USA > Arizona > A history of the Church of the Brethren [southern California & Arizona] > Part 7
USA > California > A history of the Church of the Brethren [southern California & Arizona] > Part 7
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The Los Angeles Church was a supplicant for the creation of fourth Annual Meeting District to be known at the "Coast District" to include all the States west of the one hundred and ten degree of west longitude, this Territory to have the Annual Meeting once to twice in each of the other territories. This was granted by Annual Conference and became operative for the first time in 1907 in Los Angeles. P. S. Myers was the framer of this petition because he long and earnestly labored to have Conference in California. He lived to see his fond wish realized.
Nine local churches presented partial statistical reports from which it may be gleaned that forty-seven persons were baptized, thirty-six of whom were in the East Los Angeles Church. Statistics on losses are unobtainable. About one thousand sermons were delivered and feasts held to the praise of God.
The Conference was held in Glendora, March 23rd. 1905 Thirteen churches were enrolled, and twenty dele- gates were present. G. F. Chamberlen served as Moderator, W. E. Trostle as Reader, and W. C. Hanawalt and S. G. Lehmer as Recorders.
The Missionary interests at Channing Street were under the care of J. Z. Gilbert; and Susie Forney, Kate Newsome, D. L. Forney and S. M. Eby were active at Santa Ana. A new mission at Vernon was opened under the care of W. H. Wertenbaker, which later developed into the South Los Angeles Church. H. R. Taylor did some work at Bangor, California, and W. E. Trostle at Verde, Arizona. The amount of money was $2255.08 and expenditures $2212.05. The balance was $43.93. One was received by conversion at Santa Ana.
The Glendora Church originated the call for Annual Meet- ing for 1907, and it was sent to the Standing Committee.
A petition from East Los Angeles asking for the dismissal from official confidence those who refuse to comply with the General Church's requirements on non-conformity principles is of record, but the conclusion is not noted. This year's record
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of the District Meeting has lost out in answers upon several questions.
The Elders of the various congregations report some in- formation. Lordsburg reported four baptisms, 158 members. Covina was favored with eighteen conversions and a member- ship of 156. Tropico had twenty-eight members. Fruitvale had fifteen members. Oak Grove had one hundred members and twenty-one conversions. Glendora had seventy-five mem- bers and three conversions. Egan had eighteen members and one conversion. Colton had seventeen members and four con- versions. Santa Ana had twenty-four members and two con- versions. Inglewood had a membership of sixty-one and two conversions. Glendale, Arizona, Church had thirty-three mem- bers. Thus a total of six hundred and fifty-nine in ten con- gregations and fifty-three conversions; Oak Grove, Fresno County, having twenty-one of these, and Covina eighteen. The conversions reported were about nine per cent of the mem- bership.
1906 Fifteen congregations were represented by nine ยท delegates. George F. Chamberlen superintended the assembly. G. G. Lehmer read the papers. S. G. Lehmer and W. E. Trostle served as recorders.
The Missionary interests. The Santa Ana work was upheld by D. L. Forney a part of the time and by some of the ministers of the District. The Channing Street Mission was energized by Susie Forney and J. W. Cline. During the year this Mission was turned over to the East Los Angeles Church. The Vernon Mission was under the superintendency of W. H. Wertenbaker. An addition was put to the house for class rooms. C. W. Guthrie retired from the Mission Board and was succeeded by G. G. Lehmer, a man of caloric proclivities in whatever he undertakes. Schooled in the Penn- sylvania State Normal School, he is of a keen analytical bent. While it is not in keeping with the Gospel of Christ to measure a man by the amount of "stuff" a man has accumulated, his mental dimensions can be taken by his methods of expression. This minister is clear and measurable forceful in the presenta-
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tion of spiritual truths. No one need be in doubt as to where he lays his expressions.
Brother Guthrie retired with grace. He is a meek and sympathetic character. His travels around the globe are en- twined in his memory and with a commendable quality of clear- ness he expresses, with stereopticon views, the things he has seen and heard. God has use for Brother C. W. Guthrie.
The Treasurer of the Mission Board statistically reported presented receipts to the amount of $1493.66 and expenses amounting to $1492.01.
