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 23
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A. Brunner was again elected delegate to the Board of Mis- sions, and the following officers to the society were elected: A. Brunner, president; C. F. Erffmeyer, secretary ; and J. Schmidli, treasurer.
STATISTICS
Conversions, 702; accessions, 805; membership, 6,233; itin- erant preachers, 64; local preachers, 30; churches, 98; parsonages, 42; Sunday-schools, 110; officers and teachers, 1,310; scholars, 6,726; catechetical classes, 31; catechumens, 496; Young People's Alliances, 52; members, 1,523; Botschafters, 826; Messengers, 634; Magazins, 543; Epistles, 21; total for missions, $10,892.70.
APPOINTMENTS
Holton District-J. J. Kliphardt, P. E. Holton, C. W. Stauffer.
Preston, T. R. Nanninga.
Eudora, C. Brandt.
Deer Creek, C. F. Iwig.
Atchison, J. Wuerth.
Camp Creek, A. Rodewald.
Hiawatha Circuit, G. J. Schumacher. Hiawatha Station, I. H. Hauptfueh- rer. Topeka, J. Neuffer.
East Lynn, C. S. Steinmetz and sup- ply. Winston, J. H. Kiplinger.
Falls City, W. F. Wolthausen.
Bern, M. Walter.
Osage, C. Schmidli.
Westmoreland, H. Toedman.
Coal Creek, P. G. Nuffer.
Kansas City District-A. Brunner, P. E.
Kansas City, Highland, C. E. Platz. Kansas City, Oak St., S. Breithaupt.
Leavenworth, J. Schmidli.
Oregon Circuit, A. E. Flickinger. Oregon Mission, A. Solt. Platte River, A. Mattill.
St. Joseph, C. F. Erffmeyer.
Shelby, J. M. Fricker. Glasgow, B. Barthel.
Warrensburg, H. E. Bower.
Carthage, J. B. Gresser.
Newton District-M. C. Platz, P. E.
Emporia, C. Meeder.
Peabody, F. M. Peek.
Newton, D. Swart.
Yates Center, F. Harder.
Humboldt and Golden Valley, M. J. Steinmetz.
Dennis, B. H. Hobbs.
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Derby, H. E. Meyer.
Cambridge, F. E. Smith.
Canada, C. Linge.
Halstead, J. S. Miller.
McPherson, J. A. Spencer.
Hutchinson, H. B. Vennum.
Rosette, J. H. Keeler.
Alden, R. R. Brand.
Wilson, C. J. Eiselein.
Offerle, G. J. Harbes.
Osborne, L. E. Becher.
Orlando and Good Hope, J. R. Nan- ninga.
Jewell, J. K. Young.
Dover and Waukomis, F. F. Linden.
Wayne, E. A. Bruner.
Washington, H. W. Hartman.
Leonardville, M. Manshardt.
Swede Creek, P. Schumann.
Minneapolis, W. R. Currier.
MEMORIAL
J. F. Schreiber
At this time we are necessitated to record the death of an- other pioneer and charter member who closed a long and exceed- ingly useful life in the Kansas Conference.
J. F. Schreiber was born April 2nd, 1832, in Baden, Ger- many. In 1847, when he was a lad of 15 years, his parents came to America and located in Stephenson County, Ill., where he was led to conversion and united with the Evangelical Association.
In 1855 he was licensed to preach by the Illinois Confer- ence, held at Northfield, Cook Co., Ill., under the chairmanship of Bishop Joseph Long. When in 1858 the call was made for missionaries to Kansas and Nebraska, young Brother Schreiber volunteered to go. He was assigned by the Illinois Conference as missionary to Nebraska, whither he journeyed in company with Brother C. Berner, who was at the same time assigned mission- ary to Kansas.
