USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 4
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 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
41
Part One: District Developments
CHAPTER 6. THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION, 1897-1933
Seven Sunday-school field secretaries employed Annual conventions the association high light Five foreign missionaries formerly supported
It was Ross D. Murphy, the fourth field secretary, who, after seven years of service in the district, penned the follow- ing memorable lines, entitled "Years of Growth." We quote only the first paragraph:
The affairs of human endeavor, like the waves of the sea, flood and ebb, in their forward and onward course. It is common for organizations and movements to fall or rise, to swing from suc- cess to apparent failure. It should not disturb us or even make us afraid when depressions meet us in the work of the Lord; neither should an unusual or unprayedfor success make us suspicious that spurious methods have been projected into a worthy cause.1
The high tide of Sunday-school enthusiasm, which was being experienced when Brother Murphy wrote his article, had begun with the year 1897 when "the convention spirit burst out anew and a convention was held in the Walnut Grove house of the Johnstown congregation, August 31 and September 1." Twenty-three Sunday schools were represented by thirty- six regular delegates. C. C. Johnson was the moderator, assisted by Joseph Holsopple. S. S. Blough was appointed as District Sunday-school Secretary for a term of three years.
Brother Blough was succeeded by Herman A. Stahl for a three-year term. The third secretary was Lorenzo J. Lehman, for five years; during his last year his assistant was Brother Ross D. Murphy, who then followed with six years in his own right. During Brother Murphy's second year he was assisted by William L. Judy.
The fifth secretary was I. Edward Holsinger, for four years; he was followed by Foster B. Statler, who served three years. The seventh and last of the association secretaries was W. J. Hamilton; his twelve-year term closed in 1932.
Annual conventions were held each year during the asso- ciation's history, with the exception of 1902. From 1897 to and including 1901 the local church entertained the entire group of attendants free of charge. The Middle Creek church in 1901 provided dinner for one thousand, two hundred people and supper for a somewhat smaller number. This practice incurred a heavy expense for a small church, District Meeting then
1 Blough's history. Page 259,
42
Part One: District Developments
authorized the local church to make a reasonable charge for meals, and the conventions were resumed again in 1903.
Many phases of the Sunday school's period of growth de- serve mention, but we can list only a few of them. Perhaps the first should be the lengthening of the Sunday-school year from six months (a summer school) to nine months; this was followed by the urge to become "evergreen." Then came the "normal training lessons," which will be considered in the next chapter. The Home Department and the Cradle Roll came almost simultaneously. Then the organized Bible class, in both the adult and the young people's department, added much enthusiasm. The O. A. B. C. parade in 1921 at the Wal- nut Grove convention was an example. Then it was at Somer- set in 1922. At Windber, in 1923, eight hundred fifty-six people registered for the convention.
The Ten Point Standard of Excellence, with recognition of "Front Line" for all ten points, a "Banner School" for eight points, or a "Star School" for six points, added much interest, and increased effort for a number of years. The awarding of Front Line diplomas at the annual conventions, followed by the yearly seals, was an interesting feature.
Circuit organization was stressed, and the conventioners were seated accordingly for the "building of the annual budget." But the current expense fund did not touch the heart- strings as did the missionary session, with its dedication of life following the message and the reading of letters from our missionaries in the field. Hearts were touched, life decisions were made, and pocketbooks were opened. At one such con- vention, the missionary offering was over $1,000.00. The "Mis- sionary Service Flag" was displayed for several conventions.
OUR "MISSIONARY SERVICE FLAG"
BLUE CROSSES
Name
Year
Home Church
Supported By
1. Jacob M. Blough
1903
Quemahoning
Student Volunteers
2. Anna Z. Blough
1903
Johnstown Old Shade Creek
3. Ida C. Shumaker
1910
Meyersdale W. Pa. Sunday Schools
4. Quincy A. Holsopple
1911
Manor Quemahoning Congregation
5. Kathren Holsopple
1911
Elgin, Illinois Seventh Circuit
Sunday Schools
6. Olive Widdowson
1912
Manor W. Pa. Sunday Schools
7. V. Grace Clapper
1917
Scalp Level W. Pa. Sunday Schools
8. Samuel Bowman
1918
Quinter, Kansas Walnut Grove
43
Part One: District Developments
+ +
+ +
Missionary Service Flag of Western Pennsylvania
SILVER CROSSES
1. Herman B. Heisey 1912 Walnut Grove Returned home in
1914 because of
2. Grace Heisey 1912 Indian Creek ill-health NOTE 1: Names represent the crosses on the "Missionary Service Flag" at the time the cut was made.
