USA > Indiana > Historical data and life sketches of the deceased ministers of the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Association, 1835 to 1915, Volume II > Part 29
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'Q8-99, F. L. Snyder. The church was enlarged, and a furnace installed and an addition built to the parsonage, all at a cost of $728.00. 1900-01, W. H. Mygrant, pastor; '02-04, J. W. Metzner; '05-06, S. I. Zechiel. Acetylene lights were in- stalled and church repapered and woodwork revarnished, costing $134.50. 1907- 08. E. E. Greiner; '09, E. B. Jones; '10, D. A. Kaley. Extensive repairs and re- modelling of church were made, costing $2,100.00. He had 13 conversions and 17 accessions. '11-15, J. Rees. In 1914 a Rally Day service was held October 18, with an attendance of 260 and collection of $275.00, which more than covered the balance of debt on church. '16-18, A. B. Aegerter. The church was again remodelled in 1916 by adding a gallery to the rear, and additional class-rooms in the basement, costing $1,700.00. L. S. Fisher rededicated it October 22, '16. '19-21, G. F. Zuber. The debt of $675.00 was paid. 1922, C. H. Burgener; 1923, C. L. Davis.
The first church was built by M. Mayer in 1857 and dedicated this year and the second one was built in Wolcottville by J. Wales in 1882 and was dedi- cated February 25, '83, by Bishop R. Dubs and was enlarged as stated. In 1883 this society held its first Children's Day service in the large barn of Wm. Scha- fer. Collection was $13.50. In 1876 G. W. Frechafer held a revival in the "Dutch Street Church" which was mostly English. There were 35 conversions and accessions. An old man, who was not willing to surrender to the Spirit's call, was overcome by the Spirit. He fell to the floor, and arose not again until he found pardon and peace and was able to praise God. The whole community was stirred and the membership greatly quickened. On December 13, '93, Tim. Carroll, pastor, had with him the boy evangelist, C. A. Stull, 18 days, resulting in 80 conversions, and 44 accessions. In 1916 after the reopening of the church, Evangelist C. A. Glass and wife held a revival here, resulting in 54 saved and 50 accessions, Aegerter, pastor.
WOLCOTTVILLE, CALVARY CLASS
This society lies about six miles north of Wolcottville. F. L. Snyder or- ganized this class in 1899. A small church was built, costing $2,400.00. Previous to this services were held frequently in a schoolhouse. Charter members were: Mr. Royer and wife, Mr. Hildenbrand and wife, with a few others. These were members at Woodruff before. A small Sunday School is maintained. The class has made small progress. Under H. E. Neff an altar and choir platform were built, new pulpit and new lights put in. Under J. W. Metzner a Ladies' Aid Society was organized.
ZION, OR FUHRMAN'S, ADAMS CO., IND.
The location of this society was seven miles N. W. of Decatur. The history of this class is largely embodied in that of St. Marys Circuit. This class was headquarters of this circuit for many years, the parsonage being located a half
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mile east of the church. The class already existed in 1839 when S. Altimos came here. January 5, 1852, arrangements were made to build a church. Pledges were taken, trustees elected, and a building committee appointed. The church was dedicated October 24, '52, by S. Dickover, P. E. A short revival was com- bined with the dedication. This was made a great occasion. The preachers present were: S. Dickover, A. Nicolai, and Fr. Schuerman, pastors; J. Keiper of Afiami; John Fuchs of Newville; and B. Ruh of Elkhart Circuits, visiting minis- ters, all of whom preached. On Monday the Lord's Supper was celebrated which was a joyous occasion. For ministers who served here see under St. Marys Circuit.
This society recommended two brothers to the Conference for license to preach, namely: D. D. and C. W. Spangler. In 1894 the parsonage was ordered sold. About this time the society disbanded as the main members moved to Decatur, and the community was practically churched by the Lutheran and Catholic Churches. A number of camp-meetings were held here, namely in August, 1858-59-60.
A Wonderful Camp-meeting in the Sixties. Chr. Glaus preached one after- noon with great unction and victory. He had to stop, but the meeting continued as the people could not restrain themselves from audibly praising God. This praise continued until the time of the evening service. Edw. Evans was to preach. G. G. Platz tried to quiet the people by blowing the horn which was used for calling the people for worship. He blew it three times trying to get their attention, but each time failed. Finally there was a lull and quickly the ministers passed the word from one to the other that they should quiet down so the evening service could begin. The meeting started, but Evans had preach- ed only a little while when the shouts again broke forth. A young woman fell into a trance that evening and was taken home the next day, and continued thus for three days. The testimony of the preachers was that they had never seen it on this wise.
