USA > Ohio > Minutes of the annual meeting of the Synod of Ohio of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
The depression has had a telling effect on many of these homes, especially those which were dependent on their investments. Eleven per cent of them have been forced to close and some are still operating at less than capacity.
There are now 1428 of these homes in the United States with a capacity of over 100,000. In Ohio there are seventy-five.
Practically all of these homes have a minimum age limit. In some it is sixty. In most of them it is sixty-five. Our minimum age limit is sixty-five.
Most of the homes require some contribution from the resident in the form of an entrance fee. The fees average from $300.00, to $2000.00, up. Our entrance fee is $600.00.
On the principle that the home takes the place of relatives or friends, most homes require in addition to the entrance fee, the turn- ing over of such property as the incoming resident may possess, usually on any annuity basis. This is our policy. Our home pays 4 per cent annuity on all funds turned over in excess of the entrance fees.
In the great majority of homes the entrance fees and other funds brought by the residents do not begin to meet the expense of main- tenance. Practically all homes have a sponsoring organization. A tabulation of the figures shows the residents in our home have pro- vided in round numbers one-fifth of the amount required to maintain
610
MINUTES
[June
the home, and while we do have some income from other sources, chiefly the return on our investments, we are still dependent on our sponsor, the Presbyterian Church in the Synod of Ohio. Our askings of the churches have been materially reduced but we still must look to our sponsor to provide more than half of our financial requirements. Without the continuing support of the churches, the Home could not continue in successful operation.
We have just closed another successful year of operation. Forty-two contented, appreciative Residents grace the rooms of our Home. Six- teen of them are over eighty, ten are eighty-five or over, one is past ninety-four and one has passed her hundredth milestone. This one has been on our waiting list since she was ninety-eight. The Home does not claim the credit for her great longevity for she has come to us only recently. If the Home can prolong her life for a few more years, it will be something for the other Residents to write home about. The average age of the Residents at the present time is 77.7 years.
Six of our Home Family have gone to their long Home during the year. One of these had been in the Home Seventeen years, one four- teen years, one eleven, one ten, one nine and one four. This is an average of 10.8 years in the Home. Of the eight newcomers, one comes from Wooster, two sisters from Fostoria, one from Piqua, one from Westerville, one from Van Wert, one from New Philadelphia and one from Greenville.
There are twenty-four applications on file and a hundred and seventy-five inquiries from persons wanting to know when and on what conditions they could be admitted.
The Home property is in a good state of repair. The equipment, mostly electrical, is in good running order. We have the usual three acre garden with an acre and a half planted in potatoes. In the poul- try houses are five hundred young chicks with seventy-five hold-over laying hens. The present prospect for a crop of peaches, plums, pears and apples is promising. The landscape has been improved with shrubs and trees and we are indebted to Mr. C. A. Andrews, one of the Residents, for a profusion of lovely flowers.
On the farm there is a new tenant, a young man who is ambitious and aggressive. After several years interruption by participation in the soil-conservation program, we are getting back to the regular crop rotation farm program and things on the farm are looking up.
During the year the Home received Legacies and Special Gifts as follows:
Joel U. Adams.
$ 266.83
Elizabeth Eichelberger
200.00
Katherine Ellison
50.00
Elizabeth Ferguson 4,031.42
Catherine Van Wie.
848.56
Total $5,396.81
Financially the Home is in the best position in its history. For years we have followed the pay-as-you-go plan. We have lived within our income and each year have been able to lay something by. The policy of keeping intact the funds brought by Residents in excess of the entrance fees, has been adhered to. These funds are held as trust funds during the life of the Residents and at their death they are transferred to endowment. The indebtedness was wiped out over a year ago and now legacies and special gifts go to swell the endowment fund.
In the annual audit are listed four pages of diversified securities, bank and building loan stocks. These securities total $133,839.88. The
611
SYNOD OF OHIO
1941]
auditor stated this was the cleanest portfolio he had seen this year. An authority on securities to whom the list was submitted, ventured the opinion that these securities could be sold for one hundred cents on the dollar. The average income from the securities for the year was 4.6 per cent.
