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 31
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"Never before were the women of the Society so honored as at Holton. The men, our brothers, tendered a banquet to the women of the convention and of the city. Three hundred women and about twenty-five men were most royally served by the men of the Holton congregation. Mrs. E. M. Spreng was 'The Toast Mis- tress' of the occasion, and in her genial way succeeded in making the toasts served a very enjoyable time.
"So much for the things that pertained to our physical com- fort and happiness, but what of the things that were after all the real true purpose upon which all were intent? With the greet- ings and benedictions of Holton still fresh in our ears, we thank God for the precious women we met there, their good words, their unselfish service and the strength and courage their presence brought us. Only those who have entered into fellowship with each other in some unselfish work for Christ know how sweet is that communion, or how strong is that tie. And what rare occasions our quadrennial gatherings are for the strengthening of Christian bonds, and for the joys of Christian fellowship. But we thank Him also for the host of brave, loyal women who have also entered into this sweet fellowship, but whose faces were not seen at the convention in Holton. In our thought for the quadren- nium upon which we are now entering, our waiting eyes are to- ward them. We rest in their faith and steadfastness in the work of the Lord."
"We have had our seasons of refreshment. Our convention was to all a veritable Bethel. We were strengthened, uplifted,
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1912 FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
inspired for the work of the future. It was said by many that the addresses had not at any previous convention reached such a uniform high order. The subjects were most helpful. Indeed all were vital and opened up to our view possibilities of service, of at- tainment, we should like to reach. Every session was full of in- spiration and enthusiasm, but Sunday seemed to be specially full of good things. The sermon by Bishop S. P. Spreng gave to all of us new visions of what there is yet to be done, and can only be done by women. Life and honorary memberships were solicited during the day, pledges for the support of orphans in China were secured, and a liberal offering was given amounting in all to over $1,200.00 for the day. Our church was too small for the crowd that gathered, so our Methodist friends graciously and generously gave us the use of their large church for Sunday morning and evening services.
"The presence of Dr. and Mrs. Krumling, Miss Alice Nieder- hauser and Miss Florence Erffmeyer, all to sail for the Orient in a few weeks, added much to the interest of the occasion. Their bright cheery faces, their evident eagerness to be gone from even so pleasant a place as a convention in Kansas, to their work in China and Japan, made a deep and lasting impression upon us all. Our work among the Italians was ably represented by Miss Min- nie Koenig of Chicago, and Rev. Giuliani of Milwaukee. The story of Rev. Giuliani's conversion was a most thrilling one, and deep impressions were made.
"Every branch but one was represented by one or more dele- gates. The interest from first to last was intense, and the sea- sons of tarrying at the feet of the Master most refreshing and sweet. The days spent in convention were days of intense stress and toil, but the heat was lessened, and the tired nerves refreshed by the thought that it was all for Christ."
Many visitors were present from the bounds of the Kansas Conference who availed themselves of the privilege of attending such an occasion when it was near home. All were welcomed and all enjoyed themselves at this gathering which was the first of the kind for many loyal sisters of the Evangelical Association in Kan- sas.
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1913 DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
1913
FORTY-NINTH SESSION
Conference met at Leonardville, Riley County, Kans., March 20, 1913, to hold her 49th session. Bishop Wm. Horn presided and J. K. Young served as secretary.
E. S. Evans and W. F. Schuerman were, at their request, placed on the supernumerary list. Credentials were issued to H. Steenbock and Wm. Pittker.
The following brethren were retained in the itinerancy with- out appointment : F. J. Schadt, D. R. Zellner, J. M. Fricker, A. Rodewald, and J. H. Tobias. C. Underkoffler was placed on the list of local elders.
In view of Brother Tobias' long and faithful service in the Conference, during which he never spared himself, but ofttimes labored to excess, the following resolution was placed on record : "Whereas, Brother J. H. Tobias, who, for many years, was a strong leader in our Conference, is now compelled because of failing health to retire from active work, be it resolved, that we extend to Brother Tobias our hearty appreciation for his many years of courageous service in the bounds of our Conference, and that we invoke God's richest blessings upon him and his compan- ion during their remaining years of life."
