USA > Iowa > Keokuk County > The English River congregation of the Church of the Brethren > Part 7
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(4) An open field for religious services exists in the village of South English. With the failure of two of the local churches to provide ministers and with preaching
60 Kurtz's Studies in Doctrine and Devotion, p. 293.
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
services on alternate Sundays only in the third church build- ing, the people of South English are ready to do active Christian work under the direction of an efficient leader. Efforts here must be directed wisely in order that friction does not result among individuals of various denominations. Initial activities may well be confined to occasional sermons delivered incidentally for the benefit of the Brethren but primarily for all who may wish to attend. The use of one of the church buildings of the village would doubtless be freely granted.
A similar field of service exists in the village of Kinross. While the work must proceed with caution and must be of slow development for the present, efforts in this direction from the Brethren should be no less worthy of approval by the parent organization and no less significant in the "sight of the Master" than were those of pioneer days. Nor should they be less far-reaching in results accomp- lished. Although present day methods must differ from those of pioneer times the motive remains the same - the extension of Christian service among one's fellowmen.
(5) The possibility of developing a rural community center is worthy of careful study. A community center, however, means more than a church building and residences grouped about it. It implies a free interchange of interests and activities along agricultural, recreational, social, and religious lines. An active growing community center would mean a larger building suited and fitted for agricultural meetings, community fairs, entertainments, suppers, socials, games, and educational gatherings. Whether a community center building in this particular community should be located near the present church or in the village of South English would be difficult to determine. Geographically, the center of the congregation lies nearer to the church building than to South English. From the standpoint of
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trade facilities and schools, however, the center of the larger community is the village of South English. Regard- less of the location, no community building should be erect- ed until a thorough study of a number of the best in the United States together with the activities which they house has been made.
The community center idea will doubtless attain its high- est development and prove most satisfactory under the guidance of an efficient rural leader, preferably a teacher or a minister. Through closer association with the various individuals, boys especially, the minister will gain a better understanding of the social and religious life of the con- gregation. In return the congregation will become more widely acquainted with and give freer response to the prin- ciples of Christian living as exemplified by the minister.
(6) The matter of providing a more highly educated ministry for the local congregation requires serious con- sideration. The feeling that there is a lack of general edu- cation among the religious and social leadership of the con- gregation seems to be growing. The time may be near at hand when at least one of the local ministers should have special university training for social leadership, in addition to the course of study offered at Mount Morris or some other Brethren college. This training for leadership calls for some knowledge of the social sciences, particularly sociol- ogy, and of the principles of technical agriculture. The minister who is to be the social leader of the community might well be a graduate from a college of agriculture. Some young man or woman from the local congregation could be urged to complete the courses of study at both Mount Morris and the Iowa State College, or some other similar college of good standing. It may soon be possible for the student to secure a fair knowledge of technical agri- culture at one or other of the Brethren colleges. Neverthe-
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less the candidate for rural leadership will gain a broader vision of the interrelationships of rural life through attend- ance at a State college or university. He will develop a keener insight into public affairs and a deeper interest in community welfare. He will have, also, a clearer under- standing of the social and economic problems which pertain to the every-day activities of farm people. Thus, he should be of inestimable service in connection with matters of pro- duction, farm organization or management, cooperative marketing, improvement of farm homes, and betterment of rural life generally throughout the neighborhood and the community.
The program of work forwarded by the minister with college and university training need not replace the present day religious activities of the local congregation. Rather, it may supplement the sermons delivered by the local minis- ters. It should be social in nature, with the ultimate goal of service to the entire community. It may include organ- ized play, well planned social gatherings, study clubs, and religious education classes. It can be extended readily to the villages of South English and Kinross, as parts of the local congregation's larger community.
Although the better educated minister will serve pri- marily as a social leader he should be able to assist with the usual church services. He should be able to deliver a sermon occasionally, particularly for the people in the two villages. His duties in the form of social and religious leadership will necessitate his receiving material financial support for himself and his family.
