THIRTY-THIRD SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE
November, 1875
Conference Proceedings
The Evangelical Mennonite Society held its 33rd semi-annual Conference session in the Evangelical Mennonite Meeting House in Quakertown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, beginning Saturday evening, November 6, 1875.
Brother David Henning preached a sermon about Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days … ” etc. Abel Strawn admonished and closed with prayer.
On Sunday morning, Brother William N. Shelly gave the opening sermon about II Timothy 4:1-5, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” Brother Jonas Y. Schultz admonished earnestly about the importance of the position of an evangelical preacher in this time full of confusion and closed with singing and prayer.
In the evening William Gehman preached before a well attended meeting about II Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course … ” etc. Brother S. Lambert admonished and Brother Michael Y. Landis closed with prayer.
First Meeting
Monday, November 8, 1875 – Morning
On Monday morning the members of the Conference gathered as well as brethren and sisters. The session was opened by the Chairman of the last Conference with singing, prayer and a message to the members and all who attended. Afterward the following matters were taken care of in love and harmony: 1. Preaching Brethren — David Henning, William N. Shelly, William Gehman, Eusebius Hershey, Abel Strawn, Jonas Musselman. Abraham Kauffman, Samuel M. Mussel m an, Joel Rosenberger. Henry Diehl and Sidenham Lambert.
Absent — David U. Lambert, William Hunsberger and Samuel Weber.
Deacons present — Michael Y. Landis, Hiram Parker, Joseph Schneider, Jacob Ruch. Daniel Koch and David Gehman.
Absent — George Gigg.
2. William Gehman was elected to be Chairman and David Gehman, Secretary.
3. The servants were examined concerning their moral and pastoral conduct which was done in brotherly love.
4. Brother S. H. Frey from Lancaster County. Pennsylvania. was accepted as advisory member for this session.
5. The reports of the preachers for the past six months were presented as follows: David Henning – – preached 20 times, families visited 22, miles traveled 256, expenditures balance $4.25.
William Gehman — preached 40 times, families visited 38, miles traveled 555, expenditures $6.61.
Jonas Musselman — preached 42 times, families visited 50, miles traveled 775, expenditures $4.50.
Samuel M. Musselman — preached 56 times, families visited 58, miles traveled 336, expenditures $8.10.
Eusebius Hershey — preached 40 times, families visited 475, miles traveled 1100, expenditures $25.00, received $25.00.
William N. Shelly – sought to preach as often as I had the opportunity, the same in regard to the number of families visited. Expenditures balance $6.90.
Abel Strawn — preached 22 times, families visited 27.
Abraham Kauffman — preached 17 times, families visited 20, expenditures $1.20.
Joel Rosenberger — preached 11 times, miles traveled 308, expenditures $8.05. Sidenham Lambert — preached 24 times, families visited 25, miles traveled 411, expenditures $5.30.
Henry Diehl — preached as often as he could and tried to be useful.
The Brethren David U. Lambert and William Hunsberger in Wadsworth, Ohio, reported by letter that the members of the congregation and others were backsliding. But the few are united in love and determined to gain their salvation. They already had an extended meeting and wish to hold another one around Christmas. They request that leaders from Pennsylvania may come to help them in doing the work of God. Brother Lambert feels that his time of service there is ended and he asks not to be in charge anymore . All was accepted.
6. Brother William Yeakel, Treasurer of the Mission Society, presented his six months’ report:
Balance in treasury on November 8, 1875 $179.03
Paid travel expenses to preachers $43.41
Distributed to preachers by the committee in charge 120.00 163.41
Leaves a balance of $15.62
Approved.
Forenoon meeting was closed by Brother Hershey with prayer.
Second Meeting
Monday, November 8, 1875 – Afternoon
The afternoon meeting was opened with singing and prayer by the Chairman.
7. The districts, preaching stations, missions, etc., were then assigned to the preachers for the coming year as follows:
William Gehman, Abraham Kauffman (with S. Lambert as assistant ) – – Upper Milford , Fleetwood, Salem Church, Hosensack, and Lancaster County and other places to be visited when time and circumstances permit.
William N. Shelly, S. M. Musselman and David Henning –Coopersburg, Taylors, etc., including Bangor.
Jonas Musselman, H. Diehl, and Joel Rosenberger–Quakertown, Ironville, and surroundings.
The Allentown Mission shall be served voluntarily by different preachers since Brother Daniel Reichenbach has offered his hall for the use of open worship services.
Brother Abel Strawn expressed his desire to be free for one year to serve as he pleases.
RESOLVED : That Brother Hershey, upon his desire, continue to do missionary work in the United States and Canada.
RESOLVED: That the Brethren William Gehman, William N. Shelly and Jonas Musselman shall have supervision over the districts.
8. Since Brother William N. Shelly plans with God’ s grace, to visit Canada, Michigan and so on for evangelistic meetings, therefore
RESOLVED : That he, if his health permits, on his way back stop at Wadsworth , Ohio, to visit the brethren and sisters there and to stay a number of weeks to preach and work for the glory of God.
9. The report from the corresponding secretary concerning the immigration of European Mennonites was handed in and accepted, but. f or. the time being, was not acted upon . 10. The report from the brethren W. Gehman and O. Koch, who were appointed in the previous session a committee to draw up proper rules to serve as a guide for the proceedings at future Conferences, was presented, am ended and then accepted.
11. Brother Samuel H. Frey was unanimously accepted as a preacher of the Gospel in our group.
12. Brother S. Lambert, a preacher on probation, was ordained to perform official duties as an evangelical preacher.
13. Thanks were expressed to the brethren and sisters of Quakertown and the neighborhood for their hospitality to the members of this Conference.
14. RESOLVED: That the next session shall be held in the Upper Milford Meeting House, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, beginning the first Saturday evening in June, 1876, with a sermon on missions. Also, a collection shall be taken for the spreading of the Gospel. On Sunday morning we shall have an opening sermon by the Chairman. On Monday morning the Conference business session shall start.
15. RESOLVED: That the proceeding of the Conference be published in German and English in the Christlichen Kundschafter and that 400 extra copies be ordered for distribution, for which we will pay $6.00 to the editor.
The Conference closed after two days of meetings. Everything was done in love and harmony. The closing prayer was led by Brother D. Henning.
William Gehman, Chairman
David Gehman, Secretary