USA > Iowa > A history of the Church of the Brethren in southern Iowa > Part 10
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Answer to both .- We recommend that each congregation assist their ministers to spread the Gospel in their own Districts, and
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MINUTES
adopt the change asked for in the latter query, for general mission- ary work.
6. Will the District Meeting of the Southern District of Iowa petition Annual Meeting to repeal the Mandatory Act?
Two more papers were read, embodying the same request. Answer .- This District Meeting asks Annual Meeting to do SO.
It was decided that the Missionary Board, composed of D. Zook, Martin Replogle and A. McPrice, hold over another year.
Eld. Isaac Barto was chosen to represent the District on Stand- ing Committee of A. M. His address is Stanton, Montgomery Co., Iowa.
Decided to have minutes of this meeting printed, and three dollars contributed to the clerk for that purpose.
After devotional exercises, and with apparent fraternal feel- ings throughout, the meeting closed.
Geo. S. Wine, Clerk.
John Thomas,
Moderator.
MINUTES OF 1884
The District Meeting of the Southern District of Iowa met in the Libertyville church, Jefferson Co., Iowa, May 23, 1884.
John Thomas, moderator; Samuel Flory, reading clerk; and Geo. S. Wine, writing clerk.
The different churches composing the District, were called and responded as follows :
Fairview J. W. Hawn
Libertyville
J. H. Filmore, D. Holder
Decatur Co. S. A. Garber
Pleasant Valley
Not represented
Grand River Not represented
Adams Co. Not represented
English River
Samuel Flory, Geo. S. Wine
South Keokuk C. Wonderlich, John Frits
Crooked Creek .John Thomas Nishna Valley By letter
Not represented Irish Grove
Middle Creek
John Gable, Peter. Pfoutz
Marion Co. Jonathan Beard
Monroe Co. Not represented
Isaac Barto Pleasant Ridge
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
Letter from Nishna Valley church was read, signed by S. H. Brown, R. Whistler, A. Zook and others.
A letter was presented signed by M. Herman, Adair Co., Iowa, stating that a church had been organized there last fall, and claiming representation, but, as Adair County is in the Middle District of Iowa, this meeting authorized the clerk to correspond with the brethren up there, to ascertain the location and other particulars of the newly-organized church.
The following query was the only one before the meeting :
Will this meeting ask District Meeting to reconsider query 1 of Minutes of District Meeting of 1881; in giving certificates of membership, the clause in full "fellowship" was omitted. Could we not use the word "fellowship" so we could use the printed certificates? Answer .- Decided to grant the request.
The missionary cause having moved rather slowly, consider- able discussion took place as to adopting a different system instead of the present one, but it was finally decided to make no change except in the manner of collecting funds for same, by enjoining it upon the elders of each congregation to instruct and urge their members to "lay by in store the first day of the week," and pay to their treasurer, and he transmit quarterly to the general treas- urer, Martin Replogle, Unionville, Appanoose Co., Iowa.
It was decided to hold the present board another year, and that they be urged to report to next District Meeting.
It was decided to send a delegate to represent this District on the Standing Committee of A. M., and Samuel Flory elected.
A committee was appointed to apportion the expenses of the delegate among the several Districts, and their report was accepted and committee discharged.
The following resolution was passed :
Resolved, That this District Meeting earnestly urges the con- gregations composing the Southern District to be represented by delegate at our District Meetings.
It was decided to have the proceedings of this meeting printed, and $2.98 was contributed and given the clerk for that purpose.
After a season of devotion, and with harmonious and fraternal feelings manifest, the meeting closed.
John Thomas, Moderator.
Geo. S. Wine, Clerk, South English, Iowa.
MINUTES OF 1885
Meeting held in the Middle Creek church, Mahaska Co., May 1, 1885.
Samuel Flory, moderator; Isaac Barto, reading clerk; Geo. Wine, writing clerk.
The roll of the churches was then called and responded to as follows :
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MINUTES
Fairview Martin Replogle
Libertyville J. H. Eshelman
By letter Decatur Co.
Pleasant Valley
Not represented
Grand River Not represented
Not represented
Adams Co.
W. H. Black, Noah Miller
English River
South Keokuk . C. Wonderlich, Isaac Shelly
Crooked Creek David Rittenhouse
Nishna Valley Not represented
Irish Grove Not represented
Middle Creek J. Trager, H. McMain
Marion Co.
Jonathan Beard
Monroe Co. Not represented
Isaac Barto
Pleasant Ridge
Letter from Decatur church signed by S. A. Garber and L. D. Garber.
