Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA, https://coggc.org/ Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA, https://coggc.org/ Section 1 - What Is the Church of God? Key Text - Ephesians 2:19-22

Introduction - Before going on to a study of the history of the Church of God, its doctrines, its personages, publications, churches, and conferences, let us consider the question, “What is the Church of God?" Our answers may have a bearing on its history. I - A Definition of the Church A. "Church, ekklesia, the common term for a meeting of the ekkletoi (those summoned) to discuss the affairs of a Free State, the body of citizens summoned together by a herald. The LXX transfers the term to the assembly of ‘the people of Israel,' whether summoned or meeting for a definite purpose (1 Kings 8:65), or considered as the representative of the entire nation. In the N.T. it denotes the redeemed community in its two-fold aspect. (1.) The entire community of all who are called by and to Christ out of the world, the Church universal, (2.) every Church in which the character of the Church as a whole is seen in miniature. The summoning is expressed by the latter part of the word, and out of by the first part...." -- Bullinger's Lexicon. II - The Church of God in its Twofold Aspect A. The church universal. 1. The household or family of God - Eph. 2:19b; 3:14, 13; 1 Tim. 3:15; Gal. 6:10; Heb. 3:6; John 14:2. a. We can get into the family of God only by correct faith and baptism into Christ. Gal. 3:26, 27; Acts 2:41, 47. b. All who qualify under the Gospel plan for entrance and membership in the Father's family are members of the Church of God. We may not know all of them. There are, no doubt, members of God's family from almost every nation. 2. The family or church bears the family name. a. Isra-el bore one of God's titles in its name, "Prince of God" or "Ruling with God." Hebrew "El" is one of Jehovah's titles, meaning "Mighty One." -- Young's Concordance. b. "The Church of God." Acts. 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2; 10:32; 11:22; 13:9; Gal. 1:13; 1 Tim. 3:5. Plural - 1 Cor. 11:16. "" (Rom. 16:16) and "The sect of the Nazarenes" (Acts 24:3) are not used in a denominative sense, but as other terms for the same body. c. Bearing the Father's name is important to an heir. 3. The Church of God isn't a "denomination" as such. That is, it is not a name for the church, but is the church. "Denomination" also means, "a class, or society of individuals, called by the same name; a sect." – Webster’s dict.: A "sect" is, "In religion: a party dissenting from an established or parent church...One of the organized bodies of Christians; a denomination." - Webs. a. God's church is undenominational and nonsectarian. b. Denominations are a work of the flesh (Gal. 3:20), but are necessary in this age. 1 Cor. 11:18, 19. B. The local church. 1. A local body of believers who voluntarily meet together in some convenient place for worship, preaching, Bible study, and the keeping of the ordinances, comprises the local Church of God. a. Typical references to the Church of God in a local sense. 1 Cor. 1:2; 16:19; 1 Thess. 2:14; Rev. 1:4; etc. -1-

Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA, https://coggc.org/ II - B. 2. Taking the name "Church of God" does not insure that a group is a part of God’s Church, Only to the extent that the local church faithfully follows the Word of God pertaining to organization, doctrine, and works, is a Church of God a part of the Chuch of God. Taking this name is a challenge, rather than a reason for smugness.

Section 2 - A Brief History of the Church of God in America Our aim in this study of Church of God history shall be to make you aware of the rich heritage you have in the faith of your father’s, to try to develop in you an appreciation of your faith through a knowledge of the sacrifice and labor of your forefathers in the faith, and to challenge you to give yourselves as wholly to the study of the Word as they, and to show the same zeal in propagating the faith. The Early Church The history of the Church of God in the New Testament is available for all to read; its doctrines, its ordinances, and its organization. Even during the lives of the apostles there were false doctrines and teachers thereof who were the subject of concern & warning. (Acts 20:28- 31; Gal.1:6-9; 2 Tim.2:15-18; 1 John 4:l-3.) The Lord created no hierarchy in the church; He did not vest the power to declare or change doctrine in the church. Christ is the head of the church; the chief comer stone of the building, the church being founded upon His teachings and the teachings of the apostles. (Eph. 2:20.) Only that church which remains within the organization and teachings of the Head, and His apostles, can be considered the Church of God. It is amazing how soon churchmen turned from God’s Word to their own theories. As early as 180 A. D, men were speculating on a trinity of God. The Roman Catholic church was the first "denomination" to leave the Church of God, the Council of Nicaea in 325 A. D. being the first major break, when the Athenasian formulary was accepted' : and "nominal" Christianity became the State religion. The Catholic doctrines of sprinkling for baptism, the immortality of the soul, veneration of Mary and the relics, purgatory, infallibility of the Pope, 'etc. soon followed. Though the records are not very plentiful, there is evidence to show the existence of "heretics," the Church of God, in every generation. We know only what their enemies said of them, so it is often difficult, if not impossible, to gain accurate knowledge of their history. From the 14th century on, the record is well known, as Wycliffe 1324-1384, Tyndale 1484- 1536 (martyred), and Frith 1503-1533 (martyred) enter the scene, to be followed by the Reformation. The aim of the Reformers was the reform of the Catholic church, but mainly its practices. Therefore, we find the Trinity unquestioned by the majority, and though purgatory was denied, eternal torment was retained, etc. There were outstanding exceptions to the general rule, with such groups as the Lollards, and the various "Anabaptists" rejecting these beliefs. Many died at the stake for their beliefs, but their faith and principles survived until the time when men could freely believe and teach the truth. Literature from the 17th and 18th centuries on conditional immortality etc. is abundant, but the majority of churchmen never freed themselves from Catholic theology. The 19th Century With this background, we enter 19th century America, a fruitful field for the efforts of the Church of God. We are aware that our information is often spotty and there are areas where vie have no information whatever.

