USA > Ohio > A history of the church of the Brethren, Northeastern Ohio > Part 15
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NORTHEASTERN OHIO
meeting was the urgent call from the Denmark and Sweden mission fields by Brother Hope. This call was about to be set aside when Elder D. N. Work- man, of the Ashland Church, came to its rescue. He, without any formalities, sprang to the platform and began to call for pledges, beginning with $100 ones. In a few moments pledges to the amount of $3,000 were raised. The missions of Northwest Europe were saved, and a new mission fire kindled, lighting the Brotherhood into its present large mis- sion fields. With what commendable features the Ashland Conference has to its credit, the meeting as a whole lowered the prestige the churches of the Brethren had among the church people of the com- munity, due to the fight spirit that broke loose in the discussions at times, instead of the beautiful spirit of peace and harmony that should adorn the assem- blies of the people of God. The queries discussed at this Conference were the following :
Inasmuch as Annual Meeting of 1876, Art. 8, for- bids members who dress after the fashions of the world to speak in public at our Conference, should not churches and District Meetings be instructed to send only such delegates who dress themselves and wear their hair after the general order of the Broth- erhood, and who try to carry out this decision ?
Is it right, according to the Gospel and the order of the Brethren, for an elder to get up in Annual Council, and express himself that there are a num- ber of decisions passed at Annual Council that he does not regard at all, and then have such a one on the Standing Committee? Answer: It is not right to do so.
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CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
The Southern District of Illinois hereby petitions Annual Meeting to send only such brethren on com- mittees to settle difficulties in churches who are in the general order of the Brotherhood in dress and in the wearing of the hair. Answer: Agreed to by the Annual Meeting.
Inasmuch as Annual Meeting has again and again decided in favor of plainness and uniformity in dress for both brethren and sisters, and recommended to the churches to enforce it, especially upon the min- isters, and after all the counsel of the Annual Meet- ing, there is a great lack of uniformity of dress on the part of some members, ministers and deacons who travel and move from place to place, and do not regard the plain uniformity as recommended by Annual Meeting : the question is, Is it right, accord- ing to the Gospel and order of the church, especially for official members, to get a certificate of member- ship to move from one arm of the church to another, and not observe the authorized decisions of Annual Meeting? Answer: This Annual Meeting decides that we cannot grant a good certificate to such mem- bers, especially the officials.
As Paul, in giving the qualifications of a bishop, does not say that he should be the oldest in office, we petition Annual Meeting to repeal that qualifi- cation, and confine the qualifications to Scripture only. Answer: The Brethren ordaining elders, do not overlook the qualifications of elders as given by Paul, but the order of the church has been that when ministers are eligible to office, and have about equal qualifications, to ordain the oldest. Provision, how- ever, has been made that, under certain circum-
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NORTHEASTERN OHIO
stances, the voice of the church may be taken to de- cide which of the ministers shall be ordained.
Is it right for elders to go out of their State or State Districts, ordaining elders without the con- sent of the adjoining elders? Answer: Not right, and the general Brotherhood will not recognize such proceedings.
What is to be done with a brother or elder who goes a distance of ninety or one hundred miles to preach in another arm of the church, which is under the charge of Elder S., and gives liberty to disowned members who were guilty of railing against the counsel of Annual Meeting, and one who is guilty of gross immorality, to take part in the meeting, and to close the meeting with prayer; although Elder E. knew the circumstances and the relation of said members to the church? Answer: It is wrong for an elder to do so, and we send a com- mittee to get him in order and settle the troubles. And all elders, ministers or members disregarding the council of a church in fellowshiping expelled members, subject themselves to the council of the church.
Brethren that have been called to the ministry, and fail to give evidence of their usefulness after a sufficient length of time, should they then be re- lieved by the church when they repeatedly request it? Answer: We decide that the church in such a case shall do as it judges best.
As the latter decision of Annual Meeting on the subject of Sunday-schools has caused trouble and confusion, we ask Annual Meeting to consider all its decisions on this subject since 1871, Art. 17, and
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CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
readopt the decisions of that year. Answer: We adopt the decisions of 1871, Art. 17, as the best for the peace of the church, but where there is a large majority, or even a minority, who can hold a Sun- day-school without interfering with the peace and union of the church, they may have the privilege of such a school.
