which includes the visiting of appointments to adjust
difficulties, to arrange for the filling of vacancies, and all that belongs to a
general oversight of both churches and preachers. As President of the Board
of Missions he directs in the work of providing for the weaker churches, as well
as in visiting the mission fields. And to be a member of any committee usually
means that the preparation of its report is left to him. His work, moreover,
lias not been confined to the positions to which he has been elected or appointed.
In not a few cases he has originated the board, the committee, or the enterprise
which has contributed to the prosperity of the churches. He has also had much
to do in shaping our form of ecclesiastical government, having rewritten and
revised the greater part of the Constitution of the East Pennsylvania Eldership,
as well as that of the General Eldership.
As an earnest and devoted student who recognized the value of education
in the ministry, it was altogether natural for Elder Forney to agitate this sub-
ject, which he did from the very beginning of his membership in the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership. While pastor of the church of God at Mount Joy, Pa., he
was engaged for a year or more as a teacher in the Mount Joy Academy, of
which Professor E. L. Moore was the Principal. Learning that Professor Moore
was willing to sell the Academy, Elder Forney brought the matter to the atten-
tion of the Eldership which met at Mechanicsburg, in October, 1861, and was
appointed on a committee "to confer with Mr. Moore." The other members of
the committee were Elders E. H. Thomas and A. Swartz. The committee, in
•connection with the Committee on Education, reported, among other things,
"that special efforts be made for purchasing or establishing an institution of
learning under the control of the Church, for educating our youth and preparing
young men for the sacred ministry." The subject was thoroughly discussed, in
connection with the proposal of Mr. Moore to sell the Mount Joy Academy to
the East Pennsylvania Eldership. The opportunity to secure a school of this
Icind, to be under the jurisdiction of the Eldership, was looked upon with favor,
and Elder Fomey and Professor Moore were granted permission to canvass the
•churches "to obtain subscriptions of stock for the contemplated purchase of said
Academy." They sent out a circular letter, and also canvassed some personally,
l)ut without receiving much encouragement, and at the next meeting of the
Eldership the project was dropped, as being "beyond the jurisdiction of the
Eldership." The meaning of this action, presumably, was that the establishing
•of schools is the work of the General Eldership. In 1876 the Board of Education,
with Elder Foraey as President, took under consideration a proposition from
Professor Ege, of the Cumberland Valley Institute, at Mechanicsburg, Pa., to sell
300 History of the Churches of God
that institution to the Eldership. Perhaps it was thought that if an Eldership"
desired to establish an academy the General Eldership would cheerfully consent,
as in fact it did in later years when such an occasion arose. 'But after carefully
considering this proposition the Board decided that it would be inexpedient to
purchase a school property without further agitation of the subject among the
brethren. At the General Eldership of 187 2 the Committee on Education, of
which Elder Foniey was the Chairman, submitted a report recommending the
acceptance of an offer from Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan, to establish
a professorship in that institution by appointing a professor and providing for
his salary. The report was adopted, and the first Board of Education of the
General Eldership, with Elder Foniey as its President, was elected to take charge
of the matter, but the project was never carried out.
Not discouraged by these temporary failures, Elder Forney continued his
agitation along educational lines, principally through the editorial columns of
The Church Advocate. He believed that our people were able to establish and
maintain an institution of learning, and that all that was necessary was to give
them a wider vision and cultivate their spirit of liberality. This he endeavored
to do, and was rewarded at the General Eldership of 1881 by the adoption of a
report which he presented as Chairman of the Committee on Education, May
30th, recommending that a Church school be established at once. This action
of the General Eldership, which resulted in the establishing of Findlay College,,
had its inception in the action of an educational convention which met in Har-
risburg, Pa., October 19, 1880, at the call of Elder Forney, President of the
Board of Education of the East Pennsylvania Eldership.
The General Eldership of 18 81 placed the matter of locating and establishing
a college in the hands of its Board of Education. And when it was decided to^
locate the college at Findlay, Ohio, it was found necessary to have a Board
of Trustees legally incorporated under the laws of that State. This provision
was made when the Executive Board of the General Eldership met at Findlay,
January 25, 1882, and appointed the first Board of Trustees. Dr. Forney, as-
a member of the Executive Board, was the author of the action which created
Findlay College, gave the institution its name, and defined the powers of the
corporation. He also prepared the Articles of Incorporation. The following year
the Board of Trustees, at a meeting held June 20, 18 83, elected Dr. Forney Presi-
dent of the College. This was a natural selection, considering the leading part
which he had taken in the work of establishing the institution, and it indicated
the strong confidence which the brethren had in his ability and fidelity. While-
he had neither sought nor expected this position, he appreciated the honor which
the Board's action conferred upon him. And it was not until after he had given
several months to the careful and prayerful consideration of this opportunity
for service that he sent his letter of declination to the Board, which was reluct-
antly accepted at a special meeting held December 5, 1883. In this letter he
said: "I have an abiding and predominant desire to serve the Church in that
capacity for which I am best adapted, and in which I can be of greatest service
to its interests. But I am not able to concur with the Board in the view that,
considering all things, my proper position is at the head of Findlay College." He-
also expressed the hope of being "able to do something toward making Findlay
College a success and a great blessing to the Church" in whatever capacity he-
might labor. This he continued to do by leading the thought of the brotherhood
as he wrote on the college and its work from time to time, educating our people
to the necessity and advantages of education, and encouraging them to greater
liberality. When the time came to dedicate the college, June 20, 1888, Dr. Forneys
was selected to deliver the dedicatory address. He spoke on "Christianity and the
College," and in an exhaustive and scholarly manner defined the relation between-
Christianity and education, and discussed the principles which are essential to a
Christian institution of learning.
The evidences of Dr. Foraey's interest in educational matters has not been
confined to his words of tongue and pen. He has been a contributor from time-
to time to the financial support of Findlay College, his gifts aggregating more
than a thousand dollars, and on June 12, 1905, he made himself personally
responsible for the endowment of the President's Chair. Though he had declined
to accept the office of President of the College, he thus provided for the support
of the men who may be called to that position from time to time through all the
General History 301
years. la doing this he gives back to the General Eldership more than half of
the salary which he received for his forty year's of service in the editorial chair,
thus making his w^ork for more than a score of years purely a labor of love.
He occupies the unique position of being a leader in both the intellectual and
the financial affairs of our educational work. His counsel has been a guiding
factor in the management of the College, and his gifts amount to more than
those of any other donor.
The influence of Dr. Foniey has also been a leading factor in the missionary
work of the General Eldership, both home and foreign. This influence has been
exerted by wise editorial counsel, and by resolutions, reports and discussions
in the General Eldership, rather than by active official service. And yet he has
not infrequently acted in an official capacity in connection with our general
missionary enterprises. He was elected a member of the first "Board of Foreign
Missions" created by the General Eldership, in 187 8, for the purpose of establish-
ing "a mission in India at as early a day as practicable." In those earlier years,
when efforts were being made to unite with the Free Baptist Church in foreign
missionary work, Dr. Forney was more than once selected as a representative of
ouf highest governing body. And more recently, from 1906 to 1909, he served
as President and Secretary of the Commission on unification of our missionary
societies, a position which required clear judgment and much patience, and in-
volved a voluminous correspondence. While most of his years have been spent
in the quiet work of the editorial office, the missionary spirit has nevertheless
been a predominating one in his life. And the results are to be seen in the
steady and substantial growth of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, and in what
this Eldership has done for the work on the frontier, as well as in all of the
missionary enterprises of the General Eldership.
But it is in connection with our publishing interests that the monumental
character of Dr. Forney's work as a safe leader and successful manager appears
to the best advantage. He had charge of The Church Advocate for forty
years, and not only brought it up to a high standard of literary excellence, but
also placed it on a self-sustaining financial basis. During nearly all of these
years he was the Business Manager as well as the Editor, and by his good judg-
ment and careful economy rendered invaluable service to the General Eldership.
When he took charge of the paper, in 1869, it was still struggling to free itself
from a burdensome debt. In a few years this was accomplished, and then
there began to accumulate a small surplus from year to year, which has con-
tinued to the present time. But this upward course was not entirely without
interruption. There were occasional disappointments, as for example during
the triennium of 1878-1881, when the Editor had to contribute $200 in order to
continue the publication of the paper. He also refused an increase of salary by
the General Eldership on two occasions — in 1875 and 1887. To this personal
devotion to a cause, and to the most faithful and persevering efforts, must be
attributed the success of our official organ.
In addition to placing The Advocate on a safe financial basis. Dr. Fomey
had another ideal — the establishing of a publishing house of our own. As early
as 1880 he urged this matter editorially, insisting that the churches were able
to inaugurate and maintain such an enterprise. This view was somewhat in
advance of the sentiment of the brotherhood, as is evident from the fact that it
was not until twenty-one years later, in 19 01, that our Printing and Publishing
House became a reality. But these years were marked by steps leading up to
the final accomplishment. In 18 85 a Book Store was started in Harrisburg,
in a rented building on Market street. The business prospered. The Advocate
continued to earn a small annual surplus, which was carefully invested. Our
other periodicals contributed their share towards the common end. This con-
tinued until 1899, when a fine property was purchased in Harrisburg, consisting
of a lot fronting twenty-six and a half feet on Market street and extending back
two hundred feet, with a four-story brick building on Market street, 26^4x150,
and a double three-story dwelling-house on the rear of the lot. Possession
was secured in 1900, and the necessary machinery and outfit were purchased
and the printing plant installed in July, 1901. The business prospered in every
respect, and the last of the debt incurred in purchasing the property and starting
the enterprise was cancelled January 1, 1909. The property, including the stock
in the Book Store and the printing establishment, is valued at not less than
302 History of the Churches of God
$100,000. This is the home of our publishing interests. Here our periodicals
are all printed, and from here they go out to the various parts of our general
territory.
This statement concerning our Publishing House and Book Store is made
because of its essential connection with the life-work of Dr. Forney. As Editor
of The Church Advocate he cultivated the sentiment that led to its establish-
ment. As Business Manager of The Advocate he was able to pay towards the
Publishing House the sum of $14,880.00. And as President and Treasurer of
the Board of Directors of the Publishing House and Book Rooms his has been
the guiding hand in this enterprise since its inception. It will stand as a monu-
ment to his wise foresight and patient perseverance.
Notwithstanding a general disposition on the part of the brethren to yield
to the judgment of Dr. Forney, it should not be inferred that his various projects
were carried out without opposition. He has had the experience, common to
all leaders, of meeting opposition that is dispelled only by the light of fuller
information. To this end he has frequently found it necessary to discuss his
plans at considerable length and to advocate the cause for which he was con-
tending with more than ordinary patience and perseverance, at the same time
answering the objections and arguments offered in opposition. It is in this con-
nection, both on the Eldership floor and in the editorial columns, that his excep-
tional ability as a disputant appears to the best advantage. In fact, the com-
prehensive and conclusive character of his arguments has become so well known
that in later years he seldom finds one who feels disposed to meet him in the
arena of debate. The common custom is for other brethren to discuss ques-
tions that arise, and, after they have presented their views pro ^and con, all
eyes are turned to Dr. Forney, who is expected to clear the polemic atmosphere
of clouds, untangle the logical and illogical arguments, and, giving each factor
its proper place and force, speak the final word. And his views generally prevail
when they are brought to the test of ofllicial action.
Those who may read the above paragraph fifty or a hundred years hence
should not associate it with the typical debater of early years, and imagine a
man of unusual size, of boisterous voice, and of vigorous gestures, for such an
impression would be farthest from the truth. Instead, let them draw a mental
picture of a man of medium height; of erect and dignified bearing; modestly but
faultlessly attired; unassuming in manner and gestures; with a fine intellectual
face and exceptionally strong and expressive eyes; with a voice mild and musical,
and a choice vocabulary and a careful enunciation that combine to make it a
pleasure to listen.
Dr. Forney has always had an aptitude for disputation, and he found his
first opportunities of this kind in the debating societies of his school days in the
Linglestown neighborhood. Here he began to cultivate that habit of careful
and exact statements and logical reasoning which has been so characteristic and
effective in his later years. He also further equipped himself for public debate,
as well as for the work of deliberative bodies, by a thorough study of parliamen-
tary rules. He makes a thorough investigation of every subject, with that clear-
ness of perception, that breadth of view and that unselfish consideration which
usually enable one to select the right side of a question at issue. And the
man who is thus prepared to take his stand on the right side, has the victory
half won before the battle begins. By the right side is meant the position that
is most nearly in harmony with the revealed will of the great Head of the
church; that looks to the welfare of others rather than self; that places all
Interests of the church, local and general, in positions proportionate to their
relative importance, and seeks to do the greatest good to the greatest number.
Having taken his stand on this vantage ground. Dr. Forney proceeds to fortify
himself with facts. Instead of speaking at random, or from hearsay, or on mere
suppositions, he has all facts bearing on the question at issue carefully noted
down, ready for use at a moment's notice. Every argument which might be
offered is first brought to the test of truth, and is given as searching an analysis
as it could receive at the hands of his opponent. Arguments on the other side of
the question are given like consideration. It only remains, then, to properly
marshall these facts in support of a position in order to maintain it. Thus, with
a firm grasp of the whole subject in all of its details. Dr. Forney is able to take
up a question calmly, and with confidence as to the outcome. He is an able
GENEi^AL History 303
and fearless defender of what he believes to be right, but is as calm as he is
courageous. With all of his faculties under perfect control, and at instant com-
mand, he gradually unfolds his line of argument until it becomes as clear to
his hearers as it is to himself. In doing this his tenacity for his own opinions
is properly blended with a due respect for the opinions of others. He never
allows a difference of opinion, however heated the discussion, to disturb his
personal relations with, or his friendship for, his opponent. "Principia, non
homines," is his motto.
The foregoing glance at the work of Dr, Foraey as a leader will show that,
both in the character and extent of his service, he ranks second to none in our
history as a religious body. He has held one or more official positions for a
longer period of time than any other man who has been connected with the
churches of God. He became a member of the General Eldership which met
at New Brighton, Pa., in 1863. That membership has continued without inter-
ruption to the present time, and, with the meeting of the General Eldership
in 1913, completed the unparalleled record of fifty years. During that time
every other member of the General Eldership of 1863 has passed away. Dr.
Forney has also held an official position in the General Eldership for the same
length of time. He was elected Transcribing Clerk in 1863, Assistant Editor of
The Church Advocate in 1866, and was Editor of The Church Advocate from
1869 to 1909. He also served on the Board of Incorporation, the Board of
Education, and the Executive Board of the General Eldership. He was elected
President of the General Eldership in 1878, and again in 1905. He is now, and
has been since 1893, the President of the Board of Directors of the Publishing
House and Book Rooms, and, with the exception of one term, was its Treasurer
since 1885. This makes a half century of continuous official service. He has
filled these positions to the entire satisfaction of the brotherhood. The material
interests intrusted to him by the East Pennsylvania Eldership and the General
Eldership have shared in the careful management and wise economy which he
devotes to his personal affairs, and with the same successful results. He has
been faithful in the discharge of every duty devolving upon him. Loyalty and
efficiency have characterized his work in whatever position he has been placed.
While he has the gift of leadership in a pre-eminent degree, he has always been
willing to serve, even though service meant the carrying of heavy and perplexing
burdens. In fact he has carried in his heart the burden of every movement
which promised to advance the interests of the churches of God. Other leaders
have finished their labors and have gone to their reward, and sufficient time
has elapsed to form a mature conclusion as to the value of their services. But
Dr. Forney is still with us, for which we are profoundly grateful, and therefore
the time is not yet here to form a finql estimate of his leadership. Something
can be said of his work, and its impress on every local and general enterprise
can be clearly seen; but only the future can reveal the larger results. And
it is safe to predict that each of the coming years will increase the appreciation
which the churches of God have of his services, and confirm their conviction
that they never had a truer friend, nor a more efficient, faithful and indefatigable
worker.
As a Writer.
It was during Mr. Forney's student days at Obelin that he began writing for
The Church Advocate. His first article was written on the Fourth of July,
1859, and published in The Church Advocate of July 21st. It was on the
subject, "Can Backsliders Be Saved?" The article is not lengthy, and does
not attempt to go into a thorough discussion of the question. There is lacking
that positiveness which characterizes his writings of later years. With the natural
timidity of a beginner he does not even pretend to decide the question, but
contents himself with quoting certain passages of Scripture which have more
or less of a bearing on the subject, and closes by saying:
"Brethren and sisters, let us watch and pray, and not become lukewarm
and finally backslide. For if the backslider can be saved, it is after all a great
risk; yea, the greatest risk that man can run to try it. Thus, my brethren and
sisters of Pennsylvania, I have endeavored to celebrate the Fourth of July.
C. H. FORNEY."
Oberlin, O., July 4th.
304 History 01' the Churches of God
His next article, which appeared the same month, was on "Bridling the
Tongue," and was continued in a later issue. In his third effort, September 8,
1859, he took up the subject of "Baptism and Rantism." It related a conversa-
tion which he had engaged in with a fellow student who believed that sprinkling
and pouring were as valid as immersion, without purporting to be a thorough
discussion of the question. In fact he begins his article by modestly apologizing
for attempting to write on the subject at all, saying:
"It would appear rather presumptions in a youthful tyro like myself, to
write an article for your beloved and ably conducted paper, upon the much
disputed question of baptism, and I dare say I would be amenable to my more
experienced brethren who have been investigating the subject, for my nugacity
compared with their profound and elaborate essays and sermons that have puzzled
from time to time the deluded and fluctuating minds of their opponents. But
since it is not my intention to write particularly about the mode or anything
else connected with the rite, I hope you will carefully read the few thoughts
that I have to present, and not cast me off at once as an intruder and presump-
tuous novitiate."
That he possessed that independence of thought and investigation so neces-
sary to the young ministerial student who takes his course at an institution of
learning conducted by those of a different religious faith is shown in this
article, in which he says:
"It is, however, not very strange if Oberlinites hold that sprinkling is the
mode in which baptism ought to be administered, when the Doctors of Divinity
descend from the pulpit with a baptismal font in one hand and then baptize,
erroneously so-called, those who present themselves for admission into the church,
unless they had been baptized previously."
Mr. Forney continued to write at intervals for the Church paper, and as
early as the Spring of 1861, in a series of articles on "Redemption and Salvation,"
we find something of the positiveness and theological style with which we are
now so familiar. These early writings contain a plentiful supply of large words,
and a more frequent use of Greek and Latin words and phrases than are found
in his writings of forty years later. This was in keeping with a custom of the
time, followed by those who were able to do so.
The brotherhood was so favorably impressed with the ability of Elder Forney
as a writer, as well as by his evident loyalty to the doctrines of the Church, that
when the General Eldership met in 1866 he was elected Assistant Editor of
The Church Advocate. During the next three years the products of his pen
appeared in the editorial department of the paper, and were read with approval
and profit. They showed a clear grasp of the duties and responsibilities of edi-
torial work, and were true to every interest for the furtherance of which the
paper was conducted. His work in this position received its official sanction
when he was re-elected Assistant Editor by the General Eldership in the Spring
of 1869. And when, in the Autumn of that year, he succeeded to the position
of Editor-in-chief on the death of Elder E. H. Thomas, he received from the
brotherhood that hearty support which is the outgrowth of confidence in one's
efficiency and fidelity. That this confidence was justified needs no other proof
than the fact that Elder Forney was continued in this position by the General
Eldership for forty years, and was then relieved from its responsibilities only
because of his urgent request.
In going over the pages of The Church Advocate from 1869 to 1909, one is
forcibly impressed with the wide range of the field of editorial discussion. While
this is accounted for in part by the great length of this period, it also reveals
the versatility and the extensive reading and research of the Editor. The edi-
torial office furnishes an exceptionally favorable opportunity for reading, includ-
ing that which is optional, as well as that which is obligatory. And this con-
tinued opportunity, improved by the alert and inquisitive mind of Dr. Forney,
contributed a fund of information and developed a breadth of thought which made
his editorials as comprehensive in their scope as they are valuable in their char-
acter.
His writings on devotional subjects are both Instructive and inspiring. They
deal ^Vith every phase of scripturar truth. The great doctrine of regeneration,
which has ineant so much in the work of the churches of God, is set forth in
no uncertain terms. Great emphasis is laid on the importance of experimental
GeneraIv History 305
Teligion, and ministers are exhorted to so teach this truth that they may not
weaken the local churches by bringing into their membership persons who have
not been born again. Then the welfare of the true convert is taken up and con-
sidered in all the various relations that he sustains in life, giving careful thought
to his opportunities and his obligations, his trials and his triumphs. The church
has a large share in the editorial discussions, and all of its means of grace are
clearly explained and urged upon the favorable consideration of the people as
contributing factors in their spiritual development. The home, with its far-
reaching influence and the value of its devotions, is given proportionate attention,
as are all the phases of life with which the individual Christian has to deal.
Nothing is neglected or overlooked, but everything pertaining to the spiritual
welfare of the readers is given due attention by the Editor, just as a studious
and faithful pastor looks to everything that concerns every member of a local
church during a long pastorate.
Dr. Forney always kept himself thoroughly informed concerning the ac-
tivities of other religious bodies, and gave the readers of The Church Advocate
the benefit of. his information. And, with his clear view of a situation ^nd his
philosophic method of considering it, he was able to do more than merely report
the news; he could interpret the handwriting on the wall as well as call atten-
tion to it. This was of great value to the reader, because many subjects of
importance in the religious world are scarcely considered by the secular press,
and the average layman knows but little about them unless informed by his
Church paper. His editorial utterances, however, were not confined strictly
to what are known as religious subjects. He discussed other questions that
were of general interest, especially those pertaining to reform movements, such
as the efforts to secure a better observance of the Sabbath, and the various tem-
perance movements. These subjects were not merely touched on incidentally,
but were given that broad view and careful thought that always characterize
the work of the man who believes that "what is worth doing at all is worth doing
well." As an illustration of this fact we mention the editorial discussion pre-
ceding the Prohibition Amendment campaign in Pennsylvania in 1889. These
editorials continued weekly for four months and a half — from the announcement
of the passage of the Resolution submitting the question to a vote of the people,
made in The Advocate of February 6th, to the time of the election, June 18th.
Every phase of the subject was carefully reviewed. The question at issue was
fully explained, as were the methods by which the campaign was to be carried
on. The prohibition forces were brought into review, and the elements of the
enemies' strength were accurately measured. Then follow five editorials on
"Indictment of the Liquor Traffic;" one on "The Liquor TraflSc the State's Worst
Enemy;" one on "The Liquor Trafiic a Fruitful Cause of Infanticide and Insan-
ity," and one on "The Amendment and the Grain Market." The discussion closed
with four editorials on "Objections to Prohibition." These twenty editorials
fairly illustrate the wide scope of his editorial discussion of important questions.
Another class of subjects that frequently received editorial consideration, and
which constitutes one of Dr. Forney's most valuable contributions to the churches
of God, is made up of questions on Church doctrine and polity, and matters per-
taining to our general interests. Some of these questions were discussed because
certain occasions suggested them to the Editor, and many others were sent in by
ministers and laymen with the request that they be answered editorially.
These editorials cover practically every phase of Church doctrine and polity
that could arise, and, in the absence of a comprehensive work on the doctrines and
polity of the churches of God to which inquiring minds could turn, they have been
of very great value to the ministry and to the churches. They include in their
scope all of the doctrines of the churches of God, both general and specific. Every
passage of Scripture having any bearing on these doctrines is carefully considered
and every objection is fully answered. In this way there was furnished to the
ministers of the churches of God information and arguments on the ordinances, as
well as on other doctrines, that was of inestimable value in their work of contend-
ing "for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."
The editorials on Church polity deal with everything from the local church
on up to the General Eldership. The scriptural officers of the local church
are named and their qualifications and duties clearly set forth; so are the
privileges and responsibilities of the members. The Annual Eldership, with its
C. H.— 11*
3o6 History of the Churches of God
various boards and committees, and their respective powers, is often made the
subject of editorial consideration. So is the General Eldership, with the duties of
Its different boards and their relation one to another, as well as the more general
but no less essential connection that extends from the local church, through the
Annual Eldership, up to the General Eldership.
The enterprises of the General Eldership always found their strongest sup-
porter in The Church Advocate. The mission work of the Church was encouraged
and plans suggested for its advancement. The importance of having a college and
a publishing house was urged by the Editor for many years before these institu-
tions were established, and his influence was a potent factor in leading up to their
establishment and in guiding their activities.
The character of Dr. Forney's editorial writings is as high as their scope is
wide. He has always been a close student and a careful observer. He has culti-
vated a lucid and forceful style of expressing the results of his researches and ob-
servations. His editorials reveal the tastes and habits of the scholar, and have
the charm of a diction that is both strong and graceful. But in addition to these
general observations, it is in order to write more specifically of a few of the char-
acteristics of these editorials which for forty years contributed so much to the in-
struction and encouragement of the ministry and the laity of the churches of God.
They bear the marks of painstaking preparation and thorough discussion.
This accounts, in part at least, for the unusual length of certain editorials, which
perhaps did not appeal to that class of readers to whom brevity is most desirable,
and who insist on a writer expressing himself on almost any subject in a few para-
graphs. But every earnest and conscientious writer feels disposed to say all he
can in support of his position, and Dr. Forney, being a man of wide research and
retentive memory, had much to say on any question pertaining to his line of work.
Moreover, he kept in mind the facts that most of our ministers do not have the ex-
tensive libraries necessary to make exhaustive researches .for themselves, and that
an elaborate consideration of certain questions is an advantage to the laity in help-
ing them to a better understanding of the truth. In nothing else is this feature
of Dr. Forney's editorial work more noticeable than in his answers to questions on
Church doctrine and polity. One is especially impressed with the care and labor
bestowed when comparing his answers with the answers given to such questions by
the editors of other Church papers. Instead of a few brief paragraphs, as in other
papers, it was his custom to write an editorial of two or three columns, or perhaps
a series of editorials. The questions were not only answered, but proofs were
given and reasons assigned from Scripture, history, commentaries, etc. This re-
quired a great deal of extra time and labor, but the service was given cheerfully
for the good of the cause, and hundreds of ministers and thousands of laymen
can testify to its value.
While as a rule the positions taken by Dr. Forney in his editorial discussions
were accepted by the brotherhood, there were occasional exceptions. Once in a
while a contributor would call in question the tenability of a position taken by the
Editor, which would call out his ability as a disputant. His replies were always
characterized by the utmost courtesy to his opponents and fairness in dealing with
the divergent views presented by them. He always carried on his controversies in
a spirit of brotherly love, without malice and without guile. In 1884 he had a
discussion with a minister of the Iowa Eldership on "The Unity of Moral Char-
acter," which continued for five weeks. In 1891 he had what was perhaps his
most exhaustive editorial discussion on doctrinal questions. It was with a min-
ister of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, on the several phases of the Millennium,
and continued for fifteen weeks. The Editor defended the post-millennial as
against the pre-millennial theory, advocating the doctrines of a simultaneous
resurrection and judgment. It was at the General Eldership of 189 6 that the
change was made in Eldership titles from "Church of God" to "churches of God."
This question was first brought up by Dr. Forney in the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, and by that Eldership sent to the General Eldership of 1893, and by the latter
sent down to all of the Annual Elderships for action prior to the General
Eldership of 1896, at which time the above change was made. During
the intervening three years this question was carefully considered, as sug-
gested by the General Eldership, the Editor of The Advocate taking the lead-
ing part in the discussion. He first published a series of six editorials on
"Change of Eldership Titles," in which he strongly advocated the proposed change.
General History 307
Then about six months were given for other brethren to express their views, after
which the Editor reviewed these articles in a series of ten editorials, making six-
teen in all. In earlier years Dr. Fomey had strongly defended the singular form
of the word "Church," but his views had undergone a change on the subject, which
he frankly stated in the beginning of the discussion. The proposed change under
consideration involved two things — a change from "Church" to "churches," and
from "Eldership" to "Association." When the matter came to a vote at the Gen-
eral Eldership of 1896 the former carried, but the latter failed to pass. These few
examples, selected from many others, will indicate the thoroughness with wnich
the Editor investigated and discussed the questions brought before him. He
always took his stand squarely on the word of God. "To the law and the testi-
mony" was his battle-cry, and a "thus saith the Lord" was the deciding voice. In
fact the dominant passion of his life has been to hear the voice of God as ex-
pressed in the written word. And in nothing else is his thoroughness more mani-
fest than in his investigation of the Scriptures. He first takes up the Bible and
studies it in the original languages, and with the utmost care. Then he turns to
every other book at hand that may throw any light on the question at issue. And,
not stopping with his researches in his own extensive library, he has spent hours
of time in the book stores and libraries of Harrisburg and Philadelphia for the
same purpose.
If the subject taken up for consideration did not involve any controversy, but
was one of a great variety of topics that were discussed from time to time, it re-
ceived the same careful consideration. In that case the writer simply led the way
for the reader in the search for the truth. All possible light from the lamp of the
word was first thrown on the subject, and then history, the opinions of the world's
best scholars, observation and experience were all laid under tribute to help in the
solution. Thus they came to a common conclusion hand in hand, and with the
satisfaction of looking back over a field of investigation that had been thoroughly
covered. And this close attention to preparation and thoroughness of discussion
was given to all editorial work, whether it involved any important question of doc-
trine or not.
These editorials are conclusive in their character. A conclusive argument
is a natural product of painstaking preparation and thorough discussion in support
of a tenable proposition. The comprehensive character of Dr. Forney's editorials
indicates the extent of his investigation, while his careful preparation is shown by
his accuracy of expression and the logical arrangement of the facts disclosed by his
researches. This explains why the editorial utterances of The Church Advocate
were generally regarded as conclusive. They were accepted as such because they
were in harmony with the facts — in harmony with the Scriptures, with the history
of the churches of God, and with the teachings and practices commonly accepted
among us. In this way The Church Advocate has exercised an influence second to
none in shaping our policies, directing our activities and confirming our faith.
His writings are of an enduring character. The student of Dr. Forney's edi-
torials will look in vain for the ephemeral. There is nothing light or trifling. He
wrote to instruct rather than to entertain. Much that he wrote thirty and more
years ago could be reprinted with equal proflt to-day. The truths he taught found
an abiding place in the minds and hearts of the people. They are being reiterated
in the pulpits and the homes. They will stand the test of time. They will con-
tinue to exercise a potent influence in the religious life of the churches of God, for
the guidance, comfort and progress of which they were written.
It is impossible for the uninitiated to fully understand the extent of one's
duties in the editorial office, and the average reader has but a vague idea of the
amount of work required every week in order to prepare and publish a paper like
The Church Advocate. In addition to reading the daily papers and monthly mag-
azines to keep in touch with current events, the Editor must read a large number
of religious exchanges. He must read certain classes of books as they appear, in
order to keep abreast of the best secular and religious thought. He has several
pages of editorials to write every week. All other manuscripts must be edited by
him, and then read the second time in proof sheets. Dr. Forney also had charge
of the business affairs of The Church Advocate, all of which he attended to him-
self, including the collecting and paying of bills and the keeping of accounts with
advertisers and subscribers. He spared not himself, but gave close personal at-
tention to every detail of the work. There is perhaps not another weekly paper.
3o8 History of the Churches of God
equal in size to The Church Advocate, on which all the wgrk is done by one man.
There are usually three — an editor, an assistant editor and a business manager.
It is only by having a thorough system and rigidly adhering to it that it is possible
for one man to do this work, and this rule of life has been the secret of Dr.
Forney's success in his abundant labors. In addition to his regular duties in con-
nection with The Church Advocate, there were many other demands made upon
his time, including an extensive correspondence growing out of his editorial posi-
tion and his leading position in the East Pennsylvania Eldership and the General
Eldership. These various matters received his careful attention. He conducted
his correspondence with the utmost promptness. During the earlier years of his
service the typewriter had not become the important adjunct to an office that it
now is, and in later years he did not turn to it. All of his editorials, amounting
in the aggregate to many volumes, and his correspondence including thousands
of letters, were written with his pen. Well could he say, with Paul, after thinking
of the primary duties and trials of his office, "There is that which presseth upon
me daily, anxiety for all the churches."
When a reader finishes the last chapter of a book, he naturally decides
whether or not the author kept his promises made in the preface. As we come to
the close of Dr. Forney's editorial labors, we turn to his introductory editorial, in
the issue of September 29, 1869. He had just taken charge of the paper, follow-
ing the death of Editor E. H. Thomas. Among other things he says:
"We regard a religious paper as one of the greatest instrumentalities for
effecting good, when properly conducted, which God in his providence has placed
at the command of the Church of this age We shall endeavor to bring to it
all the talent, ability and time which we can command It shall be our con-
stant aim to keep the paper up to its present standard in every particular, ahd also
to make such changes and improvements as from time to time may be thought ad-
visable. We shall endeavor to furnish our patrons weekly with reading matter
which, both as to quality and variety, shall not be inferior to that of the best
religious journals of the day."
Forty years later, in 19 09, Dr. Forney closed his final report to the General
Eldership with these words:
"Many and precious, extending over the entire territory of the General Elder-
ship, have been the friendships formed during these years. Always generously
sustained by the General Eldership and upheld by the sympathy and prayers of the
brotherhood at large, the official labors of all these years have been a delight. I
avail myself of this opportunity to say, albeit I am sure it is not needful, that I am
inexpressibly grateful to the General Eldership for the generous and abiding con-
fidence which has led the delegates fourteen successive times to elect me to the im-
portant and responsible office of Editor of our Church organ. And as I retire from
this honorable position I carry with me most cherished recollections of my edi-
torial life. It has been practically my life-work, and it is submitted to the mag-
nanimous judgment of the General Eldership and the beloved brotherhood, and to
the gracious benediction of heaven."
A conservative estimate of the editorial work of Dr, Foniey justifies the con-
clusion that "the official labors" which were "a delight" to the Editor were of in-
estimable value to the churches of God, and that the promises made in 1869 were
more than fulfilled in forty years of faithful service. His record is rich in achieve-
ment, and secure in the hearts of his brethren.
As far back as 1893 Dr. Forney requested the General Eldership to relieve
him of the responsibility which it had placed upon him. This request was re-
newed at succeeding General Elderships, but in each instance he was re-elected
and prevailed upon to continue. In addition to this evidence of confidence the
General Eldership from time to time, and the Annual Elderships from year to year,
passed strong resolutions of commendation. And when the General Eldership
finally yielded to his request to be permitted to retire, in 1909, it was with the
unanimous adoption of the following expressions of esteem:
"Whereas, Rev. C. H. Forney, D. D., LL. D., has served as Editor of The
Church Advocate for forty years, with a three-year term as Assistant Editor, and
now, at his own earnest request, has been permitted to retire from that position;
and whereas, his work as Editor and Business Manager of The Advocate has built
a monument in the thought and heart-life of the churches of God, as well as in the
property of our Publishing House and Book Rooms, that will continue to testify
to his remarkable service; therefore.
General History 309
"Resolved: 1st. That we heartily thank our heavenly Father for sparing
him to and for us during these years, and that the present finds his physical,,
mental and spiritual strength unabated.
'^'2nd. That while we appreciate his labors and rejoice in their results, we
value his Christian character and the proof of his personal integrity most of all.
"3rd. That we devoutly pray our Father to spare him for many more yeara
of fruitful service, and that those years may be crowned by the goodness of God."
During these years Dr. Forney also found time to write an introduction tc
^Y'inebl•enner's sermon of 1830 on "Christian Baptism," republished in 1873; an
article on John Winebrenner for McClintock and Strong's Cyclopedia, in 1878; a
preface to "Spiritual Songs," prepared by a committee of which he was a member,
and published in 1882, and now extensively used as our Church hymnal; his work
on "The Christian Ordinances," published in 1883; a preface to the revised edition
of Winebrenner's "View of the Church," published in 18 8.5, and of which he also
did the work of revising and editing; an introduction to "Robert Woodknow," by
Rev, Charles F. Reitzel, published in 1902; an introduction to a new edition of
"Jewett on Baptism," published in 1905, and which Dr. Fomey also revised and
enlarged with quotations and references; an introduction to "Spiritual Counsel
and Encouragement," by Rev. J. W. Gable, published in 1907. His work on "The
Philosophic Basis of Ordinances and Bible Doctrine of Sanctification" appeared in
1906. The first part of this book is a sermon which the author had preached at
several places, and the second part is a series of editorials which appeared in The
Church Advocate in 1887. This, and his somewhat larger book on "The Christian
Ordinances," with the present volume, are the only products of his versatile and
active pen that have been published in permanent form. This is accounted for in
part by the busy years of his life, which left but little time for anything aside from
the regular duties of each day, and in part by his lack of inclination. It is worthy
of note, that he never published anything, not even a pamphlet or tract, volun-
tarily. He prepared "The Christian Ordinances" for publication in compliance
with an action of the General Eldership of 1881. His sermon on "The Philosophic
Basis of Ordinances" was written out in response to the urgent request of quite a
number of brethren, and, in connection with the "Bible Doctrine of Sanctification"
(also by request), was published by Dr. C I. Brown, President of Findlay College.
And the present volume, to the preparation of which he devoted nearly four years,
and which is destined to be his monumental work, is his response to the repeated
requests of the General Eldership. Nothing but his strong sense of duty to the
brotherhood, his love for the churches of God and their doctrines, and his recogni-
tion of the importance of preserving their history, could have induced him, at the
age of seventy, to undertake this laborious task. But, once the decision was
made, his plans were formulated and carried out in the same thorough manner
that had characterized all of his previous work. Perhaps no other man would
have devoted the time, or exercised the patience, necessary to examine every vol-
ume of the Church paper for seventy-five years, page by page, as he did in the
preparation of this book. But as a result the churches of God have a work of in-
estimable historical value. All that has been previously said about Dr. Forney
as a writer is applicable to his books. Here his thorough method of investigation,
and his clear, logical and conclusive manner of expressing his thoughts are always
in evidence.
It was but natural that Dr. Forney's ability as a scholar and writer, which was
so generally recognized by the common consent of the brotherhood, should also be
given official recognition. And this was done in 1905, when Findlay College con-
ferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. The General Eldership had also
been recognizing the value of his writings from time to time, not only by continu-
ing him in the editorial office, but in the adoption of the most commendatory reso-^
lutions. And the same was done from year to year by all of the Elderships. These
official actions recognize the sterling qualities of his Christian character and the
versatility and resourcefulness of his ability; his unquestioned loyalty to Christ
and the doctrines of the church which he established in the world; his marvelous
capacity for work and his deep and abiding interest in every local and general
enterprise; his carefully formed plans for the discharge of every duty devolving
upon him and the benefits following their intelligent execution. And the senti-
ment is voiced that, considering the great length of his period of official service,
its unusual opportunities and the faithful manner in which he improved them, no
3IO History of the Churches of God
man has exerted a wider or more effective influence among us than Dr. Forney has
by his voice and pen. And yet the most impressive thought suggested by the con-
sideration of a long and useful life is, that the extent of its service can not be
measured by any human standard. It requires greater wisdom than we possess
and a longer time than we have to live to understand its meaning and measure its
results. Some things can be mentioned, the more prominent ones, but the many
smaller duties, the daily routine of events, which in the aggregate may be the
greater forces, can not even be remembered. But they are not forgotten by the
Master.
It is not possible, even if it were profitable, to separate the workman from
his work. Back of the preacher, the leader, the writer, is the man of strong and
gentle Christian spirit, who reveals and perpetuates himself in his achievements.
And this is especially true of that part of his work which is most abiding — his
work as a writer. The late Richard Watsou Gilder, in writing on "Lincoln's
Genius for Expression," says: "He achieved a singularly clear and forcible style,
which took color from his own noble character, and became a thing individual and
distinguished." This, to a greater or less extent, is true of every writer. What
he is in his character he puts into his writings, and his writings, in turn, furnish
the best index to his character. We have it from the highest authority that "out
of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh," so that the character of a
man's speech, whether spoken or written, is identical with the character of the
man himself. Whatever Dr. Foniey writes with his pen he subscribes to in his
heart, and he writes as he feels. This will enable the readers of coming years to
get a glimpse of the man through his writings. As they turn the pages of this
book and admire its comprehensive scope, its richness of detail, its chaste literary
style, the manifest fairness in the treatment of all subjects considered, and, above
all, the Christian spirit that gives to every true production its highest value, they
win be recognizing the prominent traits in the character of its author.
The splendid principles and characteristics which are so pronounced in his
public work lose nothing of their charm in the privacy of his home. He and his
sister. Miss Lydia A. Forney, have made their home together since 1868, both hav-
ing remained single. Nearly all of these years have been spent in Harrisburg, in
a large and well-arranged dwelling, constructed nearly forty years ago, in accord-
ance with their personal desires. In their intellectual tastes and religious activi-
ties they have much in common. Miss Forney is a lady of culture and devotion,
and has rendered invaluable service to the East Pennsylvania Eldership and the
General Eldership, particularly in mission work and in connection with our Sun-
day-school literature. Helped by this companionship, and free from family cares.
Dr. Forney has been able to prosecute his work with a singleness of purpose not
possible to most men. In addition to these favorable circumstances, his life has
been governed according to strict hygienic principles and methodical habits of
work and recreation. He has always been able to wholly dismiss the responsi-
bilities of the day when he turns from his desk, so that they may not interfere with
the restful sleep of the night. In this way, although never a man of robust con-
stitution, he has been able to lengthen his years and maintain his strength, and
carry a burden of work that many a stronger man would have hesitated to assume.
Manifold as his official duties have been, they have not prevented the exercise of
hospitality. And by a delightful personality and a frank and intelligent conversa-
tion he has won the high regard and genuine affection of those who have been
welcomed to his home. Here, in the midst of quiet and refined surroundings, he
is spending his closing years. He entered the service of his Master in the early
morning of life, and has continued his labors into the lengthening shadows. He
has faithfully served his day and generation, thus bringing to the evening hours
the sincere satisfaction of a well-spent life and the precious comfort of a hopeful
Bunset.
DIVISION II.
HISTORY OF THE ANNUAL ELDERSHIPS.
DIVISION II.
HISTORY OF THE ANNUAL ELDERSHIPS.
I. THE EAST PENNSYLVANIA ELDERSHIP.
1st East Pennsylvania Eldership. — There is no question more interesting
in sociological science than the development of institutions and organizations.
Their inception, gradual evolution and final character are questions of fascinating
moment. Naturally great emphasis is laid on origins, on beginnings. We com-
memorate them; we institute fixed anniversaries. The organization of the first
Eldership was generally commemorated by the Church of God in 1880, and
created quite a measure of interest and enthusiasm. How, when, where and
by whom did it originate are absorbing questions. To know the views of
Winebrenner as published by him in 1829, and contrast them with the Eldership
of 1900, one would not suppose that in 1830 he would have been the originator
of these bodies. Yet the presumption is that he was. The origin was extremely
simple. In writing the "History of the Church of God" for the "History of all
the Religious Denominations in the United States," in 184 4, AVinebrenner states
that a meeting of those who had similar views and were of kindred spirits was
held in the Union Bethel, Harrisburg, Pa., in the month of October, 1830, "for
the purpose of adopting a regular system of co-operation." The meeting was
organized by electing John AV'inebrenner, Speaker, and John Elliott, Clerk. The
morning session was spent in "solemn prayer and deliberations." At 2 o'clock
p. m. a sermon was preached by the Speaker, from Acts v. 38, 39. "After the
sermon," says Winebrenner, "the business meeting was called to order, and after
some further consultation it was agreed, as the unanimous sense of the meeting:
"First. That there is but one true church; namely, the, church of God.
"Secondly. That it is the bounden duty of all God's people to belong to her,
and none else.
"Thirdly. That it is 'lawful and right' to associate together for the purpose
of co-operation in the cause of God.
"Fourthly. That we agree to hold an Eldership annually for this purpose,
consisting of teaching and ruling elders belonging to the Church of God." To
this declaration of principles the following six teaching elders subscribed their
names: Andrew Miller, John Winebrenner, John Elliott, John Walboni, David
Maxwell and James Richards. Winebrenner adds: "Thus originated the Church
of God, properly so called, in the United States of America, and thus also
originated the first Eldership."
The date of this meeting as given by Winebrenner is said to be uncertain.
A. Snyder in his history of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, in 1880, discusses
the question of date, but without definite results. All agree that the year, 1830,
is correct. A. C. Raysor, in March, 18 80, gives it as his "impression that it was
held in January, 1830." As the second Eldership was held January 7, 1831, he
thinks "it is not probable that the second was held three months after the first."
This improbability is increased by the fact that the newly organized body had just
resolved to "hold a yearly Eldership," or "hold an Eldership annually."
The body thus organized assumed no other name than "Eldership." The
Minutes as published in The Gospel Publisher, Jan. 10, 1840, are, however,
headed "Journal of the First General Eldership of the Church of God in Penn-
sylvania." But this is an anachrolsm, as the Minutegof 1831 call it "The Penn-
sylvania Eldership." But the term "General Eldership" adopted in the Constitu-
tion reported in 1831 was used later, so that in 1841 "the next annual
meeting of the General Eldership of the Church of God in Pennsylvania" was
called to meet Oct. 30th. The same form was used df the Ohio Eldership. The
title was adopted to discriminate between the eldership of the local church,
made quite prominent in Winebi-enner's "Scriptural View of the Church of God,"
314
History of the Churches oe -God
and this newly organized body. The members of this first organization were all
teaching elders. But one of the actions taken declared that the Eldership shall
consist of "teaching and ruling elders." No ratio of representation was adopted,
nor any directions given concerning the election of lay delegates. The organiza-
tion was of the most elementary character. No business was done beyond the
adoption of the four resolutions above quoted. No one was ordained, and no
appointments of ministers to fields of labor were made. No confession of Faith,
or Articles of belief, were drawn up, and no declaration of principles was adopted.
Not all the teaching elders were present at this Eldership, as several of them
were opposed to the movement. Thomas Hickemell, who became the greatest
revivalist in the West, was present, but he did not become a teaching elder
until 1833.
Andrew Miller
Of the six teaching elders constituting the first Eldership of the Church of
God, John Winebi-enner was ordained by the General Synod of the German Re-
formed Church in Zion's church, Hagerstown, Md., Sept. 24, 1820. He withdrew
from said Church in the year 1825. He remained the leading member of the
Church of God until his death, in 1860.
Andrew »liller was converted in 1815, immersed in 1823, by Abraham Moyer,
a United Brethren minister; became a member of the church of God organized
in his house in 1829. He was a "full-faced, good natured German farmer," or-
dained a teaching elder by the church at his house in 1829. He traveled con-
siderably in those early years, going as far as Carroll county, Md., and served
several circuits by appointment of the Eldership. He became a member of the
Printing Board, and assisted in starting The Gospel Publisher, and remained on
East Pennsylvania Eldership
315
the Board until the affairs of the Establishment were wound up. He died March
22, 1865.
John Elliott was an Englishman, eminent as a preacher and theologian.
Where and when he entered the ministry the records do not reveal. He was
pastor of several churches besides Lancaster, where he was the minister when
he joined the first Eldership in 1830. In 1831 the Eldership met in his house
at Lancaster. Here a charge was preferred against him for holding the doctrine
of Universalism. This charge he denied, but confessed that he held the doctrine
of Restorationism. At the Eldership held at Linglestown, October, 1831, this
acknowledgment led to a lengthy debate, and to further charges of duplicity and
studied concealment of his sentiments at Lancaster. He was disfellowshiped.
John Wallboi-n became a member of the first organization at Linglestown,
in 1829. He was "a large, bold-hearted man, who feared nobody." He was
ordained by the church at Linglestown "to preach the gospel" Nov. 15, 1829. He
traveled different circuits until he was disfellowshiped, in 1841, for "making
v>J>avid Maxwell
expressions which would seriously impeach the characters of sundry of the
teaching elders of this Eldership, and on being requested either to prove what
we think such expressions would imply, or make confession that he did wrong,
which he has refused to do."
David Maxwell, a "thin, nervous, honest-hearted man," was a native of
Mifflin township, Cumberland Co., Pa., born in the year 1792. He was converted
at Shippensburg, and removed to near Linglestown, where in 1829 he became
a member of the first organization in that village. He was ordained by said
church Nov. 15, 1829, "to preach the gospel." He was a successful minister, and
traveled extensively within the Eldership as a missionary for many years. "He
was a good and faithful man," and "many will rise up and call him blessed as
the instrument in God's hands in their salvation." He died Feb. 13, 1865.
James Richards was "a descendant of the Red Man of the forest," a physician.
He was born in Lancaster county, Pa., March 15, 1797, and died March 1, 1880.
In 1834 he was sent to Philadelphia as a missionary. He seldom had a regular
charge, but was enrolled as a "general missionary," which then meant little more
than local minister. He removed to Ohio, where in 1871 he was elected Speaker
3i6
History of the: Churches of God
of th-e West Ohio Eldership. In 187 2 he was a delegate to the General Eldership,,
and published a "Farewell Address to his relatives, friends and the Church of
his choice" on the eve of his departure for Mt. Carroll, 111. He was again a
delegate to the General Eldership in 1875.
2n(l East Pennsylvania Eldership. — Agreeably to adjournment, the second
Eldership "met at the house of John Elliott, Lancaster, Pa., Jan. 7, 1831. "■
An organization was effected by the choice of John Winebrenner for "President,"
and John Elliott for "Secretary." They were elected by ballot. The first reso-
lution adopted provided for the appointment of a "committee to draft and report
a system of rules and regulations for the transaction of business in our official
James Richards
meetings." The committee consisted of the President and Secretary,^ which,
reported at the afternoon session. Nine rules were reported, which provided:
1. For an annual meeting of "a General Eldership at such time and place^
as may from time to time be determined on;" that the Eldership shall "consist,
of all the ministers belonging to the same, and of an equal number of delegates^
chosen from among the ruling elders of each circuit or station." A quorum is-
to consist of a majority of all the members in attendance. ,
2. The annual election of a President and Secretary.
3. The third and fourth Articles defined the duties of these officers.
4. Threefold powers are given to the Eldership, to wit. (a) To receive-
by a plurality vote persons into membership. (b) To define the boundaries of
circuits and stations. (c) To appoint the preachers to fields of labor, limiting,
the term to three years.
5. That whenever practicable two ministers are to be oppointed to each)
East Pennsylvania Eldership 317
circuit, the senior one to be called the Leader, and the junior, the Helper, and
defining their duties.
6. That one or more missionaries are to be appointed annually, to visit
destitute places, establish churches and assist in holding camp-meetings and
other big meetings.
7. That "there shall be an annual reckoning with the ministers and
missionaries in the service of the Church, and such salaries, and in such pro-
portion, allowed them as the funds of the Church will justify, or the General
Eldership authorize."
8. Presenting for amendments to the Rules, or the adoption of new or
additional Rules.
This report was "ordered to lie on the table." Various other matters were
taken up and discussed, but without any definite action being taken. The
Eldership adjourned without doing any other business to meet in October of
the same year.
3rd East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The third session of the "General Elder-
ship" was held at Linglestown, Dauphin Co., Pa., "in October, 1831." The
officers of the preceding session were re-elected. The Rule requiring "an annual
reckoning with the ministers and missionaries," though not yet adopted, was
put into effect, and the first business to hear reports of ministers and examine
their characters. A charge was preferred against John Elliott for "holding the
doctrine of Universalism." On a motion to retain him in fellowship it was
•decided in the affirmative, as he disavowed such sentiments. But on reconsidera-
tion at the -next sitting this vote was reversed. John Walbora was then elected
.Secretary. The first applications were made at this meeting for licenses, which
were granted to Edward AVest, AVilliam Bretz, John Greiger and Jacob Myers. West
had been preaching for several years before he came to the Eldership, and
Myers had been ordained by the church at Linglestown, Jan. 19, 1831. Without
taking any action on the Rules, or making any appointmets, the Eldership ad-
journed to meet in December, 1832.
4th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The session of the General Eldership
was held at Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county, in December, 1832. Wine-
brenner was chosen President, and Walborn, clerk. The moral characters and
conduct of the preachers were examined "to the great satisfaction of the whole
Eldership." Jacob Keller, David Shrom, Jonathan Hawk and AVilliam McFadden
were "ordained to office by granting them licenses." The Rules were not con-
sidered, but "a committee was appointed to arrange the preachers on the circuits
and stations. The following was the report:
"Cumberland and Perry counties — E. West and John Walborn.
"Lancaster county — David Maxwell.
"Dauphin county — J. Hawk and Wm. McFadden.
■"York county — David Shrom.
■'Harrisburg and Middletown — John Winebrenne?;.
5th East Pennsylvania Eldei*ship. — The Eldership in 1833 held its session
In December, beginning on the 25th, at Middletown, Dauphin county. It was
in session three days and a half. Thirty-six teaching and ruling elders were en-
rolled. AAlnebrenner was re-elected President, and James Mackey was chosen
■clerk. The reports of the ministers were heard and their characters examined.
Brief abstracts of the reports were entered on the Minutes. Mackey reported
liis "call" to Shippensburg, which he left "to the wisdom and discretion of the
Eldership to confirm or reject the same." Joseph Adams, John Lenkert, John
Homing and Thomas Hickemell received licenses. Christian Foraey was a
member of this Eldership, and a local preacher. A Committee on Boundaries
was appointed, which made three stations and nine circuits, one being thp Ohio
'Circuit, with D. Maxwell as minister. But he did not go to his field, but instead
took charge of the church in Philadelphia, and Joseph Adams traveled the Ohio
Circuit, and "left the churches there in a very prosperous condition" at the end
of the year. A resolution was adopted which provides "that each of the preachers
shall keep an account of all his receipts and expenditures, and of the number of
times he shall have preached during the next Eldership year, and make a report
thereof at the next Eldership, when a division shall be made of all the salaries
Among the stationed and traveling preachers according to their several circum-
3i8 History of the Churches of God
stances and wants." A committee was appointed, consisting of one preacher from;
each circuit, to arrange and fix the time of holding the camp-meetings in 1834.
The most important action taken related to the subject of a Printing Estab-
lishment, as the Eldership deemed "it highly important for the good of the
cause of God to establish a religious paper."
6th East Pennsylvania Eldership.- — In 1834 the General Eldership met at
Shippensburg, Cumberland county, Dec. 13th. Twenty-six teaching and ruling
elders were present. The officers of 1833 were re-elected. Three "honorary mem-
bers" were received. Fourteen teaching elders reported. A committee was created
"to examine the journal of last year and report all items of unfinished business."
A letter from Ohio gave "a favorable account of the state of religion." It
recommended "several persons to the Eldership for license," and John Funck,
of Ohio, was granted license, along with Jacob Flake, Henry Wingeit. and A. C.
Raysor, of Pennsylvania. The camp-meeting committee was continued. A com-
mittee was also appointed "to report on the expediency and utility of the common
stock resolution passed at the last yearly meeting." It recommended its repeal.
A Standing Committee was created. Eleven fields of labor were defined, one-
being the Ohio Circuit, with Thomas Hickennell and Jacob Keller as preachers.
One minister was expelled. AVinebrenner was not assigned to a charge.
7th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The General Eldership, or East Penn-
sylvania Eldership, commenced its annual meeting for 1835 at Uniontown, Md.,
November 2nd. Twenty-two teaching and ruling elders "were recognized as
being present," without stating how many of each class. The officers were John
Winebrenner, President; Jacob Flake, Clerk. The ministers after making their
reports were not required to withdraw while their characters were being inquired
into. Jacob Keller reported "from the Ohio circuit." He also "presented a
letter from a meeting of elders in Ohio, held September 7, 1835, requesting the
privilege of holding a yearly Eldership in Ohio." This request was granted, and
it was further resolved "to send two brethren to visit the Annual Eldership in
Ohio." Fourteen ministers volunteered to take work the following year, of which
number thirteen were appointed to the ten fields of labor, one of which was the
Ohio circuit, with Hickeniell and Keller as the preachers. In Maryland was the
Uniontown circuit, with David Ma.xwell as the preacher. Schuylkill county had
one circuit, Orwigsburg, with Jonathan Hawk as the preacher. Some differences
of opinion arose on certain questions not mentioned in the Minutes, but a resolu-
lution was adopted "that the preachers meet together privately to converse" on-
these questions. The Clerk in a letter a few weeks later admonished all the
brethren "to try as much as possible to speak the same things." He noted it as
a "singular" fact, that while the preachers had "been to no theological seminary,
yet the gospel flowed from their lips as a stream from the well of salvation."
8th East Pennsylvnia Eldership. — In the year 1836 the Minutes state that
"the Eldership of the Church of God of Pennsylvania and Maryland commenced
its annual session at Churchtown, Cumberland county, Pa., November 5, 1836."
But no action was taken thus to change the title, for the Eldership in 1835 had
resolved "that the next General Eldership meet at Churchtown." There were
eighteen teaching elders in attendance, and twenty-two ruling elders. Wine-
brenner was re-elected "Speaker," and J. B, Porter, Clerk. Thus far there were
no committees appointed by the Eldership, or the President, except that each
year "a committee was chosen by ballot to appoint the teaching elders to their
various places of labor for the ensuing year." Fields of labor were more or less
rearranged each year. This year there were ten fields as before, but there were
two circuits in Maryland, one in Washington county and one in Frederick county,,
while Uniontown, in Carroll county, is not on the list. Two ministers are as-
signed to Orwigsburg. Nine brethren were licensed, making the total number
of teaching elders twenty-seven. Of this number twelve were assigned to the ten
fields of labor, and the others are classed as "missionaries." There was a dis-
cussion at this meeting of the question: "Who are fit subjects for baptism"?
and "it was unanimously agreed, that, according to apostolic doctrine, none but
justified believers are fit subjects for baptism." A committee on camp-meetings
was "appointed to make arrangements for holding camp-meetings the ensuing
year." Contemplating the licensing of so many "promising young men," Flake
suggested that "a spiritual ministry, of divine calling, will come from the bosom
of the church, rather than from theological seminaries." It is notable tliat at
East Pennsylvania Eldership 319
this Eldership Joseph Ross, grandfather of "Charlie Ross," the Philadelphia kid-
napped boy of many years later, was licensed to preach the gospel.
9th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — In 1837 "the Pennsylvania Eldership"
met in Harrisburg, on November 13th. It was composed of forty-two teaching
and ruling elders. An organization was effected by the election of James Mackey,
Speaker, and Edward West, Clerk. Thomas Hickernell, of Ohio, was present. A
"messenger from the Christian Conference was received as a member of the
body," by the name of H. Gaylord. "A communication" was received by his
hand "from the P. C. Conference," to which AVinebrenner and West were ap-
pointed "a committee to reply." West was appointed a delegate to the Christian
Conference. The Speaker appointed the Stationing Committee, while by resolu-
tion a committee was appointed to arrange for the camp-meetings. A delegate
was also appointed to the Ohio Eldership, and such annual exchanges of delegates
between the Elderships was urged. A resolution was passed "recommending to
the brothers and sisters generally to observe plainness of dress." The characters
of ministers were carefully inquired into, and discipline administered without
favor. At this Eldership a committee was appointed during the reports of min-
isters "to investigate a charge of immorality brought against J. B. Porter," Clerk
of the Eldership in 1836. The report of the first committee "was disagreed to,"
and another committee appointed which was "authorized to deal with him ac-
cording to the nature of the case." Whatever may have been the action of this
committee, or the character of Porter's offense, when his "case was taken up"
again later, a motion to expel him from the Eldership "was unanimously agreed
to." Because Walborn had accepted the position of "oflfice collector on the canal,
and attends to the duties of the same on the Lord's day," he was brought before
the Eldership. He was "excused and acquitted from the charge of immorality"
because he did it "from necessity, and not from a want of reverence for the day,
or because he believes it unauthorized by the head of the church as a Christian
institution." Discussion of various subjects was continued, but no actions are
on record.
10th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — November 11, 183 8, the Pennsylvania
Eldership met in Middletown, Dauphin county. Pa., on Sabbath. Presumably on
Sabbath evening, to hear what later became the regular "opening sermon," though
the fact only is recorded by Flake in a letter of November 22nd, that Mackey
"preached in the morning," and that "other brethren spoke in the afternoon and
evening." He thought it to be "well to begin our yearly meetings with worship-
ing God for one or two days." Winebrenner was elected Speaker, and J. AVal-
bom. Clerk. Among those licensed at this Eldership were Edward H. Thomas,
who later filled so large a place in the counsels of the Church, and George Mc-
Cartney, third Editor of The Gospel Publisher. Also John Hickeniell, who, like
most of the fathers, had no educational advantages, yet "so developed his natural
talents that he has had few equals in West Pennsylvania in pulpit power." When
Winebi-enner, who some charged was somewhat hasty in receiving strangers into
the ministry, presented the name of "Bi-o. Ringer" he was "advised to write Ringer
to procure some evidence of his moral character and good standing among the
people where he now lives." A Standing Committee is here implied to exist, as it
was "authorized to withhold or grant him license according to the nature of his
evidences which they may receive from him." Upon his acknowledgment of
having "done wrong in taking too active a part in politics in the late election,"
Walborn was "forgiven by the Eldership." The case of Wm. C. Cresop, licensed
in 1836, was "referred to the Standing Committee for examination," with author-
ity "to expel or license." Against Joseph Ross, licensed with Ci-esop, "charges
were alleged of backbiting, and that he indirectly lent his horse to be used at a
political celebration." But "he was cleared." A resolution on "Strange Com-
munion" was adopted unanimously, that "it is inexpedient for the members of
the Church of God to intermarry with the unconverted." Attendance at the
"yearly meetings, or sending a communication," was made obligatory on pain of
not having "his license renewed, or be considered a member of this Eldership."
The Pittsburg mission was established, and J. Hickeniell and E. West were ap-
pointed the missionaries. Besides this mission, there were only eight fields of
labor mapped out, with eleven pastors. AVinebi-enner was appointed "a delegate
to the General Conference of the Free-Will Baptists, in Ohio," and also, with
Flake, "a delegate to the Ohio Eldership." After discussion, "the question
whether unbaptized persons are fit subjects for membership of a church of God"
320 History of the Churches of God
was "indefinitely postponed." The term "Eldership" was defended on the ground
that it is the same as "Presbytery," and the right to hold an Eldership was main-
tained as a deduction from the fact that while such a body existed in apostolic
times in each particular church, so the "elders of any larger number would still
be an Eldership."
11th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The eleventh annual meeting of the
Pennsylvania Eldership began its session at Shiremanstown, Cumberland county,
Pa., November 11, 1839, with a membership of fifty-four teaching and ruling
elders. AVinebrenner was elected Speaker, and Edward West, Clerk. A Com-
mittee on Overtures, and a Committee on Journals were created. The first Rule
was adopted, providing that "no one shall be permitted to speak more than twice
on one subject without special permission." When William Miller reported, a
preamble and resolution were offered based on the fact that he "has been faulted
for preaching the doctrine of the witness of the Spirit as one of the evidences of
religion." This looked too much like "a declaration of belief," and so it was
agreed to strike out "resolved," and the rest was adopted: — "That we agree in
holding the belief that the Spirit and the word of God are not to be confounded
with each other, but that they are to be considered as separate and distinct from
each other, as Christ and the word, or as soldier and sword; that the Spirit may
operate with or without the word as a means; that he has, may and does teach
men their duty in some things apart from the word and independent of it; yet
not in contradiction of it, and that he may, and sometimes does, bear a direct
witness with the spirits of believers that they are the children of God." George
Kimmel was called to account under complaints that he held the following
erroneous opinions:
1. That he was "authorized and able to forgive sins."
2. That "three of the Epistles, to wit, Hebrews, James and Jude, are not
canonical."
3. Views of Christ "rather peculiar, yet not materially wrong."
4. Professing "to have the gift of healing." After committees had been in
consultation with him for several years, the matter was adjusted and his member-
ship continued. It was provided that "all committees appointed by this Eldership
to try any member or members thereof shall, have power to cite them to appear at
such time and place as they may choose to name." The local churches had
hitherto ordained men to the ministry, as they did prior to the formation of the
Eldership. This became quite unsatisfactory, and so a resolution was adopted
"advising the local and individual churches not to grant perpetual, but limited,
licenses to such as they may authorize and appoint to preach." The Eldership
also expressed its "opinion," that "church members are, and ought to be, admitted
by mutual consent." Ten fields, with twelve pastors, were arranged by the
Stationing Committee, Morrison's Cove appearing the first time as a circuit.
12th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The twelfth session of the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership, held at Newburg, Cumberland county. Pa., beginning November
9, 1840, was one of the longest so far held, and in some respects one of the most
important. There were eleven fields of labor, with fifteen pastors, and twelve
"missionaries," or local ministers. AVinebrenner was elected Speaker, and Ed-
ward AA^est, Clerk. The committee which received and acted on letters and other
documents is now called by the specific name, although different functions with
such committees in other bodies, of Committee on Overtures. Its duties were
"to examine and report on all communications and documents addressed to the
Eldership." The Eldership also for the first time passed "censure" on a church
"for proceeding in a disorderly manner in appointing a carap-meeting without
consulting the Camp-meeting Committee, and for examining some preachers in
good standing in this Eldership before permitting them to exercise at their meet-
ings." The "missionaries" all reported work done, with encouraging success.
The Eldership appointed "a Board of Missions, with a view to carry out a system
of Home Missionary operation," with "power to appoint an agent or agents to
raise funds for the support of one or more missionaries to be appointed and sus-
tained by them." One minister was expelled "for immoral conduct." AV'm. Mc-
Elroy, of the Methodist Protestant Church, and AVm. Baiiemieister and John
Tucker, both of the Baptist Church, were received and ordained. Nineteen min-
isters were assigned to fields of labor, on twelve circuits and stations and two
missions. The missions were Virginia, with Samuel Conrad as minister, and
Morrison's Cove, with Lininger and Suavely as ministers. AA'inebi-enner insisted.
East Pennsylvania Eldership 321
for want of adequate support the previous year, that he be given "a regular ap-
pointment in future, or else that some reasonable guarantee be given for his sup-
port as a home missionary." He v^^as assigned to Middletown, Harrisburg and
Lisburn.
13th East Pennsylvania Eldei-ship. — In 1841 "the Eldership of the Church of
God in Pennsylvania" convened at Mt. Joy, Lancaster county. Pa., with thirty-nine
ministers enrolled. Provision was made for "messengers," several delegates hav-
ing reported who were not elders. They were granted the "privilege of deliberat-
ing upon all subjects before this Eldership, but not to vote." Winebrenner was
elected Speaker, and Joseph Ross, First Clerk, and J. F. Weishampel, Second
Clerk. Thomas Hickernell was a delegate from the Ohio Eldership. There were
several ministers expelled, Walborn on account of "expressions which would seri-
ously impeach the character of sundry of the teaching elders of this Eldership,"
and because he "refused to make confession that he did wrong;" Bauermeister
"for immoral conduct and hypocrisy," and J. Myers "for immoral conduct." But
among the licentiates were two young men who filled a large place in the subse-
quent history of the Church, George Upton Harn and Carlton Price. The Board
of Missions created in 1840 reported the receipt of $70.00, and the expenditure of
$75.83. A committee was appointed to negotiate with, Winebrenner for the pur-
chase of his copyrights and stereotype plates of the "Revival Hymn Book" and
the "Reference and Pronouncing Testament." Winebrenner offered to sell them
for $2,000. William Miller was appointed to splicit subscriptions for this pur-
pose in Pennsylvania, and Thomas Hickernell, in Ohio. The territory of the Eld-
ership was divided into fourteen fields of labor, with sixteen pastors. Wine-
brenner and Flake were assigned to Lancaster City. The Eldership decided as
its "unanimous opinion," "that baptism prior to conversion is unlawful, and there-
fore a person should be rebaptized after he becomes a believer."
14th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — When "the Eldership of the Church of
God in Pennsylvania met at Fayetteville, Franklin county, Pa., on Monday the
7th day of November, A. D. 1842," twenty-nine ministers were enrolled. They
elected George McCartney, Speaker, and M. F. Snavely, First Clerk, and J. H. Bam-
berger, Second Clerk. When in 1831 a Committee on Rules was appointed, and
its report later "ordered to lie on the table," it was never called up, and the Eld-
ership had neither Constitution, nor Rules of Order. But at this Eldership Wine-
brenner offered a resolution "that a committee be appointed to draft an Order of,
and Rules for, the transaction of business at this meeting." Winebrenner,
Mackey and William Miller were appointed. They forthwith reported an "Order
of Business" of six items, and eight "Rules of Order." These Rules provided for
two daily sessions; religious worship at the opening of each session; election of
Speaker and Clerks who shall preside and conduct the business; only ministers
of the Eldership and delegates elected by the churches shall have the right to
vote; speakers limited to half an hour on a subject and to two speeches; motions
admissible when a motion is pending, and the right to appeal from decisions of
the Speaker, except "when he gives the casting vote." Ministers had been re-
quired to withdraw when they had reported, and while their characters were
being investigated. This rule was abrogated. About three hundred and fifty
conversions were reported during the year. The committee to raise funds to
purchase Winebrenner's stereotype plates reported $745.75 subscribed, and
$559.00 paid in. In order to provide funds for missionary purposes a resolution
was adopted directing each preacher, "if the churches for which he labors agree
to it," to "lift two collections each year for missionary purposes." There were
six stations and nine circuits to which nineteen preachers were appointed, and
Baltimore City was to be supplied. Indiana circuit was created, with J. M. Klein
as pastor. Cumberland county circuit during the year 1841-2 had increased from
fourteen to twenty-two appointments. Other fields were expanding.
15th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — Following the great excitement incident
to the Millerite movement, the "Pennsylvania Eldership of the Church of God met
at Shippensburg, Cumberland county. Pa., on the 6th of November, 1843." Flake
was elected Speaker, and Geo. McCartney, First Clerk, and J. H. Bamberger,
Second Clerk. The "Rules of Order and Schedule of Business of last year" were
adopted "for the government of the present Eldership." It had been suggested
in advance by Weishampel that "the Eldership might give some wholesome sug-
gestions to the churches on a number of subjects," and mentioned "the propriety
or impropriety of attending to the ordinances at camp-meetings and other large
C. H.— 12
322 History op^ ths Churches of' God
meetings; on forming missionary societies in each local church, etc.;" but the
Eldership ignored the suggestions. The first steps were taken to form another
Eldership. A letter was received from the Ohio Eldership, "requesting the for-
mation of a new Eldership in western Pennsylvania and the eastern part of Ohio."
Mackey offered a resolution "that this Eldership agree to the proposition," and it
was adopted, and J. M. Klein, pastor on the Indiana circuit, was "appointed as a
delegate to the new Eldership, and be instructed by_ the Standing Committee."
Two delegates were also appointed to attend "the extra session of the Ohio Elder-
ship in December next." To guard against objectionable books being introduced
into the families of churches of God, or to facilitate the circulation of approved
publications, the Eldership appointed "a committee to examine the books of the
American Baptist Publication Society, and recommend to the members of the
Church of God such as they could approve." The first private session was held.
An unusual number of conversions was reported, aggregating over one thousand.
Keller reported "between five hundred and six hundred" on his field. Ham bap-
tized "sixty or seventy." J. Ross "baptized about one hundred and fifty." Lin-
inger "baptized between forty and fifty." Winebrenner said: "In no one year
of the twenty-three years he had gone preaching the gospel had he witnessed such
mighty displays of Jehovah's power in the conversion of sinners as during the
past year." The resolution to grant licenses only to "applicants who are disposed
to travel" was rescinded. Among the half dozen who applied for, and received,
licenses was John C. Owens, "a preacher in the Methodist connection," but he was
directed first to be baptized. The purchase of the stereotype plates having fallen
through, it was "resolved that the money which had been, or may be, collected be
paid over to Bro. J, AVinebrenner towards the debt which the Eldership owes
him." But the wishes of contributors were to be consulted.
16th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — For the first time it is "the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership of the Church of God," and it met at Linglestown, Dauphin
county, Pa., less than a mile from Wenrich's Reformed church. The date is
November 13, 1844. Some new problems confronted the fifty ministers and
thirty ruling elders which sat together in serious deliberation. George McCart-
ney was duly elected Speaker, and J. H. Bamberger, First Clerk, and E. H.
Thomas, Second Clerk. The advisory members were made "full members," and
voted as well as spoke on questions before the body. The idea of forming a Gen-
eral Eldership was brought before this Eldership by Winebrenner at the morning
session of the second day. It had not been discussed in The Gospel Publisher;
but Winebrenner had been at the Ohio Eldership October 14, 1844, and at the
West Pennsylvania Eldership, on' October 2 8th, in part to urge this matter upon
them. He did so successfully. He therefore "brought before this Eldership the
actions of the Ohio and West Pennsylvania Elderships touching the propriety of
holding a General Eldership, for the transaction of business of a general char-
acter." After some explanations and an interchange of views, the Eldership en-
dorsed the movement, and at once elected five teaching and five ruling elders by
ballot as delegates. It also resolved "that said General Eldership hold its first
meeting in the city of Pittsburg, to commence on the 25th of May, 1845." The
three-year limit of pastorates was established. It also took an important step
to strengthen the authority of the Eldership over ministers by adopting a resolu-
tion declaring "that any preacher belonging to this Eldership, who shall refuse to
carry out any order or resolution thereof shall be liable to a charge of contumacy
and insubordination before the Standing Committee, or before this body."
Written reports of ministers were required, to be handed to the Clerk for publi-
cation in the Journal. During the Summer, in the absence of any Rule or Con-
stitutional provision, Winebrenner had written strongly in defense of co-opera-
tion, because Weishampel, aided editorially by Mackey, had started an indepen-
dent paper, called "Gospel Missionary." He stigmatized it as a "disorderly and
disorganizing project , contrary to all good government." He insisted
that "when he [Weishampel] entered the Eldership he pledged himself to the sys-
tem of co-operation." And "there is no manner of use to adopt the plan of co-
operation, and then every one ad libitum make a strike for independency." "Be-
fore he commenced his 'Gospel Missionary' he ought to have consulted his breth-
ren, and obtained permission to do so." The Eldership took up the matter, and
it sustained these views by declaring that it holds the course of these brethren "to
be Irregular and contrary to the plan of co-operation," because they had "taken
in hand to start the publication of a paper, called the 'Gospel Missionary,' with-
East Pennsylvania Eldership 323
out the consent and approbation of the Eldership." Mackey made a public ex-
planation of his course, and it was condoned, and his license was renewed. But
Weishampel, because he was "guilty of an act of insubordination in starting a
publication in violation of a pledge given to this Eldership," and "for contempt
of this Eldership," and "unjust charges and unchristian epithets," and "for un-
just charges against this body," was expelled. He was subsequently restored as
at heart loyal, and upon good evidence of repentance. Samuel Crawford, a
Methodist minister and a radical anti-tobacconist, received license. The first
mention of an "institution of learning" was in a resolution recommending "the
Cedar Hill Seminary to our brethren and friends," a school for "young ladies."
A day of "fasting and prayer for the purity and prosperity of religion among us,
and throughout the world" was appointed. There were ten stations and sixteen
circuits, to which twenty-eight preachers were appointed.
17th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The Eldership met at Lancaster, Lan-
caster county, November 12, 1845. J. Flake was elected Speaker; George Mc-
Cartney, Recording Clerk, and J. H. Bamberger, Transcribing Clerk. Winebren-
ner offered Rules of Order, which were adopted. Also a motion providing for
eight committees. Upon invitation "from various ministers now met in the
Presbyterian meeting-house in this city," the Eldership appointed a committee of
five to attend a convention the first evening of its session "to adopt measures for
the better sanctification of the Sabbath and the suppression of vice and immoral-
ity." The Gospel Publisher had been suspended in August preceding the Elder-
ship, and hence arrangements were made to issue an edition December 12, 1845,
to contain the Journal. The reports of ministers so far as published do not show
as large a number of conversions and accessions as some former years. The
circuits were mostly very large. Dauphin and Lebanon circuit reported twenty-
seven appointments, with nine organized churches and seven houses of worship.
The Hagerstown circuit, Md., had ten regular appointments. Many fields were
reported in a very prosperous condition. As this Eldership followed the session
of the first General Eldership, held in Pittsburg, Pa., May 25, 1845, when "a
wise, just and equitable plan for general co-operation" was matured, a resolution
was reported by the Committee on Journals, declaring that "this Eldership highly
approves of all the doings of the General Eldership, and cordially pledges itself
to co-operate with it according to the Constitution, or plan, unanimously adopted."
This "report elicited considerable discussion" at the Saturday morning session,
when it was postponed until the afternoon. The "afternoon was entirely occu-
pied in discussing the resolution on the adoption of the Journal of the General
Eldership." It was resumed on Monday morning, and again postponed "after a
short time spent in the interchange of views." In the afternoon "the interchange
of views and sentiments" was continued, until finally "the report was unani-
mously adopted." Upon objection formally made to members of churches of
God "attaching themselves to, or belonging to, the 'Sons of Temperance,' or any
secret associations," the Eldership adopted a resolution declaring it to be "inex-
pedient for this body to interfere with the rights and privileges of the members
of this Eldership, and the private members of the local churches in mere matters
of opinion respecting charitable and reform associations." A Board of Missions
was appointed, and it was recommended to the churches "to raise missionary
funds on the plan proposed by the General Eldership." A committee was ap-
pointed to arrange for the camp-meetings in 1846. J. A. Plowman submitted "a
proposition for a union between this Eldership and what he calls the General Con-
ference of the Church of God." He asked for a committee to be appointed to
meet a like committee from said Conference at Smith's school-house, Bedford
county. Pa., on January 2, 1846, "to mature and complete, on certain conditions,
the proposed union." Owing to the fact that Plowman had formerly been a
member of the church of God at Shepherdstown, Cumberland county. Pa., the
Eldership declared that it "can not agree to notice any overtures from" him. The
Eldership took strong and definite action on the question of starting a new paper".
There were nine stations and eleven circuits. Among them were Philadelphia,.
Baltimore, Dauphin and Juniata counties. Broad Top and Awkwick, with two-
fields in Maryland.
18th East Pennsylvania Eldership, — The Eldership in 1846, which assembled'
at Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county, on October 28th, is the first one to be
"opened with a discourse," which was delivered by Winebrenner. Subject — "A
Zealous Ministry." Text — Gal. iv. 8. This was in accordance with a resolution
324 History op the Churchks of God
of the previous Eldership. There were twenty-three ministers enrolled. Jacob
Keller was elected Speaker; E, H. Thomas, First Clerk, and Abraham Swartz,
Assistant. When the "Martinsburg station" was called, "George 3IcCartney,
teaching elder," the entry in the Journal is: "Non est inventus." He had with-
drawn from fellowship with the Church of God. Mackey having been elected a
member of the Legislature, the question was raised whether a minister may hold
3, political office, that of Justice "of the Peace being also mentioned. The matter
•was referred to a "private session," and the "decision" asked for is not published.
Most rigid discipline was administered, and charges against ministers were
promptly taken up. Edward West, who had returned his license received in 1845,
brought three charges against Winebrenner. The first was for "monopolizing the
publication and sale of hymn-books in the Church, and treating as disorderly
walkers those who spoke of publishing a hymn-book." The Eldership decided
that the hymn-book in use was duly authorized. The second charge was one
relating to the right of "a church to license preachers," which West maintained
according to Winebrenner's teaching in 1829. But Winebrenner accepted the
action of the Eldership assuming exclusive right to license preachers, and so in-
sisted that West should "submit to the proper authorities, or he should be marked
as the Apostle directs." The third charge was for inconsistency in this matter of
the right of a local church licensing preachers. AVinebrenner explained this with
the statement, that he "holds that the Eldership has the sole right to license the
preachers connected with, and being members of, that body; but does not deny
the right of individual churches to give license to preachers of their congrega-
tions who are not connected with this Eldership."
For the first time applicants for license were required to go before a com-
mittee on license. P. Stanton, colored, licensed in 1844, was this year appointed
to a mission in Carroll county, Md., the first colored minister to receive a charge
from an Eldership of the Church of God. There were ten circuits, four missions
and nine stations. Among the misisonaries was E. Logue to Iowa. Ham had
by this time so changed his views on Eldership titles from "Eldership of the
Church of God," to "Eldership of churches of God," that he persistently used the
latter in his communications to the Eldership. But it had not yet become a
mooted question.
The Board of Missions reported the receipt of $90.37. Yet the Eldership
authorized it for the following year "to appropriate one hundred dollars to the
Philadelphia mission, and fifty dollars to the Baltimore mission," without any
provision for the Pittsburg mission, the Iowa mission, the Lancaster and Berks
county mission, and the Carroll county, Md., mission for the colored people.
19th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — As per resolution adopted in 1846, J.
Flake opened the Eldership session of 1847 "with a discourse" on Wednesday
evening, the 20th of October. On the following day, instead of the officers of the
previous Eldership, two ministers were appointed to constitute the Eldership.
There were twenty-eight teaching elders and nineteen ruling elders enrolled. E.
Bl. Thomas was elected Speaker; Jacob Keller, First Clerk, and D. A. L. Laverty,
Assistant. As there were no permanent Rules, and no Constitution, the old Rules
•were adopted. Among the committees was one on Education, but no report was
made. The powers of the Standing Committee were defined in a series of six
rules, authorizing it to grant licenses and "receive persons as applicants for ad-
mission into the Eldership; upon request by churches or preachers concerned to
make changes; to inquire into complaints against the moral and ministerial con-
duct of preachers, and advise, reprove, rebuke or suspend them; act as mediators
in church difficulties, and act as trustees of property belonging to the Eldership.
Accordingly the deed for the property purchased in Baltimore for a meeting-house
"was directed to be made to the Standing Committee, and their successors in office.
The General Eldership plan for raising missionary money through societies in the
•churches was adopted. The Board of Missions reported $151.75 received, and
$127 paid out.
A new rule was adopted, by which all ruling elders in attendance were "en-
titled to full membership; but hereafter none shall be so admitted except such as
are regularly appointed to represent the several stations and circuits equal to
the number of their teaching elders." Provision was also now made to pay the
expenses of the Standing Committee. J. H. Bamberger's "legacy left to the Eld-
ership" was being contested by the heirs, and the Eldership disapproved of taking
advantage on the part of any of the heirs "of a mere defect and technicality in
East Pennsylvania Eldership 325
law, and thereby frustrate the expressed wishes of the testator." Preachers were
required to report hereafter the number of preaching places on their charges, and
give the reasons for dropping any points.
Six teaching elders and six ruling elders were elected as delegates to the
General Eldership in 184 8. Collections were ordered "on the several stations
and circuits for the purpose of defraying the traveling expenses of the delegates
to the General Eldership." A camp-meeting committee was appointed. In the
report of the Stationing Committee the stations were reduced to seven, and the
circuits, to nine, with a mission in Illinois, unsupplied, and one in Iowa, with E.
Logue as missionary.
20th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — According to resolution, the twentieth
East Pennsylvania Eldership met at Orrstown, Franklin county, November 1,
184 8. E. H. Thomas preached the Opening Sermon on Wednesday morning. The
enrollment showed a remarkable condition. There were seventeen active teach-
ing elders present, and six ruling elders as delegates. Also nineteen "mission-
aries," or teaching elders without appointments, while twenty-two teaching elders
were absent. The officers elected were: Speaker, A. Swartz; Clerk, J. C. Owens;
Assistant Clerk, Wm. Mooney. A Stationing Committee was elected by ballot.
E. West withdrew from the Eldership and the Church of God, and published his
reasons in a pamphlet. A committee was appointed to "report on the same," but
no subsequent mention is made of the case. Further dissensions and troubles are
indicated by the withdrawal of several other ministers, and the expulsion of three
or four. Otherwise the prospects were reported as "good all around." A project
was started to procure and publish in a book "the biographical sketches of the
first one hundred ministers of the Church of God in North America." "The tithe
system, as adopted by the General Eldership, was discussed, and after some debate
was indefinitely postponed." The delegates to the General Eldership which failed
to attend its session were required "to give their reasons for non-attendance."
The number of circuits was increased by division of a few of the largest. The
Dauphin, Lebanon and Schuylkill circuit, with its twenty-five and thirty appoint-
ments, was divided into the Dauphin circuit and the Schuylkill circuit. Lancaster
circuit was continued, with its fourteen appointments; Perry and Juniata, with
its sixteen preaching places; while York circuit, with its thirteen appointments,
was divided into Lower End and Upper End. Cumberland had twenty appoint-
ments.
Another colored minister, Henry Goings, was licensed. The licentiates were
for the first time formally addressed by a minister appointed by the Eldership.
Benjamin Howard, Free Baptist, of New York State, was an advisory member.
The Eldership arranged to "create a fund for the relief of poor, worn-out
preachers, preachers' widows and orphans," "by each member paying one-half
per cent, annually on his whole income." The churches were also advised "to
establish a church fund on the same equitable, reasonable and Scriptural prin-
ciples." The desirability of the Church having an institution of learning was
strongly expressed by the Committee on Education, and it recommended "the ap-
pointment of a committee of five members of this Eldership to consider the ex-
pediency of establishing such an institution of learning." The committee ap-
pointed was Winebrenner, Ham, Flake, Swartz and Thomas. Uniformity in the
observance of the ordinances was insisted upon.
21st East Pennsylvania Eldership. — When the twenty-first Eldership convened
at Washington Borough, Lancaster county, October 31, 1849, D. Maxwell, who had
been appointed "to deliver the opening discourse," was absent, and B. Howard, of
the Church of God, or Free Baptist Church, New York State, was appointed in his
place. In the afternoon when the Eldership was constituted there were seven
stations and ten circuits, six of which were not represented. Twenty-nine min-
isters out of a total enrollment of forty-six were absent. A. D. Williams, Free
Baptist, was present, as was also S. B. Howard, son of B. Howard, a Free Baptist.
These brethren, as advisory members, "suggested the propriety of a correspon-
dence between the General Conference of the Free-Will Baptists and this Elder-
ship." The Eldership took favorable action, and appointed "John Wfnebi-enner
and G. U. Harn corresponding messengers to the next General Conference of that
denomination."
A Rule was adopted, "that the ruling elders of the churches have an equal
representation with the teaching elders, and the right to vote." The first move-
ment looking toward the adoption of a Constitution since in 1831, when a brief
326 History of the Churches of God
draft of one was laid on the table, was made when a resolution was adopted "to
appoint a committee to draft a Constitution for the government of this body."
Winebi-enner, W. Hiniiey and A. Swartz were appointed. The project of hold-
ing "a model camp-meeting" was endorsed, and a committee appointed to con-
duct it. Sunday-schools were strongly approved, as "an institution peculiarly
blessed of God, and destined ultimately to become the chief nui'sery of youthful
minds in religion and morality." On the matter of an institution of learning the
committee only advised that "the subject be agitated by all the ministers, and
kept before the mind of the public." A nutfiber of new preaching points were
reported. The work was extended westward from Matamoras, Dauphin county,
into Juniata county. A circuit was created in Lehigh and Berks counties. T. H.
Deshiri was transferred to Ohio; M. F. Snavely and L. Lininger, to Iowa. Several
ministers were expelled, on account of "the low, declining state of religion."
"Friday, the 21st day of December next, be recommended to the Church of God
to be observed as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer."
The Eldership resolved that "the ruling power of the Church is vested in the
teaching and ruling elders thereof." A Committee on Boundaries having been
created, it reduced the stations to five, and rearranged the circuits so as to make
thirteen. To these fields twenty-one ministers were appointed. The Board of
Missions reported its receipts as having been $183.28; expenditures, $141.50.
22nd East Pennsylvania Eldership. — With the Eldership which convened at
Churchtown, Cumberland county. Pa., October 16, 1850, it entered upon the third
decade of its existence. Yet this was the twenty-second meeting, three sessions
having been held the first year. It is a decade which chronicled some of the most
vital events which had transpired in the whole cycle of years since 1830. When
this Eldership was constituted it was found that there were five stations and
twelve circuits. Twenty-seven teaching elders "were found to be in attendance."
Wm. McFadden was chosen Speaker, and G. U. Ham and J. Haifleigh, Clerks.
There being no Constitution, and also no permanent Rules of Order, ten Parlia-
mentory Rules were adopted, under which the business was transacted. Ham
submitted four resolutions which were referred to committees. One proposed a
committee of twelve which was "to select a site and erect, rent or purchase a suit-
able building or buildings in which to commence an institution of learning."
The committee reported through The Church Advocate a well-devised plan to
secure "a literary institution." The second suggested "the propriety of appoint-
ing a World's Convention for the purpose of presenting a new and improved
version of the whole Bible." The third declared that the time had "arrived for
the churches of God to take some efficient measures to sustain a missionary or
misisonaries in heathen lands." The fourth, requiring church members upon
removal "into other neighborhoods to take letters of recommendation and pre-
sent them to the churches where they locate." The latter was adopted, but the
other two were buried in committees. The committee appointed in 1849 "to
draft a Constitution for the government of this Eldership" was not prepared to
report. It was continued, and was instructed to "report through The Advocate."
The presence of S. B. Howard, of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and Amos Sutton,
of "the General Baptist body in England," awakened a strong sentiment of friend-
ship and closer fellowship, especially in foreign mission work. Ham dwelt on
this point in his report of his visit to the General Conference of the Free-Will
Baptist Church, suggesting "the strengthening of the bonds of Christian fellow-
ship, with the ultimate object of Christian union between the Free-Will Baptists
and the churches of God." The report of Ham as delegate to the Free-Will Bap-
tist General Conference occasioned the sharpest and most protracted debate on
the floor of the Eldership which had hitherto been witnessed. Winebrenner,
Ham, Thomas and Swartz were the principal speakers. Before the Free-Will
Baptist General Conference Ham had "read the resolutions of the General Elder-
ship on the subject of slavery, giving also a short account of the practice and
views of the churches in relation to that subject, and an expression of his own,
that the bare relation of master and slave should not debar from Christian fellow-
ship in all cases." It was on this point that the "lengthy debate" took place.
Thomas moved the adoption of the report. Swartz offered an amendment, de-
claring that the Eldership "holds the sentiment that the relation between master
and slave, as it exists in this country, is sinful and subversive of Christian
equality, arid at war with republican liberty;" and further, "disclaiming Bro.
Harn's views on slavery as expressed before said Conference." Winebrenner
East Pennsylvania Eldership 327
moved "to strike out the preamble and second resolution," leaving the first reso-
lution as here quoted stand. Svvartz then withdrew the second resolution, and
so a yea and nay vote was taken on the motion of Thomas, "that his report be
adopted." There were seventeen yeas and nineteen nays. Ham then "moved
that this action be stricken from the Journal," but this was "not agreed to."
Later Price "moved a reconsideration of the vote on the adoption of Bro. Ham's
report." Winebrenner "moved that the call for the reconsideration of Bro.
Ham's report be indefinitely postponed," which "carried." This disposed of the
whole subject. The matter, however, was revived through The Church Advocate.
Harn was dissatisfied, and claiming that "the hasty action of the late Eldership
on the slavery question places me before the world and the churches of God, and
especially the Free-Will Baptist denomination, in an unenviable predicament."
He defended his course and position in a clear and cojent article published in The
Advocate. A. D. Williams, Free-Will Baptist, took up the matter, and demanded
a statement from Winebrenner as to "your own views upon the subject of slavery,
and also with what you regard the true position of the Eldership in relation to
it." This he did at some length, assuring Williams that, "we are happy to say
that this difference of opinion has not led to strifes and divisions among our-
selves, as unfortunately it has done in other bodies." Missionary interests re-
ceived much attention at this Eldership, and an evening session was held to dis-
cuss mission enterprises. Two missionary agents were "appointed to canvass the
entire bounds of the Eldership; present the claims of missions to the churches,
and take up pledges, donations and collections in aid of the missionary cause."
This was in view of securing the needed funds "to employ and send out three mis-
sionaries to Illinois and two to Iowa next Spring." The Eldership for the first
time received a formal communication from sisters of the churches, in the form
of a memorial, praying "your body to give public expression upon the subject of
the use of tobacco as a luxury." A resolution was immediately adopted, "recom-
mending to each member of this body, and all the members of the churches gen-
erally, to abstain from so filthy a practice." But there was opposition to the
resolution, one minister offering a motion "that the whole matter be laid on the
table." The territory of the Eldership was divided into six stations and fourteen
circuits, with twenty-four pastors. The Standing Committee was made the Camp-
meeting Committee, to arrange for the camp-meetings to be held in 1851.
23rd East Pennsylvania Eldership. — Prior to the meeting of the Eldership at
Middletown, Dauphin caunty, Pa., November 5, 1851, the Committee to draft a
Constitution, consisting of Winebi-enner, Mooney and Swartz, ' reported through
The Church Advocate. This long delay to adopt a Constitution resulted from
opposition to such an instrument on the ground that it partook of the nature of
legislation and creed-subscription, as found in other religious bodies. The Eld-
ership after organizing by electing E. H. Thomas, Speaker; S. Crawford, First
Clerk, and A. Swartz, Second Clerk, took up the draft of the Constitution, and
considered it item by item. But without making any progress, the consideration
was postponed until the session of Monday morning. It was then again post-
poned until Thursday afternoon, when it was resolved "that the further consid-
eration of the Constitution be laid over for one year." Joseph Ross, one of the
original members of the church at Middletown, was chosen Treasurer of the Eld-
ership. A committee which had been appointed the previous year on Systematic
Benevolence made its report, and it was made a special order for the evening
session of Monday, when a number of addresses were made by prominent min-
isters, and "an opportunity was given to the congregation to aid in the mission-
ary enterprise, and they contributed $151.60." The Committee on Education
was continued, and the securing of an institution of learning strongly urged.
Special efforts had also been made by D, A. L. Laverty and S, Knisley to establish
an Academy at Shippensburg. This school was "recommended for patronage to
the members of the Eldership." The ten-cent tax per capita of the members of
all the churches was established to raise funds for superannuated ministers and
widows of deceased ministers. A new committee was "appointed to make an
effort to secure a place and use their infiuence to raise a General Camp-meeting
during the coming camp season." The peculiar position in which the Eldership
was placed by its action on the slavery question, and on Ham's report in 1850,
led to the adoption without debate of a resolution declaring it to be "the opinion
of this Eldership, that the relation of master and slave, as authorized by the laws
that make and sustain American slavery, is a sufficient bar to membership in this.
328 History of the Churciiks of God
body, and ought to be a bar to membership in all the churches where this institu-
tion exists."
24th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The twenty-fourth East Pennsylvania
Eldership, held at Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, October 23, 1852, listened to the
Opening Sermon on Saturday morning, and convened for business in the after-
noon. J. Keller was elected Speaker; J. F. Weishampel, First Clerk, and J. Hai-
fleigh and S. Crawford, Second Clerks. A. D. Williams, Free-Will Baptist, was
in attendance as "Corresponding Messenger from the Rhode Island and Massa-
chusetts Yearly Meeting." The consideration of the Constitution came up
through the Report of the Committee on Journals on Monday morning, and it was
postponed, with the amendments offered in 1851, until Wednesday morning, when
it was taken up and held first place in the order of business until near the close
of the session on Friday. A number of amendments were adopted. In publish-
ing this document Winehrenner defined "Constitution" to mean "a code of fixed
laws defining equal rights and privileges, and showing what each one should do,
and should not do." Omitting the "Preamble" and the purely Parliamentary
Rules, the following are the most important provisions of the Constitution, viz.:
I. The name shall be "The East Pennsylvania Eldership of the Church of
God." Ham was in favor of the plural, "churches of God."
II. Provided for annual meetings, with provision for extraordinary sessions,
and defining the purpose to be "for the transaction of such business as properly
pertains to ecclesiastical bodies."
III. Regularly licensed ministers of the Eldership, with an equal number
of ruling elders regularly appointed as delegates to represent the several stations
and circuits, shall be entitled to membership, and equal rights.
IV. The officers shall be Speaker, Treasurer and two Clerks.
V. to X. relate to the duties of the officers, the tenth authorizing the Speaker
to "appoint all the committees required by the Rules of Order."
XI. Provides for the election by ballot of a Board of Missions, a Standing
and a Stationing Committee.
Articles XII., XIII., and XIV. fix the number of the Board of Missions, the
Standing and the Stationing Committees, and prescribe their duties. The Board
of Missions is to consist of "not less than three, nor more than seven persons."
The Standing Committee is to be composed of three persons, and it "shall have
all the right and authority of the Eldership, except to expel, or change preachers
without cause." The Stationing Committee is to "consist of five persons, and
their report shall always be final, except it be rejected by a vote of a majority."
XV. "All persons putting in for an appointment shall stand pledged to take
and fill whatever appointment may be allotted them, and whoever shall fail to
do so, without sufficient excuse, shall forfeit his right to any and all appointments
for one year."
Article XVI. requires preachers "to use prudence and economy in their mode
of living; to keep up in all cases the regular appointments on their fields; to open
up new appointments wherever it is suitable and convenient, and in no case to
drop old or new appointments without mutual consent and the approval of the
Standing Committee.
XVII. This Article requires the churches "to give their ministers a compe-
tent support; to pay the same quarterly, and to make such timely provisions for
them that they shall not suffer for the necessaries of life, nor be obliged to leave
them embarrassed with debt."
Article XVIII. provides for the two-fold membership and two-fold responsi-
bility of all the ministers. For their moral conduct they are amenable to the
church where they reside, and for their moral and official conduct they are all
without exception amenable to the Eldership.
Under Article XIX. "ministers and churches who fail to comply with these
rules of order and co-operation shall be liable to rebuke, supension or expulsion."
The last Article (XX.) provides for amendments to the Constitution "when
two-thirds of the enrolled members for that Eldership are present, and two-thirds
thereof shall vote in favor."
Opposition to the Constitution continued for some time, as it was still re-
garded by some of the minority as differing in no essentials from "the fixed laws
or Discipline of some of the sectarian Churches, or Conferences." AVinebrenner
defended it in answer to questions, declaring that "between the two there is a
wide, and vast difference." At this Eldership, and before the Constitution was
East Pennsylvania EivDErship 329
adopted, under a special resolution, a Stationing Committee was elected, consist-
ing of nine members, five teaching and four ruling elders. Much interest was
manifested in Bible Revision, and a committee on the subject was authorized to
report through The Advocate. This it did, strongly approving the "General
Rules for the direction of translators and revisers employed by the American
Bible Union. Winebrenner and Harn were specially interested in this work, the
latter publishing a. number of communications on the subject.
The territory this year was divided into eight stations, two of which were in
Lancaster City, and twelve circuits. Winebrenner was appointed "agent to sell
scholarships for Bethel College."
25th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The only Eldership of which Winebren-
ner was a member that he did not attend from 1830 to 1860, Annual or General,
was the one which convened at Newburg, Cumberland county. Pa., October 2 6,
1853. He sent a letter, stating that he could not be present because he "had been
sorely afflicted, but was convalescent, and able to sit up again, and to write,
feebly, with my own hand." He suggested four things to "the attention and
serious consideration at the present session of the Eldership." These were "the
establishment of the Texas Mission;" "the purchase of a printing establishment;"
"the material aid system," and "Advocate dues, which are growing larger from
year to year." The first item the Eldership approved, and recommended to the
Board of Missions the propriety of sending one or more missionaries to the State
of Texas, and then referred it to the Stationing Committee. But said Committee
made no appointment, and did not mention the Texas Mission. The second item
was referred to the General Eldership. On the third item a resolution was
adopted, directing "all the members of this body to urge on the churches the im-
portance and necessity of all the members of the churches to pay twenty-five cents
to liquidate the debt due Bro. AVinebrenner." As to Advocate dues, the ministers
were instructed "to make special efforts to have the dues collected." Twenty-
two other ministers were absent. James Mackey was elected Speaker; Joseph
Ross, Treasurer; Jesse Haifleigh, First Clerk, and Samuel Crawford, Second Clerk.
A new Rule was adopted, depriving a minister of his license who failed to report
for two consecutive years. The strong prejudice against the colored people mani-
fested itself in the adoption of a resolution appointing "a committee to confer
with Bro. Stanton [a colored preacher of the Eldership] respecting the propriety
of organizing an Eldership of colored people, to be under the supervision of the
East Pennsylvania Eldership." The aggregate number of conversions during the
year, so far as reported, was 3 87. Harn, who for several years past had been
discussing the use of the plural form of the word "church"- in Eldership titles,
offered a resolution, changing the title of the Eldership in the first Article of the
Constitution "so as to read 'The East Pennsylvania Eldership of the churches of
God.' " The resolution prevailed. Delegates to the General Eldership were
elected, and were by resolution "instructed not to involve this Eldership in debt
by the establishing of a Printing Establishment."
The early struggles for Prohibition cover the present decade, and it was gen-
erally agreed that the policy should stand or fall in accordance with the spon-
taneously expressed will of the people. And as there were avowed prohibitionists
in the Eldership, on motion, "a special Committee was appointed to draw up reso-
lutions on the subject of Prohibition." This committee reported resolutions stat-
ing that the Eldership "is decidedly favorable to the principle of Prohibition that
seeks the abrogation of the sale and use of intoxicating liquors as a common
drink,;" "that it is the duty of all men, and particularly Christian men, to seek
the passage of such a law"; and "respectfully petitioning Congress to pass a law
prohibiting the importation of intoxicating drinks into this country for beverage
purposes." The starting of a mission in Reading, Berks county, was approved.
I. E. Boyer was "licensed as a missionary to Illinois." For the Eldership session
of 1854 the Eldership provided that Winebrenner preach the opening sermon;
E. H. Thomas, a sermon on Missions; G. U. Ham, on the claims of the Bible
Union, or the revision and translation of the Scriptures; Wm. Mooney, on Educa-
tion, and A. Swartz, on Systematic Benevolence. More general interest in camp-
meetings was strongly urged, and churches were requested to send to the Camp-
meeting Committee in good time their wishes respecting such meetings the com-
ing season.
26th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — Winebrenner, according to appointment
the previous year, was to preach the opening sermon of the Eldership which con-
330 History of the Churchks of God
vened at Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county, October 26, 1854; but "being un-
well, IJro. Swartz officiated in his place." He was, however, in attendance during
the session. There were ten stations, twelve circuits and three missions. Wm.
Mooney was elected Speaker; Joseph Ross, Treasurer; J. F. Weishampel, First
Clerk, and A. H, Long, Second Clerk. . No permanent Rules of Order had as yet
been adopted; hence, a committee was "appointed to report Rules of Order for
the regulation of the session of this body." The inviolability of Eldership terri-
tory was embodied in a resolution of censure on Felix Hartinan for "entering
upon the West Pennsylvania Eldership's grounds without an understanding to
that effect with that Eldership." The Eldership adopted blank forms for sta-
tistical reports, which the pastors were required to fill out each year for publica-
tion, and recommended similar forms to be used by all the Elderships. Provision
was also made to keep the journals of the Eldership and all actions of the Stand-
ing Committee in permanent form. The Eldership, through its Committee on
Temperance, again put itself clearly on record in favor of "a Prohibitory Liquor
Law as a sure and safe remedy for this gigantic evil." At the missionary meet-
ing held on Monday evening Winebrenner offered a resolution in favor of estab-
lishing a mission in Texas, accompanied with a pledge for its support. This was
adopted, and $134.00 was pledged. Colder reported having received $578.16
from different churches which he had visited for the support and education of
Ting-Ing-Kavv, a young Chinaman whom he had brought with him on his return
as missionary to China. The Eldership recommended the churches "the con-
tinuation of their sympathy and assistance in carrying out the object contem-
plated in the education of the young Chinaman, Ting-Ing-Kaw." By the vote of
the Eldership in adopting the Report on Slavery, the body "continued its voice of
remonstrance and condemnation of this unmitigated evil;" recommended "the
petitioning of Congress for the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law and the Nebraska
Bill," and pronounced "the system of American slavery always unchristian, and
under all circumstances iniquitous." Harn's resolution adopted in 1853, chang-
ing the word "church" to "churches" where it occurs in the Constitution of the
Eldership, was rescinded, and the singular form again inserted "in the several
Articles of the Constitution, thus making it uniform with the title of the General
Eldership and all the other Elderships." Winebrenner, as delegate to the con-
vention to organize a German Eldership, reported that "said Eldership had been
organized, and wished to co-operate with this and all other Elderships, as directed
by the General Eldership." He then offered a resolution, which was adopted,
recommending to all the German brethren of the Eldership the propriety of pat-
ronizing and aiding in the circulation of "a German paper which said Eldership
contemplates publishing." In making the appointments Lebanon- and Schuylkill
counties, and all the territory eastward, was left to the German Eldership to
supply with preachers. But as the German Eldership had no boundaries, a mis-
sion was opened in Montgomery county, and A. H. Long was appointed as mis-
sionary. A. J. Fenton and Philip Shaw were appointed as missionaries to Iowa
Mission.
• 27th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — Under auspicious circumstances the
twenty-seventh session of the East Pennsylvania Eldership was held in the fine
new house of worship, Harrisburg, Pa., beginning November 3, 1855, with sixty-
one ministers enrolled. But one had gone to Ohio and two to Iowa. The officers
were A. Swartz, Speaker; Joseph Ross, Treasurer; J. Haifleigh and A. H. Long,
Clerks. Permanent records of the doings of the Eldership, in the way of a
"Protocol" for the Minutes of the Eldership, and Minute Books for the Standing
Committee and Board of Missions were ordered. Upon motion by D. A. L. Lav-
erty a committee was appointed "to prescribe a Course of English studies and
Bible and Theological readings for all the young men who shall hereafter receive
license." A three-year course was reported and adopted. J. H. Hurley seriously
offered a resolution to create a committee "to prepare a liturgy for the use of the
Church of God," but it was "not agreed to." But a "special day of prayer with
each church for the outpouring of the Spirit of God upon the churches and for the
promotion of spiritual religion among us" was at once adopted. Winebrenner's
"Brief Scriptural View of the Church of God" was ordered republished, after it
has been revised by him, and brethren were urged to "prepare small works on
Baptism, Washing the Saints' Feet, the Lord's Supper, and other topics of general
interest to the Church. This was for the purpose "of explaining ourselves to those
around us," and so that "our peculiarities of faith and practice should be more
East Pennsylvania Eldej^ship 331
.generally and distincty made known." The initial steps were taken to secure an
Act of Incorporation from the Legislature of 1856. Additional preparation was
made for systematic mission work, and AVinebrenner was appointed General Mis-
sionary, to supervise collections over the whole Eldership. The Statistics of the
Eldership, though not quite complete, showed baptisms, 174; fellowshiped, 2 56;
number of members, 2,408; appointments, 125 on eight stations, 10 circuits and
6 missions; Widows' Fund, $113.82; Contingent Fund, $29.18; Missionary
Fund, $52.14 (evidently not the total for the year); Sabbath-schools, 43; scholars,
2,603. The Clearfield Mission was established, and the Texas Mission enterprise
was referred to the Board of Missions. The Eldership took strong action in favor
of camp-meetings, and resolved to "appoint an efficient committee of five, whose
duty it shall be to appoint the time and places of holding our camp-meetings the
coming year." Winebrenner, Thomas, Svvartz, Colder and A. Snyder were made
the committee. Winebrenner preached the opening sermon, and Colder was ap-
pointed by resolution to preach the opening sermon in 185 6. Winebrenner's ser-
mon was published in a pamphlet, which he desired his "friends to help to circu-
late far and wide among the people." He reported the Eldership as having done
its work "with great harmony and satisfaction," and that "the whole session was
an unusually pleasant and interesting one." Important action was taken with
reference to education. The Shippensburg Institute was endorsed, and a com-
mittee was selected "with power to draw up a plan for the effectual establishment
of a Seminary or High School" for the Church.
28th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The church at Shippensburg, Cumber-
land county, entertained the Eldership which convened October 22, 1856. It was
"not as full as was expected," as there were twenty-one pastors present, and four-
teen "missionaries," while twenty-two "missionaries" were absent. The "mis-
sionaries" were local preachers, except Winebrenner, who was appointed General
Missionary, with specific work to do. He calls the other "missionaries" "local
preachers." A. Swartz was elected Speaker; James Colder, First Clerk, and A. H.
Long, Second Clerk. As the committee to secure an Act of Incorporation failed
to discharge that duty, it was continued, with instructions. The effort to have
each church represented by a ruling elder was strongly opposed and "unanimously
negatived." But resolutions to urge churches to build or buy parsonages; install
"the heavy articles of furniture," and "to pay actual expenses of preachers in case
of removal," were "unanimously adopted." The Committee on Slavery reported,
a strong resolution, adopted without debate, which denounced this system of
monstrous cruelty and oppression as "destructive to our civil, social, moral, po-
litical and religious affinities as children of one common Parent." The effort to
extend this system of "human bondage over free territories, and especially for-
ever blast the virgin soil of Kansas by this heinous sin," was to be resisted by
every "lawful, religious and constitutional means," to which the Eldership "sol-
emnly pledges itself as a body, and individually." Schools to "teach the science
of sacred music" were recommended to the churches. The Board of Missions re-
ceived during the year $781.87. The lukewarmness evident in the temperance
•cause was deplored, and ministers were admonished"to stir up the minds of the
people on a subject of so great importance to our social, political and religious
institutions." Winebrenner was always heartily in favor of co-operation on the
part of ministers, laymen and churches, and in strong terms disapproved any
tendency toward the non-observance of established Rules, or the instructions of
the Eldership. Near the close of the session he submitted two resolutions bear-
ing on this matter, after declaring in the preamble that "some of the preachers
and churches have heretofore repeatedly failed to carry out the recommendations,
plans and resolutions of this body." In the resolutions all the churches were
"earnestly requested to carry out truly and faithfully our whole plan of co-opera-
tion." But a penalty was necessary to give force to this request, and so in the
second resolution it was declared, "that all delinquents in future, in this matter,
shall subject themselves to the censure of this Eldership, unless a good reason
for such neglect can be given." The Eldership agreed with its leader. Tracts
were requested to be written for the Committee on Publication by Swartz, on Sys-
tematic Beneficence; Thomas, The Ordinance of Feet-washing; Colder, Missions;
Flake, Sabbath-Schools; Winebrenner, the Lord's Supper; Laverty, Education;
Mackey, Importance of Externals in Religion; Crawford, Internal Religion;
Mooney, Guide to Baptism for Converts, and Hurley, Use and Abuse of Tobacco.
29th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — Signs of an approaching tempest can
332 History of the Churches of God
readily be discerned in the proceedings of the East Pennsylvania Eldership which
convened at Middletown, Dauphin county, November 4, 1857. The Eldership^
was, by resolution, to "be constituted according to the facts as they now exist."
In 1856 J. Colder was appointed to Harrisburg, and AV. Mooney, to Shippensburg.
Neither was at his appointment when the Eldership convened, and so the two
stations as put on the Roll are: "Harrisburg: — William Mooney. Shippens-
burg:— James Colder (by the election of the church)." The exchange had been
made by the two ministers and the churches, but was "ratified" by the Standing
Committee on September 23rd. The organization was effected by the election of
G. U. Hani, Speaker; Joseph Ross, Treasurer; James Colder, First Clerk, and J.
F. Weishampel, Second Clerk. A collection of all the Journals of the Eldership^
was ordered. The Act of the Legislature, incorporating the Eldership, was
presented by the Committee, and was adopted. As Winebrenner had disposed of
his interest in The Advocate to Colder, the latter was now in the editorial chair,
which placed Winebrenner and the Church as he represented it at a disadvantage.
The missionaries to Texas had been appointed and sent out by the Board of Mis-
sions between the two sessions of the Eldership in 1855 and 1856, and their action
reported and adopted in 1856. It was but a short time after their arrival in
Texas that it became conclusively evident to them, that to attempt to do work for
the Church of God among slave-holding people meant a change of teaching and
practice on the subject of slavery from that which characterized the Church in
the North. The alternative to this course was to leave on the next boat. And
so either from conviction, or the compulsion of their environment, or both, the-
missionaries in theory and practice made what was considered a radical departure
from the views which prevailed in the Board of Missions and the Church gen-
erally. When this fact became known it produced a storm of opposition in the
churches throughout the North. The friction created is mildly characterized in
the preamble to Keller's resolution as "some difficulties with our missionaries in
Texas." The resolution reveals more: "That we instruct our Board of Missions-
to appropriate no more missionary money in that direction." The Board had'
already held back money due them. The variance and division in the camp in
East Pennsylvania Eldership are indicated by a preamble and resolutions intended
as a substitute for Keller's, which "Weishampel offered in behalf of Winebren-
ner" on Wednesday morning. The preamble represents the missionaries in Texas--
as having been ."brought into great trouble and embarrassment by the publication
of certain unnecessary and harsh sentiments and strictures in The Church Advo-
cate." Then the first resolution follows: "We highly disapprove of the Editor's
course. .. .and advise him to be more careful and prudent in future." The
second resolution instructed "the Board of Missions to send our missionaries in
Texas $200." The Eldership took time to deliberate, to think; but did not en-
gage in a long discussion. Keller's resolution was offered on Tuesday evening,
and, after a brief discussion, was "deferred until to-morrow afternoon."
Weishampel's w^as "deferred for the present" without discussion. On taking the
vote Wednesday afternoon, the motion "to strike out Brother Keller's resolution,
and insert Brother Winebrenner's, was lost." On a yea and nay vote, Keller's
resolution prevailed, fifteen voting for it and ten against it. The Board of
Missions was then directed to "confine their labors within the bounds of this
Eldership the present year." Mooney was reappointed to Harrisburg, and Colder-
to Shippensburg. Hani's resolution to change the Eldership title to "Eldership
of churches of God" was "passed over, and will be discussed through the columns
of The Advocate."
Extra Session East Pennsylvania Eldei-ship. — While the relations between
Winebrenner and Colder were becoming daily more relaxed, and conditions por-
tentous of a crisis were fast taking shape, the first open conflict was doubtless
precipitated by the sudden and unexpected death of Ellen Cordelia Colder,
daughter of Winebrenner and wife of Colder, "one of the excellent of the earth,"
and the widely-lamented death of William Mooney, pastor of the Fourth Street
church, Harrisburg. The former event made it advisable for Colder to remove
from Shippensburg to Harrisburg; the latter opened Fourth Street pulpit to him.
Without any published notice in The Advocate, suddenly and within two weeks of
the date of the "call," the East Pennsylvania Eldership was summoned by the
Speaker, G. U. Harn, to meet at Shiremanstown, Cumberland county. Pa., "to-
hold a special or extra session, commencing on Tuesday, the 6th of July next, at
10 o'clock a. m." The call for this extra session is dated June 24th, at Wooster,.
East Phnnsylvania Eldership 333
•Ohio. The "Petition" gives no reason why an extra session was asked. It is
:signed by twelve ministers and four delegates, and requests the call to be issued
"immediately, and address.ed to Elder J. Winebrenner," one of the signers. The
Eldership met as per call, with twenty-five ministers and eight delegates present.
Colder is enrolled as pastor of the church at Shippensburg; but, "J. C. does not
■claim to be pastor of the Shippensburg church, nor to represent it in the Elder-
ship." The first and main business, being "Certain Charges against Colder,
Winebrenner and McFadden, and against three ruling elders of the church at
Harrisburg," these were at once "preferred and read." But there is no record of
any but the first Charge, with three Specifications, against Colder, and that with-
out the name of the accuser or accusers. The Charge is "Insubordination and
violation of the Rules of the Eldership." The first Specification is that of "re-
fusing to act with the Board of Corporation on the ground that he was no mem-
ber of the Eldership, not having lifted his license; and then again consenting to
act at the second meeting as a layman, or private member." The second, that he
"attempted to introduce foreign Hymn-Books into the churches, for general con-
gregational use, without authority from the General Eldership." The third, "Re-
signing his appointment at Shippensburg, and taking charge of the church at
Harrisburg, without the approbation of the Standing Committee, and in direct
violation of the Constitution, or Rules of Order, adopted for the government of the
Eldership." Without any record of evidence or arguments, and after adopting,
and then rejecting, a substitute for the first Specification, and considering the
third, and then the second. Specification, A. Swartz presented a preamble, with
three resolutions, which were adopted. The preamble recites that "the Eldership
Tiave learned the painful fact that a serious personal misapprehension is found to
exist between Brothei-s Colder and Winebrenner, which has led to the preferring
of a number of Charges against each of them, involving their moral character; but
believing from their well known personal Christian character that these personal
Charges are founded in a mistaken view of each other's conduct; therefore, we
earnestly recommend to them as Christian ministers, the duty of burying forever
these personal difficulties, and that they hereafter unite in our common work."
The first resolution declares that "the church at Harrisburg erred in their late
action in electing Colder, and he in his acceptance of their call as pastor without
their referring it to the action of the Standing Committee." This affirms the
third Specification, and the church is advised "to refer their action to the Stand-
ing Committee" and abide by the disposition it may make of it. » The second
Specification is also afl^rmed, and Colder's action is declared to have been "uncon-
stitutional and in violation of the action of the General Eldership." It is then
resolved that "if the above parties fail to meet the above recommendations,
then the Standing Committee is authorized to proceed and deal with the parties
according to our Constitution." All were then granted "liberty to withdraw their
Charges." As much ill-feeling had grown out of the rejection by Colder of
articles furnished for publication by Winebrenner and others, a resolution was
adopted directing that such articles be referred to the Board of Publication, whose
decision should be final. This trial led to the adoption of the Rule, that Charges
and Specifications, with the names of at least two accusers, must be presented to
the accused at least five days before the meeting of the Eldership. The Elder-
ship was in session Tuesday forenoon, afternoon and evening, and Wednesday
forenoon.
30th East Pennsylvania Eldership.— Although but four months intervened
between the adjournment of the extra session of the East Pennsylvania Eldership
in July, and the regular session, which met at Shiremanstown, Cumberland
county, Pa., November 3, 1858, it at once became evident that not only was noth-
ing settled at the extra session, but that conditions had become much more
serious. The Eldership convened on Thursday morning. C. Price was elected
Speaker; J. Haifleigh, First Clerk; J. F. Weishainpel, Second Clerk, and J. Ross,
Treasurer. The business was taken. up and disposed of with unusual deliberation,
as if the body were recoiling from a distasteful task. All day Thursday, and
Friday forenoon, were taken up with practically routine business; such as con-
stituting the Eldership, adoption of Rules, election of Board of Missions, Station-
ing and Standing Committees, and action on the Report of the Committee on
Journals. This Report laid before the Eldership "a document from a part of the
church at Harrisburg, who claim to be the Eldership party, setting forth the un-
happy and deplorable state of things in the church brought about through the
334 History of the Churches of God
influence and intrusion of Elder J. Colder. .. .and preferring Charges against
Elder Colder and that part of the church they believe he has misled." This,
document was made the first order for Friday afternoon. The Charges were
prepared "at a meeting of a number of the members of the church of God at
Harrisburg, held on the 2 6th of October, to deliberate on our unhappy church
matters and consult each other as to what course to pursue." Isaac Stees was
made Chairman of the meeting, and Henry P. Rodeannel, Secretary. The de-
liberations resulted in the framing of Charges against James Colder, and "against
certain officers of the church at Harrisburg." These are all presented over the
signatures of the officers of the meeting, no other names appearing as accusers.
There are three Charges against Colder:
I. "Insubordination and factious conduct." Under this Charge are six
specifications, viz.: 1. Refusing to submit his case to the disposition of the
Standing Committee. 2. Refusing to abide by the decision of the Standing
Committee. 3. Refusing to pay over Hymn-Book money in his hands to the
Treasurer. 4. Getting up a meeting, August 16th, and declaring himself the
legal pastor of the church before the proceedings of the Standing Committee were
read. 5. Refusing to publish the Speaker's call for an extra session of the
Eldership. 6. Getting up an illegal proceeding against Brother Isaac Stees,
one of the elders of the church, and having him suspended.
II. Colloging with Elder George Sigler in an unlawful detention of a cer-
tain letter and package.
III. Falsely accusing and misrepresenting Eldei-s John AVinebrenner and
AVilliani McFadden before the late extra session of the Eldership, and on other
occasions. Colder, joined by two other ministers and an elder and delegate of
Fourth Street church, offered a "Protest against the reception, consideration and
publication of the document" containing the charges; but the Eldership refused
to "agree to the Protest." The Eldership then proceeded with the trial, Wine-
brenner acting as attorney for the prosecution, and Colder conducting his own
defense. When both sides "rested" and the case was submitted upon the evidence
adduced, the verdict was as follows: Under Charge I. the first Specification was
"sustained" by a vote of 32 to 5; the second by a vote of 2 5 to 9; the third by a
vote of 23 to 15; the fourth Specification was divided, the first item being sus-
tained by a vote of 20 to 9, and the second, 17 to 5; the fifth Specification was
lost by a vote of 13 to 15. The second Charge was lost, the vote against it being
unanimous. The third Charge was sustained by a vote of 13 to 9. The first
Charge was then sustained by a vote of 2 8 to 8. There, so far as official action is
concerned, the trial ended. No censure, no penalty was imposed. It is stated
that "by mutual consent Brothers Colder and Winebrenner were authorized to
submit their personal difficulties for adjustment, as soon as practicable, to the
Standing Committee." "Colder reported. His report was accepted and license
renewed." "AV^inebrenner reported. His report was accepted and license re-
newed." Was it "the truce of God?" AA'inebrenner was generous, sometimes to
a fault; he however was also possessed of that staunch and invincible manhood
which in the face of what he conceived to be wrong made him inexorable. A
scene at the trial revealed these traits.. His address in summing up was a master-
piece of affecting, convincing, incisive reasoning. As he reached its culmination.
Colder, under the charm of his impassioned eloquence, arose,, walked toward
AVinebrenner and reached out the hand of reconciliation and fellowship. "No!"
slowly said AVinebrenner, withholding his hand; "the time is not yet for the hand
of reconciliation!" But when the court had rendered its decision, he would not
ask for punishment, and he was ready for peace and amicable relations. Colder
was not removed from Harrisburg, but for the year beginning April, 1851, he was
appointed to Camp Hill. He announced editorially that he is "willing to acquiesce
in the decision of the Eldership in the difficult and unpleasant task it had to per-
form."
The "Charges against certain officers in the church at Harrisburg" were, in
substance, as follows:
I. Greatly misrepresenting AVinebrenner and McFadden in a published
letter.
II. Assailing and slandering AVinebrenner in said letter.
III. Conspiring with Colder to break down the Rules of co-operation of the
Eldership.
East Pennsylvania Eldership 335
While testimony was submitted by plaintiffs and defendants, no vote on
either Charge is recorded.
The Board of Missions was "instructed to settle with the missionaries in
Texas." P. D. Collins, known as the Indian Preacher, a native of Virginia, and
minister in the Methodist Protestant Church, received license at this Eldership.
He became "one of the most successful as well as faithful ministers." He was
later transferred to the Illinois Eldership, but returned to Pennsylvania. When
the Maryland and Virginia Eldership was organized he became a member. He
died at Warfieldsburg, Md., May 13, 1875. The Eldership closed hopefully.
31st East Pennsylvania Eldership. — It was not in the fruition of the hopes
which had been cherished at adjournment in 1858 that the Eldership convened
at Goldsboro, York county. Pa., November 2, 1859. The gravity of the situation
had increased after the close of the session of 1858. The "personal difficulties'"
which the Standing Committee was expected to adjust, continued, and became
more insuperable. Colder, with a majority of the church at Fourth Street, re-
sisted the authority of the Eldership, declared themselves independent, and re-
fused to accept the services, as supplies of the pulpit, of Flake and Winebrenner,.
and the regular appointee of the Eldership from April 1, 1859, A. X. Shoemaker.
Charges were preferred against Colder by Isaac Stees and Henry Clay, and he was
notified to appear before the Standing Committee on January 18, 1859, and
answer to the same. This he "neglected to do." Hence, at said meeting the
Committee "suspended him from the functions of the Christian ministry in
the Church of God, until such time as he retraces his steps, and submits to the
proper authorities of the Church." On a motion to adopt this Report, the vote
was 3 6 yeas, and 1 nay. Following this vote, a resolution of expulsion was
offered, declaring, that "James Colder be, and he is hereby, expelled from this-.
Eldership," etc. On the adoption of this resolution the yeas were 42; nays, 0.
Ministers of the Eldership who "continued to fellowship James Colder after they
knew that he was suspended" were warned not to continue such acts of fellow-
ship. The course of the Committee in instituting "a suit in equity against the
seceding party in the church at Harrisburg," to recover possession of the church
building and other property, was approved, and the Eldership agreed "to assist
and sustain them in defraying the expenses of the prosecution."
The Roll of the Eldership as constituted showed a membership of sixty-six
ministers, of whom thirty-one were absent, and twenty delegates. An organiza-
tion was effected by the choice of A. Svvartz, Speaker; Joseph Ross, Treasurer; J.
Haifleigh, First Clerk, and J. F. Weishampel, Second Clerk. In addition to the-
Report of the Standing Committee in the Colder case, it also reported charges
against three of the elders of the church at Harrisburg, and had notified them
"to appear before the Eldership at Goldsboro and answer" to the same. This,
they failed to do. And the Eldership believing "from the testimony before it"'
that "the charges are fully sustained," "declared the said elders excluded from
the ecclesiastical body associated together by the name, style and title of the
East Pennsylvania Eldership of the Church of God in North America." The^
Standing Committee was "authorized and instructed to cite the deacons and
members of said church who have aided, abetted and adherred to the factious and
disorderly proceedings of said elders to trial for their conduct, and, if they can-
not be reclaimed, to deal with them according to the Constitution." Shoemaker,
the pastor since April, 1859. and who was reappointed, was instructed "to re-
organize the church under the provisions of their charter.'-' The Eldership
adopted a resolution "disapproving of preachers forming the habit of reading their
sermons." Also against preachers "complaining in the pulpit of their support,"
and "advising churches to pay their preachers quarterly." The importance of
"pastoral visitation" was emphasized. The proposition to "open a new mission in
parts of Schuylkill, Carbon and Luzerne counties," was referred to the Stationing
Committee, but it made no annointment. Winebrenner was made General Mis-
sionary by action of the Eldersbin, and was also, by resolution, appointed to preach
the opening sermon in 1860. An action on church polity was taken, giving it as-
"the opinion of this body, that the preachers in charge and the ruling elders in
the: churches do constitute the scriptural authority before which disorderly mem-
bers should be tried."
32nd East Pennsylvania Eldership. — When the Clerk called the Roll at the-
East Pennsvlvania Eldership, which convened at Bainbridge, Lancaster county.
Pa., November 8, 1860, there was no response when the name of John Winebren--
336 History of the Churches of God
ner was called. He had been "transferred" to "the general assembly and church
of the first born, which are enrolled in heaven." McFadden was substituted in
Winebrenner's place to preach the opening sermon. Mackey was appointed "to
write out and prepare for publication a sermon on the life and death of our late
and lamented Father Winebrenner," which he had preached before the Eldership.
The Committee on Obituaries also reported resolutions, speaking of "the sterling
character and success of his ministry, associating his name with the most noted
and acknowledged reformers of modern times." It also included in its Report
the name of William Clay, who was licensed in 1849, "a young man of genius,
talents and usefulness," and an active, successful minister during his brief period
of service. Also Christian T. Foniey, "a lay preacher of extraordinary talents
and gifts for usefulness in the church and in the world;" a delegate from the
Dauphin circuit for a number of years, and several times a delegate to the Gen-
eral Eldership, and a close personal friend and admirer of Winebrenner. As
these older workers came down from the walls of Zion, younger men stepped
forward to take their places. C. H. Forney had been licensed on September 25,
1860, by the Standing Committee, on their own initiative, and for the first time
took his seat in the Eldership at this session. W. L. Jones and H. E. Reever were
licensed at this Eldership and added to the active working force in the field. The
Eldership organized by electing J. C. Owens, Speaker; Joseph Ross, Treasurer;
J. Haifleigh, First Clerk, and C. H. Foniey, Second Clerk. There were present
thirty-five ministers and twenty-three delegates, while thirty-two teaching elders
were absent. There was a fair number of judicial cases before the Eldership;
but they were settled without extreme measures being necessary, except in one
case, in which the Special Committee concluded "that under existing circum-
stances we as a body can use the accused no more as a minister among us."
Immediate action was taken "to publish a Life of Elder Winebrenner," author-
izing the "Publishing Committee to employ an Agent to collect funds for that
purpose." As the revision of the Constitution was in the hands of a Committee,
Ham, in a letter addressed to the Eldership containing his Report, offered a reso-
lution "to alter and amend the title of the Eldership so as to read. The East
Pennsylvania Eldership of Churches of God, and that we recommend conformity
to this style by all other Elderships, Synods, Conferences, or ecclesiastical con-
ventions of like nature." The Eldership was in no mood to entertain such a reso-
lution by the newly made grave of Winebrenner, champion of the negative of this
proposition, and so without debate it "laid the preamble and resolution on the
table." The appointments made this year were fifteen stations, twelve circuits
and three missions. Altoona was added to the list, and was made a mission
station, with S. S. Richmond, of the West Pennsylvania Eldership, as pastor.
33rd East Pennsylvania Eldei-ship. — The Eldership in 1861 was the first
one to sit after the opening of the War of the Rebellion, and there were sevefal
painful reminders of this fact. Prom some of the homes in Mechanicsburg, Cum-
berland county. Pa., where the session was held, sons, or fathers, or husbands
had gone to the army, and as well from all the other churches represented in the
Eldership. The session began with the Opening Sermon by A. Swartz, on Wed-
nesday evening, October 30th. There were present forty-three ministers and
twenty-six delegates, twenty-seven ministers were absent. Forty-two ministers
were classed as "Local Preachers." The officers chosen were E. H. Thomas,
Speaker; Joseph Ross, Treasurer; J. Haifleigh, First Clerk, and C. H. Foniey,
Second Clerk. The Eldership was so well pleased with the Opening Sermon that
it ordered it printed in pamphlet form. Certain articles of the Constitution were
amended, one of which increased the Stationihg Committee from five to seven
members. Among the difficulties brought before the Eldership were charges
against the officers of the church at Mt. Joy by the pastor, whose services had
been rejected; and charges against one of the ministers "for preaching in the
Fourth Street Bethel, Harrisburg, Pa., for a party who are in open rebellion
against the Eldership, and especially while the suit of equity was pending." The
Committee on Slavery has given w.ay to the "Committee on the State of the
Country." The Report of this Committee declared "in unmistakable words our
unwavering confidence in, and loyalty to, our Constitutional obligations;"
tendered to "the Government our warmest sympathies and prayers for its final
and triumphant success," and recognized the duty "always to remember in our
private and public devotions the numerous brethren we have at present in the
army." The Report was adopted, and later reconsidered, and again adopted,
East Pennsylvania Eldership 337
when on Roll Call twenty-eight votes were cast in favor of adoption, and none
against. The project of purchasing the Mt. Joy Academy was brought before
the Eldership, and Thomas, Swartz and Forney were appointed a committee to
confer with Principal Moore. Forney and Moore were "granted cordial permis-
sion to go throughout the bounds of this body to obtain subscriptions of stock for
the contemplated purchase of said Academy." Arrangements were made "to
publish the Life of Elder John AVinebi-enner," and also to erect a monument over
his grave. "The increase and prosperity of the last year," said the Committee
on the State of Religion, "will not compare with some years of our past history;"
yet nearly four hundred persons were received on profession of faith. The total
number of members reported was 2,607. The two-year Rule being in force.
Shoemaker's reappointment was "noticed as a specialty" on the Journal. A com-
mittee consisting of J. Keller and C. H. Forney, of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership, and George M. Hepler, of the German Eldership, met a committee of
the "Union Brethren" at Dr. George Ross's, Lebanon, Pa., January 1, 1862. Said
Committee consisted of Elders Christian Sechrist, David Zimmerman and Henry
Flowers. The object of the conference was to determine a basis of union between
the two bodies represented. After carefully canvassing the material points of
faith and polity of the two Churches, "it was agreed by the undersigned Com-
mittees, that since there is no material difference that could hinder a union from
being beneficial to both Societies, from henceforth we mutually co-operate for
the purpose of consummating a more perfect union at our next annual Eldership."
This received the signatures of all the members of the Conference. The Elder-
ship by resolution expressed its judgment, that "it is inexpedient for any mem-
ber of any of the churches of God within the bounds of this Eldership to ad-
minister the rites of Christian baptism, the Lord's Supper and matrimony with-
out a license from this body." A "Course of Studies for our young ministers"
was prescribed, in which they were to be examined annually.
34th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — James Mackey delivered as an Opening
Sermon to the Eldership, which convened at Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, Pa.,
October 29, 1862, a discourse of a political character, on the rights of, and duties
of citizens to, the Government, based on Matt. xxii. 21. He was chosen Speaker,
and Joseph Ross, Treasurer; J. Haifleigh, First Clerk, and C. H. Forney, Second
Clerk. Friday and Monday evenings were set apart for general discussion of sub-
jects selected by a committee. Said Committee submitted three questions, viz.:
1. What measures, if any, can the ministers of this Eldership adopt to make
their labors more efficient, both in extending the cause of God- within our borders,
and in giving more permanency and stability to the churches, and to counteract
the terrible reaction that so frequently follows great revivals of religion?" 2.
"Are we as an Eldership following the apostolic practice in setting apart men
for the Christian ministry?" 3. "Do we as a Church generally follow the prac-
tice of the Apostolic Church in the order of administering the ordinances?"
Twenty ministers participated in the discussions. Laverty, Swartz and Long were
the Examining Committee, and they reported in favor of a three-year Course of
Studies, naming the studies. Each minister was directed "to preach at least one
sermon on the subject of Temperance during the coming year." Churches which
had been supplied by the German Eldership were coming back to the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership, and were received, thus creating contention between the two
Elderships. A committee was named "to confer with the German Eldership" on
the matter. Upon the Report of the Committee on Conference with the "Union
Brethren" being received, Forney, Keller and Peti-y were designated as a Com-
mittee "to visit the Union Brethren's Eldership." As these brethren were located
principally in the south-eastern section of Lebanon and the adjoining north-
eastern section of Lancaster counties, a mission was created, to be known as the
Lancaster and Lebanon County Mission. The Report of J. Keller, C. H. Forney
and J. S. Gable, as Committee on Slavery, was the occasion of an animated dis-
cussion. It was considered seriatim, one resolution amended and three "stricken
out," but published. The three-year time limit was suspended in the case of the
Fourth Street church, to permit the reappointment of Shoemaker. In all
Itinerant Churches in those early years the time-limit at first was practically, if
not constitutionally, one or two years. Such a rule furnished a splendid oppor-
tunity for sifting out the useless, or changing the unfit, or most effectually
utilizing the strong when the list of strong men was unavoidably limited. The
Stationing Committee reported fourteen stations, fourteen circuits and six mis-
C. H.— 12*
33^ History of the Churches of God
sions. All the ministers were taxed $1.00 a year for the Superannuated Fund.
The total of $255.00 was paid to widows of deceased ministers. Into this Fund
each minister was also required to pay $1.00 annually.
35th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The exhortation of Thomas published
a week before the Eldership met, October 28, 1863, at Middletown, Dauphin
county, Pa.: "Let all the churches be fully represented, and let all the ministers
of the body, whether local, missionaries, or itinerants, attend," doubtless had its
effect, for of the thirty-one "itinerants" only five were absent. Thomas preached
the Opening Sermon. Shoemaker was elected Speaker; J. Rife, Treasurer, to suc-
ceed Joseph Ross, deceased; J. Haifleigh, First Clerk, and A. H. Lonj^, Second
Clerk. The committee on topics for discussion submitted three: The purpose
of the apostolic practice of the imposition of hands; the relation of children of
one or both believing parents to the church, and the progress of the Church, is it
commensurate with our privileges and duty. When the first subject was under
discussion "Elder Forney offered the following resolution: 'Resolved, That in
future the licentiates be specially dedicated to God by prayer, when the Report
of the Committee is received, on the floor of the Eldership, and addressed by the
Speaker.' " An amendment was offered — "that they be set apart by the imposi-
tion of the hands of four elders" — and then the resolution and amendment were
postponed to the first day of the session of 1864. In line with this action, it was
agreed that in future an ordination sermon be preached before the Eldership on
the last evening of the session, by a minister appointed the previous year.
Laverty submitted strong resolutions on the observance of the Sabbath, which
were adopted. C. H. Forney was appointed First Clerk, pro tem. "J. S. Stamm
and others of our brethren in the ministry having been drafted into the military
service of the United States," the Eldership earnestly recommended the churches
"to aid them in the payment of the commutation." The Eldership resolved "to
raise $1,500 the coming Eldership year for missionary purposes," on motion of
Thomas, always the strong advocate of missions. At once $242.00 were sub-
scribed. There were still churches without Sabbath-schools, and so the Elder-
ship urged "the brethren throughout the bounds of the Eldership to organize
Sabbath-schools in all the churches." Books for libraries the churches were ad-
vised to buy from the Baptist Publication Society. The attention of the churches
was specially directed to the importance of reading the Bible in the families,
the observance of the Lord's day, the weekly prayer-meeting and the "training
of children in the teaching and practice of the Church, so that, as they grow up,
they may follow in the same way." The Eldership was emphatic in its insistance
on discipline, declaring that "it is an essential element to preserve order and
to secure the dignity and perpetuity of the Church of God," and "that such dis-
cipline can only be secured by a strict adherence by all the members of this body,
and the churches in connection therewith, to the disciplinary acts and decisions
of the proper judicatories of the Church." Having at times "been under the pain-
ful necessity of expelling unworthy and disorderly members," which were re-
ceived into other Churches, the Eldership "highly disapproves of the course of
such denominations as pay no regard to the disciplinary decisions of other Chris-
tian bodies." As many readers of The Advocate were annoyed by the person-
alities and often bitter reflections on each other by writers in their discussions,
Long submitted resolutions, which were adopted, advising writers "to refrain
from public crimination and improper personalities," and requesting the Editor
"to refuse publicity to any article that contains such obnoxious features." The
pastors were "requested to appoint female collectors to wait upon the members
of their respective churches to collect funds for missionary purposes." The Rule
was adopted, "that the Speaker of the Eldership hereafter preach the Opening
Sermon at the next meeting of the Eldership." By a rearrangement of fields of
labor, they were reduced to fourteen stations, eleven circuits and four missions.
36th East Pennsylvania Eldership.— Though Shoemaker was not appointed by
the Eldership in 1863 to the Chicago Mission, he was enrolled in 1864, when on
October 2 6th, the Eldership convened at Newburg, Cumberland county, Pa., as the
appointee to the Chicago Mission. Holding his membership in this Eldership, he
was entitled to preach the Opening Sermon; but it was preached by B. F. Beck.
Theme: — "The Saints' Perseverance." D. A. L. Laverty was honored with the
Speakership, and J. Rife was chosen Treasurer; J. Haifleigh, First Clerk, and C.
H. Forney, Second Clerk. Among those ministers of other Elderships "received
as full members of the Eldership during its present sessions" was Mrs. M. J.
East Pennsylvania Eldership 339
Beecher, of the West Pennsylvania Eldership, the first woman to preach before the
East Pennsylvania Eldership. A minister of the "Christian Connection," John
Hunter, was received and a license granted him. When the postponed resolutions
on Ordination came up, they were discussed, and then "the subject was indefinitely
postponed." The serious condition of the country was strongly set forth by the
Committee on the State of the Country, Mackey, Thomas, Forney, and was at once
adopted. Richmond, Beck and Sterner, Committee on Temperance, were un-
usually co'ncise in their Report, but recommended at least two sermons to be
preached by all the pastors. On Education, Forney, Stamm and Ross, Committee,
a recommendation was submitted and adopted, inviting all the Elderships to co-
operate with the East Pennsylvania Eldership in "the erection of a suitable college
building, centrally located, easily accessible and in a healthy locality." Instead
of $1,500 missionary money, the Board of Missions received only $679.31. The
Eldership decided "to appoint a meeting to be held annually on Whitsuntide, to
be known as the Pentecostal Meeting." By the adoption of a new Constitution,
making Maryland a free State, the Eldership saw enlarged opportunities for mis-
sion work, and recommended to the Stationing Committee the opening of a mis-
sion there. Frederick County Mission was accordingly placed with the list of ap-
pointments, with S. Spurrier as missionary. Swartz's Ordination Sermon, by di-
rection of the Eldership, was published in The Advocate. Thomas was chosen to
preach the Ordination Sermon in 1865. Though the subject of Ordination had
been "indefinitely postponed" on Friday morning, on Wednesday morning Owens
offered a resolution granting to any licentiate who desired it hereafter the right
"to have the hands of elders laid on him," and that such ceremony shall take place
"at the time of the Pentecostal Convention." But the Eldership postponed it
"until after the Ordination sermon at the next Eldership." On the "state of re-
ligious enjoyment and external manifestations, such as refreshings at meetings
and reformations in the local churches," the Committee, Soule, Hunter and Weis-
hampel, was "not prepared to speak flatteringly," "for there seems to be a lack at
present," which, the Committee said, "is traceable to the present civil war, occa-
sioned by this wicked rebellion in our land."
37th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — When the Eldership was in session in the
bethel of the Fourth Street church, Harrisburg, Pa., beginning October 25, 1865,
Thomas' editorial appeared, in which he discussed the "Relation of the Churches
to the Eldership." It seems that a number of "brethren regard the Elderships
not only as separate and distinct bodies from the churches; but also as laboring
for distinct, and even for antagonistic, interests and objects." The secret of this
impression was the authority of the Eldership in the appointment of ministers, in
which it was felt that the interests of the churches were subordinated to those of
the ministers. The Opening Sermon was delivered by D. A. L. Laverty, on "The
Christian Ministry." C. Price was chosen Speaker; J. Rife, Treasurer; J.
Haifleigh, First Clerk, and C. H. Forney, Second Clerk. There were eleven sta-
tions, sixteen circuits and four missions, including Wooster station and Chicago
Mission. An animated and lengthy discussion arose over the report of the Stand-
ing Committee, in which it developed that one station had refused the appointee
of the Eldership, and had called another minister of the Eldership. By this act
the Committee declared that "a severe blow has been struck at the honor and in-
tegrity, as well as the future peace and prosperity, of the churches, and one which
we think now demands a thorough sifting and such reproof as will prove a
salutary warning against such open contumacy and insubordination in the future."
The report was adopted by a resolution declaring that the Eldership saw no way
"of escape from our duty," but to adopt it, "seeing that the harmony and co-opera-
tion of the Church of God in its various locations might be preserved and peace
and harmony prevail in the whole membership." The action met a crisis which
required some years wholly to overcome. The Committee on the State of the
Country presented an elaborate Report, "hailing with joyful gratitude the complete
subjugation of the slaveholders' rebellion;" deploring the assassination of Presi-
dent Lincoln; gratefully remembering the soldiers and sailors and pledging needed
aid to them, and "the orphan children of the gallant dead," and insisting that the
lessons of the war regarding slavery taught us by providence be impressed on all,
and ever held sacred. The Licensing Committee was empowered "to determine
whether a licentiate shall be a member of classes for examination. The Board
of Missions consisted of C. H. Forney, J. S. Stamm, E. H. Thomas, D. A, L. Laverty
and J. Keller. The Standing Committee, E. H. Thomas, A. Swartz and J. C.
340 History of the Churchks of God
Owens. A Committee on Revision of the Rules was created, consisting of C. H.
Foniey, A. Swai-tz and W. O. Owen. After a missionary meeting on Monday even-
ing, by resolution, the Eldership discussed "the vicarious sufferings and death of
Christ, and the Second Advent." The Committee on Education recommended that
"we proceed forthwith to make an effort to establish an institution of learning."
The Eldership heartily endorsed and recommended the American Bible Union
translation of the New Testament. When the Philadelphia Mission project was
discussed, a resolution prevailed to raise $3,000 to purchase the house of worship
on Diamond street. Forney, Swartz, Thomas and Laveily were appointed the Ex-
amining Committee. The time-limit was changed by a resolution submitted by
Thomas, so that no preacher could remain longer than two years on one charge.
The Rule was subject to change only by a two-thirds vote. This was the Metho-
dist Rule at this time. Churches were strongly urged to build parsonages. Mackey
was appointed to preach the ordination sermon in 1866. These sermons were a
discussion of the affirmative and negative of the ordination question. Evils, or
unwise plans, often change themselves. And so with the plan of building monu-
ments to deceased ministers. After an experience of a number of years it was
found advisable to drop the purpose entirely. The Eldership considered that the
collections made personally by Shoemaker exonerated it from paying the $300.00
per annum to that mission. The Chicago Mission was omitted from the list of ap-
pointments.
38th East Pennsylvania Eltlei'ship. — The Eldership in 1866 expressed its ap-
preciation of the presence of J. M. Domer and P. Loucks, of the West Pennsylvania
Eldership, by doing the unusual thing of receiving them "as full members of this
body during its present session," and giving them places on two important com-
mittees. It met at Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county, Wednesday evening,
October 31, 1866, when C. Price preached the Opening Sermon from John i. 29.
Theme — "The Atoning Lamb of God." The Committee on Rules of Order —
Forney, Swartz and Owen — reported a complete body of Rules, which with few
changes have been the permanent Rules of Order since. By resolution Thomas,
Swartz and Forney were "appointed a committee to revise the Article published by
Elder Winebrenner in the History of All Denominations for publication." This
committee favored the publication of the Article verbatim as the production of
Winebrenner, except the section treating of Polity and Statistics, which it
suggested should be revised and enlarged. Also, that there should be added
resolutions on the Bible cause, education, deeding of church property, book
concern, slavery and temperance passed at the first General Eldership,
together with the Constitutions of the East Pennsylvania and the General
Elderships. Authority was given to sell the Diamond Street Mission prop-
erty, Philadelphia, and buy or build a more suitable house of worship. On a
yea and nay vote a resolution to restore the three-year rule was lost by a vote of
31 nays to 5 yeas. A resolution declaring that "the use of instrumental music in
the public worship of God is scriptural and beneficial, and should be encouraged
hy the ministers of this body," was laid on the table, after some discussion. The
"action of the various Orders of Temperance in endeavoring to banish the demon
rum entirely from our country" was heartily endorsed. A comprehensive system
of mission work was proposed, by recommending "that the Board of Missions of
the General Eldership open correspondence with the Boards of Missions of the
various Elderships, with the view of providing a large missionary fund for the
purpose of sending missionaries into the States and Territories of the mountains
and the Pacific to open new territory, purchase properties, erect houses of worship
and extend the cause generally." Swartz, by request of the Eldership, delivered
"an able and eloquent address on the life and labors of Elder G. U, Ham." The
licensing of exhorters was provided for by authorizing the Committee on License
to "recommend applicants either as exhorters or preachers." The action of the
General Eldership with reference to Centralia College and a Central College was
endorsed, and the brotherhood was urged to respond liberally when the College
Agent calls upon them "for funds for educational purposes." The Standing Com-
mittee was made the Camp-meeting Committee. A committee to assess the dif-
ferent stations and circuits for missionary purposes made an aggregate apportion-
ment of $1,9.55.00 for the following year. Thomas, Swartz and Keller were made
a committee with instructions to "address a pastoral letter to the ministers and
churches with reference to the general prosperity of the cause." The Eldership
was pronounced "one of the most pleasant ones we ever held." It was presided
over by J. Haifleigh, with J. Rife, Treasurer; J. S. Stamm. First Clerk, and A. H.
East Pennsylvania Eldership 341.
Long, Second Clerk, who received "a vote of thanks for the able manner in which
they discharged their respective duties."
39th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The General Eldership in 1866 had rec-
ommended the publication of Annual Eldership Journals in pamphlet form; but
in 1866 the East Pennsylvania Eldership decided against doing so, and resolved
to publish its entire Journal in The Advocate. But the session held at Newville^
Cumberland county, beginning November 13, 1867, "appointed J. F. Weishampel
as reporter of this body, to prepare a synopsis of the Journal for The Church Ad-
vocate." He was an advisory member, being a member of the German Eldership.
J. Haifleigh delivered the opening sermon from Acts xx. 28. The Eldership was
constituted with thirty-four teaching elders, and thirty-two ruling elders and mes-
sengers. The latter had no vote. A. H. Long was the Speaker; J. Rife, Treas-
urer; C. H. Foniey, First Clerk, and G. Sigler, Second Clerk. The Eldership de-
cided to make memorial services each year a regular order, "in honor of any min-
isterial members who may have died during the year." "A lengthy and spirited
discussion" took place during two sittings, on several resolutions "relative to the
continuance of the "itinerancy among us." They were offered by E. H. Thomas,
and declared that "the itinerancy, as we have understood and practiced it, is fun-
damental to our system of co-operation;" that "every effort to annul or set aside
a fixed or specific period for a preacher to remain on any appointment is revolu-
tionary and subversive of the system of co-operation practiced by this body," and
urging "the General Eldership at its next session to pass a constitutional Article,
declaring the system of itinerancy as it has existed among us for nearly forty
years fundamental to the existence of our plan of co-operation." The resolutions
were adopted. Eight brethren were licensed, and were addressed, and prayer
offered for them, by Long and Keller. The Board of Missions was "directed to
devise ways and means whereby the sum of $500.00 may be secured as a partial
remuneration for the highly efficient labors of this beloved father in Israel" — E.
H. Thomas. Ministers removing within the territory of any other Eldership were
requested to take Transfers. Thomas, Swartz and Forney were designated as a
committee "to examine all the records of the Eldership to ascertain on what points
of doctrine, practice and Church polity the Church has already declared her
views." The report showed that the Eldership had: 1. Made all ministers
amenable to it for their official and moral character and their theological faith.
2. Reserved to itself the right to fix boundaries and assign the ministers to their
fields of labor. 3. That "plainness of dress" is a Christian characteristic. 4.
That none but justified believers are fit subjects for baptism; that baptism prior to
conversion is unlawful, and therefore a person should be rebaptized after he be-
comes a believer. 5. That the Spirit and the word are not to be confounded or
identified with each other; that the Spirit may operate with or without the word.
6. That it is inexpedient for the members of the Church of God to intermarry
with the unconverted. 7. Persons should be received into church membership
by mutual consent. 8. On temperance, education and slavery the records were
simply referred to. 9. Withholding from preachers by the churches of their
promised support made them guilty of an act of immorality. 10. Refusing to
interfere with the personal rights of members in the matter of benevolent and
secret associations outside of the Church. 11. Enjoining on members the ob-
servance of public days of fasting, thanksgiving, etc. 12. The duty of members
of the Church to assist in establishing Sabbath-schools. 13. Insisting on uni-
formity by all the ministers in the observing of the ordinances as held by the
Church. 14. That the ruling power of the churches is vested in the teaching
and ruling elders. 15. Against the followers of Christ mingling in the vain
amusements of the world, such as the theater, the circus, dancing, triffling parties,
light reading, extravagance and gaiety in dress and furniture. 16. The right
of ministers is denied to leave their appointments without the consent of the
Standing Committee, as also the dropping or neglecting of appointments. 17.
Insisting on pastoral visiting. 18. That the itinerancy is fundamental to our
system of co-operation. It can not be said that this report is exhaustive. The.
Eldership was in debt to the Treasurer to the amount of $2,731.51, and the Board'
of Missions was empowered to employ an agent to collect funds to pay off this--
debt. Exhorters' licenses were to be limited to "persons contemplating the Chris-
tian ministry." J. Rife resigned as Treasurer, and Dr. George Ross was elected.
By resolution of the Committee on Temperance, "temperance covers all excesses,"
but the "occasional or habitual use of spirituous, vinous, malt or fermented;-
342 History of the Churches of God
liquors as a beverage" was declared to be "in direct antagonism with Christianity
and unbecoming any professor of religion." Assessments for $2,700.00 were
made by the Board of Missions. The territory was divided into fourteen stations,
fifteen circuits and four missions, including Wooster, Ohio.
40th East Pennsylvania Eldersliip. — On July 8, 18 68, the Assistant Editor,
C. H. Forney, announced in an editorial, that at the Eldership which would con-
vene at Uniontown, Md., October 21, 1868, he would offer an amendment to the
Constitution making "the Journalizing Clerk also the Stated Clerk of the Elder-
ship, who shall take care of all the papers pertaining to the Eldership," etc., and
for which extra work he was to receive compensation. The reasons for
this amendment were set forth. After the Eldership was constituted and J. Keller
elected Speaker; George Ross, Treasurer; C. H. Foniey, Journalizing, and B. F.
Beck, Transcribing Clerks, Foi-ney submitted the proposed amendment, which was
referred to a special committee composed of Thomas, Deshong and Long, which
reported favorably, and the amendment, covering the provision for a Stated Clerk,
more fully defining his duties and those of the Transcribing Clerk, and creating
the office of Financial Clerk and defining his duties, was adopted. Thereupon
the resignation of Foniey as Journalizing Clerk, offered when the amendment was
submitted, was taken from the table and accepted, and he was elected Stated
Clerk. As the East Ohio Eldership had recommended "the sale of the bethel at
Wooster, for the purpose of paying the debt and building a smaller house," the
Eldership proposed "to assume all responsibility, pay the debt and supply that con-
gregation with a preacher, provided the East Ohio Eldership transfer all its rights
thereto to the East Pennsylvania Eldership." Members of the classes in the
Course of Studies being somewhat negligent, the Eldership resolved that their
licenses should be withheld after "having failed for two consecutive years to com-
ply with the action of the Eldership." This session of the Eldership definitely
fixed the months in which the various collections for its regular Funds are to be
lifted. The Eldership's right to hold preachers amenable for doctrine taught was
asserted in the case of H. L. Soule, who was "instructed that he be careful to
preach only the gospel," and in the case of J. S. Stamm, concerning whom it was
"reported that he is not in harmony with the views of this body in a particular
point [feet-washing], and his license be placed in the hands of the Standing Com-
mittee." Dissatisfaction was expressed with the present liquor law, and the Leg-
islature was "earnestly implored to enact a downright, positive prohibition law."
A vote was called for to be taken "by the Maryland members of this Eldership,"
"whether they desire the delegates to the General Eldership to ask for an Elder-
ship in Maryland." It was "decided not to apply for permission to organize said
Eldership." The propriety of holding an Eldership camp-meeting was recom-
mended to the churches throughout the Eldership. Ministers were assigned to
seventeen stations, including Wooster, thirteen circuits and four missions. The
first minister placed on the Superannuated list by the Eldership was A. Swartz.
41st East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The fears of the Eldership in 1868, that
Thomas might not be one of its number, when on October 20, 1869, it convened at
Washington, Lancaster county, Pa., were painfully realized. He who had "in a
masterly manner conducted our Church organ for ten years" had ceased from his
labors and entered into rest. The officers chosen were A. Swartz, Speaker; C. H.
Forney, Stated Clerk (but no election was required); George Ross, Treasurer; B.
F. Beck, Transcribing Clerk, and J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk. The Standing
Committee of which Thomas had so long been a member was now composed of
Swartz, Forney and Laverty. By direction of the Eldership the funeral sermon
of E. H. Thomas was preached on Sabbath morning by C. H. Forney, at which time
an address which had been delivered by J. Mackey, was also ordered to be read.
Text of the sermon, Heb. xi. 4, and the sermon was ordered to be published in
The Church Advocate. The Report of the Committee on Temperance, which was
adopted, recommended "petitioning the Legislatures of Pennsylvania and Mary-
land to pass laws doing away with the license system." If this is impracticable,
then "petition the judges of the courts to license no liquor selling houses in the
townships, boroughs and cities in which they are located." At his request, J. S.
Stamm was "dismissed from the ministerial fellowship of this Eldership." An
effort failed to amend the Constitution so as to admit one ruling elder from each
organized church who shall be regularly appointed to represent the same." At a
missionary meeting, held on the last evening of the session, "cash contributions
and pledges to the amount of $1,157.50 were given." Strong resolutions on the
East Pennsylvania Eldej^ship 343
death of Thomas were adopted, declaring that "his record will be cherished by the
members of this Eldership as an able and efficient expounder of the doctrine of the
Church of God and an able Editor of The Church Advocate."
42nd East Pennsylvania Eldership. — Presumably up to this date the East
Pennsylvania Eldership and its members had been very innocent in the matter of
prearranging tickets. It was the theory that in all eclesiastical elections every
member would, without bias or persuasion, cast his ballot for men he thought
should hold certain official positions. But brethren had become more or less in-
terested in politics, and learned political methods, so that immediately after elect-
ing Mackey unanimously Speaker; Geo. Ross, Treasurer; E. D. Aller, Transcribing
Clerk, and J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk, of the forty-second annual session, at
Shippensburg, Cumberland county, November 9, 1870, a motion prevailed "to ap-
point a committee to investigate the movement to elect a picked ticket of the Eld-
ership, consisting of Keller, Laverty and Price." The committee made no report.
The office of Stated Clerk being permanent, C. H. Forney continued. On account
of neglect by some pastors to lift collections for certain funds, they were required
to return to their fields and lift them. An instance of the evil of misappropriating
funds by religious bodies occurred at this meeting, when indirectly $150.00 mis-
sionary money were appropriated "to pay a debt contracted by two churches" in
consequence of a change in the appointments two years ago. By constitutional
amendment it was made the duty of ministers on fields of labor to ask each mem-
ber for ten cents annually for the Widows' Fund, and to lift other collections
named during given months. Other amendments being desired, it was directed
"that a committee of three be appointed, of which the Editor, C. H. Forney, shall
be chairman, whose duty it shall be to revise the Constitution and Rules of Order."
This committee announced a meeting in April and invited suggestions, so as to be
ready to report at the next Eldership. The report of the Treasurer shows that he
had received for the Missionary Fund $1,252.14, and paid out $1,690.32; for the
Widows' Fund he received $386.94, and paid out $338.63; for the Contingent
Fund he received $215.67, and paid out $128.93, and for the Superannuated Fund
he received $309.91, and paid out $165.00. It was required that hereafter the
Treasurer give bond in the sum of $5,000.00. The tendency toward formal or-
dination is seen in a resolution, which was adopted, directing "the Speaker to ap-
point a minister to receive into the ranks of the ministry by the right hand of fel-
lowship and an appropriate address and prayer those who receive licenses from
this body;" and, "that said ceremony shall take place after an appropriate sermon
on the work of the ministry on Monday evening of the Eldership." Payment for
services by the clerks of the Eldership was made a rule. The appointments num-
bered seventeen stations, twenty circuits and six missions. The enrolled ministers
at this Eldership numbered eighty-one, with seven exhorters. One of the most
important actions of this Eldership was that directing "that a convention of min-
isters of this body be held at Harrisburg in January next" to form a Ministerial
Association, "to promote the literary and spiritual improvement of the members."
It was also recommended that "local poor funds be established by the various
churches."
43rd East Pennsylvania Eldership. — It may be inferred that the Committee
on Revision of the Constitution made important, if not radical, recommendations
from the fact that the Eldership which met in Harrisburg, Pa., October 2 5, 1871,
consumed nearly two whole days in the consideration of its Report. Yet edi-
torially it was stated by Forney, the Chairman, that "the changes made are not
of a material character." The Report being ready, it was handed in shortly after
the organization, and its consideration entered upon. Its consideration was
finished and the whole report, with a few changes, adopted on Saturday morning.
The yeas and nays were taken on an amendment to the Committee's Report of
Article I., changing the title from "Church of God" to "Churches of God," which
prevailed by a vote of 40 to 28. In the Report of the Committee the former two-
year limit for pastors was changed to three years. As there developed a tendency
to still further lengthen the term, the provision being only a By-Law, subject to
amendment by a majority vote, the friends of the fixed limit secured the adoption
of an amendment giving it the character of a Constitutional Article, so that it
would require a two-thirds vote to change it. In the organization of the Elder-
ship B. F. Beck was made Speaker; Dr. Geo. Ross, Treasurer; E. D. Aller, Trans-
cribing Clerk, and J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk. C. H. Forney, Stated Clerk, re-
signed his office, "to take effect at the close of the session," and "Bro. H. C. Dem-
344 History of the. Churches of God
niing- was elected to succeed him." A. H. Chase, Free Baptist, was present and
participated in the deliberations, for which he received the thanks of the Elder-
ship. He was especially "interested in our missionary operations." The dele-
gates to the General Eldership in 1872 were instructed, (1) To vote as a unit; (2)
for a Managing Editor; (3) for a Corps of Editors, and (4) rescinding an Article
of the Constitution of the General Eldership. The name of L. B. Hartman and
W. O. Owen, men of standing, ability and influence, were "stricken from the Roll
of Ministers" for failure to co-operate faithfully with the Eldership. The Reports
on Temperance and Education were brief and conservative. The disposition and
power of the Eldership to guard against heterodox teaching were evidenced in the
Withholding of license from J. W. Collins because he was charged with advocating
"soul-sleeping or materialism." A new form of Ordination, to take the place of
one adopted in 1870, was incorporated in the By-Laws by the Committee on Re-
vision, and was used at this session. Among the missions is "Freedmen's Mission
— J. H. Gaines" (colored). There are eighteen stations, twenty-one circuits and
five missions. The Eldership directed three Ministerial Associations to be organ-
ized so as to be within easy reach of all the ministers, and appointed C. H. Foi-ney,
C. Price and G. Sigler to fix the boundaries of the districts.
44th East Pennsylvania Eldei'ship. — When the Eldership met at Mechanics-
burg, Pa., November 6, 1872, it stood face to face with the question as to whether
it would or would not accept the verdict of the General Eldership of 1872, direct-
ing all the Annual Elderships to use the singular form of the word "Church" in
their titles. After the organization, which resulted in the election of D. A. L.
Laverty for Speaker; Geo. Sigler, Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk,
and Geo. Ross, Treasurer, Foniey offered a resolution intended to make submis-
sion as easy as possible in the part of the majority of 1871, which provided, "that,
irrespective of our individual beliefs on this question, the East Pennsylvania Eld-
ership acknowledges the propriety of uniformity in Eldership titles, and re-adopts
the title by which it has from the first been designated, viz.: 'The East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership of the Church of God.' " It was made the special order for Mon-
day. When it was taken up the absence of "that mild and gracious temper" which
Milton commends in him "who hears and judges," was evinced when Swartz
"moved to strike out 'all after the word 'Whereas,' " in Forney's preamble, "and
insert a preamble, declaring that "the General Eldership is the creature of the
Annual Elderships," and that "the Church of God modeled after the pattern con-
tained in the New Testament, do not delegate the right to determine the appro-
priate use of Church title to the Annual Elderships, and through them to the Gen-
eral Eldership." This was followed by a resolution declaring that "legislation in
response to the faith, practice and policy of the churches of God only belongs to
Christ, their head, and that it is daring usurpation to appropriate the divine
church title contrary to its significant meaning and use." But the consideration
of the matter was again deferred, and on the fifth day the battle was fought out
under the leadership of Swartz for his amendment and Forney against it and for
his resolution, with the result that the action of 1871 was reversed, and "the
original resolution of C. H. Foi-ney was adopted. Yeas, 43; nays, 21." The Con-
stitution was amended accordingly. This settled the question of Eldership titles
for twenty-one years.
An important Board was added by constitutional amendment to the Boards
of the Eldership, viz: the Board of Education. The statistics indicated encourag-
ing growth in all departments of the Church. The number of members had in-
creased to 4,270, with 426 additions during the year. There were 194 preaching
points; 111 Sunday-schools, with 7,224 scholars, and 1,648 teachers. A mission
was projected for Lancaster City, and at the missionary meeting $1,000.00 were
raised for missionary purposes.
45th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The Free Baptist Church had for many
years manifested such a friendly, fraternal spirit, and made unofficial overtures
for co-operation, that it was no surprise when the Eldership met at Middletown,
Dauphin county. Pa., October 29, 1873, to find Dr. G. H. Ball, Editor of "The Bap-
tist Union," New York, and Rev. Bryan, in attendance. The Eldership by formal
resolution expressed its pleasure at their presence and cordial greetings, and
promised "heartily to seek to further any means whereby the various bodies hold-
ing sentiments similar to our own may be brought into closer and more general
Christian and ecclesiastical fellowship." To this end a committee, consisting of
G. Sigler and B. F. Beck, was appointed to "visit the Free Baptist Association next
East Pennsylvania Eldership 345
Fall, in Providence, R. I." An organization was effected by electing G. Sigler,
Speaker; Dr. Geo. Ross, Treasurer; B. F. Beck, Stated Clerk; J. W. Deshong,
Transcribing Clerk, and J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk. The Eldership refused to
make it mandatory to elect one ruling elder on the Standing Committee and three
on the Stationing Committee. Resolutions by C. H. Forney for a fuller accounta-
bility of ministers were adopted, which provided for a more "careful inquiry into
the character and extent of their labors outside of the pulpit, and the faithfulness
with which they have carried out the rules of co-operation." Reports of the dele-
gates were also provided for in the resolutions in connection with the reports of
the pastors, and a committee was empowered to arrange "a series of questions to
be used in the examination of preachers." The Report of the Treasurer showed
that $2,637.16 had been received for missionary purposes, and $3,967.28 expended.
The Eldership made arrangements to furnish a preacher for the Maine mission,
which had during the year been in the hands of the Standing Committee, and it
appointed J. C. Seabrooks to that field, but he declined to go. The Eldership was
not disposed to commit itself definitely on the matter of "Christian Union," on
which Mackey had submitted a resolution, although Dr. Ball insisted that "the
demand for union among liberal Baptists in these central States is imperative."
He favored organic union between the Free Baptists and the Church of God.
"Philadelphia Mission" in addition to the Philadelphia church, which had become
self-supporting, was placed among the stations, with B. F. Beck as pastor. The
spirit of Christian patriotism always characterized the Eldership, and accordingly
it did not hesitate to act upon certain documents received from the Executive
Committee of the United States Centennial Commission. A "Select Committee,"
composed of C. H. Forney, H. C. Deniming; and J. Kennedy, was appointed to con-
sider and report on said documents. After canvassing the subject said Committee
advised the appointment of a committee of three to collect the necessary data for
"the writing and publication in suitable form of a history of the Church of God in
the United States, which shall embody all the items of information called for by
the circular letter of the Centennial Commission," relating not only to organiza-
tion, but doctrines, articles of faith, polity and statistics. The committee was
considerate enough to anticipate objections by those who would likely see a Creed
in such a work by adding a separate resolution, "that nothing in this work, if pub-
lished, shall be regarded or construed as a Creed, Confession of Faith, or authori-
tative Church Standard."
46th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The forty-sixth Annual East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership had an enrollment of one hundred and twenty-two members, di-
vided as follows: Preachers, 64; delegates, 35; messengers, 22; Treasurer, 1.
Eighteen enrolled were absent. In the organization C. H. Foraey was chosen
Speaker; B. F. Beck, Stated Clerk; J. M. Carvell, Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh,
Financial Clerk, and Geo. Ross, Treasurer. Many churches had become more or
less embarrassed financially, and made appeals for help. The matter was referred
to a committee; but the Eldership could only permit said churches to go out and
canvass for funds. To shorten the session the device of early fixing the time for
final adjournment was resorted to, and also the holding of night sessions. The
attendance had become so large as to make the Eldership session burdensome to
churches entertaining it. Two missionary meetings were provided for, at which
a large sum was secured for missions. The first action was taken to change the
time from Spring to Fall for pastors to go to their new fields by the appointment
of a committtee on the subject, which reported in favor of the change, but action
was deferred "to the first day of the next Eldership." The opening of a Book-
store in Harrisburg, by Dr. Geo. Ross, was strongly commended, as was the action
of the Board of Publication in deciding to begin the publication of "The Sabbath-
School Record" in January, 1875. "Certain ecclesiastics of the Romish Church,
alienated from our Constitution and laws by their supreme allegiance to a foreign
Potentate," being charged with "openly and unqualifiedly avowing themselves
enemies of our public school system," resolutions were adopted, disapproving in
severe terms of their course, declaring "that intelligence, virtue and religion are
the main pillars of the Republic; that our public schools are necessary to the one,
and the Bible, without note or comment, in our public schools, is necessary to the
other, and that the enemies of either are the enemies of the Republic." The dele-
gates to the General Eldership having been elected, they were instructed to "use
all proper measures to secure the freedom of the press so far as The Church Advo-
cate is concerned;" "to vote for a corps of editors," and for "a just settlement"
346 History of the Churches of God
of certain claims. Temperance having become a political issue, the Report of the
Committee was more thoroughly discussed, and there was strong dissent by a
small minority to a provision, declaring it to be "the duty of every Christian to
use the ballot against this cruel system whenever opportunity is offered; and in
order to do this we should vote only for men who are avowed temperance men,
irrespective of pdrty." Ecclesiastical electioneering was forcibly condemned, with
a penalty for any one found guilty of deprivation of the office for that year for
which he electioneered. The Committee on the State of Religion made a pessi-
mistic report, stating that it was sensibly impressed with the fact that in the last
year, and in years which have passed, we have failed and come short of accomp-
lishing the good to the people of our generation which we might have done, and
which we should have done in the name and strength of our divine Master." To
secure well prepared obituaries of deceased ministers for the memorial services it
w'as now made the rule to have the Committee on Obituaries appointed a year in
advance. The Examining Committee was also to do its work before the Eldership
convened. The session was held at Shippensburg, Pa., in 1874.
47th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — A conflict between the Standing Com-
mittee and the Board of Missions developed during the year, in the matter of con-
trol of mission funds. The former assumed authority to appropriate money out
of said Fund, which the latter resisted. This was under an old provision of the
Constitution, giving the Standing Committee all the powers of the Eldership. The
Board of Missions resisted this, and was prepared to defend its position, and have
the question determined in 1875. Accordingly after the organization on October
20th, by the election of W. L. Jones, Speaker; B. F. Beck, Stated Clerk; J. M.
Carvell, Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk, and Dr. Geo. Ross,
Treasurer, the special order was suspended to take up the Report of the Standing
Committee. All items containing appropriations out of the Missionary Fund were
stricken out. The retiring Speaker, C. H. Forney, contrary to rule, did not read
his sermon, and thus also broke the prevailing custom of publishing the opening
sermon in The Advocate. The question of changing pastors in the Fall was again
postponed for one year. Two of the doctrinal sermons ordered to be preached at
this session were ready, and were delivered — one by Swartz and the other by
Beck. Dr. D. M. Graham, Free Baptist, was in attendance, bringing the greetings
of the Central Association of New York and Pennsylvania. A part of the church
at Lancaster having withdrawn and organized a separate church, after a pro-
tracted discussion it was recognized and received into the Eldership. The effect
of the Prohibition party organization was more clearly revealed at this session.
The Committee on Temperance sought to avoid both Scylla and Charibdis, and
so brought in a Report "reaffirming our former views on the temperance ques-
tion." But Sigler moved a substitute in which it was declared to be "the bounden
duty of all ministers. Christians and well-wishers of mankind to assume an atti-
tude of uncompromising Prohibitionists," and that it be "our duty to withdraw
our votes from parties which have hitherto only disappointed our expectations
upon this question, and give them to a party pledged to seciare all our interests
that are at stake, and at the same time prohibit the liquor traffic." So entirely
unprepared was the body for such a radical departure from its past traditions that
it "laid the whole subject on the table" by a yea and nay vote of 37 to 13.
The Eldership prohibited the granting of certificates by pastors without the
concurrence of the elders. It also expressed its favorable judgment on "the use
of unfermented wine at the Lord's Supper." November 14th was named as "a
day of prayer throughout the East Pennsylvania Eldership for a revival of re-
ligion," and the ministers were "requested to preach suitable sermons" on said
day. Upon Dr. Graham's address to the Eldership, Swartz, Kennedy, Ross, Gahle
and Forney were appointed to draft recommendations for the Eldership to adopt.
They reported in favor of a foreign mission in connection with the Free Baptist
Mission in India; the appointment of delegates to the Free Baptist Association of
New York, and favoring "a general convention of religious bodies holding similar
views to those of our own and of the Free Baptists." Forney, Sigler, Ross and
Smuller were appointed the delegates to the Free Baptist Association. The Elder-
ship was held at Mt. Joy, Pa.
48th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The Roll of the Eldership which con-
vened at Middletown, Dauphin county, October 18, 1876, contained one hundred
and forty-nine names. Of this number forty-two were pastors, thirty-two are
classed as local ministers, forty-eight delegates and twenty-three messengers, the
latter having no vote. B. F. Beck was chosen Speaker; J. M. Carvell, Stated
East Pe^nnsylvania Eldership 347
"Clerk; A. Wiley, Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk, and George
Ross, Treasurer. The Eldership was favored with the presence of Dr. D. M. Gra-
liam, delegate from St. Joseph's Yearly Meeting of the Free Baptist Church, Mich.,
who addressed the body, whereupon, "to express our fraternal sentiments" the
Speaker appointed C. H. Forney, A. H. Long and W. L. Jones a committee to draft
suitable resolutions. As Dr. Graham dwelt upon union of "liberal Baptists," the
Committee's Report expressed "belief in the propriety of the Christian people of
all beliefs striving for the unity of the Spirit;" especially did it favor "a closer
union between ourselves and all those Christian bodies whose sentiments are so
nearly similar to our own;" expressed the belief that "it is possible to enter into
some arrangement" for co-operation, but that "we cannot entertain any proposi-
tion looking toward organic union that would oblige us to compromise any of the
distinctive Bible principles and doctrines which we hold," and suggested the "ap-
pointment of a commission by each of the bodies in contemplation of conferring
together upon all matters in reference to which co-operation is proposed." Forney,
Sigler and Beck were appointed "Commissioners." The question of changing
preachers in the Fall, after receiving some consideration, was postponed one year.
The temperance question became a live issue on account of the activity of min-
isters in promoting "local option;" yet the Eldership did not take definite action,
but in a general way insisted that it is "the bounden duty of all ministers. Chris-
tians and well-wishers of mankind to assume the attitude of constant and untir-
ing opposition to the liquor system." The terms "politically" and "ballot-box"
were stricken out of the Report. The Stationing Committee was instructed to
send a missionary to Maine, to prepare the way for the organization of a Maine
Eldership. The Eldership prohibited any one from canvassing for funds who has
not been "publicly accredited as such by the Standing Committee." The Com-
mittee on Education insisted that "the ministers of the Eldership endeavor to
create a strong and wide-spread sentiment in favor of a Church College." The
use of unfermented wine for Communion purposes was recommended. Arrange-
ments were made to start a new mission in Huntingdon, county-seat of Hunting-
don county, and a committee was named to canvass for funds. Also an agent was
authorized to be appointed to visit during the year all the appointments in the
Eldership "to work up our missionary interests, the collections for the various
funds," etc. J. W. Deshong was appointed "to collect money and purchase a lot
in Columbia, Lancaster county, for the future use of the Church for a mission."
The Eldership now had twenty-two stations, nineteen circuits and three missions,
with two new missions in contemplation.
49th East Pennsylvania Eldership, — While the Commissioners on union with
other bodies had done nothing, and made no report at the Eldership held at Har-
risburg, Dauphin county, beginning October 24, 1877, said action of 1876 did not
create a breach in the friendly relations between the Eldership and the Free Bap-
tist Church. Dr. Graham was again present, representing the Free Baptist Cen-
tral Association, and Dr. J. L. Phillips, Free Baptist Missionary to India. Co-
operation in foreign mission work was the burden of their message. Following
their addresses before the Eldership, it was agreed to send "two representatives
to their next General Conference;" to formulate "a plan of operation for foreign
mission work," and to create a Board of Foreign Missions." The following di-
rectors, with the Treasurer, Dr. Ross, to constitute said Board, were elected: A.
Swartz, D. A. L. Laverty, C. H. Forney, B. F. Beck and J. Kennedy, ministers, and
J. S. Gable, I. Frazer, Geo. Smaller, A. Hostetter and D. C. Kolp, laymen. Ballot-
ing for officers of the Eldership resulted in the choice of C. H. Forney, Speaker;
A. Wiley, Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk, and Dr. George Ross,
Treasurer. The Treasurer's report showed that collections for the year were: —
Home Missionary money, $1,900.94; Widows' Fund, $378.19; Contingent Fund,
$107.18; Superannuated Fund, $145.09. The Columbia mission project was re-
ported in good condition, as a lot had been bought, and everything seemed en-
couraging. The Committee recommended that the mission be created, and J. W.
Deshong appointed to raise the money to build. W. L. Wright received an "hon-
orable dismissal to the Free Baptist denomination." C. W. Cooper, J. Cooper and
J. Jontz also applied for honorable dismissals, but a committee on their cases
reported that the last named only "be granted a dismissal from the body," and
that it did not consider the first two "worthy of ministerial fellowship, and there-
fore recommend that their names be stricken from the Roll." The report of the
Committee on Temperance, after being laid over for several sittings, was adopted,
348 History of the Churches of God
which declared it to be "the duty of all Christian people to use the ballot as well
as every other lawful means in the suppression of the whiskey system." An ef-
fort was unsuccessfully made "to institute an inquiry into the present inequality
of the districting of the territory of the Eldership, with the view to equalize the
labor, as well as the support, of the various ministers in the field." The secular-
izing of the Lord's day was emphatically condemned. The Standing Committee
was empowered to act in the matter of "the semi-centennial of this body," and it
was requested that "every member of the several churches make special donations
into the treasury of the Eldership." The Eldership favored the holding of a gen-
eral camp-meeting, and place the matter into the hands of a committee. The Eld-
ership mourned the death of J. Mackey, J. Stanim and B. Mateer. After hearing
the address of P. Loucks, fraternal delegate from the West Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, C. H. Forney and J. S. Gable were appointed delegates to said body in 1878.
50th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — Step by step the organization of the East
Pennsylvania Eldership was brought to its present state of perfection. Boards and
committees were created to meet new conditions, or to do more efficient work. One
of these new departures characterize the Eldership in 1878, which convened at
Philadelphia on the evening of October 23rd, when the retiring Speaker, C. H. For«
ney, preached the Opening Sermon, from Acts i. 8. Theme:- — "The Power of the
Ministry." A. Snyder was chosen Speaker; J. M. Carvell, Stated Clerk; A. Wiley,
Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk, and George Ross, Treasurer.
Upon report of the Standing Committee, H. Mills, of Maine, was received as a mem-
ber of the Eldership. The Report of the Treasurer showed quite a decrease in the
amount of missionary money received, being only $1,091.91. A resolution was
introduced by C. H. Forney, creating a new Standing Committee, to be known as
the Judiciary Committee. This committee was to have charge of all judicial cases
at the Eldership and during the year. It was a movement which aroused some
suspicion, as there were at this time, and for some years, cases of alienation in the
Eldership and latent enmities. The matter was referred to a committee, which,
however, reported favorably, except that feature wh^h made the committee a
Standing Committee. Instead of sermons in the evSings of the sittings of the
Eldership, a committee was named "to decide on subjects for discussion in the
evenings during the Eldership." To meet and answer reports circulated westward,
to the effect that in the East Pennsylvania Eldership the ordinance of Feet-wash-
ing "has been more or less neglected, and is becoming unpopular," a poll of the
pastors was ordered, by resolution submitted by Forney, in answer to five ques-
tions, to wit: 1. Whether the two ordinances are observed together. 2. If not,
how often, when and where do you observe the Lord's Supper? 3. How often,
when and where do you observe the ordinance of Feet-washing? 4. If you ob-
serve them together, how often, when and where? 5. Are both ordinances gen-
erally observed by the membership? The answers were tabulated and published
in the Journal, and were a complete refutation of the report. The Eldership camp-
meeting was reported "a grand success," and one was ordered to be held in 1879.
The licenses of half a dozen ministers were placed in the hands of the Standing
Committee, some of which were never renewed. About as many cases went to the
new committee — the Judiciary Committee — an evidence of its utility. The im-
portance of the Ministerial Association was so fully recognized that ministers were
"instructed to attend these meetings more regularly." The Eldership was pain-
fully surprised when B. F. Beck "requested a certificate of his standing as a mem-
ber of the East Pennsylvania Eldership." This was done in terms significant of
his unimpeachable character and the high esteem in which he was held by the en-
tire body. Authority was given to "the German brethren of the Eldership to start
a Ministerial Association in addition to the one authorized in 1874." The starting
of "a beneficiary fund for the education of young men for the ministry," as recom-
mended by Forney, Beck and Haifleigh, Committee on Education, was duly author-
ized. The death of John G. Price and AV. H. Anderson, as ministers "highly re-
spected and esteemed," were duly memoralized. It was decided "to perpetuate
the Board of Foreign Missions," with the membership unchanged.
51st East Pennsylvania Eldership. — Simultaneously with the publication of
the Journal of the Eldership held in 1879, at Lancaster, Pa., the Opening Sermon
by A. Snyder was published. It was based on I. Cor. i. 21, and was delivered on
Wednesday evening, October 22nd. The theme was: — "The Preaching of the Gos-
pel God's Plan of Saving the World." The Eldership elected G. W. Seilhammer
Speaker; A. Wiley, Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk, and George
East Pennsylvania Eldership 349
Hoss, Treasurer. But later in the session Ross resigned, and S. Kiiisley, Orrstown,
Franlilin county, was elected. Sigler was "specially commended for his able and
faithful defense" of Feet-washing against Dr. Swailz, of the Lutheran Church.
Forney moved the appointment of "a committee to prepare a program for the semi-
centennial anniversary of this Eldership." The committee reported, that the
session in 1880 meet one day earlier; that on Tuesday evening a "semi-centennial
sermon" be preached; on Wednesday morning "a sermon on the mission of the
Church;" Wednesday afternoon "a memorial service be held;" on Wednesday even-
ing "a general reunion and ordinance service be held." C. H. Forney was appointed
to preach the "anniversary sermon," and A. Swartz, "the sermon on the Mission
of the Church." Prof. Ege and son submitted to the Board of Education a prop-
osition for the sale of the Cumberland Valley Institute to the Eldership, which was
considered, and again referred to a committee, consisting of Forney, Ross and
Long, which reported in favor of appointing a committee to visit the Institute, and
take such action as they may think advisable. The committee was Ross, Frazer,
•Gable, Haifleigh and Esterline. "The Religious Education of Children" was made
the subject for general discussion on Saturday evening. "The religious interests
of the State of Maine" were placed in the care of a committee composed of Forney,
Price and Hershey, which reported in favor of organizing a Sisters' Eastern Mission
Society; that one evening of each Eldership session be given this Society, and that
bi-monthly or quarterly collections be taken in all the Sabbath-schools in the Eld-
•ership. The Society was duly organized. Every pastor was "requested to preach
more frequently on the duty and obligation of the Sabbath, pointing out the num-
•erous ways in which it is profaned, and showing the proper manner of its sancti-
fication." The matter of the Salem church, Lancaster, came up in connection with
the renewal of the license of J. Tucker, local minister, and member of said church.
A committee, consisting of Jones, Price and Forney, was sent to confer with said
church. The committee reported its visit to Salem church, and its answer, "that
said church do not consider themselves members of the Eldership, and will not
co-operate." The report being recommitted, a second visit was made to Salem
church, after which the committee recommended "that the Eldership refrain from
any further action at this time, but permit matters to remain as they are for the
present." This was approved. "The permanent location for a camp-meeting
ground" was placed in the hands of the Camp-meeting Committee. The Ministerial
Association having ceased to meet, a committee, consisting of J. M. Speese, J. H.
Esterline and G. W. Getz, was appointed to reorganize it. The Eldership appreci-
ated the presence of T. Hickemell, of Ohio, and invited him to make an address,
and the Committee appointed him to preach on the last evening of the session.
52nd East Pennsylvania Eldership. — This was the semi-centennial Eldership,
though numbered here as the "fifty-second." Its official number is "the fifty-flrst
Annual Eldership," three sessions having been held between October, 1830, and
October, 1831. Very appropriately it was held at Harrisburg, where it was or-
iginally organized. It met in the Fourth Street Bethel, at 7 o'clock p. m., October
20, 1880. But a preliminary meeting was held during the preceding day. The
afternoon was devoted to educational matters, when "the importance of immediate
action by the body was urged in the direction of the establishment of a school
nnder the control of the Eldership." In the evening a "memorial sermon" was
preached by D. A. L. Laverty. On Wednesday morning A. Swartz preached on
■"The Mission of the Church." The afternoon was set apart for a regular memorial
service, at which C. Price delivered an address on "The Faith of the Fathers," pre-
ceded by "the reading of the Roll containing the names of forty-four of our de-
parted brethren and fellow-laborers in the ministry." The Opening Sermon on
Wednesday evening was dispensed with, and a "re-union and ordinance meeting
was held." It was the largest Eldership held up to this date, the enrolled member-
ship consisting of eighty ministers, fifty-six delegates, forty-four messengers, seven
exhorters and the Treasurer. The officers elected for this semi-centennial session
were C. Price, Speaker; D. S. Shoop, Stated Clerk; F. L. Nicodemus, Transcribing
Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk, and S. Knisely, Treasurer. The sermons by
Laverty, Swartz and Price were ordered to be published in The Advocate. The W.
C. T. U. was also in session in Harrisburg, and G. Sigler offered resolutions, which
prevailed, heartily endorsing its work, and providing for the appointment of "a
committee of three to convey to said meeting our greetings," and urging "our
women to give their energies and influence to the furtherance of the end contem-
plated by the W. C. T. U." The actions of the Educational Convention held the
350 History of the Churches of God
day preceding the Eldership were reported, and received the unanimous endorse-
ment of the Eldership, which declared it "to be the sense of the Eldership that a
school should be established for the education of the youth of the Church, as well
as others, under the auspices of the Church." C. H. Forney offered the following,
whicii was adopted: That the Eldership authorize and direct the Board of Educa-
tion to appoint a proper person to canvass the territory to raise funds for the pur-
pose of establishing a school under the auspices of the Church." The committee
added to this the words "that the time has come when, without further delay, the
Eldership should enter upon this work." A special sitting was held on Friday
evening to canvass the whole suTiject more fully, when the sentiments of the Con-
vention were more directly embodied in resolutions of its own by the Eldership.
Thursday evening the special order was the consideration of a resolution offered by
G. Sigler, as to "what can be done to make the work of the Lord committed to us
more effective." At the same sitting Fomey's resolution, that "during the coming^
year the special efforts of the Eldership and the Board of Missions shall be directed
toward the strengthening and enlarging of the weak charges which at present are
unable to give their pastors a living support," was discussed. After these sub-
jects had been thoroughly considered they were referred to a committee, consisting
of Sigler, Forney and Hunter. Said committee reported these items, which were
heartily adopted: "Pledging ourselves anew to the heartiest co-operation to ad-
vance the cause of God within the bounds of the Eldership;" to give special atten-
tion to the weak fields of labor, and to mature plans to attach new points to them,
or insure a living support to the pastors; requiring the Stationing Committee to
appoint men to the weak charges who are best adapted to build them up; urging^
ministers on other fields to interest themselves and their churches in the work on
these weak fields; advising that laymen on adjoining fields visit and encourage the
membership at the weaker points; seeking to cultivate more of a sense of the vital
unity of the body, so that the interests, the progress or the sufferings of one charge
may be made the same to all the churches; the deepening of a sense of individual
responsibility of each member for the success of interests committed to the Church,
and recommending the creation of a Church Extension Fund and the appointment
of a Board of Church Extension. Another new board created, under a resolution
by H. C. Demming, was the "Board of Sunday-school Work." One minister, Alex-
ander Wiley, had died during the year, concerning whom the Committee on Obit-
uaries declared that "words are inadequate to express the sterling worth of this
eminent servant of God." The sense of the Eldership was expressed by resolution,
"that persons unbaptized, and who do not believe and practice the ordinances as
preached by our ministers, should not be elected as elders of the church." The
General Eldership was requested to prepare and publish "the Semi-centennial his-
tory of the Church of God in the United States, with a biographical sketch of the
lives of the members connected with said history." The charges as fixed by the
Stationing Committee were: Stations, twenty; circuits, twenty-two; missions, four.
53rd East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The number of deaths reported by the
Committee on Obituaries, appointed the year before, was so much larger than
usual as to evoke the inquiry, "Has the Great Head of the church a controversy
with us that so many of our number have been removed by death?" They were
John Brown, "reared under the bitter, cruel, accursed scepter of slavery," "cut
down in the midst of his days;" Israel Brady, a convert of 1830, licensed in 1832,
died "at the ripe age of 71 years and 2 months," who, "during all these years to-
the day of his death continued faithful to his trust as an honored member of this
body;" Ayers L. Hilsher, "a young man of considerable promise," who was licensed
in 1879, whose "pure life, irreproachable character and useful labors gained for
him an infiuence which was full of promise for the future;" S. S. Richmond, aged
58 years and 5 months, licensed by the Ohio Eldership in 1843, a man with "nat-
ural abilities of. a high order, a well-stored mind, and a power of penetration and
a firmness of grasp which enabled him to grapple with the most intricate prob-
lems;" G. W. Coulter, licensed in 184 8, a man "possessed of excellent natural
qualifications for the ministry, of a meek, and quiet and patient spirit;" and
among the prominent laymen. Dr. George Ross, twelve years Treasurer of the Eld-
ership, eight times a delegate to the General Eldership, a member of the Board of
Publication from 1857 to the day of his death, November 30, 1880, he was honest
and conscientious as a steward and treasurer, served the Church with an enthu-
siastic zeal, and an intelligent devotion worthy of all commendation, and "excelled
most other Christian men in the energy, activity and zeal with which he prosecuted
East Pennsylvania Eldership 351
the Lord's service," and John S. Gable, who died August 11, 1881, one of the first
members and elders of the church at Lancaster, for years a member of the Board
of Publication, "a man of many admirable qualities of head and heart and mind."
It was with these dark clouds hanging over it that the Eldership convened in an-
nual session at Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county, October 19, 1881. On said
evening C. Price delivered the opening sermon, from John i. 14. J. M. Carvell was
chosen Speaker; D. S. Shoop, Stated Clerk; F. L. Nicodemus, Transcribing Clerk,,
and J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk. H. Mills was transferred to the Maine Elder-
ship, where he had been laboring as a missionary. The Judiciary Committee had
considerable work, and proved to be a very useful committee, always elected by
the Eldership. S. Knisely, Treasurer, made his Report, showing that $1,096.10
had been received for the Missionary Fund; $54.67 for Foreign Mission work;
$230.49, Widows' Fund; $174.24, Contingent Fund; $130.74, Superannuated
Fund; $38.84, Church Extension Fund; $133.00, Educational Fund. A final set-
tlement was made with B. Ober, missionary to Texas in 1856, by the payment of
$5 0.00 on appropriation which had been withheld. What was known as "Specula-
tive Life Insurance" was declared to be "of the nature of gambling; and as all
gambling is immoral and against all law and order in all cases, and especially is
it so when human life is the subject of the transaction," and accordingly "all the
brethren, whether in or out of the ministry, are urged to abstain altogether from
all business schemes, which are of a doubtful, suspicious or speculative character."
The observance of the ordinances during the session of the Eldership, which had
been required by the By-Laws, was made optional, at the request of the church
where the Eldership holds its session. The sale of Mt. Zion Bethel, Lebanon
county, was ordered, the proceeds to be applied on the Hummelstown church debt.
The question of holding an Eldership camp-meeting in 1882 was considered by a
committee, which made a favorable report, and an Eldership Camp-meeting Com-
mittee was appointed. In order to "cultivate more of a fraternal feeling, and for
the spiritual edification of the churches," the Eldership advised "a more frequent
exchange of pulpits on the part of the ministers on the various charges."
Ministers were requested to give attention to "the reading of the Holy
Scriptures as an important part of the public worship of God." A change was
made in the use of the funds collected for Church Extension purposes, so that
they are to be used "first for the payment of interest on church debts, and, sec-
ondly, for the helping of weak charges and the opening of new ones." The Elder-
ship manifested quite a degree of concern over "the lamentable falling off in our
missionary and other collections, thereby hindering the carrying forward of the
work of the gospel." The ministers were directed "to make special efforts to lift
all collections as speedily as possible." It congratulated "the brotherhood at large
upon the auspicious inauguration" of the College enterprise. In some respects
the Report of the Committee on Temperance was radical. It affirmed the Elder-
ship's "inflexible opposition to the importation, manufacture and sale of all in-
toxicating liquors, and the use of narcotics, opium in all its preparations and modi-
fications, tobacco in all its various forms," and asked "of our legislative branch
of the State government a constitutional prohibitory statute against the manu-
facture, importation, licensing and sale of the above-named beverages, drug and
weed." Ministers who "sign any application for the sale of intoxicating liquors
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall answer to this body," and
churches were "requested to require of all their members to refuse to sign such
applications under penalty of reproof or expulsion."
54th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — As an evidence that the sanguinary hopes
of strengthening of weak points entertained in 1880 were not fully realized, the
Eldership in 1882 received the Reports of two committees which in 1881 were em-
powered to sell two houses of worship. Mt. Zion Bethel was sold for $150.00,
which was paid toward the liquidation of the debt on the Hummelstown Bethel.
The church property at Carlisle was sold for $1,171.25, of which $1,060.93 was
paid George Ross & Co., cancelling their claim against the Hummelstown Bethel,
and the balance was paid to the Treasurer of the Eldership. The Board of Incor-
poration was "authorized and empowered to make sale of the property of the Elder-
ship situated in the city of Reading, Pa." The session of the Eldership was held
at Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, beginning on Wednesday evening, October 18th, when
J. M. Carvell preached the Opening Sermon from Col. i. 28 — "Christ the Theme of
Our Ministry." J. W. Deshong was elected Speaker; D. S. Shoop continued in the
office of Stated Clerk; F. L. Nicodemus, Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial
352 History of the Churches of God
Clerk, and S. Knisley, Treasurer. A singular case was disposed of by the Special
Judiciary Committee elected in 1881. A minister of the Eldership had secured a
divorce upon grounds disapproved by the Eldership, and said Committee reported
its findings, and the penalty. The Report was re-committed, when in view of the
fact that the guilty minister had "applied to this body in the year 1878 to have his
official relations with it dissolved, and the Eldership neglected to do its duty in
complying with the request," the Committee reported "that his name be now
stricken from the Roll of Ministers." The Eldership then adopted the further
report of the Committee, " That it is the decided opinion of this body that any
one putting away his wife except for the cause assigned by the Great Head of the
church, and marrying another woman, is guilty of the sin of adultery, and that
any minister marrying such parties is accessory to said sin." The growing senti-
ment against the three-year limit of the pastorate evidenced itself in the action lay-
ing on the table the Report of the Committee on Art. X. of the By-Laws, which
"deemed it inexpedient at this time to make any change" in said Article. Yet it
was not strong enough to extend the time-limit. The death of but one minister
occurred during the year, that of John C. Owens, aged 7 7 years, 6 months and 16
days. He was a native of Cecil county, Md.; was converted at a Methodist camp-
meeting, and became a member of said Church and was by it ordained to the gospel
ministry. He became a member of the Eldership in 1843, having been baptized
during the session by Winebrenner at Angle's Mill, near Shippensburg. "His min-
isterial character was uniformly affectionate and unusually attractive, and was in-
viting to the people, and it therefore received public approval and commendation."
The "Foreign Mission Fund" was "incorporated in the Home Mission Fund." The
"Hymnal prepared by the Committee of the General Eldership "received the hearty
endorsement of the Eldership. D. S. Shoop resigned as Stated Clerk, which was
accepted, and H. E. Reever was elected.
55th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The sentiment in favor of a change in the
time-limit of the pastorate continued to grow, and manifested itself in an amend-
ment by G. Sigler to a resolution by J. H. Redsecker, appointing "C. H. Forney,
J. M. Carvell and D. A. L. Laverty a committee to collect the various amendments
to the Constitution and Rules of Order, and publish a new edition." The amend-
ment directed "this Committee to revise the Constitution, and report at this Elder-
ship," and it was adopted. A number of important changes were recommended,
among which was the creation of a Board of Education, and the elimination of the
time-limit. The first Board of Education elected under this new provision of the
Constitution consisted of C. H. Forney, George Sigler, J. M. Carvell, S. D. C. Jack-
son and J. B. Lockwood. A spirited discussion of the recommendation on the time-
limit was had, when by a yea and nay vote of 36 to 31 it was agreed to. But the
point of order was raised that it required a two-thirds vote to amend the Constitu-
tion. This was over-ruled by the Speaker on the ground that this provision does
not apply when the entire Constitution is undergoing revision, and so making every
minister subject to removal "at the end of any one year," and give the Eldership
power to reappoint for an indefinite number of years. This session of the Elder-
ship was held at Altoona, Blair county, and began November 7, 1883. J. W. De-
shong delivered the Opening Sermon on said evening, from Rom. viii. 31. The
enrollment showed 60 ministers, 8 exhorters, 39 delegates and 24 messengers.
The election for officers resulted in the choice of C. H. Forney, Speaker; H. E.
Reever, Stated Clerk; F. L. Nicodemus, Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial
Clerk, and S. Knisley, Treasurer. Rev. Joel Baker, of Bell Vernon, New York Cen-
tral Free Baptist Association, was received as Corresponding Messenger. A special
order was made for Friday afternoon to hear his address to the Eldership. The
expressions of "fraternal greeting, and the cordial and kindly spirit" evinced in
Baker's address were reciprocate in resolutions adopted, and "a messenger" was
directed "to be appointed to represent us to our Baptist fellow laborers in Christ
at their next Annual Association." The actions of the Convention of Liberal Bap-
tists held at Minneapolis" were approved. They provided for the publication an-
nually of a Year Book, containing the names and post-offices of all the ministers
in all the bodies represented, with a sufficient history of each body; the publishing
of a quarterly, or magazine, in the interest of a closer affiliation; the union of all
these bodies in foreign mission work; the change of ministers from one body to
another "without considering himself as having left his society, and the patroniz-
ing of the literature of the different churches represented." Four of the eight
items as adopted by the Convention were not agreed to. The death of A. Swartz,
East Pennsylvania Eldership 353
which occurred December 30, 1882, in the sixty-seventh year of his age, was fit-
tingly commemorated. He was converted under the labors of Winebi-enner. "His
early educational advantages were limited; but he was gifted by nature with a
strong intellect, clear perceptive faculties, a retentive memory, sound judgment
and a thirst for learning, and soon acquired a fund of solid and useful knowledge."
He was licensed in 1842, and "was a man of marked ability and distinguished
worth," The sale of the Reading church property had been effected for $3,500.00,
leaving a balance, after all liabilities were paid, of $487.30. Strong resolutions
were adopted on the observance of the Sabbath, and the ministers were advised by
their example upon this subject, and by faithful and repeated preaching on the
same, to be ensamples to all the flock and a standing exemplification to their fel-
low men of the necessity, wisdom and blessedness of maintaining the distinctive
Christian character and the strictly religious observance of that day which is em-
phatically contrasted with all other days as 'the Lord's day.' " The modern camp-
meetings, as conducted by ministers of the Church and of other Churches, were
condemned, and "our brethren are requested not again to countenance or partici-
pate in any camp-meetings conducted in such a manner as to violate the sanctity
of the Sabbath." The Eldership placed itself on record against any one but a
properly ordained minister of the gospel administering the ordinance of baptism,
or performing the marriage ceremony.
56th East Pennsylvania Eldei*ship. — In 1884 the Eldership convened at Lan-
caster, Lancaster county, on Wednesday evening, and listened to the Opening Ser-
mon by C. H. Forney, on "The Ministry — Its Mission and Rewards." The enroll-
ment consisted of 6 5 teaching elders, 45 delegates, 32 messengers and three ex-
horters. Four names were added to the Ministerial Roll during this session. The
election for officers resulted in the choice of D. S. Shoop, Speaker; H. E. Reever,
Stated Clerk; F. L. Nicodemus, Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk,
and S. Knisley, Treasurer. The attempt to limit the election of members of the
Eldership to but "one board, committee or office of this Eldership" failed of adop-
tion after being "discussed at length." As a committee "on uniformity in the prep-
aration for, and observance of, the ordinances of the Church, C H. Forney, J. Hai-
fleigh, C. C. Bartels, H. C. Demming and John Rae, recommended that "the matter
be placed in the hands of the delegation from this Eldership to the next General
Eldership." E. O. Dare, layman, proposed that "the Stationing Committee shall
hereafter consist of three teaching elders, three delegates and one teaching elder
who is not actively engaged in the ministry," was ruled out of order by the Speaker,
who, upon an appeal being taken, was sustained by the Eldership. The agitation
of the question, however, resulted in the election of one lay member on the Com-
mittee. But three of the nine members of the Board of Missions were laymen.
W. J. Grissinger introduced the question of a change in the time for pastors to
move to their new fields, when the Eldership decided that "they shall move on,
and take charge of, the fields to which they have been appointed immediately after
the close of the Eldership." The Roll of the dead this year contained four names.
Wm. Figard died January 4, 1884, aged 67 years, 4 months and 23 days. He was
licensed in 1871. "Religion was evidently a life work with him, for during all the
years of service in his Master's cause he held on his way, and never faltered in
the Christian race, nor looked back upon the world he had left behind." J. E.
Arnold died February 4, 1884, aged 37 years, 1 month and 27 days. He was or-
dained in 1868. "His ministerial work was crowned with abundant success. He
was an earnest, and fruitful revival preacher. His conversation and deportment
were truly exemplary." S. W. Naill died February 24, 1884, aged 3 5 years, 9
months and 3 days. He was received into the Maryland and "Virginia Eldership
in 1872, and came into the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1881. "As a Christian
minister he was without a blemish. He was a respectable preacher, earnest, inter-
esting and successful." D. A. L. Lavei-ty died December 23, 1883, at Mechanics-
burg, where he was born and converted, and ordained in 1846. He entered the
active ministry in 1861. "He was an efficient minister, an earnest and valuable
counsellor, and filled with ability, credit and general acceptance a number of the
principal charges of the Eldership." The death of Laveity, on motion of G. W.
Seilhammer, induced the Eldership to agree "that a fund be created for the pur-
pose or erecting a suitable monument to mark his resting place," which, on motion
of G. Sigler, was so enlarged as to provide for "the erection of suitable testimonials
of honor to the memory of these brethren," and of other "prominent ministers of
this body whose resting places remain unmarked by any token of honor." An
C. H.— 13
354 History of the Churches of God
effort made to restore the three-year pastoral limit failed of success, a resolu-
tion to that elTect being "indefinitely postponed." Allowing trafficing at camp-
meetings in "such articles as ice cream, watermelons, candies, peanuts and tobacco
on the Lord's day" was attempted to be made "a misdemeanor, and the brethren
having charge of such camp-meeting shall be held amenable to this body;" but the
resolution was "laid on the table." The tendency to regard the validity of ordina-
tion as dependent upon its being performed by the Speaker was checked by an
action of the Eldership to the contrary. The Eldership provided for an annual
sermon on Mission Interests, on Educational Interests and on Publications and
General Benevolent Interests, and for the session of 1885 appointed J. B. Lock-
wood, J. M. Carvell and C. H. Forney to preach these sermons, and J. Haifleigh to
preach the ordination sermon on Sabbath evening, as provided for. A Mutual
Beneficial Society having been organized, a committee appointed for the purpose
reported "Articles of Association," which were adopted. The object of the Society
was to secure "a mutual benefit in case of death." The Eldership pledged itself
to "use all legitimate means to bring about an amendment to the State Constitu-
tion prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors in this Common-
wealth, except for mechanical, medicinal and scientific purposes."
57tli East Pennsylvania Eldership. — An enterprise of special interest to the
East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1885 was the auspicious opening of the Bookstore
at No. 335 Market Street, Harrisburg, Pa., by the Board of Directors of the Gen-
eral Eldership. The event was announced in The Advocate of September 9, 1885:
"To-day the first step in this enterprise is a reality" — that is, in the iarge enter-
prise of establishing a Publishing House and Book Room. It finally settled the
question, mooted for forty years, of some western location for the "Printing Estab-
lishment." The Eldership naturally was enthusiastic in its "endorsement of said
enterprise," and expressed "hearty approval," and promised "faithful support,"
and "recommended it to the favorable mention of the entire brotherhood." The
Eldership held its session at Shippensburg, Cumberland county, October 21-27,
1885, the Opening Sermon being preached by D. S. Shoop, from Acts v. 20. Seventy
ministers were enrolled, and fifty-two delegates and thirty-two messengers. F. L.
Nicodemus was elected Speaker; H. E. Reever, Stated Clerk; B. F. Beck, Trans-
cribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk, and S, Knisley, Treasurer. Forney,
Sigler and Price were elected on the Standing Committee. The Eldership wel-
comed O. R. Bacheler, Free Baptist Mission of Bengal, India, as an advisory mem-
ber, and instructed the "Committee on Arrangement to appoint him to preach the
annual missionary sermon." The amount received for the year by the Missionary
Fund was $2,551.41; Widows' Fund, $354.07; Contingent Fund, $211.64; Super-
annuated Fund, $219.61; Church Extension Fund, $183.44. The amount of
$400.00 was received for "damages to the Chambersburg church property from the
Western Maryland Railroad Company" on account of the laying of its tracks in
close proximity to the bethel. This money was ordered to be paid "into the
Widows' Permanent Fund, as part repayment of a loan made by said Fund to the
Board of Incorporation for the original purchase of the Chambersburg house" in
185 9. P. H. Woodworth and Mrs. M. B. Woodworth, of the Indiana Eldership,
were received as advisory members, the latter having gained considerable notoriety
as an evangelist. Failing to secure sufficient means to erect a monument over the
grave of Laverty, the money on hand was ordered to be paid to Mrs. Laveity.
Sigler was appointed agent to receive funds for a monument in memory of Mackey.
The Committee on Resolutions affirmed that the "changing of pastors in the Fall,
and the unlimited Rule, are not proving satisfactory," and recommended a return
to the old system of moving on the first of April, and re-establishing the three-year
limit. The vote on the first question was: Yeas. 40; nays, 41. It was moved to
indefinitely postpone the second question, on which the vote stood, yeas, 44; nays,
25. Yet the question was reopened, and on a direct vote to "restore the former
limit of three years," the yeas were 37 and the nays, 36. But as it required a
two-thirds vote to amend the Constitution, the resolution was lost. The obnoxious
term "expelled," in the statistical table, was ordered changed, and "disfellow-
shlped" substituted. Co-operation with the Free Baptist Church in foreign mis-
sion work, as per action of the General Eldership in June, 1884, was endorsed,
and each church was to be given the privilege to contribute toward this work. On
temperance a moderate report was adopted, yet rejoicing over the "aroused public
sentiment and the security of legislation which is a sure earnest of a grand and
glorious victory in the near future all over our land." Unfermented wine was
East Pennsylvania Eldership 355,
recommended to be used at the Lord's Supper. The Judiciary Committee had an
unusual amount of work, and several ministers received adverse verdicts, one name
being directed to be stricken from the Roll "as the Committee cannot approve a
recommendation that he be given an honorable dismissal." A peculiar case waS'
that of S. D. C. Jackson, who purposed removing to California, and desired a spe-
cial "certificate of membership in this Eldership," as he had prospects of a call to
some other Church. IJeck, Foniey and Sigler were named as a committee to pre-
pare a certificate, who reported a form, stating Jackson's "good character and emi-
nent qualifications as a minister," and giving "the consent of the Eldership ta
transfer his membership to any other ecclesiastical organization." The Eldership
seemed dissatisfied with the disproportionate amount of time which was annually
"given to merely secular affairs of the churches," and ordered, "that in the future
a larger proportion of time shall be devoted to the preaching of the word." There
were twenty-five stations, twenty circuits and one mission. The total membership
of the churches was given at 5,308.
58th East Pennsylvania Eldei-ship. — At the Eldership in 18 85 there were no
deaths reported in the ranks of the ministry; in 1886, two had answered the ques-
tion, with James Hurdic,
"What js death
To him who merits it with an upright heart?
A quiet haven, where his shattered bark
Harbors secure, till the rough storm is past."
One was the veteran Simon Fleegal, born January 9, 1808; converted about 182 8,
an elder of the first church of God organized in Maryland; ordained in 1843, and
died December 1, 1885. He "was specially gifted with the power of exhortation;
had always a pleasant word for every one; was of a cheerful and confiding nature,"
and a very acceptable and useful preacher. The other was John Hunt«r, a native
of Ireland, who died July 16, 1886, having attained the age of 69 years. Raised
in the Presbyterian faith, he began his ministerial life as a missionary. He
preached experimental religion, and was cruelly persecuted. He came to America
in 1847, where he became a member of the Christian Connection; but becoming
acquainted with the Church of God, he began his labors as a member of the Elder-
ship in 1864, and continued in the active work to the end of his life. He was
specially adapted to revival work, and was often called "the eloquent Irishman."
It is no disparagement to a body of people co-operating under an organic law some-
what frequently to amend its Constitution. Motion is the law, the essence of life.
If organic life stands still it degenerates into inevitable machinery, and becomes
mechanism. Rules and orders need to be frequently recast, except fundamentals,
so that theories may be made to fit to new facts. Hence, amendments were fre-
quently made to the Constitution, in the Rules and the working plans of the Elder-
ship. The loose order of Elderships in earlier years gave way to new and flexible,
but stringent, regulations. In 1886 several radical ideas were embodied in an
amendment to Art. XVIII.: "That the relation of pastor and people established by
authority of the Eldership shall not be severed except by previous consent of the
Eldership, or of the Standing Committee." The Eldership in 1886 convened at
Mlddletown, Dauphin county, October 6th, when the retiring Speaker, F. L. Nico-
demus, delivered the Opening Sermon, from Rom. xv. 30-33. J. H. Esterline was
chosen Speaker on the morning of the 7th; H. E. Reever continued Stated Clerk;
B. F. Beck, Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk, and S. Knlsley,
Treasurer. The Board of Missions elected had on it three laymen, while the other
elective boards and committees, except the Board of Church Extension which had
one layman on it, were all composed of ministers. The Evangelical Temperance
Association addressed a communication to the Eldership, on which the Committee
on Temperance took action, directing the Speaker and Stated Clerk to "sign a peti-
tion to the Legislature for submission to the voters of Pennsylvania of an amend-
ment to the Constitution prohibiting the manufacture and sale of alcoholics as a
beverage." It repudiated all forms of license, and aflSrmed that prohibition is the
remedy for the evil of intemperance. Greater stress was laid on the duty of mem-
bers of the classes in the Course of Studies to pursue the studies diligently, and'
appear before the Board for examination. The Board was instructed to meet the-
classes at noon of the day the Eldership convenes, and it was tacitly agreed that
the personnel of the Board be changed less frequently. The applicants for license
were five for license to preach, one being a United Brethren minister; also five
356 History of the Churches oe God
for exhorters' licenses, one of them a sister, the latter being reported by the Com-
mittee with a negative recommendation, "because the East Pennsylvania Eldership
does not license women to preach." This the Eldership approved. To prevent
the constant loss of members of churches through removals without certificates, it
was made the duty of pastors "to give them certificates, and to write to the min-
ister in charge of the church into whose locality they move." The name "Bethel
Church" was entirely repudiated, as "there is no scriptural authority for such
title." "Annual fees" for clerks were fixed for the future. "Carefully prepared
papers" were directed to "be furnished for the Eldership next year," by ministers
named, on "The Interpretation and Authority of the Holy Scriptures," "The Di-
vinity of Jesus Christ," "The Church and Its Mission," "Christ the Mediator," and
"The Second Coming of Christ." A resolution was adopted, "that any person ap-
plying for a license to preach the gospel shall be required to pledge himself to ab-
stain from the use of tobacco."
59th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The "papers" directed in 1886 to be pre-
pared and read at the Eldership in 1887 were read "during the first half hour of
each morning session." In the organization of the body the question of "life
elders" was indirectly decided. J. B. Rae, of Saxton, presented himself as a dele-
gate from the Saxton circuit, having been elected an elder, some years previous,
of the church at Fairplay. His seat was contested on the ground that elders are
elected at Saxton for one year, and not for an indefinite period, and that an elder
of one church on a field is not by virtue of that fact an elder of any other church
to which he might remove. He was seated, as well as the contestant, because the
circuit was entitled to two delegates; but "with the definite proviso, that this act
shall not be a precedent for the future." The retiring Speaker preached the Open-
ing Sermon when the Eldership convened at Washington Borough, Lancaster
county, October 5, 1887, from John xx. 21. Twenty-eight stations and twenty-
three circuits were represented by as many pastors, and there were twenty-three
other ministers enrolled. C. C. Bartels was chosen Speaker; H. E. Reever, Stated
Clerk; B. F. Beck, Transcribing Clerk, and S. Knisley, Treasurer. The members
of the boards and committees elected by the Eldership were all ministers, except
one on the Board of Missions. Two ministers requested, and were granted, "letters
of withdrawal from the Eldership." At this Eldership two brethren were ordained
who have attained high places in the general body — F. W. McGuire and C. I.
BrowTi. Formal ordination services were held on Saturday evening. C. D. Rishel's
proposed Year Book received the endorsement of the Eldership. W. P. Winbigler,
who had died at Uniontown, Md., shortly before returning to the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership, in October, 1886, was remembered, in suitable resolutions, "as a
"worthy brother, of no small talent; full of holy zeal for a righteous cause, and a
bold defender of Bible truth." H. L. Banzhoff had succeeded in establishing a
church in Hollidaysburg, Blair county, and the Eldership received both pastor and
church, and made Hollidaysburg a station. While the holding of a camp-meeting
at William's Grove, where the annual Grangers' Picnics were held, was disap-
proved. C. H. Forney, J. M. Cai-vell, George Sigler, H. N. Bowman and Samuel
Knisley were appointed a committee "to consider the advisability of holding a re-
union of the brotherhood, at such time and place as it may deem proper, during
next Summer." A new and more complete form of statistical blanks was reported
by a committee, and was approved.
60th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — While the Eldership in 1887 named Roar-
ing Spring, Blair county, as the place for holding the session in 1888, the body con-
vened at Maytown, Lancaster county, October 3rd, when C C. Bai-tels delivered the
Opening Sermon, from Matt, xxviii. 19. The following morning, the Eldership
being constituted, J. M. Speese was elected Speaker; H. E. Reever continued Staffed
Clerk; B. F. Beck was chosen Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk,
and S. Knisley, Treasurer. The "papers" ordered to be prepared on doctrinal sub-
jects were read at different sittings. The Standing Committee, Forney, Carvell
and Sigler, who were re-elected, during the year had to deal with a matter vitally
affecting the general polity of the Church. The General Eldership Constitution,
Art. XXIX. of the Constitution of 1885. prohibits any "members of one Eldership
from removing into the territory of another Eldership, or laboring within its terri-
tory, without becoming a member of said Eldership." Mrs. AVoodworth, without
becoming a member of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, and without the consent
of its constituted authorities, came within its territory and held evangelistic ser-
vices with several churches. The Standing Committee, believing that such meet-
East Pennsylvania Elde^rship 357
ings would prove seriously detrimental to the churches and the peace and harmony
of the Eldership, through her advocacy of trances, faith-healing and other peculiar
views, ordered her to desist from these labors and leave the territory of the Elder-
ship. It directed the bethel at Chambersburg to be closed against her. It also
formulated charges against her, and laid them before the Eldership of which she
was a member. When the Committee reported, these actions provoked a lengthy
discussion, but they were "unanimously approved." The Bald Hills Bethel prop-
erty, York county, and the lots for a house of worship at Renova, Clinton county,
were directed to be sold. J. Ross, who died during the Eldership year, made a
bequest to the Eldership, which was ordered to be paid into the Superannuated
Fund. He had reached the age of 79 years, having been a minister of the Elder-
ship since 1856. "His Christian character was above reproach." Two other min-
isters, who had lived to a ripe old age, had heard the voice.
"I make you blessed —
I call you home to a glorious rest!"
These were Henry Borgner and John Tucker. The former was a German
preacher, licensed in 1859, but at the time of his death he was a member of the
East Pennsylvania Eldership. He died in the 66th year of his age. "He was a
good and faithful man. and exerted a healthful influence in the community where
he lived." Tucker had reached the age of 86 years. He had been a minister in
the Baptist Church, but became a member of the Eldership in 1840. "He was a
pious and godly man, and a strong believer in the personal, pre-millennial advent
of Christ." All the churches were "requested to organize missionary societies at
once." Extreme action was taken on temperance, recommending the "laying aside
of all sectarian and political prejudices, and unite in one solid compact and
either demand of existing political parties further legislation, or by constituting a
party whose ultimate end shall be the entire prohibition of the liquor traffic." On
the state of religion the Committee reported "that it is not satisfactory. There is
much worldly conformity, powerless profession, cold formality and attachment to
forms and outward ceremony." An additional incentive to the churches to pay
larger salaries was adopted. The Speaker was directed to inquire of each dele-
gate, after the pastor's report, "the amount of salary paid, and if the full amount
has been paid." And "churches were requested to set a stipulated salary, and
report the same to the Stationing Committee." There were twenty-six stations
and twenty-five circuits. The Stated Clerk, elected for an indefinite period, re-
signed, and I. A. MacDannald was elected. He had been licensed in 1885; was the
son of a minister, of whom, in 1886, the Examining Committee reported that he
"has proved himself a good student, and has completed the course with credit to
himself and satisfaction to the Committee."
61st East Pennsylvania Eldership. — A new enterprise was set on foot during
the sixty-first session of the East Pennsylvania Eldership. "A communication was
received from C. H. Foraey in regard to an East Pennsylvania Eldership Bene-
ficiary Fund," on which a committee was appointed for whose report a special
order was made. It consisted of C. H. Forney, Geo. Siguier, J. M. CaiTell, D. M.
Bare, G. W. Getz and W. J. Grissinger, which reported favorably. The Board of
Educaition was made the custodian of the Fund, the "Fund to be raised by dona-
tions, bequests, and in extraordinary emergencies by special collections." The
unusual coincidence of the death of the Speaker marked this Eldership. J. M.
Speece had died July 19, 1889, aged 41 years. He had been licensed in 1870.
"He was a good preacher, kind, affable and courteous, and deserved the esteem of
all." On the Roll of Death with his name was engraved that of P. Stanton, a
colored minister, licensed in 1835. "As a preacher he was courteous, prudent and
uncompromising, an acknowledged leader among the people of his own race." The
session was held in the Fourth Street Bethel, Harrisburg, beginning October 2,
1889, when A. H. Long, appointed by the Standing Committee, preached the Open-
ing Sermon, from I. Cor. i. 23. Twenty-six stations and as many circuits were on
the list, and seventy-two ministers and fifty-seven delegates were enrolled when
the Eldership was constituted by the new Stated Clerk. An organization was
effected by the election of C. H. Forney, Speaker; B. F. Beck, Transcribing Clerk;
J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk, and S. Knisley, Treasurer. An innovation by the
Speaker was the placing of every minister and delegate present on some committee.
Williamsport, Lycoming county, with J. A. Bro\vn (colored), pastor, was one of
the fields of labor. The Treasurer's Report indicated a fair condition of the
358 History of the Churcpies of God
finances. There were $1,594.81 received into the Mission Fund; $422.82, into the
Widows' Fund; $374.05, into the Superannuated Fund; $104.34, into the Church
Extension Fund; $149.32, into the C. E. Contingent Fund; $478.94, into the Gen-
eral Eldership Missionary Fund. Among the advisory members were nearly all
the pastors of Harrisburg Churches, including S. C. Swallow, D. D., late candidate
for President of the United States on the Prohibition ticket; J. A. Saxton, of the
Maryland and Virginia Eldership; J. A. Shuler, Illinois, for some years Treasurer
of the General Eldership, and AV. J. Schaiier, Illinois Eldership, who brought with
him his transfer. There was a prevalent feeling that "there is not that degree of
prosperity among the churches that is desired," and so the Eldership adopted a
resolution offered by Sigler, "that the third Sunday in December be set apart as a
day of special prayer to God for his blessing upon the churches, and for an increase
of earnest men for the ministry." Strong resolutions favoring prohibition and en-
dorsing the W. C. T. U. were passed. The former order, to have a number of doc-
trinal essays prepared and read before the body, was changed so that the Standing
Committee would "appoint from time to time a man to preach a doctrinal sermon
during the session of the Eldership." The loss to the Church of children of
Church families was deplored, and the "Eldership earnestly urged upon the
brotherhood to put forth their earnest endeavors to have all their children saved
to the Church." A general missionary was provided for, "to open new appoint-
ments and assist in holding protracted meetings." So varied and numerous were
the preambles and resolutions of the Committee on Resolutions, that nearly one-
fourth of them were tabled, one series being a denunciation in most vigorous lan-
guage of "bands of outlaws, known as 'Regulators' and Roughs, who tortured and
murdered innocent and inoffensive negroes in Louisiana, and imperiled the lives of
several ministers in Tennessee while on their way to the National Colored Baptist
Convention at Indianapolis, Ind." A uniform course of studies for ministers of all
the Elderships was made a subject of instructions of the delegates to the General
Eldership. Also to have the representation in the General Eldership reduced to
one for every twenty ministers.
62nd East Pennsylvania Eldership.- — With the sixty-second East Pennsylvania
Eldership said body began to publish its Minutes in pamphlet form, as per action
taken on the report of a committee on the subject. With this first Journal thus
published the Opening Sermon delivered by the retiring Speaker, C. H. Forney, was
also published in full. The new Speaker, W, J. Grissinger, and B. F. Beck, Tran-
scribing Clerk, and J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk, were not elected until after the
Committee on Printing the Journal was provided for, and the Treasurer's Report
had been made. Ira A. MacDannald was Stated Clerk. The Eldership held its
session at Mechanicsburg, from October 2-7, 1890. The Eldership consisted of
74 ministers and 90 delegates and messengers. The Treasurer's Report showed
the following amounts received during the year by the various Funds: Mission-
ary, $1,743.55; Widows', $453.54; Contingent, $222.87; Superannuated, $255.32;
Church Extension, $135.23; General Eldership Contingent, $54.47; Sinking,
$450.00. Forney, Sigler and Carvell were elected as the Standing Comraittee. The
Examining Committee was made an elective committee. Considerable friction
developed on account of the adoption of the following: "Resolved, That we are
not fully satisfied with some actions of the Board of Misisons of the General Elder-
ship, and ask that the objectional features in past actions be obviated in the
future, to the end that our efforts to collect needed funds may not be hindered."
The Board of Missions resented this, and the controversy continued for several
years. The "indilTerence manifested in our Eldership Missionary Meetings" is
seen in the amount raised on Friday evening, after "an earnest missionary sermon
by B. F. Beck — $40.81." The Board of Missions consisted of J. M. Carvell, C. H.
Forney, D. S. Shoop, J. H. Esterline, Geo. Sigler, Geo. W. Getz, B. F. Beck, C. C.
Bartels, M. M. Foose. The Eldership's right to overrule actions of a local church
was exercised in the case of the Saxton church, where a special election for church
officers was ordered, at which the Chairman of the Standing Committee was di-
rected to preside. Also in the case of the church at Shepherdstown, where names
erased from the Church Record were directed to be restored, and the council "di-
rected to act in regular order in all cases in dismissing members to other churches."
It decided that "the minister of a church or churches is a member of the Board of
Elders, and as such he has the rights and privileges of an elder; and that in the
ruling of the church, the reception and disciplining of members, and in transferring
members from one church to another, he has only equal powers with other elders."
East Pennsyu^ania Eldejiship 359
A resolution was adopted, declaring "that it is the moral sense of this Eldership
that electioneering and combinations of all kinds in the Eldership are wrong and
Injurious." Emphasis was laid on the order of attending to the ordinances. In
"the apostolic order" Christian baptism comes first, "and the importance of mak-
ing this order prominent in the teaching and practice of ministers" was urged upon
all. The "alarming indifference manifested in regard to missions" was deplored.
"Unity and co-operation" were made the subject of an earnest resolution. There
were twenty-seven stations and twenty-four circuits. And while no appointments
are designated as "missions," thirteen received appropriations out of the Mission-
ary Fund, from $15.00 to $12.5.00. Rules were reported by the Board of Educa-
tion, governing appropriations out of the Beneficiary Educational Fund. The
money in this fund was directed to be "invested in good interest-bearing securities,
in real estate, stocks, bonds, or scholarships, or loans on first mortgages." A form
of bequests to the Fund was also approved. The new Board consisted of C. H.
Forney, D. S. Shoop, B. F. Beck, C. I. Brown, J. M. Cai-vell.
63rd East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The session of the Eldership held at Al-
toona, Blair county. Pa., October 7 to 13, 1891, had a few exceptional incidents.
President Latchaw, of Findlay College, was an advisory member, and by invitation
spoke on the Report of the Committee on Education. By special action, laymen
were placed on the Auditing Committee. The Constitution was amended in sev-
eral Articles which had remained undisturbed for many years. One of these re-
lated to "messengers." The Eldership was becoming so large that a sentiment
developed against "messengers," provided for in Art. II. They were a-iso consid-
ered wholly unnecessary, as each charge was entitled to a delegate for the pastor
and for each local minister living on the field. Letters to the number of eighty-
six were also sent to the Eldership this year, representing the wishes of the fields.
And so the provision for "messengers" was "stricken out." The echo of the dis-
cussion of "the Stationing Committee" was heard in a proposed amendment to
the Constitution providing that said Committee "shall not have the power to sever
the relations between pastor and people when harmony prevails." Another amend-
ment to this Article, of which notice was given, proposed that all ministers shall
be subject to change at the end of any one year, but may be reappointed for four
consecutive years. The Opening Sermon was preached on Wednesday evening, by
W. J. Grissinger. Theme: — "The Preacher's Intimacy With Christ." Text: — John
xiii. 23. The presiding officer of the Eldership was J. W. Miller; Stated Clerk, Ira
A. MacDannald; Transcribing Clerk, B. F. Beck; Financial Clerk, J. Haifleigh, and
Treasurer, S. Knisley, The Eldership took favorable action on "tithing," affirming
It to be "in accordance with the word of God, and that it should be so taught and
practiced within the bounds of this Eldership." A unanimous protest against the
keeping open the gates of the World's Fair at Chicago, in 1893, was adopted, and
a copy of the resolution ordered to be sent to the President of the World's Fair
Commission. It was proposed to have a "Children's Missionary Day;" but on ac-
count of its possible interference with Children's College Day it was made op-
tional. The death of one minister was duly memorialized. Isaiah T. Browii, a
colored man, "loved by his people, a zealous young man, whose labors were not
in vain," "fell on the victor's field." The Christian Endeavor Society was "rec-
ommended to pastors of churches within the body as being helpful in bringing
souls to Christ." A bequest of $1,000.00 to the Church "by Sister Ridenower, of
Chambersburg, was acknowledged, and it was ordered to be paid into the Bene-
ficiary Educational Fund. The bethel at Paradise, Clearfield county, was ordered
to be sold, with a view of building a new bethel in West Clearfield. The press-
ing needs of Findlay College for funds were fully realized, and President Latchaw
was requested in person to bring them before the churches of the Eldership. The
ministers were "urged to prepare the way for him, and to render him all neces-
sary assistance." The appointments consisted of twenty-nine stations and twenty-
three circuits. While no appointments are classed as missions, fifteen had re-
ceived appropriations from the Board of Missions the previous year. The total
amount of missionary money reported by the Treasurer was $1,732.43. The
"State of religion within the bounds of the Eldership," the Committee reported, "is
quite encouraging. More accessions to the Church have been reported this year
than last year." The ministers were exhorted "to devote their time, their strength,
their talents to this one thing, viz.: The saving of souls."
64th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The Eldership in 189 2 adopted a new
rule "to facilitate and expedite the business." It made the election of delegates to
360 History dp tiik Churches of God
the General Eldership in 189 3 a special order. It provided that no sitting should
be held on Friday afternoon; but that all the committees were to meet and pre-
pare their reports, and the Board of Missions was to hold a meeting to finish its
work. The session was held at Lancaster city, from October 5th to 12th. G.
Sig'ler was elected Speaker; B. F. IJeck, Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial
Clerk, and Samuel Kiiisley, Treasurer. Dr. J. J. Sunimerbell, of the Christian
Church, was given permission to present "the greetings of the American Christian
Convention." The committee to "prepare a suitable memorial in reference to the
overtures "which he presented to this body," reported that the "Eldership cor-
dially reciprocates the generous overtures so fittingly presented," and "requested
the Eldership to send a Commissioner to represent this body at the next meeting of
the Christian Convention." B. F. Beck was named as the fraternal delegate. The
Eldership decided that a local minister can not serve "as a delegate from a local
church." On temperance the Eldership declared "that all sanction of the liquor
traffic, by high license or low license, by ballot or by indifference, is a great sin."
The state of religion was represented as revealing "the lamentable fact that there
is a lack of deep and ardent piety among us as a people; a growing conformity to
the amusements of the world; an increasing spiritual apathy and indifference, and
a marked neglect of the divinely appointed means of grace." "Days of fasting,
confession, humiliation and prayer on all the charges within the bounds of this
Eldership, "were recommended." The Eldership mourned the death, during the
year, of D. W. Keefer, for the entire body felt that "over our hearts and over our
lives" a deep shadow had fallen. His labors were limited to a few years, as he was
ordained in 1886. He was a faithful preacher of Christ, and always "endeared
himself to his people." The change of sentiment in the Eldership on several con-
stitutional questions was strikingly evidenced by the votes on three pending
amendments. The first was on "changing ministers at the end of four years."
The vote stood: Ayes, 13; nays, 5 4." On "discontinuing the sending of mes-
sengers" the vote stood: Ayes, 41; nays, 36. On "vesting in the churches and
ministers the power of stationing preachers," the vote was: Ayes, 32; nays, 49.
An analysis of the vote shows that of the 32 aye votes 24 were by ministers and 8
by laymen; of the 49 nay votes, 32 were by ministers, and 17 by laymen. How-
ever, the proposition to do away with the Stationing Committee was referred to the
Committee on Revision of the Constitution, which consisted of C. H. Forney, J. M.
Carvell, D. S. Shoop, B. F. Beck and George Sigler. Action was taken "recom-
mending the appointment of commissioners by different nations which shall con-
stitute a Supreme Council or High Court, to which shall be referred all differences
or difficulties existing or arising between nations for adjudication, without resort
to war." Opposition was expressed against boards of the General Eldership em-
ploying any of their members in salaried positions. The College was strongly
endorsed, and the President's services commended; but there was an implied con-
viction that there was lacking at the College "a definite Church sentiment," which
the body positively favored. The Standing Committee was empowered, by amend-
ment to Art. X. of the Constitution, "to nominate persons to fill vacan<;ies on the
Board of Trustees of Findlay College." An effort was made to restrict member-
ship of any one person to not exceeding three boards or committees. The matter
was referred to the Revision Committee. The Eldership placed itself on record
against annual licenses by instructing its delegates to the General Eldership to
vote for life certificates. The question of holding "an Eldership camp-meeting"
was placed in the hands of a committee of five to report in 1893.
65th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — Great changes occurred during the year,
so that when the Eldership met at Shippensburg, October 4, 1893, instead of the
presence at its session of the first President of Findlay College, W. N. Yates, Act-
ing President, was received as an advisory member, and "the Eldership accorded
to him an expression of entire confidence in his qualifications and adaptation to
his responsible vocation." Continuing Ira A. MacDannald as Stated Clerk, the
Eldership made choice of C. D. Rishel for Speaker; F. L. Nicodemus, Transcribing
Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk, and S. Knisley, Treasurer. The revised Con-
stitution was discussed during four sittings. The Article changing the title of
the body to "East Pennsylvania Association of churches of God" was adopted by a
vote of ayes, 44; nays, 13. Two Articles are recorded as "defeated," though the
vote on Art. viii. is given as, "yeas, 40; nays, 28." But the opposition united
on the final vote, and "the Constitution as a whole was rejected by the following
vote: Yeas, 18; nays, 52." The funds of the Eldership were in satisfactory con-
East Pennsylvania Eldership 361
dition, the Treasurer's Report showing Missionary Fund, $1,696.73; Widows',
$567.31; Contingent, $158.96; Superannuated, $347.16; Church Extension, $609.-
95; General Eldership Contingent, $83.52; Sinking, $100.00; General Eldership'
Mission, $398.03; G. E. Delegate, $281.93; Foreign Mission, $37.11. Three men,
"with tidings of salvation shod," dropped out of the ministerial ranks during the
year. J. M. Stoufter, licensed in 185 6, died January 25, 1893, "an excellent helper
of his pastor," as he "labored almost exclusively as a local preacher." Thomas
Still, ordained in 1861, died August, 1893; "a successful laborer, and possessed
the happy faculty of endearing himself to the people he served." John W. Swank
was received from another Church in 1875, died shortly before the Eldership, at
the time being Chaplain of the Lancaster County Almshouse and Prison." "His
memory survives." The Eldership disclaimed all authority "to influence the vote
of any member or church on any political question, or in favor of any political
party." Yet it expressed the belief that "it is not only the duty of every Christian
to abstain from the use of intoxicating drink, but also to vote always and only for
men and measures which openly favor the vigorous enforcement of present laws
and the enactment of laws prohibiting the sale and manufacture of alcoholic
beverages." The committee created the year previous reported negatively on the
matter of holding an Eldership camp-meeting. A much more elaborate course of
studies was reported by the Revision Committee, which was adopted. It provided
for an "Entrance Course" of four branches; a Three Years' Pre-Licentiate Course,
of five and six branches in each year, and a Four Years' Post-Licentiate Course,
with five and six studies in each year. The Stationing Committee, according to a
new Rule, reported one sitting before the final one. There were 32 stations, and
23 circuits. Very positive resolutions were adopted against whatever "tended
toward the secularization of the Christian Sabbath;" advising "ministers and
church members to discountenance the Sunday paper, excursions of all kinds,
traveling on the railroads on Sunday, as well as all forms of Sunday desecration."
66th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — A new and pleasant incident at the first
sitting of the Eldership at Middletown, Dauphin county, October 3, 1894, was the
introduction to the body, by the pastor, C. I. Behney, of the members of the Mid-
dletown Ministerial Association. Through its Secretary, Rev. J. H. Groflf, of the
Presbyterian Church, a series of resolutions was presented, "extending most
heartily the fraternal greetings to the Eldership of the Church of God, and bidding
them welcome to the town." H. E. Reever was elected Speaker; F, L. Nicodemus,
Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk, and S. Knisley, Treasurer.
The enrollment showed that the membership consisted of 55 active ministers, 50
delegates, 16 local ministers, 4 superannuated, 1 general evangelist, 1 editor of
The Advocate. C. H. Grove was received on Transfer from the West Pennsyl-
vania Eldership, and J. A. Staub from the Maryland and Virginia Eldership.
Seven applicants for licence were also received.
During the year $1,356.32 was paid out of the treasury for missionary pur-
poses. In anticipation of a change of place for the holding of the General Elder-
ship in 1896, a Petition to the Executive Board was adopted, asking that Harris-
burg be selected. Advancement was reported to have been made during the year
"in every department of Church work. We believe that there are more conse-
crated, self-denying, active Christian workers among us at the present time than
there have been at any former period in our history." During the year "the
reaping angel has thrust in his sharp sickle, and three of our number have been
gathered home." It was a sad, dark sitting at which the Committee on Obituaries
in mellowed tones recounted the virtues of C. H. Blough, Henry Hackenberger and
J. M. Carvell. Blough was licensed in 1889; died June 26, 1894, aged nearly
36 years, and "was an active, energetic minister and pastor." Hackenberger was
ordained in 1870; died June 9, 1894, aged a few days less than 76 years. Car-
vell was received into the Eldership in 1866, and died September 1, 1894, aged
51 years. He "was a diligent student, as well as minister and pastor; a faithful,
earnest preacher of the gospel and an exemplary Christian in all life's varied re-
lations." A communication "from Rev. G. W. Reed, United Presbyterian, touch-
ing the Sabbath question" was acted upon, by declaring that a day of rest "is a
fundamental law in the divine government;" that our best interests demand "rest
from all secular employment, except acts of mercy and necessity, and devoting
the day to the culture of our spiritual natures." But "inflicting punishment upon
persons who from honest religious convictions prefer to keep the seventh day in-
stead of the first" was disapproved. The question of the "verbal inspiration of the
362 History of the Churches of God
Scriptures" was by special action limited to one hour. After the discussion the
resolution affirming verbal inspiration was "indefinitely postponed." The Elder-
ship "most heartily approved of the action of the Incorporate Board" in as-
suming $5,500 of the $24,000 debt resting on the College, and which had
"threatened its destruction as a Church school." There was a failure on the part
"of a number of ministers and churches to observe Children's College Day," and
"the duty and necessity of observing said day" was emphatically set forth.
67th East Pennsylvania Eldei-ship. — The sale of church properties was
always an unpleasant item of business for the Eldership, and action was at times
too long delayed to dispose of them to advantage. The Board of Incorporation
had the following properties to sell in 1894-5: At Crete, and at Barada, Neb.,
and at Paradise, Clearfield county, Pa. On October 2, 1895, the Eldership met
at Landisburg, Perry county. The Opening Sermon was delivered by H. E.
Reever, from Zech. xii. 1. Theme: "Burden of the word of the Lord." The
preacher received the compliment of a request "to hand the sermon to the Editor
of The Advocate for publication." Officers were chosen, as follows: J. T.
Fleegal, Speaker; F. L. Nicodenius, Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Financial
Clerk, and S. Knisley, Treasurer. The enrollment showed a membership of
seventy-seven ministers, and seventy-one delegates and messengers. Being the
year before the meeting of the General Eldership, arrangements were made at the
first sitting for the election of delegates to said body, and "immediately there-
after, the questions handed down by the General Eldership shall be taken up and
discussed." Accordingly, on Friday afternoon the question of a change of Elder-
ship titles was taken up, when C. H. Forney introduced resolutions as the basis for
discussion and action which affirmed, that the term "church of God" is used in two
senses, the one to designate all true believers in the world, sometimes called the
universal or invisible church, and the other, to designate a local body of Chris-
tians organized according to the New Testament. Also that the use of the term
"Churc^j of God" in a provincial, national or denominational sense is discordant
with the New Testament; that the term as it occurs in the title of this Eldership
is not according to New Testament usage, and that it should be changed to
"churches." Also that the body of men in each local church known as "elders"
is the Eldership of that church, and that there is "no other body in the New
Testament called an Eldership, and that what we call an Eldership is not known,
and hence not so called, in the New Testament. Thus the conclusion was
reached that "the Eldership of the Church of God" should be called "Association
of churches of God." These resolutions were adopted by a vote of ayes, 39; nays,
37. The Eldership also voted in favor of Life Ordination, and of Certificates of
Ordination in lieu of "Preachers' Licenses." To revive the Ministerial Associa-
tion a committee, consisting of C. H. Grove, C. I. Brown, G. Sigler, J. W. Deshong
and O. E. Houston, was appointed. On temperance it was determined as "the
■sense of this body, that when a Christian exercises the right of suffrage he should
vote for men and parties who are openly pledged in favor of the absolute prohibi-
tion of the liquor traffic." The posture in public prayer was the subject of action,
in which it was declared that "the most appropriate and scriptural attitude is that
of deep humiliation," and, hence, the Eldership disapproved of any other than
the kneeling posture, and "urged upon all ministers and elders the duty of guard-
ing against any innovations which will change this appropriate custom to any
other posture in public worship." The "slow progress" of the Church was rec-
ognized, and it was recommended that "pastors and churches inquire into the
causes and remove them as far as it may be in their power," and to "pray earn-
estly for the reviving, sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit." The total mem-
bership is given as 6,492.
68th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — On its Journals the East Pennsylvania
Eldership does not, as a rule, distinguish its colored ministers and churches from
the others. The Roll of ministers and delegates in 1896 had on it the names of
three colored ministers and five churches; but the fact is nowhere indicated.
And the ministers enjoyed a perfect parity of rank and privileges. The session
of 1896 was held at Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, from October 7th to 13th.
It had the gratification of welcoming to a seat as an advisory member, Clara
Tjandes, shortly to sail as missionary to India. She was given the privilege "to
address the Eldership in its official capacity," and one evening was set apart for
lier to make a public address. The Openftig Sermon was preached by J. T. Fleegal,
from I. Cor. iii. 11. Theme: "Christ the Foundation and Chief Corner-stone of
East Pennsylvania Eldership 363
the Church." The number of appointments was fifty-six, served by as many pas-
tors. There were also thirteen "local ministers," and four superannuated. The
Eldership was organized by electing the following officers: Speaker, J. W. De-
shong; W. J. Schaner, continued Stated Clerk; C. H. Grove, Transcribing Clerk;
J. Haifleigh, Financial Clerk, and Samuel Knisley, Treasurer. A fund of $100.00
was raised to secure a home in an institution for incurables at Philadelphia for
W. Sanborn, a superannuated minister. The Eldership at this time had eight
different Funds, all in fair condition. The receipts during the year were $1,387.38,
JMissionary money; $467.77, Widows' Fund; $90.42, Contingent Fund; $211.39,
Superannuated Fund; $.500.00, Church Extension Fund; $546.72, General Elder-
-ship Missionary Fund. The Momorial Services were more than ordinarily im-
pressive, as two comparatively young ministers had gone to "inherit some holier
vcause, some vaster trust." These were F. L. Nicodemus, ordained in 1869, and
JVI. M. Foose, in 1884. Strong resolutions were adopted, which gave suitable
vexpression to the deep sense of loss sustained in their death. The standard of
-activity and attainment reached by these men is worthy of study and emulation
by aspiring young ministers. Arrangements were at once made to raise money
from the Young People's Societies of Christian Endeavor for the purpose of erect-
ing a monument over the grave of Foose, as he had been one of the most active
promoters of the organization. Action on the temperance question was em-
bodied in more moderate terms, but it favored prohibition in that it declared that
our "aims and our efforts should be unceasingly directed toward the abolishing of
the liquor traffic, until our State is free, and we can touch hands with Maine and
Tejoice with Iowa and all other States which are uniting in one common brother-
hood of States in shaking themselves free from this monster evil." Increased
stimulus was given the missionary work of the Eldership and its Woman's Mis-
sionary Society by the prospective opening of a mission field in India. Pastors
were directed "to present the subject of missions to the churches by sermons or
otherwise as frequently as possible, and to assist in organizing societies" and
Ta'ising funds for home and for foreign mission work. The Eldership held that
"camp-meetings in which Sunday trafficking, railroad excursions and the toll sys-
tem are conspicuous features, are not in harmony with the true idea of worship,
and are generally more derogatory than helpful to the cause of the Christian re-
ligion." It also placed its seal of condemnation "on the transformation of the
pulpit into a stage, and the church of God into a play-house in which secular and
Tinchristian performances are given." It also "denounced the 'Santa Claus' farce
■and like exhibitions as subversive of the true spirit of worship, and destructive of
the spirituality of the Church." The deed of conveyance of a fine grove in Hunt-
ingdon county was accepted, the grove to be used as a permanent camp ground.
69th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — "The proper time to do a thing is now,"
Ts an old aphorism. Has it been improved by the sage remark of a more recent
age: "Whatever you are going to do, do it yesterday?" The Stationing Com-
mittee in 189 6 reached a compromise on the appointments to two charges, by
which a certain minister was to be appointed to a given station in 1897. The
Committee in 1897 failed to do this, which resulted in the calling of an extraordi-
nary session four weeks after the regular annual session closed, and in complica-
tions and antagonisms which required years to adjust and tranquilize. Both the
regular and the extraordinary sessions were held at Mechanicsburg, Cumberland
•county. The former convened October 7, 1897, the Opening Sermon having been
delivered the previous evening by J. W. Deshong, from Jer. xxxi. 7. C. I. Behney
was elected Speaker. W. J. Schaner, who had been elected Stated Clerk at the
'Close of the session of 1895, was continued without re-election, according to the
provision of the Constitution; C. H. Grove, Transcribing Clerk; J. Haifleigh, Fi-
nancial Clerk, and S. Knisley, Treasurer. A pleasant incident occurred on Sat-
urday, when, upon invitation of the President of Irving College, the Eldership
-visited said institution in a body. Much time was given to the discussion of the
report of the Committee on Revision of the Constitution, said report involving the
-discontinuance of the Stationing Committee, and the substitution of the call sys-
tem. The result was the adoption of a compromise proposition, whereby the
■"question was postponed, and the matter ordered to be sent down to the churches
for consideration and action." This action was to be reported in 1898, and "the
delegates shall be instructed to vote in harmony with the action of the churches,
and the matter shall be decided by popular vote." The amendments were to
strike out of Art. viii. the words "Stationing Committee," and to replace Articles
364 History of the Churches oe God
xiii. and xiv. with two others, vesting in the churches themselves the power to se-
cure ministers; denying to the Eldership the power to dissolve the relation of
pastor and church except by their previous agreement, and making "the Stand-
ing Committee an Advisory Board to which churches having no ministers, and
ministers having no charges, may apply, and mutual arrangements may be made
between churches and preachers." The month of September, 1898, was desig-
nated as the time when the churches shall vote on the questions submitted, and the
ballots were to be printed respectively "For the Eldership," and "For the
Churches." A majority of the former ballots would mean that the existing sys-
tem should continue; a majority of the latter, that the call system should be
adopted. No pastor was permitted to "seek to influence the vote of any church"
on the subject. The Board of Incorporation was empowered to sell the Holli-
daysburg church property. The state of religion throughout the Eldership was
very satisfactory. There was "evident growth in membership," "new houses of
worship were erected, and others remodeled and repaired;" "ministers and
churches are alive and zealous," and "the labors of the brethren on the various
stations and circuits have been graciously blessed." After a long life of useful-
ness, one member of the body, J. AV. Collins, "was called from labor to reward"
during the year. G. W. Seilhammer, who had removed to the Maryland Elder-
ship, and who died during the year, was also "called home to wait the final
gathering of the faithful." Affecting memorial services were held. There were
one hundred and thirty-two organized churches in the Eldership, and one hun-
dred and seventeen houses of worship.
The call for the extraordinary session of the Eldership, which convened at
Mechanicsburg, November 18, 1897, was issued by the President upon "petition
signed by fifty-three ministers and delegates of the regular session of October,
1897." The call, quoting the language of the petition, stated that the Eldership-
had failed to supply Fourth Street Church, Harrisburg, with a pastor, and that
after having exhausted all its powers under the Constitution, the Standing Com-
mittee was unable to do so, and, hence the Eldership is reconvened for that pur-
pose. All the committees of the regular session were revived, except the Station-
ing Committee, which at the regular session consisted of C. H. Forney, D. S. Shoop,
G. Slgler, C. I. Brown, J. W. Deshong, J. H. Esterline and C. C. Bartels, was
changed by a regular election to the following: C. H. Forney, D. S. Shoop, C. I.
Brown, F. W. McGiiii-e, C. H. Grove, J. T. Fleegal and H. Whitaker. This com-
mittee made three changes in the report of the Committee at the regular session,
and approved six made by the Standing Committee. It also adopted, and handed
down to the churches a proposition to re-establish a time-limit for pastors, making
it 3, 4 or 5 years as the vote might result. The referendum was thus incorporated
again in the practice of the Eldership.
70th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — Agreeably to the action of the Eldership
in 1897, the vote on the proposed amendments to the Constitution by the churches
was taken in September, 1898. The result was as follows: "For the churches,"
641; "for the Eldership," 2,462. The former meant "the settled pastorate; the
latter, the continuation of the system of appointment of pastors by the Eldership.
On the time-limit the vote was: "Limit," 1,454; "no limit," 1,511. On the length
of the pastoral term the vote stood: Three years, 857; four years, 340; five years,
865. The question of "messengers" from charges to the Eldership was decided
in the negative by the following vote: Yes, 1,308; no, 1,660. On the method of
voting for pastors the following was submitted: "An annual vote for pastor shall
be taken in each church, but it shall be by the representatives known as the church
council, said action to be submitted to the church at a congregational meeting for
approval." The vote was: Yes, 1,269; no, 1,564. Less than half of the reported
number of church members voted on any one of these questions; but they were
thus finally settled, and all agitation ceased. The Eldership which computed the
ballots convened at Saxton, Bedford county, October 13, 189 8. The previous
evening the Opening Sermon was delivered by C. I. Behney, from II. Tim. iv. 2.
Theme — "Preaching the Word." Officers were chosen as follows: President, F,
VV. McGuire; C. H. Grove, Transcribing Clerk, and Samuel Knisley, Financial
Clerk. After the Treasurer's Report was audited Knisley was re-elected Treas-
urer. One of the aged ministers of the Eldership mysteriously "disappeared dur-
ing the year" — S. Spui-rier — and the matter was placed in the hands of a com-
mittee, instructed to "make all possible investigation concerning his case." The
Eldership felt the need of practicing economy in its contingent expenses, and a
East Pennsyi^vania Elde.rship 365
reduction in sundry expenses was ordered. The bars were put up against the in-
coming of illiterate ministers on transfers from other Elderships, by "requiring
them to appear before the Board of Education and pass a satisfactory examination
under the same rules that govern our own men." Action was taken to "apportion
the Eldership funds to be raised among the churches in the same manner and pro-
portionate amounts as the missionary money is now apportioned." The Elder-
ship deeply mourned the tragic death of one of its younger members, and the pass-
ing away of a beloved minister who reached the final goal and received his pass-
port to life at a good old age. S. G. Corbiii "met with a shocking and sudden
death in a wreck at Altoona, December 20, 1897." He was ordained in 1883, but
had retired from the active ministry some six years prior to his death. J. B. Lock-
wood died September 3, 1898. While he was only eleven years a member of the
Eldership, he had been a minister of another body for a number of years. The
Eldership was conservative in its deliverance on temperance, favoring local option
by "recognizing the possibility of extending the work of prohibition into the dif-
ferent towns and communities and counties until the whole State is freed from the
rum curse." But it insisted on "personal prohibition on the part of the believer."
The delegates to the General Eldership were "instructed to use their influence to
liave the Board of Missions of the General Eldership open mission work in one or
more of our larger eastern cities." Also to "vote as a unit for a change in the
form of The Church Advocate," and against having published otherwise than in
a condensed form the minutes of Elderships, church societies and church meetings.
The body rejoiced in the encouraging work of the Woman's Missionary Society,
"the grand and good work" of the Y. P. S. C. E.; yet regretted "that the Church
as a whole is not meeting fully her high calling and obligations."
71st East Pennsylvania Eldership. — During the Winter of 189 8-9 the Field
Agent of the Eldership, C. I. Brown, with the active co-operation of the Treasurer,
C. H. Forney, and pastors and trustees of the College, succeeded in raising enough
money to pay in full, principal and interest, the obligation of the Eldership of
$5,500 toward the debt of said institution of $24,000, or .$25,000, in 1894. "The
entire Eldership rejoiced in the accomplishment of a purpose which means more
than any other single act for itself and for Findlay College within the past fifteen
years." "As we are giving more we are rejoicing more." Under such auspices
the Eldership met in Washington Borough, Lancaster county, October 5, 1899,
E. W. McGuire having preached the Opening Sermon the evening before, from Acts
xxiv. 14, 15. Theme — "Paul's Confession." The Eldership as constituted by the
Stated Clerk consisted of 51 stations, with as many pastors and an equal number
of delegates, and 26 other ministers. C. I. Brown was elected President; C. H.
Grove, Transcribing Clerk; Samuel Knlsley, Financial Clerk, and also Treasurer.
Three ministers during the year "departed in the triumphs of the faith for which
they had long contended." B. E. Beck died March 20, 1899; J. Halfleigh, July 26,
1899, and William Sanborn, November 10, 1898. The Eldership expressed its
"admiration for the character of these brethren, and rejoiced in the excellencies
"which adorned their lives, and will hold them up as patterns for imitation." While
there are intimations in the Minutes of some internal troubles, the fraternal, co-
operative disposition of the ministers and delegates proved as oil upon the troubled
waters. The Funds were in gratifying condition. Missionary Fund, $1,944.84;
Widows' Fund, $862.92; Contingent Fund, $140.50; Superannuated Fund,
$426.30; Church Extension Fund, $272.28; General Eldership Missionary Fund,
$610.31; Y. P. S. C. E. Church Extension Fund, $196.62. The sum of $114.68
was raised for the Eoose Monument Fund. All bequests to the Eldership were
ordered to be placed in "Permanent Funds, to be held sacred as such,
and invested, and only the interest thereof to be ajinually used." The
religious condition of the churches was so favorable that the Eldership
"acknowledged with deepest gratitude to God the favor and measure of suc-
cess which he has given in the accessions made both to the ministry of this body
and to the churches, and an increase in Interest in the Sunday-school and Chris-
tian Endeavor work." The committee, however, "recognized the great and essen-
tial need of the 'fulness of the Holy Spirit' dwelling in the heart, greater humility,
more earnest prayer and a deeper sense of that co-operation taught in God's word
and embodied in our Constitution." The number of stations was thirty-three;
circuits, twenty. Apportionments were made to the fields of labor for six different
Funds aggregating $3,169.00. There were seventeen parsonages, one hundred and
366 History of the Churches of God
seven houses of worship and one hundred and twenty-seven regular preaching-
places. Total membership, 6,740.
72n(l East Pennsylvania Eldership. — In constituting the Eldership in 1900
the enrollment consisted of fifty-three pastors, three superannuated and seventeen,
local ministers, and fifty-seven delegates, a total of one hundred and thirty. The
session was held with the Green Street Church, Harrisburg, where the Opening
Sermon was preached on the evening of October 3rd, by C. I. Brown, from Ps. xvi.
8 — "The Conscious Presence of God." Balloting for officers resulted in the elec-
tion of I. A. MacDannald, President; C. H. Grove, Transcribing Clerk; SamueL
Knisley, Financial Clerk and Treasurer. The Chairman of the Standing Com-
mittee returned to the Eldership the Certificates of Ordination of four ministers,,
which were annulled, and one other minister was requested to return his Certifi-
cate. The Report of the Treasurer showed the following balances: Missionary
Fund, 3394.42; Widows' Fund, $450.56; Contingent Fund, due Treasurer, $80.45;
Superannuated Fund, $285.23; Church Extension Fund, $17.87; General Elder-
ship Contingent Fund, $0.37; General Eldership Missionary Fund, $346.81; Y. P.
S. C. E. Church Extension Fund, $4.80. The receipts in the same order were,
$1,887.40; $940.56; $197.83; $460.23; $434.06; $52.12; $646.81; $168.68. The^
Judiciary Committee had an unusually aggravated case of immorality on the part
of a minister to deal with, and recommended that the guilty party be "most sol-
emnly deposed from the office of the ministry of the churches of God." Seven,
applicants were recommended for ordination. "Ministers, Sunday-school teachers,
editors and all others engaged in the moral education of mankind" were called
upon to "speak in clear and emphatic terms against every phase and form" of the.
whiskey traffic. Also, that it is "the duty of the Christian citizen to vote from
the high conviction that he is responsible to God and society to the extent that his.
vote determines whether or not the evils of the whiskey traffic shall continue to
be inflicted upon the people." The deaths of two of the young ministers of the
Eldership occurred during the year. David B. Herr, born in 1868, was qualifying
himself for his chosen work at Findlay College, when he was stricken with the;
fatal malady which ended his life. "He was faithful!" Elias F. Eshleman, who
had made diligent preparation at College for the ministry, and was licensed in.
1895, ended his promising career on July 14, 1900. He was a young man of
"noble character, deep-seated piety and sanctified ambition." Conditions in the
Eldership were regarded as in "a very encouraging state;" yet there is a "lack of
piety and spirituality." There was a good measure of enthusiasm and a resolute
purpose to continue earnestly to contend for the cause and to revive the churches;
into more hopeful activity, that the work might be prosecuted with power. The
growing flippancy regarding conceptions of sin was considered one of the greatest
moral perils of the age. The Statistics show that there were 53 charges, 124 ap-
pointments, 105 houses of worship, 19 parsonages, 6,819 members.
73rd East Pennsylvania Eldei-ship. — Within six months after the adjourn-
ment of the session of 1900 one minister "laid down the cross to wear the crown."
William Palmer died March 15, 1901. He was ordained in 1867. He was am
earnest Christian, a zealous and devoted minister, a close student of God's word,
spiritual in temperament and life, and free from a worldly spirit and worldly
tastes. He had good controversial powers. He loved to dwell on the glorious
certainties of the unseen world. The Eldership held its annual session at Mt.
Carmel, Northumberland county, where on October 2nd I. A. MacDannald preached
the Opening Sermon, from Rom. x. 14 — "The World's Need, and Its Remedy." On
the morning of the 3rd O. E. Houston was chosen President; J. R. Stonesifer,
Transcribing Clerk; S. Knisley, Financial Clerk and Treasurer. In electing the-
delegates to the General Eldership the Eldership decided to make the first ballot
a nominating one, when all receiving five votes and upward were to be considered
in nomination. A petition to the Executive Board of the General Eldership was
adopted, requesting it to change the place for holding the session of said body
from Anderson, Ind., to some other point, and not accept the offer of. the "Com-
mercial Club" of Anderson, Ind., "to provide entertainment" on account of the-
weak condition of the Anderson church. The proposed reunion of the churches
of the Eldership the following Summer was favorably acted upon. The Board of
Education, under whose authority the Beneficiary Educational Fund had been
placed, finding a demand from students at Findlay College for aid increasing,
availed itself of a privilege granted to it for an offering from each church for the
benefit of the Fund. The interests of the College were presented by the Agent,.
East Pennsylvania Ei.dekship 367
J. C. Forncrook. The Eldership lamented the evident decrease "in the number
of conversions and accessions to the churches during the past year;" but "the
financial condition of the churches is very encouraging." The assassination of
President McKinley, one of the greatest of our Chief Magistrates, having occurred
on September 6, 1901, it was to be expected that such a loyal and law-abiding
class of men as an Eldership of the churches of God would "utterly condemn and
protest against anarchy and all other depredations against our Government, as
well as those who are prompted by an evil spirit to lay violent hands upon those
who are in authority." The Anti-Saloon League was endorsed, and it was de-
clared that "all sanction of the liquor traffic, whether the sanction of silence or
of the ballot, is a sin." A local option law was heartily -recommended, making
the unit wards, boroughs and townships; but the belief was expressed that the
only successful way of dealing with "the giant evil is the total prohibition of the
manifacture and sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage." There were eighty
ministers on the Roll, and fifty-one delegates were enrolled. The Eldership also
received ninety-one letters from churches and ministers. There were fourteen
"fields of labor on the Board of Missions," and these received an aggregate of
$1,690.00. The country churches were reported not in as flourishing a condition
as those of the towns and cities. Conditions existed in the country which rendered
successful church work more difficult.
74th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The death of the Treasurer of the East
Pennsylvania Eldership in office had never occurred until the year 1901-2, when
S. Knisley, who was first elected in 187 9, departed from the active scenes of
mundane life. The Board of Incorporation elected his successor in the person of
H. M. Angle, a most estimable and responsible member of the church at Shippens-
burg. He made his first report at the Eldership held at Columbia, Lancaster
county, beginning with the Opening Sermon on Wednesday evening, October 1,
1902. He was later elected Treasurer for the following year by a unanimous vote.
O. E. Houston preached the opening sermon from I. Cor. i. 24 — "Christ the Power-
of God and the Wisdom of God." The officers elected were C. H. Grove, Presi-
dent; J. R. Stonesifer, Transcribing Clerk; H. M. Angle, Financial Clerk. The
session had added interest by reason of the presence of Brother and Sister A. C.
Bowers and Sister Viola G. Hershey under appointment as missionaries to India.
The Board of Incorporation of the Eldership of 1901 was continued, and "recog-
nized as the proper and legal representative of this Eldership, to make full and
final settlement with the executor of the will of Samuel Knisley, and with his
bondsmen as Treasurer of this Eldership." By amendments to the Constitution
proposed by C. I. Brown, the Treasurer may be "a member of a church of God in
the East Pennsylvania Eldership, or a bank, or corporation within its bounds." He
was made a member of the Eldership ex officio. His bond was fixed at "$8,000.00,
by a Trust Company, or Bonding Company." Important "rules and conditions of
the Beneficiary Educational Fund" were submitted and approved, according to
which appropriations were to be made to students for the ministry. The matters
relating to the Woman's General Missionary Society now became an important
question for the Eldership. Resolutions submitted by C. H. Forney were unani-
mously adopted, endorsing the action of the General Eldership in 1902. On tem-
perance the Eldership declared it to be "the imperative duty of the Christian
citizens of the State and nation to use their votes, as well as all other lawful means-
within their power, to remove the terrible evil of the liquor traffic, inflicted by law
upon society." The "tendency to formality in some of the churches" was deplored,
and churches were "urged earnestly to labor to win souls for Christ, and to pro-
mote the piety of the members, that the world may see their good works." The
"question of re-establishing a limit of five years to the pastorate" was submitted
to the churches," to be voted on at the congregational meetings in 19 03. In addi^
tion to the death of the Treasurer, two ministers paid the last debt of nature,
M. J. Hunter, colored, and D. L. Anderson, both licensed in 189 6. Hunter labored
as a local minister, and "was earnest and interested in the work of his people."
Anderson, too, "served largely in a local capacity," serving only one appointment.
"God has called them from labor to reward."
T.'jth East Pennsylvania Eldership. — Though the title of the Eldership was
changed in the Constitution after the General Eldership in 189 6, it was not until
1903 that the Board of Incorporation was "authorized and instructed to amend
the Charter and change the seal." The Reunion of the churches, deferred in
1902, was held in the Summer of 1903, and proved a profitable meeting. The^
368 History of the Churches of God
ballot of the churches on the question of re-establishing a limit of five years to the
pastorates was taken in September, 1903. It resulted in 1,034 votes for the
"limit," and 1,167 votes for "no limit." The session in 1903 was held at Martins-
burg, Blair county. The Opening Sermon was delivered on the evening of October
7th, by C H. Grove, from II. Chron. xxv. 9: — "Compensations for Divine Service."
Organization was effected by the election of F. Y. Weidenhammer, President; J. R.
Stonesifer, Transcribing Clerk; H. M. Angle, Financial Clerk and Treasurer. S.
G. Yahn was a welcome visitor to the Eldership. The various funds of the Elder-
ship were in satisfactory condition. Missionary Fund, $2,046.95; Superannuated,
$734.92; Widows', $765.69; Contingent, $219.65; Church Extension, $465.01; C.
E. Church Extension, $283.51; G. E. Mission, $520.24; Foreign Mission, $1,036.52.
On account of objectionable features of the Maryland Camp-meeting, largely kept
up by ministers of this Eldership, it was "discountenanced by the Maryland and
Virginia Eldership" and it requested the East Pennsylvania Eldership "to place a
restraint upon its ministers so that they discontinue their assistance in keeping
up the said camp-meeting." This was done, all ministers being forbidden to go
within the boundaries of said Eldership against its action, or that of its Standing
Committee. To more fully guard the Funds of the Eldership the power to loan
out money was placed in the hands of the Treasurer and the Standing Committee.
During the year two ministers "were called from labor to reward" — J. C. Sea^
brooks and S. E. Herman. The former was ordained in 1848; the latter, in 1883.
Seabrooks was an aggressive minister; an excellent worker; a faithful pastor; an
able preacher of the gospel. Herman "was a faithful and consistent member of
the Eldership." He had served only two charges, while Seabrooks had served
nearly all the circuits and several stations of the Eldership. A "Statistical Clerk"
was provided for, and the office was first filled by the election of J. A. Better. It
was also arranged to eliminate the reports of ministers, and the time thus saved
was to be occupied with addresses by ministers appointed in advance on the work
of each Board of the Eldership and the Publishing interests. A new order was
established for all elections, so as to minimize certain unpropitious practices in
the Eldership. For every member to be elected to any position two were to be
nominated, and these only were to be considered eligible. The Eldership consid-
ered "the prohibition of the liquor traffic to be the question of paramount im-
portance to-day." It also recommended the organization of temperance societies
among the young people.
76th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The Eldership of 1904 was in some re-
spects an exceptional one. It convened in "the beautiful new house of worship at
Shippensburg, Cumberland county." Several items of business of unusual interest
were transacted. The vote on the time-limit to the pastorate, resubmitted to the
churches by the Eldership in 1903, was defeated by a large majority. The evan-
gelistic meetings inaugurated in 1902, and for two years conducted at 4 p. m.,
by W. N. Yates, were this year conducted by T. H. McAfee. F. Y. Weidenhammer
preached the Opening Sermon on the evening of October 5th. McAfee was chosen
President; J. R. Stonesifer. Transcribing Clerk; J. A. Better, Statistical Clerk;
H. M. Angle, Financial Clerk and Treasurer. On the initiative of C. H. Forney
a new method of securing the effective amenability of ministers was formulated.
It substituted "the Ministerium of the Eldership" in place of ministers' individual
reports. This was a "closed session of the Eldership, held on Friday afternoon,"
under the supervision of the Standing Committee, when the moral and official con-
duct of ministers was to be inquired into. Each minister could be asked a series
of questions, and the Standing Committee testified to his standing. The "hearing
before the Executive Board of the General Eldership" on certain "allegations
against" officials of that body was taken up and the Report of the Executive Board
adopted. The Report of J. A. Better, Statistical Clerk, contained these items:
Appointments, 116; charges, 55; membership, 6,531; baptized, 534; accessions,
915; removed by letters and deaths, 189; dropped and disfellowshiped, 303; Y.
P. S. E's., 58; members, 2,418; missionary societies, 45; members, 2,325; parson-
ages, 26. While the Report of a committee, consisting of G. W. Getz, H. "Whit-
aker, C. F. Reitzel, W. H. Snyder, J. A. Better, C. C. Bartels and James Curry,
which was adopted, provided a different method from the congregational system
of annually electing a pastor, it had not received the support of the churches. The
Eldership was deeply affected by the deaths of two of the oldest ministers of the
body during the year. These were Abraham Snyder, ordained in 184 6, and Carl-
ton Price, ordained in 1841. Both were self-made men, of great force of char-
East Pennsyi.vania Eldership 369
acter, and influential as teachers and preachers of the word. They left behind
them imperishable monuments in the esteem of thousands who had been brought
to a saving knowledge of the truth through their ministry. They were pre-
eminently preachers of the word. Though not officially recognized, the death of
W. L. Jones, ordained a minister in the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1860, died
June 11, 1904. He had resigned his membership in the Eldership and united with
the Baptist Church some years previous, but without change of faith. He always
had a warm heart for the Church, and on two recent occasions attended sessions
of the Eldership. His natural eloquence, his gentleness of disposition, his staunch
and unwavering friendship and his ready helpfulness were everywhere recognized.
There was appreciable advancement in the spirituality of the churches, with ample
room for improvement. The closing hours of the session witnessed a touching
scene, when resolutions were considered granting a transfer to the Ohio Eldership
to C. I. Brown, an efficient, able and honored member of the body since 1887. The
resolutions voiced "the regret and sorrow the Eldership experienced in his re-
moval" to assume the duties of President of Findlay College.
77th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The question of Divorce was a heritage
of the Eldership of 1905, which convened at Lancaster, Lancaster county, October
4th. It had been introduced in 1904 by G. Sigler, and was referred to the session
of 1905, when, on Monday morning he offered a resolution expressing "the sense
of this Eldership that none of its ministers is justified in performing the marriage
ceremony for any divorced person, except for the innocent party in the case of
divorce where the cause is fornication or adultery." After a somewhat exhaustive
discussion of the resolution by a number of the ministers the Eldership laid the
resolution on the table. The Eldership suffered the loss by transfer of W. N.
Yates, who went to Ida Grove, Iowa, and T. H. McAfee, who was called to Findlay, '
Ohio, both "highly esteemed for their noble bearing and usefulness," and the Eld-
ership expressed its "high appreciation of them as men of high and noble char-
acter, inspired with holy and unselfish purposes, and earnest in upholding the
dignity and honor of ministers of the gospel." But the body gained three good
and efficient ministers by transfer, viz. : C. Manchester, of Ohio, and J. D. Clark
and T. B. Tyler, of Maryland.
The Opening Sermon was delivered by T. H. McAfee, from II. Tim. iv. 7,
Theme — "Keeping the Faith." The Eldership consisted of eighty ministers and
fifty-seven lay delegates. Fifty-eight of the ministers were pastors. A. P. Stover
was chosen President; W. J. Schaner was the Stated Clerk; J. R. Stonesifer was
elected Transcribing Clerk; J. A. Better, Statistical Clerk; H. M. Angle, Financial
Clerk and Treasurer. Following their Reports, Boards and Committees were
elected as follows: Standing Committee — C H. Forney, D. S. Shoop and Geo.
Sigler; Board of Missions — C. H. Forney, C. H. Grove, W. J. Schaner, G. W. Getz,
D. S. Shoop, I. A. MacBannald, George Sigler, F. W. McGuire, J. R. Stonesifer;
Judiciary Committee — C. H. Forney, A. P. Stover, F. W. McGuire, G. W. Getz,
Geo. Sigler; Board of Church Extension — F. W. McGuire, C. F. Reitzel, O. E.
Houston, J. A. Better, C. H. Forney; Board of Education — C. H. Foraey, A. P.
Stover, J. R. Stonesifer, C. H. Grove, George Sigler. Beginning at 4 o'clock p. m.
each day evangelistic services were held. The Funds were all in good condition,
showing balances to the credit of each Fund as follows: Mission, $25 8.37; Super-
annuated, $459.93; Widows' $332.30; Contingent, $127.62; Church Extension,
$115.73; C. E. Church Extension, $8.82; Beneficiary Educational, $64.91; Sink-
ing, $440.27; General Eldership Mission, $556.50; Foreign Mission, $1,139.07.
The Treasurer had investments to the amount of $6,381.25. The Report of the
Statistical Clerk showed that during the year the total amount of all funds con-
tributed by the churches aggregated $64,314.49; that there were 124 appoint-
ments, 106 houses of worship, 7,323 church members, 538 baptized, 859 received
into fellowship, 521 dropped from the rolls, removed and died; 11,861 Sunday-
school scholars, 65 Y. P. S. C. E., with a total membership of 3,655; 37 missionary
societies, with a membership of 1,918. The spiritual condition of the churches
was "believed to be fairly good," yet prayer was urged in all the churches that
"they may be revived." By a vote of 110 yeas and 19 nays the Eldership decided
that "no member of this body shall directly or indirectly use his influence by elec-
tioneering to elect officers, members of boards or committees of this Eldership."
Any one violating this action "shall forfeit his right to vote, hold office or serve on
any board or committee of the Eldership for one year." The Eldership strongly
endorsed the Anti-Saloon League and the W. C. T. U., and affirmed "that the only
C. H.— 13*
370 History of the Churches of God
attitude ministers of the gospel, Christians and good citizens can sustain toward
the whiskey traffic is that of uncompromising opposition, and that in the exercise
of the right of voting, as well as in every other way, they should have the over-
throw of this evil in view." Two ministers were named as "trustees of the Anti-
Saloon League." A favorable report was received of the annual Reunion of the
churches of God, and a new Reunion Committee was appointed.
The Eldership placed itself positively on record on the question of education
and the support of the institutions of learning under the control of the General
Eldership and the West Pennsylvania Eldership, to wit: Findlay College, Barkey-
ville Academy and Ft. Scott Collegiate Institute. The Eldership had "completed
the endowment of the chair of English Language and Literature in Findlay Col-
lege," and had "already $3,000.00 toward the endowment of the Latin professor-
ship." It greatly rejoiced over the proposition of C. H. Forney "to make himself
personally responsible for the endowment of the President's Chair in Findlay Col-
lege." -A series of resolutions prevailed by. unanimous vote relative to the "diffi-
culties and troubles arising in our general missionary work." They approved the
measures adopted by the General Eldership in 1905 to secure "harmony and gen-
eral co-operation under the W. G. M. S. of 1903." They also favored the appoint-
ment of a Commission by the Executive Board of the General Eldership, whose
duty it would be to devise and put into effect a provisional plan of organic unity"
of all the Woman's Missionary societies.
78th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The "Ministerium" which was to displace
the old style of ministers' reports proved so unsatisfactory that the Committee on
Resolutions in 1905 reported in favor of its discontinuance. And while the Eld-
ership did not agree to this, the "method failed to give general satisfaction," and
thus the way was prepared for the adoption of a new order, introduced by C.. H.
Forney on the first day of the session of 1906. This provided for "a closed ses-
sion of the Eldership to be held on Friday forenoon, which shall be called the
Ministerium of the Eldership, for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions
of the Constitution which empower the Eldership to inquire into the moral and
official conduct of its members." This examination of the character and official
conduct of ministers was "to be conducted by the Standing Committee, the Presi-
dent of the Eldership presiding. The examination related to doctrines, ordin-
ances, filling appointments, pastoral visitation and observance of Rules and By-
Laws. There being "no complaints or charges against a minister, his character
shall pass without formal action." Complaints could be made against a minister
at any time, to be called up by the Standing Committee at the Ministerium.
The Eldership convened at Saxton, Bedford county, October 11, 1906. On the
previous evening A. P. Stover preached the Opening Sermon from Rom. i. 16.
Theme — "The Gospel of Christ." After W. J. Schaner, Stated Clerk, had consti-
tuted the Eldership, elections resulted as follows: J. M. Waggoner, President; J. R.
Stonesifer, Transcribing Clerk; J. A. Detter, Statistical Clerk; H. M. Angle, Finan-
cial Clerk and Treasurer. The Judiciary Committee, an important and responsible
committee, consisting of C. H. Forney, George Sigler, D. S. Shoop, F. W. McGuire
and G, W. Getz, was continued during the year by special action. The action of the
Standing Committee on the appointment of a Commission on Unification of Mission-
ary Societies was unanimously approved, and ordered to be made a part of the
Journal. Additional action on the same subject was unanimously taken by the Elder-
ship, emphatically insisting that "it is our high duty as a Christian brotherhood to
seek by all possible means to remove all hindrances to harmony and union through-
out all our borders, and to bring all our missionary societies into thorough and har-
monious co-operation under one general management." The various fields of labor
paid $22,519.00 in salaries to their pastors; $786.59 was raised on Children's Col-
lege Day, and the grand total for the year was $73,320.39 for all purposes. Thirty-
three ministers were in the classes of the Course of Studies. Several important
amendments to the Constitution were made, one of which rescinded the drastic
Rule against electioneering because it "has been a dead letter;" one giving the
Standing Committee power "by resolution or otherwise to reprove, counsel or ad-
vise ministers concerning whom there are reports, or complaints of improper or
injurious conduct," and one providing that in the election of officers of the Elder-
ship and all elective committees and boards nominations shall be made, the num-
ber of nominations to be at least double the number to be elected." While finan-
cially and otherwise the Reunion of the churches was successful, the recommenda-
tion of the Committee was approved, to discontinue the same. The total invest-
East Pennsylvania Eldership 371
ments of funds by the Treasurer were $8,750.00. The proposition of Andi'ew Car-
negie to pay $12,500.00 toward a $50,000.00 endowment fund of Findlay College,
provided $37,500.00 be contributed by others, was enthusiastically greeted, and
the Eldership pledged its "best efforts and liberal financial support in meeting
Mr. Caraegie's proposition." The fields of labor numbered fifty-eight, including
one which the Maryland and Virginia Eldership was "permitted to supply." The
division of these fields into two classes had almost wholly disappeared, all being
designated simply as "appointments." The Walnut Grove camp-meeting and the
property located at Walnut Grove, Huntingdon county, were taken over by the
Eldership by the appointment of "three trustees to take charge of said Walnut
Grove camp-ground, and to have full control of the same." "A reasonable meas-
ure of success attended the labors of ministers and churches during the year,"
there having "been an increase over other years of 4 52 members to the churches
of the Eldership." The churches lost 106 by death, 110 by letter, and 248 were
dropped from the Rolls. The Eldership lost two ministers by death. One, George
M. Houston, aged nearly twenty-five years, ordained in 19 04, "loved and respected
by all." The other, W. S. Smith, aged sixty-two, and ordained in 1874, an earnest,
devoted minister, faithful to his trust. The Eldership reaffirmed its "most ad-
vanced position upon the question of the whiskey traffic;" rejoiced over "the
quickening of the public conscience upon this and all other great questions of re-
form," and congratulated "the people for their unwillingness to be held within
party lines by designing men, and a disposition to promote reform measures irre-
spective of former political affiliations." The next Legislature was petitioned "to
pass a law known as the Local Option Law, believing it to be in harmony with the
very genius of our republican form of government."
79th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — An important change in the Journal
went into effect with the Eldership of 1907. The elimination of reports of min-
isters had reduced its length some years before, it was now to contain "all of the
Reports of the Boards and Committees acting during the year, and all legal docu-
ments, in abridged form." This year's Journal thus increased to 72 pages, and
became a document of much greater value. The session of the Eldership was
held at Middletown, Dauphin county, where on Wednesday evening, October 2,
1907, G. W. Getz preached the Opening Sermon, from Col. i. 18. Theme — "The
Pre-eminence of Christ." The enrollment having been completed by AV. J.
Schaner, Stated Clerk, elections for other officers followed, and resulted in the
choice of J. C. Fomcrook for President; J. R. Stonesifer, Transcribing Clerk; J.
A. Better, Statistical Clerk, and H. M. Angle, Financial Clerk and Treasurer. The
Eldership again expressed strong sentiments on the missionary difficulties, sub-
mitted in a series of resolutions by C. H. Grove, endorsing the work of the Com-
mission on Unification, the actions of the Board of Missions of the General Elder-
ship and the Board of Managers of the W. G. M. S. The Eldership was intensely
loyal to the General Eldership and all its interests. While the Statistical Clerk
reported 540 additions to the membership of the churches, he also noted the fact
that "the total membership is 351 less than last year." Fields of labor on the
Stationing Committee's list numbered 5 9. Frequent deficiencies in collections for
the different funds moved the Eldership to adopt an amendment to its By-Laws,
holding "the delegate" of any charge "equally responsible with the pastor for
shortages in Eldership funds." The Eldership expressed its sincere gratitude to
Abraham Hostetter, late of Shippensburg, in making a bequest "of the balance or
residuary of his estate," after certain other bequests, "to the East Pennsylvania
Eldership of the churches of God." Authority was granted to C. H. Forney,
attorney-in-fact, with discretionary power, "with reference to the sale of the
church property at Palmyra, Lebanon county." The Board of Education con-
tiAued its activity in increasing its Beneficiary Educational Fund. It made small
appropriations to six students at Findlay College preparing for the ministry. It
controls two scholarships, which were given to three of the students. Among the
thirteen licentiates whose licenses were renewed, or full Certificates of Ordination
granted, was Preo Nath Biswas, of India. Also three returned students of
Findlay College and one of Dickinson College. The East Pennsylvania Woman's
Missionary Society having petitioned the Eldership to grant "all the rights and
privileges of the gospel ministry" to one of the missionaries in India, the Elder-
ship again placed itself on record as "not in favor of the ordination of women to
the gospel ministry." Church extension work was assuming large proportions,
and the Eldership strengthened the hands of the Board by special efforts to in7
372 History of the Churches of God
crease its receipts. Following its report an address was delivered by an appointee
for the purpose, O. E. Houston. The Report of the Board of Education was fol-
lowed by an address by C. Manchester; that of the Board of Missions by an ad-
dress by G. W. Getz. "Advocate Day" was fully endorsed, and ministers were in-
structed on said day "to present the need of a Church paper, and make an earnest
effort to place The Advocate into every home of the Church." The Eldership
recognized the decreased spirituality of the churches, and admonished "the min-
istry and churches to seek a higher plane of religious worship, and to set up a
more exalted standard of religious life. It also expressed its apprehension that
"the spirit of evil, which often manifests itself in the form of hatred, animosities,
jealousies and strife, was hindering our progress as a people," and hence "urged
one and all to cultivate a sweet spirit of love and harmony." A day was desig-
nated "to be set apart as a day of prayer in all the churches of the Eldership for
a blessed divine manifestation of power." The "spirit of compromise on some
of the distinctive doctrines of the Church" was disapproved, and it was "required
at the hand of every minister of the body to preach clearly and uncompromisingly
all the doctrines of the Church, as found in the New Testament Scriptures, so that
there may be an unquestioned uniformity in our teachings as a body." The Elder-
ship expressed its "satisfaction over the continued victories that have come to the
temperance cause, and reaffirmed its former utterances of uncompromising hos-
tility to the liquor traffic in all its forms." Two names of ministers were taken
off the Eldership Roll by the hand of death during the year. J. F. Meixel, aged
nearly 66 years, and ordained in 1870, was a faithful minister, and "sought to
live a godly life and to earnestly declare the word of God." Samuel Smith began
as an exhorter in 1867. "He was a strong preacher in the English and German
languages; a zealous, self-sacrificing workman in the Lord's vineyard, and a
staunch advocate of the faith and principles of the Church of God."
80th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The suit at law in the Court of Schuyl-
kill county against the German Eldership, instituted in 1896, under authority of
the General Eldership and the East Pennsylvania Eldership was still pending when
the Eldership of 1908 convened. C. H. Forney, attorney-in-fact for both Elder-
ships, reported the case ready for argument before Court. The object of the suit
was the appointment of the Board of Incorporation of the East Pennsylvania Eld-
ership as trustee of the Kimmel estate bequeathed to the German Eldership, whose
Charter had been revoked and whose dissolution had been decreed by the General
Eldership. A better system of accounts by church councils was urged upon pas-
tors and churches, so that there may be "proper accountability and mutual checks
to insure an honest administration of the finances of each church, and that the
misuse or loss of moneys collected may be prevented." The Report of J. A. Better,
Statistical Clerk, showed that "the total amount collected for all purposes during
the year was $77,035.39." There was an increase in pastors' salaries of $2,192.00,
making the total salaries $26,141.79. Four new houses of worship were erected,
and two parsonages. Important action was taken on the matter of deeds of church
properties, parsonages, etc., held by the Eldership. It provided that all such
property be deeded to the local churches, and that each deed shall contain pro-
visions that "the property shall never be sold, mortgaged, or converted into any
other use without the prior approval of the Board of Incorporation of the Elder-
ship; that it shall never be alienated from the East Pennsylvania Eldership, and
that whenever the church holding the deed shall cease to co-operate with the Eld-
ership, or shall become extinct, said property shall revert to the Eldership." The
action taken on the matter pertaining to the W. G. M. S. approved the positions
taken by the Board of Missions and the Executive Board of the General Eldership,
and "pledged the delegation to the General Eldership in 19 09 to stand with all
other Elderships in upholding the constitutional authority of the General Elder-
ship and in vindicating its Boards and agents in the firm stand taken by them in
the adjustment of the difficulties which have vexed the churches and brotherhood
during these years." The Eldership having at all times manifested a deep in-
terest in Findlay College, placed itself again on record as true to all the interests
of the College, and highly commended the Faculty and the Board of Trustees. The
Day of Prayer for colleges and Children's College Day were specially commended
to the pastors and churches, and a more general observance of these days was in-
sisted upon.
Six ministers were called to their final reward during the year. J. \V. Jones
(colored), who was ordained in 1880, had spent twenty-five years in the active
East Pennsylvania Eldership 373
work of the ministry. "He was an acceptable preacher among his people, and
the good he did among them during his life-time God alone can reveal." A. H.
Long had attained the age of nearly 85 years. He had been a member of the
Church since September 7, 1851, and was ordained to the gospel ministry in No-
vember, 1853. "He was a Christian of unblemished character; a plain, honest
worker; ever true to his convictions, sound in the faith and hope of the gospel.
No man was ever more loyal to the doctrines and teachings of the Church than was
Dr. Long." S. E. Kline was ordained in 189 6. He was "a brother of true and
honest purpose. In his measure he was faithful to his trust as a minister, and was
an ardent lover of the Church of God, whose triumphs were a source of great joy
to him." Elias Sowers died at the age of 76 years. He preached mainly in the
German language, and for a number of years was a member of the German Elder-
ship, and served several of its circuits. Being in the employ of the Philadelphia
and Reading Railroad Company, he became known as "the railroad preacher."
"He was respected and esteemed by those with whom he associated. There was
that about him which at once distinguished him from men of the world, and also
from those who have only 'a name to live while they are dead.' He was faithful."
C. Kahler died at the age of 67 years. He was converted when sixteen years of
age, but was not ordained to the ministry of the Eldership until in his forty-second
year. He "was a man of excellent character, admired and loved by a large circle
of acquaintances and friends, to whom he had endeared himself by his labors of
love and purity of life." David Shope died at the age of 72 years. He was
licensed to preach the gospel in 1866, and labored in a local capacity. He was for
thirty-five years a teacher in the public schools of Dauphin and Schuylkill counties,
and was also an earnest and successful Sunday-school worker, and an ardent and
devoted advocate of the temperance cause.
The condition of the churches was gratifying. The number baptized during
the year "was double that of the preceding year, and there was a net gain in the
membership of 500." But the Eldership felt that "the churches need to cultivate
a spirit to regard more sacredly the sources of spiritual strength and prosperity."
It called "attention to the worldly and commercial spirit which threatens to dis-
tract and destroy the interest we should manifest in the teachings of God's Holy
Word." The President of the Eldership was J. A. Detter; Stated Clerk, W. J.
Schaner; Transcribing Clerk, W, S. Sturgen; Statistical Clerk, W. H. Snyder;
Financial Clerk and Treasurer, H. M. Angle. J. C Forncrook delivered the Open-
ing Sermon, from I. Cor. i. 23; ii. 2. Theme — "Christ Crucified."
81st East Pennsylvania Eldership. — A strong effort was made at the Elder-
ship in 1909 to effect "an amicable settlement out of court" of the German Elder-
ship -case. As the session was held at Auburn, Schuylkill county, near the terri-
tory still held by the German. Eldership, it was hoped the two bodies could get
together. The attorney-in-fact in his report asked "that such action be taken by
the Eldership that any overtures to this end might receive proper recognition and
consideration." The Eldership accordingly appointed a committee, consisting of
C. H. Forney, C. H. Grove and C. F. Reitzel, "to confer with representatives of
the German Eldership." A basis of settlement and co-operation was agreed upon
by all parties, and was adopted by the Eldership; but when the German Eldership
convened it failed to act upon it so as to give authority to a committee to ratify
the agreement, and thus the matter ended. As one of the provisions of the
"basis" was "that the legal proceedings in the courts of Schuylkill county shall be
suspended until otherwise ordered," nothing further was done.
J. A. Detter preached the Opening Sermon on the evening of October 7, 1909,
from Acts xx. 26, 27. Theme — "An Ideal Ministry." The officers elected were as
follows: H. F. Hoover, President; AV. S. Sturgen, Transcribing Clerk; AV. H. Snyder,
Statistical Clerk; H. M. Angle, Financial Clerk and Treasurer. To insure both
greater accuracy and secrecy in elections it was provided that clerks to tellers be
a'ppointed; that no one but the tellers and clerks be present when ballots are
counted; that after ballots had been counted they were to be placed in sealed
envelopes, to be filed with the Stated Clerk until after adjournment, "when he
shkll destroy them unopened." It was also provided, that the practice of having
the Clerk cast the ballot of the Eldership for any elective office, or for any board
be discontinued, as being "contrary to good usage, and of doubtful parliamentary
authority." The financial report shows total collections for all purposes, $74,-
833.58. Number of houses of worship, 103; parsonages, 32; total church mem-
bership, 7,430. This was a net increase of only 73, although the number ad-
374 History of the Churches of* God
mitted to fellowship was 1,163. The Sunday-school scholars numbered 13,037.
At this session of the Eldership the laymen present organized a "Laymen's Asso-
ciation, having for its purpose a closer bond of Christian fellowship and greater
usefulness in furthering the cause of our Lord." It received the hearty approval
of the Eldership. One minister during the year received "the infinite gain of
being translated to heaven to be with Jesus." Israel Hay, born November 20,
1838; died September 7, 1909, aged nearly 71 years. He became a member first
of the German Eldership, and preached on its territory. In 1868 he united with
the East Pennsylvania Eldership, but continued to preach on the territory of the
German Eldership which the East Pennsylvania Eldership had reoccupied. "He
was an excellent German preacher, a man of fine character, and of decided con-
victions. He was true and loyal to the Church, and faithfully preached its doc-
trines." While the Eldership lost Dr. C. Manchester by transfer to the Kansas
Eldership, it received Dr. S. G. Yahn by transfer from the West Pennsylvania Eld-
ership. The presence of O. A. Newlin, Field Secretary of Findlay College, was
much appreciated, and his mission "to raise the funds still needed to meet the
Carnegie proposition" was strongly commended. The Eldership expressed its dis-
approval of the practice of "churches or missions dependent on the Board of Mis-
sions making alterations and repairs to properties, and reduce their contributions
toward the pastors' support, without the previous consent of the Board, as pro-
vided for in the Constitution." The Eldership "deplored the lack of real aggres-
sive opposition against the unreasonable and injurious legalized license system of
the rum traffic." It "emphatically urged ministers and churches to take a more
definite stand against the rum traffic, and wage a relentless warfare against this
determined evil." It placed itself on record in favor of "a national prohibitory
law against this evil;" but meanwhile it resolved to "endeavor to do what we can
in State prohibition and in local option."
82ncl East Pennsylvania Eldership. — The Eldership of 1910, which convened
at Altoona, Blair county, October 6th, was composed of eighty ministers and sixty-
l?our delegates. Of the eighty ministers sixty-two were pastors. The Annual Ser-
mon was preached by H. F. Hoover, from Rev. i. 8. Theme — "The Alpha and
Omega." Charles F. Reitzel was chosen President; H. R. Lobb, Transcribing
Clerk; W. H. Snyder, Statistical Clerk; H. M. Angle, Financial Clerk and Treas-
urer. One minister returned his Certificate of Ordination, and his name was
erased from the Eldership Roll, and one was "solemnly deposed from the ministry,
and expelled from the membership of the East Pennsylvania Eldership." One
■was "granted a letter of dismissal, with permission to unite with the Presbyterian
Church." AV. N. Yates returned with transfer from the Iowa Eldership. In terms
of high appreciation the Eldership made record of the creation of a trust fund, by
iDequest of John Miller, of Dauphin county, to the amount of about $25,000.00
■"for the benefit of the churches at Linglestown, Mt. Laurel, Shope's, Progress, Pen-
Tjrook and Pleasant View." Also a bequest by Jacob Simonetti, Harrisburg, Pa., of
^1,000.00 to the East Pennsylvania Eldership. The matter of the Walnut Grove
Camp-meeting was adjusted by the adoption of a plan to form a Camp-meeting
Association, accountable to the Eldership, but without official connection with
the local church at Walnut Grove. Provision was made for the sale of stock at
$10.00 a share, interest bearing, the minimum amount to be sold being fixed at
$1, 000. 00. Under these provisions the Association was organized, and has con-
ducted the camp-meeting and controlled the property. The Eldership insisted,
that as it had the right of nominating but one person for each vacancy on the
Board of Trustees of Findlay College, its nominee or nominees be elected by said
Board. It also opposed the transfer of "non-interest bearing endowment notes,"
given some years prior, to Mr. Carnegie's proposition, to the Carnegie Endowment
Fund. The Report of the Statistical Clerk contained the following among its many
interesting facts: Pastors' salaries, $27,159.48, being an increase of $1,800.82;
Mission Fund, $1,914.21; Foreign Missions, $1,300.60; Findlay College, $1,971.77;
Findlay College Day, $1,252.29; total for all purposes, $88,149.17. Number of
appointments, 122; members, 7,655; fellowshiped, 679; Sunday-school scholars,
14,145; Missionary societies, 49. The practice by a few churches of holding Chil-
dren's College Day and appropriating money raised to other purposes was "severely
condemned." Two ministers of the Eldership were transferred by death to a
higher ministry. AV. J. Grissinger, aged 66 years, died February 27, 1910. He
•was ordained at the age of 33 years. He was a "methodical and painstaking ser-
monizer." "His life was conscientious, upright and virtuous." "He was of a
East Pennsylvania Eldership 375
kind, agreeable disposition." "The Eldership was profoundly grieved because of
his departure." Alfred Young (colored) died August 26, 1910. He was a mem-
ber of the Eldership a comparatively short time. He was self-sacrificing and dili-
gent in his calling, and possessed good natural talent, and maintained a good repu-
tation for piety and morality. His entire ministry was spent in Carlisle, Cumber-
land county, where he built a neat brick bethel for the little church of which he
was pastor. The Stationing Committee placed fourteen fields of labor on the Board
of Missions, to be partly supported by the Board. With these included the stations
and circuits numbered sixty-seven. Strong in its denunciation of the whiskey
traflUc, the Eldership also "deplored the growing vice of cigarette smoking," and
"placed itself on record as being opposed to the manufacture and sale of cigarettes
in general, and to the giving or selling to miners in particular." Fields of labor
having no parsonages were urged "to work hard toward securing the same." In-
directly the system of doctrine "known as Arminianism" was endorsed by the pass-
age of commendatory resolutions of the work written by William Harris Guyer on
James Arminius. The Eldership manifested such an interest in good citizenship
that it appointed C. H. Forney, S. G. Yahn, J. A. Better, G, Sigler and I. A. Mac-
Dannald delegates to the Christian Citizenship Convention, to be held in Philadel-
phia, Pa., November 16-20, 1910.
83rd East Pennsylvania Eldership. — As there had been disturbing conten-
tions and friction to quite a degree throughout a great part of the General Elder-
ship, and for several years in the East Pennsylvania Eldership, the Executive
Board of the General Eldership in June, 1911, requested that at all the Annual
Elderships "special prayer for peace" should be offered. This was carried into
effect by the East Pennsylvania Eldership at its second sitting at the session which
convened at Penbrook, Dauphin county, October 4, 1911. The officers of this
session were as follows: D. S. Shoop, President; G. R. Hoverter, Transcribing
Clerk; W. H. Snyder, Statistical Clerk; H. M. Angle, Financial Clerk and Treas-
urer. The Stated Clerk, W. J. Schaner, who is elected for an indefinite term, re-
signed, after having filled that office for sixteen years, and H. R. Lobb was elected
as his successor. The Opening Sermon was delivered on Wednesday evening by
C. F. Reitzel, from John i. 67. Theme — "John a Witness for Christ." A very
important change was made in the Constitution, when at the first sitting the Com-
miittee on Mission Work, C. H. Forney, G. Sigler and W. J. Schaner, reported, "that
the members elected as the Stationing Committee shall be the Board of Missions,
and that it shall consist of nine members." The Committee on "Laws and Rules
for Judicial and Non-judicial Processes," C. H. Forney, F. W. McGuii-e and H. N.
Bowman, not only recommended a new Manual to be used in such cases; but sub-
mitted a provision for the selection of a Commission to be selected in manner and
form as in impanelling of juries, which was to act in all trials of ministers charged
with wrong moral or official conduct. As some churches had been electing "hon-
orary elders," it became necessary for the Eldership to define their status. This
the body did, declaring that "our polity embodies the principle of rotation in office,
and annual election of active elders." It, therefore, decided "that an honorary or
life elder is not eligible as a delegate to this Eldership." It also took definite
action "on the matter of doctrinal preaching, reversal of the order of the observance
and frequency of the observance of the ordinances." It disapproved of any inno-
vations in connection with the observance of the ordinances, such as the reversal
of the order, or the private observance of the ordinances." The quarterly ob-
servance of the ordinances was recommended to all the churches. "More preach-
ing upon the doctrines which have a vital relation to the maintenance of our
identity as a separate religious body" was insisted upon. The "opening of play-
houses and picture shows" on the Sabbath "for the purpose of raising money" for
charitable purposes was condemned as "an uncalled for desecration" of that sacred
day, and "an insulting reflection upon the liberality and readiness of the people to
respond" to calls for aid to the needy and suffering. There was a radical de-
parture from former customs in arranging the finances of the Eldership. An im-
portant committee, consisting of A. P. Stover, C. I. Behney, C. S. Meek and F. W.
McGuire, after a careful study during the year, reported in favor of creating a
"Board of Finance." It was to be "a joint Board of ministers and lay delegates,
and shall consist of the Treasurer of the Eldership, three ministers and three lay
delegates." This Board is to "fix all assessments, and exert every effort to collect
the same." The first Board elected, following the amending of the Constitution,
consisted of H. M. Angle, Treasurer; A. P. Stover, H. F. Hoover and G. R. Hover-
376 History of the Churches of God
ter, ministers, and G. W. Fox, C. S. Meek and H. N. Bowman, lay members. The
various funds made a creditable showing. The salaries of ministers had in-
creased, and now aggregated $28,090.24. Receipts during the year were as fol-
lows: Superannuated Fund, $659.76; Contingent, $186.66; Church Extension,
$478.59; C. E. Church Extension, $145.87; East Pennsylvania Mission, $1,808.48;
General Eldership Mission, $507.83; Foreign, $1,341.17; Findlay College, $408.60;
Children's College Day, $845.93; Widows', $668.91. For all purposes reported
the churches had raised the sum of $80,772.44. The Church membership was
given at 7,211, a decrease of 4 44 on the previous year, although there were ad-
mitted by letter and on profession of faith, 849. The Sunday-school scholars
numbered 14,034. There were sixty-six fields of labor. The Eldership continued
to provide according to its resources for the widows of deceased ministers and
for superannuated ministers. Of the former there were twenty-two on the list,
and of the latter, five. The somewhat singular fact that no lay delegates for years
had been on elective boards, or elected to any office but that of Treasurer, was
called to the attention of the Eldership by the Laymen's Association, which en-
dorsed an effort to secure to the lay delegates "the privileges afforded them by
the Constitution." But no action was taken. The Eldership rejoiced over the
completion of the Carnegie Endowment Fund of $50,000.00 for Findlay College.
It also insisted that the young ministers of the body in the Course of Studies be
diligent in pursuing these studies, as the Course "is admittedly of a superior char-
acter, and is highly beneficial to our young ministers and to candidates for the
ministry."
84th East Pennsylvania Eldership. — One result of the system of raising funds
for the Eldership was the tendency on the part of the churches to reduce their
membership by "dropping" names from the Roll of persons not in active co-opera-
tion. In this way the membership in 1911 was reduced 350, and in 1912, 289.
The total losses in 1912 by removals, deaths and dropped were 548. And while
there were "evidences of progress," inspiring gratitude and courage in the Elder-
ship; nevertheless the body was "forced to the conclusion that the results of the
year's work and the present state of religion are not equal to the expectations
which were justified by the men and money employed and the opportunities pre-
sented." There were assumed to be "certain, weaknesses which ought to be
strengthened." The material prosperity enjoyed begat a spirit of worldliness.
There was still too much indifference in the matter of "teaching and practicing our
distinctive doctrines." A body of people may lose its identity if it fail to keep
prominent the articles of faith for which it stands. The Eldership convened at
Shippensburg, Cumberland county, where on the evening of October 2, 1912, D. S.
Shoop preached the Opening Sermon, from Phil. iii. 1. Theme — "Repetition of
Old Truths." The officers elected were: President, W. N. Yates; Transcribing
Clerk, G. R. Hoverter; Statistical Clerk, W. H. Snyder; Financial Clerk and Treas-
urer, H. M. Angle. Owing to taking a transfer to the West Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, H. R. Lobb, Stated Clerk, resigned, and J. A. Detter was elected to that office.
The Standing Committee consisted of C. H. Forney, D. S. Shoop, C. H. Grove. The
Board of Missions which is also the Stationing Committee, C. H. Forney, W. N.
Yates, G. Sigler, D. S. Shoop, O. E. Houston, F. W. McGuire, H. F. Hoover, I. A.
MacDannald, C. H. Grove. Board of Church Extension, F. W. McGuii-e, A. P.
Stover, J. A. Detter, C. H. Forney, C. I. Behney. Board of Education, C. H. Forney,
G. Sigler, S. G. Yahn, W. N. Yates, A. P. Stover. The funds of the Eldership were
in gratifying condition, there being an increase in each of them. Superannuated
Fund, $697.58; Contingent, $207.05; Church Extension, $508.58; C. E. Church
Extension, $167.05; East Pennsylvania Mission, $1,908.57; General Eldership Mis-
sion, $565.18; General Eldership Contingent, $204.90; Foreign Mission, $1,720.16;
Children's College Day, $1,639.06; Widows', $707.58. The salaries of pastors had
increased nearly $3,000.00, being a total of $30,954.97. For all purposes re-
ported the churches paid $87,510.90. The number of members, 7,239; fellow-
shiped, 747; died, dismissed and dropped, 548. Number of Sunday-school
scholars, 14,924. There were 74 Y. P. S. C. E. societies. The fields of labor num-
bered 67. During the year two ministers to whom death came as a friend found
"the grave itself a passage into the beautiful and glorious." These were Ben-
jamin Dochterman and D. H. Mumma. The latter was ordained in 1871, and for
some years labored on different circuits, and was instrumental in many conver-
sions, and also built several houses of worship. He "had a warm, sympathetic
heart, and his friendships were true and lasting." He "served both his country
Ohio Eu>ership 377
and his Church with zeal and fidelity." Dochterman's labors were mainly local.
He was a man of irreproachable character, humility and sincerity being his bright-
est ornaments. For these and other traits of character "his memory will long be
cherished by those who were so happy as to know him." The deaths of laymen
were seldom recorded by the Eldership; but this year the names of two laymen
had this distinction accorded them. These were Peter L. Rickabaugh and H. J.
Forney. The former in earlier life was an exhorter, and also preached some at
points within reach of his home. He had been a delegate to the General Elder-
ship. The latter was a successful business man, but always "greatly interested
in the various general and local affairs of the Church, and he repeatedly served as.
delegate to the Annual and General Elderships. The Board of Finance this year,,
in addition to the Treasurer, were Revs. A. P. Stover, G. R. Hoverter, H. F.
Hoover; elders, C. S. Meek, G. W. Fo.x, J. P. Karper. "Teachers' Training
Courses" in the Sunday-schools were commended, and pastors were admonished
to "fall in line and encourage this most helpful work in our Sunday-schools." A
notable feature of the Report of the Stationing Committee of 1912 was the ap-
pointment as missionaries to Bogra, India, of HoAvard W. Cover, A. E. Myers, Miss.
Viola G. Hershey and Miss Leah Becker. The broader view of temperance was.
exemplified in the Report of the Committee on Temperance, which pronounced
"the saloon the greatest foe to civilization," declaring that there "must be per-
petual warfare between the church and the saloon." But "the followers of Christ
must resist all evil, whether it be in self, in society, or in the State." Cleanliness.
and sobriety and temperance in all things were insisted upon as duties of min-
isters and churches everywhere. The Eldership manifested a commendable in-
terest in securing funds for the erection of a new "monument on the cemetery lot
of John Winebi-enner" to replace the original one, and the last Sunday in October,
1912, was designated as the day for the lifting of an offering for said purpose in
"all the churches, Sunday-schools and Christian Endeavor societies within the
borders of the Eldership for the Winebrenner Monument Fund."
II. THE OHIO ELDERSHIP.
1st Ohio Eldership. — Having obtained permission of the Pennsylvania Elder-
ship in November, 1835, for "holding a yearly Eldership in the State of Ohio,"
the elders in that State "met and held their business meeting at Bro. John Beid-
ler's, in Holmes county, Ohio, commencing on the 17th day of September, A. D.
1836." Winebrenner was present, and "the meeting was opened for business with
worship" by him. The meeting was organized by the unanimous election of Wine-
brenner for Speaker, and John Greeger was chosen Clerk. All brethren present
were made "advisory members." The charter members of this Eldership were
John Greeger, John Funck, Samuel Shei*rick and Peter Hartman, teaching elders;
and John Beidler, Joseph Hummer, David Funck, William Adams, John Reiber,
Samuel Metzler and Henry Rupp, ruling elders. Reiber and Adams were ordained
teaching elders. Besides Winebrenner, Jacob Keller and Thomas Hickeraell were
also present. These teaching elders, if not also the ruling elders, were all emi-
grants from Pennsylvania. Adams was a native of Perry county, Pa., and "was
reared in the Presbyterian faith." Conditions in Ohio were reported "prosper-
ous," and the ministers' reports at this Eldership "were highly interesting and
profitable." Keller, Hickemell and Gi-eeger were "appointed to travel on the
circuit [the Ohio circuit] till next Spring," 1837. Then the Wayne county circuit
was divided, with "the river Killbuck as the division line," called respectively "the
eastern and western circuits of Wayne county, Ohio." "The Committee to Station
the Traveling Preachers for the next year" "appointed Keller and Adams to the
eastern, and Hickemell and Greeger to the western circuit." This completed the
work of the first Ohio Eldership.
2nd Ohio Eldership. — The Ohio Eldership held its second session "at Bro.
Funck's meeting-house, in Chester township, Wayne county, Ohio, October 16,
1837. Emanuel Logue had come from Pennsylvania to Ohio during the year, and
was enrolled without transfer, thus increasing the teaching elders at this meeting
to seven. Keller and Hickemell were also present, with two delegates from Penn-
sylvania, McFadden and Smedmer. Though Smedmer was a delegate from
Pennsylvania, he was one of the two appointed to constitute the Eldership, and
:^7S History of the Churches oe God
was chosen Speaker, and Thomas Hlckernell, Clerk. The teaching elders made
"their usual reports, which "were all gratifying and satisfactory," and "their char-
acters blameless." Five ministers "offered themselves to travel the ensuing
year," and "the Committee appointed to arrange the circuits and station the
preachers" gave them all work, putting Samuel N. Miller, newly licensed, and
Reibei' on the Richland county circuit; AVilliam Adams on the Sugar Creek cir-
cuit; Emanuel Logue on the Stark county circuit, and sending Hickeraell to
western Pennsylvania. A Standing Committee of five members was created and
one of its first duties was to "appoint the camp-meetings for next year." Smedmer
was so impressed with the character of the meeting that two days after he wrote
Winebrenner : "We had a full meeting, and every item that came before us was
taken up, discussed and considered with much calmness. Everything went off
with as perfect harmony and regularity as clock work. I wish you and your
brethren may copy our example and do your business in the spirit of unity, har-
mony and Christianity, as you have always done heretofore."
