USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the brethren of the Eastern district of Pennsylvania > Part 48
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First Report of Missionaries.
In 1880, filled a call at Smithville and Conestoga Centre, Lancaster County. Also filled a call from Tomkinsville,
596
THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
Lackawanna Co., Pa. This last mission was kept up for 6 years. Two were baptized.
Eastern Shore of Maryland Mission .- In 1881, a Mis- sionary effort was made in Eastern Shore of Maryland, by J. T. Myers. Reported good prospects.
In 1882, Elder Wm. Hertzler and Bro. J. T. Myers re- port1 having labored in Talbot Co. over three Sundays, bap- tizing 10 and organizing a church of 18 souls. Held an elec- tion for one speaker, and one deacon, under the name of Peach Blossom Church.
At the time our Brethren first came to Eastern Shore, they found some six members there without a preacher, and unorganized.
1 In connection with this, the following remarkable circumstance may be of interest, as related by Bro. J. T. Myers, viz .: "While we were holding a series of meetings together in the Peach Blossom Church, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, having been sent there by the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, we went home with a man, not a member of the Church, and took dinner with the family in the early stage of the meeting. Bro. Hertzler felt a little discouraged over the meeting, not being well at the time. He asked about going back home, saying he was but of little account to me in the meeting-I said to him: 'No, Bro. Hertzler, you stay with me. Your company is help to me, and you can pray for the meeting, and help along in that way.'- Lo, on a certain day, in the early stage of the meeting, I missed Bro. Hertzler near dinner time, at the place where we were staying. I looked around for him about the barn, here, and there, but could not find him. Near by was a large forest. I walked out toward it. As I got near, I heard a voice that interested me. I walked closer, and closer towards the place of the voice, it became more and more distinct, as I got closer. By and by, I got nearer to the place in the woods from which the voice came. I stood awhile and listened intently. At last, I discovered it to be Bro. Hertzler's voice. I stood and listened, and watched. At last I saw Bro. Hertzler behind a large oak tree, on his knees, praying in all the earnestness of his heart for the meetings, and for me. I walked away and never said a word to him about it.
" That night we had a larger attendance at meeting and quite a stir in the meeting, several coming forward to give their hearts to God.
"We continued the meetings for about ten days or so, when a num- ber were baptized, and we organized the Peach Blossom Church on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the result largely, or mainly, through the earnest prayer of Bro. Hertzler, beside the oak tree in the woods. Truly, Bro. Hertzler was a man of God, and I hear his earnest prayer in the woods beside the oak tree every day I think of him. 'Though dead, yet he liveth,' can truly be said of this great and good man of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania-Bro. William Hertzler."
597
MISSIONARY HISTORY.
In 1883 and 84 about 20 members from Middle Penn- sylvania, moved into Caroline County, among them one minister and two deacons.
In 1884, a committee from Eastern Maryland, and East- ern Pennsylvania, met to decide on representation. The Peach Blossom Church decided not to change her representa- tion.
The Brethren in Caroline Co. decided by a vote of 15 yeas, to 3 nays, and one neutral to belong to Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and forthwith our Brethren proceeded to or- ganize them into a separate church with one resident minis- ter, and two deacons. Name : Ridgely Church.
While under the care of the Home Mission Board from 1882 to 1897, there were 66 received into the church by baptism, and quite a number received by letter.
Expenses of Board for Ministerial Aid from 1882 to 1903, $613.14. Besides donated towards building meeting houses $1,725,00 as follows : Ridgely Church, Two houses, $875; Peach Blossom, Two houses, $650; Peach Blossom, Colored, $200.
Tower City Mission .- In 1886, Bro. Wm. Hertzler went to Tower City, Schuylkill Co., Pa. and held three meetings. Reported interest good. Left another appointment.
In 1887, once a month a brother went to Tower City, Pa., during the year, and once two went together. One visit was made to Auburn, Pa. A brother also went to Englewood, near Newark, N. J.
