USA > Michigan > Jackson County > Jackson > Minutes of the Michigan Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1918 > Part 4
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THIRD DAY.
Friday, September 13. Morning Session.
The Bishop called the Conference to order at 8:30, announcing No. 634, "Tell It Out Among the Nations." Hymn No. 461, "How Firm a Founda- tion," was sung and a season of prayer followed. The Male Quartet sang a selection.
Journal. The journal of the sessions of Thursday were read and approved.
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Secretary of Chamber of Commerce. The pastor of the local church asked the courtesy of the floor for C. F. Holland, Secretary of the local Chamber of Commerce, and it was granted. Mr. Holland gave a very cordial word of greeting in the name of the Chamber of Commerce to the Conference.
Report on New Jersey Memorial. W. I. Cogshall reported for the Com- mittee on the New Jersey Conference Memorial recommending that the Conference join in the Memorial. M. M. Callen moved as a substitute, that action be deferred one year and the matter referred to a committee to be appointed by the District Superintendents. The substitute was ac- cepted by the Committee, but was voted down by the Conference.
Kalamazoo District. J. R. T. Lathrop was called, his character passed and he reported the work of the Kalamazoo District. (See Report)
Time Extended. The time of regular session was extended.
Garrett Biblical Institute. Pres. C. M. Stuart, of Garret Biblical Insti- tute was introduced and represented the work of that institution.
Corporate Conference. Conference met in Corporate Session, M. M. Callen presiding.
Reports of Treasurer and Secretary. C. Gibson read his report as Treasurer of the board of Trustees and L. E. Lennox read his report as Field Secretary, and they were adopted. (See Reports.)
One Per Cent Assessment. F. G. Dunbar moved that the Conference take some action compelling all men to pay their one per cent assessment into the Endowment Fund. The Conference was so directed, and the method of so doing referred to the Committee on Endowment Matters.
Thanks to the Secretary. P. J. Maveety moved that the Conference extend to L. E. Lennox a vote of thanks for his faithful services to the Conference as Field Secretary during the past five years. It was unanim- ously voted.
Thanks to the Treasurer. G. A. Brown presented the following and it was adopted:
Resolved, That the Conference tender a rising vote of thanks to Mr. Claire Gibson for his faithful work as treasurer for the Endowment Fund, a work done at a merely nominal salary.
Business Session Resumed. The Corporate Conference adjourned formally and the Conference reconvened in regular session, with Bishop Berry in the chair.
Time to Which Adjourn. It was voted that when Conference adjourns it be to meet at 2:00 o'clock.
Call to Prayer. The eleven o'clock bells sounding the daily call to prayer the Conference paused for a service of silent devotion.
Centenary Program. The Bishop reported that the Centenary program was reported to him as endorsed by the Laymen's Association. J. C. Floyd presented the following report on the matter from the Board of District Superintendents :
The Board of District Superintendents submit the following recom- mendations:
I. The magnitude and far reaching importance of so great an enter-
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prise as the Centenary constitute a challenge to the faith and generosity of the church, sooner or later to be accepted and carried to victory.
II. In the present serious war situation demanding such unusual finan- cial sacrifices by our people which are imperative and must continue until the war is ended, we deem it inopportune for the church to project an eighty million-dollar drive while these conditions continue.
III. We recommend that in the meantime we give ourselves to the campaign of Intercession, Christian Stewardship, and Tithing, until the church is adequately prepared for the meeting of this kingdom challenge, as expressed in the Centenary Movement.
IV. We make these deliverances in profound sympathy with every glorious hope of the Centenary plan, hopes that throb in all our hearts, and for the consummation of which we earnestly pray.
By action of the Conference the privilege of speaking on the matter of the Centenary was granted to laymen present. A like courtesy was granted to Rockwell Clancy, of India, and he addressed the Conference.
Various amendments were proposed, but were rejected by the Confer- ence, and after extended debate the Resolutions were adopted as read.
Reconsideration of Time to Which Adjourn. On motion the action fixing the hour to which to adjourn at two o'clock was reconsidered, and it was voted that when Conference adjourns it be to meet at 1:30 to continue until three.
