THE THIRTY-SIXTH SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE
June, 1877
Conference Proceedings of the Evangelical Mennonite Society
In conformity with a ruling at the last Conference, Conference members, as well as brethren and sisters of this society, and members of other societies, gathered in the Evangelical Mennonite Meeting House in Coopersburg, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania on Saturday evening, June 2, 1877, to hold their 36th semi-annual session. On Saturday evening, a worship service was held. A brother from Kansas preached in a blessed way. On Sunday at 9:30 a.m., the Conference Sermon was preached by William N. Shelly, Chairman of the last Conference. His text was I Peter 5:1-4. Brother Ekkert from Kansas admonished and closed with prayer. In the afternoon at 2:00 p.m., Brother Borgdorf from Kansas preached on II Corinthians 5:19-21. Brother Enns from Kansas admonished earnestly and closed with prayer. In the evening Brother Ekkert preached on I Thessalonians 5. Brother Borgdorf admonished. Brother William Gehman closed with prayer.
First Meeting
Monday, June 4, 1877 – Morning
On Monday morning at 8:00 a.m., the Conference members as well as other brethren and sisters, from far and near, gathered again. Brother William N. Shelly, Chairman from the last Conference, opened the session with singing, prayer and reading of II Corinthians 4 and a loving address to the assembly. Thereafter the following business was taken care of:
1. William Gehman was elected Chairman and Jonas Musselman, Secretary.
2. Advisory members present:
Preaching Brethren — David Henning, William Gehman, William N. Shelly, H. Diehl, J. Musselman, A. Strawn, Abraham Kauffman, S. M. Musselman, E. Hershey, J. Rosenberger, S. Lambert, S. H. Frey.
Deacons present: D. Gehman, D. Koch, M. Landis, H. Parker, J. Ruch.
Absent: D. Lambert, preacher; Joseph Schneider, Deacon.
3. The servants were examined concerning their moral and pastoral conduct. All was done in brotherly love.
4. The Brethren Ekkert, Enns, and Borgdorf from Kansas and Brother Gotwald were accepted as advisory members for this Conference.
5. The reports from the preachers for the last six months were handed in as follows:
William Gehman — preached 46 times, families visited 63, miles 107 traveled 491, expenditures balance $6.36.
William N. Shelly — preached 53 times, families visited 56, miles traveled 515, expenditures $4.10.
J. Rosenberger — preached 31 times, miles traveled 456, expenditures $6.93.
J. Musselman — preached 57 times, families visited 43, miles traveled 712, expenditures $6.75.
D. Henning — preached 19 times, families visited 20, miles traveled 256, expenditures $4.00.
E. Hershey — preached 112 times, families visited 836, miles traveled 1200, expenditures $20.00, received $20.00.
A. Kauffman — preached 23 times, miles traveled 368, expenditures $11.25.
S. M. Musselman — preached 70 times, families visited 78, miles traveled 617, expenditures $7.95.
H. Diehl — preached 22 times, families visited 35, miles traveled 165, expenditures $1.85.
S. Lambert — preached 22 times, families visited 46, miles traveled 722, expenditures $12.40.
These reports were all accepted.
7. RESOLVED: That Brother S. Lambert shall preach the next six months In Lancaster and border counties and wherever he believes that he can do something for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
The forenoon session was then closed with prayer by Brother E. Hershey.
Second Meeting
Monday, June 4, 1877 – Afternoon
The afternoon meeting was opened at 2:00 p.m. by Brother D. Henning with singing and prayer.
8. It was discussed and accepted that we hold testimony meetings at proper times and in suitable places as we believe that through these (meetings) some souls could be led to Christ and be reconciled with God.
9. The following was discussed earnestly and in love: whether at the present time it would be a blessing for our denomination to put up a tent to hold meetings for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. For the time being this matter was left for the brethren and sisters to think about earnestly.
10. RESOLVED: That these proceedings be published in the Reformer and Agriculturist of Milford Square.
11. Thanks were expressed to the brethren and sisters of Coopersburg, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, for their kindness and friendliness toward the members of the Conference.
12. RESOLVED: That the next Conference session be held in the Upper Milford Meeting House in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, beginning Saturday evening November 10, 1877. The Sunday forenoon Conference Sermon (shall be preached) by Brother William Gehman, Chairman. (There shall be) afternoon and evening preaching. On Monday morning, the Conference business session shall start.
This session was then closed with singing and prayer by J. Musselman.
William Gehman, Chairman
Jonas Musselman, Secretary