USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the middle district of Pennsylvania > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
Convention then agreed to defer the matter for the present, with a view of getting up a book of our own.
Query 5-How can we best secure the attendance of parents and scholars to the Sabbath-school? This subject was quite freely dis- cussed by the following brethren : Albert Steinberger, J. M. Zuck, John Spanogle, Daniel Snowberger, Archy Van Dyke, James Lane and J. B. Brumbaugh.
Query answered in the following manner : First, Ministers should feel deeply interested in the youth, believing that the future good of the church very greatly rests upon them. Hence the necessity of being well prepared. Second, That parents, as well as ministers, take no active part in the Sunday-school, by gathering their children to- gether and taking them to place of meeting. Third, That the breth- ren and sisters pay special visits to families in the community in which the Sabbath-school is held, and all children who absent them- selves on account of poverty, said brethren and sisters are to supply all that is necessary for their admittance, etc.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be sent for publica- tion in our periodicals.
Having no more business, the Convention adjourned by singing and prayer.
H. B. BRUMBAUGH, Clerk. JOHN M. MOHLER, Secretary.
No record has been found indicating a convention was held in 1877, but one interested in the development of the Sunday-school will be glad for the account of the 1878 convention which follows :
SUNDAY-SCHOOL CONVENTION MIDDLE DISTRICT, PENNSYLVANIA
Pursuant to call in the P. C. (Primitive Christian), No. 39, to hold
337
A History of the Church of the Brethren
a Sunday-school Convention, delegates and others met at the Spring Run meeting house, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday evening at 6 o'clock, October 15th, 1878, Brother M. F. Kinsel, chair- man of Committee Arrangements, presiding. After devotional exer- cises, Brother John Spanogle was elected Moderator, Brother S. W. Bollinger, trans-secretary, and Brother W. J. Swigart, corresponding secretary; after which the following resolution was adopted :
Resolved, That the presiding officer of this body be termed "The Moderator," and that all speakers on rising address him as "Brother Moderator."
A brief and befitting opening address was delivered by Brother George H. Swigart, and reciprocated by the Convention.
General business being in order, it was decided that delegates only should vote. That where but one delegate is sent, he has the liberty to choose a colleague; that when one or two brethren are present from a Sunday-school whence no delegates have been sent, they may be considered delegates. A call was made for delegates to report, with the following response :
Altoona, letter by G. W. Kephart; Aultz Union, Dun- mere, J. C. Swigart; Bethel, R. A. Zook, Samuel Brumbaugh ; Buffalo Valley, Isaac Heddings, P. H. Beaver ; Clover Creek, Samuel Furry; Carson Valley, name sent by J. A. Sell, but no report; Dry Valley, Albert Stineberger, Samuel Reichard; Duncansville, letter by J. A. Sell; Germany Valley (Union), John E. Garver, G. S. Van Dyke; Hill Valley, W. L. Spanogle, Harry Smelker; Huntingdon, Ella Brumbaugh, W. J. Swigart; James Creek, Robert Mason, George Brumbaugh; Lamersville, letter by J. A. Sell; Spring Run, M. F. H. Kinsel, J. A. Rush; Snyder, letter reported sent, but was not received by Secretary; Woodbury, Levi B. Replogle, Michael Bechtel; Waterside, Jacob Furry, Joseph Z. Replogle; Warriors Mark, Dr. Myers, S. S. Gray.
WEDNESDAY MORNING
Convention opened at 9 A. M. with singing and prayer, after which the following subjects were regularly taken up: "Utility of Sabbath- schools " was opened by J. E. Garver and fully discussed by several members.
" Best methods of obtaining attendance in Sabbath-schools," J. Furry. This subject was discussed by several brethren.
"What are the best methods of instructing children? " opened by a paper read by R. A. Zook, and discussed by the convention.
" Should history be taken as authority in teaching Bible lessons? " Opened by S. S. Gray.
