FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE
February, 1884
Conference Minutes of the Fifth43 Annual Conference
The fifth Annual Conference of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ of Eastern Pennsylvania held its meetings at Terre Hill. Lancaster County. Pennsylvania. February 4, 5, 6, 1884.
According to announcement the brethren met on Saturday evening, February 2.1884. Preaching by Elder A. Kauffman (text Luke 10:42) followed by Elder Jonas Musselman.
On Sunday morning the Conference Sermon was preached by Presiding Elder William Gehman (text Acts 20:28) followed by Marks D. Haws.
On Sunday afternoon preaching by Elder A. Strawn (text Isaiah 3:10.11) followed by “love Feast” and Fellowship Meeting.
On Sunday evening preaching by Elder Jonas Musselman (text Matthew 6:10) followed by Fellowship Meeting.
First Meeting
Monday, February 4. 1884 – Morning
The Conference session was opened by William Gehman. Presiding Elder. by singing and prayer and exhorting the Conference. Before proceeding with the Conference it was agreed upon to spend one half hour in prayer for God’s blessing upon the same. Before proceeding with the Conference the following program was adopted:
Forenoon Meeting: Open at 8:00 a. m.; close at 11:30 a.m.
Afternoon Meeting: Open at 1:00 p.m.; close at 4:30 p.m.
Voting: Conference members vote by raising right hand.
Speakers: Each speaker to rise.
Time: To speak on one subject not longer than ten minutes and not more than three times unless privilege granted by the Presiding Elder. In case two speakers arise the Presiding Elder to decide which keeps the floor.
Disturbing: No whispering or talking allowed while the Conference is in session, the Presiding Elder to preserve order.
Conference Members Present:
Elders: William Gehman (Presiding Elder). Jonas Musselman. Abel Strawn. Samuel H. Frey. Abraham Kauffman. Joel Rosenberger. S. M. Mussel man.
Probationers: Marks D. Haws.
Evangelists: John Knauss. Thomas Leh, William H. Gehman, Abner Clime and William B. Musselman were present and recognized as advisory members of the Conference.
Delegates: Daniel Koch, Tobias Mittman, Samuel R. Fultz, Frederick R. Reinholt and M. A. Zyner.
Absent: Elder Eusebius Hershey and Evangelist Willi am K. Ellinger.
Rev. Jacob Zern and Rev. William C. Kantner of Terre Hill were present and recognized as advisory members of the Conference.
Ministers now handed in their reports, which gave the following result:
| Ordained Ministers | 8 |
| On Probation | 2 |
| Any on probation to be ordained | 0 |
| How many applicants for the ministry? | 2 |
| How many deacons? | 4 |
| Any deacons on probation to be ordained? | 0 |
| How many members died during the past year? | 1 |
| How many withdrawn? | 2 |
| How many expelled? | 5 |
| How many moved away? | 5 |
| How many new converts? | 41 |
| How many Baptized? | 48 |
| How many Received into church fellowship? | 57 |
| Whole Number of Members? | 331 |
| Increase of Members? | 59 |
| Decrease of Members? | 15 |
| How many Churches? | 8 |
| How Many Appointments? | 17 |
| Any new appointments? | 3 |
| How many sermons preached? | 1261 |
| How Many Classes? | 14 |
| Any New Classes organized? | 2 |
| How Many Class Leaders? | 14 |
| How Many Sabbath Schools? | 6 |
| How Many Officers and Teachers? | 107 |
| How Many Scholars? | 564 |
| How often Sabbath Schools visited? | 68 |
| Any New Sabbath Schools Organized? | 1 |
| How much collected for Ministers | $856.26 |
| How much collected for Sabbath Schools? | $306.52 |
| How much collected for Home Mission? | $79.39 |
| How much collected for Heathen Mission? | $9.88 |
| Expenses of Local Preachers | $43.13 |
Second Meeting
Monday, February 4, 1884 – Afternoon
RESOLVED: That a committee be appointed to make distribution of Home Mission money left after expenses of local preachers are paid.
Committee: D.J. Koch, William Gehman and Frederick R. Reinholt. Distribution as follows: John Knauss $10.00, S. M. Musselman $10.00, Joel Rosenberger $5.00, William K. Ellinger $10.00, Samuel H. Frey $10.00, Balance in treasury $15.59.
Since the Treasurer of the Annual Conference, Milton Kaufman, was absent
RESOLVED: That we elect a Treasurer pro tempore. A. Kauffman was elected.
William Gehman was then re-elected Presiding Elder.
RESOLVED: That Thomas Leh of Emaus be taken on a probation term as preacher.
RESOLVED: That William Musselman of Emaus be taken on a probation term as preacher.
