పునర్నిర్మాణం (1900–02)

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CHAPTER XVI

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THE re-election the Board Foreign Missions the Chicago Convention the General Council, 1899g, ! was expression willingness the part the Council give the Board opportunity during the next two years cope with the unfortunate conditions the Mission and demon- strate its ability bring order out chaos. To reinforce its greatly depleted force missionaries? the Board, 1900, called two new men and two woman mis- sionaries, and finally yielded the repeated requests Dr. Edman returned missionary India. The Rev. Gomer B. Matthews was called the Board Foreign Missions while was senior the Theological Seminary Philadelphia. was commissioned and sent out August, 19oo, and reached the field India October, that year. few months after his arrival his health failed, and letter under date May 31, 1901, informed the Board that would leave India the next day. The Board terminated its relation with him June 1, 1901. The Rev. Ernst William Neudoerffer, the nineteenth foreign missionary the General Council, was born Brazil, South ! Before the next convention the General Council the following changes in membership took place: Rev. J. L. Sibole resigned and Rev. S. A. Ziegenfuss was elected his place; Rev. F. W. Weiskotten died and Rev. R. Bielinski was elected fill the unexpired term. 2 was during this period that the Board began mission work the island of Porto Rico. The original motion make this beginning was made the Rev. William Ashmead Schaeffer, D. D. , February 16, 1890; and the first missionaries, the Rev. H. F. Richards and B. F. Hankey, sailed from New York for Porto Rico October 23d, that year. Inasmuch this book deals only with the history the mission work India, and inasmuch the General Coun- cil, 1go1, created separate Board administer the affairs the Porto Rico Mission, omit every reference that Mission these pages. 3 Only the following missionaries remained India: Dr. Schmidt, Isaacson, Arps, Holler, Miss Schade and Miss Sadtler. 330

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ErNST NEUDOERFFER Oscar LL. Larson Karr L. WOLTERS Oravs O. EckKarpT FREDERICK WW. WACKERNAGEL Auvcust F. A. NEUDOERFFER

MISSIONARIES INDIA

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AcatHa Tatce Mrs. Oscar V. WERNER Mary S. BORTHWICK SiGriD KESBERHN Hepcwic WAHLBERG Mgrs. Joun II. HARPSTER

WOMEN MISSIONARIES

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America, while his father was missionary that country. The date his birth November 5, 1877. His father now the pastor congregations and around Neustadt, Ontario, Canada, where has served for many years. His mother's maiden name was Barbara Spohn. After having been gradu- ated from Wagner Memorial Lutheran College, Rochester, N. Y. , entered the Theological Seminary Philadelphia in 1897, and was graduated 19co. While still student the senior class received and accepted the call India. was ordained June 17, 1900, his father's church Neustadt, Ontario, convention the Canada Synod. received his commission, together with Miss Emily I. . Weiskotten and Miss Martha Strempfer, service held in St. James' German Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, Sep- tember 2, 19oo, and formed one the missionary party which sailed two days later from New York City the steamship "Deutschland. " When Miss Charlotte Swenson, account ill health, left Rajahmundry April, 19oo, the zenana work which she had developed was left charge Miss Kate Sadtler, whom Miss Dagmar Schmidt voluntarily assisted. Miss Agnes I. Schade's furlough was overdue. The situation, therefore, looked quite ominous for the women's work for the dis- trict evangelistic work. The Board this crisis published appeal for additional woman missionaries, and almost imme- diately Miss Emily Weiskotten and Miss Martha Strempfer volunteered India missionaries. Both were called on July 30, 1900, and were commissioned, already noted, on September 2d, that year. This commissioning service was unique and interesting from more than one point view. All of the new missionaries were children Lutheran pastors: the Rev. E. Neudoerffer, son the Rev. E. Neudoerffer, Sr. , Canada; Miss Martha Strempfer, daughter the Rev. J. Strempfer, then Toledo, O. , and Miss Emily L. Weis- kotten, daughter the Rev. Frederick W. Weiskotten Philadelphia. Moreover, the same service the Rev. Mr. Weiskotten, the pastor the congregation, was publicly com- missioned and sent out the Board Foreign Missions,

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which was leading member, ! "investigate the work the missionaries and carry out the order the resolution adopted the General Council. " The following letter instruction was given the Rev. Mr. Weiskotten: "The Board Foreign Missions the General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church North America has appointed the Rev. F. W. Weiskotten visit our mission field India, order gain clear insight into its condi- tions, workings and necessities, and devise, conjunction with our missionaries, plans and means which pending questions may settled, difhculties removed, and, harmonious working together, the prosperity the field under the blessing the Lord may enhanced. '""As the representative the Board Rev. Weiskotten authorized confer with our missionaries and co-workers, severally and meetings called him. may decide questions before them, give instructions and settle disputed points. : "He 1s examine into the financial system and into docu- ments and books belonging thereto, and also into the accounts of any member the Mission who keeps such accounts. "He examine the school system the Mission appointments teachers, plans instruction, location buildings, etc. , and empowered make changes, consid- ered desirable him; the same with reference the indus- trial interests the Mission. "He visit the different stations our field and ac- quaint himself, far possible, with their conditions and wants. "He will also give our brethren opportunity make sug- gestions improvements our Rules and Regulations. "Finally, commit his discretionary action whatever seems necessary without being specified the foregoing, whilst the Board has the assurance that our brother under- takes such important and responsible task with eye 1 had been member the Board since October, 1881, and editor the "Missionsbote' since December, 188¢.

