USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Minutes of the session of the Ohio Miami Conference, successor to Miami Conference, of the United Methodist Church, 1970 > Part 10
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J. P. Landis, who had been elected president, reported to the 1890 Annual Con- ference session that an organization was effected called the Young People's Christian Union of the Miami Conference. A constitution and by-laws were adopted. At that time 29 churches had youth organizations. Ten of these were Christian Endeavor So- cieties, seven Young People's Christian Associations, nine Young People's Christian Unions and three Young People's Missionary Societies. The total membership was about 1400.
Under the stimulation of the United Brethren Ministerial Association of Dayton, a convention representing nine states and fourteen conferences, with 200 delegates present, was held in Dayton First Church on June 4, 1890. This convention organized the Young People's Christian Union of the United Brethren Church. "For the glory of God and the salvation of men" was adopted as a motto. J. P. Landis was elected president. The constitution as adopted provided that conferences and local churches could use the name Christian Endeavor.
In the Miami Conference the organization of local units continued until there were 41 in 1891.
Presiding elder George M. Mathews said, "It is worthy of note that where young people's societies are in healthy operation, the fruits of revivals are usually well pre- served."
For some years one evening at the Annual Conference sessions was given over to a Y.P.C.U. program with as many as four addresses.
Annual conventions continued to be a part of the Conference program. In 1892 the topics discussed were:
The weekly meeting.
What can be done toward the training of leaders?
How to make the Lookout Committee effective.
Reading.
President Landis spoke on "The Bible, the Y.P.C.U. Handbook."
In the 1899 convention of two days the 100 delegates and many visitors listened
1 G. M. Mathews, The Religious Telescope, LV (October 30, 1889), 692.
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to eight addresses. J. P. Landis, after ten years as president, was released from the office and P. M. Camp was elected.
Another type of youth organization had a brief history in the Miami Conference -the Boy's Brigade. This was a semi-military organization for boys 13 to 18 years of age. Companies were organized within the Sunday Schools. The object was the spiritual, moral and physical elevation of the boy. Though military training and dis- cipline were an important part of the program, the object was peace and not war. The boys wore special uniforms often consisting only of cap and belt.
A part of the entrance pattern was to sign a pledge against liquor, tobacco and profanity.
The first Boy's Brigade Company in Dayton was organized at the Hartford St. Church in August 1893 with fourteen charter members. The group met weekly giving about one-half hour to military drill and an equal amount of time to Bible study.
Further Progress in the Cities
Dayton continued to grow and Miami Conference continued to organize new churches. The population of Dayton in 1880 was 38,678; in 1890 it was 61,220 and had increased to 85,333 in 1900.
The city purchased the First Church property in 1872, the church vacating it on January 1, 1873. A new building was started the next year on the north side of Fifth Street between Main and Jefferson. This was completed in 1876.
An addition was built to the Beavertown church in 1881.
Sunday School sessions and an occasional worship service continued for some time in the Wagner schoolhouse east of Dayton. This became the nucleus for the Wagner Church which, after a revival meeting conducted by J. M. Bolton, was or- ganized with 47 charter members on March 25, 1884. A building was erected on Valley Pike.
The Oak Street Church was organized in 1886, the Board of Trustees being elected by the First Church quarterly Conference. This grew out of a mission Sunday School started by the United Brethren Ministerial Association. The building was erected at the corner of Oak and Bonner Streets.
The Fairview Church was formally dedicated United Brethren in 1887. Its roots went back to a Sunday School organized in 1868 or 1869 by Benjamin Mumma, a member of the First English Lutheran Church. He superintended the school for seven- teen years when it met in the old school building on North Main Street between Marathon and Hudson Avenues. This school was moved in 1885 to the District Two schoolhouse in Dayton View. Here the Methodist Church began to hold evangelistic services and then built a frame church at the corner of Hillcrest and Catalpa. The Methodists were unable to continue and the church became United Brethren.
In October 1891 Otterbein moved into a new building at Xenia Avenue and Quitman Street.
The Hartford Street Church was organized with 52 persons from other United Brethren churches in 1891. In that same year with the assistance of the United Brethren Alliance a building was erected at Hartford and Dudley Streets.
