According to appointment, the fortieth annual Eldership of the Church of God met with the church at Vermillion, Ashland county, Ohio, on the fifteenth day of October, 1875. The opening sermon was preached the previous evening by Elder John A. Plowman from Psalms cxviii. 25.

      The meeting was opened by Elder J. S. McKee, with the usual religious exercises.

      The Eldership was then constituted, and the following circuits and missions represented:
      Sugar Creek--Elder H. M. Lynn, pastor; Elder John Beidler, teaching elder; Brothers James Malone, John Oberlin, Henry Fisher, James Bryan, Joseph Bowers, Robert Roland and J. J. Gilmore, ruling elders.
      Stark Circuit--Elder John A. Plowman, pastor; Brother H. Linebaugh, teaching elder; and Brothers Aaron Click, J. H. Anderson, Eli Smith, Jonas Williams, ruling elders, and Samuel H. Adams, delegate.
      Mohigan Circuit--Elder G. W. Wilson, pastor; Brothers J. B. Neil, M. Immel, Peter Warner, H. Landaw, B. Funk, J. Ash, ruling elders; James Warner, delegate, and W. C. Baker, trustee.
      Ashland Circuit--Elder J. S. McKee, pastor; J. Myers, J. Briggle, P. J. Russel, teaching elders; G. W. Ferguson, B. Roller, G. F. Mitchel, J. Dalton and J. Miles, ruling elders.
      Wooster Circuit--Elder L. H. Selby, pastor; P. Hartman, teaching elder; J. Durstine, B. F. Potter, S. P. Stuller, S. Hollinger and H. Eshelman, ruling elders; Elias Stevens, delegate.
      Copley Circuit--Elder S. Dickerhoof, pastor; J. Bollinger, M. Richey, Wm. Lilley, ruling elders, and Reuben Snyder, delegate.
      Moreland Circuit--Elder S. Lilley, pastor; J. P. Miller, teaching elder; J. Correll, Levi Miller, ruling elders.
      Lexington Mission--Elder I. Little, pastor.
      On motion, an election was held for speaker and clerk, resulting in the election of Elder G. W. Wilson as speaker, and Elder J. A. Plowman, clerk.

      On motion, the Standing Committee of the West Ohio Eldership, composed of Elders J. W. Aukerman, James Neil, I. Stiner, T. Koogle and S. Kline, were received as full members of this body during the present session.

      On motion, Elders D. S. Warner and T. James were received as full members of this body during the present session.

      On motion, agreed that all brethren and sisters present be received as advisory members during this session.

      On motion, it was agreed that Elders G. W. Wilson, G. F. Mitchel and J. S. McKee be appointed a committee to present to this body the consolidation of the East and West Ohio Elderships in a tangible form for action.

      The speaker then appointed the following committees:
      On Arrangements--J. S. McKee, B. Roller and J. Dalton.
      On Overtures--J. S. McKee, G. W. Wilson and H. M. Lynn.
      On Journals--S. Lilley, J. Durstine and T. James.
      On License--J. A. Plowman, J. Neil and S. Kline.
      On Temperance--J. Aukerman, D. S. Warner and H. Linebaugh.
      On State of Religion--G. W. Ferguson, S. Dickerhoof and M. Richey.
      On Sabbath-schools--I. Little, I. Stiner and W. C. Baker.
      On Education--S. Kline, T. Koogle and A. Funk.
      On Resolutions--J. S. McKee, J. B. Neil and J. P. Miller.
      On Obituaries--P. J. Russell, J. Oberlin and J. Ash.

      On motion, adjourned. Closed by the speaker with benediction.

      Meeting opened by the speaker with prayer.

      The reports of preachers being in order, the following brethren reported, their reports were adopted and license renewed: H. M. Lynn, J. A. Plowman, J. S. McKee, S. Lilley, S. Dickerhoof, I. Little, P. Hartman, J. Myers, H. Linebaugh, J. P. Miller, J. Beidler and D. Walker.

      Elder G. W. Wilson reported. Report adopted, license renewed, and a transfer granted to the West Ohio Eldership.

      Elder L. H. Selby reported. Report adopted, license renewed, and a transfer granted to the Maryland and Virginia Eldership.

      Brother J. A. Radabaugh not heard from. His license was renewed and placed into the hands of the Standing Committee until he reports.

      On motion, the Standing Committee reported. Report adopted.

      On motion, J. Durstine reported as treasurer of the contingent fund and hymn book agent. Report adopted.

      On motion, agreed that we have a sermon, followed by a session of the Eldership this evening.

      On motion, adjourned with benediction by Elder J. A. Plowman.

      Elders J. Briggle and P. J. Russel reported. Reports adopted and licenses renewed.

      On motion, the committee to whom was committed the subject of consolidation reported as follows:
      Resolved, That the East Ohio Eldership, with its interests, be transferred to the West Ohio Eldership. Deferred till counsel be obtained as to the safety of the matter in hand.

      Session closed with benediction by Elder James Neil.

      Meeting opened with prayer by Elder J. W. Aukerman.

      On motion, the unfinished business was suspended and the regular order of business resumed.

      Committee on Journals reported the following items:
      1st. In reference to the delegates to the General Eldership. Complied with.
      2d. In reference to the Sabbath-school convention. Not complied with.
      3. In reference to the Committee on Revision. Not complied with.
      Report received and adopted.

      Committee on License--no report.

      Committee on Temperance reported as follows:
      WHEREAS, We as ministers and members of the Church of God, occupy high and holy ground, and should give our united and constant voice against all sin; and
      Whereas, Intemperance in all its forms and workings is a great sin; therefore;
      Resolved, That as heretofore we abstain from the use of, and in every way discountenance the manufacture, sale and use of all intoxicating liquors; and, further,
      Resolved, That we sincerely and conscientiously advise, as far as practicable, and abstinence from the use of tobacco, as well as temperance in all things.

	J. W. AUKERMAN,
	D. S. WARNER,
	H. LINEBAUGH.

      Committee on Sabbath-schools reported as follows:
      Whereas, In the judgment of your committee the Sabbath-school, when properly conducted, becomes a powerful auxiliary in the church in the argumentation of her numbers; therefore, be it
      Resolved, That the pastors of all charges within the bounds of this Eldership be required to make it their special business, if no school exists, to organize one at once if circumstances seem favorable, founded upon a Church of God basis.
      Resolved 2d, If the schools that are already established on their work are not strictly conducted in the interest of the Church of God, and surrounding circumstances will admit of a change, to immediately change the same in order that the benefits may accrue to the Church of God.
      Resolved, 3d, That all the literature used in such schools that do not reflect the views of the brotherhood be at once thrown out and a pure literature, such as the S. S. Gem, be substituted in its stead.
      Resolved, 4 th, That at such points where the house is held in common with other denominations, and other schools are established upon a union basis, that they shall use their best endeavors to instill, as far as possible, pure doctrine, and cultivate peace with all.
      Report adopted.

      Committee on Overtures reported the following letters:
      One from Walnut Creek, recommending the labors and character of Elder Lynn and asking his re-appointment.
      One from Lower Sugar Creek church, recommending the labors and character of Elder H. M. Lynn.
      One from Upper Sugar Creek, asking the re-appointment of Elder S. Dickerhoof.
      One from Greensburg, speaking favorably of the labors and character of Elder J. A. Plowman and asking a preacher for the coming year.
      One from Canton, asking for the appointment of Elder J. A. Plowman, or some other good man.
      Report adopted.

      Whereas the church at Wooster desired a transfer to the East Pa. Eldership, it was agreed that the matter be indefinitely postponed.

      Committee on Obituaries reported the following deaths: Hugh Norris, Philip Smith, Samuel Stroup, Sister Nancy Stevens, Margaret Stouffer and children of Brothers Heasy and Swanger. Report adopted.

      Committee on Education reported as follows:
      WHEREAS, We as a religious body see the great necessity and benefit of education, and especially the ministry; and as our brotherhood is largely patronizing the different schools in our land, as a necessity; and as a church-school would largely add to the welfare of the body and satisfaction of the brotherhood; and
      Whereas, A school in good running order, situated in the town of Ida, Hardin county, Ohio, has been offered upon reasonable terms; and,
      Whereas, The West Ohio Eldership has already taken a preparatory step; therefore,
      Resolved, That we, as a body, will consider this with a view of an action at our next Eldership meeting.
      Report adopted.

      After counsel was obtained the Committee on Resolutions offered the following:
      Resolved, That the East Ohio Eldership, with her interests, be transferred into the West Ohio Eldership.
      Adopted.

      Session closed with benediction by the speaker.

      Meeting opened with prayer by S. Kline.

      The report of the Board of Incorporation was then read, received and adopted.

      On motion, adjourned to give place for the Board of Missions to transact their business.

      Committee on Arrangements reported that Elder T. James preach this evening; Brother J. Neil on Sabbath morning, and Brother Aukerman in the evening.

      Adjourned till after preaching.

      Journal was read and corrected, and on motion it was agreed that the clerk hold the protocol and papers, transcribe the journals and doings of the Standing Committee into the protocol, and deliver the same to the next Eldership to be held at Findlay, Hancock county, Ohio, for which he shall receive $9.68 as a remuneration for his services.

      A vote to thanks was tendered to the church and citizens for their hospitality toward this Eldership during our stay among them. Also, a vote of thanks to the speaker and clerk for the faithful performance of their duty as the presiding officers of the Eldership during the present session.

      On motion, it was agreed that the clerk furnish the several county papers with a short sketch of the doings of this body. A vote of thanks was also tendered to the Standing Committee of the West Ohio Eldership for their counsel and instructions while in our midst.

      On motion, the Standing Committee of West Ohio Eldership by (who became the Stationing Committee by the transfer of the East into the West Ohio Eldership), reported as follows:
      Ashland Circuit, including Blooming Grove, Shenandoah, Vermillion, Briggle's, McKay and Brubaker's-- D. S. Warner.
      Mohigan Circuit, including West Salem, Lattasburg, and Brick near Reedsburg--G. T. Kimmel.
      Smithville Circuit, including Smithville, Madisonburg and Cedar Valley--James Neil.
      Copley Circuit, including Copley, Upper Sugar Creek and Moreland--S. Dickerhoof.
      Sugar Creek Circuit, including West Lebanon, Lower Sugar Creek, Walnut Creek, Shanesville, Stone Creek and Milner's--H. M. Lynn.
      Stark Circuit, including Tritt's bethel, Greensburg, New Berlin, Canton, Stump's bethel and Hartville--Thomas James.
      New Washington Circuit, New Haven, Union Center and New Washington--J. S. McKee.
      West Auburn, West Liberty and Conley's--S. Lilley.
      Wooster to supply itself with a pastor--and that whoever fills the pulpit must do it according to the Constitution.

      On motion, adjourned to meet in Findlay, Hancock county, Ohio, on the last Wednesday of September, 1876, with the West Ohio Eldership as part of it, and under its jurisdiction; the two Elderships by joint action and agreement, having constituted the two into one body.

[The Church Advocate 40 (November 24, 1875): 2.]

      John A. Plowman's "East Ohio Eldership" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 40, No. 30 (November 24, 1875), p. 2. 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. 2:      abstinance [ abstinence
            stricly conducted [ strictly conducted
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 19 May 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.