USA > Ohio > Minutes of the annual meeting of the Synod of Ohio of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. > Part 5
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The Committee expresses to ministers and churches its apprecia- tion for the faith they have had in the sincerity and judgment of its members, and the members pledge themselves to keep the confidences shared with them, and to use their best efforts on behalf of those who seek their assistance.
The following recommendations are presented:
(1) That the mimeographed report be received and a digest there- of be made a part of the Minutes of Synod.
(2) That Synod approve the action of the committee in electing E. W. Ziegler of Marion Presbytery as a chairman for a period of 3 years.
(3) That Presbyteries be requested to set aside one hour of a meeting within the next year in which to have a presentation and discussion of the problems of the work of the committees on Minis- terial Relations and Vacancy and Supply.
(4) That Synod urge the Presbyteries to exercise the greatest pos- sible care in receiving men from other denominations. The basis for this recommendation is the fact that many of the difficulties arising in the field of Ministerial Relations spring from the inadequate prepara- tion of a minister, or his ignorance of Presbyterian procedure or both.
(5) That Synod urge the Presbyteries to see to it that vacant churches use the "Procedure for Vacant Churches" prepared by the Vacancy and Supply Committee and approved by Synod.
E. W. ZIEGLER
A report of the work of the Presbyterian Historical So- ciety was presented by Rev. Charles L. Zorbaugh. The re- port was received and the recommendations adopted.
The Ohio Presbyterian Historical Society, which serves the Synod of Ohio as its Committee on History, has held three meetings during the year: at synod in June, in Ashtabula in November, and in Cincin- nati in October.
The first meeting was held in this room during the meeting of Synod a year ago. This is to be the rule. It is the annual meeting of the society, and holding it in connection with the meeting of Synod makes it possible for men and women attending the synodical meet- ings of the week to drop in and get acquainted with the society and its work.
The annual meeting this year will be held in this room at four o'clock this afternoon. Professor Robert S. Fletcher, of Oberlin Col- lege, is to speak on "The Pastoral Theology of Charles G. Finney." Around the year 1835 Lyman Beecher was at the head of Lane and Charles Grandison Finney, of Oberlin. There was a remarkable inter- play between the two men and the two institutions. The Lane Exodus gave Oberlin its first class in theology. The meeting this afternoon is open to all persons, men and women, who realize the importance of historical research and are interested in the pioneer days of Presby- terianism in Ohio. All such are invited and urged to attend the meet- ing, hear Professor Fletcher, and identify themselves with the society. Our membership of fifty should grow to a hundred at this meeting of Synod. Dr. North is the secretary and will be glad to receive applica- tions.
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In Ohio, this has been a year of extraordinary historical interest for Presbyterians. It was the sesquicentennial year of Presbyterianism in Ohio, and was celebrated with an elaborate program staged by the Presbyterians of Cincinnati; as it was in Cincinnati, in the fall of 1790, that our first church was born when David Rice came to Cincinnati and organized the First Presbyterian Church. The celebration was a credit to us all. Thousands witnessed the beautifully staged pageant, heard the special sermons and addresses and contributed in one way and another to make it a memorable week. The Historical Committee of Cincinnati Presbytery spared no pains, with the result that we now have a published volume of the historical papers assembled for the celebration, a volume which will be of inestimable value in days to come. Our thanks are due to our brethren in Cincinnati for this per- manent contribution.
