USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the brethren of the Eastern district of Pennsylvania > Part 45
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1898. Burlington Park, Napierville, Ill., May 31, etc. John Brubaker, Henry Keller, S. H. Miller, W. H. Naff, C. L. Wilkins, J. C. Seibert, S. Crumpacker, J. W. Rarick, Dan. Chambers, L. A. Wenger, J. H. Wright, S. M. Forney, Jere. Thomas, W. R. Deeter, Wm. Davis, G. W. Annon, P. R. Keltner, Caleb Fogle, G. K. Sappington, S. Buckalew, S. L. Myers, Eli Yourtee, M. Flory, Michael Keller, J. H. Longe- necker, F. W. Dove, A. Molsbee, E. D. Book, M. T. Bear, S.
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Edgecomb, S. J. Swigart, J. E. Ellenberger, A. Hutchison, W. A. Gaunt, John P. Bailey, D. L. Miller, J. C. Bright, G. A. Shamberger ; W. R. Deeter, Moderator ; D. L. Miller, Writ- ing Clerk ; P. R. Keltner, Reading Clerk; G. N. Falkenstein, Doorkeeper.
1899. Roanoke, Va., May 23, etc. C. Hope, John Zuck, W. K. Simmons, John Bonewitz, C. M. Brower, Jas. A. Sell, J. S. Flory, G. W. Ellenberger, Jac. Hollinger, A. W. Austin, David Bowman, J. Y. King, J. A. Miller, Henry Brubaker, I. W. Abernathy, Enoch Eby, M. J. McClure, A. B. Barnhart, I. S. Lerew, J. H. Baker, Thomas J. Kolb, W. B. Sell, I. B. Trout, D. J. Miller, Geo. F. Wise, A. H. Puterbaugh, G. S. Arnold, J. B. Moore, L. T. Holsinger, J. P. Zigler, S. M. Smith, D. C. Campbell, D. A. Naff, J. L. Thomas, L. H. Dickey, J. B. Pence, O. J. Beaver, H. M. Shutt ; L. T. Holsinger, Moderator ; J. H. Moore, A. H. Puterbaugh, Writing Clerks ; I. B. Trout, Reading Clerk.
1900. North Manchester, Ind., June 5, etc. Jos. B. Bow- man, C. L. Wilkins, Jos. Myer, P. S. Miller, L. W. Teeter, I. F. Rairigh, W. H. Naff, J. H. Wright, A. D. Sollenberger, Daniel Hays, J. C. Murray, R. A. Yoder, Jere. Thomas, D. E. Price, E. M. Wolf, Albert Hollinger, C. P. Rowland, L. E. Keltner, W. S. Reichard, John Arnold, A. F. Miller, S. K. Fike, Samuel Weimer, J. F. Neher, John Herr, G. W. Lentz, J. Appleman, Wm. C. Koontz, S. B. Shirky, P. S. Myers, H. B. Brumbaugh, J. H. Neher, Geo. C. Carl, Jasper Barnthouse, John P. Bailey, D. L. Miller, J. C. Bright, S. M. Gochenour, S. R. Zug, N. Longenecker, Harvey Eikenberry ; D. L. Miller, Moderator ; Daniel Hays, H. B. Brumbaugh, Writing Clerks; L. W. Teeter, Reading Clerk ; David Hollinger, Doorkeeper.
1901. Lincoln, Neb., May 28, etc. Daniel Vaniman, John Zuck, Tobias Hoover, Thos. Barklow, J. M. Follis, I. J. Rosen- berger, Stephen Yoder, B. E. Kesler, C. G. Lint, N. S. Cripe, J. E. Shamberger, W. J Swigart, J. A. Miller, D. M. Mohler, Jos. A. Long, John Wise, J. P. Harris, J. Y. King, G. M. Throne, J. H. Baker, D. Asherman, John Sherfey, I. B. Trout, Uriah Bixler, I. L. Hoover, John Heckman, G. S. Arnold, Conrad Fitz, I. L. Berkey, H. G. Miller, John M. Lair, Dorsey Hodgden, H. C. Early, J. A. Weaver, D. F. Hoover, G. W. Hutchison, S. M. Miller, L. H. Dickey, M. Nead; Daniel Vani- man, Moderator ; I. B. Trout, I. J. Rosenberger, Writing Clerks ; H. C. Early, Reading Clerk ; S. P. Van Dyke, Doorkeeper.