3rd Ohio Eldei"ship.- — On October 13, 1838, at Crooked Run meeting-house,
Tuscarawas county, Ohio, the third Ohio Eldership began its session. Jacob Keller
was elected Speaker, and AV^m. Smedmer, Clerk. There were seventeen teaching
and ruling elders present, including Ulrich Staley and Michael Stevens, delegates
from Pennsylvania. Three teaching elders were absent. The characters of all
the ministers were "found unimpeached." Three were ordained, one being Wil-
liam Hood, "a licentiate from the Protestant Methodist Church." The St. Mary's
Mission was created, and Hickemell appointed missionary. The Pittsburg mis-
sion was left unsupplied. John Beidler was assigned to the German appointments.
John Greeger had ceased by some means to be included this year "among the min-
isters of the Eldership," and a resolution was adopted "disapproving of the liberty
taken by the Editor of The Gospel Publisher for including" his name as a member.
The Eldership put itself on record against receiving persons as "members of the
Eldership of the Church of God unless first immersed," and also declaring its be-
lief "that immersion is the only baptism, and believers the only subjects." It
made the first methodical provision for a missionary fund "by subscriptions and
collections," and appointed Keller "for that purpose." The money was to go into
the hands of the Standing Committee, which was empowered to select a Treasurer.
The Committee was to pay the funds to "the missionaries every three months."
This Committee was reduced to three. It was made the Camp-meeting Committee.
4th Ohio Eldership. — Michael Stevens, who in 1838 was delegate from Penn-
sylvania to the Ohio Eldership, remained in the State, and so on October 21, 1839,
"the Eldership of the Church of God in Ohio met at Bro. Michael Stevens', Rich-
land county." Joseph Dobson and John Lenkert were the delegates from Pennsyl-
vania. Samuel Sherrick was elected Speaker, and Thomas Hickemell, Clerk.
James Richards, one of the six who constituted the first Eldership in Pennsylvania,
was an applicant for license. The case was referred to a committee, which, "after
a minute investigation of the whole matter, recommended that a license be granted
him." Daniel Wertz and James Neil, long useful ministers of the word, were or-
dained. The Eldership strongly "discountenanced the practice of preachers going
into an article of agreement to hire themselves to preach for wages." Five ap-
pointments were arranged for by a committee appointed for that purpose, with
one "missionary at large." These included John Hackemell and Joseph Dobson to
the Pittsburg Mission. The question of "ordination by the laying on of hands"
came up, but was "laid aside till the next Annual Eldership." The Standing Com-
mittee was increased to five, and a separate committee of five traveling preachers
was appointed to arrange for camp-meetings in 1839. Adam Weiker was made
custodian of the Eldership papers "till the next Annual Eldership."
5th Ohio Eldership. — When the Ohio Eldership of the Church of God met
at Moreland, Wayne county, Ohio, October 19, 1840, there were present seventeen
teaching elders, and thirteen ruling elders and delegates. Also one delegate from
Pennsylvania, with four teaching elders absent. Jacob Keller, delegate from East
Pennsylvania, was elected Speaker, and Thomas Hickemell, Clerk. The work was
reported as "progressing and reviving" through the instrumentality of the
preachers, whose reports "were heard with satisfaction." "The subject of voting
at political elections was taken up and discussed," with the result that a motion
prevailed "that each and every brother ought to have the prerogative to exercise
his own judgment in regard to the elective franchise, if it be in subserviency to
Ohio Eldership 379
religion." "The Committee to fix fields and appoint preachers" arranged for four
circuits in Ohio and four in Pennsylvania.
6th Ohio Eldership. — The Eldership in 1841 met October 18, "in the Sugar
Creek meeting-house, Holmes county, Ohio." Samuel Sherrick was chosen
Speaker, and Thomas Hickernell, Clerk. Three "messengers" were enrolled, with
the twenty-one ministers and ten ruling elders. From the reports of ministers "it
appears they are still extending their labors and preaching with considerable suc-
cess." The Committee on Boundaries divided the territory into nine circuits, to
which fourteen teaching elders were appointed. Adams county, Indiana, con-
tiguous to Mercer and Van Wert counties, Ohio, was part of one circuit. A dele-
gate was appointed to "the Pennsylvania Eldership." Twelve counties in Ohio
are included in the territory occupied by the ministers of the Eldership, viz:
Richland, Marion, Crawford, Mercer, Allen, Van Wert, Wayne, Holmes, Stark,
Tuscarawas, Coshocton and Portage, and Butler, Beaver, Venango and Westmore-
land, Pa. A Rule was adopted, "That no charges shall be received before this
Eldership against any one of its members before the person charged shall have
been duly notified, and in other respects dealt with according to the Bible."
7th Ohio Eldership. — On Monday, October 17, 1842, the seventh session of
the Ohio Eldership of the Church of God convened "in the Chester meeting-house,
Wayne county." Edward AA'^est was elected Speaker, and Thomas Hickernell,
Clerk. "A Committee to examine communications" was created. John S. Kerr
reported from Virginia, now West Virginia, and his labors were approved. Several
new counties in Ohio were mentioned in the reports, as Knox, Summit and Col-
umbiana. An Indiana mission was established, and one in Columbiana county,
Ohio, on the Pennsylvania line. There were eleven circuits formed, with sixteen
preachers.
8th Ohio Eldership. — The Eldership of the Church of God in Ohio, which
"met on the 16th day of October, 1843, at Crooked Run meeting-house, Tuscara-
was county, Ohio," was constituted with thirty-two members. It elected E. West
Speaker, and Samuel Scott, Clerk. A committee was created "to receive and ex-
amine letters, etc., and report the same to the Eldership." Also one "to examine
the Journal of the last Eldership, and report the result to this Eldership." By
resolution, Thomas Hickernell was appointed to preach a sermon on Church Gov-
ernment the second day evening. A committee was "appointed to consider the
propriety of forming another Eldership," which reported favorably, naming as the
"boundary line on the East — the Allegheny mountains," and the West line to com-
mence at the Ohio river, and run North along the West line of Columbiana county,
Ohio, to Lake Erie." This report was adopted, but was made conditional upon
the "approbation of the Pennsylvania Eldership." As the support of ministers
was inadequate, the Eldership considered a plan "to raise a support for the travel-
ing preachers." It was decided to "recommend that the same be raised by a sub-
scription to be paid weekly." Two collections a year were ordered "for mission-
ary purposes." Nine fields of labor were created, with fifteen pastors. Pro-
vision was made for "an extra session of the Eldership, to be held in the Union
Bethel, Moreland, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 20th of December, 1843. Also one
In Pittsburg, on the 24th of December, 1843, to regulate matters relating to
preachers and circuits." A Board of Missions was appointed "to receive and pay
over the semi-weekly collections, donations, etc." The Eldership was character-
ized with "more love, harmony and general union of sentiment than ever before."
The extra session met, as per previous action. A new organization was ef-
fected by the election of Archibald Megrew, Speaker, and Homer Edwards, Clerk.
Sixteen elders and four messengers were present. Necessary changes were made
in circuits and preachers. Indiana State Mission was created. A resolution was
adopted appointing "a committee of nine to act in reference to the publication of
a new hymn book."
9th Ohio Eldership. — A number of new names of ministers who had emi-
grated to Ohio were enrolled when the Ohio Eldership^ of the Church of God met
October 14, 1844, in the bethel in Perry township, Wayne county, Ohio. The
number of members was twenty-eight. They elected Edward West Speaker, and
Thomas Hickernell, First Clerk, and Samuel Scott, Second Clerk. Winebrenner
and John Hickernell were "received as full members." A Treasurer was ap-
pointed for the Board of Missions, and "the same annual collections were ordered
for the support of Bro. E. West." The Eldership "discussed the propriety of this
body licensing preachers," and finally resolved to "proceed in this matter as here-
380 History of the Churches of God
tofore; and that we advise the churches within the bounds of this Eldership to
refer applicants for license to this body." The first official steps were taken to
create a General Eldership by the adoption of a resolution agreeing "to co-operate
with the East and West Pennsylvania Elderships" to that end. Six delegates were
elected, and the naming of "the time and place of holding said General Eldership"
was "left to the East Pennsylvania Eldership." The territory of the Eldership
was divided into five circuits, upon which were appointed eight preachers, with
three assistants. Samuel Scott was appointed missionary to Iowa, and J. Martin,
Wm. Hood and D. Neidig, "to the State of Indiana."
10th Ohio Eldership. — The Ohio Eldership, when it assembled at Sugar
Creek meeting-house, in Holmes county, on the 15th of October, 1845, its enroll-
ment was twenty-seven teaching and ruling elders. They are all designated
"elders." John Hickemell, who had become a member of the West Pennsylvania
Eldership, was in attendance. A. Megrew was chosen Speaker; John Reiber, First
Clerk, and James McClintock, Second Clerk. Without Constitution or Rules of
Order, items were introduced and committees appointed by motion or resolution.
One of the latter was directed "to examine the Journal of the last Eldership, and
report the items of unfinished business." There were seven fields of labor as the
Eldership was constituted; but when the Stationing Committee reported they were
reduced to four, with six preachers. There were also thirteen "general mission-
aries," some of whom did successful work in enlarging the territory and opening
new points. A "Committee on Overtures" was created; also one on Resolutions.
The latter reported a resolution "in regard to the Bible cause, as being emphat-
ically the cause of God," and commended it "to the special care and patronage of
the Church of God." Also one "heartily and zealously recommending to all our
brethren of the Church of God to avoid the desecration of the Sabbath by travel-
ing, feasting, sleeping, working, or indulging in worldly conversation." A resolu-
tion on Slavery was offered, discussed and adopted, declaring that "the members
of the Eldership of the Church of God in Ohio believe that the Bible teaches that
slavery is a violation of the law of God." A Camp-meeting Committee was ap-
pointed. One minister was expelled for "heresy and insubordination." A serious
condition touching the general polity of the Church in the United States developed
when the Eldership "took into consideration the Constitution of the General Elder-
ship held at Pittsburg," Pa., May 25, 1845, and "Resolved, unanimously. That it
be laid on the table." There was deep-seated jealousy of the rights and powers
of the churches, as against encroachments of any superior legislative body.
11th Ohio Eldei-ship. — The Standing Committee having changed the place of
meeting of the Eldership for 1846, it convened at "Kline's school-house, Franklin
township, Richland county, Ohio," on the 19th day of October. Instead of the
four circuits as arranged the previous year, there were six when the Eldership
was constituted, one being the Indiana Mission. The Eldership was composed of
eighteen teaching elders, twelve ruling elders, and three delegates. A. Megrew,
Speaker; Thomas Hickemell, First Clerk, and Henry Murray, Transcribing Clerk.
Thomas Hickemell was the great missionary of the Eldership. He had spent part
of the year in western Pennsylvania; made a tour through the State of Indiana,
working up the interest for the organization of an Eldership in that State, and
"gone through the southern part of Ohio towards Cincinnati."
In electing the Standing Committee and the Stationing Committee the names
of two ministers and two laymen were, on motion, resolved to be the Committees.
By action of the Eldership, Hickemell preached a sermon on "Church Govern--
ment." It was the practice of the Eldership thus to name a minister to preach on
some special subject. One minister left the body and united with the Christian
Church, and one was expelled. On the question of Secret Societies "the members
of this Eldership are recommended not to identify themselves with them." This
was popular sentiment then in Ohio. For the same year the Ohio Conference of
the Evangelical Association adopted "its strongest expression concerning oath-
bound secret societies in an out-spoken resolution with reference to one of its
members, as follows: 'Resolved, That shall withdraw from the order
of Free Masons, and procure a certificate of dismissal from them, which shall be
published.' "
A petition was received "to have an Eldership formed in the State of In-
diana." Wholly ignoring the General Eldership, this Eldership resolved to "co-
operate with the brethren in the West in forming an Eldership in the State of
Indiana;" appointed two "delegates to said Eldership;" fixed "the second Saturday
Ohio Eldership 381
in November next, in the neighborhood of John Martins, Milford township, La
Grange county, Ind.," as the time and place of meeting, and established the
eastern boundary: — "that one row of the western counties of the State of Ohio,
extending north and south, be thrown into the Indiana Eldership." Some internal
dissensions at this time "seemed to threaten a rent in the Church of God in Ohio;
but the cloud apparently dispersed" during the Eldership. On account of the
transfer of "Van Wert, Mercer, Darke and other border counties to the Indiana
Eldership, the number of fields of labor was reduced to five.
12th Ohio Eldership. — The opposition to the General Eldership had appar-
ently crystallized when the Ohio Eldership met in annual session "in the Smith-
ville meeting-house, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 18th of October, 1847." On the
very day of the meeting Thomas Hickemell, a member of the General Eldership
in 1845, and one of the committee which drafted its Constitution, wrote: "We
could get no delegates appointed to go to the General Eldership, although it was
hard pleaded for by some. The idea is still held that the Constitution of the
General Eldership looks too much like a discipline — that a link is now formed,
and after awhile we will have a chain." They saw that co-operation means re-
striction of the liberty of the units; that freedom is a thing incompatible with
corporate life. But they did not yet see that every advance in richness of exist-
ence, whether moral, social or ecclesiastical, is paid for by a loss of liberty. And
so they decided not to put their necks under what they regarded as a yoke. There
were five circuits reported, with eighteen teaching elders, five ruling elders and
nine delegates. H. Rupp was in Missouri, and S. Scott, in Iowa. A. Megrew was
elected Speaker, and T. Hickemell, Clerk. Hickemell had labored in Indiana
since Spring, and had opened thirty appointments, with more calls; that "prospects
were very flattering." His county was put into the Indiana Eldership, and he
went with it for the time.
The "'subject of church elders was taken into consideration; a short discus-
sion took place, which ended in a good feeling, but no definite decision."
Preachers were urged "to make tours to those places in the West where they are
requesting preaching, provided no one can be gotten to go there and spend all his
time in laboring in the gospel." "The Constitution of the General Eldership was
reconsidered," but "after an investigation of the subject it was laid over till the
next yearly meeting."
13th Ohio Eldership. — The Ohio Eldership met in the Chester meeting-house,
Chester township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 16th of October, 1848. Five cir-
cuits were reported, with fourteen pastors, and seven delegates and eleven ruling
elders. Six ministers were absent. A. Megrew was elected Speaker; J. W. West,
Journalizing Clerk, and David Baker, Transcribing Clerk. The subject of Secret
Societies was at once taken up, and a resolution adopted, that "we can not hold
members identifying themselves with secret societies as members of this body."
A decision was reached not to "receive charges against a member of this body
from a person who has been legally expelled from any organized church."
The Eldership again took "into consideration the Constitution of the General
Eldership," which had been amended in one Article in May, 1848, and "after
mature deliberation, considering that body a delegated body for the transaction
of general business, and it can not consistently act further than they are in-
structed by their constituents," the Eldership decided that it "can not accede to
the present Constitution, as framed by the General Eldership; but that, neverthe-
less, we are in favor of a General Eldership, which shall be composed of delegates
from the several Annual Elderships, and that said General Eldership shall trans-
act such business as is of a general character and for the Annual Elderships, such
as pulDlishing books, papers, etc., but not to legislate laws for the government of
either the Church or the Annual Elderships."
A committee was named "to form rules for the government of a Missionary
Society." This was done, and it provided for the organization of "The Ohio Eld-
ership Missionary and Charity Fund Society." Its object was "to employ, send
out and support both domestic and foreign missionaries, and to support superan-
nuated preachers, widows and orphans." All the details of the organization were
prescribed in the eighth Article of this Constitution. Seven ministers were as-
signed to the six circuits, with eleven "missionagers." The members of the Elder-
ship were instructed to "arrange their matters so as to stay one week at the next
annual meeting, so as to spend more time with the brethren and friends in preach-
382 History of the Church ks of God
ing and other religious exercises." By request of the church at Chester the or-
dinances were attended to on Wednesday evening.
14th Ohio Eldership. — The Ohio Eldership held its session in 1849 "in the
Madisonville Bethel, Wayne county, Ohio, beginning October 15th. Abraham
Hollems delivered a discourse appropriate to the occasion at 9 o'clock, from II.
Cor. ii. 16." There were enrolled seventeen teaching elders, thirteen ruling
elders and four delegates. Three ministers wQre absent. A. Megrew was elected
Speaker; J. M. West, Journalizing Clerk, and Heni-y Murray, Transcribing Clerk.
The need of Rules was evidenced by the appointment of a committee "to form
Rules for the government of this Eldership." It reported eleven parliamentary
or "Standing Rules." The Standing Committee was censured for not informing
of the reasons why his request was not granted, and therefore owe him
an apology." A new Standing Committee .was appointed "to consist of three
teaching and two ruling elders." Each minister was required "to preach a mis-
sionary sermon at least once a year at each regular place of preaching." Ministers-
were "to use their utmost influence toward the establishment of Sabbath-schools."
On account of more or less neglect in holding ordinance services, the Eldership di-
rected that they be observed more frequently. Seven circuits, with nine pastors,,
were reported by the Stationing Committee. There were fourteen unemployed
or "local" preachers, among them John S. McKee, of the U. B. Church, who re-
ceived license. The ministers were "requested to write out their biographical
sketches for publication." The missionary funds were guarded by directing that
"no moneys be drawn out of the treasury of the Missionary Society only on the
order of the Eldership; or, in the time of its recess, on the order of the Stand-
ing Committee."
15th Ohio Eldership.- — The Ohio Eldership held an interesting session at
Sugar Creek Bethel, Holmes county, beginning October 14, 1850. On consti-
tuting the Eldership there were five circuits and one station, on which were fifteen
teaching elders, with ten ruling elders and delegates. Five teaching elders were-
absent. William Adams was elected Speaker; Henry Murray, Journalizing Clerk,
and J. M. West, Transcribing Clerk. "Rules for this meeting" were adopted. A
rule was also adopted, prohibiting any member leaving without permission. Com-
mittees were elected "by nomination." The presence of four Free-will Baptist min-
isters indicated the Christian fellowship between the two bodies. James Johnson,
Regular Baptist, was received, a license granted him, and his name placed among
the "missionaries." A "Brother Ray, of the Free-will Baptist Society, applied for
a union between the Church of God and the Society with which he labors." The
Eldership appointed H. Murray and B. Howard to "visit them and supply them
with preaching until next Spring." In March, 1851, the Standing Committee
appointed J. Dennis, member of the Eldership, "to take charge of the Washing-
ton and Middletown churches of the Free-will Baptist Association and supply
them with* preaching." B. Howard, Free-will Baptist, was received into the
Eldership, a license voted him, and appointed to "travel as a missionary among^
the churches and elsewhere." He was chosen to preach the opening sermon be-
fore the Eldership in 1851. The Eldership failed to elect delegates to the Gen-
eral Eldership, but the Standing Committee on March 3 and on May 5, 1851, ap-
pointed five. In the case of two ministers on the Superannuated list appropria-
tions were made to them "out of the Missionary Fund." There was still a good
deal of German preaching in Ohio. On the question of fellowshiping unbaptized
persons A. Megi*ew offered the following: "Inasmuch as this body considers it
unscriptural to receive unbaptized persons into church fellowship; therefore,
"Resolved, That the ministers of the Eldership of the Church of God in Ohia
teach the churches not to receive unbaptized persons into the church."
"A spirited debate" followed, after which the resolution was adopted by a
vote of 15 yeas, and 9 nays. Later a motion to reconsider this action was laid on
the table. This action was a little later strongly antagonized by Winebrenner
in several editorials on "Terms of Church Membership." A. Megrew and James
Neil were appointed "missionaries to the western country," and the former taught
in Iowa the sentiments of his resolution. Positive resolutions were adopted
against "the habit of traveling and visiting on the Sababth day," and against the-
use of tobacco, "except as a medicine."
16th Ohio Eldei-ship. — A peculiarity of the sixteenth annual session of the-
Ohio Eldership, which met "in the bethel of the church of God in Bethlehem town-
ship. Stark county, October 20, 1851, was the preaching of the Opening Sermon
Ohio Eldership 383.
after organization by the Speaker-elect, A. Hollems. J. M. West was elected Jour-
nalizing Clerk, and J. Myers, Transcribing Clerk. Of the twenty-seven ministers,
of the Eldership sixteen were present, with fourteen ruling elders and nine dele-
gates. The delegates to the General Eldership were called upon to make reports,
whereupon the Eldership "highly approved of the transactions of the delegates to
the General Eldership, and that the plan of co-operation may be continued."
Without debate, the Eldership rescinded the resolution passed in 1850 "on the
subject of unbaptized church members." The churches in the counties in south-
ern Ohio, Athens and Meigs, according to action of the General Eldership, were
"received under the care of this body." They had belonged to the West Pennsyl-
vania Eldership. Because the "preaching and proceedings of Elder B. Howard"
could not all be "endorsed" by the Eldership, "we discharge him from this body^
agreeably to his request." The Eldership strongly urged the publishing of a new
hymn-book, and the project of removing the Printing Establishment to Wooster,
Ohio, stating that they "have $570.00 subscribed for this purpose, and we expect
to obtain several hundred dollars more." Action was also taken in favor of estab-
lishing "a seminary of learning in Wooster, or any other suitable place." Until
such an institution is established "we would recommend the brethren to patronize
Oberlin College." This was based on the ground that "not only the sciences, but
the fear of God and the principles of true Christianity are taught. . . .upon genuine-
anti-sectarian principles." The field of operation by the Eldership was divided
into six circuits and one station, without making provision for the churches in
Athens and Meigs counties. The Eldership voted to "become an incorporated
body." E. Logue was present "as a delegate from the West Pennsylvania Elder-
ship." In turn "this body appoint two delegates to the West Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, to be held in the year A. D. 1852."
17th Ohio Eldership. — During the year following the Eldership of 1851 the
Standing Committee made a number of changes in the circuits, and also supplied
the churches in southern Ohio. When the Eldership met "in the brick bethel of
the church in Perry township, Ashland county, October 21, 1852," there were
eight circuits, supplied by fifteen preachers. H. Murray was elected Speaker; J.
M. West, Journalizing Clerk, and J. Myers, Transcribing Clerk. At 11 o'clock of
the first session the Opening Sermon was preached, in which special stress was laid'
"on the unity which should exist in the Church of God in doctrine and practice."
There were no permanent Rules, etc. "Standing Rules for this session were re-
ported by the Committee to Form Rules," with an occasional special rule to meet
an emergency. The irregular way in which certain matters were done at times is
seen in the case of J. C. Seabrooks, a member of the East Pennsylvania Eldership,
who was received "as a member of this body during this session," was placed on
committees, offered resolutions, voted and made his report to the Eldership. The-
organization of Sabbath-schools was strongly urged, and the American Sunday-
school Union recommended to their patronage. The "Eastern and Western Eld-
erships" were solicited to co-operate with the Ohio Eldership in "the use of all
honorable means for the establishment of a new printing press at Wooster, Ohio."
Winebrenner editorially suggested in The Advocate the week following that this
question "should be submitted to the decision of the General Eldership, and in
their decision, under God, all should quietly acquiesce." The simple process-
whereby the Eldership was incorporated is embodied in an action providing for the-
"appointment of trustees, under Act of the Legislature, for the control of asso-
ciated religious societies, and to define their privileges and duties, passed the 12th
day of March, A. D. 1844." To prevent the loss or alienation of church prperty
the churches of the Eldership were instructed "to insert a provisional clause in
each deed, transferring said meeting-house or houses to the trustees of said Elder-
ship." The "circuits of the Ohio Eldership" were also "advised to purchase a lot
of land on each circuit and erect a suitable house for the use of the circuit
preacher." Eleven appointments were mapped out, one being "Western Ohio,"
and in addition a minister was "advised to visit the churches in Athens county
and preach for them, provided they will support him." The Committee on the-
State of Religion had stated that "we find the declension of religion amongst us
owing to the inadequacy of ministerial support."
18th Ohio Eldership. — The custom of preaching the Opening Sermon of the
Eldership after the organization was followed in 18 53, when the Ohio Eldership
met with the church in Blooming Grove, Richland county, on Monday, October
17th. There were twenty-two teaching elders present and thirteen absent; eleven
384 History of the Churches of God
ruling eldrs, and eight delegates. A. Holmes was elected Speaker; P. Hartman
and J. Myers, Clerks. Five trustees of the Eldership were appointed under the
Act of Incorporation, viz.: Samuel Metzler, David Baker, Peter Hartman, J. Myers
and John Funk. Wooster church was given the privilege to supply itself with a
preacher. The ministers reported a fair number of conversions and accessions to
the churches, with several new churches organized, one of them near Attica,
Seneca county. Henry Rupp was transferred to the Illinois Eldership, which had
recently been formed; and Samuel Spohnhower to the Indiana Eldership. By
resolution the Eldership advised "brethren in the ministry, both those on circuits
and stations, to pay pastoral visits as often as possible to the brethren and sisters
in their families, for the purpose of conversing with them on the subject of re-
ligion; praying with and for them, and give them a word of encouragement."
Joseph White, of Genesee county, Mich., asked for, and received, license to preach.
The Stationing Committee created a mission in Michigan, and appointed G. W.
AVilson missionary. The Athens county mission was also recognized, and a mis-
sionary appointed. Seven delegates to the General Eldership were appointed.
The Eldership "highly approved of the great Temperance Reform, under the name
of Prohibitory Law, and urge the propriety of the church in her universal capacity
to use all lawful and honorable exertions in pushing onward the great Temperance
Cause." It required each licensed minister to preach one missionary sermon dur-
ing each year, and to do all they can in collecting missionary money. The inade-
quate support of the ministers was deeply lamented.
19th Ohio Eldership. — The nineteenth annual meeting of the Ohio Eldership
was held at Smithville, Wayne county, beginning October 16, 1854. From the
•enrollment it appears that the Wooster church had secured the services of John
JHickernell, of the West Pennsylvania Eldership. There were ten appointments,
with Athens county and the Michigan Mission not on the list. The Stationing
■Committee at the close of the session reduced these to eight. The officers of the
Eldership were Heni"y Mun-ay, Speaker; Jacob Myers, Journalizing Clerk, and J.
M. West, Transcribing Clerk. Abraham Hollems preached the Opening Sermon
after organization. Troubles of various kinds developed at this Eldership, as
during former Elderships, there being charges preferred in many instances with-
out previous notice. This resulted in the adoption of a Rule that "no charges
shall be brought against a member of this body, except he be previously con-
sulted." Again the question, "Is it scriptural and according to the apostolic prac-
tice to receive unbaptized believers into the local churches of God?" was offered
and discussed by G. W. Wilson, John Hickemell and A. Hollems in the affirmative;
and J. S. McKee, Heni-y MuiTay and T. H. Deshiri in the negative. It was then
laid on the table. A resolution respecting secret societies was also laid on the
table, and it was declared that "the resolution prohibiting the members of this
body from identifying themselves with secret societies be considered advisory."
The ordinances were observed, after a sermon preached by Jacob Myers. Moses
Coates had the best report, as he "traveled over 3,500 miles, preached 295 times,
and baptized 125 believers in Christ." The Missionary Society reported the total
amount received by collections and from Life Members to be $296.25. The Eld-
ership declared that it "has the authority to insist on the churches to support their
preachers completely; therefore, if they fail to do so, to regard them as delinquent,
and take measures to correct the evil." It also directed its Stationing Committee
''to meet immediately after supper, in the school-house," and "that no person be
admitted in the room with it."
20th Ohio Eldership. — Ham still a member of the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, but pastor at Wooster, had the Eldership in Ohio to provide for which con-
vened at Wooster, October 15, 1855, at 9 a. m. Monday. The Opening Sermon
was preached that "evening at candle-lighting," by G. W. Wilson. There were
ten fields of labor, two being missions, and Wooster station. Nineteen ministers
were in attendance; fifteen were absent, and fourteen ruling elders and delegates
were enrolled. Wm. Adams was chosen Speaker; J. Myers, First Clerk, and J. M.
West, Second Clerk. The Eldership provided for the preaching of special ser-
mons in 1856, on Systematic Beneficence, by G. U. Harn, and on Education, by
G. W. Wilson. The state of religion "as far as the bounds of the Ohio Eldership
extend" was reported "heart-cheering." The change of Eldership title came before
the body in the form of a resolution from the Committee on Resolutions; but it
was voted down, the vote being 8 to 10. A "Memorial" was addressed to the
Eldership, signed by six sisters, members of the church at Wooster, petitioning it
Ohio Eldership 385
"to take an action relative to the using of tobacco, the use of which creates so
much filth in our bethels and around our firesides." And the Eldership by reso-
lution declared that it "approbates the sentiments of the above memorial." The
initial action was taken to form an Eldership in western Ohio, by recommending
the matter to the General Eldership. There were eight circuits, one station and
four missions mapped out by the Stationing Committee. To each mission a small
amount was appropriated out of the Missionary treasury, which contained $211.67.
There were nineteen ministers who had no appointments from the Eldership.
Each of these was assigned to a mission, two of which were in Michigan, and
others in Jefferson, Ashland, Wayne, Hancock, Seneca, Wyandot, Richland and
Van Wert counties.
21st Ohio Eldership. — The Ohio Eldership of 1856 convened near Reedsburg,
at the Brick Bethel, on Monday morning, October 20th, when twenty-five ministers
and fourteen ruling elders and delegates answered to their names. Then ministers
were absent. These twenty-five ministers were located on fourteen fields. Janies
Neil was chosen Speaker; L. B. Hai-tnian, Journalizing Clerk, and J. Myers, Trans-
cribing Clerk. The "opening discourse" was ordered to be preached in the even-
ing of the first day. The effect of Harn's teaching on Eldership titles was indi-
cated in a resolution from the Committee on Resolutions, of which he was a mem-
ber, which recommended, "that the letters 'es' be added to the word 'Church' in
the sentence of the Journal designating the title of the Eldership, so as to read,
"Eldership of the churches of God, in Ohio." The resolution was adopted by a
vote of 25 to 8. The same Committee also reported a resolution directing min-
isters to use the singular form, "doctrine," instead of the plural, as in the phrases
"doctrines of Christ," "doctrines of the Bible," which was adopted. But a resolu-
tion changing "the reading of our preachers' licenses," so that instead of assuming
the nature of Episcopal Authority, it would assume rather the form and appear-
ance of a writing of recommendation," was postponed one year. And a resolution
in favor of the laying on of hands in ordination was voted down. The support of
ministers was so small as to call out serious complaints, and induced the Com-
mittee on the State of Religion to say: "This must not continue so any longer;
the minister must be supported." The recommendation to the General Elaership
to organize a "Western Ohio Eldership" was repeated. The Eldership placed
itself unequivocally on record on the question of the "extension of slavery over
the Territory of Kansas." In its opinion such an attempt was "a warfare upon
Christianity." Disapproving of the "Ohio Liquor Law," it requested "the next
Congress of the United States to enact a law prohibiting the importation of for-
eign intoxicating liquors into this country, contrary to any of the prohibitory laws
of the several States." The "ministers and members" were advised "carefully to
refrain from all evil speaking and writing, on pain of being dealt with according
to the discipline of the Bible."
22nd Ohio Eldership. — Without authority from the General Eldership, the
Journal records the meeting of "the Eldership of the churches of God at Madison-
hurg, Wayne county, on Monday, October 5, 1857." There were* fifteen pastors
representing the eight circuits, two stations and five missions. Twenty-two teach-
ing elders were absent. J. S. McKee was chosen Speaker; L. B. Hartman, Jour-
nalizing Clerk, and M. Beck, Transcribing Clerk. By resolution the Opening Ser-
mon "be now preached, which was done, in the course of two hours and a half,
with much assurance and power," by the Speaker just elected. The Eldership in-
sisted on annual examinations of all the ministers "in at least the following
studies: Orthography, Grammar, Logic, Philosophy, Rhetoric, Chemistry, Astron-
omy, Anatomy and Hygiene and Moral or Ethical Sciences." The "doings of the
General Eldership were endorsed." "The brethren of the Eastern Ohio Elder-
ship" were "requested to meet with our Western brethren in the organization of
the new Eldership." To authorize the publication of sermons delivered at Elder-
ships in The Advocate, so usual in the East Pennsylvania Eldership, was intro-
duced in Ohio, and McKee was requested to send in his opening sermon for that
purpose, as was AVilson his sermon on Education, and Ham his on The Commis-
sion. Stimulated by the memorial of the sisters in 1856, the Eldership resolved
"that all our ministers quit the filthy usage of chewing tobacco."
23rd East Ohio Eldership.— The Eldership in the eastern part of the State is
now known as the East Ohio Eldership; but it continues as the successor of the
Ohio Eldership, and so the body which assembled at Sugar Creek, Holmes county,
Ohio, October 4, 1858, was the twenty-third meeting of the East Ohio Eldership,
C. H.— 14
386 History of the Churches of God
It also retains the plural form of the title. It was reduced by the division to nine-
teen ministers, of whom five were absent; six circuits, one station and one mission.
The election for officers resulted in the choice of J. Myers, Speaker; L. B. Hart-
man, First Clerk, and G. W. Wilson, Second Clerk. The Board of Missions was
an outside organization, and so "its members were elected to seats in this body
during its sessions." The Stationing Committee was composed of "one from each
station and circuit." A new form of license was adopted, which certified "that
is a minister of the gospel in good standing in the East Ohio Eldership
of the churches of God, and that we believe him qualified to discharge the duties
and functions of his office." While the Eldership declared that it "does disagree
with Elder J. Winebrenner in his views on slavery," it invited him "to become a
member of this body, and heartily urge him, if possible, to move into our midst."
It also expressed its "regard for him as a scholar, a gentleman and a Christian."
Contrary to Wiuebrenner's views, the Eldership declared that "we cannot con-
scientiously and religiously unite in Christian and Church fellowship with any
man or woman who persists in the sinful practice of buying and selling any human
being in the bondage of slavery." And so also the Eldership could not "assist by
contributions, or otherwise, any missionary operation which teaches that slave-
holders are scriptural members of a church of Jesus Christ." But it at the same
time strongly disapproved of an attack on Winebrenner on his views on slavery,
calling said attack "injudicious, ungenerous and ungenteel." It also placed itself
on record as unequivocally in favor of "prohibition as applied to the traffic of in-
toxicating liquors for common beverage." It appointed "the first day of January
next as a day of fasting and prayer." All the Elderships were urged to use the
plural form, "Churches of God." The territory of the Eldership was divided into
one station, four circuits and one mission.
24th East Ohio Eldership. — The church near Reedsburg, Brick Bethel, Ash-
land county, Ohio, entertained the East Ohio Eldership which convened Wednes-
day, October 19, 1859. No session was held in the forenoon because "the breth-
ren were slow in getting in." Eleven teaching elders responded at the Roll call,
and ten ruling elders. Nine teaching elders were absent. G. W. W^ilson was
chosen Speaker; M. "Beck, First Clerk, and J. S. McKee, Second Clerk. The Eld-
ership had no permanent Rules of Order, and so adopted Rules reported by a com-
mittee. This being the session prior to the meeting of the General Eldership, the
delegates to that body were "instructed to oppose any and every attempt to bring
that body into a compromise, co-operation or religious fellowship with slave-
holders." This was in harmony with the views of the Eldership "that slavery
under all possible, probable and conceivable circumstances is necessarily sinful,
and a sin against God and humanity." The Eldership was unanimous in "recom-
mending to the General Eldership the propriety of assuming the title General Eld-
ership of churches of God in North America." The Eldership was not ready to
direct that ministers move to their new fields in the Fall. It was emphatic in its
endorsement of Prohibition. Christmas was designated as "a day of fasting and
prayer." A "Constitution of the East Ohio Eldership Contingent Fund" was
adopted, and each minister in charge of a station or circuit was required to
"collect ten cents for" this fund. Shippensburg Institute and Oberlin College
were recommended to the brotherhood. The territory was divided into four cir-
cuits, one station and one mission, to which eight ministers were assigned.
25th East Ohio Eldership.— The East Ohio Eldership, which assembled at
New Berlin, Stark county, Ohio, October 1, 1860, had no opening sermon preached,
but William Adams "opened the session by religious exercises." There were
fifteen teaching elders present from five circuits and one mission, and eleven
ruling elders and delegates. Nine teaching elders were absent. G. U. Harn was
elected Speaker; L. B. Hartman, First Clerk, and J. Richards, Second Clerk. A
new Rule was added, prohibiting members leaving without favorable action by the
body. The Eldership made an effort "to extricate the Wooster church from their
pecuniary difficulties in relation to their house of worship," and named a com-
mittee for that purpose. The Committee on Slavery, M. Beck, J. Beidler and S.
Metzler, reported briefly, but radically, declaring the Eldership's "uncompromising
opposition to the existence and further extension of slavery," and resolving "that
we will use all possible lawful means, both at the ballot box and in the pulpit, for
its ultimate abolition." It was an inauspicious time for such a resolution, and
"after some warm discussion the yeas and nays were called, and it was lost — 13
yeas and 14 nays. Then the resolutions of 1859 were adopted and "inserted In
Ohio Ei,de:kship 387
the Journal." In general terms the "use of spirituous liquors was condemned,
and the Eldership pledged against its manufacture, even declaring against "selling
our grain to the distillers, for them to convert into a curse." The death of Wlne-
brenner was feelingly recorded as that of a man "whose ministerial career as a
reformer, evangelist and Christian has ever shone as a star in the constellation
of his age with unsurpassed brilliancy." Ham was requested to deliver a dis-
course on the life of Winebreniier the same evening, and did so, from Acts. viii. 2.
Funeral sermons were also directed to be preached in all the churches of the Eld-
ership. The erection of a suitable monument by the different Elderships was
favored. Less than $100 missionary money was raised during the year. The old
Board was excused, a new Board appointed and a committee created to "draft a
new Constitution for the Board of Missions." The conversion of "about one hun-
dred and thirty" was reported. To supply the "need felt in many places, in towns
where we have no houses of worship and at camp-meetings" a project was matured
to secure "a large and commodious canvas tent." The necessity of education was
emphasized as a means of protection and prosperity. Five circuits, one station
and one mission were arranged for.
26th Ohio Eldership.^ — When the Eldership adjourned in 18 60, it did so to
meet at Vermillion, on the Richland circuit, on October 28, 1861. It was a session
at which "there was more love and union manifested by the brotherhood" than itg
Clerk ever recollected. There were however, some "fiery ordeals of investigation"
of which no public record was made. The Journal was directed to be "published
in pamphlet with the Journals of all the other Elderships," a plan the East Ohio
"Eldership adopted, as suggested by our Editor," but which failed to be put into
effect. M. Beck was Speaker; L. B. Hartman, First Clerk, and J. Myers, Second
Clerk. The Clerk revealed his own enthusiastic patriotism in the statement that
"the Committee on the National Crisis," whose names are not furnished, "ap-
peared in patriotic and sanguine colors. Their report will be read with interest
and enthusiasm by thousands of liberty-loving citizens." To save the house of
worship at Dalton collections were required to be lifted immediately at every
church. The new Constitution of the Missionary Society was adopted, and was
deemed of such importance that "it should be actually studied by every member
of the churches of this Eldership." Oliver, Myeiis, Beck, McKee and Hai'tman
were assigned to the five fields of labor.
27th East Ohio Eldership. — The Eldership which met at Mechanicsburg
(Winfield), Tuscarawas county, Ohio, Monday, October 2, 1862, realized the fail-
ure of the plan to publish all the Journals in one pamphlet or book, and so de-
clared that "The Advocate being established for the purpose of publishing all the
Eldership Journals and other Church documents" "all the families of the Church
should feel it their duty to patronize it." The Eldership organized by electing
L. B. Hartman, Speaker, and J. Myers, Clerk. A church organization was reported
at Crestline, Crawford county. Louis Kraft, general missionary of the German
Eldership, was made a member of the body during its session. His labors were
confined to the German people, among whom he had preached one hundred and
seventy-six sermons. The church at Smithville was advised "to build a meeting-
house on a large plan, with an upper story for a school." While "it appears that
some souls have been gathered into the churches, and some new places have been
opened up, the cause has dwindled away in part at other places." The "Com-
mittee on the National Crisis," Beck, McKee and Beidler, characterized the war
"as one of self-defense, in favor of the preservation of constitutional liberty, for
free speech, free press, free homes and all the freedom peculiar to our free insti-
tutions," and so the "war inaugurated for the preservation of these has our un-
qualified approbation." They endorsed and highly approved the President's
Emancipation Proclamation. "Young men expecting to enter the ministry" were
urged "to attend to the educating of their minds and storing them with all neces-
sary knowledge so as to make themselves proficient and acceptable among the
churches and people."
28th East Ohio Eldership. — L. B, Hartman on Sunday evening, October 25,.
1863, preached the Opening Sermon of the session of the East Ohio Eldership-
which began its twenty-eighth session at Smithville, Wayne county, Ohio, on Mon-
day morning, the 26th. J. Myers was elected to preside, and J. H. Hartman to.
record the Minutes. There were ten teaching elders present, and nine absent,
with fifteen ruling elders and two delegates. The Stationing Committee, "ap-
pointed by acclamation," consisted of "one from each circuit and station," making
388 History of the: Churches of God
six, of which four were laymen. The Illinois Eldership is given credit for having
"undertaken to establish a mission in the great city of Chicago," and as Chicago
is "a great commercial center, and in short one of earth's high places," hence the
Eldership resolved "to encourage the enterprise with our means, our "influence
and our prayers." Intemperance being characterized as "this abominable com-
pound of crimes and vices," the Eldership deplored "the want of a downright,
positive prohibition law." The "Committee on National Crisis" declared that the
"avowed purpose" of "the armed traitors" in rebelling against the government is
"to overturn the fabric of free government, and rear another whose great statute
is that capital shall own labor." To "crush the infamous conspiracy is the will of
God," and the "work when done will break yokes and fetters from the neck of
slaves, and become the terrible argument of the righteous Lord against all
oligarchies, aristocracies and slave powers." Slavery being "the cause and power
of the rebellion," the Eldership regarded "the Proclamation of freedom as the ax
laid at the root of the tree." The Committee believed in the use of the negro
in the army, and also deemed it "the duty of the gospel minister to use all his
efforts, private and public, in order to create a sound public opinion concerning
the great issues now agitating the American people." M. Beck, J. S. McKee and
M. Stevens were the Committee, and their Report was sustained. L. B. Hartman,
M. Laird and M. Stevens, "Committee on Rules of Order, or System of Co-opera-
tion," reported a Constitution "for the better government of our deliberations and
success of our co-operative plans," which was "considered item by item, and
adopted as a whole." The title of the body is "The East Ohio Eldership of the
Churches of God." The membership is to consist of "all ministers holding a regu-
lar license from this body, together with all the ruling elders representing the
churches within its bounds." Or "any church may, in lieu of one or more elders,
send a delegate, who shall be entitled to the same privileges as ruling elders."
"All members of the Board of Missions, and also the Board of Incorporation, shall
be considered ex-officio members of this body." The organization, duties of
officers, sessions, order of debate, and voting are made parts of the Constitution,
being Articles IV., V., VI., VII., VIII., IX., X. A Stationing Committee of one
from each circuit and station is provided for. The Standing Committee is to "con-
sist of three or five, as may be ordered." "It shall have all the rights and author-
ity of the Eldership" when the latter is not in session. Licenses are to be re-
newed yearly. Transfers either by or to the Eldership are to be "in force and
valid not more than fourteen months" from their date of issue. A Board of
Trustees of the Eldership is provided for, consisting of five members, which shall
hold their offices five years, or until their successors are elected. Said Board is
to have charge of all the funds, notes, bonds, etc., belonging to the Eldership.
The duties of ministers are carefully defined in eighteen sections of the last
Article, some of which are at least considered as insinuations that virtues enum-
erated were not a common possession. And "all members and churches which
fail to comply with these Rules of Order or Co-operation shall be liable to rebuke,
suspension or expulsion, as the case may require, by the Eldership." The Elder-
ship requested the East Pennsylvania Eldership and Dr. George Ross to supply
Wooster with a pastor. The Eldership expressed its readiness "heartily to
acquiesce with the General Eldership in all its plans to gather funds for the erec-
tion of such a monument as will manifest all due respect and honor of that great
reformer of the nineteenth century. Elder John AVinebrenner."
29th East Ohio Eldership. — If the stringent provisions of the Constitution
were to be a prophylactic against certain evils which were gradually developing
in the East Ohio Eldership, the result was disappointing. The Eldership which
convened with the church at Reedsburg, Ashland county, Ohio, became painfully
aware of this. This is seen in the licenses placed in the hands of the Standing
Committee, the difficulties in several of the churches, the lack of support of pas-
tors, which threatened to "silence ministers and compel them to resort to secular
pursuits for subsistence," and the spirit of insubordination manifested in sundry
places. The Eldership met on Monday morning, October 17, 1864. A. H. Long,
of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, but pastor at Wooster, preached the Opening
Sermon on Sabbath evening previous. Besides Long, C. H. Forney, of the East
Pennsylvania Eldership, was also in attendance throughout the session. The
former was placed on the Committee on Temperance, Overtures, Resolutions. Edu-
cation, National Crisis and Stationing; the latter on those on State of Religion,
Education, National Crisis, and the late G. U. Harn. J. S. McKee was elected
Ohio Eldership 389'
Speaker, and P. Hartman, Clerk. Positive action was taken against "countenanc-
ing the iniquity of intemperance by the use of intoxicating drinks, by selling grain
or fruit to distillers or their agents, by trafficing in ardent spirits, or by signing
the rum-seller's petition for a license." Any who do any of these things were to
be disciplined, "and if they will not reform, that they be excommunicated." The
numerical strength of the churches "has not been much augmented" during the
year; the "spirituality is rather low," and "the necessity of revivals of religion
among God's people everywhere is very apparent." The "want of cordial co-
operation between different members and churches for trifling reasons in sustain-
ing the gospel ministry and advancing the cause," "cannot but meet with unquali-
fied disapproval." Such were statements embodied in the Report of the Com-
mittee on the State of Religion. Four circuits and two stations were mapped out
and supplied by the Stationing Committee. While the amount of available funds
in the treasury of the Board of Missions was only $193.88, the amount of invested
subscriptions of life and honorary members of the Society was $1,600.00.
30th East Ohio Eldership. — Already at the session of the East Ohio Eldership
which convened at Sugar Creek, Holmes county, Ohio, October 30, 186.5, there
were public indications of a tendency to reunite the two Ohio Elderships. There
were unrest, friction and dissatisfaction in East Ohio, and a consequent want of
zeal and of success. There was one station reported and five circuits, with Mans-
field Mission. A. H. Long was chosen Speaker, and L. B. Hartman, Clerk. A
committee was present from the West Ohio Eldership to canvass the question of
the consolidation of the two Elderships; but after the matter was carefully con-
sidered it was "indefinitely postponed," and "a Visiting Committee, consisting of
L. B. Hartman, M. Beck, J. S. McKee, A. H. Long, J. Myers and W. H. Oliver, was
appointed to meet with the West Ohio Eldership with a view to cultivate acquaint-
ance, familiarity, sociability and Christian fellowship." The Eldership declared
it as "the deliberate and earnest conviction of the body, that the preacher in
charge of a church, together with the ruling elders and deacons constitute the
eldership of the local church, holding, however, that the presence of the deacons
is not essential, but only discretionary." The duties of this eldership were stated
to be "to rule the church, conduct religious services, receive and discipline mem-
bers, expel the immoral and incorrigible." Rejoicing that the "war of gigantic
proportions has closed in our land," it acknowledged "a debt of everlasting grati-
tude to God for saving and protecting us from our enemies both North and South,
domestic and foreign;" rejoiced over the downfall of American slavery," and
pledged its "zealous and Christian efforts for the intellectual, moral and political
amelioration" of the ex-slaves. For a "professor of Christianity to traffic in intoxi-'
eating liquors, or to sell grain or in any other way to aid the cause of intemper--
ance," the Eldership pronounced "highly imprudent." It more strongly favored
"the purchasing or establishing of an institution of learning under the control of
the Church." The "preaching of doctrines strongly tinctured with Calvinism, as
the final perseverance of the saints, etc.," it declared "we disapprobate and dis-
countenance in the strongest possible terms." It specifically named the sermon
preached at the East Pennsylvania Eldership on the perseverance of the saints
"several weeks since, as containing doctrine antagonistic to the teaching of the
Bible, and contrary to the principles of the Church of God, believing that all such
doctrines are heterodox." The "cause of religion has somewhat advanced," was
the Report of the Committee on the State of Religion, "although not so materially
and extensively as we desired to see," and "the spirituality of the Church is rather
low." Six new Honorary Life Members, at $100.00 each, were secured at this
meeting of the Eldership. Each preacher was instructed to preach "a sermon at
each point on his charge on the subject of education, and the importance of having
a college in our midst." By resolution, the Eldership notified the churches that
"we adopt the custom of changing ministers immediately at the adjournment of
the Eldership, to take effect immediately after the next Annual Eldership."
31st East Ohio Eldership. — Fourteen ministers and eight ruling elders and
delegates constituted the Eldership which convened at West Union, Wayne county,
Ohio, October 29, 1866. Six ministers were absent. The election resulted in the
choice of J. Beidler for Speaker, and B, L. Davies, Clerk. The Eldership at once
adopted a substitute in place of the resolution of 1865, declaring that "the
preacher in charge of a church, together with the ruling elders, constitute the
eldership of the local church." But it also adopted a resolution, advising local
church councils "to avoid as much as possible meetings for the settlement of petty'
390 History of the Churches of God
disputes between brethren." The delegates to the General Eldership made a re-
port in which they "congratulated the brotherhood upon its important and timely
doings;" that said body "at its late meeting awoke to a higher tone of improve-
ment, and took a loftier stand in the field of progress than ever before," inviting
"the attention of the churches in East Ohio particularly to the college movement."
Provision was made "to issue a local preacher's license," which authorized the
holder "to preach the gospel and attend to all other duties of his office, except to
administer the ordinances, organize churches and solemnize marriages." J. L.
Jenner, a United Brethren minister, received license, and an appropriation of
?200.00 was made to him to establish a mission in Canada West. The course of
Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, was denounced in strong terms,
as "derelict to the great cause of freedom and human rights." The Course of
Studies of the East Pennsylvania Eldership was recommended to all the min-
isters, and directing examinations therein." The organization of Bible classes
was made the duty of each minister in charge of a circuit or station. All
preachers were also advised "in the discharge of their ministerial duties in the
pulpit to repeat the Lord's Prayer more frequently as a part of their worship, es-
pecially on the Sabbath day." The translation of the American Bible Union was
"recommended to our people as a true transcript of the original Hebrew and
Greek." J. B. Soule, East Pennsylvania Eldership, was appointed to Wooster
station, and plans were matured to liquidate the debt on the bethel.
32nd East Ohio Eldership. — The Opening Sermon of the Eldership which con-
vened in the bethel at Greensburg, Summit county, Ohio, November 4, 1867, was
delivered by J. B. Soule, of Wooster, but member of the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, from Acts ix. 6. The first sitting of the Eldership was on Monday morning,
when a ballot resulted in the election of D. Blakely, West Pennsylvania Eldership,
for Speaker; B. L. Davies, First Clerk, and J. B. Soule, Second Clerk. As the Gen-
eral Eldership had made "a request that each Annual Eldership 'appropriate funds
for contingent expenses," each pastor was required "to collect as much money
from each appointment as will in the aggregate amount to ten cents per member"
for that purpose. Later it was agreed to "form a Contingent Society to raise
funds for the purpose of defraying these expenses." The state of religion was not
very good, yet "the Lord has owned his word in the conversion of sinners. And
while we regret that some local churches have become disorganized, but we re-
joice that others have been organized elsewhere." The expidiency of opening new
mission fields was discussed, but no definite action taken. On the state of the
country the Eldership recognized that we are still in a condition of "political strife
and sectional discord, arising from the continued dereliction of the Chief Execu-
tive;" that "in this crisis of our country arising from the decision of the great
question of reconstruction our hope is still in God and a loyal and faithful Con-
gress and an incorruptible and liberty-loving people." On education, the Com-
mittee referred the Eldership to "sentiments expressed heretofore." The Elder-
ship was quite deficient in active ministers. L. B. Hartnian had been appointed
College Agent, and then located in East Pennsylvania. Wooster station was un-
supplied, as was West Lebanon, Upper Sugar Creek and Stump's Bethel charge,
and D. Blakely had not united with the Eldership. The other preachers assigned
to fields were S. Lilley, L. H. Selby (also not a member), W. H. Oliver, M. Beck
and J. S. McKee.
33rd East Ohio Eldership,— Upon inquiry, Editor Thomas in September, 1868,
stated, that as The Advocate has "now so much more space than heretofore. . . .
it will be best to publish the Eldership Journals in full." So this was done by all
the Elderships. The East Ohio Eldership met at Reedsburg, Ashland county,
Ohio, October 3, 1868, with thirteen teaching elders and eighteen ruling elders
and delegates. The officers were M. Beck, Speaker; J. Durstine, Clerk, and J. L.
Jenner, Assistant Clerk. The interest of the body in the translation of the Ameri-
can Bible Union was again manifested in the declaration that it "will sustain and
encourage it in its commendable effort to translate correctly and faithfully into all
the languages this inestimable gift of heaven to mankind." It resolved "to battle
against the evil of intemperance in every Christian and lawful manner." J.
Myers, Mansfield, in his report suggested the establishment of a mission in Mans-
field, county seat of Richland county. The Eldership responded by resolving that
"the time has fully come to open a mission in Mansfield;" pledging $500.00 for
that purpose; that "the mission shall be opened by the first of April, 1869," and
directing the Board of Missions "to take measures to make the project a practical
Ohio Eldership ■ 391
success." The Eldership emphatically repudiated "the nick-name 'Wlnebrenner-
ians' as unchristian and uncourteous, and in direct opposition to the spirit of
Christian union," and that "the name 'Church of God' is the only God-given and
scripturally-authorized Church title." A committee was appointed "to confer with
the church at Wooster on the propriety of selling the meeting-house and property,
paying off the debt thereon, and building a new house with the remaining pro-
ceeds." S. Fasig, of the Baptist Association, reporting as an advisory member,
inspirited the Eldership by "frankly endorsing the doctrine of the Church of God
in full, and admitting the Baptist Church to be in the rear, and calling upon the
brotherhood to give their friendly aid in bringing the Regular Baptist Church up
to and on an equal footing with the Church of God," and the Eldership resolved
"that all efforts on the part of the Baptist Church and brethren in that direction
have our timely and brotherly aid." Feeling that "the doctrine of the Church of
God is misunderstood by the multitude generally, and greatly misrepresented," the
Committee on Arrangements was directed "at our several Eldership meetings to
fill the pulpit with representative men, or Church of God ministers who will preach
the truth as it is in Jesus." The Eldership selected Smithville as the place for the
Pentecostal meeting in 1869. J. M. Domer, of the West Pennsylvania Eldership,
was appointed to Wooster. Ministers were assigned to two circuits, leaving two
unsupplied, and making no appointments to any mission fields.
34th East Ohio Eldership. — The Journal of the thirty-fourth East Ohio Elder-
ship, which convened at Vermillion Chapel, Ashland county, October 15, 1869,
shows that J. M. Domer did not go to Wooster, but that O. H. Betts was appointed
by the Standing Committee of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, The Eldership
consisted of three pastors, five teaching elders, ten ruling elders, two delegates and
one messenger when constituted. It elected J. S. McKee, Speaker; B. L. Davies,
Clerk; J. Durstine, Assistant Clerk. The question of "the consolidation of the
East and West Ohio Elderships was at once taken up and discussed with great in-
terest and sincerity until adjourning time," when it was laid over until 2.00 p. m.
the next day, when, on motion of G. W. AVilson, "it was resolved to put the
question straight." "After some further debate the question was carried in the
affirmative by a rising vote of twelve to nine," and the matter referred to the
Standing Committee. "Memorial services on the life and death of Elder E. H.
Thomas" were held and "a discourse delivered by J. S. McKee to a large and
weeping congregation." Text — I. Thess. iv. 14. The Committee on the State of
Religion reported "no extensive outpourings of the Holy Spirit, yet the work has
been going steadily on." The Mansfield mission had not been started; but the
Board of Missions was instructed "to pay a visit to Mansfield and make arrange-
ments for the establishing of said mission." J. W. Senseney was also assigned to
the Mansfield and Shelby Mission. The Board of Missions also made an appropria-
tion of $200.00 to the Mansfield and Shelby Mission. Wooster church having
"turned their eyes to the East Pennsylvania Eldership as the hill from whence
they expected their salvation, and have been disappointed," "they now return to
our embrace, and promise to co-operate with the East Ohio Eldership in all con-
stitutional measures," instructions were given to the trustees of the property, in
connection with the Standing Committee, to arrange for the payment of the debt.
The request for a pastor was referred to the Stationing Committee, which ap-
pointed M. Beck, with an appropriation of $200.00 from the Board of Missions.
B. P. Beck was appointed to Smithville and Madison; but having a charge in East
Pennsylvania Eldership, he did not accept it.
35th East Ohio Eldership. — The brief history of a young minister of the
Church, whose labors were but of short duration, begins with the meeting of the
East Ohio Eldership at Smithville, Wayne county, Ohio, October 7, 1870. The
Minutes have this entry: "Rev. Alex. Wiley, of the M. E. Church, was received as
an advisory member." When the Committee on License reported two brethren
"as worthy of licenses from this body," one was A. Wiley. He was appointed to
Sugar Creek circuit. But in October, 1871, he came into the East Pennsylvania
Eldership, where he labored faithfully to the end of his earthly days. The Open-
ing Sermon was deferred from the evening of the 6th to that of the 7th, "owing
to the absence of many of the members of the Eldership." During the first day
the regular business was transacted, beginning with constituting the Eldership,
electing G. W. Wilson, Speaker, and J. B. Hartman, Clerk, and hearing the Report
of the Standing Committee. G. W. Wilson was appointed to preach the Opening
Sermon on the evening of said day, which he did from II. Tim. ii. 2 — "The Min-
ister— his authority, qualifications, rights and duties." In order to secure a bet-
392 History of the Churches oe God
ter support for the pastors it was directed "that in the beginning of the Eldership
year the elders and deacons shall ascertain from their pastor the amount required
to sustain him properly, and said officers shall levy a quota on each member ac-
cording to his or her ability, or as the Lord has prospered, to be paid weekly,
monthly or quarterly to the treasurer of the minister's salary." The Eldership
voted "to support no man, whatever his political proclivities may be, for a position
of trust in our civil government without he pledges, in good faith, to labor and
vote for any and all measures looking toward the suppression of the abominable
liquor traffic." On ordination it granted each licentiate the choice to be ordained
with the imposition of hands. To increase the missionary funds each male church
member was "required to pay the sum of $1.00, and each female member the sum
of 50 cents annually" for missions. The Eldership denounced "the modern heresy
and new-fangled skepticism now so prevalent in many places, to wit: Materialism,
or that the soul and spirit are mortal by nature; The unconscious state of the
dead, and The Annihilation of the wicked. It favored holding a Sabbath-school
Convention, and named Smithville as the place.
36th East Ohio Eldership. — The appointee, J. S. McKee, to preach the Opening
Sermon, being absent, T. H. Deshiri, a visiting minister of the West Ohio Elder-
ship, "preached an able and affectionate sermon," followed by G. W. Wilson with
"an exhortation full of zeal and the Holy Ghost." The session was held at Greens-
burg, Summit county, Ohio, beginning October 12, 1871. When on the morning
of the 13th the Eldership was constituted, J, S. McKee was present, and was chosen
Speaker, and O. H. Betts and J. H. Haitman, Clerks. McKee was then directed to
"preach the annual sermon at 10 o'clock," the second day. At a missionary meet-
ing on Saturday afternoon, and also in the evening, when $1,011.74 were secured
in Life subscriptions and cash. In addition to the action of 1870 not to vote for
any candidate for office who is not an avowed friend to anti-liquor legislation, the
Eldership resolved not to "patronize any man in the business relations of life who
is engaged in the sale of intoxicating drinks." It also endorsed "the idea thrown
out by some of our brethren of holding a General Sunday-school Convention next
season." After its action on "heresies and new-fangled skepticism," in 1870, the
Eldership could not do otherwise than cite M. Beck to trial for holding and teach-
ing such views. The Stationing Committee arranged for two stations, five circuits
and two missions.
37th East Ohio Eldership. — The Eldership in 1871 adjourned to meet at
Lattasburg, Wayne county, Ohio, the third Wednesday in October, 1872; but the
place was changed, and the session was held in the Vermillion Chapel, Ashland
county, Ohio, beginning October 16, 1872, when L. H. Selby preached the Opening
Sermon from I. Chronicles xxvii. 16. J. S. McKee was re-elected Speaker, as was
O. H. Belts, Clerk, with J. A. Plowman, Transcribing Clerk. The Beck case came
up immediately, and was referred to a committee. The matter was adjusted by
a compromise, whereby he was retained in full fellowship, but granting him his
request "to retain the views in which he differed from the body as private prop-
erty." He was reappointed to the Canton mission, as he was "commended" in a
letter from the mission, and "his services for the coming year" asked for. The
Eldership voted to aid the cause of temperance "by moral suasion and the ballot
box." It "hailed with devout congratulations the great enterprise of holding a
yearly Sabbath-school Convention throughout the different Elderships." It de-
clared itself financially "not able to meet, for the present, the demands of the Gen-
eral Eldership relating to the general missionary interests," owing to its own
"heavy missionary demands." While it approved the action of the General Elder-
ship relative to the Hillsdale College Professorship, it more strongly recommended
"an effort to establish a school of our own." A committee of five was appointed to
superintend the Eldership camp-meeting, which it resolved to hold. A strong
effort was to be made to place Mansfield mission on a good financial basis, and to
this end a "general missionary and financial agent to operate in the interest of the
Mansfield Mission" was put in the field, and the ministers were instructed to co-
operate with him in "the hope of the greatest possible success." The Eldership
had nine fields of labor, three of which were missions.
38th East Ohio Eldership. — Evidently the covenant into which the Eldership
entered with M. Beck in 187 2 was kept sacred by him, for not only did he preach
the Opening Sermon on Tuesday evening, October 7, 1873, when the Eldership
convened at Lattasburg, Wayne county, Ohio, but he was chosen to be the Clerk
of the body, with G. W. Wilson, Speaker, and was reappointed to Canton and
Ohio Eldership 393
Moreland. A weakness in the missionary system was the non-payment of interest
on life memberships, by means of which it had been hoped steadily to replenish
the treasury year after year. Accordingly it was ordered that "the outstanding
dues on life membership be put into the hands of an attorney for collection."
The Mansfield debt was $4,000, and the Board of Missions was "authorized to
borrow the money necessary to carry on the Mansfield mission, and give the prop-
erty as security." The elders and deacons of the churches were declared "answer-
able to the local churches for their moral and official conduct," and charges could
be preferred against them, "subject to investigation and trial by the church." By
vote of "a majority of her membership voting" they could be "dismissed from
their office," and even "expelled from the church." The "cause is still advancing"
was the report of the Committee on the State of Religion. There was declared to
be "a disposition to insubordination among some of the churches in the East Ohio
Eldership," which was "highly disapproved," and "churches and ministers are ad-
vised to refrain from such a course of conduct."
39th East Ohio Eldership.— The forebodings of the Eldership of 187 3 became
more threatening as the months passed. And when the Eldership convened at
Cedar Valley, Wayne county, Ohio, October 6, 1874, the clouds were lowering.
With McKee in the Chair, and PlowTnan as Clerk, the first important item of busi-
ness was the Report of the Standing Committee, which contained items revealing
insubordination. But the "Eldership recognized the present Standing Committee
as our regularly constituted and official Committee, and endorse their doings as
official." The spark, however, which caused the explosion was "a letter from his
brother, B. F. Beck, which M. Beck read before this body, speaking in a very un-
christianlike manner, and stigmatizing the corroborators of the Standing Com-
mittee of the East Ohio Eldership." On March 4, 1874, the Standing Committee
was in session to investigate "charges it held against Beck for persistently vio-
lating the Rules of Co-operation, and also for preaching doctrines not accepted by
the Church of God." As he failed to appear and answer to the charges, the Com-
mittee, "feeling convinced under these circumstances, not only of Elder M. Beck's
guilt, but that he ignored alike their authority and that of the Eldership," de-
clared him to be "unworthy of membership in the Church of God," and that "he be,
and is, expelled from among us, and that his license to preach among us is null
and void." This called forth the offensive letter. But the Committee was sus-
tained, yet not without the alienation of parts of several churches, and especially
of the churches at Canton and near Reedsburg. The Canton mission remained un-
supplied by the Eldership. Mansfield mission was thrown in with the Ashland
circuit appointments. The resolutions of censure on B. F. Beck were sent to the
East Pennsylvania Eldership of which he was a member, and the matter was sat-
isfactorily adjusted, as offensive sentiments were retracted and misapprehensions
corrected.
40th East Ohio Eldership.— With hardly any premonitory signs visible to those
outside the East Ohio Eldership the final session of said body was held at Ver-
million, Ashland county, Ohio, beginning October 5, 1875. The work of dis-
integration seemed to have begun, and consolidation with the West Ohio Eldership
was regarded as the part of prudence and wisdom. The Eldership quietly met as
usual and John A. PlowTnan preached the Opening Sermon from Ps. cxviii. 25.
There were in attendance fifteen teaching elders, of whom eight are classed as
pastors; thirty-two ruling elders; five delegates, and one trustee. G. W. Wilson
was chosen Speaker, and J. A. PloAvman, Clerk. The entire Standing Committee
of the West Ohio Eldership was present, and the members, consisting of J. W.
Aukerman, James Neil, I. Steiner, T. Koogle and S. Kline, were received as full
members. Wilson, Mitchel and McKee "were appointed a committee to present to
this body the consolidation of the East and West Ohio Elderships in a tangible form
for action." All the usual committees were appointed by the Speaker; but no
Stationing Committee was elected. The Committee on Temperance declared "in-
temperance in all its forms a great sin;" that "we in every way discountenance the
manufacture and use of all intoxicating liquors," and advised "abstinence from the
use of tobacco as far as practicable." A school at Ida. Hardin county, "being of-
fered upon reasonable terms," it was thought advisable to secure it. The Com-
mittee on Consolidation reported: "Resolved, That the East Ohio Eldership, with
its interests, be transferred to the West Ohio Eldership." It was thought ad-
visable to defer action "till counsel be obtained as to the safety of the matter in
hand." This having been done, the resolution was adopted by a viva voce vote.
394 History of the; Churches of God
The Standing Committee of the West Ohio Eldership then became the Stationing
Committee, and made the appointments, consisting of eight circuits. Wooster was
left to supply itself. Canton was put in with the Stark circuit, while no mention
is made of Mansfield. The East Ohio Eldership "adopted this Report, and com-
pleted its transfer to the West Ohio Eldership."
III. THE WEST PENNSYLVANIA ELDERSHIP.
1st AVest Pennsylvania Eldership. — Pursuant to an action of the Ohio Elder-
ship in October, 1843, "to form another Eldership," and defining its boundaries,
seven ministers and two ruling elders within said boundaries "met in the city of
Pittsburg, on Monday, March 4, 1844," to carry said action into effect. These
were John Hickemell, Joseph A. Dobson, Daniel Wertz, Henry Rosenberger, Ed-
ward Wood, Jacob Myers and John S. Ken-. The ruling elders were John Koermer
and Louis Kraft. Three ministers residing in the territory were not present, viz:
Jacob M. Klein, appointee of the East Pennsylvania Eldership to the Indiana cir-
cuit; Abraham Ramsey and S. S. Richmond. The officers elected were John Hick-
ernell, Speaker, ajid Jacob Meyers, Clerk.
John Hickemell was born in Lisburn, Cumberland county, Pa., In December,
1814. His earliest religious impressions were received under a sermon preached
to children by Winebrenner when he was eleven years old. When eighteen years
of age he was converted. Not long thereafter he began "occasionally to exercise
in exhortation, until he was impressed with the call to go into the gospel field."
He was a man of extraordinary physical, mental and moral strength. In 1838 he
attended the session of the East Pennsylvania Eldership held at Middletown, No-
vember 11th, made application for license to preach the gospel, and a license was
granted him. When the Stationing Committee reported he was appointed to the
Pittsburg Mission, along with Edward West. West declined to go, and Jacob
Keller was substituted in his place. As the pioneer missionary and able min-
ister and wise counselor, he became a leader in West Pennsylvania, a position he
held for fifty years. He was one of the delegates of the Eldership to the General
Eldership in 1845, 1851, 1854, 1857, 1860, 1863, 1866 and 1893. He was ap-
pointed Corresponding Messenger to the Free-Will Baptist General Conference.
Quite a number of times he was chosen Speaker of his Eldership. He had "so de-
veloped his natural talents that he had but few equals in pulpit power and pastoral
prestige." He died October 30, 1897.
"The Journals of the last Elderships of Pennsylvania and Ohio were read."
David Glassbum and Louis Kraft were granted licenses. There were no com-
mittees, and but little business was done outside of hearing the reports of
preachers and examining into their moral and official characters. The work and
standing of three ministers were in some doubt, but adjustments were affected,
with censure in the one case. The Eldership handled all the business, including
the stationing of the ministers, as follows: Harmony circuit, Jacob Myers; Rock-
land circuit, Edward West; Venango circuit, Henry Rosenberger; Pittsburg Mis-
sion, John Hickemell; Westmoreland circuit, Joseph A. Dobson; Columbiana Mis-
sion, Ohio, John S. Kerr. The matter of buying the stereotype plates of the Re-
vival Hymn Book, etc., was brought before the Eldership by a letter from E. West,
of Ohio, and after due consideration it was decided "that an advisory letter be
addressed to the Hymn Book Committee in Ohio."
2nd West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The second West Pennsylvania Eldership
was held the same year as the first — October 28, 1844. Some of the ministers
during the Summer had still been laboring under appointment by the Ohio Elder-
ship of 1843. There were eight teaching elders present, and three absent; eight
ruling elders, and three delegates. J. Hickemell was chosen Speaker, and Jacob
Myers, Clerk. The delegates were received as advisory members. The Standing
Committee was authorized to appoint the camp-meetings for 184 5. Winebrenner
was present, on his return from the Ohio Eldership, and was made a "member of
the body." He was granted "leave to bring before this body certain resolutions
passed by the Ohio Eldership, touching a General Eldership." After the matter
wras duly considered the Eldership resolved to "agree to co-operate with the Ohio
and East Pennsylvania Eldership in calling and holding a General Eldership to
West Pennsylvania Eldership 395
transact business of a general character." The election of two ministerial and
two lay delegates followed. Action was also taken to co-operate with Ohio and
East Pennsylvania in "obtaining funds to liberate the Printing Establishment from
its present embarrassed condition," and the "traveling preachers" were authorized
to solicit subscriptions for said purpose. Preachers were required to withdraw
"after giving in their reports." "By nomination a committee of five, three
preachers and two ruling elders, was appointed to assign the preachers to their
■circuits and stations." The territory was divided into six circuits, with seven
ministers. Nine ministers are classed as "missionaries." Provision was made for
a Standing Committee of three.
3rd West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The "West Pennsylvania Eldership met in
its third annual session at Harmony, Butler county, Pa., October 22, 1845. An
additional circuit is entered on the Roll in constituting the Eldership, the Perry-
•opolis Mission, Fayette county. There were sixteen ministers enrolled, two being
absent; one delegate and five ruling elders. The officers were John Hickemell,
■Speaker; J. Myers, Clerk. G. U. Ham was received as "a full member," but not
transferred from the East Pennsylvania Eldership. He served on several com-
mittees. Committees on Overtures, Resolutions and Journals were created. The
•Committee on Resolutions, S. S. Richmond and Daniel Wertz, reported the fol-
lowing, which prevailed without dissent: "Resolved, That this Eldership highly
approves of the proceedings of the General Eldership of the Church of God in
North America, held at Pittsburg, in May, 1845." There was considerable Ger-
man preaching over the Eldership territory. H. Barkey "talked more or less
•every Lord's day, in the German language." The church at Robbstown was com-
posed of "European Germans." A resolution adopted at the session of 1844,
■"denying absent members the renewal of their licenses, unless they send a com-
munication," was rescinded. The death was announced of "Bishop Edward
Wood," a member of the Eldership, and suitable action taken. On Secret Societies
the Eldership adopted a resolution "advising the ministers and members of the
■Church not to identify themselves as members," mentioning "Free Masons, Odd
Fellows, etc., etc." The Stationing Committee rearranged the fields so as to make
six appointments, yet added Wood county (Va. ) Mission. Church organizations
■were reported at Youngstown and McKeesport, on the Westmoreland circuit.
While some of the ministers reported that "the churches are very liberal, so far
^s they have it in their power;" yet the Eldership adopted an action to "request
■and urge upon the elders the necessity of laying the subject of the support of the
ministers before the churches in which they are."
4th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — When the fourth "Annual Eldership of
the Church of God in West Pennsylvania met in the Union Bethel, Grass Hill, Sus-
quehanna township, Cambria county. Pa., on the 28th of October, 1846," it was
"found that fields of labor had been largely rearranged, and partly consolidated,
and Athens County (Ohio) Mission; Adams County Mission (Ohio), and Virginia
Mission had been added. Athens county, Ohio, along with Columbiana, Jefferson,
Belmont and other eastern counties had been given to the West Pennsylvania Eld-
ership; but Adams county is the fourth county east of the Indiana State line. The
Eldership elected John Hickemell Speaker, and Henry Barkey, Clerk. Consider-
able work was done during the year in Adams, Athens and Meigs counties, Ohio.
Also in Greene and Washington counties. Pa. In Adams county, O., "a church for
the Lord" was organized; also one in Meigs county, Ohio. German preaching was
In demand in Venango county. Pa. The evil of ministers disappointing their con-
gregations was strongly disapproved. The report of the Stationing Committee
showed a remarkable rearrangement of fields of labor. Some circuits were com-
posed of several large counties, like Westmoreland, Fayette and Cambria; or Ven-
ango and Butler counties (Pa.), and Columbiana (Ohio). And though Adams
county, Ohio, and Athens and Meigs counties, Ohio, were each made a circuit,
there were only five fields of labor, with seven preachers. The Standing Com-
mittee "vras directed to arrange the camp-meetings for 1847. Written reports were
to be made hereafter by the preachers.
5th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The place of meeting of the fifth West
Pennsylvania Eldership is given as "the meeting-house in Irwin township, Venango
county. Pa., the time "the 22nd of October, 1847." This is the place where one of
the first churches in the territory of the Eldership was organized, and is where
Barkeyville, named after Elder Henry Barkey, is located. John Hickemell was
chosen Speaker; and Henry Barkey, Clerk. Several messengers present were
396 History of the Churches of God
made advisory members, among them Benjamin Ober, who made application for
license, which was granted, and, with John Hickernell, he was appointed to the
Westmoreland and Cambria counties circuit. Few conversions and accessions
were reported. Two ministers and two laymen were "appointed delegates for the
General Eldership." On the matter of the support of ministers the churches were
"advised to take up subscriptions for their support, and that the preachers present
the same to the next Annual Eldership." The preachers were directed "hereafter
to give an account of the number of churches and preaching places on their cir-
cuits. The churches were asked to "represent themselves either by delegation or
letter, and give account of their numerical strength, and the number of sermons,
preached to them through the year by their preachers." The appointments were
made by the Eldership, there being six fields, Pittsburg and West Newton among
them. Fayette county. Pa., and the Virginia Mission are omitted; as also Colum-
biana county, Ohio. Adams County (Ohio) Mission was to be aided by collections-
in all the churches.
6th West Pennsylvania Eldership, — The sixth annual session of the West
Pennsylvania Eldership was held "in the meeting-house in Brush Valley township,.
Indiana county. Pa., on the 10th day of October, 1848." Eight fields of labor
were reported, and the enrollment shows the Eldership on the first day to have
consisted of seventeen teaching elders, and four messengers, all from Cambria and
Westmoreland circuit. J. Hickeraell was elected Speaker, and J. A. Dobson, Clerk.
The Standing Committee during the year had "authorized Elder M. W. Cook,
Adams county, Ohio [on the Ohio river], to receive certain churches and preachers-
in the South into fellowship, giving the preachers written permits to preach the
gospel." While Kentucky is "across the river," Cook reported that "he got across-
the Ohio into Virginia; that he saw much good done, and that prospects were fav-
orable to the doctrine of the Church and Bible." He was appointed to Mason
county, Va. [now West Virginia], and Adams county, Ohio, Mason county being
four counties east of Adams. The delegates to the General Eldership were "called
upon to give in their reports, and reasons for not attending to the appointment."
They "were exonerated from blame;" but the "Eldership feels sorry for the
failure of all the delegates to attend the General Eldership." Joseph Glenn re-
ported having "extended his work into Clarion county." Wei*tz had "extended
his borders on the Greene county circuit through the northern part of Virginia."
A strong resolution was passed, urging the preachers to look to the organization of
Sabbath-schools. Several items of statistics were required to be annually re-
ported by all pastors. In the Stationing Committee's Report Pittsburg is made a
station, with Jacob Myers pastor. Marshall county (Va. ) circuit is added to the
list. Mason county, Va., is part of Cook's field. Athens county, Ohio, is a cir-
cuit; but Columbiana county, Ohio, is not mentioned.
A new Article having been added to the Constitution of the General Elder-
ship, giving it power "to review the Journals of all the Annual Elderships," the
Eldership took up the matter, and adopted a resolution to "inquire of those whom
it may most concern to give us satisfactory information."
7th West Pennsylvania Eldei-ship. — The progress of the work in Virginia is
indicated by the fact that the Eldership "met in the new meeting-house at Wood-
lands, Marshall county, Va., on the 24th day of October, 1849." The Eldership
elected Jacob M. Klein Speaker, and Daniel Wertz, Clerk. The Committee on Un-
finished Business reported but one item, viz: "The resolution relative to a mys-
terious resolution passed by the last General Eldership." It stated that "the
mystery had not as yet been unfolded." However, the new Article had been pub-
lished in The Advocate of July 1, 1848, in full. The camp-meeting spirit having-
perceptibly decreased, the Eldership advised "all the churches to strive and pray
to revive the former camp-meeting spirit in all their members." Regular trans-
fers were now granted to ministers removing to other Elderships. Eight fields of
labor were mapped out by the Stationing Committee, with nine pastors. Colum-
biana county, Ohio, is made a part of Harmony circuit. Pittsburg is omitted.
The Standing Committee is made the Camp-meeting Committee, and the hope is
expressed that there "would be at least one camp-meeting on every circuit." Col-
lections were ordered on all "the stations and circuits, and that the preachers bring
the money to the Eldership at its next session, and that the same be applied to
traveling preachers as they may have need."
8th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — In 1850 the West Pennsylvania Eldership
met in the extreme western county of the State, near the part of its territory in
West Pennsylvania Elde.rship 397
Ohio. The place of meeting was at Fayetteville, Lawrence county, November 20th.
It occupied parts of Mahoning and Columbiana counties across the boundary line
in Ohio, having a church at Youngstown, Mahoning county, and several in Colum-
biana county. Some distance south was the Marshall county circuit. West Va.
On its list of circuits was Athens county, Ohio. The Eldership, as was quite usual,
had trouble with several of its members, and in a few instances licenses were
withheld. The tendency toward union between Free-Will Baptist churches located
in the north-western counties of Pennsylvania and the south-western counties of
New York was emphasized by the presence of two delegates from "the Crawford
Quarterly Meeting of the Free-Will Baptist denomination," which "expressed the
most friendly feeling towards the Church of God, and desired a more intimate
acquaintance and union between the two bodies." In return "J. Hickeniell and
E. Logue were appointed delegates to the Yearly Meeting of the Free-Will Baptist
denomination, to be held in Greene township, Erie county. Pa., June 20, 1851."
The Eldership by resolution denounced the Fugitive Slave Law "as imposing
duties on us subversive to the laws of God and our feelings," and resolved to "use
all possible legal means for the immediate repeal of" said law. Without designat-
ing its object, the preachers of the Eldership were directed to "receive donations
and lift collections, and bring the liberalities of the people to the next Eldership,
for the purpose of establishing an Eldership Fund." W. Vance had removed to
Iowa, but retained his membership in the Eldership. Two ministerial delegates,
and one lay delegate were appointed to the next General Eldership. The fields of
labor were rearranged so as to make but four circuits instead of eight, constituting
McKeesport and Pittsburg a mission, and making no mention of the Athens county,
Ohio, territory, nor Mahoning and Columbiana counties. But J. M. Klein is ap-
pointed to "New York State Mission." J, W. Klein was the Speaker, and J. Hovis,
Clerk, of this Eldership. E. Marple, later missionary to Texas, received license at
this Eldership.
9th West Pennsylvania Eldership.^ — Upon constituting the Eldership which
met at Bethany, Westmoreland county, Pa., October 15, 1851, there is quite a vari-
ance between the fields of labor as entered on the Journal and as given in the re-
port of the Stationing Committee in 1850. J. Hickeniell was chosen Speaker, and
J. Hovis, Clerk. Without a Constitution or fixed Rules, there was considerable
disorder in managing the interests of the work. Parliamentary Rules were
adopted, but these were limited to the transaction of business while the Eldership
was in session. Neither of the delegates to the Free-Will Baptist Yearly Meeting
liad been in attendance. Two delegates to the General Eldership reported their
presence at its sessions. They "were much pleased with the spirit of the body,
and most of the doings; yet there were some things to which there might be ex-
ceptions." And by resolution the Eldership took exception to "the report of the
Committee on Publication." This related to "a selection of congregational
hymns," which the General Eldership proposed to publish "for the use of and as
the property of the Church." The West Pennsylvania Eldership declared that
"we disapprove of publishing the said book, or any other book or publication, as
Church property, with further encumbrances thereon than that of defraying the
expenses of publication." This referred to an "old debt" due AVinebrenner, with
reference to which the Eldership "petition the East Pennsylvania Eldership to
give us some definite satisfaction." It also declared that "the Board of Missions
of the East Pennsylvania Eldership acted disorderly and uncourteously to this
"body" in "inducing Brothers Weitz and Klein to leave their fields of labor and go
into their employ [as missionaries to Illinois], without the consent and contrary
to the wishes of this Eldership." The Eldership divided the territory into five
circuits, omitting the Marshall county. West Va., circuit altogether; but it was in-
serted by the Stationing Committee. Agreeably to the action of the General Eld-
ership Athens and Meigs counties, Ohio, were "transferred to the Ohio Eldership."
It approved "the purchase of a Printing Establishment to be located west
of the mountains." It recommended "to the patronage of the brethren the Free-
Will Baptist institution of learning situated at Chester, Geauga county, Ohio,"
and also "the institution of D. A. L. Laverty and S. Knisley, situated at Shippens-
burg. Pa." It was resolved to "make a determined effort to raise the cause in
Pittsburg," and petitioned "the East Pennsylvania Eldership for Bro. McFadden
to take charge of the Pittsburg Mission." The Eldership proposed to "purchase
an Eldership Library for the benefit of the younger ministers."
10th West Pennsylvania Eldership, — The tenth session of the West Fennsyl-
39^ History of the Churches of God
vania Eldership was held in the bethel in Irwin township, Venango county. Pa.,
beginning October 28, 1852, with E. Lo^ue, Speaker, and H. Barkey, Clerk. One
of the first items of business was the Pittsburg Mission, in reference to which
nothing had been done as no missionary had been secured, and the request was
repeated, that one be furnished by East Pennsylvania, as "prospects are still flat-
tering." The "25-cent plan to liquidate Bro. Winebrenner's claims" was approved
and recommended to the churches. Three trustees were appointed "to receive
and hold funds and bonds in trust for the Eldership," in the matter of purchasing
a "new Printing Establishment." The "efforts making to introduce the Maine
Law into our respective States" was "highly approved," and "each of the preachers
of the Eldership" was recommended "to give a lecture or sermon in favor of" said
liquor law. But seven out of the sixteen ministers on the Roll were present at
this session, a fact which the Eldership "deeply regretted," and expressed the hope
that "a deeper interest will be taken in our yearly meeting in the future." "Num-
bers of appointments declined for the want of preaching," and the Eldership "rec-
ommended and hoped that the ministers and elders will make a more vigorous
effort to extend their labors and raise the cause." Wheeling Mission, being prin-
cipally the district of which Wheeling is the center, was placed on the list of cir-
cuits. Also "Canal Mission," making eight fields in all, with nine pastors and
four assistants.
11th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — But half the ministers enrolled answered
to their names when, on October 29, 1853, the West Pennsylvania Eldership was
constituted to hold its eleventh annual session. It convened at Slippery Rock,
Beaver county. Pa., one of the first churches organized by Hickemell. On Sunday
morning the new bethel was dedicated, E. Logue preaching the sermon, while Sat-
urday evening, the day before, William Davis preached. On Monday morning "the
Eldership met to transact business, when the opening sermon was preached by B.
Ober." S. S. Richmond was made Speaker; Henry Barkey, Journalizing Clerk,
and A. C. Raysor, "an advisory member," Transcribing Clerk. The Eldership re-
ceived and licensed Henry Berkey, of the Evangelical Association, and Philip W.
Haskins, of the Free-Will Baptists of England. Two teaching elders and two
ruling elders were elected delegates to the General Eldership in 1854. The efforts
to raise funds for the new Printing Establishment were continued. A "mission-
ary fund" was established, and each minister was instructed "to lift a collection at
each preaching place, and likewise request each member to pay twenty-five cents
to be applied" to this fund. The deacons of all the churches were "requested to
make a more vigorous effort to raise an adequate support for their preachers in
charge." The Standing Committee was made the Camp-meeting Committee. Six
circuits and two missions were outlined, and to these were assigned eight pastors,
with six assistants. No provision was made for Pittsburg, but a "Mahoning Mis-
sion," also called "Canoe Mission," was created, and a minister appointed.
12th AVest Pennsylvania Eldership. — The constant shifting of boundaries of
fields of labor is again emphasized at the twelfth West Pennsylvania Eldership,
convened at Bethany, Westmoreland county. Pa., October 30, 1854. There were
seven fields, two of them missions, placed on the Journal when the Eldership was
constituted. The Stationing Committee near the close reported eleven, four of
them being called missions. Ohio Eldership had "failed to supply the churches
of God in Athens and Meigs counties, Ohio, with preaching ever since the Gen-
eral Eldership has placed them under the supervision of the same," the Eldership
decided "to supply them with preaching to the best of our ability." The Athens
county circuit, Ohio, was placed with the appointments, and Edward Jordan ap-
pointed to serve it. S. S. Richmond was elected Speaker; E. Logue, Journalizing
Clerk, and A. C. Raysor, Transcribing Clerk. A Committee to "draft Rules for
this Eldership reported ten Parliamentary Rules. The delegates to the General
Eldership were required to report. The "opening discourse" was preached on
the evening of the first day's sittings. Davis, a Free-Will Baptist, was present,
and sat as an advisory member. On some of the fields about one-third of the-
preaching was in German. About two hundred accessions were reported. The
Eldership elected a regular Treasurer again, but no report is published. Referrlng-
to "a resolution on the Journal of this Eldership, prohibiting members of this
Eldership identifying themselves with Secret Societies, a resolution was adopted
so to "modify it as not to include temperance and politics."
13th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — There were only seven teaching elders
and one ruling elder in attendance when the thirteenth annual session of the Eld-
West Pennsylvania Eldership 399-,
ership convened at Slippery Rock, Beaver county, Pa., October 29, 1855. Twelve
teaching elders were absent. No delegates reported. John Hickeraell was chosen
Speaker; A. C. Raysor, Journalizing Clerk; Heni-y Barkey, Transcribing Clerk,
and Abraham Shei-ick, Treasurer. Ministers were held to a strict account-
ability, and censures were passed on several for delinquencies in their of-
ficial duties. There was still considerable German preaching in several counties,
as in Venango county, where Latchaw and Barkey had regular German services.
While there was a lack of preachers to travel the fields, there were twelve who
were local. Seven circuits and three missions were on the list when the Elder-
ship met; but the Committee on Circuits reported "they had set off seven circuits
and five missions." Among the latter was Johnstown. The Stationing Com-
mittee, however, lacked four men to supply them. The constant emigration west-
ward retarded the work, and complaint is also made that the "Church suffers by
divisions caused by persons rather refractory, all arising from self-righteousness in.,
themself." But "in the Eldership union and harmony prevail."
14th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The territory of the West Pennsylvania
Eldership extended over a very large area, and so on account of the distance be-
tween two extreme points thereof and the inconvenience of travel, it was impossi-
ble to secure a large attendance of ministers and delegates at these remote points.
So when for the second time the Eldership convened in Virginia less than half the-
members were present. It met with the church at Antioch, Wheeling circuit, Oc-
tober 25, 1856, with six out of twenty-one teaching elders present, five ruling
elders and two delegates. The organization was effected by the choice of John
Hickernell, Speaker; A. C. Raysor, Journalizing Clerk; John Hovis, Transcribing
Clerk, and Peter Loucks, Treasurer. The delegates' to the General Eldership were
"instructed to urge on the publication of the new Hymn Book." It was rather
common for traveling ministers to complain of accidents, or misfortunes, occasion-
ing losses which, with their meager salaries, they could not bear, when these com-
plaints were taken up and "a project set on foot for relief." But the churches did
not take kindly to these extra calls for money, and so this Eldership resolved that
such charitable help be discontinued. A committee was appointed, to report a
year hence, "to draft a Constitution and Rules of Order for the formation of a
Missionary Society." The pastors present reported one hundred and fifty con-
versions. The funds of the Eldership were exceedingly limited. Athens and'
Meigs counties, Ohio, were greatly neglected, and between the West Pennsylvania
and the Ohio Elderships the work there finally went to nothing. The territory
for the coming year was divided into seven circuits, with one General Missionary.
The missions of this Eldership year were attached to circuits adjoining them.
Regular German preaching was provided for at West Newton, and in Irwin town-
ship, Venango county,
15th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — From the southern borders of the terri-
tory in 185 6, the West Pennsylvania Eldership convened, on October 28, 1857,
with the church in Irwin township, Venango county. Pa., almost the extreme north-
ern point. But nine of its twenty-two ministers were in attendance, and four
ruling elders and delegates. Joseph Glenn was elected Speaker; A. C. Raysor,
Journalizing Clerk; J. M. Domer, Transcribing Clerk, and Peter Loucks, Treasurer.
The delegates to the General Eldership were required to report. The Committee^
to draft a Constitution and Rules for the formation of a Missionary Society re-
ported a Constitution of nineteen Articles. The membership was voluntary, upon
the payment of $1.00 annually. The ministers present reported two hundred
conversions. They preached from sixty-eight to two hundred and eighty-five ser-
mons during the year. Ober and Marple, missionaries to Texas, were still held
amenable to the West Pennsylvania Eldership, and their names being called, the
letters which they had sent in were referred to the Committee on Slavery. Said
Committee reported, that "in said letters it finds not only a departure from
original land-marks, and the setting up of new things, but the charging of our
Savior, the Redeemer of mankind and adorable Founder of the Church of God,
with sanctioning indirectly the great sin or evil of Slavery." It quotes actions of
the Eldership on October 22, 1845, and the action of the General Eldership in
May, 1845, to which "these brethren now laboring in Texas agreed by com-
ing into the Eldership," and then in terms of severe disapproval repudiate their
present teachings and actions on the subject, and condemned them for "setting up
for themselves [organizing the Texas Eldership] without asking the consent of*
the body to which they belonged." This it called "seceding," and" so for all these'
4<X) History of tiik Churches of God
wrong acts alleged against them, the Committee declared, and the Eldership rati-
fied it, that "we do '~ ^'eby, by virtue of the great moral law which we consider
them to have violate^.. ..nlare that we must withhold from them the hand of
Christian Fellowship." Thus they "cast them off as wandering sons from the
original land-mark." They could not tolerate "villanies in the name of Allah,"
even if the perpetrators "call upon the prophet to bless their crimes." Nor did
they deem the severe language employed as partaking of the nature of railing
accusations which the Archangel Michael durst not bring against his worst enemy.
A singular coincidence is found in the fact that immediately following the Journal
containing this arraignment in The Church Advocate is the "Journal of the First
Annual Meeting of the Eldership in Texas," in which in resolutions the position
of the Texas brethren is set forth.
16th West Pennsylvania Eldei-ship. — Perhaps as an expression of the "sym-
pathy" the Eldership manifested by resolution in 18.57 for Slippery Rock church
in its financial straights, the West Pennsylvania Eldership on October 27, 1858,
met with said church, located in Beaver county. Nine teaching elders were in at-
tendance, and three ruling elders; fourteen teaching elders being absent. The
officers elected were J. Hovis, Speaker; J. M. Donier, Journalizing Clerk; H.
Barkey, Transcribing Clerk, and Peter Loucks, Treasurer. One of the first items
of business to be considered was "the claim against the bethel at Slippery Rock."
The Eldership made a broad and luminous deliverance on the subject of "female
preaching," declaring that it "believes female preaching scriptural and beneficial
to the furtherance of the work of God." Hence it resolved "that we vote (upon
application) a recommendation to all sisters laboring in the gospel, whose quali-
fications and religious character will justify us in so doing." This year there
are seven circuits and two missions, on two of which German preaching is pro-
vided for.
17th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — At the convening of the seventeenth
Annual Eldership at West Newton, Westmoreland county. Pa., October 25, 1859,
twelve ministers and four ruling elders and delegates were present; thirteen min-
isters were absent. An election for officers resulted in the choice of Seth S. Rich-
mond for Speaker; John A. Plowman, Journalizing Clerk; Jacob M. Domer, Trans-
cribing Clerk, and Peter Loucks, Treasurer. The first steps toward the formation
of "circuit councils" were taken by the adoption of a recommendation that "each
circuit be advised to hold two Circuit Elderships each year, consisting of all the
preachers, ruling elders and deacons," and itemizing their business. Holding
"that they that preach the gospel are to live off the gospel," the Eldership advised
"the Circuit Elderships, before making application to this body for a preacher, to
ascertain as nearly as they can his probable wants, and inform us whether
those wants can be met." A committee was appointed "to prepare a Constitution
for the government of the Eldership," and one "to take the preparatory steps to
secure an Act of Incorporation." The Committee on Religious Exercises reported
these six subjects on which special sermons were to be preached before the Elder-
ship in 1860: Qualifications of the Ministry — Loucks; Depravity — Raysor; Atone-
ment— Hickernell; Evidences of Adoption — Domer; Christian Warfare — Plow-
man; Eternal Salvation — Richmond; Endless Punishment — Glenn. Hickeraell
reported that the "several churches of which I had charge were low in spirit; and
no particular prospects for a reformation," he and Loucks decided to invite "Sister
Martha Jane Beecher, at that time a member of the Methodist Protestant Church,
an invitation to assist us in holding a special meeting at Bethany." Immense
crowds attended "to hear the voice that plays so musically upon the ears of the
people in general." No conversions were reported at Bethany, while at West
Newton "some few were converted." The Committee on License "voluntarily
considered" Mrs. Beecher's case; spoke in terms of commendation of "her labors
and her evident merits," and advised a "certificate expressive of the above" be
given her, "recognizing her as a co-worker in the gospel, and authorizing her to
continue her labors among us." The fields of labor were increased to fourteen,
including Washington County Mission, Athens County (Ohio) Mission, and North
Mission. On nearly all the circuits the preacher in charge had one or two assist-
ants. Mrs. Beecher was appointed to assist the pastor on the Westmoreland
circuit.
18th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The eighteenth annual session of the
West Pennsylvania Eldership met at West Newton, Westmoreland county. Pa.,
at 9 o'clock a. m., on Tuesday, October 23, 18"80, but listened to the Opening Ser-
West Pennsylvania Eldership 401
mon by P. Loucks in the evening of said day. A. C. Raysor was chosen Speaker;
P. Loucks, Journalizing Clerk; J. Hovis, Transcribing Clerk, and J. Hickernell,
Treasurer. A "Protocol" and the transcribing of the Minutes of the sessions of
the Eldership had been ordered, and A. C, Raysor, Committee, reported the work
completed. As a further step, a committee, consisting of J. Hickei-nell, P. Loucks
and A. C. Raysor, was appointed "to prepare and commit to writing our system of
co-operation." As to "ordination and setting apart to the office of the ministry,"
the Eldership directed that "persons obtaining license from this body shall be ad-
dressed and a short prayer offered in their behalf by some one to be appointed by
the Speaker." The Eldership placed itself on record as being "as much as ever
convinced that female preaching is scriptural." All preachers "when speaking on
the ministry" were directed "to engraft and defend this sentiment." The terri-
tory was divided into nine circuits and three missions, Pittsburg Mission "to be
supplied by Bros. Hickernell, Domer, Plowman and Sister Beecher," the latter "to
get all the support." S. S. Richmond, according to previous arrangements, on the
last evening of the session "preached a funeral sermon on the life and death of
Elder Winebrenner, from Rev. xiv. 13."
19th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — "A revival of religion," called "a glori-
ous revival," "in progress in the church" made it expedient for the West Penn-
sylvania Eldership when it met at Pittsburg, Pa., October 22, 1861, to dispense
with the opening sermon. Instead, "A. X. Shoemaker, of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership, preached an interesting discourse." Thomas, of the same Eldership,
was also present. Both were placed on committees, and had the right to speak
and vote. The officers were, Hickernell, Speaker; J. M. Domer, Journalizing
Clerk; A. C. Raysor, Transcribing Clerk, and P. Loucks, Treasurer. The Consti-
tution, or "System of Co-operation," was reported and adopted. The name
adopted was "West Pennsylvania Eldership of the Church of God." The member-
ship was to consist of "all the preachers holding a license from this body, to-
gether with an equal number of ruling elders or delegates." The Rules of Order
were incorporated in the Constitution. The Standing Committee, consisting of
three, was given "the right and authority to act in behalf of the Eldership during
the year," but were not empowered to expel a minister, but to suspend, after trial
and conviction. Five members constituted the Stationing Committee. Preachers
were forbidden entering on the field of another minister without the consent of
said minister. Churches were to report to the Eldership. Statistical reports
were to be made by the pastors. "The Eldership is considered a Missionary So-
ciety, and each local church an auxiliary society." "Preachers and churches
which fail to comply with the Rules of Order and Co-operation are liable to re-
buke, suspension or expulsion." Jordan, Free-Will Baptist, who had united with
the Eldership, at the solicitation of a certain "Free-Will Baptist Church in want of
ministerial labor," was "advised to return to their connection." One preacher
was expelled for "heterodoxy and recklessness of character." "Each preacher re-
ceiving a license" was "required to pay $1.00 at least into the Treasury of the
Eldership on the reception thereof." The Eldership appointed a committee, con-
sisting of Hickernell, Domer and Cook, "to solicit subscriptions and purchase the
house known as the Old Asbury Chapel, in the city of Pittsburg." Pittsburg was
made a part of the New Brighton circuit, besides which there were seven circuits
and two missions.
20th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — "Prospects bidding fair for a revival of
religion," the meeting having been in progress a week, when the Eldership con-
vened at Pittsburg, Pa., October 28, 1862, "it was thought expedient to direct the
efforts of the pulpit towards that object," and dispense with the opening sermon.
"Domer preached an appropriate discourse." Eleven ministers were present;
fourteen, absent. The choice for Speaker was J. M. Domer, with P. Loucks, Jour-
nalizing Clerk; J. A. PlowTiian, Transcribing Clerk, and J. Hickernell, Treasurer.
The committee to purchase Asbury Chapel had been increased to five, and it re-
ported the purchase of the Chapel for $2,500, with interest; $150 was paid down;
$550 "at the time of receiving the deed." Of this amount $510 was furnished by
individual members of the committee, and only $190 "raised by subscription."
The Report was adopted, and all the preachers on fields of labor were instructed
"to co-operate with the committee in raising all the money possible to meet the
payments as they become due." An agent was also "appointed to canvass the
bounds of the East Pennsylvania Eldership to solicit" help "in this enterprise."
Martha J. Beecher was made the Agent. Licenses were withheld and placed In
C. H.— 14*
402 History of the Churches of God
the hands of the Standing Committee from "some of the preachers" because they
"did not conform to the Rules of Co-operation." The Committee on the State of
the Country, J. Glenn, A. O. Stouft'er and J. Hovis, reported, stating it to be "the
duty of every loyal organization to so express its loyalty and love of its country
that the Government may assuredly know who its true and faithful subjects are;"
sanctioning "every measure and proclamation which a military necessity may de-
mand;" "highly approving the Emancipation Proclamation," and promising to
pray "God to give wisdom and direction to the President, to his Cabinet and to the
heads of Departments of Government, success to our Army and Navy, that they
may be successful in bringing this fratricidal war to an honorable termination."
There were eleven fields of labor, with twelve pastors, and one General Missionary.
21st West Pennsylvania Eldership. — New Brighton, Beaver county, Pa., in
1863, entertained both the General Eldership and the West Pennsylvania Elder-
ship. The former met there in June, the latter on October 27, 1863. The Stand-
ing Committee had used its power over fields of labor by so changing boundaries
and men as to make seven circuits, one station and two missions. On a ballot
being taken P. Loucks was elected Speaker; A. O. Stouflfer, Journalizing Clerk;
J. M. Domer, Transcribing Clerk, and J. Hickemell, Treasurer. The delegates
to the General Eldership reported their attendance and participation in the busi-
ness, "and feel satisfied with the manner in which it was disposed of." Hicker-
nell as pastor at Pittsburg reported that "no effort has been made to liquidate the
debt." To enforce provisions of the Constitution, a Rule was adopted to "drop the
names of preachers from the Minutes who fail to report for two successive years."
While the Committee on the State of the country recommended "a hearty re-
iteration of our former resolutions," it also congratulated "the Union cause on the
re-election of the Hon. A. G. Curtin as Governor of the State," and "could not for-
bear to express our exultation over the complete defeat and as we hope effectual
overthrow of the traitorous policy of the notorious Vallandigham." Mrs. Beecher
was appointed to deliver lectures to raise money to pay the Pittsburg debt. Fay-
ette City was made a mission, as well as Pittsburg.
22nd West Pennsylvania Eldership. — For reasons incident to the Civil War,
the work in the West Pennsylvania Eldership had declined during the year, so
that while the Eldership was constituted at Center Bethel, Westmoreland county.
Pa., October 18, 1864, with one station, seven circuits and three missions, it ad-
journed with six circuits and one missions. And Pittsburg, the one mission, was
connected with Fayette City, Butler and Armstrong circuit. The church at
Fayetteville, Lawrence county, had become extinct, and the bethel was directed to
be sold. In organizing the Eldership J. Hovis was chosen Speaker; J. A. Plow-
man, Journalizing Clerk; P. Loucks, Transcribing Clerk and J. M. Domer, Treas-
urer. Mrs. Beecher's "lectures for the benefit of the Pittsburg meeting-house"
did not result in bringing in so much money. She "delivered four lectures during
the year, and collected $94.80." The sum of $113.00 was subscribed for this
purpose on the floor. There being "no change in any way in our views in rela-
tion to our country," the Committee on the State of the Country simply referred
"all whom it concerns to our former resolutions." The Eldership mourned the
death of "a worthy and promising member," Elder A. O. Stouffer. Loucks was
designated to "preach a missionary sermon during our next annual Eldership."
23rd West Pennsylvania Eldership.- — There were enrolled as present tea
teaching elders, three ruling elders, two delegates and one messenger, when the
West Pennsylvania Eldership was constituted at Pittsburg, Pa., October 25, 1865.
Ten teaching elders were absent. J. M. Domer preached the Opening Sermon on
Wednesday evening, from Gen. xxiv. 56. He was elected Speaker, with P. Loucks,
Journalizing Clerk; J. W. Stoner, Transcribing Clerk, and J. Hickemell, Treas-
urer. The Treasurer presented a receipt in full payment of the Eldership's share
of the claims of Winebrenner. Action was taken for the immediate payment of
the balance of a debt on the Limestone Bethel, Armstrong county. The Fayette-
ville house of worship was reported to "have been sold by a person or persons not
legally authorized," and an agent was appointed to see after it. Martha J.
Beecher was enrolled as General Missionary, and as such she "preached one hun-
dred and five sermons during the year, and received for her support $305.00."
Pittsburg was included in a mission with Fayette City, Butler and Armstrong
counties, with J. Hickemell and J. Reese as the missionaries, Hickemell also
serving Altoona mission, in the East Pennsylvania territory. The debt on the
Pittsburg church property was reported as being $2,373.69, and after ordering
West Pennsylvania Eldership 403
payment of interest, the "House Committee was given discretionary power to act
in the matter as their judgment may dictate." To provide "a perpetual interest-
bearing fund" for missionary purposes a proposition was offered, but not finally
acted upon, to secure "perpetual interest-bearing notes, made to the treasurer of
the Eldership, and the interest to be paid yearly, and the principal to be paid by
the person or persons giving the note or notes during their natural lives, or by
their heirs, executors, administrators or assigns. This principal to be kept in the
treasury as a perpetual fund, the interest to be applied to missionary purposes as
directed by the Eldership." Immediately $700.00 were pledged by eight persons.
Domer and Loucks were appointed a committee "to take the necessary preliminary
steps and have the Eldership incorporated." Pittsburg was made a mission by
itself, as was Armstrong county. Mrs. Beecher was continued General Mission-
ary. Besides these, there were nine fields of labor.
24h AVest Pennsylvna Eldership. — During the year 1865-6 Mrs. Beecher be-
came Mrs. Mary Jane Beecher Wertz, and her active relation to the Eldership-
ceased, as she removed to Iowa. E. H. Thomas attended the session which con-
vened with the church at Limestone, Armstrong county, October 18, 1866, and
was made a full member. J. A. Plowman delivered the Opening Sermon from
Ps. 1. 2. J. Glenn was elected Speaker; D. Blakely, Journalizing Clerk; H.
Barkey, Transcribing Clerk, and J. Hickeraell, Treasurer. The debt on the
Pittsburg property was reported to be $2,309.00, with interest due $110.78. The
interest was ordered paid, and authority given the Standing Committee to solicit
subscriptions and contributions to pay the debt. The house of worship at Car-
rolltown, Cambria county, having been sold, the net balance was appropriated to-
ward the building of a bethel at Paddytown, Somerset county. The passage by
the Legislature of an Act incorporating the Eldership was reported. To secure
"greater union of effort to advance the interests of the Church throughout the
bounds of this Eldership," "the Chairman of the Standing Committee" was to "be
considered our General Missionary, ex-officio." His duties were: "To exercise a
general supervision over all the circuits and churches within the bounds of the
Eldrship; to assist as far as possible in holding Communion and protracted meet-
ings on all the circuits." In holding these meetings he was "to have the privilege
of lifting collections for his support." The churches were advised to secure
Church Records and keep them faithfully. The matter of securing notes for the
Permanent Mission Fund was strongly urged on ministers and churches, in ad-
dition to the regular collections each quarter for immediate use. In response to«
an expressed "desire upon the part of some to have the Eldership declare its
views relative to the conditionss upon which the reception of pardon and the gift
of the Holy Spirit are suspended," the Eldership voted on this proposition:
"That there is no remission of sins or promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit with-
out baptism." The vote stood yeas, none; nays, seventeen. J, Hickemell was
made the General Missionary; P. Loucks was placed in charge of Pittsburg and
J. Hovis of the Armstrong Mission. Besides these missions there were seven
circuits served by eight preachers.
25th West Pennsylvania Eldership.- — The Act of Incorporation, incorporated
in the Journal of the Eldership held at Wesley, Venango county. Pa., beginning
October 17, 1867, made the Eldership "a body politic and corporate in law" in the
names of Jacob M. Domer, John Hickeraell, Peter Loucks, Joseph W. Stoner and
John Hovls and their successors in office as Speaker, Treasurer, Clerks and the
Standing Committee. The official name is the "Board of Trustees of the West
Pennsylvania Eldership of the Church of God." One-third of the members is a
quorum. The yearly value of the income of whatever kind "shall not at any time
exceed twenty thousand dollars." The use of this income is restricted "to the
financial and religious purposes of the said Eldership, or for any similar objects of
the General Eldership." The presiding officer of the Eldership -svas A. C. Raysor,
with P. Loucks, Journalizing Clerk; H. Barkey, Transcribing Clerk, and J, Hicker-
nell. Treasurer. There was no reduction of the Pittsburg debt. The deed was
ordered to be made to the Board of Corporation, and judgments given to the
brethren who advanced the money. Loucks was elected by the Eldership Chair-
man of the Standing Committee under the Rule which made him ex-officio Gen-
eral Missionary. In addition to the duties prescribed in the action of 1866, he
was to collect funds to pay off the debt on the Pittsburg property, he having gen-
erously offered to cancel $500.00 of his own judgment against it. Pittsburg Mis-
sion, and Indiana and Somerset circuits were unsupplied.
404 History of the Churches of God
26th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — As there was from the Deginning de-
cided prejudice against the reading of sermons, J. Hovis preached an extem-
poraneous Opening Sermon at the Eldership, which held its session at New Brigh-
ton, Beaver county, Pa., beginning October 15, 1868. He used for his text Matt,
xxiv. 14. But at the third sitting a resolution was adopted, that "the Opening
Sermon for next year be written out and read before this body." When on the
last afternoon "J. A. Plowman was elected to read the Opening Sermon at the
commencement of our next Eldership, he declined, "being opposed to reading ser-
mons under pretense of preaching," and P. Loiicks was elected in his place. P.
Loucks was Speaker; A. C. Raysor, Journalizing Clerk; J. A. Plowman, Tran-
scribing Clerk, and D. S. Fox, Treasurer. The Standing Committee had created
a mission in South-western Missouri, in January, 1868, whither Blakely had emi-
grated, and appointed him a missionary, which the Eldership approved. Loucks
reported that he had received by subscriptions and donations, including his own
$500.00, a total of $1,249.88 toward the Pittsburg debt, leaving $1,156.59 still
due, besides a balance due Loucks of $79.00. Plowman was appointed to Pitts-
burg and McKeesport mission. J. S. McKee, East Ohio Eldership, was stationed
at New Brighton. The proposition to change the ministers in the Fall instead
of the Spring of the year, which was recommended by the Committee on Resolu-
tions, was "postponed for one year."
27th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — Near his own home, when the Eldership
met at Center Bethel, October 21, 1869, it elected John Hickemell Speaker. He
was highly esteemed by the churches and brotherhood, and was one of their most
eminent representatives. There were present twenty-five preachers, eleven ruling
elders and three delegates. It was also the home church of P. Loucks, who
"read" the Opening Sermon, with which "many of us were so well pleased as an
experiment," that the Eldership "advised the reading of the Opening Sermon next
year." Fourteen preachers are noted as absentees. A. C. Raysor was chosen
Journalizing Clerk; J. A. Plowman, Transcribing Clerk, and D. S. Fox, Treasurer.
Under direction of the Eldership, the Committee on Arrangements appointed
Hickemell to preach "a funeral sermon on the death of Elder E. H. Thomas on
Sabbath morning." By resolution the Eldership expressed its sense of bereave-
ment at his death, by which "the Church of God has lost one of its most efficient
instrumentalities for advancing the cause of virtue and religion in the world."
Commendable interest was manifested in missions, and "our brethren are begin-
ning to realize the propriety of giving more liberally of their means to sustain
home and foreign missions." The Missouri mission "deserves our fostering care,
and the missionary deserves to be liberally supported." Increased interest and
greater efforts in the missionary enterprises "are urged." The unusual action on
the iteneracy is peculiar to this Eldership. A resolution proposing to "so amend
our system of co-operation as to declare that the itineracy is fundamental to its
existence," was "negatived by a unanimous vote." An "impressive ceremony and
presentation of licenses" was a feature of the closing sitting.
28th AV'est Pennsylvania Eldership.^ — A very interesting session of the Elder-i
ship was held at Antioch, Marshall county, W. Va., beginning October 20, 1870.
Fifteen ministers were present and twelve absent, four delegates and four ruling
elders. P. Loucks was chosen Speaker; A. C. Raysor, Journalizing Clerk, and
J. Grimm, Transcribing Clerk. The Treasurer was D. S. Fox. The Eldership
received G. W. Thompson, of the Free Baptist Church, as an advisory member.
The question of holding a Pentecostal meeting, after some discussion, was referred
to a committee, which stated that such "meetings and Sabbath-school Conventions
have been a satisfactory experiment, as tried by some of the Elderships," and
"resolved, that they might be conducive to our good." Further discussion fol-
lowed, when the report was recommitted, and made a special order for the next
sitting, when it was decided to "hold a Pentecostal meeting in connection with a
Sabbath-school Convention." With far less caution and deliberation, the Elder-
ship resolved in "favor of holding a general Sabbath-school Convention as has
been suggested by the East Pennsylvania Eldership." The Eldership asked per-
mission of the Board of Missions of the General Eldership to pay its missionary
assessment directly toward the support of Blakely missionary in Missouri. The
office of Stated Clerk was created, "with $5.00 annually as compensation for his
labors." One minister was "appointed to preach a missionary sermon, and one
to preach a Sabbath-school sermon during the next session of the Eldership."
WeST pE^NNSYtVANIA Eld£RSHIP 4O5
Loucks was chosen to preach the former, and Domer the latter. The appoint-
ments consisted of six stations and eight circuits.
29th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The Opening Sermon of the twenty-
ninth annual session of the West Pennsylvania Eldership was delivered by J,
Hickemell, on Thursday evening, October 19, 1871, from Acts xiii. 2. Hickemell
was duly elected Speaker; A. C. Raysor, Stated Clerk; J. AV. Davis, Transcribing
Clerk, and P. Loucks, Treasurer. While the preachers were "required to pass an
examination annually," it had been unenforced; hence, a committee was created
"to report a course of studies for the benefit of young ministers." The Eldership
thought "every Christian should constantly carry with him a copy of the New
Testament." The death of two ministers were reported — J. Travis and J. Rees —
who were "active and zealous laborers," "energetic and faithful ministers," "bear-
ing good moral and religious characters." Exhorters' licenses were issued to five
brethren. The Eldership refused to add to "the ceremony of ordination" as
practiced "the imposition of hands," as recommended by W. J. Davis, G. J. Bartle-
baiigh and D. Kearshling, Committee on Resolutions. From one of the funds the
Eldership "donated $50.00 to Elder J. A. Plowman as a token of friendship," with
his transfer to the East Ohio Eldership. The churches were "instructed to have
all their deeds for church property made to the Treasurer, by name, of the Board
of Incorporation of the West Pennsylvania Eldership." Said Board was "author-
ized to sell the property belonging to the Church, in Pittsburg, if in their judg-
ment they think it expedient." The proceeds were to be applied "to the erection
of a new house in some other locality." "Six promising young men manifested a
desire to engage in the work of the ministry," which fact was mentioned by the
Committee on the State of Religion as "an evidence of progress." There were
also "extensive revivals and large numbers of accessions."
30th AVest Pennsylvania Eldership. — Interchange of friendly relations between
the Free Baptists and the Church of God as represented in the West Pennsylvania
Eldership continued. E. Jordan, of the fonner Church, attended the session of
said Eldership which convened at Ursina, Somerset county, Pa., October 17, 1872.
The Eldership expressed its pleasure to have him present, and voted to appoint P.
Loucks as a delegate to the next meeting of the Free Baptist Association. The
officers of this Eldership were J. Hovis, Speaker; A. C Raysor, Stated Clerk; J.
Cook, Transcribing Clerk, and P. Loucks, Treasurer. The Eldership was insistant
that the annual examinations of preachers shall not go by default, but that they
be held. It adopted a short course of studies, extending three years. At this
session Clearfield mission was formally transferred to the East Pennsylvania
Eldership. The remaining appointments consisted of five stations and eleven
circuits. Among the former was Pittsburg, to which S. Woods was appointed.
The Report of the Committee on the State of Religion was very encouraging, as
it showed "accessions to the Church, about five hundred; five new houses of
worship built; preachers better supported, and more zeal for the promotion of
the cause of God." The finances of the Eldership also indicated improvement.
The only shadow which hung over the Eldership was the fact that "Elder J. M.
Domer is now seriously afflicted," and it was resolved that "each member of this
Eldership offer up prayer in his behalf for his recovery."
31st West Pennsylvania Eldership. — Months before the calends of October,
1873, dawned, the spirit of one of the noblest ministers of the West Pennsylvania
Eldership, had taken its departure. J. M. Domer died November 1.5, 1872, highly
respected and loved by his whole Eldership, and esteemed by the brotherhood
generally as a man of exceptional talents, for "by his many noble qualities he
gained the respect and admiration of all." He was "enabled by divine grace to
wield a powerful influence over the minds of his fellow men." In such terms the
Eldership recorded its sentiments concerning their deceased fellow-member. The
body met at Pittsburg, Pa., October 16, 1873, J. AV. Davis preaching the Opening^
Sermon from I. Thess. i. 5. An election for officers resulted in the choice of P.
Loucks, Speaker; A. C. Raysor, Stated Clerk; J. A. Cook, Transcribing Clerk, and
J. Hickemell, Treasurer. Having received greetings of friendship from the Free-
Baptist Conference, by its delegate, E. Jordan, the Eldership appointed J. Hicker--
nell, P. Loucks and W. B. Long fraternal delegates to said body. To such an ex-
tent had sentiment changed on the question of Secret Societies that a proposed'
action against them was laid on the table. But a strong resolution against the use
of tobacco as being "a habit essentially filthy and inconsistent with the character
of a Christian gentleman," along with one insisting on total abstinence from all
4o6 History of thk Churches of God
intoxicants, was readily agreed to. The Eldership deemed it expedient to dis-
continue licensing exhorters, but declared that "in its judgment this should be
left to the local churches." A colored man was licensed who had a call to Shen-
andoah Valley, Va., where he proposed to start a mission, and be "responsible
himself for his support;" but no appointment was made. R. L. Byrnes, who be-
came a leader in the West Pennsylvania Eldership and a prominent official of the
General Eldership, received license at this session, a man of fine character and
serviceable talents. It was made the duty of local preachers to preach twenty-
five sermons a year. As the ministers were at considerable expense in moving
from one field to another, the various circuits were "requested hereafter to make
provision for the same, in addition to the salary."
32nd West Pennsylvania Eldership. — Quite a full Eldership assembled Oc-
tober 15, 1874, in the new mission building at Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland
county, Pa., to listen to the Opening Sermon by J. Grinini, from Deut. x. 12-14.
Jordan, Free Baptist Church, was again present, returning the visit of Loucks
to their Conference. Jordan had formerly been a member of the Eldership, but
■"withdrew by mutual consent, and has held his membership among the Free Will
Baptists." Expressing a desire to return to the Church of God and the West
Pennsylvania Eldership, he was received, and a license voted him. The Elder-
ship, after a full discussion, by an almost unanimous vote, decided "that the
change of preachers shall take place immediately after the adjournment of the
Eldership." A bond in such amount as the Board of Corporation may require
was after this to be given by the Treasurer. Loucks and others made a strong
effort to interest the Eldership in Mt. Pleasant Classical and Scientific Institute
with a view of securing it as a Church school. The body endorsed the new
monthly to be published by the Board of Publication of the General Eldership,
"The Sunday-School Record." The labors of the ministry had been "signally
blessed in the conversion of hundreds of souls, and peace, union and harmony
prevailed." The report of the Committee on License was adopted, which recom-
mended "that public collections be taken up at each regular appointment once
during the year, to be apppropriated to aid young men to prepare themselves for
the ministry." The South Pittsburg and Allegheny mission was created, with S.
"Woods as missionary. The Shenandoah mission, Virginia, was also recognized,
3ind J. Bro>vn (colored) appointed. Another mission was ordered to be opened
in the Kanawha Valley, W. Va., and one in Jefferson county, Pa. The Station-
ing Committee did not supply Pittsburg, but left Woods on the South Side Pitts-
burg Sunday-school Mission. The Eldership was presided over by J. Grimm,
Speaker, with J. A. Cook, Transcribing Clerk, and P. Loucks, Treasurer.
33rd West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The Eldership was called to meet at
Harmony by P. Loucks, Chairman of the Standing Committee, on October 21.
1875. The session began the next morning, when J. W. Davis was chosen
Speaker; A. C. Raysor, Stated Clerk; W. B. Long, Transcribing Clerk; B. F. Bol-
ton, Financial and Statistical Clerk, and P. Loucks, Treasurer. Loucks preached
the Opening Sermon on the evening of the 21st, and the Eldership ordered it pub-
lished in The Advocate. The Eldership was much pleased with the enterprise of
Dr. Ross in starting a book store in Harrisburg. The Eldership decided to pub-
lish 100,000 pamphlets giving the statistics and doctrine of the Church of God.
Fairs and festivals were discountenanced because considered "a species of gam-
■Jjling-" While several ministers passed to their reward during the year, there was
an addition of seven, leaving the number of ministers of the Eldership at forty.
"The temperance question consumed the fourth day. The Eldership "refused to
■endorse the prohibition movement," but was willing to "use all lawful means con-
sistent with its religious principles for the suppression of the liquor traflBc." A
Tevislon of the Constitution was decided to be advisable, and a committee was ap-
pointed to do the work. Important action was taken "to secure greater efficiency
of the ministry, the course to be pursued, and the amount of salary to be raised by
•stations and circuits. There were four stations, thirteen circuits and one mis-
sion.
34tli West Pennsylvania Eldership. — Several important matters started in
1875 eam<e over to be finished at the session of 1876. One of these was "revising
the systetn of co-operation, or drafting a Constitution," which was reported, and
•occupied the sitting on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Another was
Tthe qnestl-on of salaries of pastors. The object was to increase salaries, for which
MO specific provision had been made. The following Item was carefully con-
West Pennsylvania Eldership 407
sidered, and then adopted: "That immediately after the preachers take charge
of their appointments, let the deacons of each church draw up the following Ar-
ticle of Agreement: We, the deacons of the church of God at ,
agree, without defalcation, to raise the sum of $ for Elder , as a
reward for his pastoral labors among us during the year , the same to be
paid to him by the deacons quarterly in advance." The Eldership was presided
over by B. F. Bolton, with A. C. Raysor, Journalizing Clerk; M. S. Pritts, Tran-
scribing Clerk, and P. Loucks, Treasurer. There were "large ingatherings of
souls all over the Eldership," and "harmony and peace prevailed among the
churches." Finding that the Eldership convened so late as "to make it very in-
convenient for moving on account of cold weather," the time of meeting was
changed to the first Thursday in October. Funds were limited, as the amount of
collections reported by the Treasurer was only $14 5.09. The stations this year
were four; circuits, fourteen, with one mission— Kanawha, West Va., to which
W. J. Davis was appointed, with an appropriation of $100.00. The Opening
Sermon was preached on Thursday evening, October 19th by M. S. Pitts, and the
business session began on Friday morning, October 20th, and the Eldership ad-
journed on Tuesday afternoon.
35th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — Meeting at Benwood, West Va., October
4, 1877, the distance prevented a large audience. Nineteen teaching elders
were absent, and nineteen were present, with twenty delegates and four mes-
sengers. The Opening Sermon was preached by J. Glenn, from Luke xvi. 1, 2.
P. Loucks was chosen Speaker; B. F. Bolton, Journalizing Clerk; M. S. Pritts,
Transcribing Clerk; J. W. Davis, Financial Clerk, and P. Loucks, Treasurer.
Having a course of studies, but no permanent Board of Education, the Eldership
elected an Examning Committee to examine "young preachers." The wisdom of
taking up certain matters in private sittings was so clear that without opposition
such meetings were arranged for in order "to consider private business." The
Eldership felt the need of a system to gather more missionary money, and so in
addition to requiring pastors "to collect $1.00 per member missionary money,"
it revived "a system to raise a permanent mission fund adopted in 1859, and
re-adopted in 1865," as "the best means by which to gather a mission fund."
The church at Stull's Run had become extinct, the property was ordered sold and
the liabilities paid and any balance paid into the treasury. A Sunday-school con-
vention was ordered to be held. It also strongly urged on the General Eldership
"the propriety of taking such steps as in their judgment will be the most effi-
cient to raise the means whereby we may be enabled to erect or purchase a house
for a school under our immediate control." The delegates to the General Elder-
ship were instructed to work for the issuing of a Church Hymnal. The Stationing
Committee divided the territory into four stations, thirteen circuits and three mis-
sions.
36th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — Of the forty-two teaching elders enroll-
ed, twenty-eight responded at roll call when the Eldership' convened at Center
Bethel, Westmoreland county, October 3, 1878. There were also present twenty-
one ruling elders and eight messengers. The Opening Sermon was delivered by
G. J. Bartlehaugh, from Matt. xvi. 18. The churches of God have always been
proverbially liberal in opening their houses of worship to irresponsible ministers.
Those of the West Pennsylvania Eldership were no exception. Hence, the Elder-
ship "discountenanced such a course" as "disreputable characters" have thus
entered the pulpits and "evil consequences" have followed. The churches were
"urged to be careful in this matter, and to permit no person to preach in their
church houses unless they are members in good standing in some orthodox
Church." The resolutions on temperance broadened out, affirming that "intem-
perance is not alone confined to the use of intoxicating liquors, but the use of to-
bacco and such other evils whereby we defile the body and render ourselves
odious to society." Young ministers and applicants for licenses were requested to
refrain from the use of these things. A camp-meeting was directed to be held, to
be called "the Eldership camp-meeting." The cause of Sunday-schools and mis-
sions was made a special order for Tuesday afternoon, and a special program was
arranged by a committee composed of B. F. Bolton, J. AV. Bloyd and J. J. Fox.
A Committee on Missions was created as one of the regular committees. The
stations were reduced to two, the circuits increased to twenty, with two mis-
sions. Two special sermons were ordered for the session of 1879, one on Tem-
4o8 History of the Churches of God
perance and one on Missions. G. J. Bartlebaugh and R. L. Byrnes were appointed
to preach them.
37th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — For reasons not disclosed, the privilege
of advisory membership was no longer to be extended to ministers not members of
the Church of God. They were simply to be "introduced" to the Eldership
by the Speaker. The Eldership convened in 1879, at Kingwood, Somerset county,
October 2nd. J. S. Marple preached the Opening Sermon from Matt, xxviii. 19.
The unusual act of a Speaker-elect refusing to serve was witnessed when G. J.
Bartlebangh was elected to this office, and so the honor was conferred upon J. W.
Davis. B. F. Bolton was chosen for Journalizing Clerk; W. H. H. Crisvvell,
Transcribing Clerk; J. S. 3Iarple, Financial Clerk, and S. P. P. Young, Treasurer.
Under the supervision of the Standing Committee, the house of worship at Eden-
burg was sold. As nothing was done by the General Eldership to provide a
school, the Eldership resolved that it "will, at as early a day as possible, devise
means by which our young ministers may obtain an education that will enable
them to hold a conspicuous place in the communities in which they might be
thrown." Perhaps the reason why Bartlebaugh declined to accept the Speaker-
ship is found in his later request that he be "granted an open transfer." The
Eldership still elected one of its members to preach the Opening Sermon the fol-
lowing year, the choice at this session being John Hickemell, with R. L. Byrnes
as alternate. The Committee on the State of Religion made a hopeful report,
stating that they felt "happy to say that the dark, gloomy cloud that seemingly
hung over the Church of God is passing off into a glorious day, and that the op-
position and prejudice to the doctrine of which we are peculiarly jealous are
now giving way before us more rapidly than ever." A committee to examine in
the prescribed studies was appointed for 1880. Each minister was directed "to
preach a sermon in favor of the Sisters' Mission. Deeply conscious of its loss in
the death of M. S. Pritts, the Eldership put on record its appreciation of his
character and services, as "an able minister of the New Testament and a faithful
defender of the 'faith once delivered to the saints;' a man of more than ordinary
abilities as a preacher of the gospel, and a man of deep-toned, practical piety."
38th AVest Pennsylvania Eldership. — Sixty-three members constituted the
thirty-eighth annual session of the West Pennsylvania Eldership, which convened
at West Newton, Westmoreland county. Pa., October 7, 1880. John Hickemell
preached the Opening Sermon on Thursday evening, and on Friday morning he
was elected Speaker; B. F. Bolton, First Clerk; R. L. Byrnes, Second Clerk; J. S.
Marple, Financial Clerk, and S. P. P. Young, Treasurer. To emphasize its de-
mand for shorter Journals in The Advocate, and to have "long, tedious Journals
excluded from its pages, the Eldership directed the Transcribing Clerk "to prepare
a very condensed report for publication." There was a regular "Committee on
Examination" in the Course of Studies. This Committee reported that the mem-
bers of the second year's class had made good progress. The delegates to the
General Eldership were instructed "to use their influence to have the complete
Minutes of Elderships stricken from the pages of The Church Advocate." Also
"to use their influence to have the Church Hymn-book revised or to have a hymnal
prepared for use in the churches." The Report of the Committee on Temperance
was very strong, recommending "total abstinence from all drinks that will intoxi-
cate." Measures were taken to enforce the Rule, "requiring local preachers to
preach at least twenty-five sermons a year." The Standing Committee was in-
structed "to sell the church property in Pittsburg, the proceeds of the sale to be
held for the purpose of opening a mission some place in the city." The pulpit was
left to be supplied. Besides Pittsburg, the number of stations was three, with
twenty-eight circuits and missions. S. P. P. Young was appointed "to work up
the interests of the Women's Missionary Society."
39th AVest Pennsylvania Eldership. — The progress of church work at Frank-
lin, Venango county, was slow and discouraging, but the relation of the work to that
of the adjoining circuit was such as to make it a matter of importance that it
should succeed. Besides, Franklin is the county town of Venango county. It
\vas voted in 1880 that the Eldership should be held there in 1881. And while it
is the point farthest North in the occupied territory of the Eldership, the attend-
ance was good. The Eldership met there on October 6, 1881, when D. T. Leach
preached the Opening Sermon, from Prov. xviii. 24. The enrollment showed the
presence of thirty-two teaching elders, twenty ruling elders and four messengers,
while sixteen teaching elders were absent. R. L. Byrnes was chosen Speaker;
West Pennsylvania Elderstiip 4091
B. F. Bolton, Journalizing Clerk; W. H. H. McKlveen, Transcribing Clerk, and S..
P. P. Young, Treasurer. J. R. H. Latchaw, of Iowa, became a member by trans-
fer of the Eldership at this meeting, and was appointed to the Barkeyville cir-
cuit, Venango county. The matter of the sale of the Pittsburg church property
was placed in the hands of the Board of Incorporation. A comhiittee was ap-
pointed to revise the Constitution; but the Eldership at once made the amend-
*ment changing the number of members of the Standing Committee from five to
three. A Superannuated Ministers' and Widows' Fund was created, and each pas-
tor was "instructed to take up a collection in the month of December of each year
for" said Fund. Two ministers had died during the year — P. Loucks and S.
Hoerger. Loucks was characterized as "a wise and noble counsellor, a genial and'
affectionate brother, and one whom we had learned to Icfc and esteem; one always
active in doing good among his fellow men." HoergCT was "a noble Christian
brother." "The state of religion within the bounds of the Eldership is in a
flourishing condition," according to the Report of the Committee. The Report
of the Financial Clerk confirmed this statement, as there were 507 conversions,
during the year; 6 churches organized, making a total of fifty-five churches;
93 appointments; 496 received into fellowship, and 3,415 sermons preached.
The Stationing Committee made appointments to twenty-five fields of labor.
40th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The Eldership in 1882 is memorable
on account of several actions of unusual significance, and at the time full of in-
spiration. The session was well attended, there having been present 37 min-
isters; 14 ruling elders, and 9 messengers. Thirteen teaching elders were absent.
The session was held at New Brighton, Beaver county, beginning October 5th,
when W. R. Covert delivered the Opening Sermon, from Acts xx. 28. J. S. Marple
was elected Speaker; J, R. H. Latchaw, Journalizing Clerk; A. R. McCahan,
Transcribing Clerk, and S. P. P. Young, Treasurer. A Committee on Boundaries
was added to the list of committees, whose duty, in addition to that of "laying
out the fields of labor," was "to appropriate money for the different fields." A
"donation of a valuable parsonage to the church at West Newton, Westmoreland
county," was received, the gift of John and Elizabeth Mellender. The Eldership
made appropriate and grateful mention of the starting of an Academy at Barkey-
ville, Venango county, by J. R. H. Latchaw and E. F. Loucks. This enterprise-
was approved as "auxiliary to our general college movement." Six sisters from
different churches petitioned the Eldership for "authority to organize sisters' mis-
sionary societies in all the local churches." Permission was granted, and also
the right to organize a general society, to hold annual meetings, and "to send a
delegation of five members yearly to the Eldership to represent their interests."
The committee to "take into consideration the financial condition of church prop-
erty at Franklin, Pa.," suggested that "Bro. Shontz hold the property another
year, if possible, and that Elder Young go on that work, and, if possible, raise
the amount of indebtedness and pay the same, $1,600.00." The Report of the
Committee to Revise the Constitution was adopted as a whole, and without oppo-
sition, except that the time-limit was extended from three to five years. A reso-
lution severe in its terms was adopted with reference to "members of this body,
and the wives of some of the members, in circulating damaging reports of min-
isters of this Eldership." It was denounced as "a heinous crime against the
Church, as well as the ministers," and "persons found guilty shall be required to
make public confession before the Eldership, or else be expelled." The Elder-
ship rejoiced over "the cheering news coming from the East and from the West,
from Maine, Kansas and Iowa, of their banishing the demon rum from their
borders," and urged renewed efforts in favor of prohibition. T. AVoods offered
a resolution, which was adopted by a rising vote, "that proper steps should be
taken to form a new Eldership, to be known as the West Virginia Eldership of
the Church of God." A special committee was appointed to define the boundaries
of the proposed Eldership. A "donation of $1,000.00 to this body by Bro. Sample
Smith, deceased," was reported by R. L. Byrnes. Careful attention was given
to the Course of Studies, and ministers were appointed to examine in each of
the three years. The authority to sell the Pittsburg church property was con-
tinued.
41st AVest Pennsylvania Eldership. — The orderly manner of effecting the
organization of a new Eldership out of the southern part of the territory of the-
West Pennsylvania Eldership continued until the work was finished. The Com-
mittee on Boundary Lines of the West Virginia Eldership made its report in 1883.
4IO History of the Churches of God
It gave to said Eldership "Greene county, Pa.; the State of West Virginia, Preston
county excepted, and that part of the State of Ohio belonging to the West Penn-
sylvania Eldership." The ministers contemplating going into the West Virginia
Eldership were directed "to confer together immediately after the opening of
the Saturday afternoon session." A temporary organization was then effected,
and "the following named persons were reported as members of said Eldership:.
T. Woods, W. R. Craig, W. B. Long, J. S. Marple, N. M. Anderson, J. L. Lucas, H.
D. Grinim and J. C. Cunningham." They were then made "advisory members
of this Eldership during its entire session." This was followed by another action,
holding these ministers "subject to the West Pennsylvania Eldership until the
General Eldership establishes them as an Eldership." The West Pennsylvania
Eldership convened at tttfe Union Bethel, Somerset county. Pa., October 5, 18 S3.
On the previous evening J. R. H. Latchaw preached the Opening Sermon, from
Prov. xxiii. 23. The officers elected were W. H. H. McKlveen, Speaker; J. R. H.
Latchaw, Journalizing Clerk; W. B. Elliott, Transcribing Clerk; R. Vanaman,
Financial Clerk, and S. P. P, Young, Treasurer. Latchaw resigned, and J. C.
Cunningham was elected. The "Committee on Boundaries was short lived, as,
on motion of R. L. Byrnes, the Article creating this Committee was amended by
substituting the Stationing Committee. W. R. Covert and the elders of the
church at Pittsburg presented charges before the Standing Committee agTinst
Elder G. T. Clayton for refusing to co-operate with the church, or "to labor under
the direction of W. R. Covert," and "for teaching doctrines and practices contrary
to the received opinions of the Church of God;" and against Clayton, Richey and
Krawl "for being unruly and insubordinate, and refusing to co-operate with W. R.
Covert, or obey him." As Covert had "been given charge and supervision of all the
work and interest of the Church of God in Pittsburg and Allegheny," the Committee
upheld him in his course against these persons, but it "did not think Elder Clayton
did" the things charged against him "wilfully, or that he desired to do wrong." It
decided that this was a case which required the Eldership to uphold, "Section 2, of
Art. XII. of the Rules of Co-operation." Charges were also preferred before the
Committee by the elders of the church at Gravel Street, Benwood, West Va., against
Elder A. R. McCahan, for "persecuting the church, using improper language in im-
proper places, and making threats against W. H. Marple." On the first two charges
it found McCahan guilty, and he was admonished to "pursue a different course in
the future," and his relation to the church as pastor was dissolved. But the
vote on the adoption of the Committee's report on Clayton was: "Yeas, 6; nays,
ten; refusing to vote, 20. The death was lamented of Edward Jordan, "a man of
sterling integrity, strong religious sentiments, Christian culture and holy ex-
ample." There was an increase of six hundred and ninety-two members of the
churches during the year. The "first Lord's day in November was set apart as a
day of Thanksgiving for the mercies of the past year, and to invoke the protect-
ing care of Almighty God over his ministers and people the coming year." "Pitts-
burg was made the permanent place of holding the Eldership." A Board of Edu-
cation was provided for, "in accordance with the resolutions of the General Eld-
ership of 1875."
42nd West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The organization of the West Virginia
Eldership and the appointment of Pittsburg as "the permanent place of holding
the Eldership," where each minister and delegate was required to provide for his
own entertainment, effected a large reduction of the membership present at the
Eldership session in 1884,. There were enrolled as present eleven teaching elders
and five delegates when the body "convened in the bethel of the church, 3 5
Townsend street, Pittsburg, Pa., October 2, 1884." The smaller number and the
expenses of entertainment served also to expedite business. In addition, the
"Opening Sermon was dispensed with," and evening sessions were held, so that
the Eldership adjourned in the afternoon of the 4th. R. L. Byrnes was elected
Speaker; J. R. H. Latchaw, First Clerk; W. B. Elliott, Second Clerk; R. A^ana-
man, Financial Clerk, and S. P. P. Young, Treasurer. An effort was at once
made to rescind the action of 1883, making Pittsburg the permanent place for
holding the Eldership sessions. The motion was referred to the Committee on
resolutions, which reported favorably. After considerable discussion the report
was adopted by a vote of sixteen to fifteen. The Stationing Committee arranged
the territory of the Eldership into twenty-one fields of labor — six stations and
fifteen circuits. The Sisters' General Missionary Society appointed five delegates
to the Eldership, and requested that they be recognized as such. This was done,
West Pennsywania Ei^dership 411
and they "were enrolled as members of the Eldership." The Eldership heartily
■endorsed the action of the General Eldership in accepting the proposition made
by the Free Baptists in reference to foreign mission work, and "urged upon the
brethren of this Eldership the importance of giving liberally to the Permanent
Foreign Mission Fund." The Board of Education secured an Act of Incorpora-
tion of Barkeyville Academy, and had a Board of Trustees, which was suggested
by the Board, appointed by the Venango county court. The Eldership during the
year lost one of its veteran ministers by death, A. C. Raysor. He was born near
Harrisburg, Pa., April 8, 1815, and died at his home In Barkeyville, Venango
•county, August 21, 1884. He was originally licensed by the East Pennsylvania
Eldership in 1834, and shortly after was transferred to the West Pennsylvania
Eldership. His father became a member of the church organized at the home
■of Andrew Miller, a member of the first Eldership. He was but nineteen years
■old when he entered the ministry. Though his education was limited, by close
application to his books he became possessed of considerable acquirements. Of
•excellent character, strong and firm convictions, he held a high place among his
fellow members of the Eldership.
43rd West Pennsylvania Eldership.^ — The West Pennsylvania Eldership had
its peculiar adversities and internal troubles. It, however, always manifested re-
markable equanimity and self-control as a body. It was reserved and reticent,
and did not fan the fires of contention by undue publicity. Apparently there
was tranquility when the internal storms were raging most violently. The body
resembled Cooper's picture of the American Aborigines, for "it is rare indeed
that the philosophy of a dignified Indian is so far disturbed as to destroy the ap-
pearance of his equanimity." But its calm, cool, judicial acts revealed the evils
it sought to cure or eradicate. Heresy and impurity were the foes it had to
fight, and in a number of instances excision was the remedy. One of the first
instances was a case of "heresy, insubordination and evil speaking," charged
against a minister. The "charges were sustained" at the Eldership held at Pitts-
burg, beginning September 30, 1885, and the guilty minister "was expelled."
There was an element of disloyalty in the minority, however, and the Eldership
found it necessary to "direct that no minister of this body be allowed to employ,
countenance, or permit to preach in his pulpit any expelled minister from this
body." Barkeyville Academy was beginning to bear fruit, and among the
licentiates this year was C. H. Grove, native of Dauphin county and graduate of
the school, who later returned East, and became a conspicuous member in the
East Pennsylvania Eldership and in the General Eldership. Twenty-one preachers
and seven delegates constituted this session, who made choice of W. R. Covert
for Speaker; W. H. H. McKlveen, Journalizing Clerk; R. L. Byrnes, Transcribing
Clerk; R. Vanaman, Financial Clerk, and S. P. P. Young, Treasurer. The Sta-
tioning Committee made five stations and fourteen circuits. It also put Fayette
Mission on the list, but had no missionary to send there. The Eldership felt an
evident pride in putting on the list of appointments J. R. H. Latchaw, A. M.,
President of Findlay College. G. Shober reported "the purchase of a meeting-
house and two lots in the village of Garrett, Somerset county," the deed for
which was given to the Eldership. Such interest was developed on education
in connection with Barkeyville Academy and Findlay College that the subject
was made a special order. The body demanded that the "Church of God come
to the front in providing facilities for the education of her youth," and expressed
the belief that Barkeyville Academy is "a source of great power and influence to
us as a Church." It declared itself "utterly opposed to the traffic in any form
in alcoholic liquors as a beverage; against high license, low license and all kinds
of license." One minister, Jesse Morgan, had paid nature's supreme debt, and
was a man of excellent local standing, having "spent a long life in the ministry,"
"formerly in the Baptist Church, latterly in the Church of God." The body took
strong ground in favor of missions, declaring "the Church of God is a mission-
ary Church," and resolved to "appoint a missionary to establish churches in
territory contiguous to circuits and stations in the Eldership."
44th AVest Pennsylvania Eldership. — When the Eldership adjourned in 1885,
it did so to meet again "in Pittsburg, Pa., on the first Thursday in October,
1886." But the Journal in 1886 states that, "Pursuant to adjournment, the
West Pennsylvania Eldership of the Church of God met at Connoquenessing Chapel,
Beaver county. Pa., October 7, 1886." The body was organized by electing J. W.
Davis, Speaker; W. H. H. McKlveen, First Clerk; W. B. Elliott, Second Clerk;
412 History of the Churches oe God
R. Vananian, Financial Clerk, and A. M. Jones, Treasurer. To expedite business,
reports of ministers were limited to seven minutes, while the reports of com-
mittees were uniformly short. Two ministers returned with transfers from the
West Virginia Eldership. Separate committees were appointed by the Speaker
to examine in each of the three years' Course of Studies. A candidate for license
whose application was favorably reported, and who rose to early prominence in
the Eldership and in the general body, was Shennan G. Yahn, formally ordained
by President Latchaw. The total receipts of the Treasurer were $5 26.55, and ex-
penditures, $542.65. Death had claimed one of the ministers during the year,
W. H. H. Criswell. He had received his first license in 1875. Charges were
sustained against one minister, and he was expelled from the Eldership.
45th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The project of publishing a "Year
Book," for which C, D. Rishel, of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, submitted a
prospects in 1887, met with a ready response from various Elderships, among^
them the West Pennsylvania Eldership, which declared it "of value in many ways
to the pastors and people of the Church of God." It ordered the Clerk to gather
and forward "all statistical matters, etc., asked for." The Academy at Barkey-
ville, Venango county, where the Eldership convened Thursday morning, October
6, 1887, gave new inspiration to the body. The three years' Course of Studies
was energetically discussed; a higher standard of qualifications for the ministry
was emphasized, and two sessions were principally devoted to Barkeyville Acad-
emy. Pledges were taken for the support of the school, and $1.00 per church
member was to be raised, the same to be collected by the pastors. The session
was presided over by W. H. H. McKlveen, Speaker; and the Clerks were C. H.
Grove, W. B. Elliott and T. Woods, with A. M. Jones, Treasurer. AV. J. Davis had
preached the Opening Sermon the previous evening. There being a lack of lay
delegates, the Eldership itself "appointed elders as delegates to equal the number
of ministers." The sale agreed upon of the Pittsburg church property was ratified
by the Eldership. The brotherhood was strongly urged "to cast their ballots at
the polls for men who are pledged to temperance." The Eldership refused to
grant an "open transfer" to a minister, insisting that he must first "locate some-
where." The Principal of Barkeyville Academy was "recognized as a member of
the Eldership during his term of office." All the "various missionary societies"
were directed to "be consolidated into one society;" all collections "to be paid
into treasury of the Eldership," whence was to be paid ten per cent, for foreign
missions, "twenty per cent, for general missions" and "seventy per cent, retained
for home missions." An effort was made to declare the offices of elder and dea-
con to be perpetual, or "should be continued during good behavior." The Elder-
ship found "great cause for gratitude to Almighty God for the good will, unity,
peace and love existing among the brethren," and "for the encouraging disposition
manifested by the churches to increase the salaries of ministers and the awaken-
ing interest in education." The number of conversions reported was 34 5. The
funds collected aggregated $94.04, Contingent; $190.00, miscellaneous.
46th West Pennsylvania Eldership.^ — The arrangements made a year ago as
to the Three Years' Course of Studies for ministers proved satisfactory, except
the formation of the classes. Accordingly in 1888, this matter was promptly
taken up, and a committee appointed, which classified the members, and made
examinations imperative, which "had been neglected for six years." The session
was held at Templeton, Armstrong county, beginning October 4, 1888. L. B.
Appleton delivered the opening sermon the evening before. Charges were pend-
ing against Appleton, but were not sustained by a committee which investigated
them. Twenty-five teaching elders were enrolled, and six delegates. Among the
teaching elders was a young Barkeyville student, W'. N. Yates, licensed by the
Standing Committee, and "appointed pastor of the church at Pittsburg." but not
so enrolled. W. R. Covert was elected Speaker; S. G. Yahn, First Clerk; C. H.
Grove, Second Clerk; T. Woods, Financial Clerk, and A. M. Jones, Treasurer. To
stimulate greater and more systematic activity on the part of the churches to
provide adequate salaries for the ministers, it was ordered that "each minister
hereafter upon entering upon his charge shall call the officials of the church or
churches together and make an agreement as to the amount he shall receive for
his services, the stipulated amount to be paid weekly, or monthly." The Board
of Education had accepted Latchaw's resignation as Principal of Barkeyville Acad-
emy and elected Prof. E. F. Loncks, which was approved by the Eldership. "The
licensing of the liquor traffic in any form" was disapproved. The Year Book was
pronounced a "pamphlet of sterling worth." The Board of Education gained
West Pennsylvania Eldership 413
greater prominence as Barkeyville Academy developed into a growing school, and
Findlay College assumed larger proportions. The new Board consisted of W. H.
S. McKlveen, J. W. Davis, C. H. Grove, T. Woods and S. G. Yahii, The dollar
j)er capita for Barkeyville Academy not having been realized, W. R. Covert was
"authorized to canvass the Eldership territory to solicit and collect money and
;secure students." On account of the "isolated condition of many of our churches,"
it was given as "the sense of this body, that- when it is practicable different cir-
cuits and stations should hold meetings quarterly with each other." The Report
•of the Financial Clerk was carefully tabulated, and showed sixteen fields of labor,
not harmonizing with the six stations and fourteen circuits of the Stationing
•Committee. There were .54 appointments, 41 organized churches; 35 i/^ houses of
worship; 2,321 sermons preached; 29 5 conversions; 2 50 received into fellowship;
1,481 present membership; $5,449.25 salaries; $16.65 for general missions;
:$38.86, Home Missions; $42.60, Contingent Fund; $3,606.30, Educational Fund.
47th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The transfer of the deed of the Barkey-
ville Academy was tendered to the trustees of the Eldership in 188 8, but was de-
ferred "until the mortgage and the entire indebtedness against the Academy is
•cancelled." However, during the year, the Committee on Education reported,
"the title of the property has been placed with the Eldership," but there was a
•debt on it of about $3,900.00, for which provision had to be made. For this pur-
3)ose a committee was appointed, which reported that "the endeavor should be
:made during the present Eldership to raise sufficient money to pay all the in-
debtedness." This, however, could not be done, and lo^ns and mortgages had
■to be resorted to. The Eldership had other liabilities, altogether aggregating
nearly $6,000.00, and a general Financial and Missionary Agent was appointed.
■J. W. Davis was appointed to collect the money. The Eldership convened at
;Stonerville, Westmoreland county, October 3, 1889. According to a Rule adopted
in 1888, the retiring Speaker, W. R. Covert, preached the Opening Sermon the
previous evening. J. S. Marple was chosen Speaker; S. G. Yahn, First Clerk;
C. H. Grove, Second Clerk; T. Woods, Financial Clerk, and A. M. Jones, Treas-
urer. The prohibitory amendment to the State Constitution had been defeated,
-and the Eldership showed its sense of wrong by declaring that in its "opinion the
manufacture arfd sale, as a beverage, of all kinds of intoxicating liquors is the
greatest evil, and is a crime against God and humanity, for which atonement in
blood and treasure will have to be made, unless the people can be educated to
-use the only means at their disposal, to wit: the ballot, for its suppression." One
of the "earnest laborers in the vineyard of the Lord," John Tinsman, had been
"removed by death." He had "always been found at his post, and was "sadly
:mlssed by Eldership and Church." The second Sunday in November, from and
after 1890, was fixed as the time for ministers appointed to new fields of labor
to take charge thereof. Proxy voting at church elections was discouraged, the
Eldership expressing its judgment "that all ballots cast in church meetings should
be done in person, unless sickness prevents." In order more effectually to carry
out its actions relative to the Course of Studies, the Eldership appointed three
committees to examine in the studies of the three years. The annual report of
the Treasurer showed income for Superannuated Fund, $101.35; Home Mission
Fund, $77.94; Miscellaneous, $214.90. The reports of ministers were restricted
to the Statistical Blanks. There were five stations and fifteen circuits.
48th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — "The Eldership of this session received
a valuable acquisition to its ministerial ranks in the person of C. Manchester,
"Who came with his transfer from the Illinois Eldership, and who took charge of
the work at Barkeyville, in addition to the work in the Academy." This Elder-
ship has quite generally been noted as a quiet, harmonious body, notwithstanding
Its internal troubles on several occasions. This year, when it convened at King-
wood, Somerset county, October 2, 1890, "the sittings were characterized by a
degree of harmony and fraternal feeling which would presage the accomplishment
of much good throughout the coming year." C. H. Grove delivered the Opening
Sermon the previous evening. R. Ij. Byrnes was elected Speaker; C. H. Grove
and W. H. McKlveen, Clerks. There were twenty-one fields of labor as reported
by the Stationing Committee at the close of the session, two of which were "un-
supplied," and one of which received an appropriation of $100.00. W. J. Davis
was superannuated, with an appropriation of $100.00. The Eldership year was
•changed so that the ministers would move to new fields immediately after the
adjournment of the Eldership, rescinding an action of the previous year to defer
414 History of the Churches of God
moving until a month after adjournment. The reporter recorded, that "to the
shame of the Eldership, the resolution placing under the ban of disapprobation
the habit of tobacco-using was lost." The actions on the educational, missionary
and other Church interests were of such a judicious character as to "place them
ultimately on a more substantial basis." This was foreshadowed in the Report
of the Financial Agent, which showed collections aggregating upwards of
$2,000.00 The wave of sentiment which passed over other Elderships in favor
of increased religious services during Eldership sessions was responded to by
this Eldership, when it was decided that revival services should be held at the
annual sessions, beginning with "the evening of the Eldership convocation, and
continuing during the session." Electioneering by ministers and delegates was
branded as "a reprehensible practice." During the year death claimed "one of
the most useful, faithful, efficient and indefatigable workers of the Eldership,
in the person of H. Barkey." The practice of holding memorial services waff
observed.
49th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — An insufficient number of ministers
ready to do acive pastoral work is revealed in the two facts that the number of
fields of labor was reduced to seventeen, several of the circuits being consoli-
dated, and of this number four remained unsupplied. Yet three new names
were added to the Ministerial Roll, and these received appointments. One, how-
ever, removed to Ohio. The session was held at Mt. Pisgah, Westmoreland
county, October 1-3, 1891. The previous evening R. L. Byrnes preached the Open-
ing Sermon, "an earnest and interesting discourse on the brevity of life and the
true aims and purposes of our existence," evidently keeping in mind the evan-
gelistic character of the services as ordered in 189 0. The officers of the session
were as follows: Speaker, D. A. Stevens; Journalizing Clerk, S. G. Yahn; Finan-
cial Clerk, Chas. Manchester; Treasurer, A. M. Jones. There were enrolled
twenty pastors, twelve local ministers and fourteen delegates. The "prohibition
of the manufacture and sale of liquor" was favored "as the only proper and suc-
cessful way of dealing with the traffic." The body also expressed it as its sense
of "duty to God and humanity, to Church and State, to support only such candi-
dates for public office as stand committed in favor of prohibition." In view of
the "neglect of the missionary interests of this Eldership," and the consequent
fact that "the cause of God is suffering and souls of men are dying," the Elder-
ship decided to "place a competent man in the field at once, with an appropria-
tion of $100.00." Missionary societies were to be organized in every church, and
local preachers were instructed to "go out and open new appointments." There
was "a fair degree of spiritual prosperity within the bounds of the Eldership."
50th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — As this was the semi-centennial Elder-
ship, special interest was attached to the proceedings. The venerable John Hick-
emell, the Speaker of the first Eldership, was present and actively participated
in the work of the Eldership. He also preached the Sunday morning sermon.
The statistics given at the date of this meeting were as follows: Preachers, 3 6;
appointments, 52; organized churches, 42; church houses, 38; members, 1,951;
aggregate salaries of ministers the year endi.ng October 1, 1892,. $5,672.88.
Allowance in all these items must be made for losses sustained by the organiza-
tion some eight years previous of the West Virginia Eldership. The Eldership
convened at West Newton, Westmoreland county, October 6, 1892. The Opening
Sermon was preached on the evening of October 5th, by D. A. Stevens. Choice
was made of T. Woods for Speaker; S. G. Y'ahn, Journalizing Clerk; C. Man-
chester, Financial Clerk, and A. M. Jones, Treasurer. There were enough min-
isters to supply the six stations and fourteen circuits, as five were ordained, three
of them having been students at Barkeyville Academy. Ultra action was taken
on temperance, charging that "this government has made a contract with death
and a covenant with hell to exchange 7 5,000 souls annually for a few paltry
dollars." And "the ministers and laity w^ere recommended to vote for God, home
and native land by casting their ballots for prohibition." It redeemed itself on
the tobacco question by voting to "recommend that licentiates be total abstainers
from the use of tobacco, and that older members ought, if possible, to cease the
habit." Discipline was rigidly administered, and one was twice found guilty, made
confession and was pardoned, and one was expelled.
51st AVest Pennsylvania Eldership. — The missionary spirit manifested in
some previous Elderships was beginning to bear fruit, as Fayette Mission was
added to the list of appointments. The number of stations was increased to
West Pe;nnsylvania Eldership 415
seven. Pittsburg was a station, with an appropriation of |125.00 for the pastor,
and $12.50 a month for Hall rent. Mission work was also "to be inaugurated
and carried on in Greensburg, county seat of Westmoreland county. With these
indications of prosperity and progress, the Eldership convened at Mt. Pleasant,
Westmoreland county, October 5, 1893. On the previous evening T. Woods
preached the Opening Sermon. There were enrolled nineteen ministers and thir-
teen delegates. They elected J. C. Cuiininghani, Speaker; S. G. Yahn, Journaliz-
ing Clerk; Geo. W. Davis, Financial Clerk, and A. M. Jones, Treasurer. The
faithful, devoted and self-sacrificing veteran, W. J. Davis, was numbered with,
"the enfranchised dead." After "a touching report made by the Committee on
Obituaries," a committee was named "to look after the matter of securing a
monument for him." The Eldership did not hesitate to affirm, as against the
repeated dissenting statement, that an Eldership "has a right to legislate where
there is no divine law." The Eldership was resolute in its purpose to purge its
ranks of unworthy men. It summarily expelled one minister for "a criminal
action" and "using profane language." A few others were reproved for "violat-
ing the Rules of Co-operation which forbid interference of former pastors with
the work of a pastor in charge." While still adhering to "absolute prohibition"
as the effective way of dealing with "the hydraheaded monster and unmitigated
evil" of the liquor traffic; yet it "further declared in favor of a local option law
as the temporary means until the desired end contemplated in prohibition is
reached." It included in intemperance "the use of tobacco," which is "fllthiness
of the flesh," and "defiles the body and desecrates the house erected for God's
own worship."
52nd West Pennsylvania Eldership. — There were twenty-five ministers and
eleven delegates present when on October 4, 1894, the Roll of the Eldership was
called at Butler, Butler county. The Eldership added the names of Ruth Gailey
and Mrs. R. A. Marple, representing the W. M. Society, as "full members." It
was a session which resembled a debating society. A committee was appointed
on the first day "to select two persons to open each discussion on the consideration
of the questions handed down by the General Eldership." These were: Ordina-
tion of Ministers by Laying on of Hands; Change of Eldership Titles, and Life
Certificates. The leaders in the discussion of the first question were J. S. Marple
and J. W. Davis; of the second, R. L. Byrnes and C. Manchester, while those of
the third are not reported in the Minutes. The Eldership experienced additional
trouble with some of the ministers. The Standing Committee had suspended one
for a criminal act, and he was disfellowshiped. The churches were warned
against another self-styled minister. These moral lapses of ministers had made
the Eldership sensitive, and cautious in the granting of licenses. The apportion-
ment of General Eldership assessments for its Missionary and Contingent Funds
had now become the rule; but its own Funds were not yet thus replenished. To
prevent hasty action in the matter of buying, building and repairing church prop-
erties, ministers were advised not to "encourage or sanction the purchase of
ground or the erection or repairing of church houses or parsonages without first
obtaining the consent of the Board of Trustees of the Eldership." The Eldership-
ratified the action of the Board of Trustees in giving its "pledge of 34,000.00 on
the indebtedness of Findlay College, on condition that the balance of the $24,000
be raised by the other Elderships before July 1, 1894." There seemed gratifying
progress indicated in the Report of the Stationing Committee. There were eight
stations and twenty circuits, all of which were supplied. Barkeyville Academy
furnished several additional young men for active work. Pittsburg station re-
ceived an appropriation of $100.00, and Youghiogheny circuit, $.50.00. The Eld-
ership was presided over by W, B. Elliott, Speaker, with George AV. Davis, Jour-
nalizing Clerk, and T. Woods, Financial Clerk.
53rd AVest Pennsylvania Eldership. — A progressive spirit was minifested by
the West Pennsylvania Eldership. It had the responsibility of an institution of
learning at Barkeyville under its control, and literary aspirations were evident.
It convened in 1895 under the shadow of Barkeyville Academy, "Venango county,
on October 2nd. On the evening of October 1st the Opening Sermon was de-
livered by AVm. B. Elliott. With twenty-six ministers, twelve delegates and three
members of the Women's Missionary Society enrolled, the Eldership was organized
by electing S. G. Yahn, Speaker; G. W. Byrnes, Journalizing Clerk; T. Woods,
Financial Clerk. The Eldership voted in favor of a change of "Church" to
"churches" in Eldership titles, and against "Association" for "Eldership;" against
4i6 History of the Churches of God
"ordination with the imposition of hands;" in favor of continuing annual licenses;
against a General Eldership Fund out of which to pay the expenses of delegates
to said body. The delegates to the General Eldership were required to vote ac-
cording to instructions, and not their own views. Memorial services were held
in honor of Shadrach Woods, "in whose death the Eldership lost an earnest
worker and wise counselor, and the Church a strong defender." After these ser-
vices "the monument erected to the memory of W. J. Davis" was "unveiled." The
position of the Eldership "against the holding of fairs, festivals, etc., to raise
funds for religious purposes," was emphasized, believing such means of raising
money to be contrary to the spirit of the Scriptures." Two additional clerks were
provided for by amendment of the Constitution — a Transcribing Clerk and a
Financial Clerk. To provide additional funds to carry on aggressive Church work
the Eldership decided to create a Church Extension Fund "for the purpose of
helping such churches as are in straightened circumstances." Pastors were ad-
vised to put into effect a resolution to organize Y. P. S. C. Es., and a convention
•of these societies was recommended to be held in May, 1896. To promote
"greater unity of thought on many points of vital interest among us as a body,"
it was voted to hold a Ministerial Association in March, 1896. The first steps
were taken to organize a Ministerial Aid Society. With other Elderships, the
West Pennsylvania Eldership experienced much trouble in enforcing its regula-
tions touching a Course of Studies for ministers. To compel ministers to take
the Course after licensure is a perplexing question, and the Eldership was asked
by the Committee on Education to "take such steps as will secure more interest
and enlist each minister not having completed the Course to a thorough study of
the same." There were seven stations and nineteen circuits, each with a pastor,
except two churches in Venango county which were "to be supplied from Barkey-
ville Academy."
54th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The Ministerial Association and the
Y. P. S. C. E. Convention appointed by the Eldership in 1895 to be held in March,
189 6, were well attended, and were successful. The committee to draft a Con-
stitution for a Ministerial Benefit Association did its work, and reported in 1896,
after the organization of the Eldership which "convened in the, handsome new
bethel, corner of Spahr and College avenues. East End, Pittsburg," October 2nd.
S. G. Yahn delivered the Opening Sermon the previous evening. Upon Roll call
twenty-six ministers were found to be present; twenty-one delegates, and five
representatives of the W. M. S., whose "names were entered as voting members
of the Eldership." Balloting for officers resulted in the election of J. W. Davis,
Speaker; George W. Byrnes, Journalizing Clerk; George W. Davis, Transcribing
Clerk; J. C. Yates, Financial Clerk. Educational interests were thoroughly dis-
cussed, in which eight ministers and laymen participated, during which the con-
dition of Barkeyville Academy was carefully canvassed. A striking innovation
was the special order for Saturday, 2.30 p. m., when Hon. H. L. Castle, a Pitts-
burg lawyer, delivered an address on "Christian Citizenship," followed by the
report of the Committee on Temperance. The Committee held it to be a "self-
evident truth, that the liquor traffic can not be legalized without sin;" also, that
any form of license, tax or regulation, whatever name called by, to be criminal
in its complicity and sinful in its nature." And so the members were "called
upon to repudiate any political party that does not openly declare for the sup-
pression of the liquor traffic." Castle's address was ordered "placed on the
Journal and published with the Journal in The Church Advocate." The state
of religion was considered to be good; commendable zeal being "manifested in
many places by the erection of churches and parsonages and the repairing of
houses of worship." But "along the line of finances much improvement should
he made;" "more aggressive action should be taken in regard to missions." The
sale of the church property at Garrett was authorized. The Committee on
License was unusually emphatic and unequivocal in declaring that a certain candi-
date is not "considered qualified for the ministry either in doctrine or ordinary
intelligence," and "advising brethren against giving him recognition on their
fields of labor." It also "called attention to the fact that no minister or min-
isters have the right to issue licenses, or certificates of any character, clothing
men with authority to preach the gospel, or to perform the functions thereof,
hut the Eldership, or its regularly appointed Boards." As the Eldership realized
that "there never was a time in the history of the Church when we needed more
activity than now," it "set apart Sabbath, December 20th, as missionary day," to
West Pe:nnsylvania Eldership 417
be a day of earnest prayer in every church "for the Lord of the harvest to open
the w^ay and send forth laborers into the field." By an amendment to the Con-
stitution, a Board of Missions, consisting of five members, was provided for, to
which were to be "committed our Home Mission interests." The receipts during
the year for Home Missions were $300.18, and for General Eldership Mission
Fund, $242.91. The Course of Studies was to be taken by "all ministers who
came into the Eldership since 1890." The Board of Education was to classify
those enrolled as students, and to conduct the annual examination. The terri-
tory of the Eldership was divided into eight stations and seventeen circuits.
55th West Pennsylvania Eldership.- — It was said of the fifty-fifth session of
the West Pennsylvania Eldership, that "all the business was done as service to
the Lord;" that "from the first the sittings were characterized by deep spiritual-
ity." The Eldership convened at Avenue, Allegheny county, Friday, October 1,
1897. The enrollment consisted of forty-eight ministers, of whom ten were
absent and three had died during the year; and twenty-one ruling elders. The
election for officers resulted in the choice of R. L. Byraes, Speaker; Geo. W.
Byrnes, First Clerk; Geo. W. Davis, Transcribing Clerk; Thos. Woods, Financial
Clerk, and S. Arnold, Treasurer. The Speaker and clerks appointed the regular
committees, "during which time the Eldership was engaged in prayer and song
service," so that no business was transacted until after the committees were an-
nounced. One minister "was granted a letter of dismissal on the ground of a
change of his convictions on Church doctrine." A strong deliverance on temper-
ance as "a political as well as moral" issue, in one of the paragraphs cast some
cloud of suspicion on some ministers, in that it declared that "if any minister,
in any way, shall countenance the use of strong drink, or in any way excuse its
use by others, he is out of harmony with the churches of God, and that he be dealt
■with accordingly." One indeed was suspended by the Standing Committee against
whom this was one of the charges, and he was expelled by the Eldership. The
spirituality of the sittings was promoted by the passage of a resolution advising
"all ministers while making their reports to omit all trifling jests and char-
acterize their remarks with the respect appertaining to the clerical office;" and
also by the order directing the observance of the ordinances of washing the saints'
feet and the Lord's Supper at each annual session." The "taking of the Church
paper" was made compulsory on ministers. The aggressive spirit of the body
was manifested by directing all ministers to open new appointments wherever
possible; requiring each pastor to preach at least one missionary sermon at each
appointment annually; by the provision to have a permanent mission fund, and
by encouraging missionary activity on the part of the W. M. S. The Eldership
approved and commended the practice of having pastors and churches at the be-
ginning of the year come to an understanding as to the amount of salary to be
paid to the minister. To prevent the giving of mortgages for local church prop-
erties which would become a lien on all Eldership property, action was taken re-
quiring such mortgages to be limited to the particular local property. The state
of religion throughout the Eldership was gratifying. The "labors of min-
isters and churches were blessed and many souls were saved through their in-
strumentality." If "history has a Nemesis for every sin," it also records a bless-
ing as following genuine repentance. "During the year past three of our number
have been called home," reported the Committee on Obituaries. These were J.
F. Smith, who came into the Eldership from the M. E. Church, a man of much
power and energy;" J. C. Yates, a young man, and a rising man, "stricken down
almost in the days of his youth," and G. W. Shober, "a man of years and experi-
ence," a good man, an honest, God-honoring man." The total Eldership receipts
"were $908.35; disbursements, $774.51. The aggregate salaries of pastors was
$8,044.00. Total membership, 2,389. The Stationing Committee made twenty-
nine appointments.
56th W^est Pennsylvania Eldership. — "One to whose memory only volumes could
do justice" died within a month after adjournment in 1897. John Hickernell,
horn at Lisburn, Cumberland county. Pa., December, 1814, died at Findlay, Han-
cock county, Ohio, October 30, 1897. Converted in his native village when about
twelve years of age, in a revival held by AVinebrenner, but growing indifferent he
was reclaimed about seven years later, and began exhorting, he entered the min-
istry in the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 183 8. and was appointed to the Pitts-
burg Mission. He was Speaker of the first West Pennsylvania Eldership, and a
delegate to the first General Eldership. "He was a man of great ability, and one
C. H.— 15
4i8 History of the Chhurches oe God
whose life was pre-eminently successful." He had an unusual passion for souls,
and "felt a far greater interest in the conversion of sinners than in anything else,"
was his own testimony after "twenty-five years spent in preaching the gospel."
The Opening Sermon of the Eldership following his death was preached by R. L,
Byrnes, and was, by action of the Standing Committee, "a memorial sermon."
The session was held at West Newton, Westmoreland county, October 6-8, 1898.
It consisted of thirty ministers and eighteen delegates. S. G. Yahn was made
Speaker; Geo. W. Bynies, Journalizing Clerk; Geo. W. Davis, Transcribing Clerk,
and T. S. Woods, Financial Clerk. To guard against encumbering churches with
heavy debts ministers were required to obtain consent of the Board of Trustees
before buying or repairing church property. Only sickness or death would secure
leave of absence from the Eldership. The Principal of Barkeyville Academy, G.
W. Davis, was granted permission to visit the churches to secure means and work
up interest in the institution. There was a praiseworthy "thirst for knowledge
manifested on the part of the majority of ministers," and the Board of Educa-
tion could "truthfully testify to the intellectual improvement of the majority." A
good degree of spirituality was maintained throughout the territory of the Elder-
ship, and much good had been done in saving souls. The liquor business was re-
garded as "a legalized crime," and that we as a "body of Christian workers urge
our fellow men to go out of partnership with the saloon and the devil, and vote
as we pray, or else change our prayers."
57th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — Quite a successful year followed the
session of 189 8, and yet the total membership was reduced to 2,042. The con-
versions were 407; accessions, 364; expelled and dismissed by letter, 31. There
were fifty-six church houses and church organizations. The session of 1899 was
held at New Brighton, Beaver county, October 5-9. The Opening Sermon on the
evening of the 4th was delivered by S. G. Yahn. "In the granting of Life Certifi-
cates the Eldership exercised unusual care. It named a committee, consisting of
R. L. Bynaes, S. G. Yahn and J. W. Davis, to consider the matter, and to make
such recommendations as it may "deem wise concerning the names on the Min-
isterial Roll, and also recommendations concerning applicants for license." It
recommended that applicants for license receive "licentiate certificates to
be renewed annually until they have completed the Eldership Course of Studies."
It recommended that thirty of the ministers named receive Life Certificates, and
that such Certificates be withheld from nine others "till such time as they shall
receive work from the Eldership," while the names of the four others were
"placed in the hands of the Standing Committee with discretionary power." One
minister requested his name be stricken from the Roll "as he had accepted work
with the Christian Alliance." While the request was granted, it led to a lengthy
discussion, and the passage of a resolution declaring "that what is commonly
called faith-healing and sanctification as a second work of grace are not in har-
mony with the teachings and practice of the churches of God in the United States
as a body." There was considerable of a reaction in spiritual things, as the Com-
mittee on the State of Religion "deplored the low ebb of spirituality, the neglect
of the ordinances, and the fact that the Church was not advancing more rapidly."
The officers which conducted the business of the Eldership so acceptably were
D. A. Stevens, Speaker; Geo. W. Davis, Journalizing Clerk; W. H. Guyer, Trans-
cribing Clerk; J. L. Updegraph, Financial Clerk, and Geo. W\ Stoner, Treasurer.
58th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The revised Constitution of the West
Pennsylvania Eldership was printed in a neat pamphlet in 1900. It made the
Standing Committee the Board of Missions, and gave it judicial powers, but it
could not expel a minister found guilty under charges. No one could be "de-
clared elected to any position unless he received a majority of all the votes cast."
A Financial Clerk was to be elected in addition to the other officers. Officers of
the Eldership were made ineligible to membership on the Standing Committee.
There was to be a Board of Trustees, constituted of the officers of the Eldership
and the Standing Committee. Provision was made for appeals from churches by
members subjected to discipline. A regular form for ordination services was
prescribed, with certain questions to be addressed to applicants by the President.
The session of 19 00 was held at Kingwood, Somerset county, October 3-6. W.
Harris Guyer delivered the Opening Sermon. There were enrolled thirty-eight
ministers and thirteen delegates. Officers elected were: President, W. B. Elliott;
Journalizing Clerk, G. W. Byrnes; Transcribing Clerk, W. H. Guyer; Financial
Clerk, J. L. Updegraph; Treasurer, Geo. W. Stoner. The Standing Committee
West Pennsylvania Eldekship 419
was specially charged "to make careful inquiry in regard to the doctrinal faith of
all ministers whose names may be referred to it." Any minister found "not in
harmony with the doctrines and practices of the churches of God" was to be "re-
quested to return his Certificate of Ordination." The Constitution of the church
at Butler was decided to be in conflict with the Rules of Co-operation of the Eld-
ership, and certain Articles were declared "void," and the pastor was "censured
by this Eldership for his evident insubordination," as he "was chiefly instrumental
in the preparation of said Constitution." As the troubles in the churches at
Butler and Glade Mills were caused by the Christian Alliance, "said Alliance shall
not be granted the use of said church houses for services without permission of
the Standing Committee." The Eldership voted that "all the ministers and mem-
bers of the Eldership and of the church which they represent ought to be strong
prohibitionists." A missionary spirit was to be inculcated by all the pastors. In-
creased spirituality was declared to be manifested among the churches. A. C.
Bovvers, appointed a missionary to India in 1902, was ordained; also S. Pulmer;
but one minister was requested to return his Certificate of Ordination. The Sta-
tistics contained these items: Churches, 51; church houses, 49; conversions, 124;
baptized, 137; accessions, 254; membership, 1,223. The appointments numbered
twenty-four — six stations and eighteen circuits.
59th West Pennsylvania Eldersliip. — The result of the investigation ot the
doctrinal views of certain ministers by the Standing Committee, ordered by the
Eldership in 1900, was the surrender of their Certificates of Ordination by two,
and the acknowledgment of insubordination, and confession and forgiveness of
another. The Eldership justly had the reputation of "moral earnestness in the
performance of its official duties." It had among its leading men at all times
those whose essential greatness of character stood out in salient relief. This was
clearly evident at the session held at Ursina, Somerset county, October 3-6, 1901.
On the evening of October 2nd the Opening Sermon was preached by W. B. Elliott.
The officers elected were: President, T. S. Woods; Journalizing Clerk, G. W.
Byrnes; Transcribing Clerk, W. H. Guyer; Financial Clerk, J. L. Updegraph;
Treasurer, Geo. W\ Stoner. Strenuous measures were decided upon to the end
that the evil effects and schisms in the churches resulting from the teaching of
faith-cure and second-work sanctification might be overcome, and harmony and
peace restored. One minister was expelled for intemperance, and two others re-
turned their ordination papers. Two ministers answered the last roll-call, and
joined the invisible host — N. I. Van and C. Kreger — whose loss the Eldership
"felt very keenly." Pastors were instructed to organize missionary societies in
every church. It was also decided to devote "one evening during each session of
the Eldership to our missionary interests." One representative from each mis-
sionary society was to be received as an advisory member of the Eldership. By
ordination, services conducted by R. L. Byrnes, Foniey O. Eakin and Geo. M.
Hiilme, became members of the Eldership. The Eldership's admiration for the
character of President McKinley and its detestation of the crime which ended his
illustrious career were expressed in resolutions declaring that he was "our great-
est statesman and most noble President," "stricken down by the vile hand of
anarchy;" and, that "we detest and denounce the methods and doctrines of an-
archists as entirely without excuse, and treasonable." Lynchings in general were
regarded "as destructive of justice, cruel and revolting." The Executive Board
was requested to change the place for holding the next session of the General
Eldership. The state of religion and morals throughout the Eldership was
"highly gratifying."
60th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The West Pennsylvania Eldership dur-
ing the year 1901-2 had the gratification of seeing one of its young ministers
leave his native land and go to India as a foreign missionary. And so in 1902 it
enrolled "A. C. Bowers — Indian Mission Field." Suitable resolutions were placed
on the Minutes "touching the departure of Rev. A. C. Bowers and wife for India.""
The session was held at Barkeyville, Venango county, September 25-28, 1902. T.
S. Woods delivered the Opening Sermon. The lay representation was small, there
being present eleven delegates, with thirty-three ministers. The President was
S. G. Yahn; Journalizing Clerk, G. W. Byrnes; Transcribing Clerk, W. H. Giiyer;
Financial Clerk, J. L. Updegraph; Treasurer, G. W. Stoner. The action of the
General Eldership in calling a Convention in June, 1903, "to organize a Woman's
General Missionary Society" was "heartily approved." Provision was made for
a "Convention in connection with the next mid-year meeting of our Ministerial
420 History of the Churches of God
Association to organize a Woman's Missionary Society of the West Pennsylvania
Eldership to be represented in the Convention in June, 1903." A petition to the
General Eldership was adopted "earnestly requesting" said body to take action
relative to the destructive schisms caused in churches of West Pennsylvania Eld-
ership by the teaching of faith-healing and second-work sanctification." S. G.
Tahn and K. L. Bynies were the active promoters of this movement to purge the
Eldership of this element of discord. Notwithstanding the faith-cure and second-
work sanctification propaganda, with the painful results which followed, the
churches were reported as "never in a better condition." The death of John
Hovis was sincerely lamented, a minister who "for fifty-two years held a Certifi-
cate of Ordination from this Eldership." His chief distinction was a spirit of
self-sacrifice, and "above all his true, earnest Christian life." "His trust and un-
failing courage in preaching the gospel of Christ won for him success." A "Cer-
tificate of Merit" was given to G. W. Byrnes, J. L. Updegi-aph and A. W. Snyder,
who had completed the Course of Studies. The establishment of "our own Pub-
lishing House" was a "source of real satisfaction" to the Eldership. The number
of conversions during the year was 269; but only 68 persons were baptized, while
225 were received into fellowship. The total membership was 2,237.
61st AVest Pennsylvania Eldership. — A more normal and peaceful condition
prevailed throughout the territory of the Eldership as a result of the measures of
discipline so effectively used for several years. But following the Convention
held at Findlay, Ohio, to organize a W. G. M. S., certain defamatory publications
had been put in circulation, refiecting on the Standing Committee of the West
Pennsylvania Eldership, and others. The Eldership adopted charges against the
author, which S. G. Yahn was authorized to prosecute before the Executive Board
of the General Eldership. These several actions served only to cement the bond
of unity of the Eldership which held its annual session at Liberty, Fayette county,
beginning October 1, 1903. S. G. Yahn preached the Opening Sermon. The body
was organized by electing T. S. Woods, President; G. W. Byrnes, Journalizing
Clerk; R. N. Dillon, Transcribing Clerk; J. L. Updegraph, Financial Clerk; Geo.
W. Stoner, Treasurer. The organization of the W. G. M. S. at Findlay was
"heartily commended." "Special thought and effort" were resolved to be "given
to establishing churches of God in the towns and cities within the territory of
this Eldership." Though the "state of religion will compare favorably with that
of other religious bodies," said the Eldership; yet "it should be brighter. We
urge a more thorough consecration on the part of our ministers, that the standard
of religion may be raised and spirituality deepened." Simon Fulton, ordained in
1874, was "called from labor to reward" during the year. He was "a most ex-
emplary Christian worker." Three new churches were received into the Elder-
ship, but the fields of labor were two less than in 1900. All were supplied with
efficient pastors. The ministry was replenished, and among the active workers
was a fair proportion of well-equipped young men consecrated to their life mis-
sion.
62nd West Pennsylvania Eldership. — Order and harmony grew out of the
readjusted relations of the church at Butler to the Eldership, and a spirit of co-
operation was developed. For said church in 1904 "royally entertained the Eld-
ership," and "the session was characterized with the spirit of love and kindness."
The Opening Sermon was preached on the evening of October 5th, by T. S. Woods.
On Thursday morning the reorganization was effected by the election of W. H.
Guyer, President; Geo. AV. Byrnes, Journalizing Clerk; R. N. Dillon, Transcribing
Clerk; J. L. Updegraph, Financial Clerk, and G. W. Stoner, Treasurer. "The
new church at Connellsville was admitted to membership in the Eldership."
There were now nine stations and fifteen circuits, and the India Mission. The
"spiritual standard of the Eldership" was found to be "above the standard for
many years." It was resolved to "make greater effort to excel in spiritual activi-
ties during the coming year." Conversions reported were 254; baptized, 104;
accessions, 236; membership, 2.052. The Eldership received a bequest of
$1,000.00 from Jonathan Glenn, to become a part of the Permanent Superannu-
ated and Widows' Fund. It was decided to "hold a camp-meeting in 1905 in a
central place, that we may bring the brethren together for a spiritual awakening."
One minister who had been suspended by the Standing Committee for violating
the Rules of Co-operation was expelled from the Eldership. The Eldership re-
affirmed its former action on the missionary questions which were agitating the
Elderships and churches generally at this time. An exception was made by the
West Pennsylvania Eldership 421
Committee on Obituaries by reporting resolutions on the death of a lay-elder,
J. B. Henderson, "a life-long friend, brother and co-worker in all the various de-
partments of church and educational work."
63rd West Pennsylvania Eldership. — A superficial view of the doings of the
West Pennsylvania Eldership will leave the impression that few of the Annual
Elderships, if any, had such frequent occasions to discipline some of their mem-
bers for lapses in moral conduct. Its Constitution, as is the rule, provided that
ministers "are amenable to the Eldership for their conduct, and may be tried and
expelled by the same when found guilty of any crime, or of conduct unbecoming
a minister of the gospel." At the session which convened at Alverton, Westmore-
land county, October 5, 1905, this power was exercised in a fearless manner. One
minister had been "suspended for conduct unbecoming a minister of the gospel,"
and was "expelled and his name erased from the Roll" by the Eldership. The
name of one "was stricken from the Roll" because he "had become identified with
another Church." One was "severely censured for his indiscreet conduct," and
was "required to make a public apology before the Eldership." These actions
were taken with "closed doors;" but such actions can not be kept secret. The
officers elected at this session were — President, J. L. UpdegTaph ; Journalizing
Clerk, W. W. Anderson; Transcribing Clerk, W. H. Giiyer; Financial Clerk, J. W.
AVhisler; Treasurer, G. W. Stoner. The Eldership was in full accord with the
General Eldership in its actions and "plans for foreign mission work," and en-
dorsed the basis of union of the Missionary societies. It had twelve Missionary
societies, with a membership of 374. Also 14 societies of Christian Endeavor.
Its 41 Sunday-schools had an enrollment of 2,310. There were 47 churches, 50
houses of worship; 206 were received into fellowship, and the total membership
was 1,920. Its superannuated ministers and widows of ministers were to be
provided for by "the establishing of a permanent Superannuated Ministers' and
Widows' Fund," for the raising of the funds of which a regular agent was ap-
pointed. The Eldership always was progressive on the temperance question. Re-
calling the deliverance on this subject by the first General Eldership, which it
regarded as "advanced ground," it insisted that "we bring this subject properly
before our people from the pulpit." It further expressed its "disapproval of the
license system," and its "adherence to the principle of prohibition." The Elder-
ship had one Slavic church, and it had one minister and his wife in India as mis-
sionaries. The Slavic church was located at Sharon, Pa., and was organized by
Jacob Luchansky. It built a house of worship, which was dedicated October 15,
1905.
64th West Pennsylvania Eldei-ship. — It is a strong commendation of a re-
ligious body to state as a fact that in its session it was "perfectly united on all
questions, and everything of importance was passed by a unanimous vote." More
so when the troubles relative to ministerial conduct had so recently been adjusted
by judicial processes. Also, when action of great moment had to be taken rela-
tive to "actions of the General Eldership, the Woman's General Missionary Society
and the work of the Commission on Unification." But it was thoroughly united,
and "put itself on record as being in perfect harmony with the General Eldership"
and all its interests. The session was held at West Newton, Westmoreland county,
October 4-6, 1906. On the evening of October 3rd J. L. Updegraph preached the
Opening Sermon. There were 34 ministers enrolled, and 13 delegates. Three
new names were added to the Roll, two of which were of Slavic nationality, who
had "established missions in several towns in western Pennsylvania." They were
John and Jacob Luchansky, who had been raised in the Roman Catholic Church,
but were converted to the faith of the church at Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland
county, Pa. The officers elected were: President, G. W. Byrnes; Journalizing
Clerk, W. W. Anderson; Transcribing Clerk, AV. H. Guyer; Financial Clerk, J. L.
Updegraph; Treasurer, G. W. Stoner. The Eldership "placed itself on record as
advocating local option in this State." It also declared that "it is inconsistent
to pray for temperance, and cast your ballot for intemperance and the legalizing
of the liquor traffic." That the "perpetuation and extension of the Church of
God required that the doctrines of the Church be kept before the people con-
stantly" was expressed as the belief of the body. Hence, it strongly endorsed
the periodical literature published by the General Eldership, and " 'The Phil-
osopic Basis of Ordinances,' by Dr. Forney, and 'Robert Woodknow,' by C. F.
Reitzel." Building new houses of worship and parsonages and repairing and
improving old ones was an encouraging indication. This was characteristic of
422 History of the Churches of God
all religious bodies from 1900 to 1913. From 1900 to 1906 the total value of
Church property in the United States had increased 100 per cent., when it reached
the enormous aggregate of $1,257,575,867.00. The following seven years it again
nearly doubled in value, being over $2,000,000,000.00. In 1906 the forty-eight
churches in the Eldership owned forty-eight houses of worship. The membership
numbered 1,676, 311 having been fellowshiped during the year. The Eldership
had a Course of Studies which it considered "an indispensable factor in our work,
which no young minister can afford to be without." A regular Committee on Ex-
amination of Ministers in the Course of Studies was maintained. This Eldership
was an inspiration. It was called "an optimistic Eldership," and "truly a Church
of God peace Eldership."
65th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — Thirty-four ministers and eleven dele-
gates were enrolled for the sixty-fifth annual session of the West Pennsylvania
Eldership. According to the records, "the Eldership is not quite as strong
numerically as it was ten years ago." This was owing to "a judicious sifting
and pruning process;" to the "revised and improved Course of Studies, and mak-
ing its provisions obligatory," and to "the Life Certificate of Ordination," as
some who had annual licenses were denied Life Certificates. Some few were also
disfellowshiped because they "taught doctrines which are not in harmony with
the doctrines of the churches of God, such as 'faith healing' and 'second-work'
sanctification." Even at this session one of the Slavic ministers was "reproved"
for "preaching doctrines contrary to the doctrines of the Church, and teaching
revelations by visions and dreams." The Certificate of Ordination of A. C.
Bowers, missionary to India, was "recalled, he having accepted work from the
American Baptist Missionary Union." The session of 1907 was held at Bracken-
ridge, Allegheny county, October 3-6. On the evening of October 2nd G. W.
Byrnes delivered the Opening Sermon. J. W. Whisler was chosen President; G.
W. Byrnes, Jorunalizing Clerk; W. H. Guyer, Transcribing Clerk; J. L, Upde-
graph, Financial Clerk; G. W. Stoner, Treasurer. Good financial management
characterized the Eldership, as "the funds for local and general work were all
raised by the pastors." "Assessments were paid in full, and balances were left
in various Funds of the Treasury." There was great unanimity of sentiment, as
actions on the most important subjects "were all adopted unanimously." Thor-
ough discussion of these subjects was had, so "that each member of the Elder-
ship fully understood the meaning of every word before he voted." During the
year there were 299 conversions; 122 baptized, and 147 fellowshiped. The Per-
manent Superannuated and Widows' Fund was growing, as $500.00 were sub-
scribed during the year. On "the deplorable division of our foreign missionary
forces" the Eldership adopted unanimously, by a yea and nay vote, the emphatic
resolutions submitted by G. W. Byrnes, G. W. Stoner and J. S. Boyd, Committee
on Resolutions. They approved the work of the Commission, and placed "the
responsibility for the continued division" elsewhere than on the General Elder-
ship or any of its Boards, Societies or Agents. Always progressive in educa-
tional matters, the body reaffirmed its advanced positions on all questions per-
taining to the educational institutions of the Church, and on the training of the
young men for the ministry. Not only was prayer requested, that the Lord of
the harvest send forth reapers into his vineyard;" but it was urged that "the
brotherhood and the pastors talk to young men relative to their entering the
ministry."
66th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — Readjustment of some of the fields of
labor caused fluctuations in the number of charges, which at the enrollment in
1908 was twenty-three, instead of twenty-six in 1907. The session was held at
Ursina, Somerset county, October 1-3. The Opening Sermon was preached by
J. W. Whisler, and was "a clarion call to soul-winning." The Eldership elected
S. G. Yahn, President; G. W. Bynies, Journalizing Clerk; AV. H. Guyer, Tran-
scribing Clerk; J. L. Updegraph, Financial Clerk; G. W. Stoner, Treasurer. A
new feature of the Eldership was a "Church Historian," an office which was filled
by the election of S. G. Yahn, who was to be succeeded by W. H. Guyer. It was ex-
pected that this would prove of "no little good to the Eldership." On the mis-
sionary interests of the General Eldership the resolutions kept in view the meeting
of said body in 1909, and its sentiments were forcibly expressed in favor of "the
supreme authority of the General Eldership;" that "foreign missionary work
and workers must be brought under one management," and strongly approving
all actions hitherto taken to this end, and of the work of the W. G. M. S. and
West Pennsyi^vania Eldej^ship 423
others in promoting general unity and co-operation. The Carnegie endowment
proposition was regarded as affording "a great opportunity" for enlarging the
endowment fund of Findlay College, and "earnest efforts were pledged to secure
at least $5,000.00 within our Eldership." Delinquents in the Course of Studies
were made to realize that the displeasure of the Eldership would rest upon them
should they fail to diligently pursue these studies. Forbearance was exercised
bcause some of the delinquents were doing good work as pastors, and their ser-
vices were needed to supply the fifty-seven churches of the Eldership. Three
hundred and eight were fellowshiped during the year, and but fifteen dismissed by
letter and expelled, making the total membership 2,274 In the forty-nine Sun-
day-schools there were 3,014 scholars. There were fifteen missionary societies
and ten Y. P. S. C. E. In every interest the Eldership "placed itself in hearty
accord, and in co-operation with, and approval of, the Boards and work of the
General Eldership."
67th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The loss to the Eldership of one of its
strongest and most efficient ministers was anticipated in 1908, so that when in
1909 S. G. Yahn, having been elected Editor of The Advocate, took his transfer
to the East Pennsylvania Eldership, it was prepared for it. He preached the
Opening Sermon when the body convened at Pittsburg, Wednesday evening, Oc-
tober 6, 1909, which "was a heart-talk to those with whom he had been closely
associated for twenty-three years." The Eldership parted with him with deep
regret, and declared that "his relations with the Eldership have been pleasant,
profitable and inspiring; his demeanor ever in keeping with the sanctity and dignity
of the high office of the Christian ministry; his leadership conservatively wise
and progressive; his scholarship broad and ennobling; his fellowship helpful and
inspiring; his devotion and loyalty to, and his care of, the churches true and
ardent." When the Eldership was constituted, with thirty-one ministers and
twenty-two delegates, it elected Thomas S. Woods, President; George W. Bynies,
Journalizing Clerk; W. Harris Guyer, Transcribing Clerk; John W. Whisler,
Financial Clerk; George W. Stoner, Treasurer. The Field Secretary of Findlay
College, O. A. NeAvlin, was made welcome, and represented the endowment fund
of the College. In response, the Eldership resolved that "we join in the slogan,
'The Carnegie offer must be met,' " and it pledged itself "to do our utmost to at-
tain this end." A hopeful condition of the churches was reported, as "old
churches -were being strengthened and new ones are being organized." "The
spirituality of the churches seems not to have declined, and the intellectual status
of the Church is greatly improved." The need of better remuneration for min-
isters was insisted upon, as many are underpaid." A more scientific "system of
finance" was urged upon the churches, as thus not only could ministers' salaries
be made more adequate, but all Eldership and current funds could more easily
be raised. To this end the Financial Clerk was authorized to advise and assist
churches in "inaugurating some such financial system," and also "to supply them
with information and literature relative to the subject."
68th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — The West Pennsylvania Eldership gave
another proof in 1910 of its interest in, and loyalty to, every enterprise of the
General Eldership. There was a corresponding healthful concern by its members
in all its own enterprises. It quoted in full in its Journal the "rules and condi-
tions" governing the Church Extension Fund of the General Eldership, a Fund
established in 1909, and "heartily approved said rules and conditions," and "urged
men and women of this Eldership who have means at their command to give to
this Fund, or make provision for the same in their wills." The session was held
at West Newton, Westmoreland county, the Opening Sermon having been de-
livered October 5th, by Thomas S. AVoods, from II. Chron. ix. 18, 19. Theme:
''Six Steps to the Throne." Realizing the need of economizing the time of the
Eldership, a new order for the reports of ministers was adopted, and all ministers
were "required to make their reports to the Financial Clerk for record as early in
the session as possible," and these reports were "made a special order of business,
interspersed with such devotional services as in the judgment of the President
shall be suitable." The finances of the Eldership were in a good condition, show-
ing aggregate balances in the Treasurer's hands of $1,777.81, and invested funds,
$3,650.00. On temperance the Eldership declared "that no member of the
churches of this Eldership shall contribute by voice, vote or influence to the
perpetuation and protection of the liquor traffic," and "the elective privilege shall
be used to free the country from dishonest and criminal complicity in said
424 History of the Churches of God
traffic." Also, "that one can not be a conscientious Christian and vote for the
candidates for any national or State office who are in alliance or favor of the
saloon." It deprecated "the tendency to introduce a Continental Sabbath" in this
country, and deemed such a course "unchristian," and urged that "the Sabbath
day be kept holy," and that on that day every form of business should be sus-
pended. Sermons were to be preached at all appointments on the proper ob-
servance of the day. Unalterable opposition was voiced against the "display of
immoral scenes on bill-boards and in shop windows, as being detrimental to the
morals of our youths." It also recognized the fact that "a general wave of in-
difference and spiritual coldness is passing over our country, blighting the
churches," and warned "the churches of the danger and harm resulting from
spiritual coldness and ungodly indifference." The officers of this session were
as follows: President, W. J. Unistead; Journalizing Clerk, George W. Byrnes;
Transcribing Clerk, W. Hanas Guyer; Financial Clerk, John W. Whisler; Treas-
urer, George W. Stoner.
69th West Pennsylvania Eldership. — Real estate of the West Pennsylvania
Eldership is managed by the Board of Trustees, composed of the officers of the
Eldership and the Standing Committee. It "holds and controls all property,
whether personal or real estate." Many of the houses of worship are deeded to
this Board, and "any church desiring to buy or repair property" must "first obtain
the consent of" this Board. Property interests are thus well safeguarded. Oc-
casionally this Board has been obliged to sell, or to mortgage, properties held by
it, as following the Eldership of 1910 it directed the sale of Camp Grove and
McQuiston church lots, and placed a mortgage of $3,000.00 on the property in
Franklin. It also authorized the sale of "Glade Mills church property," and
"granted permission to the church at Indian Head to repair, reseat and paint their
bethel." All its actions were reported each year to the Eldership and passed
upon. Its report in 1911 included a number of such items. The session was
held said year with the church at Indian Head, Fayette county, beginning Thurs-
day morning, October .5th. The previous evening W. J. Unistead preached the
Opening Sermon, on "The Constancy and final Triumph of the Church of God."
J. S. Boyd was chosen President; Wm. Hari-is Guyer, Journalizing Clerk; L.
Edwin Yahn, Transcribing Clerk; John W. AA'^hisler, Financial Clerk; George W.
Stoner, Treasurer. Before the organization, in accordance with the recommenda-
tion of the Executive Board of the General Eldership, an hour was set apart for
"prayer for the fostering of Christian unity throughout the bounds of the General
Eldership." The sentiment of loyalty to the Eldership and to the General Eldership
received expression in several actions. Thus it was "deemed an act of disloyalty
to the interests of our literature to wilfully neglect to observe the day set apart
by the General Eldership" known as "Advocate Day." One of the qualities most
admired in agents of the General Eldership was their "loyalty to the doctrines and
principles of the churches of God." The churches were counseled to "enter into
agreements with their preachers, and fix a certain amount to be paid each year,
and that it be paid in a systematic way." Arrangements were ordered to be
made to put an agent in the field "whose duty it shall be to arouse interest
throughout our Sunday-schools and C. E. societies, and to formulate plans for
an annual convention to be held in connection with the Ministerial Association
and Missionary Convention." This convention was to last three days. In addi-
tion to the very creditable amount toward the Endowment Fund of Findlay Col-
lege by brethren and churches of the Eldership, the body also held two scholar-
ships. An additional one was provided for by the Somerset county circuit for any
student at the College from said circuit. In general, "a good, healthful growth
within the bounds of the Eldership" was reported.
70th AVest Pennsylvania Eldership. — Thirty-one ministers and eighteen dele-
gates were enrolled for the seventieth annual session of the West Pennsylvania
Eldership. They represented a total of forty-eight churches and 2,670 members.
The estimated value of church property, including the fifteen parsonages, was
$143,900.00. The session was held at New Brighton, Beaver county, beginning
October 4, 1912. On the previous evening J. S. Boyd delivered the Opening
Sermon. An organization was effected by the election of R. N. Dillon, President;
W. Harris Guyer, Journalizing Clerk; S. Fulmer, Transcribing Clerk; J. W. Whis-
ler, Financial Clerk; G. W. Stoner, Treasurer. The Standing Committee: J. L.
Updegraph, W. J. Umstead and F. O. Eakin. Judiciary Committee: J. S. Boyd,
J. W. Whisler and R. L. Byrnes. Stationing Committee: R. L. Byrnes, J. L.
West Pennsyvania Eldership 425
Updegraph, W. H. Guyer, J. W. Whisler and S. Fulnier. The Eldership suffered
serious loss by the appointment of one of its best qualified ministers, W. Harris
Guyer, as Professor of Theology and History iii Pindlay College. In his stead
it received a well equipped young man in the person of H. R. Lobb, of the East
Pennsylvania Eldership, as two years previous it had received R. L. Crawford
from the same Eldership. The retirement of R. L. Byrnes deprived the Eldership
and churches of an efficient and able minister and a wise and judicious counsellor,
whose "exemplary life and loyalty are a splendid example for the ministry and
laity." The body recorded expressions of "sincere regret," and assured Dr.
Byrnes of its "esteem and love," and its "earnest desire and prayer that God's
rich blessing and reward be constantly his." The Eldership renewed its as-
surances of co-operation with, and loyalty to, our educational institutions. The
year's work was somewhat inspiring, as there were 560 conversions; baptized,
276; accessions, 341. The total salaries received by the pastors was $10,214.86.
The "progressive plan for extending the work in" India" was commended, and the
Eldership expressed its pleasure "with the frontier mission work as carried on
by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership." As being thoroughly loyal
to all these interests, it pledged its continued support to home and foreign mis-
sion work. Denunciation of the liquor traffic was followed by the Eldership
putting itself "on record to fight this great evil in all its phases, and to encourage
every legitimate movement that has the destruction of the liquor traffic as its
end." By emphatic action the pulpits of all the churches of God in the territory
of the Eldership were declared "closed to any and all persons known to be out of
harmony with this Eldership." The occasion of this action was the withdrawal
from the Eldership of one of the ministers who was "not strictly in harmony with
its teachings along certain doctrinal lines." The Permanent Superannuated and
Widows' Fund reported a total of $922.39, and the Agent, J. L. Updegraph,
urged "special efforts this year to raise the Permanent Fund to the largest possible
amount." Progress, "both in material and spiritual things," was the encouraging
report of the Committee on the State of Religion, and the twenty-seven pastors
were admonished to be "more persistent in giving Bible lessons to the children
with the view of instructing and training them on doctrinal and spiritual mat-
ters." "Adherence to the faith and practice of our fathers" was strongly urged.
IV. THE INDIANA ELDERSHIP.
1st Indiana Eldership. — The internal improvements by the State of Indiana
resulted in bankruptcy in the financial crash of 1837, and checked emigration.
Yet from 1830 to 1840 public lands to the amount of 9,122,688 acres were sold to
settlers, as against 3,5.58,221 from 1820 to 1830. The country is mostly level,
undulating, the highest point being only 540 feet above the level of the Ohio.
One-third of the State was dense forest, and was wet and marshy, and expensive
to prepare for cultivation, as well as unsanitary. A number of Church of God
families, however, had found homes in the State prior to 1840, mostly near the
Ohio State line. Across the line in Mercer and Van Wert counties, Ohio, there
were small colonies of Church of God families as early as 1837, which called for
a minister. At the Ohio Eldership in 1838, T, Hiclcemell was appointed to the
St. Mary's Mission in said counties. He began his work there in 1839, and soon
after made his permanent home there. He was an indefatigable missionary, and
made preaching tours southward to near the Ohio river, and into a dozen counties
in Indiaria. J. Martin also did considerable local work. In 1841, Adams county,
Indiana, with Mercer, Van Wert and Allen counties, Ohio, was made a circuit
by the Ohio Eldership. In 184 2 Indiana Mission was formed, with J. Martin as
missionary. In 184 4 J. Martin, AVm. Hood and D. Neidig were appointed "mis-
sionaries to the State of Indiana." When in 1839 Hickernell went to the St.
Mary's circuit he was largely isolated from other fields of labor in Ohio. He had
opened many appointments in Indiana. The other missionaries in the State were
also quite successful. They felt the need of an Eldership, and accordingly,
ignoring the General Eldership, organized in 184 5. "A petition was presented ta
the Ohio Eldership, October 21, 184 6, by Bro. J. Martin to have an Eldership
formed in the State of Indiana." The petition was granted; the Ohio Eldership
426
History of the Churches of God
agreed to "co-operate with the brethren in the West in assisting them in forming
an Eldership in the State of Indiana;" W. Adams and T. Hickeniell were ap-
pointed delegates; the second Saturday in November, 1846, was fixed as the time,
and "the neighborhood of Bro. John Martin's, Milford township, LaGrange
county, Indiana," as the place for the meeting. The Ohio Eldership also agreed
that "one row of the western counties of the State of Ohio, extending North and
-South, be thrown into the Indiana Eldership." The work had extended north-
ward in Indiana, as LaGrange county is on the Michigan State line, the third
county north of Adams, and the second west of the Ohio line.
The brethren met, as per action of the Ohio Eldership, in a school-house.
In the township and county named, November 16, 1846. The following were
present and "constituted the meeting:" John Martin, Alexander B. Slyter and
John Martin.
Thomas Hickeniell, teaching elders; Alexander Menely, ruling elder, and Henry
Komp, Jacob C. Sturges and David Paulus, delegates. John Martin was elected
Speaker, and Thomas Hickernell, Clerk. A committee of three on resolutions was
appointed, which reported a resolution declaring that the Eldership "believes that
the Bible teaches that slavery is an evil, and therefore we feel unwilling to co-
operate with any who will countenance or practice the same." Also one stating
that "we, the Eldership, do not make use of any creed or discipline." Also one
"highly recommending that all those who profess to be followers of Christ will
avoid all unnecessary and worldly conversation, especially on the Lord's day."
The Eldership agreed to "unite with the other Elderships in the general system
of co-operation." It declared it "inexpedient to identify ourselves with Secret
Societies." A. B. Slyter, who had "formerly received his license from a local
church," had "his license renewed by this Eldership." As no one was "willing to
Indiana Eldership , 427
travel constantly excepting Brother Hickernell," he was "solicited to take up the
Indiana appointments, in connection with the appointments in the western part
of Ohio, assisted by Bi-others Martin and Slyter." A Standing Committee of five
was appointed — Martin, Menely, Latta, Slyter and Hickernell.
John Martin was born in Lancaster county. Pa., March 13, 1803. He died
July 2, 1888, and his mortal bed is in the cemetery adjoining the bethel in Mil-
ford township. La Grange county, Ind., on a farm formerly owned by him. Early
in life he emigrated to Ohio, and was licensed by the Ohio Eldership in 1838.
He was a conscientious minister of the Church, and became a preacher of con-
:siderable power. More so as a result of strong natural faculties of observation
and reasoning, than as a result of intellectual training, for his education was
limited. Being a Pennsylvania German, he could preach in German as well as in
JEnglish. His preaching, however, was "exhortational rather than textual." He
"was a successful evangelist, and was largely instrumental in organizing churches
in La Grange, Steuben, De Kalb, Noble and Kosciusko counties, Indiana. He was
rsent in 1842 by the Ohio Eldership as missionary to Indiana. He was a farmer
as well as a preacher, having bought land and cleared up the farm where he died.
By training and experience he was self-reliant and of tenacity of purpose, at times
indeed seeeming to others to be firm to the degree of obstinacy. He was hence
very tenacious of Bible doctrines, as he conceived them. Being opposed to secret
societies, when the Eldership modified its ultra views on this question he "re-
fused to fellowship with persons affiliated with secret orders," and his name was
•dropped from the Ministerial Roll. He always insisted that feet-washing comes
after the Communion, as he so interpreted his German Bible, and so was largely
responsible for this order of observing the ordinances in the Indiana Eldership.
2nd Indiana Eldership. — The second Indiana Eldership convened in a school-
house in Troy township, Whitley county, November 15, 1847. The enrollment
:showed that the ministers had increased to four, E, B. Gillespie having been add-'
ed; and six ruling elders were present. The work had been considerably enlarged,
as these ruling elders came from churches in six counties, namely, La Grange,
Wabash, DeKalb, Steuben, Noble and Whitley, the northeastern group of counties.
Adams county in Indiana, and the Ohio counties were not represented. The
boundaries remained unchanged. As Hickeraell says: "The Ohio Eldership set
oflf one tier of counties running North and South in Ohio. This would take me
into the Indiana Eldership, and so the Indiana brethren made sure of one traveling
preacher. You know these western brethren have a tremendous job of getting
hold of preachers. As for other boundaries we have none, either South, West, or
North."
The Eldership elected John Martin Speaker, and T. Hickeraell, Clerk. Only
the three committees, Stationing, Standing and on Resolutions, were appointed.
The latter reported a resolution requesting "churches to use all possible "exertions
to raise funds to support those ministers who labor constantly in word and doc-
trine." The limited supply of ministers is indicated in the report of the Stationing
Committee. Slyter and Hickeraell were "appointed to travel St. Mary's Circuit,
■Ohio; J. Martin and E. B, Gillespie are appointed missionaries." T. Hickernell
was "appointed to attend the next General Eldership, to be held in Pittsburg, Pa."
3rd Indiana Eldership. — On November 6, 184 8, the third session of the In-
diana Eldership was held "in the house of Matthias Lucans, in Wabash county,
Ind." Two new preachers are enrolled — George H. Thomas and Christian Sands.
Five preachers, four ruling elders and three messengers were enrolled. John
Martin was chosen Speaker, and T. Hickernell, Clerk. A Committee on Overtures
was added to the former committees. Good success was reported by the ministers,
and several new churches were formed. Accordingly, January 1, 1849 was recom-
mended "as a day of thanksgiving and prayer for the extension of Christ's king-
dom." The Committee on Resolutions gave expression to the prevailing sentiment
against the Constitution of the General Eldership when it offered a resolution,
which was postponed, declaring that "we can not believe or receive any law or con-
stitution framed by any of our brethren as having any legal authority over this
Eldership in the transaction of its business." The Stationing Committee formed
the territory into two very large fields, Mercer, Adams and Van Wert counties,
Ohio, with C. Sands as minister, and Whitley, La Grange, Steuben, DeKalb and
Noble counties, Ind., with John Blickenstaflf as minister. "Thomas Hickeraell to
travel over the whole territory, as usual."
4th Indiana Eldership. — In 1849 the Indiana Eldership met "in a school-
428 History of the Churches of God
house in the sixth district, near Auburn, DeKalb county, on Monday morning, Oc-
tober 15th." The enrollment revealed the work of the Standing Committee during-
the year. There are seven circuits, with six teaching elders, six ruling elders and
one messenger. On ballot, George H. Thomas was elected Speaker, and T. Hicker-
nell, Clerk. A Committee on License was added to the list of committees. Verr
few conversions were reported, and the support of the preachers was so meager
that some were "compelled to leave the field on account of extreme poverty." The-
resolution against the Constitution of the General Eldership postponed in 1848,
was called up by the Committee on Unfinished Business, and it "was adopted and
approved." Instead of a day of thanksgiving and prayer for New Year's, 1849,
"the first day of January, 1850," was designated "as a day of fasting and prayer
by all the members of this Eldership for the prosperity of God's cause." Provision
was made to "establish a fund for superannuated and worn out preachers in this-
Eldership." "Quarterly meetings" were recommended to be "established through-
out the bounds of this Eldership," and the Standing Committee was directed "to-
appoint those meetings next Spring."
5th Indiana Eldership. — In 1850 the fifth "Annual Eldership of the Church of
God in the State of Indiana met in a school-house near Auburn, DeKalb county,
October 21st." There were present five teaching elders, and one absent; one rul-
ing elder and four delegates. The teaching elders represented fields in Wabash, La-
Grange and Adams counties, Ind.; Mercer county, Ohio, and Illinois. John Martin.
was chosen Speaker, and T. Hiclceniell, Clerk. Sixty-five conversions were re-
ported. The "prospects for more laborers in the field," said Hickernell, "are in-
creasing." The Eldership had not much business, and "we met in peace and
friendship, and thus we parted." One delegate to the General Eldership was ap-
pointed. The report of the Stationing Committee contracts the territory by leaving-
out Wabash and Adams counties, Ind., and the Illinois work; but it adds "Defiance-
Mission." An opening sermon for 18 51 is provided for.
6th Indiana Eldei-ship. — The Indiana Eldership in 1851 met in Ohio, at a.
school-house one mile from Mendon, Mercer county, November 3rd. There were
in attendance six teaching elders, five ruling elders and one delegate. One min-
ister was absent. T. Hickernell delivered the Opening Sermon before the Elder-
ship was constituted. John Martin was elected Speaker, and T. Hickernell, Clerk.
The Eldership had a regular Book Agent to receive and sell Church publications.
On "the project of a Printing Establishment" the Eldership resolved to "remain
neutral," because "the Eldership find themselves too poor to assist in carrying out
the proposed project." There were only three circuits reported by the Stationing;
Committee: Eel River, LaGrange and St. Mary's, with one "Home Missionary."
7th Indiana Eldership. — In Wells county, adjoining Adams on the West, No-
vember 1, 1852, in the Zanesville school-house, the seventh Indiana Eldership held
its session. Seven teaching elders were present, three absent, David Keplinger,
later an active missionary, having been received from Ohio. Four ruling elders
were present, and three delegates. Six committees were appointed on motion.
The Clerk made no record of a new organization; the officers of the Eldership of
1851 signed the Journal. The Eldership "did not have a single jar." The min-
isters gave their reports, showing the organization of three new churches, and
about one hundred conversions. A fund for Superannuated Ministers was revived,
and "each member within the bounds of this Eldership requested to pay one dime
annually for that purpose." George Thomas was granted the privilege of taking
an appointment from the East Pennsylvania Eldership to "open a mission through
the south and south-west part of the Reserve in the State of Indiana." A "mis-
sionary project by T. Hickernell" was endorsed, and each member of all the
churches requested to pay 25 cents for that purpose. The Eldership made no ap-
pointments of ministers, but "requested the circuit preachers to continue laboring-
on their different circuits till Spring, and that the Standing Committee be re-
quested to appoint them to their different stations."
8th Indiana Eldei-ship. — When the Indiana Eldership "met in a Cabinetshop'"
owned by Philip Baker, Pleasantview township, Wabash county, Ind., November 7^
1853, no list of circuits was entered on the Journal in constituting the Eldership.
There were present seven teaching elders; five ruling elders, and four delegates.
Four teaching elders were absent. David Keplinger was appointed Speaker, and
T. Hickernell, Clerk. The Eldership appointed "the first day of January next as a
day of fasting and prayer for the advancement of Zion's cause." The ministers
were reproved for their "great neglect in preaching," and "solicited to make more
Indiana Eldership 429
efficient efforts in preaching the gospel." Though poor, the Eldership had a treas-
urer, but he made no report. The arrangement for the year following for supply-
ing the churches with preaching was that "Bro. Kepliiiger travel the Wabash cir-
cuit, and Bros. Hickernell and Komp the St. Mary's and Miami [in Ohio] circuit,
embracing eight counties from Defiance south in Ohio, and about the same number
north and south in the State of Indiana."
9th Indiana Eldership.- — October BO, 1854, the Indiana Eldership convened in
a school-house in Georgetown, Ohio. Six teaching elders were present; four rul-
ing elders, and eight teaching elders were absent. David Keplinger was chosen
Speaker, and T. Hickernell, Clerk. The Committee on the State of Religion re-
ported "some eight churches organized in the bounds of the Indiana Eldership,
about one hundred and forty converted and one hundred and twelve baptized."
The only resolution adopted was "that the Treasurer report to the Standing Com-
mittee when it holds its session next Spring." The Stationing Committee "estab-
lished four circuits" and to these assigned six preachers. The circuits are St.
Mary's, Napoleon, Auburn and Wabash. But provision was made for preachers to
"hold some large meetings in LaGrange and DeKalb counties, Ind., and at George-
town, Ohio." The backsliding of many converts of former meetings is lamented.
10th Indiana Eldership. — Better accommodations than that of a cabinet shop,
in which the Eldership met in 1853, or even a school-house in which the sessions
were held in 1854, the Eldership in 1855 met October 25th, "in the new bethel
near Bro. John Snyder's, Adams county, Ind. Eleven teaching elders were pres-
ent, and five ruling elders; ten teaching elders were absent. There were three
circuits. David Keplinger as Speaker, and Thomas Hickernell, Clerk, were elected
on motion. On the three three circuits one hundred and sixty conversions were
reported. The support of pastors was exceedingly limited, and the churches and
deacons were appealed to and urged to "raise all they can to support their
preachers." Special contributions were solicited "over and above what they
agreed to pay Bro, Hickernell, to purchase a horse for him." The pastors were
required the coming year "to make out a statistical account of the number of ap-
pointments, number of organized churches, number of church members, conver-
•sions, baptisms, accessions, expulsions, removals and deaths." The Eldership had
"in the treasury for superannuated ministers $35.72. The Eldership made but one
appointment, the "appointment of other ministers was postponed until the Stand-
ing Committee meets next Spring."
11th Indiana Eldei-ship. — Instead of three circuits, as in 1855, when the elev-
enth Annual Eldership convened, October 27, 1856, at Turkey Creek, Kosciusko
county, Ind., there were five circuits, to which were assigned five pastors, with
fourteen "missionaries." There were present eleven teaching elders, five ruling
elders and four delegates, while five ministers were absent. J. Mai-tin was made
Speaker, and T. Hickernell, Clerk. The circuits were of large area, with many
preaching places. Without any recorded action the Journal opens with the state-
ment, "the Eldership of the churches of God in the State of Indiana," etc. Only
eighty-nine conversions were reported, and the Eldership lamented "that there has
not been more done among so many." No delegates to the General Eldership in
185 7 were elected.
12th Indiana Eldership. — As the Indiana Eldership was partially providing
for the churches in Michigan, among the members at the session of 1857, which
met with the church in Center .Jackson, DeKalb county, Ind., October 26th, there
were several members present from that State. The total number of ministers in
attendance at the opening session was five; six ruling elders and four delegates.
There was no ballot taken for officers, but on motion J. Mai-tin was chosen Speaker,
A. L. Nye, Journalizing Clerk, and T. Hiokemell, Transcribing Clerk. The num-
ber of reported conversions was two hundred and thirty; but reports from ab-
sentees are not included. The Stationing Committee made two appointments —
Greene county circuit, Ind., in the south-western part of the State, and Thornapple
circuit, in Michigan. The "appointing of the other preachers is left to the Stand-
ing Committee." T. Hickernell attended the General Eldership, and reported its
"doings." Thereupon the Eldership resolved "that we adopt the doings of the
General Eldership, except that part of their doings in the shape of law respecting
the test of church fellowship; and that we disapprove of the General Eldership
passing resolutions to the churches, in the shape of law, respecting church fellow-
ship. Also, we have exceptions to that part of their doings relative to the liquida-
tion of old claims." When the Standing Committee met in February, 1858, in
430 History of the Churches of God
addition to the two appointments made by the Eldership, it appointed pastors to-
the following circuits: Auburn, Steuben, Zanesville, Eel River, Wabash, Colum-
bia and Syracuse, and also to Braden's Young's and Beigh's school-houses.
13th Indiana Eldership. — The Indiana Eldership in 185 8 enjoyed the distinc-
tion and gratification of having as "members of this body during the present ses-
sions," "Bishops John Winebi-enner and Wm. McFadden, of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership." The session was held on Big Run, DeKalb county, Ind., beginning
Monday, October 25, 1858. Nine teaching elders were present, and fourteen
ruling elders and eight delegates. Eleven teaching elders were absent. D. Kep-
linger was chosen speaker; A. L. Nye, First Clerk, and George Thomas, Second
Clerk. The Eldership had lost part of its territory and some of its members when
the West Ohio Eldership was formed. Hence, when the circuits were outlined
and appointments were made, there were only three in Indiana — Auburn, Colum-
bia, and Wabash and La Grange. Three circuits were in Michigan, with several:
of the points on the Wabash-La Grange circuit. Reports were encouraging, show-
ing over four hundred conversions, and eight new churches organized. Slyter^
was ready to "acknowledge his wrong in publishing a letter through The Advo-
cate detrimental to the character of Elder John Winebrenner," but as he "prom-
ised to recall the same, we shall lay no greater burden upon him." Singularly
enough, Slyter, among other things, charges Winebrenner with opposing co-oper-
ation. But frankly he published over his signature, that he sincerely regrets-
writing the letter, and acknowledges that he did him injustice, and to have his.
forgiveness. Henry CheiTy, member of the Free Baptist Church, was received and
license granted him.
14th Indiana Eldership. — If example is contagious, there is an illustration
in the action of the Indiana Eldership which met with the church in E. Branden-
berg's neighborhood, Whitley county, Ind., October 26, 1859. It changed its rule,
and directed the ministers to "go to the fields assigned them immediately after
the close of the Eldership." So its action on Slavery denounced it in the strongest
terms, as "a curse upon our country; an evil detrimental to all our relations and
interests, and a very evil, uncivil and unchristian system." Twelve teaching-
elders were present, and ten absent; and eleven ruling elders and one delegate
were enrolled. A. B. Slyter presided as Speaker, with W. M. Rumrill as Journal-
izing Clerk, and S. V. Steamer, Transcribing Clerk. Rules of order continued to
be adopted at each session. In very strong terms the Eldership urged better sup-
port of the pastors, and suggested that salaries be paid quarterly. Probably to
stimulate the churches to greater activity in this respect the ministers were "ad-
vised to give an account of the amount of their support at our annual meetings.""
On temperance the increased apathy generally prevailing is seen in the action
taken. The following Christmas was designated "to be observed as a day of fast-
ing and religious devotion." Two teaching elders and two ruling elders were
elected delegates to the General Eldership, with a request to all the "travelings
preachers to lift collections to defray the expenses" of these delegates. A new-
form of license was adopted, copied from the Journal of another Eldership.
15th Indiana Eldership. — The Eldership of the Churches of God in Indiana
assembled in the bethel near N. Pierce's, Whitley county, Ind., on Monday morn-
ing, October 29, 18 60, with thirteen teaching elders in attendance and seven ruling
elders. Four teaching elders were absent. They elected John Martin, Speaker;
W. M. Rumrill, Journalizing Clerk, and D. Keplinger, Transcribing Clerk. Each
pastor was instructed "to give an account of the amount of his support." The
highest reported was 1228.40. Thereupon the churches were urged "to support
the ministry as the Scriptures require." The Eldership adopted appropriate reso-
lutions on the death of AVinebrenner, "beloved and venerated," "a great man," of
"generous and noble spirit," whose "memory will ever be cherished as that of a
man possessed of a strong, deep, clear, original and well cultivated mind." By-
resolution, contributions were to be solicited by ministers and brethren toward
the erection of a suitable monument. The day of fasting, Christmas, 1859, was
but partly kept. The Committee on Slavery, consisting of Sterner, B. Hahn, L.
Maring and J. F. Weishampel, an advisory member with privileges of a full mem-
ber, was divided. Maring signed neither Report, while Weishampel brought in a
minority Report. The action on these Reports by the Eldership is not recorded.
The "new Eldership organized in Michigan" was recognized, and the wish ex-
pressed that they may enjoy "the blessing of God, and much prosperity." The-
"teaching elders within the bounds of this Eldership which have no appointments"^
Indiana Eldership 431
were "urgently advised to meet their respective circuit preachers, at as early a
time as convenient, with a view to make such arrangments as may be deemed best
to call all the local ministry into the field of labor as much as possible." Ou
Temperance the Eldership declared it "will in no way give aid or countenance to
any man who will engage in the fatal practice of trafficking in intoxicating liquors."
Four circuits were named, with six pastors. St. Mary's circuit included Ft.
Wayne.
16th Indiana Eldersliip. — On October 28, 1861, in the Union Bethel, near
Millersburg, Whitley county, Ind., the sixteenth annual session of the Indiana Eld-
ership was organized by the election of George Thomas, Speaker; J. E. McColley,
Journalizing Clerk, and E. B. Bell, Transcribing Clerk. There were fourteen
preachers present, and eight absent. Also ten ruling elders. Judging from the
report of S. V. Stemer's circuit, the churches generally of the Eldership were quite
small: Newville Center, 6; Spencerville, 20; Ft. Wayne, 7; Antioch, 7; Union,
25; Baker's neighborhood, 17; Zanesville, 13, and Flat Creek, 6. The Eldership
manifested its spirit of loyalty to the Union by adopting clear and strong resolu--
tions against the course of the Southern States in seceding from the Union and
engaging in rebellion against the Government. Interested in the dissemination
of books published by the General Eldership and by ministers of the Church, each
pastor was "constituted a book agent on his field of labor." Journals were order-
ed to be printed in pamphlet form. The territory was divided into four circuits,
and to each was appointed a pastor, with one and two assistants. Ft. Wayne was-,
attached to the Columbia circuit, as the Eldership did not possess the means to
make it a mission station. The Opening Sermon was delivered by John Martin.
The Eldership consisted of fourteen teaching elders present, and ten ruling elders.
Eight teaching elders were absent.
17th Indiana Eldership. — Annual Elderships rarely convened in houses of
worship owned and used by other religious bodies; but on October 25, 1862, the
Annual Eldership of the Churches of God in Indiana assembled in the "com-
modious bethel of the church of the United Brethren in Christ" at Zanesville,.
Wells county, Ind. Fourteen teaching elders were present, and eleven absent;
seven ruling elders were in attendance, and twenty-two are marked absent. John
Martin was Speaker; J. E. McColley, First Clerk, and E. B. Bell, Second Clerk.
"The cause" was reported to be "on the increase, and the members of the Church
are more established in the principles of the Bible than ever before." The Com-
mittee on Resolutions, Sands, Thomas and Smith, reported resolutions character-
izing the rebellion as an "inhuman war waged against the best human Government
ever established upon the earth;" expressing "sympathy and hearty co-operation
with the Administration in its attempt to crush this unholy rebellion," and heartily
endorsing "the President's Proclamation" and advising "its adoption by Congress."
The motion to adopt was later reconsidered, and then the resolutions were adopted
by a yea and nay vote, of 22 to 1. The Eldership was divided into four circuits,
with six preachers.
18th Indiana Eldership. — With "all the members of the €hurch of God con-
sidered as advisory members during the sittings" of the Eldership which convened
at Lake Bethel, Kosciusko county, Ind., Saturday, October 24, 1863, it was a body^
of good size. Twelve teaching elders were in attendance, and twelve were ab-
sent; with thirteen ruling elders present, and thirty-two absent. George Thomas
presided, and J. E. McColley was Journalizing Clerk, and Elias Bryan, Tran-
scribing Clerk. As at former Elderships, ministers of other Churches reported
their work. Among these was P. Winebrenner, relative of John Winebrenner, a
leading member of the "Christian Order." Elizabeth McColley, wife of J. E.
McColley, preached before the Eldership from Gen. xv. 11, and the following morn-
ing had license granted her. H. Croy, of the United Brethren Church, was also
licensed. Through its Committee, Sands, J. Slabaugh and G. R. Kinzey, declared'
"in favor of sustaining the flag of our country and the Constitution of our fathers
and the Union under all circumstances and under any Administration, regardless
of party politics;" that it is "for the Union whether slavery stands or falls;" that
it "believes a negro is no better than a white man, and if a white man can be
drafted to fight his enemies, we can see no reason why a black man is any better."
The Stationing Commmittee arranged for five circuits, with nine pastors.
19th Indiana Eldership. — The Eldership of the Churches of God in Indiana In
1864 met at Olive Branch Bethel, Miami county, Ind., on Saturday evening, Oc-
tober 15th. As prearranged, C. Sands preached on Saturday evening, and A. B..
432 History of the Churches of God
Slyter on Sunday morning. In the evening, by previous appointment, the Opening
Sermon was preached by George Thomas, from I. Tim. iv. 15, on "The Gospel
Ministry." When the Eldership vv^as constituted on Monday morning fifteen
teaching elders and twenty-three ruling elders were present, and twelve teaching
elders and eighteen ruling elders absent. The Speaker chosen was C. Sands, with
J. E. McColley, Journalizing Clerk, and J. S. Shock, Transcribing Clerk. George
Thomas was elected Treasurer. Upon receipt and reading of "a letter from the
Corresponding Messenger of the Northern Indiana Conference of the Free Will
Baptist denomination," the Eldership, through its Committee, D. Keplinger,
George Thomas and D. Gray, declared that "union is one of the paramount features
of the doctrine of the Bible; that this Eldership accepts the friendly communica-
tion of the Free Will Baptist Church, and acquiesces in the Christian spirit of
love and union exhibited, and longs for the time to come when sectarian distinc-
tions may cease to exist between us, and we mingle into one, and take away the
reproach of sectarianism from the two bodies." It was arranged that D. Kep-
linger preach a sermon on the ministry, in 1865, on Sunday evening. The four
circuits, with their seven pastors, as fixed by the Stationing Committee, had an
average of seven or more appointments.
20th Indiana Eldersliip. — What was probably the Opening Sermon of the
Indiana Eldership of 1865, was delivered on Sunday evening, October 22nd, at
Mount Zion, Allen county, Ind., by "Bishop George Thomas." The Eldership con-
vened on Saturday, and there was preaching that evening, and on Sunday morn-
ing and evening. There were twelve ministers present, and eight ruling elders;
while sixteen ministers were absent. But "all the members of the Church of
God, male and female," were "received as advisory members." A ballot resulted
In the choice for Speaker of J. Mai-tin; J. S. Shock, Journalizing Clerk, and E.
Bi-yan, Transcribing Clerk. The activity of Sister E. McColley is seen in her re-
port, that during the year she preached one hundred and eighteen times; but her
support was only $66.28. Her husband, J. E. McColley, preached the same num-
ber of sermons, and received a total support of $230.77. He organized one church
during the year. The names of four ministers were dropped from the Roll, and
one new name added. The local ministers on the different fields were instructed
"to meet the itinerants at as early a day as practicable after they enter on their
fields to make arrangements for a harmonious co-operation during the year."
The cause of God in the Eldership was reported as "gradually and steadily on
the advance." D. Keplinger was appointed "to travel as a General Missionary
throughout the entire Eldership." Seven circuits were mapped out, with ten
preachers assigned to them. C. Sands organized two churches on his field of
labor. The ministers were instructed "to hold the interests, confidence and feel-
ings of their congregations as sacred as those of their own families."
21st Indiana Eldership. — The Indiana Eldership in 1865 elected Mrs. Eliza-
beth McColley to preach the Opening Sermon when the body convened at Union
Bethel, La Grange county, Ind., October 20, 1866, giving her as the theme of her
sermon, "The Gospel Ministry." She preached on Sunday evening, changing the
subject to "The Christian Embassy." Ten ministers were present on Monday
morning, and fifteen ruling elders; while twelve ministers were absent. The
choice for Speaker was J. E. McColley; J. S. Shock, First Clerk, and E. Bryan,
Second Clerk. There was lack of co-operation both by ministers and churches,
and between them, "militating greatly against the prosperity of the Church and
tends to the destruction of confidence, and subjects both pastors and churches to
discouragement, severe trials and unnumbered perplexities." Hence, the Elder-
ship declared that "each minister receiving an appointment from the Eldership
shall regard the same as one of most binding obligation that can be laid upon him,
to feed the church of God and take care of it faithfully, regarding it as paramount
to his or her life." But the "churches ought to consider themselves also under
the most binding, obligations that can be laid upon them to promptly supply all the
temporal wants of their pastors." The Eldership excluded tobacco from "the
house while it is in session." Statistical reports were required of the pastors.
Keplinger announced his intention to remove to Missouri. He was reluctantly re-
leased, and was commended for his "unwavering faith, warm zeal, deep-toned
piety, godly walk and conversation, his loyalty to God and his country and his
great success as a minister." It was made the duty of "each ruling elder to keep
an accurate account of the numerical strength of his congregation, ministerial
support, accessions, baptisms, deaths, removals, expulsions, etc., and to report the
Indiana Ei^dership 433
same to the Eldership." J. E. McCoUey was authorized "to travel all over the
bounds of the Indiana Eldership to solicit aid to build meeting-houses." A re-
quest to send a preacher to Centralia, Kans., could not be complied with for want
of men. The Stationing Committee's Report mentions thirty-nine points, or
churches, included in the eight fields of labor. A regular Agent for the Chicago
Mission was appointed.
22nd Indiana Eldership. — The new bethel built by the church at Syracuse,
Kosciusko county, Ind., was ready for dedication when the Eldership assembled
there on October 12, 1867. The dedicatory services were held on Sabbath morn-
ing, the 13th, conducted by G. Smith and J. S. Shock. In the evening E. Bryan
preached the Opening Sermon. Shock was elected Speaker on Monday morning;
Bryan, First Clerk, and Smith, Second Clerk. According to precedent "all the
members of the Church of God in good standing were received as advisory mem-
bers." Keplinger reported good success on his mission in Missouri, with two
churches organized. One of the former ministers was given an opportunity to
"make acknowledgments for wrongs done to the Eldership," and received "par-
don so far as his confession goes." The Centralia College, Kans., "the property
of the General Eldership," was strongly endorsed, and George Thomas, formerly
a member of the Indiana Eldership, was "urged to use all his influence in its com-
pletion." The funds in the hands of the Treasurer, C. Bortner, consisted of
Superannuated Fund Notes to the amount of $189.30, and $5.93 in cash. The
general condition of the churches in the Eldership was prosperous and encour-
aging, and the Church was making gradual advancement. The Committee on
Temperance sought to impress "on the minds of the brethren in the ministry the
duty to use all their influence and power against the traffic and use of intoxicating
spirits." In this class of beverages it included "not only those manufactured
from corn and rye, but such as the wine from currants, grapes, elderberries and
rhubarb, which at this time are quite fashionable in our domestic circles." The
use of tobacco was denounced as "a dirty, filthy, useless and expensive practice,"
and "all Church of God people are counseled to dispense with its use." The
Eldership placed itself on record against leavened bread for Communion pur-
poses by advising "deacons to prepare unleavened bread for use at the Com-
munion." There was one German appointment, to be served by J. Martin, be-
sides which there were eight circuits. Keplinger was appointed Missionary to
Missouri, and Shock and Martin were General Evangelists.
23rd Indiana Eldership. — As ruling elders were members of the Eldership
the same as teaching elders, the Roll of the Eldership which met at Zanesville,
Wells county, Ind., October 17, 1868, showed eleven teaching elders and fifteen
ruling elders present, and fourteen teaching elders and thirty ruling elders ab-
sent. There was preaching on Saturday evening, and dedicatory services of the
new bethel on Sabbath morning by R. H. Bolton and at 4 p. m. by G. Smith.
The Opening Sermon was delivered in the evening by J. Martin, who was elected
Speaker, with J. S. Shock, Clerk. Three members of the Stationing Committee
were laymen. The writing and publishing of books "by those who possess the
ability and means" was recommended, "believing their mission a useful one."
After "considerable deliberation on the propriety or impropriety of inaugurating
a mission movement in the city of Port Wayne," county seat of Allen county, Ind.,
it was concluded to "seek to procure the services of a suitable minister to migrate
to Fort Wayne and open out a mission," said missionary was "invited to canvass
the Indiana Eldership for assistance," while the Eldership "agreed to aid by our
prayers, influence and means." R. H. Bolton was "invited to become said mis-
sionary." J. Martin was also "requested to preach for the German people of Fort
Wayne." The Committee on Boundaries, distinct from the Stationing Commit-
tee, arranged the territory into five circuits, with forty-two churches or preaching
points. Co-operation between the Indiana and the Michigan Elderships was
urgently invited.
24th Indiana Eldership. — From the five circuits of the Indiana Eldership,
when it assembled at Beaver Dam, Kosciusko county, Ind., October 16, 1869, there
were present fifteen teaching elders and twenty-four ruling elders; while ten
teaching elders and twenty-one ruling elders were absent. Z. Gan-ison was chosen
to preside, and J. S. Shock to act as Clerk. The legal incorporation of the Elder-
ship was decided upon, and measures to that end directed to be taken. Keplinger.
missionary in Missouri, and G. Thomas, in south-western Iowa, were members of
the Indiana Eldership, and their "appointment by the General Eldership was
C. H.— 15*
434 History of the Churches of God
ratified by this Eldership." Mission work within the Eldership territory as-
sumed new proportions. While Fort Wayne mission is not mentioned, the Com-
mittee on Boundaries named three other missions: Miami, Paddytown and An-
tioch, and a General Missionary. The Stationing Committee appointed a mission-
ary to each of these fields, and Z. Garrison, General Missionary. B. ¥. Bear was
also appointed to preach German at Yellow Lake Bethel.
25th Indiana Eldership. — No Opening Sermon is recognized in the Journal
of the twenty-fifth annual session of the Indiana Eldership, which convened at
Zanesville, Wells county, Indiana, on October 8, 1870. Counting all entitled to
membership there were present thirteen teaching elders, and eighteen ruling
elders; while fourteen teaching elders, and thirty-two ruling elders were absent.
Five delegates were present. J. Martin was elected Speaker, and W. W. Tjovett,
Clerk. Almost a verbatim copy of the Rules of Order of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership was adopted; but they were subject to amendment only by a two-thirds
vote. The Eldership definitely committed itself to the project of starting a mis-
sion in Fort Wayne, and directed its Board of Missions to take the initiatory steps.
The beginning was to be made by the "erection of a small mission house for
Sunday-school purposes," the "erection of a good house of worship" to follow.
What are called "Rules of Incorporation of the Indiana Eldership of the Church
of God" were adopted. They provide for "the name, style and title;" for an-
nual meetings, consisting of all the teaching elders holding licenses from said
Eldership, and all ruling elders from each local church; prescribe for the regular
officers, and define their duties; that the Speaker, Clerk and Treasurer constitute
the Board of Trustees of the Eldership, to hold and central all forms of property;
against defect of bequests by reason of "misnomer of said corporation," and for a
common seal. The Committee on Boundaries outlined four circuits, naming the
points on each. The Stationing Committee added Air Line Mission and Miami
Mission, and also one General Missionary. The funds of the Eldership were very
limited, but the Committee on the State of Religion reported that greater liberality
is beginning to prevail.
26th Indiana Eldership. — The attendance at the Eldership which met at Syra-
cuse, Kosciusko county, Ind., September 28, 1871, was not any better than in
1870, as one-half the teaching elders only were present. A. X. Shoemaker, made
"a member during the present session," was chosen Speaker, and W. AV. Lovett,
Clerk. Like some other Elderships, the old Rule, requiring preachers to retire after
reporting, was rescinded. The Committee on Temperance not only "resolved to use
every lawful means in our homes, at the polls, in the pulpit, and everywhere to pre-
vent the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage; but to discourage the use as a
beverage of domestic wines, as well as the practice of fashionable family drink-
ing." With these resolutions it connected one against "the free use of tobacco."
The Eldership now had $3 39.69 in the form of Notes in its Superannuated Fund.
The amount of $115.00 was raised on the floor of the Eldership for the ^ort Wayne
Mission. AV. AA^. Lovett was appointed to said mission, with an appropriation of
$300.00 for the year. Besides this mission there were seven circuits, with eleven
ministers.
27th Indiana Eldership. — Eighteen teaching elders, seventeen ruling elders
and five delegates on October 16, 1872, constituted the Eldership at Grove Bethel,
Jackson township, DeKalb county, Ind. Eight teaching elders were absent. The
Speaker was J. E. McColley; Clerk, E. B. Bell. The question of the title of the
Eldership, which came up in the Report of the Committee on Business, was post-
poned one year, notwithstanding the action of the General Eldership against
the plural use of the term "Church." It appearing that there was quite a degree
of laxness in observing the ordinance of baptism, the Eldership requested the
ministers "not to neglect the important duty of teaching and baptizing the young^
converts, inasmuch as faith and baptism are closely connected in the Commission."
On account of some failing to co-operate faithfully with the Eldership, it was in-
sisted upon that rules of co-operation are necessary to successful work in the
Eldership, and hence all members were urged "to act in harmony with the ac-
tions of the body, whether in the financial or other departments of the work."
A better fraternal spirit was also made the subject of consideration, to the end
that "their labors may be combined in building up and sustaining God's great and
glorious cause, especially in regard to the support of the ministry. The work
at Fort Wayne was not so vigorously pushed forward, the missionary having de-
voted less than one-fourth of his time to the mission. J. E. McColley was ap-
Indiana Eldership 435
pointed to Fort Wayne. Columbia City Mission received permission for its pas-
tor, S. Cole, to canvass for means "to complete the erection of a house of worship
in that city." Besides these missions there were eight fields of labor. AH the
local preachers were instructed "to open new appointments and assist in the great
work of the Master as much as practicable with them."
28th Indiana Eklei-ship. — Co-operation inspires co-operation. An Eldership
for the sake of consistency, if for no other reason, must exemplify its own teach-
ing. If the Indiana Eldership insisted in 1872 that all its members and churches
"act in harmony with the actions of the body," why should not it act in harmony
with the actions of the higher body? This all the Elderships realized, and so with
the others the Indiana Eldership changed its title to conform to the action of the
General Eldership in 1872. It convened at Union, HuntingtoYi county, Ind., Oc-
tober 1, 1873, as "the Eldership of the Church of God in Indiana." There were
twenty teaching elders present, and nineteen ruling elders; while nine teaching
elders were absent. In effecting an organization George Smith was elected Speaker,
and W. W. Lovett, Clerk. One of its first actions was a resolution to "stand with,
the General Eldership in any college project." Then it appointed a committee "to
arrange a program for an Eldership Sunday-school Convention." It made it a
standing order that the ruling elders report at each session. The time and place
for the Sunday-school Convention were fixed so as to follow the Pentecostal meet-
ing. It appointed one of its members annually as a Book Agent, to keep on hand
Church publications for sale to ministers and churches. It put itself on record
as in favor of "the passage and enforcement of laws prohibiting the use of in-
toxicating liquors as a beverage," and declared that "the use of tobacco conflicts;
with the laws of temperance." The "young brethren of the Eldership" were re-
quired "to apply themselves diligently to the study of biblical history, grammar,
rhetoric, logic, music, geometry, astronomy and as~ many more of the arts and
sciences as they may be able to get access to." No examinations were provided
for. The Ministerial Association was to be continued, and it was made the "duty
of our young ministerial brethren to punctually attend them." The "tendency
of the Church to conformity with the world and its rejection of the authority of
the Bible" were "deeply deplored." By a yea and nay vote of 18 to 11 the Elder-
ship "disapproved of secret organizations;" but it laid on the table a resolution
declaring it "will have no fellowship with a member of any Secret Society."
29th Indiana Eldership. — At the twenty-ninth session of the Indiana Elder-
ship, held at Evergreen, Whitley county, beginning September 28, 1874, there was.
considerable of a contest in the election of officers. The Eldership "proceeded tO'
ballot for Speaker and Clerk, resulting on third ballot in electing Elias Bryan
Clerk." Then "on motion, Bro. George Smith was instructed to cast the ballot of
the Eldership for AV. W. Lovett for Speaker." The Finance Committee reported
finding "an indebtedness on the Fort Wayne Mission of about $1,500.00, and
available subscriptions of about $900.00." The delegates to the General Elder-
ship received instructions "to do what they can in that body for the establish-
ment of a general Church school." Also to work "to keep the Chicago Mission
property intact to the General Eldership, and not to allow any person or persons
to usurp authority, control or possession thereof." The Eldership was not ready
to agree to require the churches to observe the ordinances in the order which was
maintained in other Elderships. The, work in general throughout the Eldership
territory had "not been crowned with the visible success that the cause of Christ
demands." But in the "aggregate there has been much good done in the saving-
of precious souls and in establishing the Church in the faith and practice of the
gospel." A better support of the ministry was resolved upon. An annual ten-
cent contribution from each church member was required for the Superannuated
Fund. Four candidates for license were ordained, "W. W. Lovett giving the ad-
dress and charge, and J. Bunipus led in solemn prayer, together with the laying on
of the hands of several of the elders."
30th Indiana Eldership. — No absentees are noted when the Eldership was
constituted at Thorn Creek Bethel, Whitley county, September 27, 1875. The en-
rollment showed eighteen teaching elders, seventeen ruling elders and four dele-
gates. W. AV. Lovett was made Speaker, and I. AA\ Ijownian, Clerk. The Elder-
ship voted to "give exhorter's license to applicants deemed worthy of such license."
Realizing that "there has been a neglect in the matter of a more thorough educa-
tion," the Eldership resolved to "earnestly urge and encourage by word and
action an awakening to this duty; that parents educate their children so far a?
436 • History op the Churches of God
opportunity is afforded, and that we earnestly urge ministers to a more perfect and
thorough education both in the training of the mind and the cultivation of right
principles in the dignity of the sacred office." The holding of a Ministerial As-
sociation was agreed upon. A Board of Sisters' Mission had been created, which
was "successful in the collection of funds for the support of the pastor in Fort
Wayne." A Pentecostal meeting and a Sabbath-school convention were appointed
to be held at Syracuse. The Board of Missions was held by note indebted to the
Eldership in the sum of $408.10, with "$4.30 mission fund in the treasury."
The Eldership "sanctioned every effort made to prohibit the sale of intoxicating
drinks as a beverage." Applicants for license were hereafter required "to obtain
a recommendation from the local churches of which they are members." "J. E. Mc-
CoUey was appointed Collecting Agent," his especial duty being to collect funds
for Port Wayne Mission. There were two stations and seven circuits, Fort Wayne
Mission receiving $200.00 missionary money.
31st Indiana Eldership. — Some serious disaffection developed in the Elder-
ship during the year, which required careful handling. At least five ministers
were involved in the difficulties, but they are enrolled as present, and their cases
were disposed of by a strong vote. The Eldership was presided over by a minister
of mild but resolute disposition, and he kept the situation well in hand. The
body met at Eel River Bethel, Wabash county, October 2, 1876. Seventeen
teaching elders, twenty-seven ruling elders and three delegates reported. AV. P.
Small was elected Speaker; I, W. Lovvraan, Clerk, and I. Schi*ader, Treasurer.
After some routine matters were disposed of, the cases of five ministers charged
with non-co-operation came up one after the other. The first was that of J.
Martin, one of the five who refused further to co-operate with the Eldership
because it was in fellowship with Free-masonry. Without disposing of his case,
that of E. B. Bell, another one of the five, was called. His license was withheld.
Pending the consideration of Martin's case, the Committee on Resolutions report-
ed the following: "Whereas, Free-masonry seems to be causing so much dissatis-
faction in the Church, and inasmuch as some of the brethren look upon it as a
great evil, and it seems to be the meat of offense; therefore, Resolved, That the
Indiana Eldership of the Church of God have no fellowship with any person or
persons belonging to any Secret Society." This would have adjusted the matter,
but it was voted down, and Martin's license withheld. When the third name was
called, that of B. F. Bear, a yea and nay vote was taken on the renewal of his li-
cense, resulting in yeas, 7; nays, 29. Next came the names of J. S. Shock and C.
Clem, and "being asked if they would co-operate with those brethren belonging to
Secret Societies, they refused to do so," and their licenses were withheld. And
finally a resolution was adopted, declaring "that it is the sense of this body that
the above-named brethren are dismembered, and no one to blame for it but them-
selves." Immediately the Licensing Committee reported "the name of J. S. Shock
with an affirmative recommendation, and a license was granted him. A resolu-
tion "abandoning the itinerant system, and adopting the congregational, was de-
feated. While "the Eldership withdrew its support from the Mutual Aid So-
ciety," it continued the Sisters' Missionary Society, and commended its work. A
Sabbath-school Convention, a Ministerial Association and a Pentecostal meeting
were directed to be held, and committees were named to arrange for them. To
prevent a disruption of the Eldership because of the disfellowshiping of five min-
isters, the Eldership refused to threaten to discipline churches which might "in-
vite or permit any of those brethren not holding a license from this Eldership to
preach for them;" but it insisted that "it is the duty of the churches to receive,
co-operate with and support the ministers sent them by the Eldership." The terri-
tory was divided into eleven charges.
32nd Indiana Eldei*ship. — Few Elderships had as large and eflicient a lay
representation as the Indiana Eldership. At the session held at Compton's
School-house, Whitley county, beginning October 4, 1877, there were present
twenty-two teaching elders and forty-six ruling elders. J. E. McColley was chosen
Speaker; I. W. Markley, Clerk, and I. Schrader, Treasurer. The Eldership made
all the arrangements for a Pentecostal meeting, a Sabbath-school Convention and
a Ministerial Association, including the making of the programs. It agreed to
"approve of and assist in any act to purge the evil of intemperance from the land."
It also decided that in making up the Roll of each annual Eldership "only mem-
bers present shall be enrolled. Some form of ordination of elders was agreed
upon. Fort Wayne was made a part of Roanoke circuit, which had five preaching
Indiana Eldership 437
points. Besides this, there were six other circuits. The largest field — Blue River
— had nine preaching points, with two pastors. J. Bumpus, Z. Garrison and W.
Pearce were appointed General Evangelists. Encouragement was found in the
Report of the Committee on the State of Religion, which showed during the year
235 conversions, 188 accessions, 159 baptized, and one church of forty-one mem-
bers organized. The Opening Sermon of the Eldership was preached in the even-
ing of October 3rd, by A. B. Slyter, and W. P. Small was designated to preach the
Opening Sermon in 187 8.
33rci Indiana Eldership. — The ranks of the Indiana ministry were reduced
during the year by the deaths of two members. Not even the name of one can
now be determined, as the Committee on Obituaries refers to him only as "one
of our young ministers who has fallen, but away from home and friends." The
other one was George Thomas, who was located at Pleasant Hill, Mo., and whom
the Eldership regarded as "one of our fathers in Israel whom we had learned to
love and esteem." The Eldership convened at Zanesville, Wells county, October
2, 1878, the Opening Sermon having been delivered by AV. P. Small the evening
previous. Upon the enrollment of members present twenty-one teaching elders
were recognized, but the number of ruling elders fell to nine, with six delegates.
J. Bumpus was chosen Speaker; I. W. Markley, Stated Clerk; E. Miller, Tran-
scribing Clerk; and Isaac Schrader, Treasurer. Small decided to return to the
Ohio Eldership, but the Eldership had two accessions of experienced ministers,
Oliver, of the Ohio Eldership, and Ober, of the Texas Eldership, but later of the
Illinois Eldership. Rejoicing in "the widespread revival on the subject of tem-
perance," the Eldership was ready to do its full part to the end "that this good
and much needed work of reform may go on until it shall sweep like a tidal wave
over our whole land, and the entire liquor traffic shall be wholly overthrown." It
also "recommended to all our ministers and people that they use only unfer-
mented wine for Communion purposes when such can be secured." A course of
studies was approved, and a committee was appointed to prepare one, and also a
committee to examine ministers in said course. W. W. Lovett was the committee.
The action of the General Eldership, to publish "The Workman," was approved'.
It laid down the principle, that "the actions of the Standing Committee are bind-
ing upon all members of the Eldership until either adopted or rejected by the
Eldership at its first succeeding session." Seven items were named under which
each pastor was to report after this Eldership. The sitting after evening services
on Friday evening was "devoted to the interests of Fort Wayne Mission." The
conclusions reached were: That "the mission can be sustained;" accepting "the
proffer of W. W. Lovett to serve it." Lovett was also appointed "collecting agent
to secure moneys and notes for the liquidation of the mission indebtedness." Be-
sides Fort Wayne Mission, there were seven circuits, Oliver and Ober each being
assigned to one. They were required to bring their transfers before entering on
their fields.
34th Indiana Eldership. — A very generous feeling pervaded the Eldership of
1879. A sister led in the movement to restore the ministers who had been dis-
fellowshiped. She was probably only an advisory member, though sisters were
eligible as delegates. The Minutes only state that "on motion. Sister H. C. Smith,
J. Bumpus and D. Keplinger were appointed as a committee to draft a resolution
touching the uniting and reconciliation of those brethren who were dismembered
from the Eldership." The committee reported: "That we heartily invite them
to come back, and we will meet them on the one great platform of the word of
God revealed to men, and we will do all in our power and by God's help to effect
this much needed union." The Eldership approved this resolution. Ten of
the twenty-one preachers were present, fourteen ruling elders and eighteen dele-
gates. The Eldership made choice of AV. M. Lovett for Speaker; I. AV. Markley,
Clerk, and I. Schrader, Treasurer. The recommendation prevailed, that "every
minister of the Church of God put on the temperance badge, let it be a red or a
blue ribbon; wear it, and keep it sacred before the people." AA^ AV. Lovett was
selected "to preach at the semi-centennial gathering." A resolution prevailed
that "the Eldership agree that the month of October be used in finishing up the
. work on the circuits, and that all ministers be on their work by the first of
November." Ministers were required to "work up a more systematic system of
finances on all the circuits, and that the churches get up their subscriptions the^
first of the Eldership year, said subscriptions to be paid quarterly." The Elder-
ship controlled the general meetings — Pentecostal, Sunday-school Convention and;
43^ History of the Churches of God
Ministerial Association. There were six circuits, with two General Evangelists.
The debt on the Fort Wayne Mission at this time was "about five hundred dol-
lars;" but as the Eldership had voted to sustain the mission, brethren were en-
couraged to give. Seven brethren offered $20.00 a piece to pay off the debt, on
•condition that the whole amount be raised. The Standing Committee, the Board
of Missions and the Sisters' Missionary Society agreed to co-operate together to
secure this end.
35th Indiana Eldership. — The Indiana Eldership in 1880 convened on Sat-
urday, October 16th. The Opening Sermon was preached on Lord's Day evening,
iby I. W. Markley. Eleven teaching elders were present, and eleven absent.
Eight ruling elders were present, and fourteen delegates, one of them a sister.
A lay elder, Isaac Schrader, was chosen for Speaker, and another one, J. Mowrey,
for Treasurer. And I. W. 3Iarkley was elected Clerk. The name of "Eldress Mc-
Colley was dropped from the Roll of ministers of this Eldership" without an as-
signed reason. The Eldership resolved to "cohtinue to demand legislation
which will entirely prohibit both the manufacture and sale of all intoxicating
•drinks as a beverage." Desiring "all the reports of ministers to be made to
appear on the Journals of the Eldership," it was directed that "there be a
schedule of reports kept and published as an item in the Journals, to consist of
the reports in full of all the ministers." The Eldership appointed the Pentecostal
meeting and the Sunday-School Convention. The Ministerial Association was to
hold its meeting at the same time and place with the Pentecostal meeting. The
Eldership condoned the action of the Standing Committee in "having held several
meetings contrary to rule, less than a quorum being present," on the ground "that
the business thus transacted was not derogatory to the interest of the Eldership,
■except as a precedent;" but it "advised and insisted that at all times a quorum
is necessary to the legal transaction of business." The Eldership had $699.00 in
the Superannuated Fund; $4.50 in the Missionary Fund, and $17.62 in the Con-
tingent Fund. The State of Religion in the Eldership inspired a hopeful spirit,
as "the dark clouds are breaking away, and a bright future is looming up before
us, and we feel confident that a great harvest will be gathered in the near future
■within the bounds of our Eldership." The Eldership acquiesced cheerfully in the
request of the General Eldership "to collect at least twenty-five cents or more
Irom each member of the Church for the support of the mission cause in general."
It was decided "to hold a camp-meeting in the month of August," and a committee
was appointed to make the necessary arrangements. When a license was granted
to Geo. E. Konip, it was resolved that he "be ordained by the laying on of the
liands by the ministry present." There being no minister in the Eldership
willing to serve Ft. Wayne, the Board of Missions was directed "to correspond
with any minister who would desire to serve" said mission, and to "secure a
minister as soon as possible." Committees were appointed on Ministerial Asso-
ciation, Sunday-school Convention, and a "Board of Sisters' Mission" elected.
A blank form was adopted for reports of ministers, containing twenty different
items. The Report of the Stationing Committee contained six circuits, with an
aggregate of forty-one preaching points. There were three General Evangelists,
two General Missionaries and one Colporteur and General Assisting Minister.
36th Indiana Eldership. — October 3, 1881, was the date when the "thirty-sixth
Annual Convention of the Indiana Eldership of the Church of God" began its
session at Syracuse, Kosciusko county. There were enrolled as present twelve
teaching elders, and nineteen ruling elders and delegates; while six teaching
elders were absent. W. W. Lovett was elected Speaker; I. W. Markley, Clerk, and
I. Schrader, Treasurer. Five minutes were fixed as the limit of "speeches upon the
merits of any question," and "no member shall be allowed more than two
speeches." The Standing Committee was made to consist of five members, de-
feating a motion to make it three, and "the one receiving the highest number of
votes be announced as Chairman of the Committee." The Eldership expressed
itself as in hearty "co-operation with the General Eldership in carrying forward
its plans and purposes in the erection of the college building enterprise." It ex-
pressed its conviction that "an educated minister is necessary in order to the con-
version of sinners and the building up of the church of the living God." It also
concurred fully with all the other actions of the General Eldership; welcomed the
General Collecting Agent for missionary funds, and advised "the brotherhood to
contribute liberally to the work." The Eldership evidently felt that it had been
insulted by the sending of certain documents to it from a minister of the German
Indiana Eldership 439
Eldership, and it gave evidence of its resentment by adopting a motion. by B. Ober
that "said documents be laid under the table." Misappropriation of "the Super-
annuated money on hand to the mission debt" was prevented by a motion by I. W.
Markley "that we loan said money to the Board of Missions." The "missionary
moneys on hand "were appropriated" to the benefit of the Fort Wayne Mission."
The Eldership was pronounced "one of the best we have enjoyed for a number of
years. The wounds are fast healing over, and the joy and peace of former years
are returning to our much-loved Zion. All hail to the few who have stood the
storm."
37th Indiana Eldership. — When the session of the Indiana Eldership began
on Monday morning, as it did in 1882, the members gathered on the Saturday
previous. So Saturday evening, September 30th, and Sabbath, October 1, 1882,
"were spent in religious services, preaching being had by E. Miller and William
Booth, J. Bunipus delivering the Annual Sermon." Monday morning, October 2nd,
the Eldership was constituted, after which W. W. Lovett was chosen Speaker; I.
W. Markley, Clerk, and I. Schrader, Treasurer. The Sisters' Board of Missions,
formerly elected by the Eldership, after making its report, was discontinued. It
was declared to "have done efficient work in the interest of the mission work in
the Indiana Eldership." The Board of Missions of the General Eldership having
secured the services of I. W. Markley as General Missionary Collecting Agent, the
Eldership reluctantly consented to release him, and expressed its "entire confi-
dence in him," and strongly commended "him to the confidence of the entire
brotherhood." "Prohibition of the manufacture and sale of intoxicating drinks
as a beverage" was unanimously approved, as was "the submissidn of the pro-
posed amendment to the State Constitution to the vote of the people at a special
election." The Eldership strongly insisted on "the duty of all ministers to collect
funds on their work when required by the Eldership to do so," and "those who
refuse, or neglect to do so, shall be deemed derelict in their duty to this Eldership,
and shall be called in question for such indifference." There were seven fields of
labor, of which two were missions. There were also appointed one General Mis-
sionary, one General Evangelist and four General Workers.
38th Indiana Eldership. — As women could be ordained to the ministry in the
Indiana Eldership and also represent churches as delegates, they enjoyed all other
rights of members of the body. At the Eldership which convened at Beaver Dam,
Kosciusko county, October 1, 1883, Libbie B. Shanks, Sarah Thomson, Elizabeth
Mowrey, Eliza Jane Beaver, Eliza F. Komp and Caroline Bamett were delegates,
and Libbie B. Shank was chairman of the Committee on Temperance, whose Re-
port recommended "that the ministers and laity of the Church of God make dili-
gent use of all legitimate means to educate the public sentiment in favor of tptal
abstinence from all alcoholic drinks, and that all who have the right to vote see
that they vote for no man for office, nor support any party Which will not openly
oppose a legalized liquor traffic, and favor the prohibition of the manufacture,
sale and use of all intoxicants as a beverage." This was the Eldership's answer
to the liquor men, who had formed "The Liquor League and Anti-Prohibition
Party." The Committee also expressed its detestation of "the use of tobacco in
all its various forms," as "the use of the poisonous narcotic is an extravagant,
filthy and useless habit," and "entreated those of the ministry who are addicted
to the use of tobacco to free themselves from this filthiness of the flesh." The or-
ganization of the Eldership was effected by the election of I. Schrader, lay elder,
for Speaker; I. W. Markley, Clerk, and J. Simonton, Treasurer. The organization
of local Missionary societies was encouraged, and they were urged "to hold their
regular meetings and make every effort to raise funds to carry on the general
mission work of the Church." Two teaching elders during the year had gone
"Where love has put off in the land of its birth
The stains it had gathered in this."
These two "beloved brethren" were Z. Garrison, Sr., and J. Walters. The last
evening of the session was "set apart for memorial services in honor of their
memory." After appointing one General Evangelist, one Missionary at Large
and five General Workers, the Eldership defined a General Evangelist to be "a
co-worker with the circuit preachers, and should assist them when called upon
to do so, and to look up neglected points and organize new ones."
39th Indiana Eldership. — So large a proportion of ruling elders and delegates
seldom constituted an. Eldership as did so when the Indiana Eldership was organ-
ized at Oak Grove, Whitley county, Ind., September 29, 1884. There were forty-
440 History of the Churches of God
five members enrolled as present, of which thirty-two were lay members. Eight
ministers were absent. A layman was elected Speaker — I. Schrader; a minister
was chosen Clerk — W. W. Lovett, and J. Simonton, lay elder. Treasurer. There
were no women enrolled as delegates, but seven were received and "made mem-
bers during the present session." Two of them were placed on the Committee on
Temperance, one on the Committee on Obituaries, and one of them, Maria B.
Woodworth, was granted a license to preach. The Licensing Committee was
given permission "to recommend persons worthy of exhorter's license, and such
license shall be issued to them." A Sunday-school Evangelist was provided for,
whose duty was to visit as far as possible all the churches of the Eldership, to or-
ganize Sunday-schools where there are none, and encourage those that are." J. C.
Smith was appointed by the Eldership to this office. The Report of the Committee
on Temperance made it "the duty of every minister during the coming year to
preach a sermon or give a lecture, or cause a sermon or lecture to be given, at all
his appointments against intemperance." The "wives of our ministers and dele-
gates" were "requested to use their influence to secure the teaching of temper-
ance in all our Sunday-schools." The importance of pastoral visitation was
emphasized by the adoption of a resolution making it "the duty of all ministers
in charge of circuits or stations to visit all the members of said charge at least
four times each year." Every minister was required "to attend the Sunday-
School Convention, unless providentially hindered." The Eldership rejoiced "in
the success that has attended the efforts of the churches in the past year." The
Treasurer was required to give bond in the sum of $1,000.00. There were seven
circuits and one mission — Doann. Mrs. M. B. Woodworth was appointed Eldership
Evangelist. Some of the money in the funds of the Eldership were diverted, and
were appropriated to Ft. Wayne Mission as "borrowed."
40th Indiana Eldership. — The Eldership which convened at Union, Union
township, Huntington county, Monday morning, September 28, 1885, had some-
thing of a thanksgiving festival over the preceding Sabbath, closing with the Open-
ing Sermon in the evening by J. Bunipus. "For the work thus accomplished,"
they said, "we give to God, the Great Head of the church, all the glory and honor."
"It has been a work of which any people may well be glad and thankful." And
while they "rejoiced in the success of the past," their "hearts were filled with
hope for the future." The membership present consisted of thirteen teaching
elders, two exhorters, and twenty-seven ruling elders and delegates. They made
choice of I. W. Markley for Speaker, and W. AV. Lovett, Clerk. The Licensing
Committee was elected, instead of appointed by the Speaker. The three annual
meetings- — Pentecostal, Sabbath-school Convention and Ministerial Association —
were under the supervision of the Eldership, which through appropriate com-
mittees prepared programs and fixed times and places. The liquor traffic was de-
nounced as "a disgrace and a detriment to our civil, social and moral interests, and
a sin against God and the highest interests of humanity," and "an enemy of all
righteousness." It was decided to "sell the Ft. Wayne Mission property, and pay
the debts thereof." "Through the open door of death" the Eldership saw "the
haven" which had beckoned one of their number thence, in the person of 'Wm.
Booth, and it expressed its deep sense of loss in the departure of so useful a min-
ister. The College enterprise and the publications of the Church were cordially
endorsed; while special mention was made of the "Plea of the Church of God,"
the "Centennial Sermon" of R. H. Bolton. The "Publishing House and Book
Rooms" established at Harrisburg shortly before the Eldership convened, was
highly appreciated, and commended "to the liberal patronage of the brethren."
J. E. McColley, who had "dissolved his relation with the Eldership," appeared, gave
his report and was given "a right royal welcome," and "warmly, earnestly and in
the spirit of Christian love and confidence" was reinstated "in his former rela-
tions." Some restraint was thrown around Mrs. Woodworth by advising her "to
conduct her labors in the interest of the Church of God." Funds were quite
limited, as J. Simonton, Treasurer, reported "received in cash, $3.81; Contingent
Fund, $44.62; Superannuated Fund, $3.57; Mission Fund, $16.00." There were
seven circuits, one unsupplied, with Mrs. Woodworth, General Evangelist.
41st Indiana Eldership. — During the year it developed that a small indebted-
ness on "the Adams county church property," which had been placed in the hands
of a committee, made it advisable to effect a sale. And as the debt had "to be
paid immediately" the trustees of the Eldership were authorized to sell the prop-
erty. While such failures had a tendency to dampen the zeal of the body, yet it
Indiana Eldership 441
"was glad in God to learn of the unusually large number of conversions, baptisms,
and accessions that have occurred during the past year." The year ended when
the Eldership convened at Potter's, Allen county, Monday, September 27, 1886.
On the Sunday evening previous F. Komp delivered the Annual Sermon. Only
six of the twenty-five ministers were absent; twenty-nine lay elders and delegates
were present. John Huff, Iowa, Secretary of Findlay College, was in attendance,
which incited the Committee on Education to report a very strong series of resolu-
tions in commendation of the work of the Board of Trustees. The churches were
exhorted to give liberally toward the Endowment Fund. The Christian Mission
Church was represented by Isaac Crago, «vho applied for, and received, license to
preach, along with H. H. Spiher, E. H. Shanks, C. P. Diltz and J. F. Pence. W. W.
Lovett, on a motion, was appointed on Thursday forenoon to "preach a doctrinal
sermon to-night, setting forth the distinctive doctrines of the Church." The Eld-
ership resolved "to do all in our power by voice, example and ballot, and money if
necessary, in order to banish the saloon from our land." No minister had died
during the year, but according to rule or custom the Committee on Obituaries
gave the names and residences of deceased members of local churches "who had:
been transplanted from the church militant to the church triumphant," thirteen
in number. The fields of labor had increased to ten, one being in charge of
Spiher, Evangelist, lying between the two Elderships in the State.
42nd Indiana Eldership. — The Indiana Eldership again honored a layman by
electing Isaac Schrader, Speaker, to preside over the session which began at Col-
umbia City, Whitley county, September 2 6, 18 87. Twenty-two of the thirty teach-
ing elders were present, and thirty-six ruling elders and delegates. W. W. Lovett
was chosen Clerk, and I. W. Markley, Treasurer. Sale of part of the Ft. Wayne
lot was effected "to pay off certain claims against the property and the Eldership,"
and the remaining part of the property was "assigned to I. W. Markley, he making
up the deficit." The Stationing and Standing Committees were composed of five
members each, one on each being a layman. The Woodvvorths, husband and wife,
after their reports, were granted transfers to the Southern Indiana Eldership.
Trustees of the Pleasant Ridge Bethel were instructed to sell the property, as the
"house is not fit for church purposes." Consideration of the interests of Findlay
College was made a special order, J. M. Cassel, of Ohio, College Agent, addressing
the Eldership. Sentiments of approval were voiced in the resolutions. The
churches in some localities had troublfe with "a certain sect, calling themselves
'Saints,' " whom the Eldership charged with "forcibly monopolizing bethels owned
by the local churches of God 'in trust.' " They had thus secured the use of the
house at Beaver Dam "for every alternate Sunday;" but the Eldership did "not
endorse the said compromise," but declared it "null and void." The Eldership
was still not in favor of insisting on "unformity of observing the ordinances."
"New churches," it declared, "are being formed, new houses built, new points are
being taken up, for which we have great reason to be encouraged." The W. C.
T. U. and its work were endorsed, and the body declared that it "will not support
any man for public ottice who will not fearlessly lift his hand and voice against
the great curse of the liquor traffic and in favor of its total prohibition." Though
the property at Ft. Wayne had been assigned, the work had not been abandoned,
for of the ten appointments Ft. Wayne is classed as a station, with AV. W. Lovett
as pastor.
43rd Indiana Eldersliip. — The Act of Incorporation, by direction of the Elder-
ship in 1887, was inquired into by a committee created for that purpose. It re-
ported "the papers on Act of Incorporation too elaborate; some Articles could be
abridged, and others left out altogether." The Committee advised that they
be rewritten, and alterations made. This was done, and at the session of 1888
the "Acts of Incorporation" were readopted. They were called "Articles of Asso-
ciation," and declared "the object of this Association is to be the annual confer-
ence of the Indiana Eldership of the Church of God, convened for the purpose of
transacting business pertaining to said conference: For the better control of its
members; the dissemination of Bible truth; to organize local churches; to pur-
chase, hold and convey real estate for religious, educational and benevolent pur-
poses, and to protect and keep the same in good repair." Art. II. repeats the
name and place of residence of each subscriber. The third Article fixes the mem-
bership— "all the teaching and ruling elders — ;" gives during the Interim between
sessions all power to a Standing Committee of five, and specifies the officers and
outlines their duties. This brief Act was approved by the "Association." The
442 History of the Churches of God
business of the session, which was held at Syracuse, Kosciusko county, beginning
October 1, 1888, was conducted by the re-elected officers of 1887, and J. Bunipus,
Treasurer. E. Miller had preached the Opening Sermon on Sunday evening
previous. Seventeen ministers were present, and eleven absent, with thirty-two
ruling elders and delegates. During the year A. Aiislemire entered into his final
rest, having the confidence and esteem of all his fellow ministers. "Sister B. D.
Masters passed a favorable examination," and "a license was granted" her. While
the funds were meager, the Eldership cheerfully "apportioned the General Elder-
ship mission money" to the different churches. These churches were by name
included in the ten fields of labor, and numbered forty. "Port Wayne Mission"
was part of the Zanesville circuit.
44th Indiana Eldership. — While at the Eldership held at Butler, DeKalb
county, beginning September 28, 1889, only thirteen of the twenty-seven ministers
were present, there were in attendance thirty ruling elders and delegates. These
controlled the election, and for the third time in succession elected one of their
number, Isaac Schrader, to preside. W. W. Lovett for the sixth session, except
when in 18 86 he was Speaker, was chosen for Clerk. The Pentecostal meeting,
the Ministerial Association and the Sunday-school Convention continued under
the control of the Eldership. While "the Board of Missions reported nothing
done during the year," the body strongly urged "the ministers and churches to
put forth all possible effort to extend the borders, hold all the points of work now
in possession, and gain new ones." The Women's Home Mission Society "had
been doing good work," which was approved and commended. Josephine Woods
was "appointed to look to the organization" of societies throughout the Elder-
ship. The Board of Missions was empowered "to appoint missionaries and levy
assessments as they deem necessary for the extension of our Zion." Arrange-
ments were agreed upon to select "a course of reading for all ministers under
five years' membership." To make surer of having loyal men on its fields of
labor, the Eldership decided "to appoint no man to fill appointments who is not
in harmony with the rules and practices of this Eldership." On education and
the College there was a strong favorable sentiment which was embodied in a few
suitable resolutions. The publications of the General Eldership were heartily
endorsed. Two ministers were adjudged "untrue to the doctrines and practices
of the Church," and declared "unworthy of our fellowship." The Eldership voted
in favor of "the enactment of laws prohibiting the sale and use of intoxicating
liquors." "The increase of membership during the past year, the occupation of
new fields, the erection of new houses of worship and remodeling of old ones,"
the Committee on the State of Religion declared gave "unmistakable evidence of
the zeal and spirituality which characterize the ministry." Leaving Ft. Wayne
"unsupplied," the Stationing Committee made appointments to ten other fields of
labor, with two "Helpers," one "General Evangelist" and one "General Solicitor,"
whose duty it was "to see that the various assessments are collected." The addi-
tion of four newly licensed ministers to the Roll gave the Eldership men enough
for its territory.
45t.h Indiana Eldership. — The Indiana Eldership did not look with approval
on the action of the General Eldership in 1890 relative to the order in which the
twin ordinances of God's house should be observed. No opposition, however, was
made on the floor of the General Eldership; but when the matter was brought
before the Annual Eldership session, held at Collamer, Whitley county, beginning
September 27, 1890, it "was indefinitely postponed by an aye and nay vote." W.
AV. Lovett, who was President of the General Eldership in 1890, and endorsed its
action on the subject, was also President of the Indiana Eldership in 1890, and
J. A, Wood was the Clerk, and J. Bunipus, Treasurer. There were twenty-eight
ministers in attendance and thirty ruling elders and delegates. "Routine busi-
ness was the order, with no discussions of interest." The majority of the mem-
bers of the Eldership were apparently sensitive on the question of the order of
the ordinances, and indisposed to consider the recommendation of the General
Eldership on the subject. When the resolution was introduced, "That we advise
ministers and churches of the Indiana Eldership that they conform to the advice
of the General Eldership in the observance of the ordinances," it was first "or-
dered laid on the table." There were eleven appointments, and thirty-four
churches.
46th Indiana Eldership. — Temporary "hurt to the Eldership" followed the
action of 1890 on the order of the ordinances, and "lines of division are being
Indiana Eldership 443
drawn." This fact doubtless accounted for the absence of sixteen of the thirty-
one ministers from the session of 1891. "A goodly delegation of ruling elders
and delegates was present." The body convened at Auburn, DeKalb county, Sep-
tember 26, 1891, remaining in session until the 28th. The officers elected were —
President, I. W. Maikley; Clerk, W. W. Lovett; Financial Clerk, Isaac Schrader;
J. Biimpus, Treasurer. Interest centered to quite an extent on the delinquency
on Mission Fund assessments by the General Eldership. It verified the scriptural
principle of "guilty in one thing, guilty in all." The spirit of non-co-operation
spreads. "Many of the ministers of the Eldership are too careless as to this
Fund," is the Correspondent's comment. And he added: "A revolution as to
collecting this Fund in the Eldership must in some way be brought around."
"Nothing was done as to the non-co-operation of certain ministers of the Elder-
ship with regard to the usages of the general body." During the year occurred
the death of Mrs. Elizabeth McCoUey, who was licensed to preach in 1863. Mem-
orial services were held, and suitable expressions of esteem were entered on the
Journal. There were thirteen fields of labor, with a total of thirty churches; but
for want of active ministers some fields were unsupplied. Provision was made
by the Eldership for the Ministerial Association, Sunday-school Convention and
Pentecostal meeting.
47th Indiana Kldership. — During the Eldership year 1891-2 the Board of
Trustees carried into effect the action of the Eldership in 1891, authorizing the
sale of the Ft. Wayne Mission property. It was sold on April 8, 1892, to the
Plymouth Congregational church, for $2,725. This sum, minus expenses, was
"converted into a Permanent Church Extension Fund." . The session of the Elder-
ship was held at Olive Branch Bethel, Miami county, where the Opening Sermon
was preached on Sunday evening, September 24, 1892, by J. liumpus. On Mon-
day morning the Eldership convened for business, when the enrollment showed a
membership of twenty-eight ministers and twenty-seven ruling elders and dele-
gates. The ballot for officers resulted in the choice of I. W. Markley for Presi-
dent; S. W. Shultz, Clerk; J. Buinpus, Treasurer. The Licensing Committee was
elected, instead of being appointed by the President. A Pentecostal meeting,
Sunday-school Convention and Ministerial Association were provided for. The
three funds were low, the Contingent Fund being 84 cents overdrawn; Building
Fund had a credit of $71.4.5, and the Mission Fund was square. The Eldership
declared that it "will vote and pledge our utmost endeavors, religiously, socially,
politically and financially, against the sale and use of intoxicating liquors." It
was "delighted over the growing sentiment in the Church in favor of a better edu-
cated ministry," and believed it to be the "bounden duty of the Eldership to urge
in every laudable way our young men contemplating the ministry to secure for
themselves the advantages offered by a liberal education." The state of religion
was "encouraging and hopeful," and there was "an increase of substantial mem-
bers, with a bright outlook for the future." An assessment of $152.00 was made
on the churches for missionary purposes. Five specific "duties were required of
all ministers receiving charges." These were: 1. To preach two sermons on
temperance at each appointment. 2. To urge all members to read the Church
literature. 3. To visit every family of his charge twice during the year. 4. To
hold quarterly meetings, at which all matters of differences shall be adjusted and
the minister's salary paid up. 5. Assist in organizing W. M- societies at all
the appointments. The Treasurer's bond was fixed at $4,000.00. There was one
station, and the balance of the territory was divided into seven circuits. J.
Rumpus was the General Evangelist, and N. W. Fuller, General Missionary. The
Eldership was "the most pleasant and profitable held for a number of years."
48th Indiana Eldership. — The forty-eighth session of the Indiana Eldership
was in a number of particulars dissimilar from previous ones. The attendance
was large — twenty-one ministers and twenty-four ruling elders and delegates, four
of them women. An unprecedented number of prominent subjects were discussed
■ at length, and actions taken with great unanimity. The body convened at Trinity
Chapel, Wells county, October 2. 1893. The Annual Sermon was delivered on
Sabbath evening, October 1st, by I. AV. Markley. W. W. Lovett was elected
Speaker; Lewis B. Fretz, Clerk. The plan to raise funds for the liquidation of
the College debt adopted by the General Eldership was approved, and each pastor
was instructed to solicit $1.00 per member of each church on his field. The
Report on Temperance of the General Eldership was adopted. Instead of taking
action on the proposition changing the name, style and title of Elderships, a reso-
444 History of the Churches of God '
lution was agreed to, asking "the East Pennsylvania Eldership to publish through
The Advocate, or otherwise, its reasons for the request to change its style and
title, that we may intelligently act thereon." On "the itinerant system" the con-
viction was expressed "that said system should be continued by us as a people."
The question of Life Certificates of Ordination, submitted by the General Elder-
ship, was carefully considered, and a resolution adopted, "that it is the sense of
this Eldership that the yearly renewal of licenses is preferable." The "ordination
o'f ministers by the laying on of hands" was "disapproved, esteeming the giving of
a license to preach the gospel and perform all the functions of the ministry to be
sufficient ordination in every particular." The amount of the Ft. Wayne Mission
Fund aggregated $2,644.93. Other Funds were comparatively low. The appoint-
ments consisted of five stations and five circuits, two of them unsupplied. J.
Bumpus was appointed General Missionary; J. E. McColley, General Evangelist;
T. H. Stewart, General Worker; W. W. Lovett, General Superintendent. The
state of religion as reported was such as to "impress the Eldership with the
thought that there are many reasons for great rejoicing and hopeful anticipa-
tions." The ministers received better support; various "points have gained in
membership."
49th Indiana Eldership. — Prosperous conditions prevailed throughout a great
part of the territory of the Indiana Eldership following the session of 1893. The
work of the Eldership in 1894 was, therefore, taken up with "zeal, energy and in
a Christ-like spirit." The meeting was held at Potter's Station, Allen county,
from September 30th to October 2nd, inclusive. The eleven fields of labor were
represented by twenty of the twenty-seven teaching elders and twenty-nine ruling
elders and delegates. J. W. Bloyd was made President; J. E. McColley, Jr., was
chosen Clerk; Wm. Schrader, Treasurer. A "membership fee of 25 cents' was
collected. The Church Building Fund had to its credit $130.35; the General Mis-
sion Fund, $45.47; the Permanent Mission Fund, $146.00. The deferred question
of Eldership titles was acted upon, and it was decided that "the Eldership of the
Church of God be deemed the proper title." The amount of "$1,000.00 of Findlay
College debt was assumed, to be paid on or before ten years, giving note bearing
6 per cent, interest," and "a man be placed in the field to secure notes and pledges
to bear 6 per cent, interest." The Eldership was to have a scholarship of
$1,000.00, which was an objectionable feature to other Elderships, and required
adjustment. Geo. E. Komp was named as collector. Assessments for the Mission
Fund were made on the twenty-eight churches of the eleven appointments, amount-
ing to $473.00. These "assessments are to be collected by the ministers in charge
of the several churches on or before the annual meeting of the Eldership."
50th Indiana Eldership. — Internal evidence clearly indicates that the Indiana
Eldership was a well organized body. It had all the interests of the Church under
good control. Among its members were ministers as well as laymen who brought
to its business management not only a sound judgment, but practical administra-
tive experience, and a determination to subordinate other considerations to
efficiency. It early in its history provided a Committee on Business, which kept
diligent watch over the proceedings, and saw to it that no interests were over-
looked. This was the case at the session which was held at Oak Grove Bethel,
Whitley county, beginning September 30, 1895. As this was Monday, the mem-
bers gathered on Saturday, and there was preaching on Saturday evening by M.
S. Hemniinger; Sabbath morning, by I. W. Markley, and on Sabbath evening the
Opening Sermon was delivered by J. Bumpus. Twenty-seven ministers and thirty-
seven ruling elders and delegates were enrolled. The election resulted in the
choice of I. W. Markley for President; Geo. E. Komp, Clerk, and William Schrader,
Treasurer. The sisters were active in mission work, having organized local so-
cieties under the Eldership Woman's Missionary Society, which was required to
report to the Eldership. The Eldership also had under its control the Ministeriil
Association, Sunday-school Convention and Pentecostal meeting, and appointed
committees, arranged the programs and appointed preachers. Opposition and
criticism make friends. The more so if there is no evidence of resentment, and
one goes on in the line of duty contemplating it with callous patience and Christian
fortitude. And so when other Elderships closed their doors against Mrs. Wood-
worth, and prominent ministers assailed her, the Indiana Eldership, from which
she received her first license, "recognized her successful efforts," testified to "the
great number of her friends," and "most heartily invited her and her co-workers
to come as soon as possible and hold a series of meetings within the bounds of the
Indiana Eldership 445
Indiana Eldership." The Eldership had "a delinquent debt" caused by "churches
failing to pay in their full assessments," and to protect faithful churches directed
the Clerk to give them receipts in full, and thus "release them from future respon-
sibility as to the payment of the delinquent debt." Censure was threatened upon
any minister or church refusing to provide for the payment of arrearages. The
use of "unfermented wine for the Lord's table" was encouraged. The Treasurer
was required to give bond in the sum of $5,000.00. The assets of the Eldership
were notes to the amount of $2,496.45, Permanent Mission Fund; Mission Fund
receipts, $220.50; General Eldership Mission Fund, $80.66, and Church Building
Fund, $15 5.3 5. On the questions submitted to the Annual Elderships by the Gen-
eral Eldership it was decided that the delegates be "instructed that we are satis-
fied with our present title;" that they "go uninstructed regarding ordination of
ministers." There were nine fields of labor, with twenty-nine appointments. J.
E. McColley, Sr., was made the General Evangelist, and H. A. Croy, General
Missionary.
51st ludiana Eldership. — The fact that at this time the Indiana Eldership
had but nine fields of labor, or but nine of its t-jventy-seven ministers were in the
active work, probably accounts for the fluctuations in the number present at dif-
ferent Elderships. Eighteen were in attendance in 1896; but there were thirty-
two lay delegates, of which number at least four were sisters. The Eldership con-
vened "with the church at Blue Ridge, Whitley county, on Saturday, September
26, 1896." On Sunday evening the Annual Sermon was delivered by M. S. Hem-
Tninger. The body was organized by the election of J, W. Bloyd, President; I. W.
Markley, Clerk; Wm. Schrader, Treasurer. The delegates to the General Elder-
ship were required to report, and "J. Biimpus gave a glowing account of said
meeting." On certain questions on which the General Eldership had at times
acted, the Indiana Eldership was more than sensitive. This spirit developed on
the part of some with reference to the change in Eldership titles made by the Gen-
eral Eldership in 1896, and it was moved by J. E. McColley, Sr., that "we retain
the old title;" but "the motion was lost," and one adopted, on motion of I. W.
Markley, agreeing to "the title as fixed by action of the late General Eldership of
the churches of God." The preachers were authorized "upon entering on their
fields to call together the church councils, and enter into contracts with them;"
and said contracts were to be placed on file with the Secretary of the Standing
Committee for approval." "Many appointments" having been "lost by ministers
dropping them," the Eldership insisted "that ministers shall not quit serving an
appointment without being properly released by the Standing Committee." By
some rearrangement of circuits, the number was reduced to eight.
52nd Indiana Eldership.- — During the year additional reasons were furnished
the Indiana Eldership for standing in defense of Mrs. Woodworth. The Board of
Missions of the General Eldership in June, 1897, made it a condition to the appro-
priation of missionary money to any point in the Southern Indiana Eldership that
said "Eldership withdraw its relationship from Sister M. B. Woodworth." Con-
siderable indignation was felt at this action by the Indiana Eldership, and at its
session held at Evergreen Bethel, Whitley county, beginning Saturday, September
25, 1897, a resolution embodying a strong "protest against the action of the
Board" was adopted. Preaching on Saturday evening by M. S. Hemminger; Sab-
bath morning by President C. Manchester, and the Annual Sermon in the evening
by I. W. Markley. When the Eldership was constituted on Monday morning
twenty-four ministers and forty-one lay delegates were enrolled. Of the latter six
were women. W. W. Lovett was elected Speaker; J. E. McColley, Jr., Clerk; W.
J. Beatty, Treasurer, and G. E. Komp, Financial Clerk. There was general re-
joicing over the spiritual condition of the churches and the progress made during
the year. The mini^rs gave "glowing reports" of the year's work. Y. P. S.
C. E. work was taken up by the churches to such an extent that instructions were
given the Committee on Program to consider the societies in arranging the pro-
gram for the Sunday-school Convention. The Eldership having decided to give
licenses to exhorters, one person was granted such a license. AVilliam S. Vaught,
a minister of the Baptist Church, was ordained, who, with L. A. Luckenbill, "was
formally ordained by the laying on of hands." The eight fields of labor had
twenty-five preaching places. Four ministers were appointed "General Evan-
gelists," and fifteen "General Missionaries."
53rd Indiana Eldership. — Indications of progress during the year 1897-8 are
reflected in the deeper interest felt in the session of the Eldership in 1898. It
440 History of the: Churches of God
was held at Columbia City, Whitley county, September 24th to 28th, and was at-
tended by thirty-one ministers and forty-three ruling elders and delegates. There
was one minister, J. R. Omwig, added by transfer from the Michigan Eldership;
and J. H. Bloyd, an ordained minister of the United Brethren Church, was received
and licensed. W. W. Lovett was elected President; J. K. McColley, Jr., Clerk; L.
A. Luckenbill, Financial Clerk; W. J. Beatty, Treasurer. The President of Findlay
College, C. Manchester, was made welcome by a cordial reception, and by appro-
priate resolutions in favor of "co-operation with him and the authorities of the
College in liquidating the indebtedness on said institution." The number of
charges was nine, with a total of twenty-four churches. The Eldership nad a
season of religious services and preaching on Saturday evening and through the
Sabbath preceding the business session on Monday morning. On Sabbath evening
the members, with the church at Columbia City, listened to the Opening Sermon,
by George E. Komp. Commendable interest was taken in Christian Endeavor
work. The Convention was held in connection with the Ministerial Association,
at which these questions were canvassed: "The objective in C. E. Work;" "the or-
ganization of C. E. societies in the churches of this Eldership;" "plans of work;"
"how can ministers aid in C. E. Work," and "the organization of C. E. societies in
the churches of this Eldership, how effected."
54th Indiana Eldership. — The Indiana Eldership had its dissensions and
troubles. These sometimes were the result of doctrinal differences, and at other
times they grew out of personal antagonisms. Not even all ministers display that
moderation and restraint, or that balance and reasonableness which are wholly
convincing as to the integrity of their conduct. But the Eldership, after being
vexed for several years by scandal-mongers, decided to put an effectual check upon
their disturbing influence. At the session held at Helmer, beginning October 2,
189 8, a resolution was adopted, declaring that "the Eldership will hear no griev-
ances from any one, in any of its future sessions, that have not been preferred in
the form of charges at the stipulated time previous to the Eldership, or the time
of trial." This was no immunity to guilty parties, but a measure to close the
mouths of whisperers whose love of the brethren was only "hate grown cold."
When these are brought to the test their complaints are evidential of a degree of
evasion and an economy in the truth that is something characteristic. Hence, the
further plain, caustic language employed: "Any one coming to the Eldership for
the purpose of slandering, or of crippling the influence of any of the members,
shall receive the censure of the entire body, and be invited to go home." Review-
ing the proceedings of the session a devoted worker expressed the hope "that right
has prevailed in everything done, and that God's name has been glorified." He
voiced its opposition "to any change made in the basis for delegates to the General
Eldership." The number of reported conversions during the year was 156; bap-
tized, 70; accessions to the churches, 149. The number of fields of labor as ar-
ranged by the Stationing Committee was nine, all supplied with pastors. The
officers of the session were as follows: Speaker, George E. Komp; Clerk, J. E.
McColley, Jr.; Financial Clerk, L. A. Luckenbill. The W. M. S. had reported sixty
members.
55th Indiana Eldership. — The interest in the sessions of some of the Elder-
ships this year was increased by the presence, preaching and addresses of the
College Agent, J. C. Forncrook. This was the case at the Indiana Eldership,
where he preached on Sunday morning, and in the ev-ening the Opening Sermon
was delivered by A. McClellen. Fomcrook was also given an hour during the
session "to present the interests of Findlay College." The Eldership convened in
the Silver Creek Bethel, Fulton county, October 1, 1900, with quite a full attend-
ance. Among the lay delegates were three sisters, who were assigned on com-
mittees. The officers elected were A. McClellen, President; ^. R. Gano, Clerk; Ij.
A. Luckenbill, Financial Clerk; W. J. Beatty, Treasurer. Assessments had been
made for General Eldership Missionary and Contingent Funds, and all paid in full
except seven churches. On temperance, the Eldership regarded "the sin of in-
temperance the greatest curse of the present age;" that "the liquor traffic can not
be legalized without sin," and resolved "to do all that is within our power, in
accord with God's word, to suppress this great evil." "Quite a number of con-
versions, baptisms and additions to the churches" was reported. An exceptional
action was taken relative to articles in The Advocate on "Mesmerism," "Hypno-
tism," "and other kindre^ subjects," in which the author's name was mentioned.
It was common to refer names of ministers to the Standing Committee, because
Indiana Eldership 447
of failure to report, four being thus referred at this Eldership. Not infrequently
this resulted in the forfeiture of their licenses. Fourteen fields of labor were re-
ported by the Stationing Committee; but five were connected with other fields to
secure enough pastors. There were, however, nine "General Missionaries."
56th Indiana Eldership. — The Roll of members "composing the Eldership"
in 1901 contained the names of twenty ministers and thirty lay delegates. Min-
isters were enrolled as "Ministerial delegates." The session was held at Mt. Tabor
Bethel, Kosciusko county, September 29th to October 2nd. L. A. Luckenbill
preached the Opening Sermon on the evening of September 2 8th. A. McClellen was
elected President; 15. D, Eden, .Journalizing Clerk; L. A. liuckenbill, Financial Sec-
retary; AV. J. Beatty, Treasurer. The Eldership had $1,800.00 in notes in its Per-
manent Mission Fund, and nearly $1,000.00 in mortgages and cash. The Church
Building Fund had $208.61. The Appoortionment Committee, in addition to the
usual assessments, was authorized "to make an assessment to meet the expenses of
delegates to the General Eldership in 1902;" but the Committee recommended that
the expenses be paid out of "the interest on the Permanent Mission Fund." There
seemed to be no objection, or protest, against such a use of missionary funds.
"Good work was done during the year for the Master, and there was advancement
made in all lines of Church work. There were quite a number of conversions and
accessions." Threatened division of the church at Olive Branch, owing "to certain
influences working against the brotherhood and former pastor," was averted by
prompt and decisive action to "rescue the church from the leadership" of non-co-
operative persons. Renewed complaints were voiced in resolutions against the
writings of certain parties whose articles in The Advocate were giving offense.
Any church "going beyond the borders of the brotherhood to procure a pastor"
was declared to be "non-co-operative and liable to the censure of the body."
57th Indiana Eldership. — To devote the first half day of the session of an
Eldership to a "spiritual social service" was wholly unique. This was the case
at the Indiana Eldership in 1902. The members gathered at Oak Grove, Whitley
county, on Saturday, September 28th. Preaching on Saturday evening by B. D.
Eden; Sabbath morning, by J. Bumpus, and the "annual address was delivered by
A. McCIellon on Sabbath evening." The Eldership convened on Monday morning,
and "the entire forenoon was taken up by an unusually interesting and spiritual
social service." After constituting the Eldership, composed of twenty-six min-
isterial and forty-four lay delegates, a newly organized church in Michigan, and
one at Akron, Ind., were received. In the list of ministerial delegates are the
names of two sisters — Emma Isenberg and Maria B. W. Etter. J. E. McColley was
chosen President; I. W. Markley, Clerk; L. A. Luckenbill, Financial Clerk; W. J.
Beatty, Treasurer. The Permanent Mission Fund had to its credit $2,300.00 in
notes, and $685.90 in cash. A "membership fee" was required, and was increased
from 25 cents to 50 cents; "and no name to appear on the Roll unless the fee is
paid." "Strong and earnest co-operation on all lines" was affirmed to be "abso-
lutely necessary to the preservation and perpetuation of the Eldership." "Sec-
tionalism" was declared to be"dangerous," as well as "a spirit of secession." Hence,
the action of the General Eldership in May, 1902, was "endorsed," and "any dis-
loyalty to the General Eldership" was "discountenanced." "The second-work of
grace," the body regarded as "not in accordance with the former teachings of the
churches of God." Strongly denouncing the liquor traffic, the Eldership also "ap-
pealed to the Christian spirit of every brother that uses tobacco, in the name of
God and in behalf of purity, to abstain from its use." The "$5.00 membership
fee charged an applicant receiving license from this Eldership" was reduced to
$1.00. Of the twelve fields of labor two were to supply themselves, one having
Emma Isenberg for pastor. F. M. Her was appointed Eldership Evangelist, with
an appropriation of $150.00 out of the Permanent Mission Fund. He was to
devote his entire time to the work, under the direction of the Standing Committee.
58th Indiana Eldership. — The notable historic event of the ecclesiastical year
1902-3 was the perfecting of arrangements by the Standing Committees of the
two bodies for the union and consolidation of the Indiana and the Southern In-
diana Elderships. The Committees met at Idaville, August 13, 1903, and came
to a final decision, whereby it was agreed that both Elderships should hold their
annual sessions, and that "the ministers of the Southern Indiana Eldership unite
with the Indiana Eldership by transfer, and that the Trustees of the Southern
Indiana Eldership transfer the property of the aforesaid Eldership to the Trustees
of the Indiana Eldership." Accordingly, when the Indiana Eldership convened
448 History of the Churches of God
at Sugar Grove, Noble county, on Saturday, September 26, 1903, the ministers of
the Southern Indiana Eldership were "received in a body by one Transfer," and
after the organization their names were entered on the official Roll, and they took
part in the work of the Eldership. The Roll of the Indiana Eldership showed the
presence of twenty ministers, and absent eleven, and sixteen ruling elders, and
four delegates. By one Transfer twenty-four ministers were received from the
Southern Indiana Eldership. The Annual Sermon was preached by J. E. McColley.
He was elected President; I. W. Markley, Secretary; L. A, Luckenbill, Financial
Secretary, and W. J. Beatty, Treasurer. As the consolidation of the two Elder-
ships had not been authorized by the General Eldership in 1902, a petition was
adopted requesting it "to give the territory of the Southern Indiana Eldership to
the Indiana Eldership," the said "Southern Indiana Eldership surrendering its
right, name, territory and jurisdiction, and also its ecclesiastical Charter granted
by the said General Eldership." Pour ministers of the Indiana Eldership re-
quested that their names "be taken off the Roll." By previous action the Station-
ing Committee was composed of ruling elders. There had been much needless
friction in the Eldership. The body had "suffered immeasurable harm and injury
as a result of insinuations and slurs cast by those of our number who hold licenses
from this body." Their conduct was severely characterized, as being "contrary
and rebellious to the Bible teaching," and the guilty parties were warned "to desist
on pain of discipline and expulsion." There are evidently among men, even in
religious bodies, two ways of being at variance, of which one is merely quarrel-
some and the other is stimulating. Favorable action was taken on "the proposed
Annual Assembly of the Indiana Eldership," and I. W. Markley and W. R. Covert
were named as a Committee to look after the details. There were twelve fields of
labor in the Indiana Eldership, and the Standing Committee was empowered to
arrange for supplying the six circuits of the Southern Indiana Eldership.
59th Indiana Eldership. — Although the twenty-four members on the Min-
isterial Roll of the Southern Indiana Eldership were "given a transfer to the In-
diana Eldership in 1903," and the list of ruling elders and delegates certified to
by the Clerk, and all were received in 1903 as members of the Indiana Eldership,
the session of the latter body in 19 04 was officially designated as the "First
Annual Meeting of the Indiana Eldership of the Churches of God, United." The
session was held at Syracuse, Kosciusko county, where the ministers and delegates
assembled on Saturday, September 24, 1904. On that evening M. S. Newcomer,
of Illinois, preached; on Sunday morning, C. Ishler, and in the evening "the regu-
lar Annual Address was delivered by E. M. Love. It was a large Eldership, as
forty-four ministers were enrolled, and forty-four lay delegates. Two of the min-
isters and ten or eleven of the lay delegates were women. New "Articles of Asso-
ciation" had been drafted, which were "received, considered and unanimously
adopted." The officers of the previous year were re-elected, the Financial Clerk,
L. A. Luckenbill, by "direction of the body, cast a ballot electing them." Sister
M. B. Newcomer delivered the sermon on Monday evening. The assessments for
the Missionary Fund, amounting to $251.36, were all paid but $21.50, which
"were carried forward." For Contingent Fund, $63.00 were assessed, and all but
$5.10 paid. The "Indiana Assembly or Chautauqua" of 1904 was reported as
"quite a success," and the Eldership decided to extend it, "embracing all Elderships
of the churches of God." There were now twenty fields of labor, including St.
Louis First church; St. Louis Mission, and St. Louis Second church. One of the
active ministers was Emma Isenberg, appointed to Disko circuit. Benton Harbor
and Sodus, Mich., were included in the list of appointments. W. H. Blake, a min-
ister of the M. E. Church, South, who had united with the church of God at St.
Louis, was received into the Eldership, and ordained and appointed to the St.
Louis Mission.
60th Indiana Eldership. — The Indiana Eldership kept before the public the
fact that it had united with it the Southern Indiana Eldership, by having the title
page of its Journal in 1905 to read: "Journal of the Sixtieth Annual Meeting of
the Indiana Eldership, and the Second Annual Meeting of the Indiana Eldership,
United." This was continued for eight years. At this second annual meeting of
the United Eldership the transfer of Eldership property was completed, the In-
diana Eldership receiving eleven deeds from the Southern Indiana Eldership; also
its Protocal and seal, as well as the books of the Financial Clerk and the Treas-
urer, and the Trustees' book. The meeting was held at Idaville, White county,
the first sitting having been had on Monday morning, October 2, 1905. On Sun-
Indiana Eldership 449
day evening previous W. W. Lovett preached the Opening Sermon. A Committee
on Credentials made up the "Eldership Roster," enrolling forty-four ministers and
twenty-eight delegates. The names of women were on the ministerial Roll, and
four on the Roll of delegates. A "membership fee" was taken up at the first
sitting. W. W. Lovett was elected President; I. W. Markley, Clerk; L. A, Lucken-
bill, Financial Secretary; J. D. Aiiglin, Treasurer. Close relations existed between
the Eldership and Woman's Missionary Society, the latter presenting its Constitu-
tion to the Eldership, by which it was approved. Overtures were extended by
the Eldership to "churches located in central Indiana, known as the Conference
Churches of God, who hold a like common faith with us," "to come and unite with
us in church fellowship and co-operation." The "Inter-state Assembly" was ap-
proved, and Elderships in other States invited to join in the movement. Having
no Course of Studies for ministers, the Eldership adopted the "course of reading
in preparation by Findlay College for other Elderships." Regular apportionments
were made for the Missionary and Contingent Funds. The churches within the
territory of the Eldership were urged "to organize Christian Endeavor societies"
as helpful agencies in church work. While the spiritual condition of the churches
was commended, yet "ministers and laity" were recommended to "strive to take
still higher grounds in the religious life, by earnest prayer and work." The read-
ing of the Bible in the public schools was heartily approved. The Eldership ad-
monished all its "people, in the discharge of their Christian duties, to use all the
means in their power to suppress the manufacture and sale of intoxicating
liquors." There were nineteen fields of labor, three of which were not supplied
with pastors; but there were four State Missionaries. The session was regarded
as "a most pleasant and profitable one." "The elements of distraction and de-
struction have been overcome."
61st Indiana Eldership. — On the "Roster" of the sixty-first Indiana Eldership
the members are divided into ministers, of which there were forty-six; ruling
elders, thirty-five, and delegates, four. Two of the ruling elders were women, as
well as two of the ministers. The session was held at Auburn, DeKalb county,
beginning October 1, 190 6. H. H. Spiher preached the Opening Sermon on Sun-
day evening previous. There was preaching on Saturday evening by E. M. JLove,
and on Sabbath morning, by I. AV. Markley. The Official Directory gives the fol-
lowing: President, H. H. Spiher; Clerk, I. W. Markley; Financial Secretary, L. A.
Luckenbill; Treasurer, B. F. Magley. Five members constituted the Standing
Committee; three, the Board of Trustees; five, the Board of Education. All these
were ministers, except the Treasurer. The Trustees during the year had sold the
bethel at Eel River, near Roann. The Standing Committee had "concurred in the
proposition to appoint a commission to arrange plans for the organic union of the
two Woman's General Missionary Societies," and its action was approved by the
Eldership. "Spiritual conditions" were reported "in some places very bad, and
in some places pretty good;" hence the ministers were required to "preach God's
word in its purity, and to live clean lives, for the uplifting of humanity and the
salvation of souls." "All persons entering the ministry in the Indiana Eldership"
were hereafter "required to take the Eldership Course, and pass examinations
before the Board of Education." For others an annual license was provided for.
The Course extended over a period of three years, with six branches in each year,
and an "Entrance Examination" of four branches. The interest felt in education
influenced the Eldership, through its College Committee, L. A. Luckenbill, W. J.
Beatty and J. E. McColIey, to give a note of $2,000.00 to Findlay College, at 3 per
cent, interest. An assessment was to be laid of such amount as to pay the annual
interest, and the principal in ten years. The object was the endowment of "the
Chair of Biblical Training." A Fund was directed to be established, to be known
as "The Indiana Eldership Widows' Fund," and Miss Lula Cook was "constituted
the Solicitor for this Fund during this Eldership year." On temperance the Eld-
ership "urged that our people do all in their power, by preaching, teaching, pray-
ing and voting, to suppress the liquor traffic." Regular accounts with the
churches were kept by the Financial Secretary, and where a church was delinquent
on its assessments, it was charged against it. The Statistical Report for the year
showed the following items: Churches, 38; accessions, 163; baptized, 76; value
of church property, $31,100.00; salaries of pastors, $3,531.06. But nine charges
failed to report the value of church property, and seven, the salaries of the pastors.
Small amounts were paid into the Church Extension Fund by eleven fields of labor.
62nd Indiana Eldership. — The coincidence of a dedication and a session of
C. H.— 16
450 ' History of the Churches of God
the Eldership occurred at Mt. Tabor, where the "newly repaired bethel was re-
opened for divine worship on Sunday morning," C. I. Brown preaching the sermon,
and in the evening "E. M. Love delivered the Annual Address." On Monday
morning, September 30, 1907, the session began, when H. H. Spiher was elected
President; I. W. Markley, Clerk; L. A. Luckenbill, Financial Secretary; W. J.
Beatty, Treasurer. The Committee on Temperance consisted of Emma Isenberg,
Orlan Fleck, Geo. E. Piatt, Mary O. McColley and Emma Gearhart. It declared
that the "liquor traffic is blighting homes, wrecking young men, and, sad to say,
young women, too; breaking mothers' and wives' hearts, causing little children to
become beggars and homeless wanderers on the streets, filling our jails and peni-
tentiaries," and therefore the people of the Church were counseled to "do what
they can in every way to drive this enemy of mankind from our land." The
preachers were "recommended to tell from their pulpits the evil effects of liquor
upon humanity." One minister, J. Hanna, "was called from labor to reward. His
age was 83 years. He had "labored faithfully all these years in the interest of
his Master's cause." He was "respected and loved by all." He had been a mem-
ber of the "White County Conference of the Church of God" the greater part of
his life, where he was instrumental "in bringing many precious souls to a knowl-
edge of the truth." The Treasurer, who was under bond in the sum of $10,000.00,
held balances in the different Funds aggregating $3,854.34. The Board of
Trustees found it necessary to institute legal proceedings against certain disloyal
parties to get "possession of the church property in the town of Akron, Fulton
county." The church property at Indianapolis was also in litigation, but the case
"was settled by compromise," but it cost the Board $384.30. The diversion of
money to uses different from the original intention was disapproved, and money
so used was ordered to be "returned to the Fund so diverted." The Eldersnip
emphatically approved the efforts in progress "to bring about union in our foreign
mission work," through "the duly appointed Commission and the Board of Mis-
sions of the General Eldership." Mission work was directed to be opened in In-
dianapolis "this year, if a suitable man and means can be procured." The Station-
ing Committee, consisting of three laymen and two ministers, made sixteen ap-
pointments, and named four General Evangelists.
eSrd Indiana Eldership. — The "Eldership Roster for 190 8" contained the
names of forty ministers and forty-one elders and delegates. One of the former
and five of the latter were women. The annual session was held at Zanesville,
Wells county, September 26th to 30th, but the first sitting was on Monday morn-
ing, the 28th. Saturday evening and on Sabbath there were preaching services,
the Opening Sermon being delivered Sabbath evening, by J. E. McColley. The
Eldership elected H. H. Spiher, President; J. E. McColley, Clerk; L. A. Luckenbill,
Financial Secretary; W. J. Beatty, Treasurer. Considerable anxiety was expressed
with reference to "the slow growth of the churches of God in the State of In-
diana," and accordingly it was decided to "take action in the election of a Board
of Missions, choosing not less than three of the best business men, with others, to
execute plans, ways and means of gathering funds in behalf of the Permanent
State Missionary and Extension Funds, to swell these Funds to at least $10,000.00,
to the end that we shall be enabled to push the Church work more earnestly and
thoroughly in the State, especially in the cities." A Board of Education was also
to be elected, "whose duty it shall be to make diligent search for young men who
realize a call to the gospel ministry, and to devise ways and secure means in a
financial way and otherwise to assist all worthy persons to enter Findlay Theo-
logical Department and secure a good education." The lawsuit against the
trustees of the church at Idaville was "compromised in consideration of the^sum
of $400.00 paid to said trustees." The spiritual condition of the churches in
southern Indiana was reported to be "poor, and on the decline;" but in the north-
ern part of the State there was "a very marked degree of improvement, and con-
ditions generally compared favorably with, and were even better than in, recent
years." The loss by death of two ministers, "who passed to the heavenly home,"
was deeply felt. These were Joseph Neil and J. W. Swingfellow, "for many years
members of our Eldership." "They did good work for Christ and the Church."
The Eldership gave its "endorsement of the work and agreed to join hands with
every organization that has for its aim the total annihilation of the liquor traffic."
It also condemned "the habitual use of naracotics," as its tendency is "to under-
mine physical health, impair mental activity and impede spiritual growth." And
it enjoined on all "to be temperate in all things." Each minister was "requested
Indiana Eldership 45^
to preach a rousing missionary sermon to his several congregations previous ta
Thanksgiving," suggested by the early departure of Miss Mary Witsaman, one of
their number, as missionary to India.
64th Indiana Eldership. — The work of the General Eldership of 1909 in
finally disposing of the problems connected with the Woman's General Missionary
Societies was cordially approved by the Indiana Eldership. It also "noted with
joy the great success of the Indiana State W. M. S., favored by the Lord, and most
graciously growing in the number of societies, members and strength." But it
realized that "a crisis has come, as we see it, when we must plead for more home
missionary funds for India. Many of our church houses in city and country
are standing idle, with new fields calling for help, and our Eldership is shrinking,
up, as there is a great dearth of available men for our pulpits. "We lack men
because we lack funds." With such sentiments pervading the Eldership, it con-
vened with the church at Shiloh, Daviess county, Saturday, September 26, 1909.
On Sunday evening I. W. Markley delivered the Annual Address. Seventy-eight
names were placed on the "Roster" by the Committee on Credentials. The elec-
tion resulted in the choice of H. H. Spiher for President; I. W. Markley, Clerk; L.