These securities are distributed as follows: In the Trust Fund on which we are still paying interest to living residents, $40,158.02; In the endowment Fund which is free of financial obligation, $61,080.76; In the Cash Reserve Fund which has been ear-marked for the addition to the building, $32,450.00.
Since April First, we have received a legacy of $6690.63, one of $1000.00, and a special gift of $491.18. This additional total of $8181.81, has been added to the Cash Reserve Fund, making a total in the Cash Reserve or New Building Fund of $40,631.81. The Board of Trustees voted to proceed with the addition to the building when $35,000.00, was in hand. Now that there is over $40,000.00, in hand, the way is open to proceed with the building as soon as world conditions warrant. This addition to the building is urgently needed. Three of the Residents who are confined to their beds and scattered over the building could be better and more easily cared for if placed together in more suitable quarters. Then from eighteen to twenty more people could be admitted if the capacity of the Home were enlarged.
And now a personal word. This is the nineteenth annual report of the Homes to Synod and the twelfth for me as Manager. The Home thus far has had a succession of three Managers, Rev. Daniel L. Myers was Manager for three years. Rev. Ralph M. Fox was acting Manager for three years and I have served for twelve years. Last September I requested the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees to take steps to find a man to nominate at the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees in May of this year to take over the work of Manager. Rev. Harry Barr was nominated and elected at the annual meeting and he will take over the work September 1st.
In retiring I wish to express my gratitude for the opportunity of serving in this capacity for these twelve years. The greatest satisfac- tion has come, not from seeing improvements made in the physical condition and appearance of the premises; not from seeing the debt liquidated and a start made toward an endowment; not from seeing the major portion of the cost of the new building gotten together; the finest compensation, and that which transcends all others has to do with the human equation. It has come from seeing the lines of worry and other signs of anxious care give way to smiles of appreciation and expressions of gratitude for the privilege of living in a Home which provides the necessities of comfort and convenience, and the luxuries of kindliness and Christian love. For these years I have lived and thought and prayed and wrought in terms of the Home. The Home has come to be a pretty big part of me.
And now I look forward in September to my first care-free vacation in twelve years. I am reminded of Little Willie who, when asked if he studied his Bible replied "Yes, Sir," and who, when asked if he was familiar with the parables answered in the affirmative. Being asked which of the parables he liked best he said "I like the one where every- body loafs and fishes."
Respectfully Submitted,
E. H. MONTGOMERY, Secretary
Cropp then presented the report of the American Bible So- ciety. The report was received.
Rev. F. W. Cropp, a member of the Synod of New York was invited to sit as a corresponding member. Rev. Mr.
612
MINUTES
[June
GREETING FROM SYNODICAL
In connection with this report Miss Camilla McConahey, President of the Synodical and Mrs. Homer G. McMillen, wife of the Moderator were introduced to Synod. The greetings from the Synodical were brought to Synod by Mrs. John Sharpe, Secretary.
Mr. Moderator and Members of Synod:
Once again we have met to clasp hands with our fellow workers from different sections of our State and to sing praise to Almighty God and thank Him for the joy of meeting once more.
I deem it a high privilege to bring to Synod greetings from the Synodical group across the way. With the greetings I bring also a challenge.
You are workers and you are eager perhaps to know about the work that is ours; to know how much service we have given, and to learn something of the fruits of our love to Christ.
Love is the foundation of every decision for service. A burning love that expresses itself in doing.
A story is told how the archangel met Jesus when He ascended to heaven and said: Is it true you died for the world? "Yes." How will the world know about it? "I told Peter to tell everybody." Suppose he does not tell? "But Peter said he loved Me." Have we this boundless love? Then we can't keep from doing this great work.
The thought of the work to be done and the flight of time has ever been the urge of real achievement. Christ began as a boy of twelve with this sense of responsibility. Trace His works and we find Him dominated by the "I must"-not a goad which He resented, but the incentive of the Father's will to which He loved to respond. Such was His joy and fulfillment. Even so may it be with us.
"Who shall speak if ye are silent, ye who know and love His name?"
"Ye who have a mind to do and plan With heart and brain to help your brother man, Wait not until the time be over past; The morning's climbed to noon, the night comes fast.
Tomorrow other needs may come and grow, For pain, disease and death do hurry so, And there be those who have in anguish cried, Had I been there, my brother had not died."