Introductions. A. W. Stalker, of Ann Arbor, and S. D. Eva, of Detroit, were presented to the Conference.
Adjournment Announcements were made and the Conference ad- journed with benediction by the Bishop.
Afternoon Session.
The Conference was called to order at 1:30 o'clock by the Bishop, who called upon M. D. Carrel to lead in prayer.
Journal. The Journal of the morning session was read and approved. Referred to Committee on Conference Relations. C. S. Wheeler moved that A. Smith and B. T. Fisk be referred to the Committee on Conference Relations for change in relationship, and they were so referred.
Report of Committee on Conference Relations. Louis DeLamarter re- ported the recommendations of the committee in the following cases and action was taken as indicated. C. L. Beebe, D. E. Birtch, Theron Jenne, W. A. Robinson, Wm. Jones, were made supernumerary. L. B. Kenyon, D. C. Riehl, W. W. Gray, G. B. Millar were retired. P. D. Huff and G. K. Fairbanks were retired under suspension of Rule 17 and by unanimous vote. Irving Eagle, A. W. Simmons and R. A. Baker were made effective. F. S. Tincher and Wm. Gumser were allowed to withdraw, their parchments to be endorsed and returned to them. F. W. Nickel was made super- numerary and the Secretary instructed to request him to ask for a certifi-
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cate of location. W. E. Goltz was granted permission to withdraw and the Secretary instructed to ask him to return his parchments.
Examination of Character. Question 14 was called and the names of all effective elders called and their characters passed.
Transfers. The transfers of J. E. Wilkinson to the Dakota Confer- ence and of E. E. Rhodes to the West Ohio Conference were announced.
Retired Members. Question 24 was asked and the following were continued on the retired list. C. H. Anderson, Levi Aler, James Allen, R. R. Atchinson, E. A. Baldwin, D. F. Barnes, N. M. Barnes, C. L. Barnhart, J. C. Beach, J. H. Bennett, N. L. Bray, J. A. Bready, Robt. H. Bready, J. W. Buell, G. A. Buell, A. W. Burns, A. W. Bushee, M. D. Carrell, J. C. Chase, W. I. Cogshall, W. M. Colby, W. Z. Cole, D. Cronk, M. A. Daugherty, J. C. Dietrich, J. Dobson, J. C. Dorris, J. Draper, J. P. Durham, A. N. Eldred, J. H. Emmons, T. T. George, G. W. Goslin, A. M. Gould, J. Graham, L. Grosenbaugh, J. W. Hallenbeck, J. W. Hart, G. S. Hickey, N. F. Jenkins, C. W. Jones, A. R. Keillor, George Killeen, L. E. Lennox, E. T. Lumbar, W. L. Mann, N. D. Marsh, L. S. Matthews, H. H. Miller, A. J. Morris, B. S. Mills, G. L. Mount, J. C. Newcomer, J. R. Oden, G. A. Odlum, L. N. Pattison, J. H. Potts, D. E. Reed, L. P. Richtmeyer, I. H. Riddick, T. Riley, W. W. Rork, E. L. Sincleir,, J. K. Stark, D. Streeter, A. K. Stewart, E. A. Tanner, R. W. Tindall, H. W. Thompson, E. Treadgold, S. Trewin, J. S. Valentine, George Varion, F. A. VanDeWalker, D. M. Ward, J. W. White, E. Wigle, Joseph Wilkes, Isaiah Wilson, E. W. Wood.
Supernumerary Members. Question 23 was asked and the following were continued on the Supernumerary list: Elliott Bouck, F. M. Cottrell, A. O. Carman, F. M. Clough, A. T. Goslin, A. T. Luther, Albert Smith, I. H. Skinner, N. S. Tuttle.
Children's Home. Mrs. Peter Stair, of Detroit, was presented and spoke concerning the work of the Children's Home at Highland Park.
S. D. Eva. S. D. Eva, of Detroit, was introduced and spoke on the work of the Simpson Tabernacle Church House in Detroit.
