6. The General Conferences

     The meeting at which the Free Methodist Church was organized was called a “convention,” and the first general gathering was called a “General Convention.” However, at the first general gathering the name was changed to “conference.”

     The St. Charles “General Convention” (1862) seated a total of five ministerial and five lay delegates from three conferences—Genesee, Illinois, and Susquehanna. The rather loosely organized Pekin Convention had elected B. T. Roberts general superintendent. At this General Convention he was re-elected, or elected for the first time by the officially constituted body. An adjourned sitting was held at Buffalo, New York, the same year. It was claimed that B. T. Roberts had transcended his authority in organizing the Susquehanna Conference. The adjourned session dealt with this matter and elected an Executive Committee to carry out the will of the General Conference during the interims of that body. Also action was taken looking toward a missionary society.

     In the second General Conference, held at Buffalo, New York, but having its later session in Albion, New York, four conferences were represented, with eighteen delegates. B. T. Roberts was again elected general superintendent, and action was taken looking toward the election of a second general overseer if the Executive Committee should deem fit. Also the Executive Committee was made a court of appeals in the interim of the General Conference.

     The third General Conference met at Aurora, Illinois, in October 1870. This time four conferences were represented by twenty-nine delegates. At this conference it was decided to place before the General Conference the question of whether the use of tobacco should be made a test of membership. Also, since the last General Conference a weekly religious periodical called the Free Methodist had been founded by Rev. Levi Wood. He offered the paper to the church. The offer was accepted. Rev. E. Owen was elected editor. The next day he resigned. The conference was apparently fearful of the financial responsibility. Mr. Joseph Mackey, of New York, a business man, now offered to take the paper, and edit and publish it at his own risk. The paper was therefore transferred to him.

     The fourth General Conference convened at Albion, New York, October 14, 1874. Six annual conferences were represented, with a total of thirty-six delegates. This conference ordered the election of two general superintendents. B. T. Roberts was re-elected, and E. P. Hart was elected for the first time. Thirteen men were elected to the Executive Committee. A Missionary Board was formed, which consisted of five persons.

     At the fifth General Conference, which was held at Spring Arbor, Michigan, October 9-19, 1878, ten conferences were represented by thirty-one ministerial and twenty-five lay delegates. These, with the two general superintendents, who were ex-officio members of the body, made the total fifty-eight. The Executive Committee was instructed to take steps toward the purchase of the Free Methodist and to act as an advisory committee in its management. Plans were made for a denominational hymnbook. Of the fifty-three votes cast for general superintendents, B. T. Roberts received forty-nine and E. P. Hart forty-eight, which would suggest the high esteem in which these men were held by their brethren.

     At this time, with the denomination eighteen years old, the membership of all classes was 10,682. There were 313 traveling preachers and 268 Sunday schools. The conference believed that Bishop Simpson of the Methodist Church, in an article in the “Encyclopedia of Methodism,” had not correctly represented the facts as to the reasons for and positions of Free Methodism. Accordingly, B. T. Roberts was requested to prepare a book which would correctly represent the denomination. This he did in “Why Another Sect?”

     The sixth General Conference convened at Burlington, Iowa, in October, 1882. The body consisted of the two general superintendents and sixty-eight delegates. Four conferences had been organized in the interim, making a total of fourteen. The two-year limit for pastorates was modified so that in “exceptional cases” preachers might be returned a third year. B. T. Roberts and E. P. Hart were again elected general superintendents. T. B. Arnold, who had become owner of the Free Methodist, offered to keep to himself the financial responsibility for the paper and to allow the General Conference to elect the editor. The offer was accepted, and Joseph Travis was elected.

     The General Conference of 1886 convened October 13 at Coopersville, Michigan. Sixty-two- delegates represented twenty-three conferences. Three general superintendents were elected, B. T. Roberts, E. P. Hart and G. W. Coleman. The Publishing House was established at this General Conference. The Free Methodist was purchased from T. B. Arnold. B. T. Roberts was elected editor, T. B. Arnold was elected publishing agent, C. B. Ebey, missionary secretary, and S. K. J. Chesbrough, treasurer.

     The eighth General Conference convened at Chicago, October 8, 1890. Including the three general superintendents there were forty members. B. T. Roberts, E. P. Hart and G. W. Coleman were re-elected general superintendents. Arrangements were made to offer life subscriptions to the Free Methodist at $33.33 each. There was much discussion of the subject of ordination for women preachers, ending in a final order that the matter be submitted to the several annual conferences. The Pentecost Bands, which had served the church in a very excellent way in putting young people to work in evangelism, came under review at this General Conference because of some extreme views supposed to be entertained among its leaders and because of an apparent tendency to become an independent movement.

