USA > Kansas > Fifty years in the Kansas Conference, 1864-1914 : a record of the origin and development of the work of the Evangelical Association in the territory covered by the Kansas Conference > Part 12
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Brother Schumann traveled over five counties in serving his work, namely Rice, Barton, Ellsworth, Lincoln and Pawnee. In spite of his long and arduous trips, which were ofttimes connected with danger, as well as suffering, he found some cheering features
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connected with his pioneer experience. He writes that on one occasion he came to a home as a stranger and found the house occupied by two families who had been members of the Evan- gelical Association in Illinois. When they learned that Brother Schumann was a preacher of their church they praised God and wept for joy as they remarked: "For a whole year we have prayed that our preachers might visit us, and now our prayer has been answered." It is needless to say the joy was mutual. At this place he held his first protracted meeing in Kansas, and among the converts of that meeting was a family who later sent one of their sons to the Gospel ministry.
In some of the communities where Brother Schumann preached he found German people who had not heard a sermon in their lan- guage for six years. So great was the joy of those people that in many instances they would drive ten to twelve miles to hear a German sermon. He was requested to baptize children and admin- ister the Lord's Supper to the parents, and so great was the appre- ciation of the people that it added immeasurably to the encour- agement of the itinerant who was often severely tried and discour- aged.
On a Sunday afternoon he entered a home where he found a number of women collected from the neighborhood whose con- versation betrayed an absence of refinement and religious instinct. Upon leaving the home he felt he ought to pray with them, but lacked courage to ask for permission to do so. After leaving the house his conscience severely reproved him for his weakness, while Satan was at hand to even magnify his short-coming. Only after dismounting from his horse by the wayside and agonizing in prayer did he again obtain peace of mind and the comforting assurance of God's presence.
1879
FIFTEENTH SESSION
This year Conference met in the Zion Church, Nemaha Cir- cuit, Richardson County, Nebraska, March 20, 1879, to hold her fifteenth session with Bishop J. J. Esher in the chair. C. Ber- ner was again appointed secretary.
The brethren Wm. Wonder and C. F. Stecher located on ac- count of bodily infirmities, while P. Fricker and E. Evans were reported as partially disabled for active service.
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C. Berner and C. Emmel, two of the veterans of the Confer- ence, the former one of the first missionaries sent to Kansas, were permitted to remain in the itinerancy without appointment.
C. Buchel and Simon Swartz received credentials, the latter had his papers placed into the hands of his presiding elder until it were ascertained whether he had already withdrawn from the church.
Aaron Yoder, Wm. Daeschner, L. C. Schnacke and H. Linder received license to preach.
S. B. Brown and Louis Snyder were received from the East Pennsylvania Conference.
C. Geiser, H. Toedman, D. F. Honstedt, H. Linder and John Dreisbach received deacons' orders and C. F. Stecher elder's orders.
L. Wenger was elected presiding elder and stationed on South- west District.
J. Wuerth, H. Mattill, L. Wenger and J. G. Pfeifer were elected delegates to General Conference, and C. Berner and J. F. Schreiber alternates.
Wm. Meier was elected Conference trustee for five years.
As far as the records show, the Ways and Means Committee reported this year for the first time. The first part of their report refers to the building of a church in Kansas City, Mo .: "Re- solved, That a new church shall be built in Kansas City, Mo., the coming year on the lots purchased for this purpose at 1418 Oak St., the cost not to exceed $3,300.00. A committee composed of the presiding elder of Missouri District, the pastors of Kansas City and Leavenworth, and Brother H. Wenger of Kansas City, shall superintend the construction."
It was further ordered that the Conference District shall be open for a solicitor for said purpose, and that subscriptions shall be taken on two annual payments.
BOUNDARIES
Holton District
a. Lawrence shall be taken up as a new mission and be served with Lawrence Circuit.
Missouri District
a. New Frankfort shall be served with two preachers.
b. Warrensburg and Clinton Mission shall be extended into Morgan County.
