USA > Ohio > Richland County > Mansfield > A history of the Wittenberg Synod of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1847-1916 > Part 9
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For the past fifteen years ( 1900-1915), especially, there has been a steady increase in the total per capita contributions of the Synod, and three-fourths of the congregations in the Synod pay their full apportion- ment on all objects.
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Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society
It is but just and it is also eminently proper that special recognition be given to the distinct work of the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society of Wittenberg Synod as an important part of its organized work. While on this territory it is a dis- tinct organization in the field of Missionary operations, yet it has ever been such a congenial, harmonious, and loyal help-meet in the work of Missions that much
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credit is due their organization in the development of the missionary work of the Synod.
The idea of a "Woman's Missionary Society" had its birth in the mind of one of our Lutheran pas- tors in the Iowa Synod in the year 1875 at its session in Tipton, Iowa, when Rev. J. K. Bloom introduced a resolution "to appoint a committee to consider and report upon the propriety and feasibility of forming a 'Woman's Missionary Society' of the Lutheran churches of Iowa."
The first auxiliary society was formed that year at Tipton on the 23rd of August, and that same year the Iowa society was organized. Other Iowa auxiliary societies were organized, and all over the East and the West auxiliaries sprang up in large numbers. Various synods desiring a central organization resulted finally in the call for a convention at Canton, Ohio, June 9-1I, 1879, at which time the General Synod W. H. & F. M. Society was organized with its Ex- ecutive Committee located at Springfield, Ohio.
The General Synod in convention at Carthage, Ill., in 1877, recommended the organization of "Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Societies, for the securing of additional funds and to increase the efficiency of the work of Missions in our Church." An Executive Committee was appointed to draft a constitution for local organizations and to superintend the formation of these societies.
Wittenberg Synod, at its session in Mansfield, O., in 1877 adopted the following :
"Resolved, That we heartily approve the recommenda- tion of the General Synod relative to Women's Missionary
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Societies, and that an Executive Committee of three from this synod be appointed to co-operate with the Executive Committee of the General Synod." (Min., 1877, p. 17.)
The women of Wittenberg Synod responded energetically, and auxiliary societies sprang up all over the Synod territory. In 1880, a committee ap- pointed by the Synod the year previous, and author- ized, constituted a synodical Woman's Missionary Society by appointing its officers as follows :
President, Mrs. Prof. S. F. Breckenridge, Spring- field, Ohio.
Secretary, Mrs. Hattie Gregg, Carey, Ohio.
Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Dr. Detweiler, Findlay, Ohio.
Treasurer, Miss Anna J. Anderson, Bellefontaine, Ohio.
The pastors of the Synod promised hearty co- operation requesting that their convention be held at the same time and place of the Synod's sessions from year to year .*
Wittenberg Synodical Society organized in 1880 with eleven auxiliaries and one Young Ladies' Society reporting at its First Annual Convention in 1881, 386 members and $766.29 contributed to Mis- sions. (See Minutes.) With the General Fund and the Thank Offering Funds as the principal lines of benevolence, other special funds for specific objects are carried, to the number of six or eight, and the work is enlarging continuously.
With varying degrees of success in each of these lines, and with sundry "ups" and "downs" the work
*Min. 1880, pp. 25, 26.
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has gone on with marvelous success, year after year. The Historian in her report for 1896, says: "We have in Wittenberg Synod some forty pastorates, represent- ing seventy-four churches. We have, according to last year's report, twenty-three societies, with a mem- bership of 554 active, eight honorary and six life- members. Since our organization, fifteen years ago, until August of this year we had sent to the General Treasurer $8,931.54; adding to this the amount for the last quarter, we have $9,069.54, a very handsome sum, we think, when we remember that of twenty-three societies two are Young Ladies' Societies and four are Children's Bands."*
In the minutes of 1915 we learn from the reports of the Corresponding Secretary and the Historian, that there is a total of seventy-one Societies; of Women's societies-forty, one having disbanded dur- ing the year ; two new Societies were organized. One Mission Band disbanded. Eleven societies report an increase in membership and twelve report a loss. Thirteen societies report part of their number ob- serving twilight hour of prayer,-eighteen are keeping historical records ; five have missionary libraries.