The following business papers were read and considered :
1. We, the Brethren in council, assembled in Marion Co., do ask the Southern District, Is it in accordance with the Gospel and order of the Brethren for members to absent themselves from the regular appointments for six to twelve months, and especially of- ficial members, and if not, what is to be done with such mem- bers? Answer .- We adopt the decision of A. M. in '70, which reads as follows: We consider it wrong for members to absent themselves from meeting, and should they do so three or four times, they should be visited to ascertain the cause, and if no good reason can be given, they should be admonished. Heb. 10: 24-25.
2. When the elder who has oversight of the church knows of any misconduct in any of his members, is it his duty to take the proper steps to have the matter adjusted according to the gospel order, and if need be have the case brought before the church council, or should he wait to have the case pressed upon him by some of the other members? Answer .- When an elder knows a case of the kind mentioned above, it is his duty to take the proper steps to right the trouble on hand.
3. Inasmuch as A. M. has decided against the use of the Breth- ren's Hymnals in the churches in time of public worship, Art. 20, 1873, also Art. 25, 1874, and the Brethren's Pub. Co. urge the use of them, and some congregations do use them, which is inconsistent, we ask this A. M. to adopt some measures by which this incon- sistency may be removed. Passed to A. M.
Does this District Meeting consider that churches that do not respond to the call for their quota of expenses incurred by the Southern District are doing their duty? And if not, what will it say in regard to such neglect? Answer .- This District Meeting
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
decides that churches that do not respond to such calls are neglect- ing their duty in carrying on the work of the church, as well as the injunction of the apostle Paul in Gal. 6: 2, and we hereby en- courage and urge the churches to promptness in these duties.
The Missionary Board reported $22.67 expended for missionary work, and $37.33 in the treasury. The following brethren were elected to constitute the board for the ensuing year : D. W. Hard- man, president ; Levi Whistler, treasurer; Alexander McPrice, sec- retary, either of whom can be addressed at Unionville, Appanoose Co., Iowa. The missionary system is left the same, and wish it understood that the missionary work of this District applies only where there are isolated members and no minister, and that all ministers in the second and third degrees are considered evangel- ists, and that calls for preaching must be made through the board, and may be made either by the parties who want preaching or the minister who is to do the work.
It was decided to represent the District on Standing Commit- tee of A. M., and Isaac Barto was duly elected. It was estimated that it would be necessary to raise $35 to bear the expenses of the said delegate, which was apportioned among the churches as fol- lows :
Fairview
$3.50
South Keokuk 2.50
Libertyville
4.50
Crooked Creek 2.50
Grand River
1.50
Irish Grove 1.50
English River
5.00
Monroe Co.
3.50
Pleasant Valley
1.00
Nishna Valley
1.00
Decatur Co.
3.50
Middle Creek
2.00
Adams Co.
2.50
Marion Co.
.75
Pleasant Ridge
1.00
It is expected that each church will forward without further notice to Isaac Barto, Stanton, Montgomery Co., Iowa. It was de- cided to have these minutes printed, and $3.20 given the clerk for that purpose.
A request for District Meeting in '86 came from South Keokuk, also from English River. The meeting decided in favor of South Keokuk. The English River church asked that if they did not get the meeting in '86, they wished their request to stand for '87. After another season of devotion, and with a manifestation of Christian love, the meeting closed.
Geo. S. Wine, Clerk.
Samuel Flory, Moderator.
MINUTES OF 1886
The brethren and sisters representing the Southern District of Iowa, met in the South Keokuk church, Keokuk Co., Iowa, on the 30th day of April, 1886.
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MINUTES
Isaac Barto, moderator; Hiram Berkham, reading clerk, and Geo. S. Wine, writing clerk. It was agreed that no rules were necessary to govern the meeting, except those laid down in the Gospel, which enjoin Christian courtesy and a regard for each other's feelings.
The roll call of the different churches was responded to as follows :
Fairview D. Zook
Libertyville John Eshelman
Decatur Not represented
Pleasant Valley Not represented
Grand River Not represented
Adams Co. By letter
English River
D. Niswander, Geo. L. Wine
South Keokuk Isaac Shelly, Isaac Brown
Crooked Creek A. Sanger, Benj. Miller
Nishna Valley Not represented
Irish Grove By letter
Middle Creek
John Gable, Peter Pfoutz
Marion Co. Jonathan Beard
Monroe Co. Hiram Berkman
Pleasant Ridge
. Isaac Barto
The letter from Adams Co. church was signed by Lewis M. Kob, David Markley, and John M. Follis.
