 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOTICE OF ATTRIBUTION Work originally published in 1887. Scanned, proofed and minor spelling corrections by the United Brethren Historical Center. Electronic edition ©2007 United Brethren Historical Center Suggested Citation:
|
History of the Sandusky Conference by W. M. Mathers |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The thirty-eighth annual session of the conference was held by Bishop Glossbrenner, at Marion commencing September 8, 1870. At this conference D. D Hart and G. Ridley were licensed to preach, and D. F. Cender and J. A. Crayton were received on their transfers. Bro. Hart became one of our most successful revivalists. After seven years of successful labor in this conference, he was advised by physicians, on account of failing health to visit the coast, but his zeal for the cause of his Divine Master would not allow him to remain idle long while so many were unsaved. He soon found a place to p43 work, the Sacramento charge being without a preacher he accepted the charge, and while engaged in a revival meeting took hemorrhage of the lungs, and in the midst of the battle for souls, fell pierced by the arrow of death. He expired in his own pulpit, having on the armour he entered the Golden Gate to wear the Victor's Crown. How mysterious are the ways of Providence in removing such efficient men in the midst of their years and usefulness, but when the mists shall all have been cleared away, we shall see the wisdom of God in all his dealings towards his creatures. Faith's anchorage is found in that blessed promise of Christ. "What thou knowest not now, thou shalt know hereafter." On calling the name of J. Davis it was stated that he had gone from labor to reward during the past year. He was one of the oldest members of the conference, (78) having joined at its first session. His love for the church knew no bounds and no sacrifice was too great for him to make, to enlarge her borders and build up her waste places. He labored many years as traveling preacher and much of the time as Presiding Elder. He traveled on horse-back from Crawford Co. Ohio, to Allen Co. Indiana, Jour tiroes a year, year after year. The roads were very bad, but he seldom missed an appointment, never complained and always wore a smile as he entered the cabins of the West, his salary ranging from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty dollars per year. p44 He was somewhat eccentric but, a man of clear christian experience, and of unquestioned piety. When he came down to deaths dark waters he found the boatmen waiting to row him over to the other shore. He held the names of his brethren in sweet remembrance in death, and sent to them the following message: "Say to my brethren it is well with me." In accordance with his expressed wishes a funeral sermon was preached in the presence of the conference. Rev. A. Biddle was selected to preach the "Servant of God well done, Thy glorious warfares past; The battle's fought, the race is won, And thou are crowned at last." M. Errett having also died, the conference requested that Brother Biddle in his sermon on the death of Father Davis, made some suitable remarks on the death of Father Errett he was nearly ninety years of age. One of the most enjoyable events of the conference was the singing on Sabbath afternoon. Your Mission, by a man who has charmed both this country and Europe, by his sacred songs, Philip Phillips. The effect produced could not be described. Every christian heart was brought closer to God and to heaven. The conference reported a decrease in membership of 248, and an increase for missions of $329.11. The following report was adopted by the conference: p45 We your Committee on Education, present the following : Whereas, The marvelous development of the material interests of our country, the restless energy of our people, our perfection in political economy, and the place we occupy in the eyes of the world, all imperatively demand that we should do our part as a church in sending forth among the people, as teachers, men of refinement and education; and, Whereas, We realize the fact that the times are upon us that unless we carefully foster, and in a sacrificing way lay hold of this department of the interests of the church, our power for good will be materially lessened, our influence as a church crippled, and our respect for ourselves lost; therefore, we are glad to record that feeling which is happily growing, and shows itself in the following expressions from the people. "Give us a strong man;" "Give us men who are able to stand favorably alongside the ministers of other churches—men who, by the depth of their piety and learning, may be able to meet successfully the varied forms of skepticism and infidelity which are constantly pressed upon the minds of the people." Resolved 1. That we hereby express our gratitude to Almighty God for the success he has vouchsafed to the various institutions of learning under p46 the care of our church, and earnestly pray that while the foundations of the new college-building are being laid deep in the earth, at Westerville, the conviction may grow deeper in the hearts of the ministry and people of the absolute necessity of an educated ministry, if we would meet the wants of the age, and perform our mission as a church. 2. That while we have been deeply pained at the burning of Otterbein University, we are now glad to chronicle the fact of the hopeful state of the interests of that institution, and would earnestly beseech our heavenly Father to spare the lives of those men who, by their tact, energy, and prudence, have thus far placed it on the highway of success. 3. That we as members of the Sandusky Conference, consider Otterbein University worthy of our patronage, and will do all we can to increase its power for good. 4. We also give our unqualified approval to, and promise our hearty co-operation in, the project now on foot for the establishment of a biblical institution, at Dayton, Ohio, to supply a crying need of our church, which grows louder and stronger in the ratio that our responsibilities as a church are felt and our duty to the world known.