These officers report forty Women's Societies with an enrollment of 1295 members; thirteen Young People's Societies with a membership of 326; and eighteen Mission Bands with a membership of 520, making a total membership of 2140, The Treasurer's report shows contributions for the past year (1914) as follows: General Fund-$1454.15; Thank Offer- ing, $1150.36; Life-Membership, $140.00; Special
*Min. 1896, p. 58.
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Fund, $561.65; Chest Fund, $106.31; Support of Girls' School, India, $75.00; support of Emma V. Day Memorial School, Africa, $75.00; Special, $10.00. Total, $3,572.47.
Even all this does not fully represent the good work done by these tireless workers. The vast amount of literature circulated and distributed, Periodicals, Tracts, Magazines, Cards and Letters written,-the great amount of Box Work prepared and sent to Home and Foreign fields,-all of these matters go into the year's round of opportunities and beneficences, -Heaven alone can reveal the high and holy service rendered to the church and to the Kingdom of Christ !
Nor do all these facts make up the full measure of efficiency of these Societies in the work of the Kingdom. Who can estimate the values to the church in the training of the 846 young people and children who make up the membership of these Young People's Societies and Mission Bands in our Synod? The future of the Church and of the Kingdom of Christ alone can tell this.
Several items specially noteworthy in the history of this Synodical Society may be mentioned here.
The First Convention of the Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society of Wittenberg Synod held its sessions at Carey, Ohio, beginning Sept. 29, 1881, at which seventeen accredited delegates were present, representing eleven Auxiliary Societies and one Young Ladies' society, five of which are among the strongest societies in the Synod today (1916).
Mrs. Professor S. F. Breckenridge served the Synodical Society as its President from its organiza- tion for twenty years consecutively,-a most capable
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MRS. DR. S. F. BRECKENRIDGE.
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and efficient officer, whom all delight to honor, as at least two of the following incidents fully indicate :
At its tenth Annual Convention held in Findlay, O., in 1891, the Society contributed Twenty-five Dol- lars ($25.00) for a Memorial Window in honor of Mrs. Breckenridge's ten years of faithful service as its President, and then retained her at its head for ten years longer, and excused her then, only because it seemed unjust to ask of her any further sacrifice in carrying its duties.
Sixteen years later, in 1907, the Society honored itself by endowing a Bed in our India Hospital at Guntur, India, as a Memorial to Mrs. Dr. Brecken- ridge, a tablet being placed in the Hospital, stating this fact.
At its Thirty-third Annual Convention, held in Springfield, Ohio, in 1913, the Synodical Society de- voted One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) to the fur- nishing of our Hospital at Chirala, as the crowning work of their Silver Jubilee.
The Society has been greatly favored by the visits of many of the returned Missionaries; Presi- dents of the General Societies; Members of the Ex- ecutive Committee; General Treasurer ; Field Sec- retary ; and Secretaries of the various Church Boards, all of whom have brought cheer and inspiration to the work, while it has also been their privilege to assist in the support of thirty or more of the missions undertaken by the General Boards.
The Wittenberg Synodical Society claims the unusual privilege of owning three gavels, - "one rather large and unwieldy, but which should have a place in the archives of the society, because it was used
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at the first nine conventions. Mrs. Rev. Hauer pre- sented one made of a teak-wood box brought to this country by Mrs. Gunn, a missionary in that country from 1844 to 1851. This one is neatly marked and is much treasured. In 1904 Miss Mary Knauss, a returned misionary, presented one made from the famous Father Heyer banyan tree of Guntur."
Following, in the chapter of statistics, are tables showing the conventions and officers of the Synodical Society, and also the enrollment and work of the auxiliaries and their growth in benevolence.
The Oesterlen Orphans' Home
In a general way related to the missionary opera- tions of the church, tho' more specifically a part of the work of Inner Missions, is the Oesterlen Orphans' Home located at Springfield, Ohio.
