USA > Michigan > The history of the Church of the Brethren in Michigan > Part 12
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At the district meeting held in 1904 at the Sugar Ridge church a new plan was adopted. The board was increased to five members. They were authorized to enlarge the missionary program by employing one or more evangelists as the means would allow. These were to be reimbursed for their expenses and compensated for their services at the rate of $1.00 to $1.25 per day for time spent in the work, exclusive of Sundays. The board was also given the privi- lege of appropriating some of the money raised for renting, buying, or building meetinghouses.
2 At the present time there are three Michigan congregations which are parts of other church districts: Buchanan and Florence of Northern Indiana, and Adrian of Northwestern Ohio.
8 Brethren Almanac. 1876. Page 21.
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A first trace of a district budget came at the meeting of 1906, which voted that $500 be raised during the current year by the fifteen churches for the support of the district work.
We learn something of how this board functioned during the early years through an article by Elder Peter B. Messner. The work of the Missionary Board in the past has been principally in the rural districts, keeping up preaching appointments at new points where a few members were located, and assisting weak Churches by holding series of meetings. City work has been at- tempted on a small scale a few times but nothing permanent has yet been done, and last District Meeting decided in view of the heavy expense which would have to be met to carry on city work and seemingly much more favorable openings in the rural districts and small towns, that we do not think best to open a city mission at this time.+
A state requirement made it necessary for the district to take action to incorporate the mission board under the laws of Michigan. It was presented to the district meeting at Onekama, August 29, 1913, and the following resolution was adopted:
Whereas, it is the wish and desire of the delegates and representa- tives of the congregation or association of congregations constituting the annual district conference of the Church of the Brethren to pos- sess corporate powers in order to effectuate the purpose of such or- ganization, and
Whereas, it is the wish and desire of said conference to elect trustees for such purpose and to delegate the corporate name thereof, be it hereby
Resolved, that a Board of five Trustees be elected at said Annual District Conference, and be it further
Resolved, that such trustees and their successors in office be and shall hereafter be known by the name of "The Trustees of the Mis- sion Board of the Church of the Brethren of the State of Michigan."5
A certificate of incorporation of the trustees of the mission board of the Church of the Brethren of the state of Michigan
4 Missionary Visitor, May 1907. Page 277.
5 District Meeting Minutes, August 29, 1913.
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was then executed. This was dated on August 29, 1913, and signed by the state official and members of the district mission board-C. L. Wilkins, chairman and moderator, J. Edson Ulery, D. E. Sower, S. M. Smith, Peter B. Messner.
District Ministerial Board (Refer to Appendix II)
One of the very important and vital boards of the district is the ministerial board. The work of this board touches many aspects of the church life. Of course their task is chiefly concerned with the work of the ministry. They have the responsibility of installing pastors, conducting the licensing and installation of ministers, and officiating at the ordination of elders. One important phase of their work is to seek and encourage young men to enter the ministry.
The first organization of the district ministerial board was effected about 1920. Records show that there was a minis- terial association before this, but its purpose was not the same. It was for inspiration and fellowship.
A few churches in the district have availed themselves of the opportunity of securing students from Bethany Bib- lical Seminary, Chicago, and other places, for summer pas- toral work. This is beneficial to both the student ministers and the churches in need of such service. Names of sum- mer pastors who served churches in the district may be found in Appendix II.
