Pursuant to previous appointment, the Eldership met in the Bethel in Findlay, Ohio, at half past eight o'clock, A. M., on Friday, October 13th, 1871.

      The Speaker of last year being absent, Elder T. Hickernell was elected speaker pro tem., who opened the session with singing and prayer.

      The following brethren were found to be present:

      Findlay Station.--Teaching Elders, Wm. Adams, J. M. Cassel; Ruling Elders, Peter Sherick, Thomas Carr, David Sherick, Jesse Walters; Exhorter, M. G. Bare.
      Wyandot Circuit.--Teaching Elders, David Shriner, L. Ensminger, L. W. Keller, J. W. Senseney; Ruling Elders, John Man, D. Hale, Wm. Shambaugh, M. W. Sarcumb; Exhorter, D. Disinger.
      Seneca Circuit.--Teaching Elders, A. Resh, D. S. Warner, *A. Kline, S. M. Gaskill; Ruling Elder, John Hellem; Delegate, John Beamer.
      Williams County Circuit.--Teaching Elder, J. V. Updike; Ruling Elder, J. F. Fox; Delegates, M. Netz, A. Bricker.
      St. Mary's Circuit.--Teaching Elders, W. H. Oliver, T. Hickernell; Ruling Elders, I. G. Baker, Wm. Clay; Exhorter, Reuben Baker.
      McComb Circuit.--Teaching Elders, M. C. Mowen, J. W. Aukerman, I. Stiner, *A. J. Warren, *M. Gault; Ruling Elders, *W. W. Chamberlin, H. George, *John Bolton; Delegates, Luther Winchel, Henry Phillips.
      Maumee Circuit.--Teaching Elders, Joseph Neil, *H. S. McNut, *J. Richards; Ruling Elders, E. Hardy, G. Dague; Delegates, John Vanpelt, Nelson Bellmon, *Sherman Hines.
      Pleasant Hill Station.--Teaching Elders, W. P. Small; Ruling Elder, E. Messenger.

      Absentees.--Thomas Deshiri, J. L. Yenner, H. Presler, S. Chamberlin, J. Dobson, C. Now, J. C. Drake, John McNut.

      Exhorters Absent.--E. Poling, S. Phillips.

      On motion, proceeded to the election of officers, which resulted as follows: W. P. Small, Chairman; D. S. Warner, First Clerk; S. M. Gaskill, Second Clerk.

      Elders S. Wilson and D. Lepley, authorized delegates of the North-Western Ohio Christian Conference, were received as advisory members of the Eldership during its session.

      Brothers T. James, George Reynolds, I. Fryer and G. Walters were received as advisory members during its session.

      The following committees were appointed by the Speaker:

      On Rules of Order.--J. F. Fox, Joseph Neil, E. Hardy.
      On State of Religion.--T. Hickernell, D. Shriner, I. Stiner.
      On Resolutions.--W. H. Oliver, L. Ensminger, D. Hale.
      On License.--J. W. Aukerman, T. Hickernell, D. Shriner.
      On Obituaries.--J. M. Cassel, Wm. Clay, A. Resh.
      On Temperance.--L. Ensminger, H. Phillips, I. Stiner.
      On Overtures.--D. Hale, I. Fryer, I. G. Baker.
      On Journals.--J. F. Fox, J. M. Cassel, M. G. Bare.
      On Arrangements.--J. M. Cassel, and the elders of the Church in Findlay.
      On Sabbath-Schools.--L. Ensminger, W. H. Oliver, J. M. Cassel.

      The Committee on Rules of Order reported the rules of last year, after amending article seven so as to read, No charge shall be preferred against any member of this body without notifying him ten days previously. And article eight so as to read, Preaching each night during the session, except Monday night, which is to be devoted to a Sabbath-school concert.
      Adopted.

      On motion,
      Resolved, That the Eldership sermon be preached on Saturday night.

      Adjourned with prayer by Brother A. Resh.

      Prayer by L. W. Keller.

      Preachers' reports were received.

      W. P. Small reported. Held one protracted meeting jointly with the F. W. Baptists, at which about twenty-five professed to embrace religion. Held another meeting of some ten days, in which four professed faith in Christ. In all, conversions, about 29; immersed, 11; received into fellowship, 8; support, $348.77.
      Report received and license renewed.

