TWENTY-FOURTH SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE
June, 1871
Proceedings of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference
24th Semi-Annual Session
On Monday evening, June 5, 1871, the members of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, as well as members of other Christian assemblies, met in the Coopersburg Meeting House, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, according to the resolution of the last Conference. Brother David Henning preached with blessing on I Corinthians 1:12-25, “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness … “, etc. Brother Joel Rosenberger admonished and closed with prayer.
First Meeting
Tuesday, June 6, 1871 – Morning
On Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m., Brother E. Hershey read Paul’s First epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 13, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels …,”etc., and then delivered the opening sermon with much expounding and blessing on Revelation 2:5 “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen … ” Brother David Schwartz admonished earnestly, explained to the congregation how wonderfully God had led him and closed with prayer.
Second Meeting
Tuesday, June 6, 1871 – Afternoon
The afternoon meeting was opened by the Chairman, D. Henning, with singing, prayer and an address on servanthood. The following members were present:
Preachers: D. Henning, William N. Shelly, William Gehman, E. Hershey, Abel Strawn, Henry Diehl, Jonas Musselman, Abraham Kauffman, S. M. Musselman and David Schwartz.
Deacons: D. Gehm an, Michael Landis, Francis Miller.
Then E. Hershey was elected Chairman and D. Gehman, Secretary.
1. One by one the servants were examined as to their public testimony in regard to their work and conduct. This was concluded in sincere love.
2. Brother D. Schwartz, preacher of the Juniata congregation was accepted as a regular advisory member. Brother Joel Rosenberger of Hatfield was also accepted as an advisory member of the Conference.
3. Abel Strawn and S. M. Musselman, traveling preachers, gave their six months’ report which was accepted. Brother Strawn preached 99 times, visited 174 families, traveled 99 3/4 days, baptized five people, held several series of meetings which varied in length. Brother S. M. Musselman preached 105 times, visited 181 families, traveled twice to Juniata County and once through Lancaster and Lebanon Counties, etc. God assisted his humble servants in proclamation of His Word and will, so that many a door and heart were opened which before were closed. God assisted in the preaching of the Word of the cross, day and night with blessing, to the blood-bought souls. Prejudices are disappearing more and more and the prospect for conversion is promising. To God alone be the honor.
4. Brother Strawn does not wish, for the time being, to be employed as traveling preacher. Consequently, William N. Shelly and S. M. Musselman were, with their consent, unanimously elected for the coming year.
5. The Missionary Committee reported a balance in the treasury on November 7, of $20.09. Amount paid in six months, $159.71, total amount in the treasury $179.80. The appointed committee agreed to pay the traveling preachers their expenditures which they accepted with thanks. 6. Because Brother D. Schwartz felt compelled to preach the Gospel through the command of God’s Word and the second article in the second division of our doctrine, he, with the consent of the Conference, received permission to do so according to the recorded rules of order.
7. As preachers of the Gospel who travel nearby and far away, we are happy to learn of and get acquainted with other preachers and brothers and sisters who desire from their heart to build with us on the good old foundation of God and to preserve the old order according to God’s word and the teaching of the Apostles (Acts 2:42, I Corinthians 3:11, Ephesians 2:20, Isaiah 30:21). Therefore we feel compelled i n love to wish from our hearts to such brothers and sisters God’s grace and blessing and to reach out in brotherly love according to John’s Gospel (John 17:21) and to build with them the spiritual house which consists only of lively stones (Peter 2:5).
8. RESOLVED : That we consider it our highest duty continually to approach God in prayer for the spreading of the Gospel as well as to pray especially for God’s blessing on our traveling preachers.
9. RESOLVED : That the next semi-annual Conference will be held in the Upper Milford Meeting House, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, on the first Tuesday in November and that on the previous Monday evening a missionary meeting shall be held to which all are invited.
10. RESOLVED: That the above proceeding shall be made known in the Mennonitischen Friedens Bote.
Signed:
Eusebius Hershey, Chairman
David Gehman, Secretary