A. Luckenbill, Financial Secretary; W. J. Beatty, Treasurer. The W. M. S. regu-
larly met with the Eldership, and its officers and committees were placed on the
"Official Directory." There was also a Young People's Alliance, which held an
annual meeting at the time and place of the Ministerial Association, the Sunday-
school Convention and the Pentecostal meeting. All were under the direct con-
trol of the Eldership. The presence of O. A. Newlin, Field Secretary of Findlay
College, gave added inspiration touching educational interests. The body ex-
pressed its belief that "Findlay College is doing all in its power to meet the need
of Christian education," and pledged its hearty support to said school. An assess-
ment was made on each church annually for the College, to meet the Eldership
pledge, and each church received credit for amounts paid, and was charged with
its assessments plus any delinquencies. Initial steps were taken to establish a
Church Extension Fund. The Eldership became conscious that it had heretofore
"not paid the attention to Sunday-school work during its sessions that it should,"
and hence decided that "each year there shall be devoted at least two hours one
day to discussing questions pertaining" thereto. The Minutes were also to "give
the enrollment of each Sunday-school." There were thirty-five schools. Each
local church in the Eldership was "urged to open at least one mission work during
this year, looking toward the formation of a new church organization." There
were fourteen fields of labor, but three were unsupplied. J. Bumpus and W. W.
liovett were appointed General Evangelists.
65th Indiana Eldership. — During the year 1909-10 the Board of Trustees
paid on the Eldership's Findlay College Note the sum of $590.00, reducing it to
$1,132.45. It also paid $725.00 to the trustees of the Fort Wayne church of
God, and secured to the Eldership the deed to said property. Its other Funds
were in fair condition, and "the state of religion" was "improving." Under these
more auspicious surroundings the Eldership convened for its sixty-fifth annual
session at Evergreen Bethel, Whitley county, September 24, 1910, J. R. Omwig
preaching on said evening; O. A. Newlin, on Sabbath morning, and L. B. Fretz de-
livered the Annual Address in the evening. The election at Monday morning's
sitting resulted in the choice of H. H. Spiher for President; W. W. Johnson, Clerk;
L. A. Luckenbill, Financial Secretary; W. J. Beatty, Treasurer. At the afternoon
sitting "an earnest sermon, by N. S. Bmndage," was the first item. H. H. Spiher
and L. A. Luckenbill were elected delegates to the World's Christian Conference,
to be held in Philadelphia, November 16-20, 1910. The need of ministers to serve
as pastors was keenly felt by the Eldership, although the "Roster" contained the
names of thirty-eight, and the fields of labor numbered but sixteen. Two of these
the Eldership failed to supply with pastors. Churches were solicited "earnestly
to seek for young men who may realize a call to the gospel ministry, and en-
courage them to take up the work." Money was also needed, as "the fields are
large and the harvest ripe for gathering." In temperance work the chief interest
centered in efforts to prevent "the tearing down of legislation along temperance
lines." Local option was declared a failure by the opponents of temperance legis-
lation, which the Eldership affirmed that "statistics prove is not true." The Eld-
ership endorsed the local option law, and "pledged itself to support the same, at
the same time doing all in our power to make it State and world wide." "At the
ripe age of 81 years, Isaac J. AVhisennand fell asleep in Jesus." For half a cen-
452 History of the Churches op God
tury he had most earnestly contended for what he believed to be the faith de-
livered to the saints. He was an earnest preacher and a hard worker on many
fields of labor in the Eldership. By the payment of $600.00 on the debt of the
chui'ch at Auburn, the Eldership secured a deed in fee simple to said property.
To raise the standard of education in the Eldership, it was "demanded that every
one coming into the Eldership for the purpose of preaching the gospel must com-
plete the Course of Studies prescribed in 1906, or its equivalent." Regular assess-
ments were made by the Committee on Finance on each church for Indiana Con-
tingent Fund, General Eldership Mission Fund, and Contingent Fund, and Findlay
College Fund. A well-matured system of finance characterized the Eldership, and
all its affairs were administered in an orderly manner and upon business prin-
ciples.
66th Indiana Eldership. — While as yet mission work projected for Indianapo-
lis had not been begun, the "Indianapolis Mission Fund" had to its credit $265.70.
One of the drawbacks to successful ministerial work in church building was the
■worldly occupations of ministers. Against this the Eldership noW protested, de-
claring "that, so far as practicable, ministers should have no other occupation."
Keglect of the observance of the ordinances was to be remedied by requiring "each
minister to deliver at least one sermon a year upon the subject of the ordinances,"
and it was recommended that "each church attend to the ordinances at least once
«very quarter." And to increase the spirituality of the churches "each household
in the Eldership be urged to re-establish the family altar of worship." An ag-
gressive spirit was manifested by the Eldership, and it expressed a consuming
desire to see "the work grow and its field of usefulness enlarged, by building up
our present churches and organizing many others in our cities and the country-
sides of this great State." The ministry and churches were "appealed to, to de-
vise ways and means to help in our home field in encouraging a forward mission-
ary movement." The Eldership was presided over by H. H. Spiher; I. W. Markley,
Clerk; M. W. Johnson, Reading Clerk; L. A. Luckenbill, Financial Clerk; W. J.
Beatty, Treasurer. Two ministers who withdrew from the Eldership in 1903,
Alpheus McClellen and E. Tatman, made overtures to return, upon the condition
"that all troubles and variances heretofore existing between this body and them-
selves be buried under the Blood, and remembered no more," and "the Eldersnip
by a rising vote invited them to return." W. W. Welling's naxnjs as a licentiate
■was placed on the Roll, and Sarah A. Waltz received exhorter's license. The Eld-
ership resolved to "agree before God, that at the ballot box and in every other way
it will try to put down the great curse of the rum traffic." During the Eldership
year two ministers, E. M. Love and C. R. Davis, were called to receive "the reward
•of the righteous in the land beyond the river." Memorial services were held in
their honor, and their faithful services were reviewed by those who knew them
best. Love was ordained in 1871, by the Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership,
and came Into the Indiana Eldership when the two were united. Except a few
years spent in Illinois, he labored within the territory of the Elderships in Indiana.
He was a diligent, faithful worker, and a beloved pastor. Davis was first ordained
by the West Ohio Eldership, in 1880; but for the past nine years was a member
of the Indiana Eldership, but lived most of this time in Michigan, where he died.
After making appointments to eleven stations and seven circuits, "the Eldership
spent half an hour in a praise meeting" before final adjournment.
67th Indiana Eldership. — The session of the Indiana Eldership in 1912 re-
viewed the year's work with a measure of gratification. Spiritual conditions were
"better than some years ago," though improvement was possible, and the Elder-
ship aimed "to raise the standard still higher." A "Young People's Union of
Sunday-schools and Christian Endeavor Societies" had been organized, and the
Constitution submitted by the Committee of the Eldership was adopted. It was
a very complete document, always subject to approval by the Eldership, as was
that of the W. M. S. The presence of Viola G. Hershey, returned missionary from
India, gave fresh inspiration to the work of the W. M. S. and the Eldership, with
which it was so closely identified. The session was held at Ari, Allen county, be-
ginning with religious services on Saturday evening, September 2 8th. On Sab-
bath evening W. W. Lovett delivered the Annual Sermon. During the year H. H.
Spiher, President of the Eldership, "resigned and returned his Certificate of Ordi-
nation to the Standing Committee of his own will." Seventy-seven names were
placed on the "Eldership Roster" — 3 6 ministers, 27 ruling elders and 14 delegates
— a majority of which was present. A membership fee of $1.00 was charged. Of-
Iowa Eldership 453
ficers and standing committees and boards were chosen, as follows: President,
W. W. Lovett; Clerk, Thos. M. Funk; Financial Secretary, L, A. Liuckenbill;
Treasurer, W. J. Beatty; Standing Committee, J. E. McColley, J. G. Wise, H. G.
Herendeen, I. W. Markley, Geo. E. Komp; Board of Trustees, I. W, Markley, W.
W. Lovett, Li. a. Luckenbill; Stationing Committee, J. E. McColley, H. G. Heren-
deen (ministers), J. D. Anglin, W. J. Beatty, S. Butt (ruling elders). The num-
bei'' of funds, all in fair condition, evidence the good financial system of the Elder-
ship. These are Indiana Contingent, General Eldership Missionary, G. E. Con-
tingent, Findlay College, Superannuated, Fort Wayne Mission, Permanent Mission,
Church Extension, Widows', Indianapolis. The Eldership kept all interests and
organizations rigidly under its general supervision. The W. M. S., with its own
organization and Constitution and Rules, was in close relation with the Eldership.
It made an annual report to the Eldership, which, with its Minutes, was published
in connection with the Eldership Journal. In like manner the Young People's
Convention and Ministerial Association made an annual report, and the place for
holding the annual meetings was selected by the Eldership. The annual mis-
sionary sermon was preached Monday evening, by J. G. Wise. There were some
"unoccupied church houses" in the Eldership territory, which were "ordered to
be placed in the hands of the Board of Trustees, said Board to use its own discre-
tion as to the disposition thereof." Among these was the church property at
Greensburg, which, however, the trustees "were authorized to sell immediately."
Fart of the Wednesday evening sitting was "set apart for special prayer for
greater union and harmony in all phases of our work throughout the General
Eldership." The adoption of the system of Graded Lessons for use in the Sun-
day-schools was recommended to the General Eldership. Every Sunday-school
was urged to "establish a Teachers' Training Course," and "those only who have
completed the Course to be chosen for teachers." The Eldership affirmed that
"the churches of God in the Indiana Eldership stand as the representatives of the
highest type of citizenship in the communities of the State," and hence the
"Church records itself as being unequivocally opposed to intemperance in all its
departments." The Eldership was not ready to "establish uniformity in the
method of observing the ordinances, the same to be in harmony with, and conform
to, the method approved by the General Eldership," and so "laid on the table" a
resolution to that effect. A Transcribing Clerk was provided for. The Stationing
Committee made appointments to sixteen fields of labor, and appointed six Gen-
eral Evangelists. Three young men "were ordained to the ministry in the Churcti
of God."
V. THE IOWA ELDERSHIP.
1st Iowa Eldership. — Iowa was geographically not connected with the terri-
tory of any other Eldership. While Indiana had no boundaries on the West,
North or South, it could not claim Iowa as part of its territory. Ohio had sent S.
Scott as a "missionary to Iowa," in 184 4. E. Logue was sent to Iowa by the East
Pennsylvania Eldership in 184 5, and reappointed in 184 6, and J. Hawk was ap-
pointed as his colleague in 1847, yet neither of these Elderships claimed jurisdic-
tion over that territory. The brethren were free to act for themselves, except in
so far as they might be subject to the jurisdiction of the General Eldership. But
this question seems not to have been raised. Informally a meeting was arranged
for, to consist "of the teaching and ruling elders of the Church of God in Iowa,
to convene at the home of David Neff, two miles west of Trenton, Henry county,
Iowa, on Monday, the 18th of September, 1848, to hold consultation in reference
to a more orderly system of co-operation as a brotherhood." Six brethren re-
sponded to this call, viz.: teaching elde'rs, Jonathan Hawk, Samuel Scott and
Emanuel Logue; ruling elders, Jacob Smith, John Zentmyer and A. G. McCormick.
After "some deliberations," they "mutually resolved upon forming ourselves into
a regularly organized Eldership of the Church of God in the State of Iowa," and
enrolled "as worthy of membership" the above-mentioned teaching and ruling
elders. Then they elected Jonathan Hawk, Speaker, and Emanuel Logue, Clerk.
Jonathan Hawk was a native of Pennsylvania, and when not traveling a cir-
cuit lived in the Cumberland Valley. He was born the early part of the year
1796; died October 22, 1875. He was one of the early converts under the preach-
454
History of the Churches of God
ing of the United Brethren ministry, before Winebrenner came to Harrisburg, in
the year 1815. When he heard the teaching of AVinebrenner he at once accepted
the truth, and soon began preaching the doctrines of the Church of God. In 1832
he received his first license from the East Pennsylvania Eldership. For about
nine years he served four of the large circuits of the Eldership. In 1841 and
1842 he labored in a local capacity. In 1845 and 1846 he made no report to the
Eldership, but his relation was continued. In 1847 he removed to Iowa, and at
the East Pennsylvania Eldership in October, 1847, he was appointed to the Iowa
Mission. Of limited education, he was a useful minister of the gospel. "He was
a fireside preacher, one who loved to feed the lambs of the flock, and lead them
out." He enjoyed many precious revivals during his active ministry.
Logue offered eight resolutions, which "were considered and agreed to."
These resolutions declare, first, that "the New Testament is the only authoritative
rule of faith and practice in matters of religion, and an all-sufficient law for the
rule and government of the church and people of God." Second, that "no per-
sons are legal subjects or members of the Church of God but those who are born
of God." Third, that "it is the duty of the members of this Eldership, with the
members of the several congregations, to do all they can to extend the borders of
the Church, and to keep the same pure." Fourth, that "this Eldership disapprove
of secret and lodge meetings, such as Masonry, Odd Fellowship, Sons of Temper-
Jonathan Hawk.
ance, etc., and that no persons belonging and attending to those meetings shall be
members of this body." Fifth, that "we approve of a General Eldership, com-
posed of delegates from the several Annual Elderships, and that said General
Eldership should transact such business as is of a general character for the An-
nual Elderships and the General Eldership ; but not to enact laws for the
government of either the Church or the Annual Elderships." Sixth, highly ap-
proving of "Sabbath-schools when properly conducted." Seventh, that "the teach-
ing and ruling elders of the Church are the proper persons to license and recom-
mend to the Church and to the world those who are to preach the gospel and ad-
minister the ordinances of God's house." Eighth, that "no persons are properly
fit for the gospel ministry but those who are experimentally converted to God, and
whose preaching and practice are in harmony with the gospel of Christ and the
practice of the first church." The Eldership also declared in favor of annual
licenses. Of the three teaching elders Logne consented "to travel and preach the
coming year" "in case he could be sustained as such." Hawk and Scott "promised
to preach as local preachers, and assist in holding protracted meetings as much
as they could." Accordingly Logne was by resolution made "the traveling
preacher the coming year," the Eldership promising to "do all we can to see him
sustained." A call was made on the East for traveling preachers "greatly needed
in this new western country." But Logue received "leave of absence from Iowa
till next Spring," thus throwing the whole work on Hawk and Scott.
Iowa Eldership 455
2nd Iowa Eldership. — During the year 1849 emigrants from Pennsylvania
and Ohio reached Iowa in considerable numbers. Among these were M. F.
Suavely and party from the Cumberland Valley, Pa., who left April 18, 1849, and
Jacob Lininger, with half a dozen families from Bedford and Huntingdon counties,
who started westward in October. Both located in Johnson county, Iowa.
Snavely and Lininger were ministers in the East Pennsylvania Eldership. Suavely
reached Iowa in time for the second Eldership, which was again held at the house
of David Neff, near Trenton, Henry county, Iowa, September 17, 1849. Besides
Snavely, Hawk and Scott were the teaching elders enrolled, and Jacob Smith, John
Zentniyer and John McCorniick, ruling elders. Logue had not returned, and the
Eldership resolved that "Elder Logue is highly censurable for taking license from
this Eldership last Fall, and promising to travel as minister the present year, and
then immediately after taking license from the East Pennsylvania Eldership, with-
out asking leave, or obtaining a transfer, thus forfeiting his promise and dis-
appointing the churches." Hawk was elected Speaker, and Scott, Clerk. There
were no applicants for license, and no appointments of preachers were made, as
no one "consented to travel the next year." A resolution was adopted to "use
proper exertions to swell the pledge list in order to sustain a missionary in Iowa."
J. Hawk was appointed "to preach a sermon at the opening of the next Annual
Eldership."
3rd Iowa Eldership. — In 185 0, North Bend, Johnson county, always a strong
point in the Iowa Eldership, entertained that body, which began its brief session
on October 7th. Five names were enrolled as members, viz.: Teaching elders — •
M. F. Snavely, Jonathan Hawk and Samuel Scott. Ruling elders — Jonathan Hawk
and J. McCormick. Hawk was also a minister. He was elected Speaker, and
S. Scott, Clerk. J. Lininger, of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, having removed
to North Bend, made application to become a member, and was received and a
license granted, without being transferred. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man,
with a clean-shaven, rugged face, a man of strong force of character and remark-
able physical and mental powers. A circuit preacher of great usefulness in the
East, he did "not feel so much in his element as when traveling constantly in the
ministry." Snavely did not do so much active work after his removal to Iowa
from Pennsylvania. Hawk reported that he "preached but little for want of the
English language." Scott preached at "four stated appointments, in regular ro-
tation;" "witnessed some eighteen conversions, and organized one church."
Logue brought "charges against this Eldership and certain of the brethren in
Iowa," but his letter was "laid on the table." The Eldership "recommended to
the brethren in Iowa the propriety of receiving funds by voluntary contributions, at
such times and in such ways as they in their wisdom may think best, for benevolent
purposes." After appointing a Standing Committee of three, the Eldership closed
without making any appointments.
4th Iowa Eldership. — When in 1851, the Iowa Eldership, on October 13th
opened its sessions near Trenton, Henry county, there was a notable increase in
ministerial strength. The enrollment showed the presence of the three teaching
elders of the third session, with M. F. Snavely absent, and four ruling elders. But
A. Megi*ew, missionary, and Wm. Vance were present and became members. D.
Gill, through A. Megrew, applied for membership, and was received and a license
granted him. Jacob Lininger was made Speaker, and A. G. McCoi-mick, Clerk.
A committee appointed for that purpose reported nine "Rules of Order for the
government of the Eldership." No appointments were made, but Megrew was
authorized to "use his own judgment in preaching in the State wherever he has
an opportunity of doing the most good." Winebrenner had addressed a letter to
the Eldership with reference to a "Printing Establishment;" but as it referred to a
"suggestion" in the paper of October 1st, which had not yet reached the Eldership,
no action was taken. Only Samuel Scott, in addition to Megrew, "consented to
travel as a missionary in the State of Iowa during the coming Eldership year."
Megrew was instructed to "write a letter to the Board of Missions, requesting the
Board [East Pennsylvania Eldership] to send another missionary to labor in this
State."
5th Iowa Eldership. — Seven teaching elders, two of them absent, and four
ruling elders constituted the fifth Iowa Eldership, which convened at the Vir-
ginia School-house, Des Moines county, Iowa, October 11, 1852. A. Megrew was
chosen Speaker, and Samuel Scott, Clerk. The Committee on Minutes of Elder-
ship of 1851 called attention to the request from Winebi-enner, which related to
456 History of the Churches of God
"a New Printing Establishment." The Eldership agreed to "co-operate in the
New Printing Establishment on the proposition of the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, viz.: That the debt now on the old establishment be first liquidated." It
also endorsed the "25-cent system for the payment of Winebrenner's claim." The
Eldership disapproved "of all Secret Societies, such as Free Masons, Odd Fellows
and Sons of Temperance." Only "Wm. Vance agreed to travel, provided he could
be supported." The session lasted one day, Monday. On that evening Megrew
preached on Feet-washing, after which the ordinances were observed. There were
promising openings for Church work, but the great hindrance was lack of support,
and so the ministers labored chiefly in the neighborhoods where they lived.
"Traveling was almost wholly by horse-back, and roads were practically unknown,
and in many places a mere track across the prairie, where it was often a dozen
or twenty miles from one house to another."
6th Iowa Eldership.^ — Again in 1853, the Iowa Eldership convened in Des
Moines county, on October 17th, near Dodgeville. Five ministers were present,
and two were absent; with two ruling elders, and one delegate. A Megrew was
chosen Speaker, and M. F. Suavely, Clerk. The Rules of Order of "the last yearly
meeting" were adopted. J. Lininger had been preaching during the year on "the
Iowa Mission." Megi'ew only preached during the Winter of 1852-3. Vance had
"kept up two regular appointments." Up to May, 1853, Snavely had supplied
"Clear Creek every four weeks, and Lancaster school-house every two weeks."
Gill had "preached as much as circumstances admitted of." Hawk and Scott had
not been heard from. The Standing Committee was made the Camp-meeting Com-
mittee. Notwithstanding there were seven regular ministers in Iowa, the Eldership
though the Board of Missions of the East Pennsylvania Eldership did not treat it
right "in reference to their call through their Standing Committee for ministerial
aid;" that they "feel aggrieved and call for redress of the same, by sending us (and
sustaining) an efficient minister for the next Eldership year." A resolution was
adopted asking "the brotherhood in this and all other States to use their infiuence
in every reasonable and lawful way to have a Prohibitory Law passed in every
State, similar to that known as the 'Maine Liquor Law.' " Also one "in favor of
a better observance of the Lord's day," and one against "the use of that filthy
and noxious weed called tobacco." The Eldership emphatically "disapprobate
the holding of any human being in slavery without giving a reasonable com-
pensation." David Gill and M. F. Snavely "finally consented to travel the ensuing
year." Gill was to supply Linn and Cedar circuit; and Snavely the Des Moines
and Louisa circuit. One delegate to the General Eldership was appointed.
7th Iowa Eldership. — The seventh Iowa Eldership is the first at which the
record was made that "the opening discourse was delivered," although several
times before a minister was appointed for that purpose. This Eldership met at
North Bend, in the new bethel, Johnson county, October 2, 1854. Megrew
preached the Opening Sermon at "9 o'clock a. m." Five teaching elders were
present, and two were absent. There were enrolled two ruling elders and one
delegate. A. Megrew was elected Speaker, and Nicholas Zeller, Clerk. The first
applicants to the Iowa Eldership for license appeared at this Eldership, all the
others having been licensed by the East Pennsylvania, West Pennsylvania, and Ohio
Elderships. These new men were F. F. Kiner and J. Funk. Eleven "Standing
Rules for the Eldership were adopted, one of which provided that "ministers be-
longing to the Eldership, elders and delegates shall be entitled to vote, and all
others whom this body is willing to receive." Provision was made for statistical
reports by each minister, including "amount received as support," "and report the
same at our yearly meeting." "The brethren and sisters of the churches of God"
were urged "to contribute their free-will offerings toward aiding in the education
of Ting-Ing-Kow." The Stationing Committee again divided the territory into
two circuits; named three ministers as "Home Missionaries," and one "Mission-
ary at Large." Michael F. Snavely, appointed to t)es Moines and Louisa circuit,
in "a little more than a month after this Eldership adjourned, was removed from
his labors on earth by death, resulting from injury in a railroad wreck near
Joliett, 111." "He was yet in his prime, with possibilities of great usefulness in
the Church."
8th Iowa Eldership. — An increase of four ministers brought the enrollment
of the Eldership in 1855 up to eight, with four ruling elders and four delegates.
These new men were A. J. Fenton and Philip Shaw, of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership; William Wilson, of the West Pennsylvania Eldership, and H. Murray,
Iowa Eldership 457
of the Ohio Eldership. The Eldership convened with the church at Grandview,
Louisa county, Iowa, on Tuesday, October 1st, and the Opening Sermon was
preached at 10 a. m. by Jacob Liiiinger, who was then elected Speaker, with A.
Megrew, Journalizing Clerk, and Henry Funk, Transcribing Clerk. In the Rules
adopted for the session it was provided that "ministers belonging to this Eldership,
elders and delegates shall be entitled to a vote, and all others whom this body is
willing to receive." A resolution to declare it "scriptural to receive unbaptized
persons into the local churches of God" created "considerable debating," and was
then "laid on the table." Another resolution which provoked "considerable dis-
cussion" was adopted, declaring "that this body will not receive into membership
any one known to be in fellowship with Secret Societies." The reasons assigned-
are: • "The great trouble and sore aggrievances in other bodies arising from mem-
bers thereof uniting with Secret Societies;" and because the Eldership regarded
"the mingling of Christians with those Societies as inexpedient and unbecoming."
Unnecessary "visiting and traveling on the Sabbath day" was condemned. Pro-
vision was made for a "Book of Record" in which to keep the "proceedings of this
body." The four circuits and two missions formed by the committee appointed
for that purpose were supplied with eight ministers. A. Hollems had come from
Ohio, though not at the Eldership, and was appointed to Grandview circuit, and
George Thomas moved from Indiana to Iowa and was made the missionary on
Guthrie County Mission. The Eldership had no need for a treasurer.
9th Iowa Eldership. — Considerable antagonism had developed during the year,
which required careful handling at the Eldership which assembled at Pleasant
Prarie, Buchanan county, Iowa, October 20, 1856. Grandview had become a sta-
tion. There were eleven organized churches in the State, widely scattered, and
fourteen other preaching places, with a total membership of about three hundred
and ten. A "Constitution of the Home and Foreign Missionary Society of the
Eldership" was adopted, and the Society organized. The most serious troubles
before the Eldership were at North Bend, the Fenton case, the case of "Father
Jonathan Hawk," and the difficulty with the Illinois Eldership. "A number of ex-
pelled persons of North Bend" had secured the services of George Thomas "in vio-
lation of the plan of co-operation." As he "made a frank and open confession,"
his license was renewed and he received a transfer to Illinois. Fenton had re-
moved to Illinois, leaving under charges; had not "reported to this body either in
person or otherwise, and while under charges, identified himself with the Illinois
Eldership." His course was "highly disapproved," and he was required to "render
satisfaction to" the Eldership. The course of the Illinois Eldership was adjudged
"improper in receiving a member of this body while under charges, and without
our consent, and in violation of the plan of co-operation as set forth in the Con-
situation of the General Eldership." When Hawk's name was called a committee
was "appointed to confer with" him. The committee "under existing circumstances
did not think it necessary or practicable to meet with" him; the "case was taken
up in committee of the whole," and "after some deliberation" it was decided that
"Hawk is no longer considered worthy of membership." From this action Hawk
appealed to the General Eldership in 1857. Churches were urged to build parson-
ages. "Calls from almost every direction for the ministers of the Church of God
to come and preach" were received; but the Eldership could not comply, in part
because "some of our most able ministers have been, and are, turning their atten-
tion to farming and mechanical pursuits." The "inquitous institution of Ameri-
can Slavery" was utterly condemned. Delegates to the General Eldership were
elected, and also two delegates to the Illinois Eldership in 1857. There are eight
fields of labor, three being missions and one a station. One of the missions was in
Davis county, on the Missouri line.
10th Iowa Eldership. — Three accessions to the ranks of the Iowa Eldership
from other Elderships encouraged the faithful workers when they convened in
annual session at North Bend, Johnson county, Iowa, October 19, 1857. These
were D. Wertz, Illinois, earlier from Ohio and West Pennsylvania; J. J. Miller,
West Pennsylvania, but first licensed in East Pennsylvania, and W. H. Mullenix,
East Pennsylvania. The enrollment shows the presence of seven teaching elders,
three ruling elders and two delegates. The organization was effected by the choice
of A. Hollems for Speaker; H. Murray, Journalizing Clerk, and J. Huflf, Transcrib-
ing Clerk. The "official conduct of their delegates in the General Eldership" was
"highly approved." The persistent efforts to extend slavery into new sections of
the territory of the United States, as in the case of the Territory of Oregon,
where the question was to be submitted to vote of the people, advocated by its
458 History of the Churches of God
•delegate in Congress, and the infamous Dred Scott decision by Chief Justice Taney,
of the United States Supreme Court, inspired this Eldership to denounce the de-
cision as "an insult against the Free States," and all efforts to extend slavery as
"inconsistent with the spirit of Christianity," and the institution as "an infringe-
ment upon the civil rights of the States." The conduct of the Texas brethren is
"highly disapproved." Complaint is made by the Eldership of "a disposition
among some of the members of this body to be negligent in carrying out and en-
forcing upon the people of their charge the resolutions and general projects of this
body," and they are "earnestly urged to be more diligent" in this respect, and are
threatened with the "censure of this body" in case of failure. Ministers and
churches which "neglect to represent themselves to this Eldership" are declared
to be "highly censurable," and notified "that in the future no apology will t)e ac-
cepted, unless providentially prevented from attending." A plan was adopted, on
motion of D. Wertz, "to procure a large canvas tent, to be used in supplying the
different towns, cities and churches with practical preaching, by holding protracted
meetings where we can not do so for the want of suitable houses of worship."
Funds were to be raised during the year, and N. Zeller was named as Treasurer.
The territory was divided into four circuits, three missions and two stations.
11th Iowa Eldership. — Whether by authority or not, the Journal of 1858
states that "the Elders and Delegates of the Churches of God in Iowa met at
Grandview, Louisa county, Iowa, October 18, 18-58." There were four "absentees."
At 2 o'clock p. m. "the Opening Discourse was preached." These sermons were
always thus far on the ministry. It was preached by the elected Speaker, A.
Megrew. Heiii-y Murray was chosen Journalizing Clerk, and Henry Funk, Trans-
cribing Clerk. The matter of securing a tent was brought up by the Committee
on Journals, and no action taken. Ministers were recommended "to endeavor, as
much as in them lies, to make themselves acquainted with the laws of the English
language." To take care of their poor was a duty commended to each local
church. The Eldership affirmed that there is "neither precept nor example in the
word of God for receiving members into church before being immersed," and min-
isters were advised to "preach and practice the same." It deprecated "that super-
fluity of dress which is rapidly increasing in the local churches," and declared that
it will "use all lawful means to keep the Church in a humble, Christian-like man-
ner." By adopting the report of the Committee on Resolutions the title of the
Eldership was changed to "Eldership of Churches of God." Also "advising
churches to co-operate with the Eldership to perpetuate love and harmony by
kindly and affectionately advising the brethren to withdraw and throw their
influence from Secret Societies." There are four circuits and two missions, one of
the latter "yet to be supplied."
12th Iowa Eldership. — A good attendance is indicated by the enrollment when
the session held at the Moneka school-house. Cedar county, Iowa, October 17, 1859,
was constituted. But three of the sixteen teaching elders were absent; and there
were present eleven ruling elders and delegates. J. Lininger was chosen for
Speaker; John Huflf, Journalizing Clerk, and Henry Murray, Transcribing Clerk.
Slavery was denounced as "a great moral sin, and a disgrace on the character of
the American people." The tent project received no further encouragement. On
Temperance the Eldership rejoiced that "temperance is gaining ground in various
parts of the State," and declared that it "will not fellowship any one as a member
of the Church of God who is engaged in making, buying, selling or drinking ardent
spirits as a beverage." Without assigning any reason but "existing circum-
stances," the Eldership declined "to make appointments for the churches," but
left them "to supply themselves with preaching as they most conveniently can."
On account of "our financial embarrassment" the Eldership could do "nothing
toward paying off old debts." An interesting program was carried out at the clos-
ing sitting, Wednesday evening. Addresses were delivered by twelve members,
previously appointed, on The Dignity of the Gospel Ministry, Forgiveness, The
Unity of the Spirit and Church, Tribulation; Things as They Were, Things as They
Are, and Things as They Ought to Be; The Condition of Ireland — the Judgments
and' Mercies of God; Let Us Do Good to Others; Hear, For I Speak — Miscellaneous;
On the Conquered Scenes of Life, Prayer, On the Support of the Ministry, On
Christian Experience.
13th Iowa Eldei-ship. — The political campaign of 1860 created heated excite-
ment in Iowa, which proved detrimental to some of the churches, in some in-
Iowa Eldership 459
stances not only creating strifes and contentions, but even divisions. The Elder-
ship which met in said year on Monday, October 15th, in the new bethel In the
neighborhood of Father Bai-ton's, known as the Home Bethel, near Mt. Pleasant,
Henry county, felt the effects of the excitement, as it was when the campaign was
at its height, a few weeks before the Presidential election. On Sabbath evening
D. Wertz preached the Opening Sermon. Twelve teaching elders responded to
Roll call, while five were absent. Sixteen ruling elders and delegates were in
attendance. A. Megi-ew was chosen to preside, with John Huff Journalizing Clerk,
and H. Murray, Transcribing Clerk. Very appropriate resolutions were adopted
on the death of Winebrenner, "one vho has long adorned the doctrine of his pro-
fession as a faithful minister, a reformer and a devoted Christian." One resolu-
tion approved the "erection of a suitable monument," promising that the Iowa Eld-
ership will do its part toward the same. The Rules of Order of the General Eld-
ership were adopted. More or less serious difficulties had to be settled, involving
three or four ministers and several churches. The action of 1859, "establishing
the congregational system" having "created general dissatisfaction and thrown
many of our ministers and churches out of regular appointments and preaching,"
was rescinded without opposition. The Eldership having learned that there are
brethren in churches of God in Iowa "who are, or are about to become, engaged in
the liquor business," adopted a resolution, declaring that "we cannot consistently
■extend the right hand of fellowship to any person guilty of the habitual use of in-
toxicating liquors as a beverage, or to any one who is wilfully engaged in the
manufacturing of the same." The churches were "advised to put away from
among themselves such individuals as unworthy of a place in the Church of God."
Lininger was appointed to deliver a sermon before the Eldership "on the best and
most scriptural plan of supporting the ministry and carrying out the temporal in-
terests of the Church of God." John A. Yambert, a minister of the Evangelical
Association, applied for, and was granted, license. On Slavery the Eldership ex-
pressed its conviction that it "is a sin per se," that "slave-holding is man-steal-
ing;" that the "whole traffic is a constant exercise of the most wicked and bar-
"borous passions," and refusing "to unite in Christian fellowship with any man or
woman who persists in the sinful practice." The Eldership also declared against
giving ministers appointments who are not members. The Standing Committee,
which was also made the Camp-meeting Committee, was composed of two laymen,
J. Huff and N. Zeller, and one minister, D. Wertz. Only four ministers agreed to
travel, and the Stationing Committee arranged for five circuits, to which the Com-
mittee appointed the four, with four others to assist them. Before adjournment
the Eldership "spent a short season in Committee of the Whole," when "speeches
were made by several brethren on different subjects of interest."
14th Iowa Eldership. — An unusual event transpired at the Eldership which
met at North Bend, Johnson county, Iowa, October 21, 1861. Governor Samuel
J. liirkwood was booked to deliver a political speech at North Liberty, a mile or
more from North Bend, and the Eldership sent Kiner, Zeller and Huff a Committee
to wait on him and invite him to address a meeting in the bethel to "the citizens
•of this neighborhood this evening," as "it was the most convenient place in the
vicinity." The Governor accepted the invitation. D. AVertz preached the Opening
Sermon. F. F. Kiner was chosen Speaker, and John Huff, First Clerk, and J. R.
Suavely, Second Clerk. The Eldership again had a number of difficulties to ad-
just, and so adopted a resolution "urging brethren to settle their difficulties at
home, and not bring them into the Eldership." It pledged itself to "continue
with renewed energy to extend the blessings of temperance all over our land and
nation." Three times the Report of the Committee on our National Affairs was
read, and then adopted. It declared its approval of the Executive and officers of
our country in the wise and loyal enforcement of the Constitution and laws," and
expressed specifically its high "approval of General Fremont's Proclamation rela-
tive to the confiscation of slave property in Missouri." But the "cause of God,"
says the Committee on the State of Religion, Lininger, Shaw and Huff, "seems to
he at a low ebb, in consequence of the existing affairs of our nation and members
from the different churches having gone to the war, preachers and brethren, and
in consequence of the meager support from the fact of the hard times in the West."
Five of the ministers were in the army at one time. To secure better pay for
pastors, a resolution was adopted giving each pastor "the privilege of stipulating
for a reasonable salary, and if the circuit fails, or refuses to give the same, he will
460 History of the Churches of God
be justified in refusing to travel the same, and not censurable." The Eldership
would not agree to the publication of all the Journals in one pamphlet. A resolu-
tion "to receive non-baptized members into the local churches of God" was laid
on the table.
loth Iowa Eldei-ship.— The Eldership held at Grandview, Louisa county, Iowa,
beginning October 20, 1862, was discouragingly small. But two circuits had
teaching elders, and the total number of teaching elders in attendance was eight;
fourteen were absent, including six who had enlisted in the Army. Only five rul-
ing elders attended the session. D. AVertz was elected Speaker; John Huff and H.
Muiray, Clerks. There was a disposition to reflect on "ministerial brethren who
left their fields of labor and enlisted in the United States service without properly
notifying this body and being exonerated from their respective charges;" but
"under the circumstances we acquit them." Local preachers were "urged to be
diligent and endeavor to supply the wants of those churches within their bounds
with regular preaching. The condition of the churches was deplored, "in conse-
quence of the great number of our ministers and brethren having enlisted and gone
forth in the service of the United States." Appointments were made to supply
vacant fields until Spring, and then the territory was divided into four circuits and
one mission. But as only $12.35 was paid into the Mission Fund during the year,
no appropriation was made to the missionary.
16th Iowa Eldership. — Three of the twenty teaching elders were in attendance
at the Iowa Eldership which convened at Harmony Bethel, in the neighborhood of
Father Landes, in Des Moines county, Iowa, November 30, 1863, and nine ruling
elders. It was now by official action "the Eldership of the Churches of God in
Iowa." The usual routine of business was transacted. The Chicago Mission pro-
ject was the first item of business, and it was "highly approved, in case it be placed
under the supervision and control of the Board of Missions of the General Elder-
ship." Upon this condition the "undivided influence and support of the Elder-
ship" was pledged. The ministers were "earnestly recommended and urged to
present the terrible results of intemperance clearly and fully to the people of their
charges, and to discountenance the use of alcoholic, vinous and fermented drinks
under all circumstances as a beverage." The Eldership lamented the death of
two of the ministers — J. R. Suavely, whose "fate it was to fall as thousands of our
brave men have fallen;" and John A. Yambert, "who had long lived a living epistle
of piety." There being a shortage of preachers, and no applicants for license, the
Committee on License stated that "a number of our official and other local breth-
ren possess talents worthy of improvement by exhortation and preaching," and so
it "recommended those brethren to make an effort to improve their talents by
holding prayer-meetings and other meetings in their own and surrounding neigh-
borhoods." Emphasis was placed upon "the great importance to young men de-
siring to enter the ministry that they apply themselves to the study of those
sciences that may assist them in their responsible vocation." "The immediate
adoption of measures to send out and sustain men who will give their minds, their
hearts, their souls and time to the service of the churches and cause of God In
Iowa" was the burden of the Report of the Committee on the State of Religion.
Local churches were urged "to organize themselves into missionary societies."
The total receipts for missions were $41-65. A committee was appointed to report
in 1864 "to draw up a more scriptural and efficient system for the support of the
ministry." For want of preachers the Stationing Committee consolidated the
fields into three circuits, one of which was a mission.
17th Iowa Eldership. — A brighter sky was overhead in 1864, when the Iowa
Eldership convened at North Bend, Johnson county, Iowa., October 17th, with
twelve teaching elders and seven ruling elders and delegates in attendance.
A. X. Shoemaker, of the Chicago Mission, was present, and "was declared
Speaker of the house by acclamation." An election for Clerks resulted in
the choice of John Huflf and H. Murray. The Committee on Chicago Mission,
Megrew, Wertz and Murray, brought in an enthusiastic report, being "highly
pleased with the project, and promising to stand by the Mission so far as we
see it to be our duty;" suggesting the propriety of building a parsonage" and
promising "to furnish our share of the funds," and urging brethren "to buy
an additional twenty-five feet of ground adjoining the bethel on the east." By
direction of the Eldership "the members of this body be examined as to their loy-
alty to the Government." The Eldership did not succeed in effectually closing its
doors to brethren having difficulties between them, and not less than five or six
Iowa EivDErship 461
cases came up. A resolution changing the title of the Eldership to "Church of
God" was agreed to. The Eldership decided to hold a Pentecostal meeting at North
Bend in May, 1865. It also recommended that "this body use its influence to
bring about the establishment of a school in some central locality." "The civil
commotions of the war, and political strife," are declared to have been a "detri-
ment to the prosperity of the Church, and have caused a great languishing in Zion,
much to be lamented."
18th Iowa Eldership. — The intense loyalty to the United States manifested
itself at the Iowa Eldership which convened at the Moneka Bethel, Cedar county,
Iowa, October 16, 186.5. There were eleven teaching elders present, nearly the
half of them ex-soldiers, seven ruling elders and three delegates, while ten teach-
ing elders were absent. Some difficulty arose between two of the ministers, which
involved the loyalty of one of them. In Committee of the Whole the matter was
carefully considered, and the reports inquired into. But the Committee exon-
erated the accused, and declared that he "is and always has been considered loyal
to his country." The officers chosen were F. F. Kiner, Speaker; John Hiiflf, Jour-
nalizing Clerk, and Heniy Murray, Transcribing Clerk. The Stationing Committee
was composed of three ministers and two laymen. The war being over, which
proved almost disastrous to the Church in Iowa, the Eldership greatly rejoiced, as
"things appear more encouraging," and ministers and churches were recommended
to make "more vigorous efforts to advance the cause and kingdom of Christ in
Iowa." A special missionary meeting was held at which $280.00 were subscribed
for mission work. With other Elderships, Iowa felt that it ought to have a school
of some kind under its own control. It therefore resolved to appoint a committee to
select a suitable site for a select or high school, which shall be under the exclusive
care and direction of this body." Its Board of Missions was also Instructed "to
select one or more suitable men, and send them as missionaries to the State of
Missouri, and to procure means to sustain the same." In addition, said Board
was also directed "to employ a missionary to operate on the western boundary of
this Eldership." A Pentecostal meeting was appointed to be held at North Bend,
and H. MuiTay was appointed to preach the first sermon. The Eldership mani-
fested quite a degree of feeling over an article publish'ed six months before by a
contributor to The Advocate, and disapproved it as "uncalled for, and unjust and
unjustifiable censure upon some of the ministers of this body," and denounced its
"disloyal tone." The article had direct reference to a "call for a preacher in
Iowa," and criticised the qualifications demanded, as "full of the Holy Ghost,"
^'loyal to his God," "loyal to his country," and "must pray for the Government."
In view of the deficiency in mission funds "each member of this body" was re-
quired to act as "an agent to solicit missionary subscriptions of the largest possi-
l)le amounts, the interest of which must be paid annually, and the principal at or
before the death of the subscriber." As per instructions, D. Wertz was appointed
""missionary on the western boundary of this Eldership."
19th Iowa Eldership. — The Eldership in 18 66 began its session on Monday,
October 15th, the Opening Sermon having been delivered the previous evening by
A. Hollems, from Matt, xxviii. 19, 20. Mrs. Martha J. B. Wertz being present, the
Eldership desired to hear its first sermon by a sister, and at once "appointed her
to occupy the pulpit" on Monday evening. A, Megrew was chosen Speaker; John
Huflf, Journalizing Clerk, and J. L. Cramer, Transcribing Clerk. Arrangements
were made for a missionary meeting to be addressed by A. X. Shoemaker, to devise
measures to raise funds more vigorously to push mission work. At this meeting
$160.00 were raised. The churches were also "urged to immediate action in tak-
ing up collections for this purpose, and an agent was appointed, A. Megrew, "to
canvass the entire ground of the Eldership to collect money for the purpose of
creating a missionary fund for the use and benefit of the Eldership in employing
men and establishing missions in Iowa." A. Wilson was appointed to "Iowa Mis-
sion, including Grundy, Tama, Marshall and adjoining counties on the western
boundary." The Board of Missions had received about $200.00 missionary money
during the year. Iowa Eldership was cautioned by A. G. McCormick, in his
written Report, not "to legislate and make rules for the Ipcal churches. The great
drawback to our Elderships, both Annual and General, is too much legislation.
This is a very questionable power, if at all granted by the New Testament Scrip-
tures." The Report of the Iowa delegation to the General Eldership was referred
to a special committee, which itimized it, and submitted actions on the several
items. It urged collections to buy materials to publish a Sunday-school paper;
462 History of the Churches of God
commended The Advocate and its Editor, and approved the choice of the Assistant
Editor, heartily approved "the reception of Centralia College;" w^ere pleased with,
the report on the Chicago Mission. Five members vi^ere appointed a Camp-meeting
Committee. The Eldership elected A. 3Iegrew "Agent to canvass the entire ground,
of this Eldership to collect money for the purpose of creating a missionary fund."'
The number of conversions reported was 250; baptisms, 150; accessions, 200.
John Huflf was instructed to secure an Act of Incorporation.
30th Iowa Eldership. — There was an unusual amount of debating at the Eld-
ership which convened in the bethel at Pleasant Prairie, Buchanan county, October
21, 1867. It began soon after F. F. Kiner was chosen for Speaker; J. Lininger,
Treasurer; J. Huff, First Clerk, and J. L. Cramer, Second Clerk. It began with
the submission of a resolution ordering "ministers appointed to a charge to assume
charge of their appointments immediately after the Eldership," which was
adopted. Then came the question of the right of a member of a local church to
"appeal from the decision of said church to this body." Murray presented a peti-
tion from a member of the church at Cairo, asking for an expression of opinion
by the Eldership on this subject. J. Lininger and F. F. Kiner, two of the strongest
debaters in the Eldership, were the principal disputants. Lininger affirmed the
right; Kiner denied. After continuing the discussion for some time, the matter
was referred to a committee consisting of Lininger, Megi-ew and Evans, which re-
ported that the right to appeal must be recognized, and this report was sustained.
Other and minor questions consumed considerable time. There was unanimity in
regard to ministers remaining six months longer on their fields, to prepare for the
new rule of changing in the Pall; on requiring statistics covering number of pas-
toral visits, number of members, conversions, accessions, baptisms, expulsions,
transfers, deaths, value of church property, salaries, etc. ; on "utterly denouncing-
vanity fairs among churches," and "advising ministers to exert their influence
against the same." The Eldership rejoiced over "the omens of future prosperity
and success which the Church of God presented in Iowa." Meads was appointed
"to purchase a house of worship in the town of Columbus City, Louisa county,
Iowa, at a cost of $300.00. Two missionaries, besides Wilson who was missionary
the previous year, were ordered by the Eldership to be appointed. These were
Marshall Mission, J. M. Klein, and London Mission, D. Gill. Logue, Megi-ew and
Meads were designated "to devise a system of establishing a Superannuated Fund."
The Board of Missions reported total receipts of $465.90 during the year. There
were seven' circuits and three missions, with one Missionary Agent.
21st Iowa Eldership. — The missionary spirit of the Iowa Eldership continued
to become more intense, and greater things were planned by the body at its twenty-
first session, which was held at North Bend, Johnson county, Iowa, beginning
October 15, 1868. The first forenoon was spent in devotional exercises. There
were but five absentees. A. X. shoemaker, of Chicago Mission, was elected
Speaker; John Huff, Journalizing Clerk, and J. L. Cramer, Transcribing Clerk. An
"interesting and enthusiastic missionary meeting" was held, and missions were
projected known as "Marshalltown and Washington, and on the Pacific Slope."
"An active Agent" was authorized to be appointed, "to canvass the bounds of the
Eldership, to solicit subscriptions and make collections, and to deliver a mission-
ary discourse at each appointment." The missions which the Stationing Com-
mittee reported were Marshalltown, Loudon; Washington, Highland and Bound
Grove and Guthrie county. A somewhat serious and acrimonious contention arose
over the right of F. F. Kiner to "occupy a seat as ruling elder from the church at
Cairo." A committee had also been "appointed to investigate the regularity and
legality of the church at Cairo." The adoption of this item was objected to,
whereupon Kiner presented two "charges against the Eldership." Kiner had
been "suspended from the functions of the Christian ministry," and so the matter
was compromised by a resolution offered by Shoemaker, declaring that Kiner had
"failed to meet the issues fairly; and on the other hand the Committee has acted
somewhat prematurely in suspending him;" therefore, it was directed "that Kiner
and the Committee make the necessary concessions, and forgive one another."
This resolution prevailed by a majority of one. On the charges against the Elder-
ship the body "resolved itself into a Court of Adjustment," "Kiner conducting the
prosecution, and Lininger the defense." It sat as such a Court during parts of six
sittings. The charges against the Eldership were: 1. "Pursuing a course not
in harmony with the usages and doctrine of the Church of God." 2. That "the
said Committee of Investigation did exercise authority not delegated to it in de-
loAVA Eldership 463
daring said action of the church void." The "course of the Eldership and the,
Special Committee was sustained." A rule was adopted which entitled each church
to be represented by one elder in the Eldership, or one delegate appointed by the
church. A general camp-meeting was to be arranged for by the Standing Com-
mittee. Ivinei- and Murray were deputized to effect a settlement in the churcn at
Cairo by inducing them to "bury all difficulties and hard feelings, and return to
each other the hand of forgiveness." The church at Grandview was censured for
refusing "to sustain the appointee of the Eldership." The Constitution of the
Missionary Society was "so amended as to merge the same into the Eldership, and
the officers of the Eldership to constitute the Board of Missions." This year there
were fourteen fields of labor, of which three are designated missions.
Extra Session Iowa Eldership. — The holding of extraordinary sessions of Eld-
erships was always a rare thing. When held, as a rule, it was owing to conting-
encies which could not be anticipated. However, the extra session of the Iowa
Eldership, held at North Bend, Johnson county, beginning Monday morning, March
22, 1869, was called because of "an amount of important business of a general
character which was left unfinished at our last meeting," and also because of
"business of a general character which had since accumulated." It was, hence, a
session for general business. A committee was appointed "to devise a plan to
raise funds for the support of ministers' widows," stimulated, doubtless by the
death of E, Logue. He was a native of Maryland, and was first licensed by the
East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1836. Four years later he went to Ohio, by which
Eldership he was sent to Pittsburg. After the West Pennsylvania Eldership was
formed he traveled different circuits and held prominent positions. He returned
to Ohio, and thence as a missionary to Illinois and then to Iowa. He was a dele-
gate to the General Eldership in 1851, 1854 and 1866. He was a man of more
than ordinary natural ability, a fearless champion of every cause he espoused,
and his ministry was characterized by fidelity and devotion. He died Novem-
ber 7, 1868, at the home of Jacob Courtney, in Jefferson county, Iowa, and his
body was removed and buried in the graveyard at Trenton, Henry county, Iowa.
He was fifty-three years old. The Eldership put an Article into its Rules embody-
ing the Article in the General Eldership Constitution, requiring ministers of other
Elderships to secure transfers before they can labor in Iowa. The resolution of
the regular session touching the difficulties in the Cairo church was not carried
out, so that C. W. Evans was directed to read said action to the church. In addi-
tion to a regular Missionary Agent, persons were to be "deputized to collect sub-
scriptions." The Eldership expressed itself as adverse to "placing young ministers
in the field alone." The delegates to the General Eldership were "instructed tO'
advocate a reduction in the rates of representation to one to every fifteen min-
isters," and that "the General Eldership meet once in every five years."
22nd Iowa Eldership. — The earnest, aggressive efforts to create a missionary-
fund were so successful, that when the Eldership met at Fairview, Cedar county,
Iowa, October 21, 1869, it had a larger Home Mission Fund than it since has had.
It amounted to $1,520.85. John Huflf, layman, was elected Speaker, a very earn-
est, active and efficient worker; J. L. Cx*amer, Journalizing Clerk, and J. D. Meads..
Transcribing Clerk. Later N. Zeller was chosen Treasurer of the Mission Fund.
R. H. Bolton became a member by transfer from the Michigan Eldership. He was
placed on a "Committee on More Efficient Missionary Plan," instead of the Life
Membership Plan, which "was abolished, both principal and interest." The ques-
tion of the itinerancy coming up, by resolution the Eldership defined the Polity of
the Church as being that "of mutual co-operation, or, in other words, a representa-
tive form of government," and decided "that we continue to maintain the same."
The Eldership was deeply affected at the death of Thomas, Editor of The Advocate,
personally so well known to many of the members. A committee, consisting of
Shoemaker, Hollems and Bolton, was named to draft resolutions and arrange for
memorial services. "Funeral services" were arranged for, to be held Saturday
evening, to be conducted by Shoemaker, Bolton, Megrew and Hollems. The reso-
lutions declare that "his life of usefulness has made a brilliant record and good
history;" that he was "a valuable, useful and dearly beloved brother;" that he was
"an able and successful minister of the Church; a most faithful, self-sacrificing and
efficient publisher and Editor." Ministers were also directed "to hold services on
their charges in memory" of the deceased. Kiner reported the "purchase of a
house of worship in the city of Washington, Iowa," which was approved, and he-
was "recommended to visit the brotherhood at large to solicit means .for the pur-
464 History of the Churches of God
pose of meeting payment on the same." The "25th day of December next," was
set apart as a day "for humiliation and special prayer for the unity and spirituality
and prosperity of our beloved Zion in this State."
23rd Iowa Eldership. — Deep interest and much enthusiasm characterized the
Eldership in 1870, occasioned largely by several new and successful enterprises
and the addition of eleven to the Roll of ministers. The Eldership session was
held at Victor, Iowa county, and began September 15th. Twelve of the thirty
ministers were absent; fifteen ruling elders and four delegates were present. R.
H. Bolton was Speaker; J. L. Cramer, First Clerk, and F. F. Kiner, Second Clerk.
A very active interest was taken in the Sunday-school Convention project, and
Pentecostal meeting, both of which awakened much interest. Sunday-schools were
declared to be "under the special supervision of the church, when conducted in our
church houses." The suggestion of "holding a general Sunday-school Convention
at some central point" was approved. "After a spirited discussion, a motion pre-
vailed" that the Eldership "issue exhorters' recommends to such as give evidence,
of possessing the gift of exhortation." Measures were discussed to provide a Sup-
erannuated Ministers' and Widows' Fund. One afternoon sitting was "especially
devoted to the consideration of the missionary interests," at which the questions
of the men, the territory and the means were under discussion. The Treasurer of
the Board of Missions reported amount of funds on hand to be $715.00. The Mis-
sionary Agent, J. D. Meads, had collected $245.70 during the year. It was pro-
vided that the territory of the Eldership be divided into two districts for mission-
ary collections, with J. D. Meads and D. Gill as Agents. A stimulating report was
made by the Committee on the State of Religion, showing conversions, 333; bap-
tized, 215; added to the churches, 271; new organizations, 8; new church houses,
6. At the close of the Eldership there were thirty-nine ministers. The amount
reported as paid by the churches as salaries to the pastors is $2,633.00.
24th Iowa Eldership. — At the Eldership in 1870 arrangements were made
to draft a Constitution and to incorporate the Eldership, the work having been
placed in the hands of the Standing Committee. The text of the proposed Con-
stitution had been published in March, 1871. It had these provisions, excluding
those referring to officers and their duties: That "the name, style and title of this
body is 'The Iowa Eldership of the Church of God.' " The membership to consist
of "all the preachers holding a license from the body, together with an elder or
delegate from each church within the bounds of this Eldership." The Eldership
to "appoint the committees required by the Rules of Order." There is to be a
"Standing Committee of seven, and a Stationing Committee of five." To the former
is given "the right and authority to act in behalf of the Eldership during the year."
Prohibiting one preacher to go on the field of another. Preachers from other Eld-
erships are required to become members before applying for an appointment.
Churches are to report annually to the Eldership, as are all the ministers. Trans-
fers are to be granted to ministers desiring to unite with other Elderships; but a
transfer is to be good only for one year. "Preachers and churches which fail to
comply with the 'Rules of Order' and of 'Co-operation' are liable to rebuke, sus-
pension or expulsion by the Eldership." The Eldership at once adopted this Con-
situation, after it had elected as its officers A. Megrew, Speaker; J. L. Cramer,
Stated Clerk, and R. H. Bolton, Corresponding Secretary. The session was held
at Pleasant Grove Bethel, Louisa county, and began September 16th, with an ad-
dress of welcome by W. Vance. Further impulse was given to missionary interests
by the good report of the missionary agents, which showed larger collections, ag-
gregating over $1,300.00. Two missionary collectors were again appointed, with
instructions to collect at least an average of 75 cents per member. The Stationing
Committee reported twenty-one appointments, of which two were in the State of
Missouri. A mission was also created in Nebraska, to which A. L. Nye was ap-
pointed. The delegates to the General Eldership were instructed to vote for a
change in the ratio of representation. Megrew, Vance and Bolton were appointed
delegates to the Iowa Association of Separate Baptists, which differ from the
Church of God in their name and polity, they being Congregationalists.
25th Iowa Eldership. — The General Eldership in 1872 passed two actions re-
lative to the Journals of the Annual Elderships. One, that only synopses should
be published in The Advocate. This was easy to control. The other, that Jour-
nals should be sent to The Advocate office to be printed in pamphlets uniform in
all respects. The Iowa Eldership directed Bolton to publish and superintend the
sale of 500 copies of pamphlets containing the Minutes. The session was held at
Iowa Eldership 465
Richwood, Jefferson county, beginning September 18th. A fraternal delegate was
present from the Free Baptist Church, and one from the Separate Baptist Church.
The Speaker was J. Lininger; Stated Clerk, J. L. Cramer; Corresponding Secre-
tary, R. H. Bolton, and Treasurer, J. D. Meads. To reciprocate the friendly over-
tures of the Free Baptists and Separate Baptists, delegates were appointed to their
next annual meetings. Two hundred accessions to the churches were reported,
and conditions generally were encouraging, except at Washington, where the work
went down. Dissatisfaction with affairs at the Chicago Mission was not wholly
concealed. The Committee on Boundaries "reported the formation of eighteen
fields of labor." Seventeen were reported by the Stationing Committee, of which
four were missions. In some instances these missions extended over parts of three
or four counties. One minister was received from the United Brethren Church
and licensed, Joel Rawhauser. W. H. Mullinix, originally licensed by the East
Pennsylvania Eldership in 1840, died during the year.
26th Iowa Eldership. — The decreased interest during the year was reflected in
some of the proceedings of the Eldership whose session began at North Bend, John-
son county, September 17, 1873. There had been some revivals, but the fruits
were not so abundant. The Opening Sermon, instead of an address of welcome,
was preached by F. F. Kiner the evening previous, from Eph. iii. 9, 10. He was
chosen Speaker; J. L. Cramer, Stated Clerk; R. H. Bolton, Corresponding Secre-
tary, and J. D. Meads, Treasurer. A good deal of time was given to "the Wash-
ington Bethel property case," and an assessment was laid upon "the membership
of the Iowa Eldership to raise money sufllcient to liquidate all claims against it."
"The entire Columbus City Bethel property" was ordered "conveyed to Elder J. D.
Meads." The large shrinkage which as a rule results from time subscriptions
and membership dues was illustrated in the Report of the Missionary Collecting
Agents. There were "$1,082.55 total amount of old subscriptions; $275.00 sub-
scriptions taken; unpaid subscriptions on books, $1,102.10." A Course of Studies
was approved, consisting of "the Bible, English Grammar, Wayland's Moral
Science and Lee's Theology," and "a class formed," consisting of thirteen min-
isters. Examiners were appointed. The amount of collections for missions was
$556.26. There was in the Superannuated Fund $103.43; and a total "belonging
to the Eldership treasury of $351.52." The Nishnabotna Mission was added to
the list of appointments. John Huflf, having been appointed to secure an Act of
Incorporation, on November 29th reported to the Standing Committee that "the
matter had been properly attended to."
27th Iowa Eldership. — The effect of the Standing Committee's necessary work
of rearranging fields of labor is seen in their decrease from twenty-one in 1871 to
fifteen when the Eldership convened at Harmony Bethel, Des Moines county, Sep-
tember 16, 1874. D. Wertz on the previous evening preached the Opening Ser-
mon from 1 Cor. iii. 21-23. For Speaker the Eldership made choice of F. F. Kiner,
with L. F. Chamberlin, Stated Clerk, and R. H. Bolton, Corresponding Secretary.
While in 1873 an effort was made by an assessment to raise money to meet the
claims against the Washington Bethel, the property was later placed in the hands
of Henry Funk to dispose of. At this session he reported the "sale of the bethel
on May 21, 1874, for $875.00." Total abstinence from intoxicating beverages is
insisted upon, with instructions to "ministers and our people to make use of every
laudable effort in our power to crush the venomous and mischievous serpent of in-
temperance." The delegates to the General Eldership were "instructed to use
their influence and votes to change the ratio of representation to" said body.
"The Sunday-School Record" then in contemplation was strongly endorsed. The
establishment of the Ross Bookstore in Harrisburg received very favorable con-
sideration. Strong disapproval was expressed by resolution of the practice of
preachers leaving their fields of labor, or engaging their services to other Elder-
ships, or to the Board of Missions of the General Eldership "without first gaining
the consent of this body." The successful holding of Ministerial Associations in
other Elderships induced the Eldership to appoint a committee to arrange a pro-
gram for such a meeting in the Iowa Eldership. The death of Elder J. J. Miller,
which occurred a few months after adjournment in 1873, was lamented, as he was
"a worthy brother, an esteemed co-laborer and a faithful minister." Among the
licentiates was W. R. Covert, of Mercer county. Pa. There were enough German
people in various parts of the Eldership territory to induce the Eldership to recom-
mend to them W. Willsdorf as a German preacher. The Eldershin also "urged the
brotherhood, especially the ministry, to seek for a higher state of spirituality."
C. H.— 16*
466 History of the Churches of God
28th Iowa Eldei'ship. — When the Iowa Eldership adjourned in 1875 it num-
bered forty-two ministers, but not one-half were in the active work. Of the thirty-
nine who were enrolled when the Eldership was constituted September 16, 1875,
twenty-four were in attendance, with eleven ruling elders and one delegate. To
get more service out of the local preachers the Eldership required each one to
preach twenty sermons a year. Should any one fail to do so, unless providentially
hindered, his license was to be withheld. The Eldership elected C. W. Evans
Speaker; L. F. Chamberlin, Stated Clerk, and K. H. Bolton, Corresponding Secre-
tary. Henry Funk was later elected Treasurer. The session was held at Pleas-
ant Prairie, Buchanan county, and but for two or three animated discussions was
very pleasant. One of these was the attitude of the Eldership toward any minister
holding the doctrine of the unconscious state of the dead. The result was that it
was decided not to grant license to any one believing this dogma. The Stand-
ing Committee had assumed the authority to say that a minister was "not officially
authorized to fill all the functions of the ministry until he has paid $1.00 into the
Superannuated and Widows' Fund," also provoked debate before it "was stricken
out." The Eldership arranged to hold a camp-meeting the coming season. Two
missionary collectors were appointed. There were twelve circuits and two mis-
sions— South English and Decatur. A Contingent Fund was created, and a plan
adopted to secure a Permanent Missionary Fund for the Eldership through be-
quests.
29th Iowa Eldership. — The plan matured by the Standing Committee to
secure "a Permanent Missionary Fund" was published December 29, 1875, con-
sisted simply in submitting a form of bequest and urging brethren to remember
the Fund in their wills. But it bore some fruit before the Eldership convened in
1876, for one minister who died, J. J. Miller, bequeathed $100.00 to said Fund.
The session was held at Colo, Storey county, beginning with the Opening Sermon
on Wednesday evening, September 2 0th, by R. H. Bolton, in the absence of both
the appointee and his alternate, C. W. Evans and J. C. Kepford. J, H. Besore was
elected Speaker; C. L. AVilson, Stated Clerk; R. H. Bolton, Corresponding Clerk,
and H. Funk, Treasurer. The latter's Report showed $331.80 in the Missionary
Fund. The Eldership lost two of its ministers, and one was virtually expelled,
having been found guilty of serious charges, and one requested his name to be
dropped. The Grandview Bethel was sold by the agent for $100.00. The Elder-
ship then "reaffirmed our former action, that churches deed their church properties
in such a way that they may become the properties of the Eldership in cases the
local churches become extinct." The policy of raising missionary money through
agents was continued, and two collectors were appointed for this purpose. Debts
on bethels proved a hindrance to church work. The action of the Standing Com-
mittee was disapproved in "detaching Alice from the Colo and Grundy circuit by
a vote of 14 to 12. The power of the Standing Committee "to make contracts
that will bind the action of this Eldership" was then denied; and in general terms
said Committee was forbidden to detach single points from circuits and give them
to local resident ministers to supply. The Journal indicates some indisposition
on the part of churches to co-operate in the matter of appointments, and the Eld-
ership strongly admonished them to "co-operation and conformity to the arrange-
ments made by this body as far as practicable." There were sixteen fields of labor,
three of them being missions, one in Keokuk county; one in Ida and Sac counties,
and one "near Sioux City." Reports indicate a good degree of success during the
year.
30th Iowa Eldei'ship. — One of those somewhat unusual providences marked
this Eldership year, being the destruction by lightning of the Green Mound Bethel.
The Eldership convened at North Bend, Johnson county, September 19, 1877. H.
Murray preached the Opening Sermon the evening previous, from Matt, xxviii. 18-20.
The enrollment showed twenty-one teaching elders present, ten ruling elders and
one delegate, while seventeen teaching elders were absent. The officers chosen
were H. Mim-ay, Speaker; C. L. Wilson, Stated Clerk; R. H. Bolton, Correspond-
ing Clerk, and Heni-y Funk, Treasurer. An unsuccessful effort was made to ex-
clude traveling preachers from the Stationing Committee, and immediately the
Committee was elected composed of ministers. Searching inquiry was made to
ascertain whether the preachers had lifted collections as ordered, and a resolu-
tion was adopted requiring delinquents "to apologize to this Eldership for their
past neglect, and that they be admonished to err no more." The Committee on
Temperance seemed to have extreme views, so that a minority report was made;
Iowa Ei.dership 467
but after a slight amendment the report was adopted. It declared that "the Bible
idea of the use of intoxicating drink is total abstinence." And the use of tobacco*
it declared "wholly useless, extremely lilthy, ruinous to the human system, and am
unnecessary waste of money." The Rules of Co-operation and Rules of Order were
placed in the hands of a committee for revision. The Eldership affirmed "that the
present age demands an educated ministry." A committee to "devise a plan for
the better supporting of the ministry" reported, "that the preacher in charge of
a circuit call a linancial meeting soon after taking charge of the same. . . .to agree
on the amount of his salary and amount of work to be done by him, and to appor-
tion the amount among the churches." The number of accessions during the year
were 145, and 96 baptized. The gradual change on the question of Secret So-
cieties is seen in the resolution prohibiting any minister "delivering lectures for
or against" them. K. H. Bolton was appointed "to prepare a historical sketch of
the rise and progress of the Church of God in the United States, but more especialljr
in the State of Iowa."
31st Iowa Eldership. — This Eldership witnessed the accession to its ranks of
a minister who became very prominent in connection with educational interests.
He was one of three who were ordained, to wit: J. K. H. Latchaw, D. S. Guinter*
and S. K. Akes. At the same time Mrs. Mailha J. IS. AVertz, formerly of the West
Pennsylvania Eldership, received license. The Committee to revise the Rules of
Co-operation and of Order reported only a few unimportant changes. The Elder-
ship held its session at Moneka, Cedar county, beginning September 11, 1878. The
evening previous C. W. Evans preached the Opening Sermon from Ps. Ixxxviii. It
was a well-attended Eldership, though there were seventeen teaching elders absent-
J. H. Besore was elected Speaker; C. Li. Wilson, Stated Clerk; R. H. Bolton, Cor-
responding Secretary, and H. Funk, Treasurer. The presence of Latchaw, a gradu-
ate of Hillsdale College, was made evident in actions taken on education. The
Committee recommended ministers "to preach occasionally on the subject of Edu-
cation," and a sitting of the Eldership was appointed "for the general discussiom
of the subject." "A spirited discussion took place" on "What is Education?"
"What is the Relation of Education to the Cause of Religion?" and, "What Cam
We Do to Promote Education?" The only practical outcome was a resolve to
"create a fund to aid in the education of young men aspiring for the ministry."
The Eldership had put itself on record as being "very deficient in education,"
which "occasions our practical exclusion from many places." Three hundred and
forty accessions to the churches were reported. "Due moderation in all things"
and "total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks as a beverage" was the gist of
the Report on Temperance. Two missionary collectors were appointed, who were
to be allowed ten per cent, on all collections, and traveling expenses. There were
fourteen circuits and one mission.
32nd Iowa Eldership. — The educational spirit in which the Eldership of 187 8
closed was carried over into the session of 187 9. For not only was the subject
again discussed; but by resolution it was declared that "education is a necessity
in this age of progress;" "that we consider ignorance a crime where knowledge is
within reach;" and that "we will encourage as much as we are able any reasonable
plan for the establishment of an institution of learning under the control of the
Church of God." The business of the Eldership was carried on with energy andi
in a spirit of harmony under the direction of F. F. Kiner, Speaker; A. C. Ganier»
Stated Clerk, and R. H. Bolton, Corresponding Secretary. The session was held
at Alice, Grundy county, beginning September 25th. J. Lininger preached the
Opening Sermon on the previous evening. The names of five teaching elders were
"dropped from the Minutes." The Iowa Missionary Society was "dissolved," and
"all the powers thereof delegated to the Iowa Eldership as an Eldership." Allen's
Grove, Scott county, was named "for holding the camp-meeting next year;" the
fixing of the time was left to the Standing Committee. While "harmony pre-
vailed" in the Eldership, there were several judicial trials of ministers- against
whom charges had been preferred. Also one appeal case came up, which was dis-
posed of by adopting censures on the church for expelling a member, and declaring
a minister implicated "to be highly censurable," his course "being unscriptural
and calculated to cause division and strife contrary to the best interest of the
said church." Dates were fixed for lifting the collections for Eldership funds,
and the ministers which had been delinquent were "instructed to collect the
same." There were eighteen fields of labor, one being the Northwestern Mission,
and one Dakota Territory.
33rd Iowa Eldership. — In general terms, the thirty-third Iowa Eldership has
468 History of the Churches of God
been regarded as one of rather more than ordinary energy in the dispatch of busi-
ness and the spirit of harmony which prevailed. A fair degree of success had at-
tended the labors of the year, and special stress was placed upon the cultivation
of a greater degree of spirituality on the part of both the ministry and the laity.
The session was held in the bethel at North Bend, Johnson county, beginning Sep-
tember 16, 1880. C. L. Wilson preached the Opening Sermon on the evening of
the 15th, from Matt. xxiv. 45, 46. Twenty-two of the forty-two teaching elders
were absent; eighteen ruling elders and delegates were in attendance. C. L. Wil-
son was the choice of the Eldership for Speaker; A. C. Garner, Stated Clerk; R. H.
Bolton, Corresponding Secretary, and Heni-y Funk, Treasurer. The Eldership
entered heartily into the spirit of "the celebration of the one hundredth anniver-
sary of the organization of the Sunday-schools," and also "the semi-centennial of
the Church of God organization in the United States." A special program had
been "prepared for these services, which was carried out." Some trouble was
experienced in getting ministers who did not attend the annual sessions to make
their reports in writing, and stricter enforcement of the Rule on this subject be-
came necessary. A number of licenses were withheld until such reports were re-
ceived by the Standing Committee. In ordaining licentiates a minister was ap-
pointed to "address them" after which "the Eldership joined in prayer," and then
"extended the hand of fellowship to them." The body regarded "a thoroughly
educated ministry as one of the great and pressing needs of the Church of God at
this time," and "deplored the non-existence of an institution of learning under the
auspices of the Church of God." The unusual incident of a minister "falling from
the ministry and grace," again "making his peace with God, and preaching" and
being "invited to become a member of this body" was a feature of this Eldership.
Two "missionary collecting agents" were again appointed, though the preceding
year only $278.18 were collected by the two agents, at an expense of $66.04.
There were twenty-one appointments made by the .Stationing Committee, one being
at Peaksville, Mo., and one, Dekota. These fields were in the twenty-three
counties: Adams, Appanoose, Buchanan, Cass, Carroll, Cedar, Des Moines,
Decatur, Guthrie, Greene, Henry, Hamilton, Ida, Johnson, Jefferson, Keokuk,
Louisa, Marion, Page, Scott, Story, Webster and Wayne.
34th Iowa Eldership. — A feeling reflected in reports of the Committee on
the State of Religion had been growing in the Eldership that there were some
deterrent causes operating against successful work, and so at the beginning of the
session of 1881 a special order was made for the afternoon of the second day "for
a general investigation of the wants of the Eldership and Church as to a more
efficient and successful work within its bounds and the strengthening of its
churches and ministry, and if possible to devise or suggest some ,way to more
surely spread the work of Christ in Iowa." The session was held at Fairview
Bethel, Cedar county, beginning September 8th. J. H. Besore was elected Speaker;
A. C. Gamer, Stated Clerk; C. L. Wilson, Transcribing Clerk, and Henry Funk,
Treasurer. Gai-field had been "foully attacked and stricken down by the hand of
the assassin," and the Eldership, "knowing and believing in the power and ef-
ficiency of prayer," agreed "to spend one-half hour in special prayer for the
President." The Eldership highly apreciated the fraternal visits of three mem-
bers of the Illinois Eldership and one of the Missouri Eldership. Through its
Committee on Temperance, F. F. Kiner, J. Rilett and A. C. Garner, the Eldership
expressed its belief "that all Christian Churches and people should unite in the
condemnation of the use and manufacture and sale of all intoxicating drinks as a
beverage;" that "God's people can not afford to legalize or countenance a traffic
which is in itself a source and the direct cause of such untold evil and sorrow,"
and urged "all our ministers and brethren to use every lawful and honorable
effort to secure the submission of the proposed amendment to the Constitution of
this State to the vote of the people." The fact of "the providential hindrances to
the success of the work in the Winter of 1880-'81 by reason of the severe cold and
snow" was recognized by resolution; but the Eldership believed "that much more
can be done by a proper effort and greater diligence." The building of Findlay
College was regarded as a "project to supply a long-felt need of the Church of
God," and all the "ministers and members of the Church of God in Iowa" were
"urged to heartily co-operate with the General Eldership in this work."
35th Iowa Eldership. — Preceding the Eldership in 1882, the Prohibitory
amendment to the State Constitution, so strongly endorsed by the Eldership in
1881, was voted on. In this campaign the Iowa ministers took a decided stand in
Iowa Ei^dership 469
favor of the amendment. Accordingly the Eldership could "hail with joy the
success attending the efforts of the different agencies engaged in the promotion of
the temperance cause in the United States," and especially did the body feel "to>
thank God for the result of the late election, in which the prohibition of the manu-
facture and sale of all intoxicating liquors as a beverage became the constitutional
law of the State." The session of the Eldership was held at Newburg, Jasper
county, beginning September 28th. On the evening of the 27th J. H. Besore-
preached the Opening Sermon, from Isa. Ixii. 2. While seventeen of the thirty-
three teaching elders of the Eldership were present, there were only five ruling;
elders and two delegates in attendance. Balloting for officers resulted in the elec-
tion of C. W. Evans, Speaker; A. C. Garner, Stated Clerk; C. L. Wilson, Corres-
ponding Secretary, and J. H. Lighter, Treasurer. The Speaker-elect "declined to
accept the office, and J. H. Besore was chosen in his stead." During the year the •
receipts were as follows: Missionary Fund, $230.05; Superannuated and Widows'
Fund, $64.42; Contingent Fund, $17.51. A State Evangelist was agreed upon;
but as two circuits remained unsupplied, none was appointed. A missionary meet-
ing was held on Friday evening, when missionary interests were discussed by C.
W. Evans, J. H. Besoi-e, A. Wilson, J. Hnff, W. Vance, J. Lininger and J. Rilett.
The appeal made for money was responded to by a collection of $72.55, and $84.05
in pledges. The Eldership referred the matter of the assessment of $50.00 by the
Corporate Board of the General Eldership to the Standing Committee, claiming
that it was "an unequal assessment," and that the Board "has overtaxed this Eld-
ership;" that "our just proportion would not exceed $30.00." While "in some
places we have not been as successful as desired," stated the Committee on the
State of Religion, "in other places a good work has been done." The body placed
Itself on record against "the use of tobacco in its various forms" as "a great and
growing evil, expensive, filthy and unhealthy," and pledged itself to "exert all the
influence we can against its use." Findlay College enterprise was strongly en-
dorsed, and the Eldership insisted on "putting forth every effort possible to make
it a success, and honor to the Church and a benefit to all who may come within the
range of its influence and power."
36th Iowa Eldership. — The year following the Eldership of 1882 was not
very prosperous in the way of conversions and accessions to the churches. Other
interests of the Eldership were being diligently looked after, and the ministers
were admonished "to put forth every lawful effort to enlarge the borders of the
Church of God." A sore disappointment was the adverse decision of the Supreme
Court of the State, which "set aside and held for naught" the Prohibitory Amend-
ment of the Constitution adopted June 27, 1883, by a majority of 29,729. But
the Eldership was as firmly determined as ever to fulfill "the moral obligation
which rests upon us, to secure the enactment of such laws as shall provide for the
enactment and enforcement" of Prohibition. In this spirit the Eldership convened
"at Alice, Grundy county, at 9 o'clock a. m., September 13, 1883, after having
listened the previous evening to the Opening Sermon by H. Murray, from Acts
XX. 28. A. C Gamer was chosen Speaker; C, L. WMlson, Stated Clerk; L. F. Cham-
berlin. Corresponding Secretary, and John Huff, Treasurer, to succeed former
Treasurer J. H. Lighter, who died during the Eldership year. The Eldership de-
cided to hold a camp-meeting the following Summer, and a Camp-meeting Com-
mittee was appointed. In the Sunday-school work the Eldership realized that it
was not doing "what it should," and action was taken looking toward the holding
a Sunday-school convention. The "matter was referred to the churches for con-
sideration," which were "to make their wishes known to the next Eldership." It
was also agreed "to revise the Constitution," and a Committee was selected for
that purpose; to report in 18 84. A "Permanent Missionary Fund" was created,
and the "Treasurer was instructed to set aside $200.00" for that purpose, "the
same to be kept separate from all others." The Treasurer was "required to give
bonds in double the amount placed in his hands." On the elective franchise the
Eldership put itself on record as "looking forward to the day when women may
have the right to express her wish at the ballot box on all moral questions to be
settled by a verdict of the people." The months in which pastors were to lift
collections for the different Funds were fixed, and the Clerk was "instructed to-
notify ministers of the time for taking up these collections." The Treasurer was
also "Instructed to set aside $400.00 of Superannuated and Widows' Fund for a
Permanent Fund."
37th Iowa Eldership. — When the Iowa Eldership convened in 1884 the Com-
'4-70 History of the Churches of God
mittee on Revision of the Constitution had no report to make, as it had done
nothing. It was continued. The General Eldership had refused to reduce the
.assessment of the Corporate Board from $50.00 to $30.00 for the past; but made
the assessment for the triennial period of 1884-1887 $40.00 a year. The Elder-
ship acquiesced, and directed an apportionment to be made accordingly. The
session of the Eldership was held at North Bend, Johnson county, beginning on
"Thursday at 9 o'clock a. m., September 4th. The previous evening A. C. Garner
.preached the Opening Sermon, from Rom. viii. 3. Seventeen of the thirty-three
teaching elders enrolled were present; four ruling elders and six delegates. The
Speaker was J. H, Besore; Stated Clerk, C. L. Wilson, Transcribing Clerk, L. F.
■Chaniberlin, and John Huff, Treasurer. The date for the beginning of the Elder-
ship year was fixed to be March 1st, and the "Stationing Committee was instructed
to make all appointments to expire March 1, 1886." The Committee on the State
of Religion, J. C. Kepford, W A. AVells and D. Gill, was "inclined to think there is
■too much formality and worldliness among ministers and the churches," and ad-
■vised "the cultivation of a greater degree of spirituality and a large liberality
among the churches in the support of the ministers." In addition to a cordial
approval of the work at Findlay College, the Eldership "commended the enterprise
-of the West Pennsylvania Eldership in establishing and taking under their care
the Barkeyville Academy." Young men who contemplate entering the active min-
istry were advised "to take an academic or collegiate course before entering upon
the work." The stringent enforcement of the Rules of the Eldership was ex-
■emplified in the placing of "G. T, Kininiel's license in the hands of the Standing
Committee until he make apology for irregularity in accepting an appointment
from the Board of Missions of the General Eldership without the consent of this
body." The Eldership voted to "thank God for success in securing the enactment
•of a statute prohibiting the sale as a beverage of all intoxicating liquors." The
■death of John Rilett was recorded, as that of "an earnest advocate of the principles
of the Church in his public and private life." The territory of the Eldership was
divided into fourteen circuits.
38th Iowa Eldership. — There was more than the usual degree of hopefulness
in the Eldership, and the future success of the Church in Iowa was apparently
assured. Under such inspiring conditions the body met at Pleasant Prairie,
Buchanan county, September 24, 1885, with thirteen fields of labor represented
*y nineteen teaching elders, while fourteen were absent. Only eight ruling elders
-\vere present. The choice for Speaker fell to the lot of J. C. Kepford; A. C. Gar-
dner was the Stated Clerk; C. L. Wilson was Corresponding Secretary. As Foreign
Mission interests had taken more definite shape at the General Eldership in 1884,
a resolution was adopted in answer to a letter from Secretaiy- Treasurer J. R. H.
Ijatchaw, expressing "heartiest interest in the Foreign Mission work," and "urging
the ministry and laity to encourage the work by liberal contributions." On
ttemperance, it was the sense of the Eldership that "it is the duty of Christians to
■vote for only such men as are known to be in favor of temperance." The Elder-
ship "hailed with thankfulness our success so far in our Findlay College enter-
prise, and the enlargement of our Book Department." Articles II., III., and
V. of the Constitution were amended, the Vlth. Article being stricken out. As
"not as much ground was gained as could be desired," a "more full consecra-
tion to the work on the part of both ministry and laity" was recommended.
The names of two ministers were "dropped from the Roll," one because "with-
out the knowledge or consent of the Eldership has connected himself with
another religious organization." The services of H. L. Soule, earlier of the East
Pennsylvania Eldership, but later of Illinois, were solicited as evangelist to labor
among the churches. Assessments made by the General Eldership, and amounts
needed for Iowa Eldership, were apportioned among the circuits. There were
again thirteen circuits. The sweet Christian fellowship, with all the trials inci-
dent to the work, was often expressed in the then popular song: "Shall we meet
teyond the river?" with which this session closed.
39th Iowa Eldership. — Edward Young, in "Chamber of Death," expresses the
sentiment that,
"Heaven waits not the last moment; owns her friends
On this side death; and points them out to men;
A lecture silent, but of sovereign power!"
This was experienced by the Iowa Eldership, which in 1886 lamented the de-
rparture of D. Wertz, "a prominent member, who though dead, still speaks to us."
Iowa Eldership 471
One-half hour was devoted to memorial services. The Eldership held its session
at Newburg, Jasper county, beginning September 9, 1886, the Opening Sermon
having been preached the previous evening by I. E. Boyer, from Judges vi. 24.
The officers chosen were, Speaker, L. F. Chambeiiin; Journalizing Clerk, A. C.
Garner; Corresponding Secretary, C. L. Wilson. The Illinois Eldership was rep-
resented by two delegates — W. I. Berkstreesser and C. Manchester. The Station-
ing Committee consisted of five members; the Standing Committee, three; which
with two additional members was also the Board of Missions. All these were min-
isters. There were but seven ruling elders enrolled. Jealous concerning orthodox
teaching by its own ministers, the Eldership was not content to pass by "certain
teachings contrary to the accepted views of this body," which it found in '"The
Workman Quarterlies," on John iii. 5 and xiii. It demanded "a frank and full ex-
planation as to how this gross oversight occurred." Over no other event was the
Eldership so thoroughly aroused as over that of the assassination of Rev. George
C. Haddock, a fearless advocate of Prohibition. In his war against the defiant
saloon element in Sioux City, Iowa, which resisted the State Prohibitory law, he
incurred its inveterate hatred, and was deliberately shot down on the street. The
Eldership embodied its sentiments in several most trenchant resolutions, uphold-
ing "the healthy and effective statutary law prohibiting the sale of all intoxicating
liquors as a beverage;" denouncing "the determined effort of those who are
opposed to prohibition to suppress and disregard the law," and reaffirming its de-
termination "from this time forward to use all lawful means to maintain the
honor of the State and the good of society by diligently doing our duty as in-
dividual citizens in making prohibition a success." One additional field of labor
was reported by the Stationing Committee — The Iowa and Dakota Mission, with
H. L. Soule and D. S. Guinter as ministers. J. Huff was re-elected Treasurer, after
making a very satisfactory report near the close of the session.
40th Iowa Eldership. — The brotherhood throughout Iowa seemed much en-
couraged during the Eldership year 1886-7. There was general increase of in-
terest in the work of the Church throughout the State. More preaching places
were opened, and the new fields, especially in Ida county, were promising well.
Newcomer, of Illinois, went to Ida Grove soon after the Eldership, and labored
successfully at that new center and in its vicinity. The Eldership convened at
North Bend, Johnson county, September 22, 1887. The Opening Sermon was de-
livered the previous evening, by L. F. Chamberlin, from Ex. xii. 11, 12. There
were sixteen teaching elders present, two exhorters, seven ruling elders and three
delegates. Seven teaching elders were absent. A. Wilson was chosen Speaker;
A. C. Garner, Journalizing Clerk, and C. L. Wilson, Corresponding Secretary.
Temperance work held a conspicuous place in the deliberations, and was made a
special order for Friday evening, with a special committee, consisting of J. H.
Besore, J. C. Kepford and L. F. Chamberlin, to prepare a program. Strong reso-
lutions were adopted, declaring the Eldership's full "accord with the Prohibitory
law of the State," and promising its aid and influence "that it may and shall be
enforced." The enactment of a "more stringent pharmacy law" was demanded.
On no questions before the body was there the least disposition to be delightfully
vague in the deliverances made. Even when "considering our publishing inter-
ests," which are primarily in charge of the General Eldership, did it speak in posi-
tive terms. The provision was adopted to constitute the Board of Missions of the
Standing Committee with two additionally elected members. Upon petition, a
committee was created to hear and decide a matter of a judicial character in the
church at Moneka. HuiY, Besore and Garner were appointed "to take initiatory
steps to procure a tabernacle for the use of the Eldership." While the amounts re-
ceived by the Treasurer, John Huflf, were comparatively small, the funds were in
good condition, to wit: Missionary Fund, $612.90; Superannuated and Widows',
$687.76; Contingent, $65.39. The Stationing Committee made sixteen appoint-
ments with one "General Worker." The body expressed its appreciation of the
action of the tleneral Eldership in naming North Bend, Iowa, as the place to hold
its session in 1890. It was especially noted that "the devotional services during
the session were spiritual and of more than ordinary interest," and that "the
preaching was well-timed, earnest, spiritual and edifying."
41st Iowa Eldership. — During the year 1887-8 Dakota Mission was added to
the fields of labor of the Iowa Eldership, making a total of seventeen when the
body was constituted on September 20, 1888. A. Wilson had preached the Opening
Sermon the previous evening, from Matt, xxvii. 22. The session was held in the
472 History of the Churches of God
Beaver Bethel, Guthrie county, with nineteen ministers present; two delegates,
one of them a sister, and eight ruling elders. Twelve ministers were absent. J.
H. Besore was the choice of the Eldership for Speaker; A. C. Gamer, Stated Clerk,
and L. F. Chainberlin, Transcribing Clerk. After his Report was approved and
audited, John Huflf was re-elected Treasurer. The liquor traffic was denounced as
"the aggregation of viciousness, lawlessness and crime, the murderer of innocents,
the financial cancer of economic industries, the cesspool of political trickery and
demigogery." The "unqualified prohibition of the traffic, State and national" was
favored, and it was considered the duty of "citizens and Christians to renounce all
allegiance to political parties which are in affiliation with, or under the control
of, the rum traffic." On the use of tobacco it expressed its belief that it is "an ex-
pensive, filthy and inconsistent habit, detrimental to spiritual growth, and over
which we cannot conscientiously ask the blessing of God." For the General Eld-
ership Missionary and Contingent Funds assessments were made. The Committee
on Tabernacle of 1887 had partly complied with its instructions, and when its
report was under consideration, subscriptions for the tent were taken on the floor,
amounting to $149.00. The time for holding the Eldership was changed "so that
the Opening Sermon will be preached on the Sunday morning on or before the full
moon of September, the Ministerial Association to be held Friday evening and
Saturday preceding. In the toll of death of the year was one veteran of the cross
most highly esteemed, Father Charles Huff, "whose history as a Christian and a
member of the Church of God was contemporary with the history of the Church
of God in North America, and whose life was interwoven with the early history of
the Church in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Iowa." The Eldership by an incisive reso-
lution placed itself "on record against the various methods, such as church fairs,
festivals, oyster suppers, etc., for raising money for religious and benevolent pur-
poses" as being "contrary to the spirit and teaching of the gospel." Findlay Col-
lege was emphatically endorsed, the body declaring "that we can not now afford
to slacken our hands in financial and moral support of the same." The Eldership
having resolved in favor of two General Missionaries, the Stationing Committee, In
addition to the seventeen regular fields of labor, appointed H. Murray and W.
Vance General Workers. But Moneka and Ida Grove were unsupplied. The Eld-
ership remained in session until Saturday evening; tarried over Lord's day, and
joined with the church in the ordinances in the evening.
42nd Iowa Eldership. — As the time was approaching for the meeting of the
General Eldership in Iowa, two items were prominent in the minds of the ministers
and churches in the State. Some opposition had developed against holding the
General Eldership in Iowa, and at North Bend, a country church. Then the neces-
sary preparation to entertain the body involved much work. But the brethren
were advised to proceed with the latter, on the positive assumption that no change
of place would be made. The matter of purchasing a tabernacle assumed addi-
tional significance, the committee declaring that "there appeared no immediate
need for the purchase of the same," had "deferred the matter to await the action
of this Eldership." The committee was continued, and a committee of four was
appointed by the church at North Bend, the two jointly constituting "a Committee
on Arrangements, to make such arrangements and preparations as may be neces-
sary for the proper reception and entertainment of the next General Eldership."
The session was held at Alice, in Grundy county, beginning on Monday morning,
October 7, 1889. On Sunday evening J. H. Besore had preached the Opening Ser-
mon, from Heb. xi. 24-26. Sixteen of the thirty-four ministers were absent; five
ruling elders, four delegates and one exhorter were present. M. S. Newcomer was
chosen Speaker; A, C. Gamer, Stated Clerk, and C. L. Wilson, Transcribing Clerk.
The Eldership mourned the death of I. Whisler, "one of our old ministers, identi-
fied with the early history of the Church of God in Iowa, a zealous advocate of the
doctrine and principles of the Church of God." The Eldership directed the prep-
aration of "a course of studies for the young ministers now entering this body, and
who are unable to attend college." It also recommended that "an educational
fund be established for the benefit of young ministers, and that collections for this
purpose be taken up at each appointment during the month of November in each
year." Churches were recommended to secure acts of incorporation under the
laws of the State. A sad incident marked the session, when J. H. Hurley, once
Speaker of the General Eldership, but later disfellowshiped by the Illinois Elder-
ship for certain misdemeanors, applied for license. Generously the Eldership,
upon promise of restitution, agreed to open its doors for his re-admission to the
Iowa Eldership ' 473
ranks of the ministry. Congregationalism was in part endorsed when it was re-
solved that "we do not consider a letter of recommendation or dismissal valid
unless ratified by the church." The Eldership declared that it emphatically
favors Prohibition, and that it has "no sympathy with the license or tax system."
After making a good report. Treasurer John Huflf was unanimously re-elected.
There were seventeen fields of labor, three of which received missionary appropria-
tions.
43rd Iowa Eldership. — "In a beautiful natural grove, upon an eminence which
makes it a very pleasant location," stands the Pleasant Grove Bethel, Louisa
county, where from September 29th to October 1, 1890, the forty-third annual
session of the Iowa Eldership was held. The Opening Sermon was delivered on
Sunday morning previous, by M. S. . Newcomer, from Luke xxiv. 49. Subject: —
"Source of Ministerial Power." There were sixteen fields of labor, two of which
were not represented. The enrollment showed twenty-two teaching elders, ten
ruling elders and six delegates present; and eleven teaching elders absent, two of
which were sisters. There were also two exhorters enrolled, but absent. The
election resulted in the choice of J. S. Miller, Speaker; A. C. Gamer, Stated Clerk;
C L. Wilson, Transcribing Clerk, and John Huff, Treasurer. The funds were in
good condition, though receipts were not large. There were balances on hand
from the previous year, in the Home Mission Fund, $579.44, and receipts, $174.00;
Superannuated and Widows', balance, $819.15, and receipts, $94.69; General Mis-
sion, balance, $92.52, and receipts, $116.46; Contingent, balance, $139.05, and
receipts, $55.14. Only $245.00 were appropriated out of the Mission Fund. For
this fund and the Contingent Fund assessments were made on the churches, thirty-
two in number. The Treasurer's bond was $2,000.00. There was a good degree
of success, and fair prospects for the coming year. A Course of Studies was re-
ported by a previously appointed Committee. It extended through three years,
and consisted of five subjects in each year, instead of text-books on particular doc-
trines. All ministers were given the option to take the Course. Each minister
taking the Course was, however, to study "Mclllvaine's Evidences of Christianity,"
and write a sermon on John I. 1, to be submitted to the Board of Examiners. On
"a. standard of giving," the Eldership expressed its judgment, "that every person
who is a member of the Church of God ought to give at least one-tenth of their
annual income, as we believe this is scriptural, right and just." The churches are
advised at "the beginning of the Eldership year to assess the membership on this
basis." The organization of Women's Missionary Societies in all the churches was
recommended. "Only such men and parties who favor the prohibition of the
liquor traffic" are to be "supported by our prayers and ballots." Unfermented
wine was recommended for Communion purposes. The Minutes were ordered pub-
lished in pamphlet form.
44th Iowa Eldership. — The extended Report of the Committee on Obituaries
in 1891 indicated the acute sense of loss which the Eldership felt in the deaths of
A. Hollems, J. B. Sherbon and J. M. Kline. Hollems was "an able minister, a
clear and lucid expounder of the word; a logical, systematic reasoner of great
power, and a meek, child-like man." Sherbon was "a man of quick penetration,
positive convictions and good abilities as a revivalist." Klein was "a missionary
of self-sacrificing devotion, and labored with ability and great acceptance." The
session was held at Hayes Chapel, Ida county, beginning Monday morning, Sep-
tember 14th. J. S. Miller delivered the Opening Sermon the Sunday morning
previous, from 2 Cor. iv. 1, 2. The officers elected were J. C. Kepford, Speaker;
A. C. Gamer, Stated Clerk; C. L. Wilson, Transcribing Clerk, and John Huff,
Treasurer. An ordinance meeting was held on Tuesday evening, when C. L. Wil-
son, by action of the Eldership, delivered an address. At the missionary meeting
the sum of "$600.00 was raised in cash and pledges." The Eldership also raised
$21.50 "to place a memorial window in the bethel at Ida Grove in memory of A.
Hollems." The year 1890-1 was "one of more than ordinary success." The
body strenuously opposed "the attempt to bring about the repeal of our present
prohibitory law," and the brotherhood was "earnestly urged to use their influence
and ballots in favor of such men only as are pledged to the retention and enforce-
ment of the present law." An important action was taken to promote more active
interest and effort on the part of ministers and churches to "use their influence in
retaining the children of the jfamilies of the Church, and thereby hold them to the
principles and doctrines of the Church of God." Funds for the purchase of a tent
for the use of the Eldership were not half sufficient, and pastors were directed "at
474 History of the Churches of God
once to make an effort to secure the full amount necessary." A State Missionary
was to be employed as soon as a suitable minister could be secured.
45th Iowa Eldership. — "The work of the Eldership," as reflected in this year's
Journal, "was carried on with zeal and energy. The foreign mission work had
taken strong hold on the minds of the brethren, and the subject was discussed at
some length, and quite an interest created." The session was held at Pleasant
Prairie, Buchanan county, beginning October 3, 1892. On the previous Sunday
morning 1. IJ. Boyer preached the Opening Sermon, from 1 Cor. vi. 20. When the
Eldership was constituted, forty-two teaching elders, of whom nineteen were
absent, and eight ruling elders and delegates were enrolled, representing eighteen
fields of labor. J. S, Miller was elected Speaker; A. C. Garner, Journalizing Clerk;
C. L. Wilson, Transcribing Clerk, and John Huff, Treasurer. Provision was made
for a form of Certificate for "all sisters who do not desire full ministerial license."
It made them members of the Eldership, with "authority to preach the gospel
among the churches of God within the bounds of this Eldership." "The Eldership
Missionary meeting and the Woman's Annual Missionary meeting" were to be held
together, the latter to receive one-third of the funds secured. The Eldership con-
ceded that it could "not dictate what ticket Christians ought to vote," yet it would
"advise and declare what they ought not to vote, as follows: For no party that
will not place itself in direct and open hostility to the saloon, in State and nation."
The "need of better cultured ministers and Christian workers everywhere" was
emphasized, and especially "for men and women filled with the Holy Spirit and
wisdom." Memorial services were held "in memory of H. Murray, in whose death
"this Eldership and the Church have sustained a great loss." He was a native of
Chester county. Pa., born August 28, 1815. In 1821, with his parents, he came
to near Good Hope, Cumberland county. Here he was converted in 183 5, and bap-
tized by Joseph Adams in the Susquehanna river. In 1842 he removed to Rich-
land county, Ohio, and in the Fall of that year received license from the Ohio Eld-
ership. In 1855 he emigrated to Iowa, and in October became a member of the
Iowa Eldership.
46th Iowa Eldership. — The Opening Sermon of this Eldership, delivered on
Sunday morning, September 24, 1893, by M. S. Newcomer, was out of the usual
line of such discourses. The text was in Matt. xxii. 21, and the theme was "The
Ideal Citizen." J. S. Miller was elected Speaker; A. C. Gamer, Stated Clerk; J. K.
Nelson, Transcribing Clerk, and John Huff, Treasurer. There was a strong senti-
ment in favor of employing a State Evangelist, and after approving the question, it
w^as referred to the Standing Committee. A motion to invite Mi's. Woodworth to
Iowa "to labor in evangelistic work," was not agreed to. Instead of arranging
for the collection of General Eldership missionary money through the usual
agencies, the Secretary of the Board of Missions of the General Eldership was in-
vited "to visit churches in Iowa and take collections" for that purpose. Clara
Iiandes appeared before the Committee on License, which "found her deeply im-
pressed of the Holy Spirit to do public work for God, and that foreign mission
work for the Church of God is to be the ultimate field of her labors." A Certifi-
cate of membership in the Iowa Eldership was granted her, and authority to
preach the gospel. The Eldership was evidently opposed to local option, as it
voted against "any attempt to make a law prohibiting the sale of intoxicants in
one part of the State, and establishing a license system in an other." It also "pro-
tested against a high or low license, believing it to be wrong." Emma Stover was
"recognized by the Eldership as Singing Evangelist," to "assist in meetings and
in the work of organizing Sisters' Missionary Societies." On the questions sub-
mitted to the Annual Elderships by the General Eldership, action was taken as
follows: Against a general Fund out of which to defray the expenses of dele-
gates to the General Eldership. On "Association of Churches of God," "we do
not object to the term 'Association,' yet we do not believe it to be wise to make
said changes," "unless it be adopted by all the Elderships." It approved of the
action of "the General Eldership in accepting the proposition of the Free Baptist
Association in Foreign Mission work." Funds as reported by the Treasurer were
— Home Mission, $738.65; General Mission, $148.17; Superannuated and Widows',
$727.50; Contingent, $207.80. $250.00 were appropriated out of the Home Mis-
sion Fund. The number of appointments was twenty-two, besides mission work
in Cedar Rapids was to be done, "as opportunity afforded," by Mrs. A. C. New-
comer.
47th Iowa Eldership. — The matter acted upon in 1893, to invite Mrs. Wood-
Iowa Eldership 475
worth to Iowa, and laid on the table, came up at the session in 1894, when J. L.
Cramer, after stating that Mrs. W. was "in Iowa unsolicited by this body," pro-
posed to "invite her by telegram to attend the session of the Iowa Eldership, which
met in annual session at Moneka, Cedar county, September 17, 1894. She was
then at North Bend, but declined to go to the Eldership "owing to so long and con-
tinued labor, and tired physical condition." The membership present consisted of
twenty-seven ministers, four exhorters, twelve ruling elders and one delegate. Ten
ministers were absent. L. F. Chamberliii was chosen Speaker; D. \V. Blakely, Stated
Clerk; J. W. Nelson, Transcribing Clerk, and John Huff, Treasurer. The death of
A. Megrew was the subject of appropriate resolutions. His was "an eventful and
consecrated life," and he "left a record of precious memory." He was licensed by
the Ohio Eldership in 1841, but removed to Iowa in 1850. He was Speaker of
the Iowa Eldership at several sessions, and a delegate to the General Eldership a
number of times. He died July 6, 1894. He was one of the converts of the
notable prayer-meeting held at Churchtown, Cumberland county. Pa., in 1832.
He did the carpenter work of the first bethel built there. He removed to Ohio in
1836. He was one of the strong and influential ministers of the Iowa Eldership.
At this Eldership, along with J. L. Cramer, L. T. Craven and E. E. Heltibridle,
Clara Landes received "full ministerial license." .Steps were taken to revise the
Constitution, Rules of Incorporation, Rules of Order and By-Laws, the committee
to report in 1895. If a change is to be made in Eldership titles, the Iowa Elder-
ship this year voted that its preference is "Assembly of Churches of God." Twenty-
two appointments were made, to six of which missionary appropriations were made,
aggregating $350.00. The Tabernacle Fund was to be increased, which now
amounted to $150.90.
48th Iowa Eldership. — It is doubtless next to a truism, that "in all religious
controversies, exaggeration, distortion, prejudice and unfairness are certain to
characterize, not one, but both of the contending sides." So that it is never in
strife of this kind that truth is likely to come forth, which, on the contrary is the
fruit of impartial, patient and quiet investigation. But discussion should be some-
thing quite different from controversy. It is the statement and consideration of
arguments for and against a matter under examination. Mill "On Liberty" says
Ihere must be discussion to "show how experience is to be interpreted." But for
more than that. If with calmness and judgment propositions are discussed they
are illuminated and connected facts are developed to enable parties to reach sound
conclusions. In 1895 the Iowa Eldership had protracted discussions on general
and local questions, but not any serious controversies. It held its annual session
at Alice, Grundy county, beginning September 23rd. Twenty-seven ministers were
present, and twelve were absent; eighteen ruling elders and delegates, and one
exhorter, while three exhorters were absent. An organization was effected by the
election of A. C. Garner, President; C. L. Wilson, Stated Clerk, and J. K. Nelson,
Transcribing Clerk. The first item under discussion was the revision of the Con-
stitution. After a committee was appointed, to report in 1896, the important
matter of "examining into the character and reports of ministers" was considered
and debated, and then referred to the Revision Committee. The Tent Fund was
then disposed of, and the "matter was dropped, and moneys ordered returned to
donors." In succession the Eldership discussed items handed down by the General
Eldership. On change of Eldership titles it was decided "not wise to depart from
the old landmarks," and so the Eldership stood "opposed to a change of titles."
But if a change should be made, Iowa preferred "Assembly to that of Association
of Churches of God," and so instructed its delegates. Life ordination was dis-
cussed at the Ministerial Association on September 21st, and the Eldership voted
that "persons called of God to preach the gospel should be ordained for life." It
was not in favor of "laying on of hands as necessarily essential to scriptural or-
dination." After the Treasurer's Report was audited and approved, N. Zeller was
, chosen Treasurer. The "licensing of the liquor traffic as a beverage" the Elder-
ship "looked upon as a crime and a sin," and hence the body pledged itself "not by
our ballots to support any party, men or measures that are not uncompromisingly
opposed to the legalization of this demoralizing and diabolical business." The Im-
portant question: "What can we do as an Eldership to increase the interest taken
in Y. P. S. C. E.?" was carefully considered. Assessments were made for General
Mission and Contingent Funds, and for expenses of delegates to the General Elder-
ship. There were twenty-two fields of labor. Mi-s. M. A. Sutliff was appointed
Evangelist.
476 History of the Churches of God
49th Iowa Eldersliip. — "A hopeful spirit prevailed" in the Iowa Eldership la
1896, and "the meeting was full of enthusiasm and interest." "All matters re-
lating to the general work of the Church were considered." True, "during the
year occurred the death of J, Lininger, and all felt that a great loss was sustained
and a wise counselor was gone from our midst." But J. W., Ault, Walter Smith
and Conrad Fatland were received into the Eldership, which much encouraged the
consecrated workers. Lininger was a self-made man. He was first licensed by
the East Pennsylvania Eldership, in 1839. He became one of the pioneer mem-
bers of the Iowa Eldership. He was firm to a fault in his opinions, yet there was-
an absence of egotism in his utterances. A man of great energy and natural
ability, he became a leading member of the Iowa Eldership. He was tenacious,
yet conciliatory. A man of sterling character, he had also a fine sense of honor
and a kindly, generous spirit toward all with whom he came in contact, and so he
could say with Hamlet: "I think myself in nothing else so happy as in a soul
remembering my dear friends." Barbara McFadden, widow of Wm. McFadden,
minister in the East Pennsylvania Eldership, who died at Ida Grove, la., was lov-
ingly remembered and honored at the memorial services. The session of the Eld-
ership was held at Carroll, Carroll county, and began September 21st, the Opening
Sermon having been preached .the Sunday morning before, by J. C. Kepford, from
1 Kings ii. 2. A. C. Gamer was the President, and C. L. Wilson, Clerk. Three
new churches were received after their condition was investigated and favorably
reported upon by a committee. The revised Constitution was reported, and
adopted. The amendments changed "Church of God" to "churches of God;" "Cor-
responding Secretary" to "Transcribing Clerk;" "Speaker" was changed to "Presi-
dent;" provision was made for the election of "a Standing Committee which shall
also be the Board of Mission;" requiring "all persons receiving license from the
Eldership to hold membership in some local church in the Eldership;" requiring
"all officers to be actual members of the Eldership, except the Treasurer and the
Transcribing Clerk," who need not be, and do not become members by such elec-
tion. The retiring President was required to deliver before the next Eldership-
"a message, stating so far as possible the wants and conditions of the churches,
and making such recommendations as in his judgment he may deem necessary.""
The use of permanent funds of Findlay College was characterized as being-
"dangerous, and is creating distrust, and is closing up the way for securing perma-
nent funds of that character;" but the Eldership expressed its "deep interest in
the success of the College." Two sisters "received Lay Evangelist Certificates."
In addition to a forcible resolution on temperance, the Eldership "declared its
antipathy to the tobacco habit, and opposed those who desire to become mem-
bers of this body until fhe use of tobacco in any form is discarded." Churches
were urged to organize Y. P. S. C. E., and to send representatives to the next Eld-
ership to organize a State Association. There were twenty-two fields of labor,
one vGeneral Evangelist and four Lay Evangelists, three of them women.
50th Iowa Eldership. — This is the" fifty-first annual session of the Iowa Eld-
ership," according to its official enumeration. It was held at Pleasant Prairie,
Buchanan county, and the Opening Sermon was preached by D. S. Guinter on
Sunday morning, September 12, 1897, from 1 Cor. xv. 22. On Monday morning
the provision of the amended Constitution went into effect, when "an admirable
address by A. C. Gamer, retiring President, was delivered." He reviewed the
work of the past year; gave an outline of the work to be done by the Eldership,
with many valuable suggestions upon matters of serious import. Then the Elder-
ship was constituted, and an organization effected by electing J. S. Miller, Presi-
dent; C. L. AVilson, Stated Clerk; J. W. Ault, Transcribing Clerk. A newly or-
ganized church in Lincoln township, Wright county, was received. Also one at
Shellsburg, and one at East Des Moines. A pleasant incident was a letter of
greeting from the Illinois Eldership through Sister C. M. Ritchie. By her hand
greetings of the Iowa Eldership were sent to the Oregon and Washington Elder-
ship, and to the Illinois Eldership. The first report of Clara Landes, Missionary
to India, was read, and was received with absorbing interest. A special order
was made for the memorial services to do honor to two ministers who had in their
departure left legacies of pious devotion to the common cause. Sister A. C. New-
comer was "a faithful advocate of the gospel, an earnest worker in the Church,
and a woman of great faith in God in times of sorrow and affliction. She re-
ceived her first license from the Illinois Eldership in 1873." W. Bnrch, who for
many years was a faithful minister of the gospel, and one who was always true to
Iowa Eldership 477
the doctrines of the Church of God." An effort to establish a time-limit for
pastors, the term being three years, was not successful. Two General Evangelists,
A. E. Kepford and J. C. Forncrook, were licensed. The receipts for the Mission-
ary Fund were $362.08; Contingent Fund, $160.61; General Eldership Mission
Fund, $269.69; Superannuated Fund, $263.88. N. Zeller was elected Treasurer.
The fields of labor numbered twenty-three, with three Lay Evangelists and four
General Evangelists.
51st Iowa Eldership. — In addition to the Annual or Opening Sermon, the
"Annual Message" of the retiring President was gaining in public estimation. At
the session in 1898, J. S. Miller, retiring President, recommended that "the Annual
Message be published in The Advocate at least one month before the session of the
Eldership." He also recommended that "at least one-half of the afternoons of
the first two days be given to committee work," a suggestion which experience in
deliberative bodies has proved to be quite generally approved. Also that "nomi-
nations in the selection of officers" be adopted. The Eldership convened on Sat-
urday, September 19, 1898, at Glidden, Carroll county. On Sunday morning Jay
•C. Forncrook delivered the Opening Sermon, from Matt. xvi. 18. The twenty-
four fields of labor were represented by twenty-five teaching elders and twenty
ruling elders and delegates. There were also three Lay Evangelists, three Gen-
eral Evangelists, one General Worker, one Missionary in employ of the Board of
Missions of the General Eldership, one Missionary to India, seventeen local min-
isters and two exhorters. But nineteen of the teaching elders were absent. Four
teaching elders were women, and three of the evangelists and one exhorter. After
nominations, elections resulted in the choice of D. S. Guinter, President; C. L.
Wilson, Stated Clerk; J. W. Ault, Transcribing Clerk. His "usefulness impaired
by failures to meet his financial obligations," the Standing Committee suspended
one minister "from the functions of the ministry," and the Eldership revoked his
license. In its action on temperance, emphatically declaring against "the manu-
facture and sale of all intoxicating drinks, both as a beverage and a medicine, the
Eldership petitioned the President of the United States to use his executive power
to abolish the army canteen." Three newly organized churches, on application,
were received into the Eldership. The unique entry of instances in which the
Eldership violated its Constitution was followed by the passage of a resolution
that "in the future the Iowa Eldership hold sacred its Constitution, and under no
case, condition or circumstance violate it." A special effort was to be made dur-
ing the year to increase the Home Mission Fund, and the last Lord's day in October
was designated as the time "to present the claims of the Home Mission Fund and
receive money and pledges." The ministers were to be interrogated at the Elder-
ship in 1899 as to whether they complied with this order. One minister was ex-
pelled by the Eldership for conduct which brought "reproach to the cause of
Christ and disgrace to the gospel ministry." The work throughout the Eldership
had "made good progress; the membership had materially increased; four new or-
ganizations were formed; several houses of worship were built."
52nd Iowa Eldership. — To meet certain conditions under the order of the
General Eldership requiring Life Certificates of Ordination was a perplexing ques-
tion in the Iowa Eldership. But it was solved by adding to the Life Certificate a
certificate of character and standing, "to be renewed every year by the vote of
the Eldership." Before organization of the Eldership in 1899, after it was con-
stituted by the Clerk, a Committee on Credentials was appointed, which also re-
ported petitions from the church at Muscatine and the mission church at Iowa
City "for admittance to the Iowa Eldership." The session was held at North
Bend, Johnson county, and began business on Monday morning, September 18,
1899. J. C. Kepford had preached the Opening Sermon on Sunday morning, from
Joshua iii. 4. A. C. Garner was elected President; C L. Wilson, Stated Clerk;
F. F. Manchester, Transcribing Clerk, and N. Zeller, Treasurer. The Eldership
not only "condemned any and all political parties w^hich in any way would try to
sustain the saloon in Iowa and other States in violation of the law," and "de-
manded the abolishment of the army c^jnteen;" but it denounced "the use of
cigarettes as very destructive to the youth of our land." A half hour was "set
apart for memorial services" in honor of four persons who had gone never to
"come back from the echoless shore." None was a minister; but John Huflf had
long been a member of the Eldership, and its Treasurer, and also delegate to the
General Eldership, and its Treasurer. The name of Can-ie A. Kepford was added
to the Ministerial Roll, she having received an annual license. The other regu-
478 History of the Churches of God
larly licensed women of the Eldership were Emma Isenberg, Mrs. S. A. Rambo,
Clara Landes, M. Sutliff and Mrs. M. J. B. AVertz, formerly Beecher, who was sup-
erannuated. The Eldership rejoiced that "notwithstanding adversities, victories
are ours; some new bethels are being built, new churches organized and others
strengthened." Thre were 44 churches in the body, 32 bethels, 1,610 members,
131 fellowshiped during the year, $5,911.78 paid as salaries of ministers. The
Stationing Committee made twenty-three appointments. The brethren were "rec-
ommended to endeavor to maintain a greater spirit of love and preferment at the
Eldership."
oSrd Iowa Eldei-ship. — The Iowa Eldership in 19 00 had forty-one ministers
on its Roll, of which number six were women, including Clara Landes, Midnapore,
India. Two had died during the year, and one was suspended. There were also
four exhorters, two of them women. The session was held at Newburg, Jasper
county, beginning September 10th, with the Opening Sermon on the previous even-
ing, by C. Fatland, from Jude 3. Twenty-six ministers were present, and four-
teen ruling elders and delegates. A. C. Gamer, retiring President, opened the
session by "delivering his Address and making rcommendations." Officers were
then elected as follows: President, A. C. Garner; Stated Clerk, E. W. Moyer;
Transcribing Clerk, F. F. Manchester; Treasurer, N. Zeller. There were twenty-
three charges, and I. E. Boyer and J. C. Fonicrook were named as Evangelists.
The state of religion was not wholly satisfactory, though "some advancement was
made along all lines of Church work, and a good degree of spiritual life prevailed."
There was a "Committee on Disorganized Churches," which reported four churches
"disorganized" or "defunct," and in one instance "the church building gone."
But three churches were received "as a part of this Eldership," two of them
located in Missouri. The two "well-beloved brethren" removed by death were
David Gill and Joel Rawhauser, who had "devoted the best of their lives to the
sacred cause of the ministry." Whether or not the prayer was answered, "that
their mantel of power may fall on others," it is still true as was said when
Webster died: "We do not get another Webster by electing a new United States
Senator to take his seat." Reports as to the unfavorable attitude of the Elder-
ship toward C. E. societies had provoked discussion, and the body declared that
it "fully endorsed the Christian Endeavor Society as an auxiliary to the church
both needful and helpful." On the resolution affirming "that the members of
this body shall not in any way oppose any of the institutions sanctioned and
adopted by this body, "a yea and nay vote was ordered, resulting in yeas, 25;
nays, 10; not voting. 5. A regular system of apportioning "the different Funds
among the churches" prevailed, and the five Funds were in satisfactory condition.
A four years' Course of Studies was agreed upon, and a committee appointed to
outline it and fix examinations and establish grades. A candidate for ordina-
tion was required to make an average of 7 5 per cent, in Reading, Arithmetic,
Grammer, Geography, Orthography and History.
54th Iowa Eldei-ship. — The Ministerial Association met the day before the
Eldership, and was attended by twenty-one ministers and twelve laymen. The
same number, with two added, answered Roll call when the session of the Elder-
ship opened at Alice, Grundy county, Monday morning, September 23, 1901. On
Sunday morning E. E, Heltibiidle preached the Opening Sermon, from Matt,
xxviii. 18-20. President Garner "addressed the Eldership, reviewing the year's
work, and making recommendations for the consideration of the Eldership." He
was re-elected President; E. W. Moyer, Stated Clerk; F. F. Manchester, Transcrib-
ing Clerk; N. Zeller, Treasurer. The church property at Arthur was sold — -build-
ing and lot, $350.00; furniture and bell, $80.00. The money was placed into the
Church Extension Fund. The church organized at Royal, Clay county, "was re-
ceived as one of the churches of the Iowa Eldership." A Board of Education was
provided for, which was to meet and examine members of the classes in the four
years' Course of Studies on Thursday preceding the Ministerial Association. It
was to "recommend all candidates for license to the Standing Committee. A
Diploma was to be granted to those who finished the Course. Ira L. Fatland
was the first one to be licensed under this provision. Two soldiers of the cross
during the year reported to the Great Commander — F. F. Kiner and Geo. Stone.
Memorial services were held, at which the characters and works of these departed
ministers were duly set forth. They were "aged brethren, who had seen years of
labor for the Master." But the glory of their lives came not from what they did,
or what they knew; but was found in what they were. There were twenty ap-
Iowa Eldkrship 479
pointments, all but one supplied. One was the "Missouri Mission." Nine min-
isters were named as "General Workers." Briefly the Eldership affirmed "that
the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage is "a sin," thus going back to the
original moral ground upon which the question of temperance rested in early
years. But it also pledged itself to "use our influence in every legal way possible
to destroy the rum traffic."
55th Iowa Eldei-ship. — In 1902 the announcement of the meeting of the
Iowa Eldership indicated that a new question of moment would require discus-
sion and action. The W. M. S. had been meeting annually at the time and place
of the meeting of the Eldership; but in 1902 "all societies of the W. M. S. are
urged to send their full quota of delegates." A "joint session with the Elder-
ship" was asked by the W. M. S. to consider certain questions. At this joint
meeting unanimous action was taken by the Eldership on "the action of the Gen-
eral Eldership in 1902," and two kindred questions. "No inflamatory speeches
were m.ade," says the Stated Clerk, "or sentiments of disloyalty expressed;" but
the Eldership expressed it as its opinion "that the action of the General Eldership
in taking the Home Funds of the W. G. M. S. was illegal and unjust, and in direct
violation of the Constitution of the W. G. M. S.,. and also of an action of
the General Eldership at Decatur, June 18, 1899." The session was held in the
Harmony Bethel, Des Moines county, beginning on Monday morning, September
15th. The Opening Sermon was preached the previous Sabbath morning by G. W.
Elliott, from II. Tim. iv. 1-S. The officers elected were: President, J. S. Miller;
Stated Clerk, E. AV. Meyer; Transcribing Clerk, A. E. Kepford; Treasurer, N.
Zeller. In addition to the action in joint session with the W. M. S., the Elder-
ship also adopted resolutions alleging "discrimination against the W. G. M. S. in
the columns of The Church Advocate," and demanding that its "columns be open
alike to all without discrimination." The President of the Board of Publication,
D. M. Bare, received these resolutions, and was "authorized to obtain the facts
complained of, and make answer to the same." This he did, and published them,
with his conclusion, that "it will be found that there has been no discrimination."
But as there was "more or less of an undercurrent of dissatisfaction and criticism
prevalent throughout the Eldership concerning our general interests," the work
in Iowa felt its effects. The church at Smith Grove, Bremer county, and the
church at Stahl, Mo., were received into the Eldership. The sale of the Iowa
City and the Muscatine church properties was reported. There were thirty-nine
churches in the Eldership, with a total membership of 1,101. They paid a total
of $4,9 03 as salaries to the pastors. Being delinquent on assessments for General
Eldership Funds, a committee on the subject reported in extenuation, that the
Eldership had "paid out a large amount of money in the support of mission work
in northern Missouri, which was not in harmony with the conditions on which
said work was accepted;" that the Eldership should have credit for money thus
expended; that "the membership in Iowa in the past two years has been greatly
reduced by removals," and that "many of the churches are now in need of finan-
cial help from the Eldership." There were twenty-three appointments made,
with Mrs. M. Siitliff and G. W. Elliott, "Evangelists to Iowa and Minnesota."
Three of the fields were in Missouri.
56th Iowa Eldership. — The year 1902-3, assuming the accuracy of the Sta-
tistics, was not a prosperous one. The number of churches in 1903 was given as
33; members, 739; bethels, 28; conversions, 293; fellowshiped, 151; salaries,
$4,991.35. The Eldership rejoiced most over the report of Clara I/andes, whose
name stands on the list of Appointments as "Missionary to India." The Elder-
ship expressed its "joy in her victories for Christ and the Church." The Elder-
ship held its session with the church at Pleasant Prairie, Buchanan county, where
on Sabbath morning, September 27th, C. Tj. AVilson preached the Opening Sermon,
from 1 Tim. iii. 15. On the morning of the 28th the body effected an organiza-
tion by electing L. F. Chamberlin, President; A. E. Kepford, Stated Clerk; Conrad
Fatland, Transcribing Clerk; N. Zeller, Treasurer. The Eldership through its
Committee on Credentials refused to seat a "regularly elected delegate from the
church at Mt. Joy" because not a member "with said church." The church at
Ninevah, Mo., was received into the Eldership. Two days were to be "the time
for the Ministerial Association." The W. M. S. again "requested the Iowa Elder-
ship to grant it a period of time to sit in joint session" with the Eldership. It
presented a preamble, with a list of "grievances," and some resolutions. These
were considered by "a special committee, of which" the sisters were allowed to
480 History of the. Churches oe God
select two members." It reported, "deeply deploring the present difficulties and
conditions;" that it believed "some, or all of these grievances may be more or
less exaggerated, yet there is much room for complaint;" that "union under
existing circumstances is impossible," and "endorsing the action of the Iowa W.
M. S.," and urging "its continued vinity." The prevalent desire for harmony and
peace, however, found expression in the admonition laid upon all to exercise "the
utmost care, to refrain in conversation, correspondence or publication from those
things which increase division and destroy confidence." It suggested the publi-
•cation of "a monthly, non-partisan paper, devoted to the cause of missions."
Local option was endorsed as a measure "to abolish the saloon," while praying
and laboring for prohibition.
57th Iowa Eldership. — Within the Iowa Eldership there was a degree of
unity which contrasted with conditions elsewhere in some parts of the West.
Tlje session of 19 04 "was characterized with brotherly love and kindness,"
though there was evident a degree of acerbity of feeling toward other sections
of the Church. There were "many in the Iowa Eldership radical in opposing the
General Eldership, at least on the action relating to the missionary situation en-
acted by the last General Eldership." To adjust matters it was recommended
that "the Iowa Eldership petition the General Eld-ership, asking that a special time
he set apart during the session of the next General Eldership for a free and
deliberate consideration of the relative merits of all grievances of the W. G. M.
S. relative to the acts or actions of the General Eldership, or any of its Boards or
agents, with a view to seeking such an equitable adjustment of all acts or actions
pertaining thereto as shall induce a spirit of true unity and harmony." This
action was taken in response to a resolution of the Iowa W. M. S. The Eldership
held Its session at Shambaugh, Page county, where the Opening Sermon was de-
livered by A. E. Kepford, on Sabbath morning, September 13, 1904, from Rom.
V. 1. The enrollment from the twenty-one charges consisted of thirty-seven
teaching elders, three exhorters and ten delegates. The retiring President rec-
ommended: 1. "Course of Study." 2. "Extreme care in selection of delegates
to the General Eldership." 3. Avoiding "technicalities." 4. "Assist to lay
one stone that might prove a basis of union in the missionary situation." Con-
versions during the year numbered 179; fellowshiped, 113; C. E. Societies, 6;
churches, 31; houses of worship, 27. At one of the appointments the two pastors,
Conrad and Ivy Fatland, resigned because "strong drink was required to be ad-
ministered in the Communion." The position taken by the church was disap-
proved, and the matter was adjusted. On condition that the church building to
"be erected at Maynard, Minn., be deeded to the Iowa Eldership, the missionary,
O. \V. Elliott, was permitted to canvass the Eldership territory for funds. The
church at Maynard, Minn., was "admitted into the Iowa Eldership until such time
as there may be an Eldership formed in that State." During the year two min-
isters, William Vance and Martha J. B. Wertz, ended their earthly careers. Affect-
ing memorial services were held in their honor. A^ance was a native of Fayette
county, Pa., and was converted under the labors of Thomas Hickemell about 1838.
He was licensed by the West Pennsylvania Eldership in 1845, and removed to
Iowa in 1850. He was one of the active pioneer preachers in that State. He
was a man full of zeal, and one of the most successful pastors in his earlier years.
He was endowed with the gift of song, and "his volume of voice was wonderful."
He reached the age of 78 years. Mrs. FJeecher was born in Chester county, Pa.,
August 29, 1819. She was converted at a Methodist camp-meeting held at London
Grove, Chester county, Pa., September 10, 1834, and united with the Methodist
Protestant Church. On May 24, 1840, in Allegheny City, Pa., she was married to
David Beecher. After Beecher's death she was married to Rev. Daniel AVertz, in
Cedar county, la., August 9, 1866. She was converted to the faith of the Church,
and was baptized by J. M. Domer in 1857. In 1859 the West Pennsylvania Elder-
ship granted her an exhorter's license, and in 1864 preacher's license. In 1866
she removed to Iowa and became a member of the Iowa Eldrship. "She did her
work well." On account of "grievances existing on some fields" of labor it was
decided that "at least one member of the Standing Committee visit each field not
less than once a year." On the list of appointments this year was Trenton, North
Dakota, to which J. K. Nelson was assigned. The officials of the Eldership of
1904 were L. F, Chaniberlin, President; A. E. Kepford, Stated Clerk; Conrad Fat-
land, Transcribing Clerk: N. Zeller. Treasurer. Five of the pastors received ap-
propriations out of the Missionary Fund.
Iowa Eldership 481
58th Iowa Eldership. — "The Iowa Woman's Missionary Society" continued
out of harmony with the recognized W. G. M. S. of the General Eldership; but the
Eldership so interpreted the action of the latter body in 1905 that its relations to
the Iowa Eldership were not disturbed. It held its meeting in 1905 simultaneously
with the session of the Eldership, which was convened at Mt. Joy, Sioux county,
to begin September ll'th. On Sunday morning L. F. Chainbeiiin preached the
Opening Sermon, from II. Tim. iv. 2-5. The enrollment showed the following
membership: Present, twenty teaching elders, seven ruling elders, three dele-
gates; sixteen teaching elders absent. On the Roll as ministers were four women,
and one as a ruling elder and one as a delegate. Elections resulted in the choice
of L. F. Chamberlin, President; A. E. Kepford, Stated Clerk; Conrad Fatland,
Transcribing Clerk; Treasurer, N. Zeller. The Eldership on its list of appoint-
ments had at this time three circuits in Missouri, one appointment in Minnesota,
and one in North Dakota. A church organized by G. W. Elliott, at Mount View,
Minn., was "received into the Eldership and recorded on the Roll." So also was
the church at Mount Harmony, Mo. The Iowa City "church property had been
disposed of for $1,320.00." The "Inter-State Assembly of the churches of God,"
organized in the Indiana Eldership, was "heartily endorsed, believing it will afford
a fine opportunity for intellectual culture, the spiritual development and the social
intercourse of our young people." Findlay College was endorsed as an institu-
tion "which is accomplishing much in the interest of the Church," and "the young
people were encouraged to attend it," and the churches "to support it in every
possible way." C. I. Brown, the President, being present, "set forth in a candid
way the condition and needs of the College." Two of the ministers of the Elder-
ship had completed their earthly journey during the year. I. E. Boyer was the
first to reach the goal. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and was first licensed
by the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1852. For some years he was a member
of the Illinois Eldership, and later was transferred to the Iowa Eldership. He
was "a man of ability and strength, and thoroughly faithful to the highest in-
terests of the Church." He was noted for "the beauty of a devoted, well-rounded
and symmetrical life." W. H. Hickman was a man of good natural talent, and
his loss was much deplored. Not accepting "the doctrine of a second work of
grace" on sanctification, the Eldership "admonished" one of its teaching elders
^'to refrain from preaching anything that will have a tendency to produce discord
or division." The Standing Committee was authorized "to continue as overseers
of the churches," and was instructed to "stimulate interest among the churches in
financial matters." An expelled member of any one church was to be so con-
sidered by every other church. Pastors were to encourage the building of par-
sonages, and to this end it was deemed important that "the Iowa Eldership fix
boundaries for fields of labor, so that parsonages can be advantageously located."
Always decided in its convictions on temperance, the Eldership expressed its judg-
ment, that "the open saloon is legalized by our ballots," and hence "the voters
of the churches of God are requested to refuse to vote with parties which fail to
put themselves in open hostility to the saloon." The "use of tobacco and all
narcotics" was condemned, and "ministers and members of the churches" were
required "to use their infiuence both publicly and privately against their use."
The finances of the Eldership were in a healthy condition, although the receipts
were below the needs of the Eldership. The funds were as follows: Home Mis-
sion, Contingent, General Mission, Superannuated and Widows', Church Extension,
Permanent Home Mission, General Contingent and Delegate. There were twenty-
five fields of labor, but four of them the Eldership left "to be supplied." Two of
the appointees, W. N. Yates and Jesse Huddle, were received on transfer, the
former from the East Pennsylvania Eldership, the latter from the Oregon and
Washington Eldership. Two of the pastors appointed were women.
59th Iowa Eldership. — Findlay College having prepared a Course of Studies
in line with the Ministerial Course in the College and Theological Department,
the Iowa Eldership was at once prepared to adopt it for all its "ministers who had
not been preaching ten years," and "all coming into the Eldership, except such
as may come from other religious bodies." A Board of Education was also pro-
vided for, and W. N. Yates, M. S. Newcomer and J. S. Miller were elected. The
session of 1906 also took action on "a petition from the Standing Committee of
the East Pennsylvania Eldership, requesting the Iowa Eldership to join It in
petitioning the Executive Board of the General Eldership to appoint a Commission
C. H.— 17
482 History of the Churches of God
for the purpose of effecting a union in our foreign mission work." The Eldership
accepted the action of its Standing Committee, agreeing "to ask the Executive
Board of the General Eldership to appoint a special Commission, whose duiy it
shall be to act as a mediator between the W. G. M. S. of 1890 and the W. G. M. S.
of 1903, with a view of securing a mutual agreement," subject to ratification by
the Incorporate Board of the General Eldership. The Eldership "realized the
necessity of laboring for the uniting of all our missionary forces," and pledged
itself to encourage every honorable effort to bring about the desired result;" yet
its several actions laid emphasis on the character of the proposed Commission
as "mediator" only. The position of the Eldership was embarrassing, as it aimed
to be loyal to the General Eldership, while its W. M. S. was not in co-operation
with said body, but resisted all its actions relating to itself. Under these condi-
tions the session of 19 0 6 was held at North Bend, Johnson county, beginning on
Monday, September 17th, and continuing until Thursday. Sabbath morning,
September 16th, the Opening Sermon was preached by 31. S. Newcomer. Elec-
tions for officers resulted in the choice of A. C. Gamer, President; W. N. Yates,
Stated Clerk; Conrad Fatland, Transcribing Clerk; N. Zeller, Treasurer. The
Eldership rejoiced in "the return of Clara Landes for a brief rest, after almost
ten years spent in India as missionary." Being present at the session, she re-
ported in person. The Iowa W. M. S. in a body participated in a special program
of an hour on Monday. The action of the Standing Committee, that "financial
aid for the work in India and the return of Sister Landes might be solicited from
the churches in Iowa," was approved. On temperance the Eldership took ad-
vanced ground, declaring that "the time has come when the Christian voter can
no longer silence the voice of conscience by devotion to parties known to be allied
with the liquor traffic without compromising with the forces of evil." The body
"sympathized with all organized efforts among men and women for the overthrow
of the liquor traffic." The Committee reporting these sentiments consisted of
these six sisters: M. B. Newcomer, M. Sutliflf, Ivy Fatland, Ellen Gi-een, Clara
Landes, Emaline "Wilson. Strong resolutions on education were adopted, declar-
ing that "the whole man — body, soul and spirit — is to be dedicated, trained and
devoted to the service of God," and so "all our young men are advised to take all
the collegiate and academic training possible, but at the same time preserve the
pre-eminence and control of the Holy Spirit over all." Obligation was laid on
the pastors to preach a special sermon during the year on home missions, one on
the duty to support the ministry and God's cause in general, and one on the duty
of the churches to patronize our Printing and Publishing House. The eighteen
fields of labor, with two exceptions, were supplied with pastors. Mrs. M. Sutliif
was appointed State Evangelist, and Rambo and wife Evangelists. The name of
Clara Landes is on the list as "Missionary to India." D. Kepford, E. Angel, J.
W. Mullen and Walter Smith are the "superannuated ministers," and received ap-
propriations out of the Superannuated Fund, which had a balance at this time of
$955.03. The Eldership elected ministers to preach the Missionary Sermon and
the Gospel Temperance Sermon.
60th Iowa Eldership. — While the Boards of the General Eldership acted ad-
versely on the reappointment of Clara Landes as Missionary to India, and the ap-
pointment of A. B. Chamberlin to the same territory; the Iowa Eldership, of which
both were members, decided to "set apart thirty minutes for holding a fariewell
service to the outgoing missionaries." Otherwise "on the mission question" the
"Eldership was silent." The outlook "for better things" was hopeful, and the
session of the Eldership was characterized with earnest and spiritual devotional
services. After the annual missionary sermon, by Conrad Fatland, $400.00 were
raised for home missions. The session was held at Alice, Grundy county, and
began on Monday morning, September 23, 1907. On the preceding Sabbath morn-
ing W. N. Yates delivered the Opening Sermon. A. C. Gamer was elected Presi-
dent; W. N. Yates, Stated Clerk; Conrad Fatland, Transcribing Clerk; N. Zeller,
Treasurer. As per custom, the retiring President "delivered an address," this
year "speaking of the general condition of the churches, and recommending that
special attention be given the work in Sullivan county. Mo." Thursday evening
until Saturday the Ministerial Association held its annual meeting. During the
year "the church property in Gentry county. Mo.," was sold, and the church at
Mount View, Minn., was reported as having "become extinct." The church at
Burns school-house. Mo., was received into the Eldership. While the body voted
Iowa Eldership 4^3'
favorably on Findlay College and Ft. Scott Collegiate Institute, and bespoke for
"both these institutions the hearty support of the brethren in general, and tke^
patronage of our young people; yet it "recognized the Bible to be the foundatiott.
of all true learning," and "urged the brethren to become, or continue to be,,
earnest students of the Holy Book." The Treasurer reported the receipts for-
the Home Mission Fund, including balance from the ex-Treasurer, to have been
$738.40; Contingent Fund, $281.20; Superannuated, $1,664.46; General Mission-
ary, $106.84; Church Extension, $1,696.39; Permanent Home Mission, $605.50;
General Contingent, $77.43. Regular assessments were made for the GeneraJ
Mission and the Iowa Contingent Funds. To secure a wider distribution of its
Minutes, the Eldership directed that 300 copies be printed "for free distribution."
And as the Minutes of the W. M. S. were printed with those of the Eldership, "as
many copies in addition to the 300 as the W. M. S. may desire" were ordered to
be printed. These were all paid for out of the Contingent Fund, each year. The
number of fields of labor was twelve, all but one supplied with pastors by the
Stationing Committee. There were also seven ministers designated as "General
Workers," and several additional names were placed on the Superannuated list.
61st Iowa Eldership.— The sixty-first session of the Iowa Eldership was "held
out of the State, yet there were but three votes less than there were" the previous
year. The place of meeting was at Hawkeye, Mo., and the Opening Sermon was
preached on Sabbath morning, September 6, 1908, by J. C, Kepford. A Com-
mittee on Credentials, appointed before the Eldership was constituted, reported
two new churches, one at Lakeview, Mo., and one near Hazelton, N. Dak., which
were received into the Eldership. The officers elected were A. C. Garaer, Presi-
dent; W. N. Yates, Stated Clerk; Conrad Fatland, Transcribing Clerk; N. Zeller,
Treasurer. Special sermons delivered on the three evenings of the session were
by W. N. Yates, Annual Temperance Sermon; A. E. Schwenk, Annual Missionary
Sermon; C. I. Brown, President of Findlay College, on Education. On the "Mis-
sionary Question," the Eldership voted, that, "believing that co-operation with
the General Eldership and its Boards is the duty of all, and is the only safe way
to insure the best interests of all, we urge the Iowa W. M. S. to co-operate with
the Commission appointed by the Executive Board of the General Eldership to
effect the unification of our missionary societies in the effort for the formation of
the Society of the Future." "All were recommended to seek earnestly to bring
about union and harmony." The Eldership's attention was specially called "to
the thinning of the ranks of the ministry, and the need of more young men in the
active ministry of the Church." During the year one had fallen out of the ranks
at the call of the death-messenger, E. Angel, a man of "many excellent traits of
character; of quiet and unobtrusive temperament, peaceful, loving and easy to be
entreated, a man known everywhere as a Christian." The church at Keystone,
Mo., was reported "in a disorganized condition, and does not hold services." It
was "declared extinct, and recommended that the property be sold." The Elder-
ship "hailed with pleasure the growing popularity of the cause that stands for the
total prohibition of the licensed beverage liquor traffic, and the tidal wave of pro-
hibition sentiment which is rolling over our land." The Permanent Home Mis-
sion Fund received from "Sister M. E. Luce a donation of $200.00." The Elder-
ship pledged itself "to support the effort to raise the 'Carnegie Fund,' and thereby
assure an income sufficient to support the teachers at Findlay College." The bal-
ances in the different Funds of the Eldership were as follows: Home Mission,
$523.72; Iowa Contingent, $105.21; Superannuated and Widows', $1,042.35; Gen-
eral Mission, $68.38; Church Extension, $1,798.14; Permanent Home Mission,
$417.99, making the total assets $3,887.41. There were twenty appointments,
but five were unsupplied with pastors. Two ministers, James Shipp and E. E.
Heltibridle, were made General Workers, while five were on the Superannuated
list.
62nd Iowa Eldership. — The General Eldership in May, 19 09, having taken
"final action on the missionary question, sustaining the actions of the various^
Boards and the Commission by a unanimous vote," the Standing Committee of
the Iowa Eldership took action on the same, as per instructions of the General
Eldership. This action was reported to the Eldership at its session held at Salem,
Washington county, beginning September 13, 1909. It "appealed to all ministers
and churches, and missionary societies, to unite in one general effort to bring:
about speedy co-operation with the General body." It also asked "the mission-
484 History of the Churches op God
aries in India, who are members of the Iowa Eldership, to join in the effort to
adjust the work, so that all may be in harmony, and that all may have a part
in supporting the work both in Ulubaria and in Bogra." This "action was made
the action of the Eldership by a yea and nay vote of 18 to 7." The Opening Ser-
mon of the Eldership was preached on the previous Sabbath morning, September
12th, by O. A. Nevvlin, Field Secretary of Findlay College, from Prov. xiv. 34;
■while in the evening the Annual Gospel Temperance Sermon was preached by
M. S. Newcomer. Officers were chosen as follows: Prsident, E. E. Heltibridle ;
Stated Clerk, William N. Yates; Transcribing Clerk, F. E. Hamlin; Treasurer, N.
Zeller. The Eldership expressed its sense of "the need of a thorough prepara-
tion for the gospel ministry and other Christian work," and, therefore, "recom-
mended our young men and women to attend either Ft. Scott Collegiate Institute,
or Findlay College." It promised "heartily to support the financial needs of our
educational institutions by observing the Day of Prayer for Colleges, Children's
College Day and Ft. Scott Institute Day, as provided by the General Eldership."
Added to several strong resolutions on temperance, in which it was insisted that
■"their ballots may count first of all for righteousness," was one expressing "hearty
sympathy with the various organizations" working for "social purity, personal
purity, spiritual power, and for the sanctity of the Sabbath." All were "urged to
free themselves from the power of useless, wasteful and filthy habits." The feel-
ing of loyalty to the interests of the Eldership and of the General Eldership, and
love for the great truths for which the Church stands, proved stronger than the
passions aroused by the divisive controversy relative to the missionary question,
so that at the close of the session two members of the Eldership which had voted
against the adoption of the resolutions on the W. G. M. S., "M. S. Newcomer and
Mi's. M. B. Newcomer, addressed the Eldership, and their addresses were fol-
lowed by a song and hand-shaking."
63rd Iowa Eldership. — Notwithstanding the action of the General Eldership
and of the Iowa Eldership on the W. G, M. S. question, and the adverse course of
the W. G. M. S. of 1890, the names of Clara Landes and A. B. Chamberlin were
on the Eldership Roll as "Missionaries in India" in 1910. The Eldership con-
-vened at Ida Grove, county seat of Ida county, Monday morning, September 12th.
On Sunday morning previous W. E. Kelly delivered the Opening Sermon, from I.
Tim. iv. 16. E. E. Heltibridle was elected President; F. E. Hamlin, Stated Clerk;
A. E. Schwenck, Transcribing Clerk; N. Zeller, Treasurer. A regular statistical
report was tabulated, giving eleven different items for sixteen fields of labor.
These had 25 houses of worship, valued at $3,920.00; membership, 878; eon-
versions, 181; fellowshiped, 77; baptized, 47; salaries of pastors, $5,340.56. Two
Tninisters received Life Certificates of Ordination instead of annual licenses. One
minister, Henry Bittle, was removed by death. "Always loyal to the Church
and the Eldership, and an earnest worker in the cause of the Master," the Elder-
ship sincerely lamented his death. A more serious loss was experienced when
"W. N. Yates was granted a transfer to the East Pennsylvania Eldership." He
had "faithfully labored in the Eldership for five years, and "by his untiring ener-
gies and devotion to the work of the Church and Eldership" had "endeared him-
self to the entire brotherhood." The action of the Eldership "on a Reading
Course for the benefit of the ministry," taken some years prior to 1910, was re-
affirmed, and it was expressed as "the firm belief that the Church of God should
encourage the education of its ministry, and that the Eldership ought to take some
steps toward establishing a Reading Course for the benefit of the ministry."
There were twenty-four Sunday-schools reported, and it was made the duty of
"every minister in the Eldership to do all in his power to encourage the best
methods of Sunday-school work." It was agreed to increase the support of pas-
tors and to facilitate their moving on fields of labor by requiring the charge to
which a minister is assigned "to pay one-half of his moving expenses, within the
hounds of the Iowa Eldership." The body was receiving some new men by
transfer from other Elderships, as this year J, C. Fomcrook came with his transfer
from the East Pennsylvania Eldership. But other workers were locating, and
one, W. E. Kelly, surrendered his Life Certificate of Ordination.
64th Iowa Eldership. — Iowa Eldership in 1911 joined the other Annual Eld-
erships in prayer for peace and harmony throughout the General Eldership, "in
compliance with the request of the Executive Board." At the first sitting on
Monday, "the President of the Eldership called Jesse Huddle to take charge "of
Iowa Eldership 485
this service. He spoke on the subject of the hour, had the Eldership sing, "Blest
Be the Tie That Binds," and called on Jay C. Fomcrook and G. W. Elliott, who
offered prayer for this special end." The brotherhood had wearied of the con-
tention which had attended the solution of the Missionary Question, and all hearts
longed for harmony and mutual love and confidence. The session of the Eldership
was held at Shambaugh, Page county, September 11-13 inclusive. The Opening
Sermon was preached on Sunday morning, September 10th, by Jesse Huddle. The
officers elected were. President, E. E. Heltibridle; Stated Clerk, F. E. Hamlin;
Transcribing Clerk, A. E. Schwenk; Treasurer, N. Zeller. While the name of
Clara Landes was still on the Roll as "Missionary in India," as well as those of
A. B. Chamberlin and wife, the Eldership "adopted her report with the under-
standing that we in no way approve any action not in harmony with previous
actions of this Eldership," and it "again urged the speedy co-operation of all our
missionary workers." A. B. Chamberlin returned his Certificate of Ordination,
which was "annulled." Mrs. M. B. Newcomer, active worker in the W. G. M. S.
of 1890, "requested an open transfer," which was given "for ninety days, at the
end of said time she ceases to be a member of this body, unless she returns said
transfer to this body within the time limit." Divine "providence had called out
of this life," said the Eldership, "our beloved and esteemed co-laborer, M. S. New-
comer, D. D., an able expounder of God's word." Memorial services were held
before evening preaching on Tuesday, in charge of C. L. Wilson. Newcomer was
a native of Franklin county, Pa., born .January 15, 1840. Removed with his
parents to near Polo, 111., in 1865. He was converted January 23, 1866, at Mt.
Morris, 111., and was baptized by I. E. Boyer. In 1867 he was licensed to preach:
by the Standing Committee of the Illinois Eldership. With the exception of ten
years in the Iowa Eldership from 1887, and again four years from 1905, his min-
isterial life was spent in the service of the Illinois Eldership. He died at Free-
port, 111., May 26, 1911. From 1878 to 1885 he was Assistant Editor of The
Advocate; was President of the General Eldership in 1881 and in 1893. For
twenty-one years he was a member of the Board of Missions of the General Elder-
ship, and President of the Board fifteen years. He was a man of talent and
ability.
The Eldership manifested quite a degree of concern touching missionary in-
terests, "which have been caused to suffer locally as well as generally, and so-
cieties have become disorganized and mission interests paralyzed." Not only was
"reorganization" insisted upon; but "the local churches" were "requested to or-
ganize local societies, and elect delegates to meet for the organization of an Elder-
ship Society in harmony with the Constitution and By-Laws of the General Elder-
ship." N. Zeller resigned as Treasurer at the sitting of the Eldership on the third
day, and the vacancy was filled by the election of "Ernest Myers as Treasurer of
the Iowa Eldership."
65th Iowa Eldership. — Monday morning, September 23, 1912, the sixty-fifth
annual session of the Iowa Eldership opened. The preceding Sabbath morning
A. E. Schwenk delivered the Annual Secmon, from Job xxxvi. 24 and Ps. xlix. 8.
Seventeen fields of labor were represented by fourteen pastors, six elders and
two delegates, which were women. In addition there were nine General Workers,
including Mrs. M. Sutliff, Clara Landes and Mrs. M. B. Newcomer, who had re-
turned her "open transfer granted in 1911." Also three superannuated min-
isters. Howard W. Cover, of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, and missionary ap-
pointed to India, attended the session, and awakened renewed interest in foreign
mission work. The Eldership pledged its "loyalty and co-operation to Bro. Cover
in the interests which he represents in India." The officers of the Eldership were
G. W. Elliott, President; F. E. Hamlin, Stated Clerk; A. E. Schwenk, Transcrib-
ing Clerk; Ernest Myers, Treasurer. The Stationing Committee consisted of C L.
Wilson, Jesse Huddle, D. L. Cox, A. C. Gamer, E. E. Heltibridle. The following
were elected on the Standing Committee: G. W. Elliott, F. E. Hamlin, Jesse Hud-
dle, C. L. Wilson, A. C. Gamer. All these, except the Treasurer, are ministers.
The case of Mrs. Newcomer was considered in Committee of the Whole, which
"after a lengthy discussion made" report, which was adopted, that she had "vio-
lated the action of this body in the adjustment of the missionary controversy,"
and recommended "that action be taken in her case accordingly." Her report was
"placed in the hands of the Standing Committee to be dealt with according" to
this action. J. C. Fomcrook returned with his transfer to the East Pennsylvania
486
History of the Churches of God
Eldership. The Eldership realized that in Fomci-ook it was "losing a worthy-
brother and an able minister of the gospel, one who is always ready to do his
work for the building up of the Church of God." The Shambaugh church having
suffered the loss by fire of its bethel, the Eldership "made a donation of $100.00
for the new building out of the Church Extension Fund." To "raise Home Mis-
sionary Money" the Stationing Committee was authorized to "give the amount
necessary for the coming year, and the Standing Committee was directed to ap-
portion the amount among the different churches of the Eldership." On temper-
ance the body accentuated former actions by resolving "that none of us cast a
tallot with the liquor voters; that we do all in our power not only to prohibit the
sale of liquor, but to do away with the manufacture and transportation of the
sg.me-" There were fifteen fields of labor, but five remained unsupplied by the
Stationing Committee. The Funds of the Eldership had the following balances:
Home Mission, $705.02; Iowa Contingent, $124.46; Superannuated and Widows',
$1,037.48; Permanent Home Mission, $483.58; Church Extension, $2,167.80.
■"The session of the Eldership was characterized by a Christian spirit and good
fellowship."
VI. THE MICHIGAN ELDERSHIP.
1st Michigan Eldership. — The Indiana Eldership for some years after its or-
ganization in 184 6 had no boundaries on the North, the South or the West. In
Alexander li. Slyter
1S49 A. B. Slyter, of said Eldership, as a 'general missionary, crossed the line into
Michigan and began work. His labors were mainly confined to Barry, Allegan and
Kent counties, being in the third and fourth tiers of counties north of the Indiana
line, and the first and second counties along Lake Michigan on the West. Five
churches were organized in these counties prior to March, 1850, viz: One on
Duncan Lake, in the Kilmore Settlement; one in E. H. Searles' neighborhood;
<6ne in the Hammond Settlement; one at Caledonia, in the home of Bro. Mofflt, and
<5ne at Clark's Corners. It was estimated that these churches had a membership
of sixty-five. Enoch B. Gillaspie, of the church at Clark's Corners, had entered
the ministry in Indiana, and Benjamin Faniham also began preaching, so that
they counted that they had three preachers. No authority was given these breth-
ren either by the Indiana Eldership, or the General Eldership, to form a new Elder-
ship. They were quite a distance from the territory occupied by the Indiana Eld-
ership, "too far," they claimed, and they were as strong as said Eldership when
first organized. Yet their course was not in harmony with the action of the Gen-
eral Eldership in 184 8. But these ministers and churches agreed to meet March
2, 1850, "at the house of Bro. E. H. Searles in Thornapple township, Barry county,
Mich.," to form an Eldership. In "constituting the meeting" it was found that
the following were present and entitled to membership:
Teaching Elders — A. B. Slyter and E. B. Gillaspie.
Michigan Eldership 487
Ruling elders — John Ferdig and John Kahner, Sr.
Delegates — E. H. Searles, John Kilmer, Jr., Amos M. Sames, David Wood,
Robert H. Kilmer, B. F. Hungerford and John E. AVood. A. li. Slyter was elected
Speaker, and E. H. Searles, Clerk.
Alexander B. Slyter was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., December 2,
1812. He was converted in 1836. Removed to Indiana, where he became a
member of the first Eldership, in 1846. In 1849 he went to Michigan as a general
missionary, and when the first Eldership was organized he was elected Speaker,
and re-elected in 1851 and 1853. During 1853 he served as general helper to
pastors in the Michigan Eldership. He was elected delegate to the General Elder-
ship of 1851 and 1854, but was absent at both sessions. He returned to Indiana
about the time the Michigan Eldership collapsed, and in 1859 was chosen Speaker.
When the Michigan Eldership was revived, in 1859, he again became a member
of it. Later he removed to Kansas, and entered on mission work in that State
under the Nebraska Eldership, about the year 1877. His mission field was in
Pottawatomie and adjacent counties. He was considered an able preacher and a
very good counselor. He died April 13, 1886, aged 74 years, 4 months and 11
days. Slyter first united with a church of God in Milford township, LaGrange
county, Ind., about March, 1846, and was licensed by said church to preach the
gospel. He attended the first Indiana Eldership the same year, and, with T.
Hickernell, constituted the Eldership, being enrolled as a teaching elder. By
resolution reciting the fact of his ordination by the local church, his "license was
renewed." He was a very zealous minister, hesitating at no sacrifice. When
a member of the Nebraska Eldership, he traveled 5 00 miles in buggy to attend its
session in 1885. The Nebraska Eldership pronounced him "an able preacher of
the gospel and a wise counselor." He was converted under the preaching of T.
Hickernell, in Ohio. He was what is called a self-made man, having very limited
school advantages; but he was a man of good natural talents; a clear thinker, and
of robust moral character, and served his Master and the Church with marked
fidelity.
A resolution was adopted to "unite with the other Elderships of the Church
of God in the general system of co-operation." Also one "prohibiting any one
from uniting with us who holds slaves, or belongs to Secret Societies; and that
we will take no book but the Bible as the man of our counsel and the rule of our
faith and practice." John Ferdig and Benjamin Famham were duly licensed.
A Standing and a Stationary Committee were appointed. The latter apointed
Benjamin Famham to the Middleville circuit; A. B. Slyter, to Thornapple circuit;
E. B. Gillaspie, to labor as much as he can on the Gaines circuit, and John Ferdig,
to the Caledonia circuit. There was no house of worship of the Church of God
in the State; but the services were held in private houses, school-houses and in
the woods. There was great opposition, but it made them more faithful de-
fenders of the truth.
2nd Michigan Eldership. — As it ever was the custom to hold Annual Elder-
ships in the Fall, the first Michigan Eldership adjourned to meet the third Monday
in October, 1850. It accordingly met on Sunday, November 10th, in the school-
house in the Hammond Settlement, Gaines township, Kent county, the date having
been changed by the Standing Committee, and after services "adjourned to the
house of Bro. Drake, November 11th, at 8.30 a. m." There were present three of
the four teaching elders; three ruling elders, and five delegates. A. B. Slyter was
chosen Speaker, and J. Drake, Clerk. A difficulty arose between the Michigan
and the Indiana Elderships over the 'status of E. B. Gillaspie, who had been
"wrongfully excluded" from the latter Eldership, and received by the Michigan
Eldership. The latter felt "to hold that Eldership accountable, instead of Bro.
Gillaspie," and notified it that Gillaspie "appeals to the General Eldership for a
final hearing." The delegate from Michigan Eldership was not present at the
General Eldership in 1851, and no action was taken on the appeal. J. Drake
was licensed at this Eldership. The Eldership declared against receiving "into
the fellowship of the Church of God any one who holds slaves, or who belongs to
Secret Societies." The "first day of January, 1851," was fixed "as a day of fast-
ing and prayer for the extension of Christ's kingdom." A. B. Slyte^r was chosen
delegate to the General Eldership. There was but one circuit, and it was agreed
"that Bro. Slyter should take the circuit, and the rest of the brethren be mission-
488 History of the Churches of God
aries." A camp-meeting was appointed to be held in Gaines township, Kent
county.
3rd Michigan Eldership. — Conditions at this time in the Michigan Eldership
were not encouraging. There was unrest and friction between the ministers, and
very limited success attended their labors. But when the Eldership convened at
"Kilmer's Mills, in a school-house in the town of Thornapple, Monday morning,
November 10, 1851," four ministers, one ruling elder and three delegates answered
to their names. One minister was absent, and not heard from, and his name was
dropped, as well as that of another minister. B. Farnham united with the Ad-
ventists. A. B. Slyter was chosen Speaker, and E. Moffit, Clerk. One circuit was
supplied, two ministers being assigned to it.
4th Michigan Eldei'ship. — Notwithstanding the loss of three of the ministers
a year ago, when the fouth Eldership convened "in the school-house at Bi-o.
Moffit's, in Caledonia, on the 8th of November, 1852," more encouraging indica-
tions were evident. The session began with one teaching elder, two ruling elders
and three delegates present; two teaching elders absent. Several churches had
been organized, and the work was extended south-eastward into Hillsdale county,
on the Ohio line, and Branch, adjoining Hillsdale on the west. J. Ferdig was
made Speaker, and John Kilmer, Clerk. It seemed singular enough to make
official record of the fact, that "there were no charges brought against any of the
brethren of the Church of God. All is peace and harmony." Three brethren
were licensed, and one was received from the Baptist Church. Two circuits were
made, and a minister appointed to each one. No resolutions were adopted and no
action taken on any subjects but such as were purely administrative.
5th Michigan Eldei-ship. — The fifth session of the Michigan Eldership, which
met "at the school-house in Kilmer's neighborhood," on Monday, the 3rd of
October, 1853, was the longest thus far held, continuing until Wednesday noon.
There was "an opening discourse" delivered before the Eldership was constituted.
Four teaching Elders, one ruling elder and four delegates were present. A. B.
Slyt-er was chosen Speaker, and Samuel Howe, Clerk. A Committee on Resolu-
tions having been appointed, which "recommended to all our brethren that they
abstain from the use of liquors as a beverage." It also named "Thursday before
our monthly meeting as a fast day." It also declared by resolution that "this
Eldership has no fellowship with slavery, nor with slave laws, and that we use
our influence against all such laws, and in favor of humanity." The Eldership
also "approved of the efforts now making to bring the Printing Establishment
west of the mountains." A book agent for the Eldership was appointed, and the
agent was to "sell all books coming into his hands at cost, for cash." An order
for several dozen books was at once issued by the Eldership. As the Eldership
desired to "co-operate with all the Elderships of the Church of God," a delegate
was elected to the next General Eldership, "to get our boundary set off." The
elders of each church were recommended "to draw up subscriptions and solicit
subscribers, for the term of five years, paying six cents a year, for missionary
purposes." Two circuits were formed and two missions, with one pastor on each,
and A. B. Slyter was appointed "to travel over the whole ground to hold pro-
tracted meetings." The Standing Committee was made a Camp-meeting Com-
mittee.
This favorable condition was of brief duration. While "the whole work
was revived again," there was apparently a sudden collapse, without any pre-
monition. The Eldership had "adjourned to meet on the second Monday in
October, 1854;" it named no place, the Standing Committee being empowered to
do that. But this it failed to do, and for six consecutive years no Eldership ses-
sions were held. C. C. Linsley, long a leading minister of the Eldership, in 1880
says: "This period embraces the most solemn parts of our history." Slyt«r
moved away and reunited with the Indiana Eldership. John Ferdig, S. Hmve,
Sr., Shaw and John Kilmer died. S. Howe, Jr., and C. C. Linsley "kept the
churches together" as much as they could, though Linsley "did not call himself
a preacher, but an exhorter." Later he received his first license from the Indiana
Eldership, and was appointed to the Thornapple circuit, Mich. Slyter also re-
turned to Michigan, and with others who were meanwhile licensed by the Indiana
Eldership the work was not only kept alive, but the territory was somewhat en-
larged. Three things militated against the work during this chaotic period: The
United Brethren were very active, and secured some of the "main brethren;" "we
Michigan Eldership 489
had strong inducements held out by them." "Next came the Adventists. They
would come and hold their meetings on the ground after we had prepared it for
meeting." And the "tide of emigration was westward. Many of our brethren
went West, and some South." After most strenuous efforts to place the work
on a more permanent basis, with the assistance of James Haskins, Lovejoy and
Calvin, and Moses and Ezekiel Kelly, of Ohio, they felt that the time had come
"to establish the Eldership again." In 1858 C. C. Linsley, "as a committee, was
appointed to visit the Indiana Eldership and take the preliminary steps to get
boundaries set off and be recognized as an Eldership. Those means were used,
and we set a time and gave notice to all the brotherhood of the time and place.
The time set was Friday, September 30, 1859, with the church at Rocksand, Eaton
county, Mich." Eaton county adjoins Barry on the east, being the third county
north of the Indiana State line, and also the third county east of Lake Michigan.
6th Michigan Eldei"ship. — While the fifth Eldership in Michigan convened
October 3, 1853, the sixth was held in 18 59, meeting at Rocksand, Eaton county,
September 30th. The Journal makes no reference to this discontinuity of the
sessions. The Eldership practically disintegrated through deaths and removals.
The territory was gradually reoccupied by ministers from Indiana and Ohio. Co-
operation between these and some new men who had been called to the ministry
among these shepherdless churches, and through the self-denying, intelligent
efforts of Linsley and others, was again secured. As a committee, Linsley went
to the Indiana Eldership to "take the preliminary steps to get our boundaries set
off and be recognized as an Eldership." Succeeding in this, the time and place
for the Eldership to be reassembled were fixed, and a call published. Accordingly,
the following brethren assembled at the time and place named: C. C. Linsley,
James Haskins, Moses Kelly and Ezekiel Kelly, teaching elders; N. Croft, P. T.
Calvin and A. M. Sames, ruling elders; E. Moffitt, J. F. Rist, D. S. Young, Samuel
Slyter, M. Thompson and G. AV. Lyon, delegates. Only three of these had been
members of the former Eldership, but the matter of the ordinal number of this
session was the subject of a conference, when it was decided that it should be the
"sixth." N. Croft was chosen Speaker; P. T. Calvin, Journalizing Clerk, and C^
C. Linsley, Transcribing Clerk. The first two, with Samuel Slyter, Geo. AV. Lyons
and Morgan Thompson, received license at this session. Two delegates to the
General Eldership were elected, "to get the boundary set off for this Eldership."
Three circuits were formed, with the first two each one preacher, and the third,
four. The title the Eldership assumed was "The Eldership of the Churches of
God in Michigan."
7th Michigan Eldership.- — Prior to 1860 the General Eldership had not rec-
ognized the Michigan Eldership. But at the session of the General Eldership in
1860 C. C. Linsley was present as a delegate from the Michigan Eldership, and in
its behalf made application for admission as a member of said body. The Com-
mittee on Reception of New Elderships recommended "that a committee of three
be appointed to pay them a visit, and report their condition to the next tri-ennial
meeting of this body." This Committee, consisting of Weishampel, Bolton and
T. Hickernell later was given "discretionary power to receive the Michigan Elder-
ship into this body." On account of a misunderstanding by the members of the-
Committee as to "the time of visiting the Michigan Eldership," they did not go
to the meeting of said Eldership in 1860; but each separately later reported his
conclusions in favor of receiving the Michigan Eldership, so that after 18 60 it was
a regular member of the general body. This year the Michigan Eldership met
November 8th, with the church near North Brownsville, Kent county. It was
constituted of seven teaching elders, two being absent, and eleven ruling elders
and delegates. The lot to preside fell to C. C. Linsley; and E. Kelly was chosen
Journalizing Clerk, and N. Croft, Transcribing Clerk. Having no mission funds,
a Board of Missions was appointed, consisting of "two preachers and one ruling
elder, whose duty it shall be to provide missionary funds in whatever way they
may deem proper and expedient, and appropriate said funds in such a way as this
body may direct." There was "difficulty to get enough men to devote their entire
time to the work of the ministry," and so "some of the places where preaching
should have been kept up were neglected," and so the Board of Missions was in-
structed to provide funds "to have one faithful, energetic and able man to travel
constantly throughout the whole bounds." The churches were advised to hold a
union camp-meeting in 1861. The opinion of the Eldership was forcibly expressed'
490 History of the Churches of God
in favor of "family worship — to keep the fires burning upon the family altars."
The Eldership had some trouble with a woman "to whom they had granted per-
mission to exercise as a preacher; but she soon proved herself unworthy of the
sanction, whereupon they recalled the permit, but she bids defiance to them,"
says Weishanipel, "and fires away as hard as ever, doing considerable harm."
The work of the Eldership was more or less hindered by the existence in Kent and
a few other counties of local churches wearing the name of "Church of God," but
of Disciple faith. They were independent churches, and not disposed to unite
with the Church of God. The territory was divided into five circuits, to which
nine ministers were appointed. Provision was made for an Opening Sermon in
18 61, by appointing C. C. Linsley to preach one.
8th Michigan Eldership. — A message from R. H. Bolton, member of the Com-
mittee with discretionary power to receive the Michigan Eldership, was received
and read when the eight annual session convened with the church in Eagle, Clinton
county, Mich., October 2, 1861. It notified the Eldership that it is now "a part
of, and under the influence of, the General Eldership." Nine ministers attended
this session; two were absent, with five ruling elders. Linsley was chosen
Speaker, and E. Kelly, Journalizing Clerk, and P. T. Calvin, Transcribing Clerk.
The Eldership adopted "the Old and New Testament for our rule of faith and
practice." Considerable success attended the labors of the ministers, several new
churches having been organized. Two preachers, however, "left in disorder," one
under charges. A delegate from the Free-Will Baptist Church was present. The
territory was rearranged, making a "Union Circuit" of Grand Lodge, Odessa and
Thornapple circuits, to be supplied by four ministers, and one additional circuit,
with one minister.
9th Michigan Eldership. — No Eldership spent less time than did the Michigan
Eldership in considering and passing resolutions on a variety of subjects. In 1861
no one such resolution was adopted, and the same is true of the ninth Eldership.
This Eldership met with the church in Cascade, Kent county, Monday, October 13,
1862. One circuit. Union, was represented by four teaching elders. Six teaching
•elders were absent. Seven ruling elders and delegates were in attendance. C. C.
Linsley was elected Speaker; J. M, Nichols, Clerk, and L. Lovejoy, Transcribing
Clerk. The cases of four teaching elders were placed in the hands of the Standing
Committee to dispose of. "The cause of God," it was reported by the Committee
on the State of Religion, "is prospering among us as well as can be expected under
present circumstances. There have been some conversions, some persons re-
claimed, some churches organized and a good prospect of more organizations."
The scheme to consolidate circuits not proving satisfactory, the territory was di-
vided into six circuits.
10th Michigan Eldership. — While no action appears on record changing the
title of the Eldership, the heading of the Journal was so changed as to read
^'Annual Eldership of the Churches of God in Michigan." The tenth session was
held with the church in Woodland, Barry county, Mich., beginning November 4,
1863. Of the nine teaching elders on the Roll, but three were present. Seven
delegates and ruling elders were enrolled. The case of L. Lovejoy was unique.
The Eldership "concurred in the action of the church in Cascade" in his case,
"and in the withdrawal of the right hand of fellowship from him, and that his
name be dropped, inasmuch as he says he does not enjoy religion." John S.
Smurrh was chosen Speaker; J, Haskins, Clerk, and D. W. Lincoln, Transcribing
Clerk. Five circuits were made, to which seven ministers were assigned, while
two others were "to labor as much as possible throughout the Eldership." Three
Ohio preachers were invited to assist "at the woods meating in Michigan."
11th Michigan Eldership. — The Michigan Eldership of "the Church of God"
held its eleventh annual session with the church near North Brownsville, Kent
county, Mich., beginning October 13, 1864. But one of the seven enrolled min-
isters was absent, and four ruling elders and delegates were present. The of-
ficers chosen were J. S. Sniiirrh, Speaker; J. Haskins, Journalizing Clerk, and
D. W. Lincoln, Transcribing Clerk. The Eldership resolved "that the sisters be
received as advisory members, if they wish." The Eldership appointed the com-
mittees. The reports recorded show that there were one hundred and seventy-
five conversions, and three or four new churches organized. The preachers were
admonished to "be more zealous in the advancement of the cause of God, by
going out and opening up new appointments and hunting up the lost sheep of the
Michigan Eldership 491
house of Israel; not only going where there is a church, but go out into the
highways and hedges, and proclaim a risen Savior." Conditions were reported
"more prosperous the past year than for a number of years before." Three cir-
cuits were formed, with two ministers to each.
12th Michigan Eldersliip. — The most extreme step taken by an Eldership
looking toward union with some other religious body was that of the Michigan
Eldership at its session which began at Maple Grove, Barry county, October 12,
1865. After electing C. C. Linsley, Speaker; James Haskins, First Clerk, and
W, Seifried, Second Clerk, it appointed a "committee of three members of this
body to confer with the Committee of the Church of Christ relative to effecting a
union of the two bodies." It appeared that an unofficial meeting of committees of
two from each body had been held on June 7, 18G5, "for the purpose of securing
a union of the two bodies." Resolutions to that end were adopted by the joint
committees, "and the two bodies have labored together ever since upon the most
friendly terms." It was agreed to appoint "delegates to attend the next Michigan
Annual Conference of the Church of Christ to secure a greater union, and
if possible an ultimate consolidation of the two bodies." This action was called
"a singular move which may prove detrimental to the cause of God" in
Michigan. And Thomas, as Editor, warned the Michigan Eldership against any
alliance with the Church of Christ. This organization was not the Christian or
Disciple Church, but a mixture of malcontents under the leadership of Hiram
Rathbun, largely fashioned after the United Brethren Church. The Eldership
mourned the death of two of its "worthy and much lamented" members, E. B.
Gillaspie and E. MofRtt. Notwithstanding the coquetting with the "Church of
Christ," which "promulgated a creed while professing to oppose creeds," the
Eldership adopted a ringing statement "denouncing all human creeds, believing
them to be the commandments of men only." It also declared it to be the "im-
perative duty of the churches within the bounds of the Michigan Eldership to
support their preachers according to their ability." "An educated, energetic and
efficient ministry" was declared to be "indispensable," so that "all ministers of
this body are recommended to pursue a regular course of study." Preachers
were directed "to preach sermons on the propriety of Sunday-schools." The cir-
cuits for the year were Gratiot, Thornapple and Maple Grove, with St. Joe as a
separate point.
13th Michigan Eldership. — Discarding its old, limited Rules of Order, the
Standing Committee was instructed to prepare "full and more appropriate Rules."
The Eldership convened at North Brownsville, Kent county, October 20, 1866, and
listened to the Opening Sermon by W. Seifried on Sabbath evening, the 21st, from
Acts xvi. 17 — "The Gospel Ministry." C. C. Linsley was elected Speaker; W.
Seifried, First Clerk, and B. D. Bright, Second Clerk. It declared "intemperance
to be the vilest of evils, most fatal in its tendency, blasting the brightest anticipa-
tions of thousands and hurling into the vortex of ruin millions of our fellow
beings." It resolved "to use every energy, summon every power of the soul
against this abominable compound of crime and vice." Bolton was invited to come
to Michigan and "travel as a General Evangelist." As part remuneration $129.00
were raised on the floor. As a treasurer was now needed, B. D. Bright was elected.
The Eldership expressed its readiness "to co-operate with other Elderships in estab-
lishing a college for the Church." A Board of Missions was organized, consisting
of Linsley, Seifried and Bright. Four ministers were willing "to travel this year,"
viz.: J. M. Nichols, A. J. Hull, ju3t licensed; Seifried and Smurrh. Two missions
were named in the Stationing Committee's Report — St. Joseph and Nashville.
14th Michigan Eldersliip. — The Standing Committee of the Michigan Elder-
ship held a meeting at Maple Grove, June 15, 1867, and discharged its duty of pre-
paring new Rules of Order. It selected the Rules of the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship and submitted them for adoption at the Eldership in 1867, which assembled
September 30th, at Stump School-house, near St. Joseph, Berian county, Mich.
They were agreed to. R. H. Bolton had removed to Michigan, and besides him
there were five teaching elders present, and four ruling elders and two delegates.
Five ministers and seven ruling elders were absent. W. Seifried was chosen
Speaker, and R. H. Bolton, Clerk. A committee was named by the Eldership to
prepare a Constitution for the Board of Missions. The Constitution as reported
and adopted consisted of seven Articles. The organization was called "The Mis-
sionary Aid Society of the Michigan Eldership of the Church of God." The mem-
492 History of the Churches op God
bers were composed of those who paid twenty-five cents per year; and a subscrip-
tion of $10.00 and payment of annual interest and principal at death made a person
a life member. Its object was "to maintain superannuated or disabled ministers;"
"to maintain the widows and children of superannuated ministers;" "to maintain
missions and missionaries." The use of tobacco was denounced "not only as a
filthy practice, but a pernicious expenditure of money, immoral in its tendency, and
tends to stultify the noble aspirations of the soul," and so the Eldership resolved
to "use our influence to discourage its use in all its forms, and especially among the
rising generation." It took over the Genessee Mission, which had been supplied
by the Ohio Eldership, as it felt "able to supply said work with ministerial labor."
It rejoiced "at the apparent success of the Centralia College, and feels to bid them
God-speed in their noble work." One hundred and twenty-two conversions were
reported; one hundred and fifty-eight accessions, with a few churches not reported,
and four churches organized.
15th Michigan Eldership. — Another Eldership has decided that women may
be ordained to the ministry. This the Michigan Eldership of 1868 did when it
voted Sister Catharine E. Lincoln, wife of Elder D. W. Lincoln, a license after hav-
ing "examined her relative to her call to the ministry, qualifications therefor and
labors therein." Besides her, eleven ministers and nine ruling elders and dele-
gates were enrolled when the Eldership was constituted at Hyde School-house,
Maple Grove, Barry county, Mich., Monday morning, October 12, 1868. The choice
for Speaker was J. B. AVhite, and for Clerk, R. H. Bolton. The work had been ex-
tended into Sheawasse county, whence came a call for a preacher. In Montcalm
county A. W. Parsons had "organized a church of about a dozen members, having
in fellowship three preachers." Two of the five members of the Stationing Com-
mittee were laymen. While the Board of Missions reported only $26.52 in the
treasury, twenty-seven life members were secured on the fioor. The churches were
urged to "greater liberality and exertion in the support of the ministry, that they
may set themselves fully apart from the business of the world, and devote them-
selves exclusively to the great work of the Christian ministry." There being "a
few churches within the bounds of the Eldership" which reversed the order of ob-
serving the ordinances, the Eldership advised them to practice feet-washing before
the Lord's Supper. The elders of each church were declared to be vested with the
ruling power, and to them belongs the authority to exercise discipline. Six fields
of labor were mapped out, of which four are styled missions. J. B. White was
made the General Missionary.
16th Michigan Eldership. — There were many absentees when the Eldership
was constituted at Bangor, Van Buren county, Mich., September 27, 1869. Thirteen
teaching elders were present, and eight absent; four ruling elders were present,
and twenty-one absent, with five delegates present. The Rules of Order were
so amended that the presiding ofiicer had to be addressed as "Brother Speaker."
R. H. Bolton was elected to that office, with J. H. Besore, who had emigrated
to the State during the year, as Clerk. The delegates to the General Elder-
ship made a written report, recommending "a perfect co-operation of this Elder-
ship with the General Eldership in all the measures to promote the work of
the Lord." A committee to secure an Act of Incorporation having failed to do so,
another committee was named for that purpose. A complaint which arose in other
Elderships, of ministers trespassing on each other's fields, was taken up, and it
was declared "not allowable to enter on another man's work, make appointments
or solicit money for any purpose whatever, unauthorized by the Eldership, without
consent of the preacher in charge of such work." The translation of the Scrip-
tures by the American Bible Union was pronounced "vastly superior to the version
of King James," and its "use in public and in private and in the pulpit" was urged.
Hillsdale College, Michigan, was commended as worthy of patronage. The Elder-
ship lamented the death of Thomas, "recognizing the fact that we as a Church have
lost a good, strong and useful brother." The last evening of the session was set
apart to the "paying of a tribute of respect to our departed Bi-other Thomas."
The Course of Studies of the East Pennsylvania Eldership was recommended to
"our ministers." The practice of issuing licenses to exhorters was approved, and
three brethren were so licensed. Insisting that "the missionary spirit be yet more
revived," the Eldership made three missions in the State, to each of which a min-
ister was assigned, and also created the "St. Louis Mission, to include a church
near St. Louis," with J. M. Nichols as missionary. Besides these fields there were
Michigan Eldership 493
four circuits, with six ministers. That these ministers might be better supported
it was directed that "a financial meeting be held by the officiary of each church in
concert with the preacher or preachers on the circuit to ascertain amounts needed
for their support, and that said amounts be mutually apportioned among the
churches on the charge."
17th Micliigan Eldership. — The attendance of ministers was good at the
Michigan Eldership which held its session with the church south of Hastings, Barry
county, beginning September 26, 1870. Fifteen of the nineteen were present, but
with only six ruling elders and four delegates. The Eldership met on Monday
morning, having listened to the Opening Sermon the previous evening, by J. H.
Besore, from Ezek. xxxiii. 7. C. C. Liiisley was elected Speaker, and Ira M. B.
Oillaspie, Clerk. The Eldership resolved to "change the time of changing our
preachers; the change to take place on the 1st of April." Bradsliaw, of the Chris-
tian Church, was received as an advisory member. He desired to "bring certain
matters before the Eldership, concerning a union of this body with the Christian
Church."^ As a result, the Eldership appointed "a Corresponding Secretary, to
correspond with a member of like character of the Christian Church on the sub-
ject of union." J. H. Besore was appointed, and "Sister Lincoln visited the Chris-
tian Conference in behalf of" the Eldership. A General Evangelist was appointed
"to labor in this Eldership territory the coming year." The missionary and Church
extension spirit was strong, so that of the nine fields of labor five are classed as
missi'ons, and are the Geneva, the Cheshier, Montcalm, Genessee and the Alaska, in
Kent county. But small amounts of money were received for the various funds.
The Board of Missions received interest on Life Membership, $18.00; collections,
$20.88. Receipts for the Contingent Fund, $8.45. The total apportionment by
the Eldership "for missionary and contingent money" was $62.14. The Statistical
Report showed conversions, 140; baptisms, 117; accessions, 121; expulsions, 44;
organizations, 4, with a total membership of 4.50.
18th Michigan Eldei-ship. — Notwithstanding the mission work mapped out by
the Michigan Eldership in 1870, it was said in 1871 that "their missionary opera-
tions the past year were almost a blank." But to improve this condition "a gen-
eral worker was appointed, who is to be sustained in part from the mission funds,
and so those interests will not be neglected." The session of 1871 had "a fair
representation of preachers, twelve of the nineteen responding to their names, and
also seven ruling elders, when the body convened in the Town Hall, in the village
of Monterey Center, Allegan county, September 28th. There was some friction on
various questions; "but contrariety of feelings was harmonized." J. B. White was
chosen Speaker, and Ira M. B. Gillaspie, Clerk. By formal action the Stationing
Committee was composed of three teaching and two ruling elders. In its report it
divided the territory into five circuits and two missions. While no Opening Ser-
mon was preached at the beginning of this session, it was decided to have one on
the evening of the first day's sitting, and J. B. White was appointed. A strong en-
dorsement of Sunday-schools was adopted, and churches were directed to organize
schools wherever possible. The Eldership favored an effort by the General Elder-
ship "to secure increased educational facilities among us especially adapted for the
instruction of those contemplating to enter the ministry." D. W. Lincoln and wife
Tiad visited the Christian Conference as fraternal delegates, and made a favorable
report; whereupon action was taken to continue correspondence with said Confer-
ence, "with a view of consolidating the two bodies, if possible, on a Bible basis."
The Missionary Fund was comparatively large, as with "amount in hands" it ag-
gregated $1,329.00. The action of 1870 relative to the time to change preachers
was rescinded, and it was resolved that "the change is to take place at once."
19th Michigan Eldership. — The Eldership in 1872 was pronounced "a very
pleasant and interesting one." The retrospect was brightened by the hope that
there were "measures adopted which will be a blessing to the Church." Of these
the one specially singled out for approval was that which required "each local
church to have a permanent system of supporting the gospel and the worthy needy
among us." The presiding officer was B. D. Bright, with W. Seifiied as First
•Clerk, and W. Redding, Second Clerk. Not half the teaching and ruling elders and
delegates were present. This may be accounted for by reason of the place of meet-
ing being in the extreme south-western corner of the State, three miles from Ben-
ton Harbor, Berrien county, on Monday, 8 o'clock a. m.. October 7th. While the
names of three ministers were "dropped," there were four additions, among them
S. D. C. Jackson, who later became a member of the Kansas and Missouri, the Illi-
494 History of the Churches of God
nois and of the East Pennsylvania Elderships, and was a man of rare talents. A.
J. Hull was appointed Book Agent for the Eldership. The General Missionary,
B. D. Bright, was required "to travel throughout the entire bounds of the Elder-
ship in the State." The territory was divided into three circuits, two stations and
two missions. The Board of Missions was working under its own Constitution,
which was ordered amended so as to give any person the privilege to "become a
member of said Society one year" by "paying one dollar;" "five dollars, five years;
ten dollars, ten years, and fifty or one hundred dollars, a life member."
20th Michigan Eldership. — The session of the Eldership in 1873 was much
edified by six sermons, of which special mention was made, though no Opening Ser-
mon is reported as having been preached. These were: one by Linsley, on "The
Church's Faith and Practice;" one by Jackson, "The Anchor of the Soul;" one by
Selkirk, "The Final Resurrection;" one by Gillaspie, "Christ the Witness of the
Father," and one by Seifried, "Zion's Peace and Prosperity." The Eldership con-
vened at Bangor, Van Buren county, September 24th, and adjourned on the 27th.
A. L. Edwards was elected Speaker; S. D. C Jackson and B. D. Bright, Clerks.
Each minister was instructed "to set forth the missionary interests of this Elder-
ship, and by subscriptions, collections and interest on Life Members raise funds for
the same." It was determined "to call a Sunday-school Convention, at such time
and place as the Standing Committee may agree upon." A general camp-meeting
was also appointed. The Eldership thought each licensed minister "should have at
least one preaching place," and accordingly the Stationing Committee assigned
twenty to specified points.
21st Michigan Eldership. — If the arrangement whereby each preacher of the
Eldership received an appointment did not prove the most satisfactory, the final
action of the Eldership in 1874 showed unusual missionary activity. Of the
thirteen fields of labor there is one station, five circuits and seven missions. The
Eldership was larger than usual, there being but eight absentees. The session was
held at Maple Grove, Barry county, beginning October 15th. The Speaker was
J. B. White, with S. Smith, Journalizing Clerk, and B. D. Bright, Transcribing
Clerk. Shoemaker, of the Chicago Mission, being present, a resolution was passed,
stating that "the General Eldership is the rightful owner of the Chicago Mission
property, and is the proper authority to control the same." On temperance, educa-
tion, periodicals, etc., the Eldership contented itself by declaring that it adhered to
resolutions adopted at former sessions. But it resolved to encourage the holding
of Ministerial Associations; the organization of Sunday-schools; urged that "atten-
tion be given to the musical talent, to bring out, as best we can, especially in the
young, the power of song," and urging "especially our young ministers to acquaint
themselves with good literature."
22nd Michigan Eldership. — Distance and inconvenience of travel doubtless re-
duced the number of ministers in attendance at the twenty-second session of the
Michigan Eldership. It convened at Maple Grove, Saginaw county, on September
20, 1875, "attendance not as large as was desired." There were only four teaching
elders present, four ruling elders and two delegates; while twelve teaching elders
and six ruling elders were absent. C. C. Linsley was chosen Speaker; I. M. B.
Gillaspie, Clerk, and J. B. White, Treasurer. The Eldership decided that it "will
license no one who does not, or will not, preach." Perhaps for this reason the
names of several preachers were "dropped." There was much "dissatisfaction
among the members of the Missionary Aid Society," and "large amounts of unpaid
interest on Life Memberships." It was ordered that "a list of all the members of
said Society on his field be given to each minister," to collect what Is due. Besides,
a missionary collection was to be lifted at each appointment. The Stationing Com-
mittee, composed of three ministers and two laymen, made eleven appointments,
and one General Missionary. An act of vandalism was committed, to which the
custodians seemed to be accessories, in "allowing the Protocol of the Missionary
Aid Society to be cut to pieces and otherwise destroyed." An explanation of this
breach of trust "was required." The Board of Missions had made no report for
three years, and a vote of censure was passed, and a full report required from 1872.
Conversions had not been as numerous as formerly, and the "religious condition
within the bounds of the Eldership was not up to the high standard that is
desired."
23rd Michigan Eldership. — Though the Michigan Eldership had eighteen
preachers, and but eleven charges, two of which were unsupplied, yet the Board of
Michigan Eldership 495
Missions of the General Eldership sent AV. H. Oliver, of Ohio, into the State as a
general missionary. The twenty-third session was held at Blooming Dale, Van
Buren county, beginning October 11, 1876. There were eleven teaching elders
present, and seven absent; one ruling elder present, and ten absent; three dele-
gates, and one exhorter. Wm. Redding was chosen Speaker; S. Smith, Clerk. The
support of ministers was so limited that some "who were assigned work have been
forced to leave their fields of labor," so that the Eldership resolved "to hold that
the churches are morally bound to support the ministers to the full extent of their
ability." The deacons were instructed to carry this decision into effect. The
Board of Missions was continued, though no report is recorded, and each local
church was "requested to elect a Board of Missions, to raise money by call, dona-
tion or otherwise, to be sent to the Treasurer of the Eldership." The Eldership
decided that "no person shall be eligible to any office in the church unless he has
been baptized." "About fifty have been added to the Church" during the year, and
the Eldership urged "the brethren to a greater state of activity with their means
and talents, and to make more sacrifices for their Master." On temperance the
Eldership simply declared it to be "a cause which demands our co-operative labors."
24th Michigan Eldership. — The meagerness of the missionary funds, as per
Report submitted, no doubt accounts for the absence of any Report for three or
four years. At the Eldership in 1877, the Board reported having received $9.55,
without anything having been in the treasury, and all from the church at Maple
Grove, except 75 cents "collection on the Eldership floor." The Eldership con-
vened at Maple Grove, Barry county, September 26, 1877. Nine teaching elders
were present, and nine absent; two ruling elders were present, and ten absent. In-
dications generally confirm the Report of the Committee on the State of Religion,
that "the cause has not prospered to that extent desired, from the fact that we
have not enough active laborers." The Stationing Committee reduced the fields of
labor to nine, and then left one unsupplied. The Committee on Resolutions ad-
mitted that "the ordinance of Feet-washing is growing unpopular among the breth-
ren," and sought to "impress upon the minds of all the ministers the necessity of
attending to it oftener, and to preach more upon it — -twice a year." The Com-
mittee on Education declared "education to be essential to the advancement of
civilization and Christianity, and that ministers should be men of culture, and
hence we see the need of a school controlled by the Church of God." The local
preachers were "required to help the pastor, and to open new appointments."
Larger contributions were asked for, so that the Eldership can at an early day
keep a missionary in the field. The session of the Eldership was presided over
by A. B. Slyter, Speaker, with I. M. B. Gillaspie as Clerk.
25th Michigan Eldership. — Whatever effect the action of 1877 may have had
in securing funds for missions, three of the nine appointments of 1878 were classed
as missions. The Treasurer's Report shows $9.55 "in hand." The session of 1878
was held at Bangor, Van Buren county, and began October 10, 1878. "H. Garrett,
of Baltimore, delivered the Opening Sermon the evening previous." J. M. Ireland
was chosen Speaker, and B. D. Bright, Clerk. A Mr. Robinson, a Baptist minister,
applied for, and was granted, a license. Sheldon Smith's name "was dropped from
the Journal, he having placed his membership with the Baptists without officially
informing the Standing Committee," and censure was voted upon him. The reso-
lution of 1877, relative to the observance of Feet-washing, was called up, and the
record made, "Not complied with." The Eldership thereupon declared, "That as
an Eldership we believe in washing the saints' feet, and we do urge the ministers
to preach it, and practice what they preach. We urge every member to comply
with the plain command of the Savior as recorded in the thirteenth chapter of
John." The matter of appointing Missionary Boards in the local churches was
also again insisted upon. While in "some localities the cause is onward," says the
Committee on the State of Religion, "in other places, through neglect, the cause
has not prospered as it might." On temperance the Eldership declared that It
"stands on the rock of total abstinence, with raised banners floating in the air of
truth and justice, until our land shall be free from the blight of the destroyer."
An Act of Incorporation of the Eldership was secured in 1878.
26th Michigan Eldership. — The Act of Incorporation was an important meas-
ure, under the laws of the State. A religious body, or corporation, had to be in
the exercise of the franchises and privileges of a corporation for the term of ten
years, when "it shall be presumed to have been legally organized," and "as such
496 History of the Churches of God
can and does hold property legally." The Eldership availed itself of this provision
of law as against certain seceders, who threatened to take property belonging to
the legal Eldership. W. Seifiied was leader in this movement. He had been dis-
fellowshiped, and gathered a few around him, who on November 20, 1878, organ-
ized themselves into the "Northern Michigan Eldership of the Church of God," at
Carson City. As such they threatened and boasted that "they can take the prop-
erty of the Michigan Eldership." They also attempted "to intimidate the ministers
of the Michigan Eldership from solemnizing marriages, and threatened to prose-
cute them." The Eldership stood firm, entrenched behind the law, and exhorted
the churches and ministers to "mark them which cause divisions and offenses, and
have no fellowship with them." The body met in a school-house, at Duncan Lake,
Barry county, October 9, 1879, with ten preachers present, and eleven absent;
three ruling elders present, and thirteen absent, and one delegate. J. B. White
was chosen Speaker, and C. C. Linsley, Clerk. There was an uneasy state of feel-
ing in the Eldership. The independent movement had a moral effect beyond its
intrinsic importance, so that there was "a lack of co-operation amongst the min-
isters," and the Eldership notified all such they they "shall be called to account to
this body for their conduct." Under these conditions it is not singular that the
Committee on the State of Religion found it necessary to say, that "the state of
religion is not flattering;" that "reports of preachers confirm these views; but we
believe that by the Great Head of the church a greater work may be done in this
Eldership year." The appointments were reduced to seven circuits and one mis-
sion. During the year $15.45 were collected for missions. The Eldership prom-
ised "to use our utmost effort to establish a school for the education of the youth
of the Church of God." The matter of semi-centennial services was placed in the
hands of the Standing Committee. The Eldership set an example by observing the
ordinances near the close of the session, two of the older ministers "taking the lead
in washing the saints' feet."
27th IMichigan Eldership. — The attendance at the twenty-seventh annual ses-
sion of the Michigan Eldership was so small as to be good ground for the feeling
of discouragement which is reflected in the Minutes. There were nine teaching
elders present, and eleven absent, and there were neither ruling elders nor dele-
gates in attendance. Wm. Redding was chosen Speaker, and Sheldon Smith, Clerk.
The session was held in the Hide school-house, in Maple Grove, Barry county, and
began at 9 o'clock a. m., October 13, 1880. The Opening Sermon was delivered in
the evening of the first day's sittings, by Sheldon Smith. Though weak and poor,
the Eldership cheerfully responded to the calls for the small amounts of Missionary
and Contingent Funds apportioned to it by the General Eldership. It, however,
voted to dispense with its own Board of Missions. The Eldership "specially urged
the young men who contemplate engaging in the gospel ministry to use all possible
means to make themselves wise and intelligent men of God, and able defenders of
the truth as taught in the Scriptures." On temperance it declared itself in "favor
of Ihe doctrine of total abstinence." It also regretted "to see the prevailing habit
of the use of tobacco, and would recommend that all young men entering the Elder-
ship be requested to abstain from the use of the same." It resolved to "carry out
the itinerant plan," and declared "that any church requesting of the Eldership a
preacher shall receive and support the preacher sent by this body." "The necessity
of organizing Sabbath-schools wherever practicable" was "urged upon the breth-
ren." The Stationing Committee reported twelve fields of labor, six of which were
missions. Two ministers "were appointed General Workers." Each minister had
been required to collect and pay each year $2.00 into the treasury, and failing to
do so, he was to pay it himself. Eleven ministers had complied with this require-
ment; but $16.00 was due from the others, and to enforce payment licenses were
to be delivered only upon payment of dues.
28th Michigan Eldership. — Want of unity is a serious thing in any organiza-
tion. To conquer by dividing is still the main resource of an enemy. And while
the Michigan Eldership in theory realized this, its practice at this distance in time
may not seem to merit approval. When the body convened with the church at
New Haven Center, Gratiot county, on Wednesday, September 28, 1881, it found
"two Elderships bearing the name Church of God in Michigan," and that "they are
not in co-operative unity." Realizing that "this division is detrimental to the
cause of Christ, and contrary to the doctrines taught by us," the Committee on
Resolutions, R. L. Smith, H. A. Gari-ett and Sheldon Smith, offered a resolution.
Michigan Eldership 497
"that we adopt measures immediately to unite the two bodies, for Christ has not
many bodies." But the Eldership "postponed action on it indefinitely." The
Opening Sermon was preached the evening previous to. the organization, by Wm.
Redding, who was elected Speaker, with F. J. Browne, Clerk. Only eight of the
twenty-one teaching elders attended the session, and but one ruling elder was
present. At the suggestion of the Secretary of the Board of Missions of the Gen-
eral Eldership the appointment of "an active general evangelist within our terri-
tory" was agreed upon, and help was requested from said Board, and co-operation
promised in its work. The Eldership endorsed the Findlay College enterprise, and
members of the Church in Michigan were urged to co-operate in the project. The
licenses of a number of ministers were placed in the hands of the Standing Com-
mittee on account of the non-payment of arrearages to the Eldership funds.
Though no treasurer's report appears in the Minutes, I. M. B. Gillaspie was elected
Treasurer. The friction existing in the body is betrayed in a resolution which was
adopted, "that any minister found guilty of trying to poison the minds of the
people against an appointee of this Eldership, or is guilty of throwing stumbling
blocks in the way of any minister, shall forfeit his license." While the Eldership
adjourned on Saturday afternoon, it was arranged to hold services and have preach-
ing Saturday evening. Sabbath morning and evening, and close on Sabbath night
with an ordinance meeting.
29th Michigan Eldership. — Neither the causes which led to the organization
of two Elderships in Michigan, nor the basis of union, is on record in the Minutes.
The fact, however, is recorded, that "the election of officers in 1882 was sus-
pended until the report of the Standing Committee is received, giving the proceed-
ings of Bro. Sheldon Smith in regard to the union of the two Elderships in this
State." His "report was given, and unanimously adopted, and the two Elderships
are one." The Eldership held its session at Salem Center, Allegan county, begin-
ning September 6th. The previous evening Wm. Redding preached the Opening
Sermon. He was chosen Speaker; F, J. Bi-OAvne, First Clerk, and Heni-y Lyon,
Second Clerk. R. L. Smith had "of his own free will, and without the knowledge
of this body, joined the Methodist Protestant Church." But repenting, he applied
for membership in the Eldership. Restitution was first demanded. One minister
was expelled "for gross immorality." The Eldership insisted that ministers "at-
tend to the organization of local missionary societies in the churches under their
charge as soon as possible, to raise money for mission purposes." One of the min-
isters was, by order of the Eldership, "addressed by the Speaker, and instructed to
teach and practice the washing of the saints' feet previous to partaking of the
Lord's Supper." It was also ordered that "no minister belonging to this Eldership
is allowed to officiate at the marriage of parties divorced on other than scriptural
grounds." The Stationing Committee assigned the ministers to ten circuits and
missions. One sister, Lottie Blackwood, was on the Ministerial Roll, who was "to
be furnished work by the Standing Committee." The Funds of the Eldership con-
sisted of $5.4.5 Contingent Fund; $18.00 Missionary Fund. The Eldership was a
"happy and harmonious gathering," as reported by the Clerk.
30th Michigan Eldership. — The hand of an experienced writer Reports of
Committees first appears in the Journal of 1883. His name stands at the head of
the Committees on Publications, Education, Resolutions and Temperance. Wm.
Rice's reports were dissertations, and not preambles and resolutions, and were writ-
ten with special care. He was one of the eleven teaching elders enrolled as present
when the Eldership "convened at the North Side Church, Bangor, Van Buren
county, September 19, 1833," and with C. C. Linsley, chosen as Speaker, and S.
Smith, was elected a delegate to the General Eldership in 18 84. Nine teaching
elders were absent, and fourteen ruling elders are also named as absent, and only
two as being present. F. J. Browne was elected Clerk. The Report of the Com-
mittee on Education was an elaborate argument on "Ministerial Education," clos-
ing with a resolution declaring the "renewal and continued and increased efforts of
the Eldership, and the promise, so far as possible, of aid by our means, our influ-
ence and our prayers, until the capstone of the college is laid." The power of the
printing press is enlarged upon, and the excellencies of the General Eldership pub-
lications set forth in ringing terms. These publications are commended to the pat-
ronage of all the families of the Church. The Eldership promised to "throw our
influence on the side of Prohibition," and "our ballots shall count on the side of
prohibiting the manufacture and sale of all spirituous and malt beverages." It
C. H.— 17*
498 ' History of' the Churches of God
also declared its purpose to "cry out against the fearful crime of desecrating the
holy Sabbath." It seriously "commended to the Board of Missions of the General
Eldership the prayerful consideration of the question: What can be done to extend
.the Church of God throughout these United States?" Two brethren recommended
for license "were ordained by the laying on of hands." The mission sentiment and
spirit of the Eldership are reflected in resolutions declaring, "that to be lax, or in-
different in this great work is a sin against God and man;" that "a Christian is a
missionary," and "that it is the duty of each minister to preach at least one mis-
sionary sermon each year, and take up a collection for missions at every appoint-
ment on his charge." "The $2.00 Missionary System formerly adopted by this
body" was abolished, and the resolution of the Committee on Missions substituted.
The penalty for failure to carry out said resolution was that the delinquent "min-
ister shall be held censurable by this Eldership." A State Evangelist was ap-
pointed, and other ministers were assigned to nine stations and circuits and four
missions, with one circuit unsupplied.
31st Michigan Eldership.— Before adjournment in 1883, the Eldership ap-
pointed a committee, consisting of Redding, AValker and Gillaspie, "to draw up a
series of resolutions setting forth the duties of ministers, their educational stand-
ard, mission work, etc.," to be acted on in 1884. This committee made its report
at the second sitting of the Eldership which convened with the church at Carson
City, Montcalm county, Wednesday morning, September 3, 1884. It gave three
general "requirements of candidates for ordination to the ministry in the Michigan
Eldership: 1. "A good, common school education, and have sufficient knowledge
of history to give an outline of the rise, leading events and fall of the Chaldean,
Medo-Persian, Grecian and Roman Governments." 2. "They should be able to
define science, pantheism, materialism, polytheism, atheism, evolution, substantial-
ism, theology, the new birth, regeneration, adoption, sanctification." 3, "They
should be able to define and explain the ordinances of God's house, what each rep-
resents and commemorates, and the action of Christian baptism, and what we are
to understand by the word "being born of the water and the Spirit. Also a general
knowledge of the Bible." This the Eldership adopted. AVm. Rice had preached
the Opening Sermon on Tuesday evening, and at Wednesday morning's sitting,
after constituting the Eldership, Spencer Walker was made Speaker, and F. J.
Browne, Clerk. The "probability" of the organization of "a new Eldership of the
Church of Christ upon certain conditions," as intimated by D. W. Lincoln, to con-
sist of "himself and some others" whose names "he refused to divulge" resulted in
his license being withheld, and "his case being referred to a committee, with dis-
cretionary power." Said committee decided that "his request be granted," that
"his name be stricken from the Roll." On marriage and divorce the Eldership
"demanded more stringent divorce laws, prohibiting guilty parties from remarrying,
and a higher moral sentiment on the nature and sanctity of marriage, and a firm,
vigorous administration of the laws in our courts of justice, as well as rigorous dis-
cipline in all the Churches." It also expressed the sentiment of the body, "that it
is the duty of the Congress of the United States to enact such stringent laws as
shall promptly and effectually, and forever, suppress the accursed system of polyg-
amy within the Territories and States of this Union." A very favorable report
of the state of religion in the Eldership was adopted. After sustaining its Com-
mittee on Sabbath-schools in its vigorous report on the urgent need of more dili-
gent work in this department of Christian activity, it appointed "William Rice
State Evangelist and Missionary Fund Collector." A Superannuated Fund was
created, for which annual collections were to be lifted by all the pastors, the Elder-
ship having already superannuated two of its ministers. The licenses of two min-
isters were held up for "violating the Rules of the Eldership pertaining to marriage
and divorce." It was then made the duty of the Speaker "to ask each preacher
after giving his report the proper question regarding this subject." The number
of circuits and missions was reduced to ten.
32nd Michigan Eldership. — The assumption seems verifiable that the work in
Michigan was more or less hindered by the presence of other religious bodies simi-
lar in name and doctrinal tenets and practices. There was the Church of God (Ad-
ventists), a small body which withdrew from the Seventh-day Adventists. It had
six organizations in the State. Another body of about the same numerical strength
tvas known as the Churches of God (Adventists) Unattached Congregations. In
1888 the Churches of God in Christ Jesus was organized, which had nine organiza-
Michigan Eldership • 499
tions in Michigan. Other organizations of similar names, such as Church of Godl
and Saints of Christ (Colored), Churches of the Living God, Church of Christ iru
God (Apostolic Church) and Church of Christ in God were not found in Michigan^
and with few exceptions in the farther west were not found in the same localities
with the Church of God. So that even a more united, aggressive and confident
body than that which convened as the Eldership of the Church of God in Michigani
at Duncan Lake, Barry county, September 24, 1885, could not but feel the effect
of these vagaries in the prosecution of its work. Seventeen teaching elders were
present, eight ruling elders and one exhorter, while eight teaching elders were
absent. Wni. Redding was chosen Speaker, and F. J. BroAvne, Clerk. A Com-
mittee on Credentials made the enrollment, which also reported charges against
four ministers, including the Speaker of the Eldership of 1884, who for this reasoik
was "not allowed to act as Speaker," "nor to act in any official capacity while the
charges are pending." Each of the four was found guilty by the Special Committee
on Investigation, and the names were "dropped from the Eldership Roll." One
minister reported that he "had united with the Free Baptist Quarterly Conference.""
The only addition to the body was that of John Hall, a Canadian Indian Chief, who-
received exhorter's license. Elaborate and painstaking resolutions, with labored^
preambles, evidently prepared in advance by one member, were adopted on Educa-
tion, Resolutions, Missions and Sunday-Schools. These Reports were all of com-
mendable character, reflecting a spirit of loyalty and devotion to the common in-
terests of the Church. Arrangements were made to have a special sermon preached?,
in 1886 on Church Polity, and one on "Characteristics of the Church of God." And
on the last evening of the present session AVm. Rice was "appointed to preach a ser-
mon on the subject of Ordination." It was decided to hold a "Ministerial Asso-
ciation and Sunday-School Institute at Hamilton, in June, 1886." Also a Pente-
costal meeting at Duncan Lake. The fields of labor consisted of two stations, eight
circuits and one mission — Mason county.
33r(l Michigan Eldei'ship. — The same virile writer of reports whose pro-
ductions made so large a part of the Journal of 1885, did equally good work ini
1886. Wm. Rice was the efficient protagonist of the Michigan Eldership while a
member. As a writer and preacher he showed the great cardinal virtues of cour-
age, endurance and skill. He had no pet predelictions, but was the pronounced ad-
vocate and defender of all the interests and institutions of the Church. He only
knew Duty, "stern daughter of the voice of God." So it was not strange that in
1886 he was again appointed to "preach a sermon on Ordination" on the evening
of the second day. The Eldership was not well attended which met at Bangor,
Van Buren county, Wednesday morning, October 6, 1886. The previous evening
L. J. Teed preached the Opening Sermon. Only nine of the twenty-five teaching
elders were present, two ruling elders and one delegate. But the Act of Incorpo-
ration secured eight years before provided for a small number to constitute a
quorum. The Speaker was J. B. AVliite, with F. J. Bromie as Clerk. Strong reso-
lutions were adopted against immoral literature, tobacco and the desecration of
the Sabbath day, and in favor of Sabbath-schools, as the committee believed them
to be "the nursery of the Church," and had "reasons for believing that God and
the angels take great interest in the early instruction of children in righteousness."
The Committee on Constitution recommended the adoption of the Constitution of
the East Pennsylvania Eldership, "amended and added to by the Committee."
Various Reforms were endorsed by the Committee on Resolutions, and the Elder-
ship was urged to "buckle on the whole Christian armor, to stand united in one un-
broken phalanx, ready to 'move directly upon the enemy's works,' pressing the
battle to the very gates of the foe, till the last confiict is past." The cause of mis-
sions was strongly endorsed as "the cause of God. Christ, our Savior, our leader
and guide, and now our advocate with the Father, is heaven's great missionary."
"To be lax, or indifferent, in this great work is a sin against God and man." To
secure better support for ministers, it was made their duty on entering on new
fields "to call a meeting of the official members, whose duty it shall be to fix the
amount of the pastor's salary, and apportion the same to the different appointments
on the circuit." The fields of labor were reported in "a fair, and some in a pros-
perous, condition." The Eldership determined to "throw our influence on the side
of Prohibition," and the members of churches were urged "not to vote with parties
which legislate in favor of the liquor traffic." A State Evangelist was elected, atid
it was made his duty "to collect all missionary money possible." A Board of Edu-
cation and a Committee of Church Extension were provided for. Nine fields of
500 History of the Churches of God
labor were mapped out, but one remained to be supplied. The Indian preacher,
John Hall, reported, and his license was renewed, but there is no intimation as to
his place of work.
34th Michigan Eldei-ship. — There was a larger attendance at the session of
the Eldership held at Callahan school-house, Gratiot county, Mich., beginning Fri-
day morning, September 13, 1887. The Opening Sermon was delivered on Thurs-
day evening, by C. C. Linsley, from Acts x. 23. Fourteen ministers were present,
eight absent, and two ruling elders. Wni. Redding was chosen Speaker, and L. J.
Teed, Clerk. On temperance the Eldership expressed its judgment that "all good
citizens should combine to procure an enactment prohibiting the sale of intoxicat-
ing beverages," and strongly disapproved "voting for or upholding any party that
will not give us prohibition." A sermon on the ordinances was ordered to be
preached on Lord's day evening, followed by their observance. The financial
weakness of the Church was evidenced in the case of the Salem Bethel. Without
means to repair it, or keep up the fence around the lot, C. C. Linsley was author-
ized to rent it so as to raise funds to make the needed repairs. This condition of
things induced the Eldership to resolve to "make an effort to secure means to pro-
mote the interest of the Michigan Eldership, and also the general interest of the
Church of God, and not leave a stone unturned that should be turned that will
make the work a greater success." The body sorely felt and sincerely lamented
the death of Elder James Haskins, "one among the first ministers that helped to
revive the Eldership that had ceased to meet for the space of about six years." He
was originally licensed by the Indiana Eldership in 1856, and removed to Odessa,
lona county, Mich., where he began his labors in the, ministry. An order was made
requiring each minister of the Eldership to raise $5.00 for the Missionary Fund and
$2.00 for the Contingent Fund the coming Eldership year, the penalty for failure
to do so was the withholding of license until complied with. There were now ten
fields of labor, all supplied with ministers. The Board of Incorporation began its
active duties immediately after the Eldership, and it appointed an Executive Board
of three members to look after the business concerns of the Eldership.
35th Michigan Eldership. — The fluctuating character of the Michigan Elder-
ship is indicated by the very small attendance in 1888. This seemed a chronic
feature of the body, and so the impression is made on the observer's mind that it
must necessarily be vacillating in resolve, and wavering in execution. External
conditions and influences contributed to this; but the thought is suggested that in
the ministry of the Eldership there were too many who were irresolute and un-
determined of purpose. The Eldership met at Hamilton, Allegan county, October
5th, with only six of the twenty-two teaching elders present, and four ruling elders
and delegates. The Opening Sermon was delivered the previous evening, by Wni.
Redding, from Eph. iii. 9, 10, 11. He was re-elected Speaker; C. C. Linsley, Jour-
nalizing Clerk, and I. E. Evans, Financial Clerk. Redding was also elected Treas-
urer. The Eldership was explicit and emphatic in its opposition to "the destruc-
tive and baneful influence and power of the license system," and committed itself
positively to the absolute prohibition of the liquor traffic. The resolution of 1887,
that each pastor collect $5.00 for the Missionary Fund and $2.00 for the Contin-
gent Fund, was only partly carried out, and compliance therewith was insisted
upon. One minister who had come into the Eldership from the Free Methodist
Church returned to its fellowship, and his name was dropped. Two other min-
isters "left our Eldership and joined another Church," and "their names were
stricken from our Roll." The only compensation for this loss was the reception
and ordination of E. Robertson, of some other Church, "being well seconded by his
Conference." The Eldership realized that "what we need most is men of ability,
with good moral characters, to move in our midst and stay." Some of the "bethels
are unoccupied by our preachers." There were eleven appointments, to each of
which a pastor was assigned. Other ministers were instructed "to open up new
points, or supply the places which are not supplied."
36th Michigan Eldership. — When the Eldership met at Bangor, Van Buren
county, October 4, 1889, thirteen of the nineteen seats of teaching elders were
vacant. There were present two ruling elders, one delegate and two exhorters.
The names of two ministers were dropped from the Roll; but one previously
dropped was reinstated. Redding was again chosen Speaker, and C C. Linsley,
Clerk. The Report of the Committee on Temperance was still more definite and
pronounced in favor of Prohibition, demanding "the utter and speedy legal pro-
hibition of this terrible curse," and promising to "aid the Prohibitionists by vote
Michigan Eldership 501
and voice in saving the people from the destructive influence and power of the
licensed liquor traffic." The state of religion vi^as declared to be "low in the
bounds of this body." A General Missionary was appointed, on "condition that he
agree to travel in the bounds of the Michigan Eldership, and not stay at home."'
J. M. Ireland was elected Treasurer, but no Treasurer's Report was submitted. On
Education the Eldership took advanced ground, urging "all in the bounds of this.
Eldership to do all in their power to educate their children, especially those who
contemplate entering the ministry." It also expressed its full sympathy with "th&
mission interests of the General Eldership," and urged special collections for this
purpose in all the churches. The Publishing House and Book Room of the Gen-
eral Eldership, and the various periodicals were endorsed, and recommended to
"the patronage of the brotherhood." The appointments were reduced to nine, two
of them being missions.
37th Michigan Eldership.- — Responsive to general religious sentiment, the
Michigan Eldership adopted strong resolutions against keeping open the World's
Fair at Chicago on the Lord's day. It considered such a course as tending "to
bring disgrace on our nation and people." It provided for the sending of its reso-
lutions on the subject to the Chairman of the World's Fair Committee under its
corporate seal. The session was held at the Wiles school-house. New Haven,
Gratiot county, beginning September 25, 1890. The membership consisted of
nineteen ministers and nine delegates. L. J. Teed was elected President; I. E.
Evans, Clerk. The publications of the General Eldership were strongly endorsed,
and ministers and churches were urged to patronize them. Missionary Societies
were directed to be organized in the churches. The financial report presented a
good condition of the Eldership Funds. The camp-meeting spirit still existed in
the Eldership, so that a Camp-meeting Committee had been appointed. The
churches, however, were indisposed to bear the expenses and endure the incon-
veniences, and so none was held. There were four fields of labor, which were sup-
plied with pastors. Three ministers were named as Home Missionaries, "to help
where opportunity affords," while one was appointed State Evangelist. The opin-
ion prevailed that "this was the best Eldership that was ever held in Michigan."
The only matter for discouragement which some experienced was "the scarcity of
ministers," which necessitated the merging of some of the circuits, thus making
them "too large for one man to travel, and do justice to the work."
38th Michigan Eldership. — At the session of the Eldership in 1891 there were
three additions to the ministry, two of which received appointments, so that six
fields of labor were supplied with pastors. The session was held at Sodus Bethel,
Berrien county, and began September 17th. The officers chosen were L, J. Teed,
President; I. T. Crago, Clerk. The Eldership felt its need of a better educated
ministry. It sought to incite to diligent study by requiring all the ministers "who
had not been members for a period of ten years should make a special study of
Grammar and Rhetoric, and prescribed the text-books in which they were to be
examined. "The Eldership all through its session was a decided victory for God."
The religious fervor seemed so supreme that little was done besides the routine
business.
39th Michigan Eldership. — The more experienced members of the Eldership
rejoiced at the close of the session of 1892, that it "left the field re-inforced by
nine workers, three exhorters and six ministers, two of the latter of marked
ability." "The nightly efforts in the pulpit were in the demonstration and power
of the gospel. The altar services were salutary and spiritual." "The cause has
received a new impetus." As in 1891, the business transacted was limited, yet at-
tention was given to some extent to matters of Church polity, as it was the
opinion that "progress in the great reformation in Church polity is assured." On
Sunday evening the ordinances were observed, at which it was noted that "a few
out of three different denominations participated." The session was presided
over "by one of the old veterans in the ministry," Wm. Redding, with J. S. Eakin
as Clerk. It is recorded as a peculiarity of the session that "no resolutions were
offered." The Funds of the Eldership were replenished through assessments.
The session was held in the Spencer school-house, Montcalm county, and began
September 1st. The seven fields of labor were all supplied. Not only the un-
assigned ministers, but the exhorters were required "to open new appointments
where opportunity affords." The Eldership adjourned in the hope "that the near
future will bring still brighter days for the Michigan Eldership."
502 History of the Churches of God
40th Michigan Eldership. — The hope expressed at the close of the thirty-ninth
session of the Michigan Eldership seemed to have been well founded. For at the
<;lose of the session of 189 3 the Clerk reported that "the prospects for Church
-work in Michigan are gradually brightening, and we hope and pray that this year
'Will be one of great prosperity." The session was held at Bangor, Van Buren
■county, beginning September 21st. The Opening Sermon was delivered by L. J.
Teed. The membership of the body was twenty-three, of which six were ex-
•iiorters. One sister at this session was seated as a "ruling elder." The ministers
■''in the active work were stationed on nine appointments." The Speaker, W. J.
McNutt, came from the Ohio Eldership by transfer. J. S. Eakin was Clerk. More
than usual business was transacted. On temperance the body pledged itself "to
udo all in our power to suppress the monster evil of intemperance, which endangers
our government and its industrial, educational and religious institutions. It
committed itself in favor of the prohibition of the manufacture, sale, importation
and transportation of all or any intoxicating liquors as a beverage by our ballots
and influence." Because of troubles growing out of the readiness to receive un-
tried persons into the ministry in former years, the Eldership declared, that "here-
after we will receive none into this Eldership, or grant to any one a license, with-
out their having belonged to the Church of God and having preached twenty-five
times at least previous to making an application for license, and bring a letter of
recommendation from the church signed by the ruling elders and preacher in
charge." This refers to new applicants for the ministry. The Eldership did the
singular thing of accepting the findings of a committee that "there have been
wrong actions on the part of" both an expelled minister "and the Eldership," and
recommending his reinstatement and mutual forgiveness.
41st Michigan Eldership. — While the General Eldership in 1893 had sent
down to the annual Elderships several questions to be considered and acted upon,
the Michigan Eldership took up only that of Eldership titles. This was done at the
.session held at Sodus Bethel, Berrien county, beginning September 19, 1894. It
•decided "to stand by the title Eldership of the Church of God," by "a unanimous
rising vote, and still strengthened by loud acclamations." It also voted to "adhere
to the Bible title 'Elder,' " and "denounced the prefix 'Rev.' " J. H. McNutt was
chosen Speaker, and J. S. Eakin, Clerk. "One-half hour was set apart for
anemorial services," when the Committee on Obituaries reported resolutions
^eulogistic of the life and character of H. A. Garrett, in whose death the body had
'lost an efficient and worthy minister. He was originally licensed by the Michigan
Eldership in 1869, and was "faithful to him that appointed him" to the holy of-
ifice of the ministry. To assist in raising more missionary money, "the Board of
.Missions was instructed to organize Woman's Missionary Societies." "L. J. Teed
^was elected General Missionary throughout the State of Michigan," at a salary of
:$350.00. When the Report of the Committee on Temperance was read it was
•objected to because the word "party" was used. The Committee was required to
eliminate it. The Report enumerated a number of "protean diseases" caused by
the use of ardent spirits; "the ruining of property;" "hereditary transmission of
tendencies to diseases," and "insanity," "the blunting of moral sensibilities and
their final blotting out," as reasons for favoring absolute prohibition, to which end
■"the Eldership will use all its infiuence and all lawful means." The Treasurer,
J. M. Ireland, who was re-elected, handled only $51.07 during the year. The
Committee on the State of Religion reported total "membership of 250 a year
ago," and "that more than two-fifths of this number are good, spiritual workers."
But "the spiritual condition is at a low standard." Two newly licensed ministers
entered the active work of the Eldership, enabling the Committee to supply all of
the ten circuits.
42nd Michigan Eldership. — The reports from Michigan at this time were
rather untoward and depressing. The State Organizer, E. Tatman, wrote: "I am
almost ashamed to give the true standing of the Church of God in Michigan."
Yet some things inspired confidence, although the Eldership itself confirmed
Tatman's dispiriting estimate. It declared that "we behold the cause of Christ
languishing." However, the Eldership manifested a determined and courageous
spirit, and its deliberations evinced sanctified zeal for the cause and a determina-
tion to carry on the work with unabating energy. It convened at the Spencer ap-
pointment, Montcalm county, September 26, 1898, haying listened the previous
•evening to the Opening Sermon, delivered by J. S. Eakin. The Speaker elected
Michigan Eldership 503
was Wm. Redding, and the Clerk, J. S. Eakin. A new committee was named "to
draft a Constitution and Bj'-Laws for the Michigan Eldership," two of the mem-
bers of the former Committee having died. The Eldership required each able-
bodied minister "to preach twenty-five sermons a year, or keep up two regular ap-
pointments." Failure to do this would work forfeiture of license. The Treas-
urer was required to give bond in the sum of not less than $100.00. Referring
to the East Pennsylvania Course of Studies, the Eldership resolved to adopt it, and
directed each minister under forty-five years of age to take this Course, and to pass
a regular examination each year. A committee to examine in the Course was at
once apointed for the year 1895-6. Better qualifications were also demanded on
the part of applicants for license. A Board of Missions and a Board of Church
Extension were elected. A Constitution and By-Laws for a Woman's Missionary
Society were prepared and adopted, and the organization of local societies was en-
couraged. There were thirteen fields of labor, one of which could not be supplied
with a pastor, while three were "under the supervision" of ministers not other-
wise assigned. There was a General Missionary, and four others were "requested
to take up appointments and assist other ministers." The Roll of the Dead had
two names of ministers engrossed upon it, in whose honor memorial services were
held. M. D. Rogers had been licensed first in 1892, but had developed into "a
faithful and valuable co-worker," and was held in high esteem. J. H. McNutt
was originally a member of the West Ohio Eldership, from which he received his
first license in 1870. He was an efficient minister, and the Eldership keenly felt
his loss.
43rd ]VIicliigan Eldei-ship. — Two committees were at work during the year,
and were ready with their Reports when the Eldership convened. One made a
draft of a Constitution and By-Laws, which, after being considered seriatim, was
adopted, with minor "corrections." The other prepared a Course of Studies of a
more limited character "for all applicants for license, as well as ministers under
fifty years of age." The session was held at the Bradley appointment, or Colon-
ville, Clare county, and began September 17, 1896. L. J. Teed presided, and J. S.
Eakin served as Clerk. Conditions in the Eldership had improved. One new
organization was formed, and the total accessions were 138. "The outlook is
hopeful." But there was an exigent "need of more earnest and faithful and honest
laborers in the vineyard of the Master." The presence and addresses of Clara
Landes gave the body much inspiration. Ministers' names are sometimes "drop-
ped" reluctantly, or indignantly; but this Eldership "dropped" a former General
Missionary "gladly from the Roll of the Eldership by a rising vote." On temper-
ance, the "preachers and members of the churches of God" were "requested to
vote as they pray." The ministers pledged themselves "to be more earnest and
faithful, and more fully consecrated to the great work of the Master, that they
may be more efl5cient in his service the coming year." The funds were exceedingly
limited — Contingent, $24.66; Misisonary, $13.71; Superannuated, $3.15. D. L.
Wiles was the Treasurer, who received from the Finance Committee for the three
Funds, $15.85. Thirteen fields were supplied with pastors, and one was to be
supplied by the Standing Committee.
44th Michigan Eldership. — The Michigan Eldership held its Ministerial Asso-
ciation during the day preceding the Eldership session. On the evening of said
day, September 7, 1897, J. B. AVhite preached the Eldership Opening Sermon.
Before the election of officers the Constitution was amended, under suspension of
the second section of Art. ii., and this Article was stricken out, and the follow-
ing substituted: "All ruling elders, and delegates elected as alternates in the ab-
sence of the ruling elders, shall be full members of this Eldership." L. J. Teed
was made Speaker, and J. S. Eakin, Clerk. The ministers and delegates were
much encouraged by the presence and counsel and addresses of T. Koogle, of
Ohio, who was there in behalf of Findlay College. Also by a communication from
Clara Landes, misisonary in India. The Eldership condemned the use of tobacco
under the inspired requirement of the Scriptures "to cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the flesh, perfecting holiness;" and it resolved that "the older mem-
bers of this body will, in the near future, abstain from its use," and that "hereafter
we will refuse to license any young minister who will not abstain from the filthy
habit." There was a balance of $56.46 in the treasury, and D. L. Wiles was
elected Treasurer. There were thirteen teaching elders at this session, and four
ruling elders and eight delegates. Wm. Redding was superannuated. Two out of
504
History of the Churches of God
seven applicants for license were ordained. Appointments were made to eleven
fields, with one General Evangelist.
45th 3Iichigan Eldei-ship. — Little missionary or Church Extension work could
be done in Michigan for lack of means. There were always men enough to de-
vote their time to such work had an adequate support been guaranteed. There
were at this time seventeen teaching elders and exhorters, yet there were only
764 sermons preached during the year 1897-8, and forty-four persons were fellow-
shiped, and fifty-one baptized. One church was organized. The missionary spirit
was low, as the receipts indicate, being less than for either the Contingent or the
Superannuated Fund. The Eldership convened at the Colonville Bethel, Clare
county, September 21, 1898. L. J. Teed delivered the Opening Sermon the
previous evening. The unusual action of intercepting and recalling a transfer
was taken in the case of J. R. Oniweg, who had received a transfer to the Indiana
Eldership. The difficulty was adjusted. Weak and indigent as the Eldership
seemed to be, and with Findlay College no farther removed, it favorably con-
sidered "the project of an academy within the bounds of the Michigan Eldership."
The Standing Committee was "authorized to look up a site and devise ways and
means for the starting of an academy and procuring a principal for the same."
It was also empowered to go over the territory of the Eldership "for the
purpose of raising money for this purpose." The Constitution was amended by
changes in half a dozen sections, in one of which four regular Funds were estab-
lished, to wit: Missionary, General Eldership, Superannuated and Incidental.
Each minister was to be "instructed by the Secretary as to the amount he Is ex-
pected to raise on his work for the different Funds." Circuits were to be more
completely organized, so that the work might be carried on with more system and
efficiency. Applicants for license were to be more rigidly examined as to their
faith, knowledge of Scripture, grammar, history, and general information, and
they must come well recommended. Exhorters' licenses were to be discontinued.
Mrs., Woodworth was invited to the State of Michigan, with her co-workers in
evangelistic work, and was promised co-operation.
46th Miclugan Eldership. — Neither ministers nor ruling elders and delegates
were largely in attendance at the Michigan Eldership. Elements were wanting
to quite an extent to create enthusiasm. Distance for too many was a serious ob-
stacle. When the Roll was called as the body convened at Sodus Bethel, Ber-
rien county, in the extreme south-western corner of the State, eleven ministers,
four ruling elders and one delegate responded. J. S. Eakin was chosen President;
L. J. Teed, Clerk, and D. L. Wiles, Treasurer. Being near the Indiana State line,
J. Bumpus, of the Indiana Eldership, attended the session, and "his soul-cheering
sermons and noble advice given as an advisory member" greatly encouraged the
Eldership. The body was in mourning over the death of William Redding, whose
"Christian character was unspotted;" a "fearless defender of the truth, and a
wise counselor." He was first licensed in 1871, and was an active worker to
within a year or two of his death. Charges were made against the Eldership by
the church at Benton Harbor, and an effort to adjust matters failed. The Board
of Missions of the General Eldership proposed to send a missionary to supply said
church along with the church at Sodus Bethel, but this was not acceptable to the
Michigan Eldership, as it did not wish to relinquish Sodus Bethel. The issuing
of Life Certificates to ministers was objectionable. The sentiment of the Eldership
was against them, and conditions were unfavorable. A modification was sought
by correspondence with the Board of Publication, but said Board had no discretion,
as the form of the Certificates had been prescribed by the General Eldership. In
addition to other incisive paragraphs in resolutions against intoxicating liquors, a
provision was incorporated declaring that "any young man who shall make appli-
cation for license who is in the habit of drinking or using tobacco shall not be
granted one." To secure a larger amount of funds for home missions, "C. Bums
was elected Agent to go over the bounds of the Michigan Eldership and collect
money for the Home Mission Fund." Ministers were instructed "on entering on
their fields of labor to call a finance committee and fix the amount of salary, said
amount to be paid quarterly." Two ordinance meetings were directed to be held
annually with each church. There were nine circuits and stations, with one
General Worker.
47th Michigan Eldership. — The territory of the State occupied by the min-
isters of the Michigan Eldership in 1900 can not now be determined from the
Michigan Eldekship 505
records. The names of but two counties, Clare and Gratiot, near the center of
the State, are found in the Report of the Stationing Committee. There were
thirteen fields of labor, one of which was divided two months later. Three of
them are called missions, and five of the fields had but one appointment. These
fields were represented by fifteen ministers and four ruling elders and delegates
when the Eldership convened in annual session in the new bethel at New Haven
Center, Gratiot county, October 4, 1900. J. E. Moffitt was chosen President;
W. J. McNutt, Clerk, and J. S. Eakin, Treasurer. C. C. Linsley, one of the
pioneer ministers of the Church in Michigan, "passed away." He was originally
licensed by the Indiana Eldership, in 1858; but spent the greater part of
his ministerial life in Michigan. He was a leader in the Eldership for
many years, and was faithful in his generation. Necessary arrangements were
made to hold a camp-meeting in 1901, "for the advancement of the spiritual wel-
fare of the Church of God." A State Evangelist was appointed, who also was
charged with the duty of "taking up collections and receiving time Notes to be
credited to the Home Missionary Fund." There were no missionary societies,
and no official action on the subject was taken; but financial boards were author-
ized in the churches to look after salaries, collections, etc. An appropriation of
$5.00 was made out of the Mission Fund to each of three of the fields of labor.
On all the fields of labor the ministers were to be active in an effort to secure
financial support. They were to see that the Financial Boards were duly organ-
ized, they being constituted members by the Eldership. They were instructed to
call the Boards together "at least four times during the year."
48th Michigan Eldership. — 1901 being the year to elect delegates to the Gen-
eral Eldership, the Michigan Eldership, through its Standing Committee, elected as-
one on its delegation Mrs. Sarah J. Cooper. Having received her transfer from
the Ohio Eldership, she was appointed General Evangelist of the State. The ses-
sion of the Eldership was held at Seville Center, Gratiot county, beginning Sep-
tember 26, 1901. While the total number of members was twenty-eight, there
were only fifteen present — eleven ministers and four delegates. The choice of the
body for President was L. J. Tee<1; Clerk, W. J. McNutt; Financial Secretary, J. E.
MoiHtt; Treasurer, D. L. Wiles. Every minister under forty years of age was.
"required to take the Course of Studies prescribed by the Eldership." And every
minister and delegate was taxed "50 cents, to be paid into the Contingent Fund
before having a voice in said Eldership." The body was interested in, and loyal
to, all general Church interests, requiring each minister to subscribe for The-
Church Advocate, and insisting on the Sunday-schools using Church literature.
Appointments were made to eighteen fields. The Board of Missions was com-
posed of Mrs. Sarah J. Cooper, S. S. Teed and Geo. W. Anderson.
49th Michigan Eldership.- — During the year 1901-2 Mrs. S. J. Cooper began
mission work in Detroit, so that Detroit Mission was added to the list of appoint-
ments in 1902. However the number of fields of labor was reduced to ten, several
of the charges having been consolidated. The session was held at New Haven
Center, Gratiot county, and opened September 18th, with twenty-two ministers
and delegates in attendance. The officers elected were: W. J. McNutt, President;
L. J. Teed, Clerk; Win. Nan-agon, Financial Clerk; D. L. Wiles, Treasurer. The
action on temperance placed the Eldership "on record as opposed to the liquor
traffic," and the members "pledged themselves to do all in their power by pen,
voice and ballot to suppress the evil and wipe the demon out of existence." What-
ever deficiencies may have existed in practicing the amenities of ministerial life,
the Eldership resolved to "try to cultivate greater respect for each other in
courtesy and brotherly love, and manifest that oneness in our evangelistic and
organic work for the Master which was manifest with him and the Father." There
was an earnest desire for a "perfect labor of love; the saving of souls, and the
keeping of the fold securely as under-shepherds until the great Shepherd comes to
receive his own." Fields were all supplied with pastors, and J. E. Moffitt was
appointed General Missionary.
50th Michigan Eldership. — No semi-centennial services were held either at
the Eldership in 1903, nor by the pastors and churches, so far as the records have
been preserved. There were twenty ministers and four delegates present at the
fiftieth session, held at Pine River Bethel, Montcalm county, beginning with the
Opening Sermon on the evening of September 2, 1903, by J. B. AVhite. W. J.
McNutt was elected President; C. L. Dilworth, Clerk; William Narragon, Financial
Clerk. Funds were unusually limited: "Contingent, $25.42; Mission, $3.98;
5o6 History of the Churches of God
Superannuated, $3.98." There were nine fields of labor, while John Lown and L.
Childs were appointed General Evangelists, and Josei>h Palmer, Assistant General
Evangelist. Ten ministers were named "to open up new points."
51st Michigan Eldersliip. — There was improvement during the year 1903-4
in the condition of the churches and Eldership, so that the session of 1904 "was
well attended," and "very encouraging reports were given." The meeting was
held at Pine Grove, Montcolm county, where the Opening Sermon was delivered on
Wednesday evening, September 21st, by J. E. Moffitt. The following officers were
elected: President, W. J. McNutt; Clerk, C. L. Dilworth; Financial Clerk, Wm.
JVarragon; Treasurer, L, J. Teed. Limiting itself wholly to its own interests, the
work of the Eldership was of a routine character — reports of ministers, recom-
mendations of committees, and the stationing of ministers. The eleven fields of
labor were provided with pastors, with L. Childs and J. D. Tanner, State Evan-
gelists; J. Palmer, Assistant Evangelist; Mrs. S. J. Cooper to assist in revival
work, and J. E. Moffitt, Missionary Collecting Agent. The brethren were "urged
strictly to adhere to the admonition of Paul: — "Study to show thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word
of truth."
52nd Michigan Eldership. — The question of entertainment at even so small
an Eldership as that of Michigan had assumed no small proportions by this time.
The local churches were relatively small, and it taxed their ability to entertain
all who would be present during the sessions. In 1905 the Clerk of the Michigan
Eldership published that "ministers and their wives, and delegates and their wives
only, will be supported by the Eldership." The ministers and delegates present
when the Roll was called at the Spencer appointment, Crystal township, Mont-
calm county, September 6, 1905, was twenty-three. The officers elected were
President, L. J. Teed; Clerk, C. L. Dilworth; Financial Clerk, Wm. Narragon;
Treasurer, L. J. Teed. Defective records were not uncommon, and of this session
of the Eldership the Minutes furnish no data touching transactions of the body.
Resolutions adopted and Reports of Committees the Clerk failed to record. The
names of the members of the Standing Committee are M. S. Hemminger, J. D.
Tanner, C. Haas, Wm. Shaw. The Board of Missions consisted of J. L. Teed, T. S.
Lunbeck, Wm. Narragon. The laity was pretty well represented on the Standing
Committee and the Board of Missions, as of the seven members three were dele-
gates. There were seven fields of labor, all of which were supplied. There were
two "General Evangelists," and nine "General Workers."
53rd >Iichigan Eldersliip. — On Wednesday evening, September 26, 1906, L. J.
Teed delivered the Opening Sermon of the fifty-third annual session of the Michi-
gan Eldership. The "total number of members was twenty-six." Ten ministers
and six delegates attended this session. The choice for President was L. J. Teed;
Clerk, C. Dilworth; Financial Clerk, Wm. Narragon; Treasurer, L. J. Teed. All
but one of the seven fields of labor were supplied by the Stationing Committee.
J. E. Palmer was appointed Evangelist, and the Eldership elected L. J. Teetl, Gen-
eral Evangelist, while thirteen ministers were named as "General Workers." The
session was held at Delo Corners, Isabella county.
54th Michigan Eldersliip. — On Wednesday preceding the session of the Eld-
ership in 1907 the Ministerial Association held its annual meeting. In the even-
ing the Opening Sermon was delivered by L. J. Teed. The session was held at
New Haven Center, Gratiot county, and began September 19th. While the at-
tendance of ministers and delegates was small — eight ministers and three dele-
gates— "a large crowd was in attendance at each meeting," and "the ordinance
meeting on Sunday evening was especially very impressive." "The spirit of peace
and harmony prevailed" throughout the sittings. Officers were elected as follows:
President, L. J. Teed; Clerk, S. S. Teed; Financial Clerk, Wm. Narragon; Treas-
urer, L. J. Teed. One of the ministers died during the year — S. L. McNutt — a
man of excellent character and abilities for usefulness. To comply with the re-
quirements of the Constitution of the General Eldership, it was made the duty of
"every minister of the Michigan Eldership residing in any other State to take a
transfer." Each pastor was required "to preach one sermon to each congregation
on the blessing of giving to the support of the gospel." The teaching elders, after
this session of the Eldership, were "not to be elected to the office of ruling elder."
The church building at Salem, Mich., was ordered to be sold. For mission work
In towns the Eldership authorized "the purchase of a tent," and appointed "Sister
S. J. Cooper a committee to purchase the tent, and placed the funds in her hands"
Michigan Eldership 507
for that purpose. She was one of the ministers present at this session. Some
"missionary funds were raised by collections," and a Board of Missions was
elected, consisting of L. J. Teed, S. J. Cooper and Jas. Terwilliger. The seven
fields of labor were supplied with pastors, and S. J. Cooper was appointed Evan-
gelist. "New energy filled the brethren" of the Eldership, and "a more pros-
perous year than any one in the past" was predicted.
55th IVIichigan Eldership. — On April 30, 1908, "our venerable brother. Elder
J. Ji. "White, was called from labor to reward," is the record of the close of a
"Christian life which was beautiful from its beginning to its close." White was
a native of Pennsylvania, born in Perry county, August 5, 1820. When a young
man he removed to Ohio, and thence, in 185 0, to Michigan. He was first a mem-
ber of the Presbyterian Church, but later united with the Church of God. In the
Fall of 1853 he received his first license to preach, from the Ohio Eldership. He
became a prominent member of the Michigan Eldership, and was frequently
elected to official positions. "He was a man of wonderful energy, and possessed
those sterling attributes of character which won for him the universal esteem of
all within the circle of his wide acquaintance." The Eldership which convened in
the Spencer Bethel, Montcalm county, September 10, 1908, lamented the loss of
this estimable member of the body. At this session nine ministers and three dele-
gates were present. Elections resulted in the choice for President of J. D. Tan-
ner; Clerk, S. S. Teed; Financial Clerk, Wm. Narragon; Treasurer, L. J. Teed.
The Eldership provided for a Board of Education, before which all applicants for
license were required to appear and pass a satisfactory examination. S. S. Teed,
M. S. Heniminger and W. J. McNutt were elected on this Board. Young men who
proposed to enter the ministry were recommended to take a course at Findlay
College. Efforts were being made to raise more missionary money; but as there
were no missionary societies, collections were lifted for this Fund, and Mrs. S. J.
Cooper, C. Haas and L. J. Teed were elected on the Board of Missions. M. S.
Heniniinger was made the General Missionary; J. E. Moffitt, General Evangelist,
and five of the six fields of labor were supplied with pastors.
56th Michigan Eldership. — Forgetting, like Dr. Bangs once in his ministry,
that "your duty is to pick, whether the rock yields or not," in 1909 "a number of
the brethren of the Michigan Eldership seemed to feel somewhat discouraged."
The session was called to be held at Pine Grove, Ferris township, Montcalm
county, beginning September 30th. and the attendance was small, and no Opening
Sermon was preached; but those "present manifested a good deal of enthusiasm,
and some, looking on the bright side, were ready to promise us light ahead."
Thirteen ministers and delegates were in attendance. These officers were chosen:
President, J. D. Tanner; S. S. Teed, Clerk; Wm. NaiTagon, Financial Clerk; L. J.
Teed, Treasurer. Two brethren received licenses, and "were ready to work," and
there were other rifts in the clouds, so that "as the Eldership neared the close the
brethren were encouraged." Ministers were strongly solicited "to attena the
Ministerial Association, that we may discuss doctrinal points, and become a unit
on the same."
57th Michigan Eldership.— The number of ministers ordained by the Mich-
igan Eldership from its organization in 1850 to the close of the session in 1910
was ninety-six. Of this number twenty-three were enrolled when the Eldership
was constituted at Colonville, Clare county, October 12, 1910. Nine ministers and
six delegates were in attendance. J. D. Tanner preached the Opening Sermon on
the evening of October 11th. He was elected President; S. S. Teed, Clerk; Wm.
NaiTagon, Financial Clerk; L. J. Teed, Treasurer. By a Rule of the Eldership
the Standing Committee consisted of three ministers and two ruling elders. There
was considerable interest awakened in foreign mission work through a "communi-
cation received from Mrs. Clara Ritchie," of the W. G. M. S. of the General Elder-
ship, and collections were lifted on the fioor of the Eldership and at the evening
services. Four young men appeared before the Board of Education and were
favorably reported to the Committee on License, which "recommended them for
an annual permit to preach." "Greater diligence was observed in the work of
the ministry" by the Committee on the State of Religion, and it urged "that every
minister of the Eldership put forth a greater effort in the future than ever before
to advance the cause of Christ and his church, and to enlarge the borders of
Zion." The Eldership "demanded a per capita of $1.00" from every minister
when the reports were considered. There were four Eldership Funds, with bal-
ances October 13, 1910, as follows: Contingent, $33.50; Tent, $25.25; Mission-
5o8 History of the Churches of God
ary, $19.09; Superannuated, $3.98. A three-year Course of Stucfies was adopted,
in which the young ministers were "required to pass a satisfactory examination."
It was noted with special gratitude that "during the Eldership session glorious
meetings were enjoyed; that there were two souls gloriously saved, one an aged
man who had not been to meeting but three or four times in fifteen years, though
he lived only one mile from the bethel."
58th Michigan Eldership. — "One of the best Elderships for a number of
years" was held at New Haven Center, Gratiot county, beginning October 4, 1911.
The Opening Sermon could not be preached the previous evening because of in-
clement weather. The President, D. L. Wiles, was elected by "acclamation;"
Clerk, S. S. Teed; Wm. Narragon, Financial Clerk; L. J. Teed, Treasurer. Further
efforts were made to secure funds with which to purchase a tent, "to be the prop-
erty of the Michigan Eldership." Subscriptions were taken on the floor, and
"every minister in charge of a circuit or station shall do all he can in collecting
money for a Tent Fund," and "every local minister was to consider himself a
committee of one to collect all that he can for the Tent Fund." The total secured
before final adjournment was $115.17. Religious conditions in the churches
were considered "in a fairly prosperous state," with "a number fellowshiped dur-
ing the year, and one new work opened." "The spirit of co-operation prevailed,
and the brethren are working in union." An evening was devoted to the discus-
sion of the topic — "How can a minister hurt his influence in and out of the pul-
pit?" On temperance the Eldership declared that it "deems it wise that the min-
isters should by every possible means, by pen, voice and ballot, do all they can to
create a sentiment that will destroy the liquor traffic." Each member of the
Eldership was admonished to "do all in his power to maintain peace and harmony
among the brotherhood." The Stationing Committee reported five fields of labor,
all supplied with pastors, with J. E. MoflBtt General Missionary, and M. S. Hem-
minger, General Evangelist.
59th Michigan Eldership. — The religious services of the fifty-ninth annual
session of the Michigan Eldership were most "inspiring and soul-cheering," begin-
ning with "a real old-fashioned love feast on Sunday morning." The Opening
Sermon on Tuesday evening, September 24, 1912, was preached at Pine Grove,
Montcalm county, by J. D. Tanner. The session continued from Wednesday morn-
ing until Saturday evening, and was throughout characterized by "Christian fel-
lowship and kind brotherly spirit." Religious services were held during Sabbath
following adjournment, closing with the ordinances in the evening. Of the twenty
names on the Ministerial Register eleven were enrolled, with three lay delegates,
as constituting this Eldership. The President was M. S. Hemniinger; Clerk, S.
S. Teed; Financial Secretary, W. Narragon; Treasurer, L. J. Teed. The Standing
Committee, three ministers and two laymen, was composed of W. J. McNutt, J. D.
Tanner, D. L. AViles, Wm. Shaw, Roy Miller. The Board of Missions consisted of
three ministers — Witze Buch, M. R. Honderick, G. W. Andrews. The members of
the Stationing Committee were L. J. Teed, J. D. Tanner, A. C. Hanes (ministers) ;
Wm. ShaAV, Sarah Hnniphi-y (lay delegates). The financial support reported by
five pastors ranged from $32.50 to $342.61. The number of conversions and
accessions to the churches did not reach fifty. Final provision was made to pur-
chase a tent for Eldership use, the Committee being "empowered to draw from
the General Fund of the Eldership and pay the difference between the amount of
Tent Fund available and the cost of the tent." The Eldership "placed itself on
record as opposed to the liquor traffic and the present license system," and that it
"will do all in our power to wipe the evil from our land." The small attendance
at the annual sessions was a matter of anxious concern, and the body expressed
itself as "believing that the time has come when there must be a rallying to the
standard of the Bible and the building up and strengthening of the Michigan Eld-
ership." It therefore resolved "that we as ministers and delegates will each
pledge ourselves before God and man that we will put forth every effort possible
to be in attendance at our regular annual gatherings, and do all in our power to
prosper the work and help to make the Eldership a success." "A spirit of peace
and harmony" existed, "and a spirit of co-operation" prevailed. Five appoint-
ments to fields of labor were made, and the other ministers as General Evangelists
were instructed "to work up new appointments wherever they can."
Illinois Eldership 509
VII. THE ILLINOIS ELDERSHIP.
1st Illinois Eldership. — Illinois was pre-eminently a field for mission work by
the East Pennsylvania Eldership. In 1847, when Harn visited the northern part
of the State, including Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, Ogle and LaSalle counties,
he found a number of Pennsylvania and Maryland families of the Church of God.
He suggested the establishment of "the Carroll and Ogle Mission," and the "ap-
pointment of a young man." He thought that if "due attention be paid to this
region, quite a prospect lies before us here." He specially mentions "a great
number of emigrants from Maryland and Pennsylvania, who were formerly at-
tendants on the services of churches of God." In Ogle county he found a "Mary-
land colony." In LaSalle county he found John A. Shuler, an emigrant from Mid-
dletown, Pa., with "about a dozen brethren and sisters in and around Ottawa,
formerly of Pennsylvania." Fulton county, fourth county south-west of La-
Salle, also had a settlement of families from Lancaster county. Pa. These facts
Induced the East Pennsylvania Eldership to take a special interest in mission work
In Illinois. A strong effort was made to secure the services of Ham, a Marylander
by birth and a Pennsylvanian by adoption, as missionary in the north-western
<;ounties of Illinois in 1847. But there was no assurance of sufficient support.
Besides, Ham was of too restless and aspiring a character to settle down to hard,
self-sacrificing mission work. At the second General Eldership, held in 1848,
action was taken "recommending to the Indiana Eldership to prescribe its own
boundaries, including the various missions in Illinois." And while several min-
isters of the Indiana Eldership traveled over different counties in the eastern sec-
tion of the State, the distance to the northern counties would prove an insur-
mountable obstacle to co-operation. Accordingly when organized and systematic
mission work in Illinois was inaugurated by the East Pennsylvania Eldership, the
•General Eldership in 1851 authorized "the churches and brotherhood in Illinois
to erect themselves into a new and separate Eldership to be called the Illinois
Eldership." The same year Klein, Wertz and Sandoe were sent as missionaries
to Illinois by the East Pennsylvania Eldership, "and began the labors assigned
them." The work was successful, so that by the Summer of 1852 they seriously
"contemplated the formation of an Eldership." On November 5, 1851, G. Sandoe
asked the East Pennsylvania Eldership for his "transfer to the Illinois Eldership,
which I suppose will be organized next Fall." In December of the same year he
wrote that "the brethren in the north are doing great things. They have an Eld-
ership started." This refers to what J. M. Klein, missionary, located at Homer,
LaSalle county. 111., called, "Journal of a General Council in Illinois." The record
shows that this "Council" was composed of "the preachers and elders of the
churches of God in the State of Illinois, met at the town of Homer, LaSalle county,
on the 1st day of December, 1851, to transact the following business," that is:
"Taking into consideration the great importance of extending our labors in the
ministry as far as possible." Sandoe was requested to "extend his labors north-
ward toward the Troy Grove [Homer] Mission, and Klein working southward, and
to the north and west, so as to connect the three missions of the State." Other
ministers were invited to come to Illinois. This Council also adopted resolutions
in favor of Sabbath-schools, of "getting a new Printing Press and Book Concern,
the liberal education of the children of Church families, of schools, academies and
seminaries and colleges. It also resolved to "make an effort to establish an Eld-
ership Fund, on the scriptural plan, as soon as practicable, to be under the di-
rection and at the disposal of the Illinois Eldership." The final resolution de-
clared, "That we meet some time next Autumn for the purpose of forming our-
selves into an Eldership, as directed by the General Eldership, the time and place
to be appointed hereafter." But the matter was deferred a year longer, the place
had yet to be prepared, in the divine providence. Sandoe on November 15, 1852,
says of this delay: "Our intended Eldership proved a failure. This seems some-
what discouraging and perplexing to my mind. Perhaps however, it will work
for the better." "January 3, 1852, a protracted meeting was commenced in Joseph
Rife's brick residence, near Boiling Springs," Macon county, conducted by Thomas
Hickernell, of Ohio, and George Sandoe, of Pennsylvania, missionary. Rife was
a native of Dauphin county. Pa. He died in 1886, Mi-s. Rife having died in 1884.
A church of God was organized in Rife's house, of nineteen members of which
5IO
History of the; Churches of God
Joseph Rife, Sr., and Jacob Schroll were the elders; and Joseph Rife, Jr., and
David Houser, deacons. It was in Rife's house, August 23, 1853, where "the
elders of the Church of God in Illinois met to organize themselves into an.
Eldership." William Adams, of Ohio, conducted religious services, after which
the members who wished to be identified with this body gave to each other the
right hand of fellowship." The following constituted this first Eldership:
"Central Mission — J. M. Klein, teaching elder; J. Myers, ruling elder.
Rock River Mission — D. Wertz, teaching elder.
Southern Mission — G. Sandoe, H. Rupp and Isaac E, Boyer, teaching elders;
J. Bear, J. Schroll and G. Schroll, ruling elders.
Adams and Hickernell did not join the Eldership. Rev. Robert Henson and
Rev. S. Dispain, of the Baptist Church, were also present, and "were invited to
take part with us in our deliberations." J. M. Klein was chosen Speaker, and
George Sandoe, Clerk.
Jacob M. Klein was a native of Berks county. Pa., of German descent. He
was born in 1818. When he reached his majority he removed to Juniata county.
His conversion occurred when he was fifteen years old, and within a year he began
House in Which First Illinois Eldei'ship Met.
to preach the gospel. Prom Juniata he went to Bedford county, whence he came
to the session of the East Pennsylvania Eldership held at Fayetteville, Franklin
county. Pa., November 7, 1842, and made application for, and was granted, license
to preach. He was appointed to Indiana county, and reappointed in 1843. When
the West Pennsylvania Eldership was formed, Indiana county became part of its
territory, and Klein became a member of that body, and in 1844 was reappointed
to Indiana county, and in 184.5 to Indiana and Cambria counties. In 1846 he was
assigned to the Harmony, Venango county and Columbiana county, Ohio, circuit.
He preached on parts of this territory until 1850, when he was appointed to the
New York State Mission. In 1850 he was Speaker of the West Pennsylvania Eld-
ership. In 1851 he was back in Venango county. Pa., whence, after his appoint-
ment as missionary to the Central Illinois Mission, he started for his new field of
missionary labors. This was on April 26, 1851. Klein was active in calling the
meeting on December 1, 1851, at Homer, LaSalle county. 111., to take preliminary
steps to organize an Eldership, the date for which was fixed in the Autumn of
1852. But for some unknown reason this meeting was not called. But on Aug-
ust 23, 1853, the first Eldership was organized of which Klein was made Speaker.
He had been Speaker of the West Pennsylvania Eldership in 1850. In 1855 he
Illinois Eldej^ship 511
was again chosen Speaker of the Illinois Eldership. He represented the Illinois
Eldership at the General Eldership in 1854. In 1866 he emigrated to Iowa, where
he did effective work, until 1886, when he removed to Kansas, and thence to the
State of Missouri, where he died April 21, 1891. His body was interred in the
cemetery at Alice, Grundy county, Iowa, where years before he had organized the
first church of God. He was a man of fine natural ability, and was useful in soul-
winning to the close of his life.
The missionary character of this Eldership is evidenced by its first resolution,
to "raise a missionary fund, in the following manner: The elder or deacon of
every church to take out a subscription paper, soliciting subscribers for the term
of five years, paying six per cent, interest each year for the sum annexed to their
names. At the expiration of said term the principal to be null." This money
was to be applied solely to the cause of missions. It also declared that it "nas no
fellowship with, nor charity for, slavery nor slave laws, and will use its influence
against all such laws. It approved of "the effort to bring the Printing Establish-
ment west of the mountains," and promised to "use all laudable and honorable
means" to this end. H. Sweitzer was licensed. Klein, Wertz, Boyer and Sandoe
agreed to travel. And as D. Kyle, East Pennsylvania Eldership, expressed "a
wish to come to this State," he was appointed on the Decatur circuit; I. E. Beyer
on the Martinsville circuit; D. Wertz on the Central Illinois Mission; J. M.
Klein to Mount Carroll cir.cuit, and George Sandoe on a new mission, called Win-
chester Mission. J, M. Klein was appointed delegate to the General Eldership in-
1854.
2nd Illinois Eldership. — The second Illinois Eldership met in the heart of the
Central Mission, over one hundred miles north of the point where the first one was
held. It convened at Homer, LaSalle county, September 9, 1854. Five ministers-
were present, and three absent. The officers elected were George Sandoe, Speaker;
David S. Byers, Clerk, and Jacob Bear, Treasurer. The Eldership recommended
"payment of a claim in favor of Winebrenner and Ham, as urged by the General
Eldership. It placed itself on record in favor of "prohibiting the vending, im-
portation and sale of intoxicating liquor as a beverage." The project of a new
Printing Press and the getting up of a Hymn-Book was heartily endorsed. It
was almost a Pennsylvania Eldership as to ministers and members, and it did not.
fail to express its appreciation to said Eldership for what it did to spread the
gospel in Illinois. It fully coincided with the General Eldership in its condemna-
tion of slavery and "the Douglass Nebraska Bill." Perhaps its plan to raise mis-
sionary funds proved abortive, for it directed the "taking of collections on each
charge" for this purpose. It appropriated its first missionary money, $75.00, to
Sandoe on the Winchester Mission, and $50.00 to D. S. Byers, licensed by the
Standing Committee, on Rock Island Mission. In addition to approving the li-
cense of Byers, the Eldership received and licensed "Bro. Lough, formerly a min-
ister among the Free-Will Baptists."
3rd Illinois Eldership. — By resolution, the Eldership which met at West
Bureau, Bureau county. III., Monday, September 17, 1855, changed the name of
the church to that of "the church of God at Enon." There were present five
teaching elders, and six ruling elders; four ministers being absent. Jacob M.
Klein was, on motion, elected Speaker, and George Sandoe, Clerk. The lifting of
missionary collections was "almost a total failure." Because of the "difficulty of
getting suitable houses as dwellings for their preachers," the Eldership "recom-
mended to all the churches of God in Illinois to buy or build, on each circuit and
station, a suitable house as a parsonage." The need of more ministers was
emphasized, as for lack of men "during the past year we were rather limited in
our operations." And still there were "calls from every direction to 'come over
and help us.' " In some sections German preaching was appreciated. Missionary
funds only amounted to $74.70, with an "increase of only $3.00 on last year's sub-
scription." The Eldership resolved itself into "a committee of the whole as a
Licensing Committee," and granted licenses to Jereniiah F. Schoch and Jacob'
Bear. Touching "a body of Christians in the southern part of this State, known
by the name of 'Separate Baptists,' holding religious sentiments similar to our
own," the Eldership professed "the most friendly feelings," and proposed "co-
operation with them." Sandoe was named as delegate for this end to their annual
Association. Four circuits were formed, with four pastors and four assistants.
Two missions are named, with no appointees. The title of the Eldership is, "The
Eldership of the Churches of God in Illinois."
512 History of the Churchrs of God
4th Illinois Eldersliip.— The affinity between the liberal Baptist element in
the west and the Church of God is well exemplified in the proceedings of the ses-
sions of the Illinois Eldership held at Rife's, four miles north of Decatur, Macon
•county, Illinois, beginning September 4, 1856. After the organization was effected
by the election of J. Bear, Speaker, and George Sandoe, Clerk, a delegate was re-
•ceived from the Separate Baptist Association, who addressed the Eldership, and
submitted "a letter of correspondence from the Association" sending "Christian
love and salutation." Two delegates were appointed, but one "was not able to get
here." Several "brethren spoke their sentiments on the subject of a scriptural
union of the two bodies." And "a union is anticipated at no distant day." "A. J.
Penton and J. Bear were appointed to attend the next Association." "Hensen,
formerly a minister of the Separate Baptist Association," became a member of the
Eldership. Prohibition was strongly endorsed; the establishment of Sabbath-
schools was made a special duty of ministers "wherever there is opportunity to do
so;" the securing of parsonages is called to the attention of churches; the need of
•education, especially by the ministry is recognized, and "politicians" are charged
with "having commenced a warfare upon Christianity" in their efforts "to extend
Slavery over the Territory of Kansas." And while it is "not the duty of 'ministers
■of Christ to dabble in politics,' it certainly is their duty to defend Christianity from
the incendiary acts of all aggressors, whether political, judicial or clerical." As
a Committee of the Whole, the Eldership fixed the boundaries of the circuits and
missions, eight in all, and appointed the ministers. Fenton. and R. AVhit« were
two accessions to the ministerial ranks, both from East Pennsylvania Eldership.
5th Illinois Eldership. — The Illinois Eldership in 1857 was constituted of
seven ministers, three ruling elders and three delegates. It met at Dover, Bureau
county, in the northern part of the State, on October 19th. Nine teaching elders
were absent, partly occasioned by the organization of the Southern Illinois and In-
diana Eldership, which the Illinois Eldership disapproved, "believing it to be detri-
mental to the cause" within its bounds. J. M. Klein was chosen Speaker, and E.
Bear, Clerk. J. A. Shuler was elected Treasurer of the Eldership, instead of
simply the Treasurer of the Board of Missions. The Eldership formed itself into
a Missionary Society, and appointed a committee to draft a Constitution. The
■difficulty with the Iowa Eldership was considered by a committee, which reported
that, "after due consideration and lengthy discussion, we consider this Eldership
justifiable in the reception of Bro. Fenton, believing that he was not a member of
the Iowa Eldership." Fenton had not handed in his transfer to the Iowa Elder-
ship. Accordingly the Illinois Eldership declared that it "has been misrepre-
sented to the public, and has been abused as a violater of the plaii of co-opera-
tion." The "delegates to this Eldership through whom the Iowa Eldership
■evinced their intention to vindicate their course failed to meet us, and we consider
■ourselves misrepresented in the Journal of the Iowa Eldership, and by public
letters published in The Advocate." The Eldership seemed vexed over the con-
duct of "some of our brethren who leave the fields of labor assigned them by the
Eldership," and sharply disapproved, and expressed the "hope that in the future
we may not be troubled with such conduct." While denouncing Slavery in gen-
eral as "derogatory to the best interests of our country, to the great cause of Chris-
tianity, and in violation of human rights," also "disapprove of the course of the
missionaries and churches in the State of Texas in receiving into the Church those
who hold in bondage their fellow men," and so "disclaim all fellowship with pro-
slavery churches." The charges were reduced to two circuits and two missions,
leaving out the whole southern half to two-thirds of the State.
6th Illinois Eldership. — Apparently emphasizing the abandonment of the
territory south of Bureau and LaSalle counties, the Illinois Eldership in 1858 met
in the north-west corner of the State, at Pleasant Valley, Jo Daviess county, No-
vember 8th. Twelve members answered Roll call when the Eldership was organ-
ized, six teaching elders, four ruling elders and two delegates. There were twelve
teaching elders absent. J. Bear was elected Speaker, and J. H. Hurley, Clerk. A
committee, appointed for that purpose, "examined the contents of a certain pam-
phlet, published by a member of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, entitled, 'Letter
■on Slavery,' " reported, that "we do sincerely regret its appearance among us, in-
asmuch as it inculcates principles repugnant to the doctrine of the Church of God
and the best interests of Zion, at variance with the Bible and antagonistic to every
attribute of the Deity, and is calculated to sow the seeds of discord among us."
When thus characterizing Winehrenner's letters published by him in pamphlet
Illinois Eldership 513
form, after Colder refused to admit them into the columns of The Advocate, it
was believed that little did the Eldership think how much it behooves us to be
quite conservative and cautious in the use of official language about those not
amendable to us, lest we find ourselves in a moment of enthusiasm or irritation be-
trayed into assertions of propositions which will come back to plague us when
they are turned the other way. Over against this arraignment of Winebrenner
stands the Eldership's approval of "the noble stand of the Editor of The Advocate
taken against all encroachments of the enemy." A Contingent Fund was estab-
lished, "each minister to pay into it $1.00 annually and lift a collection at each of
his appointments."
7th Illinois Eldership. — The territory of the Eldership having been re-ad-
justed, the Illinois Eldership of the Churches of God met in the Bethel in Decatur,
Macon county. 111., Saturday, October 1, 1859. Four circuits and five missions
were represented; but three ministers being absent. J. M. Klein was made
Speaker; Geo. W. Beyer, Clerk, and E. Bear, Treasurer. The Constitution or-
dered to be drafted for the Missionary Society was reported, and it was adopted.
Action was taken to secure from the Legislature an Act incorporating the Elder-
ship, in the names of the members of the Standing Committee, the Treasurer and
J. H. Hurley. "The black curse of involuntary slavery" was anathematized. A
resolution was first laid on the table, and then taken up, and lost "after a spirited
debate," declaring that the charging of usury, or "exorbitant interest," is "in
direct opposition to the whole tenor of the New Testament Scriptures." "The
proper observance of the Sabbath" the Eldership regarded as "a subject immedi-
ately connected with the glory of God, the salvation of souls and the moral and
political welfare of our country."
8th Illinois Eldership. — The Special Notice of the Clerk was that "the Elder-
ship of the Churches of God will meet at Homer, LaSalle county, 111., yet the head-
ing of the Journal, and the Journal itself, give the title as "Church of God." It
convened October 3, 1860 in its eight annual session. Five circuits and one mis-
sion were represented. Ten teaching elders were absent. All teaching and ruling
elders, together with one delegate from each church in place of each elder absent,
"were given the privilege of voting on any question that may come up before this
body." J. H. Hurley was elected Speaker; J. P. Emniert, Clerk, and E. Bear,
Treasurer. The Committee on Education, finding former resolutions largely a
dead letter, "would recommend not only their re-adoption, but that we suggest the
propriety of reducing the same to general, practical application." It also "urged
upon the ministers and members of the Church in this State the propriety of
putting forth still stronger efforts for the organization of Sabbath-schools." The
Plum River circuit was divided, making East Plum River the dividing line, and
naming the two circuits Plum River and Mt. Carroll, with six and five appoint-
ments respectively. The death of William Clay was lamented in resolutions which
characterize him as "an able and useful member, a pious and efficient co-laborer,
and an ornament to society." Provision was made at the instance of a layman,
J. P. Emmert, for a fund "for superannuated ministers and for families of de~
ceased ministers which may become destitute, or in needy circumstances" by
assessing "each male member fifty cents, and each female member twenty-five
cents, within the boundaries of the Eldership." This tax was to be "collected by
the ministers in charge of the different congregations." The principal was to be
"put at interest," and the interest be used "for the next ten years." Dissatisfac-
tion was expressed with the southern boundary, by which Macon county was united
with the Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. The form of a Charter for the
Eldership was submitted and approved, and J. P. Emmert was made a committee
to secure the passage by the Legislature of the Act of Incorporation. The taking
of "unlawful interest" was forbidden. The churches were "requested and urged"
to organize church missionary associations to aid the parent Missionary Society.
J. M. Klein, A. J. Fenton and J. P. Emmert were appointed "to draft a Constitu-
tion for the government of this Eldership." Nine circuits were formed and three
missions, but three were unsupplied. The Eldership was severely criticised for
failing to make "even an allusion in the remotest degree to the late death of
Elder John Winebrenner." After warmly resenting the reflections thus cast
upon the Illinois Eldership by "Observer," J. P. Emmert, Clerk, explained,
that it was not "for want of reverential regard for the memory of Winebrenner;"
but that it was the intention of the Committee on Obituaries, of which he was
Chairman, "to have added the testimony of the Eldership to the well-known virtues
C. H.— 18
514 History of the Churches of God
and high moral and religious worth, to which our lamented brother had attained
in this life;" but that 'in the hurry of business the matter escaped my memory."
9th Illinois Eldei-shij). — The Illinois Eldership met as an incorporated body
in its ninth annual session at Mt. Carroll, Carroll county. 111., October 21, 1861.
There were five circuits and six missions, with seven teaching elders, five ruling
elders and six delegates enrolled when the Eldership was constituted. Five fields
were not represented, and six ministers were absent. No copy of the Act of In-
corporation was secured, but the Constitution was submitted and adopted. The
name of the body was declared to be "The Illinois Eldership of the Church
of God." The membership was defined to consist of "all ministers of the
gospel holding license from this body, together with all the ruling elders
and one delegate that may be sent to represent the circuits and stations."
After the organization, duties of oflicers and some parliamentary rules, it was
further provided that the Eldership shall elect by ballot a Standing Committee of
three and a Stationing Committee of five persons. The former was given "all the
rights and powers of the Eldership during its recess." Churches are "required to
give their pastors a competent support," and "pay the same quarterly." The
amenability of the ministers to the Eldership is affirmed, and provision is made
for the "rebuke, suspension and expulsion of ministers and churches which fail to
comply with these Rules of Order." Under the Charter and Constitution, J. H.
Hurley was the first Speaker; Rudolph WTiite, Clerk, and John A. Shuler, Treas-
urer. In McDonough county, near the Mississippi river, were some Free-Will
Baptist churches, which by letter expressed a "wish to be identified with" the
Eldership. A committee of one was appointed "to visit them, examine into their
condition and standing, and report to the Standing Committee." As the support
of pastors was quite generally insufficient, from which "a great deal of evil is re-
sulting," the Eldership expressed the belief that "the remedy is within reach."
This was outlined to be the making "of the deacons of the churches sensible of
their duties in this respect," and so they were "urged to adopt a more efficient
plan in raising funds" "and use every exertion in carrying their plans out."
One minister while under charges "attached himself to another denomination,"
treated the citation to appear before the Standing Committee "with contempt," and
was suspended by said Committee, and "declared no longer a member of this body
on account of unchristian conduct." The "cause of our Redeemer," declared the
Committee on the State of Religion, "has not prospered as much as we have de-
sired." As the Eldership found some "men professing Christianity engaged in
selling and using spirituous liquors as a beverage," it resolved that it "will not
knowingly fellowship among us any person or persons who are engaged in said
iniquitous traffic," nor will "we give our suffrage or influence to any person or
persons who will aid or uphold such a wicked traffic." After strongly character-
izing "the fraternal strife" from which the country was suffering in a lengthy pre-
amble, the Eldership resolved to "denounce disunion and secession;" declared it
will "discountenance secessionists North and South, and will oppose secession
sympathizers everywhere," and sanctioned "every measure and proclamation,
which we are sure a military necessity demands, until this unhallowed rebellion
is put down." There were thirteen fields of labor mapped out, seven of which are
called "missions."
10th Illinois Eldership. — The Eldership in Illinois in 1862 came very near
being a failure. When the time arrived, November 29, 1862, "but few brethren
met" at the appointed place. Homer, LaSalle county. 111. Those present waited
from November 20th to December 2nd, but "no more came." There is nothing in
the brief Journal whereby to determine who, or how many, were there. There
was no Roll call. The Eldership was not constituted. No statement as to who
reported. Those present went into "Committee of the Whole;" but there is no
record of the officers. The Journal is signed J. M. Klein, Speaker.; J. A. Shuler,
Clerk, without showing their election. A Standing Committee and a Treasurer
were appointed. All licenses were renewed and placed in the hands of the Stand-
ing Committee "until called for." Made five appointments; elected delegates to
the General Eldership; dropped one name from the Minutes of the Eldership; ap-
pointed the time and place for the next Eldership, and adjourned. They even did
not have "the books and papers belonging to the Eldership."
11th Illinois Eldership.^ — As the Eldership in 1863 "convened pursuant to ap-
pointment by the Standing Committee," and not pursuant to adjournment in 1862,
said action does not seem to have been considered valid. In constituting the Eld-
Illinois Eldkrshu' 5^5,
ership there are further evidences indicating the work of said Committee in the
appointments. The session was held in the new bethel, near Buda, Bureau county,.
111., beginning October 12, 1863, and was well attended. There were three sta-
tions, four circuits and seven missions. J. M. Klein presided, and J. P. Eimiiert
was Clerk, with J. A. Shuler, Treasurer. The certified copy of the Charter was-
received. A. X. Shoemaker, East Pennsylvania Eldership, was received as a full
member during the session. Several items of business of the session of 1862 were
re-enacted, among them a "committee to visit the certain Free-Will Baptist breth-
ren in McDonough county. 111." Action was taken "urging upon the churches of
the Eldership the importance of procuring at the earliest possible period a suitable
location for a High School which shall be under our own supervision." The'
Eldership expressed itself as "decidedly in favor of raising means for the erec-
tion of a monument over the remains of our venerated and much lamented!
Wiiiebreimer." A precedent was established in the matter of appeals, when
"the appeal of J. H. Hurley from the action of the Decatur church" was heard,
and referred to a committee for investigation. The action of the Decatur
church was reversed, and the case sent back. It was agreed to "appoint an
evangelist to take the oversight of this body, whose whole duty it shall be to
visit all the churches within the bounds of this Eldership, assist the preachers in
holding meetings, and open up new appointments." His support was to come
from "those among whom he labors." Going more into detail on the temperance
question, the Eldership declared that "we will not entrust, by our votes, to offices
of profit or trust any habitual drunkard;" that "we will not entrust our sons and
daughters to the care and instruction of a practical drinker;" discountenancing
"the fashionable practice of tippling;" denouncing "the elevating to important
official positions in the military service of men given to intoxicating drinks," and
that "the regular or occasional use of spirituous, malt, vinous or fermented liquors
by any minister of the gospel is beneath the dignity of the sacred office." It also
"discountenanced and utterly denounced the practice of visiting saloons and the
drinking of lager beer by professors of religion," and declared that "we will op-
pose the practice by members of churches within the bounds of this Eldership."
The Committee on the State of the Country reported, that the war has in it "the
elements of God's judgments sent upon us as a chastisement for our national
sins;" petitioning Congress "to break every yoke, and let all the oppressed go
free;" expressing "unwavering confidence in the President," and promising "to
labor by our votes, our words and our prayers to uphold his official hands." The
Chicago Mission project was strongly endorsed, and agents were appointed on all
the charges "to collect subscriptions." November 12th was designated "as a day
of general fasting and prayer to Almighty God, that he will most graciously pour
out his Holy Spirit on his work and revive it in our hands especially and with his
people generally." A resolution was adopted in which the Eldership "opposed the
practice heretofore indulged in of churches calling and contracting with preachers
without co-operating with the Eldership." So there were five fields "to be sup-
plied" when the Stationing Committee reported; the appointment of the Evan-
gelist was referred to the Standing Committee.
12th Illinois Eldership. — Ten teaching elders and eight ruling elders and
delegates constituted the Eldership when it convened at Troy Grove Bethel,
LaSalle county. 111., November 28, 1864. The choice for Speaker was J. H.
Hurley; Clerk, R. AVhite; Treasurer, J. A. Shuler. W. B. Allen, later an efficient
member of the body, received license at this session. He was from Dauphin
county. Pa. Each minister was taxed $1.00 annually for the fund for ministers'
widows, and his license was "to be withheld until he pay said amount." They
were also required to collect fifty cents from male members and twenty-five cents
from female members annually for the same fund. The Committee on the State
of the Country insisted on the prosecution of the war "for the preservation of the
Union until the rightful authority of the United States be recognized in every
State in the Union;" that "disloyalty to the Government is disloyalty to God;" that
it "hailed with pleasure the Emancipation Proclamation as the severest blow to
the Rebellion," and "demanded of Congress an amendment to the Constitution
forever prohibiting slavery in this country." "The ministers and people of the
Church of God are urged to use all commendable means to counteract the per-
nicious influence of this monster evil of intemperance." That the local ministers
might be "more efficient" they were "requested to employ at least every third
Sabbath, and as much more time as they can, in the great work to which they are
516 History of the Churches of God
called." In addition to favoring the "establishment of a college under the super-
vision of the churches of God," the Eldership also voted to establish a "National
College where the children of deceased soldiers may receive a suitable education."
"Two stations, three circuits and three missions were designated, and ministers as-
signed to them, and J. H. Hurley was made General Missionary.
13th Illinois Eldership. — No special reason is assigned, but immediately after
the organization of the thirteenth Illinois Eldership, at Decatur, 111., November
15, 1865, the time till adjournment was "devoted to singing and prayer." J. H.
Hurley was chosen Speaker; J. A. Shuler, Treasurer, and R. Wliite, Clerk. The
Eldership was becoming dissatisfied with the practice of publishing Journals in
full, as they "occupy too much space in The Advocate," and instructed its "Clerk
to transmit only a synopsis," specifying eight different items, besides "all im-
portant resolutions." It expressed some critical comments on the character of
The Advocate, and instructed its "delegates to the General Eldership to labor,
first, for an enlargement of the paper; second, for a board of editors chosen from
the different Elderships; third, to bring it westward, and fourth, to have the form
changed to folio." A custom began to prevail "of churches and ministers making
contracts prior to the Eldership, and then presenting their cases to the Eldership
for adjustment," so that the Eldership declared "that too frequent changes must
be detrimental to the interest of the cause," and that "it is the privilege of
churches wishing changes to state their preferences," but the Eldership "deems it
best that they place their cases unreservedly in the hands of the Eldership." The
practice of ministers seeking charges in Illinois without becoming members of
the Eldership was disapproved, and it was characterized as "being contrary to the
spirit of this body to assign appointments to men who will not become members
of it." Rejoicing over "the glorious triumph in the suppression of the Rebellion,"
the Eldership gave a strong declaration of its sentiments touching the "leaders of
the Rebellion, as guilty of the highest crime known to the law — treason and mur-
der— causing the shedding of innocent blood wholesale." Also as being in favor
of "supporting the needy families and educating the orphans of our fallen heroes."
It protested "against the re-establishment of slavery in any part of this country,"
and declared in favor of "raising the negro to the rights of citizenship, and that
the right of suffrage consists not in the color of the skin, but in intellectual
qualifications." Those who "had given 'aid and comfort' to the Rebellion in any
shape, way or manner should be excluded from the halls of Congress and State
jLegislatures." Theaters were pronounced to be "schools of immorality and de-
bauchery," and circuses "as no less dangerous and corrupting in their tendency,"
and that "it is unbecoming a professor of religion to attend these places under
any circumstances." A resolution in favor of "a stringent prohibitory law" was
adopted. Apparently not satisfied with its deliverance earlier in the session on
The Advocate, R. White offered another preamble and resolution, stating that
■"we need a Church paper which will subserve the interests of our western
churches; that The Advocate from the smallness of its size and the manner in
which it is controlled, fails to do this;" hence the "demand for the establishment
of a paper somewhere in the West," and appointing "the delegates to the General
Eldership a committee to propose a plan for the establishment of said paper, and
urge the matter upon the delegates of the several western Elderships." The
Editor in several editorials vigorously attacked these resolutions, and some of the
Illinois brethren wrote apologetically about them, stating that they were "prob-
ably nothing more than the impulsive, momentary thought of the proposer him-
self," and "is not now endorsed or approved by one in twenty within the bounds
of the Eldership;" that "the resolutions were passed at the 'heel' of the session,
when there were few present, and that by only two or three votes in the affirma-
tive." The Eldership had seven fields of labor, not including Chicago Mission,
none of them noted as missions.
14th Illinois Eldei-ship.— The Eldership of 1866 consisted of eleven teaching
elders, ten ruling elders and four delegates, with three fields of labor not repre-
sented. Ten teaching elders were absent. It convened at Troy Grove, LaSalle
county. 111., November 21, 1866. J. M. Klein was chosen for Speaker; J. A.
Shuler, Treasurer; J. P. Winebrenner, Journalizing Clerk, and W. B. Allen, Tran-
scribing Clerk. The Committee on Rules of Order recommended the Rules of
Order of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, and the Report was agreed to. A
missionary meeting was early arranged for, to be held the second day evening.
Inspiring addresses were delivered; $277.00 were raised by subscription, and by
Illinois Eldej^ship 517
resolution the Eldership acknowledged itself "quite deficient in missionary oper-
ations," and resolved to "seek out among us some worthy man, naturally adapted
to this work, and set him apart solemnly to the work of a general missionary and
collector of mission funds, to be resolved into a State Mission Fund.". An attempt
failed to fix the time to change preachers in the Fall, immediately after the Elder-
ship. The proposed Sunday-school paper was strongly endorsed, and pastors were
directed to lift collections to buy material. Highly approving the work of Shoe-
maker at Chicago, the Eldership deprecated the publication "of certain articles
tending to embarrass the Chicago Mission interests." The work of the General
Eldership in the securing of Centralia College and the plan for the building of a
Central College was strongly endorsed. Decatur was named as the location for
the latter, and the Committee stated that it was "able to report fair prospects for
raising the amount necessary to procure the location of the College there." The
resolutions of 1865 with reference to The Advocate received no consideration, but
good resolutions were adopted, and the Eldership pledged itself to labor to in-
crease the power of the press. Internal difficulties moved the Eldership to ap-
point J. Bear, R. White and I. E. Boyer "to draft resolutions denouncing the
refractory and rebellious spirit manifested on the part of preachers and people
toward our rules of mutual co-operation." This Committee stated that, "over-
looking the teaching of the Savior ... .some have become refractory and re-
bellious, injuring themselves and in many instances the cause." It therefore
"deplored such course of conduct," and "earnestly entreated all the brethren to
avoid such a course, and preachers and people work together to advance the inter-
ests of God's cause." The fourth Sabbath of December was named as a day of
fasting and prayer "for efficient laborers to be sent into the ministry among us."
Neither Shoemaker at Chicago, nor Soiile at Mt. Carroll having as yet united with
the Illinois Eldership, the Rule was rescinded which "prohibited any one from
taking an appointment in this Eldership without becoming a member thereof."
The Eldership would not agree to "ordination by the imposition of hands." Two
missions, Monmouth and Ogle, were included in the ten appointments made by
the Stationing Committee.
15th Illinois Eldership. — The Illinois Eldership continued to meet on Mon-
day morning, having the Opening Sermon preached on Sabbath evening. In 1867
it met at Mt. Carroll, Saturday, October 5th, and on Sabbath evening, R. White
preached the Opening Sermon, from Eph. ii. 8-10. But before the Eldership ad>
journed it decided to meet on Wednesday. On Monday morning the Eldership
was constituted, and organized by electing I. E. Boyer, Speaker; J. A. Shuler,
Treasurer, and W. B. Allen, Clerk. The Eldership approved the action of the
Standing Committee in granting T. H. Deshiri a letter of withdrawal, and by
mutual consent dismissing H. W. Conley, and also the licensing of M. S. New-
comer. It reversed itself in the matter of the appointment of "I. E. Boyer as
General Missionary and Collecting Agent, to receive twenty-five per cent, of all
moneys collected," which the Standing Committee had changed "to a fixed amount
of remuneration." For want of sufficient local interest, the effort to secure the
location of the Central College at Decatur was abandoned. With apparently no
opposition it was decided "that hereafter ministers of this Eldership take charge
of their respective appointments on the first day of November after the Eldership.""
German preaching was demanded at Troy Grove, and G. S. Petry was appointed, ^
German preacher of the East Pennsylvania Eldership. Extensive revivals were
reported at some points, and a "disposition was manifested on the part of min-
isters and laymen to work more earnestly to advance the cause of Christ within
the bounds of this Eldership." The Treasurer reported that the Illinois Elder-
ship had paid in full Winebrenner's claims against it. The appointments con-
sisted of two stations, five circuits and four missions.
16th Illinois Eldership. — After four years' labor at Chicago, 111., without
uniting with the Illinois Eldership, Shoemaker presented his transfer when the
Eldership met at Buda, Bureau county, 111., September 23, 1868. On Wednesday
evening Soiile preached the Opening Sermon, from II. Tim. iv. 1-4. On Thursday
morning the body was organized by the election of Shoemaker for Speaker; J. A.
Shiiler, Treasurer; AV. B. Allen, Clerk. The Eldership appointed two Pentecostal
meetings for the coming Whitsuntide. It also established a Book Depository at
Chicago for the sale of Church publications to the ministers and churches of the
Eldership. Though without a formulated Creed, H. Ij. Soule was required to
clear himself from the reported heretical views charged against him. As he was
5i8 History of the Churches of God
not a member of the Eldership, he was not amenable directly to it, but he "re-
ported his labors at Mt. Carroll and Salem." It is not stated in what church
building the Eldership held its sittings, but on Monday evening a sermon on the
tjrdinances was delievered by H, L. Soule, in the Methodist Episcopal church, after
■which the ordinances were observed. James J. Gi-eene, a minister of the Methodist
Protestant Church, was licensed by the Eldership. The deliverance on the sub-
ject of Temperance was mild, declaring "cordial sympathy" and promising hearty
<;o-operation in every way not inconsistent with our obligations as Christians and
■citizens." The working of the rule on appeals was illustrated in the case of J. H.
Hurley. Though elected a delegate to the General Eldership, he was under dis-
cipline by the church at Decatur, and appealed to the Eldership. The appeal was
not sustained, when he gave notice of appeal from this action to the General
Eldership. The 'unusual thing of a minister of another Church sitting as an ad-
visory member and offering a preamble and resolutions occurred, when a Mr.
Emerson, of the Baptist Church, offered an endorsement of the translation of the
Scriptures by the American Bible Union, which substitutes "immerse" and "im-
mersion" for "baptize" and "baptism." The patronizing of circuses, theaters and
(Other kindred amusements was decidedly opposed. In Illinois as in all other
Elderships the matter of the support of ministers was always one of special con-
cern. Resolutions were not only passed repeatedly, but sundry schemes were
adopted to increase the salaries of pastors. Sometimes contrasts were drawn be-
tween the earnings of men in other callings to awaken a sentiment of the injustice
done to ministers. Then the publication of the meager salaries was resorted to
in order to hold up churches to public reprobation. Other Churches have some-
times fixed a minimum salary. The Illinois Eldership this year required the
teaching elder on a charge, as soon after he enters upon his duties as may be
practicable, to "call together the deacons, and if need be some of the leading
brethren, who shall determine the amount of salary to be raised, and that on the
determination of the amount, the deacons shall take immediate measures to ob-
tain on subscriptions from amongst the membership and friends of the Church of
God the full sum of such amount." The Standing Committee was authorized to
Act as the Board of Missions.
17th Illinois Eldership. — With all the other Elderships, the Illinois Eldership
met in 1869 under a sense of great loss through the death but shortly before of
E. H. Thomas, Editor of The Advocate. The body met at Decatur, October 8th,
where in 1866 the General Eldership held its session, and Thomas was one of the
most prominent members. Besides, more than half the ministers and delegates
were former Pennsylvanians, and personally acquainted with Thomas. Accord-
ingly arrangements were made the first day "to have a funeral sermon preached"
in his "honor to-morrow [Sabbath], conducted by H. L. Soule, A. X. Shoemaker
and J. H. Hurley, each originally licensed by the East Pennsylvania Eldership.
Upon ballots being taken, J. H. Hurley was chosen Speaker, and W. B. Allen,
■Clerk. The Constitution being amended, J. B. Soule was elected Transcribing
•Clerk. After the "funeral services in honor of E. H. Thomas, the Eldership placed
strong resolutions on its Minutes, declaring him "the servant of all the churches,
.•and highly esteemed as an Editor, and an able minister of the New Testament."
The Eldership placed itself on record as "entirely disapproving of the use of the,
prefix 'Rev.' by the ministry of the Church of God," quoting Matt. xxii. 8-10 in
confirmation of its position. While the Eldership felt "grateful for as much of the
life and power of godliness as is still found among us," it however confessed "that
there is a growing tendency to formality and worldliness on the part of many pro-
fessors." On the "Itinerancy" the impression prevailed that it had been essen-
tially modified, so that the Eldership declared that it "continued to maintain, as
we always have, the 'mutual co-operation plans' as understood by us in the early
organization and practice of the Church." Two delegates were appointed, J. H.
Hurley and J. B. Soule, to attend the Shelby Association of Separate Baptists.
Excluding Chicago Mission from the list of appointments, the Stationing Com-
mittee reported twelve charges, two of which were missions.
18th Illinois Eldership. — On October 12, 1870, at Troy Grove, LaSalle county,
111., the eighteen Illinois Eldership began its session. There were twelve fields
of labor, four of which were not represented by pastors. Ten teaching elders
were absent. A. X. Shoemaker was elected Speaker; W. B. Allen, First Clerk, and
M. S. Newcomer, Second Clerk. The delegates to the Separate Baptist Association
reported the friendly reception given them, and stated that "a committee was
Illinois Elde^rship 519
appointed to consult with them on conditions of final union, and concluded upon a
further meeting of committees appointed by each body." After strongly con-
demning the liquor traffic and intemperance, it was "resolved not to lend our in-
fluence in favor of, nor vote for, the election to office of any man whom we know
to be guilty of intemperate habits." "A Sunday-school meeting" was a feature
of the Saturday afternon sitting, with D. Palmer, Conductor, when subjects per-
taining to Sunday-schools were discussed, and a series of resolutions adopted
urging ministers and churches to greater diligence in this line of work; that
schools "conducted mainly by our brethren and in our church houses should be
known as Church of God Sunday-schools," and "suggesting the propriety of hold-
ing an Eldership Sunday-school Convention." The Eldership decided in favor of
holding such a Convention. It also favored holding "a general Sunday-school
Convention of all the Elderships," and a Committee was appointed to confer with
like committees from other Elderships on the matter. An enthusiastic missionary
meeting was held, at which the "territory," the "men" and the "means" were dis-
cussed. A rule was adopted, that "hereafter the Opening Sermon be preached by
the retiring Speaker," and that it be on the first Wednesday evening of October
in each year. Including three missions, there were nine fields of labor. A sad
scene was the disfellowshiping for "immoral conduct" of a minister who had rep-
resented the Eldership in the General Eldership on several occasions, and at one
session was its presiding officer.
19th Illinois Eldership. — The Illinois Eldership had a number of more or less
serious troubles. Sometimes they grew out of acts of insubordination, or want of
co-operation. Again some of the ministers "erred from the truth," and had
to be corrected, and occasionally one was disciplined for laxity in morals. A
tendency to be lenient in discipline led the Eldership to bear with men holding
wrong views, to the end that they might be restored. In 1870 C. C. Marston was
found to be "unsettled in regard to some most vital truths revealed in God's
word, and, therefore, not eligible to the office of the sacred ministry among us."
But the Eldership was charitable, and retained him in fellowship. But at the
Eldership in 1871 his name "was stricken frrom the Roll." The session was
held in the Spring Grove Bethel, Warren county, and began October 5th, Shoe-
maker preaching the Opening Sermon on the evening of the 4th, from John xvii.
21-23. M. S. Newcomer was elected Speaker; W. B. Allen, Clerk, and G. W. Ash-
ton, Financial Clerk. John A. Shuler "was the unanimous choice for Treasurer."
In adopting the report of the Committee on Temperance the Eldership voted in
favor of "co-operation with temperance organizations to secure national pro-
hibition;" denouncing "the so-called medicinal bitters," and declaring that "all
our offices in the land ought to be filled with men pledged to prohibition." The
Eldership recommended that "the next General Eldership favorably consider any
feasible plan for the establishment of an institution of learning." Having received
G. S. Petry as a member, a former East Pennsylvania minister, he was appointed
"German Missionary." There were twelve appointments, not including Chicago,
and by appointing H. L. Soule, East Pennsylvania Eldership; F. F. Kiner, Iowa
Eldership, and J. H. Besoi-e, Michigan Eldership, all the appointments were sup-
plied.
20th Illinois Eldership. — Journals, by direction of the General Eldership,
were much abridged in 1872, and so lack in interest. But several important ac-
tions of the Illinois Eldership are published in full, and possess special interest.
I. E. Boyer preached the Opening Sermon on the evening of October 2nd, from
I. Tim. iv. 16. Jacob Bear was elected Speaker; AV. B. Allen, Clerk; G. W.
Thompson, Financial Clerk, and J. A. Shnler, Treasurer. The Home Mission
Fund showed a credit of $279.08; the Contingent Fund, $5.00, and the Eldership
Widows' Fund, $666.95. The Eldership reaffirmed its "former temperance senti-
ments;" but it also "hailed with pleasure and a fond hope the effects of the
present State Liquor Law, and we fully and unhesitatingly agree to support the
same." The Eldership had more or less trouble on account of the relation of H.
L. Soule to the body. He was not a member, yet for some years served a charge.
He was according to reports not "sound in faith," but up to this Eldership he was
only the subject of general resolutions. F. F. Kiner brought the matter to an
issue, when Soule declared, after examination, that he "does not believe in, nor
teach, the unconscious state of the dead, nor the annihilation of the wicked; but
that he understands man's immortality as not being inherent in himself as a self-
existing, eternal being, but derives it only through Christ at the resurrection.
520 History of the Churches of God
The wicked may not receive eternal self-existence." liiner therefore offered a
resolution, stating that "while this is not exactly the doctrine the Church teaches,
yet the discrepancy is of such a character that the Eldership can continue to co-
operate with him." On a yea and nay vote this was adopted, 15 to 6.
21st Illinois Eldei-ship. — In constituting the Eldership at Lanark, Carroll
county, October 1, 1873, "Chicago — A. X. Shoemaker, was on the list of appoint-
ments. G. S. Petry is still enrolled as German Missionary, and there are ten other
fields of labor. A. J. Fenton was the choice of the Eldership for Speaker, and
W. B. Allen for Clerk. Shuler declining to serve longer as Treasurer, E. Bear
was elected. It was ordered that there be two Pentecostal meetings held and
two Sunday-school Conventions. In each church it was required that a mission-
ary collector be appointed, and their names were to be reported to the Clerk of the
Eldership. The Eldership licensed its first woman to preach the gospel, in the
person of Mrs. A. C. Xewconier, who, with her husband, was appointed to Lanark,
Shannon and Spring Valley. Laymen coming to the Eldership as representatives
were required to bring credentials. While H. L. Soule, of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership; F. F. Kiner and O. V. Kennaston, of the Iowa Eldership, were given
appointments, it was decided "that after the present Eldership year we make mem-
bership in this body requisite to an appointment." A committee was appointed to
revise the Constitution, to report in 1874.
22nd Illinois Eldership. — The Eldership in 1874 carried out its action of 1873,
to make membership in the body a condition of receiving an appointment. Kiner
was appointed to Mt. Carroll on this condition. Kennaston was left without a
charge, and Soule's name disappears. Mt. Carroll asked that the action of 1873
be rescinded; but the Eldership stood firm. The session was held at Troy Grove,
LaSalle county, and began October 8th. A. J. Fenton having preached the Open-
ing Sermon on the evening of the 7th from Mark xvi. 20 and Acts viii. 4. A. X.
Shoemaker was elected Speaker; W. B. Allen, Clerk, and E. Bear, Treasurer.
As the Eldership believed that "in the absence of a theological institution of learn-
ing Ministerial Associations are useful for a better understanding of God's word,
and a more united sentiment can thereby be gained," it ordered "that this Elder-
ship establish such an Association, and that a committee be appointed to draft
Rules and By-Laws for the government of the same." "The Sunday-School
Record" was endorsed as "meeting a felt want among parents, teachers and Sun-
day-school workers generally." "Theaters, horse-racing and circuses" were de-
nounced as "demoralizing in their general tendency," as "sensual entertain-
ments," and "dangerous exhibitions," and "we as an Eldership emphaticaly ex-
press our sentiment and pledge our future influence boldly, squarely, earnestly and
practically against these immoral and dangerous amusements." Delegates to the
General Eldership were instructed "to use their influence in preserving the terri-
tory of our Eldership intact," and "against more or less frequency than triennial
meetings of the General Eldership."
23rd Illinois Eldei"ship. — The Illinois Eldership convened at Fairview Chapel,
Macon county, October 6, 187 5. It elected M. S. Newcomer, Speaker; W. B. Allen,
Clerk, and E. Bear, Treasurer. B. Ober, of the Texas Eldership, was received as
an advisory member, joined the Eldership and was assigned to Carrollton Mission
The Eldership confined itself mainly to routine business; but its action on educa-
tion and a school was of general interest and of an aggressive character. It
found that "the only feasible plan looking to the establishment of an institution
of learning is to be found in creating a fund, by bequests from the brethren who
may desire school facilities which they have not enjoyed." Hence the Committee
"recommended the apointment of three men to act as trustees for this fund, the
fund to be used as the Eldership directs." Brethren are urged "to remember
this fund in their wills," expressing the hope that thus in a short time "the General
Eldership can establish a good college under the direct supervision and fostering
care of the Church." Licenses were to be revoked in the case of preachers of
the Eldership who failed to preach at least twelve sermons each year. Opposition
expressed itself in a resolution against the action of the General Eldership in
May, 1875, in "appointing Shoemaker a general worker throughout the bounds of
the various Elderships." It was claimed that this is "not in harmony with the
Article touching the relation of ministers of one Eldership to another, and
establishes a precedent that ought not to be sustained." The Stationing Com-
mittee divided the territory into thirteen fields, three of which were missions.
Three of the appointees came from other Elderships with transfers.
Illinois Eldership 521
24th Illinois Eldership. — The Illinois Eldership had the same trouble to se-
cure a large attendance of ministers and delegates as other western Elderships.
In 1876 fifteen of the twenty-nine ministers were absent, and only fourteen dele-
gates were in attendance. The Eldership convened at Buda, Bureau county, Oc-
tober 5, 1876. The Opening Sermon was delivered by F. F. Iviner the previous
evening. He was then elected Speaker; AV. B. Allen, Stated Clerk; Jehu Bailey,
Financial Clerk, and E. Bear, Treasurer. The funds were in good condition.
Widows' Fund, 31,088.31; Missionary Fund, $341.98, after paying out $560.98;
Contingent Fund, $14.87. The Carrollton mission was not clearly within the
bounds of the Eldership, and this, with other matters, gave trouble. Ober had
failed to "enter upon the mission;" yet he had received part of the appropriation.
The mission was discontinued, and he was required "to return the money ad-
vanced, to the Eldership." The Committee on Education ignored the plan of
1875 to secure funds to build a college, and confined itself to the question of edu-
cation in general. In view of the failure of ministers to receive adequate-supports
by reason of members not bearing "their portion of the financial burdens of the
different charges," the Eldership "recommended the several churches to adopt the
assessment plan, so as to equalize the burdens, provided it can be made satis-
factory to the churches." The Eldership pledged itself "to do every thing in our
power to stop the manufacturing and importing into our country, and the selling
of, intoxicating liquors as a beverage; and furthermore, we will use our influence-
at the ballot box against any person who may seek office in our country, who uses
intoxicating liquors, or encourages the selling, manufacture or importation of the
same." The Constitution was amended so as to give to the Standing Committee
"all the powers of the Eldership, except to alter or infringe upon the Constitution;
but all its actions shall be subject to the sanction, or disapproval, of the Elder-
ship." Two Pentecostal meetings were provided for, and also a Ministerial As-
sociation. Churches are accused of "becoming more formal; games are being in-
troduced which encourage idle life and feed idolatry." "We would condemn the
use of games, and would recommend a more devoted and godly life."
25th Illinois Eldei*sliip. — Several new departures characterize the Illinois
Eldership of 1877. It agreed to pay half the expenses of its delegates to the
General Eldership. It renewed the agitation in favor of a more central location
for our publishing interests, and even instructed its delegates to vote for such a
change. It so far receded from the general position held earlier as to request the
General Eldership to issue a doctrinal tract. It also expressed its readiness tO'
"receive applications for, and to issue, exhorters' licenses to such brethren as in
its judgment are deemed worthy." It hedged this privilege around by declaring
later that such a license shall confer "no official authority to administer the or-
dinances, receive into church fellowship, solemnize marriages, or exercise con-
trolling or disciplining power by virtue of a license to exhort." The Eldership
held its session at Pleasant Valley, Jo Daviess county, so far North as to make a
large attendance improbable, beginning October 3, 1877. Twelve preachers
were present, and fourteen absent; ten ruling elders and three delegates were
present. M. S. Newcomer was made Speaker; W. B. Allen, Clerk; J. Wilson,
Financial Clerk, and D. Palmer, Treasurer. Newcomer had preached the Opening
Sermon from Isa. xliv. 24-26. The evening of October 2nd and the whole day fol-
lowing were spent in Ministerial Association. This order was made a Rule. The
Eldership had adopted a Rule at a former session that no minister of the body
was to have pulpit fellowship with an expelled minister of this or any other Elder-
ship. The West Ohio Eldership made complaint that Shoemaker had violated this
Rule by assisting a man expelled from said Eldership in dedicating a house of
worship. The Standing Committee expressed extreme sorrow "to hear of such a
breach of our Rules," and "cherished the hope that Shoemaker will not again
violate the letter or spirit of our Rules." Approved by the Eldership, this closed
the incident. In addition to the Ministerial Association, the Eldership also ar-
ranged for Pentecostal meetings and a Sunday-school Convention. It adopted
a resolution in favor of a Church Hymnal.
26th Illinois Eldership.- — Eleven teaching elders, thirteen ruling elders, and
four delegates constituted the Eldership which held its session at Troy Grove,
LaSalle county, beginning October 1, 1878. W. B. Allen delivered the Opening
Sermon, from Mai. ii. 7. A layman, Jehu Bailey, was elected Speaker; W. B.
Allen, Clerk; J. Wilson, Financial Clerk, and D, Palmer, Treasurer. A committee
was appointed to prepare a three years' course "for novitiates, with a view to-
522 History of the Churches op God
encourage and direct young candidates for the ministry, and to secure their
greater efficiency in the work." Among the works to be studied were Winebren-
ner's Sermons, Watson's Institutes, Home's Introduction, Pearson on Infidelity,
Macaulay's English History, Conybeai-e's and Hawson's Life of Paul, and a Har-
mony of the Gospels. The Eldership lamented the death of George Dir "who has
labored in this body for a number of years, and by a consistent life and from ad-
herence to the principles of the Church of God has won the esteem and respect
of the people." On Saturday evening, after a sermon by I. E. Boyer, the Eldership
observed the ordinances. The need of a Church Hymnal was strongly empha-
sized, asserting that "the necessities of the case are such that a failure to take
immediate action in this matter will result disastrously to the cause of our beloved
Zion." The Eldership affirmed "that total abstinence is the daughter of Chris-
tianity, and all who would traduce the parent are not to be trusted with the inter-
ests of the family." The Stationing Committee made twelve appointments, and
one General Missionary, with a salary of $400.00 out of the Missionary Fund.
The receipts for the year for this Fund were $468.46. The Widows' Fund had to
its credit $1,425.19.
27th Illinois Eldei'ship. — It has often been contended that but a small part
of funds contributed for missionary purposes reaches the missionaries. Often
this objection is not well founded. The Treasurer of the Illinois Eldership re-
ported in 1879 that the receipts of the Missionary Fund were $420.30. This
included a balance on hand of $18.46. The total paid out was $408.00, of which
$400.00 was paid to the General Missionary. Other funds show a better condi-
tion. The Widows' Fund had a total of $1,558.09, and the Contingent Fund
$48.11. The session of the Eldership was held at Boiling Springs, Macon county,
and began October 1, 1879, when S. D. C. Jackson preached the Opening Sermon
from 2 Cor. iv. 1, 2. Fifteen of the twenty-four teaching elders were present, with
■eleven ruling elders and two delegates. The officers chosen were I. E. Boyer,
Speaker; W. B, Allen, Clerk; W. R. Coveit, Financial Clerk, and John Stare,
Treasurer. The Eldership required every resolution to be handed to the Clerk
to be read by him. It also directed that on Saturday evening A. J. Fenton preach
on the "Nature of Regeneration." The Church of God being "abundantly able
to support its ministry," and yet it receives "but a small remuneration compara-
tively speaking," the churches were urged "to adopt the monthly system of paying
their pastors." In connecting the use of tobacco with temperance, the Committee
introduced a new feature, of "devoting fifteen minutes to hearing the experiences
of those who have abandoned the use of intoxicating drinks and tobacco." The
Eldership "disapproved of the practice of brethren reflecting upon one another
when reporting." A committee was appointed to revise the Constitution and
By-Laws. Pastoral visiting was insisted upon, and ministers were enjoined "to
do it with impartiality." The Eldership assumed the right to pass a vote of
"censure or condemnation of the Board of Publication of the General Eldership
in not adhering to the resolution of that body touching a Church Hymnal." The
report of the Stationing Committee was declared "to be final, and that no appeal
can be taken by those dissatisfied with its action, except by a direct refusal to
to take the appointments assigned, or an appeal to the Standing Committee."
28th Illinois Eldership. — In the earlier history of organized societies their
constitutions were a growth. The needs of small bodies to have organic laws is
not so apparent. Their interests are less diversified. A supreme and common
purpose actuates the membership. As the work enlarges and interests multiply,
conditions and circumstances, as well as confiicting rights, suggest the need of
elementary rules, which are at first only temporary. Additions are made, as
from year to year the Rules are readopted. Permanent, organic laws follow,
and these, in various ways are changed or amended, or entirely revised. This is
the process of evolution by which all the Constitutions of the oldest Elderships
were framed. Hence, they were rather frequently placed in the hands of com-
mittees to revise. This the Illinois Eldership again did in 1880, when W. B. Allen,
S. D. C Jackson and I. S. Richmond were the committee, to report in 1881. The
Eldership convened in the bethel in Spring township, Warren county, Tuesday
evening, October 12th, and spent one day as the Ministerial Association. On the
evening of the 13th S. D. C. Jackson preached the Opening Sermon, from 1 John
iii. 2. Thirteen ministers were present, and fourteen, absent. There were also
present six ruling elders and three delegates. The Speaker was M. S. Newcomer;
Clerk, W. B. Allen; Financial Clerk, W. I. Berkstresser, and Treasurer, John
Illinois Eldership 523
Stare. Christian, Shelby and Moultrie counties, adjoining Macon on the south,
had "been occupied by the Illinois Eldership with much success," and the churches
organized in those counties desiring to be supplied by the Illinois Eldership with
preachers, the delegates to the General Eldership in 1881 were requested to peti-
tion said body that these counties be added to the Illinois Eldership territory. The
Eldership lamented "the apparent lack of critical, biblical culture and general
knowledge among the ministers," and "urged them to redouble their exertions
that they may be qualified for the responsible duties of their high calling." The
laity was "encouraged to independence in thought and to preparation for careful
and critical examination of all the various questions of duty and right taught them
in the word of God." Co-operation was promised "with others in all ways possi-
ble in the project of establishing a Church school." The stepping stone to the
ministry frequently was the exhorter's license, and at this Eldership several were
thus licensed who shortly after became ordained ministers. The name of R. H.
Heiison, one who "realized the divine injunction to earnestly contend for the
laith," was added to the Roll of departed ones. Fraternal delegates were fre-
quently sent from one Eldership to another, A. C. Gamer, of Iowa, being present
at this session of the Illinois Eldership in that capacity. The state of religion in
the Eldership was reported by the Committee to be very gratifying, "as seen in
the numerous accessions to the membership of the Church and the quickening and
•encouraging of the followers of Christ." But the Committee "urged the member-
ship to secure a higher plane of religious preparation and a fuller consecration of
themselves and their property to the service of God." Of the fourteen fields of
labor to which sixteen ministers were appointed, three were missions.
29th Illinois Eldership. — The session of the Eldership held at Decatur, Macon
county, began Thursday evening, October 5, 1881, with the Opening Sermon by
George Sandoe, from 1 Cor. i. 21. The body was considerably enlarged by the
enrollment of the ministers and delegates from the Illinois part of the territory of
the Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership, which "the General Eldership in 1881
merged into the Illinois Eldership." T. Koogle, of Ohio, and J. H. Besore, of
Iowa, were present as fraternal delegates. The officers elected were George
Sandoe, Speaker; W. B. Allen, Clerk, and John Stare, Treasurer. There were now
thirty-nine licensed ministers in the Eldership, of which number twenty-three
were present; thirteen ruling elders and seven delegates. Two exhorters were
-enrolled. It was decided to be inexpedient to hold a camp-meeting, but "several
general meetings" were recommended to be held instead. Resolutions were
adopted, "endorsing with joy and gladness the action of the General Eldership
favoring the erection of an institution" of learning, and declaring that "we
■solemnly avow it as our conviction before God, that every member of the Church,
Tjoth lay and ministerial, is morally bound to contribute to this work, largely,
liberally and joyously." The Committee was M. S. Newcomer, S. D. C Jackson
and W. I. Berkstresser. The Mendota Mission enterprise was regarded as on a
permanent basis, and had the sympathies of the Eldership, which cheerfully made
the desired appropriations as "conditions upon which Sister A. C Newcomer pro-
posed to carry forward the work." Receipts for the various Funds were as fol-
lows: Widows', $74.94; Contingent, $26.34; General Eldership Contingent Fund,
$58.03; Missionary Fund, $173.51. The Eldership pledged itself to use its "best
■endeavors to suppress the use and manufacture of malt, or spirituous liquors in
our State; to "teach the young the principles of temperance, and not to vote for
men to fill public offices while they are encouraging this great evil of intemper-
ance." It "condemned the use of tobacco in all its forms, and that we consider
It a nuisance." A committee, consisting of M. S. Newcomer, W. B. Allen and J.
Bernard, was "appointed to recommend a course of studies for the young min-
isters." The Stationing Committee of three ministers and two laymen, divided
the territory into twenty-two fields of labor, assigning Mary Berksti-esser to Mt.
Carroll and Lanark, Annie C. Newcomer to Mendota Mission.
30th Illinois Eldership. — Quite an aggressive spirit characterized the thirtieth
session of the Illinois Eldership, which was held at Warrensburg, Macon county.
It was presided over by J. Beraard; with W. B. Allen as Clerk; M. Anderson, Fi-
nancial Clerk, and John Stare, Treasurer. Two committees of three each were
named "to draft programs for the two Pentecostal meetings." Prohibition had
l)ecome an issue before the people of Illinois, and the Eldership resolved to "give
our undivided and uncompromising efforts in the pulpit and at the ballot-box to
secure the prohibition of the manufacture and sale of the accursed evil." To en-
524 History of the Churches of God
courage fixed ministerial salaries, each local church was directed "to ascertain by
church meetings, or otherwise, the amount of support which can be given, and
report the same to the Eldership." On the ordinances the body expressed its
judgment that "baptism should be attended to as early as practicable after con-
version," and that "the ordinances of God's house should unlformily be observed
as frequently in each church as once a quarter." An unusual action was taken
relative to G. S. Peti"y, who had "in writing declared his withdrawal from the
Eldership." The Eldership not only "cheerfully ratify his declaration" and
"dropped his name from the Ministerial Roll;" but directed the Clerk "to send
or take, the resolution touching Elder Peti-y to the County Clerk of Kankakee
county and have it recorded by the side of the record of his license." To secure
the means to pay "the rent for the Mendota house of worship," it was resolved
"that a Sisters' Missionary Society be, and hereby is, organized, consisting of the
following officers: Mrs. A. C. Newcomer, President; Miss Mary Berkstresser, Sec-
retary, and Mrs. Malinda McClui-e, Treasurer." There were eighteen fields of
labor, of which two were missions — Troy Grove and Mendota, and Streator. Diona
circuit was "to be supplied." Streator had asked for $50.00 missionary money
for its pastor, and a loan for the church. The Board of Missions appropriated
$20.00, but declined to make a loan.
31st Illinois Eldership. — Experience had made it evident that though the Con-
stitution was revised in 18 81, it was not in all respects adapted to existing con-
ditions. This developed when the Eldership was constituted on October 11, 1883,
at Bunker Hill Bethel, Bureau county. The lay representation was not proving
satisfactory. There were present twenty of the thirty-six ministers, one exhorter
out of the four, eleven ruling elders and four delegates. Four fields were not rep-
resented. Immediately after completing the enrollment an amendment was
adopted to Art. II. of the Constitution, "that in the matter of lay representation
in the Eldership the ruling elders come first, and that the right to elect delegates
apart from the elders be exercised only where the elders do not attend the Elder-
ship." I. S. Richmond was elected Speaker; W. B. Allen, Stated Clerk; VV. I.
Berkstresser, Financial Clerk, and John Stare, Treasurer. C. Manchester and D.
Blakeley were in attendance as fraternal delegates from the Missouri Eldership.
One of the alternate delegates to the General Eldership in 1884 was Mai-y Berk-
stresser. The Committee on Education "hailed with extreme satisfaction the
establishment of Findlay College." It recommended "that prayer be offered
specially for the President-elect, that in the organization of said school and the
preparation of the course of studies he may be guided by that wisdom which is
from above." The Committee on Resolutions was the most active one of the
session. It was composed of Mai-y Berkstresser, H. Will and R. Pen-y, and it re-
ported eight preambles and seventeen resolutions, all but one of which were
adopted. It condemned "fairs, festivals and other social gatherings used as a
means of raising money for religious purposes;" urged the patronizing of our
Church literature; declared "the use of tobacco one of the ways of dishonoring
God and corrupting the temple of the Holy Ghost;" urged the patronage of "The
Little Star," published by the Free Baptist Church, along with the "Sunday-
School Gem;" recommended "the appointment of an Evangelist to do general
work, and be supported out of the Missionary Fund;" constituting the Board of
Missions a missionary society; denouncing "all attempts to control the General
Eldership in its choice of Editor or other officials as wholly gratuitous and im-
pertinent," and "providing for an Eldership Sunday-School Convention.", New-
comer, Sandoe and Allen were elected "to prepare a course of studies, and to act
as an Examining Board for the young ministers." The delegates to the General
Eldership were instructed (1) "to use their infiuence to have the 'Sunday-School
Gem' published semi-monthly," (2) to work "to bring about a better harmony in
our general missionary work in the several States;" (3) "to endeavor to have a
cheap primary paper published weekly or semi-monthly," and (4) "to make an
effort to secure from the Board of Education tracts for free distribution at our
annual Elderships and general meetings."
