USA > Arizona > A history of the Church of the Brethren [southern California & Arizona] > Part 6
USA > California > A history of the Church of the Brethren [southern California & Arizona] > Part 6
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Missionary Plan Im- proved.
The main features of improvement of missionary plan were :
1. A suitable minister to be located at Colton. (S. C. Urey was located, but after a few months M. M. Eshelman took the place.
2. A minister to locate at Pomona. B. F. Masterson took charge.
3. All lines of Christian work were to be observed by these ministers giving all their time to the Cause.
4. To make complete report at next District Meeting.
5. Solicitors for means to be chosen at this meeting, after nominations have been made.
Subscriptions to this cause may be made payable in four equal installments.
6. The Mission Board to pay rents, fuel and lights and other necessary expenses at all mission points.
7. Delegates to elect the missionaries.
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8. The continuation of services was provided for after the first year.
9. When either place is sufficiently strengthened to sup- port itself, then organization shall be effected.
Solicitors chosen were D. A. Norcross, Andrew Over- holtzer, Sarah Gnagey. And they succeeded grandly in their work. State Evangelist, P. S. Myers.
Elder I. D. Parker was conditionally delegated to Annual Meeting and E. A. Miller authorized to state the District's needs before Standing Committee. The Mission Board the same as the former year. Geo. F. Chemberlen being chairman and J. C. Whitmer, Secretary.
District Meeting of 1898 was held in Lordsburg,
1898 March 24th. Elder J. W. Trostle, Moderator ; E. A. Miller, Reading Clerk; M. M. Eshelman, Sec- retary, and T. J. Nair, assistant.
Delegates: Egan, I. M. Gibbel.
Lordsburg, E. A. Miller, S. J. Miller.
Covina, D. Overholtzer, G. F. Chemberlen. Los Angeles, J. D. Buckwalter, Aaron Wolf Inglewood, J. F. Thomas.
Merced and Conejo, California and Glendale, Arizona, not represented.
At some of the former Meetings transient or ministers spending the winter in California were chosen to preside, but at this meeting it was resolved that Elders residing in Califor- nia only should be chosen to preside because in the interim, the moderator was needed, and the transient being gone the work suffered.
The Los Angeles Church asked that elders and Ministers be reimpressed with the great need of teaching that all mem- bers should the more earnestly give heed to Heb. xiii 1 and 1 Tim. 2:10 and more and more get away from fashionable dressing and greediness for gain and filthy lucre.
The work this year was ably forwarded as the reports show. Brother S. C. Urey's four months in Colton gave good
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results. Sunday School sessions, fourteen; sermons, twenty- eight ; collections $2.75. Conversions one.
M. M. Eshelman's eight months work at Colton showed
Pastoral visits, sixty, number visited two hundred and ten, prayers in families, twenty-two, Prayer Meetings twenty-eight. Total attendance 599. Bible class services twenty eight. Sun- day School sessions, thirty three. Total attendance six hun- dred and sixty four. Bibles and testaments present, thirty- three, contributions $11.95. Sermons by pastor, seventy-two, by others, twenty-four. Total of all services one hundred and eighty-five, tracts and Messenger given out nine hundred and fifty. Conversions four, Money contributed $44.63.
The Pomona Mission, by B. F. Masterson, reported as follows: Average attendance was twenty-eight, sermons deli- vered seventy, (the remainder of the report is missing in the records.) From knowledge of the writer it can be said that Brother Masterson was greatly helped by the Lord and that from this work has grown the Pomona Church.
Five thousand tracts were distributed during the year by the Board.
Brother C. S. Holsinger was employed a short time and did good work in Los Angeles. He was released April 19th from further effort, to return to his home in Kansas.
Two hundred and thirty sermons had been delivered dur- ing the year and eight souls were enrolled as saved.
The amount received for missions $809.63 Balance from last year $456.67. Total $1266.30. Balance on hand $249.02.
Sister Ella Buckwalter was given charge of Channing Street Mission Sunday School. The Gospel Messenger was sent into twenty-five families. Eight persons were converted. Arrangements for the second Bible School and Missionary Meeting.
Committee of Arrangements, I. M. Gibbel, J. W. Metzger, D. J. Overholtzer.
Committee on Program, S. J. Miller, M. M. Eshelman. J. W. Trostle.
State Missionary, J. W. Trostle.
Member of Standing Committee, Andrew Hutchinson.
Call was made for 1899 Annual Meeting.
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1899 Conference held in Covina, March 23rd. The dele- gate enrollment was-
Egan Church-Abram Gibbel, J. W. Priser.