Delinquent Reports. A list of missing Statistical Reports was read and the pastors directed to present them quickly.
Adjournment. Announcements were made and the Conference ad- journed with the benediction by the Bishop.
FOURTH DAY. Saturday, September 14, 1918.
The Conference was called to order at 8:30 by the Bishop, who an- nounced hymn No. 91, "Guide Me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah." This was followed by a service of prayer and a selection sung by the Male Quartet. Journal. The Journal of the last session was read and approved.
Excused. The request of D. E. Birtch to be excused from further attendance at Conference was granted.
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Army Chaplain's Insignia. D. N. Lacy read the following resolution and it was adopted:
Whereas, An order has been issued by the War Department which con- templates the removal of insignia of rank from the Army Chaplain; and
Whereas, We believe that for the best and most effective work a Chaplain must be accorded a status or position of respect, and in the army the visible evidence of such respect depends to a large degree upon insignia of rank; and
Whereas, The insignia of rank is accorded in other branches of the service which do not exercise command over troops, such as the Medical Corps, the Dental Corps, and the Veterinarians; therefore be it
Resolved, By the Michigan Annual Conference of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, assembled in First Church, Jackson, Michigan, that we place ourselves on record as opposed to the removal of insignia rank from Chap- lains, and that we respectfully petition the Secretary of War, in the interest of highest efficiency to accord all Chaplains now in the service and who may be later appointed, the privilege of wearing the insignia of rank to which they may be entitled.
D. N. Lacy W. F. Kendrick. Hugh Kennedy. J. C. Willits. A. R. Johns. . W. H. Phelps.
W. I. Cogshall. M. L. Fox.
G. A. Brown.
Report of Committee on Michigan Advocate. A. R. Johns read the following report of the Special Committee on the Michigan Christian Ad- vocate and it was adopted.
The Committee to which was referred the matter of the Michigan Advocate make the following suggestions:
First We pledge ourselves that as ministers and agents of the Advocate we will diligently strive to collect each and every subscription due.
Second, That we will voluntarily surrender the small commission al- lowed us by the Advocate for collections, until such time as it may be safely allowed again.
Third, That we recommend that the price of the Advocate to Ministers and of such copies as are given as gifts be made $1.25 instead of $1.00.
'Fourth, That we will earnestly seek new subscribers for the paper.
Fifth, That we cordially invite the Ministers of the Detroit Conference to unite with us in these conditions.
W. H. Phelps, Chairman. A. R. Johns, Secretary.
Conference Relations. H. L. Potter reported for the Committee on Conference Relations, recommending the following changes in relation which were granted. G. W. Hawley was given a Certificate of Location at his own request; Albert Smith, retired without claim; B. T. Fisk Supernumerary.
Book Concern Draft. A dividend draft from the Book Concern for $4,591 was presented and accepted to be paid to the order of the Conference Treasurer.
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Thanks to Mrs. Brokaw. L. E. Lennox read the following resolution of appreciation and it was adopted by the Conference:
Resolved, That this Conference express its high appreciation of the gift of $5,000 for an endowment fund from Mrs. Brokaw, of Appleton, Wis., and instruct the Secretary in behalf of the Conference to write Mrs. Brokaw, acknowledging the gift and expressing our thanks.
L. D. Lennox. P. J. Maveety. C. J. Kruse.
M. L. Fox. J. W. Sheehan.
Report of Committee on Auditing. W. F. Kendrick read the report of the special Committee on Plan of Auditing and it was adopted. (See Report.)
Dist. Superintendents' Reports. M. M. Callen moved an amendment to Rule 12 allowing fifteen minutes to reports of District Superintendents instead of ten and it was so amended.
Report of Board of Home Missions. Hugh Kennedy filed the report of the Board of Home Missions and Church Extension. (See Report.)
Vincent C. Webb. J. C. Floyd presented Vincent C. Webb, a candidate for admission on trial, now in Army Training Camp, who was compelled to leave in advance of the call of his class. The Conference stood in his honor and the Bishop spoke the appreciation of the Conference in receiving . a candidate wearing the khaki.