      D. S. Warner reported: Held four protracted meetings; organized one new Church of 51 members; conversions, 80; immersed, 48; received into fellowship, including the organization, 66.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Elder T. H. Deshiri reported by letter: Held four protracted efforts.
      On the Plains there were 16 conversion, 9 baptized, 13 received into fellowship.
      At Rock Run several professed faith in Christ, and several were fellowshiped in the Church.
      At Kirby two were received into the fellowship of the Church.
      Support received, $325.58.
      Donation, $40.00.
      Report received, license renewed and a transfer granted him to the East Ohio Eldership.

      Elder Joseph Neil reported 3 protracted meetings; 20 conversions; 14 immersions; 14 accessions; 1 organization.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Brother O. H. Kennedy, of the M. E. Church, was received as an advisory member during the session.

      Brother J. M. Cassel reported. Conversions, 11; baptized, 5; fellowshiped, 9.
      Report received, license renewed and a transfer granted him to the Illinois Eldership.

      G. E. Ewing not heard from.

      Adjourned with prayer by Brother O. H. Kennedy, of the M. E. Church.

      Opened with prayer by Brother D. Lepley.

      Reading and correcting of the Journal.

      Brother P. S. Hooper, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, E. B. Crouse, of the Evangelical Church, and France, were received as advisory members during the session.

      On motion, we hear the report of the Standing Committee.
      Report considered seriatim and then adopted as whole.

      The Committee on Arrangements reported the following arrangements for preaching:
      Church of God pulpit, Sabbath, 10½ o'clock, A. M., Brother D. Lepley, of the Christian Church.
      Congregational pulpit, Sabbath, 10½ o'clock, A. M., D. S. Warner.
      Evangelical pulpit, Sabbath, 10½ o'clock, A. M., James Neil.
      M. E. pulpit, Sabbath, 10½ o'clock, A. M., T. Hickernell.
      Evangelical Lutheran pulpit, Sabbath, 10½ o'clock, A. M., S. Wilson, of the Christian Church.
      U. B. Church pulpit, Sabbath, 10½ o'clock, A. M., J. V. Updike.

      Adjourned with prayer by D. S. Warner.

      Opened with prayer by Brother I. Stiner.

      On motion, Brother James Neil was received as a member of the Eldership during the session.

      Preachers' reports called for.

      W. H. Oliver reported. Held four protracted meetings, the result of which was, conversions, 22; baptized, 20; fellowshiped, 23; preached about 260 sermons; held 12 ordinance meetings; received support by donations and otherwise, $495.36.
      Report received and license renewed.

      L. Ensminger, General Missionary Agent, reported. Visited nearly all the circuits, assisted in holding a number of protracted meetings, and canvassed for the missionary interests. Received notes to the amount of $2,931.00 and collected $71.85 old dues.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Brother James Neil reported.
      Report received and he be invited to procure his transfer from East Ohio to this Eldership as soon as practicable.

      M. C. Mowen reported. Preached 140 times; conversions, 28; baptized, 12; fellowshiped, 21; support, $2.75.
      Report received and license renewed.

      Adjourned with benediction by the Speaker.

      Opened with prayer by J. F. Fox.

      On motion, the regular order of business was suspended indefinitely.

      On motion, a committee of three be appointed by the Speaker to investigate a difficulty between Brother J. W. Senseney and Brother Hiram Davis, and the claims of the Board of Missions upon Brother J. W. Senseney.
      The following were appointed: J. Neil, T. Hickernell, Wm. Clay.
      On motion, the decision of the above committee shall be final.

      Joseph Neil made some remarks relative to the important subject of the consolidation of the Church of God and the Christian Church, and then called upon Brothers S. Wilson and D. Lepley, who were present upon that business, to speak, which they did, with many warm and earnest appeals for the union of all God's people, especially all such who agree so well and have such strong affinities as seem to exist between them and the Church of God.
      WHEREAS, Brother S. Wilson and D. Lepley have come among us as representatives of the North Western Ohio Christian Conference to confer with us in adopting measures to effect a consolidation of the two bodies; and, as they assure us that that body will hail with joy any proper steps we may take in that direction; therefore,
      Resolved, That the West Ohio Eldership, now assembled, do thank God for their cheering reports to this body.
      Resolved, That we will do our utmost to bring about this union.

      On motion, it was agreed that the Standing Committee, of the West Ohio Eldership meet the Standing Committee of the North-western Ohio Christian Conference, at Lafayette, Allen county, Ohio, on Tuesday, November 21st, 1871.
      With many warm farewell greetings, Brothers Wilson and Lepley took their leave of the Eldership.

      Regular order of business was then resumed.

      Reading and correcting of the Journal.