NOTE 2: Later the crosses of Quincy and Kathren Holsopple were changed to silver, on their return home because of the ill-health of Brother Holsopple and a daughter.
NOTE 3: The following six names were added to the service flag, during the period of its use:
9. Mrs. Homer L. Burke 1923
10. William Beahm 1924 Nokesville, Virginia W. Pa. Sunday Schools
Y. P. D. of W. Pa.
11. Mrs. William Beahm 1924 Illinois Quemahoning Congregation
12. Leland Brubaker 1924 California Pittsburgh; Greensburg
13. Mrs. Leland Brubaker 1924
California 7th Circuit Sunday Schools
44
Part One: District Developments
14. E. H. Eby
1924 Mr. and Mrs. John L. Daily, Walnut Grove
DAILY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
During the last year of Foster B. Statler's service as field secretary, six daily vacation Bible schools were held in the Western District. With this beginning, the idea spread to many other schools. Two types of schools were developed: the church school, and the interdenominational or community school. In many of our churches, the leadership opened the school to all children, regardless of faith. The picture of the Roxbury D. V. B. S. in 1922 (see cut) shows children from ten different denomi- nations.
During the 1920's and the 1930's the interest in D. V. B. S. work reached a high tide. Some churches still maintain this type of school, while others have lost interest in a local church program and permit the community school to suffice.
Roxbury Daily Vacation Bible School, 1922, Serving Ten Denominations
THE JUBILEE SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION
Among the several high tides of Sunday- school enthusiasm during the thirty-six years of the association's history (1897- 1933), perhaps the year 1929 marked the climax. It was just fifty years since the first Sunday- school convention in the district had been held in 1879 at the Grove church, near Berlin. The Brethren Church and the Church of the Brethren united in a great Jubilee Convention at the new Meyersdale church. About one thou- sand, two hundred people were in attendance, with about one hundred sixty "boys and girls" present who had been attending Sunday school for fifty years or more.
SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION PROGRAM
October 1, 1928 to September 30, 1929 District of Western Pennsylvania CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Slogan --- "Our Jubilee Sunday School Year"
I. ADMINISTRATIVE
1. DISTRICT SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION, AUG. 9 & 10, MEYERSDALE
.. The First $ 5. Convention to West to, was held in 1870, Special recognition will be stres to all provient who born been Sunday school gapils 50 years, ar toate,
A. All Sunday Schonto having 50% at their Officers want Teachers in attendance at the I mavention will be placed on the Honor Ratt.
2. CIRCUIT SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTIONS
Chois Boards of Christian Education cooperating with the District Based in Promoting the entire District Pro
3. THE DISTRICT HERALD Reaching all Sunday School Workers In anthro Local Arost to nach Sunday School watching avary lambs, to pas qual .
4. FIELD DIRECTOR'S SERVICE
Visitation, Secretariat, Editing, Teaching , Personel Interious
II. LEADERSHIP TRAINING
1. CIRCUIT STANDARD TRAINING SCHOOLS and D. V. C.S. INSTITUTES
Advance Enrollment to determine the tamber and kind . Klausand Training white la to afford is nach checkt . + sex and Base for Schools and Institutes to mel Ctout theads.
2. STANDARD TRAINING CLASSES in connection with "HARMONY ASSEMBLY" Frei batt of Course and att Study to be taken belate raming to "The Harmony Assembly. " Five Clues portate completing cack tail.
III. CHILDREN'S DIVISION
1. Warship Programs suited to Children's needs
2. Daily Vacation Church School Available To All our children
IV. YOUNG PEOPLE'S DIVISION
1. Supporting A Missionary through the B.Y.P.D., $600
2. CAMP HARMONY TRAINING SCHOOL
Every Sunday Sabout to be reprovated is one or more Young People. Well. Penna's Quota is 406% of the Excellent in each camp. + YOUNGER BOYS' CAMP, June 19-26. $. YOUNGER GIRLS' CAMP. Jwh 27 July 4. « OLDER GIRLS CAMP CONFERENCE, July 4-17. d. OLDER BOYS' CAMP CONFERENCE, Aueu+ 12-14.
