done at once where a class was organized. In this instance, how-
ever, the records show that a Sunday-school was organized 9 years
later, in 1876, with Christ. Lehman elected superintendent.
In this year, 1876, a church was also built by the little band
of workers, in which they now held their services and Sunday-
school. There is no record of the cost of the building, nor when
or by whom dedicated.
Some years later the work started in the town of Bern, as afi
outgrowth of the Four Mile society, which naturally developed
into the leading congregation.
GLASGOW
During the past year, 1867, J. G. Pfeifer, who served Macon
Mission in Eastern Missouri, found entrance in Glasgow, a town
on the Missouri River in Saline County. Brother Pfeifer was fol-
lowed by C. Timmer the ensuing year, who served the work one
year, when the appointments Glasgow and Frankfort were taken
from Macon Mission, and, with the surrounding country, formed
into Glasgow Mission. This work was supplied with M. Alsbach
who entered the Conference that spring. During the pastorate ol
Brother Alsbach a class was organized with the following mem-
bers: Otto Nuhn and wife, Margaret Ruffel, Mary Beier, John
Nuhn and wife, Mary Becker and Baltzer Ruffel and wife.
For several years the little class worshiped and developed the
work as best they could, when, in 1872, they erected a church-
building at a cost of $1,900.00, which was dedicated by J. G.
Pfeifer, presiding elder of the Missouri District. The original
board of trustees were Otto Nuhn, Baltzer Ruffel and John Nuhn.
The following year a Sunday-school was organized with Otto
Nuhn, superintendent, and Baltzer Ruffel, secretary and treasurer.
For many years Glasgow was one of the most important
charges in Eastern Missouri, and the members were among the
most loyal and devoted in the church.
In 1870 Glasgow and Frankfort appointments were again
attached to Macon Mission and supplied with B. Hoffman, who
served the work for two years.
FIFTH SESSION
Conference met this year in the Methodist Episcopal Church
in Oregon, Mo., March 18, 1869, to hold her fifth session. Bishop
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1869
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
Esher again presided and appointed H. Haas secretary. C. Ber-
ner was appointed to report the proceedings to the Botschafter
and Wm. Lingelbach to the Messenger.
It was resolved that at the examination of ministers only
preachers who have traveled and ordained local elders shall be
present, and that this rule shall be added to the business rules of
the Conference to govern future sessions.
The brethren H. Haas, J. Wuerth, and C. Timmer received
elders' orders, and H. Mattill, J. Beck, and Wm. Folgate, deacons'
orders.
Conrad Emmel and Edward J. Troyer received license to
preach on probation, while J. Beck, E. J. Troyer and Michael Als-
bach were received into the itinerancy.
G. W. Bugh, located on account of physical infirmity, and C.
Comstock received credentials.
BOUNDARIES
The following extensive report on boundaries was adopted:
a. Lawrence Mission shall be changed to a circuit.
b. Atchison Mission shall be discontinued.
c. Camp Creek and Independence Creek appointments shall
be added to Leavenworth Mission.
d. Coal Creek and Grasshopper Creek appointments shall be
added to Holton, and the latter be changed to a circuit.
e. The appointments Hiawatha and Wolf River, also the ap-
pointments Carson and Four Mile, shall be taken from Holton and
added to Arago Mission, and the name Arago Mission shall be
changed to Nemaha Mission, and supplied with two preachers.
f . Oregon Mission shall be divided. The appointments Platte
River and St. Joseph, with the surrounding country, shall be con-
stituted a circuit, and called St. Joseph Circuit.
g. Glasgow and New Frankfort shall be taken from Macon
Mission, and, with the surrounding country, form a new mission,
to be known as Glasgow Mission.
h. The Conference shall be divided into two districts, the
Missouri River forming the dividing line. The districts shall be
called Kansas District and Missouri District.
C. Berner and J. G. Pfeifer were elected presiding elders, and
stationed on the Kansas and the Missouri Districts respectively.
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1869
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
It was ordered that in the future the fields of labor shall be
independent of one another regarding the matter of preachers'
salary, and the same finance regulation which obtains among the
missionaries shall also apply to the circuit preachers and the pre-
siding elders. It was also made the duty of the presiding elders
to extend their activities outside of their districts and enter as
many doors as possible during the year for the advancement of the
gospel, and the extension of the Conference. With this end in
view an appropriation of $100.00 was made for each presiding
elder for traveling expenses.
