The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-02
FACTS CONCERNING
THE u. B. CHURCH
By Rev. s. w. Paul, D. D.

/
There are those in this section
who persist in the statement that
the United Brethren church is a
branch from another denomination,
and that it came into existence as
the result of schism on some point
of doctrine or church polity. To
those having this understanding the
following is submitted for careful in
vestigation.
The church of United Brethren
in Christ was organized by Phillip
William Otterbein and Martin
Boehm, the former of the German
Reformed church, the latter Men
monte. 1t is the outgrowth of a
great religious awakening among the
Germans in the latter part of the
eighteenth century. Otterbein and
Boehm were sent to this country as
missionaries by their respective
churches to look after the spiritual
interests of the people who were
rapidly emigrating hither. They
met for the first time at a great
camp meeting in Pennsylvania, and
after Mr.. Boehm had preached with
tremendous power Otterbein en-
braced him, exclaiming We are
brethren They then agreed to
unite their evangelistic effort, and
the work grew so rapidly that some
kind of organization became an inn
perative need. The first conference
was called to meet at Baltimore,
Maryland, in the year 1880. Seven
preachers attended and took part in
this historic gathering. The Sec
ond conference was held in Paradise
township, York county, Pennsyl-
vania, in the year 1891, nine preach
ers being present. The first general
conference at which the organiza-
tion was completed and the book of
discipline adopted was held in the
state of Maryland, in the year 1900.
The body being composed of thir-
teen preachers. From this small be-
ginning the church has gone steadi-
ly forward earnestly endeavoring to
do its full share in the conquest Of
the world. Among the hundreds of
denominations nov operating in
America the United Brethren ranks
nine in numerical strength. In round
numbers it has 900, 900 communi-
cants, q, 700 preachers, and its Sun
day schools have $4,000 officers and
teachers and 325,ooo pupils. In the
work of training Sunday school
teachers it outstrips any other de-
nomination on this continent. 1t
has thirteen splendid institutions of
learning besides first-class theolo-
gical seminary where young ministers
are trained for more efficient work.
The publishing house of the denom-
nation, located at Dayton, Ohio, is
worth ST. ,ooo, 900 and is universally :
recognized as one of the finest plants
in the country. AT president there !
are FIVE active bishops, a home mis- {
'ionary society that is pushing evan
gelism in the United States, for {
sign missionary society that is doing
vigorous work in Africa, China,
Japan, Porto Rico and the Philip {
pine Islands; also a church erection
society that aids weak congregations
n securing church home. The i
government of the church is purely is
American.
When Mr.. George w. Ochs was
mayor Of Chattanooga. in public $
ADDRESS, he said: The polity OF e
he United Brethren church appeals t
o the patriotism of every true Amer F.,
can" Il
The bishops and all other gen.
raj officers are elected every four
ears by quadreunial conference. /;
md that body is composed OF an
quail number of clerical and lay
delegates, who are elected by vote
# the membership of the church.
The annual conferences consist of :
IL the pastorsand local preachers
n the territory occupied by con-
erence, and a lay delegate from
ach charge, sand this body electsi
he presiding elders. The officers
f local church are chosen by
he membership. It has always
ee1 the plan of the church for
ach congregation to select its