3. Anti-Tobacco Oratorical Contest
Elimination in Local Schools and Cirtutte, fost at the Dlainiet B. Y. P. D. Convention
4. Circuits B. Y. P. D. Conventions
Circus Cabinet promoting the entire B. Y. P. D. Program,
5. District B. Y. P. D. Convention' Meyersdale
6. Current Expense Budget Of District Y. P. Council, $700
V. ADULT DIVISION
1. Organized Classes Active and Represented at District S. S. Convention
The next year, 1930, another great event oc- 2. "The Harmony Assembly," July 17-20 Three days of tarpination for Everstads . Ettoff to Advance curred in the form of the VI. ANNUAL BUDGET Brethren Youth Congress, 1. A Missionary Budget to support our Four Missionaries, $2350 held in connection with 2. Board Of Christian Education Expenses, $1850 the convention at Walnut Sunday School Association Program, 1929 Grove and the First Breth- ren church, Johnstown. Over one thousand people attended the pageant The Light of the World, in the Brethren church. The next year the publication of the District Herald was discon- tinued, and the association began to yield to the pressure for the church program.
BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA By Roy S. Forney
In the annual District Sunday School Association Conven- tion, held in the Roxbury church, August 6, 1931, it was decided
46
Part One: District Developments
to petition District Meeting at Morrellville, March 28-30, 1932, to consider a study for better co-ordination of district programs At the same District Meeting the Welfare Board requested that a merger be made of the Board of Christian Education and the Welfare Board for more efficient and economical work. District Meeting appointed a committee to study district programs and to present a plan for merging the boards. An extended report was made to the 1933 District Meeting held in the Somerset church, and it appears in the minutes of that meeting.
The committee recommended that all agencies of the district not already controlled by the District Meeting shall be officially recognized by the district. All elected officers of district agencies shall be approved by District Meeting and all agencies shall make an annual report to District Meeting. The constitution of merger states that the presidents of Women's Work, Men's Work, and Young People's Work shall be associate members of the District Board of Christian Education.
The board at present, as of 1951, consists of five elected members who each serve for a period of five years, the term of one member expiring each year. The board meets four times a year. The January meeting is the large meeting, at which all the circuit leaders of the district and the following areas of district work are represented: men, women, young people, chil- dren, intermediates, young adults, camp, music, temperance, and Brethren service.
The board supports two missionaries; namely, Olive Wid- dowson and George Mason. There was a time when the Sunday
District Board of Christian Education, 1952 Left to right: C. H. Gehman, I. C. Paul, W. L. Gould, M. Guy West, C. R. Bowman
47
Part One: District Developments
schools supported five missionaries. The board appoints two members each year to serve on the Camp Harmony trustee board.
CHAPTER 7. LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Our early leaders were Bible students Teacher training classes were popular Leadership training today needs impetus
The founders of our church, in Germany and colonial Amer- ica, were men of outstanding ability. Some of them had college and university training, which put them in the forefront of progress. But during the church's "wilderness experience" west of the Alleghenies, many leaders were selected for their native ability. However, these men of God had a devotion to duty, and through diligent study of the Holy Word they became leaders of their generations, establishing churches and extending the faith into areas far beyond where we of later generations have been willing to maintain it.
As opportunity for education increased, there developed a desire for religious training to be made available to Sunday- school workers. At first our workers had to depend upon help from outside the church. In 1875 Bishop Vincent had a "general course of study," which was made available to church workers in various denominations.
A few years later, our own brethren began providing sim- ilar help in "normal courses." In December 1892 E. S. Young organized the Bible Correspondence Institute for home Bible study. His first book was followed by nine more volumes. In 1895 C. E. Arnold published Normal Studies in the Life and Ministry of Christ. In 1899 E. M. Cobb published his Bible Institute Series. And the little book, How About Your Bible? by James M. Neff in 1902, with an introduction by C. E. Arnold, was an earnest appeal to "search the Scriptures." How many Western District workers took these courses is not known, but the writer was one of E. S. Young's students, as well as Brother Arnold's.
About this time, 1902-1903, Brother William Beery began his pioneer work of teacher training at Juniata College. Brother
Leadership Training School, Circuit Number 1, 1922 For identifications, see the Appendix, page 649.
49
Part One: District Developments
Beery writes: "To get the Teacher Training started was not easy. ... we started with a class of 21, composed of teachers and a few college students. The next year the class numbered 17, largely college students." He continued this work a num- ber of years. Many students from the Western District took the courses, then returned to their home churches and organized teacher-training classes in their respective Sunday schools.