      Committee on Overtures reported.
      Item 1. A letter from T. H. Deshiri.
      Referred to the Eldership.
      Item 2. A letter from S. Phillips.
      Referred to the Eldership.
      Item 3. A letter from J. L. Yenner.
      Referred to the Eldership.
      Report received.

      Committee on Obituaries reported:
      WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God, in his providence, to remove from from our midst Brothers James Anderson and Jesse Guile, two fathers in Israel, who have endeared themselves to us by their devotion to the cause of Christ; therefore,
      Resolved, That while we mourn their loss we regard it their eternal gain.
      Resolved, That we tender our sympathy to the bereaved friends of the deceased.

J. M. CASSEL, WM. CLAY, A. RESH.

      Committee on Temperance reported with other things heretofore affirmed by this body, the following resolution:
      Resolved, That we commend the course of our legislature in passing a law making the venders of ardent spirits and the owners of property wherein the same is sold, responsible for all damage done by said traffic.

S. ENSMINGER, H. PHILLIPS, I. STINER.

      Adopted.

      Committee on Sabbath-schools reported the following:
      WHEREAS, In our judgment the Sabbath-school has been the means under the blessing of God in winning souls to Christ and enlarging the borders of Zion;
      AND WHEREAS, In our opinion we as a body have not in the past taken that interest in Sabbath-schools which they deserve; therefore,
      Resolved, That we urge all ministers in charge of circuits and stations, and whoever else can engage in this important work, to put forth efforts to have well-organized Sabbath-schools wherever they can be raised throughout our bounds.
      Resolved, That we hold a Sabbath-school Convention at some convenient place within the bounds of the Eldership, the coming year.

      On motion, it was afterward agreed that the Sabbath-school Convention be held at Findlay, Ohio, to begin on the first Friday after the second Sabbath in August, 1872.

      Adjourned with prayer by Brother W. S. Peterson.

      Opened with prayer by Brother Alvin Rose, of the U. B. Church.

      On motion, Brother Rose was received as an advisory member during session.

      On motion, the regular order of business was suspended to hear Brother Grage, of Cleveland, agent for the Western Seamen's Friends' Society. who, with touching remarks presented the sufferings of the people of Chicago in consequence of the recent great fire in that place. After which $32.00 was raised by the Eldership to assist in relieving said suffering.

      On motion, we elect delegates to the General Eldership. The following were elected:
      Delegates.--W. P. Small, L. Ensminger, J. W. Aukerman, T. Hickernell, E. Mesenger, J. F. Fox, M. W. Larcomb and John Bolton. Alternates--Joseph Neil, D. Shriner, W. H. Oliver, J. Richards, S. Phillips, D. Hale, Wm. Clay.

      On motion, Brother T. J. Harbaugh, of the United Brethren Church, was received as an advisory member.

      Adjourned with benediction by the Speaker.

      Opened with prayer by H. Davis.

      Journal read and corrected.

      Committee on resolutions reported as follows:
      WHEREAS, In times past this Eldership has granted license to persons without a proper knowledge of their qualifications and character; therefore,
      Resolved, That hereafter we require persons intending to apply for license before this body, to bring a recommendation from the Elders of the local Churches of which they are members.
      Adopted.

      WHEREAS, We believe that THE CHURCH ADVOCATE and Sabbath-School Gem meet the wants of the Church and give general satisfaction to all their numerous readers; therefore,
      Resolved, That this body return their sincere thanks to the publishers and editors for the able manner in which they conduct the press.
      Resolved, That we will continue our untiring efforts to increase their circulation.
      Adopted.

      Resolved, That we tender our thanks to the Sabbath-school in Findlay for the concert given by them for the entertainment of the Eldership.
      Adopted.

      Resolved, That this body tender their warmest thanks to the brethren and sisters and many kind friends of Findlay and vicinity, for the very kind and hospitable manner in which they have opened their doors and hearts for our entertainment while in their midst.
      Resolved, That the Speaker and Clerks have our thanks for their self-sacrificing services during the session.
      Adopted.

      Committee on Licenses reported:
      The following brethren appeared before us for license to preach: David Disinger, Thomas James, J. A. Thompson, C. N. Bellman; for exhorter's license, I. G. Baker. After examining the above named brethren, your committee would recommend to this honorable body that Thomas James and Joseph A. Thompson receive license to preach, and that David Disinger retain his former position as an exhorter; and I. G. Baker receive exhorter's license, and that Brother C. N. Bellman be advised to improve his talents until the next annual Eldership.
      Adopted.