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Southwest District
a. The appointments in Marion County shall be taken from Junction Mission and formed into a new mission, to be called Marion Mission.
b. The appointments in Osage County and Neosho Rapids shall be taken from Americus Mission and formed into a new mission, to be called Osage Mission.
c. Junction Mission shall be called Dickinson Mission.
d. Huscher appointments shall be taken from Jewell Mis- sion and be added to Hanover Mission.
MISSIONS
The amount of $2,306.00 was raised for missions, of which amount the ministers contributed $328.00, the appropriations for the coming year amounting to $4,025.00.
H. Mattill was elected delegate to the Board of Missions.
The Missionary Society was reorganized by electing H. Mat- till president, J. Wuerth secretary, and J. F. Schreiber treasurer.
STATISTICS
Conversions, 240; accessions, 709; membership, 2,646; itine- rant preachers, 37; local preachers, 15; churches, 24; parsonages, 18; Sunday-schools, 52; officers and teachers, 504; scholars, 1,900; Botschafters, 578; Messengers, 296; Magazins, 277; Epistles, 30.
APPOINTMENTS
Holton District-J. Wuerth, P. E. Holton, W. Meier.
Nemaha, S. B. Brown and L. C. Schnake. Lawrence Circuit and Mission, Wm. Daeschner.
Big Blue and Hanover, Wm. Heiser and C. Brandt.
Wolf River, J. F. Schreiber.
Leavenworth, J. Kurtz.
Red Vermillion, D. R. Zellner.
Blue Springs, S. H. Dunkelberger. Swan Creek, R. Stahli.
Missouri District-J. G. Pfeifer, P. E.
Nickels Grove, J. S. Seip.
Platte River, C. Ehrhardt.
Bloomington, C. Linge.
Glasgow and Frankfort, J. Schmidli. Warrensburg and Clinton, H. Koepsel and F. Shafer.
Emporia, J. Bower.
Denver, C. Geiser.
St. Joseph, C. Woehlte.
Kansas City, H. Mattill.
Sheridan, H. Linder.
South-west District-L. Wenger, P. E.
Humboldt, E. J. Troyer.
Dickinson, P. Schumann.
Marion, C. F. Erffmeyer.
Jewell, Edwin Bower (temporary).
Osborne, D. F. Honstedt.
Cawker, H. Toedman.
Rice, to be supplied and C. W. Snyder.
Offerle, Louis Snyder.
Wichita, Wm. Riemke.
Americus, H. S. Bower.
Osage, F. Harder.
Carthage, John Dreisbach and supply. Parsons, A. J. Voegelein.
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1879 FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
NEWTON
As early as 1868 a mission was located along the western border of the missionary operations in Kansas and was named " West Kansas Mission," which, however, was left unsupplied the first year. The following year it was supplied with H. Mattill, who traveled over a vast territory in that part of the state, preach- ing the Gospel wherever he found opportunity. In 1871 West Kan- sas Mission was again left unsupplied, and in 1872 Wamego ap- pointment was taken from Holton Circuit, added to the mission and the name changed to Wamego Mission, which was supplied with W. Meier and F. Harder.
In 1874 the name was changed to Junction Mission and the work carried on under that name until 1879, when the appoint- ments in Marion County were taken off, formed into Marion Mis- sion and supplied with C. F. Erffmeyer. During this Conference year Brother Erffmeyer, with his presiding elder, L. Wenger, visited Newton to investigate the situation and, if possible, to organize a society. Prior to this F. Harder, who had served Wichita Mission the preceding year, visited Newton and preached for several members living there. Also H. Mattill, presiding elder, visited the place and preached.