32nd Illinois EIdei*ship. — The Eldership held at Decatur, Macon county, be-
ginning October 1, 1884, was unusually well attended. Of the thirty-eight teach-
ing elders nine were absent, and five of the six exhorters were present and eighteen
ruling elders and delegates. One day was devoted to the Ministerial Association,
when on the evening of October 1st W. I. Berkstresser preached the Opening Ser-
mon, from 1 Chron. xxix. 5. Balloting resulted in the election for Speaker of
Illinois Eldership 525
G. Sandoe; W. B. Allen, Clerk; W. I. Rerkstresser, Financial Clerk, and John
Stare, Treasurer. The action of the General Eldership providing for the inaugura-
tion of foreign mission work was "heartily and fully endorsed." An attempt was
made by the Committee on Resolutions, consisting of J. C. Fornci'ook, M. S. New-
comer and R. Pen-y, to have action taken not "to ordain any person to the sacred
and important office of the ministry who indulges in the use of tobacco." The
Eldership was not prepared to sustain the Committee. The Eldership now had
$2,266.79 in its Fund for Superannuated Ministers and Widows. Its receipts dur-
ing the year for the Missionary Fund were $629.77. The sentiment in favor of
Prohibition was strongly expressed by the Committee on Temperance, as being
"unhesitatingly and emphatically, without any mental reservation or equivoca-
tion," opposed to "the legalized sale of all intoxicating drinks," and "in favor of
a constitutional amendment prohibiting the legalized sale of intoxicants." During
the year one minister had gone "to 'see the King in his beauty,' in a land of purer
light," and the Eldership placed sorrowfully on record a minute of its apprecia-
tion of his worth. T. H. Deshiri was "a man long and favorably known as a
faithful student of God's word, a strong defender of the principles of the Church,
a mighty man in prayer, and one well qualified for pulpit work." Two Sabbath-
School Conventions were appointed "to be held in connection with the Pentecostal
meetings," one at Mendota, and one at Charleston. "Every minister who has no
regular work" was "requested to pledge this body that he will go out as an inde-
pendent missionary, and keep up at least two regular appointments during the
coming year." "A State Sisters' Foreign Missionary Society" was created, "with
full power to collect money in the local churches" for foreign missions. "The
sisters shall have full control of this department of work." Three sisters were
appointed "to prepare a Constitution" for this Society. It was to do its work
"in the local churches so as not to conflict with the work and societies organized
by the General Eldership."
33rd Illinois Eldership. — Largely on account of long distances the ministers
and delegates had to travel to the Elderships, Ministerial Asociations were not
infrequently held in connection with the Eldership sessions. A larger attendance
was thus secured for both meetings. But in 1885 the Sunday-School Convention
of the Illinois Eldership was held immediately preceding the Eldership session, on
Tuesday evening and Wednesday, and at the place where the Eldership convened
in the evening of Wednesday, October 14th, to listen to the Opening Sermon by
Jay C. Forncrook, from Ps. cxxvi. 6. The session was held at Martinsville, Clarke
county. Twenty-three ministers were present, four exhorters and eighteen ruling
elders and delegates, while fourteen ministers were absent. The officers elected
were, M. S. Newcomer, Speaker; W. R. Allen, Clerk; W. I. Rerkstresser, Financial
Clerk, and John Stare, Treasurer. A special feature of the session was "a season
of song and prayer" "each day at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, and at 3 o'clock in
the afternoon." Two Pentecostal meetings were appointed, one in the northern
and one in the southern section of the territory. Arrangements were made for
series of lectures on prescribed subjects and subsequent Ministerial Associations,
beginning with one on the Ministry at the next meeting, by M. S. Newcomer. The
system of liquor licenses, "whether high or low," was declared to be "sinful, and
promotive of profligacy and vice, and that all political parties favoring the licens-
ing of this 'crime against God and man ought to be ignored by Christian men."
"Absolute prohibition of the liquor traffic in the State and nation" was favored "as
the only proper solution of this intricate problem." As J. R. H. Latchaw, Presi-
dent-elect of Findlay College and Secretary-Treasurer of Foreign Missions, was
present, these interests were made a special order for Saturday morning from 10
to 11.30 o'clock. It was an enthusiastic sitting, and $1,500 were pledged for
Findlay College, and $80.00 for Foreign Mission work. Considerable satisfaction
was manifested over the state of religion in the Eldership, as "considerable and
important accessions to the churches have been made, good foundations have been
laid for successful work in the near future, two church houses have been built,
three new organizations formed, and all the fields seem more or less to have pros-
pered." A Woman's Missionary Society was formed and approved by the Elder-
ship. While the Eldership enjoyed the distinction of having its present Speaker
Assistant Editor of The Advocate, a note of half-defined querulousness is found in
a resolution stating the "conviction of this body, that while it would be no detri-
ment to the East, it would be to the interest and profit of the Church at large,
if the West were to have accorded to it some share of editorial right in
526 History of the Churches of God
the columns of The Advocate." It was expressed as the "sense of this body that
the salaries of ministers ought to be paid monthly." The Eldership also placed
itself on record in favor of the tithing system, recommending that "one-tenth of
our income be devotedly set apart for the service of the Master." The number of
fields of labor was twenty-two, all supplied with pastors.
34th Illinois Eklei-sliip. — The Illinois Eldership has had at several epochs in
its history ministers who for some occult reason were disposed to antagonize in-
terests and actions of the General Eldership. This developed in 1865, when a
virulent attack was made on The Advocate and its venerable Editor, with insinua-
tions to start an opposition paper. So the veiled dissatisfaction voiced in a reso-
lution on the same subject in 1885 was evidenced in an action taken in 1886, de-
claring that "The Church Advocate is a non-partisan journal, in which political
preferences and bias ought not to appear." Possibly the small attendance, as in
1865, rendered the passage of such a resolution possible by the few whose con-
sciousness was dominated by some evil passion. Twenty-two of the forty-one
teaching elders were absent when the body convened in the Troy Grove Bethel,
LaSalle county, Wednesday evening, October 6, 1886, to listen to the Opening-
Sermon by George Sandoe, from Acts xx. 24. Ten ruling elders and five delegates
were also present, and one of the three exhorters. W. B. Long was chosen
Speaker; W. I. Berkstresser, Clerk, and W. B. Allen, Financial Clerk. At three
successive sittings M. S. Newcomer delivered lectures on "The Christian Min-
istry," subdividing the subject into "Who Shall Preach?" "What to Preach?"
"How to Preach?" The lectures "were delivered to the entire satisfaction of the
Eldership," and the Board of Publication was requested "to publish them in
pamphlet form." The sentiment of the Eldership was "not to give our support to
any political party which does not favor State and National prohibition in its plat-
form." Pentecostal meetings were less popular, and they were referred to the
Standing Committee. Finding some "teaching" in the "Workman and Quar-
terly" which the Eldership disapproved, and "especially on the new birth in John
iii., feet-washing being entirely left out of John xiii., and erroneous doctrine
on John xv.," it "called upon the General Eldership to examine into this matter
in order to adjust the same satisfactorily." The Eldership rebuked "many
ministers who failed to keep accounts with the several churches." It also recom-
mended "the establishment of a better financial system in each church; that the
ministers impress upon the deacons the importance of soliciting subscriptions,
for the ministers at the beginning of the year of labor, and that the deacons enter
into account with the ministers and churches, to the end that the ministers
of this body as a whole may have a much larger financial showing in their
salaries to report at each yearly meeting of the Eldership." The use of "un-
fermented wine only for Communion purposes" was "strongly recommended. "^
"Receipts by the Financial Clerk were limited: Mission Fund, $82.26; Widows'
Fund, $49.75; Contingent Fund, $141.14. There were twenty-one fields of labor,,
six of which received appropriations from the Missionary Fund, aggregating
$375.00. Three of the charges were served by two of the ordained sisters of the
Eldership — Mary Berkstresser and Mrs. A. C. Newcomer.
35th Illinois Eldership. — The effect of distance on the attendance at the Eld-
ership was very perceptibly seen in 1887, when it convened in the Summit Bethel,
Lanark, Carroll county, in the north-western corner of the State. Twenty-two
ministers were absent, fourteen present, with six ruling elders and three delegates.
AV. B. Long preached the Opening Sermon, from 1 Kings viii. 27. The Ministerial
Association was held during the day preceding the Eldership. W. B. Allen was
the choice of the Eldership for Speaker; W. I. Berkstresser, Clerk, and C. Man-
chester, Financial Clerk. The latter delivered the lectures before the Eldership
on Friday, Saturday and Monday afternoons. Allen had been elected Professor of
Theology at Findlay College, but after filling that position for a short time re-
signed, and the Eldership was not satisfied with the current reasons for his action,
and appointed a committee of three to inquire into them; but nothing new de-
veloped. The case of Mrs. M. B. Woodworth created greater interest. She had
crossed the line into the territory of the Illinois Eldership, and her "evangelistic
and faith-healing meetings" had awakened much concern. A committee was named
"to investigate" the results of her work. This committee gave her credit "as an
earnest, enthusiastic worker;" "that souls have been truly converted under her
labors, and thus far she has been doing good work;" but condemned "her manner
of practicing the healing art as unscriptural and deceptive," and on the whole "re-
Illinois Eldership 527
garded her work, as at present conducted, as being more detrimental ttian bene-
ficial to the cause of Christianity; that we view the work with alarm, and that the
Church of God in Illinois can not endorse the work." To give wider publicity to
this action it was ordered published in a Chicago daily paper. The W. M. S. was
in active co-operation with the Eldership, and asked its "aid and sympathy in the
work which it had under contemplation — publishing a missionary quarterly in,
the interest of the W. M. S. of Illinois." In co-operation with the General Elder-
ship in its mission work, the Eldership apportioned the $200.00 asked of it among-
its fields of labor, and directed the circuits and stations to collect the same. The
general religious condition of the Eldership was somewhat encouraging. Finances
were still low, as only $24.42 were collected for the Contingent Fund during the
year; Widows' Fund, $210.91; Missionary Fund, $182.61. "D. H. Rupp was ap-
pointed to deliver a lecture before the Ministerial Association of our next Elder-
ship upon the subject, 'The Financial Obligation of Members of the Church of
God.' " A distinctively new departure is indicated by a resolution adopted, ap-
pointing a committee "to select speakers and assign topics for next Eldership. "-
The preamble states as a reason for this action, that "brethren speaking before
the annual sessions of our body are expected to speak clearly, and upon topics of
interest to the Church, especially the cardinal doctrines of the Church;" and that
to do this "requires much study, forethought and arrangement." The organiza-
tion of Christian Endeavor Societies is noted with approval, and the churches were
urged to organize societies. Seventeen appointments were made by the Stationing
Committee, including Brown county mission. Three other fields received appro-
priations of missionary money. The Eldership closed on Monday evening with two
memorable incidents. The first was the ordinance meeting, when "some seventy
brethren and sisters, with much heartiness and evident joy, engaged in the ser-
vice." The second was the presentation of a set of Parker's People's Bible to M.
S. Newcomer and wife in behalf of the Illinois Eldership. They had received
transfers to the Iowa Eldership.
36th Illinois Eldei-ship. — Absenteeism seems to have become chronic in the
Illinois Eldership. The session of 1888 was held at Round Grove Bethel, Shelby
county, more to the southward of the territory; but the attendance was but little
better than at Lanark, in the extreme north, in 1887. Eighteen "ministers in
charge of work" were present, with three others; while fourteen were absent. Two
exhorters were also present, eleven ruling elders and one delegate. The preceding
day was occupied by the Ministerial Association in profitable discussions. On the
evening of September 19th W. B. Allen delivered the Opening Sermon, from Job.
xxvii. 6. D. H. Rupp was elected Speaker; W. I. Berkstresser, Clerk, and C Man-
chester, Financial Clerk. Pentecostal meetings were still held, and the Eldership
appointed two, one north and one south, and the Eldership expressed its judgment,
"that it is the positive duty of the brethren to attend these meetings." There
were no licenses granted, except to W. J, Schaner upon receipt of his transfer from
the Ohio Eldership. Action was taken, requiring applicants for license to appear-
in person at the Eldership or before the Standing Committee. During the year-
the "pale monarch of the unending past" claimed two of the ministers among his
"countless trophies" — S. White and D. Kyle — whose virtues were recorded in suit-
able terms on the Journal of the Eldership. Again the support of the ministry
was the subject of action, "the churches within the bounds of the Eldership" being
"requested to put forth their best efforts in securing their pastors' salaries as soon
as possible after they enter on their fields of labor." And further, the Clerk wag
"instructed to issue a circular letter to the officiary of the various churches, urg^
ing upon them their obligation for a much more liberal and prompt support of the
ministry." The Treasurer's Report showed that during the year the receipts
were $212.96 for Missionary Fund; $264.26, Superannuated and Widows' Fund;
$37.98, Contingent Fund; $76.78, Frontier Mission Fund. John Stare was re-
elected Treasurer. An Examining Committee was appointed to examine a class of
the younger ministers named in Winebrenner on Regeneration, Paley's Natural
Theology, Butler's Analogy and Finney on Revivals. Each one was also required
"to prepare and present Bible readings on Revivals, Growth in Grace, The Sec-
ond Coming of Christ and Church Discipline." The reports of ministers showed
that there were during the year 492 conversions, 383 accessions, 239 baptized, and
two new churches organized. There were fifty-four organizations in the Elder-
ship. Churches and pastors were instructed not to give letters of dismissal to
members who intend to remain out of fellowship with any church of God. Twenty-.
528 History of the Churches oe God
three fields of labor were arranged by the Stationiug Committee, but two of them
could not be supplied with regular pastors.
37th Illinois Eldership. — The advisability of having more religious services
during sessions of Elderships has been frequently suggested. There are always
members of these bodies who do not enjoy business sessions, and who object that
there is too much of the secular, the legal and financial, and too little gospel and
grace. No one denies the wholesome effect of song and prayer on these assemblies;
but that is not their purpose. Yet in some measure different Elderships have
yielded to this pietistic demand, and have had periods of devotion during sittings,
or a sermon, or evangelistic services. Thus, the Illinois Eldership in 1889 directed
that "we have devotional exercises at 10 a. m. and 3 p. m. each day during the
session of this Eldership." The plan of having several lectures at different sit-
tings was also continued. I. S. Richmond was the lecturer, and his theme was,
"The Bible a Miracle." The session was held at Warrensburg, Macon county, be-
ginning with the Opening Sermon on Wednesday evening, October 2nd, by D. H.
Riipp. There were twenty-two teaching elders present; twelve, absent. Three
■exhorters were present; five, absent, with eleven ruling elders present. R. Perry-
was chosen Speaker; C. T. McKee, Clerk, and W. B. Allen, Financial Clerk. The
various Funds were replenished as follows: Missionary, $185.70; Frontier Mis-
sion, $69.84; Contingent, $27.55; Superannuated and Widows', $50.00. This
Fund had a balance in the treasury of $2,994.25. The Standing Committee was
authorized to make sale of Cabery Bethel. A change was made in the Eldership
year, so "that it shall end hereafter with the close of the Eldership session." An
action was taken to purchase a tent for the use of the Eldership. To increase the
receipts for home missions it was decided that an "assessment be made of three
hundred dollars as the lowest limit, to be apportioned among the local churches."
A step toward Congregationalism is indicated in the action expressing "the sense of
this body, that members should be received into fellowship by the consent of
both pastor and church." The Board of Publication having authorized C. Man-
chester to publish a Missionary Magazine, it was heartily endorsed, along with the
publications of the General Eldership. Want of proper care and system in "mak-
ing appropriations from the Superannuated and Widows' Fund" was deprecated,
and needed correctives were directed to be applied. The body placed itself di-
rectly on record as "opposed to the building of any house of worship to be deeded
to more than one denomination, as such so-called union houses almost invariably
lead to disunion, strife and contention." A rigid rule was adopted, prohibiting
any minister of the Eldership from "inviting to his assistance in protracted meet-
ings any one not holding license from this body, without securing the consent of
the Standing Committee." The accessions to the churches during the year were
209. Six new churches were organized. The total membership was 1,295. There
were twenty-two fields of labor, only one of which received an appropriation.
38th Illinois Eldership. — On May 22, 1890, the Illinois Eldership was de-
prived by death of one of its most worthy ministers. On the afternoon of that
beautiful May day George Sandoe ended his useful life. He was born at Hinkle-
town, Lancaster county. Pa., December 31, 1826. He was ordained by the East
Pennsylvania Eldership in the Fall of 1850, and by said Eldership was sent as a
missionary to the southern part of Illinois in 1851. The deep shadows of his
death hung over the Illinois Eldership when it convened at Martinsville, Clarke
county, the place where Sandoe had his permanent home during his ministry,
Thursday morning, September 25, 1890. The Eldership realized that "no one who
has thus departed will be missed more than George Sandoe." And in its resolu-
tions reference was made to his "association with the Eldership from its begin-
ning." He was an able expounder of the doctrines of the Church of God.
"Firm to the last he bravely stood,
Strong to the last he bore his part;
Deserting his post he never could.
For true as steel was his noble heart."
The Eldership made choice of I. S. Richmond for Speaker; J. Bernard, Clerk;
W. I. Berkstresser, Financial Clerk. Jas. M. Clark, -a member of the Wesleyan
Methodist Church, was granted license, and E. H, Baker was received from the
West Pennsylvania Eldership. The Eldership year was fixed "to end with the
close of the Eldership session." The bethel near Cabery, Ford county, was sold
by direction of the Eldership. There were $3,299.03 in the Superannuated Min-
Illinois Eldership • 529
isters' and Widows' Fund. "The position our government occupies in upholding
the monster of intemperance" was characterized as "an outrage," and the Elder-
ship declared that "we will not vote for any party that is in sympathy with the
traffic, but will cast our votes with the party that stands for the entire prohibi-
tion of the curse which blights our nation." The Eldership was "in hearty sym-
pathy with efforts being made to close the Columbia Exposition on the Sabbath
day." The statistics showed conversions, 204; accessions, 222; baptized, 162;
total number of members, 1,500; organized churches, 40; bethels, 34. It was
agreed upon to open all houses of worship in the Eldership to W. C. T. U. workers.
Pastors were forbidden to "employ helpers that are objected to by the Standing
Committee." There were twenty-five appointments, besides Springfield, which was
"placed under the watch-care" of the pastor of the Decatur church, AV. li. Allen.
Mary Berkstresser, who had been "released during the year by the Standing Com-
mittee as General Missionary, and was assigned to Martinsville and Hazel Dell,
was again appointed General Missionary. There was such a deficiency in the
number of ministers willing to serve appointments that five remained unsupplied.
39th Illinois Eldership. — When in 189 0, after considerable rivalry, the Elder-
ship voted to hold its session in 1891 at Union, Jo Daviess county, it was advised
that "the place is somewhat isolated; but if the weather will be favorable, it will
be an interesting place to visit, and the brotherhood may prepare for a regular
picnic at that time." The "brethren proposed to secure a large tent, to be used
for eating purposes and for holding overflow meetings." Accordingly the Elder-
ship met at the place selected, and held its sessions during September 17-19, 1891.
On Tuesday evening, September 15th, the Ministerial Association began its session
at the same place, when the Opening Lecture was delivered by C. F. Rogers. On
the evening of the 16th C. T. McKee preached the Opening Sermon of the Elder-
ship. The officers of the Eldership were W. I. Berkstresser, Speaker; J. Bernard,
Clerk; W. B. Allen, Financial Clerk, and Monroe White, Treasurer. President
Latchaw being present, spoke eloquently for Findlay College, after which $200.00
were raised to apply on College indebtedness." There were several new accessions
to the ministerial ranks of the Eldership, so that all but one of the twenty-three
fields of labor were supplied. Two sisters, Mary Berkstresser and M. E. Markle,
were appointed to charges. The attempt to so amend the Constitution as "to strike
out all references to the Stationing Committee," and place "the securing of pastors
into the hands of the churches and ministers," said change to go "into effect im-
mediately after the close of the Eldership session," was not successful, though
endorsed by the Committee on Resolutions. The resolution was postponed, "that
nothing like electioneering should be found among us as an Eldership." Three
new churches were organized, and there were 330 conversions and 305 accessions
to the churches. Assessments were made for Home Missions to the amount of
$300.00, and for General Missions, $225.00.
40th Illinois Eldership. — With a membership present of, twenty-one teaching
elders, five exhorters and thirteen ruling elders and delegates, the fortieth session
of the Illinois Eldership began its session in the U. B. house of worship at Findlay,
Shelby county, September 29, 1892. Fourteen ministers were absent, and four
fields were not represented. O. B. Huston was elected Speaker, and J. Bernard,
Clerk. The Opening Sermon had been preached the previous evening by AV. I.
Berkstresser, from II. Tim. ii. 15. The church at Springfield had not yet been re-
ceived "formally into the Illinois Eldership." "Legal difficulties concerning the
house of worship" had not been "fully settled." When settled, the Eldership was
ready to "negotiate with the church, looking to their becoming a constituent part
of the Eldership." The church "offered to turn over its property into the hands
of the Eldership on condition that the Eldership pay off the indebtedness, amount-
ing to$l,600.00." The Eldership declined to do this. No appointment was made
to Springfield church. The government was severely arraigned for its complicity
in the liquor business, and "for lending its aid at the behest of the brewers and
malsters of the country to collect information and to use the machinery of govern-
ment to promote the sale of American liquors in South American countries." It
also declared that "no political party has the right to expect the support of Chris-
tian men so long as that party stands committed to the license policy, or refuses to
put itself on record against the saloon." The churches were "requested to pay
half of the moving expenses of the incoming pastors." The General Eldership was
requested to "publish a book setting forth the rules and practices generally ob-
served by the Church of God." The duty of every member and minister of the
C. H.— 18*
530 History oi* the Chl'rches of God
Church of God to "devote to the cause of Christ one-tenth of their income" was
affirmed, and the pastors were instructed "to preach one sermon to each congre-
gation on this subject." There were three deaths of ministers during the year,
A. J. Feiiton, Jacob Bear and A. X. Shoemaker. They were natives of Pennsyl-
vania. Fenton was ordained by the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1848, and
Shoemaker in 1851. Fenton, "after a long and useful life in the ministry, died
with the armor on." Shoemaker's pastoral labors were limited to the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership, except while missionary in Chicago, 111., and in "his earlier
years he was noted for his efficient and successful work in building up the Church
of God." Bear, while "an example of diligence and faithfulness," labored in a
local capacity. Of the twenty-two fields of labor three were left unsupplied.
41st Illinois Eldership. — The strong denunciations of the government for
strengthening the hands of the liquor interests in the western Elderships, was not
alone because of the promotion of the sale of American liquors in South America.
The decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1892, declaring that a
State law which in effect made it impossible for a brewer or distiller in another
State to send any liquor for sale into a prohibition State was unconstitutional, was
still more violently assailed. For this decision wiped out apparently beyond re-
pair the year-long labors of the Prohibitionist, and turned back the wave of prohi-
bition sentiment which had swept over the country in the late eighties. This
accounts for the motto of national prohibition which the Illinois Eldership raised
at this time, in unison with the slogan of the Prohibition party. The Eldership
held its session at Lodge, Piatt county, beginning September 21, 1903. I. S. Rich-
mond preached the Opening Sermon on the evening of the 20th. Twenty-three
ministers were present, thirteen absent, eleven ruling elders, and one exhorter.
E. A. Fritter was chosen for Speaker; J. Bernard, Clerk; L. F. Ale.vander, Fi-
nancial Clerk, and Monroe AVhite, Treasurer. To revise the Constitution a
committee of three was appointed. It at once reported an item, changing the
Article making the Standing Committee a part of the Board of Missions. Into
the hands of this Board was placed the matter of Eldership camp-meetings.
On the questions submitted by the General Eldership to the Annual Elderships
this Eldership voted as follows: 1. Against the change of "name, style and
title of the Annual Elderships." 2. In favor of "Life Certificates of Ordina-
tion." 3. Against a "common Fund out of which to pay expenses of dele-
gates to the General Eldership." A committee was created to propose a Course
of Studies. Months were fixed during which were to be lifted the collections for
Contingent, Church Extension, a newly established Fund, and Superannuated and
Widows' Funds, all of which were very low. The amounts asked for to replenish
the Home and Frontier Mission Funds were apportioned to the churches. A Gen-
eral Missionary and Collecting Agent was also put on the field. The number of
fields of labor was reduced from twenty-five to twenty-one. The Ministerial Asso-
ciation held its meeting immediately preceding the Eldership, at which the temper-
ance question was thoroughly discussed. So was the matter of "rotation in office
in church and Eldership."
42nd Illinois Eldership. — This Eldership renewed its attack on the govern-
ment and nation for "complicity in the liquor traffic," and pledged its "influence
and prayers, backed by our votes, to rid our land of the blighting curse of in-
temperance." As the Revision Committee had failed to do its work, a new one
was designated. The Eldership held its session at Mt. Pleasant, Coles county, be-
ginning September 20, 1894. On the evening of the 19th C. F. Rogers preached
the Opening Sermon. The Speaker was J. Beraard; Clerk, AV. I. Berkstresser;
Financial Clerk, C. A. Schaaf. The Eldership assumed $3,000.00 of the debt on
Findlay College, and through the efforts of President Yat«s raised $381.00 on the
floor. The death during the year of E. A. Longenecker was noted with "sincere
regret." His memory was sacredly treasured and his example declared worthy of
emulation. He had been licensed originally by the Southern Illinois and Indiana
Eldership in 185 8. The assessments and collections for the various Funds re-
sulted as follows: Home Mission, $243.28; Frontier Mission, $133.13; Superan-
nuated and Widows', $32.31; Contingent, $15.90; Church Extension, $8.04. The
assessments were continued for Home Missions, $305.10; Frontier Missions, $273.
Instructions were given the members of the Board of Trustees of Findlay College
for whom to vote for Librarian, and the amount of salary. Not only was the Eld-
ership deeply interested in Findlay College; but it also expressed "appreciation
of Barkeyville Academy as an educational institution highly worthy the patronage
Illinois Eldership 5511
of the Church." There were eighteen fields of labor, one of which was unsuppliedi,
One minister, Mary Berkstresser, was appointed General Missionary and College
Agent.
43rd Illinois Eldei-ship. — The Illinois Eldership diligently sought to protect
the reputation of its ministers; but if any member was found derelict, or under
reasonable suspicion of deviation from recititude, it was not disposed to cover it
up. It desired, however, a just popular verdict, one in which the premises for the-
conclusion would be based on facts, and not on hearsay and inuendo. Such in-
stances occured at intervals, and were always wisely handled, and the good name-
of the body preserved. It also considered with deliberation the questions of polity
with which it had to deal. In 1893 it had voted on change of Eldership titles;
but it did not treat the question as finally settled. In 1895, when the session was;
held at Decatur, Macon county, beginning September 14th, the subject was takem
up again, and it became evident that there was in progress a change of views. It
was decided that "the delegates to the General Eldership shall favor deferring anjr
such change for at least three years longer." On ordination the Elderships
"favored the position that the laying on of hands is unnecessary." It also voted3
to continue the annual licenses, as against Life Ordination and Life Certificates-
The creation of a Fund by the General Eldership out of which to pay the expenses
of all delegates was disapproved. It voted strongly in favor of the Itenerancy^
The Opening Sermon was delivered by J. Bernard, on Sunday morning, from Acts:
xxi. 17. In the evening the ordinances were observed, after a sermon on "Washing"
the Saints' Feet" by M, S. Newcomer. The names of "thirty-three ministers were-
on the Roll." D. H. Rnpp was elected President; W. I. Berksti-esser, Clerk; L. F>
Alexander, Financial Clerk. The time for the meeting of the Eldership was;
changed to Thursday evening instead of Sunday. The sale or leasing of the
Mendota church property was placed in the hands of an agent. Plans were to be
matured by a committee to do more aggressive Christian Endeavor work. The
sum of 3516.74 was received for the various Funds of the Eldership, and assess-
ments were made to the amount of $729.50, which did not include the Widows'"
and Contingent Funds. The body declared in favor of Prohibition. The pledge
of $3,000.00 toward the debt of Findlay College was but partially paid, and a note^
was directed to be given for balance due, bearing six per centum interest. Realiz-
ing that in an itenerant system, with its limited term and frequent changes of min-
isters, the relation of out-going and in-coming pastors is peculiarly delicate and'
intimate, the Eldership endeavored to have these changes made with the least pos-
sible friction. There were twenty fields of labor, one unsupplied, and four re-
ceived appropriations.
44th Illinois Eldership. — Sale of church buildings is often a slow process, such:
property not being marketable. So a committee was again appointed "to sell the
Mendota church property as soon as it can be done without unreasonably or utterly
sacrificing the same." The "ground on which stood Union Bethel, Clark county,
was authorized to be sold, and proceeds applied to the payment of the new church
there." The Eldership in 189 6 was much inspirited by the discussions during the
Ministerial Association which preceded the session, with its annual lecture by J.
Bernard, and the presence and address of Clara Landes. While Thursday evening-
had been fixed the year before for the meeting of the Eldership, this evidently-
meant as a Ministerial Association, which occupied that evening and Friday. Satur-
day" was spent in class examinations, with preaching in the evening." Sunday morn-
ing D. H. Rnpp delivered the Opening Sermon, and in the evening W. B. Allen
preached and "conducted a most interesting and impressive ordinance meeting." The'
attendance was not so large when the session was called to order on Monday morn-
ing, September 20th, as eighteen of the thirty-three ministers were absent, and
only seven lay representatives were present. It was held at Mt. Carroll, Carroll'
county. C. F. Rogers was chosen President; W. I. Berkstresser, Clerk, and J. S.
Walls, Financial Clerk. Monroe White was re-elected Treasurer. Neglect of the
Course of Studies influenced the Eldership to "insist that the ministers of the
Eldership make a careful study of the prescribed books." The critical condition
of the College was a question commanding most serious consideration, and a reso-
lution was adopted "to still support our Church College with an earnest and!
Christian devotion." The Eldership declared that "we will not give our votes to
any party that is not outspoken in its principles in opposition to the liquor traffic.""
The religious interests of the Eldership were in good condition, "with general har-
mony and reasonable advancement" A disposition to patronize other than Church
532 History of the Churches of God
literature was characterized as "disloyal to our best interests as a Church." There
were twenty-three fields of labor.
4oth Illinois Eldership. — During the year the question of changing the
Articles of Incorporation so as to conform to the altered title of Elderships was
considered, but was deferred. Church work in East St. Louis was in contempla-
tion by the church and pastor at St. Louis. Being in the territory of the Illinois
Eldership, its consent was secured through the Standing Committee. "The Golden
Age; or, The Reign of Augustus Caesar," was I, S. Richmond's subject for the
annual lecture before the Ministerial Association. On Saturday evening W. I.
Berkstresser gave an address on "Christian Citizenship." On Sunday morning
"\V. B. Allen preached the Opening Sermon from Heb. i. 8. In the evening before
the observance of the ordinances, C. B. Kepfoi-d preached. On Monday at 9 a. m.,
September 6, 1897, the session of the Eldership began, at Milmine, Piatt county,
•with nineteen ministers, three exhorters and eleven lay delegates present, four of
them women. The officers elected were C. B. Kepford, President; W. I. Berk-
sti-esser. Clerk; J. S. AValls, Financial Clerk, and Monroe Wliite, Treasurer.
Hearty sympathy with the Woman's General Missionary Society was expressed, and
co-operation promised. Appropriate memorial services were held in honor of
James Wenier and M. G. Bare. Werner was a member of the Eldership "for many
years, and was an earnest Christian, and most devoted to the interests of the
Church, and an able defender of the truth." Bare was "less active, but was a
worthy member of the Eldership for a long time." Careful supervision of Y. P.
S. C. E. work was maintained, and a State President and District Presidents were
elected. I. S. Riclimond was chosen to represent the Eldership at the State C. E.
Convention at Chicago. Work in the Eldership was "in a prosperous condition."
Two new churches were organized, two new bethels and three parsonages were
built. However the number of charges was reduced to twenty-one, with one un-
supplied. Four fields received an aggregate of $200.00 missionary money.
46th Illinois Eldership. — There has always been something incongruous to
tlie consciousness of many ministers, something like "a fish out of water," in the
practice of preaching "trial sermons," or candidating. Preaching is too sacred a
thing to be put up in competition. Is it much better to have candidates for or-
dination preach sermons before a committee? However, such a course was in
vogue in the Illinois Eldership, so that at the session in 1898, when "devotional
services were conducted by H. W. Kruzan and Peers, licentiates, each in
obedience to the Licensing Committee preached a short sermon." This was at
Troy Grove, LaSalle county, where the Eldership convened September 2 6th. The
23rd and 24th were occupied by the Ministerial Association, and the Opening Ser-
mon was preached on the morning of the 2.5th, by W. I. Berkstresser, from Jude 3.
Theme: — "The Contending for the Faith." Sixteen ministers, six exhorters and
seventeen delegates were enrolled as present. The officers were: President. J. S.
AValls; Clerk, C. F. Rogers; Financial Clerk, L. F. Alexander; Treasurer, Monroe
"Wlvite. The revision of the Constitution was completed. Books for the Course of
Studies were in possession of Prof. E. A. Fritter, and when the brief Course of
live studies was approved, "the books returned by Prof. FHtter were sold at public
auction before the close of the Eldership." There were 162.88 in the Contingent
Fund; $4,746.08 in the Superannuated Fund in Notes and cash; $229.73 in the
Home Mission Fund; $233.7 5 in the General Mission Fund; $301.79 in the Church
■Extension Fund. On temperance the Eldership expressed itself in somewhat ex-
travagant terms, declaring that "ninety per cent, of the professed Christian voters
of the country are perfectly content to uphold this infamous liquor traffic;" that
"they could destroy the hydra if they would, and are therefore responsible for its
continued life, for no other reason than that their love for party is greater than
their love for humanity or the gospel." The President was "held responsible for
the continuance of the canteen system." A State Union of Christian Endeavor
had been organized, with I. S. Richmond as President; C. T. Ishler, Vice President;
Mollie East, Secretary; Lottie Stare Fritz, Treasurer. June 23, 1898, the death
occurred of the oldest minister of the body, H. Rupp. He had also been in the
ministry longer than any previous minister, having been licensed by the Ohio
Eldership in 1836, and had preached about sixty-two years. He helped to organ-
ize the Illinois Eldership. He was a native of Pennsylvania, having been born at
Ono, Lebanon county. May 26, 180-5. He was "one of the most noble workers of
the Illinois Eldership, and to his memory the Eldership owes a debt that it can
'never pay." "The property at Streator was placed in the hands of a real estate
Illinois Eldership 53J
agent for sale." The statistics showed 34 churches; professions of faith during the
year, 224; baptized, 140; accessions, 221; members, 1,038; aggregate amount of
salaries $4,569.50.
47th Illinois Klder.ship. — The ecclesiastical year 189 8-9 was dark and porten-
tous for the Illinois Eldership. "Two of the most able and active ministers died — -
W. I. IJei'kstressei' and W. IJ. Allen." Also G. W. Lear. The latter was licensed"'
in 1889, and the testimonies indicated his helpfulness in the spiritual life realized'
by the churches which he served. The former two were men who "knew no foCsJ
save only such as warred against the peace of God." They were both natives of
Pennsylvania, Allen having been born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county,
September 23, 1841, and Rerkstresser at Saxton, Bedford county, December 29,
1852. Both received their first licenses from the Illinois PJldership, the former
in 1864, the latter in 1879. Allen stood high in his Eldership as a man of Ar-
cadian habits and unblemished character. He was always a laborious student, and
finally graduated at Monmouth College, 111., in 18 84. He was delegate to ten Gen-
eral Elderships. He died .July 18, 1899, having "life's battle well won," and
"life's race well run." Herkstresser was a more aggressive force, and also of spe-
cial culture. He graduated from the Illinois State Normal School in 1877. He
held official positions in his Eldership almost continuously from 18 86 to his death,
January 27, 1899. He belonged to that higher type of men whose animating and
ruling purpose lies remote from any present or immediate gratification. He was
eminently philanthropic in the governing purpose of his heart. He was not dis-
mayed by competition, nor disheartened by antagonism. With unfailing fortitude
he trod the "open, but unfrequented, path to honor and immortality." The Elder-
ship which honored these ministers with most impressive memorial services con-
vened at Good Farm Chapel, Grundy county, September 18, 1899. The officers
were: President, W. R. Johnson; Clerk, C. F. Roj^ers; Financial Clerk, J. S.
Walls; Treasurer, Monroe AV'hit^. To include the Ministerial Association more
definitely in the Eldership it was considered advisable to begin on Friday evening
with the annual Opening Sermon. The new. Life Certificates of Ordination were
this year given to the ministers. Good reports were made by nearly all the pas-
tors, while much interest centered in the written reports from the various churches.
They were "generally in good spiritual condition." The report on temperance
"raised quite a breeze in the Eldership," because of some of its extreme positions,
and its appeal to "Christian voters." It also had in it denunciations against
"the imperialistic" tendencies of the Government, which provoked "quite a lengthy
and warm discussion." The Opening Sermon was delivered by J. S. Walls. Mrs.
C. M. Ritchie conducted a missionary meeting in the interests of the "Children's
Work," as funds were being raised for "Indian Mission Buildings."
48th Illinois Eldership. — Greetings from other Elderships, more common in
former years, always added interest to the session. More so if delivered by per-
sonal representatives. In 190 0 the Illinois Eldership received greetings from four
Elderships — Ohio, Indiana, Iowa and Kansas. These were conveyed by C. Man-
chester, Ohio; J. C, Fonicrook, Iowa; W. H. Ci"oss, Kansas. The session was held
at Hildreth, Edgar county, the Opening Sermon being preached on Sunday morn-
ing, September 30, 1900, by W. R. Johnson, from Eph. ii. 21. The circuits and
stations were nearly all represented by the pastors and delegates, who elected R. S.
Mackey, President; C. F. Rogers, Clerk; H. AV. Kruzan, Financial Clerk. There
were 35 churches; 202 converts during the year; 134 baptized; 241 fellowshiped;
total membership, 1,087. An aggregate of $4,616.39 was paid ministers as
salaries. Two General Evangelists were appointed — I. S. Richmond in the North,
and W. R. Johnson in the South. Strict enforcement of constitutional provisions
and rules can be observed in the notice served on the Standing Committee of the
Southern Indiana Eldership "that one of its members was holding meetings in our
territory without our consent." Also in the refusal to grant the request of one
of the pastors who "asked for the services of Mrs. M. R. Woodworth." Definite
action was taken to have the Course of Studies for ministers taken up by all the
members of the classes. Text-books were named, and a list of the ministers in
the Course was made out. It was also recommended "that M. S. Newcomer pre-
pare a brief history of the Church of God" for use by "the Theological Class of the
Eldership." The Christian Endeavor Society was "recognized as one of the essen-
tial auxiliaries in this Eldership," and the Eldership C. E. Union was encouraged'
in its work. On account of "so much confusion in the preparation for, and sa
much difference in the order of the observance of, the ordinances of God's house, it:
534 History of the Churches of God
•was decided to "choose some one of our number, and authorize him to write a book
of instructions concerning these affairs, and also a form or forms for marriage
•ceremonies and burial services." After strong endorsements of Findlay College
and Barkeyville Academy, the suggestion was approved, that "the Eldership at as
-early a date possible establish an academy in Illinois." A petition to the General
Eldership was adopted, asking said body "to so change the form of Life Certificates
of Ordination that an annual license be issued to each holder of a Certificate to
;save the Eldership from imposition from unworthy men." The "Canteen system"
was denounced as- being "heathenish in inception, barbarous in practice. .. .and
belongs to the work of the devil." The finances were in good condition. There
,were twenty-one stations and circuits, all supplied with pastors.
49th IllinoLs Eldei-ship. — The Woman's Missionary Society of Illinois held its
annual meeting on Saturday before the convening of the Eldership at the same
place. The Ministerial Association met at the same place on Thursday evening
preceding the Eldership. These meetings had their infiuence on the attendance
.at, and the spirit of, the Eldership. The Ministerial Association discussed ques-
tions which otherwise might have consumed much time at the Eldership. These
often affected underlying conditions in the Eldership, and had a direct and power-
ful influence on the trend of public sentiment. Among these this year were:
""Has the New Testament abrogated the law of tithes?" "Are political questions
«ver moral questions, and when?" "What are the causes of spiritual declension
in churches?" The Eldership convened at Mt. Pleasant, Shelby county, on Mon-
day morning, September 2 3, 1901. The Opening Sermon was preached on Sunday
morning, by R. S. Mackey, from Matt. xxv. 4-5, and in the evening an ordinance
meeting was held. The officers of the Eldership were J. AV. Kingston, President;
<C. F. Rogers, Clerk; H. W. Cinizan, Financial Clerk. Earpest work and harmony
-characterized all the sittings. Important changes were made in the Constitu-
tion, one of which provided that no officer of the Eldership could be elected on
the Stationing Committee. Another provided for two delegates to be elected on
the Stationing Committee. During the year two new churches had been organ-
ized. There were twenty charges, all supplied with pastors. The provision was
inserted in the Constitution, that the Standing Committee shall consist of three
ministers and two laymen, to which two more were to be added to constitute the
Board of Missions. The officers of the Eldership were made ineligible on any
board or committee acting during the session. While a committee, consisting of
Newcomer, Mackey and Beltz, was appointed on the proposed Book of Forms, it
accepted one prepared by J. AV. Kingston, with a caution relative to the direction
"that in observing the washing of the saints' feet it must be a "literal washing of
one another's feet." Increasing circumspection was exercised in granting licenses,
and a higher standard of qualifications was insisted upon. Xo one was to be
ordained unless h-e had "a good common school education, and was of studious
habits." Much interest was manifested in Christian Endeavor work, and an hour
was given to the Report of I. S. Richmond, State Superintendent. But the Elder-
ship lamented spiritual conditions throughout its territory. There was a decrease
in the number of conversions, accessions and baptisms. It regarded with appre-
hension the fact "that there were so few ordinance meetings held; in • some
churches none." The H, 000. 00 in the Superannuated and Widows' Fund were
set aside as a Permanent Fund. The assassination of McKinley was strongly
deplored. Solomon Bowser, "one of the early preachers of the Illinois Eldership,"
ended his earthly labors during the year. He was a native of Pennsylvania,
where he labored as a local minister. His "chief characteristics were sincerity,
honesty and positiveness of convictions. His reputation was without blemish."
50th Illinois Eldei"ship. — The rigorous provisions of some Articles of the Con-
stitution of the Eldership became evident when the pastor at Lanark, R. S. Mackey,
was required to have the consent of the Standing Committee to secure a minister
of another Eldership "to assist him in revival meetings." Also, when a pastor
could not be removed from a field at the request of the charge without his consent.
The Committee exhorted to forbearance and an effort to "adjust all seeming dif-
ficulties." suggesting that "each person concerned" ask the question: "What
would Jesus do?" These actions were approved at the Eldership which held its
session at Hazel Dell, Cumberland county, beginning September 1.5, 1902. On the
previous Lord's day morning the Opening Sermon was delivered by J. W. Kingston,
from II. Tim ii. 15. D. H. Rupp was chosen President; C. F. Rogei-s, Clerk; H.
%V. Crazan, Financial Clerk; L. F. Alexander, Treasurer. The financial system em-
Illinois Eldership 535
braced Beren distinct Funds — Contingent, balance, $12.92; Saperannoated, bal-
ance S4,8;29.89; Home Mission, overdrawn, $3^.44; Frontier, balance, SIT. 25;
Church Extension, balance, S496.17; Findlay College Trustee, balance, $13.85;
General Eldership Delegate, no balance. The receipts during the session ma-
terially changed these figures, as a total of $4S7.91 was reported. On temperance
the Eldership insisted that "our people shall and must abstain from the use of in-
toxicating drinks in every sense as a beverage." "Every honorable and legitimate
means" was to be used "to suppr^s this great evil, with voice, example and
ballot." The sum of $100.00 from the Church Extension Fund was set apart "as a
nucleus of a Special Fund, to be used in the purchase of a tent to be used for eran-
gelistic purposes." When the Fund reached a minimum of $300.00 a tent was to
be purchased by the Board of Incorporation. A minister was to be appointed "to
go with the tent," and act as evangelist. He was to raise the necessary amount
of money to make the purchase. I. S. Richmond was selected. The Board of
Publication had sent a letter to the Eldership "touching the publication of The
Missionary Api>eal," without authority, "and charging two of its members with
insubordination." "The whole matter was laid on the table." "The Appeal" was
published by members of the W. G. M.- S. of 1890, as against the action of the
General Eldership of 1S02. The Eldership also expressed it as its judgment that
"the Board of Missions of the General Eldership should pay back into the treas-
ury of the W. G. M. S. the Home Fund of said Society, which was voted into the
treasury of the General Eldership at its last session." "The spirit of progress and
advancement seemed to abound in the Eldership." "SeTeral new church organi-
zations were effected during the year, and one or more new houses of worship
built." The Eldership manifested quite an interest in Christian Endeavor work-
There were twenty-one appointments, four of which received aid out of the Mission
Fund.
51 St Illinois Eldership. — As the new Woman's General Missionary Society had
been organized in June, 1903, as per action of the General Eldership of 1902, and
as several of the dominant members of the old Society were members of the Illi-
nois Eldership, the lines were sharply drawn. The Eldership was almost equally
divided in sentiment, and whenever the question came up for action of any kind
the springs of deep emotion were touched, and great tact was necessary to keep
the body together on the essentials for which it stood. There was a large attend-
ance, partly because of pending questions, as the ministers were generally present.
and "nearly every church was represented by a delegate." The session was held
at Warrensburg. Macon county, beginning October 5, 1903. Officers elected were:
President, J. Bemard: Clerk, C. F. Rogers: Financial Clerk, H. W. Krozan: Treas-
urer, L. F. .Alf\ar.fif-r The interests of Findlay College were represented by
President Man' K— ; the Eldership reiterated its sentiments of loyalty to said
institution. Ai. ^, ... ...riation toward the support of young men who might need
help, thus securing their services in Illinois after their school work is done,"
was recommended. "Annual licenses" were issued to ministers "in connection with
their Life Certificates." Further provision was made "to purchase a tent, to be
the property of the Illinois Eldership." It was to be "not less than 70x50 feet,"
and "the maximum price shall not exceed $175.00," the balance above "collections
to be taken to be paid out of the Church Extension Fund." When in use, "one-
tenth of all collections taken under the tent to be paid into" said fund. The Com-
mittee on State of Religion reported "the cause of religion in a fair condition, but
lacking real, healthy spiritual aggression." It also found "from reports both in
public and private, that some moral features are to be deplored, such as horse
racing, card playing, dancing, saloon visiting, tippling and Sunday visiting." The
Committee on Temperance was yet more specific, and condemned "the habit of
some professed members of the Church of God entering saloons," which it pro-
nounced "disgraceful and wicked." Assessments were made for Home Missions.
Frontier Missions and Illinois Contingent Fund. Members of local churches were
advised to "submit to the majority of the church." but the right to call in the
Standing Committee to adjust difficulties was conceded. The spirit of the Elder-
ship was evidenced on the Missionary Question when by a vote of seven to twenty-
three it refused to permit "unlimited discussion" of said question. But it also
affirmed "that all attempts to suppress free discussion is contrary to the very spirit
and genius of the gospel," having reference to "the votaries of Rome."
52nd Illinois Eldership. — The question of sustaining the Illinois W. M. S. in
its affiliation with the new W. G. M. S. was warmly discussed at the Eldership in
536 History of the Ciiukches op God
1904. It had been agitated throughout the year, and it required vitality and forti-
tude to stand up staunchly under the stress and buffetings to which parties were
being subjected. When the question of upholding the Illinois W. M. S., "which
proved itself loyal to the General Eldership," came to a yea and nay vote the result
was — yeas, 13; nays, 7; not voting, 4. The session of the Eldership was held at
Lanark, Carroll county, and was organized on Monday morning, September 19,
1904, the Opening Sermon having been preached the preceding Sunday morning,
by J. IJeniard. J. S. Walls was chosen President; C. F. Kogei"s, Clerk; C. T. Ishler,
Financial Clerk; L. F. Ale.vaiuler, Treasurer. Fifteen fields of labor were repre-
sented by sixteen pastors, nine elders and three delegates. Four fields were not
represented. There was considerable friction and trouble in several local churches
which the Eldership found it necessary to lay under restraint by official action.
A large amount of business was transacted by the Standing Committee and the
Board of Missions, the consideration of which required several sittings. Among
these items was the creation of "a Fund to be known as the Young Men's Educa-
tional Fund," for which contributions were to be asked. Also the adoption of a
"Reading Course for all the ministers and exhorters," and on which "the instruc-
tors in the Course of Studies" were "to lecture on Saturday previous to the Elder-
ship." When money was voted out of Eldership Funds for repairs, church build-
ings or parsonages, it was generally with the condition that "the property be
deeded to the Illinois Eldership." For "Tent Work" the territory of the Elder-
ship was "divided into three districts, North, South and Central, and J. S. Walls,
I. S. Riclunond and W. H. Cross were assigned to the respective districts. The
Government was charged with being in "partnership with the nefarious liquor
traffic by legalizing the saloon," and "in taking revenue therefrom." The Elder-
ship expressed its belief "that Christian voters ought not, and can not, support po-
litical parties at the ballot box which refuse to place themselves in open hostility
to the liquor traffic." A series of eight lectures on topics in the Course of Studies
was arranged for, to be delivered before the Ministerial Association in 1905. The
Funds of the Eldership in the best condition were the Superannuated and Widows',
with a balance of $4,790.00; and the Church Extension, with $492.00 to its credit.
In view of the death during the year of AV. A. Smith the condition of the former
Fund was a source of gratification. "Smith was a man strong in the faith of the
Church, and a lover of its doctrine; a brother loved and esteemed, and a strong
defender of the doctrine of the Church." Limited success attended the labors of
the pastors, as the Report of the Committee on the State of Religion gave the con-
versions as 86; accessions, 65; baptized, 44. The disparity between the number
of conversions and baptized was regretted. The church property at Frederick,
111., was sold by the Board of Incorporation for $400.00. The work of the Y. P.
S. C. E. was reported by the President of the Union, C. T. Ishler. Each pastor
was required to state whether the churches on his field have societies, and the
number of members. Findlay College was credited with having "exercised a great
influence over our young people," and it was "heartily commended." It was "ad-
vised that its management be left wholly in the hands of the Board of Trustees,
which shall act according to its best judgment, without interference or dictation
from outside parties." In addition to the nineteen fields of labor in Illinois, W. T.
Turpin was appointed missionary in Colorado, and M. S. Newcomer and M. B. New-
comer, General Evangelists. C. A. Schaaf was "actively engaged in preaching the
word of life in North Dakota." *
53rcl Illinois Eldership. — The Ministerial Roll of the Illinois Eldership con-
tained twenty-nine names. Of these, seventeen were enrolled, with thirteen dele-
gates, as constituting the Eldership which convened at Charleston, Coles county,
September 11, 1905. The following officers were chosen: President, J. A. Beltz;
Clerk, C. F. Rogers; Financial Clerk, J. S. Walls; Treasurer, L.. F. Alexander. A
new order was adopted, under which the ministers reported consecutively on Tues-
day afternoon until all had reported. The delegates to the General Eldership in
1905 were required to report. "Each delegate made a brief report, and spoke in
the highest terms of the work done." Well sustained interest was manifested in
the Y. P. S. C. E. work, and a special hour was devoted to its consideration, when
addresses were delivered by C. T. Ishler, State President; B. B. White and O. B.
Huston. College interests were presented by President C. I. Brown. The man-
agement of the College was fully endorsed, and an appeal made "to the brother-
hood in general to support this institution in every way possible." The "Indiana
Eldership Assembly" was favorably mentioned, and "the inducements to attend It
Illinois Eldership 537
were spoken of in high terms." The liquor traffic was regarded as "the most
gigantic foe confronting the church of Christ at the present day;" but prohibition
sentiment in Illinois was believed "to be steadily advancing." Pastors and people
were urged "to take an active part in municipal elections where license or no
license is the issue." Church work was regarded to be in a prosperous condition;
but the reported professions were 140; baptized, 39; accessions, 70. The Y. P.
S. C. was viewed as an important factor in the upbuilding of the churches in the
Eldership. Persons called to the ministry were advised to take a college course.
The Eldership rejoiced over "the spirit of unanimity which prevailed concerning
the foreign missionary controversy," and "pledged its Christian honor to co-
operate, and to discourage any further attempts at division." The Eldership tent
had been used at Hildreth and at Findlay. Subjects for lectures on the Course
of Studies were assigned as follows: "Importance of Systematic Pastoral Work,"
O. B. Huston. "Origin and History of the Church of God," I. S. Riohniond. "The
Cultured Ministry Against the Cultured Pew," J. D. Magill. "Theology in the
Pulpit," T. M. Funk. "Annual and General Eldership Interests — the Minister's
Place in Promoting Them," C. T. Ishler. There were twenty fields of labor, four
of which received appropriations. \Y. R. Johnson was the General Worker.
54th Illinois Eldership. — In 1906 the Illinois Eldership "from a social, busi-
ness and spiritual standpoint was a grand success." The year preceding had been
encouraging, as the number of professions had increased from 140 to 261; bap-
tized, from 39 to 332; accessions, from 70 to 239. Memories of earliest days in
the history of the Eldership centered round the place where the session was held.
Boiling Springs, Macon county, as near there "the first Eldership was organized
fifty-three years ago." The fact was recalled, that "none of the preachers who
helped to organize the Illinois Eldership are now living." Unlike Charles Lainb,
they, ready to depart and be with Christ, could not say, "I would set up my taber-
nacle here A new state of being staggers me." The Eldership was in session
from September 24th to 26th. The Opening Sermon was delivered on Lord's day,
September 23rd, by J. A. Heltz, from II. Cor. iv. 17, 18. Beltz was elected Presi-
dent; C. F. Rogers, Clerk; H. W. Kruzan, Financial Clerk; L. F. Alexander, Treas-
urer. The Constitution was changed so as to provide for a Vice President and an
Assistant Clerk. I. S. Richmond was elected Vice President, and C. T. Ishler, As-
sistant Clerk. "Clara Landes, returned missionary from India, occupied an even-
ing of the Eldership." An agreeable compromise on the missionary controversy
was adopted, declaring 'that in order to insure success there should be general co-
operation in all departments of Church work, from the local churches to the Gen-
eral Eldership," and "all ministers and workers within the bounds of the Illinois
Eldership" were "urged to exert every influence to bring about harmony and union
within the borders of the General Eldership." A Constitution and Rules of Order
were drawn up by the Standing Committee and adopted by the Eldership for the
"Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor Union of the Churches of God in
Illinois." The Treasurer's Report showed that there was an aggregate balance in
the nine Eldership Funds of $5,660.60. The "Prohibition Chautauqua Movement"
was emphatically endorsed as "a means of helping to bring about final prohibition
of the liquor traffic." A proposition was favorably considered, as submitted by an
old friend of camp-meetings, I. S. Richmond, that "a committee be appointed to
arrange for an old-fashioned camp-meeting sometime next Summer, in central
Illinois." I. S. Richmond, R. S. Mackey and J. Beraard were appointed. Assess-
ments were made on circuits and stations for Home Missions, $205.00'; Frontier
Missions, $205.00; Contingent Fund, $61.00. O. B. Huston was the minister in
"charge of the tent during the year." The fields of labor numbered twenty-one,
of which one was unsupplied. L. T. Frederick was the General Worker.
55th Illinois Eldership, — The growth of the sentiment of loyalty to the in-
terests of the General Eldership was strong and healthy in the Illinois Eldership.
It was, hence, ready gratefully to recognize this spirit elsewhere, and so in 1907 it
endorsed The Advocate as "always standing in defense of loyalty, peace and order
among the brethren, and throughout the Church in general." The session was
held near Buda, in Bunker Hill Bethel, September 18-20, J. A. Beltz preaching the
Opening Sermon the preceding evening, from the text in Heb. x. 19, 20. An or-
ganization was effected by the election of J. A. Beltz, President; C. F. Rogers,
Clerk; J. S. Walls, Financial Clerk; L. F. Alexander, Treasurer. There were
thirty-one names on the Ministerial Roll; but W. T. Turpin and W. T. Ci-oss were
in Colorado; C. A. Schaaf, in North Dakota; B. F. Kelly, in Texas; L. T. Frederick,
538 History of the Churches of God
In Nebraska. In connection with the reports of pastors the delegates reported the
condition of their churches. Mission Work in India was the subject of an address
by Clara Laiules, and Findlay College interests were presented by S. G. Yahn, West
Pennsylvania Eldership, and Secretary of the Board of Missions of the General
Eldership. The Eldership, "knowing the high character of Findlay College and
Ft. Scott Collegiate Institute, both from a moral and religious, as well as an edu-
cational, standpoint," did "the more earnestly and cheerfully recommend them."
The sale of the Morseville church-house was authorized. Reports from twenty-
four organized churches showed a marked decrease in conversions, accessions and
baptisms. The total membership was 1,196. The average salary of pastors was
$263.16, and the total, $4.836.8.5. One parsonage was purchased during the year,
and repairs made on many church properties. A "Committee on Arbitration on
the Foreign Mission Work," consisting of R, S. Mackey, J. Bernard, J. S. AValls,
J. A. Beltz, C. F. Kegel's and O. B. Huston, recognized the efficient labors of Clara
Landes in Ulubaria, India, and submitted a petition to the Board of Missions of
the General Eldership, which was "unanimously adopted," asking said Board "to
appoint Clara Landes and A. B. Chaniberlin to said field, provided she will co-
operate with said Board of Missions."
56th Illinois Eldership. — During the year 19 07-8 the experience of the Illinois
Eldership had a tendency to make it less conciliatory in relation to the W. G. M.
S. of 1890. Hence at the session of 1908 it stated "that in the event of the ap-
proval of the action o^ the Executive Board by the coming General Eldership, our
pledge shall become all the more binding, and any failure to co-operate with the
General Eldership and its Boards and Committees shall be regarded as an act of
insubordination to the Illinois Eldership." The session was held at Martinsville,
Clark county, September 21 to 23, 1908. On the preceding Sunday morning J. A.
Beltz delivered the Opening Sermon, from Ps. xvii. 15. J. Bernard was chosen
President; W. W. Richmond, Vice President; C. F. Rogei-s, Clerk; C. T. Ishler,
Assistant Clerk; L. F. Alexander, Treasurer. A practical and encouraging address
on Findlay College was made before the Eldership by the President, C. I. BroAvn.
The excellent work done at the College wds recognized, and the Eldership pledged
itself to work to secure an average of one student from each field of labor, and to
raise $4,000.00 toward the Carnegie proposition. The outlook was encouraging,
in view of the increased number of conversions, baptisms and accessions, and the
consequent addition to the total membership, making it 1,273. Owing to a di-
vergence of view's in the churches, the Eldership defined a Church Council to be
constituted of the elders, deacons, treasurer, clerk and pastor, the latter as chair-
man. At Casey, 111., W. D. Orr was pastor of a church of twenty-seven members,
known as "the Free Church of God," and he and his church proposed to unite with
the Eldership. The matter of home mission work engaged the serious attention
of the Eldership, and it was decided to organize a "Home Mission League, to work
In conjunction with the Board of Missions, said organization to raise funds to open
new fields and to find suitable men to place on the fields." An Eldership camp-
meeting was authorized to be held under the management of the Board of Mis-
sions, with the privilege of "borrowing from the Mission Fund $50.00 to pay min-
isters' traveling expenses." On temperance the Eldership expressed its grati-
tude to God and its thanks to "our Legislature for the township and precinct local
option law." It also made a plea "for a county local option law," and repeated its
purpose only "to vote for men of clean morals and of Christian temperance senti-
ment regardless of party." The Committee also directed that "the Clerk place a
copy of the resolutions in a Springfield paper during the time the Legislature is in
session, and that each member of the Eldership send a copy to the Senator or Rep-
resentative from his or her district, accompanying it with a personal letter urging a
County Local Option Law." The Committee consisted of three delegates — Clara
M. Ritchie, Anna Seaton and F. S. Stover. The average salary of pastors had in-
creased over twenty per cent. There were nineteen fields of labor, well supplied
with pastors. "Everything was in harmony."
57th Illinois Eldei-ship. — The Home Mission League organized in 1908 was ac-
tive during the year. It reported "the cities of Bloomington, Stockton and Mar-
shall, 111., as auspicious places for mission work." But the year was not as fruitful
in conversions, baptisms and accgssions as the previous year. The total membership
of the churches represented in the Eldership had increased to 1,500, and the
salaries of ministers from $3,807.33 in 1907, to $5,355.99, besides $3,546.36 spent
for sundry purposes. Such were the general conditions when the Eldership con-
Illinois Eldership ^ 539
vened in Annual Session at Troy Grove, LaSalle county, on September 27, 1909.
The preceding Sunday J. Bernard preached the Opening Sermon, from II. Cor. xiii.
11. Younger men were elected to fill the offices of the Eldership, except that of
Treasurer. President, W. W. Richmond; Vice President, J. W. Smith; Clerk, C. T.
Ishler; Assistant Clerk, J. AV. Primrose; Financial Clerk, F. M. Newlin; Treas-
urer, L. F. Alexander. The action of the General Eldership of 19 09, relative to
the W. G. M. S. question, v^^as fully endorsed, and "all our sisters in Illinois who
are not now members of the W. G. M. S. of 1903 are urged to affiliate with said
Society as soon as possible." As the camp-meeting held at Boiling Springs in
1908 "was well attended and much good was accomplished," a committee of five
was elected, "who shall constitute and be known as the Illinois Camp-meeting As-
sociation of the Churches of God, to arrange for a mid-Summer camp-meeting."
This committee consisted of J. W. Primrose, J. Bernard, O. B. Huston, C. F.
Rogers, I. S. Richmond. O. A. Newlin, Field Secretary of Findlay College, pre-
sented the matter of the Carnegie endowment before the Eldership. The sale of
the bethel at Buda, 111., for 1900.00 was authorized by the Incorporate Board.
At Decatur, a new bethel having been built, the old church house was sold by the
trustees of the church, and the sale approved by the Board of Incorporation and a
deed made for the same. Though no names were erased from the Ministerial Roll
during the year by the Jiand of Death, yet the "ordination papers" of three promi-
nent members were demanded, and their "names were dropped from the Roll of
the Eldership. These were J. A. Beltz, J. S. Walls and H. W. Ki-uzan. But as
two new names were added to the Roll, the number of ministers was thirty, in-
stead of thirty-one in 1908.
58th Illinois Eldei"ship. — Fluctuations in the number of conversions, bap-
tisms and accessions are noticeable, a decrease during the year 1909-'10 being
deprecated. The total membership also was reduced from 1,500 in 1909, to 1,382
in 1910. And while the total of ministers' salaries was increased by $200.00, the
average fell from $334.72 in 1909, to $314.29 in 1910. The Eldership Tent had
not been used, but was rented part of the year, and was "in keeping at Decatur"
at the time of the Eldership session. This was held at Warrensburg, Macon
county, September 19-21, 1910. On Sunday evening, the 18th, AV. W. Riclunond
preached the Opening Sermon, from Jer. xx. 9. The Committee on Credentials
reported eighteen pastors, fifteen delegates, four preachers and the Treasurer "en-
titled to seats in the Eldership." Two delegates were women. An organization
was effected by the election of G. E. Clark, President; J. \V. Smith, Vice Presi-
dent; Chas. T. Ishler, Journalizing Clerk; J. W. Primrose, Assistant Clerk; L. F.
Alexander, Treasurer'. The Treasurer's Report was welcome because the Funds
were in good condition, there being $5,644.89 in the Superannuated and Widows'
Fund, $250 of a balance in the Home Mission Fund, $963.03 in the Church Ex-
tension Fund. An additional $1,000.00 of the Superannuated and Widows' Fund
was ordered to be "invested with the present $4,000.00 Permanent Fund." The
Report was "subscribed and sworn to before" a Notary Public. A surprising im-
plication was found in the Report on Temperance, in the recommendation "that no
application for license to preach shall receive recognition" from one "who uses
•either intoxicating liquors as a beverage, or tobacco in any form." The Anti-
Saloon advocate was granted an hour to address the Eldership, and he "received
a pledge of co-operation from the Eldership." After A. O. Newlin had presented
the interests of Findlay College the sum of $275.00 was secured. To increase
the receipts for Home Missions, as "the present plan of assessments is not suffi-
cient to meet present needs," it was arranged to "give an evening for a Home
Mission service at the Eldership in 1911 and a sermon, and also to raise a pub-
lic offering, in which each church, individually, C. E. society and Sunday-school
be urged to be represented in the offering." With one exception the twenty
fields of labor were supplied with pastors.
59th Illinois Eldership. — Early on Tuesday morning of the fifty-ninth session
of the Illinois Eldership a tragic event without precedent in any Eldership occur-
red, when "O. B. Huston fell on the floor of the Eldership mortally stricken of
heart trouble, expiring seemingly at once, and a pall fell on the session to the close."
Huston was ordained in 1881 by the Illinois Eldership, and devoted the greater
part of the following thirty years to the active ministry. He held many official
positions, and was diligent and efficient in all the work of the Eldership. He was
a man of fine social qualities and of a genial disposition. He was a good
540 IIlSTOKV OF THE ClIl'RCHES OF GoD
preacher, and was rewarded in seeing many souls saved by the power of the gospel.
There is a ministry of sorrow, for
" 'Tis sorrow builds the shining ladder up,
Whose golden rounds are our calamities
Whereon our firm feet planting nearer to God
The spirit climbs and has its eyes unsealed."
The Eldership also lamented the death of M. S. Xewcomer, at the time of his-
departure, however, a member of the Iowa Eldership. The session was held at
the Goodfarm Chapel, near Mazon, Grundy county, beginning October 2, 1911.
On the previous Sunday G. E. Clark delivered the Opening Sermon, from Matt.
V. 16. Officers chosen were: President, I. S. Richiiiond ; Vice President, John
Bernard; Journalizing Clerk, Chas. T. Ishler; Assistant Clerk, J. AV. Primrose;
Financial Clerk, F. M. Xewlin; Treasurer, L. F. Alexander. The aggressive cam-
paign for missions was crowned with the organization of a church "known as the
First Church of God, Springfield, 111.," which became identified with the Eldership.
The Eldership favored "the graded Sabbath-school lessons." It also asked "the
Board of Trustees of Findlay College to consider the matter of a department de-
voted to the study of problems relative to the country church." And while "the
desirability of a college education" was recognized, the Eldership "also heartily
endorsed every other effort for self-improvement and general advancement along
educational lines by the ministry and the laity." The State C. E. Convention was"
of "intense interest," under the presidency of F. M. Newlin, as Viola G. Hei-shey,
returned missionary to India, "was present and gave a splendid missionary ad-
dress." The "Union pledged itself to endeavor to raise $500.00 for the India
Building Fund." When the Stationing Committee reported it left eleven of the
twenty-three fields of labor unsupplied. These, with the "preachers not having
fields of labor," were to apply to the Standing Committee for pastors and for
fields.
60th Illinois Eldership. — Some of the unsupplied charges of 1911 entered into
agreements with ministers to serve them as pastors, which were "ratified by the
Standing Committee." Hence, when the Eldership convened in the fine, new
bethel at Decatur, Macon county, Monday morning, September 23, 1912, the Com-
mittee on Credentials found the twenty enrolled fields well represented by pastors
and delegates. I. S. Riolunond had preached the Opening Sermon the preceding
Sunday, from Ezek. iii. 15. The organization was effected by electing for Presi-
dent C. F. Roi[j;ers; Vice President, D. H. Rupp; Clerk, AV. W. Richmond; Assistant
Clerk, John Bernard; Financial Clerk, Chas. T. Ishler; Treasurer, L. F. Alexander.
The Standing Committee consisted of J. Bernard, C. F. Rogers, W. AV. Richmond.
To these were added C. T. Ishler and G. E. Clark to complete the Board of Mis-
sions. The President of Findlay College, C. I. Bro«^l, was in attendance, and ad-
dressed the Eldership, which responded with a collection of $60.00 for the "Fund
to help students at the College this year," and good resolutions, "recommending
that our people work for the promotion of our schools by donating money to them
and sending their children to them to be educated." Howard W. Cover, appointed
missionary to India from East Pennsylvania Eldership, was a welcome visitor,
and addressed the Eldership in behalf of the interests of the W. G. M. S., and also
preached one evening. An address by Dr. Horace Reed on "Personal Purity,"
in the interest of the American Vigilance Association, w^as "most sincerely en-
dorsed," and the support of the Eldership pledged to the Association. The W. M.
S. of Illinois was granted one evening for its public exercises. The State of Re-
ligion, as represented by the Committee, was less reassuring in some particulars
than in some former years. The conversions were 84; baptized, 40; accessions,
80; membership, 1,140; total salaries of pastors, $5,016.60. The receipts dur-
ing the year were more gratifying, as these were as follows: Contingent Fund,
$102.82; Home Mission, including a balance in 1911, $478.13; Superannuated and
Widows', $296.62, making a total in this Fund of $6,014.85; Church Extension
Fund, $49.54; and a total of $984.69. It was finally concluded that a committee
be "appointed to take charge of the Eldership tent, advertise it for sale, and sell
it to the highest bidder." Assessments were made on the fields of labor for
General Eldership, Contingent Fund, Home Missions, Frontier Missions and Illi-
nois Contingent Fund, a total of $467.00. A feature of the session was addresses
by five licentiates during a special hour, among them being Clara G. Richmond,
who received "an annual preacher's license," and was appointed pastor of the'
Illinois Eldership 541
Mt. Carroll church. To place young men under obligations to serve as ministers
in Illinois after leaving Findlay College, the Eldership "agreed to furnish any
worthy student for the ministry the sum of $50.00 a year, if needed, on condi-
tion that for every $50.00 received he shall agree to serve as minister in Illinois
at least one year." It vv^as "the consensus of opinion that this was one of the
most harmonious and pleasant meetings in the history of the Illinois Eldership."
VIII. THE GERMAN ELDERSHIP.
The German Eldership was peculiar. It was siii generis, one of its kind. It
was to have no boundaries, no territory of its own, and with the consent of other
Elderships was to operate anywhere in the United States. These were fundamen-
tal provisions in its organic law, provisions which had in them the seeds of con-
tention, internal strife and disintegration. In the Presbyterian Digest is this
question, pp. 177, 179: "Can two Presbyteries occupy the same ground?" The
answer is: "No. It would be contrary both to the letter and spirit of our Con-
stitution and the teaching of the word of God." In 187 3 the General Assembly
decided that even no distinction can be made "of race, or color, or language to
Interfere with the unity and simplicity of that oversight which the Constitution of
this Church requires." And the Presbytery corresponds to the Eldership. But
already at an earlier date the East Pennsylvania Eldership had decided that a
"distinction of color" could be reasonable grounds for permitting two Elderships
"to occupy the same ground." And later the General Eldership authorized an
Eldership of colored people to be organized on the same ground with an Eldership
of white people. So it seemed wise to the General Eldership that a "distinction
of language" could be reasonable ground for permitting two Elderships "to occupy
the same ground."
The German Eldership had its inception in the fertile and inventive brain of
.J. F. Weishanipel. That he knew that there was an "East German Conference of
the Methodist Church" within the "Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist
Church" may be doubted. Nor was he probably familiar with the proposition of
John Di-eisbach to Bishop Aslniry, much earlier: "If you will give us German cir-
cuits, districts and Conferences, we are willing to make your Church ours." The
Bishop answered: "This cannot be; it would be inexpedient." The spark which
apparently started this project was the remark of Jacob M. Hepler to Weishanipel
at the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1853: "I am going home to-morrow. I
am tired sitting here the whole day, and understanding almost nothing." And
added: "I wish we German brethren had the German work in our own hands, so
that we could ourselves manage it, in our own language." George Kininiel en-
dorsed these sentiments. Weishanipel answered: "Well, if you desire to have it
so, I will bring it before the East Pennsylvania Eldership, and will try to have it
pass a resolution authorizing you to take the necessary steps to form a German
Eldership." Weishanipel brought the matter before the Eldership, and a brief
discussion was had on his resolution. "But," Weishanipel states in "Der Christ-
liche Kundschafter," September, 1869, "a certain man, whom we will not name
liere, placed his foot upon it. And while other brethren seemed favorably dis-
posed, they thought perhaps he knew best what would be for the best interests
of the work, and so the resolution was rejected by a small majority." But this
did not discourage the promoters of the enterprise. In order to ascertain how
the German preachers and churches felt on the subject of organizing a German
Eldership, a circular was printed and mailed to the German preachers, exhorters
and churches in the bounds of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, inviting churches
"to appoint delegates to attend a general assembly or convention to be held at
Orwigsburg, commencing on Monday, the 20th of February, 1854." The circular
also invited "German preachers who hold a preacher's license from any other
Eldership;" "brethren who hold no license," and "other brethren who feel con-
cerned in spreading the gospel among the German population in America." The
signatories of this document were J. F. Weishanipel, Jacob M. Hepler, Felix Hart-
man, Stephen Bright and William Kliiiger, and it was dated at "Orwigsburg, Jan-
uary the 30th, 1854." Winehreiiiier did not favor this movement, and in The
Church Advocate of February 11, 1854, gave his "opinion touching this move-
542 History of the Churches of God
ment." He felt "slighted for not having received a circular." "In the next place,
I think this movement is premature and uncalled for. The last Eldership had the
matter before it, and decided by a large majority against it." He gave his "ad-
vice to the German brethren to hold up for the present; to do nothing rashly and
disorderly, but simply to get up a petition expressive of their view^s and opinions
respecting this matter, and send it up to the General Eldership." He also pro-
posed to attend the convention if a circular were sent him, and he were "guar-
anteed an uncontested seat in the convention, and the right to make two speeches
— one on the constitutionality, and the other on the expediency, of constituting a
German Eldership." He received both a circular and a written invitation "to at-
tend their German Eldership at Orwigsburg." But they "came too late for our
acceptance, on account of our engagement to preach" a "funeral sermon next Sab-
bath morning." The convention was held on the date announced — "Monday after-
noon, February 20, 1854." The delegates and ministers present were J. K.
Moyer, Auburn; near Orwigsburg, George Kiminel; near McKeansburg, George
Kinimel, Jr.; Orwigsburg, Stephen Bright; Schuylkill Haven, William Neimoyer;
Mahantango, Isaac Haas; Fredericksburg, John Riipp; and ministers, Jacob M.
Hepler, FelLx Hartnian, George S. Petry and J. F. Weishampel, and eighteen "ad-
visory members." Upon an election, "Jacob M. Hepler was chosen President, and
J. F. Weishampel, Secretary." "After the object of the convention was stated, a
few remarks were made upon it pi*o and con," when it adjourned to meet the next
morning at 9 o'clock. In the evening "the Opening Sermon was delivered by
J. F, W^eishampel." In the morning the convention adopted a resolution, "That we
feel ourselves justified in organizing a German Eldership. Resolved, That we do
now form ourselves into such an Eldership." "After a lengthy discussion of the
above resolutions, in which both sides of the question were fairly defended, the
vote was taken by ayes and nays, as follows: J. K. Moyer, George Kimmel, Sr.,
Stephen Bright, Isaac HaavS, John Rupp, delegates, in the affirmative. George
Kimmel, Jr., and William Neimoyer, delegates, in the negative. Jacob M. Hepler,
J. F. Weishampel, Feli.v Haitman and George S. Petry, preachers, in the affirma-
tive. Eleven votes; nine ayes, and two nays." A resolution prevailed to appoint
a "delegate to the General Eldership of the Church of God, at their next meet-
ing, with a petition from this body for membership in that body as a German
Eldership." AA'inebrenner was "requested to serve as that delegate, and that
twelve dollars be made up and sent him as a part of his traveling expenses." No
action was taken, by agreement "upon any form of government." A Missionary
Committee of five persons was appointed. An invitation was given to any who
"feel themselves called to preach," to make application. Michael Bolish and
Fidele Hutzman applied, "and were received as members." Nearly one hundred
dollars j^ere subscribed for missionary purposes. A letter was received from
J. S. Hoerger, West Newton, Pa., "in which $4 0.00 were subscribed toward the
support of a German preacher in that region, if one were sent them from this
body." Without fixing time or place for a future meeting, the convention ad-
journed.
Jacob M. Hepler was born November 19, 1809, in Schuylkill county. Pa. He
was brought to a saving knowledge of the truth in his native county under the
preaching of the ministers of the Evangelical Association, which had extensive
revivals in different parts of the county as early as 1825. He became a member
of said Church, like quite a number of others who became members of the first
churches of God organized in said county. He received his first license from the
Conference of the Evangelical Association. But when he heard the doctrines of
the Church of God preached he became dissatisfied with the tenets he had been
taught, and united with the local church of God in the Mahantango Valley, where
he lived and held his membership until the troubles originated between the Ger-
man and the East Pennsylvania Elderships. He received license to preach from
the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1852. He was active in the formation of the
German Eldership, and remained a member of it to the close of his useful life. A
number of his fellow-laborers in the ministry gave strong testimony to his worth
as a man and his piety and zeal as a Christian at the session of the German Elder-
ship in 1883. His first charge he received in 1852 from the Standing Committee
of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, it consisting of Auburn, in Schuylkill county,
and the churches in Lebanon and Lehigh counties. In the Fall of 1853 he was
reappointed to this field. He continued in the active ministry, with the exception
The German Eldership • 543
of six years at different times, until the end of his life, having been appointed ta
Mahantango Valley in 1882. During these thirty years he traveled the whole
territory of the German Eldership, and was also sent as a missionary to Montour
county. He had the respect and confidence of his brethren and the churches, as
is indicated by his election as Speaker of the Eldership at seven different sessions.
He "preached with great energy and meaning." He ended his earthly career
July 30, 1883, aged 73 years, 8 months and 11 days.
1st German Eldership. — The petition to the General Eldership "for mem-
bership in that body as a German Eldership" having been granted, AVinebrenner
and Keller were "appointed delegates to assist and advise in the organization of
their German Eldership." The Missionary Committee appointed by the conven-
tion held at Orwigsburg fixed "Auburn, Schuylkill county, Pa., on October 19,
1854" as the place and time for the organization of the Eldership. AVMnebrenner
preached the Opening Sermon on that evening. On constituting the Eldership on
Thursday morning there were found present teaching elders Jacob M. Hepler,
George S. Petry, Felix Hartman, J, F. Weishampel and John Hepler. Delegates,
J. K. Moyer, Auburn; George Kimmel, Sr., New Brunswick; George Kinimel, Jr.,
McKeansburg; Issaac Haas, Mahantango Valley; John Geist, Deep Creek Valley;
Jacob Kreiser, Fredericksburg; and J. Winebrenner and Jacob Keller, East Penn-
sylvania Eldership. After reading the proceedings of the convention held at Or-
wigsburg, and the actions of the General Eldership, which were adopted, the or-
ganization was effected by the election of Jacob Keller for Speaker, and J. F.
AV'eishampel, Clerk. A Committee on Overtures, one on Boundaries, a Stationing
and a Standing Committee were elected. Later in the session, a Committee on Mis-
sions was created, the former Committee having reported that it paid Felix Hart-
man twenty dollars "as a missionary to West Pennsylvania," and had secured by
way of subscriptions $228.75. West Newton applied for Hartman as their
preacher, but as his labors in that Eldership had already created some dissatisfac-
tion, he was advised to atend the West Pennsylvania Eldership and effect a settle-
ment. The Eldership also asked pardon of the West Pennsylvania Eldership for
the action of its Missionary Committee in "sending Hartman into their bounds
without first obtaining their sanction." It then recommended Hartman "to the
kind consideration of the West Pennsylvania Eldership." The Eldership adopted
a "form of Certificate in place of the usual license." It certified that the bearer
"is a regularly ordained preacher of the gospel, standing in connection with the
German Eldership of the Church of God in the United States; therefore we recom-
mend him as a Proclaimer of God's Word, and the Performer of all the duties
pertaining to the sacred office of the Gospel Ministry." These were to be renewed
annually. Keller was invited to preach the next Opening Sermon. The circuits
and pastors were as follows: Mahantango, George S. Peti-y; Schuylkill, Jacob M.
Hepler; Lebanon, John Hepler. The next day after the Eldership adjourned the
Standing Committee "separated the city of Reading and the appointments in Berks
and Lehigh counties, and constituted them a mission, and authorized the Commit-
tee on Misions to appoint J. F. AVeishampel missionary." This was done, and an
appropriation of $100,000 made. The Standing Committee also "authorized
Bro. Weishampel to publish at his own risk and on his own account a German re-
ligious paper." AVilliam Klinger, Eli Riegel, J. K. Moyer, John Rupp and Louis
Kraft appeared as candidates for the ministry, and received "Certificates of Rec-
ommendation" except Kraft who was required first to secure "a certificate of hon-
orable dismissal from the West Pennsylvania Eldership of which he was a member. "^
2nd German Eldership. — The Opening Sermon of the second session of the
German Eldership was preached on Sabbath morning, October 21, 1855, at Auburn,
Schuylkill county. Pa., by Jacob Keller, of the East Pennsylvania Eldership. He
was elected Speaker, and J. F. Weishampel, Clerk. The Eldership convened on
Saturday, October 20th. Eight ministers were present and four delegates, repre-
senting the four fields. Two ministers were absent. The Missionary Committee's
receipts amounted to $84.75, and its expenditures to $75. Measures were adopt-
ed to adjust the controversy with the West Pennsylvania Eldership growing out
of trespass on their territory by Felix Hartman, a member of the German Elder-
ship. The Eldership arranged to raise the funds to pay off a balance of a debt on
Mt. Nebo bethel, Lebanon county. It also "assumed the debt on the Mission Hall
at Reading," and "released Weishampel from further labors in that city." Le-
high Mission was created, and G. S. Petry was assigned to it, with an appropria-
tion of $100.
544 History of the Churches of God
3rd Gennan Eldership. — There was no lack of ministers of the German Elder-
ship at this time. For when the members met in annual session "in the new
bethel in Upper Mahantango township, Schuylkill county, Pa., Monday morning,
November 10, 1856," ten names were enrolled, three of which were absent.
Keller was chosen Speaker, and John M. Busch, Clerk. Two of the ministers were
preaching outside the Pennsylvania territory of the East Pennsylvania Eldership,
within which the German Eldership existed. Busch in Baltimore, Md., and
Louis Kraft in Pittsburg. The mission in Reading was continued as a part of
the West Penn and Lehigh mission. The Eldership confined itself exclusively to
'the routine business. It insisted on Hai-tman becoming "reconciled with the
West Pennsylvania Eldership in the difficulty existing between him and that body;"
canceled the "Certificate" of one minister, and licensed one new applicant. Its
three circuits were supplied by J. K. Meyer, G. S. Peti'y and J. M. Hepler.
4th Gennan Eldei'ship. — In the bethel near Orwigsburg, the home of George
Kimmel, the financial strength of the body, the "German Eldership of the Church
of God in the United States" began its fourth annual session October 26, 1857.
G. S. Petry was chosen to preside, and George Kimmel to act as Scribe. "A degree
of prosperity was reported on the various fields of labor." The three circuits re-
mained unchanged as to boundaries, but two of the pastors exchanged places.
Four men were licensed.
5th German Eldership. — With the organization of the fifth session of the
Eldership, in the bethel near McKeansburg, Schuylkill county. Pa., October 8,
1858, Jacob Keller is again found in the Speaker's chair, and J. F. Weishampel at
the Clerk's table. Lebanon circuit is added to the fields of labor. Only a few
■conversions were reported. Busch reported accepting a "call to preach for a
Lutheran congregation near Baltimore," and the Eldership resolved to "commend
him and the church for which he preaches to the grace of God; and recommend
to him the necessity to preach to them the faithful word of God." George Kimmel
was made Treasurer of the Eldership.
6th Gennan Eldership. — In 185 9 the session of the German Eldership was
held at Fredericksburg, Lebanon county. Pa., beginning Monday morning, Oc-
tober 24th. J. Myers preached the Opening Sermon on Sabbath. Jacob M. Hep-
ler was elected Speaker, and J. F. Weishampel, of the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, Clerk. Myers was "in the service of this body," but held his license from
the East Ohio Eldership. Busch's report of his labors with a German Lutheran
church were commended, and "a resolution of encouragement touching him and
the congregation for which he preaches was adopted." The authority of ruling
elders was affirmed; that "the ruling elders in the churches do form the scriptural
authority before which disorderly members should be tried and dealt with ac-
cording to their deserts, and that it is the duty of the elders, as well as the
preachers, to publish the expulsion of such members." The death of Felix
Hai-tnian was reported, and resolutions of condolence adopted. The right was
affirmed of the Eldership "to exclude any person from this body for becoming and
holding membership in any Secret Society." Expelled members of churches were
granted the right of appeal to the Standing Committee. Hazleton was added to
the West Penn circuit, and the Lehigh county appointments were cut off, to be sup-
plied by local preachers. Tamaqua was attached to the Schuylkill circuit. The
use of tobacco was condemned as among the "species of vice and filthiness" from
which "all the children of God are bound to live free." Dr. George Ross, East
Pennsylvania Eldership, was appointed to secure an Act of Incorporation. A
Brother "Nave, of Pottsville, made a bequest for the erection of a house of wor-
:ship." The system of human slavery was "highly disapproved," and the Eldership
"will do all we reasonably can to encourage the abolition of the evil." The
"merging" of the German with the East Pennsylvania Eldership, "suggested by
.several brethren," was "deemed inexpedient at this time." The need of a "greater
variety of preachers" is given by the Clerk as the reason for this desire to return
to the parent Eldership.
7th Gennan Eldership. — As the German preachers of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership were indisposed to go into the German Eldership, and thus the churches
were obliged to rely on home talent, a feeling of dissatisfaction arose, and a dis-
position developed to return to the parent Eldership. This again came to the
surface at the session of the German Eldership held at Holderman's meeting-house,
near Osmansville, Schuylkill county, Pa., beginning October 10, 1860. There were
The German Eldership 545
in attendance seven preachers and six delegates. They voted unanimously against
"becoming united again with the East Pennsylvania (English) Eldership." The
officers were J. M. Hepler, Speaker, and J. Myers, Clerk. What became later a
source of trouble and division was the adoption of a resolution, that "we warmly
urge upon our preachers and ruling elders unremittingly to preach and enforce the
church discipline as taught in Matt, xviii. to the churches under their charge."
J, M. Hepler, on the first evening of the session, preached the Opening Sermon.
The first official steps were taken to publish a German paper by the passage of a
resolution that brethren in general adopt measures to publish a periodical in Ger-
man, and that we spare no efforts to accomplish this object." The churches in
West Penn township were not wholly submissive to the authority of the Elder-
ship, and they were notified that they will be supplied with preaching "if they
submit to the order of this Eldership; if not, they must look out for themselves."
The strong anti-tobacco resolution, called "the Tobacco Code," was "modified, so
as to make it advisory." The Stationing Committee made appointments to Schuyl-
kill, Mahantango and Lebanon circuits, leaving West Penn "to be supplied by the
Standing Committee, if requested." Jacob Keller, of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership, was appointed to the Schuylkill circuit without becoming a member
of the German Eldership. The prospects were pronounced "in many respects very
flattering; Sunday-schools are regularly kept, wherein German and English are
taught; but "there is too great a laxity in morals among the youth in these re-
gions."
8th Geiinan Eldership. — On October 10, 1861, the German Eldership con-
vened at Auburn, Schuylkill county. Pa., George M. Hepler preached the Opening
Sermon. Of the ministers of the Eldership ten were in attendance, and three ab-
sent; with five delegates. George M, Hepler was elected Speaker, and J. M. Kulp,
Clerk. The latter was licensed at this session. The territory consisted of the
Schuylkill, Mahantango, Lebanon and West Penn circuits and Lehigh mission.
But though there were now fourteen licensed ministers, Jesse Haifleigh, of the
East Pennsylvania Eldership, was secured to serve the Schuylkill circuit, and West
Penn and Lehigh mission were left to be supplied.
9th Geraian Eldership. — The strongest friend in those early days of the Ger-
man Eldership, Dr. George Ross, was present and an advisory member of the ses-
sion which began October 9, 1862, in the meeting-house in Barry township, Schuyl-
kill county, Pa. John M. Hepler delivered the Opening discourse. Only the Ma-
hantango and Lebanon circuits were represented by teaching elders. Six teaching
elders were present, and six absent; with four delegates. The organization was
effected by the choice of Jacob M. Hepler for Speaker, and J. M. Gulp, Clerk. Two
delegates to the East Pennsylvania Eldership were elected. Also two to the
"Eldership of the Union Brethren." John F. Deivert applied for, and received,
license, he being from Danville, Montour county. The Montour Mission was cre-
ated, and Jacob M. Hepler was appointed the missionary till Spring. But the
Eldership resolved to "continue to sustain Montour mission." The Lebanon cir-
cuit was given to the East Pennsylvania Eldership to supply with a minister,
Fredericksburg, the principal church, having asked for this transfer. Lehigh
mission was to be supplied.
10th German Eldership. — The Eldership in 1862 adjourned to meet "the
third Tuesday in October, 1863, in the meeting-house at Elder George M. Hepler's,
in Eldred township, Schuylkill county. Pa.; but the Standing Committee changed
the time to October 4th, Sunday evening, when the Opening Sermon was preached
by Henry Borgner. Joseph K. Moyer was elected Speaker, and Henry Borgner,
Clerk. The putative father of the German Eldership, John F. Weishampel,
was present, and was voted a seat as advisory member. Being also by resolution
"invited to attach himself to this body," he consented, when a license was voted
him. The Eldership "rejected that part of the Report of the Standing Committee"
relative to a meeting with a committee of the East Pennsylvania Eldership held at
Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, "to discuss the question of merging this body into
the English body." Weishampel was "again authorized to undertake the publish-
ing of a small German paper." He was instructed "to procure a book and
transcribe all the Journals into it." The proceedings being held in German,
Weishampel was appointed to translate the minutes into English for publication in
The Advocate.
11th Gei-man Eldership. — While the proof does not appear on the Journal,
C. H.— 19
546 History of the Churches of God
the German Eldership, which held its session in 1864, at the Kimmel Bethel,
Schuylkill county, Pa., beginning on Monday morning, October 3rd, yet it ad-
journed feeling that it "has taken a fresh start, and by the blessings of God and
the faithful labors of preachers and people much good is looked for the coming
year." "Breeches" were acknowledged to exist, and "difficulties," which were in
the main attributed to "outside pressure and influence." The members gathered
on Saturday, the day it was called to meet, and the Opening Sermon was preached
on Sunday evening, by J. K. Meyer. Jacob M. Hepler was chosen Speaker, and
J. F. Weishampel, who presented his Transfer from the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, was elected Clerk. The fact of "breeches" and "difficulties" was empha-
sized by the official request of "one of the congregations, that they should have
the privilege granted them to invite other preachers occasionally to visit and
preach for them." This was refused. Tremont called for a preacher, and
Mahanoy City asked for "a missionary to be sent there." Accordingly Mahanoy
Mission was created, and J. M. Hepler appointed, and $80.00 at once subscribed
toward his support. Three brethren were licensed to preach, one the son of
Jacob M. Hepler, making the fourth preacher of that name. Circuits were con-
solidated, so that there were but two, with three preachers.
12th Gennan Eldership. — The German Eldership of 1865 convened on Satur-
day evening, October 21st, at Auburn, Schuylkill county, Pa. Weishampel, hav-
ing been transferred from the East Pennsylvania Eldership, preached the Opening
Sermon on Sabbath morning, from I. Cor. iii. 9. There was preaching on Satur-
day evening, and two additional sermons on Sabbath. There were two circuits
and two missions. Eight teaching elders and ten delegates were enrolled. J. K.
Meyer was chosen Speaker; J. F. Weishampel, Sr., Clerk, and Isaac Hoflfmeister,
Treasurer. These officers, with the three members of the Board of Missions and
three of the Standing Committee, constituted the Board of Incorporation. On
the Schuylkill circuit there were "about one hundred conversions, and baptized
fourteen persons." "Christian salutations," to be borne to the East Pennsylvania
Eldership by delegates Borgner and Weishampel, were adopted, expressing the
hope "that wherein we may be able to co-work together as two Elderships in the
work of the Lord, we will do it with a mutual good will and cheerfulness." With-
out attempting to justify it, except that "several local churches have lost sums of
money bequeathed to them by good brethren, who died before their wills, or
testaments, were one month old (as provided by law)," the Eldership declared that
"this can be obviated by the testator having his will dated back." Hence, "all
brethren and sisters who may bequeath anything to this Eldership, or to any local
church — are advised to date their wills back a month fi-om the times of writing
them." It was agreed to appoint a General Missionary, who was also to serve a
local mission. There was one additional mission and two circuits, but no preacher
for the Schuylkill circuit. On the last evening the ordinances were observed.
13th German Eldership. — After several years of internal dissensions, and also
controversies between the German Eldership, existing within the territory of the
East Pennsylvania Eldership, and the latter, the General Eldership having more
clearly defined the rights of the German Eldership, there was a brief period of
tranquility. Hence, the Eldership which met at Donaldson, Schuylkill county. Pa.,
October 28, 1866, was quiet, harmonious and uneventful. J. K. Meyer preached
the Opening Sermon on Sunday morning, from 2 Cor. iv. 1-6. The business was
all transacted on Monday, three sittings being held. Abraham Snyder, East Penn-
sylvania Eldership, had been secured to serve the Schuylkill circuit. Mahantango
and Lebanon were the other circuits, with one mission. Eleven teaching elders
were enrolled, and nine delegates. J. K. Meyer was chosen Speaker; J. F. Weis-
hampel, Sr., Clerk, and Isaac Hoflfmeister, Treasurer. Weishampel was authorized
to establish a German paper, the General Eldership the preceding May having
granted this privilege to the German Eldership. The sum of .$200.00 was to be
raised to purchase German type for the Church paper," and $73.00 were subscribed
on the spot." A church in Indiana asked for a preacher. It was advised to apply
through the Indiana Standing Committee. Arrangements were made to have "a
Widows' Fund for deceased preachers' indigent widows," by requiring each
preacher annually to pay $1.00, and soliciting contributions and lifting collections.
The missionary spirit was much revived, and pastors were required "to preach
missionary sermons and take up collections at each appointment, as well as to take
annual contributions from every member." I. Hay, local preacher, entered the
active work, and was assigned to Mahantango circuit.
The German Eldership 547
14th German Eldership. — A stanch friend and steadfast adherent of the Ger-
man Eldership, Elder George Kimmel, died fifteen days after that body adjourned
in 1866. The Eldership felt greatly afflicted at the loss of one whose "piety and
zeal for God and his cause during many years of his life" were so generally con-
ceded. The Committee on Obituaries reported that he had made "the munificent
bequest of all his earthly possessions to this body, to be used for missionary and
charity purposes." This generous bequest further stimulated the missionary
spirit, so that the Eldership which met at Auburn, within a short distance of the
Kimmel home, October 14, 1867, "required each preacher to preach a missionary
sermon at each of his appointments once a year and take collections." The Sus-
quehanna Mission was created, and A. Snyder, missionary, was "guaranteed $400.00
in quarterly payments." The Eldership was organized by the election of John
Boyer for Speaker; James E. Snyder, Clerk, and Isaac Hoflfmeister, Treasurer.
Eighteen preachers were reported. The request from Indiana for a German
preacher was renewed. Difficulties between "a part of the church at Kimmel's
and their preacher" were becoming somewhat serious, and were aggravated by a
movement to have the Kimmel Will contested. Another equally serious trouble
arose at Auburn, which was brought before the Eldership in a resolution sub-
mitted by J. K. Meyer, a man of courage and conviction, which affirmed "that those
who get themselves divorced for any other cause than that of adultery or fornica-
tion, and marry again, commit adultery." And the "churches are advised that
where such cases may occur, or exist, they are to treat and judge them according
to this resolution." A "lengthy discussion ensued, but the resolutions prevailed,
only to be "afterwards reconsidered and rescinded without a negative vote." The
ground of this last act was "that the body did not deem it necessary to have an
action upon God's laws." Thereupon "Moyer asked for a card of dismissal from
the Eldership, which was granted." H. Boyer, at his own request was also granted
a letter of dismissal.
loth Gennan Eldership. — For several years the German Eldership had a
nominal mission in Philadelphia, and two missionary appointees in Baltimore, Md. ;
but in 1868, it became conscious of its violation of the Constitution of the General
Eldership, and declared that these acts, "without asking permission of the East
Pennsylvania Eldership, were contrary to the Constitution of the General Elder-
ship;" but it entered the plea "that they were unintentional acts of oversight."
Besides, it was laying claim to certain territory in the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, which said Eldership disputed, and hence relations between the two bodies
became more strained as local churches expressed a desire to have preachers from
the English Eldership. Schuylkill circuit at this Eldership was thus left open "to
be supplied" by said Eldership. There were ten ministers at the Eldership which
began its session at Germanville Bethel, Schuylkill county, Pa., Saturday evening,
October 17, 1868. A sermon on "Brotherly Love" was preached on said evening,
by A. Snyder. On Sunday morning J. Boyer preached the Opening Sermon on
"The Ministry of the Word;" A. Grimm preached in the afternoon, and J. E. Snyder
in the evening. A. Snyder was elected Speaker; J. F. Weishami)el, Clerk, and B.
Koch, Treasurer. The retaining of counsel to defend the Kimmel Will was ap-
proved, and under his instructions the Board of Incorporation took possession of
the Kimmel estate, to administer it according to the provisions of the Will. A
committee to frame a Constitution was appointed, whose report was adopted. This
instrument provided: That the name of the body shall be "The German Eldership
of the Church of God." It is to meet annually, or oftener. Licensed ministers, with
an eoual number of ruling elders elected as delegates by the different stations and
circuits, were to constitute the membership. The officers shall be a Chairman, a
Scribe and a Treasurer. The duties of these officers are defined. The Eldership
is to elect a Missionary Committee, a Standing Committee and a Stationing Com-
mittee. The number of each of these committees is fixed. The Standing Com-
rrittee was given all the powers of the Eldership, except to exclude members, or lo
change preachers without cause. It can give trial to a minister, and can suspend
him, and may alter fields of labor and exchange preachers if circumstances require
it. The Stationing Committee is to appoint the preachers to the different charges,
and its report shall always stand and be binding, unless rejected by a majority, in
which cnse the Committee shall bring in a new report. The churches are required
to give their preachers a sufficient support, to be paid quarterly. Local preachers
are required to preach as much as possible. All the ministers are to have a two-
fold membership, except the itinerants and missionaries, and shall be under double:
548 History of the '^Churches of God
responsibility, to thie local church and to the Eldership. The Constitution was
adopted October 20, 1868. Samuel Smith, an East Pennsylvania minister, was ap-
pointed to the Mahantango circuit. Said Eldership was also to supply the Schuyl-
kill circuit. The Susquehanna Mission was to be supplied by the Standing Com-
mittee.
The serious condition of affairs in the German Eldership induced six members
to join the Standing Committee in requesting the Chairman "to call the body
together in extra session." It accordingly met, as per call, at Center Bethel,
Schuylkill county. Pa., Monday, February 22, 1869, when it was found that thirteen
ministers, delegates and members of Boards and Committees were present. I. Hay
had been transferred to the East Pennsylvania Eldership. It was realized that the
Eldership had "arrived at a crisis in her history when her future usefulness, and
perhaps her existence itself, may depend on speedy, energetic and determined
action on her part," and so it was resolved to "defend her by every lawful means
against every encroachment on her rights from without." Action was further
taken, recalling the privilege granted the East Pennsylvania Eldership to supply
the Schuylkill circuit; insisting it is to the best interest of the cause of God that
the German Eldership should be kept in existence; virtually excluding from church
membership the leaders in the revolt at Kimmel's and at Auburn, and that "any
preacher who may preach for one or the other of said parties shall be regarded and
dealt with as a violator of the Rules of Co-operation of the General Eldership."
The Eldership further asked the Standing Committee of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership to "relieve Bro. Jacob Keller of the Schuylkill circuit" and thus "prevent
difflculties which may otherwise arise between the two Elderships." It then dis-
tinctly claimed as its exclusive possession "the ground we have occupied since the
organization of this Eldership;" that said ground was granted to "its jurisdiction
by Winebrenner and Keller" at its organization, "and that no Eldership had the
right to trespass upon it, or to encourage seceders from German Eldership churches
by supplying them with preachers." It also declared those parties which were in
opposition to the German Eldership "no longer members of the Church of God
denomination." Provision was made for the licensing of exhorters. And while
the resolutions adopted at this extra session indicate a deep sense of grievance, the
Minutes record that "sweet harmony prevailed during all the time of the session,
and it closed after having transacted much business with great unanimity."
16th German Eldership. — Between the extra session of the German Eldership
in February, 1869, and the annual session which began October 16, 1869, at
Steigerwalt Bethel, near McKeansburg, Schuylkill county. Pa., the General Elder-
ship had held its triennial session at Lancaster, Pa., and taken very important
action bearing on the situation in the German Eldership. Accordingly the main
business of this session related to said action. The Eldership was well attended
by the lay members, there being thirteen present, while seven of the twelve teach-
ing elders were present. A. Snyder was chosen Speaker; J. F. AVeishampel, Clerk,
and S. Steigenvalt, Treasurer. Two ministers surrendered their licenses, and
were dismissed from the body at their request. Suitable resolutions were re-
ported on the death of Elder E. H. Thomas. The German paper had been started,
called "Christlicher Kundschafter," and AVeishampel, Editor and Publisher, was
highly commended. Still complaining of the action of the East Pennsylvania Eld-
ership in appointing a preacher to Auburn and Kimmel's, and regretting that for
years, to satisfy disaffected parties it had permitted such action, the Eldership
again "delegated its appointing power as to said circuit to the East Pennsylvania
Eldership, upon advice of E. H. Thomas,, as a means of settling the troubles in this
body." The delegates to the General Eldership, having attended the session of
said body, reported its action in relation to the German Eldership. Whereupon
resolutions were adopted, to wit: Reconsidering "the action expelling certain
parties at Kimmel's and Auburn from the Church of God denomination, but still
declaring that they have dissolved their connection with those local churches;"
accepting "the decision of the General Eldership which lifted the boundary lines,
and ordered that the German Eldership shall have no special territory;" that
"wishing to act in strict accordance with the letter of our Charter from the Gen-
eral Eldership, which requires us to labor upon other Eldership fields with their
sanction," it informed "the East Pennsylvania Eldership of the arrangements to
supply its circuits for the ensuing year," and asked said Eldership to respect said
arrangements. The East Pennsylvania Eldership was also requested to permit
the German Eldership part of the Kimmel church to use the house of worship at
The German Ei^dership 549
said place one-half of the time. The territory was divided into Schuylkill, Ma-
hantango, Donaldson and Fredericksburg circuits, with five preachers.
17th Gennan Eldership. — The German Eldership far less than any other Eld-
ership concerned itself about matters not immediately connected with its internal
affairs. With slavery, the state of the country, or even with the question, of
temperance except as regarded its own members it manifested little, if any, in-
terest. After the spirit of alienation developed in tjhe churches and the relations
with the East Pennsylvania Eldership became strained, matters relating thereto
came up at each session. Then the Kininiel estate gave it a great deal of concern.
At the Eldership held at Hepler's Bethel, Mahantango Valley, Schuylkill county.
Pa., beginning Saturday, October 15, 1870, these two subjects claimed much at-
tention. J. F. Weishampel preached the Opening Sermon on Sunday morning,
from 2 Cor. iv. 1, 2, and on Monday morning the Eldership was constituted, with
four circuits, eight preachers, five delegates and three members of the Missionary
Committee and the Treasurer. J. F. Weishampel was elected Speaker; A. Snyder,
Clerk, and S. Steigeiivalt, Treasurer. The Committee on Resolutions at once re-
ported, and referred to the lack of results at camp-meetings, and urged "falling
back on the old plan of holding" them, and also advised holding "a union camp-
meeting." It strongly endorsed the itinerancy, and in view of the small support
pastors were receiving recommended the establishment of a "Preachers' Widows'
Fund." Litigation over the Kinimel Will had not yet been ended. The question
of divorce and remarriage was making some trouble, and the Eldership advised
"for the sake of brethren who have consciencious scruples, arid for the sake of
peace in the future, not to join divorced persons in matrimony. The income of
the liinimel farm was reported to have been $472.94 for the year. A Correspond-
ing Secretary was provided for, who was instructed each year to "draw up a
circular letter of friendly and Christian greeting to all the Elderships of the
Church of God." Good Friday was named as an annual day of fasting and
prayer. The public reception of church members was insisted upon. Mission
work and the collection of missionary money were strongly emphasized, the latter
being made a special duty of each pastor. A Pentecostal meeting was appointed
for 1871. The translation of the Bible by the American Bible Union was endorsed.
"Standing Rules" for the Eldership were adopted at this Eldership.
18th German Eldership. — Fredericksburg, Lebanon county, was among the
first churches which expressed oflicially an unwillingness to be further served by
a minister of the German Eldership. A delegation was sent by said church to the
annual session which convened at Center Bethel, Schuylkill county, October 21,
1871, instructed to "procure the use of the bethel at that place for our portion
of the congregation, through the East Pennsylvania Eldership." The Kimmel
church preferred the same request. But the German Eldership made regular ap-
pointments to both points. A. Snyder was the Speaker; J. F. Weishampel, Clerk,
and W. F. Motz, Treasurer. The Committee on Education reported "in favor of
parents giving their children a liberal education, and of young ministers storing
their minds with the useful knowledge of the day." The income for the year
from the Kimmel Mission Farm was $536.71. A meeting-house had been rented
at Mt. Carmel, Northumberland county. $15.00 were appropriated to pay the rent.
The German paper, "Christlicher Kundschafter," was reported as steadily increas-
ing in patronage, though it "did not yet pay the editor for his labor." There were
three circuits, on which there were fourteen regular appointments. A bond was
required of the Treasurer "after this year for his faithful performance of duty."
19th German Eldership. — As the time approached for the holding of the
nineteenth session of the German Eldership, the Clerk published that it "is com-
prised of about a dozen preachers and eight churches." It convened at Auburn,
Schuylkill county, on Monday, October 21, 1872, when eight preachers were
present and six delegates. The officers of 1871 were re-elected. The net income
of the Kimmel Mission farm received by the Eldership was $149.90. The names
of two ministers "were ordered stricken from the Roll," and the names of three
others were "placed in the hands of the Standing Committee." The Kimmel Will
case was decided in favor of the Eldership in the court of Schuylkill county, and
was appealed to the State Supreme Court. A minister of the Eldership was ap-
pointed to the Schuylkill circuit; but no pastor was assigned to Lebanon county.
In Mahantango Valley, Deep Creek and Lykens Valleys there was so much dis-
satisfaction that H. Hackenberger, of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, was ap-
pointed to Mahantango circuit, "with the request that the East Pennsylvania Eld-
550 History of tiik Ciu"rciii;s oI' God
ership appoint him to the Lykens Valley circuit, so that he can preach for both
parties." Delegates were sent to the East Pennsylvania Eldership to work for
harmonious co-operation; but the latter body proceeded upon the principle that
the only thing to do was for the German Eldership churches to return to its care
and fellowship.
20th German Eldei-ship. — "Great harmony and good feeling characterized
the three sittings of the Elde^'ship" which convened at Steigerwalt's Bethel, near
McKeansburg, Schuylkill county, October 25, 1873. The Opening Sermon was
preached on Sunday morning, by Wm. Klinger. There were two delegates present
from the Evangelical Mennonite Church, who addressed the Eldership, in response
to which the body adopted "a resolution of cordial welcome, and a hope of closer
acquaintance and union." Two delegates to their Annual Conference were ap-
pointed, at Coopersburg, Lehigh county. Pa. While one applicant for license was
received, one was dropped because he had "embraced the New Light doctrine;"
another because he had been conditionally licensed two years before, and had not
since reported, and another because he had discovered that "Elderships are not
of God." A "great decline in spirituality among the brethren" was reported,
chiefly produced by the distracted state of things upon our fields of labor." Com-
plaint was made that "through the favoring of the spirit of secession amongst
our congregations, we have been greatly reduced in numerical strength; and that
if this course be continued, and we should be compelled to dissolve, then the
Kinimel legacy of $16,000.00 will be lost to the Church of God." An appeal was
to be made by appointed delegates to the East Pennsylvania Eldership "not to
pursue any longer a course that will encourage disaffection and secession in our
German congregations." The death of John M, Hepler, a faithful minister, was
much lamented. Two much reduced circuits received preachers, with three
nominal missions.
21st Gemian Eldership. — Efforts to cultivate closer fellowship between the
German Eldership and the Evangelical Mennonite Church continued. Three dele-
gates from the latter body were present when the Eldership convened at Auburn,
Schuylkill county, October 24, 1874. One of these, S. Mussleman, preached on
Saturday evening. The Opening Sermon was delivered on Sunday morning, by
Jacob M. Hepler, from 1 Tim. iii. 15, while in the afternoon, A. Strawn, Evangeli-
cal Mennonite, filled the pulpit. However, no action followed, looking to official
union between the two bodies. The Eldership realized that it was "passing
through dark and trying seasons," but it was "hopeful of better things in the
future." J. M. Hepler was chosen Speaker; J. F. AVeishampel, Clerk, and S.
Steigenvalt, Treasurer. The Board of Missions reported having "received official
notice of the decision of the Supreme Court in the Kinunel Will case, which was
rendered in favor of the German Eldership." In addition to the Kimmel farm,
the Treasurer reported that he had secured in cash $2,645.91, as part of "the
Kimmel legacy, the balance of which will soon be placed into the hands of the
Treasurer." But one circuit appointment was made — Schuylkill circuit — with
three nominal missions.
22nd German Eldership. — There was considerable feeling manifested on the
part of members of the German Eldership in 1875, over the action of the General
Eldership in May of said year. The report which the delegate to the General Eld-
ership made left the impression that said body was, or leading members thereof
were, determined to "give the German Eldership its death-stroke" (todeschlog).
This feeling was molified by another action — that of electing the Editor of the
German paper, "Der Christlicher Kundschafter," for a term of three years. The
Eldership convened near McKeansburg, in the Steigerwalt Bethel, Schuylkill
county, October 17, 1875. No one had been appointed to preach the Opening
Sermon, but Elias Sowei-s preached on Sunday morning of said date what the
Journal calls the "Eroffnungspredigt." There were enrolled nine preachers and
seven delegates. J. M. Hepler was elected Speaker, and T. E. Snyder, Clerk. The
Treasurer was S. Steigenvalt. This Eldership, as was the custom, concerned
itself wholly with its own religious and financial interests, without taking any
actions on temperance, education, etc. The Kimmel bequest had all been adjusted,
and after all costs are paid there would be left in the treasury the sum of
$3,231.40. The farm was rented, and yielded a fair income. While the German
paper, "through the enmity which sprang from the unchristian schism, had lost
many subscribers, which loss was partly made up by members of the Evangelical
The German Eldership 551
Mennonites, who had made it their organ. Nominally there were seven appoint-
ments, six of them missions, which were practically only such on the Journal.
23rd German Eldership. — The holding of Elderships in private houses was a
rare occurrence; but the record of the German Eldership of 1876 states that the
"session was held in West Penn township, Schuylkill county, Pa., and began on
Saturday evening, September 30, 1876. The assembly will be held in a dwelling-
house of IJro. Andrew Klechner, five miles from New Ringgold." There was
preaching on Saturday evening, and on Sabbath morning the Opening Sermon was
preached by J. M. Hepler. Six of the twelve ministers were present, and three
delegates. The Speaker was Elias Sowers; the Clerk, J. F. Weishampel, and the
Treasurer, Samuel Steigerwalt. The making of the appointments was left to the
Standing Committee. Except Hepler, on the Schuylkill circuit, very little preach-
ing was done on the six missions. Sowers reported preaching about every four
weeks in Deep Creek Valley. Weishampel preached "where there was an open
door for him." AVagner "did not preach often." Kinzey "had preached more or
less on the Reading Mission." Menges, "Mt. Carmel mission, had preached but
little." Busch, Baltimore mission, did "what was in his power." Klinger, Sha-
mokin mission, "had no house in which to preach," but did some preaching at
other points. The Missionary Committee reported having gathered $27.84. There
was a surplus from the Mission farm of $61.25, while the total cash in hand from
the Kimmel bequest was $3,343.00.
24th Gemian Eklership.^ — A somewhat aggressive spirit characterized the Eld-
ership which convened in the Steigerwalt Bethel, near McKeansburg, Schuylkill
county, September 29, 1877. J. F. Weishampel preached the Opening Sermon,
from 1 Cor. ix. 12. Samuel Steigenvalt, who had been Treasurer for some time,
had died during the year, and there was charged against him on account of the
Kimmel bequest, $3,308.59, for which AVm. F. Steigerwalt, administrator, made
settlement. Eli Sowers was chosen Speaker; J. F. Weishampel, Clerk, and F.
Wagner, Treasurer. Eight ministers were present, and five, absent, with one ex-
horter and five delegates. AVeishampel announced that the "Christlicher Kund-
schafter" would cease to be published on April 1, 1878; but he "was ordered to
continue the paper by authority of this body." A small organization in Reading
made application for membership, "as they expressed agreement with us in faith
and practice," and desired a mission to be established in that city. E. Sowers
was accordingly "appointed to the new mission church in Reading." The income
from the Kimmel farm was $285.31; "outlay for repairs and widow's dower,
$240.60, leaving a balance of $44.71." The churches were "urged to establish
Sunday-schools, as a very great necessity in the spread of the gospel." A camp-
meeting was directed to be held "on the old camp-ground on the Kimmel farm."
25tli German Eldership. — The Eldership in 1877 adjourned to meet with "the
new mission church in Reading, Berks county;" but the Standing Committee
changed the place to Stagenvalt's, where the members convened on October 12,
1878, the business sittings beginning on the 14th. The Opening Sermon was
preached on Sabbath morning, by Amos Lehman. Seven ministers were present,
and five, absent; also three delegates were present. The officers of 1877 were
re-elected. The fields of labor were the Schuylkill circuit, Berks and Lebanon
mission and the Lancaster mission, which was purely nominal. The Board of
Incorporation had contracted for a chapel in Reading, "and paid a small sum upon
it." The income from the Mission Farm was $383.81; the expenditures, $386.16.
'The matter of continuing the publication of the German paper consumed a good
deal of time. Said paper, like all periodical publications for the Church, was
under the control and supervision of the General Eldership, and could be published
only by its authority. But said body had ordered its discontinuance at the session
in 1878. Hence the "German Eldership could not consistently authorize its pub-
lication as under its jurisdiction." To avoid responsibility, Weishampel expressed
his intention "to continue the publication on his own responsibility;" but the Eld-
ership approved his course, and "advised and urged the German reading brethren
to support the publisher by patronizing the paper." It made the relations of the
German Eldership to the General Eldership more acute, and because of factional
difficulties in the East Pennsylvania Eldership aggravated the unpleasant condi-
tions there. While the Stationing Committee made three appointments, but one,
the Schuylkill circuit, had a constituency.
26th Gennan Eldei*ship. — The action of the German Eldership in 187 8 on the
matter of the "Kundschafter" was such a manifest evasion, and an act of insub-
552 History of the Churches of God
ordination, that during the year the Executive Board of the General Eldership took
action, again "calling the attention of the German Eldership to the action of the
General Eldership, which ordered the discontinuance of the paper," but that "the
paper is still published by a member of the German Eldership." The subject was
brought before the session which convened in West Penn township, Schuylkill
county, on Monday, October 20, 1879. The Opening Sermon was preached the
Sabbath morning previous, by J. M. Hepler. The officers of the preceding year
were re-elected. On the matter of publishing the "Christlicher Kundschafter,"
the Eldership disclaimed responsibility, declaring also "that we have no right to
condemn J. F. Weishampel for pursuing the lawful calling of printing a religious
newspaper, nor to interfere in, or order him to discontinue the "Christlicher
Kundschafter." The appointment of preachers was left to the Standing Com-
mittee, but the Eldership added the Mahantango and Deep Creek Valley to the
Schuylkill circuit. The total receipts during the year reported by the Treasurer
were $223.50; expenditures, $164.57. The amount of the Kimmel fund on in-
terest was $3,000.00. "The wood off a certain portion of ground owned by the
Eldership" the Board of Incorporation" was authorized to sell," "so as to get the
use of the land for tillage."
27th German Eldership. — In the Opening Sermon delivered on the evening of
October 17, 1880, the preacher, J. F. Weishampel, "reviewed the history of the
Church of God, going back about sixty years. He found the state of religion in
the central part of Pennsylvania, where this body of Christians took its rise,
mostly in a formal condition in many thousands of church members, who had a
form of ceremonial religion, but were without the enjoyments which true spiritual
religion affords." On Monday morning the Eldership was constituted with one
pastor, five "missionaries" and two delegates. Eli Sowers was chosen Speaker; J.
F. Weishampel, Clerk, and F. Wagner, Treasurer. In response to a letter from
the Secretary of the Board of Missions of the General Eldership, asking for a con-
tribution of, at least, twenty-five cents a year for each member, action was taken
to that effect. The amount asked by said Secretary for Contingent Fund was col-
lected on the floor of the Eldership. Improvements on the Mission Farm used up
all the income in the way of rent. One field of labor was all the Eldership had,
and this was left in the care of the Standing Committee. But there were assign-
ments of eleven "missionaries," who preached as they found opportunity. No
resolutions were adopted, except the ordinary ones on the officers, and for enter-
tainment. "The Half Century Jubilee Song of the Church of God in North
America," which was written by the Clerk of the Eldership, was circulated. The
session was held at Weishampeltown, Schuylkill county, and lasted but one day.
28th German Eldership. — The General Eldership in 1881 having made a de-
mand on the German Eldership to carry out its action relative to J, F. Weishampel,
the session of 18 81, held at Steigerwalt's Bethel, beginning on October 31, devoted
considerable time to the matter. After reciting the facts, as viewed by the Eld-
ership, in a long preamble, it adopted resolutions "disapproving all the wrong
which Bro. W^eishampel may have done, and censured him for the same, and en-
joined him to abide by the Rules of the General Eldership." It also declared
"that the German Eldership feels greatly grieved at being treated in so unfriendly
a manner by the General Eldership." Weishampel having expressed his intention
to discontinue the "Kundschafter" in the Spring of 1882, A. Snyder was requested
"to take measures to continue" the same. The one circuit which the Eldership
had was supplied by one of the teaching elders. "All the other preachers as local
ministers," was the Report of the Stationing Committee. Elias Sowers presided
as Speaker, and J. F. Weishampel was the Clerk. The Board of Incorporation,
through its Treasurer, reported receipts of $338.90, and expenditures, $295.58.
F. Wagner was re-elected Treasurer.
29th Geraian Eldei*ship. — The German Eldership in 1882 was again held at
Steigerwalt's Bethel, and convened on Saturday, October 18th. The Opening Ser-
mon was delivered by Eli Sowers on Sabbath morning, from 1 Tim. i. 16. After
the Eldership was constituted on Monday morning, J. K. Moyer, Isaac Hoflfmeister
and Dr. Chas. E. Quail, "delegates from the Independent church of God at Auburn,
Schuylkill county," presented an action of said church, agreeing "to unite with the
German Eldership again on condition that our house of worship shall remain our
own church property." It also agreed "to receive a preacher from the German
Eldership, if it can supply them with one that they can receive;" stipulated that
they shall have the right to regulate their "own domestic affairs" as they may
The German Eldership 553
think best, and that "Moyer shall not be compelled to take a license to preach in
order to be entitled to a preacher's rights" in the German Eldership. The resolu-
tions of the Independent church were adopted, and "the three delegates were con-
sidered a part of the present session." This action, or "reunion," added two
preachers to the Eldership — J. K. Moyer, and F. W. Berkheiser, pastor of the In-
dependent church. J. K. Moyer was then elected Speaker, and J. F. Weishampel,
Clerk. After the report of the Treasurer was made, F. Wagner was re-elected
Treasurer. Moyer was also elected President of the Board of Incorporation, and
Quail, Secretary. Berkheiser was appointed pastor of the Schuylkill circuit, to
begin his labors January 1, 1883. This field was quite extensive, as it "embraced
Steigei-Avalt's, Auburn, Center Bethel and Weishampeltown churches, and Mahan-
tango, Rocktown, Cressona and West Penn missions." "It was a very pleasant
and happy session."
30th Geniian Eldership. — The ministers and delegates of the German Elder-
ship gathered at Auburn, Schuylkill county, on Saturday, November 10, 1883, to
hold the annual session. Elias Sowers preached in the evening. On "Sabbath
morning Elder J. K. Moyer delivered the Opening Sermon, and in the evening
Franklin Berkheiser preached." When the Eldership convened on Monday at 9
a. m., "an election resulted in the choice of J. K. Moyer, Speaker; Franklin
Wagner, Treasurer, and Charles E. Quail, Clerk." Five ministers were present,
and seven delegates. During the year Jacob M. Hepler died, and his death was
lamented as that of an efficient and useful member of the Eldership. At the close
of the afternoon sitting the Eldership adjourned, having "appointed a committee
to select a preacher for the circuit." It reconvened on December 5, 1883, "to
finish the business, when Franklin Berkheiser was elected to supply the churches
for the ensuing year."
31st German Eldership. — It does not appear that Berkheiser was at any time
licensed by the German Eldership. Like J. K, Moyer, after the Independent
church at Auburn again united with the German Eldership, his relation seems to
have been that of honorary member; but he possessed all the rights of an or-
dained minister of the body. Like Moyer, he was eligible to office, and so when
the Eldership convened at Auburn, Schuylkill county, November 1, 1884, he pre-
sided as Speaker. The doings of this session were not published. Dr. Charles E.
Quail, Clerk, simply announced through The Advocate the time and place of the
meeting. Because of the increasing infirmities of Weishanipel, his "Kundschafter"
was discontinued, and so there is, like in the remarkable copy of "Ingoldsby
Legends," owned by an admirer of the work, "a page in the body of the book
which had been left blank."
32nd German Eldership. — During the year past the German Eldership sus-
tained a serious loss in the death of J. F. Weishanipel, chiefly instrumental in its
organization, and its faithful advocate and defender. He received his first license
from the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1843. He served only a few fields as
pastor. He traveled a great deal, and was as widely known personally to the
brotherhood as almost any minister of the Church. He had an unusual faculty
for applying himself to new and varied occupations. He was a printer, editor and
a facile writer; but he lacked the quality of leadership, and was frequently in-
volved in controversies. A man of good character and honest purpose, but his ac-
complishments were on a limited scale. He had some poetic talent, and would
have attained more distinction as a correspondent, or in literature, than he did in
the pulpit. His last years were embittered with personal contentions which cost
him the good will of many of his earlier friends in all the churches. The Com-
mittee on Obituaries of the Eldership made suitable mention of his many good
traits and recognized his valuable services to the German cause. The Eldership
held its session at Steigei'walt's Bethel, SchuyLkill county, beginning November 1,
1885, when F. W. Berkheiser delivered the Opening Sermon, from Ezek. xliii. 10,
11. Four teaching elders were present, and four absent; with four delegates.
Berkheiser was chosen Speaker, and C E. Quail, Clerk. Isaac Hoffmeister was
Treasurer. There was but one field of labor, to which Berkheiser was appointed,
toward whose support the Eldership voted $300.00. No report was published of
the income from the Mission Farm, or interest from investments. A complete or-
ganization, in the way of boards and committees, was kept up, so as to care for the
large Kimmel estate bequeathed to the Eldership.
33rd GeiTtnan Eldership. — Conditions were not improving in the German Eld-
ership, and probably in the absence of the cohesive power of the Kimmel bequest
554 History of the Churches op God
its existence could not have been perpetuated. But it became a source of irrita-
tion to the surrounding churches of God, which began to agitate the question of
seeking the abrogation of its Charter by the General Eldership. It was not an
easy matter to get an acceptable preacher for the few churches which still remained
in fellowship with it. Berkheiser was only with it temporarily. When it con-
vened at Auburn, Schuylkill county, November 6, 1886, W. B. Musslenian
preached on Saturday evening, and Hershey on Sunday morning and even-
ing. Neither was a minister of the Church of God, yet Hershey's Sunday morning
sermon was recognized as the Opening Sermon. Both were enrolled as "elders
present." The membership consisted of four German Eldership ministers and two
delegates. Berkheiser and Quail were re-elected Speaker and Clerk, and Hoff-
ineister, Treasurer. J. Riipp had died during the year. A collection was ordered
in each church for missionary pu'-poses. Bush received "license to preach at Balti-
more, Md." In addition to the appointment of "Berkheiser circuit preacher," with
an appropriation of $300.00, Edward Mengel was named "as missionary," he "to
receive $25.00 from the general fund." The meeting was considered "one of the
most encouraging the body had held for some years."
36th Gennan Eldership. — No reports of the sessions of 18«7 and 1888 were
published, but conditions remained unchanged. In 1889 R. H. Bolton, College
Agent, visited the German Eldership territory at the time of the meeting of the
body at Auburn, Schuylkill county. He preached what was virtually the Opening
Sermon, on Sunday evening, November 3rd. On Monday morning the Eldership
was organized by the election of Frederick Wagner, Speaker, and Dr. C. E. Quail,
Clerk. Joseph Fahl received license, and he succeeded Berkheiser as pastor of
the churches of the Eldership. Bolton reports the value of the Kiinniel estate in
the hands of the Eldership at $6,000.00 for the farm, and $3,000.00 cash. He
supposes this "would all be lost to the body if the German Eldership became ex-
tinct. Hence, these German brethren are holding on, and hope to maintain their
•existence as an Eldership. They have but five ministers now, and three churches
under their direct supervision." To the general body much has been lost in
Schuylkill county as a result of the nolicy of organizing the German Eldership
within the East Pennsylvania Eldership. The seeds of strife, contention and dis-
integration thus sown have yielded a harvest sad to contemplate.
37th German Eldership. — The German Eldership in 189 0 and 1891 did not
publish any part of its proceedings. This may be attributed to the fact that in
1890 the first attempt of an official character was made to end its existence. At
the General Eldership of 1890 the East Pennsylvania churches at Auburn and
Kimmel's sent a representative, S. C. Stonesifer, to the General Eldership to peti-
tion said body to revoke the Charter of the German Eldership. This was opposed
by C. E. Quail, the delegate of the German Eldership, and the subject was finally
referred to the East Pennsylvania Eldership for official action. This action was
duly taken, and the question came before the General Eldership in proper official
form in 1893, when the Charter of the German Eldership was revoked, and all
its privileges as an organized body were canceled. Since then said Eldership has
not been recognized as in existence, and its territory, churches and property were
adjudged to belong to the East Pennsylvania Eldership.
In 1892 the German Eldership published in The Church Advocate a list of its
officers, members of the Standing Committee, Mission Committee; two delegates
to the General Eldership in 1893, Geo. A. Stein and Joseph M. Fahl, and its one
pastor. But these delegates were not present at the General Eldership in 1893,
and so there was no opposition to the action taken by said body. The German
Eldership, however, determined to resist all efforts to merge it into the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership and to give the latter body possession of its churches and
property. The Attorney-in-fact of. the General Eldership and of the Bast Penn-
sylvania Eldership, C. H. Forney, was present at the session of the German Elder-
ship in 1893, and proposed an amicable adjustment of all matters in controversy.
These overtures were rejected. Steps were immediately taken to secure legal ad-
vice and begin proceedings in the courts of Schuylkill county with a view of giving
legal effect to the action of the General Eldership, and to have appointed by the
court the Board of Incorporation of the East Pennsylvania Eldership "as the
trustee of the estate of George Kimniel, deceased, to carry out and effectuate the
trusts and the religious and benevolent purposes created and provided for by the
said last Will and Testament of the said George T<:imniel." This the said German
Eldership resisted, and a protracted law suit resulted, conducted by successive re-
The German Eldership 555
appointments by the General and East Pennsylvania Elderships of C. H. Forney as
Attorney-in-fact, and the members of the Board of Incorporation of the German
Eldership, George A. Stein, Thomas Hartnng, William Gangloff, Lewis Osenbaeh,
Thomas Paul, Reuben Mengel, Franli Poland, Abraham Zimmennan and Howard
Mengel. Two vital questions were involved upon which the result of the litiga-
tion seemed to hinge, to wit: The power of the General Eldership to dissolve an
Annual Eldership; and, the effect of an Act of the Legislature, incorporating a re-
ligious body. The contention of the prosecution was, that while there is no
specific provision to that effect in the Constitution of the General Eldership, it is
clearly implied in powers granted. Also, that this is Presbyterian law, and that
the government of the Church of God is presbyterial. Hence the Bill in Equity
stated, "that the German Eldership has ceased to exist ever since 1893." On the
second point it was claimed, that the decision in the Harrisburg Church Case
settled the question as to the effect of an Act of Incorporation, since, though the
Fourth Street church was incorporated, that fact did not entitle the independent
church to hold its property against the expressed will of the Eldership. From
November, 1893, to November, 189 5, no progress was made in the case. As at
the latter date the Attorney-in-fact was advised that the German Eldership, which
kept up its regular organization, and still does, had taken action proposing a re-
opening of the case before the General Eldership in 1896, he ordered a suspension
of the suit. But though the General Eldership convened in Harrisburg, Pa., the
delegates from the German Eldership did not appear, and no communication was
received. The Attorney-in-fact having been reappointed, he employed A. W.
Schalck as "Solicitor for Complaints," and began active work to push the case
to an early conclusion. But "the law's delays" operated so effectually that the
Bill in Equity was not filed .until May 2, 1898, and the taking of oral testimony
was still further delayed until October, 1899. The preparation of the documentary
evidence required time and tedious labor. But there were other, and possibly un-
avoidable, delays, so that it was not until October, 19 08, that the Attorney-in-fact
could report to the Eldership, that the Solicitor had promised "that the case will
be argued before the close of the year." This followed the labors of the Attorney-
in-fact, assisted by C. H. Grove, in August, 1908, when the final systemizing and
classifying of the voluminous evidence was completed. In this anticipation dis-
appointment had to be reported at the Eldership in 1909. During all these delays
efforts were not wanting to effect a settlement out of court. On two occasions
overtures to this end were made to the Respondents, "with a view of seeking an
amicable adjustment of matters in litigation." Also in 1905, "the German Elder-
ship (so-called) was ofticially requested to send representatives to the General
Eldership" for the same purpose. They were appointed, and were present at Mt.
Pleasant General Eldership in that year. Conferences were held between them
and a committee appointed for that purpose. Said committee finally reported,
that the representatives of the German Eldership declared that they had 'no
authority to accept any propositions' looking toward a settlement," and hence the
committee, "unable to offer any plan by which the case at issue can now be ad-
justed," "recommended the continuance of the Attorney-in-fact to prosecute the
case to a final judicial conclusion." In 1909 the Attorney-in-fact reported to the
Fast Pennsylvania Eldership at Auburn, that he had "since May last permitted the
case to lie quite, in order to allow efforts to be made anew for an amicable settle-
ment out of Court." He also asked "that such action be taken by the Eldership
80 that any overtures to this end may receive proper recognition and considera-
tion." A committee, consisting of C. H. Foniey, C. H. Grove and C. F. Reitzel,
was named "to confer with representatives of the German Eldership." And while
said representatives again "disclaimed any authority to act for their Eldership,"
a basis of settlement was "mutually agreed" upon, to be submitted to each of the
Elderships for approval, or rejection, or modification. It was adopted, without an
amendment, by the East Pennsylvania Eldership. It also authorized "the Stand-
ing Committee to meet a committee of the German Eldership sometime prior to
the meeting of the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1910 to make arrangements to
carry the recommendations into effect." The German Eldership, while it appointed
a committee, did not act on the basis agreed upon and gave its committee no power
to enter into any binding agreement. Hence, when the two committees finally
met at the Kimmel Church, nothing could be done, as in addition to having no
power, the members of the German Eldership committee individually refused to
accept the basis submitted by the East Pennsylvania Eldership. This fruitless
556 History of the Churches of God
effort to effect peace, harmony and union was reported to the East Pennsylvania
Eldership in 1910. And as it was ordered in 1909, "that the legal proceedings in
the courts of Schuylkill county shall be suspended until otherwise ordered," in the
absence of such an order by the Eldership, there has since been no resumption of
proceedings. The German Eldership has, however, received no legal or official
recognition by either the General Eldership, nor any of the annual Elderships;
but it has been treated, as stated in the Bill in Equity, as having ceased to exist
ever since 1893, and as no longer competent to execute any of the trusts created
by, X)r provided for, in the said last Will and Testament of the said George Kim-
mel."
IX. THE WEST OHIO ELDERSHIP.
The West Ohio Eldership was formed to meet a natural demand growing out
of the preponderating strength of the Ohio Eldership in the north-western section
of the State; the distance to, and inconvenience in attending. Annual Eldership
sessions, and patriotic sentiment, or State pride. Indiana Eldership embraced a
number of counties in Ohio, whose natural affiliation would be with an Ohio Elder-
ship, and ministers and Church families were largely from older sections of the
State. And as the ministers and churches West of the proposed line of division
between the contemplated East and West Ohio Elderships were in the majority,
they could control the matter of forming the new Eldership. But every step taken
was with deliberation and in order, and with unanimity. With no recorded op-
position, no objections and no protests, the Ohio Eldership in October, 1855,
adopted a resolution "recommending to the General Eldership [of 1857] the pro-
priety of organizing an Eldership in western Ohio, with the consent of the Indiana
Eldership." This action having been published, and no protests having been re-
ceived, in 1856 the Eldership readopted its recommendation to the General Elder-
ship. It also authorized the Standing Committee to agree upon, and suggest, the
boundary line between the East and the West Ohio Elderships. It was to ask for
a conference with the Standing Committee of the Indiana Eldership to pre-arrange
matters for the meeting of the General Eldership in 1857. The joint meeting of
the two Standing Committees was called to be held at Upper Sandusky, Wyandot
county, Ohio, February 7, 1857. In the absence of the Standing Committee of the
Indiana Eldership, the Ohio Standing Committee requested said Committee to
agree "to make the State line between Ohio and Indiana the boundary line be-
tween the two Elderships." It also suggested "the propriety of arranging the
boundary line between the Eastern and Western Ohio Elderships as follows: Com-
mencing at Portsmouth on the Ohio River, thence north up the Scioto River to the
south line of Franklin county, thence to the south-east corner of said county,
thence north on the said county lines of Franklin, Delaware, Marion, Crawford,
Seneca, Sandusky and Ottawa." The proposed line made nearly an equal division
of the State. The General Eldership, sitting at Harrisburg, Pa., on Wednesday
afternoon, June 3, 1857, adopted the report of its Committee on Boundaries, which
approved the proposed division of the Ohio Eldership, and fixed the boundaries
between the East and West Ohio Elderships and between the West Ohio Eldership
and the Indiana Eldership as petitioned by the Ohio Eldership in the action of its
Standing Committee.
. 1st West Ohio Eldei-ship. — Everything officially being thus perfected, J. M.
West, "one of the Standing Committee" announced that "the Western Ohio Elder-
ship is requested to meet on Wednesday, the 14th of October, ready to organize on
the 15th, at Upper Sandusky, Wyandot county, Ohio." This was in 1857. "All
the members in the bounds of the Eldership, and all who wish to become mem-
bers" were "requested to attend without fail." West "called the house to order,"
and T. Hickemell "opened the Eldership with the usual acts of worship." T. H.
Deshiri and T. Hickernell constituted the Eldership, enrolling fifteen ministers,
seven ruling elders and three delegates. Thomas Hickemell was elected Speaker;
J. M. West, First Clerk, and R. H. Bolton, Second Clerk. Eight committees were
appointed by the Speaker, and the Eldership "appointed a Board of Missions and
a Stationing Committee." Hickeraell was appointed "to preach the Opening Ser-
mon this evening." The Committee on Rules reported twelve Rules. The Open-
ing Sermon was based on 1 John ii. 6. The Constitution of the original Ohio Eld-
The West Ohio Eldkrship 557
ership Board of Missions was adopted. White, of Michigan, was present, and
asked for a minister, but the Eldership found it "impossible at present." Nine
ministers volunteered to travel. One was licensed — A. Rush. The Eldership in-
sisted on Transfers, declaring that it "will receive no minister from any other body
without a transfer or recommendation." A resolution was passed in favor of "the
daily reading of the Scriptures in our common schools, as a school-book," and one
"heartily advising all brethren to abstain from using tobacco in the house of God
during divine service." "The propriety of erecting an institution of education, on
the donation system, in West Ohio, to teach pupils free of tuition" was considered.
The work of the American Bible Union was strongly commended. "Slavery, the
sum of all evils" was pronounced "contrary to the spirit and letter of the gospel,"
and the Eldership pledged itself "to labor and render all the aid and sympathy
possible for those in bonds." Believing the subject of temperance "to be overr
looked and neglected to a great degree," the Eldership advised that "it be revived
In the pulpit and in the churches." The ministers were directed "to solicit one
dime from each member ... .for missionary purposes, to be forwarded to Elder
James Colder," Harrisburg, Pa. The circuits to which eight ministers were ap-
pointed were Attica, Carey, Findlay, Clintonville, Celina, Defiance.
2nd West Ohio Eldership. — The first Eldership has no official title on its Min-
utes. The second, which "convened in Findlay, Hancock county, Ohio, September
16, 1858," is called "The West Ohio Eldership of the Churches of God." John
Winebrenner was present, and preached the Opening Sermon from Ezra v. 11. He
was made "a member of this body during its sittings," and was chairman of the
Committee on License. W^m. McFadden, of Harrisburg, Pa., was also made 'a
member of this Eldership. The Speaker elected was T. Hickeraell, with J. M.
West, Journalizing Clerk, and R. H. Bolton, Transcribing Clerk. Some extensive
revivals were reported. At the nine special meetings on the Blanchard circuit,
Bolton and Wm. McCormick, pastors, there were one hundred and twenty con-
versions. Coates reported eighty-three on the Carey circuit. The conduct of the
Editor of The Advocate was disapproved, "in publishing articles and communica-
tions which are derogatory to the character of some of our ministerial brethren,
and then refuses them the right and privilege of defending themselves." And
then it specifically branded a letter of A. B. Slyter "in which he has misrepre-
sented Elder John Winebrenner, as one of these unbecoming and injurious com-
munications, entirely unjustifiable." A committee was named "to have the West
Ohio Eldership incorporated."
3rd West Ohio Eldership. — The work of the Standing Committee during the
year appeared in constituting the Eldership which assembled "in the bethel near
West Liberty, Crawford county, Ohio, October 5, 185 9." One charge was added
to the list; two points are stations, and several names are changed. Eleven of the
twenty-six ministers were absent. Twelve ruling elders and six delegates were
present. The resolution of 1858 the Eldership corrected so as to read, "That our
preachers proceed to their appointed fields of labor forthwith after the Eldership."
The spirit of independency manifested by some "churches within our bounds" was
rebuked in trenchant terms, as "resulting invariably in divisions, alienations and
tumults, detrimental to our union, harmony and co-operation." Christmas day-
was recommended to be set apart by ministers and churches as a day of fasting
and prayer.
4th West Ohio Eldership. — The West Ohio Eldership was steadily growing
both as to mihisters and membership. It was becoming one of the strongest Eld-
erships in the moral and intellectual strength of its teaching elders. There were
new accessions of men of promise from the ranks, and the strong men of eastern
Ohio were attracted to it. At the Eldership which met in the bethel near Mendon,
Mercer county, Ohio, October 15, 1860, W. P. Small and C. S. Bolton received li-
cense. G. W. Wilson was chosen Speaker; R. H. Bolton, First Clerk, and James
George, Second Clerk. Advisory ministers were accorded the privileges of full
members during the session. Tiffin was a station, and there were four circuits
and one mission — Maumee. The Eldership offered to the Indiana Eldership to
have the churches east of St. Mary's River added to the West Ohio Eldership if
the Indiana Eldership "cannot conveniently supply them." Among the difficulties
to be adjusted this year was one involving "the General Agent of the General Eld-
ership, J. F. AVeishampel." The Standing Committee at its meeting in August had
accused him of committing "grievous offenses: 1. By disseminating pro-slavery
principles. 2. By disseminating sectarian principles. 3. By circulating slander-
558 History of the Churches of God
ous reports against Elder John Winebreniier." The Eldership simply adopted the
Report of the Committee, although it pronounced, without a hearing, Weishampel's
"actions censurable and his guilt intolerable." Instead of seeking redress accord-
ing to the Constitution, AVcishampel, after waiting four months, in a letter dated
December 1st, and published January 3, 1861, resented this treatment in pungent
and impassioned terms. To this letter G. W. AVilson, member pro tem of the
Standing Committee, replied in a communication dated February 9, 1861, defend-
ing the action of the Committee. Charges had also been preferred against Elder
Moses Coates. The Committee heard them in the absence of the accused, and
reported their actions to the Eldership, and the report was considered consecutively
and adopted. But as Coates "confessed" to some of the charges that "he had
done wrong," "pardon was granted him" on those charges. Yet the Eldership
finally resolved "that he be no longer a member of this body." When various
publications had been approved, a resolution prevailed "commending all who con-
veniently can, to prepare and publish as many books as possible on suitable sub-
jects." After strong resolutions were adopted on the life and character of Wine-
brenner, it was ordered that "a funeral sermon be preached to-night on the death
of Elder Winebrenner by Bro. T. Hickemell." "A solemn and impressive sermon
from 2 Tim. iv. 7, was preached." It favored the erection of a monument over
Winebrenner's grave, and urged ministers and brethren to solicit and forward
contributions for that purpose. The sin of slavery" was declared to be "increas-
ing most alarmingly" and "making fearful inroads upon the interests of human-
ity," and the Eldership resolved to "do everything within the province of Chris-
tians, and especially ministers of the gospel, to arrest the progress of this evil,
and ultimately to erase it from our land."
5th West Ohio Eldership. — Only a synopsis, by direction of the Eldership, "of
the leading items of the doings" of the Eldership of 1861 was published. "The
West Ohio Eldership of the Churches of God convened in Union Bethel, Hopewell
township, Seneca county, Ohio, on Monday morning, October 14, 1861." Fourteen
teaching elders were present, and eleven absent; with nine ruling elders and four
delegates. G. W, AVilson was elected "Chairman;" R. H. Bolton, First Clerk, and
James George, Second Clerk. The Eldership "forwarded $5.00 for the publica-
tion of the Journal in full, to Bro. Thomas, in pamphlet form, in connection with
other Minutes of Elderships of the Churches of God in North America." "The in-
testine and treasonal strife, with thousands of armed rebels threatening our
national Capitol, and even our national existence," was deplored and anathema-
tized. The Eldership resolved "to pray for our rulers;" "to pray unceasingly that
God will defend the right and give success in this struggle of our nation to per-
petuate its existence;" "to pray for our soldiers that have gone at their couniry's
call to defend the liberties we enjoy;" "to pray that God will so overrule this
national calamity that the blighting curse of slavery, which is the originating
cause of all this loss of blood and treasure, may be swept from the land." The
strongest sentiments of patriotism were voiced in resolutions following this Re-
port, in resolutions on Elder C. S. Bolton, who "had laid aside the pleasures of a
quiet home, and marched forth at his country's call to the defense of freedom and
the Constitution." St. Mary's circuit was added to the West Ohio Eldership ap-
pointments, in addition to which there were five circuits and one station. Tiffin
became part of Findlay circuit.
6th AVest Ohio Eldei"ship. — The plan of publishing the Journals of all the
Annual Elderships in one pamphlet having proved impracticable, the Journal of
the West Ohio Eldership again appeared in full in The Advocate in 1862. The
session was held in the bethel in Jefferson township, Williams county, Ohio, com-
mencing on Monday morning, October 20, 1862. The attendance was small, as
twenty out of twenty-nine teaching elders were absent, and but seven delegates
and five ruling elders were in attendance. An election for officers resulted in the
choice of T. Hickernell for Speaker; R. H. Bolton, First Clerk, and James George,
Second Clerk. As a result of "the present unhappy state of our country," the
Eldership affirmed that "immorality and recklessness are fearfully on the rise, and
the vice of intemperance ... .seeks to spread its evil influence wider, and make
drunkenness more general;" "opening the floodgates of every vice; fllling the air
with the shrieks and cries of the distressed and broken hearted." It therefore
resolved that "it is the duty of all Christians to use all their energies against this
blighting and soul-withering curse;" that it "will try to discourage any counte-
nance that may be given to the unholy traffic by the patronage of professing Chris-
The West Ohio Eldership 559
tians," and "heartily approving of the course of the War and Navy Department in
prohibiting the use of ardent spirits in the Army." Ringing resolutions were re-
ported by the Committee on the State of the Country, approving the course of the
Government; disclaiming "all sympathy with rebellion or secession in either
Church or State;" attributing "the devastation and confiscation of property, the
loss of life, the mangling and ruining of bodies, the blood that has already
drenched cur once happy land" to "slavery as one of the main causes." A com-
mittee was reappointed "to draft a new Constitution for the Board of Missions."
M. Coates, coming "with sufficient contrition and penitence, and asking pardon of
all he had offendetJ," was restored to fellowship and a license granted him. The
President's Proclamation of Emancipation was "hailed with joy" by the Eldership,
"as the harbinger of a new era in the affairs of our country," and the hope ex-
pressed "that the time will speedily arrive when universal emancipation shall be
proclaimed throughout the land." The work of the American Bible Society was
strongly commended. The "revival of the Sunday-school cause" was strongly
urged upon the ministers "as calculated to further the spiritual interests of the
Church." The conversion during the year of one hundred and fifty souls, the im-
mersion of fifty-one, and the organization of six new churches were reported.
7th West Ohio Eldership. — On Sabbath morning, October 18, 1863, A. X.
Shoemaker, hLarrisburg, Pa., preached to the West Ohio Eldership a sermon on
"The Ministry." The Eldership convened on Monday morning, the 19th, in the
Rock Run Bethel, Wyandot county, Ohio, the Opening Sermon having been
preached the previous evening, by J. AV. Aukeiinan. G. W. Wilson was elected
Speaker; R. H. Bolton, First Clerk, and H. W. Conley, Second Clerk. After the
Committee on Resolutions had called attention to "two very important questions
now agitating the Christian public: — 1st. The relation of a Christian citizen to
the Government of the United States; and 2nd, His duty to that Government in
the present contest between it and the States in open rebellion against its author-
ity"— it proposed that "we invite Bro. G. W. Wilson to preach on said subject this
evening." Books written and published by ministers of the Church were recom-
mended to "the ministers, brethren and people within the bounds of this Elder-
ship." and the brethren were urged "to write out and publish more uspful books f"r
the Church and people." An Eldership Protocal, to contain all the Minutes of the
body and of its Standing Committee was ordered to be secured. As a body of
Christians was found to exist in northern Ohio and southern Michigan, known as
"the Church of God in Christ;" and as said body "holds to similar views to those
we hold to be taught in the Bible;" and as "those of like precious faith should co-
operate in one body to promote the cause of God our Savior," the Committee on
Resolutions asked the Eldership "that two delegates be appointed to attend their
next Eldership in order to bring about a union of the two bodies, if practicable."
R. H. Bolton and James Wilson were appointed. Ministers and deacons were
averred to be negligent in the discharge of their duties in the matter of the sup-
port of pastors, and were "urged to lay the sunport of the ministers clearly before
their congregations, and urge them to be faithful in the performance of their
duties." The Committee on the State of the Country was sustained in declaring
it to be "the responsible mission of the American people to maintain unimpaired
the unity and integrity of this Government;" "that all its subjects owe loyalty to
the rightful authority of the Government;" that "there can be no right of revolu-
tion under a democratic form of government," and demanding "the complete
abolition of slavery, which is a sinful, unnatural and cruel system." "No intelli-
gent Christian, or friend of humanity can sympathize with the authors of the self-
styled Southern Confederacy" because "they are rebels," "they are traitors," "they
are murderers," "they are the destroyers of the peace, commerce, institutions and
happiness of their country." The Constitution of "the Missionary Aid Society"
was considered and adopted. The Chicago Mission project was strongly endorsed,
and "solicitors and collectors were appointed" to "take subscriptions for three
years." One hundred and eightv-seven were received into fellowship during the
year, out of two hundred and sixty-six reported conversions, and the total member-
ship was given as eight hundred and fifty. Seven ministers volunteered to travel
fields the foUowine yenr. These were assigned to five circuits and two missions,
with one other mission to be supplied by an eighth minister. Genessee Mission,
Mich., was one of the mission fields.
8th West Ohio Eldership. — The proposition to seek to effect a union with the
Church of God in Christ bore fruit to the extent that when the West Ohio Elder-
560 History op the Churches of God
ship met in the United Brethren meeting-house in Findlay, Hancock county, Ohio,
October 17, 1864, J. Huff and J. Haixlee were present as representatives of said
Church, and were made advisory members. The committee to visit the annual
Conference of said Church reported; the Eldership "approved of the efforts that
are making for a union," and appointed "two delegates to their next annual meet-
ing." The Eldership elected D. Shriner, Speaker; C. S. Bolton, First Clerk, and
G. E. Ewing, Second Clerk. Contrary to the teachings of many in those days, the
Eldership declared that "the Bible stands opposed to oppression in humanity and
injustice as is embodied in the slave traffic; therefore we, taking the Bible for our
criterion, can not conscientiously and religiously unite in church or Christian fel-
lowship with any man who justifies, or has fellowship, or persists in the sinful
practice of buying, or selling, or holding any human being in bondage." The
President's confiscation and Emancipation Proclamation "has our hearty ap-
proval." There was one negative vote on the resolution on slavery. Declaring
further its "unwavering confidence in, and loyalty to, the Government," the Elder-
ship resolved that it "can not hold fellowship with any brother who will knowingly
and in any way aid the rebellion, or conspiracy against this Government of the
United States in the North or South." The "fervent prayers" of the Eldership are
"tendered to the President and all others with him in authority for the final over-
throw and triumphant success in suppressing the rebellion, perpetuating and sus-
taining the union of all the States, and restoring an honorable and permanent
peace, founded in justice, liberty and union." Hence, on the first breath of sus-
picion as to the loyalty of J. Dobson he was put on trial upon charges preferred
against him, "authorized by the Eldership;" but he "having answered satisfactor-
ily all the interrogations of the Eldership, was exonerated." The Eldership re-
solved "in no way to give aid or countenance to any man who will engage in the
bitter curse of the rum traffic, either in furnishing material for distilling, selling
or otherwise distributing as a beverage intoxicating liquors." It pronounced in
favor of an educated, energetic and efficient ministry, "and so insisted that the
ministers pursue a regular course of studies." The Sabbath-school was voted to
be the most highly important of the enterprises of the present age, and each
preacher was required to preach a sermon on this subject. Every itinerant min-
ister was required at the next Eldership to report "all money and other articles
received from each church on his circuit," "the same to be entered on the records
of the Eldership." Six circuits were formed, two of which were left unsupplied.
9th West Ohio Eldership. — The West Ohio Eldership in 1865 had not less
than thirty preaching places, divided among eight fields of labor. One of these
was Michigan Mission, and another Degraff Mission. There were appointments in
Lucas county, of which Toledo is the county seat, which belonged to the Church
of God in Christ, but which the Eldership was requested to supply. They were
attached to Findlay circuit. Findlay station had the three points of Findlay,
Blanchard and Hickory Grove. The Eldership met in the Rock Run Bethel, Wyan-
dot county, Ohio, on Monday morning, October 16, 1865. In addition to the
teaching elders and ruling elders, the members of the Board of Missions composed
of laymen not members of the Eldership, were made full members, as well as Long
and Selby, of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, and Adams and Landes, of the East
Ohio Eldership. The session on Monday afternoon was enlivened with "a warm
discussion" of the question of "preaching doctrine contrary to the known views of
this body without previous consultation." The majority favored the resolution,
but as it seemed to resemble an unwritten Creed, it was reconsidered at once after
another "lengthy debate," and changed so as to express the opinion "that it is out-
side of the calling of a gospel minister to preach a doctrine which he can not prove
directly by the Bible." But before this was adopted there was "a warm and
lengthy debate." Subscribing toward the support of a minister, and refusing to
pay when there is ability, was made an offense subject to discipline. "Hostilities
between the Government of the United States and the rebel forces" having ceased,
the Eldership rejoiced in "the overthrow of the Rebellion," "the stability of our
form of Government," "the abandonment of the vile and damnable system of
slavery," "the elevation of the colored race to the enjoyment of their natural and
inalienable rights," and pledged itself to "united efforts of all true patriots to re-
store harmony and Christian friendship between the lately divided portions of our
country." A sermon on the ordinances was delivered by G. W. Wilson, appointed
by the Eldership, and their observances followed the sittings of Wednesday. The
membership of the Stationing Committee consisted of three teaching and three
The West Ohio Eldekship 561.
ruling elders; that of the Standing Committee of three teaching and two ruling
elders. The Eldership disclaimed all belief in, and sympathy with, the doctrines
of election and the final perseverance of the saints, nor their propagators, and
declared that the sooner the churches rid themselves of this withering evil the
better, so as to retain our confidence and to reflect favorably on the cause gen-
erally." A vote on the reunion of the two Ohio Elderships "stood nine for and
eight against." Four delegates were appointed to deliberate with the delegates
of the East Ohio Eldership on the subject. But they were given binding in-
structions not to agree to a union "if any erroneous doctrines or practices exist,
except upon the ground that these be immediately corrected, and prohibited the
privilege of coming into the consolidation." G. E. Ewing, of Williams county,
Ohio, who had gone to Nemaha county, Kas., was "authorized to act as a mission-
ary on behalf of the Church in Kansas." The officers of the Eldership were W.
Shafer, Speaker; J. \V. Senseimey, First Clerk, and G. W. Wilson, Second Clerk.
The Speaker preached the Opening Sermon from 2 Cor. iv. 1, 2, on Sunday evening
previous to the organization.
10th West Ohio Eldersliip. — Several peculiar facts are connected with the ses-
sion of the West Ohio Eldership at Blanchard Bethel, Liberty township, Hancock
county, Ohio, which convened on Monday morning, November 19, 1866. It is
specially noted that the Opening Sermon by G. AV. Wilson, "was written and read
before a large and attentive congregation." After electing T. Hickemell Speaker;
J. H. Besore, First Clerk, and G. W. Wilson, Second Clerk, an unusual committee
was named "On Translations and the Bible Laws generally." This committee
commended the labors of the American Bible Union, and "sincerely advised the
adoption of the new translation as a text book in the pulpit, a companion in the
family and a guide to inspired truth in our Sabbath-schools." It seems a surprise
that "a very lengthy and feeling debate" should take place on the affirmative state-
ment that "the Scriptures authorize the laying on of hands and prayer in setting
apart men to the holy office of the gospel ministry." But the resolution was post-
poned "for more mature reflection." Then G. W. AVilson again introduced resolu-
tions declaring that the Eldership will "in future set apart our ministers for the
work assigned them by the laying on of hands and prayer." But it was not pro-
posed to make it obligatory; but on the same evening those who so desired were
thus ordained, by L. Ensminger, who himself had been thus set apart. It was,
however, not until "after a lengthy, solemn and interesting discussion" that the
resolutions were adopted. It was recommended to the churches to hold two camp-
meetings the following season. Dissatisfaction with "the liquor license laws of
Ohio" was expressed, and the Legislature was "earnestly appealed to to pass
prohibitory laws immediately." To have "traveling preachers" on the Stationing
Committee was affirmed to be "a great evil," and so action was taken that "no
preacher having a charge shall serve on that Committee." Wednesday evening
was uniquely memorable. Wilson preached a sermon; ten ministers, nearly all
having held licenses for longer or shorter periods, were "ordained by the laying
on of hands and prayer;" the washing of the saints' feet; the Lord's Supper;
"embracing and greeting of the sympathizing brethren after the ordination ser-
vices," all combined produced a scene "which was hardly ever equalled among us."
Under such conditions it was easy to adopt a resolution to raise $1,000.00 mis-
sionary money. There was also need for funds, as the Eldership had on its list of
charges De Graff Mission, Genesee Mission, Mich., and the Kansas Mission. Wil-
son, Ensminger and Small were appointed "a committee to draft a Constitution,
or system of co-operation, for the use of the Eldership." The only limitation on
the powers of the Standing Committee was "the approval or disapproval of the
Eldership."
11th West Ohio Eldei-ship. — The day of the meeting of the Eldership having
been changed, it met in its eleventh annual session in the Findlay Bethel, Find-
lay, Hancock county, Ohio, Wednesday, October 16, 1867, at 2 o'clock p. m. The
officers chosen were D. Shiiner, Speaker; J. H. Besore, Clerk, and J. W. Sen-
sinney. Reporter. In the evening the Opening Sermon was delivered by T.
Hickernell, from 1 Cor. ii. 1, 2. J. Richards, one of the ex-ministers who consti-
tuted the first Eldership organized in 1830, at Harrisburg, Pa., received license,
with three others, one of them D. S. AVanier, later the leader in Ohio and west-
ward of a body of people who gave the brotherhood considerable trouble. The
Eldership planned to have three camp-meetings held in 1868. The project of
creating a fund for superannuated ministers and widows of deceased ministers,
C. H.— 19*
562 History of the Churchks of God
and for contingent purposes, was more fully matured, so as to be put in active
form. It was required of the churches to pay their ministers quarterly, both for
their convenience, and to insure a regular and full compensation. The Mission
Fund was quite below the needs, as well as the expectations, of the Eldership, as
the Board reported "cash received, $167.78; subscriptions, $145.00; balance in
treasury, $82.78." There was sufficient demand for German preaching to move the
Eldership to "invite Elder Busch, of Baltimore, Md.," who was an advisory mem-
ber, "to travel among the Germans of this Eldership." The Genessee Mission,
Mich., as per request of the Michigan Eldership, was transferred to said body. But
the Stationing Committee arranged for the following missions: Degraff, Osceola,
Maumee and Putnam. The Standing Committee the following May "appointed G.
AV. Wilson, J. W. Senseimey and J. H. Besore to draft a Constitution for the West
Ohid Eldership, to be presented to that body at its next meeting for adoption."
12th West Ohio Eldership. — But nine of the twenty-four teaching elders, with
thirteen ruling elders and delegates, constituted the Eldership, which convened at
Beery Bethel, Mercer county, Ohio, October 19, 1868. Not less than three hun-
dred and sixty conversions were reported, nearly tv/o hundred of which were bap-
tized, with seven new church organizations. These were all reported as "im-
mersions," under the influence of the American Bible Union Version. Feeling the
need of "a much better system of missionary financiering," it was resolved to put
the "missionary system on an independent basis," so as "to exclude all other
claims." and that "the missionary money can be applied only in the employment
of missionaries to labor in the ministry exclusively on ground occupied by min-
isters of the Church of God." Hence, after this year, "missionary funds shall not
be appropriated to any other purpose;" that "greater effort shall be put forth to
collect missionary money," and that "at least one preacher shall be employed as a
missionary upon new ground every year." The Eldership pledged each min-
ister to "discountenance forever the use of tobacco." Local ministers were required
"to act as auxiliaries to the itinerant ministry, and to co-operate with them."
Failure to do so was to work forfeiture of their licenses. So highly was Elder
Janies George esteemed that a committee was appointed to erect a suitable monu-
ment over his grave and that of his wife. The committee appointed to draft a Con-
stitution for the Eldership having failed to do the work, W^ilson was appointed for
that purpose.
13th West Ohio Eldership. — By what process of thought the West Ohio Elder-
ship reversed itself on the matter of the sacredness of the mission funds may never
be known. A year ago it virtually recognized the fact that it held these funds in
trust for the specific purpose for which they were solicited and contributed. It
implicitly acknowledged that to do otherwise was a betrayal of a trust, which must
work a forfeitlire of confidence. It substantially admitted that there are always
objections to the use of funds entrusted to measurably irresponsible parties or
bodies, and that the veto power resorted to is the withholding of contributions.
Yet at its second sitting in 1869 it "rescinded the resolution passed at our last
annual session, that all missionary funds hereafter raised be applied exclusively
for the support of missions." It did not spread on its Minutes to what other pur-
poses it applied some of these funds. It held its session in the bethel at Kirby,
Wyandot county, Ohio, meeting on October 15, 1869. J. AV. Aukemian presided,
with D. S. W^anier and AV. P. Small First and Second Clerks respectively. It
opened its doors for ministers of other Elderships to "take appointments in this
Eldership without transfers," although the Constitution of the General Eldership
forbids it. Deshiri was an example of a wandering sheep returning. A licensed
minister of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, he removed to Ohio, where he joined
the Free Will Baptist Church, and in 1869 came and knocked for admission into
the West Ohio Eldership, and was granted a license. The death of Thomas was
appropriately memorialized by resolutions which spoke of his "gentlemanly and
truly Christian deportment, which won for him a deep place in the affections of his
co-laborers in the ministry; his truly pious example." With the "increase of active,
zealous, efficient ministers" in the Eldership, the Stationing Committee experienced
less trouble in satisfactorally supplying its different charges. To give a more
permanent character to provisions from time to time made for certain benevolent
features of its work, the Eldership ordered the appointment of a committee "to
draft a Constitution for a preachers' widows' and orphans' Fund." Not being
ready to reunite with the East Ohio Eldership, it was decided that "it is inex-
pedient to consolidate at present."
The West Ohio Eldership 563
14th West Ohio Eldership. — Sixteen teaching elders and twenty ruling elders,
with seven delegates responded to their names when the fourteenth West Ohio
Eldership was constituted in the country bethel known as Hopewell, Seneca county,
October 14, 187 0. Nine teaching elders were absent. T. H. Deshiri was chosen
Speaker; D. S. AA^tmer, First Clerk, and W. P. Small, Second Clerk. The Rule was
adopted requiring ten days' notice when charges are to be preferred. Because
"the people of God are to be a separate people;" therefore, the Eldership "confeid-
ered that the modern mite societies are not becoming for Christians to engage in,"
and so "we can not approve of those societies in the Church of God." An Elder-
ship camp-meeting was directed to be held, and each pastor was instructed to
present the matter to his churches. State fairs were denounced only in so far as
they countenanced "racing, trotting, betting, drinking, blasphemy and other crying
sins." But "popular amusements, such as theaters, festivals, circuses and base-
ball are deleterious to a Christian life, and are of such a character as not to be en-
gaged in in the name of the Lord." "All honorable and lawful means to suppress
the traffic and unnecessary use of intoxicating beverages" are to be used. The
number of conversions during the year is given as from 200 to 250, and "an al-
most unprecedented number of young men have come into the ministry." An
effort was to be made to purchase a house of worship in Tiffin. Filled with an
aggressive spirit, the Eldership further resolved to "make every effort to occupy
all the ground we possibly can within the bounds of this Eldership." Findlay
station and McComb circuit were "thrown into one," with two preachers. In addi-
tion six circuits, and two General Missionaries. A committee was named "to draft
a Constitution and By-Laws for the Home Missionary Society of the West Ohio
Eldership." The Eldership was regarded as "the best we have ever had."
l.lth West Ohio Eldership. — While "Chairman" is the title given to the pre-
siding officer of the fiftienth West Ohio Eldership in the Minutes, it is probably
correct to assume that the proper title is Speaker. Except for a few years, this
has been the invariable title in all the Elderships up to this time. The Eldership
convened in the bethel at Findlay, Hancock county, Ohio, on Friday morning,
October 13, 1871. There were two stations and six circuits, which were repre-
sented by twenty-two teaching elders; eighteen ruling elders, and seven delegates.
Eight teaching elders were absent. W. P. Small was elected Chairman; D. S.
Wanier, First Clerk, and S. M, Gaskill, Second Clerk. Two delegates were present
from the North West Ohio Christian Union. Being made advisory members,
Jcsei>h Neil prepared the way for addresses by them by "remarks relative to the
subject of consolidation of the Church of God and the Christian Union, and then
called upon Bros. S. AVilson and D. Lepley, the delegates who were present upon
that business, to speak." They made "many warm and earnest appeals for the
union of all God's people, and especially all such who agree so well and have such
strong affinities as seem to exist between them and the Church of God." Where-
upon the Eldership declared its readiness "to do our utmost to bring about this
union." The Standing Committee was appointed to meet the Standing Committee
of the North-western Ohio Christian Conference at Lafayette, Allen county, Ohio,
November 21, 1871, to confer on the matter. While the Eldership convened on
Friday morning, the Opening Sermon was preached on Saturday evening. Min-
isters in charge of fields of labor and churches were strongly urged "to put forth
efforts to have well-organized Sabbath-schools wherever" possible. It was agreed
to hold a Sabbath-school Convention the coming year. Increased care was to be
taken in granting licenses, and so recommendations from the elders of local
churches where applicants are members were to be required. The Legislature of
the State was commended for the passage of a law "making the vendors of ardent
spirits, and the owners of property wherein the same is sold, responsible for all
damage done by said traffic." The Agent for the Board of Missions collected
$2,491.00 during the year. A stringent provision was added to the Constitution
of the Board of Missions, prohibiting "any officer or officers of the Board, or the
Eldership, or any member thereof" from "expending any part of the principal of
the Missionary Fund." The Missionary Agent was continued, he to receive "three
per cent, on all notes he takes, and ten per cent, on all moneys he collects, for his
services." There were seven circuits and one station reported by the Stationing
Committee. Four of the circuits had two pastors.
leth West Ohio Eldership. — The Opening Sermon of the sixteenth session of
the West Ohio Eldership was delivered by D. L. Warner on the evening of the first
day's session. The body convened October 11, 1872, in the Sugar Grove Bethel,
564 HisTOKY OF thp: Churches of God
South Bridgewater, Williams county. Findlay had become a station. A. X. Shoe-
iiiakLM', of Chicago, 111., was chosen Speaker, and J. L. Jenner, Clerk. The ques-
tion of union with the Christian Union Church was not brought before the Elder-
ship; but a sermon on "Christian Union" was. delivered by Shoemaker. More
clearly and permanently to define the organization, powers, rights and duties of
the Eldership, it was ordered "that a committee of three be appointed to draft a
Constitution for this Eldership." All licensed ministers were required to preach
not less than twenty-five sermons each year. The Eldership placed the sale of the
Clintonville church property in the hands of the Standing Committee, the proceeds
to be "applied to liquidate the debt still resting on the Findlay bethel." Charges
were preferred against L. Ensininger, who had been a successful general mission-
ary agent, which were referred to the Standing Committee, to be investigated at
its first meeting. This was done November 28, 1872. The charges "implicated
his moral and Christian character," and "in the judgment of the Committee were
in the main sustained." Whereupon the Committee "considered him unworthy of
a license from this body, or fellowship in the Church of God." The work of the
year was reasonably successful, as the statistics show 337 conversions, 199 bap-
tized, 22 6 fellowshiped. The territory was divided into two stations and six
circuits. Some were dissatisfied "that the circuits were not divided and more
fields of labor constituted and more men employed." "The meeting was a glorious
one," is the estimate of one young and enthusiastic minister.
17th AVest Ohio Eldership. — When the West Ohio Eldership met in the bethel
at New Washington, Crawford county, Ohio, October 17, 1873, the draft of the
Constitution was ready to be submitted for approval. It was adopted item by
item, consisting of eighteen Articles. Its main provisions are as follows: "The
name — West Ohio Eldership of the Church of God." Members — "All the preachers
holding a license of this body, together with the ruling elders of the local churches."
Delegates are not entitled to membership except when sent to fill the places of
ruling elders, and then the number of delegates shall not exceed the number of
ruling elders. "A majority of the members present constitute a quorum." "The
Speaker, with the assistance of two other members of the Eldership, which he
shall choose, shall appoint all the committees except the Stationing and Standing
Committees." "The Standing Committee shall act in behalf of the Eldership
during the year." The pastors are required to make statistical reports, includ-
ing the amount of their support. "Two-thirds majority" is required to amend the
Constitution. "Each member shall constantly endeavor to promote the peace,
prosperity and unanimity of the Eldership." An organization was effected by the
choice of J. W, Aukennan for Speaker; VV. P. Small, First Clerk, and G. T. Kim-
mel, Second Clerk. It became necessary to enforce the lifting of appointed col-
lections, and to this end some of the pastors were sent back to attend to this duty.
The Eldership mourned the death of one of its promising and worthy young min-
isters, S. M. Gaskill, who "was called away in the midst of life." Feeling "the
necessity of a Ministerial Association" in the Eldership, Wednesday evening before
the Pentecostal meeting was fixed for that purpose. The list of appointments con-
sisted of one station, eight circuits and three missions, with W. H. Oliver as
"traveling missionary." The missions are Kansas Mission — Hopewell, Phillips,
Kansas, Bettsville, Freeport and Mill Grove; Paulding Mission — Sugar Ridge,
Miller's, East and Blue Creek, and Toledo Mission— Robinson, Washington Station,
Providence Center, Union School-house, East Toledo, Martin, Benton and Crane
Creek.
18th West Ohio Eldership. — The West Ohio Eldership evinced quite a degree
of interest in what was called the "Sisters' Mission Movement," as good work in
Nebraska was being accomplished through it. Accordingly in 1874 the Eldership
devoted some time to its consideration, and requested A. X. Shoemaker to make
a statement concerning it. The result was the adoption of a resolution suggest-
ing "the propriety of organizing a sisters' mission society in each local church, to
be auxiliary to the General Society." The Eldership met in the bethel at West
Unity, Williams county, September 30, 1874, and elected J. W. Aukerman,
Speaker; T. Koogle, First Clerk, and J. F. Fox, Second Clerk. The Chicago Mis-
sion occupied considerable time, and Shoemaker was asked to make a statement
concerning it, which was "appreciated," but without further action. The dele-
gates to the General Eldership in 1875 were directed to "do all they can for the
establishment of a Church school." The Eldership having sometimes consumed
much time in settling "difficulties of long standing and of a serious character
The West Ohio Eldhkship 5^>>
arising between brethren," insisted that "the good of the cause demands that suchf-
cases should be settled privately," and hence declared "that no such cases will be^
admitted into this Eldership for adjustment." The Eldership received "a bequest"
made by Sister Anna Myers. Authority was given "the trustees of Hickory Grove-
Bethel to sell said property, and appropriate the proceeds to liquidate the debt on
Findlay Bethel." The beginning of trouble between D. S. Warner and the Elder-
ship is foreshadowed in an action on the adoption of his Report, which stated that
he had "organized a church in Upper Sandusky contrary to the Rules of Co-opera-
tion," and regarding this as "a schismatic movement," "highly disapproved of his
course in organizing said church." Imbued with the missionary spirit, the Elder-
ship directed W. P. Small "to visit Toledo and see what can be done there to build
up the good cause." Reports show an aggregate of eight hundred conversions
and seven hundred accessions to the churches during the year, so that the Elder-
ship felt "greatly encouraged to renewed effort." "Her ministerial ranks are
filling up with vigorous, strong young men; her houses are multiplying; her
borders are enlarging, and her ministry is zealous, active and efficient." One
station, ten circuits and four missions were reported.
19th West Ohio Eldership. — It was with the close of the West Ohio Eldership
of 1875 that the consolidation of the two Ohio Elderships was consummated. The
East Ohio Eldership was ready six years earlier to become merged in the West
Ohio Eldership, and appropriate action was asked for, and secured, in 1869 from
the General Eldership. And on July 16, 1869, the Standing Committee of the
East Ohio Eldership took the required steps to form a union. The delay was occa-
sioned by the West Ohio Eldership;; but in 1875 it took favorable action, resolv-
ing "that we, as the West Ohio Eldership, agree that the East Ohio Eldership,
with her interests, be merged into the West Ohio Eldership, and that the Standing
Committee of the West Ohio Eldership confer with the Standing Committee of
the East Ohio Eldership relative to this matter." The Eldership held its session
at the Union Bethel, Mercer county, with twenty-eight teaching elders present,
eighteen ruling elders and eight delegates. These represented one station, twelve
circuits and four missions. The Synopsis of the Minutes names only the Trans-
cribing Clerk, G. T. Kimmel. The property at Clintonville was to be sold, and the
proceeds used in "the building of a new bethel at such a place as may suit the
church best." A bequest of $394.34 was received from Anna Myei-s. While the
Eldership expressed itself in strong terms in favor of "abstaining from, and in
every way discountenancing, the manufacture, sale and use of intoxicating liquors,"
it also recommended "temperance in the use of food among ministers, especially
that of pork and other food that seems to stupify the mind and stimulate the pro-
pensities." There were at this time in the Eldership 82 preaching places; a mem-
bership of 1,622, and during the year there were 724 conversions, 396 immersions,
and 687 fellowshiped. There was considerable excitement on the free school
system, and the Eldership declared that it believed this*system "a blessing to our
c( untry," and denounced the effort being "made on the part of the Roman Catholic
Church to divide the school fund and make it subservient to sectarian interests."
The Eldership appointed the time and place to hold the Ministerial Association
and the Pentecostal meeting. W. P. Turk was expelled because he "has failed to
maintain his Christian integrity" in his relation to the Church and the Eldership.
The name of L. Leonard "was also dropped from the Minutes," while the license of
Shepherd was not renewed. Two new names were added to the Roll,
those of A. P. McNutt and John Wilder. Eighteen fields of labor were formed,
of which nine were in the territory of the East Ohio Eldership. One of the first
duties of the Standing Committee of the consolidated Eldership was to adjust the
difficulties which had existed for some time at "the Brick Bethel." This was done
by a mutual agreement on November 24, 1875, and a reorganization of the
church.
20th West Ohio Eldership. — The consolidated Eldership for some time re-
t:iined the name of the West Ohio Eldership, as the merger was really the ab-
scrbtion of the East Ohio Eldership by the West Ohio Eldership. It also retained
its ordinal number, the Eldership of 1876 being the twentieth West Ohio Elder^
ship, but the forty-first Eldership in Ohio. It convened at Findlay, Hancock
county, September 2 8th. S. Kline had the distinction of preaching the Opening
Sermon the previous evening. Thirty-nine ministers were present, and thirteen,
ahcent: and there were present thirty-two ruling elders and nineteen delegates.
The officers elected were J. W. Aukenman, Speaker; T. Kooj^le, First Clerk; G. T^
566 History of the Churches op God
Kiminel, Second Clerk. These represented twenty-four fields of labor, of which
one was a station and five were missions. There being no permanent Rules of
Order, a committee reported seven parliamentary Rules. On the subject of edu-
cation the Eldership expressed its belief "that in no other way can we so effect-
ually build up the Church and retain the children of our brotherhood than by
establishing an institution of learning to be owned and controlled by the Church."
It therefore agreed to "appoint a committee to adopt some measures to attain ihe
desired end." This committee consisted of G. W. Wilson, G. T. Kininiel and D. S.
Warner. The Standing Committee reported "the transferring of the East Ohio
Eldership, with its interests, into the West Ohio Eldership," and its report was
adopted. One general agent was "appointed to canvass the territory of the Elder-
ship, to collect interest due, gather cash and take notes." The inconvenience of
adopting temporary Rules of Order was remedied by appointing a committee "to
draft Permanent Rules of Order to be printed in connection with the System of
Co-operation." Lower Sugar Creek church had "refused the ministerial labors
of H. M. Lynn, the regular appointee," a course severely condemned as "utter con-
tempt of the proper authority of the Church of God, and ignored all her law and
order." To aggravate the wrong, the church had secured the services of an ex-
pelled minister. The church was admonished "in the future to desist" from such
a course, and the offenders were promised pardon "for past offenses" if they will
follow this advice. The Eldership lamented the death of two members "who were
among the first fruits of the ministry of God's word in Ohio, and who for many
years have stood in connection with the East Ohio Eldership as ministers of the
gospel," John Beidler and Peter Hartman. A Ministerial Association and a Pente-
costal meeting were appointed, and a committee on program named. On the dia-
conate the Eldership afiirmed its divine appointment, "being authorized by God's
word," and "solemnly admonished the deacons diligently to perform their duty,"
as "God will hold them accountable for much of the suffering and embarrassment
of his ministers." It declared that "ordination by the laying on of hands is scrip-
tural." It was stated that "$2,000 are wanted immediately to meet the demands
of the Mansfield mission house." Twenty-eight appointments were reported by the
Stationing Committee, of which one was a station and six were missions.
21st West Ohio Eldership. — On February 15, 1877, the chairman of the com-
mittee to revise the Constitution and prepare permanent Rules of Order made his
Report public. It retained the old name, "West Ohio Eldership of the Church of
God." And the announcement of the meeting in 1877, and the Journal, number
it the twenty-first Annual Eldership of the Church of God in West Ohio." It con-
vened in the territory of the former East Ohio Eldership, at Smithville, Wayne
county, Wednesday evening, September 26th, when J. M. Cassel preached the
Opening Sermon. There were thirty-five teaching elders present, and eighteen
absent; and thirty ruling elders and twenty-one delegates were present. The
officers were J. W. Aukemian, Speaker; J. V. Uptlike, First Clerk, and T. Koogle,
Second Clerk. It witnessed the reaffirmation of its sentiments in favor of "the
establishing of an educational institution to be owned and controlled by the
Church," and a repetition of its action "to appoint a committee to adopt measures
to attain the desired end." The Standing Committee was authorized to appoint
the camp-meetings, and "churches desiring a camp-meeting must inform the Com-
mittee of place and time they desire to hold the same." The Stationing Committee
was composed of "one member from each station, circuit and mission." And so
the Committee consisted of twenty-five members, of which number only eight were
ministers. "A sacred link that unites us with the first fathers" was removed by
the death of J. Myers, first ordained by the church at Linglestown, Dauphin county.
Pa., in 1829, and by the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1831. "His life, like
golden threads of truth and devotion, is interwoven with the history of the Church
of God from its first organization in the United States." Strong, but indefinite,
resolutions were adopted on temperance, expressing the hope that "the evil and
crime of drunkenness will soon be unknown in our land." An earnest plea was
made "with our dear brethren in Christ to abstain from the unnecessary and filthy
use of tobacco." As a precaution against loss, notes for money borrowed out of
the Permanent Missionary Fund were required to be renewed each year, and inter-
est paid. Stating that "the practice of delaying the baptizing of the young converts
is becoming very prevalent among us," and affirming "such a practice to be con-
trary to the New Testament precedent and the plain command of Christ," the Eld-
ership urged "ministers and churches to see to it that the membership are all
The West Ohio Eldership 567
obedient, especially to this and every other rule relative to the monumental or-
dinances of the Church." Because of insubordination and resistance to the proper
authorities of the church on the part of certain members at Greensburg, "the
officers of the church were advised to expel them from the church" if upon being
"called upon to co-operate with the church and be submissive to the authorities,"
they refuse to do so. Churches and circuits which fail or refuse to pay amounts
assessed by the Eldership, if they are able to do so, "shall not have the services
of a minister until they manifest a willingness to pay the same." Report was
made of 6^5 conversions, 589 accessions, 383 baptized, with a total membership
of 2,340. D. S. Warner's case was acted on charitably. His "license was renewed
with certain restrictions — that he cease to spring this so-called 'Holiness Alliance
Band,' or any other outside party he may stand connected with, upon the churches
of God." For prudential reasons the Stationing Committee was required "to
transact its business with closed doors, and keep strictly secret their actions until
they report to the Eldership." The committee on the Mansfield Bethel declared,
that "under existing circumstances it can see no way by which sufficient means
can be raised to liquidate the claim held against the bethel at Mansfield." There
were twenty-eight appointments, one of them a station, and six missions. Mans-
field Mission remained "to be supplied."
22nd West Ohio Eldership. — Several items of business came over from the
Eldership session of 1877. The first of these was the revised Constitution, which
had been placed in the hands of a committee, and was placed in the hands Of the
Standing Committee. The Greensburg church case was revived, as the insubordi-
nation continued. It was found that "the calling upon the disaffected members
to be subordinate to the church was not properly carried out," and so the resolu-
tion of 187 7 was sent back to the church with this statement attached. But the
Eldership granted permission to the insubordinate party "to organize at McDon-
aldsville, and to be in full co-operation with the circuit and ministers appointed
by the Eldership." The Warner case was indirectly revived when the Committee
on Resolutions submitted the following: "That any minister of this body that
may presume to preach the dogma of a second work for sanctification shall be
deemed unsound in the theology of the Church of God, and should not hold an
ecclesiastical relation as a minister in this Eldership." Of the fifty-three teach-
ing elders thirty-one were present, with twenty-six ruling elders and twenty-one
delegates, when the Roll was called at Rock Run Bethel, Wyandot county, Septem-
ber 25, 187 8. T. Hickemell delivered the Opening Sermon, from Acts xx. 28. T.
Koogle was chosen Speaker; J. V. Updike, First Clerk; J. M. Cassel, Second Clerk,
and I. Steiner, Financial Clerk. For "unbecoming conduct," after trial, the "li-
cense of M. C. Skates was suspended." The Committee on Education advised "the
Eldership to take immediate steps to get a house for the education of our youths."
The question of ordination by the laying on of hands was discussed and a compro-
mise was reached, "giving the privilege to all that desire to be ordained by the lay-
ing on of hands." Thereupon fourteen of the ministers were thus ordained. Four
ministers and three lay elders constituted, by resolution, the Stationing Com-
mittee. Quite a controversy arose out of the action of the East Pennsylvania Eld-
ership which had received O. H. Belts, who came as a minister of the Baptist
Church, but had been disfellowshiped by the Ohio Eldership. The Ohio Eldership
demanded apologies, which having been duly made, the case was closed. The Eld-
ership decided "that none be permitted to go before the Stationing Committee in
person, but to communicate by letter." An assessment was made of "$300.00
for Superannuated and Contingent Fund," and "stations, circuits and missions
which were delinquent be required to pay up within six months from date." Tht^re
were five missions on the Stationing Committee's report, but Wooster and Mans-
field were "unsupplied," Wooster being classed with the "Missions."
23rd West Ohio Eldership. — The ministerial losses recorded on the Journal
in 1879 were important as to numbers and talents. J. P. Miller was adjudged
"unworthy of membership in this body." The name of E. H. Yeisley was "dropped
from the Roll for actions contrary to the Rules of Co-operation, and for causing
schisms in the body by urging churches not to co-operate with the Eldership." At
his own request the name of J. B. Willaman was "dropped from the Journal." J.
V. Updike "informs us that he has about hired himself to preach for the Disciples,"
and his "request was granted, asking that his name be dropped from the Journal."
The membership had been fifty-nine when the body convened at Anderson Bethel,
Mercer county, September 24, 1879, of which thirty-three were present, with
568 HisToRv OF THE Churches of God
thirty-three ruling elders and thirteen delegates. One member had died during
the year, William Adams, converted in Perry county, Pa., and was ordained by the
Ohio Eldership in 1836. Two new names were added to the Roll. T. Koogle was
elected Speaker; E. T. Vaas, First Clerk, and AV. P. Small, Second Clerk. A new
feature in the reports of ministers was the asking of certain questions as each
pastor reported. The Treasurer was required to give bond. A law suit having
grown out of difficulties at New Washington touching property rights, the Elder-
ship deemed it advisable to secure an Act of Incorporation, and arrangements to
that end were at once made. Strongly opposed to Creeds, the Eldership neverthe-
less adopted a resolution not only against a certain theory of sanctification; but it
also declared that "the doctrine of baptismal regeneration is unscriptural and
dangerous in its effects," and that "any minister of this body who shall hold and
publicly preach the doctrine shall not be considered worthy of a license." The
numerical strength of the Church in Ohio is given as 2,155, of which number 330
were received during the year. To make more certain the support of pastors, it
was directed that each pastor at the beginning of the year "call a financial meet-
ing, to make an apportionment of the total amount of salary agreed upon to the
several churches on the field." All church property was advised to be "so deeded
as to secure the same to the body in any emergency." The Standing Committee
was "empowered to consult with other Standing Committees, looking toward the
establishment of a general Church school.
24th West Ohio Eldership. — Frequently there is an unexplained, and now un-
accountable, change in the ministerial Roll of an Eldership between two sessions.
When the West Ohio Eldership was constituted at Blooming Grove, Richland
county, September 30, 1880, there were present thirty-three teaching elders, and
nineteen were absent, or a total enrollment of fifty-two. At the session of 1879
the enrollment reached fifty-nine. There were also present in 1880 thirty-two
ruling elders and delegates. By ballot, J. W. Aukemian was elected Speaker;
E, T. Vaas, First Clerk, and W. P. Small, Second Clerk. After the Report of the
Treasurer was audited and approved, Heni-y Clay was elected to that oflice. The
Committee on Finance had "found due to the Eldership in the hands of the ex-
treasurer the sum of $428.27," and the new Treasurer was "instructed to collect
said amount." Both the Treasurer and the Second Clerk were required to give
bond, the former in the sum of $5,000.00, and the latter, $500.00. During the
year, "in the inscrutable providence of God our highly esteemed and worthy
brother, Elder A. Kesh, was removed from our midst by the hand of death," re-
ported the Committee on Obituaries. A "private sitting" to consider a case acted
on by the Standing Committee, was ordered for Friday morning, and consumed
nearly the whole day, when the report of the Committee was adopted by a vote of
48 yeas and 5 nays. The importance of the case is indicated in the order that
"the entire Eldership remain in the house; that no committee be allowed to do
business, and that counsels on both sides may employ as much time as the case
may require." Otherwise nothing of the case was entered on the Journal. The
Committee on Temperance in its report severely reflected on the church members
when it resolved to "discountenance the practice of members of the Church visit-
ing those dens of vice and immorality, and the using of intoxicating drinks." The
unusual thing of a suit at law against the Eldership was reported. The trustees
of the church at New Washington, Ohio, had brought suit, which was adjusted by
the payment on the part of the Eldership of the sum of $163.80, and the return
of a note of $300.00 held against certain parties. Because it believed that "the
business now done by the Board of Missions can be more conveniently conducted
by the Eldership and Standing Committee," said Board was discontinued after the
adjournment of the Eldership. The number of trustees of the Eldership was also
reduced from seven to three. A tabulated account of the salaries paid "the
twenty-four traveling and active preachers" showed a total of $5,084.06, or an
average of $217.83. The Report on the State of Religion showed conversions,
37 8; accessions, 360; immersions, 205; total membership, 2,024; preaching places,
112, and number of sermons, 3,943. The Eldership decided to "form a class of
study, to be examined at our yearly Eldership meetings." A committee of two
was sent "to Mansfield to sell, rent or close the mission property." At the same
time "the attention of all the local preachers" was directed "to the clause in the
Constitution requiring them to open new appointments."
25th W'est Ohio Eldership. — Defections from the Church on the part of min-
isters was a very rare occurrence prior to 1860; after that date nearly every Eld-
The Wkst Ohio Eldership 569
ership lost some of its members in that way. The name of one was thus "stricken
from the Roll when the West Ohio Eldership was constituted at Smithville, Wayne
county, September 2 9, 1S81. The body consisted of fifty members, twenty-seven
ministers and twenty-three ruling elders and delegates. Twenty-five ministers
were absent. J. W. Aukeriiian was chosen Speaker; S. Kline, First Clerk, and W.
P. Small, Second Clerk. In addition to the Opening Sermon the evening of the
28th, which was called "the Eldership sermon," was preached on the evening
of the 2 9th. S. Kline preached the first, and G. W. Wilson, the second. The Col-
lege enterprise was strongly endorsed, and it was "considered the duty of the
Church generally to respond liberally to the solicitations of the collecting agents
in the State of Ohio." On temperance the Eldership was firmly "opposed to men
professing godliness patronizing in the least degree these places of vice and im-
morality," and pledged itself to "labor for the suppression of the liquor traffic
both by moral suasion and constitutional prohibition." The body mourned the
death of S. Chamberlin, "an excellent and worthy" minister. It also joined the
West Pennsylvania Eldership in expressions of grief at the death of P. Loucks,
and the East Pennsylvania Eldership "in the great loss sustained by the Church at
large" in the death of its two conspicuous laymen, Dr. George Ross and J. S. Gable.
With other Elderships it "deeply mourned the sad national bereavement in the
death of James A. Gai-fleld, President of the United States." The action of the
General Eldership in May, 1881, employing a Permanent General Missionary Sec-
retary was endorsed. The sum of $300.00 Superannuated and Contingent Fund
for the year was agreed upon, and was apportioned to the different circuits. The
receipts for the various Funds during the preceding year were: — Missionary,
$309.29; Superannuated and Contingent, $190.69; Permanent Fund, total on
hand, $1,684.90. The Sabbath-school cause was strongly commended to ministers
and churches, schools to be "organized where there are none, and those strength-
ened which are already organized by gathering in the non-Sabbath-school attend-
ing children." Every minister was required "to preach a missionary sermon and
take up a missionary collection at each of his points during the year." As penalty
on "a certain appointment on the Mercer county circuit" which "failed to pay its
pro rata of Eldership funds," the "Finance Board on said circuit" was given "dis-
cretionary power with regard to supplying the same with preaching." The vacant
lot in Mansfield having been sold, a deed was authorized to be made by the trustees
of the Eldership. Several ministers were disciplined for violating Articles of the
Constitution. Claiming that the "several fields of labor within the bounds of the
Eldership are much deranged," "making the work too unequal both for work and
support," the Committee on Boundaries was required "to so equalize them that
the labor and support may be more nearly equal, and consequently more satis-
factory to the preachers generally." The territory was divided into three sta-
tions, seventeen circuits and two missions. G. W. Wilson was appointed General
Missionary.
26th West Ohio Eldei-ship. — An innovation characterized the session of this
Eldership. It convened at Rising Sun, Wood county, September 27, 1882, when
the Opening Sermon was preached by T. Koogle. On Thursday morning after
devotional exercises a Committee on Credentials was appointed, which made the
enrollment. This showed the presence of thirty-three of the forty-nine ministers,
sixteen ruling elders and eight delegates. Nine fields of labor were without rep-
resentation. The officers of the Eldership were J. M. Cassel, Speaker; C. N. Bel-
man, First Clerk; W. P. Small, Second Clerk, and Henry Clay. Treasurer. Im-
portant action was taken relative to the Permanent Missionary Notes, which were
directed "to be paid by the session of the next Eldership." In place of this Fund
there was to be what "shall be hereafter known as the Irreducible Missionary
Fund." A Church Extension Committee was created "to take the oversight, and
to recommend the expenditure, of missionary money." The Standing Committee
was made this Committee, which was also "to look after places where preaching
by the Church of God is requested, and to open houses which have been closed."
Two tenching elders "in the order of divine providence" were removed from "their
earthly spheres of activity" both "highly esteemed and beloved" — H. M. Linn and
D. Delcamp. The Eldership "hailed with pleasure the prospect of the establish-
ment of an institution of learning as a first-class college." On Temperance the
body strongly endorsed "the principle to touch not. t^ste not, handle not, except
for medicinal purposes" any intoxicants, and rejoiced in "the drift toward prohibi-
tion in public sentiment." AVith this was connected a resolution directed especi-
570 History of the Churches of God
ally to candidates for the ministry "to abstain from the use of tobacco, as an evil
which is the first step to intemperance." "A committee was appointed to draft
a course of studies for licentiates, and all others who desire to take the course."
The name of one minister was "stricken from the Roll, as he had not reported for
two consecutive years." One was restored, who after "some remarks touching
himself, asked pardon." On the Communion it was agreed as "the sense of this
body that domestic wine, or the pure juice of the grape, should be used."
Preachers were directed "to see that no intoxicating wine be used at Com-
munion." A Sunday-school Convention was directed to be held, and "the brother-
hood recommended to attend and aid in the promotion of union, township, county
and State cnventions." The Board of Missions of the General Eldership was
commended for organizing, through its agent, missionary societies in the local
churches. The number of fields of labor was twenty-six, Findlay and Wooster
being stations.
27th West Ohio Eldership. — The Committee on Revision of the Constitution,
created in 1882, had no report to make when the Eldership convened at Beery's
Bethel, Mercer county, September 27, 1883, because "the Standing Committee
failed to perfect the incorporation of the Eldership. . . .and to change the name."
The Committee was continued. R. H. Bolton preached the Opening Sermon on
the evening of the 26th, from Mark xvi. 15. A Committee on Credentials assisted
in constituting the Eldership. There were enrolled fifty-three ministers, and
twenty-four ruling elders and delegates, while eighteen ministers were absent.
Balloting resulted in the choice of T. Koogle for Speaker; R. H. Bolton, First
Clerk; W. P. SmalU Second Clerk, and Henry Clay, Treasurer. Education was
made a special order for Saturday morning's sitting, at which time the Report of
the Committee, made on Friday morning, was considered, which was clear and
strong in its approval of the work of building Findlay College as "an institution
under our own control, equal in educational advantages with any other similar
schools." The Eldership placed itself on record in favor of "the entire prohibi-
tion of any and all traffic in intoxicants." It was by a "unanimous rising vote of
the Eldership and congregation" that the Report was adopted, after enthusiastic
speeches by Wilson, Cassel, Graham and Winbigler. The number of conversions re-
ported during the year was 458; accessions, 393; baptized, 201; church houses, 55;
Sabbath-schools, 54. The Eldership had a "Permanent Contingent Fund" of $1,-
762.39. The name "Irreducible Fund" was changed again to "Permanent Mis-
sionary Fund." The Pentecostal meeting was discontinued. G. C. Graham, of
the Baptist Church, received license. "The expediency of a division of the Elder-
ship" was considered under propositions to instruct the delegates to the General
Eldership, but it "was decided that it is not advisable to divide at present." The
movement to "have one or more depositories of the literature of the Church of
God established" was favorably recognized, and "B. F. Bolton, Findlay, Ohio," was
designated as the Agent "to procure a supply of Church books." The Eldership
lamented the death of "Father William Adams, one of the first pioneer preachers
of the Church of God in the State of Ohio; a brother minister of deep-toned piety,
of great zeal and earnestness in the work of the gospel ministry, and an honored
instrument in leading hosts of sinners to God, and forming many churches of
God." It was agreed "to aid in procuring a suitable monument," and an appeal
was authorized to be made for free-will offerings. The amount of $20.65 was at
once raised. An agent was appointed "to dispose of the Whartonsburg church
property and material." J. M. Cassel was designated "to assist the trustees in
the adjustment of the Mansfield Mission property."
28th West Ohio Eldership. — The revision of the Constitution and the incorpo-
ration of the Eldership were not completed during the year, and when the Com-
mittee so reported it received specific instructions in 1884 to proceed with the
work. It was "empowered and instructed to define the object, powers and privi-
leges of the body under inccrpcrators." The title of the body was to be changed
to "Ohio Eldership of the Church of God." The work was to be completed so as
"to be submitted to the Eldership in September, 1885, for approval." The Elder-
ship session in 1884 was held in the Union Bethel, New Berlin, Stark county, be-
ginning September 24th, on the evening of which date the Opening Sermon was
preached by J. M. Cassel, from Rev. xxi. 9. The officers chosen were S. Kline,
Speaker; E. T. Vaas, First Clerk; W. P. Small, Second Clerk, and Henry Clay,
Treasurer. The holding of "Children's College Day services in the Eldership" was
"heartily approved," and it was "suggested that said day be the third Sabbath in
The West Ohio Eldership 571
June of each year." An Association existed in Ohio whose object was to secure
legislation granting "divorce only on scriptural grounds," the Eldership "recom-
mended said Association to the consideration of every minister of the body," and
that "they become members of said Society." Apprehending that Sunday-school
Helps might work to the exclusion of the Bible, it was recommended "that strenu-
ous efforts be made in every Sunday-school in the State to secure by the first Sun-
day in October next the possession on the part of every scholar of a Bible of his
own," so that these Helps, valuable as they may be, shall not supersede in the
regards of the children and youth of the land the divine word." The "act of gen-
erosity on the part of Father John Briggle in making a bequest to the mission
cause of this Eldership," was "highly commended," and his "example in this
respect" was noted as "worthy of emulation, and commended to our brethren with
means to pattern after." His death was memorialized as that of one "who ad-
hered to, and sustained, the cause faithfully; a pattern of true piety and an ex-
ample of liberality worthy of our imitation." Foreign mission interests came up
as a result of the action of the General Eldership in May, 1884, and action was
taken, "recommending the brotherhood to aid in raising funds to send forth and
sustain a missionary in foreign lands." Regular accounts were kept with the dif-
ferent fields of labor, and delinquencies charged against them. The ministers
sent to these delinquent fields were "instructed to proceed at once to collect the
several amounts" those fields were in arrears. The sum of "$400.00 was assessed
for the Contingent and Superannuated Fund" for the year, and "apportioned to the
different circuits, stations and missions." A State missionary collector and so-
licitor was appointed, compensation fixed at "$30.00 per month for actual expenses
and time employed." W. P. Small was appointed. Notes were to be taken and
"the notes given to be recorded in a ledger." John Bolton was continued as
Treasurer of the Monument Fund of William Adams. The appointments were
two stations, twenty-one circuits and one mission.
29th Ohio Eldership. — The revision of the Constitution and drafting of
Articles of Incorporation during 1884-5 had so far proceeded that the committee
felt prepared to submit the result of its labors for the consideration of the Elder-
ship which convened at Union Bethel, Huron county, October 1, 1885. After
being amended in a few sections, the report was adopted. Thus the Eldership "by
the direction, consent and authority of all said Church, and the members thereof
in the State of Ohio, made here for the purpose of incorporating in full all the
divisions and branches of said Church in said State, fully accept of all the pro-
visions of Title Ten of the Revised Statutes of Ohio, under the head of 'Corpora-
tions,' pages 654-655." The two Ohio Elderships thus became one under the law,
to be known as "The Ohio Eldership of the Church of God." The "object and
purpose" set forth for the "forming said Incorporation is, and shall be, to pro-
mote the interests and cause of Christianity, good morals, society and such re-
ligious and benevolent work as may be proper and tend to build up religious senti-
ment and improve the moral, social and religious condition of mankind." The
"control of all the churches of said Church of God in the State of Ohio as the rules
of said Church and the usages thereof, and the laws of the State of Ohio, permit
and allow," was given to this Corporation. Five trustees, to be elected annually,
were provided for, to "hold their office," however, "until their successors are
elected and qualified." There was good attendance, fifty-one ministers being
present, and twenty-seven ruling elders and delegates. E. T. Vaas preached the
Opening Sermon, from Ps. Ixxxiv. 11. Delegates and ruling elders were required
to have certificates, and so there was a Committee on Credentials to enroll the
members. R. H. Bolton was chosen Speaker; E. T. Vaas, First Clerk; B. F. Bol-
ton, Second Clerk, and H. Clay, Treasurer. The Second Clerk, who acted as Fi-
nancial Clerk, was required to give bond in the sum of $1,000.00. The Eldership
declined "to grant control of the church in Findlay to the Board of Missions of
the General Eldership," as had been requested by the Incorporate Board of said
body. It was resolved to hold a Pentecostal meeting. On temperance there was
a measure of indicisiveness in the resolutions adopted, the strongest one express-
ing "our conviction that our civil authorities should take a more decided stand
against intemperance, and, irrespective of party lines, should unite harmoniously
in the suppression of it." But it would require a miracle of popular faith to in-
spire confidence in such a movement. The sum of $430.00 was assessed on the
churches for the Superannuated and Contingent Fund. Realizing "the great
necessity of pushing missionary work," the Eldership "hailed with pleasure the
572
History of th?: Churciiks ok Goi>
growing interest in foreign mission worlt, and expressed the hope that in the near
future the Church of God may have a representative in India." It also "recog-
nized the generous and magnanimous offers coming to us from the Free Baptist
Foreign Mission Board in the overtures made by them to the Church of God in
foreign mission interests." The reports of ministers showed 788 conversions dur-
ing the year; accessions, 684; baptized, 319. The ministers were "made person-
ally responsible for the delinquencies in Contingent funds assessed on their cir-
cuits." On Monday evening the Eldership held an ordinance service, after a ser-
mon by G. W. Wilson. There were two stations and nineteen circuits, with three
missions, but four of them were unsupplied with pastors.
30th Ohio Eldership. — There was apparently a growing tendency on the part
of the fields of labor not to send representatives to the Eldership. Thus in 1886
eleven of them were unrepresented. Yet there were twenty-one ruling elders and
delegates present, and thirty-four of the forty-nine ministers. The Eldership
convened at Enterprise, Van Wert county, Thursday morning, September 3Uth.
The preceding evening K. H. Bolton delivered the Opening Sermon, from Rev. i.
12. J. VV'. Aukennan was elected Speaker; E. T. Vaas, Clerk, and B. F. Bolton,
Financial Secretary. On Foreign Missions an apparent change of sentiment had
occurred, and the Eldership declared that "we do not think the time has come to
enter the work as a body, and that we so instruct our delegates to the General
Eldership." The "Book Store established in Harrisburg, Pa.," by the General
Eldership was a gratifying fact to the Eldership, and was heartily approved. The
Eldership ordered the official seal to be "placed on all official documents of the
Eldership, Standing Committee and trustees, on preachers' licenses, transfers,
orders on the Treasurer and all credentials of appointees of the Eldership." The
opening of Findlay College was "hailed with delight and gratitude, an institution
which has for its end and aim the imparting of a true, scientific and religious edu-
cation," and "the prayers, sympathy and financial support" of the body was
"pledged to this great enterprise." Deeper conviction characterized the Report
on Temperance, and the Eldership placed itself on record as against all "compro-
mise," planting "our banner on the solid platform of absolute Prohibition." With
it was coupled a resolution "to discountenance the use of tobacco by ministers and
Christian people everywhere." The Statistical Report gave the number of churches
as 84; preaching places, 90; church houses, 66; conversions, 603; accessions, 557;
membership, 3,000. Finding that "sometimes churches do not pay their preachers
as they agreed to do, or should do," the Eldership resolved that "such church or
churches be censured by this body as in its wisdom it may see proper, and that
such censure be published in the Journal of the Eldership." The territory was-
divided into two stations and twenty circuits. Two of the ministers were in the^
field as Findlay College Collectors, T. Koogle and J. M. Cassel, the former in Penn-
sylvania and Maryland, and the latter in Ohio and Indiana. The "spirit and tone
of the Eldership, with a few slight exceptions, were excellent."
31st Ohio Eldership. — An undertone of sadness pervaded the deliberations
of the thirty-first session of the Ohio Eldership. For while it could sing,
"Hail, heavenly voice, once heard in Patmos, 'Write,
Henceforth the dead who die in Christ are blest,"
Yet it could not but mourn the departure of the most picturesque figure in the
body, the venerable soldier of many battles and glorious victories, Thomas Hicker-
nell. The "Speaker's chair" was ordered to be "draped in mourning during the
session," and Saturday evening was "set apart for memorial services." He was-.
first licensed by the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1833, and was sent as a mis-
sionary to Ohio. For "nearly three score years he was one of our faithful stand-
ard bearers," the Committee on Obituaries reported, "who so honorably carried
the banner of truth in our aggressive warfare against the King's enemies." It
may truthfully be said of him that "his heart was pure, no anger remained in it,.,
only peace and good will dwelt in it; no guile ever tainted it." He was supremely
devoted to the truth, which Dante terms "the highest thing a man may keep."
The session of the Eldership was held at Evergreen Bethel, Wood county, begin-
ning Thursday morning, September 29, 1887. On the previous evening C. F. Win-
bigler preached the Opening Sermon, from Acts xx. 24 and 1 Cor. xii. 20. The
officers of the previous Eldership were re-elected. A Sisters' Missionary Society
had been organized at Findlay, which was reported, whereupon R. H. Bolton, T.
Koog'le and E. F. Lilley were appointed a committee to consider the same, and also •
Thk West Ohio ELuiiRsnip 573-'
the general missionary interests. This committee "heartily approved of the step
taken by the sisters of the church of God at Findlay," and recommended that they
"confer with the sisters of the Church of God over the State, looking toward the
complete organization of said Society." "The sale of the property owned by the
Eldership at what is known as the Wabash appointment" was authorized. On
Temperance, the "pledge" was made "not to support any man, political party or
class of men who defend in any way the rum traffic;" "denounced the action, and
condemned the men, who made it possible for any city authorities to grant the
right to saloon-keepers to run their saloons on the Lord's day," and promised to
"work for State and national prohibition of intoxicating drinks as a beverage."
Many of the Missionary Notes secured under the Eldership's system of raising
missionary money it was found "either outlawed, or for other reasons uncollect-
able." It was decided "not to hold a Pentecostal meeting this year;" but a "Min-
isterial Association" was ordered "to be held at Mendon, Mercer county, Ohio."
The Committee on the State of Religion found "the state of the Church good; the
number of conversions good; the number of accessions good; the number of bap-
tisms medium." To enforce assessments, the Eldership resolved "that such cir-
cuits, or any part thereof, which refuse to pay these assessments shall be left
without preaching until such assessments are raised." Delegates were appointed
to the Ohio State Centennial Sunday-school Celebration. The delegates to the
General Eldership in May, 1887, made a written report, signed by the entire dele-
gation. An action was taken to reduce to a minimum the circulation of defama-
tory reports, by making it "the duty of all the ministerial brethren especially to
strictly abstain from personal insinuations, and in any way assisting in the circula-
tion of any rumor or report which is, or may be, detrimental to the character of
a brother minister of this Eldership." Koogle and Cassel were appointed "visitors
to Findlay College." The appointments numbered twenty-five, two stations and
twenty-three circuits.
32nd Ohio Eldership. — Even at so late a date as 188 8 there were witnessed
occasional vestiges in some of the Elderships of the original opposition to Consti-
tutions, or any restrictive or regulative actions which would interfere with the
personal liberty of members. One of these came to the surface at the Ohio Eld-
ership which convened at West Unity, Williams county, on Thursday morning,
September 2 7, 1888. The license of one of the ministers was "placed into the
hands of the Standing Committee until he expresses a willingness to comply with
the requirements contained in Art. xxii. of the Constitution." Non-representation
marked this Eldership, as twenty ministers were absent, and fifteen circuits were
not represented. Thirty-three ministers were in attendance, and eighteen ruling
elders and delegates. J. M. Cassel was Speaker; R. H. Bolton, Clerk, and T.
Koogle, Financial Secretary. The finances were in good condition. Permanent
Funds, $3,500.00; Missionary Interest Fund, $711.06; Superannuated and Con-
tingent Fund, $416.62. The Financial Secretary received for all the Funds
$732.17. There were two additions to the ministry, one of which has made a
notably good record — William Nelson Yates — formerly of West Pennsylvania; and
S. M. Young, a member of the Christian Church. Koogle led in the opposition to
"the private observance of the ordinances of God's house," by the introduction of
a preamble and resolution, which declared that "the Church of God is a co-opera-
tive body, and believes in the essential unity and oneness of the Church;" that "it
is of the highest importance that we labor to maintain unanimity of sentiment
and oneness of faith and practice;" but that "there has recently been much dis-
cussion concerning the private observance of the ordinances of God's house, a
practice at variance with the usual custom of the Church of God, and its interpre-
tation of the word; therefore, it is the sense of this body that under our present
system of co-operation no minister of the gospel should take it upon him to change
the established order of the Church, thus introducing innovations, and removing
the 'old landmarks,' until so authorized by the general body." No opposition to
this resolution is indicated. It was deemed advisable to "employ a minister to
travel during the year and collect mission funds, interest on notes, and procure
notes." To this work T. Koogle was appointed, at a salary at the rate of $50.00
per month. The pastors were held "equally responsible for raising General Mis-
sion Funds assessed as they are for raising other Eldership assessments." Of
twelve fields which were delinquent, five were exonerated. The delinquencies of
the other seven "were added to the assessments of the coming year;" but "the
punishment of non-supplying of a preacher to delinquent churches or circuits be
574 History of the Churches of God
suspended for the coming year." The statistical report gave the number of con-
versions at 562; accessions, 567; baptized, 238; membership, 2,380. But some
reports were incomplete, making it "impossible to get the exact numerical strength
of the Church of God in Ohio." This "carelessness is inexcusable," declared the
Eldership, adding these stinging words of rebuke: "The remarks made by some
ministers in their reports are inappropriate, and have a disreputable influence
upon the body and the cause of God in general, and can not be tolerated, and the
dignity of the body maintained." Pastors and churches were required to "organ-
ize financial boards" to look after the financial interests. An instance of liberality
was commended in the case of "William Grindle and wife, who so liberally
contributed of their means in canceling the indebtedness resting on the church at
West Unity." There was one station and twenty-two other charges.
33rd Ohio Eldership. — As the thirty-third session of the Ohio Eldership pre-
ceded the session of the General Eldership, not only were delegates to that body
elected; but instructions were given them on three points, viz.: to "use their in-
fluence with that body to change the plan of raising missionary moneys from the
assessment policy, to that of employing an agent or agents;" to have "the General
Eldership relinquish the control it has of church work in Findlay, and put the
whole control of church work in the Ohio Eldership," and "to increase the basis of
representation in the General Eldership." The session was held at Mendon,
Mercer county, and began on Thursday morning, September 26, 1889, with thirty-
four of the fifty-four ministers present, and twenty-nine ruling elders. Prof. W.
H. Wagner, Findlay College, was elected Speaker; K. H. Bolton, Clerk, and T.
Koogle, Financial Secretary. There being a division of sentiment among min-
isters and churches on the question of annual or life elders, some insisting that
the rotary eldership is unscriptural, the Eldership declared "that each church
govern itself as touching the election of officers." One of the strong men of the
Eldership during the year had departed to " 'see the King in his beauty,' in a land
of pure delight," J. W. Aukernian, "an efficient worker in the vineyard of the
Lord." He was licensed by the West Ohio Eldership in 1858, and proved himself
a strong defender of the doctrines of the Church, a good pastor, a missionary
preacher, and an able New Testament minister. It was made the duty of "each
pastor to encourage all Sabbath-schools on his charge in their work by his pres-
ence and influence, and at places where there are none, to urge their organiza-
tion as soon as practicable." The use of our own literature was strongly insisted
upon. The somewhat unusual thing occurred when the Eldership reversed the
action of the Standing Committee, on the ground that it had "transcended its
authority in dropping the name of a minister from the Ministerial Roll." A State
Woman's Missionary Society was organized September 27, 1889, "by adopting a
Constitution and electing otticers." These were — Mrs. Ollie Vanswearingen,
President; Miss Jennie McDowell, First Vice President; Mrs. Tillie Welker, Second
Vice President; Mrs. Celia IJlessing, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Simon P. Gross,
Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. R. H. Bolton, Treasurer. This Society was to have
representation in the Eldership. The great disparity between the number of re-
ported accessions to the churches and the number baptized induced the Eldership
to direct that at the next annual session the elders of the different churches
should "report the number of unbaptized members in their respective congrega-
tions." Also to insist "that earnest teaching should be done on this Christian
duty by every pastor." A "committee of flve was appointed to prepare a theo-
logical reading course for the ministers of the Eldership." The Eldership made
twenty-four appointments, to two of which missionary money was appropriated.
34th Ohio Eldership. — At the opening of the session of the Ohio Eldership
in 189 0 a warning voice was heard from the retiring Speaker, "urging that some
means be taken to stem the backward tide in Ohio." "There seemed to be a fall-
ing off in many ways." However, this is not evident from the Minutes which were
published in full in pamphlet form. The session was held at Rising Sun, Wood
county, and began September 2 5th. The Opening Sermon was delivered on the
evening of September 24th, by C. N. Belman, from I. Tim. iv. 16. There were
thirty-three ministers present, and twenty-seven delegates. Seventeen ministers
were absent, and eight fields were unrepresented. J. R. H. Latchaw was Speaker;
M. K. Smith, Clerk, and T. Koogle, Financial Secretary. The reports of the pas-
tors "showed the following state of the Church: Churches, 78; houses of wor-
ship, 65; converts, 442; accessions, 374; members, 2,511. A somewhat elaborate
course of studies was approved, covering three years, with four and five studies
The West Ohio Eldership 575
each year. The Funds were in comparatively good condition, to wit: Per-
manent, $3,610.55; Mission. .$513.54; Superannuated, $518.24; General Mission,
$364.07. Henry Clay was the Treasurer. Regarding "the liquor traffic as the-
deadly enemy of the Church and State," the Eldership "pledged itself to support
every effort that is made to banish this curse from our midst, and that we will
positively refuse to cast our vote to license the saloon." The "disuse" of tobacco
was "made a condition on which the young ministers may receive and retain their
licenses," while "its use is discouraged among the older brethren." After care-
ful consideration of a Petition from the Woman's State Missionary Association the
Eldership voted: 1. To receive two delegates for each fifty members. 2.
These delegates to be entitled to seats as full members of the Eldership.
3. Granting them "equal rights and privileges" and subject to the same limita-
tions, as other members of the Eldership. 4. All net funds to be paid into the'
treasury of the Ohio Eldership, to be used for the support of any existing or
proposed missionary enterprises. 5. That the Eldership shall have > a corre-
sponding number of delegates in the W. S. M. A. Two of "the most worthy mem-
bers and efficient workers in the gospel ministry" ended their labors during the'
year — J. M. Cassel and J. A. Dobson. They were "a serious loss" to the Eldership,
especially the former, who was a young man of rare promise. He was licensed
by the West Ohio Eldership in 1868, and became one of its most efficient ministers.
Dobson was originally licensed by the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1836. He
was naturally endowed with talents which made him a strong man in the pulpit.
"The earnest words spoken in their praise told how great was the esteem in which
these fallen ministers of Christ were held." The keeping open of the Columbian
Exposition on the Sabbath was denounced as an "encroachment on the Christian
Sabbath, detrimental to the growth of the religion of Jesus Christ," and so the
body "enters its most serious protest against this proposed desecration of the
Christian Sabbath." The reading of Sunday newspapers was also strongly dis-
countenanced. The Eldership "favored the movement on foot to effect 'a federal
union' of the various ecclesiastical bodies of this country," and proposed to be
represented in a meeting to be called for that purpose. It disapproved the use
of Widows' Fund money in the settlement of estates of deceased ministers, as
such money "shall be held sacred for the living necessities of their widows." The
Eldership voted against the employment of a general missionary. There were
three stations, all in Findlay, and twenty-four circuits.
35th Ohio Eldership. — "Decorum in the House of God" was the theme of
J. R. H. Latchavv's Opening Sermon of the thirty-fifth session of the Ohio Elder-
ship. Text — I. Tim. iii. 15. The session was held at Wooster, Wayne county,
beginning September 24, 1891. T. Koogle was chosen for Speaker; M. K. Smith,
Clerk, and R. H. Bolton, Financial Secretary. Assessments were made for the
Ohio and the General Eldership Missionary Funds, and each church delinquent
on either Fund was charged with the same. Dr. Latchaw offered a resolution,
expressing "the sense of the body, that the principle of tithing, or giving the
tenth of one's gross income to God, is in accordance with the word of God, and
that it should be so taught and practiced within the bounds of the Eldership." It
called out "an animated discussion," but "was unanimously adopted by the Elder-
ship." The sum of $227.00 was pledged on the floor of the Eldership "to aid
young men attending Findlay College," and every interest of the College was em-
phatically endorsed. An intelligent and comprehensive report on Sabbath-schools,
Insisting on a school being organized in every church, that the best teachers
should be secured, that good literature be furnished the children, and that
teachers' meetings should be held. A revision of the Constitution was ordered.
The disposition on the part of churches not to accept appointees of the Eldership
was rebuked, and they were requested to receive and support the appointed min-
isters, and fully co-operate with them." To secure more missionary money each
minister in charge of a field of labor was required to preach a sermon, or hold
a missionary service at each appointment, and take a collection for the Mission
Fund. "The practice of standing while praying during religious worship" was
"not to be encouraged among the churches," was the opinion of the Committee
on Resolutions. The Eldership "indefinitely postponed" the item. And it tabled
a resolution disapproving of "the raising of money for the cause of God by holding
socials, festivals, oyster suppers, etc." By a unanimous vote the Eldership ap-
proved of a resolution offered by G. W. Wilson, expressing "the sense of the
Eldership that it is our duty to encourage the work of Mrs. Woodworth, and to
5/6 History of the Churches op God
invite and welcome her to Ohio to labor in her calling for the extension of the
Church of God and the general good of all citizens." The attempt by President
Latchaw and Prof. Warner to reconsider and defeat the resolution was lost; but
it revealed, as did other actions, the division of sentiment growing up in Ohio on
important questions of Church polity and practices. "A levy on the churches"
was made "for $340.00 for Missionary funds," and "$450.00 for Superannuated
and Contingent funds." An "Orphans' Home," at Pindlay, under the direction of
C. J. Chase, a member of the Eldership, was recognized and "commended to the
brethren as in every way worthy of their charitable consideration." The Sta-
tioning Committee divided the territory into five stations and twenty-seven cir-
cuits, leaving, however, two unsupplied, and appointing Dr. J. M. Cai-vell, of East
Pennsylvania, to the College Chapel. There were also two mission appointments.
An aggressive spirit breathes in the deliberations and actions of the Eldership.
36th Ohio Eldersliip. — Changing conditions in an Eldership, or shifting of
sentiments and opinions, make revisions of Constitutions of corporate bodies a
necessity. This was realized in Ohio, as well as in other Elderships. It was
natural that with the growing influences of the College, which now had on the
Roll eight or ten ministers and delegates in closest touch with that institution.
At the session of the Eldership held at Ohio City, Van Wert county, beginning
September 29, 1892, the sentiment in favor of revision manifested itself in the
appointment of a "Committee on Revision of the Constitution and By-Laws of the
Eldership." As this Committee was instructed to "report during the session of
the present Eldership," it did so on Friday afternoon. The important amend-
ments were these: 1. The presiding officer to be called "President." 2. Sub-
jecting to discipline any member of the Eldership preferring charges against a
minister "in open Eldership." 3. Requiring every ordained minister to preach
twenty-five sermons every year, or forfeit his license. 4. Giving churches "the
privilege of supplying their own pulpits by mutual arrangements between pastor
and congregation. 5. Making it obligatory on all newly licensed ministers to
pursue a regularly prescribed course of study; failure to do so to work forfeiture
of license. All were adopted. E. Poling was elected Speaker; M. K. Smith,
Clerk; R. H. Bolton, Financial Secretary. The membership of the Eldership was
increased by the addition of six new names to the Roll, one of them being that
of Prof. Charles T. Fox. But the Committee on Obituaries reported the deaths of
three — James Neil, A. J. Wai-ren, Thomas Metzler. Neil had received his first
license in 1839; Wan-en, in 1858, and Metzler, in 1877. Memorial services of an
impressive character "were held on Sabbath evening in commemoration of their
worth and services." The Eldership Treasurer, Henry Clay, reported $4,457.53
in the Permanent Fund; in the Missionary Fund, $833.76; in the Superannuated
and Contingent Fund, $290.57, and in the Widows' Fund, $97.43. The delegates
to the General Eldership were instructed to vote: (1) For a change in our
method of ordaining ministers "which will be more in conformity with apostolic
usage." (2) To have three columns in The Advocate devoted to educational in-
terests. (3) For a Church of God Year Book. The Eldership adopted a pledge
to vote only for such candidates for the Legislature as will "pledge themselves
to aid in securing an amendment to our State Constitution prohibiting forever
the sale and manufacture of intoxicating liquors, except for medicinal and
mechanical purposes." The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was
heartily endorsed, and churches were encouraged to organize local societies. The
sum of $4,300 of the College debt was assumed by the Eldership. It was found
that only fifty-five per cent, of the churches have Sabbath-schools, and the Elder-
ship voted that "all the churches, as far as practicable, should organize and sup-
port Sabbath-schools throughout the year." The number of conversions during
the year was 286; accessions, 270; baptized, 130; total members, 2,371; amount
of pastors' support, $6,721.38. Only one-third of the membership of the churches
was baptized. There were five stations, twenty-three circuits and four missions.
To the latter $390.00 were appropriated.
37th Ohio Eldership. — There is apparent in the actions of the Ohio Eldership
in 1893 a decided change in the spirit and temper of the body. The chastening
effect of the events of the year left a decided impression on the body. The dis-
appearance from the Roll of ministers of the names of J. R. H. Latchaw and
R. H. Bolton is significant. The former not only left the Eldership and the
■Church, but severed his connection with the College. Bolton had been under dis-
«cipline by the Standing Committee, whose report was adopted; but he was "given
The West Ohio Eldership 577
the privilege of a hearing, if he requests it." The Eldership held its meeting at
Deweyville, Hancock county, beginning September 28th. E. Poling preached the
Opening Sermon on the evening of the 27th, from John vi. 67. Thirty-six min-
isters were In attendance, and twenty ruling elders and delegates. W. P. Burch-
ard was chosen President; J. W. Helton, Clerk, and T. Koogle, Financial Secre-
tary. Before the revised Constitution went into effect, the Eldership rescinded
the Article granting "the various churches the privilege to supply their own
pulpits by mutual arrangements between pastor and congregation," and restored
the former Article. The Board of Missions, consisting of five members, was to
take the place of the Stationing Committee and the Board of Boundaries. The
Standing Committee, consisting of three members, was "given the privilege to
appoint two members to assist" it in its work. The Permanent Fund was in-
creased to $4,500.44; the Mission Fund was $832.01, and the other Funds were
in good condition. As a tendency developed to "ignore the practice of feet-wash-
ing by some members of various churches," the Eldership not only expressed its
faith in "the apostolic practice;" but declared that "as ministers and elders of
this Eldership during the coming year will do all we can to support this ordi-
nance by teaching and practice." One minister, Isaac Steiner, was during the
year "called home to God, who giveth and taketh away." He was ordained in
1870, and though he labored principally in a local capacity, he was a useful and
efficient member of the body. Lyman Ensminger, of the Wesleyan Methodist
Church, was granted a license. Five ministers received transfers to other Elder-
ships, »fhlle one was newly licensed and three were reinstated whose names had
been dropped. The territory was divided into three stations, twenty-three cir-
cuits and three missions, all supplied with pastors except the Colton Mission.
During the year the ministers had preached 3,706 sermons, and they received
$6,337.46 in the way of support. The number of conversions, as a result of
"many glorious revivalB," was 9 93, and the accessions 704. "A strong tendency
to more harmonious and concerted action" prevailed in the Eldership.
38th Ohio Eldership, — The Eldership now had on its Roll the names of forty
ministers. Of this number twenty-eight were present at the thirty-eighth annual
session, with eight ruling elders and nine delegates. The session was held at
Canton, Stark county, beginning September 27, 1894. On the evening of the
26th, W. P. Burchard preached the Opening Sermon, from Acts xl. 24. The elec-
tion for officers resulted In the choice of Prof. C. T. Fox, President; T. W. BelUnj?-
ham. Clerk; T. Koogle, Financial Secretary, and H. Clay, Treasurer. The Wo-
man's State Missionary Society was given one evening during the session. It also
made a regular report to the Eldership, in which It "disapproved of the holding of
church sociables for the purpose of raising money to support the gospel." Th«
balance of funds in its treasury was $117.91. The Eldership deplored the "in-
difference in some Sabbath-Schools" to observe Children's College Day, and "to
help to raise the necessary amount for the endowment of a professorship in
theology, and urged a more general observance of the day." It also disapproved
of the appropriation of money thus raised to other purposes than those intended
by the action of the General Eldership. A new feature was special addresses "on
the Y. M. C. A. work, the Y. P. S. C. E. movement, and the missionary cause." A
strong expression of sentiment on pastoral visitations was given, by declaring it
to be "the imperative duty of each minister to visit and pray with the families
of his charge, and that he who falls in this respect, without cause, is criminally
guilty of violating his divine commission." "Ministers deficient in their Elder-
ship assessments," were "requested to go back and raise the deficiencies." The
death of Jacob Pressler, licensed in 1863 by the West Ohio Eldership, was re-
corded, with an order to "drape the pulpit over the Lord's day, when memorial
services were directed to be held." Several church properties were sold, the pro-
ceeds from which were directed to be "placed in the Permanent Fund for the
time being, but were released from said Fund and applied to the payment of the
debt on the Howard street church property, Findlay." The number of accessions
to the churches was 750, and the total membership 2,634.
39th Ohio Eldership. — The abandonment of places of worship by a body of
people Is In many Instances no reflection. Deaths and removals may be the un-
avoidable causes. Whatever may have been the reasons in the case of the church
"five or six miles west of Findlay," the use of the church property at this place
had been abandoned prior to the Eldership in 1895. The matter was placed in
the hands of the Eldership trustees. So also the Lick Creek Bethel, giving the
C. H.— 20
57B History of the CnuRCHiis of God
trustees discretionary power. And "the removal of the house at West Unity,"
and "the church property at Evergreen." A church lot at Auburn was sold. The
Eldership held its session at Kirby, Wyandot county, beginning September 26,
189 5, with a large attendance. There were forty ministers, eleven lay elders and
six delegates enrolled. Eight ministers were absent. They chose W. N. Yates
for President; T. W. Bellingham, Clerk; T. Koogle, Financial Clerk, and H. Clay,
Treasurer. There was a Permanent Fund of $4,261.32; Missionary Interest Fund,
$461.83; Superannuated and Contingent Fund, $687.30; General Mission Fund,
$270.18; Building Fund, $206.12. The Eldership kept a careful supervision over
its Funds, and exacted strict accountability on the part of ministers. If they
failed in their collections the reason was demanded. Loyalty was in part meas-
ured by fidelity in these matters, as "much of the power and strength of a people
associated to work to accomplish certain desired ends consists in the loyalty of
its members to the laws or requirements of that body." There seemed to be
some disloyalty in this respect, for it was declared that "the Eldership can not
approve of such manifest disloyalty to its request; and it must say that if such in-
difference on the part of its members is allowed to continue it will not be long
until there will be no Eldership." While the report was adopted, affirming the
belief "that he is guilty of blood who gives his vote to perpetuate the liquor li-
cense system;" that "the saloon finds its existence in the still-house, and its im-
mortality in the still-church," it gave rise to "a lively discussion." A three-year
course of studies was provided for, and it was "obligatory upon every licentiate to
pursue" said course, and "pass a satisfactory examination from year to year until
said course is finished." I. H. Green, a minister of the Eldership, was con-
gratulated on his misisonary work in Colorado, and was recommended for ap-
pointment by the General Board of Missions. W. N. Yates received a transfer to
the East Pennsylvania Eldership, and was recommended as an efficient, earnest and
devoted servant of God. The Eldership instructed its delegates to the General
Eldership in 1896 to favor a change of Eldership titles, to vote for Life Certificates,
and a change of form of The Advocate. The state of the Church was indicated in
the report of statistics: Preaching places, 83; church organizations, 75; church
houses, 86; conversions, 838; accessions, 640; baptized, 398; members, 2,781;
ministerial support, $8,149. There were 7 stations, and 21 circuits. The deaths
of two of "the beloved and much honored brethren" were recorded. They were
"faithful and efficient ministers." Only J. C. Hoover's name is given, and he was
first licensed by the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1878.
40th Oliio Eldership. — The Ohio Eldership of the churches of God in 1896
had the distinction of entertaining Clara Landes, missionary appointee to India.
The Woman's Misisonary Society was granted Friday evening to hold a public
meeting, which was addressed by Miss Landes. The meeting of the Eldership was
announced to be held at Shawnee, but was changed to Fostoria, Seneca county, to
begin Thursday, at 9 a. m., October 1st. S. Kline was elected President; T. W.
Bellingham, Clerk; T. Koogle, Financial Clerk; H. Clay, Treasurer. The Super-
annuated Fund was made a separate Fund, and the amount to be raised was fixed
at $400.00, and the same amount for the Trustee and Contingent -Fund. On ac-
count of some indifference in Sabbath-school work ministers were required to
"organize as many Sababth-schools as possible where none exist, and see that
Church of God literature is used." Chas. Manchester, as Acting President of
Findlay College, became a member of the Eldership, and presented the interests
of the College. The College was strongly endorsed. Among the licentiates was
W. B. Dowe, of Colorado, who was doing missionary work in that State. The
provision of the Constitution requiring that delegates be provided with credentials
was much neglected, and the Eldership censured it as "inadmissable carelessness,"
and "official boards, churches and ministers" were "urged to greater faithfulness
and accuracy." There being a deficiency of $300.00 in the Sunerannuated Fund,
the Standing Committee was authorized to apportion the amount to the churches.
The President of the Eldership of 1895 having removed to East Pennsylvania, T.
Koogle preached the Opening Sermon, from Col. iv. 17. There were twenty-eight
fields of labor, six stations and twenty-two circuits. There were three churches in
Findlay, and two in Canton. Fostoria was a mission station, with $100.00 ap-
propriation. Mrs. Witham was appointed with her husband, J. A. Witham, to
serve Van Wert circuit.
41st Ohio Eldership. — The difference in the spirit of a body of people at
successive gatherings will be read in its minutes by the careful observer. It will
The West Ohio Eldership 579
percolate unconsciously through forms of words which are not meant to express it.
And when the more elastic and animated phraseology of the Minutes of the
Eldership of the churches of God in Ohio in 1897 is contrasted with that of the
Minutes of 1895, or 1896, the testimony of a visitor is appreciated, when he says
it was his "pleasure to be in attendance;" or, "perfect unanimity, harmony and
brotherly love prevailed." "The attendance was much larger than for a number
of years." The session was held in the Howard Street Mission, Findlay, Hancock
county, beginning September 30, 1897, when W. P. Small delivered the Opening^
Sermon, from Isa. Ix. 1. Forty-two ministers, twenty ruling elders and five dele-
gates responded at the calling of the Roll. C. Manchester "wielded the gavel with
marked precision and dexterity;" T. W. Bellingham, "a smiling little Scotchman,"
was Clerk, and the strong featured T. Koogle was Financial Secretary. Items
which inspired hopefulness were the 758 conversions, G12 accessions, and an In-
crease in pastors' salaries. Prospects were brighter for mission work in Mans-
field. The church property in that city had been sold. The purchaser, Brother
John AVillaman, offered it as a gift to the Eldership, which was accepted, and it was
"voted that mission work be reopened in Mansfield at once." An emphatic "pro-
test" was registered "against the countenance of the manufacture and sale of in-
toxicants;" also "deploring the existence of what is known as the 'Dow Tax' law,"
believing that "any tax or license system for the sale of liquors tends to perpetuate
a traffic dishonoring to God and destructive to human happiness, homes and
hopes." In addition to the Course of Studies, a "reading course to comprise two
years" was adopted, and a more stringent, enforcement of examinations was in-
sisted upon. An unusual resolution was agreed to, "that ministers and dele-
gates be careful to leave a holy influence among those whose hospitality they en-
joy." A total of $938.00 was apportioned among the stations and circuits to re-
plenish the four different Funds of the Eldership.
42nd Ohio Eldership. — Ohio Eldership delayed changes in its Constitution and
Articles of Incorporation to harmonize them with the actions of the General Elder-
ship. But in 1898 the necessary instructions were given to the officers of the
Eldership to have "the Articles of Incorporation changed in all places where the
title occurs," and to secure a new seal. The Constitution was amended accord-
ingly. The annual session was held at Ney, Defiance county, and the Opening Ser-
mon was delivered September 28, 1898, by Charles Manchester, from I. Tim. iv.
16. Thirty-five ministers were present, and eleven absent, with twelve ruling
elders and delegates. Delegate M. K. Smith was elected President; Charles Man-
chester, Clerk; T. Koogle, Financial Secretary, and P. J. Grose, Treasurer. With
the Treasurer, the trustees of the Eldership were to act in making loans and ap-
proving securities. The First National Bank of Findlay was named as the bank
of deposit. "Fifteen minutes in the midst of each sitting" was to "be devoted
to religious devotions." Mrs. Hill, of Loudonville, had made a bequest of $800.00
to the Eldership. The Treasurer held mortgage securities to the amount of
$2,430.00; notes otherwise secured, $1,305.00, and cash, $1,449.50. The Finan-
cial Secretary received during the year and at the Eldership $1,096.24. At the
request of the Ohio W. M. S., the Eldership "set apart for its use the afternoon
and evening of Friday of each annual session, that the brotherhood may be more
fully informed of the work and methods of the W. M. S." The inactivity of local
preachers was not all imputed to them. "The traveling preachers should encour-
age them, and speak a good word in their behalf before the churches." While
"forty-one of our members were removed by the angel of death," the ranks of the
ministry were not invaded. All ministers licensed since the Course of Studies
was adopted were "required to pursue the Course adopted" in 1897. The Elder-
ship realized the importance of more systematic work in the collections for its
various funds, and ordered assessments for four, the lifting of some collections
eor'ipr in the yenr, and named the month of .Tanuary for specinl collections to
replenish the General Mission Fund. The Treasurer's bond "drawn for
$6,000.00." was approved. The church membership had increased to 3,074, the
accessions during the year having been 591. The ministers received $7,442.49.
"Not one-half of the converts are baptized." Hence the Eldership "insisted on
all converts being obedient to the commands of God." Among the licentiates was
Mai*y H. Rahcock.
43rd Ohio Eldership. — The status of young ministers at the College, and of
young men contemplating the ministry had been from the first a question which
involved some embarrassment. The definite solution reached in 1899 much re-
580 History oe the Churches of God
lleved the situation. It was decided that the Ohio Eldership would ordain only
such men as proposed entering its ministry, or to receive only such Into its fellow-
ship. Hence, licensed ministers attending College were held "amenable to their
own Elderships," and "each Annual Eldership should have the privilege of li-
censing its own young men." This action was the result of the action of the Gen-
eral Eldership in 1899, which "allowed licensed ministerial students of Findlay
College to labor in the ministry in Ohio." The session of 1899 was well attended.
"When the Roll was called at Rising Sun, Wood county, September 28th, there
were thirty-seven ministers present, and twenty-four lay delegates. The pre-
vious evening Z. H. Yoder preached the Opening Sermon, from I. Cor. xv. 40.
The President was T. W. Bellingham; Clerk, M. K. Smith; Financial Secretary,
T, Koogle; Treasurer, P. J. Grose. With the change from annual licenses to Life
Certificates of Ordination, there came other important changes. The Committee
on License became the Committee on Ordination. Three forms of licenses were
agreed upon, to wit: Life Certificates, Certificates limited to one year, and
Limited Annual licenses. To determine to which class previously licensed min-
isters were to belong the Committee on License was, at its discretion, authorized
to require "any or all the teaching elders to pass a satisfactory examination in
reference to faith and practice." "The doctrine of 'Divine Healing,' as taught and
practiced by one Dr. John A. Dowie" was declared "unscriptural, illogical and con-
trary to the laws of our land, and tends to cause division in Churches where it is
advocated." Consequently "no one advocating said theory shall be eligible to a
license or an official position In the Church or Sunday-school." The ministers
and churches were inhibited from changing the order of administering the ordi-
nances. Included with the deaths of the wives of three ministers was that of
"Father Ensminger," who had been a licensed minister since 1893, but had been
preaching years before. "Licensing the saloon" the Eldership denounced as "a
sinful practice," it being "inconsistent to legalize that which we know to be
wrong." The two church organizations in Canton having been "merged into
one," this action was approved. There was a debt of $1,529.94 on the Fostoria
Mission property. The creditors proposed to throw off $537.49, and the Elder-
ship authorized a draft on the Available Mission Fund not to exceed $700.00, and
make settlement. This was to be reinbursed from "the sale of the Mansfield Mis-
sion property." To canvass for funds for a local church required favorable ac-
tion by the Eldership. There were "encouraging openings for mission work at
Lima and Delphas. While the "spiritual condition of the various churches" was
given as "ten reported good, nineteen fair and five favorable," the total member-
ship was reduced to 2,598. There were 76 church houses, 75 churches, 507 con-
versions, 360 accessions, 183 baptized. The number of charges was twenty-seven.
44th Ohio Eldership. — The Ohio Eldership was discreet in dealing with a
proposition submitted by correspondence, proposing to send one M. G. Ale.vanian
as a missionary to "Armenia, the cradle of Christianity, the Garden of Eden land."
It referred the matter to the Ohio W. M. S., which was aiding the work in India.
It however recommended Rev. M. G. Alexanian to the churches of God In Ohio,"
an instance of benevolent altruism only too common. The churches put the right
construction on the action. This occurred at the session of the Eldership held
at Mendon, Mercer county, beginning Thursday morning, September 27, 1900.
The previous evening Charles H. Gatchell delivered the Opening Sermon, from
Gal. i. 15, 16. The oflScers elected were President, S. Kline; Clerk, M. K. Smith;
Financial Secretary, T. Koogle; Treasurer, P. J. Grose. Thirty-four ministers
and twenty-six ruling elders and delegates were present. To secure a more
prompt payment of assessments for the different Funds the Eldership "resolved
that each circuit and station which fails to raise its assessment of funds shall be
left without a pastor until the said funds are raised and turned over to the Elder-
ship." Another proposition prevailed, intended to overcome "the difficulty in se-
curing places to hold the Eldership." It provided that "each minister, elder, dele-
gate and all visitors coming to be entertained, shall pay $1.00 into the treasury
of the church where the Eldership Is held." "Legislators" were "denounced who
voted against the Local Option bill" In the last Legislature. The Report on the
State of Religion contained these Items: Preaching places and church organiza-
tions, 75; church houses, 74; conversions, 580; accessions, 467; baptized, 313;
membership, 2,608. The Ferguson Bethel was sold, and the net proceeds placed
In the Permanent Mission Fund. Said Fund already had $4,594.32. Two of "the
regularly ordained ministers of the Eldership" were "called from labor to reward"
The West Ohio Eldership 581
during the year — Sisters L. Allanian and N. Carr. They were "devoted, earnest
Christian workers, whose lives as ministers were commendable." Two of the
ministers severed their connection with the Eldership — I. H. Gre«ne and Thos. W.
Bellingham. The Eldership granted "limited Annual Licenses" to those appli-
cants who had not made the required progress in the Course of Studies, and later,
the "Certificate of Life Ordination." The former did not have "full rights as
members of the Eldership" until this session, when action was taken granting
them such rights. The W. M. S. was in active co-operation with the Eldership,
and was granted Saturday afternoon to hold a session. A bequest was received
from William Snodgrass, "not a member of the Church of God," whose "wisdom
and liberality in the disposition of money" were "recommended to others."
Greater activity was insisted upon on the part of ministers "in encouraging and
pushing forward the work of the Sabbath-school." The aggregate support of the
pastors was $5,121.00. There were twenty-six on the twenty-five stations and
circuits, with E. Poling "General Worker in the Eldership." There were thirty-
seven names on the "Roll of Ministers," and seven "licensed."
45th Ohio Eldership. — The finances of the Ohio Eldership were systematically
adjusted and methodically worked. The Financial Secretary during the year
looked after the various Funds. Through his efforts the income for the year
1900 — 01 of the various Funds was $1,361.42; balance in the Permanent Fund,
15,738.37; Available Fund, $1,093.22. The session of 1901 was held at Ohio
City, Van Wert county, September 26-30. Solomon Kline preached the Opening
Sermon on the evening of the 25th, from Matt. xvi. 18. On the Roll of ministers
were forty-four names, of which number eight were not in attendance. Only
fifteen Elders and delegates, representing eleven of the thirty-two fields, were
present. The body elected Geo. A. Bartlebaugh, President; Milton K. Smith,
Clerk; Tobias Koogle, Financial Secretary; P. J. Grose, Treasurer. The subjects
of Sunday-schools and Temperance were given special prominence, an hour being
assigned to each, and a number of ministers participating in the discussions.
Christians were admonished that it is "their duty to put forth all legal efforts
with voice and practice to get rid of the great monster, the liquor traffic." As
the use of tobacco was always connected with the subject of temperance, the
Eldership resolved "that no license be granted to any man who uses tobacco."
Systematic and organized effort was directed to be put forth by all the churches
and pastors to promote Sunday-school interests. On account of the inevitable con-
fusion "resulting from breaking up the Eldership on Saturday evening, the present
was to be protracted until Monday, with an ordinance meeting on Sunday even-
ing. The time of the meeting of the Eldership was then changed to Monday
morning, and the Opening Sermon to be preached on Sunday morning, thus "giving
opportunity for an ordinance meeting on Sabbath evening." On Friday after-
noon a joint session with the W. M. S. was ordered in the interest of missions.
Chas. T. Fox was designated Ohio Eldership Sabbath-school Superintendent, part
of his duties being to hold Sabbath-school conventions on the different fields of
labor. The new Course of Studies extended through three years, including six
and seven studies in each year. The Eldership insisted that "the ministers give
special attention to the distinctive doctrines which we hold, so that faith in the
whole word of God may be inspired." It also declared, that "ministers shall em-
phasize the fact that the authority and government of the church is the authority
and government of heaven, and that ruling and teaching elders shall wisely, but
sternly, exercise discipline, as the Scriptures direct." The trouble arising through
the theory that an elder of a church is an elder in any church was precluded by
applying to ruling elders the provision of the Eldership Constitution against a
minister's laboring on another pastor's field without proper authority. Ministers
were urged to give attention to the organizing of Societies of Christian Endeavor
In all the churches, as they are "a mighty factor in the spiritual development and
effectual working power In the Church." The spiritual condition of twenty-one
charges was reported fair; five were reported good.
46th Ohio Eldership. — Ohio, having been one of the Elderships in active
co-operation with the W. G. M. S. of 1890, was deeply interested in the move-
ment to organize a W. G. M. S. with which the Woman's Missionary Societies of
all the Elderships could be identified. Efforts were made during the Summer of
1902 to Increase the number of local societies, preparatory to the Convention to
be held at FIndlay, Ohio, in June, 1903, to organize said W. G. M. S. As the
Eldership was expected to take action relative to this movement much Interest
582 History oi-^ rnii Churches 01' God
centered on its session to be held at Deweyville, Hancock county, beginning Sep-
tember 21, 19 02. The subject came up when the Committee on Resolutions re-
ported, as it submitted a preamble and two resolutions expressing the sense of
the Eldership. "An interesting discussion took place, especialy on the resolu-
tion touching the subject of the W. G. M. S." "The President of the Society,
Mrs. Mary R. Newcomer, of Illinois Eldership, was present, and was granted
privilege to speak on the resolution." The Committee's Report was agreed to,
speaking in strong terms of the work accomplished "by Clara Landes in India,
under the auspices of the W. G. M. S. and other Eldership Missionary Societies;"
declaring that she "earnestly asked for a united brotherhood to support her work,"
and then resolved that "we as an Eldership express our hearty approval of the
action of the General Eldership, and pledge our loyalty and support." The
pledge of the Eldership toward the payment of the debt of $24,000.00 resting on
Findlay College in 1894 had not yet been fully paid, and C. T. Fox and C. Man-
chester were appointed "collectors to secure funds to cover the deficit." During
the year it "had pleased our heavenly Father to take from our ranks and Elder-
ship," stated the Committee on Obituaries, "our dear brother and co-worker,
W. H. Oliver. For over forty years he had labored in word and doctrine, and
maintained an untarnished reputation as a consecrated, self-sacrificing man of
God. The spiritual condition of the churches was reported to be "fair" and
"good." The ministers had preached 3,172 sermons, and received an aggregate
of salaries to the amount of $7,689.54. Church organizations, 70; conversions,
337; accessions, 205; total membership, 2,095. In addition to very positive reso-
lutions against the liquor traffic and "the tobacco habit" the Committee on Tem-
perance asked that the members be continued in office during the year, to "co-
operate with the brethren to bring to active life the measures resolved on in this
body, and secure the enforcement of the laws for the suppression of the liquor
traffic." Also, that it "shall work in harmony with similar committees of other
bodies for the suppression of the social vice." The Eldership was presided over by
Z. H. Yoder, with W. E. Turner, Clerk; T. Koogle, Financial Secretary; P. J.
Grose, Treasurer. The number of appointments was twenty-nine — six stations
and twenty-three circuits, one of the latter unsupplied. E. Poling was appointed
General Missionary Worker, and C. T. Fox, Eldership Sabbath-school Superin-
tendent.
47th Ohio Eldership. — A new feature of the forty-seventh Ohio Eldership,
provided for in 1901, was a "Sunday-school rally" on the Sunday afternoon follow-
ing the Opening Sermon, conducted by W. E. Turner. The Opening Sermon was
delivered on Sunday morning, August 23, 1903, by Z. H. Voder, from Rom. v. 19.
In the evening the ordinances of God's house were observed. The session was
held at Canton, Stark county, and began August 24th, with twenty-four of the
forty ministers present, and seventeen ruling elders and delegates, representing
the twenty-eight fields of labor. T. Koogle was elected President; C. H. Gatchell,
Clerk; Chas. F. Raach, Transcribing Clerk; F. F. Manchester, Financial Clerk;
P. J. Grose, Treasurer. Impressive memorial services were held in memory of
W. P. Small, who died May 18, 1903, aged 66 years. A native of Shelby county,
Ohio, he was converted at the age of seventeen years, and united with the
Methodist Protestant Church; but he united with the church of God at Anderson
Bethel in 1858. He received his first license October 17, 1860, and remained a
member of the Ohio Eldership forty-three years. He was an earnest minister,
unwavering in fidelity to the Church; unassuming and affable; exemplary, devoted
and spiritual. An important change was made in the ordinal number of the
Eldership. It was the forty-seventh from the organization of the West Ohio
Eldership, but the sixty-seventh from the organization of the first Ohio Eldership.
Its number was changed on motion of Chas. Manchester. Subsequent Elderships
are numbered accordingly. The Eldership strongly favored an educated ministry,
and meanwhile insisted on all licentiates taking in full the Course of Studies
prescribed by the body. So interested was the Eldership in the Christian
Endeavor work that each pastor became a member of the Society, and ordered
that "two hours of the next Ministerial Association be given to the consideration
of C. E. work and methods." By implication the Eldership approved of the or-
ganization of the W. G. M. S. in June, 1903, by printing in full the Minutes of
the W. M. S. of Ohio with its Journal. It declared its "hearty approval of the
General Eldership's action and the work of the Convention," and affirmed its
The West Ohio EivDership 583
"loyalty and fidelity to the General Eldership's new W. G. M. S." There was one
addition to the number of appointments.
68th Ohio Eldership. — Two amendments to the Constitution marked the pro-
gress of the Ohio Eldership in 1904. One provided for an additional Clerk, which
had been elected in 19 03. The other, for one more regular committee of the
Eldership — the Y. P. S. C. E. Committee. Conditions relating to the W. G. M. S.
were quite unsatisfactory during the year, and there was such a degree of fric-
tion and contention as to prove very "detrimental to local interests, making it
difficult for pastors to labor on some fields successfully." The Eldership ex-
pressed it as its conviction that such a state of affairs is to be "deplored," and "that
every possible effort should be made to unify and harmonize our mission work."
The session of the Eldership was held at Wooster, Wayne county, August 2 8 to
September 1, 1904. On Sunday morning T. Koogle preached the Opening Ser-
mon, from Jonah iii. 1, 2. The Sunday-school rally was held in the afternoon.
In the evening, preparatory to the observance of the ordinances, Chas. T. Fox de-
livered a sermon based on I. Peter v. 5-7. The Eldership was organized by the
election of C. N. Belman, President; C. H. Gatchell, Secretary; F. F. Manchester,
Financial Secretary; P. J. Grose, Treasurer. The original pledge of $5,000.00
toward the College debt had been reduced to $2,588.89. Two ministers during
the year had "passed from labor to reward" — S. Dickerhoof and Wm. P. Burchard.
They were commended for their staunch and unwavering fidelity to the cause in
whose interest they spent their lives, and their helpfulness toward every appeal
and need. Five new C. E. Societies were organized during the year, and ministers
were urged to organize societies in all the churches. Provision was made by con-
stitutional amendment for two ruling elders as delegates from every church having
fifty or more members. Five of the ministers of the Eldership were officially
connected with Findlay College — C. T. BrowTi, President, successor of C. Man-
chester; F. F. Manchester, Financial Secretary; C. T. Fox, Dean of the Faculty;
F. K. Baker, Professor of Theology; G. G. Bruer, Professor of Greek and English
Literature. The number of church organizations was 69; conversions during the
year, 367; accessions, 266; baptized, 104; total membership, 2,251.
69th Ohio Eldership. — Though there was dissent from actions of the General
Eldership in some things in the Ohio Eldership, the spirit of loyalty at all times
predominated. Hence, after the session of the General Eldership in 1905, this
spirit found expression in strong sentiments of approval of the actions of said
body. Its "action on the 'harmony and union of all our Woman's Misisonary So-
cieties' was commended," and the Eldership pledged itself to work to that end.
The annual session was held at Belmore, Putnam county, August 27-31, 1905.
On the Sunday morning previous, the Opening Sermon was preached by C. N.
Belman, from II. Tim. iv. 1-4. The Ordinance Sermon was delivered by C. I.
Brown, from John xiii. 13-15. The "Ministerial Register" contained forty-seven
names. There were thirty-eight ministers and eighteen delegates in attendance.
Two of the former and three of the latter were women. The officers elected were
President, C. H. Gatchell; Clerk, W. E. Turner; Transcribing Clerk, Chas. Man-
chester; Financial Secretary, F. F. Manchester; Treasurer, P. J. Grose. During
the year the Liberty church property had been sold for $234.00, which was
placed to the credit of the Building Fund. The assets in the Permanent Mission
Fund amounted to $5,850.03; in the Available Misison Fund, $1,167.32, and the
receipts for all "Available Funds," $2,900.33, while the expenditures were
$1,569.53. A "Union Convention of the Sunday-schools and C. E. Societies of the
Eldership" was arranged for, to meet at the time and place of the Ministerial
Association. On education the Eldership naturally took advanced ground, though
It was still in arrears on its pledge toward the College debt of 1894. It made the
Report of the Committee on Education a Special order of business, and pledged its
"united and individual support to Findlay College," and "approved the financial
plan adopted by the Board of Trustees." The Course of Studies extended over a
period of three years. There remained unpaid on the principal of its pledge
toward the College debt $1,248.18, and interest to the amount of $1,290.74; but
action was taken to extinguish principal and interest at an early date. On tem-
perance the Eldership was specific in its denunciation of Governor Heriick for the
use of "the threatened veto pojver" to modify the Act pending in the Legislature,
and resolved to "agree to use our voice, vote and influence to defeat this high-
handed exhibition of machine politics and corrupt subserviency to the liquor traf-
fic." In addition to tobacco, the Committee on Temperance also included the use
584 History of the Churches of God
of the tongue as a proper subject upon which to pass temperance resolutions. It
declared that "we are taught to be 'temperate in all things,' and since the 'tongue
Is an unruly member,' causing dissension and strife between brethren, and de-
stroying the influence of the Christian minister by the immoderate use of lan-
guage," the admonition of Peter should be heeded, "What manner of persons
ought ye to be In all holy conversation and godliness." Ministers were urged to
see that C. E. Societies are organized in all the churches, since these societies are
"schools for preparation and training in all Christian work," and "the future of
the church depends upon the young people." Organized Sunday-school work was
approved, as was also the Home Department, the Cradle Roll and Normal Bible
work. There were twenty-nine fields of labor, all supplied with pastors. One
of these was the President of the College, and several were College students, while
three other professors in the College were on the "Ohio Eldership Ministerial
Roll." An equitable division was made of the proceeds of the sale of a parsonage
located on the Mendon circuit. It had been built by the churches of a larger
field, and in case of sale the amount realized was to be "equally divided among
the churches of the former Mendon circuit." Assessments were made for the
Ohio Eldership and the General Eldership Mission Funds, the former 5 5 per cent,
of the total, and the latter 45 per cent., the aggregate being $937.00. Other col-
lections were regulated by the Constitution.
70th Ohio Eldership.— The returned missionary to India, Clara Landes, of
Iowa, was visiting in Ohio in the Fall of 1906, and was present at the Ohio Elder-
ship. An hour of the sitting on the second day morning was allotted to her.
But at the previous sitting action was taken in which the Eldership pledged itself
"most heartily to support the 'Commission' and the propositions adopted by the
'Commission' and the Board of Incorporation at Findlay, in 1906, for a basis by
which it is hoped to bring about harmony and union of all our missionary societies
and workers, the same being in accordance with the action of the General Elder-
ship in 1905." It commended the Ohio W. M. S. in co-operation with the Elder-
ship; but for various reasons it suggested that "the Missionary Society meet at the
same time and place as the Ministerial Association," instead of the Eldership.
Seventy-five ministers and delegates attended the session in 1906, which was held
at Findlay, Hancock county, with the College church, beginning Monday morning,
August 27th, and continuing until Wednesday evening. On Sabbath morning
C. H. Gatchell preached the Opening Sermon, from John xv. 16. The Ordinance
Sermon was delivered on Sabbath evening by T. Koogle, from I. Cor. xi. 2. Elec-
tions for officers resulted in the choice of C. T. Fox for President; W. E. Turner,
Clerk; Chas. F. Raach, Transcribing Clerk; F. F. Manchester, Financial Clerk;
P. J. Grose, Treasurer. The Eldership had comparatively large interests in.
Church properties, and to safeguard these it gave "authority to the Clerk to in-
vestigate Church property; to look after the property not deeded to the Ohio
Eldership; to secure proper deeds; to look after vacant houses of worship, and
the sale of the same." The Treasurer, however, "was made the custodian of the
deeds and legal papers of the Eldership." The Eldership trustees this year were
T. Koogle, C. T. Fox, C. N. Belman, P. J. Grose, M. K. Smith. A committee to be
known as the Board of Education was named, "whose duty it shall be to examine
candidates for the ministry in their literary qualifications, and recommend the
same to the Committee on License." It was required that "all persons entering
the ministry of the Eldership take the prescribed Course of Studies, or its equiva-
lent. T. Koogle, C. I. Brown, T. H. McAfee, C. T. Fox, F. K. Baker constituted the
Board. It was arranged to get complete statistics of the Sunday-schools, and a
Sunday-school Rally was ordered held each year on the afternoon of the Sunday
on which the Opening Sermon is delivered in the morning. Assessments were
ordered for the General and the Ohio Eldership Funds to the amount of $860.00.
The two ministers on the Superannuated list — G. W. Wilson and Levi Rothrock —
received $175.00 and $125.00 respectively. Y. P. S. C. E. work was making
progress, as four new societies were organized during the year. The Eldership
proceeded on the principle that "if we expect the Church to live, we must hold
and train our young people." An attack was made on "patient medicines" in
connection with actions on the temperance question, as they "are doing much to
create an appetite for strong drink and ruining the health of persons using them.
There were 72 preaching places in the Eldership territory, 68 church organiza-
tions, 727 conversions during the year, 267 baptized, 264 accessions, 32 fields of
labor, $9,625.11 amount of support of pastors, 2,770 names on church Records.
The West Ohio Eldership 585
Adam Kline, "an honored father in Israel," was removed by death during the year.
He was ordained by the West Ohio Eldership in 1859, but labored mainly in a
local capacity. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born June 3, 1817. As a min-
ister he was a firm believer and able defender of the principles and doctrines of
the Church of God. "He took the world for his field, and 'went everywhere
preaching the word.' "
71st Ohio Eldership. — A very positive stand was taken by the Ohio Eldership
against the course pursued in 1906-7 by the W. G. M. S. of 1890. It had re-
apppointed Clara Landes and appointed A. B. Chamberlin and wife missionaries
to India. This action was disapproved by the Board of Missions of the General
Eldership. But as they desired to visit and canvass churches in Ohio, the Stand-
ing Committee withheld its consent, because it believed such a course "would not
only be unwise, but out of harmony with the Ohio Eldership and the General
Eldership." A spirited discussion of this action followed its report at the Elder-
ship, which adopted it by a vote of 36 to 7. This was done at the session held
at Vermillion, Ashland county, August 25-28, 1907. On Sabbath morning, Au-
gust 25th, C. T. Fox preached the Opening Sermon, from John xii. 32. In the
afternoon the Sunday-school Rally was conducted by W. E. Turner. In the even-
ing H. D. Boughter preached the Ordinance Sermon, from John xiv. 15. "When
on Monday morning the Eldership was constituted, balloting resulted in the elec-
tion of M. K. Smith, President; W. E. Turaer, Clerk; Chas. F. Raach, Transcribing
Clerk; F. F. Manchester, Financial Clerk; P. J. Grose, Treasurer. The "worldly
tendency of the times" was recognized as a reason making it "imperative that
churches and all Christian people should give more attention to Christian educa-
tion." Hence the hearty endorsement of Findlay College, where young men con-
templating the ministry can "take special training for their life's work." The
amount of the Ohio Eldership's pledge toward the College debt remaining unpaid
was $196.86, with interest of $720.83 due August 24, 1907. The observance of
Children's College Day, and the taking of an offering for the College, were em-
phasized. There were 47 schools reported, with 2,385 scholars. They raised
$2,179.29 for all purposes. The oldest minister in the Eldership, G. W. Wilson,
had died during the year. He was born at Georgetown, D. C; died at Findlay,
Ohio, February 6, 1907, aged 92 years, 9 months and 16 days. His parents were
Presbyterians; but being left an orphan at the age of two and a half years, he
was cared for by an uncle and aunt, who were members of the Catholic Church.
They early began to prepare him for the priesthood, but at the age of fourteen he
"decided to free himself from the tyranny to which he was subjected by braving
the battle of life for himself." He was converted at the age of seventeen, and
began Christian work at once, laboring first among the Evangelical people, and
then among the Methodists. Subsequent to 1840 he met Winebrenner and was
baptized by him. He was ordained by the Ohio Eldership October 19, 1853. "He
was highly esteemed because of the purity of his life, his rectitude of character
and his ability as a master builder." He held many official positions in his Elder-
ship, and at different times was a delegate to the General Eldership, In 189 6
preaching the Opening Sermon. Those who knew him personally enjoyed his
friendship and confidence with increasing gratification as he was approaching the
border land of Death.
The good work done by the Christian Endeavor movement, which was re-
garded as "marvelous," incited the Eldership to organize an "Eldership Endeavor
Convention," to which the local societies were urged to send delegates. The Anti-
Saloon League of Ohio received commendation for its work, and support was
promised it by the Eldership. The W. C. T. U. was endorsed as "a channel through
which our temperance convictions may be voiced and carried successfully into our
respective communities, praying and working that our Legislature at its earliest
possible date may give us county local option." The success already gained "in
freeing so many towns and counties of this great evil" was gratefully recognized
as an act of divine providence.
72nd Ohio Eldership. — The usual preliminary services to the Eldership ses-
sion in 190 8 were held Saturday evening and throughout the Sabbath. G. W.
Rowlinson preached on Saturday evening. G. A. Bartlebaugh delivered the Open-
ing Sermon Sabbath morning, from Isa. xxviii. 16. Theme — "The Sure Founda-
tion." At the Sunday-school Rally, conducted by W. E. Turner, the Adult Bible
Class and Teachers' Training Classes were the subjects emphasized. In the even-
ing T. H. McAfee preached the Ordinance Sermon, after which the twin ordinances
586 History of the Churches of God
were observed. As the Ohio W. M. S. in co-operation with the W. G. M. S. of
189 0 continued to maintain its organization and worlt, the Eldership "most heart-
ily endorsed and approved" the actions of the Executive Board of the Generil Eld-
ership and of the Ohio Standing Committee against those societies, and pledged
itself as an Eldership and its individual members "to do all in our power t'^ cirry
said actions into effect." And the course of the W. M. S. in co-operation with the
Eldership was approved and commended. The officers of the Eldership were S. D.
Harlan, President; W. E. Turner, Clerk; Chas. F. Raach, Transcribing Clerk; F. F.
Manchester, Financial Secretary; P. J. Grose, Treasurer. The session was held
at Union Bethel, Huron county, August 24 and 25, 1908. Recognition was given
to Sabbath-school and Y. P. S. C. E. work by the appointment of separate com-
mittees for each. The Committee on Sunday-schools reported 50 schools, with
273 teachers and 3,273 scholars. The organization of Teachers' Training Classes,
of which there were, only two, was insisted upon as the "solution of many future
problems touching the progress of Sunday-schools." The Christian Endeavor
work was "commended to the churches as one of the many schools in our Chris-
tian work for training to do active and consecrated service." The Carnegie en-
dowment proposition, "that he will contribute $12,500 toward $50,000 new endow-
ment" was accepted, with the expressed belief "that Ohio should raise $5,000.00."
Because of some neglect among the churches in the observance of Feet-washing
and the Communion the Eldership declared that it "recognized the divine com-
mand to observe these ordinances," and that they are "a means of deepening the
spiritual life of the churches." This "command we recognize as one of the central
principles of the Church of God," and "we urge upon all pastors and churches to
regularly and systematically observe the ordinances at least once a year." The
practice of having formal "ordination services" for those who were granted Life
Certificates of Ordination had become a fixed order.
73rd Ohio Eldership. — A Committee on Revision of the Constitution did its
work during the year 1908-9, and matured and reported "a uniform plan for the
financial support of the churches," which was adopted. Also a regular "system of
Tiolding annual congregational and business meetings," providing for "the calling
of meetings for the purpose of electing church officers, to plan for the coming year,
to elect delegates to the Eldership, to hear reports of church officers," and to
transact other business. The action of the General Eldership of 1909 concerning
the W. G. M. S. troubles also required consideration. "The Eldership by a yea
and nay vote, one or two not voting, but no nay vote," "pledged itself to loyally
■co-operate with the General Eldership in the adjustment of our foreign missionary
difficulties." The Eldership convened at Ohio City, Van Wert county, August
30, 1909, the Opening Sermon having been preached the Sabbath morning pre-
vious, by S. D. Harlan, from Acts xvi. 2 6. Theme: — "Called of God to be a Min-
ister and Witness for Christ Jesus." The Ordinance Sermon by Leroy De Haves
was based on Isa. v. 1-6. Theme: — "Our Privileges; Not Our Duties." Twenty-
nine of the forty-five ministers of the Eldership were present, and twenty-six dele-
gates. Two ministers and one of the delegates were women — Grace Xettro and
Anna Witham, and Clara Wetz. The officers of the Eldership were C. I. BroAvn,
President; W. E. Turaer, Clerk; Chas. F. Raach, Transcribing Clerk; F. F. Man-
chester, Financial Secretary; P. J. Grose, Treasurer. Leah K. Becker, missionary
to India, was present and addressed the Eldership. The Treasurer's Report showed
balances as follows: Permanent Mission Fund, $6,088.53; Available Mission
Fund, $694.19; Ohio Eldership Fund, $217.83; Building Fund, $225.07. Scott
Bethel had been sold, and a deed executed by the Trustees of the Eldership.
During the Eldership session the Financial Secretary received $854.06. "The
Temperance Pledge Signing Movement" was "heartily endorsed," and "the Sun-
day-schools within the bounds of the Ohio Eldership" were asked "to faithfully
observe Temperance Sunday, and to prayerfully press home the temperance lessons
found in our Sunday-school literature." Death had claimed Thomas James during
the year, as he died July 5, 1909, aged 79 years and 3 months. He was born in
Adams county, Pa.; but spent nearly his whole life in Crawford county, Ohio. He
was ordained by the West Ohio Eldership in 1871, and spent thirty years in the
active ministry. The Eldership would change the polity of the General Eldership
in so far as to "prevent a minister from serving as a lay delegate to the General
Eldership." It also advised "that in a church having men eligible to the offices
of elder and deacon, women should not be elected to these offices, and that the
same policy should prevail as to the delegates to the Eldership." The Eldership
The West Ohio Eldership 587
■expressed its pleasure in having "one of its members on the Executive Committee
of the Ohio Sunday-school Association in the person of M. K. Smith." Commend-
able interest was manifested in the work of the various Sunday-school organiza-
tions, as the Eldership "feels that the work of organization is not yet overdone,"
and it continued to urge schools to organize Adult Bible Classes, Theachers' Train-
ing Classes, Teachers' Meetings, and to have Home Departments and Cradle Rolls.
There were 30 'fields of labor, 54 church organizations, 5 5 church houses, 47 8 con-
versions, 326 accessions, 160 baptized, 2,231 names enrolled as members, and
total amount of support, $9,998.78.
74th Ohio Eldership. — Services of an "evangelistic" character were a feature
of the Ohio Eldership in 1910. "The spirit of the Eldership was one of unanimity,
brotherly love and sweet Christian fellowship." The session was held at Wooster,
Wayne county, September 9-13, and organized on Saturday morning, while the
Opening Sermon was deferred until Sabbath morning, when it was preached by
C 1. Brown, from II. Tim. iii. 15-17. W. E. Turner was elected President; Chas.
F. Raach, Clerk; E. A. Fi-itter, Transcribing Clerk; F. F. Manchester, Financial
Clerk; P. J. Grose, Treasurer. The "old church property located at Canton" was
authorized to be sold, to be vacated after "the new house of worship is completed
and occupied." The Moreland Bethel was placed in the hands of W. E. Turner,
attorney-in-fact, to be sold. The Primrose church property was placed in the
hands of J. F. Slough, who was instructed "to ask for bids on" the same. The
Permanent Mission Fund was increased by $7,000.00 "realized from the Lucy
Kryder estate." Final arrangements were made for the payment of the balance
of .$525.90 of the "Eldership Pledge" toward Findlay College debt of 1894. To
enforce collection of apportionments for this purpose the Eldership voted, that "if
any pastor shall fail to make an honest effort to do so, he shall be publicly repri-
manded by the President of the Eldership." It was a source of gratification that
the Sunday-schools and Christian Endeavor societies were engaged in securing
funds "to establish a scholarship in Findlay College for the help of students from
the Ohio Eldership preparing for the ministry." The interests of missions were
considered of first importance, and it was made "the duty of each pastor to plan
for, and deliver at appropriate times, at least two sermons on Missions" at each
of his churches during the year. Also "to interest each Sunday-school on his
charge in missions, and get an offering for foreign missions." "Pledge-signing
and thorough temperance instruction in the Sunday-schools" was recommended.
No "liquor man, nor any other man whose character is questionable" was to re-
ceive the support of the Eldership for any public office; but it promised to "rally
around the man whose business and patronage the liquor interests are trying to
destroy." "Amusements and all organizations which are proving detrimental to
the churches" were to be discouraged. Pastors were required "to make a con-
secrated effort to organize a C. E. society in each church." There were twenty-
nine charges in the Eldership territory, all but one supplied with pastors; with
sixty preaching places, sixty-two church organizations and sixty-two church houses,
and a total membership of 2,237. Salaries of pastors aggregated $10,577.64.
75th Ohio Eldership. — On its fields of labor the Ohio Eldership in 1911 had
twenty-seven pastors; there were two superannuated ministers, fourteen local min-
isters, one "interdenominational evangelist" and one "student in Seminary." Five
of its ministers were professors in Findlay College. The annual session was held
in the M. E. house of worship at Mendon, Mercer county, beginning on Friday
evening, August 25, 1911, when "a forceful sermon" was delivered by O. A. New-
lin. An organization was effected on Saturday morning, by electing G. G. Bruer,
President; Chas. F. Raach, Clerk; R. F. Mitchell, Transcribing Clerk; F. F. Man-
chester, Financial Secretary; P. J, Grose, Treasurer. "Ten o'clock was made a
•special hour for prayer that harmony, unity and peace may prevail in the General
Eldership." A solemn and impressive ordinance service was enjoyed on Saturday
•evening, preceded by a sermon "on the doctrines of the churches of God," by E. A.
Fritter. The Annual Sermon was delivered on Sunday morning, by W. E. Turner,
from Isa. li. 6 and II. Cor. vi. 3, 4. Where there were changes of pastors, the
churches were required to pay the moving expenses of their new pastors. Churches,
if possible, were directed to put baptisteries in their houses of worship, and "no
new bethel should be built without a baptistery." Regular evangelistic services
for each evening of the session were to be arranged for by the Standing Committee.
Also "special addresses on Missions, Education, Christian Endeavor interests and
the Woman's Missionary Society work." Provision was made "looking toward a
588 History of the Churches of God
Church of God Rally at the Winona Bible Conference in 1912," invitations to be
extended to the Indiana, Illinois and other Elderships to participate. The sum of
^100.00 was secured on the floor of the Eldership "to be given to worthy students
at Findlay College preparing for the ministry of this Eldership." The completion
of the Carnegie Endowment Fund of $50,000.00 was the subject of special con-
gratulation, and Dr. Brown was specially commended "for his untiring efforts and
his vigorous faith, which made possible the victory." Every other interest con-
nected with the institutions of learning of the General Eldership was enthusiast-
ically sanctioned and commended. With broadening views of civic problems, the
Eldership "went on record for arbitration and universal peace, and also took high
ground on temperance legislation and the enforcement of temperance laws, with
the ultimate aim of State-wide and national victories." It also sought to impress
upon all the members the duty of "taking an active part in the matter of selecting
suitable men in their respective districts as delegates to the coming Ohio Constitu-
tional Convention." The Standing Committee was sustained by the Eldership in
its action forbidding "the W. G. M. S. of 1890" to canvass for funds on fields of
labor of the Ohio Eldership, as being "contrary to the decrees of the General Eld-
ership and the resolutions of the Ohio Eldership," and as tending to "further dis-
turbance of our peace and harmony." The Eldership recognized the fact that in-
creasing numbers of families of the churches of God are moving into the cities of
the State, and decided to make an effort to begin "missionary work in some of
the large cities, and organize churches of God." It resolved to "appoint a home
missionary" to start this work, who was to begin by "gathering offerings wher-
ever practicable," which were to be added to the $990.00 in the Missionary Fund,
and to pay his expenses and salary. The "spiritual condition of the churches"
was represented to be "good" and "fair," with a total membership of 2,605.
76th Ohio Eldership. — It was particularly noted, "that one of the most in-
spiring and helpful features of the Eldership of 1912 was the soul-stirring evan-
gelistic sermons preached each evening by O. A. Newlin." There were a few con-
versions. The session was held at Colton, from September 6th to 10th, and was
presided over by O. O. Tracy; with Chas. F. Raach, Clerk; A. O. Musgi-ave, Trans-
cribing Clerk; F. F. Manchester, Financial Secretary; P. J. Grose, Treasurer. Fri-
day evening Chas. F. Raach preached from John xv. 13. The Opening Sermon on
Sabbath morning was omitted because of the illness of the appointee, but O. A.
Newlin delivered a sermon from Acts ii. 47. The Standing Committee was com-
posed of C. I. Brown, C. T. Fox, T. Koogle, W. E. Turner, Chas. F. Raach. Station-
ing Committee — C. I. Brown, T. Koogle, C. T. Fox, W. E. Turner, M. K. Smith,
Chas. F. Raach, P. J. Grose, two being laymen. The Eldership greatly rejoiced
over "the deepened interest awakened in the Church by Viola G. Hershey, our re-
turned missionary from India, and the fact that Howard W. Cover and Aaron Myers
will go with her to India when she sails in October," and "pledged honest and
earnest support to these missionaries in this great work." The W. M. S. in har-
mony with the Eldership was working with encouraging success, having received
during the year $44 8.00. A strong address on Missions was made by W. E.
Turner. The Eldership reaffirmed its conviction "that every young man entering
the ministry, and every one engaged in this high calling, should make thorough
preparation for the sacred work." It also pledged its "sympathetic support in
carrying out the plans for larger endowment, larger equipment and greater de-
partmental efficiency" for Findlay College. The sum of $80.00 was secured on
the floor of the Eldership "for the support of students" studying for the ministry.
The "passing of the proposed amendment" to the Constitution of the State, "grant-
ing sanction to a license law" was regretted. The work of the Anti-Saloon League
was endorsed, and State-wide prohibition was to be made the aim of ministers and
churches. Men who favored such a movement were to be supported for office. In
the interest of temperance the Eldership declared that "every effort should be put
forth to give woman the right to the ballot." Death during the year had "entered
the ranks of the ministry" and removed our beloved brother, L. Rothrock. He was
ordained in 1886, but was engaged but about fifteen years in the active ministry.
The various movements for federation and co-operation in church work, the "Men
and Religion Forward Movement," and the Laymen's Missionary Movement were
bidden "Godspeed," and the ministers and laymen were encouraged to support
them. Being firm in the conviction of "the oneness of the church," the Eldership
"rejoiced in the rapidly increasing co-operation of God's people throughout the
world." An elaborate plan for the office of "State Evangelist" was submitted by
Th8 Texas Eldership 589
W. E. Turner, received and referred to the Eldership in 1913. Thirty-four ap-
pointments were made, one being in Payette, Idaho, "under direction of the Board
of Missions" of the General Eldership. Apportionments for Eldership Funds were
made to the individual churches on each field, in addition to which each pastor
was "required to lift an offering for each of these Funds." The statistical reports
give evidence of progress throughout the Eldership.
X. THE TEXAS ELDERSHIP.
1st Texas Eldership. — Elder E. Marple, one of the missionaries to Texas sent
out in 1856, intimates that not only the distance to the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, but conditions which developed within a year after reaching Texas, precipi-
tated the organization of an Eldership. He and Ober saw "indications that our
support would be discontinued" by the East Pennsylvania Eldership, and that "our
names would be dropped from the Journal of the West Pennsylvania Eldership,
and we would be left here in a flood of persecution without either support or
licenses." Nor could "the people be made to understand our system of co-opera-
tion and government." "Hence arose the idea of the formation of the Texas Elder-
ship," which Marple says "was hasty, and contrary to the Rules of the General
Eldership." The first news of the event came North in a private letter to Editor
Colder, and was reported in print November 5, 18 57, with some badinage by the
Editor as to "the usual resolutions endorsing the action of the last General Elder-
ship on the subject of Slavery," etc., "but which the Texas Eldership omitted, as Is
highly probable, through press of business or other causes." As part of the edi-
torial, an article is copied from "The Lamar (Texas) Enquirer," defending Ober
and Marple, and representing their course as resulting justifiably in a "split" be-
tween Elder Ober and the Church of God. It declares that articles in The Advo-
cate were proof that Ober and Marple were members in the North of an abolition
Church, and were sent South "to propagate abolition religion." But finding "anti-
abolition sentiment of this latitude too strong for the safe advocacy of their doc-
trines," these missionaries were constrained to denounce the rlews set forth In
The Advocate, and to change their attitude toward Slavery. And so, "if one could
have believed a tenth part of the vociferous and wrathful declarations of Elder O.
since his sojourn amongst us, the 'Church of God' was as conservative on the sub-
ject of Slavery as the most ultra Southerner could desire." So after due public
announcement the brethren in Texas met with the church at Liberty, Lamar
county, Texas, July 31, 1857, to organize an independent Eldership, according to
the views of this pro-slavery paper. But its Minutes were forwarded to the Editor
of The Advocate and were published December 3, 1857. There were present the
two missionaries, B. Ober and E. Marple, and ruling elders J. M. Brackeen, J. E.
Cunningham and A. J. Canady, and J. Jackson, delegate. Brackeen, before a
member of the M. E. Church, "was a slave-holder, and a man of noted piety, re-
spectability and influence. One of the advistory members, A. Hamblin, was also a
slave-holder. Both became members of the first church of God organized in
Texas. B. Ober was elected Speaker; E. Marple, Journalizing Clerk, and A.
Hamblin, Transcribing Clerk. Ober then preached the Opening Sermon from Acts
v. 38, 39. The whole Eldership was resolved into a committee to draft a Consti-
tution. In the Preamble the only reason assigned for organizing an Eldership is
"the too great distance from our brethren in the North to meet With them In an
Eldership capacity in order to transact business." The resolution following says:
"We, the teaching and ruling elders of the churches of God in Texas do organize
ourselves into an Eldership upon the system of co-operation that exists among the
different Annual Elderships and that it shall be known by the name Elder-
ship of the Church of God in Texas." The twelve sections following are merely
Rules of Order, except the last two. The eleventh provides for the annual re-
newal of licenses. The twelfth is declarative of the meaning of "this Constitu-
tion;" that it is "not to interfere with the doctrine of the Church, or to enforce
the passing of any resolutions, or advisory law, upon matters of faith and practice;
but only to assist in the regulation of such business as belongs to the system of
Itinerancy, which partakes of a secular nature." After interesting and gratifying
reports of Ober and Marple covering their work and success since their arrival In
590 History of the Churches of God
Texas. John E. Cunningham was licensed. The resolutions adopted declared, that
"the General Eldership has no authority to enforce any law (upon matters of faith
and practice) upon any Annual Eldership;" that "the Eldership of the Church of
God in Texas coincides with the brethren of the General Eldership in all their pro-
ceedings, except the resolutions on the subjects of Slavery and Spiritous Liquors;"
"heartily inviting some of our Northern brethren, who are sound in the doctrine
of the New Testament, to come to the Sunny South and aid us in the spread of the
gospel upon the old apostolic plan of redemption." On Slavery they decided that
"it is a political question, and much excited at the present period of time by both
political and religious men North and South, we think it inexpedient for the
Church of God to interfere with it, either directly or indirectly, believing that
ecclesiastical authority has no right to interfere with political questions which are
matters of law." The action by the General- Eldership on the liquor question waa
objectionable to the Texas Eldership because it "appears to us in the form of legis-
lation of law;" that "the Bible is sufficiently definite on the subject to exclude
from the Church of God such as would make use of spirituous liquors as a common
beverage without our placing it on our Eldership Journals in the form of eccle-
siastical legislation upon the Bible." The territory was divided into the North
Sulphur Mission and the South Sulphur Mission, with Marple as pastor of the
former, and Ober, of the latter.
2nd Texas Eldership. — The apparently steady progress of the work on the
Texas mission field is indicated in the increased membership of the second session
of the Eldership. It met at Brush Creek school-house, Hopkins county, August
30, 1858, with four ministers, two ruling elders and three delegates. It was also
honored by the presence of one minister "of the Disciple Church," and one "of the
Missionary Baptist Church." Ober was elected Speaker, and Mai-ple, Clerk. The
latter then preached the Opening Sermon. The Eldership recommended to each
church the advisability of creating a fund for the support of the poor. It also
devised plans to establish an Eldership fund. Marple was directed to "travel reg-
ularly and serve the churches now organized," while Ober was to open new ap-
pointments, and the other three ministers "to labor as the Lord directs." Most
of the time was occupied in framing and deliberating upon resolutions relative
to actions by Northern Elderships on the course pursued by the Texas brethren.
These actions were quite offensive to them. They advised that those "harsh reso-
lutions" be "reconsidered at their next annual meetings;" charged them with
"misrepresentations;" also with making statements "without a shadow of proof,"
and which are "of an impertinent and inimical character." Then as for them-
selves they disclaim having deviated from the early practice of the Church, averring
that "the Church did in her early practice receive those into her fellowship who
sustained the relation of master to servant;" that they have "not seceded, and set
up new things for ourselves;" that they were not compelled to subscribe to the
resolutions on Slavery adopted by the General Eldership in 184.5, as they "are not
as a Creed, binding the consciences of men;" reaffirm that slavery is a political
question, and that to deny this is to ascribe its "origin to be in the infinite mind
of God," and the "advice to us, to return from our wanderings," they fling back as
"equally applicable to their own condition." They consider it an affront to be
told that they are "under obligations to ask them — the West Pennsylvania Elder-
ship— whether we should or should not organize an Eldership in Texas." It
seemed that however deep may have been the self-respect of the members cf the
Eldership, it could have been more delicate and refined.
3rd Texas Eldership.^ — As read between the lines of the Minutes of the Elder-
ship which held its session at the Union Bethel, Lamar county, Texas, September
27, 1859, this session was tame, and free from storms of debate and denunciations.
There were present five teaching elders, two ruling elders and two delegates.
Marple was chosen Speaker; J. T. Lyday, .Tournalizing Clerk, and G. H. Vaneil,
Transcribing Clerk. H. L, Dixon preached the Opening Sermon. By resolution it
agreed to the Rule that expelled ministers of one Eldership should not be licensed
by any other Eldership. On account of trouble in getting the Church paper into
slave territory, Ober and Marple decided to publish "The Bible Advocate." Two
additional members were added to the ministerial force, making the usual dis-
proportion between ministers and churches or lay members. This year Ober was
appointed to serve the churches, and Marple to "misisonate whithersoever the
Lord may direct," and "the others to preach all that circumstances will permit."
4th Texas Eldership. — The actions of the Texas Eldership now bear not only
The Texas Eldership 591
a striking contrast, but an absolute contradiction, to certain like actions of other-
Elderships. This appears in the deliverances of the Texas Eldership at the sessioa
which was held with the church at North Sulphur Academy, Fannin county, Texas,,
beginning August 16, 1860. The Eldership was constituted with five teaching
elders, two ruling elders and two deacons, while two teaching elders were absent.
The deacons were "received as full members of this Eldership." H. J. Dixon was-
elected Speaker; A. J. Cannedy and A. Haniblin, Clerks. After the appointment
of committees and the reports of ministers, nearly the whole of the two-day session
was taken up with the Reports of Committees on Journals, on Resolutions, on.
Slavery, and on the State of the Country. The first, did not have in hand "the
Journals of the different Elderships," and so passed them by. But it had "ex-
amined the Journal of the last General Eldership. . . ., and think it very objection-
able in many particulars. In fact there are some things which come up in the-
form of human legislation, which is emphatically contrary to the doctrine of the
Church of God." This was adopted. A. Hamblin, E. Marple and J. F]. Cunning-
ham constituted the Committee. The Committee on Resolutions, Ober, Cunning-
ham, Lyday and Marple, affirmed that "the members of the Church of God in the-
North have become ultra upon the present political issues, and have declared the
system of servitude, as laid down in the Bible, an evil, and incompatible with the-
interest of the American people;" that "by so doing they have violated our book
of discipline, the New Testament;" that this "course has subjected us to an un-
necessar.y persecution, and greatly militated against the work of reformation in
the South," and then resolved, "that the Eldership in Texas stands upon the
Bible;" that "we call upon all to be subject to, and assist in, carrying out and en-
forcing the laws of our country;" disclaiming "fellowship in the Church with
aboliticn members North, South, East or West, or wherever they may be found,„
and have neither voice nor part, either directly or indirectly, in making, forming,
or even winking at abolition resolutions, and declare them unscriptural, un-
brctherly and unconstitutional, and destructive to the interest of Church and
State." The Eldership sustained this Report. Then came the Report of the-
Committee on Slavery, composed of the same members, with the addition of A.
Hamblin. They declared that they "have frequently examined the question of
servitude spoken of in the Bible, and the system as it now exists," and are satis-
fied that the difficulties "threatening the dissolution of our once happy Republic
have originated from a mistaken notion of the system," and they "believe that
involuntary servitude is plainly taught in the Bible." The churches were author-
ized to hold meetings and determine what preacher or preachers they desire to
serve them, and report to the Standing Committee, that it may confirm the actions-
of said meetings. There being quite a similarity in faith and practice between the
Church cf God and the Christian Church, delegates were to be "appointed to at-
tend their co-operative meeting the 1st of September next.""
Hth Texas Eldei-ship.- — Though the missionaries to Texas were antagonistic
to Nrrthern sentiment on the Slavery question, they "were deeply interested in
the Union of the States." And not having access to The Advocate, they estab-
lished a paper, in the Spring of 1860, called "The Union," published at Mount
Pleasant, Titus county, Texas. But after the State had seceded and the Confed-
erate Government had been organized, they were notified that "the Union was dead,
and that we were not to print another paper." Marple "had as many as three-
clcse calls for life." Ober was threatened with lynching. They saw "five men
cf families, and good citizens in the neighborhood of the church in Hopkins county,
hung at the same time and on the same pole." To allay suspicion, Marple enlisted
in the Confederate Army, though he was never out in field service. That the "be-
ginning cf missionary work in Texas by the Church of God when the question of"
slavery was shaking the United States from center to circumference was a prema-
ture work," is Marple's opinion. Yet "the work was a fair success in that from it
grew the Texas and Arkansas Eldership." A membership of about five hundred
is claimed for Texas when it was the strongest in numbers; but there is now prac-
tically nothing left. It was amidst the conditions of terror and tyranny incident
to the opening scenes of the War that the fifth Texas Eldership met in 1861. No
reports cf any session were published from 1860 to 1866, and but partial records
are accessible. Three or four persons were licensed during those years, and one-
new church was organized. The session was held with the church at Brush Creek,
Honkins county, Texas, beginning November 11th. B. Ober was Speaker, and A.
J. Cannedy, Clerk. The Opening Sermon was delivered by E. Marple. They hadH
592 History of the Churches of God
arranged to publish "The Bible Advocate," but after several numbers had been
issued it was suspended for want of patronage. A heroic effort was made to re-
vive it at this time, and upward of $400.00 had been pledged for the purpose; but
there was not enough patronage in sight to warrant resumption.
6th Texas Eldership. — There was practically nothing for the Eldership to do.
The work virtually stood still, which is equivalent to retrograding. Ober and
Marple were otherwise engaged, so that when the Eldership met in 1862, with the
church at the Union Bethel, Lamar county, Texas, neither was present. J. M.
Brackeen was chosen Speaker, and A. J. Cannedy, Clerk. Brackeen was a member
of the first organization in Texas, formed in August, 1856, and was a slave-holder.
Only routine business was done, except that Alfred Haniblin was licensed to
preach.
7th Texas Eldership. — In 1863 Marple and Ober both attended the session of
the Texas Eldership, which convened with the church at Brush Creek, Hopkins
county, Texas, on September 7th. Ober preached the Opening Sermon. Marple
was chosen Speaker, and A. Haniblin, Clerk. Ober was now ready for work, and
the Eldership appointed him a general worker, his principal mission being to open
new points anywhere in the territory of the Eldership, which had no prescribed
boundaries. Renewed interest in the work was manifested. Being cut off from
the North, the old question of Slavery, and kindred and involved subjects, did not
require attention. The Eldership turned its attention to missionary work, and
actions were taken looking toward the extension of the work beyond the limits of
the few organized churches. It was during this period that the church in Fannin
county was organized, which at one time was one of the strongest churches in the
Eldership.
8th Texas Eldership. — Along with other misfortunes and the hardships inci-
dent to the war, when the Eldership met in 1864, with the church at North Sul-
phur Academy, Fannin county, Texas, August 15th, there was a vacant chair, by
reason of the death of A. Hamblin, who had been ordained but two years before.
It was a sorrowful little company of ministers and elders which adopted "resolu-
tions of condolence and sung a song composed by E. Marple on the moral integrity
of the deceased minister." The Opening Sermon, preached by Ober, was adapted
to the more aggressive attitude the Eldership had assumed, the theme being "The
Doctrines and Government of the Church." But his health had been impaired,
and he was released from evangelistic work, and appointed to serve the churches.
J. M. Brackeen was the presiding officer, and A. J. Cannedy, Clerk.
9th Te.xas Eldership. — The ministerial strength during the year was again
reduced by death, as during the year J. C. Nobler was summoned to a higher min-
istry. Besides, at the Eldership in 1865 one name was "dropped from the Roll."
The session was held with the church at Liberty, Fannin county, Texas, beginning
August 27, 1865. No apparent progress having been made in the aggressive work
contemplated, and the body sustaining no external ecclesiastical relations, slavery,
temperance and other questions not demanding action, the Eldership had but little
to do- The Opening Sermon by E. Marple was timely, and made a good impres-
sion. Though weak, the body had the respect of the public generally. Ober was
continued as pastor of the churches, and no arrangements were made for Church
extension work.
10th Texas Eldership. — Though the promise for enlargement and increased
success held out in 1865 was not radiant, the record of 1866 was not disappoint-
ing. The Eldership met at Brush Creek, Hopkins county, Texas, on August 6th.
It again sat under the shadow of death, as H. J. Dixon, a "father in Israel," whose
"walk and conversation exemplified the character of a Christian in deed and in
truth." J. M. Brackeen was chosen Speaker, and J. T. Lyday, Clerk. J. E. Cun-
ningham had removed to Missouri, but his membership in the Texas Eldership was
continued. The same disposition was made of the case of A. J. Cannedy, who had
removed to Illinois. The war being over, a dispositirn was evident to resume, and
even cultivate better, relations with the Church and Elderships North, and especi-
ally the General Eldership. This was manifested in the resolution adopted, which
declared it to be "indispensably necessary to the good of the cause that a change
of preacher be secured, which can only be made through the assistance of brethren
North." Hence an effort was made to secure the services of W. L. Jones, East
Pennsylvania Eldership. Two other actions give evidence of the same spirit. One
was a commendatory resolution of The Church Advocate. The other was a reso-
lution to appoint "one or more delegates to represent the Texas Eldership at the
The Texas Eedership 593
next General Eldership." The time for ministers to enter upon their fields of
labor was after this Eldership "to take place at the commencement of the year."
11th Texas Eldership. — Personal efforts through Ober, who spent part of the
Winter of 1866-7 in Eastern Pennsylvania, failed to secure the ministerial help
Texas so badly needed. So at the Eldership held at the Union Bethel, Lamar
county, Texas, beginning October 7, 1867, a resolution was adopted, asking "the
East Pennsylvania Eldership to send a suitable man to preach for the present or-
ganization of the Church in Texas," offering to pay him "$300.00 in wheat, corn,
stock, family supplies, etc., at a cash price of $200.00, and twenty acres of land."
T. A. Perkins had made a larger offer. There were three teaching elders in at-
tendance at the Eldership, four being absent, and four ruling elders and one dele-
gate. Ober was Speaker, and T. A. Perkins and E. Marple, Clerks. It was ac-
knowledged that slavery was dead, and could no longer interfere with Church
work even by a Northern minister. Cannedy's license was renewed, and he was
advised to join the Illinois Eldership. Cunningham's license was also renewed,
and he "was requested to organize an Eldership in Missouri." There were four
charges — Union Bethel, Lane's Academy, Walker Prairie and Brush Creek — to
which five ministers were appointed. The Texas Mission was also earnestly "rec-
ommended to the consideration of the General Eldership."
12th Texas Eldership. — The Reconstruction period was one of intense excite-
ment in the South as well as in the North. Indeed much greater in the South.
Feeling was worked up to an alarming degree. Conventions exhibited intense
hatred toward the Union. Power was often usurped by them, and their work
proved futile. The people shared the feelings of these conventions, and nearly
everything was at a standstill. Hence, as E. Marple states, "Owing to extensive
political excitement during the reconstruction of the State, there was no Eldership
held In 1868." The Eldership of 1869 has hence been numbered the 12th. It
met at Liberty, Fannin county, Texas, December 2nd. The officers chosen were
J. M. Brackeen, Speaker, and E. Marple, Clerk. While no progress in the way of
enlarging the work was making, additions were made to the Ministerial Roll.
James Pile and Richard Pattan were licensed at this Eldership. But no work was
given them, and Marple was "appointed to serve the churches." He had preached
so much for them during the ten years that he felt it to be impossible for him to
do much, and so earnestly joined in the call for a preacher from the North. As
the East Pennsylvania Eldership had inaugurated the mission, he made a special
appeal to said body to come to their rescue.
13th Texas Eldership.— While the Texas Eldership still maintained its formal
existence and organization, it seemed as if only one of two things could secure it
perpetuity. It must get new life infused into it by accessions of ministers from
other parts of the country, or it must go out beyond its old boundaries and work
up new territory. For the latter the labors in Arkansas were preparing the way,
and it was hoped that the former would also be realized at an early date. Hence
there was a somewhat sanguine spirit among the few who assembled in annual
session at the Union Bethel, Lamar county, Texas, October 17, 1870. B. Ober was
elected Speaker, and J. V. Griffis, Clerk. Among the fruits of Ober's labors in
Arkansas was a young man of considerable natural talent, who felt moved to enter
the ministry. T. A. Perkins was licensed at this Eldership, but J. E. Cunningham
was transferred to the Kansas and Missouri Eldership, while the name of A. J.
Cannedy was dropped, he having gone North and failed to report. Only routine
business was transacted. And about the best they could say was, "We are trying
to advance."
14th Texas Eldership. — In 1871 the Texas Eldership again met at the Union
Bethel, Lamar county, and B. Ober preached the Opening Sermon November 4th.
T. A. Perkins was elected Speaker, and J. V. Griffls, Clerk. The young man from
Arkansas, G, T. Bell, was an applicant for license, and he was received and a li-
cense granted him. The body suffered the loss by death of one of its number,
Richard Pattan, which was deeply lamented. J. R, Pile was assigned as pastor
of the churches in Lamar and Delta counties, and J. Abemathy to those in Fannin
county. Without means to support missionaries, the Eldership nevertheless ap-
pointed Ober and Marple "to open up new work." They could choose their own
territory, and had to look out for their own support.
15th Texas Eldership. — Somewhat favorable reports of the state of the
churches and of the work generally were made to the Eldership in 1872, which
met with the church at Wood's Prairie, Fannin county, November 28th. J. R.
C. H.— 20*
594 History of the Churches of God
Pile was Speaker, and E. Marple, Clerk. There were eight ministers connected
with the Eldership, but the half were inactive for various reasons. Churches ex-
isted in Delta, Lamar and Fannin counties, Texas, and in Franklin county. Ark.
J. J. Abernathy, licensed at this session, was appointed to serve these churches,
which pledged $350.00 toward his support. Ober was appointed to serve the
church in Franklin county. Ark. The Eldership in 1871 had elected delegates to
the General Eldership, largely with a view of enlisting said body in the interest of
the work in the Southwest; but they failed to attend.
16th Texas Eldership. — The Opening Sermon of the sixteenth annual session
of the Texas Eldership was preached by B. Ober, at the Union Bethel, Lamar
county, November 4, 1873. A majority of the members was present. Without
any contentions, the Eldership transacted its business in peace, with unanimity of
sentiment. T. A. Perkins was Speaker, and J. V. GrifBs, Clerk. There were about
fifty additions to the churches reported, "which, though small, was encouraging,
considering the embarrassed circumstances of those preaching." The Constitu-
tion was amended, "making it more binding upon those taking charge to comply
with their agreement." While the missionary cause was discussed with much in-
terest, owing to inability not much could be accomplished, yet nearly $100.00 was
subscribed on the floor. A Board of Missions was appointed, and the churches in
Delta county, Texas, and Franklin county, Ark., with the intermediate points, were
constituted a missionary field, to which Ober was appointed, with an appropriation
by the Board of $125.00.
17th Texas Eldership. — Not discouraged by its failures to receive recognition
by the General Eldership, the Texas Eldership at its session which began at Wood's
school-house, Fannin county, November 2, 1874, resolved to send two delegates to
said body at its session in 1875. M. Brackeen and T. A. Perkins were elected.
They, however, did not attend the session of the General Eldership, nor was the
Texas Eldership recognized in constituting the Eldership. Perhaps to anticipate
such a contingency, Ober and Marple were appointed "to furnish the General Eld-
ership with a statement of their missionary labors and the principles and doctrines
upon which the Church of God is organized in" Texas. Six teaching elders were
present at the session, two ruling elders and two delegates; while two teaching
elders were absent. The Speaker was T, A. Perkins, with William Hamblin as
Clerk. The Eldership commended all the periodicals published by the General
Eldership, and the Bookstore of Dr. Ross, at Harrisburg, Pa. Marple was ap-
pointed "to take charge of the churches in Texas the ensuing year, with a salary
of $300.00 from the churches in Lamar and Fannin counties." Ober was "ap-
pointed to the Jefferson and Marshall mission." G. T. Bell was appointed to the
church at Sub Rosa, Franklin county, Ark., the Board of Missions to pay him
$50.00.
18th Texas Eldership. — Prospects in the Texas Eldership seem to have been
less bright in 187 5, when the body met with the church in Fannin county, on De-
cember 13th. The attendance was small, but "the session was a very feeling and
harmonious one." Two of the ministers requested the discontinuance of their
licenses; but "Prof. Paul Graham, a very eminent gentleman of Arkansas, was re-
ceived into the fellowship of the Eldership and licensed." The Speaker was J. M.
Brackeen, with E. Marjile as Clerk. Ober was transferred to the Illinois Elder-
ship. As E. Marple was appointed Corresponding Secretary, to correspond with
any preachers of the Church who may "think of coming to Texas," it was deemed
well to see what Texas could do to support a missionary. Accordingly a "Fi-
nancial Committee of six was appointed to ascertain the amount of support that
can be raised here to support some one of our preachers from the North. The
Texas Eldership felt that it had claims on the general body for assistance in its
work, and that they had not been met. It adopted a resolution stating, "that we
insist on the Board of Missions of the General Eldership, at its next annual meet-
ing, to consider the wants and claims of the Texas Mission, and send, if possible,
a missionary to this field of labor." The brethren "were much grieved on account
of not receiving assistance" earlier. They could not realize the feeling in the
North growing out of the Slavery agitation, the War and the Reconstruction
period, nor take into account the many calls for help from other sections.
19th Texas Eldership. — Another year passed, and no missionary from the
North had been sent. Yet conditions were improving in that part of the territory
lying in Arkansas. The attendance at the Eldership was better, when the annual
session began in the Oxford school-house, Lamar county, Texas., October 4, 1876.
The Texas Eldership 595
Three teaching elders were present, and three, absent, with two ruling elders and
two delegates. The Speaker was E. Marple; Clerks, T. A. Perkins and J. T. Lyday.
The first action taken was to change the title of the Eldership so as to read,
"Texas and Arkansas Eldership of the Church of God." Bell was laboring in
Arkansas, and he "was appointed minister of the work" in that State, "to be
assisted by D. S. Summit, G. W. Watson, A. D. Douglas and Joshua Alcorn," all
of Arkansas, who had been recommended by Bell for, and received, licenses.
Lamar and Fannin county churches, in Texas, could not be supplied with regular
pastors. To emphasize its change of title, the next session of the Eldership was
appointed to be held in Arkansas.
20th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — As voted in 187 6, the Eldership met
with the church at Natural Dam, Crawford county. Ark., on Tuesday, October 16,
1877. The name of the missionary from the North was not enrolled when the
Eldership was constituted with five teaching elders, five ruling elders and one dele-
gate present. But his name is on the first committee appointed, and a little later
he "presented his transfer and recommendation from the Ohio Eldership" — J. A.
Smith. After the election of Marple for Speaker, and A. M. Keen, Clerk, "the
Speaker was requested to deliver an Opening Address," which he did from II. Tim.
iv. 2. "Prof. Graham's name was called, and dropped from the Journal." So was
that of G. W. Watson. The two parts of the Eldership were so far apart that a
Standing Committee of three was appointed for each. The Eldership also at once
voted in favor of "organizing an Eldership in Arkansas, separate from the Texas
Eldership." A delegate to the General Eldership in 1878 was elected, who was to
use his influence in favor of an Arkansas Eldership. Four new men were licensed.
Four circuits were named by the Stationing Committee, all in Arkansas, with one
field in Texas. The Eldership represented "the South as an inviting field for
Church work," and reflected seriously upon the Board of Missions of the General
Eldership for "using all the available means and men for the upbuilding of Church
interests in the western States, to the utter neglect of the States South." A Min-
isterial meeting was appointed to be held at Van Buren, Crawford county. Ark.
J. A. Smith was made "general worker in Arkansas until January 1, 1878, and
then to take charge of the churches in Texas."
21st Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — The impracticability of working the two
sections of the Eldership together as one body was again made evident when the
body convened at Elm Grove, Lamar county, Texas, with no teaching or ruling
elders present from Arkansas. The session began October 3, 1878, and four min-
isters and two ruling elders responded to their names. At least nine teaching
elders were absent, and the Journal of the year before not being on hand, the Eld-
ership was not sure but there were more absent. J. A. Smith was chosen Speaker,
and E. Marple, Clerk. There were two more applicants for license from Arkansas,
and they were ordained. A Board of Missions was appointed, consisting of three
from Arkansas and three from Texas. A similar arrangement was made as to the
Standing Committee, and the Standing Committee of the Arkansas part of the
Eldership was empowered "to change the Report of the Stationing Committee so
far as it relates to the brethren in that State." The two counties of Lamar an<}
Fannin, Texas, were made one circuit, with J. A. Smith as minister, assisted by
J. M. Brackeen, and E. Marple as General Missionary. The work had been ex-
tended into the Indiana Territory, so that there were three missionaries appointed
to the Cherokee and Chickasaw Nations, and six pastors to churches in Arkansas.
J. C. Keys and J. M. McCarty received licenses, both of Arkansas.
22nd Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — A new element entered into the work
in the Texas and Arkansas Eldership, as the Journal of 1879 indicates. Some
churches composed of colored people had' been organized during the year in Ar-
kansas, and several brethren appeared for license to preach. J. K. AVilson, J. Wil-
liamson and G. Hornback were licensed, and were also appointed a Standing Com-
mittee for the colored churches, under the instructions of J. R. Pile and D. S.
Summit. The session of the Eldership was held at Grand Prairie school-house,
Franklin county. Ark., beginning September 3, 1879. There were present six
teaching elders and seven ruling elders. They organized by electing J. A. Smith,
Speaker; D. S. Summit, Assistant Speaker; W. D. Abernathy, Clerk, and A. C.
Northum, Assistant Clerk. In addition to the three colored brethren licensed,
six white brethren were granted licenses. The Eldership raised its "warning
voice against intoxicating liquor as a beverage on all occasions, standing on the
rock of total abstinence of its use amongst us." It also affirmed that "ordination
596 History of thk CiiL'uciiiiS oi' Gon
by the imposition of hands is a Bible doctrine, clearly taught in the New Testa-
ment Scriptures, and we have no right to violate it." Co-operation with the Gen-
eral Eldership in all laudable efforts to extend the cause of God was cheerfully
endorsed. Increased efforts were decided on "in the future in raising mission
funds." Again an earnest prayer was recorded to the General Eldership "to di-
vide the Texas and Arkansas Eldership into two Elderships." Two treasurers were
elected, A. C. Northuni for Arkansas, and James Brackeen for Texas. Conditions
were reported "very flattering, and the interest good all over the work, and in-
creasing." Beginning of work in the Choctaw Nation was planned, and a letter of
recommendation to tlie Nation was given to John Bennett. The appointments
made were three in Texas, seven In Arkansas and two in the Indian Territory.
The missionary for the State of Arkansas was restrained from "organizing
churches within less than six miles from other organized bodies."
23rd Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — Certain abnormal conditions are notice-
able in this most southern member in the family of Elderships of the Church of
God. There were twenty-nine ministerial members in 1880, of which but eight
were present when the organization was effected on September 2, 1880, with five
ruling elders and delegates. Three of the teaching elders were colored men. The
various comm.ittees were appointed "on motion" of some member. There were
three Standing Committees, one for Texas, one for Arkansas and one for the col-
ored portion of the Eldership. The officers were: Speaker, J. W. Riddle; Assist-
ant Speaker, G. T. Bell; Clerk, H. B. Hale, and Assistant Clerk, B. V. Hoket. The
Report of the Committee on Order contained the three items of hours of opening
and adjourning the sittings; that each sitting be opened and closed with prayer,
and limiting speeches to two, not to exceed fifteen minutes. Hoket was also, on
motion, made "the Treasurer of the Eldership in the State of Arkansas." Three
sittings were had each day, and seven constituted a quorum to do business. .A
radical rule was agreed to, that all ministers "who do not report in person, or by
proxy or letter, their licenses shall be discontinued." As a result there were mmes
dropped and re-enrolled at every session. The Eldership was largely a triple
body, "the Texas part," "the Arkansas part," and the "colored portion." Fron;
the first and second each a delegate and alternate was elected to the General Eld-
ership. A motion readily prevailed to "petition the General Eldership to divide
the Texas and Arkansas Eldership into two Elderships, the first to go by the name
of the Texas Eldership, and the second by the name of Arkansas and Indian Terri-
tory Eldership." The ministers were required "to collect from each church mem-
ber twenty-five cents for a free-will offering to the Board of Missions for the Gen-
eral Eldership Mission Fund." "The cause of the Master," states the Report of
the Committee on the State of Religion, "is prospering throughout the entire
work." The date for the Eldership to meet was changed to the first of November,
and pastors were to "close all their labors" at that date, so as to go to their new
fields at adjournment of the Eldership. There were fifteen appointments in Ar-
kansas, and two fields in the Indian Territory. Two Ministerial Associations were
provided for, one in Texas and one in Arkansas. The session "closed by farewell
address of G. T. Bell, in which the preachers all embraced each other and gave
each the kiss of charity."
24th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — Though the General Eldership did not
grant the petition to divide the Texas and Arkansas Eldership, yet an effort was
made when the body convened in 1881 to carry this project into effect. Edi-
torially the Eldership was advised that such action would be beyond its "legal
right and power." But it persisted to carry its purpose into effect. A resolution
was adopted declaring it to be "the sense of this body that there should be a di-
vision of this Eldership." And on the ground that "for the last four years we
have made known our desire for this division, and have petitioned the General
Eldership," and because also "it is agreeable to the Texas brethren to have a di-
vision," the Eldership voted, "that after this Annual Eldership meeting, in the
year of our Lord 1881, we will consider ourselves a separate body from the Texas
part of this Eldership, to do business in the future for ourselves, and to be known
as the Arkansas Eldership of the Church of God in the United States of America."
The session was held with the church in Mill Creek, Franklin county. Ark., and
opened November 31, 1881. Nine ministers, three ruling elders and two dele-
gates were present, while twenty ministers were absent. J. A. Smith was chosen
Speaker, and J. W. Parker, Clerk. The meeting and transactions of the Standing
Committee which tried "B. F. Reese, and expelled him from the Church," was de-
The Texas Eldership 597
Glared "illegal, null and void;" yet Reese made "acknowledgement to the Eldership
of his wrong and asked pardon," and the Eldership "freely forgave him and re-
newed his license." A Board of Missions was created. To "raise a Contingent
Fund, each member" was "requested to pay into the treasury twenty-five cents."