By 1906 "work in normal training lessons was conducted at Walnut Grove and Moxham (Johnstown), Windber, Berkey, Pittsburgh, Pigeon Creek and Ten Mile."1
From this beginning, the work spread until the slogan, "Every teacher a trained teacher," was coined. Under the inspiration of Brother Ezra Flory, from the Elgin office, in co- operation with various field secretaries in our district, a genera- tion of better trained teachers staffed our Sunday schools. Some of these leaders, like Harry B. Speicher, who began with a class at Geiger in 1907, have continued conducting such classes down through the years. At present he has one hundred five in community training classes at Somerset. Many others are en- gaged in the good work, but in some churches the workers must patronize the community training schools, and in many churches today no facilities are available to their workers. We need a new enthusiasm in this great calling.
CHAPTER 8. YOUNG PEOPLE'S ACTIVITIES
Some youth leaders in the nineteenth century Local youth groups begin organizing District and circuit young people's conferences
Western Pennsylvania has had its share of youthful leader- ship in every generation for over a hundred fifty years. Jacob Mack, just out of school at Germantown Academy, was only twenty-three years old when he came to Brown's Run, Fayette County (1796). John P. Cober, later known as the doctor and the kindly bishop, was a Sunday-school teacher at twenty-five (1825). James Quinter was an outstanding traveling evangelist at twenty-three and became our district's first supported pastor
1 Blough's history. Page 243.
50
Part One: District Developments
(1842) when only twenty-six years of age, although the con- gregation already had several active older ministers. John Wise was teaching school at seventeen and was called to the ministry at twenty-one (1843).
Elsewhere we have noticed that Oliver W. Miller and Lewis Kimmel graduated in 1859 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1860 Brother Kimmel, at the age of twenty-four, organized the Plum Creek Sunday school. Samuel C. Johnson at the age of twenty was the first superintendent of the Sunday school at Fair- view, in the Georges Creek congregation (1863). Howard Miller, moderator of our first Sunday-school convention (1879), was only thirty years old. William S. Livengood, one of the delegates to this convention, was the Salisbury Sunday-school superintend- ent, though only nineteen. William Lewis Judy was elected to the ministry at the age of fifteen but thought himself too young to accept.
The last ninety years have witnessed an increasing number of young folk expressing themselves through Sunday schools, singing schools, debating societies, conventions, Bible institutes, and mission-study and teacher-training classes, all this activity resulting in growing churches with outstanding youth leaders.
MISSIONARY READING CIRCLE (Forerunner of the CBYF)
Perhaps the first groups of young people to effect organiza- tion in the district were known as missionary reading circles. The first such group known to be organized was at Walnut Grove in 1893; but to the Uniontown "circle" belongs the honor of assuming "the support of one or more famine orphans in India" (Missionary Visitor, April 1903). Doubtless there were many other "circles" organized in the district, of which we have no record today.
The Reading Circle had a far reaching influence on the spir- itual life of our young people. As they met in local groups to discuss the books, a desire arose to discuss other religious topics.
Because of apparent need, the Annual Conference of 1903 pro- vided the organization of Young People's meetings throughout the Brotherhood under the name of Christian Workers' meetings.1
The Christian Workers' meetings finally emerged into the Young People's Department, then the BYPD and now the CBYF, with local, circuit, and district organization. The BYPD employed their own fieldworker during the summers of 1923
1 History of the Southern District of Pennsylvania. Page 344.
*
and 1924-and sponsored the first issue of the District Herald (1923), which was then taken over by the District Board of Christian Education, who maintained it for eight years, with features for the young people in each issue.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONFERENCES
The first young people's conference for Western Pennsyl- vania was held at Scalp Level in 1921, for one day, closing in the evening with a banquet in the adjoining Firemen's Hall, attended by one hundred ninety-six young people and their leaders.
In co-operation with the Brotherhood young people's leader, C. H. Shamberger, a five-day young people's conference was held at Edgewood Grove, Somerset, in 1922 and 1923 (see cut). And in 1924 a three-day young people's conference was held between the first older girls' camp and the first older boys' camp at the Camp Harmony Training School.
Second Annual Young Peoples' Conference, 1922 The two pictures on this page are parts of one photograph.
PEOPLES' CONFERENCE
52
Part One: District Developments
YOUNG PEOPLE SUPPORT A MISSIONARY
A high tide of interest in the youth group was maintained during the years that they supported their own missionary in the person of Mrs. Marguerite Burke (wife of Dr. Homer L. Burke) in Nigeria. She kept them informed of her work, as their representative, through the columns of the District Herald.
Annual district and circuit young people's meetings or con- ferences help to stimulate local interest in the CBYF.
