THIRTIETH SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE
June, 1874
Proceedings of The Evangelical Mennonite Conference
The Evangelical Mennonite Society held their 30th semi-annual session in the Evangelical Meeting House in Quakertown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on Monday evening, June 1, 1874. In accordance with a ruling of the last Conference, a mission meeting was held with good attendance. Brother William Gehman preached with spirit and power about Luke 16:9, “And I say unto you, make to yourselves friends of the m am mon of unrighteousness … ,” etc. Brother A. Kauffman followed with admonition and closed with prayer. At the end a free will collection was taken for the furtherance of spreading the Gospel. It amounted to $8.02. Then it was time for electing the officers for the following year. Brother A. Kauffman, President; David Gehman, Secretary, and William Yeakel, Treasurer, were all re-elected.
First Meeting
Tuesday, June 2, 1874 – 9:00 a.m.
On Tuesday morning, at 9 a.m., the Conference members, as well as a good number of brethren, sisters and friends, came from far and near. The opening sermon was given by Brother Eusebius Hershey. His chosen text was an important part of the Holy Scripture, II Corinthians 4:1 and 5, “Therefore, seeing we have this ministry … ,” etc. He spoke with much influence and information concerning the carrying out of the work of the ministry. Brother David Henning followed with an earnest admonition and closed with singing and prayer.
Second Meeting
Tuesday, June 2, 1874 – Afternoon
The afternoon session was opened at 1:30 p. m. by the Chairman of the 1 ast Conference, Brother William Shelly, with singing and a message to the servants and to all who attended.
Preachers present: David Henning, William N. Shelly, William Gehman, Eusebius Hershey, H. Diehl, Abel Strawn, Jonas Musselman, Abraham Kauffman, Samuel M. Musselman and Sidenham Lambert. Absent: Joel Rosenberger, Hatfield, Pennsylvania, William Hunsberger and David Lambert, Wadsworth, Ohio.
Deacons present: David Gehm an, Joseph Schneider, Michael Landis, Jacob Ruch, Daniel Koch, Hiram Parker.
Absent: George Gigg, Wadsworth, Ohio.
Hereupon the meeting was formed in a regular way and the following business matters were transacted in love and harmony.
1. William Gehman was elected Chairman and David Gehman, Secretary.
2. Inquiry was made concerning moral and pastoral conduct. This was also done in harmony.
3. The preachers gave reports about their work during the past six months as follows:
David Henning — preached 33 times, families visited 40, miles traveled 400, expenses $8.50.
William N. Shelly — preached 71 times, families visited 76, miles traveled 1018, expenses $19.40.
William Gehman — preached 65 times, families visited 61, miles traveled 749, expenses balance $7.75.
E. Hershey reports from the Ohio congregation: Appointments 5 Members 13 Servants on probation 3, Brethren William Hunsberger, David Lambert, Samuel Weber Deacons 1, George Gigg preached 125 times, families visited 343, miles traveled 1520, expenses $60.00.
Henry Diehl — preached 16 times, families visited 36, miles traveled 200, expenses $10.00.
Abel Strawn — preached 82 times, families visited 106, miles traveled 805, expenses $15.70.
Jonas Musselman — preached 65 times, families visited 42, miles traveled 868, expenses $18.60.
Abraham Kauffman — preached 46 times, families visited 25, miles traveled 325, expenses $8.40.
Samuel M. Musselman — preached 71 times, families visited 105, miles traveled 948, expenses balance $14.28.
Sidenham Lambert — preached 32 times, families visited 30, miles traveled 326, expenses $2.25.
Reports from the Brethren William Hunsberger and David Lambert in Wadsworth, Ohio were read.
Brother Hunsberger writes: I have sought, in weakness, but with God’s grace, to preach openly in public 15 times, families visited 13, including some sick people. Our Meeting House was dedicated on May 17th. After that we held evening worship services until Whit Sunday, when we remembered the suffering of our Lord by partaking in Holy Communion. We had a blessed time and sensed that Lord was am ong us. Weare very glad that we now have a house where we can worship God in spirit and in truth. We are determined to go onward although we are only sm all in number. Yet, we have God’s promise that He will be among us. Please pray for us. We wish you God’s blessing.
Brother David Lambert writes: I have sought to preach 38 times, families visited 32, miles traveled 331, expenses balance $36.02. I am determined to continue with God’s grace and to work with the pound which is entrusted to me for His Kingdom. May God’s Spirit be with you to help you make the right decision in this important matter so that God’s Holy will may be carried out.
Brother Joel Rosenberger writes in short: my humble work during the last six months was as follows: preached 26 times, families visited 15, miles traveled 392, expenses $10.30. May God bless us all. The reports were all accepted.
4. Brother William Yeakel, Treasurer of the Mission Society gave his report (through Brother A. Kauffman):
Amount in the treasury on June 2, 1874 $140.16
Paid to several preachers for travel $97.43
Furthermore to: Brother E. Hershey 25.00
and to: Brother S. M. Musselman for support 15.00
137.43
Balance in treasury $2.73
The report was accepted.
The afternoon meeting ended with prayer by Brother A. Kauffman.
Third Meeting
Tuesday, June 2, 1874 – Evening
The evening meeting was opened with prayer by the Chairman.
5. The conditions at the Wadsworth, Ohio, congregation were lovingly discussed in order to help to payoff the financial obligations for the new meeting house; Thereupon, it was determined, that the deacons in every congregation encourage members and friends to ask other friends for financial help in this respect.
6. It was unanimously agreed that Brother E. Hershey shall continue to travel as missionary in the United States and Canada, and shall also have supervision over the congregation in Wadsworth, Ohio, for the next six months.
7. The preachers, who at present are probationers in the Wadsworth congregation, were considered and then RESOLVED: That the young preachers in that congregation shall stay as probationers for a while longer since at the voting four members were not present and some others did not vote. A majority vote is demanded according to our Doctrine of Faith.
8. RESOLVED: That the traveling preachers for the various places and districts shall continue to serve for the coming six months as in the past. But they shall also try to find new places where they can preach and at times make exchange visits for preaching.
9. The next Conference session is to be held on the second Tuesday in November (the tenth), 1874, in the Upper Milford Meeting House in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
10. Thanks was expressed to the Quakertown congregation for their hospitality at this Conference session.
11. It was decreed that the proceedings of this session shall be published in German and English in the Christlichen Kundschafter and that 300 extra copies be ordered for distribution at the cost of $5.00 payable. to the Editor.
The Conference was adjourned after a harmonious session with singing and prayer by Brother David Henning.
William Gehman, Chairman
David Gehman, Secretary