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Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA, https://coggc.org/

We would not attempt to pinpoint the time and place for the organization of the vidable and local Church of God in America. We do not wholly agree with the statement that, "actually, the Church of God appears to have sprung primarily from the William Miller movement of the 1840’s." (Pamphlet - "Church of God Its History, Its Organization, Its Belief’.’) We will admit that the Millerite movement served to attract attention to the doctrine of the Second Advent. The Millerite Movement

Because of its effect on the Church of God, we site a few salient facts on the Millerite movement. Wm. Miller was born Feb. 15, 1782 near Pittsfield, Mass., the eldest of 16 children. He served in the war of 1812, and was a deist; he believed God existed, but was beyond knowing. He moved to Low Hampton N. Y. in 1815, end joined a Calvinistic Baptist church in 1816. In 1818 he came to the conclusion, from the application of the "day for a year" theory of prophetic time, that 1843 would see the return of Christ. In a statement of faith Sept. 5, 1822, he confessed this faith in 20 articles, including the following: (1) The Bible as a rule, (2) The Triune God, (3) Man in the image of Triune God, with body, soul, and spirit, (12) The earth the abode of the saints, (13) Destruction of the wicked, (14) Personal Second Coming of Christ, (15) Christ coming on or before 1843, (17) Resurrection of just and unjust, (18) Doctrine of election, (19) Baptism by Immersion.

Entering public labor in 1831, he reported preaching 800 lectures from 1834 in October to June 1839, and from Oct. 1839 to April 1841, 627 lectures averaging 1 1/2 hours in duration and converted about 5,000 people. The "first General Conference" of advent believers was reportedly held at Boston in 1840, and a camp meeting was held at East Kingston New Hampshire in June 1842, with 7 to 10,000 people in attendance. Miller finally decided that Jesus would come between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844, and later said it would be Oct. 22, 1844. Of course Jesus did not come as expected, the movement was badly abused in the press, and many abandoned the hope. Some wanted to say Jesus came secretly but Miller insisted He would come personally and admitted that his dates were in error. Contrary to reports, the Adventists did not wear white ascension robes.

A so-called mutual conference of believers was held at Albany, N. Y. in April 1845 to plan the future of the movement. A statement of faith was published embodying about the same principles as Millers quoted above. A strong resolution was adopted against the doctrine of the restoration of Israel to Palestine. “Adventist" as a name for a church was spurned, but was considered acceptable as a description of the brethren. The name "Church of God" was rejected at this time because another group in Pennsylvania was called that. Miller died at Low Hampton, N. Y. Dec. 20, 1849, never having accepted the doctrine of the sleep of the dead, but stirring up interest in other truths shared by the Church of God. (Above information from the book, "A Brief History of William Miller," Advent Christian Pub. See.) The Advent Christian and Seventh Day Adventist churches both claim Wm. Miller, and both reject the restoration of the natural seed of Israel, and either embrace or tolerate other teachings contrary to the Bible and therefore unacceptable to the Church of God. Dr. John Thomas On April 12, 1805 in London, England, was born John Thomas, a man who was to have a more direct influence on the Church of God in America. His father was a minister in independent and Baptist churches. John Thomas was trained as an M. D, He moved to America

