USA > Indiana > History of the Church of the Brethren in Indiana > Part 22
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From a Sunday School Committee in 1918 the work has been given to a commission that has come in later years to be known as the Board of Christian Education. The whole education program of the lo- cal church is now being promoted by this board. For a number of years, during the 20's, a summer assembly was very successful in doing this promotion.
I. Under its direction Vacation Schools were begun and fostered -the first one in the state being held in the Spring Creek Church in the summer of 1920. In 1950 and 1951 a gratifying revival of interest in this field is noted.
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History of the Church of the Brethren
2. This board helped begin the youth work of the district and the region. In 1922 at the request of Elder A. G. Crosswhite of the Peru Church, L. W. Shultz assisted in the calling of the first Youth Confer- ence. This was held at the Peru Church and resulted in the beginning of the present youth organization, which was soon followed by youth cabinets in the other districts of the state and region.
3. In 1924 the Board promoted the beginning of Camp Alexander Mack and has been interested in its program and work since then.
The work of the church in the district is now promoted by a field man-T. G. Weaver served, 1946-1949, and H. L. Hartsough since 1949. The Boards of the district work together also as a Joint Board.
1952 Joint Board of Organization
Russell Bollinger, Chairman
W. C. Stinebaugh, Vice-chairman
Ralph L. Boyer, Secretary
Ralph S. Huffman, Treasurer
H. L. Hartsough, Field Man
At various periods during the years 1917-1930 the following have served as members of the Mission Board of Middle Indiana: D. M. Byerly, S. S. Blough, Emery Miller, George Swihart, J. G. Stinebaugh, Perry Coblentz, Charles R. Oberlin, J. A. Snell, Alva Winebrenner, J. O. Winger, J. W. Norris and Ira Kreider.
In 1930 the work of the Mission Board and that of the Ministerial Board were combined under one board, known as the Mission-Minis- terial Board. This plan has continued to the present. Those who have served at various periods on the board are : Ray O. Shank, Alva Wine- brenner, George Deaton, Granville Deaton, Ray E. Zook, Elmer H. Gilbert, V. F. Schwalm, Arthur F. Morris, Ralph L. Boyer, J. O. Winger, Charles R. Oberlin, T. A. Shively, Jay J. Johnson and Ed- ward Kintner. The last four have served for many years and Charles R. Oberlin is again a member of the board. These laymen have served : Alva Winebrenner, Granville Deaton and Ralph L. Boyer.
Those who served on the Ministerial Board before the merger in 1930 were : Edward Kintner, B. F. Petry, H. H. Helman, D. W. Paul, A. P. Musselman, I. B. Book, V. F. Schwalm, H. L. Hartsough, C. C. Kindy and J. G. Stinebaugh.
In 1951 two pastoral supports were aided by the Board-Marion and the joint pastorate between Bethel Center and Hickory Grove churches.
Middle Indiana has 37 congregations-70 elders, 43 ordained ministers, and 13 licensed ministers. There are 2,700 families and 6,585 members.
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Districts-Data and Activities
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Andrew Snoeberger, the veteran Sunday School Teacher, and His class of children.
Joint Boards of Middle Indiana, 1950
Back Row-E. Paul Weaver, Vernon Stinebaugh, A. F. Morris, Charles R. Oberlin. Middle Row-Mrs. Russell Michael, H. F. Richards, Mrs. Walter C. Stinebaugh, Robert Beery, Leonard Custer, Mrs. Bruce Young.
Front Row-Ralph S. Huffman, Ralph L. Boyer, Russell L. Bollinger, Harvey L. Hartsough, Walter C. Stinebaugh.