The imps in human form also were on hand. During this meeting, G. G. Platz gripped a disturber by the breast and pushed him out off the campground, then cast him into a brush-hcap. This he did only after repeated admonitions to keep quiet. These incidents were related by Ed. Evans to the historian.
ZION, JAY COUNTY, INDIANA
This society is an old landmark of pioneer work in the Indiana Conference. It was organized about 1852 when A. Nicolai and Fr. Schuerman of St. Marys Circuit held a special meeting at Father Haley's. They had ten seekers, some were converted and joined the Ev. Association. Haley was a brother to Rev. Geo. Haley of the Ohio Conference. Charter members here were: Sebastian Haley and wife, Fr. Wartz and wife, John Houdeschell and wife, Samuel Fer- ner and wife, and Kath. Young. The St. Marys pastors served here up to 1861.
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In 1855 a small log church was built and was dedicated as the Zion Church of the Ev. Association, by G. G. Platz, P. E.
In 1861-62, this society belonged to Newville Circuit (now Linn Grove). M. Hoehn, pastor. In his autobiography he relates an experience he had with a drunk man. H. was accompanied by a brother, a member of Newville Circuit, to Haley's Class. They were riding horse-back. On this trip they met three young men also on horse-back. Having passed them, one turned around and followed H. demanding of him to stop, or he would shoot him, saying, "You have my horse". Being drunk he fell from his horse into the deep mud. H. and his companion rode on. But this fellow lifted himself out of the mire, remounted his horse and again pursued after H. demanding that he stop, reiterating, "Y011 have my horse", threatening again to shoot. In the manoeuverings he again fell from his horse, but remounted again and pursued after H. and rode ahead of him trying to blockade the way. H. said to his companion, "Take hold of his trousers and lift up." This was quickly done, and the accuser losing his balance, again fell into the mud. This ended the trouble as the accuser pursued no more.
Hoehn reported that he held a meeting on July 31, 1863, in Jay Co., at Zion. There being insufficient room in houses to accommodate the people, the meeting was held in a timber. He preached three times, no other ministers being present. An ungodly crowd also gathered. A woman was among them who had decorated her person with green butternuts, two dozen were around her body, one dozen on each arm, a half dozen over her chest and one on each ear. Many others were decorated in a similar fashion. In the afternoon "sons of Belial" were present, wearing big "fool's hats". They also had decorated themselves with butternuts and copperheads, with which they attempted to draw the attention of the worshippers. But they failed in all their attempts.
In September, 1863, this society was attached to Mississinawa Mission with J. Hoffman, pastor, assisted the second year by S. Kiplinger. In 1865 Geo. Kloepfer served; 1866 it was added to Greenville Circuit, where it remained until 1881, when it was added to Ft. Recovery Circuit. For pastors up to this date see Greenville. In the winter of 1873 there was a victorious revival here, resulting in 18 saved. 1881 D. J. Pontius was pastor. He built a brick church at a cost of $1,800.00, not including donated work. It was dedicated December 11, '81, by Wm. Yost of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1882 B. F. Dill served; '83-84. J. C. Schuh; '85-86, a part of Portland Mission; '87 again to Ft. Recovery, H. E. Meyers, assignee; '88-89, T. Carroll; '90-91, H. H. Reinoehl; '92-93, S. Hofferbert; '94-95, R. Rainey; '96, C. M. Pierce; '97-98, P. L. Browns; '99-00, J. M. Smith; '01-03, F. L. Snyder; : 04, W. S. Tracy; '05-08, J. Rees; '09, C. D. Overmeyer. The name was changed to Portland Circuit. '10-11, J. E. Young. He resigned in the fall of the second year and W. I. Weyant of the Pittsburgh Conference filled the vacancy and served two more years. '14-17, E. H. Baum-
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gartner; '18-19, G. F. Zuber; '20-22, J. S. Kroft; '23, J. W. Feller. In 1921 this class with Bethel again became Ft. Recovery Circuit. Many good revivals were held here. A good Sunday School is maintained. This class recommended for the ministry Eugene Kunce, 1921, and Russel L. Haley, 1922.
