USA > Michigan > Jackson County > Jackson > Minutes of the Michigan Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1919 > Part 5
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Whereas, for several years there has been maintained at Albion a Summer School of Theology for under graduates of the Michigan and Detroit Conferences, and
Whereas, a school of this character is imperative if our young men are to receive the help and training to which they are entitled, and if our Conferences are to contribute as they ought to the preparation of an efficient ministry, and
Whereas, said School has, during the past year been reorganized
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through the creation of a Summer School Senate, representing our Episco- pal Leadership, Board of Examiners, Faculty, and Student Body, and con- stituting a central body of control, and
Whereas, Our Boards of Examiners have this year demonstrated that they can function through this Summer School with greatly increased efficiency in their service of the under-graduates, and
Whereas, the two outstanding difficulties are the securing of a com- plete attendance and of necessary financial aid, therefor be it
Resolved, 1, That we individually, as a Conference, and particularly thru our District Superintendents, Board of Examiners, and all other officers, pledge our loyal and hearty support in a united effort to secure the attendance of every student at the Summer School.
2, That we authorize and provide for the raising each year thru apportionments to churches or otherwise, a minimum sum of two hundred fifty dollars for the support of said school, on condition that the Detroit Conference authorizes and provides fr a like amount; it being under- stood that this money, when raised, be turned over the the Secretary- Treasurer of the Summer School Senate, and paid out as directed by such Senate in the meeting the expenses of the School, faculty and students.
Triers of Appeals. The Bishop named the Triers of Appeals, as fol- lows: A. R. Johns, M. L. Fox, C. E. Hoag, R. J. Slee, D. N. Lacy. Re- serves, M. D. Carrell, J. C. DeVinney.
Next Conference. On motion, the place of meeting of the next Con- ference was referred to the District Superintendents.
Bronson Hospital. W. M. Puffer read the following Resolution con- cerning Bronson Hospital, Kalamazoo, and it was adopted.
In as much as representatives of the Brownson Hospital, Kalamazoo, have made certain proposals to representatives of the Michigan Conference concerning the possibility of taking over the possession of the said hos- pital, be it
Resolved, 1, That if any practicable and satisfactory adjustment can be made between the Bishop of the Detroit Area, the Board of Trustees, and the District Superintendents, parties of the first part; and the local authorities of Bronson Hospital, parties of the second part, to test the actual and adequate interest of the city of Kalamazoo without incurring any financial obligation on the part of the Michigan Conference or any individuals therein, the Michigan Conference concurs therein, and be it further
Resolved, 2, That the Michigan Conference convey power to the Bishop of the Detroit Area, the Board of Trustees and the District Superinten- dents to complete any transaction agreed upon between the parties of the first part and party of the second part, and if it seems wise and neces- sary to constitute a Board of Trust, to hold and administer the property, such power is hereby conveyed to them.
Conference Claimants. John Krantz represented the work of the Board of conference Claimants. W. M. Puffer read the report of the Special Committee on Conference Claimants Funds, as follows, and it was adopted.
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1. It is hereby strongly urged that every Conference Member pay up and keep up his one per cent dues.
2. All money received this year from one per cent payments of Conference members shall be paid over as an additional dividend this year to Conference Claimants; and this disposition of the one per cent money shall continue until otherwise ordered.
3. The Field Secretary of the Board of Trustees is hereby directed to send out an immediate appeal to delinquents on one per cent pay- ments to pay up at once, and stating how long can be allowed for additional dividend this year.
4. The Field Secretary of the Board of Trustees is directed to send a statement about the one per cent on or near the first of January in each year, to each effective man in the Conference, and ask speedy payment. -
5. The payment of one per cent is hereby changed from a payment period of ten years to a payment period of each year of effective service during full conference Membership.
6. The apportionments to the churches shall be increased 25 per cent for the Conference year of 1919-20.
W. M. Puffer, W. F. Kendrick, C. J. Kruse, A. R. Johns, E. A. Armstrong.
Mrs. Peter Stair. Mrs. Peter F. Stair was introduced and spoke of the work of the Children's Home and Detroit, and of the Girl's Camp at Fife Lake.
Fife Lake Camp. R. E. Meader and Bishop Henderson spoke on the work of the Boys Camp at Fife Lake and R. E Meader read the follow- ing Resolutions which were adopted.