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Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA, https://coggc.org/ in 1832, serving as the ship’s surgeon. Passage took 8 weeks, during which time they went aground during a storm off Nova Scotia, and the doctor promised if he lived through it he would seek the truth till he found it. He went to Cincinnati, Ohio where he was introduced to Campbellism through Major Gano and . He was baptized by Mr. Scott in the Miami Canal at night. He went to Wellsburg, Va. where he met Alexander Campbell, and was coerced by him into preaching though unprepared. He later moved to Baltimore and then Philadelphia. In May 1834 he began publishing "The Apostolic Advocate", practiced medicine, and preached. He got into a dispute with Campbell over the Dr's, view that rebaptism was necessary for those who were baptized before believing the true gospel. In Dec. 1835 the Dr. published a list of 34 questions, seeking information, but they were considered as a statement of his faith. Many of them were on the nature of man and the kingdom. He was attacked from many sides. This caused the Dr. to study and find the answers from the Bible. He was disfellowshipped by Campbell over his views on conditional immortality. Dr. Thomas lived at Longrove and St, Charles, Illinois from 1839 - 1843 where he farmed, published a newspaper, and taught anatomy at Franklin Medical College. He moved to Louisville, Ky. and lived there a year, and began publishing "The Herald of the Future Age." He wrote an article on the Millerite movement in which he did not disagree with Miller's method of interpretation, but with his dates. In 1846 the Dr. went into New York state and preached. In a letter of March 24, 1847 he mentions Geo. Storrs of Philadelphia and his publication the "Bible Examiner." He also mentions Joseph Marsh of Rochester, New York and his publication "The " and calls him "a Millerite elder." In 1848 the doctor sailed for England with letters to Campbellite churches, but they would not receive him. Through Millerite sources and later Campbellite acquaintances, he had a great door in England and Scotland opened to him. He remained there 2 1/2 years preaching and establishing groups of believers. He wrote "Elpis Israel" in a four-month period; the book was received with mixed response, some even being burned, when his views on the Kingdom and the nature of man were fully known. He returned to Richmond, Va. where he wrote "Eureka", an explanation of Revelation, in 1862 and I863. While visiting at Adeline, Ogle County, Illinois in September 1864, he was appealed to by S. W. Coffman, to the effect that his sons were being conscripted for military service because their group had no name. The doctor settled on the word "Christadelphian," brethren of Christ, to satisfy the government, but not as a name for the church. The Dr. toured England again in 1869 and returned to the United States planning to move there (England), when he got sick and died in New York on March 5, 1871. (The above information from "Dr. Thomas: His Life & Work," by Robert Roberts.) They Went Everywhere

Those years of the nineteenth century were a time of intense missionary activity. As the people moved from one place to another they did not remain isolated but took their faith with them and soon influenced others until there were churches and conferences in many states. Geneva, Illinois About 1840 in Halifax, England a group of men belonging to a Baptist church joined the partial Reformation movement of Alexander Campbell. Longing for more light they began an independent and systematic study of the Bible and embraced the Abrahamic covenant and the

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Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA, https://coggc.org/ Kingdom message. Among that number were the brothers Joseph, Benjamin, John, and James Wilson, Benjamin Boyes, and Richard and William Appleyard. In 1844 James and Benjamin Wilson and Benj. Boyes emigrated to America and settled at Geneva, Illinois. In 1849 Joseph and John Wilson, and William and Richard Appleyard followed. Later came Joseph Cockroft and Geo. Westgarth. The Whitehead's were also associated with the Geneva group. These people continued Bible study in their homes. Dr. John Thomas preached there and is thought to have baptized at least Joseph and Benj. Wilson. A Church of God was established at Geneva, a stone building being erected to fill the need.