The initial steps toward the realization of such an institution of the Lutheran Church on this terri- tory were taken by the Wittenberg Synod at its annual session in 1901, when a committee was appointed to confer with a similar committee from each of the other four synods on the territory of Wittenberg Col- lege. A lively hope was awakened by an immediate and unanimous response from all the other synods in the appointment, of the desired committees. This hope was fully realized, when, by the will of the late Mrs. Amelia Oesterlen, of Findlay, Ohio, admitted to probate November 18, 1902, property to the value of nearly $30,000 was bequeathed, "for the purpose of aiding in the establishment of an Orphans' Home for children of the Lutheran Church." The will further
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designated and provided that this institution should be located at Springfield, Ohio, and should bear the donor's name. The Home was duly chartered under the laws of Ohio, February 13, 1903, and organized, the management being intrusted to a Board of Trus- tees representing the five synods of Wittenberg, East Ohio, Miami, Olive Branch, and Northern Indiana, and any other synods that might co-operate in its support. The joint committees from the several synods in session at Springfield, O., in Feb., 1913, formally organized by the election of Rev. S. E. Green- awalt, D. D., President, and Rev. H. S. Lawrence, Sc'y. This joint committee declared in its judge- ment the establishment of such a Home on our terri- tory to be desirable ;- that this committee be continued to have charge of the project with power to form a corporation, to receive and solicit propositions, gifts, bequests, etc., for said Home ;- that, should such cor- poration be formed, this committee shall constitute the Board of Directors.
One year later such corporation was duly formed and a Constitution adopted. The officers so elected were :
President, Rev. S. E. Greenawalt, D. D. Vice President, Rev. J. H. Zinn.
Secretary, Rev. H. S. Lawrence.
Treasurer, John L. Zimmerman.
An Executive Committee was appointed by the Board which should have immediate charge and con- trol by regular and special meetings as need might require.
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This Committee named was: Revs. S. E. Greena- walt, H. S. Lawrence, E. H. Dornblaser, Mesdames J. L. Zimmerman, and Mary Gotwald.
Each synod elects four trustees, one-half of the number to be chosen from the women of the church, in accordance with the conditions.
About one year later the Board purchased a farm of 108 acres adjoining the city of Springfield on the northeast, for the sum of $12,000. The property is well located, being within the city school district,- affording to the children the privilege of the public schools of the city.
The site combines beauty and healthfulness, and the land is in a good state of cultivation,-with a substantial and commodious ten room brick dwelling- house and a large bank barn.
"This is one of the newest of the institutions of mercy of our beloved church made possible by one who was never permitted to be a mother, altho' pos- sessed of a large measure of mother love."
Formal possession was taken March 1, 1904. Two weeks later the Rev. A. J. Kissell and wife, as Superintendent and Matron, respectively, took up the work of fitting and preparing it for a home for the family soon to occupy it. The Home was dedicated June 9, 1904, and on June 15th was formally opened for the reception of children. The problem of de- veloping both the internal and the more material affairs of the institution, called for careful thought and action. The Executive Committee meets every last Tuesday of each month, maintaining especial and continuous oversight of its affairs in detail. To them
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it is purely a work and labor of love, and much time and thought is given to the direction of its affairs.
In June of the same year of its charter and or- ganization, the General Synod of the Lutheran Church set its seal of approval upon the enterprise in the following action :
OESTERLEN HOME.
27 "Resolved, That we commend this institution to the earnest prayers and liberal support of the Church, and trust that God's favor may richly rest upon it for the nurture and training of His homeless little ones."
In 1905 the house was remodeled and enlarged to meet the demands for larger accommodations,-a power-house built, and out-houses rebuilt.
27 Minutes, General Synod, 1903, p. 23.
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In 1906 the death of the first Matron took place, and because of the immediate necessity, successors were secured in the persons of Revs. and Mrs. W. M. Habey, as Superintendent and Matron, and the work has gone forward with increasing approval and success.