Prior to the organization of the Kansas Conference in 1864 Brother Schreiber served principally in the State of Iowa under the direction of the Iowa Conference, which was organized in 1860, but when in 1864 the Kansas Conference was organized at Dubuque, Iowa, and the assignment made for the newly formed Conference, J. F. Schreiber was stationed on Leavenworth and Lawrence Missions in Kansas. The following year at the first ses- sion he was elected presiding elder, thus becoming the first min- ister elected to this office by the Kansas Conference. He was one of the early leaders and wielded a strong influence in the forma- tion of the organization, which continued throughout his long min- istry of 37 years in the active work. During this time he served the church and Conference in various offices. He served two terms
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Abilene District-J. H. Tobias, P. E. Abilene,C. H. Hartman.
Alida and Clay, W. F. Schuerman.
Marion, B. J. Fehnel.
North-west, S. A. Burgert.
1897
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
as presiding elder, and as delegate to General Conference in 1867, 1887 and 1891, being also the first representative to General Con- ference. He was the first president of the Conference Mission- ary Society, which was formed at the first session in 1865. He was deeply interested in the progress and development of Christ's Kingdom. Wherever a trust was committed to him he performed his duty conscientiously and faithfully.
In 1860 he was married to Maria Fisher in Jasper County, Iowa, who proved a true helpmeet to him in his ministerial work. She, with three sons and four daughters, survive him. On Sep- tember 16, 1896, his pilgrimage ceased, his weary spirit took its flight to higher realms, to be with the One who gave it, to whom he had dedicated his life and powers. His body was laid away in the cemetery at Leonardville, Riley County, Kan., to await the resurrection call.
Christian Stauffer
Christian Stauffer was born in the State of Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and was converted to Christ, after which he united with the Evangelical Association. He received license to preach the Gospel by the Pittsburg Conference in 1869. After spending two years in the active work in this Conference he moved to Eastern Missouri, within the bounds of the Kansas Conference, in 1875, where he preached one year and then located. Brother Stauffer was ever ready to do all in his power to extend the kingdom of his Master and was instrumental in laying the foundation and building up the cause of the Evangelical Asso- ciation in Shelby County, Mo., where he resided. In addition to his own service he gave to the ministry and the Kansas Confer- ence one of his sons, C. W. Stauffer, who up to the time of his death, a few years later, was a useful and influential member of that body.
WAUKOMIS, OKLAHOMA
During the year 1895 the revival fires burned brightly on Dover Mission, and their influence was carried to distant points. The work was extended across the borders of the "Cherokee Strip" into Garfield County, in the neighborhood of Waukomis, and Drum- mond. Appointments were taken up at Rock Creek school house, south-east of Waukomis; Enterprise school house, seven miles west of Waukomis ; and another point at a school house, four miles north-east of Waukomis, near the home of Richard Kretchmar.
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FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
The following spring, 1896, these appointments were taken from Dover Mission and formed into Waukomis, which was supplied by F. F. Linden.
The following members constituted the Enterprise class : Chris. Brauser and wife, John Brown, H. Seba, Henry Wiens, August Mueller, Wm. Mueller and Peter Wiens.
A Sunday-school was started at once, and shortly afterward the little band built a small chapel in which to hold their services. This chapel was replaced by a handsome little church in 1904, during the pastorate of H. Steenbock, at a cost of about $800.00, beside most of the labor and some material, which was donated. This house was dedicated during the summer of 1904 by M. C. Platz, presiding elder. A Young People's Alliance was organized in 1899 by Rev. H. Toedman. This was composed of five char- ter members, and seems to have been discontinued. It was reor- ganized in 1914, during the pastorate of J. Haber, with 14 mem- bers, and Wm. Rothenberg chosen president.