Question Six. Question Six was called, Who are continued on trial in the studies of the Second Year, and the following action taken: Ralph M. Dean, L. G. Forman, R. C. Mitts, R. E. Niemann, and S. L. Ragan were continued on trial in the studies of the First Year. Earl Cook and J. S. Latam were discontinued. W. A. Eley and G. McDonald were advanced to the class of the Second Year. R. S. Miller, W. J. C. Belch and W. A. Burnett were advanced to the studies of the Third Year, W. J. C. Belch being continued on trial.
Question Eight. Question Eight was called, Who have been admitted to Full Membership, and the following action taken: S. J. Harrison, S. A. P. Reakes, G. P. Stanford, E. F. Vane were continued on trial in the studies of the Second Year; K. H. Keefer and G. R. Kerssey were discontinued; R. G. Raymer, H. L. Thornton, Merle C. Culver and Delphos Berry were continued on trial in the studies of the Third Year; Leroy Lightfoot and O. R. Grattan were advanced to the Studies of the Third Year.
W. A. Burnett, Robert S. Miller, O. R. Grattan and LeRoy Lightfoot were called, the Disciplinary Questions were asked by the Bishop, satis- factory responses were given and they were admitted to full connection with the Conference and were elected to Deacon's Orders.
Board of Education. Pres. A. B. Storms, of Baldwin Wallace College, Berea, Ohio, was introduced and spoke in behalf of the work of the Board of Education.
Hour of Prayer. The Conference heeded the daily call of the bells to prayer by a season of silent devotion.
Board of Temperance. Frank M. Wearing, of the Board of Temperance, was introduced and represented the work of that Board.
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Question Ten. Question Ten was called, What members are in the studies of the Fourth Year? The following action was taken: W. B. Benn, H. A. Crumb, Elbert L. English, Emor Hice, Theron Jenne, W. R. Prescott, J. W. Stanton, C. J. Frank, S. J. Headley and E. K. Smith were .continued in the studies of the Third Year; J. A. Brown, W. C. Donald and B. C. Parks were advanced to the studies of the Fourth Year.
Question Eleven. Question Eleven was called, Who have completed the Conference Course of Study? The following action was taken: R. V. Birdsall, W. P. Manning, Lloyd Mead, A. W. Nagler, G. C. Sheneman, R. D. Wearne and B. J. Youngs were graduated from the course and elected to Elders Orders. J. W. Broxholm, E. R. Cockrun, C. V. Howell and W. Y. Pohly were continued in the class of the Fourth Year. H. E. Goodenow, previously graduated from the course, was elected to Elders Orders.
Question Thirteen. Question Thirteen was called, What others have been elected and ordained Elders, and E. L. English was elected to Elder's Orders. under the Missionary Rule.
Triers of Appeals. The Bishop announced the Triers of Appeal as follows: M. L. Fox, C. E. Hoag, R. J. Slee, W. P. Mosher, M. M. Callen. Reserves, M. D. Carrel, J. C. DeVinney.
F. W. Corbett. On motion of W. H. Phelps, F. W. Corbett was re- ceived into Conference on his credentials from the Congregational Church.
E. C. Tullar. E. C. Tullar, Field Agent of the General Deaconess Board, was introduced and spoke in the interest of . that Board.
Committee on Nominations. H. R. E. Quant presented the report of the Committee on Nominations and it was adopted. (See list of Standing Committees.)
Clark Home. J. C. Floyd read the report of the Board of Trustees of Clark Home and filed the report of the Treasurer of the Home. (See Re- ports.)
L. D. Dickinson. Lieut. Gov. L. D. Dickinson was presented and spoke briefly.
D. L. Reed. D. L. Reed, a member of the West Virginia Conference, who has been a supply within the bounds of the Conference, was introduced and spoke briefly.
Adjournment. Announcements were made and the Conference ad- journed with the benediction by Dr. George Elliott.
FIFTH DAY.
Monday, September 16. Morning Session.