ZION, HUNTINGTON CO., INDIANA
This is an old society, located south of Roanoke, Indiana. Over New-year's, 1856, P. Burgener and Fr. Geisel held a meeting here at which five were saved and six joined the Ev. Association. Preaching here may have begun several years before. It belonged to St. Marys Circuit up to 1858; to Huntington from 1859-73. In 1874, to St. Marys Circuit, but in 1875, back to Huntington Circuit until 1882; '83, to Wabash Mission; to St. Marys, 1884-90; '91, back to Hunting- ton; '92-13, to Markle Mission. In 1914, detached from Markle and served alone by E. F. Snyder as a student appointment; '15, re-attached to Markle; '16, alone but served jointly with Waterloo by A. Geist; '17-22, with Bippus; '23, with Markle. The church was built and dedicated July 27, 1873, by Editor R. Dubs. Possibilities here are limited.
ZION, PREBLE CO., OHIO
This society was founded in the early forties. It, at one time, must have had some strength as it was able to build a church in 1848 in section 13 in the county. Why and when it ceased to exist is not known.
ZOAR, ELKHART CO., INDIANA
This class was six miles south of Harrison Center, Elkhart Co. It was or- ganized about 1851-52. The following persons were members in 1853: Michael Walter (leader) and wife, and sons John and Michael, Jr .; Peter, John, Salome, and Mary Walmer; David and Kath. Groob; Caroline Herschey; Fr. Reiley; John Feffley and daughters, Anna C. and Lydia. Joseph Fisher reported this a good society, but no prospects for growth, so the class did not continue long.
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SKETCH OF THE WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY WORK IN THE INDIANA CONFERENCE
In 1880 the women of the Evangelical Association, who were filled with the missionary spirit, came with a petition to the Board of Mission that they might organize a Woman's Missionary Society in local churches. The General Con- ference of 1883 granted this petition on certain prescribed conditions. (Evan- gelical Landmarks). From now on these societies came into existence in all conferences. The sisters desired to have a part in Christ's commission, "Go ye out into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Many church- leaders hailed this work with delight, but some feared and advocated to go slow with this innovation. Some, even after public conventions were being held, designated this movement as "fashion-plate exhibitions", or "dress parades". The opposition to this work in the church was, here and there, keen and ob- stinate, and baneful in its influence and effect. But undauntingly the women pressed ahead with courage, faith, prayer and definite programs.
So also the women in the Indiana Conference had a hard struggle to get well organized with their local and Conference Branch W. M. S. work. At an executive committee, the General organization, early in the year of 1892, ap- pointed the following women as organizers of the W. M. S. of the Indiana Con- fcrence, namely: Mrs. S. S. Albert of Kewana, Ind., for the Elkhart District; Miss Arvilla Stillwell of Nappanee for the Ft. Wayne District; and Miss Mary Grimm of Dayton, Ohio, for the Indianapolis District. On Tuesday, August 2, 1892, at the camp-meeting held in the Fairground of Fulton Co., Ind., near Rochester, a group of women met for the purpose of organizing a Conference Branch W. M. S. Miss Arvilla Stillwell and Mrs. S. S. Albert were the or- ganizers. Nine delegates were present. The following officers were elected: Pres., Mrs. S. Heininger, Elkhart; V. Pres., Mrs. S. S. Albert, Kewana; Rec: Sec., Miss Vida Martin, Rochester; Cor. Sec., Mrs. S. H. Baumgartner, Kendall- ville; Treas., Mrs. Anna Rohrer, Elkhart; Supt. of Mission Bands, Mrs. M. Stemen, Rochester. Delegates to the Gen. W. M. S., Mrs. Albert and Miss Vida Martin. There were then six auxiliaries, 166 members, 11 new members, one Mission Band, 23 Missionary Messengers, and money raised for mission, $239.34.
With much persistency, prayer and patience progress was made and ad- herents to the W. M. S. cause were multiplied. The slogan, "A local W. M. S. in every Evangelical congregation and every woman a member", has been a constant aim. While it is not yet reached, enough sentiment has been crys- talized for this work that opposition to it has ceased. This unrealized goal is not attributable only to pastoral neglect, but also to certain prevailing church society
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conditions, where women were unwilling to make proper consecration of their time and substance, or failed to visualize their privileges and opportunities, or lacked educational training thereto and natural leadership. In some sections of the church, pastors more eagerly encouraged the organization of Ladies' Aid for local benefits. This naturally fostered a local and selfish interest, and barred out the larger view of sending the gospel to all lands to lift womanhood out of heathen degradation into Christian elevation and discipleship unto Christ.