A. C. Poersch, G. Gfeller and Chas. Geist received license to preach on probation, and T. T. Moore was received from the Bap- tist Church.
A. F. Rice, H. Wiens, J. Sands and W. L. Zabel were advanced to deacons' orders and received into the itinerancy. L. M. Nan- ninga and J. B. Gresser received elders' orders.
Hesston, Offerle and Falls City at their request were made self-supporting and received the hearty commendation of Con- ference for their valor.
M. F. Shupe, M. C. Platz and C. E. Platz were added to the Conference Church Extension Board.
C. F. Erffmeyer was elected trustee of North-Western College and Evangelical Theological Seminary for three years, D. Swart Conference trustee for five years, B. H. Hobbs statistical secretary for one year, A. Solt Conference treasurer for one year, and the pastor of Kansas City, Mersington Ave. church, trustee of the Missouri Anti-Saloon League.
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FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
Rev. R. M. Buckner was received as fraternal delegate from the United Evangelical Church and addressed Conference, where- upon C. F. Erffmeyer was appointed a representative of our Con- ference to the next annual session of the United Evangelical Con- ference.
A Conference Sunday-school Board was formed in harmony with the action of General Conference, and the following breth- ren elected members : H. E. Bower, M. F. Shupe, M. C. Platz, M. F. Gabel, B. Barthel, F. Schafer, I. B. Miller and J. E. Hauck.
It was ordered that in the future the presiding elders shall submit a concise yet comprehensive report of the condition of their respective districts to the Conference and the reports be pub- lished in the Conference Journal.
M. C. Platz was added to the Kansas Conference Historical Committee.
The pastor of Topeka, Kans., was elected a member of the Public Welfare League Conference, to be held in Topeka, March 26, 1913.
The president of the Young People's Alliance Conference Branch reported that the next Young People's Alliance Conven- tion will be held in Soden Park, Emporia, Kans., Aug. 5-12, 1913, and all were urged to attend.
The following recognition was taken of Mrs. J. F. Schreiber who resides at Leonardville, Kans., and was in attendance at Con- ference: "We rejoice to know that Sister Schreiber of this com- munity, wife of the sainted J. F. Schreiber, a charter member of the Kansas Conference, still enjoys a reasonable degree of health and happiness, therefore be it resolved, that we extend to her our best wishes for the remaining years of her life, and that we assure her of continued prayers in her behalf."
BOUNDARIES
Abilene District
a. Randolph, Winkler and interlying territory shall consti- tute Randolph Mission and be supplied by the presiding elder.
Holton District
a. Atchison shall be served with Camp Creek.
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1913 DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
Kansas City District
a. Benton shall be taken from Oregon Circuit and added to Mound City Mission.
b. Platte River Circuit shall be called Cosby Station.
Newton District
a. Offerle congregation shall be a station and the country appointments shall constitute a new mission to be called Pleasant Valley Mission.
b. Hesston congregation shall be a station and Zion appoint- ment of Hesston Circuit shall be added to Hutchinson, Grandview.
MUTUAL BENEVOLENT AID SOCIETY
The Mutual Benevolent Aid Society, which, for a number of years, was maintained as a protection of church property and min- isters' household goods against loss by fire or storm, and which rendered valuable service on an economical basis, was found to be out of harmony with the recently enacted state insurance laws, and was dissolved after adjusting all claims, and refunding the sur- plus in the treasury to certificate holders.
MISSIONS
The amount of $15,354.36 was raised for missions in the Con- ference the past year, and $16,000.00 appropriated for the ensu- ing year, $1,000.00 of this amount to be paid by the General Treas- ury for the work in Colorado and Oklahoma.
C. F. Erffmeyer was elected delegate to the Board of Missions and the following officers elected for the Missionary Society: D. Swart, president; C. F. Kliphardt, secretary; and H. E. Bower, treasurer.