"Religion is at a low ebb in our country," was the Report of the Committee on.
the State of Religion. Instead of the Eldership transacting the business for the-
colored churches, "a committee" was "appointed to attend to business among the
colored brethren to suit themselves, and report to the next meeting of this Elder-
ship." It was decided that "no church shall be organized by any one that is not
ordained by a regular ordained presbytery." A license was refused to an appli-
cant because "upon examination it was found that the brother believes in the un-
conscious state of the dead and the annihilation of the wicked." Having had no
Constitution, the Eldership appointed a committee "to prepare one for the gov-
ernment of this Eldership, and present the same at the next annual meeting."
The holding of an Eldership camp-meeting was agreed upon. Nine appointments
were made, one of them "a missionary for the State of Arkansas," and three "to
preach among the colored people."
An important extra session of the Eldership was held at Cold Springs, Craw-
ford county, Ark., which began January 12, 1882. The call was signed by mem-
bers which were absent at the annual session. It was called "owing to irregulari-
ties on the part of some of the members of the Eldership, and some acts taken by
said Eldership not in harmony with the letter and spirit of the Rules of Co-opera-
tion of the General Eldership." Only six ministers, four ruling elders and three
delegates responded to the call. Many of the actions of the annual session "were
approved." But the pardon of Reese and renewal of his license were reversed,
and he was "dismissed from the body." Three others were dealt with in the
same manner. Reese was expelled for "frequent drunkenness;" one other for
"marrying again while his wife yet lives;" and two for "very wrong," and
"flagrantly wrong" acts. The Eldership also repudiated "resolutions touching
the subject of laying on of hands," which had been adopted by the annual session.
And while hoping "that the day is not far distant when we shall pray the General
Eldership to divide our territory so as to form a Texas Eldership and an Arkansas
Eldership," yet the action taken by the annual session was rescinded, because "it
Is alone the prerogative of the General Eldership to divide the territory of Annual
Elderships and fix the boundary lines of the same." Provision was made again
for three Standing Committees. As no permanent records had been kept of the
doings of the Eldership and its Standing Committees, "a Protocol" was to be
secured by "E, Marple, and to record all Journals of the Eldership and acts of the
Standing Committees." It was stated that "prayer is too much neglected among
us," and ministers were "urged to preach upon this subject of prayer in secret, in
the family and in public." On Temperance, the Committee was constrained to ex-
press "the sense of this body that the ministry and brotherhood should not be
given to the use of ardent spirits as a beverage." Not only did this extra session
restate the fact that "the cause of God among us is at a low ebb;" but that "there
has been a great falling away," and that "great corruption has existed among
some of the ministers among us." A camp-meeting among the Cherokee Indians
was recommended. The Permanent General Missionary Secretary, R. H. Bolton,
was present during this extra session, and guided the body in most of the actions
taken.
23th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — The total ministerial enrollment of the
Eldership which was held with the church at Grand Prairie school-house. Ark.,
beginning October 25, 1882, is not given; but there were only six teaching elders
present, and nine ruling elders. G. T. Bell was elected "Chairman," and J. A.
W'hittinpcton, Clerk. The state of religion was reported "at a low ebb," and "we
urge the people everywhere to read their Bibles, and reform." The Report on
Temperance states "that we find it necessary to command all the members of the
Church of God to be temperate in all things; and more especially in the drinking
of spirits of any kind that would cause Intoxication or drunkenness." Edmund
Burke, of England, once said, "You can not Indict a whole people." That, how-
ever, seems to have been done in this Instance. Parents were urged to educate
their children, and it was "found necessary to urge It upon our preachers to give
themselves a good education so as not to become stumbling-blocks in the way of
sinners." It was "recommended that the Texas part of this Eldership hold a
session of their own in Texas, and transact their business, and divide their terri-
598 History of the Churches of God
tory to suit themselves." The entire Eldership was made the Stationing Com-
mittee, which outlined seven circuits, to which seven pastors were assigned, with
ten "assistants."
26th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — Virtually two Elderships were held in
1883. Records show that "the Texas and Arkansas Eldership met with the church
of God at the Wood's Prairie Bethel, Fannin county, Texas, September 12, 1883."
B. Ober preached the Opening Sermon on said evening. The following morning
the Eldership was constituted and organized. There were three "licensed min-
isters" present, being "the Texas part of the Eldership." Also three elders and
delegates. The two absentees belonged also to the Texas part of the Eldership.
J. M. Brackeen was chosen for Chairman, and B. Ober, Secretary. All committees
were dispensed with, save the Standing Committee. Two of the ministers of the
Arkansas part of the Eldership reported by letter, and one applicant by letter re-
ceived license. Nineteen names were called of ministers of the Arkansas part of
the Eldership, but there were no reports. "Their licenses were renewed and
placed in the hands of the Arkansas Standing Committee." A Standing Com-
mittee for Arkansas was appointed. Delegates were elected to the General Elder-
ship from Arkansas, and for the Texas part of the Eldership. All the brethren of
the entire Eldership were urged to do all they can to assist in the building of
Findlay College. Ober was the only preacher appointed to a charge, and he was
to supply the Texas Mission until other arrangements are made by the Board of
Missions of the General Eldership.
On the same date (October 12, 1883) "the Arkansas part of the Texas and
Arkansas Eldership met with the church of God at Pleasant Ridge, Franklin
county, Ark. Six ministers were present, and six ruling elders. D. S. Summit
was elected Chairman, and J. A. Whittington, Clerk. Eighteen ministers either
reported, or their names were called for reports. The licenses of three were dis-
continued. The "brethren in Texas and J. W. Riddle were reprimanded for vio-
lating a resolution at the last Eldership, for licensing preachers contrary to said
resolution." Based on the distance and consequent expense of going from one
State to another to hold Eldership sessions, the Eldership "humbly prayed the
General Eldership to consider the petition and grant the request to organize an
Arkansas and Indian Territory Eldership." One or more sermons by each min-
ister was ordered to be preached during the year "on the duty of the support of
the gospel according to the word of God." There were eleven appointments to
circuits and one "evangelist, to preach where the Church is not organized." A
Ministerial Association was directed to be held on Thursday before the first Sun-
day in September, 1884, at Shady Grove, Crawford county. Ark.
27th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — The Journal of 1884 purports to be
that of the "Eldership of the Church of God in Texas, Arkansas and the Indian
Territory." And a resolution was adopted stating "that we find it expedient to
have an Arkansas and Indian Territory and South Missouri Eldership." It de-
clares that the Arkansas brethren "never go to Texas to meet them, neither do
they ever come to Arkansas to meet us." Hence the resolution "petitions for a
division of the Texas and Arkansas Eldership, the former to be the Texas Elder-
ship, and the latter the Arkansas, Indian Territory and South Missouri Eldership,"
as there were a few ministers living in southern Missouri, and one circuit was
partly in Missouri. The petition was addressed to the "Standing Committee of
the General Eldership." There were six teaching elders present, and twenty-two
ruling elders and delegates, when the session opened at Camp Creek, Cherokee
Nation, Ind. Ter. G. T. Bell presided, with G. Bond, Assistant Chairman: E. M.
Kirkpatrirk, Secretary, and Thomas Rutledge, Assistant. Though no ministers
from Texas were present, they reported. Four ministers were "dismissed,"
"dropped," or "fellowship withdrawn from" for "disorderly" or "bad conduct."
A Standing Committee was appointed for "the Texas part of the Eldership," which
exercised the powers of the Eldership in Texas. The Cherokee Nation. Ind. Ter.,
was a "mission field," with J. W. Riddle, pastor, "assisted by the preachers of the
Church of God in the Nation."
28th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — In some respects the Texas and Ar-
kansas Eldership was peculiar. Outside of Ober and Mai-ple it was composed of
ministers and elders of very limited culture, and of men largely unacquainted with
our polity and usages, or even with parliamentary rules. Hence their actions
sometimes are open to well-founded criticism. Thus without any right or auth-
ority the name and implied boundaries were changed in 1885, and we have the
The Texas Eldership 599
record, that "September 30, 1885, the Eldership of Texas, Arkansas and the
Indian Territory met at Happy Hollow, Crawford county, Ark." "The laws of the
Eldership" consisted of four simple parliamentary rules. A good many disorderly
things were often done by ministers, so that charges were brought against one
or more at nearly every session. This was the case in 1885, when two ministers
were under charges. The enrollment consisted of eleven teaching elders, six
ruling elders, six delegates and five "sister delegates." "J. W. Riddle was elected
Chairman, and B. F. Reese, Assistant; G, T. Bell, Clerk, and E. M. Kirkpatiick,
Assistant." Riddle preached the Opening Sermon, but at what stage of the ses-
sion is not stated. The pastors were "urged to do what they can for Pindlay Col-
lege." Several "young Timothys were received and given the right hand of fel-
lowship. G. T. Bell prayed for them to receive the spirit of wisdom and the Holy
Ghost, and the Lord answered the prayer, and we were all baptized with the Holy
Ghost afresh." "B. L. Payne, bearing a license from the Free-Will Baptist
Church," applied for admission to the Eldership. He was received, and a license
granted him. While "C. F. Johnson was excluded from us, as he has joined the
Free-Baptist Church." There were eight circuits, not including the territory in
Texas. The work in Texas was in charge of the Standing Committee for that
State. When it met two of the five teaching elders were absent; three were
present, with one deacon and three lay members. Two appointments were made.
It was the rule at this time for each church to send a letter to the Eldership, giv-
ing a report and asking for a preacher.
29th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — Laxness in licensing men to preach was
a serious defect in the Texas and Arkansas Eldership. As a result the cause often
suffered because unworthy men were ordained whose conduct brought the Church
into disrepute. There were expulsions at almost every annual session. During
the year 1885-6 the Standing Committee licensed two, and in 1886 the Eldership
licensed six more. It "withdrew fellowship" from one "on account of disgraceful
conduct towards the cause of our Lord." The session was held at Honey Hill,
Cherokee Nation, Ind. Ter., beginning on Wednesday, September 8, 1886. D. S.
Summit preached the Opening Sermon, from Rev. i. 3. Nine teaching elders and
eight ruling elders were present. D. S. Summit was chosen Chairman, and G. T.
Bell, Assistant; J. W. Riddle, Clerk, and G. T. Dykes, Assistant. Delegates were
elected to the General Eldership. Other progressive measures favorably acted
upon were the holding of a Ministerial Association; the project of a "mission school
under the auspices of the Board of Missions of the Church of God, and the ap-
pointment of a committee and devising of ways and means to secure it;" a strong
endorsement of Sabbath-schools, advising each church to organize a school, and
the creation of a Contingent Fund, and of a Fund for widows and orphans. A
novel way of arranging the territory into fields of labor was adopted, omitting
Texas, which was placed in the care of its Standing Committee. The territory was
divided into four districts called Mission Fields Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. For each dis-
trict one minister was appointed as "supervisor of the circuit," or "to have super-
vision of stationing the ministers of the circuit." Under this plan, in addition to
these "supervisors," two ministers were appointed to Mission Field No. 1; two to
Field No. 2, with seven assistants, "all subject to the orders" of the supervisor.
Field No. 3, one pastor "to take charge and supply the churches with pastors."
Field No. 4, one "supervisor of the circuit, with two others appointed to supply
five churches."
30th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — The religious element was conspicuous
in the Texas and Arkansas Eldership. It was "deemed necessary to have devo-
tional services each day at 11 o'clock," as well as each evening, and so at each
morning sitting "the Committee on Order and Devotion" appointed some one to
"preach at 11 o'clock" and "at candle lighting." This order was followed in
1887, when the Eldership convened "with the church at Price's Springs, Franklin
county, Ark., on September 7th, at 11 o'clock a. m." The Opening Sermon was
preached at that hour by J. M. Howard, from Acts xx. 28, and the Eldership held
its first sitting at 3.30 o'clock p. m. There were thirteen teaching elders present,
and eight ruling elders; five deacons, and three delegates. Officers elected were:
J. W. Riddle, President; D. S. Summit, Vice President. J. T, Kittredge, Clerk,
and E. M. Kirkpatrick, Assistant Clerk. Fourteen "churches reported by dele-
gates." On account of "the destitute condition in which quite a number of places
are left," and "the financial condition of the ministry" which prevents "those
places from being supplied without a hearty co-operation on the part of the whole
6oo History of THit Churches of God
body," the Eldership decided to "elect a Board of Missions of three members,
■whose duty it shall be to take charge of the mission work. . . .and see that these
vacant places be supplied with preaching." Power was given it to "appoint a
missionary, fix his salary and see to the payment of the same." It was "author-
ized and instructed to take steps to collect a Home Missionary Fund." Kirk-
pati'ick, Howard and Kittredge were chosen. Provision was made to have the
Minutes of sessions of the Eldership preserved in permanent form, and to this end
a blank book was ordered into which the clerks were required to transcribe the
Journals. The "question of locating a school" within the bounds of the Elder-
ship, to be under the control of the Board of Missions of the General Eldership,
was approved. Each church was "advised to organize a Sabbath-school," and It
was decided "that the officers of such school be members of the Church of God."
"The Standing Committee of the Texas part of the Eldership" was "authorized to
call a meeting for the transaction of all such business" as pertained to that sec-
tion. There were eight fields of labor in Arkansas and the Indian Territory.
Pastors were required "to see that the churches on their respective fields of labor
prepare and keep careful records of the number of members, names of officers,
number of accessions, deaths, exclusions and letters of dismissal, and report the
same at each Annual Eldership." Each pastor was also instructed "to preach at
least one sermon on the duty of elders and deacons."
31st Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — During the year 1887-8 two of the
licentiates of the Eldership of 1887 were subjected to discipline by the Standing
Committee, and their licenses were withdrawn. One of these was found guilty of
"departing from the faith and teaching heresies," and the other of the "besetting
■In" of that Eldership, "drunkenness and other disorderly conduct." The Elder-
ship met November 28, 1888, with the church at Red Land, Sequoyah District,
Ind. Ter., and listened to the Opening Sermon at 11 o'clock a. m., by E. M. Kirk-
patrick, from John iii. 3. There were eleven teaching elders present, two deacons
and five delegates. Kirkpatrick was elected President; J. W. Riddle. Vice Presi-
dent; J. T. Kittredge, Clerk, and J. M. Howard, Assistant Clerk. Twelve churches
reported by letter. A third Standing Committee was provided for, "for the colored
part of this Eldership, the same to be subject to this Eldership." Statistical re-
ports were ordered to be made in writing annually by each pastor. Violation of
the Constitution of the General Eldership was charged against the Missouri Elder-
ship, In "licensing and giving work to ministers under its jurisdiction without
having received transfers from this Eldership." The Standing Committees were
charged with the duty of "arranging the matter before the sitting of either of the
Elderships In the year 1889, that we may be In harmony with the law of the
General Eldership." The number of appointments was the same as in 1887, but
no colored churches are on the list. Eighteen churches are reported in Arkansas,
with a total membership of 516, and ten In the Indian Territory, with a member-
ship of 562. Two churches failed to report their statistics. Ten other churches
were "delinquent," and "were dropped from the Roll." Four ministers were also
found to be "delinquent," and "their licenses were withdrawn and called in."
Two ministers ended their labors during the year — John Vanderpoor and Thnma.s
Chancy, both "earnest workers" in the Eldership. They verified Victor Hugo's
characterization of a man: "A man is what he Is; what he has done Is the
measure of his work. Beyond that, whatever you add or take away counts noth-
ing."
32nd Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — The discipline administered to churches
and pastors in 1888 had a wholesome effect, as reports were sent in from every
church In 1889. But the revoking of licenses did not have the restraining and
deterrent effect doubtless anticipated. For not only was one prominent minister
"expelled from this Eldership" at the session held at Sulphur Springs, Montgomery
county. Ark., beginning August 31, 1889; but within four months after adjourn-
ment the Standing Committee gave a Judicial hearing of charges against one
minister for "telling falsehoods, making contracts and not fulfilling them, and
making false reports In The Advocate;" two others for "teaching heresies;" one
for "destroying the reputation of ministers of our Eldership, and solemnizing
matrimony unlawfully," and two others for charges not published. The Elder-
ship was organized by electing J. H. Summit, President; J. W. Riddle, Vice Presi-
dent; J. D. Bradburn, Clerk, and C. H. Ballinger, Assistant Clerk. There were
enrolled eight teaching elders, two ruling elders, nine deacons and six delegates.
After receiving reports "from the colored brethren," the Eldership decided to
The Texas Eldership 6oi
"send Elders Newton Langley and R. D. Duncan to organize and instruct the
colored brethren." A delegate and alternate to the General Eldership were ap-
pointed for Texas, and for Arkansas, and for the Indian Territory. A general
missionary was appointed to Arkansas, one to the Cherokee Nation and one to the
Choctaw and Creek Nations. Besides these, there were eight circuits. Not only
were deacons regular members of the Eldership; but an action was adopted to
"select deacons to see after the financial Interests of the Eldership, pertaining to
that of serving tables, "and to see after widows." Four of these deacons the
teaching elders, after having "resolved ourselves into a presbytery," "ordained and
set forth by prayer and laying on of hands." The Treasurer's Report indicated
the confessed poverty of the Eldership, as he reported only $23.10. On October
12th the Standing Committee for the colored churches transacted its Eldership
business, at Webb City, Franklin county. Ark. It "enrolled" the two white min-
isters whom the Eldership sent to assist them; two colored ministers, and three
deacons. It renewed the licenses of the two colored ministers; received reports
of the colored churches, and made appointments. There were four colored
churches, one each in Logan, Franklin, Johnson and Crawford counties, organized
respectively in August and October, 1886; June, 1887, and August, 1889, with a
total membership of fifty-eight members.
33i'(l Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — The actions of the Standing Committee,
which held a meeting on December 12, 1889, were as important and far-reaching
as those of the Eldership in 1890. There was serious trouble, threatening the
stability of the Eldership. J. C. Fomcrook was present to assist the Committee
In its difp.cult work, and was made Chairman. J. W. Riddle was charged with
"teaching heresies." He "made full confesison," recanted the erroneous doctrine
taught by him, and was "discharged." R. D. Duncan and N. Langley "were call-
ed on to answer charges of teaching the same heresies." They acknowledged
their errors, and were restored. B. F. Reese was charged with "solemnizing the
rites of matrimony unlawfully," and was suspended from the ministry. Charges
of moral misconduct were preferred against two ministers, but were not sus-
tained. The heresy charges were for teaching that the written word of God was
the Word spoken of in John i. The Committee also found "a division in the body
on the subject of washing the saints' feet, and other things." The advocates of
the erroneous views were cited "to be present at the next Annual Eldership, in
order to thoroughly settle the points in question." The Eldership convened at
Unicntown, Crawford county, Ark., on September 3, 1890. E. M. Kirkpatrick
was elected Speaker, and D. S. Summit, Assistant; J. D. Bradbum, Clerk, and
C. II. Hallinger, Assistant, and R. A. Wallace, Treasurer. "A good number of
teaching and ruling elders, deacons and delegates was enrolled." D. Blakely,
General Missionary, was present, and exerted a good influence in the work of the
body. He regarded the Eldership as possessing "the elements of success; men of
loyalty; men hard to discourage; men fearless in fire and smoke." Ober pro-
nounced it "one of the most pleasant meetings I ever attended." The aftermath
of the Standing Committee meeting was the charges against B. F. Reese, and the
subject of feet-washing. Reese's "license was restored." "The subject of feet-
washing WIS referred to the next Eldership." The adoption of a Constitution,
r.lakely stated, "was one of the items of greatest importance acted upon. It will
doubtless add largely to the order and dispatch of business, as well as the har-
mony and unity of the body." Ober vouched for $100.00 for a Texas missionary,
and the Eldership requested the Board of Missions of the General Eldership to
pay $200.00, and recommended J. C. Caswell and E. M. Kirkpatrick as suitable
for the rrlsslcnary work in Texas. The licenses of eighteen ministers were con-
tinued. The organization of 'Sabbath-schools in all the churches was strongly
recommended.
31th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — As the Indian Territory was embraced
In the 'T'exas and Arkins-^s Eldership, the Minutes gave it the name of the "Texas,
Ark^ns"s '•nd Indian Territory Eldership." Lender this title it convened at Enter-
prise. Sehf>stlan county, Ark., September 2, 1891. J. W. Riddle was chosen Chair-
r^an: C IT. n.-illinyer, Assistant; R. A. Wallace, Secretary; James W. Brown, As-
sistant. There w^ere thirty-three ministers enrolled, and eight were licensed, and
one "restored." "The Introductory Sermon was preached by E. M. Kirkpatrick.
rhT'rc>^es as well as ministers renorted to the Eldership. Eighteen churches in
Ark''ns''s renorted. and twelve in the Indian Territory. While no Funds are
mentioned in the Minutes, and there was no Treasurer's Report, Joseph White
I
i6o2 History of the Churches of God
was elected Treasurer. There was a regular Home Board of Missions. A reso-
lution to divide the Eldership was defeated; but notice was given that an appeal
would be taken to the General Eldership. The interests of the Texas part of the
Eldership were not acted upon, but were referred to the Standing Committee for
Texas.
3oth Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — The Eldership in 1892 had several
things in the way of discounts. The attendance of ministers was small — thirteen.
Many who were absent did not report, and the licenses of five were withheld.
Other things were greatly to the credit of the body. It convened with the church
at Lone Valley, Montgomery county, Ark., August 31st. E. M. Kirkpatrick
preached the Opening Sermon. He was elected Chairman; B. Ober, Assistant;
R. A. Wallace, Secretary; C. H. Ballinger, Assistant, and B. Ober, Treasurer. The
brethren in the Indian Territory asked permission to organize an Eldership, which
was granted. The Standing Committee on January 17, 1893, went further. It
cut off the Indian Territory, and declared that the name of the Texas, Arkansas
and Indian Territory be changed to that of the Texas and Arkansas Eldership.
The ministers in the Indian Territory organized an Eldership without waiting lor
the action of the General Eldership, which alone has the power to establish new
Elderships. It set in motion all the machinery of an Eldership, even stationing
the preachers. The Texas and Arkansas Eldership now had eight colored min-
isters and one hundred and five members. An organization known as "the
Church of Christ" was represented .at this session by six ministers. Their mem-
bership was given at between four and five hundred, located in southern Arkan-
sas, with some organizations in Texas, and a number of colored churches. They
"preached and practiced the same doctrine the Church of God does." They came
to the Eldership "to advise with us relative to terms of union." Three of the
six "took license from the Eldership." They appointed a committee to meet a
similar committee named by the Eldership at Hot Springs, Ark., "to form a
union." The Eldership created a Contingent Fund, and required each minister
to lift collections for it. It committed itself "to so instruct and teach and preach
in every way that we can, so as to raise the cause of temperance and sobriety."
There were twelve fields of labor, while six ministers were "to work up their own
fields as they can."
36th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — Counties in Arkansas in which
churches were reported at the session of the Texas and Arkansas Eldership in 1893
were Montgomery, Garland, Sebastian, Crawford, Yell, Logan, Franklin, Washing-
ton and Hempstead. The session was held at Price's Springs, Franklin county,
beginning September 3rd. D. S. Summit was elected Chairman; C. H. Ballinger,
Assistant; R. A. Wallace, Secretary; A. L. Cunningham, Assistant. The names of
three ministers were "dropped." Five new church organizations were "admitted
into the Eldership," while "the increase of membership in the old organizations
was about one hundred and ten." The churches were all urged to organize Sun-
day-schools. To secure a larger attendance of ministers at the Elderships, every
preacher was required "to report in person to this body, when not providentially
hindered." Two sermons each year were to be preached by pastors "on the sub-
ject of finances," and "two on the subject of intemperance." Each church was
"assessed the sum of $1.00 for General Eldership Mission Fund," and "each
member to pay 50 cents into the Home Mission Fund." There were "$5.10 in the
treasury." There were nine appointments.
37th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — The efforts to secure a fuller attendance
of ministers and delegates at the annual session of the Eldership were not suc-
cessful in 1894. There were present eleven ministers, two ruling elders, five
deacons and seven delegates. Only nine churches reported. The session was held
at Sulphur Spring, Montgomery county. Ark., and opened on August 29th, when
at 10 a. m., "a short discourse was delivered by W. N. Rhodes." Officers were
elected as follows: J. M. Howard, Chairman; D. Summit, Assistant; R. A. Wal-
lace, Secretary, and W. N. Rhodes, Assistant. At 11 o'clock each morning sitting
a sermon was ordered to be preached. At the first sitting, at 11 o'clock, J. M.
Howard delivered the Opening Sermon. Conditions throughout the Eldership
territory were favorable. "Religion is somewhat gaining, having not lost but little
interest in some parts. The interest of religion has gained a great hold in other
parts of the country. The increase in our churches is sufficient to give great en-
couragement." H. C. Tell, Treasurer, reported $5.00 in the treasury. No
Foreign Mission funds, and no Home Mission funds. General Eldership funds.
The Tuxas Eldership 603
$5.75. The withholding of licenses of a number of ministers marks every ses-
sion; but the ranks were annually recruited by newly licensed men, six having
been thus received in 1894. While not all the churches were supplied with
pastors, there were eight circuits to which eleven preachers were appointed, with
twenty-two church organizations. "All ministers not employed on any work must
go out and preach and work up their own fields."
38th Texiis and Arkansas Eldership. — The churches in the Texas and Ar-
kansas Eldership made regular annual reports, mainly by letters. They remitted
moneys raised for the various Funds, which were the General Missionary, Home
Missionary and Contingent. But the amounts were small, as the churches were
weak financially. In 1895 the Eldership directed "each church to pay $1.00 each
year to the General Board, and each member 50 cents for Home Mission Fund."
The Eldership which convened with the church at Mt. Nebo, Logan county. Ark.,
August 28, 1895, was attended by fourteen ministers, three ruling elders, six dele-
gates and three deacons. It began its first sitting at 10 o'clock a. m., Wednesday,
was constituted and organized by the election of J. H. Summit, Chairman, and
J. M. Howard, Assistant; D. S. Summit, Clerk, and J. VV. Bums, Assistant, and
then at 11 o'clock a. m., listened to a sermon by P. J. Costlow. This was the
order for each day, the Eldership adjourning at 10.4 5. On Thursday at 11 o'clock
a. m., D. S. Summit delivered the Opening Sermon. Texas was represented by
letter from E. Marple, and he was given charge of the work in that State. The
interest there was "at a low ebb for want of ministerial aid." The Treasurer,
J. W. Burns, handled the small amount of funds in a way to give good saiisfac-
tion. "No special steps were taken in the bounds of the Eldership in the tem-
perance cause." There was good interest in some parts of the Eldership in Sab-
bath-schools. September was the season for protracted meetings, and so the
time for the meeting of the Eldership was changed to the first week in October.
The giving of "a note and security by any person owing any amount of money to
the Eldership" was required. There were thirteen fields of labor, to which four-
teen preachers were appointed. Those not receiving appointments were "advised
to select fields of their own, and extend the borders of the Church."
39th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — The Texas and Arkansas Eldership
rarely indulged in the discussion of outside issues, such as the Texas Eldership had
prior to its extension northward into Arkansas and the Indian Territory. They
apparently thought that these are controversial issues which might just as well be
relegated to the debatable ground, and left there. They would give themselves to
the primary questions touching their own direct interests, and let go of the var-
ious other issues which make no difference to them, and not think that they have
to settle everything. Hence, even temperance as a political issue received limited
attention. In 1896 it was simply declared that "we find special steps taken in the
boundaries of the Eldership in the temperance cause." On Education reference
is only made to "some interest in Sabbath-schools in some parts of the Elder-
ship. . . .the interest in general is at a very low ebb." The session was held at
Big Cedar Creek, Scott county. Ark., beginning September 30, 1896. Fourteen
ministers were in attendance, four ruling elders, five delegates and five deacons.
The Chairman was J. M. Howard, and the Assistant, J. H. Summit; Clerk, J. W.
Burns, and the Assistant, Owen Jones. Burns was also elected Treasurer.
Preaching at 11 o'clock each day, and at night. While the session opened Wed-
nesday morning, the Opening Sermon was preached in the evening of siid day,
by J. M. Howard. Four new churches were received into the Eldership. The
colored brethren in Sebastian county. Ark., requested that "a committee be sent
there to organize them into an Eldership," which the Eldership did, naming
J. M. Howard and J. J. Stewart as the committee. The Treasurer's receipts,
"altogether," were $5.40. The "ranks of the Eldership were invaded by the
great enemy, who has taken from our midst our beloved Brother Hicks." There
were eleven fields of labor in Arkansas. E. Marple was put in charge of the
work in Texas.
40th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — The small attendance at the Eldership
in 1897 was discouraging, and prompted the passage of a resolution in which the
presence of the ministers at the annual sessions was strongly urged, adding, "We
beg you to come to the Eldership each year." There were but seven ministers
present, four ruling elders, four delegates and three deacons. The session was
held at Oak Grove, Franklin county. Ark., and began September 8, 1897. J. M.
Howard was elected Chairman, and D. S. Summit, Assistant; J. H. Whittington,
6o4 • History op thu Churches of God
Clerk, and J. D, Bradbui-n, Assistant, and J. T. Shelby, Treasurer. Each minister
was assessed $1.50 for the Contingent Fund, and each church $1.50 for the same
Fund. The presence of R. L. Byrnes, West Pennsylvania Eldership, and President
of the General Eldership was highly appreciated. Under a charge of "heresy" the
license of one minister "was revoked." There was but little interest taken in
Sunday-schools, and the churches "were recommended to be more active in Sun-
day-school work all over the bounds of the Eldership." Thirteen churches re-
ported to the Eldership. On the nine fields of labor there were over twenty
preaching places, with some churches unsupplied. They were to be served by
fourteen ministers. Unassigned ministers were instructed "to look out their own
fields of labor, for behold the harvest is great and the laborers are few." The
churches were located in the following ten counties: Montgomery, Scott, Gar-
land, Yell, Sebastian, Franklin, Crawford, Logan, Perry and Washington.
41st Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — The action of the Eldership in 1897,
deprecating the small attendance, and expostulating with the members to be more
faithful, did not have the desired effect. For while in 1898 there were two more
ministers in attendance, no ruling elders nor delegates were present. The body
convened with the church at Rose Creek, Perry county. Ark., September 15, 1898,
with nine ministers and two deacons present. The Rose Creek church was located
"quite a distance from any other church of God organization," and "the enemy-
had been there, sowing seeds of discord." "The 'Holiness' people had been
preaching there, claiming to be the Church of God, and some of the brethren had
gone after them, and were praying for God to heal all their afflictions." The of-
ficers elected were J. H. Summit, Chairman, and P. J. Costlow, Assistant; J. W,
Bums, Clerk, and W. R. Penninj^ton, Assistant, and J. H. AVhittington, Treasurer.
A "reorganized church in Hempstead county" was received into the Eldership.
Great disappointment was expressed because of the small attendance, and the
Eldership made an appeal especially to the younger ministers: "Knowing that
the time is soon coming that we older preachers will pass away and quit coming-
to the Eldership, and if the younger preachers are not more punctual In their
attendance and become better acquainted with the business pertaining to the Elder-
ship, and have her interests more at heart, that when we are gone the Eldership
will cease to meet." Twenty-two ministers were on the Eldership Roll. The
state of religion was "at a very low ebb throughout" the Eldership. Prayer was
offered, that God would "show us the hindering cause, and help us to remove the
same out of our land." As faith and works must co-operate, the Eldershlo was
solicited to "take such steps as to change the state of affairs, and the churches to
co-operate and combine their efforts to effect a change." The territory was di-
vided into thirteen fields of labor, to which eighteen ministers were assigned,
while churches not supplied were "to apply to the Standing Committee for pas-
tors."
42nd Tevas and Arkansas Eldership. — The threatened dissolution of the
Texas and Arkansas Eldership seemed Impending in 1899. "The ministerial
delegation was unusually small, and so the business was transacted mainly
through correspondence." Thus the Eldership made only appointments to six
fields of labor. On November 11th, the Standing Committee assigned ministers to
five other circuits, and also appointed J. S. Evans Evangelist for South-western
Arkansas. It granted the W. G. M. S. permission to work within the bounds of
the Eldership. The session of the Eldership was held with the church at Price
Spring, Franklin county. Ark., beginning September 13, 1899. Small as the at-
tendance was, "good feeling and marked interest prevailed through ench sitting.
The preaching was extra good, with a marked degree of spirituality." But "the
Information obtained from reports of preachers was not very encouraging. The
cause of Christ seems to be lingering, with large fields for extensive missionary
work in this State." J. AV. Burns preached the Opening Sermon. J. M. How.nrd
was elected President; J. A. Whittinston, Clerk, and also Treasurer. E. ^farple
was the choice of the Eldership for appointment by the Geneni EldersMn Board
of Missions as missionary to the State of Arkansas. The condition In this Elder-
ship was one of the occasions to give rise to the question as to whether the Polity
of the Church of God could not be changed so that better results would follow;
whether a different form of government might not prevent such serious losses
of promising territory.
43rd Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — It was the adverse fortune of the Texas
Eldership, even as late as 1900, to be charged with having "withdrawn from the
The Texas Eldership 605
general body." B. Ober, one of the originators of the Eldership, denied this in
June, 19 00, stating the facts touching its organization before the war, and the
opening of hostilities in 1861 "before the Texas Eldership was recognized by the
General Eldership." And while "several attempts were made by some of the
Texas brethren to declare our independence, and withdraw from the general
body, it was voted down almost unanimously." After the war, when the General
Eldership recognized the Texas Eldership, later the Texas and Arkansas Elder-
ship, it was always loyal, and conformed to the established system of co-operation.
The session of the Texas and Arkansas Eldership was hindered from meeting on
August 29, 1900, by reason of "high waters;" but met August 30th, at Onyx, Yell
county. Ark., with ten ministers present, one, J. D. Henson, from Tyson, Texas.
Twenty churches were represented by delegates or letters, and four additional min-
isters reported. The body was organized by electing D. S. Summit, President;
J. H. Whittington, Clerk. Two applicants for license from Texas were granted
Certificates of Ordination, and two from Arkansas. Two Standing Committees
were elected, one for Texas and one for Arkansas. In Arkansas there were nine
fields of labor, located in Crawford, Washington, Scott, Montgomery, Yell, Gar-
land, Sebastian, Logan, Hempstead and Franklin counties. The Eldership mani-
fested an abiding disposition to revive and extend the work in Texas. It appointed
J. D. Henson to Hill county, Texas, and requested E. Marple to "co-operate with
the brethren in Texas, and to do all he can to build up the work there." Henson
was also to do "mission work in the State of Texas." The time for the meeting
of the Eldership was changed from the latter part of August, or the beginning of
September, to "Wednesday before the fourth Sunday in July, to remain so for ten
years, unless changed by a two-thirds vote of the Eldership."
44th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — The fields of labor in the Arkansas part
of the Eldership were generally large, churches weak and support inadequate. J.
H. AVhittington's circuit included two churches in Franklin county, one in Sebas-
tian county and one in Logan county. The Standing Committee of the Arkansas
part of the Eldership arranged for a Ministerial Association to meet one day before
the session of the Eldership. This interfered with the organization of the Elder-
ship, which was deferred one day, to July 25, 1901, when the Opening Sermon was
preached at 1 p. m., by D. S. Summit. Officers elected were J. H. Whittin^on,
President; Owen Jones, Clerk. Withholding of licenses, or "dropping from the
Roll" of ministers, was a common occurrence. At this session one license was
withheld, and the licenses of three others "were revoked," one that of a woman.
The Eldership required "each pastor to collect the $2.00 assessment on each
church," and the pastors were "held responsible for the same, unless they give a
reasonable excuse." Two new churches were received into the Eldership. The
second-work doctrine had secured some adherents in the churches, and in the min-
istry, and was occasioning some trouble. The doctrine was defined as "a second
and instantaneous work of grace wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit," and
the Eldership decided that it "is not the doctrine taught by the churches of God,"
and therefore "from henceforth this Eldership will not grant a license to any one
who advocates such a doctrine." There .were nine appointments made, all to
fields in Arkansas.
45th Texas and Arlcansas Eldership. — The Texas part of the Eldership was
making no progress, and neither in 1901 nor 1902 was there any report received.
In Arkansas there was a willingness to further to the extent of their ability every
general enterprise, as well as to work with a self-sacrificing spirit for the promo-
tion of their own interest. Hence, a visit from O. A. Newlin in 1902, in behalf of
the Ft. Scott Institute, was much appreciated. The Eldership convened at Enter-
prise, Sebastian county, Ark., July 23, 1902. Ten ministers were present, by
whom "the business of the Eldership was carefully transacted." They declared
the "need of a better educated ministry, and the great benefit of educating our
children in institutions of learning conducted by the churches of God." The fields
of labor had increased to eleven, served by fourteen ministers. J. M. Howard at
Mena and surrounding community was also the appointee of the Board of Missions
of the General Eldership. Some of the churches, however, were unsupplied, and
were placed in the care of the Standing Committee.
46th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — The forty-sixth session of the Texas and
Arkansas Eldership was blessed with "the presence of our aged and highly es-
teemed brother, E. Marple. who was an inspiration to the Eldership." In addition
to Marple there were eight ministers present during the session, which was held
6o6 History of the Churches of God
with the church at Lone Valley, Montgomery county, Ark., beginning July 22,
1903. The body organized by electing D. S. Summit, President; J. H. Wliitting-
ton, Secretary. The state of religion and the condition of the churches "were at
least hopeful." "Crime is on the increase, and the preaching of the gospel does
not produce as good results in the conversion of souls as it did in former years."
It was considered that "there is a great opportunity for the building up of the
Church within the bounds of the Eldership." The Eldership rejoiced over the fact
that the Board of Missions of the General Eldership had appointed J. H. Whjt-
tington as missionary in Arkansas. It asked also that D. S. Summit be appointed
by the Board as "a general worker in the bounds of our Eldership." The names
of all ministers who "fail to make their whereabouts known" were to be "dropped
from the Eldership Roll." The number of fields of labor was reduced to eight;
but they were enlarged, so that on all but one there was one assistant to the pastor,
and on two there were three assistants. Texas was to be looked after by the
Standing Committee. On August 21, 1903, occurred the death of G. T. Bell, one
of the most active and successful missionaries of the Eldership. He was converted
when a youth and united with the church at Union Bethel, Lamar county, Texas,
and was licensed by the Texas Eldership in 1869. Having emigrated to Arkansas
in 1866, he began his misisonary labors in that State about 1874, "under a fiery
current of persecution." But "he preached the pure, uncompromising doctrines
of the Church of God." "He was an able gospel preacher." "In his death a great
and good man has gone up into a higher, brighter life."
47th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — The Eldership in 19 04 was very small,
there heing but five ministers present from Arkansas and two from Texas. Ten
others reported by letter or proxy, and five were not heard from. "Much sickness"
was the cause. The session was held with the church at Price's Springs, Franklin,
county. Ark., and the Opening Sermon was delivered July 20, 1904, by E. Marple,
of Texas. J. D. Henson, of Texas, was also present, and was chosen to preach the
Opening Sermon in 19 05. The names of seven ministers "were dropped from the
Ministerial Roll." E. ftlarple was chosen President; J. H. Whittington, Secretary
and Treasurer. Conditions throughout the Eldership were "better than a year
ago, and the outlook for the future was encouraging." Two ministerial and two
lay delegates to the General Eldership in 190.5 were elected; but all were min-
isters, the names of no laymen appearing on the records for years. The fields of
labor were rearranged, and numbered twelve, one of them in Texas, to which J. D.
Henson was assigned. D. S. Summit was appointed missionary, as he was in the
employ of the Board of Missions of the General Eldership, and E. Mai-ple, General
Worker. While the Eldership reported no Funds and no money, it raised "money
to pay dues to the General Eldership for the present year," and "made arrange-
ments to pay the back dues during the year."
48th Texas and Arkansas Eldei*ship. — Increasing interest throughout the
bounds of the Texas and Arkansas Eldership territory characterized the year
1904-5. The ministers were "awake to the fact that our distinctive doctrines
should be kept to the front." The eight sittings of the Eldership in session at Mt.
Zion, Garland county. Ark., beginning August 30, 1905, "were precious seasons of
grace," as well as of careful business transactions. Fourteen ministers were
present, but no record, of laymen. J. D. Henson was elected President; E. Marple,
Journalizing Clerk; J. H. Whittington, Transcribing Clerk; D. S. Summit, Treas-
urer. While three new names were added to the Ministerial Roll, and one min-
ister was reinstated; two "were dropped from the Roll." Frequent troubles were
experienced, so that it was no surprise to the Eldership to be called on to investi-
gate charges against one of the ministers, whose "license was withheld until recon-
ciliation is perfected between the two parties." These estrangements between
ministers were viewed with apprehensions. And they were not always caused by
the wrong doing of those against whom the charges were preferred; but grew out
of the law laid down by Tacitus: "It is the nature of the human disposition to
hate him whom you have injured." Though the churches were mostly weak and
poor, and the pastors received limited support, much interest was manifested in
the publications of the General Eldership, in missions and educational institutions.
There were eleven fields of labor, in ten counties in Arkansas. One field was un-
supplied; but seven of the pastors had an "assistant," and J. t). Henson was the
General Evangelist.
49th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — As the work in Texas was not profitable
to the Texas and Arkansas Eldership, the Executive Board of the General Elder-
The Texas Eldership 607
ship was petitioned to permit it to be "dropped," and the body be called "The
Arkansas Eldership." Said Board having no authority to change boundaries or
titles, the matter was left to rest. The body convened as "The Texas and Arkansas-
Eldership," August 29, 1906, at Mt. Nebo, Logan county. It was organized by
electing D. Summit, President; J. H. Summit, Clerk; J. S. Summit, Treasurer. In
addition to the twelve teaching elders present, there were also two ruling elders^
four deacons and one delegate, all having the full rights of members. In the even-
ing, after the first day's sittings, the Opening Sermon was preached by James
Roland. Arrangements were made to hold a Ministerial Association at Cedar
Creek, Scott county, in December. The finances of the Eldership were limited,
as there were only $14.95 in the treasury, and the Eldership was indebted to the
Contingent Fund of the General Eldership to the amount of 310.00. The "patron-
izing of our Publishing House and of Findlay College" was advised. Eighteen
churches reported to the Eldership and nineteen ministers, to which number three
were added by the Committee on License. The territory was divided into ten
fields of labor, and the pastors appointed thereto were given the right "to choose
their assistants." The Board of Missions of the General Eldership appointed two
missionaries, J. H. AVhittington in the northern and D. S. Summit in the southern
part of the State, which "the Eldership endorsed."
50th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — Ability and interest are not always com-
mensurate. The ministers and churches of the Texas and Arkansas Eldership had
limited ability to help the educational institutions of the Church, or to patronize
them; but when "V. V. Diltz was elected Evangelist," he "was also authorized to-
represent the interests of Port Scott Collegiate Institute, Kansas. He was the
Clerk of the fiftieth session of the Eldership, which was held at Hurricane Grove,
Montgomery county, Ark., beginning September 28, 1907. J. H. Summit was the-
President; D. S. Summit, Treasurer. Much of the time was given to the considera-
tion of mission work. The main difficulty encountered was the lack of means.
There was a surplus of ministers, as in addition to the nineteen who were assigned
to the fourteen fields of labor, there were a number unemployed, and three more-
received licenses at this session. And yet there were churches without pastors,
and "the prospects seem good for the advancement of the Church of God in this
country," and prayer was asked "that the Lord may send more laborers into this
part of his vineyard."
51st Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — When the Texas and Arkansas Eldership-
convened at Price's Springs, Franklin county. Ark., September 27, 1908, the mem-
bers could review a year during which "the work was going steadily onward,"
although "the ingathering of souls had been unusually small." The contrast be-
tween the condition of the Eldership as a body and as representing the church
work, or "state of religion" and of the churches, often awakened deep solicitude.
There were ten ministers present at this session. After the reorganization, D. S.
Summit preached the Opening Sermon. He had been elected President; J. H.
Whittington, Clerk. Three brethren secured licenses to preach the gospel. Grati-
fication was expressed that "the young ministers have made considerable progress."
But they were counseled "to take a more systematic course of study." To facili-
tate this "books for a Course of Study" were adopted. These were Winebrenner
on Regeneration; Jewett on Baptism; Forney's Philosophic Basis of Ordinances-
and Bible Doctrine of Sanctification; Reitzel's Robert Woodknow. The Eldership-
had some trouble with errorists, and a prolonged discussion grew out of the action
of the Standing Committee "revoking the license of J. L. Shelby for teaching the-
so-called 'Holiness' doctrine." But the action of the Committee was sustained.
Notwithstanding this discussion, and divergence of views on some other subjects,
the harmony and unity of feeling were not endangered, for "peace and good fel-
lowship prevailed to the close of the session."
52nd Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — In 1909 the Texas and Arkansas Elder-
ship commemorated its fiftieth anniversary, or held its "fiftieth session," and
adopted resolutions, acknowledging the "infinite wisdom and abundant mercy by
which God saw fit to perpetuate our life as an organized body." It calculated that
said session was "the last meeting of our half century life." But the Texas Elder-
ship, of which the Texas and Arkansas Eldership is the continuation, was organ-
ized in 1857, so that the session of 1909 closed the fifty-second year of its exist-
ence. By resolution the Eldership renewed its vows of "loyalty to God and his-
cause, cultivating the spirit of union and subordination, that he may continue to
bless and prosper our Eldership for all time to come." The meeting was held at
6o8 History of the Churches of God
Lone Valley, Montgomery county, Ark., beginning September 1, 19 09. The Open-
ing Sermon was preached by J. H. Jordan. Sixteen ministers and ten ruling elders
were In attendance. They elected D. S. Summit, "Chairman;" J. E. McElroy,
Clerk. A more stringent action was taken touching reports of ministers, making
It obligatory on each minister to report every year, or forfeit his license. If such
action is to be regarded as measuring the value of a license, it was thought that it
made licenses quite too cheap. As it was "deemed reasonable that the ministers
should be about their Father's business," so the Eldership "resolved that all the
preachers must preach at least twelve sermons each year, unless providentially
hindered, or their licenses will be discontinued." Five applicants for license ap-
peared, and their requests were granted. The twelve charges were all supplied
with pastors, several having assistant pastors.
53rd Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — In 1909 the Texas and Arkansas Elder-
ship adjourned to meet at Elnora, Montgomery county. Ark.; but the place was
changed by the Standing Committee to Hurricane Grove, Montgomery county,
where it convened on August 31, 1910, at 10 o'clock a. m. Only a few being
present the organization was deferred until 2 p. m., and a sermon was preached
at 11 o'clock by T. N. Gillham. J. H. Jordan was elected President; J. H. Summit,
Vice President; J. E. McElroy, Secretary. Fifteen teaching elders reported in per-
son, ten by proxy and two by letter. Eighteen churches reported, and others were
instructed to report to the Standing Committee. There was an evident desire to
enlarge the work, and the "great need in Southern Arkansas and Texas for mis-
sion work in order to spread the borders of Zion, establish new churches and re-
vive old and unsupplied churches" was strongly set forth. It was accordingly ar-
ranged "to put a missionary in the field for that purpose." To provide for his
support, each church was required "to pay $1.00 for each male member." The
Eldership was also asked for a certain amount by the Board of Missions of the
General Eldership. It was realized that when God calls us to duty, the only right
answer is obedience.
54th Texas and Arkansas Eldership. — Though but few more than one-half of
the ministers were present at the fifty-fourth annual session of the Texas and Ar-
kansas Eldership, "a good number of ruling elders, deacons and delegates from
all over the work was in attendance." The presence of E. Mari)le, one of the
original members of the Texas Eldership, was a blessing, and was highly appreci-
ated. The meeting was held at Mt. Nebo, Logan county, Ark., and began August
30, 1911, at which time, Wednesday evening, the Opening Sermon was preached
by S. S. Lee, and the Eldership was organized. The officers elected were J. H.
Summit, President; J. H. Whittington, Clerk. "The business was transacted de-
liberately, harmoniously and evidently with an eye single to the glory of God and
to the upbuilding of his church," was the testimony of the Clerk. Yet one resolu-
tion, introduced by E. Marple, "caused quite a sensation, and had some very
strong opposition." There had been some differences of views and of practice on
the observance of the ordinances of Feet-washing and the Lord's Supper which the
resolution was intended to harmonize. The resolution required "that the churches
■of God celebrate both these ordinances at the same stated time." After being
amended so as to make it advisory, it was adopted by "twenty-four yeas, and eight
nays." The Eldership also took action on other religious subjects; but on various
questions of a general or civic character it remained silent. All but one of the
twelve fields of labor were supplied with pastors, but no assistant pastors were
named. Twenty-three churches were named on the twelve appointments.
55th Texas and Arkansas Eldei-ship. — In 1912 the Texas and Arkansas Elder-
chip held its annual session with the church at Hurricane Grove, Montgomery
■county. Ark., beginning at 10 o'clock a. m., August 28th. J. H. Whittington was
the appointee to deliver the Opening Sermon, and D. S. Summit the alternate.
The officers elected were J. H. Summit, President; S. S. Lee, Vice President; J. E.
McElroy, Secretary. The President appointed the Standing Committee, consisting
of R. J. Scott, T. L. Tabor, James F. Summit. The Stationing Committee was com-
posed of J. S. Story, C. B. Cai-ter, J. A. C. Spenter, Arthur Defoor, S. S. Lee. This
•Committee divided the territory into eleven fields, with twenty-five churches, only
one of the fields having two ministers assigned to it. J. H. Summit was "en-
dorsed as General Missionary in North Arkansas" to "the General Mission Board;"
but the Eldership requested that he be made missionary for "the State of Ar-
kansas." The Eldership kept its high ideals alive, realizing that under many dis-
couragements it is a difficult problem to prevent an insidious lowering of standards.
And the lowering of ideals along any line means a lowered life.
The Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership 609
XI. THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS AND INDIANA ELDERSHIP.
With Terre Haute, Vigo county, Ind., as a center, colonies of families of the
Church of God located in four or five counties in Illinois and Indiana, beginning as
early as 1847. It was in the Spring of this year that the Rupps, Fasigs, Snavelys
and Taggaits emigrated from Richland county, Ohio, to the State of Missouri. Not
being satisfied with their new homes, they returned the same Fall, and located at
and near Martinsville, Clark county. 111. H. Rupp was a licensed minister of the
Ohio Eldership, and preached in German. They soon began holding prayer-meet-
ings and to carry on church work. In 1849 John BlickenstafF, of the Indiana Elder-
ship, visited these families and was employed by them as their preacher; but as he
became involved in certain scandals, he was dismissed. In 1850 Winebrenner and
Harn paid them a visit, and were impressed with the locality as a favorable one for
mission work. Sending of missionaries to Illinois was that Fall determined upon
by the East Pennsylvania Eldership. In the Spring of 1851, George Sandoe, a
young man of Lancaster county, Pa., "full of zeal and with a robust constitution,"
was started West to occupy this new field. In 1854, and prior, T. Hickernell,
Adams and Svveitzer visited that section; also in 1854 I. E. Beyer was preacher in
charge. During this year families from Wayne county, Ohio, settled in Greene
county, Ind. Among these were the Millers, the Neidigs and the Axes. Later
Sandoe returned as preacher in this section. The work prospered, and there were
churches, or preaching points, in Vigo, Clay, Greene, Sullivan, Parke and Putnam
counties in Indiana, and in Clark, Cumberland, Crawford and Coles counties, IlL
The territory was remote from the other fields occupied in either State by the min-
isters of the two Elderships; the inconvenience of travel was great; they had
limited means, and so, irregular as it was, and against the judgment of the Illinois
Eldership, it was finally determined to organize a new Eldership. The Illinois
Eldership, October 19, 1857, "disapproved the course of the southern brethren,
in the organization of another Eldership, believing it to be detrimental to the
cause in the bounds of this Eldership." But the new Eldership had been organ-
ized October 12th, at Prairieton, Vigo county, Ind., in the Methodist meeting-
house. Two circuits were represented — Greene county, Ind., S. N. Miller and D.
Neidig, teaching elders, and Martinsville circuit. 111., George Sandoe, H. Rupp and
H. Schweitzer, teaching elders, and John Snavely and Edwin Longenecker, ruling
elders. They "gave each other the right hand of fellowship, pledging ourselves to
stand by the word of God, and one another as ambassadors of the same." S. N.
Miller was chosen Speaker, and David Neidig, Clerk. James Werner, of the East
Pennsylvania Eldership, was present. The Eldership adopted as its name, style
and title, "The Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership of the Churches of God."
Resolutions were adopted to do all in their power "to counteract the great and
growing evil of intemperance," and to "give our undivided influence against
Slavery as it exists in the Southern States of this Republic." S. N. Miller was
placed in charge of Greene county circuit, Ind., and Sandoe, of the Martinsville
circuit. 111., while H. Rupp and H. Schweitzer were "to preach for the German
brethren and sisters in Greene county, Ind." A Methodist minister present "de-
livered a short address to the Eldership" at the close of the session.
Samuel N. Miller entered the ministry when he was twenty-six years of age,
receiving his first license from the Ohio Eldership at its second annual session, in
1837. He at once "offered himself to travel the ensuing year," and was appointed
to the Richland county circuit. He was pastor successively of Stark county circuit,
Wooster circuit, and Mohegan circuit, serving several of these fields a second term.
His last circuit was the Wooster, in 1846. He had removed to Indiana prior to the
organization of the Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership, and joined the In-
diana Eldership on Transfer given him in 1856 by the Ohio Standing Committee,
and was appointed to Greene county circuit, Ind. When the Southern Illinois and
Indiana Eldership was organized in 1857 he became a member, and was elected
to the office of Speaker, and re-elected three successive annual meetings. In 1865
and again in 1868 he was elected a delegate to the General Eldership. In 1869
he was elected Treasurer of his Eldership. He was in the active work until 1871,
when he was circuit preacher in Daviess county, Ind. He died in Highland town-
ship, Greene county, Ind., May 22, 1873, aged 63 years, 3 months and 14 days.
"He was a man of great faith and undoubted piety;" "faithfully advocating the
C. H.— 21
6io History of the Churches oe God
doctrine of Christ and his Apostles." "His labors were blessed to the enlighten-
ment of many and the establishment of churches of God."
2nd Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership, — Encouraged by the presence of
J. H. Hurley, of Decatur, 111., who preached the Opening Sermon from 1 Peter v.
2-4, the second Eldership in Southern Illinois and Indiana gathered new inspira-
tion as it met at Martinsville, 111., October 2.5, 1858, for the transaction of its
annual business. Edwin Longeneoker had received license from the Standing
Committee, so that there were six teaching elders, all present, with two ruling
elders and five delegates. S. N. Miller presided as Speaker, and George Sandoe
was the Clerk. J. Werner and J. Richards were advisory members, and served on
committees. The ministers of the Eldership were advised of "the importance of
pursuing a regular course of study," and, "besides the Bible, The Comprehensive
Commentary, AVatson's Institutes, Winebrenner on Regeneration, Carson's and
Swartz's works on Baptism, and Harn on Feet-washing" were recommended. With-
out mentioning the author's name, a committee was appointed to examine and
report upon "a certain pamphlet published by a member of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership." The Committee's report was adopted, which says: "We can but ex-
press our regret that it ever found its way amongst us, inasmuch as it teaches
sentiments repugnant to the principles and doctrines of the churches of God."
Resolutions disaffirming all sympathy with the use of intoxicating liquors as a
beverage were adopted, and advising "our brethren to use their influence against
the manufacturing and vending thereof." Slavery the Eldership considered an
"institution derogatory to the revealed will of God, conceived in sin and shapen in
iniquity." Subscriptions of brethren in the local churches were to be solicited
"for the use and benefit of superannuated or worn-out preachers of the Church of
God, their wives and orphans." Not to seem antagonistic to the Illinois Eldership,
a resolution prevailed declaring that "we wish to co-operate with the Elderships of
the Church of God everywhere." Miller had visited a Separate Baptist Associa-
tion, which expressed a desire for correspondence with the Eldership.
3rd Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — The third annual session of the
Eldership was held "in the bethel on Bro. John Miller's farm, Greene county, Ind.,
beginning October 24, 1859. S. N. Miller and George Sandoe were re-elected
Speaker and Clerk respectively. Rules were adopted for the session. Ministers
reported "times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." S. N. Miller, who
had been appointed "to bear a letter of correspondence" to "The White River Asso-
ciation of Separate Baptists reported a favorable reception at their Association."
In response, a letter from said Association was addressed to the Eldership, and
Miller was again appointed to bear a similar letter to the next Association. The
cause of Missions formed the subject of "consultation," when "a committee was
appointed to consider the best and most available means to raise missionary funds."
The means recommended was "to appoint one man, or more, in each church to
circulate a subscription, soliciting funds for home missions." Sandoe was elected
delegate to the General Eldership. Miller was appointed to the Martinsville circuit,
and D. Neidig to Greene county, Ind.
4th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — The Opening Sermon of the
fourth session of the Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership was preached in the
bethel at Martinsburg, 111., October 22, 1860, by S. N. Miller. He was re-elected
Speaker, and George Sandoe, Clerk. Miller gave his reasons for not attending the
annual meeting of the White River Association of Separate Baptists, and was ex-
onerated. The Eldership felt that said Association, "by failing to meet with us,
and in other ways, treated this body with contempt," and so resolved "that our cor-
respondence close." The Eldership expressed its gratitude "for our present ad-
vance in education, and earnestly recommend all moral and religious education,
especially the establishing of Sabbath-schools where practicable." It pledged its
"entire and individual influence against intemperance as an evil of the greatest mag-
nitude." Slavery it denounced "as an outrage committed upon the most precious
and God-given rights of man, at variance with every attribute of our common bene-
factor and Creator," and hence it "will not countenance this sin or villany under
any consideration whatever." One man in each church "was to be appointed to
collect missionary money to support one or more missionaries within the bounds
of this Eldership." The entering of preachers into "the political arena," the Eld-
ership refused to "believe is alike disastrous to the vitality and extension of the
Church," and it did not regard it "as an ecclesiastical evil which should be dis-
countenanced by all the friends of Zion," for it indefinitely postponed a resolution
The Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership 6ii
to that effect. The "use of tobacco as a luxury" it pronounced "a relic of barbar-
ism, and a violation of physical, intellectual and moral law." It lamented "the
removal by death of our beloved and much esteemed Bro. John Winebreuner."
Two circuits and one mission were outlined, with four preachers and three "mis-
sionaries at large."
5th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — Fourteen preachers and dele-
gates were present at the session of the Eldership which was held in the Union
Bethel, Greene county, Ind., beginning October 14, 1861. J. W. Booth was
elected Speaker, and George Sandoe, Clerk. D. Neidig preached the Opening Ser-
mon on Sabbath evening. The ranks of the ministry were increased by the
licensing of J. C. Hughes, W. Shipman and J. Buskirk. Fraternal relations were
begun with the "Indiana Conference of the Churches of God," J. G. Laughlin and
J. W. Neeley being present as delegates, bearing "a letter of correspondence." The
Eldership was in favor of publishing the Journals together in one pamphlet, for
which purpose the Minutes were written out in full, and but "a very brief account"
furnished The Advocate.
eth Southera Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — The sixth session of the South-
ern Illinois and Indiana Eldership, which began its session at Martinsville, Clark
county. 111., October 13, 1862, was still further encouraged to labor for union be-
tween it and the Indiana Conference of Church of God. This organization began
its existence at Zion meeting-house, in Martin county, Ind., immediately adjoining
the work of the Eldership in Greene county, in October, 1855. In August, 1861,
they had their annual Minutes of 1860 published in The Advocate. "They have
fallen back upon the original Scripture platform," said Thomas, "and we can see
no reason why this Conference and the Indiana Eldership should not either blend
together in one, or cordially co-operate." October 31, 1861, the Minutes of the
meeting held August 30, 31 and September 1, 1861, were also published in The
Advocate. In these they adopted The Advocate as their paper. They "as a Con-
ference take the Old and New Testament Scriptures as containing our articles of
faith and rule of discipline for the government and edification of the Church of
God." Joseph G. Laughlin may be called the founder of this body of people. He
had been a member of the M. E. Church, a local preacher; but after a prayerful
reading of the Scriptures he became dissatisfied with human names and parties,
and decided to withdraw from the M. E. Church. At this time he "had no thought
of forming a Church." But soon finding "others anxious for a Church to be
formed bearing the scriptural name and taking the word of God for the man of
their counsel," a meeting was held on June 10, 1854, "for the purpose of forming
and organizing a Church to be known as the Church of God." Thus originated
this body of believers, with J. G. Laughlin as their leader. "S. N. Miller and D.
Neidig were appointed in 1861 to carry a letter of correspondence to the Confer-
ence of the Church of God in Martin county, Ind., in September, 1862." These
brethren reported "that the prospect of a union between the two bodies is very
favorable, and have no doubt that could those brethren have been present a uniort
would have been effected." They were invited "to meet the Standing Committee
on the last Saturday in March, 1863, for that purpose. The "present effort to break
up the Government of the United States" the Eldership "considered a great sin
against God and the most precious rights of man," and declared that they "will not
fellowship any person or persons who give aid to, or sympathize with, those in re-
bellion against the Government." The ordinances were observed the second day
evening. "Dark and trying times, and doubt concerning the advancement of the
Church and cause of our Master "were experienced during the year." Intemperance
was denounced as "a growing evil whose natural tendency is to ruin the com-
munity, the influence of which is detrimental and ruinous to the morals of all
good citizens." The Eldership "formed itself into a society to raise a Widows'
Fund, by each member paying the sum of twenty-five cents annually." One circuit
and one mission in Indiana, and two circuits in Illinois were formed. There were
six ministers present and five absent, with two ruling elders and one delegate. W.
Booth presided, and E. Longenecker was the Clerk.
7th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership.— In furtherance of the project
of union between the Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership and the Indiana Con-
ference of the Churches of God, when the Eldership met in the Union Bethel,
Greene county, Ind., October 19, 18 63, J. G. Laughlin, E. Jackson and T. J. Whis-
innand presented letters of correspondence, and were received as advisory mem-
bers. The Eldership had organized by the election of S. N. Miller, Speaker, and
6i2 HisfoRY 01? THE Churches of God
TVillinm Booth, Clerk. What the Standing Committee did to effect a union with
the Conference of the Churches of God was not recorded, but no action was taken
by the Eldership. The prayers of the Eldership were tendered to "the President
and his Cabinet for wisdom and understanding in performing the responsible duties
Imposed upon them." Ministers were advised that if they "fail to report either
in person or by letter, they shall be dealt with, unless a reasonable excuse be
offered." The death of D. Neidig was deeply felt, he having died after having
obtained a furlough for home from the Army at Corinth, and a funeral sermon
was preached on Sabbath morning before the Eldership.
8th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — The place of meeting of the
eighth session of the Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership, in the Whis-
innand school-house, near Bloomington, Monroe county, Ind., evidenced the prog-
ress made toward a union between the Eldership and the Conference of Churches
of God. Monroe county adjoins Greene on the east, and was part of the territory
covered by the said Conference, which originated in the county adjoining Greene
on the south, Greene being territory of the Eldership. R. H. Bolton came to the
Eldership with a Transfer from the West Ohio Eldership. "After some agreeable
deliberation," a resolution was adopted inviting the brethren of the Conference of
the Churches of God "into the union and fellowship with us as Christian people
and ministers, and co-operation of the Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership of
the Church of God." The names of 1. J. Whisennand, J. G. Laughiin, J. O. Laugh<
lin and J. W. Neeley, ministers, and Daniel Pruett, ruling elder, were entered on
the Roll, and they became active members of the Eldership. The Eldership chose
W. Booth for Speaker, and E. Longenecker, Clerk. A committee was appointed to
draft a Missionary Constitution, which reported, and the Constitution was adopted.
A delegate from the Separate Baptist Church was received. "Godspeed to the
Chicago Mission" was voted, and "the influence, prayers and aid" of the Eldership
promised "for its success and prosperity." A Book of Minutes of the Eldership
was arranged for, "in which to record the acts of the Elderships and Standing Com-
mittees of the past, present and future." The Eldership lamented the limited
good accomplished during the year. "With joy" the Eldership "hailed the era
when all the oppressed shall go free," and "we as a nation will rid ourselves of
the iniquitous system of a cruel and wicked slavery." Hence, "every measure
taken on the part of our Government to liberate the enslaved meets our hearty ap-
proval." "The sympathy, influence and fellowship" of the Eldership was refused
to "any person engaged in the iniquitous business of using or selling spirituous
liquors as a beverage." Nor can "we have fellowship with any who justify the
course of the rebels in rising up in rebellion against the legally elected authorities
of this great Government." R. H. Bolton was "appointed to travel over the entire
bounds of the Eldership as a General Evangelist, and the ministry to assist all
they possibly can in serving appointments, churches, and in helping to hold special,
ordinance and protracted meetings."
9th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — The two Evangelists, R. H. and
C. S. Bolton, who traveled over the whole territory of the Eldership, had infused
new life into the body. But it also had a depressing effect on the ministry, and a
lessening of interest on the part of some. . This may account for the fact that
when the Roll was called at Martinsville, Clark county. 111., October 16, 1865, of
the fourteen teaching elders enrolled six were absent. But two ruling elders were
In attendance, and three noted as absent. The two General Evangelists had been
remunerated in cash to the amount of $455,93. As a result of their labors they
reported that "ministers were made earnest, churches revived and strengthened,
backsliders reclaimed and about one hundred and forty souls professedly converted
to God." The formation of one church, at Centerville, Vigo county, of twenty
members, was reported. W. Booth was elected Speaker; R. H. Bolton, Journaliz-
ing Clerk, and C. S. Bolton, Transcribing Clerk. The translation of the American
Bible Union was commended. The ministers and churches were earnestly urged
"to engage in the glorious work of Sunday-schools." The use of tobacco, being
"a filthy practice, and a useless waste of money," it "should at once be dispensed
with by all." "A happy, but slow, improvement in the cause of religion within
the past year in our Eldership" was acknowledged. In a lengthy series of resolu-
tions, with separate preambles, intemperance was denounced as "the vilest of evils,
most fatal in its tendency, exposing the human race to every vice, and hurling into
the vortex of ruin millions of our fellow beings." Everything possible was di-
rected to be done to "destroy this abominable compound of crime and vices." The
The Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership 613
absence of a prohibitory law, similar in its provisions to the Maine Law, was de-
plored. The hope was expressed that "the leaders of the so-called Confederacy
will receive their proper retribution." The Chicago Mission was endorsed, and
Shoemaker invited to canvass their Eldership for funds. But when the resolution
was read, stating that in the matter of membership in organizations of Odd Fel-
lows, Free Masons, Good Templars, etc., "we recommend all to use their own judg-
ment whether or no they will hold connection with any or all these institutions,"
it was amended so as to read: "We recommend all brethren to stand aloof from
them all." Provision was made for the drafting of a Constitution by appointing
R. H. Bolton, Sandoe and Longenecker a committee for that purpose. The Sta-
tioning Committee reported two circuits and two missions, to which three ministers
were assigned, to be assisted by the local ministers living on the fields.
10th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — The session of the Eldership
of 1866 was "most harmonious and pleasant." It met with the new church at
Centerville, Vigo county, Ind., October 13th, Saturday, at 3 o'clock p. m. S. N.
Miller was chosen "Chairman," and R. H. Bolton, Clerk. The Separate Baptist
Association had sent Silas White as a Messenger, bearing "a letter of Correspond-
ence," which were received. The funeral sermon of Elder James AVilson was
preached on Sunday afternoon, by Bolton and Miller. The Eldership was declared
to have "lost one of its most exemplary members." On the temperance question
the Eldership expressed its readiness "to co-operate with all proper efforts, moral
and legal, for the suppression of every form of this giant evil." While recom-
mending general co-operation with the General Eldership, it named "specially in
matters pertaining to the College or Colleges." It felt thankful "for the success
of the year; for the harmony which prevails among the brotherhood, and for the
growing influence throughout our bounds;" but declared, "there is room for im-
provement, and greater interest should be felt and sacrifices made to spread Bible
principles." The total amount of Life Membership in the Missionary Aid Society
was $480.00. "A Letter of Correspondence was ordered to be written to tne
Shelby Association of Separate Baptists," the same "to be borne thither by Sandoe,
accompanied by Bolton and Kiipp." The attendance of elders and delegates being
very small, churches were urged "to send their elder or elders, or regular delegate
or delegates "to each Annual Eldership," There were but two circuits and two
itinerants, with one General Evangelist.
11th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — The overtures to the Shelby
Association of Separate Baptists were received in a kindly spirit, and at the open-
ing of the session of the Eldership in 1867, Silas White, a Messenger from the Asso-
ciation, was received, bearing a Letter of Correspondence. This courtesy was
"highly appreciated," and the hope was expressed that "our interchange of views
may tend to unite our efforts in the cause of God." A letter was directed to be
written to the Association, and the bearers thereof were Shafer, Rupp and Sandoe.
The date of the Eldership meeting was October 21st, when eight ministers and
seven delegates and ruling elders were present. Considerable of a missionary
spirit was awakened, so that the Stationing Committee, in addition to the two
circuits, named three missions — Centerville, Daviess county and Milton — with
eight preachers, and five others "to assist all they can." The total amount of Life
Membership of the Missionary Aid Society was increased to $570.00. Provision
was made to create a Contingent Fund for the General Eldership. As the need of
a better educated ministry was felt, action was taken to prepare a Course of Studies
for ministers; but only four branches were named — the Bible, on which essays
were to be written; Grammar, Geography and Church History. The presiding
officer of the Eldership was William Booth, with George Sandoe, Journalizing
Clerk, and J. W. Neeley, Transcribing Clerk. As the income from the Life Mem-
berships amounted to less than $40.00 a year, the Eldership directed that each
pastor preach a missionary sermon at each preaching place, and lift a collection
for missions.
12th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — With its three missions dur-
ing the year, and receipts of but $29.24, plus $.5.75 in the treasury, the urgent
need of more funds was self-evident. Eleven new Life Members were secured,
making the total amount $680.00. So the Eldership which met at Union Bethel,
Greene county, Ind., Thursday, October 22, 1868, had this as one of its most im-
portant problems to deal with. Hence, it was again made the duty of "each min-
ister in charge of churches to take up a missionary collection at every point during
the year, besides soliciting Life Members of the Missionary Society." The year
6i4 History of the Churches of God
just ended these collections aggregated but $5.18. Quarterly payment of salaries
of ministers was insisted upon. There were present at this session eight teaching
elders, two ruling elders and two delegates. William Shafer was chosen Speaker,
and George Saiidoe, Clerk. The correspondence and exchange of delegates with
the Association of Separate Baptists were continued. In addition, the Eldership
expressed its willingness "to correspond with other bodies of Christians on the
subject of Church union, and, if desirable, send delegates, with letters of corres-
pondence." Elder Wesley Shipman had emigrated to Kansas. A very hopeful
spirit animated the Eldership, as it believed "that if we are faithful, the future
will reveal great and glorious results." A minister of "the Christian, or New
Light, Church," T. T. Miller, was received and licensed. Two churches, one in
Madison and the other in Delaware county, north-east of Indianapolis, sent dele-
gates to the Eldership, and asked admission to fellowship. But being within the
territory of the Indiana Eldership, they were referred to said body. There were
arrangements made for three missions, two circuits and one separate church.
13th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — As it had been resolved to
alternate between the two States with the annual sessions of the Eldership, the
session of 1869 was held at Martinsville, Clark county. 111., beginning October 21st,
Nine absentees are noted, while an unusual number of lay elders and delegates was
present, there being eight ministers and eight delegates and ruling elders. They
chose for Speaker, William Booth, and for Clerks, George Sandoe and R. T. Sargent.
While in 1868 the delegates from the two churches in Madison and Delaware
counties were referred to the Indiana Eldership, the Standing Committee during the
year had appointed Wm. Booth to preach for them till the Eldership. The Elder-
ship expressed its "high esteem of the many virtues of the deceased Elder E. H.
Thomas, a man of unswerving devotion to the principles of truth and of arduous
labors among us." The Itinerancy had been made a prominent topic by the discus-
sion at, and the action of, the General Eldership, and so strong resolutions were
adopted, characterizing it as "an efficient instrumentality in spreading the gospel of
Christ," and "considering it essential to the speedy dissemination of the principles
of the Church of God in the world." It was directed that a committee of the Elder-
ship "mature a plan for the co-operation of all the churches on each field of labor to
support the preacher in charge." This was prompted by the fact "that there is too
little effort on the part of the churches to support their preachers." The churches
were advised that "unless they wake up to this matter it will be impossible to
supply them with regular preaching." This the Eldership claimed was "the only
difficulty — means to send ministers to preach the wgrd to our fellow men." With
the accession of A. J. Fenton to the ministerial ranks, the Eldership had the men
to send out on its five fields of labor, with assistants on each one. Sandoe was to
travel generally, "to open new points for future missionary operations, and to
present the missionary claims to the churches and secure Life Members."
14th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — The exchange of delegates be-
tween the Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership and the Shelby Association of
Separate Baptists continued. Delegates were again appointed "to meet with the
Association." It was a minority Eldership that met at White Bethel, Madison
county, Ind., August 25, 1870, there being but five of the sixteen enrolled teaching
elders present, with four ruling elders and delegates. Doubtless this was owing
to the distance to the place of meeting. A. X. Shoemaker "was appointed Speaker"
and Geo. Sandoe, Clerk. The Eldership was $64.00 in arrears on General Elder-
ship assessments, and Sandoe was instructed "to collect the same forthwith." It
was made the duty of preachers on entering upon "their fields of labor to call the
churches together and ascertain what can be procured by subscription for their
support." The Board of Missions reported $720.00 Life Membership; but only
$84.30 was "paid out during the year." The Eldership pledged itself to "labor
without ceasing for the entire overthrow of the liquor traffic in our land," and de-
clared that "we will not give our suffrage to any man (if we know it) trafficking
In, or drinking, spirituous liquors." The Martinsville circuit was divided into
Martinsville and Robinson circuits, and a minister appointed to each. This gave
the Eldership six appointments, three of which were missions, viz.: Milton, Center-
ville and Daviess county. It was decided that "the present Eldership year end
with the first of November, and hereafter with the sitting of the Eldership." The
Eldership now had churches near the boundary lines separating it from the Indiana
Eldership, in Howard, Madison and Delaware counties, the second counties south
of Huntington and Wells, and much more convenient to be supplied by said Eld-
The Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldeiiship 615
•ership. It therefore requested the Indiana Eldership to supply them, or it will
cede said counties to the Indiana Eldership. But said Eldership in October, 1870,
took no action in the matter, though it was brought before it by Shoemaker and
W. A. Gouiiey, appointed a committee for that purpose.
15th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — It was rather the common
practice in western Elderships to malte visiting ministers of other Elderships full
members, with the privilege of voting, sitting on commttees and holding office. So
it was not peculiar when at its session at Martinsville, 111., beginning August 21,
1871, the Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership not only again received Shoe-
maker as a full member, but re-elected him Speaker. Geo. Sandoe was First Clerk,
and R. T. Sargent, Second Clerk. Eleven teaching elders attended the session,
while nine were absent. There were seven ruling elders and six delegates in at-
tendance. The Eldership manifested a spirit of harmonious co-operation with the
General Eldership, and while in arrears to the said body, it made an effort to pay
all its assessments. The Missionary Baptist Church was represented by L. W. P.
Gilbert as delegate. Having adopted strong resolutions urging diligent Sunday-
school work by all pastors and churches, it was arranged to suspend preaching on
Friday night to hold "a meeting in the interest of Sunday-school work." At this
meeting these questions were discussed: "What is a Sunday-school?" "What re-
lation does it sustain to Christianity?" "How shall we awaken greater interest
in this work?" "Shall we have a Sunday-school Convention?" The Eldership de-
<3lared that it will "use all our efforts against intemperance," and "will in every
lawful way strive to put it down;" and that it "will fellowship no person who deals
in intoxicating liquors." The "use of tobacco" it resolved to be "a useless, filthy
and expensive practice in the main," to discourage which it will use its influence.
The itenerancy it regarded as "a powerful element in the hands of the ministry In
the accomplishment of good," and that "the Eldership stick close to the old land-
marks." Correspondence with the Shelby Association of Separate Baptists was
continued, and Fenton and Sandoe were appointed delegates to their next meeting.
The Eldership now had seven appointments, two of which are classed as missions.
16th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — Sometimes commendations
imply reflections. And so when the Correspondent of the Eldership of 1872, either
for himself or the body, stated that "greater devotion was manifested among the
ministry than formerly," the reader can make his own deductions. No absentees
are noted, and fourteen teaching elders responded to their names, with eight ruling
elders, when on August 22nd the Eldership was constituted. In the organization
H. Rupp was chosen Speaker, and R. T. Sargent, Clerk. "A better financial system
for the Eldership" was affirmed to be "absolutely necessary to the success of the
•Church," and as an important measure to this end the Eldership resolved to "ap-
point a general missionary and financial agent to travel at large throughout the
bounds of the Eldership to assist in the double capacity of missionary and financial
agent." To raise funds, it was suggested that "a general subscription paper be
drawn up for immediate use;" the General Missionary and Financial Agent to
"visit the several fields of labor as soon as possible, call together the leading mem-
bers of the respective circuits and stations and introduce the subscription and ap-
point sub-agents in every church to attend to this matter." In addition, "each
preacher in charge of a field of labor" was instructed "to take personal missionary
subscriptions at each appointment to be exclusively applied to home missions." A
secretary and treasurer were to be "appointed in each church" to whom these sub-
scriptions were to be given for collection.
17th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — By appointment of the Elder*-
ship in 1872, R. T. Sargent delivered the Opening Sermon of the Eldership in the
evening of August 20, 1873. Eleven of the seventeen ministers attended the ses-
sion, and nine ruling elders and delegates. A regular fund was created for the
purpose of defraying the expenses of delegates to the General Eldership, by requir-
ing each pastor annually to collect twenty cents from each brother and ten cents
from each sister for that purpose. The Eldership mourned the death of S. X.
Miller, whose "labors in our ranks were extended over a number of years, and were
blessed to the enlightenment of many and the establishment of churches of God."
The financial plan a,dopted in 1872 was approved; but two men, one in Illinois
and one in Indiana, were "appointed to make one round among the churches this
Fall and speak upon the duty of all to support the ministry and otherwise assist
the churches in this good and great work." After adjournment, the Standing
Committee agreed to call a meeting "to hold a Ministerial Association," and ap-
6i6 History op the Churches of God
pointed a committee to draw up a program. The time for the Eldership year to
begin was changed to October 1st. There were seven fields of labor, two of them
being missions. Some of the local preachers were appointed assistants to the
pastors.
18th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldei*ship. — The action of the Standing
Committee, calling a Ministerial Association was unheeded, and so the first official
action of the Eldership which met at Centerville, Vigo county, Ind., September 24,
1874, was to decide "as a means of gaining information that we hold a Ministerial
Association as often as the Eldership may think best." Conditions in the Elder-
ship and among the churches were such as to inspire the hope "that the coming
year will be one of greater prosperity than the past." A division of the Eldership
was suggested, and a committee appointed to consider the question. It reported
in favor of a division, as this was the original purpose, that "as soon as we are
sufficiently strong, and it was thought best for the advancement of the cause of
God, to form two Elderships instead of one." The delegates to the General Elder-
ship in 1875 were instructed to ask for such division, the division to be along the
State line, and the Elderships to be called respectively the Southern Illinois and the
Southern Indiana Elderships. To secure greater co-operation meetings of elders
and deacons on the different charges once a month were suggested, to "consult
and devise as to the best means of taking care of the preacher in charge, and other
interests of the Church." The Sunday before Christmas was designated as the day
for the churches "to meet in order to donate moneys for missionary purposes."
Geo. Sandoe presided as Speaker, and R. T. Sargent was Clerk. The Stationing
Committee made appointments to ten fields of labor, with one General Missionary.
19th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — A comparatively small repre-
sentation of the Eldership met to hold the session at Martinsville, Clark county,
111., September 23, 1875. The session lasted two days and one evening sitting,
during which "harmony and good feeling prevailed." George Sandoe was the
Speaker, and R. T. Sargent, Clerk. There was "quite an ingathering of souls dur-
ing the year, with increasing prospects for future success." "Greater diligence to
qualify themselves by study for the great work of the ministry" was urged upon
the ministers. All were requested to "labor more fully to organize Sabbath-
schools." Ober, who lived within the bounds of the Eldership, in Greene county,
111., near the Mississippi, offered to open a mission there, asking $300.00 for two
years' labor. No appointment was made, but correspondence with him solicited.
The body lamented the early removal of Elder Bratten by death. Appointments
were made to seven circuits and three missions.
20th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — The seven circuits and three
missions of the Eldership were represented at Centerville, Vigo county, Ind., Sep-
tember 20, 1876, by ten teaching elders, five ruling elders and eight delegates.
Four charges were not represented, and fourteen teaching elders and three ex-
horters were absent. On the evening previous R. T. Sargent delivered the Opening
Sermon. J. W. Neeley was chosen Speaker, and R. T. Sargent, Clerk. Sandoe, on
the Charleston circuit, reported the dedication of two church-houses, one at Oak
Point, Clark county, and one three miles east of Charleston, both in Illinois. The
propriety of dividing the Eldership was discussed, but it is not clear what action
was taken. By request of the General Eldership, each pastor was required to lift
collections in all the churches for general missionary purposes during the month
of November. It was a feature of this session that a number of special seasons of
prayer were held. The propriety of "holding a special meeting once every three
months on each circuit" was to be presented to the churches, the preachers on dif-
ferent circuits to assist each other. At the close of the session the Stationing Com-
mittee reported twelve fields of labor, to which twenty ministers were assigned.
21st Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — The session of the Eldership in
1877 was held at Martinsville, Clark county. 111., beginning September 20, 1877.
Thirteen of the twenty-six ministers were present, nine ruling elders and fifteen
delegates. Positive action was taken on the question of a division of the Elder-
ship by its indefinite postponement. E. M. Love preached the Opening Sermon
the previous evening. The election for officers resulted in the choice of W. Booth
for Speaker, and R. T. Sargent, Clerk. The importance of education for the min-
istry was emphasized, and ministers of the Church were strongly recommended to
"prepare themselves fully for their work," and the churches were requested to "en-
courage and support young men in the pursuit of an education." The divine bless-
ing was invoked upon the churches, to give them "a spirit of liberality, and young
The Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership 617
ministers an earnest, absorbing desire to qualify themselves for their high calling
and noble work by a liberal education." Saturday evening was "set apart for a
mass temperance meeting." A leader of the discussion was appointed, and a spe-
cial feature was an invitation to "any reformed inebriates, or any drinkers who
may desire to reform, to give us the benefit of their experience." J. W. Neeley was
appointed a delegate to the Association of General Baptists, to bear a letter pre-
pared by the Standing Committee. When the delegates to the General Eldership
were elected they were "instructed to vote to have a man appointed to write a
History of John Wiuebrenner for publication." The appointments were rearranged
so as to make five circuits and three missions.
22n(l Southera Illinois and Indiana Eldei-ship. — The Eldership now numbered
thirty ministers, but only eleven attended the session held at Union Bethel, Greene
county, Ind., beginning September 19, 1878. Twenty-one delegates were in atiend-
ance. George Sandoe delivered the Opening Sermon. R. T. Sargent was elected
Speaker, and D. H. Miller, Clerk. A spirit of hearty co-operation with the General
Eldership was expressed in its efforts to secure funds "to carry forward the great
work of missions in our land." The Eldership also heartily endorsed the project
of publishing the "Sunday-school Workman." On temperance the Eldership de-
clared that "there is only one safe course to pursue: — that we array ourselves
against the distillation and use of the accursed beverage in all its forms." A com-
mittee was appointed to devise a plan for future missionary operations, claim-
ing that the territory of the Eldership was too extensive for proper cultivation, and
points are calling for help which can not be supplied, the Board of Missions was
asked "to help to support at least one man in the bounds of this Eldership." The
more efficient plan for home missions recommended by the committee was "to ap-
point a collecting agent to canvass our bounds and solicit cash and subscriptions
for home missionary purposes." The ne-^d of such funds appears from the Treas-
urer's Report, which shows "amount of money in the treasury last year, $8.00.
Amount of money collected during past year, $2.00. As a further evidence that
the Eldership meant that its members shall become better qualified, a committee
was named "to prescribe a Course of Studies for young ministers." The Com-
mittee arranged them into two classes. Class A was to study, "The redemption of
man, and how accomplished." Class B, "The fall of man, and its cause." The
fields this year were seven circuits, two missions and one station. On several
circuits there were two ministers and an assistant. One minister was appointed
missionary at large.
23rd Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — Provision had as yet not beea
made for either Permanent Rules of Order, or for a Constitution, as western Eld-
erships preferred to call it, "A System of Co-operation." A committee, hence, re-
ported Rules of Order at the beginning of the session of 1879, which was held at
Martinsville, Clark county. 111., and opened on the morning of October 9th. And
a committee was named to prepare and report a System of Co-operation. The
Opening Sermon was preached by A. Miller. The Eldership was constituted with
forty-two members — seventeen teaching elders, ten ruling elders and fifteen dele-
gates. 1. J. Whisinnand was made Speaker, and D. H. Miller, Clerk. Great com-
plaint continued to be made with reference to the support of pastors. It was,
therefore, ordered that "at each preaching appointment, immediately after the
Eldership, a subscription be set on foot, the same to be placed in the hands of the
deacons, or some suitable person, and the same to be paid over in quarterly pay-
ments to the ministers." The Eldership agreed "to co-operate with the other Eld-
erships in holding a semi-centennial camp-meeting in 1880." It was agreed to
"create a fund for superannuated ministers and their widows, to be called the
Widows' Fund. Each minister, if able, was to pay annually $1.00 into this Fund,
and all others "who wish to assist in creating the Fund." "Every able-bodied
minister" was required to "preach at least twelve sermons during the year." The
appointments made indicate the extent of the territory and the spirit of aggression
in the Eldership if the means had been at its command. The Stationing Committee
arranged eight circuits and five missions. These missions were Shelby county,
Madison county, Indiana; Jack Oak, Gibson county, Ind., and Jefferson county.
Neb. There were also two missionaries at large.
24th Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. — A general survey of this Elder-
ship, convened at Union Bethel, Greene county, Ind., October 14, 1880, shows eight
circuits and four missions, represented by twelve ministers, three ruling elders
and fourteen delegates; while twenty ministers were absent. The choice of the
6i8 History of the Churches of God
Eldership for Speaker was E. M. Lovo; Clerk, AVilliani Buzzard. The Rule of the
Eldership was to have members of classes in the Course of Studies prepare essays,
or discourses, and deliver them. Three clases were represented in 1880. To one
was assigned as a subject "The Fall of Man," and to the other "The Redemption
of Man." The "brotherhood, and especially the ministry" were "urged to in-
creased activity in the cause of education, in the family circle, in the Sabbath-
schools, in the Church and amongst the people generally." The Eldership de-
clared that it "will not help to put men into offices of trust who will either use or
sell distilled liquprs as a beverage," and it "opposed the use of tobacco by the
brethren, especially in the church-house." A resolution on the division of the
Eldership was considered, and "was unanimously agreed to, every member rising
to his feet." It declared that "it was the agreement of the men who first organ-
ized the Eldership, that as soon as the body was strong enough they would form
two Elderships;" that "the time has come when the cause of God can be built up
more rapidly in each State by having two Elderships;" that "the division is not
asked for "because of any unpleasantness existing among us, but because we be-
lieve it to be for the advancement of the cause of God." The "deficiency" in the
support of the ministry was deplored, and each pastor was directed "to call to-
gether the officiary on his charge once each quarter, for the purpose of obtaining
a co-operative understanding and action in this important work." Each pastor
was also directed "to appoint two sisters in each church to solicit twenty-five
cents from each member for general missionary purposes." There were fifteen
fields of labor, of which four were missions, to which the Stationing Committee
appointed sixteen pastors. The Eldership Treasurer was continued, John
Miller, Jr. The evening previous to the organization the Eldership listened to the
Opening Sermon by I. J. Whisinnand, from Ps. cxlix. 4. This session terminated
the existence of the organization known as the Southern Illinois and Indiana
Eldership, which "from our first organization had the sweetest fellowship, and
have at this time" — when the resolution was adopted to petition for a division.
The Illinois part went back to the Illinois Eldership, and the balance became the
Southern Indiana Eldership.
1st Southern Indiana Eldership. — At the General Eldership held at Findlay,
Ohio, in May, 1881, "the request from the Southern Illinois and Indiana Elder-
ship, asking for a division of territory, with a view of creating two Elderships,"
was favorably acted upon so far as the Indiana portion of the Eldership was con-
-cerned. The portion lying in Illinois agreed to consolidate with the Illinois Elder-
ship. Action was taken to create the Southern Indiana Eldership, with bound-
ary lines as previously defined, except that the State line between Illinois and
Indiana shall be the western boundary line of the Southern Indiana Eldership.
As this was the line agreed upon by the Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership
In 1880, the action of the General Eldership was entirely satisfactory. Though
the Southern Indiana Eldership could not be strictly regarded as a new Elder-
ship, yet it discarded the old ordinal number of the sessions and its Minutes
were officialy published as "The Journal of the First Annual Meeting of the
Southern Indiana Eldership of the Church of God." The announcement of this
meeting by the Clerk of the session of the Southern Illinois and Indiana Elder-
ship of 1881, states that meeting "on October 13, 1881, at Shiloh, Daviess county,
Ind.," is "for the purpose of organizing a Southern Indiana Eldership and to
transact the usual Eldership business." Seventeen teaching elders resided in the
territory of this Eldership, but seven were absent. There were present three
ruling elders and nine delegates. The previous evening C. T. McKee preached
the Opening Sermon, from Ps. xx. 2. There were in this first organization four
circuits and four missions. The election resulted in the choice of S. Tinimons for
Speaker, and William Buzzard, Clerk. Rules of Order were adopted. The pub-
lications of the General Eldership were strongly endorsed. It was affirmed that
"a part of the Christian work is to support the ministry." The pasters were di-
rected "to take up collections at diiferent times at the various points for the sup-
port of the missionary-at-large of the Eldership." Only two Funds were reported
by the Treasurer: Widows', $23.25; General Eldership Contingent, $3.90. The
Report on the State of Religion stated that "religion is prospering within our
Eldership bounds;" yet "some of the churches are cold and indiiferent.'" The
Eldership put itself on record as "opposed to the manufacture and sale of dis-
tilled liquors as a beverage, and that we will use our utmost endeavors to pro-
Ihibit its evil influence on the rising generation." It favored education, but evi-
The Southern Indiana Eldership 619
dently of a very elementary character. Applicants for license must appear in
person, and "pass a favorable examination." The death of President Gai-fleld
was deeply lamented. S. Simons' death was deplored as a visitation of Providence
by the hand of affliction. Sermons were directed to be preached on Sunday-
;schools by each pastor. The Eldership voted "to create a Fund for Super-
annuated ministers and their widows." It was "to be called The Widows' Fund,"
and a "Constittition of the Widows' Fund" was adopted. It was to be a Perma-
nent Fund, secured by the annual payment by all ministers, "and all others who
wish to assist in creating this fund," of $1.00.
2nd Southern Indiana Eldership. — Seven fields of labor were represented by
one-half of the twelve preachers, with nine delegates, five ruling elders and one
exhorter, when the Eldership convened at Union Bethel, Greene county, October
19, 1882. The Opening Sermon was preached the previous evening by E. M. Love,
from Acts xxvi. 29. The organization was effected by the choice of I. J. Whisin-
nand, Speaker, and J. Miller, Clerk. After his Report was adopted, John Miller,
Jr., was elected Treasurer. The Speaker, under a motion, appointed C. T. McKoe,
J. Miller, Jr., and I. J. Whisinuand "to draft a Constitution and By-Laws to govern
the Eldership in transacting business." It at once reported. The name, style
and title as fixed by the General Eldership was adopted. The object of the "Con-
stitution shall be to secure and promote the mutual welfare of the ministry and
churches, and to co-operate in the benevolent, educational and missionary work
-of the Church." "Licensed ministers, exhorters and ruling elders, with two dele-
gates from each church of God" shall "be members of this Eldership." Duties
of officers were defined, times of meetings fixed; provision made for a Standing
and Stationing Committees, and their powers defined; requiring transfers to, or
from, other Elderships. Applicants for license must present "evidence of, 1.
A divine call; 2. Fitness for the office; 3. Qualifications required by the
Scriptures, and 4. Ability to teach." The liberal endowment of Findlay Col-
lege was urged. The Eldership pledged itself to "do all in our lawful power for
the submission, and for the prohibition amendment to the State Constitution." A
missionary-at-large was provided for "to be supported by each preacher in charge
■of churches taking up collections in all the churches under his care." The Stand-
ing Committee was empowered "to sell the Salem church property in Owen
county." Seven appointments were made, of which four were missions, with
Whisinnand as General Evangelist.
3rd Southera Indiana Eldership. — As in the previous year only half the teach-
ing elders were present at the session held again at the Union Bethel, beginning
October 11, 1883, with five ruling elders and eight delegates. But there were
only ten, instead of twelve, teaching elders on the Roll. I. J. Whisinnand de-
livered the Opening Sermon, from II. Cor. vi. 1. A ballot resulted in the election
of A. Miller, Speaker; AVilliam Buzzard, Clerk, and J. Miller, Jr., Treasurer.
The beginning was made for a Missionary Fund, by directing the pastors "to so-
licit donations for that purpose, and when such fund amounts to $10.00, to be
loaned out, only the interest to be used." A similar provision was made for a
Widows' and Superannuated Fund. The "State prohibitory amendment against
the manufacture and sale of intoxicating drinks as a beverage" was endorsed.
The education of the ministry was insisted upon because "the Bible is the foun-
dation of all true knowledge;" because "the mind is the window of the soul, and
a minister of the gospel must cast the rays of light through that window in order
to save the immortal soul," and because "men must be convinced of the error of
their ways before they will or can reform." As "the Constitution provides for a
Ministerial Association," a committee was appointed "to arrange a program," the
Eldership selecting the time and place. The Treasurer reported no missionary
money in his hands; Widows' Fund, $23.24; Contingent Fund, $6.45. Each
pastor was required "to preach at least one sermon at each appointment during
the year on the support of the ministry as taught in the Bible." The sum of
$19.50 was "apportioned among the several churches for the Contingent Fund."
4th SoutheiTi Indiana Eldership. — The Eldership in 1884 was unusually small,
there being present three teaching elders out of the eight on the Roll, and ten
ruling elders and delegates, with two exhorters. The Opening Sermon was
preached on the evening of October 1st, by C. T. McKee, from Matt. xiii. 3. I. J.
Whisinnand was chosen Speaker on the morning of October 2nd; William Ruzzard,
Clerk, and J. Miller, Jr., Treasurer. "Religion is in a very low condition," was
the report of the Committee, "and is not progressing as it should." One name
620 History of the Churches of God
was taken from the Ministerial Roll during the year by death, that of T. T. Miller,
"who had long been known as a true follower of Christ." The condition of the
treasury indicated improvement, as there was in the Widows' Fund 29.44 1/^;
Contingent Fund, $10.05; Home Contingent Fund, $20.00. The Eldership lost
one minister, A. Miller, by transfer to Kansas. There were only four fields of
labor, one of them a mission, and one, unsupplied, a single school-house appoint-
ment. The Greene county circuit had four points; the Daviess and Martin coun-
ties, five, "and other places as much as they can," two ministers and an assistant
having been assigned to this field. McKee was "to preach at least one sermon at
each preaching point in the Eldership during the next Eldership year."
5th Southern Indiana Eldership. — The Southern Indiana Eldership was
largely the theater of Mrs. Woodworth's revival labors, in so far as she confined
herself within Church limitations. This is in part the explanation of the fact that
so large a per centage of the teaching elders of the Eldership were at one time
women. But in 1885, when the Eldership convened at Shiloh, Daviess county,
Ind., October 22nd, the name of only one is given as having reported. Six of the
eleven teaching elders were absent; five ruling elders and eight delegates were
present. On the previous evening E. M. Love preached the Opening Sermon, from
John iii. 3. I. J. Whisinnand was elected Speaker; William Buzzard, Clerk, and
John Miller, Jr., Treasurer. Funds were very limited. There were but $29.44
in the Widows' and Superannuated Fund, and $12.45 in the Contingent Fund.
The small assessments of from 25 cents to $1.50 were only "partially complied
with." The Eldership pledged itself "to use all our influence in every honorable
way to crush the hydra-headed monster of intemperance. . . .the greatest curse
of our land." Religion was declared to be "at a very low ebb, and not progressing
as it should." The Eldership rejoiced at the prospects of a good Institution of
learning at Findlay, Ohio, and the brethren were urged "to assist all they can with
their means." The Eldership deplored its inability to "aid in carrying forward
the foreign misisonary work at the present time," as it stood greatly in "need
of a missionary at home, and had not the means to put one in the field." One
preacher's license was withheld and his "name dropped from the ministers' list"
because "he continued to hold, and declared his intention to preach, a doctrine
not in harmony with the doctrine of the Bible as received and taught by the
Church of God in America." There were three circuits, with six ministers, and
one "missionary-at-large." The Eldership decided to hold a Ministerial Associa-
tion; appointed the time and place; named the minister to "deliver the opening dis-
course," and appointed a committee on program.
eth Southern Indiana Eldership. — While one teaching elder was added to
the number in 1885, and none dismissed, according to the Minutes, there were but
ten enrolled in 1886, six of whom were absent. Five ruling elders and seven
delegates were in attendance. The Opening Sermon was preached in the Union
Bethel, Greene county, on October 6th, by E. M. Love, from Rev. ii. 10. I. J.
Whisinnand was chosen for Speaker; John S. AValls for Clerk, and Whisinnand
was also elected Treasurer. The state of religion was reported to be "in a pros-
perous condition throughout the bounds of the Eldership." This seems to be
confirmed by the Report of the Stationing Committee, which divided the territory
into five fields of labor, one of which was a mission. John S. Walls, later a mem-
ber of the Illinois Eldership, received license to preach the gospel. While the
funds were exceedingly limited, and no missionary money was reported, the
Eldership manifested quite an interest in mission work. A special Committee
on Missions was appointed, and an hour was set apart to consider its Report.
This declared the Eldership's "full sympathy with all the interests of the Church,"
and expressed a willingness "to do what we can for the upbuilding of God's
kingdom and the salvation of souls." But "as an Eldership we are very weak;
In dollars and cents we are very poor." But the hope was expressed "that it is
not far in the future when we shall be able to do our part" in home and foreign
mission work. Much interest was also developed in the Superannuated and
Widows' Fund, and ministers were admonished to pay into it "annually the
amounts they feel themselves able," and to "present the matter to the churches,
and hold collections for the same."
7th Southern Indiana Eldership. — Signs of progress are evident in various
directions as the Journal of 1887 is scanned. The place of meeting was the
capital of the State, Indianapolis, Marion county, where a church had been organ-
ized. There were important accessions to the ministry of the Eldership, as h. H.
The Southern Indiana Eldership 621
Spiher, C. P. Diltz, P. H. Woodworth and Mrs. M. B. Woodworth presented trans-
fers from the Indiana Eldership. Eight out of fifteen applicants for license were
ordained to the ministry, among them three sisters. Eight of the fifteen teaching
elders enrolled when the Eldership convened were present, with ten ruling
elders and twenty-three delegates. During the year the Standing Committee had
licensed two, one a sister. The Opening Sermon was delivered on the evening of
October 12th, by W. L. Young, from Heb. xiii. 1. He was chosen Speaker; J. S.
Walls, Clerk, and I. J. Whisinnand, Treasurer. The Eldership placed itself on
record as against the teaching that sanctification is "a second work of grace,"
but "that it is obtained in a true conversion, and that we attain higher attainments
by a growth in grace." The "cause of God in the Eldership" was reported to be
"in a prosperous condition," and "prospects for the future very encouraging." A
committee to revise the Constitution reported in favor of "President" as the of-
ficial title of the presiding officer, which the Eldership approved. The Eldership
ordered a seal to be procured for the use of the body. It was decided to hold a
Sunday-school Convention in June, 1888, and a committee to prepare a program
was appointed. There were eleven fields of labor, and as many pastors. The
Woodworths were designated as "General Evangelists," and C. P. and Sarah Diltz
"evangelists, to labor within the bounds of our Eldership." This apparent dis-
tinction was construed by the Woodworths as a license to go beyond the bounds
of the Southern Indiana Eldership, and even into the territory of other Elder-
ships, to labor in their capacity as evangelists.
8th Southern Indiana Eldership. — At Anderson, county seat of Madison
county, Ind., as at Indianapolis, Mrs. Woodworth was successful in organizing a
comparatively large church, which in the Fall of 1887 erected a fine bethel. Here
the Eldership convened October 2, 1888. The previous evening I. J. Whisinnand
delivered the Opening Sermon, from I. Tim. iv. 16, who was chosen President, with
J. B. Baring, Clerk, and F. M. Bickman, Transcribing Clerk. There were present
seventeen ministers, thirteen ruling elders and eighteen delegates; while four-
teen ministers were absent. Five new church organizations were reported. Mrs.
Woodworth's independent spirit manifested itself before she was a member of the
Eldership a, year. For in February, 1888, the Standing Committee declared her
license forfeited, as well as that of her husband, because "they could not con-
form to the laws of co-operation of the General Eldership, as found In Article
xxlx. in the Constitution of said body." This Article simply restrained the mem-
bers "of one Eldership" from removing "into the territory of another Eldership,
or laboring within its territory, without becoming a member of said Eldership and
coming under its .iurisdiction," a provision which is generally approved by re-
ligious bodies. The Woodworths had been holding revival meetings at several
points within the territory of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, whose Standing
Committee made complaint to the Standing Committee of the Southern Indiana
Eldership, which resulted In the above action. This course on the part of the
Woodworths was the beginning of trouble and disintegration in the churches or-
ganized by them at Indianapolis, Muncie, Anderson and other points. The name
of A. P. Stout, pastor at Indianapolis, was "dropped from the ministerial Roll."
He came in under Mrs. Woodworth's revival. The license of G. Haines "was re-
voked for insubordination." The church at Indianapolis was divided, the larger
part withdrawing from the Eldership. There was little cohesion in the churches
organized by Mrs. Woodworth, and the stability of the converts was proverbially
of an inferior order. But the Woodworths sent a letter of apology to the Elder-
ship, which was "accepted," and "they were reinstated as ministers of the South-
ern Indiana Eldership, and a transfer was granted them." The Eldership made
strenuous efforts to raise the amounts of the several General Eldership Funds ap-
portioned to it; but it realized that this was not possible "on account of the Im-
poverished and financially weak condition of the churches." But it adopted a
resolution to "organize a Board of Missions," and manifested a zealous and ag-
gressive spirit. It also "instituted an Eldership Contingent Fund, out of which
the current expenses of the Eldership shall be paid." The new Board of Missions
began work at once, advising "the sisters of each local church of God to organize
a Woman's Home Missionary Society, to help to raise missionary money to carry
on the work of the Lord in this Eldership." It also appointed a general collecting
agent for the Board. There were thirteen appointments made by the Stationing
Committee.
9th Southern Indiana Elderahip. — A successful revival meeting had been held
622 History of the Churches of God
and a church organized in Louisville, Ky., by Mrs. Woodworth, which, with one
organized in Greene county, Ind., was "received and enrolled" when the Elder-
ship convened at Union Bethel, Greene county, October 1, 1889. The previous
evening H. H. Spiher delivered the Opening Sermon, from Mark xvi. 15. There
were present thirteen teaching elders, nine ruling elders and sixteen delegates.
I. J. Wliisinnaiid was made President; and J. S. Walls, Clerk, and Whisinnand^
Treasurer. The transfers of P. H. and 31. B. Woodwoi-th had not been made use
of, as M. 15. Woodwoi'th "reported by letter," and her "license was renewed;" but
P. H. Woodworth returned his license and resigned his membership, which was
"accepted." Trustees for the Eldership were provided for, and Spiher, Love and
Juhu i>liller, Jr., were elected. Two sisters were granted licenses to preach. The
state of religion was reported "to be iij a more prosperous condition than hereto-
fore." But finances were low, as the Treasurer reported the receipt of only
$10.60 missionary money, and $14.50 contingent. The Superannuated and
Widows' Fund had $89.14 to its credit. The Eldership strongly urged "the
necessity of our ministers seeking as thorough a knowledge of English Grammar
and History (especially Bible History) as possible. As a modification of its former
action on Sanctification, the Eldership adopted a resolution, declaring, "that we
will, by the help of God, strive as never before to heed the injunction of the
Scriptures, 'Be ye holy, for I am holy,' and so separate ourselves from all sin and
impurity of heart and life." There were thirteen fields of labor, all but one sup-
plied with pastors.
l(Jth Southern Indiana Eldersliip. — The Southern Indiana Eldership spent
two days prior to its session in 1890, holding the S. S. Convention and Ministerial
Association. The three simultaneous meetings were held in the Cross Roads
Bethel, in Greene county, the former two on October 14th and 15th, and the lat-
ter beginning October 16th. The growth and strength of the churches were
gratifying. There were also two new organizations reported; but "some purgings
were necessary" in the churches of such heterogeneous elements as were brought
together under the Woodworth excitements. The church at Louisville, Ky., "the
first organization of the Church on Kentucy soil," was composed of "a few good,
noble brethren for the Church of God, straight and sound in an organized church
of God in the midst of a great and growing city." H. H. Spiher was appointed
pastor of this church, and was also "to work as a general evangelist in the
Southern Indiana Eldership." Besides Louisville, Ky., there were twelve fields
of labor, all supplied with pastors, including Indianapolis. The Board of Mis-
sions of the Eldership "consisted of two sisters and three brethren." The "Mace-
donian call came from Kentucky," indicating favorable conditions for mission
work in that State; but the General Evangelist and pastor of the Louisville
church made his headquarters at Muncie, Delaware county, Ind., and could give
but little time to Kentucky. J. W. Neely was President of the Eldership; E. M.
Love, Secretary. The churches "felt the pressing necessity for more liberal giving
to the work" as the demands for more laborers and the widening of the territory
forced itself upon them. Hence also "the brethren and sisters holding licenses
in the Eldership are recommended to open up new fields of labor."
. 11th Southern Indiana Eldership. — The same arrangement for holding the
S. S. Convention, Ministerial Association and annual session of the Eldership was
followed in 1891 as that which was so satisfactory in 1890. The Ministerial As-
sociation was held on October 13th; the S. S. Convention, on October 14th, and
the Eldership began its session on October 15th. On the evening of October 14th
the Opening Sermon was delivered by I. S. Havens. The Ministerial Association
discussed five subjects: 1. Bible Justification. 2. Is it the duty of ministers
to preach on the support of the ministry? 3. What is the true meaning of Bible
Sanctification? 4. What is a church? 5. Does the Bible teach a Trinity in
Unity? In addition to making assessments the Missionary and Contingent Funds
separately, delinquencies were charged up against churches which failed to pay
the full amount assessed the previous year. Correspondence was maintained be-
tween the Eldership and the General Baptist Association, and I. J. AVhisinnand
was designated "to attend their next Association." Several Committees were
"appointed to investigate important matters," and report to the Standing Com-
mittee. These included the property at Markleville, where "certain expelled
members had rented the bethel to the U. B. church half the time," which was de-
clared "null and void;" charges against a minister who "had invited a certain
sister into the stand and gave her liberty to speak, which she did in an unchristian
Thk Southern Indiana Eldership 623
manner;" complaints touching finances and reorganizing the church at Muncie.
Other troubles existed at Muncie, "a number of the members acting in insubordi-
nation in different ways." It was decided that no man should be considered a
member of the Church of God who will not conform to its rulings and the rulings
of the Eldership.
12th Southern Indiana Eldersliip. — The transfer of W. R. Covert to the
Southern Indiana Eldership added greatly to its strength, and gave it a man
capable of contending with the somewhat abnormal conditions in and surround-
ing the Eldership. At its session which convened with the church at Union
Chapel, Greene county, October 6, 1892, the recognition of this fact by the body
became quite clear. He delivered the Opening Sermon on the evening of Oc-
tober 5th. He was made the pastor at Anderson and Muncie, where there was
considerable trouble. He was also chosen one of the three ministerial delegates
to the General Eldership to convene in 1893. The President of the Eldership was
E. M. Love; Clerk, J. Vinson. There were appointments made to ten fields of
labor. Two of the appointees were "Eldress Mary A. Shelley," and "Eldress S. A.
Diltz." No one was appointed to Louisville, Ky. "The saloon traffic," the Elder-
ship declared to be "a moral, mental, physical, social, financial and political curse."
"No Christian should vote to legalize the saloon traffic." The "members of the
Church of God" were urged "to use all their intellectual, moral, financial and
political power to supress this great evil."
13th Southern Indiana Eldership. — Financially the Southern Indiana Elder-
ship was weak, as the Report of its Treasurer showed as made some time after
its session in 1893. But it paid its assessments for missionary purposes to the
General Eldership. It seemed to lack not only in liberality, but in methods and
energy. The assessments were indifferently paid, so that in 1893 thirteen out
of the nineteen churches were delinquent. The aggregate assessments for all the
churches was $56.00 for Contingent Fund, and $112.00 for Mission Fund. The
Eldership session was held at Curtisville, Tipton county, beginning October 20th.
E. M. Love delivered the Opening Sermon on the previous evening. Twelve of the
twenty-six ministers were present, nine ruling elders and delegates and two ex-
horters. And the names of two ministers "were dropped from the Eldership
Roll," while that of one was added, who had been a Methodist. E. M. Love was
chosen President; J. Vinson, Clerk, and I. J. Whisinnand, Treasurer. Indirectly
the "second-work Sanctification" theory was condemned by dropping the name
of one minister "on account of his second-workism." To work up one or two
Eldership Sunday-school Conventions two ministers were appointed. The death
of Joseph G. Laughlin, a man ennobled more by nature than by study, was
deeply felt by the Eldership. He became a member of the body in 18 64, and
served it efficiently in various capacities. There were eleven fields of labor, one
being in St. Louis, Mo., to which H. H. Spiher was appointed. None of the
licensed sisters was made pastor at this Eldership.
14th Southern Indiana Eldership. — Efficient work was done by pastors dur-
ing the Eldership year 1893-4. The newly-organized churches at Fairview,
Howesville and Pairland were represented at the session of 1894. Other evi-
dences of progress were not wanting. The session was held in the Shiloh Bethel,
Daviess county, and was opened October 11th. The Annual Sermon was preached
by I. J. Whisinnand the previous evening. Thirteen ministers were present, and
eleven absent, with seven ruling elders, ten delegates and four of the six ex-
horters. E. M. Love and J. Vinson were elected President and Clerk respectively.
"The traffic in intoxicating beverages," the Eldership declared, "we condemn in un-
measured terms as an indirect traffic in the souls of men." "A growing interest
in Church work throughout the Eldership" was reported, as Indicated "in a great
gathering of souls into the Church, and great energy and interest manifested."
One minister, Jacob B. Seneff, was removed by death during the year. The char-
acter and services of the deceased were such as to make his death a great loss to
the body. The Eldership voted in favor of changing "Church" to "Churches" in
the titles of Elderships. The churches were requested to deed bethels and par-
sonages to be built hereafter to the trustees of the Eldership, which were "author-
ized to receive and hold in trust all deeds, mortgages and bequests, and moneys
coming into their possession, subject to the orders of the Southern Indiana Elder-
ship. "The Muncie church property was ordered deeded to the mortgagee" "in
consideration of his mortgage, expenses and costs." The appointments numbered
eight, and there were three ministers appointed "to labor as General Evangelists
in the bounds of this Eldership."
624 History of the Churches of God
15th Southern Indiana Eldei-ship. — As the fifteenth Southern Indiana Elder-
ship was held within seven months of the meeting of the General Eldership, the
question of changing the place of meeting of the latter body was extensively dis-
cussed. The Executive Board had changed the place from Muncie, Ind., to Har-
risburg, Pa., which gave serious umbrage to at least the Southern Indiana Elder-
ship. The right of the Executive Board to make such a change was called in
question; the fact that the Southern Indiana Eldership did not ask for the change
was urged, and the offer to have Anderson substituted for Muncie was also set
forth as reasons why the Board should "reconsider its late action, and have the
General Eldership meet at Anderson." Reasons, too, which received no official
recognition were evidently exercising quite an influence in making the change.
The Eldership held its session at Anderson, Madison county, beginning with the
Opening Sermon on the evening of October ^, 1895, by J. W. Neely. Nineteen
ministers were present, and thirteen absent; five ruling elders and eight dele-
gates. Two of the delegates were women, and six of the ministers. The officers
elected were President, J. W. Neely; Clerk, O. E. Smiley; Assistant Clerk, John
Vinson, and Treasurer, James Groenendyke. The Constitution was amended so
that the Stationing Committee would consist of "five members of the Eldership"
instead of "two ministers and three delegates." The state of religion was "rea-
sonably fair," and "the cause of Christ was onward." There was, however, a
good deal of disputation in the Eldership and in some of the churches. In a
few instances "certain persons intruded themselves into pulpits" and sowed seeds
of discord. Conflict of authority in the local churches was set straight by an ac-
tion which decided that "the ruling of the local churches of God is in the hands
of the pastors, elders and deacons." The evils of the second-work sanctification
doctrine were manifested in the schisms which resulted, so that the Eldership con-
demned the practice of holding "so-called cottage prayer-meetings, which are
often led by dissatisfied members, and especially by the so-called 'Come-Outers,'
and those holding the doctrine of sanctification as a second work." This doc-
trine was repudiated. "All their intellectual, moral, social and political powers"
were to be used by "the members of the church of God of this Eldership to sup-
press and prohibit the liquor traffic." Mrs. Woodvvorth offered "to place the
church of God members at St. Louis (not the bethel) into," the Southern Indiana
Eldership. They were received. The second-work doctrine was also creating
trouble in said church. H. H. Spiher was appointed pastor of this church, against
whom "grievances were presented by certain complainers who believe in, and ad-
vocate, the doctrine of second-work sanctification." There were eleven fields of
labor. The delegates to the General Eldership were "instructed in favor of the
system of annual renewal of preachers' licenses."
16th Southern Indiana Eldership. — The year following the Eldership of 1895
was one of a good deal of disquietude, discord and contention, perhaps insinuated
in the notice of the meeting of the Eldership in 1896 in which it was stated that
"the Opening Sermon would be preached by W. R. Covert from the words: "Now
is my soul troubled,, and what shall I say, John xii. 27." The St. Louis church
also petitioned the Standing Committee to change the place of the meeting of the
Eldership to some other church. Serious charges were filed before the Committee
against four of the ministers, and against one of the churches. Insubordination,
disloyalty, creating dissensions, falsifying, duplicity, licentiousness, vulgarity and
infidelity were among the counts in the indictments. There were also actions of
the Eldership which by implication revealed the abnormal condition in which the
body found itself, and that notwithstanding the report on the state of religion,
which declared a "gain in membership, and a marked improvement in spiritual-
ity." The Eldership disapproved of any minister "in any way or manner, either
directly or indirectly, working against any pastor in charge of a field of labor, or
at any of his preaching places, or in any way injures the influence of a pastor
among the brethren, or before the public." Any one guilty of such action was to
be deprived of his license. The Eldership was flnancially embarrassed, and "three
or four churches houses" were in danger of being lost to the Eldership. The
right to discipline a whole church was asserted on the ground that, "according
to the Constitution of the Eldership, "all elders are members," and are thus "put
under the jurisdiction of the Eldership," which in case of insubordination has a
"right to administer its local matters." In the exercise of this power represen-
tation was to be denied to any church "until its assessments are first paid ia
full." The "old church of God at Indianapolis" was reported extinct. The
Markleville church had only three members left, and three others were extinct.
The Southern Indiana Ei^dership 625
The session was held at Walnut Grove, Greene county, beginning October 15, 1896.
It was presided over by I. J. Whisiunand, President; with John Vinson as Clerk,
and James Groenendyke, Treasurer. Fourteen of the twenty-seven ministers were
absent; there were present eighteen ruling elders and delegates, while six ex-
horters were absent. Assessments were made for the Contingent and Missionary
Funds, but the amounts were quite small, aggregating ?70.00 for both Funds.
Each minister was also required to pay "$1.00 into what shall be known as the
Superannuated Ministers' and Widows' Fund. Churches were advised to form
Young People's Societies, and missionary societies, and collect funds for home and
foreign missions. There were eleven fields of labor.
17th Southern Indiana Eldership. — Neither the General Eldership nor any
Annual Eldership at any time came to the point of a deliberate consideration of a
mutual union with any other religious organization; several annual Elderships held
negotiations with ecclesiastical bodies which manifested a disposition to unite
with them. Propositions of this character were canvassed by certain churches
In Indiana during the Summer of 1897. They reached a practical point by Sep-
tember, so that when the Southern Indiana Eldership met at Greensburg, Decatur
county, September 22nd, an official communication was on hand from a minister
"of another Church of God outside the Eldership" containing overtures looking
toward union. Initiatory steps were taken, after the Eldership was organized by
the elecjtion of H. H. Spiher, President; C. P. Diltz, Clerk, by accepting "the
friendly invitation of Elder M. A. Hughes to send delegates to the Church of God
which meets in conference at Sitka, Ind., October 6-8th, as requested by that
body." H. H. Spiher and J. W. Neely were the delegates. Twelve of the twenty-
six teaching elders were present; three ruling elders and six delegates, and one
of the five exhorters. Mrs. Woodworth's activity as an evangelist outside of the
Eldership having been officially criticised, the Eldership freed itself of responsi- '
bility by declaring that her license gave her no such privilege. Expressing high
esteem for her, she was asked to devote more time "in the bounds of our own
Eldership." The Eldership took serious exception to the action of the Board of
Missions making appropriations to any point within its bounds conditional upon
the "withdrawal of all official relations from Mrs. Woodworth." It not only re-
fused to do so, but demanded charges against her. The Muncie church property
having been sold, a loan was asked of the Executive Board of the General Elder-
ship to redeem it. This was not agreed to by the Board because its terms were not
complied with. The Treasurer's total receipts were $115.35. Groenendyke was
re-elected Treasurer. The stringent resolutions of 1896 against delinquencies
bore fruit, as but one church was in arrears on its assessments. The Standing
Committee was charged with the duty of revising the Constitution. There were
ten appointments, which included St. Louis, Mo., and Indianapolis,
18th Southern Indiana Eldership. — E. M. Love attended the Conference of
the Church of God at Sitka, White county, Ind., October 6, 1897, in lieu of H. H.
Spiher. The body was organized about 1850, and at this time numbered about
one thousand. Their faith and practices were about identical with those of the
Eldership. Their church houses numbered ten, with an interest in a few others.
They discussed the question: "Would it be profitable for us to unite with the
Church of God?" A committee was appointed to meet a similar committee of the
Eldership. The Minutes of their Annual Conference at Sitka were forwarded for
publication in The Advocate. A resume of their beliefs was also published Jan-
uary 19, 1898, over the signatures of a committee of five ministers. They were
reported to the Eldership in 1898 as "expressing a desire to unite with us as a
body." But there the matter rested so far as both the Eldership and the Con-
ference were concerned, except that J. Vinson of the former attended the Con-
ference and became "an ordained minister of this Conference." The annual
Minutes of the Eldership and Conference were published together in pamphlet
form. The session of the Eldership was held at Fairview Bethel, Clay county,
and opened on September 29, 1898, the sermon having been preached on the
previous evening, by H. H. Spiher, from Eph. v. 27. Theme: "A Glorious Church."
There were ten of the twenty-five ministers present, and ten ruling elders and
delegates. H. H. Spiher was chosen President; C. P. Diltz, Clerk, and also Finan-
cial Clerk, and bonded in the sum of $500.00, and James Groenendyke, Treas-
urer, who was also required to give bond in the sum of $500.00. The names of
four "ministers were dropped from the Ministerial Roll." The amended Consti-
C. H.— 21'
626 History of the Churches of God
tution was "debated and passed upon." The membership of the Eldership shall
consist of "the licensed ministers, and two ruling elders from each church who
shall be designated by the church having fifty members or less; also one ruling
elder from each church for every hundred members, or major fraction thereof,
over fifty." In the absence of elders "other members selected by the church as
alternates may fill their seats." A Board of Missions, a Board of Education, and
a Board of Church Extension are provided for. The Eldership "sustained a great
loss "in the death of J. W. Neely. He was "an able expounder of the doctrine of
the Church of God, an able counselor, a true friend of all good men, a special
friend of young ministers, and one always willing to sacrifice that the cause of
Christ might be built up." Thale's idea seems to have been exemplified in him:
"We can live most justly and honestly if we do not act ourselves what we repre-
hend in others." There were eleven charges, and Arthur Barnett, licentiate, was^
"to do missionary work in St. Louis under the supervision of the pastor of the
First Church of God in the city."
19th Southern Indiana Eldership. — The number of ministers of the Southern
Indiana Eldership at its nineteenth session was twenty-six, of which five were wo-
men. The strained relations between Mrs. Woodworth and the Eldership are
seen in the placing of "her license in the hands of the Standing Committee until
she consents to work more in the bounds of this Eldership, or takes her transfer
to the Eldership where she expects to labor most in the future." Also in another
action "discountenancing physical healing and phenomena as not being the fruits
of the Holy Spirit." The session was held with the church at Shiloh Bethel,
Daviess county, beginning October 12, 1899. H. H. Spiher preached the Opening
Sermon the previous evening. He was chosen President; R. M. Pine, Clerk; G.
W. Miller, Financial Clerk, and James Groenendyke, Treasurer. Spiher and
Groenendyke, by invitation, went to Idaville, December 20, 1898, "to compare
points of government and doctrine with some brethren who are known as the
Church of God," but no conclusions touching union were reached. The church
property at Anderson was sold for $1,200.00, amount of debt, subject to redemp-
tion within three years, the church to hold "joint possession with a certain In-
dustrial school.". It was ordered that "a committee be appointed to frame a
written form of what we believe to be a scriptural form of church government for
the government of local churches." The Board of Education was "instructed to
outline a course of Studies to be pursued by those desiring to enter the ministry."
W. R. Covert was appointed "to bear the kindly greetings of the Eldership to the
General Baptist Association to be held at Winslow, Pike county, Ind. Greetings
from said Association were delivered to the Eldership by Manners. It was
claimed that the value of Church property owned by the Eldership aggregated
$6,500.00; by local churches, $13,725.00; that there were fourteen bethels, seven-
teen churches; membership, 1,025; pastors' salaries, $1,196.38. Seven appoint-
ments were supplied with pastors.
20th Southern Indiana Eldership. — The President of Findlay College, C. Man-
chester, and the Financial Agent of the College, attended the twentieth session of
the Southern Indiana Eldership with the purpose of developing a deeper interest
in the College. They succeeded in "enlightening some in regard to the magnitude
of the work and its necessity in order to the preparation and prosperity of the
churches." The session was held at Union Valley Bethel, Greene county, begin-
ning October 4, 1900. The oflicers elected were W. R. Covert, President; R. M.
Pine, Clerk. Quite a number of ministers were absent, some because of age and
Infirmities, and others because of indifference. One of the "most important items
of business transacted was a slight change in the Constitution, closing the door
against isms, and not allowing parties to put their own construction upon the law,
thus enabling the Eldership to guard the interests of the churches more securely
against intruders." "Incorrect statements and false representations" had been
put in circulation against some members of the Eldership. These were corrected
so as "to redound to the good of the churches." The number of fields of labor
was nine, all but one supplied; but "the Report of the Committee caused some
friction," as the assignments were not all "satisfactory to the churches and com-
munities in the southern part of the Eldership territory."
21st Southern Indiana Eldership. — An important addition to the Eldership
was made during the year 1900-1, when the church at Idaville, White county, de-
cided to cast its lot with the Eldership of the churches of God. At the session'
held at Shiloh, Daviess county, opening on September 26, 1901, said church "was
The Southern Indiana Eldership 627
admitted to membership, and the delegates given seats." It was at this time the
strongest and most influential church in the Eldership. The Opening Sermon was
preached by W. R. Covei't, the theme being, "Christ the Only Foundation." H. H.
Spiher was elected President; R. M. Pine, Clerk; G. W. Miller, Financial Clerk,
and James Groenendyke, Treasurer. It was a session exceeding many former ones
in "the interest manifested on the part of ministers and delegates." The Elder-
ship made an effort "to raise the standard of education" by adopting a Course of
Studies, and requiring all who "desire Certificates of Ordination to pass the four
years' course of reading and study." The motive submitted for "all Christians to
use their influence to do away with the use of, and traffic in, intoxicating liquors,"
and to "cast their votes against the traffic," was that such use and traffic "are
detrimental to the cause of Christ, and to the success of his church." "A more
liberal spirit manifested by the churches" encouraged the pastors in entering on
their fields for the coming year. There were twenty-one preaching points named
on the nine fields of labor, two being in St. Louis, Mo. J. W. Cornell was ap-
pointed General Evangelist. W. R. Covert was the first pastor of the church at
Idaville.
22nd Southern Indiana Eldership. — The church at Idaville had the distinction
of entertaining the General Eldership in 1902. But the Southern Indiana Eldership
met at Cross Roads Bethel, Tulip P. O., Greene county, and began its session
October 16, 19 02. The Opening Sermon was preached by W. R. Covert, who "took
for his theme, 'The Church of God Composed of those whose names are written In
the Lamb's Book of Life.' " It was combative throughout, and vigorously at-
tacked the fallacy of a vision distorted by passion known as "the infallibility of
Elderships." Covert had lived for some years in an atmosphere of controversy,
and was strong in the defense of truth as he saw it, or in assaults on what to him
were errors. A more moderate temperament, it was believed, would have en-
hanced his power as a disputant. The "Official Reporter" of the session states,
. that "the sermon was well received, and 'co-operation' was the keynote of the Eld-
ership." This was evidenced by sundry actions, among them the appointment
of Mrs. May S. Bloyd, with Mrs. Nettie Spiher, and Miss Delia Jewell as Assistants,
"Eldership organizers of Woman's Missionary Societies." Also the policy adopted
which relegated to the past "the doctrine taught many years ago that it was wrong
for a minister to receive a salary." A better financial policy was adopted, which
Covert called a "common sense and scriptural plan of finance." A Church Exten-
sion Fund was also provided for "to save our property held in trust by the Elder-
ship." In effecting an organization H. H. Spiher was chosen President; James
Cornell, Clerk; I. V. Stalcup, Assistant Clerk; Henry Ireland, Treasurer. Resolu-
tions were adopted, stating that the Eldership does "not approve of the taking of
the money by the Treasurer of the Board of Missions" of the General Eldership,
"which was in the treasury of the W. G. M. S., and suggesting its "return back to
said W. G. M. S." And also, because "the abuse of a good thing is not an argu-
ment against the good thing." The "sisters of the churches of the Eldership"
were "urged to at once commence work and the organization of missionary so-
cieties," so that two delegates might be appointed to attend the Convention to
meet in June, 1903, "to form a general society, as per action of the General Eld-
ership." The "locating and erecting of a fine academy building in a central place
for the churches of God of our Eldership" was approved. This was to be a place
"for holding an annual camp-meeting and a Chautauqua." Covert was appointed
as "promoter to see if such a plan can be carried out."
23rd Southern Indiana Eldership. — The Idaville church. White county, being
within the boundaries of the Indiana Eldership, with forecasts of other churches
of the "White River Conference of the Church of God" coming over, probably
hastened negotiations for the union of the two Indiana Elderships. On July 29,
1903, announcement was made of a meeting of the Standing Committee of the
Southern Indiana Eldership at Idaville, on August 13th, and inviting "the Stand-
ing Committee of the Indiana Eldership to meet with us in joint session." The
Chairman of the Indiana Eldership Standing Committee issued a notice simul-
taneously, calling a meeting at the Johnston Hotel, Logansport. Cass county, ad-
joining White county on the East. This notice stated the object of "the joint
session of the two Committees at Idaville" to be "to consult with reference to
uniting the two Elderships." This joint session was held on the date published,
and after "a free and open discussion" the union was agreed to, and was to be
effected by the ministers of the Southern Indiana Eldership uniting with the In-
628 History of the Churches of God
diana Eldership, and the trustees of the Southern Indiana Eldership transferring
the property held by them to the Indiana Eldership. The former Eldership was
to "surrender its State Charter and return its ecclesiastical Charter to the Gen-
eral Eldership." This action, however, did not preclude the annual session of
the Eldership in 1903. It therefore convened, as per adjournment, at Shiloh,
Daviess county, September 22nd. The Annual Sermon was delivered by I. V.
Stalcup. The officers chosen were W. 11. Covert, President; R. M. Pine, Clerk;
G. W. Miller, Financial Clerk; Henry Ireland, Treasurer. It was evident that
new life and energy had been infused into the body, and a determination was
evinced "on the part of the churches and n;inisters to keep up with the times."
After appointing the ministers to the different fields of labor, six in number, and
adopting resolutions on the missionary and other interests, the question of "uni-
ting with the Indiana Eldership as a whole" was taken up. "After mature de-
liberation and strong discussion, it was unanimously agreed to, on certain condi-
tions." The Eldership consisted of twenty-seven teaching elders, of whom fifteen
were absent; six ruling elders, and eleven delegates. Two women were enrolled
as teaching elders, and six as delegates. One Transfer for all the ministers was
signed by the President and Clerk of the Eldership, and a certified list of ruling
elders and delegates. These were at once carried to the Indiana Eldership in ses-
sion at Sugar Grove, Noble county, and after considerable discussion were ac-
cepted, and conditions agreed to, and the two Elderships were one.
XII. THE KANSAS AND MISSOURI ELDERSHIP.
1st Kansas and Missouri Eldership. — The last Eldership was formed fourteen
years ago, in 1857, and yet quite an amount of Church extension work was done
during these years. Emigrants had been going into Missouri, Kansas and Ne-
braska. In some instances colonies of Church families had located in different
counties, constituting centers for Church work. These called for preachers, and
several had responded as early as 1865. The territory in south-western Missouri
and south-eastern Kansas was at quite a distance from the territory of any or-
ganized Eldership. The ministers were from the West Ohio Eldership, the In-
diana, the Southern Indiana, the Iowa, the West Pennsylvania and the East Penn-
sylvania, as well as one from the Texas Eldership, all without any official bond of
unity except that some of them were in the employ of the Board of Missions of the
General Eldership. The work prospered reasonably well, and the prospects in
both States, Missouri and Kansas, were hopeful and encouraging. These brethren
and ministers felt the need of closer association and of a governing body in their
midst. Consequently, but whether through their initiative or not can not now be
known, at the General Eldership at Decatur, 111., in 1866, on motion, "the brethren
in Kansas were authorized to form themselves into an Eldership, if they deem it
practicable." But no action was taken, nor was the matter agitated until toward
the Fall of 1871, when C. 15. Konkel and D. Keplinger and a few others began to
urge the organization of the Eldership. There was some opposition, partly on
the ground that the territory was claimed to be under the jurisdiction of the
Board of Missions of the General Eldership, and said Board, it was apprehehded,
might withdraw its support, and go elsewhere. Besides, Iowa Eldership had
taken up the work in the northern part of the State. Nor was it a settled ques-
tion whether the permission granted to organized an Eldership in 1866 had not
lapsed with the General Eldership session of 1869. Hence the further inquiry as
to whether the brethren who were leading in the movement were "not too fast."
Keplinger, "who has taken the lead in the matter," took the precaution to com-
municate with R. H, Bolton and other members of the Board of Missions of the
General Eldership, received encouragement enough to urge the organization in
1871, instead of waiting until after the General Eldership of 1872. He thought,
for some unexplained reason, that "we will be losers by deferment," and hence,
wrote Rolton in October, 1871, he "proposes to organize this Fall." Bolton re-
called the General Eldership action of 1866, and assumed that it has full force.
An appeal to the Editor of The Church Advocate elicited a reply in which it was
stated that the General Eldership in 1866 had "given them right to organize them-
selves into an Eldership when they deemed it expedient to do so. That right they
still have." The Editor also stated that "the occupying of part of Missouri by
The Kansas and Missouri Eldership
629
the Iowa Eldership did not determine the question of boundary." Thus the ob-
jections having been answered, the brethren seemed a unit in favor of the im-
mediate organization of the Kansas and Missouri Eldership. Accordingly a meet-
ing of ministers and ruling elders and delegates was called at the Keplinger
school-house, Crawford county, Kas., being on the Missouri State line, the second'
county north of the Oklahoma State line, for November 13, 1871. At this time
there were nine organized churches within the territory to be included in the
boundaries of the proposed Eldership, of which seven were in Missouri and two
in south-eastern Kansas, and seven preachers. On Sabbath, November 12th, there
were preaching services, and on Monday morning they met for business. The fol-
lowing resolution was submitted, discussed and adopted: "Resolved, That it is
expedient that we form ourselves into an Eldership capacity, thereby enabling us
to have some kind of co-operation system among ourselves." An enrollment was
made to "ascertain who will become members of this body," when "the following
presented themselves: Teaching elders: — D. Keplinger, C. B. Konkel, W. Ship,
man, Wm. Konkel and J. C. Cunningham. Ruling elders: — D. Gross, Wm. C. Rutli
and A. Whisler. Delegates: — H. S. Berkstresser, T. J. Stephens, S. J. Konkel, A.
D. Keplinger.
J. Davidson, J. B. Kiling and T. R. Funk." S. V. Sterner and D. Blakely were
absent, the latter on account of illness; but both were represented by letters, ex-
pressing their intention to become members of the Eldership, and they were en-
rolled as members. "D. Keplinger was appointed Speaker by ballot," and O. B.
Konkel, Clerk. Rules of Order were adopted, identical with those of the Iowa
Eldership. Committees were appointed by the Speaker on Arrangements. Over-
tures, State of Religion, License, Finance and Resolutions. The Eldership elected
a Standing Committee of three, and a Stationing Committee of three. Thomas
Stephens made application for license to preach, but "he was recommended to im-
prove his talents another year." A delegate was elected to the General Eldership
in 1872, and was "instructed to use his influence to have the General Eldership
give us all the territory south of the Missouri River." Provision was made for an
Opening Sermon at the next Eldership. On temperance the Eldership declared
that "the use of ardent spirits is a great moral evil," and that "we will counten-
ance all lawful means for the suppression of this great evil in our land." It "rec-
ommended and encouraged the organization of Sabbath-schools throughout the
bounds of the Eldership." It appointed delegates to attend "Sabbath-school Con-
ventions .in Crawford and adjoining counties." Ministers from other parts of the
630 History o^ the Churches of God '
country" were earnestly invited "to come and join in with us in carrying on the
glorious cause of religion." The periodicals of the General Eldership were
strongly approved. The delegate to the General Eldership was "instructed by his
influence and vote to have established by the General Eldership a 'Tract Fund,'
to publish tracts, books and pamphlets in the interest of the Church of God."
The Stationing Committee created the circuits of Leavenworth county, Kas. ;
Bourbon and Linn counties, Kas.; Montgomery, Wilson and Allen counties, Kas.;
Crawford county, Kas., while Blakely and Sterner were to labor among the
churches in Missouri.
David Keplinger was a native of Virginia, born September 1, 1823, and died
at the Soldiers' Home in California, November 13, 19 07, aged 84 years, 2 months
and 13 days. He was ordained to the ministry by the Ohio Eldership, in 1849.
He became identified with the Indiana Eldership, in which he labored until June,
1852, when he removed to Wells county, Ind., and became a member of the In-
diana Eldership on November 1st, of that year. He soon became a prominent
member of this Eldership, a successful missionary and an indefatigable worker.
He presided over the Eldership as Speaker in 1853, 1854 and 1855. He traveled
some very large circuits, one of them, in 1854, was "450 miles around." At the
Indiana Eldership in 1867 he was among the absentees. He reported by letter,
stating that on October 3, 1866, he left for Missouri, locating in Jackson county.
Thence he removed to Crawford county, Kas. He continued to labor in Missouri
and Kansas until he removed to California, where he still did considerable preach-
ing, and reported annually to his Eldership up to 1907. He was remembered by
his Eldership "as the one great helper in the cause of the Master." It regarded
him as "our beloved brother whom Providence has called to the home above."
He was pronounced "faithful to the Kansas Eldership, of which he was a charter
member, also faithful to his fellow men and to the God he so fondly loved." Of
limited education, his strength lay in his natural talents and the nobility of his
character and fulness of his consecration.
2nd Kansas and Missouri Eldership. — The territory of the Kansas and Mis-
souri Eldership, as claimed according to actions of the Stationing Committee was
exceptionally large, including the two States. Appointments were made to the
counties in the extreme north-eastern and south-eastern counties of Kansas, and
the south-western and north-western and central counties of Missouri, while the
Iowa Eldership was requested to supply Peakville, in the north-eastern corner of
the State. Hence, there was "a lack of active workers to supply the demand" at
the second Eldership. The ministers and delegates assembled at the Frederick
school-house, Cass county. Mo., some twenty-five miles south of Kansas City, Mo.
There were eight teaching elders present, and R. H. Bolton, who was made a mem-
ber of the body during the session; two ruling elders and three delegates. D.
Blakely was chosen Speaker, and C. B. Konkel, Clerk. "The ground occupied by
this Eldership," the Committee on Resolutions said, "properly speaking, is a mis-
sionary field," and hence the Eldership looked for continued and liberal aid from
the Board of Missions of the General Eldership. It rejoiced over "past success,"
and exhorted ministers and churches "to take courage to labor more zealously in
the future." More missionaries were asked for the "inviting fields yet among
us." Quarterly ordinance meetings were recommended. It was suggested to the
Standing Committee "to appoint at least one camp-meeting to be held during this
year." The Eldership was deeply touched by the death of Domer, from whose
Eldership D. Blakely came, and expressed the sense of its "loss of a truly good
and great man, whose brilliant career in the active ministry has not only won for
himself honor due the ministry, but endeared him to the body." Nine fields of
labor were created, in addition to Peakville, which were to be served by twelve
ministers. In the Crawford county circuit was included Fort Scott mission, county
seat of Bourbon county. Each preacher was required "to lift a missionary col--
lection from each church on his charge." And also "raise a public collection for
Eldership contingencies." The prospects for "the future growth and prosperity
of the Eldership" were reported "flattering," and "if all workers do their part, a
good and glorious success may be reported the following year." A committee "to
draft a system of co-operation," which was adopted, "reported that of the East
Pennsylvania Eldership in part, and in part that of the Iowa Eldership."
3rd Kansas and Missouri Eldership. — The Eldership in 1872, desiring "to
meet further north so as to afford a favorable opportunity for the ministers and
churches in northern Missouri and Kansas to attend," selected the Keystone Set-
The Kansas and Missouri Eldership 631
tlement, Clinton county, Mo., as the place of holding its session in 1873. But
there was some disappointment, as seven of the ministers were absent when, on
Tuesday, October 2nd, the Eldership convened. There were, however, several
accessions, as George Thomas and C. S. Bolton handed in their transfers. R. H.
Bolton, being present and "received as a member of this body during its session,"
was elected "Chairman;" C. S. Bolton, Clerk, and J. C. Ozias, Treasurer. There
were present eight ruling elders and four delegates. Two very important items
of business, of which the Boltons doubtless deserve the credit, were brought be-
fore the Eldership. • R. H. Bolton, George Thomas and D. Blakely were named as
a committee to "draft a Constitution for missionary purposes." They reported
at a missionary meeting the full draft of a Constitution of what was called "The
Missionary Aid Society of the Kansas and Missouri Eldership." The payment of
twenty cents made a person a member for one year; ten dollars, a life member, or
a subscription of $10.00, with payment of interest, and the principal at death, and
$100.00 on the same conditions, "an honorary life member." The money thus
received was to be exclusively appropriated for mission work. The amount of
$300.00 was at once subscribed. A "Constitution of the Superannuated and
Widows' Fund" was also adopted and the money thus secured was to be used "to
maintain superannuated and disabled ministers in good standing, and the widows
and children of ministers." By some means the Report of the Stationing Com-
mittee reduced the circuits to six.
4th Kansas and Missouri Eldership. — In 1874 the Eldership returned to near
the boundary line between the two States, meeting at Pleasant Hill, Cass county.
Mo., about ten miles south-east of Kansas City, on October 5th. J. Moi-eland
preached the Opening Sermon the previous evening. Nine teaching elders were
present, five ruling elders and three delegates. C. S. Bolton was elected Speaker;
D. Blakely, Clerk, and J. C. Ozias, Treasurer. The error made by the first Elder-
ship in receiving "J. E. Cunningham somewhat irregularly, he being a member of
the Texas Eldership," which "had been rejected by the General Eldership," was
corrected, "by voting him a member of this Eldership, and granting him a license."
The Book Depository at Harrisburg, Pa., was "hailed with joy." The delegates
to the General Eldership were instructed to use their influence to have the ratio
of representation in the General Eldership changed to one in every fifteen. The
Eldership resolved that "the scriptural ruling power of each individual church is
vested in the ruling elders thereof." Some difficulties having grown out of min-
isters trespassing on each other's territory, such acts were strictly forbidden. The
moral reason for abstaining from the use of intoxicants as a beverage were
strongly set forth. Young men contemplating the Christian ministry were ad-
vised to "avail themselves of the educational advantages offered so freely on every
hand." Cass county was considered "the center of our Eldership;" and as it was
not able to support a minister, but "ought to be sustained," the Eldership made
an appropriation of $50.00 "for the support of a preacher the coming year." The
Eldershjp as a committee of the whole stationed the preachers on five circuits,
three in Kansas and two in Missouri. The "news of the prosperity of our beloved
Zion" was "not as cheering as we could wish," or as was predicted; yet the Elder-
ship rejoiced "to know that numbers have been converted and some churches or-
ganized in our Eldership bounds during the past year."
5th Kansas and Missouri Eldership.— Even in so young and small a body as
the Kansas and Missouri Eldership was at this time, it had its troubles. There
was a radical difference of sentiment on the Keystone and Caldwell circuit, which
the Eldership concluded could only be adjusted by a division of the field. The
Stationing Committee with unaffected artlessness thought "the whole circuit re-
quired more piety." Then a spirit of "electioneering" seems to have possessed the
representatives of circuits, which the Eldership declared that it "stoutly con-
demned, as calculated to anticipate and supercede the work of the Eldership."
The Eldership convened at Center View, Cass county, Mo., October 7, 1875. The
officers chosen were C. B. Konkel, Speaker; S. D. C. Jackson, Clerk, and H. S.
Berkstresser, Treasurer. There were nine ministers in attendance. John Coulum,
a young Englishman, was ordained. As a tendency toward Congregationalism in
the local churches manifested itself, the Eldership called "the attention of the
churches to a strict recognition, both in theory and practice, of the scriptural in-
vestiture of the Eldership with the supervision and rule of God's church, in con-
* tradistinction to the unauthorized principle of Congregationalism." In a strong
resolution the body disapproved of "any teaching elder to subordinate his ser-
632 History of the Churches op God
vices in the Church to his secular interests, so as only to accept such appoint-
ments as lie contiguous to his farm or place of business, or so circumstance him-
self as to necessitate the residence of his family many miles from his scene of
activity. Such as are called, health and opportunity allowing, should be 'wholly
given to the ministry.' "
6th Kansas and Missouri Eldership. — Of the fifteen teaching elders seven
were present at the organization of the sixth session of the Kansas and Missouri
Eldership which convened at Polo, Caldwell county, Mo., October 5, 1876. Eight
ruling elders were present. The Eldership was organized by fhe election of C. B.
Konlcel, Speaker; D. Blakely, Clerk, and D. Keplinger, Treasurer. "Intemperate
use of all things" was condemned, and the Eldership filed its "utter protest against
the use as a beverage of all intoxicating drinks." The written report sent in by
the aged Wm. Konkel, "probably his last report," made a deep impression on the
body, and was spread on the Journal in full. He expressed the fear that many
ministers were "not teaching genuine conversion, or heartfelt religion. Hence,
we see so many spiritual declensions in the churches." "I have mourned to see
ministers and churches so indifferent in regard to the kind of material used in
establishing churches." Finding more pressing needs for all their funds in sup-
port of pastors, it was agreed to "set aside our Home Mission and Widows' Fund
Society until such time as our financial circumstances will justify us in taking
them up." But the Eldership was careful to preserve inviolate a one hundred
dollar trust fund donated to this Society. The Stationing Committee reported
eight fields of labor, two of them being in Kansas, in Crawford and Wilson
counties. Peaksville appointment in the extreme north-eastern corner of the
State was cared for by the Iowa Eldership. The Eldership manifested a spirit
of loyalty to the General Eldership; approved and commended its publications,
and expressed its willingness to bear its part of all the common burdens.
7th Kansas and Missouri Elderehip. — During the year the Eldership lost
several of its strongest members by removal. C. S. Bolton went to the Nebraska
Eldership. John P. Coulum returned to England, and was "appointed mission-
ary," and S. D. C. Jackson was transferred to the Illinois Eldership. In the way
of accessions were G. R. Kinzey, of the Iowa Eldership; W. C. Peters, of the Ohio
Eldership, and Evan Wilson and Clara Yutzy licentiates. The Eldership assembled
with the church at Frost's school-house, De Kalb county, Mo., October 4, 1877.
The previous evening the Opening Sermon was delivered by D. Blakely, from Matt,
xxviii. 19, 20. D. Keplinger was chosen Speaker; S. A. Wagner, Clerk, and C. B.
Konkel, Treasurer. The ministers were all strongly advised "to apply themselves
closely to study, keeping pace with the age of advancement in which we live."
But it was believed that in addition, "a course of studies should be fixed by the
Eldership for all ministers of the body," and that "a committee of three be
chosen annually to examine all ministers of the body in such branches as may
have been assigned them by the previous Eldership." The renewals of licenses
was made dependent on passing in these studies. During the year five new
churches were organized, and one disorganized. An effort was made to minimize
the evil influence resulting "from preachers either neglecting or deserting the
work assigned them," by rendering them liable to the censure of the Eldership.
The anticipated death of AVm. Konkel occurred "perhaps at the very time his
report, a year ago, which will not soon be forgotten," was being read, and was
lamented with genuine sorrow. He was "a noble father in Israel, whose wise
counsels yet speak." Every licensed preacher was requested "to canvass the
membership and take a collection at each preaching point" for the General Elder-
ship Missionary Fund. The Stationing Committee made nine fields of labor,
three of them being missions.
8th Kansas and Missouri Eldership. — Returning to Kansas, the eighth annual
session was held at the Keplinger school-house, Crawford county, beginning Oc-
tober 10, 1878. D. Blakely delivered the Opening Sermon the previous evening,
from Ps. Ixviii. 11 — The Word and its publishers. There were eight teaching
elders present, and one delegate. Balloting resulted in the election of C. B. Konkel,
Speaker; C. S. Bolton, Clerk, and P. Heflefinger, Treasurer. A judicial trial had
found one minister guilty of "contempt of Committee," and "untruthfulness;" but
acknowledgments were accepted, and the offending member restored. Letters to
the Eldership were declared unauthentic unless the names of the ruling elders
were attached thereto. The movement to make a course of studies effective bore
The Kansas and Missouri Eldeirship 633
fruit, as the ministers in the course were examined in English Grammar, Church
History, Ancient History and Geography. An overture was adopted to the Iowa
Eldership, providing that the worlc in Page county, Iowa, be taken over by the
Kansas and Missouri Eldership in exchange for the Peaksville circuit. The
second-work sanctification theory had been preached at some points in Missouri;
but the Eldership declared that "we entertain no fears in relation to the evil
effects of the error of the second blessing doctrine, clothed in a false garb, giving
it a Bible cast." On the subject of temperance the deliverance of the Eldership
was in harmony with its doctrine of "moderation in all things, the rightful use
of all things essential to our well being." It defined "regeneration" to be a
radical change in the inner man, twofold in its nature, moral and spiritual,
effected by the power of truth and the efficiency of the Holy Spirit." And "re-
pentance implies a deep humiliation of spirit before God, a deep-seated indignation
against sin, an ardent desire for the remission of sin and acceptance with God."
On the question of "the second blessing" in the work of sanctification the yeas
and nays were called, resulting in yeas, 7; nays, 3. This year the Eldership
mourned the death of George Thomas, who had "stood in the front for over thirty
years as a minister of the gospel; was amongst the most useful preachers among
us; was the instrumental means under God in the salvation of many souls, and
organized many churches." A Ministerial Association was appointed to be held
in June, 1879. "Great declension in the spirituality of the churches" was la-
mented, and was attributed to "the neglect of prayer." It was accordingly rec-
ommended that "every church keep up a weekly prayer-meeting; that every fam-
ily, preacher and church member, keep regular family worship, morning and
evening, as far as possible." The first day of January, 187 9, was "set apart as a
day of fasting and prayer."
9th Kansas and Missouri Eldership. — The Eldership at the session in 1879
realized that it was mistaken clemency which restored a guilty preacher upon his
confession, and made him a General Missionary. For during the year J. H. Wood-
bury, "twice censured for falsity and dishonesty with the brethren," in conjunction
with a few others, and "without the consent and consultation of the Eldership,
acted insubordinately, and became one of the leading spirits in the organization
of an Independent Eldership in Kansas." He was accordingly "expelled from the
body," and "we further caution the brethren in Kansas and Missouri of the man."
J. M. West, who became "insubordinate, and connected himself with" the Inde-
pendent Eldership, was also expelled. Two additions in the persons of Nevnon
Hill and Jasper Smith were received dliring the session. The Eldership convened
at Polo, Caldwell county. Mo., October 2, 1879. C. B. Konkel preached the Open-
ing Sermon on said evening. Theme: — "Repentance and Conversion." Konkel
had been elected Speaker; C. S. Bolton, Clerk, and P. Heffelfinger, Treasurer. It
was becoming a practice to form "Circuit Elderships," one of which existed In
Crawford county, Kas., which transacted business for the circuit, recommended
ministers, and arranged the affairs of the circuit. Though there "were divisions
and strifes" during the year, yet the Committee on the State of Religion believed
"the cause is on the advance; some of the obstacles are being removed from our
midst which have been great hinderances to the cause, and that the accessions
have been greater during the year than the number that fell away." The min-
isters were directed to take collections at all appointments for a Contingent Fund.
Co-operation between churches and the Eldership was insisted upon, and efforts to
foster and encourage such a spirit were to be made by all the ministers and
churches," and prayer was urged to be made that this "result may be speedily
accomplished, until brotherly love and union shall reign, without a schism in the
body." A conference was solicited by "Elder Linn, of the Baptist Church," with
"some of our ministers, at Pleasant Hill, Mo.," who "expressed a desire to become
connected with the Eldership and take a work." The invitation was accepted,
the conference to be held "some time in the future." Three of the nine circuits
to which ministers were assigned were in Kansas — Osage and Crawford counties,
and the South-west Kansas Mission. To secure greater care in granting licenses,
the application of M. H. Northrop was refused because a Rule had been adopted
"requiring all applicants to be present."
10th Kansas and Missouri Eldership. — The last session of the Kansas and
Missouri Eldership was held at Keystone, Clinton county. Mo., and began on Wed-
nesday morning, October 13, 1880. The previous evening the Opening Sermon
was preached by E. Wilson, from Isaiah Iv. 7. The membership present consisted
634 History of the Churches of God
of six ministers, three ruling elders, three delegates and two exhorters, while ten
ministers were absent. E. Wilson presided as Speaker; N. Hill was Clerk, and P.
Heftelfinger, Treasurer. There were six sittings during the three days of the
session, apparently very busy ones. An appeal case came up after organization,
taken by C. Eckard, from the action of the church at Keystone Bethel, Kingman
county, Kas., "on the grounds of illegality of procedure." After reading the pro-
ceedings from the church Minutes, the appeal was entertained. The "legality was
then discussed by Heftelfinger, Blakely, C. S. Bolton, Sudsberry, Hill and Ogden,"
and "the action of the church was sustained, and the appeal dismissed." It was
decided that applicants for license "before receiving a license shall be solemnly set
apart by an ordinational address, followed by the solemn prayers and invocation
of the body, led by one appointed for the occasion by the Speaker." Positive reso-
lutions were adopted in favor of "setting apart the seventh part of time for special
service in God's sacred worship;" that "God commands the business world to a
standstill during this time for divine service at his public altars," and that "all
business transactions of a worldly character on the sacred day are wrong, and
should be rebuked by the example and life-acts of every Christian." In poetic
phrases education was lauded, and "the brilliancy of our star of educational in-
terests" admired, "as it has assumed additional proportions in strength and
luster." To secure a better support for the active preachers, each circuit was ad-
vised to have "the officials of each church meet soon after the Eldership, and ap-
point a committee to make a pro rata assessment on each church, to be paid by
said church to the minister." Circuit Elderships we're held on some fields, which
were approved. Against the evils of intemperance the body spoke in clear, strong
terms, and especially condemned "the visiting of saloons with the object of tip-
pling by any church member," as being "in direct violation of the teachings of
the Master." A protest against "even the use of tobacco" was incorporated in the
resolutions on temperance. A strongly worded protest was adopted against the
Iowa Eldership for "taking entire control of the Peaksville, Mo., work, in supply-
ing the pulpit without consulting our Eldership," and the matter was called to
the attention of the General Eldership. On the divorce question the Eldership
"solemnly protested against the soliciting for divorce and the dissolution of the
marriage relation in all cases excepting for the cause stipulated by our Savior, be-
lieving this to be the scriptural rule." All "laborers within the bounds of this
Eldership" were "earnestly entreated to devote their time and talents to the work
of sustaining and extending the cause in which we labor, as a kind providence
may direct." Churches were admonished "to co-operate in harmony with the
elders, not only in appointments made by the Eldership, but in standing by ap-
pointees with sympathy and support." Appointments were made to all the cir-
cuits, ten in number, both in Kansas and Missouri.
XIII. THE MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA ELDERSHIP.
1st Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — No Eldership had been organized with
as much deliberation as the Maryland and Virginia. This was doubtless the result
of opposition by the East Pennsylvania Eldership, whose territory included Mary-
land and Virginia, and which had built up the work in those States by the em-
ployment of its men and means. The agitation to form an Eldership was begun
prior to 1853, by J. F. AVeishampel, a native of Baltimore, Md., and member of
the East Pennsylvania Eldership. He was a constant traveler, going from church
to church over almost the entire territory of the East Pennsylvania Eldership,
sometimes as authorized agent of The Church Advocate, and at other times on his
own account. His was ain inventive, fertile mind, and his schemes were quite
numerous, if frequently not approved, or unsuccessful. A great deal of his travel-
ing in those early days was on foot. In this way he got into the homes of very
many of the families of the churches not only in Maryland, but also in Pennsyl-
vania. He had thus canvassed the project extensively with the Maryland churches
and brethren. In a letter addressed "To the Maryland Brethren," in 1853, he
argued strongly in favor of organizing an Eldership in that State. In it he states
that he "had brought the matter before the East Pennsylvania Eldership several
years ago; but it was laid on the table." The movement was not spontaneous
The Maryland and Virginia Eldkrship 635
with the Maryland churches. They knew the objections and disadvantages. One
of these objections was the slavery question; the fear that- an Eldership in Mary-
land might become pro-slavery, and thus cause serious trouble. This objection
Weishampel attempted to meet in his open letter in 1853. The matter apparently
slumbered, after this defeat, for ten years, when, in 1863, VVeishampel made a
journey through Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties, Md., on foot, and
agitated the matter, carrying with him a "Petition" for a Maryland and Virginia
Eldership. When his canvass was about completed he published an article in The
Advocate, in which he stated, that "all the churches went in strongly for the
petition to the next General Eldership for the grant of the privilege to form an
Eldership in Maryland, as soon as the way is ready;" that he thinks "the time has
•come, and has long been, when Maryland ought to have an Eldership of her own."
He had also with regret alluded, in June, 1860, to the neglect of mission work in
Maryland by the East Pennsylvania Eldership, citing Frederick City as an in-
stance; "but it will be so until Maryland has an Eldership of its own. All the
churches in Maryland seem favorable to such an organization." To Weishanipel's
letter in 1863, Thomas, the Editor, replied at some length, and with some severity
criticised Weishampel and his project. "Weishaiiipel has laid hold again of one
of his pet projects with a will and determination that, if directed to a proper and
really useful object, ought to succeed. We have no pleasure in opposing or
throwing difficulties in the way of any of the numerous schemes projected by our
mechanically minded brother. We have no misgivings in predicting that, should
he succeed in severing Maryland from the East Pennsylvania Eldership, it would
result in almost fatal disaster to the former." He then states two objections: 1.
"That there are only two circuits in Maryland;" and, 2, "The churches do not
have the strength, even if they should have the pecuniary means, to support a
separate organization." This second objection he elaborated to a considerable
extent. S. V. Steraer, pastor of the Washington county, Md., circuit, took up the
first objection, and endorsed it, proposing that "an effort be made to raise $50.00
or $75.00 missionary fund by the time the East Pennsylvania Eldership meets,
and tender it to said Eldership on condition that it find a missionary and support
him out of said fund, which would enable us to form another circuit. An Elder-
ship should never be formed with less than three circuits." But the "Petition to
the General Eldership from a number of brethren to be granted permission to
form an Eldership in the State of Maryland," was presented to that body in 1863.
It was referred to a committee composed of Shoemaker, Swartz and T. Hickemell,
who reported It with a negative recommendation, which the Eldership adopted.
Thus the matter rested for five years, when, in 1868, the East Pennsylvania Eld-
ership met at Uniontown, Carroll county, Md. The matter was brought before
said Eldership, in an auspicious time and place, and it was referred to the min-
isters and delegates present from Maryland. They met together and discussed
the question, and then voted against It. But at the General Eldership which met
at Mt. Carroll, 111., May 29, 1872, "a memorial was received from a number of
prominent brethren in the State of Maryland, praying this body to grant them the
privilege of organizing an Eldership in their State." The Committee on Bound-
aries, A. Megrew, D. Keplinger and J. F. Meixel, reported favorably on this memor-
ial, and fixed the boundaries: "That the lines run along the line between Pennsyl-
vania and Maryland, up to the Allegheny mountains, and along the line of said
mountains through Virginia, including all of Virginia east of the Allegheny moun-
tains." This report was adopted.
The way having been thus officially prepared, "the ministers and elders of
the churches of God in Maryland and Virginia met at Creagerstown, Frederick
county, Md.," in October, 1872, to decide whether or not an Eldership shall be or-
ganized. Ephraim Garner, a lay elder, was elected President, and C. L. Amy,
teaching elder. Secretary. This Convention resolved to "appoint the time and
place for forming said Eldership;" named Uniontown, Carroll county, Md., as the
place, and November 27, 1872, as the time; "requested all the ministers and ruling
elders in Maryland and Virginia to be present," and "solicited the hearty co-opera-
tion of all the brethren of the East Pennsylvania Eldership."
As per action of the Convention, "the delegates appointed by the different
churches of God in Maryland and Virginia met in Uniontown, Md., on Wednesday
evening, November 27, 1872, for the purpose of organizing an Eldership for the
State of Maryland and Virginia. The Opening Discourse was preached by Ehler
S. Spurrier." The officers of the Convention were made the temporary officers of
636
History of the Churches of God
the Eldership, and it was agreed, "that all the teaching and ruling elders of the
churches in Maryland and Virginia, and all the delegates present, be entitled to
full membership during the present sessions." To these were added "all the
brethren whose names were subscribed to the Petition to the General Eldership."
The following, under these actions, were enrolled as members: C. L. Amy, \Vm.
Palmer, P. Lookingbill, B. Williams, S. W. Naill, J. W. Kipe, J. A. Saxton, S. S.
Richmond, P, D. Collins, S. Spurrier, Wm. McElroy, J. H. Esterline, teaching
elders; J. Spielnian, J. Shupp, N. Greenaualt, C. Easterday, S. N. Harbaugh, John
Rowser, P. Hahn, B. Fleagle, E. Gamer, John Gore, D. Fuss, J. H. Chew, A. Gar-
ner, J. Rowe, J, Hooker, J. E. Strickler, J. H. Chi-ist, Ezra Garner, A. Slonecker, J.
Hollenberry, Joel Caylor, D. S. Segafoose, A. Harris, S. P. Ogle, Geo. W. Gilbei-t
and Jesse Williams, ruling elders and delegates. J. H. Chew, C. L. Amy and P. D.
Collins were named as a committee "to form a Constitution and By-Laws for the
S. Spurrier.
government of this Eldership," which reported "a Constitution which was in sub-
stance the Constitution and By-Laws of the East Pennsylvania Eldership," and
which "with a few unimportant alterations was adopted." The Eldership then
organized by electing S. Spurrier, Speaker; J. H. Chew, Treasurer; C. L. Amy,
Journalizing and Stated Clerk; J. H. Christ, Transcribing Clerk, and Geo. W. Gil-
bert, Financial Clerk. The advisory members were C. H. Forney, J. Haifleigh and
G. W. Seilhammer, of the East Pennsylvania Eldership. Eight ministers signified
their willingness to take appointments. When the Stationing Committee reported
it named eight fields of labor, one of them the Virginia and Potomac Mission, to
which it appointed eight pastors with four assistants. A resolution was adopted
pledging every candidate for license "not to use as a beverage any spiritous or
malt liquors, or wine," to which ^was added an amendment instructing "all min-
isters to preach against intemperance in all its forms." A Board of missions was
appointed, consisting of J. H. Chew, E. Gamer, J. Speilman, J. Gore and P. Hahn,
The Maryi^nd and Virginia Eldership 637
all ruling elders. A Board of Education was named, consisting of C. L. Amy, J.
H. Christ and P. D. Collins. P. D. Collins, J. H. Chow and J. Spielman were
named as the Standing Committee. S. W. Naill and D. Fuss were licensed to
preach. The Eldership rejected a resolution declaring that it is "advisable for
the ministry of this body not to acknowledge any as members of any local church
until they shall have been baptized." Each church was requested "to appoint
an active brother or sister to collect all the missionary money possible." Resolu-
tions of a general character were adopted, recommending to members "the im-
proving of their own minds by all the means within their reach, and securing for
their children the best educational facilities their means will allow."
The Speaker of the first session of the Maryland and Virginia Eldership, S.
Spurrier, was a native of Maryland, born near Mt. Airy, in Frederick county, Sep-
tember 9, 1828. He had no educational advantages, and had neither means nor
time for mental improvement. But he was a careful student of the Scriptures,
and possessed good natural powers, so that he became an acceptable and influ-
ential minister among the common people. His stalwart Christian and moral
character was the strongest recommendation among the people with whom he
labored. He was a stonemason, and in building bethels where he labored, he
often did the mason work himself. He received his first license from the East
Pennsylvania Eldership at Shiremanstown, Pa., November 10, 1858. After being
a member of the Maryland and Virginia Eldership from 1872 to 1880 he returned
to the East Pennsylvania Eldership, in whose fellowship he continued until 1897.
He was instrumental in the organization of a number of churches, laboring most
of his years in the active ministry on missions, or poor charges. He built the fol-
lowing eight houses of worship: Pleasant Ridge, Carroll county, Md. ; Creagera-
town, Frederick county, Md. ; Friends Creek, Frederick county, Md. ; Germantown,
Washington county, Md.; Fairplay, Washington county, Md.; Berkeley county,
Va.; New Baltimore, Franklin county, Pa., and Mt. Hope, Adams county. Pa.
2nd Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — The harmony which characterized
the first session of the Maryland and Virginia Eldership was disturbed before it
met in annual session at Creagerstown, Frederick county, October 8, 1873. S.
Spurrier, Speaker, had trespassed on C. L. Amy's field of labor, and in other ways
had laid himself open to charges, which were preferred against him by Amy be-
fore the Standing Committee, which came up at the first sitting for approval. It
had decided that Spurrier had done wrong; but it also reflected on Amy "for using
too strong language in writing and speaking to other parties." As the parties
"assented to this, the difficulty was amicably settled." But Amy's license was
later withheld "until existing difficulties between him and the church at Fairplay
be amicably adjusted." Twelve teaching elders, fifteen ruling elders and three
delegates were present at this session. The officers elected were P. D. Collins,
Speaker; J. H. Christ, Stated Clerk; B. Williams, Transcribing Clerk; J. Kolb,
Financial Clerk, and J. H. Chew, Treasurer. By resolution "each member of the
Eldership personally agreed and hereby promised to make an effort to collect all
the money possible between now and the meeting of the next Eldership for the
purpose of paying on bethels built by the Church of God." The Board of Mis-
sions had appropriated a total of $410.00 during the year. Mission work had been
started at Frederick City, and Amy was instructed to continue his labors there.
A missionary meeting was held on Friday night, when "the sum of $264.87 was
subscribed for the Missionary Fund." Applicants for license were placed "under
the instructions" of their pastors. Dates were fixed on which the pastors were
required to take up collections for Contingent, Missionary and Superannuated
Funds. On the use of tobacco the Eldership would only urge "the members of
this body to abstain from the use of tobacco while in the house of God." Ten
fields of labor were constituted, of which three were missions. Spurrier was ap-
pointed "General Missionary of the Eldership; authorized to raise all the mis-
sionary money he can on the entire ground." Each licensed minister was to have
at least one appointment, and "each minister of this body be requested to visit
Virginia, and assist the pastor to hold protracted efforts for the advancement of
the cause of God in Virginia."
3rd Mai-j'Iand and Virginia Eldership. — The friction created between C. L.
Amy and the Standing Committee was not allayed during the year, and made some
trouble during the session of the Eldership in 1874. Amy offered an amendment
to the Committee's Report, that its action in his case "be made null and void, and
that the whole matter be referred to a special committee." After considerable
638 History of the Churches of God
discussion this was not agreed to. And when the Report was adopted, Amy pre-
ferred charges against the Committee for "malfeasance in office," and other of-
fenses. The matter was investigated with closed doors; but the public record shows
that "Amy has fully acknowledged he has done wrong," and he was "exonerated
from all charges made against him." But the wounds were not healed. The Elder-
ship sat at Carrollton, Carroll county, Md., meeting Thursday evening, October
22nd, with quite a full representation. P. D. Collins preached the Opening Sermon,
from 2 Tim. ii. 3. He was chosen Speaker; J. H. Christ, Stated Clerk; B. Wil-
liams, Transcribing Clerk, and J. YV. Kipe, Financial Clerk. The Committee on
the State of Religion rejoiced that it could "report progress in the different
churches. New churches have been organized and numbers have been converted
during the year and added to the Church." It made special mention of the
progress of the work in Virginia. Studies were prescribed for the younger mia-
isters, and they were required to meet the Board of Education to be examined in
the first year's studies. To insure pastoral visiting, each minister was required
"hereafter before receiving his license to report the number of families on his
charge visited by him." Again the Eldership placed itself on record against re-
quiring ministers "not to fellowship any one before baptism." At a Missionary
meeting held on Monday night a total of $227.86 was received in cash and pledges.
Members of the churches were requested "to assist the young ministers in pro-
curing books, and encourage the work of education among the young." One ser-
mon each year was to be preached by each minister "against the sin of using in-
toxicating liquors as a beverage." There were eleven circuits and missions sup-
plied by the Stationing Committee, two of them being in Virginia.
4th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — In theory all the Annual Elderships
maintained the parity of teaching and ruling elders; with a few other Elderships,
the Maryland and Virginia reduced this theory to practice. At the session which
was held at Warfieldsburg, Carroll county, beginning November 11, 1875, John H.
Chew, a prominent lay elder, was elected Speaker, with J. H. Christ, Clerk, and
John Gore, Treasurer, both lay elders. But B. Williams, Transcribing Clerk, and
J. W. Kipe, Financial Clerk, were teaching elders. B. Fleagle preached the Open-
ing Sermon. There was an unusually large attendance, and the business was dis-
patched with unanimity. The good feeling was deepened by the mellowing influ-
ence of death in their ranks, for the Eldership mourned the departure of P. D.
Collins, whose loss was keenly felt. "We had earnestly hoped that our beloved
brother should have lived long to fill his place as a useful member of the Church
of God." He "labored earnestly and faithfully for the extension of the Church."
L. H, Selby was received by transfer from the West Ohio Eldership. The friction
-in the relations between the Eldership and C. L. Amy brought about an unusual
condition. Instead of taking an appeal in regular form to the General Eldership,
he presented a preamble and conclusion, stating that on account of "a disposition
in the Eldership to suppress my evidence in relation to matters concerning my-
self, I hereby withdraw wholly therefrom to labor independently until the meet-
ing of the General Eldership in May, 1878, to which I appeal." The "withdrawal
from the Eldership" was accepted, with a "protest against the grounds of his with-
drawal." The incorporation of the Eldership was decided upon. A Ministerial
meeting was ordered to be held in February, 1876. Stated times were fixed for
lifting the collections for the different Eldership Funds. The Eldership closed on
Wednesday night with an ordinance meeting.
5th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — The anomalous position in which Amy
had placed himself became evident during the year, and in consequence his request
for a conference in his case between the Standing Committee of the Maryland and
Virginia Eldership and that of the East Pennsylvania Eldership had to be re-
fused, he not being a "member because of his voluntary withdrawal." The nine
fields of labor were represented by fifteen teaching elders, fourteen ruling elders
and nine delegates, when the body convened at Fairplay, Washington county, Md.,
October 27, 1876. John H. Chew, having been licensed by the Standing Com-
mittee, preached the Opening Sermon. The officers elected were S. W. Naill,
Speaker; J. H. Christ, Stated Clerk; B. Williams, Transcribing Clerk; J, A. Sax-
ton, Financial Clerk, and John Gore, Treasurer. Chew, having failed to secure
an Act of Incorporation, was continued as a committee to attend to the matter.
When J. A. Staub made application for license he was "requested to occupy at
least twenty minutes in a theological discourse before this body." The same
. course was taken with Elias Woods and G. Hombaker. The bethel which had
The Maryland and Virginia Eldership 639
been built in Virginia was "recommended to be sold and the debt paid." Perhaps
during no other session of the Eldership was a more practical turn given to be-
reavements than at this. Wm. McElroy, the devoted missionary to Virginia for
so many years, had ended his earthly labors. He had been an active minister for
forty years. Humble, unaspiring and self-denying, "he endeavored to preach
Jesus to the people. Wherever he went, he went preaching." Each member of
the Eldership was admonished "to follow him as he followed Christ." The death
of Bro. John Sweden, whose bequest of $1,300.00 to the Eldership created the
"Sweden Fund," was made the occasion for solemn admonitions to "our dear
brethren and sisters over the entire bounds of our Eldership to live more holy and
pious lives." A general camp-meeting was provided for. Each preacher was in-
structed to "preach at least one sermon each year at each of his appointments on
the evil effects of the use of intoxicating liquors."
6th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — The Eldership in 1877 met as an in-
corporated body by Act of the Maryland Legislature. The session was held at
Uniontown, Carroll county, Md., where the Opening Sermon was preached by S.
W. Naill, on Thursday evening, October 18, 1877. The following morning an or-
ganization was effected by the election of L. H. Selby, Speaker; J. H. Christ, Jour-
nalizing Clerk; B. Williams, Transcribing Clerk; J. A. Saxton, Financial Clerk,
and John Gore, Treasurer. The receipts reported by the Treasurer for the dif-
ferent Funds were: — Missionary, $136.32; Widows' and Orphans', $93.62; Con-
tingent, $17.52; Bethel, $20.90; Superannuated, $41.36. While one bethel had
been sold in Virginia, a special committee to visit that part of the territory re-
ported one "in course of erection west of Martinsburg about five miles." There
were "five or six members of the Church of God in the vicinity." At the mission-
•ary meeting the "amount collected and subscribed was $200.35." When the Com-
mittee on Temperance reported it submitted one resolution in which the Eldership
would pledge itself "to abstain not only from the use of intoxicating liquors, wine
or cider as a beverage, but to discourage their use in others." It was proposed
to strike out "cider," and also to insert the word "hard" before "cider." This pre-
vailed, and the resolution was adopted. Later, on a motion to erase the whole
resolution from the Journal the yeas were four, and the nays, nineteen. The terri-
tory was divided into ten circuits and missions, several of which were left un-
supplied.
7th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — In 1878 the Eldership held its annual
session at Creagerstown, Frederick county, Md., beginning October 9th, with
twelve teaching elders, eleven ruling elders and four delegates present. J. H.
Chew was elected Speaker; J. H. Christ, Stated Clerk; E. Appier, Transcribing
Clerk, and J. A. Saxton, Treasurer. The Treasurer's Report showed receipts for
Mission Fund, $237.52; Widows' Fund, $105.01; Superannuated Fund, $76.38;
Bethel Fund, $12.81; Contingent Fund, $50.98. The Eldership expressed its
readiness "cheerfully to co-operate with the General Eldership in all laudable ef-
forts to extend the cause of God." An appropriation out of Eldership funds was
made "to aid the church at Sharpsburg in erecting a house of worship." The
amount of $125.00 was thus appropriated out of the Missionary Fund. Two elders
and some of the members of the church at Union Bethel were condemned because-
they "persisted in holding an ice cream festival in opposition to the will of a ma-
jority of the members of the church." The Eldership also voted, "that the hold-
ing of festivals by the Church of God for the purpose of raising money for any
cause is wrong." The total amount received from the Sweden estate was $1,-
897.34, "invested at 6 per cent, for the benefit of the Eldership." On Saturday
evening of the session a missionary meeting was held at which "$91.26 were re-
ceived in cash and subscriptions." The place for holding a Pentecostal meeting
was selected, and the holding of a Ministerial meeting was decided upon, and a
Committee on Program was named. Monday evening, after an appropriate sermon'
by J. W. Kipe from John xiii., on "The ordinance of washing the saints' feet," "the
ordinances of the Church were attended to." It was also decided to "hold an
Eldership camp-meeting," which was placed under the direction of a committee
appointed for that purpose. Nine fields of labor were arranged by the Stationing
Committee, two of them being missions.
8th Maryland and Y'irginia Eldership. — Still further to encourage the Sharps-
burg church for whose benefit an appropriation was made in 1878, the session of
the Eldership in 1879 was held at said place, in Washington county, Md., begin-
ning on Tuesday morning, October 28th. The Opening Sermon was preached on
640 History of the Churches of God
Monday evening by Wm. Palmer, from 1 Cor. i. 21-^"The Salvation of Man."
Palmer was chcsen Speaker; J. H. Christ, Stated Clerk; E. Appier, Transcribing
Clerk; J. A. Saxton, Financial Clerk, and John Gore, Treasurer. To still further
aid the Sharpsburg church in paying for its house of worship, the missionary meet-
ing was dispensed with, and instead "an effort was made to collect funds to cancel
the debt." Debts reported by a committee on different houses of worship aggre-
gated $559.29. To enforce payment in full by churches when a pastor "has dis-
charged his duty," the Eldership decided that it is "under no obligation to supply
such churches with a minister until the amount agreed upon is paid." The min-
ister and ruling elders of "every organized church within the bounds of the Elder-
ership" were "required to organize a Sabbath-school." In the will of John Sweden
it was provided that from the income from his bequest "the bethel at Carrollton
and the burying ground be kept in good order and repair," and so the interest
from said bequest for the following Eldership year was appropriated for said pur-
pose. The Stated Clerk, J. H. Christ, was at this Eldership ordained a teaching
elder. The committee in charge of the camp-meeting in 1878 reported holding
the same, but stated that it "did not continue the camp over Sabbath because they
believed they could not do so without encouraging "a great amount of sinful and
unlawful trafficking on the Lord's day." The Eldership not only adopted the Re-
port, but also a resolution committing itself against Sunday trafficking "at our re-
ligious gatherings." Samuel Fleagle, "a faithful and efficient member and min-
ister of the Eldership," had passed away during the year, and his death was la-
mented by the body in suitable resolutions. The number of fields of labor ar-
ranged by the Stationing Committee was twelve. Virginia Mission was connected
with Sigler's appointment, in Maryland.
9th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — Several unusual incidents character-
ized the ninth session of this Eldership. Of these one was "a challenge received
during the latter part of the session by Wm. Palmer to discuss certain scriptural
questions." The Eldership gave its official "approval of said discussion," which
was held in January, 1881. A minister of the German Baptist Church made appli-
cation "to become a member of the body." He was "recommended to examine
more fully the Scriptures on the action of baptism." Action was taken, providing
for certain amendments to the Constitution, one of which entitled any minister
who paid $1.00 annually into the Widows' Fund "to draw from said Fund his pro
rata of the whole amount of said Fund for the benefit of his widow." The session
was held at Carrollton, Carroll county, Md., and began October 13, 1880, on the
evening of which day Wm. Palmer preached the Opening Sermon, from Jer. iv. 2,
who was elected Speaker; J. H. Chew, Stated Clerk; Elias Appier, Transcribing
Clerk; J. A. Saxton, Financial Clerk, and John Gore, Treasurer. The Treasurer's
Report showed that during the year the Missionary Fund received $194.27; the
"Widows' Fund, $52.91; the Contingent Fund, $18.16; the Superannuated Fund,
$20.99; the Bethel Fund, $12.29. An "applicant for license was allowed twenty
minutes to speak before the Eldership;" but was then "instructed to improve his
talents," and report the following year. The Eldership declared that it "will put
forth our utmost efforts to stop the traffic in intoxicating beverages," and each
pastor was "required to preach one sermon at each appointment durrng the year
■on the sin of using intoxicating liquors as a beverage." A compromise was pro-
posed touching the Sweeden bequest, whereby the Eldership retain $1,00().00, and
"the balance to be paid over to the elders of the church of God at Union Bethel."
The vote stood, yeas, 8; nays, 14. As the "financial condition of the Eldership is
not as good as desired," it was ordered that "each member of the Eldership en-
deavor to become more interested in all the collections," and the brotherhood was
"urged to increase the funds by responding more liberally." A Camp-meeting
•Committee was appointed to conduct the Eldership camp-meeting. The Eldership
also resolved to hold a Ministerial Association, and named the place. Virginia
was omitted from the list of appointments, which consisted of seven circuits and
five missions.
10th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — Providence favored the Eldership
during the year, so that the ranks were unbroken when the twenty-four teaching
-elders and three delegates convened in annual session at Locust Valley (Sigler's),
Frederick county, Md., October 27, 1881, to listen to the Opening Sermon by
William Palmer. But the body sympathized with the East and West Pennsylva-
nia Elderships, and recorded suitable sentiments of condolence on the death of
CJeorge Ross, P. Loucks, S. S. Richmond and J. S. Gable. J. W. liipe was chosen
The Maryland and Virginia Eldership 641
Speaker; J. H. Chew, Stated Clerk; Elias Appier, Transcribing Clerk, and John
Gore, Treasurer. A Board of Education was also elected. The financial condi-
tion of the Eldership was deplored, and more liberal contributions requested "to
carry on the great work of the Church." The interest in the Palmer-Wells de-
bate of January 7, 1881, still survived, and a "committee to report on the discus-
sion" was appointed, which expressed "the feeling of gratitude" experienced by the
Eldership "for the victory achieved," according to Palmer, "the highest commenda-
tion for the able manner in which he conducted the discussion." The College pro-
ject was strongly endorsed, and "the agent of the Board of Education heartily in-
vited to canvass our fields to solicit funds for that purpose." G. Sigler, of the East
Pennsylvania Eldership, attended the session, and was requested to preach on the
ordinance of Feet-washing on Tuesday evening preparatory to observing the ordi-
nance. Religious conditions were fair, but the cause was "not progressing to the
extent desired." The "ministerial brethren and the brotherhood" were exhorted
"to push forward the good work."
nth Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — The Eldership camp-meeting had
been so conducted in 1880 and 1881 as to become subject to severe criticism. Min-
isters and brethren of the Eldership were urgent in advocating reforms, or abandon-
ing the camp-meeting entirely. A resolution was, therefore, adopted in 1882,
in which it was declared that "the trafficing, bartering, selling and making
the camp-meeting a place of merchandise for financial profit is contrary to the
teaching of Jesus as set forth in the Scriptures," and hence the Eldership, repre-
senting "the churches of God in Maryland, will abstain from this practice here-
after." The session of the Eldership was held at Friendship Bethel, Frederick
county, Md., and began October 18, 1882, when J. W. Kipe preached the Opening
Sermon, from Mark xvi. 15. The following morning the body was organized by
electing J. A. Saxton, Speaker; re-electing Chew, Appier and Gore, and making
choice of J. A. Staub for Financial Clerk. The Sweeden Fund and the Bethel
Fund now figured in the Treasurer's Report. The former, however, was invested,
and was not in the Treasurer's hands; but $63.04 are credited to the Fund. The
latter had $34.86 to its credit, which was paid on the Brownsville Bethel. An
attempt "to strike out the Bethel collections" failed. The annual missionary
meeting was held on Monday evening, when the amount raised in pledges and
cash was $50.36. There were eight fields of labor, but Uniontown, by request,
was left unsupplied. J. A. Saxton was appointed General Evangelist.
12th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — The unsupplied charge of 1882 was
filled by the transfer of W. P. Winbigler from the East Pennsylvania Eldership,
who was reappointed in 1883. Virginia was again placed on the list of appoint-
ments to be served by three different ministers "every six weeks alternately."
The Eldership convened at Fairplay, Washington county, Md., on October 11, 1883,
the Opening Sermon being preached the same evening by J. A. Saxton, from Phil.
1. 6. There were enrolled as present twenty-six ministers and delegates. William
Palmer was the choice of the body for Speaker; John H. Hombaker, Journalizing
Clerk; John A. Saxton, Financial Clerk, and John Gore, Treasurer. The report
of the Treasurer indicated a healthy improvement, the total available for mis-
sions being $397.60; Contingent Fund, $33.24; Widows' Fund, $215.30; Super-
annuated Fund, $183.51. The working of the "Bethel Fund" is seen in the re-
port of a committee "on the bethel at Sharpsburg," which paid off a judgment of
$340.90, and took title to the property for the Eldership. These reports having
been acted upon. Gore resigned as Treasurer, and J. A. Saxton was elected.
Charges were preferred against one of the most active members of the Eldership
by Winbigler, who claimed to have been "misrepresented by the statement that he
was liable to indictment before the grand jury." But the matter, after much
discussion, was indefinitely postponed. The missionary meeting resulted in cash
and pledges amounting to $80.00. Prior to' the observance of the ordinances by
the Eldership on Tuesday evening, William Palmer preached on the ordinance of
washing the saints' feet. The Eldership greatly rejoiced over the triumph of
the temperance cause in Iowa and other States, and urged renewed activity- in
temperance work by the ministers.
13th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — The action of the Eldership taken In
1882, deprecating the desecration of the Sababth by Sunday trafficing at the
camp-meeting, did not effect a change. The matter was agitated without inter-
ruption during the two years, and the evil work continuing, the Eldership in 1884,
under the leadership of Jolm H. Chew, adopted most drastic measures to put it to
C. H.— 22
642 History of the Churches of God
an end. A resolution was passed, declaring "that this Eldership will withhold the
license from any teaching elder of this Eldership who violates the resolution
passed by this body in the year 1882, in regard to trafflcing at camp-meetings."
The Eldership held its session at Mayberry, Carroll county, Md., beginning No-
vember 6, 1884. J. W. Ivipe preached the Opening Sermon. P. Lookingbill was
elected Speaker; J. H. Chew, Journalizing Clerk; J. H. Horabaker, Transcribing
Clerk; B. Williams, Financial Clerk, and J. A. Saxton, Treasurer. While "the
missionary work in the Eldership was warmly advocated by the brotherhood," and
a Board of Missions was regularly elected, only $20.00 were appropriated during
the year for missions, leaving $84.27 in the treasury. "One of the strong men
in the Church of God in Maryland, Benjamin Fleagle, was called from labor to
reward since the last Eldership." The Eldership recorded its "high esteem for
his marked fidelity during the many years of his service as a true minister of the
Church of God." It was determined that the Church at Sharpsburg "must pay the
inter' 3t on the judgment" held against the property by reason of the payment of
the debt, keep the bethel insured, or the "Eldership will foreclose said judgment
and sell the property." By all lawful and just mean, "the Eldership declared,
that it will oppose the monstrous evil of intemperance." It also decided "to
hold a Sabbath-school Convention, in May or June." There were nine fields of
labor, including Virginia, to which a missionary was appointed.
14th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — "A grand success" was the judgment
pronounced on the fourteenth session of the Maryland and Virginia Eldership by
William Palmer, official correspondent. He declared "it was good in its recep-
tion;" "delightful in its sittings." Its "jtanding" was said to be "better than it
has ever been." Misisonary money to the amount of "about $600.00 was loaned
out to liquidate debts on different houses of worship." It had "$1,000.00 in the
Contingent Fund" on interest; a "Widows' Fund of not less than $250.00;" "per-
haps $250.00 Superannuated Fund." In the main a layman, later licensed,
J. H. Chew, was the active manager in gathering these Funds. A total of
twenty-five members, all called "elders," except one delegate, were present at this
session, which began October 15, 1885, at Warfieldsburg, Carroll county, Md.
Peter Lookingbill preached the Opening Sermon, from Heb. xiii. 17. J. W. Itipe
was elected Speaker; J. H. Chew, Journalizing Clerk; J. A. Saxton, Transcribing
Clerk; J. A. Staub, Financial Clerk, and J. A. Saxton, Treasurer. Denouncing in-
temperance in emphatic terms, the Eldership only "agreed to use all lawful means
to stop this great evil." The "brotherhood" was "strongly recommended to pay
their respective pledges" for the support of Pindlay College, "and as much more
as possible," and "to pay liberally to aid in mission work at home and abroad."
The Eldership lamented the death of Elias Appier, a man of "noble Christian traits
of character." The interests of the body in Virginia were not prospering. But a
minister was appointed to that field, and "a special agent" collected $160.00 to pay
toward a house of worship on that mission. In addition to this mission there were
nine fields of labor. A general missionary was also appointed. The Uniontown
circuit was left unsupplied. It had been served by a minister of the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership, but he received a transfer back to said body, and the Stationing
Committee was informed that said "circuit will not receive a preacher from the
Maryland and Virginia Eldership the present year." The Eldership resolved "that
no Eldership, or body shall supply said circuit without the consent of this Elder-
ship."
15th Maryland and Virginia Eldershij). — The Eldership during the year came
to a consciousness of the inadvisability of direct control of funds by the body. It
formerly made appropriations on the floor; but a resolution easily passed this
session, "that hereafter our ministerial brethren apply to the Board of Missions
for appropriations." The Eldership convened at Union Bethel, near Carrollton,
Carroll county, Md., October 8, 1886. There were in attendance thirteen teach-
ing elders, thirteen ruling elders and four delegates. They elected J. A. Staub,
Speaker; J. H. Chew, Journalizing Clerk; J. A. Saxton, Transcribing Clerk; G. E.
Hughes, Financial Clerk, and J. A. Saxton, Treasurer. The Eldership resolved to
"use all and every legitimate means to suppress the acknowledged evil of intemper-
ance by not only talking it down, but by living it down." A missionary meeting
was held on Monday evening, at which an "aggregate amount of $67.96" wag
received. The Treasurer received for the same fund for the year $182.79. R. T.
Anderson, of New Jersey, was licensed to preach, and "in connection with A. W.
Philhovver," was appointed a "General Missionary in New Jersey." There were
eight other fields of labor, and one General Misisonary for Maryland. The cause
The Maryland and Virginia Eldership 643
of religion throughout the Eldership was reported to be "in a prosperous condi-
tion." On the last evening a sermon was preached by the Speaker "on the sub-
ject of the ordinance of feet-washing, after which the ordinances were observed.
The Uniontown circuit this year received the appointee of the Eldership, J. A^
Saxton.
16th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — It was doubtless good policy for the
Eldership in 1886 to vote to hold its next session at Oak Hill, and let the Stand-
ing Committee change it to Uniontown. And further, for the body in 1887 to di-
vide Uniontown circuit so as to make Uniontown a station and concede to it the
privilege of securing a pastor from the East Pennsylvania Eldership. G. W. Seil"
hammer was prevailed upon to accept the charge. He united with the Eldership,
and when it convened at Uniontown, Carroll county, Md., October 28, 1887, he
was chosen Speaker. The other officers were J. H. Chew, Stated Clerk; J. A.
Sa.vton, Transcribing Clerk; J. AV. Kipe, Financial Clerk, and J. A. Saxton, Treas-
urer. The delegates to the General Eldership were required to make a formal
report. The amount of missionary money which said body assessed on the Mary-
land and Virginia Eldership was apportioned to the different circuits. A sad
coincidence of the Eldership was the death of W. P. Winbigler "Just at the close
of his work among us, before removing from our midst." He had received a
transfer, to return to the East Pennsylvania Eldership. It was regarded as a
"strange providence." He was regarded as "a good and noble Christian brother,
and an able expounder of the New Testament Scriptures." In him was beautifully
blended youthful optimism and matured experience. The Eldership kept a more
paternal eye on incipient church enterprises, and was more ready to step in and
help struggling and weak churches than was customary. This year the church at
Middletown was given permission to canvass the Eldership territory for funds to
aid in building a bethel. The church at Piney Creek received special attention
in a matter involving the deed to its property, and in the payment of a debt on the
property. The judgment on the Sharpsburg bethel, held by the Eldership, on
which execution had been issued, was held over for one year, and ministers were
appointed to go there, "hold a series of meetings, and assist in an effort to have
sinners converted, and collect all moneys possible." Otherwise the Eldership
disclaimed authority to interfere in local church business. The appointments con-
sisted of one station and six circuits, with one general missionary.
17th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — An appeal from a local church is a
proceeding quite generally considered in order, even where the next higher organ-
ization has no specific provision for it. But at least in a case in "an appeal from
the decision of the church of God in Uniontown" to the Maryland and Virginia
Eldership, it was not entertained. The Eldership met at Mayberry, Carroll county,
Md., October 12, 1888. The Opening Sermon was delivered by G. W. Seilhammer
the previous evening, from Ps. ex. 3. Thirty-four ministers and delegates were
in atetndance. William Palmer was their choice for Speaker; G. W. Seilhammer,
Stated Clerk; J. A. Saxton, Transcribing Clerk; J. W. Kipe, Financial Clerk, and
J. A. Saxton, Treasurer. Under its strict business system of managing funds the
Eldership instructed the delegates of a delinquent charge "to return and collect
the deficit." Yet it was so far oblivious to the requirements of fiduciary integrity
as to adopt an action which "instructed the Treasurer to take money out of any
fund that belongs to the Eldership if needed to meet the wants of this Eldership,
except the Sweden Fund principal." Because his "moral character, on his own
confession, was such as was intolerable by this body," one minister "was expelled
by a unanimous vote of the Eldership." • Always particular to pay assessments
made on it by the General Eldership, it was ordered that "the amount lacking in
our General Eldership assessments be paid by the Treasurer out of any fund in his
hands, to be replaced as the brethren return to him their collections for that pur-
pose." To prevent a similar deficit a year later it was resolved, "that the Elder-
ship positively enforce on the ministers to collect the General Eldership assess-
ments on the Maryland and Virginia Eldership, and if not paid, hold them re-
sponsible." Besides the "New Jersey Mission," there were eight fields of labor.
Virginia Mission was omitted.
18th Maryland and Virginia Eldership.— During the year the most active,
aggressive spirit in the Eldership for years terminated his earthly career. Though'
he had fallen under a cloud the year previous to his death, his moral delinquency
was measurably condoned, and the Eldership lamented his departure as that of
"one who had been so useful as a counselor and prominent in all of the work of
644 History of the Churches of God
the Eldership." The session was held at Sharpsburg, Washington county, Md.,
and the Opening Sermon was delivered by William Palmer on September 5, 18 89,
from Lam. iv. 21. When it convened the following morning thirty-four min-
isters and delegates responded to their names. They elected J. A. Staub, Speaker;
retained Seilhammer as Stated Clerk; elected J. P. Garner, Transcribing Clerk;
J. W. Kipe, Financial Clerk, and J. A. Saxton, Treasurer. The funds were in a
creditable condition. Receipts for Missionary Fund, $249.00 ;_ Contingent Fund,
$122.79; Superannuated Fund, $245.79; Widows' Fund, $332.78; Sweeden Fund,
total, $1,272.65. The ministers were required, by an amendment to the By-
Laws, "to pay $1.00 into the Widows' Fund annually, and $1.00 annually into the
Superannuated Fund." The beginning of the Eldership year was changed from
"the first day of April, as formerly, to the first day of November." A Sunday-
school Convention was agreed upon "this coming year;" the place selected, and a
Committee on Program named. R. T. Anderson, the New Jersey missionary, had
no report before the Eldership, and "no person knowing any thing about him, his
name was stricken from the Roll," as was also the name of the Mission. There
were eight fields of labor, five of which received appropriations out of the Mission-
ary Fund.
19th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — Local interest in the doings of the
annual Elderships prevailed in keeping their Minutes in The Advocate year after
year for quite a period after they were generally disapproved. And when in 1890
the Maryland and Virginia Eldership published "a short synopsis of the proceed-
ings" its dissatisfaction was voiced officially by the Clerk: "It may not be satis-
factory to many of our brethren that are interested in the general workings of
the body; but those parties who hitherto refused to take The Advocate on account
of the long Journals (if their profession be true) will not object to our brevity.'
The session was held at Middletown, Frederick county, Md., and began September
25th. J. A. Staub preached the Opening Sermon. J. W. Kipe was elected
Speaker; G. W. Seilhammer, Stated Clerk; J. H. Christ, Transcribing Clerk; B.
"Williams, Financial Clerk, and J. A. Saxton, Treasurer. Seventeen ministers were
present, nine of which were appointed to the fields of labor. No work was being
done in Virginia. Action was taken to have pastors go to their new fields of labor
on November 1st. Assessments were made for the Home and for the General
Eldership Missionary Funds. While only two pastors received appropriations by
the Stationing Committee, it was decided that "the missionary money collected
during the year be divided among the ministers at the coming Eldership as their
wants may deserve."
20th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — The Maryland and Virginia Eldership
has always enjoyed the reputation of a harmonious and internally untroubled
body. So the session of 1891 was said to have been "well attended, well enter-
tained, and for harmony and good will it excelled any previous Eldership for
years." It met at Fairplay, Washington county, Md., October 15th. T. Still was
elected Speaker; G. W. Seilhammer, Stated Clerk; W. H. Engler, Financial Clerk;
Jesse Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk, and J. A. Saxton, Treasurer. The interests
of the Eldership were "in fairly good condition," and the "state of the churches
spiritually and financially" was gratifying. All but one of the eight fields of labor
were supplied. A General Missionary appointment was also made. One young
man was ordained. The local churches organized Aid Societies to help to gather
funds for their own use and to replenish the Eldership treasury.
21st Mai-yland and Virginia Eldership. — The session of the Maryland and
Virginia Eldership in 1892 was "an interesting and harmonious one, and showed
some progress." This does not seem to have been sustained by the Report of the
Stationing Committee, which reduced the fields of labor to seven. The Maryland
churches have supplied more preachers for other Elderships in proportion to their
numerical strength than those of any other State. They have suffered from the
emigration of ministers, and the Eldership has frequently been short of preachers
adapted to the work. But in all the history of the body the members have strug-
gled disinterestedly and heroically to uphold and advance the cause. During the
year 1891-2 "all the missionary moneys, both for home and general purposes, were
collected," and the other funds were well replenished. The session of 1892 was
held at CarroUton, Carroll county, Md., beginning on Thursday evening, September
1st, when S. J. Montgomery delivered the Opening Sermon. The organization was
effected by electing J. A. Saxton, Speaker; G. W. Seilhammer, Journalizing Clerk;
Jesse Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk, and W. H. Engler, Financial Clerk.
The Maryland and Virginia Eldership 645
22nd Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — During the year 1892-3 the Elder-
ship sustained a serious loss in the death of P. Lookingbill, originally ordained by
the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1869. He was a faithful minister, hard-
working and self-denying, and the body sincerely mourn his death. The Elder-
ship convened at Uniontown, Carroll county, Md., October 12, 1893, and continued
in session until the 16th. "Temperance" was the theme of the Opening Sermon
delivered by J. A. Saxton, from Hab. ii. 16. W. H. Engler was chosen Speaker;
G. W. Seilhammer, Stated Clerk; J. F. Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk; J. A. Staub,
Financial Clerk, and J. A. Saxton, Treasurer. Thirteen ministers and twenty-three
delegates and elders were reported. On Saturday evening a missionary meeting
was held. On Sababth evening the ordinances were observed. The Eldership
"ordered that each pastor collect $1.00 for each member he reported at this Elder-
ship," to be paid on the College debt. The number of members was 911. The
Eldership always took an active interest in the financial affairs of local churches,
and frequently aided them in their struggles to free themselves from debt. A
debt of $200.00 on the Germantown bethel was to be provided for. An effort was
directed to be made to raise the money. If it failed, the church was authorized
to borrow the money, the Eldership agreeing "to pay the interest until such time
as the church may be able to pay the principal." Assessments aggregating
$216.00 were made for Home and General Eldership Mission Funds. The Sta-
tioning Committee made seven appointments to fields of labor; one General Mis-
sionary in Southern Maryland; one Missionary "on the territory on which he
lives," and one General Missionary of the whole Eldership, "to have the general
oversight of the missionary work of the body." Hagerstown interests were placed
in the hands of the Standing Committee, which was "empowered to draw on the
Eldership resources to meet their purposes."
23rd Maryland and V'irginia Eldership. — Baltimore received no attention at
the Eldership in 1893. But in 1894 J. A. Saxton was appointed to "Baltimore
Mission." And shortly after the adjournment of the Eldership the Standing Com-
mittee "met in the city of Baltimore, in the Mission House, on the corner of
Cross and Cleveland streets." The session of the Eldership was held at German-
town, Md., beginning October 12, 1894. S. B. Craft had come into the Eldership
on a transfer, and he was chosen for Speaker; G. W. Seilhammer, Stated Clerk;
J. F. Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk, and W. H. Engler, Financial Clerk. The
fields of labor were increased to twelve, including Baltimore Mission; Western
Mission, and Papertown and Maryland and Virginia Mission. The Western Mis-
sion was unsupplied. Nine ministers were "instructed to aid their respective
pastors, and work as opportunity may afford."
24th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — While the ministers of the Maryland
and Virginia Eldership took no part in the discussion in The Advocate of the ques-
tions to be decided by the General Eldership in 1896, yet they were observant and
thoughtful readers. When the time came for them to vote in their own Eldership
their decision was already made, and the questions were decided without disputa-
tion. This was at the annual meeting held at Sharpsburg, Washington county,
Md., where the session began with the Opening Sermon on the evening of Septem-
ber 4, 1895, preached by S. B. Craft, from Acts xx. 28. The attendance was small,
only seven of the twenty ministers being present, nine ruling elders and five dele-
gates. An organization was effected by the election of W. H. Engler, Speaker;
G. W. Seilhammer, Stated Clerk; Jesse F. Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk; J. W.
Rodkey, Financial Clerk, and John A. Saxton, Treasurer. The delegates to the
General Eldership were instructed to vote for the title "The Eldership of the
Churches of God." Also in favor of "the laying on of hands in setting the candi-
dates apart to the holy ministry." The delegates were instructed to vote "that our
present system of renewing licenses annually be continued." Assessments were
made for the Home and the General Missionary Funds, and one evening sitting was
devoted to missionary interests. The Treasurer's bond was fixed at $.500.00.
The territory was divided into ten fields of labor, one of which was left unsup-
plied. D. C. Eyler was appointed General Missionary. The local preachers were
"instructed to preach in connection with the ministers in charge."
25th Maryland and Virginia Eldership.- — The Maryland and Virginia Eldership
was one of these annual gatherings visited by Clara Landes shortly before sailing
for India to begin her missionary work. She was received as an advisory mem-
ber; addressed the body at the Friday morning sitting in a manner to be "highly
appreciated by every one present, and very favorable resolutions were adopted.
646 History of the Churches of God
The session was held in the Carrollton Bethel, Carroll county, Md., where on Wed-
nesday evening, October 14, 1896, W. H. Engler delivered the Opening Sermon,
from Judges ii. 2-4. Eleven ministers, eight elders and three delegates responded
at Roll Call, after which S. B. Craft was chosen Speaker; G. W. Seilhammer,
Stated Clerk; J. W. Rodkey, Financial Clerk; J. F. Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk;
and J. A. Saxton, Treasurer. There were six regular Eldership Funds, the total
amount being $1,814.52. The state of religion in the churches of the Eldership
was reported as "not as progressive as it has been in former years;" but progress
was noted in Christian Endeavor work, and "in other societies of a similar char-
acter." But the Committee added in terms of dejection that it is "compelled by
the spirit of truth to express our faith and mind to this body that we believe true
and undefiled religion is in the background." The Eldership was admonished "to
search and find out the causes, and rally to the front, and lay all selfishness on the
altar of God, so God will have all the glory and honor." The principal accession to
the ministry of tte Eldership was that of Thomas B. Tyler, a minister of the U. B.
Church, who was "placed under the care of his pastor" for a year. On Temperance
the Eldership advised "Christian men, and all other well-wishers of society, to use
their ballots, the only means by which we can have any hopes of effecting a change
in the distressful condition of the world which has been brought about by the
manufacture and sale of the demon rum." The ten fields of labor were all sup-
plied, Tyler and J. R. Geailnger, licentiates, receiving appointments.
26th Maryland and Virginia Eldership.- — ^During the Eldership year 189 6-7
the Maryland and Virginia Eldership sustained its most serious loss, in the death
of G. W. Seilhammer. He was not only a "beloved and much-esteemed brother;"
but "useful as a counselor and prominent in all the workings of the Eldership
during the greater part of its existence." He was originally licensed by the East
Pennsylvania Eldership in 1868, and served a number of circuits and stations with
efficiency. He was highly esteemed as pastor and preacher. He had an en-
thusiasm for the Church and brotherhood which was as generous as it was
genuine. With limited culture of the schools, his triumphs were many, and where
he had failures they left his honor untarnished. In the shadow of this sorrow
the Eldership convened at the Germantown Bethel, Wednesday evening, October 6,
1897, and listened to the Opening Sermon by S. B. Craft, from Luke x. 7. Four-
teen ministers, twenty-four ruling elders and four delegates were present. They
made choice of James W. Kipe for President; William H. Engler, Stated Clerk;
Jesse F. Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk; J. W. Rodkey, Financial Clerk, and John
A. Saxton, Treasurer. The "assets" of the Eldership were $2,005.92, which in-
cluded the Sweeden Fund of $1,375.36. The revision of the Constitution was
completed, and it was adopted. The Eldership differed on an important item of
polity from the parent Eldership — the East Pennsylvania — in that new churches
organized were formally received into fellowship. The Catoctin church was thus
received in 1897. The ten fields of labor were all supplied with pastors except
one. Virginia, however, was left oft" the list. J. A. Saxton was appointed General
Missionary. The Eldership was dissatisfied with the management of a camp-meet-
ing and "certain bush-meetings;" but the sentiment was not sufficiently crystalized
to result in positive action.
27th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — It is said that in a volume of
Suetonius which Mark Twain read until his very last day, there is a reference to
one Flavixis Clemens, "a man of wide repute for his abnormal want of energy,"
and in a marginal note Twain had written: "I guess this is where our line starts"
(Clemens being Twain's real name). Any other characterization would better por-
tray the two faithful, useful ministers of the Maryland and Virginia Eldership
who had died during the ecclesiastical year 1897-8 — L. H. Selby and J. W. Kipe —
whom the Eldership in 1898 memorialized as "wise counselors and active mem-
bers of the Eldership in all its workings, who gave the greater part of their lives
to the gospel ministry." Selby was first licensed by the Ohio Eldership, in 1851,
and was transferred to the Maryland and Virginia Eldership in 1888. Kipe was
ordained by the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1871, and became a charter mem-
ber of the Maryland and Virginia Eldership in 1872. The Eldership in 1897 ad-
journed to meet "at Sigler's Bethel" in 189 8. On the official records, however,
it is known as "Locust Valley Bethel, Burkettsville," Frederick county, Md., where
the body convened October 2nd, when S. J. Montgomery preached the Opening
Sermon, from Ps. cxxxiii. S. B. Craft was chosen President; W. H, Engler, Stated
Clerk; Jesse F. Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk; J. W. Rodkey, Financial Clerk, and
The Maryland and Virginia Eldership 647
J. F. Billmyer, Treasurer. The Eldership thus far had few serious internal trou-
bles. Its reputation for unity, peace and harmony was creditable. Yet it had a
standing committee "on Grievances," which often was a mediating committee,
and effected "settlements out of court." There were appointments made to ten
fields of labor, but as the Standing Committee possessed nearly all the powers of
the Eldership, on October 26th it made five changes in the appointments, and in-
creased the number of appointments to twelve.
28th Maryland and Virginia Eldership.- — The Ministerial Association was di-
rected to meet on Tuesday evening before the Eldership. It continued its sittings
until Wednesday afternoon, with nearly all the ministers and delegates in attend-
ance. On Wednesday evening, October 4, 1899, at Bark Hill, Md., the Opening
Sermon was delivered by S. B. Craft, from Ezek. x. 14. The attendance was com-
paratively large, and "some interesting and spiritual discussions were features of
the business meetings on numerous topics." "About twenty-five ministers and
delegates were present." The exceptional fact is noted, that "all the ministers
were returned to their last year's fields of labor." Upon organization of the
Eldership L. F. Murray was made President; W. H. Engler, Stated Clerk; J. H.
Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk; S. A. Kipe, Financial Clerk, and J. F. Billmyer,
Treasurer. The Virginia Mission was again placed on the list of appointments,
with A. S. Poisal as missionary. Three other charges received missionary appro-
priations. Regular assessments were made on the circuits for Home Missions and
General Eldership missions, and for Contingent Fund. These aggregated for
Home Missions, $147.06; General, $72, and Contingent, $36. To these was added
by the Standing Committee an aggregate assessment of $45.20 for the Delegate
Fund.
29th Mai-yland and Virginia Eldership. — An intended visit of C. Manchester,
President of Findlay College, to the Maryland and Virginia Eldership was pre-
vented in 1900; but he attended the Ministerial Association, and by his address
before that body and intercourse with its members won their confidence and
esteem. The Eldership then commended "the masterly manner in which Dr.
Manchester is conducting the college work of the churches of God." It also
pledged co-operation with him in the work. The session was held at Warfields-
burg, Md., beginning October 10, 1900. S. J. Montgomery preached the Opening
Sermon, from Isa. vi. 8 — "Messengers Sent." T. B. Tyler was elected President;
W. H. Engler, Stated Clerk; Samuel A. Kipe, Financial Clerk; J. F. Billmyer,
Transcribing Clerk, and also Treasurer. The Boards and Standing and Stationing
Committees were composed of not less than two-thirds ministers, and some of them
liad no lay members on them. The greetings of the East Pennsylvania Eldership
were not only reciprocated; but the Eldership agreed to "unite with the East
Pennsylvania Eldership in prayer on the last day of November for a revival of
religion throughout our bounds." Assessments were laid on the eleven fields of
labor for Home Missions, General Missions, Contingent and Delegate Funds; but
the amounts were not large, being in order as follows: Home Missions, $133.00;
General Missions, $70.00; Contingent, $36.00; Delegate, $45.00. Two of the
fields were unsupplied, while four ministers "were instructed to work wherever
opportunity presents itself." The Virginia Mission was taken care of in connec-
tion with a point called Harpersburg. Important actions on various subjects of
interest were taken, but not published. For the session "was arduous and the
business important."
30th 3Iaryland and Virginia Eldership. — It is an interesting study in nomen-
clature to trace the origin of names and their significance. They are often lost
in the course of events, and speculation is of little value. In many instances they
are of special biographical interest, and "biography," Carlyle thought, "is by na-
ture the most universally profitable, universally pleasant of all things." For more
than two generations no one could mistake the origin of the name of the place
where the Maryland and Virginia Eldership convened October 16, 1901. It
was then called Locust Valley (Burkettsville) , in Frederick county, Md.; but its
former name was "Sigler." A. AV. Philhower delivered the Opening Sermon.
Text — Acts xvi. 30, 31. L. F. Muray was President; W. H. Engler, Stated Clerk;
S. A. Kipe, Financial Clerk; J. F. Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk and Treasurer.
The Eldership was well represented on the Boards. Board of Missions — J. W.
Rodkey, W. H. Engler, G. H. Bowersox, T. B. Tyler, Samuel A. Kine. Board
of Education — W. H. Engler, T. B. Tyler, J. F. Billmyer. Board of Church Ex-
tension— L. F. Murray, T. B. Tyler, W. H. Engler. Standing Committee — Li. F.
648 History of the Churches of God
Murray, T. B. Tyler, AV. H. Eiigler. But one layman was on these Boards. The
Eldership frequently lost ministers by transfer to other Elderships. In earlier
years it suffered greatly in this way. In 1901 S. B. Craft was transferred to
West Virginia Eldership, North; but his place was supplied by J. D. Clark, of the
East Pennsylvania Eldership, while J. R. Thoii> and V. K. Betts were granted li-
censes. The Eldership did not express its preference as 10 change of place for the
General Eldership; but referred the matter to the Executive Board of the General
Eldership. This year the fields of labor numbered ten. J. W. Evans was the
General Evangelist.
31st Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — The Standing Committee of the
Maryland and Virginia Eldership during the year 1901-2 experienced its power to
reduce assessments "ten per cent., saving on the Delegate and Contingent Funds."
It also granted a license to a member of the church at Kasiesville, James Shipp,
who had emigrated to Iowa, and granted a Certificate of Ordination to J. D. Clark,
East Pennsylvania Eldership, who had become pastor of the church at Uniontown,
Md. "The Linwood Camp-meeting Association" made a proposition to the Union-
town church, through E. B. Garner, that said church "take charge of the camp-
meeting proper, he retaining selling and boarding privileges; the church paying
the ministers' expenses." In this way the contention between the camp-meeting
and the Eldership was to be terminated. This proposition the church rejected
five to one. The Standing Committee not only rejected a proposition made by
E. B. Garner with a view of settling the dispute; but it required Gamer "to notify
the Western Maryland Railroad Company not to use the name of the Church of
God in any manner in advertising the camp-meeting to be held at Linwood, Md.,
at any time from and after April 10, 1902." Gamer "accepted this request."
These actions were adopted by the Eldership which assembled at Mayberry, Md.,
October 15, 1902, on the evening of which day the Opening Sermon was preached
by T. B. Tyler, from Ps. cxxvi. 8. Theme: — "Christian Sociability." On Thurs-
day morning the Eldership elected J. D. Clark, President; W. H. Engler, Stated
Clerk; J. A. Saxton, Transcribing Clerk; S. A. Kipe, Financial Clerk; James E.
Smith, Treasurer. The new Treasurer was placed under bond. The Frederick
Mission was "placed under the jurisdiction of the Standing Committee and Board
of Missions." The Virginia Mission was omitted from the list of appointments.
There were eleven fields, two "to supply themselves, subject to the approval of the
Standing Committee." The delegates to the General Eldership reported an action
taken by said body on the doctrine of sanctification. The Eldership voted on the
Report, and sustained the said action. Though th,e attitude of the body was gen-
erally known, yet the resolution of former years was reaffirmed, stating that "our
belief in the truth, that the Holy Scriptures are the only authoritative rule of faith
and practice, and that in themselves, when properly studied, they are suflScient
for doctrine, reproof, correction and for instruction in righteousness."
32nd Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — With the exception of the Woman's
Missionary Society, the Maryland and Virginia Eldership was thoroughly organized
in unison with the general plan of Annual Elderships. During the year 1902-3
conferences between the leading workers resulted in a better prospect for united
effort in this line of religious activity. When the Eldership convened at Oak Hill,
Md., October 14, 1903, this matter was taken up, and a Special Committee on For-
eign Missions was appointed, which, in conjunction with a committee of three ap-
pointed by the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of Uniontown, Md., was in-
structed "to organize a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society within the borders
of the Maryland and Virginia Eldership." This brought the women of the
churches throughout the Eldership into united co-operation with the W. G. M. S.
of the General Eldership. The officers of this Eldership were L. F. Murray, Presi-
dent; T. B. Tyler, Stated Clerk; J. F. Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk; J. W. Rodkey,
Financial Clerk. The Eldership had both a Board of Missions and a Board of
Church Extension, the latter having in charge the weaker fields. The Board of
Education looked into the literary qualifications of applicants for license, and ex-
amined in the prescribed studies of the Eldership. The practice of formally re-
ceiving churches newly organized into the "fellowship of the Eldership" was ejc-
emplified in 1903, when the church at Wakefield was thus received. Shortly after
the adjournment of the session of 1902, on November 8th, Death claimed John W.
Evans, a man "possessed of wonderful faith and spiritual power." He was or-
dained October 16, 1874, and labored as an evangelist, making "full proof of his
ministry."
Thk Maryland and Virginia Eldership 649
33rd Mai-yland and Virginia Eldership. — The Wakefield church, Carroll
county, Md., enjoyed the privilege of entertaining the Eldership in 1904. The
session began October 19th, and the Opening Sermon was preached by T. B. Tyler.
The officers chosen were L. F. Murray, President; W. H. Engler, Journalizing
Clerk; J. F. Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk; J. W. Rodkey, Financial Clerk; James
E. Smith, Treasurer. These officers were described by a ministerial visitor as "a
quartet of fine, venerable men, whose very appearance gave gravity to the sit-
tings." A noticeable trait of the Eldership was "the sympathy and respect mani-
fested toward the aged ministers of the body." The organization of the W. M. S.
was perfected, and all the churches were requested to take an active interest in
the missionary work. The nine fields of labor, with the exception of Uniontown
and Frizzlesburg, were all supplied with pastors. The Uniontown charge secured
the services of R. L. Crawfoi-d, of the East Pennsylvania Eldership. The Elder-
ship also appointed one General Worker, one General Missionary and one General
Evangelist. The presence of G. Sigler, a native of Maryland, but a member of the
East Pennsylvania Eldership, was highly appreciated, and his preaching was
strongly commended. His sermon on "Conversion" was published, and three hun-
dred copies ordered by the Standing Committee. Said Committee made the assess-
ments for four Funds aggregating $134.00 for Home Mission Fund; $77.00 for
General Eldership Mission Fund; $34.00 each for Contingent and Delegate Funds.
34th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — The W. M. S. of the Maryland and
Virginia Eldership maintained a close relation to that body. It met with the Elder-
ship, and was officially connected with it. Its second meeting, held in 1905, re-
ceived much inspiration from addresses by ministers of the Eldership, R. L. Craw-
ford and S. B. Craft, the latter having come from Ohio to take charge of a work,
and Lydia A. Foniey, of the W. M. S. of East Pennsylvania. The session of the
Eldership was held at Carrollton, Carroll county, Md., beginning with the Opening
Sermon at 7.30 p. m., October 18, 1905, by A. W. Philhower. M. H. Penn was
chosen President; W. H. Engler, Stated Clerk; J. F. Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk;
J. W, Rodkey, Financial Clerk; James E. Smith, Treasurer. The spiritual ele-
ment was prominent in the work of the Eldership. The President and Treasurer
of the Eldership were lay elders, a good lay delegation representing the churches
at each session. Loyal in all things, the body was ready to co-operate with the
East Pennsylvania Eldership "in making an effort to endow a professorship of
Latin in Findlay College." Accordingly "the Board of Education was instructed
to carry out said proposition, and to adopt such measures and put forth such efforts
as will bring about results in harmany with the action of the General Eldership."
The Day of Prayer for Findlay College was ordered to be observed and "an offer-
ing equal to ten cents per member of each church to be taken." The Sunday-
school Convention was endorsed, and "the Standing Committee was instructed to
arrange for a Ministerial Association meeting." It was necessary to restrain
"ministers from intruding on other ministers' fields of labor." The redistribution
of the territory made twelve charges, all but one supplied with pastors. A. W.
Philhower was appointed General Evangelist, and John A. Saxton, General Worker.
On November 24, 1904, the labors of John Royer terminated in eternal rest. He
was ordained October 16, 189 3, and "spent his ministerial life in a local capacity,
and was ever ready to help any pastor who might ask for his help. He was a
man of great faith and godliness."
3oth Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — Maryland churches have been
notably prolific in preachers. Sons of Maryland have been efficient ministers in
a majority of the Annual Elderships in earlier years. When they returned as
visitors to the annual sessions they were honored and commended. In 19 0 6 E.
Angel, of Iowa, was present, and preached, and enjoyed pleasant fellowship with
the ministers and elders. The session was held with the church at Edgemont,
Frederick county, Md., and began on Thursday, at 8.30 a. m., October 11, 1906.
The previous evening the Opening Sermon was preached by S. J. Montgomery,
from 1 Cor. xvi. 13. An organization was effected by the election of M. H. Penn,
President; W. H. Engler, Journalizing Clerk; J. F. Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk;
R. Jj. Crawford, Financial Clerk; James E. Smith, Treasurer. The session was
portrayed as having been "the most harmonious that has ever been held in the
history of the Eldership." "The religious and preaching services were an inspira-
tion to the soul." Yet subjects were discussed and acted upon which usually de-
veloped antagonistic views. Among these was the Sunday-school literature, re-
sulting in "the appointment of R. L, Crawfowl as special agent to see after its
650 History of the Churches of God
interests." Also the temperance question, "on which strong resolutions were
adopted." As the state of religion was not wholly satisfactory, ministers and
churches were counseled "to put forth a greater effort in the ensuing year than
has been in the past." The fields of labor were eleven, with A. W. Philhower
General Evangelist. V. K. Betts was also put in charge of Baltimore Mission,
and J. A. Saxton, of Brunswick Mission.
36th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — There was generally some difficulty
in Maryland to secure enough active ministers to fill all the appointments satis-
factorily. The Eldership had to depend frequently on men from other Elderships.
In 1907 it received Elmer W. Meyer from the Oklahoma and Indian Territory
Eldership, and "G. AV. Stine and George W. Masser were ordained to the gospel
ministry." Thus the Eldership was enabled "to supply all the fields of labor,"
after rearranging the circuits and reducing the number to nine. The session was
held at Sample's Manor, Washington county, Md., from Thursday morning to Sat-
urday afternoon, October 31 to November 2, 1907. The Eldership was liberal in
"granting the privilege of speaking on all questions" to James E. Shipp, of the
Iowa Eldership; W. S. Shimp, of the West Virginia Eldership, North, and
H. S. Bickel, of the East Pennsylvania Eldership. Shimp received one of
the nine appointments, "subject to his transfer." Balloting for officers re-
sulted in the election of S. A. Kipe, President; Stated Clerk, W. H. Engler;
Transcribing Clerk, J. F, Billmyer; Financial Clerk, V, K. Betts. The Open-
ing Sermon was preached on Wednesday evening, by L. F. Murray, from Matt,
xvi. 18. The most serious question before the Eldership was "the difficulties
which have arisen in our foreign mission work." But as the W. M. S. of the Eld-
ership was co-operating loyally with the General Eldership W. G. M. S., there was
not much diversity of sentiment on the question in the Eldership. Resolutions
were presented, which declared it to be of "the utmost importance that the
churches and Annual Elderships within the bounds of the General Eldership give
expression to their views relative to this important matter," and therefore "the
Maryland and Virginia Eldership" affirmed its "loyalty to the General Eldership."
They also "endorsed the action of the Board of Missions of the General Eldership
with reference to foreign mission work," and prohibited every person "soliciting
funds for foreign missions within the bounds of this Eldership, unless they are
subordinate to the Rules and regulations of the General Eldership." The "reso-
lutions were adopted by a unanimous aye vote." The aggressive and zealous
spirit of the Eldership was evidenced by "the growth of the Church in all her de-
partments; by accessions throughout her boundaries; by the increase of her
finances, and by the building of one new house of worship."
37th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — In view of the meeting of the Gen-
eral Eldership in 1909, the Maryland and Virginia Eldership in 1908 adopted reso-
lutions on the W. G. M. S. difficulties, in which it expressed its belief that "the
establishment of the W. G. M. S. of 1903 was regular, wise and legitimate," and
endorsed the actions taken "to establish harmony and union." The session was
held at Uniontown, Carroll county, Md., beginning October 15, 1908, the Opening
Sermon having been preached on the evening of the 14th, by J. M. Carter. V. K.
Betts was elected President; AV. H. Engler, Stated Clerk; Jesse F. Billmyer, Trans-
cribing Clerk; J. A. Saxton, Financial Clerk; Jas. E. Smith, Treasurer. The ex-
ceptional distinction was given to Mrs. D. Fuss and Mrs. G. W. Seilhammer, widows
of ministers of the Eldership, of making them "honorary members of the body."
The presence of C. I. Brown, President of Findlay College, was highly appreciated,
and he received some cash, and also the universal testimonial of a recess by the
public schools so that scholars and teachers could attend the sitting and hear his
address on Christian Education. There were nine fields of labor, all but one
supplied with pastors, with seven "General Workers." Yet the fact was realized
that to do aggressive work there was "great need of young men to take up the
work of the ministry." "There is no better field for home missionary work than
In the State of Maryland." And even the aspirations of the Eldership to do
greater things were not without reward. For Thoreau was right when he affirmed
his question: "Did ever a man try heroism, magnanimity, truth, sincerity, and
find that there was no advantage in them — that it was a vain endeavor?" So
■with a religious body in its seeking to do greater things for the Master.
38th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — Even more explicit and pronounced
action was taken on the W. G. M. S. question in 1909 than at previous sessions of
the Maryland and Virginia Eldership. The General Eldership in May, 1909, had
Thic Marylanu and Virginia Ei.de;rship 651
taken final action on the matters pertaining to the W. G. M. S., so that sentiment
in the Eldership had assumed fixed and definite shape before the session opened.
Little discussion was required to secure unanimous action on the resolutions sub-
mitted. After reciting the main facts, "the action of the General Eldership" was
"emphatically endorsed," as were also "the actions of the Executive Board ana the
Board of Missions relative to this matter, in seeking to establish harmony and
union." The session was held at Germantown, Washington county, Md., and
opened on Thursday morning, October 14th. The preceding evening S. A. Kipe
preached the Annual Sermon, from John xii. 21. The organization was effected
by the election of M. H. Penn, President; W. H. Engler, Journalizing Clerk; J. F.
Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk; S. A. Kipe, Financial Clerk; James E. Smith, Treas-
urer. In conference with representatives of the churches the fields of labor were
rearranged- "so that no circuit will pay less than $350.00 salary to the pastor per
year." Ten charges were formed, all supplied with pastors. The Field Secretary
of Findlay College, O. A. Newlin, attended the session, and his "valuable services
were fittingly recognized by resolutions." The organization of a Sabbath-school
and C. E. society in each church was regarded as of "vital importance," and each
such organization "should be represented by the minister and at least one delegate
in the Annual Convention." The pastors were "instructed to preach at least one
missionary sermon each year at each of his appointments." One minister of the
Eldership was taken during the year from earth, not by Death, but by Christ, the
Head of the church, namely, J. R. Thorpe. He was a native of New York State.
Removing to Sample's Manor, he was converted under the labors of A. W. Phil-
hower and united with the church at said place. He was ordained October 22,
1894. He was an ardent student of the word, and "spake by the Holy Ghost sent
down from heaven." He had "great natural abilities, which gave him power with
■God and man."
39th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — It was on the Sabbath morning of
the Eldership of 1910 that the Reopening Sermon of the bethel in which the ses-
sion of the Eldership was held was preached by L. F. Murray. The Opening Ser-
mon was delivered in the evening of October 19th, by W. S. Shimp. The Elder-
ship convened the following morning in the bethel at Zittlestown, Washington
■county, and organized by electing Shimp President; W. H. Engler, Stated Clerk;
J. F. Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk; C. Amos Reynolds, Financial Clerk; James E.
Smith, Treasurer. The Eldership by the reception of an expelled minister of the
West Pennsylvania Eldership made itself subject to official complaint before the
Executive Board of the General Eldership. The matter was amicably adjusted,
as the two Elderships concerned were actuated by friendly and generous motives,
with no disposition to disregard each other's rights, or ignore their mutual re-
sponsibility. The Stationing Committee had a"most difficult task;" but it suc-
ceeded in securing pastors for the eleven charges, as two brethren ready for active
work were ordained to the ministry. Nova Mission was made a charge, and the
General Evangelist, J. A. Saxton, was "to prospect Frederick City and Hagers-
town," with a view of starting missions in those towns. The Blue Mountain
church was received into the Eldership.
40th Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — The pledge toward the payment of
the debt of Findlay College was not fully paid, and final arrangements were ap-
proved to cancel it. The fortieth annual session was held at Maple Grove, Frank-
lin county, Pa., the Opening Sermon having been preached by S. A. Kipe, on Wed-
nesday evening, October 11, 1911, from Acts x. 20. An organization was effected
by the election of L. F. Mun-ay, President; W. H. Engler, Journalizing Clerk; J. F.
Billmyer, Transcribing Clerk; C. A. Reynolds, Financial Clerk; James E. Smith,
Treasurer. The finances of the Eldership were in good condition, more money
having been received and expended "for work done during the year than the
previous year." The Financial Clerk at this session also reported increased col-
lections for the different Funds. To insure better results the following year as-
sessments were made for these Funds: Home Mission, General Mission, Con-
tingent, Delegate, Findlay College Pledge. The pastors were "requested to make
every possible effort to collect the assessments." The ten fields were supplied
with pastors, with W. H. Engler, General Worker, and six ministers "to work in
conjunction with their pastors." Viola G. Hershey. returned missionary in India,
attended the session, and the Eldership gave hearty testimony to her faithful work
in the foreign mission field, and her blessed influence at the Eldership. With
652 History of the Churches of God
much enthusiasm the work of the Woman's Missionary Society of the Eldership
was commended.
41st Maryland and Virginia Eldership. — A quite thorough Course of Studies
for the young ministers was prepared for adoption by the Eldership in 1912. The
session was held at Carrollton, Carroll county, Md., beginning October 17th, and
ending on the 21st. Geo. W. Masser delivered the Opening Sermon on Wednesday
evening, the 16th, from Ex. xiv. 15. The following were the officers: J. A.
Saxton, President; S. A. Kipe, Stated Clerk; J. F. Billmyei:, Transcribing Clerk;
C. Amos Reynolds, Financial Clerk; James E. Smith, Treasurer. The institutions
of learning of the Church, and the periodical literature for the churches and Sab-
bath-schools, were strongly commended. The body was well organized as to its
permanent boards and committees. The Standing Committee was composed of
li. F. Murray, W. S. Shimp, S. A. Kipe; the Board of Education, of W. S, Shimp,
J. M. Carter, S. A. Kipe; the Board of Missions, L. F. Murray, S. A. Kipe, J. F.
Billmyer, J. Ebaugh, M. H. Penn; Board of Church Extension, J. A. Saxton, S. A.
Kipe, J. F. Billmyer. One minister, F. I. M. Thomas, was received by transfer
from the Ohio Eldership, and granted a Certificate of Ordination, and two, G. F.
Nichols and T. J. Coffman, received annual licenses. A. W. Philhower's useful
career ended August 26, 1912. He was a native of New Jersey, where he was born
June 6, 1841. Prior to becoming a member of the church of God at Zittlestown,
Md., he was a minister of the United Brethren Church, holding a Quarterly Con-
ference License. He was ordained October 24, 1874, by the Maryland and Vir-
ginia Eldership. He served a majority of the fields of labor in the Eldership as
pastor, built several bethels and organized a few churches. His zeal for the cause
he loved was untiring. While his literary qualifications were limited, "he was an
able defender of the distinctive doctrines of the churches of God."
The territory of the Eldership in 1912 was divided into twelve fields of labor,
one being known as Jenning's Mission, and all supplied with pastors. The good
condition of the Eldership is indicated by the Statistical items of 1909, when there
were 10 charges, 30 church organizations, with "a house of worship at each ap-
pointment," and 1,200 members. There was a Permanent Fund of $1,000.00, the
interest of which is used for the general work of the Eldership. "Harmony and
good will prevail throughout the Eldership." On the civic issues of the day the
Eldership seldom expressed its sentiments, except on temperance. The position
it occupied on this subject was indicated in 1912 when it set apart an hour on Sat-
urday afternoon to hear an "address in the interest of prohibition by the Prohibi-
tion candidate for President of the United States." The ministry of the Eldership
realized the great truth that "there is no substitute for thorough going, ardent
and sincere earnestness," and it insisted on this trait in pastors.
XIV. THE NEBRASKA ELDERSHIP.
1st Nebraska Eldership. — Nebraska was organized as a Territory in 1854,
after an understanding had been reached that the Territory was to be "free" for-
ever. It was included in the Louisiana Territory, ceded to the United States by
France in 1803. The present .limits of Nebraska were occupied by more than
eight Indian Tribes. On this account, and because of the lack of precious and
non-precious metals, and inadequate means of communication, the progress of the
Territory was slow. The building of the Union Pacific railroad, with Omaha for
its eastern terminus, drew attention to the exceptional agricultural advantages of
the eastern and southern sections of the Territory, and substantial tides of immi-
gration and eastern capital began to set in. The Territory was admitted into the
Union as a State on March 1, 1867. About this time families of the Church of
God began to remove thither, locating in the counties in south-eastern Nebraska,
such as Polk, York, Seward, Lancaster, Saline, Gage, Richardson and a few others.
Quite a good deal of missionary work had been done prior to the meeting, in 1874,
to consider the advisibility of organizing an Eldership. The work started in
north-eastern Kansas, and was extended northward into three or four of the
counties in Nebraska. Some of the missionaries were appointed by Annual Eld-
erships; others by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership. When in 1866
the General Eldership accepted Centralia College, and arranged to send several ad-
ditional ministers into that section of Kansas, it was deemed proper to grant per-
mission to organize an Eldership. But nothing was done in that line so far as
The Nebraska Eldership 653
Nebraska was concerned', the Kansas and Missouri Eldership having been organ-
ized, and it was given the whole States of Kansas and Missouri. But by 1874 at
least six missionaries were laboring for different periods in Nebraska, and as many
in north-eastern Kansas, and not less than a dozen churches had been organized.
North-eastern Kansas being contiguous to the Nebraska territory occupied by
these missionaries, it was thought it should become a part of the Nebraska Elder-
ship. By some concert of action a convention was called to meet in the bethel at
Crete, Saline county, Neb., November 7, 1874, called "the Preliminary Eldership,"
to consider the question of organizing an Eldership. The recorded membership
was as follows: Teaching elders: — E. D. Aller, D. S. Warner, Geo. F. MrElvvee;
ruling elders: — J. K. Paxton, G. K. Mooney; delegates: — K. A. Moore, A. M.
Mahaflfey, G. K. Mooney, A. D. Root and John Litziberg. The south-eastern Ne-
braska Mission was not represented. After electing K. A. Moore Chairman, and
Geo. F. McElwee and D. S. Warner, First and Second Clerks, the Convention took
up for discussion the question, "Shall we take the initial steps toward the organ-
ization of an Eldership in the State of Nebraska?" After due deliberation, a series
of preambles and resolutions was adopted, that "we form ourselves into an organ-
ization to be known as the Eldership of the Church of God in the State of Nebraska,
with the approval and recognition of the General Eldership of the Church of God in
North America;" "that a committee of twelve be appointed to prepare and present
the necessary application for recognition to the General Eldership at its next regu-
lar meeting, to be held at Smithville, Ohio, in May next;" "that we adopt the
Rules of Order of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, subject to such changes as
may be deemed necessary." Under these Rules a full list of committees was ap-
pointed. A Standing Committee was also appointed. The following composed
the Committee to Memorialize the General Eldership: E. D. Aller, D. S. Warner,
G. F. McElwee, B. Hahn, J. K. Paxton, G. K. Mooney, J. H. Anderson, J. W. Kager,
A. li. Nye, W. J. Howard and J. Kooken. A ministerial Association was provided
for, which was to meet quarterly. A third sitting, in the evening, was devoted to
the discussion of the Polity of the Church; the History of the Church, and reports
of missionaries. Resolutions were also adopted, regarding "the sin of intemper-
ance as one of the greatest evils which curse our nation and the world;" pK 1ging
their "influence to prohibit the manufacture and vending of all intoxicating
liquors;" strongly urging education, and expressing appreciation of the periodicals
of the General Eldership and of the liberality of said body in promoting mission
work in the State.
At the General Eldership held at West Salem (instead of Smithville), Ohio,
in May, 1875, "the memorial of ministers and churches of Nebraska" was re-
ceived by mail, neither of the twelve members appointed at the "Preliminary Eld-
ership" being present. It was referred to the Eldership, was read and then re-
ferred to a special committee, consisting of Shoemaker, Kennedy and Ross. Said
Committee reported favorably, and the Petition was granted, and "the name, style
and title" was fixed, to be "the Eldership of the Church of God in Nebraska."
Being thus regularly chartered, the Nebraska Eldership assembled to hold its first
session at Cropsey, Gage county. Neb., October 1, 1875. Without designating
them by their official titles, fifteen members were enrolled, viz.: C. S. Bolton, E.
D. Aller, C. S. Kilmer, J. W. Figart, G. F. McElwee, E. C. GUbert, J. W. Kager, T,
S. Claybome, I. Tompkins, G. E. Ewing, J. K. Paxton, H. H. Hoflfer, K. A. Moore,
H. Wensel and Geo. K. Mooney. An organization was effected by the election of
G. F. McElwee, Speaker; E. D. Aller, Clerk, and J. K. Paxton, Treasurer. The
members of the Standing Committee were K. A. Moore, E. D. Aller and G. F.
McElwee. A Board of Missions was appointed, consisting of K. A. Moore, E. C.
Gilbert and H. H. Hoflfer. Also a Board of Incorporation, composed of G. F.
McElwee, E. D. Aller, J. K. Paxton, K. A. Moore, E. C. Gilbert and H. H. Hoffer.
G. F. McElwee was originally a member of the Iowa Eldership, having re-
ceived his first license from that body in 1870, along with B. F. Bolton, R. M. Pine,
J. S. Miller, L. F. Chamberlin and several others. He was appointed to the mis-
sion in Page county, Iowa, and Nodaway county. Mo. For reasons which do not
appear, he was more or less indifferent to his relations to the Eldership, as he
was not heard from in 1871; was not mentioned in 1872, and marked "absent" in
1873. From his mission field in the Iowa Eldership he went to Kansas, and in
1874 reported by letter to the Iowa Eldership. He was a man of good natural
talents, who made a favorable impression wherever he went. He manifested quite
an interest in the work in Kansas and Nebraska, and was present at the Nebraska
654 History of the Churches of God
Preliminary Eldership, in 1874, and acted as one of the Clerks. When the Elder-
ship was regularly organized, in 1875, he was chosen Speaker, and was appointed
to the Blue River circuit, in Nebraska. He was again elected Speaker in 1876.
Between 1875 and 1880, he was employed part of the time by the Board of Mis-
sions of the General Eldership, and gradually became less active in his relations
to the Nebraska Eldership.
The territory of the Nebraska Eldership originally included the whole State
of Nebraska and part of the northern tier of counties in the State of Kansas.
Later these counties were given to the Kansas Eldership. The Constitution which
was adopted at this first session has been amended at several subsequent sessions.
It provided that the name shall be "The Nebraska Eldership of the Church of
God," later changed to "churches." The membership shall consent of "regularly
licensed teaching elders and ruling elders chosen by the local churches." The
Standing Committee was made "trustees of the Corporation during the intervals
between meetings of the Eldership." It has power "to fill all vacancies in any of
the oflaces." The "Corporation" was a distinct thing from the Eldership, as its
"annual meetings shall be held with the meeting of the Eldership; but meetings
may be held at other times." The Corporation was also "a Home Missionary
Society."
2nd Nebraska Eldership. — The proportion of territory occupied in Nebraska
and Kansas respectively is seen in the record of the second Eldership session.
Seven circuits were reported when the Eldership was constituted, two of which
were in Kansas. The body convened at Barkey, Gage county. Neb., September 6,
1876. There were four teaching elders present, and five ruling elders. McElwee
was elected Speaker; E. D. Aller, Stated Clerk, and J. K. Paxton, Transcribing
Clerk. The Constitution was amended as the first item of business, so as to pro-
vide for "one ruling elder appointed and sent by each church to act as delegate,"
which "shall be entitled to full membership." Article X. was also amended so
as to give the Standing Committee power to grant licenses, to make such changes
in the appointments as may become necessary, and to fill vacancies, and to try
ministers upon preferment of charges, and to suspend, but not to expel. A new
field of labor had been opened in Jefferson county, and was reported to the Elder-
ship, by Joseph Broady. The necessary measures were taken to secure an Act of
Incorporation. The Eldership readily acquiesced in actions of the General Elder-
ship relative to the collection of missionary funds, and the ministers were in-
structed "to take up missionary collections in each church on their charges." And
one evening was devoted to missionary interests. Each church in the Eldership
was also "requested to organize a missionary society as soon as practicable." It
was agreed that ministers move to new fields of labor in October. On Temperance
the Eldership pledged itself "to use all honorable means in our power to stop the
manufacture, sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage." And it classed
"the use of tobacco as intemperance." The By-Laws were so changed as to close
the Eldership session each year with an ordinance meeting. In ordaining min-
isters a "charge" was delivered, and "the licentiates were fellowshiped by all
present in the midst of shouts of praise to God." A committee to define the
boundaries of circuits reported nine fields of labor, two of which were in Nemaha
and Marshall counties, Kansas. Those in Nebraska were in Saline, Polk, York,
Seward, Fillmore, Jefferson, Gage, Lancaster and Richardson counties. The work
in Jefferson county soon enlarged to such an extent that the Standing Committee
divided it, and made two circuits, increasing the total number of fields to ten.
3rd Nebraska Eldership. — Quite a perceptible increase in the numerical
strength of the Eldership is noticeable as it was constituted at the Barada Bethel,
Richardson county. Neb., August 29, 1877. There were enrolled and present
eight teaching elders and nine ruling elders, and also two delegates. George E.
Ewing was elected Speaker; C. S. Bolton, Clerk; Jay C. Fomcrook, Financial Clerk,
and E. C. Gilbert, Treasurer. The grasshoper plague had so crippled the churches
financially that collections ordered had not been lifted, and the Eldership re-
quested the General Eldership to exonerate it from all collections for its funds.
Nevertheless, the Board of Missions had appropriated $200.00 to three of its mis-
sionaries. There were five additions to the Ministerial Roll, three from other Eld-
erships, and two licentiates — Jay C. Fomcrook and Franklin M. Wixon. Provision
was made for a Widows' Fund, and a collection was ordered to be lifted for it in
April. "A Course of Studies for young ministers" was arranged, and studies pre-
scribed for the first~year. By resolution the Eldership "especially urged the young
The Nebraska Eldership 655
brethren in the ministry to use their best efforts to acquire a more general edu-
cation." A more complete course of studies was to be prepared to be acted upon
in 1878. The Report of the Treasurer showed but $28.65 receipts; but the Eld-
ership directed that he "be required to give bonds of one thousand dollars." The
holding of a Ministerial Association was approved. At the close of the Eldership
the Boundary Committee's Report made twelve appointments, of which three were
missions.
4th Nebraska Eldership, — The want of proper care in ordaining men to the
ministry seems always, in the earlier years of Elderships, to have been one great
source of weakness. As a result, names were dropped and unworthy ones dis-
fellowshiped by harsher measures, and the cause suffered harm. When the Fourth
Nebraska Eldership convened and was constituted at White Hall, near Centralia,
Nemaha county, Kas., September 4, 1878, ten teaching elders were present, and
thirteen ruling elders. Five ministers were absent. One was received by trans-
fer from the Iowa Eldership, A. L. Nye; one from the Michigan Eldership, A. B.
Slyter, and C. Manchester was ordained. His significant record stands on the
Journal. "On motion, the following names were dropped from the Roll of min-
isters of the Nebraska Eldership." There are entered six names. The organiza-
tion was effected by the choice of E. D. Aller for Speaker; P. K. Shoemaker, Clerk,
and P. Shaw, Treasurer. The bethel at Vermillion, Kas., was in "danger of being
lost" because of debt. The community was asked to pay one-third of it; the
Nebraska Eldership to pay one-third, and "the Board of Missions of the General
Eldership be earnestly requested to pay the remainder." Several persons to
whom the Eldership declined to give licenses to preach were recognized as useful
workers, and were commended to the churches and placed "under the care of regu-
larly licensed ministers." The Eldership appointed the "committee to prepare a
program for the Ministerial Association." The Stationing Committee arranged
the territory into one station, two missions and ten circuits.
5th Nebraska Eldership. — In 1879 the Eldership convened at Barkey, Gage
county. Neb., October 1st. Fourteen fields of labor were represented by twelve
teaching elders and twenty-one ruling elders. Four teaching elders were absent.
E. D. Aller was chosen Speaker, and G. W. Mellinger, Clerk. Provision was made
whereby "all property held by virtue of any deed, gift, grant or trust, by any
church organization, when the church organization becomes extinct, shall be
vested in this Eldership." Under this action the Eldership at once claimed title
to a lot in Firth, Neb., bought and paid for by K. A. Moore, for the use of the
church at said place, and "the church having no organized form as recognized by
this Eldership," ordered that a deed "be executed for the said lot of ground to
the said K. A. Moore." "Auxilliary missionary societies" were directed to be or-
ganized in each church "to raise as much money, however little, as they possibly
can, not to go beyond moral obligations." There were three or four sharply con-
tested questions, on which the yeas and nays were called; but after the storms
there was quiet and peace. One of these was a resolution pending the adoption
of the Report of the Standing Committee, when it was decided that "on our behalf
the Standing Committee erred in allowing themselves and witnesses to be sworn."
The state of religion was declared to be "better than any previous year." To pre-
vent personal grievances from being ventilated in open session it was decided that
"no business relating to individuals or churches wherein disaffection exists shall
come before this Eldership for its action further than to refer it to a committee,
the report of which shall be received and adopted or rejected without discussion."
Eleven fields of labor were arranged, one being a mission in Phillips and Norton
counties, Kas., in the north-western part of the State, with J. C. Fomcrook as mis-
sionary. On his return homeward after the Eldership P. Shaw organized a church
at Ash Creek, on the Otoe Reservation, thirty miles from where the session was
held. The Reservation was part of Barkey circuit, assigned to Shaw.
6th Nebraska Eldership. — The ministers of the Nebraska Eldership were of
resolute purpose, not daunted by adversity, nor influenced by worldly allurements.
They would preach and push forward the work to the extent of their powers. Yet
some had "agricultural aspirations," and so the whole Eldership in 1880, led by
Fomcrook, Miller and Kilmer, was asked to place on record a resolution "that we,
the preachers of the Nebraska Eldership, will follow the plow as the last resort,
and that by the prayers and liberality of the brethren and the blessing of God we
will stick to our calling." This session of the Eldership was held at Wayland
(Victor), Polk county, beginning on Tuesday evening, September 21st, with the
656 History of the Churches of God
Opening Sermon by J. C Fomcrook, from Heb. i. 1, 2, 3. Twelve teaching elders
were present, and nine were absent; with eight ruling elders and nine messengers.
E. D. Aller was elected Speaker; J, T. Clement, First Clerk; J. C. Forncrook, Sec-
ond Clerk; J. S. Kilmer, Financial Clerk. Trespassers on the territory of the Eld-
ership were warned by a resolution, that the whole State belongs to the Nebraska
Eldership exclusively, andthat it "will be regarded as a breach of the Rules of our
system of co-operation should there be any innovation on the rights of the Elder-
ship, and will be resisted as such." The Eldership discussed the question seri-
ously, "How shall we support our ministers, and thus enable them to devote their
whole time and all their powers to their calling?" The brotherhood was "urged
to put forth every effort in their power" to this end. It also expressed its con-
viction that "to carry on the work successfully we must make it more effective,
raise the necessary funds to meet the required demands," and zealously co-operate
in every department of the work. A special sitting was devoted to the discussion
of "such financial policy as will recuperate our finances and enable us to carry on
the good work." C. Manchester took a transfer to the Kansas and Missouri Eld-
ership. The Eldership acknowledged that it was "greatly deficient in educational
qualifications," and hence "heartily endorsed the efforts to establish an institution
of learning to be owned and controlled by the Church." "All the members of this
body," it declared, "and all lovers of our race and of our God, are morally bound
to do all in their power to suppress, banish and exterminate the manufacture, sale
and use of intoxicating drinks." It expressed opposition to the transfer of the
northern counties in Kansas to the Kansas Eldership. The condition of the
churches morally was generally encouraging. A Ministerial Association was pro-
vided for, in May, 1881. Nine fields of labor were mapped out, to which eleven
ministers were assigned.
7th Nebraska Eldership. — As the General Eldership in May, 1881, made the
boundary line between Kansas and Nebraska the northern boundary of the Kansas
Eldership, against which a protest was adopted by the Nebraska Eldership in
1880, at the session held at Uebels, Saline county, October 6-8, 1881, it adopted a
resolution stating, that "with regret we acquisce in the action of the General Eld-
ership in granting the territory of northern Kansas to the Kansas Eldership." The
session was presided over by Jesse Evans, Speaker; and J. C. Foracrook was Jour-
nalizing Clerk; D. B. Zook, Transcribing Clerk; J. H. Barkey, Financial Clerk,
and C. S. Kilmer, Treasurer. The body expressed its abhorrence at the assassina-
tion of Garfield, and a special committee voiced "the respect and sorrow of this
body occasioned by the death of so noble and virtuous a man." On the ground of
"illegality" certain actions taken in 1880 were declared "void." The action of
the General Eldership in appointing "a Secretary and Collecting Agent for the pur-
pose of forwarding the mission cause" was greatly appreciated. The Crete church
property, at Crete, belonged to the East Pennsylvania Eldership, and a resolution
was agreed to, asking its transfer to the Nebraska Eldership. The policy of issu-
ing licenses to exhorters was approved, and two exhorters were licensed. A Judi-
ciary Committee was added to the list of committees. A Ministerial Association
was provided for, and it was agreed "that in connection therewith we have a
normal class." The project of "establishing a Church School by the General Eld-
ership" was cordially endorsed, with a "prayer that able and liberal friends of the
school may be multiplied until it is made a glorious success." A Sunday-school
Convention was provided for in connection with the Ministerial Association, and
committees on programs for both were named. The Church "people everywhere"
were "encouraged to labor earnestly to advance the interests of the Union Sunday-
schools within our bounds." Nine fields of labor were reported by the Stationing
Committee, with fourteen appointees, three of which were in the employ of the
Board of Missions of the General Eldership.
8th Nebraska Eldership. — Twelve of the twenty teaching elders of the Elder-
ship failed to respond at Roll call when the eighth session began at Indian Creek,
Fillmore county, September 20, 1882. And but four delegates were in attendance.
The Opening Sermon was preached the previous evening by A. G. Bogart, from
Isa. xxviii. 16. Jesse Evans was made Speaker; D. B. Zook, Journalizing Clerk;
J. C. Forncrook, Transcribing Clerk, and J. A. Horton, Treasurer. In Kansas and
Iowa Prohibition was voted upon and carried as a Constitutional Amendment in
1880, and the Eldership "congratulated the temperance people of Kansas for their
grand victory," and the body pledged itself "to do all in our power to place Nebraska
third in the rank among the noble States which dare to stretch forth the mighty
The Nerraska Eldership 657
hand of the Law to 'rescue the perishing.' " The state of religion was reported as
"generally good." The Treasurer was required to give bond in the sum of $200.00.
There being so many absentees, a resolution was adopted, expressing "the sense of
this body that every minister holding a license ought to meet with us, if possible,
and at least honor the Eldership by sending a report of his labors." This was
emphasized by renewing the licenses of absentees, and placing them in the hands
of the Standing Committee awaiting their reports. Provision was made for the
Speaker to preach the Opening Sermon of the succeeding Eldership.
9th Nebraska Eldei-ship. — After the organization of the Eldership at Possum
Hill School-house, Saline county, September 13, 1883, the Speaker, W. J. Harris,
was authorized to name "a committee of three on Constitution and By-Laws, to
report at the next session." Moore, Zook and AUer were appointed. That "min-
isters may be able to act intelligently when called to a place in which they must
decide parliamentary questions" they were requested to study Cushing's Manual,
which was adopted to govern the Eldership. Rejoicing over the success of pro-
hibition in other States, the Eldership resolved to "do all in our power to place
our own State in line with all others" on this question. "A warm discussion" fol-
lowed a resolution from the same Committee "greatly deprecating the use of to-
bacco" and pledging the Eldership "to discourage its use, especially among the
ministers of this body;" but it was adopted after thus amended. Churches were
^'urged to organize home missionary societies." Action was taken "to constitute
a fund for the support of widows and orphan children of deceased ministers."
Each minister was required "to pay $1.00 into this Fund when making his annual
report," and "each member of the Church" was "invited to pay annually 25 cents
into this Fund." The death of P. Shaw, "a good man of God, an earnest de-
fender of God's word and a wise counselor in our deliberations," was sincerely
lamented. He was first licensed by the East Pennsylvania Eldership, in 1840.
Fomci"ook was transferred to the Illinois Eldership. These losses were partly
made up by the addition of several new men. The bethel at Barada was partly
wrecked by a storm, and a committee was "appointed to devise ways and means to
rebuild it." The appointments numbered twelve, but there were several quite in-
adequately supplied. D. B. Zook, Clerk of the Eldership, apologized for the over-
sight by the Eldership to elect delegates to the General Eldership in 1884.
Probably for want of funds in the treasury, J. A. Hoi-ton, Treasurer, made no
report.
10th Nebraska Eldership. — The committee to draft a Constitution and By-
Laws were ready to make its report when the Eldership convened in 1884. It
recommended that "the Articles of Incorporation as recorded in the Secretary's
office at Lincoln be adopted" as the Constitution. These Articles give the name as
"the Nebraska Eldership of the churches of God." The object is "to give legal
existence to the Eldership." The membership is to consist "of regularly licensed
teaching elders, and ruling elders chosen by the local churches." Officers pro-
vided for are "a Speaker, Stated Clerk, Treasurer, Board of Missions and Standing
Committee." These constitute the Board of Incorporation. The Standing Com-
mittee shall act as trustees between sessions of the Eldership, and shall fill va-
cancies. The Corporation shall hold its annual meeting with the meeting of the
Eldership. It shall also be a Home Mission Society. When, after the Opening
Sermon by W. T. Han-is, on September 3, 1884, the Eldership convened for busi-
ness on the morning of the 4th, seven teaching elders were present, and eight ab-
sent. Six ruling elders were also present, and one exhorter. Han-is was elected
Speaker; D. B. Zook, Clerk, and J. A. Hortoii, Treasurer. By-Laws to govern the
body while doing business were adopted; yet they also provided that each local
church shall "organize and control a home missionary society." The question,
"What position shall we assume on the prohibition agitation?" was discussed by
Aller, Moore and others, and several sittings later the Committee on Temperance
reported, that "we will not be satisfied with a law upon this subject short of en-
tire prohibition of the manufacture and sale of all intoxicants of every form and
character." The Home Missionary funds were "transferred to the Contingent
Fund until enough Contingent funds can be raised to replace them." The "set-
ting apart of the first Lord's day after the Week of Prayer as a day of fasting and
prayer for the general prosperity of the Church," as recommended by the General
Eldership of 1884, was "heartily endorsed." The session of the Eldership was
held in the Friendship school-house. Gage county, "the Board of Directors having
C. H.— 22*
658 History of the Churches oe God
suspended school for one week and opened their school-house, and welcomed this
body into their building."
11th Nebraska Eldership.- — The eleventh session of the Nebraska Eldership
had the gratification of enrolling as advisory members two ministers of the Free
Baptist Church, L. IJ. Wharton and A. D. Williams. The latter "made a cordial
response, recalling some of his associations with the former standard bearers of
the Church in the East." He contributed to The Advocate an interesting report
of the session. He was reminded "of the old East Pennsylvania Eldership forty
years ago. There was the same devotion, the same earnestness, the same re-
sponsive heartiness, the same sharpness of conflict and the same generous fra-
ternity after it was over; the same earnest contending for cherished opinions, and
the same readiness to fight whatever may oppose, coupled with the same burning
fire of personal devotion." The session was held at Barkey, Gage county, begin-
ning October 22, 1885. On the evening of October 21st J. L. Jackson preached
the Opening Sermon. Eight fields of labor, with six pastors and six ruling elders,
were enrolled; also ten "local ministers and one exhorter." E. D. Aller was
chosen Speaker; D. B. Zook, Clerk, and J. L. Jackson, Treasurer. By invitation
Dr. AVilliams "made a statement of the success of the Free Baptist Church, and
gave the plan of its system of co-operation." As he was Corresponding Mes-
senger of the Free Baptist Association, the Eldership appointed Aller and Zook
"delegates to the next Yearly Meeting of said brethren." The Eldership placed
itself on record in favor of unfermented wine in the Communion," in order to
avoid the possibility of evil, or even the appearance of it." A radical change was
made in the system of Co-opeartion. It was directed that "the State be divided
into three districts, and that a man be appointed in each district to assist the pas-
tors in their work; to incite the brethren to a better support of the ministry, and tO'
build church houses and contribute to our various Funds; to heal divisions, to
promote harmony and co-operation, and to have a general supervision over the
whole work in his district." The "need of more consecration, both among the
ministry and laity," was emphasized. The poverty of ministers "from the ex-
treme northwest" was recognized in the action directing that on "Sabbath morn-
ing and evening collections be held to help these brethren to return to their fields."
The organization of missionary societies in the churches was strongly insisted
upon. As directed, the Stationing Committee divided the territory into three Dis-
tricts, with a Superintendent for each one. There were seven circuits. The
"local workers," were "recommended" to the different Superintendents.
12th Nebraska Eldership. — During the year the Eldership sustained a serious
loss in the death of A. B. Slyter. Death is a terrible leveler. It not only "mows
down all with an impartial hand;" but in the grave there is no distinction. Yet
in character, talents and efficiency in service not all are of the same rank, and so
the Nebraska Eldership could justly lament the death of Slyter as that of "an able
preacher of the gospel and a wise counselor." He was originally licensed by the
Indiana Eldership in 1856. The session of the Eldership in 1886 was held at
Janesville, Custer county, where the Opening Sermon was preached on the evening
of October 6th, by J. W. Adams, from I. Tim. iv. 16. Eighteen teaching and
ruling elders were in attendance. The officers elected were C. S. Kilmer, Speaker;
D. B. Zook, Clerk, and J. L. Jackson, Treasurer. One minister was required to
confess that he had done wrong "in expelling a member from a church not
strictly according to the word," with a promise of forgiveness. The confession
followed. Sympathy was expressed for "the members of this body given to the bad'
habit of the filthy use of tobacco," and the Eldership declared that it "earnestly,
prayerfully and feelingly invites, persuades and urges all of them immediately to
cease using it in any form." It also pledged itself "not to vote for any candidate
whom we know to be against the submission of the temperance question to a vote-
of the people." The tendency of "teaching elders to stand aloof from local mem-
bership" was disapproved, and they were required "to hold membership in some
local church." There being "too much slackness in observing the ordinances,"
the Eldership gave it as its judgment that "each minister in charge of a work
should hold ordinance meetings as often as once a quarter." The building of
houses of worship was strongly insisted upon, and each minister was "requested to
urge upon the people the great need of this work." The plan of districting the
territory and appointing "Superintendents" was disregarded, and the Stationing^
Committee appointed the ministers to nine circuits, on several of which two were-
appointed, and on a few others one pastor with one and two "helpers."
The Nebraska Eldership 659
13th Nebraska Eldership. — The "borrowing" of money from funds of the
Eldership to be replaced later by collections was not uncommon, usually from the
Home Mission Fund. To pay funeral expenses the previous year this was au-
thorized by the Eldership. Wherein this differs from misapplication of funds by
officials of institutions of a financial character is a question in casuistry not raised
by the Nebraska Eldership. It held its thirteenth session at Kilmer, Lincoln
county, beginning October 1, 1887. The previous evening J. W. Adams delivered
the Opening Sermon, from Acts ii. 42. There were twenty teaching elders and
nine ruling elders present. J. W. Adams was elected Speaker; D. B. Zook, Journal-
izing Clerk; C. S. Kilmer, Financial Clerk, and Eli Stark, Treasurer. To raise the
amount which the Board of Missions of the General Eldership asked, an assess-
ment was made on the different circuits. The By-Laws were amended so as to
have "ministers change fields on the first of November following the meeting of the
Eldership, instead of the first of March." The Report on Temperance affirmed
the extreme position that "the responsibility of our saloon system lies upon us,"
and hence the duty "to cry aloud and spare not until victory shall crown the ef-
fort to drive out of our land alcoholic drinks as a beverage forever." The state
of religion was encouraging, as "bethels had been built, churches have been
greatly strengthened, new churches have been organized and the ministry and laity
feel greatly encouraged to prosecute the work." The negligence of "brethren
holding positions of trust in not attending to their duties promptly" was "earnestly
condemned," and a specific "vote of censure upon the past Treasurer for his
negligence" was adopted. Money "borrowed" from the Missionary Fund in 1886
had not yet been replaced, and ministers were again "urged to raise money to
replace said missionary money." The territory was divided into ten circuits, with
one "General Worker."
14th Nebraska Eldership. — The territory of the Eldership being very large,
during the year an effort was made to create sentiment in favor of a division of
the Eldership. But when the question was submitted to a vote it was decided
in the negative. The session was held in Berwyn, Custer county, beginning
October 18, 1888, and was attended by eleven of the twenty ministers, and by
nine ruling elders. J. W. Adams was Speaker; D. B. Zook, Clerk, and Eli Stark,
Terasurer. The year had been a less successful one than the previous one, yet all
were "hopeful for the future." However, the reports showed about two hundred
conversions, "the organization of three or more churches," and the erection of one
bethel. The only funds received by the Treasurer were $6.00 Home Mission
money from Zook. The date for the Ministerial Association was fixed for Satur-
day preceding the meeting of the Eldership. A parsonage at Waco, "useless to
the church," was ordered to be sold, the net balance to be paid toward the new
bethel at Thayer. It was resolved to "strike at the head of the serpent of in-
temperance in word, deed and by our vote." A call was received from Frontier
county for a missionary. E. K. Howe was appointed. There were nine other
circuits, for three of which the Eldership could not furnish pastors. As Henry-
Gardner had arranged to locate in the State of Oregon, and offered "to pay the
fare out and back of J. W. Adams, provided he will agree to go with him and
remain until a work for the Church has been started and organized," the Elder-
ship recommended him to the Board of Missions of the General Eldership for an
appropriation to assist him in said work.
15th Nebraska Eldership. — The Waco parsonage was sold, as ordered, during
the year; but the bethel at Thayer was not built, as anticipated. Hence the Elder-
ship did not meet there in 1889, as was proposed, but at Rosemond School-house,
near Thayer, York county, the session beginning on October 3, 1889, with the
Opening Sermon the previous evening, by D. B, Zook, from John xii. 27. The
officers elected were E. D. Aller, Speaker; D. B. Zook, Clerk, and C S. Kilmer,
Treasurer. The attendance was small, only eight of the twenty-one teaching
elders being present, and three ruling elders. And while the work was character-
ized as "drooping," reports showed that "over two hundred have been converted,
one hundred and twenty-six added to the Church, and we are hopeful for the fu-
ture." The Eldership took a positive stand for Prohibition, and the Report
adopted was of unusual length. It declared that the liquor traffic is destructive
to national existence in any form, and especially to our peculiar form of govern-
ment," and hence the Eldership declared "that prohibitory laws are indispensable
to the triumph of the temperance cause; that the license system is a most prolific,
and standing paramount as an auxiliary in the great devastation and ruin resulting
66o History of the Churches of God
from its power." "People who have the interest of humanity at heart" are "urged
to suport at the ballot box all men and measures calculated to destroy the traffic."
The Eldership "will boldly move to the entire prohibition of the liquor traffic."
Of the three brethren ordained to the ministry was John Swanson, a Swede, who
desired to preach among his countrymen. The Eldership did not have the men
to supply two of the eleven circuits. Several points once quite promising had
gone down, among them Crete, where the work was at first quite encouraging; but
at this time the church had become extinct, and the property was placed in the
hands of a committee to sell. "The Uebel bethel is going to ruins," was the
committee's report. K. A. Moore and John Kilmer, "faithful and efficient lay-
men, who were among the important factors in the origin, growth and develop-
ment of this Eldership" were called to their final reward, and were sincerely
lamented.
16th Nebraska Eldership. — As in most of the annual Elderships, so in Ne-
braska, conformity, to the action of the General Eldership in 189 0 reduced the
published Minutes to a minimum. The Church at large remained uninformed
and uninfluenced by their transactions. The Nebraska Eldership met in 1890 at
Victor School-house, Wayland, Polk county, September 25th. E. D. Aller preached
the Opening Sermon. The day preceding, the Ministerial Association held Its
meeting. D. B. Zook was elected Speaker, and H. G. Moore, Clerk. The territory
of the Eldership extended over the following counties: Gage, Saline, Fillmore,
Clay, York, Polk, Custer, Sherman, Lincoln and Frontier. A colony of Swedes
had received the doctrines of the Church, and John Swanson, who was of that na-
tionality, was "recommended to labor among the Swede people as a pastor, and
to preach to them in the language of their native country." Including this mis-
sion, there were eleven fields of labor. Frontier county being "in the hands of the
General Worker, A. Wilson."
17th Nebraska Eldership. — "The most pleasant and harmonious meetings of
the Nebraska Eldership," it was held, were enjoyed at the session in 1891. There
were indications of progress and prosperity, which always work for peace and
harmony. After parts of two days spent in the Ministerial Association, the Elder-
ship, on the evening of October 14th, listened to the Opening Sermon, delivered
by H. G. Mooi-e, from Jer. xxiii. 28. E. D. Aller was chosen Speaker; H. G. Moore,
Clerk. The session was held at Lone Tree, Custer county. The attendance of the
people was so large, especially when the ordinances were observed, that "the house
was crowded from end to end, and side to side, with more on the outside." The
number of fields of labor as outlined by the Committee was twelve. Sheridan
county was one of the circuits. With the two newly licensed ministers, twenty-
two were on the Roll.
18th Nebraska Eldersliip. — Being largely a mission field, the Nebraska Elder-
ship, and the women of the churches, readily fell in line in the new movement
started with the organization of the Woman's General Missionary Society. A
State W. M. S. was formed, which met with the Eldership in 1892, and gave in-
creased interest. It requested "the Eldership to unite with it in inviting Sister
M. B. Woodworth to hold one or two meetings in the bounds of the Eldership."
The session was advertised to be held at Lone Elm Bethel, Custer county, October
6, 1892. But D. B. Zook, who preached the Opening Sermon, October 5th, notes
that it was held at Pleasant Valley, Sherman county. The officers were E. D.
Aller, Speaker; D. B. Zook, Clerk, and Silas Miller, Treasurer. Two ministers,
"charged with insubordination," were tried before "the Judiciary Committee;"
the "charges sustained," and "the names dropped from the Ministerial Roll."
The churches, according to the Report of the Committee on the State of Religion,
were "below the model standard established by the Apostles." Assessments were
made for the different Funds, aggregating $120.00. The work among the Swedes
was continued, but the numUer of fields of labor was reduced to nine. To give
wider publicity to the actions of the Eldership, and so of all the Elderships, and
to secure their preservation in permanent form, the Eldership "instructed the
delegates to the General Eldership in 1893 to work to arrange a plan to have the
Journals published in pamphlet form, with all the Elderships combined."
19th Nebraska Eldership. — The Nebraska Eldership in 1893 manifested a
more hopeful and aggressive spirit. Conditions generally were improving; there
was a better attendance at the annual meeting, and unity and harmony prevailed.
The session was held at Pleasant View, Frontier county, beginning October 19th,
and continuing during the 20th and 21st. On the evening of the 18th Richard
. The Nebraska Eldership 66i
Bellis delivered the Opening Sermon, from John iii. 3. Nineteen of the thirty-one
teaching elders were present, and seven ruling elders and delegates. C. S. Kilmer
was elected Speaker, and Richard Bellis, Clerk. There was an important addi-
tion to the membership when A. Wilson was received by transfer from the Iowa
Eldership. A minister of the Missionary Baptist Church was received and
licensed. "The dollar plan of raising the means to liquidate the debt on Findlay
College" was endorsed, and the ministers pledged themselves "to do our utmost
among our people to raise the money at an early date." As to conditions in the
Eldership, it was agreed that "the outlook is hopeful, and the watchword is up-
ward and onward;" but there was "great need of more earnest, faithful laborers."
The Eldership declared "legislation a sham that encourages in any way the open
and deliberate dealing out of the health-destroying, soul-ruining and heaven-
defying poison" of intoxicating beverages. The Eldership had a Monument Com-
mittee, to procure funds and erect certain monuments over the graves of deceased
ministers. The ten fields of labor were all well supplied, some of the pastors
having assistants, two of the circuits being supplied alternately by five ministers.
Those ministers "not appointed to fields, to work in conjunction with pastors, and
in all ways possible to plant the standard of the Church among the people."
Perkins county was added to the list of counties in which at least one church had
been organized.
30th Nebraska Eldership. — Hard times in the year 1893-4 interfered seri-
ously with Church work in Nebraska. The people were in need themselves in a
number of counties, and their "critical and desitute condition" as the Winter of
1894 approached foreshadowed want and suffering. Appeals were made for "con-
tributions in clothing or otherwise" to keep them in comfort during the Winter.
It was in the presence of such conditions that the Eldership convened with the
church at Lone Tree, Custer county, October 10, 1894. But five of the seventeen
ministers enrolled were present, and eight delegates. A. Wilson was chosen
Speaker, and Richard Bellis, Clerk. The names of five ministers were "dropped
from the Ministerial Roll of the Eldership." The Eldership realized "that more
aggressive work must be done by both ministers and brethren; and that owing to
the far-reaching drouth in our State many have become discouraged." Silas
Miller, who was re-elected Treasurer, reported an aggregate amount of $51.60 in
his hands. Three were ordained to the ministry, one of them a sister. A regular
"ordination address" was delivered, followed by prayer. An apportionment of
Missionary and Contingent funds, aggregating $5 5.00, was made to churches lo-
cated in ten counties. Fields of labor were merged, so that there were only seven,
to which were appointed seven pastors and four assistants.
21st Nebraska EUlei-ship. — In its Constitution and By-Laws the Nebraska
Eldership is known as a "Corporation." As, "This Corporation shall be known
by the name of the Nebraska Eldership of the Churches of God;" "the object of
this Corporation," etc.; "The officers of this -Corporation;" "The Treasurer shall
receive and take charge of the funds of the Corporation;" "the annual meeting of
the Corporation;" "this Corporation as a Home Mission Society," etc. But it
had a Woman's Missionary Society, which was actively promoting mission work
in the churches, and reported to the Corporation, as it did at the session in 1895.
This session was held at New Hope, Custer county, October 4-6, 189 5. It was well
attended by ministers, only six of the twenty-four enrolled being absent. Six
ruling elders were present. D. B. Zook was the Speaker; Richard Bellis, Clerk,
and Silas Miller, Treasurer. As the Ministerial Association immediately preceded
the session of the Eldership, the discussion of questions handed down by the Gen-
eral Eldership took place there. These were put in this form: "What is the best
title for our annual and general meetings?" G. W. Mizner and T. A. Moss. 2.
"Is 'church' or 'churches' the proper word in connection with our meetings?"
D. B. Zook and C. S. Kilmer. 3. "Is annual license preferable to life license in
our Eldership?" A. Wilson and W. H. Harris. 4. "Is ordination by the laying
on of hands a Bible requirement?" Eli Stark and T. D. Conklin. The vote was
taken during the sittings of the Eldership without discusison, and was against a
change in Eldership titles to Association; for "churches" instead of "church";
against life certificates, and in favor of imposition of hands in ordination. The
Opening Sermon was delivered by A. AVilson in the evening after the first day's
sittings. The Eldership had many obstacles to contend against, chief of which at
this time were "their poverty and isolation from one another;" but a strong and
earnest desire pervaded the brotherhood "to accomplish more for the Master in
662 History op the Churches of • God
the coming year than in all the history of the Eldership." The territory was
divided into ten circuits, on two of which were stationed two ministers.
22nd Nebraska Eldership. — In the Nebraska Eldership no discrimination pre-
vailed against women as teaching elders; yet there were only a few licensed. The
Roll in 189 6 under "teaching elders absent, of which there were ten, contained
the name of "Hattie Rousey." And of the two licentiates one was "Sister A. B.
Sharpe." She had been one of the list of "ruling elders and delegates.," as were
also Mattie Pitt and Nancy J. Bellis, the latter State President of the W. M. S.
The Eldership convened at Eldorado, Clay county, and was in session October 15,
16 and 17, 1896, eight ministers, and eleven ruling elders and delegates, being
in attendance. J. H. Barkey was elected Speaker; D. B. Zook, Clerk, and Silas
Miller, Treasurer. The action of the General Eldership in May, 189 6, on Elder-
ship titles was accepted, and the title of the Nebraska Eldership changed ac-
cordingly. Two churches made application to be received into the Eldership,
which was granted. "Total abstinence from strong drink as a beverage" was the
expressed belief of the Eldership, and this faith was to be impressed upon the
minds of children by their parents. Prayer was emphasized as a "means by all
Christians, to the end that the curse of liquor selling may be blighted, routed and
destroyed." An assessment of $72.00 was levied on the churches for Misisonary
and Contingent Funds. The ministers were engaged in arduous labors, under
great privations, so that the W. M. S. through its officers expresses an "earnest
longing to be instrumental in helping them to bear their hardships." While they
had organized several local societies, "the failure of crops for so many seasons
proved disastrous, and many of the societies became extinct by removals and dis-
couragements." There were eleven fields of labor, all supplied with pastors except
Polk county. Hattie Rousey was appointed to do missionary work in Wyoming,
and John A. Swanson was the Eldership Evangelist.
23rd Nebraska Eldei-ship. — In making up the Roll of the Eldership in 1897
there were eighteen ministers, of which number twelve were present; eleven
ruling elders, and seven delegates, two of which were women. These delegates
took the places of absent ruling elders. Also three exhorters, two of which were
women, as was also one of the teaching elders. Thus constituted, the Eldership In
session at Milburn, Custer county, October 7th, elected C. S. liilmer, Speaker;
D. B. Zook, Clerk, and Silas Miller, Treasurer. The names of two teaching elders
and one exhorter "were dropped from the Ministerial Roll;" but two applicants
received licenses. A request from an absent brother, "that the Eldership engage
in prayer on his behalf for relief in a chronic disease" was answered by "appoint-
ing a committee to arrange for an hour of prayer in his behalf." On temperance
there was more radical action taken, in declaring the Eldership's belief "in the
absolute prohibition of the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors as a
beverage;" in pledging itself to "work and vote to bring the State and Nation
to recognize the evil of the drink habit and the sin of partnership in the business
by the license system," and in charging "the license voter as equally guilty with
the saloon-keeper and manufacturer in this nefarious, soul-destroying, conscience-
corrupting business." As there was much "negligence in holding ordinance meet-
ings, pastors were instructed "to hold these meetings at least once a quarter."
The W. M. S. held its session with the Eldership, and made arrangements "to
become auxiliary to the W. G. M. S." Unconverted persons were debarred from
"holding office in local societies."
24th Nebraska Eldership. — The activity of the W. M. S. during the Eldership
year 1897-8 is evidence in the funds collected and aid afforded pastors. More
missionary money was collected than by the pastors and churches, and donations
of all kinds for various purposes were in commendable amounts. In other re-
spects the interests of the Eldership were not what the body "desired them to be."
One token of this fact was the sale of the bethels in Dry Valley and at Uebel's,
and the renting of the Crete bethel to the Christian Church. These facts had a
dispiriting effect on the Eldership which held its session at Lone Tree, Custer
county, October 27-29, 1898, and were reflected in the reduction of the fields of
labor to nine. Of the nineteen ministers eight were absent; one exhorter, three
ruling elders and ten delegates were present. The officers chosen were D. B.
Zook, Speaker; R. Bellis, Clerk, and Silas IVIiller, Treasurer. The ministers were
requested to "take up some course of systematic or normal Bible study," and plans
were to be matured for a course of reading by the Eldership for the ministers.
Active interest was taken in the organization and work of the Y. P. S. C. E. The
The Nebraska Eedership 663
practice of making assessments for Missionary and Contingent Funds was con-
tinued, one assessment being made, of which three-fourths was for missions and
one-fourth for contingent expenes. The aggregate was $82.00. A Free Baptist
minister proposed "to labor among us as an evangelist in the gospel ministry,"
and the privilege was granted him, without becoming a member of the Church or
Eldership "with the understanding that he is to organize churches in the name
church of God, and that he is to turn over the churches thus organized to this
Eldership."
25th Nebraska Eldership. — "In the historic old sod school-house, at New
Hope, Custer county, where the Nebraska Eldership has twice held its annual meet-
ing," it convened Thursday morning, October 12, 1899, for its last session of the
century. Tender sentiments clustered around "these old sod walls," "soon to be
numbered among the things of the past, and to be rehearsed by the boys of to-day
to their children." There assembled, on "a bright and beautiful" morning, eleven
teaching elders, and fourteen ruling elders, while eight teaching elders and ex-
horters were absent. The official women enrolled were three teaching elders and
exhorters, and two ruling elders, if the enrollment is accurate. D. B. Zook was
chosen Speaker; R. Bellis, Clerk, and Silas Miller, Treasurer. The year had been
one of "spiritual dearth"; but there was "wise and spiritual teaching along the
line of truth and righteousness." In view of the Life Certificates ordered by the
General Eldership, the Nebraska Eldership adopted special precautions for its own
protection. A committee was named "to examine ministers as to their doctrinal
views," and every "minister whose name is on the Roll of the Nebraska Eldership
"was required to go before said committee and answer all questions propounded
to him regarding his views on doctrine and polity." And only such as were "in
strict accord and harmony with the doctrine and polity of the Eldership shall
receive Certificates of Ordination." In addition to stalwart resolutions on the
temperance question, the Eldership "deplored the attitude that the President
and Administration have assumed in regard to the canteen system in the army."
A. Wilson, almost a life-long missionary, desiring to retire from that form of ac-
tivity, "donated his tabernacle to the Eldership," which the body accepted "for
use where it may be needed." The ten fields of labor were located in the follow-
ing counties: Gage, Saline, Clay, Polk, Custer, Lincoln, Logan, Sherman, Holt,
Richardson, Frontier. G. W. Miznor, a "worthy brother in the ministry, was re-
moved by the hand of death" during the year. He was first licensed in 1886. He
was a man who never sacrificed principle for popularity, and he could confidently
await the judgment of his colaborers in the ministry on that indictment.
26th Nebraska Eldership. — The Nebraska Eldership exercised wise prudence
in disposing of the question of endorsing a private proposition to start a mission-
ary enterprise in Armenia. John Vinson, of the Southern Indiana Eldership, dur-
ing the Summer of 1900 became much interested in one Alexanian, a native of
Armenia sojourning in the United States, and soliciting funds to organize a mission
in his native country. Vinson conceived the idea that each member of the
churches of God might give 2 5 cents to establish this mission, and sent a com-
munication to the Nebraska Eldership, "urging immediate action in respect to
occupying territory in Armenia." The Nebraska Eldership considered this com-
munication at its session held at Victor, Polk county, October 4-6, 1900. It
agreed to Vinson's proposition, "providing such action is considered by the Board
of Missions of the General Eldership, with their manner of working." This
diplomatic answer can best be appreciated in the light of the fact that India was
the foreign mission field of the General Eldership. This session of the Eldership
was constituted of eight teaching elders and six ruling elders and delegates. Nine
teaching elders were absent. Two of the teaching elders were women. Having
provided for an additional Clerk, the Eldership elected D. B. Zook, President;
R. Bellis, Clerk; T. A. Moss, Financial Clerk; D. B. Zook, Treasurer.' The Sta-
tioning Committee, the Standing Committee and the Board of Missions consisted
exclusively of ministers. The year had been one "of spiritual growth, with a sys-
tem of wise teaching along the line of truth and righteousness." Before any
application for license could be favorably considered, the applicant had to "answer
in the affirmative certain questions relative to doctrine and co-operation." The
Eldership had four different Funds, into which the aggregate sum of $142.01 was
paid by the Financial Clerk, whose duty it was "to receive all moneys brought to
the Eldership." A conservative position was taken on the liquor traffic, simply
deciding "to hold up the truths set forth concerning it before our people, that they
664 History of the Churciiks of God
may be warned and the youth taught to shun the awful consequences of taking
the first drink." The churches were asked "to excuse their pastors for two weeks
during the ensuing year, that they may arrange to meet together at some central
point for special services." Nine fields of labor were outlined, and but one re-
mained unsupplied. These were in Richardson, Clay, Gage, Saline, Eldorado,
Custer, Lincoln, Logan, Holt, Polk and Frontier counties. F. A. Shai-p was to
"continue his evangelistic work at Fairfax and Bonesteel, Gregory county. South
Dakota, with a view of opening a field." There was a Woman's State Missionary
Society, which made its report to the Eldership.
27th Nebraska Eldership. — The Articles of Incorporation, published with the
Journal of 1901, provided for the legal existence of the Eldership in Nebraska.
The persons composing it were the teaching and ruling elders, the latter being
chosen by the local churches according to the Rules of co-operation. Its annual
meetings were to be held with the meeting of the annual Eldership; but special
meetings could be called. It met at the time and place where the session of the
Eldership was held in 1901, Sunny Side, Holt county, October 24-26. D. B. Zook
perached the Opening Sermon. It was an exceptionally small Eldership, but four
teaching elders being in attendance and seven ruling elders! Ten teaching elders
were absent. D. B. Zook was elected President; T. A. Moss, Clerk, and D. B. Zook,
Treasurer. After organization a recess was taken, and A. H. Fuller delivered a
discourse from John iii. 14. One-half hour of each morning sitting was devoted
to preaching. E. M. Hickman was transferred to the Oklahoma Eldership, and
F. A. Sharp requested a transfer to the Oregon and Washington Eldership; but
three additions were made to the ranks of the Eldership. A Course of Studies
was agreed upon for one year, and a Course for a second year was ordered to be
prepared. There was some "prosperity in the work and spiritual growth in cer-
tain localities, while in others there had been no growth, and spirituality was at
a low ebb." The Standing Committee was authorized to make assessments for the
Home Mission Fund, Contingent Fund, and for the General Eldership delegates.
Three of the nine charges were "given the privilege to make such arrangements for
preaching as may be satisfactory, subject to the Rules of Co-operation."
28th Nebraska Eldership. — Studying the conditions of the Eldership in 1902
brings several exceptional facts to the surface. The Roll of ministers contained
twenty names, two of which were women. The ministers lived in four counties
and received their mail at thirteen post-offices. There may be a possible intima-
tion in these facts of reasons operating against the progress of the work in the
State, and the fluctuating numbers present at annual sessions of the Eldership.
The body convened at Broken Bow, Custer county, in which county at least ten
ministers lived, in the United Brethren house of worship, October 16, 1902.
Fourteen teaching elders and seven ruling elders and delegates were present.
D. B. Zook was the choice for Speaker; R. Bellis, Clerk; J. H. Barkey, Financial
Clerk, and D. B. Zook, Treasurer. Each day at 10.30 a. m. and 7.30 p. m. there
were preaching services. "The state of religion is very low as far as we have any
knowledge," was the Report of the Committee on the State of Religion, and an
earnest desire was expressed "that God will bless and revive the churches." Lack
of means was given as the reason for "again appealing to the Board of Missions
of the General Eldership to cancel and relieve the Eldership from all assessments
until such time as the Board can appoint a man on our territory as missionary."
Findlay College was recognized as "one of the foremost and best equipped insti-
tutions of learning in America." The enforcement of the provisions of the By-
Laws was urged, which required each local church to organize and control a Mis-
sionary Society. Ministers were instructed to look after this matter, as com-
plaint was made by the W. M. S. that this work is neglected, and "in some in-
stances ministers are arrayed against the Society." Finances had improved, as
the agregate of Funds was $283.67. The fields of labor numbered eleven, all
supplied but one. Two of the pastors were women — Annie E. Haycroft and Nancy
S. Trout.
29th Nebraska Eldership. — An earnest appeal was made by the Clerk of the
Eldership for a special effort to be made by all the churches to be fully repre-
sented at the session of 1903, and that "all the teaching elders be present, fully
consecrated and ready to obey the Master's command." Nine ministers and five
ruling elders and delegates responded to this appeal and assembled at Lone
Tree, Custer county. Neb., September 30th, to hear the Opening Sermon, preached
by C. W. Clouse. Thursday morning, October 1st, the Eldership was organized by
The Nebraska Eldership 665
the election of C. S. Kilmer, Speaker; R. Bellis, Clerk; Silas Miller, Treasurer.
The Eldership keenly felt the loss by death of T. A. Moss, whom it characterized as
a "grand and noble man." His ministerial life was short, as he was ordained in
1901 by the Nebraska Eldership. The removal of D. B. Zook to Sunny Side, Wash-
ington, was much deplored, as he was one of the most efficient leaders the Elder-
ship had. The legalized liquor traffic was emphatically condemned, and "as min-
isters of the gospel of righteousness and as Christians," the Eldership resolved "to
lift our voices to God in prayer and raise our hands everywhere possible against
it." The Anti-Saloon League of the State was congratulated "on the good work"
it was doing "in driving the liquor pest from our towns and from our presence."
Appreciating the need of better qualified ministers, the Eldership "recognized in
Findlay College an institution second to none in our broad land," and strongly
urged that it be patronized. Ft. Scott Collegiate Institute was also heartily en-
dorsed. Strong sentiments of regrets and sadness were expressed because "religion
is at a low ebb, principally through neglect of duty on the part of both preachers
and people." "The work is being crippled and the churches starved on account
of the ministry having turned aside to serve tables." The "sisters of the Church"
were asked "to take the work of organizing Woman's Missionary Societies in the
bounds of the Nebraska Eldership, and to work in harmony with the General Eld-
ership," and Mrs. R. Bellis was appointed to take up this work. The Eldership
officially endorsed "the petition to the United States Senate to refuse to accept the
credentials of Senator-elect Smoot, of Utah, and if found to be a polygamist, that
he be expelled from the Senate." There were eleven circuits, but three of them
had to be left unsupplied. A. Marks was appointed the General Worker of the
Eldership, with an appropriation of $40.00 for the year.
30th Nebraska Eldership. — During the year 1903-4 the Nebraska Eldership
suffered the loss by death of another of its active ministers, Eli Stark, whose "voice
so often cheered us in our Eldership gatherings." He was greatly beloved by his
fellow-ministers, who looked forward to "the reunion in that great Eldership above,
where there will be no vacant seats." It was hoped that this cloud which rested
on the Eldership as it assembled at Mt. Zion, Lincoln county, Wednesday evening,
October 19, 1904, by a providential mercy, came to the Nebraska brotherhood less
as a discipline than as a ministry of love. On that evening the Opening Sermon
was delivered by A. H. Luther. The following morning C. S. Kilmer was elected
Speaker; Alex, Piraie, Clerk; R. Bellis, Transcribing Clerk; Silas Miller, Treasurer.
There were four of the thirteen teaching elders present, and eight ruling elders
and delegates. One minister and one delegate were women. The Treasurer was
the Custodian of Deeds, considerable of the Church property being deeded to the
Eldership. Funds were low, as the assessments aggregated only $41.50. Min-
isters, however, were directed to "endeavor to assess all members of their churches
from 10 cents to $1.00 for the Home Mission Fund, that the gospel may be
preached more throughout Nebraska, and the churches of God may be built up."
C. S. Kilmer was also appointed to call on the churches of God throughout the State
and endeavor to collect money to help to build a church of God at Broken Bow."
It was made the duty of all ministers living on fields of labor to "help the pastors,
and also to open and organize new points." Great disadvantages and impediments
had to be contended against by the ministers and churches in Nebraska; but, labor-
ing under the compulsion of a clear and imperative duty, they girded themselves
valiantly for the contest, hoping that "God will abundantly bless his humble ser-
vants, the ministers, on the different fields of labor, with many souls for their
hire."
31st Nebraska Eldership. — The list of ruling elders and delegates in 19 05,
enrolled in constituting the Nebraska Eldership, included four sisters, who were
appointed on five different committees. There were seven ministers present and
ten delegates. The session was held with the church at Lone Tree, or Weissert,
Custer county, October 11-15. R. Bellis delivered the Opening Sermon on the
evening of the 11th. Thursday morning, the 12th, an organization was effected
by the choice of Bellis for Speaker; W. R. Hodges, Clerk; Silas Miller, Treasurer.
"Memorial services" were held "in honor of our departed brother, C, W. Clouse,"
on Sunday at 2 p. m., when, by appointment, R. Bellis spoke of his "self-sacrificing
spirit in the Master's cause and work," and three others dwelt on the high appreci-
ation the body had of "him who though dead yet speaketh." At 4 p. m. there were
"baptismal services." In addition to assessments aggregating $35.50, "Alex.
Pimie" was "appointed to collect subscriptions for Home Missions." "If possible,
666 History of the Churches op God
ministers assigned to fields of labor" were required to "move upon said fields in
order to do more efficient work." Churches were directed "first thoroughly to
canvass their fields and know how much they can pay a pastor, so that pastors and
churches can come together understandingly, and that the churches of God may be
as high upon the pathway of life, and thus become to the community in which they
are situated an honor, and that their permanency may be guaranteed." It was in
a measure realized that there was a wide discrepancy between ideals of church
work and the resources with which to accomplish that work. This was evident in
the aspirations for "erudition and culture" in the ministry and laity, "that we as a
Church may be abreast with other church-going people," and in the counsel to "our
brethren to acquire a full and complete education, and to study and improve their
talents." Spirituality of the churches was below the standard. Against "the
saloon and all other places where intoxicating drinks are to be obtained" the Eld-
ership would "raise its voice as the voice of one man." There were six circuits,
all supplied with pastors.
32nd Nebraska Eldei-ship. — A "heavy snow storm that prevailed during the
week" of October 22-27, 1906, prevented the assembling of the Eldership on the
day fixed, October 24th. But on the 25th the Opening Sermon was preached by
A. H. Luther; yet the business of the Eldership was deferred until the 27th, when
five ministers and four delegates were present. Seven ministers were absent. H.
W. Hay croft was chosen for Speaker; Alex. Pimie, Clerk; C. S. Kilmer, Financial
Clerk; Silas Miller, Treasurer. Delegates reported for the churches, and from
these reports the Committee on the State of Religion gathered that "the state of
religion is very far beneath the privileges of the place where God intended the
human family to attain," and the ministry was admonished to "preach a higher
standard of religion, and that church and ministry live up to the standard of the
religion of the Bible." Death having claimed H. AV. Ward, memorial services were
held on Sunday afternoon, when four members of the Eldership were appointed to
speak. For fifteen years H. W. Ward had been a member of the Church of God,
and was ordained a minister of the gospel in 189 5, by the Nebraska Eldership.
"He was always faithful and true." The Eldership was "not ready to give him
up; but the Master came on the wings of lightning, and being enchanted by his
smiles he went to heaven with him without stopping to say farewell to wife and
children dear." He "lived to honor God and do good in the world." The Elder-
ship being "very weak," it "most earnestly asked that the General Board of Mis-
sions send one of its members to Nebraska to confer with the ministry of the Elder-
ship, to the end that peace and harmony may be restored, and the Board appoint
a man to Nebraska." The Board had withdrawn aid from the Eldership. Weak
financially as well as numerically, $25.00 were "transferred from the Home Mis-
sion Fund to the Contingent Fund." Transfers by churches of money have been
repeatedly condemned. In addition to the assignment of pastors to six fields of
labor, W. R. Hodges was "appointed to evangelical work in Nebraska and Colo-
rado." The session was held with the church at Mount Zion, Lincoln county.
33rd Nebraska Eldership. — Peculiar conditions existed in the Nebraska Elder-
ship when the body convened and held its annual session with the church at Lone
Tree, Weissert, Custer county, October 17, 1907. Nine ministers were present
during the sittings, nine ruling elders and two delegates. C. S. Kilmer was elected
Speaker; Alex. Pii-nie, Clerk; R. C. Leach, Financial Clerk; Silas Miller, Treasurer.
The "ministers are deficient as to knowledge, and we do insist that they apply
themselves more diligently in the future, that they may be more able to divide the
word of God for the promulgation of the gospel of Jesus Christ," said the Com-
mittee on Education, which was "accepted." The spiritual condition was lower
than could be approved, and the Eldership "prayed God that he may awaken min-
isters, and also the members, to a deeper sense of the great responsibility resting
upon them, that they may redouble their diligence to make the people see the great
need of the Holy Ghost in their hearts." With a "degree of embarrassment" the
Eldership "noted the financial condition of the pastors due to the non-payment of
the salaries agreed upon." Deacons were urged to make "more diligent efforts to
meet" these obligations, "deeming them a debt that should be paid." The Elder-
ship also confessed that "we as a Church ought to be more zealous in our revival
efforts to the building up of our Church, both spiritually and numerically." Min-
isters should be invited "to come into our midst and help us to build up the king-
dom of our Lord." When the Stationing Committee reported, and its report was
adopted, there were fourteen charges, and but four of them supplied with pastors.
The Nebraska Eldership 667
A. Marks was appointed as Evangelist, with an appropration of $50.00 for the year.
One of the ministers, John Svvanson, was located in Houston county, Tenn., where
it was "hoped he may do great work for the Master." The want of "harmony "be-
tween the Eldership and the Board of Missions of the General Eldership was still
felt, as the Eldership declared that it was "ignored" by said Board. R. Bellis and
W. T. Harris were "appointed to memorialize the Board of Missions in our behalf."
The ministers were instructed to "be more zealous to teach the laity their duty to
the Church, and to teach the doctrines and usages of the Church of God more fully
in the future than they have in the past." '
34th Nebraska Eldership. — Spirituality was reported as still at "a low ebb"
at the session of the Nebraska Eldership in 19 0 8. Pacts were submitted confirm-
ing this view of the Committee on the State of Religion, such as the "silence of
localities" from which encouraging reports had been formerly received, and
"churches which once bore the name of the church of God now nowhere to be
found." Conditions were also clearly reflected in the report of the Stationing Com-
mittee, which had six fields on its list of appointments, one of which was "subject
to the Standing Committee." There were gleams of light, as the body rejoiced
and felt "thankful to God for the grace bestowed upon the ministers, and the faith
and zeal found in them." But it realized "the need of a higher standard of edu-
cation and culture, so as to increase our efficiency to do good in all departments
of church work." The proposition of A. Wilson "to deed eighty acres of land to
the Nebraska Eldership for Home Mission purposes," inspired a hopeful spirit. The
session was held at Berwyn, Custer county, and extended from Wednesday evening,
October 7, 1908, to Saturday evening, the 10th. The first evening the Opening
Sermon was preached by C. S. Kibner, Sr. He was elected Speaker; R. Bellis,
Clerk;' Silas Miller, Treasurer. The Eldership elected a delegate to the Woman's
General Missionary Society to meet at Ft. Scott, Kas., in 1909, as it kept a careful
supervision over the W. M. S. of the State. Interest In mission work was also
stimulated by the contribution of $87.89 at the missionary meeting on Sunday
evening. The Widows' Fund was replenished in part from year to year by the tax
of $1.00 payable by ministers when making their reports. There was improve-
ment noticeable in the finances of the Eldership. In view of the regrettable fact
that intemperance is spreading in this fair land of ours," the ministers were di-
rected "to preach at least two sermons against the spread of this evil to their re-
spective congregations during the year, and do all in their power to bring about a
oetter condition of things." Concern was evpressed concerning the children of
Church of God families, that they "might be like Timothy, who knew the Holy
Scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto salvation."
35th Nebraska Eldership. — The ministers and churches of the Nebraska Elder-
ship were considerably disburdened by the action of the General Eldership in May,
1909, as reported by C. S. Kilmer, Sr., delegate to said body. He stated, that "the
General Eldership was willing and anxious to do all it could to build up the cause
of the Master in the State of Nebraska." This message, delivered at the begin-
ning of the session, gave a measure of new life to the deliberations. The meeting
was held with the church at Berwyn, Custer county, the county in which the Church
was strongest, beginning with the Opening Sermon on Wednesday evening, October
27, 1909, by C. S. Kilmer, Sr. W. T. Han-is was elected Speaker; R. Bellis, Clerk;
Silas Miller, Treasurer. The Eldership had always been loyal to the General Eld-
ership; but found itself financially embarrassed, so as not to be able to meet all its
obligations. But it freely "placed itself on record as in harmony with the action
of the General Eldership at Ft. Scott relative to the Woman's General Missionary
Society." It also "instructed" its "Treasurer to pay our assessments to the Gen-
eral Eldership." The sisters of the Eldership organized a Woman's Foreign Mis-
sionary Society, to co-operate with the W. G. M. S. There were other evidences of
revived life, and "increasing spirituality" was reported in some of the churches,
though "a lethargic condition" characterized others. The need of a better edu-
cated ministry was strongly expressed by the Committee on Education, consisting
of Sarah Cotterson, Martha Hopkins and Rhoda Betts: — "We feel that a higher
standard of education should be demanded of the ministerial brethren." Three
names were added to the Ministerial Roll, of men willing to do active work, and
whose "examination proved satisfactory." They were assigned to three of the ten
fields of labor. Albert Marks was appointed "General Helper of all ministers on
charges," receiving an appropriation of $25.00. "Ministers and members of the
Nebraska Eldership" were exhorted "to put forth greater efforts in freeing our
668 History of the Churches oe God
land from the blighting influence of the degrading liquor traffic." High commen-
dation is due the members of the Nebraska Eldership for the heroism displayed by
them under most exacting conditions. Where the spirit of sacrifice is in the nature
of a service high and impersonal, one beholds something of the redeeming work of
Christ, which brings honor to his adorable name.
36th Nebraska Eldership. — The Ministerial Roll of the Nebraska Eldership
in 1910 numbered eighteen, one being the name of a woman, Auna Haycroft. Of
this number ten were present at the thirty-sixth annual session, with six ruling
elders and delegates seated by the Committee on Credentials. The session was
held with the church at Mt. Zion, Lincoln county, October 13-15, 1910. On the
evening of October 12th the Opening Sermon was delivered, by Richard Bellis. A
lay elder, Alex Pimie, was chosen for Speaker, and another lay elder, J. H. Know,
for Clerk, while a third one, Silas Miller, was elected Treasurer. One member of
the Standing Committee and two of the Board of Missions were laymen. The Eld-
ership did not hesitate to provide for recourse to the civil law in cases of malfeas-
ance, and so instructed the Standing Committee in the instance of one of its min-
isters "should he fail to account for every cent that he received" in trust for a
given church. Rigid regulations were also adopted with reference to the circula-
tion of evil reports. It was "deemed cause sufficient to suspend any member of
the Eldership who shall say or write any evil about another member." They ex-
emplified Philip Heni'y's reminder of the law to those who spoke evil of people
behind their backs: "Thou shalt not curse the deaf." Those that are absent are
deaf. The Eldership did not violate this law when in addition to the Report on
Temperance it adopted a resolution, declaring that "James Dohlman, candidate
for Governor of this State, has placed himself on record as an avowed enemy of
society and the homes of this country," by his alliance with the liquor interests.
The Eldership pledged itself to vote and use its influence to defeat him, and to
elect his opponent, "who has so honorably and manly pledged himself to defend
our homes, protect society and place this State on record as a civilized and God-
fearing people."
37th Nebraska Eldership.— The organization of the thirty-seventh Eldership
in Nebraska was deferred half a day because "the roads are muddy and the clouds
are sending down their blessings upon the earth, and many of the brethren are
traveling and striving to reach the place of holding the session." Instead of or-
ganizing, it was concluded "to honor the request of the Executive Board of the
General Eldership by holding a special prayer-meeting, that unity and harmony
and peace might prevail, that no schism or divisions should come among us." This
symphony of peace was a fitting sequel to the actions of all the Annual Elderships
after the years of contention growing out of the course pursued in relation to the
organization of the W. G. M. S. of 1903. It swelled the louder in Nebraska be-
cause the Secretary of the Woman's Missionary Society of the State could report
"the Society in a very flourishing condition." On the afternoon of October 5,
1911, the Eldership proceeded to organize by electing R. Bellis, Speaker; A. Pirnie,
Clerk; John Kilmer, Financial Clerk; Silas IVIillei', Treasurer. Twelve teaching
elders were present, and five absent; eight ruling elders and delegates, four of
them men and four women. One minister, J. L. "Williams, was located at Minnette,
Alabama. The feeling of fraternal love in the Eldership was strong, as was made
evident when Williams, and J. Swanson, of Tennessee Ridge, Tenn., and D. B. Zook,
of Sunny Side, Wash., reported by letter. Their dependence upon the word of
God was evinced when the Judiciary Committee declared its "inability to adjust
the matter of boundary lines between fields on which any of our brethren or min-
isters may preach," and "recommended that the two brethren meet, with the word
of God as the third party, and settle the matter satisfactorily to themselves and to
all parties interested in the controversy." The Stationing Committee named eight
local churches, with the counties in which they were located, to which the preachers
were appointed, without "boundary lines governing the territory" on which the ap-
pointees might preach. Three, however, were unsupplied. Six were in Custer
county, one in Lincoln and one in Logan. The session was held with the church at
Lone Tree, Weissert, Custer county.
38th Nebraska Eldei-ship. — On Wednesday, October — , 1912, at 8 o'clock p.
m., R. Bellis preached the Opening Sermon of the thirty-eighth annual session of
the Nebraska Eldership, at Berwyn, Custer county. The following morning he
was chosen for Speaker; Alex. Piniie, Clerk; Sister George Betts, Financial Clerk;
Silas Miller, Treasurer. Eight teaching elders were present and eight were absent.
The Missouri Eldership 669
with seven ruling elders and delegates, three of the latter being women, and one
of the teaching elders. The Standing Committee was composed of teaching elders
R. Bellis, W. T. Harris, W. A. Bence. The Board of Missions had teaching elders
Bence and Billis, and ruling elder Alex Piniie as its members. The Speaker
specially honored the women delegates and advisory members by placing one on
the Committee on Arrangements, two of the three on the Committee on Resolu-
tions, one on the Committee on the State of Religion, the three on the Committee
on Education and two of the three on the Committee on Journals. Also two chosen
as alternate delegates to the General Eldership in 1913 were Nancy R. Bellis and
Kate Bence. "The state of religion is at a very low standard, and in a critical con-
dition," was the belief of the Committee on the State of Religion. It was resolved
"to do all in our power to uplift the cause of Christ in the coming year." A special
hour was given to the Woman's Home Missionary Society. During the three years
of its existence the Society had paid out $245.26. The Stationing Committee
lacked men to supply the fields. It fixed the number of appointments at eight, but
had only four ministers to assign to them, leaving the other four unsupplied. Six
of the fields were in Custer county, one in Logan and one in Lincoln, adjoining
counties near the center of the State. Ministers were also living in other counties
of the State, and a few churches reported from other counties. A committee was
"authorized to sell the church and all property belonging to the said church at
Friendship, Gage county." Having ordered all its General Eldership assessments
paid, the Eldership asked for the appointment of "W. A. Bence as an Evangelist
for the State of Nebraska by the General Board of Missions." The prayers at the
first sitting were answered, and "peace and harmony prevailed in every heart."
XV. THE MISSOURI ELDERSHIP.
1st Missouri Eldership. — As early as 1867 the first suggestion to organize an
Eldership in Missouri was made. It occurred at the session of the Texas Elder-
ship, when the annual report of J. E. Cunningham was under consideration. He
had removed from Texas into south-western Missouri, and being at too great a dis-
tance from any Annual Eldership to attend its session, his Eldership, without any
authority in the premises, "recommended J. E. Cunningham to organize an Elder-
ship in Missouri." The Texas Eldership had been thus organized without authority
from the General Eldership. The Indiana Eldership had as good a right to author-
ize D. Keplinger to organize an Eldership in Missouri, as he was a missionary in
that State from Indiana. West Pennsylvania a little later had D. Blakely as its
representative in Missouri. But these Elderships assumed no such authority.
Perhaps it was this same spirit of independency which culminated in the organi-
zation by several ministers of the Missouri Eldership of an independent Eldership
in Kansas in 1879, of which Cunningham was one. But there was no occasion for
Independent action, for at the General Eldership in 1869 an action was taken
authorizing the brethren in the State of Kansas to organize themselves into a
separate Eldership." Of this privilege the brethren in Kansas and Missouri availed
themselves when, on November 13, 1871, they organized the Kansas and Missouri
Eldership. But it was from the beginning a serious objection to have but this
one Eldership for the two States. The distances between the main body of the
Eldership and the parts of its territory in northeastern Kansas, north-western and
north-eastern Missouri were too great for the ministers laboring there to attend,
or the churches to be represented at, the sessions of the Annual Eldership. Ac-
cordingly the northern counties in Kansas were taken into the Nebraska Eldership,
while the Iowa Eldership supplied north-eastern Missouri, and sometimes north-
western Missouri. But even these arrangements did not quiet the agitation for
another Eldership. Yet it was no easy problem to solve. The first attempt to
solve it was made April 10, 1875, when what was called "The First Mission Elder-
ship of the Church of God in Morgan County, Mo.," was organized. Morgan
county is near the center of the State, and this Eldership was confined to that
section. The ministers in attendance were S. V, Sterner and D. Blakely; lay elders,
J. M. Sheckler, W. Berkstresser, W. H. Berkstresser and D. S. Berkstresser. After
adopting a series of resolutions of a local character, the Eldership adjourned to
meet at the call of the Chairman.
670 History of the Churches of Gon
There is no record that such a call was ever issued; but the boundaries of the
Kansas and Missouri Eldership remained unchanged, and the work in the two
States continued under its supervision. For three years matters remained quiescent,
when on January 28, 1878, W. J. Howard submitted a proposition through The
Advocate to organize "an Eldership embracing western Iowa and Missouri." The
proposed boundaries were: "The Missouri River forming the south and west
boundaries, and making the east line run parallel north and south through Des
Moines City, la., connecting with the south boundary (the river) near Carrollton,
Carroll county, Mo." In this territory were fourteen counties, seven in Missouri
and seven in Iowa. There were in this territory "eight traveling preachers, and
two local preachers." It was reasonable to suppose, as Howard did, that this prop-
osition would be acceptable to the ministers and churches in the southern part of
Missouri and Kansas. The proposition was seconded, February 20th, by D.
Blakely, one of the traveling preachers included within the proposed new Elder-
ship. His main plea was "the inconvenience in attending the sessions of the Eld-
ership on account of the size of our territory." The brethren in Iowa experienced
the same inconvenience. J. M. AVest, of the Kansas and Missouri Eldership, not
then living within the proposed boundaries of the new Eldership, had "some serious
objections" to the proposition, which he published March 27, 1878. C. B. Konkel,
living in the Kansas part of the territory of the Kansas and Missouri Eldership,
also objected to the proposed new Eldership. He stated that the Crawford county,
Kas., Circuit Eldership would discuss the proposition at a meeting called for that
purpose on April 27, 1878, and would make known its views to the General Eldert-
ship. The Iowa Standing Committee at a meeting held on April 9, 1878, adopted
a preamble and resolution in which it "requests the General Eldership not to give
its authority for the organization of such an Eldership." The authority was not
granted, and the proposition failed. Though a time had been fixed for a meeting
to organize, the records do not show that it was held.
The General Eldership in 1881 received, and acted favorably upon, "a request
from brethren in Kansas, asking the privilege of forming an Eldership in said State
to be known by the name of the Kansas Eldership of the Church of God, within
the boundaries of the State. "As this Eldership was organized in the Fall of said
year, and the first session of the Missouri Eldership was held, beginning October 6,
1881, it retained the ordinal number of the Kansas and Missouri Eldership, and so
goes down in history as "the Eleventh Annual Eldership of the Church of God in
Missouri." On the evening of October 5th D. Blakely preached the Opening Ser-
mon, on "Conversion." The following were present when the Eldership was con-
stituted: Teaching elders — D. Blakely, E. Wilson, M. C. Ogden, J. N. Smith, W. J.
Howard and C. S. Bolton. Ruling elders — James McNeal, John Repley, P. Heffle-
finger and S. Kendig. Delegates — M. K. AVilson, Wilson Crawford and C. E. Bowen.
W. J. Howard was chosen Speaker; C. S. Bolton, Clerk, and C. E. Bowen, Treasurer.
Other names of teaching elders added to the Roll during the session were those of
C. Manchester, S. V. Sterner, Wm. Peters and S. Ceilings. Because of "the recog-
nition of the Kansas Eldership by the General Eldership, making State lines Elder-
ship lines," it was resolved "that our name be hereby changed from Kansas and
Missouri Eldership to Missouri Eldership of the Church of God." The former
Constitution was retained, except the name. A Pentecostal meeting was directed
to be held, and C. Manchester was appointed to preach the sermon. The Minister-
ial Association was directed to convene "on Friday night previous to the Pente-
costal meeting." An appropriate resolution was entered on the Minutes on the
death of President Gai-fleld. Resolutions were adopted expressing "deep interest
in our great mission work, and pledging co-operation with the General Eldership.
In general terms the Eldership declared that it "stands ready with open hand and
heart to help forward" the work of education. Local ministers were "earnestly
requested to open out at least one new appointment each year." The ministers
and churches were urged to work up Sabbath-school interests at each preaching
point. On temperance there was a division of sentiment, resulting in the recom-
mitting of the first report, and the adoption at the last sitting of a new report,
which expressed the "sense of this body that total abstinence from the use of
tobacco and spirituous liquors is the only safe ground, and that prohibition is the
best law." The Eldership started out with seven circuits — Nodaway county.
Gentry and Harrison counties — Clinton and DeKalb counties, Ray and Caldwell
counties, Cass county, Morgan county and Peakesville, Clark county.
