USA > Ohio > History of the Central Ohio conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, 1856-1913 > Part 9
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The population of Cincinnati to-day is 360,000; of Cleveland, 650,000, Columbus, 200,000; Toledo, 200,000; Dayton, 100,000; while throughout the State there are numerous towns and smaller cities ranging in population from 5,000 to 60,000 and over.
The Conference during the history it has been making has not been unheedful of the larger demands made upon the Church by the multitudes at home and the millions across the seas; and, true to the spirit of Methodism to accept immediately and aggressively any new and larger opportunity and wider door for the exercise of her experience and energies, the Conference has heard the call and caught the inspiration coming up from the promiscuous classes to share in the blessed work of carrying the gospel to the unchris- tianized masses not only in the cities of our country, but to the nations far away.
The record the Conference has made in missionary benevo- lences, while by no means all it might have been, is worthy at least of general mention. In some considerable degree, if not in the way of initiative, much of the thought and spirit now active in the cause of missions is due to two members of the Central Ohio Conference, who in the early years of its history gave study and consideration not only to the subject itself, but to plans and methods whereby missions at home and abroad might result more notably in the extension of God's Kingdom. These men were Bishop Harris and the Rev. Thomas Parker.
In Conference gatherings and in pulpit discourse Thomas Parker was effectively heard on the subject of missionary propa- ganda, and while he did not live to see his ideals realized, he was able so to arouse the thought of the Church on the stupendous work of reaching all races with the gospel as to leave behind him a train of teaching and impression that to-day are making their force felt in the evangelization of the world. Dr. Harris, while a
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Benevolent and Philanthropic Interests.
member of the Conference, coupled his practical and executive tal- ents with the inspiration and influence of his co-minister, thereby awakening a zeal in the Church for missionary activity which after- wards as missionary secretary he formulated into some better plan and system than the Church had known for the prosecution of the command of the Savior.
The contributions of the Conference to missions have steadily increased through all the years of the past.
And when other benevolent organizations of the Church were formed, as the Church Extension and the Freedmen's Aid Societies, the Board of Education and the Board of Sunday Schools, etc., the Conference caught step with the marching column in the campaign. of a broader service for humanity.
In the year 1857 the Conference gave $3,450 to missions. In the year 1870, for missions, $13,000; for Church Extension, $1,000; for Freedmen's Aid Society, $1,100; for education, $150; to the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, $1,000.
In the year 1880, for missions, $10,688 ; for Church Extension, $923: for Freedmen's Aid Society, $770; for Education, $60; for Sunday School Union, $150; to Woman's Foreign Missionary So- ciety, $1,075.
In the year 1890, for missions, $18,900; for Church Extension, $1,900; for Freedmen's Aid Society, $1,190; for education, $407; for Sunday School Union, $262; for Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, $3,700; for Woman's Home Missionary Society, $2,000.
In the year 1900, for missions, $22,500; for Church Extension, $1,270; for Freedmen's Aid Society, $1,656; for Educational So- ciety, $337; for Children's Day, $811; for Woman's Foreign Mis- sionary Society, $8,788; for Woman's Home Missionary Society, $3,100.
In the year 1912, for missions, $42,690; for Board of Educa- tion, $1,857; for Board of Sunday Schools, $1,136; for Freedmen's Aid Society, $1,841; for Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, $11,000; for Woman's Home Missionary Society, $9,900; for Flower Deaconess Home and Hospital, $3,330.
These figures, while they show a steady advance in the amounts contributed to these great and worthy causes, are by no means an indication or measure of the ability or resources of the Churches represented.
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History of the Central Ohio Conference.
The Central Ohio Conference embraced a large section of the best farming territory in the State. and included within its bounds several prosperous cities and many thriving towns; and besides, large portions of this territory are rich in the output of oil and gas, so that if the ability of the Churches to give were called into com- mand and exercised, the sums contributed to benevolence would exceed in manifold measure the largest amounts given.
However, it is cause for congratulation that in the recent years there has come upon the Church the inspiration to undertake greater things for the founding and equipment of missions in all parts of the globe.
The laity of the Church, as they have been brought into closer and more responsible relations with Methodism and its organiza- tions, have come to realize, very many of them, that better circum- stances and greater prosperity in the various vocations of life impose upon them the higher obligation of promoting in vastly increased degree the claims of Christianity.