Inasmuch as a very successful camp for the training of Teen Age boys and girls has been established at Fife Lake under the Superintend- ency of Dr. and Mrs. Peter F. Stair, of the Area Staff, therefore be it
Resolved, That the pastors and parents of this Conference be urged to send as many as possible of their teen age boys and girls to Fife Lake Training Camp each year, and that this Conference heartily support the Camp in every way.
J. C. Floyd, J. R. T. Lathrop,
W. H. Phelps, W. P. French,
R. E. Meader, Hugh Kennedy. C. S. Wheeler.
Time to which Adjourn. On mnotion it was determined that when Con- ference adjourn it be to meet at two o'clock.
General Conference Matters. G. S. Robinson presented the report of
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the Committee on General Conference Matters and the following action was taken.
A Memorial orginating in the Newark Conference providing for the unification of Home Missionary Agencies and providing for Unified Control. The Committee recommended concurrence. On motion of W. F. Kendrick it was voted that no action be taken.
The Amendment to the Constitution sent down by the Gen. Conference proposing to change the present composition of the Annual Conference, by providing lay representatives. The Committee reported in favor of the amendment and it was adopted, yeas, 144; nays, 22.
A memorial from the Eastern Swedish Conference asking for the appointment of a commission to whom the matter of amalgamating the Foreign with the English speaking Conferences should be referred to con- sider and report at the General Conference of 1924. The committee recom- mended concurrence and it was concurred in by a vote of yeas, 146; nays, 4. Memorials from the New York East Conference and from the Wisconsin Conference touching the same matter were not concurred in.
A Memorial from the New Jersey Conference concerning the Con- ference course of Study and the making of the same, was not concurred in, 121 opposing concurrence and none favoring.
A Memorial from the National Hospital Association asking for the establishing of a Standing Committee on Hospitals and Homes for the Children and the Aged was favored by the Committee and concurred in by the Conference. Ninety-six favored and none opposed.
A Memorial from the Wilmington Conference proposing an amend- ment to paragraph 42, sec. 3, of Art. 6, concerning decision of questions of constitutionality was rejected, yeas 4; nays, 155.
A Memorial from the Newark Conference concerning the method of making the appointments. The Committee recommended that no action be taken and it was so voted.
An Amendment proposed by D. C. Riehl, of the Michigan Conference, as follows, was indorsed by the Committee and adopted by the Conference. Because the present method of the distribution of Book Concern dividends is unfair, favoring the large and strong conference at the expense of the smaller and weaker, we therefore recommend that paragraph 393 begin- ning at the seventh line be changed so as to read:
"The division of the produce of the Book Concern available for dis- tribution according to this paragraph shall be made equitably to the Annual Conferences upon the basis of the ratio of the total number of years of service of the several annual Conferences to the total years of service of the entire church, etc."
Conference Budget System. On motion of L. H. Manning it was ordered that a Conference Budget be created and spread on the churches of the Conference as an annual item of expense. This Budget to be esti- mated by a Committee, to be approved by the Presiding Bishop and Cabi- net, and adopted by a vote of the Conference.
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John Graham Resigns. The following communication from John Gra- ham was read, and on motion his resignation was accepted.
To the Trustees of The Michigan Annual Conference:
Dear Brethren :- Kindly accept my resignation as a member of your Board, the same to take effect at this session of Conference. I desire to thank the members of the Board for the many courtesies extended to me during the years I have been on the Board and extend to you all my best wishes for the years to come. I am Fraternally,
John Graham.
Anti-Saloon. W. V. Waltman, of the Anti-Saloon League, spoke on some matters of temperance work demanding attention to make effective the Prohibition Amendment.
Adjournment. Announcements were made and the Conference ad- journed with the benediction by F. M. Taylor.
Afternoon Session.
Conference was called to order at 2:00, by W. M. Puffer, by appoint- ment of the Bishop. J. C. Willits conducted devotions. Several Hymns were sung and J. C. Willits offered prayer.
Memorial to Dead Parsonage Sons. On motion a Committee, consist- ing of W. F. Kendrick, M. D. Carrell and J. W. Foy, was named to frame and present at a suitable time a Resolution touching sons of the parsonage killed in action in Europe.
Rule 24. On motion of G. A. Brown, Rule 24 was striken from the Conference Rules.
Educational Committee. E. G. Lewis read the report of the Committee on Education and it was adopted. See report.
Conference Claimants Funds. Field Secretary DeLamarter spoke on the Funds of the Board as they were affected by wills, bequests and notes payable at death, urging the attention of the pastors to these matters.