Monday Evening: John Knauss preached, (text Galatians 1:4) followed by William B. Musselman and experience meeting.43A
Third Meeting
Tuesday, February 5, 1884 – Morning
RESOLVED: That a division of circuits be made. Divided as follows:
Fleetwood, Blandon and Reading
Quakertown, Hatfield and Skippack
Upper Milford, East Hereford and Emaus
Coopersburg, Saucon Valley, Ruch’s and Springtown Terre Hill
Who are the preachers that are willing to travel this year according to the directions of the Conference and our Discipline, and what is their number?
As follows: Jonas Musselman, Abel Strawn, Abraham Kauffman, Samuel H. Frey, Marks D. Haws and William B. Musselman.
Stationing Committee was chosen from among the delegates as Follows: Daniel Koch, Tobias Mittman, M. A. Zyner, Frederick R. Reinholt, Joel Rosenberger, and Samuel R. Foltz.
Fourth Meeting
Tuesday, February 5, 1884 – Afternoon
The Stationing Committee brought in their report as follows:
RESOLVED: That Marks D. Haws take charge of Terre Hill Circuit.
RESOLVED: That Abraham Kauffman, with the assistance of Joel Rosenberger, take charge of the Quakertown, Hatfield and Skippack Circuit.
RESOLVED: That Abel Strawn, with the assistance of Thomas Leh, take charge of the Upper Milford, Emaus and East Hereford Circuit.
RESOLVED: That Jon as Musselman, with the assistance of John Knauss, take charge of Coopersburg, Springtown, Ruch’s and Saucon Valley Circuit.
RESOLVED: That William B. Musselman take charge of Reading, Fleetwood, and Blandon Circuit.
RESOLVED: That Eusebius Hershey shall (as before) during the coming Conference year travel as a Missionary Preacher.
RESOLVED : That William H. Gehman, William K. Ellinger, S. M. Musselman and S. H. Frey shall go forth as Evangelists and work to the glory of God and the saving of souls.
RESOLVED: That hereafter the preachers on the circuits shall be the agents for the Banner and Panier.
RESOLVED: That as regards the missionary cause, that it shall remain as heretofore.
Tuesday Evening: Elder S. M. Musselman preached (text Psalm 8:5) followed by Thomas Leh of Emaus.
Fifth Meeting
Wednesday, February 6, 1884 – Morning
RESOLVED : That new licenses for ministers, certificates of membership and new schedules for ministers be printed in English and German (100 of each kind) and be sent to William Gehman, Presiding Elder, Vera Cruz, Upper Milford, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
RESOLVED: That the Presiding Elder appoint the time to hold the camp meeting and preside over the same. The committee to make arrangements for the camp meeting as follows: William Yeakel, John Musselman, John Roeder, Milton Kauffman and M. A. Zyner.
The committee to take charge of the Tabernacle during the coming Conference year as follows: William Gehman, Abel Strawn, and Jonas Musselman.
RESOLVED: That at our camp meeting no boarding tent shall be erected where victuals are sold and no tobacco smoking allowed on the camp ground.
Sixth Meeting
Wednesday, February 6, 1884 – Afternoon
RESOLVED: That we establish a temporary post office box at our camp meeting and all letters, papers, etc., to be addressed, Coopersburg, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, with the phrase” Camp Meeting Box” thereon.
M. A. Zyner was elected English, and William H. Gehman, German Secretary and Milton Kauffman, Treasurer for the next annual Conference.
Building Churches (not published):
RESOLVED: That the brethren Daniel Koch and Frederick R. Reinholt, (of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church) shall look for a suitable building lot in the city of Reading whereon to erect a house of worship of God.
RESOLVED: That the Mennonite Brethren in Christ of Reading shall with Brother Marks D. Haws of Terre Hill have authority of our Conference to collect money in the city of Reading and elsewhere towards the erection of a church.
RESOLVED: That Brother Frederick R. Reinholt of Reading is elected Treasurer to take charge of the money collected by the Mennonite Brethren in Christ in the city of Reading and elsewhere towards the erection of a church in Reading.
RESOLVED: That Brother Samuel H. Frey of the Mennonite Brethren In Christ Church is authorized to collect money in the counties of Lancaster, Dauphin and Lebanon for erecting a church in the city of Reading and that he shall have for his commission %15 of the money collected. (Not published).
RESOLVED: That we as a Conference and Church members in general pray the Lord of the Harvest to send forth faithful laborers into His Vineyard. We as a Conference and church members must confess that we never enjoyed a happier time than we did during this Conference session, God blessing us wonderfully. To Him be all the glory through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
RESOLVED: That the members of this Conference tender a hearty vote of thanks to the brethren, sisters, neighbors and friends of Terre Hill and vicinity for their love, generosity and hospitality during this session.
RESOLVED: That the next Annual Conference be held at Quakertown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, beginning on the first Monday in February, 1885.
RESOLVED: That we adjourn.
Each meeting was opened and closed by singing and prayer.
M. A. Zyner, Secretary
43 Old numeration. The numeration was changed at the Annual Conference of 1892.
43A an “experience meeting” is one in which people relate their religious experiences, ie testimonies..