SOLOMON NEITZ
The damaging agitation of Solomon Neitz, a member of the
East Pennsylvania Conference, was felt even in the small Kansas
Conference, as seen by the following action :
"Resolved, That we consider the brazen accusations made
against our bishops in his article, published in the Christliche Bot-
sclmfter, under the heading, 'Sporadisches,' as reproachful and
slanderous. We hold our bishops in high esteem and love, feeling
confident that they have up to this time served the church with de-
votion and self-sacrifice. We deeply deplore that said article has
not only grieved our bishops, but our entire church has been
maligned thereby."
EVANGELISCHE MAGAZIN
Conference also expressed her appreciation of the timely pub-
lication of Das Evangelische Magazin, which was created by the
recent General Conference. A hearty "Godspeed" was expressed
to the editor.
Rev. E. E. Evans of the Michigan Conference was received as
a member of this Conference.
MISSIONS
The amount of $370.25 was reported collected for missions
during the past year, while the amount of $1,686.00 was appro-
priated for the ensuing year. The above amount of $370.25 raised
for missions was contributed by the auxiliaries of the Conference,
aside from the amount paid by the preachers.
The following officers were elected for the Missionary Society
for the coming year : J. F. Schreiber, president ; J. Wuerth, vice-
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1869
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
president ; H. Haas, secretary, and J. G. Pf eifer, treasurer. Bishop
Esher was elected delegate to the Board of Missions.
STATISTICS
The statistics for the past year are as follows: Conversions,
186. Of this number 60 conversions are reported from Oregon
Mission, and 28 from Lawrence. Accessions, 228. Of this number
72 are reported from Oregon Mission, and 36 from Lawrence.
Membership, 696; itinerants, 14; local preachers, 6; churches, 5;
parsonages, 5 ; Sunday-schools, 15 ; officers and teachers, 123 ;
scholars, 421 ; Botschafters, 221 ; Messengers, 85.
APPOINTMENTS
Kansas District — C. Berner, P. E.
Lawrence, S. W. McKesson. Missouri District-J. G. Pf eifer, P. E.
Holton, J. F. Schreiber. St. Joseph, John Wuerth.
Leavenworth, H. Haas. Oregon, John Beck.
Humboldt, Wm. Lingelbach. Grand River, Wm. Folgate.
West Kansas, H. Mattill. Macon, C. Timmer.
Big Blue, E. J. Troyer. Glasgow, M. Alsbach.
Nemaha, P. Fricker and supply.
PLATTE RIVER
The past Conference year brings us in touch with the begin-
ning of the work on Platte River Circuit, Andrew County, Mo.
Early in the sixties a number of German families settled in An-
drew County, in the vicinity where at present Cosby is located,
about 13 miles north-east of St. Joseph.
These German people were left without a spiritual shepherd,
though they had a desire for spiritual instruction. This was not
usually the case among the early settlers, who, in most instances,
were a rough and irreligious class of people. Prompted by a de-
sire for religious service, they appealed to Lutheran preachers in
St. Joseph to come and preach to them, offering them conveyance
back and forth if they would but come. Their appeal, however,
was in vain, and they were told it was neither worth while nor
necessary, since they could attend service in St. Joseph. So they
were left without spiritual counselors.
Soon after the Conference session of 1868, H. Mattill, who
was stationed with J. Wuerth on Oregon Mission, came into the
community of those Germans. Visiting in the home of H. Sanders,
and praying with the family, he received permission to preach for
them. He arranged an appointment for his colleague, Brother
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1869
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
Wuerth, who arrived in due time and preached to a large congre-
gation in the old Concord Church. The sermon, which was de-
livered in the power of the Spirit, made such a favorable impres-
sion upon the people that they could hardly wait till Brother
Wuerth should return again to preach.
After the first sermon in the church the meetings were held
in different homes in the community. Everybody cheerfully opened
their doors to the missionaries, who came to show them the way
of life. During the summer months the meetings were held in a
grove until autumn, when they were changed to the home of
Father Thies, where they were held during the winter. A won-
derful awakening took place during, the year and many were con-
verted. The beginning of the awakening was brought about by
several families who attended a camp-meeting at Nickels Grove,
Holt County, Mo., during the summer, and were converted. They
returned home and started the revival fire at home which continued
to burn throughout the winter. During the winter months a re-
vival meeting was held in the house of Father Thies, where many
were gloriously saved and united with the church. About 40 per-
sons were received into the church, representing 17 or 18 families.
At the session of Conference this spring, 1869, the appoint-
ments Platte River and St. Joseph were formed into St. Joseph
Circuit, of which Platte River was practically the entire body.
Platte River was the second work in the conference which enjoyed
the distinction of starting on a self-supporting basis. Yates Cen-
ter preceded Platte River by one year. Steps were taken at once
to build a church, and the project was carried out one year later,
when on the 26th of July, 1869, Rev. J. G. Pfeifer, the presiding
elder, dedicated a new church, which had been built upon a site
donated to the society by Father Thies, including sufficient ground
for a parsonage and cemetery near the church. The church-
building was erected at a cost of $800.00, not counting donated
labor.
A Sunday-school was organized July 28, 1869, with Rev. J.
Wuerth as superintendent, Henry Sanders, assistant superintend-
ent, Wm. Garbe, secretary, and Henry Bunse, librarian. The en-
rollment numbered 30 scholars and 7 teachers.
NEMAHA
During the past year the Zion Church was built west of
Arago on Nemaha Mission, in the vicinity where the families
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1869
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
Daeschner, Kaiser and Meier had moved from Illinois, and the
work had become well established. In later years Conference held
numerous sessions in this church.
H. MATTILL
The following experiences are related by Rev. H. Mattill at
the time of his service on West Kansas Mission, when the country
was new and the people mostly rough and irreligious.
The summer of 1869 was a very wet season, which made
it difficult to save the harvest, while much of the wheat went to
waste. On a certain Sunday morning the sky was clear, and the
prospects fair for a fine day, so that the threshing-machine was
set in motion. About 11 :00 o'clock a cloud arose, and in a short
time the rain was pouring down upon the threshing crew. The
farmer got very angry because of this, and began to defy God in a
most blasphemous manner, challenging the Almighty in the follow-
ing words: "You blockhead up there, if I had you here I would
pummel you." Instantly a bolt of lightning struck the blasphemer
dead. His brother became enraged at this and began to curse God
most vehemently, when his horses became frightened, ran away
and killed him also. This was another demonstration of the truth
that "God is not mocked."
Another example of human depravity on the one hand, but
firm Christianity on the other hand, is given in the following :
Mr. B. was a true Christian, who followed his Saviour faith-
fully, though it required both grace and grit to do so. Mr. B. had
raised a heavy wheat crop, which was ready for the threshing-
machine. The proprietor of the threshing-machine notified him
that he would thresh his wheat the following Sunday. Mr. B. re-
marked that he could not thresh for him on Sunday. This angered
the party who desired to do the work, and he told him that he
would thresh on Sunday or not at all. Mr. B. remained firm, and
his wheat crop went unthreshed, since they boycotted him, and
there was no other machine to be procured.
Brother Mattill had occasion to cross Chapman Creek, which
had no bridge; the water being high, he was uncertain about at-
tempting to ford the stream. A Catholic Irishman, who lived near
the ford and was familiar with conditions, advised Brother Mattill
to cross over the creek. Heeding the advice, he drove into the
water, but soon saw his mistake. The ponies began to swim, but
the buggy got into the swift current of the stream ; it was thrown
70
1869
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
over, and the contents carried away. Brother Mattill succeeded
in swimming to the shore from whence he came, and the ponies
swam to the opposite side of the stream. The buggy, which became
detached from the horses, lodged in a mass of drift-wood, and was
later recovered. The young itinerant had to walk to Brother N.
Schmutz' home, a distance of eight miles, where he received help
to recover his ponies and buggy the following day. Those ex-
periences did more than break the monotony of life; they pointed
to the loving care of a heavenly Father, who is concerned for his
own, and will not fail nor forsake them.
HIAWATHA STATION
The first missionary of the Evangelical Association, of whom
any trace can be found, was Peter Porr. He came from the Ohio
Conference, and found a hospitable stopping-place at the home of
Frederick Hauber, four and one-half miles south-east of Hiawatha.
His visits came about monthly for two or three years. The Civil
War, however, made the filling of the appointments difficult, and
often impossible. On June 14, 1860, Brother Porr baptized the
Hauber children.
Porr was followed by Wm. Uber about 1861, of whom, how-
ever, little can be ascertained, and he, in turn, by C. Tobias. A
German Sunday-school was organized in the Moser school-house
about 1864, with Charles Bedker superintendent, and Frederick
Hauber assistant.
The society was organized in 1868 by C. Berner, and Charles
Bedker was chosen class-leader. The charter members were : Fred-
erick Hauber, Catharine Hauber, Chas. Bedker and wife, John
Hoffman, John Maglott and wife, and Mrs. Jacob Meisenheimer.