In 1888, a lovefeast was held in Tower City Church.
In 1889, the church was organized.
In 1890, meetings were held in Tower City, Clark's Val- ley, Pine Valley, and Tremont.
1892, Two new openings were effected, one in Mohon- tonga Valley, and the other at Williamstown. Meetings were also held at Mahonoy Valley, and Minersville.
1898, Advised to rent hall at Shamokin to hold services in.
19II, The name was changed from Tower City Church to Shamokin Church, where the meetings and Sunday School are still held in the hall. At present an urgent request to have a new church building.
598
THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
From 1886 to 1911, there were 70 received into the church by baptism. Expenses for Min. Aid, hall rent, and support for poor $5,085.73.
Mission efforts were made as follows, viz .:
(a) Clarence, New York .- In 1891, about 35 meetings were held by different brethren. A report not so favorable. Expenses from 1891 to 1893, for Ministerial Aid, $149.13.
(b) Pine Run Mission .- In 1898, a series of meetings was held, in all 15 sermons were preached.
(c) Montreal (Canada) Mission .- In 1899, a call came from Montreal, Can., to which the board responded.
In 1900, some 40 meetings were held besides the regular appointments. 9 were received into the church by baptism. Forthwith an organization was effected.
In 1901, Montreal, Can., Church was given over to Gen- eral Missionary Board, as a foreign Mission point. Ex- penses for Min. Aid and hall rent $575.48.
(d) Lakesville, Md., Mission .- In 1906, meetings were held once a month in the home of Bro. J. Roy Rittenhouse, usually in the yard, among the shade trees. Three meetings each trip. One week protracted meeting. Good interest reported. Expenses for Ministerial Aid $67.73.
(e) Alderson, Luzerne Co., Mission .- In 1907, a mis- sion was opened at Alderson. One was baptized. There were some hindrances but at present the outlook is more favorable. Expenses for Ministerial Aid from 1907 to 19II, $550.94.
Aid given to weak churches, viz .:
(a) Bethel Church, N. J., and Upper Dublin, Pa .- In 1888, a request came to the board from these churches for help to revive them and help them along.
In 1889, Elders visited Bethel Church 5 times during the year, met them 3 times in council meeting, held one Love- feast, besides preaching for them several weeks in the aggregate.
Same year Brethren visited Upper Dublin Church and gave them meetings every two weeks during the year.
"For a number of years, ministers were located in these churches by Home Mission Board, assisted by General Mis-
599
MISSIONARY HISTORY.
sion Board. Five were received into the church by baptism in New Jersey. Paid for Ministerial Aid out of Home Mission Board fund, from 1889 to 1910, $1,044. II.
Paid for Ministerial Aid to Upper Dublin from 1889 to 1902, $324.58.
(b) Philadelphia Northern Church .- In 1892, Mission Board was asked to take charge of it.
In 1894, The Phila. Northern Church was supplied with Ministerial Aid during the year. Had meetings every Lord's Day.
One was baptized. Expenses for Ministerial Aid from 1892 to 1896, $189.22.
(c) Reading Church .- Jan. 1, 1898, Reading Church was organized with 46 members, and received into the care of the Home Mission Board.
In 1902, the Board was relieved from the care of the church. While under the care of the Board, 26 were re- ceived into the church by baptism.
Expenses for Ministerial Aid from 1895 to 1903, $263.04.
(d) Mechanic Grove Church .- In 1897, a request to be received into the care of the Home Mission Board was granted.
In 1900, Board was relieved from care of church. Paid for Ministerial Aid, $15.20.
(e) MaidenCreek Church .- Received Ministerial aid from 1905 to 19II. 4 were baptized. Expenses $550.94. Dur- ing this time church paid towards Home Mission, $410.05.
(f) Norristown Church .- Received from Home Mission Board for Ministerial Aid from 1895 to 1911, $419.50. Recd. into the church by baptism 7; by letter 30.