Altogether the leaders of the C. B. W. M. S. had a hard and long pull to win the affection, confidence and goodwill of a large portion of the member- ship of the churches throughout the conference for this sort of Christian work. But by a faithful and steady pull together the W. M. S. workers have succeeded splendidly and beyond anticipation, with their missionary, educational and soul- saving work. Their achievements cannot be measured in dollars and cents. Eternity alone can measure the extent of their labors of love and sacrifice for the home and foreign lands. The W. M. S. was practically the first organiza- tion in the church that advocated strenuously the Bible way of supporting the gospel, namely, tithing. Arguments against tithing have largely been broken down by their persistency in teaching this way of giving, by precept and ex- ample, as statistics conclusively show. Since the organization of the W. M. S. in the church, the church-at-large has vigorously advocated this subject with most gratifying results. Here we give the amount contributed by the C. B. W. M. S. in three quadrenniums: 1911-14, $11,114.08; 1915-19, $17,738.71; and 1920-23, $41,044.30; total, $69,870.00. Prior to this period liberal sums were contributed by the women each year.
EARLIEST LOCAL W. M. S. ORGANIZATIONS
The following local W. M. S. were organized prior to the Conference Branch IV. M. S., namely:
Rochester, Ind., by L. S. Fisher, pastor Aug. 20, 1884
Elkhart Watch Tower, by A. O. Raber, pastor 1884
Van Wert, Ohio, by S. S. Albert, pastor 1887
Zion, Bunker Hill, S. H. Baumgartner, pastor 1889
Dayton, Commercial St., C. C. Beyrer, pastor 1891
Washington, Hibbard C., by -- , pastor 188-
Dayton, Wayne Ave., by A. O. Raber, pastor Apr. 24, 1890
Indianapolis First, by J. M. Hang, pastor Sept. 1, 1892
SOUTH INDIANA CONFERENCE
Huntingburg, by H. Schleucher, pastor Aug. 20, 1883 Mt. Carmel, by G. M. Hallwachs, pastor 1887 Louisville, Zion, by G. M. Hallwachs, pastor 1891
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WHERE C. B. W. M. S. CONVENTIONS WERE HELD
Aug. 2, 1892, Fairground, Rochester, organized here.
Ang. - , 1893-4, Oakwood Park.
June -, 1895, Indianapolis First Church.
1896-23, Oakwood Park, with the Y. P. A. and S. S. Conventions, generally fol- lowing the camp meetings which were usually held last week in July or first week in August.
C. B. W. M. S. OFFICERS SINCE 1892
Presidents Elected
1892, Mrs. S. Heininger
1893, Mrs. S. S. Albert
1894-96, Mrs. S. H. Baumgartner
1897-99, Mrs. E. F. Kimmel
1900-01, Mrs. S. H. Baumgartner
1902-04, Mrs. S. S. Albert
1905-08, Mrs. H. Roepkin
1909, Mrs. C. W. Wright
1919, Mrs. W. S. Mills
1920-23, Mrs. M. B. Lehman
Rec. Sec.
1892-94, Vida Martin
1895, Miss Mary Grimm
1896-1900, Miss Vida Martin
1901, Mrs. A. B. Haist
1902, Mrs. J. Rice
1903, Mrs. J. H. Breisch
1904-06, Miss Martha Speicher
1907-08, Miss Ruth Speicher
1909, Mrs. J. W. Maag 1910, Mrs. C. E. Boyer
1911-13, Mrs. Nellie F. Smith 1914, Mrs. C. E. Boyer
1915-19, Mrs. R. W. Loose
1920-21, Mrs. Q. G. Reinoehl
1922-23, Mrs. O. O. Lozier ยท
1906, Mrs. M. L. Scheidler 1907-08, Mrs. A. Kramer, presided in 1909
1909, Mrs. J. F. Kiefer. presided in 1910
1910, Mrs. John Koch, presided in 1911
1911-12, Mrs. C. L. Hartman
1913, Mrs. J. F. Kiefer
1914, Mrs. C. R. Jones
1915, Mrs. L. S. Warbel
1916, Mrs. C. P. Maas
1917, Mrs. J. W. Maag
1918, Mrs. J. W. Bucks