Under the form of queries, the Lordsburg Church asked that the Colton Church be disorganized, stating the ground to be that so many of the members have gone to other places. There is no record of what was done by the District Meeting. It is to be regretted that men, otherwise recognized for abilities, do fall by the wayside when placed in recording positions. Sometimes secretaries of assemblies are born, rather than manufactured in schools, and then the historian assembles the facts with pleasure. We sometime will learn that the biggest and finest thing is an exact man.
The East Los Angeles Church petitioned that the Annual Meeting of 1907 be held in California, and Oak Grove invited the District into her fold in 1907. It was agreed that the Annual Bible School and Missionary Meeting should held in the Lordsburg College.
Elder J. W. Trostle, the man of simplicity and love repre- sented at General Conference. His son, W. E. Trostle, became District Evangelist.
Thirteen congregations statistically presented the follow- ing: Baptisms, 27. Total membership, 969.
1907
The Conference was held March 28th in the Oak Grove Church, Fresno County, near Laton. Eighteen congregations, having twenty-one delegates, were in conference. The local churches now composing the District of California and Arizona were Butte Valley, Covina, Egan, Fruitvale, Glendora, Glendale, Arizona, Inglewood, East Los Angeles, Lordsburg, Long Beach, Pasadena, Oak Grove,
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Reedly, South Los Angeles, Sacramento Valley, Stanislaus, Tropico; Verde, Arizona.
The business sessions were presided over by S. E. Yundt, Moderator ; C. W. Hanawalt, Reader; M. M. Eshelman, Secre- tary, and W. E. Trostle, Assistant. The usual rules and order of business were adopted. The order of business is as follows : 1, Report of Missions; 2, Report of Churches; 3, Election of District Officers and Committees; 4, Papers or Queries; 5, Resolutions.
The Mission Board stated that they began the year with- out funds. The Vernon Mission became the South Los Angeles Church. W. J. Thomas gave some labor to Santa Ana. A. Hutchinson and J. A. Miller held revival services at Santa Ana. Brother Hutchinson is known as the "Walking Bible" because he seems to carry it about in memory to such a fullness that people have come to call the Bible a walker. For about two score years he has devoted all his time to religious services, going over the Brotherhood, strengthening the churches and winning sinners to God. Without collegiate training he cer- tainly stands as a monument of hope for all who never were able to be literated. God will always have those who are trained in scholastics and those who are untrained in litera- ture, provided they are heart-consecrated to him. He reads the world movements and decides justly always. The biggest and finest thing in God's great world of human beings is a clean, white-souled, honest, pure man, no difference what man's estimation or standard may be. Brother Hutchinson is big with the truth of God, or rather God's truth has made him big in God. Brother J. A. Miller is also "unlettered" as the time puts bellesletter. He is a man strong in conviction of the Word, fearless in the exposition and has the gift of depth in Gospel principles applied in their felicities and adhesiveness to God. Things divine stick fast in Brother Miller.
Members reported by thirteen congregations were 932. Baptized during the year, 9. The additions by certificate in nine churches were 86.
Edmund Forney was delegated to represent the Annual Meeting in Los Angeles.
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At the close of the Conference the petition from Fruitvale Church to organize a new district was considered. The officers of the meeting were authorized to organize said district. The following named churches were enrolled: Fruitvale, Oak Grove, Reedley, Sacramento Valley, Butte Valley.
Thus began a new Conference-one disposed to be far- reaching in its endeavors to extend the Master's Cause on this coast.
1908
Found the Conference in Inglewood, March 26th, with thirteen churches enrolled and twenty-two
representatives present. This was the last District Meeting for our aged Brother, Stephen Yoder, who led the exercises in prayer. He was a clear thinker, a ready worker and loved the association of the brethren and sisters.
The Commttee on the plan for developing the Christian Workers reported and it was given a genial reception and placed on record for work.
It was at his meeting that the Lordsburg College, begun in 1889 when a few brothers investigated the feasibility and later formulated the operative measures, was given recognition.
After some discussion it was agreed to accept the "stock and endowment fund forever," and chose for Trustees, W. C. Hanawalt for one year, D. A. Norcross and S. E. Yundt for two years, George F. Chemberlen and W. E. Trostle for three years.
The Golden State Home and Orphanage here took a more definite form by the reports, the Trustees having taken the preliminary steps to incorporate. The Trustees were authorized to incorporate and prosecute the work. Elder Philip A. Moore had bequeathed $200.00, which was the monetary nucleus for this "good work for necessary uses."
