USA > Ohio > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio and other states from the earliest beginnings to 1919 > Part 14
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But the Great War came and made it impossible to go from Germany to India. Our missionary after a time re- turned to America, hoping to reach India via America. While he waited the Board called student William F. Schmidt of Capital University to accompany Rev. Pflue- ger to India and assist in the work there. The call was accepted and this brother was commissioned at Columbus, Dec. 5, 1915. On the seventh day of the same month these brethren together with Mrs. Pflueger and son again set sail for India. But the specter of war followed them. They were not permitted to enter India for, accord- ing to the reply of the Governor of Madras, "the presence of the two missionaries in India is considered undesirable at the present juncture." This was final, the powers that be had spoken. With sorrowing hearts our first foreign missionaries turned their faces again towards the west, leaving at their backs a people anxiously awaiting their coming and their services.
To add to the seriousness of the situation the British Government found it advisable to remove all German mis-
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sionaries from India. Rev. C. Scriba an Anglo-Indian was the only missionary left to look after the stations of the Hermannsburg Mission and our own. We were asked by the authorities of Hermannsburg to take over her stations and property. This was done through the kind assistance
MR. G. D. SIMEN.
of the missionaries of the General Council and General Synod in India.
Our Foreign Mission treasury from 1914-1916 shows receipts to the amount of $46,645.35 and disbursements amounting to $42,561.96. These are comparatively large sums and indicate to some extent the size and importance of our waiting India mission field. May the doors soon
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be opened and may the song of the reapers as they go to the harvest soon fall upon our ears.
We would yet append a part of the report of our Foreign Board to Joint Synod at its convention at Ft. Wayne in August of this year :
Our efforts to supply laborers for our field. The Government in India requires that all missionaries, as well as their wives, must have American-born parents. This restricts the number of available candidates very much. Added to this restriction comes the evident lack of readiness on the part of some who would otherwise meet the requirements. The result is that we still have no men to propose to the India Government for admission to India. At a meeting held with Rev. L. B. Wolf, D. D., some months ago, it was agreed that we ask the Hon. Board of Foreign Missions of the General Synod to try to get some former missionaries who are at present serving congregations in our country to go back to India. This would enable the Hon. Board of the General Synod to "lend" us some more men. In that event there could be sev- eral missionaries living in the former Hermannsburg field. As far as we know, two such men have been found and the name of at least one has been sent to the Government at Madras. It re- mains to be seen what reply the Indian Government will make. While we have not succeeded in finding even a single man in our own Synod who is ready to say: "Send me," we have done all we can to find such an one. It would surely be a great help if any one in Synod could aid the board in finding men who measure up to the requirements and who are ready to go.
Jewish Missions.
For many years our Synod carried on Jewish mission work, especially from Pittsburgh as a center. Sometimes the work seemed to be quite successful, then again it would seem that little or nothing was being done. We learned that Jewish mission work was peculiarly difficult, that only a very few are fitted for the work and that the Jews are still a stiffnecked and rebellious people. Rev. A. R. Kuldell for many years one of our pastors in Pittsburgh gave much
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HISTORY OF THE EV. LUTH. JOINT SYNOD OF OHIO.
time and attention to this work and our Jewish Mission Board with headquarters in that city spent many hours deliberating on ways and means for carrying on the work. Rev. John Legum labored also for a time under our Board and still continues to carry on a mission among the Jews, though at the present time he is being supported by the General Council.
To say that we were in no degree successful would be discounting the message we took to Israel-for. we preached Christ unto them - but there was little apparent success. If we could enlist men who have the necessary qualifications and could keep them steadily at the work we would be encouraged, but as yet we have not found these conditions. Perhaps in our second century a door will be opened and workers will present themselves for this im- portant branch of world evangelization.
Negro Missions.
In 1890 a petition was presented to Synod from the Concordia District asking Synod to commence missionary work among the negroes near Baltimore, Md. Synod authorized the treasurer of Foreign Missions to draw from his treasury for the support of Negro Missions. From that time to this the work has gone on with varying success. Sometimes the work seemed to be very successful and again it would lag.
