USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the middle district of Pennsylvania > Part 26
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The total of the financial statement to District Meeting of 1924 shows the following, for the year ending Febru- ary 15, 1924 :
Receipts $6,685.60
Expenditures 6,203.15
Balance on hand $482.45
Endowment
$5,500.00
Capacity of the Home,-50.
Building not fully occupied.
363
TRUSTEES AND THEIR TERM OF SERVICE A Regular Full Term is Five Years.
1894
Andrew Spanogle
Henry S. Brumbaugh
Albert O. Dilling
James R. Lane
Joseph W. Wilt
1895
1896
" 66
William S. Ritchey
66
1898
John B. Miller
66
66
66
1900
John Bennett
1901
6 6
66
Charles L. Buck
William S. Ritchey
1903
Aaron B. Mock
66
66
1904
1905
1906
John C. Swigart
1907
66
66
..
66
66
66
1909
1910
66
1911
66
66
1912
Jacob C. Stayer
1913
1914
Edward M. Howe
66
66
66
:
1916
66
66
1917
66
1918
1919
66
66
66
66
66
1920
66
1921
66
1922
1923
John B. Snowberger
6 6
1924
J. H. Clapper
James C. Wineland
A History of the Church of the Brethren
364
1897
1899
:
1902
66
66
:
66
66
66
66
1915
1908
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
TERM OF SERVICE OF STEWARDS
Walter S. Long
began April 1, 1894
Samuel S. Long
1897
John E. Garver
66
1900
Joseph Gates
6
1903
Isaac Metzker
66
1911
Elmer Snowberger
66
1913
George Davis
66
66
1915
Isaac Showalter
66
1919
Jacob S. Showalter
66
66
1922
66
THE MORRISON'S COVE ORPHANS' HOME
365
CHAPTER VIII Child Rescue Work
Whatever sentiment in favor of Child Rescue Work may have prevailed in the hearts of individuals in the District prior to 1915 is not known, for it did not take definite form until that year, when Walter S. Long, of Altoona, presented the following :
" Inasmuch as there are an increasing number of in- stances among us of children not receiving the care they should have, because of being orphans or from other ap- parent reasons, and whereas we believe it is the duty of the Church to aid in this matter, and further, this District not now having any channel through which we can meet this need, therefore, resolved, first, that this District Meeting assembled at Huntingdon, request the various churches through this delegate body to consider the ad- visability of making provisions for this District to prop- erly care for this distressing condition and report to the District Meeting one year hence. Second. That a com- mittee of three be appointed at this meeting to secure in- formation, or probably plan for this action and report at next District Meeting, also for consideration."
The response of the meeting is characterized in the minutes as " marked degree of sympathy," and a " strong vote " approving of the request. In compliance with the paper, Walter S. Long, Albert G. Crosswhite and Jennie Baker were appointed a committee to carry out the pur- poses set forth, and Child Rescue Work in the District had begun.
The next year (1916) the committee reported " merely a beginning," and it was instructed " in co-operation with the trustees of Morrison Cove Home, to present at next District Meeting a suggestive or tentative plan providing for Child Rescue Work."
At the meeting, 1917, it was decided to establish the Home under consideration at Martinsburg, (Pa.). That it be secured and directed by management or trustees of
366
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
the Home for Aged and Infirm at Martinsburg, " Morri- son's Cove Home." That it is proposed to provide for orphans and other children of need of the Church of the Brethren, also for other children within, or apart from this District when there is room and means to make it possible and practical to care for them. That the said trustees be now authorized to proceed at once to solicit the District by free will offerings, in order to secure funds for the maintenance of the Home herein considered."
Because some members have been contributing to the Orphanage at Huntingdon with the understanding that it belonged to the Church or District, it was especially an- nounced at this meeting that it was a county institution.
To the District Meeting of 1918 it was reported that one child had been placed in the home of Frank E. Bru- baker. Moses R. Brumbaugh was made a member of the committee in place of Albert G. Crosswhite, who had moved out of the District.
During the next year a charter had been secured, $500.00 had been given on an annuity plan, and four children had come to the home, two of whom had been placed.
The need of a detention home was presented to the 1920 meeting. The committee was instructed to ascertain the possibilities of affiliating with eastern and western dis- tricts in this work, but this was reported not feasible, the following year, and a request was renewed for a detention home. This need was emphasized in 1922; John C. Swi- gart was made field secretary ; three children were given permanent homes within the year just expired.