District Board of Christian Education (Refer to Appendix II)
A rising interest in the training of the children of the church occurred about the beginning of the century. It first showed forth in the appointment of Sunday-school secretaries. These were responsible for the promotion of more and better Sunday schools. Schools were encouraged
CERTIFIOARE OF INCORPORATION OF TRUSTEES
MISSION BOARD OF THE CHURCH OF THE XRIREKRI OF THE STATE OF NICHIRAN
I. O. L. Wilkins, the moderater of the Anmel
District Conference of the Church of the Brothers, which conforums. is composed of delegates or representatives ef congregations, or ca soooistion of congregations of the Church of the krethers in the District comprising: All of the state of Michigan, excepting the south tier of eventien therein , de hereby certify that at a mooting of said Listriet conference, preside over by mo, ant held in the Village of Oneknus and State of Michigan, on the 27th day of August, A. D. 1918, and conducted sesorting te the rules and regulations of said conference, and thereby present at such meeting a majority of the members constituting such conference, and said conference de- Biring to sequire and possess corporate powers in order to effectuate the purposes of its organisation, the following named persons, to-wit: O. L. Wilkins; 3. Mson Tiery; D. B. Bower; 8. X. Bath; Peter 3. Ness- nez, weze daly elected as trustees in puromance of Ant 241 of the Publie Acts of 190% of the legislature of the State of Michigan, - title: "An Act to provide for the Moontion by Maligions Societies of Corporate Powers for certain Purposes", as tutadek.
I further certify that in compliance with the astim taken hy said District Conferance auch trustees and their succemors ik offios ehmil hereafter be known by the name of "The frutoon of the Migsien Boart of the Church of the Brethern of the State of Michigan".
WITHESS ny hend and soul at the Village of Onekama,
Manistee County, Michigan, this 29th day of Angunt, A. D. 1915.
O. L. WILKINS
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to strive for certain goals. In the days prior to 1900, the Sunday schools were often the means of founding churches in the communities in which they were held.
J. W. Chambers of the New Haven church writes: I think Sabbath schools are a great benefit to the Church and to so- ciety in general if they are carried on in the proper manner. Sabbath-schools will Christianize or at least moralize a community, if conducted according to the gospel. Let us then, brethren and sis- ters, and all Sabbath-school workers, do our utmost for the con- version of our kind neighbors and friends and their children.6
Brother Chambers was vitally interested in the teaching program of the church. He said that a Sunday school had been organized in the New Haven congregation on Decem- ber 5, 1880. Several other significant things were mentioned in this news item. Their lessons were studied from St. John, he said. Their songbook was the Gospel Hymns and Songs. Thirty copies of Children at Work were distributed every "Sabbath."
The problems of organization and the securing of efficient teachers have not altogether been solved. However, a great deal has been done to promote teacher training and other leadership courses during the past twenty-five years. Churches have profited much by experience, and today the methods in our church school work are quite comparable to the public school methods.
The board of Christian education in the district is the channel through which the directors of the general staff reach the local church. It is responsible for the total edu- cational program of the church. Peace and moral welfare, children's work, women's work, men's work, young people's and adult activities, daily vacation Bible schools, camps, church music, and social activities are all sponsored by this board. It has the task of carefully guiding the interests of the whole church so that every age group will get proper
6 Primitive Christian, 1881.
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attention. There may be local organizations in the church for various age groups, but these should be so directed as to work toward the one objective set by the church in order to meet the needs of the community and the brother- hood. This direction comes through the district board.
We have always been a church to uphold the principle of peace. And although there was not always a director working through a board to head that phase of the church's program, there were always those who stood for peace principles. The district meeting on February 21, 1891, at the Saginaw church, considered a petition upholding the doctrine of peace.
We, the members of the Saginaw Church (Elsie), Michigan, ask District Meeting to petition Annual Meeting to send a petition from that body to the King of Sweden, in behalf of those Brethren who are now in prison because of their faith in Christ and His Word; that he might be influenced to release them from their present imprisonment.
Answer: This District Meeting grants the request.
While many changes have taken place and much has been consolidated under one head, we believe that such a correlated effort tends to stabilize the work.
Of course we realize that our churches would move for- ward more rapidly if the leadership would earnestly fol- low the plans and suggestions of the board. There is often a lack of aggressiveness because some obstacle causes the leaders to become discouraged. Then they lose hope and give up. The early leaders were possessed with a good deal of courage and did not quit when problems confronted them. They tried various ways and usually were successful in accomplishing the tasks they set out to do. Let us, with our knowledge of better methods, push into the work of teaching and training our future leaders who will be called upon to fill various offices of the church.