The letter from Irish Grove was signed by M. J. Thomas and I. J. Thomas.
The following queries were presented for consideration, and acted upon apparently in the fear of the Lord:
1. Would it not be well for the minutes of both District and Annual Meeting, to be read before each congregation as soon as practicable after such meetings are held ?
Answer .- We think it would, and Annual Meeting has, many years ago, enjoined it upon elders to read to their congregations the proceedings of Annual Meeting.
2. Can a brother be retained in the church who has joined the organization known as the Grand Army of the Republic, or how is such a member to be dealt with?
Answer .- We decide he cannot, and such should be admonished, and if he will not accept the admonition, should be dealt with ac- cording to Matt. 18.
3. We. the members of the Middle Creek church, Mahaska Co., are not in favor of Bro. Howard Miller's move in getting up a book called the "Record of the Faithful," as we look upon it as only a speculation. King David fell under the displeasure of
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
God for the same act. 2 Sam. 10-15. District Meeting please dis- pose of this as it thinks best.
Answer .- In consideration of the above, this District Meeting sends to Annual Meeting the following petition :
Whereas, Bro. Howard Miller announced, in Gospel Messenger, No. 8, dated Feb. 23, 1886, his purpose of reissuing the "Record of the Faithful," this District Meeting of Southern Iowa, petitions Annual Meeting to forbid the numbering of the membership of the church, without the consent of the church through Annual Meet- ing.
4. Inasmuch as there are certain churches in the Southern District of Iowa that are out of order-following the vain and foolish fashions of the world-the wearing of hats, bustles, and ruffles by the sisters, and some of the brethren following the height of fashion of the world-the wearing of the mustache and other- wise conforming to the order of the world, which is not tolerated by the general Brotherhood or Gospel-or churches that may be otherwise out of order that may be a hindrance to the growth of true Christianity, will this District Meeting make it obligatory upon our elders to visit such churches and set in order things that may be wanting?
Answer .- Inasmuch as Annual Meeting has already made it obligatory upon elders to comply with the request of this query, we urge that elders do not neglect this duty.
The report of the Missionary Board being next in order, and none of the members of the board being present, Bro. D. Zook reported for them; but as he seemed doubtful of the correctness of it, the clerk afterwards received the following corrected report from the treasurer of the board : Amount received, $50.12. Paid out for missionary work, $14.30. Balance on hand, $35.82. Brethren laboring in the missionary field reported no accessions, but an en- couraging interest and many calls for preaching. It was decided to continue the same system already adopted, and this meeting seeming more than usually awake to the importance of the work, it is desired that more persevering efforts be made in replenishing the treasury, and a more extended work in the disbursement of the same. The board is hereby instructed not to advance money before the work is done. The members of the present board were reelected for the ensuing year, viz., D. W. Hardman, president; Levi Whistler, treasurer ; and Alexander McPrice, secretary ; either of whom can be addressed at Unionville, Appanoose Co., Iowa.
It was decided to represent this District on Standing Commit- tee of Annual Meeting, and John Thomas was duly elected dele- gate.
It was decided to have these minutes printed, and $3.70 was given the clerk for that purpose.
Applications for next District Meeting came from English River, as a reward of their request of last year, also from the Adams Co. church, and one from the Fairview church. The dele-
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MINUTES
gates from English River being so authorized, withdrew their re- quest in favor of Western applications, and the meeting decided in favor of Adams Co. church. Fairview church requested that if they did not get the meeting for '87, they wished their request to stand for '88.
After another season of devotion, in which all seemed to raise their hearts in gratitude to the Giver of all blessings, for this en- joyable season of pleasant deliberations and social enjoyment to- gether, the meeting closed.
Geo. L. Wine, Clerk.
Isaac Barto, Moderator.
MINUTES OF 1887
Meeting held in the Mt. Etna church, Adams Co., Iowa, April 27, 1887.
John Thomas, moderator ; Michael Herman, reading clerk; Geo. S. Wine, writing clerk.
The representation of the different local churches was as fol- lows :
Fairview By letter
Libertyville By letter
Decatur Wm. J. Stout
Pleasant Valley Not represented
Grand River
Not represented
Mt. Etna
David Markley, John Follis
English River C. M. Brower, Geo. S. Wine
South Keokuk
. By letter Crooked Creek
. John Thomas
Nishna Valley Jacob Royer Irish Grove Not represented Middle Creek . By letter
Marion County Jonathan Beard
Monroe County . By letter
Daniel McDannel Pleasant Ridge
An application was presented by an organized church in Adair County, to be accepted and recognized by the Southern District of Iowa as the Adair church, and was so accepted and represented at this meeting by Michael Herman.
