Pursuant to appointment by the West Ohio Eldership the following ministerial brethren met at Rock Run, Wednesday evening, May 31st, 1876, for the purpose of holding a Ministerial Association and Pentecostal meeting:

      G. W. Wilson, D. S. Warner, S. Lilley, A. Kline, S. Kline, J. V. Updike, T. Koogle, J. M. Cassel, C. N. Belman, W. P. Burchard, T. Lewis, E. Polling, T. James, G. T. Kimmel and Wm. Adams. According to previous appointment, Elder G. W. Wilson occupied the pulpit on the first evening of the meeting. His subject was The Ministry. The discourse was delivered with life and power, and was calculated to encourage as well as to enlighten us in the great work of the ministry. Met in good time Thursday morning and after usual acts of worship constituted the association by electing T. Koogle, president; G. W. Wilson, vice president; G. T. Kimmel, secretary; after which proceeded immediately to the discussion of the subjects which had been previously arranged and published through THE ADVOCATE. Never before have we seen so much interest manifested in a meeting of this kind. Hearts were filled to almost overflowing at the sight of each other's friendly faces in this happy reunion as well as with the spirit of the Master, and were prepared to discuss the questions or subjects propounded. Errors in the use of language, improper words, incorrect ideas, &c., &c., were duly criticized in the proper spirit and with great profit.

      Our ministerial associations are increasing in interest as well as in numerical strength. We believe no Eldership should be without them. We are satisfied that they strengthen the bonds of love between us and bring about a oneness that could in no other way be attained to. They enable us to "speak the same thing" and to be "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." Says the wise man, In the multitude of counsel there is safety. Some preachers are so bigoted that they cannot be persuaded to attend a meeting of this kind. They have the idea fully developed, it seems that what they do not know is not worth knowing; or else that it is an advantage to them to blunder along with back-woods grammar and equally awkward in gesture and scriptural ideas and everything else pertaining to the ministry.

      We need years of training to become a farmer, or a mechanic, or a school teacher, or a lawyer, and yet men will presume to enter a work that is far more responsible, yes, the highest and most responsible position in life, the presidency not excepted, with little and even no preparation. And refusing to attend these associations, which are held more particularly for the young and inexperienced, is but to say they do not want the advice and instruction, and to know the experience of those who have been many years in the active work, and the counsel of the body in reference to the building up and permanently establishing churches upon the principles of the Bible.

      Such men are extremely dangerous to the church. When an individual becomes so wise in his own conceit: as soon as he receives license that he needs no longer the advice and instruction of the experienced (for which purpose these associations are held) it is a good reason why his license should be withheld, or that he never should have had any.

      The Church of God has suffered so extremely from the effects of bad men in the ministry that it is high time we were accepting and carrying out the advice of the Master. Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, for surely we will be accountable to him for unavoidable failures.

      We did not have time to dwell upon all the subjects of the programme. Time passed so pleasantly and therefore so rapidly that Pentecost was upon us before we could finish.

      Morning exercises on Pentecost commenced early with praise meeting, being opened with a warm exhortation and prayer by Elder Wm. Adams. According to previous appointment, the pentecostal discourse was delivered by Elder T. Koogle, which was very good, but we thought much too short. At 3 P. M. we met again for children's meeting, which consisted of five minute speeches, one speech from each minister present. It was thought to be excellent. Met early again in the evening and continued praise meeting a short time, after which we were earnestly addressed and highly entertained by Elder D. S. Warner, who discoursed on the ordinances of God's house. Then came the richest season enjoyed in all the meeting. Truly we had a good time. Over a hundred attended to the ordinances, when we realized of a truth the promise of the Master, If ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them. A vote of thanks was tendered to the church and friends for their hospitality.

G. T. KIMMEL.      

[The Church Advocate 41 (July 12, 1876): 2.]

      G. T. Kimmel's "W. O. E. Ministerial Association and Pentecostal Meeting" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 41, No. 11 (July 12, 1876), 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
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 p. 2:      jesture [ gesture
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 22 May 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.