(g) Harrisburg Church .- Support given to a Sister to do Missionary work in Harrisburg, from 1898 to 1900 amount- ing to $146.
Mission Board donated to the following churches to- wards building houses of worship, viz .:
(a) Ridgely Church, E. Shore Maryland, for two houses .... $ 875 (b) Peach Blossom, Md. 650
(c) Peach Blossom, Colored 200
600
THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
(d) Mechanic Grove 100
(e) Harrisburg 500
(f) Schuylkill 200
(g) Reading 1,600
Members Elected on Mission Board by District Meeting from 1879 to 1914.
1879. Wm. Hertzler and S. R. Zug.
1880. J. T. Myers.
These three were re-elected up to 1885.
1885. I. Kulp, 3 yr., S. Harley, 3 yr., J. Conner, 2 yr., Geo. Bucher, I yr., S. R. Zug, I yr., Wm. Hertzler, 2 yr.
1886. S. R. Zug and Geo. Bucher, re-elected.
1887. Wm. Hertzler and J. Conner re-elected.
1888. John Hertzler, F. P. Cassel.
1889. Hiram Gibble, Geo. Bucher.
1890. S. R. Zug, J. H. Longenecker.
1891. F. P. Cassel, J. H. Price.
1892. Geo. Bucher, Hiram Gibbel.
1893. S. R. Zug, J. H. Longenecker.
1894. Geo. Bucher and S. R. Zug resigned; elected, H. E. Light, F. P. Cassel, J. T. Myers, John Herr.
1895. H. E. Light, Hiram Gibble.
1896. J. H. Longenecker, John Herr.
1897. J. Y. King, J. T. Myers.
1898. H. E. Light, I. W. Taylor.
1899. John Herr, John Witmer, Jesse Ziegler, unexpired term of J. T. Myers, resigned.
1900. J. H. Longenecker, Hiram Gibble.
1901. Jesse Ziegler, S. Z. Witmer.
1902. I. W. Taylor, Wm. Oberholtzer.
1903. John Herr, E. M. Wenger.
1904. John Witmer, J. W. Myer.
1905. J. H. Longenecker, David Kilhefner.
1906. L. R. Brumbaugh, Jeremiah Shelly.
1907. S. H. Hertzler, Amos Kuhns. 1908. I. W. Taylor, John Herr.
1909. Jesse Ziegler, David Weaver.
1910. J. H. Longenecker, H. B. Yoder.
19II. S. H. Hertzler, David Kilhefner.
HOME OF LAKE RIDGE MISSION.
-
601
MISSIONARY HISTORY.
1912. Rufus P. Bucher.
1913. J. H. Longenecker, H. B. Yoder.
1914. David Kilhefner, 5 yrs .; E. M. Wenger, I yr.
By the foregoing list we find that from the time of the organization 1878 up to 1911, 27 different Brethren served on the Board.
A number of Brethren have made considerable sacrifice to labor in the various fields, and although the results may not have met our anticipations, yet we feel that some good has been accomplished. May a great door and effectual be opened in the future for the Board, to the salvation of sin- ners, and the advancement of His cause.
In 1912, the Board had in charge the following missions, viz. : Shamokin, Alderson, Oley Valley, and Tompkins Co., N. Y., called Lake Ridge Mission.
The Board at this time gives support to the following Evangelists, viz .: Bro. Wm. Fretz, who has the work in hand at Alderson. Elder D. W. Weaver and wife, located at Oley, east of Reading. Bro. E. F. Nedrow and wife who have charge of the work in Tompkins Co., New York, on the east side of Lake Cayuga.
LAKE RIDGE MISSION.
On April 3, 1912, Bro. E. F. Nedrow and family moved from Norristown, Pa., to Lake Ridge, N. Y., to take charge of the work in this new territory. After much patient work and some opposition an old Baptist Church at this place was secured as a house of worship. Conveyance of the same was made October 1, 1912. The place had been very much neglected, but by the aid of the Mission Board and the help of the people of the community we succeeded in making the place presentable and comfortable, much to the satisfac- tion of all.