     The ninth session of the General Conference was held at Greenville, Illinois, in October, 1894. B. T. Roberts had died quite suddenly in February, 1893. The Executive Committee had elected W. T. Hogue to fill the vacancy. At the General Conference E. P. Hart, G. W. Coleman and B. R. Jones were elected general superintendents. W. T. Hogue was elected editor of the Free Methodist. A rule favoring the ordination of women was discussed at great length. The effort for ordination was lost by a vote of about sixty-five to thirty-five. V. A. Dake, the leader of the Pentecost Bands, died during the quadrennium. His successor, Thomas H. Nelson, not being favorable to denominational restraints, withdrew from the church at this General Conference, taking with him some of his followers.

     This General Conference did its work under the sense of the great loss sustained in the death of the founder and beloved senior general superintendent of the denomination for more than thirty-two years. As an executive, natural leader, writer and editor he has probably never been excelled in the history of the Free Methodist Church. As a preacher he was surpassed by a number of our strongest men (we have had among us some great preachers). However, he was noted for his faithful, spiritual, simple and intelligent presentation of the truth. His sound judgment, fatherly counsel and his sincerity peculiarly fitted him for the responsibilities which were his so long.

     Bishop W. T. Hogue, who knew him well, wrote, “Benjamin Titus Roberts was certainly one of the most humble, kind and forgiving men the world ever saw. And yet he was a man of strong convictions and always of the courage to avow and defend them. * * * He was born for leadership; and he magnified his office as leader of the people of God by displaying the qualities requisite to such a calling as fully, perhaps, as any man of modern times, and with as few mistakes and failings to obscure the brilliancy of his record.”

     The tenth General Conference convened at Chicago, October 12, 1898. This conference authorized the election of three persons by the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society to be members of the General Missionary Board. To the general superintendency E. P. Hart, B. R. Jones and G. W. Coleman were re-elected, and W. A. Sellew was elected for the first time. W. T. Hogue was re-elected editor of the Free Methodist, S. K. J. Chesbrough was re-elected publishing agent and was made treasurer of the Missionary Board, and W. B. Rose was elected assistant publishing agent. J. G. Terrill, missionary secretary, having died during the quadrennium, Benjamin Winget was elected to that office. The conference by extended resolutions confessed the loss in the passing of J. G. Terrill of a man great as a preacher, editor, writer, and great in the exemplification of the grace of entire sanctification.

     The Publishing House had purchased from T. B. Arnold his entire series of lesson helps. For about two years the editorial work upon these was divided between W. T. Hogue and his wife, Mrs. Emma L. Hogue. At this General Conference W. B. Olmstead was elected editor of all the Sunday-school literature. Also this conference ordered the time of the quadrennial sessions to be changed from fall to spring.

     Pursuant to the order of the quadrennial meeting of 1898, the eleventh session of the General Conference was held at Greenville, Illinois, in June, 1903. Besides the four general superintendents, there were present 121 ministerial and lay delegates. To the general superintendency E. P. Hart, B. R. Jones and W. A. Sellew were re-elected, and W. T. Hogue was elected to fill the place previously held by G. W. Coleman, who retired because of his age. Charles B. Ebey of Southern California was elected editor of the Free Methodist, and S. K. J. Chesbrough and W. B. Rose were re-elected as publishing agent and assistant publishing agent respectively. B. Winget was re-elected missionary secretary.

     The twelfth session of the General Conference was held at Greenville, Illinois, in June, 1907. The members, besides the general superintendents, were 120. At three previous General Conferences the attempt to change the name of the chief shepherds from “general superintendent” to “bishop” had failed. This time the change was ordered by a vote of eighty-three to. forty. The four bishops were all re-elected. J. T. Logan was elected editor of the Free Methodist. W. B. Olmstead was re-elected editor of the Sunday-school literature and given the added duties of Sunday-school secretary and evangelist. Upon his immediate resignation from the former office, Rev. D. S. Warner was elected editor of the Sunday-school literature. C. W. Stamp, S. K. Wheatlake and C. B. Ebey were elected General Conference evangelists, with the understanding that the last-named would devote his labors to the South. Mr. Ebey resigned and J. H. Flower was elected in his place. S. K. J. Chesbrough, who was eighty years of age and who for nineteen years had served the church most acceptably as publishing agent, asked the conference that he might be permitted to retire. W. B. Rose was elected as his successor. At this session a provision was adopted whereby women evangelists under certain conditions were allowed a voice and vote in the annual conferences.

     At this General Conference steps were taken to bring about closer relations between the Wesleyan Methodist and Free Methodist churches. Some entertained a hope of the union of the two bodies. Though the efforts were not successful, there was the joint production of a great hymnal by the two denominations.