The next conference was held at Winter's Station, p47 Sandusky Co, Sept. 6, 1871, J. J. Glossbrenner presiding bishop. E. B. Maurer, S. H. Tussing and J. F. Swaney were admitted to membership. Brother Flickinger our Missionary Secretary being present made some remarks in regard to our African mission and that one of its greatest wants was a new row boat to enable our missionaries there to travel from the town of Shengay to Freetown, and other towns. He being asked what it would cost, stated that the expense would be about $200.00. In a very short time $249 00 was secured and the boat was called Sandusky in honor of the conference that furnished the means to buy it The voluntary contributions of this conference amounted to nearly 8800.00 three-fourths of which, or more was paid by ministers and their families setting an example that ought to be followed by their more wealthy brethren. The conference held its next session in Fostoria, Seneca County, September 4, 1872, and was opened by Bishop Glossbrenner with the usual devotional exercises. The following brethren after examination were licensed to preach; W. W. McCurdy, B. Webb, J. M. Crim; and J. W. Waggoner by transfer. The following is the report on missions: The committee on the interests of missions made their report, which was received and adopted: Your Committee on Missions present the 'following report: p48 First. We are gratified to state that the amount assessed one year ago has been raised and reported to the chart. Second. In addition to this there was contributed to the Shengay chapel fund about $125 by the ministers and members of the Sandusky conference. Believing that there is ability among our people to increase their contributions to the cause of missions as rapidly in the next as they have in the past score of years, and that the wants of the Home, Frontier, and Foreign Missionary Society of our Church demands that such progress should be made; therefore, Resolved, 1. That we will, by the use of all the means within our reach, especially by preaching, prayer, and paying ourselves, and circulating missionary intelligence, labor to increase the interest and the contributions of our people in behalf of missions. 2. We will also seek to present the claims of missions to our respective congregations at the most suitable time we can select, and at as early a time within the year as it is practicable, and will spare no pains to bring before all the members of the Church their duty to give to this cause according to their ability. 3. We rejoice in the continued prosperity of our mission in Africa, and assure the Board and our missionaries in that field that they shall have our hearty co-operation in carrying forward that mission. p49 4. We recommend that the basis of assessment for next year be $4,000. The forty-first session of the conference was held at Osceola, Crawford Co., September 3rd, 1873, with Bishop Weaver in the chair. It was found on calling the roll that four of its number, Wm. Jones, J. Struble, D. G. Ogden and H. G. Spaythe, had been called away during the past year. A special committee was appointed to whom the names of these dear brethren were referred, who made the following report We your committee on memoirs beg leave to report the following in reference to our beloved brethren and fathers in the ministry, who have been removed by death from among us, during the past conference year: I. With reference to John Struble, who fell asleep in Jesus, November 6th, 1872. II. In reference to Wm. Jones, who departed, February, 1873. III. In reference to D. G. Ogden, who died, May 29th, 1873. IV. Also; this conference, since the commencement of its present session, has learned, with deep regret of the death of Father Spaythe, who departed to be with Christ, September 2d, 1873. Resolved, 1. That in the death of these brethren, we recognize the hand of our Father in Heaven, who doeth all things well. p50 2. That in the removal, by death, of these ministers of the Sandusky Annual Conference, it is deprived of the example of the good and great, and of the counsel of the wise, matured by many year's experience. 3. That we deeply sympathize with the bereaved families of the above named brethren, and pledge them our sympathy and prayers. 4. That the secretary of this conference send a copy of the above resolutions, respectively to the families of the deceased. 5. That one hour, to-morrow morning, from 10:30 to 11:30 o'clock, be devoted to remarks, on the death of the above named brethren, by members of this conference. And we name for these several services the following brethern, namely: In the case of Wm. Jones, M. Long. In the case of John Struble, D. S. Caldwell. In the case of D. G. Ogden, Wm. Mathers. In the case of H. G. Spaythe, A. Biddle.
At the appointed time appropriate remarks were made by the brethren designated, after which the conference passed upon the names of the deceased brethren by a standing vote, and with bowed heads. The following members were added to the conference, M. A. Powers, J. W. Powell, J. Coup, P. p51 Warner, and R. Trask; J. B. Resler and W. W. Knipple on their transfers. The year 1874 was recognized as our Centenary year, and the bishops had arrangements, to make it a year of ingathering of money for the different interests of the church, the conference appointed a committee to arrange he time, and objects for which these collections be taken. The following is their report: We, your Committee on Centenary interests, would respectfully present the following preamble: According to the recognized history of our church the year 1874 is recognized as the centenary year of our church—1774 being the year in which the first independent congregation was formed in Baltimore by Rev. Wm. Otterbein and the officers of his congregation. Our heavenly father has granted unto us substantial prosperity in the century of our past history. Our church is being represented among the busy throngs of the east, and holding up the standard of the cross to the peculiar civilization of our western coast Therefore the place we occupy as a church in this land of prosperity, our duty as Americans and our honor as Christians belonging to Sandusky Conference, it behooves us to so honor our centenary year that the foundations we now lay may be looked upon with gratitude and honest pride by those who shall crowd our streets, till our farms, and commune at our altars a hundred years to come. The p52 intelligent and successful action of some of our sister churches, our duty to ourselves and the world around us all conspire in this critical year of our church life to urge upon us such course of action as will aim at the strengthening of the walls of Zion and redound to the glory of God. We would now call your attention to the course of action recommended by our Board of Bishops: 1. That there be a centenary meeting held in every society throughout the church between the 1st of January, 1874, and the 1st of January, 1875, and that at these meetings collections be taken up as thank offerings. 2. That the funds thus secured be equally divided between the Missionary Society, the endowment fund of Union Biblical Seminary, and the Church Erection Society, except when otherwise directed by the donors. 3. As it is necessary for success that there be a uniform plan in this work, we recommend that each minister in charge of a field of labor deliver one or more discourses on the rise, progress, and genius of our church government in every organized society. 4. That special centenary meetings be held at such places as the respective quarterly conferences may direct; the preacher getting all the help he can from every source, and that these meetings be held, if at all practicable, in the months of January and February, 1874. p53 5. That we make this centenary year a year of prayer, war and sacrifice for the special advancement of the three great interests named by the bishops. 6. That this conference appoint a sub-treasurer to receive all moneys thus raised and transmit it to the general treasurer, except the amount used for local purposes, which is also to be reported to the general treasurer, Rev. D. Berger, Dayton, Ohio.
The report of the committee on resolutions is inserted here, showing the position of the church upon the great moral questions of the day, which is agitating the public mind: RESOLUTIONS, The Committee on Resolutions made their report, which was adopted. We, your Committee on Resolutions, report as follows: We believe that, as ministers of the gospel of Christ and stewards of the manifold grace of God, it becomes us in all things to be examples of the flock. 1. In seeking for the great fullness of salvation from sin. 2. In abstaining from every appearance of evil Therefore, Resolved, 1. That we now reconsecrate ourselves to the service of God and the great work of the p54 ministry, humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God, deploring our past unfaithfulness, and humbly seeking grace for time to come. 2. That in view of the growing evils of the time, we set our faces and raise our voices against, 1. Intemperance in all its forms, including the use, as a beverage, of all intoxicating drinks, vinous, distilled, or fermented. The use of tobacco in any form, as a gratification of vitiated appetite, and the immoderate use of things that are good. 2. Sabbath desecration in doing labor on the ! Lord's day; in social visiting, and in attending meetings for mental culture and social entertainment without regard to religion. 3. Lasciviousness, by which the mighty have fallen, and innumerable evils have been entailed upon own fallen race. The next conference was held at Westerville, Franklin Co., September 16th, 1874. J. Weaver was presiding bishop. This was outside the bounds of the conference, but being the seat of Otterbein University, and Sandusky being one of the cooperating conferences, it was thought by holding its session under the shadow of this institution of learning, it would bring the conference into closer sympathy with the school, and thus secure it friends and students. So by special request of the citizens of Westerville this session was held there, which proved in the main to be a pleasant and harmonious one; p55 not only satisfactory to the conference itself, but to those that entertained as well. The following members were received: H. F. Hartzell, H. L. Downing, W. C. Meek and I. H Green. A. Orr was received on his