The Maquoketa Church asks Annual Meeting, through the Middle District of Iowa, how to proceed with a woman that was deceived by a man and aft- erwards, to get rid of her and the law, he married her by compulsion but never lived with her. She some time afterwards made application and was re- ceived into the church, and has lived a very con- sistent life since, but finally made application for a divorce and married another man. Under these circumstances, can she be held as a member? Re- member they never lived together as man and wife after marriage. Answer: If such cannot decide for herself according to Minutes of 1868 and 1880. let her seek the aid of adjoining elders.
Inasmuch as the high schools are causing trouble and confusion by their being called "Brethren's Schools," we ask Annual Meeting to decide that they shall not be called by that name. Answer : Whereas the name " Brethren's Schools " has given offense to some, we decide that the name be avoided as much as expedient, and that they be called after the names of the places in which they are located.
Is it according to the order of the Brethren and elders, or any other brethren, to hold secret or clan- destine meetings for the purpose of circulating pe- titions or any other purpose? Answer: No; and
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brethren doing as above stated should fall into the judgment of the church.
Standing Committee.
Enoch Eby, Moderator; James Quinter, Writing Clerk; John Wise, Reading Clerk; Samuel Myers, Doorkeeper; J. S. Flory, C. C. Root, Robert Badger, E. Forney, J. Rife, D. Sturgis, R. H. Miller, C. G. Lint, Samuel Harley, J. Trostle, D. B. Arnold, J. H. Lemon, Isaac Miller, A. Hutchison, J. Thomas, D. E. Wolfe, D. Brower, Jos. Kauffman, Moses Miller, D. P. Sayler, D. Stouffer, Isaac Long, G. C. Bow- man and D. Hays.
HOME MISSION BOARD.
The first Home Mission Board was organized in 1875. The history of this organization is somewhat peculiar, changing its membership quite frequently. Home Mission work being practically a new field of church activity, a number of years passed by with- out any apparent progress being made in establish- ing churches. A few attempts were made at dif- ferent times, only to result in failure, yet these at- tempts were not without their value because they afforded data sufficient to lead into better organiza- tion of the work, and the adoption of better methods of carrying forward and establishing churches in new territory. The first concrete success in this line which has taken on permanent proportions was the Akron City Mission which started with but few names, and has now grown to an organized church of upwards of seventy-five members. They
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CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
now hold their services in a newly-built and well- arranged house of worship, where the songs of Zion are sung and the Word of God proclaimed. This success has inspired the entire District and there are those who have expressed thir willingness and even their anxiety to pledge themselves for certain amounts for a period of five years to build churches in Canton, Youngstown, Cleveland, Orrville and Ashland. When we see the spirit of missions de- veloping to that point of anxiety it becomes a fitting climax to the work of the churches of the District which has covered a period of upwards of a hundred years.
Another feature of the work of Northeastern Ohio worthy of consideration : that as its early member- ship was made up of emigrants from churches in the Eastern States, she herself in turn has become the mother of a number of churches in the far west by calling into the service young men and women, training them in the faith of the Master, and inspir- ing them with zeal to extend the Kingdom of the Eternal Father. These have gone into pioneering and the extension of the Kingdom among other people; some to the far west, resulting, through their fidelity and earnestness and love for the Mas- ter, in organizations which have grown to large memberships and they in turn extending the work still further. This line of travel and contribution to the extension of the Kingdom of God, shows up the work of the District with special significance.
May the reading of these brief and imperfect sketches guide each earnest brother and sister to fidelity and zeal, that we in these modern times,
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NORTHEASTERN OHIO
with modern conveniences, may not fall short of our fathers and mothers in Israel who have set the pace and marked out the lines of work that enable the kingdom of God to become an institution for the veritable uplift of humankind.
P. S .- For details of the Home Mission Board work, see under the head of " District Meetings."
Sample Report.
Report of the District Missionary Solicitor of Northeastern Ohio, 1911.
To the District Meeting of Northeastern Ohio- Greeting : By the favor of our Father and his bless- ing upon our united efforts the work of gathering funds for the building and equipping of a Brethren Church in the city of Akron, Ohio, has moved for- ward in the past year in a way that insures the com- pletion of a house of worship by the end of the pres- ent year.
On account of sickness I was unable to visit the following churches (though all extended a hearty invitation) : Mt. Zion, Greenwood, Loudonville and Ashland (church unfinished).