Brother Erffmeyer writes: "In April, 1879, I visited Newton as pastor of Marion Mission, and found the following members living there: J. G. Kaufman and wife, H. Burgener and wife and J. G. Hoefs. I took up an appointment and served it regularly, organizing a class June 16, 1879, with the above charter mem- bers. Soon after the organization of the class the erection of a church 30x50 feet was begun, which was dedicated by Bishop J. J. Esher Sept. 29, 1879. During the year several persons were converted, who united with the church, so that at the following Conference session we could report 11 members and Newton Mis- sion was formed. A Sunday-school was started at once with 80 scholars. Brother J. G. Kaufman was the first class-leader, and H. Burgener exhorter and steward of the little class.
The year 1882 marked a period of severe trials for the young and weak society. During a district ministerial convention held in the church the building was demolished by a tornado while Rev. E. J. Troyer was preaching to a house full of people. Fort- unately no one was killed, nor even severely injured, although the building was completely wrecked. This seemed nothing short of a miracle of God's protecting care.
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With the aid of an insurance policy amounting to $1,000.00, besides help from the church at large, in response to an appeal published in the church papers, and additional help from the cit- izens of Newton, the church was replaced by another building erected upon the foundation of the old one. The cost of this building was $1,500.00, and was dedicated July 15, 1883, by Prof. W. F. Heidner of North-Western College. In 1882 Newton Mis- sion and Marion were served together, but permanently separated the following year.
During the financial boom, which struck Kansas in 1886- 1887, the city of Newton, desiring to extend Main Street south, offered in exchange for our church property, which was located at the foot of Main Street, two lots and a good six room house at the corner of Old Main and First Streets. The congregation re- moved the church building to the new site, where for many years it rendered valuable service until in 1912 it was replaced by a larger and more commodious one.
CANADA STATION
A class was organized in the village of Canada, Marion Co., Kansas, by Rev. L. Wenger in the month of October, 1878. The class numbered 12 members and chose for their leader John Sie- bert. C. F. W. Bluhm was elected exhorter. During the year 1878 L. Wenger and C. F. Erffmeyer, while serving Junction, preached occasionally at Canada, principally on week days. This practice was continued during the year when in the fall the class was organized.
The following year Marion Mission was formed and C. F. Erffmeyer assigned to the new charge. L. Wenger was elected presiding elder and placed on Southwest District. During this year a very successful revival was held at Canada, in which the pastor was assisted by the presiding elder. The meeting resulted in about 15 conversions, mostly heads of families, who also united with the church.
Steps were now taken to build a church and the project was carried out the following year during the pastorate of L. Schnei- der. A trustee board was elected, consisting of Isaac Good, John Siebert, C. F. W. Bluhm, Henry Siebert and Valentine Jacobs. The church was built of stone and dedicated in November, 1880, by Bishop R. Dubs.
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In 1884 Canada Mission was changed to a station and sup- plied with J. Kramer. During his pastorate the first camp-meeting was held in the cottonwood grove of John Siebert. This was a glo- rious meeting and many souls were saved. The camp-meetings were continued annually for many years, resulting in some re- markable demonstrations of Divine grace and power. Many souls were converted, and many of God's people experienced the grace of entire sanctification, carrying the fire of holiness out to other fields of labor, so that many today recall the blessed seasons ex- perienced in the cottonwood grove north of Canada. The success of those meetings was largely due to the zeal of the presiding elder, J. H. Tobias, and Father Kramer, the pastor. The latter realized a triumphant departure from this world, and an abundant entrance into the glory world above, just at the close of his sec- ond camp-meeting on the work. Father Kramer was a man of much prayer and strong faith.
With the beginning of the work at Canada a Sunday-school was started as early as the month of May, 1878, with Father Kannengieser as superintendent. The school was started with an enrollment of about 25 scholars and was held in the Canada school house just north of the village, until the church was built. Canada must be numbered among the first Woman's Missionary Societies organized in the Conference. As early as 1886 an auxiliary was formed, with Mrs. Charles Siebert as the first president. In 1892 a Young People's Alliance was organized by Rev. J. Kurtz, of which John Brand was chosen president.
FRANKFORT, MO.