1903. Bellefontaine, O., June 2, etc. G. J. Fercken, John
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P. Bailey, E. D. Book, D. C. Campbell, H. J. Lilly, John Herr, A. C. Wieand, J. D. Hildebrand, John T. Green, J. U. G. Stiverson, C. M. Yearout, David Zuck, Edm. Forney, Geo. Barnhart, Uriah Bixler, Henry Brubaker, J. H. Baker, E. L. Lockard, G. W. Weddle, I. B. Trout, T. S. Fike, J. W. Jarboe, S. F. Sanger, H. G. Miller, Salem Beery, David Dilling, J. P. Zigler, Wm. Davis, D. F. Hoover, W. H. Naff, Conrad Fitz, L. H. Dickey, Jacob Wine, S. M. Smith, W. F. England, Geo. A. Branscom, H. C. Longenecker, L. A. Bookwalter, John Zuck, W. H. Lichty, C. G. Lint, S. J Swigart, Sol. Buckalew ; S F. Sanger, Moderator; A. C. Wieand, Writing Clerk; I. B. Trout, Reading Clerk ; J. D. Mishler, Doorkeeper.
1904. Carthage, Mo., May 23, etc. John C. Woodie, Jasper Barnthouse, E. G. Rodabaugh, N. B. Sherfy, J. C. Bright, I. W. Brubaker, P. S. Miller, D. M. Garber, J. E. Rolston, C. D. Hylton, C. J. Workman, J. A. Weaver, Daniel Hays, David Lytle, C. L. Wilkins, H. C. Early, L. W. Teeter, S. M. Forney, G. S. Arnold, I. D. Parker, R. A. Yoder, Z. Annon, L. H. Eby, E. M. Wolf, Samuel H. Utz, W. R. Deeter, A. C. Daggett, A. B. Barnhart, I. L. Berkey, G. E. Studebaker, W. T. Sines, John Heckman, J. A. Miller, I. W. Taylor, S. W. Garber, N. S. Gripe, J. H. Longenecker, F. W. Dove, S. E. Yundt, W. A. Anthony, G. W. Lentz, J. H. Stover, H. B. Brumbaugh, M. E. Stair, D. L. Forney, D. H. Walker, Ira P. Eby; H. C. Early, Moderator ; H. B. Brumbaugh, Writing Clerk; I. D. Parker, Reading Clerk ; W. C. Hanawalt, Doorkeeper.
1905. Bristol, Tenn., June 6, etc. C. A. Williams, H. J. Lilly, James A. Sell, G. F. Chemberlen, D. A. Miller, E. X. Miller, A. L. Boyd, D. Bowman, Tobias Myers, M. H. Peters, Wm. Harvey, John Herr, J. J. Yoder, D. J. Blickenstaff, W. S. Reichard, I. S. Lerew, D. E. Price, Thos. J. Kolb, John Sherfy, W. B. Neff, Z. Annon, Geo. Manon, A. G. Crosswhite, Jere. Thomas, D. G. Wine, D. F. Hoover, H. G. Miller, S. M. Smith, G. W. Sellers, J. M. Kagey, Levi Mohler, Wm. Dessenberg, Wm. H. Naff, H. F. Maust, I. J. Rosenberger, T. C. Denton, John Zuck, D. S. Filbrun, S. J. Bowman, C. M. Brower, C. G. Lint, H. M. Griffith ; John Zuck, Moderator ; A. G. Crosswhite, Writing Clerk; D. F. Hoover, Reading Clerk; J. S. Geiser, Doorkeeper.
