BRO. FORNEY: On the 27th day of May, while at West Salem, Wayne county, Ohio, during the sessions of the General Eldership, I made my last report of my collecting work.

      Herewith I submit further report, as well as to give a bird's eye view of items connected with the

      The delegations from each Eldership were pretty full, save from a few, hence, we enjoyed a quite good attendance. And to look over the body while in session, one was possessed with the thought that a good degree of intelligence was embodied in the delegations representing, at this point, the interests of the Churches of God in the United States.

      Not alone intelligence; but piety, devotion, zeal and energy in promoting the great interests to sacredly entrusted to our care, was clearly manifest by the representatives to this body.

      Although at first, expecting to go to Smithville; but on account of small pox being there, in the past, it was changed to West Salem, in the same county; hence, we were disappointed, yet, in the brotherhood and people of West Salem, Ohio, we found kindness and hospitality largely developed, consequently we felt it was good to be there.

were of interest. Able gospel sermons were preached in the different houses of worship in town by our brethren. The devotional exercises were full of zeal, life and spirit. Open air exercises held daily at 6½ o'clock, p. m., consisting of songs, prayer and addresses, were of an interesting and profitable character. We trust the seed sown will produce much fruit.

      The sessions were held in the Presbyterian Church building. We held seventeen sessions--fourteen day and three evening sessions.

      The Chicago Mission case detained us longer than any one other item.

      To ascertain the true cause of the little success attending said mission work was an item pretty thoroughly investigated. It took time to do it. Much warmth was manifest at times by speakers participating in the discussion of this question; yet after all, as far as the writer could learn, a good feeling prevailed in the end among almost all (if not all) parties.

      Facts are, this apparent partial failure must be attributed to a multiplicity of causes or mistakes committed.

      Conclusion reached was that instructions were given to sell the property, as soon as possible, without too great sacrifice, with a view of resuming mission work in another portion of the city, providing favorable openings loom up for the accomplishment of the same.

      Elder C. H. Forney was re-elected editor-in-chief of THE CHURCH ADVOCATE, and Brother H. C. Demming, assistant editor.

      Bro. Demming is a co-editor with Bro. R. H. Thomas of the Independent Journal and of The Farmer's Friend, both of which are published at Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; and is also that indefatigable Christian and Sunday-school worker, at Harrisburg city, where he resides. He surely will be full of business, but is a young man of rare capacities for turning off a large amount of business.

      As it regards Elder Forney there is but one prevailing opinion, that he is a first class editor. A "right man in the right place."

      Brother J. H. Redsecker was re-elected as editor of the Gem, and Eld. D. A. L. Laverty, corresponding editor thereof.

      Brother Redsecker makes a fine editor, and Brother Laverty possesses most excellent elements to conduct correspondence, hence a good paper will no doubt be the result, as hitherto.

      An act passed that a person could be appointed to but one committee on the Corporate Board.

      The Board of Mission was constituted of Elders P. Loucks, J. Kennedy, A. X. Shoemaker, W. P. Small and R. H. Bolton, as an act was taken that it should consist of but five persons.

      The Board met and organized by appointing Elder P. Loucks President, and Elder R. H. Bolton Secretary.

      It also transacted its regular business which it reported to, and was adopted by the General Eldership.

      The minutes of the General Eldership are ordered to be published in pamphlet, hence, the actions of the board will not come into the ADVOCATE; consequently I may be allowed here to give a brief digest of our doings.

      1. Took an act providing for the creation of a permanent General Mission Fund.

      2. Prepared a blank form for making bequests to the General Missionary cause.

      3. Appointed eight missionaries to points as follows:

      1. Morgan county Mission, Mo., including also Sedalia, Aulville, and Elmwood, Elder Daniel Blakely. Appropriation $200.00.