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History of the Church of the Brethren
NORTHERN INDIANA
The Northern District of Indiana also included the southern part of Michigan. We do not have a written record of the first District Meeting, but do have the minutes preserved from 1867 to 1870. Neither do we have the membership of these early churches. The roll call at the District Meeting of 1869 showed the following churches rep- resented by delegates: Fawn River, A. S. Kline and George Long ; Shipshewana, Samuel Lupole and A. Bare; Elkhart, Daniel B. Stuts- man and P. S. Garman; Yellow Creek, Samuel Lear and Jacob Ever- sole; Pine Creek, David Rupel and John Barnhart; Pokagon, John Stretch and John Ulrick; Rock Run, Jacob Berkey and Levi Weaver; Black River, F. P. Loehr; Portage, Jacob Miller and J. H. Miller ; Baugo, Joel Shively and Eli Metz; South Bend, Abraham Whitmer and David Ulrick; Union, John Knisley and John Hoover; Bremen, John Neff and Daniel Mart; Tippecanoe, C. Brumbaugh and Samuel Fields; Solomon's Creek, Daniel Shively and Jesse Calvert; Washing- ton, David Cripe and George Whipple; Union Center, John Angle- myer and Daniel Neff ; Blue River, Wesley Hire; Cedar Creek, Jere- miah Gump and Byron Rich; Pigeon River, Michael Shotts and Jon- athan Wehrley; Springfield, Joseph Ebey and Joseph Weaver; Turkey Creek, S. E. Miller and N. Drake; Hawpatch, Elias Schrock; Wina- mac, James Bennett and Daniel Freeman; St. Joseph, Christ Wenger and C. Miller ; Walnut, not represented. Of this meeting, D. B. Sturgis was moderator and Jesse Calvert writing clerk. The meeting was held in the Whitehead meetinghouse, Union Center church.
·
It will be noticed that many of the churches of today were active then. Winamac later became a part of Middle Indiana. Some of the active churches then have ceased to exist. Many of the new churches of today have come about through division of the old territory.
The minutes of these early meetings showed that the Brethren had their problems. They were not those of raising finance for missions, education and other movements, but questions pertaining to divorce, avoidance, and some of the questions that were soon to cause trouble with the Old Order and Progressive movement.
We have not been able to locate the consecutive minutes prior to 1883. The following show where the District Meetings were held : 1867, E'khart; 1868, Portage; 1869, Union Center (Whitehead House) ; 1870, Elkhart Valley; 1871, Solomon's Creek; 1872, Pine Creek ; 1873, Elkhart; 1874, Elkhart; 1875, Yellow River; 1876, Rock Run ; 1877, Blue River; 1878, English Prairie; 1879, Union Center ( White- head house) ; 1880, Union; 1881, Turkey Creek; 1882, Cedar Creek.
Churches in 1882
In 1882 the report of the churches showed the following member-
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Districts-Data and Activities
ship: Baugo, II0; Blue River, 100; Bremen, 55; Cedar Lake, 64; Camp Creek, 50; Cedar Creek, 36; Columbia City, 40; Elkhart, 275; English Prairie, 147; Elkhart Valley, 91; Flat Rock (Dekalb County ), 35; Laporte, 76; Little St. Joe, 35; Pleasant Hill, 40; Pleas- ant Valley, 30; Pleasant Ridge (now Wawaka), 32; Pine Creek, 320; Pigeon River, 88; Portage, 102; Rock Run, 240; Solomon's Creek (now Bethany), 260; Shipshewana, 107; St. Joseph, 140; Springfield, 32; South Bend, 175; Tippecanoe, 140; Turkey Creek, 125; Union, 175; Union Center, 200; Van Buren, 46; Walnut 62; Washington, 162; Yellow River, 100; Yellow Creek, 90. The membership at that time totaled nearly 3,800.
Early Leaders
From 1850 to 1870 Jacob Miller, of Portage Prairie, was perhaps the best known elder in Northern Indiana, especially after the death of James Tracy in 1856. He generally served on the Standing Committee in those days when the committee was chosen by the local elders where the Annual Meeting was held. After the District began selecting the delegates on the Standing Committee, the following represented North- ern Indiana from 1868 to 1882 in successive years: Jacob Miller, Jacob Berkey, Christ Wenger, Jacob Miller, D. B. Sturgis, D. B. Sturgis, Michael Shotts, D. B. Sturgis, John Knisley, Jesse Calvert. Jesse Calvert, D. B. Sturgis, Jeremiah Gump.