TRENDS IN THE LOCAL CONGREGATION IN 1929 AND 1930
This local congregation has not escaped the influence of social change during the decade following the year 1920, when the preceding study was made. This is more evident
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in some respects than in others. It is noticeable particular- ly with regard to the giving way of "form of dress" and to the adoption of newer types of church activities. For convenience the effects of social change are considered in about the same order as the findings and conclusions pre- sented in the preceding chapter. The presentation is based on observation and information obtained from two personal visits to the congregation in 1929 and 1930 and on addition- al data obtained through correspondence. More than a dozen leaders of the local group, in addition to several lead- ers of other groups, were interviewed or communicated with by correspondence. The chief purpose of this final study was to check as far as possible the present trends in the congregation and the larger community against the findings or conclusions of the former study. None of the trends or changes can be attributed to any purposeful con- sideration of the study so far as it can be ascertained.
There is apparently little if any change in the boundary of the territory of the congregation. A limited expansion of the area is probable but this can not be detected without the use of detailed maps. About the same number and per- centage of the total number of families live in the villages of South English and Kinross. One retired family has moved from South English to near the church building; thus there are four "retired" families in this location. Some "recruits" have come in from other congregations. These include the wives of several of the young men who attended the Brethren College at Mount Morris.
The coming of improved highways will doubtless mean a noticeable expansion in the territory of the congregation within the next few decades. Recently the road which pass- es the church has been taken into the county highway sys- tem. It was widened and graded the past summer and will be graveled soon to serve as a connecting road between
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
two State highways which pass through South English and Wellman. Access to these improved highways will tend to extend the radius of the locality in at least two directions.
Farming continues to be moderately prosperous through- out the locality. Few farms were "lost" during the severe agricultural depression which began about 1920. The sev- eral farms that were lost had changed hands during the period of highest inflated land values, immediately pre- ceding 1920, with relatively small initial payments. This does not imply that the locality of the congregation was not hit by the depression, but that farming was well enough capitalized to "weather the storm" more effectively than it did in many other farming localities.
Farmers of the locality seem to be more progressive than in 1920. Farm operations seem to be adjusted more than formerly to meet changing situations in regard to soil needs, organization methods, and marketing facilities and oppor- tunities. There is evidence of a greater interest in agri- cultural college and experiment station work, State and county fair exhibits, and agricultural extension activities. The greater interest in localized extension activities is at- tested by increased membership in the Farm Bureau, the recognized agency through which these activities function in the State of Iowa.
Modernization of the homes continues at a more rapid pace than formerly. More than three-fourths of the houses are now equipped with central lighting systems serviced by an electric high line and many of these are fitted with modern "conveniences" such as electric washers, irons, stoves, grills, and refrigerators. Three-fifths of the homes now have radios and practically all have pianos or other musical instruments.
Interest in formal education has increased materially dur- ing the decade. This is evidenced by an increasing number
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
of students at Mount Morris College and in the high schools at South English and Kinross. The majority of the stu- dents who have finished at Mount Morris have returned to the locality to take up farming. The others are teaching in various localities of Iowa and other States.
Through increased interest and support the school sys- tems at South English and Kinross show improvement. Both have State-approved four-year high school courses with extra-curricular athletic and forensic activities. Both "put on basket ball games, plays, public speaking contests, farm bureau lectures and other community activities. Chil- dren from Brethren families take prominent part in all these activities, especially in basket ball, public speaking and plays. The Brethren patrons attend these activities and seem to get real enjoyment out of them."
During the past year the Kinross school district which now includes what was formerly the Liberty and Prairie districts erected a new high school building. The building is modern in all respects, with "one of the best rural school gymnasiums in southeastern Iowa."
More numerous contacts of members of the congregation with the world at large, in the form of attendance at high school and college by the youth, extended travel by the adults, and radio programs have resulted in a broadened and more active local leadership. This is evidenced in the forwarding of newer and more vitalized programs of church work, including affiliated activities and in the participation of members in the leadership and support of general or- ganizations of the locality and the larger community. Sev- eral of the Brethren women are home bureau leaders for their school districts, including one who serves as township home bureau chairman. These and other members of the congregation are sharing the responsibilities of leadership in other matters of interest to the locality and the larger
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
community to a much greater extent than formerly. Many of the boys and girls of the congregation are participants in the 4-H Club work. Ministers and Sunday school teach- ers are giving more consideration to the affairs of the State and the nation than ever before.
