sitated to retire from the active work. Brother Pfeifer could not
attend Conference, but sent a letter in which he expressed his re-
gret in being unable to be present, as well as being compelled
on account of failing health to retire from the active ranks. In
recognition of his past faithful service and his present condition
the following touching resolution was adopted :
J. G. PFEIFER
"Inasmuch as our beloved Brother J. G. Pfeifer has been pre-
vented from attending this session of Conference, and informs us
through a letter that he is compelled to retire from the active
ministry, therefore Resolved, That we appreciate his faithful serv-
ice rendered in the past, since he has served the church as a min-
ister for thirty-five years, of which twenty were spent in the Kan-
sas Conference, and of these fifteen in the office of presiding elder.
We wish Brother Pfeifer and his companion God's richest bless-
ings and a peaceful evening of life. We assure him of our esteem,
and he shall ever linger in our memories as one of our worthy
fathers in Christ." Brother Pfeifer entered the Conference at
her first session, held at Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1865.
The brethren C. Linge, C. Berner, P. Fricker and E. J. Troyer
were retained in the itinerancy a year without appointment.
A. M. Dreisbach, a local preacher, received credentials.
The following candidates received license to preach : S. J.
Luehring, G. J. Schumacher, R. Brand, F. M. Peek, W. F. Schuer-
man and A. E. Flickinger.
S. Mueller, J. Neuffer, J. Kramer, M. C. Platz, W. F. Wolt-
hausen, J. K. Young, J. W. Keiser, A. W. Piatt, T. R. Nanninga
and E. Evans were received into the itinerancy.
The following brethren were received into the Conference :
S. Mueller and J. Neuffer from the Germany Conference, D. G.
Rinehold of the East Pennsylvania, A. W. Piatt of the Pittsburg
175
1886
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
Conference, D. E. Hoover of the Indiana Conference, and H. W.
Hartman of the Iowa Conference.
W. F. Wolthausen and A. Mattill received deacons' orders,
and G. E. Dienst elder's orders.
J. G. Pfeifer and Mrs. C. Erhardt were recorded as confer-
ence claimants.
BISHOP ESHER
Special recognition was taken of Bishop Esher's official visit
to the Orient during the past year to inspect the mission work of
the church in Japan. This was the first visit of such a character
made by any of our Bishops to the work in the heathen world, and
was of the greatest importance to the interests of the church. On
this occasion the Bishop extended his journey through the Holy
Land and on his way home held the European Conferences. Ap-
propriate resolutions of gratitude and appreciation for the Bishop's
service were passed, and he was assured of the sympathy and
prayers of Conference. He was made the recipient of an autograph
album containing the autograph of each preacher of Conference
as a token of respect.
RACHEL HUDSON
Miss Rachel Hudson, one of our first missionaries to Japan,
in 1876, who was at home on furlough because of failing health,
addressed Conference in the interests of the work in which she had
been engaged, for the past ten years, in the foreign field. Her
remarks, coming from one of our own, as well as one of our first
missionaries in the Sunrise Kingdom, made a deep and favorable
impression on all who heard her.
CHURCH TROUBLE
Dark storm clouds had been gathering for a long time on the
horizon of the Evangelical Association, but were now increas-
ing in momentum at a rapid rate, threatening disaster to the
church. The low murmurings of years ago were now bursting
forth in violent controversies in the church papers, as well as
in local circles, threatening disruption and ruin to the ecclesiastical
body and all her institutions. Even in far-off Japan the disturb-
ing influence was felt, and the forces of disruption progressing.
It was largely due to this fact that an episcopal visit was made
to inspect the work in Japan during the past year.
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1886
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
Conference expressed her views of the situation in the fol-
lowing words: "Resolved, That we, as a Conference, approve the
wise action of the Executive Committee of the Missionary Society
concerning our work in Japan. We endorse the report made by
Bishop J. J. Esher and will pray that God may guide us in the
whole affair."
MISSIONARY DEFICIT
Both the treasury of the Missionary Society and of the Con-
ference showed a deficit in consequence of which the respective
treasurers were instructed to borrow money and pay their obli-
gations. It was also made the duty of each preacher to hold a
missionary meeting at each appointment on his work, not later than
the month of September or October, and to organize missionary
auxiliaries, also to hold missionary prayer-meetings in the various
congregations, and raise not less than $1.00 per member mis-
sionary money for the Kansas Conference during the coming year.
In case of failure to meet this requirement the delinquents shall
give reasons for their failure.