Not until we entered the "Black Belt" of the South did the work seem to loom hopeful and encouraging. The racial situation in the South as well as the peculiarities of the colored folks make the work peculiarily difficult. But our Board of Negro Missions has a very encouraging report for us in this centennial year. We can best set forth the present status of this work by quoting from this report :
"Your Board of Negro Missions takes pleasure in
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reporting that during the last bi-ennium, under God's bless- ing the greatest expansion and development in the history of our work has occurred. In the fall of 1916, in con- formity with the resolution adopted by Joint Synod, we began to occupy, as rapidly as possible, the field previously investigated and selected as the most suitable and promising viz., Central Alabama in the midst of the 'Black Belt'. Here were sent two of the three students who had been in preparation for our work.
The first station occupied was Prattville where a private school of more than 100 children was handed over to us with most attractive promises. Our mission soon discovered that these promises could not be relied upon. At the close of the first year our efforts seemed to have been in vain. However it was thought best not to abandon the field, and during this last school year, it was placed under a different teacher who had already given proof of her capability and of her zeal in our cause. She began the work afresh and had the satisfaction of seeing, not only the school increase until it had 125 pupils and 2 additional teachers, but also the growth of a strong sentiment in our favor in the community both among the negroes and the whites. A Baptist preacher of the place, Rev. J. S. A. Bracy, began to investigate the work of our school and the subject of Lutheranism, with the result that he made application to us, was sent to our Seminary for a few months' instruction, and then confirmed as a Lutheran and placed in charge. There is now a good attendance at Sunday-school and a class of adult catechumens; so that, in spite of adverse circumstances, this has proven to be a hopeful field.
The second student was sent, at the close of November, 1916, to Montgomery, which had been selected as our head-
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quarters in the South. A mission school was opened within a week which soon required three additional teachers ; and which at the beginning of the second year, had an enrollment of over 350 pupils and needed 5 women teachers. This large number proved to be more than could be well taken care of, since the children were crowded into a build-
COLORED SCHOOL, MONTGOMERY, ALA.
ing which was almost entirely without school equipment ; the teachers were unacquainted with our church; and what was the most unfortunate event of all, it became necessary to dismiss our missionary.
Although the Superintendent was sent South to super- vise this mission, it has not yet reached the position which it ought to have. Attendance at Sunday-school and Church
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services have fluctuated very much, and the catechetical class, with 27 on the roll at one time, has been rather fickle- minded. The school year closed with the day school attend- ance reduced one-half. After experimenting with a colored theological student from the Chicago Theological Seminary, the mission has now been placed in the care of an ex-Methodist minister, Rev. J. W. Martin, who also had been sent to Columbus to study in our Seminary, and who has been confirmed in the Lutheran Church. Our work at Montgomery, after having undergone these difficulties, is now emerging from the preliminary stage and is in a much better condition.
A third mission was started in Tuscaloosa in Septem- ber, 1917, where we were urgently invited to come and start a school. Everything here has progressed in a most satisfactory manner. We have a school of 150 pupils and 2 female teachers under the student who had been at Pratt- ville. The people exhibit interest in our work and are ready to help. There is a catechtical class of 14, composed of intelligent and earnest women, a good Sunday-school, and all indications point to this becoming our most successful mission."
Much credit is due Rev. Richards, the Superintendent of the work, for his self-sacrificing interest as well as the President of the Board, Judge J. J. Dobler.
Inner Missions.
Though not carried on as a synodical enterprise, a history of Synod would not be complete without at least a reference to the inner mission work that is being carried on by our people, especially in the larger centers of popula- tion. This is a blessed work and though we are just be- ginning we may already see some of the fruits of our efforts. In almost every instance our laymen have taken
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HISTORY OF THE EV. LUTH. JOINT SYNOD OF OHIO.
hold of this work energetically, it is not unusual to find local Boards with the laymen in the majority.
The work involves the preaching of the Gospel and its dissemination by means of the printed page in penal institutions, almshouses, hospitals, on street corners, in hovels, by the road side; it provides the simple comforts of life for the sick, the distressed, the traveler, the out- cast; it would provide temporary homes in our large cities for young men and young women who seek employment among the dangerous environs of modern life. Indeed the list of inner mission activities is almost endless.