Membership of the congregation has practically held its own during the decade. A loss of ten members, mostly by letter between 1919 and 1920, was almost recovered by bap- tism and letter by 1928.
MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS, 1920-1929
YEAR
BAP-
TISMS
RECEIVED
BY LETTER
RE-
CLAIMED
LOST
BY LETTER
DEATH
DIS-
OWNED
MEMBER- SHIP
1920
1
5
0
12
4
0
173
1921
5
0
14
2
2
160
1922
0
2
0
3
2
0
157
1923
12
0
0
1
0
0
168
1924
0
3
0
2
0
0
169
1925
2
0
0
7
1
2
161
1926
0
0
0
5
1
2
153
1927
11
0
0
0
1
0
163
1928
8
8
0
0
0
0
179
1929
6
1
0
4
4
0
178
The old church building is still serving the needs of the congregation. It is regarded as inadequate by many, par- ticularly by the young people. Interest in a new building has resulted in the raising of a "little money in an un- official and semi-private way by different groups (classes, etc.)" and these funds "are being held for the purpose of being applied toward a new church building whenever the time may come for such." At its last business meeting the church decided to start a building fund and designated a
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
committee to see to the loaning of such fund to the best ad- vantage. It is probable that the present building will be replaced by a $30,000 to $50,000 structure before the end of the present decade.
During the past ten years the local congregation is credit- ed with the adoption of an enlarged program of church work. An offering is taken regularly by means of the en- velope system. The annual church budget for all purposes now amounts to $3400, more than one-third of which goes to the General Mission Board of the parent organization for home and foreign missions.61 Additional offerings, taken on special occasions, are devoted to specific purposes. Provisions which are contributed by the Sisters' Aid to different orphanages and old peoples' homes are not in- cluded in the budget.
The presiding elder is now given $100 annually; other- wise the ministers serve without pay as formerly. During the summer of 1927 the congregation employed a visiting minister to assist with pastoral activities and "to work with the young people".
The newer church activities include the development of a daily vacation Bible school as a means of imparting re- ligious education to the children of the congregation and "surrounding community". Two summers ago, when the Brethren had thoroughly established the school they asked neighboring church groups to cooperate and transferred it to the village schools of South English. There "the Breth- ren furnished some of the teachers and about 25 per cent of the attendance" of approximately two hundred. They were "responsible for the transportation and had fine co- operation in getting people to donate their cars."
61 The Forward Movement funds pledged amounting to about $3000 in 1920, $1800 in 1921, and $1200 annually thereafter are designated General Mission Funds.
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
The newer activities include also the holding of separate Sunday evening programs for young people - persons "from twelve years of age to marriage." These young people now hold their programs in the basement of the church while the adults conduct their Christian Workers' Meeting in the auditorium, except when "most of the young folks are away at college." During the past winter those at home have met with the adult group and all have "had a good time" conducting a discussion program on "The Christian Attitude Toward War", an outline issued by the Federal Council of Churches.
The young people's group of the local church is especial- ly active. It is a vital part of the Brethren Young People's Department of the parent organization, and sends repre- sentatives or delegates to district, State, and other young people's conferences, and entertains conference groups in return. "When their conference was held here (at the local church) the young married people gave them a banquet in the church basement. The conference had camp life, re- ligious and recreational programs and advisors who were of the best."
New developments in local Sunday school work include participation in "mission projects and the World's Friend- ship Movement", which reach the primary, junior, and in- termediate departments, particularly. There is increased interest and cooperation in county, State, and other Sunday school combinations. In the summer of 1928 the local con- gregation sent a delegate to the World's Sunday School Convention at Los Angeles.