"What should be the qualifications of Sunday-school teachers?" Opened by a report submitted by W. L. Spanogle, and was discussed by the convention.
Adjourned.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Afternoon session opened at 2 o'clock, in order. After the reading of the minutes of the forenoon session, the subject, "What should be
338
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
the qualifications of a Sunday-school teacher?" was resumed and further discussed.
The referred question, "What are the benefits of Sabbath-school convention," was answered by J. Quinter.
The "Children's Meeting," in the absence of J. M. Mohler and J. A. Sell, was conducted by J. Quinter and Albert Stinebarger.
Brother Samuel B. Furry read an interesting and instructive paper on the subject, "How can Bible classes be taught most successfully ? "
"What should be considered a reasonable excuse for teachers or officer absenting themselves from the Sabbath-school?" was referred to M. F. H. Kinsel. Brother Kinsel thought sickness or accident were all that should keep one away, and that in all cases of absences substitutes should be furnished.
The following committee was appointed by the chair to draw up resolutions expressing the sense of the Convention on the various subjects that had been before it: R. A. Zook, W. L. Spanogle and W. J. Swigart.
Upon the whole the audience was large, the order very good, the subjects ably handled, and a pleasant feeling prevailed.
Adjourned to meet at 6 1/2 o'clock, Wednesday evening.
EVENING SESSION
Convention opened at 6 1/2 P. M. After the reading of the min- utes of the afternoon, the following committee was appointed to arrange for the next convention, viz. :
W. J. Swigart, John M. Mohler, Samuel B. Furry, Harry S. Smelker, James A. Sell, M. F. H. Kinsel and I. S. Reddings (The last names of committee were since added).
W. J. Swigart read a paper on the proposition, "For what are church members, and especially parents, responsible with reference to the Sunday-school." The convention ordered a copy to be sub- initted to the editors of the P. C. for publication.
"Would it not be better to designate our Sunday-school repre- sentatives as 'Messengers'; the term 'Delegate' being offensive to many of our brethren?" Opened by P. H. Beaver. Decided by convention that they may be so called.
The following subjects were referred to the convention :
" What are the uses and workings of Atwater's Sunday-school government? " and " What is the propriety or advantage of the les- son leaves?" discussed by brethren. The subjects elicited consider- able discussion. Where Atwater's Sunday-school government had been used it was considered useful. The propriety of the "Lesson Leaves " was discussed pro and con, and the majority were un- favorable to their use.
The chairman of the committee read the following resolutions, which were adopted by the convention, viz. :
Resolved, That we more than ever are convinced of the "Utility of Sabbath-schools."
Resolved, That in order to induce regular attendance on the part of the pupils, we feel the importance of making the Sunday-school interesting and attractive, and urge the regular attendance of parents and teachers.
339
A History of the Church of the Brethren
Resolved, That we feel more than ever the necessity of adopting the best methods of instruction and training the children of our Sunday-school.
Resolved, That history should be used discreetly in the Sunday- schools.
Resolved, That the qualifications of the Sunday-school teacher are first of all a good Christian character, a zealous and discreet desire to do good, and then a prayerful preparation.
Resolved, That we receive the sentiment expressed in the paper read by Brother S. B. Furry as profitable admonition in conducting Bible classes.
Resolved, That we sensibly feel the importance of Sunday-school Conventions.
Resolved, That we feel to urge upon the general Brotherhood, and especially the Churches of the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the necessity of Sunday-school organization, and a representative of those schools in future Conventions.
Resolved, That although we highly appreciate the labors of these zealous workers that are with us, we also express our regret that some of our brethren to whom duties were assigned, could not be present.
Resolved, That parents and church members are solely responsible for the success of the Sunday-school.
Resolved, That the thanks of the Convention are tendered to the brethren of "Spring Run" church for their kind hospitality and ample entertainment.
Resolved, That a copy of the minutes, as read, be submitted to the editors of the P. C. for publication.
Closed by singing and prayer.
Adjourned sine die.