These were the days when the District could reelect a delegate on the Standing Committee as often as they desired. D. B. Sturgis usually moderated the District Meetings; Jesse Calvert was frequently the writing clerk.
The Churches Today
In 1951 there were 49 churches on the roll, with a promising mis- sion, Auton Chapel, near South Bend. Elkhart City is the largest, with 602 members. The 1950 record shows a total membership of 8,859. The standard bearers of former years have passed away but there are a large number of strong younger men to carry on, and the future of the church in Northern Indiana is very encouraging.
Mission Board
The District has always been interested in mission work. As early as 1885 a Board of Missions was organized to establish churches in new territory in the district. As time went on the respons- ibilities of the Board were increased for in 1900 a new plan was adopted which continued until 1942 when the Mission Board was com- bined with the District Ministerial Board, since much of the work of the two Boards overlapped, and each needed to consult the other frequently.
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Districts-Data and Activities
The members of the Mission Board during its history were : Hiram Forney till 1891 ; Franklin Anglemyer till 1887; John Robin- son till 1892; Henry Neff, 1887-1898; D. J. Whitehead, 1891-1909; James Neff, 1892-1898; R. W. Davenport, 1897-1911; Levi Weaver, 1898-1907; D. J. Anglemyer, 1907-1913; Henry Wysong, 1909-1912; J. H. Schrock, 1911-1917; 1925-1931; D. R. Yoder, 1912-1927; David Metzler, 1913-1919; Christian Metzler, 1917-1935; Frank Kreider, 1919-1925. Homer Weldy, 1927-1942. Galen Bow- man, 1931-1942; J. S. Zigler, 1935-1938; C. C. Cripe, 1938-1941; Howard Kreider, 1941-1942.
Ministerial Board
As early as 1906 Northern Indiana realized the need of a more efficient ministry. In that year a committee of three men were ap- pointed, known as the Ministerial Distribution Committee, which was continued until 1919 when in harmony with the plan of the General Brotherhood, a new organization, called the District Ministerial Board was effected, which continued until its merger with the District Mission Board in 1942. Members of this committee and Board follow. Min- isterial Distribution Committee at various times : I. L. Berkey, Manly Deeter, Eli Roose, John R. Miller, H. W. Krieghbaum, J. W. Kitson, J. W. Grater, Hiram Roose, J. H. Fike, William Hess, Calvin Huber and I. S. Burns. Ministerial Board : Manly Deeter, 1919-1920; C. C. Cripe, 1919-1924; 1925-1928; 1929-1931 ; David Metzler, 1919-1922 ; 1923-1926; 1929-1935; Henry Wysong, 1920-1923; T. E. George, 1922-1925; 1926-1929; H. A. Claybaugh, 1924-1933; Ira Long, 1928-1929 ; 1938-1941 ; J. H. Schrock, 1931-1933 ; Frank Kreider, 1933-1939; Edward Stump, 1933-1937; H. S. Bowers, 1935-1938; H. F. Richards, 1937-1942; John Frederick, 1939-1942 ; N. H. Miller, 1941-1942.
Mission-Ministerial Board
Howard Kreider, 1942-1947; N. H. Miller, 1942-1944; Galen Bow- man, 1942-1943; 1944-50; G. W. Phillips, 1942-1946; 1947-1949; Allen Weldy, 1942-1948; Eldon Evans, 1943-1949; Mark Schrock, 1946-1947 ; Arthur Keim, 1947-50; Cecil Keiser, 1948-51 ; Ralph Petry, 1949 -; Russell Sherman, 1949 -; Galen Whitehead, 51 -.
In keeping with the increased interest in missions, the offerings for missions in the district have also increased greatly. Eleven mission- aries have gone to the foreign fields from the district: Adam Ebey. Winnie Cripe, Evelyn Frank, Dr. and Mrs. Homer Burke, Dr. and Mrs. Howard A. Bosler, Anna Warstler, Mary Velma Ober, Nylita Stillwell, and Clarence Snyder. Two others, Baxter and Anneta Mow served on the field for some years, who had lived in the district for quite a number of years. The first three named have passed away, the first two died on the field. Two others, Herbert and Marjorie Gump.