During the ensuing year (reported at District Meeting of 1923) the "trustees selected a home, containing a dwelling and twenty-seven acres of land for $7,800.00." This was accepted and provisions made that hereafter " the committee shall consist of two brethren and two sisters."
Because the building purchased was not given till December, 1923, the Trustees had little to report. But, beginning with November 1, 1924, Frank E. Brubaker and wife took charge of the home and hereafter children will have a good detention home. No financial statement has yet been published.
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
The children who have been received and given homes are as follows :
Name of Children
Age 3
Permanent Home
Charles Rheam
William Glass
Frank E. Brubaker In State Institution for feeble minded.
Virginia Viola Glass
1
Isa Bechtel
Lester A. Glass
12
Russel Snyder
Chester P. Glass
6
Adam K. Frederic
Gerald Ritchey
4
Charles Bloom
Dollie L. Dick
6
Mrs. Sarah Kayes
Mary E. Dick
13
Not located permanently
Martha Dick
3
66
368
CHAPTER IX Some Observations *
It will be observed that all through the history an analysis of the events and facts has been rather studiously avoided. In the biographical section, words of commen- dation are for the most part absent. The Editor has tried to record what has been done, and let the reader draw his own conclusions.
But should he lay down his pen without pointing out some things he has observed, some problems pertinent to the future welfare of the Church of the Brethren, and drawing some conclusions which he believes the facts justify? This history will fail in its purpose if its readers are not led to profit by the past in their endeavor to fulfil the prayer, " Thy kingdom come."
Let some of the praiseworthy things be considered first.
Middle District of Pennsylvania will always be men- tioned in most kindly terms, because within its bounds have originated the following, which have resulted in large and favorable results for the Church and the Nation :
First. The first (and likewise the second) weekly church paper started in this district. A monthly had been conducted in Ohio for over a decade. It was a peri- odical with views perhaps far enough advanced for its day, but whose vision was hardly broad enough to make for real leadership. It was the church's best paper, be- cause there was none other.
It required no small courage to start a weekly paper in those times. The Middle District permitted Henry R. Holsinger to start one "at his own discretion," ; thereby seeking to wash its hands from any liability that might grow out of its publication. That weekly, far more than the monthly preceding it, opened the door to what is now our splendid catalog of church papers. Following in its
* This, the last chapter prepared for this book, was completed, by the grace of the Heavenly Father, March 16, 1925 .- Editor.
t Minutes of 1864, Art. 3.
369
A History of the Church of the Brethren
train came the hymn-book, the almanac, young people's paper and quarterlies. This District did her share in sup- porting the weekly, and may justly commend herself because it is the home of the first weekly church paper.
Quinter and Brumbaugh Brothers followed in the pub- lication business. All three were good writers. James Quinter wrote an able treatise on the history of baptism. His daughter, Mary, wrote a biography of her father, and included some sermons. Henry B. Brumbaugh wrote the Church Manual, a most useful book until recently, when it was succeeded by another prepared under the direction of the Conference. He also wrote a fine book of fiction, based on the Bible character,-Onesimus. In this Dis- trict, also, lives James A. Sell, who published a book of poems,-a real expression of his heart for the larger and finer things of life. He also wrote a small pamphlet about a couple of children lost in the Alleghanies. Martin G. Brumbaugh, of towering intellect, wrote, with splendid survey, a general history of the early activities of the Church of the Brethren, a work of authority always. True, many other volumes have come from his ready pen, most of which have touched the larger life of the nation,-such as his " Making of a Teacher," and a number of text-books for schools. Tobias T. Myers published a book of " Last Things," and very recently a Life of Christ for class use. Charles C. Ellis has, within the last five years, produced a devotional book of super-merit, as well as a pamphlet that is distinctive in its field. Adaline Hoff Beery, (a western born lady), while living in the district, published a volume of poems, much of which is real poetry, and not rhyme. Her husband, William Beery, wrote sacred songs the church loved to sing, and com- piled, for the church publishing house, the first Sunday- school song book in general use in the Brotherhood. Mrs. Emma A. M. Replogle, the daughter of Jacob Miller, the school man, published, in book form, a fascinating story entitled, " Indian Eve and Her Descendants."
