BRO. FORNEY: The missionary society having appointed Brothers J. S. McKee, J. Durstine and myself a committee to sell the Mansfield mission property. I wish to report that shortly after the Eldership I visited the M. E. elder in Mansfield and received encouragement that they would purchase. Since then they have corresponded with and once visited Brother Durstine, and recently Brothers Durstine, Jacob Hartman and myself conferred with a member of the M. E. committee, and we have come to this conclusion, that they wish the house, and expect to purchase it, but not for half what it is worth. They suppose we are compelled to sell soon; hence they are baffling us along with the hope of forcing us to their terms. They have only offered $3,000, which is not half the cost of the property, and will not near cover the indebtedness and refund the permanent fund invested.

      Hence, we have concluded to make an effort either to save the property or get it in a shape that we can get a reasonable price for it. Brother G. F. Mitchell has made a good proposal, let all the brethren respond with their $2 or $1 50. Who will start the ball? Remember you need not pay your money until it has proved a success. You can count me for one. There is $1,000 borrowed in the bank which will have to be met the first of March. This we desire to borrow of the brethren. Who can let us have from one to five hundred dollars and take the missionary society or mortgage on the property for security? This will enable us to take a more independent stand for the worth of the property, if we still find it necessary to sell. But having been appointed by the Standing Committee to serve a charge, for the present I will hold a meeting and hope under God to effect a revival, which will help to raise the money there and stimulate the brethren aboard to come to the rescue.

      Now, dear brethren, you who have means I hope you will regard this call as from God, to whom you are indebted for all you possess, and who indeed is the real owner of all you call yours, and yourselves with it. He has "charged them that have riches to be liberal and to do good," to "be rich in good works," and "rich toward God." And remember, brethren, that this demand is made in the discipline of the Church of God, which you have solemnly promised before God to obey. If, as John intimates, the love of God cannot dwell in the heart of one who "shuts his bowels of compassion against a brother that hath needs," how can the love of God dwell in a heart that is closed against the wants of God himself and his sacred cause? O, brethren, think of the cause we love so dearly. True, some may say that things have not been properly managed. Well, let us profit by our past blunders and make the best of the case in hand. Think, brethren, how hard it will be to raise the deficiency to pay the debts on the house if we should be compelled to sell for what is now offered. Who could have the face to ask brethren for money to pay for a house we have not got? It is much easier to pay for a living horse than a dead one. So I would rather raise the whole amount to pay for the house than a thousand or more for which we shall realize nothing. There are good brethren there, and it is a pity to leave them without a house. Who will respond with one to five hundred dollars to be paid by the last of February? O, brother. can you not "lend to the Lord?" He says "he will repay." If the property is sold this money will be refunded at once. If it is not sold it will be refunded as fast as possible, if you do not see fit to donate it or a part of it. If this is met I think the house will be secured. Address Bro. Jacob Durstine immediately, at Smithville, Way county, O.

[The Church Advocate 40 (February 9, 1876): 4.]

      Daniel S. Warner's "Mansfield Mission" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 40, No. 41 (February 9, 1876), p. 3. 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.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 20 May 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.