JOHN SPANOGLE, Moderator, Hill Valley, Pennsylvania.
S. W. BOLLINGER, Transcribing Secretary, McVeytown, Pa.
W. J. SWIGART, Corresponding Secretary, Huntingdon, Pa.
While Middle District of Pennsylvania was, with a few other districts, forging ahead in the Sunday-school work it is helpful to note the favorable attitude which General Conference took during these times in spite of strong pressure against the Sunday-school in some sections of the Brotherhood.
In 1880, when a long protest covering a number of issues came up from Southern District of Ohio, in which the petitioners state, reiaung to Sunday-schools, that they are " more of human origin than by command of Christ or His apostles, and hence are more of a worldly custom than a Gospel principle or authority, . . . were never sanctioned by Annual Meeting, in the way many are and will be conducted," and that Ephesians 8: 4 is a command " given to parents, and not to others," the Con-
340
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
ference (Sec. 2, 1880) decided that "Sabbath-schools, when held in the spirit of the Gospel, may be made a means of bringing up our children in the 'nurture and admonition of the Lord.'"
Again, while the action of Conference in 1882 (Art. 22) put an end to conventions, she did not change her favor- able attitude to the Sunday-school itself, as seen in the following : " Answer : However much we are in favor of Sunday-schools and believe they are promotive of good and enhance the cause of Christianity (italics by the Editor), yet the Annual Meeting cannot allow the unnecessary ap- pendage of Sunday-school conventions which follow the course of popular Christianity and are contrary to the principles of the Gospel and contrary to the Scriptures. See Romans 12 : 2."
The foregoing evidently stopped conventions for a decade or more, but it did not keep the leaders of Middle Pennsylvania from studying the question. The Minutes of the District Meeting of April 18, 1894, give a report of the Sunday-schools for 1893, of which the following is the most important part: (Number shows average attend- ance) Roaring Springs, 61; Woodbury, 103, gave $4.49 to India missions ; Altoona, 137 ; Raven Run, 50, gave $4.58 to India missions ; Koonz, 88; Everett, 40; Leamersville, 51, gave $3.00 to India missions; New Enterprise, 150; Warriors Mark, 58; Huntingdon, 85.
The foregoing were the schools reported. Sentiment was aroused and the next year thirty-three schools were represented, though the clerk indicates that some of the reports "were given at random." For that reason space is not given to the report here.
But conventions could not be kept down in Middle Pennsylvania by General Conference decisions, for, in 1898, the " Minutes of the Sunday-school Meeting of the Central District of Pennsylvania, held in the College Chapel at Huntingdon, September 8 and 9," supplied by the then Field Secretary, Walter S. Long, are of more than ordinary interest. The excerpts from the addresses are indicative of splendid vision for those days, but this record must be content with the program. William J. Swigart called the meeting to order; Walter S. Long conducted the devotional exercises; the "minutes of the
341
A History of the Church of the Brethren
former meeting were read and approved " (But where are those minutes now ?- Ed.) Tellers, A. T. Kockendarfer, I. J. Long and Lottie Replogle, and the meeting pro- ceeded to organize, first by the Moderator ruling "that all persons present who are interested in Sunday-school work be entitled to vote." Organizations: J. Allen Myers, Moderator; Josiah B. Brumbaugh, assistant ; Walter S. Long, secretary ; Jacob C. Stayer, treasurer .*
Thus runs the program :
Essay-Object of the Sunday-school. Bertha Fahrney, followed by open discussion by John B. Brumbaugh, Amos H. Haines, Henry B. Brumbaugh, Otis M. Brumbaugh, William J. Swigart.
Singing by the College Quartet.
Topic-How to secure lesson study? Jacob C. Stayer.
Adjournment for noon hour. Closing prayer by Jacob K. Brown.
At the opening of the afternoon session, which was observed with prayer by the Moderator, William J. Swigart, Walter S. Long, Amos H. Haines, John B. Brumbaugh, Henry Shellenberger, Ella Brum- baugh, Alice Long, Ella Snavely and J. Allen Myers took part in the discussion.
