Pursuant to appointment the Eldership of the Church of God met in the Hopewell Bethel, Seneca county, Ohio, Friday night, October 14, 1870.

      Elder D. Shriner was appointed Chairman, pro tem., with the Clerks constituted the Eldership, whereupon the following brethren were found to be in attendance:

      Findlay Station.--Teaching Elders, T. H. Deshiri, Wm. Adams; Ruling Elders, D. George, M. G. Bare, P. Sherick.
      Wyandot Circuit.--Teaching Elders, W. P. Small, L. Ensminger, D. Shriner, L. W. Keller; Ruling Elders, D. Hale, M. W. Larcomb, D. Disinger, J. Man, E. Messenger; Delegate, D. Hariman,
      Seneca Circuit.--Teaching Elders, A. Resh, M. C. Mowen, A. Kline, J. L. Yenner; Ruling Elders, J. K. Solinger, A. Solinger, C. M. Funk.
      Williams County Circuit.--Ruling Elder, G. Hart.
      St. Mary's Circuit.--Teaching Elders, D. S. Warner, J. M. Cassel, T. Hickernell; Ruling Elders, A. J. Fast, D. Sands; Delegates, E. Poling, S. Gaskill, W. Brubecker, R. Baker.
      McComb Circuit.--Teaching Elder, A. J. Warren; Ruling Elders, I. Stiner, W. W. Chamberlain, S. Phillips; delegate, H. Phillips.
      Maumee Mission.--Teaching Elders, Joseph Neil, J. Richards; Ruling Elders, E. Hardy, J. H. McNut, T. Lewis; Delegate, J. Drake.
      Absentees.--J. W. Senseney, S. Chamberlain, H. Prestler, J. A. Dobson, C. Now, J. W. Aukerman, M. Gault, D. Shrum, G. E. Ewing.

      On motion, we now proceed to the election of officers, which resulted as follows: Elder T. H. Deshiri, Speaker; D. S. Warner, 1st Clerk; W. P. Small, 2d Clerk.

      On motion, the following brethren were received as advisory members of this body during its present sessions: Bros. Updike, McNut, Greene, Creager.

      On motion, Elder A. Poulson, of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, be received as a member of this body during its present sessions.

      On motion, the Speaker appoint all the committees, except the Stationing and Standing Committees.

      Committees appointed as follows:
      State of Religion.--D. Shriner, D. S. Warner, M. G. Bare.
      On Resolutions.--D. George, M. W. Larcomb, J. Richards.
      On License.--T. Hickernell, W. P. Small, L. Ensminger.
      On Rules of Order.--L. Ensminger, M. C. Mowen, D. Hale.
      On Obituaries.--J. Richards, M. C. Mowen, P. Sherick.
      On Temperance.--E. Messenger, D. Hariman, L. W. Keller.
      On Overtures.--L. Ensminger, D. Hale, W. Adams.
      On Arrangements.--M. C. Mowen, D. Creager, Bro. Funk.
      Committee on Rules of Order reported rules which the Eldership had formerly adopted, with the exception of No. 7, which shall read thus: "No charge will be preferred against any member of this body without consulting him ten days previously."
      Adopted.
      Committee on Journals. J. L. Yenner, H. Phillips, D. Disinger.

      Prayer by Bro. M. W. Larcomb.

      Reports of committees were called for.

      The Committee on Overtures reported as follows:
      A letter from Bro. J. F. Fox.
      Referred to the Eldership.
      A letter from Bro. Beldon.
      Referred to the Stationing Committee.
      A letter from Elder M. Gault.
      Referred to the Eldership.
      Adopted.

      On motion, the Standing Committee report.
      Their report was read and adopted in full.

      Committee on Obituaries reported no deaths.

      Reports of preachers called for.

      Bro. T. H. Deshiri reported 3 conversions; 1 immersion. A little over $200 support.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Bro. W. P. Small reported conversions about 30; accessions to the Church, 31; immersions, 32. Support by subscription, $403.96; donation, $55.00; from Pleasant Hill, Marion county, Ohio, $52.00; whole amount, $510.96.
      Report adopted and license renewed.

      Bro. D. S. Warner reported: labored in connection with Bro. J. M. Cassel, on St. Mary's Circuit; result about as follows: conversions, 114; immersions, 55; accessions, 102.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Bro. J. M. Cassel reported.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Bros. Warner and Cassel each preached about 200 sermons, and received about $389.78.

      Bro. Joseph Neil reported conversions, 12; immersions, 10; accessions, 39; preached 160 times. Including $50 from missionary funds, received $137.00 support.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Bro. J. A. Warren reported.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Bro. A. Kline reported.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Adjourned with benediction by the Speaker.

      Prayer by Elder A. Poulson.

      On motion, Elder W. H. Oliver, of the East Ohio Eldership, handed us his transfer and was admitted a member of this body.

      On motion, Bro. Leonard was received as an advisory member of this body during its present sessions.

      The Journal was read and corrected.

      Reports of preachers were called for.

      Elder G. W. Ewing reported.
      Adopted and license renewed, and he be authorized to continue his labors as a missionary.