transfer and A. J. Klingle from the M. E. Church. The committee to whom our centenary interests was committed made their report, which was amended and adopted as follows: CENTENARY COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Whereas, In the providence of God it has been our good fortune to have our existence in the world, and in this the church of our choice, at the period of the termination of the first hundred years of its existence; and, Whereas, The history of this church has been signalized through all the past by the most unmistakable demonstrations of the divine presence, in the success that has characterized all its efforts from its infancy, under the fostering care of its founders and their successors, down to the present; therefore, Resolved, 1. That we deem it to be our highest as well as our most pleasant duty and privilege to express to our kind and beneficent heavenly Father a tribute of gratitude, corresponding as nearly as may be, to the numerous blessings that we as a church have, under God, enjoyed through all these years. p56 2. That while other churches, which have been less careful in guarding the purity and sanctity of their altars, have far outstripped us in the race to popular fame and numerical strength, yet, we though somewhat slow, have made sure and steady progress in all the Christian and moral reforms that have distinguished the general church of America. 3. That while our position as a church in relation to American slavery retarded our seeming prosperity in the slave states for many years, yet an infinitely wise God sustained us all through this fiery ordeal to which our antislavery antecedents had subjected us, till in God's own time he has seen fit to vindicate his own justice and the righteousness of our legislation on this question, until now in this regard our principles are indorsed by the legislative enactments of this great nation, and approval by the universal sanction of all truly civil and christian powers to earth. 4. That we attribute our success in the various reforms of the past and present to the fact that our legislation on these questions has been prohibitory, thereby guarding the very portals against any encroachments into our communion and fellowship by unworthy and designing persons. 5. That we would recommend, in view of the financial crisis that to a great extent interferes with our desired success in our centenary collections, that these efforts be continued for two years instead p57 of one—thereby hoping to realize an amount for various enterprises of the Church worthy the name of a centenary offering. 6. That we would urge upon our ministers and all concerned to continued and special efforts during the entire year of 1874, to raise centenary funds for the purposes recommended by the late General Conference, and that this conference appoint some one available for each district, who can take hold of this work, and hold centenary-meetings, in co-operation with the preachers on their respective fields, for said purposes, between now and January 1st, 1875, and thereafter the preachers continue, in private and public, to work on in this cause, as per fifth item in this report. 7. That the presiding elders take the oversight of these meetings, make appointments, and secure suitable persons to attend them. 8. That Otterbein University be recognized as one of the chief objects of centenary benevolence in connection with the interests designated by the General Conference.
An increase of 274 members reported over last year's report whole number 7,124, collected for missions $3,358,000 a decrease of $123.00; collected for all purposes $49,070.76. p58 The conference met in its forty-third session, in Galion, Crawford Co,, September 8th, 1875. The presiding bishop J. Weaver opened the conference with the usual religious services. The following applicants were licensed to preach: J.Paul, C. L. Bevington, H. C. Bevington, J. J. Strohl, N. S. Long, I. Freeze and L. Sharp; B. B. Beebe was received on transfer, and B. M. Long from the Congregational Church. The missionary and educational work received special attention by speeches and resolutions to give greater efficiency to these factors of the church to lead the masses to better, happier and more useful lives. Dr. Thompson, of Otterbein University, delivered an address on religious education that was highly appreciated by all who heard it; Rev. J. B. Resler spoke in behalf of Union Biblical Seminary and secured on the conference floor the amount of $240.00 to aid in the purchase of a library. In 1876 the conference convened in Findlay, Hancock Co., September 6th, with Bishop Weaver in the chair. At this conference the subject of establishing an institution of learning within its bounds was discussed. A board of trustees was appointed, with instructions to locate and open such an institution as soon as sufficient money could be secured. These preliminary steps soon led to the founding of Fostoria Academy. This institution has been in operation nearly eight years, and has p59 had as fine a class of young men and ladies as ever filled the halls of any institution of learning, who have been an honor to the school and a blessing to the church, and were it not for the heavy debt that like a millstone hangs about its neck would prove in the years to come a greater blessing than it has in the years that are past. Who will lift this heavy burden from its shoulders and place it upon a plane of greater usefulness? It must be done soon or the opportunity will have passed forever. Bishop Edwards having died during the year memorial services were held by the conference as a small tribute of respect to him who had so often presided over its deliberations. Touching remarks were made by Bishop Weaver and others on the life and labors, and triumphant death of this faithful servant of God. The committee on memoirs made the following report: REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MEMOIRS. Resolved, 1. That we hereby express our appreciation of the life and labors of our late lamented bishop, David Edwards, D. D., and would bow submissively to the divine Providence removing him from our midst. 