      2. Cass county, Mo., Elder Daniel Keplinger. Appropriation $200.00.

      3. Crawford county, Kansas, including points contiguous, Elder C. B. Konkel. Appropriation $150.00.

      4. North Kansas, West Mission (west of the Big Blue River), Elder C. S. Bolton. Appropriation $200.00.

      5. Southeast Nebraska Mission, Elder P. K. Shoemaker. Appropriation $200 00.

      6. Crete and Cropsey Mission, in Nebraska, Elder E. D. Aller and Isaiah Richmond. Elder Aller to Receive $200 00, and Elder Richmond $100 00, out of the mission funds.

      7. Seward Mission, Nebraska, Elder D. S. Warner. Appropriation $200 00.

      The mission work is greatly retarded in the west by the distress occasioned by the grasshoppers, bugs, &c.

      Nearly all of those mission fields here specified would not be self-supporting fields of labor, had it not been for the great desolation of crops in these newly settled prairie regions. As it is, the Board is compelled to carry them yet awhile. This fact is unfortunate. It hinders aggressive mission work.

      We appointed but eight missionaries. More may yet be appointed if the services of suitable men can be had.

      By all means missionaries ought to be sent to and sustained by the Board of Missions in Oregon, California, Texas and other points.

      Who would be willing to go?

      I yet think the means can be procured to sustain them, providing good, active working men can be employed.

      The Missionary Collecting Agent reported the collection, in cash, of

      Outstanding unpaid pledges aggregated $761 53.

      The above is the substance reported by the General Missionary Collecting Agent, and reported substantially correct by the Auditing Committee.

      It was also provided further that Elder R. H. Bolton was instructed to retain the books, and gather in all pledges possible--taken either by J. C. Seabrook or R. H. Bolton--and report the name and amounts of all persons paying through THE CHURCH ADVOCATE, and remit monies collected to the General Eldership Treasurer.

      We think the larger portion of these pledges will yet be paid. We trust so, as the money is much needed. We hope each sub-collector will use all laudable effort to gather up the funds, and remit same to me at once. Hope each will carefully give the name and the amount of money each one pays on those pledges, so that I can carefully acknowledge the same. Remit to R. H. Bolton, Danville, Desmoines county, Iowa. Register the letters.

      General Eldership adjourned after midnight of Wednesday, June 2nd, to re-assemble three years hence in the bethel of the Church of God, at Syracuse, Kosiusko county, Indiana.

      But the Board of Corporation convenes in the bethel of the Church of God, in Philadelphia, Pa., one year hence; at which time and place the Board of Missions re-assembles for the transaction of its business.

      It being at the place and time of the Centennial Exhibition, it will be of double interest to the members of the Board to go to the "city of brotherly love" at the aforesaid time.

      After midnight of Wednesday, June 2nd, we closed the sessions. Elder Thomas Hickernell gave us a parting address, by request of the speaker, ere we closed, which was appropriate and pathetic. We parted, many perhaps, on earth, to meet no more.

      Morning following, the delegations, on different trains, and a few in private conveyances, parted from the beautiful and quiet village of West Salem. I would say, ere I leave the place, that the song element is largely cultivated here. Music being of a high order: hence, our ears were saluted by the soul-inspiring musical strains.

      Over Saturday and Lord's day, May 29th and 30th, my brother, Benjamin E. Bolton, and myself visited our uncle Samuel Houk's, near Canal Fulton, Stark county, Ohio.

      On Lord's day morning, attended Sunday-school and service at a United Brethren chapel, near Lawrence, Ohio. We addressed the Sunday-school, following which, by invitation of the pastor, I preached to a large concourse of people, as it was announced for a baptismal occasion.

      As the brother had kindly tendered me the use of the pulpit, I did not dwell on the baptismal question.

      After sermon, a mixed up affair called "Baptism" took place--several kneeling at the altar, water was sprinkled upon their heads, I saw no sprinkling, it was a "little wetting" only.

      Next, at the stream of water, five kneeled on the ground and water was poured out of the preacher's hands upon their heads.

      Next, five kneeled in the water, and the preacher again poured water from his hands upon their heads.

      Then followed the immersion of three believers; those appeared to enjoy the act of obedience.

      The diversity of faith and practice was reached by each one, a few youthful persons, choosing as they "thought" was right.