1910, Mrs. J. W. Bucks 1911-12, Mrs. John Koch 1913, Mrs. J. W. Rheinhart
1914-19, Mrs. C. L. Hartman 1920-23, Mrs. A. B. Haist
V .- Pres. Elected
1892, Mrs. S. S. Albert 1893-94, No record found
1895, Mrs. S. S. Albert
1896-98, No record found 1899, Mrs. S. H. Baumgartner, presided in 1900 1900-01, Mrs. S. S. Albert
1902, Mrs. J. F. Bockman
1903, Mrs. S. H. Baumgartner
1904, Mrs. Robert Burns 1905, Mrs. C. D. Rarcy
Cor. Sec. 1892-93, Mrs. S. H. Baumgartner 1894, No record found 1895, Miss Shawhan
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1896-99, No record found
1900-03, Miss Dora Daufel
1904-06, Mrs. J. W. Rheinhart 1907-08, Mrs. E. Q. Laudeman 1909, Mrs. J. H. Breish 1910-12, Miss Bessie Strahler 1913, Miss Anna Lippold 1914-18, Mrs. John Koch 1919-20, Mrs. C. E. Boyer 1921-22, Mrs. D. O. Wise 1923, Mrs. G. J. Long
Treasurer
1892, Mrs. Anna Rohrer 1893-94, No record found 1895, Mrs. H. Roepkin, likely to 1898 1899-1906, Mrs. A. Kramer 1907-08, Mrs. J. F. Kiefer 1909-20, Mrs. Fred Burgener 1921, Mrs. Gladys Kelham 1922-23, Mrs. Q. G. Reinoehl
Pres. of Y. W. Circle
1913-14, Miss Anna Speicher 1915-16, Mrs. C. E. Boyer 1917, Miss Bessie Rheinhart 1918-19, Mrs. C. A. Hirschman 1920-23, Mrs. Nellie F. Smith
Supt of Miss. Band
1892, Mrs. M. Stemen 1893-94, No record found 1895-1900, Miss Carrie Weinman
1901-06, Mrs. J. W. Bucks
1907-10, Mrs. L. S. Warbel 1911-12, Miss Carrie Weinman 1913, Miss Mamie Stecher 1914-15, Mrs. A. T. Snoke
1916-19, Mrs. C. P. Maas
1920-22, Mrs. E. M. Ray
1923, Mrs. Louise Taylor
GENERAL CONVENTIONS OF THE WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIE- TY AND DELEGATES FROM THE INDIANA CONFERENCE BRANCH
Seventh Annual General Convention, Elkhart, Ind., Sept. 2-5, 1892. Delegates: Mrs. S. S. Albert, Mrs. S. H. Baumgartner, Mrs. Rachel Scheidler. Mrs. S. Heininger.
First Quadrennial Convention, Dayton, Ohio, Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 1895. Delegate: Mrs. S. H. Baumgartner.
Second Quadrennial Convention, Howell, Mich., Aug. 31-Sept. 4, 1899. Delegates: Mrs. Ezra Kimmel, Miss Estella Zechiel, Miss Lucy Holdeman. Third Quadrennial Convention, Tiffin, Ohio, Aug. 20-24, 1903. Delegates: Mrs. S. S. Albert, Mrs. S. H. Baumgartner, Mrs. J. W. Bucks. Fourth Quadrennial Convention, South Bend, Ind., Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 1907. Delegates: Mrs. H. Roepkin, Mrs. J. W. Bucks, Mrs. J. W. Rheinhart.
Fifth Quadrennial Convention, Holton, Kansas, Aug. 31-Sept. 5, 1911. Delegates: Mrs. J. W. Rheinhart, Mrs. F. Burgener, Mrs. John Koch, Mrs. C. L. Hartman.
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Sixth Quadrennial Convention, Marion Ohio, Sept. 2, , 1915. Delegates: Mrs. C. E. Boyer, Mrs. A. T. Snoke.
Seventh Quadrennial Convention, Monroe, Wis., Sept. 1- , 1919.
Delegates: Mrs. C. L. Hartman, Mrs. Nellie Frank Smith, Mrs. C. P. Maas.
In 1922, Dec. 5-8, was held the memorable merger meeting which united the W. M. S. of the former U. E. Church and the Ev. Association. This meet- ing was called to substitute for the Eighth Quadrennial. Mrs. A. B. Haist, Pres. of C. B. W. M. S., was the representative for Indiana.
GENERAL ENTERPRISES THAT THE C. B. W. M. S. SUPPORTED
In 1900 the Branch W. M. S. decided to help support Susan Bauernfeind and Anna Kamnicrer as missionaries in Japan which they continued for some years. In 1907 Young Women's Circle was organized.