Topic-How can the Sunday-school be made a help in maintaining the principles of plainness in the church? Nancy Bennett. General discussion : Milton C. Swigart, John B. Brumbaugh, Henry B. Brum- baugh, David Emmert.
Topic-Best methods of inducing liberal contributions. Discussed by D. M. Gearhart, Amos H. Haines, William J. Swigart, Walter S. Long.
Singing by the Quartet.
Topic-Election of officers. George H. Swayne. General discus- sion : Brethren Spidle, Shellenberger and Gearhart, Walter S. Long, J. Allen Myers and William I. Book.
Essay-Preparing for teaching and work. Alice E. Long.
Singing by the Quartet.
Topic-The Holy Spirit in Sunday-school work. Amos H. Haines. Singing by the Quartet.
Friday's session was opened by Jesse Ziegler, of Eastern District.
Topic-What constitutes true loyalty toward the Sunday-school on the part of the officials of the church? Jacob K. Brown. General discussions : Albert O. Dilling, Henry B. Brumbaugh, Jesse Ziegler, John B. Brumbaugh, J. Allen Myers.
Singing by the Quartet.
Topic-How to hold scholars till they grow up and become mem- bers of the church. J. Allen Myers. General discussion: Josiah B. Brumbaugh, Irvin VanDyke, Isaac B. Book, Amos H. Haines, Jesse
* Evidently Brother Stayer was re-elected, because the convention of 1898, in its financial statement, says there was a balance of $1.52, which would mean an ap- pointment the year previous. He served continuously twenty-five years, or until the new constitution was adopted in 1922.
342
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
B. Emmert, John E. Garver, Ella Snavely, Walter S. Long, William J. Swigart.
Singing by the Quartet.
Topic-The best way of observing Christmas so as to teach chil- dren the true import of the occasion. David Emmert.
Queries : First. Is it wisdom to change teachers for a class as they grow older, or retain the same teacher? Josiah B. Brumbaugh.
Second. To what extent should lesson pictures be used in im- pressing lesson truths? Ella J. Brumbaugh.
Third. What shall we do with parents (members of the church) who discourage their children uniting with the church? Jesse Zigler. Fourth. What methods have you found most successful in build- ing up a Sunday-school? William I. Book.
The treasurer reported a balance on hand from last year .. $1 52 Collection received at this meeting. 10 27
Total 11 79
Four years later, in the District Meeting Minutes, April 16, 1902, there is a tabulated report of the schools. It, of course, is for 1901. One column is so full of interest to all the churches that it is copied here in paragraph form. It is headed "Per cent. of members attending Sunday-school." Thus is the report: Altoona, 25%; Artemas, 53%; Buck Valley, 25%; Hill Valley, 40% ; Germany Valley, 33% ; Beech Run, 90% ; Black Long, 90% ; Enyeart (now Rock Hill), 80% ; Ardenheim, 30%; Clover Creek, 50% ; Martinsburg, 50% ; Smithfield, 75% ; Claar, 18% ; Leamersville, 40%; Carson Valley, 58% ; Everett, 50% ; Fairview (Everett), 60% ; Fairview, 40% ; Huntingdon, 35% ; Cold Springs, 50%; James Creek, 90%; Bethel (in James Creek), 95%; Lewistown, 50% ; Dry Valley, 10%; Bannerville, 90% ; New Enterprise, 10%; Raven Run, 12%; Roaring Spring, 32% ; Spring Run, 60% ; Aultz, 60% ; Pine Glen, 27% ; Snake Spring, 40%; Koontz, 56%; Cherry Lane, 20%; Woodbury, 50%; Cross Roads, 25%; Snyder (Woodbury), 20% ; Warriors Mark, 33%; Yellow Creek, 25% ; Bethel, 50% ; Bellwood, 25% ; Stonerstown, 25% ; Tyrone, 50%.