12th Missouri Eldership. — Some friction between the two newly organized
The Missouri Eldeeship 671
Elderships in Missouri and Kansas arose when the latter disregarded the boundary
lines, by "appointing T. Stephens to a field in the territory" of the Missouri Elder-
ship. While they asked the Missouri Eldership "to sanction their act," yet
the Missouri Eldership in 1882 "respectfully refused," not for want "of due
respect to the Kansas Eldership, nor to T. Stephens; but simply on the ground
of legality and uniformity of the body." Otherwise the session was pleas-
ant and harmonious which was held at White Bethel, Gentry county, be-
ginning with the Opening Sermon by C. Gaston, October 18, 1882. The mem-
bership present was composed of four teaching elders and four delegates, with
one ruling elder. They made choice of E. Wilson for Speaker; C S. Bolton, Clerk,
and C. E. Bowen, Treasurer. Principally routine business was transacted. The
total number of ministers of the Eldership was ten, but "only a few were in the
active work." These were C. S. Bolton, E. Wilson, C Manchester, C. Gaston, M.
C. Ogden and D. Blakely, who were assigned to the six fields of labor. On temper-
ance the Eldership declared that it "hailed with gladness the tidal wave of prohi-
bition," and the ministers promised to "preach more frequently upon this subject,
and take a more active part in the work." The receipts reported by the Treasurer
were $10.40; expenditures, $5.00, but not credited to any particular Fund. The
need of more active ministers was keenly felt. Two applicants for license were
refused because, contrary "to our established usage," they were not present. The
ministers and churches were strongly urged "to open, and assist in opening. Sab-
bath-schools wherever they can."
W. J. Howard was ordained by the Iowa Eldership in 1870, and the same year
was appointed to North Bend, an indication that he was a man of comparatively
strong natural talents. But there seemed lacking the staying powers of an ener-
getic character, and so he was frequently changed, or had no charge. In 1871 he
was sent to the Cairo circuit, and reappointed in 1872. He had aspirations for
better intellectual equipment for his mission, and in 1872 he was one of a compara-
tively small number of Iowa ministers who constituted a voluntary "class to take
the 'Eldership Course of Studies." But it was a temporary impulse. In 1873 he
was not appointed to a field of labor. Nor in 1874, when he was absent from the
Eldership. In 1875 he was appointed to Colo and Guthrie circuit. In 1876 he
was sent to Page county circuit, which brought him in contact with the work in
north-western Missouri. He was reappointed in 1877. In 1878 and 1879 he did
not attend the Eldership, nor did he receive an appointment. He had held no
official positions in the Iowa Eldership. His natural force of character and re-
latively strong personality were evinced when in 1880 he became a member of the
Kansas and Missouri Eldership; was appointed to the Clinton and DeKalb circuit,
and in 1881 was elected Speaker of the newly formed Missouri Eldership. But in
1882, 1883 and 1884 he was absent, and received no appointments.
13th Missouri Eldership. — Had the attendance at many of the sessions of the
Eldership been a true index to the interest felt by the ministers, and even the
churches, in the cause committed to them little progress could reasonably have
been expected. But other causes accounted largely for the small number present
on most occasions. This was doubtless true in 1883, and at other sessions follow-
ing. In 1882 the Eldership met in the north-western part of the State. In 1883
it convened in Clinton county, the second county south of Gentry. The session
began on September 13th, the Opening Sermon having been preached the evening
previous by C. S. Bolton, in the Keystone Bethel. On the calling of the Roll only
three of the eleven ministers of the body responded, and two ruling elders and
seven delegates were enrolled. C. B. Konkel, not a member, was elected Speaker;
A. D. Berkstresser, Secretary, and D. Wolf, Treasurer. To have a larger body for
deliberation it was agreed, that "all the members present become members also of
the Eldership, as to giving counsel advisable in the transaction of business."
Konkel was "appointed to complete the canvass of the Eldership for Findlay Col-
lege, which had the hearty sympathy of the body. A Ministerial Association was
arranged for, to be held "at the time and place of the next annual session of the
Eldership." On the state of religion the Committee reported, that "the cause of
the Master has not made the progress that may have been desired, prayed and
looked for;" but "good has been accomplished." And wisely the Eldership re-
solved "with reneM-^ed energy, vigor and courage to go on still laboring the more
earnestly in the coming year." The Board of Missions of the General Eldership
was asked to send an Evangelist "to visit all the churches in this Eldership and
assist in holding meetings." Strong in its sentiments in favor of temperance.
dyz History of the Churches of God
the Eldership denounced the Legislature for "not granting the voters of this State
the privilege of voting for or against prohibition." Each minister was directed
"to take up a collection for a Contingent Fund."
14th Missouri Eldei-ship. — This session of the Eldership was a serious disap-
pointment. The time and place were fixed at the session of 1883 — Polo, Caldwell
county, October 2, 1884. But "the representatives. . .failing to convene" on that
date, and thus failing to legalize the giving of licenses, making appointments, etc.,
a call was made by the Standing Committee for the Eldership to meet at, or near,
Versailles, Morgan county, on the 15th day of December, 1884." The Eldership
accordingly convened in School-house No. 4. E. Wilson, who was to preach the
Opening Sermon, was absent, and C. S. Bolton took his place, preaching from Prov.
XV. 32. There were but six "representatives" present when the Eldership was con-
stituted, three teaching elders, one ruling elder and two delegates; while nine teach-
ing elders were absent. C S. Bolton was made Speaker, and A. D. Berkstresser,
Clerk. But three committees were appointed, individual members submittting
resolutions which would have come from other committees. There was much in-
formality in all the proceedings. The College was strongly endorsed, and its near-
completion was hailed with joy and gratitude to God. The Eldership felt that it
was greatly hampered in its work because "a number of our best ministers have
gone to other Elderships, whilst some have fallen asleep in Jesus, thereby reducing
our number so that the various fields can not be supplied." As a result, "the cause
is not advancing as it should, but rather declining." The receipts of the Treasurer
were a total of only $18.44. One death was reported, that of Jacob M. Sheckler,
a "worthy brother," who had been a licensed minister of the Kansas and Missouri
Eldership. The fields of labor numbered seven, but two of them were unsupplied.
"The reports of ministers" were "not encouraging;" but the "Eldership still have
hopes for a brighter future."
15th Missouri Eldership. — The Missouri Eldership had various difficulties to
■contend against. Perhaps the most serious of these was the disloyal spirit which
developed in 1884-5, led by a few ambitious ministers. It was temporarily con-
trolled, but to break out a few years later. The Eldership convened near Ver-
sailles, Morgan county, Thursday, January 7, 1886. It was called by the Clerk of
the Standing Committee, to which only two teaching elders and two delegates re-
sponded, who, with the Treasurer and one messenger, constituted the body. The
former Clerk, A. D. Berkstresser, "appointed E. Blacksten Speaker pro tem., and
these two" constituted the Eldership. Seven teaching elders were absent. But
one of these reported by letter, and the licenses of the other six were "placed in the
hands of the Standing Committee till they report," which consisted of the two
teaching elders present and one ruling elder. A. D. Berkstresser was chosen
Speaker; E. Blacksten, Clerk, and Wm. Berkstresser, Treasurer. Manifestly dis-
couraged, the Eldership, as a Committee of the Whole, declared, that "having no
active ministry, and the Board of Missions having signally failed to give us any aid,
we have thought best to dissolve and throw our influence with other Elderships;
that from this date we give all our territory into the hands and to the control of
the Board of Missions of the General Eldership." No preachers offering to take
fields, the churches were "urged to employ, by writing or otherwise, as much
pr^aching as they can until the Board of Missions of the General Eldership supply
them." This was an extreme position taken for effect, as it was later resolved to
authorize the Standing Committee to call the Eldership together in October follow-
ing, should "the Board of Missions refuse to receive Missouri as a mission field."
But no appointments were made and no provision adopted to supply the churches
with preaching.
16th Missouri Eldership. — At the Eldership in January, 1886, T. F. Gardenhire
applied for membership. His case, in his absence, was referred to a committee of
one, S. V. Stenier, a member of the Standing Committee, "to be investigated."
This was evidently done, and a license granted him, as he was the most prominent
member of the sixteenth Eldership. Announcement of the meeting of the Elder-
ship, October 29, 1886, was made by the Clerk, in response to which six teaching
and ruling elders met at Gillis Chapel, Chariton county. In the absence of the
former Speaker, Gardenhii-e was elected Speaker pro tem., and also Speaker; D.
Blakely, Clerk, and W. Berkstresser, Treasurer. The churches which sent letters
earnestly asked for preachers. Resolved into a Committee of the Whole, the Eld-
■ership appointed S. V. Sterner to Clark county; T. F. Gardenhire to Morgan, Mani-
teau and Chaxiton counties, leaving Cass, Clinton Caldwell, Gentry and Nodaway
Th£ Missouri j&lde:rship. ;; ■ I 673
.counties unsupplied. Two delegates were elected to the General Eldership { bWt
no reference was made to the action taken by the Eldership in January, 1886, jifyj
instructions given to the delegates. So well received was an essay on Feet-waghi.ng
read by D. Blakely, that he was requested to have it published in The Church Ad-
,yocate. The churches were directed "to organize all useful church work, and, ,tp
adopt system in church work as far as possible, so that there may be work for g,!!
and have all at work." The action on temperance was aimed at druggists, and
also the saloons, claiming that the liquor business under the law was taken out of
the hands of the latter to be placed in the hands of the former.
17th Missouri Eldei-ship.^ — With the close of the sixteenth Eldership there
seemed to be an infusion of new life, notwithstanding the spirit of disaffection
which developed on the part of several ministers. An admirable spirit was mani-
fested during the session held at Keystone, Clinton county, beginning Septenaber
29, 1887. D. Blakely was elected Speaker; J. H. Ohlhousen, Clerk, and David
Wolf, Treasurer. There were three accessions by transfer from the Texas, Ar-
kansas and Indian Territory Eldership. Also two from the Kansas and South
Missouri Eldership, an independent body. The Eldership generously expressed ap
"earnest desire for a union of the two Elderships in this State," and appointed "a
committee to confer with the members of said Eldership, and draft a plan of union,
to be submitted at the next Eldership." The Eldership pronounced against "bap-
tism as a condition of church fellowship, much less a condition of pardon, but
simply an act of Christian duty." It was ordered that essays be prepared by
brethren named, to be read before the Eldership in 1888, on "The True Elements of
a Successful Christian Life;" "The Best Methods of Holding Special Meetings;"
"The Bible Import of Temperance and the True Standing of the Church on thp
Same," and "The Evidences of True Conversion." Ministers were stationed on
five circuits. G. T. Bell was specially appointed "to prepare an essay on The Ele-
ments of a Successful Ministry." The Constitution was amended so as to preclude
a deadlock in elections by providing that "the person getting the majority of votep
cast is elected, instead of a majority of the whole Eldership."
18th Missouri Eldership. — The effort to effect a union between the Kansas and
South Missouri and the Missouri Elderships, made during the year, was unsuccesa-
ful, as the leaders in the former body were opposed to it. One of these was J. H.
Woodberry, whose membership in the Missouri Eldership had not been discon-
tinued. But he was "expelled from the body" in 1888. Individual members of
the "Independent Eldership," however came into the Missouri Eldership, and thp
seceding body gradually disintegrated. There were two articles of faith on which
they differed from the Missouri Eldership — congregational government and the
order of the ordinances. The Eldership convened at Brackney Bethel, Bates
county, September 20, 1888. Twelve ministers, five ruling elders and one dele-
gate were in attendance. John Hendricks was elected Speaker; C. S. Bi-umbaugh,
Clerk, and D. S. Wolf, Treasurer. A rearrangement of circuits being necessary, a
Committee on Boundaries was created, which mapped out ten circuits. A few Qf
these fields consisted of two and three counties each. The Stationing Committee
added Kansas City, Mo. Thirteen ministers were appointed to the eleven charges.
The Treasurer's Report showed receipts to have been only $8.01, and "a collectio^
taken up for missionary purposes resulted in raising the sum of $1.36." "The
cause of religion" was reported to be "in a favorable condition." An Eldership
Contingent Fund was created, for which $45.00 were to be raised, which included
"for Home Missions, $10.00." Foreign mission interests were to be brought by
pastors before their congregations. The Eldership resolved to organize itself "into
a Church Extension Association, the object of which shall be to assist in building
houses of worship." Circuits were directed also to organize themselves. During
the year one minister, W. S. Wood, was removed by death, but to prove that there
is no death to the Christian; the glorious gospel takes away death. It prompted
the Eldership to "establish a Widows' Fund."
19th Missouri Eldership. — The Standing Committee possessed nearly all the
■powers of the Eldership, and so it licensed four men during the year and made
eight changes of pastors. The Eldership held its session at Oberg, DeKalb county,
where on October 2, 1889, the Opening Sermou was delivered by J. H. Ohlhousen,
fxom John xiv. 3. There were only four ministers and four ruling elders present
wlxen the organization was effected by electing a layman, J. Keisiman, Speaker;
<J. K. Smith, Clerk, and D. S. Wolf, Treasurer. T. F. Gardenhire, who was censured
by the Eldership in 1888, was again under charges, he being accused of "untruth-
C. H.— 23
674 History of the Churches of God
fulness and dishonesty." A motion prevailed "to drop his name from the Min-
isterial Roll;" but after recommendation, and pending a motion "embodying a
severe Eldership censure," "at his own request his name was dropped from the
Roll." Not only did the Eldership declare that "the spiritual rule and authority
are vested in the elders of the church," but it granted them the right to "discharge
from the pulpit for lawful causes, or cause," a minister appointed by the Eldership.
But the minister had the right of "appeal to a higher court." A "Literary Associa-
tion" was formed, "whose members shall be subjected to a yearly course of studiea»
to be examined each year by a committee appointed by the Eldership." The Elder-
ship sustained a great loss in the death of C. S. Biiimbaugh "in the morning of his
useful life." He was "an esteemed and much beloved brother," and the body "in-
voked divine strength while we drink the bitter cup of our irreparable loss." A
spirit of insubordination developed in the church at Hannibal, which was organ-
ized under the labors of Mrs. Woodworth.
20th 3Iissiouri Eldership. — In proportion to the membership, the twentieth
session of the Missouri "Eldership was largely attended by members south of the
Missouri River, and but thinly by those to the north." It convened at the Pleasant
Valley Bethel, Lawrence county, October 22, 1890. H. Edwards preached the
Opening Sermon on the evening of October 21st. The election for officers re-
sulted in the choice of J. Hendricks for Speaker; H. Edwards, Clerk, and John E.
Thomas, Treasurer. Salaries paid ministers were so inadequate that it was found
difficult to get ministers to fill all the appointments. But fourteen regular fields
received appointees; "all other points to be supplied by the Standing Committee."
D. Blakely, who had been a member "from its youth up, in all its trials, toils and
crosses," decided to seek work in some other Eldership, and received "an open
transfer." There was much friction in the Eldership, and "the meetings were not
characterized with that degree of love and spirituality that were desired." Not the
best feeling existed between ministers and churches, for while the churches were
regarded as illiberal, yet they asserted their authority, and sometimes exceeded it,
in dealing with pastors. Applicants for license were required to have "not only
certain qualifications, but must appear in person before the Committee on License."
Nearly thirty reports from churches and ministers "were good," and indicated a
fair outlook for the following year.
21st Missouri Eldership. — The twenty-first session of the Missouri Eldership
was not largely attended, there having been present eight ministers and six dele-
gates. But these were encouraged with the evident tokens of progress. The
session was held at Jenkins, Barry county, and began Thursday morning, September
17, 1891. On the previous evening V. B. Sutter preached the Opening Sermon.
John Hendricks was made Speaker, and H. W. Allen was chosen Clerk, and D. L.
Frazee, Treasurer. Twenty-four ministers who reported had their licenses renewed,
while "all who had not reported 'were licensed, and their licenses were placed in
the hands of the Standing Committee until they report." Not only did the Com-
mittee on the State of Religion report "the cause prospering;" but the fields of
labor were increased to sixteen, while there were churches unsupplied. "One of
the fathers in Zion's cause, J. M. Klein," was called to his eternal rest. He was
one of the early pioneers in mission work in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, who,
"scorned or acclaimed, had kept his armor bright." He was originally licensed
by the East Pennsylvania Eldership, in 1842. Thence he went to West Pennsyl-
vania, and while laboring in that Eldership he was appointed one of the three
missionaries to Illinois. He was "a man of fine natural abilities." Died April 21,
1891, in his 73rd year,
22nd ]VIissouri Eldership. — In 1892 the Missouri Eldership held its session at
Lone Star school-house, four miles from the county town of Bates county, begin-
ning October 6th. On the previous evening J. N. Smith preached the Opening Ser-
mon. A good spirit animated the body, as the past year "showed that some good
was accomplished; the gospel had been preached in many new fields, and some
churches had been organized." Yet for unexplained reasons the circuits were re-
duced to eleven. John Hendricks was elected Speaker; H. W. Allen, Clerk, and
J. N. Smith, Treasurer. St. Louis was to be the scene of active labors by Joseph
Shedron, while A. J. Hill was State Missionary, appointed by the Board of Missions
of the General Eldership. Death had visited the ranks of the ministry and re-
moved Alfred Ellis, in whose honor "strong and feeling resolutions were adopted."
He was a young minister, having been licensed in 1889. While the salaries of
ministers were small, the Eldership had requested the Board of Missions to pay the
The Missouri Eldership 67^
state Missionary $500.00 a year. In addition to the State Missionary, the Elder-
ship also appointed E. Gearhart State Evangelist.
23rd Missouri Eldership. — The tender fraternal feeling which was often mani-
fested in the Elderships where ministers lived far apart, and rarely saw each other
during the year, was illustrated at the Missouri Eldership in 1893. The session
continued until Monday evening, when H. W. Allen preached from the words:
"Finally, brethren, farewell." The body had convened with the church at Syca-
more, Barry county, September 23rd. John Hendricks was elected Speaker; H. W.
Allen, Clerk, and Wesley Hendricks, Treasurer. "Peace and general good feeling^
prevailed throughout the session." The dollar per member proposition to pay the
indebtedness of Findlay College was approved, and each pastor was instructed to
bring the matter before his congregations and ask for that amount. The privilege
was granted the Agent of the Board of Missions, W. B. Allen, "to make collections
for the General Eldership Mission Fund." The appointments were ten in number
to which pastors were assigned; but certain "points" were "to supply themselves,"
as the Eldership did not have sufficient ministers willing to travel, though three
were licensed at this session. There were eight ministers present, and twelve "lay
members." Provision was made to raise $30.00 for fees to secure a State Charter
for the Eldership. There were eighteen churches assessed for General Mission, and
General and Home Contingent Funds.
24th Missouri Eldership. — The "open door" for the Church in Missouri is
evidenced by the withdrawal several years previous of three ministers, with two
churches of about seventy-five members and one house of worship, from the Baptist
Church, and at this session joining the Eldership. It was the result of reading
R. H. Bolton's "Plea of the Church of God." They were located in Hickory and
St. Clair counties. The year had been a prosperous one, as "several churches were
organized, several bethels built and quite a goodly number were converted." The
Eldership met at Maple Grove, Saline county, October 11, 1894. When the Elder-
ship convened there was no organized church at Maple Grove, but "five or six per-
sons who had been converted to Church of God doctrine." Several ministers con-
tinued a meeting after adjournment, during which ten were converted, who, with
two Presbyterians, were baptized, and "a church of twenty-two good, substantial
members was formed." Sixteen ministers, two ruling elders and two delegates
were present. The officers of the previous Eldership were re-elected. On temper-
ance the Eldership voted "to use every reasonable means by voice and vote to put
down the terrible evil of intemperance, and that we will not vote for any one who
upholds and indulges in the intoxicating draught." The Treasurer's bond was
fixed at $100.00. With unfeigned sorrow the Eldership recorded the death of D.
Blakely, and commended "the life-time example to the ministerial brotherhood as
worthy of emulation." He was "an acknowledged leader among men, always loyal
to the Church and its doctrines." A regular Board of Trustees, consisting of five
members, was elected under the Charter. The Constitution was amended so as to
provide for a Transcribing and a Financial Clerk. The Eldership now had en-
rolled twenty-nine ministers. There were fourteen fields of labor, all supplied with
pastors.
25t.h Missouri Eldership. — The twenty-fifth session of the Missouri Eldership
was conspicuous for the radical differences on the General Eldership questions
handed down and for the doctrinal declarations which it made. Some of the strong
leaders on the questions submitted were voted down after discussions. On Elder-
ship titles it was apparently assumed that the body would favor a change, and so
the resolution declared that "we as an Eldership decide favorably to said change,
believing it to be more in harmony with the teachings of Christ and the Apostles."
But when the yeas and nays were called there were five yeas and ten nays. So the
motion in favor of ordination without the imposition of hands was lost. On doc-
trine the Eldership pronounced in favor of the "spiritual new birth as regenera-
tion," and against "sects teaching the doctrine of baptismal regeneration." It de-
clared that it "will cease receiving any persons as members of the Church on any
thing short of immersion as baptism." This the Clerk construed to be a "resolu-
tion on baptism as a door into the Church." The Eldership at this session con-
sisted of twenty-eight ministers, of which only eleven were present when it con-
vened at Shady Grove, St. Clair county, July 31, 189.5. Also four ruling elders
and six delegates. On the evening of July 30th the Opening Sermon was preached
by C. S. Bolton. Theme: — "The Family of God." John Hendricks was elected
Speaker, and H. W. Allen, Clerk, and D. L. Frazee, Treasurer. The Eldership
67<3 History of the ChurcjSes of God
pledged itself to "give our voice and our vote to no man to a position of office or
honor who engages either in the use or sale of intoxicating liquor knowingly." It
was sententious in its actions on Education: "I. We urge the study of the Bible.
2. The study of English Grammar. 3. Endorse and encourage Findlay College.
4. Heartily recommend The Church Advocate as worthy the support of all mem-
bers of the Church." The Widows' Fund was "dispensed with." The territory
was divided intp fourteen circuits; but three were unsupplied.
26th Missouri Eldership. — The Missouri Eldership lost its oldest minister in
years of active service during the year 1895-6, in the person of S. V. Sterner.
Strong resolutions on his moral and ministerial character were passed. He was
first licensed by the West Ohio Eldership, in 1858. Thente he removed to the
Indiana Eldership, and later to the East Pennsylvania Eldership, from which he
took his transfer to the Kansas and Missouri Eldership. He was above all things
a practical man; but, as is generally accepted, such men do not always have the
power of making their minds and personalities known to their contemporaries.
The Eldership which sang his requiem held its session with the church at Lone Star,
Bates county, beginning September 25, 1896. While the Eldership "believed the
cause to be advancing," there were signs of decadence. But a spirit of optimism
was evident, and it was stimulated by the visit of the prospective missionary to
India, Clara Landes, and reports of "the noble efforts put forth by many of our
sister Elderships" in missionary enterprises. J. B, Murphy delivered the Opening
Sermon. Eleven ministers, eight ruling elders and fourteen delegates constituted
the Eldership. John Hendricks was the Speaker; H. W. Allen, Clerk, and ALman
Daniels, Treasurer. G. L. Chapman, who became a very active, earnest mission-
ary, applied for license at this Eldership. Not being present, his case was deferred;
but he was "urged to preach and labor all he can for the Master." Of the fourteen
circuits five were unsupplied by the Eldership. P. L. French was designated as
General Evangelist.
27th Missouri Eldership. — The ministers of the Missouri Eldership ever seemed
to act under an irresistible impulse to be true to their high calling. And when
adversity was apparently written over their self-denying efforts they planned better
things. In 1897 there were but seven of them in attendance when the body con-
vened at Antioch Bethel, Morgan county, September 9th. Three ruling elders and
six delegates represented the churches. On the evening of the 8th H. W. Allen
preached the Opening Sermon, from Mark vii. 7. They chose for Speaker, J. N,
Smith; Clerk, H.W. Allen, and Treasurer, G. W. Reed. The Eldership was in
arrears to the General Eldership $76.00 for several Funds, which exceeded the total
collected for all its Funds per annum; yet it at once resolved to raise this whole
amount and pay the debt on or before January 1, 1898. If any minister failed to
''collect his pro rata of the amount, he shall pay it himself." Also each minister
was "to collect $2.00 for foreign mission work." Missionary societies were di-
rected to be organized on all the fields. The state of religion was "found to be
fairly prosperous throughout the State." Feeling the need of more bethels, it was
decided "to make a pro rata assessment for a building fund, and pay for the erec-
tion of new bethels as follows: for a building costing $600.00, $50.00; one costing
$1,000.00, $100.00, and so on in proportion." Contracts were authorized to be
made by pastors for their salaries, and the penalty for failure to pay the amount,
"if the minister fill his part of the contract," was that "said church shall be
stricken from the Eldership Roll." A reflection seems implied in the decision not
"to ordain to the office of the gospel ministry any who are not total abstainers from
intoxicants of any kind." And a like resolution on "the use of tobacco in any
form" was agreed to. G. W. Frizbee was during the year "called to his eternal re-
ward." He had been in the ministry five years, and possessed elements of useful-
ness had there been time fully to develop them. There were twelve circuits, all
supplied, and one General Evangelist, one State Evangelist and one State Mission-
ary.
28th Missouri Eldership. — Creeds are sometimes made by accretion, In var-
ious forms, and even by inadvertence, a body will add one article of faith after
another, until they cover many essentials in theology. The Missouri Eldership
was not addicted to such a practice, yet in 1898 it reached the consciousness that
such a process was in progress. It at once resolved to desist, and resolved "that
all records made by Elderships in the past affecting articles of faith, creeds or Dis-
cipline be reconsidered, and that we adhere to our time-honored and God-given rule
©f faith and practice, the Bible." It convened with the church at Lone Star Bethel,
The Missouri Eldership dyj
Bates county, September 2nd. Janrett Nugen preached the Opening Sermon. John
Hendricks was elected Speaker; C. A. Marksbery, Clerk; H. W. Allen, Financial
Clerk. The new form of Life Certificates was ordered to be issued. Neither the
Eldership nor the Standing Committee was hereafter to grant licenses to appli-
cants who failed to appear in person; and the rule was at once applied, and W. E.
Tuttle, of Colorado, appeared before the Licensing Committee, passed an examina-
tion and received a preacher's license, while the applications by letter of G.
Swan, Andrew Games and G. W. IJalden were refused. After appointing pastors
to nine fields of labor, and naming one as State Evangelist, the unsupplied
churches were authorized to supply themselves. The extension of the work was
contemplated in an action requiring "each minister having a work to hold a pro-
tracted meeting of three weeks within ten miles of his preaching point."
29th Missouri Eldership. — As a possible result of the aggressive spirit which
breathed in the resolution of instructions to pastors in 189 8, the number of cir-
cuits advanced again to ten in 1899. The meeting was held with the church at
Black Jack, Stone county, beginning October 12, 1899. On the previous evening
the Opening Sermon was preached by P. li. French. W. E. Tuttle, ordained in
1898, was meeting with success in Colorado, having organized a church in.
Prowers county. It worshiped in Clover Meadow school-house, but contemplated
building a bethel. The session was "pleasant and profitable," and "unanimous
throughout." It took "more advanced views on College work and General Elder-
ship interests generally" than for some years. Bequests to General Eldership in-
terests were not only urged, but in some instances implied in speeches. Except
on one day of the sittings, the Eldership adjourned at 11 a. m. "to listen to a
soul-refreshing sermon." Among those present and preaching was J. D. Henson,
of Texas, formerly a minister in the Primitive Baptist Church, who "as a close
student of the Bible read himself out of the Baptist Church into the Church Of
God." With such a spirit prevailing in the body, the business was largely routing;
John Hendricks presided, and C. A. Marksbery acted as Clerk. One additional
circuit was enrolled among the appointments. One minister was appointed State
Evangelist and one General Missionary. The most of these twelve ministers were
comparatively young men, or young in the work; but "the harmonious spirit and
earnest resolves of the Eldership inspired them with renewed hope." The hard-
ships they were willing to endure; but the question was whether the inability
through poverty of the churches to sustain them could be overcome. They were
strong men, and heroic. To endure and still endure, and to be withstood, they
could without loss of nerve or temper, even if it be the acid test of strong men;
but want might drive them to other fields like some before them.
30th Missouri Eldership. — During the year 1899-1900, John F. ThorndS
secured a Charter for the Missouri Eldership, which was approved, with the "hope
that interest will increase in our great State till all are working' together, and
until all churches in Missouri can be cared for by us, and co-operation prevail irt
the entire State under the provision of the General Eldership.*' The session in
1900 was held with the church at Lingrove school-house, four and one-half miles
southeast of Slater, Saline county, where on the evening of October 3rd the Open-
ing Sermon was delivered. H. W. Allen presided, and Chas. A. Marksbery was
the Clerk, and J. Nugen, Treasurer. The relations of this Eldership to the Kan-
sas Eldership had become somewhat strained, growing out of the transfei* of
P. L. French and W. E. Tuttle from the former to the latter body. After con-
sidering the "exceptions to the act of the last Missouri Eldership taken by the
Kansas Eldership," it was found that the friction grew out of a mere "tech-
nicality." The good standing of the two ministers was certified to; their "i-ela-
tion to the Kansas Eldership" conceded; the kind spirit of said Eldership in the
matter acknowledged, and a prayer for the continuance of "the past good feeling"
adopted, and so the incident was closed. The interest in the meeting was tense,
and crowds were present to hear and see. An admirable spirit pervaded the ses-
sion, and the ministers went to the eleven fields of labor filled with new zeal for
the cause they represented. J. F. Thomas was appointed State Missionary, ahd
H. W. Allen, State Evangelist and Financial Agent. The Eldership made a change
from annual licenses to Life Certificates of ordination. It expressed hesitancy
to license any one addicted to the use of tobacco. Hearty approval was expressed
Df "the Act passed by Congress prohibiting the sale of liquor in the Army Can-
teen."
31st Missouri Eldership.— ^In some sections in the State' of Missouri th6
678 History of the Churches of God
churches suffered from "false teachers," "teaching the doctrines of men for the
truths of the Bible." F. F. Manchester, Mission Worker, found them near Osborn,
Mo., teaching "second-work sanctification and can't-sin-holiness." With these
errorists the Eldership sometimes had to deal energetically, yet diplomatically,
lest wheat be uprooted with the tares. The session of 1901 was held with the
church at Fairview, Hickory county, beginning with the Opening Sermon on
the evening of October 23rd, by J. F. Thomas, from I. Thess. ii. 14. The of-
ficers were: Speaker, John Hendricks; Clerk, C. A. Marksbeiy ; Treasurer, J.
Nugen. There were two or three applicants licensed during the year by the
Standing Committee; but several good workers had removed to other Elderships,
one of them, H. W. Allen, who had gone to Oklahoma. One departed to the
"other room in our Father's house" — G. W. Driunmond. His warfare was of brief
duration, having been ordained in 1898. But his exemplary life and beautiful
character were to others an abiding inspiration "to live in deeds, not years."
"Few of the churches sent in their assessments," so that the Eldership was almost
without funds; but a commendable effort was made to meet its obligations to the
General Eldership. Some churches had "dwindled down to a few members," but
had not lost their zeal. The adoption of some "systematic form of co-operation,
financial and otherwise," was strongly advocated. While the Eldership em-
phatically endorsed all the periodicals of the General Eldership, there were "some
members who fight our Church paper and Sunday-school literature, and every-
thing else except the Bible."
32nd Missouri Eldership. — "The dark side of the Missouri Eldership" was
called to the attention of the members in July, 1902, by G. It. Chapman, much of
his time a very zealous missionary. "The wolf" has been in the fold, and there
was much "slaughter and many wounded." There was too much laxness in the
enforcement and practice of resolutions adopted. The "load we have to carry" as
ministers is too heavy. But not discouraged with this view of "the progress and
destiny of the Missouri Eldership," Chapman assured his brethren that "the cross
is not greater than God's grace," and they "can conquer every foe." Under these
conditions the Eldership convened with the church at Antioch Bethel, Morgan
county, October 16, 1902, the Opening Sermon having been preached the previous
evening by G. L. Chapman, from Hag. i. 4. Before organization, J. F. Thomas
"delivered an address on the Missouri Eldership, showing it had done more for
the advancement of the Church than many thought." H. W. Allen was elected
Speaker; C. A. Marksbei-y, Clerk; W. E. Riddle, Financial Clerk; J. F. Thomas,
Treasurer. There was a peculiarity in the composition of the Committee on
Temperance, as "it consisted of Sisters Mai-y Wyatt, A. E. Marksbei-y, Maud Berk-
stresser, Mabel Cummings, Ola Cummings and Lillie Hepford. They brought in a
Report of four paragraphs. They declared "intoxicating drinks an invention of
the devil." They did not "believe God ever intended us to take the wholesome
fruits, and bread from many children, and feed from our animals, and put it to
rot, and catch the poison which was intended to escape." They believed intoxi-
cating drinks "to be soul-destroying and hell-supplying fluid." They asserted
that the traflic in, and use of, liquor "cause more deaths than war," and insisted
that as we pray for the overthrow of this evil, so "we should work in harmony
with our prayers." Denouncing the use of tobacco most vigorously, the Com-
mittee "begged our Church of God brethren to consider the evil, praying God that
we may soon be united in our efforts." A form of statistics adopted by the Gen-
eral Eldership was approved, and adopted for use by the ministers in making
reports. There were nine fields of labor, all supplied, and H. W. Allen and W. E.
Riddle were named for Leedy, Oklahoma.
33rd Missouri Eldership. — Encouraging words were repeatedly spoken to the
younger members of the Eldership, to inspire them to hopeful endeavors in pro-
moting Church growth in the State. None was more insistent than J. F. Thomas,
a native of Missouri, who was exceedingly anxious "to see the churches of God
prosper, so that when our young men enter the ministry they will not have to
go to other States to find prosperous fields to work in." He knew the whole
territory, as he had been General Missionary, and organized a number of the
churches. He was Speaker of the Eldership which held its session at Leann,
Barry county, beginning October 8, 1903; with C. A. Marksbery, Clerk; J. R.
Hoges, Treasurer. J. Aleshire preached the Opening Sermon on Wednesday even-
ing, October 7th. Eleven ministers were present. President Manchester, of Find-
lay College, was cordially received, and the College strongly commended. Such
The Missouri Eldership 679
visits, the Eldership declared, "are worth a great deal to us in the West." It is
noticeable that, in making the appointments, in addition to H. W. Allen, Mission-
ary to Western Oklahoma, J. H. Cummings was assigned to Leedy and Burmah,
Oklahoma. G. L. Chapman was made the State Missionary. Saline county and
Southern Missouri were to supply themselves for want of available men. Yet
there were "preachers which had no work," and, who were "to open new fields and
establish permanent work wherever opportunity affords."
34th Missouri Eldership. — With pardonable enthusiasm G. L. Chapman wrote
of the Missouri Eldership of 1904, as "a Pentecost from start to finish." Other of
"the oldest brethren in the Eldership said it was the best one they had ever at-
tended." They rejoiced over the successful effort to pay their indebtedness to the
General Eldership of over $77.00. Also over the fact that "the people are begin-
ning to wake up to the support of the ministry." On Saturday evening six were
■converted, after listening to a sermon by O. A. Newlin, Principal of Ft. Scott Insti-
tute, Kansas. The session was held at Fairview, Hickory county, beginning
October 20, 1904. J. F. Thomas preached the Opening Sermon, from Acts ii. 39.
Theme: "The Rich Promises of the Lord to Those Who Obey." Thomas was
elected Speaker; C. A. Marksbery, Clerk; G. L. Chapman, Financial Clerk; Thomas
Scott, Treasurer. The sentiment of the Eldership was in harmony with the Gen-
eral Eldership in all its interests, and it took an active interest in the questions
relating to the W. G. M. S. The mission cause in its own territory was receiving
renewed attention, and the fact was evidenced in that "it has reached the pocket-
books." The delegates elected to the General Eldership "were instructed to re-
quest all the territory for which the Charter of the Eldership calls," The number
of fields of labor was nine. And though the Eldership had to "regret the loss of
so many ministers which had been transferred to other Elderships," all the ap-
pointments were supplied, with G. L. Chapman as missionary in addition to being
the pastor at Rich Hill. "New work" was to be "opened by all other preachers."
35th Missouri Eldership. — The Missouri Eldership recognized the need of a
f(5rm of government, and so declared in the Preamble to its Constitution that "a
system of co-operation can only be efficiently carried out in conformity to certain
permanent principles of government." These were laid down in the sixteen
Articles constituting its fundamental law. The membership consisted of all
"licensed ministers of this body, together with the ruling elders and regularly ap-
pointed delegates, and by virtue of their office the officers of the State Woman's
Missionary Society." This Society was organized under its own Constitution. The
officers of the Society in 1905 were: — President, Iva Crawford; Vice President,
Kate Powell; Secretary, Maud Berkstresser. The short notice of change of place
and the long distance for some ministers and delegates reduced the attendance at
this session of the Eldership, which convened at Crane, Stone county, October 12,
1905. J. F. Thomas delivered the Opening Sermon, from John xvii. 20-22.
Theme — "Union." He was elected Speaker; C. A. Marksbery, Clerk; Thomas
Scott, Treasurer. The ordination papers of two ministers were "revoked;" but
Certificates of Ordination were granted to three new applicants. The criticism
was at times openly made by ministers, that the Eldership erred in its eagerness
to increase the Ministerial Roll, and hence often made mistakes in licensing un-
qualified men. No one justified this with the plea, that "God sent us here to make
mistakes;" but they failed in reconciling their theory of a divine call to the min-
istry and human certification thereof. The Eldership expressed its lively satis-
faction at the presence of O. A. Newlin, representing the Ft. Scott Institute. It
passed commendatory resolutions, and also recognized Findlay College as "becom-
ing one among the leading institutions of learning," and "recommended its work
to the public, and urged upon the young people everywhere to attend it." In the
absence of a Course of Studies, ministers were admonished "to study to show them-
selves approved unto God, workmen that need not be ashamed." But a com-
mittee was also created to outline a three-year Course of Studies "for all new ap-
plicants for license." Applicants were "to take the first year's studies and stand
an examination before asking for a Certificate of Ordination." The Eldership
""highly endorsed the action of the General Eldership on the W. G. M. S. question."
It resolved to "use all means possible to preserve union on the subject among our
people." A deep shadow rested on the Eldership occasioned by the "sudden re-
moval of our worthy brother and co-worker, A. C, Denham. He was a man "faith-
ful in the discharge of his duties;" eminent for "the wisdom and ability which he
exercised in the Church," and exemplary in word and conduct. There were eleven
^Sp" History or the Churches of Gol»
fields of labor, all supplied with pastors, and one Missionary, G. L. Chapman; one
State Evangelist, J. E. Mitchell, and one General Worker, C. A. Marksbery.
36th Missouri Eldership. — There had been at this time a small body of people
in Missouri, almost identical in faith with the churches of God, "known as the
Presbytery of the churches of God in Missouri." Negotiations with their min-
isters in 1905-6 resulted in union with the Missouri Eldership. At the session of
the Eldership held at Antioch, Morgan county, beginning September 27, 1906,
three of the ministers were received into the Eldership, "with all the organiza-
tions of the Presbytery," which gave new inspiration, and "conditions seemed
better" and the outlook more promising "than it had been for several years." J.
F. Allman preached the Opening Sermon, from Neh. ii. 17. Theme: — "Rebuilding
the Walls of Jerusalem." G. L. Chapman was elected Speaker; C. A. Marksbery,
Clerk; Thomas Scott, Treasurer. Attendance was small, but "everything went off
in peace and harmony." Several "bright and promising young men entered the
ministry." Not only were the educational institutions of the Church approved;
but J. F. Allman was elected General Agent of the Eldership for the Fort Scott
Collegiate Institute. The work in St. Louis was giving the Eldership much con-
eern, and "the church was left in the hands of the Standing Committee, with dis-
cretionary powers." G. L. Chapman was appointed Missionary; C. D. Bradley,
Evangelist in Dallas, Laclede and Camden counties. There were six other charges,
^ith one to three points on each. There were also some unsupplied churches,
which had granted them the privilege "to supply themselves," which too often-
prbved detrimental.
'I '• 37th Missouri Eldership. — The conditions under which the thirty-seventh
session of the Missouri Eldership was held verified to the sixteen in the delegation
the aphorism that "where there is no sacrifice there is no service." Cherry Grove
school-house, Dallas county, where the meeting was held, was "far from the rail-
road (probably thirty miles), making it inconvenient to get there." Other "sac-
rifices" were also required. But elements of success in the work gave increased
firtaHess of purpose to the faithful ministers and delegates of the body. The
session opened October 17, 1907, the Opening Sermon having been delivered on
the evening of the 16th, by J. F. Allman. The Eldership appreciated the presence
of the. Principal of Ft. Scott Collegiate Institute, O. A. Newlin, whose preaching
and counsels were helpful. More care was taken in licensing men to preach. Ex-
pferiencfe seems to have been needed to induce a careful and dispassionate action
in ordaining men to this holy calling, and to teach
' ' "The truths we could not prize without
'" The sorrow of our sad mistakes."
•J
, G. L. Chapman was elected Speaker; C. A. Marksbery, Clerk; J. F. Allman^
Treasurer. L. B. Shannon, of Nashville, Tenn., was granted a Certificate of Or-
dination, and. was appointed pastor of the church of God organized in that city.
The "subject of a Woman's Missionary Society" was revived, and a President, Vice-
President and other officers were chosen, they to co-operate with the W. G. M. S.
pf the General Eldership. Statistics of the churches were provided for, embracing^
the number of "resident" and "non-resident members;" "number of members on
Roll," and amount of support for the pastor. A Children's College Day was di-
rected to be held in the Sunday-schools, and collections taken for Ft. Scott Col-
legiate Institute, while "as many as can" were urged "to complete the course at
Findlay College." The Eldership "condemned the use of intoxicating liquors,"
and censured "persons signing dram-shop petitions, or voting for any one that
upholds the liquor traffic in any way." Two sisters, "Mattie Hale and Emma
Allen, read essays on the use of intoxicating liquors and tobacco." The number
of appointments, including Nashville, Tenn., was eleven. G. L. Chapman was the
missionary in southeastern Missouri, and J. F. Allman in southwestern Missouri.
The special feature of this Eldership session was the "revival, which started the
first night." There were six conversions by Sunday at 11 o'clock service, and on
Sunday evening there was a beautiful baptismal service, the ordinance being ad-
ministered by A. F. Berkstresser. Yet not all was "pleasant at the time" in the
deliberations of the body; but "if we keep in the love of God and a meek spirit,
these things soon vanish, and they have a tendency to make us more careful in the
future," soliloquized the Clerk. It is still true: "We learn in error's troubled'
route."
I 38tli Missouri Eldei*ship. — A good deal of dependence was placed upon local
The Missouri Eldership 68r
workers, not only to care for churches unsupplied with pastors, but "to spread the
gospel in various parts of the State, as they often lived far from each other." Such
had been the case in the early years, but was less frequently realized later. Not
only were conditions imperfect for, but often adverse to, successful church work.
It remained for the Missouri Eldership to make the best of these stringent circum-
stances. And year by year the members persisted manfully in the task of trying
to leave things better than they found them. This was revealed in the delibera-
tions of the session held at Johnston City, St. Clair county, beginning October 8,
1908. There were present seven ministers, seven lay elders and twelve delegates.
G. L. Chapman on the previous evening preached the Opening Sermon. He was
re-elected Speaker, and C. A. Marksbeiy, Clerk. J. F. Allman was elected Treas-
urer. The Eldership had a Board of Trustees, which held and controlled the
property of the body, the members serving five years, one to be elected each year.
G. L. Chapman was the Chairman elected this year, and J. F. Allman, Clerk. Hav-
ing a year before paid its dues to the General Eldership, an assessment was
authorized for mission funds for the current year. Resolutions of approval were
adopted relative to "the actions of the Board of Missions in regard to the W. G.
M. S." Also "recommending all our Church literature, and commending all the
editors." "The Committee on Temperance consisted of the sisters, except Father
John Murtin." The report was a strong endorsement of prohibition, and the or-
ganizations working for better social and moral conditions. The W. M. S. officers
were re-elected by the Eldership. While there were nominally twelve appoint-
ments made, only ten ministers were assigned to them. Five churches were not
supplied. There were two missionaries.
39th Missouri Eldei-ship. — A crisis was reached In the matter of the St. Louis
church early in 1909. The Standing Committee took the matter up, and requested
"the Board of Missions of the General Eldership to take the matter into considera-
tion, and to do by it just as wisdom and judgment may direct." The condition,
"both financial and spiritual," demanded attention; but the Eldership at its ses-
sion held at Leadwood, St. Francois county, did not fully approve this action, but
asked "the Board of Missions to co-operate with the Missouri Eldership" in the
matter. The Eldership convened October 28th. The Opening Sermon was
preached the previous evening, by G. L. Chapman, from Dan. xi. 33. Theme: — ■
"The sUre blessings of God to those who serve and obey, and the sure threatenings
to those who disobey." Three new names were added to the Ministerial Roll by
ordination and one by transfer from the Kansas Eldership. But J. B. Shannon,
of Nashville, Tenn., returned his Certificate of Ordination, and "he was dropped
from the Ministerial Roll." The action of the General Eldership in 1909 on the
W. G. M. S. question was fully endorsed. Mrs. C. M, Ritchie, Illinois, Organizer
of the W. G. M. S., was gladly welcomed, and gave special assistance to the State
W. M. S., to which the entire time on Saturday evening was given. The spiritual
condition of the Eldership was attested by the conversion of three souls during the
session, and three more on Sunday. There were ten fields of labor, St. Louis, Mo.,
and Nashville, Tenn., being left off; Six points were left "to supply themselves."^
40th Missouri Eldei-ship. — Reviewing the session of the Eldership in 1910, G.
L. Chapman says: "We as a Church in Missouri are not decreasing; but instead,
there is a fairly good increase. The missionary spirit is more prominent than
it has been for years, if ever before." The Eldership session was a "fine one."
It was held with the church at Linn Grove, Saline county, and began on the morn-
ing of October 13, 1910. The previous evening G. L. Chapman delivered the
Opening Sermon. The church at Linn Grove had completed its new bethel in
time for the session of the Eldership. Thirty-two ministers and delegates con-
stituted the Eldership. While there was "much business, it was all splendidly
transacted." "The spirit of love and self-sacrifice had come with the delegates."
In making the appointments the Eldership named points on each pastor's charge.
There were eight ministers assigned to charges, with eighteen preaching points,
and two additional points which were authorized to supply themselves. Two min-
isters were designated as "assistants under the pastors and missionaries." G. L.
Chapman and J. F. Allman were the "missionaries in Missouri;" V. S. Mitchell,
General Worker, and M. S. Sikes, Evangelist.
41st Missouri Eldership. — "Censure is the tax a man pays to the public for
being great." But the Missouri Eldership was criticised by two of its most loyal
ministers in 1911. One said: "Some things cropped out, showing that we are
subject to error. But we pray that we may be more perfect in the future, and
682 History of the Churches of God
especially along the line of licensing men who fail in many ways in filling the re-
quirements of both the Bible and our Constitution and By-Laws." Another, as a
reason for limited success, said: "Many of our preachers are following the plow,
or doing some other kind of secular labor, when they ought to be in the study."
"The church that causes her minister to resort to secular labor, when it is not
necessary, is committing spiritual suicide." But the Eldership in 1911, under-
standing these conditions, "appointed I. Ossman as Financial Agent and Field
Worker, to try to bring pastors and people closer together along this line." The
session was held at Antioch, Morgan county, beginning Monday, October 9th, and
continued until the 12th. The Ministerial Association held its meeting on Friday
and Saturday of the previous week. It was the first ever held by the Eldership,
G. L. Chapman was elected Speaker; C. A. Marksbery, Clerk; A. F. Berkstresser,
Treasurer. The "finances showed up better this year than usual." This was "one
of the chief subjects discussed at the Ministerial Association." The lack of a good
financial system was considered "one of our greatest weaknesses." Ministers'
salaries ranged from $150.00 to $300.00 a year. And if during some years their
labors were not attended with the success which may have crowned the efforts of
others, yet they were marked by a no less heroic spirit. If some of the ministers
did not have the requisite training for efficient service, or were not as studious as
they should have been, there was some justification in the meager support. How-
ever, the Eldership was disposed to make fewer concessions on these grounds, and
directed a committee to prepare a Course of Studies for young ministers. The
schools of the Church were commended to the patronage of the Missouri brother-
hood, and ministers were requested "to try to interest our young people in a
higher education." A strenuous effort was to be made to resuscitate the St. Louis
church and save the property from levy and sale by the authorities of the city.
Chapman was made pastor of the St. Louis church, in addition to three other
points. There were eight other charges, one of them unsupplied. D. Long was
appointed General Worker, and I, Ossman, Financial Agent.
42nd Missouri Eldership. — Not until September, 1912, did the Clerk of the
Missouri Eldership publish the assessments made on the churches for General Eld-
ership, Contingent and Church Extension Funds, which were to be collected and
reported at the Eldership in 1912. They were levied on twenty-eight churches,
aggregating $119.05. The session was held with the church at Fairview, Hickory
county, and opened October 21, 1912. On the preceding Sunday the Annual Ser-
mon was preached by G. L. Chapman. Friday before the Ministerial Association
held its meeting. Provision was also made for the State W. M. S. to hold its
annual meeting at the same time and place with the Eldership. The spirituality
of the Eldership was of a decided character. "It was one of those old-time Elder-
ships, where the Holy Spirit seemed to be always present in every service." The
evening services were evangelistic, and on the last evening "three penitents
kneeled at their seats, asking God for mercy." Four young men received Certifi-
cates of Ordination. "More competent pastors" was considered "the great need
of this Eldership." The work hitherto had been mainly in the country for want
of "competent pastors for towns and cities." This was viewed as a mistake that
should be remedied. The Eldership was organized by the election of J. F. Thomas,
Speaker; C. A. Marksbery, Clerk; A. F. Berkstresser, Treasurer; C. Hale, Financial
Clerk. C. Martin returned his Certificate of Ordination, and I. Ossman and D.
Long were transferred to the Iowa Eldership. The Standing Committee was com-
posed of J. F. Thomas, C. A. Marksbery, J. F. Allman, L. E. Bradley and Samuel
Van Meter. G. L. Chapman was elected trustee of the Eldership. In general,
but strong, terms "all the publications of the General Eldership were recom-
mended." The body was especially emphatic against "endorsing sectarian com-
promising in any form, either in our schools or churches; but we stand for the
churches of God in all that the name implies, believing that our Lord is one and
his name one." Much interest developed in missionary work. "The services of
the W. M. S. created quite an interest in missions. New fields were also repre-
sented at the Eldership, which contributed to the spirit of rejoicing which pre-
vailed.
The Maine Eldership 683
XVI. THE MAINE ELDERSHIP.
1st Main Eldership. — The organic form of the body known as the Eldership
of the Church of God in the State of Maine was the result of gradual developments.
H. Mills, the leading minister in the movement, was brought to see the scriptural
form and polity of the Church under the luminous teaching of P. Loucks, of the
West Pennsylvania Eldership, while on a visit to Maine in June, 1873. Mills was
a delegate to the Cambridge Quarterly Meeting, where Loucks preached, setting
forth the polity of the Church as exemplified in his own Eldership and the General
Eldership. He says: "I went to my home from this meeting a Church of God
man." Shortly afterward he met Silas L. Pennell, "who had organized several
churches, but not connected with any particular sect." He had also received the
truth, that Church of God was the only title for the Church, and he came to the
conclusion to assume the title." They agreed on a time and place to effect an or-
ganization. Accordingly they met "at the town of Palmyra, at the Gale school-
house, Somerset county, where the right hand of fellowship was given to some
twenty." This was the first organization of the Church of God in Maine, and was
formed in August, 1873. This was thereafter known as "the Somerset Quarterly
Meeting." A similar organization was formed in the adjoining county on the East,
and was known as the Penobscot Quarterly Meeting. This nomenclature was
adopted from the Free-Will Baptist Polity. On September 19, 1874, the delegates
from these Quarterly Meetings met and "organized the first Annual Meeting of the
Church of God, in Somerset county, town of Palmyra." In a later historical article
Mills locates this first Annual Meeting at South Charleston, Penobscot county.
This "Yearly Meeting was formed of eleven churches and six ordained preachers."
Additional Quarterly Meetings were organized, and Yearly Meetings were held at
different points in 1875 and 1876. In 1877 "the question came up as to a change
in polity, when a majority voted to establish an Eldership on the Pennsylvania
Polity, and a meeting was appointed for that purpose, to be held at Glenburn,
Penobscot county," in June, when the change was effected, and the body was or-
ganized as an Eldership. It was numbered "the fourth Annual Eldership of the
Church of God in Maine" when it met in annual session at the Gale Bethel, Pal-
myra, Somerset county, September 13, 1877, the sessions in 1874, '5 and '6 being
called "Yearly Meetings." The peculiar character of the Maine ministers and
churches is seen in the fact that the first attempt to organize the body into an
Eldership proved "a failure" because "several ministers withdrew" when the
change was decided upon.
At this first Eldership, or fourth annual meeting the "preaching brethren and
sisters found in attendance" numbered eleven, three of them sisters. Ten min-
isters were absent. There were also two exhorters and eleven delegates present,
and nine delegates absent. Equal rights for brethren and sisters is indicated not
only by the fact of three of the preachers being sisters, but four delegates were
sisters. The officers chosen were Dr. J. I. Brown, President; George H. Moore and
V. A. Brown, Clerks, and Alonza Trim, Treasurer. Among the committees not
found in other Annual Elderships was the "Executive Committee." The Quarterly
Meetings represented were Somerset, Penobscot, Waldo and Kennebec. Much at-
tention was given to Sabbath-schools, as the Committee on Sabbath-schools made
an interesting report of the different schools, which report was followed by "ad-
dresses full of instruction and advice." No resolutions were adopted, the three
days the Eldership was in session were taken up in considering the work and in-
terests of the churches. Sabbath-schools and Quarterly Meetings. Much time was
taken up with preaching and "seasons of prayer." There was a sermon on Thurs-
day evening, the 13th, by Otis G. Trundy, on "The Oneness in Christ." Friday
morning "an hour and a half was spent in prayer and praise to God." Friday
evening a sermon by Eliza Cook, from Ps. Ivi. 13. Sabbath morning "prayer-
meeting at 9 o'clock." At 10.30 sermon 'by Dr. J. I. Brown, from Luke ii. 10 —
"Joy at the Birth of Christ." At 2 o'clock, sermon by Otis G. Trundy, from Jer.
viii. 7." "At 7 p. m., sermon by Dr. J. I. Brown, from Dan. xii. 13." On Monday
morning another sermon by Dr. Brown, after "a precious season of prayer," and
one by Hosea Welsh at 2 t>- m., from Luke viii. 12. The three appointees were
H. Mills, General Missionary, and minister "to labor in Penobscot Quarterly Meet-
ing;" L. W. Hammons, Missionary for west of the Kennebec, and A. F. Brown, east
of the Kennebec.
684 History of the Churches of God
5th Maine Eldership. — ITnabated religious fervor characterized the fifth ses-
sion of the Maine Eldership, which convened at Bradford, Penobscot county, Sep-
tember 19, 1878. What may be called the Opening Sermon was delivered by L.
W. Hanunons, from Col. iii. 11. Exhortations after sermons was the rule, the
record not unfrequently being "a number of exhortations." Twelve ministers were,
present. On Friday morning prayer-meeting from 9 to 12 o'clock. Dr. J. I. Brown.;
was elected President; Henry Dawson, Clerk, and S. L. Pennell, Corresponding
Secretary. It was a feature peculiar to the Maine Eldership that instead of
preachers reporting, the churches and Quarterly Meetings reported. At this ses-
sion the Quarterly Meetings of Kennebec, Somerset, Penobscot and Waldo counties
reported. These reports were most encouraging. Kennebec, "church active and
in working order." Somerset, "very good report from that section of the State."
Penobscot, "very able report." Waldo, "churches in a very flourishing condition."
In addition there were reports from Swanville, Searsport and Islesboro. A Mis-
sionary Board was elected, and one General Missionary and three Home Mission-
aries were appointed. All the ministers were "examined" — their moral and official
conduct was inquired into, as well as their theological views, as is revealed in th€>
record made. "All passed a good examination, with the exception of O. G. Tmndy,-.
who was not sound on the principles of the Church of God, and refused to answer
the questions of the council; therefore he surrendered his papers, and is now not
recognized as a preacher by the people of the Church of God." To raise mission-
ary money "every member of the different churches" was "required to pay $1.00
per year into a missionary fund for the benefit of the missionaries." The doctrine
of the non-resurrection of "the wicked," and that "there is no resurrection of the
just and the unjust; that the righteous dead sleep in the grave until the resur-
rection, and that there is no resurrection of the body," was declared to be heretir
cal, and the Eldership declared that it "withdraws its fellowship from all such
preachers that hold forth and preach such doctrines." A committee of ten min-
isters was appointed "to confer with the brethren in Pennsylvania to the end thai^
our Annual Meeting may become united with the General Eldership of the Church
of God in the United States." Provision was made "to have licenses to continue
one year as to Christian character and soundness of principles." The Eldership
voted "to have a camp-meeting ground," and appointed a committee to procure it.-i
6th Maine Eldership, — This body is still called by the Clerk who announced
the session, "The Annual Meeting of the Church of God in Maine." It was to
begin September 19, 1879, Friday morning. There was "a social meeting for the
brethren on the evening of the 18th. H. Mills had united with the East Pennsyl-r
vania Eldership, and attended its session in 1879, and so was not present at the
Maine Eldership. He highly complimented said Eldership, and commended to the
Maine' brethren its "manner of conducting its business." He also revealed the
dissensions among the brethren in Maine, some of whom were "finding fault with
the Pennsyltania polity." Their presence, he felt sure, would have convinced
them that "the laws and usages of the Pennsylvania Eldership are such that no
better can be found." Nothing was published concerning the session of the Maine
Eldership in 1879.
7th Maine Eldership. — There seemed to be little cohesiveness in the bodj*
known as the "Annual Meeting of the Church of God in Maine," so that there weref
constant defections, and also new additions. But in 1879 a final division occurred.,-
when "the Waldo Quarterly Meeting withdrew from the general body in Maine,-
and assumed the name of the Waldo Eldership, and adopted the Rules of the East
Pennsylvania Eldership." But this Quarterly Meeting, now an Eldership, em-
braced the counties of Waldo, Penobscot, Kennebeck and Lincoln. The ailnual
session was held beginning June 10, 1880, "with the second church in Monroe,"
when the Opening Sermon was preached by M. E. Curtis. On the 11th the body
was organized, with A. F. Brown, Speaker; C. C. Moody, Treasurer, and E, F, Han-t
son, Journalizing and Transcribing Clerk. The Eldership "voted to adopt the
itinerant system." One church had "been recently organized." Brown and Curtis
were to supply the churches in Penobscot county. Hanimons and Hanson were ap-
pointed to Monroe, Searsport and Islesboro. Cook was to preach for churches at
Cooper's Mills, Windsor Neck and Frankfort. AV. L. Bi-own was made a general
evangelist. An assessment of "$1.00 on each irilale member, and 50 cents on each
female member was made, to be paid quarterly, said money to be expended as thd
Church may deem proper." A Contingent Fund was to be raised by voluntary
pledges made to the preachers. A record was directed to be kept by each churdb
The Maine Ei^dership /..)"-;[:[ 685
Oif "the date of organization, by whom organized, number of members and names
X)f church officers." A camp-meeting was to be held in August. This session the
Clerk notes was "our first annual meeting." "Perfect union prevailed" between
those who constituted it.
1 : 8th Maine Eldership. — "The brethren in the State of Maine" which consti-
tuted the Eldership in 1880, without taking official action, sent a "request to the
iGeneral Eldership to be formed into an Eldership." This was acted on in May,
iJ:88X, and the recommendation of the Committee on Boundaries of the General
Eldership was adopted, that "the name of said Eldership be 'the Eldership of the
Church of God in the State of Maine,' " and that "the boundary lines be the State
boundary lines." Under this Charter the body met at Bradford, Me., June 16,
1881, when the Opening Sermon was delivered by A. F. Brown, from Luke iv. 18.
The session continued three days. E. F. Hanson was Speaker; David Mitchell,
Treasurer, "and E. F, Hanson was again appointed Journalizing and Transcribing
'Clerk." Only two committees were appointed, a Standing and a Stationing Com-
>mittee. The Eldership did not act on any resolutions, except to vote "to continue
in force all the doings of last year." The names of seven ministers are recorded
as present. "Everything had been pleasant within the borders the past year."
"We enjoyed perfect peace and prosperity the past year," was the testimony of the
Transcribing Clerk.
9th Maine Eldership.- — This was "the third annual meeting of the Maine Eld-
ership" as a chartered body of the General Eldership. It met with the church at
Islesboro, June 16, 1882, an island about two hours' sail from Bedford City.
"About sixty" were in the party going to the Eldership, the church standing a
short distance from the warf." L. W. Hammons was chosen Speaker; E. F. Han>
son, Journalizing and Transcribing Clerk. The "past year had been one of pros-
perity." Two "newly organized churches" were received, and others made good
reports. H. Mills, who had joined the Ea^t Pennsylvania Eldership, was received,
"and the right hand of fellowship was extended to him." It was decided that "no
church shall be reported that has no church Record, and is not regularly organ-
ized." All other churches were "to send a written report to the Eldership." The
Standing Committee was instructed "to look after and ascertain the Standing of
the brethren in Aroostook county, with a view to their reception into the Eldership
in 1883." The annual camp-meeting was again appointed on Maple Grove camp-
ground.
|. 10th Maine Eldership. — At the annual session in 1883, no report was made
by the Standing Committee on the case of the brethren in Aroostook county. But
M. E. Curtis, with whom the Clerk was "to correspond, and learn his position
toward the Church and brethren," was present, and Hammons, who was to preach
the Opening Sermon, being absent, Curtis took his place. When on June 15th the
body convened for business, he was elected Speaker, and was also placed on the
Standing Committee. A. F. Brown was placed in the Clerk's chair. The session
was held at Charleston, Penobscot county. In addition to the counties represented
in the Eldership in 1880, there was a "report from Franklin county, the new
ground of H. Mills." The Church in Maine was "in good working order." What
was "wanted was more preachers." Eight ministers were present.
11th Maine Eldership. — An Eldership held in the woods is a rare occurrence,
possibly owing to the season when Eldership sessions are held. But the Maine
(Eldership convened at Searsport, Waldo county, "on the Maple Grove camp-
Igrpund," Friday, June 20, 1884, at 2 o'clock p. m., and made choice of A. F. Brown
fOiP Chairman, and S. H. Burton, Clerk. Burton preached the Opening Sermon in
the evening. There was preaching three times each day, and the small amount of
jbu^iness was transacted between the services. Burton was a new member, to
whom "the right hand of fellowship was extended on Sunday." No report was
^published from either of the two committees, Standing and Stationing, but a reso-
.liU;tion was passed, that "these above-named officers do stand by and sustain Bro.
Xi. W. Hammons and all others in their pastoral work as far forth as their work
a^grees with the teaching of Christ."
*'.!v 13th Maine Eldership.— The camp-meeting spirit prevailed largely among
.tbe ministers and churches in Maine. The Quarterly Meetings were frequently
Jieia fat camp-meetings. Their Eldership meetings were more on the evangelistic
order than were such gatherings in Middle and Western States. The Eldership
which met at East Thorndike, June 18, 1885, did very little ecclesiastical business.
It »*'iComjnenced with the Spirit's power" under the preaching of the Opening Ser-
686 History of the Churches of God
mon by H. Mills. M. E. Curtis was elected Speaker; E. F. Hanson, Journalizing
and Transcribing Clerk. While a Stationing Committee was elected, no report
was published. The annual camp-meeting was appointed for the last Thursday in
August, at Maple GroTe, to continue ten days. A camp-meeting was also ap-
pointed to be held at Charleston, to commence September 12th, and continue over
two Sabbaths. The religious feature of the meeting predominated, and it was
noted by the Clerk that "the meetings were a decided success. God manifested
his power in every meeting. The brethren preached with power." A spirit of
hopefulness was strongly in evidence. "The Church of God in Maine is advancing
to a higher position before the people."
13th Maine Eldership. — The Maine Eldership had never been represented in
the General Eldership, and when in 1886 it failed to elect delegates, the attention
of its Standing Committee was called to the matter. Nor had it taken any interest
in the College, nor in general mission work. The session which was held at Dix-
mont Center, Penobscot county, beginning June 18, 1886, devoted its time wholly
to its own internal affairs. There were fifteen ministers enrolled, of which six
were absent. M. E. Curtis preached the Opening Sermon. H. Miller was chosen
Speaker, and M. Cook, Clerk. All the preachers were required to report annually
in person or by letter. Fourteen churches are on the list, of which number seven
reported. Six of the preachers were given charge of the churches, while one was
appointed "missionary in the State of Maine." Each church was directed here-
after to report "by delegates or by letters." The Eldership asserted its right to
the title of "Eldership of the Church of God in Maine," as the only body chartered
in the State by the General Eldership. This as against "a few here in Maine, led
by one Silas L. Pennell, who claims to have an Eldership of his own." "The Eld-
ership," as reported by the Clerk, commenced in the spirit and power of Elijah's
God, and it was carried through in the same."
14th Maine EIdei"ship. — At least in the localities where the Maine Eldership
held its session there was very favorable sentiment and widespread interest.
Houses were "crowded to overflowing." This was the case at North Troy, Waldo
county, where on June 17, 1887, the fourteenth session was held. H. Mills
preached the Opening Sermon. E. F. Hanson was chosen Speaker, and M. Cook,
Clerk. As there were no Eldership Funds, a Treasurer was not needed. There
was little business to be transacted. Churches reported, and with but one excep-
tion they were in "good condition," "good working order," or "good, and in work-
ing condition." One church was "rather low." There was preaching three and
four times each day. The session lasted two days and three evenings; but "there
were eight sermons, twenty prayers, two hundred and ninety exhortations, seventy-
three songs of praise." In the case of one minister it was decided to "take his
papers from him." Further action was taken in case he should "refuse to sur-
render his papers." "The Standing Committee shall commence action against him,
as he has gone contrary to the Rules of the Eldership." The preachers, ten of
them, were appointed on eight fields of labor.
15th Maine Eldership. — Of the character and doings of the Maine Eldership
in 1888 nothing is known. No report was published. It was announced to meet
at West Winterport, June 22nd.
16th Maine Eldership. — The sixteenth session of the Maine Eldership was
made the subject of editorial criticism because its Journal contained "matter
which does not properly belong to such a document," of which "meditations of the
Clerk" and "reports of religious meetings" are mentioned. It also was mentioned
that this was only the tenth session of the chartered Eldership. The fact that
again no delegate was elected to the General Eldership was unfavorably com-
mented upon, and even "no action of any character taken relative to the parent
body from which the Eldership received its charter." The body met at Ilesboro,
on an island in Penobscot Bay, about twelve miles from Belfast, Waldo county, on
June 20, 1889. The Church of God had a dominant influence on the Island, In-
stead of an Opening Sermon the "yearly meeting was opened by a prayer and
praise meeting." And "when the meeting closed that night we recorded eighty-
seven exhortations, a number from the converts, as there had been a fevlval."
At the business meeting on Friday morning A. F. Brown was elected President,
and H. R. Dawson, Clerk. Two churches with their pastors were received Into
the Eldership. One of the pastors had been a Free Baptist, if not both, and doubt-
less the churches. Sixteen other "towns were represented, besides Islesboro."
There were twelve appointments, with as many ministers. In Monroe there were
The Maine EiwDERShip 687
two churches, with two pastors. The Islesboro church is described as "a church
with a congregation of 500, and 40 converts at the last revival." At a "prayer
and praise meeting at 8 o'clock p. m., there were one hundred exhortations." The
"sermon at 2.30 p. m. was followed by forty-five exhortations in about thirty
minutes."
17th Maine Eldership. — When the seventeenth Eldership session was held in
Maine conditions were somewhat unfavorable and prospects not inspiring. Mills
testified that the outlook was "not as hopeful as it was some time ago." While
there were still a number of loyal ministers, the "laity to some extent was indif-
ferent." All felt "somewhat grieved" because of a sense of neglect by other Eld-
erships and the General Eldership of interests in New England. They thought at
least one strong man should have been sent to Maine and one to Massachusetts as
missionaries. "New England," said J. I. Brown, "is a nursery to all parts of the
United States." He was an enthusiastic Church of God minister, laboring in
Massachusetts. Through his efforts the church of God at Lowell, Mass., was or-
ganized in January, 1890, with six elders and twenty members. This church, and
others organized in the State, desired to unite with the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship. Brown, however, was sent as a delegate to the Maine Eldership, which con-
vened at North Troy, June 20, 1890. He had full power to effect a union with
the Maine Eldership, and did so. He was "given oversight of the work in Massa-
chusetts," as "Missionary for Massachusetts," and President of the Eldership in
Massachusetts, "with power to grant licenses." He was a very positive advocate of
the ordinance of feet-washing, this being a distinctive doctrine of the Church of
God which first appealed to him. The Eldership ordained two to the ministry, one
of which was a converted Catholic — A. R. McDougall. He, too, declared, that
"the first thing that attracted his love for the Church of God was the belief in the
washing of the saints' feet." The Eldership sent S. H. Burton to Lowell, Mass.,
to be the pastor of that church.
18th Maine Eldership. — The Maine Eldership was a fully organized body,
patterned after the- East Pennsylvania Eldership. The business was transacted
under the same Rules, and in the same general order. But the religious element
was more prominent. The eighteenth session (or the twelfth according to their
numeration) was held at West Winterport, Me., beginning June 19, 1891, and con-
tinuing three days. It was a more hopeful one than that of 1890. M. Andrews
was chosen President, and H. R. Dawson, Clerk. It was ordered that hereafter
"ministers appointed over the different churches shall give an account in writing
of the number of appointments they fill and the amount of money they collect."
Delegates were present from twelve churches in Maine, and three from Massa-
chusetts. Eleven ministers were appointed to churches in Maine, and two to the
churches at Lowell and Haverhill, Mass. One General Evangelist and one General
Missionary were appointed "for the State of Maine." By vote of the Eldership
the churches in Massachusetts were "to be under the jurisdiction of the Maine
Eldership for one year."
19th Maine Eldership. — The churches in Massachusetts remained under the
jurisdiction of the Maine Eldership, and received pastors from it in 1892. The
session of the Eldership was held at North Troy, and began June 17th. L. W.
Hammons was chosen Speaker, and J. I. Brown, Secretary. Twelve ministers, two
from Massachusetts, were present. One of the ministers in Maine and one in
Massachusetts "asked to withdraw from the Eldership," and "it was granted."
There was preaching during the session at 9 a. m., and 2 and 7.30 p. m. One
"afternoon was devoted to the reports of preachers and churches." A Woman's
Home Missionary Society was organized at Pittsfield, Mass. While the State Mis-
sionary reported "some of the churches in a fiourishing condition," the report of
Dr. Brown stated that "the church at Haverhill, Mass., is in a struggling condi-
tion." Conversions at Eldership meetings were not uncommon, and at this session
"many sinners and backsliders rose to witness their belief of the gospel of Christ."
20th Maine Eldership. — The ministers of the Maine Eldership having been
strongly urged to appoint delegates to the General Eldership in 1893, decided to
hold "a special meeting" for that purpose. Oflicers of the Eldership had also "re-
signed and left said Eldership." This meeting was held December 28, 1892, at
Swanville, Me., when J. I. Brown was elected Moderator, and Sister V. A. Brown,
Secretary. Two more ministers "called for, and received, letters from the Elder-
ship." J. I. Brown and H. Mills were chosen delegates to the General Eldership.
Another meeting was held February 2, 1893, at the Mayo school-house, West
688 History, .of, ^he ,C.h,urches of God
Frankford, Me. Two delegates were chosen to attend the Yearly Meeting of the
Primitive Baptists. Two lay delegates were also chosen to the General Eldership
— W. E. Goen and Morrill. Plans were made to secure "funds to pay the
Maine indebtedness to the General Eldership." The regular annual session was
held on the Maple Grove camp-ground, Maine, and began June 8, 1893. The
officers elected were M. Andrews, Speaker, and Vesta A. Brown, Clerk. Joseph
D. Prentiss and his wife, and Sarah Curtiss "presented themselves for membership
in the Eldership," and were received. H. Mills was appointed "as missionary for
Massachusetts," and Stephen Dinsmore, missionary for New Hampshire. The
forecast was disquieting, "as many had left who had long time been members, and
the ranks of the Maine Eldership thinned and weakened."
21st Maine Eldership. — Another special session of the Maine Eldership was
called upon petition of five of the members. It was held on the Maple Grove
camp-ground, near Searsport, Me., August 31, 1893. Eight ministers and four
ruling elders were present. The unusual feature of this meeting was the pres-
ence and reception of R. H. Bolton as an advisory member, he having been under
suspension by the Ohio Eldership. He had united with the church at Searsport,
Waldo county, Me., and was "recommended by the Quarterly Meeting for license,
and ordination by the laying on of hands by the Presbytery." This was "accord-
ing to the custom of the Maine Eldership, and required by the laws of the State."
Bolton was received, and was ordained "by the laying on of hands by five elders.""
He was appointed General Missionary of the Maine Eldership, at a "salary of
$300.00 or more." He was also appointed, with two others, "to draft a Constitu-
tion, By-Laws and Rules of Order," to be reported at a special session October 20,
1893.
The special session, October 20th, was held at the Bagley Hill school-house,
Waldo county. Me. Five of the thirteen ministers were present, and five elders
and delegates. J. W. Bolton, of the Ohio Eldership, was received as an advisory
member. He had united with the church at Bagley Hill school-house, which "rec-
ommended him to the Maine Eldership for ordination." He was ordained in man-
ner and form as was his father in August. For the first time the Eldership
adopted resolutions with reference to Findlay College, and raised $19.00, to be
forwarded to the Treasurer of the College. The Constitution was adopted, as well
as a Constitution of the Woman's Home Missionary Society. J. W, Bolton was
also appointed a General Missionary, "to be a co-worker with his father."
The regular session was held at West Winterport, Waldo county, Me., begin-
ning June 2 8, 1894, when the Opening Sermon was delivered by R. H. Bolton, from
Mark xvi. 15. Eighteen teaching elders were enrolled, eleven not being present,
and seven churches were represented by delegates. A. F. Hatch was elected
Speaker, and J. W. Bolton, Clerk. It was believed that "the outlook" is more fav-
orable" than il: had beep for seveiral years. A Ministerial Association was pro-
vided for. Susanna Moore, a licensed minister, had died during the year. She
was "a good and faithful Christian." The Eldership "favored Constitutional and
statutory prohibition in State and nation." H. Mills, who had been one of the
first ministers of the Church of God in Maine, "requested that his name be dropped
from the Eldership Roll. Four appointments were made, one being R. H. Bolton
as General Missionary.
The complications which arose in consequence of the Maine Eldership receiv-
ing and ordaining R. H. Bolton hastened the dissolution of that body. The Ohio
Eldership called official attention to this violation of the Constitution of the Gen-
eral Eldership. The Maine Eldership was not accustomed to such extraneous re-
straints, and would not undo its unconstitutional action, nor indeed mention in
its Journal of 1894 the receipt of any communication from the Ohio Eldership. It
withdrew its patronage from The Advocate, and did not report its Minutes of any
sessions held after the one in June, 1894. But it evidently "withdrew from the
General Eldership," as the Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Findlay College,
May 21, 1896, stated that, "Inasmuch as the Maine Eldership has withdrawn from
the General Eldership." This is confirmed by th^ action of the General Eldership,
held in May, 1896, which took action on this item by declaring "void the repre-
sentation on the Board of Trustees heretofore accorded to the Maine Eldership."
The Kansas Eldership 689
XVII. THE KANSAS ELDERSHIP.
1st Kansas Eldership. — Orderly proceedings marked the division of the Kan^
«as and Missouri Eldership into the two State Elderships of Kansas and Missouri.
After some consultation with the ministers and churches in Kansas, a notice was
duly published in The Advocate, headed, "Preliminary Meeting of the Kansas Eld-i
ership." The Keplinger school-house was named as the place, and Saturday, Sep-
tember 18, 1880, as the time for the meeting. Preaching on Friday evening. The
meeting was "to continue over Lord's day," and the ordinances were to be ob-
served in the evening of said day. The object was stated to be "for the purpose of
considering the organization of a Kansas Eldership." When the ministers and
representatives assembled at 10 o'clock a. m. on the date published, C. B. Konkel,
whose name was signed to the call, "called the meeting to order," and W. Shipman
conducted the devotional services. C. B. Konkel was chosen Speaker, and J, V.
Whisler, Clerk. Other names which were recorded in the Minutes are those of
D. Keplinger, Newton Hill, who with Konkel and Shipman constituted the "Com-
mittee on Organization"; M. C. Ogden and Joshua Good, who with Hill, Sliipman
and Keplinger, were members of the "Committee to draft Constitution and By-
Laws"; S. Deal, who with Whisler and Keplinger, composed the "Committee on
Arrangements," and D. Engle, who offered the closing prayer. Whisler, Deal, Good
and Engle were laymen. The ordained sister of the Kansas and Missouri Elder-
ship, Clara Yutzey, was a member, and preached on Sabbath, at 11 o'clock a. m.
"After due deliberation, and the reading of letters from ministers and members
in the northern part of the State," a "committee was named by the Speaker to
draft resolutions, praying the different bodies interested to grant us the privilege
of organizing a Kansas Eldership of the Church of God." This had reference to
the Kansas and Missouri and the Nebraska Elderships, and the General Eldership.
The Committee reported in harmony with its instructions, and stated that "under
present arrangements of the territory the ministers and various fields of
labor cannot properly labor together, and are unable to meet and confer with each
other to advance the interests of the Church of God." Hence "we realize the need
•of an immediate remedy in the formation of a Kansas Eldership." A request to
the General Eldership "to grant us the privilege of forming an Eldership in the
State of Kansas" followed. Also one to the Kansas and Missouri Eldership. A
petition was also reported to the Nebraska Eldership "to grant us the territory
lying in Kansas, and now a part of said Eldership." This Report was adopted,
and finished the work of the "Preliminary Eldership."
J. V. Whisler, Clerk of the "Preliminary Eldership," addressed a letter, em-
bodying the action taken, to the Kansas and Missouri Eldership, convened at Key-
stone, Clinton county, October 13, 1880, which was read at the Friday morning
sititng, October 15th. Newton Hill, of the "Preliminary Eldership," and D. Blakely
discussed the proposition on a motion "that the request be granted." "Pending
this motion," the Eldership took a recess until 1.30 p. m. No minute was made of
any action on the motion.
At the General Eldership which began its session at Findlay, Ohio, May 24,
1881, the communication from the "Preliminary Eldership" in Kansas, over the
signature of its Speaker, C. B. Konkel, was referred to the Committee on Boun-
daries. Said Committee reported on Tuesday afternoon. May 31st: "A request
from the brethren in Kansas, asking the privilege of forming an Eldership in said
State. Your Committee recommend that their request be granted, and that the
name be The Kansas Eldership of the Church of God, within the boundaries of the
State." This report was adopted, and everything was now in readiness for the
organization of another body in the growing family of Elderships.
Pursuant to action taken at the Preliminary Eldership, "a call was accordingly
published in The Advocate for a meeting of the ministers, elders and delegates of
the churches of God in the State of Kansas to meet September 23 and 24, 1881, at
the Keplinger school-house, Crawford county, Kansas, for the purpose of organiz-
ing the Kansas Eldership of the Church of God." The Opening Sermon was
preached the previous evening by Newton Hill, from Col. iv. 17. The enrollment
showed the following membership: Ministers — David Keplinger, Christian B.
Konkel, R. T. Sargent, Newton Hill and Clara Yutzey. Exhorter— Thomas Steph*-
•ens. Ruling elders — H. Bosley, A. L. Cory, J. Frederick, J. Tj. Konkel,
C. H.— 23*
690
History of the Churches of God
E. Simon, W. H. Sheets, A. Whisler, J. V. Wliisler and J. L, Huffman.
Delegate — S. Diehl. A ballot being taken, C. B. Konkel was elected Speaker;
N. Hill, Clerk, and J. V. Whisler, Treasurer. A Standing Committee of three,
and a Stationing Committee of three, were elected. The former was com-
posed of Konkel, Keplinger and Sargent; the latter, of Hill, Huffman and Yutzey.
After six other of the usual committees were appointed by the Speaker, the Com-
mittee on Constitution and By-Laws, appointed at the Preliminary Eldership, re-
ported. The Constitution contained fifteen Articles. Art. I. accepted the name
given the new body by the General Eldership. Art. II. defined the object to be
"to secure and promote the mutual welfare of the ministry and churches of the
Church of God in Kansas, and to co-operate in the benevolent, educational and
missionary work of the Church." Art. III. fixed the membership — "to consist of
all licensed preachers and exhorters, ruling elders, together with a delegate from
each church not represented by ruling elders." Art. IV. related to the time and
place for the annual sessions. Articles V., "VI., VII. and VIII. defined the duties
of the officers. Speaker, Clerk and Treasurer. Art IX. related to the first sitting
C. B. Konkel.
of a session, the Opening Sermon and constituting the Eldership. Art. X. names
the two principal committees — the Standing and Stationing — and fixes the number
of each and defines their duties, giving the Standing Committee the powers of the
Eldership. Art. XI. requires annual reports from ministers, renewal of licenses,
and other information from each pastor. Art. XII. relates to Transfers. Art.
XIII. states the points on which applicants for license were to give evidence. Art.
XIV. directs that Rules of Order shall be adopted "at the first annual meeting."
Art. XV. provides for future amendments. Rules of Order were also submitted.
As thus amended, having been considered seriatim, the Report was adopted. John
Hammer received license. Absent ministers residing within the State, who re-
ported by letter, were Jay C. Fonicrook, J. W. Felix, B. Hamilton, J. W. Keplinger,
W. J. Shipman and J. Smedley. The Committee on Boundaries outlined eleven
circuits and missions. The Stationing Committee appointed ministers to thirteen.
These fields were in Crawford, Miami, Montgomery, Elk, Jackson, Pottawattomie,
Nemaha, Brown, Smith, Jewell, Cloud, Phillips, Ellsworth, Rice, Reno, Kingman,
McPherson, Bourbon, Linn, Sumner, Sedgwick, Harvey, Wilson, Allen. A com-
mittee was appointed "to recommend a certain course of reading to be pursued by
The Kansas Eldership 691
the ministers of the Eldership." On the temperance question the Eldership
strongly endorsed the "law prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating
drinks as a beverage," which had "been passed in the State of Kansas," and re-
solved "to aid all in our power to enforce the same." It favored a better "ob-
servance of the Lord's day," and insisted on ministers and church members "set-
ting an example by refraining from unnecessary labor and travel, and by attend-
ance upon the services of divine worship." The Legislature was urged "to change
existing laws so as to grant divorce only upon scriptural grounds." Resolutions
were also adopted, commending the periodicals and publications of the General
Eldership; the General Missionary Secretary; the American Bible Society and its
work; the College enterprise, and on the assassination of President Garfield.
A "course of reading for our newly licensed ministers" was approved, consisting
of the Bible, Winebrenner's Sermons, Butler's Analogy, Doddridge's Rise and
Progress of the Soul, Paley's Evidences, Horn's Introduction, Cushing's Manual,
and Constitution and By-Laws of the General Eldership.
C. B. Konkel, Speaker of the first Kansas Eldership, belonged to an excellent
family which were originally brought into the Church in Nodaway county. Mo. At
the Iowa Eldership held at Fairview, Cedar county, Iowa, October 21, 1869, he was
an applicant for license, having sent a communication to that effect to the Elder-
ship. The Eldership appointed a committee to visit him and William Konkel, and
authorized the Standing Committee to grant them licenses upon a favorable report.
Both were licensed and their names enrolled when the Iowa Eldership was con-
stituted in 1870, though neither was present. Nor did he attend any session of
the Iowa Eldership, and had no charge, preaching only in a local capacity. His
name was dropped from the Roll of the Iowa Eldership in 1873. But in 1871, at
the organization of the first Kansas and Missouri Eldership he was enrolled as a
member; elected Clerk, and appointed to Leavenworth county circuit, Kas. Here
began his career as an active minister. He was Clerk of the Eldership in 1872,
and reappointed to Leavenworth county circuit. In 1873 he was reappointed. He
served on important committees, but held no other office. In 1874 he was chosen
Speaker, and also in 1875 and 1876. In 1874 he was sent to Crawford county,
Kas., and reappointed in 1875. In 1876 he was assigned to Caldwell and Ray
counties, Mo., circuit. In 1887 he received no appointment, and held no office,
though present; but was elected an alternate delegate to the General Eldership.
In 1878 he was again chosen Speaker, and was appointed, with Clara Yutzey,
assistant to J. M. West on the Crawford county circuit, Kas. In 1879 he was again
chosen for Speaker, and became the pastor of Crawford county circuit. These cir-
cumstances threw him into the Kansas Eldership, where his energetic, aggressive
disposition found a large field for healthy exercise. He was a man of strong nat-
ural powers of mind, force of character, an infiuential leader of men and a good
gospel preacher. His death in 1884 was "a sad bereavement, and the Eldership
mourned him as a beloved and highly honored brother, and a sweet counselor,"
and made the memorial exercises a special order for Friday at 11 o'clock a. m.
2nd Kansas Eldership. — The idea of circuit Elderships was one of the pro-
gressive features of the Kansas churches. As the presbytery originally was in the
local church, these higher bodies might appropriately have been designated by ex-
trabiblical names. But Kansas adhered to the older nomenclature, and its highest
judicatory was still the Eldership. And so the second session of the Kansas Elder-
ship began its work on "Friday morning, September 29, 1882, at Mendon school-
house, near Little River, Rice county." The Opening Sermon was delivered on the
evening of the 2 8th, by R. T. Sargent, from Col. i. 2 8. Sargent was elected
Speaker; N. Hill, Clerk, and Joshua Good, Treasurer. The College enterprise was
"hailed with joy," and "a voice of welcome" was "extended to the collecting agent
in securing funds." "The standard of religion" was declared to be "better to-day
than it has ever been, and that never was truth so generally taught." The Com-
mittee on Temperance had its Report "referred back," and another member added
to the Committee. When it reported its resolutions were adopted, affirming "in-
temperance" to be "one of the greatest evils in the land," and declaring that "we
as a body unanimously raise our voice against this deadly enemy, both by precept
and example; not only as pertains to the intoxicating cup, but also to the filthy
use of tobacco." An assessment was made on fields of labor to secure funds to
pay its proportion of General Eldership Contingent Fund money. Funds of the
Eldership were limited, there being but $22.35 in the Treasury. The General Eld-
ership Missionary Collector was assured a welcome to the State. Local church
692 History of the Churches of God
missionary societies were commended, and churches which had none were urged
to organize them. "Thursday before January 1, 1883, was appointed a day of
fasting and prayer," and "the churches throughout the Eldership were all asked
to meet on said evening to offer special prayer that the Church may prosper, souls
be converted and more laborers be sent into the fields of labor." The Committee
on Boundaries outlined twelve fields of labor, adding several new counties, and the
Stationing Committee increased by one the fields to which it assigned the min-
isters, one of which was "left in care of the Nebraska Eldership." The Eldership
remained over Lord's day, and observed the ordinances in the evening.
3rd Kansas Eldership. — The energy, enthusiasm and devout consecration of
the Kansas ministers and churches was bearing fruit. The field of vision ex-
panded, and plans for larger work were everywhere in evidence. Conservative in
some particulars, in others the body eagerly adopted innovations which gave
promise of better results. The body convened with the church at Riley Center,
Riley county, at 9 a. m., Thursday, October 11, 1883. C. B. Konkel preached the
Opening Sermon on the evening of the 10th. The only ill-timed phase of the ses-
sion was the absence of ten of the eighteen preachers. And only four ruling
elders and two delegates were present. But those present were encour-
aged by the accession to their number of J, C Frorncrook, and P. K.
Shoemaker, of the Nebraska Eldership; G. J. Bartlebaugh, of the West
Pennsylvania Eldership, and two licentiates — E. L. Latshaw and C. S. Keams.
These two brethren were "set apart for the work of the ministry by an address,
prayer and the extending of the hand of fellowship by the brethren." P. Clip-
pinger was elected Speaker; W. H. Cross, Clerk, and C. B. Konkel, Treasurer. The
Eldership deplored the fact that "many of our brethren in this and our sister Eld-
erships are turning from the work of the ministry to secular employments." The
Eldership was requested to make them "the special subjects of our prayers, for
their own good and that of the Church." It also named "Thursday before Jan-
uary 1, 1884, as a day of fasting and prayer." Subjects of prayer were submitted:
Purity of the Church, More Laborers, Reconsecration, Conversion of Souls, the
Universal Spread of the Gospel. It asked the General Eldership to establish a
fixed annual day of fasting and prayer. A Ministerial Association was proviaed
for. The pastors were directed "to collect mission funds through societies." It
denounced the non-enforcement of the prohibitory law, and made the declaration
that "we will not assist any one to oflSce, either by vote or influence, who will not
enforce, as far as lies in his power, the prohibitory law." There were sixteen
fields of labor, seven of them missions, for six of which appropriations were re-
quested from the Board of Missions of the General Eldership. P. Clippinger's
contemplated "visit to brethren in Colorado and California" was made the occa-
sion for a "request to the Board of Missions to recommend him as a minister
worthy of their confidence and encouragement." The death of P. Shaw was duly
remembered. He was ordained by the East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1840; emi-
grated to Iowa, and thence to Kansas. Isolated members were admonished to "en-
deavor to maintain their connection with the Church of God." It was found that
there were about two hundred such members in the State. The Chairman of the
Standing Committee was instructed to locate them and, where possible, to have
the nearest ministers preach for them.
4th Kansas Eldei-ship. — This was the best attended session of the Eldership
to this date. Fifteen of the twenty-three ministers were present, eight ruling
elders and five delegates. It met at the old headquarters, Kiplinger's school-
house, Crawford county, October 2, 1884. On October 1st Clara Yutzey was to
preach the Opening Sermon; but in her absence G. J. Bartlebaugh officiated. He
was chosen Speaker; with Ne^vton Hill, Clerk, and J. V. Whisler, Treasurer. A
Free-Will Baptist church at Graham school-house, Graham county, asked to be
identified with the Church of God, and requested the services of a minister of the
Eldership. "The appointee to that part of the State was instructed to visit and
reconstruct said church, that it might become a church of God." The Committee
on Temperance had to deal with a new issue, the question of the resubmission of
the prohibitory amendment to the vote of the electorate. It reported that "we
as an Eldership take a stand against resubmission, and by voice and vote sustain
the law as it now is." The Chairman of the Committee was Sister L. E. Cross.
The churches were urged "to adopt a system for obtaining a support for their pas-
tors." The Committee recommended that "upon appointment of a minister to a
field, it shall be the duty of the deacons to secure pledges of amounts, to be paid
J
The Kansas Eldership 693
q«arterly, and report the same to the minister when he enters upon the work."
The local preachers were required to preach more, and "to devote more of their
time and talent in the Master's vineyard." Feeling that a law without a penalty
is only counsel, it was amended by adding: "That ministers who neglect, or re-
fuse, to engage in active work during the coming year shall be suspended until
they give sufficient reasons for such neglect, or refusal." C. S. Kems withdrew
frorii the Eldership, and "joined the Free-Will Baptist Church." Steps were taken
to have the Eldership incorporated under the laws of the State. Churches were
advised to "so deed their properties that they may fall into the possession of the
Eldership in case the churches become disorganized." Trustees were elected!
which would hold and control- all such property. The Constitution was amended
in two Articles. One, requiring applicants for license to appear in person; one,
making it the duty of the Treasurer to "give bond in double the amount usually
coming into his hands." This was no hardship, as he reported "amount on hand,
including Note, $51.20." The statistical report had these items: Number of min-
isters, 24; sermons, 1,200; conversions, 100; baptized, 40; added to the churches,
100; present membership, 350; isolated members, 250.
5th Kansas Eldership.- — -The Kansas Eldership was now an incorporated body.
On September 10, 1885, the Secretary of State certified that a document which he
promulgated was "a true and correct copy of the original instrument of writing
filed in my office February 23, 1885." It was brief, declaring that the subscribers,
R. T. Sargent, NeAvton Hill, W. H. Cross, Wm. Konkel and J. V. Whisler, "volun-
tarily associate ourselves together for the purpose of forming a private corpora-
tion under the laws of the State of Kansas." The name was "The Kansas Elder-
ship of the Church of God." The purpose — "To secure and promote the welfare
of the ministry and churches of the Church of God in the State of Kansas, and to
co-operate in the benevolent, educational and missionary work of the Church."
Five "directors or trustees" were provided for. The term of its existence was
ninety-nine years. The session in 1885 was held at Zion Hill Bethel, Labette
county, beginning October 22, 1885. The previous evening N. Hill delivered the
Opening Sermon, from Acts xx. 28. Seven ministers, five ruling elders and two
delegates were in attendance. These elected R. T. Sargent, Speaker; N. Hill,
Clerk, and J. V. AVhisler, Treasurer. The day of fasting and prayer set apart by
the General Eldership was directed to be observed. "Moral suasion" was to be
used "to persuade men to refrain from the use of intoxicating drinks as a bever-
age," and "legal suasion to prevent the manufacture and sale of the same." The
foreign mission project in connection with the Free Baptist Church was strongly
endorsed. The Church of God in Kansas was declared to be "making progress,
slowly, but steadily and surely." By implication, in the case against Clara Yutzey,
a licensed minister, who obtained a divorce, as charged, "on unscriptural grounds,"
according to "the abstract of the court record," the Eldership seemed to agree
that "other serious reasons" than the one biblical reason would justify divorce.
The Treasurer's Report showed $35.29 to the credit of the Widows' Fund, with
receipts of but $7.00; Contingent Fund receipts, $2.40; while $52.46 were received
for the Konkel Monument Fund. The Eldership assumed a debt of $72.00 on
Center Bethel, Labette county. There were seventeen circuits, extending into four-
teen counties.
6th Kansas Eldership,— By actions of the Standing Committee during the
year the number of circuits was reduced to fourteen. Of these, six were "not rep-
resented" by either a minister, ruling elder or delegate. This induced the Elder-
ship to strike "not represented by a ruling elder" from the Constitution. The
meeting was held at Mendon school-house. Rice county, beginning September 9,
1886, with the Opening Sermon the evening before, by C. S. Bolton, from Matt,
xxviii. 19. Bolton was elected Speaker; R. T. Sargent, Clerk, and J. V. Whisler,
Treasurer. Believing that "one great cause of declension in spirituality among
us is largely due" to "the very meager support of the ministry," the Eldership di-
rected "each minister on entering on his field of labor to hold a meeting at some
point on said field for the purpose of making arrangements for his support; and
that these meetings be held quarterly, composed of elders and deacons, with the
minister in charge, and brethren and sisters as advisory members." The Konkel
Monument Fund was not yet completed, but $6.10 having been received during
the year. "The cause is onward," reported the Committee on the State of Re-
ligion, whose Report showed 165 conversions, 154 accessions, 109 baptized. The
Stationing Committee made fourteen appointments, of which six were called mis-
694 History of the Churches of God
sions, three of which were "subject to the Board of Missions of the General Elder-
ship."
7th Kansas Eldership. — When it is remembered that Kansas is in length 400
miles, and in width 200 miles, and that circuits were occupied in north-eastern,
north-western, south-eastern and south central Kansas, it is not a matter of sur-
prise that at a session of the Eldership held in the south-eastern comer of the
State the churches should not be largely represented. On September 1, 1887, the
Eldership convened at the Bumgardner school-house, Wilson county. There were
twelve teaching elders present, and fifteen absent; with eight ruling elders and
six delegates. The Opening Sermon was preached by G. J. Baitlebaugh, in the
absence- of the regular appointee. He was chosen Speaker, with R. T. Sargent,
Clerk, and J. V. Whisler, Treasurer. To have the same committee as a Committee
on Boundaries and a Stationing Committee was found expedient. While the Eld-
ership lacked system in raising funds for its own use, it adopted the assessment
plan to collect funds for the General Eldership. Notwithstanding the placing of
licenses in the hands of the Standing Committee in the absence of reports from
ministers, a number failed to report, and occasionally a name was thus dropped
from the Ministerial Roll. The plan adopted in 1886 to "raise ministers' salaries
proved a success wherever it was carried out," and it was hence more strongly
urged upon all other ministers and churches. The statistics showed that 865
sermons had been preached during the year; there were 124 conversions; 59 bap-
tized; 103 fellowshiped; membership 303; total amount of salaries, $808.40. Of
the six applicants for license, the cases of four were favorably considered. The
delegates to the General Eldership were required to make a report. The Station-
ing Committee made fifteen appointments, and named G. J. Bartlebaugh for "Gen-
eral Evangelist of the State," to be supported by the Board of Missions of the Gen-
eral Eldership. Fort Scott was made a station, with J. W. Keplinger as pastor.
P. Clippinger had removed to, and was preaching in, Florida; but was not ap-
pointed by the Eldership. Final disposition was made of the Konkel monument
project by turning over the balance in the hands of the Treasurer to the admin-
istrator of the Konkel estate.
8th Kansas Eldership. — There were two important accessions to the active
ministry of the Kansas Eldership through the action of the Board of Missions of
the General Eldership. J. C. Fomcrook was appointed General Missionary for
the State, and C. Manchester missionary at Ft. Scott. But one efficient minister,
on May 14th, who had fought the good fight without reproach or fear as a soldier
of Christ, ended his warfare. R. T. Sargent was 53 years of age. A native of
Madison county, Ind., he served during the War of the Rebellion in the Union
army. He was first licensed by the Indiana Eldership. Thence he removed to
Illinois. From there to Missouri, and later to Kansas. He met every issue with
courage and convincing decisiveness, and everywhere secured the confidence of the
churches and people among whom he labored. The Eldership which convened at
Riley, September 20, 1888, decided to erect a monument to his memory. C. S.
Bolton, as a member of the Standing Committee, issued the call for the meeting,
in place of Sargent, the Clerk. He preached the Opening Sermon on the evening
of September 19th, and was chosen Speaker; with N. Hill, Clerk, and J. V. Good,
Treasurer. The long discussions in The Advocate were disapproved; but all the
periodicals and other publications of the General Eldership were strongly com-
mended. The formation of Women's Missionary societies in all the churches in
the State was earnestly recommended. The importance of concentration of
Church families moving to Kansas where there are, or can be, formed, organiza-
tions of churches of God, was called to the attention of "ministers and brethren
in the East." The resolution "for the better support of the ministers in charge
of churches" was directed to be read by pastors to their churches. The Eldership
placed itself on record in favor of the public observance of the ordinances. The
names of two ministers "were stricken from the Roll" for failing to report for two
years. A church had been organized at Ft. Scott, and a bethel was in course of
erection, and ministers were instructed "to hold special collections from each
church for this building." "A course of reading for our young ministers" was
agreed upon. There were but $120.48 in the six Funds of the Eldership, and the
Finance Committee reported that "in the matter of ministers' support the state of
affairs is even worse, indicating that there is something wrong or deficient in our
system of raising funds." There were two Articles added to the Constitution, em-
bracing the system of collecting funds adopted at previous Elderships, with the
Thk Kansas Ei^oiviiSHip 695
forfeiture of license as a penalty for failure to comply with their requirements.
There were fourteen charges, and one General Evangelist. The project of "estab-
lishing a school at Ft. Scott, under the care of C. Manchester, appointee," was
initiated.
9th Kansas Eldei*ship. — The agitation of the question of the resubmission of
the Prohibition Amendment during the year made it a live issue at the Eldership
in the Fall of 1889. A unanimous "protest against resubmission" was adopted.
The session was held at Ft. Scott, Bourbon county, Thursday, September 5, 1889.
On the evening of the 4th P. K. Shoemaker delivered the Opening Sermon, from
Matt, xviii. 16-18, which the Eldership requested to be published in The Advocate.
W. H. Cross was elected Speaker; P. K. Shoemaker, Clerk, and J. V. Good, Treas-
urer. Each delegate to the General Eldership "was permitted to choose his own
alternate." This was done at once, and they were reported and their names
entered on the Journal. A Church Extension Fund was created, and each min-
ister was required to collect to the amount of ten cents per member on his field
of labor. Three ministers who failed to report were dropped from the Roll. The
state of religion in the Eldership was "quite encouraging." The ministers had
preached 1,635 sermons; they reported 108 conversions, and 17 reclaimed; 92
baptized; 156 fellowshiped; present membership, 731; churches organized, 12.
The State was divided into four districts for the purpose of forming Women's Mis-
sionary societies. The Committee on License, J. C. Fomcrook, C. S. Bolton and
P. H. Shoemaker, demanded of a candidate for license that he abstain from the use
of tobacco; reported favorably, "having been assured by the brother that he has
this 7th day of September, 1889, put away forever the use of tobacco." There
were fourteen appointments, including Ft. Scott station.
10th Kansas Eldership. — The Kansas Eldership held its Ministerial Association
in connection with, and immediately preceding, the annual sessions. "The attend-
ance from abroad was very small" in 1890; but the Association was instructive
and profitable. The "discussions were animated, and much good was accomp-
lished." The Eldership session began September 25th, when nine ministers and
eight delegates were enrolled as present. A. Miller was elected Speaker, and Jay
C. Fomcrook, Clerk. While the sittings "were harmonious," "at times the dis-
cussions were very spirited." "Questions came up that were not pleasant." Oae
of these, "which threatened for a time to be very serious," arose out of an expres-
sion in the report of the Secretary of the Board of Missions, and which seemed to
be a reflection on members of the Eldership: "We have quit employing inefficient
men, and are employing efficient men, with larger salaries." A committee of five
sisters was appointed "to prepare for the organization of a State W. M. S. at the
next Eldership." The Eldership had twelve fields of labor, three of which it had
to leave unsupplied. Jay C. Fomcrook was stationed at Fort Scott, "subject to
the Board of Missions" of the General Eldership.
11th Kansas Eldership. — The usual controversy over Mrs. Woodworth's
methods and views and practices at her evangelistic meetings developed in con-
nection with her work at Topeka, Kas. Resolutions were offered "commending
her labors," and also "requesting her to return to our State and labor among us."
The last clause "was objectionable to a number of brethren." But on a yea and
nay vote the resolution carried "by about two-thirds." The session was held in
the Maple Grove Bethel, Wilson county, beginning September 17, 1891. But for
the episode touching Mrs. Woodworth's work, "harmony prevailed throughout."
A layman, Joshua Good, was chosen Speaker; J. C. Fomcrook, Clerk, and W. H.
Cross, Financial Clerk. Toward the close of the session the action on the Wood-
worth resolution was reconsidered, and "with one exception, the vote stood unani-
mous for striking out the last clause of the resolution." It was insisted that she
had violated the Constitution of the General Eldership in coming into the territory
of the Kansas Eldership without its consent, and "to invite her to return would be
sanctioning past violations of the Rules of Co-operation of the General Eldership."
The Opening Sermon of the Eldership was preached the evening preceding the first
day's sitting, by E. L. Latchaw. A W. M. S. of the Kansas Eldership was organ-
ized upon report of the committee appointed the year before. The number of
fields of labor was increased to seventeen, two of them unsupplied. One of the
fields, "Hay Shootes," was in the Indian Territory. Topeka station was added as
the result of the labors of Mrs. Woodworth.
12th Kansas Eldership. — With nearly all the weaker and poorer Elderships,
the Kansas Eldership was dissatisfied with the exclusion of their Minutes from The
6g6 History of the Churches of God
Advocate, as directed by the General Eldership in 1890. Accordingly, its dele-
gates to the General Eldership in 1893 were "requested to use their influence to
have Eldership proceedings printed in full" in the paper. The session was held at
Topeka, and began September 3, 1892. B. P. Parks, substitute for W. T. Turpin,
preached the Opening Sermon. It "was one of the best Eldership meetings. Har-
mony, love and brotherly preferment prevailed." J. C. Fomci-ook was elected
Speaker, and C. S. Bolton, Clerk. Temperance and prohibition "were strongly en-
dorsed." Three young men were licensed, and thus the Stationing Committee was
enabled to supply fourteen of the sixteen fields of labor. One of the licentiates
removed to California, if possible to take up work in that State. An appropria-
tion of $4 00.00 was asked of the Board of Missions of the General Eldership for
Fort Scott, and $200.00 for the Norton county mission. Assessments were made
for "general mission purposes." The reports of pastors did "not show as great a
percentage of ingatherings as in previous years." As was so common, "some, be-
cause of not receiving sufficient support, could not push the work as they desired."
A Special Committee on Missions was appointed, which considered the whole ques-
tion of missions in the Eldership. It reported that "the Kansas Eldership at the
present time needs help as never before in its history. Many churches in our
bounds have become discouraged. We very much need means to carry on the
work of the Church, as many churches are small and poor." It recommended
"the support of a general worker among us" by the General Eldership Board of
Missions. To "withhold their support at this time from Fort Scott Mission would
at least border on criminal carelessness." A special effort was recommended to
be made to pay off the mortgage on the Fort Scott bethel ($850.00)," and $175.50
was subscribed at once.
13th Kansas Eldership. — Imitation of others sometimes leads men to overdo
things. While it is doubtless true in that wider field of activity in the other house
of our habitation, what Confucius said: "A thousand years of study is only prep-
aration for the real knowledge one should possess to be able to stand among his
ancestors;" yet a seven years' course of studies for ministers on the Kansas Eld-
ership Roll was a mistaken emulation of the oldest Eldership, judged by results.
The Eldership which adopted this proposition held its session at the Janes' school-
house, Labette county, beginning September 18, 1893. The previous evening J. C.
Fomci-ook delivered the Opening Sermon, from I. Cor. i. 21. Nine of the twenty-
one ministers were present; two exhorters, five ruling elders and eight delegates,
four of which were sisters. J. C. Fomcrook was elected Speaker; C. S. Bolton,
Clerk, and A. E. Kepford, Financial Clerk. The prohibitory amendment to the
State Constitution was heartily endorsed, as were the efforts of the Prohibition
party to enforce the prohibition law of the State. The Eldership also resolved
that "we use our influence to promote the cause of woman's suffrage in the State
of Kansas." It rejected "the term 'reverend' which should not be applied to men,
as the title only belongs to God." The Treasurer, J. V. Whisler, reported Super-
annuated Fund, $1.80; Home Mission Fund, $2.00; Widows' Fund, $122.11, and
General Mission Fund, $24.05. There was one license granted, to Sister S. V.
Johnson, "God having given to woman all the rights he has to man." But the
nkmes of five ministers were "dropped from the Roll." There were "thirty
preaching places" in the territory of the Eldership; 212 conversions during the
preceding year; 210 fellowshiped. Two Ministerial Associations were arranged
for, one "in connection with the next Eldership." The territory was divided into
thirteen fields of labor, all of which were supplied, one of them, Riley and Milford
circuit, being given to Mrs. Johnson, who was then "ordained." The Board of
Missions of the General Eldership gave Kansas "two appointments, and appro-
priated largely for the work of the Church" in the State.
14th Kansas Eldership. — The disparity between the number of persons fel-
lowshiped and the number baptized has always been noticeable and undesirable.
Perhaps the fact was more general in the newer Elderships. It was conspicuous
in Kansas in 1893-4, when there were 300 conversions, 207 fellowshiped, and 63
baptized, as gathered from incomplete reports. The Eldership convened at Engle-
vale, Crawford county, September 10, 1894. R. M. Johnson delivered the Opening
Sermon. J. C. Fomcrook was elected President; W. H. Kepford, Clerk, and W. H.
Cross, Financial Clerk. Ten ministers were present, six ruling elders and five
delegates. The Eldership realized that there "are many fields of labor ripe for
the harvest." It found "the state of religion to be deplorable." To meet these
conditions so far as possible, the Eldership appointed J. C. Forncrook "State
The Kansas Eldekship 697
Worker," and resolved to "buy a tabernacle" for his use. It was bought for the
sum of $125.00, and with equipments cost $144.50. But it was short of ministers,
so that three of its thirteen fields of labor remained unsupplied, and WilsoQ County
Mission was attached to the Verdigris circuit. One hour of the Wednesday after-
noon's sitting was "set aside to consider mission work." The Eldership was en-
thusiastic in commendation and support of Findlay College, urging "the brother-
hood to send their children" there, and strongly endorsing the management of the
College. As "this enlightened age demands a better qualified ministry," it was
ordered that the committee to prepare the seven years' Course of Studies be ap-
pointed, said Course "to be read by all ministers of our Eldership." An assess-
ment of $125.00 on the churches was ordered to be made.
15th Kansas Eldership. — The Kansas Eldership, like others in the West,
suffered from the unsettled condition both of Church families and ministers.
These, however, were secondary causes. The commendable desire to better them-
selves financially caused the unrest. And this operated against successful Church
work and hindered the building of strong churches. The Roll of ministers and
delegates was constantly changing. In 1895 the Roll of ministers was not fully
made up for publication, and can not be accurately determined. Seven were
present, with five delegates, and two delegates from the W, M. S., when the body
was organized at Milford, Geary county, on September 2nd. The session was held
in "the Tabernacle," and the Opening Sermon was preached by W. H. Cross, at 11
o'clock a. m., September 1st. The retiring Speaker, J. C. Foracrook, "stated the
needs of the Church in Kansas," after which he was re-elected Speaker; F. F. Man-
chester, Clerk; W. H. Ci-oss, Financial Clerk, and J. V. Whisler, Treasurer. Church
letters were declared "null and void one year after date." Ministers were pro-
hibited to go on the fields of other pastors. The Eldership had a good financial
system, and all the required Funds, and the main drawback was fidelity of pastors
and ability of churches. A "statement included in a Transfer" given one minister
was: "We deplore the fact, that while on one of the best fields in our bounds, he
has not taken up a collection for Eldership Funds for the whole time he has been
with us." In order "to keep the churches pure and the records straight," it was
ordered that thfe pastors call "business meetings at least once a year of each
church, when the Roll shall be called, and as the names are called each member
rise and briefly answer, telling how they are getting along spiritually, and what
are their desires and intentions in the Christian life." A proper watch-care was
also required over any members removing to other localities. The impeachment
of State, county, or municipal officers refusing to enforce the laws prohibiting the
manufacture and sale of intoxicants was demanded, and also their "punishment
as traitors to the State and country." The Eldership voted against a change in
Eldership titles, and "in favor of the present form of Church government." There
were now twenty bethels in Kansas, thirty-nine preaching places; number of con-
versions and accessions, 225; number baptized, 156, and total membership, 690.
The territory was divided into twelve fields, including Ft. Scott mission, and
Topeka mission.
16th Kansas Eldership. — While the Kansas Eldership was not in favor of a
change in its title, it promptly acquiesced in the action of the General Eldership,
and on September 28, 1896, it convened at Topeka, Shawnee county as "the Elder-
ship of the churches of God in Kansas," and one of its first actions was the passage
of an amendment to its Constitution changing its title. Ten of the twenty-one
teaching elders were present, and twelve ruling elders and delegates. The officers
chosen were: Speaker, J. C. Fomci-ook; Clerk, J. V. Whisler; Financial Clerk,
W. H. Cross, and J. V. Whisler, Treasurer. Upon the payment of $100.00 the Eld-
ership secured as a donation "the Harrison Chapel." A mid-Summer Ministerial
Association in addition to the one held in connection with the Eldership session
was arranged for. Churches in Oklahoma and Indian Territory requesting mem-
bership in the Kansas Eldership were received co'nditioned on the approval of the
Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership. P. Clippinger had removed to Florida,
and his work in that State was recognized. The alarming increase in profaning
and desecrating the Sabbath was deplored; the influence of the Eldership was
pledged "to retard and stop such unholy action." An important question was
settled when the Eldership decided that "any minister whose license is in the hands
of the Standing Committee is not legally quafified to solemnize marriages, or per-
form the other functions of the gospel ministry." There is no intimation that
Lizzie Dupree, who received license, was a colored woman. For insubordination
-698 History of the Churches of God
to the Eldership and disloyalty to the Church of God the name of one minister was
"dropped from the Roll of ministers." By request, and because of neglect to
report fgr two years, the names of four others were "dropped." Though the list
of appointments numbered thirteen, one was unsupplied and two were dropped
from the Roll — Big Creek circuit and Phillips county.
17th Kansas Eldership. — Every deliberative body has its embarrassments, its
trials, its troubled waters, or enters the cave of Traphonius. This might be in-
ferred relative to the Kansas Eldership in 1897, when "the waters seemed troubled
at times." Conditions were less inspiring than they had been, as some of the
-strongest men in the ministry went to other Elderships; three fields were de-
pendent on the Board of Missions of the General Eldership, and the Topeka Mi8-
sion had become quite unpromising. A "Peace Committee" was created, whose
work is not clearly disclosed, nor its actions recorded; but it served its purpose
.so well that "the oil soon quieted the waters, and the sea was calm." The result
was "a pleasant Eldership." The session was held with the church at New York
Valley, Woodson county, and the Opening Sermon was delivered on the evening
of October 5, 1897, by J. W. liingston. Friday and Saturday the Ministerial Asso-
ciation held its meeting. The Stationing Committee mapped out nine fields of
labor, four of which were missions. All were supplied with pastors. The mission
"in the outskirts of the city" of Topeka was not directly recognized; but Lizzie
Dupree, in charge of it, solicited "chairs and other church furniture in Topeka"
for use at this mission. The Tabernacle owned by the Eldership was offered for
sale to the Board of Missions of the General Eldership. Being in sympathy with
Findlay College, it approved "the dollar plan" for the support of the College, and
the pastors were instructed "to urge each local church to make an offering for
that purpose on Thanksgiving Day."
18th Kansas Eldership. — The W. M. S. of the Kansas Eldership was closely
connected with said body, as delegates had seats in the Eldership, and an hour of
a sitting was given to its work, besides one evening was allotted to it. The pastors
were also "requested to act as organizers on their fields of labor, and that a State
Organizer be elected." The Eldership convened at Harrison Chapel, Wilson
county, September 26, 1898. On constituting the Eldership thirty-three "mem-
bers were present," of which number seven were women. The balloting for officers
resulted in the election of J. W. Kingston, President; L. C. Barnard, Clerk, and
•J. V. Whisler, Treasurer. The Funds were in gratifying condition, there being
in the Home Mission Fund, $50.44; General Mission Fund, $55.54; College Fund,
$12.11; Church Extension Fund, $213.25; Widows' Fund, $145.87; Contingent
Fund, $14.14. The Eldership declared that "the temperance cause is suffering
for the want of more thorough support and co-operation of the churches, and that
by our example and vote we will do all we can against the monster of intemper-
ance." It also "discouraged the use of tobacco." One evening was set apart for
an ordinance meeting, when J. W. Kingston delivered a sermon in the Tabernacle,
"after which the brethren and sisters repaired to the bethel for the ordinance ser-
vices." "Trashy literature" was denounced as "ruinous to be read." The Elder-
ship found itself in debt to the General Eldership for Mission Fund, $193.30; for
Contingent Fund, $50.00. Part of this debt was at once ordered to be paid. The
trustees of the Eldership were instructed "to see after insurance on bethels." The
sale of the Tabernacle was ordered. The number of fields of labor were eleven.
Six ministers were named "to assist in opening new points." There was also one
"General State Worker," and "Lizzie Diipree General Worker with colored people
in the State." The members "had a glorious time at the Eldership, which we pray
may continue among us the whole year round."
19th Kansas Eldership. — The spiritual element was conspicuous in the Kansas
Eldership in 1899. "We had a glorious feast of the love of God and the brethren"
is the report of L. C Barnard, Clerk. An aggressive missionary spirit is revealed
in the arrangement of the fields of labor and the assignment of ministers. The
Eldership convened at Arma, Crawford county, September 18, 1899. W. H. Cross
delivered the Opening Sermon. J. V. Whisler was chosen President and Treas-
urer, and L. C. Barnaixl, Clerk. Theoretically, at least, every minister without a
field of labor was a missionary, whose work consisted in "opening up new points."
In constituting the Eldership the names of six ministers and fourteen delegates
were enrolled. The published Report of the Stationing Committee shows that the
ten charges were well supplied, except Topeka Mission and Phillips county circuit,
which were unsupplied. One circuit was in Woods county, Oklahoma, and P. L.
Ths Kansas Eldership 699
French and W. E. Tuttle were appointed to Colorado. Lizzie Dupree was made a
•'General Worker among the colored people in Kansas," and T. U. Moi-e held the
same office among the white people. The ministers living in Colorado, a total of
five, were desirous to have an Eldership organized. W. E. Tuttle had formed
"the first church of God in the State in the Summer of 1899, consisting of twenty-
five members."
20th Kansas Eldership. — The work in Kansas was carried on with approved
zeal and energy, under conditions not too favorable. Much of the success
achieved was the result of individual energy and an intelligent application of
means to desired ends. The Eldership at its session held at New York Valley,
Woodson county, which began September 10, 1900, rejoiced when its Committee
on Overtures reported that the letters from twenty different points showed that
there were "95 0 members in the bounds of the Kansas Eldership, an increase of
335 in the last two years." There were "twelve houses of worship and twenty-
nine preaching places." It was deeply felt that permanent church work was im-
possible without houses of worship. There were present eleven teaching elders,
nine ruling elders and seven delegates. J. V. Whisler, a layman, was elected
President; L. C. Barnard, Clerk. There were two accessions to the ministry by
Transfer — O. A. Newlin and J. N. Smith — and W. H. Cross received a Transfer to
the Illinois Eldership. A thoughtfully written Report on Temperance endorsed
the Prohibitory law of the State, and in positive terms "condemned the system
called the canteen system" and the exportation of "the vile stuff being sent out
from this our Christian land to foreign fields even before the blessed gospel
reaches them." A two years' reading course for ministers was adopted. All
were required to take this course who had not already done so. Any one failing
to do so was to "forfeit his Certificate of Ordination." There were ten circuits,
all supplied but the Topeka Missions. One field was in Woods county, Oklahoma,
and Clover Meadow, Colorado, was attached to the Ness county circuit, Kansas.
P. L. French was designated as General Evangelist for Colorado, and W. T. Turpin
for the State of Kansas. The Eldership was blessed in its close, for "the Spirit of
the Lord prevailed, and the Eldership closed with a soul-refreshing meeting in
which six souls found peace with God, and were added to the church, and four at
the altar of mercy seeking salvation."
21st Kansas Eldership. — The Eldership in 1901 was entertained with a lec-
ture by O. A. Newlin, whose enthusiastic reception was more significant than
resolutions. The subject was: "Red Hot Temperance Shot and Shell." It was
published with the Journal by action of the Eldership. Newlin also delivered the
Opening Sermon, from Ezek. xxii. 30. Subject: "God's Gap-fillers." The body
convened with the Fairview church, Pratt county, September 30, 1901. Eleven
teaching elders and thirteen ruling elders and delegates were present. Officers
chosen were: President, J. V. Whisler; A. J. Leonard, Clerk; Treasurer, J. V.
Whisler. The Treasurer was directed "to look after the insurance of bethels."
At the annual Ministerial Association, prior to the Eldership, the ministers were
required to appear for examination in the prescribed Course of Studies. A third
year's course was added. One minister, G. E. Dunn, "passed from this stage of
action" during the year, and his loss was lamented. As there were "many calls
for help," the ministers resolved "to return from this Eldership more determined
than ever to carry the word of life to all." The doors were closed against Mrs.
M. B. Woodworth, on the ground that she "no longer affiliates with the churches
• of God," and ministers were "required to see that she does not labor on their
fields, or within the bounds of this Eldership." The names of eighteen ministers
were on the Roll. There were twelve fields of labor, all supplied except Topeka.
While the boundaries of the Eldership had not been changed, one circuit was lo-
cated partly in Colorado, and Quapau Station was in the Indian Territory. Three
of the ministers resided in the Indian Territory; two in Colorado, and one in
Oklahoma. The Clerk had announced that "the twenty-first Kansas Eldership of
the Churches of God in Kansas and Colorado will convene September 29, 1901."
22nd Kansas Eldership. — The Ministerial Association was practically part of
the Eldership session. It began on September 12, 1902, the Opening Sermon of
the Eldership having been preached the previous evening, by A. J. Leonard, from
Eph. V. 15, 16. The session was held with the church at Central View, Barber
county, and opened September 15th. J. V. Whisler was elected President; A. J.
Leonard, Clerk; W. H. Sheets, Financial Clerk. A. Miller, State Evangelist, re-
ceived the "hand of congratulation for the successful work done the past year,"
700 History of the Churches of God
and was "requested to give an outline for the conducting of a revival." The
Ft. Scott Collegiate Institute received "hearty sanction" and the promise of "a
generous support." The Eldership also stated that "the General Eldership voted
a fund of $1,862.00 for mission school work in the West on the condition that
such school should not become a permanent charge to the General Eldership or
any of its Boards." It therefore expressed it as "the sense of the body that the
Board of Missions should accept the school, assured that it will require no further
financial aid." The spiritual interests of the Eldership were in a reasonable
state. There were 19 preaching points, 13 church organizations, 11 houses of
worship, 233 conversions, 425 fellowshiped, 133 baptized, $882.00 received for
preaching." Other funds were also low, as the total amount was $88.00. Ap-
pointments were made to twelve charges, two of them receiving an appropriation
from the Board of Missions of the General Eldership.
23rd Kansas Eldership. — The Ministerial Association which preceded the
Kansas Eldership in 1903 discussed certain questions appropriate for the Elder-
ship itself. Among these was "Our Mission Work, Home and Foreign," by O. A.
Newlin, who had been a delegate to the General Eldership in 1902, and was familiar
with the action taken at Findlay, Ohio, by the Convention to organize the new W.
G. M. S. The Eldership stood loyally to the action of both the General Eldership
and the Convention. The body met with the church at Mulberry, Crawford
county, September 28, 1903. On the preceding Sabbath evening the Opening Ser-
riion was preached by P. L. French. The organization was effected by electing
J, V. Whisler, President; Myrtle Sheets, Clerk; J. V. Whisler, Treasurer. Eight
ministers and twenty delegates were in attendance. What was known as "A Mid-
year Preachers' Association" was arranged for, to hold its session at Ft. Scott.
The territory of the Eldership was too extensive; the churches too widely scat-
tered, and the means too limited to do the best permanent work. The Eldership
was chiefly concerned about these questions, and felt far less interest in subjects
frequently discussed and acted upon by ecclesiastical bodies. It seemed oppressed
with a sense of the magnitude of the work, and its inability to do it justice. There
were twelve charges, located not so far from the four corners of the State, which
is 408 miles long, and 208 miles broad, rectangular in shape, and including one
circuit in Oklahoma, and points in Colorado.
24th Kansas Eldei-ship. — The confident and sanguine spirit of the Kansas
Eldership in 1904 found expression in these words of the Clerk: "The recent
session of the Kansas Eldership was without doubt the brightest in the history
of the churches of God in Kansas." The principal reason was "the advent of
several young men from other Elderships, and the ordination of four more from
our own churches." The session was held with the church at Harrison Chapel,
Wilson county, with the Opening Sermon on the previous evening, by W. E. Tuttle,
from Job ix. 33. The organization was effected on the morning of September 19,
1904, by the election of John Hendricks, Speaker; W. E. Kelly, Clerk; W. H.
Sheets, Financial Clerk; J. V. Whisler, Treasurer. Eleven ministers were pres-
ent out of twenty-six on the Roll, and twenty delegates. One new "church, at
Cleo, Oklahoma, was received into the Eldership." The finances were in better
condition, $100.00 having been received from the sale of the bethel In Ness county.
But the Eldership was much in arrears to the Contingent and Mission Funds of
the General Eldership. Plans were matured "to raise $150.00 during the coming
year to liquidate the indebtedness to the General Eldership." Instead of "a
delegate from each church" to be entitled to membership in the Eldership, the
Constitution was amended so as to read, "a delegate for each fifty members, or
fraction thereof." The support of the pastors on the twelve fields of labor was
$1,420.12; the church organizations 15, and total membership 575. The dele-
gates to the General Eldership were instructed to invite said body to convene with
the church at Ft. Scott, Kansas, in 1909. The counties in the north-eastern and
north-western parts of the State were omitted from the report of the Stationing
Committee, and were to supply themselves.
25th Kansas Eldership. — In 1905 the Kansas Eldership held its annual session
outside of the State, at Bartlesville, Ind. Ter. The phraseology of its Act of In-
corporation raised a doubt in the minds of a majority whether its acts were legal,
having been taken beyond the boundaries of the State. Accordingly an extra-
ordinary session was called to meet at Ft. Scott, Kansas, December 15, 1905, when
one of its first acts, and the main act, was to appoint a committee, consisting of
J. v. Whisler, O. A. Newlin and C. H. Berry, to investigate the matter, consult an
The Kansas Eldership 701
attorney as to the legality of the business transacted, and report. The conclusion
was, "that there is no question as to the legality of all business transacted by the
Eldership at Bartlesville, Ind. Ter." The date of the regular session was Monday
morning, September 18, 1905. The previous Sunday evening O. A. Newlin
preached the Opening Sermon. On Friday and Saturday, September 15th and
16th, the Ministerial Association held its meeting, and again the day preceding
the extraordinary session. The officers of the Eldership were: President, J. V.
Whisler; Clerk, F. E. Hamlin; Treasurer, J. V. Whisler. Fifteen ministers and
nine delegates attended the session. There were fourteen fields of labor, besides
""Ft. Scott Institute and General Missionary," O. A. Newlin, and General Worker,
A. Miller. The second church. Ft. Scott, and Newlin, were subject to an appro-
priation by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership. An important ac-
cession was that of J. W. Bloyd, by transfer, who took charge of Bartlesville under
the Board of Missions of the General Eldership. The Eldership sought to protect
itself against unworthy men who had received Certificates of Ordination by direct-
ing that "annual Certificates of Standing" be issued to each minister, and that
there be stamped on the Life Certificates the words, "Not good unless accompanied
by an Annual Certificate."
2Gth Kansas Eldership. — A Dormitory had been built for the Ft. Scott Col-
legiate Institute during the Summer of 1906, which was to be formally dedicated
October 9th. To have the Eldership hold its annual session coincident with this
event, the date of the session was changed, and the Eldership met at Ft. Scott,
Monday morning, October 8, 1906. Seventeen ministers and eighteen delegates
were present. On Sunday morning, October 7th, J. W. Bloyd delivered the Open-
ing Sermon. The Eldership was organized by the election for President of J. W.
Bloyd; F. E. Hamlin, Clerk; J. V. Whisler, Treasurer. The dedication of the
Dormitory was an Eldership event, and took place on Tuesday, October 9th, at
2 p. m., the services being held in the Chapel of the Institute. O. B. Huston, of
Illinois, preached the sermon and made an appeal for funds. Tuesday evening was
given to Clara Landes, returned missionary from India, who lectured on India,
While every one had the kindliest disposition toward Clara Landes personally, the
Eldership at all times maintained its loyalty to the General Eldership and con-
formed to its actions. The actions on temperance were in unison with Kansas
sentiment, sometimes a little extreme compared with views eastward. On educa-
tion the Eldership was progressive, inspired by the enthusiastic spirit of the Prin-
cipal of Ft. Scott Collegiate Institute, O. A. Newlin. There were fourteen charges,
including Bartlesville, Ind. Ter. ; two in Ft. Scott, and one in Prowers county, Colo.
J. W. Primrose was the State Evangelist, and O. A. Newlin, General Missionary,
as well as Principal of Ft. Scott Institute. His motto seemed to be "Perse-
verance and Victory," and he infused much of his spirit into others. W. W. Rich-
mond and J. W. Primrose earnestly seconded his projects for larger things.
27th Kansas Eldership. — One of the most advanced steps was taken by the
Kansas Eldership in 1907, when it appointed one of its ministers a "State Tem-
perance Worker." The Ministerial Association held its meeting on Friday and
Saturday before the convening of the Eldership. Temperance agitation was much
stimulated by the prospective World's Temperance Contennial Congress, to be held
at Saratoga Springs, New York, June 14-30, 1908. Temperance organizations and
religious bodies of every name and nature were invited to participate. The ses-
sion of the Eldership was held at Englevale, Crawford county, Kansas., beginning
Monday, September 16, 1907. The preceding Sunday evening J. W. Primrose de-
livered the Opening Sermon. On Monday evening the Missionary Sermon was
preached by O. A. Newlin. On Wednesday evening the ordinances were observed.
John Hendricks was elected President; J. V. Whisler, Clerk; W. H. Charles, Fi-
nancial Clerk; J. V. Whisler, Treasurer. The attendance was disappointing; but
the session was harmonious, without "a ripple to mar the general good feeling."
The loyal attitude of the Kansas Eldership toward the General Eldership was
af)l)ropriately expressed by official action, in view of the meeting of the latter at
Ft. Scott in 1909. It "adviced the W. G. M. S. of 1890 to accept any reasonable
adjustment of the questions involved, even at a sacrifice, in order that peace and
harmony might be restored." When the appointments were made to the twelve
fields of labor, Ft. Scott station was unsupplied. O. A. Newlin was appointed to
the Collegiate Institute. The second church in Ft. Scott was omitted from the
list. Besides Bartlesville in Oklahoma, the fields of P. L. French, J. N. Smith and
703 History of the Churches of God
J. E. Barbour were partly in Oklahoma. Ossman and Long were appointed to
Lamar, Colo. The arrangement suggested the contraction of the occupied terri-
tory in the State of Kansas.
28th Kansas Eldership. — Of the twelve charges enrolled in 1908 to constitute
the Eldership, six were "not represented," or "not reported." A few others had
no teaching elders. The personnel of the Eldership consisted of three pastors;
five delegates, one of them a woman; the Principal of the Collegiate Institute, the
General Worker, the State Temperance Worker, three local ministers and three
members of the W. M. S. Upon balloting for organization J. W. Bloyd was elected
President; J. V. Whisler, Clerk; W. H. Charles, Financial Clerk; J. V. Whisler,
Treasurer. The session was held at New York Valley, Woodson county, Kansas,
September 7 and 8, 1908. There was in the Treasurer's hands a total of $664.87,
of which $526.18 belonged to the Widows' Fund. A more systematic "olan for
Eldership collections" was to be devised by a committee. While the Eldership
"rejoiced over the valuable addition to the body of T. M. Funk and John H. Gross,"
it recorded with emotions of unfeigned sorrow the fact that "God in his all-wise
providence has called our beloved brother, David Keplinger, from our Eldership
to the home above." He "was a charter member of the Kansas Eldership." He
was a native of Virginia, born September 1, 1823. He died at the home of his
son in Kansas, when there on a visit from the Soldiers' Home in California, on
November 13, 1907, aged 84 years, 2 months and 13 days. He was ordained by
the Ohio Eldership in 1849. Thence he went to Indiana, in which Eldership he
was a prominent, active member until he went to Missouri, and thence to Kansas,
and later to California. He was a man of great endurance, a self-sacrificing min-
ister, faithful through storm and sunshine. His brethren delighted to honor him.
He was a man of guileless humility, the first test of true natural greatness. On
temperance the Eldership was more explicit than before, in view of the meeting
of the Legislature to act on important liquor legislation. It included Sunday
theaters, Sunday baseball and other evils in its protest for public reforms ad-
dressed to the Legislature, "making possible the enjoyment of a more sane and
modest Sabbath day." Its resolutions were to be "placed in the Topeka Capitol
during the session of the Legislature." The Eldership viewed with serious
urgency the matter of "having our children taught the distinctive doctrines of
the Church," and therefore advised the dissemination of Church literature through
the Sunday-schools and in the homes, and the sending of the children to Church of
God schools. It also granted the request of the Oklahoma Eldership, to "re-
linquish its right to that portion of the territory included in the bounds of Okla-
homa." Desirous that the work in Ulubaria, India, should be continued, it never-i
theless insisted that the laborers there must come into harmony and co-operation
with the General Eldership. The W. M. S. of Kansas was commended for its
loyalty under the difficulties which surrounded it. There were nine charges, three
of them wholly or partly in Oklahoma, with three General Workers and one Gen-
eral Missionary.
29th Kansas Eldership. — Saturday, September 18, 1909, was to be a day for
the Ministerial Association to hold its meeting. "Some of the brethren as-
sembled" for that purpose. Preaching services were held on Saturday evening and
Sabbath morning, when T. B. More and P. L. French officiated. Charles Man-
chester had become Principal of Ft. Scott Collegiate Institute, and on Sabbath'
evening was pressed into service, in the absence of the appointee, to preach the
Opening Sermon of the Eldership. On Monday morning, September 20th, at Mul-
berry, the Eldership was constituted, with ten fields of labor, one of them in
Colorado; one pastor and nine "ministers without appointments," nine delegates,
two of them women, and three officers of the W. M. S. When the Ministerial
Roll was made up at the adjournment, twenty-two names were on it. In addition
to the ministers, delegates and officers of the W. M. S., there were also enrolled
the laymen who were officers of the Eldership of 1908, and five other members of
the W. M. S. Thus constituted, the Eldership chose T. B. More, President; Chas.
Manchester, Clerk; W. H. Charles, Financial Clerk; J. V. Whisler, Treasurer. The
President favored the women with the three places on the Committee on Temper-
ance, placing thereon Mrs. Valeria Gayhart, Mrs. W. H. Charles and Mrs. Maggie
More. Their report not only declared it "an honor to live in the great State of
Kansas, because it has taken precedence in enacting laws prohibiting and abolish-
ing the liquor traffic;" but it denounced "theaters, five-cent shows and Sunday
baseball, because they desecrate God's holy day and degrade public morals." The
The Kansas Eldershif i; 703,
management of Ft. Scott Collegiate Institute under C. Manchester received gen-
erous endorsement by the Eldership. The work of the General Eldership was
strongly approved, and the Eldership "put itself on record as opposed to all di-
visions in our Missionary Forces," and emphatically sustained the "Final Action"
Of the General Eldership on this subject. Provision was made for the revision
of the Eldership Constitution and By-Laws. The state of religion was not satis-
factory. The work did "not come up to the standard that we should like to see."
Some churches had gone down. Yet "some good work has been done." There
were 116 conversions, 82 accessions, 62 baptisms. Oklahoma Eldership having
received the territory south of the State line, yet the appointments as to num-
bers remained the same, with one in Colorado. The Standing Committee had re-
yiao'i *he Course of Studies for the younger ministers, and it now covered a period
of thrt— years, and an Entrance Examination in the common branches.
30th Kansas Eldership. — Nominally some fields in the Kansas Eldership were
still large, though a few of them were single churches. Thus in 1910 there was
one field designated as "Pratt county and the western part of the Kansas Elder-
ship." One, "Stafford and Edwards counties." One, "Southern Texas." The
missionary spirit was deeply rooted in the ministry. They could not be chided)
with Lowell's thought, that "not failure, but low aim is crime" in their case.
Their purposes were lofty and true; but the mountains of difficulties lay athwart
their path. When the Eldership convened at Fort Scott, Kansas, August 29, 1910,
it had already listened to the Opening Sermon the Sunday evening previous, hy
T. M. Funk, from L Cor. i. 10-17. There were present eleven ministers, six dele-
gates, three officers of the W. M. S., and the Financial Secretary. T. B. More was
elected President; C. Manchester, Clerk; W. H. Charles, Financial Clerk; J. V.
Whisler, Treasurer. In the Treasurer's hands were funds to the credit of the
Church Extension Fund, $20.59; the Home Mission Fund, $62.19; the General
Mission Fund, $25.75; the Widows' Fund, $644.64; the Contingent, $32.25. The
Eldership was jealous of the reputation of its ministers, and when the name of a
minister was called for his report, it was referred to a special committee because
he had "issued a circular letter, and caused it to be sent to members of the Elder-
ship, calculated to do injury to" another minister of the body. Acknowledging
his wrong and asking pardon, his license was granted him. This Eldership knew
the value of silence in baseless matters relating to ministerial reputation. "Lay
thine hand upon thy mouth" was its motto. They had seen the statue of Har-
pocrates, in which he, the god of silence, is represented with his fingers pressed
upon his lips. The Eldership was beforehand in its action in favor of the enact-
ment of "federal laws to make it a crime to ship liquor into States that have
prohibitory laws." It was responsive to every effort to enlarge the Endowment
Fund of Findlay College, and heartily approved the measures inaugurated to se-
cure the new endowment of $50,000. It manifested special interest in Fort Scott
Institute, which, having no endowment, needed the more the contributions of its
friends and collections on Collegiate Institute Day. Loyally it linked these twO'
educational institutions together in commending them to the churches in Kansas,
and required "each minister holding a charge to preach at least one sermon on
educational lines during the year." Permission was "granted the Fort Scott
church to move the bethel to a point nearer the center of the city," but without
expense to the Eldership. The results of the year's work were not up to ex-
pectations, as the number of conversions was 126; baptisms, 51; accessions, 10.
31st Kansas Eldership. — As per arrangement of the Eldership in 1910, Sat-
urday preceding the Eldership in 1911 was taken up by the Ministerial Associa-
tion, with "a sermon on Friday night." Saturday evening the W. M. S. held its
annual meeting, with a carefully prepared program. On Sunday evening Charles
Manchester preached the Eldership Opening Sermon, from Ex. iv. 24-26. The
session was held at Sharon, Central View Bethel, Barber county, and the Eldership
was constituted on Monday morning, August 28, 1911, when there were present
five ministers, four ruling elders, five delegates, the Financial Clerk and one rep-
resentative of the W. M. S. These elected S. W. Konkel, President; C. Man-
chester, Clerk; W. H. Charles, Financial Clerk, and also Treasurer. Committees
were appointed by the President and Clerk, and the Eldership did its work ac-
cording to a regular Order of Business. It ordered its dues to the General Elder-
ship to be paid in full, and in other ways gave evidence of a spirit of loyalty and
co-operation. The spiritual interests of the Eldership were in fair condition.
There were ten organized churches, twelve houses of worship and seventeen
704 History of the Churches of God
preaching places. Couversions, 159; baptized, 69; accessions, 66; churches or-
ganized, 2; number of members, 268. The bethel in Sumner county was author-
ized to be sold, as it was not being used by the ministers of the Eldership. The
efforts of C. Manchester "to secure larger gifts for Fort Scott Collegiate Institute"
were "heartily encouraged," and the Institute Day was directed to be observed.
The "tireless workers who have succeeded in completing the Carnegie Fund of
Findlay College" were commended, and the Eldership "rejoiced with them in the
enlarged opportunities awaiting the faithful workers at Findlay." Assessments
were made on the churches for various Funds, and they were to be "notified by
the Clerk two months before the meeting of the next Eldership."
32ud Kansas Eldership. — On Saturday, August 24, 1912, the W. M. S. of the
Kansas Eldership held its thirteenth annual session, and the faithful band of wo-
men were greatly encouraged in their tireless labors by the commendations of the
Eldership. V^iola G. Hershey, returned missionary from India, had met with the
Society in May, and stimulated it to greater efforts for the foreign work and to
extend the work in Kansas. The Opening Sermon of the Eldership was delivered
on Sunday, by Chas. Manchester, from Luke v. 4. When the Eldership was
constituted it consisted of four ministers, three ruling elders, three delegates, and
five officers of the W. M. S. The latter were placed on committees and had the
other rights of members. The Committees on Temperance and on the State of
Religion were wholly composed of women, and there was one on each of the
Committees on Journals, Education, Resolutions and Business. The session was
held at New York Valley, Woodson county, Kansas, and began on Monday morn-
ing, August 26, 1912. A. J. Leonard was elected President; Chas. Manchester,
Clerk; A. H. Shuman, Financial Clerk; AV. H. Charles, Treasurer. The State of
Religion was not characterized by the Committee; but it gave facts, to wit: Num-
ber of appointments, 13; churches, 9; houses of worship, 12; conversions, 99; bap-
tized, 57; accessions, 56; membership, 253. The new church at Gerlane, Kan-
sas, was received, and yet the Committee stated that "we have fewer appointments
than last year, and less members converted and baptized." An undertone of
solicitude is heard in the words: "We still believe that God is willing to bless
earnest and faithful labor." They may have known that other religious bodies
working in rural districts had similar experiences. There was much general
anxiety in ecclesiastical circles over the twelve hundred country churches in the
State which had been abandoned and deserted because of a lack of interest in
church work, and other causes. Perhaps ministers shared in the responsibility.
Barber county circuit was mentioned by the Committee as having had the most
encouraging work during the year. Yet the "circuit was not supplied with a
minister" at this Eldership. It was "a work with three churches, all thoroughly
alive to the work, and able to pay $500.00 or $600.00 a year," guaranteed. The
broader view of National Prohibition was taken by the Eldership, and for this the
Eldership declared it "will do all in our power." It heartily endorsed, and re-
joiced in the movement to prohibit the shipping of intoxicating liquors into pro-
hibitory States." At the Monday evening sitting, besides acting on a strong re-
port on Education, C. Manchester preached the Annual Ordination Sermon, from
John xiv. 15. C. Manchester, A. H. Shuman and W. H. Charles were elected the
Standing Committee, Charles being a lay elder. The Stationing Committee were
€. Manchester, and T. B. More, ministers, and W. H, Charles, C. M. Hiestand and
S. W. Konkel, lay elders. Trustees, J. N. Smith, minister, and W. H, Sheets, J. V.
Whisler, R. A. Porter and W. H. Charles, lay elders. The Widows' Fund had In-
creased to $755.68. The Home Mission Fund was $76.06; General Misison Fund,
$70.00; Contingent Fund, $49.11; Church Extension Fund, $45.59. The Sta-
tioning Committee made appointments to three charges, leaving "Barber county
circuit and Crawford county circuit in the hands of the Standing Committee to
be supplied." It appointed G. W. Wyatt to Crawford county, and "asked the
Board of Missions of the General Eldership to appropriate $200.00 to his sup-
port."
The We;st Virginia Eldership, North
705
XVIII. THE WEST VIRGINIA ELDERSHIP, NORTH.
1st West Virginia Eldership, North. — That order which is Heaven's first law,
and which Milton extols as
" — a glorious law
Seen in thote pure and beauteous isles of light
That come and go, as circling months fulfill
Their high behest,"
never characterized any Eldership more perennially than it did the West Penn-
sylvania Eldership. And when the time seemed now to have fully. come to sever
part of its membership and territory from the main body, not only was every thing
done orderly, but with a dominant brotherly feeling. Whatever consultations and
caucuses may have preceded, the project of organizing a new Eldership was sud-
denly sprung at the session of the West Pennsylvania Eldership held at New
Brighton, Beaver county, Pa., beginning October 5, 1882. On Tuesday afternoon.
Gravel Street Bethel.
October 10th, T. Woods submitted a resolution, declaring it "to be the sense of the
body that a new Eldership should be formed, to be known as the West Virginia
Eldership." "North" was not at this time part of the title. It also directed that
proper steps be taken to carry this resolution into effect. The resolutions were
adopted by a rising vote. A special committee was named, consisting of J. Grimm,
T. Woods and A. R. McCahan, to determine the boundaries of the new Eldership,
and report in 1883. The Report as then made, at the Eldership held at Union
Bethel, Somerset county, Pa., recommended that the territory embrace Greene
county. Pa., the State of Virginia except Preston county, and all that part of the
State of Ohio belonging to the West Pennsylvania Eldership. The ministers
present who had determined to cast their lots with the proposed Eldership were
T. Woods, W. R. Craig, W. B. Long, J. S, Marjile, N. M. Anderson, J. L. Lucas, H.
D. Grimm and J. C. Cunningham. They held a preliminary meeting, elected Stand-
ing and Stationing Committees, and "adjourned to meet at Green Valley, Pa.,"
on November 16, 1883. When they convened as per adjournment, an Opening
Sermon was preached by J. S. Marple, from Jer. iii. 4. The members in attend-
ance were J. S. Marple, W. B. Long, J. C. Cunningham, N. M. Anderson, J. L.
Lucas, H. D. Grimm, W. G. Steele, teaching elders. Five teaching elders were ab-
C. H. — 24
7o6
History of. the Churches of God
sent. Delegates present were N. Vanaman, S. Bartrug, W. H. Rose, E. Dowler,
Z. H. Yoder, T. S. Gallatin, G. W. Planks, P. Morris and A. Ryan. W.
B. Long was chosen Speaker; J. C. Cunningham, Clerk, and E. Dowler, Treas-
urer. The Treasurer was required to give bond in the sum of $1,000.00. The
Rules of the West Pennsylvania Eldership were adopted, and the collections pro-
vided for therein were ordered to be lifted. A committee, consisting of J. C.
Cunningham and N. M. Anderson, was named to draft a Petition to the General
Eldership, asking for authority to organize the West Virginia Eldership. The Pe-
tition was drawn up and reported, and was agreed to. Then the following dele-
gates were elected as bearers of the Petition to the General Eldership to meet in
Wooster, Ohio, in May, 1884: W. B. Long and J. C. Cunningham, ministerial
delegates; N. Vanaman and E. Dowler, lay delegates. A mission was created in
Calhoun county, W. Va.
The Petition to organize the new Eldership having been granted by the Gen-
eral Eldership, the boundaries fixed and the name, style and title determined as
per Petition, the newly chartered Eldership was called to meet at Gravel Street,
W. Va., October 10, 1884. There was no Opening Sermon; but religious exer-
cises were conducted by R. H. Bolton, of Ohio, General Missionary Secretary. The
Eldership was constituted by the Speaker and Clerk of the "temporary organiza-
Thomas Woods.
tion," and the following enrollment made: Teaching elders — J. C. Cunningham,
W. B. Long, N. M. Anderson, S. B. Craft, G. A. Baitlebaugh, J. L. Lucas, W. R.
Craig, T. Woods, W. G. Steele, H. D. Grimm and J. R. Wilson. J. S. Marple,
absent. Delegates — N. Vanaman, Perry McMann, W. P. Crosier, W. T. Smith, B.
Eagan, H. Earnest, H. McCabe, E. Dowler and E. H. Lambes. An election for
officers followed, and resulted in the choice of T. Woods, Speaker; N. M. Ander-
son, First Clerk; W. B. Long, Second Clerk; G. A. Bartlebaugh, Financial Clerk,
and E. Dowler, Treasurer. Realizing that "much of the territory within the
boundary lines of the Eldership is unoccupied by the Church," the Committee on
Missions reported that "our prayer to God is that he may raise up good men to
preach the gospel," and recommended the appointment of "a General Evangelist
to operate on our unoccupied territory." A missionary meeting was also recom-
mended "to make an effort to secure funds with which to carry on the good work."
The Eldership also expressed its hearty sympathy with the mission work of the
General Eldership, and urged annual collections for frontier missions. It en-
dorsed the measures adopted by the General Eldership "to plant the standard
of the Church in foreign lands." It was voted "to hold a Ministerial Association
one day before the annual meeting of the Eldership." The body emphatically
"discountenanced the selfishness manifested among our local churches and cir-
Thk West Virginia Eldership, North 707
cuits in the selection of preachers," and charged that "there is not as much co-
operation as there should be." The Treasurer had received $40.57, and paid out
$31.90. A Sabbath-school Convention was decided upon. Anderson, Cunningham
and Woods were elected as the Standing Committee. The Stationing Committee
made appointments to Wheeling circuit. Dry Ridge, Bellaire (Ohio), Sugar Grove
(Pa.), Greene circuit (Pa.), Marshall circuit (W. Va.), Pipe Creek circuit, and
Jackson and Kanawha mission. T. Woods was made "Supervising Evangelist.""
Items in the Financial Secretary's Report: Appointments, 37; organized churches^
23; bethels, 15; membership, 639; conversions, 228; additions, 197; collected for
missions, $23.30; Contingent Fund, $7.00; delegates to G. E., $39.57; Sabbath-
schools, 15; scholars, 419; salaries received by ministers, $1,727.72. A commit-
tee was appointed to secure a Charter from the West Virginia Legislature.
Thomas Woods, along with W. B. Elliott, was ordained at Ben wood, Marshall
county, W. Va., on Monday forenoon, October 7, 1877, by the West Pennsylvania
Eldership there in session. He attended the session of 1878, but at neither was
he appointed to a charge. In 1879 he was appointed to Proctor, Wetzel county,
W. Va. He served that charge one year, when he was sent to the "Old Indiana"
circuit, Pennsylvania, at the Eldership in 1880. In 1881 he was appointed to
Kanawha River circuit, W. Va., which field he served for three years, or until the
first session of the West Virginia Eldership, in 1884. He was absent from the
Eldership in 1883. It was in 1882, when down in Kanawha county. West Va.,
that he fully realized the long distance between the extreme southern sections of
the Eldership territory and its central and northern parts. This was the main
consideration which prompted him to introduce a resolution in favor of a division
of the Eldership. Besides, the Church was prospering in West Virginia, and there
were preachers enough in that section to make a respectable Eldership. His de-
sire, not to say ambition, was accomplished, when in 1884 his plans were con-
summated in the organization of the West Virginia Eldership, October 10, 1884,
of which he was the presiding officer. He, however, did not remain a member
long, for in the Fall of 1886 he asked for, and received, a Transfer to the West
Pennsylvania Eldership. He was an efficient minister when in the active work.
There was some charming fascination in his ministrations. He w"s not brilliant,
but forceful, and his fervent appeals for righteousness and truth, urged in pa-
thetic and wholesome terms, often met responses in many hearts.
2nd West Virginia Eldership, North. — The West Virginia Eldership, North,
had some stormy sailing early in its history. It found it necessary to exercise dis-
cipline in the case of several ministers at its second regular session, which con-
vened at Franklin, Ohio, September 2, 1885. There were thirteen ministers in
attendance, and six delegates. N. M. Anderson, who has always been an honored
leader in the body, was elected Speaker; W. B. Long, First Clerk; T. Woods, Sec-
ond Clerk, and W. G. Steele, Financial Clerk. The name of one minister "was
stricken from the Journal." Charges were preferred against another, which
were "settled on conditions" that the accused "acknowledge that he circulated
false reports against" his accuser, "which was injurious to his moral standing,"
and that "it be published" that his accuser "is not guilty of what he was charged."
The ministers without charges were required "to pay fifty cents of assessments
made on us by the General Eldership." In addition to action against "the great
evils of intemperance in the land," the Eldership recommended "the propriety of
an organized effort among the preachers and members of every church to bring
about a system whereby we as a body may be able to do more for the cause of
temperance." A committee was appointed "to wait on the Secretary of State and
procure a charter for this body." "Various places for missionary operations"
were recommended, "with the request that the Board of Missions of this body
devise a plan to procure money by which this noble work may be carried on within
the bounds of this Eldership." The mission work of the General Eldership was
also strongly endorsed, and each pastor was directed to preach one sermon an-
nually on it "and take up a collection." Assessments on the various fields were
made to raise the amounts apportioned to the Eldership by the General Eldership.
The fields of labor consisted of two stations — Wheeling and Gravel Street — , eight
circuits and four missions. Each pastor was instructed "to collect fifty cents
from each member to purchase a tent to hold meetings in."
3rd West Virginia Eldership, North. — Under the provisions of actions taken
in 1885 the work of missions was extended southward in West Virginia; but funds.
7o8 History of the Churches oe God
were not coming in, so that it was difficult to keep missionaries in the field. The
condition of the treasury does not disclose this fact, as no report is given at the
Eldership which held its annual session at Mt. Carmel, Greene county. Pa., begin-
ning October 1, 1886; but in the actions taken. There was a Committee on Mis-
sions, which declared that there was "a great field open within the boundaries of
this Eldership which has not as yet been visited by any of our ministers." It also
strongly urged pastors to make "special efforts to secure means to replenish the
treasury, that the Board of Missions may make appointments and appropriations
for mission work." An evening was set apart for a missionary meeting, but only
:$32..53 was collected. Applicants for license were required to "have a recommen-
dation for religious standing where membership is held, signed by the pastor and
ruling elders." For the following year the Standing Committee was granted
"power to transfer a minister of good standing in this Eldership to any other
Eldership of the Church of God." Intemperance was viewed as the outgrowth of
"a dangerous and evil heart, with many heads and many horns," and in highly
figurative language the Eldership resolved to "lift up our voice and declared that"
its destruction must be accomplished "by the ballot box." Woods, the putative
father of the Eldership and President of its first session, took a transfer to the
West Pennsylvania Eldership. There were thirteen fields of labor, but three were
unsupplied. Wheeling and Gravel Street stations disappeared in the Wheeling
•circuit. The officers of this Eldership were S. B. Craft, Speaker; T. Woods, Jour-
nalizing Clerk; N. M. Anderson, Transcribing Clerk; W. G. Steele, Financial
Clerk, and E. Dowler, Treasurer.
4th West Virginia Eldership, North. — For the purpose of distributing of-
ficial positions as much as possible the West Virginia Eldership enacted a Rule,
that "no member shall fill more than two positions at one session of this body."
This made quite a difference in the composition of the committees of the session
held at "Lower School-house, on Davis Creek, Kanawha county, W. Va.," the Open-
ing Sermon of which was preached on Wednesday evening, September 28, 1887,
hy W. G. Steele, from 2 Tim. ii. 15. The organization was not effected until Sep-
tember 30th because of the absence of the Clerk, "with the books and papers,"
"When W. G. Steele was chosen Speaker; N. M. Anderson, First Clerk; J. C Cun-
ningham, Second Clerk; W. C. Leonard, Financial Clerk, and E. Dowler, Treasurer.
Fifteen ministers and six delegates were present. The Eldership so positively in-
sisted on ministers of other Elderships presenting transfers before they can serve
charges that it approved the action of the Standing Committee in removing D. T.
lieach from the circuit assigned him by the Eldership because "he failed to get and
hand to us his transfer." After requiring "the young ministers for this Eldership
year" to be examined, the Eldership adopted a rule "that all the ministers of this
hody be placed in the class for examination." Six brethren were licensed to
preach, whose ages ranged from thirty-six to forty-seven years. A Ministerial
Association was arranged for, to immediately precede the Sunday-school Conven-
tion. The total amount for all purposes received by the Treasurer was $89.44. A
new committee was appointed to secure a State Charter. There were fifteen fields
of labor, three of which were missions.
5th West Virginia Eldership, North. — With ten ministers present, and nine
absent, and eight delegates, the fifth West Virginia Eldership, North, met with the
church at Woodland, Marshall county, W. Va., September 20, 1888. The pre-
ceding evening S. B. Craft delivered the Opening Sermon, from Acts xx. 28. N. M.
Anderson was elected Speaker; Geo. E. Komp, First Clerk; I. D. Cousins, Second
Clerk; W. G. Steele, Third Clerk. While the report of the committee to secure a
State Charter does not indicate whether it was granted, the Eldership proceeded
to elect "five trustees to hold the property of the Eldership." The church at
Peter's Run was "received into the Eldership." Licenses to exhort were now
granted by the Eldership, but there was no formal ordination, as in the case of
ministers. The Standing Committee was given power to grant licenses and trans-
fers "the coming year." The large and inviting fields for mission work appealed
strongly to the Eldership, and it resolved to "do all we can to extend the borders
of the Church of God, and that the missionary money be used where most good
can be done." There were fifteen fields of labor; but George E. Komp, appointee
to Greenfield and Greenwood, was also General Evangelist.
6th West Virginia Eldership, North. — The death of "a devoted and efficient
servant of God," such as was W. G. Steele, of the West Virginia Eldership, North,
naturally recalls the death of Paul in contrast with that of Augustus Caesar. The
The West Virginia Ei^dership, North 709
latter died as a play-actor, at the heights of fame, his jeweled hand grasping a
bubble; the former "comes to a martyr's death, his manacled hand grasping an
Amaranthine crown." Steele had been but nine years in the ministry. He died
some time prior to the meeting of the Eldership at Grandview, Putnam county, W.
Va., September 20, 1889. On Education the Eldership took the position "that we
as an Eldership will make every possible effort to secure a liberal education, know-
ing that it is impossible to teach without being informed." The General Elder-
ship missionary assessment was apportioned to the fifteen fields of labor, but no
apportionments were made for its own funds. The total receipts reported by the
Treasurer were only $4 5.27. A new Treasurer, L. F. Muncay, was elected, who
during the year was received by transfer from the West Pennsylvania Eldership.
The other officers were: Speaker, N. M. Anderson; Geo. E. Komp, First Clerk;
I. D. Cousins, Second Clerk, and H. W. Marty, Third Clerk. The Eldership sought
to be relieved from assessment for General Eldership Missionary Fund, as there
were "open fields around them; the harvest white already, and many are perish-
ing, while earnest, consecrated laborers are few. In order to bear the gospel to
the unsaved, financial aid is needed, and must be had, to support the work here."
A Rule was adopted, "that when a new point of organization is reported to the
Eldership by a preacher or delegate, that it be received or rejected by the Elder-
ship." Another new Rule was one to make "the Stationing Committee a Com-
mittee on Salaries, to make an assessment on each circuit, station and mission in
this Eldership, in order to the gain of ministers' salaries." Three ministers were
required to appear for instru<3tions before the Licensing Committee. One was to
receive "instructions in doctrinal matters;" one, "as to the duties of a minister of
the gospel, and what is required as a member of the Eldership," and one, to be ad-
monished "to be more careful in his financial dealings and manner of life." Ap-
pointments were made to sixteen circuits and missions.
7th West Virginia Eldership, North. — The Opening Sermon of the West Vir-
ginia Eldership, North, delivered on the evening of October 1, 1890, by H. W.
Marty, was so well appreciated that it was ordered to be sent to The Advocate
office for publication. The Eldership met October 1st, and was organized by elect-
ing L. F. Murray, Speaker; Geo. E. Komp, First Clerk; I. D. Cousins, Second Clerk;
J. R. Campbell, Financial Clerk, and Jackson Bayles, Treasurer. The session was
held at Big Run, Jackson county, W_. Va. "A Ministerial Association was ordered
to be held in May, in connection with the Sunday-school Convention." The Elder-
ship had a Home Mission Fund, into which "every Church member was solicited to
pay at least ten cents annually." Also a Superannuated Fund, and "W. C. Leo-
nard's name was placed on the Superannuated list." As the deeds of many church
houses in the Eldership were held by the West Pennsylvania Eldership, said body
was requested to turn them over to the Clerk of the West Virginia Eldership. The
cause was reported as advancing, as was also indicated by the appointments.
There were seventeen circuits, all but two supplied with pastors.
8th West Virginia Eldership, North. — The coincidence of dedication and Eld-
ership gave the session of the West Virginia Eldership of 1891 more than usual
interest. The Centennial Bethel, Greene county, Pa., was to be rededicated
on Lord's day, October 11th, and the Eldership convened October 7th. On the
evening of October 6th Geo. E. Komp preached the Opening Sermon. S. B. Craft
was elected Speaker; Geo. E. Komp, Journalizing Clerk, and Clarence J. Marple,
Financial Clerk. After the Report of the Treasurer was acted on, Jackson Bayles
was re-elected to that office. While nothing of a serious character disturbed the
serenity of the session, yet there was publicity on some transactions "doubtless
to a greater extent than was fruitful of good." Three young men "were formally
ordained to preach the word." The Stationing Committee made seventeen cir-
cuits, all of which were supplied with pastors. A General Evangelist and Fi-
nancial Agent was also appointed, who was "to secure moneys and notes for Elder-
ship purposes."
9th West Virginia Eldership, North. — While the West Virginia Eldership,
North, with few exceptions, was a quiet, harmonious body, the session of 1892 had
"some rough places;" but they "were made smooth by the Spirit of Christian pre-
ferment and brotherly love." The session was held with the church at Gravel
street, Benwood, Marshall county, W. Va., beginning October 5th. On the evening
of the 4th N. M. Anderson preached the Opening Sermon. An organization was
effected by the choice of S. E. Stewart for Speaker; Geo. E, Komp, First Clerk;
W. S. Shimp, Second Clerk, and E. Dowler, Treasurer. An amendment to the
7IO History of the Churches of God
Constitution provided for a "Vice Chairman," and L. F. Mun-ay was elected. An
assessment for missionary and delegate funds was ordered. B. F. Howell, who
"came with credentials of ordination«from the Baptist Church," received license.
The circuits were reduced to fourteen, two of which were unsupplied. There was',
however, one General Evangelist, one Evangelist and one General Missionary. All
other ministers were "to assist in the work wherever possible, and to open new ap-
pointments."
10th AVest Virginia Eldership, North. — One of the various hindrances to the
progress of the work in the West Virginia Eldership was the almost constant
transfers of ministers to other Elderships. In 1893 five efficient laborers left for
the Ohio and Indiana Elderships, while one was previously transferred by the
Standing Committee to West Pennsylvania. The Eldership met at Mt. Taber, Kan-
awha county, W. Va., October 5, 1893. The Opening Sermon was preached by L. F.
Murray. Twenty ministers and six delegates were enrolled. Balloting for officers
resulted in the election of S. E. Stewart, Speaker; I. D. Cousins, Journalizing
Clerk; W. S. Shimp, Financial Clerk, and B. F. Doyle, Treasurer. The Eldership
named a layman for trustee of Findlay College, and "all ministers pledged them-
selves to work for the Interest of the College." During the year death broke the
ranks of the ministry by the removal of N. H. Messenger, an "aged man of God,"
but licensed in 1885. Notwithstanding the loss by transfers and death, the Elder-
ship had enough men, including several valuable accessions of young men, to
supply its twenty fields of labor.
11th West Virginia Eldership, North. — Until this year the term "North" had
not been an official part of the title of the West Virginia Eldership. But at this
session the necessary steps were taken to form an Eldership in the more southern
parts of the State, to be known as the "West Virginia Eldership, South," or "The
Southern West Virginia Eldership." The question was carefully considered, and
L/. F. Murray and B. F. Howell were appointed and "authorized to call a session of
said Eldership" for the purpose of forming a temporary organization and conduct-
ing the business until the meeting of the General Eldership in 1896. The session
of the West Virginia Eldership, North, was held at Franklin, Ohio, beginning Oc-
tober 4, 1894. G. C. Thompson delivered the Opening Sermon the previous even-
ing. I. T). Cousins was chosen Speaker, and B. F. Howell, Clerk. Two brethren
received exhorters' licenses. The term "local preachers," it was decided, "should
he defined to mean an unordained preacher." The possible existence of some un-
sound views led the Eldership to declare, that "any preacher in this body failing
or refusing to preach and practice the doctrine of the Church of God as a whole
shall be considered deficient in doctrine, and shall be disfellowshiped at the end
of one year." Each pastor was instructed to hold four ordinance meetings a year
on his charge, and each church was advised to "hold a weekly prayer-meeting on
«ach Wednesday night." The departure to his final reward of J. C. Wright, and
also of McKinney, was recorded. Some "grievances" between two min-
isters resulted in the withdrawal of S. E. Steward, who had been a prominent and
efficient worker in the body. By reason of the organization of the West Virginia
Eldership, South, the number of circuits was reduced to nine, all but one supplied
with pastors. "All the unoccupied territory within the bounds of the West Vir-
ginia Eldership" was given in charge of a General Evangelist.
J 2th West Virginia Eldership, North. — With rare exceptions the West Vir-
ginia Eldership, North, has been a very harmonious body. Even questions pro-,
yoking disputations and developing antagonistic views were discussed with serenity
and disposed of without irritation or chafing. This was exemplified at the session
of 189.5, held at Maynard Hall, near Blaineville, Belmont county, Ohio, beginning
October 2nd. The officers elected were President, I. D. Cousins, who had preached
the Opening Sermon on Tuesday evening, from 2 Chron. ix. 18; J. C. Beam, Re-
cording Secretary; W. S. Shimp, Financial Secretary, and B. F. Coyle, Treasurer.
There was a good deal of discussion of questions to be acted on by each Annual
Eldership. N. M. Anderson had taken part in the discussion of these questions in
The Advocate, and he was a leader whom the body readily followed. There were
eight ministers present, and when a vote was reached they, with the few lay rep-
resentatives present, voted unanimously for "Association" in place of "Eldership."
Also for "Churches" in place of "Church," and against ordination with the imposi-
tion of hands. It also placed the granting of exhorters' licenses in the hands of
the local churches. An action tending to promote harmony was adopted under
which "no certificate of license be delivered to any who are at variance." The
The^ West Virginia Ei^dership, North 711
right either to grant or receive transfers of ministers was denied to the Standing
Committee. An effort to instruct preachers and churches to hold the ordinance
services in private, "none but church and Christian people being permitted to be
present, the world to be excluded," failed of adoption. The Eldership observed
the ordinances in public on the last evening, and "it was a time long to be remem-
bered by those who were present on account of the deep solemnity that prevailed
and the gracious outpcJuring of the Spirit."
13th West Virginia Eldership, North. — In her tour among the Elderships Clara
Landes went to Martin's Ferry, Belmont county, Ohio, where, on October 7, 1896,
convened the West Virginia Eldership, North. She not only "entertained a large
and appreciative audience on the subject of missions and her prospective work in
India;" but also addressed the Eldership on "the urgent necessity of the organi-
zation of local missionary societies." The Eldership, however, did not seem to
catch her spirit, for it only declared that "the territory is large, extensive and un-
occupied, and we lack means to employ missionaries." N. M. Anderson preached
the Opening Sermon, from Mark xvi. 15. He was elected President; J. C Beam,
Journalizing Clerk; B. D. Eden, Statistical Clerk, and B. F. Coyle, Treasurer. The
Constitution and By-Laws were revised and carefully considered, under the leader-
ship of Anderson. An attempt "to throw ministers loose, giving them privilege of
hiring and being hired by churches" was. made, under the spirit of unrest abroad,
but was not successful. The state of religion was "far below the standard, and
ministers of the body were recommended "to make a more vigorous effort to pro-
mote the cause of Christ and the upbuilding of his* kingdom." The new Constitu-
tion provided for an Executive Board, which consisted of W. S. Shimp, J. L. Lucas
and R. Vanaman, Jr. A Ministerial Association was to be held in June, the Stand-
ing Committee to prepare the program. There were eleven fields of labor, and all
were supplied but one. In three instances the pastor was appointed "with dis-
cretionary power," which is to be interpreted "with the privilege of refusing to
accept his appointment" without subjecting himself to any discipline.
14th West Virginia Eldership, North. — The vein of pessimism may be dis-
cerned in some items of business at the Eldership in 1897. The attendance was
not large. On account of "deaths, emigration and other causes, many church or-
iganizations have gone down." The church property at Metz's Crossing was or-
dered to be disposed of. And the "Standing Committee was authorized to com-
municate with an evangelist for the purpose of reviving the work of the churches
in general." The session was held at Mt. Carmel, Greene county, Pa., beginning
October 6th. J. L. Davis delivered the Opening Sermon. J. L. Lucas was elected
President, and W. M. Miller, Vice President; B. D. Eden, Journalizing Clerk; J. C.
Beam, Financial Clerk, and B. F. Coyle, Treasurer. On temperance the Eldership
was conservative, resolving that "each minister of this Eldership use his influence
towards the suppression of the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors as a
beverage." To increase the attendance and efficiency of the Ministerial Associa-
tions appointed by the Eldership, it was decided ministers not attending them
"'shall be fined not more than $3.00, nor less than $1.00, unless satisfactory rea-
sons can be given." An easy course of studies for four years was adopted, in-
tended mainly for applicants for license. An earlier date was fixed for the meet-
ing of the Eldership so that pastors could move on to new fields and begin the
Winter's work under more favorable conditions.
15th West Virginia Eldership, North. — The West Virginia Eldership, North,
kept a record of deaths of lay members, and these at the end of the year were re-
ported by the Committee on Obituaries, with appropriate resolutions. During the
year 189 7-8 twelve brethren and sisters joined the invisible hosts. The session of
the Eldership was held at Windy Gap, Greene county. Pa., beginning on Wed-
nesday morning, September 7, 189 8. The previous evening B. D. Eden preached
the Opening Sermon. Only four ministers were absent. J. L. Lucas was chosen
as President; B. D. Eden, Clerk; J. C. Beam, Financial Clerk, and B. F. Coyle,
Treasurer. There was a demand for changes in circuit boundaries, which resulted
in the reduction of the number of fields to ten, all supplied with efficient ministers.
The Eldership limited itself to the moral phase of the temperance question, recom-
mending ministers and churches "to use their utmost ability in the fear of the
Lofd to accomplish the overthrow of the saloon system." And "any member of
this Eldership violating the law and virtue of temperance shall be brought to ac-
count on ten days' notice." Church members refusing to testify, if they have
knowledge of such violation, "shall be dealt with as insubordinates." Persons
712 History of the Churches of God
who are "not members shall be used as witnesses who are willing to be qualified
before a notary public." To reduce to a better system the finances of the churches,
each member is directed "to subscribe to the church council what he or she is
willing to pay," and this amount shall not be less than $1.00. This is to "become
an assessment, payable in monthly installments." A Widows' Fund was created,
for which "each member of the local churches (pastors not excepted) shall pay
ten cents annually." The Green Valley (Pa.) church property was authorized to
be sold. The Eldership arranged for "a Camp-meeting Association," with W. H.
Marple, President, and "a representative from each local church." The state of
religion was not satisfactory; "many things are not up to the standard of love and
piety." But on the whole, "the cause of Christ is on the increase."
16th West Virginia Eldership, Noi-tli. — A further rearrangement and conse-
quent reduction in the number of circuits was made in 1899, the number being
eight, and one of these unsupplied by request. The session was held at Blaines-
ville, Ohio, and the Opening Sermon was delivered on the evening of September
6th. Choice was made of J. C. Beam for President; B. D, Eden, Clerk. Two min-
isters were absent. It was a "quiet and orderly" Eldership. One minister was
received by Transfer from the West Pennsylvania Eldership. An "applicant for
license was Rev. L. C. Kerr, formerly of the Baptist denomination." He was ac-
cepted and a license granted. He was regarded as "a man of ability, experience
and veracity, who will prove very serviceable in the future." The Life Certificates
ordered by the General Eldership were given to the ministers of the Eldership.
The session was of shorter duration than usual, and "the Eldership seems to be
outgrowing some of the evils which have retarded its progress in the past." The
session closed with an ordinance meeting on the last evening.
17th West Virginia Eldership, North. — Two matters developed during the ec-
clesiastical year 1899 and 1900 which gave the West Virginia Eldership, North,
some concern. The most important was the protection of the moral character and
standing of ministers, and so of the Eldership. To protect pure and innocent men
and bring to light evil deeds of unworthy men was the problem, and the Eldership
which convened at Woodland, W. Va., September 6, 1900, gave serious thought to
its solution. It concluded to require each pastor "to secure from the elder or
«lders of each church he serves a certificate of good moral standing before he ends
his labors for the year." Then a practice grew up of preachers in charge of fields
of labor to give "permits" to lay members to preach, which "documents" began
to have the force of licenses. The Eldership not only declared "such documents
null and void;" but denied to all the ministers the authority "to issue such
licenses, or permits, on penalty of suspension for three months." All the min-
isters except four were present; two were "dropped," and two applicants for
license were received, foreigners, Leo Sovieski and Mary Agnes Sovieski, his wife.
J. C. Beam was elected President; W. S. Shimp, Vice President; B. D. Eden, Clerk;
J. Li. Lucas, Financial Clerk. Beam preached the Opening Sermon on the evening
of the 5th. The wisdom of requiring certificates of character was emphasized
during the session when it was found necessary to purge the body by disfellow-
shiping one minister for "intoxication and frequenting a saloon." Advancement
in other lines of Church work was planned for, so that on the whole it was a
session pervaded with progressive ideas, and in all particulars great "harmony and
unity prevailed among all the brethren." There were ten charges, Leo Sovieski
being assigned to McMechen, and Mary Agnes Sovieski, to Elm Grove and Blaines-
ville.
18th West Virginia Eldership, North. — Quite a proportion of local church
properties in the West Pennsylvania Eldership territory was deeded to said body.
When the West Virginia Eldership was chartered and organized in 1884, all its
territory belonged to the West Pennsylvania Eldership, and properties therein
deeded to said Eldership were to be redeeded to the West Virginia Eldership. But
up to the meeting of said body in 1901 these deeds had "not yet been made as
agreed upon by the West Pennsylvania Eldership." The matter was agitated
somewhat during the year, and then brought up at the session which was held
with the church at Mt. Carmel, Greene county. Pa., beginning September 5th. The
officers elected were W. S. Shimp, President; N. M. Anderson, Vice President; J.
C. Beam, Journalizing Clerk; W. A. Jones, Financial Clerk; B. F. Coyle, Treas-
urer. On the matter of the deeds for church properties held by the West Penn-
sylvania Eldership, an appeal was taken to the General Eldership, "to know
whether that body will approve of a neglect, or refusal, of the West Pennsylvania
The West Virginia Eldership, North 715
Eldership to make those deeds." In the light of the action of the General Elder-
ship and its Constitution it was an apparent contradiction to make such appeal,
and then "authorize the churches for the year to employ their own pastors." Per-
haps the Eldership "laid hands suddenly" on the foreigner and stranger when it
ordained Sovieski, for at this session his "case was submitted to the new Standing
Committee, with discretionary power."
19th West Virginia Eldership, Noi-th. — As a result of the investigation made
by the Standing Committee in the Sovieski case, following the session of 1901, the
names of both Leo and Mary Agnes Sovieski "were dropped from the Roll of mem-
bership, and their Certificates of Ordination were demanded." The Opening Ser-
mon of the session in 1902 was delivered by S. B. Craft, at Rush Run, Wetzel county,
W. Va., on Saturday evening, September 6th. On Monday morning N. M. Anderson
was chosen President; W. S. Shimp, Vice President; J. C. Beam, First Clerk; B. F.
Coyle, Treasurer. The Eldership decided to grant "provisional licenses for three
years before a Life Certificate of Ordination is granted." "The congregational
system adopted for 1901 was continued, the churches selecting pastors this year."
But it was provided that "churches not having hired preachers within thirty days
shall fall into the hands of the Standing Committee." Each pastor was enjoined
"to do his utmost to organize a Y. P. S. C. E. in each local church on his charge."^
The Eldership year was fixed to begin and end with October 1st. The Eldership'
informed the Treasurer of the General Eldership that it "cannot pay delinquencies,
because we do not have the money, and because we have been forgiven." It re-
ceived assurances at the General Eldership in 1902, on its appeal to said body, that
"deeds for church property in this Eldership held by the West Pennsylvania Eld-
ership shall be made on demand." To correct an innovation likely to spread it
was resolved "that it is the imperative duty of the local churches of this Elder-
ship to observe the washing of the saints' feet and the Communion in the one and
same meeting, and any preacher or local church observing Communion without the
washing of the saints' feet, or vice versa, shall be considered guilty of heresy and
insubordination, and dealt with accordingly." In granting churches the right ta
employ their own ministers, they were restricted to members of the West Virginia
Eldership. And no minister or evangelist was to be employed "to hold, or assist
in, a revival meeting except such as preach the doctrine of the churches of God."
20th West Virginia Eldership, North. — Seventeen members, nine ministers
and eight delegates, constituted the twentieth West Virginia Eldership, North. It
required two and one-half days to transact the business. The session was held at
Mt. Carmel, Greene county, Pa., the members meeting on Saturday, September 19»
1903. The Opening Sermon was delivered on Sabbath morning, by N. M. Ander-
son. On Monday morning the body was organized by electing B. C. Bartlebaugh
President; J. L. Lucas, Vice President; N. M. Anderson, Secretary; N. Vanaman,^
Treasurer. There was an "Incorporate Board organized" to which property w^s
to revert when a church should become extinct. As to the state of religion, the
Committee "discovered room for improvement." While "speaking strongly against
intemperance in all its phases," the Committee "included narcotics." The Rule
to require "three consecutive years annual license before granting Life Certifi-
cates" was made to harmonize with the constitutional provision of "a special
course of study for three years." There were ten fields of labor, and on each
church an assessment was laid for Contingent, General Mission and Superannuated
Funds, aggregating $52.50 for the three Funds.
21st West Virginia Eldership, North. — Going outside the West Virginia Eld-
ership, North, in calling a pastor, the church at McMechen secured the services of
W. R. Covert, of the Southern Indiana Eldership. He was received on Transfer
when the Eldership convened in 1904. "Preliminary exercises" were held on Sat-
urday evening, September 17, 1904, consisting of an address of welcome and
"memorial services in honor of G. C. Thompson, who had formerly been a member
of this Eldership, but had received a Transfer to the West Virginia Eldership,
South." Three preaching services were held on Lord's day, at which sermons were
delivered by W. S. Shimp, N. M. Anderson and B. C. Bartlebaugh, followed in the-
evening by the observance of the ordinances of God's house. The session was held
at Woodland Bethel, Marshall county, W. Va. There were present fifteen min-
isters and ten delegates. An exceptional action was taken following the organiza-
tion, which provided that "the entire supervision of the West Virginia Eldership,.
North, for the coming year be placed in the hands of W. R. Covert and N. M.
Anderson, they having the privilege to select the third man to constitute a com-
7^4 History of the Churches of God
•
mittee to be known as the Supervising Committee of the West Virginia Eldership,
North, which shall have all the power hitherto vested in the Stationing and Stand-
ing Committee." The President of the Eldership was N. M. Anderson; Vice Presi-
dent, W. R. Covert; Clerk, J. C. Beam; Financial Clerk, J. C. Marple; Treasurer,
N. Vanaman, Jr. During the year an "Elders' Association" had been organized,
and it was "given privilege to explain its aims and objects" to the Eldership. It
was "organized as an auxiliary body to the Eldership, claiming no jurisdiction or
authority, and seeking none; but its object is for the ruling elders to meet together,
exchange views on church work, consult and advise one another on the best
methods of taking care of those intrusted to their care, and promote spiritual
growth, peace and harmony in the churches." On Tuesday noon, September 20th,
the Eldership, on a motion by W. R. Covert, "adjourned to meet again the first
Tuesday in October, 1904, in an adjourned session of this regular meeting
to finish its work of whatever nature that now remains unfinished." It can be
inferred that one purpose of this recess was to give time for the preferring of
charges, as it was provided "that all reports and charges must be put in writing
and a copy served on the parties complained of eight days before said Eldership
time of meeting." When the Eldership reconvened, on October 4th, at McMechen,
Marshall county, W. Va., M. S. Newcomer and Mi's. M. B. Newcomer were received
as advisory members. A "permanent financial system, which will build up the
Eldership's resources and make it to spread its borders by energetic, practical
work" was to be formulated by a committee. Work was to be opened at York-
ville and McLainsville, Belmont county, Ohio. Pastors were instructed to advise
and co-operate with local churches so that the mistake may be avoided of "ap-
pointing novices as officers in the local churches." Stringent measures were
adopted to suppress "the practise of slandering, vilifying and abusing the ministers
of the Church of God by officers and members of local churches." A committee
to revise the Constitution was created, consisting of W. R. Covert, J. C. Beam and
James E. Doyle. This committee reported on October 6th, and the revised Con-
stitution was adopted. The Preamble provided that "all rules and regulations to
the contrary of this Constitution are hereby repealed." The "Supervising Com-
mittee" had been previously provided for, and was therefore considered by many to
have been abolished. But it acted on some questions, thus creating a seriously
disturbed condition in the body. The Indiana Assembly was favorably acted upon,
and all were urged "to do everything possible to make it a success." The Super-
vising Committee was instructed to have the Eldership "properly incorporated, so
that said Eldership can co-operate, but not be coerced by the General Eldership."
The action of the Eldership on the W. G. M. S. question was distinctly adverse to
the action of the General Eldership in 19 02 in providing for a Convention to be
teld in June, 1903, to organize a new W. G. M. S., and against this new Society.
It claimed that "the acts of the late General Eldership at Idaville, Ind.," and other
acts following "led to the division of said W. G. M. S. of 1890, and to legal pro-
ceedings, a spirit of strife, etc." The former W. G. M. S. was declared to be "in
the right in this dispute and confiict and legal proceedings." These antagonistic
resolutions were offered by W. R. Covert, and, revolutionary in char .cter, were
adopted. There were fourteen fields of labor, all supplied with pastors.
22nd West Virginia Eldership, North. — That actions of the Eldership of
1904 on vital questions did not express the deliberate judgment of the min-
istry and churches soon became evident. This was true of the action creating
the Supervising Committee, and that concerning the General Eldership's action
calling a convention to organize a new W. G. M. S. And while the Super-
vising Committee did some business before the third member was elected,
J. B, Lafferty, of Bellaire, Ohio, these actions were considered illegal by "a num-
ber of the brethren, who denied the legality of the Committee, and refused
to be governed by it." On April 9, 1905, Albert McMahon, James Doyle and
Thomas Sharp, a Committee representing the elders, made strenuous complaint
against certain decisions rendered by Covert, Chairman of the Supervising Com-
mittee, and for "refusing to call a special session of the West Virginia Eldership
to adjust" existing differences. This Committee served notice of an appeal to the
General Eldership to convene at Mt. Pleasant, Pa., May 25, 1905, "to hear our
grievances." But though matters seemed to have been adjusted at the General
Eldership, the dissatisfaction increased, fanned by certain actions of a disquieting
character, in the name of the Supervising Committee, and signed by W. R. Covert'
and J. B. Laflferty. These actions seemed to many members of the Eldership to be
The West Virginia Ei^dership, No'RTh 715
prophetic of disaster, and of a mischievous tendency. They had the appearance
of a personal and arbitrary character, instead of being an orderly and constitu-
tional method to carry into effect a deliberately adopted policy. Accordingly a
Petition was prepared in August, 1905, signed by "officers of the Eldership, min-
isters of the gospel and delegates of the Eldership of 1904, twelve in number," and
addressed Lo "the President of the Eldership and Secretary of the Supervising
Committee," requesting him "to call an extra and special session of said Eldership,
to meet at Gravel Street, McMechen, W. Va., on Wednesday, August 30, 1905, at
9 a. m." The Constitution required the officers of the Eldership and the Standing
Committee to call an extra session. But "the powers of the Standing Committee
were merged in the Supervising Committee, which action was repealed, and the
only remedy was a Petition, which a majority of the Eldership of 1904 presented
'to the President." The President was N, M. Anderson who, if he had faults of
judgment, was universally esteemed as an honest man; whose integrity of purpose
had never been questioned. His services in this crisis of the Eldership's history
In conducting the policy of the body were characterized with rare discretion, skill
and knowledge, and every act revealed a sense of dignity and duty, of high purpose
and perfect integrity, which won for him the by-name of "the Grand Old Man."
He called the "special and general session" to meet at the time and place specified
in the Petition. The Opening Sermon was delivered by N. M. Anderson, on Tues-
day evening, from Ps. xcii. 12. Nine ministers and twelve delegates were present.
Reorganization was effected by the election of N. M. Anderson, President; W. S.
^himp, Vice President; J. C. Beam, Secretary; B. D, Eden, Financial Secretary and
Official Correspondent; B. F. Coyle, Treasurer. Notice was served on the Elder-
ship by W, R. Covei-t, "declaring the session irregular and illegal." A committee
was appointed to call on Covert and "request him to be present and make report of
the work done by him during the year as Chairman of the Supervising Committee."
This he failed to do. The Eldership then proceeded to act on the special items of
business. It "declared null and void what the so-called Supervising Committee
"had done." It also rescinded the action of the Eldership of 1904 on the W. G. M.
S. question, and "endorsed the action of the General Eldership of 1905, and in-
vited the representatives of the new W. G. M. S., organized in 1903, to come into
our midst and organize a W. M. S." Having eliminated all the work of the vehe-
ment and disturbing revolutionaries, "the Eldership resolved itself into the Annual
Meeting." The Articles of the Constitution which proved so obnoxious were
stricken out. It absolved those members of the Eldership which the so-called
Supervising Committee had put on trial "from all charges and specifications
against them." "W. R. Covert, B. C. Bartlebaugh, J. C. Marple and J. L. Davis,
members of the West Virginia Eldership, North," were charged with "having
treated said Eldership with contempt by not attending the session, and failing to
report, without offering an excuse," and "their withdrawal from membership at an
early date" was "urgently requested." Appointments were made to eight charges,
and McMechen was unsupplied. The Life Certificate of J. C. Mai-ple was "de-
manded from him, as it was granted to him unconstitutionally." Covert, how-
ever, was disposed to contest the actions of this session of the Eldership, and so
added greatly to the gravity of the situation, and placed an additional strain upon
the already tense relations between the General Eldership and the insubordinate
element in several Annual Elderships. He decided to call a session of the Elder-
ship, in connection with B. C. Baillebaugh, J. L. Davis and J, C. Marple, to meet
at Bellaire, Ohio, September 27, 1905, "to organize what they called the real West
Virginia Eldership, North." At this meeting "charges of conspiracy were pre-
ferred against the ministers who had attended the Eldership at McMechen on Aug-
ust 30, 1905, and after a mock trial they were expelled, together with a number
of members of the churches at McMechen, W. Va. ; Martin's Ferry, Ohio; Elm
Grove and Parkview, W. Va." An appeal was also taken to the Executive Board
of the General Eldership, asking said Board to determine which of the two bodies
is the real West Virginia Eldership, North. The four ministers at the Bellaire (or
Hiverview) meeting were appointed respectively to McMechen, Elm Grove, Blaines-
Tille and Woodland, and Moundsville.. But with the "exception of Bellaire and
•Georgetown, Ohio, the churches all showed a disposition to remain loyal to the
Eldership which met at McMechen, August 30, 1905."
23rd AVest Virginia Eldership, Noi-th. — Strenuous times followed official
actions taken during and after the Eldership in 1905. W. R. Covert, representing
the opposition, appealed to the civil courts. He sought to obtain possession of the
7^6 History of the Churches of God
pulpit of the McMechen church by applying to Judge Harvey for an injunction
against the officials of the church. The judge refused, and the matter was then:
taken to the Supreme Court, Judge Henry Brannon presiding. But this Court
affirmed the action of the lower court. The real question at issue was as to which
of the two Elderships is the legally constituted body. The Standing Committee-
had also investigated a number of charges against Covert, B. C. Bartlebaugh, J. L.
Davis, J. C. Man>le and S. M. Pan-y, and "found them guilty as charged." These
were "suspended from the ministry until the next annual or extra, called session,"^
with a recommendation "that the Eldership expel them from the body." Mean-
while the interference of the Executive Board of the General Eldership was in-
voked, which on March 27, 1906, "decided that the meeting of August 30, 1905,
was the constitutional West Virginia Eldership, North," and "sustained all its
actions, including those of its Boards and Committees." From this ruling of the
Executive Board an Appeal was taken by Covert to the General Eldership to meet
in 1909. The General Eldership approved the action of the Executive Board, and
so confirmed all the actions of the West Virginia Eldership, North. Several other
lawsuits were instituted by Covert at later dates, but they have proved futile. The
storm had spent itself, and in comparative peace and harmony the twenty-third
annual session was held at Rush Run Bethel, Wetzel county, W. Va., beginnings
Wednesday evening, September 5, 1906. The preceding evening N. M. Anderson
preached the Opening Sermon. The officers chosen were. President, N. M. Ander-
son; W. S. Shimp, Vice President; J. C. Beam, Secretary; Frajik Marple, Financial
Secretary; B. F. Coyle, Treasurer. Nine ministers attended the session. So ab-
sorbed was the Eldership in the local difficulties growing out of the schism and the
disaffection of a few churches that its resolutions touching the publications of the
General Eldership, Findlay College and other public questions became subordinate.
But an intense spirit of loyalty permeated these and other actions. Covert, in a
letter dated June 21, 1906, asked for a transfer to the Indiana Eldership, thereby,
as he stated, "cutting off my right to appeal;" yet this request was refused by the
Standing Committee, and its action approved by the Eldership, on the ground that
"it would interfere with the previous action of the Standing Committee, October
23, 1905; the action of the Special Session of December 4, 1905, and the actions of
the Executive Board, March 27, 1906, and June 7, 1906." The Eldership was;
ready to receive back into its fellowship any churches which had been alienated.
And when the church at Georgetown sent a delegate with "a petition signed by the
elders and fifteen members, being a majority, praying for admission," the Elder-
ship accepted the delegate and "received the church at Georgetown into fellow-
ship."
24th West Virginia Eldership, North. — Perhaps even of a religious body, by
paraphrase, the sentiment of Ella Wheeler Wilcox's poem may be true:
"Through strife the slumbering soul awakes."
It is sometimes by bounds and leaps, but more generally and naturally by-
orderly development, that we get away from the wheel of routine, the weight of
custom and of duty, or the fabricated net of established relations. So in West
Virginia, North, the Eldership at its session held at Elm Grove, W. Va., beginning
September 27, 19 07, agreed to a number of important actions, some "in a direction
in which nothing had been done before." The "field here is a most promising one."
"Prosperous towns all around us are ripe unto harvest." An entirely new Consti-
tution was ordered to be drafted, which was expected to form a co-operative, work-
ing basis. The appointment of a Missionary Agent was the result of an awakened
interest in missions. Eight ministers attended the session, including a valuable
accession from Ohio in the person of Z. H. Yoder. And one received license.
Officers elected were N, M. Anderson, President; W. S. Shimp, Vice President; Z.
H. Yoder, Secretary; W. A. Jones, Financial Secretary; B. F. Coyle, Treasurer.
The General Eldership and its Boards were heartily endorsed in all their actions
with reference to the W. G. M. S. contentions. The teaching of the generally ac-
cepted doctrines of the Church received considerable attention, and ministers were
directed to enforce the "discipline," to "teach" and "instruct" in all doctrine with
God-given authority. The delegates were "instructed to carry these important
actions of the Eldership to the local churches." The observance of Children's
College Day by all the churches was recommended. There were eight fields of
labor, one of them unsupplied, and Moundsville Mission placed under the super-
The West Virginia Eldership, North 717
vision of the Standing Committee. The Eldership closed with an Ordinance Meet-
ing, when "a plain, practical, forceful sermon" was delivered by N. M. Anderson.
25th West Virginia Eldership, North. — The session of the West Virginia Eld-
ership, North, in 1908, had a reassuring beginning. W. W. Anderson, of the West
Pennsylvania Eldership, was present with a view of serving a charge. He preached
"a most spiritual sermon on Saturday night" before the Eldership session began.
N. M. Anderson delivered the Opening Sermon on Sunday morning, and Z. H. Yoder
preached the Ordinance Sermon on Sunday evening. The Eldership convened for
business at Mt. Carmel, Greene county, Pa., Monday morning, September 28, 1907,
when N. M. Anderson was elected President; Z. H. Yoder, Secretary; W. H.
Pierson, Financial Secretary; S. H. Earnest, Treasurer. Nearly one whole day was
taken up in most careful and unbiased discussion of the new Constitution, guided
by the experience of the preceding three years. The territory of the Eldership
.was defined as embracing all of West Virginia north of the Little Kanawha River
except Preston county, which belongs to the Maryland Eldership; also Greene
county. Pa., and Monroe, Belmont and Jefferson counties, Ohio. Appeals were
TBCognized "from the lowest to the highest court among us." Each local
church was entitled to "one delegate for every twenty-five active members," but
each church had a right to one delegate. These delegates had equal rights in
the transaction of business. Besides the usual powers of Standing Committees,
that of this Eldership "shall be the Board of Missions." Two ministers and
three delegates were to be elected to constitute the Stationing Committee. An
Executive Board of one minister and two delegates, neither an officer of the
Eldership, was to be elected, which was a court to try officers of the Elder-
ship. Its members could only be tried by an extra session of the Eldership, which
was to be called by the President upon petition of a majority of the members of the
last annual meeting. For three years an applicant for license was to receive an
annual license before a Life Certificate of Ordination could be granted. A Course
of Studies was pre'tecribed. Nine regular Funds were provided for. This Elder-
ship had some very commendable features. The churches were well represented.
The spirituality indicated a decided improvement. There was an increase in
funds, better salaries for ministers, an increase in the number of conversions, bap-
tized and received into fellowship. Missionary possibilities were most encourag-
ing. Nine fields of labor were supplied with pastors, and N. M. Anderson was
named as the General Worker.
26th West Virginia Eldership, North. — At the General Eldership in 1909 the
West Virginia Eldership, North, was unanimously sustained in its actions relative
to the so-called "West Virginia Eldership, North, Incorporated." At its session in
the Fall it expressed its gratification by adopting "resolutions in support of, and
expressing loyalty to, all the interests of the General Eldership." It also elected
a "Missionary Correspondent and Organizer." There was rejoicing over results
reported and prospects portrayed, especially when at the Ordination services two
bright and promising young men, Loring Howell, of Elm Grove church, and William
Shaw, of McMechen church, were ordained to the gospel ministry. The session
was held at Elm Grove, Ohio county, West Virginia, beginning Monday morning,
September 27, 1909. On Saturday a session of the Ministerial Association was
held, when "some live questions pertaining to the Master's work were discussed,"
including "the needs of the various fields of labor and the best methods to supply
them." On Sunday morning N. M. Anderson preached the Opening Sermon, on the
theme: — "The Kingdom of Christ." Ten ministers and eighteen delegates were
present at the organization on Monday morning, when N. M. Anderson was elected
President; J. C. Beam, Vice President; E. W. Moyer, Stated Clerk; S. H. Earnest,
Treasurer. Conditions generally were satisfactory. The pastors on the nine fields
of labor had received $2,351. There were 443 conversions; 182 baptized, and 293
accessions. Considering the fact that there are about 250,000 church buildings
in the United States, with a seating capacity of over 50,000,000, the number
of bethels and church membership in the West Virginia Eldership, North, was in-
significant. There were four bethels in Greene county. Pa. ; in West Virginia,
eight, and in Ohio, six. The total membership was about 700.
27th West Virginia Eldership, North. — The period of contention had ended,
and pleasant and harmonious sessions were being enjoyed. Under such auspices
the twenty-seventh annual meeting of the West Virginia Eldership, North, was held
with the church in Deep Valley, Greene county. Pa., beginning Monday morning,
September 19, 1910. There were present nine ministers and fifteen delegates.
7i8 History of the Churches oe God
Balloting for officers resulted in the choice of N. M. Anderson for President; W. W^
Anderson, Vice President; E. W. Moyer, Stated Clerk. A new movement to secure
Articles of Incorporation was started, by the election of trustees who could serve as-
incorporators. J. C. Beam, D. E. Doughty and B. P. Coyle, Ohio; W. H. Marple,
Ohio, and George Main, of Pennsylvania, were chosen. A majority living in Ohio,
Articles of Incorporation could be secured from the Ohio State Department. A de-
cided step forward was taken in creating a Mission Fund, to carry on missionary^
work in the territory of the Eldership in the future. From the different fields
during the year there were reported 459 conversions, 149 baptized, 181 additions,,
and an increase of $814.00 in the salaries of ministers. The ten fields of labor
were supplied with pastors, and four ministers were named as General Workers.
28th West Virginia Eldership, North. — On top of the hills of Wetzel county,
four miles from the village of Proctor, at a point called Highland, where Meshach
Yoho had recently built a new bethel, the West Virginia Eldership held its twenty-
eighth annual session. It began on Monday morning, September 25, 1911. On
Sunday morning previous W. \V. Anderson preached the Opening Sermon. Theme:
"Pentecostal Baptism." Text: Acts ii. 1-4. Ten ministers were in attendance,
and fourteen delegates. They elected E. W. Moyer President; W. W. Anderson,.
Vice President; Loiing Howell, Clerk; W. W. Anderson, D. E. Doughty and Z. H.
Yoder, Standing Committee; W. W. Andei-son, Z, H. Yoder, Geo. Main, G. C, West
and O. L. Blake, Stationing Committee. The only woman who was a member was-
Sister E. J. Miller, a delegate. The session consisted of five sittings, adjourning
on Wednesday at 11 o'clock a. m. No actions of a special character were taken,
outside of those relating to the permanent interests of the body, the publications,
of the General Eldership, missions and education. There were ten charges, each
one supplied with a good pastor. Several of them were stations, not all of which
could give a pastor a living support. A fine spirit pervaded the Eldership.
29th West Virginia Eldership, North. — The want of permanency of the min-
istry of the West Virginia Eldership was always a serious impediment to sub-
stantial progress. From the date of its organization it experienced this evil.
Prominent workers would come into the body, serve a charge or two, and then
leave. The Eldership was always ready to receive these men, as it needed their
efficient services; but it could not prevent the sentiment that the evil was hardly
overbalanced by the good when they failed permanently to identify themselves with
the body and its interests. The reaction hurt the growth of the churches which
they served, and the whole Eldership has suffered. A minister must live with the
people he is to serve most efficiently, and participate in all their problems of gov-
ernment and general improvement, if the benefit of his labors is to be most benefi-
cent. Hence the Eldership in 1912 was saddened when two ministers, who had
labored for several years with good success, requested their transfers. The Elder-
ship "was reluctant to grant them, because of their ministerial ability and high
standing among us." And the prayer was, that "the Lord of the harvest will send
us such men as are needed." The session was held at Long Run, Greene county, Pa.,
where, on September 15, 1912, the Opening Sermon was preached by E. AV. Moyer,
from Gal. v. 17. On the following Monday morning the Eldership was organized
by the election of N. M. Andereon, President; D. E. Doughty, Vice President; J. C.
Beam, Clerk. Responding to the call of the W. G. M. S., the Eldership directed
"each minister having a charge to ask for a freewill offering for our foreign work,
during the month of April." Earnestly insistent on extending its work, the Elder-
ship required "more aggressive efforts to open up new places, and take advantage
of opportunities where churches might be established." The Eldership was not
disposed to minify its faults, nor to magnify its virtues, and so had reached the
true basis of measurement. The liquor traffic was "condemned, declaring it to be
sinful, and that it should not be tolerated by the children of God." It assured
"those in authority at Findlay College and Fort Scott Collegiate Institute of its
faith and confidence in the management of these institutions." One minister of
the "so-called Bellaire Eldership" requested "restoration and fellowship with" the
Eldership. For reasons which aggravated the first offense against the body by
said minister and others with whom he fraternized, the Eldership decided to
"ignore, or repudiate, those men, and refuse to entertain any application, motion,
or disposition to restore them." Nine fields of labor were supplied with pastors,
one remaining unsupplied, and four ministers were named as General Workers.
The Oregon and Washington Eedebship 719
XIX. THE OREGON AND WASHINGTON ELDERSHIP.
The earliest immigrants of Church of God families into Oregon and Washing-
ton, sustained by those of following years, united in testimony to the splendid re-
sources, the mild and equable climate, the agricultural possibilities and the educa-
tional and other facilities of these Pacific Coast States. The western parts of the
country were unsurpassed in climate. Roses bloom in Seattle in December, pansies
in Walla Walla in January, peaches blossom in Olympia in February, and snow
banks on the mountains are frequently within sight of each place in August. The
climate between the coast and the Cascade Mountains is lilte one produced by add-
ing the mildness of Virginia to the moisture of England. These conditions ap-
pealed to ministers, so that when the religious conditions were represented to be
of such a character as to make these States inviting fields of labor, a disproportion-
J. F. Schoch.
ate number of teaching elders of the Church were induced to remove to the Pacific.
Yet when the first church of God was organized in either State, there were in Oregon
over 8,000 Methodists, about 4,000 Baptists, 3,700 Presbyterians, 1,600 Episco-
palians, 1,500 Congregationalists and a Catholic population of 17,000. When the
first Eldership was organized there were at least six ordained n\inisters in the two
States which responded to the call. They met "at Fir Grove school-house, School
District No. 75, Washington county, Oregon, on Saturday, May 9, 1891." These
six ministers were present: J. F. Schoch, Illinois Eldership; S. S. Sheldon, Kansas
Eldership; G. W. Kemp, S. A. >Iann and R. A. Slyter, of the Nebraska Eldership,,
and J. W. Force, of the Michigan Eldership. Four ruling elders were enrolled,
one of them, J. Gan-ijariis, being the Clerk, with J. F. Schoch, Speaker. The
boundaries of the new Eldership were to be the boundaries of the State of Oregon;
but "they agreed to give the brethren of Washington and Idaho 'a home with them^
until such time as Elderships may be organized within their territories." They
also elected a Treasurer, G. W. Kemp, and instituted measures "to raise some
720 History of the Churches oe God
funds for the use of the Eldership." A Ministerial Association was agreed to be
held, to hold its meetings the day previous to the Eldership sessions. The Elder-
ship at once placed itself on record in favor of "the total abolition of the traffic in
strong drink." The appointments made were: General Worker, J. F. Schoch;
West Portland and adjacent territory, R. A. Slyter; Yamhill and Washington
■counties, J. W. Force and G. W. Kemp; Clark county. Wash., S. S. Sheldon and S.
A. Mann. It was anticipated that "these brethren can do a noble work for God
and the Church in Oregon." The territory which was to be the field of operation
by these ministers lies in the north-western section of Oregon and the south-
western section of Washington, on both sides of the Columbia River, and from
twenty to sixty miles from the Pacific.
The Speaker of the first Eldership was a native of Pennsylvania, having been
born near Middletown, Dauphin county, August 14, 1828. He was converted on
February 4, 1843; was baptized soon after, and united with the church at Middle-
town. With a limited education, though impressed that he ought to enter the
ministry, he deferred the matter, meanwhile studying the Bible and some borrowed
theological books. He emigrated to Illinois in the Spring of 1854, but soon re-
turned again for a short time to Middletown. While East he began preaching in
York county, organizing a church at York Haven. In reporting his labors he also
stated that he was "going West shortly." This he did, and in the Fall of 1855 he
attended the Illinois Eldership, held at West Bureau, or Enon, Bureau county,
where he received his first license to preach. He served different appointments
until the War of the Rebellion, when he entered the service of the U. S. Christian
Commission. Upon his return he again served as a pastor. On three different
occasions he was a delegate to the General Eldership. He is one of the very few
ministers of the churches of God who have made a visit to the Holy Land. After
"his return he wrote "From the Hudson to the Jordan," giving not only an account
of his travels, but most interesting descriptions of the many historical places which
lie visited. On December 23, 1912, looking back over a well spent life, and with
a clear conscience, he wrote: "I am now in my eighty-fifth year. I realize that
my days are passing away swiftly. I am satisfied that the Lord will abide with
me alway, even to the end of life's journey."
2nd Oi-egon and Washington Eldei-ship. — To have the Eldership's annual ses-
sion come in the Fall, the second meeting was fixed within six months of the first.
During this time two ministers were at work on their fields in both States, and
reported good openings. The second session was held at Fir Grove, Washington
icounty, Oregon, and began October 15, 1891. The Ministerial Association pre-
ceded it, and was attended by all the ministers but one. The Opening Sermon
was delivered by J. F. Schoch. Text: II. Tim. ii. 15. Theme: "The Minister's
Work — Study." It was published in full in The Advocate, by direction of the
Eldership. R. A. Slyter was elected Speaker; S. S. Sheldon, Clerk, and G. W.
Kemp, Treasurer. The Treasurer "reported Eldership funds, $5.05; Mission funds,
:$8.O0." Two Societies were organized, viz.: A Superannuated and Widows' Fund
Society, and a Missionary Society. So sanguine of success were some of the min-
isters that they "expected in a few years to send missionaries, instead of asking
missionaries to be sent to them." J. F. Schoch was the General Missionary ap-
pointed by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership. Provision was made
to have a Constitution and By-Laws drafted for the Eldership. The boundaries
were enlarged so as "to embrace all of the States of Oregon and Washington."
In addition to declaring "opposition to the manufacture and sale of intoxicants as
a beverage," the Eldership resolved "that the use of tobacco in any form is a
filthy habit, especially very degrading for any minister of the gospel." Without
specifying the object, each minister was instructed "to take up a collection twice
in each year at each one of his appointments." Appointments were made to four
circuits, two of them in Clark county. Wash. ; one in Yamhill and Washington
counties, Oregon, and one in Marion county, Oregon.
3rd Oregon and Washington Eldership. — The first defection in the ranks of
the ministry of the Oregon and Washington Eldership occurred during the year
1891-2, when S. A. Mann "irregularly left us, and united with another body."
His "name was stricken from the Roll" when the Eldership session was held at
La Center, Wash., beginning September 30, 1892; but he subsequently returned to
the Church and Eldership. The Opening Sermon was preached by R. A. Slyter,
from Acts xvi. 9. Three new names were added to the list of teaching elders. A
committee was appointed "to secure an Act of Incorporation" of the Eldership,
The Oregon and Washington Eldership 721
after adopting the Constitution and By-Laws. To meet the expenses, the com-
mittee was authorized "to obtain a loan from the Eldership funds," and "in re-
funding the money that may be loaned from the Widows' Fund, for every $2.00
taken out $2.50 shall be paid in." The action of the World's Fair Managers in
closing the Columbian Exposition on the Lord's day "was heartily endorsed."
Five fields of labor were mapped out, to which six ministers were assigned. Two
of these were Salem Mission, and Woodburn Mission. R. A. Slyter was appointed
"General Worker, with the understanding that the Eldership help to support him."
The officers of the Eldership were J. F. Schoch, Speaker; R. A. Slyter and S. S.
Sheldon, Clerks, and G. W. Kemp, Treasurer. Kemp was elected delegate to the
General Eldership to meet at Findlay, Ohio, in June, 1893.
4th Oregon and Washington Eldership. — There had been no authority given
for the organization of the Oregon and Washington Eldership. The General
Eldership alone has power to grant charters to new Elderships. At its session
held at Findlay, Ohio, in 1893, the Committee on Boundaries, without any
reference to this irregularity, recommended that a "Charter be granted under the
name, style and title of the Oregon and Washington Eldership of the Church of
God, to include the boundaries of said States." Thus habilitated, the Eldership
assembled at Salem, Oregon, October 19, 1893, when the Opening Sermon was
preached by J. F. Schoch. Of the nine teaching elders of the body, eight were
present, three ruling elders and one sister as a delegate. S. S. Sheldon was
chosen Speaker; R. A. Slyter, Journalizing Clerk; C. H. Hale, Transcribing Clerk,
and G. W. Kemp, Treasurer. An Act of Incorporation had been "secured in the
Oregon and Washington State Departments." The total of the Funds was $21.16.
Four brethren were recommended for licenses, which were granted. The sisters
were directed "to organize a Home and Foreign Missionary Society," which was
done, the "Society to meet with the Eldership." While the work was prospering,
there were many places which, for lack of funds, could not be supplied. "Some
churches are without pastors." On the questions handed down by the General
Eldership, these actions were taken, to wit: "The Eldership does not favor a
change of 'name, style and title' of the annual Elderships." "It does not favor a
license for life." "Ordination by the laying on of hands" was postponed one
year. The organization of a Sabbath-school by erery church was advised. The
circuits were rearranged so as to make four, on three of which there were as-
sistants to the regular pastor, and Buckley and Nooksachk was added as a circuit.
R. A. Slyter was appointed General Worker, and J. F. Schoch, General Evangelist.
5th Oregon and Washington Eldership. — As in some other Elderships, there
was some instability on the part of ministers. The names of two "were dropped
from the Roll" in 1894. The session was also not so largely attended. It was
held at La Center, Wash., beginning September 13. 1894. S. S. Sheldon delivered
the Opening Sermon, from I. Sam. xv. 22. J. W. Force was elected Speaker; J. F.
Schoch, Clerk, and S. S. Sheldon, Treasurer. Under the Act of Incorporation the
election of trustees was also required, and at this session Jephtha Garrigus was
elected a member of the Board. The Eldership lamented its limited financial
ability, as much more could be accomplished if it possessed the means to support
the ministers and build houses of worship. Conversions and accessions were re-
ported, and two new churches had been organized during the year. A Contingent
Fund was provided for. The license of one minister was "placed in the hands of
the Standing Committeee, with the understanding that when he agrees to desist
from preaching the doctrine of the unconscious state of the dead, both in public
and private places, he shall receive it." Ministers were required "to preach at
least one sermon a year on the suppression and total destruction of the rum
power." The assessment on the Eldership by the General Eldership was ordered
to be paid. There were seven appointments, one of them "to be cared for by the
General Missionary until supplied." Local ministers were "to aid those in charge
of appointments and to open new places for Church work."
6th Oregon and Washington Eldership. — In 1894 the license of one minister
was withheld for preaching the unconscious state of the dead. He complied with
the condition before the Standing Committee, and so in 1895 his name appears, his
report was made and his license was renewed. The session in 1895 was held with
the church at Goble, Oregon, beginning October 3rd. The Opening Sermon was
preached the previous evening, by J. W. Force, from John xxi. 3. The officers
chosen were President, J. F. Schoch; George M. Frayery, Clerk. The Eldership
was gratified and encouraged by the presence and addresses of Mrs. C. M. Ritchie,
C. H. — 24*
']'2.2 History of the Churches of God
bearing the greetings of the Illinois Eldership. As a result of her presence, the
Eldership "urged the ministers of the Oregon and Washington Eldership to en-
courage the organization of Woman's Missionary societies in all the churches." It
also favored the organization of Christian Endeavor societies. When the field
of labor in Los Angeles county, Cal., was under consideration, the Eldership de-
cided "that the State of California be added to the Oregon and Washington Elder-
ship," notwithstanding boundaries are fixed by the General Eldership. The Elder-
shit) voted for the term "Eldership," and not "Association" in the titles of the
Elderships. The question of ordination by the laying on of hands was discussed
with ability and at length, when the proposition was adopted, "that the Scriptures
teach the setting apart of ministers by the laying on of hands," only one dissenting
vote. The religious condition of the churches was considered fairly prosperous.
"A number of churches have been organized the past year; a goodly number have
been converted, baptized and added to the churches, and several ministers have
been ordained." A declaration in favor of prohibition was adopted. Stringent
enforcement of the Rules is seen in that the Eldership referred the case of one
minister to the Standing Committee because "he left for his home without per-
mission." There were nine circuits, one being the California Mission. Also one
General Missionary.
7th Oregon and AVashington Eldership. — At the first meeting of the Standing
Committee after the Eldership of 189 5, on December 16, 1895, the name of the
Eldership appears as the "Oregon, Washington and California Eldership." The
minister cited to appear before the Committee for leaving the Eldership for his
home without permission "made acknowledgment, which the Committee accepted."
Though the General Eldership did not change the title of the Oregon and Wash-
ington Eldership at its session in May, 1896, it was called to meet by the Clerk
October 15, 1896, as the "Oregon, Washington and California Eldership." The
place of meeting was Thatcher, Washington county, Oregon. Tuesday and Wed-
nesday preceding the Eldership the Ministerial Association held its annual meeting,
The Opening Sermon of the Eldership was preached by J. F. Schoch, from I. Tim.
iv. 6. G. W. Kemp was Speaker; R. A. Slyter, Clerk. Five teaching elders were
present, and eleven were absent. The inspiring addresses of Bro. S. and Sister C.
M. Ritchie were much appreciated, and through them the fraternal greetings of the
Illinois Eldership were brought to the brethren on the Pacific. Mrs. Ritchie also
conducted a very interesting missionary meeting on Sunday evening. One of the
licentiates was Sister M. Madill, who, with G. W. Kemp, was appointed to Salem
and Dumsville. There was German and French preaching, also, at Salem, by L. P.
Lardon.
8th Oregon and Washington Eldership. — A meeting of the Ministerial As-
sociation preceded the annual Eldership in 1897, with an Address of Welcome, and
a Lecture by R. A. Slyter on Tuesday evening, and sittings on Wednesday. On
Wednesday evening, October 6th, the Opening Sermon was preached by J. W.
Force, from Heb. xiii. 1. The place of meeting was Salem. Seven of the fiftean
ministers were in attendance, and three delegates. J. W. Force was elected Presi-
dent, and J. F. Schoch, Clerk. The Eldership held memorial services on Sabbath
morning in memory of S. S. Sheldon, when J. F. Schoch delivered a special sermon
on the character and labors of this worthy minister. It was customary for the
churches, as well as the ministers, to make annual reports, and in 1897 every
church in the Eldership reported. S. Ritchie and Mrs. C. M. Ritchie, of Illinois,
bore the greetings of the Illinois and Iowa Elderships to the Oregon and Washing-
ton Eldership, and the Eldership "profited by their counsels." Everything was
encouraging all over the Eldership, and the "Church could see a bright day ahead
in the capital of this grand State" (Salem). Yet there were clouds on the horizon,
for the names of four of the ministers were dropped from the Roll. Other condir
tions induced the Eldership to name "the first Sunday in December as a day for
fasting and prayer for greater success in Church work, and that the Holy Spirit
will accompany the work in great power." Going further than usual, the Elder-
ship "pledged itself to vote and pray for a prohibitory liquor law for our State,
and for all the States of this glorious Union." The lack of houses of worship was
deplored, as it was difficult otherwise to maintain church organizations. A more
earnest, careful and energetic teaching of the doctrines of the Church was recom-
mended. Ministers were instructed to organize Woman's Missionary societies in
the churches. With the English and French churches in Salem, each with its
own pasi-or, there were ten charges. R. A. Slyter was General Evangelist.
The; Oregon and Washington Eldership ^2,%
9th Oregon and Washington Eldership. — The usual complaint of "too limited
finances" was echoed from the Oregon and Washington Eldership. On this ac-
count the Eldership finances were inadequate, houses of worship could not be built,
ministers could not be paid a living support, and no Church extension work could
be undertaken. These facts were forcibly stated at the Eldership held at Goble,
Columbia county, Oregon, beginning October 27, 1898. Want of means reduced
the attendance of ministers and delegates, as only six of the thirteen ministers were
present, two of the four exhorters and one delegate. To increase the missionary
funds the first Sabbath in December was "set apart as a missionary day, to pray
the Lord of the harvest to open the way and send forth laborers into the field."
The President was J. F. Schoch, and D. F. Batson, Clerk, with J. C. Garrigus,
Treasurer. The two licentiates "were ordained by the laying on of hands." It
was enacted that "no minister be allowed to go upon another's work to preach or
make collections, except by consent of the pastor and church, or by authority of
the General Eldership." The authority of the latter body was recognized as para-
mount, and besides, its deliverances on nearly all subjects were accepted as final.
Hence, on the matter of "disorderly persons who sometimes seek to avoid an in-
vestigation, or trial, by resigning their membership," the action of the General
Eldership in 1848 was quoted and. "sustained," and the entire resolution spread
On the Minutes. This directs that such "disorderly steps and proceedings", be
ignored, and that all such "persons be held amenable for their conduct, whether
in the Eldership or the local church, until they come forward, ask for, and obtain,
a regular and honorable dismissal." There were twelve fields of labor, including
the French and English churches in Salem, the Jackson county Mission, Ore., and
the work in Indio and Southern California, to which three ministers were as-
signed.
10th Oregon and Washington Eldership, — The Minutes continue to use the
title, "The Oregon, Washington and California Eldership." This covered an area
by air lines of about 1,200 miles North and South, and from 195 to 350 miles
East and West. If this were the only question, then a division of the territory
into not less than three Elderships would be justified. This is given as the reason
for the action in 1899, under which a separate Eldership was authorized to be
formed in Washington "when the churches in Washington can organize with six
ordained ministers." The organization was to be "subject to the approval of the
General Eldership." The Eldership comprising the three States convened at Fir
Grove, Oregon, October 12, 1899. On the previous evening J. F. Schoch preached
the Opening Sermon. J. Gan-igns was elected President; D. F. Batson, Clerk, and
J. C. Gariigus, Treasurer. The Life Certificates adopted by the General Elder-
ship were issued to the ministers, but emphasis was laid on the provision that their
surrender can be demanded. Special efforts were required to be made by min-
isters and churches to "secure missionary money in the month of November, and
also to replenish the Contingent Fund." There were sixteen ordained ministers in
the Eldership, and two exhorters. There were eleven fields of labor, two of them
In California, and a General Evangelist for California. The brethren in Washing-
ton, availing themselves of the permission granted to organize an Eldership in that
State, were called to meet for that purpose in the Union Bethel, Mountain View,
Wash., May 25, 1900. On the evening of the 24th J. F. Schoch preached the
Opening Sermon, from II. Tim. iv. 4, 5. Schoi'h was elected President, and A. H.
Dujilap, Clerk. The required number of six ministers were enrolled. The ses-
sions were harmonious and peaceful. Provision was made to supply the circuits
in Washington, with Mai-y E. B. Buckbee as general worker in the State.
11th Oregon and Washington Eldership. — The Washington Eldership seems to
have wandered into "Death Valley." In May, 1900, it held its first session, and
adjourned "to meet at Nooksachk, Whatcom county. Wash., before full moon in
October, 1900." On September 26th an announcement of the session was made,
"the meeting to be held at Mountain Bethel, Whatcom county. Wash., October 10,
1900, the Opening Sermon to be preached by J. F. Schoch." Nothing has since
been published concerning it. But "the Oregon, Washington and California Elder-
ship met at Aumsville, Oregon, October 4, 1900, and was constituted by J. Ganigus,
Chairman, and John Boor, Clerk. An organization was effected by the choice of
J. W. Force, Speaker; John Boor, Clerk. The Eldership expressed its desire for
a change in form and reduction in price of The Advocate. It gratefully accepted
the appointment of A. Wilson by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership,
and permitted him "to labor wherever he feels inclined." The ministers were
724 History of the Churches of God
required "to collect from each member at least one dollar per year," to go into
"the treasury to be used as the Eldership may direct." Also to "lift collections
every quarter for the Superannuated and Widows' Fund." There were eleven
fields of labor, of which two were in California and three in Washington. E. E.
Cory was named as General Evangelist in California.
12th Oi-egon and Washington Eldership. — Conditions existed in the Pacific
Coast Eldership which demanded investigation. The Eldership appointed a com-
mittee for this purpose, and the second day's morning sitting was set apart for
the work. While the entire sitting was "devoted to singing and prayer, the com-
mittee was investigating matters on the outside." The Eldership had convened
on Thursday morning, October 24, 1901, at Salem, Oregon. On Wednesday even-
ing J. W. Force delivered the Opening Sermon. The election for Speaker resulted
in the choice of J. Garrigus, and for Clerk of John Boor. Force was elected a
trustee of the Eldership. Francis A. Sharp, H. D. Mclntyre and J. A. Swanson,
licensed by other Elderships, were "voted members of the Eldership." Mclntyre
was "recommended to the Board of Missions to do mission work in Washington,
and Sharp and Swanson were given appointments, of which there were seven.
13th Oi-egon and Washington Eldership.-^This Eldership was one of the first
to "organize an Eldership Woman's Missionary Society to co-operate with the W.
G. M. S. to be organized in June, 1903, at Findlay, Ohio, as per arrangements made
by the General Eldership at Idaville, Indiana, in June, 1902." A. Wilson led off
in the matter, and the action was unanimous. The session was held with the
church at Buckley, Washington, beginning with the Opening Sermon on Wednesday
evening, October 14, 1902, by J. Garrigus. The Ministerial Association occupied
the previous day. Ganigus was elected President, and John Boor, Clerk. One
member, Francis A. Sharp, had died during the year, and the Eldership "deeply
mourned the loss of our beloved brother." The report on Temperance was of a
most specific character, and severe in terms. It declared that "intemperance is the
blighting curse of the country, the cause of at least ninety per cent, of the crimes
of the whole country;" that "this monster evil is the product of the Republican
and Democratic parties, which have dominated the politics of the country for forty
years, and have used the whiskey power in. order to carry the election from time to
time, and have concealed the real needs of the country from the people." Hence
the Eldership expressed "the opinion that every loyal man, every lover of home
and country, should resolutely turn away from these parties, and under no circum-
stances cast his vote for a candidate for any office who will not pledge himself un-
conditionally to support the prohibition cause." There were seven regular fields
of labor, all supplied with pastors, and R. A. Slyter was appointed General Worker,
and "to visit Spokane Mission."
14th Oregon and Washington Eldei-ship. — The churches of God in one Elder-
ship in Pennsylvania received nearly all their earliest preaching in German. In
several Elderships it was originally nearly half in German and half in English.
From Ohio westward German was the exception, there being no German preaching
in the south-western Elderships. In later years West Pennsylvania Eldership had
one or two ministers who preached in a Slavish dialect. In the Oregon and Wash-
ington Eldership there was preaching in French, German and English, at Salem,
Oregon, there being at this time organizations composed of members speaking
these three languages. L. T. Lardon, in 1903, was appointed pastor of "the
French and German church at Salem, and to preach in English wherever called
upon." The Eldership convened at Fir Grove, Oregon, October 2, 1903, the Open-
ing Sermon having been preached the previous evening by A. Wilson. The of-
ficers were G. F. Shoch, President; D. F. Batson, Clerk. Ten appointments were
made, and the English church at Salem, Oregon, was unsupplied. Indio, Cal., was
the only charge in that State. J. Garrigus was appointed General Worker in
Oregon, and H. D. Mclntyre, "Missionary to North Washington, with recommen-
dation to the Board of Missions of the General Eldership for support until his suc-
cessor be sent from the East."
15th Oregon and Washington Eldership. — An Act of Incorporation was se-
cured during the year 1903-4, the State lines of Oregon, Washington and Cali-
fornia being the boundaries. Three trustees, J. Garrigus, J. W. Force and E.
Porter, were named as the trustees of the Eldership. This action was ratified by
the Eldership which convened with the church at Salem, Oregon, on Thursday
morning, September 29, 1904. The previous evening the Opening Sermon was
preached "in the African church, by J. F. Schoch." The bethel of the church of
The Oregon and Washington Eldership 725
God had been locked against the Eldership, as the church had seceded; but re-
lented in so far as to open the house on Thursday morning for the session of the
Eldership. After organization by the election of J. F. Schoch, President, and
J. C. Garrigus, Clerk, the troubles at the Salem church were taken up. The
Eldership commended "the action of the Board of Missions of the General Elder-
ship in withholding aid from the Oregon and Washington Eldership until the
trouble be settled." Then a "Board of Arbitration was chosen to settle the
trouble, consisting of J. Boor, J. Ganigus and Jesse Huddle. By mutual with-
drawals of charges by A. Wilson and by the Standing Committee, and the exer-
cise of "a spirit of forgiveness manifested by each to all of the parties concerned,"
unity and peace were restored, and "the seceded church of God at Salem was
reinstated to its former relations with the Eldership." There were ten fields of
labor, and A. Wilson was appointed Evangelist, "with a recommendation to the
Board of Missions for new territory." The Board was also asked "to send a mis-
sionary to this Eldership and support him until the work is self-supporting."
16th Oregon and Washington Eldership. — Sanguine expectations of success
in its work on the "Pacific Slope" characterized the Eldership when it convened
in 1905. There were some local troubles unadjusted, but there was a spirit of
unity and co-operation prevalent. The session was held at Buckley, Washington,
and opened on Thursday, October oth. On Wednesday evening J. F. Schoch de-
livered the Opening Sermon. When the Roll was completed there were on it the
names of nine teaching elders present, one a woman, and six absent; also two ruMng
elders and one delegate, a woman. The ballot resulted in the election of J. F.
Schoch, Speaker; J. Garrigus, Clerk; J. C. Garrigus, Treasurer. In general terms
it was affirmed that "men will not endure sound doctrine; that they have become
largely a pleasure-loving people more than lovers of God, and that among the
professed Christians the religion of Christ has reached such a low ebb that we
look with alarm upon the future of the cause of God." The Church, therefore,
"must educate;" but this must be "a thorough scriptural education," which is "the
best that is possible to man in this world of sin and infidelity." Two candidates
for the ministry were ordained, both of which were assigned to charges. The
Eldership expressed appreciation of A. H. Long's donation of a lot of tracts, with
which in 190.5 he favored all the Annual Elderships. The temperance sentiment
was clear and strong, but not fanatical. The body believed "intemperance to be
the greatest evil we as a Nation have to contend with," and so "every Christian
should do all that lies in his power to destroy it. Then let us vote as we pray,
and we know that God will bring about the great reform." It linked tobacco with
intemperance, and counseled abstinence, that ministers .especially may be pure
and clean. The two women members of the Eldership were on this Committee.
An important action of the Eldership in 1903 was rescinded as having been se-
cured by "conspiracy against" a prominent member of the Eldership. The
rescinding resolution of "the work done at the said Fir Grove Eldership in 1903,"
which "created much harm at home and abroad," carried with it "the whole work
done at said Fir Grove Eldership in 1903, except the report of the Treasurer,
together with the receipt afid disbursement of the finances." The beginning of
more serious trouble may date from the facts thus entered on the Journal. J. C.
Garrigus was appointed General Missionary; J. Garrigus was the Missionary in
northern Oregon, and E. Porter missionary in Pierce county, Wash. In addition
to these there were six fields of labor. California was not on the list.
17th Oregon and Washington Eldership.— It was published in November,
1905, that at the Eldership held a month before "the waters became a little rough,
but were soon quieted by the overruling of the better spirit;" yet the session
of 1906 witnessed more troubled waters. Some actions of 1904 and 1905 were
rescinded, including the rescinding action of 1905. The property at Salem, which,
contrary to the action of the Eldership, was deeded to the Executive Board of
the General Eldership, was also a subject of contention. The redeeding of said
property to the Oregon, Washington and California Eldership was urged upon the
Executive Board. The session was held in the bethel at Salem, Oregon, and
began October 4, 1906. On the evening of October 3rd, J. W. Force delivered the
Opening Sermon. There were present six teaching elders, two ruling elders and
two delegates, women. A peculiar condition existed, which the Eldership sought
to correct. In 19 00 the Board of Missions of the General Eldership sent A. Wil-
son, Nebraska Eldership, as missionary to the Pacific Coast. He held "his transfer
until September 30, 1904;" but "no action was taken on it at that time," yet he
7^^ History of the Churches of God
acted as a member of the body, and it had physical possession of his Transfer.
It now decided to "refuse to accept his Transfer," but to "return said Transfer to
him in Nebraska," and rescinded "all actions which the former sessions have taken
In regard to A. Wilson's license and Transfer." There were some men of strong
"Wills, forceful personalities and inherent self-reliance in the Eldership. Milton
spoke a good word to these: "Those who best bear Christ's mild yoke, they
serve him best." The ministers were counseled to do their duty in leading the
churches to help to "crush out the great evil of intemperance." The hope was
also expressed that "the evil of the use of tobacco be suppressed, and that it may
cease in the churches of God, especially in the pulpit." Indio, Cal., again appears
on the list of appointments, with eight other fields in Oregon and Washington,
two of them missions. Besides, J. Garrigus was Eldership Missionary, and AVm.
A.dains, State Evangelist.
18th Oregon and Washington Eldership. — The divisive forces operative in
1905-6 sundered the Oregon and Washington Eldership in 1907. Each section
claimed to be the Oregon, Washington and California Eldership, and as such met
at two different places, organized and transacted business. The session of the
first was held at Salem, Oregon, and began September 5, 1907. It enrolled as
present eight teaching elders, two of them women, seven ruling elders and two
delegates, both women. R. A. Slyter was chosen Speaker; John Boor, Clerk. It
at once took as "unfinished business" an action adopted by "a small minority of
the members of the Eldership convened at Salem last October," and resolved that
"said meeting was illegal, and the work done by the same is null and void."
Others viewed these actions as hasty, believing that where there is real regret at
a deplorable state in the relations of a body of people there should be time given
for the exercise of a more calm balance of judgment, a thoroughly candid search-
ing of the very springs of right action. The Eldership declared that "the only
consistent plan to pursue on the Missionary question is to stand together and af-
filiate with the General Eldership W. G. M. S. of 1903. It was in full sympathy
■with all the interests and institutions of the general body. Charges were pre-
ferred by A. Wilson against J. Garrigus and J. C Garrigus for "joining in a con-
spiracy headed by H. D. Mclntyre in 1903," and other wrong acts in 1904, 1905
and 1906. These "charges and specifications were sustained without a dissent-
ing voice," the accused not being present. Their names were ordered "stricken
from the Roll of the Eldership," and the Certificates of Ordination recalled. The
Eldership organized a Woman's Missionary Society, in line with its action on the
W. G. M. S. question. The appointments numbered ten, with pastors for all of
them. Three of them were called "missions." Two charges were in California.
Florence Boyd was named as General Worker; William Adams Eldership Evan-
gelist, and Libbie Wilson one of the pastors of "Salem, Aumsville and surround-
ings."
A month later, October 3, 1907, another Oregon, Washington and California
Eldership met with the church at Fir Grove, Oregon, which claimed to be the
body chartered by the General Eldership. Nine ministers reported by J. Garrigus
as present; three reported by letter; four "failed to report, and their names were
dropped from the Roll." Five ruling elders were present, and one delegate. The
Opening Sermon was preached on the evening of Octobr 2nd. D. F, Batson was
elected President; J. Ganigus, Clerk; J. C Garrigus, Treasurer. The Eldership
"was a unit on every question." It claimed that "the Eldership which met at
Salem, Oregon, the 5th day of September, 1907, purporting to be the Oregon,
Washington and California Eldership, met contrary to the Constitution of said
Eldership," and therefore this body in session at Fir Grove, Oregon, is "the
Oregon, Washington and California Eldership." As such it "condemned the ac-
tions taken at Salem by the said so-called Eldership." The action taken by the
(IJpmmission to settle the differences between the two W. G. M. Societies was
"acquiesced in," and the body agreed to "support the General Eldership in the
fission work." Appointments were made to seven fields. Five of the ministers
were appointed by both Elderships. To many conditions were portentous of grave
aisaster to the cause on the coast, as it looked as though peace had "fled like the
night at dawn."
10th Oregon and Washington Eldership. — Three important Special Notices
were published simultaneously in August, 19 08. One called a meeting of the
5regon, Washington and California Eldership at Salem, Oregon, October 1, 1908.
This was signed by A. Wilson, K. A. Slyter and S. S. liihner. Standing Committee.
The: Oregon and Washington Eldership 727
The second called a meeting of the Eldership under the same title to be held at
Buckley, Wash., on the same date. This was signed by J. Garrigus, Stated Clerk.
It was also endorsed by J, Gariigus, J. W. Force and E. Poi-ter, Trustees. The
third was a notice "to all parties concerned. . . .that a petition will be presented
to the next meeting of the General Eldership to change the boundary lines and
divide the territory" and make two Elderships in the three States. This could be
a solution of the trouble, if personal, and bring out again the stars which were
hid. The Salem Eldership convened as per announcement, October 1, 1908. The
preceding evening R. A. Slyter preached the Opening Sermon. There were nine
teaching elders present, seven ruling elders and one delegate. Six were marked
absent. Three of those present were women. R. A. Slyter was chosen Presi-
dent; S. S. Kilmer, Clerk. The deeding of "the church property at Salem to the
Board of Incorporation of the General Eldership in order to avoid litigation and
trouble" was approved; but the redeeding of it to the trustees of the church at
Salem was requested. The Eldership also renewed its expression of fealty to the
General Body and its Boards, together with the W. G. M. S. of 1903. Delegates
to the General Eldership in 1909 were elected, but without instructions relative
to a division of the territory. Appointments were made to nine charges, with
two General Workers.
On the same date the other body under the same name convened at Buckley,
Washington, where D. F. Batson preached the Opening Sermon. It was a spiritual
meeting, with "peace and love prevailing throughout all the" sittings. It closed
with an ordinance meeting, and there were two conversions before the meeting
closed. There were present seven teaching elders, and four reported by letter;
also one ruling elder. D. F. Batson was elected President; J. Garrigiis, Clerk;
J. C Garrigus, Treasurer. A delegate to the General Eldership was elected,
"The cause of religion is on the advance in our Eldership" was the conclusion of
the Committee on State of Religion. In "hearty sympathy with the temperance
work all over the world," the Eldership "requested the ministers to preach at
least one sermon at each appointment on the subject during the year. Nine ap-
pointments were made, with one General Missionary. Six ministers were appoint-
ed by both Elderships. Both Elderships adjourned to meet at different points in
1909. The division was hurtful to Church interests on the Pacific, and it seemed
as if the great business should be to find the undiscovered land of union and peace
in these unpromising places of which Christian souls are sick and tired! Is it not,
this ideal country, in our own dispositions, "wherever may be the garden of the
Hesperides?"
20th Oregon and Washington Eldership. — The General Eldership in 1909 en-
rolled A. Wilson and J. Ganigus, representing the two Elderships on the Pacific
Coast, after the Judiciary Committee had made an investigation of the differences
between the two parties. It recognized "the Eldership as chartered by the General
Eldership, composed of all ordained ministers of both factions and other members,
as provided for by the Constitution." It then directed said Eldership to meet and
be constituted according to this action, "on the first Thursday in October, 19 09, at
Salem, Oregon, and that all previous troubles and difficulties shall receive no
further recognition." It also directed how the Eldership should be constituted,
and who should preach the Opening Sermon. In September this action was pub-
lished without signature, and it was added: "The brethren of the Eldership
should govern themselves accordingly." To those not so fully conversant with the
underlying causes of the division it seemed as though the sun of harmony were
breaking through the clouds of strife. "The Eldership met at Salem, Oregon,
October 7, 1909, according to order of the Judiciary Committee of the General
Eldership." Fourteen ministers were present, and seven ruling elders. D. L.
Batson was appointed Chairman pro tem., and R. A. Slyter, Secretary, after which
the permanent organization was effected by the election of R. A. Slyter, President;
S. S. Kilmer, Clerk. This ended the business of the united body, as was claimed,
because these two officials had been members of the one Eldership, and their elec-
tion revealed a sinister or corrupt purpose. "At this juncture" seven ministers
"arose and left the room, and went to another part of the city and organized what
they called the Free Church of God." Efforts subsequently made to reunite the
parties have failed of success. The brethren which did not leave "the room" pro-
ceeded with the business. They gave their "unqualified support to the General
Eldership in the final action" which it took, "relative to our foreign and home
missionary work, placing all missionary interests under the government and con-
728 History op the Churches of God
trol of the W. G. M. S. of 1903." It deemed it "a matter of Christian loyalty to
patronize and support" the Church literature. The "names of those brethren
who went out from us," declared the Eldership, "ignored the authority of the
Eldership, and also that of the General Eldership," "therefore their names be
dropped from the Ministerial Roll, and they be required to return their Certificates
of Ordination." There were four charges to which pastors were specifically as-
signed; but Florence Boyd was to labor "wherever opportunity affords;" R. A.
Slyter, General Worker, and to look after church property at Thatcher, and W.
Adams, Evangelist in southern Oregon, including Polk, Yamhill and Washington
counties.
21st Oregon and Washington Eldership. — The church at Payette, Idaho, made
overtures to be received into the Oregon and Washington Eldership; but adverse
action was taken until "they get their trouble settled." There were other rea-
sons also, and so the Clerk was authorized "to write to the church at Payette and
explain the cause of our taking the above action." The session was held at
Squamish Harbor, Wash., and opened on Thursday, August 18, 1910. On the
previous evening AV. Adams delivered the Opening Sermon. During Wednesday,
the 17th, the Ministerial Association held its session. Eight ministers attended
the Eldership, and three delegates. R. A. Slyter was elected President; S. S. Kil-
mer, Clerk. The Eldership claimed to be "conscientious in the belief that God
has given a plain revelation of his will relative to the churches of God;" it
charged that "there are those who assume our name, and are openly opposing us
and hindering us in our work, and some of this class are members of Elderships,"
and hence it declared "that no Eldership should assign a work to a preacher who
is not loyal to the Eldership and all its Boards." The significance of this action
is veiled, and may have been "action" to be explained to the Payette church. The
Board of Missions was solicited to appoint a missionary in the State of Idaho, with
headquarters at Payette, and one in Oregon, with headquarters at Salem. The
ground for this request was "the pressing needs of the few churches" in the States
named. The condition of the work is revealed in the Report of the Stationing
Committee: "Florence Boyd to the church at Airlie and wherever opportunity
presents itself. W. E. Couch, Squamish Harbor and surroundings; A. Wilson to
preach wherever he chooses; J. L. McClanahan to look up the brethren in Douglass
county, Washington, and build up a church work there; W. Adams to all the terri-
tory between Tacoma, Wash., and the Columbia River." A. Wilson, a well-pre-
served man, and leader in this Eldership, entered the ministry in 1861, in Iowa.
He was now in his 77th year.
22nd Oregon and Washington Eldership.— There was considerable rejoicing
over conditions in the Oregon and Washington Eldership in 1911. "The spirit of
the Master was with us." "There was love from the first to the last of the meet-
ing." "The prospect is brighter for the future." "One of the brethren who went
out from us at Salem, two years ago, came back to the Eldership." "We re-
ceived the Certificates of" two "from the Free Church, and gave a license to one,
so that we are four stronger than we were." Thus the Eldership almost felt to
say that "the face of the sky was never so free and so fair." The Eldership con-
vened with the church at Squamish Harbor, near Shine, Wash., October 5, 1911.
The previous evening R. A. Slyter preached the Opening Sermon. He was elected
President; S. S. Kilmer, Clerk; H. Wood, Treasurer. The efforts to adjust the
troubles in Oregon and Washington, made by the Executive Board of the General
Eldership through a Commission of which A. C. Gamer was Chairman, were re-
ciprocated by the Eldership. It elected a committee to confer with said Commis-
sion. It also requested that the territory of the Eldership be divided, making the
State line between Oregon and Washington the boundary line." "A faithful man
of God" ended his career when "the sudden rending of the veil of clay" released
the spirit of W. E. Couch. His ministerial life was brief, as he was ordained by
the Oregon and Washington Eldership in 1908. He was a faithful laborer.
23rd Oregon and Washington Eldership. — As the Commission appointed to
restore unity and harmony between the divided forces in Oregon and Washington
did not possess authority to divide the territory into two Elderships, a petition to
that effect was agreed upon in 1912 addressed to the General Eldership in 1913.
This was done at the session of the Eldership which was held at Salem, Oregon,
beginning October 3rd. On the evening of October 2nd J. C. Caswell delivered the
Opening Sermon. S. P. Cresson was chosen President; W. H. Wilson, Clerk; J. H.
Boyd, Treasurer. There were echoes of the troubles which resulted in the division
The Okiahoma and Indian Te^rritory Eldership
729.
of the Eldership. The General Eldership was "appealed to to use its influence to
recover the money lost by this Eldership when the Church was divided." And
"A. Wilson was appointed a Committee of One to secure the money in the hands
of the Treasurer at the time of the organization of the Free Church of God."
Lengthy resolutions were adopted, "censuring our Chief Executive for appointing
Roman Catholics to high positions in our Government." And yet it was conceded,
that the man who was destined to leave the White House and the one selected to-
take his place and assume the awful responsibilities of the national Executive were
of the best type of Americans. They think and act in terms of a pure and dis-
interested patriotism. The license system was vigorously denounced, while the
Governor of the State was complimented because of his strenuous efforts and per-
sistent crusade against vice of every description. Leaving Salem, Oregon, to be
supplied by the Standing Committee, and naming A. Wilson as Eldership Mission-
ary, the Eldership m.ade appointments to four fields of labor. R. A, Slyter was ap-
pointed General Worker, and F. Boyd and J. C. Caswell to labor "where oppor-
tunity offers." While the session was "characterized by a feeling of peace and
harmony," the facts fail to reveal a hopeful condition of the work.
XX. THE OKLAHOMA AND INDIAN TERRITORY ELDERSHIP.
1st Oklahoma and Indian Territoi-y Eldership. — The gratifying compensation
of the largely fruitless labors, hardships and trials of B, Ober and E. Marple, the
first missionaries to Texas, was always found by them in the extension of their mis-
E. M. Kirkpatrick.
sion northward. Marple states, that "from the Texas mission field the first
churches of God were planted in Arkansas, and thence into Missouri, and Indian
Territory, and Oklahoma, which is now the Oklahoma Eldership." And Ober says:
"The first preaching that was done by any minister of the Church of God In our
part of Oklahoma [Custer county] was by me. The next minister that preached
here was E. Marple; and the next, G. T. Bell, who organized some churches at some
of my appointments." But the Kansas Eldership began work in the northern parts
of Oklahoma. A strip of 50 miles south of the State line was included in the terri-
tory of the Kansas Eldership. The Oklahoma territory includes now the two Terri-
tories of Oklahoma and Indian, as the State of Oklahoma, being bounded on the east
by Missouri and Arkansas, on the south by Texas, on the west by Texfs and New
Mexico, and on the north by Kansas. However, neither of these three ministers was
a member of the first Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership, which was called
to meet at Lone Oak, Cherokee Nation, Ind. Ter., November 16, 1892. As this is
near Sallisaw Station, it was in what then was known as District 11, in the easte'-n-
central part of the Territory. The call for this "first Annual Eldership of the
Church of God in the Indian Territory" was issued by E. M. Kirkpatrick, "General
730 HisTOLv a\' THE Ciii'Kciirs or Gop
Missionary in the Cherokee Nation." Five ministers were present, viz: J. W.
Brown, J. D, Shoemake, E. M. Kirkpatrick, R. I). Duncan and D. H. Hale. Also
D. Jeffei-ies and Geo, W. Kirk, "deacons and delegates." Shoemake was made
temporary Chairman, and Brown, temporary Clerk. An election for permanent
officers resulted in the choice of E. M. Kirkpatrick, Speaker; J. W. Brown, Clerk,
and J. C. Caswell, Treasurer. Kirkpatrick delivered "the introductory sermon"
after the organization. He was also elected delegate to the General Eldership in
189 3, and Caswell, alternate. There were three fields of labor, with appointees as
follows: Honey Hill, Sallisaw, Hanson and Breedlove, R. D. Duncan; Schinn
School-house, Standing Rock, Mt. Nebo, Shoemake School-house and Mountain
Grove, J. D. Shoemake, with J. F. Summitt as Assistant; Camp Creek, Mt. Zion,
Muldrow and Little Lees Creek, D. H, Hale. J. W. Riddle was received as a mem-
ber of the Eldership. Each minister was required to collect and pay to the Treas-
urer the sum of $5.00 per annum; also twenty-five cents from each member for an
Eldership fund. A Constitution and By-Laws were drafted and adopted. The
Standing Committee of the Texas, Arkansas and Indian Territory Eldership being
informed of the organization of the new Eldership relinquished its claim, January
17, 1893, to the Indian Territory, and declared that thereafter its title would be
"The Texas and Arkansas Eldership of the Church of God."
E. M. Kii'kpatrick, Speaker of the first Oklahoma and Indian Territory Elder-
ship, was first licensed by the Texas and Arkansas Eldership, in 1884. He was
then a member of the church at Happy Hollow, Ind. Ter., and was enrolled among
the "ruling elders and delegates." That he was a man of more than common
powers and culture is indicated by his title as "Professor," and also by the promi-
nent positions which he filled and the active part he took in the deliberations. He
was elected Secretary of the Eldership, and was Chairman of the Committee on
Resolutions. He did not take an appointment in 1884; but in 1885 he was ap-
pointed to Lee's Creek circuit, including his home church. He was made a mem-
ber of the Standing Committee, and was appointed to preach one of the 11 a. m.
sermons during the session. In 1886 and 1887 he was in the active work. At
the Eldership in 18 88 he preached the Opening Sermon, and was chosen President
of the Eldership, and again in 1890. He was not only a "rising man," but a leader
in his Eldership, having natural talents for leadership. In 1891 he was again
elected President, and also in 1892. And a little later the Oklahoma and Indian
Territory Eldership was convened to hold its first session, he was the logical choice
for President. He gave good satisfaction in this official position, and was a worthy
and able representative of his Eldership.
2nd Oklahoma and Indian Tenitory Eldership. — At the General Eldership in
June, 1893, the Report of the Committee on Boundaries was adopted, which stated,
that "brethren of Texas and Indian Territory have organized themselves into an
Eldership, and ask that they be recognized as a separate Eldership to be known
as the Indian Territory and Oklahoma Eldership," and recommended that "this
request be granted, and that the boundaries of this Eldership be the boundary
lines of Indian and Oklahoma Territories." Having thus acquired a constitutional
and legal status, the Eldership was called to meet at Mt. Nebo, Cherokee Nation,
Ind. Ter., September 26, 1893. J. C. Caswell preached the Opening Sermon. The
officers chosen were R. D. Duncan, President; J. D. Shoemake, Clerk, and J. C. Cas-
well, Treasurer. The question of the continuance of licenses was discussed, and
the decision reached was that "all ministers holding licenses under the Eldership
be recognized good until called in question by disorderly conduct." Presumably
for this reason, at the next sitting the license of one minister was "discontinued
and his name dropped from the Roll." Eight ministers reported, and fifteen
churches. It was voted as "the opinion of this body, that the scriptural mode of
ordination is by prayer and the laying on of hands." There were six circuits, to
each of which one minister was assigned.
3rd Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership. — There had been no formal
deliverance on the question of the right of deacons to membership in the Elder-
ship; but such right had sometimes been conceded, putting them on an equality
with ruling elders. None was enrolled in 1894, when, on October 25th, the Elder-
ship was constituted at Mt. Zion, Cherokee Nation, Ind. Ter. After electing E. M.
Kirkpatrick, President; C. H. Ballinger, Clerk, and C. Bnindage, Assistant Clerk,
J. W. Riddle delivered the Introductory Sermon at 11 a. m., from II. Tim. iii. 1. Six
teaching elders were present, three ruling elders and one delegate. A sermon was
preached each morning at 11 o'clock, and in the evening. The President appointed
The Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership 731
all committees, including the Stationing and the Standing Committees. Reports of
churches were received and carefully considered, with appropriate action. There
was "some confusion within the bounds of the Eldership relative to the purpose
or design of baptism," when the Eldership declared its unanimous view to be, "that
water baptism is not in order to the remission of sins, but because of the remis-
sion of sins, and that no one has a right to participate in baptism, only those who
have been regenerated and born of the Spirit." The agitation in print of "the
right of sinners to pray" had also been taken up by some of the churches, and so
the Eldership expressed its conviction, "that the duty of prayer is with the chil-
dren of God; but the privilege of prayer is extended to any person, and that the
whole world is the subject of the church's prayers." The Stationing Committee
made appointments to six circuits, naming eleven churches.
4th Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership. — The fourth Annual Eldership
in Oklahoma and Indian Territory was anticipated as "a meeting of importance."
It was held with the church at Elm Grove, on the Arkansas river, Cherokee Nation,
Ind. Ter., and began September 4, 1895. R. D. Duncan preached the Introductory
Sermon. The forecast touching the special importance of the session did not pro-
duce the desired results, for only eight of the twenty-one ministers were present,
with four ruling elders and four deacons. An election for officers resulted in the
choice of J. C. Caswell, President; J. D. Shoemake, Vice President; C. H. Matthews,
Clerk, and J. M. Benson, Assistant Clerk. To secure funds, each pastor was re-
quired to collect the sum of $5.00. Churches were all to report annually to the
Eldership, giving spiritual condition, number of members and financial ability.
Eleven reported this year. There were eight fields of labor, all supplied with
pastors. Other ministers were admonished to be active missionaries, "working
their own fields of labor." A Board of Incorporation was appointed by the Stand-
ing Committee, and property interests were referred to it. One of the first churches
organized in the Indian Territory had become extinct, the one at Sillisaw, Flint
District, and the Board of Incorporation was "authorized to sell said house, and
turn over the proceeds to the Treasurer of the Eldership."
5th Oklahoma and Indian Tenitory Eldership, — The importance of protecting
the moral character of a religious body by holding its members amenable for their
official and moral conduct is everywhere recognized. But so do the members need
protection against false accusations and hasty official action. In not a few in-
stances has this principle been overlooked. In March, 1896, the Standing Com-
mittee of the Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership declared the license of one
of the most prominent and able ministers of the body "null and void, until he ex-
onerates himself before the Standing Committee." "When the Eldership convened
the case was recommitted to the Committee, which upon investigation "found the
brother not guilty." The session was held at Standing Rock, Cherokee Nation,
Canadian District, September 15, 189 6. E. M. Kirkpatrick delivered the Opening
Sermon. The membership consisted of nine teaching elders, seven ruling elders,
five deacons and five delegates. The work had prospered, so that the Eldership
received nine churches. These were located in the Choctaw, the Creek and the
•Cherokee Nations. E. M. Kirkpatrick, delegate to the General Eldership in May,
1896, gave his report, "which was highly endorsed by the Eldership." He was the
President of the Eldership; K. A. Wallace, Assistant; C. H. Mathews, Clerk, and J.
W. Brown, Assistant, and J. D. Shoemake, Treasurer. The Eldership deemed it
advisable to have two Standing Committees — one for Oklahoma, and one for Indian
Territory. Relatively weak and poor, the Eldership felt under obligation to pay
its assessments to the General Eldership, and immediate steps were determined
upon for that purpose. The territory was divided into nine circuits, and to each a
minister was assigned, while seven ministers "were allowed to choose their own
fields of labor."
6th Oklahoma and Indian Tenitory Eldership. — A Board of Incorporation was
appointed in 1894, but the Eldership had not been incorporated, so that it had no
legal status. Hence, in 1897, the Standing Committee for Oklahoma was "author-
ized to draft Articles of Incorporation, and also to act in the capacity of a Board
of Incorporation." The Eldership held its session with the church at Star School-
house, Lincoln county, Oklahoma, beginning October 6, 1897. Twelve ministers
were enrolled, and five more were received on Transfer, and a Free Baptist min-
ister was licensed. J. D. Shoemake was elected President; C. Binindase, Vice
President; J. AV. BroAvn, Clerk, and J. R. Montgomery, Assistant. At 11 o'clock
a. m., each day the Eldership adjourned to listen to a sermon. The eight fields of
732 History op the Churches of God
labor had seventeen preaching points indicated by the Stationing Committee^
Church extension work was to be zealously pushed by all the ministers, and min-
isters unassigned were advised to select fields of labor and devote their time to
building them up. In addition two evangelists were appointed, one for the Indian
Territory and one for Oklahoma. Pour things were specifically enjoined on the
ministers: First. To teach total abstinence from the use of ardent spirits as a
beverage. Second. To follow the teachings of the Apostles strictly in all their
preaching and organizing churches. Third. To use their influence to circulate
The Church Advocate and other literature of the Church. Fourth. To strive more
extensively to co-operate with each other, and each one to teach the necessity of
supporting the ministry. Though the funds were very limited, the Treasurer, J. D.
Shoemake, who was re-elected, gave a careful account of moneys received and
disbursed.
7th Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership. — It would seem next to in-
credible that at so early a period in the history of an Eldership any part of it.
should become so corrupt as to need special "cleansing." Something to this effect
was implied in the resolution of 1897 — strictly to follow the teaching of the
Apostles. Yet this might anticipate. But when a year later three ministers of
experience and ability were appointed "with special Instructions that they cleanse
the work in Oklahoma," it is more than an implication that conditions were
serious. This action was taken at the session held in the Missionary Baptist house
of worship, at Sallisaw, District No. 11, Indian Territory, which began November
23, 1898. The membership present was small, there being present four min-
isters, three elders, one deacon and one delegate. The spirit of non-co-operation,
non-organization and independence had so affected the work in Oklahoma that that
part of the territory was not represented, and when the Stationing Committee re-
ported it only supplied the fields in the Indian Territory — four circuits. J, H.
Cruniitt was chosen President; E. M, Kirkpatrick, Clerk, and J. D. Shoemake,
Treasurer. The license of one minister was "revoked," and one name added to
the Ministerial Roll. The need of a missionary well enough supported to devote all
his time to the work was voiced in an action asking the General Eldership Board
of Missions to appoint E. M. Kirkpatrick missionary to the Indian Territory, with
an appropriation of $400.00. The matter of organizing Woman's Missionary socie-
ties was favorably considered.
8th Oklahoma and Indian Ten-itory Eldei-ship. — Only surface indications of
the work of "cleansing" the Oklahoma part of the Eldership were given to the
public. A better and more sanguine spirit was realized in 1899, when the Elder-
ship met at Shady Grove, Sans Bois county, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, Oc-
tober 18th. There was well-sustained interest to the close of the session, when
the ministers returned to their homes and fields of labor much revived. The dual
Standing Committees were continued, without any special instructions. The
officers were J. D. Shoemake, President and Treasurer, and C. W. Ballinger, Clerk.
The Life Certificates adopted by the General Eldership were issued to the ministers.
The earnest labors of the ministers and churches during the year 189 8-9 bore a
good measure of fruit. The Stationing Committee, supplemented by the acts of
the Oklahoma Standing Committee, created and supplied ten fields of labor.
9th Oklahoma and Indian Territoi-y Eldership. — A disposition to co-operate
loyally with the General Eldership always characterized the ministry of the Okla-
home and Indian Territory. This sentiment was strengthened by the interest
which the higher body manifested in the success and enlargement of the work in
this fertile territory. Interests being mutual, co-operation was natural. This was
again manifested at the session held at Salt Creek School-house, near Stroud, Okla-
homa, beginning September 4, 1900. The Opening Sermon was preached by J. C.
Caswell, from Matt. xvi. 18, who was elected Chairman. The other officers were
G. T. Bell, Assistant Chairman; C. H. Ballinger, Clerk; J. A. Montgomery, Assistant
Clerk. A new Constitution and By-Laws were adopted. Funds of all kinds were
very limited, yet the Treasurer, J. D. Shoemake, made a report, and was re-elected.
The Clerk was to ascertain the indebtedness of the Eldership, notify the pastors,
who were to inform the deacons, whose duty it was made "to collect said amount
and turn the same over to the Eldership Treasurer, who was to turn all such money
over to the Treasurer of the Board of Missions of the General Eldership." J. D.
Shoemake was recommended to the General Eldership Board of Missions as Mis-
sionary in Oklahoma. Four of the oldest ministers of the body received the Life
Certificates of Ordination. "Charges for preaching heresy, and some other things"
were preferred against one minister, and his "license was revoked and his name
The Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership 733
dropped from the Roll." A Standing Committee was appointed for Oklahoma, and
one for the Indian Territory "to transact business until the meeting of the next
Eldership." There were nine fields of labor, the largest having four appoint-
ments. There were fine opportunities for enlargement, so that each minister un-
assigned was advised "to select his own field of labor." But no support was pro-
vided for.
10th Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership. — A fair measure of success fol-
lowed the Eldership of 1900. At least three new churches were ready "to come
under the protection of the Eldership and be received" in 1901. One was located
at Duck Creek school-house, near Mounds, Creek Nation, Ind. Ter.; one at Fair
View, Okla. Ter., and one at Harmony Grove, Cherokee Nation, Ind. Ter. These
were received by the Eldership during its annual session held at Bethel School-
house (originally Valley Grove), near Shaunee, Oklahoma, beginning September
3, 1901. The Eldership remained in session until Friday evening, September 6th.
G. T. Bell was elected Speaker; C. H. Ballinger, Clerk; D. J. Philbin, Treasurer.
Three annual collections were ordered at each church, one being for the General
Eldership Missionary Fund. The ministers were required to bring in each year
"a written report to the Eldership of all moneys received for salary during the Eld-
ership year." A Board of Missions was authorized. B. Ober, the oldest member
of the Eldership, was incessant in his demands that the Eldership be faithful to all
its obligations. "We are not worthy to be called an Eldership," he said, "if we
pay no attention to the financial department of the Church." In addition to the
appointment of J. D. Shoemake as Missionary in the Indian Territory, there were
five other ministers assigned to fields of labor.
11th Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership. — C. Brundage, a member of
the Eldership, had located in Manitoba, Dominion of Canada, at Swan River; but
had forfeited his license. He availed himself of the session of 1902 to "ask pardon
and requested to be restored, which was granted." The session was held with the
church at Harmony Grove School-house, Cherokee Nation, Ind. Ter., beginning Sep-
tember 16, 1902. The previous evening E. M. Kirkpatrick delivered the Opening
Sermon, from Acts xx. 28. The officials of the Eldership were: Speaker, S. B.
Moore; Clerk, C H. Ballinger; Treasurer, D. J. Philbin. Dissatisfied with the
boundary line between the Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership and the
Kansas Eldership, the General Eldership was by unanimous vote requested to re-
scind its action taken in June, 1902. This action was prompted by a request from
E. M. Hickman for a Transfer for himself and the church at Glade school-house,
of which he was pastor, to the Kansas Eldership. Earnest action was taken on the
subject of mission work. Each minister was required "to teach and do all he can
to get up an interest in this work, and to show the brethren the necessity of such
"work, and the good there is done through such work, and to urge them to give to
the support of this work." J. W. Burns, of the Arkansas Eldership, had labored
in the Choctaw Nation, and organized two churches, which were received, and his
Transfer accepted. C. H. Ballinger was recommended to the General Board of
Missions as missionary in south-eastern Oklahoma, and L. Teel, for the Indian
Territory. The church at Leedy, Okla., organized by H. W. Allen, was received
into the Eldership. O. A. Newlin was present in the interest of Ft. Scott Institute,
Ft. Scott, Kansas. The Eldership seal had been purchased, and every Certificate
of Ordination was to have it affixed to make it valid. There were four circuits.
12th Oklahoma and Indian Ten'itory Eldership. — The Eldership year 1902-3
was one of special activity of an official character. The Indian Territory Standing
Committee, on October 25, 1902, met at South Bethel, near Bragg, Ind. Ter., and
after rearranging part of the work of the Stationing Committee, acted on the ques-
tion of "purchasing a tabernacle for holding meetings." A favorable decision was
reached, and it was ordered that funds be raised and a tabernacle bought for use
in the Indian Territory. Cash was at once raised to the amount of $43.00. The
matter was placed in the hands of E. M. Kirkpatrick and George liirk. The
Speaker of "the Eldership of the Indian Territory called the general body together
to transact some special business, on February 14, 1903, at Harmony Grove School-
liouse, Cherokee Nation, Ind. Ter., as the Standing Committee is unorganized."
The main business transacted related to charges against one of the members of the
Standing Committee, and against another minister by the Committee. Investiga-
tion in the former case resulted in "no charges being preferred." In the latter,
being guilty of "falsehood and disorderly walk," the "Certificate of Ordination was
called in." The regular session was held with the church at Martin's School-
734 History of the Churches of Gou
house, Choctaw Nation, Ind. Ter., and opened on Tuesday, September 1, 1903. The
Annual Sermon was delivered by F. C. Buchanan, after which S. B. Moore was
elected President; C. H. Ballinger, Clerk; D. J. Philbin, Treasurer. Not only did
the Eldership ratify the action taken in calling in the Certificate of Ordination of
F. N. Nedeau, by the extra meeting of the Indian Territory part of the Eldership
on February 14th; but it sustained charges of heretical teaching against J. AV. Gil-
bert, and withheld his license. The usual two Standing Committees were ap-
pointed, one for Oklahoma, and one for Indian Territory. Richard Martin, after
being granted a Certificate of Ordination, was "elected by the Eldership to look
after its church property lying in the bounds of the Eldership." If ministers failed
to collect assessments, "they shall pay said assessments at their own expense."
13th Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership. — A belated discussion of Eld-
ership titles occurred at the session of the Oklahoma and Indian Territory Elder-
ship in 1904. It had been debated before, but was brought up again in anticipa-
tion of "being an issue at the General Eldership in 1905." It was resolved that
"we consider the term 'Eldership' a biblical term," and so the "delegates to the
next General Eldership were recommended to cast their votes for the time-honored
title 'Eldership.' " The Eldership convened with the church at South Bethel, three
miles south of Braggs, Cherokee Nation, Ind. Ter., on Tuesday, September 20,
1904. It was the largest of the thirteen annual sessions, with the "best prospects
ever witnessed." The Opening Sermon was delivered by C. H. Ballinger, who was
elected Clerk, and J. W. Bums, President, and D. J. Philbin, Treasurer. Three
newly-organized churches in Oklahoma, and two in the Indian Territory '"were re-
ceived and recognized by the Eldership." Some confusion again arose over the
artificial boundary line between this Eldership and that of Kansas, as the church
at Falrview, of which F. C. Buchanan was pastor, "after investigation was found
to be in the bounds of the Kansas Eldership." Ft. Scott Institute was represented
at the session by AV. E. Kelly, and was endorsed, with Findlay College, in forcible
resolutions. Three missionaries had been partly supported in the territory of this
Eldership by the General Board of Missions. There were ten fields of labor, all
supplied with ministers of whose capacity and earnestness, their high character and
trustworthiness the Eldership had no doubt. In various sections there was a de-
pided sentiment in favor of the churches of God as a body.
14th Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldei"ship. — As the territory of the Okla-
homa and Indian Territory Eldership was very large, the attendance at the annual
sessions was comparatively small. For the same reason the work was so divided
that the sessions were much like the joint meetings of two bodies. And the busi-
pess between sessions was transacted by two Standing Committees. In 1905 the
Eldership met near the center of the territory, at Fairview, Pottawatomie county,
October 12th, J. AV. Bums having preached the Opening Sermon the previous even-
ing. The officers elected were H. W. Allen, President; C. H. Ballinger, Clerk; D. J.
Philbin, Treasurer. Two Standing Committees were elected, one for Oklahoma,
and one for the Indian Territory. The financial question was one of the most dif-
ficult that the Eldership had to handle. After a dispassionate consideration of it. it
was decided that two of the ministers should be "selected to travel and talk and
work up the interest of finance in this Eldership." H. AA'. Allen was chosen for
Oklahoma, and C. H. Ballinger, for the Indian Territory. Each of them, however,
had also a charge. The "names of two ministers were dropped from the Min-
isterial Roll" because they failed to report. Three ministers were placed on the
Superannuated list. E. Marple, who lived within the territory of the Eldership,
but was a member of the Texas and Arkansas Eldership, was present and rendered
service which was heartily appreciated. There was much interest in the sittings,
and the ministers "were revived and encouraged." There were nine fields of labor,
to four of which the Board of Missions of the General Eldership had either ap-
pointed men, or was asked to assist in their support.
15th Oklahoma and Indian Teerritory Eldership. — Occasionally an Eldership
would do things in violation of the General Eldership Constitution, because the
provisions of said instrument were overlooked. This was the case in 1905
when the title of the Eldership was changed to read "Oklahoma Eldership of the
Churches of God." But on information, the action was treated as of no effect.
The Eldership convened at Sunshine, Dewey county, Okla.. August 30th. H. AV.
Allen preached the Opening Sermon. He was re-elected President; J. AV. Burns,
Clerk; J. D. Philbin, Treasurer. There were present seven teaching elders, four
ruling elders, five deacons and five delegates, all full members. Three new
"churches were received into the Eldership." The names of five ministers were
The Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership 735
"dropped from the Ministerial Roll" because they failed to report; but they could
be "reinstated as the Constitution and By-Laws provide." The Financial Agent
for .Oklahoma, appointed the previous year, made "an encouraging report," and J.
H. Ciuiiming's was elected for the ensuing year. Upon recommendation of the
Committee on Missions, the Eldership proceeded to organize a Woman's Missionary
Society by electing Martha L. Hickman, President; Hannah McGrevv, Vice Presi-
dent; Biilah Carter, Secretary; Mary Allen, Treasurer, and Martha L. Hicknian,
General Organizer. Provision was made by an amendment to the Constitution for
one Standing Committee of five members. The territory for mission work was
divided into Eastern, Central and Western Oklahoma mission fields. Besides
these, but two other appointments were made, and "all churches unsupplied to
apply to the Standing Committee."
16th Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership. — Providence favored the Eld-
ership as to the health and lives of its ministers. But during the year 1906-7, one
of the faithful and zealous workers verified Richter's thought: "What withers on
earth blooms again is heaven." J. F. Summit, ordained by the Texas and Arkan-
sas Eldership in 1891, was appointed to a charge, with J. D. Shoemake, at the first
Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership, in 1892. During these twenty-five
years he lived in the esteem and affection of his fellow-ministers. And in their
bereavement their trust in God prevented the thought why "the skies should have
such a surplusage of virtue, and the earth a deficit." Yet they mourned the loss:
of so much that was virtuous and noble. Thus in somber mood the Eldership con^-
vened with the church at Garden Grove, near the line between Pottawatomie and
Lincoln counties, Okla., Thursday morning, October 17, 1907. On the previous-
evening H. W. Allen delivered the Opening Sermon. The organization was effected
by the election of the venerable B. Ober, President; J. \V. Bums, Clerk; D. J.
Philbin, Treasurer. Thirteen ministers were enrolled. Anticipating the admis-
sion of the two Territories as one State in the Union, the boundary lines of the new
State were declared "to be the boundary lines of this Eldership." To provide for
a Superannuated Ministers' and Widows' "Fund each minister was required to pay
$1.00 annually and take one collection annually" for said Fund. Each member of
the churches was requested to pay 25 cents annually as a Home Mission Fund.
17th Oklahoma and Indian Tenitoi-y Eldership. — On Saturday evening before-
the convening of the Eldership in 19 08, the Eldership had directed that the session
of the Ministerial Association should begin. This gave the Sabbath for preaching^
and three days for the discussion of topics on the program. The place selected
was Palestine, Pittsburg county, Okla., September 3, 1908. The previous evening^
B. Ober delivered the Opening Sermon. Nine teaching elders, five ruling elders
and one deacon were enrolled as members. Four new churches were reported and
placed on the Roll. The reports indicated that the Church of God in the State "is-
growing in strength and favor." To secure the co-operation of "the churches on-
the fifty-mile strip of Oklahoma which is part of the Kansas Eldership, and to con-
fer with the Kansas Eldership with a view of obtaining the territory, which was
once a part of this Eldership," C. H. Ballinger was elected the representative of
the Eldership to visit the said churches and the Kansas Eldership. The mission
work in the Eldership was in good condition. Moderate in sentiment relative to-
the cause of temperance, the Eldership declared it to be "the duty of every Chris-
tian to abstain from intoxicating drinks, and to teach others by word and action to-
abstain from all drunkenness." A "helping hand" was to be given "to destroy
and drive out the curse of intemperance from our midst." A memorial was also
addressed to the Governor endorsing the efforts making to suppress the sale of in-
toxicants. The W. G. M. S. of 1903 was approved, "with the prayer that all an-
tagonism between contending parties may be put down." Leaving the "mission
fields to the misisonaries as appointed by the General Board of Missions." the
Eldership appointed pastors to six other fields. Change of name and boundaries-
was referred to the General Eldership in 1909.
18th Oklahoma Eldership. — The petition for change of name and boundaries
addressed to the General Eldership having been granted, the body met in 1909 as
the Oklahoma Eldership, with its boundaries coterminous with those of the State.
This action brought into the Eldership by transfer from the Kansas Eldership J.
W. Bloyd and F. C. Melson. The session was held at Fair View, Pottawatomie
county, Okla., and began September 25, 1909. The Eldership was organized by
the election of J. W. Bums, President; C. H. Ballinger, Clerk; D. J. Philbin, Treas-
urer. After the organization the Opening Sermon was preached by H. AV. Allen^
73^ History of the Churches of God
from John xix. 30. Appreciating the work done within the boundaries of the
Oklahoma Eldership by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership, it was de-
•clared that the "missionary interests are in a healthy condition," and "the various
churches were recommended to urge the interests of the W. M. S. and effect or-
ganizations as soon as possible." All ministers were required to make quarterly
reports to the Chairman of the Standing Committee. "The churches were required
at once to report the number of members they have on the Roll." Appointments
-were made to six charges.
19th Oklahoma Eldei-ship. — A Constitution with some new provisions was pre-
pared and adopted at the session in 1910. The title of the body is the Oklahoma
Eldership. The boundaries are the geographical territory of the State. The mem-
l)ership to consist of all ministers having a license from the Oklahoma Eldership,
together with all the ruling elders of the respective churches of the Eldership, one
elder for the first ten members or fraction thereof, two for 2 0 or between 15 and
20; also an equal number of lay delegates, all of which are to have equal rights in
the transaction of the business of the Eldership. An annual meeting is to be held
on "Wednesday on or before the full moon in the month selected by the Eldership,
and the Opening Sermon shall be preached immediately after the organization."
"Three members constitute the Standing Committee. A Board of Trustees, a Board
of Missions, a Stationing Committee and a Judiciary Committee were provided for.
Under this Constitution the Eldership convened with the church at Mount Pleasant,
Major county, Wednesday morning, October 12, 1910. After devotional services,
E. M. Hickman was elected President; C. H. Ballinger, Clerk; D. J. Philbin, Treas-
urer. The Opening Sermon was then delivered by J. R. Montgomery. The pres-
ence of C. Manchester, Principal of Fort Scott Collegiate Institute, was sincerely
appreciated. Collegiate Institute Day was approved. The Eldership also "re-
joiced in the progress made in securing funds to meet the Carnegie proposition,
and pledged co-operation with President Brown in this important work." The
Eldership lamented "the disposition in many places to compromise our spirituality
for a form of godliness." It declared that it "will cling to the old-time religion,
genuine salvation." That there has been too much yielding to compromise, and
that the Eldership will insist that the ministers "preach the doctrine more fully,
leaving none in doubt as to where we stand." They would not appeal to the
passions and the pride of men, but to the reason. There was some implication of
■criticism in the expressed belief that the Board of Missions should give "a more
liberal support to a good man in a limited field, rather than small appropriations
over a widely extended field." There were now thirteen fields, but two were not
supplied. A. J. Hill was the General Evangelist.
20th Oklahoma Eldership. — A well-attended Eldership session was held in
1911, and one of special interest, to which several things contributed. It was held
^ith the church at Bartlesville, Okla., the largest church in the largest town in
which there was a church of God organization, and located in the fifty-mile strip
which had been part of the Kansas Eldership territory. The date of the opening
of the session was October 4, 1911. C. Manchester, Fort Scott Collegiate Insti-
tute, Kans., gave valuable assistance in the negotiations with T. C. Ferguson, pastor
■of a Free-Will Baptist church, who was present to make overtures looking toward
union of the churches of God and the Free-Will Baptist churches in Oklahoma. A.
^. Hill, J. D. Henson and J. W. Bloyd were the committee to which the proposition
was submitted, and Manchester was requested to serve with this Committee. The
scope of the negotiations was widened so as to include the churches in "Texas and
the West." The conclusion reached with Ferguson was to "recommend that every-
thing be done that can be done to bring the two bodies into closer relationship;
that the time has [not] come for organic union, but that they ought to work more
together in the future than they have in the past, hoping and praying that this will
lead in the near future to the organic union of the two bodies." It was further
decided that Manchester should attend "the Free-Will Baptist Association that
meets Thursday before the third Sunday in October, near Liberal, Mo., and that
this Eldership send a corresponding messenger to attend the Free-Will Baptist
Convention that meets at Bruceville, Texas, Thursday before the fourth Sunday in
November." A free exchange of preachers and members between the two bodies
was to be encouraged. Manchester was also authorized to represent the Eldership
at the Free-Will Baptist Convention at Bruceville, Texas. There were at this time
twenty-three names on the Oklahoma Eldership Roll of Ministers, and thirty-one
on the Roll of the Free-Will Baptist Roll. Fourteen ministers attended the Elder-
The West Virginia EivDe:rship, South 737
ship, two ruling elders and seven delegates, three of which were women. The
President was H. W. Allen; Clerk, J. W. Bumes; Financial Clerk, J. D. Henson;
Treasurer, D. J. Philbin. The Constitution was changed so as to provide that "the
Eldership meet on Sunday on or before full moon in the month selected by the Eld-
ership," the Opening Sermon to be delivered at 11 a. m., and the business session
to begin the Monday following, at 9 a. m. The total amount received by the
Treasurer was $63.20. The state of religion was reported to be "good, as there
seems to have been a veritable wave sweeping over the country during the past
year." One sermon a year was recommended to be preached by the ministers on
total abstinence from all alcoholic liquors as a beverage. And the assistance of
the body was promised "the officers of the State in the discharge of their duty in
executing the laws and Constitution of our State in reference to the whisky traffic."
The Eldership was grief-stricken at the sudden death of B. Ober, aged nearly 88
years. His death had occurred September 26, 1911, eight days before the Elder-
ship convened. Born in Pennsylvania in 1823, he began his ministerial labors
when about twenty-two years of age. During the last six months of his life he had
preached eighty-seven sermons, preaching his last sermon two days prior to his
going to the other side of the river.
21st Oklahoma Eldership. — The proposition submitted in 1911, to "amend
the Constitution so as to provide that the deacons be members of this Eldership by
virtue of their office," had been deferred until the Eldership in 1912. But in 1912
it "was referred, without prejudice on either side, to the General Eldership of
1913, for said Eldership to define our rights regarding said question." As per
action in 1911, the Eldership convened with the church at Tlussellville, on Sabbath,
July 21, 1912, and listened to the Opening Sermon by H. W. Allen. On Monday
morning Allen was elected President; J. W. Bums, Clerk; D. J. Philbin, Treasurer.
It was one of the most harmonious sessions many of the members had ever at-
tended, making a most favorable impression on members of other religious bodies
which were present. The various publications of the General Eldership were com-
mended, as was the work of W. G. M. S. of the same. Incisive resolutions were
adopted relative to the Roman Catholic Church, calling it "a formidable monster,"
and declaring that it "would thwart governments and destroy our public school
system." It believed "it is time our State should demand that all Convent schools
and secret institutions of the Catholic Church should be thrown open to inspection
by a board appointed by the Governor at least once a year." The Mormon Church
the Eldership believed to be "equally as detrimental to our free government, and
a stigma on the cause of Christ." The Standing Committee consisted of J. D. Hen-
son, J. W. Burns and H. W. Allen. The Eldership Tabernacle was placed in charge
of A. J. Hill, who was re-elected State Evangelist. Five ministers were appointed
by the General Eldership Board of Missions, and endorsed by the Oklahoma Elder-
ship. J. D. Henson was also appointed State Evangelist, and eleven other min-
isters were assigned to charges.
XXI. THE WEST VIRGINIA ELDERSHIP, SOUTH.
As early as 1885, when the work was in its incipiency in the territory later
included in the West Virginia Eldership, South, the distance to the annual sessions
of the West Virginia Eldership, North, was often so great as to hinder these min-
isters and delegates from attending, and a disposition was manifested to organize
another Eldership. Mission work had been begun there by W. J. Davis, then of
the West Pennsylvania Eldership, who succeeded in organizing one church in
Roane county, one in Putnam county and several in Jackson county. He was suc-
ceeded by Ij. F. Muway, who also had considerable success. Then came T. Woods,
under whose labors the work was extended into Fayette, Raleigh, Summers and
Kanawha counties, embracing altogether a succession of counties from Jackson, on
the Ohio River, to Summers, near the boundary line of Virginia. Churches were
organized in all these counties, and men were being called into the min-
istry who were still less disposed to travel as far as 200 miles to an Annual
Eldership. It was hence determined to make an effort to organize a new
Eldership. To do this in an orderly manner the matter was brought before the
West Virginia Eldership, North, as its session held at Bellaire, Ohio, 1894. Said
body agreed to divide the territory until the meeting of the General Eldership in
C. H.— 25
738
History of the Churches of God
189 6. The titles of the two Elderships were to be respectively the Northern, and
the Southern, West Virginia Eldership. The ministers laboring or living in the
territory of the new Eldership were to become members thereof, if they so desired.
The territory of the proposed Eldership was defined to consist of all of West Vir-
ginia south of the little Kanawha River, whose confluence with the Ohio River is
at Parkersburg. Fourteen ordained ministers of the Church of God were at this
time laboring or living within the territory of this Eldership.
As agreed upon, the new organization was to be "a temporary" one "until they
were chartered by the next Eldership." Nevertheless, it exercised all the functions
and assumed all the powers of a duly authorized Eldrship. The first meeting was
held in the Grandview Bethel, Putnam county, beginning October 26, 1894. The
following ministers were present: J. M. Allen, B. F. Cash, G. R. Felure, B. F.
Howell, W. C. Leonard,. H, W. Marty, J. F. McDonnan, L. F. Murray, R. L. Work-
man and G. M. Virgin. Living in the territory, but absent, were B. H. Bemam,
W. H. Browder, G. Silman and L. C. Tyree. The delegates were W. Y. Matthews,
R. Coalman, W. A. Higgabotham, J. A. Higgabotham, L. W. Matthews, Joseph Mur-
ray, Thomas Cooper, S. L. Falls, E. B. Bralham and E. Haning. An organization
was effected by the election of L. F. Murray, President; H. W. Marty, Clerk; W. C.
L. F. Murray.
Leonard, Financial Clerk, and R. Coalman, Treasurer. The Opening Sermon was
preached by J. M. Allen, from Ps. xlviii. 12, 13. Only the usual routine business
was transacted. A splendid spirit pervaded the body, and "love and harmony pre-
vailed throughout the entire meeting." The ministers were sanguine, and "full
of zeal and courage, and went to the fields assigned them with bright prospects of
doing much good." The territory was large, and the work was hard; .but the
horizon was luminous.
L. F. Murray, first Speaker, or President, of the West Virginia Eldership,
South, was a native of Westmoreland county, Pa., where he was born September
27, 1847. He was inured in early life to physical hardships and toil, receiving but
the rudiments of an English education. He was susceptible to religious influences,
though it was not until the Spring of 1877 that he united with the Church of God,
becoming a member of the church at Long Run, Greene county, Pa. His con-
victions that he was to become a herald of the gospel of the Son of man were al-
most simultaneous with his conversion, for in October of the same year, when the
West Pennsylvania Eldership held its annual session at Center Bethel (Alverton),
he was an applicant for license. His application was favorably considered; a
license was voted him, and he was formally ordained by John HidtemelL His call
The West Virginia Elde^rship, South 739
meant work. He asked for a charge. He was adapted to the mission field. And
though, not like Fletcher, who rejected the Parish of Durham, saying, "There is
too much money, and too little labor," Murray was to spend his early life in the
ministry on fields where work abounded, and pay was limited. His first field to
which he was assigned at the Eldership which ordained him was the Greene County
Mission, Pa., including Waynesburg, Dotysburg and Rough's Creek. The next
year he was sent to the West Virginia Mission, including the three counties of
Jackson, Roane and Putnam. Thence after two years he was appointed to Marshall
county, W. Va., which he served two years. Prom there he was removed to
Venango county. Pa., in the Congress Hill region. In 1884 he was elected one of
the lay delegates to the Wooster General Eldership. After serving this field two
years he spent one year on the Harmony circuit, Pa., and then was appointed to
West Newton, Westmoreland county. Pa., where he was pastor in 1887 when the
General Eldership held its session there. After servihg this station two years he
requested a Transfer to the West Virginia Eldership, and removed to Jackson
county, W. Va., where he spent ten years, and in 1890 he was President of the Eld-
ership, and Treasurer in 1891, as well as a member of the Standing Committee.
Knowing his zeal as a missionary and his executive ability, the Eldership gave him
charge of all the churches south of the Kanawha River. This position he held until
the organization of the West Virginia Eldership, South. In addition to being the
President of the Eldership, he was also Chairman of the Standing Committee. He
was a member of the first delegation sent by this Eldership to the General Elder-
ship. He filled well every office of trust and power, and had the confidence of
those who honored him.
2nd West A^irginia Eldership, South. — Every prospect for the progress of the
new Eldership was auspicious. The majority of the ministers were men of experi-
ence; the territory was not too large for eflicient co-operative work; the doctrines
of the church were favorably received, and the class of people among whom the
ministers labored were easily within the reach of a humble, devout and self-deny-
ing ministry. The year following the first Eldership was rewarded with a good
measure of success. As the General Eldership which was to grant the new Elder-
ship a charter did not meet until 1896, the body was as yet not fully habilitated
when it convened in its second annual session at Liberty, Putnam county, Sep-
tember 19, 1895. The membership consisted of eleven ministers, eleven delegates
and one exhorter. Five ministers and one exhorter were absent. An organization
was effected by the election of W. C. Leonard, Speaker; H. W. Marty, Clerk; W. H.
Browder, Financial Clerk, and R. Coalman, Treasurer. It also made choice of its
first delegates to the General Eldership, to meet at Harrisburg, Pa., in May, 1896,
to ask admission into the union of Elderships as represented in said body. These
were L. F. MuiTay, with B. H. Berman as alternate. Quite an interest developed
in the discussion of questions to be acted upon by the General Eldership. The de-
cision was unanimous against a change in the "name, style and title" of Elderships.
On the question of Life Certificates there were thirteen affirmative votes, and four
negative. The matter of a General Eldership Fund out of which to pay the expenses
of all delegates appealed strongly to the weaker Elderships, and those farthest re-
mote from the stronger churches with which said body generally met. And so on
this proposition the vote was sixteen ayes, and one nay. The meager salaries re-
ceived by the pastors is indicated by the "financial system" which was adopted.
This provided "that all ministers receiving $50.00 or more as salary shall collect
an amount of missionary money equal to four per cent. Those receiving less than
150.00 salary shall collect for missions an amount equal to four per cent, of
$50.00." The number of fields of labor was eleven, with forty preaching places.
Three of the ministers were appointed "General Evangelists, and to have mission-
ary privileges," the latter right being also granted to two of the pastors.
3rd West Virginia Eldership, South. — The prejudice against Constitutions had
passed before the West Virginia Eldership, South, was organized. At its first ses-
sion it adopted, with slight modifications, the Constitution of the West Virginia
Eldership, North, as its organic law, pending action by the General Eldership. At
the session in 1896 a committee was appointed to "draft Rules of Order." The
Eldership held its third session at Philo, beginning September 10, 1896. On the
evening of the 9th B. H. Bemam preached the Opening Sermon. There were
present eleven ministers, one exhorter and seven delegates. L. F. Murray was
elected President; H. W. Marty, Clerk; W .C. Leonard, Financial Clerk. While the.-
J74Q History of the Churches of God
religious condition was considered "encouraging, and the cause advanced during
the year beyond our expectations;" yet there was this discordant note, that four of
the ministers had united with other Churches, and the names of two others "were
dropped from the Roll." On temperance the action taken was temperate, "strictly
instructing our ministers to teach against intemperance, and to use their influence
against the use of intoxicating spirits as a beverage." The Standing Committee
was "impowered to receive ministers and their licenses from other Churches, and
grant them licenses from this body." "The thorough education of our ministers"
was recommended, "especially on the teaching of the Apostles as found in the
Scriptures." As a help to this end it was determined to "hold a Ministerial Asso-
ciation every three months." Ministers on "entering their fields of labor" were
directed to "enter into contracts with the church councils," which contracts were
to be "filed with the Standing Committee within sixty days after the adjournment
of the Eldership." If any ministers fail to do so "the Standing Committee shall
declare the work vacant." The number of circuits was ten.
4th West Virginia Eldership, South. — The coincidence of a dedication and an
Eldership has not been infrequent. The church at Liberty, Putnam county, built a
bethel during the Summer of 1897. The Eldership in 1896 voted to hold its
annual session at said place, to begin August 26, 1897. The church arranged for
the dedication of its new house of worship on August 29th, when T. Woods offici-
ated. The Opening Sermon of the Eldership was delivered on the evening of the
2 5th, by J. M. Allen. Only four of the sixteen ministers were absent, and eleven
delegates were present. The Eldership elected L. F. Murray, Speaker; H. W.
Marty, Clerk; W. C. Leonard, Financial Clerk, and R. Coalman, Treasurer. A Con-
stitution for a Woman's Missionary Society was prepared by the Standing Com-
mittee and approved by the Eldership. "No member of the Eldership" shall "be
allowed to use any one's name to speak disrespectfully of them," was one of the
moral laws affirmed. A course of studies of four years was to be prepared "to be
pursued by the older ministers, and to pass an examination yearly." And "all the
-young ministers, and those about to enter the ministry, should take a course of
study at Barkeyville Acadeniy, and if possible one at Findlay College." Com-
mittees to make the annual examinations in 189 8 were appointed. Of the eleven
fields of labor, four were missions. W. C. Leonard was appointed General Evange-
list. Fourteen years prior to the session of this Eldership T. Woods "was the only
minister of the Church of God in that county," over which fourteen ministers were
appointed as pastors in 1897.
5th West Virginia Eldership, South. — "Pleasant View Bethel" and "Hills
Valley Bethel," six miles west of St. Albans, Kanawha county, may be identical.
Both names are used for the place where the West Virginia Eldership, South, held
its annual session in 1898. The Opening Sermon was delivered on the evening of
August 29th, by G. Silman. Eleven teaching elders were present, and four were
absent, and four delegates were present. The number of ministers has remained
practically stationary, notwithstanding the licensing of some every year, and no
deaths. The "dropping" of ministers for various reasons is the stereotype way
of accounting for this fact. It is a fact, too, which must have an undesirable in-
fluence on the body, and on the churches it represents. Two were "dropped" in
1898, one because "he has united with another body," and one for "not complying
with the Rules of Order." Upon reorganizing the Eldership W. C. Leonard was
elected Speaker; H. W. Marty, Clerk; W. H. Browder, Financial Clerk. The state
of religion was reported to be "good, and the prospects for the future bright;"
nevertheless, two church properties were placed in the hands of R. L. Workman as
agent, "to look after them." Nor were the "borders of the Eldership extended as
speedily as the demand for Church of God preaching." It is quite suggestive that
the Eldership deemed it necessary to prescribe ten Rules, or "By-Laws, to govern
and regulate" the conduct of "evangelists and pastors." To increase the efllciency
of pastors, and to make their work less onerous, a rearrangement of the circuits
was made the duty of the Stationing Committee. Inviting fields were thus also to
become subject to cultivation. The number of fields was thus reduced to eight,
two of them missions. L. F. Murray was granted a Transfer to the Maryland and
Virginia Eldership, and I. D. Cousins, to the West Virginia Eldership, North.
"The word 'exhorter' was stricken out of the form of local license, and the words
'local preacher' were substituted."
6th West Virginia Eldership, South. — The Eldership had felt the need of per-
The West Virginia Eldership, South 741
manent Rules, and so in 1899 considerable time was spent in considering and
adopting By-Laws. It was an opportune time, too, for all the ministers were in
attendance except one. The meeting was held at Mt. Tabor Bethel, Kanawha
county, where the Opening Sermon was preached on Tuesday evening, August 29,
1899, by G. Silman. Thirteen ministers were present when the Eldership was or-
ganized on the following morning. G. E. Edwards was elected President; H. W.
Marty, Clerk; W. H. Browder, Financial Clerk; W. C. Leonard, Treasurer. The
Eldership was composed entirely of ministers. Not much progress was made, the
reasons assigned being the smallness of the churches, and their poverty, so that
"our preachers have to make nearly all their support by some other callings." Mt.
Tabor church was "taking the lead in paying its preachers," having paid $70.00 the
past year. Hence the fields of labor were often small, a single church, so as to
make it easier for the pastors. There were nine fields of labor, with fourteen ap-
pointments. During the year the professions numbered 87; baptized, 24; fellow-
shiped, 66; total membership, 269. The ordinances were greatly neglected, as only
four were reported. The salaries of the ministers were $347.16. There were
nine Sunday-schools reported.
7th West Virginia Eldership, South.^ — A rather tantalizing dearth of in-
formation characterizes many of the sessions of the West Virginia Eldership,
South. G. M. Virgin's case had been referred to the Standing Committee without
recording the reasons. The Committee "in a resolution denounced his former
course;" but because "he wished to withdraw from the Eldership, no further ac-
tion was taken than to grant his withdrawal." The reason for his withdrawal
was a change of views on the deity of Christ. The Eldership convened at Grand-
view Bethel, Putnam county, W. Va., August 30, 1900. The Opening Sermon
was delivered the previous evening by G. Silman. Reorganization was effected
by the election of G. E. Edwards, President; H. W. Marty, Clerk; W. H. Browder,
Financial Clerk; W. Y. Matthews, Treasurer. There were four fields of labor
with ten appointments: The Grandview. circuit, Kanawha circuit. Liberty circuit,
Jackson circuit, and Raleigh Fayette county mission, the last unsupplied. R. T.
Ellis was appointed Eldership Evangelist, and all "the rest to have missionary
privileges."
8th West Virginia Eldership, South. — There seemed some doubt in 1901
whether it would be wise to continue the West Virginia Eldership, South. The
question was, therefore, discussed. When it was decided affirmatively it was
natural to take up the following: "What steps should be taken to advance the
cause of this Eldership?" Two other practical questions received special atten-
tion, viz.: "Should we organize C. E. Societies?" "Should we organize mission-
ary societies?" The session of the Eldership was held at Joe's Run, Jackson
county, W. Va., beginning August 29, 1901. On the previous evening H. W.
Marty delivered the Opening Sermon. There were only three ministers present,
and eight absent; but three delegates were enrolled. W. C. Leonard was chosen
President; H. W. Marty, Clerk; T. M. Pearsall, Financial Clerk; W. Y. Matthews,
Treasurer. Questions which frequently consumed much time in their discussion
were made topics for consideration at the Ministerial Association. If subsequently
brought before the Eldership for a decision little time was consumed in debate.
There were two mission fields and four circuits, all supplied with pastors but one
of the circuits. There were only 168 sermons preached during the year, and the
salaries of the ministers amounted to $60.95; missionary money, $23.05. G. C.
Thompson was appointed General Missionary.
9th West Virginia Eldership, South. — On the evening of September 3, 1902,
at Grandview, Putnam county, W. Va., the West Virginia Eldership, South, con-
vened to listen to the annual Opening Sermon, delivered by R. L. Workman. The
following morning twelve ministers and two delegates were enrolled as presents
They made choice of B. F. Cash for President; H. W. Marty, Clerk; W. H. Browder,
Financial Clerk; W. Y. Mathews, Treasurer. There were discussions which de-
veloped differences of opinions, "but no ill-feeling was manifested toward each
other." Perhaps they had the virtue embalmed in the saying, that "it takes more
courage for a man to admit that he is wrong, than to insist that he is right."
Nothing was more fruitful of acrimonious debate as the question which at this
time was somewhat epidemic: The wisdom of having Stationing Committees.
The General Eldership gave a favorable opinion later; but that body is con-
servative, and allows much latitude for discussion. "After a lengthy discussion,
a resolution was passed that the churches employ their own pastors this year, on
742 History of' the Churches of God
the congregational plan." There were owned by the churches three houses of
worship and one-fourth interest in two others. Though it was thought the year
1901-2 "was not as prosperous as it should have been," there was an increase in
the number of sermons preached, the aggregate salaries paid and the amount of
missionary money received. No reasons are given why there were only five pro-
tracted meetings held, and one ordinance meeting, or why the number of profes-
sions was only eight, and baptized one.
10th West Virginia Eldei-ship, South. — By implication, the congregational
system was abandoned after one year's trial: "The Stationing Committee in
1903 made but few changes from last year's work." The strength of the Elder-
ship is seen in the fact that there was no field of labor "which could support
a preacher so that he can put in all of his time on his charge." This was the
terrible handicap to the work. While in 1902-3 the ministers preached 188 ser-
mons, they held only five protracted meetings, three ordinance meetings and bap-
tized four. For their labors they received $92.00. The session of the Elder-
ship was held at Pleasant View, Putnam county, August 5, 1903, when the Opening
Sermon was preached by W. H. Browder, from II. Tim. iv. 2. Theme: "Preach
the Word." Six ministers out of the twelve were present, and three delegates.
George E. Edwards was chosen President; H. W. Marty, Clerk; W. H. Browder,
Financial Clerk; G. Silman, Treasurer. During the year W. M. Miller departed to
the Father's house, and his loss v/as lamenetd as that of a true servant of the
Master, faithful and loyal to the Church. The observance of two ordinances at the
close of the session was a special feature.
11th West Virginia Eldership, South. — The West Virginia Eldership, South,
experienced that inward states of its members affect outward relations. Thus
lives which should be in unison, like Hamlet's, become as "sweet bells out of
tune" when sorrow, jealousy or other passions are allowed to remain within. Or
the reverse, as where the devout spirit of service to the blessed Lord dominates
every power of the soul and becomes the meeting-ground of opposing views, where
they fuse, lose their opposition, and become one prevailing force. In a measure
this was realized when on October 13, 1904, the Eldership assembled at Sugar
Grove, Kanawha county. The previous evening the Opening Sermon was preached
by H. W. Marty. The officers elected were: President, G. E. Edwards; Clerk, H.
W. Marty; Financial Secretary, W. H. Browder; Treasurer, R. L. Workman.
These were all ministers, of whom eight were enrolled, one being absent, and five
delegates. For better supervision of the work of the pastors it was determined
that the President of the Eldership should "visit each circuit every three months,
and assist in revival work." There were five protracted meetings held, with 52
conversions, 30 fellowshiped and twenty-one baptized; 175 sermons were preached,
and the salaries amounted to $176.60. While two "promising young men were
ordained to preach," it "pleased God in a wise dispensation of his providence to
remove R. T. Ellis and G. C. Thompson." This was a "sad bereavement; but there
is no death to the Christian, but only the changing of his dwelling place." Ellis
had been ordained in 1895, by the West Virginia Eldership, South; Thompson, by
the West Pennsylvania Eldership, in 1872. "Nature has sentenced" all to death,
as Socrates said to him who told him, "The thirty tyrants have sentenced thee to
death." But for the true believer there is no death; it is transition.
12th West Virginia Eldership, South. — The observance of the ordinances the
last night of the Eldership was usually a service greatly blessed to those who
remained to participate. The first evening had other advantages. But the Elder-
ship in 1905 'listened to a sermon on Tuesday evening on the ordinances by H. W.
Marty, "after which they were observed, which was indeed a blessed season."
This was followed "by the ordination charge," and one was ordained to the min-
istry. The ministers and delegates gathered for the session on Saturday evening,
September 3, 1905, at Mt. Tabor, Kanawha county. On Sunday morning G. Sil-
man preached the Opening Sermon. On Monday morning the session began, with
six ministers present, four absent; three delegates present. The following of-
ficers were elected: B. F. Cash, President; H. W. Marty, Clerk; W. H. Browder,
Financial Clerk; R. L. Workman, Treasurer. Two were licensed, or ordained, and
four received "local license." There was an increase in funds, as the salaries of
ministers aggregated $305.65, and the missionary money reported was $20.00.
While 77 made a profession, only 23 were baptized and 37 fellowshiped.
13th West Virginia Eldei-ship, South. — The Clerk of the Eldership in 1906
reported the "work in a prosperous condition." A few items confirm this. There
The We:st Virginia Eldership, South 743
were five Sunday-schools reported; 254 conversions, 114 baptized, 143 fellow-
shiped, and 6 were licensed to preach. The session was held at Philo (Philaoh),
in Putnam county, August 29, 1906, when, at 7.30 p. m., B. F. Cash preached the
Opening Sermon. There were eight fields of labor, to one of which two pastors
were assigned. Nine ministers and four delegates constituted the Eldership.
Four ministers were absent. They elected B. F. Cash, President; L. A. Landers,
Clerk; W. H. Browder, Financial Secretary; R. L. Workman, Treasurer. With
fifteen appointments, there were only five ordinance meetings. While "the
shadows were falling longer" for many of the ministers who were such faithful
watchmen, there was an evident lack in doctrinal teaching and in the observance
of the ordinances. The records show little interest in the more general questions
on which religious bodies generally expressed themselves. Eighteen ministers
were "dropped from the Roll from 1901 to 1907." "Many of these went to the
denominations." The effect of so many defections had a perceptible influence on
the work.
14th West Virginia Eldership, South. — The West Virginia Eldership always
emphasized the preaching during its sessions. And quite frequently conversions
were reported. The younger men found this more natural, being less interested
in, because less acquainted with, the business which required attention. They
find themselves most kindled, quickened and stirred by the humanity which
environs them. The reports call attention to the spiritual, as in 1907, when an
item is conspicuous that "the preaching was spiritual. Christians praised God,
and sinners asked for the prayers of the church." The session was held at the
Pleaant View Bethel, Putnam county, where on Wednesday evening, September
18 ,1907, the members heard the Opening Sermon, preached by B. F. Cash. Ten
ministers were in attendance, and one "local preacher," eight being absent; also
four delegates. During the year the Standing Committee had licensed two, but
at this session the power to grant licenses was taken from said Committee. The
officers of the session were: President, B. F. Cash; Clerk, H. W. Marty; Financial
Clerk, W. H. Browder; Treasurer, R. Ti. Workman. A Board of Missions was
created, and measures were considered to start a church building Fund, as there
were only two bethels in the territory of the Eldership. There were eight fields
of labor, all supplied with pastors. Twenty-one preaching points are named on
the different charges. The membership was 262; the number of sermons preach-
ed, 548; aggregate salaries, $344.34; conversions, 74; baptized, 68; fellowshlped,
92; Sabbath-schools, 13. The Eldership developed more interest in Sabbath-
school work and in the preaching of the common faith.
15th West Virginia Eldership, South. — There was inconstancy in a variety of
items in the reported proceedings of the West Virginia Eldership, South. Was it
inherent in the character of the people of a section long slave-holding territory, or
was it in the Eldership itself? It is seen in the records of 1908. The body con-
vened at New Richmond, Putnam county, Thursday, 8.30 a. m., September 10,
1908, having listened the previous evening to the Opening Sermon, preached by
R. F. Bays. Interest in the work of the Eldership is indicated by the attendance
of twelve of the fourteen ministers, and five delegates. But the names of four
were dropped, and one had died — A. Lambert. He was ordained at the Eldership
in 1907, and thus early went to that land where "all that we have willed, or hoped,
or dreamed of good shall exist." The number of conversions the preceding year
was 127; baptized, 50; sermons preached, 761; ordinance meetings, 7; total
salaries, $208.23; Building Fund, $17.53; missionary money collected, $38.21.
The officers of the Eldership were: President, R. F. Bays; Clerk, H. W. Marty;
Financial Clerk, W. H. Browder; Treasurer, R. L. Workman. While the min-
isters manifested an interest in the publications of the General Eldership, few
besides them patronized them. Resolutions commending Findlay College were
adopted, and all the interests of the general body were approved.
16th West Virginia Eldership, South. — The official announcement of the
meeting of the Eldership in 1909 was that it "will convene in the bethel at Philo
(Philoah), Putnam county, on Thursday before the fourth Sunday in August,
1909. This was August 22nd. But the Clerk of the Eldership gives the date as
August 8, 1909. There were present eleven ministers and seven delegates.
Three ministers were absent, one was dropped from the Roll and one had died, the
President of the Eldership in 1908, R. F. Bays. He was ordained in 1904. The
ministerial life-battle with him was short; but there was a victory-note above its
clamor, and to him that overcometh there is "the morning star." L. A. Landers
744 , History of the Churches of God
was chosen President; H. W. Marty, Clerk; W. H. Browder, Financial Clerk; R.
L. Workman, Treasurer. No layman was elected an officer, nor a member of the
Standing Committee or Board of Missions. The number of conversions during the
year was 128; fellowshiped, 108; baptized, 48; sermons preached, 726; total
salaries, $356.20; membership, 368; receipts for Building Fund, $27.75; Mis-
sionary Fund, $38.56. The territory was divided into eight circuits, two of which
were left to be supplied by the Board of Missions. At the Ministerial Association
among the questions discussed were "The duties and Responsibilities of a Pastor,"
"Necessity of the Spirit-filled Life," "Does our Financial System in regard to
Eldership and Missionary Funds correspond to the Teachings of the Bible?"
17th AVest Virginia Eldership, South. — Conditions in the West Virginia
Eldership, South, seemed so improved that at the close of the session of 1910 the
ministers were "encouraged to do more the coming year," and parted in confident
hope of success. The session was held at Bays' Chapel, Kanawha county, and
began Thursday morning, September 15, 1910, the Opening Sermon having been
preached the previous evening by H. W. Marty. Nine ministers were present, and
four absent; also four delegates. While the total salaries had fallen to $320.48,
and the reported membership to 169, 31 were received into fellowship; there
were now five bethels and a quarter interest in a sixth, valued at $3,150.00. Sun-
day-schools were held at ten points. The organization was effected by the elec-
tion for President of B. F. Cash; Clerk, H. W. Marty; Financial Clerk, W. H.
Browder; Treasurer, L. A. Landers. There was positive action taken on educa-
tion, not only by recommending Findlay College and Fort Scott Collegiate Insti-
tute; but by a declaration "that in this progressive age we see the need of an
educated ministry, and seeing our deficiency as an Eldership, we would urge the
brethren to make every possible effort to better qualify themselves for their work."
The observance of Advocate Day was strongly recommended. There were seven
fields of labor, on which seventeen preaching points were named by the Station-
ing Committee.
18th AVest Virginia Eldership, South. — Memories of the first West Virginia
Eldership, South, were cherished, as the body met at the place for holding the
session in 1911. They were not like Themistocles, who when Simonides offered
to teach him the art of memory, replied, "Ah! rather teach me the art of forget-
ting, for I often remember what I would not, and can not forget what I would."
The session was held with the church at Grandview, Putnam county, one of the
first churches of God organized within the bounds of the West Virginia Eldership,
South, and the first in the great Kanawha Valley. It was organized by W. J.
Davis in February, 1877. Here also, in October, 1894, the West Virginia Elder-
ship, South, was constituted. Grandview is in Putnam county. The date of this
Eldership was August 31, 1911. The previous evening the rain prevented the
services, at which time B. F. Cash was to preach the. Opening Sermon. Eleven
teaching elders were present, and six delegates; six ministers absent. L. A. Lan-
ders was elected President; H. W. Marty, Clerk; R. L. Workman, Financial Clerk;
L. A. Landers, Treasurer. Clear and strong resolutions were adopted, commend-
ing the Church literature and the institutions of learning. When the Stationing
Committee made its Report, it made an assessment on each point named on the
six fields of labor, from $50.00 up to $180.00, and aggregating $615.00, pre-
sumably the salaries of the pastors; but if so, not much over one-half of that
amount had been paid the year then closing. There were now eleven Sabbath-
schools. The ministers had preached 644 sermons during the year; there were
13.1 conversions, 40 baptized and 75 fellowshiped; total membership, 211. Ap-
parently these self-denying ministers had the task of Sisyphus, to roll to the top of
a steep hill, a huge stone that always rolled down again. Or else the statistics
are incorrect.
19th West Virginia Eldership, South. — At least on temperance as a civic issue
the West Virginia Eldership, South, was ready to take definitive action. The
amendment of the State Constitution to prohibit the manufacture and sale of in-
toxicants was to be voted on in the Fall. It created quite a degree of interest
in the churches and among the ministers, and the discussion at the Eldership con-
sumed much time. The Eldership met in one of the most southern counties in
which its ministers were laboring, some 50 miles from the boundary line be-
tween Virginia and West Virginia, at a point called Powellton, Fayette county, on
August 22, 1912. The evening before H. W. Marty preached the Opening Sermon.
The Arkansas Eldership (Colored) 745
There were present eight ministers and five delegates. Three ministers were ab-
sent, and five "were absent and dropped." Balloting resulted in the choice for
President of R. L. Workman; Clerk, H. VV. Marty; Financial Clerk, G. A. Hart-
well; Treasurer, G. W. Good. The members of the Standing Committee were W.
H. Browder, H. W. Marty and J. W. Martin. The number of charges to which
pastors were assigned was seven, with nineteen preaching points. The number of
protracted meetings held was 15; conversions, 321; fellowshiped, 142; baptized,
104; ordinance meetings, 11; Sabbath-schools, 13; total membership, 344; ser-
mons preached, 676; aggregate salaries, $231.80; missionary money collected,
$30.20; Church Extension funds, $3.80. The ministers thus laboring in the midst
of untoward conditions must have lives of glad freedom which have no fears to
taunt and no defeat to dread. They trust him who is their Ruler and Guide,
doing their duty with hopeful assurance that joy, and not sorrow, is the final plan
of the Almighty.
XXII. THE ARKANSAS ELDERSHIP (COLORED).
1st Arkansas Eldership (Colored). — There existed one exclusive reason for
the organization into a distinct Eldership of the churches and ministers of the
negro race in the State of Arkansas. They were organized into churches and
converted under the labors, and licensed by ministers of the Texas and Arkansas
Eldership, and from the beginning had been a part of said Eldership. But this
physical contiguity was not union. They could not amalgamate, merge or
coalesce. The inherited, ineradicable antipathy of the two races, intensified by
social conditions, made a division inevitable. It had virtually existed before, and
was in part recognized by the appointment of a Standing Committee from year to
year to look after the interests of the colored churches and ministers. But the di-
vision was actualized in 1894, when ten ministers assembled at Zeaney Chapel,
McClone Bottom, Logan county, October 17, 1894, and organized an Eldership.
These men were A. C. Crowley, Matt. Bonds, M. Perkins, R. T. Ellinpfberg, W.
Washington, S. A. Wilkins, Webster Symbo, J. Johnson, William Smith and
Washington Treavor. They elected A. C. CroAvley, Speaker, and M, Perkins, Clerk.
The Introductory Sermon was preached by A. C. Crowley in the evening of the
first day's sittings, under appointment by the Committee on Public Worship, one
of the nine committees named by him as Speaker. There were seven fields of
labor, to which eight of the preachers were assigned, and "Rev. A. C, Crowley,
S. D. D.," was designated as "Speaker and General Missionary and Manager of the
colored part of the Church of God." The Committee on Church Literature de-
clared "that the Bible be, and is, the literature of the Church of God." The Com-
mittee on Education affirmed "that education, religion and honesty be. and are, the
motto of this fraternity forever, and we request all our people in the Church of
God to educate their children according to our motto." In March, 1896, Crowley
asked "the consent of the Texas and Arkansas Eldership to write a memorial, or
application, to the General Eldership for a Charter for our Eldership." But the
Texas and Arkansas Eldership suspended Crowley, and declared he "was not in
good and regular standing." The Eldership organized by him was repudiated, and
at the session of the Texas and Arkansas Eldership in 189 6, application was made
"to send a committee to organize the colored ministers and churches into an
Eldership." This petition was granted, and J. M. Howard and J. J. Stewart were
named as the committee. This action Crowley resented publicly; but as he had
been expelled, the churches and ministers nearly all deserted him, and refused to
recognize his authority. The General Eldership in 189 6 authorized the organiza-
tion of "The Arkansas Eldership of the Churches of God (Colored)." Crowley,
however, was persistent, and being a man of some culture and strong personality,
kept a few of his followers together for several years. He held his Eldership at
Mt. Nebo, in 1895, and Zeaney Chapel in October, 1896.