The work at Frankfort seems to have started simultaneously with the work at Glasgow, of which it was a part, through the labors of Rev. J. G. Pfeifer, who, at the time, was serving Macon Mission, although there is no record of an organization prior to 1878, when J. Schmidli held a very successful revival at Frank- fort, in which a number of German Presbyterians were led to conversion and united with the church.
The Presbyterians alluded to owned a church building, but were left without a pastor, and were practically abandoned, so they decided to transfer their church property to the Evangeli- cal Association and accept Brother Schmidli as their pastor. The families thus uniting were Peter Kaul, Henry Gabb, Charles Thier- felder, Gustave Thierfelder, Martin Lentz and Jacob Rieder.
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In 1882 a Sunday-school was started, with Jacob Rieder su- perintendent, and Gus. Thierfelder secretary. Brother Schmidli served the work three years when, in 1880, he was succeeded by L. C. Schnacke. Frankfort has been a reliable work for many years, composed of loyal church members, who stand by the inter- ests of the church.
1880
SIXTEENTH SESSION
Conference convened March 18, 1880, in Salem Church, Platte River Circuit, Andrew County, Mo., to hold her sixteenth session, with Bishop R. Dubs in the chair. C. Berner was again appointed secretary.
Wm. Folgate and F. Stecher, two local preachers, were ex- pelled from the church.
C. Emmel and J. Bower located on account of family circum- stances, and R. Stahli reported unable for full service.
S. O. Musselman, G. W. Wolfart, S. Weber and C. Woehlte re- ceived credentials, the latter being necessitated by failing health to move to the Pacific coast. Suitable resolutions were passed by Conference relative to Brother .Wohlte, who had rendered effi- cient service in the past, and who was now reluctantly given up. A hearty Godspeed was given him by the brethren.
G. E. Dienst, M. F. Shupe and E. A. Bruner were licensed to preach on probation.
The following brethren were received into the itinerancy: M. Dissinger, A. W. Kramer, J. H. Tobias, C. W. Snyder, S. H. Dun- kelberger, C. H. Linder.
C. F. Erffmeyer, A. J. Voegelein, P. Schuman, S. H. Dunkel- berger and C. Brandt received deacons' orders, and C. Woehlte elder's orders.
EXAMINATION
At this session of Conference a more rigid system of exam- ining junior preachers in their Conference studies was adopted. In the past the chairman of Conference examined all the young ministers in theology, while some one appointed by the Confer- ence examined them in each of the other branches. The brethren to be examined were all in one class, thus making the work both
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difficult and unsatisfactory. Now the Course of Study prescribed by General Conference was adopted and the junior preachers were arranged in classes according to their rank, first year, second year, third year, and fourth year. Each class had a separate set of examiners in the various branches, who were elected from the members of Conference. The following rules were adopted :
a. Every junior preacher shall procure the books prescribed in the "Course of Study" and study them.
b. He must be present at the time appointed for examination.
c. The Board of Examiners shall make a report to Confer- ence of the results of the examination.
d. The following rules for grading shall be observed: 100 perfect, 75 very good, 60 good, 50 fair. An average of 55 shall be necessary to pass.
The following branches were included in the examination: Theology and Discipline, History of the Evangelical Association, Church history, Profane history, English grammar, German gram- mar.
Conference appointed a committee to superintend the build- ing of a church at Zion appointment, Dickinson Mission. A spe- cial appropriation was ordered, and the pastor of St. Joseph was authorized to collect on Platte River Circuit, to pay an indebted- ness of $625.00 resting upon their church.
At the General Conference, held the previous year, Blue Springs was transferred to the Des Moines Conference.
The treasurer of the Missionary Society was instructed to govern himself in paying appropriations so that if a deficit oc- curs the same can be deducted from the appropriation of each brother pro rata.