Jesse B. Emmert, secretary that year, declared there was not one home department ; all schools used Brethren literature but Ardenheim, Aultz and Pine Glen; 3.457 enrolled ; average attendance, 2,102; teaching force, 277; $1,187.37 collected, and $246.57 given to missions; 100 pupils converted; nine schools had teachers' meetings ; the average attendance of the members was 45%.
343
A History of the Church of the Brethren
It was at this same meeting that Jesse Emmert recom- mended " that the Sunday-schools of the Middle District of Pennsylvania support a missionary in India." The meeting enthusiastically approved of the proposition and instructed the schools of the District to make a selection "before the next session of the General Missionary Board.
Here it is proper to record that loving support which the Sunday-school of the District gave to Jesse B. Em- mert, their representative on the India Field, as shown in the amounts forwarded to the General Mission Board during the earlier years :
1903-'04, $100.00; 1904-'05, $100.00; 1905-'06, $250.00; 1906-'07, $250.00; 1907-'08, $125.00; 1908-'09, $250.00 ; 1909-'10, $250.00; 1910-'11, $250.00, etc. There was no spurt of enthusiasm, but loyalty to a great cause. Not until Brother Emmert was compelled to stay at home, through failing health of his dear wife, who finally passed to her reward in the late fall of 1924, did the District cease to support him on the mission field.
The following table is helpful in studying growth of the Sunday-school movement as revealed under the sev- eral field secrtaries. Blanks mean no information avail- able. In the instances of Walter S. Long (1898, W. S. L.), and Irvin C. Van Dyke (1903, I. C. V.) the record of the only year available is used. In instances of Milton C. Swigart (1905, M. C. S.), Edgar M. Detwiler (1911, E. M. D.), and Ardie E. Wilt (1921, A. E. W.), the last year of term of service is used. 1923 is the last available report, and has the handicap of not having a field secre- tary but a part of the year.
1898 W.S.L.
1903 I.C.V.
1905
1911
1921 A.E. W.
1923
No. preaching places.
60
63
69
No. S. S. reporting ...
26
41
44 276*
48
56
48
No. in Teacher Train ... . .
.. ..
. .
. .
...
2
Enrollment. .
2293
3350
4 3484
6233
8865
7919
Average Attendance.
1409
2021
2154
2796
4701
4756
Number Converts ...
81
114
155
294
599
383
Money raised in schools ...
$640.28 $1779.82 $2014.98 $4250.51 $19060.37 $21902.37
To Missions, Charity. 90.19 . .. *Just includes teachers and not officers.
681.10
753.94
1494.73
5721.80
6103.83
.. .
No. officers and teachers ..
271*
558 130
128
162
No. Teachers Meetings. . .
22
22
No. Organized Classes .. . .
18 130 10
128
162
No. Home Departments. .
31
26
From Milton S. Swigart's report for 1904 are gathered
344
M.C.S.
E.M.D.
705
694
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
these striking statements: " 48 church houses, 63 preach- ing places, and only 44 Sunday-schools. Why?" Under the caption, "Still our Needs are," he recited the follow- ing: "More Evergreen Sunday-schools; more specific work for conversions; more help from the pulpit; more hands willing to work; more interested workers; fewer indifferent church members; fewer church houses with no Sunday-school; fewer persons who do not attend Sunday-school; fewer inefficient teachers; few discour- aged workers."
From a similar report, in 1906, Edgar M. Detwiler, under " Worthy of Notice," flashed the following before the District: "Sunday-school conventions were held at Raven Run, Roaring Spring, New Enterprise, Sugar Run, Stonerstown, Lewistown, Bethel, Martinsburg and Claar." "A number of Normal Classes were organized during that year." "Your District Secretary visited twenty-two schools and sent out 145 pieces of mail matter since April 25." Under "Some present needs " he em- phasized " more emphasis from the pulpit; more conse- crated workers; more conversions directly in the Sunday- schools; more evergreen Sunday-schools; more training classes ; more teachers' meetings; more prayer for the cause ; more church members in the Sunday-school."