It would perhaps be a little difficult to find another dis- trict with a larger literary output than this.
Second. Educationally, Middle District stands out unique in the Church of the Brethren. Three school ef- forts were made within her borders, one of which lived
370
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
and became the pioneer of education for the Church. The men who founded Juniata College, the men who stood the criticism and yet pressed on as one chained to a purpose, were not so many. Turn to the table of trustees and note those who were faithful before 1890.
Then there were some noble souls in the district who helped in this educational project most heroically. Per- haps again James A. Sell stands first in loyalty to Juniata. He, more frequently than any other, came to the college, installed many of those who were called to the ministry, stood for the interests of the college in the Standing Committee room of General Conference, and, as an " out- sider," was always a friend on the lookout for Juniata's welfare and advancement.
Juniata blazed the way of education in many ways. From her walls stepped the first graduate in the Arts course maintained by a Brethren's school. She stands first among her sister colleges in her endowment, and the scholarship of her faculty. Scholarship, and not numbers, is her ambition today.
Third. Then, there is not the less important, though the youngest, movement in the church,-the Sisters' Aid Societies, which began in this district. Just in very re- cent years they have come into their own when the Con- ference, recognizing their ability and dependableness, have called upon them annually to do certain large things in a worldwide way.
Fourth. The missionary activities of the Brotherhood owe this district recognition in the fact that James Quin- ter, the secretary-treasurer of an earlier general mission- ary endeavor than the present organization, was located here. True, in a few years the centre of activity, under the present organization went into the middle west, but it may be justly said that in Middle District the idea began and elsewhere it has been developed into its pres- ent large proportions.
In Sunday-school growth, it is difficult to say what district was leader,-what district held the first conven- tion and so on. It, no doubt, is correct, that some other districts had a few conventions before this district had them. But it may be correctly said that Middle District was a leader in the development of Sunday-schools be-
371
A History of the Church of the Brethren
1780 1800
1820 1840 1860
1880
1900
1920
Church and members
1781 The Kishacoquillas Group
Dry Valley
98
1
1921
Burnham
100
1916
Lewistown
469
1865
Spring Run
344
Aughwick
150
187
Ardenheim
60
1790
The Clover
Creek Group
Clover Creek
505
Roar.Spg. (Cty)
Albright
160
1911
Roaring Spg
258
1891
.
Williamsburg
160
1917
Smithfield
77
1 858
1878
Huntingdon
586
1800 The
Early
Yellowy Creek Group
New Enterprise 452
1875. .
Woodbury
323
1886
Claar
160
1916 ..
Lower Claar
60
1916
Queen
52
1871 ..
Dunnings Creek
99
1820
Snake Spring
172
1924
L Cherry Lane
94
1922
Koontz
130
Artemas
95
1872
Yellow Creek
200
1893
Raven Run
95
1907.
Riddlesburg
95
19011
Stonerstown
235
1893
Everett
264
1
Carson Valley
127
1909 1904
Hollidaysburg
146
Leamersville
140
1882
Altoona, 1st
698
I
1919 Altoona, 28th
202
1800 The Warriors Mark Group
Warriors Mark
40
1907.1
Juniata Park
345
1897.1
Bellwood
138
1894.
Tyrone
114
180$ Blooming Grove Congregation
Blooming Grove
2
Buffalo Mills Congregation
Buffalo Mills
-
1898
.
·
1911
Fairview
145
1
1917
1
James Creek 50
1
1897
.
.
1800 The
Duncansville Group
1
€
A Graph showing the growth of the several congregations from their respective centres.
372
1
1802
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
cause of the agitation through the weekly paper here, and she held conventions when it was not prudent to make report,-that a short time after Conference decided that conventions should not be held, she broke into expression again, quiet to be sure, and developed sentiment for them.
This, however, is not all that may be observed con- cerning the district. If the reader will turn to the map on page 16 he will note that what is now the Middle District, was settled by brethren at seven different cen- tres. Study those centres geographically. Look at the graph of these congregations as revealed on the preceding page. Those centres are not so very far apart. Now, let it be observed that within a century and a quarter the church has grown but little beyond those centres. True, the mountains bound the district on both the east and the west. There was no " highway " in either of these direc- tions. But how about southward? There are some marks of outreach in this large territory. Cherry Lane and Artemas show a good beginning for the effort of one congregation,-Snake Spring Valley, but is it un- fair to the situation to say that, had the district placed ministers in different sections of this unoccupied terri- tory, we might have five or more "Artemases " instead of one?