BOUNDARIES
The following boundary changes were made :
Holton District
a. The appointments Spring Creek, Maglott's, McCauley's and Prairie Springs shall be taken from Nemaha Circuit, and with the appointments of Wolf River Circuit form a new circuit, to be called Hiawatha Circuit.
b. The appointments Lower Independence, Camp Creek and Ellerman's shall be served with Atchison Mission.
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1880 EXTENDING THE BORDERS
Missouri District
a. Winsor shall be taken from Warrensburg and added to Clinton Mission.
b. As soon as Parsons can be supplied with two preachers Lauers' appointment shall be taken from Humboldt and added to Parsons.
c. Emporia Mission in Missouri shall be called Winston Mission.
Southwest District
a. Osborne and Cawker Missions shall be served together.
b. Salina and vicinity shall be served with Dickinson Mis- sion for the present.
c. The appointments Great Bend and Pawnee Rock shall be taken from Rice Mission and added to Offerle Mission.
d. Newton shall be taken from Marion Mission and form a new mission to be called Newton Mission.
e. The missions Wichita, Parsons and Carthage shall be supplied with two preachers if possible.
f. A new mission shall be located in Rooks County called Stockton Mission.
MISSIONS
The amount of $2,260.00 was raised for missions during the past year, of which amount $325.80 was contributed by the preach- ers. $3,220.00 was appropriated for the ensuing year.
H. Mattill was elected delegate to the Board of Missions, and the board of officers was re-elected.
STATISTICS
Conversions, 500; accessions, 1,009; membership, 3,087; itin- erant preachers, 41; local preachers, 24; churches, 30; parsonages, 20; Sunday-schools, 63; officers and teachers, 605; scholars, 2,429; Botschafters, 631; Messengers, 283; Epistles, 31.
APPOINTMENTS
Holton District-J. Wuerth, P. E. Nemaha, S. B. Brown. Hiawatha, P. Fricker. Holton, W. Meier.
Lawrence Circuit and Mission, Wm. Daeschner.
Big Blue, W. Heiser.
Leavenworth, J. Kurtz.
Atchison, J. F. Schreiber.
Hanover, D. R. Zellner.
Red Vermillion, H. S. Bower and C. Geiser.
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Missouri District-J. G. Pfeifer, P. E.
Nickels Grove, C. Linge.
Platte River, J. Schmidli.
Bloomington, C. H. Linder.
St. Joseph, C. Berner.
Kansas City, H. Mattill.
Clinton, H. Koepsel.
Warrensburg, F. Shafer under H. Koepsel.
Glasgow and Frankfort, C. Ehrhardt and L. C. Schnake.
Winston, S. H. Dunkelberger.
Denver, R. Stahli.
Sheridan, to be supplied.
South-west District-L. Wenger, P. E.
Humboldt, E. J. Troyer.
Dickinson, P. Schumann.
Marion, L. Snyder.
Newton, C. F. Erffmeyer.
Jewell. A. W. Kramer.
Osborne and Cawker, D. F. Honstedt and C. Brandt.
Rice, A. Yoder and C. W. Snyder.
Offerle, to be supplied.
Wichita, H. Toedman.
Americus, J. M. Dreisbach.
Osage, F. Harder.
Parsons, A. J. Voegelein and supply.
Stockton, to be supplied.
Salina, to be supplied.
Carthage, J. H. Tobias and E. A. Bruner.
The year just closed has been a most successful one in the way of conversions and accessions. Five hundred souls were re- ported saved and 1,009 identified themselves with the church, of which number 809 were reported as newly received. The member- ship has been raised over the three thousand mark. Rice and Carthage Missions each reported 80 conversions, and Lawrence Circuit, 75. Lawrence Circuit reported 111 accessions, Rice 141, and Carthage 60.