Colton Church-Amos Neher. Dos Palos Church-Aaron Julius.
Covina-Geo. F. Chemberlen.
Los Angeles Church-Aaron Wolfe, S. W. Funk.
Inglewood-James Thomas.
Lordsburg Church-Thomas Keiser, A. R. Moomaw.
Moderator,-P. S. Myers, Reading Clerk, B. F. Master- son.
Secretary-S. G. Lehmer, Assistant D. A. Norcross.
An evening session was held at which B. F. Masterson presided on account of the illness of the Moderator. This is the second instance on this coast that a brother in the second degree of the ministry presided over a District Meeting, and the felicities and energies did not suffer any loss by it.
David Overholtzer was chosen to serve on the Mission Board for three years, Thomas Keiser for one year, and Aaron Wolfe for two years.
D. A. Norcross was selected to fill the Colton Mission and S. W. Funk was placed over Channing Street Mission, Los Angeles. The Monrovia Mission was closed because the interest was wanting and the Covina Ministerial Board refused further effort there.
Receipts from all sources for missions $914.66, expendi- tures $781.32; balance on hand, $192.91.
A. A. Neher reported work at Colton. Number of morn- ing services 46; evening services 33, prayer meetings, 37; Sun- day School services, 45; enrollment, 49.
S. W. Funk and Ella Buckwalter reported the Channing Street Sunday School for the four quarters beginning April 18, 1898 and ending March 1899. Second quarter 1898, en- rollment was 71, total attendance 903, average 69. Third quarter of 1898, enrollment 53, average attendance 50, total attendance 640. Fourth quarter, enrollment 91, average at- tendance, 55, total attendance 714. First quarter 1899, enroll- ment 81, average attendance 57, Total attendanre 621. Col-
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lections during the year $50.42. Expenditures $42.58. Bal- ance $7.84. This was a grand showing under the disadvan- tages that surrounded the school. Sister Buckwalter was a great and persistent worker among children and Brother Funk knew no defeats.
Later, Brother and Sister Buckwalter secured an attend- ance of forty to forty-five at the services. They were, for a time, opposed by a picture show near the place of services.
The Pomona Mission was presided over, part of the time, by B. F. Masterson. There were 32 sermons, average attend- ance at Sunday School, thirty.
Brother B. F. Masterson was sent to Glendale, Arizona Church and labored there from October 23rd to November 13, 1898.
The attendance was limited on account of some misun- derstandings among membership. The church was then in the care of Elder Peter Forney, then a very able and tender house- keeper, but now has passed on awaiting his rewards. Brother Masterson held some meetings at Cold Water. Then he went sixty miles over mountains in a crude conveyance to Verde Valley, the home of C. E. Gillett. Here he did good work and had the pleasure of putting that place on a sound basis for future work. The contributions for expenses amounted to $55.00 on the trip . On the way home he preached once in the Baptist Church in Prescott.
Arrangements were made at this District Meeting for a Bible School at Long Beach, which was held under the aus- pices of the home ministry and that indefatigable worker I. N. H. Beahm now of Virginia. The Committee of Arrangements were Aaron Wolfe, S. W. Funk, Geo. Chemberlen, and on Program S. G. Lehmer, B. F. Masterson and J. S. Flory. B. F. Masterson acted as Moderator of the school.
Future District Meetings were to be held the fourth Thursday of March. The activities on all useful lines were provided for in the spirit of love.
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1900 This meeting was held in Lordsburg-the educa- tional mecca of the Pacific Coast friends of colleges. Elder J. W. Trostle, a man of very blissful qualities and deep in charity, and high in the Christian qualities which command respect, was Moderator. Christian Wine, the silent, quiet, graceful and enduring qualities of heart :- a student of the University of Virginia, and well informed in the Scrip- tures, was Reading Clerk.
E. T. Keiser, he of fearless mien, and steady reasoner on his feet, always glad to be right, and a ready worker when in unabrading harness, was the "scribe" or Secretary, Justus H. Cline, the collegian then and mild in manner, well equipped for recording activities, was Assistant Secretary.
The Glendora Church sought to have adopted a series of statistical questions, so that useful information might come to the District Meeting in the interests of winning back more of the Lord's money for His use. It sought to know the number of appointments for preaching, sermons preached, councils, conversions, transfers, total membership, officials, and elections of officers and Sunday School statistics and treasurer's reports.
East Los Angeles asked that "the next" Bible School be held there. It was referred to the Locating Committee.