The limit of the accommodations having been reached, and urgent appeals coming in month after month from worthy applicants, the Board entered upon the erection of a new cottage with capacity for about 30 boys. This was dedicated September 20, 19II. The Institution is the property of the Lutheran Church, yet children of other than Lutheran parents may be received by the Board, if there is room and good reason for the same.
In 1913 a tract of land numbering about 22 acres, which separates the Home farm from the city limits and had been thrown upon the market, was purchased by the Executive Committee, on the authority of the Board, at a cost of $2,550.00.
One of the young ladies of the Home graduated from Wittenberg College in 1914, several were in attendance at the Wittenberg Academy during the same year, and from both College and Academy there are graduates nearly every year, and all the children of proper age are attending the Springfield city schools.
The Home family attends the Fifth Lutheran Church and Sunday-school and have careful pastoral oversight and instruction. Those of proper age and attainments are confirmed members of the church. Each child is taught to labor and the effort is made to train each one for a life of useful service. The
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
farm has continuously received the most careful and intelligent supervision, the buildings are being well preserved with paint, and cement walks laid between the buildings for the comfort and health of all. An independent power house and electric light plant have been installed, and every modern convenience possible
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OESTERLEN HOME - BOYS' DORM.
is provided for the comfort and health of the occu- pants of the Home.
Large support is furnished from the offerings on Children's Day, annually, and by the constant stream of donations pouring in from the liberal hearts and hands of the Christian people of our churches. In this way the Home is in constant touch with the
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churches of our territory and the spirit of beneficence continually increases.
Forty or more of these homeless ones of our churches are constantly provided for, and up to this time over 100 have been taught and trained for useful life and service in the church and the home.
No one can measure the value of such an institu- tion to the Church and the State, nor the blessing which such care and nurture brings to the life of those favored with its influence and training.
The continuation of its capable and efficient Pres- ident in office from year to year with several others in official relation as his counsellors, testify to their excellence and splendid service.
CHAPTER VII
Financial Development
I T MAY seem strange to head a Chapter in a Synodical History with such a title, and yet a true history of Wittenberg Synod can not be written without some special reference to the fact that a distinct and definite advance was made in all matters relating to the business methods of the Synod, with the election of several men to the office of Treasurer. Up to the time of the election of J. H. Emminger, all the reports from pastorates to the treasurer on any given subject were summarized, and no idea could be formed as to what any one congrega- tion was doing in any matter of local or general in- terest. Resolutions urging regularity and faithfulness in reports of Church activities, etc., were passed, but no fixed form or method or blanks were provided, and no special system followed or enforced. Previous to this time, it is however eminently proper to speak of the long and valuable service of Mr. John Shawber of Wapakoneta, as Treasurer of Wittenberg Synod, and of the business character of the man. The minutes will show that Mr. Shawber very much im- ยท proved the methods of book keeping and the manner of presenting reports in condensed form, bringing every work of the Synod out in good form, and was accurate in every detail. He was also per- sonally very liberal in his support of every good work.
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He was a man of eminent piety, and of commanding influence. He was a staunch friend of every pastor at Wapakoneta, loyal to a proverb, and generous even to a fault, to all needy ones in and out of the church. No one who came to him in need ever went away without substantial help; and to his own great loss in material things, out of the exceeding goodness of his heart, he sympathized and helped and trusted others. He would go anywhere, even into greatest danger to minister to the sick and suffering, and to the end of his days, sought to be useful to others wherever he could find one whom he could help. He was eminent in all saintly qualities "full of faith and of the Holy Ghost."