In Toledo, O., the brethren of that section maintain a well appointed home for young women, with Rev. H. P. Long as the inner missionary. In Columbus a similar home is provided with Rev. C. W. Pflueger as inner missionary for the city. In Detroit and Baltimore similar work is carried on. In Pittsburgh the work is somewhat more extensive but is also supported by members of the different synods represented there. No doubt in the years to come this branch of Christian activity will show great results. It is the work around which we can easily rally and enlist services of our men, women and children of the laity. In this work the whole Church can be given something to do. Let us take hold of it energetically.
Home Missions Since 1884.
The growth of our home mission work since it be- came specifically a work of the Joint Synod has indeed been remarkable if not phenomenal. Half of Joint Synod to- day represents the numerical fruitage of our home mission work since '84. Whole sections of Synod are the result of this blessed work. In some of our cities a mission of ten years is a large and aggressive congregation. The
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prairie outpost has in many instances become the new center for enlarged activities and further mission efforts.
Home missions seems to be the native element of the Joint Synod. She was born out of this activity, and as she grew up it seemed to be. her natural occupation; and
REV. E. F. W. STELLHORN, Executive of Home Mission Board.
we may add, she was always successful in the work. May her success continue under the blessing of the Lord.
The writer has often felt, our Home Mission Board has done a tremendous amount of work for which it has received scanty recognition. Some of these brethren have given years of their time to this important work and the
230 HISTORY OF THE EV. LUTH. JOINT SYNOD OF OHIO.
sacrifice has in many instances passed unnoticed. If Synod will sanction, and we believe she will, we will record for all time: Brethren of our Home Mission Board, past and present, we would here record on the threshold of our second century an appreciation of your faithful services. And while we are making a record we would also include the name of Rev. E. F. Wm. Stellhorn, the present efficient executive of the Board. May his zeal not abate nor his hand grow weary.
We append a part of the Board's report to Joint Synod for the last biennium :
DEAR BRETHREN : - Though the world's war has been spend- ing its fury in Europe, and has also drawn in our own country with the attending sacrifices and hardships, due to the calling of millions of our young men to arms, and the ever increasing high ยท cost of living, yet we have especial reasons to gratefully acknowl- edge God's blessing upon this department of our work also during the past two years.
During the past two years we had one hundred and sixty- eight missionaries laboring in our various fields in the United States and Canada.
During this time sixteen missions became self-sustaining and four were united with other congregations, thus forming self- sustaining parishes. We were also able, thanks to our splendid Jubilee collection, to take up work in several of our larger cities.
At the present time we have 107 missionaries and six teachers on our list, and must report 13 vacant fields, most of which num- ber we will hardly be able to supply with permanent pastors till we can again draw on our next year's list of candidates for the ministry.
Our greatest need is men for our vacant fields and for the fields beckoning us to help them to be supplied with the means of grace.
ORGANIZATION.
After the last meeting of Joint Synod your Board organized by electing Rev. M. R. Walter president and the Revs. M. R. Walter, Geo. Troutman and E. F. Wm. Stellhorn the executive committee.
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MISSIONS AND MERCY.
FINANCES.
Notwithstanding the fact that Joint Synod two years ago again resolved to grant an appropriation of $60,000.00 per annum for home mission work, we are compelled to report that the con- tributions from our congregations did not even average $50,000.00 per annum.
The balance carried over from two years ago, together with the $10,000.00 earnings from the Book Concern, and the Jubilee Fund, as much as both former sources mentioned, enabled us to meet all expenses, though the salaries of the missionaries were raised twice within the past two years, and to report another bal- ance this year.
By granting numerous loans to mission congregations to en- able them to build or buy parsonages, thousands of dollars of rent were thus saved, which money could be used to pay actual salaries.
CHURCH BUILDING FUND.
So many and urgent were the demands made upon this fund, that your Board was compelled to borrow a total of $17,000.00 within the past three years to enable the same to make loans at the current rate of interest to congregations who were glad to be able to secure loans and pay interest in lieu of the depleted Church Building Fund treasury.
