Historical data and life sketches of the deceased ministers of the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Association, 1835 to 1915, Volume I, Part 30

Author: Evangelical Church. Indiana Conference; Baumgartner, Samuel H; Haist, A. B
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Indiana Conference
Number of Pages: 412


USA > Indiana > Historical data and life sketches of the deceased ministers of the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Association, 1835 to 1915, Volume I > Part 30


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At the Conference session of 1869 it was reported that the college is to be relocated, either at Naperville, Ill., where a pledge of $25,000.00 had been given and a plot of 4 acres of land, or at South Bend, where a school worth $40,000.00 and 71/2 acres of land could be purchased from the Methodists for $6,000.00. Both places had their promoters and supporters, and against what the Indiana Conference considered her better judgment, and the larger usefulness of the school, South Bend was rejected, with its most enticing offer. Had the college been located at South Bend, there


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ACTIONS RELATIVE TO THE COLLEGE


were good prospects of other Conferences entering the compact, which would have greatly strengthened the school in every way.


An extra session of the North-Western College Trustees was called, and at this session it was decided to move the college from Plainfield to Naperville, Ill. The committee reported, in 1870, regarding these matters, as follows: "As is already known, the trustees of North-Western College, at an extra session, removed the college from Plainfield to Naperville, Ill. Although South Bend was the place of our choice, believing that for the prosperity of the school it would have been greatly to be preferred, we will, nevertheless, submit to the will of the majority and pray God's blessing to rest upon the institution. As much as we regret that the excellent offer from South Bend was not accepted, we are, nevertheless, ready to wish prosperity to the school as before. The Indiana Conference replied : Resolved :


1. We will aid our North-Western College agent, Wm. Huel- ster, in collecting the unpaid subscriptions.


2. That our trustees represented us properly, inasmuch as they opposed Naperville as the location of North-Western College.


3. We rejoice that the citizens of Naperville and the vicin- ity, together with our agent, are erecting the college building, and we hope that, since they achieved their end and have the college in their midst, they will now complete the building and nicely pay for the same!


4. That we in no way obligate ourselves for the payment of the debts that may be made in erecting the building.


5. That, for the present, we do not think it expedient to proceed with the Theological Department. However, we rejoice that the college is in a prosperous condition, and that the Faculty is striving to meet the necessities of the institute.


OUR RELATION TO THE UNION BIBLICAL INSTITUTE, NOW EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY


The first that is mentioned concerning the work of the insti- tute occurs in 1870, when Rev. Wm. Huelster, agent of the college, was present and urged the establishing of a theological chair in the college. The Conference could not see its way clearly at this session, but in the year following expressed the desire that, if feasible, the General Conference should take steps in that direc- tion. Quite a number of men had attended North-Western College who were entering the ranks of the ministry, and it seemed but reasonable that opportunity should be given for theologic study.


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During this year the trustees of the college compact organized the Union Biblical Institute, which action was heartily endorsed and ratified by the Indiana Conference at its session in 1872. More- over, it was recommended that an endowment fund should be raised, and as soon as $15,000.00 was secured, the work shall pro- ceed. One year later found this Conference urging the immedi- ate beginning of the institute work, and the appointing of a pro- fessor, in order that our "young men may be the better trained to save men."


With others, it was soon recognized that, in order to main- tain the institute, an additional endowment of $5,000.00 would be needed, and earnest assistance was given the institute treasurer in the raising of this amount.


From the very first the Indiana Conference has been an ear- nest promoter and earnest supporter of the work of the insti- tute, and feels justly proud of the men in her ranks that have en- joyed the privileges of this blessed institution, and that, now, one of her own ministers, Rev. G. B. Kimmel, occupies one of the im- portant chairs in her Faculty.


ENDOWMENT FUND FOR THE COLLEGE AND THE SEMINARY


From the very founding of our higher schools of learning it was understood that such could not be maintained without an ade- quately large and permanent endowment fund, of which the in- terest alone could be used. The Indiana Conference has always gladly borne her part of this work and raised her share of the ap- portionment, both for the college and the seminary. When the college was to be moved and put upon a larger and better basis, she advocated no less than a $100,000.00 endowment. When the in- stitute called for $20,000.00 as an endowment she was on hand to provide her share.


In 1875 the following resolution was passed: "Whereas, It is recommended by our agent, Rev. Wm. Huelster, to make this year a jubilee year for the endowment fund of the college and institute, therefore be it Resolved, That every preacher shall, if possible, collect an average of $1.00 per member for said endow- ment fund." However, money proved to be very scarce during the year, and thereafter regular yearly offerings were taken in- stead of this spasmodic attempt.