Miles traveled, 4,110; number of Sundays, twenty- two; number of week days, seventy-seven; total number of days, ninety-nine.
Cost of travel, $ 75.50
Printing, postage and stationery, 11.85
Time, seventy-seven days @ $1.25, 96.25
Total expenditures, $183.60
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CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
The following report will show the amount given by the churches of the District, also amount pledged at District Meeting of 1910.
Name of Church
Cash
Pledged
Total
Pledged
Grand Total
Jonathan Creek,
$ 32.76|$
92.00 $
124.75 |$
35.00 $
159.75
Canton Center,
42.66
120.00
162.66
25.00
187.66
West Nimishillen,
6.91
178.00
184.91
40.00
224.91
Springfield,
83.70
891.50
975.20
25.00
1,000.20
East Nimishillen,
65.31
449.00
514.31
25.00
539.31
Wooster,
31.00
545.28
376.28
210.00
786.28
Black River,
79.00
102.50
271.50
135.00
406.50
Owl Creek,
174.00
224.00
398.00
135.00
533.00
Danville,
75.00
432.00
507.00
90.00
597.00
Akron,
700.00
700.00
130.00
830.00
Freeburg,
28.00
263.00.
291.00
20.00
311.00
Mohican,
39.28
56.00|
95.28
95.28
Chippewa,
37.75|
27.50
65.25
50.001
135.25
Mahoning,
153.56|
170.00
323.56|
30.00
353.56
Chippewa Later,
52.00
194.00
246.00|
246.00
Sugar Creek,
93.00
356.50
449.50
155.00
604.50
Canton City,
36.00|
98.00
134.00
134.00
Ashland,
22.75|
100.75|
123.50|
35.00
158.50
Maple
Grove,
34.00
274.00
308.00|
150.00
458.00
Tuscarawas,
27.00
42.50
69.50
69.50
Mt. Zion.
5.00
5.00
Greenwood,
5.00
5.00
Primary
Clas,
Rena
Swartz,
2.00
2.00
2.00
Northwestern
Ohio,
Eagle
Creek
Sunday-
school,
5.67
5.67
5.67
J. J. Anglemyer,
1,00
1.00
1.00
G. D. Wenrick,
5.00
5.00
5.00
D. S. Early,
10.00
10.00
W. F. England, Cal.,
5.00
5.00|
5.00
|$1,230.59|$5,551.03|$6,781.72|$1,315.00|$8,096.62
Cost for raising the $6,712.62 was 2.73 cents per dollar. We found the missionary spirit over the District at a high point, both brethren and sisters, old and young, wishing a part in the great cause, and expressing their pleasure in having the privilege of giving. It was rare, indeed, that we found a per- son unwilling to help.
With the prayer that this may be a year of un- usual blessing in the work of the District, and in the
10.00
10.50
Loudonville,
222.75
222.75
Reading,
98.25
124.50
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NORTHEASTERN OHIO
personal life of all the workers, the foregoing report is respectfully submitted.
G. A. Cassel, Missionary Solicitor.
Motion to accept adopted.
ASHLAND COLLEGE.
Located at Ashland, Ohio, one of the most beau- tiful and enterprising towns of the State, and sur- rounded with most luxuriant farming lands.
The launching of this institution of learning was somewhat peculiar. The spirit for a center of higher learning within the District seemed to be somewhat spontaneous with a number of leading members. Brother Asa Packer, of Louisville, Ohio, was in a position to take the field as canvasser and work up the school sentiment in general. The cen- ter of greatest interest seemed to gather about Ash- land. An educational meeting was held in the Maple Grove Church in March, 1877. A remarkable number of brethren and sisters came to the meeting, some coming from the middle and eastern parts of the District. Prof. J. E. Stubbs, a Methodist preach- er and educator and resident of Ashland, being much interested in the proposition, also attended the meet- ing and made an excellent address, which aroused no little enthusiasm in the brethren to take hold of the opportunity. Allow it to be said here that Professor Stubbs, though belonging to another church, was one of the most faithful and able leaders the school had to pilot it through its formative period. Upon the resignation of Brother S. Z. Sharp as president the middle of the second year, Professor Stubbs
292
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
was placed in the presidency, which position he held for two years, exercising his office at all times in the highest interest of the student body, and the church whose responsibility he was serving. He allowed nothing that would militate against the Brethren. The school sustained a great loss when he was called to a larger field of service.