Our third meeting was a notable one, held in the First Presby- terian Church of Ashtabula, with the enthusiastic cooperation of Dr. Rolofson, the pastor. It was publicized as a "Celebration of the Plan of Union of 1801-1837 entered into by the Congregational General As- sociation of Connecticut and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A." The principal theaters of operation of the Plan of Union were New York and Ohio, particularly the Western Re- serve. It was notably embodied in the spirit and work of Joseph Badger, the first missionary, a Congregational minister who served both denominations, spent years at Sandusky among the Wyan- dotte Indians as a missionary of our own Western Missionary Society, and in the eastern end of the Reserve organized four Congregational and three Presbyterian churches, as follows:
Austinburg Congregational Oct. 24, 1801
Hudson Congregational
Sept. 4, 1802
Hartford Congregational Sept. 16, 1803
Warren Presbyterian Nov. 19, 1803
Canfield Presbyterian Apr. 27, 1804
Ashtabula First Presbyterian Dec. 7, 1821
Gustavus Congregational Apr. 27, 1825
We had, as was fitting, the hearty cooperation of our Congrega- tional brethren. The celebration was a joint affair, with official dele- gates from both bodies, and representative speakers, both state and national. Dr. Hermann N. Morse came on from New York to speak for our National Board. The noon luncheon in Ashtabula First Presby- terian Church was attended by one hundred and fifty; the supper in the Austinburg Congregational Church by one hundred. Members of the Ashtabula Church gave funds which made it possible for the Society to dedicate that afternoon a bronze memorial tablet to Joseph Badger hanging on the sanctuary walls of First Church today, with the tribute:
"He lit a lamp in the Wilderness." The Life Record
Joseph Badger was born in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, February 28, 1757. As a youth he served three years in the Revolutionary Army. Graduating from Yale in 1785, he was ordained in 1787 and settled in a pastorate. But his great work was not to be in New England. Com- missioned by the Connecticut Missionary Society, he set out on horse- back in November, 1800, for Ohio to begin his labors as the first mis- sionary on the Western Reserve. Here to the scattered pioneers in the wilderness he brought the gospel, nor ever turned back, but gave the rest of his life to these labors. He sought out the settlers, organized them into churches, preached to the Indians, endured all the hard- ships of the wilderness, pioneered in the building of a new civiliza- tion, joined with other men in laying broad and deep the foundations of the Christian church in the Western Reserve, and in the end fell on sleep at Perrysburg, Ohio, in 1846, at eighty-nine years of age.
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His work was as important to Presbyterians as to Congregational- ists, and over his grave today is a shaft of special interests to this Synod, for it was erected by one of the constituent synods which pre- ceded the organization of the present Synod of Ohio, viz: the Western Reserve Synod,-the Synod to which Joseph Badger belonged under the Plan of Union, as did the great body of all our churches on the Western Reserve, both Presbyterian and Congregational. It is a shaft which, in letters growing faint now with age and weather, one reads this legend:
REV. JOSEPH BADGER First Missionary Upon The Western Reserve Born February 28, 1757 Removed To the Reserve in 1800 Died April 5th, 1846 Erected By The Synod of Western Reserve
Recommendations
We recommend that Synod congratulate the Presbytery of Cincin- nati on its very distinguished celebration of the Sesquicentennial of Presbyterianism in Ohio, and in particular, on the publication of the important volume of historical papers produced in connection with the celebration.
That Synod approve and encourage the Ohio Presbyterian Histor- ical Society, as its committee on History, in all efforts to discover and preserve the important source materals on pioneer Presbyterianism in Ohio;
That Synod authorize the Council of Synod to assist in the work of the Society with expenditures from Synod's funds not to exceed, for the coming year, the sum of Eighty Dollars.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES L. ZORBAUGH, Chairman
SOCIAL EDUCATION AND ACTION
The Committee on Social Education and Action pre- sented report through Chairman, Rev. Harvey E. Holt.
Pending action on the report, Synod was addressed by Elder Harrison M. Sayre.
The report was received and recommendations adopted.
I. Your Committee on Social Education and Action recommends to Synod the adoption of the pronouncements of the General Assembly of 1941 on Social Education and Action in toto.
II. Relative to the problems of Social Education and Action in the Synod of Ohio your Committee urges special attention of the Churches and ministers to the following:
1. Recognizing that the ultimate solution of the liquor problem lies in educating the public to the evils of intemperance and looking
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toward voluntary discipline, your Committee urges, however, that at present the churches give ardent support in behalf of legislation for the control of, and wherever possible the elimination of the liquor traffic. Attention is called to the fact that the Legislature of Ohio must begin again its consideration of this problem with the next legis- lative session.
2. Because of the present unchristian discrimination against racial groups the churches are urged to exercise themselves in behalf of equality of rights of employment for all, irrespective of race or color.
3. Since the present state of the nation makes acute the problem of the church's relationship to its youth, it becomes necessary for the Church to provide spiritual safeguards for its young men taken from home by conscription, or volunteer enlistment. We urge: (a) that active support be given the movement to provide centers of wholesome recreation and religious fellowship near the war-camp areas; (b) that adequate support be given for the care of those young men confined to camps by conscientious objection to military service (Such contribu- tions will be received by the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly for proper distribution); (c) that we do not forget nor cease responsibility for young men in C.C.C. camps.
4. To strike deeper at the problems of building the Christian home and to meet the acute situation regarding marriage that has risen with military conscription, we suggest that presbyteries hold conferences under trained leadership for guidance in pre-marital coun- selling and to establish standards regarding the sanction of the church on marriage.