Benjamin Wilson, who was a printer by trade, began publishing "The Gospel Banner," proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom, and published books, tracts, and hymn books. From Geneva the Word spread to St. Charles where the Underwood's lived, (the parents of A. R. Underwood, long time editor and publisher of the Restitution), to South Northfield where the Appleyard's and Benj. Boyes settled, and to Aurora where a Campbellite congregation accepted the truth. It was Brother Benjamin Wilson who translated the Emphatic Diaglott in about 1857, electrotyped it, and printed the first edition on a hand press, giving the world one of the most valuable aids to New Testament study. (The above information from an article by W. H. Wilson in The Restitution, Nov.28, 1906, and reprinted in The Restitution Herald , March 10, 1942.) Early Illinois History As the churches multiplied, conferences were held at frequent intervals for the edification of the brethren and for evangelistic purposes. At the call of the Geneva church in 1857 a meeting was held at Cranes Grove and a Church of God conference for Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin was organized. Conferences were held semi-annually, with records showing a conference at Geneva July 1, 2, 1860, Sept. 7, 1862 at Cranes Grove, at which time Bro. A. J. Eychaner recorded in his diary that he first met J. M. Stephenson, T. J. Newman, H. V. Reed, Benjamin Wilson, and Dr. S. J. Jacobs. At a conference at Antioch, Sept. 11-13, 1868, A. J. Eychaner was appointed president of the conference, and was recommended to the brethren everywhere as a man of character and a preacher of the Gospel. (Herald of the Kingdom, Oct. 15, 1868.) Brother Eychaner preached at Paynes Point, Antioch, Silver Creek, Limerick, and Oregon in Ogle County from 1861-1871. Br. H. V. Reed labored in Wisconsin and Illinois, having begun preaching in 1852, at the age of 16, preached the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. He was a skillful debater, and won many people to the truth through this method popular in his time. Subjects he defended in debates were conditional immortality, the restoration of Israel, the Second Coming, the Kingdom of God on the earth, and the destruction of the wicked, etc. Audiences of over 800 were reported, and one of his debates received mention in Alger's book, "The Doctrine of a Future Life." Brother Reed preached at Dixon, Amboy, and Harvard and was instrumental in establishing congregations at those places, besides several in Wisconsin. He became editor of the Restitution Nov. 17, 1874 at Plymouth, Indiana and continued there for four years, preaching at many different points in Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Iowa. (Restitution April 15, 1908.) Early Indiana Conferences of the Church of God are known to have been held in Indiana as early as

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Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA, https://coggc.org/ 1850. The names of Hugh S, Barnhill, S. A. Chaplin, and Henry Logan are associated with the foundation of a Church of God congregation at "Old Pisgah Church” near Argos. Bros. Barnhill and Logan were elders in a Campbellite group at that place. Brother Barnhill was born March 29, 1809 in Butler County, Ohio and moved with his parents to Marion County, Indiana in 1820. In 1846 he moved to Marshall Co. and became active in the church at Old Pisgah. He had begun speaking in public in 1844. In 1847 Brother Ephraim Miller and E. Hoyt of Michigan came and preached in the Chaplin family log-cabin at Oswego, Kosciusko Co., and at other points, lecturing from charts on the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. They then came to Old Pisgah and delivered a series of lectures. Almost the whole congregation accepted the doctrines preached and a Church of God congregation was organized, the first in Marshall Co. Brother Barnhill preached for the Church of God at various points in the state up until the time he was fatally injured in a buggy accident while on the way to Plymouth, March 3, 1884. (Restitution, Vol. 57, No. 14.) Brother Steadman Atherton Chaplin was born at Baltimore, Vermont, June 2, 1809. He united with the Church of the Christian Connexion in Cayuga Co., N. Y. in 1831. He was a very studious person, and was a self-taught Latin, Greek, and Hebrew scholar. He and his wife came to believe the Kingdom message and conditional immortality through personal Bible study and the help of books, especially Dobney's ’’Future Punishment" and George Storr’s "Six Sermons." Brother Chaplin is known to have held his first meeting at "Old Pisgah Church" in 1850. He was made editor of "The Restitution" at Plymouth, Indiana Nov. 10, 1877, and continued until Sept. 1889. He died in 1892. (Restitution, Vol. 57, No's 15, 46, 48) Brother John L. Wince was born in Culpepper Co., Va., Dec. 21, 1832. He was baptized by the Baptists near Zanesville, Illinois in 1851. In 1853 he moved to Whitley Co., Indiana where he taught school and came into contact with the Church of God and after hearing the fundamental doctrines of our faith was baptized in the fall of 1851; uniting with the congregation at Claysville. He soon began preaching and was for many years a strong advocate of the faith. He married Sr. S. Roxana Chaplin, daughter of S. A. Chaplin, on March 13, 1867. Being a farmer, he preached at places within his reach, and labored with the Plymouth church for several years. He died at his home near Pierceton on October 4, 1910. (Restitution Vol. 59, No. 38). Brother Jeremiah S, Hatch was another worker associated with the early Indiana work. He moved with his family to Laporte Co., near Valparaiso, and later to Montgomery Co., where he worked as a blacksmith. He came out of the Campbellite church and was baptized by Brother A.F. Sarvis in 1861. He began preaching at Burgett's Corner in 1866, and is known to have attended conference at "Old Antioch" in 1870. In 1873 he reported traveling 1,000 miles preaching 300 sermons, organizing 3 churches, baptizing 37 persons, and holding 2 discussions. (From the Restitution, Vol. 57, No. 11.) Brother Richard Corbaley’s name is also remembered in the early Indiana history. At the annual conference at "Old Antioch" in 1875, the Advent Christian church under the leadership of Joshua Himes, made an attempt to capture the Indiana conference. Brother Corbaley is credited with preventing the merger. One of the main points of difference was the restoration of Israel. Bro. Corbaley later moved to Washington state and led a congregation at Waterville. (Restitution Vol. 57, No.11.) Brother John T, Prime’s name is associated with the "Little Wild Cat" church in Indiana in the early 1860’s. He was born Feb. 27, 1834, and was baptized by Bro. A. N. Seymour. He and Bro, Thos, E, Adams were elders of the church for four or five years, from about 1862 on. (Bro. Adams later actively worked as an evangelist in Kansas, dying in 1904). He is known to