The Zion Church in North Dayton was formed to serve the needs of German people moving into the area. Some of these were members of the Otterbein Church. A small frame structure was purchased from the Trinity Methodist Church and moved to
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HISTORY
Chapel and Whealon Streets. There the Second German, later known as the Zion Church, was organized in 1893.
The Olivet Church owes its origin to two Presbyterian women in School District seven in Harrison Township. Because of their interest in the spiritual welfare of chil- dren, they organized a Sunday School in 1896. A building at the corner of Gard Ave- nue and Germantown Street was donated in 1900. Here the church was organized with twenty members in 1901.
Growing out of the Sunday School established in 1865, the High Street Church was organized in 1881 with twelve members.
A group of local people organized a Sunday School in the semi-rural community of Kingsville, west of Dayton, in 1898. Assisted by the presiding elder, J. L. Swain, the church was organized and a building constructed in 1900 at a cost of $2,000. This later became the Drexel Church.
James Manning gathered six young people for a class in religion on Sunday, June 2, 1889. This grew into an independent Sunday School for which a small building was erected later that year. This was enlarged in 1890 and the school was taken under the care of the Summit Street Church. Following a revival meeting in 1892 the Home Avenue Church was organized with forty-two charter members. A larger building was erected at the corner of Home and Grosvenor Avenues.
Lots were purchased in 1889 at the corner of Herman Avenue and Linwood Street in lower Riverdale, known at that time as McPhersontown. A chapel was built and the Herman Avenue Church organized with thirty-one members in 1890. Two years later the chapel was moved to Main and Hershey Streets and the name changed to North Main Street Church. The name was later changed to Cowden Memorial in honor of Colonel Robert Cowden.
Good growth is indicated by the membership figures for 1894.
First
670
Summit
632
Hartford Street
388
Oak Street 373
High Street
214
Miami Chapel
214
Home Avenue
207
Otterbein
160
North Main Street
137
Zion
50
Total 3,045
The United Brethren Ministers' Association of Dayton, Ohio was organized on December 8, 1884. A constitution was adopted and a permanent organization effected in March 1885. Its monthly (later quarterly) meetings were devoted to the discussion of religious, ecclesiastical and educational topics. This Association was instrumental in organizing the Oak Street Church, the Dayton United Brethren Alliance and the de- nominational Young People's Christian Union. The organization was informally dis- continued in February 1891. 2
At the January 1890 meeting of the Ministers' Association Rev. E. A. Starkey read a paper on "Should There be an Organized Union of the United Brethren
2 Souvenir History United Brethren Churches, Dayton, Ohio, 1894, 15, 16.
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Churches of the City?" After discussion this was referred to the Dayton ministers. A meeting was called for September 28 in which the Alliance of the United Brethren Churches of Dayton was formed. This was often referred to as the Dayton United Brethren Alliance.
The purpose, as stated in the constitution, was "to form a closer bond of union between the several United Brethren Churches of the city through union meetings, etc. and to plant new missions where they may be needed, and to strengthen the work we already have in hand." 3
The membership consisted of all the United Brethren church members in Dayton. However, an executive council was formed consisting of the officers and the pastor and one layman from each church. Committees were formed on missions, finance, union meetings, union socials and union excursions.
Proponents of this organization were Prof. A. B. Shauck, D. L. Rike, John Dodds and Rev. D. R. Miller. M. R. Drury was the first president.
The Alliance went to work immediately and by November announced that two lots had been secured and trustees appointed for two more churches in growing parts of the city. In the next year it raisd $1100 and founded four missions.
At the 1892 meeting the following steps were taken:
a. Adopted a resolution commending the Dayton police department and offered cooperation with their efforts toward a quiet and orderly Sunday.
b. Gave impetus to the forming of a young people's alliance.
c. Reported that $8,000 had been raised.
When M. R. Drury retired as president in 1893 he said that the success of the Alliance was due to consecration, concentration and cooperation. S. W. Keister became the second president.
Preparatory to evangelistic meetings the laymen promoted a series of union prayer meetings in 1894.
The church did not develop as fast in Cincinnati. First German United Brethren Church, which had been organized in 1845, purchased the church building at Clinton and Baymiller Streets in 1875, and continued its ministry there for many years.