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single the blessed cause Christ and the saving souls, and with loving heart the brethren particular. "We trust they will honor him the authority the Board, receive him with confidence and brotherly affection and work with him Christian harmony, that all they may redound the glory God and lasting blessing to the Mission. By Order the Board, H. Grahn, President, A. Oettinger, English Secretary. Philadelphia, August 30, 1900. Inspector Weiskotten and his party missionaries started from New York September 4, 1goo. They were enthu- siastically welcomed Rajahmundry October 20th. Dr. Edman, who had joined the party, once took charge the Tallapudi district, and the four new missionaries began the study Telugu. The Inspector spent thirty-six days the Mission and, among other things, ordained C. James to the office the holy ministry, the ordained missionaries assisting the service. Having finished his work inspec- tion, left India about December 1st, and started hiS homeward way; but soon after leaving Marseilles, France, port which the ship called, died sea December 15th, and his body was committed the waters the Mediter- ranean. 'At home were loving hearts awaiting his return and an anxious Board expecting great results from the journey which had sent him. Imagine, then, the shock they all sus- tained when the last day December, 1goo, the news reached them that, two weeks before, had departed this life and his body had been consigned watery grave. The expectations the Board were all dashed the ground. " "The time his sojourn India was too short, " the Board acknowledged its report the General Council, "and the work hand too vast for him engage any lengthy corre- spondence, and consequently his letters the Board were few and brief, fully expecting, all understood, give, his return, full and detailed account all had seen and

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done. One thing, nevertheless, did. . . . consultation with the missionaries prepared revised form the Rules and Regulations. . . . Apart from these, little was found that could assist the Board its work relieve the situation the field"? In connection with the visit the Rev. Mr. Weiskotten to the Mission the Board learned the desirability having the titles all the properties the Mission held the Trustees the General Council for the Board, which was as yet unincorporated body, instead the individual missionaries, had been customary; and the Rev. H. E. Isaacson, July 12, 1901, was duly appointed the attorney in India take charge the matter obtaining the legal transfer titles. list properties the Mission thus transferred appeared the report the Board Foreign Missions the General Council 1gor. Considerable difficulty, however, was encountered the transfer the titles some the property held Dr. Schmidt, and years elapsed before this matter, which developed into an unpleasant controversy, was finally and satisfactorily settled. Arps left Dowlaishwaram furlough March, and Miss Schade left Rajahmundry furlough May, igor. Both appeared before the Board and reported concerning their re- spective departments work and the Mission whole; and both were directed attend the convention the General Council Lima, O. , which thorough investiga- tion the affairs the Mission was anticipated. The main topic discussion the Lima Convention the General Council was the difficulties which the India Mission was involved and which had aroused great deal dissatis- faction with the administration affairs both the Mission and the Board. The report the Board Foreign Mis- After the death the Rev. Mr. Weiskotten "F. W. Weiskotten Memorial Fund" was suggested his family and congregation, and, 1905, contributions for such fund began flow into the treasury the Board. the present time (1914) two thousand dollars have been raised and invested; but the fund is intended reach the sum ten thousand dollars, the interest which be devoted the education native workers.

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sions was referred special committee! which was author- ized over the whole matter, hear the missionaries fur- lough and any complaints representations that any member of the General Council might desire make, and propose plan action which would unravel the tangled skein mission difficulties. After reviewing the peculiar difficulties the Mission the committee submitted the following recommendations which the General Council adopted: "Even though should involve increased expense the Board is advised seek the services man experience and standing the Church, who would willing and able labor our Mission for term years. should man of such wisdom and tact that, although not put over his fel- low-workers, his example would soothe the present irritation and his experience would inform the Board and the Church. "It imperative that more missionaries sent into the field and that they should men and women from our own churches and speaking our own tongue. "The Board directed recall the Senior missionary, Rev. H. C. Schmidt, D. D. "We advise that the election the new Board Foreign Missions one-half those nominated and elected shall new men. "The committee has noted with satisfaction and thanks- giving that the contributions Foreign Missions during the past two years have reached the amount $50,000. The care distant Mission, the direction and maintenance of 125 workers, the supervision various stations, have occupied the diligence the Board; and when this added the discouragements which reference has been made, the Board deserves our sympathy. The work Foreign Missions should engage our sincere interest. ! The committee consisted the Rev. Edward T. Horn, D. D. , chairman; the Revs. J. A. W. Haas, D. D. , G. W. Mechling, D. D. , C. A. Evald, D. D. , E. Bel- four, D. D. , M. L. Wagner, Prof. C. W. Foss, Ph. D. , J. Boyd Duff, Esq. , Messrs. Wm. Hengerer, James M. Snyder, I. G. Romig, L. W. Kaufmann. Another committee, which that part the report which related the Porto Rico work was referred, recommended separate Board for that work, and its recom- mendation was adopted the Council.