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Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA, https://coggc.org/ have attended Indiana Conference near Windfall, Tipton Co., in 1863, In 1874 he was called to be the first pastor of the Church of God at Irving, Tama Co., Iowa and labored there for 2 years. He also preached in Furnas and Red Willow Counties, in Nebraska where Bro. Wm. Stevens and Bro. Denny of the Goesel Grove Church in Kosciusko Co., Indiana located. (Restitution, Vol. 57, No. 28.) Bro. J. F. Waggoner of Indiana should be mentioned because it is he who is greatly responsible for the existence of the Brush Creek Church of God in Ohio. A portion of the present building was built in 1859 by the Curtis’ and was a union meeting house. Soon after it was built, Bro, J. F. Waggoner came to visit the Curtis’, cousins of his, and preached at the meeting house. The first believers were baptized by him in 1869, and the present congregation organized Jan. 27, 1897.

Early Michigan History The earliest mention of believers in Michigan was in connection with the story of Bro. Hugh Barnhill, when Bros. Ephraim Miller and E. Hoyt of Mich, evangelized at "Old Pisgah" in Indiana in 1847. The Michigan Conference of the Church of God dates back to Aug. 20, 1858, when steps were taken at a meeting at Jamestown, Ottawa Co., to organize a state conference. The actual organization took place Oct. 16-18, 1858 at Leroy, Calhoun Co. Ephraim Miller, Jr, was chosen President; O. R. L. Crozier, vice president; Elder E. Hoyt, secy.; and Elder Joel A. Simonds, treasurer. Bro. Miller was from Mendon, the others of Grand Rapids. Bros. Ephraim Miller, Jr. and A. N. Seymour were appointed evangelists. O. R. L. Crozier was appointed to attend conferences in the other states. Conferences were held quarterly at various places in the state, including Leroy, Mendon, Watson, Prairieville, Wakeshma and Albion, during the first 10 years. Bros. Ephraim Miller, Jr., E, Hoyt, A. N. Seymour, J. M. Stephenson, Chesebrough, Sarvis, Carter, W. C. Hill, Riley, and Sober are mentioned as preachers attending these early meetings. At the annual meeting June 1-4, 1865 at Bro. Wm. H . Knapp's home there were 48 guests who stayed overnight! The hay mow was filled to a depth of 4 ft. with fresh hay where the men slept, and extra straw ticks were filled for the ladies to sleep in the house. The sermons were reported as "instructive and effective," and the brethren talked on Bible subjects way into the night; many baptisms resulted from these meetings. (Restitution, Vol. 58, No. 9) Minnesota The history of the Church of God in Minnesota began in 1873 when Elders C. D. W. Stott and Wm. Parson, of the Advent Christian Church, began to believe and teach that "Church of God" was the only Biblical name for the church. They began organizing churches under that name until a final break was made with the Advent Christians. The Minnesota conference of the Church of God was organized at Dassel on Dec. 18, 1874, Its first officers were Wm. Parson, Pres.; E. E. Thoms, Secy., and Wm. Matheny, Treas. Six churches reported at that first conference. The very next year the Eden Lake church was admitted to the conference, with the St. Cloud church being admitted in 1886 at a conference held at the Bergen church. Names associated with that early work besides Scott and Parson were Jedediah Raymond, Simon Peter Matheny, E. E. Thoms, J. L. Chadwick, Amos Randall, Henry and John Dingman, P. L. Sweany, Chas, Blanchette, (an ex Roman Catholic priest), J, P, Driver, and others. -7-

Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA, https://coggc.org/ The Minnesota Conference has long supported a missionary work in India, called at its founding, "Bible Faith Mission." Chas. R. Vedantachari of Madras, India came to America in 1912 and was ordained by the Minnesota Conf, at St. Cloud on June 24, The mission’s founder, Mrs. Sarah K, Taylor of Maine was likewise ordained by the Conf, at Eden Valley, Nov. 15, 1914, In the first 20 years of work, the mission’s founders claimed to have preached to an aggregate audience of over 530,000 people, baptized 1,500, organized 45 churches and 25 schools. (History of the Minn, Church of God Conference, S, E. Magaw.)