Jas. H. Emminger upon assuming the office of Treasurer at once opened a separate account with each congregation of the Synod on every subject relating to finance, and thereby made it plain to everyone, and to the Synod, in the Parochial tables just what each church or congregation was doing along all lines of Church activity. It was with some difficulty that a number of the local churches and treasurers and Sun- day-schools, were able to understand and could be made willing to adopt this method. But with great patience and by means of an actual visit to a number of the churches themselves, oftentimes, this system was established. Up to this time all efforts to make comparison of records and all appeals to stimulate the activities of the churches based upon such comparison, were unknown. For five or six years, the Synod had tried to apply the system of apportionment of the benevolent funds proposed by the General Synod, among the Congregations, but no workable plan seemed possible. The "Box System" and various
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other schemes had been tried, without appreciable results. In order to simplify and systematize all the finances of the Synod, it was ordered that all funds for whatever purpose be required to pass through the hands of the Treasurer, and be audited, and that he make no report of moneys not passing thru his hands. The special purpose of this regulation also was to establish and insure orderly methods and accuracy in all the finances of the Synod. The apportionment system for the collection of benevolent funds and for the development of the spirit of liberality was not above criticism, nor without some defects, but it has been the most workable plan ever used by our Synod, and properly understood and judiciously handled, be- ing so well adapted to the changing conditions and needs of the time, it has done wonders in training the spirit of beneficence among our own people. Its basis is not unchangeable, but rests upon the communicant membership and the changing needs of the various objects of benevolence. It is not to be considered as the measure of duty and responsibility for the individ- ual Christian, but rather an index of the opportunity, with the expansion of privilege unlimited. As a stim- ulus to this spirit of liberality, the reports on surplus- age and deficits, inaugurated in 1882 have acted well on the results of the apportionment method, and from year to year, the number of congregations reporting surplusages has increased until the great majority is in this column. As a financial scheme its success is conceded. Apportionment tables giving the per capita assessment for each object to each congregation of the Synod were printed in the minutes so that no mistake could be made as to the amount asked for
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each year. It was a definite sum in benevolence, a financial standard, and a religious duty, all of these united to tone up the benevolence of the individual congregations and the individual Christian.
Along the line of improving the finances of the Synod, it adopted in its revised constitution in 1884 the following regulation : "A vacant Church or pas- torate shall settle its financial obligation with the re- tiring pastor before electing another, or engaging a stated supply, unless in the judgment of the President it should be otherwise."*
Not only along lines of benevolence was the in- fluence of Mr. Emminger felt. He put his business acumen, energy, and method, into every transaction of the Synod, and his unusual talents were freely used to promote the highest efficiency in all depart- ments of the Synod's work. It is only just to his memory to quote from the tribute of the Memorial Committee presented at the services held in synod after his death. 28"For many years, Brother Em- minger was Treasurer of our Synod. He also repre- sented us in the Board of Directors of Wittenberg College and was frequently sent as a delegate from this body to the General Synod. Faithfulness and intelligent devotion to his work, characterized him in all these positions. No one who ever served as Treasurer gave us more valuable service. We were entirely without money when he took possession of the office. By attention, care and suggestion, our Treasury was soon replenished to such an extent that we not only had money for our own needs, but were able to
*Min. 1884, p. 46.
29 Minutes, 1890, pp. 31 and 32.
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assist others; and when at last the books were turned over to the President and after all that could be so used was forwarded to the Treasurers of the several Boards, there still remained over Thirteen Hundred Dollars in the Treasury. One of the best testimonials to his integrity is the fact that his books were always correct and a strict account as to the disposition of every cent committed to his care was at hand. Brother Emminger always had upon his mind and heart the interests of our churches. He gave thought, time and labor, to increase the benevolence and every usefulness of all of our Congregations. Now that he is gone, we remember his devotion to duty and his great love for the Church of our fathers. Talented, possessing great self-control, discriminating in judgment, well informed in the doctrines and customs of our church and loving all her work, he became the generous friend and faithful supporter of all our benevolent projects. The influence of his life and work remain as a per- petual blessing upon ministers and laymen."
So simple were his methods and so straight were all his accounts always and in every part of the work, that when the books were passed to the hands of his successor, Bro. S. G. Cummings, it was comparatively easy to follow in his footsteps. And right royally was he succeeded. The Synod found a no less careful and accurate man in the person and work of Mr. Cummings, and so we may boast of the financial de- partment of our Synod as transparently accurate and always satisfactory. For after ten years of service as Treasurer in which he faithfully continued in the methods of his predecessor the Synod adopted the following :
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