USA > Iowa > A history of the Church of the Brethren in southern Iowa > Part 9
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2. What shall be required of a sister, who has separated from her husband, and received a dowry, and then contracts debts for her husband? Answer .- She must pay the debts contracted and make satisfactory acknowledgment to the church.
3. Is it right to install ministers or deacons without laying on of hands? Answer .- Yes. See Minutes of Annual Meeting, Art. 27, 1850.
4. Can brethren in the second degree of the ministry install officers or advance a brother from the first to the second degree of the ministry? Considered out of order.
5. Is it according to the order of the Brethren for an elder to ask a brother in the first degree to administer baptism, when a brother in the second degree of the ministry is present? Answer. -- Not in order to do so, and the elder should make satisfaction to the aggrieved parties. See 1 Cor. 7: 17.
6. Can a minister ask the baptismal questions of the applicant before entering the water? Answer .- No, and he must acknowledge his wrong in so doing, and promise to do so no more.
7. Inasmuch as the new system of delegates to Annual Meet- ing is giving dissatisfaction, can we not amend the plan? Answer. -The District recommends that all members have equal privileges as formerly. Sent to Annual Meeting.
8. Is it right for a brother to teach that prayer and singing is not a part of the worship of God? Answer .- It is wrong to so teach, and a brother guilty of so doing should make acknowledg- ment and promise to do so no more.
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9. Is it right to have three styles and prices of Hymn Books? Decided to make no change at present.
10. Resolved that the stronger churches should bear their relative proportion of expense of delegate to Annual Meeting.
11. Resolved that the delegate to Annual Meeting should keep account of expenses and report the same to District Meeting.
12. Is it according to the Gospel and order of the Brethren for a minister to receive a salary for preaching? Not approved. See Minutes of Annual Meeting, Art. 41, 1866.
13. Elders Jacob Brower and J. S. Hanger delegates to the next Annual Meeting.
14. The next District Meeting to be held in the Iowa River church near Marshalltown.
MINUTES OF 1868
Iowa River church, near Marshalltown, Iowa, Sept. 24, 25, 1868. David Brower, moderator; Elias K. Beeghly, reading clerk ; J. S. Snyder, writing clerk.
1. Decided to pay traveling expense of delegates to Annual Meeting of 1868. and continue to do so. J. S. Snyder appointed treasurer to receive from each congregation what they are willing to give.
2. Can an elder authorize a minister of the second degree to hold elections and install ministers or deacons into office? Con- sidered out of order to do so. See Minutes of Annual Meeting, Art. 4, 1837. Sent to Annual Meeting.
3. Is it right for elders to permit members to take the benefits of the bankrupt law? It is wrong to so allow, and elders should make satisfaction to the church for so permitting.
4. Is it right according to the Gospel for members to advocate the Universalist doctrine? Considered not right and members doing so should make satisfaction to the church.
5. If a member commit a public offense, should the confession be made in public or to the members only? The acknowledgment should be made to the church only. Annual Meeting Minutes, Art. 15, 1850.
6. Is it right for elders to permit members to sue an outsider at law? Considered wrong to permit and elders should be dealt with according to the Scriptures. See 1 Tim. 5: 20.
7. If applicants for baptism request a brother in the first degree to baptize them, can the elder with two brethren in the second degree authorize him for that time? Considered not ex- pedient.
8. Is it according to the Gospel to have other than grape wine for communion? No.
9. Is it right to invite applicants for membership to come
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forward and receive the right hand of fellowship and be seated during singing? Not according to the Gospel.
10. Is it according to the Gospel and order of the Brethren for brethren traveling through the churches to publish their meet- ings and the conversions in the "Visitor and Companion "? We advise brethren to be very temperate in writing of their travels.
11. Should brethren lay aside all temporal matters while fast- ing? That is a matter of conscience.
12. As there is a growing inclination among our ministers to be remunerated for their services, could not this council place some restriction on the system? We resolve to concentrate our influence against this evil.
13. Inasmuch as we have tried the new system of delegates to Annual Meeting, and it has caused dissatisfaction, had we not better go back to the old way? Sent to Annual Meeting.
14. This District Meeting consents that the Annual Meeting of 1870 be in the Waterloo church, near Waterloo, Iowa.
15. David Brower and E. K. Beeghly are the delegates to the next Annual Meeting.
MINUTES OF 1869
Fairview church, Appanoose County, Sept. 16, 17, 1869.