The pattern of our lives shows a series of beginnings-a new day, a new week, a new season. Today marks the beginning of a new Synod and Synodical year together. Our common purpose-to know and to do the will of our heavenly Father-unites us in an invisible fellowship that spans continents and oceans.
The knowledge of a great need should be to us an open door of opportunity for service. Here and there in the Bible are word pictures which reveal some truths like a flash. The word "Door" is one of these. Our Lord used it. The writer of the Revelation used it like- wise, when he wished to assure followers of Christ that there were opportunities open before them even amid hardship. Although the writer himself was probably at the time a prisoner on the rocky, lonely island of Patmos, he talked of "a door opened." Was it because he had discovered that God through his Son does set before every man some doors which no earthly circumstance or power can shut?
613
SYNOD OF OHIO
1941]
It is through us the voices of calls from far away stricken lands and places near at hand must be heard and answered. We cannot plead ignorance. To us, as to our nation's chief, knowledge of the need should mean opportunity for service and should prompt us with fuller consecration of heart, time, and purse, to the pledge, limited only by our individual ability and the ordering of God's providence.
There is much to encourage us in the past year's work, yet no worker feels that the best possible has been done. Progress in orga- nization, in interest, and in giving has been made,
We would like the Synod to know that for the first time in many years the women of Ohio fully met the Synodical apportionment.
We feel that God has heard our united prayer and greatly blest our efforts.
On the other hand our hearts are saddened to learn through the Boards that the per capita giving of our Church has gone back to 1876.
We know what that means. It means cutting off Christian work in needy places: It means that young people who want to consecrate their life to the mission field cannot be sent out. It means lowering the Christian flag in many a place where our Lord would have us gather the people in. It means closing of little mission schools. In brief it means we have ceased to make new ventures for Christ.
The women of the Synodical would like to join hands with the Synod to help turn the tide, to bring our church up to the noble place she is well qualified to fill.
Our church has the talent and money but lacks the consecration which would harness together the talent and money. All this we firmly believe but we, the missionary women, think our church could well profit by freely doing, freely giving and freely sending.
Lord, help me live from day to day In such a self-forgetful way, That even when I kneel to pray, My prayer shall be for-Others.
Others, Lord, yes, others, Let this my motto be, Help me to live for others That I may live like Thee.
Recess was taken until 9:00 o'clock Wednesday morning. The session closed with prayer by Rev. H. G. Finney.
EVENING POPULAR SERVICE
The evening service was under the leadership of Rev. Jesse Halsey. The Scripture from Isaiah, Chapter sixth, was read by Dr. Halsey. Prayer was offered by Rev. Curtis R. Douglass.
The Convocation Preacher, Rev. James W. Clarke, preached on the theme: "The Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth." The specific theme of the evening was; "The Majesty of God."
614
MINUTES
[June
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 1941
The joint meeting of the Synod and Synodical was held in the Chapel from eight till nine o'clock a. m. Because of the illness of Dr. Wishart, the Rev. John Bruere, Dean of Men of the College of Wooster, presented Dr. Wishart's second exposition from St. Paul's letter to Philemon on the theme: "Christus Liberator:" "Underground Railway." Rev. W. Russell Gilmore dismissed the gathering with prayer.
SYNOD IN SESSION
Synod reconvened at 9:00 a. m. The devotional service was conducted by Rev. Jesse Halsey. Rev. C. W. Donaldson, Presbytery of Toledo led in prayer.
The minutes of Tuesday's session were read by Perma- nent Clerk, Rev. Frank M. Patterson and were approved.
Rev. Harry W. Barr was appointed by the Moderator to convey to Rev. S. M. F. Nesbitt, a former Moderator, the greetings and best wishes of the Synod. Dr. Nesbitt has been confined to his home for the past year.
Rev. Walter S. Kilpatrick was appointed by the Modera- tor to convey Synod's greetings to the Ohio State Christian Endeavor Convention in session at Bellefontaine. The Mod- erator and Stated Clerk were instructed to telegraph greet- ings.