The Lordsburg Church sought the active succor of An- nual Conference on District Sunday School organization as extended by General Conference in 1899. The District re- sponded by electing Jesse Overholtzer as Secretary, who's qualities were zealous, warm, forceful and organizing. He made a good First District Sunday School Secretary, and har- moniously organized the then somewhat independent forces.
The same congregation asked that the District Meeting be permitted to charge a reasonable price for meals at District Meetings so as to give grace to equality of burden bearing, and it was so agreed.
Lordsburg Church also asked that the Annual Meeting petition the President of the United States and Congress to restrain the baneful liquor traffic in the United States. And the District Meeting forwarded the request.
The District Mission Board solicited help to secure more
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efficient solicitors and permission to purchase valuable books for poor preachers, and received authority.
The Mission Board was authorized to secure a State char- ter in order that the financial and property interests of the Church might conform to the State laws.
The Treasurer of the Board reported cash on hand and collected $1179.31 and expended $1029.97; a balance of $149. 34. The money was expended in Los Angeles, Colton and Arizona.
The Channing Street, Los Angeles, Mission, under the care of S. W. Funk, gave evidence of the beginning of rich fruitage.
The Colton Mission was under the direction of W. M. Platt, who has very genial heart-qualities-a presenter of Truth in winsomeness, serious, yet animating and unbigoted. While there were no conversions there were quickenings in members. Peter Enfield, the good, was chosen deacon, and a lovefeast was enjoyed. There were fifty-seven preaching ser- vices, forty Prayer Meetings, forty-seven Sunday School ses- sions and collections to the amount of $7.72.
1901
The District Meeting was held in East Los Angeles Assembly, March 27th. Nine congregations were
represented by eleven delegates. S. E. Yundt pre- sided. He is a man of sterling character, brought up in a strong rural district in Illinois-a man of strong convictions- well fixed and not easily pried loose, from Truth.
W. I. T. Hoover was the ready reader. Having well trained mental qualities, he read with ease and grace. E. T. Keiser was Recording Secretary and did it with ease. W. M. Platt was his ready Assistant.
The last year's tabled paper seeking statistical means was lifted from its place and set out for discussion.
Covina came asking that all literature "purporting to set forth the doctrine of the Brethren" be examined before its circulation. And the Conference kindly gave it operation by choosing J. W. Trostle, Edmund Forney and G. F. Chem- berlen to winnow out the hurtful features and hold fast the helpful elements.
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The Covina congregation sought information concerning the application of Titus 2:1, 1 Cor. 11:3 and James 5:14, 15 as related to some one who claimed to be the "Great American Healer." This question elicited much and varied discussion, for it was the revival of some very ancient practices, not ap- proved by Jehovah, under new names. The Conference de- cided it wrong and asked correctives be applied congregationly.
C. E. Gillette reported that up to March 1, 1901 he had traveled 1365 miles in mission effort, preached 135 sermons, attended three funerals, held six Bible Meetings, and four councils, two lovefeasts, and baptized eight. G. F. Chemberlen assisted with his sermons. J. W. Trostle was sent to Ari- zona to render assistance. S. G. Lehmer presented tidings concerning State work at Bangor, two weeks preaching and three conversions.
The report of Channing Street, Los Angeles, Mission was given by S. W. Funk, Weekly Bible readings and preaching and Sunday School, which averaged sixty-two and enrollment 179. M. M. Eshelman conducted a two weeks service. Twenty were converted, the church house was enlarged and the attend- ance commendably increased.
The District Meeting Treasurer reported receipts of $714. 63, balance from last year $149.34 or a total of $863.97 and expenditures of $755.89, leaving unused in the treasury $108.08.
The annual report of the Sunday School Secretary will be found in the Sunday Development Department.
A. M. White, a Brother of large, congenial propensities, sterling in character, was given place on the Mission Board. S. W. Funk was continued at Channing Mission. C. E. Gillette was given continued work at Verde, Arizona. G. F. Cham- berlen was made State Missionary; J. S. Kuns was retained Treasurer, E. T. Keiser, A. M. White and S. E. Deckar were to look after the District Bible School and Missionary Meeting, J. Overholtzer was retained as Sunday School Secretary, and Stephen Yoder, a man long tried in Godly service, and father of a noble set of boys and girls, some of whom are noted edu- cators, was sent to Annual Meeting as a member of the Stand- ing Committee.
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The various "good works for necessary uses" was ani- mated by this healthful conference and members realized that spiritual interests were genial and helpful to all.