It was decided to adopt the present rule of Annual Meeting, viz., That if a decision cannot pass by the unanimous voice of the meeting, it shall be decided by a two-thirds majority of the dele- gates. No other rules were adopted for the government of the
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
meeting, hoping that all would suffer themselves to be controlled by the Spirit of the Lord.
The following queries and other business were presented and disposed of as herein stated.
. 1. Inasmuch as there has been sad experience where dissatis- fied or expelled members had obtained committees and then brought up and caused to be investigated, matters that had passed through the church a longer or shorter time previous to their own case, concerning which there never has been dissatisfaction manifested, will not this Annual Meeting restrict members and committees to the investigation of such matters only, as can be shown to have been the cause of continual dissatisfaction and would have a hurt- ful influence if left alone ?
Passed to Annual Meeting with the following answer: "The Southern District of Iowa asks Annual Meeting to grant the above with the proviso, that the committee shall be the judge as to whether the evidence is sufficient to demand an investigation."
2. We, the brethren of Mt. Etna church, request the Southern District of Iowa to request Annual Meeting to appoint five or more to formulate a plan for, and establish an Old Folks' Home. The design shall be for the support and maintenance of our beloved brethren and sisters, and, as the Nazarites of old, to live an ad- vanced, higher, spiritual life.
Answer .- Decided to defer this request indefinitely.
3. Is Art. 45, 1862, to be understood to mean that churches shall under all circumstances, grant expelled members a committee or have they the right to act according to the nature of the case and the circumstances connected with it, or has said Art. 45 been changed by later decisions? Passed to Annual Meeting.
4. From the Adair church, Iowa, to the District Meeting of Southern Iowa : Has a church organization whose territory is near the District boundary line, a right to withdraw from the District to which it geographically belongs and call for recognition in another District ?
Answer .- A local church has no right to do so.
A petition was presented, asking for a committee to visit the English River church. After consideration of the same, it was sub- mitted for decision but failing to be decided unanimously and also failing to obtain a decision by a two-thirds vote of the delegates, the matter was submitted to a committee of five brethren appointed by the meeting. In due time the committee reported that they de- cided to grant a committee. The report was accepted and the fol- lowing brethren were appointed to visit the English River church : John Gable, Hiram Berkman and Jonathan Beard.
Eld. Isaac Barto was chosen to represent this District on the Standing Committee of the coming Annual Meeting, at Ottawa, Kans.
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MINUTES
The Missionary Board presented their report as follows :
Amount in treasury at last report $35.09
Amount received during the year 5.25
Amount paid for missionary work during the year 14.57
Balance on hand $25.67
The following brethren were elected to constitute the Mission- ary Board for the ensuing year : A. H. Brower, president; Peter Brower, secretary; A. J. Wine, treasurer, all of whom can be ad- dressed at South English, Iowa.
The brethren of the Fairview church, Appanoose County, re- newed their request for the District Meeting for 1887, which was granted.
The Monroe County church requested the District Meeting for 1889, or as soon as the brethren see proper to grant it.
The English River church also requested the meeting as soon as it could be granted.
It was decided to have the minutes of this meeting printed and $3.40 given the clerk for that purpose.
After another season of devotion and a general expression of gratitude to the Great Giver of all good, and a solemn invoca- tion of his blessings upon the labor performed, the meeting closed.
John Thomas,
Moderator.
Geo. S. Wine, Clerk.
MINUTES OF 1888
Meeting held in the Fairview church, Appanoose Co., Iowa, April 20, 1888.
Eld. John Gable, moderator; Bro. Abraham Wolf, reading clerk; Bro. Isaac H. Miller, writing clerk.
The representation of the different churches was as follows :
Fairview Tazwell Gray, Henry Kingery
Libertyville James Glotfelty, Willis Rodabaugh
Decatur . Not represented
Pleasant Valley Not represented
Grand River . By letter
Mt. Etna
David Markley, S. Morton
English River Peter Brower
South Keokuk Not represented
Crooked Creek
Abraham Wolf
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
Nishna Valley Not represented
Irish Grove By letter
Middle Creek John Gable
Marion County Jonathan Beard
Monroe County Hiram Berkman, Lewis Miller
Pleasant Ridge Not represented
The following business was presented and disposed of as here- in stated :
1. Inasmuch as we have been told at different times that we had members in the Southern District of Iowa that were living in adultery, would it not be advisable for District Meeting to con- sider that matter, and have some investigation made, and if such members are found who are living in adultery, to have them dealt with according to the Gospel?