Supply Pastors Endowment. W. P. Manning presented his report as Field Secretary of the Supply Pastors Endowment Fund. It was received and ordered printed in the Minutes. See Report.
Deaconess Home. G. B. Fleming read the report of the Deaconess Home and it was adopted, the askings of the Board being approved by the Finance Committee of the Conference.
Taxing Bequests. M. L. Fox reported for the Committee on Taxation of Benevolences and Bequests, and it was adopted. See report.
Epworth League. E. C. Dewey read the report of the Committee on Epworth League and it was adopted. See Reoprt.
Secretary of Transportation. R. C. Lord presented his report as Secy. of Transportation and it was adopted. See Report.
Statistical Report. A. R. Elliott read the report of the Statistician and it was adopted. See Statistical Tables.
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Chairman Board of Stewards. On nomination of the Board J. B. Peat- ling was elected Chairman of the Board of Stewards.
Clark Home. R. D. Freeman, Supt. of Clark Home, addressed the Conference in the Interest of the Home.
Nominations. J. B. Pinckard read the report of the Committee on Nominations and it was adopted. See List of Standing Committees.
Parsonage Sons Memorial. W. F. Kendrick read the following Reso- lution concerning Ministers' Sons killed in the late war and they were adopted. The Conference also voted to devote the time from 3:45 to 4:00 to a brief Memorial Service.
Inasmuch as Paul Steffe, Kenneth Ruskin Lewis and Olin Luther and Dwight B. Good, four splendid young men, sons of members of this Conference, lost their lives on the field of battle in the terrible war just closed, therefore,
Resolved, That we here record our high appreciation of their courage and patriotism in giving themselves to the service of their country and humanity, and our gratitude for their great sacrifice in giving their lives for us.
Resolved, further, That we extend to our afflicted brothers of the Con- ference and their families our heartfelt sympathy in their great affliction.
J. W. Foy, M. D. Carrell, W. F. Kendrick.
Auditors Report. G. B. Fleming read the Report of the Auditors and it was adopted. See Report.
Resolution. C. E. Hoag read the Report of the Committee on General Reference and Resolution and it was adopted, the last resolution by a rising vote.
Thomas Laity moved that the Secretary be instructed to send a copy of the Resolution on the League of Nations to the two Michigan Senators, and it was so ordered.
Memorial Hour. The time for the special Memorial Service having arrived the following program of service was held. Hymn 701, "Lord, While For All Mankind We Pray," was sung. The Psalter for the Fourth and Fifth Special Readings, Easter Day and The Nation, was read. Prayer was offered by M. D. Carrell and L. H. Manning. G. B. Fleming sang the "Battle Hymn of the Republic, the Conference joining in the chorus. W. M. Puffer and W. F. Kendrick made brief remarks. Prayer was offered by G. A. Brown and J. C. Willits. Hymn No. 460, "Lead Kindly Light" was sung by the Conference.
Board of Stewards. J. B. Peatling read the report of the Board of Stewards. See Report.
Treasurer's Report. H. E. Walker, in the absence of C. S. Risley, and by his request, read the summary of the Treasurer's Report, and it was adopted. See Report.
Committee on Finance. G. W. Maxwell read the report of the Com- mittee on Finance and it was adopted. See Report.
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Assistant Secretarys of Transportation. The Secretary of Transpor- tation filed the list of his assistants.
Adjournment. On motion of W. I. Cogshall the Conference voted to adjourn to meet at 7:45 this evening. The benediction was pronounced by J. W. Esveld.
Evening Session.
M. L. Fox called the Conference to order, announcing that it was the desire of the Bishop that the Conference meet and hear such reports as were available. He moved the election of W. I. Cogshall as Presiding Officer. W. I. Cogshall was elected and took the chair.
Book Committee Report. G. A. Brown read the report of the Book Committee of the General Conference.
Evangelism. A. A. Gieger read the report of the Committee on Evangelism and it was adopted. See Report.
Rule 12, Amended. E. A. Armstrong moved to amend Rule 12 so that it should read as follows, and it was adopted. Rule 12. Conference Visitors shall be allowed fifteen minutes in which to address the Confer- ence. Ditrict Superintendents' Reports shall be limited to 15 minutes, or if presented by one of their number, to 45 minutes; and reports of Com- mittees, except the Board of Stewards, to five minutes.