The Committee on Bills and Overtures reported. The following overture was read from the Presbytery of Toledo:
Whereas the Standing Rules of the Synod set up no hard and fast rules for the program and docket of the Synod;
And where there is a growing feeling among the members of Synod that the four days is too long a time to spend for the transaction of the business of Synod;
And whereas a shortening of the length of the session of Synod would make it possible for more Elders who are actively engaged in business to attend the meetings of Synod;
And whereas a shortening of the time of the meetings would materially reduce the cost of the meetings;
Therefore the Presbytery of Toledo respectfully overtures the Synod of Ohio, in session at Wooster, Ohio, June 23-26, 1941 to appoint a Committee to re-examine the program of Synod, with a view to shortening the time of the meetings of Synod, thus reducing the cost, and yet conserving all the values of the Summer Synod of the Confer- ence type held at the same time and place as the Synodical.
Done by the Presbytery of Toledo in session in the Collinwood Avenue Church, Toledo, Ohio, January 27, 1941.
615
SYNOD OF OHIO
1941]
The Committee recommended "No. Action." The recom- mendation that Synod take "No Action" was adopted.
The Judicial Committee reported through the Chairman, Rev. Robert H. Rolofson that no business had been brought to its attention, therefore had no report. The report was re- ceived.
The Vice-Moderator, Judge S. C. Wright was invited to take the chair.
FOREIGN MISSIONS
The report of the Committee on Foreign Missions was presented by the chairman, Rev. Robert H. Rolofson.
Pending action on the report Rev. John A. Stuart pre- sented the missionaries residing in Wooster to the Synod. Dr. Charles T. Leber, Secretary of the Board of Foreign Mis- sions addressed Synod. The report was received and recom- mendations including a resolution of gratitude to Miss Ann T. Reid were adopted.
Your Committee on Foreign Missions begs leave to submit the following report:
We rejoice that none of our 153 Stations in sixteen countries have been closed and that all are adequately manned. The Board has given its missionaries in the war-cursed countries the option of returning home to safety or remaining in the midst of grave personal dangers. Despite the fact that some have been imprisoned for their faith, all have united in choosing to remain at their posts. Only the wives of missionaries who have small children and missionaries in frail health have been evacuated; indeed, the personal courage and faith of these men and women of God will shine as a beacon light in the history of this dark and troubled era.
We at home should be inspired by the example being set by these representatives of Christ abroad, and we should back them as never before in our prayers and with our gifts.
In the matter of promoting the cause of missionary interest, we have several suggestions to offer.
(1) That in the phraseology of the Assembly's Standing Com- mittee on Foreign Missions, "the crux of the whole problem of support of the missionary enterprise is in the minister of the local church. We believe that the people of our churches will in the long run be no more and no less interested in, and faithful in the support of, mis- sions, than their pastors. The fruitfulness of the work of the Home Base Department will be determined by the cooperation of the minis- try."
(2) That consideration be given in the Presbyteries to what might be called "a Four-Board Presentation by Pastors." This plan as previously executed in at least oneof our Presbyteries is set up some- what in this manner. A central Committee arranges for one fourth of the pastors to prepare messages on the achievements and needs of the Board of Foreign Missions, another fourth to prepare messages on
616
MINUTES
[June
National Missions, etc., so that all the pastors are involved, each hav- ing prepared to speak on the work of one of the Boards. Then at four consecutive midweek services, each church hears one of these mes- sages. Thus all of the churches will be given a glimpse of the work of all the Boards.
(3) That individual churches seek to extend missionary educa- tion among young people in every way possible. Likewise that no opportunity be lost in presenting to them claims of missionary service.
(4) That every pastor give strong and frequent emphasis to the Foreign Missionary cause throughout the year. That churches be assured that since Board Secretaries and Missionaries are not always available, the Foreign Missions Chairmen throughout the Synod are eager and ready as are many pastors, to speak for this cause when so requested.
(5) That each church create a Foreign missions Committee and in its annual planning conference, see that this great project is given an appropriate place in the year's plans.
(6) That full advantage be taken of every opportunity to awaken the interest of MEN in Missions. In this connection let it be remem- bered that November 16th is Men and Missions Sunday.
(7) That Pastors and Sessions recognize the strategic value of what our "loved and lost" Dr. Bible used to call "watering the roots." That is, to intensify missionary promotion and education among those at the center of the congregation's life.