The Second German Church was organized in 1866 growing out of a Sunday School which was started in the eastern part of Cincinnati. For about twenty years it occupied a building along the river. In 1886 it built on the hill on Torrence Road where it ministered to the community until its closing.
An English Church which was organized about the middle of the nineteenth century was closed in 1875 after years of uncertain ministry.
The Zion building burned in 1876, but was immediately rebuilt. It grew slowly having 53 members in 1887 and 74 in 1899.
Five Mile continued to minister in its building which had been built in 1844. The community was sparsely settled so the membership remained small. The strength of the church might be indicated by the fact that from 1872 to 1900 sixteen ministers served the church.
The Mt. Airy Church was organized in 1891 though it had some roots going back to a Sunday School and Church called Jessup. A new building was dedicated the same year.
3 Unpublished Copy of Constitution.
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Cherry Grove carried on a normal ministry during this period. As indicated earlier it was host to the Annual Conference in 1878 and in 1890.
Willey Memorial started as a Sunday School in 1896. The class was organized the following year with fourteen charter members. During the pastorate of J. E. Yingling 1897-1901 the building was erected.
Social Concerns
This period of Miami Conference history was one of deep concern about the Sabbath. The standards for Sabbath observance were very different then than now. To illustrate the conditions which produced dissatisfaction, we quote from a report to the Conference from the Committee on Observance of the Sabbath in 1883. The report covers a page and a half of rather fine print.
The body, brain and soul of man are penetrated by this law of the Sabbath to the degree that, to uproot it, would be to destroy society itself, and involve the world in moral disorder, physical degeneracy, and mental degradation. Inasmuch as the evil of Sabbath desecration still prevails to an alarming extent, so appalling that its results cannot be estimated, being seen in the contamination of youth, in the multitudes seeking amusement rather than worship, and in that but few of the whole population is pledged to its religious observance: therefore we deem it our duty to reaffirm our solemn and divinely wrought conviction as to what we deem violations of the law of God, as touching the sanctity of the holy Sabbath day.
These violations were then listed in the report
the Sunday train
the Sunday mail
the Sunday newspaper
the Sunday manufactory
the Sunday theater
Sunday excursions pleasure riding social visiting
surprise parties ball and croquet playing fishing and hunting
purchasing and reading newspapers and novels.
The last statement in the report required itinerants with fields in the Conference to preach at each appointment a sermon on the subject of Sabbath desecration. 4
Though the subject of social concerns is discussed in greater detail in a later chapter, we here refer to a few Conference actions during this period.
Temperance and alcoholic beverages were mentioned in almost every session of the Conference. A committee report on Temperance was given in 1871. A strong resolution on the liquor traffic was adopted in 1873 including a condemnation of the practice of selling grain and wood to distillers. In 1877 a recommendation was adopted that churches use only unfermented wine for sacramental purposes, when such can be secured.
Other resolutions on temperance were adopted later.
+ Miami Conference Minutes, 1883, 42, 43.
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The use of tabacco was also condemned. In 1877 resolutions were adopted that "we urge all members and ministers to speedily break away from the habit of using tobacco" and that "we do not license or ordain any ministers who are addicted to the use of tobacco in any form, except those who do promise to give it up." This action was renewed in 1898.
During the Conference session of 1892 the Saturday evening session emphasized "Moral Reform." Addresses were given on "Social Sinning," "Sabbath Sinning," "The Influence of the Saloon, or Dram Shop Sinning."
The Sunday evening service in 1894 was also in the interest of "Moral Reform." The subjects discussed were "The Church and the Sabbath," "The Church and the Press," "The Church and Temperance," and "The Church and Industrial Life."
These topics compared to some used earlier indicate a broadening of the social concerns of the Conference. The principal paper in 1895 was on "Christian Citizen- ship." The "Labor Question" was presented in an address in 1897.
Laymen in the Conference
Agitation for lay representatives in the annual and general conferences continued. A long resolution on lay delegates was presented in the 1875 session of Miami Con- ference. This was referred to a special committee to report at the next session. Presiding elder William McKee, in his report, spoke in favor of lay delegates. His proposal was that a lay delegate be appointed from each field of labor and that these be advisory members of the Conference.