In 1895, J. H. Yaggy addressed the Conference in the inter- est of finances of the college and institute, and our preachers re- sponded with a subscription of $1,250.00.


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ORPHAN HOME AND THE INDIANA CONFERENCE


It became evident, owing to the increase along every line of college and institute work, that a larger endowment was neces- sary to proceed in safety. Accordingly the General Conference, at its session in 1903, recommended to these institutions, in view of the need, to take active steps at once toward raising an endow- ment of $250,000.00. Our Indiana Conference placed herself in line with the other Conferences of the compact and assumed her share of the burden. The above sum was carefully apportioned by the trustees of the compact to the Conferences concerned, and it fell to our lot to raise $27,527.67.


This amount, plus 4 per cent. interest on the amount unpaid, seemed like an unmovable and insurmountable mountain, but after it was assumed the Conference proceeded in her characteristic "hoosier" fashion to cheerfully raise the same. The Conference Branch Young People's Alliance took an active and aggressive part, and urged, in 1909, that an effort be made to raise the whole amount in four years. At the Conference of 1910 the entire sum unpaid was apportioned to the four presiding elder districts and again apportioned to the various local societies. The Presiding Elders and pastors went at the task with enthusiasm and suc- ceeded in securing the entire amount without the aid of the college treasurer. Nearly the entire amount has been paid in, including the 4 per cent. interest.


Aside from this effort, S. H. Baumgartner found a man, Charles Meuser, of Grand View, Indiana, who gladly gave $5,000.00 on the annuity plan, which, in due time, will become an added part of the Endowment Fund. This good brother and his wife have set an example that will bear repetition.


Orphans' Home.


The Indiana Conference, active in every other line, was not to be found idle in the matter of the needy orphans. The Annual Conference sessions witnessed considerable agitation along this line, which finally took definite form at the session held in 1864. An organization was effected for this purpose, according to the method prescribed, namely, that any one paying a sum of $20.00 or more shall be a member, and as soon as twenty are enrolled, officers shall be elected and the society organized.


At the session of 1865 five trustees were elected, whose duty it became to solicit funds for this purpose, and as soon as $20,000.00 was secured, to establish an orphan home within the bounds of


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the Indiana Conference. This Board of Trustees was to be re garded as "The Orphans' Father," whose purpose it was to find suitable homes for destitute children. The Presiding Elders and the pastors were made special agents in the soliciting of funds and finding needy children and suitable private homes in which to place them.


At a previous date an Orphan Home Society had been formed, which was allowed to lapse and subscriptions which had been taken for the same were not collected. The newly organized society requested that those subscriptions be transferred to the new Or- phan Home Society and be paid during the current year. The Chairman of the Board was also allowed the privilege of calling the Board together to transact business during the Conference year, and to report their minutes to the Conference. The Treasurer was instructed to invest the funds on hand, with good security, at a legal rate of interest. The Board was composed of M. W. Steffey, A. B. Schafer, J. Fuchs, C. Helwig and Carl Alday (the latter two being lay members).


The work along this line began to lag a little until Rev. Zim- mer, of the Ohio Conference, presented himself as a delegate from the Ohio Conference at the session of 1866. He brought an appeal from his Conference for a union of the Ohio and Indiana Confer- ence in establishing an orphan home. Hereupon the Indiana Con- ference expressed the advisability of presenting the matter to Gen- eral Conference, and steps be taken toward establishing an or- phan home as an Evangelical Association, making the institution large and strong enough to provide educational instruction, as well as a home for the orphans. It was made plain, however, that in case General Conference takes no action in the matter, the Ohio Conference should again confer with the Indiana Conference. At the next session G. F. Spreng, of the Ohio Conference, was present and made an appeal for financial aid, asking the privilege to so- licit in the bounds of the Indiana Conference. As much as the Indiana Conference was in favor of orphan home work, such priv- ilege could not be granted at the time asked.


In October of the same year, 1867, the General Conference took over the orphan home at Tiffin, Ohio, and made it a denom- inational institution. The following resolution was passed: "Re- solved, That we declare the Ohio Orphan Institution to be the in- stitution of the Evangelical Association of North America, and order that the Articles of Incorporation and the Constitution be changed accordingly."


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CHURCH EXTENSION


The Indiana Conference rejoiced at this action, which was of her own suggestion, and in the year 1868 transferred her orphan home treasury to the Orphan Home of the Evangelical Association, located at Tiffin, Ohio.