The Conference was called to order in devotional session by W. I. Cogshall, who announced hymn No. 301, "Arise, My Soul, Arise," after which a season of prayer and song was held.
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Bishop in the Chair. The Bishop took the Chair.
Journal. The Journal of the session of Saturday was read and approved.
Excused. D. D. King, H. L. Potter and J. H. Bennett were excused from further attendance upon Conference.
Transfers. The Bishop announced the following transfers: W. A. Bur- nett, in the class of the Third Year, to Detroit Conference; T. P. Bennett, an Elder, to the Nebraska Conference; A. H. Smith, an Elder, to the Rock . River Conference; M. R. Millard, an Elder, from the Holston Conterence; W. P. Ainsworth, an Elder, from the Detroit Conference, and W. B. Oldt, an Elder, from the Rock River Conference.
Conference Deaconess Board. G. B. Fleming read the report of the Conference Deaconess Board, and it was adopted. (See Report.)
Certificate of Ordination. The Bishop filed the following Certificate of Ordination:
This certifies that on Sunday, September 15, 1918, at Jackson, Michigan, I ordained William A. Burnett, Otis R. Grattan, LeRoy Lightfoot and Robert S. Miller, as Deacons; And also at the same time and place, assisted by Elders, I ordained Ray V. Birdsall, Elbert L. English, Harold E. Goodenow, Wallace P. Manning, Lloyd Mead, Arthur W. Nagler, Gaylord C. Sheneman, Richard D. Wearne and Benson J. Youngs as Elders;
All these having been elected by the Michigan Annual Conference.
At the same time and place, I consecrated Edith O. Collins, Belle Whitcomb and E. Pearl Swank as Deacon- esses. Jos. F. Berry.
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Received on Trial. Question Five was called and the following were reported by the Registrar and represented by their Distrirt Superintendents and they were received on trial in the Conference: John W. Alexander, Stanley B. Niles, Charles A. Jacobs, Blucher B. Swem, Vincent C. Webb, Byron A. Hahn and James Bowker.
Y. W. C. A. Miss Parsons, of the local Y. W. C. A. was presented and spoke concerning the war work being done by the Young Women's Christian Association.
Recognition of Orders. On motion of R. E. Meader, the Orders of Edson A. Simonds were recognized, as a Local Elder from the Friends Church.
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Question of Privilege. O. J. Blackford, as a question of privilege, made a statement concerning entertainment.
W. M. Puffer presiding. The Bishop called W. M. Puffer to the chair and, with the Cabinet, retired.
Supply Pastor's Endowment. W. P. Manning read the report of the Field Agent of the Supply Pastors' Endowment Fund and it was received and ordered printed in the minutes.
Reforms. Quinton Walker read the report of the Committee on Re- forms and it was adopted. (See Report.)
Statistician. The report of the Statistician was read and adopted, un- der the call for the Previous Question.
Special Committee on Sunday Schools. On motion of M. M. Callen a special Committee on Sunday Schools was ordered, with John C. Willits as Chairman to present a report at the present session of the Conference. The Committee was appointed by the Chair, as follows: J. C. Willits, M. M. Callen, M. W. Duffey, L. H. Manning, W. F. Kendrick.
Daily Prayer. Heeding the call of the bells for daily prayer, the Con- ference engaged in silent prayer, after which W. M. Puffer offered prayer.
Army Chaplains. A. A. Stephens read the report of the Committee on Army Chaplains and it was adopted. (See Report.)
Aldrich Home. Miss Clark, Supt. of the Aldrich Deaconess Home was presented and read her report.
Periodicals. J. W. Vickers read the report of the Committee on Period- icals and it was adopted. (See Report.)
Evangelism. F. M. Thurston read the report of the Committee on Evangelism and it was adopted. (See Report.)
Auditing. F. S. Cramer read the report of the Auditing Committee and it was adopted. (See Report.)
Education. A. E. Gay read the report of the Committee on Education and it was adopted. (See Report.)
Chairman Board of Stewards. J. B. Peatling was nominated by the Board of Stewards as Chairman for the coming year, and was elected by the Conference.