The forward movements of the Church in evangelism, in mis- sions, in education, in philanthropy, and for the Christianizing of the present social order, which very many laymen, prominent in business and active in the Church, have taken upon their consciences and hearts, are a glorious prophecy and a splendid promise that an early future is to witness marvelous strides towards the goal of Christianity, even the salvation of the world.
" We give Thee but Thine own. Whate'er the gift may be ; All that we have is Thine alone, A trust, O Lord, from Thee.
May we Thy bounties thus As stewards true receive, And gladly, as Thou blessest us, To Thee our first fruits give.
And we believe Thy word, Though dim our faith may be; Whate'er for Thine we do, O Lord, We do it unto Thee."
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XII.
Flower Deaconess Home and Hospital.
THE first deaconess work in Toledo was begun in 1901 by Miss Ella Lathrop. A Deaconess Home was opened December 1, 1903, in a rented house on Glenwood Avenue, with Miss Bonnie Ruth Warren as the acting superintendent.
Through a splendid example of deaconess work, resulting in the rescue of a young woman, whose story greatly interested Mr. and Mrs. Stevens W. Flower, who, having no children of their own, were moved to consider the advisability of leaving their splendid residence to be used for a Deaconess Home.
FLOWER HOSPITAL, TOLEDO.
After the death of Mrs. Flower, Mr. Flower, who was one of the leading business men of Toledo, and a member of St. Paul's Church, in consultation with his life-long friend, the Rev. Wesley G. Waters, D. D., who was then district superintendent of the Toledo District, decided to bequeath his residence, with about two acres of land surrounding it, situated at the junction of Collingwood Avenue and Cherry Street, Toledo, and valued at $50,000, to the Central Ohio Conference for a Deaconess Home as a memorial for his wife, Ellen B. Flower, and as a site for a hospital, to be known as the "Flower Hospital," with $10,000 in cash towards a fund to build a hospital, providing the Conference raised a like sum within eighteen months of his death.
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History of the Central Ohio Conference.
In anticipation of this bequest, an organization was effected representing the Central Ohio Conference and the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Conference. This organization was in- corporated under the laws of Ohio, September 16, 1907, as the "Deaconess Home and Hospital of the Central Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. located in Toledo, Ohio."
MR. STEVENS W. FLOWER, MRS. ELLEN B. FLOWER, Founders of Flower Hospital and Ellen B. Flower Deaconess Home.
However, before the organization was incorporated, steps were taken by its Board of Managers to begin hospital work. A small private hospital building, located on Robinwood Avenue, was rented and equipped and put into operation in the autumn of 1908. The work was begun under deaconess supervision, Miss Isabelle C. Leitch being the superintendent. The institution was called the "Deaconess Hospital."
Many discouragements and difficulties were encountered in the work, chiefly for lack of funds and trained workers. The rent of the building, the salaries of the trained nurses, and the charity work done made the expenses excessive, and soon the institution
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Flower Deaconess Home and Hospital.
was involved in an embarrassing debt, which darkened its hopes for the future and even threatened its existence.
The Rev. E. O. Crist, D. D., was elected president in October. 1908, as the successor of Dr. Waters, whom he had succeeded as district superintendent of Toledo District. He, with Rev. W. McK. Brackney. D. D., vice-president. and Rev. B. F. Reading, D. D., treasurer, secured a loan that served to meet the most pressing obligations of the institution. An experienced deaconess, a graduate of the Nurse Training School of Christ Hospital. Cincinnati, Miss
FLOWER HOSPITAL, PRESENT BUILDING.
Emma E. Enders, was secured then as superintendent. Through her work. with the very efficient assistance of Miss Alice Green, a graduate nurse deaconess from Sibley Hospital. Washington, D. C., as supervisor of nurses, the Training School for Nurses was opened, which soon provided nurses in training who were able to take care of the patients, thus greatly reducing the expenses of the hospital.
In the late autumn of 1908 Mr. Stevens W. Flower, after a lingering illness, died. and when his will was probated it was learned that he had been more generous than was anticipated, for he had added a codicil providing for a second gift of $10,000, making $20,000 in cash. if the Conference raised in the specified time a like sum.
This generosity on his part greatly encouraged the friends of the institution. His splendid residence was soon furnished and occupied as a Deaconess Home and Home for Nurses.
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History of the Central Ohio Conference.
The Rev. A. E. Harford, financial secretary, with the help of loyal friends of the institution, soon secured the first $10,000. Mr. Edwin Brown, of Carey, gave the larger part of that sum. With this and the $10,000 paid by the executors from the Flower estate, the first building with room for twenty-five beds was erected. which was formally opened January 19, 1910, as the "Flower Hos- pital," as provided in Mr. Flower's will.
The second $10,000 was secured in due time, and the second $10,000 paid from the Flower estate. Another unit was added
SIDNEY D. FOSTER, M. D., Chief of Staff.
M. M. STOPHLET, Architect.
to the building, a splendid fire-proof structure, providing room sufficient to enable the hospital to care for some sixty patients. The entire cost of this building was about $35,000. It is the most sanitary, safe, and modern institution of its kind in North- western Ohio. It was formally opened June 1, 1913, and has proven to be very popular, being crowded with patients from the beginning.
The Rev. E. E. McCammon, as general superintendent. has, during the last three years, been very successful in raising funds to complete this second building and in getting the finances in good condition.
Miss Emma Enders, as superintendent for these five years dur- ing the formnative period of this institution, has rendered invaluable services. Another deaconess. Miss Inez Bates. after completing
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Flower Deaconess Home and Hospital.
the course of training in the Training School for Nurses, has been very faithful and efficient as the supervisor of nurses.
The Training School for Nurses, with its three years' course, gives the very best of training to Christian young women going into that form of service to Christ and humanity.
Dr. S. D. Foster, chief of staff, and all the doctors of the staff, working together as loyal friends of the institution, have con- tributed very much by their splendid services to the success of Flower Hospital. The various classes of nurses that have been graduated are all young women of splendid Christian character, and their success in the care of patients, both while in training and later in the practice of their chosen profession, has contributed much to the popularity of the hospital.
The children's ward with its ten free beds, made possible by the generosity of Miss L. H. Dickelman, of Forest, Ohio, and the gifts of the Sunday Schools and other friends, is doing a splendid and much needed work for poor, suffering children.
The hundreds of patients that have found the helpful, home- like, Christian atmosphere of Flower Hospital so beneficial to them are warm friends and ardent supporters of the institution.
Toledo and Northwestern Ohio has in the Flower Hospital what was so much needed and desired-a distinctly Christian hos- pital under Protestant Church control.
The charter was amended and the constitution revised in 1913, changing the name of the corporation to "Flower Deaconess Home and Hospital, located in Toledo, Ohio." This institution is man- · aged by a Board of Trustees, under the direction of the West Ohio Annual Conference, which, together with the Woman's Home Mis- sionary Society of the Conference, elects a majority of the mem- bership of the corporation. The membership at the annual meet- ing elects the Board of Trustees. It is provided that two-thirds of the membership of the Board of Trustees must be members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
There was no Conference organization incorporated which could receive and administer the bequest of Mr. Flower at the time his will was drawn, and he was advised to insert the name of the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, an Ohio corporation with offices in the Book Concern Building, Cincinnati, Ohio. This was done; the bequest was left to that Board of Trustees in trust
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History of the Central Ohio Conference.
for the Central Ohio Conference. Thus it became necessary to make repeated trips to Cincinnati to confer with that Board and receive its approval of plans and contracts in all the work of erect- ing the buildings, which made unavoidable delays and expense.
By a resolution passed by the General Conference of 1912, which was prepared and introduced by Dr. E. O. Crist, the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church was authorized and directed to terminate this trust and with due process of law turn the title to the local Board of Trustees, which was done in due time.
Another valuable piece of property, consisting of a one-hundred-foot lot and a fifteen-room brick house, lo- cated on Superior Street, was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Stevens W. Flower to an organization formed by a group of Christian women in the city, mostly of St. Paul's Church, chief among whom was Mrs. Mary Hiett, known as "Mother Hiett," who will long be remem- bered for her beautiful char- acter, expressed in a life of ELLEN B. FLOWER DEACONESS HOME. kindly ministry to suffering humanity. This building was used for a rescue home for girls for several years. but through changes made in the Board of Managers by death and removal, interest declined in the insti- tution and a debt accumulated upon it, endangering its existence. Under these circumstances, those in charge of it, in a conference with Dr. E. O. Crist, expressed their fear for the future of the institution, and asked that he assist them in taking care of it. This he did for a few years. when it was thought best by all interested in the property to transfer it to the other strong and growing cor- poration. the Flower Deaconess Home and Hospital, which was done in April. 1911.
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BUILDING COMMITTEE.
REV. ELWOOD O. CRIST, D. D. President.
CAPTAIN JOHN CRAIG.
REV. B. F. READING, D. D.
REV. E. E. MCCAMMON, A. M., S.T.B. Secretary and Superintendent.
MR. W. H. H. REEDER.
MR. W. W. EDWARDS.
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History of the Central Ohio Conference.
Since that time the Home has been conducted under deaconess management as the "Flower Home for Girls." Miss Mary A. Ver- milya became the first deaconess superintendent. This institution is operated as a home for working girls whose wages are too low for them to prop- erly care for themselves else- where; and girls coming into the city as strangers, seeking employment, who are met by the Traveler's Aid deacon- esses and given a temporary home here until they are en- abled to secure suitable em- ploy ment. Thus a great FLOWER HOME FOR GIRLS. many girls are befriended at a time of their great need. A splendid work is being done by this institution.
At present the Flower Deaconess Home and Hospital Corpora- tion owns and operates these three splendid institutions in Toledo: The Ellen B. Flower Deaconess Home, 3336 Collingwood Avenue; the Flower Home for Girls, 1324 Superior Street, and the Flower Hospital, 3340 Cherry Street. These institutions are a credit to the Central Ohio Conference and its successor, the West Ohio An- nual Conference, and the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Building Committee consisted of the following members of the Board of Trustees: E. O. Crist, chairman; B. F. Reading, D. D., secretary-treasurer, and his successor, E. E. McCammon ; Captain John Craig, W. H. H. Reeder, W. W. Edwards, with M. M. Stophlet, architect.
The present officers of the Board of Trustees are: Rev. E. O. Crist, D. D., president ; Judge J. M. Killits, vice-president; Rev. E. E. McCammon, A. M., S. T. B., secretary and superintendent ; Rev. D. F. Helms, treasurer.
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XIII. Lakeside, Ohio.
LAKESIDE had a providential beginning. The establishment of a camp-meeting on the Catawba Peninsula was the suggestion of Alexander Clemons, a citizen of Marblehead and a member and a class leader in the Marblehead Church.
For several years Mr. Clemons brought the project of a camp- meeting on the peninsula to the attention of Revs. E. C. Gavitt and LeRoy A. Belt, presiding elders, and also to the consideration
PAVILION, LAKESIDE, OHIO.
of the pastors of the Port Clinton Circuit. The pastor to act upon the suggestion of "Father Clemons" was the Rev. R. L. DuVall, whose wife nobly supported her husband's efforts and helped to awaken an interest in the undertaking.
The first formal action looking to such an enterprise was by the Port Clinton Quarterly Conference, in a communication car- ried by the Rev. L. L. Barter to the Central Ohio Conference, and endorsed by the authorities and Methodists of Marblehead, to deed thirty acres of land for camp-meeting purposes.
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History of the Central Ohio Conference.
The Conference accepted the offer and appointed Revs. Joseph Ayers, Daniel D. Mather, Alexander Harmount, Isaac Newton, Simeon H. Alderman, LeRoy A. Belt, and Samuel Barter to handle the proposition. This committee nominated as trustees with power to act: Revs. S. S. Barter, Daniel D. Mather, Joseph Avers, and LeRoy A. Belt : and Luther A. Skidmore, Patrick G. Slevin. Joseph Chambers, Barney Jacobs, S. R. Gill, and Archibald Lybrand.
B. H. JACOBS.
S. R. GILL.
The Conference directed the trustees to become an incorporated body with power to own and control the grounds and to establish a camp-meeting. The first meeting was held on the banks of the blue Lake Erie, in a grove, in 1873.
The veteran preacher and presiding elder, Rev. Joseph Ayers, was chosen superintendent of the meeting.
The Rev. Harry O. Sheldon, a pioneer minister, then advanced in years, preached the first sermon, under a large oak tree which stood near the south end of the present auditorium. Among the preachers present at the first meeting were Revs. Elvero Persons, E. Y. Warner, and E. W. Warner, of the North Ohio Conference, who had come in a sailboat. The services at this meeting were conducted by ministers of the Central Ohio Conference and by those present from the North Ohio Conference.
The spirit of the primitive camp-meeting was noticeably mani- fest and dominant in this gathering.
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Lakeside, Ohio.
An invitation from the Central Ohio Conference to the North Ohio Conference to become joint owners in the enterprise was accepted, with the understanding that both bodies were to appoint commissioners ; and the commissioners met in April, 1874, in Clyde, Ohio, and agreed upon a joint management of the meeting. The brethren to have charge of the meeting that year were: Dr. F. S. Hoyt, president ; Drs. L. A. Belt and E. Y. Warner, vice-presidents ; Rev. E. Persons, secretary, and C. A. Croninger, treasurer.