Church Extension.


Recognizing the value and imperative need of some fund that would assist mission churches in the construction of suitable buildings by the loaning of money at a very low rate of interest, a church building fund was started at the session in 1892, when Sister Hannah Link, of Bremen, Indiana, gave $1,000.00 for this noble purpose. The following resolution was adopted upon the receipt of this gift: Resolved, That for a period of five years 20 per cent. of all money collected within the bounds of the Indiana Conference for any church or parsonage, either by authorized or unauthorized collectors, other than on the charge, building such a church or parsonage, shall flow into this church building fund.


At the General Conference, held in 1903, a Church Extension Society was created, and all the Conferences ratified this sane ac- tion. This society called for seven trustees in each Conference, the Presiding Elders, by virtue of their office, and others elected to fill out the full number of seven. The Presiding Elders auto- matically become members of this Board, and the other members are elected for a term of five years. Those who have served as members of this Board from the Indiana Conference are:


1906-S. H. Baumgartner, D. Martz, C. F. Hansing, D. D. Spei- cher (P. E.'s), L. Newman, G. B. Kimmel, J. H. Rilling.


1907-L. S. Fisher and J. O. Mosier automatically became mem- bers by being elected Presiding Elder in the place of S. H. Baumgartner and C. F. Hansing.


1908-J. J. Wise, as Presiding Elder, became a member in D. Martz's place.


1909-S. H. Baumgartner, as Presiding Elder, became a member in place of D. D. Speicher.


1911-J. W. Metzner, as Presiding Elder, in the place of J. O. Mosier and L. S. Fisher, G. B. Kimmel, J. H. Rilling and L. Newman were re-elected. L. S. Fisher was newly elected.


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In 1909 the Conference Board of Church Extension made the following report :


Whereas, The General Conference has urged all the Confer- ences having separate Church Extension funds to merge the same into the fund of the General Board of Church Extension; and, Whereas, A strenuous effort is being made to raise this general fund to $100,000, therefore be it


Resolved, We recommend that all the moneys of our Confer- ence Church Extension Fund be transferred to the General Board of Church Extension of our church, to become the prop- erty of, and to be administered by said Board. It shall be known as the Indiana Conference Fund, to be used for church extension purposes within the bounds of our own Conference only, at one per cent. rate of interest.


For donations to this fund see "Donations," page 343.


Camp-meeting and Oakwood Park.


In 1881 a committee, composed of three members from each Presiding Elder district, was named to see after a Conference camp-meeting, but for some reason the camp-meeting failed to appear. In 1889 a committee of five, consisting of D. S. Oakes, H. Arlen, Aug. Geist, J. Wales and G. B. Holdeman, was ap- pointed to secure a camp-meeting outfit. A stock company was formed by a number of brethren, who purchased a tabernacle, tents, seats, etc., at a cost of $1,000. This outfit was used for a time and then donated to Conference. In '92 a committee, com- posed of the Presiding Elders, D. S. Oakes, H. Arlen, D. Martz, was appointed to consider the advisability of purchasing a perma- nent camp-ground, and to hunt a suitable site for the same, and report to next Conference. The succeeding Conference is found instructing this committee to take immediate steps toward pur- chasing a permanent camp-ground on the west shore of Lake Wawassee, near Syracuse, Ind. In '94 a stock company was formed for the purpose of taking charge of the camp-meeting park, now called Oakwood Park. Efforts were made to sell 100 shares to the preachers of the Indiana Conference, the Presiding Elders being the general agents for the Conference park, and were to secure stockholders upon their various districts. Should the stock company fail to materialize by Oct. 1, '84, the Conference trustees were authorized to provide for the meeting of the obli-


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CONFERENCE BRANCH YOUNG PEOPLE'S ALLIANCE


gation, and should the Conklin Hill Park Co. become an incor- porate reality, the trustees shall make the necessary transfer.


In '98, the Conference Branch Young People's Alliance, through its President, Rev. H. Steininger, proposed the camp-meeting tabernacle enterprise to the Conference. The offer of the young people was gladly accepted, D. D. Spangler drafted an excellent plan for a tabernacle, 60 ft. by 90 ft., and the ministers of the Conference, headed by a few experienced carpenters, proceeded to construct it. It was a marvel in the eyes of every one, especially because it was built by preachers! The year after its building, under the presidency of S. H. Baumgartner, a floor was put in, to make it even more serviceable. This tabernacle rendered excellent service until its destruction by fire in 1914. Immediately a new auditorium was built. The ministers once more showed their skill and gave to the Conference a handsome, octagon-shaped audi- torium. The lay brethren rendered splendid aid in this task, while the willing wives of the preachers prepared the meals. The trustees of the Conference managed the entire affair.