STATISTICS
Conversions, 657; accessions, 883; membership, 7,460; itin- erant preachers, 83; local preachers, 35; churches, 106; parson- ages, 55; Sunday-schools, 115; officers and teachers, 1,473; schol- ars, 9,393; teacher-training classes, 10; catechetical classes, 31; catechumens, 499; Young People's Alliances, 80; members, 2,502; Woman's Missionary Societies, 70; members, 1,568; Botschafters, 627; Messengers, 1,025; Magazins, 416; Missionary Messengers, 906; Missionsbote, 224; Heralds, 647; Bundesbote, 47; total for missions, $29,773.79.
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FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
APPOINTMENTS
Abilene District-J. G. Schumacher, P. E.
Abilene, L. Hanne.
Alida, A. Hoerrman.
Canada, F. W. Wendland.
Concordia, Calvary, S. Breithaupt.
Concordia, Bethany, J. A. Spencer.
Colorado Springs, C. J. Zager,
Diamond Springs, C. E. Glaze.
Industry, W. L. Zabel.
Jewell, H. E. Bower.
Leonardville, W. F. Wolthausen.
Lost Springs, F. C. Dissinger.
Lucas, C. J. Eiselein.
Marion, E. E. Erffmeyer.
Mayday, L. G. Weide.
Ordway, P. G. Nuffer.
Osborne, A. Hoch.
Simla, C. S. Steinmetz and H. Hu- scher.
Swede Creek, J. J. Kliphardt.
Washington and Throop, B. H. Hobbs and O. J. Sheldon.
Randolph, to be supplied.
Holton District-C. F. Iwig, P. E. Atchison and Camp Creek, L. M. Nan- ninga.
Bern, G. W. Landis.
Coal Creek, E. F. Boehringer.
Deer Creek, J. B. Gresser.
Falls City, M. C. Platz.
Granada, F. M. Peek.
Hiawatha Station, C. L. Sorg.
Hiawatha Circuit, A. E. Butler.
Holton, D. Swart.
Preston, A. Mattill.
Topeka, J. K. Young.
Vassar, Geo. Schrenk.
Worden, E. H. Wendland.
Westmoreland, to be supplied.
Kansas City District-A. Solt, P. E. Clair, Ralph Schreiber.
Cosby, H. M. Schuerman.
Eudora, C. F. Kliphardt.
Glasgow, A. F. Rice.
Kansas City, Park Ave., C. E. Platz.
Kansas City, Mersington Ave., E. W. Petticord. Leavenworth, G. F. Barthel.
Lawrence, C. B. Willming.
Mound City, Wm. Russell.
Oregon, G. W. Weidemeier.
Shelby, W. J. Huscher.
St. Joseph, F. H. Draeger.
South St. Joseph, J. H. Kiplinger.
Warrensburg, S. A. Burgert.
Winston, W. C. Johnson.
Newton District-C. F. Erffmeyer, P. E.
Alden, to be supplied by T. T. Moore. Butler Circuit and Mission, J. H. Par- mer.
Custer, H. Wiens.
Dennis, E. S. Spangler.
Derby, F. U. Moyer.
Dover, S. Beese.
Emporia Circuit and Mission, C. Mee- der and T. R. Nanninga.
Guyman, to be supplied.
Halstead, Q. B. Roth.
Hesston, E. J. Feitz.
Humboldt, J. R. Nanninga.
Hutchinson, M. J. Steinmetz.
Hutchinson, Grandview, J. S. Miller.
Newton, J. Sands.
Offerle, H. A. Schneider.
Orlando, A. Linge.
Pleasant Valley Mission, to be sup- plied.
Sweetwater, G. Gick.
Weatherford, L. E. Becher.
Waukomis, J. Haber.
Wichita, I. B. Miller.
Woodson, to be supplied.
Yates Center, B. Barthel.
Alabama, A. Brunner.