Committees Discontinued. The Committee on Endowment Fund Foun- dation and the Committee on Parsonages and Furniture were ordered dis- continued.
Auditor Elected. The Committee on Nominations reported the nomina- tion of G. B. Fleming as Auditor and he was elected.
Clark Home. R. D. Freeman, Superintendent of the Clark Home spoke on the work of the Home, asking for the sending of donation supplies.
J. J. Jeffreys. J. J. Jeffreys, Field Director of the Anti-Cigarette League, was presented and spoke of the work the League is doing.
Adjournment. Announcements were made and the Conference ad- journed to meet at two o'clock, with benediction by P. J. Maveety.
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Afternoon Session.
Conference was called to order at 2:00 o'clock by W. M. Puffer. Devo- tional services were conducted by John Graham. Hymn No. 2, "Come, Thou Almighty King," was sung. Dr. Graham offered prayer, read Rom. 8, and spoke briefly.
Journal. The Journal of the morning session was read and approved. Area Budget. O. J. Blackford moved that for the coming year amounts" paid for the Area Budget be printed in the Minutes. It was so ordered.
Auditing Committee. G. B. Fleming named the following as the Audit- ing Assistants for the coming year and they were approved by the Con- ference: George Yinger, J. F. Bowerman, H. W. Ellinger, R. E. Shower- man, L. T. Robinson, J. H. Rayle, R. A. Baker.
Itemized Reports. J. R. Wooton read the following resolution and it was adopted:
Resolved, That Treasurers of Boards and Organizations reporting to and responsible to this Conference be required to report in detail all items of expense that may be in excess of $25 in any particular case.
Undesignated Funds. On motion of E. G. Lewis the Conference author- ized the Treasurer to distribute undesignated funds coming to his hands to the benevolent boards of the church at his discretion.
Special Report on Sunday Schools. John C. Willits read the report of the special Committee on Sunday Schools and it was adopted. (See Report.)
Claim of D. C. Riehl. M. M. Callen moved that the question of D. C. Riehl being given credit on his annuity for years of service spent in the Supernumerary relation be referred to the Board of Stewards with power, and it was done.
Stewards' Report. D. C. Riehl presented the report of the Board of Stewards and it was adopted. (See Report.)
This being the last official appearance of Bro. Riehl in the active rela- tion, the Conference stood in his honor and greeted him with applause.
Endowment Matters. P. J. Maveety read the report of the Committee on Endowment Matters. It was adopted by sections and as a whole as read. (See Report.)
Committee on Finance. S. W. Large read the report of the Committee on Finance and it was adopted. (See Report.)
Unpaid Endowment Pledges. On motion of L. E. Lennox the Trustees were directed to furnish the Board of Stewards with a list of unpaid pledges to the Fund given by those who are or may be superannuated.
Endowment Payments by Transfers. On motion of W. M. Puffer the matter of the payments into the Fund on the part of transfers into the Conference was referred to the Board of Trustees with instructions to report next year.
Secretary of Transportation. R. C. Lord presented the report of the Secretary of Transportation, and it was adopted. (See Report.)
Area Budget. On motion of J. C. Floyd the Conference reaffirmed its action of last year authorizing the Bishop and District Superintendents to
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suggest to each charge the sum which in their judgment is their fair share of the annual expense of the Area Program.
Superintendent of Clark Home. J. C. Floyd moved that the Conference request the appointment of R. D. Freeman as Superintendent of the Clark Home and it was done.
Resolutions. J. F. Bowerman read the report of the Committee on General Reference and Resolutions and it was amended and adopted. (See Report.)
Cabinet Nominations. C. S. Wheeler read the nominations made by the Cabinet and they were adopted. (See list of Boards and Miscellaneous assignments.)
Home Missionary Askings. C. S. Wheeler read the askings of the Board of Home Missions and Church Extension and they were adopted. (See Report.)
Treasurer's Report. The Treasurer was granted leave to file his re- port for publication in the Minutes.
Election of Treasurer. On motion of W. E. Kendrick, C. S. Risley was elected Treasurer for the coming year.
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