The collections of the Jubilee Fund together with the regular Building Fund collections and refunds enabled us not only to pay back all borrowed money, but also to satisfy the needs of our various mission fields, and even several congregations who were especially in need of a loan. While several rather large loans were granted in view of special conditions, prospects and guaran- tees, we would discourage the asking for larger loans than are really necessary, so that we will be able to carry enough money over from year to year to enable us to meet the most urgent needs.
Several missions have declared themselves self-sustaining, be- ing enabled to do so by the loan they received, and others have applied the amount of interest they are saving toward the support of the missionary, thus relieving the treasury for that amount.
The Jubilee Fund has been a godsend to our mission work without which we would have been compelled to report a deficit instead of a surplus in our Home Mission treasury.
With due acknowledgment to God for His blessing and full appreciation of the support our work has received during the past
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HISTORY OF THE EV. LUTH. JOINT SYNOD OF OHIO.
two years, we hopefully look into the future for even greater results.
Respectfully,
THE HOME MISSION BOARD,
M. R. WALTER, President, E. F. WM. STELLHORN, Secretary,
D. P. EBERT,
S. A. STEIN, GEO. TROUTMAN.
Columbus, Ohio, July 22, 1918.
The Wernle Orphans' Home, Richmond, Ind.
After Capital University as an institution of Synod comes the Wernle Home at Richmond. The fathers, with a good deal of pride, referred to these two institutions as the "University" and the "Home". Indeed these names go well together. They stand for the two ministries of the Church, the ministry of the Word and the ministry of mercy.
The Home at Richmond was opened with appropriate services February 4, 1879, although the dedication proper did not follow until May 4 of the same year. At the time of dedication nine orphans and three aged people found a hospitable home at Wernle.
Father G. Baughman of Eaton, O., had the following commendatory words to offer at the opening of the home : "My old friend and schoolmate, Rev. Charles Wernle, of blessed memory, whose name this institution bears, was one among the first to set apart a considerable amount for this noble enterprise. On the 23rd of February, 1875, his example was followed by Jacob Pfeiffer of Delaware, O., with a kindred gift, the interest on which amount, in accord- ance with the will of the deceased, is annually to be applied to the support of the orphans under the care of the
WERNLE ORPHANS' HOME, RICHMOND, IND.
&
1
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HISTORY OF THE EV. LUTH. JOINT SYNOD OF OHIO.
Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio. Combining these legacies with the Church's annual contributions, and the special effort of St. John's Lutheran congregation, seconded by the generosity of this city we today have the result before our eyes in the 'Home' provided for the fatherless and the stranger."
Rev. J. Dingeldey of Sidney, O. was called as house- father . For a period of almost fifteen years Pastor Dingel- dey and his faithful wife gave their time and strength to the welfare of the Home. In 1893 a substantial school building was erected for the accommodation of the children of the Home. Mr. Zinser was teacher at this time. In 1892 Miss Minnie Greiner of Somerset, O., was called as teacher of English and assistant matron.
In 1914, Father Dingeldey having resigned, Rev. H. Wickemeyer of Richmond was prevailed upon to fill the place of housefather temporarily. Finally a permanent incumbent for the office was secured in the person of Rev. J. Vollmar of Michigan City, Indiana. On the 15th of October, 1894, Pastor Vollmar entered upon the duties of his office. He remained at the Home about two years and . four months. In 1895 Mr. C. H. Schmidt was called as teacher to the Home. He accepted the position and faith- fully fulfilled its duties until Nov. II, 1902, when he resigned. During a part of this time Teacher W. A. Radke ably assisted in the work, the school having increased to about ninety pupils. In 1896 Teacher G. Maier was called to the position of housefather. Teacher Maier and his faithful wife rendered good service until failing health compelled a resignation. On Nov. 1, 1901, Rev. G. J. Long and wife became the foster parents of the children of the Home, serving until 1904, when Teacher Maier whose health had improved was recalled and served temporarily. Mr. B. Hahm taught in the school for a time. Teacher F.
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MISSIONS AND MERCY.
Wiechert occupied the newly built teacher's residence from which he has rendered good service for some years.