The Committee reported in 1876 expressing again the desire for lay delegates and adopted a memorial to General Conference calling for such action. 5
A laymen's convention was held in Germantown on February 27, 1877 to con- sider what action "they shall ask of the coming general conference on lay delegates and other matters." Action was taken to request lay delegation and pro-rata repre- sentation. 6
The Committee on lay delegation reported in 1877 indicating that the General Conference had authorized lay representation in annual conferences where the confer- ence approved it by a two-thirds vote. The Conference accordingly approved a lay delegate from each field of labor. Eligibility required the person to be 21 years of age or over, a member in good standing of the United Brethren Church for two years, and of his charge one year. "
Lay delegates were present for the first time in 1878. The secretary of the Con- ference noted, "These laymen, by their presence, devotion and counsel added much to the interest and success of the session." & The plans for electing lay delegates were re- vised and printed in full in the 1880 Minutes. º A special resolution was passed in that session expressing satisfaction with the lay delegate plan and calling on the General Conference to adopt the pro-rata plan for its delegates and to include laymen. 10 The 1889 General Conference approved lay delegation in the annual conference as a church- wide procedure. Laymen were first admitted as General Conference delegates in 1893.
5 Miami Conference Minutes, 1876, 29.
6 Religious Telescope, XVIII, (March 14, 1877), 194, 195.
7 Miami Conference Minutes, 1877, 13, 14.
8 Miami Conference Minutes, 1878, 6.
9 Miami Conference Minutes, 1880, 27, 28.
10 Miami Conference Minutes, 1880, 37.
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In 1892 the Miami Conference lay delegates met in special session, elected officers and adopted resolutions on
Pastors' Salaries and Parsonages
Telescope and Church Literature System of Finance Revivals and Mission Work.
They also nominated laymen for election as delegates to General Conference.
Conference Historical Society
Little, if any, organized effort was made to preserve historical data in the Miami Conference during its first seventy years. In the resolution committee's report in 1884 was the recommendation, "That we organize, at our next meeting, a society, to be known as the 'Historical Society of Miami Conference of the United Brethren in Christ,' and that a Committee of three be appointed at this session to report at the next annual session a constitution and plan of organization." 11 W. A. Shuey, C. J. Burkert and William McKee were appointed.
There is no record that this committee reported in 1885. However, Dr. A. W. Drury spoke explaining the design and work of the 'Church Historical Society' and asked the active cooperation of the Conference. Rev. William McKee was elected cor- responding member of this Society, representing Miami Conference. It was voted that the Conference records be turned over to the Church Society for safe keeping. 12
No further reference is made to this Society until 1889. In the minutes for that year is the statement that William McKee was re-elected secretary of the Historical Society. This, no doubt, referred to his position as corresponding member of the de- nominational society.
The Mutual Benefit Society
This organization, originally called Mutual Beneficial Society, was organized in 1887. In the Conference Minutes of that year the constitution appeared for the first time. It was constituted to provide an opportunity for mutual helpfulness for minis- ters of the Conference and their wives in times of bereavement. Each member paid annual dues of $1, and $2 as an assessment at the time of death of a member. The amount of $100 was paid to the beneficiary of a deceased member. Emphasis was placed on paying this as soon as possible. The benefit was increased to $150 in 1900.
Ministerial Association
The Miami Conference Ministerial Association continued to meet semi-annually until 1880 when, because of poor attendance, it changed to annual meetings. The session held at Springboro on April 27, 1875 was listed as the forty-second. Lay church members, male and female, were invited in 1878.
When the announcement for the seventieth session in 1880 was made laymen were invited and the statement made that the meeting would continue until the pro- gram was exhausted. At that session the faithful participants expressed deep regret that some who had papers to present did not attend. A committee was appointed to select
11 Miami Conference Minutes, 1884, 60.
12 Miami Conference Minutes, 1885, 50, 51.
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CONFERENCE HISTORY
a course of reading to occupy three years. Those completing the course and passing a satisfactory examination were to be given a diploma. 13
The report of the 1882 meeting said, "The citizens attended the meeting in con- siderable numbers." Dissatisfaction was again expressed that so few ministers were present. 14 Only eighteen ministers attended the following year. The subjects discussed were
Is Modern Theology in Danger from what is known as Higher Criticism? How to bring Awakened Sinners to Christ.
