C. H. Forney Work of the General Eldership of 1875 (1875)

Work of the General Eldership of
1875.

      We continue this week our attempt to forecast some of the more important matters upon which the General Eldership will probably deliberate at its sessions at West Salem the last of this month. The next question of moment to which we call attention is our

MISSIONARY INTERESTS.

      We have already referred to the election of the Board of Missions, and to certain collateral matters which will arise in connection therewith. Here we have reference to our mission work; as Elder Bolton puts it, to the field, the men, and the means. The field for operations is west of the Mississippi. However, if possible, we think Maine should not be forgotten. And a mission among the colored people of the South, we believe, would be a good thing. But the most prominent question will relate to the means. We have a plan for making collections prescribed in the Constitution, but it has not been carried out. Our present plan of sending out collectors had for its authority the action of the Board of Missions. It is not in accordance with the Constitution; yea, it is rather in violation of the plain letter of that instrument. The Constitution says, "Besides one annual collection at each church, and at each appointment, each member of the Church, whether rich or poor, shall be requested to make an annual missionary contribution. These collections should be taken up by, and these contributions shall be made to the minister or ministers in charge of appointments, in all the Elderships, and upon the personal application of said minister or ministers." We refer to this fact not by way of finding fault with the Board, but to show that the question of securing the means is an open one before the Eldership, and one that will require careful and somewhat protracted consideration. One whole day will not be enough to dispose of the whole subject of mission work.

      The Eldership should not overlook the fact that we are nearing the time when the

SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
of the Church should be celebrated. The time should be definitely fixed, and also the mode of its celebration. Specific objects of benevolence should also be placed before the churches, so that those who wish to make large offerings can do so.

      In this connection the question of writing a

CHURCH HISTORY
and of doing something to represent ourselves properly at the Centennial next year at Philadelphia should also come up. The East Pennsylvania Eldership took some action on both these questions in the Fall of '73, but it has thus far remained a dead letter, as the parties appointed have taken no action. The General Eldership should make sure that those to whom this matter is to be committed will not consult their own convenience, but will do the work assigned to them.

      The question of the propriety of organizing

A NEW ELDERSHIP
in the State of Nebraska will also come up. The brethren in Nebraska will ask for permission to organize an Eldership, and doubtless with little formality or discussion said organization will be authorized.

      In connection with the organization of the Nebraska Eldership the subject of changing the boundaries of the West Ohio Eldership, so as to include the East Ohio, within its limits, will also probably come up. At least such are the intimations which we have received. The precise boundaries of the Maryland and Virginia Eldership have also never been definitely fixed. While these are not momentous questions, they may still require considerable deliberation, unless well developed by committees appointed for that purpose.

      Another subject of graver interest may be brought before the body. We have reference to several questions of difficulty in two or three of the Elderships. We understand that two or three matters of controversy are to be proposed for settlement. These, for sundry reasons, may occupy a good deal of time, if the Eldership will entertain them, and it cannot well do otherwise to some extent.

      The question of an

INSTITUTION OF LEARNING
will come up in some form, but we think not for definite action. But some action will be required on the resolutions passed three years ago with reference to Hillsdale College, and at least one new project will likely be proposed. Not, however, a project for buying or building such an institution, but rather in the nature of a proposition granting certain powers in the premises to Boards of Education of annual Elderships. The whole question of an institution of learning will accordingly be canvassed, and we trust to see some intiatory steps taken whereby gradual and sure progress may be made toward securing, ultimately, at least a first-class academy. Our work hitherto has been spasmodic, and the labor at any time performed has all been lost. Some measures should be matured whereby anything that may be done will not be done in vain.

      The printing of

ELDERSHIP JOURNALS
is also an important matter upon which some action should be taken by the General Eldership. These Journals are beginning to monopolize too much time and space in THE ADVOCATE. For nearly three months in each year our columns are burdened with long Journals to the exclusion of other and more interesting matter. Three years ago the General Eldership took advisory action on this question, but it was effective only for one year in cutting down the Journals. There is considerable of a demand for the publication and distribution of the Journals gratuitously, but there is general dissatisfaction with the way in which it is now done. We hope, therefore, that some less objectionable plan may be devised.

      These, we think, are among the prominent matters upon which the General Eldership will deliberate at its coming sessions. There is enough here outlined to require a good deal of time properly to dispose of; and, of course, there are various other questions, besides matters of routine, which will require attention. Our object in outlining so much of the work is to give all an intimation of the subjects upon which they may be expected to act. We hope these matters will be reasonably well matured in advance, to the end that our final actions may be the result of careful thought and deliberate reflection. Our opinion is that we need to act with much greater care and wiser foresight than is sometimes done, both in our General and Annual Elderships. May the spirit of wisdom guide us all, and may God's glory and the good of the cause be kept purely in view.

[The Church Advocate 40 (May 19, 1875): 4.]

ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC EDITION

      Christian H. Forney's "Work of the General Eldership of 1875" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 40, No. 3 (May 19, 1875), p. 4. 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 28 May 1999.
Updated 13 July 2003.

C. H. Forney Work of the General Eldership of 1875 (1875)
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