Soon after the Maple Grove school meeting, Brother Sharp, of Tennessee, was called into this newly-awakened field. A meeting of the citizens of Ashland was called in the Old Town Hall to discuss the propriety of taking hold of the proposition. Brother Sharp very ably presented the claims of the new undertaking. As a result of this meeting the citizens pledged themselves to raise $10,000 to encourage the work. Their interest continued through the first years of the school, as was evi- denced in their large attendance at the public gath- erings in the college chapel.
The college was chartered in June, 1878. The location originally comprised thirty acres of land affording a splendid view of a large expanse of country. Two large brick buildings were erected on choice locations-a college building costing $40,000, and dormitory costing $15,000. These buildings when built were quite up to date in their architec- ture. The value of these buildings when completed, with the grounds, was estimated at $75,000.
The departments of instruction were-College of Liberal Arts, Academic, Normal English, Commer- cial and Music.
Four men were graduated from the department of
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NORTHEASTERN OHIO
liberal arts in the spring of 1881. These men took excellent positions after their graduation.
The interest shown in education at that time, and the reputation the college won even in the begin- ning of its foundation, is seen in the large enroll- ment of 105 students the first year and 220 the sec- ond year. A summer normal for teachers was added the second year, which also attracted considerable attention.
Elder S. Z. Sharp, formerly from Maryville, Tenn., was the first president. His splendid scholarship and genuine educational enthusiasm were prime fac- tors in launching this institution of learning.
The Board of Trustees were choice and able men of the Northeastern District of Ohio. These men were full of zeal for the Lord, and sought earnestly to establish a safe institution for the education of young men and women.
The first Board was made up of the following brethren :
Austin Moherman, I. D. Parker, Joseph Roop, Alpheus Dickey, H. K. Myers, John Shidler, Rich- ard Arnold and William Sadler, of Ashland, Ohio; Jacob Mishler, of Mogadore, Ohio; George Irvin, of Golden Corners, Ohio; A. J. Hixon ; Josiah Keim, of Louisville, Ohio.
While the college started out with bright pros- pects and a general good will for its success, the storm center of the 1882 division in the church swept down upon this infant institution with an irrepar- able destruction. A majority of the trustees having once decided to cast their lot with the Progressive branch, so changed the constitution and by-laws
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CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
that the institution might be conducted under the fostering care of the Progressive Brethren. Those of the trustees who remained loyal to the original church resigned their several charges, thus effect- ing a peaceful surrender of the school property to the church which still provides for its interests.
During the first four years an indebtedness of up- wards of $18,000 had accumulated, which became quite embarrassing during the years the division in the church storm was on. While this indebted- ness would naturally follow the institution into the hands of its new ownership, yet five brethren of the Board of Trustees, remaining loyal to the Church of the Brethren, contributed upwards of ten thou- sand dollars to wipe out the original indebtedness. Their names are :
Austin Moherman and Elder I. D. Parker, of Ashland, Ohio; Elder George Irvin, of Golden Cor- ners, Ohio ; Elders Cyrus Hoover and Reuben Book- walter, of Smithville, Ohio.
Some few private donations were given also.
This detailed description is intended to show that large interests were surrendered, involving large financial considerations, to the present incumbents without bitter contention among themselves, and litigation in the courts.
This brief sketch of pioneer work in the field of education in Northeastern Ohio is not intended to chronicle a total failure. The experiences of the brethren in launching this school, and the anxieties attending its periods of infantile diseases were fruitful sources of valuable information for the es-
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NORTHEASTERN OHIO
tablishment of schools later on. Besides, during the short period of its management under the auspices of the main body of the church, it became a powerful stimulant in arousing the educational spirit within the District. Nothing is a total failure that does somebody good.
BIBLE INSTITUTE AND CANTON COLLEGE.
In the summer of 1903, Elder E. S. Young se- cured an option of certain heirs on upwards of sixteen acres of choice land within the corporate limits of the city of Canton, for the purpose of launching a Bible School and such literary work as would be needful for effectual Bible study.