Early Iowa History The earliest record we have of a Church of God Conference in Iowa is 1865, Libbie (Hill) Palmer stated (in a letter to A. J. Eychaner in 1905) that when the Hill family moved to Iowa from Michigan in 1865 they found a state conference organized. Her brother, R. J, Hill was appointed evangelist at a conference held in the fall of 1865 at Colo, and labored with an Elder Thomas Smith. R. J. Hill organized churches at Rowan, Belmond, and Goldfield in Wright Co., and other places. Sr. Palmer reports that there were already companies of believers at Alden, Shellrock, Avon, Parkersburg, and Colo. Joseph and Sarah Furry had moved to Alden in 1855, having accepted the truth at Plymouth, Ind. in 1849, Dr. Samuel White of Colo was Pres, in 1865, and at a conference at Alden in 1866 Thos. G. Newman of Chicago was present. The annual conference was held at Waterloo in 1868, with Bro, J. M. Stephenson being one of the visiting evangelists. A committee was appointed to secure an evangelist and receive funds for his support. (Herald of the Coming Kingdom, Vol. 1, p. 500.) The conference work was allowed to lapse and was later reorganized at Watkin’s Wells, near Story City, Story Co., June 1-10, 1888. Elder T. J. Whitesitt was hired as evangelist at $1.00 per day plus expenses, and labored for a period of 3 years, until his health failed. In 1891 the Conference purchased a tent for evangelistic purposes, and continued its use for several years. In the first eight years of tent work, A. J. Eychaner reported about 4,000 sermons preached by the different evangelists in 23 different towns in 12 counties, with 400 baptisms. Those who worked with the tents include, A. J. Eychaner, James Prime, Frank Herrick, G. M, Myers, C. W. Russell, W. L, Crowe, John Garton, and others. (The Evangelist, Vol. 3, No. 17.) The work of these evangelists was not without difficulty and opposition, with vandalism being committed against the tents at various times. W. L. Crowe, in a report of labor, spoke of considerable difficulty in obtaining buildings in which to speak during the winter of 1897-98. He reported driving about 60 miles by team and speaking only once, being refused the use of buildings because he preached "that Restitution doctrine." (The Christian Evangelist, Vol, 3, No. 18.)

Though the church in Iowa was later practically destroyed by ‘isms and hobbies, the records reveal a time when the work flourished and the truth was broadcast far and wide, an example of what can be done.

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Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA, https://coggc.org/ Early Ohio History Our information on the state of Ohio is very sketchy, but a conference is known to have been held at North Fairfield in October, 1857. At this conference it was recommended: (1). "That we should, where there are three or more in a place, organize ourselves under the name Church of God, recognizing no other name for ourselves than Christians, and none for the Church, but the Church of God (2). That we should appoint an elder or elders, also a deacon or deacons." (3). Other recommendations included financing, evangelism, and acceptance of the Bible alone as the rule of faith and practice, (Our Church History, Grace M, Marsh.) The conference was allowed to lapse, but work in the state continued through the efforts of Peter Niell, Geo. Elton, Maurice Joblin, W. S. Tomlinson, Rufus Curtis, the Kauffman's, Overholser's, Lehman's, Pearson's and others. Other States We have only scattered references to the work at Brooklyn, N. Y., Philadelphia, Pa., the states of Virginia, Ky., Tenn., N. C., S.C., La., Ark., , Okla., Texas,. Ariz., Calif., Oregon, Wash., Nebr., Mo., Kans., Wisc., and in Canada, but the work in some of these states was very early, and the Church of God work remaining in those places is due to the steadfastness and zeal of those who moved from the central portions of the country, took their faith with them, and shared it with others. Publications The success and or failures of the Church of God seems to be related to its publication of religious papers, tracts, and books. Our people have been very active in this field.