District Meetings of Northern Indiana, 1883 to 1916
Year Where Held
Moderator
Reading Clerk
Writing Clerk
On Standing Committee
1883-Washington
.W. R. Deeter
W. G. Cook
J. H. Miller
.. W. R. Deeter
1884-Pleasant Valley
.W. R. Deeter
J. H. Miller
.Jesse Calvert
.J. H. Miller
1885-Elkhart Valley
.W. R. Deeter
.J. H. Miller
.. A. H. Puterbaugh
.W. R. Deeter
1886-Springfield
.Jere. Gump
.. J. H. Miller
.. A. H. Puterbaugh
.Jere. Gump
1887-Shipshewana
.W. R. Deeter
. . J. H. Miller
.A. H. Puterbaugh
.J. H. Miller
1888-Elkhart
Peter Long
. . J. H. Miller
A. H. Puterbaugh
1889-Bethel
Jere. Gump
. Daniel Whitmer
A. H. Puterbaugh
1890-South Bend
.W. R. Deeter
.J. C. Murray
.A. H. Puterbaugh
.W. R. Deeter
1891-Walnut
.W. R. Deeter
.J. C. Murray
.A. H. Puterbaugh
.J. C. Murray
1892-Yellow Creek
.W. R. Deeter
.J. C. Murray
.A. H. Puterbaugh
.W. R. Deeter
1893-Rock Run
Lemuel Hillery
.J. C. Murray
.A. H. Puterbaugh
.J. H. Miller
1895-Solomon's Creek
.I. D. Parker
.J. C. Murray
.Hiram Roose
.J. H. Miller
1896-Union Center .
.J. H. Miller
H. W. Kreighbaum
I. D. Parker
.A. H. Puterbaugh
1898-Cedar Lake
.A. H. Puterbaugh
. . W. B. Neff
.A. I. Mow
.J. C. Murray
1899-Yellow Creek
.W. R. Deeter
.. T. C. Murray
Hiram Roose
.I. L. Berkey
1901-West Goshen
. George Zollers
.J. C. Murray
A. I. Mow
.W. R. Deeter
1902-Solomon's Creek
.S. F. Sanger
.Daniel Wysong
Eli Roose
S. F. Sanger-I. L. Berkey
1903-Rock Run
.W. R. Deeter
.Manly Deeter
.Hiram Roose
W. R. Deeter
1904-Turkey Creek
.S. F. Sanger
Eli Roose
.W. B. Neff
.W. B. Neff
1905-Pleasant Valley
.W. R. Deeter
.Manly Deeter
.E. L. Heestand
.S. F. Sanger
1906-Walnut
.S. F. Sanger
.I. D. Parker
.Lafayette Steele
.I. L. Berkey
1907-Pine Creek
.Manly Deeter
.Frank Kreider
David Metzler
1908-West Goshen
.W. R. Deeter
.Henry Wysong
.Hiram Roose
1909-English Prairie
.S. F. Sanger
.Lafayette Steele
.M. C. Horst
1910-Union Center
. Manly Deeter
.J. W. Kitson
1911-Springfield
.David Metzler
.Lafayette Steele
1912-Solomon's Creek
. Manly Deeter
.Frank Kreider
J. W. Kitson
1913-Rock Run
.David Metzler
.Lafayette Steele
.J. H. Fike
.David Metzler
1914-Middlebury
.Frank Kreider
.J. F. Appleman
.J. W. Kitson
.Manly Deeter-Frank Kreider
1915-Pine Creek .
.David Metzler
... J. H. Fike
Eli Heestand
.David Metzler-J. H. Fike
1916-Washington .
.Manly Deeter
.Lafayette Steele
.T. E. George
Lafayette Steele-E. L. Heestand
1894-Turkey Creek
. W. R. Deeter .