During the life of the option a trial canvass was made among the churches for the sale of lots which would not be needed for school buildings and cam- pus, the profits from said lots to be used for the erection of the necessary buildings and equipment, with the understanding that the school should be run under the fostering care of the Northeastern District of Ohio. The interest the brethren took in the proposition was simply marvelous. The option was lifted, the sale of lots was carried forward with success and the most beautiful spot of the entire tract of land was staked off for buildings and campus. By the fall of 1904 a large and well-arranged brick building with tile roof was completed. Its interior finish was in oak; it was heated with steam, lighted with natural gas, and lavatories were on both dorm- itory floors.
The first two years of the school were illumined
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CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
with bright prospects in both local and remote pa- tronage; finally clouds began to gather, and their thickness determined the closing of the school be- fore the close of the third year's session. After the lapse of three more years, the school property was sold to the city of Canton and refitted for high school purposes.
This closes another chapter of school work in the District. Though this was a private school of Brother Young, yet there was a genuine interest in the District for its success, and many were the re- grets that it had to go into other hands. The school too was not a total failure to the District; for the three years of its life it was a rich stimulant to the churches along lines of greater work for the Master. Its many students have cast lots elsewhere, and are making good in their several fields of labor.
PUBLICATIONS.
When we take up the work of sketching the print- ing business in the District, the reader will be im- pressed that his loved part of the Brotherhood takes a unique position in the development of the great general Brotherhood. Education and the issuing of periodicals came to their birth about the same time, and it was at the advent of these that the church took on new life and expansion. Aside from the dynamic force of education as a means for the uplift of humanity, may it be understood that the revival of printing has given to the church a new brother- hood. It is a point of special interest to know that the mammoth publishing concern of the general
297
NORTHEASTERN OHIO
THE OLD SPRING HOUSE The Gospel Visitor's First Home
This is the old spring house where the publishing interests of the Church of the Brethren were revived in 1851 by Brother Henry Kurtz, of Poland, Ohio, the Gospel Visitor being the first paper printed.
The original spring house in which the printing was done is torn down, and the picture shown here was drawn from memory by Irene Kurtz Summers, granddaughter of Elder Henry Kurtz, and retouched by Mrs. F. E. Moherman, of Ashland, Ohio. Those who saw the original pronounce this one a very good duplicate.
The building was twenty by twenty-four feet, built of logs, two stories, and plastered on the outside. The spring was beneath the front entrance, and the approach to the porch was a log which was long enough to reach to a steep bank to the front. The hill to the front and rear was almost as high as the house. The roof was of clapboards. Northeastern Ohio can well look with pride to this small beginning, which had in it the life elements of such great growth. It is from an acorn to a great oak proposition, and the acorn is no less important than the oak.
298
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Brotherhood had its birth in Northeastern Ohio, near Poland, in a spring house loft, April 1, 1851. Its sponsor was Henry Kurtz. It was christened the Gospel Visitor and it made its appearance in the homes of the brethren once a month.
Brother Henry Kurtz was a German scholar of rare ability. He felt if the church is to successfully accomplish its mission the press must be commis- sioned as an auxiliary of the pulpit for the dissem- ination of truth. Brother Kurtz began the agitation of the utility of the press as early as 1840, which marks the beginning of a revival of the publishing interests of the church. At first there was great cau- tion and fear, only a few giving encouragement, hence it required considerable time, patience, and perseverance to get the consent of Annual Meeting to go ahead. In 1850 Brother Kurtz appealed to Conference for the privilege to open up a publishing house, but he was asked to wait another year. When the next year came our dear brother was on hand to have his long-cherished desire considered again. This time (1851) Conference told him it would not interfere with his going on with his paper for one year, and if any one found anything printed that was not sound they should file their objections then. Objections were filed at the 1852 Annual Meeting, but that body, considering it a private enterprise, decided it would not interfere.
As before stated, the Gospel Visitor, the begin- ning of our modern publishing interests, was sent out on its trial mission April 1, 1851. Opposition gradually melted away, and the circulation grew rapidly. Since it was printed once a month, there
299
NORTHEASTERN OHIO
soon grew a demand for an increase of issues. Brother Kurtz's insistent idea of a church paper proved to be better than he knew. His was an enviable record. It was in his soul that the idea was conceived that made him the initial point of one of the greatest movements in the history of the Brotherhood. Who would not envy a like service to his day and age?
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