Papers Religious papers in the Church of God date back at least to 1852. Benjamin Wilson began at Geneva, Ill. the publication of "The Gospel Banner," an exponent of the Gospel of the Kingdom and life only in Christ. Thos. G, Newman of Seneca Falls, N, Y, acquired "The Millennial Harbinger" started by Joseph Marsh at Rochester, N. Y. "The Millennial Harbinger" later merged with "The Gospel Banner" and was called "The Prophetic Watchman", with H.V. Reed as editor and published at Harvard, Ill. "The Prophetic Watchman" was in turn merged with "The Herald of the Coming Kingdom" which was first published at Chicago in 1868 with Thos. Wilson and Geo. Moyer as editors. While in the possession of Thos. Wilson, the name of the paper was changed to "The Restitution" and was moved to Plymouth, Ind. where it was published continuously until sold to Robt. G. Huggins of Cleveland, Ohio in July, 1911. Editors of "The Restitution" that we know of, were: H.V. Reed, Nov, 17, 1874 to Nov. 10, 1877; S.A. Chaplain, Nov. 10, 1877 to Sept. 1889; and A. R. Underwood to July, 1911. (Restitution, Vol. 57, no. 15). While R.G. Huggins continued publishing "The Restitution", Bro. S.J, Lindsay began the publication of "The Restitution Herald," on Oct. 12, 1911, which continues today as the official voice of the Church of God General Conference. Like "The Restitution" before it, "The Restitution Herald teaches the establishment of the Kingdom of God on the earth, with Christ as King of kings, and the immortalized saints as joint-heirs with Him in the government of the

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Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA, https://coggc.org/ nations; the restoration of Israel as a nation; the literal resurrection of the dead; the immortalization of the righteous; the final destruction of the wicked, and life only through Christ, Also a thorough belief in repentance, and immersion in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; as ‘pre-requisites’ of the forgiveness of sins, and a holy life as essential to salvation, We believe and teach the ‘restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.’" Another paper published by the Church of God was: "The Evangelist", first published by G. M. Myers at Belle Plaine, Iowa Oct, 1, 1895, sponsored by the Iowa Conf., From Oct, 1898 the paper was published at Beatrice, Nebraska, the last issue being dated March 1, 1899, when the paper was sold to W.L, Crowe who renamed it "The Present Truth." "The Present Truth" was published at Irving, Iowa from March to Nov, 1899 when it was moved to St, Paul, Nebr,, where it was published by Chas. E. Crowe, brother of W. L. Crowe, It was the plan of the paper to carry news and announcements, with a large portion devoted to controversial subjects. We do not know how long the paper was published, but the last copy we have seen is dated Sept., 1906, Other papers published by our people were "The Gospel Trumpet" or "The Trumpet Messenger" sponsored by the Ark, - Okla, Conference and edited, by T. A. Drinkard. The "Messenger of Truth" was published for many years by S. J. Lindsay, and many on mimeographed sheets, all with the single purpose of spreading the Word of God and edifying the brethren. Books Many excellent books have been published by the Church of God on the great truths of the Bible, and as aids to Bible study. "The Emphatic Diaglott," the Greek-English New Testament by Benj, Wilson, Geneva, Ill, published in 1862 has already been mentioned. The copyright and plates came into the hands of the Watchtower people in 1902, and the Diaglott has been published by them since then, although they openly criticized Wilson for not believing in the pre-existance of Christ, and the personal devil and for believing that Jesus is still "a man and flesh, in glory." "God’s Plan of Salvation" by J. M. Stephenson, Ripley, Ill., published by Thos. Wilson in 1877, is a book of 314 pages, devoted to the teaching of the Kingdom on earth and related subjects. "The Gospel of the Kingdom" by Wiley Jones, Manchester, Va. is a book of 283 pages, which in ten discourses, covers the gospel through the Abrahamic covenant to us in a very personal and effective manner. He also wrote "Key Words, or the Englishman's Hebrew and Greek Concordance," a book of 175 pages, which we have never seen, Bro. Jones was also active in the writing of tracts; his 8 page tract, "The Gospel of the Kingdom" went through several editions, 50,000 being published in the edition we possess, and sold at $4.00 per 1,000, and later at 25$ per pound, "The Law, The Covenants, and the Sabbath" by Dr. L.C. Thomas of Dover, Delaware is a book of 374 pages published in 1883, and is the best we have seen on the subjects covered. Bro, John 0. Woodruff of Elizabeth, N.J., in his lifetime spent over $30,000 in the publication of books in defense of the ancient faith of the gospel, according to W.H. Wilson.

