THIRTY-SEVENTH SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE
November, 1877
The Evangelical Mennonite Society held its 37th semi-annual Conference session in the Evangelical Mennonite Meeting House in Upper Milford, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. As planned, it began on Saturday evening, November 10, 1877, with a worship service. Brother Frey preached a blessed sermon on John 12:26. Brother Hershey admonished and closed with prayer.
On Sunday morning at 9:00a.m., there was a blessed testimony hour. At 10:00a.m., the Conference Sermon was preached by Brother Gehman on I Timothy 4:16, “Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” God’s blessing manifested itself in us and among us. We all hope this hour will be unforgettable. The Brethren Henning and Hershey followed up with earnest admonishing. Brother J. Musselman closed with prayer.
In the afternoon, at 2:00 p. m. a communion service was held and the practice of feetwashing took place. The Brethren Hershey and William N. Shelly, because of the solemnity of this hour, spoke about I Corinthians 6:20. Brother J. Musselman admonished and closed with prayer.
First Meeting
Monday, November 12, 1877 – Morning
On Monday morning at 9:00 a.m., members and friends gathered again. Brother William Gehman, Chairman, opened the Conference with singing, prayer and the reading of Psalm 127:1-2 and a loving address to the assembly. Then the following business was attended to:
1. Brother E. Hershey was elected Chairman, and J. Musselman, Secretary.
2. Advisory members present —
Preaching Brethren: D. Henning, William Gehm an, A. Strawn, J. Musselman, A. Strawn, J. Musselman, A. Kauffman, S. M. Musselman, E. Hershey, J. Rosenberger, S. Lambert, S. H. Frey.
Absent: William N. Shelly, H. Diehl, D. U. Lambert.
Deacons. present: D. Gehm an, M. Landis, D. Koch, H. Parker.
Absent: J. Schneider, J. Ruch.
3. The brethren were examined in regard to their moral and pastoral conduct which was all done in brotherly love.
4. RESOLVED: That the Brethren J. Y. Schultz and William Desch be accepted as advisory members for this Conference.
5. The reports of the preachers for the last six months were handed in as follows:
William Gehman — preached 28 times, families visited 21, miles traveled 314, expenditures balance $1.40.
William N. Shelly — preached 22 times, families visited 30, miles traveled 382, expenditures $1.50.
E. Hershey – preached 95 times, families visited 560, miles traveled 1500, expenditures $8.00.
D. Henning — preached 19 times, families visited 20, miles traveled 300, expenditures $6.30.
J. Musselman — preached 36 times, families visited 34, miles traveled 670, expenditures $4.00.
A. Strawn — no report.
A. Kauffman — preached 25 ti m es, miles traveled 370, expenditures $8.00.
J. Rosenberger — preached 11 times, miles traveled 270, expenditures $4.09.
S. H. Frey — preached 22 times, families visited 25, miles traveled 608, expenditures $10.85.
S. M. Musselman — preached 38 times, families visited 40, miles traveled 318, expenditures $6.40.
S. Lambert — preached 6 times, families visited 6, miles traveled 200, expenditures $6.00.
The reports were all accepted.
6. Brother William Yeakel, Treasurer of the Mission Society, presented his six months’ report as follows:
Amount in the Treasury on November 12, 1877 $133.90
Paid travel
expenses to preachers $56.54
Paid to preachers
by the committee 77.00
Leaves a balance of $5.3631
7. This Conference, held November 12, 1877, unanimously agreed that the Brethren Henry V. Smith, William Hixson and Milton Kauffman, as trustees in charge, shall be authorized to give a purchase deed for the 85 Ruthen32 of land, which was bought May 21, 1850, from Jacob Ziegenfuss and his wife, Hannah, in Haycock Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, as church ground.
The forenoon meeting was closed with prayer by Brother William Desch.
Second Meeting
Monday, November 12, 1877 – Afternoon
The afternoon meeting was opened with singing and prayer by Brother D. Henning.
8. The places where the preachers shall serve for the coming year were then assigned as follows:
9. RESOLVED:
William Gehman and Abraham Kauffman — Coopersburg district (for the coming year)
Abel Strawn — Upper Milford district
Jonas Musselman and Joel Rosenberger –Quakertown Station
Samuel Mussel m an – Springtown district
William N. Shelly — Fleetwood, assisted by S. Lambert, as much as he is able to beside his services in Lancaster County.
10. RESOLVED: That the following preachers shall be supervisors:
William Gehman — Coopersburg district
A. Strawn — Upper Milford district
Samuel M. Musselman — Springtown district
Jonas Mussel man – Quakertown Station
William N. Shelly — Fleetwood
D. Henning — Bangor
11. Presiding Elders: Their districts are the same as in the year before —
William Gehman — Quakertown, Coopersburg and Springtown districts
William N. Shelly — Upper Milford, Fleetwood and Lancaster districts
12. Brother S. H. Frey asked to be excused from having a regular assignment because of his sickly wife, but he will continue to serve whenever he can.
13. RESOLVED: That Brother E. Hershey has consented for the coming year to travel as before in the United States and Canada.
14. RESOLVED: That Brother David Gehman, at his request, be relieved from his duties as deacon for Upper Milford Congregation because he has moved to Quakertown.
15. J. Y. Schultz asked the Conference for permission to go on a journey to Canada. With tears in his eyes, he asked us to pray for him. He said he would not forget the blessed hours which we have had together. We shall remember him in prayer, asking that God shall use him and make him a blessing to many souls. Brother Hershey also plans to leave for Canada next month and asks that all God’s children pray for him. God bless these brethren.
16. RESOLVED: That William H. Gehman from Reading be admitted into our denomination for one year probation.
17. RESOLVED: That these proceedings be published in the Bucks County Patriot in Milford Square and 100 extra copies be ordered.
18. Thanks were expressed to the brethren and sisters from Upper Milford for the friendly hospitality.
19. RESOLVED: That the next Conference be held in Quakertown, Bucks -County, Pennsylvania, beginning on the first Saturday in June, 1878. Saturday evening –preaching; Sunday morning, the Conference Sermon; Sunday afternoon — preaching; in the evening, the annual sermon on missions; Monday morning –opening of the Conference session.
The session was closed with singing and prayer by Brother David Gehman.
Eusebius Hershey, Chairman
Jonas Musselman, Secretary
31 Correct balance would appear to be $.36.
32 Ruthen is an old German measure.