THIRTEENTH SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE
November, 1865
Proceedings of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference
The members of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference came together on Tuesday, November 7, 1865, in the Flatland Meeting House, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, for the semi-annual session.
First Meeting
Tuesday, November 7, 1865 – Morning
In the forenoon was a worship service. After reading the first chapter of Paul’s second epistle to the Corinthians, Brother E. Hershey preached to a devout congregation about the words of Paul in Colossians 4:2-5, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving, withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” Brother Henning admonished and closed the meeting with prayer.
Second Meeting
Tuesday, November 7, 1865 – Afternoon
The afternoon meeting was opened by the Chairman of the Conference, David Henning, with singing and prayer and a stirring message to the servants of God in which he strongly appealed that everyone should totally give himself to the will of God so that God would be all in all and we would be only tools in His hands in order to awaken and convert sinners. Then William Gehman was appointed Chairman and David Gehman, Secretary.
Preachers present: D. Henning, William Gehman, E. Hershey, William N. Shelly, H. Diehl, Abel Strawn, Jonas Musselman, Abraham Kauffman.
Absent: Jacob Gottschall, Abraham W. Stauffer, Joseph L. Romig.
Deacons present: Joseph Schneider, David Gehman.
Absent: Charles Gehman.
1. The examination of the brethren was taken care of and was concluded without complaint in love and unison.
2. The proceedings of the last spring Conference were read.
3. Because advisory members sometimes are absent without sufficient cause from the Conference session, therefore be it
RESOLVED: That when a Conference member is absent from two consecutive sessions, and cannot give sufficient reason for it, such a member shall receive a gentle reprimand at the next Conference for such disdain.
4. A committee was appointed to lay down general rules and a brief statement of faith of our denomination, based on God’s Word and the teaching of Menno Simons, and to report at the next Conference for further discussion. Committee: David Henning, William Gehman, Eusebius Hershey, Secretary -Joseph L. Romig.
5. Brother E. Hershey read his semi-annual travel report from June 6, 1865, until November 7, 1865:
Miles traveled 1806
Families visited 426
Public speaking 65 times
Earned by manual labor $62.15
Love offerings received 44.73
Received from the Mission
Treasurer Receipts $206.88
Necessary expenditures in traveling 169.53
and for my family
Expenditures left unpaid at the
last Conference 142.00
Expenses $311.53
Receipts 206.88
Balance in my favor $104.65
6. Brother Hershey received again the unanimous approval of the Conference to continue his travels and to preach the Gospel, and (was assured) that he would be supported with prayer and means.
RESOLVED: That our next Semi-Annual Conference shall be held in Hassler’s Meeting House, Rapho Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on the first Monday in June, 1866, and that Saturday evening a sermon should be preached and that one message about missions should be given.
William Gehman, Chairman
David Gehman, Secretary