This drastic measure was introduced, not because of any finan-
cial stringency, but because some of the preachers had become
indifferent to the cause of missions and neglected the collection
of contributions while the splendid missionary spirit which once
characterized the Conference had, in a measure, vanished, and the
treasury felt the effect of this slackness.
The work of the Committee on Ways and Means was becom-
ing more difficult each year as numerous problems confronted
Conference, and the appeals for help from various fields of labor
were multiplying. This year Atchison asked for help to liquidate
a debt of $2,285.00. Leavenworth pled for help to repair her
church and parsonage. Newton appealed for a loan of $300.00
from the Conference treasury. Carthage, Dennis, and Parsons
asked for help, but the four latter were refused aid because of no
available funds.
The committee appointed a year ago to devise plans to organ-
ize a fire insurance company in the Conference submitted a consti-
tution which was adopted and ordered printed for distribution
among the membership during the coming year. An effort was
to be made to secure as many policy holders as possible, and then
complete the organization a year hence.
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1886
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
Rev. J. K. Young, fortunate enough to receive $25.00 more
salary than his legal allowance, was graciously permitted by Con-
ference to keep the surplus.
C. Berner was elected Conference treasurer, and E. Evans
was elected Conference trustee to fill the vacancy caused by the
resignation of J. G. Pfeifer.
G. E. DIENST
Since G. E. Dienst was appointed missionary to Japan by the
Board of Missions during the past year, and was preparing to
start for the foreign field during the coming summer, Conference
expressed her joy and gratification over the fact that for the sec-
ond time she had the honor of providing a missionary for Japan.
Brother F. W. Voegelein, who had been sent to Japan a few years
previous, was licensed by the Kansas Conference and served in
her bounds for several years before he went to California. A
hearty Godspeed and best wishes, with the assurance of ardent
prayers, accompanied Brother Dienst and his family to the Sun-
rise Kingdom.
BOUNDARIES
Holton District
a. Coal Creek shall be taken from Holton Circuit and added
to Wolf River Circuit and shall be called Atchison Circuit.
b. Downs shall be served with Osborne Circuit.
c. A new mission shall be located in Jewell County, Kansas,
to be called Jewell Mission.
Kansas City District
a. The appointments east of Humboldt shall be taken from
Humboldt and formed into Golden Valley Mission.
b. East Lynn shall be taken from Warrensburg Mission and
added to Clinton Mission.
Newton District
a. Center Ridge shall be taken from Yates Center and added
to Humboldt Circuit.
b. The appointments south of Emporia shall be taken from
Emporia Mission and added to Burlington Mission, which shall
be called Hartford Mission.
c. Miles shall be taken from Americus and added to Mar-
ion Mission, and the remaining portion of Americus shall be added
to Emporia Mission.
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1886
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
d. Turkey Creek in Dickinson County shall be taken from
Alida, also Abilene appointment, and both added to Salina Mission.
e. All the appointments north of the Saline River shall be
taken from Wilson and formed into a new mission to be called
Lincoln Mission.
f. Ellinwood, Pawnee and Barnard shall be taken from Rice
Mission and formed into a new mission to be called Pawnee Rock
Mission.
g. Peabody shall be taken from Newton and formed into
Peabody Mission.
h. The appointments in Pratt County shall be taken from
Rice Mission and formed into Kingman Mission.
i. Hartland, Hamilton County, shall be taken up as a new
mission and be called Hartland Mission.
MISSIONS
The amount of $3,551.12 was raised for missions in the Con-
ference the past year and $6,850.00 was appropriated for the en-
suing year.
H. Mattill was elected delegate to the Board of Missions, and
the Missionary Society re-elected the old board of officers for the
coming year.
STATISTICS
Conversions, 625; accessions, 1,167; membership, 4,422; itine-
rant preachers, 55; local preachers, 34; churches, 52; parsonages,
30; Sunday-schools, 83; officers and teachers, 830; scholars, 3,791;
catechetical classes, 17 ; catechumens, 271 ; Botschafters, 912 ; Mes-
sengers, 499 ; Epistles, 66 ; Magazins, 456.
The number of conversions in past year was the largest
in the history of the Conference for any one year, thus far. The
revival fires burned brightly over the Conference territory. Many
works reported 20 or more conversions, Hiawatha, Eldorado, Rice,
Marion, Humboldt and Yates Center each reported 40 or more
conversions.
The number of accessions was correspondingly high. The
visible blessing of God was resting upon the labors of the ministry
and laity of the church.