5. Regarding the problem of labor, it is our belief: that every church should observe Labor Sunday; that churches give careful con- sideration to the representation of labor on church boards; that it is the responsibility of church leaders, ministers and laymen, to encourage contacts for mutual understanding and fellowship with leaders of labor.
6. In view of the nation's trend toward war, the churches are reminded of the necessity of being alert to the danger of compromising the Christian position. The Church is the agent of love and mercy and redemption; it is responsible for the preservation of faith in God and His righteousness, and for the preservation of the best of our heritage for the day of reconstruction. It is our grave responsibility to guard the liberties, and even more the personalities, of individuals who will inevitably suffer from the hysteria of war.
7. We suggest that churches explore the resources and depths of worship for the quickening of social conscience and motivation and for the undergirding of social action.
8. We remind the Church that it risks in the diverting of its attention by the war, the forgetting of its responsibility for the re- habilitation of all who have been confined to the penal institutions of the State.
9. We urge the churches of Synod to give greater attention to the physically handicapped and defective of the community, sharing with them the encouragement of love and fellowship, and giving to them increased assistance toward self-support in life.
10. We suggest that an effective means for social education for local churches would be the distribution to all members of the new pamphlet, "Deliverances of the General Assembly, Relative to Social Education and Action, 1910 to 1940." These can be secured without cost.
11. Believing that the Church has a privilege in assuming leader- ship in community cooperation toward social betterment, and believ- ing that thoughtful persons tend to agree that community coordination,
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on all levels, from the local neighborhood to the world community, is a great need of the hour, we suggest that local churches actively par- ticipate in the state programs of citizens committees, in all matters in which there is no compromising of the Christian conscience, such as is now being organized under the Ohio Commission for Democracy (of which H. W. Nisonger, Columbus is Secretary, and Harrison M. Sayre, elder of the Broad Street Presbyterian Church, Columbus, and member of Synod's Committee on Social Education and Action, is chairman.) We suggest this and similar movements as fertile fields for church leadership.
The churches have the plants and physical equipment to begin at once in community leadership. "As someone has said: 'It is as impor- tant to have lights burning in school buildings by night as to have flags flying above them by day'; so also it is socially urgent in this present crisis to open the doors of our churches throughout the week to meet the educational, recreational, social, and spiritual needs of the community."
"The chief physical resources of the churches of America are 60 million laymen. Churches can greatly clarify their thinking and en- courage their good works in the community by simple, effective tech- niques."
"The glory of our Church in the past has been its courage and flexibility. Schools, colleges, hospitals, missions, pension plans and a myriad of social movements were 'invented' by our forefathers to meet the needs of their times." We can have similar courage and imagina- tion in meeting 20th century needs. To do so it will be necessary for each church to re-think its program, as a whole, and in all its parts, to meet the greatest needs its members are feeling, the greatest needs they see in the community.
Recommendations
1. We recommend the establishment of two regional conferences in the autumn to be conducted by the Synod, through its Committee on Social Education and Action, for the study of the church's relationship to the political and social order, looking toward the church's contribu- tion to a world order which will incorporate the principles of Jesus Christ. (A good precedent is set for this in the Malvern Conference.)
2. We recommend that the standing rule on Permanent Commit- tees, section 15 (2), be changed to provide that the Synodical Secre- tary of Social Education and Action be made a member of Synod's Committee on Social Education and Action, due notices having been given at the last meeting of Synod.
3. We recommend that notice be given of the desire to change the standing rules on permanent Committees so that the Chairman of Synod's Committee on Social Education and Action should be made a member of the program committee of Synod. We would also sug- gest to Presbyteries the advisability of making the Chairman of Pres- bytery's Committee on Social Education and Action a member of the Council of Presbytery.
Proposed Change in Standing Rules Sec. 12. Prograin and Docket: To add to Section after Board of Pensions; Social Education and Action, etc. shall constitute a program committee. .
4. We recommend that Synod's Committee on Social Education and Action be allowed $125 for expenses in this year's budget.
HARVEY E. HOLT, Chairman
COUNCIL OF SYNOD
The report of the Council of Synod was read by Rev. E. W. Lodwick, Secretary of Council.
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The report was received and recommendations adopted.
The first meeting of the Council was held at the Seneca Hotel, Columbus, Ohio, Monday, November 11, 1940 at 2:30 p.m. The Mode- rator Rev. Jesse Halsey, presided.
The Benevolence Budget for 1941-42, including $6,000.00 for West- minster Foundation and $2,000.00 for Ohio Council of Churches, and the Budget for the Ohio Presbyterian Homes ($15,000.00) was presented by the secretary of the United Promotion Committee of the Synod. The budgets were approved by the Council and ordered sent down to the churches.