There was also inaugurated here a Program for Christian Workers meetings. This was a short method to get a program which belonged to each local congregation, but it had in it the merit of unification on spiritual lines. The ministry of the church stands preeminent as educators of the church. Thev are divinely obtained and provided with authority to teach
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everywhere, but as not all filled the measure, and some of the latent talent of the church desired outlets for expressive truth, the General Conference delegated the right to each local church to make effective the dominant principles given to all the mem- bers of the body. Hence, "Christian Workers" means that every member may read, pray and speak publicly to edify the body assembled. It is not designated for any class, but for all. And the more the "all" exercise and promote the cause, the less liability to division. This District Meeting granted the right to program the exercises. Laura Brubaker, Sarah Brandt and Sarah Wertenbaker were the members to give some prac- tical form to the next meeting. The sisters are here in an active sense. They have come to their own in a way, highly honorable to themselves. Long have they waited for their Gospel rights to help operate certain constructive principles. Potent is their influence for good. Long silence in many of the most profitable exercises has fitted them for simplicity in their callings. For centuries they have abided in great quietude, obeying, submitting, imbibing, absorbing, then giving out the quiet impulse with a fervor which moulded many a great character. This training, this long schooling has fitted the sisters for the best possible work. They have come into pos- session of their own without rebellion, without a striking hand, without an indecent arrogance to spot the clearness. And so the Lord has blessed us all, our mothers and sisters, fathers, brothers, sons and daughters. The very simplicity which was so long developing came to maturity, ripe with experiences of unmurmuring submission and of unity, and may peace continue with its fructifying fruitages.
1909 South Los Angeles Church had now grown to a well-rounded out congregation, and on March 25th the thirteen churches were represented by twenty- three delegates. Elder D. L. Miller read a scriptural lesson (1 Cor. 13) and Elder Moses Deardorff of Iowa asked bless- ings for the meeting. Edmund Forney was called to moderate the assembly, S. G. Lehmer to read the papers, and M. M. Eshelman and J. W. Cline to record the proceedings. The usual rules being adopted, the report of committees was taken
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up. The one on the plan for a more extensive energizing of latent talent was considered. The committee having the matter in charge reported that very little progress had been made. The amount of religious machinery in local churches rendered it difficult to introduce another operative principle. Overload- ing is just as possible in lines of work as overloading the digestive organs. Overloading clogs healthy digestion.
The Trustees of the Golden State Home and Orphanage announced that Lordsburg College was absorbing so much in- terest in the district that it was not possible to collect funds for this very needful project. Much as the Golden State Home and Orphanage is needed, it is dormant on account of the interests of the young people. No one has as yet risen to energize in behalf of the needy aged.
An inquiry came from the South Los Angeles Church "whether a congregation supporting a pastor has the right to say to any other minister" in that congregation "shall not expect to take his regular turn in preaching." This ministerial subject was presented to General Conference for ultimate decision and through higher counsel returned unanswered- not likely because it was unanswerable, but because it lacked weightiness. It was in all probability purely local in its demands.
Lordsburg asked Annual Meeting that "hereafter no question shall be declared lost" that receives more than one- half of the affirmative vote, but to be regarded as a deferred 'question. This attempt at amendment of rule eleven of Gen- eral Conference did not receive enough affirmative votes to become operative.
The Covina Church asked that the Christian Workers be organized, and the Conference "organized" them. Of course, this looks like organizing the church over because all the mem- bers are Christian Workers unless we have reached the abilities to call out the drones by measuring each by the amount of verbal expression he can put forth. Likely the organization simply looked toward the moderating, programming and record- ing of concerted efforts of all the local assemblies. It was agreed that such meetings be held the day following the Sunday School meeting.
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Los Angeles asked District Meeting to create a committee to codify the District Minutes and prepare a "brief history" of each congregation. This was agreed to and W. E. Trostle, M. M. Eshelman, A. M. White, D. A. Norcross and B. F. Masterson were elected.