1906. Springfield, Ill. S. P. Jones, D. H. Walker, J. Q. Goughnour, A. E. Nead, J. C. Bright, O. J. Beaver, P. S. Miller, Jesse Stutzman, D. M. Shorb, C. M. Yearout, James Murray, A. W. Hawbaker, H. C. Early, D. D. Thomas, Geo. Mishler,
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Daniel Hays, L. W. Teeter, R. F. McCune, D. B. Arnold, Frank Fisher, E. E. Joyce, D. W. Kirk, S. F. Sanger, D. A. Crist, E. A. Brunner, I. B. Trout, S. J. Miller, A. B. Barnhart, Sol. Buckalew, M. H. Peters, S. K. Fike, J. B. Hylton, A. J. Smith, J. H. Longenecker, M. S. Mohler, J. W. Trostle, I. W. Taylor, John Mason, L. E. Keltner, C. L. Baker, J. W. Gep- hart, Peter Brower, J. B. Brumbaugh ; S. F. Sanger, Moder- ator ; I. B. Trout, Writing Clerk ; H. C. Early, Reading Clerk ; J. Kurtz Miller, Doorkeeper.
1907. Los Angeles, Cal., May. J. H. Stover, H. C. N. Coff- man, W. J. Swigart, Edm. Forney, J. H. Keller, W. A. An- thony, David Snyder, G. W. Lentz, J. T. Myers, S. Edgecomb, F. W. Dove, John Herr, A. A. Sutter, D. J. Blickenstaff, D. V. Long, M. Keller, John Heckman, G. K. Sappington, T. E. George, I. L. Berkey, H. G. Miller, S. E. Lantz, Daniel Snell, A. S. Thomas, Wm. Davis, L. T. Holsinger, J. A. Dove, N. B. Wagoner, L. H. Dickey, H. Ikenberry, Geo. Stryker, N. Long- enecker, John H. Garst, J. E. Ralston, D. M. Garber, J. H. Peterson, S. N. McCann, I. J. Rosenberger, L. W. Brubaker, S. S. Blough; L. T. Holsinger, Moderator; S. N. McCann, Writing Clerk; John Heckman, Reading Clerk; J. W. Lear, W. C. Hanawalt, Doorkeepers.
1908. Des Moines, Ia., June 9, etc. C. H. Diehl, James Murray, A. C. Snowberger, P. S. Miller, G. A. Snyder, W. H. Lichty, W. H. Naff, L. W. Teeter, J. E. Joseph, H. C. Early, Frank Fisher, J. B. Moore, D. C. Flory, J. H. Wright, George Maron, Jere. Thomas, S. F. Sanger, George Eller, Z. Annon, Manly Deeter, B. E. Kesler, T. J. Kolb, C. L. Wilkins, J. E. Crist, John A. Myers, A. C. Wieand, J. C. Minix, J. H. Long- enecker, J. W. Harshberger, A. J. Smith, I. W. Taylor, H. J. Lilly, H. F. Maust, E. S. Miller, A. Killingsworth, D. A. Nor- cross, James A. Sell, E. E. John, Geo. C. Carl, P. J. Blough, J. E. Ellenberger, Adam Ebey, J. C. Bright, D. F. Sink, David Hollinger ; H. C. Early, Moderator; A. C. Wieand, Writing Clerk ; S. F. Sanger, Reading Clerk ; John C. Zug, Doorkeeper.
1909. Harrisonburg, Va., June I, etc. H. Eikenberry, M. Keller, J. S. Secrist, J. A. Miller, John H. Utz, John Herr, Wm. Eisenbise, John Rowland, F. P. Cassel, D. T. Wagoner, W. T. Sines, H. B. Brumbaugh, D. J. Lichty, J. M. Smith, H. Beelman, A. G. Crosswhite, G. W. Lentz, Albert Hollinger, S. S. Ullery, J. S. Kline, J. Barnthouse, J. W. Kitson, Noah Oren, J. J. Shaffer, I. L. Berkey, Levi Snell, P. M. Correll,
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J. W. Rarick, G. A. Branscom, H. M. Peters, John Zuck, D. F. Landis, D. N. Eller, Silas Gilbert, N. Longenecker, C. D. Hylton, H. C. N. Coffman, J. W. Keiser, Daniel Hays, I. L. Hoover, D. M. Garber, D. H. Zigler, D. A. Crist, D. S. Filbrun, Emra T. Fike, Chas. A. Miller, W. P. Bosserman, Z. Annon; D. M. Garber, Moderator ; A. G. Crosswhite, Writing Clerk ; G. W. Lentz, Reading Clerk; Ira Kreider, Doorkeeper.