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District Music Committee (Refer to Appendix II)
The members of this committee have been instrumental in creating a keener interest in the church hymnal. They are desirous of arousing a deeper appreciation for the hymns of Christendom that have lived and that are expressive of great truth. Their work is to encourage those who possess musical talent to develop it and make their contribution to enrich the worship of the church. Congregational singing has always been a part of our church heritage, and the ministry of music should be given greater emphasis in the church program. This committee stands ready to serve churches by conducting music institutes.
An article written in German on Our New German Hymn Book as long ago as September 1869 shows the church's interest in church music. This was a report of the com- mittee composed of F. P. Loehr, Henry Kurtz, D. M. Hol- singer and Paul Wetzel. One month later the Gospel Vis- itor gave the principal items in English.
The selections of the different members of the committee, not count- ing all that were proposed by other members, amounted to near about 500 hymns. The committee found it difficult to make a good selection and reduce themselves to such narrow limits, but by short- ening long hymns and leaving out those of meters that are not fa- miliar they expect to furnish a book containing nearly double the number of hymns in the old book of about 200-225 pages and at a price near that of the old book. If the brethren generally are satis- fied, and it is not objected to by Annual Meeting or the Standing Committee inside of two months they propose to put the book to press.7
Again we find an interesting and significant article on singing, by M. T. Baer. It simply points out the desire to improve the congregational singing.
Dear brethren and sisters, will you bear with me while I reason with you a few words on the mode of singing, as practiced by the
7 Gospel Visitor, 1868-69. Volume XIX, page 318.
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Brethren. I am well aware that many of the brethren and sisters whom I love in truth, will think that I want to bring about a new order among the brethren, and therefore will feel to oppose me. But now let me say to those, that this is not my intention to bring a new order, but I wish only to reason with you as to whether it would not be better to change a custom-that is only a custom- that is in and of itself disagreeable and repugnant to all lovers of music. I think that the custom of lining a few lines at a time, and then singing them has grown out of necessity. When the Church was small and hymn books were scarce, and in fact when there were no hymn books among the brethren, then it was necessary to do so, but now hymn books are plenty, and cheap, and I think that singing alternately, might be dispensed with as a general thing. Now I think that almost all will agree with me that singing done in this way is not so agreeable and edifying, as when the music is not interspersed with reading. And now since we all want to hear good praying and good preaching, when we attend meeting, why not also have good singing? Now brethren and sisters, do not mis- take me, and think that I want to introduce a choir of singers, and musical instruments into the Church. ... And again: singing is one of those exercises which is most calculated to soften the hearts of sinners, and prepare them for to receive the Word of God as sown by his servants, and also to draw in the wanderings of our own mind, and bring our thoughts more into one channel, than any other exercise that we engage in in the holy sanctuary. Therefore the more perfect it is done, the better will be the effect.
Now what would suit me better, as to the mode of singing, would be something like this: let one get up and read the hymn through carefully, and then the congregation would know what was going to be sung, and this would give the singers ample time to turn to the hymn and select in their mind some suitable tune, so that when the reading is got through with, that all would be ready to proceed to singing without any confusion; while as it is, we sometimes get confused, because the singers have not ample time to turn to the hymn, and select a suitable tune, while the first two lines are being read. And sometimes in haste we get hold of a wrong tune and so break down and have to stop and start again which makes confusion and is disagreeable. . . . 8
The music board ever since it was instituted in the dis- trict has endeavored to promote and uphold the rich quality of church music so inherent in our Brethren heritage. Churches should be eager to maintain inspiring worship
8 Gospel Visitor, 1866-67. Volume XVII, page 180,
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through congregational singing, choral numbers by junior and senior choirs, and by special vocal or instrumental numbers. This has always been a distinctive part of our church history. Records reveal decided advancement through the years.
May the churches become genuinely interested in pro- moting the best sacred music. Good singing produces in- spiring worship that naturally results in spiritual enrich- ment of the people. May all music workers rededicate them- selves to bring the spiritualizing force of sacred music to the inner life of our people.