The Sisters' Aid program of work has been expanded and vitalized. Its activities include "all day" meetings at the church and other group meetings for sewing, quilting, and preparing supplies for "bake sales", bazaars, and the like. During the past few years the Aid has served suppers
.
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
at the Baptist church building and "ice cream socials in the park" in South English, as well as luncheons at dif- ferent farm auction sales within the locality and the larger community of the congregation.
The church is now opened to programs of a spiritual nature including "White Gift", "Missionary Play", and "Easter programs". These ordinarily replace the regular preaching services. Last year the Easter program was in the form of a cantata, under the direction of a well-trained local choir leader. It involved the use of a piano which had been placed in the church during the preceding summer.
The use of the piano "adds much to the spirit of the reg- ular church and Sunday school services", and enables the congregation to have good music, and local leaders in the different kinds of church work now "think good music is spiritual".
Distinctive dress is no longer observed by the younger members of the congregation and less attention is paid from the pulpit to the form of dress. The local congregation is marked with less restraint in regard to dress and to certain other aspects of social life than at any time in its history. On the other hand it appears to be giving more attention to the preparation for active Christian service in the neigh- borhood, the larger community, and the world at large.
The situation in the local churches in South English and Kinross shows no improvement. Although the Methodists at South English now hold preaching services weekly, the Baptists have recently discontinued preaching services,62 and the Baptist Sunday school is reported as being "almost petered out". The Christian group still maintains a fairly good Sunday school but has no preaching service. The Methodist church building at Kinross is now used as a
62 The additional Methodist service at South English was made possible by the dropping of Kinross from the local circuit.
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
dwelling house and the Christian church there is without a pastor. No Brethren services have been held in either South English or Kinross during the past ten years and it is doubtful if a move in this direction at present or in the near future would be desirable or advisable.
Recapitulation. - The English River congregation of the Church of the Brethren has experienced marked progress, particularly in the furthering of Christian service, during the past decade. This is evident in the adoption of pro- grams of work which have "held the young people better than any other church in the community" and in the de- velopment of a leadership with vision and a desire to serve. The congregation has become much less conservative and much less reluctant to try new activities during the decade. Apparently its chief objective has become the extension of the principles of Christian living in the light of new conditions confronting the local neighborhood and the larger community. With this objective as a goal in the future one may safely predict another three-quarters of a century of service by the local congregation to the im- mediate neighborhood, the surrounding community, and the world at large.
INDEX
Agricultural Experiment Station, State,
work of, 61
Agriculture, interest in, 31
Agriculture, United States Department of, work of, 61
Allen County (Ohio), emigrants from, 42, 59
America, emigration to, 19-22; church in, 21; newspapers in, 32 American, subscriptions to, 68
American Rabbit Journal, subscriptions to, 68
Amusements, attitude toward, 39
Anabaptists, activities of, 20
Annual meetings, holding of, 34
Arkansas, Brethren churches in, 23 Armistice, signing of, 76 Arnold, writings of, 16
Bailey, L. H., book by, 89 Bancroft, Jessie B., book by, 90
Baptism, ceremony of, 17 Baptisms, number of, 47, 97
Baptist Church, location of, 13; members of, 42, 48; reference to, 100
Baptist Young People's Union, program of, 70
Baseball, interest in, 90 Becker, Peter, work of, 19, 20, 21 Beissel, Conrad, opinion of, 21, 22 Benevolences, 31