.J. H. Miller
A. H. Puterbaugh
.J. C. Murray
1897-English Prairie
. W. R. Deeter
.J. C. Murray
Eli Roose
1900-Bethel
.S. F. Sanger
Daniel Wysong
.A. H. Puterbaugh
.A. H. Puterbaugh
.Peter Long
.Amos Peters
.I. D. Parker
.Manley Deeter-S. F. Sanger .. W. R. Deeter-I. L. Berkey .Daniel Wysong-E. Roose
Manly Deeter-Frank Kreider
.Frank Kreider .M. C. Horst
David Metzler-E. L. Heestand
Frank Kreider-W. R. Deeter
District Meetings of Northern Indiana, 1917 to 1951
Year Place Held
Moderator
Reading Clerk
Writing Clerk
Standing Committee
1917-Goshen City
.David Metzler
S. J. Burger
E. L. Heestand
. David Metzler, S. J. Burger Manly Deeter
1918-West Goshen
. Manly Deeter
. . L. M. Neher
J. W. Grater
1919-Winona Lake
David Metzler
.J. F. Appleman
.C. C. Cripe
David Metzler, Henry Wysong
1920-Turkey Creek
.Frank Kreider
.S. J. Burger
.H. L. Hartsough
.Frank Kreider, S. J. Burger
1921-Bremen
. David Metzler
.T. H. Fike
.H. H. Helman
David Metzler, Manly Deeter
1922-1st South Bend
.T. E. George
.Manly Deeter
.. C. C. Cripe
.T. E. George, C. C. Cripe
1923-Pine Creek
.David Metzler
.H. H. Helman
.J. W. Grater
David Metzler, Henry Wysong
1924-Elkhart City
T. E. George
.J. F. Appleman
.. C. C. Cripe
.David Metzler, T. E. George
1925-Union Center
.David Metzler
.. William Buckley
.J. W. Grater
.C. C. Cripe, J. W. Grater
1926-Yellow River
T. E. George
.C. C. Cripe
Ira Long
.C. C. Cripe, T. E. George
1927-Blue River
. David Metzler
.Charles Light
.J. W. Grater
.David Metzler, Ira Long
1928-Walnut
.T. E. George .
.E. C. Swihart
.H. S. Bowers
.J. W. Grater, Ira Long
1929-Yellow Creek
. David Metzler
.T. G. Weaver
. . C. C. Cripe
.David Metzler, T. E. George
1930-Nappanee .
.J. H. Schrock
.Charles Light
.H. A. Claybaugh
.J. H. Schrock, H. A. Claybaugh
1931-West Goshen
T. E. George .
.A. F. Morris
.. T. G. Weaver
.David Metzler, C. C. Cripe
1932-Pine Creek
. H. A. Claybaugh
.C. C. Cripe
.H. S. Bowers
.S. S. Blough, H. A. Claybaugh
1933-Bremen
. T. E. George .
.T. G. Weaver
.Galen Bowman
.C. C. Cripe, David Metzler
1934-Napanee
. H. A. Claybaugh
.Burton Metzler
.C. C. Cripe .
.T. E. George, Frank Kreider
1935-Elkhart City
.T. E. George
.John Metzler
.Galen Bowman
.David Metzler, Burton Metzler
1936-Goshen City
.Burton Metzler
.A. F. Morris
.G. W. Phillips
Galen Bowman, T. G. Weaver
1937-Yellow Creek
.T. E. George .
.John Metzler
.T. G. Weaver
.Edward Stump, Frank Kreider
1938-Plymouth
Edward Stump
.Charles Light
.Gorman Zook
J. Grater, J. Zigler, C. C. Cripe
1939-New Paris
John Metzler
Ralph Rarick
.C. C. Cripe
.D. Metzler, E. Stump, J. Metzler
1940-Camp Mack
.A. F. Morris
Howard Kreider
.C. C. Cripe
.I. Long, J. Metzler, R. Sherman
1941-Camp Mack
.H. F. Richards
C.
C. Cripe
1942-Camp Mack
. G. W. Phillips
.Russel Stout
C. Cripe
1943-Camp Mack
. H. F. Richards
Russel Sherman
C. Cripe
1944-Camp Mack
. T. E. George
.J. O. Winger Cripe C. C.
.C
C. Cripe
1947-Camp Mack
. Eldon Evans.