(8) That consideration be given to the advisability of occasional joint meetings of the Presbyteries and Presbyterials.
(9) That full use be made of the promotional and educational methods provided or suggested by the Board; Foreign Affairs Convoca- tions, Foreign Affairs Bulletin, the study books, the Year Book of Prayer, the Loan Library, visual aids, etc.
(10) That the paramount factor in this whole matter is a deeper sense of the world's need for Christ, and that without it, any plan or program, however well perfected, will bear little fruit.
Your Committee recommends:
(1) That every church in the Synod shall appropriately observe the World-Wide Communion Sunday, on October 5.
(2) The desirability of Synod's Executive Committee advising with the Synodical officers on a plan whereby appeals for funds from Youth Groups may be clarified and simplified.
(3) That all of our churches in the Synod cooperate fully in the raising of funds for the Presbyterian United World Emergency Fund.
(4) We note with chagrin that the gifts of our Ohio Churches for Foreign Missions were slightly less in 1940-41 than during the previous year, and we recommend that Pastors and Sessions earnestly seek to correct this trend.
(5) That in view of the fact that Miss Ann T. Reid has served the Board of Foreign Missions as a Secretary since 1920 and retires this year, that the Synod shall send her a resolution of gratitude.
That the sum of $250.00 be appropriated by the Synod for the promotional work of this Committee.
ROBERT H. ROLOFSON, Chairman
Resolution of gratitude to Miss Ann T. Reid, from the Synod of Ohio.
Recognizing your invaluable services to the Central Area of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., the Synod of Ohio, in session at Wooster, Ohio for its 60th annual program,
617
SYNOD OF OHIO
1941]
desires to add its unqualified tribute, on the eve of your retirement from active duties.
We have valued you as a friend, profited by your wise counsel and respected your indefatigable efforts in the Cause of Christ. May the years of your retirement serve as a treasure house of happy memories of friendships made in our midst. Your practical suggestions and effervescent good humor will bear fruits for years to come. The latch-strings of our hearts will ever be open to you in the broad Synod of Ohio.
REV. DWIGHT R. GUTHRIE REV. JOHN ALVIN STUART Special Committee
On motion the Moderator was asked to convey the greet- ings of the Synod to the Synodical Society.
The Rev. Jesse Halsey presented Rev. J. Walter Malone, Vice-President of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois, who addressed Synod on the important factors in training the Church's leadership.
MINISTERIAL RELATIONS (Vacancy and Supply)
The report of the Committee on Ministerial Relation was presented by the chairman, Rev. Edward W. Ziegler.
The report was received and the recommendations adopted.
The Committee on Ministerial Relations presents this summary of the mimeographed report distributed to Synod.
Because of the nature of the responsibility much of the work of the various chairmen of Ministerial Relations and Vacancy and Supply cannot be reduced to statistics, but available figures do tell an inter- esting story. During the past year, members of the committee have held approximately 321 interviews with clergymen and church groups. The General Presbyters have assisted in this work with tireless devo- tion and deserve the gratitude of Synod. At the present time there are 39 vacant churches in Synod. Insufficient financial ability seems to be the primary obstacle in the way of filling many of these vacancies.
Among many of those who are devoted to and experienced in the work of Ministerial Relations and Vacancy and Supply, there is a grow- ing feeling that some of our most serious difficulties will continue to exist until modifications are made in our Presbyterian machinery and in the attitude of both clergymen and churches toward the subject of the placement of ministers. Some comments of the minister-members of the committee indicate that sentiment: "Make it mandatory for churches to hear and act upon the recommendations of the M. R. and V. & S. Committees." "Give our committee of Synod more power and em- phasize the exchange of pastors." "Synod's General Presbyters, the chairmen of the committees on M. R. and V. & S. should form a council to which Episcopal powers should be given." Some situations can be adjusted by friendly counseling, but in many instances there are ele- ments that simply will not respond to such counseling. It often hap- pens that churches become weaker and weaker and ministers become
618
MINUTES
[June
more and more discouraged because there is no practical arrangement whereby authority may be used to bring about the necessary changes or adjustments. Synod's committee urges clergymen and laymen to spend much time in thought and fruitful discussion of this problem. .
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.