The class north-east of Waukomis was called the St. Paul society and consisted of R. Kretchmar and wife, Ferdinand Kretch- mar, Emma Kretchmar, Mary Hartman and William Messner. This little band met in a school house to hold their Sunday-school and services. In 1904, during the pastorate of H. W. Hartman, after being reinforced by additional members of the Evangelical Association, they purchased a church building in Waukomis from the Congregational denomination. After some changes and repairs had been made this was dedicated by J. H. Tobias, presiding elder. The rear of this church was fitted up for a residence and for sev- eral years was used for a parsonage until 1904, when a parsonage was bought in the town for $800.00, after which the entire church was thrown open for services. A Young People's Alliance was or- ganized in 1905, and Huldah Daeschner chosen president. This organization continued until 1911, when it disbanded.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S ALLIANCE
The development of the Young People's Alliance movement in the Conference has been very satisfactory. From the begin- ning there has been manifested a commendable enthusiasm, es- pecially among the young people, and several local Alliances were organized as soon as the movement was launched in the church. As early as 1891 Conference urged the organization of local Alli- ances, and also recommended the organization of a Conference
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1897
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
Branch. To this end the presiding elders were constituted a com- mittee to call a convention for the purpose of organizing a Branch as soon as they deemed it prudent to do so.
Already a few local Young People's Alliances were organized, although the number and names of such can not be ascertained at this time with any degree of certainty. No definite steps were taken during the following year, but at the next session of Con- ference, held at Coal Creek, Jefferson Co., Kans., March, 1892, a committee was appointed, consisting of Rev. C. F. Erffmeyer, Rev. J. K. Young, Rev. C. W. Stauffer and Rev. J. J. Kliphardt, to make the necessary arrangements for such an organization. In com- pliance with these instructions a convention was held at Holton, Kans., in the month of June, and a Conference Branch of the Young People's Alliance organized, with the following officers: C. F. Erffmeyer, president; J. K. Young, vice-president; C. W. Stauffer, recording secretary; Miss Lena Lindner, corresponding secretary; and Mr. Frank Daeschner, treasurer. At this time there were 13 local Alliances in the Conference, with a total mem- bership of 323.
From the time the Conference Branch was organized annual conventions were held regularly. At first these assemblies were held on various fields of labor, and always attended by some gen- eral officer of the Young People's Alliance, or other outside talent, until 1897, when action was taken by the Annual Conference rel- ative to a plan submitted by the Executive Committee, which pro- vided for a six days' meeting, to be held on the convention and camp-meeting plan during the month of August. The forenoon was to be used mostly for devotional services, the afternoon for convention work and class drill, and the evening for evangelistic services. The plan was approved by Conference, and general par- ticipation was urged.
The first assembly on the proposed plan was held in Forest Park, Atchison, in the month of August. A large number of tents were pitched, and the attendance was good throughout. Several souls were saved in the evangelistic meetings, and the work of the Alliance received new impetus. For several years the conventions were held in Forest Park, when, later, they were transferred to Garfield Park, Topeka, and, still later, to Soden Park, Emporia.
From the beginning the Woman's Missionary Society held its annual conventions in connection with the Young People's Al- liance, so that it was a joint meeting, which gave a variety to the
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1897 FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
services and instilled the missionary spirit into the convention, and disseminated missionary intelligence throughout the entire Con- ference.
The Young People's Alliance has been a mighty factor in joining the young people together in their service for Christ and the church and for developing the individual Christian character.
WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY
As early as 1883 a communication was directed to Confer- ence by the promoters of the Woman's Missionary Society move- ment, which, at this time, was yet in its infancy in the church. In response to this communication the following action was taken by Conference: "Resolved, that the communication from the Wom- an's Missionary Society has been greatly appreciated, and we are glad to learn about the Woman's Missionary Auxiliaries as a method to raise funds for the missionary cause, especially in heathen lands. May the blessings of God rest upon the mission work and the activity of the auxiliaries. We will encourage our societies in following the good example of the sisters in Cleve- land, O., and form auxiliaries wherever the pastors deem it feasi- ble to do so."