Not recognizing Crowley's schismatic course, the colored ministers, deacons
and delegates who were loyal to the legally constituted authorities met at Zeaney's
Chapel, Logan county, Ark., November 11, 1896, to organize an Eldership under
the authority of the General Eldership. Those present were: Ministers — Matt.
Bonds, Webster Symbo, Thomas Lewis, R. T. Ellingberg and E, D. DeGraftenreed.
Delegates — J. D. DeGraftenreed, Walker Stokes, L. Batson and E. W. Webb.
746 History of the Churches of God
Deacons — Jeflf. D. DeGraftenreed and R. W. Smysers. Organization was effected by
the election of Matt. Bonds, Speaker, and Thomas Lewis, Assistant; R. T. EUing-
berg, Clerk, and L. Batson, Assistant, and L. Batson, Treasurer. This organ-
ization has been considered the first Eldership, and the official enumeration begins
here. It was organized by the committee of the Texas and Arkansas Eldership,
under the Charter granted by the General Eldership. The session was held in
a log cabin, 16x16 feet. The Constitution and Rules of Order of the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership were adopted. In addition to the action of the Texas and Ar-
kansas Eldership in disfellowshiping Crowley, this Eldership also "withdrew fel-
lowship" from him. The state of religion among the churches represented was
"prosperous, and the lookout good in every respect." And the committee closed
its report with this ejaculation: "Hallelujah is in every heart since we have
been set free from imposterism!" The body declared: "We are now set apart
hy the order of the Texas and Arkansas Eldership in a lawful way, and in a lawful
assembly, by the committee appointed by the Eldership." Matt. Bonds was "rec-
ommended to the General Board for our missionary." The use of Church of God
literature was insisted upon.
2nd Arkansas Eldership (Colored). — The legal and orderly organization of
the new Eldership did not at once put an end to contention and strife. The
colored race, however, has always yielded readily to higher authority. But in this
case authority above both Elderships in Arkansas was necessary to bring order out
of confusion. To this end the Executive Board of the General Eldership decided
to send its President, the cautious and conciliatory R. L. Byrnes, on an official
visit to Arkansas. He carried with him the official Charter of the Colored Elder-
ship, under date of June 18, 1897. After "visiting the white brethren of the
Texas and Arkansas Eldership, in order to decide a question, he also had the
colored brethren meet with them." At the close of this conference Byrnes de-
cided that "the Eldership of which Matt, Bonds is the Speaker, is the only legally
constituted and recognized Eldership (colored) in the State." This put an end
to the machinations of Crowley, and brought peace and harmony where there wab
discord and dissension. Under these favorable auspices the Eldership convened at
Mt. Nebo, Ark., November 4, 1897, when Matt. Bonds delivered the Opening Ser-
mon. An organization was effected by the choice of R. T. Ellingberg, Speaker;
J. D. DeGraftenreed, Clerk; M. Perkins, Financial Clerk, and E. D. DeGraften-
reed, Treasurer. There were eleven teaching elders in the body, two having been
added at this session. Each minister was required to pay fifty cents into the Mis-
sion Fund. Money was needed to begin work in Oklahoma, which the Eldership
resolved to do after carefully considering the subject. And each preacher was
required "to go on his field as a missionary and work in the cause of the Master
like soldiers of the cross."
3rd Arkansas Eldership (Colored). — The predominance of the spiritual ele-
ment in the Arkansas Eldership (colored) is seen in the order for religious services
and a sermon at 11 o'clock each day, and in the evening. With a few alterations
the Eldership acted under the Constitution and Rules of Order of the West Penn-
sylvania Eldership. The session was held at Zeaney's Chapel, beginning Novem-
ber 10, 1898. The Opening Sermon was delivered by the Speaker of the former
Eldership, R. T. Ellingberg. He was re-elected Speaker; J. D. DeGraftenreed,
Clerk, and M. Perkins, Treasurer. At 11 o'clock the Eldership adjourned to listen
to a sermon on Rev. xxii. 17, by J. D. DeGraftenreed. The old Methodlstic style
prevailed, and at least two spoke at these and the evening services. Religious
fervor was often developed to a high degree and unconverted persons were saved.
There were five fields of labor, all in Arkansas, and to each a pastor was assigned.
Matt. Bonds was continued as General Missionary. "A strange resolution was
discussed and adopted," is the Clerk's way of introducing the following: "No
minister of this Eldership shall be allowed to hold a License, or Certificate of
Ordination who drinks or uses intoxicating drinks." The number of ministers
was eight.
4th Arkansas Eldership (Colored). — This Eldership, while its "Journal is
faithfully made out in our ledger," never trespassed much on the space allowed in
The Advocate for official matter. Besides, its business was limited, and lengthy
resolutions rare. In 1899 only routine business was transacted. The session was
held with the Mt. Nebo church. Greenwood P. O., Sebastian county. Ark., and began
October 25th. The Opening Sermon was preached by R. T. Ellingberg. Balloting
for officers resulted in the election of Matt. Bonds, Speaker; R, T. Ellingberg,
The^ Arkansas Eldbirship (Cou)re^d) 747
Clerk; J. D. DeGraftem-eed, Treasurer and Financial Clerk. During the year, on
April 5, 1899, S. A. WiUtins was suddenly discharged from the ranks of the
church militant, to join the church triumphant. "He was an excellent preacher."
The name, style and title of the Eldership had been changed to "The Arkansas
Eldership of the Churches of God." The Life Certificates, according to action of
the General Eldership, were also adopted. The Eldership was desirous to have a
delegate at the General Eldership in 1899, and J. D. DeGrafteni-eed was elected
at a "called session." Limited finances made it impossible for him to be present.
In no Eldership did the pastors labor with such insufficient support.
5th Arkansas Eldership (Colored).— The churches and ministers in the Ar-
kansas Eldership (Colored) labored under serious impediments. They were few
in number, poor and scattered, and worshiped in school-houses belonging to the
Tvhite people, in groves and arbors, and in private houses. Mrs. Eliza B. Dupree,
Topeka, Kansas, attended the Eldership in 1900, and was appointed missionary,
at an "allowance of $7 5.00 a year for her services." The session was held at
Zeaney's Chapel, 5 miles north of Paris, Logan county, Arkansas, and began No-
Tember 13th. The following officers were elected: E. D. DeGraftenreed,
Speaker; R. T. Ellingberg, Clerk; J. D. DeGraftenreed, Journalizing Clerk; Alex-
ander Calwell, Treasurer. The Eldership had been taught that the Communion
should be observed before the washing of the saints' feet. Otherwise it was
claimed it was "altogether one in doctrine with the General Eldership." It de-
sired said body "to grant us leave to wash feet after Supper." But it was sub-
mitted to the higher body, adding: "If not, we have to be subject to the body."
The work was being extended into the Indian Territory. Mrs. Dupree in her ca-
pacity as missionary preached at Sparrow, Pannamo and other points. She "was
fellowshiped into the Arkansas Eldership (Colored), and her Certificate of Ordi-
nation granted her by the Kansas Eldership (White) was endorsed." "A strong
resolution was adopted in regard to the spread of the gospel and the organizing of
churches of God." Nine ministers were enrolled at this Eldership.
6th Arkansas Eldei-ship (Colored). — By 1901 the work in the Indian Terri-
tory had so far been successful that a circuit could be organized. The Eldership,
lience, desired that its boundaries should be extended so as to embrace its work
in the Territory. Two churches had been organized and "were received and
entered on the Roll." The Eldership convened in the A. M. E. stone building, Mt.
Nebo, Sebastian county, Ark., November 14, 19 01. The officers elected were:
Matt. Bonds, Speaker; J. D. DeGraftenreed, Clerk; R, T. Ellingberg, Financial
Clerk; M. Perkins, Treasurer. The preaching of the Opening Sermon, by E. D.
DeGraftenreed, on account "of a hindering cause the previous evening," followed
the organization. Text: Matt. v. 14. While the churches were willing to have
a woman hold revival services, the church at Zeaney's Chapel "rejected Mrs.
Dupree as pastor on the ground of being a woman." And the Standing Commit-
tee took action that "she shall not be pastor of any of the churches on the same
ground." The total amount of funds received by the Eldership amounted to
■$33.05. Ten ministers were enrolled, two of them women — Mrs. Dupree, of
Topeka, Kans., and Mary Raban, of Kansas City, Mo. Five others had their post-
office addresses in the Indian Territory, and three in Arkansas. J. D. DeGraften-
reed was appointed missionary; Matt. Bonds was named to the General Board of
Missions for appointment as missionary, and three others were assigned to fields
of labor. The ministers were forbidden "to hold office in the church until they
liave paid, or secured, their Eldership dues."
7th Arkansas Eldership (Colored). — The work in the Indian Territory was
making encouraging progress under the labors of Matt. Bonds, so that the General
Eldership was memorialized to extend the boundaries of the Arkansas Eldership
so as to include at least a part of the Territory. This was approved by the Gen-
eral Board of Missions. In 1902, at the Eldership which convened with the church
at Zeaney's Chapel, Logan county, Ark., November 11th, two ministers were ap-
pointed to fields in the Indian Territory, and four in Arkansas. The Opening Ser-
mon was delivered by W. A. Daniels, R. T. Ellingberg was chosen Speaker; J. D.
DeGraftenreed, Clerk; E. D. DeGrafteni-eed, Financial Clerk; AV. A. Daniels,
Treasurer. Ten ministers attended the session. The Eldership made a special
effort to secure the money to pay its assessment to the General Eldership. With
its limited means the Eldership could do little mission work, but Matt. Bonds was
continued as missionary for the whole territory, and recommended for additional
support to the Board of Missions of the General Eldership. Other ministers in
748 History of the Churches of God
addition to the six assigned to charges were to "receive appointments from the
Standing Committee."
8th Arkansas Eldership (Colored). — The missionary spirit was further
stimulated during the year, so that there was renewed enthusiasm when the
Eldership convened in 1903. There "was an increase in membership this year of
twenty-eight." At the Eldership "visitors from all denominations were present
at the session," which was held with the church at Spiro, Indian Territory, be-
ginning on November 4th, and continuing to the 9th. One minister was received
from the A. M. E. Church, and one from the Missionary Baptist Church. "The
Eldership stirred up the little village." Each church was represented by a dele-
gate. R. T. Ellingberg delivered the Opening Sermon. Nine teaching elders were
present. EJllingberg was elected Speaker; J. D. DeGraftenreed, Clerk; W. A.
Daniels, Treasurer. A Woman's Missionary Society was organized, and "arrange-
ments were made to help to support a missionary." The question: "Does the
New Testament give a woman the right to preach the gospel?" with other "min-
isterial subjects," was "discussed and made very clear." Minnie Smyles received
license to preach. Four appointments were made, two in Arkansas and two'
in the Indian Territory, while the "Other ministers were left in the hands of the
Standing Committee."
9th Arkansas Eldership (Colored). — The excellent and hopeful mood of the
Arkansas Eldership persisted through the year. And while the session of 1904
"was smaller in numbers than ever, its work seemed stronger." The meeting was
held with the church at Mt. Nebo, Sebastian county, Ark., and began November
7th. R. T. Elllngberg preached the Opening Sermon, after which the officers were
chosen, as follows: R. T. Ellingberg, Speaker; J. D. DeGraftenreed, Clerk;
Alexander Calwell, Treasurer. Some time was spent in discussing these two ques-
tions: "Who are proper subjects for baptism?" "What relation does baptism
sustain to conversion?" A Missionary Fund was created "to help our mission-
ary in his labors in the mission work." Every minister present also "vowed to
pay to the Eldership for mission work from $2.50 up to $10.00." S. P. Peters
was the choice of the Eldership for appointment as missionary by the General
Board of Missions. Four fields of labor were supplied with pastors; others having
"failed to report, were left subject to the action of the Standing Committee."
10th Arkansas Eldership (Colored).- — Without fixed Rules for its governance,
the Eldership in 1905 "adopted those of the East Pennsylvania Eldership for the
guide of the session of the Eldership." The meeting was held at Mt. Nebo, Se-
bastian county. Ark., November 8, 1905. In the morning the Opening Sermon
was preached. At the afternoon sitting E. D. DeGraftenreed was chosen Speaker;
J. D. DeGrafteni-eed, Clerk; Alexander Calwell, Treasurer. It was provided that
the Standing Committee, consisting of R. T. Ellingberg, J. D. DeGraftenreed and
S. P. Peters, "write up a Constitution and By-Laws, and Rules for the government
of the Eldership," and have it printed in pamphlet form. S. P. Peters was rec-
ommended to the Board of Missions to be appointed missionary in Arkansas.
The ministers numbered nineteen, three of which "failed to send in any report.'*
As State missionary, S. P. Peters received "a small appropriation." He preached
an Ordination Sermon on Sunday evening. A Ministerial Association was pro-
vided for, and an organization effected, a meeting to be called by the Chairman in
August, 1906. The "Eldership had a lovely time, and did its business very de-
liberately."
11th Arkansas Eldership (Colored). — The ministers being required to "take
and pay for The Advocate, for the purpose of keeping in touch with the religious
work throughout the bounds of the different Elderships and the General Elder-
ship," seemed to produce one immediate effect: This session was enlivened with
discussions on a greater variety of subjects than usual. The session was held at
Spiro, Indian Territory, beginning November 7, 1906. T. J. Lewis was elected
Speaker; J. D. DeGraftenreed, Clerk; E, D. DeGraftenreed, Treasurer. Not so
precipitate in granting licenses, after examining three applicants it granted license
to one and referred the others to the Standing Committee for further examina-
tion. One was a woman. Most of its indebtedness to the General Eldership was
paid, and it made "an effort to settle in full at an early date." Also to "raise
$50.00 by March 1, 1907, to meet all current and general expenses." The divorce
question and the evils of divorces were discussed. Also the temperance question.
It resolved "to fast and pray on certain occasions, as Jesus taught his disciples."
The subject of rebaptism came up in this form: "Is it scriptural to rebaptize any
Ths Arkansas Eldership (Coi^ored) 749
one coming from any sectarian Church and uniting with the Church of God if hft
or she had been baptized, or immersed?" There was some lack of stability among
ministers, as two of them serving charges "left the bounds of the Eldership without
notification." And two licensed women followed their example.
12th Arkansas Eldership (Colored). — The finances of the Eldership improved
following actions taken in 19 06. With the collections sent in, with those lifted at
the session, they "gathered enough to settle all current and general expenses." In
answer to a letter from M. K. Smith, Treasurer of the General Eldership, "an
order was drawn on the Eldership Treasurer to settle all dues to the Mission
Board." These conditions gave a hopeful spirit to the Eldership which convened
with the church at Zeaney's Chapel, Logan county. Ark., on Wednesday, October
23, 19 07, and on said evening R. T. Ellingberg preached the Opening Sermon.
Subject: "Teach us to pray." S. P. Peters was elected Speaker on Thursday
morning; J. D. DeGraftenreed, Clerk; T. J. Lewis, Treasurer. Eight preachers
were absent, "but sent in their reports, with their prayers and alms." If there
were discussions, "peace and harmony prevailed all through the sessions." "How
to study the Bible," was under discussion. Also, "How to be a successful pas-
tor." Two of the five charges to which the Eldership assigned preachers were in
Oklahoma (Indian Territory) ; but some fields were left in the hands of the Stand-
ing Committee. Studies for the first year's course were adopted.
13th Arkansas Eldership (Colored) .—There was an interchange of the names
Indian Territory and Oklahoma pending the Statehood question before the people
-and in Congress. The Eldership meeting in 1908 was published to be held at
Spiro, Oklahoma, while the Clerk reported that it was held at Spiro, Indian Terri-
tory. Spiro was located in the Indian Territory, which became part of the State of
Oklahoma. The session began Monday, November 10, 1908. On the preceding
Sunday evening the Opening Sermon was preached by S. P. Peters. The Eldership
had taken the name of the Arkansas and Indian Territory Eldership, but with the
admission of the two Territories into the Union under the name Oklahoma, it
petitioned the General Eldership to change its title to the "Arkansas and Oklahoma
Eldership (Colored)." R. T. Ellingberg was elected President; J. D. DeGraften-
reed. Clerk and Treasurer. For legal reasons Certificates of Ordination were re-
quired to be recorded. The names of two ministers were dropped, because "they
departed from the faith." More attention was given to mission work, and it was
decided to appoint S. P. Peters general missionary, "to enter the field January 1,
1909, and to be supported by this Eldership."
14th Arkansas and Oklahoma Eldership (Colored). — A small number at-
tended the fourteenth session of the Arkansas and Oklahoma Eldership, "owing
to the high waters" and other causes. The few present "transacted all the busi-
ness in the usual way," leaving certain matters in the hands of the Standing Com-
mittee. The meeting was held with the church at Spiro, Okla., beginning with
the Opening Sermon on the evening of November 16, 1909, by R. T. Ellinberg.
An organization was effected by electing S. P. Petei-s, President; J. D. DeGraften-
reed, Clerk; R. T. Ellinberg, Treasurer. "A grand time was witnessed," as the
members enjoyed the preaching and singing and praying as much as, or more
than, the business transactions. Mission work was uppermost, and T. J. Lewis,
while appointed to serve Spiro, was also elected missionary, and "recommended
to the General Board of Missions for appointment as missionary." "Two other
mission points were to be supplied with preachers by the Standing Committee."
Absent members, or those who failed to report, were instructed to report to the
Standing Committee, whose first meeting was to be held at Spiro, Okla., "on Sat-
urday before the second Lord's day in January, 1910." Dues for the Eldership
were also then to be collected, as a better system of raising funds was being en-
forced.
15th Arkansas and Oklahoma Eldership (Colored). — There was more of a
missionary spirit kindled by the active work done on mission fields than by
speeches and resolutions. At the session of 1910 the need of "more missionaries
all the time to spread the doctrine" was a prominent thought. The Eldership
convened with the church at Spiro, Okla., November 16, 1910, when in the evening
S. P. Peters preached the Opening Sermon, from John iii. 16. Seven ministers
were present. A minister of the A. M. E. Church for forty years, Vincent Moi^an,
was received and granted a Certificate of Ordination. Another one who "had de-
parted from the faith, John Watson, but returned, and also received license. The
officers elected were E. D. DeGraftenreed, President; J. D. DeGraftenreed, Clerk;
750 History of the: Churches of God
R. T. Ellingberg, Treasurer. The Eldership "elected EUingberg missionary for
the mission fields, and promised to stand by him and aid him in the work for the
Master." Six other ministers were "assigned to do mission work in Oklahoma and
Arkansas — S. P. Peters, T, J. Lewis, Alexander Calwell, J. W. Watson, E. D. De-
Graftenreed and Vincent Morgan." The Eldership appointed pastors to two fields,
leaving the others to be supplied by the Standing Committee. The ministers re-
mained at Spiro over Sabbath, and had preaching three times during the day, and
Sabbath-school at 9 a. m.
16th Arkansas and Oklahoma Eldership (Colored). — The Arkansas and Okla-
homa Eldership having finally adopted the Constitution of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership, in so far as applicable, now worked under its provisions. It convened
with the church at Mt. Nebo, Sebastian county, Ark., on Wednesday, November 15,
1911. On the previous evening E. D. DeGraftenreed preached the Opening Ser-
mon. J. H. Blanchard, "a minister of the Missionary Baptist Church, was granted
a Certificate of Ordination," and was appointed to a charge. E. D. DeGrafteni-eed
was elected President; J. D. DeGraftenreed, Clerk; J. A. Narman, Treasurer. The
work generally was in good condition. G. W. Harris was appointed "missionary
for the Eldership." Two ministers were assigned to circuits, with four preaching^
points. It was decided that "the other ministers were to visit other places and
mission points," as the Eldership "believed the best way to build up and establish
the churches of God within its bounds is for each preacher to labor in a new
field." On Sabbath evening, after a sermon on the Ordinances, two of them were
observed, and thus closed "a delightful session." S. P. Peters had ended his
noble warfare since the session of 1910. He had been a devoted, faithful mem-
ber of the Eldership since 1903, and his brethren eulogized his character as they
"bowed in submission to the Lord who doeth all things well."
17th Arkansas and Oklahoma Eldership (Colored). — Organized work was
now the order. A Woman's Missionary Society was formed in October, 1911, with
a view of co-operating with the W. G. M. S. There were two local societies, with
37 members. The declared object was "to stimulate Christian giving, to help
missions, and to aid the Eldership in missionary work." A Christian Endeavor
organization was also effected on April 18, 1912, with 40 members enrolled. So
encouraged was the minister who preached the Opening Sermon, Tuesday even-
ing, November 12, 1912, at Spiro, Okla., that he selected for his text the words:
"Praise Ye the Lord." The preacher was E. D. DeGraftenreed. The body was
organized by the election of J. D. DeGrafteni-eed, President; A. C. Hull, Stated
Clerk; J. H. Blanchard, Transcribing Clerk; W. H. Allen, Treasurer. J. H.
Blanchard, W. M. Bates and R. T. Ellinberg were elected members of the Standing
Committee. Twelve ministers were enrolled. "G. W. Hanis was endorsed as
missionary," and appointments were made to four fields of labor, two in Arkansas
and two in Oklahoma. The Eldership advised the ministers and members of the
churches "to donate as liberally as possible toward the support of G. W. Harris,
missionary." Each minister of the Eldership was instructed "to use every means
of grace, and work and pray the coming year, that more souls may be saved, and
more churches of God may be established within the bounds of the Eldership."
The Temperance question was discussed, and advanced positions were taken
against the liquor traffic. If in some degree hope was often disappointed, to each
of these God-fearing, faith-inspired ministers, few in number, "failure was a
schoolmaster of the soul, teaching
'Fearless and unperplexed
When I wage battle next
What weapons to select, what armor to indue.' "
The Colorado Eldership 751
XXIII. THE COLORADO ELDERSHIP.
Colorado is popularly known as the "Centennial State," from the date of its
admission into the Union, 1876. It is a mountainous State, two-thirds of its area
being mountain ranges. It has unusual attractions, having a salubrious climate,
and its mountain ranges being noted for their wild beauty, and picturesque parks
which they enclose, making the State "the wonderland of the American continent."
Its mineral wealth is enormous, while its attractions for the agriculturist are in-
ferior. The eastern section belongs to what earlier was known as "the great
American Desert." It was, hence, not a State toward which eastern Church of
God families would look as desirable for emigration. Among the first families
of the Church to emigrate thither were health-seekers, who learned of the
country as possessing a tonic, invigorating atmosphere,- where they could re-
cuperate their wasted energies, if not improve their conditions financially and re-
ligiously. One minister from the Maine Eldership emigrated thither; one from
Ohio, two from Iowa, and several from eastern Kansas. Besides, in 1896 the Ohio
Eldership licensed W. B. Bowen, of Colorado. These ministers at once began to
preach the doctrines of the Church. It was a "field ripe unto the harvest," and
the seed sown brought forth fruit. Several churches were organized, the one at
Lamar claiming to be the first. With several churches and half a dozen min-
isters in the State; with prospects of success very encouraging, and with a vast
stretch of unoccupied and largely uninhabited territory between the Colorado
brethren and the churches in Kansas, the desire was natural, as expressed by one
of the ministers, that "we want an Eldership in Colorado." Accordingly by con-
certed action "a number of representative members of the Church of God met in
session for the purpose of organizing an Eldership of the churches of God in the
State of Colorado, to be known as the Eldership of the churches of God in the
State of Colorado." With no respect for historical data, the place of this meeting
is not given. The date is Feb. 14, 1898. The ministers in attendance were
Gardner Swan, who "opened the session by reading a portion of Scripture, fol-
lowed by prayer; J. R. Hodges, T. J. Loose, J. N. Smith, John Smith, Alonzo
Beavers. P. L. French and W. B. Bowen. Besides these I. H. Gi-eene was labor-
ing in the State, and was represented by letter, and W. D. Greene received license.
J. R. Hodges was chosen Speaker, and T. J. Loose, Clerk. The Constitution and
Rules of Order of the East Pennsylvania Eldership were adopted as the organic
law of the new Eldership. Licenses were granted to the ministers present and to
I. H. Greene. 1. H. Greene and AV. D. Greene were appointed to the "North
Colorado work," and Gardner Swan to the "Morgan 'county work." J. N. Smith
was made General Evangelist, "to open up new points in the State of Colorado."
A Standing Committee was elected consisting of J. N. Smith, Gardner Swan and
I. H. Greene. A called session was agreed upon, to be held in June, 1898. The
approval of the work of this meeting by the General Eldership was requested. In-
stead, however, the Kansas Eldership annexed Colorado, and most of the min-
isters of the Colorado Eldership joined the Kansas Eldership, thus ending what ap-
peared a promising enterprise.
I
DIVISION III.
HISTORY OF THE GENERAL ELDERSHIP.
C. H. — 2S»
DIVISION III.
HISTORY OF THE GENERAL ELDERSHIP.
I
It was an immense step from the form of Church government by presbyteries
or elderships as taught by Winebrenner in 1829, in his "Brief Scriptural View of
the Church of God," and the more elaborate form as found in the Annual Elder-
ships and the General Eldership. In 1829 Winebrenner acknowledged no govern-
ing power of the church above the "presbytery, or eldership, of a local church."
For he states that "a presbytery, or eldership, simply, , signifies th« elders, or
presbyters, of an individual church." It is this presbytery, through the local
Church, as he then taught, which governs and ordains ministers, and whicii ia sub-
ject to no other authority, and to no rules or regulations not .found in the Scrip-
tures. By what process of reasoning. he came to approve and advocate the larger
ruling bodies, or judicatories, with all their varied powers, as seen in the Annual
Elderships, and now to be vested in a General Eldership, will never be known.
He was somewhat secretive, believing- perhaps, with Eggleston, that "secretive' men
are good diplomatists." While he doubtless- dey,elopedtli,e thought and plan of a
General Eldership in his mind, there is no,thing in, evidence that the least degree
of publicity was given to it before Winebrenner proposed it at the .session of the
Ohio Eldership,, on Thursday afternoon, October 17, 1844, when quietly a reso-
lution was adopted, declaring "that this Eldership will agree to co-operate ;witb
the East and West Pennsylvania Elderships tcr create a QeAeral Ekiership for the
transaction of all business of a general nature.''- -The <East -Pennsylvania Elder-
ship was given the right "to name the time and place af holding said General Bldi-
ership." Six delegates; were at once elected. From the Ohio Eldership ,. Win©-
bi-enner went . to the West Pennsylvania Eldership, at Bethany, Westrnoreland
county. He was made a member, of the body. During the first sitting of the Elfl-*
fership he was, on motion, granted "leave to bring before this body certain reso^
lutions passed by the Ohio Eldership." A resolution was thereupon passed, de---
claring "that this Eldership ..agree to co-operate with the Ohio- and East Pennsyl-f
tania Elderships in calling and ^holding a General Eldership,.>to transact business
of a general nature." Upoa .Winebrenner's motion two teaching and two ruling
elders were elected by ballot "to represent this body in the General Eldership." A
resolution was also adopted, that the East Pennsylvania Eldership shall appoint
the time and place for holding the General Eldership. Wiii^torenn^r then, returned
home to attend his own Eldership, which convened at, Linglestown, Dauphin
county, November 13th. During the first morning sitting, under "new items of
business of a general character," "Winebrenner brought before this Eldership the
actions of the Ohio and West Pennsylvania Elderships. touching the propriety of
holding a General Eldership for the transaction of business of a general char-
acter." Three resolutions followed: to agree to hold a .General Eldership, to pro-
ceed immediatelji^ yto elect delegates, and naming Pittsburg as the place, and May
25, 1845, as. the time, for the convening of the delegates tO;organize the proposed
General Eldership. Remarkably little was published concerning this new move-
ment in advance of the meeting. .And .after the General Eldership had become.^
fact, and it had done its work, no report of any character appeared in The Gospel
Publisher. The.only reference thereto was an announcement on June 18th "that
we intend as soon as practicable to pubish the Journal of the proceedings of the
General Eldership in pamphlet form," and on June 2 5th, that "the Journal is now
ready for delivery." Then in the issue of July 2, 1845, when the, Editor discussed
the "Relief Project," "to relieve the Printing Establishment from its present
embarrassed condition," when he refers to "the Journal of the General Eldership."
On August 13th, a disappointed patron of the paper published "severe charges"
against the Editor of the General Eldership on account of the non-publication of
the Journal in The Gospel Publisher. He states that since the session of the Gen-
eral Eldership, no doubt a majority of the brethren have been waiting , with
anxiety and solicitude to see or hear what it has done. He insists that as "it is
deeply interesting to every member of the Church, it should be placed within the
reach of all." The printing of the Journal in pamphlet form he considered "au
756 History of the Churches of God
imposition attempted to be practised on the Church." He considered this course
a "violation of an implied contract with the patrons of the paper."
The delegates to organize the first General Eldership "met at Pittsburg, Pa.,
on Monday, May 26, 1845." Whether there was an Opening Sermon is not re-
corded. Nor is the place of meeting anywhere more definitely indicated. No-
"where is this item on record, interesting as it evidently is, and the more so as
there was no house of worship in Pittsburg the property of the church. But it
"was known that Hickemell had been preaching in a fire engine house, and at the
iome of "Father George W. Gray." But in 1890 this lost item concerning the
General Eldership of 1845 was supplied in the obituary of "Father Gray." A Hall
had been engaged in which to hold the session of the Eldership. But as the Hall
liad been previously engaged for part of that week by another party, the General
Eldership adjourned to the private house of "Father Gray," and the sittings were
then "held under their roof."
The delegates who attended the first General Eldership were as follows:
East Pennsylvania Eldership — J. Winebrenner, David Kyle, E. H. Thomas and
George McCartney, teaching elders. John S. Gable and VVm. Hinney, ruling elders.
West Pennsylvania Eldership — Joseph A. Dobson and John Hickemell, teach-
ing elders. John Farmer and Abraham Sherrick, ruling elders.
Ohio Eldership— Thomas Hickemell and Archibald Megrew, teaching elders.
Total present: Eight teaching elders and four ruling elders, three of which were
substitutes. There were eight absentees. These members of the first General
Eldership were all originally East Pennsylvania men. Other ministers of the
Church of God who were present at the first General Eldership, but not delegates,
were Jacob Myers, Daniel Wertz and Emanuel Logue. When the Eldership was
constituted by John Hickemell and E. H. Thomas, it was organized by the election
of "Bishop John Winebrenner, Speaker; Bishop George McCartney, First Clerk,
and Bishop Edward West, Second Clerk." But West, by special request, was ex-
cused from serving, and "Elder Thomas Hickemell being the next highest, was ap-
pointed in his stead." After appointing a Committee on Arrangements and a
Committee on Order of Business, the Eldership adjourned "to meet at 8 o'clock
to-morrow morning." On the Committee on Order of Business were Winebrenner,
Megrew and Dobson. "As the best method of bringing forward and disposing of
the business of this meeting," said Committee reported in favor of appointing nine
committees: On Constitution, Journals, Overtures, Publications, Resolutions,
State of Religion, Education, Boundaries and Finance. After the appointment of
these nine committees the Eldership adjourned until afternoon. When the Elder-
ship re-convened the Committee on Constitution reported the draft of a Constitu-
tion, which was at once read and its consideration Article by Article begun.
Articles I. to V. inclusive were amended and adopted, when the Eldership ad-
journed until Wednesday morning. At this session two resolutions on Slavery and
one on the deeding of meeting-houses were read and referred to the Committee on
Resolutions. The remainder of the sitting and the afternoon sitting were devoted
to the consideration and amendment of the Constitution, and also the sitting of
Thursday morning. When this work was finished near noon on Thursday, the
Eldership proceeded to "organize according to the Constitution," by electing John
Winebrenner, Speaker; John S. Gable, Treasurer; George McCartney, Journalizing
Clerk, and Edward West, Transcribing Clerk. However West was again excused,
and E. H. Thomas, "the next highest on the list of suffrages was appointed in his
place." The Constitution was formally signed by all the members of the Eldership
enrolled. It consists of thirty Articles, the provisions of which are as follows:
Art. I. States that the General Eldership shall consist of delegates from all
the Annual Elderships which are or may be formed within the geographical terri-
tory of North America; the ratio to be one teaching elder for every ten, together
with an equal number of ruling elders. This shall be the ratio for the first ten
years, after which it may be changed.
Art. II. This Article provides for triennial meetings during the first twenty
years, and every five years thereafter.
Art. III. Provides for religious worship at the opening of each session, and
fixes a quorum at two-thirds of the members in attendance.
Art. IV. The Speaker of the preceding Eldership shall open the first sitting;
In his absence the oldest minister present. Then two persons, appointed by ac-
clamation, shall constitute the Eldership, after which there shall be elected a
The General Eldership 757
Speaker, a Treasurer, and two Clerks, viz.: a Journalizing and a Transcribing
Clerk. They are to hold their offices until the next meeting of the Eldership.
Art. V. Prescribes the duties of the Speaker.
Art. VI. Fixes the duties of the Treasurer.
Art. VII. Defines the duties of the Journalizing Clerk.
Art. VIII. States what the Transcribing Clerk is to do.
ART. IX. Gives to the General Eldership the ownership and control of all
the public, joint and common property of the body.
Art. X. Places all publications for general use under the direction of the
General Eldership.
Art. XI. Vests in the General Eldership the exclusive right and duty to elect
the editors of all newspapers and periodicals; also to elect a Publishing Com-
mittee, a Board of Directors of the Printing Establishment and Book Concern, and
all other agents necessary to carry out the true principles of co-operation.
Art. XII. Provides for a pro rata division of all public property among all
the Annual Elderships.
Art. XIII. All orders from Annual Elderships for their share of the public
funds must be signed by a majority of their respective Standing Committees.
Art. XIV. Gives to the General Eldership the exclusive right of fixing the
boundary lines of all Annual Elderships.
Art. XV. Prescribes the way in which difficulties arising between the mem-
bers of two or more Annual Elderships shall be adjusted.
Art. XVI. Relates to controversies and disputes between members of the
several Annual Elderships, and prescribes the method of settlement.
XVII. Makes it obligatory on every person desiring to be an accredited min-
ister in the Church of God to have a regular license, which is to be annually re-
newed by the Eldership of which he is a member.
Art. XVIII. Denies the right of any Eldership to receive an expelled min-
ister of another Eldership.
Art. XIX. Provides for transfer.
Art. XX. Fixes five years as the period during which a minister can not be
a delegate to the General Eldership, except in new Elderships, or where it is un-
avoidable.
Art. XXI. Gives the General Eldership power to employ missionaries or
agents whether they are members of an Annual Eldership or not.
Art. XXII. Requires all persons in the employ of the General Eldership to
have credentials of their appointment, and holds them accountable to the officers
of the General Eldership, or if members of Annual Elderships, for their moral and
religious characters they are amenable to their Elderships.
Art. XXIII. to Art. XXIX. are Parliamentary Rules.
Art. XXX. Provides for amendments to the Constitution. The Committee
which drafted this Constitution was composed of Winebrenner, Thomas, Hickemell
and Dobson, and the presumption is reasonable that it was the work of Wine-
brenner. It does not appear to what extent, or in what particulars, the first
draft as reported by the Committee was amended. It was the first Constitution
adopted, as neither of the three Annual Elderships had as yet an organic law.
"When the matter of electing an Editor for The Gospel Publisher came up, It
was referred to a Committee to receive proposals. James Mackey and George
McCai'tney submitted proposals. The first ballot resulted in a tie. The matter
was then deferred until Friday morning, when McCartney was duly elected. An
action was taken to secure voluntary contributions "to liquidate the cHims against
the Printing Establishment." Provision was made to issue "The Gospel Pub-
lisher semi-monthly, at $1.00 per volume in advance." The "Hymn Book now in
use" was "for the present recommended to the churches." Two thousand copies
of the Journal were ordered printed in pamphlet form. A "General Book Con-
cern" was favorably recommended. A series of resolutions reported by the Com-
mittee on Resolutions was adopted, to wit: Urging "the Bible c^use as being
emphatically the cause of God;" "hearty and zealously recommending the avoid-
ance of the desecration, by the brethren of the Church of God, of the Sabbath, by
traveling, feasting, sleeping, working, worldly conversation, etc.;" declaring that
"it is the unequivocal and decided opinion of this General Eldership of the Church
of God, that the system of involuntary Slavery is a flagrant violation of the
natural and unalienable and most precious rights of man, and utterly inconsistent
with the spirit, laws and profession of the Christian religion;" "cautioning our
758 History of the Churchks of God
brethren of the Church of God against supporting and countenancing, either di-
l-ectly or indirectly^ the said iniquitous institution of involuntary slavery; and
Should any of our ministers or members ever become guilty of this great and cry-
ing sin, we do most earnestly and religiously recommend and advise that all such
be excommunicated or cast out of the Church, and denied the right of Christian
fellowship amongst us;" expressing its judgment, that "men in every condition in
life should come forvi^ard and sign the pledge of total abstinence, and strive
to advance the noble cause of temperance;" urging united effort in the cause of
temperance irrespective of creed; expressing sorrow that "there are yet ministers
of the gospel who refuse to give their views and influence in favor of a
cause like that of temperance, which is so closely allied to that of Christianity;"
declaring it "inconsistent for professors of Christianity in any way to countenance
the; traffic in intoxicating drink, and especially to assist the rum-seller to procure
a license by signing his petition;" "that we consider the traffic in intoxicating
liquor as a drink always sinful and demoralizing in its results, and that no man
is entitled to membership in the Church of God who is engaged in it." Also rec-
ommending the "deeding of meeting-houses, parsonages, etc., to the elders of the
respective churches, to be held by them in trust for the church," and with a pro-
visionary clause under which such property would revert "to the Annual Elderships
in the event of the local church becoming extinct." G. U. Ham was "sent to labor
in Pittsburg," with an appropriation of $50.00 "out of the funds of the General
Eldership." One General Agent was elected for West Pennsylvania Eldership and
one for Ohio Eldership "to collect money for the Relief Fund." The Speaker,
Treasurer and Clerks were "constituted a Publishing Committee, and are author-
ized to do all they can towards commencing a Book Concern." The Board of the
Printing Establishment was given autffiority "to locate the Establishment, to ap-
point the printer or printers, and to have discretionary power and authority to fill
any vacancies which may occur, or to change the Editor if any cause should arise."
In the Report of the Committee on the State of Religion statistics are given as fol-
lows: East Pennsylvania Eldership, 52 ordained ministers; West Pennsylvania
Eldership, 15 ordained ministers; Ohio Eldership, 26 prea,chers. Total, 93 or-
ddined ministers. The number of churches and preaching places about 500, and
the whole numbef of members about 10,000. • • •
A recommendation was adopted appointing "the first Lord's day in August
next as a day of solemn fasting and prayef for an increase of able ministers of the
New Testament; for the revival of jpui-e religion, and for the general peace and
prosperity of the Church."
On the subject of Education its vital importance was affirmed "on a civil and
religious point of view," with a recommendation that the families of the Church
should "have their children educated to the utmost extent of their ability."
The Eldership adopted a resolution "forming itself into a Domestic and For-
eigji Missionary Society." A regular Constitution was adopted.
Boundaries were outlined as follows: East Pennsylvania to include the whole
of the State of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia east of the Allegheny moun-
tains. West Pennsylvania, that part of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia west
of the Allegheny mountains, with that part of the State of Ohio east of a direct
line from Lake Erie to the Ohio river along the line between Columbiana and
Stark counties. Ohio, the States of Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, except that part
of Ohio contained within the boundaries of the West Pennsylvania Eldership.
The Eldership "adjourned to meet in Pittsburg on the last Lord's day in May,
in the year 1848," .
It is worthy of observation in connection with the actions of the General Eld-
ership on Slavery and Temperance, that the great anti-slavery reform which
started upon "a bolder and wider career soon after 1830," had by 1843 "power-
fully stirred the nation, producing strife, bitterness, divisions and mobs." After
1$43 the question of slavery entered largely into political action in primary as-
semblies, in elections and in halls of legislation, while the Churches were at no
time exempt from this seriously-disturbing influence. John Tyler's accession to
the Presidency, whose term expired in 1845, intensified this spirit by the incipient
movements of his administration for the acquisition of Texas and other slave terri-
tory in the south-west. While the Committee on the State of Religion reported
only a total of 93 ministers of the Church, yet up to the meeting of the General
Eldership in 1845 the total number licensed by the three Elderships aggregated
186.
The Ge:ne;ral Ei.deesiiip 7.5.9
2nd General Eldei*ship. — Apparently a grave crisis confrontetj the General
Eldership when it convened in the bethel at Martinsburg, Blair county, Pa., on
Monday, May 29, 1848. The Eldership in 1845 had adjourned to meet at Pitts-
burg. The Constitution had been opposed and its provisions disregarded to some
extent. T. Hickernell, Indiana Eldership, "appointed to attend the next General
Eldership," states that "we could get no delegates appointed to go to the General
Eldership, although it was hard plead for. The idea is still held that the Consti-
tution of the General Eldership looks too much like a Discipline; that a link is
now formed, and after awhile we will have a chain, and that the resolution passed
in reference to the licensing system savors the idea that no minister can be con-
sidered an accredited minister without a license from the Eldership, no matter how
good his standing and character may be." Yet he was in favor of having "the
general system of co-operation kept up." A. HoUeins, of the Ohio Eldership, de-
clared that "this instrument [the Constitution of the General Eldership] has pro-
duced considerable contention and division." His main objection was that "it is
a departure, and a very gross departure, from original principles;" denounced it
as "a human invention," and that no "man, nor any set of men have the right,
ecclesiastically, to legislate a law for the 'better government of Christ's house,
and the declarative glory of God,' as the members of the General Eldership pro-
fessed to do." No reply was made to these attacks on the Constitution between
January 1.5th and April 15th, when J. H. Hurley, pastor of the Dauphin circuit.
Pa., undertook the defense of the Constitution, and made a caustic answer to
HoUema'. article. Winebrenner simply noticed the change of place for the holding
of the General Eldership, from Pittsburg to Martinsburg, with an offer to pay the
extra fare to Hickernell, the only delegate west of Pittsburg. Hollems replied to
Hurley, concluding with the words: "Our Constitution is from the King him-
self, and on it we intend to stand, the Lord being our helper. But be it under-
stood that we go for co-operation, only let it be based on principles that are more
tolerable." Even after the General Eldership in 1848, the Indiana Eldership de-
clared that "we can not believe or receive any law or Constitution framed ^y any
of our brethren as having any legal authority over this Eldership in tlje transaction
of its business."
At the time appointed the General Eldership convened at Martinsburg. At
9 o'clock of the first day Winebrenner "opened the ^es,sion with worship." J. Ross
and J. Keller constituted the Eldership, "whereupon the following brethren were
found and reported as being present, viz.:
East Pennsylvania Eldership — J. Winebi-enner, E. H. Thomas, Jacob Flake,
Jacob Keller and Joseph Ross, teaching elders. Joseph Brenneman and J. W.
Mateer, ruling elders. James Mackey, teaching elder, and J. S. Gable, J. Kister, A.
Brenneman and D. Markley, ruling elders, were absent. Wm. Mooney and David
Kyle were substituted in place of two of the absentees.
West Pennsylvania Eldership— Jacob Myers and J. M. Klein, teaching elders,
and John Tinsman, ruling elder, all absent.
Ohio Eldership— No delegates elected.
Indiana Eldership — Thomas Hickernell, teaching elder, absent. But nine
delegates out of possibly twenty-one to which the four Elderships were entitled
were present. Hickernell in a communication to the General Eldership, said:
"The removal of the General Eldership from Pittsburg to Martinsburg, Blair
county, accounts for my non-attendance." "An unexpected circumstance has put
it out of my power to meet with you as delegate," was J. S. Gable's reason for
being absent. But he suggested that "arrangements be made for at least one
General Superintendent in each Eldership." Winebrenner editorially made no
reference to the conduct of the Elderships not represented at the session. He
simply said: "The meeting, though small, was yet pleasant and profitable." But
the West Pennsylvania Eldership at its session in October following required its
delegates to give reasons for not being present at the General Eldership. The
Eldership itself adopted a resolution in which it spoke of the "feelings of regret
and disappointment" on the part of the Eldership and church at Martinsburg over
"the great delinquency in a considerable part of the delegates chosen to attend
this General Eldership;" that "they have left it to a handful of their brethren to
bear the burden and responsibility, and expense of the work which it was their
bounden duty to assist in," and urging the Annual Elderships to "call on them to
give satisfactory reasons for this failure in what was expected from them."
760 History of th£ Churches op God
Upon proceeding to organize the Eldership, Jacob Flake was elected Speaker;
Joseph Ross, Treasurer; E. H. Thomas, Journalizing Clerk, and Jacob Keller,
Transcribing Clerk. The usual committees, eight in number, were appointed. The
Treasurer's receipts amounted to $45.23. Of this sum $21.00 were paid to G. U.
Ham on his salary as missionary to Pittsburg, and $24.23 to Winebrenner "on
account of balance due him for publishing the Journal of the General Eldership of
1845." This left a "balance due to the said brethren from the Western Elderships
of $38.97."
The revision of the Constitution, Article by Article, was taken up. Amend-
ments were offered and rejected, and "the whole was agreed to, with the addition
of the following Article: "The General Eldership shall have the privilege to re-
view the Journals of the Annual Elderships, with power to approve or disapprove
the doings of the same, and also to give its advice and instruction in all cases and
questions which may at any time be submitted to them for their decision." Pro-
vision was made for compiling a Hymn-Book containing five hundred or more
hymns, the matter being placed in the hands of a committee of six from the East
Pennsylvania Eldership, two from the West Pennsylvania Eldership, two from the
Ohio Eldership and one from the Indiana Eldership. Winebrenner was requested
to be the publisher. The same Committee was also "requested to compile a Hymn-
Book for the use of Sabbath-schools." A committee was created and authorized
"to examine the Journal and papers of our late brother. Elder Joseph H. Bam-
berger, and to prepare any parts of the same for publication." The same Com-
mittee was "appointed to collect and compile Biographical Sketches of the first one
hundred ministers of the Church of God for publication, and that the Publishing
Committee be authorized to publish the same."
The Missionary Society organized in 1845 reported that "there had been no or-
ganization of the Societies, and no moneys received, except what came from the East
Pennsylvania Eldership [$21.00], and consequently no missionaries were employed
by them." Winebrenner offered a resolution, following a preamble which declared
that "the law of tithes was a standing ordinance in the theocracy of ancient Israel,"
and that it "is a reasonable, equitable and righteous law," which resolution com-
mended "to all the churches of God to adopt and enforce the law of tithes, as the
minimum rule of duty in supporting the interests of Church and State." This
provoked considerable discussion, after which it "was rejected by a vote of seven
to two." Flake then offered "a substitute, which was unanimously adopted."
This substitute on the duty of giving "to the poor, to support the ministry and to
sustain all the interests of the Church and the cause of Christ in proportion as the
Lord has prospered them." The resolution recommended this plan to the churches,
and asked them to "remember that even in ancient Israel the Lord ordained that
one-tenth of their produce should be devoted to sacred purposes, and that under
the New Testament we are to devote at least that much, or more, to the cause of
our God and Savior." The Committee on Education was directed "to make out
and publish a list of a series of books for the use and study of young ministers for
four consecutive years, and that they be examined in their studies at each Annual
Eldership." The first Friday in October was recommended to the churches to be
observed as a day of fasting and prayer. The action of the Ohio Eldership in
"setting off, contrary to the Constitution of the General Eldership and our general
plan of co-operation an Eldership in Indiana" was disapproved; but the Eldership
was recognized, and was empowered "to prescribe its own boundaries, including
the various missions in Illinois." The churches and the Annual Elderships were
advised "not to sanction the disorderly steps and proceedings," of "persons in the
local churches, and several Annual Elderships, taking in hand to dissolve their
connection with the bodies to which they belong by a simple act of resignation,
without giving any reason for such a course." The Eldership adjourned, after
being in session from Monday morning until Tuesday evening, to meet at Pittsburg,
Pa., on "the third Lord's day of May, A. D. 1851."
3rd General Eldership. — Winebrenner "left home for Pittsburg, to attend the
General Eldership of the Church of God, on Saturday, May 17th, and went as far
as Churchtown." He and Sandoe remained there over Lord's day "assisting in
holding a two-days' meeting." On Monday morning they were joined by Thomas
and McFadden, and the four "set out from there, in a two-horse private vehicle,
for Pittsburg." The first day they "went as far as Orrstown and held meeting."
They made no stops to hold meetings after leaving Orrstown until they reached
Bethany, Westmoreland county, Friday afternoon. There Thomas preached in the
The General Eldership 761
evening of May 23rd. On Saturday they journeyed to Pittsburg via West Newton,
where they arrived about noon. On Sabbath they "preached in different places
both in Pittsburg and Allegheny City." In the issue of The Church Advocate of
June 16, 1851, in which appeared the Journal of the Eldership, Winebrenner gave
a brief account of doings of the Eldership, and of the return trip of himself and
party, in which he says: "This body met and was held at Pittsburg, Pa., accord-
ing to appointment." But the Journal states that "Agreeably to appointment,
this body met in the Disciples' meeting-house, in the city of Allegheny, Pa., on
Monday, the 26th of May, 1851." A resolution of thanks was adopted for the use
of this meeting-house. However, Winebrenner corrects himself in the same article
in which he states that the Eldership "was held in Pittsburg," by stating that "the
sessions were held in the Disciples' meeting-house in Allegheny City." The dele-
gates enrolled as present were as follows:
East Pennsylvania — Teaching elders, J. Winebrenner, G. U. Ham, Wm. Mo
Fadden, E. H. Thomas. Ruling elder, John Fausnocht.
West Pennsylvania — Teaching elders, John Hlckemell, Emanuel Logue.
Ohio — Teaching elders, A. Hollems, Henry Murray. Ruling elder, Samuel
Metzler.
Indiana — Teaching elder, Thomas Hickemell. Two teaching elders and six
ruling elders from East Pennsylvania were absent; one ruling elder from West
Pennsylvania; two from Ohio; Iowa Eldership had appointed none, and the one
delegate appointed by Michigan was absent. Total number present was eleven,
less than a majority. Thomas Hickemell was elected Speaker; J. S, Gable, Treas-
urer; E. H. Thomas, Journalizing Clerk, and G. U. Ham, Transcribing Clerk. G.
H. Ball, Corresponding Messenger of the Free-Will Baptist Church, was present,
and "was received as a full member of this body." A. D. Williams, of the Free-
Will Baptist Church, was also present, and was "voted a seat in this body." Wine-
bi-enner was appointed "to make a collection of Hymns for the new Hymn-Book,
assisted by all the members of the Hymn-Book Committee." Action was taken,
declaring the "delegates of the several Annual Elderships be amenable for their
official conduct to the several Annual Elderships of which they are members;" "that
the General Eldership shall possess no legislative authority in matters of religious
faith and practice;" repealing Article XX. of the Constitution, and inserting as a
substitute the following: "The Annual Elderships shall be the judges of the quali-
fications of their ministerial delegates;" and Article XXXI. was "so altered as to
read, The General Eldership shall have power to decide and advise in all cases
and questions which may at any time be submitted to them for their decision."
The "Missionary Board reported, that having no means, they employed no mis-
sionaries." The churches in Athens and Meigs counties, Ohio, were "set oft" from
the West Pennsylvania Eldership, and attached to the Ohio Eldership." "The
churches and brotherhood in Illinois" were "advised to erect themselves into a
new Eldership." Action was taken looking toward the endowment of one or two
professorships in the Free Baptist College at Chester, Geauga county, Ohio. It
also recommended that the Committee of the East Pennsylvania Eldership which
had matured a plan for a College be "retained by this body, and be authorized to
open books and solicit subscriptions of shares to the stock of Bethel College." The
Eldership declared a matter which "called for humiliation and reform, and to be
deeply regretted, that there is great inadequacy of ministerial support, and to con-
sequent secularizing in the holy ministry." It also approved of the efforts being
made by "the western brethren to secure a Printing Establishment to be held as
the property of the whole Church, and locate it at Wooster, Ohio." J.
Winebrenner and E. H. Thomas were appointed "delegates to the next General
Conference of the Free-Will Baptist Church." It also expressed the hope that "the
correspondence now commenced may result in a more intimate acquaintance, a
firmer friendship, and as far as possible a mutual co-operation." The Eldership
adjourned to meet at Wooster, Ohio, the last Lord's day in May, 1854.
4th General Eldership. — The Eldership which met at Wooster, Ohio, in the
Disciple meeting-house, on Monday, the 29th day of May, 1854, did so under in-
spiring conditions. It had "abundant cause to be thankful," wrote Winebrenner,
"for success in days past and gone; and never, does it seem to us, did the harvest
present itself more invitingly and with prospects for better encouragement. The
Church of God, if her ministers and people have a mind and heart to work, will and
must triumph, notwithstanding the creed-making and violent opposition around
her." It was still slow traveling in the West, as it took delegates from Decatur,
.762 History of the Churches of God
111., from 4 o'clock p. m., of May 23rd, till 6 o'clock p. m., of the 26th, to reach
Wooster, Ohio. When the Eldership was constituted by J. Mackey and John Hick-
«i"nell, the following delegates were found in attendance:
East Pennsylvania — Jacob Keller, A. Swaitz, John Winebrenner, Jesse Hai-
fleigh, E. H. Thomas, J. H. Hurley, G. U. Hani, teaching elders. S. Knisley, J. S.
Gable, Christian Foiniey, Joseph Ross, A. H. Lung, James Mackey, Levi Diehl,
ruling elders. Some of these were ministers substituted in place of ruling elders.
West Pennsylvania — John Hickernell, E. Logue, John Tinsman, teaching
elders. C. Smith, G. Walters, J. Evans, ruling elders.
Ohio — A. Hollems, H. Murray, Jacob Myers, J. M. West, teaching elders. Sam-
uel Metzler, J. Zimmerman, J. P. Winebrenner, Peter Cmm, ruling elders.
Indiana — Thomas Hickeniell, teaching elder. David Neidig, ruling elder.
Illinois — Jacob M. Klein, teaching elder. Daniel Wertz, ruling elder (a min-
ister).
Iowa and Michigan Elderships were not represented. An election for officers
resulted in the choice of James Mackey, Speaker; Joseph Ross, Treasurer; Jesse
Haifleigh, Journalizing Clerk, and Jacob Myers, Transcribing Clerk. A Committee
on Rules of Order reported a number of Parliamentary Rules. Ham, a very ag-
gressive type of man, at once offered a resolution to amend "the first and seven-
teenth Articles of the Constitution so as to read 'Churches of God,' instead
of 'Church of God.' " This "was not agreed to." The proposition to, endow pro-
fessorships in Geauga College, adopted in 1851, was withdrawn. Thomas and
Winebrenner gave "their reasons for not attending as delegates the General Confer-
ence of the Free-Will Baptist Church," and were excused. The Committee to sell
stock of the institution called Bethel College, which the .East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship proposed to build, having reported that "no more particular efforts to carry
out the object referred to had been made," it was decided to "put forth increased
•effort to effect the object of establishing of a Seminary or College." It also was
recommended to "cordially and properly adopt any plan of co-operation" which
the Free-Will Baptist Church might propose. The Academy located at Shippens-
burg, Pa., was recommended.
A Petition was received from "a Convention of German brethren, held near
•Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county. Pa., praying for permission to establish a Ger-
man Eldership." Winebrenner then offered preambles and resolutions "highly ap-
proving of their benevolent movement," and that the General Eldership "will most
cordially grant them their petition," with these provisions: 1. "That they will
identify themselves with this body and co-operate with it in like manner as the
English Elderships do." 2. "That they take in and supply for the pressent, and
until this body shall otherwise direct, as far as they can, all the Germans through-
out the United States." 3. "That they carry on their operations within the
bounds of other Elderships, with the advice and consent of the authorities of such
Elderships." Winebi-enner and Keller were appointed delegates to assist and ad-
•vise in the organization of said Eldership. , „
A. D. Williams, Corresponding Messenger of the General Conference of the
Pree-Will Baptist Church, sent a communication, which "was highly appreciated."
A. Swartz, T. Hickernell and Jacob Myei-s were appointed Corresponding Mes-
sengers to the General Conference of the Free-Will Baptist Church. The resolu-
tions on Slavery adopted in 184 5 were re-affirmed, with the statement that "they
were understood to teach our uncompromising hostility to slavery at the time of
their adoption, and that they still express our unwavering resistance to this in-
stitution in any form of its representation." And that "any person sustaining the
relation of master and slave is disqualified for membership in the Church of God."
A resolution in favor of "ordination with the imposition of hands by one or more
.of the bishops of the Church of God" was indefinitely postponed, and referred for
discussion in The Advocate. The proposed translation of the Scriptures by the
American Bible Union was commended, in which "the exact meaning of the inspired
text, as it was understood by those who were acquainted with the language of the
original Scriptures at the time they were first written, was to be given by cor-
responding words and phrases, so far as they can be found in the vernacular tongue
of those for whom the version is designed." The "great movement of obtaining
prohibitory laws in all the States of the Union, in all the nations of the earth,
against the sale of intoxicating drinks as a beverage," was strongly indorsed, with
a pledge "to use all lawful efforts to consummate the same." The location of the
new Printing Establishment, when suflicient funds have been obtained, was to be
The General Eldership 763
determined "by a majority of the members of the Standing Committees of the
several Elderships." The Board of Publication was directed to publish a Hymn-
Book, to be the property of the General Eldership, and providing for the disposal
of the net proceeds. The Standing Committees of the different Elderships were
ins.tructed to appoint two persons in each church to secure subscriptions for the
new Printing Establishment. Free-will contributions were requested "to aid in
the education of Ting-Ing-Kavv, a young Chinaman brought to this country by Bi-o.
•Janies Colder." A Board of Missions was appointed, "consisting of one member
from each Eldership represented here." The appointment of two missionaries to
Texas was recommended to the Board of Missions.
5th General Eldership. — Conditions in the East Pennsylvania Eldership were
of the most irenical character to human eyes when the General Eldership convened
in Harrisburg, June 1, 18.57. No one could forsee what the next two or three years
held in reserve to mar the peace and threaten the unity of the Church. It was
Tiappily hid from the men who with hopeful hearts greeted each other in the finest
house of worship in the whole territory of the General Eldership. On the typical
morning of June 1st Winebrenner called the assembled elders to order, and A.
Megrevv, of Iowa, led the body in "the usual acts of worship." On motion of Wine-
brenner, Megrew and D. A. L. Laverty constituted the Eldership, when the follow-
ing were enrolled, viz.:
East Pennsylvania Eldership — Teaching elders — John Winebrenner, J. H.
Hurley, John C. Owens, Abraham Swartz, Edward H. Thomas, Jacob Keller and
James Colder. Ruling elders — A. I, Kauffman, K. A. Moore, D, A. L. Laverty,
Joseph Ross, John S. Gable, Jacob Miley and David Spencer. Laverty and Ross
were teaching elders substituted for ruling elders.
West Pennsylvania Eldership — Teaching elders — A. C Raysor, John Hicker-
nell and Seth S. Richmond. Ruling elders — Nohe present.
Ohio Eldership — Teaching elders — Lewis Selby, Levi B. Hartman, John S.
McKee, Thomas H. Deshiri and J. M. West. Ruling elders — None present.
Indiana Eldership — Teaching elder — Thomas Hickemell. Ruling elders —
None present.
Illinois Eldership — Teaching elder — Jacob Bear. Ruling elder — George W.
Boyer.
Iowa Eldership — Teaching elders — A. Megrew and Henry Murray. Ruling
elders — None present.
German Eldership — Teaching elder — Joseph K. Moyer. Ruling elder —
Daniel Loiidenschleger.
The organization was effected by the choice of John Winebrenner for Speaker;
:Joseph Ross, Treasurer; A. C. Raysor, Journalizing Clerk, and D. A. L. Laverty,
Transcribing Clerk.
The Eldership proceeded with its business with unusual deliberation, as the
first day was taken up with the business of constituting and organizing the body,
and the appointment of the regular committees and adoption of the Rules of Order.
■One hour of the morning sitting of the second day was spent "in free conversation
on the state of religion."
The items of purchasing a Printing Establishment; the claims against the
old Printing Establishment; the appeal of Hawk, of Iowa, and "the conversation
oh the state of religion" were placed in the hands of committees of one from each
Eldership. The debts of the Old Printing Establishment were an indefinite amount,
as the Committee reported, and the claimants were not all known to the Committee.
Hence it recommended that a committee, consisting of John S. Gable and George
Ross, be appointed to "dispose of the matter in the following manner": To publish
a notice in The Advocate notifying the claimants to send in their claims, with their
vouchers, and that the Committee determine the real amount of indebtedness, and
divide it pro rata among the several Elderships. Joseph Ross appeared before the
Committee and "freely and willingly relinquished all his claim." His claim was
"between twelve and fifteen hundred dollars." Winebrenner's account with The
■Gospel Publisher footed up $3,009.49, and it was proposed to have "the several
Elderships assume" this claim, less one-third, which Winebrenner proposed to
"abate."
On the Printing Establishment the Committee ascertained that Colder, to
wh6m Winebrenner had sold the Establishment and transferred The Advocate, was
"willing to sell to this body for the amount it cost him." But as "this body
has no funds in its treasury" the Committee recommended that the Eldership "take
764 History of the Churches of God
the Establishment at the amount it cost Colder, and leave it in his hands until the
receipts cover that amount." A committee of three was appointed to carry this
into effect. E. H. Thomas, John S. Gable and George Ross were appointed. Colder
was then elected Editor.
In the Hawk case the Eldership decided that "the Eldership of Iowa erred In
expelling Bro. Hawk without a trial." A committee of three, one to be appointed
by "this body, the Eldership of Iowa another and Bro, Hawk a third" was agreed
upon "to settle the difficulties." In the case of Felix Hartman the appeal was not
sustained, but he was referred back to his Eldership.
The Slavery question was irrepressible. Ober's letter was referred to the
Committee on Slavery. This Committee, however, reported that "we deem it un-
necessary to take any further action at this time." But this could not repress dis-
cussion, and the subject monopolized nearly two sittings before the report was
adopted and the Committee discharged. Colder at once, in the same issue of The
Advocate with the Journal, published the actions of the General Eldership in 1845
and 1854, the former sustaining the position of the most extreme disputants on
"the much vexed question" against any concessions to the pro-slavery party.
The division of the Ohio Eldership was recommended, and the boundaries out-
lined between the two Ohio Elderships by the Ohio Standing Committee were con-
firmed. The State line between Ohio and Indiana was made the western boundary
of the West Ohio Eldership.
Because "God has blessed the churches during the past year with rich effusions
of his Spirit in the conversion of many souls and the building up of the member-
ship," the ministers and churches were "recommended to set apart the last Sabbath
of July as a day of special thanksgiving and praise."
The Committee on Temperance lamented "that the cause of temperance in this
country is on the decline," and "the preachers in the bounds of all the Elderships"
were directed ''to take a more efficient part on the subject."
The question of the imposition of hands was indefinitely postponed, as having
been thoroughly discussed in The Advocate.
The publication of a new Hymn-Book came up through the Committee on
Journals of 1854. Nothing had been done during the three years "but the employ-
ing of Bro. Winebrenner to make a suitable selection of hymns." The probable
cost of the work was given at $1,500, and the Committee recommended that this
amount "be raised by subscription, or joint stock." Accordingly "a Stock Com-
mittee" of members from all the Elderships was appointed, and a committee con-
sisting of John S. Gable, Joseph Ross and James Colder was named as the Publish-
ing Committee.
6th General Eldership. — In the shadows of the events of the political contest
upon which the greatest and gravest issues of the century were suspended, the
General Eldership assembled in the bethel at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, on Monday,.
May 28, 1860. "Business of the utmost importance to the churches" was antici-
pated. The session was characterized at its close as "one of the most pleasant, in-
teresting and harmonious we have held since the organization of the General Eld-
ership in 1845." Winebrenner's enfeebled condition, and possible preironitions
that this might be his last meeting with the highest tribunal of the Church, had a
mellowing effect, and served to chasten the asperities of debate. He opened the
session "with reading Scripture and a ministerial address, singing and prayer."
The address was "affectionate and able." He also preached on Sabbath morning,
"a solemn, plain, systematic, sympathetic, soul-melting and most evangelical dis-
course," based on Jer. xxxi. 18-20. For fervor, pathos and power this sermon ex-
celled, and was memorable in the history of the General Eldership.
J. H. Hurley and J. Haifleigh constituted the Eldership, when the following en-
rollment was made:
East Pennsylvania Eldership. Teaching elders — J. Winebrenner, E. H»
Thomas, Jacob Keller, James Mackey, A. X. Shoemaker, A. Swai*tz, J. Haifleigh.
Ruling elders — Joseph Ross, J. S. Gable, J. Kennedy, A. I. KaufFman, D. Shoe-
maker, C. Forney, M. Shelly. For absentees, W. McFadden, G. U. Ham, S. Myers*
E. Shaeffer, J. F. Weishampel and B. F. Beck were substituted.
West Pennsylvania Eldership. Teaching elders — J. Hickemell, S. S. Rich-
mond and E. Jordan (absent). Ruling elders — J. M. Domer, P. Loucks and E.
Smith (absent).
East Ohio Eldership. Teaching elders— J. S. McKee (absent), M. Beck, L. B.
Hartman, L. H. Selby. Ruling elders — J. Beidler, D. Ridenour, D. Baker.
The Gene^kal Eldership 765
West Ohio Eldership. Teaching elders — T. Hickemell, R. H. Bolton, J. M.
West. Ruling elders — J. F. Fox, W. H. Reeme, H. Davis.
Indiana Eldership. Teaching elders — George Thomas, D. Keplinger. Ruling
■elders — A. B. Slyter, E. Latta.
Illinois Eldership. Teaching elders — J. H. Hurley, J. M. Klein (absent). Rul-
ing elders — J. Bare, G. W, Boyer (both absent).
Iowa Eldership. Teaching elders — H. Murray (absent), D. Wertz, F. F. Kiner.
German Eldership. Teaching elder — J. Myers (absent).
The Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership was "admitted and recognized
as a member of this body," and George Sandoe was enrolled as teaching elder.
The Michigan Eldership was not recognized, "as our knowledge of their member-
ship is much limited." A Committee was named to pay them a visit, "with dis-
cretionary power to receive the Michigan Eldership into this body." The delegate.
Elder C. C. Linsley, was made an advisory member. J. H. Hurley was elected
Speaker; Joseph Ross, Treasurer; J. Haifleigh, Journalizing Clerk, and R. H. Bol-
ton, Transcribing Clerk. A committee to "revise and amend the Constitution" was
appointed, composed of Winebrenner, J. Hickemell, D. Keplinger, L. B. Hartman
and D. Wertz. The entire thirty-eight Articles were gone over, and acted upon;
but only six Articles were amended. The motion of Ham to change the title, so as
to read, "The General Eldership of Churches of God," was lost. Another "free con-
versation on the subject of religion" was a feature of the session. The Report of
the Board of Publication on the new Hymn-Book showed that the total expendi-
tures for compiling, editing, proofreading, printing, binding, etc., including also
books on hand and sold but unpaid, were $7,728.43, on which there was a balance
due the Board of $750.20.
Revs. S. D. Bates and D. M. Graham had been appointed by the General Con-
ference of the Free-Will Baptists "to represent its fellowship and fraternal regard"
t<5r the General Eldership, and the former presented the credentials and was re-
■ceived as an advisory member. They solicited a "response by delegate to the next
General Conference" of said Church. J. H. Hurley was appointed "Corresponding
Messenger to the next meeting of the General Conference of the Free-Will Baptist
Church."
The Printing Board reported that the "cherished hopes" of three years ago
*'have not been realized;" that by the end of a year and eight months the Editor
had become "embarrased for want of funds" and the paper "was stopped, the hands
discharged and the office abandoned," thus forcing the Committee to "assume the
responsibility of publishing The Advocate under their own immediate control, with
all its liabilities, amounting to the sum of $1,334.00." Additional debts had to be
contracted to finish the last volume, bringing the indebtedness up to $1,900.00.
Thomas had been made Editor, and was re-elected, and the contract for three years
ratified. On Winebrenner's old claims $797.25 had been paid by four of the
Annual Elderships.
A notably long and trenchant debate was precipitated by the Report of the
Committee on Slavery, of which Ham, the fiery, ultra abolitionist, was Chairman.
It characterized slave-holding to be "man-stealing;" "turns human flesh, blood,
hones, sinews, nerves and muscles into articles of common merchandise; sets a
price on souls, morals, religion and the image of God," and that "all who per-
petrate said sin are classified by Paul along with the lawless, disobedient, ungodly,
unholy and profane sinners, such as murderers of fathers and mothers, man-
slayers and whoremongers, liars and perjurers." The mildest of its eight reso-
lutions related to the Texas missionaries, simply deeply "deploring the course" of
these missionaries on the subject. Thomas offered a substitute, reaffirming the
resolutions of 1845, with some additional sentiments better suited to existing
•exigencies. On this the yeas and nays were called, the vote on substituting the
Thomas resolutions for the Report of the Committee standing 21 to 14, and they
were adopted.
The Committee on Publications suggested that "the time has come when a
Sabbath-school paper should be published," and advised that "a suitable person be
appointed, under proper restrictions, to get up a paper for the Sabbath-schools of
the Church of God." The adoption of measures was recommended "to encourage
the publishing, under sanction of a revision committee, of such books as will be
suited to the indoctrinating of our children in the truths of the gospel of Christ."
A general "Sabbath-school missionary" was suggested. The Eldership reaffirmed
its "confidence in, and devotion to, the principles of the Maine Law," and "solemnly
766 History of the Churches of God
protested against the License Law as an outrage upoja the intelligence of a, civilized
people." In only general terms was the subject of education acted upon. The
General Eldership of 1860 adjourned, and the labors of Winebrenner in the highest
ecclesiastical body in the Church of God on earth were finished.
7th General Eldership. — The personnel of the General Eldership of 1863 was
so changed as to look like a new body. For the first time Winebrenner was not
present. Three of the younger ministers were in the East Pennsylvania delega-
tion, and four new names were on the lay delegation. An equally great change
was noticeable in the West Pennsylvania delegation, though the tall, erect form
of John Hickemell was seen again as one of them. The three Hickemell brothers
were present, representing three Elderships. In East Ohio changes were fewer.
The West Ohio delegation was increased, making some changes. The ministerial
delegation from Indiana was not changed, nor in Illinois. The Eldership convened
at New Brighton, Beaver county. Pa., on Monday, June 1, 1863. There was no
Opening Sermon; but after "reading of Scripture, ministerial addresses and prayer
by Elder J. H. Hurley, Speaker," the Eldership was "constituted by R. H. Bolton,
Second Clerk of the last Eldership." "The following were found and reported ta
be in attendance":
East Pennsylvania Eldership — Eldei-s E. H. Thomas, A. X. Shoemaker, J.
Keller, A. Swartz, D. A. L. Laverty, J. C, Owens, B. F. Beck, C. H. Foraey; and
Bros. J. Rife, Dr. Geo. Ross, Levi Kanffman, J. B. Coover and Jacob HickemeU.
West Pennsylvania Eldership — John Hickemell, J. Hovis, J. M. Domer, J»
Glenn and P. Loucks, ahd Bro. Belles.
East Ohio Eldership — Elders L. B. Hartman, M. Beck, J. S. McKee and W. H.
Oliver.
West Oliio Eldership— Elders T. Hickemell, R. H. Bolton, Geo. W. Wilson, L»
Ensminger, W. McComiiCk, Jas. George, and Bro. J. F. Fox. . ; .; -i
Indiana Eldership — Elders George Thomas, ahd D. Keplinger.
Illinois Eldership — Eldei-s J. H. Hurley, J. M. Klein and Bro. C. Klinefelter.
Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership — Not represented. •■
Iowa Eldership — Not represented.
German Eldership — Not represented.
Michigan Eldership — Not l-eipresented.
Texas Eldership— Not representeid. ,■'''..
The organization was effected by the election of Jacob Keller, Speaker; J. Rife,;
Treasurer; R. H. Bolton, Journalizing Clerk, and C. If. Forney, Transcribing Cleyk,
The matter of receiving the Michigan Eldership was at once taken up, ;wlie.n, tae
report of the Committee to visit said Eldership, appointed in 1860, was received
and ratified, thus making it a member of the General Eldership. J. H. Hurley,
appointed Corresponding Messenger to the Free-Will Baptist General Conferenpe,
reported "non-attendance on account of physical inability." For the first time a
licensed woman minister sat with the Eldership as an advisory member, viz. : Mrs.
Martha Jane Beecher, of the' West Pennsylvania Eldership. The Committee on Sla-
very had its duties enlarged so as also to be a Committee on the State of the Coun-j
try. In this double capacity it reported a series of thirteen resolutions, declaring its
belief that the Government of the United States is founded on God's ordinance, and
is to be pr'eserved inviolate; that thus to preserve and maintain it is the mission
of the American people; that all its subjects owe unqualified loyalty to the rightful
authorities, and can not be excused because of doubts as to the wisdom of the
policy adopted; but conscientious scruples in relation to bearing arms in its defense
are not "a justifiable cause for impeaching a man's fidelity to the author Qf civil
government." It rejected "the idea of the right of revolution under a democratic
form of government." In "our persistent adherence to some fiagrant national sin
or sins" did the Committee find the only cause for "a permanent dismemberment
of the American Union, or the complete abrogation of our present form of govern-
ment." The "sacrifice of life and treasure in the war for the overthrow of the
slaveholders rebellion" is "obviously the result of God's judgment upon us for our
wickedness." American Slavery, it declared as "the solemn conviction" of the Eld-
ership, is "the operative cause of the present rebellion," and hence it is demanded
that this "unnatural and cruel system be completely abolished." In these views the
Committee, Swartz, Wilson and M. Beck, were fully sustained by the Eldership. A
"petition from brethren of the Church in Maryland" for permission to organize a
Maryland Eldership was first negatived because "the proper preliminary steps were
not taken," and later the Committee reported that such a project is "inexpedient
The General Eldet^ship 767
at this time." Weishampel, who had engineered the project, was deeply chagrined
at this result, which with other humiliating treatment, he declared, has "knocked
out of me all the ambition I had to work for the Church." The Eldership estab-
lished a precedent when it refused to approve the action "of the West Ohio Elder-
ship in receiving an expelled member of the East Ohio Eldership into full member-
ship in their body," and declared that "the action is null and void." A series of
resolutions offered by C. H. Foraey on the appointment of "a corps of competent
essayists by the Board of Directors of the Printing Establishment," was referred to
the Committee on Resolutions, viz. : Svvartz, Hurley and Oliver. Said Committee
reported favorably, fixed the number at twenty-four, selected pro rata from the
different Elderships, to prepare articles for the Essay Page of The Advocate, and
defining the rights and duties. E. H. Thomas submitted a preamble and resolution
in favor of "a more efficient plan of itinerancy," on which the same Committee re-
ported, advising the appointment of a committee "to mature and present such plan
for the consideration and adoption of this Eldership." The Report of the Com-
mittee was adopted, and the proposed Committee appointed. Said Committee
"most earnestly urged the different Elderships to keep up this system of itiner-
ancy;" recommended that the Annual Elderships "appoint at least one member of
their respective Standing Committees to travel as a general missionary throughout
their bounds," and prescribing their duties. But the Eldership "indefinitely post-
poned the report." While the publication of a Life of Winebreimer received consid-
erable attention, and the Board of Publication was "authorized by the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership to collect material and publish" the same, the Board reported
that it "has made partial progress in the work.^' The General Eldership thereupon
'^assumed the right to the control of the publication of the intended work." The
Eldership was conservative on the subject of Temperance, only resolving that "we
strongly recommend and urge the ministers of the Church of God to present this
matter clearly and fully to the people, and to discountenance the use of alcoholic,
vinous and fermented drinks as a beverage under all circumstances." A "social
ttieeting" was held on one evening of the session, at which one member of each
Annual Eldership spoke, according to previous appointment, "setting forth the con-
dition of their respective Elderships."
8th General Eldership. — For the first time in its history the General Elder-
ship convened in 186 6 at a point west of the territory of the three Elderships which
composed it in 1845. It held its session in the bethel at Decatur, 111., beginning
on Thursday, 9 a. m.. May 31st. There being no Opening Sermon, after "devotional
exercises were conducted by Elder J. Keller, Speaker of the last triennial Eldership,
R. H. Bolton and C. H. Forney were appointed t6 constitute the Eldership." The
Roll was made out as follows:
East Pennsylvania — E. H. Thomas, J. Keller, A. X. Shoemaker, C. H. Forney,
J. C. Seabrooks, H. L. Soule, George Sigler, I. Brady, A. H. Long, J. S. Gable, J.
Rife, Dr. George Ross, B. F. Mishey, J. C. Owens.
West Pennsylvania — J. Hickemell, J. M. Domer, P. Loucks, J. Glenn, E. Smith
and J. Blackstone.
East Ohio — M. Beck, L. B. Hartman, J. Durstine and W. Gill.
West Ohio^ — G. W. Wilson, G. E. Ewing, W. P. Small, J. W. Senseney and A.
Rush.
Indiana — J. E. McColley, George Thomas, E. Bryan.
Southern Illinois and Indiana — R. H. Bolton, Geo. Sandoe, H. Rupp and W.
Booth.
Illinois — J, H. Hurley, R. White, J. Bear and W. H. Reeme.
Iowa — A. Megrevv, E. Logue, H. Murray and J. Huff.
German — J. F. Weishampel.
Michigan — C. C. Linsley.
Texas — Represented by letter. A Committee on Credentials was appointed
after the Eldership was constituted. Balloting for officers, A. X. Shoemaker was
chosen Speaker, he having been nominated against A. Megrew. Authorized to cast
the vote of the Eldership for Treasurer, J. Rife was elected. Four were nominated
for Journalizing Clerk, and R. H. Bolton was chosen. Three were named for Trans-
cribing Clerk, and P. Loucks was elected. Ross, Forney and Megrew were ap-
pointed by the Chair to report Rules of Order, which were unanimously adopted as
reported, and became permanent. For the first time a Committee on Business was
appointed, which reported four items — The Church Advocate, The Church Hymn-
Book, A Church School, and a Sunday-School Paper. When the Report on The
768 JrllSTOKY OF THE ChURCHES OF GoD
Advocate had been adopted, Foi-ney offered resolutions, "which after some debate
were unanimously adopted, declaring that Thomas be continued Editor; that an
Assistant Editor be elected;" "pledging, and urging upon all our brethren to agree,
to use all our efforts to give greater ettlciency and higher literary merit, and char-
acter to The Advocate." Forney, Shoemaker, Hartman, Bolton and White were
nominated for Assistant Editor on Friday morning; the election was held on Sat-
urday morning, and C. H. Forney elected. Thomas, Gable and Ross were by mo-
tion continued the Board of Publication. Dr. Ross, Book Agent, made a complete
report of the business pertaining to the Hymn-Book, showing that in three years,
1863 to 1866, the receipts exceeded the disbursements by $1,266. 8b, without-
standing accounts of $150.88, and books on hand, $954.40. He recommended the
establishment of Hymn-Book Depositories. The School question was first consid-
ered in Committee of the Whole, beginning on Friday, and was never so thoroughly
and practically discussed before. On Tuesday following the Committee on Educa-
tion, to which the matter was referred, and consisting of Ross, Foraey, Hartman,
Logue and Fwing, reported in favor of recognizing Centralia College, and provid-
ing for a committee of inspectors to visit Centralia and report to the Executive
Board, which shall have full power in the premises; that places in Ohio be nomi-
nated for competition for a Central College, and fixing the location of said College
in the place raising for said purpose "the largest amount exceeding $30,000," and
providing for "one or more agents to secure subscriptions and contributions to raise
$60,000 endowment." After a lengthy debate, the Report was adopted, after per-
mitting West Pennsylvania, Indiana and Illinois to compete with Ohio for the
College. The Eldership decided to authorize the Board of Publication to publish
a monthly Sunday-school paper, to begin January 1, 1867; named it "The Church
of God Sunday-School paper," and provided, by election, for a "corps of editors and
contributors" of thirteen. Daniel Shelley, of Shiremanstown, Pa., was "elected
Editor of said paper by acclamation." The first triennial Report of the Chicago
Mission showed receipts aggregating $9,820.98 pain in, and $1,816.00 unpaid sub-
scriptions; and total expenditures, $10,494.64. Ihe important question of delegates
to the General Eldership was debated, on a resolution affirming it to be "the pre-
rogative of each Annual Eldership to'determine who shall be its representatives, pro-
vided that such representatives are eligible to election in any one of the Annual Eld-
erships by the provisions of its Constitution;" but the matter was indefinitely post-
poned. F. Marple's letter, "asking the sympathies of this body and of the different
Annual Elderships" was referred to the Board of Missions. A similar letter from
B. Ober was also referred to said Board. But Thomas's motion to "recognize the
Texas Eldership" was lost on a yea and nay vote. The "speedy completition of
the Life of Winebrenner was "earnestly recommended." A resolution on uni-
formity of Eldership titles, making all in the singular, and a minority report by
Hai'tman, changing the "name, style and title of the General Eldership so as to
read, 'General Eldership of Churches of God,' " were laid on the table. So was a
resolution that "in the ordination of ministers the laying on of hands be
practiced by the Presbytery." A special Committee on the State of the Country
was created, consisting of Forney, Glenn, M. Beck, W. P. Small, E. Bryan, R. White,
F. Logue, C. C. Linsley, J. F. Weishampel and W. Booth, which congratulated the
Eldership and Church on their uniform loyalty; with unfeigned gratitude recog-
nized the "intervention of divine Providence in behalf of our imperiled institu-
tions;" "rejoiced in the enlargement of civil liberty;" "honored and cherished the
memory of the wise and good Abraham Lincoln," and expressed its belief that "all
men are equal before God and the law." Thomas, a man of rare constructive and
executive powers, proposed an amendment to Art. XIV. of the Constitution, creat-
ing "an Executive Board consisting of five members." It prevailed, and Dr. Geo.
Ross, L. Kauil'man, P. Loucks, J. Dui"stine and A. X. Shoemaker were nominated
by a committee of one member from each Eldership, and elected. The new Board
of Missions was Thomas, Domer, Hartman, Bolton and Hurley. The German Eld-
ership having "authorized J. F. Weishampel to publish a German paper," the Eld-
ership resolved "that he have the privilege of publishing such paper, the same to
be under the supervision of the Board of Publication the same as the Editor of The
Advocate;" but disclaiming "responsibility for any liabilities of the German paper."
Annual Elderships were advised to have their Journals published in pamphlet form.
Provision was made for the preaching of an Opening Sermon in the future, the Ex-
ecutive Board to appoint the preacher. The same Board was "instructed to apply
to the Legislature of Pennsylvania for an Act of Incorporation of the General Eld-
The General Eldership 769
ership of the Church of God in North America." The Chicago Mission property
was ordered deeded to the Executive Board. Thomas editorially characterized the
work of this session as "the doings of the most important General Eldership ever
held by the body, the benefits of whose works will tell gloriously for years to
come."
9th General Eldership. — There was some concert of action in the election of
Speaker of the ninth General Eldership. There were two teaching elders present
who had been members of the body at its first organization, in 184 5, one of which
had never been its presiding officer, though a member, of each of the eight sessions
which had been held. These were E. H. Thomas and Thomas Hickemell. Thomas
was quite feeble, and hardly able to preside; yet there was a concensus of opinions
that he should be honored by an election to the highest oflRce in this highest judi-
catory of the Church. The Eldership convened in Lancaster City, Lmca t.r county.
Pa., the church being under the pastoral care of C. H. Foruey. It was the home of
J. S. Gable, a lay delegate to the first General Eldership. The date of the meeting
was May 27, 1869. The first regular Opening Sermon was preached on the pre-
ceding evening, by A. X. Shoemaker, now of Illinois Eldership, and Speaker in
1866, on "The Commission." Loiicks and Bolton constituted the Eldership, with
the following enrollment of delegates:
East Pennsylvania. Ministerial — E. H. Thomas, J. Keller, A. Svvartz, D. A. L.
Laverty, C. Price, C. H. Forney, J. Haifleigh and G. Sigler. Lay — J. H. Chew, Dr.
Geo. Ross, J. S. Gable, D. Shelly, S. L. Hershey, J. Speilman, S. Knisley, J. Rife and
W. L. Jones.
West Pennsylvania. Ministerial — J. M. Domer, P. Loucks and J. Hovis. Lay
— E. Smith, J. Tinsman and D. S. Fox.
East Ohio. Ministerial — M. Beck and L. B. Hait-man. Lay — J. Durstine and
Wm. Gill.
West Ohio. Ministerial — T. Hickemell, W. P. Small, G. W. Wilson and J.
Richards. Lay — John Bolton, H. Creagor, James Fei'guson and John Mann,
Indiana. Ministerial — J. S. Shock, J. Martin and E. Bryan. Lay — S. Bell-
man, C. Bortner and G. Kimes.
Southern Illinois and Indiana. Ministerial — George Sandoe, W. Booth and
S. N. Miller.
Illinois. Ministerial — A. X. Shoemaker, J. H. Hurley and I. E. Boyer. Lay —
J. A. Shuler, J. H. Forbes, AV. H. Reeme and AV. B. Allen.
Iowa. Ministerial — J. Lininger, A. Megi-ew and J. C. Kepford. Lay — John
Stoner, J. Huff, J. M. Miller and J. D. Meads.
Michigan. Ministerial — R. H. Bolton, J. B. AVhite, J. H. Besore and C. C.
Linsley.
German. Ministerial — J. F. AVeishampel and A. Snyder. Lay — AV. Klinger
and B. Koch.
Of these sixty-six enrolled sixteen were absent, and without alternates or sub-
stitutes. At least thirty-nine of the fifty were natives of Pennsylvania and Mary-
land. The order to elect a Speaker following, J. M. Domer and E. H. Thomas were
nominated. Domer withdrew, and R. H. Bolton was nominated. By permission
Bolton withdrew, and a motion prevailed "instructing him to cast a ballot for the
election of E. H. Thomas as Speaker of the Eldership." This was done, and
Thomas was declared elected. Under like instructions J. A. Shuler was elected
Treasurer. M. Beck was elected by ballot the Journalizing Clerk, and Bolton
under instructions cast a ballot for J. D. Meads for Transcribing Clerk.
By previous actions of the respective Standing Committees of the East Penn-
sylvania and German Elderships, the contentions between these two bodies were
brought before the General Eldership. They first came up in the form of an
amendment to the Constitution by which the action of the German Eldership in
expelling certain members of the Kimmel's and Auburn churches would have been
validated. This was laid on the table. Thomas offered a resolution which pro-
vided for "proper statements by the parties of the difficulties for the purpose of ad-
justment." This having been done, a committee was named "to draft a form of
advice to be given in the premises." The report of this committee was recom-
mitted, and again reported with amendments, and provided, that the German Eld-
ership had erred in interfering with an appointee to one of its charges by the East
Pennsylvania Eldership; forbidding such interference, thus virtually throwing open
again the whole German territory to the East Pennsylvania Eldership whenever
the churches desired preachers from said body. It also reinstated the members at
C. H.— 26
yyo History of" the Churches of God
Kimmel's and Auburn which had been expelled by the German Eldership. In addi-
tion, a separate action was taken correcting the impression that the German Elder-
ship had specific boundaries, and declaring "no special territory shall be held by
the German Eldership, and that it shall have the right, as granted heretofore, to
operate as the German body upon all fields of labor within the bounds of English
Elderships, with the consent of these Elderships."
The speedy publication of the Life of Winebrenner was recommended. The
change of the name of the Sunday-school paper, from "The Church of God Sunday-
School Paper" to the "Sunday-School Gem," was approved as an obvious improve-
ment. The action of 1866 directing that Eldership Journals be published in
pamphlet form was rescinded, in view of the enlarged size of The Advocate. The
brethren in Kansas were authorized "to organize themselves into a separate Elder-
ship." While the Executive Board had been authorized "to apply to the Legis-
lature of Ohio for an Act of Incorporation of the General Eldership," the obtaining
of such Charter from the Legislature of Pennsylvania was announced. "Assess-
ments to create a Contingent Fund of the General Eldership" were made on all the
Annual Elderships both "for the present indebtedness" and "for the ensuing three
years." As the Evangelical Alliance was to meet in New York in 1870, it was re-
solved "that Eldei-s C. H. Forney, K. H. Bolton and A. H. Long be appointed dele-
gates to said Convention."
When the Committee on Journals reported the "resolution of the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership, urging the General Eldership to pass a constitutional Article
touching the itinerant polity of the Church, and declaring it to be fundamental to
the existence of our plan of co-operation," C. H. Forney offered a milder substitute,
declaring "the intinerant polity of prime importance," but that the "power of the
Annual Elderships to assign their ministers to their respective appointments shall
not be alienated." But the Eldership did not agree to this. Then Foraey offered
a proviso to be added to Art. XXXVIII. of the General Eldership Constitution,
which stated that "no Article or Articles shall be added, annulled or so changed or
amended as to alter the existing polity. Constitution or Rules of the Annual Elder-
ships, unless it shall have been ratified by three-fourths of said Elderships, except
in case three-fourths of said Elderships had previously instructed their delegates
to vote for said Article, Articles, change or amendments." But this was also voted
down. Then "the original resolution of the East Pennsylvania Eldership was voted
on, and was defeated." Later Gable offered a preamble and resolution, declaring
that "the itinerant ministry was made a fundamental principle of the Eldership
plan of co-operation," and resolved "that the principle of itinerancy should be per-
petuated inviolate." To this Forney proposed an amendment, to the effect declar-
ing that "we regard the itinerant polity as of primary importance in our system of
ecclesiastical co-operation, and that the final power reserved now to the several
Annual Elderships to assign their members to their respective appointments shall
not be alienated." This "carried." And then the amended resolution of Gable
was voted down by 8 yeas, and 33 nays. The proposition of the Iowa Eldership,
that the General Eldership "meet only every five years," was not agreed to, as was
a suggestion from the same Eldership to "reduce the ratio of representation." To
have delegations cast their "full vote in the absence of part of their delegates" also
met with no favor. The recommendation of the Committee on Resolutions that
"in these days of ritualism and strong tendencies to formalism, we earnestly recom-
mend our ministers to cleave with full purpose of heart to the primitive simplicity
in the preaching of the word of life" was fully endorsed, as was the one to guard
against any changes "of the old landmarks." The Eldership was not willing to
endorse a quasi presiding Eldership, nor regular traveling evangelists, as it voted
down resolutions on these subjects. It also vetoed the suggestion that the churches
of God hold a national camp-meeting. Indeed the Eldership acted as significantly
in its vetoes of various innovations as it did in its affirmative deliverances. On
missions it manifested more than its usual aggressive spirit. During the twenty-
four years of its history the General Eldership had done no missionary work, save
endorse the Chicago enterprise, and it had no missionary funds. But at this session
it referred a number of letters to the Board of Missions which required more active
and direct efforts. The Board reported that "it had no direct business, or business
directly under its control." Hence it said: "In view of all the facts, we respect-
fully recommended to the body the^ abolition or discontinuance of the Board, or to
commit all business pertaining to general missionary interests to the entire control
of the Board." But the Eldership was not ready to do either, yet it gave its Board
The General Eldership 771
work to do, and the calls from Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and the mission to the
Freedmen were referred to the Board. The new Board, consisting of R. H. Bolton,
Dr. Geoi-ge Ross, E. H. Thomas, J. M. Domer and A. X. Shoemaker, met at Lan-
caster immediately, and appointed A. X. Shoemaker to Chicago; created four mis-
sions, and appointed P. K. Shoemaker to Kansas and Nebraska, D. Keplinger to
Missouri, and George Thomas to south-western Iowa, and placed the Freedman's
mission into the hands of Thomas and Ross. But the Board had no means, and
no authority to create a Fund, and had to depend upon responses to appeals issued
for voluntary contributions for each of the fields which it opened. It recommended
that the Ohio brethren start a mission in Mansfield, the Indiana brethren at Ft.
Wayne and the East Pennsylvania Eldership at Reading and at Harrisburg. Ross,
Gable, Dui"stine, Shuler and Rife, all laymen, were elected as the Executive Board.
With the failure of its two college projects of 1866 before it the Eldership
gave only expression to general sentiments on the subject of education. Thomas,
Gable and Ross were elected as the Board of Publication. The Eldership granted
permission to the East and West Ohio Elderships to unite. As messengers to the
Free-Will Baptist General Association the Eldership named Forney, Bolton and
Shoemaker.
10th General Eldership. — A peculiarity of the tenth General Eldership was a
preliminary gathering at 3 o'clock p. m. on the day before the session opened.
It was presided over by J. S. Gable, a lay representative of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership. Brief addresses were delivered by half a dozen delegates, and also
by Prof. Dunn, Free Baptist delegate. Both A. Swartz and G. W. Wilson, prin-
cipal and alternate to preach the Opening Sermon, being absent, AV. L. Jones, East
Pennsylvania Eldership, was drafted to preach. The session was held at Mt. Car-
roll, Carroll county. 111., beginning on Thursday morning. May 30, 1872. The
vacant Presidential chair at once reminded the Eldership of the death of E. H.
Thomas. Jacob Keller, who had been a member in 1869, had also died since then.
Suitable memorial services were held on Wednesday morning of the last day of the
session, when by resolutions the Eldership expressed the sense of its great loss in
the death of these eminent men, "inasmuch as they were both strong defenders
of the truth, as well as able counselors and active workmen in the church of God,"
and also "contributed so largely to mold public sentiment on the fundamental
truths of our holy religion." The Eldership was constituted as follows:
1. East Pennsylvania. Ministerial delegates — B. F. Beok, C. H. Forney, G.
Sigler, W. L. Jones, E. D. Aller, J. F. Meixel, J. Kennedy, H. L. Soule and J. C.
Seabrooks. Lay — Dr. Geo. Ross, J. S. Gable, J. D. Schollenberger, D. C. Kolp, H.
C Demming, I. Frazer, E. J. Foraey, J. Speilman and J. H. Chew.
2. German Eldership. Represented by letter.
3. West Pennsylvania Eldership. Ministerial — J. M. Domer and P. Loncks.
Lay — D. S. Fox and E. Smith.
4. East Ohio Eldership. Ministerial — O. H. Belts and S. Lilley. Lay — J.
Dui*stine.
5. West Ohio Eldership. Ministerial — T. Hickemell, J. Richards and Ir.
Ensminger. Lay — E. Messenger and M. W. Larcomb.
6. Indiana Eldership. Ministerial — J. Martin, W. W. Lovett and J. Biunpus.
Lay — J. Simonton.
7. Michigan Eldership. Ministerial — A. J. Hull and J. H. Besore. Lay .
8. Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. Ministerial — Geo. Sandoe, R.
T. Sargent and AVni. Booth. Lay .
9. Illinois Eldership. Ministerial — M. S. Newcomer, A. X. Shoemaker and
I. E. Boyer. Lay — J. A. Shuler, J. Bailey and J. Carper.
10. Iowa Eldership. Ministerial — R. H. Bolton, A. Megrew, D. Gill, F. F.
Kiner and J. D. Meads. Lay — H. Funk, J. H. Lighter, John Hecht, B. F. Bolton
and V. B. Bean.
11. Kansas and Missouri Eldership. Ministerial — D. Keplinger.
Ballots being taken, J. M. Domer was elected Speaker; R. H. Bolton, First
Clerk; E. D. Aller, Second Clerk, and J. A. Shuler, Treasurer. At 5.30 the Elder-
ship adjourned to attend as a body the decoration services. Knowing that Pi"of.
Dunn and Dr. Graham, Free Baptists, were delegates on an important mission, and
Prof. Dunn being present, C. H. Forney offered a resolution making him an ad-
visory member, and expressing the Eldership's readiness "to receive any communi-
cation he may offer to the Eldership." He presented his credentials and delivered
a brief address, responded to by Shoemaker in behalf of the Speaker. Prof. Dunuj
yyi, History of The Churches of God
submitted a proposition granting to ttie General Eldership the right to one or more
professorships in Hillsdale College, Mich., the Eldership to endow said professor-
ships, and thus secure the use and privileges of said institution without any addi-
tional cost to the body. This proposition was committed to the Comniittee on
Education — C. H. Forney, B. F. Beck and M. S. Newcomer. Said Committee rec-
ommended the acceptance of Prof. Dunn's proposition; the immediate election of
one professor, and that the professorship should be catalogued as follows: "First
Professorship of the Church of God Professor of
An endowment of $1,000 by means of the sale of
scholarships was recommended. It also recommended creating a Board of Educa-
tion as one of the General Eldership Boards. The Report was adbpted. The Con-
stitution was amended so as to provide for a Board of Education, and C. H. Forney,
J. M, Domer, R. H. Bolton, Geo. Ross and A. X. Shoemaker were elected the first
Board of Education. An attempt was made to call the Professorship "the Wine-
brenner Professorship," but it failed. John A. AVinebrenner, son of Elder John
Wlnebrenner, was elected professor. Gable, Shoemaker and Forney were named
as "a committee to attend the next session of the Free-Will Baptist General Con-
ference." The first revenue received by the General Eldership from The Church
Advocate was the sum of $545.6 8, paid by Dr. Ross, who had bought the Thomas
contract entered into in 1869. He also became the Publisher for the next three
years under a new contract. There was also a small surplus from the "Sunday-
School Gem." The Report of the Chicago Mission, by Shoemaker, showed "whole
amount collected, $18,257.32; whole amount expended, $20,663.10."
A petition was received, "praying this body to grant the privilege of organiz-
ing an Eldership in Maryland." This petition was granted, and the boundaries
"be fixed to run along the line between Pennsylvania and Maryland, to the Alle-
gheny mountains, and along the line of said mountains through "Virginia, including
all of Virginia east of the Allegheny mountains." Boundaries were fixed for the
Kansas and Missouri Eldership, so as to "include all of both of the States named,
and that Iowa Eldership shall continue to supply those now supplied by it until
next Eldership at least." The "boundary line between the Southern Illinois and
Indiana Eldership, and the Indiana Eldership, was changed from the 40th parallel
on the line between Ohio and Indiana to Union City on same line, and running
due west through .Williamsport on the Wabash river to the line of Illinois and
Indiana."
The question of Eldership titles consumed considerable time. C. H. Forney
introduced the subject by preamble and resolutions, declaring in favor of "uni-
formity in Eldership titles;" that we have always adhered td "the singular form
of the word 'Church' in our Eldership titles," and that all the Elderships should
conform to this practice. Also providing that hereafter the General Eldership "in
granting charters to new Elderships shall specify their titles, and that the Elder-
ships so chartered shall be required to adhere to such titles." The resolutions
were discussed at length, and were adopted one by one, when, pending the motion
to adopt as a whole, the Eldership sitting adjourned. When the question came up
on Wednesday morning further discussion followed, when the previous question
was called, and on a yea and nay vote, the preamble and resolutions were adopted
by 40 to 12. The Constitution, Art. XX., was then amended in accordance with
the action taken. Art. XII. was also amended to provide for a Board of Educa-
tion. Dr. Ross offered an amendment to the Constitution, making "the number of
members of the Board of Missions equal to the number of Elderships represented
in the General Eldership," which was adopted by a vote of 36 to 16. The XlVth
Article of the Constitution was also amended so as to elect the editors of all
periodicals for one year, and the Board of Publication to elect thereafter annually
until the next General Eldership. The Board of Missions during the three years
had in its employ for varying periods the following missionaries: D. Blakely, S.
V. Sterner, C. B. Konkle, P. K. Shoemaker, D. Keplinger, J. S. Moreland. The
Board of Missions under the amended Constitution Avas made up of the following
members, appointed by their respective Elderships: J. Kennedy, P. Loucks, J.
Durstine, W. P. Small, J. Martin, G. Sandoe, A. J. Hull, A. X. Shoemaker, R. H.
Bolton and D. Keplinger. The Executive Board consisted of J. M. Domer, A.
Megrew, J. S. Gable, J. A. Shuler and R. H. Bolton. The Board of Publication
consisted of Dr. Geo. Ross, J. S. Gable and J. A. Shuler. The Speaker was directed
to cast a ballot for C. H. Forney for Editor of The Advocate, and for J. H. Red-
The General Eldership 773
seeker, Editor of the "Sunday-School Gem." A resolution was agreed to that an
Assistant Editor of The Advocate be elected, and J. M. Domer was chosen.
The Eldership pronounced emphatically against countenancing or encouraging
the manifacture and use of intoxicating drinks; the manufacture and use of do-
mestic wines, and "hailed with great satisfaction the enactment of the legislatures
of the States of Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, Pennsylvania and others upon the liquor ques-
tion." An effort was made to reduce the ratio of representation to one teaching
elder for every fifteen. The resolution prevailed at the sitting on Saturday; but
on Monday afternoon it was reconsidered and defeated by a vote of 27 to 23. The
effort failed to have the General Eldership meet quinquennially. A resolution was
unanimously adopted authorizing the establishment of a Book Depository, and one
in favor of "a monthly paper for the special benefit of Sunday-school teachers."
J. A. Wiiiebreni?r, G. Sigler, E. J. Forney, M. S. Newcomer and J. B. Hartman
were appointed 'to prepare a uniform series of Sunday-school lessons," under an
action to "edit the National Series of Sunday-school lessons for weekly publication
in The Advocate." By adopting the Report of the Committee on Resolutions the
Eldership declared in favor of "a general Sunday-school Convention at an early
date," and then appointed a committee of twelve, one from each Eldership, to ar-
range for it. Expressing strong sentiments in favor of union, peace and harmony
between Christian people, the Speaker was authorized "to appoint three brethren
to attend the next Free-Will Baptist General Conference. J. S. Gable, A, X. Shoe-
maker and C. H. Forney were appointed. An interesting sitting was held to hear
reports from representative delegates from all the Annual Elderships of the work
and prospects within their territories. Speaking of the personnel of the Elder-
ship, the "Mount Carroll Mirror" said: "The members of the Eldership are a fine
looking, intelligent body of men; the most intelligent body, perhaps, ever as-
sembled in this city."
11th General Eldership. — Again, as in 1872, the Speaker's chair had been va-
cated by the summons of the death-angel. Six months after the adjournment of
the Eldership over which he presided with admirable grace and dignity he laid
down his robe of office and entered into rest. The morning session on Saturday,
May 28th, was fixed for holding memorial services. In its resolutions the Com-
mittee characterized Domer as "a model Christian, a successful minister of the
gospel and an able defender of the faith of the Church." P. D. Collins, though
never a delegate to the General Eldership, was also suitably remembered as "an
active, zealous gospel laborer." He was elected a delegate by the Maryland Eld-
ership. The Eldership had selected Smithville, Wayne county, Ohio, as the place
of meeting; but on account of the existence of small-pox in the community around
Smithville, greatly exaggerated by rumors, the Standing Committee of the East
Ohio Eldership changed the place of meeting to West Salem, Wayne county; but
it created such dissatisfaction that a committee was appointed to investigate the
matter. It found that one or two cases of small-pox had existed "not far remote
from Smithville;" that reports were "incorrect and unfounded," and that while
the Standing Committee "acted in good faith and with the best motives," it "should
have consulted the church and pastor at Smithville." On Tuesday evening. May
25, 1875, the Eldership met in the Presbyterian house of worship at West Salem
and listened to the Opening Sermon on "Christian Unity" by C. H. Forney. On
Wednesday morning when the Eldership was constituted the following enrollment
was made:
1. East Pennsylvania Eldership. Teaching elders — C. H. Forney, G. Sigler,
B. F. Beck, C. Price, D. A. L. Laverty, W. L. Jones, A. H. Long, J. W. Deshong.
Ruling elders — G. W. Seilhammer, J. S. Gable, S. Knisley, H. C. Demming, S. li.
Hershey, George Ross, J. Kennedy, A. Hostetter.
2. West Pennsylvania Eldership. Ministerial — P. Loucks, J. Grimm, A. O.
Raysor, B. F. Bolton. Ruling elders — D. S. Fox, E. Smith, John Abrams, N. Vanna/-
man.
3. German Eldership. Ministerial delegate — J. F. Weishampel. Ruling
elder — J. S. Gable, representative.
4. East Ohio Eldership. Ministerial delegates — J. S. McKee, G. W. Wilson.
Ruling elders — J. H. Anderson, G. W. Ferguson.
5. Maryland and Virginia Eldership. Ministerial delegates — C, L. Amy, P.
D. Collins. Ruling elders — J. H. Chew, J. H. Christ.
6. West Ohio Eldership. Ministerial delegates — W. P. Small, J. W. Auker*
774 History of the Churches of God
man, T. Hickernell, James Neil, AV. H. Oliver. Ruling elders — E. Messenger, John
F. Fox, H. Shuler, T. Koogle, A. Resh,
7. Indiana Eldership. Ministerial delegates — J. Martin, J. Bumpus, E. B.
Bell, J. E. McColley, W. W. Lovett. Ruling elders — 1. Schrader, G. M. Ray, James
Brady.
8. Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. Ministerial delegates — George
Sandoe, AVm. Booth, R. T. Sargent x. Ruling elders — J. C. Patton x, John Miller,
Martin Baggs x,
9. Michigan Eldership. Ministerial delegates — B. D. Bright x, J. B. White, W.
Briggs X, A. X. Shoemaker, representative. Ruling elders — J. M. Ireland, A.
Smith X, J. A. McFarland x.
10. Illinois Eldership. Ministerial delegates — W. B. Allen, A. X. Shoe-
maker, G. S. Petry. Ruling elders — J. Bailey, E. Bear, R. Waters.
11. Iowa Eldership. Ministerial delegates — A. Megrew, D. Gill, L. F.
Chamberlin, R. H. Bolton. Ruling elders — J. Snavely, Isaac WTiisler, C. W.
Downs.
12. Kansas and Missouri Eldership. Ministerial delegates — D. Blakely x,
R. H. Bolton, representative. Ruling elder — J. C. Ozias.
Treasurer — J. A. Shuler.
(Those marked thus (x) were absent.)
The Nebraska brethren had named twelve bearers of a Memorial, asking
authority to form a Nebraska Eldership; but no one was present. As the Consti-
tution made no provision for "representatives," on motion of C. H. Forney they
were granted the rights of delegates, except the right to vote, though out of forty
votes there were fourteen against the motion. Forney also moved the appoint-
ment of a committee "to examine the Constitution and By-Laws," and to "suggest
such amendments as may be necessary to harmonize them." C. H. Forney, C.
Price and G. W. Wilson were appointed. They reported an amendment, to Art.
XVIII., reducing the number of members of the Board of Missions to five. Also
amending Art. XVII. so that no member of the Eldership can be a member of "more
than one of the Boards of the Eldership." These were unanimously adopted. The
Committee also reported amendments to Articles IV., V., VI., XII. and XIII.; re-
ported a new Article relative to the Board of Incorporation; one prohibiting the
doing of "any official business without the presence of a majority of any Board;"
amending Art. XIV., so as to readopt it as it was prior to 1869, and making editors
■"subject to removal by the Executive Board." Also amending Articles XV., XVI.,
XXVII., and inserting a new Article with reference to the Board of Education;
striking out Art. XXIX., and amending Art. XXX.; making Articles XXXI.,
XXXV. and XXXVII. Rules of Order, and striking out Articles XXXII., XXXIII.,
XXXIV. and XXXVI., and inserting a new Article on the Itinerancy. The entire
Report was adopted. An effort was made by George Sandoe to amend the Report
so as to change the ratio of representation from one for every ten, to one for every
fifteen licensed ministers; but the Eldership by a vote of yeas 11, and nays 25, re-
fused to change the ratio.
The Treasurer's Report showed total income for the three years of $4,547.59
for missionary purposes. The Advocate was paying its way, but had no surplus.
Blame was largely placed on the credit system under which the paper "was losing
quite an amount annually." H. C. Denmiing made a proposition to take the pub-
lishing of The Advocate, put it on a cash-in-advance system, pay all expenses, keep
it up in all respects to its existing standard, pay the Editor $200.00 more salary,
and "pay $1,000.00 into the General Eldership treasury at the expiration of three
years." The Board of Publication was directed to make the best contract it could
in its judgment, and in 187 6 it accepted the Demming proposition, except the extra
$200.00 for the Editor, which was refused on the ground that the income would
not justify it. George Sigler offered resolutions, which were adopted, providing
for Centennial Celebration of 1876. They called for "a general convocation of the
Church to be held in Philadelphia, commencing the first Wednesday of June,
1876," and the appointment of a committee of five to make the necessary arrange-
ments.
The missionary interests consumed much time. Oregon called for a mission-
ary. Nebraska desired more missionaries, as did Missouri and Kansas. But the
Chicago Mission presented the most perplexing and irritating subject with which
the body had to deal. The mission had proved a failure, and it came up in the
Report of the Committee on Overtures, which referred "a letter from Chicago in
I
The General Eldership 775
respect to the mission property and work in that city" to the Board of Missions.
It was made a special order. Meanwhile Shoemaker made his report, after which
the Chicago letter was read and considered, developing considerable friction and
bad feeling. The subject was under consideration for three sittings, when J. Ken-
nedy offered a resolution, "recommending the sale of the property with a
view of commencing mission work in some other part of the city." This was
agreed to by a vote of 39 to 16. This question and several others into which a
good deal of personal feeling and antagonism entered made the session a more or
less unpleasant one. An effort was made "to elect a corps of at least five editors
of The Advocate, including an editor-in-chief." The subject being divided, C. H.
Forney was elected editor. In place of a corps of editors, it was agreed to elect
an assistant editor, and H. C. Deniniing was elected. J. H. Redsecker was chosen
editor of the "Sunday-School Gem."
When the Eldership took up memorials, it agreed to grant the East Ohio Eld-
ership "the privilege of consolidating with the West Ohio Eldership," although
there was some disposition to consolidate it with the East Pennsylvania Eldership.
The memorial from Nebraska for privilege to organize an Eldership was agreed
to, and the "name, style and title" thereof was fixed to be "The Eldership of the
Church of God in Nebraska." The boundaries were to be the State lines, except
that "the two northern tiers of counties in north-eastern Kansas shall be part of
the Nebraska Eldership territory." Lenawee, Hillsdale and Monroe counties,
Mich., were given to the West Ohio Eldership. "All the East Ohio territory be-
longing to West Pennsylvania Eldership was given to East Ohio Eldership."
Indirectly the Eldership affirmed the doctrine of the conscious state of the
dead by giving it as its opinion that "it is inexpedient to license any minister who
will openly preach and defend the dogma of the unconscious state of the dead."
On motion of A. H. Long, "the Eldership of the Church of God in Texas was re-
ceived as a member of the General Eldership," and the names of the delegates
were ordered "entered on the Journal." Suitable action was taken to secure "a
permanent missionary fund," and bequests were invited for that purpose.
R. H. Bolton presided over the deliberations of the body as Speaker in an ef-
ficient manner. J. A. Shuler was re-elected Treasurer. H. C. Demniing acted as
Journalizing Clerk, and P. Loucks, Transcribing Clerk. The Journal was ordered
published in pamphlet form. George Ross, J. S. Gable and J. A. Shuler were
elected the Board of Publication; B. F. Beck, C. H. Forney, A. H. Long, M. S. New-
comer and Isaac Frazer, the Board of Education; R. H. Bolton, J. Kennedy, P.
Loucks, A. X. Shoemaker and W. P. Small, the Board of Missions, and A. Megrew,
G. Sigler, D. A. L. Laverty, G. Sandoe and A. Svvartz, the Executive Board. Promi-
nent members of this Eldership regarded it as one which "will in all time stand
out prominently as one of the most important and efficient meetings of the body."
12th General Eldership. — Sometimes a convention of any character seems re-
latively so much better because of the anticipation of unpleasant things which
were not realized. Accordingly the twelfth General Eldership was pronounced by
all as exceptionally pleasant because the strifes, the hot antagonisms, the fierce
•contentions which were prophesied by some gave way to the truly "Christian spirit
of love, and conciliation, and peace." It was called "all in all the best General
Eldership" since 1863. The body convened at Syracuse, Kosciusko county, Ind.,
to listen to the Opening Sermon by M. S. Newcomer, on Wednesday evening. May
28, 1878. The text was Ps. cxix. 130. Theme — "Modern Theological Skep-
ticism." On Wednesday morning the Eldership was constituted by J. M. Carvell
and W. B. Allen, who made the following enrollment of delegates:
East Pennsylvania Eldership. Teaching elders — G. Sigler, B. F. Beck, J. M.
Carvell, C. H. Forney, D. A. L. Laverty, W. L. Jones, I. S. Richmond and J. A. Mac-
Dannald. Ruling elders — J. S. Gable, I. Frazer, Dr. George Ross, S. L. Hershey,
S. Myers and H. J. Forney.
German Eldership — J. S. Gable, representative.
West Pennsylvania Eldership. Teaching elders — P. Loucks, J. W. Davis and
B. F. Bolton. Ruling elders — D. S. Fox, S. P. P. Young and E. Smith.
Maryland and Virginia Eldership. Teaching elder — L. H. Shelby.
West Ohio Eldership. Teaching elders — J. V. Updike, T. Koogle, J. W.
Aukemian, T. Hickemell, J. M. Cassell and A. Resh. Ruling elders — H. Shuler,
M. Ritchie, E. Messenger, G. Metzler, J. B. Neil and J. F. Fox.
Indiana Eldership. Teaching elders — W. P. Small, J. Bmnpus and J. E. Mc-
■Colley. Ruling elders — J. Movvei-y, I. Schrader and W. A. Gourley.
yyd History of the Churches of God
Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. Teaching elders — W. Booth and A.
Miller. Ruling elder — John Miller, Sr.
Illinois Eldership. Teaching elders — M. S. Newcomer, W. B. Allen and A. J.
Fenton. Ruling elders — D. Palmer, M. Anderson and J. Stare.
Michigan Eldership. Teaching elders — I. M. B. Gillaspie, J. B. White and B.
D. Bright.
Iowa Eldership. Teaching elders — R. H. Bolton, J. H. Besore, J. Lininger
and H. Mun-ay. Ruling elders — J. H. Lighter, H. Funck, J. Stoner and T. M. Cole-
man.
Nebraska Eldership. Teaching elder — E. D. Aller.
Kansas and Missouri Eldership. Teaching elder — C. S. Bolton.
Texas Eldership — Not represented.
Maine Eldership — Not represented.
The delegates were mostly in the prime of life, exceptions being found, how-
ever, in both extremes, as a few quite young men and a few aged veterans were
present. It was a typical Eldership for both counsel and action. By ballot the
following officers were elected: Speaker, C. H. Forney; W. B. Allen, Journalizing
Clerk; R. H. Bolton, Transcribing Clerk, and Isaac Schrader, Treasurer. At vari-
ous stages of the session the following elections were held: Editor of The Advo-
cate, C. H. Foi-ney; Editor of "The Gem," J. H. Redsecker. But as he resign?d
later, his place was filled by the election of G. Sigler. Board of Publication, J. S.
Gable, George Ross and I. Frazer. Board of Foreign Missions, M. S. Newcomer,
J. W. Aukerman, C. H. Forney, R. H. Bolton and W. P. Small. Executive Board,
J. H. Besore, A, X. Shoemaker, J. Lininger, J. Bailey and T. Koogle. Board of
Missions, P. Loucks, M. S. Newcomer, G. Sigler, W. P. Small and R. H. Bolt/>n.
Assistant Editor, M. S. Newcomer. The action creating a Board of Foreign Mis-
sions was taken in response to the appeal of Dr. J. L. Phillips, Free Baptist mis-
sionary to India, delegate to the General Eldership. The Committee on Mission
Work reported "that missions in foreign lands should be established as soon as
possible," and approving of "the initiatory steps taken by the East Pennsylvania
Eldership toward the establishing of a mission in India, or the joining hands with
the Free Baptists in said missionary work." But the Eldership was not ready for
this, and referred the matter to a new committee, which reported in favor of "the
creation of a Foreign Mission Board, with which the Elderships were recommended
to co-operate in this work, and that we establish a mission in India at as early a
day as practicable." This was adopted. Mission work in general received much
attention, not only during the regular sittings, but several evenings were devoted
to its consideration, and to the Report of the Board of Missions. There were urgeit
calls from Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon, California, Texas and Arkansas,
in addition to the older fields in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Michigan. The
Board regarded with favor the effort made by the Kansas and Missouri Eldership
to "introduce the ancient gospel in England." To secure the necessary means the
Board proposed "an appeal for twenty-five cents from every member of the Church
of God in the United States." By this method it was calculated that $7,500 should
be realized annually. However, it continued the former plan of having "a mission-
ary collecting agent in the field, to devote his whole time to this work." W. R.
Covert was appointed to Crete; Evan AVilson, to Missouri; J. W. Kager and C. S.
Kilmer, to Nebraska; A. L. Nye, to "North Nebraska Mission;" P. Shaw, to Kansas,
and J. A. Smith, to Texas. Upon request, the publication of "a monthly Sunday-
school Journal" and "lesson leaf" were authorized, and B. F. Beck w.s sele ted to
edit the same. The discontinuance of the "Kundschafter," the German paper pub-
lished by Weishampel, was ordered. The Executive Board was directed to appoint
"a suitable person to write the history of Winebrenner; also "an article for Mc-
Clintock and Strong's Cyclopedia." Mi*s. Elizabeth R. Gable was appointed to
write the former, and C H. Forney the latter. The "request that this body should
take steps towards procuring or erecting an institution of learning" was answered
by resolution receiving, "the overtures of Prof. Ege, of Mech 'nicsbura:. Pa.:" by
expressing appreciation of an "offer by Dr. Bates, Ridgeville College, Ind., relative
to the endowment of a professorship in said college," and "looking with favor on
the liberal offer of the President of Mt. Pleasant Institute, Mt. Pleasant, Pa."
Authority was given to "appoint an agent to solicit subscriptions towards a fund
for educational purposes." C. H, Forney and B. F. Beck were added to the Board
of Publication "on the item of a smaller hymnal." "C. H. Foniey and M. S. New-
comer were appointed to attend the General Conference of Liberal Baptists."
The General Eldership ' 'j'j'j
While the questions of dividing the Iowa Eldership; organizing an Eldership in Ar-
kansas, and the status of the Maine Eldership were brought before the body, its*
Committee on Boundaries reported that it had "no report to make. Not anything
came before us which needed action." The Eldership approved of the celebration
of the semi-centennial of the organization of the first annual Eldership, and placed
the matter in the hands of the Editor and Assistant Editor of The Church Advo-
cate "to make the necessary arrangements." The most unpleasant feature of the
session was the discussion incident to the contract entered into in 1876 for the
publication of The Advocate. The publishers under said contract found them-
selves forced to suspend publication, and involved the Eldership in considerable
loss. Much personal feeling manifested itself, very much aggravated by the course
of the "Kundschafter," which persistently assailed the Editor of The Advocate, and
its Editor also sent documents to the Eldership for distribution, in which he sought
to influence the votes of members on questions involved. A Special Committee,
consisting of Sigler, Newcomer and Lininger, was appointed, which reported that
the publishers of The Advocate from 1876 to 1878 failed to receive that support
they had reason to expect; that nevertheless they "showed very unwise business
management;" that the contract with the Board was "entered into voluntarily, and
ought to have been maintained inviolably to the close of the term specified in the
contract;" wholly exonerating the Editor of all responsibility for the "failrre of
the paper," and censuring in strong terms the course of the Editor of the " 'Kund-
schafer,' as being directly opposed to the common courtesies of society, and par-
ticularly derogatory to any religion suffering the infliction of such wrong." The
report was adopted by a vote of 51 yeas; nays, 0; excused, 3. This was followed
by a resolution declaring "that this body enters its unqualified protest against in-^
dividuals sending documents to its delegations, whose aim is to throw a shadow of
suspicion on the lives and characters of individual members of the bodv." The Eld-
ership called attention to the fact that "several of the Annual Elderships have vio-
lated our Rule of Co-operation as set forth in Article XXIX. of the Constitution,
prohibiting members of one Eldership removing into the territory of another Eld-
ership, or laboring within its territory," and declared such violation causes trouble,
and holding each Eldership "strictly to account for any violations which may occur
hereafter."
13th General Eldership. — Two inter-denominational events which marked the
General Eldership session of 18 81 were variously commented upon by the dele-
gates. Two brethren from Idaville, Ind., were present, who were identified with
a body known as the "White County Conference of the Church of God," State of
Indiana. Said body had formerly belonged to the German Baptists, but withdrew
in 1848. Having in all respects the same faith and practice as the Church of God,
closer fellowship, if not organic unity, seemed desirable and possible. The Free
Baptist Church was represented by Dr. A. D. Williams, of Nebraska, and Dr. D. W.
C. Durgen, President of Hillsdale College, Mich. They were cordially received,
with suitable expressions of fraternal regard. They were reminded, in reply to
their greetings, that the Free Baptist Church had abandoned feet-washing, and
thus put a higher barrier between it and the Church of God. The force of this
reminder was felt by Dr. Williams, who, in reporting his visit to the General Eld-
ership in "The Morning Star," spoke in terms of commendation of the character
and work of the Church of God. The body met at Findlay, Hancock county, Ohio,
on Tuesday evening, May 24, 1881, when George Sigler, of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership, delivered the Opening Sermon. Theme: — "The Church of God of the
Future." The Roll of members as made up by the Journalizing and Transcribing
Clerks was as follows, presumably only those present being enrolled:
East Pennsylvania Eldership. Teaching elders — C. H. Foniey, G. Sigler, D.
S. Shoop, J. M. Carvell, G. W. Seilhammer, F. L. Nicodemus, C. Price, A. H. Long
and J. C. Seabrooks. Ruling elders — J. S. Gable, I. Frazer, D. M. Bare, J. H. Red-
seeker, H. J. Foniey, John Clippinger, S. Myers, A. Hostetter and G. D. Shaefer.
West Pennsylvania Eldership. Teaching elders — J. S. Marple, R. L. Bynies,
S. Woods, B. F. Bolton and J. AV. Davis. Ruling elders — E. Smith, S. P. P. Young,
A. Shontz, G. W. Pritts, D. A. Stevens and J. B. Henderson.
Maryland and Virginia Eldership. Teaching elders — L. H. Selby, S. W. Naill
and J. A. Saxton.
West Ohio Eldership. Teaching elders — G. W. Wilson, J. M. Cassel, T.
Koogle, T. Hickeraell and C. N. Belman. Ruling elders — D. Hale, H. Shuler, S^
Bolton, S. Kline and S. Dickerhoof.
'j'j% History of the Churches of God
Indiana Eldership. Teaching elders — W. W. Lovett, J. Bumpus and 1. W.
Markley. Ruling elders — J. Moweiy and H. C. Smith.
Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership. Teaching elders — Geo. Sandoe, A.
Miller and W. Booth. Ruling elders — J. Miller, Sr., G. Riipp and John Snavely.
Illinois Eldership. Teaching elders — M. S. Newcomer, S. D. C Jackson and
AV. B. Allen. Ruling elders — M. Anderson and J. Stare.
Michigan Eldership. Teaching elders — A. J. Hull, J. B. White and Sheldon
Smith. Ruling elder — N. Baim.
Iowa Eldership. Teaching elders — C. L. Wilson, J. H. Besore and R. H. Bol-
ton. Ruling elders — D. Hoover and J. H. Bolton.
Kansas and Missouri Eldership. Teaching elder — C. S. Bolton.
Balloting for officers resulted in the election of M. S. Newcomer, Speaker; R.
H. Bolton, Journalizing Clerk, and W^. B. Allen, Transcribing Clerk. These both
refused to serve, when J. H. Besore and F. L. Nicodemus were elected. The Eld-
ership would not recognize the Treasurer as a member by virtue of his office,
whereupon I. Sohrader, Treasurer, was appointed by the Standing Committee of
the Indiana Eldership a lay delegate. The "Sunday-School Gem" reported a net
profit of $405.41 for the three years. The Report of the Book Agent showed a
net balance of $3,812.63. The Editor of The Advocate made a financial report
of unusual length, which showed that the net income of the paper for three years
was $595.15, the first surplus reported. The Treasurer's Report gave the total
collections for the various Funds as follows: Missionary Fund, for first year,
$1,184.22; second year, $1,265.65; third year, $856.78. Contingent Fund, first
year, $95.61; second year, $118.49. Permanent Missionary Fund, $450.00. Per-
manent Educational Fund, $200.00 The publication of the "Workman Quarterly
and Lesson Leaves," which began with the issue of January, 1879, was financially
a success, and the Workman Publishing Company offered to "turn over the publica-
tion with its subscription lists to the Eldership, without compensation, and entirely
free of debt," which was accepted, and J. Haifleigh was appointed Business Man-
ager of this publication and of the "Sunday-School Gern." Editors were elected
as follows: The Advocate, C. H. Forney; Assistant, M. S. Newcomer; "Gem," G.
Sigler; "Workman," P. Loucks; Assistants, W. B. Allen and W\ W. Lovett. The
Editor of "The Gem" and the Assistant Editor of The Advocate were each voted a
salary of $50.00 a year. The former was also voted $50.00 per year for each of
the preceding three years. A number of serious charges being preferred against
J. F. Weishampel in connection with the publication of the "Kundschafter," they
were referred by unanimous vote to a committee "to consider his course in all its
•details, and present a report and statement of facts to the Eldership." The com-
mittee reported that Weishampel had published his paper in violation of the Rules
of Co-operation, and that he "made one of his papers the vehicle of fiagrant abuse
and false accusations." It also condemned the German Eldership for "failing to
•call said member [Weishampel] to account," and declared it to be "the duty of
:said Eldership to carry the actions of the General Eldership into effect," and re-
quired it "to exercise the necessary discipline over the member of said Eldership
who is still violating our Rules of Co-operation, and who has been and still is
guilty of actions deeply repugnant to the judgment and moral sense of this body."
A "permanent General Missionary Secretary" was provided for, as reported by a
•committee of ten, one from each Eldership represented. The school project came
up in various forms, one of which was a proposition to sell to the General Elder-
■ship the High School at Smithville, Ohio. These various propositions, with the
whole subject, were referred to the Committee on Education, consisting of C. H.
-Forney, S. D. C. Jackson and R. L. Byrnes. Said Committee "recognizing the im-
portance, and that immediately, of a Church school," recommended "that the
Board of Education be instructed to make arrangements to secure at once a suit-
able place for said school, and to provide whatever means may be required for the
opening and working of the same." In place of the words, "Board of Education,"
the words, "the General Eldership," were inserted, and the resolution was adopted,
thus laying the foundation for Findlay College on Friday evening, May 30, 1881.
Not only did the Eldership by resolution express its gratification in having Drs.
Williams and Durgen as delegates from the Free Baptist Church present during its
sittings; but it elected M. S. Newcomer and R. H. Bolton delegates, and C. H.
Forney and W. B. Allen, alternates, to the next meeting of the Free Baptist Gen-
eral Conference. The publication of a Church Hymnal was brought up in the Re-
port of the Committee on Journals. The Committee to prepare a Hymnal had
The General Eldership 779
decided not to act on account of the large number of Church Hymn-Books on hand,
but recommended that the matter be referred to the Board of Publication, in con-
nection with a committee to be elected. This was agreed to, and C. H. Forney,
M. S. Newcomer and G. Sigler were elected. The Board of Publication consisted
of Isaac Frazer, J. H. Redsecker and D. M. Bare. The following were elected a
Board of Missions: P. Loucks, R. H. Bolton, W. P. Small, G. Sigler and M. S. New-
comer. The new Executive Board consisted of T. Koogle, J. H. Besore, W. B.
Allen, C. H. Forney and George Sandoe. R. L. Byrnes, J. M. Cassel, D. Blakely,
J. S. Gable and J. M. Carvell were elected on the Board of Education. Said Board
was "directed to secure an amendment from the Legislature of Pennsylvania to the
Act of Incorporation of the General Eldership, constituting the Board of Educa-
tion a part of the Board of Incorporation." The Eldership in the State of Maine
was duly recognized, and the boundary lines of the State were made its boundaries.
Permission was granted the Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership to effect a
division of its territory, the Illinois part to consolidate with the Illinois Eldership;
the territory in Indiana to constitute an Eldership, with the State line between
Indiana and Illinois as its western boundary, "all other lines remaining as hereto-
fore." The brethren in Kansas were granted the privilege of organizing an Eld-
ership within the boundaries of the State. Appropriate action was taken on the
death of Dr. George Ross, of East Pennsylvania Eldership. He was characterized
as "one of the most efficient members of this body; a member of pure Christian
"Character, of rare business energy, of unimpeachable integrity, of unwearied in-
dustry in all departments of Church work, of amiable and affectionate disposition
■and of exemplary fidelity in all his official and personal relations." As one of the
Assistant Editors of the "Workman," Alexander Wiley was worthily remembered
iby the Committee on Resolutions as a minister of "self-sacrificing zeal in the cause
of the Redeemer, whose loss to us is his eternal gain."
14th General Eldei*ship. — In addition to the regular work of each triennial
session of the General Eldership, the one to meet at Wooster, Ohio, May 28, 1884,
anticipated the discussion of sundry questions of special interest. The general
mission work was assuming large proportions; the great work of building the Col-
lege presented an entirely new subject for most serious attention and then the
impetus given to the movement toward some form of active co-operation between
Liberal Baptists made it impracticable to ignore the question. But the fourteen
Elderships represented had chosen delegations composed largely of their ablest
men. The Eldership was constituted by the Journalizing Clerk of the session of
1881, J. H. Besore, and the enrollment was made as follows:
East Pennsylvania Eldership. Ministerial delegates — C. H. Forney, G. Sigler,
C. Price, J. B. Lockwood, A. H. Long, J. M. Carvell, D. S. Shoop and G. AV. Seil-
hammer. Lay delegates — J. H. Redsecker, D. M. Bare, H. J. Forney, S. Knlsley,
S. L. Hershey, I. F'razer, D. W. Spencer and J. H. Abralxam.
Maryland and Virginia Eldership. Ministerial delegates — W. P. Winbigler
and Wm. Palmer. Lay delegates .
West Virginia Eldership. Ministerial delegates — W. B. Long and J. C. Cun-
ningham. Lay delegates — N. Vanaman and E. Dowler.
West Pennsylvania Eldership. Ministerial delegates — J. W. Davis, R. L.
Byrnes, W. R. Covert, J. R. H. Latchaw and J. W. Bloyd. Lay delegates — L. F.
Murray, W. B. Elliott, W. H. H. McKlveen, A. Albert and J. B. Henderson.
West Ohio Eldership. Ministerial delegates — W. P. Small, T. Koogle, R. H.
Bolton, J. M. Cassel, G. W. Wilson and B. F. Bolton. Lay delegates— W. H. Oliver,
H. Shuler, H. Clay, M. Richey, J. AV. Baker, S. H. Addams and D. Hale.
Indiana Eldership. Ministerial delegates — E. Miller, I. AA". Markley and \\.
W. Lovett. Lay delegates — I. Schrader, J. Sinionton and J. Moweiy.
Southern Indiana Eldership. Ministerial delegates — E. M. Love and C. T.
McKee. Lay delegate — John Miller, Sr. '
Michigan Eldership. Ministerial delegates — C. C. Linsley, AV. Rice and J. B.
AVhite. Lay delegates — J. M. Ii-eland, John Partridge and I. Strome.
Illinois Eldership. Ministerial delegates — M. S. Newcomer, AV. B. Allen,
•George Sandoe and AV. B. Lewellen. Lay delegates — J. Stare, D. Palmer, M.
Anderson and H. Ishler.
Iowa Eldei-ship. Ministerial delegates — L. F. Chamberlin, C. L. Wilson, J. H.
Besore and J. C. Kepford. Lay delegates — John Hutf, H, Mun'ay and B, F, Wood-
cock.
780 History of the Churches of God
Nebraska Eldership. Ministerial delegates — E. D. Aller and W. L. Harris,
Lay delegates — James O. Laiighlin and Michael Hoffer.
Kansas Eldership. Ministerial delegates. — E. L. Latchavv, C. B. Konkel and
W. H. Cross. Lay delegate — Joshua Good.
Missouri Eldership. Ministerial delegates — D. Rlakely and C. S. Bolton. Lay
delegates — E. Blackstone and E. Wilson.
Texas and Arkansas Eldership. Ministerial delegates — G. T. Bell, J. W.
Riddle and B. Ober. Lay delegates — D. B. Hale and J, Beachem.
Maine Eldership — No delegates.
German Eldership — No delegates.
The question of the eligibility of W. Rice was raised, as he had not been a
member five years. He was seated on the proviso in the Constitution that such
election is admissable in "cases where it is unavoidable." Before an organization
was effected C. H. Forney submitted a proposition, that "no one shall be declared
elected unless he had received a majority of the votes cast." The proposition was
later submitted as an amendment to Article IV. of the Constitution, and a similar
one as an amendment to Art. XI. with reference to "election of editors of the
various publications." The following officers were elected: Speaker, George
Sigler; Journalizing Clerk, AV. B. Allen; Transcribing Clerk, D. W. Spencer. O. B.
Cheney, President of Bates College, Me.; O. K. Bacheler, missionary to India,
both of the Free Baptist Church, were seated as advisory members. G. W. Ball,
delegate from the Free Baptist General Conference, was accorded the same privi-
lege. Dr. Cheney in his address before the Eldership, stated that Prof. Dudley, of
the Free Baptist College, Hillsdale, Mich., was also appointed a delegate, but he
failed to arrive. While the West Virginia Eldership had been organized and its
delegates enrolled, it had as yet no charter from the General Eldership. As soon
as the committees were appointed a petition was presented "asking the privilege
of organizing a new Eldership in West Virginia." The matter was referred to the
Committee on Boundaries, which reported favorably. The name of the new body
was fixed as that of the "West Virginia Eldership of the Church of God," and its
territory "Greene county. Pa.; Belmont, Jefferson and Monroe counties, .Ohio, and
all of West Virginia except that part occupied by the Maryland and Virginia Elder-
ship." Allen and Newcomer had attended the Free Baptist General Conference,
as delegates, in 1883, and gave an interesting report of their visit. This was fol-
lowed by addresses by Dr. Cheney and Dr. Bacheler, to which the Speaker made a
suitable response. The writing of the Life of Winebrenner, which fifteen years
before had been arranged for, had not yet been undertaken, and it was left in the
hands of the family of Elder Winebrenner, which expressed a "willingness to un-
dertake its preparation." The Committee on Church Hymnal reported its work
completed, and that the Hymnal was ready for sale in the Winter of 1881-2. The
Board of Education reported its work in locating Findlay College, and, in con-
nection with the Executive Board, the creation of the Findlay College Corporatioa
and the election of the first Board of Trustees. The work extended over a period
of five months, from July 6, 1881, to February 25, 1882. The report was strongly-
approved, and a new Board elected consisting of C. H. Forney, J. R. H. Latchaw,
W. B. Allen, R. L. Byrnes and J. 31. CaiTell. The report of the Editor of The
Advocate showed a net balance of $1,634.55. C. H. Forney was re-elected Editor.
The Committee on Resolutions submitted a resolution, that an Assistant Editor be
elected who should also be editor of the "Sunday-School Gem," and all Sunday-
school periodicals, which prevailed. Being reconsidered at a later sitting, when
C. H. Foraey submitted a new proposition, viz.: that said action "shall not go into
effect until such time as the Board of Incorporation is ready to start a Book Store
and Printing Establishment," and that until then the present arrangement shall be
continued, and the election of an Assistant Editor under the proposed consolida-
tion to be placed in the hands of the Board of Incorporation. This was adopted,
and M. S.' Newcomer was elected Assistant Editor; George Sigler, Editor of the
Gem, and J. H. Redsecker, Editor of the Workman. One of the suggestions of
the Editor of The Advocate was to authorize the necessary steps to be taken to
start our own printing establishment. The whole question was referred to th^
Board of Incorporation, which was instructed to "establish a Book Concern as
soon as practicable." The Executive Board consisted of George Sandoe, J. H. Be-
soi*e, C. Price, W. W. Lovett and S. L. Hershey. The new Board of Missions was
R. H. Bolton, M. S. Newcomer, W^. P. Small, George Sigler and I. W. Markley.
1. Schrader was re-elected Treasurer. The new Board of Publication consisted of
1. Frazer, J. H. Redsecker and D. M. Bare. The suggestion made by the Board
The General Eldership 781
of Pnblication to publish "a small monthly illustrated paper," and also "Wine-
brenner's View of the Church of God," was approved, and the revision of the
latter placed in the hands of C. H. Forney, G. Sigler, R. L. Bynies and AV. B.
Alien. R. H. Bolton and C. H. Forney were chosen as delegates to the Free Bap-
tist General Conference. Dr. Ball in his address before the Eldership "rejoiced at
the unanimity of feeling between the two bodies represented, and hoped for more
of the same spirit." Actuated by the same feeling, the committee to which were
"referred the greetings and other considerations by the Free Baptist delegates to
this body," recommended "that this body co-operate with the Free Baptist Board
of Foreign Missions," and that "some person be appointed who sh^all act as secre-
tary and treasurer, and shall collect funds, conduct correspondence," etc., with
a view of "sending at as early a date as possible a missionary into the foreign
field." This was adopted, and J. R. H. Latchaw was appointed Secretary and
Treasurer. The Eldership, with a few immaterial alterations, also adopted all the
items "of the principles declared by the Convention of Liberal Baptists held in
Minneapolis." But it failed to incorporate them in its Minutes. The Eldership
recorded its "cordial approval of the work written by Dr. Forney on the Christian
Ordinances," and also requested the Board of Publication to issue a new edition
of Bolton on the Church of God. The Eldership placed itself clearly on record
"in favor of constitutional amendments in all our State Constitutions prohibiting
the legalized sale of intoxicating drinks." In the resolutions on the death of
three former ministerial delegates, the Eldership pronounced P. Loucks "one of
the ablest counsellors, and purest and most unselfish members;" A. Swaitz as a man
among us who had "no superior as a clear, logical reasoner, and no peer as a
disputant noted for forcible statements," and D. A. L. Laverty as a "life-long,
tried and efficient man, always ready by wojd and act to co-operate with the
brethren."
15th General Eldership. — The triennial meeting of the General Eldership
is always an event of more than ordinary interest. It occupies the attention of
the ministry and churches for from six to eight months before it convenes. Inter-
ests are under its control which concern the brotherhood generally, and these be-
come subjects of discussion, and sometimes of official action, during the Summer
and Fall of the preceding year. The election of delegates by the different Elder-
ships is a matter calculated to awaken interest. There are ambitions, if not
rivalries, to be taken note of. Questions of general concern are matured, changes
In methods and plans are proposed, and often delegations are instructed on ques-
tions of special interest to their respective Elderships. In this way, too, publicity
is given to these questions, and they receive consideration by other delegations.
There have been instances when some of these questions have been discussed, or
specially cited to the attention of delegates-elect. This was the case in March,
1887, when D. M. Bare, an East Pennsylvania lay delegate, addressed an open
letter "To the Delegates of the General Eldership," in which he called their at-
tention to resolutions which had been introduced at the meeting of the Incorporate
Board in June, 1886, and were referred to the General Eldership. They pro-
posed a radical, but a more economical and efficient, change in the system of col-
lecting funds for various purposes. The body convened at West Newton, West-
moreland county, Pa., May 24, 1887. In the evening by reason of the declina-
tion of C. H, Foi-ney to preach the Opening Sermon, and his alternate, it fell to
the lot of George Sandoe, of Illinois, President of the Executive Board, to officiate,
using for his text II. Tim. ii. 2. The session was a short one, as final adjourn-
ment took place on Monday evening, about 10 o'clock, May 30th, having in that
time held thirteen sittings of about three hours each. The Journal, which with
two exceptions had been published in The Advocate, was printed in a supplement
of five full pages. The following is the enrollment as the Eldership was consti-
tuted by R. H. Bolton and I. W. Markley:
East Pennsylvania Eldership. Ministerial Delegates — C. H. Forney, D. D.,
J. M. Carrell, A. H. Long, G. Sigler, B. F. Beck, J. B. Lookwood, D. S. Shoop,
J. W. Deshong. Lay — S. Knisley, J. H. Redsecker, Samuel Myers, S. L. Hershey,
D. M. Bai-e, J. C. Forney, J. H. Abraham, J. H. Esterline.
West Pennsylvania Eldership. Ministerial delegates — R. L. Byrnes, W. H.
H. McElveen, J. R. H. Latchaw, J. W. Da^is. Lay — S. Hovis, J. Creager, S. Mc-
Donald, P. S. Obley, S. P. P. Young, L. F. Murray.
Illinois Eldership. Ministerial delegates — M. S. Newcomer, George Sandoe,
782 History of the Churches of God
W. I. Berkstresser , AV. B. Long, W. B. Allen. Lay — J. Stare, Jehu Bailey, D. Pal-
mer, L. F. Alexander.
West Virginia Eldership. Ministerial delegates — N. M. Anderson, W. G.
Steele. Lay — E. Dowler, D. Mackey.
Maryland and Virginia Eldership. Ministerial delegates — G. W. Seilhammer,
W. Palmer. Lay — J. H. Chew, Daniel Sigler.
Southern Indiana Eldership. Ministerial delegate — I. J. Whisenand. Lay —
John Miller.
Ohio Eldership. Ministerial delegates— J. M. Cassel, T. Metzler, W. P.
Burchard, R. H. Bolton, T. Koogle, C. Winbigler. Lay — D. Hale, M. Richey, E.
T. Vaas, G. H. Ritchie, B. F. Bolton.
Indiana Eldership. Ministerial delegates — I. VV. Markley, J. Bunipus, Geo. E.
Komp. Lay — I. Schrader, H. C. Smith, LeAvis Hai-tman, J. Mowei-y.
Kansas Eldership. Ministerial delegate — C. S. Bolton. Lay — None.
Iowa Eldership. Ministerial delegate — J. H. Besore. Lay — J. Huff, H. Funk.
German Eldership. Not represented.
Texas and Arkansas Eldership. Not represented.
Maine Eldership. Not represented.
Missouri Eldership. Not represented.
The Kansas Eldership had also elected R. T. Sargent, ministerial, and J. N.
Smith and N. Hill, lay delegates. The German Eldership had elected a lay dele-
gate— Chas. E. Quail. Texas and Arkansas Eldership had chosen two ministerial
delegates — B. Ober and G. T. Bell, but no delegate. Maine Eldership had made
no election. The Missouri Eldership had elected D. Blakely, ministerial, and Eli
Blackstine, lay delegates. The Michigan Eldership is not on the list, as no dele-
gate was present, although J. B. WTiite, Wm. Rice, J. M. Ireland and J. Partridge
were elected delegates. Illinois Eldership being one short on its lay delegation,
Mary Berkstresser, a licensed minister, was substituted, making the first woman
delegate to sit in the General Eldership.
When ballots were taken for oflacers, T. Koogle was elected Speaker; I. \\\
Markley, Journalizing Clerk, and B. F. Beck, Transcribing Clerk. After the Report
of the Treasurer was audited, I. Schrader was elected to that office. An effort was
made to introduce the "unit rule," requiring delegations to vote as one on all ques-
tions on which they may claim the right so to do." The Eldership did not take
kindly to such an innovation. The resolutions to which Bare had called the attention
of delegates in March were brought up by a Special Committee previously ap-
pointed, which recommended that "each year in June, beginning with this Elder-
ship, the Board of Missions make an estimate of the amount of funds required to
carry on the work during the succeeding year, and apportion the same among the
several Elderships." These amounts the Elderships would collect in their own
way. This became the fixed plan of securing funds for general missionary pur-
poses. The Treasurer's Report showed receipts for missions for the year ending
May, 1885, $1,632.96; the year ending May, 1886, $1,831.77, and the year ending
June, 1887, $1,504.40. Parts of these amounts were interest on Permanent Mis-
sionary Fund, which in June, 1887, aggregated $7,677.80. The total amount of
bequests during the trienniuni was $1,835.00. The success of mission work in the
Indian Territory was "most gratifying," as "359 members of the Church of God
were enrolled, and seven young preacchers were raised up to preach the gospel in.
the Indian Nation." J. R. H. Latchaw, Secretary and Treasurer of the Foreign
Mission Fund reported "total cash receipts in treasury of $515.75." The Report
of the Board of Publication stated that "The Sunbeam" was started in January,
1885, of which Sadie R. Hemperly was editor until the Fall of 18 86, when Lydia
A. Foraey was elected. AVinebrenner's "Brief View of the Church of God" was
republished, after undergoing extensive revision by C. H. Forney, R. L. Byrnes, AV.
B. Allen and George Sigler, with a Preface by Forney. The net profits of "The
Sunday-School Gem" for the three years were $482.92; of the "Workman and
Lesson Leaves," $536.83; on "The Sunbeam" there was a loss of $10.97. The
Advocate from a balance in 1884 of $1,634.55, on May 23, 1887, showed a net
balance of $3,094.78. The change of form of the paper was agreed upon. The
new Board of Publication consisted of D. M. Bare, J. H. Redsecker and J. C.
Forney. The following .were elected as the Executive Board : George Sandoe, J.
H. Besore, S. L. Hei-shey, T. Koogle, J. H. Chew. Ballot for a Board of Educa-
tion resulted in the election of J. R. H. Latchaw, C. H. Forney, W. B. Allen, J. M.
Cai-vell, W. I. Berkstresser. This Board approved the work at Barkeyville
The General Eldership 783
Academy, and favored its "earnest prosecution," to be "tributary and auxiliary to.
the College at Findlay, Ohio." The new Board of Missions was composed of M. S^
Newcomei', R. H. Bolton, George Sigler, I. W. Markley, R. L. Byrnes. "C. H,^
Forney offered a series of amendments to the Constitution," which were approved
by a committee, and adopted by the Eldership. The election of J. R. H, Latchaw
as President of Findlay College was ratified. The Committee on Education,.
Forney, Latchaw, Schrader, Alexander, Newcomer, Winbigler, reported two items
of special interest: The endowment of "The Sabbath-school Professorship of Sys-
tematic Theology" "by the contributions of Children's College Day," and fixing
"the first Tuesday in next September as the time for dedicating Findlay College. "^
The first triennial report of "the Board of Directors of the Publishing House and
Book Rooms" was made by the Treasurer, C. H. Forney, showing a net cash bal-
ance of $289.04. He recommended "that the Board be authorized to secure real
estate for a Publishing House," which was approved. In addition to the Board of
Publication, the following were elected to constitute the Board of Directors: J. M.
CaiTell, George Sigler, C. H. Forney, Samuel Knisley. Editors elected were:
Church Advocate, C. H. Foi-ney, D. D.; "The S. S. Gem," Geo. Sigler; "Workman,"
J. M. Canfell; "Sunbam," Lydia A. Forney. The Southern Indiana Eldership was,
"granted the privilege to unite with the Indiana Eldership." A strong protest
was adopted "against the publication of Sunday papers." Huff, Lockwood, B. F.
Bolton, McKlveen and Ritchie, Committee on Temperance, secured the adoption
of a resolution declaring, "That all kinds of license, or tax, favoring the liquor
traffic, whether high or low, are wrong in principle, and demand the opposition of
the Church and good men and women everywhere." The plan to co-operate with
the Free Baptist Church in Foreign Mission work, adopted in 1884, was reversed,
and it was agreed as "the sense of this body that when we enter upon Foreign
Mission work, that we do so upon territory our own, and relying upon our own re-
sources." Of two former members of the General Eldership it had to be recorded,
that they were claimed by Death, for "Death, cold usurer, had seized his bonded
debtors," in the persons of Daniel Wertz and Thomas Hickemell, concerning whom
Chairman Sandoe, of the Committee on Obituaries, reported eulogistic resolutions.
16th General Eldership. — For the first time in its history of forty-five years,,
the General Eldership crossed the Mississippi River, and held its sixteenth session
in 1890 in the "Hawkeye State." Sixteen Elderships represented in this supreme
body were entitled under the constitutional Rule to one hundred and two dele-
gates; but as late as May 21st, the names of only eighty-seven delegates had been
reported. These consisted in large "part of the most experienced and best quali-
fied and trained ministers and laymen of their Elderships." The Executive Board
had failed to appoint a minister to preach the Opening Sermon; the pastor of
the church was absent, and so when the delegates assembled near the village of
North Liberty, Johnson county, Iowa, on th evening of June 4th John Huff, Iowa,
lay manager of pre-Eldership interests, "was appointed conductor of the evening
meeting," held in "the meeting-house" of North Bend Church. A. H. Long led
in the devotional services; Jacob Lininger "delivered a befitting and warm wel-
come in behalf of the Iowa Eldership," after which the "Conductor introduced re-
spectively the following brethren, who delivered responses: T. Koogle, Dr. C. H.
Forney, J. R. H. Latchaw, A. M., W. B. Allen, AY. R. Covert, W. VV. Lovett, Geo.
Seilhammer, Geo. Sigler, C. S. Bolton, J. H. Redsecker and D. B. Zook." On
Thursday morning, June 5th, the Eldership convened for business, and was "con-
stituted by B. F. Beck and I. W. Markley, when the following delegates were found
to be members:
East Pennsylvania Eldership. Ministerial delegates — C. H. Forney, D. D.,,
J. M. Cai-vell, Ph. D,, Geo. Sigler, J. W. Deshong, D. S. Shoop, Geo. W. Getz, B. F.
Beck, A. M., and J. H. Esterline. Lay — D. M. Bai-e, J. H. Redsecker, H. S. Burket,.
S. Knisley, S. Myers, J. T. Fleegal, A. H. Long, F. L. Nicodemus.
Maryland and Virginia Eldership. Ministerial deegates — G. W. Seilhammer-
and J. A. Saxton. Lay^ — L. H. Selby.
West Pennsylvania Eldership. Ministerial delegates — W. R. Covert, W. H.,
H. McKlveen, W. B. EUiot and T. Woods. Lay — J. Kreeger, D. S. Fox, J. B. Hen-
dei-son and J. B, Love.
West Virginia Eldership. Ministerial delegates — N. M. Anderson and S. B..
Craft. Lay delegates — N. Vanaman and J. Giinini.
Ohio Eldership. Ministerial delegates — T. Koogle, R. H. Bolton, E. Poling,,
784 History of the Churches of God
J. R. H. Lat«haw, A. M., and J. M. Cassel. Lay — H. Clay, N. AVhisler, G. W.
Ferguson and C. D. Dunathan.
Indiana Eldership. Ministerial delegates — J. Buinpus, AV. W. Lovett, I. W.
Markley. Lay — I. Schrader, H. C. Smith, L. Hartman.
Southern Indiana Eldership. Ministerial delegates — H. H. Spiher, J. S.
Walls, J. AMnson. Lay — J. B. Seneff, Mai-y Schelly.
Michigan Eldership. Ministerial delegates — Joseph E. Moffit, J. B. White.
Lay — None.
Illinois Eldership. Ministerial delegates — D. H. Riipp, W. B. Allen, C. Man-
chester, W. I. Berkstresser, I. S. Richmond. Lay — D. Palmer, J. Stare, H. Ishler,
John Bernard, Mary Berkstresser.
Iowa Eldership. Ministerial delegates — J. C. Kepford, M. S. Newcomer,
J. S. Miller, J. Lininger. Lay — J. Huflf, D. Galagher, W. S. Ayers, J. H. Besore.
Missouri Eldership. Ministerial delegates — J. M. Klein, W. H. Hickman.
Lay — D. Blakely, J. N. Smith.
Nebraska Eldership. Ministerial delegates — C. S. Kilmer, D. B. Zook.
Lay^ — E. D. Aller, J. S. Bi-eidenstine.
Kansas Eldership. Ministerial delegates — C, S. Bolton, J. C. Fomcrook, P.
K. Shoemoker. Lay— Wm. Miller, W. H. Cross, W. T. Turpin.
Texas and Arkansas Eldership. Ministerial delegates — B. Ober, J. W. Rid-
dle, D. S. Summit. Lay — None.
Maine Eldership. Not represented.
German Eldership. Ministerial delegate — None. Lay — Chas. E. Quail.
Of the ninety enrolled, however, seven were absent, reducing the total to
eighty-three, of which number forty-eight were ministers and thirty-five laymen.
The vote for President resulted in the choice of W. W. Lovett; Journalizing Clerk,
W. I. Berkstresser; Transcribing Clerk, F. L. Nicodemus. John Huff was at a
later sitting unanimously elected Treasurer. The Board of Misisons was called
on the first afternoon for its Report. It showed conversions for the first year,
386; baptized, 227; fellowshiped, 3'54; new churches formed, 12. Missouri f-r
the three years reported "progress slow numerically," with a total membership of
618; organizations, 21; ministers, 20. The summarized account for all the fields
for three years was: Conversions, 583; new churches, 27; accessions, 656; bap-
tized, 425. The total in the Foreign Mission Fund reported by Latchaw wis
$1,135.96. The names of the new Board of Missions were M. S. Newcomer, R. H.
Bolton, George Sigler, AV. B. Allen, J. C. Fomcrook. Executive Board elected was
J. H. Besore, T. Koogle, AV. AV. Lovett, W. R. Covert, B. F. Beck. Board of Edu-
cation— C. H. Foraey, J. R. H. Latchaw, AV. I. Berkstresser, D. S. Shoop, J. M.
Cassel. Board of Directors, in addition to the Board of Publication — S. Knisley,
B. F. Beck, Geo. Sigler, G. AV. Seilhammer. Board of Publication — D. M. Bare,
J. H. Redsecker, J. M. Carvell. A Committee on Credentials, on motion of For-
ney, was for the first time created. Also a regular Committee on Business, whose
Report named twenty-six items. The Treasurer's Report showed receipts to have
been: For year ending 1888, $1,403.72; year ending 1889, $1,946.08; year end-
ing 1890, $2,573.88. The periodicals reported as follows: "Gem," net gain,
$128.69; "Workman," loss for three years, $305.55; "Sunbeam," loss for three
years, $39.97. The Advocate reported a net balance of $3,828.55. Editors
elected were: The Advocate, C. H. Forney, D. D.; "Gem," George Sigler; "Sun-
beam," Lydia A. Forney; "Worltman," a corps of five editors, with J. H. Redsecker,
Managing Editor. A "communication was received from the sisters," assigning
reasons for, and asking for the privilege of, organizing "a Woman's General Mis-
sionary Society." It was signed by Sisters Covert and Grimm, West Pennsylvania;
Shaffer and Bolton, Ohio Eldership; Schelly and Lovett, Indiana Eldership; Hodge
and Ritchie, Illinois Eldership; Jeffries and Besore, Iowa Eldership; Aller and
Breidenstine, Nebraska Eldership, and Blakely and Fckart, Missouri Eldership.
Also as "representative" of Findlay College, Mrs. Latchaw, and of the General
Eldership, Mary Berkstresser. This memorial was favorably acted upon, amended
as follows: "This Society shall co-operate with the Board of Missions of the
General Eldership in its plans of work and the appointment of missionaries, en-
deavoring to work harmoniously with it in the advancement of a common interest,
and shall submit to it, for its approval, a complete annual report of the work of
said Society." State and local societies under it were to be organized, and a com-
mittee of seventeen was named "to draft a Constitution to govern said Society."
The General Eldership 785
"Death, with terrible tread, has entered our ranks," reported the Committee on
Obituaries, "and left us but the grave and the glorious example of Elder George
Sandoe. He was an able minister of the New Testament; clear, sound, logical and
convincing. He combined the elements of a true and noble manhood with a con-
scientious integrity that was never sullied by a breath of suspicion." Charles
Manchester was authorized to publish a missionary paper on certain conditions.
The soliciting of funds through The Advocate was forbidden, "unless authorized by
the Eldership of which the individual is a member." The College was heartily
commended. The supreme importance of unity and uniformity was forcibly set
forth. The prevalent order in observing the ordinances was set forth as that
which the body approved. It also deprecated any tendency to introduce any change
in regard to posture in prayer, and insisted that the custom of "kneeling as the
true posture in prayer" be maintained. Transfers are declared as not severing the
relation of a minister to his Eldership until deposited and received by another
Eldership. The request made by East Pennsylvania churches in Schuylkill county
to have the Charter of the German Eldership revoked was deferred until the next
General Eldership, on the ground that it was not presented in regular form. Total
abstinence and prohibition were strongly endorsed. The appointment of a min-
ister to Ft. Scott, and General Missionaries to Nebraska, Missouri, Indian Terri-
tory, Arkansas, California and Oregon, as made by the Board of Missions, were ap-
proved.
17th General Eldership. — The session of the General Eldership in 1893 was
anticipated with unconcealed anxiety. On May 31st it was characterized edi-
torially as one "of unusual interest." It was forecasted that "Grave constitutional
questions will demand discussion. Great public interests are in jeopardy. New
lines of Church activity are to be marked out. The polity of the Church must be
defended and maintained in the face of possible defections; or else important, if
not vital, principles in our system of co-operation, already set at naught by a few,
will have to be abandoned by the body. And some of these questions are essen-
tially of such a nature that calm and unimpassioned discussion will be next to
impossible. Perhaps the most perplexing of all the questions to be discussed and
acted on are those which relate to Findlay College." In retrospect, on July 19th
the Editor said: "The General Eldership of 1893 was a thunder storm! It was
also a love-feast." Being held in the College Chapel, Findlay, Ohio, on account
of the meeting of the Board of Trustees and College Commencement, the Eldership
did not convene on the usual date in May, but on Friday morning, June 23rd. The
Opening Sermon was delivered on the previous evening by G. W. Seilhammer, who
took for his text John viii. 1, 2. The Roll of delegates was read by W. I. Berk-
stresser, the Journalizing Clerk of 1890, corrected and amended, as follows:
East Pennsylvania — Revs. C. H. Forney, D. D., Geo. Slgler, D. D., D. S. Shoop,
C. I. Brown, B. S., B. P. Betk, A. M„ Ira MacDannald, C. Price and M. M, Foose.
Lay delegates — D. M. Bare, AV. D. Diller, S. L. Hei-shey, Rev, C. C, Bartels, S. Knis-
ley, S. Myers, H. J. Forney, P. L. Rickabaugh.
West Pennsylvania — Revs. R. L. Byrnes, W. H. McKlveen, S. G. Yahn, Chas.
Manchester, A. M., B. D., J. W. Davis, J. Hickemell. Laymen — J. B. Henderson,
Jacob Kreger.
Maryland and Virginia — Revs. G. W. Seilhammer, J. A. Saxton.
West Virginia — Revs. J.' S. Mai-ple, S. B. Craft, N. M. Anderson, Anderson
Hinerman. Laymen —
Ohio — Revs. E. Poling, T. Koogle, J. R. H. Latchaw, A. M., D. D., W. P. Small,
G. W. Wilson. Laymen — N. Whisler, H. Clay, G. W. Ferguson, John Cummins,
S. H. Addams.
Michigan — Revs. J. B. White, Wm. Redding.
Indiana — Revs. I. W. Markley, W. W. Lovett. Laymen — I. Schrader, H. C.
Smith, Li. Hartman.
Southern Indiana — Revs. W. R. Covert, J. Vinson, H. H. Spiher. Layman —
J. Groenendyke.
Illinois — Revs. W. B. Allen, B. S., J. Bernard, W. I. Berkstresser, D. H. Rupp,
Lay delegates — Henry Ishler, Rev. C. F. Rogei"s, Isaac White, E. A. Fritter, A. B.
Iowa — Revs. M. S. Newcomer, D. D., J. S. Miller, C. L. W^ilson, A. C. Gamer.
Lay delegates — D. Gallagher, J. L. Kingston, John Huif, Rev. D. S. Guinter.
Nebraska — Revs. A. Wilson, D. B. Zook.
Missouri — Not represented.
C. H.— 26*
7^ History of the Churches oe God
Kansas — Revs. J. C. Fomcrook, William Miller. Lay delegates — Joshua
Good, Revs. W. T. Turpin, C. S. Bolton.
Texas and Arkansas — Rev. B. Ober.
Maine — Rev. J. I. Brown, M. D., LL. D.
German — Not represented.
Rev. Thos. H. Stacy, Fraternal Delegate and Corresponding Secretary of the
Board of Missions of the Free Baptist Church, was seated as an advisory member.
Also Rev. Chas. E. Hulbert., Field Secretary of the Committee on Christian Unity.
On a ballot for officers the following were chosen: M. S. Newcomer, Presi-
dent; AV. I. Berkstresser, Journalizing Clerk; Chas. Manchester, Transcribing
Clerk.
Reports of periodicals showed the following net balances: S. S. Gem,
$620.81; Workman, $865.93; Sunbeam, $178.36 loss; The Church Advocate,
$5,344.72. The Treasurer's Report made a good exhibit of the various Funds,
showing that on June 1, 1893, the various Funds stood as follows: Permanent
Mission, $8,757.80; General Mission, $900.60; Pacific Coast, $107.50; S. S. Gem,
$565.72; Freedman's Aid, $32.00; Contingent, $122.14. The Board of Directors
of the Publishing House and Book Store was given "discretionary powers to pur-
chase a suitable property in the city of Harrisburg." The Trustees of Findlay
College presented a "Memorial to the General Eldership," which stated that "the
Board did continue to contract debts to carry on the school, until said debt ap-
proximates $24,000.00." It also advised the General Eldership that unless relief
is provided and co-operation secured the College with all that pertains to it would
be lost. A committee of one from each delegation was selected, to which the
Memorial was referred. This committee recommended a loan to cover the in-
debtedness; the putting of a collecting agent in the field; a redistribution of
trustees, and directing "each minister of the Annual Elderships to collect an
amount equal to one dollar or more from each member on his field." The Board
was empowered to place a mortgage on the College property in order to secure
means to pay the indebtedness.
Clark county. Mo., was "placed within the boundaries of the Iowa Elldership."
The boundaries of the Maine Eldership were "made to include the territory of
Massachusetts and New Hampshire." The Indian Territory and Oklahoma Elder-
ship was chartered, and the boundary lines of the two territories were made the
boundaries of said Eldership. St. Louis, Mo., was made part of the Southern
Indiana Eldership. The Oregon and Washington Eldership was granted a charter,
"to include the boundaries of said States." "The charter and vested privileges of
the German Eldership" were revoked and withdrawn, and the churches of said
Eldership were to become identified with the East Pennsylvania Eldership.
Boards and editors were elected as follows: Executive — W. W. Lovett, T. Koogle,
B. F. Beck, R. L. Byrnes and W. R. Covert. Education — C. H. Forney, J. R. H.
Latchaw, S. G. Yahn, W. I. Berkstresser, W. P. Small. Publication — D. M. Bare,
D. S. Shoop, C. I. Bro^vn. Missions — G. Sigler, M. S. Newcomer, W. B. Allen,
C. Manchester, D. B. Zook. Treasurer, J. Huff. Free Baptist Board of Foreign
Missions, J. R. H. Iiatchaw; Editors: Advocate, C. H. Forney; Gem, G. Sigler;
Workman, D. S. Shoop; Sunbeam, Lydia A. Forney. The Y. P. S. C. E. was
"recognized as an agency well adapted to the care and development of young
Christians," and the Department in The Advocate devoted to Y. P. S. C. E. work
was approved. C H. Forney presented the request of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership for "permission to change its name, style and title so as to read, 'The
East Pennsylvania Association of Churches of God.' " It was referred to the Com-
mittee on Revision. It reported, "that the Annual Elderships consider and vote
upon the advisability" of the change, "with instruction to report to the next Gen-
eral Eldership." The subject was also to be discussed in The Advocate, the Editor
to lead in the discussion. Violations of the General Eldership Constitution were
reported, and acted upon. The most important provision referred to was the
action of the Ohio Eldership in abolishing the itinerancy. The action was dis-
approved, and the Ohio Eldership was instructed to adhere to the polity of the
General Eldership. The recommendation of the Revision Committee to substi-
tute a Life Certificate of Ordination for the annual license was "referred' to the
Annual Elderships for action." The form of the proposed Certificate was agreed
upon, and was submitted. The action of the Board of Education, recommending
"the preparation of a suitable course of studies for adoption by the various Annual
The General Eldership 787
Elderships" was approved. A radical innovation submitted by the Board of Mis-
sions was adopted, viz.: to change Art. II. of the Constitution so as to provide, in
addition to the regular delegation from each Eldership, that "one delegate from
the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society" to be organized, "duly elected by the
Society," be granted a seat, with all the rights and powers of Eldership delegates.
To this Foreign Missionary Society the Treasurer of the Foreign Mission Fund was
to pay all moneys in his hands, and the Treasurer of the Woman's Missionary So-
ciety was to pay over "all funds in the treasury collected for Home Missions," to
the Board of Missions of the General Eldership.
18th General Eldership. — In 1893 the General Eldership adjourned to meet
in Muncie, Delaware county, Ind., in 189 6. But the church at Muncie became so
scattered and weak that it was unable to entertain the Eldership, and it became
necessary to select another place. But there was no specific power granted in the
Constitution to any officer or Board to make a change either as to the time or place
of its meeting. "The General Eldership," says the Constitution, "shall meet every
three years at such time and place as shall be agreed on at each consecutive Elder-
ship." The Executive Board, however, decided to make a change as to the place,
and upon petition of the Standing Committee of the East Pennsylvania Eldership,
Harrisburg, Pa., was selected. W. R. Covert was a member of the Executive
Board, and a member of the Southern Indiana Eldership in whose territory Muncie
is located. He objected to having a place selected outside of said Eldership terri-
tory, and being outvoted by the other members of the Board he resigned his mem-
bership, and also sent in a strong protest against its action, with a "charge of
illegality in the Board's changing the place of holding the General Eldership."
The Board took no action on his resignation, as "it was only mailed five days prior
to the meeting of the General Eldership," but referred the whole document to the
General Eldership. It was then placed in the hands of a committee, of which
C. H. Forney was the Chairman, and Chas. Manchester, Secretary. This commit-
tee's report was adopted, which declared "that it is within the constitutional
powers of the Executive Board to change the place of holding the General Elder-
ship, and we recommend that the action of the Board be approved and ratified as
legal in fact and form." But the opposition to the change whereby the session
was held in almost the extreme eastern part of the territory operated against a
large attendance. It was inferred that the object was to reduce the membership
to a minority of delegates elected, and to question in the courts the legality of its
actions, as a similar question had been raised in the Evangelical Association. On
Wednesday evening, May 27, 189 6, the delegates to the eighteenth triennial session
of the General Eldership met in the Fourth Street Bethel, Harrisburg, capital of
the county of Dauphin and of the State of Pennsylvania, to hear the Opening Ser-
mon, which was delivered by the veteran G. W. Wilson, delegate from the Ohio
Eldership, who preached from Rev. xiv. 6, 7 — "The Gospel Ministry, Its Attributes
and Benefits." On Thursday morning, after "half an hour spent in a prayer and
praise service," the Eldership was constituted by the Clerks of the preceding ses-
sion. The enrollment was as follows:
East Pennsylvania. Ministers — C. H. Forney, D. D., D. S. Shoop, G. W. Getz,
B. F. Beck, C. I. Brown, B. S., G. Sigler, D. D., J. W. Deshong, C. C. Bartels.
Laymen — D. M. Bare, S. Knisley, H. J. Forney, H. S. Burket, Levi Kendig, J. F.
Wiggins, S. L. Hershey, J. Koser.
West Pennsylvania. Ministers — R. L. Byrnes, C. Manchester, A. M., B. D.,
S. G. Yahn, W. H. McKlveen. Laymen — J. L. Loucks, J. B. Henderson, G. W.
Datis.
Ohio. Ministers — T. Koogle, G. W. Wilson, L. Rothrock, W. P. Buchard.
Laymen — H. Clay, P. J. Gross, W. WTiisler, A. J. Bair, M. K. Smith.
Indiana. Ministers — W. W. Lovett, Joseph Bumpus. Layman — J. E. Mc-
Colley, Jr.
Illinois. Ministers — W. B. Allen, W. I. Berkstresser, Mary Berkstresser.
Laymen — D. Palmer, H. Ishler.
Iowa. Minister — D. W. Blakely. Laymen — N. Zeller, J. W. Green.
Southern Indiana— Not represented.
Maryland and Virginia. Ministers — G. W. Seilhammer, S. B. Craft. Lay-
men— G. W. liipe, J. Ebaughi.
West Virginia, North. Ministers, . Layman — J. C. Beam.
Missouri — Not represented.
Kansas. Minister — J. C. Fomcrook. J
788
History of the Churches of God
Nebraska. Minister — A. AVilson.
Oregon and Washington. Minister — J. F. Schoch.
West Virginia, South — Not represented.
Michigan — Not represented.
Texas and Arkansas — Not represented.
Indian Territory and Oklahoma. Minister — E. M. Kirkpatrick.
Fifty-three delegates were enrolled, thirty-two being teaching elders, and
twenty-one, ruling elders. The Maine Eldership having withdrawn from the Gen-
eral Eldership, there were seventeen Annual Elderships entitled to representation,
with a total representation of ninety-six. R. L. Byrnes was elected President; W.
I. Berkstresser, First Clerk; M. K. Smith, Second Clerk; D. M. Bare, Trei surer,
but declined. Firidlay College was in such a critical condition that the Board of
Trustees adopted a "Memorial" to the General Eldership, asking it to decide the
question "whether the school shall continue to run, or shall close," and in case it
was to continue, "to provide ways and means by which funds in cash, or absolute
securities, will be furnished to do so." This the Eldership did, and insured the
continuance of the College. As no representatives of the German Eldership ap-
peared, the action of 1893, revoking its Charter, was confirmed, and C. H. Forney
was reappointed Attorney-in-fact to resume the law suit pending in the courts of
Schuylkill county, Pa. The W. G. M. S. elected five "fraternal deleg-'tes" to the
General Eldership, which were present, including Clara Landes, appointed Missi^^n-
ary to India. An evening was granted them during the session "in which to hold
a missionary meeting." At their instance the Constitution was so amended as to
"admit a Woman's Board of Missions, consisting of five persons, elected by the
W. G. M. S., which shall act con-jointly with the regular Board of Missions on all
questions relating to Foreign Missions and to the Home Mission work of the W.
G. M. S." The financial interests, including the different period'cals, were in a
gratifying condition. The Treasurer, John Huff, reported Permanent Mission
]Fund, $12,104.0.5; General Mission Fund, $1,503.06; Foreign Mission Fund,
11,200.00; Freedmen's Aid Fund, $40.00; S. S. Gem Fund, $980.01; Contingent
Fund, $53.71. The "Gem" also had a cash balance of $651.47; the "Workman
Quarterly," $1,313.28; the "Sunbeam," $357.75; the net balance of The Advocate,
$7,188.57; net gain of the Central Book-Store, $4,817.47. Editors were elected
as follows: The Advocate, C H. Forney; "Gem," W. A. Laverty; "S. S. Quarterly,"
D. S. Shoop; "Sunbeam," Lydia A. Forney; "Missionary Signal," C. Manchester;
Assistant Editor of The Advocate, S. G. Yahn. The different Bo'^rds were elected
as follows: Executive Board — W. W. Lovett, R. L. Byrnes, B. F. Beck, W. H. Mc-
Klveen, W. B. Allen. Board of Education — S. G. Yahn, Mai-y Berksti-esser, T.
Koogle, M. K. Smith, J. W. Deshong. Board of Directors — C. H. Forney, H. J.
Forney, J. F. Wiggins, C. C. Bai-tels, and the Board of Publication, consisting of
D. M. Bare, C I. Brown and D. S. Shoop. Board of Missions — G. Sigler, C. Man-
chester, W. I. Berkstresser, J. C. Forncrook and C. H. Forney. The latter, after
serving to near the close of the Eldership, resigned, and C. C. Bartels was declared
elected. The Editor of The Advocate was required to give bond in the sum of
$10,000.00. T. Koogle and M. K. Smith were appointed Attorneys-in-fact and em-
powered "to enforce settlement with J. R. H. Latchaw, Treasurer of the Foreign
Mission Fund." Pour items of business on the Journal of 1893 were acted upon.
The first was the "change of Eldership titles." C. H. Forney offered resolutions
changing "Church of God" to "Churches of God," and "Eldership" to "Ass'^cia-
tion." C. Manchester led the discussion in opposition to the second amendment.
The vote stood — ayes, 14; nays, 39. On the first proposed change the vote was —
ayes, 25; nays, 20. The second item related to "Life Ordination," which was
"postponed for three years." The third, "relating to the General Eldership Dele-
gate Fund" was negatived, and the system continued, "that each Annual Eldership
pay the expenses of its own delegates." The fourth, "the change from the itiner-
ancy in the Ohio Eldership," was settled by said Eldership voluntarily rescinding
its action on the subject after a year's trial. The action on the temperance ques-
tion declared that it "does not deem it within the providence of this body to dic-
tate how any man shall vote, yet it is the sense of the Church of God in General
Eldership assembled that men should not be abettors of this legalized rum traffic
by voting for a man or party that stands pledged to the license system; and we do
most earnestly urge the brotherhood to come out of affiliation with the corrupt po-
litical parties that sustain the evil." On the use of tobacco the Eldership spoke
The General Eldership 789
in condemnation of the "filthy and injurious habit," and ministers are to abstain
from it, or "at most use it moderately, and that our licentiates be required to
abandon the use of it." Covetousness was condemned, and "resistance to this the
greatest sin of the age" was advised. The cruelties perpetrated against "our
brethren in Armenia by the relentless Turks" were viewed with unfeigned ab-
horrence, and the sending of relief to these sufferers was urged. An aggregate of
$2,020.00 was assessed on the Annual Elderships for frontier missions. Two
Annual Elderships were chartered, and their titles fixed, as follows: "The Ar-
kansas Eldership of the churches of God (colored)," and "The Southern West Vir-
ginia Eldership of the churches of God." Without including the assessments
made at this Eldership, the Annual Elderships were in arrears to the General Eld-
ership for Contingent Fund, 3782.17, and for Mission Fund. $4,121.32. One of
the items of special interest at this session of the General Eldership was "the pre-
sentation by Ralph Laverty, son of D. A. L. Laverty, deceased, in behalf of the
young men of the Fourth Street church, to the General Eldership, of a gavel and
block, made of wood and stone taken from the Glades homestead, the birthplace
of John Winebrenner."
19th General Eldership. — "The General Eldership of 1899," is the testimony
of R. L. Byrnes, "was, if not superior to, the equal of, any in the history of the
churches of God." The Annual Elderships elected delegates who could have had
no superiors as faithful representatives both of themselves and of the interests of
the churches at large. Great and grave questions confronted the body, the solu-
tion of which would affect all the churches and all the interests under the care of
the General Eldership. And at its close Byrnes wrote: "All questiors were pre-
sented fairly, considered carefully, discussed intelligently. The discissions were
singularly free from bitterness and captious criticism." And the Editor of The
Advocate M'rote: "A spirit of loving fraternity prevailed. Conclusions reached
were accepted in good faith, and the deliberations were free from acrimony,
asperity and virulence. It was a blessed meeting, one which the members will
always recall as having reached the high water mark of generous and kindly fra-
ternal feeling." The session was held at Decatur, Macrn county, 111., and the
Opening Sermon was delivered on Wednesday evening. May 31st, by D. S. Shoop,
from Acts v. 20 — "The Dignity, Authority and Theme of the Gospel Ministry."
On Thursday morning M. K. Smith and W. J. Schaner constituted the Eldership,
when the following enrollment was made:
East Pennsylvania. Ministers — C. H. Forney, D. D.; C. I. BroAvn, Geo. Sigler,
D. D.; W. J. Schaner, D. S. Shoop, C. D. Rishel, I. A. MacDannald, C. I. Behncy,
Lay delegates — J. F. AViggins, D. M. Rare, J. A. Myers, H. J. Forney, A. L. Bier-
bower, L. Kendig, George A. Gamber, S. Knisley.
West Pennsylvania. Ministers — J. W. Davis, R. L. Byrnes, S. G. Yahn, G. W.
Davis, T. Woods. Lay delegates — J. W. Whisler, Jas. D. Fox, G. W. Byrnes, W.
H. Guyer, J. L, Updegraph.
Maryland and Virginia. Ministers — W. H. Engler, S. B. Craft. Lay dele-
gates— J. Ebaugh, M. H. Penn.
Ohio. Ministers — T. Koogle, E. Poling, Chas. Manchester, D. D.; L. Roth-
rock, C. T. Fox. Lay delegates — M. K. Smith, P. J. Grose, A. J. Bare, T. W. Bell-
ingham.
Indiana. Ministers — J. Bumpus, J.*W. Bloyd, J. E. McColley, Jr.. Lay dele-
gates— W. J. Beatty, J. C. Lininger, J. D. Anglin.
Southern Indiana. Ministers — W. R. Covert, H. H. Spilier, J. W. Wampler.
Lay delegates — James Groenendyke, C. P. Diltes, R. M. Pine.
West Virginia (North). Ministers — N. M. Anderson, Nathan Vanaman, Jr.;
B. D. Eden, T. F. Harlison.
Southern West Virginia. Ministers — R. L. Workman, H. W. Marty.
Michigan. Minister — Wm. J. McNiitt.
Illinois. Ministers — M. S. Newcomer, D. D.; J. Bernard, W. B. Allen, D. H.
Rupp. Lay delegates — L. F. Alexandei*. John Hainley, F. Hammer, Monroe White.
Iowa. Ministers — A. C. Gamer, A. E. Kepford, C. L. Wilson, L. F. Chamber-
lin. Lay delegates — H. S. Eberly, D. Gallagher, W. H. Kepford, G. W. Elliott, J.
C. Forncrook.
Nebraska. Ministers — D. B. Zook, A. Wilson. Lay delegates — Richard
Bellis, Sarah L. Hinkley.
Missouri. Ministers — H. \V. Allen, P. L. French.
790
History op the Churches of God
Kansas. Ministers — J. W. Kingston, AV. H. Cross. Lay delegates — W. T.
Tui-pin, J. V. Whisler.
Oregon and Washington. Ministers — J. F. Schoch, J. W. Force.
Oklahoma and Indian Territory. Ministers — B. Ober, R. D. Duncan.
Texas and Arkansas — No report.
Arkansas (Colored). Minister — J. D. DeGrafteni-eed.
Of those enrolled fifty-nine were teaching elders, and thirty-two, ruling elders,
a total of ninety-one. Eleven were absent; there was one substitute, making a
total membership of eighty-one. The election for officers resulted in the choice
of C. T. Fox, President; W. J. Schaner, Journalizing Clerk; M. K. Smith, Trans-
cribing Clerk. A gavel was presented to the President by Clara Landes, mission-
ary in India, and made of native wood. Boards were elected as follows: Board
of Publication — D. M. Bai-e, C. I. Brown, D. S, Shoop; Board of Directors — C. H.
Forney, H. J. Forney, I. A. MacDannald, J. F. Wiggins; Executive Board — W. B.
Allen, R. L. Byrnes, H. H. Spiher; Board of Misisons — Geo. Sigler, M. S. Newcomer,
S. G. Yahn, W. R. Covert, Chas. Manchester. Upon the death of John Huflf, Treas-
urer, M. K. Smith was elected to that office by the Board of Incorporation June 15,
1898, and was re-elected by the Eldership. The editors elected were as follows:
The Advocate, C. H. Forney; "Gem," W. A. Laverty; "Sunbeam" and "Primary
Quarterly," Lydia A. Forney; "Lesson Quarterly," D. S. Shoop. The "Missionary
Signal" was ordered to be discontinued. Amendments to the Constitution were
made, changing the number of members of the Executive Board from five to three;
substituting the words "Certificate of Ordination" for the word "license;" chang-
ing Art. XXVII. so as to read, "No person shall be considered an accredited min-
ister in the churches of God without a regular Certificate of Ordination. Said Cer-
tificate to be given for life, subject to recall for any cause which the Eldership
granting it may deem sufficient. And each candidate for ordination shall be put
under promise to surrender his Certificate of Ordination when demanded by the
Eldership with which he is identified." Article XIV. was amended by adding:
"And no final action shall be taken by any Board without the presence and vote
of a majority of its members." By request of the Board of Education an amend-
ment was adopted discontinuing said Board. The Board of Directors of the Book-
store reported a net gain of $5,442.49 during the three years. The "Workman
Quarterly," the "S. S. Gem" and the "Sunbeam" added $1,025.80 to their surplus
in 1896. The net income of The Advocate during the triennium was $2,261.34,
and its total net surplus, $9,449.91. The delinquencies by the Annual Elderships
on their assessments had increased to $5,590.14 due the General Mission Fund,
and $1,212,05 due the Contingent Fund. On three items actions of the Board of
Incorporation were either declared illegal, or stricken out as being inadvisable.
The disposition of the Eldership was to hold all its Boards to a strict account-
ability. The "Canteen business as carried on among the soldiers of the Govern-
ment," the Eldership "regarded as an evil ruinous to thousands of the noble young
men sent out from the homes of the country." The "enactment of a law by which
the canteen is to be abolished" was a subject for congratulation, and it was recom-
mended that the Government have the constitutionality of the Act of Congress
tested in the Supreme Court. The "organization known as the Anti-Saloon
League" was strongly endorsed. A somewhat pessimistic view of the state of re-
ligion taken by the Committee was sustained by the Eldership. The declension
was regarded as general, and as affecting pastors and people; that it is manifested
in the "decreased stalwartness of many church members; its subjects seem more
effiminate, less aggressive, and more indifferent in defense of 'all the words of this
life;' unconverted members are received into the churches; the ordinances of God's
house are ignored; members live formal lives, not to say ungodly." There are
"too many pleasure-seeking, mercenary people in the churches." "The abounding
of works on higher criticism," the increase of "clubs and societies," and the
"worldly methods resorted to in carrying forward the Lord's work" are given as
causes for the prevailing spiritual declension. The Permanent Foreign Mission
Fund was increased by a bequest of $1,000.00 by Samuel Eberly, Mechanicsburg,
Pa. The General Eldership's control over Annual Elderships, as per Article XXIV.
of the Constitution, was reaffirmed, and the method of making said Article prac-
tical was defined. It was recommended that "the imposition of hands should not
be a part of any ceremony of ordination."
20th G«aeral Eldership. — The session of the General Eldership of 1902 was
The General Eldership 791
made memorable by its action on the "Special Report of the Board of Missions" on
the organization of a Woman's General Missionary Society to take the place of the
one organized in 1890. The questions raised and discussed touching the latter or-
ganization for the preceding two years had created considerable friction and ten-
sion, especially west of Pennsylvania. But after careful thought and a free ex-
pression of sentiments, the Special Report of the Board was adopted by a vote on
Roll call of 60 ayes, and 4 nays. The solution of the difficult problem seemed
such a fortunate one that there was quite general rejoicing, except on the part of
the original W. G. M. S.. At this session also the first Report of the "Central
Printing and Publishing House of the Churches of God" was made, an event which
was greatly appreciated by the General Eldership and all the churches. The Eld-
ership convened at Idaville, White county, Ind., and was in session from May 28th
to June 3rd. On the evening of the 2 8th Dr. Charles T. Fox, Pindlay, Ohio, de-
livered the Opening Sermon, from Isaiah VI. 1-8. Theme — "A Closer Walk With
God." On the morning of the 29th W. J. Schaner and Charles H. Gatchell were
appointed to constitute the Eldership, assisted by a Committee on Credentials, con-
sisting of Forney, Yahn, Manchester, Newcomer, Covert, Heltibridle and Zook.
This committee derived its importance from the fact that there was a new basis of
representation. The Roll was approved, as follows:
East Pennsylvania Eldership. Ministerial — C. H. Forney, D. S. Shoop, C. I.
Brown, C. H. Grove, I. A. MacDannald, F. W. McGuire, W. J. Schaner, G. W. Getz.
Lay — D. M. Bare, H. J. Forney, William A. Myers, A. L. Bierbower, S. Knisley, C.
E. Quail, J. F. Wiggins, John C. Funk.
West Pennsylvania. Ministerial — R. L. Byrnes, S. G. Yahn, J. L. Updegraph.
Lay — George W. Stoner, George W. Byi-nes, W. B. Elliott.
Ohio. Ministerial — S. Kline, C. T. Fox, T. Koogle, C. H. Gatchell, J. A.
Witham. Lay — E. Poling, M. K. Smith, P. J. Grose, J. C. Fomci'ook, Charles Man-
chester.
Indiana. Ministerial — L. A. Lukenbill, J. E. McCoUey, Jr.; A. McClellan.
Lay — W. J. Beatty, J. D. Anglin, J. H. Raber.
Iowa. Ministerial — A. C. Gamer, G. W. Elliott, E. E. Heltibridle, D. L. Cox.
Lay — C. B. Kepford, F. F. Manchester, L. F. Chamberlin, E. W. Moyer.
Illinois. Ministerial — M. S. Newcomer, J. W. Kingston, J. Bernard. Lay —
Monroe White, H. J. Miller, Fred. Hammond.
Southern Indiana. Ministerial — W. R. Covert, H. H. Spiher, E. M. Love.
Lay — J. W. Boyd, J. Groenendyke, C. Hartman.
Maryland and Virginia. Ministerial — T. B. Tyler. Lay — J. F. Billmyer.
Missouri. Ministerial — J. F. Thomas, G. L. Chapman.
West Virginia, North. Ministerial — N. M. Anderson. Lay .
West Virginia, South. Ministerial — R. L, Workman, Joseph Murry.
Texas and Arkansas. Ministerial — E. Marple. Lay, .
Oregon and Washington. Ministerial — A. Wilson, J. F. Schoch. Lay,
Michigan. Ministerial — J. E. Moffitt. Lay, .
Arkansas (Colored). Ministerial — M. Bonds. Lay, .
Oklahoma and Indian Territory. Ministerial — C. H. Ballinger. Lay, .
Kansas. Ministerial — A. Miller, P. L. French. Lay — O. A. Newlin, W. H.
Sheets.
Nebraska. Ministerial — D. B. Zook.
Seven of these were absent. Eleven classed as lay delegates were ministers.
The election for officers resulted in the choice of A. C. Gamer, President; W. J.
Schaner, Journalizing Clerk; Charles H. Gatchell, Transcribing Clerk. Later Prof.
M. K. Smith was elected Treasurer. During the preceding three years the Board
of Missions had spent $4,477.79 in the support of mission work, and reported 399
conversions, 529 accessions to churches, and but "few churches organized because
much of the time of missionaries was spent in building up churches which had
gone down for want of care." The income of the Board was $6,920.22 from the
General Mission Fund, and from Annual Eldership collections. S. G. Yahn, A. C.
Garner, J. C. Fomcrook, C. I. Brown and J. Bernard were elected as the Board of
Missions. The Constitution was revised so as to make the General Eldership to
consist of one ordained minister for every eight ordained pastors, and for every
fraction above three-eights, and an equal number of elders, except ministers are
substituted in their places. Also making it possible that the Treasurer may be a
member of the Eldership, or of some church of God, or a bank, firm or corpora-
792 History of the Churches of God
tion. And provision was made to change the place of holding the sessions of the
Eldership upon petition of a majority of the delegations of one-third of the Annual
Elderships. The title of the presiding officer was changed to President. The
Board of Incorporation was empowered to oversee the investments made by the
Treasurer. The Revision Committee making these recommendations was com-
posed of C. H. Forney, S. G. Yahn, C. T. Fox, M. S. Newcomer and AV. R. Covert.
The editors elected were: C. H. Forney, Editor-in-Chief, and C. I. Brown, Assist-
ant Editor, of The Advocate; AV. A. Laverty, of the "Gem;" Lydia A. Foraey, of
the "Sunbeam" and "Primary Quarterly," and D. S. Shoop, of the "Workman
Quarterly." The Treasurer's bond was fixed at $2.5,000.00. The first action was
taken to create a Church Extension Fund, by the appointment of a committee to
consider the question. The boundary line for frontier mission work was fixed as
approximately "the western and southern boundary of Iowa and the Missssinpi
river," east of which no missionaries were to be appointed by the Board of Mis-
sions. The new Executive Board consisted of Byrnes, Spiher and Kline. The
Board of Publication was Bare, Shoop and MacDannald. In addition to these
three, the following were elected as the Board of Directors of the Publishing House
and Book Rooms: C. H. Forney, J. F. AVigsins, H. J. Forney and C. I. BrowTi.
Anticipating an early decision in the German Eldership case, the Eldership author-
ized the Board of Incorporation "in the name and in behalf of the General Elder-
ship to take whatever steps may be necessary to enforce the resoluticns and the
actions and proceedings of the General Eldership so had in 1893." It also granted
the German Eldership "a further hearing in the premises" if desired by it, and to
that end it agreed that a special meeting of the General Eldership mi9;ht be called.
The body "pledged its unconditional opposition to the whole rum traffic, and to
lend its active assistance to ^very legitimate effort looking toward its entire sup-
pression." The state of religion was declared to be "not as satisfactory as we
would desire to see it;" "the gospel as lived by many is different from what it was
in the days of its beginning." There were four cases of "anpeils" brought before
the Committee on Appeals. The Indiana Eldership vs. AA''. R. Covert, who was ad-
judged to have violated Art. XXIX. of the Constitution in the Idaville church case.
But the boundaries were not changed, nor the Idaville church transferred to the
Indiana Eldership. S. P. P. Young, West Pennsylvania Eldership, appealed fr-m
an action annulling his Life Certificate of Ordination. The appeal was dismissed.
The other two cases were compromised, the one related to complaints by the W.
G. M. S. against certain brethren for publishing certain articles which reflected on
the work of the Society. The questions of Sanctification and faith-heal'ng were
brought up on a document presented by the Standing Committee of the West Penn-
sylvania Eldership, where "very destructive schisms have been caused in several of
our churches by teaching" these doctrines. The Eldership declared clearly against
"the so-called second-work sanctification doctrine, as a perversion of the orthodox,
scriptural teaching on this important subject." And that "faith-heiling is not in
harmony with the practice and teachings of the churches of God." The Ministerial
Register of the ordained ministers of the different Annual Elderships contained
four hundred and seventy names.
21st General Eldership. — The Ministerial Register of 1902 was evidently in-
complete, as in 1905 the number of names enrolled in the Journal of the General
Eldership was four hundred and eighty-two, with five of the western EHershi'^s
not reported. The German Eldership case remained .unsettled. Renresentatives
had been invited to attend this session of the General Eldership with a view "to
adjust all matters in litigation in a mutual and amicable manner." But though
representatives were present, they had no authority to agree to any basis of settle-
ment, and accordingly the General Eldership reaffirmed its actions of 1893 and
1902, and "instructed the Board of Incorporation and its Attornev-in-Fact. C. H.
Forney, to take whatever measures it may deem proper and legal to enforce the
rights and authority of the General Eldership in the premises." The Eldership
convened at Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland county, Pa., on Wednesday evening, May
24, 190.5, when the Opening Sermon was delivered by A. C. Gtmer, from John x^ii.
2i': — "Plea for Christian Unity." At the first sitting, on Tiiursday morning. AV.
J. Schaner and C. Fatland constituted the Eldership, assisted by C. H. Fomev, C.
T. Fox, H. H. Spiher, R. S. Mackey and O. A. Newlin, Committee on Credentials.
The official Roll was made up of the following delegates:
East Pennsylvania Eldership. Ministerial — C. H. Forney, C. H. Grove, I. A.
The General Eldership 793
MacDannald, F. W. McGuire, G. W. Getz, D. S. Shoop, AV. J. Schaner. Lay — D. M.
Bare, J. F. Wiggins, H. J. Forney, H. M. Angle, A. L. Bierbower, S. L. Hershey»
J. F. Hummel,
West Pennsylvania. Ministerial — S. G. Yahn, R. L. Byraes, J. L. Updegraph.
Lay — T. S. Woods, George W. Byrnes, W. H. Guyer.
Maryland and Virginia. Ministerial — L. F. Murray. Lay — J. F. Billmyer.
Ohio. Ministerial — C, T. Fo.v, T. Koogle, C. H. Gatchell, J. A. Witham. Lay
— P. J. Grose, S. H. Addams, C. N. Belman, M. K. Smith.
Indiana. Ministerial — H. H. Spiher, L. A. LukenbilL Lay — I. W. Markley,
E. Schumaker.
Illinois. Ministerial — J. Bernard, C. F. Rogers, O. B. Huston. Lay — D. H.
Rupp, J. S. Walls, R. S. Mackey.
Michigan — No delegate.
Iowa. Ministerial — E. E. Heltibiidle, Conrad Fatland, L. F. Chamberlin.
Lay — J. W. Green, A. C. Gamer, G. W. ElUott.
West Virginia (North). Ministerial — N. M. Anderson, W. R. Covert. Lay —
J. C. Beam, J. W. Mackey.
West Virginia (South). Ministerial — R. L. Workman.
Missouri. Ministerial — G. L. Chapman.
Southern Indiana — No delegate.
Kansas. Ministerial — W. E. Tuttle. Lay — O. A. Newlin.
Oklahoma and Indian Territory. Ministerial — J. W. Bums. Lay — J. D.
Fulson.
Arkansas Eldership (Colored) — No delegate.
Texas and Arkansas. Ministerial — None. Lay — J. D. Henson.
Nebraska — No delegate.
Oregon and Washington. Ministerial — J. F. Schoch. Lay — J. C. Garrigus.
Former German Eldership. Minister — J. M. Fahl. Layman — Oscar MengeL
The unusual transaction of unseating a delegate after being enrolled occ'rred
in the case of the West Virginia Eldership, North, when at the sitting on the fifth
day Covert and J. W. Mackey, West Virginia Eldership, North, were "unse"'ted by
action of the Eldership." Thirteen of the lay delegates were ministers. T^-e Eld-
ership elected C. H. Forney, President, who made the innovation of "appointing
C. I. Brown Assistant to the President during the sittings of the G<?neral Eld-r-
ship." C. H. Gatchell was elected Journalizing Clerk, and W. J. Schan«r, Trans-
cribing Clerk, and M. K. Smith, Treasurer. Resolutions submitted by C. H. For-
ney called for the appointment of a "Judiciary Committee, Special," to "inqu're
into all matters pertaining to the Woman's General Missionary S^^cietv orsranized
in 1903;" "to hear all grievances," and "present its conclusions, which should con-
stitute a good and reasonable basis for general co-oneration in carrying out the
plan agreed upon in 1902, and put into effect by the Convention at Findlay in
1903." These were adopted, and the members of the Committee, as selected by
the delegations represented on it, were: C. H. Forney, I. A. MacDannald, G. W.
Byrnes, C. T. Fox, I. W. Markley, J. S. Walls and C. Fatland. The W. G. M. S.
of 1900 had kept up its organization and continued its work in three of the Annu 1
Elderships, and in India, and declined 10 conform to the action of the General Eld-
ership in 1902 as carried into effect in 1903 in the organization of the new W. G.
M. S. In Ohio and Illinois it still had State organizations and some of the loc 1
societies. In Iowa it practically held all the local societies under its State W. M.
S. The Special Committee recommended that "the Iowa W. M. S.. t^gethr vith
such W. M. Societies in Illinois and Ohio as may so desire, shall be permittpd to
continue to support Miss Landes and her co-laborers as heretofore, and meanwhile
all labor for general co-operation," with other subsidiary recommendations. These
were all adopted with one voice, and there was common rejoicing over wh'-t was
considered an equitable and final adjustment. This action, construed in line with
the Constitution, the action of the General Eldership in 1902, and the Conventi'n
of 1903, with the approval of all that it did, meant the following: 1. Thft the
W. G. M. S. of 1890 was eliminated. 2. That the support of Miss Landes was to
continue as provided for until her return home in 1906. 3. That her reappoint-
ment as missionary to India for a second term would have to be under t^e pro-
visions of the Constitution and through the W. G. M. S. of 1903. 4. That bv th~t
time "the ultimate unification of all Woman's Missionary Societies" under the W.
G. M. S. of 1903 was to be effected. Something was thus yielded on both sides,
794
History of the Churches of God
and future harmony and unity supposed to be secured, and it was resolved "that
this final action shall be considered binding on all the members of the General
Eldership, and upon the ministers and people of the Annual Elderships." Changes
in boundaries of Elderships were made by including St. Louis in the Missouri Eld-
ership; placing the Sodus church, Michigan, into the Indiana Eldership, and trans-
ferring part of the "strip" in the Kansas Eldership to the Oklahoma Eldership.
The following editors were elected: The Church Advocate, C. H. Forney; Assist-
ant, S. G. Yahn; "Sunbeam," Lydia A. Forney; "S. S. Gem," W. A. Laveity;
"Workman Quarterly," D. S. Shoop. The new Boards elected were: Board of
Publication, I. A. MacDannald, C. H. Grove and H. M. Angle; Board of Missions,
A. C. Garner, S. G. Yahn, J. Bernard, C. T. Fox and G. W. Getz; Executive Board,
R. L(. Byrnes, F. W. McGuii-e, L. A. Lukenbill, E. E. Heltibridle and C. F. Rogers.
The Board of Missions reported considerable work accomplished. It had approved
the Constitution and organization of the new W. G. M. S., and managed with good
judgment the difficult work which followed. The different publications were in
good condition, showing net balances for each one. Important amendments were
made to the General Eldership Constitution. One declared that the "provisions
of this Constitution shall be considered a form or plan of government of a general
character" to extend to the whole Church and all its members, societies and or-
ganizations. Another granting judicial powers to the Executive Board, and pro-
viding for Appeals. The Treasurer's Report showed a balance of $11,304.05 in
the Permanent Home Mission Fund; $5,019.76 in the Permanent Foreign Mission
Fund; $983.12 in the General Mission Fund; $778.29 in the Available Foreign
Mission Fund. Propositions for the settlement of the German Eldership case were
formulated by the Committee and adopted; but they were not agreed to by the rep-
resentatives of said body, nor by the body itself. Authority was given the At-
torney-in-Fact to continue the suit against the German Eldership. The Executive
Board reported a "hearing" in the case of "certain allegations made by M. S. New-
comer, W. R. Covert, A. E. Kepford and M. B. Newcomer, reflecting on C. H.
Forney, Editor of The Advocate; S. G, Yahn, Secretary of the Board of Missions,
and C. Manchester, President of Findlay College." It was held at Findlay, O.,
November 25, 1903. The decision was adverse to the complaints, the Board
affirming nearly all the prayers of the defendants. The Eldership placed itself
"uncompromisingly against the liquor traffic in its every form," and pledged itself
"to use every legitimate effort looking toward its entire suppression." The state
of religion throughout the General Eldership was "not what we would desire to
see." The reasons given were these: "Many of our people, in a measure, are
drifting from the primitive order of the Church, and are unwilling to follow the
path of true piety marked out by our forefathers, allowing the pleasures of the
world to be more attractive to them than the church and its privileges." This is
"due to a lack of consecration." It was also stated that "some pastors have even
separated the sacred ordinance of feet-washing from the Lord's Supper." But
"in other places much has been done to advance the spiritual interest of the
churches, and to awaken a deep concern for the doctrines and principles as taught
by the churches of God." The Constitution having been amended so that the Gen-
eral Eldership would meet once every four years, it adjourned to meet in 1909.
22nd General Eldership.^ — In 1909, for the second time in its history, the
General Eldership held its session west of the Mississippi River, in the State
known as "the Garden of the West," and named from the Kansas river, Indian,
"Smoky Water." It is the central State in the American Union. It was believed
at the time that this first quadrennial session would "go down in history as an
epoch-making Eldership." Not only was it a session remarkable in spirit; but
some of the actions taken were to an extent fundamental, and established and con-
firmed principles of a far reaching character. It was an Eldership remarkable for
the Christian spirit which pervaded it, the loving fellowship which pulsated in all
its sittings, the unanimity of sentiment which developed on all vital questions,
and the calm, but determined, persistence to settle finally and permanently the
questions which had vexed the body for the previous six years. The Eldership
convened at Fort Scott, Bourbon county, Kansas, when "the Opening Sermon was
delivered on Wednesday evening, May 19, 1909, by Rev. C. H. Forney, D. D.,
tiLi. D., Harrisburg, Pa. Text:— Phil. iv. 8. Theme, 'The Supreme Things in the
Believer's Personal and Corporate Life.' " The Eldership was constitued on
The General Eldership 795
Thursday morning by W. J. Schaner and C F. Rogers, appointed by acclamation,
and the following enrollment of delegates was made:
East Pennsylvania Eldership. Ministerial — C. H. Foniey, D. D,, LL. D.; F.
W. McGuire, C. H. Grove, I. A. MacDaimald, G. W. Getz, W. J. Schaner, A. P.
Stover, J. A. Better. Lay — H. M. Angle, H. J. Forney, Geo, W. Fox, Hon. C. E.
Quail, Chas. S. Meek, J. F. Wiggins, A. L. Bierbower, W. A. Myers.
Maryland and Virginia Eldership. Ministerial — L. F. Murray. Lay — James
E. Smith.
West Pennsylvania Eldership. Ministerial — S. G. Yahn, D. D.; R. L. Byrnes,
D. D.; John W. Whisler. Lay — Geo. W. Stoner, J. L. Updegi'aph, Wm. Harris
Guyer.
West Virginia Eldership (North). Ministerial — N. M. Anderson. Lay — J. C.
Beam.
West Virginia Eldership (South). Ministerial — W. M. Browder. Lay — L.
D, Taylor.
Ohio Eldership. Ministerial — C. T. Fox, Ph. D.; T. Koogle, C. I. Brown,
D. D.; W. E. Turner. Lay — P. J. Gi-ose, M. K. Smith, C. F. Raach, Leroy DeHayes.
Indiana Eldership. Ministerial — L. A. Lukenbill, J. E. McColley, Jr. Lay —
W. J. Beatty, J. D. Anglin.
Illinois Eldership. Ministerial — J. Bernard, C. F. Rogers. Lay — O. B.
Huston, Monroe White.
Michigan Eldership — No delegates.
Iowa Eldership. Ministerial — W. N. Yates, D. D.; E. E. Heltibridle. Lay —
A. C. Garner, W. E. Kelly.
Nebraska Eldership. Ministerial — C, S. Kilmer. Lay — Richard Bellis.
Missouri Eldership. Ministerial — J. F. Allman. Lay — L. E. Mitchell.
Kansas Eldership. Ministerial — J. W. Bloyd, O. A. Newlin. Lay — John H.
Gross, W. E. Tuttle.
Oklahoma Eldership. Ministerial — J. D. Henson, H. W. Allen. Lay — C. H.
Ballinger, J. W. Burns.
Texas and Arkansas Eldership. Ministerial — D. S. Summit, J. H. Whitting-.
ton. Lay — J. R. Ledbetter, J. T. Shelby.
Arkansas and Oklahoma Eldership (Colored). Ministerial — R. T. Ellenberg.
Oregan, Washington and California Eldership. Ministerial — J. Ganigus, A.
Wilson. Lay — R. A. Slyter.
Of the sixty-nine delegates enrolled, five were absent. The election for
officers resulted in the choice of T. Koogle, President; W. J. Schaner, Journalizing
Clerk; C. F. Rogers, Transcribing Clerk. On account of certain difficulties exist-
ing in the Oregon, Washington and California Eldership a Judiciary Committee
was provided for and appointed, "to which all matters pertaining to" said "Elder-
ship were referred." It consisted of C. H. Forney, C. I. Brown, A. C. Gamer, R.
L. Byrnes and J. Bernard. This Committee recognized the Eldership "chartered
by the General Eldership," "composed of all ordained ministers of both factions
and other members;" appointed "the first Thursday in October, 1909," and Salem,
Oregon, as the time and place for the next session of the Eldership to be held, and
decided "that all previous troubles and difficulties shall receive no further recog-
nition." e
The Boards and Agents and Editors elected were as follows: Executive Board,
R. L. Byrnes, F. W. McGuire, L. A. Luckenbill, C. F. Rogers, E. E. Heltibridle.
Board of Missions, C. T. Fox, A. C. Gamer, J. Bernard, G. W. Getz, J. L. Up-
degraph.
Board of Publication, C. H. Grove, I. A. MacDannald, A. L. Bierbower.
Board of Directors of the Central Publishing House and Book Store, in addi-
tion to the members of the Board of Publication — C. H. Forney, H. J. Forney, J. F.
Wiggins, H. M. Angle. C. H. Forney having insisted on his retirement from the
editorship of The Advocate, S. G. Yahn, Assistant Editor, was elected Editor.
Editor of The Sunbeam and the Primary Quarterly, Miss Lydia A. Forney. Editor
of The Workman Quarterly and Lesson Leaves, D. S. Shoop. Treasurer, M. K.
Smith. On the matter of writing and publishing a Church History, "the General
Eldership most earnestly requested Rev. Dr. C. H. Forney to write, and the Board
of Directors of the Publishing House and Book Rooms to publish, a work in one or
more volumes on the History and Doctrine and Polity of the Churches of God."
Despite internal troubles, the Committee on the State of Religion reported "a
796 History of the Churches of God
vigorous growth and abiding interest in our Church enterprises." It congratulated
the churches on "the increased number and the character of our young men pre-
paring themselves for the active ministry." And it "noted with profound grati-
tude the growing enthusiasm in the Annual Elderships and the General Eldership,
and the determined purpose to eliminate all disturbing elements." Eight Articles
of the Constitution were amended, the most important being those relating to ir-
regularities in teaching, practice or polity, and to controversies between members
of two or more Annual Elderships, to wit:
Article XXIV. Section 2, was amended to read as follows:
"That the method shall be, upon information of irregularities in teaching,
practice, or polity, furnished by an Annual Eldership or its Stindin^ Commi*^tee,
or, in the absence of such official information, upon due information obtained
otherwise, for the General Eldership, or its Executive Board, to express its judg-
ment on matters thus brought before it, and require the Annual Eldership, or
Elderships, involved to carry said judgment into effect."
Article XXV.' was amended to read as follows:
"In all controversies and difficulties arising between the members of any two
or more Annual Elderships, the Executive Board shall have original jurisdiction;
but either party may take an appeal from its decision to the General Eldership,
provided notice thereof be given to the President of the Board and to the appellee,
within thirty days after the rendering of such decision."
The interests in the hands of the different Boards were in a gratifying condi-
tion. "The improved condition of Findlay College in all its interests and depart-
ments" was the subject of hearty congratulation. But as increased endowment
was highly necessary, the "Eldership invited the earnest co-operation of all the
Annual Elderships in a determined effort to raise during the current year
$37, .500. 00 needed to secure the promised contribution of $12. .500. 00 from Mr.
Andrew Carnegie." Home and foreign mission work was making gra'ifvi^g
progress. Final action was taken on the unification of the Woman's General Mis-
sionary Societies by the adoption of the action of the Commission on Unification,
•and also a series of resolutions proposed by C. H. Forney, President-Secr'^tary of
the Commission. This ended the controversy relative to the W. G. M. S. so far as
the General Eldership was concerned, leaving it with the several Annual Elder-
ships within whose territories the former W. G. M. S. still operated to some extent
to put the final actions into effect.
Two items of special interest were reported by the Board of Directors of the
Publishing House and Book Store. One was the final liquidation of the debt on
the property of the Board, located at 329 Market street, Harrisburg, Pa. The
other was the increased value of the property, from $32,300.00 to about $75,-
000.00. So that, including stock and machinery, the total assets of the Board
approximated $100,000.00.
A protracted discussion followed the Renort of the Executive Board on the
case of the West Virginia Eldership, North. The Board decided against the clain^s
of "the Incorporated West Virginia Eldership, North," a minority of the Elder-hio,
and recognized and declared, "the boundaries of the West Virginia Eldership,
North, to be the same as fixed by the General Eldership in 1896, and that the or-
ganization of. any other so-called Eldership within said boundaries is hereby de-
clared to be a violation of the Constitution of the General Eldership, and is hereby
condemned."
"That if such organization be still in existence it is hereby form-^llv enjoined
from continuing as such, it never having been estnblished by the General Elder-
ship, and therefore all its actions are necessarily declared to be null and void."
The Eldership expressed its judgment to the effect, "that money raised for a
specific purpose should be sacredly held and used for the purpose specified; and
therefore we set our stamp of emphatic disapproval upon the actions of such S n-
day-schools as observe Children's College Day and appronriate the offering of the
day to other purposes than the support or endowment of Findlay College."
Four ministers, who had at different times been delegates to the General
Eldership, ended their earthly careers during this quadrennium. A. H. Tx)ng, of
the East Pennsylvania Eldership, "well and favorably known in many of our
Annual Elderships not only because of his extensive preaching, but also through
his printed sermons and numerous tracts. He was a preacher of more th^n ordi-
nary strength and power, and a man of splendid Christian character. He min-
The General Eldership 797
isterial life which extended over half a century, was a gracious benediction to every
community in which he lived, and to every church to which he ministered in holy
things. In the holy character he possessed and the influence he exerted he left a
monument more enduring than brass and loftier than the regal structure of the
pyramids, which the flight of time itself shall not efface. He died at the age of
85 years, having died February 7, 1908.
Rev. G. AV. Wilson, of Findlay, Ohio, departed this life February, 1906, aged
about 93 years. He was well known throughout the boundaries of the General
Eldership. He was the oldest minister in the Ohio Eldership, and probably in the
Ceneral Eldership.
Rev. Alexander Miller died at his home in Bartlesville, Okla., February 15,
1908, aged about 72 years. He was a pioneer preacher in Kansas.
Rev. David Keplinger died about March, 19 08, at the Soldiers' Home in Cali-
fornia. He was eighty-four years old. He was a pioneer preacher in Southeastern
Kansas. The combined ages of these four worthy ministers exceed those of any
other four of the more than two thousand ministers ordained by Elderships of the
churches of God. The sentiment is worth impressing upon the hearts of the
living, that "the safest thing that a Christian can do is to die."
23rd General Eldership. — For the third time in its history the General Elder-
ship was entertained by the "Mother Church," Fourth Street, Harrisburg, Pa.
The session was of greater length than usual, beginning with the Opening Sermon
on Wednesday evening. May 15th, and closing on Thursday night, the 22nd.
T. Koogle delivered the sermon, from Psalm cxxxiii. 1. Theme — -"Unity." With
sentiments of appreciation of the merits of the sermon and of its opportune char-
acter, the Eldership "ordered it to be published in The Advocate." On Thursday
morning, the 16th, Chas. Manchester and W. E. Turner were selected Clerks to
constitute the Eldership, assisted by a Committee on Credentials. The Eldership
was constituted as follows:
East Pennsylvania. Ministerial — C. H. Forney, D. D., LL. D., W. N. Yates,
D. D., D. S. Shoop, S. G. Yahn, D. D., I. A. MacDannald, D. D., F. AV. McGuire,
•C. H. Grove, H. F. Hoover. Lay Delegates — H M. Angle, G. AV. Fox, C. S. Meek,
"C. E. Bair, H. N. Bowman, AV. A. Myers, A. L. Bierbower, AV. C. Burtnett.
Maryland and Virginia. Ministerial — L. F. Murray. Lay Delegate — K. R.
Taylor.
West Pennsylvania. Ministerial — J. L. Updegi-aph, J. AA^ AVhisler, A. B.,
W. H. Guyer, A. M. I-ay Delegates — G. AV. Stoner, S. Fulnier, Lit. A. M., Robert
Hill.
West Virginia (North). Ministerial — B. D. Eden. Lay Delegate— AA'illiam
Headley.
West Virginia Eldership (South). Ministerial — R. L. AVorkman.* Lay Dele-
gate— G. A. Hartvvell.*
Ohio Eldership. Ministerial — AV. E. Turner, Chas. F. Raach, A. B., T. Koogle,
<5. A. Bartlebaugh. Lay Delegates — C. T. Fox, Ph. D., P. J. Grose, S. H. Addams,
Frank Glasgow.
Indiana Eldership. Ministerial — L. A. Lukenbill, J. E. McColley. Lay Dele-
gates— AV. J. Beatty,* J. D. Anglin.
Illinois. Ministerial — J. Bernard, I. S. Richmond. Lay Delegates — C. F.
Rogers, L. F. Alexander.
Iowa. Ministerial — Jesse Huddle, G. AV. Elliott. Lay Delegates — I. N.
Shearer, A. C. Gamer.
Nebraska. Ministerial — R. Bellis.* Lay Delegate — AValter A. Bence.*
Missouri. Ministerial — J. F. Allman,* G. L. Chapman.* Lay Delegates —
-C. P. Hale,* S. Van Meter.*
Kansas. Ministerial — Chas. Manchester, D. D. Lay Delegate — AV. H.
Charles.
Oklahoma. Ministerial — J. AV. Bloyd. Lay Delegates — AV. L. Fleet,* L. B.
Burns.*
Texas and Arkansas. No representation.
Oregon, Washington and California. F. Boyd.*
Michigan. No representation.
Arkansas and Oklahoma Eldership (Colored). No representation.
(Those marked with a star were not present.)
798 History of the Churches of God
Forty-eight of the enrolled delegates responded to their names. In Intenseness
of interest, if not in portentous distrust concerning the future, it resembled the
session of 1857. But when final adjournment was reached the delegates dispersed
with reassured confidence and with closed ranks, determined "to go forward with
a steady and united front." The officers and Boards elected were as follows:
President, J. Bernard; Journalizing Clerk, W. E. Turner; Transcribing Clerk,
Chas. Manchester; Treasurer, Farmers' Loan and Trust Company, Columbia City,
Ind.; Board of Publication, C. H. Grove, A. L. Bierbovver, I. A. MacDannald.
After adjournment, and the election of C. H. Grove by the Executive Board to be
Editor of the Workman Quarterly, C. H. Foniey was elected on the Board of Publi-
cation and Grove on the Board of Directors. Executive Board, F. W. McGuire,
C. F. Rogers, G. W. Elliott, J. W. Whisler, L. A. Lukenbill; Board of Missions,
Charles T. Fox, A. C Gamer, J. Bernard, W. N. Yates, J. L. Updegraph; Board of
Directors of Publishing House and Book Store, C H. Forney, G. W. Fox, H. M.
Angle, H. N. Bowman, C. H. Grove, A. L. Bierbower, I. A. MacDannald; Board of
Church Extension, F. W. McGuire, A. C. Garner and 3. L. Updegraph.
There were three parts in the deliberations of the Eldership of absorbing in-
terest. Two were under protracted deliberation, but with moderation and re-
straint. They were considered "with closed doors, with the exception of the
delegates of the W. G. M. S., and advisory members of the Eldership and all mem-
bers of the Church." The first related to the Funds of the General Eldership and
the W. G. M. S. in the hands of the Treasurer. These were found to be in bad
condition, with a possible loss of thousands of dollars. Attorneys-in-fact were
appointed, and these two resolutions adopted: "That all funds which have been
secured, and shall be secured, from the former Treasurer be divided pro rata
among the Funds of the General Eldership and the W. G. M. S., according to the
proper percentage due to each Fund." And, "That the Report [of the Executive
Board] be adopted as a whole, and that the adoption of this report shall not be
construed as accepting the bonds which the Treasurer holds as collateral securities,
and which have been named in the report of the Board."
Following the election of the Treasurer another resolution was adopted, to
wit:
"Resolved, That the said Treasurer when elected, in conjunction with the At-
torneys-in-fact appointed by the Incorporate Board, is hereby duly authorized and
empowered by the General Eldership of the Churches of God to make full and
final settlement with M. K. Smith, whose term of office terminates with this elec-
tion, and to do all things necessary to effect such settlement."
The second item related to the Endowment Fund of Findlay College. The
Pro-Secretary of the College reported the "investments of the Endowment Fund,"
and added:
"In the above summary will be noticed an investment contrary to the By-
Laws of our Institution that has caused much criticism and comment in the past
few weeks, and, therefore, deserves special mention.
The mistake was made by our President, who has labored so unceasingly and
against great odds for the building up of the Endowment Fund." In fact, a num-
ber of different investments of this character were made, aggregating a large
amount. The various questions involved having been considered at some lengthy
the matter was left in the hands of the Board of Trustees, which decided, that, "as
soon as possible, a complete inventory and appraisal be made of all assets and
liabilities of the College, and that the Board elect two of its members to carry
out this recommendation." The Board added a third member. It also appointed
one of its members as Attorney-in-fact "to institute legal proceedings" against one
company in whose bonds investments were made "contrary to the By-Laws of
our Institution," in case of failure to fulfill their contract.
The third part was the "Memorial Service" on Saturday afternoon, or the
unveiling of a Monument on the grave of Winebrenner, erected in the Spring and
paid for with funds contributed by churches and societies of different Elderships.
It replaced the Monument erected September 23, 18 68, and paid for by collections
in churches of a number of Annual Elderships. This service, "owing to rain, was
held in Fourth Street Bethel instead of the Harrisburg cemetery, as previously ar-
ranged. It was a meeting the impressiveness and solemnity of which we shall
pever forget." The following program was pre-arranged;
The General Eldership 799
"PROGRAM.
Rev. W. N. Yates, D. D., Presiding.
Hymn — 'How Firm a Foundation.'
Prayer^ — -Rev. Geo. Sigler, D. D.
Anthem — Selected choir, directed by Prof. J. R. Swartz, Organist Fourth
Street Church of God.
Oration — Rev. C. H. Forney, D. D., LL. D., Editor Emeritus Church Advocate.
Hymn — 'I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord.'
Benediction — Rev. A. C. Gamer."
Not less impressive were the usual Memorial services, at which "a number of
addresses were made on the lives and works of Rev. B. Ober, Rev. O. B. Houston,
Rev. H. W. Allen, Rev. M. S. Newcomer, D. D., Prof. Enoch A. Fritter, Dr. C. E.
Quail and Brother H. J. Forney. These brethren were all earnest and efficient
men in their several lines of work, and their home-going leaves vacant places hard
to fill."
Instead of sermons on the evenings after the Opening Sermon, there were
addresses and other exercises pre-arranged by the Executive Board. Thursday
evening, the Educational Work, with address by W. H. Guyer; Friday evening, the
Woman's General Missionary Society; Saturday evening, Missions and Evangelism,
with J. Bernard and Chas. Manchester as speakers; Monday evening. Young
People's Societies, with an address by J. E. McColley; Tuesday evening. Our Church
Literature, address by S. G. Yahn. For 1917 it was provided "that we have an
evening for a lecture on Sunday-school work." A number of amendments to the
Constitution of the Eldership were adopted. Provision was thus made for a Sta-
tistical Clerk, and a blank form of annual reports was adopted. Each Annual
Eldership is required to collect statistics on all items covered by this statistical
blank, and forward the same to the Statistical Clerk of the General Eldership im-
mediately following each Annual Eldership Besides the address on Young
People's Societies, the Eldership rejoiced in what has been attained, and urged
the organization of societies in all churches where they do not now exist, and di-
rected the Annual Elderships to use all their influence to this end. It especially
urged the importance of the Junior work, recommending Junior Societies wherever
possible, and declaring it to be the sense of the General Eldership, that an earnest
endeavor should be made to deepen the spirituality in all societies.
The Report of the Board of Missions indicated a fair degree of success in gen-
eral mission work. A half dozen houses of worship were built in the four years;
twenty-nine churches organized; over one thousand accessions, and the Board paid
in salaries $8,484.20. Some of the missionaries labored with churches organized
years before. A relatively large number of men was employed, as many served
but brief periods. The condition of the periodical publications of the Eldership was
set forth in favorable terms by the Board of Publication. It mentioned with dis-
approval the "Graded Lesson System," and "most earnestly recommended the
continuation of the Uniform Lessons." It also submitted "the advisability of
establishing an Intermediate Quarterly, if there is a sufficient demand for it." The
Eldership responded to this suggestion by authorizing a "Junior Intermediate
Quarterly" to be published. The following Editors were elected: The Church
Advocate, S. G. Yahn; S. S. Gem, W. A. Laverty (by the Board of Directors);
Workman Quarterly, Lesson Leaves and Junior Intermediate Quarterly, C. F,
Reitzel; Sunbeam and Primary Quarterly, Lydia A. Forney. Reitzel resigning,
C H. Grove was elected in his place by the Executive Board. The Report of the
President-Treasurer of the Printing and Publishing House and Book Store gave
evidence of reasonable prosperity. It showed receipts for the four years of $156,-
09 5.47, and after paying all bills due the gains, added to those of former years,
showed $15,250.00 in loans and investments, and $1,159.94 in the Treasurer's
hands. It forecasted enlargement of the Printing Establishment which may cost,
with further equipments, from $6,000.00 to $8,000.00. It also recommended the
appointment of a Permanent Church Historian, which the Eldership approved.
On the question submitted by the Oklahoma Eldership, asking the General
Eldership to express its judgment as to deacons being members of Annual Elder-
ships by virtue of their office, it adopted the following:
That while we continue to recognize the right of Annual Elderships, within
reasonable limits, to decide who shall constitute their membership, we express our
judgment on the question submitted as follows:
Soo History of the Churches of God
1. That an Annual Eldership should be composed of ministers and ruling
elders.
2. That ruling elders should become members of an Annual Eldership by
virtue of their annual election.
3. That, so far as possible, the number of ministers and ruling elders in an
Annual Eldership should be equal."
The Report of the Committee on Boundaries, which was sustained, "author-
ized the forming of an 'Oregon Eldership,' whose boundaries shall be the State
lines of Oregon. Also the forming of a 'Washington Eldership,' whose boundaries
shall be the State lines of Washington, and approving their Constitution pre-
sented to the Eldership. The churches in California and all other churches not in
the bounds of an Annual Eldership are to be under the control of the Board of
Missions." The Eldership declared strongly in favor of National Prohibition; ap-
proved of the "cold water movement," in rejecting the use of intoxicants at recep-
tions given at the National White House, and expressed its appreciation of every
law having as its object the suppression of the business of shipping intoxicating
liquors into dry territory. It urged "Congress to adopt an amendment to our Con-
stitution granting us National Prohibition, and to this end it pledged its influence
In favor of agitation and combination of influences, in order to bring the greatest
possible pressure to bear upon Congress to the end that the said amendment may
be soon adopted."
It may be accepted as its final admonition "that we seek to strengthen the
ties which bind us together in a common faith and purpose, and the sacred re-
lationship of a common brotherhood. We have general enterprises which are
essential to the continued success of our common cause. The maintenance and
enlargement of these enterprises, in turn, depend upon the harmonious co-opera-
tion of all the Elderships. And this co-operation, in its truest and most fruitful
sense, is the outgrowth of our oneness in Christ. For this let us labor and pray.
And with the Holy Spirit to inspire us, and the voice of God to bid us forward, in-
creasing prosperity and usefulness will attend us in the years that are yet to be."
DIVISION IV.
HISTORY OF THE PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT.
C. H. — 27
DIVISION IV.
HISTORY OF THE PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT.
The distinction between a Publishing House and a Printing Establishment was
not recognized by the Church of God in 1833. Perhaps it did not exist in the
United States, as the two had not as yet acquired a distinct and separate character.
The printer was also the publisher. The Church desired to publish a religious
paper, and its first thought to the realization of this desire was the securing of a
Printing Establishment, a place fitted up with cases, type, press and other neces-
sary materials to print the paper. The printing press is much older than the news-
paper, the first press which was brought to the new world having been installed
in the City of Mexico, in 1539; but the newspaper came much later, and was closely
connected with the printing establishment or plant. In 1828 the total number of
newspapers printed in the United States was 85 2. To print a paper by contract,
as is now not at all uncommon, was then a rare exception. The religious body
that would have its own paper would also need to provide for the printing of it
on its own press. In 1833 few of the religious bodies were publishing papers.
"The Library of Religious Knowledge" names six as having been started prior to .
1833, and one in that year. It would, hence, be interesting to know with whom
the idea originated that so young and small a body as the Church of God was then
should undertake to publish a paper. The records do not inform us. It is
simply stated by Dr. George Ross, in 1880, that "year after year the matter was
agitated, but no definite action was taken until 1833." From that year on it is
not so difficult for the historian to follow the development of the idea until its
fullest realization in 1901. It was on December 25, 1833, at the fourth Eldership
in East Pennsylvania, held at Middletown, Dauphin county, that "the subject of
starting a Printing Establishment was first officially acted upon." And then the
fact that a Printing Establishment was to be installed was only implied as being
self-evident. The resolution was as follows: "That we deem it highly important
for the good of the cause of God to establish a religious paper." But after agree-
ing on the title of the paper, and fixing the subscription price, a committee was ap-
pointed, consisting of J. Winebrenner, James Mackey, Joseph Ross, Jacob Rupp
and S. Boyer, which was "to locate the paper and purchase type." For this pur-
pose the necessary funds were to be secured by collections and subscriptions
through the ministers. If they succeeded, the type was to be bought and the first
issue of the paper was to be printed and published March 1, 1834. What was
done by said date, -or up to the Eldership held at Shippensburg, Cumberland
county, December 13, 1834, can not be determined. The Committee on Journals,
Wm. Miller, D. Maxwell and J. Mackey, reported the item as found on the Journal
of 1833, and stated that "the resolution for the establishment of a religious paper
had not been carried into effect for want of sufficient encouragement to warrant
the same." The Committee also "recommended the Eldership to make renewed
efforts to effect the purpose aforesaid." Acting upon this suggestion a committee
was appointed, consisting of J. Ross, J. Winebrenner and Andrew Miller, "to raise
funds for the purchase of a Printing Establishment." This Committee collected
$280.75; borrowed $764.63, and bought a press, type and other material, so that
by June 5, 1835, the first number of the paper was issued.
As there was only one Eldership at this time, all this work was done by it.
The Committee, however, were personally responsible for the debt created, though
the Printing Establishment was installed by the authority of the Eldership. Ac-
cordingly the Eldership held at Uniontown, Md., November 2, 1835, directed that
"the printing press and materials, the subscription list and all incomes of the
Establishment be given to the Printing Committee as an indemnity to them for
the money by them advanced." Nominally and legally the Establishment was,
however, still the property of "the Board of Trustees;" but it was virtually mort-
gaged for its full value, and its liabilities increased with no augmentation of its
assets. It seemed to have been "an ill-fated enterprise" from the beginning, as:
Winebrenner later called it, and instead of proving a source of income to be used' for
8o4 History of the Churches of God
missionary purposes, it involved certain brethren in heavy losses. But, sanguine
of success, the establishment was continued, and efforts were renewed to reduce,
or liquidate entirely, the debt which had been originally incurred, and was grow-
ing. In 1837,* when the Eldership convened at Harrisburg, two actions were
taken. The one was the appointment of "J. Winebrenner and A. Miller to solicit
subscriptions in aid of the Printing Establishment, to be paid in five yearly in-
stallments, beginning January 1, 1838, to pay off what was due on the same." The
other was broader in its scope. It named Winebrenner, A. Miller, J. Ross, Wal-
born, Mackey, Flake and J. S. Kerr as a committee "authorized forthwith to take
measures to relieve the Printing Establishment, and to pursue whatever course
they may think best in relation to the same." Whatever success may have at-
tended this plan, it did not relieve the Establishment, so that without a published
report, at the Eldership at Middletown, November 11, 1838, "the Printing Estab-
lishment was taken under consideration," and Winebrenner was authorized to "go
one round with the preachers on each circuit and solicit subscriptions for the
Printing Establishment, and for a Missionary Fund." Evidently he was not gifted
with the hypnotic power of the modern solicitor, or had less sensitive subjects, for
conditions at the Eldership in 1839 had not improved. The session was held at
Shiremanstown, Cumberland county, November 11th, and the affairs of the Print-
ing Establishment were fully discussed. As a result, "Jacob Rupp, Joseph Ross,
Andrew Miller, George Riipp, Sr., and David Lingle, and such others as they may
see proper to add to their number," were "appointed a Committee, or Board of
Trustees of the Printing Establishment." They were "empowered to audit and
settle the accounts of the Establishment, and after liabilities' are ascertained, to
make a loan for the payment of the same." And a second time they were granted
the right to "hold the Establishment, with all its assets, as their security for the
payment of the loan." This Board could appoint agents to collect money, and
"control and manage the Establishment and its finances until its liabilities are dis-
charged, and then the Establishment to be returned as the property of the Elder-
ship." On January 3, 1840, this Board reported the indebtedness to be $4,409.70,
and the assets consisted of $1,. 500. 00 unpaid subscriptions, $225.00 five-year
pledges, with other "availabilities" to the amount of $518.95. If these assets
were convertible into cash, the net debt would have been $2,165.75; but they were
almost worthless. Of these liabilities one item of $2,718.12 was a debt to the
Editor. One thing which seriously militated against the Establishment was the
fact that from the first issue of Vol. I. of The Gospel Publisher the prospect was
prominently held before the readers that the Establishment would make money,
replenish the Missionary Fund, and that these "net proceeds will be applied to re-
ligious purposes." During the year 1841 and 1842 prospects apparently bright-
ened, for in November, 1842, the Board of Trustees reported a "total gain of
$1,009.47 since January 1, 1840. An agent was secured to collect to pay off the
balance of the debt. But this was only a rift in the ever-lowering clouds, for on
February 20, 1843, one of the members of the Board of Trustees stated, that by
April of said year there would be a deficit which might reach $1,200.00. In No-
vember of said year an earnest plea was made for all indebted to the Establish-
ment to pay. And at the Eldership held at Shippensburg, November, 1843, all
the members pledged themselves to collect funds to pay the debt on the Printing
Establishment. The body also gave assurance that it would "keep the Board of
Trustees of the Printing Establishment from all losses which they might sustain
on account of the Establishment." The number of Trustees at this time was
twenty-four, which was increased to thirty-four in 1844. It created a permanent
"Relief Fund," which the Eldership approved in November, 1844, "to raise funds
to liquidate claims upon the Printing Establishment." Winebrenner was appointed
to make collections. And while there were gains reported in some lines, in others
there were losses, so that by January 15, 1845, "the Auditing Committee reported
the debt of the Printing Establishment to be $4,042.42." It was concluded that
"voluntary subscriptions alone could save the Establishment from dissolution."
By this time two other Elderships had been organized, and these were appealed to
for help "to raise money to place the Establishment on a free footing." In October,
1844, the Ohio Eldership responded with a favorable resolution, followed in No-
vember by a similar action. Subscriptions were reported by May, 1846, of
about $2,520.00, from Ohio and East Pennsylvania, to be credited to the "Re-
lief Fund." On December 12, 1845, after the suspension of The Gospel Pub-
The Printing Establishment 805
lisher, August 13, 1845, the Board of Trustees announced that "the Agents have
nearly finished canvassing the ground, and have failed to raise an adequate sum to
discharge the entire debt of the Establishment." And the Editor stated as a rea-
son for the suspension of the paper that "the Executive Committee have become
tired borrowing money to carry on" the paper; and as "the subscribers will not
pay, it therefore must of necessity stop." The blame for the catastrophe was
placed upon the patrons of the paper, through whose dereliction a larger amount
than the debt was lost. How much of the $7,000.00, which the Auditing Com-
mittee reported as having been "lost" in the less than ten years The Gospel Pub-
lisher was nfinted no one may know; but while the members of the Board of
Trustees finally lost considerable (as the total debt in August, 1846, was given at
$8,968.99), after years of contention and diligent effort "Winebrenner's claims"
were liquidated.
This closed out the Printing Establishment as a direct Eldership enterprise
for that period. It was prematurely initiated; but it must be conceded that the
action of 1833 was by far the most important taken by that Eldership, the most
far-reaching in its effects upon the future of the Church. Had, however, the pro-
ject been deferred five or ten yeal's the evil results of this miscarriage, with the
friction and enmities engendered, would have been avoided. And also the unity
of feeling and sentiment in the body and the co-operative zeal and spirit of aggres-
sion would have carried the Church to greater triumphs. The Evangelical Asso-
ciation was considerably stronger when the first steps were taken, in 1816, to
establish a Publishing House. But, says Bishop K. Yeakel, "it was soon ascer-
tained that the Association was yet too weak to support such an institution." It
was, however, not until 1836, when the Association numbered about 7,000, that
the "Christliche Botschafter" was founded, and "the coming year a Publishing
House should be founded." Their English paper was "ordered to be published by
the General Conference in 1847. At the beginning of the year 1821, says Ancel
fl. Bassett, author of the History of the Methodist Protestant Church, "there was
not a Methodist newspaper issued anywhere upon the continent." "The Metho-
dist Protestant," the first paper published by the M. P. Church, was established in
1831. It was in 1834 that "the Trustees of the General Conference" of the United
Brethren Church, as per instructions by the General Conference, "secured real
estate at Circleville, Ohio, purchased a press, type, and other necessary material,
and established the Publishing House of the Church." "December 31, 1834 the
first periodical publication issued from the Establishment" was printed — "The
Religious Telescope." Conditions under which these periodicals were launched
were not dissimilar from those of The Gospel. Publisher. The size of the papers,
the price and the number of subscribers were nearly identical. None, however,
bad so small and weak a constituency.
That, when on May 1, 1846, The Church Advocate was issued, it was
not from the Printing Establishment of the Eldership is substantiated by cir-
cumstantial and direct evidence. Winebrenner says, in his "Editorial Ad-
dress," I have agreed to publish the first volume of the new series on my
own responsibility." The standing announcement at the head of the first
column of the first page was: "Printed and Published by John Winebren-
ner, V. D. M." In a brief editorial, "Delay of The Advocate," he says: "Having
bought the office." And the Board of Trustees of the Printing Establishment,
in the last number of The Gospel Publisher, stated that "we have concluded
to wind up the concern." It continued to be Winebrenner's Printing Establish-
ment, though The Gospel Publisher and The Church Advocate were the organ of
the General Eldership, until April 23, 18.57. On that date the following announce-
ment was made editorially by Winebrenner: "Since the foregoing editorials were
written, preparatory to the next volume, we have quite unexpectedly sold and
transferred the good will and Advocate Establishment to Elder James Colder."
In the issue of the paper of May 1st, J. Colder stated he had "purchased the good
will and fixtures of the Advocate Establishment." The General Eldership con-
vened June 1, 1857, at Harrisburg, Pa., when "the Committee on Purchasing the
Printing Establishment" reported the willingness of Colder "to sell the same to
this body for the amount it cost him." As the General Eldership had no funds,
it concluded "to take the Establishment at the amount it cost Colder, and leave it
in his hands until the receipts cover that amount, after which the entire proceeds
are to pass into the hands of the General Eldership." Colder was elected Editor,
8o6 History of the Churches of God"
"at a salary of $300.00 for the first year, and $500.00 for each subsequent year
up to the meeting of the next General Eldership." E. H. Thomas, John S. Gable
and Dr. George Ross were "appointed agents of the General Eldership, as the Pub-
lishing Committee of The Church Advocate." It was shortly after this that Colder
began his public opposition to the m'issionaries and their course in Texas, and also
got into an infilicitous controversy with AVinebrenner, both of which militated
seriously against the prosperity of the paper. As a consequence, Colder, on Jan-
uary 6, 1859, suspended the publishing of The Advocate. He also gave the Board
of Publication to understand that it was responsible for the debts of the Estab-
lishment. The Board would not furnish funds, but decided to take the paper, the
Establishment, the debts and all. The total indebtedness was $1,334.00, "and
not a dollar in hand to print the paper." It took Colder's place in the contract
with the General Eldership, and then made the same contract with Thomas to print
and publish the paper, except the matter of salary. Thomas was to take the Estab-
lishment, with all liabilities and assets, subscription list and materials, and carry
on the work, paying all liabilities and receiving all the income for two full years
from May 1, 1859. At said date, May 1, 1861, he was to deliver up the Establish-
ment clear of all incumbrances to the General Eldership. The first issue of the
paper under this contract was dated February 10, 1859. However, the estimates
and anticipations on which the contract was based proved erroneous, so that by
May 1, 1860, the debt was $1,637.38. The contract had one more year to run when
the General Eldership assembled in 1860. Desiring to have it synchronous with
the triennial period of the General Eldership, this fact was set at naught, and the
former contract was extended to the time of the meeting of the General Eldership
In 1863. Thomas, Gable and Ross were re-elected as the Board of Publication.
During these three years the debt was reduced to $500.00. The former contract
was renewed, to expire in 1866, and the old Board was re-elected. During these
three years prices for labor and materials of all kinds so increased that instead
of reducing the debt it was found that the expenses exceeded the income by $600.
Indeed so threatening were the indications that another disaster was apprehended
by some. In the most heroic spirit Thomas decided, in 1868, to meet the storm
which seemed to be brewing by doubling the size of the paper and providing "an
entire new suit from head to foot." And while it did not succeed in wiping out
the debt on the Establishment, it was the forlorn hope which ultimately crowned
the breach and brought victory to those who entered into Thomas's labors. It was
the popular thing to do, and the results showed that it spelled victory. While ihe
debt in 1866 was about $1,000.00, in 1869 it did not exceed $1,200.00. At the
General Eldership in 1869, leaning over the grave, Thomas submitted a proposi-
tion, asking for a new contract for three years. But he proposed to pay off the
entire debt the first year, and for each of the two succeeding years to pay to the
Treasurer of the General Eldership $300.00. The Eldership accepted the proposi-
tion, and for the first time in thirty-four years had a good foundation for the hope
of "revenue for religious purposes" from the Printing Establishment. Within
less than four months of the ratification of this contract Thomas was soothed to
sleep by the music of heaven. But under the law, and according to the provisions
of his Will, the Executor claimed that the contract was not abrogated by Thomas's
death, but that the Executor took his place. Though not agreeable to the remain-
ing members of the Board, they acquiesced in this view. But during the Winter
following the death of Thomas negotiations between Dr. Ross and the Executor
resulted in the transfer of the contract to Dr. Ross for the consideration of $1,-
500.00. He fulfilled the contract, and in 1872 paid the $600.00, minus a small
amount paid for type for a new mailing list, to the General Eldership. He was also
the official Publisher of the paper from 1870 to 1876. The material of the old
Printing Establishment was of very little value, "consisting of an old and useless
hand press and some worn-out and antiquated type, neither of which were of any
use." Thomas had his own Job Printing Plant, and the presswork was done by
contract in another Publishing House.
From the date that Thomas became publisher of The Advocate until 1901 the
General Eldership had no Printing Establishment. And even from 1846 only in
name. The printing was done by contract with other publishing houses; or, as
in the case of Thomas, in his own establishment. The first outside contract was
with "The Inquirer Publishing Co.," Lancaster City, from 1870 to 1874. In 1874
"The Herald Printing and Publishing Co.," Carlisle, secured the contract, and held
The Printing Estabushm^nt
807
it until 1876. Then "The Farmers' Friend Publishing Co.," Mechanicsburg, had
the contract for two years, after which the same parties and "The Harrisburg Tele-
graph Co.," held the contract alternately until 1901. But during these thirty-one
years of exile the desire to have a Printing Establishment owned and controlled by
the Church was not extirpated. It was being quietly nursed in the mind of the
Editor who succeeded Thomas, and with confidence and in measured terms it was
occasionally submitted to the Church. And as, after 1878, a surplus began to ac-
cumulate, the purpose of using it to establish a Printing and Publishing House was
presented in stronger terms. In the issue of The Advocate of February 4, 1880, the
Editor again took up the strains of the early thirties, and in an editorial on the
subject, said: "We are amply strong enough to have a good Printing Establish-
ment." On July 14, 1880, under the caption, "Our Publishing Interests," he said:
*'If we are to do anything special during this semi-centennial year for our Publish-
George Ross.
ing Interests, it is proper that the particular things which may be done should be
pointed out and discussed." And added: "One of the things to do is to raise the
means to start a Printing Establishment of our own," with such arguments in favor
of the project as appealed to his judgment. A "Book Concern" was originally
associated in the minds of the brotherhood with a Printing Establishment and a
paper. And so when Dr. Boss in 1877 opened his Bookstore on South Third street,
Harrisburg, it was anticipated that in connection therewith there would soon be a
Printing Establishment. It was the headquarters of the periodical publications of
the Church. His nearest friends believed with reasonable assurance that only his
premature death prevented this consummation, for the Lord had put it into his
heart to devise liberal things. This precedence of the "Book Concern" appears in
the official action of the General Eldership in 1884. The Committee on Book De-
pository reported on the subject, and with surprising unanimity the Board of In-
corporation, upon recommendation of said Committee, was authorized to establish
a Book Concern as soon as possible. Periodicals were to continue under existing
8o History of the Churches of God
management "until the Board of Incorporation shall establish a' Book Concern and
Printing Establishment." Other arrangements touching periodicals which were
proposed were "not to go into effect until such time as the Board of Incorporation
is ready to start the Book Store and Printing Establishment." The proponents of
this scheme realized the difficulty against which such a large and widely-scattered
Board would labor in carrying this action into eft'ect. But they had a year to
think and to mature plans, for the Board would not meet until June, 1885. When
it did meet, June 16, 1885, Editor Forney first submitted a resolution, declaring
that "it is expedient on the part of the Board of Incorporation to take some action
at the earliest day practicable touching a Book Store and Printing Establishment
referred to this Board by the General Eldership." This encountered no opposition.
At once J. H. Redsecker read and submitted Editor Forney's preamble and resolu-
tions, prepared in advance, which provided for "the establishment of a Publishing
House and Book Rooms with as little delay as the importance and magnitude of
the work will admit of;" that they "be located at Harrisburg, Pa.;" that "a Board
of Directors be appointed to consist of the Board of Publication together with
two other brethren to be elected by the Board of Incorporation," and prescribing
the duties of said Board of Directors. Considerable discussion followed. It was
proposed by W. B. Allen that the location be Findlay, Ohio; but the amendment
was lost by a large majority. K. H. Bolton submitted an amendment that the
name be "The Publishing House and Book Rooms of the Church of God," which
was sustained. One other ame^idment prevailed, making the elective members of
the Board of Directors "four" instead of "two." One more step was at once taken.
The four members of the Board were elected. The tendency to scatter the Board
became at once apparent. Of the ten persons nominated one was from Iowa, two
from Illinois, one from Ohio, one frOrn Indiana, one from West Pennsylvania and
four from East Pennsylvania. Those elected were John Huff, Iowa; W. W. Lovett,
Indiana; C. H. Foniey, East Pennsylvania; W. P. Small, Ohio. These, with Isaac
Frazer, J. H. Redsecker and D. M. Bare, Board of Publication, constituted the first
Board of Directors. The first duty of this Board was to rent a room and start a
Book Store. Following this, gradually, as the judgment of the Board would dic-
tate, it was to install a job printing office, and then a Printing House. The Board
was also authorized "to draw on the Treasurer of the General Eldership for such
amount, out of the Book Fund, as may be necessary." From this source the
Board received $2,900.00 in cash and $4,162.00, the estimated value of books held
by the Book Agent, and it made a loan from the Book Agent of $1,134.92. The
Board as constituted never held a meeting, as the members west of the moun-
tains failed to be present. The work rested upon the members living in the terri-
tory of the East Pennsylvania Eldership. They were united in purpose, and
worked expeditiously. In seven days less than three months after the Board was
created, on September 9, 1885, Editor Forney made this announcement: "To-day
the first step in this enterprise is a reality. The Book Store is now open. At No.
335 Market street, Harrisburg, Pa., the Board of Directors has now a well-stocked
Book Store." From the beginning the enterprise was providentially favored with
a good measure of success, for from September 9, 1885, to April 30, 1887, the
amount received from sales of merchandise was $13,461.39. The members of
the Board then, and ever since, gave their time and labor and carfare without
remuneration.
Larger things were now on the horizon. To prepare for these, when Treas-
urer Forney submitted his report to the General Eldership in May, 1887, he rec-
ommended "that the Board of Directors be authorized to secure real estate for a
Publishing House when in its judgment it would be advisable." This was granted.
This authority was renewed in 1893. The Board was making haste slowly. It
acted with wise deliberation. It kept the ultimate purpose ever in view. April
30, 1893, it was said editorially, "Unless the General Eldership dissents, we pro-
pose that every dollar that can be made by The Advocate, and also the Book
Rooms, shall go into a fund to establish a Publishing House." As the Board was
almost exclusively dependent on income from the Book Store and the various
periodicals for funds to purchase property and install a printing plant, it acted
in a spirit of prudence and circumspection. Three properties on Market street,
and several in other parts of the city, were considered at different dates; but no
final action was taken until at a meeting of the Board held July 11, 1899, when a
casual remark, reported to the Board as to the probability of buying the property
The Printing Establishment
809
at 329 Market street, led to the adoption of a motion to open negotiations for its
purchase. A committee was at once appointed to see Edward Stover, the pro-
prietor, and make the purchase, at a price left within the discretion of the com-
mittee. On August 1, 1899, the Agreement of Sale was signed at Hummelstown,.
Dauphin county, near which town Mr. Stover lived, and a certain amount paid.
By this act the Board -came into possession of a very valuable property at a
reasonable price. The lot has a frontage of 2 6 feet, 6 inches, on Market street, and
Central Printing and Publishing House.
a depth of 210 feet to Blackberry avenue. Thereon stands, on Market street, a
four-story brick building, with a depth of 15 0 feet, and on Blackberry avenue two
three-story dwelling houses. The purchase price fixed in the Agreement of Sale
was $32,300; but Mr. Stover generously donated $300.00. By April 1, 1900, when
the Agreement of Sale called for the transfer of the property and full payment of
the purchase money, the Board secured a loan of $15,000.00, paid Mr. Stover in
full, and secured a clear title. Later, to provide for the Life interest of $2,300.00,
the Board invested $2,500.00 in guaranteed bonds.
Sio History of the Churches op God
The degree of success which rewarded the labors of the Board inspired con-
fidence. The Board had a paying business; the periodicals reported net gains each
year which the Board controlled, and it had the room in which to install a com-
plete printing plant. Why not venture a little further, and if necessary borrow
a few thousand dollars additional and complete the Establishment as originally
designed? On January 24, 1901, a special meeting of the Board was called to
consider this question, and after thoroughly canvassing the whole question, de-
cided to proceed at once to make necessary changes on the first floor and base-
ment, and purchase the machines and material to install a printing plant to fully
meet the requirements of our own publishing interests, the same to be finished in
good time to print No. 1, of Vol. LXVL, of The Advocate of July 3, 1901. This in-
cluded the following: One No. 9, 4-roller, 2-revolution Cottrell Press, one Brown
Folder, one Wire Stitcher, one Linotype, one Paper Cutter, one Job Press, one Per-
forator, one Proof Press, a number of series of Job Type, General Furniture, one
large Imposing Stone, electric motors for every machine, and full assortment of
cases, cabinets and printers' wood furniture. The total cost was $10,776.19. The
total indebtedness now, less cash and securities, was about $21,000.00. On July 3,
1901, as prearranged. The Advocate, which had up to this date paid nearly $12,-
000.00 toward the Publishing House and Printing Plant, in its present form, was
set up, printed, folded, trimmed and stitched on the machinery installed and
mailed from "The Publishing House of the Church of God." The expectation was
indulged by the Board, that by May, 1909, it could pay off the debt entirely. But
working with all diligence and economy, heartily co-operated with by the General
Manager, W. A. Laverty, it was announced by the President-Treasurer four months
in advance of this date, January 1, 1909, that the debt was canceled, and that "the
Board of Incorporation now had a clear title, in fee simple, without incumbrance,
or lien of any character. The last dollar on our mortgage was paid this morn-
ing." With the advance in real estate, the value of the entire plant now was
placed at "not less than $100,000.00." Since then there have been added a large
Job Press, a Punching Machine and a Cleveland Folder and electric motors, cost-
ing about $2,500.00.
The membership of the Board of Directors during the period between the
■General meetings from 1884 to 191.3 was as follows:
1885 to 1887: — I. Frazer, D. M. Bare and J. H. R«dsecker, Board of Publi-
<;ation; C. H. Forney, W. P. Small, AV. W. Lovett, J. Huflf.
1887 to 1900: — D. M. Bare, J. H. Redsecker and J. C. Forney, Board of Pub-
lication; C. H. Forney, J. M, Carvell, G. Sigler, S. Knisley.
1890 to 1893: — D. M. Bare, J. H. Redsecker and J. M. Carvell, Board of Pub-
lication; S, Knisley, B. F. Beck, G, Sigler, G. W. Seilhammer.
1893 to 1896: — D. M. Bare, D. S. Shoop and C. I. Brown, Board of Publica-
tion; C. H. Forney, G. Sigler, B. F. Beck, S. Knisley.
1896 to 1899: — D. M. Bare, D. S. Shoop and C. I. Brown, Board of Publica-
tion; C. H. Forney, H. J. Forney, J. F. Wiggins and C. C. Bartels.
1899 to 1902: — D. M. Bare, D. S. Shoop and C. I. Brown, Board of Publica-
tion; C. H. Forney, H. J. Forney, J. F. AViggins, I. A. MacDannald.
1902 to 1905: — D. M. Bare, D. S. Shoop and I. A. MacDannald, Board of Pub-
lication; C. H. Forney, J. F. Wiggins, H. J. Forney and C. I. Brown.
1905 to 1909: — I. A. MacDannald, C. H. Grove and H. M. Angle, Board of
Publication; C. H. Forney, H. J. Forney, J. F. Wiggins, A. L. Bierbower.
1909 to 1913: — C. H. Grove, I. A. MacDannald and A. L. Bierbower, Board
•of Publication ; C. H. Forney, H. J. Forney, J. F. Wiggins and H. M. Angle.
Elected in 1913: — C. H. Grove, A. L. Bierbower, I. A. MacDannald, Board of
Publication; C. H. Forney, G. W. Fox, H. M. Angle and H. N. Bowman.
C F. Reitzel, on May 30, 1913, having resigned as Editor of the "Workman
Quarterly," C. H. Grove was unanimously elected in his place by the Executive
Board. Having accepted the position it was necessary that he should resign as a
member of the Board of Publication. The Executive Board on July 4th unani-
mously elected C. H. Forney a member of the Board of Publication. C. H. Grove
was elected in his place on the Board of Directors, Forney becoming a member ex-
olficio.
In 1885 W. F. Becker was elected Superintendent of the Book Store. He
served in that capacity until January 29, 1889, when W. A. Laverty was elected,
who in 1901 was promoted to General Manager of the Publishing House and
Thk Printing Establishment
8ii
Book Store. His continuance in this office to the present is the best evidence of
his ability and integrity which the Board could give.
During these twenty-eight years the number of different persons on the Board
of Directors was twenty-four. Of this number fourteen are living, and ten are
dead. But the only one to die in office was H. J. Fomey, who on April 16, 1912,
suddenly "passed through the dread portal of Death"- at his home in Penbrook,
Pa. In his stead the Executive Board elected George W. Fox, of Piketown,
Dauphin county. Pa., who had frequently been a delegate to the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership, and was three times elected a delegate to the General Eldership.
Henry J. Forney was a native of West Hanover township, Dauphin county.
Pa., born in 1833. He acquired his early education principally in the common
schools of his native county, and at the St. Thomas Institute, Linglestown, Dauphin
county, under Prof. John Focht. He was of a studious disposition and a great
reader of periodical literature. Apt to acquire knowledge of branches then com-
G. W. Fox.
\
"monly taught in the public schools, he began teaching before he reached his ma-
jority. But in 1856 the county superintendent of Dauphin county, for reasons other
than literary qualifications, declined to give him a certificate, and thus diverted the
aspiring young teacher's mind into that business career in which he was so
eminently successful. He inherited a religious disposition from his mother, and
early in life became a member of the church of God at Linglestown. Thence, upon
his removal to Harrisburg, he transferred his membership to the Fourth Street
•church, and later to Progress, and then to the newly organized church at Penbrook,
in whose fellowship he died. For many years he was a ruling elder in the churches
•of which he was a member; was a delegate to the Annual Eldership, and a num-
ber of times was elected a delegate to the General Eldership. He was of a resolute
'disposition, firm in his convictions, of great tenacity of purpose and conscientious
In his search after truth. His wide and protracted experience in business, church
•councils, city and borough councils and stockholder in various interests made him
specially fitted for membership on the Board of Directors.
8l2
History of The Churches oe God
George W. Fox was born in West Hanover township, Dauphin county, Pa.^
April 12, 1852, near the present village of Piketown, where he still resides. He is
a descendant of one of the original Church of God families in that community,
being a grand-son of Christian Forney. With pious parents and grand-parents, he
was early inclined to follow in their footsteps. He was converted, baptized and
fellowshiped at the age of .seventeen, and has ever since been an active worker,,
having been an elder in the church continuously since 1889, and for twenty-eight
years Superintendent of the Sunday-school. Like so many other elders and min-
isters of the Church, he was raised on a farm. But he taught school sixteen terms,
and a preparatory school for teachers for five terms. His training for this work
he received in the public school and at the Linglestown Academy. Since 1880 he
has been engaged in the mercantile business at Piketown, and when in 1892 a post-
office was established at that place he became the Postmaster, a position he still
holds. He has served as Justice of the Peace seventeen years, and County Auditor
H. N. Bownian,
three years. These facts indicate the ample qualifications he possesses for the
position, of honor and responsibility in the General Eldership to which he has been
elected.
The Office of Publication prior to the establishment of the Printing Plant at
329 Market street, Harrisburg, had been at a number of locations. In 1835 it was
in "the Editor's Drug and Book Store," Market Square, Harrisburg. On May 13,
1840, "the new Office is next door to the United States Hotel, along the C. V. R. R.,
Mulberry street." Then on April 1, 1841, Weishampel removed it to Shiremans-
town, with the printing plant. In December, 184 3, the Board of Trustees voted
six to five to return to Harrisburg, which was done between March 6th and 13th,
and the Establishment was located on Mulberry street, between Second and Third.
When Winebrenner started The Church Advocate on May 1, 184 6, it was "edited,
printed and published on Mulberry street, near the Railroad Bridge," in the base-
ment of the Mulberry Street Bethel. The next imprint. Vol. XXL, May, 1857,
locates the "Office on Fourth street, opposite the new Bethel," to which place it
The: Printing Establishment 813
was removed April 2, 1857. The Office was continued here until March 10, 1859,
when it was removed to "Brady's Row, Mt. Joy, Lancaster county. Pa., opposite
the Bethel." Thence on May 12, 1859, it was changed to "Brenneman's Building,
Center Square, Lancaster, Pa." On May 9, 1861, the new location was "next to
Hubley's Grocery Store, Second Story, Center Square, Lancaster." Again on Feb-
ruary 9, 1865, it was removed to "North Queen street. West Side, Russell Build-
ing, second story, back of Cummin's Daugerean Room, Lancaster City." May, 1870,
it was found in the "Inquirer Printing and Publishing House," North Queen street,
Lancaster. Thence in 1874 it came back to its original home, Harrisburg, where
it has ever since remained, though part of this time the printing was done else-
where until 1901.
Since the inception of this work in 1909 there have been three changes in the
membership of the Board of Directors as given in the Frontispiece. First came
the death of H, J. Foraey, and the election of Geo. W. Fox as his successor. John
F. Wiggins not having been a delegate to the General Eldership in 1913, H. N.
Cowman was elected in his place. And upon the resignation of C. H. Forney, in
"October, 1913, S. G. Yahn was elected by the Executive Board to succeed him.
Henry Nicholas Bowman is a son of John and Elizabeth Bomnan, life long friends
and supporters of Winebrenner, who became acquainted with Winebrenner when
he preached at Salem (or Stone) Reformed church, near Shiremanstown. They
united with the first organization of the church of God at Walnut Grove school-
house, near Oyster's Point, now part of the borough of Camp Hill. Henry was
born on August 4, 1840, in the old stone house in which he still lives, in Camp
Hill, East Pennsboro township, Cumberland county. Pa. He was converted in
1855, during a revival held at Camp Hill by H. L. Soule, and was fellowshiped by
the church at said place, in which he has ever since been an active and influential
member, and a deacon or elder for over thirty years, as well as Suprintendent of
the Sunday-school. His intellectual training he received in the common school
at Camp Hill and the White Hall Academy located there. When a Soldiers'
Orphans' School was established at White Hall Academy he had charge of it for
some years. Much of his time he has devoted to farming and real estate business,
holding also the office of Register of Cumberland county for one term of three
years, and having been a justice of the peace for thirty-three years. He stands de-
servedly high in the community in which he has lived from childhood.
DIVISION V.
HISTORY OF PERIODICALS OF THE CHURCH.
DIVISION V.
HISTORY OF "PERIODICALS OF THE CHURCH.
I. THE GOSPEIj publisher.
Religious journalism was in its infancy in 1835. It has indeed been said that
"the history of 'newspapers' as such does not commence until about 1820;" but
this is an extreme statement. Had it been limited to "religious journals" it
could be endorsed, although about a half dozen such periodicals were established
prior to that date. Secular papers ante-date the religious papers by more than a
century. "The Herald of Gospel Liberty," started in 1808, is the oldest religious
periodical published in the United States. Other religious papers established
earlier than The Gospel Publisher were these: "The Religious Remembrancer,"
1813; "Weekly Recorder," 1814; "The Boston Recorder," merged in "The Con-
gregationalist," 1816; "The Watchman," 1819; "The Register, 1825; "The Ex-
aminer," and "The Observer," 1823; "The Christian Advocate," and "The Morn-
ing Star," 1826; "Reformed Church Messenger," 1827; "The Christian Standard,"
and "The Evangelist," 1830; "The Methodist Protestant," "The Presbyterian
Journal and Messenger," and "The Lutheran Observer," 1831; "The Religious
Telescope" and "The Western Christian Advocate," 1834. Between 1792 and
1855 no less than eighteen newspapers had been started in Harrisburg. How many
were cotemporaneous may not be known, for while a few survived, some lived
three months, some four, some six and longer and then suspended, while a few
became permanent. These frail barks encountered the inevitable rocks sub-
merged in the financial waters. Nearly all these early ventures in the field of
journalism were of unpretentious size, and began with a few hundred patrons, or
less. These are facts in the light of which the efforts to establish a religious
paper by Winebrenner and his co-laborers, and their failures and successes, are
to be compared. The character of the journalism of that period is also the only
true standard by which to judge the work of Winebrenner, Weishampel and Mc-
Cartney as editors. The functions of journalism then were but two-fold: — "to
furnish information, and to comment thereon." In the exercise of these functions
the religious and secular papers found a common part in the worldly and spiritual
affairs of State or Church, and so it is for the way in which they exercised these
functions that they have their responsibility, as also their reward. But from the
first, not only was there an eagerness on the part of individuals to enter the field
of journalism; but the idea of a religious paper for a Church thus early secured
a sure footing in the history of the modern church.
If the credit of originator of the project to publish a paper for the infant or-
ganization known as the Church of God is to be attributed to Winebrenner, as
may be assumed; it is equally true that he found prepared ground in which to
plant the seed. The public inception of the enterprise dates from the meeting of
the General Eldership (now the East Pennsylvania Eldership) at Middletown,
Dauphin county. Pa., which convened December 25, 1833. On Monday, the 30th,
quite abruptly the matter was introduced by the following entry on the Minutes:
"On the subject of a Printing Establishment the following action was had." The
first resolution follows: "Resolved, That we deem it highly important for the
good of the cause of God to establish a religious paper." It was also determined
that "the paper be entitled "The Gospel Publisher and Journal of Useful Knowl-
edge," and that it be "printed and published on a medium sheet, at $1.50 per
annum, if paid in advance; $1.75, if paid within the first six months, and $2.00,
if not paid within the year." In addition, "all the preachers and elders were
authorized to secure subscribers," and J. W^inebrenner, J. Ross and William Hinney
were made "a committee to draft and issue a Prospectus." A Printing Committee
was appointed, consisting of five persons, which should "locate the Establishment,
and commence the paper by the first of March, 1834." As nothing was done dur-
ing the year, at the Eldership held at Shippensburg, Cumberland county. Pa.,
December 13, 1834, the Committee reported to that effect, "for want of sufficient
encouragement to warrant the same." and added: "Your Committee beg leave to
C. H. — 27*
8i8 History of the Churches of God
suggest, that in their opinion such a publication, conducted on proper principles,
would result in much good to the Church and cause of God." And so it urged
that "all possible means be immediately resorted to for the above purpose." This
was evidently done, for six months later, on June 5, 183 5, the first number of
volume one was issued from the Printing Establishment of the Church of God,
under the name adopted in 1833. The size of the printed page of Vols. I. and II.
was 15%xl0 inches; number of pages, 4; issued weekly; terms, $1.50 per annum,
if paid in advance. It had between four and five hundred subscribers, only five
hundred being reported on December 26, 1839; while in April, 1840, the number
had increased to eight hundred; it gradually decreased again on account of non-
payment of subscriptions. There were $3,000.00 due at the latter date. The list
of agents numbered forty-five. John AVinebrenner was the Editor until April 1,
1840, when he was succeeded by J. F. Weishampel, who served in that capacity
until December 26, 1843. His successor was George McCartney, from January 4,
1844, until August 13, 1845, when the publication of the paper was finally sus-
pended, except one issue on December 12, 1845, containing the Journal of the
Annual East Pennsylvania Eldership of that year, and also the "Proposals for
Publishing a semi-monthly paper, entitled The Church Advocate." The only
original matter in the first issue of the paper was one editorial, outlining the pro-
posed Departments and general character of the paper, and a short letter by J.
Flake, congratulating Winebi-enner that "The Gospel Publisher will soon be forth-
coming." The primary object, or purpose, of publishing the paper, said Wine-
brenner, was "to furnish our patrons weekly with the best and most interesting
religious news of the day and age in which we live, in connection with the diffusion
of general knowledge;" the dissemination of gospel truth, and to secure funds to
send out missionaries. This thought of "net proceeds, to be applied to religious
purposes" was among the standing announcements, and was an item dwelt upon
editorially. The size of the initial number was continued two years, when it was
increased to 19x13 inches, and published semi-monthly, at $1.50 a year. A very
noticeable change was made in the form and size of the paper, beginning with
Vol. v., January 3, 1840. It was made an eight-page paper, 9%x7% inches, and
issued weekly, at $2.00 a year. This was continued two years, when with the be-
ginning of Vol. VII., it was enlarged to a "sixmo" or a twelve-page paper, with the
same dimensions of the page, and same terms. With the beginning of Vol. VIII.
it was reduced to eight pages, same size and terms. Volume IX. witnessed a slight
increase in the size of the page, being ll%x9i/4 inches, which was continued until
the suspension of publication.
That an English paper should be published by a Church so largely German
was not according to the usual order. The Evangelical Association first published
a German paper. The importance of the German language was always a dominant
thought with AVeishampel. Soon after he became Editor, in July, 1840, he began
to devote a page, more or less, to German matter. At the Eldership in 1841 the
question of publishing a German paper was under consideration, but it was de-
ferred because it seemed to be "rather a doubtful undertaking." Besides, there
were "other matters upon foot" that would be interfered with. The constant and
large losses sustained by the non-payment of, subscriptions disposed the Board of
Trustees in November, 1843, to adopt "the cash system." After a brief trial it
was found that the most obvious effect of this policy was to cut down the number
of subscribers.
The editorial work of Winebrenner on The Gospel Publisher covered a period
of about 4 years and 10 months; that of Weishampel, 3 years and 8 months, and
that of McCartney, 1 years and 7 months. Winebrenner had little natural taste
for editorial work. He wrote few editorials of any length. He was too much oc-
cupied with other duties to do justice to himself as Editor, or to the paper. There
was also an evident lack of interest on the part of the pastors, so that religious
intelligence was limited during his term. Weishampel was a man of an entirely
different type. He was a practical printer, a fluent and easy writer, and possessed
of a penchant for controversial discussions.
He was of a versatile character, and could write on almost any subject with
little apparent effort. With a fertile brain, he had new expedients to suggest and
plans to propose for the accomplishment of desired ends. The thought of a cer-
tain number of Assistant Editors was suggested by him with a view of popularizing
the paper. Under his direction, while the departments of the paper remained
PEJilODICALS OF THE ChURCH
819
about as outlined by Winebi-enner, yet the character of the contents changed.
There was less space given to secular matters and to general religious news, and
more to the news from churches of God. In the sphere of journalism he was in
his element. On August 30, 1843, he announced his intention of resigning the
editorship, which he did later to take effect December 27, 1843, at the end of Vol.
VIII. He then became the "Printer," and in that capacity contributed articles for
the paper. But his inborn proclivity for editorial work soon mastered him, and
he conceived the thought of starting a paper of his own, possibly foreseeing the
wreck of The Gospel Publisher. This project he matured while "Printer" of The
Gospel Publisher, and persuaded Mackey, who aspired to the editorship when Mc-
Cartney was chosen, to become the Editor of the "Gospel Messenger." For this
violation of the System of Co-operation he and Mackey were arraigned before the
Eldership on November 13, 1844, charged with "starting the publication of a
paper called 'The Gospel Messenger' without the consent and approbation of the
J. F. Weislianipel.
Eldership." This was "held to be irregular, and contrary to the plan of co-opera-
tion." Mackey explained, that he "neither suggested nor planned" the project;
but that he accepted the editorship "at the earnest entreaty of Weishanipel, and
from sympathy towards him." However, he was "dissatisfied because of treat-
ment received in relation to his application for the editorship of The Gospel Pub-
lisher." He had also withdrawn from "The Gospel Messenger." His action was
condoned, and his license was renewed. But Weishanipel was not so ready to sub-
mit, and so he was disfellowshiped for "contempt of the Eldership," and for "un-
just" and "unfounded charges" against the Eldership and certain ministers.
Under McCartney the paper at first seemed to manifest new life. It was less
a personal organ, and secured more general and hearty co-operation. For a short
time it received commendations; but by the middle of the first volume criticisms
were beginning to be heard, and later through the magnanimity of the Editor "con-
demnatory" articles were even published in the paper. A degree of "embarrass-
820 ' History of the Churches of God
ment" was expressed by McCartney on January 17, 1844, which was interpreted
to forecast its discontinuance in July, 1844, on account of the "Gospel Messenger."
This paper was drawing away some patronage, so that the outlook darkened.
Winebrenner took up the matter in the issue following, and proposed a plan
to relieve the Establishment. Others followed; but no material results were-
realized. Conditions became more complicated, so that a year later "the long-
threatened" suspension was announced in the issue of August 13, 1845, being No.
32 of Vol. X. The Eldership which convened November 12, 1845, appointed a
committee, consisting of Winebrenner and McCartney "to publish the Journal of
the Eldership," which they did as Vol. X., No. 33, of The Gospel Publisher, the
last issue published. Said Eldership also "requested the Publishing Committee to
commence the publication of a paper as soon as possible." This ended the first
chapter of religious journalism for the Church of God.
II. THE CHURCH ADVOCATE.
In the last issue of The Gospel Publisher appeared "Proposals for publishing
a semi-monthly paper, entitled The Church Advocate," which "the Publishing Com-
mittee of the Eldership have agreed to publish, as the organ of the Church of God,
in lieu of The Gospel Publisher." It was "intended to be the only authorized
organ of the Church of God, and will be published under the direction of the Gen-
eral Eldership [now the East Pennsylvania Eldership], so that all the churches
and Annual Elderships, which adhere to the plan of general co-operation, as estab-
lished by the first General Eldership, will be equally interested, and equally en-
titled to a proportional share in the proceeds of the same." The price fixed upon
was "$1.25, payable always in advance, or within the first three months." "The
ruinous credit system," as Winebrenner called it with exact justice, was to be a
historic fact only. And yet before the close of the first volume Winebi'enner, for
want of support, had to "dwell on the chagrin, shame, mortification and loss of
another suspension" as an argument for a larger subscription list and more prompt
pay. "Punctuality is the life of business," said Winebrenner, in August, 1846, and
when the first three months had passed, he stated that "more than one-half of the
subscribers have forfeited their subscriptions by non-payment." In September,
1847, there were three hundred delinquents in debt on the first three months of
Vol. XI., and three hundred and forty on Vol. XII. "It unsettles our business,
and runs us into very considerable expense," W^inebrenner said. But this was the
Rule established by the Publishing Committee, and Winebrenner made an effort
to enforce it. It, however, was gradually relaxed, and then virtually suspended.
No "cash system" works that is not a pay-in-advance system. This Winebrenner
fully realized by 1854, when before the close of Vol. XVIII. he announced that it
"was now finally settled that with the new volume the strictly cash system" would
be enforced. He was forced to this by the heavy losses sustained, which fell on
him, as under his contract the receipts were his up to and including reasonable
salary, and he had to pay all other expenses. It cost him a good many subscribers,
and did not increase the income. In reality the paper was his, but he was subject
to the Board of Publication, and had a contract with it in 1846 for one year, which
was renewed in 1847. He states that he bought the Printing Establishment in
1846, and was "proprietor and conductor" of the Establishment, but in a sense
the paper was not his. It was about of uniform size from June, 1846, until he
sold it to James Colder, as announced April 23, 1857. It was published semi-
monthly from 1846 to June, 1852, and thereafter weekly. The price was $1.25,
paid in advance, or within three months, for Vols. XI. and XII. From 1848 to
1852, the price was $1.00; and from 1852 to 1857 it was $1.50. He published the
paper under a contract for the first year, which was renewed at the end of the
year, without any subsequent mention of it. And while there were constant
losses, and the paper was never out of danger, it may be truly said that Wine-
brenner made it a fixed institution of the Church. He put his heart much more
fully into it, and labored assiduously to make it a success financially and as the
organ of the Church. While he felt that "preaching is my proper calling, and not
editing;" yet his zeal and self-sacrifice and painstaking efforts as Publisher and
Editor are clearly in evidence. The loss of subscribers he keenly felt, and near the
close of different volumes his pathetic pleas to subscribers not to stop their papers,
and to former ones to return were humiliating. His joy at the growth of the list of
subscribers he could not conceal. The original list consisted of from 500 to 800,
Periodicals of the, Church 821
and had grown to some 1,400 by 1852, when it again began to fall off, but some-
what recovered by 1857. These increases in the lists were accounted for by con-
ditional promises to enlarge the paper, as in 1851, should 500 new names be fur-
nished; or in 1852, when an increase of 1,500 new subscribers was the condition
upon which the paper was to be published weekly. Premiums were also offered
at different times for new subscribers. In 1856 a "new dress" was the proposi-
tion, as in 1857, "new type and a larger" paper, for 500 new subscribers. Neither
was realized, and frankly stated. The enlargement in 1857 was opposed by
Weishanipel, the "Printer," who published an article to that effect without the
Editor's knowledge. Until April, 1857, the paper was "printed and published on
Mulberry street, near the Railroad Bridge," or, as incidentally stated, in "the base-
ment of the Old Bethel," whence at the beginning of April, 1857, it was "removed
to the upper story of the Keystone Machine Shop, opposite the new Bethel on
Fourth street." Less than a month later, on April 23, 1857, the sale of the
Establishment and paper to James Colder was announced by Winebrenner and
confirmed by Colder.
That great improvements were made on the paper by Winebrenner between
1846 and 1857 is evident to the most casual reader. And they were made against
serious difficulties and at sacrifices hard to estimate at their full strength. Some
of these grew out of unavoidable conditions, such as delays in issuing the paper,
as No. 1, Vol. XL, which was delayed from the date first fixed, April 1, 1846, to
May 1st; by various ill-founded criticisms; by the wear of type so as to make poor
impressions, and various other causes. The unfavorable effect of a protracted agi-
tation to "move the paper West" was quite perceptible. It began in 1851, and
continued for six years. Harn in more than one sense was an agitator, ambitious,
restless, resourceful. He had cast in his lot with the West, and with little con-
ception of its cost in different ways, on May 9, 1851, wrote from Wooster, Ohio,
"that there is a deep and abiding anxiety west of the mountains that the whole
Printing Concern should be transferred to this place. We advocate an entire new
Establishment, owned by the Church at large. An effort will be made at the com-
ing General Eldership." Winebi'enner was forbearing, patient, moderate and dip-
lomatic. Above all he wanted a Printing Establishment and a paying paper, and
he was tired carrying both. He did not antagonize the movement. When on May
26, 1851, the General Eldership met at Pittsburg, Pa., it spent considerable time
on the proposition Harn had submitted. It finally decided "highly to approve the
generous ett"ort of western brethren to secure a Printing Establishment to be held
as the property of the whole Church; and, provided sufficient encouragement
should be given, we recommend to the Publishing Committee to secure such
Establishment, and locate it at Wooster, Ohio." On October 1, 1851, Winebrenner
called attention to this resolution, and to the proviso. He desired to get the prop-
osition out of the mists of declamation and generalities into the clear light of facts.
What does it mean? He says: "Now to enable the Committee to judge whether
such encouragement [sufficient] has been given, or is likely to be given, we would
here state the substance of what has been reported since the General Eldership."
Harn said Ohio has subscribed $500.00. Logue wrote that West Pennsylvania has
subscribed $1,050.00. But as much more, Winebrenner said, would be needed,
and if furnished, "the project can easily be accomplished." For "we are altogether
favorable to the project, provided there is general co-operation. We think the
Church ought to have a Printing Establishment; locality is a minor consideration."
"All Elderships should help." Weishampel, on November 1, 1851, opposed the
removal to the West. The East Pennsylvania Eldership agreed to co-operate with
the brethren West to buy a new Establishment "on condition that they will assist
in paying off the old debt." This the West was not ready to agree to, as this
meant $2,705.46 more. The West Pennsylvania Eldership, however, "considered
all the Elderships bound to pay Winebrenner's claims." The Ohio Eldership In
part acceded to this, as in October, 1851, it approved the efforts being made for
the purchase of a Printing Establishment to be located at Wocster, Ohio. They
had $570.00, and "expected several hundred dollars more." In 1852 it named a
collecting agent to secure more subscriptions. Meanwhile West Pennsylvania Eld-
ership approved the 2 5-cent plan to liquidate AVinebrenner's claims. The Indiana
Eldership at first stood aloof as it found itself "too poor to assist in carrying out
the proposed project," and so resolved to remain neutral. This in answer to an
address to Iowa, Illinois and Indiana on the subject by Winebrenner. He also, in.
S22 History of the Churches of God
January, 1852, insists on conditions being fulfilled, to which some were opposed.
But in March, 1852, the Ohio Standing Committee yielded, and agreed "to pay off
the debt first," and "invited Indiana, Iowa and Michigan to co-operate in purchas-
ing a new Printing Establishment and paying off the old debt." May 29, 1852, the
"Printing Committee agreed that when $2,000.00 in cash, or responsible bonds,
have been raised, the Board will proceed to purchase, and remove to some point
west of the Mountains." As at this time $1,100.00 had been subscribed, Wine-
brenner said "it will be easy to raise the balance." But counsels were being di-
vided. January 10, 1852, one writer opposed removal, and advocated two papers.
In July, 1852, Sandoe, Illinois, urged payment of debt through the 25-cent per
member plan; but he advocated locating "the new Establishment further West than
just west of the Mountains." A Pittsburg subscriber advocated Pittsburg. Another
from the East named Cincinnati, Ohio. The agitation was continued year after
year with no decisive results. In 1854 the General Eldership decided that "as soon
as sufficient funds can be obtained for a Printing Establishment, the Executive
Committee shall purchase one, and locate it at any place agreed upon by a ma-
jority of the members of the Standing Committees of the several Elderships."
The Elderships seemed again united under these resolutions, and scores of agents
were appointed from East Pennsylvania to Iowa to secure subscriptions, urged on
by words of encouragement from Winebrenner. Suddenly the course was changed
by the interjection of the new Hymn-Book question, which Winebrenner was com-
piling, and on February 11, 185 6, the Ohio Standing Committee resolved, that
while urging the new Printing Establishment, yet it did "not think it best to enter
upon the project of starting it until the new Hymn-Book is completed and pub-
lished." The Annual Elderships were united on this demand for the new Hymn-
Book, and were impatient at the delay in its publication. Winebrenner regretted
that both plans could not be worked together. But as interest became somewhat
stagnant, and the time for the General Eldership in 1857 was approaching, Wine-
brenner was constrained to make calculations for the next volume. He therefore
published the Prospectus of "Vol. XXII., proposing "to issue said volume, begin-
ning April 30, 1857, with entirely new type and in an enlarged form," "if 500 new
subscribers were furnished." But in the last issue of Vol. XXL, April 23, 1857,
lie announced the sale of "the good will and Advocate Establishment to Elder
James Colder."
There was no election of Editor; but in the first issue of Vol. XXII., May 7,
1857, Colder announced, that having "become the proprietor of The Church Advo-
cate, we now enter upon the discharge of our duties as Editor." The transfer of
the Establishment and paper to Colder was unexpected. But Winebrenner sold
because he "wanted to sell;" because he "had a chance to sell;" because he "was
weary of the toils and perplexities of editorial life;" because he "had no reason to
believe that the General Eldership would be prepared to take it off our hands at its
next meeting;" because "certain brethren were not satisfied with our manner of
conducting the paper;" because he "had entirely too much money standing out,"
and because he "needed more time to finish the new Hymn-Book, selling stock of
the new Collegiate Institute," and other work. He was Associate Editor, how-
ever, for a short time. But though Winebrenner had no reason in April 1, 1857,
to believe that the General Eldership would take the paper off his hands; yet said
body bought it from Colder on June 4, 1875, "for the amount it cost him." The
contract of sale provided that the Establishment and paper be "left in his hands
until the receipts cover the amount to be paid, after which the entire proceeds are
to pass into the treasury of the General Eldership, and Brother Colder to receive
no more than the salary agreed upon." This was "$300.00 for the first year, and
5500.00 for each subsequent year up to the meeting of the next General Eldership."
He was elected Editor, and E. H. Thomas, J. S. Gable and Dr. George Ross were
elected the Publishing Committee. Except that "an entirely new stock of ma-
terials for the office" was bought for the first issue under Colder, no change in size,
form or price was made. Prospects were so favorable that as early as August,
1857, Colder stated that "the subscription list is larger now than at any time since
the commencement of the paper," and that he expected to be enabled "to pay off
all the current demands of the office for this year, and make The Advocate the
property of the Church at large at the close without a penny of expense." But
the winds began to blow contrary. The controversy between Colder and Wine-
brenner over the Texas Eldership matters divided the patrons of the paper, and
portentous clouds were seen on the horizon. The Board of Publication on Novem-
Periodicals of the Church
823
ber 26, 1857, issued a pathetic appeal, and others used their good offices to avert
a failure of the Establishment. But the effort was fruitless, and after editing the
paper one year and eight months, "because of embarrassment for want of funds,"
Colder "stopped the publication of the paper, discharged the hands and abandoned
the office, and gave the Committee of Publication to understand they were to be
held responsible for the debts of the Establishment," which amounted to $1,256.00.
Colder was in various ways well equipped for an editor, and possessed the advan-
tages of a classical education. But he lacked other qualifications which made him
unfit for a pilot in times of stress and storm.
After the suspension of the paper by Colder, on February 10, 1859, the Com-
mittee on Publication resumed its publication, having bought the Establishment.
It arranged with E. H. Thomas, a member of the Committee, to assume "the con-
trol and editorship, assisted by James Mackey, as Assistant, or Corresponding,
E. H. Thomas.
Editor. The debt at the time was $1,300.00, "without a dollar to carry on the
paper." This was increased to $1,637.00 by the end of the volume. The contract
with Thomas was a duplicate of the one with Colder, and was to run two years.
That is, Thomas was to "take the Establishment with all its liabilities and assets,
and carry forward the publication of The Advocate on his own responsibility, and
receive all the income for two full years" — to the end of Vol. XXV., June 1, 1861.
Then to deliver it over to the Board free of debt. Thomas at the time lived at
Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, and was pastor of the church. He had bought a print-
ing plant there, and at once arranged to remove The Advocate to that place. March
10, 1859, the first number was issued from the new office. He threw all his ener-
gies into the new sphere of activity into which he was providentially thrust. And
for ten weary, vexing years he labored with consuming zeal to bring the paper out
of the quagmire and the fogs to solid ground and an elevation where he could "see
824 History of the Churches of God
the clear sky through and beyond the clouds," as he wrote a few months before
he entered that other life beyond the veil. How this happy terminus was reached
is a story of anxieties, perplexing problems, criticisms, vexations and hardships
which no one can make real to himself. While Thomas received his "meed, a
friend's esteem and praise," his opposers and critics were never slow to harass
him. As soon as the paper of March 10, 1859, was issued from the Mt. Joy office,
the Illinois Standing Committee "disapproved of the course pursued by the Pub-
lishing Committee in removing The Church Advocate office from Harrisburg to the
village of Mt. Joy." Without explaining the matter, on May 5, 1859, Thomas an-
nounced the removal of the paper to Lancaster City, adding that it is "the design
of the Printing Board that this location shall be permanent." He was almost con-
stantly in straights on account of the debt, and often referred to it, inquiring re-
proachfully at times whose it is, and the necessity of paying it. And by the end of
his second year it was reduced to "less than one-half." He offered premiums from
time to time, urged greater activity on the part of ministers, and announced im-
provements in order to increase the list of subscribers. He measurably succeeded
in this, for by 1868 he had nearly 3,000 names on the list of subscribers, and was
ready to enter into an agreement in 1869 to close out his contract by June, 1870.
While Thomas's first contract ran to June, 1861, the General Eldership renewed
it in 1860 to extend to June, 1863. Each successive triennium it was renewed, but
in 1869 it was limited to one year, to expire June 1, 1870. And for each of the
two succeeding years Thomas was to pay $300.00 to the General Eldership. He
had an indomitable purpose to succeed, and adopted every honorable means to that
end. In December, 1861, he suggested the enlargement of the paper, and reduction
of the price, on condition that 1,000 new subscribers were secured. He repeated
his proposition in January, 1862. This met with a favorable response by the West
Ohio Standing Committee, other official bodies and a number of influential min-
isters, while a few came out in opposition. Thomas generally consulted public
opinion on any change he was disposed to make. On April 3, 1862, he stated that
only "one-half of the 1,000 new subscribers" had been reported, and so he could not
reduce the price, unless the full 1,000 should be in by May 1st. He modified his
proposition, so as to enlarge the paper by making it one inch longer; by striking
oft" all who were in arrears three years; by accepting new names at $1.00 cash, and
leaving the price to old subscribers at $1.50 unless a new subscriber is sent in
with the subscription, until the 1,000 mark is reached. The slight enlargement
was made, and new type bought, so that Vol. XXVII. was pronounced by Thomas
"the largest, neatest and most interesting volume ever issued from The Advocate
office." But the War cost the loss of subscribers and money. Everything was
going up in price. The position of The Advocate on the prosecution of the War,
the abolition of slavery and other questions militated against its prosperity, so that
danger again threatened the frail craft. On October 12, 1865, Thomas proposed
a change in the form of the paper, if not in size, from an eight-page to a four-page
paper. This was approved by the following Elderships, or their Standing Com-
mittees: Michigan, Indiana, West Pennsylvania, East Ohio, Iowa, Southern Illi-
nois and Indiana, and Illinois. There were individual protests; but on November
23, 1865, Thomas stated that he "settled it in our mind to considerably enlarge
and otherwise improve The Advocate." And in February, 1866, he announced a
majority in favor of a change in form and increase in size. As the General Elder-
ship would meet in May, 1866, Thomas was doubtless preparing the way. The
Illinois Eldership had instructed its delegates to the General Eldership to vote: 1.
To enlarge the paper. 2. For a Board of Editors from different Elderships. 3.
A change of form. 4. To bring the paper West — to Chicago. There was a spirit
of insubordination among some in Illinois. They assailed The Advocate in such
terms as to call out most scathing editorials. R. AVhite, in the columns of The
Advocate was permitted to do this, and he boldly defended the proprsition to re-
move the paper to Chicago, or start the publication of another Church paper. In
March, 1866, Thomas announced enlargement and change of form, "with the con-
sent of the Board of Publication." On May 3, 1866, Vol. XXXI., this was done
as to size, one inch being added to the length and one-half inch to the width, with-
out changing the rates. Illinois delegates did not urge their instructions, apd
without any surface opposition the old contract was renewed for threa yeirs,
Thomas re-elected Editor, and C. H. Forney, Assistant Editor. The latter was to
have no pay, but was to serve by way of preparation for the editorship in case of
disability or death of the Editor. But the opposition in Illinois continued active,
Periodicals op the; Church 825
and in June, 1868, "the initiatory number of a new paper, with the title 'The
Church,' made its appearance," published at Polo, 111. But it was short-lived.
The most remarkable change Thomas made was in 1868, when he had nearly 3,000
subscribers. Quietly the program was published, that if the 3,000 were guaranteed
the paper would be enlarged to nearly double the size of Vol. XXXII. , and the price
advanced to $2.00. In so far as there was an expression of opinion it was "an
almost unanimous verdict in favor of enlargement," and on April 16, 1868, the mat-
ter as to "the question of enlarging The Advocate was settled, and making it a $2.00,
pre-paying paper." Accordingly Vol. XXXIII., No. 1, May 6, 1868, was issued "with
an entirely new dress for the first time since 1835," at a cost of $500.00, and
$40.00 a week more than before to publish it." It was an eight-page paper,
19%xl4 inches reading matter and headline. Thomas was enthusiastic, yet had
his doubts. And by October 28, 1868, he made earnest pleas for help, and re-
called the "terrible conflict and struggles for existence our Church organ had had
to pass through for thirty-three years." But he ventured to hope that "the danger
of failure is over." Anticipating a renewal of his contract and re-election as
Editor for three years longer, on May 5, 1869, Thomas hopefully began Vol.
XXXIV., referring his readers to "our past efforts" as the "only pledges we have
to make for the future." He was not disappointed, for he was re-elected Editor,
and the contract was renewed for three years, with this modification: tht during
the first year the balance of the indebtedness was to be paid, and for each of the
two succeeding years he was to pay $300.00 into the General Eldership treasury.
C. H. Forney was re-elected Assistant Editor under the action of 1866. But the
fatal archer had marked him, and less than four months after this last contr ct
had been signed, on September 11, 1869, at 4.18 a. m., this strong, good, loyal man
went up "the shining road from this dimmer sunlight into the light of God."
An essential change in the relation of the Editor of The Advocate was auto-
matically effected by the death of Editor Thomas. He was Publisher and Editor,
and also the owner of the Printing Plant. Under the Resolution of 1866, C. H.
Forney was elected Assistant Editor, to take the place of the Editor in case of his
disability or death. Re-elected in 1869, when the Editor died he succ eded to
that office; but the Executor, it was conceded, took Thomas's place as Publisher
and Proprietor. But on February 2, 1870, G. Ross and J. S. Gable, the other two
members of the Board of Publication, announced that the contract with E. H.
Thomas would terminate on May 1, 1870, and that Geo. Ross, hwing bought the
contract, would be the Publisher. This was put into effect with the volume be-
ginning May 1, 1870. The Editor then was only Editor, except that fcr conveni-
ence and better service he became IBusiness Manager for the Publisher, a position
he has ever since held. Ross carried out the Thomas contract, and in May, 1872,
paid $600.00, less a small amount of special expenses, to the General Eldership,
the first surplus that body received. He was elected Publi?her in 1872, and con-
tinued in that capacity until 1876, when Thomas and Demming became Publishers
and Printers until July, 1878. Since then the Board of Public ticn has been the
Publisher. This Board has always faithfully guarded the interests of the paper.
Its members have changed considerably, to wit: 187 5-8: — J. S. Gable, George
Ross, J. A. Shuler. 1878-81: — J. S. Gable, George Ross, I. Frazfer. 1881-4: — I.
Frazer, J. H. Redsecker, D. M. Bare. 1884-7:— The same. 1887-90:— J. C. For-
ney, D. M. Bare, J. H. Redsecker. 189 0-3: — D. M. Bare, J, H. Redsecker, J. M.
Carvell, 1893-6: — D. M. Bare, D. S. Shoop, C. I. Bro^vn. 1896-9: — The same.
1899-1902: — The same, except that in February, 1901, Brown resigned, and I. A.
MacDannald succeeded him. 1902-1905: — The same. 1905-9- — I. A. MacDan-
nald, C. H. Grove, H. M. Angle. 1909-13: — I. A. MacDannald, C. H. Grove, A. L.
Bierbower. Of the nineteen members of the Board during these thirty-eight years
seven are living.
The same Editor, with successive re-elections, some times unanimous, was con-
tinued until July, 1909, serving three years and three months as Assist nt Editor,
and three months less than forty years as Editor-in-Chief. On three ocr-asions he
asked to be permitted to retire, and in 19 09 positively declined re-elect-'on. The
size and form of the paper were changed three times, the nr'ce, except from 1876
to 1878, when it was $1.50, remaining at $2.00. The large size adopt-^d by
Thomas, 19 1/2x14 inches, was continued to the close of Vol. LI.. July, 1887. It
was then changed to a 16-page paper, 15x9 1/4 inches, for four volumes to July,
1891. when the larger size, 4-page, form was aeain used, until Ji'ly, 1901. Then
the present 24-page form was adopted, 12x7 V4, inches. It was upon recommenda-
826 History of the Churches of God
tion of the Board in 1899 that this form was determined upon, as there was a wide-
spread desire for "a book-form." The paper suffered another short suspension in
1877. Ross, as Publisher, had made the paper successful from 1870 to 1876; but
there was not only a persistent demand for a reduction in price, but a belief that
such a course would largely increase the subscription list and prove a greater suc-
cess financially. This belief was shared by the Printing and Publishing Firm of
Thomas and Demming, and accordingly Deniming submitted a proposition to the
General Eldership to print and publish The Advocate, same size and quality of
paper, at $1.50 a year; pay the Editor an increase per year of $200.00 salary, and
at the end of two years pay $1,000.00 into the Treasury of the General Eldership.
And while the Editor declined the $200.00, and opposed the proposition, it was
recommended conditionally to the Board of Publication. In the Spring of 1876 the
contract for printing and publishing the paper was given to Thomas and Demming,
the terms to be $1.50 cash. The list had grown from August, 1870, to May, 1873,
by the addition of 1,743 names. At this time the subscription list numbered nearly
four thousand. To enforce the cash system, the manner of doing which was
strongly disapproved by the General Eldership in 1878, this high water mark was
cut down to twelve or fifteen hundred, and has never been reached since. The
Publishers, Thomas and Demming, were losing money with their reduced list of
subscribers, and determined to quit. Without any warning, or notice, after Feb-
ruary 21, 1877, the paper ceased to be printed. The Board stepped in, relieved
the Firm of its obligation to pay the $1,000.00, and made other concessions, so
that, beginning May 2, 1877, publication was resumed, and the fifty-two numbers
of the volume issued by the end of June, 1878. On July 4, 1878, the General Eld-
ership again became the Publisher, through the Board of Publication, and advanced
the price to $2.00. Other matters which militated somewhat against the paper
were the agitation of the old question of a Corps of Editors, and the revival of the
project of another Church paper, as well as petty jealousies of which "there is a
great deal among otherwise good men," although "of all the passions, it is that
which exacts the hardest service, and pays the bitterest wages." On March 23,
1870, the Standing Committee of the East Pennsylvania Eldership adopted a reso-
lution in favor of an appointment by the Executive Board of "a Corps of Editors"
of which the then Editor was to be Editor-in-Chief, at a stated salary. Again in
1875 the proposition was revived at the General Eldership. Both times it failed.
In December, 187 6, there was considerable dissatisfaction in the West because the
office was so far East, and it required much time for papers to reach subscribers
in the extreme West. The agitation for a second paper was started, but was vig-
orously opposed by the Editor as a suicidal policy. The movement soon subsided.
On April 1, 1874, editorial announcement was made, that the Office of Publica-
tion would be removed to Harrisburg, Pa., on April 29, 1874. It has not been
changed since. Yielding to the demand for an addition to the Editorial Staff, the
General Eldership in May, 1872, created the office of Assistant Editor, and elected
J. M. Domer. He died November 15, 1872. The office remained vacant until 1875,
when H. C. Demming, of the firm of Thomas and Demming, was elected. Assuming
his duties July 28, 1875, he served until May 23, 1877. Neither of these gave any
material aid in the work on the paper. In 1878, M. S. Newcomer was elected
Assistant Editor, and retained that position until the Summer of 18 85, when he
resigned. He contributed a column or more nearly every week, being a forceful
and facile writer. Under the prospective plan of an Assistant Editor who should
also edit all the Sunday-school periodicals, but which has not yet been put into
effect, J. M. Carvell was elected Assistant Editor in 18 85, but never entered on
his duties. From 1887 to 1890 T. Koogle, I. W. Markley, W. I. Berkstresser, and
J. H. Besore were Editorial Contributors. The same office was filled from 1890 to
1893 by W. H. McKlveen, W. W. Liovett, W. I. Berkstresser and M. S. Newcomer.
And from 1893 to 1896 by W, W. Lovett, B. F. Be<«k, M. S. Newcomer and R. L.
Byrnes. As this arrangement proved less satisfactory than was expected, the office
of Assistant Editor was re-established, and on February 13, 1901, C. I. Brown
entered upon the discharge of its duties, and continued until December 7, 1904,
when he resigned, and the following week S. G. Yahn took his place, serving until
July, 1909. The finances continued to improve. Except the nearly $600.00 paid
into the Treasury by Ross in 1872, there was no net gain until 1881. On February
2, 1879, the editorial, "Possibly Out of the Woods," augured financial success.
And on July 1, 1881, there was a reported net balance of $595.15. This nucleus
continued to grow, until in 1909, when the Editor finally retired he had paid nearly
Periodicals of the Church 827
$15,000.00 toward the Printing Establishment and Publishing House, and turned
over to his successor cash and bonds to the amount of $2,472.01.
A number of changes in the Departments of The Advocate were made during
the forty years. A Sunday-School Department and a Department of Foreign and
Domestic News were the first innovations, introduced in 1870. A rule was put
Into force excluding "personalities" by contributors and the Editor. In 1899 the
General Eldership went further, and closed the columns of the paper to "contro-
versies." In July, 1896., the Editor arranged for a new Department, conducted at
first by Mary Berkstresser, known as the "Mission Work." It was previously con-
ducted under another name by R. H. Bolton. Later as "The Mission Work," by
W. J. Schaner. On March 8, 1893, the C. E. Department was started, conducted
by that sweet-spirited minister and worker, M. M. Foose, until his death. After
C. I. Brown became Assistant Editor he conducted this Department with excellent
satisfaction. Upon the election of S. G. Yahn Assistant Editor, this work was as-
signed to him, and was performed with great efficiency. In 1899 the General Eld-
ership excluded Journals of Elderships, Minutes of Ministerial Associations, S. S.
Conventions and C. E. Conventions from the columns of The Advocate. The sug-
gestion of "Advocate Day," a practical movement of value to the paper, was first
officially made by the Committee on Education of the East Pennsylvania Eldership
in 1906. It named the first Sunday in December. It was followed in 1908 by
similar action by the Elderships in West Pennsylvania and Ohio. Such devoted
workers as C. F. Raach and C. Manchester wrote it up in a vigorous manner. The
General Eldership in 1909 established the day for all the Annual Elderships.
At the session of the General Eldership at Ft. Scott, Kas., S. G. Yahn, of the
West Pennsylvania Eldership, was elected Editor of The Advocate. No Assistant
Editor was elected, as agreed upon in 1905.
Sheiinan Grant Yahn was born on a farm near North Sewickley, Beaver
county, Pa., February 5, 1867. Like many other country boys who have become
famous, he was born minus a silver spoon in his mouth. He was not a precocious
youth; but was always a good learner. He received his preparatory training in
the public schools, and at the North Sewickley Academy. He pursued the study
of the languages under a private teacher, followed by a course at Curry College,
Pittsburg. At sixteen he joined the ranks of the pedagogues, and from his six-
teenth to his nineteenth year he occupied a teacher's desk in a public school-room.
With the church of God at Slippery Rock (now Lillyville) he received his early
religious instruction in the Sunday-school. Here, too, he was brought to a per-
sonal, saving knowledge of Christ as his Savior, and at the age of eighteen became
a member of this church. Having his mind favorably directed to the Christian
ministry, as thousands have had while teaching the rudiments of education in a
country school-house, he began at this early age to give special attention to English
composition. He wrote for the local papers when but sixteen. Later, more as a
discipline than for pulpit use, he wrote extensively in the way of sermonic prep-
aration, but he never has been a sermon-reader. For three years and a half he was
joint editor and publisher of the "Missionary Signal." In 1893 he wrote and pub-
lished a brief "History of the West Pennsylvania Eldership." He also published
two smaller pamphlets, on "Bible Study," and "The Teaching Function of the
Churches of God." In 1896 he was elected by the General Eldership to the office
of Assistant Editor of The Advocate; but in the Fall of the same year, having de-
cided to retain his position as pastor of Mt. Pleasant church, he declined to serve.
In December, 1904, the Executive Board elected him to that office to fill the
vacancy occasioned by the resignation of C. I. Brown. He continued to serve in
this capacity, having been re-elected in 1905 by the General Eldership, until his
elevation to the higher office of Editor. Dr. Yahn was ordained to the gospel min-
istry by the West Pennsylvania Eldership in 1886. And up to 1909, when he re-
moved to Harrisburg, he had spent twenty years in the active work of his calling.
Of these twenty he was pastor of the Mt. Pleasant church eighteen, the longest
consecutive pastorate in the history of the churches of God. His pulpit services
were peculiarly interesting, forceful and spiritually instructive. He was a success-
ful pastor, without anything phenominal, having exceptional powers to lead men
to Christ, so that in many instances he was instrumental in the conversion of the
second generation. His sterling worth was soon recognized by his Eldership, in
which he early became a recognized leader by reason of his spotless character, his
judicial temperament and his mental equipment. Thrice he served as President
828
History of the Churches of God
of his Eldership, and was an efficient member of all its boards and committees.
He was also honored by six successive elections as delegate to the General Elder-
ship. He was chosen a member of the General Board of Missions in 1899, and
served continuously until 1909, where he gave evidence of a clear grasp of every
question and a singleness and persistence of purpose which always go before pro-
motion and honor. These same qualities were manifested during the several
terms which he served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Findlay College,
one term of which he was President of the Board, and did much in framing iis
policies and guiding its deliberations to wise conclusions. In 1905 the College
gave deserved recognition to his literary and theological scholarship by voting him
the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Thus he came to the office of Editor exceptionally
well equipped for its responsibilities and duties. As a writer he has command of
S. G. Yahn.
a good and expressive vocabulary. He does not waste words, nor deal too liberally
in qualifying terms. There is clearness, directness, force and unity in his thoughts.
He is a thinker and a teacher. There is purity of style, precision of terms, per-
specuity of expression. He discusses with growing intelligence the larger prob-
lems and interests of the kingdom of God without any assumption of superiority
or hints at pedantry. And as the basis of all his admirable qualifications there
is a deeply laid substratum of true nobility of character, sterling integrity, a ful-
ness of spiritual life, splendid spirit and that charity which suffereth long and is
kind.
He has conducted and edited the paper since July, 1909, with purity of pur-
pose, painstaking industry, rare ability and commendable caution. He is the first
Editor who was not a member of the East Pennsylvania Eldership at the time of
Periodicals of the Church 829
his elevation to that responsible office. He has the high qualification of a con-
sciousness of the true character of his office, as having charge of "the most
influential agency among the churches of God." "It has done more than anything
•else to shape, direct and encourage every enterprise of the General Eldership, and
to teach and establish our ministers in the faith of the Church." Under his man-
agement, while there were few changes and other innovations, the paper has been
conducted so as to meet universal approval. He added the Department of
"Preacher and Pastor" for the special benefit of active ministers. Current events
throughout the world, in their bearing on religious questions, have been discussed
with commendable discrimination. He has revealed a thorough familiarity with
the doQjtrinal and historical theology of the churches of God, and has frequently
done the churches and ministers a signal service by the lucid and illuminating dis-
cussion of questions pertaining to practical Church work. As a special object he
has kept in view the support and furtherance of the general interests of the body.
The W. G. M. S. controversy having been ended by the final action thereon by the
General Eldership in 1909, there have been no questions of controversy to disturb
the serenity of the four years during which he has held the responsible position
of Editor. Under the contract with the Board of Directors of the Central Print-
ing and Publishing House of the Churches of God, the financial condition of the
paper was good. At the General Eldership in 1913 the Editor reported a balance
of $4,463.04.
III. THE MONTHLY PUBLISHER.
The passion for publishing papers developed rapidly during the first half of
the century of American religious journalism. Scores of periodicals were pro-
jected, or actually started, for which there was no reasonable justification, and
they soon came to disastrous ends. One of these was "The Monthly Publisher."
On January 8, 1845, the Executive Committee of the Board of Printing Establish-
ment issued a "Prospectus" proposing to publish "a small monthly paper in octavo
form," "for the benefit and accommodation of the young, and such persons as can-
not afford to take the weekly Publisher." Eight hundred subscribers were to be
secured before beginning its publication. The terms were "6 6 2-3 cents per vol-
ume, payable always within the first three months of the year." But on March 5,
1845, the Committee announced that the "publication will not be commenced for
the present," because of "not getting a sufficient number of subscribers, as well as
for other reasons."
IV. CHRISTLICHER KUNDSCHAFTER.
The German Eldership, formed in 1854, at its first session in October ap-
pointed J. F. Weishanipel to Reading, Berks county, and requested him to become
the Editor of a German paper. He had at the time a charge in the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership, which favorably recommended the proposed paper. On Feb-
ruary, 1855, preparatory to taking charge of the Reading Mission in April, Weis-
hampel published a Prospectus of the new paper, and called for subscribers. The
name adopted was "Christliche Familien-Gast," to be published semi-monthly; a
4-page paper, the size of The Advocate of that date, at 5 0 cents a volume. But on
June 2, 1855, he announced that because of the small number of subscribers the
paper "would not be published for the present." He wanted not less than 400 sub-
scribers. In 1860, in 1863 and again in 1865 the German Eldership adopted reso-
lutions, speaking of the great importance of "establishing a small German paper,"
and urging Weishampel to undertake it. This he was entirely willing to do if
there would be sufficient encouragement. Accordingly, on September 18, 1866, he
stated through The Advocate his willingness to try it; but not having the means,
he asked for donations aggregating .$200.00 for type and other materials. The
first number of the paper was to appear January 1, 1887. V/hile a few opposed
the project, others strongly sanctioned it. It also had the approval of The Advo-
cate, and the General Eldership in May, 1866, gave it official endorsement. The
German Eldership again in 1866 authorized Weishanipel to begin the work. Some
funds were received, but not enough, and January 1, 1867, passed, but no paper
had been issued. The German Eldership Standing Committee on May 3, 1867, de-
manded, that, as there was "no prospect that a German paper will be published,"
the money sent in to buy type, etc., be placed in the Missionary Fund. But on
November 21, 1867, Weishampel replied, stating that "the fate of the proposed
paper is not finally decided." The work of securing funds continued; the title of the
830 History of the Churches of God
paper was changed to "Christlicher Kundschafter," and on April 4, 1869, the first
number, printed at Baltimore, Md., was issued. From Baltimore the office was
removed to Auburn, Schuylkill county, Pa.; thence to Orwigsburg, in 1870, and
then to Lancaster, Lancaster county, in 1873. It was a "neat little sheet of four
pages." Its patronage was small, as in 1875 its circulation was 25 0; but it at
times had more than twice that number. For several years it was the official
organ of the Evangelical Mennonite Church. In 187 5 the General Eldership
placed it under the jurisdiction of its Board of Publication; elected Weishampel
Editor, and made him amenable to its Executive Board. Weishampel was well
adapted to the work. He was a ready, if at times acrimonious, writer and com-
, poser in German and English; a practical printer, who could set up his own ar-
ticles without previously writing them. There was a vein of native humor in him
which he used to good effect. It was easy for him, however, to get into "hot-
water." And yet he was generally of a hopeful, buoyant spirit, and built many
castles in the air. But when he felt aggrieved, or believed he was injured by an
enemy, he was unable to restrain himself, and wielded an implacable and ma-
licious pen. This occurred in 1877, and was kept up to the end. A charitable
judgment is proper, for many extenuating circumstances are discernable. But
officially these could not be so fully recognized, and so his course was condemned,
first by the Board of Incorporation of the General Eldership, and then by the Board
of Publication, both of which requested the Executive Board to take action. Feel-
ing the effect of this official action, Weishampel, on September 29, 1877, stated to
the German Eldership that he proposed "to stop the 'Kundschafter' on April 1,
1878." The Eldership was not favorable to this, and urged the continuance of
the paper. Weishampel did so, printing a page or more in English, so as to reach
the ministers and brethren in English Elderships. The General Eldership in 1878
took up the complaints against Weishampel's course, and finally ordered his paper
to be discontinued.
V. THE CHURCH OF GOD SUNDAY-SCHOOL' PAPER.
It was at the session of the General Eldership of 1860, the last session Wine-
brenner attended, beginning May 28th, that the question of publishing a Sunday-
school paper was first officially mentioned. A committee on the subject was ap-
pointed, and it reported favorably, declaring that "we think the time has come
when the Sabbath-school interest among us as a people requires the publication
of a Sabbath-school paper." It further recommended that "a suitable
person be appointed, under proper restrictions, to get up a paper for the Sabbath-
schools of the Church of God." And while the recommendation was adopted,
nothing further was done. The project slumbered for six years, when on April
19, 1866, a contributor to The Advocate wrote, saying: "The want of a Sunday-
school paper has no doubt been long felt by those who labor in our schools." "We
have sufficient schools and scholars to sustain such an enterprise." As the meet-
ing of the General Eldership of 1866 was only a little more than a month off, "H"
called its attention to this proposition. When the Eldership convened on the last
of May, 1866, among the committees appointed was one on a Sunday-school paper,'
consisting of one from each Eldership, including the Board of Publication. Said
Committee reported, that "the Board of Publication be authorized to publish a
monthly Sunday-school paper, to commence on the first day of January, 1867."