And the northern part of the district! There is more territory north of Warriors Mark and Dry Valley con- gregations belonging to Middle District and untouched by the Church of the Brethren, than there is lying south of the same line,-a territory where the congregations of Middle District have always been located. If, as James A. Sell thinks, the Blooming Grove group was never really of Brethren origin, the pity is the greater. In the beginning of missionary endeavor he and others did try to plant the Gospel around Williamsport, but the encour- agement was not great, the support at home was weak and not well organized, and the territory was abandoned. True, the Dry Valley congregation, through her faithful ministry, for a long time carried on preaching at various points in Centre county, but this was done single handed, and was too great a burden for one congregation.
After considering the foregoing, one is impressed that Middle District has not kept up the enthusiasm of her
373
A History of the Church of the Brethren
fathers. They came into the wilds, proclaimed the Gos- pel, organized churches in a loose but effectual way, en- dured hardships for which commendation cannot be too strong. But their children and grandchildren have been willing for the most part to settle down in their tracks and go no further. Of course, the churches have sought to fill up the gaps between these centres,-a noble, heroic work it has been. We have built church houses and or- ganized congregations in places a bit remote from the original centres. But look at the map again. All this good work has been done in the territory through which the fathers drove with ox-carts or horses and lumber wagons simply to attend a lovefeast in the adjoining con- gregation. Therefore, it may be justly asked, Has all this been the outgrowth of vision, or due to a desire for greater ease? There are a number of houses in congre- gations of this district, not five miles from each other, for perhaps no better reason than to have services " handier home." What seal of approval by the Holy Spirit would be indicated if in the course of a few years one, two or more of these houses so close to each other, should be sold or pass into disuse? Or what would have been the re- sults today, had these houses, through district co-oper- ation, been built beyond the centres noted on the map? Or, further, what would have been the wonderful reaction on the district, had the congregations in real enthusiasm for saving a lost world, in addition to erecting these houses so close together, placed the same energies into planting congregations in the northern part of the state?
And why did not the district reach out after that man- ner? Some members had vision, or no district board would have been organized, and the few attempts in earlier days to reach distant parts would not have been made. But this can hardly be said of the rank and file of the membership of the district. After all, did the writer of the introduction sense the situation correctly when he declares the northern part was not settled by the breth- ren for two reasons, one of which, he says, is, " This re- gion had not the fertility that agricultural settlers cared for." Is it a fact, then, that soil and not souls has been the ruling motive of too large a portion of the Church of the Brethren in Middle District of Pennsylvania ?
374
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Whatever may be the reader's answer to that question, let this history create a desire to reach out as we should. Or, is it too late? Is the northern half occupied by Chris- tianity of other communions and our opportunity is passed ?
If this be the answer, then what should Middle District awake to do? If, as is repeatedly said, she occupies some of the best farming lands of the district and state, should she not look well to reaching beyond her borders to the needy parts of the world?
In this some very good effort has been made. This district has been supporting the General Mission Board fairly well. In addition, almost a quarter of a century ago, she took up the support of a foreign missionary and, through the years, raised about $500.00 a year for our beloved representative in India. But when, a couple of years ago, that worker, for the best of reasons, had to withdraw from the field, the district settled back, thus far, into not supporting any one. The Sunday-schools have redeemed the situation greatly by out-stripping the district's former giving in the payment of the Missionary Home, just completed. But, has Middle District met her missionary challenge as she had means and opportunity to meet it?
The first part of this chapter discusses some first things that have occurred in this district. Is it right, however, to give credit to the district for these? Geo- graphically, yes. But did the district support the first weekly church paper and the one that soon followed? The facts are that these periodicals, as a " private enter- prise," were carried forward by a few humble, fearless men who stood together in spite of the opposition to such commendable innovations. And what must be said of the school project of Juniata? There were those who stood faithfully by and helped when the odds were against the college. But, does not that very statement indicate that there were those who left Juniata alone,- severely alone,-yea, verily who opposed this child of their home district ?
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
GROWTH OF MEMBERSHIP IN MIDDLE DISTRICT
1896
1900
1910
1920
1924
Albright
Altoona, First Church
130
218
. ..