This marks the beginning of the Woman's Missionary Society movement in the Kansas Conference. For a number of years, however, the work seems to have received little attention, although here and there local auxiliaries were organized. In 1892 the fol- lowing action was taken: "Resolved, that we pledge ourselves to co-operate with the sisters in organizing local auxiliaries, and also recommend the organization of a Conference Branch of the Wom- an's Missionary Society."
No statistics are available of the work at this time, so it is not possible to record how many local auxiliaries there were. The extreme conservatism on the part of many of the ministers and laymen of the church, which, at times, led to positive opposition and discouragement of the movement, accounts for the slow prog- ress made in the early years of its development.
During the ensuing year a convention was held at Hiawatha, Kans., and on the 12th of August, 1892, a Conference Branch of the Woman's Missionary Society was organized with the follow- ing officers : Mrs. H. J. Bowman, president ; Mrs. C. F. Erffmeyer, vice-president; Mrs. A. Moser, recording secretary, Miss Lorena Matter, corresponding secretary ; and Mrs. C. W. Stauffer, treasurer.
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DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
From the beginning of its organization the Branch held reg- ular annual conventions jointly with the Young People's Alliance. The work from now on began to grow more rapidly as prejudice gradually subsided and missionary intelligence was disseminated. The Woman's Missionary Society has been the means of fostering a missionary spirit which has penetrated every part of the church, instilling new life and vigor in many congregations which had been indifferent, not only to the cause of missions, but to their own local interests.
The numerous small contributions given by willing hands and hearts aggregated to commendable sums of money, but this feature is insignificant compared with the knowledge received of the great need of the world at home, and in the foreign field, which resulted in a new vision of woman's possibility and responsibility, thus widening the horizon of her personal experience. This, in turn, proved a means of quickening the spiritual life in many con- gregations.
1898
THIRTY-FOURTH SESSION
March 17, 1898, Conference convened at Holton, Kans., to hold her 34th session, with Bishop Thomas Bowman in the chair, and P. Schumann, secretary.
S. Mueller withdrew from the church during the year. Cre- dentials were voted to J. H. Keeler and A. E. Flickinger.
J. Beck, R. R. Brand, E. A. Bruner, H. E. Bower and P. G. Nuffer were retained in the itinerancy without appointment.
License to preach was issued to R. C. Herod, Richard Thomas, and Chas. Keeler.
O. Radinsky was received from the Platte River Conference, T. J. Cox from the Methodist Protestant Church, and G. A. Mans- hardt from the Oregon Conference.
F. F. Linden and J. B. Gresser received deacons' orders, and F. F. Linden was received into the itinerancy.
A. Brunner was elected Conference trustee for five years, J. J. Kliphardt trustee of North-Western College and Union Biblical Institute for three years, B. H. Hobbs statistical secretary for one year, and A. Brunner, Conference treasurer.
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1898
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
The Conference trustee board announced the fact that the liabilities of Conference amounted to more than $9,000.00, where- upon it was ordered that the ten cent per member plan should be continued for the ensuing year by the envelope system.
A proposition was submitted to Conference by Mr. M. Heckel of St. Joseph, Mo., in which he offered to transfer the Heckel Benevolent Home of that city to the Kansas Conference, to be maintained as a charitable institution. If the financial require- ments could not be met the property should revert to the present owner. Conference accepted the offer and appointed a board of directors, consisting of four ministers and three laymen. It was further ordered that each preacher receiving an appointment shall pay one per cent of his salary toward the support of a superin- tendent of the Home.
During the past year the Newton congregation purchased a house and moved it on the west end of their lots which they now offered to the district for $700.00, the real value being estimated at $1,000.00. Conference accepted the offer and ordered the trans- fer made, and also authorized the presiding elder of Newton Dis- trict to collect on his district to pay for the same.
The president of the Conference Branch of the Young Peo- ple's Alliance reported the convention held in Forest Park, Atchi- son, Kans., last August, a success, and announced that another would be held at the same place in connection with the Woman's Missionary Society, beginning Aug. 9, 1898.