The Bible Teaching on the Subject of Divorce and Marriage of Divorced Persons.
Pastors' Duties to the Children of the Church.
Is Sanctification Separate from Regeneration?
Sermons and Bible studies were usually a part of the program. Resolutions were frequently passed.
The report of this 1882 session said that it was the common opinion that if more time was given to preparation and if the members would study the art of criticism and would make their criticisms more in accordance with the law of Christian pro- priety, the meetings would be more helpful. 13
Only a fraction of the members were present in 1885 though the people of the neighborhood attended well. It was voted to disband at the next meeting unless the attendance was much improved.
The action taken in 1886 was to consolidate the Ministerial Association with the Sunday School Association. This union was approved by the Conference.
CHAPTER 9 THE MIAMI CONFERENCE, 1901 - 1946
As the Miami Conference continued its ministry through the first half of the twentieth century it reflected many of the cultural changes of the period. A series of resolutions was presented to the Conference in 1901 prefaced by this statement.
Believing that the coming of each century brings its own needs and methods, and that we, as the body of Christian workers of Miami Confer- ence, always want to keep abreast with the increasing demands of the age . . . and believing that the present age has outgrown some of our hitherto useful methods -----
The following resolutions were then adopted.
1. That we effect the incorporation of our Conference in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.
2. That we organize a Conference Church Extension Society and that the Conference elect a Board of five trustees. That this Board be constituted the executive council of the Conference, and that the work of our present Missionary and Church Erection Committee be placed under their care and management.
3. That the Presiding Elders be ex officio members of this Board.
13 Religious Telescope, XLVI (May 5, 1880), 2.
14 Religious Telescope, LVIII (June 21, 1882), 618, 619.
15 Ibid.
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4. That the Presiding Elder or Elders be recognized as "Field Secre- taries of Conference."
5. That an annual assessment be made for church extension. 1
The above-mentioned union of committees was apparently not consummated im- mediately. Superintendent C. W. Kurtz recommended in 1908 that the Home Mission, Church Extension and Church Erection Boards be consolidated. This was adopted.
The Conference Sessions
The forty-six Annual Sessions were held in twenty-four different churches: four times in Euclid Avenue, Germantown and Middletown; three times in Dayton First Church, New Madison, Oak Street and Oakwood. The other host churches are listed in the Appendix.
The place for next year's session was determined by vote after invitations were given. These invitations offered the opportunity for flowery discourse. In 1911 J. E. Yingling invited the Conference to Germantown. The secretary, W. M. Van Sickle, wrote,
made a grandiloquent speech, bringing before us such beautiful word pic- tures of the grand scenery, good facilities for transportation, quietude of situation, amplitude of church and culinary accommodations, hospitality of the citizens, etc., etc., that in spite of B. Farris' great speech depicting the beauty of Cincinnati, he was victorious in securing the next session of Con- ference at Germantown, by quite a majority. 11
The presiding bishops were E. B. Kephart (4), J. S. Mills (4), W. M. Bell (1), G. M. Mathews (9), W. M. Weekley (2), and A. R. Clippinger (26).
During this period Conference delegates were concerned about the use of time and purpose of the sessions, so the action was taken on both content of the agenda and the length of the session. In 1912 this brief report was adopted.
We are increasingly convinced of the great and pressing necessity of our giving much more of the time of the Annual Conference session to con- ferring :
1. On Bible Truth.
2. On the specific needs of our territory.
3. In improving Methods of work.
Therefore, Resolved, that it is the sense of Miami Conference that hereafter the examination of reports and much more of the routine business of the Conference be referred to appropriate committees in order that we may have time for considering the important interests demanding our attention. 1§
The Conference opened each year on Wednesday morning and continued through Sunday afternoon and evening until 1934. In the 1933 session a resolution was adopted that beginning with the next session the Conference would open on Tuesday and close on Friday evening. The bishop's sermon and the report of the stationing committee would be on Friday.
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