The Merger of the Ohio Mennonite and Amish Conferences / 201

section by section, discussed, and adopted. By ballot, fifty-seven voted "yes" and two voted "no." So far as the conferences were now concerned this closed a significant chapter in their history, but the merger still had to be approved by the individual churches. A favorable vote by three fourths of the congregations was deemed necessary to effect the merger. The following provisional organization was elected: A. J. Steiner, moderator; E. L. Frey, assistant moderator; O. N. Johns, secretary; J. C. Frey, treasurer. E. B. Stoltzfus and E. F. Hartzler were elected fourth and fifth members of the executive committee.'"

The special merger committee met at the Lima Mission, June 28, 1927. All members were present. The following action was taken at this committee meeting:

Since we as a special merger committee. have been made responsible for the presentation and the interpretation of this doctrinal statement, constitution, rules and discipline, we take the liberty to suggest dates of meeting for each congregation in Ohio, and the names of the brethren who shall go there for the presentation of this document, and that we leave it with E. L: Free in consultation with J. S. Mast to arrange the same in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The brethren that are sent, with the bishop in charge, shall present the matter. It was decided to leave it optional with the congregation how the vote is to be taken-by ballot, by standing vote or by private counsel."

It was also decided that this committee should not make this a disciplinary act. The matter was to be presented fairly and objectively and then ascertain by a "yes" or "no" vote whether the congregation favors a merger under this policy.

Congregations Approve

Printed documents of this policy were ordered sent to the congregations from Scottdale, June 30, 1927.'' The result of the vote
was as follows: Twenty-eight congregations voted favorably; one,
Orrville, Ohio, voted negatively,"' and the other, Oak Grove,
Wayne County, Ohio, passed a resolution in which exceptions were
taken to the merger. 17 The three congregations which did not declare
themselves were Millwood, Ouster Point, and Conestoga. John S.
Mast considered it best to defer action in his congregations but
suggested that the committee proceed with the proposed merger.'"
The above report was made to the executive committees of the
two conferences after which the following merger declaration was made: