USA > Ohio > Church of the Brethren in southern Ohio > Part 30
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In 1940, at the Ocean Grove Conference, Bessie was com- missioned to the China mission field. In September of the same year she sailed for the land of Cathay, a country in the throes of war and terrible suffering. The Japanese were waging war on the Chinese at this time, and only souls fully committed to Christ had the courage to enter China as mis-
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sionaries. The future was uncertain indeed. Communism was spreading its tentacles of power and poison throughout the country. But nothing daunted Bessie's faith in the definite call from God that He had a work for her to do in ministering as a Christian nurse to some of the many suffering people in China.
Immediately upon her arrival, Miss Crim entered the language school in Peking. She made excellent progress in the Chinese language. Because of strained political relations between Japan and the United States, the first-year language school students were moved to the Philippine Islands for "safety" in March 1941. The rapid success of the Japanese continued until by the following December it swept over the Philippines. At this time Bessie and seven other Church of the Brethren missionaries, together with a large group of other new China missionaries who had taken refuge here while studying the Chinese language, were all taken prisoners. For more than three years Bessie remained in a prison camp. She refers to this experience as a "monotonous routine of living, especially when food was scarce." But one with Bessie's energy could not sit idly by and wither away. She was a ministering angel to the many who became ill in this prison camp, and even the "enemy" soldiers came to her for medical care. Her violin was a consoling and comforting companion in these days, and the Christian hymns which she played comforted many hearts.
In February 1945 they were released from their prison camp, and Bessie was soon on her way home to the States for recuperation. Churches everywhere invited her to speak and tell of her experiences. She responded, courageously witnessing to the love and grace of God.
In December of 1946 she returned to China. The power of the communists had greatly increased, particularly since the close of World War II. This made missionary work next to impossible where the communists were in power. Our missionaries were welcomed by the Christians of our field, but they soon found that they were unwelcome guests and some experienced hardships in leaving for Peking. After
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a brief period in a mission hospital in Peking, Bessie left for the Far West of China where the Brethren mission was opening a new field of work.
In West China Bessie entered the hospital, where she did valiant service in spite of great obstacles. Her great faith and courage kept her going. Her efficient hands ministered to thousands of suffering while her lips spoke and sang of the love of God.
Because of the sweep of communism into West China also, it, became necessary for Bessie to leave her much-loved work. She returned to the States in the autumn of 1950, ill in body, her missionary service checkered with joy and disappointment.
She has recently graduated from Juniata College in preparation for some other field of service. The "love of Christ constraineth" her.
JOHN W. DETRICK China, 1946 to 1951
John W. was born to Charles Edward and Mary Town Detrick on February 6, 1918, at Dayton, Ohio. When John was eight months old his mother died, and he was then reared by a maternal aunt and her husband. He attended the First Brethren church and Sunday school in Dayton. At the age of thirteen, he was baptized. His high school education and a period of training at the Leland Electric Company kept him living in the city of Dayton all through his youth.
He began attending the West Dayton Church of the Brethren and taking part in the choir and young people's meetings. Later he transferred his membership to this church. Ida Klepinger Hoover was one of the most influential persons affecting the Christian development and direction of his life. In 1937 John was licensed to the ministry.
In 1941 John graduated from McPherson College. During the summers while in college he served as pastor of the Glade Park church, Colorado. In 1942, after being ordained to the ministry by the West Dayton church, he attended the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology, receiving his B.D. degree in
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1945. From 1942 to 1946 he was pastor of the Alliance Church of the Brethren and also active in Children's Work and Brethren Service in the District of Northeastern Ohio.
In 1945, at the Annual Conference held at North Man- chester, Indiana, Brother Detrick was commissioned for the China field. The years from 1946 to 1951 he spent in Peking, China. Besides language study, he did excellent work as a teacher in one of the mission schools in that city. He was a guide and counselor to Brethren students refugeeing in Peking, for these were war years and many of our young Christians were caught there unable to return to their homes.
In 1948 in Tzechung, Szechwan, during the Mission Con- ference when the deputation (Brother Rufus Bowman and Brother Leland Brubaker) visited the field, Brother Detrick was ordained to the eldership. In 1951 it became necessary for him to return to the States because the communists made missionary work impossible. So with disappointment he turned his face homeward. At present John is doing further graduate work in the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology.
J. CALVIN AND HARRIETT HOWARD BRIGHT China, 1947 to 1951; 1947 to 1950
J. Calvin was born in Liao Chow, Shansi, China, to J. Homer and Minnie F. Bright on September 19, 1915. There were three daughters born into the family to which he came. His birth was welcomed by many Chinese friends, who felt that the gods had indeed answered their prayers on behalf of the Bai (white) family, for their prayers for the Bright family had been that they might have a son. When Calvin was a month old, beautiful gifts were showered upon him by these friends as this marked an important birthday event. When he began to talk, he found English the more difficult, as the Chinese language is simpler for a child to learn to speak. For his early education he had his mother and his oldest sister, Esther (now Mrs. Floyd Denlinger), as teachers. Esther had stayed on an extra schoolyear in China before
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coming to the States for her college work, and taught the missionary children of the station.
From early childhood Calvin showed an unusual interest in Chinese art and culture and an understanding of their history and civilization. As a lad he often visited the temples and sat with the priests, asking questions about their worship and the meaning of their many symbols. Being near the ancient and historic city of Peking while in an American school for missionary children, Calvin had many opportunities to visit the fine museums and sacred shrines located there, and gained an education in Chinese culture far beyond that acquired by many missionaries who had spent a lifetime in the China field.
When Calvin came to the States for his college work, he entered Berea College, Berea, Kentucky, finishing with a B.S. in Agriculture. He never expected to spend his life any- where else than in China, for China was his home, and to this purpose he had dedicated his life.
Harriett was born to John and Margaret Howard on Feb- ruary 14, 1912, in the beautiful Cumberland Mountains. Her parents were deeply religious with high ideals and hopes for their two daughters, doing everything possible toward their education. At the age of eight years, the parents took Harriett far from home across the mountains to the Pine Mountain Settlement School located across Pine Mountain about ten miles from Harlan, a fine school for underprivileged mountain children. The sobbing and begging of Harriett to return home did not change their minds for her education. In time she became adjusted to her new surroundings. Her tender years spent in this lovely place would fill a book of thrilling stories. In her first year at Pine Mountain she began weaving cloth, and she has made this craft an art ever since. After completing her elementary schooling at the Pine Mountain Settlement School, she entered Berea College. And after finishing college at Berea, she later received her M.A. from Peabody. She taught in various states and at Berea as well. Her weaving students are scattered over the world. She was on the Berea College faculty at the time of her marriage.
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It was in college that Calvin and Harriett first met, and a warm friendship developed which culminated in their mar- riage in May 1945. Calvin was in Bethany Seminary at the time of their marriage. He graduated with a B.D. in 1946. They had a summer pastorate at Peoria, Illinois, in 1945, and he continued as student pastor while finishing his work at Bethany. It was at the Wenatchee Conference in 1946 that they were commissioned for the China field. Owing to uncertain political conditions in China, they continued their pastoral work at Peoria for a second year. Though they were packed and ready to sail after the Orlando Conference, they were delayed by conditions getting worse in China. But in late autumn, as a new field in West China was opening, they set sail for an uncertain and chaotic country.
Our work in North China, where the Church of the Brethren had carried on from the beginning of its work in China in 1908, was closed because of the rapid sweep of the communists. Calvin and Harriett were sent to Chengtu, Szechwan, West China, for language study. Soon they began to do some work in the West China Union University. It was here they spent many happy days of fruitful work. Harriett learned the language with marked ease and efficiency. Calvin had no difficulty in adjusting from his North China dialect to that of West China. He was working with seminary students, and Harriett was teaching weaving in the home economics department. And both were busy with Bible classes for the students who requested that they be taught. The missionaries realized that they were working against time, for it looked as if the work to establish the Christians would soon be finished.
Late in 1949 communism finally swept into West China, the last area of China to be taken over. Christian work was gradually restricted until June 1950, when all work by mis- sionaries was stopped. Harriett returned to the States in the late autumn of 1950. Calvin was detained by the authorities, and for six months lived in uncertainty, not knowing from day to day what might befall him. On January 8, 1951, he was arrested in his home and taken to prison in the city of Chengtu. No effort will be made here to give any description
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of that tragic experience. When word of his imprisonment was announced to the Brotherhood, prayers began to ascend to the throne of God from the North and the South, and from the East and the West, from multitudes of saints and small children for his release if it was God's will. On May 10, 1951, the answer came, and he was miraculously delivered from prison, greatly emaciated from lack of food. Death from starvation had almost claimed him. He arrived in the States in June 1951.
At present Calvin and Harriett are serving the Richmond church in Richmond, Indiana, and he is also executive secretary of the Southern District of Indiana.
3. INDIA
John M. Pittenger 1904-20
Florence Baker Pittenger 1904-20
D. J. Lichty 1902-47
Anna Eby Lichty 1912-47
A. Raymond Cottrell 1913-49
Laura M. Cottrell 1913-49
Harlan J. Brooks 1924
Ruth Forney Brooks 1924-
Kathryn Kiracofe 1937-
H. Spenser Minnich 1948-50
Eva Shepfer Minnich 1948-50
JOHN M. PITTENGER India, 1904 to 1920
John M. Pittenger, Southern Ohio's first son to go to the foreign field, was born March 6, 1869, near West Charles- ton, Miami County, Ohio. His parents were Joshua W. and Mary Senseman Pittenger. His early education was in the public schools, and he later attended Mount Morris and Juniata colleges, taking the usual degrees.
On May 18, 1904, he was married to Florence Baker of Grantsville, Maryland, who was also a graduate of Juniata College. The marriage took place in Huntingdon, Pennsyl- vania, in the home of Elder J. B. Brumbaugh. Immediately following the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds left for Carthage, Missouri, where the Annual Conference was held. It was here that their appointment by the General Mission Board to the mission field in India was confirmed by the
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Annual Conference. They left New York in October 1904 and landed at Bombay, India, on December 6.
The Pittengers were not only the first missionaries of Southern Ohio to a foreign field, but they were pioneer mis-
J. M. Pittenger and Wife
slonaries to the Dangs Forest region in India, an area of one thousand square miles, the densest and largest jungle on the west side of India. These volunteers of the cross asked for this difficult field, full of physical dangers, to share their Christ with the people living there. For nine years they labored at Ahwa with only one interfurlough before returning to the homeland. On returning to India they again entered the treacherous jungle to preach the Christ. In time it became necessary for them to leave this malaria-infested forest, as many attacks of virulent malaria laid Brother Pittenger low with fever, and closer medical attention was necessary. For a time they were at Bulsar under the care of the Doctors Cottrell, and then went to Dahanu when Brother Lichty left on furlough. The Pittengers left India from Dahanu in April of 1920. Brother Pittenger was broken in body but had sown much gospel seed to be harvested by other laborers who would follow.
They have three children, all of whom were born in India. They are living at present with their daughter, Dr. Mary A. Pittenger, M.D., in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
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ANNA EBY LICHTY India, 1912 to 1947
Anna was born to Josiah and Emma Landis Eby on September 16, 1886, on a farm near Dayton, Ohio. She grew up in the Bear Creek church, where her father was a minister
D. J. Lichty and Wife
and elder. Her preparation for her life's work came through the public schools, college, teaching, and Bethany Biblical Seminary. She graduated from the Bible School in 1912, and the same year her appointment to India by the General Mis- sion Board was confirmed by the Annual Conference held at York, Pennsylvania. She sailed in November of that year.
Anna was assigned to educational and evangelistic work in the Marathi language area. In 1923 she was married to D. J. Lichty, who had been on the mission field since 1902. As his work was in the Gujarati language, Anna joined in his labors in the ministry of preaching, teaching, healing, and establishing churches and Christian homes.
The Bear Creek church faithfully and generously sup- ported Anna financially through all her years on the India field. She speaks of "how fast and how pleasantly those years have flown," and "God's grace was sufficient for every task, and His Spirit always available to guide." They retired from the India field in 1947. For several years after returning to
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the States they lived near Anna's sister in Southern Ohio, and then they moved to Franklin Grove, Illinois.
LAURA M. COTTRELL, M. D. India, 1913 to 1949
Dr. Laura was born in Greenville, Ohio, on October 1, 1881. Her parents were A. J. and Mary Coates Murphy. Laura went through the usual public schools, and then to college for a while. These years of training were followed by four years of public-school teaching. She was a proofreader in the Brethren Publishing House for two and a half years. She accepted her Savior in early life, and was active in Sunday school and young people's meetings, always ready to do her part wherever needed.
She was married to A. Raymond Cottrell, of Indiana, on August 8, 1906. During 1907-08 they attended Bethany Biblical Seminary, and the following year entered medical school expecting to become missionaries on a foreign field. She received her M.D. degree from the University of Illinois in June 1912.
Together y struggled through their preparation. Difficulties and testings came through these trying years. Less courageous souls might have faltered and given up; but faith and the call from God prompted them to continue.
In the autumn of 1913, this couple, both medical doctors, unique in the field of missions for the Church of the Brethren, set their faces toward India. They were the first medical missionaries of the Church of the Brethren in India. They located at Bulsar where a good hospital, and also dormitory buildings where the families of patients could care for their sick, were built. Here they ministered to thousands of sick and suffering across the years. Many of these afflicted ones heard for the first time the story of the Great Physician within the hospital walls. The great concern of these consecrated doctors was that through their ministry they might lead these people to know the Savior of the world.
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In 1933 the Cottrells, as they returned to India from fur- lough, were sent by the Mission Board to visit the China mis- sion field and check on the health of the missionaries there, since no missionary doctor had been on the field for two years. They spent six months with the China mission.
The Cottrells retired from the India field in the autumn of 1950. A year later, Dr. Laura passed from earth to her great and glorious reward.
HARLAN J. BROOKS India, 1924-
Harlan was born to George and Emma Martin Brooks on May 5, 1898, near Clayton, Ohio, in the Happy Corner con- gregation. His formal education was secured in the local public schools, Manchester College, Bethany Seminary, and
Harlan Brooks and Wife
Northwestern University. He served as pastor of the Douglas Park church, Chicago, taught in Brethren camps east and west, did deputation work, was a religious instructor at La Verne College, and taught sociology at Elizabethtown College.
He married Ruth Forney, daughter of Daniel L. and Anna Shull Forney, pioneer missionaries of the Brethren to India. Ruth was a second-generation missionary. Harlan and Ruth sailed for India in November 1924. The work of Brother
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Brooks has been that of evangelist, supervisor of mission schools, and principal of the Vocational Training School at Anklesvar.
Training young men in the art of Christian living and in the use of God's good earth helped bring the more abundant life to an impoverished people. Brother Brooks is a man with a broad vision of service. To educate the mind and to train the hands for toil are important to the development of the soul-that is a great Christian philosophy for any missionary, and for any growing church.
The Brookses have two daughters. Betty, the older, who in the autumn of 1952 went to the India field with her husband, Glenn Campbell, is the first third-generation missionary of the Church of the Brethren. The second daughter, now Mrs. Albert Huston, is enrolled in Bethany Biblical Seminary preparing for Christian service.
KATHRYN KIRACOFE India, 1937-
Kathryn was born to James U. and Vinnie Eby Kiracofe, of Gratis, Ohio, on February 16, 1907. The home was deeply religious with a traditional church loyalty. Under such in- fluence Kathryn's life was early set in channels of Christian service.
Her training at Mount Morris in the academy and the college, her service in vacation Bible schools, Sunday-school work, and missionary work in her local church-all these were preparations for a greater service. When the "Divine Voice" called her to the foreign field, so desperately in need of laborers, she offered herself to the Mission Board for India. She sailed for that land in October 1937.
Kathryn is a devoted witness for her Master, and is doing a splendid work among the women of the villages. Along with her evangelistic concern for the homes she is conducting literacy classes, helping God unlock the minds of these simple people. Soon these underprivileged ones are reading God's
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Word for themselves. Now they have the Book to nourish their souls and to guide their steps.