Previous to this time there had been a German Methodist appoint-
ment at the school-house ; their members, however, being few, they
joined with the newly formed class.
Under the ministry of the various brethren the work devel-
oped until in 1881 a church-building 30x50 feet was erected in
Hiawatha during the pastorate of Rev. J. Kurtz. This was dedi-
cated in March, 1882, by Bishop R. Dubs. In the fall of this year
a parsonage was built on the property adjoining the church.
In 1885 a very successful revival was held during the pastorate
of C. F. Erffmeyer, which is described by Brother Erffmeyer in
the following words:
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1870
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
"During the fall and winter I conducted three revival meet-
ings. The first one was at Prairie Springs, and continued four
weeks. The second was at Bellevue, and also continued four weeks.
At each of these meetings God's children were revived, souls saved
and the church strengthened. On Dec. 9 we began in Hiawatha,
and continued till Feb. 14. During this meeting of over two
months' duration we had meeting usually twice a day. The inter-
est and power grew as the days went by. Our people entered into
the work heartily from the beginning. People from other churches
came, and soon were working side by side with the Evangelicals.
The church was filled to overflowing at nearly every evening serv-
ice. The Baptist and Methodist pastors suggested that the meet-
ing be made a union meeting, and taken to the opera-house. I
hesitated to do this, and suggested that instead they hold meet-
ings in their churches simultaneous with ours. This was done,
and soon the revival fire was kindled in their churches, too. There
were in all over one hundred conversions in the meetings, and fifty-
seven united with the Evangelical Association. The spirit of this
revival reached out into the surrounding towns and communities,
and started revivals there."
In 1886 a Woman's Missionary Society was organized by C. F.
Erffmeyer, of which Mrs. J. M. Lepley became the first president.
On Aug. 12, 1892, the Conference Branch of the Woman's Mis-
sionary Society was organized at Hiawatha. The Young People's
Alliance was organized by Rev. J. K. Young, Oct. 13, 1891, with
Arnold Moser president. In later years the work suffered heavy
losses through death and removals, but at present, 1914* the Lord
is graciously reviving his work again.
1870
SIXTH SESSION
In the spring of 1870 Conference met in the Evangelical
church at Deer Creek, Douglas Co., Kansas, on the 24th day of
March. This time there was no bishop present on account of the
death of Bishop Long, which occurred during the past year, leav-
ing all the episcopal work resting upon Bishop Esher, who was
not able to hold all the Conferences himself.
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1870
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
The secretary of the Conference, C. Berner, opened the ses-
sion, after which J. G. Pfeifer was elected chairman, who ap-
pointed C. Berner secretary.
A memorial committee was appointed at the opening of Con-
ference, consisting of J. F. Schreiber and H. Haas, to draft suitable
resolutions concerning the death of Bishop Long.
The following brethren received license to preach on proba-
tion : F. W. Voegelein, S. Schneider, C. Linge, and H. Koepsel.
And the following were received into the itinerancy: Conrad
Emmel, F. W. Voegelein, Herman Koepsel, and C. Linge. Wm.
Lingelbach received deacon's orders.
Belshazzer Hoffman from the Indiana Conference was re-
ceived into the Conference on condition that he procure credentials
from his former Conference.
BISHOP J. LONG
The following memorial was adopted relative to Bishop Long's
death : "Inasmuch as it has pleased the Lord to call our esteemed
and worthy father, Bishop Long, after a blessed, but also difficult
day's labor to his heavenly reward and rest, therefore Resolved,
That his departure causes us deep sorrow, and we keenly feel the
loss sustained and the vacancy caused by his death, but console
ourselves with the thought that he is at rest. God gave us this
extraordinary man, anointed to the work of the church, and spared
him so many years for usefulness. He was especially gifted with
rare talents. His clear, anointed sermons, his business ability, his
affection and faithfulness, as well as his concern for the whole
church, will abide in our memory. We will pray God to help us
to emulate his example."
Bishop Long was held in high esteem by the ministers of the
Kansas Conference, having twice presided at her annual sessions,
where he endeared himself to the brethren. He was the first bishop
to visit the work in Kansas, and presided at her first session.
BOUNDARIES
Kansas District
a. Spring Creek, Hiawatha, and Wolf River appointments
shall be taken from Nemaha Mission, and in connection with Camp
Creek, and Independence Creek appointments of Leavenworth
Mission, constitute a new mission, to be called Wolf River Mis-
sion.