Rule 3, Amended. The Secretary moved to strike out the second paragraph of Rule 3, and it was ordered.
Prohibition and Public Morals. W. W. Slee presented the report of the Committee on Prohibition and Temperance, and it was adopted. See Report.
Adjournment. No further business appearing and the Bishop having sent word that the appointments would be delayed for an uncertain length of time the Conference adjourned to meet at 7:30 in the morning.
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ALPHABETICAL CONFERENCE ROLL
EIGHTH DAY.
Tuesday Morning, September 16, 1919.
The Conference was called to order at 7:45 by W. I. Cogshall, in the absence of the Bishop. Hymn 19, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing," was sung, the 23rd Psalm was repeated and a service of song and prayers followed.
Presentations. W. F. Kendrick made the presentation of a purse of gold in a felicitous speech to retiring Superintendent Lathrop, who responded appreciatively.
A. R. Johns presented retiring Superintendent Kennedy with a sum of money in hearty appreciation on the part of the pastors of Albion District of his services as Ditrict Superintendent. Brother Kennedy made a suitable response.
L. H. Manning, on behalf of the pastors of Grand Rapids District, presented retiring Superintendent Floyd with a suit case. Brother Floyd acknowledged the gift in fitting words.
Janitor Remembered. On motion of L. H. Manning the Treasurer was directed to pay the Janitor of the Conference church $25 for his services during the Conference. The Janitor sent a word of grateful appreciation. Bishop Takes the Chair. Bishop Henderson came in at 9:00 and took the Chair.
Nominations. C. S. Wheeler read the appointments and nominations to Boards and Committees as made by the Cabinet.
Trustees Elected. The Secretary was directed to cast the ballot of the Conference for the Board of Trustees, the Board of Stewards, the Trustees of Albion College and of Northwestern University. The ballot was so cast and they were declared elected.
Expense Budget. E. A. Armstrong read the report of the Committee on Conference Expense Budget, and it was adopted. See Report. F. M. Thurston was elected as Treasurer of this fund.
On motion of George A. Brown so much of Rule Three as conflicted with this action was repealed.
Special Appointments. At the request of the Bishop, the Conference voted to request the appointment of men assigned to detached service. See list of special appointments.
J. H. Rayle Granted Leave of Absence. On motion of R. E. Meader, J. H. Rayle was granted leave of absence for one year.
Transfers. The transfer of T. W. Marshall and L. L. Hanthorne from the Detroit Conference was announced. Also, the transfer from this Con- ference of O. R. Grattan and Bert Hollidge to the Detroit Conference and O. W. Carr to the Central Illinois Conference.
Adjournment. On motion the Conference voted that after the reading
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of the Journal, the conducting of devotions, and the reading of the appoint- ments the Conference should stand adjourned sine die.
The Journal was approved, the Bishop spoke on some of the difficulties and perplexities and complications in making the appoint- ments. He then read the appointments, closed with a word of prayer and the Conference stood adjourned.
The foregoing is a correct and official record of the proceedings of the Michigan Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the session of 1919.
TheodorE S. Henderson President.
-
Secretary.
ANNIVERSARIES, SPECIAL SERVICES AND SUNDAY SERVICES.
Wednesday, September 10.
Rev. Carl Garland, D. D., of the East Main Conference, gave an address at 2:00 p. m., on the Evangelistic Program of the Church, followed at four o'clock by a highly interesting and stirring address by Dr. George Elliott, of the Area Staff on "Intercession as a World Force."
The Conference Lecture was given at the evening session by Bishop William Fraser McDowell, the subject being "Life and the Bible."
Thursday, September 11.
The Anniversary address of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society was given at two o'clock by Miss Edith Bell, of Africa, and at three Mrs. David Bowers, National Field Secretary of the Woman's Home Missionary Society, spoke at the Anniversary of that Society.
Dr. Elliott again addressed the Conference at 4:00 o'clock, his subject being "Our Comradship With Christ in His Cross and Conquest."
At the evening session Rev. George W. Plews spoke on the "Ex- periences of a Chaplain in the World War."
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Friday, September 12.
The First Annual Methodist Older Boys Conference, composed of one hundred thirty-nine boys, delegated by the Sunday schools of the Michigan Conference, met in the afternoon at the Baptist church. At the Father and Sons banquet at the Masonic Temple, the boys were guests of members of the Lay Electorial Conference and the Annual Conference. The Boy's Conference was held under the efficient direction of Rev. Peter F. Stair and proved most successful in every way, and an inspiration to the boys and the ministers alike.
