According to appointment, the Standing Committee of the West Ohio Eldership met in the bethel in Mansfield, November 15th, 1876. After devotional exercises the following business was transacted:

      1. Elder J. M. Cassel and Bro. E. Messenger being absent, Elder S. Lilley and W. P. Burchard were chosen to fill the vacancy pro tem.

      2. WHEREAS, Elder W. P. Burchard declines to be released from the West Unity Circuit, in consequence of the affliction of his aged father who needs his attention; and whereas, Bro. Burchard is desirous of laboring all he can in the ministry; therefore,
      Resolved, That he be released from said circuit, and that brethren who desire his services will give him a call; and further,
      Resolved, That Elder J. W. Aukerman serve the West Unity circuit the present year.

      3. WHEREAS, No appropriation can be made for Wooster; therefore,
      Resolved, That Elder S. Kline be released from serving that appointment.

      4. WHEREAS, There is but a small amount of missionary funds in the treasury; therefore,
      Resolved, That we cannot grant Elder Warren's request at present.

      5. WHEREAS, Elder G. T. Kimmel has requested a transfer to the Indiana Eldership; therefore,
      Resolved, That is request be granted, and that we recommend him to the brethren of Indiana as being an earnest and faithful worker and an exemplary Christian.

      6. On motion, that we take into consideration the statements made in a letter from Bro. J. Durstine relative to the Mansfield mission property. Whereupon the following was adopted:
      WHEREAS, The debt on the Mansfield bethel must be paid, and that soon; and whereas, the Eldership has taken steps towards raising the money, but failed to appoint any one in particular to carry the resolution into effect; and whereas, nothing has been done; therefore,
      Resolved, That each preacher in charge of a station, circuit or mission proceed at once to raise said money, and that he have the privilege of calling to his assistance one person at each preaching point to raise the money; and further,
      Resolved, That any neglect of this resolution shall be censurable.
      (The above money to be sent to the Eldership treasurer, Bro. E. Messenger, sr., Marion, Marion county, Ohio).

      On motion, adjourned to meet at Elder I. Little's this evening at 7½ o'clock.

      7. WHEREAS, There is not a sufficient amount of mission funds on hand to sustain Elder W. H. Oliver at Mansfield; therefore,
      Resolved, That Blooming grove, Shenandoah, and Mansfield constitute a circuit to be known as Mansfield circuit, and that Elder D. S. Warner serve said circuit; and,
      Resolved, That Briggle's, Vermillion, McKay and Brubaker's shall comprise Ashland circuit, to be served by Elder W. H. Oliver.

      8. On motion, that Elder J. S. McKee have permission to take up an appointment in Upper Sandusky.

      9. On motion, that the twenty-five dollars received by Bro. Oliver out of the mission funds to go to Mansfield be appropriated to him for his labors.

      10. On motion, that the several circuits that were delinquent in raising Superannuated and Contingent funds last year proceed at once to raise the same and send to the treasurer, as the money is much needed.

      11. On motion, that the Eldership funds be raised the present year to be apportioned as follows:

      The above includes the General Eldership contingent funds assessed on Ohio, which is sixty dollars.

      12. On motion, adjourned to meet at the call of the chairman.

[The Church Advocate 41 (December 6, 1876): 3.]

      T. Koogle's "West Ohio Standing Committee Meeting" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 41, No. 32 (December 6, 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 9 May 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.