It is to build Bible-reading churches that Kathryn so patiently labors with the people. An illiterate home and an illiterate church have a precarious existence. In working to remove these dangers, Kathryn is reflecting the glory of her Christ.
H. SPENSER MINNICH India, 1948 to 1950
Spenser came into the home of Levi and Laura Netzley Minnich on July 4, 1893, near Greenville, Ohio. He inherited the finest type of a Christian home, was nurtured in the faith
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H. S. Minnich and Wife
of the church, and was taught the meaning of Christian serv- ice. His father was a pioneer and outstanding Sunday-school leader in the district. Early in life, Spenser united with the church.
He taught school for a few years in his community; then he took his A.B. from Manchester College and his A.M. from Northwestern University. Later he attended Bethany Sem- inary.
He has served with the General Mission Board and the General Brotherhood Board since 1918. The name Spenser has become a household name throughout the Brotherhood
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because of his long connection with the Mission Board and the multiplied thousands of contacts in Brethren homes, churches, districts, and Annual Conferences in the cause of missions. It is not possible to tabulate the work Spenser has done in seed-sowing, in influencing lives for the mission field, and in presenting the cause of missions to those financially able to assist.
Spenser took as his life companion Eva Shepfer, daughter of Edward and Sarah E. Moomaw Shepfer, of Ragersville, Ohio, on May 31, 1917.
In 1948 Spenser realized a dream of many years-going to the mission field to live for a while. In December 1948 they sailed to India, where he acted as temporary secretary- treasurer for the mission, as treasurer of the India Joint Council, and as one of the managers in the Inter-Mission Business Office. Mrs. Minnich had charge of the Rajmahal Hostel, which provided lodging and meals for missionaries passing through Bombay. The Minnichs began the Brethren fellowship for members living in the big city for schooling or employment. Spenser was able to visit the young churches in India and see at first hand "what God hath wrought" through His ambassadors across the years. In 1946 he had visited the new mission in Ecuador, and in 1947 he and Mrs. Minnich had visited the work in Puerto Rico.
After a year and a half, the Minnichs returned to the States, and Spenser continues his work of mission promotion and support in the Elgin office, visiting many individuals throughout the Brotherhood for this great cause,
4. NIGERIA
Ruth Blocher Mallott
1924-26
Floyd E. Mallott 1924-27
Dorothy Inman, R.N. 1933-34
Ivan L. Eikenberry
1945
Mary Flora Eikenberry
1945
RUTH BLOCHER MALLOTT Nigeria, 1924 to 1926
Ruth Blocher Mallott was born to Elder Ira G. and Laura Wagner Blocher on February 27, 1897, near Greenville, Ohio. At an early age Ruth became active in Sunday-school and church work. Her public-school education followed the usual pattern. It was followed by college and seminary training, after which she served in daily vacation Bible schools among churches in several states. This experience gave her excellent training for the. foreign field.
In September 1921 she married Floyd E. Mallott. In 1924 Ruth and her husband set their faces toward Nigeria. Nigeria was then a new mission field of our denomination, having been opened in 1922. Their station was Garkida for the most part, though Brother Mallott served briefly at Lassa. Because of ill-health, Ruth and their small son, Floyd, Jr., returned to the States in 1926, and Brother Mallott a little over a year later.
After returning from Nigeria, Brother Mallott held many evangelistic meetings and Biblical institutes, and was in pastoral work many years. They now live in Chicago, where Ruth is a public-school teacher and Brother Mallott is on the teaching staff of Bethany Biblical Seminary. He has become a recognized historian of our church, and has helped
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us all to have a greater appreciation of our leaders of earlier days, their endeavors to meet the problems of their day, and their seeking to understand the teachings of our Lord and His commission to carry His love and salvation to other peoples.
DOROTHY INMAN Nigeria, 1933 to 1934
Dorothy Inman was born June 12, 1904, to Isaac L. and Mary Ellen Inman near Bradford, Ohio. Her first religious activity was among the young people of the church. She entered nurses' training to prepare for her life's work and graduated from excellent hospitals, after which she was a nurses' supervisor and later did nursing from the hospital.
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