From this time these godly men became co-laborers, and travelled extensively through Eastern Pennsj-lva- nia, Maryland, and Virginia. In the meantime other German ministers of "like precious faith" were raised up through their labors, and numerous societies were formed in the states mentioned. It seems to have been no part of Mr. Otterbein's purpose to organize a new church. He only sought to impress upon the con- sciences of the people generallj', and of formalists in particular, that a vital union Avith Christ is essential to a religions life. Providence so shaped circumstances that Mr. Otterbein, without his own seeking, was placed at the head of a new denomination.
The eminently Christian character of jMr. Otterbein, and his usefulness in founding this Church, make it proper that a few sentences more be written of him. He was born at Dillenberg, Germany, Blarch 6, 1726, and resided in his native land twenty-six years, and in America sixty-one years, dying Nov. 17, 1813, having continued his ministry to the close of his long life. He was an eminent scholar in classical attainments, and in philosophy and divinity. He was held in high esteem by bishops Asbury and Coke of the Methodist Church, and assisted, by special request, at the ordination of the former. On hearing of his death, bishop Asbury said of him, "Great and good man of God! An honor to his Church and country; one of the greatest scholars and divines that ever came to America, or who were born in it."
As the work thus begun grew to considerable pro- portions, it became very important to consider the best means of perpetuating and extending it. Conferences were therefore annually held for this purpose, beginning at Baltimore in the year 1780. In 1800 the societies gathered were united in one body, under the name of the "United Brethren in Christ," and elected Mr. Ot- terbein and Martin Boehm their superintendents or bishops. At that time there was little uniformity among them as to doctrine. Some were German Re- formed, others were Mennonites or Lutherans, and a few were Methodists. In regard to the mode of baptism, probably to meet the wishes of the Mennonites, they agreed that each man should act on his own convic- tions. From 1800 to 1815, the growth of the Church was steady, but not speedy. Several new conferences were formed, and the work extended westward of the Alleghany Mountains.
UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST 648 UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST
At a conference held in Ohio in 1814 it was resolved to call a general council for the purpose of agreeing upon some system of discipline. It was also deter- mined that the members of this council should be elect- ed from among the preachers by tlie vote of the people throughout the whole Church. Under this order the first General Conference was convened on June G, 1815, at Mount Pleasant, Pa.
II. Doctrines. — At this conference the following sum- mary of doctrines was adopted, and remains unchanged to the present time :
III the name of God, we declare and confess before all men that we believe in the only true God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; that these three are one— the Father in the Sou, the Son in the Father, aud the Holy Ghost equal in essence or being with both; that this triune God created the heavens and the earth, and all thai in them is, visible as well as invisible, and fur- thermore sustains, governs, protects, aud supports the same.
We believe in Jesus Christ; that he is very God and man ; that he became incarnate by the power of the Holy Ghost in the Virgin Mary, aud was born of her; that he is the Saviour aud Mediator of the whole human race, if they with full faith in him accept the grace proffered in Jesus ; that this Jesus suffered aud died on the cross for us, was buried, arose again on the third day. ascended into heaveu, aud sitteth on the right baud of God, to in- tercede for us ; and that he shall come again at the last day to judge the quick and the dead.
We believe iu the Holy Ghost ; that he is equal iu being with the Father aud the Son, and that he comforts the faithful, aud guides them into all truth.
W'e believe iu a holy Christiau Church, the communion of saiuts, the resurrection of the body, and life everlast- iuir.
We believe that the Holy Bible, Old and New Testament, is the word of God ; that it contains the only true way to our salvation ; that every true Christiau is bound to ac- knowledge aud receive it, with the influence of the Spirit of God, as the only rule and guide ; aud that without faith iu Jesus Christ, true repentance, forgiveness of sins, and following after Christ, no one cau be a true Christian.
We also believe that what is contained in the Holy Scriptures— to wit, the fall iu Adam, and redemption through Jesus Christ- shall be preached throughout the world.
We believe that the ordinances, viz. baptism, and the remembrance of the sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, are to be in use and practiced by all Chris- tian societies; and that it is incumbent on all the chil- dren of God particularly to practice them; but the man- ner in which ought always to be left to the judgment and understanding of every iudividual. Also the example of washing feet is left to the judgment of every one, to prac- tice or not; but it is not becoming for any of our preach- ers or members to traduce any of their brethren whose judgment aud understanding iu these respects are differ- ent from their own, either in public or private. Whoso- ever shall make himself guilty in this respect shall be considered a traducer of his brethren, and shall be an- swerable for the same.