      D. Shriner reported.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Bro. W. W. Chamberlain was permitted to make some remarks, and was granted leave of absence.

      Elder W. Adams reported and gave an earnest exhortation to young ministers.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Bro. S. Chamberlain reported through Bro. G. Hart.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Elder James Richards reported.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Bro. A. Resh reported.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Bro. J. A. Dobson reported through Bro. D. S. Warner.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Bro. C. Now reported through J. M. Cassel.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Bro. D. Shrum not being heard from his license was renewed and placed in the hands of the Standing Committee until he report.

      Bro. H. Presler reported through Bro. Jos. Neil.
      Report adopted and license renewed.

      Bro. J. W. Senseney reported by letter.
      His report was received and license renewed, and placed in the hands of the Standing Committee until he make satisfactory settlement with the Board of Missions.

      Elder T. Hickernell reported.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Bro. J. L. Yenner reported.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Bro. A. Poulson, of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, reported.
      His report was received.

      Bro. W. H. Oliver, of the East Ohio Eldership, reported.
      His report was received and a license granted him.

      Bro. J. C. Drake, of Michigan, reported.
      Report received.

      Bro. L. Ensminger reported.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Bro. L. W. Keller reported.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Adjourned with benediction by the Speaker.

      Opened with prayer by Elder Richards.

      Reports of committees were called for.

      WHEREAS, The Scriptures teach that the people of God are to be a separate people; and as we consider that the modern mite societies are not becoming for Christians to engage in; therefore,
      Resolved, That we cannot approve of those societies in the Church of God.

      Committees on Journals reported.
      Their report was considered item by item and adopted in part.

      On motion, we exonerate the committee which was appointed last fall to draft a constitution for raising a widows' and orphans' fund, and appoint a new one in its stead, consisting of the following brethren: D. S. Warner, D. Hale, J. L. Yenner.

      On motion, Elder John McNut receive a license from this body.

      Reports of preachers were called for.

      Bro. James Neil reported through Bro. Hart: conversions, 40; immersions, 37; accessions, 23.
      His report was received.

      On motion,
      Resolved, That we hold a Pentecostal meeting this Eldership year at the Rock Run Bethel, Wyandot county, Ohio.
      Adopted.

      On motion, we reaffirm the resolution concerning financial matters found on page 126 of our Eldership Journal, which is as follows: "Your committee, after due deliberation, recommend to the Eldership to make it obligatory upon each member of the Eldership having an appointment to call a financial meeting at some central part of his charge, in which shall sit with him the deacons of the Church or Churches under his charge, and there and then determine his salary for the present year, and also determine how much is the proportion of each Church under his charge: and further, that it shall be the duty of the deacon or deacons of each Church, after such financial meeting, to select enough assistance to constitute at least a committee of three to determine the proportion of each member of the Church, according to his or her ability, and thus equalize the pay to ministerial support among the entire membership. It is also the opinion of the committee that the deacons and Church members who refuse to comply and co-operate, should, according to the Scripture rule, be considered unworthy of Christian fellowship."
      Adopted.

      Committee on Arrangements reported as follows:
      Elder W. H. Oliver to preach for us to night.

      Adjourned with prayer by Bro. H. Davis.

      Prayer by Bro. J. L. Yenner.

      The Journal read and corrected.

      On motion the Board of Missions was appointed a committee to collect the money willed to this Eldership by Bro. Job Smith, deceased.

      Committee on License reported as follows:
      We commend Bros. J. C. Drake, J. V. Updike, I. Stine, H. S. McNut and J. H. McNut as worthy of licenses from this body.
      Licenses were granted the above named brethren.
      Your committee would commend the following brethren as being in their judgment worthy of exhorter's license: R. Baker, E. Poling, S. Phillips, D. Disinger, M. G. Bare.
      Adopted.