1910. Winona Lake, Ind., June 7-9. J. F. Ross, D. B. Eby, R. A. Yoder, A. W. Arnold, I. H. Miller, J. D. Brower, J. M. Kagey, J. C. Bright, A. P. Blough, H. C. Early, David Hollinger, W. E. West, S. A. Sanger, G. A. Snyder, L. W. Teeter, H. G. Miller, A. S. Workman, Eli Roose, P. S. Miller, Isaac Miller, Daniel Wysong, W. H. Naff, James Gish, A. L. Wright, P. D. Reed, R. F. Bowman, G. E. Swihart, J. C. Minix, E. G. Rodabaugh, Jesse Emmert, D. H. Walker, D. L. Mohler, J. W. Lear, J. F. Dietz, P. B. Messner, G. B. Royer, C. L. Baker, J. T. Green, S. Z. Sharp, E. S. Miller, Caleb Long, W. F. England, J. A. Sell, C. D. Bonsack, J. H. Stober, J. C. Swigart, J. J Yoder, H. J. Lilly, I. W. Taylor, W. C. Watkins, A. C. Daggett, Jesse Ziegler ; H. C. Early, Moderator ; J. W. Lear, Writing Clerk ; G. B. Royer, Reading Clerk; A. L. B. Martin, Doorkeeper.
19II. St. Joseph, Mo., June 6-8. W. T. Price, S. E. Lantz, L. E. Keltner, D. L. Forney, John E. Crist, J. H. Longenecker, W. Q. Calvert, Geo. S. Harp, John Herr, J. E. Bryant, J. C. Garland, J. Kurtz Miller, P. R. Keltner, W. T. Sines, John Bennett, Henry Lilligh, J. E. Ullery, J. A. Long, J. M. Blough, Chas. A. Lentz, W. A. Anthony, D. B. Garber, S. B. Shirkey, W. M. Howe, David Dilling, Rufus Wyatt, Silas Hoover, Manly Deeter, Geo. Mishler, J. A. Miller, Frank Kreider, G. A. Branscom, D. N. Eller, D. F. Hoover, J. H. Brubaker, D. C. Naff, C. B. Rowe, James Murray, A. S. Thomas, Sam. Bowser, B. F. Snyder, I. A. Miller, H. C. N. Coffman, D. M. Garber, D. H. Zigler; H. F. Crist, D. S. Filbrum, D. Hays, D. A. Crist, J. H. Gordon, E. T. Fike; D. M. Garber, Moderator; J. M. Blough, Writing Clerk; P. R. Keltner, Reading Clerk ; Edgar Rothrock, Doorkeeper.
1912. York, Pa., June 4, etc. J. W. Deardorf, H. C. Early, Brice Sell, J. P. Dickey, D. M. Zuck, J. P. Hetric, J. H. Gray- bill, I. W. Abernathy, C. R. Oellig, I. B. Trout, C. L. Wilkins, D. A. Foust, J. W. Lear, T. J. Simmons, J. H. Cassady, I. S. Long, G. W. Ellenberger, H. S. Replogle, A. L. Wright, J. B. Hylton, A. M. Laughrun, Frank Fisher, D. G. Wine, K. G.
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Tennison, Dav. Metzler, D. F. Landis, P. S. Miller, E. L. Heestand, N. Longenecker, D. A. Naff, L. T. Holsinger, L. H. Dickey, H. G. Miller, W. I. Buckingham, J. C. Bright, S. A. Sanger, J. F. Souders, B. F. Petry, P. S. Thomas, G. W. Burgin, A. L. Boyd, J. A. Garber, H. L. Brammell, Geo. C. Carl, M. F. Woods, A. C. Daggett, F. P. Cassel, Jere. Thomas, John S. Clark, I. W. Taylor, A. C. Auvil, M. Keller, T. T. Myers; H. C. Early, Moderator ; J. W. Lear, Writing Clerk ; I. B. Trout, Reading Clerk; W. Carl Rarick, Doorkeeper.