609
688
Altoona, 28th Street
...
. .
. ..
100
140
Ardenheim
61
55
42
50
Artemas
50
59
68
89
Aughwick
162
165
190
184
150
Bellwood
83
60
81
86
Burnham
95
Carson Valley
78
. .
75
80
80
Claar
112
152
115
160
Clover Creek
340
207
310
436
505
Dry Valley, (Lewistown)
178
222
...
120
98
Everett
66
66
100
212
264
Fairview
75
115
149
134
150
Huntingdon
96
. . .
274
400
586
James Creek
88
88
46
44
51
Koontz
...
. ..
...
. . .
..
. ..
...
253
310
Lower Claar
45
50
New Enterprise
275
270
285
406
452
Queen
. .
. ..
. ..
Raven Run
70
66
...
59
Riddlesburg
30
50
95
Roaring Spring
258
258
Smithfield
80
77
Snake Spring Valley
231
176
243
200
230
Spring Run
180
189
200
231
320
Stonerstown
62
194
229
Tyrone
19
45
87
90
90
Warriors Mark
41
33
42
21
33
Williamsburg
108
135
Woodbury
200
206
218
333
323
Yellow Creek
165
170
118
166
200
. .
...
. ..
288
345
Leamersville
.. .
. ..
...
..
...
. ..
. ..
...
. .
. .
. .
The foregoing table has been worked out, showing the membership as reported in the minutes of the District Meeting in the years indicated at the head of the columns. This table is as accurate and dependable as are the min- utes, the only source left from which to make such a revelation.
Studying that table by comparing 1896 column with 1924 column, a period of twenty-eight years,-almost a generation,-the following is revealed :
376
.
. ..
..
...
..
. ..
.
. . .
99
99
Hollidaysburg
. . .
17
132
100
Juniata Park
115
162
Lewistown
52
Dunnings Creek
114
116
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
First Church of Altoona and Huntingdon congrega- tions have increased over five fold. Everett and Tyrone, over four fold; Fairview, two fold; Clover Creek, New Enterprise, Spring Run, and Woodbury, over a half fold. Two congregations almost make a fifty per cent. growth. But the alarming thing is that seven congregations ap- pearing in the 1896 column have not grown any. Some have actually gone back. Does this not present a most serious situation, one that should absorb the best thought of the district? What can the district do with this problem ?
But, another question arises out of this study of the history. Why has First Church of Altoona increased over five fold, with the supposed disadvantages of plant- ing the faith in the city, with the further observation that, looking over the Minntes of the District, one finds more queries and complaints against this congregation than any other in the district? Or, why is it that the Hunt- ingdon congregation (transient students are not counted in their membership) should increase over five fold when this congregation, because in part the college was located here, was not only without support of certain parts of the district, but was also subjected to much adverse criticism from the whole Brotherhood? Or, why is it that congre- gations against which no queries were ever sent to Dis- trict Meeting, which no Annual Meeting Committee ever visited with a view of discipline, have not grown,-some have even gone back?
This history (whether wisely or not) has sought to throw a mantle of silence over the "troubles " that have existed in the congregations. But, just the same, it is a fair question for study to ask, Have the people living in certain communities where the church has not increased, -barely held her own in numbers,-have these been pro- nouncedly irreligious? Or, have they sought their Christ in some other communion? And, if the latter is the cor- rect answer, then wherein lies the difficulty in these re- spective congregations of the Church of the Brethren?
There are other phases of our district life and growth that the alert reader will work out, and grant that this may be done. There is just one more problem the editor wishes to point out. This history presents to Middle
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
District the great importance of some organization being created that has the power to take hold of a congregation that is not growing, put its leader to work, or give it one that will, in the fear of the Lord, bring results. Surely, a number of congregations do not need such an organiza- tion. But they, through such a method, would be a strength to their weaker sisters, when now they are of no particular help.
Our esteemed ministerial committee is trying to solve the problem of ministerial distribution, but is laboring under a serious handicap at this very point. It has not the power to touch the problem raised here. Yet there can be no question but there exists a grave problem as pointed out. It is here. If any interested reader is in doubt, let him go back to the table of growth of member- ship and make his own estimate. He will reach but one conclusion,-the need is so great that the solution is im- perative, and should be begun at once.
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