On February 2, the house was dedicated. Elder Jesse Ziegler, of Royersford, Pa., delivered the address. An encouraging number was in attendance and regular services have been held each Sunday since.
On April 1, 1913, Elder R. A. Nedrow and family moved
602
THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
into our midst from Fredrick City, Md., and are very help- ful in the work here.
On Sunday, April 6, Sunday School was organized and has continued to the present with an average attendance of thirty-eight. The work here is encouraging, since a num- ber of families of members have moved in, making the total membership 13.
ANNUAL MISSIONARY CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE DISTRICT .- H. E. LIGHT.
Year.
Home.
Foreign.
Charity.
Tract.
Total.
1889
230.64
295.49
Charity and
25.07
601.00
1890
193.7I
211.39
church
61.20
466.30
I891
97.63
I28.80
houses
II.15
237.58
1892
338.88
121.75
etc.
40.30
500.93
1893
321.70
300.34
Brethren Home
II2.29
615.09
1895
387.27
342.44
62,000.00
25.79
755.50
1896
277.69
623.91
not included
24.00
901.60
1897
298.48
625.56
924.04
I898
384.99
780.54
1,165.53
1899
226.79
959.40
26.19
1,212.38
1900
577.75
1,064.34
2,704.89
4,346.98
I90I
383.97
1,071.35
1,435.49
2,891.8I
1902
804.89
1,191.49
6.00
2,002.38
1903
657.30
1,494.46
1,245.82
3,397.58
1904
715.83
1,118.58
1,246.65
3,081.06
1905
615.57
1,216.72
2,005.25
34.60
3,872.14
1906
633.07
1,095.90
992.54
2,721.5I
1907
718.85
2,149.65
201.30
3,069.80
1908
1,800.4I
2,407.43
1,377.50
5,585.34
1909
884.46
2,870.60
57.64
3,812.70
19IO
871.8I
1,918.45
964.26
3,754.62
IQII
926.84
3,042.49
910.17
4,879.50
1912
874.45
1,699.12
1,079.46
3,653.03
11,847.14
26,778.85
14,220.97
444.13
55,249.09
MEMBERS1 OF THE MISSION BOARD OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA.
I. Elder William Hertzler served II years; elected first 1879.
2. Elder S. R. Zug. . served 13 years; elected first 1879.
3. Elder J. T. Myers served 9 years; elected first 1880.
4. Elder Isaac Kulp served 5 years; elected first 1883.
5. Elder Samuel Harley served 3 years; elected first 1885.
6. - - Jacob Conner . served 5 years ; elected first 1885.
7. Elder George Bucher
served 9 years; elected first 1885.
8. Elder John Hertzler served 3 years; elected first 1888.
9. Elder F. P. Cassel. served 9 years; elected first 1888.
10. Elder Hiram Gibble. served 12 years; elected first 1890.
1 Compiled by J. H. Longenecker.
77.54
699.58
I894
324.16
178.64
603
MISSIONARY HISTORY.
II. Elder J. H. Longenecker . served 17 years; elected first 1890. 12. -- J. H. Price. . served 3 years ; elected first 1891.
13. Elder H. E. Light served 7 years; elected first 1894.
14. Elder John Herr served 14 years; elected first 1894.
15. Elder J. Y. King served 3 years; elected first 1897.
16. Elder I. W. Taylor . served 9 years; elected first 1898.
17. Elder Jesse Ziegler . served
6 years; elected first 1901.
18. Elder S. Z. Witmer
served 3 years; elected first 1901.
19. Elder Wm. Oberholtzer
served 3 years; elected first 1902.
20. Elder E. M. Wenger
served 3 years; elected first 1903.
21. Elder J. H. Witmer
served
3 years; elected first 1904.