1913. Winona Lake, Ind. H. J. Lilly, D. R. Holsinger, Geo. H. Bashor, Salem Beery, C. Fahrney, O. F. Shaw, Geo. W. Miller, W. B. Stover, J. H. Wright, David Dilling, Frank Kreider, W. R. Deeter, L. W. Teeter, W. E. West, J. Q. Goughnour, D. F. Sink, O. O. Button, Geo. Eller, F. G. Edwards, J. J. Yoder, T. S. Fike, John Rowland, S. M. Smith, Geo. W. Lentz, S. B. Shirkey, D. W. Teeter, D. G. Wine, G. A. Branscom, J. W. Shively, R. R. Shroyer, D. M. Garver, J. W. Fidler, B. F. Snider, Jacob Appleman, H. H. Keim, M. C. Swigart, J. H. Longenecker, John Herr, W. J. Swigart, John Bennett, C. L. Baker, Albert Hollinger, P. J. Blough, Levi Rogers, D. F. Bowman, M. H. Peters, I. A. Miller, D. C. Naff, D. H. Zigler, J. M. Kagey, A. S. Thomas, S. N. McCann, L. A. Bowman, D. B. Eby, Emra T. Fike, J. F. Ross ; D. M. Garver, Moderator; G. W. Lentz, Reading Clerk; S. N. Mc- Cann, Writing Clerk ; M. R. Wolf, Doorkeeper ; O. P. Haines, Assistant.
C. CHANGES IN HOLDING ANNUAL MEETINGS.
In 1849, a brother with his family moved from Lancaster County, Pa., to northwestern Ohio. After a lapse of thirty- seven years, he made his first visit east, and, when brought from the station to his brother's home, the place where both were born and raised to manhood, he at first would not be- lieve that it was the place where father had lived, but when assured that it was, and taking another look, he said yes, there is the creek that used to flow through the meadow, now a tilled field, and there stands the pear tree that stood at the corner of the old house, and the slope of the land is the same, but the buildings, fences, and fields were all changed, timber cleared away, and the land under cultiva- tion, and other new houses built in the vicinity, all of which
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made a great change in the landscape, and all these changes seemed to be an improvement for the farm.
We were wondering if the Macks, Peter Becker, the Ur- ners, Prices, Saurs, Elder Michael Frantz, the Pfautzs, Longeneckers, Zugs, George Miller, and more recently, the Harleys, Peter Keyser, Daniel Fretz, Jacob Haller, David Gerlach, Valentine Balsbach, Lorenz Etter, the Beshores, Klines, Hollinger, all of Eastern Pennsylvania, and many others beyond the Susquehanna River, who are dead forty, fifty and more years, and who have attended Annual Meet- ings of long ago, could now attend one of ours, whether they might not have a feeling akin to that of the visitor from the West, when told that this now holds the place of the "Big Meeting," which they used to have in their time.
The first General Conference that we have any record of was a called one, and likely held at the home of Martin Urner, in Coventry Church, near where Pottstown now is, in 1742. It appears that this meeting was called to more firmly establish the members in the principles and doctrines of the church, as contained in the New Testament, and to protect them from the erroneous and misleading teaching of Count Zinzendorf and others, in an effort to unite the Prot- estant churches.
The next General Conference we have any record of was held in Lancaster County, in 1763, on account of trouble arising from the claims of Sister Catharine Hummer, that she had trances, frequently, for years, and while under their spell she had visions, and communication with departed saints. Some of the members had faith in her claims, and some had not, and her father, Peter Hummer, being a minister, would give her liberty in public meetings to relate her visions, which was so objectionable to some, that, according to the decision of the conference, the church was at the point of division, as in the Conrad Beissel case.
It was the rule of the Brotherhood from the beginning until 1848, when a church had trouble that could not be adjusted at home by the aid of adjoining elders, to take it to the "Big Meeting," and there if not always, at least often, it was taken up in open council and decided.
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It is not known when the conferences began to be held on Pentecost, but that of 1763 was May 27 and 28. I was wondering whether the meeting in Germantown, mentioned in Brumbaugh's "History," page 504, held on June II, 1791, was not one, since in the list of conferences that year is left blank; because he says there "many brethren from - near and far came together ; several Elders from other con- gregations were also present." The question considered at this meeting pertained specially to Germantown, and the meeting was held at the time the conference was usually held, i. e., June.