G. R. Baker, moderator; J. D. Yoder, reading clerk; J. S. Snyder, writing clerk.
1. By motion and unanimous vote decided to divide the State into three Districts : The three southern tiers of counties, running east and west to form the Southern District; the fourth and fifth tiers to form the Middle District; the remainder of the State to form the Northern District.
2. Is it according to the Scriptures or order of the Brethren, for a brother to enter, or be interested in stock or other articles taken to a fair in order to secure a premium? No.
3. Is it in accordance with the spirit of the Gospel for a brother to voluntarily inform the civil authorities of any person selling liquors contrary to law? Considered not right for a brother to do so. Referred to the next Annual Meeting.
4. It is according to the Gospel and order of the Brethren to make the general visit or part of it by letter? Only allowable when they can't be visited personally.
5. A brother becoming involved, the church tried to raise the debt, but being unable to meet it, called upon adjoining churches to help, two brethren assuming the debt. Should the churches still aid these two brethren? The churches should respond as the Lord may enable them.
6. Should brethren take offense because a brother sets a sep- arate table for colored persons to eat their victuals? In such cases we should use forbearance and not get offended.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
7. A. Replogle and Jacob Brower chosen delegates to Annual Meeting to represent the Southern District; G. R. Baker and J. S. Snyder for the Middle District; the Northern District not being represented at this meeting no delegates were chosen for them.
8. A. Replogle, delegate on Standing Committee for . the Southern District, and G. R. Baker for the Middle District.
CHAPTER XVIII
Minutes of the District Meetings of the Southern District of Iowa
MINUTES OF 1876
Pursuant to previous notice the District Meeting of the South- ern District of Iowa convened at the meetinghouse in the English River church District, on Thursday, Oct. 19, 1876.
After the usual exercises of worship, the meeting was organ- ized by electing Elder John Thomas of Washington Co., modera- tor; B. F. Flory, reading clerk, and John Eshelman, of Jefferson Co., recording clerk.
The roll of the local churches being called, representatives responded as follows :
Fairview church Martin Replogle, Geo. B. Replogle
Libertyville . John Eshelman
Decatur S. A. Garber
Pleasant Valley James Beer
Prairie Grove William Groesbeck
Adams Co. By letter
English River Jacob Brower, Samuel Flory
South Keokuk
Chas. Wonderlich
Crooked Creek Stephen Yoder, Jacob Erb
Middle Creek . Stephen Miller
Marion Co. Johnathan Beard, Benj. Eby
Monroe Co.
Hiram Berkman
On motion, all members not belonging to the Southern District of Iowa, be admitted to take part in the deliberations of the meet- ing .- Carried.
Query 1. Whereas, our beloved brother, David Sink, of Ma- haska Co., has been for some years involved in debt, and is un- able to extricate himself, and as his influence for good, and his usefulness as a minister of the Gospel, is thereby much impaired; therefore, the Fairview church earnestly solicits this District Coun- cil to take such steps that in their wisdom they may deem best to raise means to relieve him, at as early a day as may be prac- ticable.
Answer .- Resolved, That a sufficient sum be raised in each local
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
Church District by voluntary subscription to pay the indebtedness on the land owned by James Settle, and due from David Sink, each District to raise as much as they can, if more than to pay said debt, to be applied on his other debts. The money so raised to be sent to Johnathan Beard, Durham Station, Marion Co., Iowa, and not later than the 25th of December, 1876. Send by draft or P. O. order; if order send on Knoxville P. O., Marion Co., Iowa.
Query 2. Is it consistent with our profession, as Christians, to demand personal security in business transactions ?
Answer .- It is in some cases. Passed.
Query 3. It is desired that this District Meeting give some scriptural authority (if there is any) showing wherein it is wrong to play on musical instruments, provided we play only such music as is suitable for devotional exercises.
Answer .- We think that the decisions of the Annual Meeting are sufficient. Passed.
Query 4. Is it against the teachings of the Scriptures or order of the Brethren, for brethren to attend neighborhood prayer meet- ings, and if not, is it right for them to take part?
Answer .- Not right according to Scripture or order of the Brethren. Passed.
Query 5. Is it in accordance with the spirit of the Gospel and order of the Brethren for members to offer the salutation of the kiss to those who are not members?
Answer .- It is not. Passed.