22. - Jno. W. Myer
served 3 years; elected first 1904.
24. L. R. Brumbaugh
served 3 years; elected first 1906.
25. Jeremiah Shelly served 3 years; elected first 1906.
26. A. M. Kuhns served 3 years; elected first 1907.
27. Elder H. B. Yoder. served 2 years; elected first 1910.
28. Elder S. H. Hertzler served 4 years; elected first 1907.
29. Elder David W. Weaver. served 3 years; elected first 1909.
30. Elder Rufus P. Bucher served - years; elected first 1912. This covers a period of 33 years.
MISSION BOARDS OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA.
Mission Board, 1879: Eld. Wm. Hertzler, S. R. Zug,
-I year.
Mission Board, 1880: Wm. Hertzler, r
S. R. Zug, I year.
J. T. Myers,
Mission Board, 1881 : Wm. Hertzler, 3 years.
S. R. Zug, 2 years.
J. T. Myers, I year.
Mission Board, 1882: Wm. Hertzler, 2 years.
S. R. Zug, I year.
J. T. Myers,
3 years.
Mission Board, 1883: S. R. Zug, 3 years.
J. T. Myers, resigned. Isaac Kulp in his stea Wm. Hertzler, I year.
2 years.
Mission Board, 1884: Wm. Hertzler,
3 years.
S. R. Zug, 2 years.
Isaac Kulp, I year.
Mission Board, 1885: S. Harley,
Isaac Kulp,
3 years.
Wm. Hertzler,
2 years.
J. Conner,
S. R. Zug,
Geo. Bucher,
I year.
3
23. Elder D. Kilhefner
served 4 years; elected first 1905.
604
THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
Mission Board, 1886: S. R. Zug,
Geo. Bucher,
3 years.
Samuel Harley,
Isaac Kulp,
2 years.
Wm. Hertzler,
Jacob Conner,
year.
Mission Board, 1887: Wm. Hertzler,
Jacob Conner,
3 years.
S. R. Zug,
Geo. Bucher,
2 years.
Samuel Harley,
Isaac Kulp,
: year.
Mission Board, 1888: Jno. Hertzler,
F. P. Cassel,
-3 years.
Wm. Hertzler,
years.
Jacob Conner,
S. R. Zug,
Geo. Bucher,
I year.
Mission Board, 1889: Geo. Bucher,
Hiram Gibble,
Jno. Hertzler,
F. P. Cassel,
Wm. Hertzler,
Jacob Conner,
I year.
Mission Board, 1890: Eld. S. R. Zug,
3 years.
J. H. Longenecker,
Geo. Bucher,
Hiram Gibble,
Jno. Hertzler,
F. P. Cassel,
year.
Mission Board, 1891 : F. P. Cassel,
J. H. Price,
3 years.
S. R. Zug,
J. H. Longenecker,
Geo. Bucher,
Hiram Gibble,
I year.
Mission Board, 1892: Geo. Bucher,
3 years.
Hiram Gibble,
F. P. Cassel,
2 years.
J. H. Price,
S. R. Zug,
J. H. Longenecker,
year.
Mission Board, 1893: S. R. Zug,
J. H. Longenecker,
years.
Geo. Bucher, Hiram Gibble,
2 years.
F. P Cassel, J. H. Price,
I year.
3 years.
years.
2 years.
2 years.
605
MISSIONARY HISTORY.
Mission Board, 1894: S. R. Zug and Geo. Bucher resigned.
Mission Board, 1894: F. P. Cassel,
3 years.
H. E. Light, I year.
J. H. Longenecker, 2 years.
Hiram Gibble, I year.
J. T. Myers, John Herr, 2 years.
Mission Board, 1895: H. E. Light,
Hiram Gibble,
years.
F. P. Cassel, J. T. Myers, 2 years. J H. Longenecker,
John Herr,
I year.
Mission Board, 1896: J. H. Longenecker,
John Herr,
years.