At seven-thirty a Centenary program was given. Rev. Sidney D. Eva, of the Detroit Conference, gave an illustrated lecture on the proposed Centenary work in the Home Field. This was followed by an address by Dr. George Elliott on "Methodism's World Program."
Saturday, September 13.
Through the kindness of the people of Lansing, the members of the Conference were taken through the city and out to the Michigan Agri- cultural College. A reception was given at the People's Church.
At Six was held the Albion College Banquet, Dr. Samuel Dickie pre- siding as toastmaster. Brief addresses were given by Hugh Kennedy, Bishop Henderson, Ray Merrill, and A. H. Pellows. The Banquet was followed by an educational program at the Central Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Dickie presided, and the address of the evening was given by Warren F. Sheldon, representing the Board of Education.
Sunday, September 14.
The Conference Love Feast was held at 9:00 a. m., under the leader- ship of R. H. Bready. Bishop Henderson preached at the hour of morn- ing worship on "He Took a Towel," from John 13:4.
At 3:00 p. m., Bishop Henderson conducted the service for the Ord- ination of Deacons and Elders, after which he gave the Ordination Address, following it with an appeal to young people for Christian Service. A great throng of them came to the altar at the Bishop's invitation and signed the Life Covenant Pledge.
In the evening, P. Ray Norton, State president presided at the Anni- versary of the Epworth League. Dr. Charles Guthrie, General Secretary, gave an inspiring address.
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REPORTS.
REPORT OF DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS.
Dear Bishop and Brethren of the Conference :
It was decided by your Superintendents to make a departure this year from the usual order, and substitute for the individual District reports a more formal paper summarizing our year's work, with very little particular allusion to individual pastor or church, but the rather bringing before the Conference certain problems wbose consideration and solution is urgent upon us. In this we do not intimate that it would not be worth while to recite the achievement of pastors and churches really worthy of such mention. But we feel that it is especially desirable that we give our attention to some of the grave and important problems demanding con- sideration.
Your Superintendents can report a year of unusual activity with our pastors because of unusual demands upon them by the unusual conditions of war and pestilence and the Centenary. But with few exceptions, our pastors have met these unusual conditions with a fidelity and heroism worthy of men called to be leaders in the Church of God.
Let me summarize our year's work briefly before our excursion into less open fields.
A few outstanding facts concerning property interests should be mentioned. Two destructive fires made Benton Harbor and Trinity congregations homeless. But both congregations believed the God of heaven would prosper them, and immediately decided to arise and build.
The Centenary appeal was upon them and the Centenary drive before them- Trinity's less than a week away. But both of these congregations refused to be dismayed and both set themselves to this Centenary task-Benton Harbor for a quota of $23,885, and Trinity-$23,585, and hoth reached the goal before the end of the drive week-Benton Ilarbor, in a single day ; and by so doing, these churches proved their loyalty to the great business of the Kingdom, and won for themselves the admiration of the people in the cities where they were, and the whole Conference also.
And then, Benton Harbor people scarcely pausing to get their breatb, in the very next week following, set out to raise $100,000 to rebuild their church, and raised it all two days before their week was done, so that our Bishop, who went on the Sunday closing week to help them finish the job, had nothing to do but preach the gospel.
Trinity has plans made for a $200,000 church building-which when com- pleted will be one of the finest church structures in the State of Michigan.
Cadillac is starting a building enterprise for a fifty or sixty thousand-dollar church. The plans have been decided on and half the cost of the building, or more. has been pledged.
A unique property project is before us in Manistee. There is what is known as the "Ramsdell Building" there, valued at $350,000, consisting of a fine auditorium. gymnasium, parlors, kiteben, dining-room, and a very claborate equipment, which can be secured for $50,000; and the plan is to raise $150,000 and have $100,000 left for endowment. It is thought that if $50.000 can be raised outside the city of Manistee, the citizens there will raise the $100,000.
These are the great property interests now before us in our Conference. The new church at St. Louis mentioned as in prospect by the Superintendent
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of Lansing District a year ago, has been dedicated during the year-a fine $12.000 building.
About $40,000 or $50,000 have been expended in other church building and church and parsonage improvements, and about the same amount has been paid on old indebtedness. Harhor Springs and Petoskey have paid a $5,000 debt each, and Central Church Traverse City has half its heavy debt subscribed.
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