Rev. H. Mohrhoff filled the position of housefather for about one year. He was followed by Rev. A. F. Klopfer in 1905 who remained in faithful service until 1907. In this year Rev. F. W. Gahre entered upon the duties of the housefathership. Under his careful administration the present commodious and modern build- ing was erected in 1910. Mr. C. E. Cronenwett of Butler had in charge the novel method of collecting the funds. The "Brick Fund" as it was called brought together about $40,000.00, enough to erect and furnish the new building. H. Schmidt and Miss Martha Hennings were the teachers at this time. As housefather Rev. H. Specht followed Rev. Gahre who, especially on account of the ill health of his wife resigned in 1913 but remained until Pastor Specht took charge in the following year. Brother Specht and his helpful wife are still the honored foster parents of the 86 children in the Home in this centennial year. Teacher H. Mroch and Clara Sixt have charge of the school.
The Wernle Home has had many friends and some enemies, the latter however did little damage, the former have accomplished much good. The name of Rev. H. J. Schuh who in 1877 left his congregations at Canal Win- chester, O., for several months and went out and secured over $6,000, for the Home deserves honorable mention. Mr. Henry Koetter of Richmond should not be forgotten, likewise the members of the Board who served so faith- fully. May God continue to abundantly bless our Wernle Home.
The Homes at Mars, Pa.
The institutions of mercy - the Old Folks' Home and the Orphanage at Mars, Pa., are of more recent establish-
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HISTORY OF THE EV. LUTH. JOINT SYNOD OF OHIO.
ment than the Wernle Home at Richmond, Ind. A very generous offer of funds having been made by several lay- men of Pittsburgh, notably by Mr. G. D. Simen, for the establishment of a Home in that vicinity the Joint Synod in 1892 resolved to accept the offer of the kind donors and proceeded with the establishing of the Home in that part of Synod.
REV. H. J. SCHUH.
The report of the first secretary of the Home reads as follows :
After Joint Synod at its last convention had with gratitude toward God and the kind donors accepted an offer of $7,000 for the founding of a home for aged in or about Allegheny, Pa., the whole matter of organizing such an institution was placed tem- porarily in the hands of the Eastern District in connection with
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MISSIONS AND MERCY.
the President of Joint Synod. This District at its meeting in October 1892,' held at Oil City, Pa., appointed the following com- mittee for this purpose: Rev. H. J. Schuh, Allegheny, Pa., Rev. P. M. Reidenbach, Pittsburg, Pa., Rev. E. A. Boehme, Youngs- town, O., Messrs. G. D. Simen and H. Ahlers of Allegheny, Pa., and Mr. L. Glueck of Coitsville (Youngstown), O. This com- mittee met for the first time Nov. 15, 1892, in Allegheny, Pa., and organized by electing the following temporary officers: Presi- dent, Rev. H. J. Schuh; Secretary, Rev. E. A. Boehme. Mr. H. Ahlers having declined the appointment, Mr. J. H. Hespenheide of Allegheny was chosen in his stead as a member of the com- mittee, and after the adoption of a constitution at the permanent organization, was elected treasurer. The temporary President and Secretary were chosen as permanent officers. A constitution was adopted with the approval of the President of Joint Synod.
Not until the third meeting did the Board agree as to the location of the 'Home.' This decision was facilitated by an offer of a property in Wood's Run, Allegheny, instead of the original offer of $5,000. This property consisting of about 2 acres of land and a very commodious dwelling is valued at $22,000, subject to a mortgage of $5,000. After the committee had carefully consid- ered the offer and inspected the property, the proposition was accepted with thanks to God and the kind donors, April 18, 1893.
The dedication of the Home took place September 24, 1893. Rev. H. J. Schuh, Pres. of the Board, conducted the dedicatory services, Rev. Butz, Sr. and Dr. Loy were the speakers of the day. For ten years the Home continued to do its work at Wood's Run, old Allegheny, but as the quarters were no longer adequate and as the need for a temporary home for children seemed to be needed in the eastern part of the synodical territory, the matter of locating the Home beyond the city limits where more ground and more fresh air would be available was seriously considered. After casting about for a time a site of 18 acres was found adjoining Mars, Pa.
A part of the city property was sold, $5,000 in addition were donated by the warm friends of the work, many other
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