BOUNDARIES
Abilene District
a. Rosette and Wilson Missions shall be consolidated and called Lucas Mission.
b. Zion and Throop appointments shall be taken from Wayne Mission and added to Washington Mission, which shall be changed to a circuit.
c. Concordia and Huscher shall be served together and be called Concordia Mission.
Newton District
a. Earlton appointment shall be taken from Dennis Mission and be added to Humboldt Mission.
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1898 DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
b. Sand Creek appointment shall be taken from Halstead Circuit and be added to Newton Mission.
Kansas City District
a. It is the opinion of the committee that the results of Oak Street Mission, Kansas City, Mo., do not warrant a continuation of the work at that place. Therefore the Conference trustees, the presiding elder of Kansas City District, and the pastors in Kansas City shall be a committee authorized to sell the property and take steps toward locating a new mission in a more favorable part of the city, to be called Kansas City English Mission.
MISSIONS
The amount of $7,596.53 was collected for Kansas Confer- ence Missions the past year. Of this amount $722.29 was raised by the Sunday-schools to liquidate the deficit. After paying out all the appropriations there was still a deficit of $151.02 left. The appropriations for the ensuing year amounted to $7,500.00.
A. Brunner was elected delegate to the Board of Missions, and the following officers elected for the ensuing year: A. Brunner, president; C. F. Erffmeyer, secretary ; and J. Schmidli, treasurer.
STATISTICS
Conversions, 579; accessions, 593; membership, 6,268; itin- erant preachers, 63; local preachers, 35; churches, 90; parsonages, 44; Sunday-schools, 111; scholars, 6,675; officers and teachers, 1,362; Young People's Alliances, 51; members, 1,380; catechetical classes, 39; catechumens, 632; Botschafters, 823; Messengers, 689; Magazins, 702; Epistles, 18; Missionary Messengers, 181; total for missions, $10,566.28.
APPOINTMENTS
Holton District-J. J. Kliphardt, P. E.
Preston, W. F. Wolthausen.
Eudora, A. Rodewald.
Deer Creek, C. F. Iwig.
Atchison, J. Wuerth.
Camp Creek, D. R. Zellner.
Hiawatha Circuit, G. J. Schumacher.
Hiawatha Station, I. H. Hauptfueh- rer.
Topeka, J. Neuffer.
Falls City, C. Brandt.
Bern, M. Walter.
Osage, C. Schmidli.
Westmoreland, H. S. Bower.
Coal Creek, P. G. Nuffer.
Holton, C. W. Stauffer.
Kansas City District-A. Brunner, P. E.
Kansas City, Highland Ave., C. E. Platz.
Kansas City, English Mission, G. A. Manshardt.
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FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
Leavenworth, J. Schmidli.
St. Joseph, C. F. Erffmeyer.
St. Joseph Mission Home, supervision of C. F. Erffmeyer.
Hutchinson, H. B. Vennum.
Alden, F. F. Linden. .
Platte River, T. R. Nanninga and S. Breithaupt.
Oregon Circuit and Mission, A. Solt and F. E. Smith.
Glasgow, B. Barthel.
East Lynn, C. S. Steinmetz and sup- ply.
Shelby, L. E. Becher.
Abilene, C. H. Hartman.
Warrensburg, J. W. Keiser.
Alida and Clay, W. F. Schuerman.
Winston, W. R. Currier.
Marion, B. J. Fehnel.
Carthage, to be supplied.
Canada, A. Mattill.
Newton District-M. C. Platz, P. E.
Emporia, C. Meeder.
Peabody, B. H. Hobbs.
Newton, D. Swart.
Jewell, J. K. Young.
Concordia, J. H. Kiplinger.
Washington, H. W. Hartman.
Leonardville, M. Manshardt.
Dennis, J. M. Fricker.