At the 1912 convention, the one at which Ardie E. Wilt was made field secretary, a district missionary com- mittee was appointed, composed of three members, " whose duty it shall be to direct the missionary activities of the Sunday-schools of the district, to have charge of the missionary monies of the Association, etc." John C. Swigart was elected for one year, and served till 1922, when the plan was changed; Oscar R. Myers, for two years; Abraham B. Replogle, for three years. At this same meeting Edgar Detwiler, under the caption, "A decade of increase," said " enrolment doubled ; contribu- tions tripled ; ... evergreen Sunday-schools increased from 21 to 39; . . . average collection from one to two cents per week."
At the convention of 1915 a Temperance Committee was created.
At the 1916 convention the field secretary reported fifty-five schools in the district, twenty-nine of which
345
A History of the Church of the Brethren
were front-line. Also a "$50.00 scholarship was added to the J. W. Swigart Memorial Fund for the purpose of preparing workers for Christian activity."
At the 1917 convention the field secretary reported fifty-seven schools represented by actual roll call. The year revealed that instead of $50.00 set aside for a schol- arship at Juniata College, that $155.00 had been sent, and more was assured.
The Sunday-school Convention of 1923 broadened the basis of their endeavor in the District by adopting the following revised Constitution :
I. Name. The name of the Committee that shall direct the work contemplated shall be "Sunday-school Board of the Church of the Brethren of Middle District of Pennsylvania."
II. Membership. The Board shall consist of five members so ap- pointed by this convention that the time of one member expires each year. No member of the Board shall succeed himself in office.
III. Organization. Immediately after appointment each year the Board shall organize by electing a president, a secretary and a treasurer.
IV. Meetings. The Board shall meet quarterly or oftener to transact business coming before them and to study and develop the work assigned them.
V. Duties. It shall be the duty of this Board :
1. To provide for the work now done by the Field Secretary.
2. To make a careful survey of the District and its needs.
3. To organize measures for a vigorous prosecution of its work.
4. To provide program and have charge of these conventions.
5. To submit in print a report of progress to this convention.
6. To nominate two for each vacancy on the Board to this con- vention.
Under the new organization the superintendents of departments and other officers of the District were all dropped and the entire work was placed upon the follow- ing five members, who organized as follows: Benjamin F. Waltz, president; Grace B. Stayer (now Mrs. Foster B. Statler, of Johnstown, Pa.), secretary-treasurer ; Charles C. Ellis, Lawrence Ruble and Mrs. Ruth Laher. During the summer of 1924 Foster B. Statler served as field secre- tary and reached nearly all the schools in a flying cam- paign. Through the removal of the secretary-treasurer from the District, Russel B. Stambaugh was appointed to serve out her term and is given the same office.
In 1919, while yet field secretary, Ardie E. Wilt began
346
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
the agitation of a home for missionaries from the foreign field on furlough. His plea may be epitomized into these few words: " Our missionaries come home for a year or two to rest ; but they have no home. Let us build one at
BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE MISSION HOME Beginning at left : Benjamin F. Waltz, Ardie E. Wilt, Galen B. Royer
Huntingdon and give these worthy ones a home free of rent,-a good home."
At the Spring Run convention, August 19 and 20, 1924, the committee-Ardie E. Wilt, Benjamin F. Waltz and
THE MISSION HOME
Galen B. Royer-appointed in 1922 to look after the erec- tion of the building for the Sunday-schools of the Dis- trict, were instructed to go ahead and erect the proposed
347
A History of the Church of the Brethren
mission house. At once the contract was let, and by the time this history is in the hands of the readers it is planned that the building will be completed. Juniata College purchased a beautiful location at the corner of Washington and Eighteenth Streets, two blocks west of the college campus. The building faces the south. It provides four independent apartments, each having four rooms and a bath; when needed, two more apartments,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.