LAY DELEGATES
Abilene District: P. E. Sommers, M. F. Shupe, W. A. John- son, Gideon Schreiber ; Holton District: M. F. Gabel, F. Daeschner, George Haag, H. Bickel, Sr .; Kansas City District: P. Ewald, Fred Schafer, D. Triem, Wm. B. Butler; Newton District: C. W. Newby, Albert Weide, Solomon Beese, C. E. Hanson.
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MEMORIAL
Death invaded the homes of three of our Conference members during the past year as follows :
Mrs. P. Bretsch
Mother Bretch, the companion of Father P. Bretch, was called to her heavenly home during the past year. For many years Sis- ter Bretch shared the hardships of a pioneer preacher's life in the Indiana Conference, where her husband labored as missionary and later as presiding elder, until early in the eighties, when he was necessitated to emigrate to the West on account of failing health. Settling at Newton, Kansas, they lived there till 12 years ago, when they moved to Hobart, Oklahoma, where Mother Bretch was called to the home above. She leaves her aged husband who has passed his 90th mile stone to mourn the loss of a faithful com- panion, and the children the loss of a mother of blessed influence and memory.
Sommers
Brother P. E. Sommers, lay delegate to this Conference, was, with his companion, called upon to pass through deep waters of sor- row the past year, caused by the death of their daughter, an estim- able young lady, possessed of rare ability and beautiful character, full of promise for a long and useful life. The Heavenly Father saw best in his infinite wisdom to transfer her to the home above where she might render unto Him a more perfect service. While her earthly plans and purposes were left unfinished she has gone to a land of sunshine and brightness, where sorrow's tears do not flow, and pain does not exist.
Iwig
The home of Rev. C. F. Iwig was again visited by the death messenger, taking from them their little baby daughter, which he gathered to the floral site above to bloom forever in the paradise of heavenly splendor and rapture.
NEWTON, KANSAS
The congregation at Newton, Kansas, enjoyed a special de- gree of prosperity during the past year in consequence of which they provided a new church. Under the able management of the pastor, Rev. J. Sands, assisted by a competent building committee, consisting of H. Burgener, S. M. Spangler, J. E. Hauck, Richard
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FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
Berg, M. Schanbacher, S. Smith, L. Bluhm, J. Brown, J. Abrams and C. F. Erffmeyer, the material of the old building was utilized in the construction of a beautiful and convenient church, the main auditorium of which measures 40x50 feet, with numerous an- nexes and basement. The cost of building amounted to $9,000.00, which is a marvel of cheapness considering the character of the structure. The dedicatory services were held by Bishop T. Bow- man on Nov. 10, 1912.
LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS
For many years the old brick church on North 6th Street was a landmark of pioneer days. Erected in 1861, it became the sec- ond church building of the Evangelical Association in Kansas. For a half century it was used as a place of worship, and in it was held the first session of the Kansas Conference by Bishop J. Long, followed by the two succeeding sessions in 1866 and 1867. For years the building had been inadequate for the congregation and Sunday-school, but the matter of building a new church seemed too much of a task for the congregation. However, during the past year the attempt was made, and the project carried to com- pletion during the pastorate of G. F. Barthel. The local society supported the enterprise nobly, and with the aid received from the Holton District, in connection with contributions given by cit- izens of Leavenworth, who were interested in the improvement of their city, the church was completed at a cost of $11,300.00 and dedicated by Bishop S. C. Breyfogel, Oct. 20, 1912. This building reflects great credit upon the congregation and the city, and has added much to the further development of the work.