It also provided for collections in all the Sunday-schools to secure the means to
purchase type and all other necessary materials. Before the paper should be
issued there should be 5,600 subscribers. A corps of Editors and Contributors
should be appointed, all to be under the Editor of The Advocate. That the name
of the paper should be "The Church of God Sunday-School Paper." All this was
adopted; thirteen contributors were elected, with D. Shelley, Shiremanstown,
Cumberland county. Pa., as Editor. Thomas, as a member of the Board of Publi-
cation, entered upon this enterprise with the vim and energy of a youth. Early in
the Fall he outlined his plans and called for cash and subscribers. Soon the voice
of the pessimist was heard, and there were prophecies of failure. Thomas walked
and worked by faith in the brotherhood. On November 15th he stated that "not
half the amount necessary has been subscribed;" but that he had resolved that the
paper shall appear on the date fixed. Only $194.00 had been pledged, and 2,020
subscribers. Gradually Thomas introduced the term "Gem" in place of "Paper."
He was sustained by the faith of others, and heard their encouraging words: "We
PdjriodicaIvS of the; Church
831
only need general co-operation to succeed." The Annual Elderships strongly en-
dorsed the project during October, and Thomas went ahead. On November 29th
$207.00 were pledged; but he wrote: "We have now negotiated for a complete
set of new material for the publishing of the Church of God Sunday-School Gem."
And on December 6th: "We have now reached a point in our preparation for the
publication of the Sunday-school paper that compels us to proceed." And on
December 13th: "We are pushing ahead as fast as possible to get The Gem out
at the appointed time." There were $211.00 pledged. The day designated by
the General Eldership came when the paper was to be issued. Shelley Jiad de-
clined the editorship. There were but $293.00 secured. But on January 3, 1867,
Thomas announced through The Advocate, under the heading, "S. S. Gem," "We
have now sent out the first number of the Sunday-school paper authorized by the
General Eldership." There were 2,175 copies ordered by the schools. One thing
Thomas regretted touching this first number: — That he failed to get a piece of
music for it. At the close of Vol. I. Thomas reported receipts, $1,125.03; ex-
penses $1,092.00. But there was still a balance due him of $158.53. He hope-
J. H. Redsecker.
fully began Vol. II., having made special mention of help afforded him by George
Boss and J. H. Redsecker. To the latter the editorial work was gradualy trans-
ferred, as in the beginning of July, 1868, Thomas had become very frail. On De-
cember 23, 1868, the anouncement was first made that J. H. Redsecker had become
Editor of the "Gem," and assumed full editorial control January 1, 1869.
He was an enthusiastic and successful worker, admirably adapted to the new
position. With an optimistic, cheerful spirit, he drew other workers around him,,
and the list of patrons rapidly increased. New features were added, such as pub-
lishing portraits of deceased or aged ministers, and other pictures. Thomas con-
tinued to be the Publisher up to his death. In May, 1869, the General Eldership
elected Redsecker Editor, and also in 1872, 1875 and 1878. But before the Elder-
ship adjourned in 1878 he resigned the editorship, but continued as Publisher.
During his first year as Editor the amount of $131.00 still due Thomas was paid,
and on January, 1870, a small net balance remained to the credit of "The Gem."
G. Sigler was elected as Redsecker's successor.
He entered upon his work in January, 1879. Sigler was born near Burketts-
ville, Md., June 9, 1834. He was converted in 1852, and was baptized by Wine-
832
History of the Churches of God
brenner. In the Fall of the same year he began conducting revival meetings near
his parents' home, but he hesitated to preach because he felt that his education
was too limited, and he failed to get the consent of his father to go to an academy
to pursue his studies. He w^as licensed to preach at the Eldership held at Me-
chanicsburg. Pa., in 1854, and entered on his first charge in April, 1857. Since
then he has been in the active work, and has been an efficient and highly appre-
ciated preacher and pastor. He was always thoroughly interested in Sunday-
school work; an efficient and popular pastor; devoted and loyal to every interest
of the Church. His work on the "Gem" was always appreciated, even if he did
not have the temperament which proves magnetic to children. His administra-
tion of the office was to his credit. With the make-up and the illustrations he
was not concerned. During his incumbency the receipts above expenses slowly in-
creased for several years, reaching an aggregate of $405.41 in three years. The
G. Sigler.
■question of a semi-monthly issue of the "Gem" was agitated prior to Sigler's elec-
tion as Editor, but received no support. It was also brought before the General
Eldership in 18 81 and agreed to; then reconsidered, and voted down. The Illinois
Eldership in 1883 instructed its delegates to the General Eldership in 1884 "to
•endeavor to have a cheap primary paper published weekly or semi-monthly." But
without awaiting the action of the General Eldership, the Board of Publication in
January, 1884, "concluded to publish the 'S. S. Gem' twice a month, beginning
with the April number." This action the General Eldership approved, and it
gave general satisfaction.
In 1896 a new Editor of "The S. S. Gem" was elected to succeed Sigler. The
reason for the change was financial. The new Editor, W. A. Laverty, was the Gen-
eral Superintendent of the Book-Store, and could do the work of editing the "Gem"
in addition to his other duties. He had been a member and worker in Sunday-
schools from childhood, and had qualifications which adapted him to his new
■duties. His conduct of the paper commended itself so to the General Eldership
PpZRIODICALS OF TIIK ClIlRCH
833
and the Board of Directors that he has been re-elected successively until the
present. In 1905 and 1909 the Board of Publication gave him two assistants as
Editorial Contributors, to v^rit: F. W. McGuire and Win. Harris Guyer. Their
work has been well received. In 19 02 a suggestion was made at the General
Eldership that "The Gem" be published weekly; but the Board did not receive suf-
ficient encouragement to undertake the extra expense. But en .lanuary 1, 1906,
prospects for sufficient patronage were so fair that a weekly edition was printed,
which by .lune, 1909, had reached over 5,000 copies. With few exceptions, "The
Gem" has had a small net gain to its credit each year. It has been almost wholly
changed as to its contents and illustrations since the first issue, and is a popular
Sunday-school periodical.
Ijavei'ty.
VI. THE MONTHLY PREACHER.
Though important matters went very wrong in 1857-9, Winebrenner did not
throw up his hands in despair, nor lose his nerve. His patience, perseverance and
indomitable will enabled him to take things easier than most of his co-adjutors,
and to seek to devise new enterprises for the benefit of the cause. He could take
criticism and weigh it well, without becoming personally resentful when it was an
impersonal issue. These traits he clearly evinced in 1858, under conditions when
it would have been easier to retire than to start a new enterprise. He conceived
a most praiseworthy enterprise in the Summer of 18 5 8, and announced it in The
Advocate on August 5th. It was in the form of a "Prospectus for publishing a
series of sermons in monthly numbers, at $1.00 per annum in advance," if he
could secure 500 subscribers. The sermons were to be doctrinal and practical
sermons he had preached. Colder, Editor of The Advocate, spoke of the project as
of special value, saying: "Something of the kind ought to have been done long
ago." This was a truth widely recognized. On October 14th Winebrenner had
matured his plans far enough to change his "Prospectus" so as to name the
periodical "The Monthly Preacher," and as a sub-title, "Or a Series of Doctrinal
C. H.— 28
834
History of the Churches of God
and Practical Sermons." The first number was promised for January 1, 1859.
His relations with The Advocate Printing Establishment were of such a character
that he contracted with Jolm F. Weishanipel, Jr., Baltimore, Md., to print and
stereotype the work. The form was a regular octavo, the ordinary book size, con-
venient for binding and permanent preservation. Had Winebrenner lived to con-
tinue the work for a period of years, it would have become a System of Theology
for the Church. On February 10, 1859, AVinebi-enner announced that "the first
issue of The Monthly Preacher was completed and sent out a few weeks ago." It
contained a sermon on "The Church of God and her Ministry," and part of one on
"The Conversion of Multitudes in the Last Days." J. F. Weishampel, Sr., com-
mended it by saying: "A more important work than the Preacher could not pos-
sibly be procured." The twelve numbers were published during the year, con-
taining thirteen sermons, written in the style of an able and lucid expounder of
the word of God. The last three sermons were on Baptism, Feet-washing and the
Communion. Winebrenner had a number of extra sheets printed, which he had
bound in book form, with the title of "Doctrinal and Practical Sermons." The
work was continued one year, when Providence interfered, and later in 1860 ended
his noble warfare.
VII. THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL RECORD.
This proposed periodical had its unexpected origin at the General Eldership in
1872, though the need of such a journal had been felt and canvassed by Sunday-
school workers for a year or more. At the Mt. Carroll, 111., session of the General
Eldership, when other publishing interests were being acted upon, George Sigler
offered a resolution, which was adopted, "instructing the Board of Publication, if
in its judgment it is expedient, to publish a monthly paper for the special benefit
of Sunday-school teachers." But it slumbered for more than two years, when the
Board of Publication took it up and granted authority to "the brethren to publish
a Sabbath-school Monthly." On August 11, 1874, the Board decided that the
title should be "The Sunday-school Record," the first number to be issued January
1, 1875. It also elected G. Sigler and D. A. L. Laverty, Editors; P. Loucks, W. P.
Small, M. S. Newcomer and R. H, Bolton, Associate Editors, and D. C. Kolp, Busi-
ness Manager. The price was fixed at $1-00 a year, to be paid in advance. Each
number was to have the International Lesson, and lesson leaves for each Sabbath.
It was to have 24 pages. The contract for the printing was awarded to the Herald
Printing Co., of Carlisle, Pa. On October 7, 1874, the Business Manager publish-
ed a "Prospectus of the new Monthly for Parents and Teachers." It was endorsed
by Iowa, Indiana, West Ohio, East Ohio. Kansas and Missouri, Illinois, West Penn-
Periodicals oi^ the Church
835
sylvania and Nebraska Elderships. A favorable preamble and resolution was of-
fered at the East Pennsylvania Eldership; but it was stricken out and one intro-
duced as a substitute, referring the whole matter to the General Eldership in 1875.
Because of this action the Editors resigned on November 25, 1874, and Associate
Editors followed. On December 23, 1874, the Business Manager announced that
"The Sunday-school Record will not be published until after the General Eldership
in 1875." The Business Manager reported the facts to the General Eldership, and
spoke hopefully of the prospects of success, stating that there were nearly 200 sub-
scribers enrolled when the Editors resigned. The expenses had been $22.10, which
the Eldership ordered to be paid. No request was made to the Eldership for a
renewal of the authority to publish The Record, and no further action was action.
VIII. THE WORKMAN QUARTERLY.
After the failure of the project to publish the Sunday-School Record there was
a disposition to yield to the temptation to quit enterprises of this character. For
J. M. Carvell.
nearly three years matters were quiescent, when at the session of the East Penn-
sylvania Eldership in October, 1877, action was taken, requesting the delegates to
the General Eldership in 1878 "to use their influence to have published a Lesson
Leaf, to be called "The Church of God Lesson Leaf." There was evolution, a
developing progress. Like Disraeli who made a failure of his first speech in the
House of Commons, so these persistent brethren said: "We have begun several
times, many things, and have often succeeded at last." East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship caused the failure of The S. S. Record; it would start in a humble way some-
thing that would succeed. The General Eldership did not resent its initiative
in the new venture. It went beyond its petition, and generously adopted measures
for a magazine, with B. F. Beck, East Pennsylvania, for Editor. It declared that
there is "a pressing necessity for the provision of a Teacher's Manual," and that
"the Board of Publication be directed to prepare said monthly as soon as possible."
It "authorized B. F. Beck to edit and publish a monthly Sunday-school Journal for
836
History of the Churches of God
teachers, and Lesson Leaves.
make different arrangements.
But on doctrinal grounds it was deemed wise to
The Board of Publication took the matter up, and
Rodsecker Business Man-
Wiley, Assistant Editors.
It was to be a monthly
65 cents for ten or mdre
and on January 1, 1879,
about the beginning of September, 187 8, it elected J. H.
ager; P. Loiicks, Editor-in-Chief, and J. M. Carvell and A.
The name selected was "The Sunday-school Workman."
magazine, with lesson leaves, at 7.5 cents a single copy;
to the same address. Everything progressed favorably,
the first number was published. Some had doubts, and a few criticised; but the
Annual Elderships approved and encouraged the project without exception. The
Editor was unusually optimistic, and entered on his work with vigor and zeal, and
for two and one-half years labored for its success with unabating energy. An-
nouncement of the appearance of the new monthly was made October 30th, and
the Sunday-schools responded, some "with large lists of subscribers." At the end
of the first year congratulations of the Editor and Business Manager were numer-
ous. "It was more successful than the most sanguine had anticipated. It de-
serves success. It is an admirable periodical, and is fully adapted to the wants
D. S. Shoop.
of teachers." By July, 1881, the number of subscribers for the Workman was
800; for the Lesson Leaves, 10,000. Loucks was re-elected Editor, and W. B.
Allen and W. W. Lovett, Assistant Editors. But a month later Loucks resigned,
"owing to afflictions," and J. H. Redsecker was elected in his stead, with J. M.
Carvell as Assistant Editor. Redsecker was a business man, although of literary
tastes. Yet he was better adapted to the editorship of the Sunday-School Gem
than The Workman. On January 2 5, 1882, Carvell resigned as Assistant Editor,
and J. AV. Miller was elected as his successor, who served one year, when the office
was discontinued. On March 3, 1886, Redsecker's resignation as Editor took ef-
fect, and J. M. Carvell was elected to the office of Editor.
The Monthly Workman was discontinued with the number for December,
1889, and instead The Quarterly and Lesson Leaves were adapted from those pub-
lished by the American Sunday-School Union, and the work of the Editor was
mainly one of oversight, guarding against objectionable matter appearing. Yet
in many ways Cai-vell was well qualified for the editorship. He was held in high
esteem, was a laborous student and a consecrated servant of the Church. Afier
completing his academic studies he took a post-graduate course at Wooster Uni-
PeRIODICAI^S 01^ THE CliURCH 837
versity, Ohio, receiving the degree of Ph. D. His tastes were classical, and he
was later applying himself to the study of metaphysical theology, poetic works
and polite literature. He never wrote much, but he was a vigorous thinker, and
his style was concise, forcible and remarkably pure. Had death spared him, larger
spheres of usefulness would have opened to him. The arrangement for furnishing
the Quarterly and Lesson Leaves was not satisfactory, and it was also published at
a loss, the total for three years having been over $300.00. In 1890 the General
Eldership directed the printing of a Quarterly and Lesson Leaves by the Board of
Publication, and D. S. Shoop, M. S. Newcomer, AV. H. McKlveen and J. R. H-
Latchavv were appointed Lesson Editors, and J. H. Redsecker, Managing Editor.
The publication was to begin October 1, 1890. But within a few months after the
appearance of the first number all resigned except Shoop and Redsecker, and so
the entire work of preparing the lessons devolved on Shoop. This was done in a
very satisfactory manner, as his work was "of a very high order." In 1893 the
Board recommended that "the work of editing the Quarterly and preparing the
Lesson Leaves be given into the hands of one person," and that Shoop "ought to
be continued in the position." The Eldership elected him Editor of the Workman
Quarterly and Lesson Leaves.
He has been re-elected at each successive General Eldership since, thus hav-
ing served continuously from October, 1890. This confidence expressed in Editor
Shoop, together with the steady increase of the circulation and of the net surplus
income is the strongest evidence of his eminent fitness for the position. Changes
for the better in this periodical have been made from time to time, which were
appreciated. It has also been enlarged, and the lessons differently arranged. In
January, 1907, The Home Department Quarterly was started. It was intended for
those who, from whatever cause, are unable to attend the sessions of the Sunday-
school. This Shoop also edited. He is a concise and cogent writer, and his style
is not lacking in smoothness and elegance. He is first and always a Bible teacher,
whether in the pulpit or in the editorial chair. A native of Shiremanstown,
Cumberland county, he was converted, baptized and fellowshiped at Newville, same
county, at the age of 17 years. He attended Millersville Normal School, taking
a three-year course preparatory to teaching. But becoming convinced that he was
called to the ministry, he was ordained by the East Pennsylvania Eldership in
1872, and diligently served a number of charges with great acceptance and good
success. He has been honored by his own Eldership, by the General Eldership
and the Board of Trustees of Findlay College by elections to official positions. Of
unblemished character, nothing in his whole life has ever been a silent witness
against him. His purity of purpose is the basis of his purity of character.
IX. THE SUNBEAM AND PRIMARY QUARTERLY.
To make The S. S. Gem satisfactory to the higher classes in the Sunday-
schools its literary character had to be advanced. This left the smaller scholars
without a paper suited to their capacities. The need of a small paper, with simple
stories, thus became a need generally felt. To this need the Illinois Eldership
gave formal expression in October, 18 83, when it resolved, that "as The Gem is
better suited for more advanced scholars, the delegates to the General Eldership
[in 1884] are requested to endeavor to have, a cheap paper published weekly, or
semi-monthly, for the little folks." The East Pennsylvania Eldership in Novem-
ber, 1883, expressed its sense of the need in similar terms. These sentiments
were echoed by the Board of Publication at the General Eldership in 1884, de-
claring that there is a demand "for a weekly illustrated paper for the very little
folks, a paper about 6x8 inches." The matter was referred to a committee which
"heartily recommended the movement," and asked that the body "authorize the
Board to publish a small monthly, illustrated paper for the small children." The
Board accepted its commission, and with little delay proceeded to make the neces-
sary arrangements to issue the first number by January, 1885. J. Halfleigh, the
efficient Business Manager, on November 19, 1884, announced "A new Sunday-
school paper, to begin on January 1, 1885." He revealed the name — "Sunbeam"
— and gave the rates — 100 copies, one year, $25.00; 10 copies or more, at the same
rate. On January 1, 1885, the new periodical was issued, and on its title page
appeared the name of Sade R. Hemperly, as Editor, a member of the church at
Middletown, Dauphin county. Pa. She had reluctantly accepted the position, and
so in the Fall of 1886 she prevailed on the Board of Publication to accept her
resignation. She had discharged her duties well, possessing a natural aptitude.
838
History of the Churches of God
developed by training, for such work. The Board finally succeeded in finding her
successor in the person of Lydia A. Foniey, Harrisburg, Pa., who at once entered
upon her important work. She has been continued in "the position of Editor ever
since, being re-elected without opposition at each General Eldership."
Gradually a desire for a Primary Quarterly made it advisable to do something
to supply the schools with such a publication. For a few years this was done by
an arrangement with the American Sunday-School Union, whereby Church of God
schools were furnished its Primary Quarterly with the imprint of the Board on the
cover. There was no secret about it, as the fact was published in a standing ad-
vertisement in The Advocate. But in the latter part of 1896 there was issued a
"Primary Quarterly by direction of the Board of Publication of the General Elder-
ship of the Churches of God." Of this, on account of its close connection with
the Sunbeam, Miss Foniey was also elected Editor, and has been re-elected at each
General Eldership since. Both these periodicals have been enlarged and very
Lydia A. Forney.
much improved. Miss Forney had special qualifications for this work, and she
had received high commendation from the Board and the General Eldership. She
was converted at the age of twelve years. A year later she began to teach in the
Sunday-school at the Forney school-house, West Hanover township, Dauphin
county. Pa., and has been a teacher of a Bible class ever since. She also, as early
as 1871, began public work in various places, making addresses at Sunday-schools,
conventions, children's meetings and like gatherings. Gifted with musical talents,
she devoted considerable time to song services, furnishing music, vocal and instru-
mental, at various gatherings. For all these and many other labors she not only
had native talent of more than ordinary degree; but she spent three years at Mrs.
Dixon's Seminary, Harrisburg, and took a four-years' course by correspondence at
the People's College, and a course in the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle.
Also a special course of Bible studies. She began teaching in her third year at
the Seminary as an Assistant, and then four years in the public schools. She had
Periodicai^s o^ the Church
839
a passion for vocal and instrumental music, and took courses in vocal culture, elo-
cution, harmony and composition. But her success as Editor of The Sunbeam and
The Primary Quarterly rests upon an inborn affinity with children and her ad-
mirable executive powers.
X. MISSIONARY SIGNAL.
The inception in 1887 of the project of a missionary periodical might be
traced to the "Mission Field" Department in The Advocate, which about that time
was conducted by C. Manchester. It was in 1888 that, upon application, the Board
of Incorporation "deemed it advisable to appoint C. Manchester as Editor and Man-
ager of a monthly magazine." It had the endorsement of the Illinois, the Ohio,
the Missouri and the East Pennsylvania Elderships, and was commended by The
Advocate. In August, 1889, the Board of Publication definitely "authorized C.
Manchester to publish a monthly Missionary Magazine," he also to be the Editor.
In 1890 this action was reported to the General E^ldership, and adopted. But the
W. J. Schaner.
character of the new periodical was further thus defined: "To publish a mission-
ary paper." By September, 189 0, he had "everything ready to begin the work;"
but it had to be suspended on account of his leaving Illinois to take charge of
Barkeyville Academy, Venango county, Pa. On December 21, 1892, he announced
that he had associated S. G. Yahn, of Pittsburg, Pa., with him as his Assistant, and
that "The Missionary Signal," a paper 16x11 inches, would appear January 1,
1893. It was to be a monthly, with the office of publication at Barkeyville, Ven-
ango county. Pa., the subscription price, 50 cents a year.
Manchester was a loyal, faithful, earnest worker, manifesting the deepest in-
terest in all that pertained to the furtherance of the cause of the Church. At the
General Eldership of 1896 he and Yahn offered to turn the paper over to said body.
The Committee to which the subject was referred reported that it should be placed
under the control of the Board of Publication, and continued three years longer.
Manchester was elected Editor. But as he was elected later by the Board of
Trustees of Pindlay College to the Presidency of said institution, he resigned the
editorship, and W. J. Schaner was elected Editor and Business Manager. He
840 History of the Churches oe God
changed the office of publication to Roaring Spring, Blair county, Pa. At the ex-
piration of three years, the General Eldership in 1899 decided to discontinue the
Signal, which was done with the issue of June, 1899. The "Mission Field" De-
partment in The Advocate was revived, and Schaner was secured to be the Con-
ductor. He was well prepared for such work, and would have succeeded with the
Signal if there had been a constituency to support it. He had been trained at
Barkeyville Academy, followed by a theological course at Findlay. He was or-
dained by the Ohio Eldership in 1887; went to Illinois, and thence back to Penn-
sylvania, his natal State. The East Pennsylvania Eldership for years enjoyed his
services as Stated Clerk, and elected him a delegate to the General Eldership.
Faithful and efficient in all positions he occupied, of independent judgment, he
served the body with conscientious purpose.
XI. THE COLLEGE REVIEW.
There seemed to develop about 1887 quite an extravagant tendency in the
brotherhood of the churches of God to start new periodicals. Several of these
were connected with institutions of learning under the auspices of the churches
of God. Naturally in the lead was Findlay College. It came before the Board of
Incorporation through its Faculty on June 20, 1889, and received the approval of
said Board of its proposition that the Faculty and students have the privilege to
publish a College paper; but the matter was then referred to the Board of Publi-
cation, which "authorized the Faculty and students to organize the Review Pub-
lishing Company, to publish 'The College Review.' " President J. R. H. Latchaw
was elected Editor. The first number appeared August, 1889. It was a monthly,
10x61/^ inches, at 75 cents a year. Annual Elderships commended it, and in 1890
it was endorsed by the General Eldership. But it did not live long, for its last
issue appeared November 4, 1891. Under different auspices "The Ossarist" was
at once started. It was published by the College Literary Societies, with Elmer
McCliire as its first Editor. It was somewhat more successful, and had a longer
life. "The College News," a more modest publication, is of a different character,
and has been published largely as an advertising medium for the College. It has
been regularly issued since 1897. It is under the control of the President, and is
printed by the students. Then "The Argus" was started, under the control of the
students, with frequent changes of editors. It was published during the College
year, or ten months in the year. It had real merit. In 19 05 Barkeyville Academy,
Barkeyville, Venango county. Pa., followed the example of Findlay College, and
"The Academy News" was published, with the Principal, AVm. Han-is Guyer,
as the Editor. The first number appeared February 1, 1905. With his ex-
perience at Findlay College, it was quite natural for C Manchester to desire to
have a paper to represent Fort Scott Collegiate Institute. At the beginning of his
first year as Principal he began the publication of "The Collegiate Institute
Record," which he edited.
XII. THE FA3nLY VISITOR.
The force of circumstances induced B. Ober, missionary to Texas, to enter the
field of journalism. The lines of communication with the North were gradually
closing in 1860. The mails became uncertain. The Church Advocate antagonized
the position which Ober and his fellow missionary, E. Marple, were constrained to
take, and the result was the starting of "The Union," published at Mt. Pleasant,
Titus county, Texas. It was their medium of defense on account of the anti-
slavery principles advocated by the Church in the North. The paper was well
received, and soon had 700 subscribers. It first appeared in the Spring of 1860.
But "The Texas News and Family Visitor" had preceded, having been published as
a prohibition campaign paper in 1859. The office was located at Banham, Fannin
county, Texas. It was edited and published by Ober. Under the name of "The
Family Visitor," Ober revived it in 18 89, locating it at Paris, Lamar county, Texas.
In 18 87 Ober also begaji the publication of "The Caddo Gazette," in the cause of
prohibition, but a local secular paper. He was a man of great enterprises, tact
and push.
XIII. OTHER INDIVIDUAL PAPERS.
It was soon after this that what have been called "parish papers" began to
spring up, and flourished for over a decade. They were considered very service-
able to a congregation. Their cost was not considerable, and was principally paid
for by the advertisements of the business men of the community. More general
PERIODICAL'S OF THE ChURCH 84I
in scope than "parish" papers, was "The Temperance News," which in 1883 C. D.
Rishel launched while pastor at Chambersburg, Franklin county, Pa. It was a
temperance campaign paper, its longer continuance to depend on circumstances.
"Bible Truth" was published in St. Louis, Mo., in 1890, by Mrs. M. B. Woodworth,
with Emma L. Isenberg as Editor. Its object was the dissemination of her dis-
tinctive views, and incidentally her vindication against her assailants. In 1893 it
come under the control of H. H. Spiher, of Indiana, who was its Editor for several
years. A German paper, partly for the German Eldership churches, known as
"The Religious Messenger," was published in 1898. J. M. Fahl, of said E'ldership,
was connected with it as Associate Editor. The more purely "parish" papers were
"The Church at Work," edited and published by S. G. Yahn while pastor at Mount
Pleasant, Westmoreland county. Pa., a four-page paper. Its publication began in
1894 and continued for several years. "The Mt. Joy Helper," which C I. Brown
published and edited while pastor at Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, a four-page paper.
While pastor at Shippensburg he edited and published "To the Work," a paper
varying in size from four to sixteen pages. From 1897 to 1904, I. A. MacDannald,
pastor at Washington Borough, Lancaster county, edited and published "The
Church Visitor." It had been preceded in 1892, for a few months, by "The Dia-
dem," under the same control. "The Little Gleaner," a four-page monthly, and
"The Monthly Morsel," first a four-page and later" a sixteen-page monthly, were
published and edited by C. F. ReitzeL The last one was continued six years.
Reitzel developed special powers as a writer, and could have become a popular
editor.
DIVISION VI.
HISTORY OF INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING
DIVISION VI.
HISTORY OF INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING.
A century and more ago a large majority of the colleges in the United States
were established by religious denominations, and their special object was the train-
ing of young men for the Christian ministry. But religious bodies like the Church
of God, the United Brethren, the Evangelical Association in their earliest histories
had strong prejudices to contend against with reference to an educated minister.
Very few of their ministers had educational attainments beyond what could be
reached through the common schools, or were gained in private study after enter-
ing upon their ministerial careers. Their habits of close and sustained thinking,
the best results of mental training, were thus formed, and this, accompanied with
their greater zeal, industry and activity in their calling gave them often remark-
able power in dealing with pulpit subjects. They also possessed a degree of spirit-
uality, and their ministrations awakened such deep sympathetic feelings, or had
an "unction," unknown in the educated ministry of other bodies. The sermons
of this latter class were recognized as learned, but unspiritual, as indeed were
but too often the lives of the ministers themselves, and much more the lay mem-
bership. Education and spirituality and piety seemed incompatible to these de-
vout, humble, poor country folk. Thus a decided prejudice against a collegiate
training for ministers came to have a deeply rooted existence, which had to be
largely eradicated before a Church could hope to succeed in educational work.
Hence, it was not until 1845 that the first definite action looking toward the found-
ing of an institution of learning for the Church was taken by the General Confer-
ence of the United Brethren Church. Somewhat more German than the United
Brethren, it was not until 185 4 that a successful effort was started for the erection
of a Seminary or College for the Evangelical Association. It is hence worthy of
note that the ministers of the Church of God began to agitate the question of a
school at so early a date as 1844. Two facts contributed to this: The common
school system, and Winebi-enner's scholastic attainments and personal interest In
the mental training of ministers. His scholarship, adorned with simplicity, mod-
esty, spirituality and religious fervency, disarmed prejudice and created a thirst
for higher attainments. But he was forbearing, conservative, patient and moder-
ate, willing to wait until conditions were favorable. Yet as early as 1836, in the
columns of The Gospel Publisher, he began, not the agitation for a Church College;
but the sowing of seed which would ripen in the consciousness of a need for an
Institution of learning for the training of ministers. He republished articles from
his exchanges urging Lyceums, the wider diffusion of knowledge, the propriety of
female education, and in December, 1836, two columns on Oberlin College, by the
Financial Agent of that institution.
The first specific action which the East Pennsylvania Eldership took on the
question of a Church school was somewhat too stupendous for the small body of
people of limited means and few in number.
I. BETHEL COLLEGE.
Winebreimer christened it "Bethel College," but after it was located the name
was changed to "The Swatara Collegiate Institute." The first definite mention of
a school, singularly enough for that period, was when the East Pennsylvania Eld-
ership in November, 1844, adopted this minute: "This Eldership has as yet no
institution of learning," and we "recommend Cedar Hill Seminary, at Mt. .Joy."
This was a school for girls. In March, 1845, Winebrenner published an article on
Cedar Hill, by "E. C. W.," which revealed Winebrenner's interest in this institu-
tion, as several of his daughters were students. The seed he was sowing was of
slow growth. He was no agitator, no extremist. He could endure trials, count-
ing them "God's vote of confidence." Not until November 1, 1848, did the East
Pennsylvania Eldership speak out definitely on the Church school que'^tion. Then
it declared, that "it is desirable that we should have an Educational Institution,"
and appointed a "committee of five to consider the expediency of establishing such
846 History of the Churches of God
an Institution," and "report in 1849." This Committee consisted of Winebrenner,
G. U. Ham, J. Flake, A. Swartz and E. H. Thomas. On October 31, 1849, the Com-
mittee on Education reported, advising, "that the subject of an Educational Insti-
tution be agitated by all means, and be kept before the minds of the public." The
Committee of five, of 1848, had not had a quorum when called to meet; but in May,
1850, Harn made a report in which he suggested three points for consideration:
1. Is it necessary and expedient to establish a school? 2. Have we the means?
3. Where should it be located? This induced the Eldership to take action In
October, 1850, when it appointed a committee of twelve to consider the first point,
and if decided favorably "to select a site and erect, rent or purchase a suitable
building, and commence an Institution of Education." This committee was di-
rected to report through The Advocate. It did so on December 16, 1850, giving
its conclusions and recommendations on seven points: 1. That the Church has
ample means. 2. That for the present tbe matter of location be left open. 3.
That the stock system should be adopted. 4. The name to be Bethel College,
5. That there be a Board of Trustees of forty members, two-thirds of them mem-
bers of the Church of God. 6. Shares of stock should be $10.00. 7. That
$20,000 of stock should be disposed of. As the session of the General Eldership
would be held in May, 1851, nothing was done to carry these conclusions into
effect until said body had expressed its views. It took favorable action; but it also
cast in the first "apple of discord." It approved the plan of the East Pennsylvania
Eldership; advised that "the Committee be retained, and authorized it to solicit
subscriptions and sell shares of stock of Bethel College." But it "recommended
the western Elderships to endow one or two professorships in a college at Chester^
Geauga county, Ohio."
Another element of division, and even of strife, at this time assumed promin-
ence. Several brethren, on August 15, 1851, announced that they had purchased
property in Shippensburg, Cumberland county. Pa., and intended opening an Acad-
emy in the Fall. Winebrenner published this announcement on the editorial page,
and also an advertisement. On September 15th he called attention to the advertise-
ment, and commended the proposed school, which opened the first Monday in
October, 1851. At the East Pennsylvania Eldership, November 5, 1851, Ham
offered a resolution, which was approved, commending the Shippensburg Institute,
and recommending it to the patronage of the churches. The Ohio Eldership, en-
couraged by the action of the General Eldership, on October 20, 1851, declared in
favor of a Seminary at Wooster, Ohio. Until this should be established it advised
the churches to patronize Oberlin College, Ohio. In Illinois a "General Council
Meeting" (the Eldership not yet having been organized), held December 1, 1851,
expressed itself "in favor of select schools. Academies, Seminaries or Colleges
established on Christian and purely anti-sectarian principles." Until October 23,
1852, everything in East Pennsylvania Eldership was quiescent, when AVinebrenner
was appointed "to sell scholarships of Bethel College." A resolution also prevailed
to appoint other agents to solicit donations and sell scholarships. With only a
general resolutin in favor of Education in October, 1853, the Eldership again ap-
pointed Winebrenner to sell scholarships. The same year the West Pennsylvania
Eldership called attention to, and recommended, the Shippensburg Institute. By
this time Ham had secured stock in this Institute, which he increased until in De-
cember, 1857, he owned one-third of the stock. At the General Eldership in 1854^
the action of said body in 1851 was referred to, and in view of the "want of effort
to carry out the object it proposed," it expressed "the hope that the brethren will
go ahead and establish a Seminary, or College." It also suggested "co-operation
with the Free Baptists," and recommended Shippensburg Academy meanwhile, but
preferred a College. In 1855 the East Pennsylvania Eldership recommended the
establishment of a High School. With this absence of unity and these towering
obstacles, it challenges admiration when in January, 1856, the old Committee
manifested signs of new life. It met at Harrisburg and considered the question
of the location of Bethel College, agreeing in advance that the place guaranteeing
the largest amount should have it. Shippensburg offered $6,000.00; Harrisburg,
$7,000.00; Middletown, $8,000.00. The latter won the prize. At once the sale of
stock was resumed. AVinebi-enner and James Colder were also appointed a Com-
mittee to receive proposals, and on April 30, 1856, the President of the Board of
Trustees, Jacob Rife, invited architects to prepare and submit designs and speci-
fications for the proposed building, under the name of "The Swatara Collegiate
Institute," at or near Middletown. On November 27, 1856, proposals to erect
Institutions of Learning 847
the building were solicited, to be opened on December 9, 185 6. On the same date
a call was issued for the payment of $1.00 on each share of stock sold. This was
repeated on December 16th, for $5.00 per share, as the main building was to be
put under contract. An Act of Incorporation was passed by the Legislature, which
Goveraor James Pollock signed in April, 1856. On November 13, 1856, the
Trustees announced the purchase of ground, being a tract of more than three
acres, the property of Stephen Wilson, located on the hill on the left bank of
Swatara Creek, back of Portsmouth, adjoining Middletown, Dauphin county. Pa.
The price to be paid was $1,000.00. The building as designed by Mr. Detto, of
New York, was to cost $20,000.00, of which $17,000.00 had been subscribed. The-
building was to be four stories, with a length of 138 feet. As the Proposals were
all too high when opened on December 16, 1856, no award of contract was made.
This marked the final turning point, as dissensions now developed on the Board of
Trustees. President Smuller resigned, and also cancelled his stock. The meeting
of the Trustees and stockholders, called for June 23, 1857, was not held, as there
was no quorum. The General Eldership in 1857 gave it little encouragement^
only advising "the Elderships East and West to exert themselves to establish at
least one good Institution." On July 2, 1857, referring to the called meeting of
June 23rd, Colder said: "We now look upon the establishment of the school at
Middletown as improbable. Do not believe it will be." Colder had become a
stockholder of the Shippensburg Academy, and on August 20, 1857, announced
that a stock company had been formed, which bought in all the stock except
Harn's, and that the holders of stock were chiefly Church members. September
17, 1857, Colder editorially calls the Shippensburg Institute "our Church Schools,"
and he was chosen Principal. On September 22, 1857, the stockholders of
Swatara Collegiate Institute resolved to "authorize the Trustees to sell the lot,,
with a view to the winding up of the whole concern."
Counsels were now divided. The East Ohio Eldership recommended the
Shippensburg Institute in October, 1857. The West Ohio Eldership considered
"the propriety of erecting an Institution of Education to be located within" its
own boundaries. Illinois regarded the Shippensburg school as "now under the-
supervision of the Church of God," and recommended it. At the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership in 1857 Winebrenner offered a resolution to purchase the Cumber-
land Valley Institute. It was antagonized by the friends of the Shinpensburg
Academy, resulting in a decision that nothing could be done for either in view of
the financial panic and money stringency. With Colder in control of the Shippens-
burg Academy the indications were favorable, however, to its becoming in fact the
Church of God school. But bereavement, with other causes, determined Colder te
resign the Principalship in April, 1858, without any arrangements to continue the
school. East Ohio in October, 1859, recommended Oberlin College and Shippens-
burg Institute. Iowa advised the "establishing of a good school within its terri-
tory, under the government of the Church of God." In 1860 the General Elder-
ship passed by the subject of a school.
n. MT. JOY ACADEMY.
At the Eldership in October, 1861, with a number of young men of some cul-
ture in its ranks, a proposition was made to the East Pennsylvania Eldership to
sell to it the Academy located at Mt. Joy, Lancaster county. A committee, con-
sisting of E. H. Thomas, A. Swartz and C. H. Forney, was appointed to confer with
Mr. Moore, the Proprietor and Principal, and also, in conjunction with another
committee, J. S. Gable and J. S. Stamm, to visit and inspect the buildings. The
report was favorable, expressing the opinion that "special efforts should be made
to purchase or establish an Institution of Learning," and that "the prooosition of
Mr. Moore was feasible." Forney and Moore were made the Agents of the Elder-
ship "to take subscriptions for stock," and report to the Board of Incorporation.
They met with some encouragement; but when they reported to the Eldership, in
1862, the point was raised, and sustained, that "the matter of establishing an In-
stitution of Learning was beyond the jurisdiction of this Eldership." But as the
Eldership believed "that we should have an Institutirn of Learning," it urged the
subject on the attention of the General Eldership. The General Eldership in 1863;
simply "deplored the want of an Institute of Learning," and "urged special effort
to purchase or establish one." "On February 18, 1864, Thomas published an edi-
torial on a "Church School," declaring that "we have failed so far for want of co-
848 History of the Churches of God
operation," and insisted on faithful co-operation. But the Church was not yet
prepared for it. There had been very little such general co-operation. There
were jealousies, animosities, rivalries and sometimes hatred. And "where love is
not, hate too often is, and hate is ." Illinois in 1863 voted in favor of
getting "a location for a High School under our own control." East Ohio Stand-
ing Committee in April, 1864, was moving "for a school at Smithville, Wayne
county," but urged the East and the West to join in the enterprise. It appointed
an agent to canvass the Eldership. It decided on a college building in "the form
of an octagon, with three floors; selected the site, purchased a lot and made a con-
tract to build. The Eldership in October, 1864, endorsed the plan. The East
Pennsylvania Eldership in 1864 strongly favored a College "located in some cen-
tral, easily accessible place." This was the sentiment now in Iowa. Illinois
changed in 1864, and favored "a National College at the earliest date." In Jan-
uary, 186 6, the brethren at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, inaugurated a plan to build a
college at said place. It was to secure subscriptions and donations of as large
an amount as possible, and go to the General Eldership in May of that year, and
make a bid for a college "for the whole Church." This plan the West Ohio Stand-
ing Committee approved, and appointed a committee to visit Upper Sandusky and
canvass for funds. Iowa, East Pennsylvania, East Ohio and West Pennsylvania
were still disposed to work for a school in their own territory, though ready to
fall in line for one each in its own territory "for the whole Church." Thomas, in
November, 1865, gave the signal for the united forward movement at the General
Eldership in 1866. Rehearsing the resolutions adopted by the Annual Elderships
in 1865, all in favor of a school, he insisted on some central place, where the whole
Church should establish a first class Seminary, with a Theological Department,
under the auspices of the General Eldership. Illinois Eldership had virtually in-
structed its delegates to this effect.
III. CENTRALIA COLLEGE.
If with prophetic accuracy some seer in 1836 had written a forecast of the
different projects of the Church of God to establish a college, and their results for
the following thirty-six years, he would have been regarded as afflicted with a
species of deceptive vision. But in 1872 he would have been acclaimed a prophet,
while the Church would have been stigmatized with pursuing an "ignis fatuus" that
"bewitches, and leads men into pools and ditches." It was in November, 1865, that
G. E. Ewing, appointed missionary to Kansas, paid his first visit to Nemaha county,
and selected Home township in said county "as our future home." He considered
himself very fortunate in receiving an offer to donate what was called Centralia
Collegiate Institute to the General Eldership, which was to meet May, 1866. This
property consisted of an unfinished building, a number of lots, together with the
school fund belonging thereto, amounting to between $7,000.00 and $10,000.00,
the interest of which could be used. This much was made public in November,
1865. But in January, 1866, Ewing further explained, that one hundred acres
of land in ten ten-acre lots, in the suburbs of the village, would go with the college
block, as well as four separate lots in the village. Also that already "$2,044.47
in notes secured by loan on real estate- bearing interest to conduct the college had
been given to the Board of Trustees." A boarding-house was needed, and toward
this several hundred had been subscribed. The proposition was not very favorably
received. It was too far west, and Church work had not made much progress
there. Even Thomas was silent until May 24, 1866, when he wrote on "The Kan-
sas College," stating that it was an error to construe his silence as meaning op-
position. He was ready to colabor with the majority for a school wherever it
would be located. The Proposition as published by Ewing was laid before the
General Eldership in 1866 by George Thomas. After considering it in Committee
of the Whole, it was referred to the Committee on Education, consisting of George
Ross, C. H. Forney, L. B. Haitman, E. Logue and G. E. Ewing. This Committee
reported conditionally, after calling attention to the Proposition, the fact that
Centralia is in the extreme western borders of the territory of the General Elder-
ship, and also that it is not so accessible as other available points for a school
centrally located. Hence it recommended: 1. Recognizing Centralia Collegiate
Institute as an institution of the Church. 2. The appointment of a committee to
visit the school, and report to the Executive Board. 3. The Executive Board to
appoint a Superintendent for the Institution. 4. Said Board also to secure an
Institutions of Learning 849
additional section of land. All this was adopted by the General Eldership. The
Committee, E. H. Thomas, George Thomas and John Huft", visited Centralia, and
made a favorable report. Ross declared it to have been a wise thing to accept the
Proposition, he having been there with- the Committee. The Committee's report,
July 5, 1866, stated that everything was found to be as reported in the Proposi-
tion; that the building was a good, two-story frame superstructure, four-square
weatherboarded, but not plastered nor painted; that $500.00 would finish it, but
this was found later to be only half enough; that citizens would contribute 3500.00
of this amount; that the balance should at once be raised by an agent appointed
for that purpose, and that a Principal should be secured to open the school in the
Fall. The building was finished in time for A. F. Millard, Principal, of Log Chain,
Nemaha county, Kas., to open the school in December, 18 66. L, B. Hartman, East
Ohio Eldership, was employed as the Collecting Agent. Thomas spoke in en-
couraging terms of the school in several editorials. The Elderships, with but one
or two exceptions, endorsed it and pledged their help in maintaining it. But by
1867 they had almost nothing to say concerning it. On May 2, 1867, the newly
elected Principal, J. S. Stamm, of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, reached Cen-
tralia to take charge of the school. In March, 1868, he made a good report of the
first year's work. But by August 5, 1868, Thomas lamented the state of things
at Centralia, saying, "It is now on the verge of death; but it may possibly be
resuscitated. Our voice is raised to save it." August 19th, in a second long edi-
torial, he pleaded for the Institute, as "the most important work at the present
time that the Church has in hand." D. A. L. Laverty had been appointed to collect
funds. But the Elderships in 1868 were all silent except Indiana, which favored
Centralia Institute. Michigan turned toward the Free Baptist College at Hills-
dale, Mich., as again in 1869. On August 26, 1868, the end was forshadowed by
an action of the Board of Incorporation (for Trustees) of the Institute, when it
decided "to suspend definite action in disposing of the property, in order to wait
action of the Boards of the General Eldership in October, 1868." The Boards were
powerless to help, and Failure was written over the project.
There was one cause for this unfortunate issue in the attempt at the same
time to build what at times was called "the second College," or
IV. CENTRAL COLLEGE.
The Committee which reported favorably on the Centralia proposition, also
suggested the "nomination of places in Ohio to compete as to funds for the erection
of a College Building." The condition was, that "the place raising the largest
amount above $30,000.00 should have the school." Agents were also to be put in
the field to collect $60,000.00 additional for an Endowment Fund. But early in
the work Illinois announced its intention to enter the competition, stating that
■"one man in Decatur, 111., offers $20,000.00 if the College should be located there."
For the collection of the Endowment Fund L. B. Hartman was also secured. Illi-
nois Eldership in 1867 appointed a committee to work up interest in favor of lo-
cating the Central College in Decatur. While Iowa still recommended Centralia
Institute in 1867, it also regarded "the Central College as of vital importance." In
January, 18 67, Hartman came East, but devoted most of the Winter to evangelistic
work. He did not again resume his collecting work, but resigned. This finished
another chapter of failures to secure a college for the Church of God.
V. HILLSDALE COLLEGE.
Previous to 1872 the actions taken with reference to Hillsdale College were
only recommendations to patronize it. No overtures from the Board of Trustees,
or the President, had been received, and no applications had been made. The
actions of the Annual Elderships in 1871 were in the main of a general character,
such as insisting on increased facilities for educating the children of the Church
and to prepare young men for the ministry; to instruct delegates to the General
Eldership in 1872 to secure a college building for the Church, or to adopt a feasible
plan to establish a Church school. But the East Ohio Eldership directed its Stand-
ing Committee "to purchase or build a college building," and report to the Elder-
ship. East Pennsylvania, through its Board of Education, consisting of D. A. L.
Laverty, C. H. Forney, Jesse Kennedy, George Ross and Levi Kauflfman, organized
"a permanent Society, to be known as the Board of Education of the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership," with a view "to the ultimate establishment of a Church school."
C. H. — 28*
850 History of the Churches oe God
This was done under instructions by the Eldership "to take such action as the
Board may deem necessary for the purpose of securing a school." An Act of In-
corporation was to be secured from the Legislature, and a regular Constitution and
By-Laws adopted. But when the General Eldership met at Mt. Carroll, 111., in
May, 1872, there was present as a delegate from the Free Baptist General Confer-
ence and representative of Hillsdale College, Michigan, Prof. R. Dunn, who sub-
mitted a Proposition embodying these points: That the General Eldership shall
endow one or two professorships in said College, and that in return the Church of
God should have equal use of the buildings and facilities of the College and all the
advantages thereof as an institution of learning. The Proposition was committed
to the Committee on Education, consisting of C. H. Forney, B. F. Beck and M. S.
Newcomer, which reported Prof. Dunn's plan to be practicable, and recommended
its acceptance. It further advised: 1. That one professor be appointed, to be
supported by an endowment. 2. That a Board of Education be elected to which
the matter should be committed. 3. That a Visiting Committee be sent at once
to Hillsdale to investigate matters. 4. That the Professorship should be called
"The First Professorship of the Church of God." 5. That the General Eldership
elect the Professor, whose salary should be $1,000.00 a year. The entire report
was adopted, and the items carried into effect. J. A. Winebrenner, son of John
Winebrenner, was elected Professor. The Committee sent to Hillsdale made a
very favorable report. While the action of the General Eldership was generally
approved, there was some opposition. The most serious hindrance was the declina-
tion within a month by Winebrenner to accept the Professorship. But in the Fall
almost with one voice the Annual Elderships approved what was done. The East
Ohio Eldership added: "That above all an effort should be made to establish a
school of our own." The East Pennsylvania Eldership approved the plan "as a
temporary arrangement to prepare the way for a college under our exclusive con-
trol." The Board of Education proceeded at once to perfect arrangements to raise
.^10,000.00 to endow the Chair, and named R. H. Bolton as Collecting Agent. But
to its call for pledges there were but three of $100.00 each. There was so little in-
terest manifested that the miscarriage of the project soon became evident, and was
abandoned, and the Board of Education so reported to the General Eldership in
1875, expressing its opinion that "the arrangement would have proved beneficial
to the Church, and would have paved the way more rapidly for the securement of
an institution of learning under our immediate and sole control."
The nine years following the action of the General Eldership touching Hills-
dale College, in 1872, were years of agitation and discussion of the school question.
Beginning with 1873 Eldership after Eldership adopted resolutions urging the de-
vising of plans and means to establish some kind of an institution of learning. It
was declared to be "a growing necessity." Its importance was emphasized with a
variety of terms and phrases. Pledges of help were repeatedly made, and the
urgency of the matter was set forth in strong terms. In 1874, the Fall preceding
the next General Eldership instructions were given to delegates by the Michigan,
the East Ohio, the Indiana, the West Ohio, the Kansas and the Illinois Elderships
to urge upon the General Eldership definite action in the matter. Other Elder-
ships equally interested themselves in other ways calculated to influence the Gen-
eral Eldership. Thus the East Ohio Eldership appointed Jacob Durstine as Agent,
who in February, 1874, under instructions, went to Hayesville to investigate mat-
ters relative to the Vermilion Institute, a Presbyterian school in Ashland county,
Ohio, which was for sale. The Eldership received his report, and recommended
it to the General Eldership as a desirable property. The East Pennsylvania Eld-
ership through its Board of Education considered the question of buying the
Cumberland Valley Institute, Mechanicsburg, Pa., favorably recommended by the
Standing Committee. The West Pennsylvania Eldership adopted resolutions to
patronize the "Baptist Institution at Mt. Pleasant until we have a school of our
own." The way seemed thus to have been fully prepared, and a strong enough
public sentiment created, to justify and inspire the General Eldership in 1875 to-
adopt measures to establish at once a school for the Church. It convened at West
Salem, Wayne county, Ohio, May 25, 1875. It received and adopted the report of
its Board of Education on the Hillsdale College project. Its further actions were
nerveless and irresolute. It "recommended the brethren everywhere to send their
children" to the Mt. Joy Academy, at Mi. Joy, Pa., and it "recommended the Insti-
tution of Learning at Hayesville, Ohio, to the consideration of the Board of Educa-
tion." Disappointed as were the Elderships, they were not discouraged. In Oc-
Institutions of Lkakning 851
tober following the Illinois Eldership resolved to create a fund to establish a
school, and appointed a committee of three to act as trustees. It also invited
other Elderships to co-operate with it, as if the General Eldership were to be
ignored. East Ohio did not continue negotiations for the purchase of the Ver-
milion Institute, but advised that steps be taken to buy a school located at Ida,
Hardin county, Ohio. In 187 6 the East Pennsylvania Eldership received and con-
sidered adversely another proposition for the purchase of the Cumberland Valley
Institute. It, however, declared that "an institution of learning for the Church
is an imperative necessity." In 1877 with one voice eight Annual Elderships in-
sisted on immediate steps being taken to build or buy property for a school for the
Church. Little that was specific was urged; but it was a general expression of a
deeply felt need. But the hopes thus centered in the General Eldership of 1878
were destined to be disappointed. For reasons hard to discern said body at its
session held at Syracuse, Indiana, simply referred "a request that this body take
steps toward procuring or erecting an institution of learning to be under its con-
trol" to "the Board of Education." Said Board submitted no report, but the Com-
mittee on Education reported: 1. "That we require a school for the education
of our ministers and people under our control." 2. Recommended that "the
overtures relating to the Cumberland Valley Institute be received." 3. That "we
look with favor on the liberal offer of Mt. Pleasant Institute." 4. That "we ap-
preciate the offer of Rev. S. D. Bates to endow a professorship at Ridgeville Col-
lege, Indiana." These items were adopted, and the appointment of an Agent
authorized "to solicit subscriptions towards a fund for educational purposes."
Was the criticism of A. D. Williams a merited one, when he pointed out the pro-
ficiency of the body in passing resolutions, and its inefficiency in putting them into
effect?
But the Watchman proclaimed the coming dawn, preceded by the darkest
hour. Not fainthearted, the Annual Elderships renewed their demands that "im-
mediate steps be taken to secure a school." With greater volume was this voice
heard as the time came, in 1880, to elect delegates to the General Eldership in
1881. There were also plans proposed by several Annual Elderships to establish
schools in their territories. In 1880 nearly every Eldership joined in deploring
the fact that the body had no school, and in demanding action. The Advocate, in
editorials and contributed articles, discussed the school question vigorously during
the first half of the year 1880, being the semi-centennial year. This brought as
the first-fruits favorable action by the Board of Incorporation of the General Eld-
ership in June, 1880, which suggested further agitation on three points: 1. The
character of the school. 2. Probabilities of success. 3. General and special
consideration of plans. This revived enthusiastic discussion, participated in by
ministers and laymen from many sections of the General Eldership territory.
Another important factor was a convention, called by C. H. Foniey, President of
the Board of Education of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, to meet in Harris-
burg prior to the convening of the Eldership. It was largely attended. After
careful consideration of the school question it declared in favor of proceeding with-
out further delay to secure a school; requested the Eldership to set apart one
evening for the discussion of the school problem, and petitioned the Eldership to
grant permission to put collectors in the field. The Eldership concurred in the
entire report presented to it. The result of this determined and spirited agitation
was unusual unanimity on the school question when the General Eldership as-
sembled at Findlay, Hancock county, Ohio, May 24, 1881. The subject was in the
hands of the Committee on Education, consisting of C. H. Foniey, S. D. C. Jackson
and R. L. Byrnes. The Report of this Committee was made a special order for
Monday afternoon, May 30th. The Committee "realized the importance, and that
immediately, of a Church school." It advised "that the Board of Education ar-
range to secure at once a suitable place for said school, and to employ whatever
means may be required for the opening and working of the same." Also, granting
authority to said Board to employ agents to canvass the churches for funds. The
Board was also instructed "to visit the Academy at Smithville, Ohio, and other
places and institutions immediately, and make selection of a place to locate" the
school. The first item was condensed by amendment to read, "That the General
Eldership proceed to procure a school." The report was adopted item by item,
and everything was done that was necessary for the Boards to go to work.
852 History of the Churches of God
VI. FINDLAY COLLEGE.
The Board of Education, which consisted of K. L. Byrnes, J. M. Cassel, D.
Blakley, J. S. Gable and J. M. Carvell, and the citizens of Findlay and Smithville,
Ohio, evidently understood that "immediately" in the Eldership action meant "at
once." Both towns went to work even before the Eldership adjourned, to inspire
sentiment and secure subscriptions with a view of determining the location of the
"College." The Board also lost no time, for on July 6th it met at Smithville to
look at the property and school building which Prof. J. B. Ebeiiy offered free, ex-
cept a mortgage of $5,000.00, which the Board was to pay. So far this "was the
best offer ever made." Thence the Board went to Findlay, where "a town meet-
ing in the Court House" had been prearranged. At this meeting Findlay submitted
its proposition, which was to pay to the Board $20,000.00 cash, donate 10 66-100
acres of land worth $10,000.00, on which there was a dwelling house valued at
$2,400.00. On August 1st the Chairman of the Board of Education notified the
President of the town meeting that "the Board had decided to locate the College
Building in what is known as North Findlay." At its meeting at Findlay, on July
8th, the Board also appointed "four Agents to solicit and collect money to aid in
erecting a suitable College building or buildings, and in furnishing and endowing
the same." But by reason of actions of the Executive Board at its meeting at
Findlay, Ohio, January 25, 1882, the Board of Education ceased to be a factor in
the work after that date. The members present at said meeting were made ad-
visory members of the Executive Board, which consisted of T. Koogle, J. H. Besore,
W. B. Alien, C. H. Foniey and Geo. Sandoe. The Annual Eldership sessions had
been held; all had acted on the doings of the General Eldership and the Board of
Education in July and August, and they had strongly sanctioned it. This inspired
confidence in the Collectors, who were actively at work, and gave the Executive
Board fortitude to do whatever might be necessary to carry the mandate of the
General Eldership into effect. It was found necessary under the statutes of Ohio
to create a Corporation; draft Articles of Incorporation; name Corporators, and
provide for the election of a Board of Trustees. The Corporators named by the
Executive Board were J. M. Carvell, R. L. Byrnes, Isaac Schrader, T. Koogle, J. M.
Cassel, A. C. Heck, J. C. Strickler, Geo. F. Pendleton. It drafted Articles of In-
corporation, to which the Corporators subscribed and were qualified, and which
became the Law of the Board. The name of the Corporation was "Findlay Col-
lege," and its duties were prescribed. The number of trustees was fixed originally
at nineteen, including the President. The Executive Board named the eighteen
for the Corporators to elect. It also designated February 8, 1882, as the date, and
Findlay as the place, for the first meeting of the Board of Incorporation, which
was the only meeting it ever held. It met pursuant to appointment, when it was
lound that Hiram Plank, H. Clay, D. Hale, of Ohio, and Jehu Bailey, of Illinois,
recommended for trustees, declined an election. All the others nominated, with
four others, were elected the first Board of Trustees of Findlay College, as follows:
David J. Cory, John Ruthitiff, A. C. Heck, Samuel Howai-d, E. G. DeAVrlfe, Isaac
Steiner, E. P. Jones, J. AV. Aukerman, Aaron Blackford and Thomas Mitzler, of
Ohio; Isaac Frazer, J. H. Redsecker and D. M. Bare, East Pennsylvania; Jacob I.
Stoner and J. B. Henderson, West Pennsylvania; R. M. Paige, Indiana; John Stare,
Illinois, and John Huff, of Iowa. This Board of Trustees was "forthwith called to
order," after having "subscribed their names to the Articles of Incorporation, and
the oath of office administered," and effected an organization by electing Isaac
Frazer President Pro Tem.; Eli G. DeWolfe, temporary Secretary, and Elijah P.
Jones, temporary Treasurer. After the appointment of certain committees and
other minor items of business, the Board adjourned to meet in Findlay, on Wed-
nesday, June 21, 1882, the date fixed by the Executive Board for the "annual meet-
ing." At this first annual meeting the Board adopted the By-Laws and elected the
temporary officers as the permanent officers of the Board, with the addition of A.
C. Heck, Financial Secretary, and A. Blackford, John Stare, D. M. Bare, T. Koogle
and Isaac Steiner, Executive Committee. The Treasurer reported "subscriptions,
notes and cash taken by collectors, $41,017.56." By lot the eighteen trustees were
divided into three classes of six, to serve respectively one, two and three years, and
thereafter each class three years. The Board also issued an Address to the
churches, stating that the cost of the College building and equipment would he
$60,000.00, and that $100,000.00 Endowment Fund would be required. "Thus
furnished," the Board added, "it will be placed on a permanent basis." Hence.
Institutions of Learning
853
*'large gifts" were insisted upon. It rather depressed the spirits of the churches,
and created doubt of final success. But it was felt that "confidence, enthusiasm
and determination were the leading characteristics prominent in each member of
the Board," and that "the College erection is a certainty." Had there been a true
prophet in Israel the result might have been otherwise. But the Board had re-
solved in June, 1882, that "we will erect College buildings at as early a day as
possible;" that architects were to be consulted with a view of securing plans, and
that as soon as plans were adopted "the foundation should be laid." It verified
this, when at a special meeting held October 18, 1882, it considered plans sub-
mitted by different architects, and unanimously adopted those of M. Rumbaugh,
of Mansfield, Ohio, at an estimated cost of $50,000.00, subject to changes.
The plan adopted gives a building 171 feet 8 inches in length, by 107 feet 3
inches in depth, four stories high, exclusive of attic, and including basement.
There is a main corridor in each story, running the entire length of the building,
and an east and west corridor from the front center to the main corridor in the
first story. The chapel will seat 800 persons, and is on the west center of the
building, and extends through two stories. There are two large Society rooms.
Findlay College.
large double parlors, offices for the President and Faculty, laboratory in the base-
ment, and library on the first floor. Proposals for erecting the building accord-
ing to the plans and specifications adopted were asked for. But when the Board
met in special session March 6, 1883, and the bids were opened, they were found
to be too high, and were laid over until the June meeting, and the Building Com-
mittee was authorized to ask for further Proposals. Hope was being deferred;
patience tried. Already in December, 1882, reports had gone out that "the first
load of rock has been delivered for the foundation of the College." This delay
worked discouragement. Other clouds were gathering. Results of the canvass
for funds were not up to expectations, and for six months no agents had been in the
field. The cost of the building produced some consternation. It became real to
the churches that a stupendous project had been undertaken, and that the body
might not be equal to the task, and yet $50,000.00 in notes and cash were in the
treasury. But when the Board met June 20, 1883, and accepted the proposals of
Pierce and Coleman, Dayton, Ohio, "to, build the new College building for the sum
of $49,000.00," and took other actions which indicated energetic work, the clouds
dispersed and the churches were inspired with fresh courage. At this meeting C.
H. Forney was elected President of the College. While the special meeting of the.
854
History of the Churches of God
Board called for October 31, 1883, was not held for want of a quorum, the fact was
made public that work on the building was in progress, and on November 5th two-
thirds of the foundation walls were up. Another called session was held December
5, 1883, which ended the work of the year. At this meeting the declination of the
Presidency was received and accepted, "notwithstanding our earnest hope that the
answer would be different." By May 24, 1884, when the Board met in annual ses-
sion, everything was in readiness for the laying of the corner-stone. This cere-
money was performed on Sunday, May 2.5, 1884, when the Oration was delivered by
M, S. Newcomer. A statement compiled by the Financial Secretary showed re-
sources of all .kinds to have been $57, .534. 66, and $1,500.00 Endowment Fund.
Agents were again "put in the fields of the several Elderships to procure funds for
the completion and furnishing of the College Building." The building was "being
rapidly pushed forward." However, as funds were coming in slowly, "contract
work was suspended" later in the season. At a meeting of the Board on Novem-
J. R. H. Latchaw.
ber 13, 1884, J. R. H. Latchaw was elected President, which was approved by the
Executive Board February 1, 1885. He was "authorized to take possession of the
house on the College Campus" in April, 1885, and have general supervision of the
College grounds. Latchaw was well equipped for the Presidency of the College.
He was a loyal son of the Church; a man of high moral character; a graduate of
Hillsdale College in 1881, at the good age of thirty, and had the experience of
several years as Principal of Barkeyville Academy. He seemed to have an impera-
tive sense of duty which was above every other consideration, so that no flattering
allurements could divert him from the path indicated by his conscience. His first
acquaintance with the representatives of the Church at large was in 1878, when
he was an advisory member of the General Eldership. A complimentary resolu-
tion was adopted, commending him to the churches for aid in finishing his educa-
tion. The same Pall the Iowa Eldership ordained him to the ministry, and at their
Ministerial Association he was on the Program to discuss the Necessity of Regen-
eration. After his graduation he went to Venango county. Pa., and in the Fall
Institutions of Learning 855
united with the West Pennsylvania Eldership, and was appointed pastor at Barkey-
ville. In 1882 he was elected Clerk of the Eldership, and was appointed to preach
the Opening Sermon in 1883, and also elected delegate to the General Eldership in
1884. At the Commencement at Hillsdale College in 1890 the degree of Doctor of
Divinity was given him. He was self-reliant and of an enterprising spirit, a good
instructor and an able minister of the gospel. In his position as Principal of
Barkeyville Academy and President of the College all these qualities appeared to
good advantage. On May 15, 1885, in a letter of considerable length, Latchaw ac-
cepted the Presidency of Findlay College. In this letter he practically outlined
the various departments of the College and drew up "the curriculum of studies for
the Academic, English, Normal and Preparatory courses," and made other valuable
suggestions. Being a member of the Board of Trustees (since changed), he had
a controlling influence in all its transactions, and was accordingly held to a greater
responsibility. Urged strongly by him, the Board at its meeting in June, 1885, ap-
pointed a large number of collectors to "solicit subscriptions or otherwise secure
such additional funds as are necessary to complete, furnish and liberally endow
the College and put it on a good financial basis." To the Departments Latchaw
suggested the Board add the Theological, Musical and Commercial. At this
meeting it also elected members of the Faculty, in addition to the President, who
had the Chair of Ethics, and Mental and Political Science, as follows: W. H.
Wagner, Hebrew and Sacred Literature; A. C. Redding, Chemistry and Natural
Science; W. B. Allen, Greek and Literature; Miss Lizzie Grauel, Preparatory De-
partment; Miss Floi"ence Moffit, same Department. When the Board met on June
16, 1886, the Faculty was enlarged and rearranged, so that it consisted of ten
members, with salaries ranging from $480.00 to $1,000.00 a year. And while the
Prospectus, issued later, gave the names of but seven professors, six other pro-
fessorships were indicated in blank, "to be filled by the Board of Trustees as the
necessity of the case requires." This was promised, however, to be done "at the
next annual meeting of the Board." The sum of $15,000.00 was yet to be ex-
pended in "completing the building ready for occupancy." But of this sum
$6,000.00 was already provided for. So that the Board rejoiced that "light is
dawning; land is in sight." Agents were to be put to work to raise the amount
needed. The "Building Fund" was given in the Prospectus issued in the Summer
of 1886 at $60,958.66; expended, $44,325.69; "visible Endowment Fund, $17,-
270.00." These assets did not include "grounds and buildings other than the Col-
lege." The assurance of the endowment of a Chair by the widow of Daniel AVertz
was put on record by the Board, in addition to the foregoing, the Chair to be known
as the "Wertz Professorship." In anticipation that everything would be com-
pleted, the Prospectus was published and the opening of the College advertized for
September 1, 1886. The building was pronounced "magnificent," "the most com-
plete and best arranged College Building in the Northwest." The absolute need
of an Endowment Fund was now insisted on in the editorial columns of The Advo-
cate with greater vigor. "No college can possibly live without an endowment.
Many American colleges are now seriously embarrasesd for want of, or on account
of too limited, an endowment." This was the rock to be avoided now. The Col-
lege opened auspiciously, so that on September 15th ninety-five students were en-
rolled, "and more to follow." "The last and final estimate for work and material
on the College building was received and approved "by the Executive Committee
November 8, l'S86, amounting to $4,410.00. A meeting of the Board of Trustees
was called for November 25, 1886, at which time the "College building was ac-
cepted from the hands of the Contractors," when it appeared that the "total of
contracts" was $51,662.95, on which a balance of $11,038.39 was due the Con-
tractors. A loan of $7,000.00 was authorized, secured by a mortgage on the Col-
lege property. The balance the collectors were expected to secure within the time
for final payment. The College year closed June 23, 1887, with a Faculty of
thirteen and 170 students enrolled.
The equally difficult and more perplexing problem now confronted the Board
of Trustees — to conduct the institution successfully with so large a Faculty and so
inadequate an endowment. The Editor of The Advocate renewed the agitation of
the question in May, 1887. And the Executive Committee "instructed the College
Agents to turn their attention mainly toward the Endowment Fund." And this
especially in view of "the sale of a part of the College grounds opposite the College
for $15,000.00." It was also proposed that the endowment of a Professorship by
the Sabbath-schools be made a special object. This was approved by the General
856 History of the Churches oe God
Eldership in 1887, which named the Chair "The Sabbath-school Professorship of
Systematic Theology." It also fixed the day in June on which the Annual Elder-
ships were called upon to "urge the Sunday-schools connected with the churches to
observe Children's College Day." The day was partly a growth, as such days were
observed by a few churches as early as June, 1882. And in 1884 the General
Eldership commended it. No reports of receipts were made, except by individual
schools; but from 1884 to 1912, both years included, the schools throughout the
territory of the General Eldership contributed a total of $31,554.05. The formal
dedication of the College had been referred to the Executive Committee in De-
cember, 1886; but it was referred to the General Eldership in 1887, which com-
mitted the matter to the Board of Education. It was to have occurred on Sep-
tember 6, 1887, but for unpublished reasons was deferred to June 20, 1888. The
Board consisted of C. H. Forney, W. T. Herkstresser, J. M. Carvell, J. R. H. Lat-
chaw and AV. B. Allen, which prepared an elaborate program of songs, hymns, an-
thems, prayers, addresses and Dedicatory Oration. The ministers who participated
were: Invocation, R. H. Bolton; Reading Scripture, B. F. Beck; Prayer, M. S.
Newcomer; Address, T. Koogle; Oration, C. H. Forney; Dedicatory Prayer, George
Sandoe. In the evening the President was inaugurated, when Latchaw delivered
his Inaugural Address, and J. H. Besore, J. M. Cassel, R. L. Byraes and J. W.
Aukerman participated in the exercises. Already in July, 1887, the Board of
Trustees began to be embarrassed for lack of funds. To attempt to tide matters
over it rented some of the rooms of the College Building to the School Board of
Findlay Union School, and other rooms unused to students. The Executive Com-
mittee also "borrowed of the Permanent Endowment Fund [in June, 1887]
$180.00," and "authorized and required the Financial Secretary to place in the
hands of the Treasurer all the Endowment cash funds for the use of the Teachers'
Fund," which "shall be treated as a loan from said Endowment Fund." The re-
sult was that on June 20, 1888, when the Board of Trustees met, the Treasurer re-
ported that "there is in the General Endowment Fund $44.70;" "in the Permanent
Endowment Fund $163.33." As a school, a good report was made, the enrollment
having been 246 as against 169 the first year. The financial conditions of the Col-
lege however, were beginning to awaken concern, and to restrain giving. The
Board had realized $9,500.00 from the sale of lots prior to November 2. 1888; but
the debt on said date was $16,155.00. Because of this "constantly growing de-
ficit" retrenchment was decided upon by the Executive Committee on January 8,
1889. While this reduced the annual deficit, it did not wipe it out. Indeed some
years it increased, as in 1890, when it was $2,039.31. Yet the income was grow-
ing, as for several years a collecting agent was constantly in the field, until the
territory was thoroughly covered, and expenses nearly equaled receipts. In 18S9,
with a shortage of $1,652.53, the total liabilities reached $7,101.67. The En-
dowment and General Fund now aggregated $45,621.15. The Executive Commit-
tee had "borrowed" $2,649.00 of the Endowment Fund. In 1890 the Endowment
was $53,171.65, and the total debt, $14,362.15. There was a disposition to trans-
fer the total in the Children's Endowment Fund to the General Fund, and use it.
But as this was vigorously opposed, the Executive Committee continued to "bor-
row" from it. Thus in 1891 it "borrowed" $1,539.00 from the Endowment Fund,
and $1,051.00 from the S. S. Professorship Fund. The debt now was $17,204.00;
the Endowment, $58,171.00. The Board authorized a collector to be put in the
field. It also directed that "stringent inquiry be made to see if it is possible to de-
crease the expenses, and to increase the income." To effect the latter the Presi-
dent was instructed to go out over the territory and to the Annual Eldershins and
make every possible effort to turn the tide. But confidence had been so shattered
that his efforts were futile. When the Board met in 1892 it found the school in
fine condition, with a Faculty of nineteen, of which eleven were salaried, and
eight teaching for the tuition. But the deficit reached $4,199.62, instead of
$1,623.63 in 1891. The debt was now $20,086.18, and the Executive Committee
had borrowed $1,643.38 from the Endowment Funds. The Co-operative Plan was
considered, under which the income was divided in proportion to salaries. But
still the debt grew, and by August 24, 1892, it was $24,000.00, and the Endow-
ment, $56,912.67. Discussion as to the failure of the College now began in The
Advocate. It was conceded that a point had been reached when it meant a "strug-
gle for the existence of the College." Plans to "save the College" were not want-
ing; but they brought very limited results. In July, 1893, the aggregate of all
liabilities of the College were given at $25,500.00; the total Endowment, $57,-
Institutions of Learning 857
468.19. As the General Eldership convened at Flndlay, June 23, 1893, it was clear
that the crisis was at hand. Latchavv probably realized this when, on December
21, 1892, he resigned; but at the earnest solicitation of the Executive Committee
he withdrew his resignation. Several things were evident, namely: The College
was organized on too vast a scale. The expenses were too heavy for the churches
to bear voluntarily. The spirit of the College was changing, so that it could hardly
be recognized as a Church of God institution. As a consequence, it was not serv-
ing the churches, as the young men who graduated nearly all went to other re-
ligious bodies. As the trustees were under the law held personally for debts
created without authority of the General Eldership, it became practically impos-
sible to get men of means to serve in that capacity. The illegal action of the
Board in "borrowing" Endowment Fund money forfeited the confidence of the
brotherhood in the Board. Confronted with such an environment the Board came
to the General Eldership in .Tune, 1893, with a "Memorial," in which it made a
circumstantial statement of conditions, and then virtually threw the College on the
hands of said body, refusing to go on any further except as specifically empowered
and sustained by the Eldership. Here was a task compared with which the labors
of Hercules were child's work. The "Memorial" was referred to a committee'of
one from each Annual Eldership, and was composed of D. S. Shoop, S. G. Yahn,
J. A, Saxton, J. S. Marjile, H. Clay, W. Reddins, I. W. Markley, H. H. Spiher,
J. Bernard, A. C. Gamer, A. Wilson, J. C Fomcrook, B. Ober and J. 1. Brow-n.
This Committee virtually acquitted the Board and President of charges of ex-
travagance, mismanagement and excessive expenditures, and put blame on the
churches for a want of liberality in supporting the College. The facts as to the
debt, spending Endowment funds and other items through which confidence was
greatly weakened were passed over. A loan of from $10,000.00 to $20,000.00 was
authorized, secured by mortgage on the College property. Under this new com-
mission the Board resumed its session on .July 1, 1893. Latchaw desired permis-
sion "to withdraw his withdrawal of his resignation as President," proposing to
take a position on the Faculty under C. H. Forney as President. But this posi-
tion the latter declined, and Latchaw's resignation was accepted, and he was elected
Professor of Biblical Theology, and AV. N. Yates was elected Acting President.
Latchaw stood high with the Board of Trustees, and it adopted a series of
laudatory resolutions, and in the General Eldership there were few incidents to
show that his services were discounted by reason of the history of the College.
He betrayed no consciousness of any misdemeanor in office, and had the enthusiastic
endorsement of the Faculty and students. But events speedily culminated. His
pulpit utterances following the adjournment of the Eldership gave evidence of a
spirit of independence incompatible with a pcsition on the Facultv. On August
22, 1893, the Chicago "Inter-Ocean" announced that Dr. Latchaw, late President of
Findlay College, renounced the authority of the General Eldership of the Church of
God and left the Church." This he had done in a sermon in the College Chapel the
previous Sabbath morning. At the meeting of the Board of Trustees the Chair of
Biblical Theology was declared vacant. There were other defections, and some-
thing of a spirit of insubordination, so that the Board was constrained to assert its
authority over the members of the Faculty, and diplomatically advised them of
possible dismissal if they failed to co-operate.
It was under these formidable conditions that a young man, largely trained
under Latchaw, was placed at the helm to guide the ship. It was William Nelson
Yates.
Yates was a native of Westmoreland county. Pa. He was converted, baptized
and united with the church of God at Mt. Pisgah, in said county, under the labors
of B. F. Bolton, in 1874, when nine years of age. Until sixteen years of age he
attended the public school in the Winter and worked on the farm during the Sum-
mer. He began to preach occasionally in 1882, delivering his first sermon on
April 29th of that year. His name first appears as a delegate to the West Penn-
sylvania Eldership on October 5, 1883. In the Fall of 1884 he was a student at
Barkeyville Academy, and occasionally wrote for the columns of The Advocate.
He graduated from said Institution June 1.5. 1887, in the College Preparatory, and
the Classical course, under E. F. Loncks, Principal, successor of Latchaw. In De-
cember, 1887, the Standing Committee granted him license to preach, and ap-
pointed him to Pittsburg. But he declined, and went to Findlay College. He
was also given a place to preach, four miles east of Findlay. where he organized a
church on March 4, 1888. In September, 1888, the Ohio Eldership ordained him.
858
HisioKY OF THE Churches of God
He had returned East in November, 1888, with his transfer, and was again ap-
pointed to Pittsburg. In the Fall of 1889, the Ohio Eldership received his trans-
fer and assigned him to the Front Street church, Findlay. This position he held
for six years, until after his election as Acting President of Findlay College, in
June, 1893. He was graduated from Findlay College in June, 1891. He had al-
ready gained a good reputation as a public speaker, and more than once received
the first prize in oratorical contests, not only at Findlay, but at Columbus and other
points. But upon entering on his duties as Acting President, as a young man of
limited experience, Yates accepted a burden in his new position from which any one
might well seek to beat a retreat. It was a heritage of debt, of doubt and alien-
ated confidence. He was painfully conscious of all this. But he went to work
with remarkable vim and enthusiasm, and soon measurably rallied the disheartened
forces around him. The Elderships and churches had been appealed to for $1.00
per capita contributions. It seemed so easy that it could not fail. Yates took
hold of it with all the ardor of his exuberant nature. He sounded the alarm on
August 8, 1893: "Something must be done, and that very soon, or the College
W. N. Yates.
must be lost to the Church." November, 1893, "Now or Never!" was the title of
a strong appeal. He soon realized that the $1.00 plan would never save the Col-
lege, and began to urge the other plan endorsed by the Board of Trustees as an
alternative — the issuing of $100.00 bonds to the number of two hundred. And
while nearly all the Elderships endorsed the $1.00 plan, some regarding it as "the
best possible plan," the Editor of The Advocate and others sustained Yates in his
insistent call for contributions of $10.00 to $500.00, and more from persons of
means. Yates was persistent in calling on the brethren to "show your confidence."
Explained "how to pay the debt." Warned that "the mortgage could be foreclosed
any day." As it became evident that the debt was still increasing, reaching $26,-
000.00 December 27, 1893, others joined through The Advocate in the chorus of
calls to "save the College." It became a hysterical epidemic, with but compara-
tively little cash. For by January 16, 1894, only $4,499.32 had been received,
which would little more than cover the deficit by June, 1894. This was published
on February, 1894, and called out the comment that the Church was in "the
darkest hour of its history." In the Fall of 1893 Yates had visited a number of
Elderships personally to urge the $1.00 plan, and in other ways work up interest
and secure contributions. He resumed his canvass in February, 1894, now with a
Institutions of Lkakxixg
^59
new plan, to wit: To have the different Annual Elderships assume each a portion
of the debt. So much was he encouraged by his effort that in April, 1894, it was
announced that "the pledges are well up toward $24,000.00;" that "light is dawn-
ing for Findlay College." Zeal was somewhat dampened by a simultaneous state-
ment that "the shortage at the College from 1893 to 1894 would not be less than
$4,000.00." But the work went on, and on May 30, 1894, Yates had the extreme
satisfaction of stating to the churches that the total amount would be in hand by
July 4, 1894. The Board of Trustees June 20, 1894, could join Yates in his ex-
clamation: "Praise the Lord!" It was cheerfully acknowledged that he was
"worthy of all praise for his untiring efforts and sacrifice," and the Board grate-
fully put on record a tribute to his "unceasing efforts by which he has accom-
plished a most magnificent work in the matter of freeing the College from debt."
At this meeting it also elected him "Permanent President." The debt was as-
sumed as follows: East Pennsylvania, $5,500.00; West Pennsylvania, $4,000.00-
Illinois, $3,000.00; Ohio, $5,000.00; Indiana, $1,000.00; Kansas, $1,000.00; Iowa'
Charles T. Fox.
?3,088.09; Maryland and Virginia, $350.00; Nebraska, $116.00; West Virginia,
$250.00; Missouri, $15.00; Southern Indiana, $325.00; Iowa additional, $185.00.
Total, $23,829.09. As the expenses were still exceeding the income, the appre-
hension began to grow that another debt would accumulate. The Executive Board
advised strongly against this, and indicated where expenses could be reduced, and
-even vetoed some items adopted by the Board of Trustees. And on November 5,
1894, the Financial Secretary published the statement that he estimates that the
deficit by June 20, 1895, would be $4,500.00. On March 19, 1895, Yates handed
his resignation as President to the Executive Committee, to take effect in June,
1895. "My reason for resigning is, that it is impossible, under the circumstances!
for me to conduct the work successfully." It was referred to the Board of
Trustees to meet in June. It was then reluctantly accepted, with a testimonial
to his valuable and efficient services. The excess of regular expenses over regular
receipts for the year was $3,043.01, and of special, $1,410.50, or a total shortage
of $4,543.51. Already the practice of "borrowing" Endowment Fund money was
86o History of the Churches of God
resorted to, and was sustained by a yea and nay vote of nine to three. The Board's
attention was called to the statutes of Ohio, which "hold the individual members
liable for all debts incurred." As a consequence some members of the Board re-
signed, and it was with difficulty that their places could be filled. Otherwise the
school was at no time in better condition, as the enrollment in all Departments wa&
434, "none counted twice." Near the close of the session the members of the
Faculty made four propositions to the Board, which were adopted: 1. Prof.
Chas. T. Fox to be Acting President. 2. A representative man to be put iu the
field to collect for the Endowment Fund. 3. Reasonable amount of advertising.
4. The Faculty to receive for compensation the income from tuition and Interest
on Endowment Fund. Prof. Fo\ was considered "a good man, and one who will
make a worthy successor to President Yates."
The new President was not a stranger to the College. He came there as Pro-
fessor of Latin and German in 1887, having been a member of the Faculty of
Barkeyville Academy in 1886. He was a native of Westmoreland county. Pa.,
born February 26, 1857, and spent his early life on a farm, where he learned the
habits of industry, perseverance and frugality which have been prominent traits in
his life. He was trained under such Christian influences as to make virtue, purity
and integrity the jewels of his chafacter. When seventeen years of age he left
the common school and entered Mt. Pleasant Institute, near his home, where he
remained a student during the Spring term for three years, and the whole school
year of 1877-8. In 1878-9 he was at Bethany College, West "Virginia, and thence
he went to Meadville, Pa., and became a student of Allegheny College, from which
he was graduated in 18 85.. Before entering collece he had taught in the public
schools four terms. In 1885-6 he was Superintendent of Schools and Principal of
the High School at Linesville. He was elected to the Professorship of Latin and
German in Findlay College in June, 1886; but in 1895 he was appointed to the
Chair of Philosophy, German and Latin. In 1892 he was ordained to the min-
istry by the Ohio Eldership. Since then he has filled positions of honor and trust
in his Eldership and in the General Eldership. He was President of the latter body
In 1899. In 1901 the degree of "Ph. D." was conferred upon him by Findlay Col-
lege. In 1903 the Executive Board elected him a member of the Board of Missions,
to which position the General Eldership re-elected him in 1905 and 1909. No higher
tribute can be paid to Charles T. Fo\ as a man, a Christian and a scholar, than the
record of the fact that, after twenty-six years of devoted service to the cause of
education at Findlay College, he stands unrivaled in the esteem and affection of the
Church and the students of the College. As the enrollment of students kept up
quite well, the number being 289 at the close of the year in 1896, it was evident
that the trouble was to be looked for elsewhere. The Board of Trustees found a
"new debt" growing to considerable proportions, given at $7,496.70, and that
several hundred dollars more than this amount had been "borrowed" from the
Endowment Fund. There was a shortage for this year of $2,312.12, and the total
Endowment Fund was given at $33,213.40. The Board had met at Findlay, May
21, 1896, but having no quorum, it adjourned to meet with the General Eldership
at Harrisburg, Pa., May 29th. It presented a Memorial to said body, submitting
to it the question "whether the school shall continue to run, or shall close." If
the latter, that the General Eldership must "provide ways and means by which
funds in cash, or absolute securities, will be furnished the Board." It also asked
that the trustees be relieved of personal liability for debts, as otherwise it would
be impossible to secure trustees. Ordering the school to be continued, the Elder-
ship not only granted the other two requests, but made itself responsible for
$2,000.00 annually toward the running expenses. Collectors were to be kept in
the field to solicit cash and notes and pledges for the Endowment Fund. The
Board decided not to elect a President. Fox "repeatedly refused the proposition
of the Board" to serve as "Acting President at such a salary as they believed they
were able to pay," to which position he had been elected at Harrisburg. A spe-
cial session of the Board was, therefore, called to meet at Findlay, Ohio, July 15,
1896, at which time Charles Manchester was "elected Acting President of FindHy
College." He was also elected to the Chair of Philosophy, Latin and Greek. All
such actions requiring the approval of the Executive Board of the General Elder-
ship, and said Board on July 16, 1896, disapproved the election of Manchester as
Acting President, but approved the assignment to the Professorship named. From
the former action the Executive Committee took an appeal to the General Eldership
in 1899, in case the Executive Board fails to reverse its action. Several resigna-
Institutions of Lkarning 86i
tions of members of the Faculty also followed, and a number of students made
formal protest to the Board against actions taken affecting Professors Loiicks and
Fox. Conditions were such as to call forth the judgment, that this was "the
darkest hour in the history of the College." The "Church had the College, toward
which it had paid about $150,000.00," and it had received very little in return,
which became an occasion of hard feeling, crimination, contention and alienation.
Yet the cry was, "It must be saved at all hazard." Manchester, in September,
left Barkeyville, Pa., and went to Findlay to fill the Chair to which he was elected,
and to conduct the school as "Presidentof the Faculty." The enrollment for the
Fall term was "less than last year, or former years for some time." It was under
such difficulties and disheartening conditions as these that Manchester assumed
control of the School. But in a measure he was reared in the school of adversity,
and was inured to trials and hardships. He was a native of Burnitt, Winnebago
county, 111., born December 28, 1858. His elementary education was secured in
the country schccl of Illinois, Howard county, Iowa, and Pattawatomie county,
Kansas. Amidst privations his thirst for knowledge became his chief passion, and
he turned for help to any one who could contribute toward the realization of his
■i
M
I
■^1
^^^■f.
Charles Manchester.
ambition. In 1875-6 he attended High School in Irving, Marshall county, Kansas,
and in 1877 he entered Park College, Missouri, from which in due time he was
graduated with honor, being Valedictorian of the class of 1883. He was con-
verted, baptized and fellowshiped by the church of God in 1876, and in September,
1878, he was licensed to preach by the Kansas and Nebraska Eldership, at White
Hall, Kansas. During the Summer of 1883 he preached at Peakville, Missouri, but
In September he went to the McCormick Seminary, Chicago, Illinois, preaching at
Buda, Illinois, to support himself. Thence he went to Oberlin in 1884, where he
•was graduated from the Theological Seminary. He went to Barkeyville, Pa., in
1890, and was pastor of the church there until 1896, and Principal of the Academy
from 1892 to 1896. He resigned the latter position in 1896 to go to Findlay
College, where in 1897 he was elected Acting President. Oberlin Seminary gave
him the degree of B. D. His Alma Mater, in 1887, had given him the degree of
A. M., and in 1898, that of D. D. He was a man of tireless energy, of heroic
loyalty and of unblemished character. He was possessed of that Spartan spirit
which has made many a life sublime and grand. Honesty, purity and sincerity
,so adorned his life as to put it out of the power of truth to give him an ill char-
acter.
862 History of the Churches of God
. In July, 1897, the Report of the Board of Trustees made it clear to all that
"the College is down on the most economical, the lowest possible, basis." Al-
though in the following years heavier pressure was used to save wherever it could
be done. The co-operative plan was continued from year to year; but toward the
close of each year an effort was made, generally successful, to make up the deficit
by voluntary contributions. Collectors were generally at work, the Acting Presi-
dent often so serving, with the special object of increasing the Productive Endow-
ment Fund. Income to meet expenses was the first desideratum, and the payment
of "the new debt" would help to this end. More students, too, would bring in
funds to pay the teachers, the number in January, 1898, having been only 108.
But in June, 1898, it was cheerful news that greeted the ears of the friends of the
College, that "for the first time in its history it has lived within its income," and
that "the College is on its feet." True, the "new debt" was not out of the way,
as at this time it was $8,827.35; the Endowment, $47,382.31. In July, 1899',
the Memorial of the Board of Trustees to the General Eldership asked for au-
thority to place a mortgage on the College property to secure a loan of $10,000.00
with which to take care of this "new debt." It also requested the General Elder-
ship in 1899 to "relieve us of financial responsibility in regard to continuing Col-
lege work," and requested it to "decide whether the College shall continue to run
and if so, on what plan." The Board had become quite timid. IVIanchester had
been again elected Acting President, which was approved by the Executive Board,
and his work received the commendation of the Board of Trustees. The auspicious
beginning of the Fall term of 1899 was heralded with the announcement of ad-
ditional Productive Endowment of $3,500.00, "proceeds of two life insurance
policies carried in favor of the College by Brother Carrothers." Other events cal-
culated to inspire confidence were such as the action of the Iowa Eldership in 1900
to take "steps immediately to endow a Chair in Findlay College;" the work in the
East Pennsylvania Eldership to endow a Professorship, toward which over
$2,400.00 had been secured, and similar movements in other Elderships. Except
as to the finances, in May, 1901, the College was reported in "excellent condition."
The Endowment Fund, however, had reached $62,000.00. Manchester was now
President of the College one year, and the conditions at the College were normal
and healthy. During this year he raised $1,071.00 for College expenses. The
number of students had grown to 285. In 1902 the amount of the Endowment
Fund was reported as having been increased by the addition of $23,574.83. Man-
chester was re-elected President "without date." This last point the Executive
Board did not consider wise. The enrollment for the year ending June, 1903, was
"269, none counted twice." When the Board of Trustees met in June, 1904, it
was gratified to learn that during the year "the enrollment was a little larger than
the year before," having been 349, and that there was but a small deficit. The
Endowment had also been slowly climbing up toward the mark made some years
before, as it now stood as follows: Interest paying,, $53,936.9 0; non-interest pay-
ing notes, $32,013.85; interest paying Scholarship Notes, $6,000.00; non-interest
paying Scholarship Notes, $4,000.00. Total, $95,950.75. Also bequests which
will realize $36,000.00. At the sitting of the Board on June 15th, "somewhat un-
expectedly President Manchester, after eight years of devoted and faithful service
at the head of the College" handed in his resignation. It was based on "the many
burdens of the office;" "the work that came to him in addition to the Presidency,"
and his preference "to be a pastor, or teacher of theology." The Board accepted
his resignation, giving him its "unqualified testimony to his high Christian char-
acter, his supreme and unselfish loyalty to the interests of the Church and his un-
tiring zeal in the cause of education during the eight years he was President of
Findlay College." "C. I. Brown was unanimously elected to that office for the en-
suing year," which the Executive Board approved. Charles Ira Brown was born
about one mile east of Woodbury, Bedford county, Pa., and was trained under
German Baptist influence, his parents having been zealous and faithful members
of said Church. One brother and two brothers-in-law were ministers of the same
faith. Young Brown, however, was converted when attending school at a
Methodist Seminary; but was baptized near Woodbury and fellowshiped in the
church of God at said place by the pastor, James M. Waggoner, in the Summer of
1886. After pursuing the branches of study in the common schools he went to
Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa., where he further prepared himself for the
ministry. He was an applicant for license at the East Pennsylvania Eldership in
October, 1887, but not for a charge. Being well recommended by his pastor and
Institutions of Learning
86s
the elders of his church, before which he had preached his first sermon in 1886,
he was at once licensed. In October, 1888, he had finished his studies, and was
ready for work. His first charge was Camp Hill, Cumberland county; the second,
Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, and the third, Shippensburg, Cumberland county. He
at once developed staying powers, as he served these three charges the sixteen
years he was in the pastoral work without any perceptible diminution of power.
He was early a man of typical energy and activity, and became a leader in the pro-
gressive work of the churches he served. Activity, energy and efficiency are gen-
erally rewarded by promotion, and so Brow-n soon found his reward in elections
to the Boards of his Eldership. In 1892, just eligible as delegate to the General
Eldership, he was elected a ministerial alternate to the said body in 1893. By
Charles I. Brown.
reason of the absence of one of the delegates he became a member. At that session
he was elected a member of the Board of Publication. He was a delegate to the
General Eldership in 1896, 1899, 1902 and 1909. He was elected a trustee of
Findlay College in 1896, and was President of the Board for several years. For a
number of years he was Conductor of the C. E. Department of The Advocate, and
on December 11, 1900, he was elected Assistant Editor. The degree of "D. D."
was conferred upon him by Findlay College in 1905. In 1904 the Board of
Trustees elected him President of the College, and on December 13th of said year
he was inaugurated. He maintained his reputation in that office as an earnest,
hard-working, zealous official, exhibiting special energy in carrying financial pro-
jects into effect. He was a business President preeminently, as he was simply the
President, the most of the time since his election holding no active professorship
and doing no teaching. His predecessors in the office taught sometimes as many
as seven classes each day. Two powers he seemed to aim to bring to their fullest
864 History of the Churciiks of God
perfection: The art of expression, and the power of persuasion. The former
made him an attractive, epigrammatic speaker on pulpit or platform; the latter
gave him unusual control over the motives of men so as to secure cheerful, liberal
giving. Thus equipped and consecrated to this one work, and released from the
duties of the class-room, Brown went to work with persistent zeal to place the
College on a substantial basis financially. In his Inaugural he outlined his pro-
gram, to wit: "To increase the regular Endowment as rapidly as possible, so that
the income will be sufficient to meet all regular expenses;" a "ladies' dormitory
and a gymnasium;" to secure endowment of Chairs of Pedagogy, of Greek, of
Philosophy, of Physics and Chemistry, of English Language and Literature. To
these were added by the President in January, 19 05, the "ten-cent plan" for the
Day of prayer, which by May, 1905, brought $526.87 into the College Treasury.
Also the "Annuity Plan," to raise $10,000.00 to replace the Endowment money
"borrowed" and spent, and to lift the mortgage off the College. Also the prop-
osition for "a living endowment" of a professorship, or the payment of a professor
out of the receipts of Children's College Day. With all these plans in operation,
the receipts of the year 1904-5 were $33,645.16; the expenditures, $21,414.60, and
the Secretary's figures for the Endow^ment Fund, $104,755.00, with an enrollment
of 342 students. To encourage the President in his heroic work and to stimulate
larger giving, C. H. Forney submitted a proposition to make himself "personally re-
sponsible for, and to guarantee, the endowment of the President's Chair in Find-
lay College." In October, 1905, the Board of Trustees authorized, in harmony
with an action of the General Eldership, the formation of "a Living Endowment
Association," the members to pay annually, as they would determine, from $1.00
to $25.00, for the benefit of the College. On March 9, 1906, the Carnegie Propo-
sition, secured by the President, was officially reported, to the effect that of
$50,000.00 new endowment he would give $12,500.00. The President was con-
stantly supported in these various plans by The Advocate, and had the active sym-
pathies of the brotherhood. At the end of the year 1905-6 the ten-cent plan had
brought in $728.35; in 1906-7, $853.00. Withal, there was a shortage nearly
every year of amounts varying from $1,000.00 to $2,500.00, which was usually
secured during the Summer months. In part to provide for this, the "Golden
Chain" was devised and put into effect in 1906. It was composed of persons agree-
ing to pay $1.00 or more toward "the running expenses of the College." In this
way in 1908 the President hoped to make up the shortage of "$1,700.00 before
the Board meets in June." And while the amount was not secured by that date,
It was by September 9th. In June, 1908, Manchester reported to the Board of
Trustees the realization of a generous gift to the College of a property in Findlay,
to be known as "The Henderson Home," which has been converted into a Dormi-
tory. Another liberal benefaction was reported on December 25, 1906, being the
gift, on certain conditions, of a property for the President's Home. It was officially
reported to the Board in June, 1907, and possession was given in September. It
was valued at about $7,000.00, the gift of George Cari-others. In 1907-8 the num-
ber of students was 405. The receipts were $33,539.29, and the expenditures
$29,234.61. The Endowment was given at $74,176.67, interest bearing; $56,-
900.00, non-interest bearing. By this strenuous method of gathering means the
President succeeded in increasing the Endowment Fund year after year, and meet-
ing all current expenses. And these expenses were steadily increasing. Thus in
1911 the Report of the Financial Secretary showed that the receipts for the year
were $63,837.86, and the "expenditures" $64,803.12. But included in this ag-
gregate were some $40,000.00 which were not strictly "expenditures." The tot^l
interest bearing Endowment Fund was given as $131,145.41, and over $48,000.00
as non-interest bearing. The pledges toward the $37,500.00 to meet the Carnegie
Proposition were coming in so slowly up to 1909, that few outside the immediate
associates of the President shared either his optimistic views, or his fortitude. But
when the Board of Trustees met with the General Eldership at Ft. Scott, Kansis,
May 19, 1909, President Brown informed it that he had "in notes and pledges
about one-third of the amount needed," and urged an active canvass for the other
two-thirds. This the Board heartily approved, and at once employed O. A. Newlin
as Field Secretary. Entering at once upon his work, and enthusiastically seconded
by the President and cheered on by scores of helpers, and hindered by many more
doubters, the work was energetically carried forward for over two years, when on
January 1, 1911, it was announced that "the churches and friends of the College
have raised all and more than the amount asked for to meet Mi*. Carnegie's offer,"
Institutions of Learning
865
But as the Henderson Home, valued at $4,000.00, was counted, and Mr. Carnegie
would not accept that as part of the $37,500.00, another effort was required to
raise that amount, less $500.00 in hand. But by April 26, 1911, the additional
$3,500.00 were secured. Immediately a new project was started, to raise a further
Endowment Fund of $25,000.00, toward which in 1912 the President reported
"more than $6,000.00 already paid or pledged." A "Students' Loan Fund" was
also begun, for which $1,000.00 were given by one person. The endowment of a
new Chair, that of "Religion and Education," was submitted to the Board of
Trustees in 1912, and "authorized." The Henderson Home was converted into a
William Hariis Giiyer,
Dormitory. The "receipts" for the year ending June, 1912, were given by the
Financial Secretary at $51,953.30; the "expenditures" at $51,402.42, with many
items on both credit and debit side which can not be considered as properly so
entered. The interest bearing securities and notes of the Endowment Fund were
$136,914.13; non-interest bearing, $48,100.00. The number of students during
the year 1911-12 was 345, of which 18 were in the Theological Department. One
of the gratifying features of the College was its good moral tone and spiritual
atmosphere, notwithstanding the absorbing business and financial activity. To this
doubtless the College church and the Christian Associations of the College con-
tributed quite materially. The primary mission of the College was conceived to
be spiritual, and to fulfill said mission it was regarded as a high duty of Presi-
dents and Faculites to seek to deepen the spiritual life of the students through
religious training and example, as well as through intellectual development.
C. H. — 29
866 History op the Churches of God
At a special session of the Board of Trustees of Findlay College, held at Fiud-
lay, Ohio, April 2, 1913, C. I. Brown tendered his resignation as President of the
College. It was not accepted. But at the regular annual meeting of the Board
at Harrisburg, Pa., in May, 1913, having again been submitted to the Board, it
was accepted, and William Harris Guyer was chosen Acting President.
Prof. Guyer was elected to the Chair of Theology and History in 1912, so that
his elevation to the Presidency differed in this respect from some of his prede-
cessors. He is forty-three years old, having been born at Waterside, Bedford
county, Pa., September 2, 1870. He spent the first eighteen years of his life on
a farm, attending public school in Martinsburg during the Winters. His parents
removing to a farm near Woodbury, he continued to attend public school until
about eighteen years old, when he entered a normal school at Woodbury, Pa., and
the following year one at New Enterprise. He also took an advanced Normal
course at Danville, New York. He taught two terms in the public schools. He
next went to Barkeyville Academy, Barkeyville, Venango county, Pa., from which
he graduated with the highest grades in the class. He then spent two years as a
student at Findlay College, where he finished his course by correspondence in 1906.
For two years he was Assistant Principal of the Collegiate Institute at Butler, Pa.
During two years he was Principal of Barkeyville Academy. While pastor at
Barkeyville he took up several special courses at Grove City College, Mercer
county, Pa. His post-graduate course for the degree of Master of Arts was taken
at Findlay College.
Young Guyer was converted in the bethel at Woodbury, Pa., under the preach-
ing of E. Myers, who also baptized him and received him into church fellowship.
Here he began church work, teaching a Bible class and leading prayer-meetings.
After preaching for about two years, Guyer was ordained by the West Penn-
sylvania Eldership at Butler, Pa., in October, 1894. The years of his active
ministry were spent in the West Pennsylvania and Ohio Elderships, including a
pastorate of four years at Barkeyville and one of six years at Alverton, both in
Pennsylvania. From the latter pastorate he was called to Findlay College. These
facts in his strenuous life mark him as a most thorough student. His library is
extensive and well selected. He is at home with his books, and reads with pleas-
ure as well as for profit. A natural talent for writing has been so developed by
careful and constant practice that the products of his pen are received with much
favor. He has written several tracts and published them, and also three books,
namely, "James Arminius," "Our Mothers^" and "Memories of Our Old Homes."
As a preacher he is instructive and impressive'. His thoughts flow freelv and are
always good. His illustrations are apt and his voice and manner of delivery are
pleasant. On the various occasions when he has been called upon for pubic
speeches, his addresses have been clear and forceful. He is a creditable repre-
sentative among the churches of God. He has splendid social qualities.
Back of these social and intellectual qualifications is a strong Christian char-
acter and a noble manhood. Herein are the principles which govern his diily con-
duct and determine his decisions in the problems of life. His heart is true and
loyal to the doctrine and polity of the churches of God, which he has been taught
from his childhood.
VII. BARKEYnLLE ACADEMY.
Barkeyville Academy was located in the village of Barkeyville, Venango
county. Pa.. Its beginning was natural and spontaneous. It had two elements
as its origin: A local, conscious need of something better than the common
schools, and a poor young preacher just out of college. He was importuned for
a year previous to come to Barkeyville and be pastor of the church of God in the
village. Between his arrival and the Annual Eldership there were about three
months of enforced inactivity. It was at this juncture that the thought was sug-
gested that he might open "a private school for a period of eight or ten weeks."
It was acquiesced in by the impecunious young preacher, and he mapped out his
program: A Fall term of ten weeks; as students, children of from fourteen to
sixteen years; nominal tuition of $5.00 per term. As for a place to hold his school
the use of the house of worship of the church of God w^^s obt'^ined. These pre-
liminaries settled, John R. H. Latchaw started out "with a small passbook and
pencil to canvass among the homes of the people" for students. In a few days
he had the promise of seventeen, which he considered a sufPcient number to war-
rant a beginning. The school opened in the after part of the Summer of 1881 with
Institutions op Learning
867
twenty students, which number increased to over thirty. And instead of children,
alone in the common school branches, there were young men and women who began
the study of Latin, Higher Mathematics, English Literature, General History, etc.
Mrs. Latchavv was the Assistant Teacher, and Miss Sadie Hunsberger and Miss
Sophia Hummel tutors in the common branches, while Miss Heniietta Hunsberger
had charge of the Music Department. At the Eldership Latchaw was appointed
pastor at Barkeyville, Hickory Grove and Clark's Mills. This gave him too much
work to justify the opening of a Fall term in 1881. The Winter's work being over
there were renewed importunities for another term in the Spring of 1882, which
was conducted under the same conditions as the first term. The enrollment was
over fifty. The attendance exceeded expectations, the interest in the school deep-
ened, and after a regular "commencement" the well-sustained interest became
enthusiastic for the school, and its continuance became a matter of necessity. As
additional accommodations would be needed, Henry Barkey and Abraham Huns-
berger provided them. The regular first School Year opened early in September,
Barkeyville Academy.
1882. Prof. E. F. Loucks, who had graduated from college in the Summer, was
added to the Faculty. Larger quarters were needed, and with the assistance of
brethren in Westmoreland county a building was erected, 4 0x60 feet, with a chapel
which had a seating capacity of 300. The school continued to grow and prosper
under Latchaw, having gained quite a reputation, when in the Summer of 1884 he
was elected President of Pindlay College, but continued at Barkeyville until 1885.
His successors, as nearly as can be determined were E. F. Loucks, 18 85-9; J. P.
Bigler, 1889-90; Charles Manchester, 1890-6; AV. C. Meyers, 189 6-7; Ira C. Eakin,
1897-1900; G. W. Davis, 1900-1901; H. K. Powell, 19 01-2; W. H. Guyer, 1902-5,
The number of students varied from sixty to one hundred and forty. About one
dozen of its graduates became ministers in the Church of God.
Instead of remaining a local, individual school, the West Pennsylvania Elder-
ship gradually took it under its control. Already in 1882 it placed a resolution
on its Journal, commending "H. Barkey and A. Hunsberger who so nobly aided in
establishing a school at Barkeyville, and who are now erecting a commodious,
cchool building."
868
History of the Churches of God
And the General Eldership in 1884 "recognized the work," however limiting
the school so as "not to be above the grade of an Academy" and to be tributary to
Findlay College, and under the general supervisory authority of the General Eld-
ership. A regular Board of Trustees was formed, which held its first meeting
June 25, 1884. It was composed of J. R. H. Latchaw, E, F. Loucks, H. Barkey, D.
B. Stoiier, D. M. WaUlron, A. Huiisberger, Christian Fox, G. Mt Wilson, S. A.
Arnold, J. B. Henderson. To this Board Barkey & Co. deeded the Academy prop-
erty for $1,000.00 less than its cost. This created a debt, for the payment of
which a canvass was to be made. The second Sunday in May was designated by
the Executive Committee as a day to quicken interest in the Academy. While the
Board succeeded in liquidating the debt, adverse winds began to blow about 1886,
and Loucks stated that there are "grave misgivings with reference to the final out-
come to Barkeyville Academy." But the Trustees were so much encouraged that
they decided to erect a larger building for a Boarding Hall, at a cost of $3,054.71.
The regular income in 1886-7 was $220.25, but this was required for the ordinary
expenses. Hence, the debt incurred had to be provided for in some other way.
The conclusion was reached to sell stock and scholarships. The title was then
Fort Scott Collegiate Institute.
vested in the Eldership, which accepted the property and made persistent and
strenuous efforts to surmount the difficulties which confronted it. And while Man-
chester reported a "bright outlook for the future" for the school before going to
Findlay, by 19 06 the obstacles had gradually become too formidable, the school
was closed and the property disposed of.
VIII. FORT SCOTT INSTITUTE.
The original suggestion of establishing an academy at Fort Scott, Kansas,
came from C. Manchester, in 1888, and was made to the Board of Missions of the
General Eldership, which reported it to the Board of Incorporation, with a recom-
mendation "that Manchester be given the privilege of establishing an Academy at
Fort Scott, to be under the supervision of the Board of Education of the General
Eldership." The Board, however, "deferred the matter until another and fuller
meeting." When O. A. Newljn was sent to Fort Scott as missionary, he began a
school there in 1901, and in 1902, on November 19th, the Fort Scott Institute was
founded and chartered, with the following Board of Trustees: O. A. Newlin, T. H.
Smalhvood, J. H. Richards, E. B. Keeling, J. V. Whisler, W. H. Sheets, W. E.
Tuttle. A property had been bought and paid for by the citizens of Fort Scott for
.^1,700.00. The main building was 50x40 feet, with an addition 25x20 feet.
The Academy opened October 21, 19 02, with the following Faculty: O. A.
Institutions of Learning
869
Newlin, Superintendent, and Professor of Theology; C. K. ShoAvalter, Professor in
College Department; Mrs. O. A, Newlin, Normal Work; Miss Helen Smith, Music
Department. The General Eldership in 19 02 gave its sanction to the project, ap-
pending this condition: "That said school shall not become a permanent charge
to the General Eldership, or any of its Boards." The Elderships west of the
Mississippi River, except Iowa, were named as the "patronizing Elderships," which
the Principal of the Academy might canvass. In other Elderships he might make
appeals to friends by correspondence. Newlin and his successor accordingly
visited Elderships at different times, and canvassed for funds. In 19 05 the Gen-
eral Eldership again approved the establishment of the Academy, declaring that
"its record had confirmed the wisdom of the undertaking as an institution of the
General Eldership." It now had property "worth from $3,000.00 to $5,000.00."
The Eldership approved the report of the Board of Missions in making Newlin a
General Missionary in addition to being Principal of the Academy, and appro-
priating $300.00 annually for four years. In
1909 it repeated this action for his successor,
increasing the appropriation to $400.00. It
also required the deeding of the property to
the Board of Incorporation. The various im-
provements and additional buildings increased
the value of the property, so that in 1906 it
was estimated at from $5,000.00 to $7,000.00,
with a debt of $400.00. The enlargement of
the Dormitory at a cost of $6,000.00 increased
the debt to $4,000.00, which was unprovided
for in December, 1912. The school was quite
well patronized, the number of students vary-
ing from 51 in 1904, to 100 in 1907; but fell
to 43 in 1912.
Newiin was born in "the cornbelt of Illi-
nois." He was brought up to hard work; but
with a genetic desire for knowledge, he at-
tended the public schools, until in 1897, when
as a young man he entered Findlay College,
and by perseverance and unremitting industry
he worked his own way through College,
graduating in the Ministerial Course. He was
at once appointed missionary at Port Scott,
where he soon saw what he conceived to be
"the need of some place where the young peo-
ple of the Church of that section of the
country could secure an academic education
under the influence of the Church." He has
always manifested a sincere and loyal love for
the Church and its educational interests and
institutions. A man of excellent character
and fine natural powers, he is capable of con-
stant growth. He has acquired a winning,
popular style of public speaking. His descrip-
tions are often glowing and fervid. He lays
down moral and religious axioms, based on the divine word, as a foundation, and
then proceeds to reason out the practical deductions. He deals largely with the
concrete. With his vein of humor, but rather his intense and pathetic descrip-
tions, springs of deep emotion are often touched by his pulpit efforts. His services
as pastor at Fort Scott and Principal of the Institute afforded him a good field to
develop his natural and acquired powers. It was, hence, with reluctance that
church and school acquiesced in his departure.
Charles Manchester in 1909 was elected Principal of Fort Scott Collegiate In-
stitute, by the Board of Trustees. His experience as Principal of Barkeyville
Academy and President of Findlay College gave him special qualifications for this
position, so that a member of the Board could say: "We feel a no more
worthy or able man could have been secured than Dr. Manchester." He began
his work at the Institute with his characteristic zeal and energy. He secured ad-
ditional property, so that by 1912 the total estimated value of the Institute property
O. A. Newlin.
8/0 History of tiih Churches of God
was $10,000.00i While he regarded the outlook throughout his four years as
President as quite hopeful, there was the constant embarrassment of the need of
funds. In part to meet this a Collegiate Institute Day was provided for by auth-
ority of the General Eldership. This brought in a total of $1,258.81. Man-
chester's dominant thought was that Fort Scott Collegiate Institute was needed
"to give young men and women," in the southwest of the General Eldership terri-
tory, "an opportunity to secure a liberal education under Christian influence."
And to doubters he also constantly pointed to the advantageous geographical lo-
cation of Fort Scott.
The project of establishing a mission school in the Indian Territory was agi-
tated by J. W. Chandler, a successful missionary among the Indians. In 1886
R. H. Boltcn was in that country, and in a conservative manner indorsed the
matter, stating that about $2,000.00 would be needed, and that a Charter would
be required from the Indian Nation Council. This he succeeding in securing. The
Texas and Arkansas Eldership in 1887 declared it to be an urgent need to locate
a school in the Indian Territory. By direction of the Board of Missions a com-
mittee visited the place in 1888, and found that W. N. Littlejohn, and Sallisaw,
Ind. Ter., would donate 20 acres of land for the schood; that a bethel was in course
<pf erection, w^hlch .could be used until school buildings could be erected, and rec-
ommended favorable action by. the Board. To this the Board would not agree,
but it instriicted 'the Secretary to correspond with the Woman's Missionary Society
on the subject. 3njl89.2 J. W. Riddle, doing mission work in the Indian Territory,
hadthe project revived. J. B. Pemberton and Henry Peri-y had "built a house at
a cost of $1,000.00, ait Redland, Cherokee Nation, which they proposed "to give to
the Church free, if it would establish a mission school." Riddle endorsed it, be-
lieving that "a sJDlendid school can be inaugurated." It never gained sufficient
support to make it feasible.
DIVISION VII.
HISTORY OF MISSION WORK AND MISSIONARY
SOCIETIES.
DIVISION VII.
HISTORY OF MISSION WORK AND MISSIONARY
SOCIETIES.
The missionary idea is not only as old as Christianity, but it is its essential
element. Forms and methods of missionary activity have varied from genera-
tion to generation; yet long before Mills, Hall, Judson and Newell had offered
themselves for the w^ork of Christian missions, from 1643 to 1808, the Churches
had put forth earnest and successful efforts for the conversion of those in their
own and in foreign lands. The missionary spirit is the life of the church. Y6t
one generation often vaunts itself because of its new methods, as if that signified
that previous generations had attempted, or accomplished, nothing. The rebuke
of this conceit is found in historical facts. When in this revealing light one con-
templates with swelling pride the Babylon he has builded, the rails he has laid,
the cities he has founded, it is disconcerting to see the man who long before had
done the same things, and done them much better. In the past two decades or
more it has been often proclaimed that the Church of God did almost nothing for
missions prior to 1890 compared with what has been done since. This applies to
foreign mission work alone. With different methods the results prior to that
year far exceeded those of the later years. Nor was the Church behind other re-
ligious bodies in inaugurating mission enterprises and forming missionary or-
ganizations, except as to foreign work. The mission work of the Church began
with Winebrenner, in 1825, so that by 1830 churches were established by him and
his colaborers in a number of counties in eastern Pennsylvania. There were no
missionary organizations, or societies; but after the primitive style these heralds
of the cross went everywhere preaching the word. Now, prior to 1830 the records
of but five Home Missionary Societies in the United States are known. These were
the Old School Presbyterian, the New School Presbyterian, the American Home
Missionary Society, the German Reformed Board of Domestic Missions, and the
Methodist Episcopal Domestic Missionary Society. Between 1830 and 1840 the
Church enlarged her borders by the labors of its missionaries so as to include
most of the counties in eastern Pennsylvania now occupied, and a number of
counties in western Pennsylvania and Ohio. And this work continued with un-
abating zeal until by 1880 to 1890 more ground was covered than is occupied
to-day, on which more than half a score of Annual Elderships were organized.
The first half century of the Church was the period of greatest power and most
encouraging results.
But methods gradually changed, in harmony with environment and the spirit
of the age. These had their effect on the churches of God and their ministry. They
imitated the methods and plans of other bodies, and were seldom far behind. This
the data at hand will make evident. Between 1830 and 1840 five Home Mission-
ary Societies were organized: the Protestant Episcopal, the Reformed Dutch, the
American Baptist and Seaman's Friend Society, and the Evangelical Association.
In 1853 the Home, Frontier and Foreign Missionary Society of the United Breth-
ren Church was organized. The churches of God and the Annual Elderships or-
ganized societies later, although action was taken in May, 1845, when the General
Eldership adopted this resolution: "That this Eldership resolve itself into a Do-
mestic and Foreign Missionary Society." But mission work antedated this action.
The East Pennsylvania Eldership (known as the General Eldership from 1830 to
1835) has left no minutes or record of appointments made until its fourth session,
in December, 1832, when "a committee was appointed to arrange the preachers on
the circuits and stations." Five appointments were made, in the counties of
Cumberland, Perry, Lancaster, York and Dauphin. All this territory had been
the scene of missionary labors, and parts of it were still unoccupied and to be
reached by church extension work. Before this all ministerial work was of a mis-
sionary character, as each minister went forth on his mission to plant churches
and enlarge the Eldership as organized in 1830. These churches clustered into
"circuits," and some of them in 1883 had become "stations." Such charges by
anticipation were recognized in the Constitution of the Eldership adopted in .Jan-
uary, 1831. It was also provided in Article VII. of said Constitution that "there
shall be appointed annually one or more missionaries, whose duty it shall be to
§74 History of the Churches of God
visit destitute places, establish churches, form new. stations and circuits." Until
September, 1836, there was but the one Eldership, and it was without boundaries.
It had the United States for its territory, and could send missionaries to any part
of this territory. It gave permission in 1835 to "the brethren in Ohio to hold a
yearly Eldership." And these two Elderships granted the privilege to the West
Pennsylvania Eldership to be organized in 1843. In 1833 the mission work
carried on by the East Pennsylvania Eldership had enlarged its occupied territory,
that in addition to the five counties in the State above named there was a "station"
In Philadelphia, and one circuit in Juniata county and one in Lebanon and Schuyl-
kill counties. The work meanwhile had been extended into Maryland and Ohio,
and at this Eldership in 1833 E. West was appointed to "the Maryland circuit,"
and D. Maxwell to "the Ohio circuit." Instead of Maxwell, Joseph Adams went to
Ohio, and in 1834 reported that he "left the churches in a very prosperous condi-
tion." In 1835 Thomas Hickernell and Jacob Keller were assigned to the Ohio
circuit. The latter brought the petition "from a meeting of Elders in Ohio," in
1835, requesting the privilege of holding an Eldership in Ohio." Thus through
the aggressive and enthusiastic work of the East Pennsylvania Eldership a similar
body was formed in Ohio in 1836, and a little later, by the co-operation of these
two, in the western part of Pennsylvania. In November, 1838, the East Pennsyl-
vania Eldership appointed the first missionaries to western Pennsylvania. These
were John Hickernell and E. West. Their fields of labor was called the "Pittsburg
Mission," but embraced a large territory north and south-east of the city. The
same potent missionary spirit pervaded the Ohio Eldership, so that by 1838 it had
four circuits and one mission, and lacked a minister for the Pittsburg Mission; but
in 1839 it appointed John Hickeraell and Joseph Dobson to said Mission. There
is no record prior to 1838 as to the methods employed to secure means to support
these missionaries; but the Ohio Eldership in that year resolved "that a mission-
ary fund be raised by subscriptions and collections, for the purpose of sustaining
missionaries." It appointed Jacob Keller as agent to work up this fund. An-
nually public collections were ordered to be taken by the pastors in both Elder-
ships, and in the West Pennsylvania Eldership after its organization.
The Annual Elderships through their delegates carried the same intense mis-
sionary spirit into the small body of ministers which in 184 5 organized what has
ever since been called "The General Eldership of the Church of God [or Churches
of God] in North America." On May 30th it resolved "that this Eldership resolve
itself into a domestic and foreign missionary society." It then proceeded to
adopt a Constitution, the title of which is: "Constitution of the Domestic and
Foreign Missionary Society of the Church of God." The first Article gives it this
name. It was further provided that "any person paying annually the sum of
fifty cents, or upwards, shall be a member of this Society." "Any person paying
the sum of $5.00 for five years in succession, or the sum of $20.00, at any one
time, shall be a life member." The "members of the Generil Eldership who are
members of this Society shall constitute the Board of Missions." All the ministers
of the Church of God were made "agents to get members of the Society and to
receive their yearly, or life, subscriptions, donations," etc. This scheme in theory
promised all the needed funds; but it was not workable. It, however, became a
pattern for Annual Elderships for years following, and they made strenuous ef-
forts to put it into effect for the General Eldership. It was of no avail, as reports
at subsequent sessions of the General Eldership show. Thus in 1848 the Board
of Missions reported: "There have been no organizations of societies, and no
money received, except what came from the East Pennsylvania Eldership, to wit:
$45.23. Consequently no missionaries were employed." Strong resolutions were
adopted, urging "the brotherhood to give largely to the missionary cause." In
1851 the Board in laconic terms reported: "Dear Brethren: — Having no means,
we employed no missionaries." In 1854 no report was made. The Eldership de-
cided, however, "to appoint a Board of Missions composed of one member from
each Annual Eldership, to take charge of all missionary operations outside of the
bounds of Annual Elderships," each Eldership to raise funds and place them in
the hands of said Board. In 1857 there was again no report; but a committee,
consisting of E. H. Thomas, T. Hickernell and S. S. Richmond, was named "to
mature a plan of general co-operation in the mission enterprise." It reported,
that it be made the duty of each pastor in every Eldership to solicit ten cents per
miember for General Eldership missionary purposes. Winebrenner, Thomas and
•Colder were elected as the Board of Missions. In 1860 there was no report made
Mission Work and Missionary Societies 875
by this Board. Not having lost heart through these repeated failures, the Elder-
ship proceeded to anaend the Constitution adopted in 184 5, by inserting a clause
which provided that "the whole Church shall be regarded as a General Missionary
Society, and each local church as an auxiliary." There was also to be lifted "an
annual public collection at each church and appointment." In 1863 there was
the stereotyped report of "no means, and no missionaries appointed." An appeal
was made for collecti<)ns. In 1866 the Board reported the appointment A. X.
Shoemaker to the Chicago Mission, and reappointed him at the session of 1866.
At this Eldership, as in 1860 and 1863, a Board of Missions was elected, consisting
of five persons, viz.: E. H. Thomas, J. M. Domer, L. B. Hartman, R. H. Bolton,
J. H. Hurley. But the Board did nothing, as it had no means.
Thus until 1869, by which time there were organized eleven Annual Elder-
ships, no missionary work was undertaken and sustained by the General Eldership.
Possibly there were two reasons for this unwelcome fact: 1. The overlapping of
the work the General Eldership purposed to do and that which the Annual Elder-
ships were doing. 2. The greater activity of the Annual Elderships and their
incessant appeals for funds. For at no period of their histories did the Annual
Elderships labor more assiduously to "possess the land." And their work during
these twenty-four years resulted in carrying the banner of the Church into western
Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas and Texas and
Arkansas. Yet there was a healthy stimulus in the actions of the General Elder-
ship, and its plans were incorporated in Annual Eldership actions. Nor were they
lukewarm in seeking to put into effect the plans of the General Eldership. While
their own interests were naturally regarded as paramount, yet they gave promi-
nence to the interests of the General Eldership. Thus while in January, 1845,
the Standing Committee of the East Pennsylvania Eldership requested pastors and
churches to see to it that "the missionary collection ordered by the Eldership be
punctually lifted," in October at the session of the Eldership a resolution was
adopted directing that missionary funds be raised on the plan proposed by the
General Eldership in May, and readopted it in October, 1846. And also in May,
1846, Winebrenner exhorted "the ministers and elders in every church to go to
work on the plan recommended by the General Eldership," and to "send in the
names of life members of the Missionary Society." He insisted that the mission
cause is God's cause. It was this in the beginning, and it is still." Others also
strongly sustained the action taken by the General Eldership, so that though as to
results the delegates were "in the ranks of the losing side," yet they trusted the
God to whom they were consecrated, and had the consciousness that they had en-
riched the world and performed a service beyond the world's ability to pay. Thus
"thev that stumbled are girded with strength." The East Pennsylvania Eldership
consistently aimed to carry into effect the plan of the General Eldership until it
became a dead letter. In February, 1847, E. H. Thomas, in The Advocate, asked
the question: "Have all the churches formed Missionary Societies according to
the plan of the last East Pennsylvania Eldership?" The church at Lancaster had
organized one January 1, 1847, and had adopted a "Constitution of the Missionary
Society of the Church of God at Lancaster, Pa." But the object was "to sustain
missionaries employed by the East Pennsylvania Eldership." The dues were 12 1^
cents each quarter. Elizabethtown followed in April, 1847, adopting a Constitu-
tion similar to that of the Lancaster church. Except as to the organization of
local societies, the East Pennsylvania Eldership was in advance of the General Eld-
ership. In 1840 it took action, appointing "a Board of Missions with a view of
carrying out a system of Home Missionary operations." It had power to appoint
missionaries anywhere. The members were William Miller, Edward West and
Jacob Keller. To secure funds each pastor was instructed "to take up two col-
lections in each year for missionary purposes." In 1848 the Board received
$138.28, as against $90.37 in 1846. In 1849 the initial steps were taken to send
one missionary to Illinois and one to Iowa. As all the funds which had been
gathered before were needed to support missionaries within the territory of the
Eldership, pledges were called for to support these prospective missionaries to the
West. Winebrenner said this is "a day of small things," as he felt the churches
and ministers lacked in liberality. In a short time $114.00 were secured, when
Winebrenner earnestly pleaded for "a few more pledges, and we can sustain a mis-
sionary in the West." The Board this year also received $183.28; in 1850,
$241.42. Without waiting for the General Eldership in 1851 to take action on
this project of sending missionaries to the West, the East Pennsylvania Eldership
876 History of the Churches of God
in 1851 completed its arrangements to send one missionary to Iowa, three ta
Illinois, and one general assistant in Illinois and missionary in Indiana. These
were A. Megi-ew, Iowa, $300.00; Illinois, George Sandoe, $300.00; J. M. Klein,
$200.00; Daniel Wertz, $100.00; T. Hickernell, General Assistant and Missionary
in Indiana, $200.00. The Board employed Wm. McFadden as the Agent to collect
funds. It required $1,220.00 that year to meet all of the Board's obligations.
The earliest suggestion to establish a mission in Texas is found in The Advocate in
1852. In the Fall of 1853 the East Pennsylvania Eldership acted on this sug-
gestion by recommending that one or two missionaries be sent to Texas, and a
general agent placed in the field to collect funds. As was common then, a "pledge
list" was at once started, which with what the agent collected amounted to
$404.00 by 1854 when the missionaries, B. Ober ami E. Marple, were to leave
for their distant field of labor. To widen and deepen the interest in these enter-
prises the Eldership directed that each church should "hold a monthly prayer-
meeting to pray for our missionaries." A more systematic and economical
method of collecting funds seemed necessary, and so Winebrenner, General Mis-
sionary, in 1855 proposed a plan in accordance with which the "Missionary Board
adopted a Constitution" giving it authority to superintend the collection of mis-
sionary funds. It at once directed that "every local church shall be considered a
missionary society, and every minister and member shall be a contributor." Ta
assure the carrying out of this plan, a collector was to be appointed in each church.
Winebrenner as the General Collector prepared and published a heading and form
to be used by the local collectors. Colder endorsed the plan, and made a stirring
appeal. The result as reported to the Eldership was the receipt of $441.66, and
in 1856, $761.87. The Eldership directed that "a missionary collector, or two,
be appointed in each church by the pastor and elders, and also that a public col-
lection be lifted each year in January or February for all to give." In 1858 it re-
newed its recommendation, making each church a missionary society, and "each
minister and member a contributor." A "subscription list was to be opened at
each appointment." This plan was characterized as "an excellent missionary
system," and "abundantly efficient." But results were disappointing, as in 1859
the Board of Missions received only $265.74 through these agencies. The Elder-
ship renewed its recommendation, and added that "any preacher who fails to carry
out this system is to be censured by the Eldership." But where criminals are the
judge and jury there is no enforcement of the law. Yet in 1862 the Eldership di-
rected the organization of what had been called "sub-societies." It considered
itself the "parent society," and the churches were to be auxiliary societies. The
Constitution made "the duty of all the churches to resolve themselves into mis-
sionary societies." This was to go into effect on and after January 1, 1863. The
project of sending a missionary to Nebraska was endorsed at this Eldership.
I. E. Beyer was secured as the missionary, and $289.57 were raised to support him
one year. In 1863 it obligated itself to pay $300.00 annually toward the Chicago
Mission, in addition to the $325.00 appropriated to missions in its own territory.
With the starting of the Philadelphia Mission in 1866 it began the system of assess-
ments, which finally became its permanent financial system, as also of the General
Eldership. It avoided the obnoxious term "assessment" for quite a while, using
instead "apportionment." A committee estimated the total amount of missionary
money needed during the year 1866-7, and "apportioned it among the churches."
The first year it was $1,955.00; the second $2,750.00. The missions in the West
were now called "frontier missions." In 1868 the assessment was much reduced
because the plan of having a "missionary meeting" one evening at the Eldership
proved a surprising success, as individual subscriptions were secured amounting
to $1,400.00. The work of the Eldership in 1869 was supplemented by the organ-
ization in 1870 of a "Sunday-school Missionary Society," with a plan to raise
$300.00 annually, with "the hope of increasing it to $1,000.00 a year." This was
to be done by the sale of "Life Certificates" at $20.00 each, and by inducing all
the Sunday-schools to give their collections the first Sunday of each month to the
S. S. Missionary Society. The Society was organized at the S. S. Convention held
at Harrisburg, which was honored by the presence of Governor Geai-y. Six life
members were enrolled. The same year the Eldership ordered monthly missionary
meetings to be held by the churches. The other Elderships in the main followed
the example of East Pennsylvania, all being equally energetic and enthusiastic,
but weaker and possessed of more limited means. Thus the Ohio Eldership in
1843 appointed "Samuel Metzler, S. Hollinger and Samuel Scott a Board of Mis-
Mission Work and Missionary SociETms 877
sions to receive and pay over the semi-weekly collections, donations," etc. In
1845 it recommended a public collection annually for missionary purposes, to be
paid to the Board of Missions. In 1848 it organized the "Missionary Society of
the Ohio Eldership." Its Board of Missions in 1852 received $115.40, and it
supported in part two "domestic" missionaries. The object of its Missionary So-
■ciety was "to support domestic and foreign missionaries." In 1854 the receipts
were $296.29. In 1855 a committee was directed to prepare a new plan to secure
mission funds. It maintained the society idea, but incorporated the Life Mem-
bership principle, under which notes were secured on which interest was paid dur-
ing life, or until the principal was paid. There were also "dues" received from
others. This became the permanent policy, and when worked by agents duly ap-
pointed brought good results. In connection with this it had the first distinc-
tive woman's organization, called "The Ladies' Missionary Society." After the
East Ohio Eldership was formed it continued the same policy; but in 1862 it "re-
quired each church to form itself into a sub-society," and gave directions how to
raise funds. It organized the "Missionary Aid Society of the East Ohio Eldership,"
■of which all the ministers were ex-officio members. Any other person paying 25
cents or upwards was a member for one year; persons paying $10.00 or upwards
were life members, and persons paying $100.00 were honorary life members. The
ministers were instructed to work up this plan. What was known as "Article 7,"
being the seventh Article of the Constitution of the General Eldership of 1845, it
was insisted upon must be strictly adhered to. The "parent" society idea, with the
"sub-societies" was a growth from this germ. In 1866 the East Ohio Eldership
■established a foreign mission in Canada, without so designating it. It then had
$1,360.00 in Life Memberships, and the cash receipts were $207.00. To get into
larger towns in its territory it began missionary work in Mansfield in 1870. To
raise additional funds it resorted to per capita assessments, making the annual
amount $1.00 for the men and 50 cents for the women. The West Ohio Eldership
having been part of the original Ohio Eldership, when it was organized adopted the
East Ohio plan in the main. But a "Home Missionary Society" was organized in
1858, through which $154.00 were raised the first year, and in 1859, $325.00. In
1863 it formed the "Missionary Aid Society of the West Ohio Eldership," con-
formed in all particulars to the East Ohio Society. Its object was "to sustain
missions in West Ohio." It was proposed by these measures to raise $1,000.00
from 1866 to 1867, and then to have "one minister as missionary on new ground
each year."
The West Pennsylvania Eldership, the third annual Eldership to be organized,
did not fully co-operate with the General Eldership for several years. Its first
move to raise funds under Eldership authority was in 1853, when each pastor was
Instructed to collect 25 cents per member for the Missionary Fund. It soon fell
fully in line, and in 1856 instructed a committee to draft a Constitution for a Mis-
sionary Society. In 1857 this "Constitution of the Missionary Society of the
West Pennsylvania Eldership" was adopted. It provided for a membership fee of
f 1.00 a year. In 1858 the Eldership resolved itself into a Missionary Society, and
■declared that "we regard the Church of God as a great Missionary Society, called
upon by divine authority to send the gospel into all the world." The Eldership
was to be the "parent" society, and each local church an auxiliary. The ministers
were directed to secure subscriptions. In 1865 it began gathering money for a
"Perpetual Missionary Fund," and soon had $700.00. In 1866 ministers were in-
structed to "urge large subscriptions in cash or notes bearing interest for the en-
dowing of a Mission Fund as per previous plan." It started a "frontier mission"
in 1869 when D. Blakely was appointed to Missouri. Its first effort to raise funds
by apportionment was in 1870, when it resorted to this plan to raise the amount
asked of it by the Board of Missions of the General Eldership. The Indiana Elder-
ship adopted the methods of the Ohio Eldership. Local missionary work was at first
done largely by T. Hickernell and J. Mai-tiii. It thus extended its territory south-
ward until the Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership was organized. Its largest
domestic missionary enterprise was at Port Wayne, in the interest of which it re-
peatedly canvassed the churches. When in 1868 D. Keplinger removed to Mis-
souri it agreed to do all it could to support him as its missionary. In 1870 it
directed monthly prayer-meetings to be held for missions. The work was said
to have "two gratifying features: 1. A more determined disposition to raise
means; and, 2. A readiness to seek to take possession of the principal cities in
the territory of the Eldership." It had less machinery and fewer organizations
SjS History of the Churches of God
and plans than most of the older Elderships. The Michigan Eldership began its
missionary operations through general missionaries, to support which the Eldership
in 1853 directed that money should be raised by taking subscriptions in all the
churches to run for a period of five years. Then the Board of Missions was in-
structed in 1860 "to adopt measures to raise mission funds." In 1867 it organ-
ized a "Missionary Aid Society." In the course of a year it had twenty-seven
members, making $270.00. In 1870 it organized itself into a Missionary Society
and adopted a Constitution providing for life members and other details similar
to those in Ohio. But its means were always too limited to do efficient missionary
work. It, however, contributed its proportion to the Chicago Mission, as did all
the western Elderships, some of them giving largely. The Illinois Eldership soon
after its organization began raising mission funds by public collections at each
church and preaching point. But in 1859 it organized "The Home Missionary So-
ciety of the Church of God in Northern Illinois," to "prosecute Church extension
work in that part of the State." This became a general Society in 1861, known
as "the parent Society," and the Eldership directed that in each church a "Mission-
ary Society should be organized to aid the parent Society." The latter held its
sessions at the annual Elderships, when subscriptions were received and collections
taken, amounting in 1863 to $167.00, and in 1870 to $180.00. Extra-State mission
work was forcibly urged by G. Sandoe in 1867. There seemed a providential
opening in Minnesota, which J. L. Fasig, who had removed thither from Illinois,
regarded as "a fruitful field." Sandoe insisted that "we have the means," and
suggested the old method of "a pledge list" through The Advocate to secure the
money. He headed the list with $10.00, followed by R. H. Bolton with $10.00.
In 1870 the Life Membership feature of other Elderships was incorporated in its
system, which supplemented its other agencies to such an extent that it enabled
the Eldership to do efficient home mission work. The missionary spirit was
characteristic of the Iowa brethren before the Eldership was organized. In 1849
they made strenuous efforts "to swell our pledges in order to sustain a mission in
Iowa." Voluntary subscriptions were urged in 1850, and in 1851, when they
made a request that the East Pennsylvania Eldership "send another missionary"
in addition to A. Megrew, funds were to be "raised in each neighborhood to sup-
port the latter." In 1856 the Eldership decided "to form itself into a Missionary
Society," and created a committee to draft a Constitution. The pastors were re-
quired to preach one missionary sermon at each point on their fields, and lift a
collection. In 1859 the sum of $380.00 was secured from Life Members of the
Misisonary Society. In 1860 the Eldership obligated itself to support one minister
to travel as a misisonary in the State, and made a call for the man. Outside of the
State it was also ready to do its full share, giving not only liberally to the Chicago
Mission, but projecting missions in Missouri, in California and in Minnesota. For
some years its most efficient, though expensive, method of collecting missionary
funds was through Agents, two or three being assigned annually to different dis-
tricts of the Eldership territory. These brought into the treasury in 1866 ihe
sum of $540.60. Larger amounts were secured by 1868 in notes and from Life
Members in the Missionary Society of the Eldership. At the extra session of the
Eldership missions was the absorbing topic, and the conclusion was reached "to
labor to extend our borders and to occupy as many new points as can be served."
In 1859 the Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership appointed "a Committee
to consider the best and most available means to raise missionary funds." It was
concluded to appoint one man in each church to collect missionary money to
support one or more missionaries in this Eldership. In 1864 a "Missionary Aid
Society" was organized on the Ohio plan. The ministers were instructed to pre-
sent the claims of this Society to the churches, and to collect funds at each ap-
pointment for it. It became interested in a mission project in Richland county,
Wisconsin, in 1867, as some Church families had located there, and one of the
ministers proposed to join them. In the German Eldership there was no disposi-
tion to adopt the new methods of raising missionary funds. It had its Board of
Missions as early as 1857, of which George lOmmcl was a member. He bequeathed
nearly his whole estate to the Eldership, the income from which was to be used
in missionary work. In 1859 it did resolve "to form a Missionary Society," but
it was not an active org-inization. At times a strong missionary spirit became
evident, yet but little work could be done for want of suitable men. The territory
lying eastward and southward was good ground for German missions, and at dif-
ferent periods men were appointed to open missions there; but the territory of
Mission Work and Missionary Societies 879
the Eldership early began to contract, and nothing in the way of Church extension
was effected. Its most auspicious project was the "Susquehanna Mission," in
1867, to which A. Snyder was assigned, with the Eldership's guarantee of $400.00.
The money, besides what came in from the Kimmel estate, was raised on the floor
of the Eldership and through collections.
The year 1869-'70 marks a new era in the mission work of the Church of God.
Up to that date domestic and frontier work was done by the Annual Elderships.
At this period the two became separated, with a few exceptions, and the General
Eldership took over the frontier work. The Annual Elderships continued mis-
sion work iu their own territories and according to their own plans and methods.
As new Elderships were organized they generally followed the methods of older
Elderships from which their first ministers came. Thus their borders were en-
larged, new churches organized and fields of labor formed. During the canvass,
of the Elderships by the General Collecting Agents of the Board of Missions of the
General Eldership an effort was made, which was temporarily successful, to revive
the original plan of forming missionary societies in every church. The Elderships
co-operated with the Agents, and creditable amounts were collected. Many of the
Elderships had a General Society with which the local societies co-operated. And
in 1882 the Board of Missions suggested "that one General Missionary Meeting:
be held annually in each of the General Missionary Societies organized." The
General Missionary Secretary had somewhat of an oversight of these Societies, and
gave suggestions for these meetings. But in 1887 the General Eldership in-
structed "the Board of Missions in .June each year, at its annual meeting, to make
an estimate of the amount of money required to carry out the work for the suc-
ceeding year, beginning with November 1, 1887, and apportion the same among
the several Elderships." While the idea of "assessments" was repugnant to some
Annual Elderships, this became the permanent policy of the Board, each Eldership
collecting the "apportionment" in its own way. The Board began its active life
in 1869. At the General Eldership held at Lancaster, Pa., in that year it seemed
to realize that it was an abortive and superfluous appendage unless a change be
effected. It accordingly suggested in its Report that, as hitherto it had done noth-
ing, it "be abolished, or else be given the entire business pertaining to frontier
mission work into its hands." The Eldership adopted the alternative, and gave
the Board all the power it asked. It at once appointed four missionaries. A. X.
Shoemaker to Chicago; D. Keplinger, Missouri; George Thomas, South-western
Iowa, and P. K. Shoemaker, Kansas and Nebraska. As to "domestic" missions
the Board said it "could only make suggestions." It did so, advising the Fourth
Street Church, Harrisburg, Pa., "to open a mission somewhere in the western part
of the city;" that a mission be started in Reading by the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship; one in Mansfield by the Ohio Eldership, and one in Indiana by the Indiana
Eldership. The method by which the Board might secure the means to support
its missionaries, except Shoemaker who collected his own salary, was no doubt
suggested by the offer of $25.00 by one brother. The Board, therefore, asked for
"free-will offerings to the Lord." Since 1869 it has kept missionaries in its employ
each year, sending them to Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Indian Territory, Okla-
homa, Arkansas, Oregon, Washington and Colorado. It was largely through these
faithful missionaries that Elderships were established in those States. Perhaps
one of the most serious difficulties the Board had to contend against was to secure
men wholly consecrated to mission work. Too frequent changes of missionaries
resulted, and much labor and considerable means were wasted. To provide means
to carry on its work year after year until the apportionment method was used,
supplemented by the income from the "Permanent Mission Fund," the Board re-
sorted to one plan after another. In addition to the appeal for free-will offerings
used in 1869, it fell back on the measure adopted in 1845 by the General Elder-
ship— a 25-cent contribution per member, which made the giver a member of the
General Eldership Missionary Society. Then followed these: Each Eldership to
collect according to its own rules; a 10-cent offering from each Church member;
a $1,000.00 Fund, apportioned to the Elderships; through missionary collecting
agents appointed by the Board; through an organization of sisters in" East Penn-
sylvania in 1873, which undertook to care for Nebraska; General Collecting
Agents, and local societies organized by them; special offerings by Sunday-schools
during the Raikes Centennial; offerings in all the churches during the Semi-
centennial year of the Church. By these methods it succeeded in raising as much
88o History of the Churches of God
as $4,339.31 in cash, and $761.00 in pledges, as in 1875, and smaller amounts in
other years, until the present system of assessments was adopted.
The women of the churches came to the front as a distinct factor in mission
work in 1S73, when on February 24th, Klizabeth R. Gable, Lancaster, Pa., pro-
posed to form a company of "ten sisters to obligate themselves to raise $1,000.00
for the support of two ministers in Nebraska." This was endorsed by the Editor
as "an excellent proposition." To interest others in addition to the ten, the prop-
osition was modified in March, so as to permit any number in a given church to
combine and make a $100.00 contribution. The project was heartily endorsed
by A. X. Shoemaker, President, and R. H. Bolton, Secretary of the Board of Mis-
sions of the General Eldership. The first to respond, outside of Mrs. Gable, Mrs.
J. Kennedy and Mrs. George Ross, the originators of the plan, was Mrs. P. Loucks,
of Alverton, Pa., followed by Mi-s. Win. 3IcFadden, of Harrisburg, Pa. In Iowa
the scheme was worked up by 3Irs. R. H. Bolton, Mrs. A. Mcgi'evv and Mi-s. John
Huff. By May 1.5th $900.00 were secured. When the Board met on May 21st,
the formal offer of $1,000.00 by the sisters was made, and cordially received, the
Board "recognizing in the sisters' missionary movement the promptings and lead-
ings of the Holy Spirit." The Board also recommended "the organization of a
Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, with one President, one General
Secretary and a Board of Managers." Joined by sisters in Indiana and one or two
other Elderships, the "promise of $1,000.00 was more than kept good." It seemed
more difficult to secure the $1,000.00 for the second year, so that when the Board
met May 21, 1874, only $600.00 had been secured. This the sisters said would
"support the work in Nebraska," and they "hoped to be able to sustain another
missionary on some other destitute field." Other sisters enlisted in this cause,
as Mrs. J. E. McColley, Indiana; Lydia A. Forney, Harrisburg, Pa.; Martha Zeller,
Iowa, each agreed to raise $100.00. So confident was the Board that the sisters
would succeed that "it committed the entire State of Nebraska to the Sisterhood,
with four appointed missionaries to sustain." The sisters also began working for
a "Permanent Missionary Fund," and reported some contributions and pledges In
July, 1874. The sisters in quite a number of local churches were now at work,
co-operating with the original leaders. They considered it "the most noble work
our sisters have ever undertaken." Naturally the idea followed this movement
that missionary societies should be organized in the local churches, with a general
society in each Eldership. Here was the genesis of the later and more complete
system of Woman's Missionary Societies and the Woman's General Missionary
Society. In this movement the Indiana Eldership took a leading part, as at its
session September 28, 1874, it adopted two resolutions on the subject. One "sug-
gesting the propriety of organizing a Sisters' Missionary Society in the respective
churches of the Eldership." The other advising that a general society be formed
"among the sisterhood of the Eldership." The Eldership elected the officers of
this Missionary Society, thus keeping a close supervision over it. Later this be-
came the State Woman's Missionary Society. West Pennsylvania Eldership had
forty-one Sisters' Missionary Societies in 1879, with 432 members, which, by the
assistance of the Missionary Agent, S. P. P. Young, raised $9,788.50 by July of
said year. Each pastor was "required to preach a sermon in favor of the Sisters'
Mission." In 1882 the Eldership "granted the sisters the privilege of forming a
General Missionary Society, and of holding yearly meetings." This Society was
also "permitted to send a delegation of five members to the Eldership to represent
its interests." In East Pennsylvanid Eldership the "Sisters' Eastern Missionary
Society" was organized in 1879 "to support missionaries in Maine and other sec-
tions in the Eastern States." It was formed under the supervision of the Elder-
ship, and the officers were elected by the Eldership. The Illinois Eldership or-
ganized a Sisters' Missionary Society at its session in 1882, electing its officers and
directing it to "publish its method of raising money." These Sisters' Missionary
Societies in many places were either the General Missionary Societies revived, or-
ganized by R. H. Bolton, I. W. Markley and others, or their successors. For the
General Societies were too loosely and imperfectly organized, and by 1886 were
rapidly disintegrating. Hence, the Sisters' Missionary Societies under Annual
Eldership control. The former "had been organized in most of the churches of
God in the United States;" the latter were more limited in numbers and member-
ship. They gradually changed to the "Woman's Missionary Societies," which first
appeared in print in November, 1886, in connection with the Illinois Society. And
on December 7, 1886, the Illinois Standing Committee "suggested the propriety of
Mission Work and Missionary Societies 88i
organizing Woman's Missionary Societies in the local churches." In 1887 said
Society, having been organized, "requested the aid and sympathy of the Eldership
in publishing a missionary quarterly in the interest of the W. M. S. of Illinois."
It was called "the State W. M. S.". The name, however, was not generally
adopted at that time, for at the Ohio Eldership in 18 87 "an evening was set apart
for the consideration of the Sisters' Missionary Society's Report of Findlay."
This Society changed its title to Woman's Missionary Society in 1888. The "Mis-
sion Field," a Department in The Church Advocate, then conducted by C. Mau-
chester, quietly encouraged this change in all the Societies. He submitted the
draft of a Constitution of the Woman's Missionary Society of Peaksville, Mo. The
East Pennsylvania Eldership in 188 8 directed "all the churches having no mission-
ary societies to organize at once." In this Eldership the sisters worked under the
order established by the General Eldership Agents, and in close co-operation with
the Eldership. It was not until April, 1893, that a general organization was ef-
fected, known as "the East Pennsylvania Eldership Woman's Missionary Society."
This, slightly changing dates, was true of Societies in some other Elderships,
though "State organizations" were advised "if only six or seven wokers in a Staie
were present." This conception disregarded the fundamental principle of the
State organizations being representative bodies, upon which East Pennsylvania
strenuously insisted. In Ohio a State Woman's Missionary Society was organized
on September 26, 1889, and a regular Constitution adopted. The Illinois W. M. S.
Constitution was closely followed by the Ohio W. M. S. and other western Elder-
ships. In the Kansas Eldership Woman's Missionary Societies were organized
prior to 1890, and was preparing to organize a State W. M. S. in the Winter of
1889-90. In Kansas, the Standing Committee in March, 1890, appointed four
sisters "organizers of Woman's Missionary Societies in the State." Missouri also
took action in May, 1890, to "form a State Woman's Missionary Society," putting
the word "Home" in the name.
Woman's Missionary Societies having been organized in nearly all the Annual
Elderships, it was natural that when the General Eldership convened at North
Bend, Johnson county, Iowa, the organization of a Woman's General Missionary
Society would be taken up. While Women's Missionary Societies were organized
as early as 1803, the idea of separate organizations for women did not generally
commend itself until much later. Especially is this true of organizations for for-
eign work. The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the M. E. Church was
organized in 1869; that of the Reformed Church in 1875; of the Free Baptist
Church in 1873; of the Lutheran Church in 1879; of the Baptist Church in 1888;
of the United Brethren Church in 1875; of the Evangelical Association in 1891; of
the Methodist Protestant Church in 1879. And while the W. G. M. S. of the
churches of God was not organized as a Foreign Missionary Society, it has largely
become so. The harbinger of this new organization is found in an article by C.
Manchester in the "Mission Field" in The Advocate of April 23, 1890. He was
then a minister of the Illinois Eldership, with the sisters of which the idea of
forming a W. G. M. S., "as we henceforth will call it for short," and was familiar
with their plans. A "memorial" was sent out "to ascertain the feeling" on the
subject. It came back with nineteen signatures, nearly all from Ohio and Illinois.
Each State W. M. Society was directed "to appoint a delegate to go to North Bend
June 5th, to present the Memorial" to the General Eldership. The Standing Com-
mittees of "Elderships where there are no W. M. Societies" were requested "to ap-
point sisters who will go to the General Eldership for the same purpose." These
directions were complied with by several Elderships which had no State organi-
zations, and by the officials in other Elderships which had State Societies. The
Memorial was presented to the General Eldership, which appointed M. S. Noav-
comei', R. H. Bolton and C. Manchester "a committee to consider it, and report to
the Eldership." Also a Committee on Constitution, composed of two women
from each of the Elderships of West Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Ne-
braska and Missouri, with Mary Berksti-esser "as a representative of the General
Eldership and Mrs. J. R. H. Latchaw as representative of Findlay College." The
Committee on Memorial reported a recommendation "that the requests and
suggestions of the Memorial be adopted." The Constitution defined the "object
of this Society" to be "to promote an interest in missions among the churches,
and especially among the women and young people; to secure systematic con-
tributions; to disseminate missionary intelligence, and to encourage the grace
C. H. — 29*
882 History of the Churches of God
of giving." A corallary would be a missionary periodical, and this was regarded
now as "a necessity." By "paying $1.00 annually through an auxiliary, or
directly into the treasury," entitled "any woman to become a member." To
become a Life Member the sum of $25.00 was required to be paid either at one
time, or in installments of not less than $5.00. The payment of $100.00 con-
stituted a woman an Honorary Life Member. The "voting members shall con-
sist of the officers of the General Society," which were a President, Vice Presidents,
the different Eldership Presidents, who shall be Second Vice Presidents, a Record-
ing Secretary, one or more Corresponding Secretaries and a Treasurer." Provision
was also made for a Board of Managers, to "consist of the officers of the Society;
the trustees, who shall be chosen from the Board of Managers, and the delegates
from the various Societies." This Board was given "power to establish mission
schools, select and appoint missionaries, designate their fields of labor, fix their
salaries, appropriate the funds of the Society as the cause may demand, working
in harmony with the Board of Missions of the General Eldership." The first or-
ganization was as follows: President, Miss L. A. Forney; Vice President, Mrs.
Anna P. Shaeffer; Recording Secretary, Mi.ss Mary Berkstresser; Corresponding
Secretary, Mrs. Ella Jeffries; Treasurer, Mrs. R. H. Bolton. It became evident
within a year or two that there were several serious defects in the Constitution.
These were: The partial abrogation of the General Eldership's sovereignty over
the W. G. M. S., so that later it could claim to be rather a co-ordinate than a sub-
ordinate body; also the possible self-perpetuating power of the Board of Managers.
Besides, it lacked elasticity for want of a truly representative element. It was
sometimes called "undemocratic," "un-American." In these features were hidden
the germs of subsequent troubles and dissensions. In several Elderships Woman's
Missionary Societies were organized which could not become members of the W.
G. M. S. under its Constitution. This to some extent hindered that general co-
operation which all desired. The W. G. M. S. also was not quite satisfied with its
relations to the General Eldership. In 1891 it asked that the General Eldership
Constitution be amended, "admitting the W. G. M. S. into said incorporation."
And the Board of Missions instead of this, recommended "the Board of Incorpora-
tion to take the necessary steps to incorporate the W. G. M. S." The amount of
funds gathered prior to 1896 was limited. In 1892 the Treasurer reported
$144.90. It had a Home and Foreign Mission Fund; but it did little home mis-
sion work, except appropriate $100.00 to Fort Scott Mission in 1894, and smaller
amounts to other points. Its Home Fund, hence, increased until it reached nearly
$2,000.00. Its attention was directed to the foreign work in 1893, when the Board
of Missions of the General Eldership took action, approved by members of the W.
G. M. S. present, that "the entire foreign mission work of the Church of God be
placed in the hands of the W. G. M. S." It also directed the Secretary and Treas-
urer of the Foreign Fund of the General Eldership to pay over to the W. G. M. S.
all the money in his hands. The W. G. M. S. was to pay into the treasury of the
General Eldership its entire Home Mission Fund. The W. G. M. S. was to be
entitled to one delegate to the General Eldership. And while these actions were
not accepted by the W. G. M. S., and so were non-effective, yet the providential
trend was in that direction. For in 1894 J. W. Kingston offered himself to the
W. G. M. S. as a candidate for the foreign field, and began to qualify himself as a
medical missionary. In 1895 it decided to take up the foreign work along with
the home work. In September of said year Clara Landes, of Iowa, having dedi-
cated herself to foreign mission work, entered on a regular course of studies at the
Brooklyn Institute, New York, for a course of preparatory studies. She was ac-
cepted by the W. G. M. S., and approved by the Board of Missions of the General
Eldership. By February, 1896, arrangements were made to raise an "Outfit Fund"
to provide necessary clothing, bedding, furniture, a small library and medicine
chest. Miss Landes made tours during the Summer and Fall through nearly all
the Elderships from Kansas to East Pennsylvania and Maryland. She was present
at the General Eldership at Harrisburg in 1896, when the W. G. M. S. asked that
the Constitution of said body be "so amended as to admit a Woman's Board of
Missions, consisting of five persons elected by the W. G. M. S., which shall act
jointly with the regular Board of Missions on all questions relating to foreign
missions, and to home mission work of the W. G. M. S." This was done. Every-
thing being in readiness. Miss Landes left her Iowa home September 24, 1896, for
her far distant field of missionary work in India. On her way to New York she
Mission Work and Missionary Societies
883
stopped over to attend the session of the East Pennsylvania Eldership. October
28th she reached Brooklyn, N. Y., where she remained until November 1st, and
then proceeded to Boston, Mass., where she boarded the "Armenian" and sailed for
Liverpool, November 4th, and thence to Calcutta, India, from which point she
wrote her first message home, on December 22nd. Her record as a devoted, self-
sacrificing, efficient missionary in India is worthy of highest praise, and has re-
ceived strong commendation from other missionaries in India.
Miss Landes was born near Harmony, Danville township, Des Moines county,
Iowa. Her parents were devoted Christians, and trained their children in the ways
of virtue and piety. She was converted at the age of thirteen, "the only convert
of a Winter's meeting" held by A. C Garner. The meeting was not a failure. An
experience when sixteen years of age led her to place unusual trust in supernatural
influence and guidance in all that concerned her, for when "all the doctor's reme-
Clara Landes.
dies were exhausted, she was cured by direct answer to prayer." She became al-
most a recluse, as "the only place she would go was to church." Having, how-
ever, made sufficient progress in her studies, she began teaching school. She
further pursued her studies at Denmark Academy, Iowa, and in 1889 she entered
Findlay College, and remained several terms. In 1892 she first revealed "to her
friends what she felt it her duty to do" — to become a gospel minister. And so in
1893 she went to the annual session of the Iowa Eldership and applied for license.
The Committee on License reported, that "after a thorough examination they had
found her deeply impressed by the Holy Spirit to do public work for God, and that
her field is the foreign work." "A Certificate of Membership" was granted her,
and that "she be allowed to preach the gospel within the Iowa Eldership." In
1894 she received a Certificate of Ordination, and was appointed to serve the
church at Arthur, Iowa, in 1895, as pastor. This year she attended the annual
meeting of the W. G. M. S., held at Deweyville, Ohio, and offered herself as a can-
884 History of the Churches of God
didate for the foreign mission field. It was decided tliat she should spend a year
at the Union Missionary Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y., preparatory to leaving for
india. During the Summer of 1896 she visited many churches and a number of
Annual Elderships, and spoke on the subject of missions. She w^as a woman of
deep consecration, self-reliance and independence of judgment bordering on wil-
fulness. She was inclined to mysticism, and in all her ways and work depended
more on superhuman guidance as against the counsels of friends or the dictates of
her own judgment. Yet she was extremely modest in her bearing, and most ex-
emplary in piety, and became an efficient missionary.
It was not because the Church of God did not awaken to a consciousness of
its world-wide mission, or its duty to bear the gospel message to the heathen, that
so little was done prior to 1896. The General Eldership at its first session, in
1845, adopted this resolution: "Resolved, That this Eldership resolve itself into
a Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society." The Annual Elderships early in
their history took similar action. Ohio in 1848 adopted a "Constitution of a Mis-
sionary Society whose object is to send out and support both domestic and foreign
missionaries." And in 1857 it directed ten-cent offerings to be taken from each
member of the churches for the fund James Colder, of the East Pennsylvania Eld-
ership, was raising to educate Ting Ing Kaw, a young Chinaman, and send him
back and support him as a missionary in his native country. Considerable sums
of money were secured by free-will offerings and pledges for this purpose in the
years from 1854 to 1857 from the churches and brethren in East Pennsylvania,
Maryland and West Pennsylvania and Ohio Elderships. The East Pennsylvania
Eldership in 1857 declared that "the time has arrived to take some efficient meas-
ures to sustain a missionary in heathen lands." In 1875 it "commended to the
Board of Missions the advisability of establishing a foreign mission at as early a
date as it may find it practicable, in connection with the Board of Foreign Missions
of the Central Association of the Free Baptist Church of New York and Pennsyl-
vania." This was the beginning of a series of negotiations with representatives
of the Free Baptist Church which continued for eighteen years. In 1876 Dr. D.
M. Graham, Free Baptist, was present at the East Pennsylvania Eldership and de-
livered overtures for co-operation with the Society of said Church. To those the
Eldership responded, that it would "heartily join in an effort to promote the work
of the Lord in foreign lands, as it felt a deep interest in foreign missions." In
1877 Dr. Graham revisited the same Eldership, with Dr. J. L. Phillips, also of the
Free Baptist Church, a returned missionary from India. The Eldership was so
favorably impressed with their pleas that a committee "recommended that this
body organize a Foreign Missionary Society." This was agreed to, and a Board
of Foreign Missions was formed, which was innstructed "to bring before the Elder-
ship a definite plan of work in foreign missions." The Board consisted of five
ministers and five laymen. Pliillips was granted the privilege to canvass the
■churches for funds for the Board. The largest amount he secured from any one
church was at Middletown, which gave him $128.00. Altogether he raised during
the Winter nearly $1,000.00. This was preparatory to the meeting of the General
Eldership in 187 8, which Phillips attended. Said body, after hearing the in-
spiring, earnest addresses of Phillips, decided that "we immediately proceed to
organize a Board of Foreign Missions of the Church of God in North America."
With this Board, consisting of C. H. Forney, M. S. Newcomer, J. W. Aukennan,
K. H. Bolton and W. P. Small, the Annual Elderships were to co-operate. In 1883
the Free Baptist Board of Foreign Missions elected C. H. Forney as one of its
members, and later J. R. H. Latchew was a member. He was appointed in 1884
hy the General Eldership to be Secretary and Treasurer of its Foreign Mission
Fund. Dr. O. B. Cheney and Dr. Ball, Free Baptists, attended the sessions, and
strongly urged co-operation. The Eldership resolved "that this body co-operate
with the Free Baptist Church in foreign mission work." This was considered by
Latchaw and others as "our opportunity," as it gave the Church the privilege to
send missionaries into the Free Baptist territory to co-labor with theirs. Lat-
ohaw was instructed to write up the subject of foreign missions, to gather funds,
and to be on the alert "for a man" to go to India. As to funds, the first response
came from Buda, 111., to the amount of $3.00. Landisville camp-meeting. East
Pennsylvania, came next, with $28.00. The different Elderships endorsed the
plan and promised help. Illinois Eldership in 1884 organized a Sisters' Foreign
Missionary Society. By April, 1886, LatchaAv reported the receipt of $515.75. In
1887 Nen-ton Hill, of Kansas, offered to go to India; but on account of his ap-
Mission Work and Missionary Societies 885
parently delicate condition the Board did not accept him. At the General Elder-
ship in 1890 Latchaw reported $1,162.00. He was authorized to correspond with
the Free Baptist Board of Foreign Missions with a view to securing a field in
India apart from their work to which to send the missionaries of the Church.
Though so far very little had been accomplished, the Free Baptist Board seemed
not discouraged, and in 1893, through its representative, Thomas H. Stacy, sub-
mitted propositions for co-operation with it in its work in India. Of the two
submitted the Eldership adopted the one which provided "that the Eldership of
the Church of God shall be represented on the Executive Board of the F. B. F. M. S.
in proportion to its membership and contributions to the foreign work compared
with the membership and contributions of the Free Baptist denomination." It
also resolved that the Eldership enter at once upon foreign mission work," and
named J. R. H. Latchaw as a member of the Foreign Mission Board. The Board
of Missions was given supervision of the work. The Board, however, decided,
approved by the Eldership, "that the entire foreign mission work of the Church
of God be placed in the hands of the Woman's General Missionary Society."
The W. G. M. S. sent out Clara Landes as its first missionary to India, who
began her studies and work at the Free Baptist Mission House at Midnapore, India,
about January 1, 1897. She at once developed an almost special aptness for work
among the heathen, and early began "itinerating," with the ultimate purpose of
selecting territory which should be exclusively for the Church of God. In this
she co-operated with a committee named for that purpose. In December, 1898,
she was in Ulubaria, Subdivision of Howrah District, upon which she finally de-
cided as the territory for the Church. This was approved by the Joint Board of
Missions on June 15, 1900. Here she witnessed the baptism of the first convert
on May 3, 1900. She has continued her woxk in Ulubaria ever since, with the
exception of a year's vacation at the expiration of her first term. She was quite
successful in her work, and the results of her first ten years of faithful, diligent
work were most gratifying.
But meanwhile the relations between the W. G. M. S. and certain other Wo-
man's Missionary Societies became more or less strained. The Joint Board of
Missions of the General Eldership did not prove as successful an expedient as had
been hoped. There was considerable friction, so that some other plan was sug-
gested at the General Eldership in 1899, but the plan of 1896 was continued.
There were features in the Constitution of the W. G. M. S. which made it prac-
tically impossible for Societies of two or three Annual Elderships to join it. Then
the idea of subordination to the Board of Missions of the General Eldership was
not agreeable to some of the leaders of the W. G. M. S. Rather a spirit of inde-
pendence prevailed; a disposition to claim autonomy for the W. G. M. S. Or as
later asserted, that said Society is a co-ordinate body with the General Eldership.
This developed in such proportions as to have the W. G. M. S. separately in-
corporated, and to amend its Constitution so as to relax the restraining power of
the General Board of Missions. There were serious obstacles to co-operation on
the part of several Eldership Societies. This was true of the W. M. S. of the East
Pennsylvania Eldership, although Lydia A. Forney, of said Society, had been the
first President of the W. G. M. S. for a short time, when she resigned, and later
the Treasurer for four years. The East Pennsylvania W. M. S. framed a Consti-
tution on April 26, 1893, and was fully organized at the Eldership in 1894, when
Miss Forney was chosen for President, a position she has held ever since. She
has also for many years been Missionary Organizer, appointed by the Eldership,
and has labored and sacrificed year after year to advance the interests of the So-
ciety, of the W. G. M. S., and of missions in India. Mrs. Kate C. Wiley was the
first Secretary, and Mrs. R. H. Thomas, Treasurer. These, with Mrs. F. W.
McGuii>e and other true and noble women, have bom the burden of official positions
in the W. M. S., and of the W. G. M. S. organized in 1903. The W. M. S. of East
Pennsylvania Eldership was very desirous to be affiliated with the W. G. M. S., as
was the W. M. S. of West Pennsylvania and the W. M. S. of Maryland. Conditions
were embarrassing, but the obstacles to union seemed insurmountable. The W.
G. M. S. would not amend its Constitution so as to receive these Societies. But on
May 18, 1897, the W. M. S. of East Pennsylvania unanimously asked the W. G.
M. S. to be received into organic fellowship with it. Conditions were, however,
laid down which rendered such union "impossible." Hence, in July, 1897, this
Society requested the Board of Missions of the East Pennsylvania Eldership to pe-
tition the Board of Missions of the General Eldership to grant it the privilege of
886 History of the Churches of God
nominating a person or persons from time to time for appointment as missionaries
to India, and to guarantee tlieir support. This being granted, the Society was
ready to accept candidates. On September 4, 1900, Miss A^iola G. Hershey was
accepted. She was requested to go to Pindlay College for several years, when the
Joint Board of Missions would appoint her. On June 19, 1902, A. C. Bowers,
licensed by the West Pennsylvania Eldership in 1899, and Mi"s. Bowei-s were also
accepted. This was in harmony with Miss Landes's urgent plea to the General
Eldership, to send out to India "more missionaries, two men this Fall with their
wives." In this work the three W. M. Societies of East Pennsylvania, West Penn-
sylvania and Maryland and Virginia Elderships co-operated, without formal or-
ganic union, as there was no disposition to organize a rival W. G. M. S. either in
form or name. "One W. G. M. S." for all the Elderships was the rallying cry of
the workers and the churches, endorsed by Miss Landes. The reasons for this po-
sition were forcibly set forth by Miss Forney in a paper on "Reasons for co-opera-
tion for all our Missionary Societies" read at the annual meeting of the W. G. M. S.
in 1901. No action, however, was taken by the W. G. M. S., "because it involves
previous action by the General Eldership." Within the W. G. M. S. there was
also less harmony than was desired. The cry for union of all Societies, hence, be-
came almost universal, and the manner of securing it, and an equitable basis, be-
came absorbing questions. AV. J. Schaner, Conductor of the "Mission Work" in
The Advocate, took up the matter and calmly discussed it, as did leaders in the
General Eldership by correspondence. Schaner, in January, 1902, stated that "W.
M. S. of East Pennsylvania is not a part of the W. G. M. S., the obstacle being the
basis of union." In March, 1902, he emphatically urges union: "Let the W. G.
M. S. be composed of the W. M. Societies of all the Elderships," which was the
original design. And in her letter to the General Eldership of 1902 Clara Landes
says: "Oh, that I could do or say something to help bring about union." This
was the atmosphere in which the General Eldership convened at Idaville, Indiana,
on May 28, 1902. The matter pertaining to the W. G. M. S. was referred to the
Board of Missions, which brought in a unanimous report, in which it recom-
mended: 1. That a convention be held at Findlay, Ohio, in June, 1903. 2.
That said convention shall consist of delegates to be elected by each Eldership W.
M. S., in number not greater than one-third the delegations from their respective
Elderships to the General Eldership; but each Society shall have at least one dele-
gate. 3. That it shall be the purpose of this convention to organize a Woman's
General Missionary Society, adopt a Constitution therefor, and fix the ratio of
representation. It further defined certain rights and powers of the proposed So-
ciety. The discussion was participated in by members of the W. G. M. S., who
were made advisory members of the Eldership for this purpose. When the yeas
and nays were called on the motion to adopt the Report they stood: Yeas, 60;
nays, 4. That the action was not wholly approved by some members of the W. G.
M. S. was made evident before the final vote, and was emphasized when later a
resolution was adopted by a vote of 27 to 26, "instructing the Treasurer of the
W. G. M. S. to turn over to the Treasurer of the General Eldership all Home Mis-
sionary money now in hand," which was $1,862.67. Yet this was the identical
action approved by leading members of the W. G. M. S. and the entire Eldership
in 1893. It was an unavoidable corallary of the actions touching the proposed
W. G. M. S., as it was to supercede and displace the W. G. M. S. of 1890.
So generally was this action sustained as a wise and efficient plan for the
settlement of all past difficulties and for united and harmonious work in the home
and foreign field that the positive sailing for India of three more missionaries was
cause for congratulation. The Societies co-operating together to send out the
three additional missionaries went to work with added zeal and coura£;e. Money
was soon collected for "outfit" and for "voyage" Funds. And by October 15, 1902,
A. C. Bowers and Mrs. Bowers, and Viola G. Hershey were aboard the steamer
•"Hanoverian" in Boston Harbor, ready to sail for Liverpool. Thence by rail to
London, whence, on October 31st, they began their long voyage to Calcutta, India.
Thence to Midnopore, and to Ulubaria, which they reached about the middle of
December, where they "received a hearty welcome." Miss Hershey was a native
of Lancaster county. Pa., a member of the church of God at Landisville. She
was a young woman of excellent character, which had for its chief adornment
a meek and quiet spirit and devout godliness. In addition to her home and com-
mon school training, she spent nearly two years at Findlay College in special
studies for her future work in India. She was a lay missionary, having never been
Mission Work and Missionarv Societies
88;*
ordained to the ministry. She had sufficient self-reliance to brave unflinchingly
the hardships of missionary life among the heathen. And she had a strong body
and good health, an important qualification for a foreign missionary in a hot cli-
mate. Mrs. Bowers was not so robust; of quiet demeanor; a devout Christian and
a faithful missionary's wife, ready to prove herself a help-meet to her husband in
heathen lands. Bowers was a member of the West Pennsylvania Eldership, and
was recommended as a young man of good natural talents, fair acquirements and
a consecrated life. He had those traits of character which made him resolute in
the face of dangers and difficulties, and which also might bring him into conflict
with others equally firm in their convictions.
With these missionaries, appointed by the Board of Missions upon recom-
mendation of Societies not in fellowship with the former- W. G. M. S., working
together in India, it seemed an auspicious hour for the Convention to meet to
frame a Constitution and organize the one W. G. M. S. of the General Eldership in
which all Eldership Societies would be represented. While there was quite gen-
eral approval of the plan proposed by the General Eldership, there was some op|)o-
sition, at first based largely on the action respecting the Home Fund of the W. G.
M. S. But it was reasonably assumed that this would disappear when the Con-
vention would meet and do its assigned work. By May, however, there were fore-
tokens of more or less serious trouble, as the W. G. M. S. was called to meet at
A. C. Bowers and Wife, Miss Viola G. Hei-shey.
Columbia City, Indiana, but a few days before the convening of the delegates at
Findlay, Ohio, where "very important business" was to come up. The opposition
was led very largely by Mrs. M. B. Newcomer (nee Berkstresser) , who at Columbia
City was re-elected President. She was a regular ordained minister of the Illi-
nois Eldership, having been licensed by the Standing Committee in December,
1880. She soon thereafter began writing for The. Advocate in the way of a re-
porter of news of Church and Eldership work. She developed a vigorous, clear
style of expression, and soon became a public speaker of acknowledged power and
logical force. She was for a time Illinois Eldership Correspondent. A native of
Illinois, she spent most of her time in that State. She was a regular pastor at
Buda, Charleston, Martinsville and other points, and the assistant of her husband
on other charges. In 1883 she was elected an alternate ministerial delegate to
the General Eldership, and was also chosen to deliver the annual opening lecture
of the Ministerial Association of the Illinois Eldership. In the Fall of 18 86 she
became a student at Findlay College. In 1887 she attended the General Eldership,
before which body she preached one of the evening sermons. In 1889 she was
elected a lay delegate to the General Eldership in 1890, of which she became a
member. Her excellent character, her marked abilities and her qualifications as
a public speaker and leader gave her prominence and influence in every capacity
she was called to fill. Her presence at Findlay, though not a delegate to the Con-
vention, was felt, in that she could do much to make or mar the work of that body.
It convened on June 12, 1903, in the College Chapel. The enrollment of dele-
gates showed that seventeen were present, to wit.: East Pennsylvania, 5; West
888 History of the Churches of God
Pennsylvania, 2; Ohio, 3; Indiana, Iowa and Illinois, each 2; Kansas, 1. A
temporary organization was effected, with Mrs. C. M. Ritchie, of Illinois, Presi-
dent; Mrs. D. C. Konip, Secretary, after which Mrs. Charles Manchester was chosen
President, and Mrs. G. W. Stoner, Secretary. The Committee to draft a Constitu-
tion was Miss L. A. Forney, Mrs. R. L. Byrnes, Mrs. Huldah Doyle, Mrs. D. C.
Komp, Miss Lessie Landes, Mrs. C. M. Ritchie, Mrs. Abbie Dean, being one from
each Eldership Society. With one unimportant amendment the Constitution re-
ported by this Committee was adopted after long deliberation. It was then ap-
proved by the Board of Missions. Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, June
15th and 16th, were spent in the organization of the new W. G. M. S., which con-
sisted of the following officers: Miss Clara E. Stare, President; Mrs. Abbie Dean,
Vice President; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Huldah Doyle; Corresponding Secretary,
Mi-s. G. W. Stoner. Board of Directors — 3Iiss I/. A. Forney, Mrs. C. M. Ritchie,
Mrs. Charles Manchester, Mrs. Alice Geddes, Miss Clara E. Stare. There was no
disposition to disparage the work of the former W. G. M. S. ; but with exemplary
generosity its successful work was recognized. However, "in the union of all our
Societies, according to the plan of the General Eldership," it "recognized a greater
\
Rfrs. M. B. Newcomer.
force to carry on our mission work." In the same sentence it commended "the
great sacrifice that our missionaries. Miss Clara Landes, A. C. Bowers and wife,
and Viola G. Hershey are making." Thus the work outlined by the General Elder-
ship in 1902 was carried into effect by the thorough organization of what said Eld-
ership in advance called the "Woman's General Missionary Society," to take the
place of the former W. G. M. S. The Annual Eldership Societies, or State Societies,
were not disturbed at all, only their allegiance was changed, and they were now to
co-operate with the new W. G. M. S. The old W. G. M. S. was declared to have
finished its work, and the results were to be turned over to the new W. G. M. S.,
to take up the work in charge, as also that of the Societies in eastern Elderships
which could not work with the former W. G. M. S. The new W. G. M. S. was rep-
resentative, modeled after the General Eldership. Under it all Societies could
work satisfactorily. This result had been long and earnestly desired, and it
merited the faithful adhesion and co-operation of every Eldership and every State
or Annual Eldership Society. The brotherhood endorsed the actions taken at
Findlay by an overwhelming voice. But even during the session of the Conven-
Mission Work and Missionary Societies
889
tion there was visible on the horizon a small cloud which was the augury of the
coming storm. One of the delegates from Iowa resigned "as a member of the
Standing Committee," and the other delegate was substituted in her place; but
she also resigned later, and both ceased to co-operate with the Society. Mrs.
Joseph Rice, of Danville, Iowa, was chosen to fill the vacancy on the Standing Com-
mittee. An earnest, active, loyal woman who, with others, maintained her allegi-
ance to the General Eldership. The officials of the former W. G. M. S. at once
began active work to reform their ranks; to create sentiment against the new W.
G. M. S. ; to maintain their organization; to hold western Societies in co-operation
with it, and to retain possession of the mission field in India. In this they were
so far successful as partly to divide the Ohio State Society; to capture a few So-
cieties in Illinois, and to hold the Iowa State Society. But even in "Iowa there
were many loyal members and ministers, who were not in sympathy with the
actions of the former W. G. M. S." All other "State organizations of W. M. So-
Mrs. Clara M. Ritchie.
cieties fell in line with the new W. G. M. S." Also all the Elderships, except
Iowa, which was divided. Clara Landes, either of her own volition, or through
home influences, declined to accept the appointment from the new W. G. M. S., and
to turn over to it the work in India, and cast in her lot with the former W. G. M.
S. And before the middle of December, 1903, "the President of the former W. G.
M. S. ordered Clara Landes to give the new missionaries," regularly appointed be-
fore the new W. G. M. S. was organized, and welcomed to Ulubaria, India, in 1902,
"notice that they must vacate the mission home in India, and seek a home else-
where." They accordingly removed, and temporarily located at Chandernagore,
Bengal Province, India, while selecting a permanent field for future work in ac-
cordance with instructions from the W. G. M. S., in August, 1904. Bogra District
was finally selected, in the eastern part of the Province of Bengal, with an area of
1,359 square miles, about 200 miles north of Calcutta. The town of Bogra had a
population of 5,000, and there they established their headquarters. Bowers and
.8go History of the Churches of God
Mi's. Bowers, and Miss Hershey reached Bogra in February, 1905, and since then
have continued their work in that District, though IJovvers proved unfaithful, and
in the Fall of 1907 accepted work under the American Baptist Missionary Union,
of Boston, Mass. During the Winter of 1903-4 the lines became clearly drawn,
and one of the most acrimonious controversies began that was ever conducted in
any ecclesiastical body in recent years. To gain better vantage ground in the fight
the former W. G. M. S. secured a legal Charter from the State Department of Illi-
nois. In April, 190 4, it instituted legal proceedings "to prevent the General Eld-
ership W. G. M. S. from using its name and collecting money under its name." In
Illinois one of the most devoted and efficient supporters of the new W. G. M. S. was
Mrs. Clara M. Ritchie, of Warrensburg.
She was a native of Illinois. Raised a Congregationalist, and at her con-
version, when fifteen years old, joined said Church. Three years later she was
immersed and united with the Baptist Church. At the age of twenty-two she be-
came acquainted with the doctrines of the Church of God, and in 1871, with her
husband, she became a charter member of the Fairview church, and a few years
later she and her husband were instrumental in organizing a church of God in
*i Miss Mary Witsaman.
"Warrensburg. For a numbers of years she was a school teacher. She always
possessed a missionary spirit. At North Bend, Iowa, in 1890, she assisted in the
organization of the W. G. M. S., and was a trustee for many years, and at various
times was a member of its Board of Missions, as in 189 6 when Clara Lande« was
sent to India. In 1903 she became a member of the new W. G. M. S., and was
elected Secretary of the Board of Directors, a position she has since held. She
was equally active and prominent in organizing the Illinois W. M. S. in 1886. Of
versatile talents, she has for twenty-five years been active in the journalistic field.
She rendered excellent service in behalf of the new W. G. M. S. not only in the
Illinois Eldership, but in Missouri, Kansas, on the Pacific Coast and elsewhere.
In June, 1904, the first formal "effort was made by the Board of Missions of
the General Eldership to end the unfortunate controversy." The Board mani-
fested a strong disposition to go the fullest length consistent with loyalty to the
General Eldership's action in effecting harmOny and causing "a cessation of hos-
tilities." But results of the most limited ch?.racter were possible. The old W.
G. M. S. was determined to maintain its organization and continue its work in
India. As the General Eldership was to meet in 1905, the thoughts of all were
turned to that body for a solution of the perplexity problem. The Iowa Eldership
Mission Work and Missionary Societies
891
-fnok official action, petitioning said body "to set apart a special time during the
took official action p b deliberate consecration of the relative merits of
.^'^ .^wrievances of the W. G. M. S. of 1890 relative to the acts or actions
Tthe GeL\ El^e hill or any of its Boards or Agents." Instead however.
oLr.nnfe brief discussion, a committee was created, consisting of C. H. Forney
^nd I rMLDlLTof the East Pennsylvania Eldership; C. T. Fox of Ohio; G.
W B;«;es, of West Pennsylvania; I. W. Markley, of Indiana; J. S. Walls, of Illi-
noif and C Fatland, known as the Judiciary Committee, Special, which was to
nre^ent "what in its judgment would constitute a good and reasonable basis for
general co-operation in carrying out the plan agreed upon in 1902. and put into
Miss Leah Becker.
effect by the Convention at Findlay in 1903." There was no receding from the
position taken in 1902. The Committee's Report recognized the right, under
Article XVIII. of the Constitution, of the Missionary Society, or Board of Missions,
of any Eldership to employ, send out and support foreign missionaries; but under
such rules and regulations as may be approved by the Board of Missions of the
General Eldership. Under this Article it granted the Iowa W. M. S. and certain
local societies in Illinois and Ohio to continue to support Clara Landes and her co-
laborers, "all meanwhile laboring for general co-operation." The Home Fund was
also directed to be paid back to the former W. G. M. S. so as to remove this "griev-
ance." Suggestions looking toward ultimate union in co-operation with the So-
ciety organized in 1903 were also made. The Report was unanimously sustained.
It did not result in the peace, harmony and union expected, though most mag-
892
History of the Churches of God
nanimous in its provisions. It was soon misconstrued, largely misapprehended,
and became the occasion for the renewal of the strife in a more virulent form'
though it secured the approval of every Annual Eldership. The most radical mis-
conception was that it gave a new lease of life to the former W. G. M. S. ; that it
gave it official recognition, and that the General Eldership now had two W. G. M.
Societies. Under this misapprehension the old W. G. M. S. accepted A. B. Cham-
berlin as "a candidate for the foreign field" in 1905, and in June, 1907, reported
his appointment and the reappointment of Clara Landes as missionaries' to India.
This the Board of Missions disapproved, unless they would co-operate with the
W. G. M. S. of 1903. Though they would not agree to do this, the former W. G.
M. S. employed them and sent them out. Miss Landes arranged to return to
A. E. Myers.
America on a vacation, leaving India the 19th of April, 1906, and reaching Van-
couver May 29th. Because of the indisposition, and even opposition, of the
former W. G. M. S. to formulate a practicable basis of unification of the two So-
cieties, on April 25, 1906, a "Commission" was appointed to do this work, com-
posed of the members of the Judiciary Committee, Special, of the General Elder-
ship of 1905. It met at Findlay, Ohio, June 12th. A Basis of Union was agreed
upon, and was signed by all the members. It was reported to the Board of In-
corporation, every member of which was present, and after a few minor changes
the Roll was called, and every member voted for its adoption. It was then to go
to the Societies for approval. But as the Board of Missions had adjourned to
meet at Danville, Iowa, to confer with Miss Landes and the Board of Managers of
Mission Work and Missionary Societie^s
893
the old W. G. M. S., it was placed in its hands. Before this meeting the basis was
approved by the Board of Directors of the W. G. M. S. of 1903. It was dis-
approved by the Board of Managers in actions submitted to the Board of Missions:
"We cannot endorse the plan submitted by the Commission." It expressed a
"readiness to confer with the representatives of the Society of 1903." Three mem-
bers of said Society being present, conferences were held, but were fruitless. Dis-
cussions in The Advocate were resumed, and every phase and aspect of the sub-
ject canvassed from the view-point of loyalty to the General Eldership. The Com-
mission resumed its work, and its conclusions were generally approved. All the
Annual Elderships adopted resolutions in unison with the propositions it sub-
H. W. Cover.
Tuitted. Its final actions were sent out by the President Secretary from Harris-
burg, Pa., December 22, 1908, and every item was adopted by a vote of 6 to 1.
They were approved by the Executive Board of the General Eldership; submitted
by that Board to the General Eldership at Fort Scott, in May, 1909, and, together
with "The Final Action on the Missionary Question," were adopted by yeas, 63;
nays, 0; absent, 5. This officially eliminated the W. G. M. S. of 1890, and re-
quired all Woman's Missionary Societies, local and State, to unite with the loyal
Societies and co-operate with the W. G. M. S. of the General Eldership.
This unsettled condition from 1903 to 1909 militated seriously against the
foreign mission interests. And as the time was approaching for Miss Hershey to
return home on furlough it became a matter of concern what to do to continue
the work in Bogra, India. But at the meeting of the East Pennsylvania W. M. S.
894
History of the Churches of God
in October, 1907, the offer of "Miss Leah Becker to become the companion of Mis*
Hei'shey, was accepted, she having been in India for nine years. This in a measure
filled the vacancy occasioned by the capricious defection of Mr. and Mrs. Bowers-
in 1907. In June, 1908, Miss Mary Witsaman, of South Milford, Ind., ap-
plied to the Board of Directors for appointment as missionary to India, and was
accepted.
Miss Witsaman was converted at the age of seventeen years, and at once began
to work for the Master. Her education was obtained in the common schools of
Indiana, and at two institutions of higher learning from which she held certificates.
In other ways she availed herself of all possible privileges for self-culture. Being
impressed as early as 1906 that foreign mission work was her sphere of Christian
endeavor, she surrendered her will to the divine will, and began preparation for
Mi's. C I. Bi-own.
her chosen calling. After touring to a limited extent among the churches, assist-
ing in gathering funds for an outfit and the voyage, she sailed for Inaia the latter
part of October, 1908, reaching Calcutta Friday, November 13th, and the follow-
ing Monday proceeded to Bogra. Mrs. Becker returned to the United States in
1909, and united with the church of God at Mt. Joy, Pa., having formerly been in
fellowship with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. She expressed a desire to
return to India as a missionary for the churches of God. She was accepted by the
W. G. M. S., and on November 12, 1910, "sailed for far-away India to again take
up the missionary work." Miss Hershey expressed a desire to have a furlough of
one year, beginning in the Spring of 1910; but she agreed to defer her return
another year, until her term of service should expire. Miss Becker having arrived
at the Mission Station in India, Miss Hershey made all necessary arrangements,
and on February 12, 1911, embarked for her native land, landing in San Francisco,
Mission Work and Missionary Societies 895
California, April 13th, reaching Harrisburg, Pa., April 22nd. She spent a
y^ar and six months in America; not a year of rest, but largely a year of
activity and mission work. At the annual meeting of the Board of Directors of
the W. G. M. S. June, 1911, Aaron E. Myers made application to go as a mission-
ary to India. He graduated at Findlay College in the class of 1911. He was
accepted, but was directed "to pursue a course of special study for one year." He
was a member of the church of God at Elizabethtown, Pa., and had been ordained
to the ministry by the East Pennsylvania Eldership. An unassuming young man
of exceptional character, with fair natural talents, of robust health, he gave
promise of usefulness in his new field of labor. In the Spring of 1912 Howard W.
Cover, native of Highspire, Dauphin county, and pastor of the church of God at
Columbia, Lancaster county, made known his determination to enter the foreign
mission field. A graduate of Findlay College, for three years pastor of the church
at Columbia, he was qualified intellectually and spiritually for mission work.
Being of fine physique, there was promise of ample strength for the self-denials
and hardships of life as a missionary in India. On Tuesday, October 22, 1912,
his marriage to Viola G. Hershey was celebrated at the home of the bride's parents.
Mi-s. O. B. Huston,
Long Villa Farm, near Landisville, Lancaster county. Pa. Farewell services pre-
paratory to sailing were held at Harrisburg, Highspire, Elizabethtown, Landisville,
Lancaster and Philadelphia. On October 31st the three missionaries boarded the
steamship George Washington and sailed for Cherbourg, France; thence overland
through France and Switzerland and Italy, where on December 4th they embarked
for Colombo, South of India, and reached Bogra on New Year's Day, 1913.
During these ten years of unremitting care and disinterest labors on the part
of the W. G. M. S. organized in 1903, there were encouraging indications of success
in the foreign field. At home evidences of confidence multiplied year by year. Un-
exampled harmony and unanimity of sentiment prevailed in the Society, and a
spirit of earnest co-operation spread throughout the Elderships. Much of this was
due to the judicious management, as well as to the mild and gentle temperament
of the leaders in the work. There were few changes in the personnel of the So-
ciety and its Board of Directors. It had but three Presidents in the ten years.
Miss Clara E. Stare served in that capacity from 1903 to 1909. She was a native
896 History of the Churches op God
of Decatur, 111., whose father was a prominent layman of the Church in that State.
Mild and of a domestic disposition, she possessed those virtues which invite friend-
ship and affection, but do not so much dazzle the public eye. Only because she
declined to serve longer, notwithstanding importunities from all quarters, was her
successor, in the person of Mi-s. C. I. BroAvn, elected in 1909. Susan Hoffman
Brown, wife of Dr. C I. BroA\ai, "who went at noontide, when life is so full" to the
hetter country, served only about four months. She died September 9, 1909, and
was buried near her childhood home, at Woodbury, Bedford county. Pa. She was
a woman of fine character, of excellent judgment, of good talent and of Christlike
spirit. For some years prior to the organization of the W. G. M. S., of which she
became President, she was prominently identified with the foreign mission work
in East Pennsylvania. In 1903 she was one of the five delegates from the East
Pennsylvania W. M. S. to the Convention to organize the new W. G. M. S. Prom
that date to the close of her beautiful and useful life she ceased not to do her full
share of the work of the Society. On January 5, 1910, the Executive Board of
the W. G. M. S., by correspondence, elected Mrs. O. B. Huston President of the
Society and of the Executive Board. The wife and widow of a faithful, loyal min-
ister of the Illinois Eldership, she had years of training for Christian work. She
had proved her fitness for her new position by her diligence and efficiency in the
discharge of her official duties. Her work in connection with the Illinois W. M. S.
and local societies where her husband was pastor recommended her for higher
positions.
DIVISION VIII.
HYMNOLOGY.
C. H.— 30
DIVISION VIII.
HYMNOLOGY.
"The divine spirit of poesy," says Shenvood in "The History of the Cross," is
"incarnated in large portions of the Old Testament Scriptures, and in the genius
of such men as Milton, Dante, Watts, Cowper, Toplady and the Wesleys, and which
has found expression in many grand old hymns of the Christian Church." By the
sacred songs of these renowned men a hymnology slowly accumulated through the
centuries as a priceless inheritance to the church. Great has been the influence
of these sacred songs on the tastes, the devotions, the religious sentiments and the
spiritual development of the church. Pre-eminently the Christian religion is the
religion of music and song. Paul speaks of the singing of psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs in such a way that his words have been by some interpreted to place
these compositions on an equality with canonical Scriptures, including all Chris-
tian hymns which grow out of the word of God. They have ^een at least the
poetic medium through which to give expression to the devotional feeling of Chris-
tian hearts. This is eminently true of the hymns of Doddridge and Watts, the
Wesleys, Luther, Knox and scores of others. Many of them possessed rare lyrical
excellence, and breathed the religious fervor of believing hearts, and became ex-
pressive of the varied Christian experiences of millions of devout souls. Hym-
nology relates to the hymns and sacred lyrics composed by authors of a particular
country, or period, or of authors, or of any particular Church. Modern English
hymnology has been regarded as "the beginning of a new dispensation in the Chris-
tian church." Watts is recognized as its founder, and the most prolific authors of
sacred song are found in a cycle of seventy years of which he is the center —
1713-1783. About two hundred other hymnists have made contributions to hym-
nology in small quantities, though of such a character that the church will not suf-
fer their hymns to die. Hymnals are a little over four hundred years old, for it
was in 150 5 that the Unitas Fratum (Moravian Church) was the first to publish a
hymn-book in the Bohemian language, which contained versions of old Latin
hymns, together with many original compositions, mostly by John Huss and Bishop
Luke, of Prague, who was the editor. These hymns were a power in the Church
and in the land; gave public life to worship; were familiarly sung by nobles and
peasants in their homes, and they set forth the gospel in strains which captivated
the hearts of thousands in the Catholic Church. The first English edition of the
Moravian Hymn-Book was printed in the United States in 1813. In other Churches
hynin-books were at first generally published by individual publishers, or firms.
This was true of the United Brethren Church. Its first hymn-book was published
in this way in 1807, and the first English hymn-book ordered by its General Con-
ference was published in 1849. The same incidents are a part of the history of
the Evangelical Association. Its first hymn-book was published by John Walter
in 1810. In 1816 a large work was compiled under authority of an Annual Con-
ference, and accepted by the General Conference.
Winebrenner followed in the steps of these pious men, though he published
his first hymn-book relatively much earlier. In 1825, before churches of God were
organized, he published a song-book entitled: "A Prayer-meeting and Revival
Hymn-Book; or, a Selection of the Best Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs
from Various Authors, and for the Use of Social Prayer-meetings and Revivals of
Religion." An epitome of the nature of the work in which he was engaged is re-
vealed in this title. It was "entered in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania,
1825." It was a pocket edition, and its popularity is seen in the fact that in 1848
Winebrenner issued the tenth edition, and it continued to be the only hymn-book
of the Church until 1859. It was the private property of Winebrenner. He was
one of the best compilers of hymn-books of the century. As early as 1841 an
effort was made by the East Pennsylvania and the Ohio Elderships to buy the
stereotype plates of this hymn-book. It was what now is called "a monopoly," of
which all the profits went to Winebrenner. The desire prevailed to secure this
"monopoly" for the Church. Under official actions by these Annual Elderships
subscriptions were taken for a Fund to buy the plates. Slow progress was made^
9O0 JIlSTORY OF THE ChURCHES OF GOD
•and so in 1849 Winebreiiner published "a new and improved edition of the German
and English Revival Hymn-Book." Again in 1853 another edition was issued,
although the General Eldership in 184 8 directed that a committee should be ap-
pointed to compile a new hymn-book, combining with it a Sunday-school hymn-
book. The Ohio Eldership in 1843 had already taken some steps to the same end.
it created "a committee of nine to act with reference to the preparation of a
Church Hymn-Book." This was done after the plan to buy from Winebrenner
the plates of the Revival Hymn-Book had failed. Winebrenner was not averse to
the Ohio idea; but he insisted that the three Annual Elderships should work to-
gether; that a joint committee should be appointed. Under the caption — "Co-
operation Defended" — he wrote two editorials which would apply at any time when
there were divided counsels. It developed into a somewhat sarcastic and virulent
controversy, as it largely hinged on the matter of net proceeds which should go to
the Church to be used in supporting missions. But in July, 1844, Ohio yielded,
and asked for a Joint Committee. In 1848 the question was not agitated at the
General Eldership. But in 1851 the West Pennsylvania Eldership took up the
matter, and declared that "we need a selection of hymns approved by the General
Eldership, and published under its authority." The same year the General Elder-
ship "appointed Winebrenner to make a collection of hymns for the new hymn-
book." The project lay dormant for three years, when in 1854 the General Elder-
ship directed the Board of Publication to publish a hymn-book, to be the property
"of said body." Winebrenner began its compilation, but he was not expected to
do the work without remuneration, and the Board had no means even to pay him
the $300.00 promised for his part of the work. In July, 1855, he reported that
"the manuscript was partly completed; but there are no funds to proceed."
August, 1855, it was announced that the new hymn-book project was "still
slumbering." It was estimated that the first edition would cost $2,000.00. In
November, 1855, a pro rata division of this amount was made, as follows: East
Pennsylvania, $716.66; West Pennsylvania, $300.00; Ohio, $444.44; Indiana, Illi-
nois and Iowa, each $179.63. If these amounts were promptly raised the book
could be off the press in the Spring of 1856. This was not done, and the matter
went over to the General Eldership of 1857, when the progress made was reported,
and the statement made that "now only the means are wanted." After considering
sundry plans to secure the means, an apportionment of $1,500.00 was decided
upon, as follows: East Pennsylvania, $600.00; West Pennsylvania, $200.00;
Ohio, $350.00; Indiana, $100.00; Illinois and Iowa, each $125.00. As the Elder-
ships at once proceeded with their work after the Fall sessions of 1857, Wine-
brenner and the Board of Publication resumed their labors with renewed diligence.
The work was to be ready by May 1, 1858. But delays followed. May 11, 1858,
Winebrenner announced that "I have partly finished compilation and indexes;"
but it was not until a meeting of the Revision Committee in October, 1858, when
Winebrenner "presented the manuscript to the Committee." The Committee
"highly praised" the work. Winebrenner stated that he had used "great pains to
get up a superior and standard work," which no competent critic could call in
question. Waiting for funds, in March, 1859, George Ross, member of the Board,
announced that the "issue of the Hymn-Book in a few months is a fixed fact."
May 12th another bulletin announced that "400 pages are already stereotyped."
July, 1859: "The Hymn-Book will soon be ready for delivery." But patient ex-
pectancy was so wrought up that when the Illinois Eldership convened, October 1,
1859, it put on record on its Minutes that "a stray copy of the new Church Hymn-
Book found its way to our Eldership." The Eldership was "highly pleased."
Ohio said: "It more than meets our expectations." This was the common senti-
ment. The first edition of 1,984 copies was exhausted by New Year's, 1860, and a
second edition of 1,515 was printed in January, 1860. Winebrenner deserves the
highest praise for the almost perfect work he did in the preparation of the manu-
script of this Hymn-Book. It is true that some of the hymns are "perfectly frigid
versification," and others only "versified doctrine;" little blame attaches to the
compiler, for such defects are found in all hymn-books.
The Church Hymn-Book with all its superior features did not retain its popu-
larity long. As early as 1875 the General Eldership heard and heeded the "de-
mand for a hymnal," or a "Church Hymn-Book with suitable music." A great
change had come over the spirit of the churches; an age of whims; a capricious,
hysterical, frivolous age. It demanded frequent changes, some of the popular
song-books lasting only a few years. Few of them had new hymns which had in
Hymnology 901
them the breath of immortality. Their standard of poetry was not exalted. Sher-
wood criticises them as "containing too much 'gush,' 'sentiment,' human passion
and machinery. There is less Christian doctrine, or serious, pious thought in
them, less of the divine flavor, and richness, and depth and varied experiences."
They do not compare with those rare and inspired hymns of Watts, and Cowper,
and Toplady, and the Wesleys, which are found in all our best Church Hymn-books,
and which have contributed so largely to the edification and spirituality of God's
people in ages past. It was, however, the cry for music with the hymns which
created the demand for a new song book. Hence, the resolution considered by
the General Eldership in 187.5 ordered "the Board of Publication to compile and
publish a Hymnal, or the Church Hymn-Book with music." While it failed ol
adoption, the question would not rest, and in 1877 the Illinois Eldership and
several others instructed their delegates to use their influence in favor of publish-
ing a Church Hymnal. It was considered an "absolute necessity," as the Church
Hymn-Book was being displaced by popular music books. As a result of this per-
sistent and general agitation the General Eldership in 187 8 appointed C, H. Foniey
and M. S. Newcomer a committee to be added to the Board of Publication, and in-
structed them to provide a Hymnal for the use of the churches of God. Later, in
1881, George Sigler was added to the Committee. Becoming impatient of delay,
in October, 1879, the Executive Board called attention to the action of the General
Eldership. In June, 18 80, the Incorporate Board did the same, and desired to
know why the Board of Publication failed to carry into effect the action of 1878.
Annual Elderships took up the subject in the Pall of 1880. But the members of
the Committee were quietly at work, and on December 7, 1881, it announced that
it had "completed its work, and the book is in the hands of the printer." February
22, 1882, the new Hymnal was ready. The verdict on the work of the Committee
was "generally very favorable."
Winebreuner had some talent for poetry. Not only as a judge of good re-
ligious poetry; but also as a writer of hymns. He wrote a dedicatory hymn which
was used when the Lancaster bethel was dedicated. In 18.55 he published a dedi-
catory hymn: —
"On bethel's solemn ground.
Great God, we've met to-day.
To dedicate this house to Thee;
To preach, to sing and pray."
And a little later another: —
"Here stands another bethel."
He also wrote an "Eldership hymn":- — •
"Indulgent God of love and power.
Be with us at this place and hour;
Smile on our souls, our plans approve.
By which we seek to spread Thy love."
His hymn on baptism is partly hortatory: —
"People of the living God,
Walk the way that Jesus trod;
Down into the water go.
Be baptized, your faith to show."
One of his revival hymns was an earnest prayer: —
"Spirit of God, Thine influence shed
On us, and all around;
Hallow this place, and bless Thy word,
Make every heart to bound."
A prayer-meeting hymn was a devout prayer: —
"Teach us, O Lord, aright to plead
For mercies from above;
O come and bless our souls indeed
With light and joy and love."
go2 ■ History of tfie Churches of God
He also wrote a hymn on Feet-washing: —
"The Church of God believes it right
To think and do as Jesus bade.
When on that dark and doleful night
He gave His law, and plainly said."
Not less than a dozen of these hymns were put in The Church Hymn-Book;
but only the last one is in "The Church of God Selection of Spiritual Songs."
J. W. Weishampel had a vein of poetic sentiment, and wrote some very good
verse. Two of his productions are found in The Church Hymn-Book. The one on
Feet-washing: —
"Behold! our blessed Lord
Met with His chosen band,
And said to them in act and word:
'Keep this, my plain command.' "
It then rehearsed in rhyme the incidents in John xiii. The other one is on
'The Heavenly Reunion," with a sprightly chorus:- —
"Ye saints of God below,
Lift up your longing eyes;
And let your thoughts to glory go.
Away beyond the skies."
His earliest published hymns appeared in The Gospel Publisher, when In 1840
he became its Editor: —
"When Jesus left his Father's throne,
Where he in brightest glory shone."
In 184 8 he published in The Advocate one of his best poems on "The Institu-
tion of Washing the Disciples' Feet." It had some similarity to Emerson's
Threnody, considered one of the finest productions of this versatile genius.
Another one the same year on "The Existence of God" has recognized merit. One
on "The Expiation," in 1852, is quite superior:
"In the morning of creation ifwas said by God and prophet,
That the world should know redemption, by a sacrifice divine."
He published a number of camp-meeting and prayer-meeting hymns in Ger-
man when he was Editor of The Kundschafter. In humorous vein was his lyric
on "The Red Shirt." One of his last, and the most pathetic of all his poems, was
headed: "How is it Now?" "on the happy death of E. H. Thomas": —
"By the side of the bed where the sick saint lay."
It has been well said that "poetry's future is immense." And this is true of
the churches of God. There have been many of its ministers who have essayed to
write poetry. This is natural, for poetry is the strongest part of what is called
religion, because "in the very broadest and grandest sense that can be given to the
words, poetry is religion." Besides, the diffusion of the poetic talent is more gen-
eral than is frequently supposed, and if there are few poets of high distinction,
there are many versifiers of more than mediocre ability. One of the earliest
writers of the Church who sought publicity, after Winebrenner and Weishampel,
was AVilhelm Bauenneister, a German preacher. In 1841 he published a poem of
eleven stanzas, entitled, "A Pilgrim": —
"Arm ist hier mein stand und leben,
Leidensroll und oft betrubt;
Doch min Gott had es gegeben,
Weil er mich so sehr geliebt."
He was followed in 1849 by two ministers of widely divergent tastes and
temperaments. S. B. Howard was argumentative rather than poetic. He lacked
the power of poetic imagery. He wrote, "Where is Wisdom?"
"Tell me, ye pilgrims of earth.
Ye sages learned, or sons of mirth,
Ye men of wealth, or fame renound —
Tell me where wisdom may be found."
Hymnology 903
The other was H. L. Soule, a Perry county, Pa., farmer's boy with exceptional
poetic powers. This was revealed in song and sermon, in his hunger for classic
poetry, in his descriptive faculty. But he was not disposed to write poetry, but
appeared twice, at least, in print. In 1849 he wrote "Lines on the death of Sister
Megrew": —
"Weep not for her, Jehovah saith,
For I will take her by a stroke;
Bow to the scepter of my power,
And be submissive to thy lot."
In 1852 he wrote a fine poem entitled, "Ode to Death," which has some re-
semblance to passages in Dante's "The Vision."
In 1851 John A. Plowman, a matter of fact man, published a "Baptismal
Hymn":- —
"In the writings of the gospel an ordinance we find,
And in the third of Matthew this ordinance enjoined;
Enjoined on all believers who witness, like the Son,
Who came and was baptized by his forerunner John."
In 1855 James Colder published a "hymn" to be used at a "Musical Festival"
held at Mt. Joy, Pa., February 5, 1855: —
, "We come, O God, thy praise to sing,
And name thy goodness, rich and free;
With heart and life we tribute bring —
May it acceptance find with thee."
And in 1858 he composed a hymn doubtless to be used in the Sabbath-school,
entitled
"A Song of Welcome."
"Welcome, friends, welcome all,
Whom here to-day we meet;
Your presence fills our hearts with joy.
And makes our labors sweet.
Awhile we leave our happy homes,
And to this lovely place.
With joy in every heart we come,
A smile on every face."
Three years earlier, in 1855, Geo. W. AV'ilson published his first poem: —
"The Returning Sinner."
"What a wretch, O Lord, am II
Made of earth, and born to die;
Must endure eternally
Peace or endless misery.
Thou to me a law hast given,
Berfect as the light of heaven;
But against the law I sin —
Most rebellious I have been."
He did not re-enter the domain of prosody until 1880, when he published
"From Shore to Shore." A few months later, December 29, 1880, he published
"Memorial of Dr. George Ross."
"Awake! Awake! of muse of sacred song,
An elegy prepare of this sad news!
Put on thy mourning habit, dark and long;
A solemn dirge to sing; do not refuse!
Hark! from the East the mournful news we hear
Of one that's fallen by the hand of death!
A man, a Christian; yes, a brother dear.
His soul surrendered with his mortal breath."
There was good sentiment in it, but as poetry, open to criticism. Wilson was a
reasoner; he was not a poet. Yet beginning again to woo the muses in 19 02, he
published a half dozen poems in as many months. He continued at intervals to
publish his poetic productions during 1903, numbering nearly one dozen. There
904 - History op the Churches of God
Was nothing frigid or dull about them. They were sententious, strong in expres-
sion and elevated in conception. But they were mainly versified doctrine. He was
a vigorous, trenchant writer, and probably no reader, and less a student, of poetry.
In July, 1906, the shadows were growing long, and in that month he published: — -
"Reflections on the Near End of This Life."
"A few more steps below, and then
My earthly race is run;
So near the end of life, that when
My work will all be done,
' ■ ■ I'll go to my eternal rest.
With all the ransomed and the blest."
This was his last contribution, and on February 6, 1907, he went to that land
of which in its closing couplet he sang: —
"And by a living faith I see
My rest, my home eternally."
In 1861 another poet of the younger generation of preachers, who had little
taste for fiction or poetry, was tempted to clothe his thoughts in rhymes. He had
done so years before to read to near associates to a much greater measure; but In
1861 he gave to the public a poem entitled:- —
"There Shall be No Night There."
"Rejoice, O ye children of sorrow, rejoice.
For a time will soon come, saith Jehovah's voice,
- - Wherein there shall be neither day, nor yet night.
But the darkness, now thick, shall be flooded with light.".
This was followed by the song, adapted to some popular music often heard
5ome years before, entitled: —
"The Saints' Rest."
"Far away in glory
Where the angels sing,
In their heavenly beauty
With their King,
/ Are the holy mansions
Where the saints shall rest
... Free from cares, forever blest."
Chorus: —
"Then to the Father,
Jesus their King,
Unceasing anthems
They shall sing;
For the blood that bought them
And the grace that saved,
Bringing them to heaven, their rest.'"
This was followed in December, 1861, by
"The Unfading Choice."
"No time so fair that will not wear
Upon our natures frail;
So golden morns which grace adorns.
Will soon with age be pale.
"Oh, then in youth walk in the t^ruth,
Prepare for worlds on high;
Hear Wisdom's voice, and make the choice.
That crowns you when you die."
Evidently his lute broke, for its sounds were not heard thereafter, though for
many years Editor of The Advocate, and a copious writer.
And now after a lapse of years "young Lochinvar comes out of the West," in
the person of M. S. Newcomer. The hymnody peculiar to him was characterized as
a rule by emotional and rhythmical language. It was not mere rhyme, but was
Hymnology 905
often strikingly metrical. It was artistic in form, subjective and meditative. Much
of his poetry which appeared in print was not intended for singing, but consisted of
odes of a good degree of beauty and power. He first appeared in print on January
28, 1880, with a poem entitled "The Hour Cometh," written on the accidental death
of a Christian brother in Missouri. It contains some noble strains. He wrote the
Semi-Centennial Hymn, used at the services held at Philadelphia, which was "auth-
orized to be sung by every congregation at the Memorial services in October." He
wrote a "Poem" which was read at the laying of the corner-stone of Findlay College
in 1884: —
"Rising temple, speed thy glory!
God has set thy pillars fair,
'Neath the gild of song and story.
In the secret place of prayer.
Thou art but the milestone speaking
To the rushing flood of years.
As we hasten thou art keeping
Record of our hopes and fears."
The mixing of his metophors was one of the defects of Newcomer's poetry; but
the literary expression was quite superior. In March, 1897, he published
"The Day is Breaking."
"The stars are fading from the sky.
The purple glints the golden light;
Tears can not dim the wakeful eye.
Which sweeps the breaking vault of night.
They are not dead! Though now they seem
Merged in the pledge of Summer's dream:
The day is breaking, let me go!"
Many of his poems were published in "Golden Gleanings." Some of these
were like the blast of a trumpet, while others were on subjects which gave "the
wide horizons grander view." He was ambitious to fill a larger place in the
hymnody of the Church, and on the Committee to publish the Hymnal he expressed
a desire to write a number of hymns. But the book being a "Selection" of a
hymnal published by Scribner & Co., with no alterations except the insertion of a
dozen hymns on Feet-washing, this could not be done. However, the Hymns Nos.
830 and 832 were written by him.
Another Illinois minister composed and published a few poems in 1889. J.
Bernard was moved to write in verse on the Johnstown flood, a task which de-
manded talent of a high order.
"The Conemaugh Wail."
"The waters rushed through the Conemaugh
Swifter than the eagle flies;
Many to untimely deaths did go
Under the surging tides.
And many wept in the Conemaugh
When so many to untimely deaths did go."
In August of the same year he wrote "Rachel Weeping for Her Children." A
month later he wrote: —
"Hero of Calvary."
"Thou hero bold of Calvary,
Lift high thy crimson shield;
To all proclaim thy victory,
Make all thy foes to yield."
Bernard had the two angels of sincerity and conscience to guide him in his
poetic dreams, but powers of imagery were not developed.
An ode to the steamship "Furnessia," caught in a storm at sea, on which T. W.
Bellingham was returning to the United States, inspired him to write, in January,
1896: —
"After a Storm at Sea.
"Furnessia, thou brave and gallant ship.
On thee we stand, and patiently do watch and wait.
Until the star of hope shall rise and sit
Across the pathway, bringing blessings while we wait."
C. H.— 31
go6 History of the Churches of God
It has been said that without meter and without form there can be no poetry;
but these alone do not constitute poetry. As the religious element predominated in
Bellinghani he excelled in writing hymns. He was a member of the Ohio Eldership.
In September, 1897, he published: —
"Power From on High."
"The Savior of men, who on Calvary's tree
Purchased redemption for you and for me,
Rose from the grave triumphant and brave.
And now reigns in glory, the sinner to save."
On a few occasions A. P. Stover, of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, ventured
into the field of poesy. For the issue of The Advocate of January 2, 1901, he
wrote: —
"The Closing Century."
"The years have come, the years have gone,
And many changes have been wrought;
The men of brains and thrift have done
That which of old the fathers thought."
He wrote a hymn to be sung at the services incident with the preaching of the
Opening Sermon of the Eldership in 1901 at Mt. Carmel, Pa., when he was pastor.
L. B. Hai'tniaii, of Ohio, had the poetic temperament, but was deficient in the
facilities which must accompany it. He published a poem suggested by his sermon,
"The Trilogy," to be sung to the tune — Chestnut Hill: —
"The work of God you see.
Divided by the Lord;
So made of parts just three.
According to his word.
To each of these an ordinance stands.
Mid Zion's walls, by Christ's commands."
In 1876 he published, in lighter vein,
"Voices of the Storm."
"I love to hear the rattling rain
Beat wildly on my window pane,
And echo back the night's refrain
When day is lost in night."
J. Dennis, of Maine, wrote some verses in 1874, one on
"Washing Feet."
"Oh, that my Lord would count me meet
To wash his dear disciples' feet."
W. N. Yates, a few times, while minister in Philadelphia, Pa., composed poems
which were well received by the readers of The Advocate. Gifted with the power
of vision, of imagination, and of easy expression, were his tastes in the line of
poetry or hymn-writing, he would stand equal with the best in the Church. In
May, 1901, he published a short poem in two parts: "The Preacher's Sunday
Morning" — "The Preacher's Monday Morning." The latter reads:
"The holy day is past. Some hearts believed
The story, and put their faith in Jesus Christ.
But scattered here and there is a doubting Thomas,
Who declares he never will believe until he sees
The sermon practiced. So now, dear Lord,
Help me this week to live in such a way
That in my body may be seen the marks
Of this same Jesus. Until the doubter.
Seeing Christ in me, may cease to doubt,
And call him Lord."
E. Tatman, of Indiana, essayed to write some hymns for publication. The first,
"A Dream of the Last Day," lacked in the metrical element, and gave no evidence
of adequate powers of imagery for so awe-inspiring a subject. When he appeared
in the role of a hymnist, in December, 1899, it was in
Hymnou'Gy 907
"A Call to Duty."
"Zion's walls are falling.
Many watchmen are asleep;
Jesus he is calling,
Go and feed my sheep.
Will you go, my brother?
Or will you stay at home?
Shift your duties on another.
And let the sheep still farther roam!'
Better was his
"I Am Crucified With Christ."
"I am standing at the cross,
Down by the Savior's side;
The world to me is dross.
With Christ I'm crucified."
H. W. Kiiizaii, of Illinois, who was licensed in 1898, began the publication of
hymns nearly a year earlier, on November 17, 1897, on "A Resurrected Hope." In
some of his hymns were found flowers of literature most fragrant. He seemed to
possess a picture gallery of pure imagination, stored with lofty and lovely images.
He never desecrated his high powers, nor burned incense before unhallowed shrines.
His second poem, December 8, 1897, was: —
"The Beautiful City."
"I hear of a beautiful city
With streets that are paved with gold;
With walls that are of jasper.
And wonders yet untold.
They say this city lies over
Death's dark and gloomy way,
And that 'tis heaven so glorious.
One bright, eternal day."
He also wrote "Christmas," and a touching sonnet about "my little boy, climb-
ing on my knee," saying, "Papa, sing for me to-day." And possibly out of a sadder
heart was born the elegy, "Only a Lock of Hair," which was "worth to him more
than gems or gold." His "Memories of Childhood" touches a responsive chord in
every heart. Prominence was given in The Advocate to
"Am I Contented?"
"I dream by day; yes, fondly dream.
And as I dream I ask:
Am I contented with my lot.
Each toilsome, irksome task?
Life's sunshine, is it bright enough.
Or would I change its hue?
Am I contented? This I ask
Each hour the long day through."
With equal power of penetration he wrote "Mother, Home and Heaven," "I
Shall Rest," " 'Tis Night," "He is Risen," and "At the Window," and a half dozen
more.
During the period Kruzan was making his contributions to the Church's hymn-
ody, three other poets for a day shone in the ecclesiastical skies. The first was H.
D. Boiighter, a student at Findlay College, who published, April 5, 1899,
"A Voice From Heaven."
"There comes to man in accents sweet.
The voice from God the heart to greet;
Oh, listen to the strains of love,
Descending from the throne above."
W. W. Anderson, West Pennsylvania, on May 10, 1899, gave to the readers of
The Advocate
9o8 History of the Churches of God
"Then and Now."
"With trembling soul I used to sing:
'Simply to thy cross I cling';
But now on solid rock I stand,
And walk with Jesus hand in hand."
The President of Pindlay College in 1900, C. Manchester, sought to illustrate
the dictum, that "the poets, better than any other moral teachers, lead us to 'tne
great in conduct, and the pure in thought.' " He wrote other poems, but on March
21, 1900, he published
"Four Tests."
"We ask for honor and power.
But shrink from drinking their cup.
We go to Jesus the Master,
To ask for a place higher up.
We long to sit at his right hand,
We want his glory and fame.
But shun the path of the Master,
Who went to glory through shame."
"Faith in the Coming of Christ" was the subject of a poem by H. D. Mclntyre,
January 22, 1902:—
"I see the golden city with unbeclouded eyes,
I see the holy angels descending from the skies;
I hear the voice of Jesus that summons home his blessed,
Farewell, farewell to death and grave, we enter into rest."
In November, 1900, B. D. Eden's name, of West Virginia, appears as a poetical
contributor. As a prose writer he manifested certain attractive peculiariiies.
There was a cheerfulness and vivacity in his pulpit discourses which prepared his
readers for piquant poems from his pen. His first contribution was
"Sin vs. Grace."
"What is this that makes me lame,
That burns my soul with lasting shame,
And makes me dread that precious name?
Sin!"
' He wrote "Advocating The Advocate," and "Too High," also in the interest of
The Advocate, both about the Holidays of 1900. Three years later he again took
a's his theme: "Take The Advocate." But on March 30, 1904, he selected a theme
better suited to metrical versification, and wrote
"My Grace is Sufficient for Thee."
"When the burden of my soul
Called for the sighs and tears,
Jesus heard my humble prayer.
He took away my fears."
C. D. Rishel when pastor at Carlisle, Pa., in 1895, put his Christmas thoughts
In poetic phraseology in a lyric called
"Farewell Old Christmas Day."
"Yes, Christmas comes, and Christmas goes,
' ' '.,' Like Autumn winds and Winter snows;
'■■■■'"■■' ''^ '■ Like rippling brooks and ringing bells,
The glorious news it always tells.
■''"' '' •'• It tells us of a Savior's love,
Who left his mansions far above;
Who came with good intent to earth.
To give to man immortal birth."
A new name appeared among the poets in June, 1901. Forney O. Eafcin wrote
"God in Nature."
"God made the lilies fair,
i" And every flower that blooms;
-i: . The birds are from his care.
He decked them all with plumes."
Hymnology 909
And two years later he published
"The Church Tramp."
"A tramp's a man without a home,
So far and near his feet do roam;
No aim in view, he wonders on.
He begs a crust, and then is gone."
In the next eight years more than that many new aspirants for poetic laurels
came into the open. Chas. T. Ishler, of Illinois, May 13, 1903, wrote
"Courteousness."
"The verdure of earth comes forth in its season,
The trees rise forth from the sod;
The entire universe reveals infinite reason.
Because back of all is the infinite God."
F. W. Whittington, of Arkansas, on June 1, 1904, published
"Our Departed One."
"We sat with her when dying.
And tenderly held her hand;
And listened with eager yearning, ' ' '
To catch the words she said.''./ - ,■
During 1905 and up to March, 1906, W. H. Engler, of Maryland, published
eight poems, of different metrical forms. The last was a heart-prayer:
"Stay Thou With Me."
"Stay thou with me, blessed Savior,
While my days are passing by;
For I see the shadows near me.
And the night it draweth nigh."
One of the pioneer missionaries to Texas, E. Marple, much later in life ven-
tured into the inviting realm of poetic composition. He published two hymns, one
on January 24, 1906, on
"The End."
"When the evening shades of life are come, '
And life's work is nearly done,
Through many days of toils and cares
From the days of youth they were.
Even down to hoary hairs,
But how sad the end is here."
The other was "An Evening Song," which he sang February 17, 1909. He
was far more of a logician than a poet.
T. M. Coleman, of Iowa, on May 2, 1906, without "the electric flame of the
poet's genius," composed and published a readable poem, with a chorus, on
"Christ's Second Coming."
"Our Savior is coming once more to the earth.
And coming with power to cleanse it from death;
All sin will be banished and death flee away.
With joy, then, and gladness we'll hail the glad day.
A day long expected and loved by his saints,
O glory hallelujah! he heard their complaints.
And banished their sickness, sorrow and pain.
And nothing can hurt them, or grieve them again."
Geo. M. Hubne, West Pennsylvania, on May 30, 1906, gave to the public a pro-
duction entitled: —
"The Lord Bless Thee."
"How shall he bless thee?
Not with earth's vain, empty blessing,
Joys that fade in their possessing;
Not with earth's poor, scanty treasures;
But with blessings of him
Whose light can not fade, nor dim."
9IO History of the Churches of God
A lyric poem, of rather exalted sentiment, was published by J. VV. Kingston,
Ohio, in January, 1902: —
"Mother's Grave."
"Step lightly here, for sacred clay
Enriches well this place, and
Makes it bear a force that is not seen.
'Tis not such clay as turns from ploughman's share;
But such as well compounded
Holds in its solution a ruby pearl."
Oa June 13, 1907, Findlay College observed its "Silver Jubilee," on which oc-
casion S. G. Yahn, President of the Board of Trustees, delivered the "Jubilee Ad-
dress." He closed it with a poem of three stanzas, of which the first is quoted
here: —
"As we calmly view the bygone years.
And the pathway marked by toil and tears,
God's guiding hand we plainly see.
In this, the year of jubilee."
As a close, careful thinker he shines with a luster he could not acquire as a
poet, for he is numbered with the
"Men who possess opinions and a will;
Men whom desire for office does not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office can not buy."
The author of "Burning Themes," O. A. Newlin, then of Fort Scott, Kansas, is
the author of what might be called a sermon in rhyme, which has been well com-
mended. It is
"The Passion of Christ."
"For three full years our Savior trod
The dusty plains, to work for God;
Without a pillow for his head.
No sumptuous table for him spread."
He has poetic ideals, and has given to the public other productions, of greater
poetic merit.
While this limited hymnology of the ministry of the Church of God lacks the
merit to make an epoch, it has in its measure fulfilled the true conception of the
aim of poetry: "To console the afflicted; to add sunlight to daylight by making
the happy happier; to teach the young and gracious of every age to see, to feel, to
think and therefore to become more actively and securely virtuous."
DIVISION IX. -I
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
DIVISION IX.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Bibliography is a science which deals with the description of books, including
details of authorship, editions, dates, etc. It is not necessarily general, or ex-
haustive. It may be restricted to a language, to an age, to a country, or to a
Church, or subject. With this liberty the Bibliography of the Church of God will
be limited to books, pamphlets, sermons, tracts and like publications of ministers
of said body in so far as they have been reviewed or advertised in its periodical
publications. As nearly as may be they will be arranged chronologicaly under the
names of their authors.
I. Winbrenner, J. A Compendium of the Heidelberg Catechism; or, Method
of Instruction in the Christian Religion, as the same is taught in the German Re-
formed Church and schools in North America. A. D. 1822. 47 pages.
Prayer-Meeting and Revival Hymn-Book. German and English. A. D. 1825.
The title was changed in later editions, a number of which were published, as this
was the Hymn-Book in use by the churches of God until 1859.
A Brief View of the Formation, Government and Discipline of the Church of
God. A. D. 1829. English and German editions. Under authority of the General
Eldership of 1884, a new edition of 500 copies was published, revised by a com-
mittee appointed by the General Eldership, consisting of G. Sigler, C. H. Forney, R.
L. Byrnes and W. B. Allen. 50 cents. Introduction to the Revised Edition by C.
H. Forney.
Christian Baptism. A sermon deivered by Elder John Winebrenner at Harris-
burg, Pa., August, 1830, on the occasion of his own baptism. A revised edition,
with Introduction by C. H. Forney, was issued by the Board of Publication of the
General Eldership in 1873.
A Reference and Pronouncing Testament, with a Gazetteer. "Ready for de-
livery" April 29, 1836.
Sermon on Baptism. Preached in the City of Lancaster, Pa., on a Baptizing
Occasion, in the Bethel of the Church of God, on the 17th of December, 1842. A
new edition was published by the Board of Publication in 187 8.
Winebrenner on Regeneration. A series of sermons delivered in Lancaster,
Pa., in July, 1844, on What Regeneration is Not. The Nature and Properties of
Regeneration. The Causes. The Inconclusive Evidences. The Conclusive Evi-
dences. The Necessity of, from the Scriptures and from the nature of Things.
In connection with I. D. Rupp he published The History of Religious Denomi-
nations in the United States. And J. Winebrenner & Co., published a Second and
Improved Portrait Edition of this work in 1847. He wrote the "History, Doctrine,
Polity and Statistics of the Church of God" for this publication.
J. Winebrenner & Co., also published "Wandering Souls" and "A Pronouncing
and Pictorial Bible and Theological Dictionary."
A Pamphlet, "History of the Church of God," as contained in The History of
Religious Denominations, published in 1848.
In July, 1848, he began the compilation, under authority of the General Elder-
ship,' of "Biographical Sketches of the First One Hundred Ministers of the Church
of God."
"The Law of Tithing," a reproduction in pamphlet form of a series of editorials
on the subject. Issued in 1848.
In 1853 he published "a choice collection of Church Tunes," "a Christian
Library of Music," entitled, "The Seraphina." A new edition was published by
George Ross in 1862. The music was in "round and patent notes."
The sermons published in monthly issues in 1859, as "The Monthly Preacher,"
were published in book form in 1860, under the title of Doctrinal and Practical
Sermons. Also simultaneously "The Christian Ordinances," 6ne sermon on each of
the three Ordinances.
In 1859 he completed the compilation of The Church Hymn-Book, and superin-
tended its publication.
"Letter on Slavery, and Various Rejected Articles Addressed to .J. Colder""
were published in pamphlet form in 1858.
914 History of the Churches of God
II. Flake, Jacob, in 1844 published "The Christian Miscellany." It was a
duodicimo volume, bound in colored muslin, containing a brief Biography, and short
treatises on doctrinal and practical subjects. Price, 37i/^ cents.
III. Harn, G. U. A sermon on Washing the Saints' Feet was elaborated by
Ham, in 184 6, into an 80-page booklet, 32 mo. form. Price, 2.5 cents. He left un-
finished at his death valuable manuscript of a'niuch larger work on other subjects.
IV. Bamberger, J. H. As was the more general practice among ministers in
earlier years, Bamberger kept a "Journal of his; Life." This, with Miscellaneous
Writings, Outlines of Sermons, etc., was published by Winebrenner in 1849, after
Bamberger's death, by authority of the General Eldership. It had 342 pages.
V. Weishjunpel, J. F. Weishampel took up the unfinished "Biographical
Sketches of the First One Hundred Ministers of the Church of God," which Wine-
bi-enner began in 184 8, and completed the compilation in May, 1858. It was
printed in September, 1858, with this title: "The Testimony of One Hundred Wit-
nesses," a volume of 250 pages; price, 50 cents. Between 1857 and 1860 Weis-
hampel published a sermon in a neat pamphlet entitled, "Revivals and Revival
Measures," which was "intended to remove the objections to those measures in the
minds of many who oppose them."
VI. Myei-s, J. "Chronicles of American Fanaticism," published in October,
1855. In 1860 he issued in pamphlet form "A Missionary Sermon," or "The Gos-
pel Sphere." In 1866 he completed the translation of "An Explanation of the
Apocalypse." m - . .
VII. Swartz, A. The work entitled, "The Trial of Mr. Pedo-Baptist," was the
outcome of a debate on baptism, a book of 300 pages, published in October, 1856,
and considered "a valuable work." Price, 7 5 cents;
VIII. Stewart, Ellen, In May, 185 8, Mrs. Ellen Stewart announced the
preparation of an Autobiography. It appeared in June, 1859, entitled, "Life of Mrs.
Ellen Stewart, together with Biographical Sketches of other Individuals; also a
Discussion with two Clergymen, and Arguments in favor of Woman's Rights, with
Letters by herself on different Subjects." 16 mo.; 250 pages.
IX. Mai-ple, E. In 1859 he published in a pamphlet "The Difference Between
the Church of God and the Disciples." In 1868, "The Doctrine and Polity of the
Church of God briefly but plainly stated, with its Relation to American Slavery."
In July, 1900, he issued his work, "The Two Sabbaths," "a successful refutation of
the old Jewish Sabbath under the New Dispensation" (B. Ober). In 1903 a
finished manuscript on "The Immortality of the Soul." This is a biblical and
scientific investigation of the Immortality of the Soul against the Soul-sleeping
Theory and Material Infidelity. Also "A Brief History of the Ancient Religions,
with a Scientific Solution of the Resurrection."
X. Hartman, L. B. In 1860, he delivered a sermon on the Ordinances, which
he enlarged and published with the title, "The Trilogy of Gospel Ordinances." It
is "a critical exposition of their nature and harmony, setting forth and elucidating
the Bible clairrs and authority for classing Feet-washing among them." In 1882
he published "The Two-fold Foundation of Christian Life." It was an Annual Ser-
mon, 14 pages. In 1898 appeared his work, "Divine Penology, The Philosophy of
Retribution, and the Doctrine of Future Punishment Considered in the Light of
Reason, Science, Revelation and Redemption."
XI. Byei-s, D. S. The Illinois Eldership in 1860 made the only public record
of a pamphlet published by Byers. It repudiated part of Its contents.
XII. Owens, J. C. The General Eldership in 1863, through a committee, ex-
amined the manuscript of a "Bible Question Book for Sunday-schools" submitted by
Owens. It approved it, and directed the Publishing Committee to secure and pub-
lish it. The East Pennsylvania Eldership in 1864 took up the matter, and pub-
lished it under the title of "A Scriptural Compendium for Sabbath-Schools." "An
excellent little book."
XIII. Kiner, F. F. He was the Chaplain of the Fourteenth Iowa Regiment
of Volunteer Infantry, and in 1863 published "One Year's Soldering." Cloth, 255
pages, 16 mo., 50 cents. He also published "The Bible Expositor."
XIV. Thomas, E. H. In 1865 Thomas published "The Church Record," a
splendidly arranged blank book in which to keep complete records of a local church.
While authorized by the East Pennsylvania Eldership, it was the personal property
of Thomas. In June, 1903, a new edition was published by direction of the Board
of Publication, it having become the property of the Board.
XV. FlowTiian, J. A. "A Sermon on the Institution, Form, Administrator,
BiBUOGRAPHY 915
Subjects, Mode, Design and Benefits of Baptism" was published by Plowman in
1866.
XVI. Bolton, R. H. The first attempt at authorship by Bolton was in 1861,
when he published "Plain Theology; or. My Reasons for being a member of the
Church of God;" 45 pages; price, 12 cents. "Review of Rev. C. C. Gould's
Pamphlet entitled 'John's Baptism not Christian Baptism,' and of J. H. Beckvpith's
'Immersion not Baptism.' " A pamphlet of 15 pages; price, 15 cents, published in
1866. He also published a pamphlet about the same time with the title "Church
Book," "a very interesting, exegetical and critical little work." Bolton's Semi-
centennial Sermon in 1876 was a defense of the Doctrine and Polity of the Church
of God. This he revised and enlarged, and published by authority of the Board of
Incorporation of the General Eldership under the title of "Plea of the Church of
God" a booklet of 76 pages. It reached its fourth edition, when in 1884 the Gen-
eral Eldership directed a new issue of 1,000 copies to be published. "The Bible
Student's Guide in Church Matters" was published in 1868. In 1877 he issued a
small Tract on the name of the Church, entitled, "The Church of God." "Bible
Students' Assistant" was published in 187 8. His pamphlet on "Sanctification"
was published by the Board of Publication in 1879.
XVII. Wilson, G. AV. "The Qualifications and Duties of Ministers in order
to Efficiency" was an Opening Sermon delivered in 1866 before the Ohio Eldership,
of which 1,000 copies were ordered printed.
XVIII. Stamm, J. S. "A Sermon on Christian Self-Examination," published
in 1868; 36 pages, 20 cents. "A very able discourse" (The Advocate).
XIX. Marston, C. C "Wandering Pilgrim," a pamphlet of 59 pages, pub-
lished June, 1869. "It delineates very beautifully the life and history of the
prophet Elijah."
XX. Owen, W. O. He published in a neat pamphlet the dedicatory sermon
preached at Shippensburg, Pa., November 13, 1870, entitled, "The Glory of the
Church."
XXI. Ross, George. He was a publisher rather than an author. He re-
published prior to 1875 "The Seraphina," "Das Christliche Gesang-buch," "Die
Verordnung Des Fuszwashens," "Das Haus Gottens und Dessen Zugehor," by
Winebi-enner. In 1880 he published "Biography of Elder John Winebrenner," of
which he was the author. It is a pamphlet of 22 pages.
XXII. Ijong, A. H. In 1877, a Tract on "Baptism," printed by the Board
of Publication. In 1878, a volume entitled, "Popular Sermons," of, which he pub-
lished 600 copies. In 1905, a Tract on "Scriptural Baptism," and one on "The
Ordinance of Washing the Saints' Feet."
XXIII. Sigler, George. "Centennial Thanksgiving Sermon," preached at a
union meeting at Philadelphia, 1876. Sermon on "Washing the Saints' Feet," in
1879. A Tract on Feet-washing, published by George Ross between 1875 and
1878. A Semi-centennial Sermon on "The Church of God in 1880," delivered in
the Fourth Street Bethel, Harrisburg, Pa. In 1901 he wrote a series of articles
for The Advocate, which in 1902 he republished in an attractive pamphlet of 65
pages, entitled, "The Holy Spirit Grieved." Price, cloth, 50 cents; paper, 25 cents.
In 1910 a Tract on "Christian Citizenship." Commendatory resolutions were
passed by different Elderships on these publications.
XXIV. Brown, J. I. "History of the Church of God in Maine," of which
2,000 copies were printed by direction of the Maine Eldership, in 18^0.
XXV. Ober, B. He published about this time a pamphlet of 32 pages on
"Errors of Divine Healing; An Investigation of Modern Inspiration and Divfne
Healing; also an Essay on Conversion." Price, 20 cents. Another pamphlet was
on "The Evil Effects of Popery and Church Divisions."
XXVI. Mills, H. He published his "Biography" in pamphlet form about
1880.
XXVII. Jackson, S. D. C. In 1881 "Sermons," a pamphlet of 21 pages, con-
taining three sermons, entitled, "The New Song," "Who can be Saved," and "The
Importance of Ministerial Culture." The last was "delivered by request before the
Ministerial Association of Illinois."
XXVIII. Richmond, I. S. In 1882 he published in book form fourteen "lec-
tures" delivered at various times and places, containing 102 pages, and entitled,
"Lectures: Theological and Historical." In 1888, "Lectures on Pilgrim's Pro-
gress." In 1899, "Waymarks in Sacred History," a book of 390 pages. "It is
9i6 Ihs'ioKv (;]■ riiic Ciiuiuiiiis of God
terse, clear, comprehensive" (Advocate). These wcrks were highly commended
by the Illinois Eldership.
XXIX. Newcomer, M. S. In 1872-3 he had a discussion on secret societies in
The Advocate with ii. W. Wilson. These were published in 1873 by C. H. Forney,
in a pamphlet of 92 pages, with the title, "Discussion on Secret Societies." J.
Mackey congratulated him, in an appended letter, on his "masterly and well-timed
attack upon, and exposition of, the evils of Secret Societies." In 18 85 he published
a "Proposition" to issue "A Book of Poems" of from 250 to 300 pages. Price,
$1.00, in plain muslin. His "Lectures on Preaching" were delivered before the
Illinois Eldership in October, 1886, and 1,000 copies were by request of the
Eldership published by the Board of Publication in a pamphlet of 50 pages.
"Golden Gleanings" appeared in 1891, being made up of original poems, extracts
of prose writings, etc. Many of the poems have exceptional merit. In 1903 he
published a small "Treatise on the Church of God." Pamphlet, price, 10 cents.
The "Opening Sermon," a pamphlet of 17 pages, was preached before the Iowa
Eldership in 1906. He prefaced a "Note," stating that "the following sermon
created a great sensation." Criticisms were decidedly adverse by "three-fourths
of the auditors."
XXX. Winbi}»ler, Charles F. An address on "The Church and Ministry in
Earnest," delivered before the Ohio Ministerial Association in 1887. A sermon
on the theme, "What is the Proper Action of Baptism?" Published in 1887. In
189 4 a longer sermon: "What is Christian Baptism, and to Whom Should it be
Administered?" In 1901 he gave to the public a work on "Christian Science and
Kindred Superstitions." Cloth, 12 mo., $1.00. In 1909 he published an ex-
haustive treatise on "Suggestion: Its Laws and Application." It gives in forcefu,!
terms the "principle and practice of Psycho-Therapeutics."
XXXI. Bartlebauj2fh, G. A. In 1884 he prepared and published a Pictorial
Chart, 2 feet, 9 inches by 2 feet, suitable for framing, entitled, "The Way to Ruin
and the Path of Life." It illustrates the narrow and the broad way.
XXXII. Sohoch, J. F, Gathering his material while on a tour to the Holy
Land, he published "From the Hudson to the Jordan," prior to the General Elder-
ship of 1887, which commended it as a work which "will prove to be a considef-
able addition to our literature."
XXXIII. Rishel, CD. In 1887, and for several consecutive years, he pub-
lished a "Year Book of the Church of God," of nearly 100 pages. Price, 50 cents.
"An excellent production." In 1890 appeared a pamphlet of 84 pages, entitled,
"The Life and Adventures of David Lewis, the Robber and Counterfeiter." In
1899 he published a "Church Directory for Cumberland County, Pa."
XXXIV. fitont, A. P. In 1888 he published "A Map of Palestine," giving the
"Journeys and deeds of Jesus." Also a "Worker's Map of Palestine," and a
"Chronology of Christ's Life."
XXXV. Foi-ney, C. H. In 18 83, by direction of the Board of Publication,
he collated and edited his editorials on trine immersion, feet-washing and the
Love Feast, and published them in book form, under the title, "The Christian Ordi-
nances," a book of 198 pages. "Clear in statements, strong in argument, true to
history, in harmony with the divine word, and worthy a place in every library as a
standard authority upon the subject upon which it treats" (General Eldership in
1884). Price, 80 cents. "Riches of Christ," published in 1890, was the Opening
Sermon preached at the East Pennsylvania Eldership of said year. "Christianity
and the College," published by the Board of Trustees of Findlay College, was the
"Dedicatory Oration" of that institution, which took place June 20, 1888. "The
Philosophic Basis of Ordinances" Avas published by C. I. Brown in 1906. It is in
two parts. Part I. treats of the three Ordinances as to their philosophic basis,
being "an indirect, but conclusive, proof that Feet-washing is a divinely instituted
Ordinance." Part II. discusses "the Bible Doctrine of Sanctification." It is a
book of 93 pages, bound in cloth and in paper. "It is a strong book" (Yahn).
"The discussion of the Ordinances is largely on new lines, and is a convincing
argument in favor of the faith we profess on these debated questions" (Advocate).
He revised and edited "Jewett on Baptism," republished by D. M. Bare.
XXXVI. Hanson, E. F. In 1884, he published a work on "Demonology; or,
Spiritualism, Ancient and Modern." It contained valuable information. Pages,
310. He was a member of the Maine Eldership.
XXXVII. Wiley, Alexander. In 1878 he published "Vol. I., Part I., Ser-
mons," twelve in number, being the first issue of his "Literary Productions" "after
Bibliography 917
vacating my place in the active ranks of the ministry." He died about two years
later, aged 35 years, 5 months and 19 days.
XXXVIII. Yahn, S. G. "Bible Study," a small work, 1887. In 1899 his
Opening Sermon, "The Teaching Function of the Churches of God," was published
in a 16-page pamphlet by Win. H. Guyer. In 1893 he published "A Brief History
of the West Pennsylvania Eldership" "during the past fifty years," of 53 pages.
It was valuable as a historical hand-book. Findlay College celebrated its "Silver
Jubilee" June 13, 1907, and Yahn, as President of the Board of Trustees, de-
livered the Address, which was published as "Series IV., March, 1908, of Findlay
College Bulletin of Information."
XXXIX. Keitzel, Charles F. He was a prolific writer and publisher. He
began in 1900 with an 8-page Tract, "Bible Name for God's Church," of which he
sold 20,000 copies, at 25 cents per hundred. In 1902 "Robert Woodknow's Dif-
ficulties in Finding a Church Home" was published, with an Introduction by C. H.
Forney. It was the most popular book yet published, the fourth edition haying
been issued. In 1904 appeared "The Head Covering for Women," a clear pre-
sentation of the subject in a 12-page pamphlet. Also "I Don't Believe in Mis-
sions," a 4-page Tract, nearly 10,000 copies were sold. "The Sheathed Sword," a
sermon delivered March 14, 1897, before the Col. P. B. Housum Post, No. 309,
G. A. R., Chambersburg, Pa. In 1905 appeared "A Message to the Churches," a
4-page Tract, 6,000 copies. Also "Sin: Its Results — Its Cure," a booklet of 64
pages, bound in cloth and paper. "Church and State," in paper and cloth binding,
was published in 1907, and has been revised and enlarged for the third edition.
A booklet of 32 pages, 13th thousand. "Paul's Conversion," of which 1,500 copies
were sold in a year's time, appeared in 1911. The story is "told in couplets," and
is fascinating and instructive.
XL. McGuire, F. W. A facile writer, McGuire has been doing the Church
excellent service with his pen. He and Reitzel were collaborators for awhile in
1898 in issuing Tracts. Reitzel had a small printing office, and did the printing,
while McGuire furnished the manuscript. In this way they issued these Tracts:
"The Washing of the Saints' Feet," "The Church of God," "Five Points on the
Mode of Baptism," "God's Name for God's Church," and "Ye Must Be Born Again."
In 1902 McGuire published in pamphlet form, "Take Heed to Thyself," a Bacca-
laureate Sermon delivered at the Millersville Normal School. In 1904, two Tracts:
"The Sabbath," and "The Church of God: What is It?" Each was sold at 25 cents
per dozen. "Paul's Confession," Opening Sermon of the East Pennsylvania Elder-
ship, published in 1898. "Oranges and Razors," a 33-page pamphlet, of which
the formative idea may be suggested by the thought: "Nothing but true love is
able to reform," found on the title page. In March, 1907, he published "The Man
Without a Soul," a 7 9-page booklet, in which in admirably written sentences and in
logical arrangement he proves the "conscious immortality of the soul."
XLI. Stover, A. P. "Three Lectures on the Sunday-School," in which three
topics are treated in a careful and instructive manner. Published in 1900.
XLII. Newcomer, Mrs. Mai-y B. "In Memory of Rev, W. I. Berkstresser," a
fine booklet of 59 pages, "written and arranged by his Sister." "Auto-Biography
and Memorial of Rev. M. S. Newcomer, D. D." Arranged by Mrs. Mai-y B. New-
comer, 1911.
XLIII. Walls, J. S. "In Memory of Elder W. B. Allen. Written and ar-
ranged by his Friend." A booklet of 42 pages.
XLIV. Wilson, A. "Origin of the Church of God," 1901.
XLV. Miller, vSamuel. He published three fair-sized pamphlets "for free dis-
tribution:" "Recollections of the History of the Origin and First Organization
of the Church of God in North America," in 1895. "A Tract," which "briefly sur-
veys the creation of man, the violation of God's Law, the restoration of man and
free salvation," in 1902. "A Tract," "Religion in the Home and in the Family "
1904.
XLVI. A Committee of the W. G. M. S., Miss L. A. Forney, Mrs. D. C. Komp
and Mrs. C. Manchester, prepared and published "A Course of Studies on India" in
1910, 72 pages, illustrated.
XLVII. Newlin, O. A. "Burning Themes and Heavenly Manna," issued in
1902, is a book of 236 pages, best cloth binding, with a variety of topics: Tem-
perance, Card-playing, the Social Dance, Fairs, Divine Healing, and the Joy rf
Harvest, the Passion of Christ, the Alpha and Omega, etc. A cheaper and smaller
edition was also published. "Union Revival Meetings: How to Promote Them "
9i8 History of the Churches of God
1911, 2 0-page pamphlet. Another pamphlet containing three sermons, and three
booklets of Poems, issued in 1911. The poems are called "Devotional," "numer-
ous" and "Nature Poems."
XLVIII. Bellingham, J. W. In November, 1897^ "Hymns and Poetic Gems,"
a booklet whose contents were "written at different times during the first years of
his ministry."
XLXIX. Woodvvoi'th, Mrs. Maria B. A Book of Sermons, published in 1902.
She had also published a Hymn-Book, to which "additions of soul-stirring songs"
was made in 1911.
L. Covert, AV. R. In 1902 he published "Synopsis of Lectures on the Prob-
lems of the Phenomena of Matter, Mind and Magnetism." Price, 25 cents. "A
vigorous thinker" (The Advocate).
LI. Lovett, W. W. A 4-page Tract, "containing seventeen reasons why the
Churches of God practice Feet-washing as an Ordinance." Price, 15 cents per 100.
LII. Gable, J. W. "Spiritual Counsels and Encouragement" was published
in 1907. "A thoughtful work, can be read with spiritual profit."
LIU. Kingston, J. W. In 1902 he prepared a Book of Forms for Ordinance
Meetings, Marriages, Burials, etc., which was approved by the Illinois Eldership,
and published.
LIV.' Guyer, Wm. Han-is. In 1910 he published "James Anninius," in which
he discussed his early life, the revolt against Calvinism, his teachings, and his char-
acter and works. Cloth, 75 cents; paper, 35 cents. This was followed in 1911 by
"Our Mother," and by "Memories of Our Old Homes." Both bound with decorated
covers. Price of the former, 30 cents; of the latter, 50 cents and 35 cents. Both
books are written in admirable spirit, and must deepen the love of children for
their mothers, and awaken a sense of the true relation of the Home to the Church
and the State.
LV. Kipe, Samuel A. September, 1911, "Some Fundamental Questions Re-
lating to the Churches of God and Their Doctrines, and Their Scriptural Answers."
It is in the form of questions and answers, the latter being mainly quotations from
the Scriptures.
LVI. Hershey, Viola G. Near the sunset of the year 1912, there came from
the press of The Central Printing and Publishing House, Harrisburg, Pa., a splen-
did, profusely illustrated volume entitled, "Glimpses of Bogra," India, with an In-
troduction by Lydia A. Foi-ney. Price, $1.50 net, printed on fine, calendered paper,
ornamental cloth binding. It contains excellent portraits of Viola G. Hershey and
Howard W. Cover, who were married just before sailing for India.
'i ir
INDEX.
Page
Academy News, The, 840
Adams, Wm., death of 568, 570
Allaman, Sister L., death of, 581
Allegheny, church in 198
Allen. W. B., dfath of -. 533
Altoona, work begun in , 95
Alverton, church work commenced in 51
Anderstown, Church Organized 28
Anderson, W. H., death of 348
Anderson, D. L., death of 367
Anderson, W. W., Poetry of. 907
Anglemire, A., death of 442
Angel, E., death of 483
Annville Bethel, when built. .....l 61
Appier, Elias, death of 642
Argus, The 840
Arkansas, work in, 1900-05 260
Arkansas, work in, 1905-10 269
Arkansas, first work in 171, 229
Arkansas and Indian Territory,
work in 182
Arkansas Eldership (Colored).
First Session, 745
Second Session, 746
Third Session, 746
Fourth Session, 746
Fifth Session 747
Sixth Session, 747
Seventh Session, 747
Eighth Session, 748
Ninth Session, 748
Tenth Session, 748
Eleventh Session, 748
Twelfth Session, 749
Thirteenth Session, 749
Fourteenth Session, 749
Arkansas and Oklahoma Eldership
Fifteenth Session, 749
Sixteenth Session, 750
Seventeenth Session, ; 750
Arnold, J. E., death of, 193, 353
Assembly The Indiana 256, 265
Auburn, first organization in 73
Aukerman. J. W., death of, 574
Bakeyville Academy 866
Baltimore, preaching in 59, 224
Baltimore, church organized in 72
Bamberger, John H., author 914
Baptism, Lay, 99
Baptismal Regeneration, discussion
of, 146
Baptism and Church Fellowship 378
Bare, M. G., death of 532
Barkey, Henry, death of 414
Bartlebaugh, G. A., author 916
Bauermeister, Wilhelm, Poetry of.... 902
Bays, R. F., death of 743
Bear, Jacob, death of 530
Beecher, Martha Jane, licensed, 400
Beck, B. F., death of, 365
Becker, Miss Leah, missionary to
India 891, 894
Page
Beidler, John, death of 566
Bell, G. T., death of 606
Bellingham, J. W., Poetry of 905
Bellingham, T. W., author 918
Beneficial Society 354
Beneficiary Fund 357
Bequests, 265, 371, 564, 571
Bequest by J. Ross, 357
Bequest by Sister Ridenouer, 359
Bequest by Anna Myers, 565
Bequest by John Miller 374
Bequest by Jacob Simonetti 374
Bequests, .$1000, West Pa., 409, 420
Bequest by Mrs. Hill, 579
Bequest of William Snodgrass 581
Bequest, Lucy Kryder 587
Bequest of John Sweden 639
Bequest by Samuel Eberly 790
Bequest for a house of worship 544
Berkstresser, W. I., death of 533
Bernard, John, Poetry of 905
Bethel College 845
Board of Finance, E. Pa. E 375
Bolton, R. H., author 915
Bomberger, J. H., death of 78
Book Store 354
Book Concern, establishment of 780
Booth, William, death of 440
Borgner, Henry, death of 357
Boughter, H. D., Poetry of 907
Bowser, Solomon, death of 534-
Bowers, A. C, missionary to India...- 886
Bowers, Mrs. A. C, missionary to
India 886
Boyer, I. E., death of 481
Bible, New Version of 191
Bible Truth 841
Bittle, Henry, death of 484
Blakely, D., death of 675
Blough, C. H.. death of 361
Brady, Israel, death of 193, 350
Bratten, , death of, 616
Brennamon, Joseph, death of 125
Brief View of the Church, first
published 35
Briggle, John, death of 571
Broad Top Mounatin, Church organ-
ized 64
Brown, John, death of 350
Brown, Isiah T., death of, 359
Brown, Mrs. C. I., President W. G.
M. S., 894, 896
Brown, J. I., author, 915
Brumbaugh, C. S., death of 674
Burch. W., death of 476
Burchard, W. P., death of, 583
Byers, D. S., author 914
Cambria County, beginning of work in 64
Camp Hill church, first organization 39
Camp-meetings, first ^ 34
Camp-meetings, in 1830-5 43
Camp-meetings in 1835 46
•920
HlSTORV OF THE ChURCHES OF GOD
Page
•Camp-meetings in 1840 56
Camp-meetings in 1840-45 57
Camp-meetings in 1849 75
■Camp-meetings in 1850-55 96
Camp-meeting, The Model 97
Camp-meetings in 1855-60 110
Camp-meetings in 1860-65 120
■Camp-meetings 1865-70 149
€amp-meetings 1875-80 176
Camp-meetings 1880-85 193
Camp-meetings 209
■Camp-meetings in 1890-5 220
€amp-meetings in 1895-1900 238
Camp-meetings in 1900-1905 252
•Camp-meeting Association 374
Canada West, mission in 153, 390, 877
•Canton, O., work began in. 166
California, first work in, 205, 216, 231, 238
•Carlisle bethel sold 196
■Carnegie Endowment proposition, 371, 376
•Carr, Sister N., death of 581
Carvell, J. M., death of, 36i
Cassel, J. M., death of 575
Catechism, contention on 146
Central College, 849
Centralia College 848
Chamberlain, A. B., missionary to
India 892
Chamberlain, D., death of 569
Chambersburg, burning of house of
worship in 121
Chaney, Thomas, death of, 600
Chicago Mission,....121, 151, 168, 174, 201
338, 774.
Children's Day introduced 208
Choirs and instrumental music 148
Christian Endeavor Movement 208
Christlicher Kundschafter 829
Church Advocate, The 820
Church at Work, The 841
Church Extension, Board of, first... 350
Church Extension Fund, General
Eldership 792
Church — First organization 21.
Clay, Wm, death of, 124, 513
Clearfield County, first work in 160
Clippinger, P. H., death of 159
Clouse, C. W., death of 665
Colder, James, 95
Colder, J., charges against, 333
Colder, J., charges against and
expulsion 334, 335
Colder, James, Poetry of, 903
Coleman, T. M., Poetry of 909
College Review, The 840
College News, The 840
Collegiate Institute Record, The... 840
Collins, P. D., ordained, death of.. 335, 638
Collins, P. D., death of, 189, 173
Collins, J. W., death of 364
Colorado, work began in, 183
Colorado, emmigration to 205
Colorado, first preaching in 216
Colorado, work in 1890-95, 231,259
Colorado, work in 1895-1900 267
Colorado Eldership 751
Columbia, mission began, 160, 187
Commission on Unification of W. G.
M. Societies 370, 371
Page
Constitution, first, E Pa. E 328
Corbin, S. G., death of 365
Coulter, G. W., death of 350
Couch, W. E., death of 728
Cover, H. W., missionary to India, 893, 895
Covert, W. R., author 918
Crawford, Samuel, death of 125
Creeds, discussion of 128
Criswell, W. H. H., death of, 412
Dakota, first preaching in. 216
Davis. W. J. death of 415
Davis, C. R., death of 452
Debates, 99, 126, 142, 172, 178
Decatur, house of worship in 112
Debates and Discussions 205, 206
Debates in 1885-1890 217, 233
Debates in 1890-1895 231
Debates in 1895-1900 249
Debates in 1900-1905 262
Debates in 1905-1910 267, 278
Debates in 1910-1913 288
Dochterman, Benjamin, death of.... 376
Deeds of Church Property, action on 372
Delaware, missionary to 59
Delcamp, D., death of 569
Dennis, J., Poetry of 906
Depravity, Infant 179
Depravity, Total, discussion of 147
Deshiri, T. H., death of, 193, 525
Diadem, The 841
Dickerhoof, S., death of 583
Dickson, H. J., death of 592
Dobson, J. A., death of 575
Divorce, discussion of 369
Domer, J. M., death of, 158, 405, 773
Donaldson, bethel built 162
Doubling Gap, bethel built, 162
Drummond, G. W., death of 678
Duncannon. bethel built 162
Dunn, G. E., death of 699
Eakin, Forney, O., Poetry of 908
East Ohio Eldership, The
Twenty-third. 385
Twenty-fourth, 386
Twenty-fifth, 386
Twenty-sixth, 387
Twenty-eighth, 387
Twenty-ninth, 388
Thirtieth, 389
Thirty-first, 389
Thirty-second, 390
Thirty-third, 390
Thirty-fourth, -. 391
Thirty-fifth, 391
Thirty-sixth 392
Thirty-seventh, 392
Thirty-eighth 392
Thirty-ninth 393
Fortieth, 393
East Pennsylvania Eldership, work in
1880-188.5 196
1885-1890 215
1890-1895 222
1895-1900, 247
1900-1905 253
1905-1910 275
1910-1913 280
Index
921
Page
East Pennsylvania Eldership, The
First, 313
Second, 316
Third, 317
Fourth, 317
Fifth 317
Sixth, 318
Seventh, 318
Eighth, 318
Ninth, 319
Tenth, 319
Eleventh 320
Twelfth, 320
Thirteenth, .-. 321
Fourteenth, 321
Fifteenth, 321
Sixteenth, 322
Seventeenth, 323
Eighteenth, 323
Nineteenth, 324
Twentieth, 325
Twenty-first, 325
Twenty-second 326
Twenty-third, 327
Twenty-fourth, 328
Twenty-fifth, 329
Twenty-sixth, 329
Twenty-seventh, 330
Twenty-eighth, 331
Twenty-ninth, 331
Extra Session, 332
Thirtieth, 333
Thirty-first, 334
Thirty-second, 335
Thirty-third 336
Thirty-fourth, 337
Thirty-fifth, 338
Thirty-sixth 338
Thirty-seventh, 339
Thirty-eighth, 340
Thirty-ninth, 341
Fortieth, 342
Forty-first, 342
Forty-second, 343
Forty-third, .'. 343
Forty-fourth, 344
Forty-fifth, 344
Forty-sixth, 345
Forty-seventh, 346
Forty-eighth, 346
Forty-ninth, 347
Fiftieth, 348
Fifty-first, 348
Fifty-second, 349
Fifty-third, 350
Fifty-fourth, 351
Fifty-fifth, 352
Fifty-sixth, 353
Fiftv-seventh, 354
Fifty-eighth, 355
Fifty-ninth, 356
Sixtieth, 356
Sixty-first, 357
Sixty-second, 358
Sixty-third, 359
Sixty-fourth, 359
Sixty-fifth 360
Sixty-sixth, 361
Sixty-seventh, 362
Sixty-eighth, 362
C. H. -31*
Page
East Pennsylvania Eldership, The
Sixty-ninth, 363
Seventieth, S64
Seventy-first, 365
Seventy-second, 366
Seventy-third, 366
Seventy-fourth, 367
Seventy-fifth, 367
Seventy-sixth. 368
Seventy-seventh, 369
Seventy-eighth, 370
Seventy-ninth, 371
Eightieth, 372
Eighty-first, 373
Eighty-second, 374
Eighty-third, 375
Eighty-fourth 376
Eden, B. D., Poetry of 908
Education, Board of 352
Electioneering, ..343, 346, 359, 369, 370, 414
Elders, Life 356, 375
Eldership, organization of the first, 44, 313
Eldership Titles, ....108,129,149,233,329,
343, 344, 384, 385 ,386
Elizabethtown, building of bethel, ....61, 93
Elizabethtown, Winebrenner's first
preaching in 29
Ellis, Alfred, death of 674
Ellis, R. T., death of 742
Elliott, John , 315
Engler, W. H., Poetry of, 909
Ensminger, Lyman, death of 580
Eshleman, Elias, death of 366
Evangelical Association, division of 219
Evans, John W., death of 648
Faith, Articles of, E. Pa. E 341
Faith Healing 179, 217
Fasting 76,326
Feetwashing 178
Federation of Churches 219
Fenton, A. J., death of 530
Flgard, Wm., death of 353
Findlay, O., first preaching in 88
Findlay College, foundation of 778
Findlay College 852
Flake, J., author, 914
Flake, Jacob, death of 125
Fleegal, Simon death of 355
Fleagle, Benjamin, death of 642
Fleagle. Samuel, death of 640
Florida Church 216
Foose, M. M., death of 235, 363
Foreign Missions 347
Forney, C. H., Life and Work 289
Forney, C. H., Poetry of 904
Forney, C. H., author.. 916
Forney, Christian T., death of, 124
Forney, H. J., death of 377, 811
Forney, Miss L. A., author 917
Fort Scott Collegiate Institute 868
Fort Scott church organized and
work in, 213, 215
Fort Wayne Mission. 154. 167, 174, 184, 200
Fort Wayne Mission property sold 443
Fourth Street, bethel '?uilt 93
Franklin, organization of Church in 199
Free Baptist Church, Cooperation
with, in Foreign Missions 884
Freedmen's Mission, 151, 171
y22
History of the Churches of God
Page
Free Will Baptists and the Church
of God 45, 432
Frederick County, Md., church in 59
Fredericksburg, organization of
Church at 37
Frizbee, G. W., death of, 676
Fulton, Irvin, death of 420
Gable, J. S., death of, 193, 351
Gable, J. W., author 918
Garrett, H. A., death of 502
Garrison, Z., death of... 439
Gaskill, S. M., death of 564
Gault, Moses, death of 193
General Eldership, first action on, 322, 380
General Eldership, Opposition
to It 380, 381
General Eldership, The
First Session 755
Second Session 759
Third Session 760
Fourth Session, 761
Fifth Session, 763
Sixth Session, 764
Seventh Session 766
Eighth Session 767
Ninth Session 769
Tenth Session 771
Eleventh Session 773
Twelfth Session, 775
Thirteenth Session, 777
Fourteenth Session 779
Fifteenth Session 781
Sixteenth Session 783
Seventeenth Session 78.5
Eighteenth Session 787
Nineteenth Session 789
Twentieth Session 790
Twenty-first Session 792
Twenty-second Session 794
Twenty-third Session 797
German Eldership 195
German Eldership, Suit against.. ..372, 373
German Eldership, The,
Preliminary Convention, 541
First 543
Second, 543
Third, 544
Fourth, 544
Fifth, 544
Sixth, 544
Seventh, 544
Eighth, 545
Ninth, 545
Tenth, 545
Eleventh, 545
Twelfth, 546
Thirteenth 546
Fourteenth, 547
Fifteenth, 547
Sixteenth, 548
Seventeenth, 549
Eighteenth, 549
Nineteenth, 519
Twentieth, 550
Twenty-first, 550
Twenty-second 550
Twenty-third, 551
Twenty-fourth, 551
Twenty-fifth, 551
Page
German Eldership, The.
Twenty-sixth, 551
Twenty-seventh, 552
Twenty-eighth, 552
Twenty-ninth, 552
Thirtieth, 553
Thirty-first, 553
Thirty-second, 553
Thirty-third, 553
Thirty-sixth, 554
Thirty-seventh, 554
Gill, David, death of 478
Gillaspie, E. B., death of 491
Goldsboro, church organized 62
Goldsboro. bethel built in, 93
Gospel Publisher, establishment of.... 52
"Gospel Misionary," 322
Gospel Publisher, The 817, 820
Grand View, Bethel dedicated, 1880 198
Grand View, Church organized at,
1880 198
Greene County, first church in 72
Green Street Church, Harrisburg,.... 160
Greene County, Pa., work in, 165
Green.brier, Church organized 199
Grissinger, W. J., death of 374
Gleaner, The Little 841
Guthrie County, Iowa, work begun 202
Guyer, Wm. H., 918
Hackenberger, H., death of 361
Haifleigh, Jesse, death of 36.5
Hamblin, A. death of 592
Harmony, Church organized in 52
Hancock, County, O., first preaching
in 69
Hanna, J., death of 450
Harn,, G. U., 99, 321
Harn, G. U., death of, 125
Harn, G. U., author, 914
Hanson, E. F., author 916
Harrisburg, Churches in, prior
to 1820 12
Harrisburg Religious Conditions
in 1820 12
Hartman, Felix, death of, 544
Hartman, Peter, death of 566
Hartman, L. B., Poetry of, 906
Hartman, L. B., author, 914
Hay, Israel, death of 374
Heaskins, Jas., death of 500
Herman, S. E., death of 368
Henson, R. H, death of 523
Hepler, Jacob M., Speaker first
German Eledrship, 541, 550, 553
Hepler, Jacob M., death of 543
Herr, David B., death of 366
Hershey, Miss Viola G., Missionary
to India 886
Hershey. Viola G., author 918
Hicks, death of, 603
Hickernell, Thomas, death of 572, 783
Hickman, W. H., death of 481
Hickernell, John, ordained 319, 394
Hickernell, J., death of 417
Hickernell, Thomas, ordained 317
Hilsher, Ayers L., death of 350
Hillsdale College 849
Hinney. Wm., death of, 125
Hoerger, S., death of, 409
Index
923
Page
Hollems, A., death of, 473
Hoover, J. C, death of 578
Hostetter, John S., death of 125
Houston, George M., death of, 371
Hovis, John, death of, 420
Howard, S. B., Poetry of 902
Hulme, Geo. M., Poetry of 909
Hunter, John, death of 355
Hunter, M. J., death of 367
Huston, O. B„ death of 539
Huston, Mrs. O. B., President W.
G- M. S 895, 896
Hymnal, The Church, 778, 780
Hymnal, The Church 901
Hymn Book, The Revival 899
Hymn Book, The Church 900
Ida Grove Bethel,, la 228
Ida County, Iowa, first work in 202
Idaho, work in, 261, 267, 285
Idaho, families of Church in, 1890-95 231
Idaville Church, Indiana 256
Illinois, first missions in 84, 325
Illinois, first house of worship 112
Illinois, work in 1890-95 ...^.. 227
Illinois, work in 1905-10 '._. 271
Illinois, work in 1910-13 283
Illinois, work in, 1895-1900 243
Illinois, work in, 1900-05 257
Illinois Eldership, The.
First, 509
Second, 511
Third, ;;;:;;;; sn
Fourth, 512
Fifth, 512
Sixth, 512
Seventh, 513
Eighth, ' 513
Ninth, 514
Tenth, 514
Eleventh, 514
Twelfth, '".;"." 515
Thirteenth, 516
Fourteenth, 516
Fifteenth 517
Sixteenth, 517
Seventeenth, 518
Eighteenth, 518
Nineteenth, 519
Twentieth, " 519
Twenty-first, ...'".'"'' 520
Twenty-second, 520
Twenty-third 52o
Twenty-fourth, ' 521
Twenty-fifth, .'" 521
Twenty-sixth, \ 52i
Twenty-seventh '....'" 522
Twenty-eighth, \ 522
Twenty-ninth, 523
Thirtieth, 523
Thirty-first, ""'~"''^^. 524
Thirty-second, 524
Thirty-third, 525
Thirty-fourth, 526
Thirty-fifth, 526
Thirty-sixth, ' 527
Thirty-seventh, 528
Thirty-eighth, "__ 528
Thirty-ninth, 529
Fortieth, 529
Illinois Eldership, The,
Forty-first, 530
Forty-second, 530
Forty-third, 531
Forty-fourth, 531
Forty-fifth, 532
Forty-sixth, 533
Forty-seventh, 533
Forty-eighth, 533
Forty-ninth, 534
Fiftieth, 534
Fifty-first, '.. 535
Fifty-second, 535
Fifty-third, " 535
Fifty-fourth, 537
Fifty-fifth, 537
Fifty-sixth, 533
Fifty-seventh, 533
Fifty-eighth, 539
Fifty-ninth, 539
Sixtieth, 549
Illinois, first missionaries to 876
Indiana County, began work in 64
Indian Territory 215
Indiana, work in 1890-95 226
Indiana, work in 1900-10 272
Indian Territory, work in 1880-85.-.. 204
Indian Territory, work in 1900-05.... 260
Indian Territory, 1905 268
Indiana, work in, 1900-05 243, 256
Indiana, work in, 1910-1913, 283
Indiana Eldership, South, end of 256
Indiana State Mission, formed 379
Indiana Eldership, movement to
form 380
Indiana Eldership, The,
First, 425
Second, 427
Third, 427
Fourth, 427
Fifth, ;;;;;;;; 428
Sixth, 428
Seventh, 423
Eighth, 428
Ninth, 429
Tenth, 429
Eleventh, 429
Twelfth, "Z 429
Thirteenth 430
Fourteenth, 430
Fifteenth, 430
Sixteenth, 431
Seventeenth. 431
Eighteenth, 431
Nineteenth, 431
Twentieth, 433
Twenty-first, 433
Twenty-second 433
Twenty-third, 433
Twenty-fourth, , 433
Twenty-fifth, .' 434
Twenty-sixth 434
Twenty-seventh, 434
Twenty eighth, 435
Twenty-ninth, 435
Thirtieth, .435
Thirty-first, "Z'"l 435
Thirty-second, .-...j • 435
Thirty-third, 437
Thirty-fourth, .„ .437
924
Ill^T;;KV OF THE CHURCHES OF GoD
Page
Indiana Eldership, The,
Thirty-fifth, 438
Thirty-sixth. 438
Thirty-seventh 439
Thirty-eighth. 439
Thirty-ninth 439
Fortieth, 440
Forty-first, 440
Forty-second 441
Forty-third. 441
Forty-fourth 442
Forty-fifth. 442
Forty-sixth, 442
Forty-seventh, 443
Forty-eighth 443
Forty-ninth 444
Fiftieth, 444
Fifty-first, 445
Fifty-second, 445
Fifty-third, 445
Fifty-fourth 446
Fifty-fifth 446
Fifty-sixth, 447
Fifty-seventh, 447
Fifty-eighth, 4*7
Fifty-ninth 448
Sixtieth, 448
Sixty-first, 449
Sixty-second 449
Sixty-third, 450
Sixty-fourth, 451
Sixty-fifth, 451
Sixty-sixth, 452
Sixty-seventh, 452
Inspiration, verhal, 361
Iowa, first church organized in 71, 324
Iowa, first mission in 84, 325
Iowa, work in 1870-75 271
Iowa, worlf in 1905-10 271
Iowa, work' in, 1890-95 227,242
Iowa 1910-13, 284
Iowa, missionaries to 330, 876
Iowa, work in, 1900-05 257
Iowa, Missionary, first appointment
of 380
Iowa Eldership. The.
First, 453
Second. 455
Third 455
Fourth 455
Fifth, 455
Sixth, ' 456
Seventh, 456
Eighth, 456
Ninth, 457
Tenth, 457
Eleventh 458
Twelfth, 458
Thirteenth, 458
Fourteenth, 459
Fifteenth, 460
Sixteenth, 460
Seventeenth, 460
Eighteenth, 461
Nineteenth, 461
Twentieth, 462
Twenty-first, 462
Twenty-second, 463
Extra Session 463
Twenty-third, 464
Page
Iowa Eldership, The,
Twenty-fourth, 464
Twenty-fifth, 464
Twenty-sixth, 465
Twenty-seventh, 465
Twenty-eighth, 466
Twenty-ninth, 466
Thirtieth, 466
Thi^y-first, 467
Thirty-second, 467
Thirty-third, 467
Thirty-fourth, 468
Thirty-fifth, 468
Thirty-sixth, 469
Thirty-seventh, 469
Thirty-eighth, 470
Thirty-ninth, 470
Fortieth, 471
Forty-first, 471
Forty-second, 472
Forty-third, 473
Forty-fourth, 473
Forty-fifth, 474
Forty-sixth, 474
Forty-seventh, 474
Forty-eighth, 475
Forty-ninth, 476
Fiftieth, 476
Fifty-first, 477
Fifty-second, 477
Fifty-third, 478
Fifty-fourth 478
Fifty-fifth, 479
Fifty-sixth, 479
Fifty-seventh, 480
Fifty-eighth, 481
Fifty-ninth, 481
Sixtieth, 482
Sixty-first, 483
Sixty-second 483
Sixty-third 484
Sixty-fourth, 484
Sixty-fifth, 485
Ishler, Charles T., Poetry of, 909
Itinerancy, discussion of, 126, 146,
233, 341, 363
Jackson, S. D. C, author 915
James, Thomas, death of 586
.Tones, W. L., death of, 369
Jones, J. W., death of 372
Jordan, Edward, death of 410
Kahler, C, death of, 373
Kansas Eldership, The.
First, 689
Second, 691
Third, 692
Fourth, 692
Fifth, 693
Sixth, 693
Seventh, 694
Eighth, 694
Ninth, 695
Tenth, 695
Eleventh, 695
Twelfth. 695
Thirteenth, 596
Fourteenth, 696
Fifteenth, 697
Index
925
Page
Kansas Eldership, The
Sixteenth, 697
Seventeenth, 698
Eighteenth, 698
Nineteenth, 698
Twentieth, 699
Twenty-first, 699
Twenty-second, 699
Twenty-third, 700
Twenty-fourth 700
Twenty-fifth, 700
Twenty-sixth, 701
Twenty-seventh, 701
Twenty-eighth, 702
Twenty-ninth, 702
Thirtieth, .' 703
Thirty-first, 703
Thirty-second, 704
Kansas, first worlc in 156
Kansas and Nebraslca, worlt in,
1870-75, 169
Kansas, first church of God, minis-
ter in, 171
Kansas, first bethel in , 181
Kansas Eldership organized, 1881, 203, 204
Kansas, work in. 1880-85 203
Kansas, work in 1885-90 215
Kansas, work in 1890-95 228
Kansas, work in 1895-1900 239
Kansas, work in 1900-05 259
Kansas, work in 1905-10 269
Kansas, work in 1910-13 28.5
Kansas and Missouri Eldership.
First Session, 628
Second Sesion, 630
Third Session, 630
Fourth Session 631
Fifth Session, 631
Sixth Session, 632
Seventh Session, 632
Eighth Session, 632
Ninth Session, 633
Tenth Session...... 633
Keefer, D. W., death of 360
Keller, Jacob, death of 771
Kentucky, first work in, 171,231,241,268
Keplinger, David, death of 702, 797
Kimmel's, bethel built, 93
Kimmel, George, death of, 15S, 547
Kimmel Estate, 164
Kiner, F. F., author, 914
Kiner, F. F., death of 478
Kingston, J. W., author, 918
Kingston, J. W., Poetry of 910
Kipe. Samuel A., author, 918
Kipe, J. W., death of, 648
Klein, J. M., death of 473, 511, 674
Kline, S. E., death of 373
Kline, Adam, death of 585
Knisley, Samuel, death of 367
Komp, Mrs. D. C, author 917
Konkel, William, death of 632
Konkel, C. B., death of 691
Kreger, C, death of, 419
Kruzan, H. W., Poetry of 907
Kyle, D., death of 527
Landisburg, first church organized
in, 38
Landisville, church organized, 60
Page
Lancaster, organization of church in 30
Lancaster, bethel built, 60
Lambert, A., death of, 743
Landes, Clara, Missionary to
India, 237,882
Laughlin, Joseph G., death of 623
Laverty, D. A. L., and Shippensburg
Academy, 327
Laverty, D. A. L., death of 353,781
Laymen's Association, 374
Lear, G. W. death of, 533
Linn, H. M., death of, 560
Linglestown, first preaching in, 22
Linglestown, first organization of
church in, 22
Linglestown, 2nd bethel built, 162
Linierger, J., death of, 476
Linsley, C. C, death of, 505
Lisburn, great revival in, 27
Lisburn, first church organized in 28
Lockwood, J. B., death of 365
Logue, E., death of, 463
Lookingbill, P., death of 64.5
Long, A. H., author, 915
Longenecker, E. A., death of, 530
Long, A. H., death of, 373, 796
Loucks, P., death of, 193, 781
Love, E. M., death of, 4.5^
Lovett, W. W., author, 918
Machlin, James F., death of, 125
Mackey, James, ordained, 317
Mackey, James, death of, 348
Maine, work in, 164
Mancnester, C, Poetry of, 90S
Manchester, Mrs. C, author, 917
Mahaska County, Iowa, work begun,
Mansfield Mission, 154
Mansfield Mission, Ohio, 165, 174, 184
Marple, E., ordained , 39T
Marple, E., Poetry of, 909
Marple, E., author, 914
Marston, C. C, author, 915
Maryland, beginning of work in, 40
Maryland, work in, 1890-95, 23
Maryland, work in, 1895-1900, 246
Maryland, work in, 1900-05, 254
Maryland, work in, 1905-10, 275
Massachusetts, 215, 221
Massachusetts, work in, 687
Mateer, B., death of, 348
Material conditions in the beginning
of the 19th Century, 4
Maxwell, David, 315
Maxwell, death of, 158
Maine Eldership, The,
First Session, 683
Fifth Session, 684
Sixth Session, 684
Seventh Session, 684
Eighth Session 685
Nir.th Session, 685
Tenth Session, 685
Eleventh Session, 685
Twelfth Session, 685
Thirteenth Session, 686
Fourteenth Session, 686
Fifteenth Session, 686
Sixteenth Session, 686
Seventeenth Session, 6ST
926
History of the Churches of God
Page
Maine Eldership, The,
Eighteenth Session, 687
Nineteenth Session, 687
Twentieth Session 687
Twenty-first Session, 688
Maryland and Virginia Eldership, The,
First Session, 634
Second Session, 637
Third Session, 637
Fourth Session, 638
Fifth Session, 638
Sixth Session, 638
Sixth Session, 639
Seventh Session, 639
Eighth Session, 639
Ninth Session, 640
Tenth Session, 640
Eleventh Session, 641
Twelfth Session, 641
Thirteenth Session, 641
Fourteenth Session, 642
Fifteenth Session, 642
Sixteenth Session, 643
Seventeenth Session, 643
Eighteenth Session, 643
Nineteenth Session, 644
Twentieth Session, 644
. Twenty-first Session, 641
Twenty-second Session, 645
Twenty-third Session, 645
Twenty-fourth Session, 645
Twenty-fifth Session, 645
Twenty-sixth Session, 646
Twenty-seventh Session, 646
Twenty-eighth Session, 647
Twenty-ninth Session, : 647
Thirtieth Session, 647
Thirty-first Session, 648
Thirty-second Session, 648
Thirty-third Session, 649
Th'rty-fourth Session, 649
Thirty-fifth Session, 649
Thirty-sixth Session, 650
Thirty Seventh Session, 650
Thirty-eighth Session, 650
Thirty-ninth Session, 651
Fortieth Session, 651
Forty-first Session, 652
Mechanicsburg, organization of
Church in, 30
Megrew, A., death of, 475
Meixel, J. P., death of, 372
Mendota, Illinois, church organized, 201
Messenger, N. H., death of, 710
Metzler, Thomas, death of, 576
McColley, Mrs. Elizabeth, death of, 443
McElroy, Wm., death of, 189, 639
McFadden. Wm., death of, 125
McGuire, F. W., author, 917
Mclntyre, H. D., Poetry of, 908
McKinney, , death of,.... 710
McNutt, J. H., death of, 503
McNutt, S. L., death of, 506
Michigan Eldership, The,
First, 486
Second, 487
Third, 488
Fourth, 488
Fifth, 488
Sixth, 489
Page
Michigan Eldership, The,
Seventh, 489
Eighth, 490
Ninth, 490
Tenth, 490
Eleventh, 490
Twelfth, 491
Thirteenth, 491
Fourteenth, 491
Fifteenth, 492
Sixteenth, 492
Seventeenth, 493
Eighteenth, 493
Nineteenth, 493
Twentieth, 494
Twenty-first, 494
Twenty-second, 494
Twenty-third, 494
Twenty-fourth, 495
Twenty-fifth, 495
Twenty sixth, 495
Twenty-seventh, 496
Twenty-eighth, 496
Twenty-ninth, 497
Thirtieth, 497
Thirty-first, 498
Thirty-second, 498
Thirty-third, 499
Thirty-fourth, 500
Thirty-fifth, 500
Thirty-sixth, 500
Thirty-seventh, 501
Thirty-eighth, 501
Thirty-ninth, 501
Fortieth, 502
Forty-first, 502
Forty-second, 502
Forty-third, 503
Forty-fourth, 503
Forty-fifth, 504
Forty-sixth, 504
Forty-seventh, 504
Forty-eighth, 505
Forty-ninth, 505
Fiftieth, 505
Fifty-first, 506
Fifty-second, -.1 506
Fifty-third 506
Fifty-fourth, 506
Fifty-fifth, 507
Fifty-sixth, 507
Fifty-seventh, 507
Fifty-eighth, 508
Fifty-ninth, 508
Michigan, work in, 1900-05,....227, 243, 256
Michigan, work in, 1905-10, 272
Michigan, work in, 1910-13, 284, 241
Middletown, church organized, 28
Middletown, first organization at,.... 40
Middletown, second bethel built,.... 162
Millennium 179
Miller, Alexander, death of, 797
Miller, Andrew, baptism of, 25, 314
Miller, Andrew, death of, 158
Miller Church, organization of, 25
Miller, Jacob J., death of, 159
Miller, J. J,, death of, 465
Miller, T. T., death of, 620
Miller, Samuel, author, 917
Miller, Samuel N., death of, 609, 615
Index
927
Page
Miller, W. M.. death of, 742
Millerite Excitement in 1843, 55
Mills, H., author, 915
Milmine, church organized, 1883,.... 202
1880, 202
Ministerial Associations, 177, 194, 221,
237, 251
Ministerium, E. Pa. E., 368, 370
Minnesota, work in, 183, 257, 26], 878
Minnesota, work begun in, 156
Mission Work, 1875-80, 791
Missouri, work begun in, 551
Missouri, work in 1880-85, 169, 182
Missouri, work in 1880-1885, 203
Missouri, work in, 1890-95 229, 259
Missouri, work in, 1895-1900, 241
Missouri, work in, 1905-1910, 270
Missouri, work in, 1910-13, 286
Missouri Eldership, The,
First Session, 669
Twelfth Session, 670
Thirteenth Session, 671
Fourteenth Session, 672
Fifteenth Session, 672
Sixteenth Session, 672
Seventeenth Session, 673
Eighteenth Session, 673
Nineteenth Session, 673
Twentieth Session, 674
Twenty-first Session, 674
Twenty-second Session, 674
Twenty-third Session, 675
Twenty-fourth Session, 675
Twenty-fifth Session, 675
Twenty-sixth Session, 676
Twenty-seventh Session, 676
Twenty-eighth Session, 676
Twenty-ninth Session, 677
Thirtieth Session, 677
Thirty-first Session, 677
Thirty-second Session, 678
Thirty-third Session, 678
Thirty-third Session, 678
Thirty-fourth Session, 679
Thirty-fifth Session, 679
Thirty-sixth Session, 680
Thirty-seventh Session, 680
Thirty-eighth Session, 680
Thirty-ninth Session, 681
Fortieth Session, 681
Forty-first Session, 681
Forty-second Session, 682
Missionaries to India, 377
Missionary Signal, The, 839
Missionary Society, The first, 874
Missionary Society. Ohio Eldership, . 877
Missionary Society, Ladies, 877
Missionary Society, East Ohio Elder-
ship, .' 877
Missionary Society, West Pa. Elder-
ship 877
Missionary Society, First Foreign,.... 877
Misionary Society, Indiana Elder-
ship, 877
Missionary Society, Michigan Elder-
ship, 878
Mission School. Indian Territory,.... 870
Missionary Society, Illinois Elder-
ship, 878
Page
Missionary Society .Southern Illinois
and Indiana Elderships, 878
Missionary Society, Iowa Eldership,. ..878
Mission Work, Wisconsin, 878
Missionary Society, German Elder-
ship, 878
Mizner, G. W., death of, 663
Mt. Carroll, 111., church organized in 71
Mt. Carmel church, organized in, 164, 188,
221
Mt. Carmel, work begun in, 160
Mt. Joy, church organization in,.... 37
Mt. Joy, new bethel built, 163
Mt. Joy Academy, 847
Mt. Joy Helper, The, 841
Mt. Laurel bethel, Pa., 222
Mt. Pleasant, Pa., bethel built in,.... 165
Moffitt, E., death of, 491
Moody Meetings, 175
Moore, Susanna, death of, 688
Montana, work in, 1905-10, 268
Monthly Publisher, The, 829
Monthly Preacher, The, 833
Morgan, Jesse, death of, 411
Morsel, The Monthly, 841
Morrison's Coves, bethel built, 162
Moss, T. A., death of, 661
Mourner s Bench, 65, 127
Mullenix, W. H., death of, 158,465
Mumma, D. H., death of, 376
Murray, H., death of, 474
Myers, A. E. missionary to India, 892, 895
Myers. J., author, 914
Myers, J., death of, 566
Nagle Street Church, Harrisburg,.... 160
Naill, S. W., death of, 193,353
Nebraska, work commenced in. 111, 156,
170, 202
Nebraska Eldership, 181
Nebraska, work in 1880-1885, 203
Nebraska, work in, 1885-1890, 215
Nebraska, work in, 1890-1895, 228
Nebraska, work in, 1895-1900, 238
Nebraska, work in, 1900-1905, 258
Nebraska, work in, 1905-1910, 268
Nebraska, work in, 1910-1913,.. 284
Nebraska, first Missionary, 876
Nebraska Eldership, The.
First Session, 652
Second Session, 654
Third Session, &54
Fourth Session, 655
Fifth Session, 655
Sixth Session, 655
Seventh Session, 656
Eighth Session, 656
Ninth Session, 657
Tenth Session, 657
Eleventh Session, •. 658
Twelfth Session, 658
Thirteenth Session, 658
Fourteenth Session, 659
Fifteenth Session, 659
Sixteenth Session, 660
Seventeenth Session, 660
Eighteenth Session, 660
Nineteenth Session, 660
Twentieth Session, 661
928
History of the Churches of God
Page
Nebraska Eldership, The
Twenty-first Session, 661
Twenty-second Session, 662
Twenty-third Session, 662
Twenty-fourth Session, 662
Twenty-fifth Session, 663
Twenty-sixth Session, 663
Twenty-seventh Session, 664
Twenty-eighth Session, 664
Twenty-ninth Session, 664
Thirtieth Session, 665
Thirty-first Session,.... 665
Thirty-second Session, 666
Thirty-third Session, 666
Thirty-fourth Session, 667
Thirty-fifth Session, 667
Thirty-sixth Session, 668
Thirty-seventh Session, 668
Thirty-eighth Session, 668
Neely, J. W., death of, 626
Neil, Joseph, death of, 450
Neil, James .death of, 576
New Brunswick, 188, 195, 214
Neidig, David, death of, 125, 612
Newcomer, Mrs. A. C, death of, 476
Newcomer. M. S., aiithor, 916
Newcomer, M. S., Poems of, 904
Newcomer, M. S., death of, 485, 540
Newcomer, Mrs. M. B , author, 917
Newlin, A. O., author, 917
Newlin, O. A., Poetry of, 910
Nicodemus, death of 247, 363
Nobler, J. C, death of, 592
North Bend, Iowa, work commenced
in, 71
North Bend, Iowa, bethel built, 85
Ober. B., ordained, 396
Ober, B., death of, 737
Ober, B., author, 915
Ohio, first work in, 45, 317
Ohio, first work in, 49, 50
Ohio, work in, 1890-1895, 225
Ohio, work in, 1895-1900, 244, 255
Ohio, work in, 1905-1910, 273
Ohio, work in, 1910-1913, 283
Ohio Eldership, The,
First, 377
Second, 377
Third, 378
Fourth, 378
Fifth, 378
Sixth, 379
Seventh, 379
Eighth, 379
Ninth, 379
Tenth, 380
Eleventh, 380
Twelfth, 381
Thirteenth, 381
Fourteenth, 382
Fifteenth, 382
Sixteenth, 382
Seventeenth, 383
Eighteenth, 383
Nineteenth, 384
Twentieth, 384
Twenty-first. 385
Twenty-second, 385
Twenty-third, 385
Page
Oklahoma, first work in, 229, 240
Oklahoma, work in, 1900-1905, 260
Oklahoma, work in, 1905-1910 269
Oklahoma, work in, 1910-1913, 287
Oklahoma and Indian Territory Eldership
First Session, 729
Second Session, 730
Third Session, 730
Fourth Session, 731
Fifth Session, 731
Sixth Session, 731
Seventh Session, 732
Eighth Session, 732
Ninth, Session, 732
Tenth Session, 733
Eleventh Session, 733
Twelfth Session, 733
Thirteenth Session, 734
Fourteenth Session, 734
Fifteenth Session, 734
Sixteenth Session, 735
Seventeenth Session, 735
Eighteenth Session, 735
Nineteenth Session, 736
Twentieth Session, 736
Twenty-first Session, 737
Oliver, W. H., death of, 582
Ordination, discussion of, 100,108
Ordination of ministers in the
Church of God, first, 35
Ordinances, private observance, dis-
cussion of, 128, 148, 179
Ordinances, reversal of order of.... 375
Ordination by laying on of hands,
35, 378,561, 790
Ordination, Life Certificate of, 786
Oregon, first work in, 171, 183
Oregon, work in, 215, 231, 238
Oregon Eldership, 238
Oregon, work in, 1900-1905, 261
Oregon, work in, 1905-1910, 268
Oregon, work in, 1910-1913, 280
Oregon, contentions in, 285
Oregon and Washington Elderships, The,
First Session, 719
Second Session, 720
Third Session, 720
Fourth Session, 721
Fifth Session, 721
Sixth Session, 721
Seventh Session, 722
Eighth Session, 722
Ninth Session, 723
Tenth Session, 723
Eleventh Session, 723
Twelfth Session, 724
Thirteenth Session, 724
Fourteenth Session,. 724
Fifteenth Session, 724
Sixteenth Session, 725
Seventeenth Session 725
Eighteenth Session, 726
Nineteeath Sessic" , 726
Twentieth Session,... _„.. 727
Twenty-first Session, 728
Twenty-second Session, 728
Twenty-third Session, 728
Ossarist, The, 840
Owens, J. C, death of, 193
Owens, J. C, ordained, 322
Index
929
Page
Owens, J. C, death of, 352
Owens, J. C, author, 914
Owen, W. O., author, 915
Palmer, Wm., death of, 366
Park County, Ind., first church, 87
Parliament of Religions, 219
Pattan, Richard, death of, 593
Pentecostal Meetings, 129, 150, 176, 194
209, 221, 252.
Perseverance of the Saints, dis-
cussion of, 128
Peters, S. P., death of, 750
Philadelphia church work in, 73, 151
Philadelphia, Mission in, 876
Philhower, A. W., death of, 652
Pipe Creek church, organized 1884, 199
Pittsburg Mission, beginning of,
51, 319, 378
Pittsburg, first house of worship in,
72, 153
Pittsburg, work in 1880, 198
Pittsburg, Church property, sale of, 412
Plagiarism 263
Plowman, John A., Poetry of, 903
Plowman, John A., author...... 914
Preaching by Women, 101, 108, 129
President's Chair, Pindlay College,
Endowment of, 370
Pressler, Jacob, death of, 577
Puttstown, church organized in, 63
Price, C, ordained, 321
Price C, death of, 368
Price, John G., death of, 348
Printing Establishment, 354, 803
Pritts, M. S., death of, 408
Rawhouser, J. death of, 478
Raysor, A. C, death of, 193
Rebaptism, discussion of, 67, 100
Record, The Sunday School, 834
Red Hill, bethel built, 74
Red Hill, church organized, 63
Redding, Wm., death of, 504
Rees, J., death of, 405
Reitzel, C. F., author 917
Resh, Abraham, death of, 193, 568
Reunion, E. Pa. E., 254
Revival Hymn Book, pablication of, 43
Revival, great in 1857-1858, 109
Richmond, S. S., author, 915
Richards, James, death of, 193, 315
Richmond, S. S., death of, 193, 350
Rickabaugh, Peter L., death of, 377
Riddle, J. W., death of, 240
Rilett, John, death of, 470
Rishel C. D., Poetry of, 908
Rishel, C. D., author, 916
Roaring Spring bethel built, 162
Robert Raikes, Centennial, 191
Rogers, M. D., death of. 503
Rohrerstown church building erect-
ed, 161
Ross Joseph, death of, 125
Ross, George, death of, 193, 350, 779
Ross, John, death of, 357
Ross, George, author, 915
Rothrock, L., death of, 588
Royer, John, death of, 649
Rupp, J., death of, 554
Rupp, H., death of, 532
Page
Sabbath, discussion of^ 145
Sanborn, Wm., death of, 365
Sanctification, discussion of, 147, 217
Sandoe, Geo., death of, 528, 785
Sargent, R. T., death in, 694
Schock, J. F., author, 916
Schuylkill County, Pa., work started
in, 42
Seabrooks, J. C, death of, 368
Second-Work Sanctification, 172
Secret Societies, Iowa Eldership,.... 454
Secret Societies, 76, 384. 395, 398, 427,
436, 456, 458, 487, 544
Secret Societies, Ohio Eldership, 380, 381
Selby, L. H., death of, 646
Semi-Centennial, 190
Seneff, Jacob B., death of, 623
Seilhammer, G. W., death of, 364, 646
Sharp, Francis A., death of, 724
Shaw, P., death of, 657, 692
Sheckler, J. M., death of, 672
Sheldon, S. S., death of, 722
Sherbon, J. B., death of, 473
Shippensburg, new bethel built, 161
Shippensburg Institute, 104
Shippensburg, organization of the
church, 32
Shoemaker, A. X., death of, 530
Shober, G. W., death of, 417
Shope, David, death of, 373
Shoop's church doors closed against
Winebrenner, 16
Sigler, George, author, 915
Simons, S., death of, 619
Slavery, action on, 380
Slavery, agitation of, 68, 81, 103, 459
Slavery, debate on, 326
Slavery, action on, 327, 330
Slippery Rock, organization of, 52
Slyter, A. B., death of, 487,658
Small, W. P., death of. 263
Small, W. P., death of, 582
Smith, W. A., death of, 536
Smith, J. F., death of, 417
Smith, W. S., death of, 371
Smith, Samuel, death of, 372
Smithville, Lancaster Co., Pa.,
bethel built in, 92
Snavely, M. F., death of, 456
Suavely, M. F., death of, 106
Snavely, J. R., death of, 460
Snavely, Joseph Ross, death of, 125
Snyder, A., death of, 368
Sons of Temperance, organized, 67
Soul-Sleeping, discussion on, 148
Soule, H. L., Poetry of, 903
South Dakota, first work in, 171, 181, 241
Southern Indiana Eldership unites
with Indiana Eldership, 448
Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership.
First, 609
Second 609
Third. 610
Fourth - 610
Fifth, 611
Sixth, 611
Seventh, 611
Eighth, 612
Ninth 612
Tenth, 613
930
History of thi-: Churches of God
Page
Southern Illinois and Indiana Eldership.
Eleventh 613
Twelfth, 613
Thirteenth, 614
Fourteenth, 614
Fifteenth, 61.5
Sixteenth, 615
Seventeenth, 615
Eighteenth, 616
Nineteenth, 616
Twentieth, 616
Twenty-first, 616
Twenty-second, 617
Twenty-third, 617
Twenty-fourth, 617
Southern Indiana Eldership, The,
First, 618
Second, 619
Third, 6^'J
Fourth, 519
Fifth, 620
Sixth, 62)
Seventh, 62D
Eighth, 621
' Ninth, 621
Tenth, 622
Eleventh, 622
Twelfth, 623
Thirteenth, 62,^
Fourteenth, 623
Fifteenth, 623
Sixteenth, 624
Seventeenth, 624
Eighteenth, 625
Nineteenth, 626
Twentieth, 626
Twenty-first, 626
Twenty-second, 627
Twenty-third, 627
Sowers, Elias, death of, 373
Speece, J. M.. death of, 357
Spiritual Conditions at the begin-
ning of the 19th Century, 5
Stark, Eli, death of, 665
Stamm, J. S., author, 915
Stamm, J. S., death of, 348
Stanton, P., (colored), ordained,.... 324
Stanton, P., death of, 357
Stare, Miss Clara E., 1st President
of W. G. M. S. of 1903, 888, 895
Stated Clerk, office created, 342
Statutory Prohibition, first battle, 79
Statistics, 1900, 252
Steele, W. G., death of, 708
Steiner, Isaac, death of, 577
Sterner, S. V., death of, 676
Stewart, Ellen, author, 914
Still, Thomas, death of, 361
St. Louis, work commenced in, 155
Stone. Geo., death of, 478
Stone church, doors closed against
Winebrenner, 16
Stoney Creek Valley, work begun in 162
Stouffer, J. M., death of, 361
Stouffer, A. O., death of, 402
Stout, A. P., author, 916
Stover, A. P., author, 917
Stover, A. P., Poetry of, 906
Strawbridge, Jacob, death of, 193
Stringfellow, J. W., death of, 450
Page
Suedberg, bethel built, lei
Summitt, J. F., death of, 735
Sunday School Gem, The, 830
Sunbeam and Primary Quarterly,.... 837
Sunday School Missionary Society,
E. Pa. E., 876
Sunday Schools, first organized in
the Church of God, ! 65
Sunday School Conventions, begin-
ning of, 157, 195
Sunday Schools organized prior to
1800, 4- 44
Sunday Schools, First National Con-
vention of, 44
Sunday School Missionary Society,
organization of, I6O
Swank. John W., 361
Swartz, A., author, 914
Swartz, A., death of, - 352, 781
Tatman, E., Poetry of, 906
Temperance News, 841
Tennessee, preaching in, 231, 241, 268, 284
Texas Eldership, action of, W. Pa.
E. on, 399
Texas, first church organized in,.... 102
Texas, first house of worship, 103
Texas, missionaries to, 81, 102, 329, 330,
876
Texas EHership, organization of 103
Texas, work in 1880-1885, 205
Texas, work in, 1900-1905, 261
Texas, work in, 1905-1910, 269
Texas Eldership, The,
First Session, 589
Second Session, 590
Third Session, 590
Fourth Session, 590
Fifth Session, 591
Sixth Session, 592
Seventh Session 592
Eighth Session, 592
Ninth Session, 592
Tenth Session, 592
Eleventh Session, 593
Twelfth Session, 593
Thirteenth Session, 593
Fourteenth Session, 593
Fifteenth Session, 593
Sixteenth Session, 594
Seventeenth Session, 594
Eighteenth Session, _ 594
Nineteenth Session, 594
Texas and Arkansas Eldership, The,
Twentieth, 595
Twenty-first, 595
Twenty-second, 595
Twenty-third. 596
Twenty-fourth, 596
Twenty-fifth, 597
Twenty-sixth 598
Twenty-seventh, 598
Twenty-eighth, 598
Twenty-ninth, 599
Thirtieth, 599
Thirty-first, 600
Thirty-second, 600
Thirty-third, 601
Thirty-fourth, 601
Thirty-fifth, 602
Index
931
Page
Texas and Arkansas Eldership, The,
Thirty-sixth, 602
Thirty-seventh, 602
Thirty- eighth, 603
Thirty-ninth, 603
Fortieth, 603
Forty-first, 604
Forty-second, 604
Forty-third, 604
Forty-fourth, 60.5
Forty-fifth, 605
Forty-sixth. 605
Forty-seventh, 606
Forty-eighth, 606
Forty-ninth. 606
Fiftieth, 607
Fifty-first, 607
Fifty-second, 607
Fifty-third. 508
Fifty-fourth, 508
Fifty-fifth, 508
Theaters, and Church's attitude
towards, 65
Thomas, E. H., author. 914
Thomas, E. H., death of, 158, 342, 391, 771
Thomas, E. H., ordained, 319
Thomas, George, death of, 189, 437, 633
Thompson, G. C, death of, 742
Thorpe, J. R.. death of, 651
Tiffin, churcli organized in, 88
Tinsman, John, death of, 413
Tithing, 76, 359, 575
Tobacco, memorial vs. use of by
Sisters, 327
Total Depravity, discussion of, 126
Travis, J., death of, 405
Troy Grove, church organized, 87
Tucker, John, death of, 357
Union Church, 236, 611
United Brethren Church, schism in, 218
Union with Free Baptist Church
discussed, 77
Unleavened Bread, 433
Unfermented Wine 437, 445, 526
Union with Shelby Conference Sep-
arated Baptists, 610
Union with White River Conference
Separate Baptists, 610
Union with Sitka Conerence
Church of God, 625
Union of Missouri Eldership and the
Presbytery of the churches of God 680
Union, The, 840
Van, N. I., death of, 419
Vance, Wm., death of, 480
Vanderpool, John, death of, 600
Virginia, missionary to, 59
Virginia, houses of worship built in 91
Virginia, work in, 163, 246, 2.54
Virginia, work in, 274
Virginia, work in, 281
Visitor, The Church, 841
Visitor, The Family, : 840
Voting at Political Elections, 378
Walborn, John, death of, 315
Walnut Grove Camp Ground, 371
Walters, J., death of, 439
Ward, H. W., death of, 666
Page
Warren. A. J., death of, 576
Washington Bethel, when built, 61
Washingtonian Movement, 67
Washington, emigration to, 205, 230
Washington, State of, work in,
1890-95, 231, 238
Washington, State of, work in,
1900-1905, 261
Washington, 1905-1910, 268
Washington, 1910-1913, 280, 285
Weishampel, J. F., author, 914
Weislaampel, J. F., Poetry of, 902
Weishampel, J. F., death of, 551
Wenrick's, doors closed against
Winebrenner, 16
Werner, James, death of, 582
Wertz, D., death of, 470, 783
Wertz, Martha, J. B., death of, 480
West, J. M., death of, 193
West Newton, bethel built, 91
West Ohio Eldership, The,
First, 556
Second, 557
Third, 557
Fourth, 557
Fifth, 558
Sixth, 558
Seventh, 559
Eighth, 559
Ninth, 560
Tenth .561
Eleventh, 561
Twelfth, 562
Thirteenth, 562
Fourteenth, 563
Fifteenth, 563
Sixteenth, 563
Seventeenth, 564
Eighteenth, 564
Nineteenth, 565
Twentieth, 565
Twenty-first, 566
Twenty-second, 567
Twenty-third, 567
Twenty-fourth, 568
Twenty-fifth, 568
Twenty-sixth, 569
Twenty-seventh, 570
Twenty-eighth, 570
Twenty-ninth, 571
Thirtieth, 572
Thirty-first, 572
Thirty-second, 573
Thirty-third, 574
Thirty-fourth, 574
Thirty-fifth, 575
Thirty-sixth, 576
Thirty-seventh, 576
Thirty-eighth, 577
Thirty-ninth, 577
Fortieth, 578
Forty-first, 578
Forty-second, 579
Forty-third. 579
Forty-fourth, 580
Forty-fifth, 581
Forty-sixth, 581
Forty-seventh, 582
Sixty-eighth, 583
Sixty-ninth, 583
932 HlSTOKY OF THE
Page
West Ohio Eldership, The,
Seventieth, 584
Seventy-first, 585
Seventy-second 585
Seventy-third, 586
Seventy-fourth, 587
Seventy-fifth, 587
Seventy-sixth, 588
West Penna., beginning of work in, 50, 51
West Pennsylvania, work in, 1890-95 224
West Pennsylvania Eldership,
1895-1900, 245
West Pennsylvania Eldership,
work in, 1900-1905, 255
West Pennsylvania Eldership,
work in 1905-1910, 274
West Pennsylvania Eldership,
work in, 1910-1913, 282
West Pennsylvania Ejdership, Move-
ment to form, 379
West Pennsylvania Eldership, origin
of, 322
West Pennsylvania Eldership, The,
First, 394
Second - 394
Third, - 395
Fourth, 395
Fifth, 395
Sixth, 396
Seventh, 396
Eighth, 396
Ninth, -: - 397
Tenth, 397
Eleventh, - 398
Twelfth, 398
Thirteenth 398
Fourteenth, 399
Fifteenth, 399
Sixteenth, 400
Seventeenth, 400
Eighteenth, 400
Nineteenth, 401
Twentieth, 401
Twenty-first, 402
Twenty-second, 402
Twenty-third, 402
Twenty-fourth, 403
Twenty-fifth, 403
Twenty-sixth, 404
Twenty-seventh, 404
Twenty-eighth, 404
Twenty-ninth, ..- - 405
Thirtieth, 405
Thirty-first, 405
Thirty-second, 406
Thirty-third, 406
Thirty-fourth, 406
Thirty-fifth, 407
Thirty-sixth, 407
Thirty-seventh, 408
Thirty-eighth. 408
Thirty-ninth, 408
Fortieth, 409
Forty-first, 409
Forty-second, 410
Forty-third, 411
Forty-fourth, : 411
Forty-fifth, 412
Forty-sixth, 412
Forty-seventh, 413
Churches of God
Page
West Pennsylvania Eldership, The,
Forty-eighth, 413
Forty-ninth, 414
Fiftieth, 414
Fifty-first, 414
Fifty-second, 415
Fifty-third, 415
Fifty-fourth, ,... 416
Fifty-fifth, 417
Fifty-sixth, 417
Fifty-seventh, 418
Fifty-eighth, 418
Fifty-ninth, ^ 419
Sixtieth, 419
Sixty-first, 420
Sixty-second, 420-
Sixty-third, 421
Sixty-fourth, 421
Sixty-fifth, 422
Sixty-sixth, 422
Sixty-seventh, 423
Sixty-eighth, - 423
Sixty-ninth, 424
Seventieth, 424
West Va., first church organized in, 72
West Va., work in, 165,215,224
West Va. Eldership, organized, 409
West Virginia Eldership, North.
First Session, 705
Second Session, 707
Third Session, 707
Fourth Session, 708
Fifth Session, 708
Sixth Session, 708
Seventh Session, 709
Eighth Session, 709
Ninth Session, 709
Tenth Session, 710
Eleventh Session, 710
Twelfth Session, •. 710
Thirteenth Session, 711
Fourteenth Session, 711
Fifteenth Sesion, 711
Sixteenth Session, 712
Seventeenth Session, 712
Eighteenth Session, 712
Nineteenth Session, 713
Twentieth Session, 713
Twenty-first Session. 713
Twenty-second Session, 714
Twenty-third Session, 715
Twenty-fourth Session, 716
Twenty-fifth Session, 717
Twenty-sixth Session, 717
Twenty-seventh Session, 717
Twenty-eighth Session, 718
Twenty-ninth Session. 718
West Virginia Eldership, South,
First Session, 737
Second Session, 739
Third Session, 739
Fourth Session, 740
Fifth Session, 740
Sixth Session, 740
Seventh Session, 741
Eighth Session, 741
Ninth Session, 741
Tenth Session, 742
Eleventh Session, 742
Twelfth Session, 742
Index
933
I age
West Virginia Eldersliip, South,
Thirteenth Session, 742
Fourteenth Session, 743
Fifteenth Session, 743
Sixteenth Session, 743
Seventeenth Session, 744
Eighteenth Session, 744
Nineteenth Session,. 744
White, J. B., death of, 507
White, S., death of, 527
Wliisennand, J., death of, 451
Whisler, I., death of, 472
Whittington, F. W., Poetry of, 909
Wiley, A., author, 916
Wilson, A., author, ! 917
Wilson, George W. Poetry of, 903
Wilson, G. W., author, 915
Wilson, G. W., death of,.- 585, 797
Wilson, James, death of, 613 ■
Wilkins, S. A., death of, 747
Wiley, Alexander, death of,.... 193, 350, 779
Wine, unfermented, 347, 354
Winbigler, W. P., death of, 356, 643
Winebigler, C, author, 916
Winebrenner, birth of, 6
Winebrenner, conversion of. 7
Winebrenner, call to the ministry,.. 8
Winebrenner, his call to the church
in Harrisburg, 8
Winebrenner, ordination of, 9, 314
Winebrenner, complaints against,.... 13
Winebrenner, relation with the R.
Church, severed, 19
Winebrenner, his changes of doc-
trinal views, 42
Winebrenner, his baptism, 43
Winebrenner, discussion with Nevin 67
Winebrenner and Harn Missionary
tour, 89
Winebrenner-Colder controversy, 103, 124
Winebrenner, life of, 130
Winebrenner, his last sermon, 131
Winebrenner, death of wife of, 136
Winebrenner, death of, 335, 387
Winebrenner, John, Monument to,.. 377,
430, 515
"Winebrenner, author, 913
Page
Winebrenner, John, Poetry of, 901
Wisconsin, work commenced in, 157
Wisconsin, preaching in, 261
Witsaman, Miss Mary, missionary to
Woman's General Missionary
Society, 880
Woman's Missionary Society, State,
Indiana Eldership, 880
Woman's Missionary Society,
W. Pa., Eldership, 880
Woman's Missionary Society,
Ohio Eldership, 881
Woman's Missionary Society,
Kansas Eldership, 881
Woman's Missionary Society,
East Pa., Eldership, 881, 885
Woman's Missionary Society,
Missouri Eldership, 881
Woman's Missionary Society,
Illinois Eldership, 880
W. G. M. S. of 1890, organized, 881
Woman Suffrage, 469
Women, Missionary work by, 880
Women and the Ministry, 236, 371, 400, 401
W. G. M. S. 1903, action on, 370
Wood, Edward, death of. 395
Wood, W. S., death of, " 673
Woods, S., death of, 416
Woodbury, Bedford Co., Pa., first
house of worship in, 73
Woodworth, Mrs., Maria B., 209, 210, 237,
241, 356, 440, 444
Woodworth, Mrs. M. B., author, 918
Workman Quarterly, The, 835
Work, To the 841
India, 451, 890, 894
Wooster, O., first church in, 70
Wooster, Ohio, first bethel, 88
Wright, J .C. death of 710
Yahn, S. G., author, 917
Yahn, S. G., Poetry of, 910
Yambert, John A., death of 460
Yates, J. C, death of,. 417
Yates, W. N. Poetry of, 906
Young, Alfred, death of, 375
Young Peoples Movement, 192, 220
Y. P. S. C E., 1895-1900, 252,280,325
Date Due
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