      Had the preacher taught, in bygone days, what the Scriptures say on this question, far different would have been the result. As we know cantism gives way as fast as the true light of the gospel on the subject of baptism is received and properly considered.

      On Lord's day evening we held services in the M. E. chapel of Canal Fulton, Ohio. Brother Benjamin preached.

      June 3d, the writer and others were westward bound, and I safely and soundly reached home on Friday night, June 4th, after an absence from home of over three months. Found wife and little ones in health and glad to see the long absent one.

      I cannot agree to go from home so long again. It is not a parent's duty. Yet some circumstances apparently require it; but not frequently.

      Find season backward in the west, and rains frequent; hence, farmers are hindered from cultivating.

      But I must proceed to report moneys collected on pledges remitted by sub-collectors. These sums were paid over since the writer reported to the General Eldership.

      They are as follows:

      Elder Geo. T. Kimmel via J. F. Fox of West Unity, Ohio, $2.00 to be accredited thus:

      Brother J. M. Long, of Vermillion, Ohio, $2.50 to be accredited in favor of the following:

      Sister Mary A. Creager, 87 cents to be accredited in favor of the following:

      J. B. Neal, of West Salem, Ohio, $1.50 to be set to the credit of the following:

      Bro. Wesley Yaun, of Slippery Rock, Pa., $5 35 to be accredited to the following:

      Brother A. Hoffmeister, of Auburn, Pa., $1.35 to be accredited as follows:

      Bro. Henry Drace, of Larkio, Page county, Iowa, $1.50 to be accredited thus:

      Elder H. S. McNutt, of Pioneer, Ohio, $3.25 to be accredited to the following:

      Bro. Robert Steese, of South Harrisburg Bethel, Harrisburg, Pa., $2.00 to be accredited as follows:

      Brother G. L. Dow, of Yankee Hollow, Joe Davis county, Illinois, $2.75 to be accredited as follows:

      Brother F. Bensinger, of Steigerwalt's Schuykill county, Pa., $2.25 to be accredited thus:

      Bro. J. G. Mann, Kirby, O., $1.05 to be set to the credit of the following:

      Bro. Benneville Kimmell, of Kimmell's Bethel, Pa., $1.50 to be accredited as follows:

      Elder Isaac Steiner, of Blufftown, Ohio, 50 cents to be accredited in favor of Barbara and Maria Smith.

      Brother Samuel Hovis of Hickory Grove, Venango county, Pa., $2.50 to be accredited in favor of the following:

      Sister Amanda C. Hummins sends $1.00 from Roanoake, Putnam co., O. No names accompany the letter. Should have the names of the payees, so as to credit accordingly.

      Brother D. Palmer, of Mt. Carrol, Ills., 75 cents to be accredited in favor of A. Shamel.

      Bro. Levi Steele, of Decatur, Indiana, $2 50 to be accredited in favor of:

      Elder A. Snyder, of Linglestown, Pa., $3.75 to be set to the credit of the following:

      Total amount collected since my report to the General Eldership, $39.32; reducing unpaid pledges to $721.21. Entire total of cash collections $4,438.63.

      Yesterday, Lord's day, June 6th, attended Baptist service in our village--Danville.

      Will rest a few days; cultivate our lot; then, latter end of present week, go one hundred and seventy-five miles west to hold meetings over Saturday and Lord's day next.

      Have no special field of labor at present; but the poet says: "If you want a field of labor you can find it anywhere." This is a fact. Besides the wide world is the field. More anon.

[The Church Advocate 40 (June 16, 1875): 5.]

      R. H. Bolton's "Bolton's Notes by the Way" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 40, No. 7 (June 16, 1875), p. 5. The electronic version has been transcribed from a copy of the article printed from a microfilmed edition of the newspaper held by the State Library of Pennsylvania. Thanks to Adams Memorial Library for arranging for the interlibrary loan, and to St. Vincent College Library for the use of its microfilm reader/printer.

      Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Emendations are as follows:

                  Printed Text [ Electronic Text
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 5:      had kinkly tendered [ had kindly tendered
            or Yankee [ of Yankee
            Venango coun y, [ Venango county,
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 17 May 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.