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1870
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
b. Leavenworth and Wyandotte shall be served together.
c. Nemaha Mission shall be served by two preachers.
d. West Kansas Mission shall be supplied with two
preachers.
e. Lawrence Mission shall be supplied with two preachers, if
possible.
f. Holton shall be supplied with two preachers, if possible.
Missouri District
a. Steiner and Schneider appointments shall be taken from
Oregon Circuit, and with the surrounding country shall consti-
tute a new mission, to be known as Hamburg Mission. Oregon
Circuit and Hamburg Mission shall be served together, however
the finances shall be kept separate.
b. Grand River shall be served by two preachers.
c. Frankfort and Glasgow appointments shall be taken from
Glasgow Mission and added to Macon Mission, and the remainder
of Glasgow Mission shall be called Warrensburg Mission.
EDUCATION
The annually recurring action of Conference relative to edu-
cation, the Sunday-school and catechetical instruction, indicates
the great stress the founders laid on proper early education. Re-
peatedly the ministry and the laity were urged to carefully look
after the best interest of the children, instructing them in relig-
ious knowledge, and leading them early to conversion. To this end
intense activity is urged in the organization and maintenance of
Sunday-schools, and catechetical classes, as well as the dissemina-
tion of good religious literature. In this respect the fathers laid
a good foundation which is worthy of emulation in all ages.
The absence of C. Timmer at the Conference session without
an excuse, or even the presentation of his report for the year, was
severely criticised, and his presiding elder was instructed to in-
form him of the disapproval.
At this time an auxiliary of the Sunday-school and Tract
Society was organized, which became a permanent branch of Con-
ference and her business transactions.
MISSIONS
There were three missionary auxiliaries reported which raised
$167.00. The ministers' contributions amounted to $60.00. From
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1870
EXTENDING THE BORDERS
other sources $199.00, making a total for the year of $426.00.
The officers elected for the following- year were: J. F. Schreiber,
president; H. Haas, vice-president; J. Wuerth, secretary, and
J. G. Pfeifer, treasurer.
Bishop Esher was again chosen delegate to the Board of
Missions.
Conference appropriated the amount of $2,000.00 for mis-
sions for the ensuing year.
STATISTICS
Statistics reported at this Conference were: Conversions,
175 ; accessions, 284 ; itinerants, 15 ; local preachers, 6 ; mem-
bership, 907; churches, 6; parsonages, 5.
APPOINTMENTS
Kansas District — C. Berner, P. E.
Leavenworth, J. Beck. Missotiri District — J. G. Pfeifer, P. E.
Lawrence, H. Haas and supply. , T u t i. irr n.
Holton, J. F. Schreiber and F. W. St. Joseph John Wuerth.
Voeeelein Oregon and Hamburg, S. W. McKes-
Humboldt, Wm. Lingelbach. r s ° n p a . nd H -J Coep ^ el ; , A r
Wolf River, Conrad Emmel Gran £ Rlver > Wm " Fo] ^ atc and C '
Nemaha, P. Fricker and supply. • ,, lr U? e -
Big Blue, E. J. Troyer undeK Mat- «£**£ «£ a A " isba ch.
West Kansas, H. Mattill.
WARRENSBURG
During the past year Brother Alsbach, who was serving Glas-
gow Mission, traveled south-west through Johnson County, and
came to Warrensburg, where he found several German families,
Burkhart, Kemmerly, Smith, Scheidenberger, and Volmer,
the latter coming from Indiana, the former from the State of Ohio.
Brother Alsbach organized a class and preached for them as often
as he could, because of his numerous appointments. The members
met for prayer-meeting every Sunday when the preacher could not
be with them. The preaching services were usually held in the
Scheidenberger home in Warrensburg, and sometimes in the Vol-
mer home. At this Conference Brother Alsbach became the pas-
tor of the new Warrensburg Mission. In 1873 the little society
purchased a small brick church on Gay Street from the Presbyte-
rians, which was used for many years to worship in.
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1870
FIFTY YEARS IN THE KANSAS CONFERENCE
WILLOW SPRINGS
Willow Springs Class was organized in 1869, by Rev. S. W.
McKesson, who served Lawrence Mission, and preached at this
point. The charter members were: Rev. D. R. Zellner and wife,
M. Heffner and wife, Carl Woerner and wife, Christian Long and
wife, J. C. Pippert and wife, Mrs. Fager and Mrs. G. Sehrle.
J. C. Pippert was elected class-leader of the little band. Three
years later a church was built during the labors of J. Wuerth.
C. LINGE
One of the early pioneers in Missouri gives a vivid descrip-