SHELBY (EBENEZER CLASS)
Shelby Mission (or Bloomington, as it was called at this time) was served by C. Linge the past year. During the year a class was organized in Shelby County between Bloomington and Bethel, by Brother C. Stauffer, a local preacher, who lived near the Bethel appointment. This was called Ebenezer class. Brother Stauffer had preached for the people there in the past and now effected an organization with the following charter members: John Schwade and wife, Henry Leutcherding and wife, Sophia Wilke, Henry Wilke, Richard Dove, S. Rawson and wife, George Farber and wife, and Rosa Farber. The same year the people decided to build a union church in the community which was dedicated by Bishop Dubs. Four denominations united in this project, each denomination using the church one Sunday in the month. This building was destroyed by fire in 1894, when the Evangelical Association built a church of their own which was dedicated by Bishop J. J. Esher, Nov. 11, 1894, as the Ebenezer Church.
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OFFERLE
Offerle Mission was founded in 1878, but was not supplied until one year later when L. Snyder was assigned to the work and organized a society with the following members: S. S. Ott and wife, Edward Ott and wife, Edwin E. Offerle, Wm. Snyder, Lida Snyder, Mary Snyder, and Rev. Louis Snyder, the pastor.
The presiding elder, L. Wenger, visited the work several times during the year, but the official board was not organized into a Quarterly Conference. There was an almost entire failure of crops in that part of the state this year and the country was poverty-stricken. Brother Snyder labored for a whole year with- out any apparent success. On account of the prevailing conditions the mission was left unsupplied until 1881, when it was served from Rice Mission, and the following year again left unsupplied. In 1883 Rev. A. Yockel was assigned to the work and reorgan- ized the class with the following members: Lawrence Offerle and wife, Edwin Offerle and wife, E. T. Ott and wife, Mary Offerle, Minerva Offerle, Amanda Offerle, Oscar Offerle, Fred Stegeman, Albert Jucker, Rev. Yockel and wife, Fred Herman and wife, Daniel Knaus, Francis Summers, Catharine Summers, and Wm. Snyder and wife.
Through the generosity of Lawrence Offerle a hall was built and furnished for a place of worship, and a Sunday-school was started at once. This hall was used for three years. The first church was built in 1886, at a cost of $1,100.00, and dedicated by Rev. H. Mattill.
There was also a class organized in Hodgeman County at this time with the following members: Justus Schuck, Mary Schuck, Minnie Schuck, August Hoppe, Antille Hoppe, Caroline Hoppe, Catharine Selig, and John Selig. This class was abandoned during the years when people emigrated from Western Kansas because of failure of crops. Many fond hopes were doomed to disappoint- ment in the early years on the enchanting prairies of Western Kansas. Again and again the attempt was made to settle those beautiful homesteads, only to be driven back by hot winds and crop failure, so that many became discouraged and deserted the country while others persevered and gradually saw the arid acres changed to fertile fields of golden grain.
The little class at Offerle struggled heroically against all dis- couragements, led on by that intrepid pioneer, Lawrence Offerle,
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who loyally stood by his country and church when everything tended to discouragement. For many years Brother Offerle held the church work from disbanding, always insisting that there was a great future for the country, and the church must not forsake them in the days of small things. His body, with that of his faith- ful companion, lies buried in the Offerle cemetery, where they both await the final summons on the resurrection morn.
J. H. TOBIAS
The following account, related by Rev. J. H. Tobias, concern- ing his experiences in Western Kansas about this time, gives the reader a glimpse of what those pioneers passed through. Brother Tobias writes :
"The night of April 17, 1879, I arrived in Sterling, Kansas, to take charge of Rice Mission, which was assigned to me by Con- ference this spring. The next morning I started with my grip in hand to walk to Pleasant Valley, known as the Michigan ap- pointment, nine miles west of Sterling.
"I preached my first sermon on Sunday morning, April 19th, in a school house where now the town of Alden is located. My first trip was made on foot, 25 miles north to Prospect appoint- ment, then north 10 miles further to Plum Creek appointment. From there I went northwest 25 miles to Wilson, my next appoint- ment, from there 60 miles southwest to Pawnee Rock, and then back to Pleasant Valley, 45 miles. This completed my first round on the new field of labor.
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