Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-06-11
THE GERMAN BAPTIST MEETING

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visitors were in attendance. The num-
Der was variously estimated from ter to
fifteen thousand. The exercises were
opened by Elder R. H. Miller, by read
Ing hymn 682. A short and earnest
address was delivered by the Moderator,
urging the members present and the
church at large to be steadfast in the
faith and bumbly appeal to God fol-
help. Prayer was offered up by the
Moderator which was followed by Elder
Eby who repeated the Lords Prayer
The 18th chap. Of Acts was read as
authority for holding such a general
conference. The clerk read the rules
governing the meeting.
There was a report from the COM
mittee to devise plan for holding the
annual meeting, which was discussed
by the elders and others. The clause
requiring each one attending the meet
ing to pay one dollar was objected to
on account OF the poor.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
JUNE 3.-After the singing Of hymn
the meeting resumed its business being
the question in regard to the manner oil
hol1ino the Conference in more salts
factory manner. or rather to raise the
means of delraying the expenses more
satisfactorily. The question was very
fully discussed, and then unanimously
passed. This feature of passing every
resolution unanimously is peculiar to
the Church of the Brethren (dunkers)
and based on a principle similar to that
which may govern the decision OF juries
and for the further object of the remov-
ing every temptation OF party TO elcc-
toneer or secure influence in an i'm
proper way.
The roll of the several Districts were
next called and responded TO by the
Delegates sent: Nebraska, Kansas,
North Missouri, South Missouri, Northern
Iowa, Southern Iowa, all except the
last from which request was made to
place all matters concerning the church
INTO the hands Of deacons, except such
as relate to the matters and doctrines
of church government. Objection urged
against it strongly, and the request not
granted.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS.
l. REQUEST from Northern Illinois to
have the cost OF supporting the Danish
mission equally distributed among the
churches. the cost for the present veal
being $500. Request granted.
2. Request to publish small hymn
book adapted to the special wants o
missionaries. Tabled.
8. Query: Is it proper TO take away
the office of minister of the first oil
second degree, IN his own church ant
allow him to exercise the office else
where No.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS.
Petition to grant further liberty tC
those wishing to practice feet washing
BIZ what is known as the single mode.
This question was discussed at grea
length mainly on account of tho danger
of majority coercing minority in
stead of la boring TO gain unanimity.-
Petition granted in a modified form.
NORTHERN INDIANA.
No query.
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF INDIANA.
l. A request 10 permit sisters Il
break the bread at Communion in the
same manner as it is done by the broth
rem. The request based on the instruc-
lions given in Cor. l0-lG-l7 Gal.
3-28. Decided to make no change
>. Request not to send committee;
taken from a great distance and thereby
lessen the expense, unless necessity de-
mands it. Granted.
3. Has the Elder alone, or with the
consent ofpart or all of the officials o
the church the right to withhold ques
tons affecting the interest ofthe churcl
This Qnery was deferred.
The Standing Committee met in it;
room again at G:30 p. M, to prepare
further business for the following day,
and receive and investigate the petition:
of partes from different churches de
sirlnc committees to assist them IN set
ting difficulties.
JUNE 4 lS7s.-SessiOn opened at
O'Clock a, M. singing the 247 hymn, an(
earnest admonition to the members t
look to God for divine aid and an hum
Bile appeal to the Throne Of grace, form
ed the Introductory exercise in the cOun
Gil tent.
At the same hour religious devotoni
and preaching commenced in the churcl
near by, to the crowded congregation
The clear sky and bracipg air OF thu
morning, are much enjoyed by the in
creased concourse of people.
QUERIES FROM MIDDLE INDIANA.
/. The last query Of the previous ses
sion was taken up and answered in TN
aNrmative.
.. Query, since a. m. of 1879 has de
cided that ex-masons who abandon tn
order are eligible to the ministerial office
and ask this meeting to decide whethe
such ex-masons shall be required TO dis
regard their oath or whether they ma,
continue to "hail !" the institution c
Freemasonry. Yes, they shall be re
ouired to disregard their masonic oat
with reference to leveling the institr
tien Of Freemasonry.
NORTHWESTERN DISTRICT OF OHIO.
I 80 ,.,,;., =