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1886
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
APPOINTMENTS
Holton District — H. Mattill, P. E. '
Holton Station, E. Evans.
Leavenworth, J. Neuffer.
Atchison, D. R. Zellner.
Atchison Circuit, F. Harder and R. R.
Brand.
Hiawatha, C. F. Erffmeyer.
Spring Creek, L. E. Becher.
Preston, A. Yockel and supply.
Big Blue, J. F. Schreiber.
Jewell Station, to be supplied (later
H. J. Bowman was assigned
there).
Jewell Mission, to be supplied.
Osborn and Downs, J. H. Kiplinger.
Stockton, F. M. Peek.
Washington, Wm. Daeschner.
Leonardville, T. R. Nanninga.
Red Vermillion, F. J. Shafer.
Kansas City District — J. Wnerth,
P. E.
Kansas City, Oak St., S. Mueller.
Kansas City, Highland Ave., A. J.
Voegelein.
Kansas City, Forest Ave., supplied
by two pastors of Kansas City.
Eudora, J. Schmidli.
Deer Creek, C. H. Lindner.
Osage, M. Walter.
St. Joseph, J. Kurtz.
Platte River, G. Sorg.
Oregon, L. Wenger.
Warrensburg, C. Brandt.
Clinton, W. Elmer.
Glasgow, S. J. Luehring.
"Winston, W. F. Schuerman.
Denver, J. Elmer.
Bloomington, W. F. Wolthausen.
Newton District — J. H. Tobias, P. E.
Newton, C. W. Snyder.
Halstead, M. C. Platz.
Canada Station, J. Kramer.
Peabody, D. E. Hoover.
Eldorado, J. K. Young.
Derby, H. S. Bower.
Rice, A. W. Piatt.
Pawnee Rock, to be supplied.
Offerle, H. Toedman.
Wilson, H. Koepsel.
Lincoln Center, G. J. Schumacher.
Salina, M. Manshardt.
Alida, H. W. Hartman.
Emporia, A. Brunner.
Hartford, S. H. Dunkelberger.
Humboldt, A. Ernst.
Golden Valley, A. E. Flickinger.
Parsons, D. G. Rinehold.
Carthage, J. W. Keiser.
Yates Center, P. Schumann.
Marion, D. F. Honstedt.
Kingman, E. Brown.
Hartland, C. W. Stauffer.
Pueblo, Colorado, A. E. Litz.
MEMORIAL
Rev. C. Ehrhardt
Again the death messenger summoned another of the veterans
to the ranks of the church triumphant. Brother C. Ehrhardt en-
tered Conference in the spring of 1875, coming from the Pittsburg
Conference, where he had been engaged in the active work since
1862. He was assigned to Warrensburg Mission, which he served
three years, when he was transferred to Platte River Circuit,
where he spent two years. In 1883 he was not able to accept an
appointment, and the following year he left the active ranks and
was placed on the superannuated list in which relation he con-
tinued until the time of his death, which occurred Nov. 6, 1885,
at the age of 48 years, 11 months and 3 days. Brother Ehrhardt
was a faithful and conscientious worker, a man of sterling char-
acter and uplifting influence. His service in the Conference was
of the highest character, having only the glory of God and the wel-
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1886
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
fare of his fellow-man in view. A memorial service was held
during the Conference session, on which occasion his high stand-
ing and useful service were emphasized by the speakers. His body
is buried at Apoka, Florida, from where he was called to his
heavenly home.
HALSTEAD
As early as 1880 an appointment was taken up in the West
Emmet school house, seven miles west of Newton, by C. F. Erff»
meyer, pastor of Newton Mission. The following year he organ-
ized a class with 15 members as follows : Thomas Patterson and
wife, Wm. Dunkelberger and wife, M. Biersbach and wife, Maria
Shafer, Susie Shafer, Pearl Shafer, Harry Shafer, John McCaslin,
Joseph Wolfarth, George McArthur, David Bailsman and Nancy
Patterson.
During this time, Brother Erffmeyer preached at various
points in the vicinity, without, however, organizing classes. Among
the points at which he preached were Rapp's school house, eight
miles northwest of Newton, Johnson school house, a few miles
south of where Hesston is now located, and Sand Creek, nine miles
south of Newton, where Putnam is now located. He also preached
a few times in Halstead, but did not take up a regular appoint-
ment there.