The Mission Board's statement included the facts concern- ing the work in Santa Ana by J. A. Miller, South Los Angeles interests were served by W. H. Wertenbaker, the man of quiet, forceful endeavor, and Imperial Valley was being developed in living truth by W. M. Platt. The Treasurer reported receipts and balances at the beginning at $2357.13, and outlays as $1954.21, leaving an unexpended balance of $302.92. In this was included $500.00 contributed toward extension of church house in South Los Angeles congregation.
The Committee on Bible School funds had receipts of $506.71, all of which was expended, most of it paid to Marian D. Shock as teacher of the Bible Department in the Lordsburg College.
J. A. Miller was sent to represent the District at General Conference at St. Joseph, Missouri.
The Treasurer of Lordsburg College reported receipts of $4721.23 and the borrowing of $600.00 to meet the demands of the school year, and that the expenditures were $5381.80, leav- ing a deficit of $660.57.
The total membership reported was 1097, conversions 45, and 16 Sunday Schools in operation all the year. For the first time there were uniform reports, the Secretary having sent blanks to the congregations. In this way it was easy to collate the reports and get near the statistical facts.
On April 16, 1909, a special District Meeting was held in South Los Angeles Church with reference to the Lordsburg College.
This District Meeting was held at the Pacific Ocean,
1910 the first time in the history of the Church of the
Brethren. Long Beach had made ample prepara- tions for the Conference, March 24th, and thirteen congrega- tions represented by twenty-two delegates met with a large number of other members. S. E. Yundt was chosen Mode-
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rator, W. H. Wertenbaker Reading Clerk, W. F. England and J. A. Brubaker Secretaries by what is known as "the open ballot," which when understood means the ballots were read aloud to the congregation. This is one way of all knowing.
The receipts for Missions were $2678.00, and outlays $2745.00, with a balance of $235.00.
Conference decided to elect an Auditing Committee of three to audit the books and legal papers of the district of Southern California and Arizona. The following officers were elected: E. R. Yundt for three years, N. J. Brubaker for two years and Wm. H. Keim for one year, 1911. The same offi- cials are still serving in same capacity, having been re-elected at expiration of each respective term.
The Golden State Home and Orphanage had in the treas- ury $209.00 with no Home in sight.
A total of 1084 members was reported, and there were forty-six conversions during the year.
1911 This Conference was held at Covina March 23rd. G. F. Chemberlen, Moderator; W. E. Trostle, Sec- retary ; D. W. Crist, Assistant; William Stutsman, Reading Clerk. Twenty-seven delegates were present from fourteen churches: Glendora, J. S. Brubaker, A. M. White; Imperial Valley, Charles Gillett, W. F. Gillett; El Centro, Emma Mitchell, W. M. Platt; Pasadena, Mary Nill, L. D. Bosserman ; Lordsburg, J. P. Dickey, W. F. England; South Los Angeles, W. H. Wertenbaker, Asa J. Trostle; Long Beach, B. F. Masterson, Urias Shick; Inglewood, W. Q. Calvert, Oscar Mathias; Covina, Peter Fessler, Harvey Snell; Pomona, S. E. Yundt, J. A. Brubaker ; Santa Ana, J. B. Bashor, G. M. Rexroad; East Los Angeles, D. W. Crist, G. G. Lehmer; Tropico, William Stutsman, S. S. Garst; Hemet, S. E. Yoder.
1. Title of Santa Ana Church House conveyed to Church of the Brethren.
2. Mission Board of the District authorized to incor- porate under California Laws.
District Mission Board reported on hand from last year $225.12 and collected from local churches $1725.73. Mission-
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ary Workers: Long Beach, Effie Metzger; Pasadena, Mary Nill; Santee, S. A. Honberger ; Glendale, J. G. Rarick.
3. Representation on the Board of Childrens-Home Society endorsed and J. H. Brubaker chosen.
4. By-laws for Golden State Home and Orphanage adopted. At this date efforts are being made to unite with Northern California in this good work.
5. Membership of District reported, 1158; number of Sunday School pupils enrolled in twenty-four schools was 1941, and contributions $1990.75. Conversions were 52.
6. The bequest of $1000.00 formerly supposed to be given to the Mission Board for Gospel teaching, was decided to belong to the Lordsburg College, and the Judge of the Court was asked to make an order to this effect.
7. The District Temperance Committee asked each local church to organize and contribute means. Literature was dis- seminated.