Bethany Bible Institute, 45, 59 Bible, reference to, 15; study of, 27, 45, 69 (see also Scriptures) Bible school, development of, 98 Black Hawk County, church in, 82 Blackmar, F. W., acknowledgment to, 8 Bony, Andrew, reference to, 16 Bony, Joanna Noethinger, reference to, 16 Bowman, Mr., reference to, 89 Breeder's Gazette, subscriptions to, 68 Brethren, appearance of, 12; schools of, 13; social life of, 23
Brethren, Church of the, study of, 5; mem- bership in, 11, 26, 32, 80; naming of, 12; origin of, 14-23; government of, 25- 28; benevolences of, 31; erection of building for, 44; support of, 81; attitude of, toward music, 82
Brethren Old Folks' Home, support of, 46
Brethren Publishing House, reference to, 67
Brethren Year Book, subscriptions to, 67 Brethren Young People's Department, work of, 99
Brooklyn, church near, 45
Brower, A. H., acknowledgment to, 8
Brower, J. D., acknowledgment to, 8 Brower, W. H., acknowledgment to, 8
Brumbaugh, M. G., work of, 35
Buffalo, number of, 31
Burlington, Cedar Rapids, and Northern Railroad, 50
Burlington, markets at, 51 Butterfield, K. L., book by, 89
California, Brethren churches in, 23 Canada, Brethren churches in, 23 Cards, playing of, 70
Carpenters, number of, 32
Catholic Church, location of, 13, 48
Cattle, production of, 31, 64
Cedar Rapids, reference to, 50
Cedar Rapids Republican, subscriptions to, 67 Chautauqua, benefit of, 72, 73
Chicago (Illinois), produce shipped to, 14 Chicago Herald and Examiner, subscrip- tions to, 67 Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad, 50
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, reference to, 14, 50
Chicago Tribune, subscriptions to, 67
China, missionary to, 81 Christ, reference to, 27; teachings of, 88
Christian, attitude of, toward war, 99
Christian Church, location of, 13; members of, 42, 48, 101
Christian Endeavor, program of, 70
Christian Family Companion, publication of, 40
Christian Handbook, publication of, 16 Christian Herald, subscriptions to, 68
Christian Workers' Meeting, 29, 67, 70, 80, 85, 86, 99 Church membership, discussion of, 97 Churches, members of, 97 Citizenship, discussion of, 35, 36 Civil life, discussion of, 76
103
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Cocalico River, reference to, 22 Cohesion, discussion of, 40
Colleges, attitude toward, 41, 92, 93
Colorado, Brethren churches in, 23; refer- ence to, 58 Community center, development of, 92 Conestoga (Pa.), congregation at, 21 Conservatives, reference to, 46, 56 Corn, production of, 49 Country Church and the Rural Problem, The, 89
Country Gentlemen, subscriptions to, 68 Country-Life Movement, The, 89
County agent, work of, 74 County fair, attendance at, 72, 73, 95 Courts, attitude toward, 77
Crefeld (Europe), church at, 17, 18, 19, 21
Crooked Creek, reference to, 45 Customs, discussion of, 55
Dancing, opposition to, 39, 70
Davenport, reference to, 14
Davenport Times, subscriptions to, 67
Deacons, work of, 25, 27, 28, 87, 38, 77
Deep River, church at, 45
Democracy, What is!, 89
Des Moines, conference at, 12; State fair at, 73
Des Moines Register and Leader, subscrip- tions to, 67
Dissension, discussion of, 39
Divorce, attitude toward, 77
Doctrines, discussion of, 23-25 Dress, discussion of, 37, 88, 45, 46, 55, 100 Drover's Journal, subscriptions to, 67 Dunkard, reference to, 11, 12 Dunker, reference to, 11, 12, 39
Easter program, reference to, 100 Economic development, discussion of, 48-54 Eder River, reference to, 17 Editor's Introduction, 5 Education, discussion of, 82-35, 85 Edwards, Morgan, quotation from, 12 Electricity, use of, 64, 65 Elgin (Illinois), reference to, 67 Emnigrants, number of, 58 Emigration, discussion of, 19 Employment, discussion of, 63 England, reference to, 19 England, Church of, 19 English River, 51 English River cemetery, location of, 12, 13 English River congregation, members of, 12; history of, 14, 15, 58, 59; growth of, 41-56, 101; influence of, 44, 84;
membership of, 46 (see also Brethren, Church of the)
Ephrata Colony, reference to, 22
Epstein (Europe), church at, 17, 18 Epworth League, program of, 70
Fair, attendance at, 72, 73 Family, composition of, 57, 58
Far Western Brethren, reference to, 89
Farm and Fireside, 68
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