During the year 1883 Rev. G. E. Dienst served Newton Mis-
sion for six months, when he took up an appointment 20 miles
northwest of Newton, in the Schlender school house, four miles
southwest of where Moundridge now stands. In this community
a colony had settled from Buffalo, and Ebenezer, New York, hav-
ing there belonged to the Evangelical Association. Brother Dienst
organized a class with the following families: Fred Schlender,
John Werner, Henry Kittell, John Hoffman, Adam Hoeman, M.
Frey, and Wm. Gick.
In 1885 Halstead was recorded as a mission for the first time.
It was served in connection with Newton Mission and supplied
with M. C. Platz, who served the work two years. During the
first year an extensive revival occurred at the West Emmet ap-
pointment, in which a number of heads of families were converted
and united with the church, so that at once steps were taken to
build a church in the community. By Conference time $900.00
had been secured on subscription and the following summer the
building was erected at a cost of $1,200.00, and dedicated by Rev.
181
1886
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
H. Mattill, Oct. 31, 1886. During the summer months an appoint-
ment was served at McPherson every two weeks on Sunday after-
noon, with an audience of 20-40. This appointment was suspended
when the winter revival meeting campaign approached on ac-
count of lack of time.
In order to fill the above appointment long and hard drives
were necessary. A twenty mile drive was made between the morn-
ing and afternoon services regularly. On Sunday, Sept. 20, 1885,
service was held in the Schlender school house in the morning, at
McPherson, 20 miles north, in the Presbyterian Church in the
afternoon, and at Conway, in the evening. At the latter place
there was no church building in the village, but the school house,
where the services were held, was crowded.
An appointment was taken up in Halstead in the summer of
1885. At first the meetings were held in the old Mennonite church,
which was used at the time for school purposes. Later the serv-
ices were changed from English to German, and the meetings held
in the rear upstairs room of Brother C. Kauth's store, where a
class was organized with the following members : Christian Kauth
and wife, Emma Kauth, Mother Hux, Katie Hux, Mrs. Mary Gru-
ler, and M. Bierschbach and wife. In 1886 Halstead was sepa-
rated from Newton.
The following experiences are related by the pastor during his
pastorate on Halstead Mission:
"The hardships incident to pioneer life had not altogether
disappeared at this time. The people were poor and lived in very
small houses, so that in many instances the children would sleep
in the stable or granary. Under these circumstances it was almost
impossible to think of furnishing a home for a young preacher.
Because of these conditions I was necessitated to move my trunk
four times during the first year of my pastorate in order that
this article might not become too burdensome to the family. I
would get to see my trunk about every two weeks, when I would
come around to exchange books and a few articles of clothing, and
then start out again on my round over the work which numbered
nine appointments.
In order to enjoy a summer luxury I rented a room in Hal-
stead a few months where I placed my trunk, while the kind friends
arranged a bed, table, lamp and chair for me. It was indeed a treat
to be able to live so royally at the end of a two weeks' round when
182
1886
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
I got home. But, alas! at the end of the second month I was
out of funds and barely succeeded in gathering enough money
with which to pay the rent due. I then had to give up my pleas-
ant resort in exchange for the life of an itinerant. To make
matters worse, a young fellow whom I had befriended by permit-
ting him to sleep in my room several nights when I was at home,
procured a key when I was away, entered the room and carried
away some of my clothing, which I, of course, needed myself.
I received only $150.00 salary the first year I preached, with which
I laid the foundation for future wealth.
In order to serve the appointments regularly on my mission,
which extended from the northern part of Sedgwick County on the
south to within a few miles of Saline County on the north, like the
forefathers I had to make some long drives. While holding a
protracted meeting at the Sand Creek appointment, nine miles
south of Newton, I did not wish to break into the interest of the
meeting, which was just at a crisis when the latter part of the
week arrived. So I held services on Saturday night, then on Sun-
day morning I drove 20 miles to the Schlender school house for
morning service, after dinner I went seven miles further with
another horse to the Frey school house for a three o'clock service,
and then back 27 miles to the Sand Creek appointment for the
evening. Of course I had no time to eat supper and when I reached
the school house it was so packed with people that I could hardly
find entrance. Now came a long, hard evening service, in which
the preacher must do the preaching, most of the singing and
praying, since this was a rural district and a very irreligious
neighborhood. We had a good many seekers at the altar, who must
have help. Late at night the meeting closed with a preacher so
tired that he refused to eat supper and spent an almost sleepless
night tossing with nervousness, caused by a little over-exertion.