H. E. Light,
Hiram Gibble,
F. P. Cassel,
J. T. Myers,
year.
Mission Board, 1897: J. Y. King,
J. T. Myers,
-3 years.
J. H. Longenecker, John Herr,
-2 years.
H. E. Light,
Hiram Gibble,
year.
Mission Board, 1898: H. E. Light,
I. W. Taylor,
years.
J. Y. King, 2 years.
J. T. Myers,
J. H. Longenecker, John Herr,
year.
Mission Board, 1899: Jno. Herr,
J. H. Witmer,
3 years.
H. E. Light,
2 years.
I. W. Taylor,
J. Y. King,
J. T. Myers,
year.
Mission Board, 1900: J. H. Longenecker,
Hiram Gibble,
3 years.
John Herr, J. H. Witmer,
-2 years.
H. E. Light,
I. W. Taylor,
year.
Mission Board, 1901 : Jesse Ziegler, 3 years.
S. Z. Witmer,
J. H. Longenecker, Hiram Gibble, John Herr, J. H. Witmer,
2 years.
I year.
3 years.
, years.
606
THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
Mission Board, 1902: I. W. Taylor, Wm. Oberholtzer, Jesse Ziegler, S. Z. Witmer, J. H. Longenecker, Hiram Gibble,
3 years.
years.
I year.
Mission Board, 1903: Jno. Herr, Ed. M. Wenger,
3 years.
I. W. Taylor, years.
Wm. Oberholtzer,
Jesse Ziegler, year.
S. Z. Witmer,
Mission Board, 1904: Jno. H. Witmer,
Jno. W. Myer,
Jno. Herr, years.
E. M. Wenger,
I. W. Taylor,
Wm. Oberholtzer,
year.
Mission Board, 1905: J. H. Longenecker,
David Kilhefner,
J. H. Witmer,
Jno. W. Myer,
2 years.
Jno. Herr,
E. M. Wenger,
I year.
Mission Board, 1906: L. R. Brumbaugh,
Jeremiah Shelly,
years.
J. H. Longenecker, David Kilhefner, 2 years.
J. H. Witmer, Jno. W. Myer,
I year.
Mission Board, 1907: S. H. Hertzler,
Amos M. Kuhns,
years.
L. R. Brumbaugh,
2 years.
Jeremiah Shelly,
J. H. Longenecker, David Kilhefner,
year.
Mission Board, 1908: I. W. Taylor,
John Herr,
3 years.
S. H. Hertzler,
2 years.
Amos M. Kuhns,
L. R. Brumbaugh, Jeremiah Shelly,
year.
Mission Board, 1909: Jesse Ziegler,
David Weaver,
years.
I. W. Taylor, Jno. Herr, S. H. Hertzler,
years.
Amos M. Kuhns,
I year.
years.
years.
607
MISSIONARY HISTORY.
Mission Board, 1910: J. H. Longenecker,
H. B. Yoder, 3 years. Jesse Ziegler, years.
David Weaver, I. W. Taylor, Jno. Herr,
I year.
Mission Board, 1911 : S. H. Hertzler,
D. Kilhefner, J. H. Longenecker,
3 years. -
H. B. Yoder, 2 years.
Jesse Ziegler,
David Weaver,
I year.
Mission Board, 1912: Rufus Bucher,
S. H. Hertzler,
2 years.
D. Kilhefner,
J. H. Longenecker, H. B. Yoder,
I year.
Mission Board, 1913: R. P. Bucher, 1 S. H. Hertzler, David Kilhefner, J. H. Longenecker, H. B. Yoder,
Mission Board, 1914: R. P. Bucher, J. H. Longenecker, David Kilhefner, E. M. Wenger, H. B. Yoder.
CHAPTER V.
BENEVOLENT ACTIVITIES.
