USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the middle district of Pennsylvania > Part 23
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Thus missionary endeavor in the district was taking form and with it a sharing of the burden of expense.
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" James A. Sell and John M. Mohler were elected mis- sionaries for one year " to work under this plan.
It should be noted that this organization, crude though it may appear now, antedates the conference plan of 1884, which is the foundation of the present General Mission Board's activities.
In 1885, the Altoona congregation asked that the Glen Hope Mission be recommended to the General Mission Board. This was granted.
Then, in 1886, the present plan for organized mission- ary endeavor in the district was adopted. The district meeting was held at New Enterprise. And among other items of business, some time early enough to have a com- mittee prepare a report for the meeting, this query was presented from the Huntingdon congregation :
" Whereas, there is at this time no missionary organization in the Middle District of Pennsyl- vania for missionary work in this District, or in places adjacent, should any calls be made for preaching by the Brethren ; therefore, Resolved, that the Huntingdon Church ask the coming District Meeting to re-organize a Missionary Board, to further home missionary work, or mis- sionary work within our District."
This request was granted, and James Quinter, Jacob F. Oller and James A. Sell " were a committee appointed to draft a plan." At a later stage of the meeting they sub- mitted the following :
1. That a committee of five brethren be appointed by the District Meeting to constitute a missionary board, and that they be taken from churches sufficiently near together to save them from going a great distance to meet for consultation. The committee shall con- tinue one year.
2. The object of the committee shall be to take into consideration the wants of weak churches, or churches that need ministerial help, and to respond to calls to preach the Gospel in the new fields in which there are favorable openings.
3. And said committee shall elect its officers, which shall be moder- ator, clerk, and treasurer, and shall, as often as necessary to carry on its work successfully, hold meetings.
4. That each church adopt some plan to co-operate with the fore- going board.
5. In regard to collecting funds, we recommend that the Mission-
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ary Board above named appoint a solicitor, or solicitors, in each church to collect for meeting the expenses of the work done. Said funds to be forwarded to the treasurer.
6. Said committee shall select such brethren to do the missionary work as it shall judge suitable to the work, and who are sound in faith and practice. And such a remuneration shall be given them as will defray their traveling expenses and give them a reasonable compensation for their time.
The committee elected for one year, with its organiza- tion, was as follows: Seth F. Myers, Moderator ; John B. Brumbaugh, secretary ; Andrew Bashore, treasurer ; Dan- iel Landis and William Howe.
The following year (1887) Seth F. Myers, the moder- ator, made this report: "On account of the peculiar cir- cumstances in which the board was placed, not much work was done." He further said: "There was a good balance in the treasury and that the prospect for doing more during the present year was encouraging."
The board had been appointed only for one year, and so the following was adopted by the meeting :
"In view of the fact that the term of office of those appointed at the organization of the Mission Board, at last District Meeting, expired one year from date, and it being the desire of the district to continue the work, therefore, be it Resolved, that the officers of the present board, J. B. Brumbaugh, secretary, and Andrew Bashore, treasurer, be continued one year, and Seth F. Myers, chairman, two years, as members, and the other two vacancies be filled by electing two brethren who shall serve for a term of three years, and that all their succes- sors hereafter be elected for a term of three years. The two members elected were James A. Sell and Samuel G. Rupert."
The Board had no report to make that year, but James A. Sell, " a member of the Board, reported several meet- ings held by himself, being in the field about three weeks at a cost of $30.00."
But the next year (1889), a well prepared report was submitted :
1. We had one meeting of the Board, at which time we arranged to hold meetings at nine different places.
2. The returns from those entrusted with the work show that only four fields were occupied. One in Bedford, one in Huntingdon, one in Perry, and one in Blair County.
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3. Three dollars' worth of tracts were distributed.
4. No fruits by way of accessions are reported.
5. The expenses, incidental and otherwise, were $68.40.
6. The contributions from all sources during the year were $86.64. 7. Number of churches that contributed, nine.
8. The largest amount contributed by one church, $28.43. The lowest, $1.50. Number that did not contribute, nineteen.
9. Brother S. S. Gray, and Sister Miriam, his wife, donated to our mission work a house and lot worth $800 to $1,000.00, more or less.
The summary shows thirty-six meetings held; cash on hand, $200.00. A vote of thanks to Brother Gray for the house and lot was tendered him, and in accord with his wishes the property was to be sold and the proceeds used in mission work.