I would frequently drive 40 miles on Sunday and preach two
to three times. The severest test during the year was the absence
of time and opportunity for study. During the summer months I
would occasionally, in order to be alone for meditation, drive to
some secluded spot, where I would stake out my pony while I
would spend the day in reading and study. Of course that meant
a fast for me, but it was such a treat to be alone for meditation
that I did not think much about eating dinner. I seldom spent
two nights in succession at the same place, for my work kept
me on the go. I would do most of my reading in the buggy, since
183
1887
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
the people would insist on visiting when I would enter the home.
I had a very gentle horse who would keep the road whether I ob-
served him or not, and would turn out for a passing team whether
I held the lines or not. If there were a horse heaven I am sure
my "Selim" would be found there.
1887
TWENTY-THIRD SESSION
March the 17th, 1887, Conference met at Jewell City, Kansas,
to hold her twenty-third session with Bishop R. Dubs in the chair
and C. Berner secretary for the twentieth time.
It was ordered in the future there should also be an English
record of Conference kept, and in accordance with this action
J. H. Kiplinger and C. F. Erffmeyer were chosen as English as-
sistants. An unusually large number of visiting brethren were
present, namely, W. Yost, Junior Publishing Agent, S. Heininger,
Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society, W. M. Stan-
ford, assistant editor of the "Evangelical Messenger," U. F. Swen-
gel, assistant editor of the English Sunday-school literature, L. W.
Anthony, presiding elder of the Platte River Conference, and F.
C. Yenny and M. Inhelder, of the Nebraska Conference.
M. Alsbach, W. Elmer, J. Kramer and Mrs. P. Schumann died
during the past year.
J. W. Lowe, G. W. Bugh, F. L. Fierce, F. Lantz and G. Wilson,
local preachers, withdrew from the church during the year. G.
W. Bugh was the only one who had served in the active ranks.
There is no reason assigned in the Conference records why so large
a number of local preachers should leave the ministry and church
in one year.
P. Flicker, E. Evans and C. Linge located on account of
physical infirmity.
H. Koepsel received credentials and C. Berner, E. J. Troyer,
J. H. Kiplinger, L. Wenger and J. W. Keiser were retained in the
itinerancy without appointment.
H. J. Bowman of the Ohio Conference, formerly editor of the
English Sunday-school literature, and M. W. Harris, a local elder
of the East Pennsylvania Conference, were received.
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1887
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
E. Brown, C. W. Stauffer, A. Ernst, W. F. Schuerman, M. C.
Platz, J. K. Young', M. Walter and J. K. Elmer received deacons'
orders, and T. R. Nanninga and L. E. Becher elders' orders.
C. W. Stauffer, J. K. Elmer, M. Walter, G. J. Schumacher, S.
J. Luehring, F. M. Peek and L. E. Becher were received into the
itinerancy.
J. Wuerth was re-elected presiding elder, and the districts
were supplied as follows : Kansas City District, J. Wuerth ; Holton
District, H. Mattill; Newton District, J. H. Tobias.
The brethren J. Wuerth, C. Berner, H. Mattill, J. F. Schrei-
ber and J. H. Tobias were elected delegates to General Confer-
ence, to be held at Buffalo, N. Y., in October of this year.
Conference for the first time elected a statistical secretary,
the choice falling upon E. J. Troyer.
The publication of a little monthly missionary magazine, in
the interest of the Woman's Missionary Society of the Evangeli-
cal Association, called the "Missionary Messenger," was approved,
and Conference pledged herself to work for its circulation.
DISTRICT HOUSE
It was resolved to build a district house in Kansas City, Mo.,
on the lots of the Highland Avenue Church, for which the trustees
of the congregation would give a lease for 99 years. The building,
however, should not cost over $2,000.00.
H. Mattill was elected trustee of Northwestern College for
three years.
J. Wuerth was elected Conference trustee for five years, and
C. Berner Conference treasurer.
It was ordered that the Conference secretary and treasurer
C. Berner shall have his traveling expenses to and from Conference
paid, besides $10.00 extra for his service.
Again we find Conference wrestling with the numerous re-
quests coming before that body from needy congregations through
the hard-worked Ways and Means Committee. In some instances
limited assistance was rendered, while in other cases the requests
were refused because of lack of funds.
The presiding elders were appointed a committee to publish
a Conference journal, which, however, failed to materialize.
EXAMINATION
A Board of Examiners for junior preachers was founded on
the following plan:
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1887
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
a. The Board shall annually elect a president, vice-president
and secretary.
b. The secretary shall keep an exact record of all the junior
classes, the individual members of the classes, and the examiners.
c. Each examiner shall report the standing of each member
of his class to the secretary.
d. The secretary shall submit to Conference a report of each