      Committee on Resolutions reported as follows:
      Resolved, That the West Ohio Eldership hold and Eldership camp at a convenient place this year.
      Resolved, That each preacher in charge of a circuit or station present this matter to the Churches under his charge as soon as convenient, and ascertain how many will come with tents, and report the same to the Standing Committee, whose duty it shall be to select the ground for holding said camp meeting, and send a notice in good time to THE CHURCH ADVOCATE.
      Adopted.
      Resolved, That we as a body hold that Christ is a king and has founded a kingdom on earth.
      Adopted.
      WHEREAS, This is an age of progress in the arts, sciences, learning, etc.; therefore,
      Resolved, That we, as a body increasing in strength, should take higher grounds, and put forth greater efforts to enlarge the borders of Zion.
      Resolved, That we make every effort to occupy all the ground we possibly can within the bounds of this Eldership, and especially those places that are favorable and inviting.
      Adopted.
      WHEREAS, It is both reasonable and right that the Eldership should bear the expenses of the Standing Committee; therefore,
      Resolved, That each circuit pay two dollars a year for said purpose.
      Adopted.
      Resolved, Resolved that we highly appreciate the able and efficient manner in which our worthy young editor conducts the columns of THE CHURCH ADVOCATE.
      Resolved, That we are also well pleased with the Church of God Sunday-school Gem, believing it is one of the best, if not indeed the best, Sunday-school paper extant.
      Resolved, Therefore, that we will use our best endeavors to extend the circulation of both THE CHURCH ADVOCATE and Sunday-school Gem, and that we bid the editors God speed in their noble work.
      Resolved, That we look upon our county and State fairs, legitimately and properly conducted, as worthy encouragements to the agricultural and mechanical industries and the stock growing interests of the common wealth, and in no way injurious to social morality and religion.
      Resolved, That we, as ministers and Churches, are deeply grieved at the increasing demoralization of these fairs, arising from racing, trotting, betting, drinking, blaspheming, and other crying sins; and we are fully satisfied the interests of morality and godliness demand that the race track and all its accompaniments should be put away from them.
      Resolved, That we most sincerely and earnestly request for this subject the sincere attention and prayerful consideration of all members of the Church of God who may hold office in these societies, and who consequently, in some measure must be responsible for these things.
      Resolved, That many of the so-called honorable and popular amusements, such as going to theaters, circuses, festivals, and base ball playing are deleterious to a Christian life, and are to be considered of such a character as cannot be engaged in in the name of the Lord; they draw the attention from the word of God, lead to a disrelish of divine things, and alienate the youth, especially, from God's service and fear.
      Resolved, That the present is not the time for compromise with the world; Jesus demands that we be self-denying, humble, cross-bearing Christians. Let all the members of the Church of God purge themselves from the pride and fashion of the world, and love the Lord Jesus Christ with all their hearts.
      Adopted.

      The Committee on Temperance reported as follows:
      WHEREAS, We believe intemperance in the use of intoxicating drinks is one of the greatest obstacles now in the way of our national prosperity, and the spread of the pure principles of the gospel of Christ, destroying our intellectual and moral force, ruining many of our young men in the prime of life and vigor of youth, making widows and orphans by thousands, burdening us with increased taxes to support pauperism and punish crime, invading our homes and destroying those nearest our hearts, thus making a reform vital to every interest of the land; therefore,
      Resolved, That this is the duty of every minister of the gospel to cry aloud and spare not against this giant evil, which is so destructive to both soul and body.
      Resolved, That it is the duty of all God's people to use all honorable and lawful means to suppress the traffic and unnecessary use of intoxicating beverages.
      Adopted.

      Committee on the State of Religion reported as follows: That, in our humble opinion, if there ever was a time in the history of the Church of God in North America that her advocates had reason to thank God and take courage, it is the present time. This appears from the following considerations: 1. The number of hopeful conversions during the past year we find to be about 200, perhaps 250. 2. A number of new organizations. 3. Almost an unprecedented number of young men have come into the ministerial ranks. 4. The number of accessions to the Church have been more than the number converted; many are coming out of sects and uniting with the Church of the living God. Therefore, seeing God's willingness to bless our feeble efforts, we call upon every member of the body to labor on with zeal and energy as long as life and health are granted.

      On motion, we appoint a committee of five brethren to ascertain whether a house of worship can be purchased for the Church of God in the city of Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio.
      The following brethren were appointed: B. Reenie, J. A. Myers, H. W. Creager, L. Ensminger.

      On motion, we appoint the Stationing Committee.
      The following brethren were appointed: D. Shriner, T. Hickernell, M. C. Mowen, Joseph Neil, M. G. Bare, Geo. Hart, S. Phillips.

      Pray by Bro. J. Man.

      The Stationing Committee reported as follows:
      Findlay Station and McComb Circuit thrown into one and supplied by Elders J. W. Aukerman and J. M. Cassel.
      St. Mary's Circuit, W. H. Oliver.
      Seneca Circuit, D. S. Warner.
      Williams County Circuit, James Neil, and J. V. Updike.
      Wyandot Circuit, T. H. Deshiri.
      Maumee Circuit, Joseph Neil.
      Pleasant Hill, Marion county, W. P. Small.
      Adopted.

      On motion, Elder L. Ensminger and James Richards travel as general missionaries.

      On motion, we hold our next Eldership at Findlay, Hancock county, Ohio, to commence on the first Friday night after the State election in October, 1871.

      On motion, we tender our warmest thanks to the Church and citizens of Hopewell for their hospitality toward us during our stay with them; also, to the Speaker and Clerks for the faithful manner in which they have discharged their duties.

      NOTE.--The editor will please permit me to say that we have had, perhaps, the best Eldership that has yet been held in Western Ohio. Our faithful and zealous young brother, D. S. Warner, preached the first evening, and, as Elder J. W. Aukerman was not present to preach a discourse to the ministry, as had been appointed, Elder T. H. Deshiri was appointed to fill his place, which he did with much credit to himself and the Eldership.

[The Church Advocate 35 (November 16, 1870): 2.]

      Daniel S. Warner's "Journal of the Proceedings of the Fourteenth Annual Eldership of the Church of God in West Ohio" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 35, No. 29 (November 16, 1870), p. 2. The electronic version has been transcribed from a copy of the article provided by Jean Leathers, Archivist of the Churches of God Historical Society.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 18 April 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.