     The thirteenth session of the General Conference convened at Chicago in June, 1911. There were 133 delegates. The church now having passed its fiftieth birthday, a sermon commemorating the occasion was preached to the General Conference by W. T. Hogue. This was afterward published in pamphlet form under the title, “Retrospect and Prospect.”

     A resolution was adopted providing for the ordination of women to the office of deacon. An effort was made to deprive the bishops of membership in the General Conferences, but was defeated by a substantial majority.

     To the bishopric B. R. Jones, W. A. Sellew and W. T. Hogue were re-elected. E. P. Hart resigned from the bishopric during the quadrennium because of the infirmities of age. In 1908 William Pearce was elected by the Executive Committee to fill the vacancy. At this General Conference William Pearce was elected by the General Conference. B. Winget was re-elected missionary secretary, J. T. Logan editor of the Free Methodist, W. B. Rose publishing agent, D. S. Warner editor of the Sunday-school literature, and W. B. Olmstead Sunday-school secretary and evangelist. Four General Conference evangelists were elected. This conference provided for a missionary bishop for India and Africa. J. S. MacGeary was elected to this office.

     The fourteenth session of the General Conference was held in Chicago in June, 1915. The official body consisted of the four bishops, sixty-eight ministers and sixty-six laymen. Of more than ordinary importance was the plan inaugurated to employ lay helpers in bands organized for evangelism. Also modifications were made in the plan for the support of superannuated preachers. A Sunday School Board was elected. The secretary of the board was to be called “Sunday School Secretary.”

     The four bishops and the editor of the Free Methodist, the editor of the Sunday-school literature and the publishing agent were all re-elected. The office of missionary bishop was discontinued.

     Again a committee was appointed to continue negotiations looking toward a union of the Wesleyan and Free Methodist churches.

     The General Conference convened for its fifteenth session in June, 1919, at Greenville, Illinois. There were seventy ministerial and sixty-six lay delegates. A letter from Bishop W. T. Hogue written during his last sickness announced that bad health made it impossible for him to accept any office. Bishop B. R. Jones was also kept from the conference by sickness.

     One of the important matters considered at this conference was the question of participation in the Inter-Church World Movement. Limited association with the movement was ordered. However, the arrangement was a disappointment to the Free Methodist Church and to many other groups. Little good resulted to most of the participating churches.

     Also labor unions received much consideration. Sympathy for the laboring man was expressed and cooperation with him assured.

     One of the very constructive pieces of legislation enacted at this conference was the formation of the Church and Parsonage Aid Society. This to assist in rebuilding churches and parsonages destroyed in whole or in part by fire or any other agency. During the last twenty years about seventy churches have had help from this fund of from ten to three thousand dollars each, and the fund is in excellent condition, with all claims met and $43,000 in its treasury.

     Bishops W. A. Sellew and William Pearce were re-elected, and Rev. W. H. Clark and Rev. D. S. Warner were elected to the bishopric. Rev. J. T. Logan was re-elected editor of the Free Methodist, Rev. G. W. Griffith editor of the Sunday-school literature, Rev. W. B. Rose was elected publishing agent, and Rev. J. S. MacGeary missionary secretary.

     The sixteenth General Conference of the Free Methodist Church met at Corunna, Michigan, in June 1923. There were seventy-four ministerial and seventy-three lay delegates.

     A strong resolution was adopted expressing support of W. J. Bryan in his efforts to keep the teaching of evolution out of our public schools.

     Much attention was given to the problem of Christian education, our schools, and endowments.

     Again labor and labor unions were prominent in the discussion.

     An arrangement was made for the division of certain funds between the American and Canadian conferences.

     At a previous General Conference ex-officio membership in the quadrennial meeting was taken from the bishops. At this session such membership was restored.

     The Japan and African Mission conferences received much consideration.

     Also much attention was given to young people and their work.

     A committee on the Publishing House gave strong reasons for the removal of all our publishing interests from Chicago.

     Bishops William Pearce, W. H. Clark, W. A. Sellew and David S. Warner were all re-elected on the first ballot. Rev. G. W. Griffith was elected editor of the Free Methodist, Rev. B. J. Vincent, editor of the Sunday-school literature, Rev. W. B. Rose, publishing agent, Rev. W. B. Olmstead, missionary secretary, Rev. J. B. Lutz, Sunday-school secretary, Rev. L. G. Lewis, educational secretary.

     The seventeenth session of the General Conference was held at Rochester, New York, in June, 1927. Bishop W. H. Clark having died in the interim, there were in membership only three bishops, and besides these seventy-six ministerial and seventy-five lay delegates.

     The question of instrumental music was very prominent at this General Conference. Several proposed amendments were considered. The final vote concerning the use of the instrument in public worship was thirty-eight for its use and 112 against.

     An amendment was adopted allowing the appointment of a pastor to the same field for a fourth year in case of emergency.

     Bishops William Pearce and W. A. Sellew were reelected, and Rev. G. W. Griffith and Rev. A. D. Zahniser were elected to the bishopric for the first time. Rev. J. T. Logan was elected editor of the Free Methodist, Rev. W. B. Olmstead, missionary secretary, Rev. B. J. Vincent, editor of the Sunday-school literature, and Rev. J. H. Whiteman, who had served two years as Sundayschool secretary, was elected to that office by the General Conference. Rev. N. W. Fink, who had served one year as publishing agent, was elected to that office by the Executive Committee in October, 1927.

     The eighteenth General Conference convened at Greenville, Illinois, in June, 1931, with a membership comprised of three bishops, seventy-six ministerial delegates and seventy-one lay delegates.

     At this session consideration was given to difficulties about the use of the musical instrument in forbidden places. An extended resolution, which was in the nature of a compromise on the matter of the use of musical instruments, was defeated by a majority of ninety-six to forty-eight.

     Bishops William Pearce, G. W. Griffith and A. D. Zahniser were re-elected, and Rev. B. J. Vincent was elected to the bishopric for the first time. Rev. Carl L. Howland was elected editor of the Free Methodist, Rev. B. L. Olmstead, editor of the Sunday-school literature, Rev. W. B. Olmstead was re-elected missionary secretary, and Rev. J. H. Whiteman was re-elected Sunday-school secretary. Rev. N. W. Fink was re-elected publishing agent by the Board of Administration.

     Perhaps the most important matter considered at this General Conference was the reorganization of the general committees and boards. These had been the Executive Committee, Missionary Board, Sunday School Board, and Board of Education. There had been between sixty and seventy members. The plan finally adopted provided for one board consisting of thirty-one members, which was to be final authority on all matters of the church in the interim of the General Conference and which was to do its work through four commissions made up of its own members. The plan was devised and presented by Rev. Claude A. Watson, ably seconded by Bishop G. W. Griffith. Its final adoption cut the general expense in the meeting of the boards some hundreds of dollars annually, and also has probably produced increased efficiency.

     In June, 1935, the nineteenth session of the General Conference convened in Winona Lake, Indiana. Three bishops, eighty-three ministerial and seventy-eight lay delegates held membership.

     Among the important items was the inauguration of a plan to eliminate the missionary debt of more than $100,000 which had accumulated especially through the depression. Well begun at this conference, the task which seemed so great in addition to the current cost in the maintenance of missions has been well-nigh accomplished.

     Bishops William Pearce, G. W. Griffith and A. D. Zahniser were re-elected. Rev. Robert H. Warren was elected to the bishopric for the first time. Rev. Carl L. Howland was re-elected editor of the Free Methodist, Rev. B. L. Olmstead, editor of the Sunday-school literature, Rev. H. F. Johnson, who had been elected missionary secretary by the board during the interim, was elected to that office by the General Conference, and Rev. J. H. Whiteman was re-elected Sunday-school secretary. Mr. B. H. Gaddis, who had served as publishing agent since 1933 by election of the board, was re-elected.

     Twenty papers were presented asking for no change in the Discipline on the matter of instrumental music. Six papers asked for a modification of the rule. After two minutes of silent prayer and without debate the instrument was again defeated by a vote of one hundred and twelve to forty-three.

     Also the Y. P. M. S. received much constructive consideration.

     The usefulness of the Church and Parsonage Aid Society was extended.

     One of the most important matters before this General Conference was a better provision for the conference claimants. Rev. E. A. Haslam presented a plan which was on the whole accepted and which appears to be a success. This has been received with general satisfaction.

     During the 193 5-39 interim of the General Conference three bishops died. Bishop A. D. Zahniser died in August, 1935. President L. R. Marston of Greenville College was the following October elected to fill the vacancy. In February, 1936, Bishop G. W. Griffith died. The following October Rev. M. D. Ormston was elected to fill the vacancy. Bishop Robert H. Warren died in September, 1938. No successor was elected by the board.

     From the above very sketchy accounts of the doings of the General Conferences it might be concluded that those bodies did small work of importance. However, though the limits of this book demand such brief treatment it should be known that each four years for about two weeks these consecrated men and women consider with great pains, and constructively, evangelism, missions, Christian education, Sunday schools, the ministry, the churches, policies and plans for the promotion of all the work, co-operation with others in the promotion of our religion, and reform. And there are fifty or more other matters which receive thoughtful and careful consideration.