Swede Creek, C. Linge.
Derby, H. E. Meyer.
Minneapolis, F. M. Peek.
A TRAMP PRESIDING ELDER
The following experience, which occurred in Oklahoma, and is related by the presiding elder of Newton District, shows how a little variety, which is the spice of life, serves as a wholesome tonic, and breaks up monotony, which is sometimes painful, and always dull.
The trip from Dover, Hennessey, or Waukomis, to Orlando, was usually made overland, since there were no railroads across the country at that time (1896). Sometimes the presiding elder would be conveyed to Marshall, a half-way point, where he would be turned over to the pastor of the other charge, who would con- vey him to his destination. On this particular occasion heavy rains made it unsafe to venture on the overland trip, hence it was determined to undertake the journey by rail, which necessi- tated traveling via El Reno and Oklahoma City.
The young pastor at Waukomis being in need of money to complete his traveling outfit, was accommodated by the presiding elder, who loaned him what money he thought he could spare above the amount required for his railroad ticket to his next ap- pointment. Upon reaching El Reno he discovered that the coun- try was flooded. The depot from which he was to leave was sur- rounded by water, and in all probability there would be no train
260
Offerle, G. J. Harbes.
Orlando and Good Hope, J. R. Nan- ninga. Waukomis, H. Toedman.
Dover, C. J. Eiselein.
Abilene District-J. H. Tobias, P. E.
McPherson, J. A. Spencer.
Lucas, S. A. Burgert and supply.
Osborne, H. Steenbock.
North-west, Chas. Underkoffler.
Yates Center, P. Schumann.
Humboldt and Golden Valley, M. J. Steinmetz and Chas. Keeler.
Cambridge, E. Brown. Halstead, J. S. Miller.
1898
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
east to Oklahoma City for two or three days, as considerable track had been washed out. His only way of escape was to turn back to Hennessey and try to get through on the hack line from there the next day. However, the loss of time and extra traveling expense soon exhausted his funds and calamity stared him in the face. He determined to get out of his dilemma as best he could, since he was among strangers, and in those days even friends could scarcely aid one another financially. He had sufficient money to reach the half-way point, Marshall, when he found his treas- ury depleted. The evening of the second day was now approach- ing, and although not "far from home," yet he was too far for comfort. By tramping several miles he might reach the home of an acquaintance where he would find lodging for the night and could arrange for the completion of his journey the next day. Before starting on his tramp he consumed the last sandwich of a lot which a kind brother had given him the previous day, and upon which he had been subsisting since he started on his trip, in order to keep down expenses. The pleasant walk of several miles would not have been so bad under the halo of a beautiful Okla- homa sunset, but when he had walked about half the distance he stood before a bridgeless stream which he was not prepared to encounter.
The channel was narrow but too deep to comfortably cross with heavy grip and overcoat. After some planning, some hard work, and considerable perspiring, he succeeded in lugging a heavy limb of a tree which he found at some distance across a wire fence to the place which he selected as the spot for crossing his Jordan. With considerable over-exertion he succeeded in raising the heavy timber on one end and after steadying it with his hands throw it across the channel, and now had a pontoon over which to cross that he might reach his goal. Late in the evening he reached his coveted wayside inn, where he was exceedingly glad to meet famil- iar faces. He did not tell all about his experiences the past two days, since he wanted to "save his face" in Chinese style. Though weary and considerably daubed with mud his host took him in, gave him water to wash, supper to eat, and a good bed to sleep in, so that the next day he completed his journey with great honor, and the people did not find out that their presiding elder had actually been forced, for a short time, to take the part of a tramp.
Similar experiences were made frequently by the mission- aries who lived and labored in that new country. A presiding
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elder might well endure a few slight hardships once in a while when he made his rounds over the work, and not complain, when he thought of the faithful brethren and their families who sacri- ficed themselves daily for the cause of the Master, and the church, and immortal souls.
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