PIONEER AND SCOUT TROOPS
This chapter would not be complete without reference to the many churches that have organized boys' and girls' clubs for the teenage BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA groups. These Pioneer clubs, under church supervision, were maintained for a number of years.
Boy Scouts of America, Troop Charter, Windber, May 21, 1927
Scout troops have also been main- tained for almost a quarter century in some churches. Perhaps the first to re- ceive its charter was the one at Wind- ber, May 21, 1927 (see cut). The com- mittee was A. G. Faust (chairman), H. H. Hoenstein, O. L. Hoffman, W. C. Mc- Cleary, and D. F. Shaffer. The scout- master was William Robert Yarnall, as- sisted by Calvin L. Blough.
BRETHREN VOLUNTEER SERVICE
During the last twenty years the District Young People's Cabinet members conducted daily vacation Bible schools at various mission points for several summers. One summer Rob- ert and Ruth Tully were with the cabinet when they contacted all of the circuits. A regional youth worker was sponsored for a while in the person of David K. Hanawalt. Responding to these appeals, a number of young people in various churches have given a year of volunteer service in some needy field.
BRETHREN YOUNG ADULT FELLOWSHIP By Meredith Barkley
In recognition of the need of the church for saving her young adults by giving them a "transcending loyalty during
53
Part One: District Developments
uncertain years,"2 plans were made in 1942 to organize a district-wide Brethren Young Adult Fellowship in Western Pennsylvania. A preliminary survey revealed that many con- gregations already had classes of young married people, young mothers, young businesswomen or businessmen, students, and others who would come under the young adult program.
In purpose, the Brethren Young Adult Fellowship endeavors to reach that group of people who have grown beyond BYPD (now CBYF) interests, but who have not yet found their places in the general church program. It includes particularly those who are coming into maturity-physical, mental, and emotional- and who are beginning to take upon themselves the adult re- sponsibilities-vocational, economic, civic, marital, home build- ing, etc .- and who have, therefore, peculiar spiritual and social needs. This is a plastic time of life when ideals and energies are unusually high, but it is often a time of frustration, dis- illusionment, and cynicism as well.
The prime purpose of the District B. Y. A. F., however, is not so much to work and command loyalty on a district basis as to promote interest in the movement and to aid local young adult groups to get started; for it is in the local groups that the young adults can make their greatest contribution to the church.
CHAPTER 9. CAMP HARMONY TRAINING SCHOOL
First church-owned camp conference grounds Inspiration, fellowship, and training courses Camps developed for the various age groups
The story of Camp Harmony in its inception involves the beginning of a new epoch in the youth movements of our Brotherhood. A few adventures in camping, under the direction of Edgar Rothrock (Nebraska) and Perry Rohrer (Illinois), and possibly others, had been conducted for teen-age groups. Then young people's conferences, for a day or longer, had been held in various parts of the Brotherhood, including our own district. But the buying of camp grounds, and the establishing of older
2 Chamberlin, The Church and Its Young Adults. Page 42.
54
Part One: District Developments
girls' and older boys' camp conferences, to be operated on a basis which would give the campers full credit in the Inter- national Sunday School Association camps at Geneva and Winne- pesaukee, was a new departure for the denomination. Three summers at Camp Harmony permitted our campers to receive the four-year diploma after only one summer at Geneva or Win- nepesaukee.
The preceding chapter, "Young People's Activities," refers to our young people's conferences beginning in 1921. But it was a group of girls at Juniata College who, during the winter of 1922-1923, through Miss Anna Ruth Graybill (Mrs. D. How- ard Keiper), petitioned the District Board of Religious Educa- tion for a "girls' camp in 1923." The board asked them to wait a year and give us time to get ready. So we recognize the rights of the "Class of 1924" to the name Founders, not only because they were the first in the Brotherhood but also because they were a moving spirit back of the establishing of such an insti- tution.
On receiving the letter from Sister Graybill, the field director was encouraged to make a thorough study of the movement. He contacted, in person or by correspondence, twenty-nine similar camps and conferences, from Canada to the Carolinas and Texas. They included international, state, and denominational institutions. Their programs and courses of study were evaluated, and a camp that would meet the needs of our own young people was agreed upon. A search was made through Fayette, Westmoreland, Cambria, and Somerset coun- ties to find a suitable location. After very careful consideration, it was agreed to purchase "Camp Harmony," which had been the summer home of the Swanks of Johnstown for thirty years. The institution being established was intended to be a training school for the eight state districts of Pennsylvania and Mary- land. Brotherhood leaders cautioned against investing in too many camps, as had been done in the establishing of our church colleges.
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.