On October 30, 1794, a conference was held at Shenan- doah, Va., and in the autumn of 1797, at Black Water, Va. These may have been special meetings, and the regular meet- ings unknown, the same as in 1846, the regular meeting was at John Royer's, in Lancaster Co., Pa., and the same year was a special held at the Meeting House near Joseph Bow- man's, Washington Co., East Tennessee, on September 4; and on June 12, 1848, the regular meeting was held at the house of Bro. Jacob Kurtz, Wayne Co., O., and September 23 and 24, same year, a special was held at the house of Bro. John Koontz, near Delphi, Carroll Co., Ind. The business of these special meetings, the minutes inform us, was largely of a local character.
The first commitee sent by Annual Meeting consisted of Peter Long, Andrew Spanogle, John Holsinger, of Penn- sylvania, Jos. Arnold, Jac. Byser, of Virginia, Geo. Hoke, H. Kurtz, of Ohio, in 1849, to go to the Glade Church, Somerset Co., Pa., and assist them in dividing their territory into four or five districts. The following year two com- mittees were sent to adjust troubles, one to Eel River, Ind., the other to Mansfield, O. This was the beginning of send- ing committees to churches, authorized to settle difficulties, and if they were successful this ended the trouble; if not, they were to report back to the next Annual Meeting, and this is the rule yet. Since this rule is in force, personal matters are not accepted at the conference, unless commit- tees fail to adjust the same.
Prior to 1866, the Standing Committee was appointed by
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the elders of the church where the meeting was held, they to receive all papers sent up by the churches, and to supply them with answers to be considered by the meeting in open Council, but the membership, and the number of churches increasing, which naturally increased the amount of work at the conference, made it necessary to make some change; therefore in 1848 we find the following on the minutes : " Whole number of delegates was 95, and among them were ordained elders 24, elders 31, teachers 14, deacons 15, pri- vate members II, churches represented 59, and though as fully represented as ever before, it is believed that only about one third of the churches had sent messengers. The number of papers handed in amounted to 63. Considering that the reading of all the papers by one committee would take up too much time, it was concluded to distribute them among ten committees, which were to examine them and report thereon to the meeting. These committees were ap- pointed from the delegates," etc. In 1862 we find the fol- lowing: "It was ascertained that there were represented at this council meeting 136 congregations by about 240 dele- gates. The General Committee, having received the papers addressed to the meeting, distributed such as contained queries to twenty sub-committees," etc. There were this year seventy-two papers brought to the meeting.
The plan of appointing sub-committees was continued until 1866, when there was a radical change made in holding Annual Meeting (see minutes of that year), but appointing Standing Committee was left the same way until 1868, after which each state district was to appoint one Elder to serve on the committee, and one Brother to accompany him as a delegate, and that local church delegates be discontinued.
In 1885 it was decided that no elder shall serve on Stand- ing Committee more than two years out of four, and in 1897, that no officer, or member of the committee shall serve two years in succession, which is still the rule.
In 1879 and 1880 the districts having the meeting were permitted to charge for boarding the people. Before that it was expected that board be furnished free.
In 1883 the local churches were allowed to represent,
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those having two hundred members, or less, by one dele- gate, and those over two hundred by two, and the accom- panying delegate from District Meeting be discontinued.
In 1903 it was decided that state districts having over 3,500 members shall be entitled to two members on Stand- ing Committee.
The first time the Sunday-school question was before the conference was in 1838, and the decision was "Considered most advisable to take no part in such things." In 1857 the question was up again, and the answer was : " We know of no scripture which condemns Sunday-schools, if con- ducted in gospel order," etc. From that time on it was frequently before conference on some point connected with the Sunday-school question, and at this time it is considered indispensable to the church, and has a prominent place at every conference.
In 1852 the mission question was first considered and sanctioned, but no plan adopted. The question was up sev- eral times afterwards but nothing came of it to set the work in motion for some time, until 1884, when a missionary plan was formulated, and a committee consisting of E. Eby and C. P. Roland for one year, D. Vaniman and S. Rid- dlesberger for two years, and D. L. Miller for three years, were appointed, to carry out the plan. In 1885 a Commit- tee on Book and Tract Work was appointed, viz .: S. D. Royer and S. W. Hoover, three years, Adam Minnick and B. F. Miller, two years, J. Hepner, Saml. Bock, one year; and in 1893 the two works were consolidated under the following committee, viz., D. L. Miller and E. Eby, three years, S. F. Sanger and S. R. Zug, two years, and S. W. Hoover, one year. The plan thus adopted, with some amendments added since, now forms the basis on which mission work is carried on by the brotherhood, both home and foreign.