ATCHISON MISSION
As early as 1859 M. J. Milller wrote from Leavenworth that he contemplated taking up an appointment in Atchison since he learned that a great many German people lived there. Just when the work was taken up, or by whom, we have no record, however, at the Conference session in 1866 Atchison was, with several country appointments, formed into Atchison Mission, and con- tinued as such for three years when it was discontinued. Not un- til 1872 was the work again taken up, and served with Wolf River Circuit. Later it was given the name Atchison Mission. There seems to have been progress during the following year, so that in
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DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
the spring of 1884 Conference ordered the erection of a church. The following year the pastor, D. R. Zellner, reported that a church and parsonage had been built at a cost of $5,737.40. For many years the congregation struggled along under a heavy church debt until finally, by the aid of Conference, it was liquidated. Dur- ing those years, as well as later, the congregation failed to develop as it should have done, but instead gradual decline set in, so that in 1913 the mission was merged with Atchison Circuit and the city congregation was left without a pastor. It is to be regretted that a work which was once so full of promise, upon which so much la- bor and money was spent, should finally succumb to total failure.
PLEASANT VALLEY MISSION
While serving Offerle Mission in 1905, Rev. I. B. Miller began to preach at Pleasant Valley, and organized a class in December of the same year. The charter members of the new class were G. E. Matkin, J. H. Umbach and wife, H. D. Scarbrough and wife, Cora Scarbrough, Ruth Scarbrough, F. M. Scarbrough and wife, Mrs. Lulu Preston, Mrs. Cris. Henning, Frank Trimpa, Lizzie Trimpa, Maggie Trimpa, Lewis Shafer and wife, Dessie Shafer, R. C. Dewell and wife, and H. W. Harris and wife. J. H. Umbach was elected class-leader of the newly organized class, and Mrs. H. D. Scarbrough, exhorter. Brother Miller, being returned to Offerle Mission in the spring of 1906, at once took up the project of building a church at this point, which was successfully com- pleted and dedicated on Thanksgiving Day of that year by M. C. Platz, presiding elder. The building was erected at a cost of $1,800.00, and at the end of the year the congregation numbered 35 members, with a bright prospect for the future. A Sunday- school was organized at the time the class was started and Mrs. J. H. Umbach was chosen superintendent. During the year 1909 a good many of the members moved away, weakening the congre- gation and retarding progress for several years, however, the little band continued their Sunday-school and church activities. In 1913 the appointment was taken from Offerle Mission and consti- tuted a separate work called Pleasant Valley Mission, thus form- ing one of the latest fields of labor in the Conference.
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1914 FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
1914
FIFTIETH SESSION
Conference met in 50th session at Newton, Kans., March 19, 1914, with Bishop S. P. Spreng in the chair and J. K. Young, sec- retary. Arrangements had been made to celebrate the semi-cen- tennial session as Jubilee session of the Kansas Conference.
T. T. Moore, pastor at Alden, Kansas, died during the year.
A. Linge was placed on the list of local elders, and M. F. Shupe voluntarily returned his license. The name of C. L. Mans- hardt was taken from the list of local probationers.
Credentials were voted to F. H. Draeger to the California Conference.
The brethren L. E. Becher, Wm. Russell, F. J. Schadt and J. H. Tobias were permitted to remain in the itinerancy without ap- pointment.
M. W. Parker, Walter Coleman, A. E. Kurth, E. F. Hofer and J. D. Klein received license to preach.
O. J. Sheldon was advanced to deacon's orders, and with C. B. Willming received into the itinerancy.
Elders' orders were voted to W. J. Huscher, G. Gick, E. S. Spangler, A. E. Butler, F. W. Wendland, E. H. Wendland and L. G. Weide.
Rev. H. T. Wright, fraternal delegate from the United Evan- gelical Church, was welcomed and addressed Conference.
C. F. Erffmeyer was elected Conference trustee for five years, B. H. Hobbs, statistical secretary for one year, and A. Solt, Confer- ence treasurer for one year.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL WORK
Conference granted one evening during its session to the Sunday-school interests. On this occasion J. H. Engle, state sec- retary of the Sunday-School Association of Kansas, made an excel- lent address, which was highly appreciated and resulted in new inspiration for the Sunday-School work. Short addresses were made by Don. Kinney, a member of the International Sunday- School Executive Committee, and M. C. Platz.