      On motion, the Eldership proceeded to ascertain who will travel the following year. The following brethren responded: W. P. Small, D. S. Warner, J. Richards, W. H. Oliver, S. M. Gaskill, M. C. Mowen, Joseph Neil, J. W. Aukerman, J. V. Updike, Thomas James, L. Ensminger, travel at large. J. H. McNut and J. A. Thompson, conditionally.

      On motion, we elected the Stationing Committee.
      The following were elected:
      I. Stiner, J. F. Fox, Joseph Neil, L. Ensminger, I. G. Baker, A. Resh and Peter Sherick.

      On motion,
      Resolved, That we elect the Standing Committee:
      The following were elected:
      W. P. Small, T. Hickernell, D. Shriner, L. Ensminger and J. W. Aukerman.

      On motion, a committee of three was appointed to examine the Missionary Constitution submitted to the Eldership, consisting of J. W. Aukerman, J. F. Fox and D. Shriner.

      Adjourned with prayer by T. James.

      Opened with prayer by J. Richards.

      Committee on the examination of the Missionary Constitution, after amending it by adding Article 15, presented it as follows:

      I. Name. This society shall be called the Board of Missions of the West Ohio Eldership of the Church of God.
      II. Object. The object of this Society shall be to promote the preaching of the gospel within the bounds prescribed by the West Ohio Eldership.
      III. Officers. The officers of the Board of Missions shall be a Chairman, Clerk and Treasurer. The officers of said Board of Missions shall be elected by the Eldership by ballot, or as otherwise directed in its wisdom, and continue to discharge their official duties until superseded by a new election.

      1. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Missions.
      2. The Clerk shall record all their doings in a book kept for that purpose, and also keep a correct copy of all papers of importance, such as promissory notes, bonds, deeds, wills, etc., their dates, amounts and by whom given.
      3. The Treasurer shall receive all moneys, promissory notes, bonds, deeds, wills, etc., belonging to the West Ohio Eldership, and retain the same according to the authority of the Eldership.
      4. The Eldership shall employ such agency or agencies as the interests of the missionary cause may require; and it shall be the duty of those to travel through the bounds of the Eldership, to receive funds and take subscriptions for the missionary enterprise, and keep a faithful account of all moneys and promissory notes, bonds, deeds, wills, etc., [3] received, and report the same correctly annually to the Eldership.
      5. It shall be the duty of the agent or agents thus employed by the Eldership, to give the funds collected, with all promissory notes, bonds, deeds, wills, etc., into the hands of the Treasurer; and it shall be the duty of the Eldership to fix the compensation for services rendered by the agent or agents.
      6. It shall be the province of the Eldership to employ missionaries whom they believe to be thoroughly indoctrinated in the faith and practice of the Church of God, and adequate to the mission work, direct and instruct the missionaries concerning their particular fields and labors, make all appropriations definite, to be paid in quarterly payments out of the missionary treasury.
      7. No money shall be drawn in any case from the treasury without an order from the Clerk of the Board of Missions, signed by the Chairman and Clerk of the Board of Missions. Without such an order, the Treasurer of the Board of Missions shall not pay the amount demanded.
      8. All moneys given by note, or other property contributed by the last will and testament of a living or deceased friend, or conveyed or transferred by deed, or any other proper way, through any medium, or through the properly authorized agent or agents, for mission or missionary purposes, shall positively be so appropriated, or returned to the donors or their lawful agents.
      9. No loan nor any use whatever shall be made of the missionary fund only for missionary purposes, by any officer or officers, member or members of the West Ohio Eldership, except by a three-fourths vote of the Eldership, and not then however without the most undoubted security.
      10. The Treasurer, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall give faithful discharge of the same, and shall keep an authentic record of the receipts and disbursements; and shall at each annual meeting of the Eldership, make, or cause to be made, an exhibition of the same.
      11. The Treasurer's account shall accompany the annual minutes of the Eldership, and shall be published with said minutes as their proceedings during the current year.
      12. All officers of the Missionary Board shall be members in reputable standing, either of the West Ohio Eldership, or of a regularly organized Church of God within the bounds of the West Ohio Eldership.
      13. The Eldership may at any annual meeting originate and adopt such By-Laws as, in its wisdom, it may believe essential, provided they do not interfere with the Constitution.
      14. The Eldership shall have power at its annual meetings to amend or alter this Constitution by a vote of three-fourths of the members present, provided Articles 6th, 8th, 10th and 15th be scrupulously preserved.
      15. No part of the principal of the Missionary Fund shall in any wise be expended by any officer or officers of the Board of Missions, or by the Eldership, or any member thereof.
      Adopted.