At the time of the division of the District (1892) a motion prevailed " to divide the funds now in the hands of the District Mission Board, by the Treasurer, in the proportion as contributed by the different churches."
Without giving any explanation, the minutes show that the membership of the Board was reduced from five to three.
No statement of receipts were made that year. "There was an opening made during the year at Williamsport, Bellefonte, and Renover, and five were added to the church. The work at this point has been neglected on account of not being able to secure the services of a suitable brother to labor there."
In 1913, through a petition from Huntingdon congre- gation, the Mission Board was increased from three to five. At this same meeting the bishops of the district appointed Brice Sell, Tobias T. Myers and Levi Hol- singer a committee "whose duty it will be to visit our various mission points, and in connection with the Mis- sion Board, encourage the electing of ministers from their respective congregations."
While the foregoing relates, to some extent, to the work done in an organized way, endeavor made by indi- viduals, even after there was a missionary board,-such as has been done by John Bennett, at Flintstone and elsewhere in that large field, by Joseph W. Wilt and Martin S. Henry at Riggles Gap and other points, it is impossible to reduce to adequate record. In fact, going back through the years, every new opening which later
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developed into an organized congregation had at its be- ginning one or more earnest Christians who made sacri- fice that the work might grow. Much of what is now the Church of the Brethren in the Middle District of Penn- sylvania, is due to the same spirit that prompts mission- ary Boards, a following up of individual effort.
In addition to preaching at missionary points, the dis- trict has helped to build the following church houses : first building in Altoona, Bellwood, Tyrone, Riddlesburg, Stonerstown, and Hollidaysburg.
A general idea of what the District has been doing through its Missionary Board may be seen in the follow- ing table of endeavor through the years :
DISTRICT MISSIONARY ENDEAVOR
Year
Receipts
Expendi- tures
Places where work was done.
1887
"Not much work done".
Good balance in the treasury.'
1888
$30.00
"James A. Sell held revival meetings.
1889
62.40
Bedford, Huntingdon, Perry and Blair Cos.
1890
No report recorded.
1891
$150.89
73.81
No report recorded.
1892
86.49
Williamsport, Bellefonte, etc.
1893
142.78
126.18
"Four places under the Board."
1894
No report recorded.
1895
551.90
.. ..
Tyrone and Bellwood.
1895
$1303.58
$1278.58
Whole amount received and expended from August 23, 1892 to May 1, 1895.
1896
$530.82
Tyrone, Bellwood, Stonerstown, Buck Valley
1897
452.39
1898
391.26
No report recorded.
1899
535.83
1900
704.28
727.73
Tyrone, Bellwood, Stonerstown
1901
632.44
649.57
Partial support is reported thus: Bellwood $200.00, Tyrone $300.00.
1902
869.88
716.82
Tyrone, Bellwood, Stonerstown
1903
650.92
710.53
1904
599.73
555.23
66
66
1906
710.94
627.78
ley, Ray's Cove
1907
651.63
566.38
Tyrone, Stonerstown, Riddlesburg, Bellwood
1908
787.14
1048.63
66
66
66
66
66
66
1912
611.84
654.95
66
66
66
66
1913
731.38
764.02
66
66
1914
701.56
634.94
66
60
1915
821.70
733.95
66
[burg
1916
1130.56
985.40
1917
1407.72
1284.31
1918
1599.82
1154.82
66
66
66
66
1920
2180.49
1238.13
1921
3489.46
1928.19
1922
2848.34
2109.11
66
66
1923
3592.21
3349.05
66
66
1924
3844.84
2277.16
66
329
66
66
[burg
1909
773.26
773.26
, Hollidays-
1910
580.17
532.27
1911
569.00
621.41
66
, Hollidays-
66
1919
2192.86
1700.89
Also Warriors' Mark
Hollidaysb-'g
1905
653.74
625.21
Clear Ridge, Buck Val-
66
MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT MISSION BOARD AND TERMS OF SERVICE
Seth Myers
John B. Brumbaugh
Andrew Bashor
Daniel Landis James A. Sell
William Howe Samuel Rupert
Jacob F. Oller
66
Samuel G. Rupert
€ 4
Albert O. Dilling 66
George S. Myers
John B. Miller
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
George S. Myers
John B. Brumbaugh
John B. Miller
66
66
Wm. H. Holsinger
John Bennett
Harry A. Spanogle
John S. Hershberger
David T. Detwiler
Moses R. Brumbaugh
66 Wm. H. Holsinger
66 Edward M. Howe
66 66 John R. Stayer
Daniel B. Maddocks
66 66
66
66
David T. Detwiler
Charles O. Beery
Harry A. Spanogle
1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924
A History of the Church of the Brethren
66
66
66
66 66 Galen K. Walker
66
66
330
CHAPTER IV Sunday-Schools
" It seems quite certain that to the Church of the Brethren belongs the honor of introducing Sunday- schools into the United States .* However, when they scattered into the wilderness and had no places of wor- ship except their own small houses, the holding of Sunday-schools was not attempted.