Upon receipt of a letter from the Finance Committee containing recommendation that the treasurer of Synod be bonded the clerk was instructed to carry out this recommendation and so inform the treasur- er. This action was carried out by the clerk.
The Moderator was instructed to bring in a recommendation for change of Standing Rules in the matter of election of Moderator as suggested at the meeting of Synod.
The Council presents the following change in the Standing Rules to clear the understanding of Rule 25. "No Chairman or member of any committee of Synod shall be eligible to serve for more than six con- secutive years with privilege of reelection after lapse of one year."
The second meeting of the Council was held at Wooster, June 23, 1941. The Moderator reported on the proposed change in the Standing Rules of Synod as it related to the election of Moderator. Due to legal requirements it is necessary to defer action until a later date.
The Moderator reported having visited the Synod of Pennsylvania and that the Moderator of the Synod of Pennsylvania would visit our Synod. The Council gave approval to this exchange of visits.
The Council voted to ask the Synod, through the Finance Com- mittee to grant the sum of $100.00 for the expense of the Council for the year 1941-42.
Respectfully submitted, JESSE HALSEY, Chairman
Rev. Wm. W. Mckinney, ex-Moderator of the Synod of Pennsylvania, was invited to sit as a corresponding member. Rev. Mr. Mckinney addressed Synod in an inspirational man- ner.
Synod recessed until 9:00 o'clock Thursday morning. The session closed with prayer by the Moderator.
EVENING POPULAR SERVICE
The evening service was held under the leadership of Rev. Jesse Halsey.
The Convocation Preacher, Rev. James W. Clarke, preached on the theme, "The Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth!" The specific theme of the evening was "The Movements of God."
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THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1941
The joint meeting of Synod and Synodical was held in the Chapel from eight till nine o'clock a. m. The Moderator, Rev. Homer G. McMillen presided. Rev. David King Kerr offered prayer. President Charles F. Wishart gave the con- cluding message of his series on "Christus Liberator," the theme being "Let My People Go." The benediction was pro- nounced by Rev. George Gerlach of the Presbytery of Toledo.
SYNOD IN SESSION-9:00 A. M.
Synod reconvened at 9:00 a. m. and was led in the devo- tional service by Rev. Jesse Halsey.
The minutes of Wednesday's session were read by Per- manent Clerk, Rev. E. S. Hendrickson, and were approved.
The Bills and Overtures Committee reported through Chairman, Rev. Darwin Haynes, presenting the following Overture:
Overture
from the Presbytery of Wooster to the Synod of Ohio,
regarding a Union Convocation with the United Presbyterian Synod. To THE STATED CLERKS in THE SYNOD OF OHIO, GREETING:
The attention of your Presbytery is respectfully called to the fol- lowing:
"Whereas, the United Presbyterian Church has long been closely allied with the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. in Faith and Govern- ment, and,
"Whereas, friendly relations and filial interests have long existed between us,
"Therefore, be it resolved, that the Presbytery of Wooster, in Stated Meeting in the First Presbyterian Church of Mansfield, Ohio, this 23rd day of September, 1940, hereby respectfully overtures the Synod of Ohio, meeting in Wooster in June, 1941, to extend greetings and an official invitation to the Synod of Ohio of the United Presby- terian Church to meet with them in Wooster in 1942 for simultaneous business sessions, and to join with them in a United Convocation pro- gram at the College of Wooster."
The above resolution was adopted by unanimous action of the Presbytery of Wooster, meeting in Mansfield, Ohio, on the 23rd day of September, 1940. If your Presbytery is like minded, Wooster Presby- tery would greatly appreciate your taking similar action, concurring with them in this movement toward a better fellowship with our United Presbyterian brethren.
Respectfully yours, DARWIN M. HAYNES, Stated Clerk of Wooster Presbytery
The Committee recommended the adoption of the Over-
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ture by the Synod and that its details be worked out by the Council. Synod approved this recommendation.
The report of Bills and Overtures was adopted as a whole.
Rev. W. F. Dickens-Lewis, Chairman, presented the re- port of the Committee on Necrology and conducted a me- morial service for the deceased ministers and elders of Synod. Following the reading of selections of scriptures and the reading of the list of deceased members of Synod by Rev. Charles A. Hunter, prayer was offered by the Chairman. The report was received.
Necrology Roll
Presbytery of Athens Rev. T. Boyd Gay, November 15, 1940, aged years.