District Women's Work, 1933 to 1945
The women of the church have always banded together to carry on their activities with very little thought of praise or reward. The following report given at the district meet- ing, 1933, indicates the scope of their work:
Twenty-one of our twenty-five organizations sent a fine report with their $1.00 for State dues. These reports show a membership of 358. Number of Aid meetings held, 275; mother and daughter meetings, 20; temperance, 11; $1,206.98 was given to the support of local Churches; $197.98 for home missions; $132 for other foreign mis- sions, besides the $188.42 for our Women's Foreign Boarding School Project.
District Men's Work, 1933 to 1945
The leaders of the men's work organization see the tre- mendous possibilities within their field. They are striving to effect an organization in each local church. They are encouraging the men of the church to become more effective in personal evangelism, and other points adopted by the National Council of Men's Work. It is within their range to build up church attendance, and sponsor an active stew- ardship program.
The report to the district meeting of 1939 shows some en- couraging advancements.
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The past year's work has been beyond our expectation. We hope the same spirit of enthusiasm will continue next year. About two thirds of the churches of the district have active Men's Work or- ganizations. According to reports our men did a fine job on all five points which the National Council requested to be carried out for the year.
Results show in many churches where evangelistic meetings were held that men did home visitation, promoted the subscription to the Gospel Messenger, Bible readings, Men's Bible class and personal evangelism. We hope all men's groups will emphasize all five points to a greater degree next year. We now have five group organiza- tions throughout the district.
MEN'S WORK COUNCIL, DETROIT
The men's work council of Michigan pledged support to two great projects of the brotherhood. These are the heif- ers-for-relief project and the ministers' pension plan. The executive committee set a goal of one hundred heifers for Europe. This Christian service of the men, of both the rural and the city churches, will have a lasting value. Brother Russell M. Hartzler, director of this particular part of men's work, says, "The purpose of the project, of course, is to help feed hungry people as soon as the way opens. We
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District Boards and Committees
may not understand the language of the people whom these heifers as cows will serve, but the cry of a starving child is a universal language." This is Jesus' way, for did he not say, "Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these least ye did it unto me"? So far about fifty heifers have been reported from the different churches. City churches are supporting the project financially. The farmers are feed- ing and caring for the cattle until they are ready for ship- ment abroad.
The ministers' pension supplemental fund is receiving the earnest backing of the laymen of the district. They have assumed the responsibility of raising $3,000.00 for this worthy cause.
The churches must consider that the men are needed to give the kingdom work stability. Let the men of this dis- trict undertake larger tasks and then each church will ad- vance spiritually and numerically.
Foreign Mission Secretary-Treasurer
The foreign mission secretary-treasurer functioned for almost twenty years. During this period his was a very important office in the district. A careful record was kept of all funds sent in for the support of foreign missionaries. One of the ardent workers of the church who gave time and effort to promote the work was Sister Grace Messner. Another faithful worker, who filled this office until it was discontinued, was Sister Arlie Spindler. She always mani- fested a deep interest in the cause of missions. These workers kept in communication through correspondence with the missionaries in their fields of labor who were sup- ported by the district. The intimate friendship established between missionaries and these district workers became valuable in promoting mission work among the churches.
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History of the Brethren in Michigan
The District Council of Boards (Information furnished by M. M. Chambers)
The council of boards was organized at the district meet- ing held at the Crystal church in August 1932.
COUNCIL OF BOARDS, 1932
Left to right: Stephen A. Weaver, Lois Sherrick, Elma Rau, A. O. Mote, Ruth Mishler, L. H. Prowant, M. M. Chambers (chairman), Harley V. Townsend (secretary), A. R. Teeter, J. E. Ulery, Emma Deardorff, M. B. Williams, Olive Schechter, Charles O. Forror, Clara Smith, Charles A. Spencer.
A report presented by M. M. Chambers (chairman), David P. Schechter (secretary) and Elder C. L. Wilkins was adopted. It provided for the organization very nearly as it is today.
The board meets regularly as soon as convenient after the district conference and again in March or about that time. And sometimes it has met at the call of the executive board to consider matters of great importance.