" This continued throughout several generations at a time, when there were no schools and most of the people grew to man and womanhood illiterate.
" Then, too, our people made themselves unpopular and the butt of derision on account of their opposition to war, slavery and the distilling, trafficking and drinking of in- toxicating liquor. This caused them to look with sus- picion upon all advanced movements and avoid and frequently oppose them. This was true of education and Sunday-schools. Such was the irony of fate that the same church that introduced Sunday-schools did in a generation or two afterward oppose them.
" However, while this was general it was not universal. There always was some sentiment in favor of advance- ment. This continued to grow and began to assert itself about the middle of the nineteenth century.
" At first the opposition was so strong that they could not be held in the meeting houses, and a minister could make himself decidedly unpopular in some localities if he advocated the introduction of Sunday-schools."-James A. Sell.
While the Annual Meeting of 1839, Article 10, "con- sidered most advisable to take no part in the Sunday- schools, class meetings, and the like," a few years before any Sunday-school was started in Middle District she placed herself (1857) on the right side of the issue in the following: Article 11. " How is it considered for breth- ren to have Sabbath-schools conducted by the Brethren?
* Brumbaugh's History of the Brethren, p. 464.
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
Answer: Inasmuch as we are commanded to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, we know of no Scripture which condemns Sabbath-schools, if conducted in gospel order, and if they are made the means of teaching scholars a knowledge of the Scrip- tures." This action " was readopted," (1862, Art. 1) and in Article 31, same year, she plainly declared, " We con- sider it right to have Sunday-schools, if conducted by the brethren."
Six years later (Art. 14, 1868), "We advise, that, where the nature of the case will admit of it, for brethren to hold Sabbath-schools, and such school should be opened by singing and prayer and closed by singing and prayer, as it may be thought proper, and they should be superintended by brethren. And we advise the brethren to be very careful in introducing books, to introduce none that inculcate doctrines contrary to the gospel." Thus, in 1870, she considered "it not wrong " to hold Sunday- schools in the churches. The following year, when pe- titioned "to recall the privilege granted to establish Sunday-schools," she answers: "We do not recall the above privilege, but where the establishing of Sunday- schools would cause trouble or division, brethren had better desist from introducing them."
The Christian Family Companion * shows clearly the struggle that the Sunday-school had to gain the recogni- tion it justly deserved. Perhaps a few churches east and west had Sunday-school and kept quiet about it. Any- how, under the guise of " Bible Classes," as early as 1860, Plum Creek (W. Pa.) began Sunday-school. The Sams Creek house, in " Pipe Creek branch," started a Sunday- school in 1865 .; The Philadelphia Church dates earlier. Dry Valley, in our own district, began Sunday-school, though not under the supervision of the congregation, as early as 1860.
The Christian Family Companion represents some very interesting features of Sunday-school development. Though the publication began in January, nothing is said in its columns till June 20 issue, when Samuel A. Moore
* The first weekly publication of the church, begun January 1, 1865, edited and published by Henry R. Holsinger, at Tyrone, (Pa.) was conducted as an open rostrum.
t Ibid., July 25, 1865, p. 230.
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in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
reported the organization of the Clover Creek school .* " How much better," the writer argued, " do all Christian parents feel when they know that their nearest, as well as their dearest, offspring are engaged in a work that will aid them in their eternal happiness. . . . Be it under- stood, we have no union school, 'not with other denomi- nations,' but union among ourselves, altogether German Baptists."