2. That we remember with satisfaction the admirable qualities in his character of honest industry, p60 unvaried frankness, uniform integrity in all the relations of life, as worthy of emulation. 3. That we feel with keenness the loss and vacancy occasioned by his death, but will still seek to profit by his admonitions, counsels, reproofs, sound bible teaching, and exemplary life. 4. That we condole with the family of the deceased, and the friends in the church generally, in the severe loss, and pray God that the especial tenderness, devotion, and constancy in the decline of his life may sweetly insinuate itself into all our hearts and be a controlling element in our lives, and that as he could not live longer to preach salvation by faith in Christ, we, who yet live, will take up the devout message with more earnestness, if possible, than ever in the past. 5. That we will seek to embalm his memory by endeavoring to endow a scholarship of $5,000.00 in Otterbein University, to be under the control of the faculty of said college, for the education of worthy young men for the ministry of Christ. 6. That we suggest to our publishing agent the propriety of issuing from our office—in our Sabbath School library—the life of Bishop Edwards. Rev. William Clippinger was born in Salem, Montgomery Co., Ohio, April 17, 1841. He was converted to God at about eighteen years of age, in Bellfontaine, under the ministerial labors of Rev. Mr. Parker. He came with his parents to Ottawa—as nearly as we p61 know—in 1860. He attended Otterbein University over two years. During this time he was held in high esteem for his piety, social qualities, and faithfulness as a student. Let his example in the culture of his mind be followed by others. Education with grace is a source of much power for good. Bro. Clippinger married the estimable daughter— Mary Malinda—of that pioneer of the United Brethren in Christ, in Putnam Co., Ohio, Wm. Galbreath, July 19, 1865. Two years before this, in 1863, he received license to preach the gospel of Christ, under the eldership of Rev. M. Bulger. He joined the annual conference in 1864, entered the itinerancy in 1866, and was ordained to the office of elder in 1873, Bishop Weaver presiding. He traveled on Bucyrus Circuit part of one year ; on Powell's Creek Circuit, and on Beaver Creek Circuit, where failing health obliged him to cease the work. He was by profession a teacher, and after entering the ministry part of his time was spent in this calling. He stood among the foremost Sabbath School workers in the conference,' and was a leading spirit in this work in his own county. As an itinerant he was faithful and industrious, and gave promise of large usefulness. He died after a lingering illness of over one year, at his own home in Ottawa, Putnam County, Ohio, in the triumphs of a Christian faith, April 22, A. D. 1876, aged 34 years, 11 months and 25 days, the funeral services being conducted by Rev. T. J. p62 Harbaugh. Me was plain and argumentative in his preaching, industrious and faithful in his pastoral work, looked carefully after the general interest of the church, and was becoming more and more earnest and pathetic in his pulpit ministrations. We condole with the family and friends of the deceased, and as a conference remember Brother Clippinger with kindness, bowing in submission to the divine will. Respectfully submitted.
The following report on Missions is worthy a place here: REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MISSIONS. When we look at the moral condition of the inhabitants of earth, consisting as they do of about fourteen hundred million souls redeemed by the blood of Christ, we will find that probably not over three hundred and fifty or four hundred millions bear the name of Christian. Many of those bear that hallowed name in vain, being confirmed in unbelief, or are the slaves of sinful lust or habits. Probably not over fifty millions seen by the inscrutable eye of God are seen in salvation's ark. Many of those who are without, are sunken in their filthy and vicious habits beyond the power of human language to describe; and, p63 Whereas, God has indicated his will by prophecy, promise, and parable, that they should be illuminated and saved; and, Whereas, He has thrown this evangelizing work directly upon his church in such a way that to refuse to do it is to forfeit the Christian name, and also become stained with the blood of our brethren; therefore, Resolved, 1. That we will push forward our missionary work, both domestic and foreign, with unremitting zeal, striving to bring out all the unemployed resources of the church by talking on this subject in the family circles which we enter, and on all other suitable occasions. 2. That we will solicit annual contributions from all our people after an earnest and forcible public presentation of its claims. 