. James Beahm
.C
C. Cripe
1948-Camp Mack
. James Beahm
.Kenneth Long
C. C. Cripe
1949-Camp Mack
. Russel Sherman
.C. .S. Longenecker C. Cripe
. . S.Longenecker,R.Sherman,C.Cripe
1950-Camp Mack
Arthur Keim
.Russel Sherman
.C. C. Cripe
.E. Evans, R. Petry, M. Schrock
1951-Camp Mack
.John Metzler
Charles Stouder
. C. C. Cripe
.E. Evans, H. Kreider, T. E. George C. Light, H. Kreider, T. E. George J. Beahm, E. Evans, G. Phillips
1945-Camp Mack 1946-Camp Mack
.G. W. Phillips
.Russel Sherman
.C
C. Cripe
.A. Morris, G. Bowman, G. Phillips . . E. Stump, C. Cripe, G. W. Phillips .R.Sherman,G.Bowman,J.Frederick
Russel Sherman
C.
.C.
. Eldon Evans
.Tames Beahm
.J. Beahm, R. Sherman, C. C. Cripe . . A. Keim, A. Gump, G. Bowman
.H. Will, C. Stouder, T. Weaver
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History of the Church of the Brethren
have volunteered for the field. Two others, Orville and Lois Sherman, have spent a year for Brethren Service in Venezuela, and Lois Rupel spent two years for Brethren Service in administering relief in Europe.
Besides, the New Paris Church fully support Dr. and Mrs. Bosler in Africa, Dr. Leonard Blickenstaff in India, the work budget of Edith Bosler in Africa and partially support Chalmer Shull in India, and Harold Royer and Marilyn Studebaker in Africa; West Goshen fully supports Anna Warstler in India; Ft. Wayne supports Lucile Heckman in Africa and the budget of Dr. Leonard Blickenstaff in In- dia ; Elkhart City and Cedar Lake supports Velma Ober in China ; Blue River partially supports Grayce Brumbaugh in Africa; North Winona partially supports Susan Stoner in India.
Board of Christian Education
Feeling the need of greater emphasis on religious training, the Dis- trict Meeting of 1920 organized a Board of Religious Education. The following served as members of this Board through the years : H. S. Bowers, 1920-1929; H. H. Helman, 1920-1922; Milo Geyer, 1920-1924; Manly Deeter, 1922-1928; Mrs. Glen Purkey, 1924-1927 ; T. G. Weaver, 1928-1932; William Kinsey, 1928-1931; Nettie Wey- bright, 1929-1932; J. Clyde Forney, 1931-1932;
In 1932 the name of the Board was changed to the Board of Christian Education to conform with the pattern of the General Board of Christian Education. The name has continued, but their fields of operation have greatly enlarged. Following have been the per- sonnel : T. G. Weaver, 1932-1937; J. Clyde Forney, 1932-1934; Flor- ence Studebaker, 1932-1933; Burton Metzler, 1934-1937; G. W. Phil- lips, 1937-1942; Fern Price, 1938-1941 ; Eldon Evans, 1940-1943; George U. Heeter, 1941-1944; 1946-51; Russel Stout, 1942-1945; Arthur C. Keim, 1943-1946; James H. Beahm, 1944-1948; Kenneth G. Long, 1945-1949; Samuel Longenecker, 1947 -; Mrs. Dan West, 1949; Mrs. Ralph Petry, 1951 -.
DRESS REFORM BOARD
In 1920 District Meeting also organized what was then called the Simple Life and Dress Reform Board, but later the name was changed to the Welfare Board. It continued until 1929 when it was merged with the Board of Religious Education. Those who served on the Board were : Nettie Weybright, 1920-1929; S. J. Burger, 1920-1922; Frank Kreider, 1920-1921 : Melvin Stutsman, 1921-1927; Bertha Neher, 1922-1928; Laura Appleman, 1927-1929; Mary Morris, 1928-1929.