A. BRETHREN HOME.
It has always been the rule of the Church of the Brethren to provide for the poor, aged, and infirm members of the church, and not suffer them to become a public charge. And as it was sometimes almost impossible to find a home for them except with strangers, and even sometimes they were placed in homes isolated from church services, where the church would pay for their support, and they would only be taken for the money that could be made out of it, they were often neglected both from a temporal and spir- itual point of view, so much so that they felt that people would be glad if they were out of the way.
Circumstances being such caused some of the leading Elders of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to agitate the project of establishing a home somewhere in the District where such homeless members could be placed and properly cared for. The result of this agitation was a query coming to District Meeting in the spring of 1893, as follows :
"Art. 12. After maturely considering the propriety and necessity of establishing somewhere in the district a Home for the aged, who require the support of the church, we heartily invite and entreat the District Council to consider this proposition in the light and principles of the life and Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"Ans. F. P. Cassel, Geo. Bucher, and H. E. Light were appointed a committee to inquire into this matter, and to report to next year's District Meeting."
In the spring of 1894, the following report was presented to District Meeting :
608
609
BENEVOLENT ACTIVITIES.
"7. REPORT OF COMMITTEE FOR HOME FOR THE AGED
"We, your Committee, appointed to inquire into the propri- ety and necessity of establishing a home for the aged and poor, beg leave to present the following report :
"After prayerfully and maturely considering the matter, we unanimously give, as the result of our investigation, that such a home, when properly conducted, has spiritual and tem- poral advantages for its inmates, which they do not have when supported as they are now, which we conclude is in harmony with the spirit of the Gospel, and for these reasons we rec- ommend such a home."
"Ans. The report of the Committee is respectfully received, but as there seems to be a difference of opinion, we deem it best for the union of the District to defer the matter for one year."
The District Meeting of 1895 took up the case again as unfinished business and decided as follows :
"The report of committee to inquire into the propriety and necessity of a 'Home for the aged and poor' (see minutes of 1894, art. 7) was adopted with the understanding that it is only to be considered as granting the privilege and liberty of getting up such a home by a free will offering."
April 16, 1896, a meeting was held at Manheim at which a number of churches were represented, and at which meet- ing the following committee on location and plan was ap- pointed, viz. : Nathaniel Minnich, B. G. Musser, S. R. Wen- ger, H. E. Light, B. Z. Eby, S. R. Zug, T. F. Imler.
" At this meeting it was also agreed to call a meeting later of all church members of the District friendly to such a Home."
This meeting was called to be held at Kreider's Meeting House, in the White Oak Church to be held on August 4, 1896, when and where the following plan, offered by Elder S. R. Zug, was adopted, upon which to draw for the con- struction of the Charter and By-laws, by which the Home is to be conducted, viz. :
" I. The Home is to be located near Manheim, within the bounds of Chiques Church on the farm of Brother Adam S. Basehore, if the farm can be bought on fair terms.
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
2. The Home shall be known as "The German Baptist Brethren Home for the aged, infirm, poor and homeless of the church, for the Eastern District of Pa., and for such others as may hereafter be determined upon, and its corporate name shall be the "Home for the Homeless."
3. The funds to buy and furnish the Home shall be raised by free-will offerings and any member contributing from one to twenty-five dollars as hereinafter specified shall be entitled to a vote for Trustees, which sum shall be considered a share, or interest and will entitle any brother or sister holding such share or interest, or interests to as many votes as they hold shares.
4. The Home shall be under the control of seven competent Trustees who shall be elected as follows: One shall be the Elder of the church in which the Home is located, and shall be a member of said Board ex officio, and the other six shall hold their office for three years, except at the first election, when two shall be elected for three years, two for two years and two for one year, after which two shall be elected every year for three years.
5. Said Trustees shall, every year, soon after such election, meet and organize by electing a President, a Secretary, and Treasurer, and shall meet as often as is found necessary for properly maintaining the Home.
6. Said Trustees shall appoint a Steward and a Stewardess to superintend the Home under the direction of the Trustees to whom they are amenable.
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