9. Hemet Church sought privilege to canvass District for means to erect a building of worship.
10. Covina asked the privilege to set apart ministers that should devote all their time to "prayer and ministry of the Word." Agreed to this, and Scriptures bearing upon their support given: 1 Cor. 9:2-4; Matt. 10:10; Luke 10:7; Phil. 4:15-7; 1 Pet. 5:2, and Acts 13:2-4.
11. The fourth Thursday of October named to hold Dis- trict Conference.
Tropico asked that steps be taken to use as Sunday School lessons known as the Holy Spirit method, or taking the book in all its connections. It was referred to the General Sunday School Committee of the Church of the Brethren.
On the death of Elder Joseph W. Trostle the following resolution was adopted by the Ministerial Meeting :
"In the presence of the varied dispensations of the provi- dences of our divine Father showing the benificence of His grace, we would exalt His name in our submission to His will, and whereas in the manifestations of His infinite wisdom He has called from our midst our beloved colaborer, Elder Joseph W. Trostle, to the more exalted services of the larger life, and
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as a token of our appreciation of his services and faithful labors while among us, be it resolved, that we record at this time of his labors testimony of our appreciation of his wise council, his devoted labors extended over two score years, and fully attest his devotion to the Church of the Brethren. We now commend his many Christian virtues, his saintly life and godly example to our fellows, and would bestow it as a rich heritage to a great posterity."
1911 There were two District Meetings this year. This one was held in Pomona October 26th. George F. Chemberlen presided, W. E. Trostle served as Sec- retary, and George H. Bashor was Reader. Twenty-nine dele- gates were present from fifteen churches.
The District Mission Board reported assistance being rendered to Santee, Long Beach, South Los Angeles Mission and Glendale, Arizona. The Mission at Channing Street was turned over to the East Los Angeles Church.
The amount of money on hand from last year was $791.70, and collected from the local churches $1018.65. Total re- ported $1809.72. The expenditures for work were $599.00, leaving a working balance of $1210.72. The time covered by this statement was from March 23 to October 23, 1911.
The membership reported was 1244. Conversions reported, 130.
The assembly agreed that any delegate that has been approached on the election of District officers shall report the same to the officers of the meeting.
It was decided that all officers and teachers of Sunday Schools shall be installed by a suitable procedure.
The District granted the privilege to the Mission Board to secure a Bible teacher to hold Bible classes in the District as the demand may require.
The queries and matter for District Meetings to be pub- lished prior to the Meeting for study.
A Christmas gift of $100.00 was ordered to our Mission- ary in India, Sister Emmert.
At this meeting steps were taken to incorporate under the laws of the State of California so that the District may hold
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property in legal form. The following are the statutes govern- ing the same :
STATUTES 1911, CHAPTER 738, PAGE 1435
Sec. 4. It is hereby declared that Section 603 of the Civil Code as heretofore existing is repealed, and a new Section 603 is hereby added to the Civil Code to read as follows :
Sec. 603. Any religious association or body of this State, composed of constituent churches, parishes, congregations, societies or missions which have a common convention, synod, council, assembly or conference, may incorporate under the provisions of this title.
The articles of incorporation shall set forth the proceed- ings authorizing the incorporation of such association, the time and place at which they were had, the manner in which, and the terms upon which the directors or trustees named in the articles of incorporation were chosen, and that said proceedings were in accordance with the constitution, by-laws, discipline, canons, rules and regulations of such association.
The articles of incorporation need be subscribed and acknowledged only by the presiding officer and clerk, scribe, or secretary of such association; but they must make affidavit, which shall be appended to the articles, that they subscribed and acknowledged the articles by authority of such association, and that the statements therein contained are true to the best of their knowledge, information and belief.
Member of the Standing Committee for 1912, Elder J. P. Dickey.
This meeting was held in Glendora October 24th
1912 with George F. Chemberlen, Moderator; J. P. Dickey, Secretary, and George H. Bashor, Reading Clerk. Sixteen churches were represented by thirty-two dele- gates.
The report of the District Mission Board showed that evangelistic work was done in Santee, Redondo, South Los Angeles Mission, Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona, at an ex- pense of $1346.15. For the coming year $1200.00 was con- tributed for mission work. From the local churches ninety-
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three conversions are reported. From the sixteen churches 1433 members were reported. Twenty-two Sunday Schools reported an enrollment of 2414 pupils.
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