Query 6. How does the Annual Meeting understand the Fifth article of the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of 1866, when mem- bers have located in a church and have willingly neglected and refused to present their letters, as specified in said article? Has said church the authority to disown said members the same as transgressing members of that arm of the church, or has said church the authority only to withhold from such members all church fellowship?
Answer .- Decided to refer to Annual Meeting. Passed.
Query 7. A request for this District Meeting to take into con- sideration the propriety of changing the time of holding the Dis- trict Meeting from fall to spring.
Answer .- Decided to hold Annual District Meeting of Southern Iowa in the spring instead of fall. Passed.
Query 8. How do the Brethren assembled in District Council understand the anointing, spoken of by James, 5th chapter, 14th and 15th verses?
Answer .- Referred to decision of A. M.
Query 9. Will the District Meeting of the Southern District of Iowa send a delegate to the next Annual Meeting, or represent by letter ?
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Answer .- Represent by letter. Passed.
Concluded by the District Meeting that in case one or two elders go to the next Annual Meeting, they are to act as delegate for said Southern District of Iowa. Passed.
Also decided that the clerk give each church a copy of the proceedings of this meeting.
After the usual devotional exercises the meeting adjourned.
Elder J. Thomas,
Moderator.
B. F. Flory,
Clerk.
MINUTES OF 1881
On Monday, April 4, 1881, the delegates sent from the different churches of the Southern District of Iowa met at the Brethren meetinghouse, in the Libertyville arm of the church. After devo- tional exercises, the meeting was organized by electing Elder J. Thomas, moderator; S. Garber, reading clerk; James Glotfelty, secretary. By vote of members it was decided that the majority should rule in framing answers to queries.
The next in order was calling the roll for delegates, which resulted as follows :
Fairview church D. Zook, J. W. Hawn
Libertyville J. Glotfelty, D. Holder
Decatur S. Garber
Pleasant Valley Not represented
Grand River . By letter
Adams County Not represented
English River C. Brower, S. Flory
South Keokuk
C. Wonderlich, A. Wagner
Crooked Creek J. Thomas, A. Wolf
Middle Creek
Not represented
Marion
Not represented
Monroe Not represented
Nishna Valley
. By letter
Not represented Irish Grove
The letters were then read, after which the queries were pre- sented in the following order. It was decided, by motion, that each member may speak twice on each query presented-not more than ten minutes the first time, and not more than five minutes the second time :
Query 1. We earnestly entreat the District Meeting of South- ern Iowa in regard to giving certificates of membership, to omit the clause, in full fellowship, and merely say that they are mem-
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
bers. Answer .- This meeting decides that the above clause should be omitted.
2. We humbly petition the Brethren of the Southern District of Iowa to adopt the following resolution in regard to organizing and conducting our Sunday-schools : Resolved, That none but breth- ren should act as superintendent and assistant superintendent, and if possible have all members as teachers. Answer .- The above answer was agreed to by this meeting.
3. Is it right, and in accordance with the general tenor of the Gospel and of the Church of the Brethren, for brethren and sis- ters to conform to the fashions of the world in dress, or should they not conform to the order of the church? Answer .- Not right ; members should not follow the sinful fashions of the world, and should conform to the Gospel and order of the church.
4. Is it in accordance with the Gospel for a brother to sue a person not of the church, when he will not pay any other way? Answer .- Tabled, and resolved that we will adhere to decisions of Annual Meeting on queries of the above import.
5. Two queries of the same subject considered together : Is it becoming or in accordance with the order of the church for breth- ren, and especially for ministers, to wear mustache or goatee, or both, as the fashion of the world is? If not considered right, how are such brethren to be dealt with? Answer .- Referred to past de- cision of Annual Meeting.
6. Inasmuch as the minutes of Annual Meeting of 1880, which were printed at two different places, were not alike in the queries contained, we therefore ask Annual Meeting of 1881 to have the minutes hereafter more uniform in their contents than they were in 1880. Answer .- This District Meeting agrees with the above, and sends it to Annual Meeting.
7. This Annual Meeting is asked to reconsider article 26 of minutes of 1880 (Huntingdon copy), and if the present answer be readopted, to answer the following: If members may bring up, and committee investigate matters settled, as set forth in said article, how shall congregations transact business so as to be final, or have congregations no such power? Answer .- Decided to send the above to Annual Meeting.