The Sunday-school Board ordered that the "Sunday-School Bulletin," a small paper which had been published by the Confer- ence Field Secretary the past two years irregularly, shall be pub- lished three times during the coming year. The Board also urged
352
CHURCH OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION AT NEWTON, KANSAS, IN WHICH THE ANNIVERSARY SESSION WAS HELD
1914
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK
the local management of each school by a local Sunday-school board, according to the directions of the Discipline. Each school shall publish four quarterly reports during the year, and every school shall furnish the Field Secretary with an annual report during the first week in January.
An evangelistic slogan was adopted by which each work in the Conference shall strive to save at least fifty souls during the com- ing year. To this end a co-operation of all the church organizations was urged.
HISTORICAL COMMITTEE
M. C. Platz, secretary of the Conference Historical Commit- tee, reported that a vast amount of early historical data of the Conference had been gathered and written out. Whereupon it was ordered that the committee should continue its work and as far as possible prepare the manuscript by the next annual session, cover- ing a period of fifty years. C. L. Sorg and C. F. Kliphardt were added to the committee.
JUBILEE SERVICE
A very impressive Jubilee service was held on Friday after- noon, on which occasion Rev. J. H. Tobias, who had been in the active work of the Kansas Conference for 35 years, presided and made an interesting address relative to his early experiences and the development of the work. .
Rev. H. Mattill, one of the oldest ministers of the Conference, living, was to preach the Jubilee sermon, but not being able to be present, he sent his sermon, which was read by the Conference secretary. It was full of reminiscence, ever emphasizing the grace of God in helping so wonderfully during the days of small things in the Kansas Conference, when poverty was great, privations many, hardships severe, discouragements numerous. It was an inspiration to listen to Brother Mattill's sermon as he recounted the past mercy of God during the days when the pioneers of the Kansas Conference braved the difficulties, which always attend pioneer effort, and then to hear the glorious victories they achieved in Jesus' name, and the blessings which we enjoy as the fruits of their self-sacrifice. Also the great responsibility which rests upon us today as their successors in the work, which was so near and dear to them, but has now been handed down to us that we might carry it on to the best of our ability and to the glory of God.
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FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
On Saturday afternoon another interesting Jubilee service was held on which occasion D. Swart presided and addresses were made as follows : Bishop S. P. Spreng spoke on the subject, "Ele- ments of Success"; Rev. C. F. Iwig on "The Achievements"; Fred Schafer, "The Present Needs"; M. F. Gabel, "The Future Possibil- ities," while C. F. Erffmeyer spoke on the plan for raising a $20,000 Jubilee Fund for Church Extension. The addresses were replete with thought that led to profound gratitude for the blessings of God in the past through the development of the work in the Kan- sas Conference, and gave a new vision of golden opportunities for the future.
In addition to the foregoing the brethren J. K. Young, C. L. Sorg and B. Barthel were appointed editors and publishers of a Jubilee number of the Conference Journal, to be assisted in the enterprise by the Historical Committee. Also a Conference photo- graph was ordered to be prepared and offered for sale.
PRESIDING ELDER REPORTS
For the first time in the history of the Conference the presid- ing elders submitted a report of their respective districts which was ordered printed in the Journal.
The Young People's Alliance Conference Branch president, O. F. Hanne, announced the arrangements for a Jubilee Young People's Alliance and Woman's Missionary Society convention, to be held in connection with a camp-meeting at Soden Park, Em- poria, Kans., Aug. 6-16, 1914.
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS
The net gain of the Sunday-schools for the past year was 1,226, or 226 more than the goal set the previous year. A very successful series of Sunday-school rallies were conducted by Rev. F. C. Berger, General Secretary, during the past winter, which gave new impetus to the work, and added new zeal to the host of workers. Brother Berger reported that he devoted 20 days to the work in Kansas, during which time he traveled 3,375 miles, held 17 conventions, organized 7 Home Departments, 11 Cradle Rolls, and 24 teacher-training classes, with more than 500 members.
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