In 1908 the Branch decided through the local Woman's Missionary Society to support Miss Shima Naguchi, interpreter of the Bible Woman's Training School in Japan at a salary of $150.00, which it has done since. In 1920 the Branch undertook to support another Bible woman, Tama Kaurhara. The Young Woman's Circle of this Branch chose to support Miss Alice Niederhauser, mis- sionary in China. The Branch also cheerfully helped to reach the Forward Movement objectives, and repeatedly they contributed beyond the goal set for themselves per year. From among the W. M. S. workers of the Branch, two sisters went forth into the mission field, namely: Miss Alice Niederhauser from Salem Society, Defiance Circuit, and Miss Rose Fecker of the First Church in Indianapolis, who for some years previous served as a deaconess in St. Paul, Minn. This branch has made an excellent record for itself. May they continue to prosper and prove to be a large spiritual and financial asset to the Indiana Conference and the Evangelica! Church.
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HISTORICAL SKETCHES ORGANIZATION OF THE CONFERENCE BRANCH AND LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE'S ALLIANCES
The Young People's Alliance organization of Watch Tower Society, Elk- hart, Indiana, has the distinction of having taken the initial steps towards or- ganizing a Conference Branch Y. P. A. by soliciting the Indiana Conference in 1892 to take the necessary steps for such an organization. The Conference heeded this request. The following action was taken, "Whereas, the Conference lias received a letter from the Young People's Alliance of Elkhart, Indiana, expressing their desire to have this body organize a Conference Branch to co- operate with them in their conventions, and, Whereas, We believe this to be the sentiment of all the Alliances in the Conference, and is entirely practical, therefore,
Resolved, that this request be granted and that the following brethren be elected as a committee on organization: M. L. Scheidler, F. E. Zechiel, W. H. Mygrant, W. H. Brightmire and Geo. Roederer.
2. That we endeavor to organize such societies wherever possible, and in this wise teach them practical religion and the fundamental truths of the Bible.
This committee met during Conference session and organized as follows: Geo. Roederer, Pres .; W. H. Brightmire, Vice-Pres .; F. E. Zechiel, Cor. Sec .; M. L. Scheidler, Rec. Sec .; W. H. Mygrant, Treas.
This committee recommended to the Conference in session, "That the dif- fcrent local Y. P. A. of the Indiana Conference send delegates, (according to the constitution of the Y. P. A. of the Ev. Association) to a camp-meeting most centrally located; and at that meeting the local societies of the Conference shal! then be organized into a Conference Branch. That this committee shall furnish suitable programs for this meeting of organization, and after the organization of the Conference Branch Y. P. A. is effected, the power of this committee shall cease."
Upon suggestion of the committee that such a meeting shall he held in Urbana, Indiana, at the time of the camp-meeting, the first Conference Branch Y. P. A. convention was held here in the summer of 1892 with J. C. Hornberger, first Gen. Y. P. A. President, and H. J. Kiekhoefer, Pres. of N. W. College, as principal speakers. At this meeting the following officers were elected: W. H. Brightmire, Pres .;
The second convention was held in the summer of 1893 at Oakwood Park, where all conventions have been held since. In the fall of 1891 a Y. P. A. con- vention had been held in Rochester, Indiana. This was the first convention hekl in the bounds of the Indiana Conference, and was attended by delegates from a number of local Alliances, yet previous to the organization of the Conference Branch.
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INDIANA CONFERENCE RECORD OF THE OLDEST ALLIANCES IN THE INDIANA CONFERENCE
The tabulated dates of organization as given below were gleaned from our church periodicals. We do not claim absolute correctness. Some Young People's Societies were in existence prior to the convening of the General Con- ference in October, 1891, in Indianapolis, where the Gen. Y. P. A. was organized and the name was adopted for this new organization. Dayton First Church claims the distinction of having had, in March, 1884, the first Young People's Society. C. F. Hansing organized shortly before Conference met this year. East Germantown claims May, 1884, Ph. Orth, pastor, to have organized a Y. P. A. with 75 members, after a big revival but it soon died. Elkhart Division Street Church also organized a Young People's Society this same year soon after Conference met in April, C. F. Hansing, pastor. The exact month of organization of the Elkhart Society is not known. Elkhart Watch Tower had a Y. P. Society in 1888. The fact that such societies were in existence and needed a general governing head, impelled the Gen. Conference to effect a general organization and bring the local Young People's Societies under General and Annual Conference supervision. The name "Young People's Alliance" having been tentatively adopted previous to October, 1891, when Gen. Conference met. likely accounts for dates of organizations of some Alliances before Gen. Con- ference met.
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