8. We ask advice of Annual Meeting, through District Meet- ing, upon the following: A committee is sent by Annual Meeting to settle difficulties in a church; their report is accepted by the church, but dissatisfaction remains in regard to their proceedings ; queries are sent to the following Annual Meeting in regard to the matter, which Annual Meeting pronounces their proceedings illegal and contrary to the Gospel. See articles 23, 25 and 26 (Lanark copy), minutes of 1880. Should committee in such cases make satisfaction unto said church, or not? Answer .- This Dis- trict Meeting says they should make satisfaction. Sent to Annual Meeting.
9. Inasmuch as God is not the Author of confusion, but of
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peace (see 1 Cor., 14th chapter, 33d verse), and whereas the writ- ing and publishing of articles in the Progressive Christian has marred the peace of the church and is cultivating confusion and discord in consequence of above facts, we ask Annual Meeting of 1881 to take such steps as will stop the publishing of such dis- respectful and offensive articles in reference to our peculiarities in giving form to our costume, etc. Answer .- Tabled.
10. Is it right, according to the Gospel, to receive a lawyer into the Church of the Brethren, and permit him to continue his profession as a lawyer? Answer .-- Not right.
It was decided by this meeting to elect brethren for the mis- sionary board for the ensuing year who reside near the central part of the District. It was also decided to elect them from among the brethren of the Appanoose County church. The following brethren were elected: Elder D. Zook, president; Bro. Martin Replogle, treasurer ; Bro. Alexander McPrice, secretary. Also, giving the Appanoose church authority to fill up the board, if any refused to act in above capacity.
By motion it was decided to elect the evangelists for the en- suing year at this meeting. Bro. John Thomas was elected for eastern part of District ; Bro. Isaac Thomas, middle part of District ; S. A. Garber, western part of District. If any of the evangelists fail to act, the Mission Board shall have power to fill vacancies.
By motion it was decided that the different churches of the District hereafter instruct their delegates to District Meeting whom they shall vote for to act as evangelists for the ensuing year, it being understood that they are to be located as heretofore.
Motion that each church in the District appoint a solicitor to solicit funds for missionary purposes, to be forwarded to treasurer of District Board. Motion carried.
It was decided to send delegate to Annual Meeting as a mem- ber of the Standing Committee. Eld. John Thomas was selected for said delegate.
It was decided that each church in the District pay its quota toward bearing expenses of delegate to Annual Meeting. The amount required from each church is one dollar and fifty cents, which amount each church will remit to Bro. John Thomas, Keota, Keokuk County, Iowa, until or by the middle of May.
There being a call for District Meeting for the English River church, therefore the District Meeting of 1882 will be held with the brethren of the English River church, at such time as they may designate.
After devotional exercises the meeting was declared adjourned.
James Glotfelty, Secretary.
MINUTES OF 1882
The District Meeting of the Southern District of Iowa met May 1 in the English River church District. Eld. Daniel Zook,
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
of Appanoose Co., moderator; Eld. Samuel Flory, of Keokuk Co., reading clerk; and Eld. B. F. Flory, of Fremont Co., writing clerk.
The roll being called of the several arms of the church, it was responded to as follows :
Fairview two delegates, Daniel Zook and Martin Replogle
Libertyville two delegates, J. H. Filmore and Ellis Peebler
Decatur Not represented
Pleasant Valley Not represented
Grand River one delegate, M. Myers
Adams Co. Not represented
English River .two delegates, Samuel Flory and G. S. Wine South Keokuk, two delegates, C. Wonderlich and David Bowersox Crooked Creek two delegates, D. Rittenhouse and H. Etter
Nishna Valley one delegate, B. F. Flory
Irish Grove . By letter
Middle Creek two delegates, J. H. Neher and Peter Pfoutz Marion By letter Monroe one delegate, Daniel Miller, Jun.
Letters from different churches were then read. Irish Grove, signed M. J. and I. Thomas; Marion Co., signed J. Beard, D. Bowman, Jabus Ray. All members not residing in this District asked to take part in the meeting and unanimously granted. Queries were then called for and four presented.
Query 1. Is it right, according to the spirit of the Gospel and the order of the Brethren, for members to either offer or receive the salutation of the kiss, of expelled members.
Answer .- Decided, not right.
Query 2. If it is wrong to close a mortgage when the time for which it was given has expired, and the debt for which it was taken to secure, remains unpaid, is it not also wrong to take a mortgage to secure a debt?
Answer .- Decided to be governed by Annual Meeting of 1871, article (21) twenty-one.