This report from Clover Creek stirred up A. P. Fahr- ney, of Polo, Illinois, who wrote vigorously against the inroad.t He "lived in that arm (Clover Creek) of the church," was "personally acquainted with nearly all the brethren and sisters in that church," and declared he " had too much confidence in them to believe that they would ever consent to allow the 'wolf'" to come into their flock." He prepared to "look into this matter a little deeper," . .. and see if it is not quite the reverse " of what Samuel A. Moore said " Having myself attended Sunday-school when I was a boy, I have reason to believe that it is one of the grand means of bringing up our children in the pride of life, etc., and no sober-minded man of any experience will deny this fact. . . . This institution is cer- tainly very highly esteemed among men. . .. It equally meets the approbation of the so-called professors and non-professors of religion and is looked upon as a heaven-ordained institution, and this alone should teach us that it is an abomination with God. How can you more easily insult some people than to disapprove of their Sunday-schools."
George S. Myers,¿ of Lewistown, later in life a most ardent supporter, was " well pleased with the manner " in which the Clover Creek school is reported to have been conducted, especially "that there shall be no union with other denominations. . . . When I see brethren's minds so completely absorbed with the subject of Sabbath- schools that they will forsake the assembling of them- selves together at the regular meetings, to attend schools conducted (in part at least) by those who do not obey the Gospel, I cannot but conclude that their zeal is not according to knowledge, etc. ... One very great objec-
* See Clover Creek.
t Ibid., July 4 issue, page 207.
# Ibid., July 11, 1865, p. 212.
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
tion I have to Sabbath-schools is the predominance of a class of books in their libraries for which I can find no better name than religious novels. . .. Another, (in many places) is the blighting influences of evil surround- ings to which children are subjected on their way to and from school."
From the same congregation as the former writer comes the voice of George Hanawalt,* in which he points out the Biblical ground for teaching children the Bible in Sunday-school, stressing "religious education of the ris- ing generation," pointing out vividly that the Sunday- school is the " principal engine in proselyting their neigh- bors to their various faiths," and showing that "in all ages of the church it has been necessary for the people of God to remonstrate against error . . . and common sense would dictate, if nothing else, that the brethren should give it their attention or they will lack their reasonable share of proselytes."
Not until nine months of publication of his paper had slipped by did that leader of righteous reform in those early days, Henry R. Holsinger, speak ; with the finest moderation on the Sunday-school question. He makes fifteen observations that set forth conditions in his day and then proceeds to point out seven features of " what a Sunday-school, such as we advocate, should be."
Later # Samuel B. Furry, of New Enterprise, after having "the good fortune, by the permission of God, to visit the Sunday-school in the Clover Creek congrega- tion," says, among a number of good things, "it shows that at least the majority of the brethren make an effort to have their children, as well as their neighbor children, brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, . .. and bring their religious influences to bear more directly upon their neighbors' children, thus forming a religious society of young men and women."
Next year (March 6, 1866) the same writer from New Enterprise pointed out "the evils and defects which mostly adhere to these schools," as follows: (1) The memory is too much burdened with the retention of
* Ibid., Sept. 5, 1865, p. 276.
t Ibid., Sept. 26, 1865, p. 301.
# Ibid., October 17, p. 324.
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in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
words, or committing to memory without a proper com- prehension of what is committed instead of exercising the rational faculty by illustrating facts simplified. (2) Re- ligious instruction is too much confined to only a few objects confined within the compass of Divine Revela- tion. (3) Discussions on systematic theology, too often take the place of moral instruction addressed to the affec- tions and the conscience. (4) Catechisms, and other human traditions, are too frequently made use of, instead of instructing directly from the Scriptures. (5) Many of the instructors, however pious and well intended, are de- ficient in simplifying knowledge, in order to convey clear conceptions of every portion of knowledge they wish to inculcate into the juvenile mind."
The great caution with which our brethren moved in accepting the Sunday-school is finely pointed out in Dan- iel Snowberger's contributions .* It must be remembered that he was the first superintendent of the New Enter- prise school and a leader in many ways in this departure. "My object," he says, "in taking part in organizing a Sunday-school in this place was to encourage our youth to read and study the Scriptures, and to acquaint them- selves with the doctrines taught therein; and, upon ma- ture reflection, I have come to the conclusion that the Bible and New Testament are the best Sunday-school books that we could get, and that no other books should be used, except hymn books to sing from and spelling books for those who cannot read." Hence he " can see no necessity for publishing books " to meet the needs of the Sunday-school, as the editor himself had advocated. He would impose upon the "parent or guardian " to supply " such reading matter as he sees proper, for to read at home, but let the best of all books be used in our Sunday-schools."