Answer .- After some discussion, the query was laid over until more information can be obtained.
2. We ask District Meeting of Southern District of Iowa to amend the missionary plan, by striking out the words (minutes of 1885) " the missionary work of the District applies only where there are isolated members and no minister," and authorize the Mission Board to send suitable brethren to preach the Gospel, distribute tracts, and build up churches where there are favorable openings. Any members knowing of places where good might be done, are requested and urged to inform the board of such localities.
Answer .- Request was granted.
3. Will the brethren of the Southern District of Iowa, as- sembled in council, agree to demand of all applicants for member- ship, to lay off their hats and. jewelry before they baptize them?
Answer .- It so agrees.
4. Would it not be in harmony with the spirit of the Gospel and the general order of the Brethren, when there is to be a choice for church officers, to first read the instructions of the Apostle Paul (1 Tim. 3rd chapter, also Titus 1st chapter) concerning the qualifications of church officials, by way of putting the mem- bers in remembrance of those things?
Answer .- We think it would.
5. Inasmuch as Annual Meeting has decided it to be wrong for husband and wife, when separating, to obtain a divorce and marry again as long as both parties live; is it right for members to make a marriage or infare feast for such, and also for other members to attend such a feast?
Answer .- It is not right.
6. The Fairview congregation. Appanoose Co., Iowa, petitions the District Meeting of the Southern District of Iowa to petition Annual Meeting to adopt the name of "Dunkard Brethren " as a permanent name.
Answer .- Passed.
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MINUTES
7. The Middle District of Iowa sent a request that the Southern District of Iowa cooperate in establishing an Orphans' Home as a State institution.
Decided to appoint a committee of three to confer with the Board of the Orphans' Home of the Middle District of Iowa in re- gard to the matter, and report to next District Meeting. Commit- tee appointed was Brethren Peter Brower, Adam H. Brower, A. J. Wine, all of South English, Iowa.
The present Missionary Board was reelected for the coming year: A. H. Brower, president; Peter Brower, secretary; A. J. Wine, treasurer, all of South English, Keokuk Co., Iowa.
The Missionary Board made the following report :
Amount in treasury at last report $25.67
Amount received during the year 7.46
Expended during the year 10.70
$22.43
Balance on hand
The report was accepted.
In accordance with Art. 21, Minutes of Annual Meeting of 1886, the meeting selected Eld. John Gable to act as a general missionary, subject to the choice of the General Church Erection and Missionary Committee.
Motioned, That a committee of three elders be appointed to co- operate with the Fairview church, in order to investigate the trouble in the Pleasant Valley congregation. Elders Lewis Kob, John Gable and Hiram Berkman were appointed as such commit- tee.
A request was presented by. Bro. J. Beard to raise the principal on a security note held by Sister Settle against Bro. David Sink, deceased. Deferred indefinitely.
Eld. John Gable was chosen to represent the District on the Standing Committee of the coming Annual Meeting, at North Manchester, Ind.
Decided to have the minutes of this meeting printed, and $3.05 given for that purpose.
The English River church renewed their request for the Dis- trict Meeting for 1889, which was granted.
The meeting was characterized by love, and a Christian spirit manifested during the session. After a season of devotion and thanks to the Great Giver of all blessings, the meeting closed.
John Gable, Moderator.
Isaac H. Miller, Clerk.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
MINUTES OF 1889
Meeting held in the English River congregation, Keokuk Co., Iowa, April 26, 1889.
Isaac Barto, moderator; Abraham Wolf, reading clerk; and George S. Wine, writing clerk.
The representation of the churches composing the District was found to be as follows :
Fairview Joseph Zook, Henry Whistler
Libertyville Ellis Peebler, Abraham Wolf
Decatur By letter
English River Noah Miller, Geo. S. Wine
South Keokuk Isaac Shelly, Isaac Brown
Crooked Creek A. Sanger, D. P. Miller
Middle Creek John Gable, B. F. Gillam
Pleasant Ridge
Isaac Barto
Mt. Etna By letter
Adair By letter
Grand River Not represented
Irish Grove .Not represented
Nishna Valley Not represented
The following business came before the meeting and was con- sidered, apparently, in the fear of the Lord, and disposed of as herein stated :
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