Query 3. As it is contrary to the teaching of the Gospel for brethren to go to law with one another, is it right for the church to be governed by the law in adjusting difficulties between mem- bers, when the law would conflict with justice?
Answer .- Decided to settle according to justice.
Query 4. Is it according to the order of the Church of the Brethren for one brother to exact of another more than what is legal, or that which is known cannot be obtained by civil law when no special agreement was made to that effect?
Answer .- Decided not according to the Gospel or order of the Brethren.
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MINUTES
Next considered the proposition, to consider each church as a missionary board, having a fund in each church. Considered and decided to make no change, but let the former plan remain as adopted heretofore, and that the old board of the missionary fund remain as last year; also the solicitor to solicit aid, to be selected by each church; and in consequence of one of the evan- gelists having resigned, this meeting appointed Bro. A. Wolf to fill such vacancy.
The Monroe County church requested next District Meeting. Granted-time and place to be set by said church and published in time.
Minutes of this meeting to be printed and the excess of money paid in for printing be given to the missionary fund. Also, to let the B. at W. publication have the printing of Minutes.
Missionary Board is composed of Daniel Zook, president; Mar- tin Replogle, treasurer, and Alexander McPrice, corresponding sec- retary. Postoffice address of all, Unionville, Appanoose Co., Iowa.
Eld. J. Thomas, of Washington Co., P. O. address, Keota, was selected a delegate to next Annual Meeting and each church pay one dollar to defray expenses. Send money to him as directed above.
With the best of feeling throughout, after singing and prayer, the meeting closed.
B. F. Flory, Clerk.
Daniel Zook, Moderator.
MINUTES OF 1883
The District Meeting of the Southern District of Iowa met in the Monroe Co. church, April 20, 1883. John Thomas, moderator ; S. A. Garber, reading clerk; and Geo. S. Wine, recording clerk.
The roll of the several Districts being called, it was responded to as follows :
Fairview D. Zook, J. W. Hawn
Pleasant Valley Not represented
Libertyville John Filmore, D. Holder
Decatur
S. A. Garber
Grand River M. Meyers
Adams County Not represented
English River C. M. Brower, Geo. S. Wine
South Keokuk John Frits, D. Bowersox
Crooked Creek John Thomas
Nishna Valley
By letter
By letter Irish Grove
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
Middle Creek Peter Pfoutz, J. F. Neher
Monroe County Peter Miller, Isaac Miller
Marion County Jonathan Beard
Pleasant Ridge
Isaac Barto
Letters from the different Districts were next read. Letter from Irish Grove signed by M. J. Thomas, I. J. Thomas, W. W. Folger, Samuel Keffer. Letter from Nishna Valley signed by B. F. Flory, G. W. Stambaugh, Wm. A. Kershner, A. Zook.
The following business was then considered and disposed of : 1. Would it not be better, in consequence of the Nishna Val- ley church, Fremont Co., being so near the organized churches in Nebraska, to attach said church to the Nebraska District?
Answer .- We think it best not to grant it at present.
2. Inasmuch as there are new churches springing up in the different States, and many of them desire to have houses to wor- ship in, and not having sufficient means within themselves, are necessitated to call on the general Brotherhood to help: Will not this District Meeting petition Annual Meeting to devise means for a general treasurer of the whole Brotherhood, to assist those poorer churches in building houses for worship?
Answer .- We decide to drop this for the present.
3. Would it be a violation of the Gospel, for the brethren to close their meetings by using the following in part from the apostle Paul, 2 Cor. 13: 14: "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit rest and abide with the Israel of God, here and elsewhere, through- out the whole world, Amen " ?
Answer .- Inasmuch as we have no such example from Christ or the apostles, we decide to make no change.
4. Would it be wrong for a minister of the Brethren to lec- ture on the science of phrenology, pass examinations, issue charts and receive pay for the same?
Answer .- Inasmuch as we do not call our brethren but to the ministry, therefore we think it utterly wrong.
5. To the Brethren, Greeting : We, the Brethren of the Liberty- ville church, in council assembled, renew our request to District Meeting to change the working of our Missionary Board from the present plan to the one we asked for at the last District Meet- ing.
The following was also read in connection :
Would it not be more consistent with the order of the Breth- ren to consider and hold all brethren in the second and third de- grees of the ministry as evangelists in the home mission cause, instead of electing three, as we now have; provided, the calls for preaching always be made through the Board?
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