The executive board (refer to Appendix II) is composed of one member of each committee and a chairman-at-large
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District Boards and Committees
who presides at the council of boards' meeting and at the executive board meeting.
The executive board acts as a program committee for arranging district conference programs. The board tends to correlate the work of the various boards and committees. It also discusses all phases of district work and gives direc- tion to the work.
The B.Y.P.D. Organization, 1928 to 1944 (Refer to Appendix II)
The rise in youth activities came several decades ago. Michigan young people began to share in the district work before an organization was formed in 1928. Since its or- ganization the cabinet has promoted the Youth Serves pro- gram. This gives the local groups an opportunity to help in mission work and Brethren Service at home and abroad. The youth are learning in their own way to bear greater responsibility in the church's program. They are respond- ing to the needs by filling many responsible positions in the church and church school. Those who are active in the local community become the influential and dependable leaders in the district and the brotherhood. Indeed, some of the most devoted adult church leaders received their ex- perience while working in the B.Y.P.D. organization. The influence of Brethren youth of this district has encompassed youth work in other denominations. This will unite Chris- tian youth in building Christian brotherhood for the days ahead. The principles of brotherly love must be demon- strated by the youth of this generation if the church is ever to make advancement in our world.
The Camps in the District
Camp Little Eden (information by A. E. Taylor)
Camp Little Eden was built up as an Episcopal summer
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school under private ownership. Through certain degrad- ing influences connected with the ownership, it ceased oper- ation. The District of Michigan considered the purchase of the camp but decided that the cost was prohibitive.
The fact remained that Brother J. Edson Ulery of Onek- ama had a real vision of the possibilities of the camp, and he was influential in inducing Brother and Sister A. E. Taylor of Flint to make an investment of their means and secure the camp. This resulted in the ownership falling into the hands of the Taylors.
Consequently the camp, which could comfortably house and accommodate over one hundred people, was open to the district for any and all group meetings. In the three years there were intermediate, young peoples' and family camps held. At other times the camp was used for Christian groups, and as a Christian tourist camp. It is a beautiful spot with many trees, birds, and flowers. Also creeks, a pool and cot- tages with ample room in the main building for places for group meetings and a dining hall. It furnished a fine place for study, play and living together as a real camp family. It was unfortunate for our district that this camp was sold in 1944 to the Mennonite people. However, we will have the privilege of using it at any time that the need arises.
The Civilian Public Service Camps for Conscientious Objectors
During the second world war six different Civilian Public Service camps and units on detached service were located in Michigan. All these were established and supervised by the Brethren Service Committee. The work camp held near Marilla during the summer of 1940 was a forerunner of these brotherhood projects. The churches of the dis- trict co-operated in every possible way with these camps and units. A statistical summary follows:
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Camp
Type of Period of Directors
No. Location Capacity Service Service
1 Copemish 16 Forestry 6-41-8-41 L. C. Blickenstaff
17 Stronach 150 Forestry 8-41-6-42 L. C. Blickenstaff
30 Walhalla 150 Forestry 5-42-11-43 Omer B. Maphis Milo J. Yoder
42 Wellston 150 Forestry 7-42- L. C. Blickenstaff Graham Hodges Earl S. Garver
112 E. Lansing 20 Agricul. Experim't 7-43 -...
Victor Stine
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Ann Arbor
Nutrition
Univ. Hosp. 4 Experm't 10-43 -... Glen Johnson
Byron Taber De Loss Baker
PART III BIOGRAPHIES AND TRENDS
CHAPTER VII
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
The following biographical sketches have been written from the data received on the questionnaire that was sent to each one. They are brief sketches of ministers and prominent church leaders who are now living or deceased. Some are living and serving in the district at the present time. It also includes those who have lived here and who are now serving in churches at other places in the brother- hood. There has been an earnest effort to obtain data con- cerning all the ministers and elders whose memory we cherish because of their faithful and consecrated service in the work of the Master. May this chapter inspire us to higher loyalty and nobler devotion to him who gave his life for us.
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