But in spite of the conservatism manifested in the fore- going, Sunday-schools multiplied in the district, and the first convention perhaps in the brotherhood,-at least in the district, was gladly entertained in the congregation whose sons have meant so much to Sunday-school work, to education, to the districts and to the Brotherhood. But let the report speak for itself :
* Christian Family Companion, 1868, July 28, p. 266.
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
SUNDAY-SCHOOL CONVENTION
According to announcement in the Pilgrim, a Sunday-school Con- vention by the Brethren for the Middle District of Pennsylvania was held at James Creek, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, October 21, 1876.
Meeting was called to order by Brother George Brumbaugh, after which Brother John Spanogle was appointed Moderator; Brother H. B. Brumbaugh, clerk; and Brother J. M. Mohler, secretary.
Brother John Spanogle then addressed the meeting, and explained the object of a Sunday-school Convention.
The Clerk then read a list of Sunday-school Districts and their delegates as follows :
Lewistown, J. M. Mohler, Albert Steinberger; Spring Run, M. F. H. Kinsel, R. T. Myers; Aughwick, John Spanogle, James Lane; James Creek, Robert Mason; Bethel, Benjamin Brumbaugh; Manor Hill, Archie Van Dyke; New Enterprise, Daniel Snowberger, Jacob Furry; Waterside, George Brumbaugh, Isaac Replogle; Lamersville, not represented; Huntingdon, J. M. Zuck, J. B. Brumbaugh; Clover Creek, not represented; Cross Roads, not represented.
The delegates then reported (which reports appear in connection with each Sunday-school under the name of its congregation).
It was moved that a committee be appointed to draft a form of resolutions and queries to be subject to the adoption, amendment, or disapproval of the convention. Brethren Daniel Snowberger, J. M. Zuck, H. B. Brumbaugh and J. M. Mohler were appointed. Meet- ing then adjourned, for refreshments, by singing a hymn.
AFTERNOON SESSION
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator. Hymn was sung. Report of Committee called for. Read by the Clerk. Sub- ject to amendment, adoption, or disapproval by the convention.
Resolutions passed for the government of the Brethren Sabbath- school :
First. Resolved, That we, as teachers, qualify ourselves so as to be able to defend the doctrine of the Bible in its purity, against all opposition. Second, That we, as members of the Brethren Church, take no part in picnics, celebration, church festivals, nor anything of that nature. Third, That we teach, when called in question, the characteristics of the Christian, viz. : humility, non-resistance, gentle- ness of spirit, innocency and plainness of character both in manners and dress. Fourth, That we instruct our delegates to use their in- fluence to have our Sunday-schools conducted by members of the German Baptist Church as far as possible; if not members enough for teachers, others who are friendly to the doctrine of Christ. Fifth, That we instruct our delegates to use their influence against libraries. Sixth, That inasmuch as the lesson leaves published by the different denominations do not fully meet our views and wants.
Therefore, This meeting agrees to appoint one or more brethren to prepare lessons for the Sunday-school, to be published in the Young Disciple, or separately if the demand will justify it.
The convention then appointed the following named as a com-
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in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
mittee : Brethren H. B. Brumbaugh, James Quinter, J. M. Zuck, and J. B. Brumbaugh.
Query 1-Is it considered expedient to give liberty to persons not members of the Church of the Brethren to deliver an address? Answer-We think it should be left to the discretion of the Super- intendent in charge.
Query 2-Are the Lesson Leaves now in use in the Sabbath Schools beneficial? Tabled.
Query 3-Would it be best to adopt a uniform or fixed plan for conducting our Sunday-schools? Answer-We think it would as far as circumstances will admit.
Query 4-What kind of hymns should be used by the Brethren in the Sunday-school? Brother A. B. Brumbaugh recommended the Centennial edition of the Service of Song. Brother Henry Harsh- berger opposed the introduction of any songster; favors the use of the Brethren's Hymn Book. Brother John Spanogle thinks our Hymn Book not suitable for Sabbath-schools, but advised the breth- ren to get up a collection of music. Brethren Daniel Snowberger, Abraham Myers, Michael Kinsel, James R. Lane, J. M. Zuck, and H. B. Brumbaugh thought it good to make a selection of music.
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