BRETHREN SERVICE IN INDIANA
The program of Brethren Service has had many of its roots in the state of Indiana. War conditions provided the great impetus which be-
235
Districts-Data and Activities
The District Boards of Northern Indiana, 1950
Each picture, read left to right MISSION-MINISTERIAL BOARD (Upper left)
Charles A. Light, Mark Y. Schrock (Field Man), Russell A. Sherman, Cecil Keiser, Homer E. Schrock, Ralph Petry.
BRETHREN SERVICE BOARD (Lower left)
George Weybright, Mrs. Allen Weldy, Paul A. Phillips, O, E. Price (Men's Work President), Mrs. Amanda Metzler (Women's Representative).
JOINT BOARDS (Upper right)
(Front row) George U. Heeter, O. W. Stine, C. C. Cripe, Mark Y. Schrock, John D. Metzler (Conference Moderator), Russell A. Sherman.
(Second row) Mrs. Ruth Swihart, Mrs. George Heeter, Mrs. Allen Weldy, Mrs. George Weybright, Mrs. Dan West, Ted Cripe (Y. P. Rep.), George Weybright.
(Back row) Ralph Petry, George Stull, S. W. Longenecker, Homer E. Schrock, O. E. Price, Paul A. Phillips, Fred Priser, Charles A. Light, Cecil Keiser.
BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION (Lower right)
Mrs. George U. Heeter, John D. Metzler, Ted Cripe, George Stull, Mrs. George Weybright, Mrs. Dan West, George U. Heeter, S. W. Longenecker, Mrs. Ruth Swihart.
236
History of the Church of the Brethren
gan the program of the Brethren Service Committee, although its pro- gram had been in action in Spain in 1937, it did not catch the popular fancy until the war conditions in the United States stimulated activity.
For some years a Peace Commission consisting of Brethren C. Ray Keim, O. W. Neher and L. W. Shultz had been emphasizing the peace doctrine in the church and were responsible for having Confer- once to declare herself by means of comprehensive statements. At about the time of the beginning of the Selective Service Law, a regional coun- sellor was selected for the central region of our church, as well as for other regions. It was the function of this counselling service to assist in the preparation of questionnaires, in filing appeals, and in any general difficulties in connection with the selective service Act. The regional counsellor, John Metzler, lived in Indiana; therefore Indiana became a focal center of the Central Region for the ensuing Brethren Service activities.
One of the first of the many Brethren Service programs which came to fruition in Indiana was the Heifer Project. Dan West had developed this idea as a result of his experiences in Spain. The germ of the idea was presented to a Men's Meeting in Middlebury. The men were rather enthusiastic about the possibilities of sending live animals for breeding purposes to Europe to help re-establish the herds, as well as to provide milk for the people there. This was long before shipment was possible, so the first idea was to set aside calves which would be grown to maturity and then shipped if conditions were such that ship- ment could be made.
As a result of this meeting in Middlebury, a committee, consisting of O. W. Stine, Ivan Syler and George Craig, was appointed to explore cautiously the idea in Northern Indiana. The committee decided to send out a sample leaflet to a few churches to find out what the response might be. Although it was explained that this was just sent out for a preview and not for action, pledges began to come in so it seemed that the idea was valid.
The first heifer was donated by Virgil Mock and was raised by Claire Stine, of Goshen. From this start, it was not a long step to the actual pledging of animals and tagging them for the Heifer Project Committee. A man was assigned by selective service to work part time on this project. Marvin Sanger was this first secretary. He kept the project moving until animals were ready to ship. It was impos- sible to ship to Europe, so one shipment was arranged to sharecroppers in Arkansas. Another was sent to Puerto Rico, and later a second ship- ment went to Puerto Rico. A few cattle were sent to Mexico.
In the meantime, the idea was spreading throughout our church, and was adopted and accepted by other church groups. The net result was the moving of headquarters from Indiana to the Brethren Service
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Districts-Data and Activities
Center at New Windsor, Maryland, and the establishment of the Office there. With the UNRRA program, the shipping of cattle overseas, became a rather rapid process. The Brethren Service Committee un- dertook to provide the livestock attendants for the UNRRA cattle and horses that were sent. During the next few years activity was at a high pitch.
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