Presbytery of Cincinnati Ministers: Rev. Nathaniel Ross Walker, August 3, 1940, aged 89 years. Rev. Anthony Bevis Beresford, November 11, 1940, aged 73 years. Elders: William A. Vigel Charles W. Acomb Hugh K. Boggs Daniel B. Meacham Charles Skillman Wm. Edward Vail George M. Johnston R. Logan Riker
J. I. Meyer
Presbytery of Cleveland Ministers: Rev. G. A. Lawrence, June 2, 1940, aged 74 years.
Rev. P. W. Sinks, August 26, 1940, aged 89 years.
Rev. J. H. Lawther, October 31, 1940, aged 69 years.
Rev. E. F. Kennedy, November 16, 1940, aged 73 years.
Rev. E. R. Wright, February 13, 1941, aged 68 years.
Rev. G. W. Griffiths, June 9, 1941, aged 72 years.
Presbytery of Columbus Elders:
E. M. Baldridge
John C. Welsh
Roy D. Prushing Don H. Latham
R. L. Babb
Alexander Morrison Hiram Wright Pearl O. Robinson
E. E. Evans L. W. Heinlein
Presbytery of Dayton Ministers: Rev. A. Fulton Johnson, December 18, 1940, aged 74 years.
Charles Mount A. E. Coates
Elders: W. H. Koester
Presbytery of Lima Ministers Rev. Walter Lowrie Alexander, July 7, 1940, aged 84 years.
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Presbytery of Mahoning Ministers: Rev. John Willet Waters, May 23, 1940, aged 63 years. Rev. David A. Cramer, July 27, 1940, aged 68 years.
Elders:
Fred Brown Ray E. Frederick C. G. Hahn Herbert A. Cushman
M. C. Hotchkiss J. L. Manson G. P. Craig Edwin Chandler
Presbytery of Marion Elders:
Charles M. Stumph
Will G. Morgan
Roy C. Kellog
David E. Youngs Charles B. Hatton John B. Power
Presbytery of Portsmouth
Elders:
Dr. Gomer E. Jones J. F. Plummer
Presbytery of St. Clairsville Elders:
U. M. Case
Wm. W. Robinson
H. H. McClelland
Lewis B. Trigg
E. F. Green
James D. Lyle
Wm. S. Parks
Mrs. Elizabeth Owens
T. R. Lloyd
Chalmers Wallace
Herbert S. Carmichael
George Armstrong
Presbytery of Steubenville
Elders:
W. A. Korns A. D. Smith Duncan MacMillan
Alford W. Crawford W. E. Roberts
Presbytery of Toledo Ministers:
Rev. John Q. Durfey, December 9, 1940, aged 69 years.
Elders:
William H. Peters D. P. McCarthy Henry F. Bowlus
W. H. Grover
Omar L. Spangler
Presbytery of Wooster Ministers: Rev. G. H. L. Beeman, February 22, 1941, aged 69 years.
Elders:
Dr. Paul E. Gilmore A. T. Kilgore Charles Core
R. W. Stephenson John Myers J. I. Campbell
Presbytery of Zanesville Elders:
Robert Mortland J. C. Williams E. H. Watkins
H. P. Balo W. B. Hanna Charles Calvert Charles B. Jahnke
James Ruckman
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The report of the Committee on Christian Education was presented by Rev. Vernon P. Martin in the absence of the Chairman.
The Rev. John V. Stephens, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Trustees, presented report on the Westminster Foundation. Rev. John W. Miller told of the work of the Foundation.
Pending action on the report, Rev. William Ralph Hall of the Board of Christian Education addressed Synod.
The report was received and the recommendations adopted seriatem and then as a whole:
TRUSTEES OF WESTMINSTER FOUNDATION
The following were presented as nominees for Trustees of the Westminster Foundation, Class of 1944:
Mr. William L. Ardett, Columbus Presbytery.
Mr. Russell B. McNeil, Dayton Presbytery.
Rev. Lawrence L. Hucksoll, Portsmouth Presbytery.
These Trustees were elected by Synod.
TRUSTEES, COLLEGE OF WOOSTER
The Board of Trustees recommends to the Synod of Ohio for elec- tion in the Class of 1944 the following persons:
James W. Morgan. Jackson, Ohio
Robert R. Woods Wooster, Ohio
Hugh I. Evans Dayton, Ohio
Carl V. Weygandt Lakewood, Ohio
John McSweeney Wooster, Ohio
Arthur H. Compton. Chicago, Illinois
John Tiedtke. Toledo, Ohio
Edmund Secrest Wooster, Ohio
Mrs. Alva C. Bailey
Phelps, New York
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