      The Board of Missions reported the following:

      On motion, we elect the Board of Missions. The following were elected: L. Ensminger, Chairman, D. Hale, Secretary, L. W. Keller, Treasurer.

      On motion, J. W. Aukerman keep the Eldership money now in his possession another year.

      Special Committee on investigation of affairs between J. W. Senseney and H. Davis, and the claims of the Board of Missions, reported as follows:
      Item 1. Your committee beg leave to report in the case between the Board of Missions and Brother J. W. Senseney, that according to the testimony presented, it is evident that that money was paid over to and received by J. W. Senseney.
      Item 2. After hearing the testimony in the case of Brother Senseney against Brother Davis, your committee believe that he failed to sustain the charge.

	JAMES NEIL, T. HICKERNELL, WM. CLAY.
	Committee.

      Report received.

      Adjourned with prayer by T. Hickernell.

      Opened with prayer by the Speaker.

      The following brethren reported at different times during the Eldership. either in person, by letter, or through other brethren, and their reports were received and licenses renewed: D. Shriner, Wm. Adams, S. Chamberlain, J. Richards, A. Resh, J. A. Dobson, C. Now, A. J. Warren, T. Hickernell, J. L. Yenner, S. C. Drake, J. W. Keller, I. Stiner, H. S. McNut, J. H. McNut, S. M. Gaskill, John McNut, M. Gault, A. Kline, J. W. Aukerman, H. Pressler, and J. W. Senseney.
      Exhorters, S. Phillips, D. Messinger, R. Baker, E. Poling, M. G. Bare.

      On motion, L. Ensminger was elected General Missionary Agent.
      On motion, he receive three per cent. on all notes he takes, and ten per cent. on all moneys he collects, for his services.

      Committee on State of Religion reported:
      It is the opinion of your committee that we have great reason to "thank God and take courage," in our labors in the vineyard of the Lord. This will appear from the following considerations: 1st. The number of hopeful conversions in the past year is about 300; baptized, 164; received into fellowship of the Church, about 200; new organizations, 4.
      Report received.

      On motion, we hear report of the Stationing Committee.
      The Committee reported as follows:
      Wyandot Circuit.--Joseph Neil.
      Maumee Circuit.--J. A. Thompson, J. H. McNut.
      Seneca Circuit.--D. S. Warner, T. James.
      St. Mary's Circuit.--M. C. Mowers, S. M. Gaskill.
      McComb Circuit, with Blanchard Bethel, Milton Center, and Bluffton attached.--W. H. Oliver, I. Stiner.
      Williams County Circuit.--J. V. Updike.
      Pleasant Hill Station.--W. P. Small.
      Findlay, with Hickory Grove attached.--J. W. Aukerman.
      Adopted.

      On motion, we appoint the place of the next Eldership meeting. South Bridgewater, Williams county, was the place agreed upon, to meet on the first Thursday night after the second Tuesday in October, 1872.

      On motion, D. S. Warner preach the Eldership sermon next year.

      On motion, we hold an Eldership Pentecostal meeting the coming year. Place appointed was Hickory Grove.

      On motion, Elder J. Senseney give his note payable at ten years or at death, with interest, for money owed to the Eldership.
      Complied with.

      On motion, each circuit pay $12, and Findlay and Pleasant Hill each $8, to defray expenses of delegates to General Eldership.

      On motion, ministers in charge of circuits or stations raise this money, and send the same to L. W. Keller, Treasurer, at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, who shall divide the same and send an equal portion to each delegate intending to go to the General Eldership.

      Adjourned with prayer.

[The Church Advocate 36 (November 29, 1871): 3, 5.]

      Daniel S. Warner's "Journal of the Proceedings of the Fifteenth Annual Eldership of the Church of God in West Ohio" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 36, No. 31 (November 29, 1871), pp. 3, 5. The electronic version has been transcribed from a copy of the article provided by Jean Leathers, Archivist of the Churches of God Historical Society.

      Pagination has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. 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. 3:      L. W. Keller J. W. Senseney; [ L. W. Keller, J. W. Senseney;
            J. V. Vandike, Thomas James, [ J. V. Updike, Thomas James,
 p. 5:      13. All officers [ 12. All officers
            Borther J. W. Senseney, [ Brother J. W. Senseney,
            Circuit.--J. A. Tompson, [ Circuit.--J. A. Thompson,
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 10 April 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.