Conference Branch Y. P. A.


Active steps were taken in 1892 to organize a Conference Branch Young People's Alliance. The prime movers of such an organization were the Young People's Alliance members of Watch- tower Church of Elkhart, Indiana, who, by special letter, peti- tioned Conference at this session to organize a Conference Branch Alliance, and to co-operate with them in convention work. At this time there were three Young People's Alliances, one at Watch- tower, Elkhart; Dayton, Commercial St., and Rochester. The first convention prior to the Conference Branch organization was held in our Rochester Church, of which S. H. Baumgartner was then pastor. The Conference resolved at this session to grant the re- quest of the aforesaid petitioners, and elected the following com- mittee on organization : M. L. Scheidler, F. E. Zechiel, W. H. My- grant, W. H. Brightmire and Geo. Roederer. The aim of this or- ganization, as expressed by Conference, was "to teach practical religion and the fundamental truths of the Bible." The above committee met at New Paris, Ind., at this session, and organized as follows: Geo. Roederer, Pres .; W. H. Brightmire, Vice-Pres .; F. E. Zechiel, Cor. Sec .; M. L. Scheidler, Rec. Sec., and W. H. Mygrant, Treas. By the solicitation of the committee the different local Young People's Alliances of the Indiana Conference sent


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delegates to Urbana, where they were organized into a Conference Branch Young People's Alliance.


In 1898 the Branch Alliance gave proof of its value when it undertook the building of the tabernacle (see article on Camp- Ground), and completed the project most commendably. At the session of '99 the following resolution was adopted: "In view of the fact that the Conference Branch Young People's Alliance has, during the past year, erected a beautiful tabernacle at Oakwood Park, therefore be it Resolved, That the Branch Young People's Alliance be released this year from paying the required two-thirds of their money." One-third of all money collected flowed into the Conference building fund, and one-third into the Conference treasury.


The Branch Alliance has also been exceedingly busy in pro- moting missionary and educational causes. Besides supporting C. E. Ranck, missionary to China, and giving generously toward the Indiana Conference Missionary Society, she has also helped in the launching of several new missions, and gave them a proper beginning. In 1902 the Conference Branch Young People's Alli- ance president informed Conference that the Conference Branch Young People's Alliance desires to support, for three successive years, a new mission in the Conference. The matter was referred to the Committee on Boundaries. Kokomo city was then reported by this committee as the desired place to establish the Young People's Alliance mission, and A. S. Fisher became the first mis- sionary. (Previous to this time, in the summer of 1890, S. H. Baumgartner preached in this city in an Independent church, but from lack of encouragement on the part of the Presiding Elder the work was dropped. The United Brethren then took up the work in this same church, and, later, bought it and organized a society which flourished. We might have had the field then if faith had been stronger. Past failures at other places had much to do with quitting here at this time, fearing another "everlasting mission.")


Since then a number of other missions have been greatly helped, chief among which were Ft. Wayne, Crescent Ave., Terre Haute, and Evansville, new mission.


District Meetings.


In 1859 meetings of the preachers on each Presiding Elder district were ordered to be held, and in 1864 a motion was sup- ported, to hold any minister who failed to attend, should give ac-


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CONFERENCE COMMITTEES


count thereof at the next annual session of the Conference. The traveling expenses to and from the district meeting could be col- lected from the various fields of labor.


In 1866 the following Business Rules governing district meet- ings were adopted by the Annual Conference :


1. The Presiding Elder shall be chairman. In his absence one shall be elected.


2. The session shall each time be opened with Scripture reading, song and prayer, and close with prayer. The chairman can appoint others for this service.


3. Each minister shall read a written treatise on a given sub- ject, which shall then be openly discussed in reference to thought and language.


4. The preachers shall collect themes during the year and bring them to Conference, to be distributed by a committee to the preachers of the districts.


5. Each district meeting shall adopt its own by-laws as oc- casion requires.


6. There shall be preaching each evening during the meeting.


7. At the close of each district meeting, time and place for the next one shall be fixed.


In 1882 the resolution, making it obligatory to attend the district meetings, was rescinded; however, attendance at the dis- trict meetings usually has been unanimous wherever they have been held.


Conference Committees.