1902 This District Meeting was held at Covina, March 17. Nine congregations were enrolled and twelve delegates were present. G. F. Chamberlen was Moderator, who has studied conciseness and parliamentary usages somewhat, and applies them with a firm grip. Like all men, he has likes and dislikes, both of which are interwoven in his judicial and affectional fiber. Where turbulance and unfeel- ing aggressiveness are characteristics, George would hold the reins with a degree of stability reaching all around success. He could mix a little ductility with firmness which does not injure his presiding qualities. He makes a good presiding officer, however, and is useful to his associates. S. G. Lehmer was Reading Clerk; W. M. Platt, Secretary and S. W. Funk Assistant.
A committee was chosen to draft a new plan for mission- izing, because Colton, Inglewood and East Los Angeles asked for changes. This Committee, S. A. Overholtzer, J. B. Netzly, C. Wine, Grant Bowman D. A. Norcross, evolved the fol- lowing features: (1) To missionize, (2) To seek suitable persons to conduct missions, (3) To meet all expenses, (4) To apportion probable expenses to local churches, (5) To co- operate with the local church in which missions exist.
Five members shall constitute the Mission Board, (1) Shall incorporate under the laws of California, (2) Devise means to meet expenses, (3) Given power to appoint and re- move workers, (4) To find mission points, (5) Shall recom- mend church organizations when necessary, (6) Report an- nually to District Meeting, (7) Shall not violate any rule of Annual Meeting, all work to be thoroughly done.
Covina asked the Annual Meeting whether it is right to "practice the art of magnetic or hypnotic or mesmeric heal- ing." This "art" at this time, had a fiery trail all over the United States, and as usual with spasms, some of the dear brethren and sisters were swept into the maelstrom, thus "con- forming to the world." It had its advocates on the ground
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that like the saloon "doing some good work," for the saloon fed, clothed and housed the liquor men and their fami- lies, and this "magnetic art" dispelled headaches and nervous disorders and put doctors out of a good many ducats, and dis- tributed the dollars among the magnetists-present and "absent" treatments including the "art" like "witchery," "pow- wowing," "necromancy," "sorcery" and "familiar spiritism" of old, had its run, left many aches and "voids" and vacancies in souls.
The organization of the Fruitvale Church by Elder Geo. W. Hoxie was confirmed. The expenses of District Com- mittees sent to Churches to "set things in order" to be paid out of District funds.
A very outstanding principle was considered, that of call- ing all members into judgment on questions not acted on by Annual Conference. It was agreed that "We think such prac- tice not in accordance with the love and spirit of the Bible, nor in harmony with the general practice of the Brotherhood, therefore wrong." This answer was by the Inglewood Church but the District Meeting rejected it by returning it.
A petition to the Annual Meeting asking that ministers who are mechanics and common laborers, should have clergy permits from railroads, the former thus having the preference.
Six hundred dollars were asked of the local churches for missionary work. A Certificate of Incorporation by the State of California was read and approved.
C. E. Gillette from Verde, Arizona, preached 114 sermons, traveled 1206 miles, held six councils, one lovefeast, and bap- tized six.
S. W. Funk at Channing Mission testified that thirteen were baptized, one reclaimed, and five applicants for admission to membership. A brother purchased a lot for a church house. The attendance at all services was good. The contribution for the District Mission was $820.75, cash balance $109.12, or a total of $929.85, and expenses $928.65.
This is the first year of detailed statistical information by the elders. Three deaths, twenty-two ministers, thirty-five deacons, an enrollment of 472, addition by conversions fifty-
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four, by certificate sixty-six, disowned twenty-three were reported from seven churches.
S. E, Yundt was chosen Representative Trustee of the Brethren Hospital in Chicago. D. J. Overholtzer, S. A. Over- holtzer, and J. Overholtzer were elected members of the Mis- sion Board; W. M. Platt was chosen Sunday School Secre- tary, S. G. Lehmer, J. W. Cline, G. F. Chemberlen to animate the "Bible School and Missionary" interests, and to secure place and conduct that service. J. S. Kuns continued as Treas- urer. No representative to the Annual Meeting.
1903
The State Conference was held in Colton, March . 26th. Twelve churches composed the District; nine
had sixteen delegates. S. G. Lehmer presided. W. C. Hanawalt did the reading. E. T. Keiser and J. Overholtzer were Secretaries.
The missionary interests were in the hands of H. R: and Sarah Taylor and Susie Forney at Channing Mission. The number of sermons and lectures by Brother Taylor, the easy, graceful and spiritual speaker, were sixty-five, and fifteen ser- mons by J. Overholtzer, seven conversions. It was a year of prosperity and encouragement.