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Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA, https://coggc.org/ Of three books published by him, ’’Words of Eternal Life," "The Word of the Kingdom," and "Bible Themes on Miscellaneous Subjects", we know that "The Word of the Kingdom" is a book of 418 pages published in 1904, and of the symposium type, nevertheless good. Bro. W. H. Wilson of Chicago published several books: "The Pine Woods Bible Class," "The Student’s Text Book," "The Book of Revelation Made Easy to Understand," and "The Destiny of Russia and the Signs of the Times." "The Bible, Its Principles and Texts" is a book of 309 pages published by Robt. G. Huggins of Cleveland, Ohio, and addresses the fundamental principles of the Christian life as well as various problem texts. There are, no doubt, many old Church of God books with which we are unfamiliar. Besides the hard cover books listed, there have been many paper covered books on various subjects. The Church of God of today is sadly lacking in a literature of its own, and needs to publish more books. People do still read, and books are an effective way of propagating the faith. General Conference The first meeting of a General Conference of the Church of God was held at Philadelphia, Pa, in Nov. 1888. The plans were well laid and seventeen states and Canada were represented. Officers elected were J. H. Willey, Indiana, Pres.; Samuel Wilson of Rahway, N.J., Vice-Pres.; A. J. Eychaner, Belle Plaine, Iowa, Secy.; Jas. W. Wilson, Austin, Ill., Cor. Secy.; Geo. F. Work, Philadelphia, Treas.; S. A. Chaplin, Cleveland, L. C. Chase, Mich., and John L. Wince, Pierceton, Ind., Board Members. Steps were taken for the publishing of a Bible Lesson Quarterly and A. J. Eychaner was chosen editor. The Quarterly was published for seven quarters from July 1889. A Chautauqua System of education among the members was adopted, and Samuel Wilson was appointed to formulate the plans and present them to the Board. "The Restitution" was chosen as the official voice of the Conference. The Conference was careful to avoid the adoption of any form of doctrinal creed. At an Executive Bbard meeting at Austin, Ill., Feb. 11, 1889, the establishment of a Theological School to train our ministers was proposed by Geo. F. Work, but was considered impractical at that time. A fund to start a Circulating Library was started at this meeting. A Helping Fund for weak churches, and to promote the gospel in new localities was created, and commitments made in several areas. The General Conference met at Chicago in Nov. 1889, but for some reason no other meetings were held. The officers elected were R.S. Dwiggins, Pres., Samuel Wilson, Vice Pres.; A. J. Eychaner, Secy.; J. W. Wilson, Cor. Secy.; Geo. F. Work, Treas,; and L. C. Chase, George Elton, & J.H. Willey, Board Members. At a Board meeting held in conjunction with the Chicago meeting, it was voted that the Conference should try to obtain ownership of "The Restitution," but these efforts failed. The General Conference Executive Board met for the last time on Dec. 21, 1891 in the office of Pres. R.S. Dwiggins in Chicago, with only four members present; no significant action was taken. There was an effort made to revive the General Conference at Waterloo, Iowa, in August 1910, but it met with failure.

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Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA, https://coggc.org/

In 1920 plans were made for a General Conference meeting to be held the next year at Waterloo, Iowa. Careful preparation was made during the year, with James A. Patrick, Chairman of the Committee. The Conference met from Aug. 28 to Sept. 4, 1921 at the Iowa Conference Campground at Waterloo. A constitution and by-laws were adopted and the following officers elected, Jas. A. Patrick, Pres.; L. E. Conner, 1st Vice-Pres.; J. S. Lyon, 2nd Vice-Pres.; F. L. Austin, Secy*; and G. P. Allard, Treas. General headquarters were placed at Oregon, Illinois where they remain. The General Conference work through the years has included the establishment of the Golden Rule Home, Oregon Bible College, the printing of Sunday School quarterlies, and the proclamation of the Word of God in home and foreign missions. Through this voluntary association of churches and conferences, under our congregational polity, we have been able to accomplish more than we could working alone. Bereans We do not know when and where the first Berean Society of the young people of the Church of God was formed, but we do know that the Iowa State Berean Society was organized at the Iowa Conf, at Marshalltown, Aug. 1898. Emphasis was placed on correspondence, literature, systematic Bible study, and prayer. There was talk at the second meeting of the Iowa State Berean Society at Waterloo, Aug, 1-5, 1899, of forming a national Society, but this was to wait until the year 1914. The Berean Society has been one of the greatest unifying forces at work in the Church of God, with its publication of tracts, study books, and-outstanding correspondence system. The present Berean Youth Fellowship department of the General Conference, is carrying oh the tradition of the Bereans under capable adult leadership, to promote fellowship, Bible study, youth camping, and Christian service in the spirit of the Bible Bereans, (Acts 17:10, 11.) Conclusion Don’t have an inferiority complex toward our church, as we are standing in a doctrinal position backed by the Bible, and the greatest Bible students of the ages. At the same time, do not feel smug and self-satisfied that you are a member of the Church of God, as we must stand or fall as individuals in God’s sight. In view of our study together, we challange you to reaffirm the faith of our fathers through your own Bible study and conviction.

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Church of God General Conference: McDonough, GA, https://coggc.org/