The Merger of the Ohio Mennonite and Amish Conferences / l99

The committee appointed by the Eastern Amish Mennonite Conference reported as fołlows in 1924: "Not advisable at present." The report was accepted and the committee retained.' [n 1925 the Eastern Amish Mennonite Conference Committee again made a report and was retained.9 This year again there was no report from the Ohio Mennonite Conference Merger Committee.

In 1926 there was held an informal meeting of several members of both committees at Canton, Ohio, on February 9, at which time they took the following action:

That we look with increased favor on the matter of merging the two conferences and that we recommend a call of a joint official meeting of both committees just previous to our conference sessions for the purpose of formulating and submitting a report to the respective conferences. "'

The joint committee met at the Bethel Church, West Liberhy, Ohio, on May 31, 1926. After considerable discussion regarding the problems involved, there was unanimous sentiment expressed in favor of the merger of both conferences on the ground of a scriptural platform as incorporated in doctrinal standards as interpreted by General Conference. The joint committee recommended that a special committee be chosen for the purpose of drawing up a platform and policy as a basis of merging and as a ground for the future, the same to be sent to both conferences for approval. The committee further recommended that a joint session of both conferences be held on June 3, 1926, and that the special committee mentioned above be chosen at that time. This was adopted by both conferences.

The Ohio Mennonite Conference met in the Bethel Church- at West Liberty, Ohio, June 1, 1926. The Eastern Amish Mennonite Conferences met at the South Union Church, near West Liberty, Ohio, June 2, 1926. A report of the work and recommendations of the joint committee was made at both conferences and was accepted without a dissenting vote. On June 3, a joint session of both conferences was held at the South Union Church. At this time the following committee was chosen for the purpose of framing a platform, policy, and basis of union for the future, the same to be presented to each conference for approval. The Ohio Mennonite Conference Committee was composed of J. Y. King, J. B. Smith, I. W. Roger, A. J. Steiner, I. B. Witmer, J. M. Shenk, S. D. Rohrer, and Andrew Brenneman. The Eastern Amish Mennonite