3. That we are highly gratified with the success which has attended our foreign missions. Especially do we most heartily approve of the effort to establish an industrial school in connection with our African mission; and we most heartily pledge them our sympathy and co-operation. J. A. Crayton. The following brethren were received into the conference: J. E. Hill, J Aumiller, A. J. Nichols, and G. P. Macklin; O. H. Ramsey was received from the M. E. Church. p64 The conference held its next session at Fostoria Seneca Co., commencing September 12th, 1877 Bishop Dixon presiding. This conference was perhaps the most largely attended of any one ever held 94 being present and only 10 absent. The following applicants were licensed to preach: M. E. Spahr M. Dewitt Long, I. P. Lea, Z. Kirk, J. W. Eastman, J. W. Myers and D. O. Tussing. The general conference having passed a law at its late session authorizing the annual conferences to adopt lay delegation when two-thirds so desired it, the subject was taken up, but in view of a contemplated division of the conference, the matter was laid over for one year. Death had again invaded our ranks, and the announcement was made that S. Essex, one of our most efficient itinerants had gone to rest. The following paper was adopted: MEMOIR OF REV. SAMUEL ESSEX. In the afflictive dispensations of divine Providence we, as a conference, are again called to mourn. Rev. Samuel Essex fell asleep in Jesus, April 11, 1877, aged 59 years, 4 months, and 15 days. His, labors in the ministry of the gospel embraced twenty-three years. His record on the various fields he traveled shows that his was a successful itinerant life. Though not obtrusive in his manner of work yet he aimed to be vigilant and careful in the work p65 of saving souls. That work was cut short by the hand of Death, perhaps only to human sight; but his example and influence will live on, and tell in the records of the now unfolding future. His faith was firm to the end; and a frequent expression in his last affliction was, "I am as firm as a rock." He often referred to his exclusive trust in the atonement made by the blood of Christ He has gone but "a little before the rest of us. Now realizing what "eye hath not seen nor ear heard," he would no doubt say to us, "Be faithful," and beckon us up to enjoy the glory of the redeemed. Let us labor and wait a little while, and then realize what he has entered upon.
The conference for 1878 was held in Vanlue, Hancock Co., August 28th. J. Dixon the presiding bishop opened the conference by the useful services. At this conference that part lying south of the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne railroad was taken off according to an act of the General Conference, taking twenty ministers and 1,113 members, reducing our membership from 7,961 to 6,748 and ministerial force from 104 to 84. Death having removed since our last meeting H. C. Bevington, A. Spracklin and p66 D. Glancy. The following committee on memoirs was appointed: J. French, J. Bever and M. Long who made the following report: Whereas, In the Providence of our Heavenly Father, three of our ministerial brethren, viz, Alfred Spracklin, Daniel Glancy and H. C. Bevington have been removed by death during the past conference year. Therefore, Resolved, 1. That while we meekly bow t6 the divine will in taking these brethren from labor to reward, we deeply feel the loss in their removal both in the conference and in the church, and we sincerely express our deep sorrow by pouring out our sympathies and mingling our tears with the afflicted and grief stricken hearts of their bereaved families. Resolved, 2. That a copy of this report be forwarded to the "Telescope" office for publication. We recommend that the hour of three o'clock P. M. to-day be set apart by this conference to make honorable mention of these beloved departed brethren and that brethren be requested to deliver addresses on their lives, labors and death, viz: on A. Spracklin, A. Biddle; D. Glancy, T. J. Harbaugh; on H. C Bevington, L. Moore. Brother Glancy had been a member of the conference thirty-three years. He was strongly attached to his church; sound in theology, and a christian in the broadest sense of that term. Brother Bevington had just commenced upon a career of usefulness, and p67 why he should be cut down in the morning of life, must remain to us a mystery, until revealed by Him who doeth all things according to his own will. The following brethren were licensed to preach: S. H. Brake, R. Fought, J. Walker and J. Sargent Bishop Dixon held the next session of the conference at Columbus Grove, Putnam County, commencing September 10th, 1879. The following applicants after examination were admitted to membership in the conference: J. A. Young, W. H. Evans, C. H. Lemmon, M. H. Tussing, J. P. Rigg, J. E. Husted, A. B. Leonard, J. Kirk and T. C. McCurdy; E. A. Starkey was received on his transfer. Nothing of special interest out of the usual order of business was transacted at this conference. The missionary, and educational work of the conference was carefully looked after, and such action taken as it was believed would best advance these important interests of the church. The woman's work was fully recognized by the conference, and expressions of encouragement and help proffered by the passage of the following resolution: "We thank God that the women of this church, engaged in the missionary work in an organized form, and are having a good degree of success; and we pledge our sympathy and encouragement in the good work in which they are engaged, and will render them all the assistance we can consistently with our other duties." On Saturday evening the claims of the Woman's p68 Missionary Society were presented by Mrs. Emeline Day, Mrs. Emeline Bender and others after which a collection was taken of 818.22 for the erection of a mission house in Africa under the care of the Woman's Missionary Society of this church. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