The Verde, Arizona, interests showed that eleven hun- dred and fifteen miles had been traveled, one hundred and eight sermons delivered, one feast held, and two baptized.
S. W. Funk, assisted by Kate Newsome, reported that God's work in Channing Mission was prosperous.
The Lordsburg congregation asked that each local church should have the privilege to choose the presiding or leading elder for one year, which means that any local church adopt- ing this may annually elect an overseer.
The Sunday School forces agreed to support a missionary in India, and this District Meeting ratified the action. The Sunday Schools are supporting Sister Emmert
The statistical report from eight of the twelve congrega- tions indicated that twenty-four were baptized, fourteen dis- owned, a gain of ten; the number of members was not obtained.
S. G. Lehmer was chosen State Missionary. There was no re-
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port of work from this source the past year. Edmund Forney became representative on the Standing Committee. J. W. Cline, E. T. Keiser, C. W. Hanawalt were named as Program Committee. S. A. Overholtzer, D. A. Norcross and W. M. Platt Committee of Arrangements for Bible School and Mis- sionary Meeting. These institutions were great helps in Bible Study and were esteemed as extremely edifying to the mem- bership of the District. They unified fellowship and gave evi- dence of fealty to God.
1904 The District Conference was held in Inglewood- (the lovely spot six miles from the Pacific Ocean). Thirteen congregations were represented. S. E. Yundt presided, W. C. Hanawalt read, S. G. Lehmer and J. Overholtzer recorded. Seventeen delegates were present and active. The Mission Board presented report showing that the workers at Channing Street, Los Angeles, were Susie Forney, J. W. Cline and George H. Bashor, S. W. Funk worked in Santa Ana, but was compelled to retire on account of the illness and death of his beloved wife. Kate Newsome ,George Shamberger, and S. W. Eby did some of the work, the membership being organized March 13th, Elder Lilligh taking charge. Two were baptized. The Verde- Arizona Mission was abandoned, C. E. Gillette having moved to other parts. The written reports of Kate Newsome at Santa Ana and Susie Forney at Channing, the first reports by sisters, are models of valuable information. Girls indus- trial work here comes in for the first time. D. L. Miller gave excellent teachings at Channing Street, and twenty were con- verted. The money side shows receipts to the amount of $2280.52 and expenses were 2110.35. This includes loan of $885.00.
Covina wanted to know whether Sunday School picnics were allowable. The amusement question is big either for good or evil-for edification or for destruction. The word "amuse" means "to occupy the mind lightly," from the Latin "musa," a song, signifying to allure the attention by anything as light and airy as a song." "Whatever amuses serves to kill time, to lull the faculties, and banish reflection: it may be solitary,
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sedentary and lifeless." It would seem that no Christian should have occasion to "kill time"-to murder. Yet a Christ- ian should "lull" or rest his faculties. But should he "banish reflection?" Reflection is the turning back up on one's self for moral and spiritual improvement and to collect our duties toward our Maker. Will it pay to banish this gift of God to satisfy and gratify "the lust of the eyes?" On the other hand is there not an amusement of entertainment, an amusement of recreation, a diversion which truly edifies? I do not speak of the theatrical, the racing, the gambling, publicly foolish exhi- bitions which beguile or a fraud, practices upon the spiritual- ities, but of the amusement of Joyousness-"let the Children of Zion be joyful in their King"-"to be full of Godly pleas- ure." But the pleasure that leads to unrighteousness, to law- lessness to God and the Church are to be shunned. To choose between the recreating amusement and the destructive comes only through much sincere and holy prayer. It is not more "lightmindedness" that we need but more real holy sobriety with cheerful, confiding hearts in Church. God certainly will not become displeased with that holy being who winnows out of his life the excresences of disfavor and the mutilation of de- mure truth.
A committee composed of W. J. Thomas, Henry Lilligh, and D. A. Norcross prepared an answer which was adopted. It reads: "Sunday School celebrations, picnics and entertain- ments, as the world practices them, should be avoided by all good Sunday Schools as conducted by our brotherhood, and should be discouraged by all who have the watchful eye on the welfare of their future good."
Through a committee, S. W. Funk, W. M. Platt, and H. A. Whistler, it was agreed that the relation between the Sun- day School convention and the District Meeting, is that the Sunday School is a creation of the District Meeting and that the former can petition and ask from the District Meeting whatever is for her edification. This ground seems well taken in harmony with the principle and usages of the Church. The creatures are always subject to the creator, and worthy of the creator's sustenance and support.
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