In 1831 it was decided not advisable for a Brother to send his son to college. In 1853, "Considered that we would deem colleges a very unsafe place for a simple fol- lower of Christ," etc. In 1888, "it is conforming to the world," etc. In 1871, "allowed to engage in college work,
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yet not as a church school," and in 1883, "forbearance is urged," etc. More recently our colleges are nearly all under the supervision of the conference.
Brethren's Homes and Children's Aid Societies are of more recent introduction, and have had little change.
Fifty years ago and more there was little or nothing done at our Annual Meetings concerning Sunday-schools, mission work, colleges, brethren's and orphans' homes, but matter pertaining to church polity, while more recently this is mani- festly changed and reversed. The temperance question was always a live question with our church, but only as touching the members, but in recent years the Church has broadened out.
If any one wishes to know how the Annual Meetings were conducted sixty or seventy years ago, read the description of one in another part of this work, held in 1846, at John' Royer's in Lancaster Co., Pa., where the people met Thurs- day, had council Friday and Saturday ; after that a lovefeast. Preaching Sunday morning, commenced at seven o'clock, and continued until 12.30, without intermission, where twenty Brethren would preach, one after the other, each on an average, occupying about fifteen minutes, both in Ger- man and English, while the people sat five and one-half hours, on improvised seats, made of rough boards, without backs, listening to men of mature age and experience, whose dress, hair and beards would make them recognizable as Brethren anywhere. It was required in those days that ministers, especially elders, should be fully in the order, and not be without beard. Oh, what a change from then to now!
D. ABRAHAM H. CASSEL'S ACCOUNT OF ANNUAL MEETING, 1846.
Friday morning May 22, 1846, to yearly meeting with the Rev. Samuel Harley and wife and Samuel M. Harley, passed through to Boyerstown and Reading to Bro. Isaac Smuckers. Next morning through Adamstown and Reams- town to Samuel Landes for dinner. From there through Ephrata and Lititz to Bro. Christian Longenecker's all
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night. Met many Brethren there from Franklin County and elsewhere. Had meeting there next morning. Samuel Harley spoke about the woman of Samaria; after him old Jacob Haller, Daniel Fretz and David Gerlock. Through Manheim to Philip Ziegler's. But I went from Longe- necker's with Bro. John Young near Mt. Joy, eighteen miles. Conversed till near 3 o'clock in the morning, principally con- cerning the Essenes whether they were Christians or not, and the Millenium. Next morning, he took me to Eliza- bethtown where we had meeting in a Winebrenarian Church. Our horses were all ungeared and stabled at the tavern and hay and water ordered and paid for by Bro. Jacob Rider. Went with him from meeting for dinner to Bro. Isaac Esh- leman's. For tea and all night at John Keyser's. Meeting there next morning where Harley spoke from Hebrews 2 : 3. Ziegler and Hoffer also spoke a word of testimony. From there we all went to John Young's over night. Had meet- ing next morning in a school house close by. Text Phil. 2. In the afternoon we had a large Council Meeting at his house concerning the affairs of Abraham Gibble. Next morning to Sister Shoemaker's where many Brethren, min- istering and others met us from Maryland, Virginia and other places. Had a very interesting meeting there in the barn. Jacob and Daniel Saylor were also there and spoke with such power and energy that I never heard its equal in my opinion. From there to old Bishop Pfoutz's and next morning to Königmacker's in the vicinity of the Yearly Meeting. Left our horses and baggage there during the meeting which commenced on Friday morning 8 o'clock. Present about twenty-five bishops, one hundred and twenty- six preachers and perhaps 10,000-15,000 hearers. Regular worship lasted till noon. Then the Council commenced which lasted till Saturday dinner when regular worship be- gan again and the balance of the queries were decided by the Standing Committee in a private room after which two candidates were baptized in Royer's Meadow. Then began the preparation for the lovefeast. They erected a large canvas tent for an eating saloon with five tables for two hundred and forty to sit up at a time. The cooking was
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