There are a number of standing committees that do the most of the preliminary work of the Conference session, eliminating much needless discussion by bringing matters of importance before the Conference in proper shape, so that discussion can be intelligent, and adoption or rejection be made with despatch. The standing committees are: On Worship; On Letters and Documents; On Boundaries ; On Appropriations ; On Episcopal Fund and Appor- tionment; On Conference Records; On Statistics; On Ways and Means; On Finance; On Education; On Temperance and Sab- bath; On Catechetical Instruction, Sunday-School and Young Peo- ple's Alliance; On Resolutions; On Conference Relations; On Memorials.


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PERMANENT MEMORIAL COMMITTEE


A permanent Memorial Committee, composed of J. H. Evans, Chairman ; B. Schuermeier, Vice-Chairman, and E. W. Praetorius, Secretary, was appointed at the session in 1909. The duty of this committee shall be to gather material concerning those who have died during the year, such as would be of value to the Com- mittee on Memorials, and present same for use to the committee that is appointed at each session.


In 1905 a Memorial Department was ordered to be established in our Conference Journal, giving, first, the name of deceased ministers; second, date of birth; third, date of entrance into the ministry ; fourth, date of death and where buried. D. S. Oakes was appointed to be the compiler. This list appeared in the Jour- nal of 1906.


HISTORICAL COMMITTEES


First Historical Committee: S. Dickover, G. G. Platz and Chr. Glaus, was appointed, in 1855, to gather material for the History of the Evangelical Association, which was to be published by W. W. Orwig.


In 1893, D. S. Oakes was appointed to write a historical sketch of the origin and development of the Indiana Conference, and that the same be published annually in the Conference Jour- nal in a period of ten years.


In 1914 the Conference passed the following resolution :


Whereas, The time has come to conserve the valuable data of the history of the Indiana Conference, and, Whereas, It would prove of great value to have a continued history of the Indiana Conference from its inception up to the present time, and that such a history may be in a substantial and portable form.


We recommend therefore:


1. That the Presiding Elders constitute a committee to se- cure and publish such a history, S. H. Baumgartner, the Confer- ence historian, to serve as chairman.


2. That no less than one thousand copies-the number of pages left to the discretion of the committee-be published and sold for not less than 50 cents per copy.


In 1915 a special Committee on Conference History was ap- pointed to inspect materials presented by S. H. Baumgartner. This committee, composed of J. O. Mosier, Chairman, G. B. Kim- mel, E. W. Praetorius, G. W. Frederick and Wm. Mertz, submit- ted the following report, which was adopted :


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THE HISTORY OF THE PREACHERS' SALARIES


1. That 1,000 copies of the history be published, bound in cloth, and sold at a price of no less than 50 cents nor more than 75 cents per copy.


2. That E. W. Praetorius shall be appointed as editor and publisher of the same.


3. That each preacher shall be responsible for the sale of one book for every 25 members of his congregation.


Preachers' Salaries in Evolution.


THE HISTORY OF THE PREACHERS' SALARIES


In 1852 the financial support for the year per single man was $73.92, and reasonable traveling expenses. D. S. Oakes, our first historian, stated the salary rule in vogue from the beginning as follows: "That all preachers received equal salaries, according to months, regulated as follows: Unmarried men, and those not or- dained deacons, if married, were allowed twelve months, while ordained married men counted twelve months additional for their wives, and three months for each child under 14 years old. All had to report their months, and the amount of quarterage re- ceived, to the Finance Committee. This committee then ascer- tained the aggregate number of months, as also the total quarterage paid, from which an average to the month was ascertained, and each man received pro rata according to the number of months to which he was entitled. It followed that those who received above the average had to disburse the excess to help make up the deficit of those who fell below. Each had also to report his itemized traveling expenses, and if the committee deemed any item not just, it was reported to the Conference. After these expenses were granted as reasonable, each man's was deducted from his quarterage receipts before the dividend was struck." Average salary, 1853, $87.24. 1854. All ministers who had to move could collect the amount of moving expenses over $8.00, when allowed, after submission to the Quarterly Conference for investigation. 1855, $76.68; 1856, $73.56. Ministers who traveled to Conference and back by railroad had to pay, from now on, the excess of cost per horse and buggy. 1857, $75.48; 1858, $84.84. The Pre- siding Elders from now on were allowed house rent on their dis- tricts, provided they presented their claim to their Quarterly Con- ferences for allowance or rejection of the claim. 1859, $83.76; 1860, $92.40. In 1861 the Conference made a new basis. The




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