Revs. S. S. Barter, Gershom Lease, Joseph Ayers, L. A. Belt, and Messrs. Luther A. Skidmore, C. A. Croninger, Joseph Cham- bers, Barney Jacobs, S. B. Squires, and William Moore were elected trustees from the Central Ohio Conference, and Revs. E. R. Jewett, E. Y. Warner, E. Persons, George Myers, F. S. Hoyt, and Messrs. G. W. Ball, B. Courtright, Robert Moore, Jr., L. W. Whiting, and H. H. Bayne, from the North Ohio Conference. The camp-meeting of 1874 began July 28th, Dr. F. S. Hoyt and Dr. L. A. Belt in charge. The grounds were dedicated with appropriate and inter- esting ceremonies, the Rev. Thomas M. Eddy, D. D., preaching the sermon from the text, "We have found Him in the field and the woods." The discourse of this eloquent minister stirred all hearts and forcibly set forth the spiritual influence and value of camp- meetings. At the conclusion of the sermon $600 were raised, a sum more than necessary to meet all the expenses of the meetings.
Dr. William Nast and Dr. and Mrs. Phoebe Palmer were present, and preached with great effect and edification.
In August, 1875, the first German Conference camp-meeting was held, with a large attendance and many conversions. The Central German Conference became, upon the invitation of the Central Ohio Conference and the North Ohio Conference, joint manager in the camp-meeting, holding ever since that relation to the enterprise.
Year after year the camp-meeting, under the auspices of the Central German Conference, has been increasingly effective in reaching the unconverted who have come upon the grounds. The Conference acted in perfect unison and harmony with the Lakeside business organization, a company of men that did much useful work in clearing the grounds of stones, trees, shrubs, and in pro- viding means of sanitation by the erection of buildings, and in the construction of docks and improving harbor facilities.
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History of the Central Ohio Conference.
Through the purchase of extensive grounds and from the plac- ing of costly programs from year to year, a heavy debt was incurred, so that, in 1878, the appointment of a receiver became a necessity. During that period of the receivership the Rev. J. C. Roberts was employed as financial secretary, who, by laying the claims of Lakeside upon the thought and heart of the Church, secured sufficient funds to enable the Camp-meet- ing Association to take over the property from the receiver and to come into full ownership and management of the enter- prise.
Since that time, notwithstanding the fact that many valuable improvements have been made, the debt has been reduced PROF. O. H. MAGLEY. to about $15,000; and the property, now owned and controlled by the West Ohio, North-East Ohio, and Central German Conferences, is worth not less than $125,000, that estimate not including cottages, private lodging and boarding houses and school buildings.
The first Sunday school encampment was held in 1877, with Dr. J. A. Worden as superintendent of instruction, and the Rev. Mr. Trimble his assistant. Both of these men were of the Presbyterian Church. The encampments of 1878 and 1879 were in charge of Dr. C. W. Cushing, at the time pastor of an important Church in Cleveland, Ohio. The encampment of 1880 was in charge of Dr. John H. Vin- A. B. JONES. cent, who was elected bishop in 1888, and his brother, Dr. B. T. Vincent.
In 1900 Charles W. Taneyhill became superintendent, and served seven years. Mr. O. H. Magley followed, and served eight
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Lakeside, Ohio.
years. During the management of Mr. Magley, up to 1911 yearly, there has been increasing success. Mr. A. B. Jones has been for the year 1913 the superintendent. This year, along all lines, has been the most successful of any from the beginning. For the past nine years the president, R. B. Heller, of Napoleon, Ohio. has been actively associated in the Lakeside man- agement with Mr. Magley and Mr. Jones. He deserves great credit for his great assistance without de- manding much compensation.
During the past two decades some of the more prominent men besides those already named, who have given time, talent, and means
C. S. McKIM.
to build up Lakeside are: Mr. J. S. Oram, J. M. Longnecker, A. E. Griswold, C. S. McKim, Hon. Frank Briggs.
The encampment was con- ducted under the following heads: A Normal Class, com- posed of ministers and laymen, with Drs. B. T. Vincent, N. B. C. Love, G. H. Hartupee, C. N. Pond, and Adam C. Barnes as instructors; the Intermedi- ate Department, Boys' and Girls' Class, with N. B. C. Love, teacher, and Professor Sherman, instructor in music ; and the Primary Class, Mrs. B. T. Vincent, teacher.
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