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"hope for God's blessing upon our Mission India. We, therefore, commend the prayerful co-operation our churches. " It may noted that the number Christians the "Mission had risen 6159 the close the year 19oo, and that there had been less than 1157 baptisms during the years 1899 and 1goo. The number out-stations was 210, and, 120 these, schools were being conducted, attended by 3500 children. The blessing God was, therefore, evi- dent, despite the chaotic condition the administration India and the disagreements between the Board and some of its missionaries. The new 'members the Board elected the General Council for four years were: the Revs. Edward T. Horn, D. D. , and C. E. Slaett and Messrs. Samuel C. Seiple, M. D. , James M. Snyder and James Dangler: -For two years: the Revs. Prof. Henry E. Jacobs, D. D. , and J. J. Heischmann, D. D. , and Philip S. Zieber, Esq. Those re-elected for four years were: the Revs. Edward E. Sibole, D. D. , and R. C. G. Bielinski, and William H. Staake, Esq. : -Tor two years: the Revs. William A. Schaeffer, D. D. , Carl A. Blomgren, Ph. D. , and Ernest R. Cassaday, and Messrs. Conrad Itter and Albert Oettinger. These met October 31, 1901, and re- organized electing the following officers: the Rev. Prof. Henry E. Jacobs, D. D. , President; the Rev. Wm. A. Schaef- fer, D. D. , Coriesponding Secretary; Mr. Albert Oettinger, English Recording Secretary; Mr. Conrad Itter, German Recording Secretary. Mr. Oettinger resigned June, 19o2, and Mr. James M. Snyder succeeded him English Record- ing Secretary. Mr. Staake who virtue his office treasurer the General Council had served treasurer the Board Foreign Missions for period twenty-five years, resigned both treasurer and member the Board, Mr. Philip S. Zieber succeeding him treasurer and Mr. William F. Monroe member the Board. Dr. Grahn, the retiring President, was made business manager the "Missionsbhote, " and the Rev. E. R. Cassaday was continued as business manager "The Foreign Missionary. " The

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Rev. R. Bielinski who had succeeded the Rev. IF. W. Weis- kotten editor the '"Missionsbote, " was re-elected that position, and the Rev. E. E. Sibole, D. D. , who had been the editor "The Foreign Missionary' since 1893, was continued in that office. The Board, thus reorganized, set itself resolutely solve the problem reconstruction. began notifying the Senior Missionary, the Rev. H. C. Schmidt, D. D. , the action the General Council recalling him. appointed the Rev. H. E. Isaacson Treasurer India the stead Dr. Schmidt, and the Rev. E. Neudoerffer temporary manager charge the Boys' Boarding School. ! All books, papers, accounts, moneys and properties were ordered trans- ferred Mr. Isaacson August 1, 1902, order that Dr. Schmidt might leave India soon possible after that date. Nine hundred dollars were sent defray the travelling ex- penses Dr. and Mrs. Schmidt and their daughter Dagmar to the United States. While the Board interpreted the recall Dr. Schmidt summons withdraw from the field and return America for the further consideration his case, Dr. Schmidt inter- preted dismissal, arbitrarily and unjustly ordered the General Council, without any formal charges brought against him and without giving him the least opportunity state his side the case. demanded trial India before im- partial tribunal; but the Board replied that the only course it could pursue was insist upon his leaving the field and com- ing America, assuring him that every opportunity would given him here present his side the case. declined, however, come the United States. After the return Miss Schade from furlough Dr. Woerner gave all her time and attention the beginning the medical work. Dispensary was opened March 26, 1902, Bazaar Street, Rajahmundry, rented house. The sign- board over the door this house read: "A. E. L. Mission Dispensary for Women and Children. Open daily from 8 10 A. M. "" The attendance from the opening day the ! The name Seminary had been dropped misnomer. 22

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first July, that year, was 1914; and during that period Dr. Woerner made 138 house visits. On February 20, 1902, part Halkett's Garden, the road from Rajahmundry Dowlaishwaram, containing eight acres, surrounded substantial stone wall and including bungalow, was purchased the site the proposed hospital, the Board having previously cabled its acceptance the terms of purchase. The price paid for this site was Rs. 13,000, $4500, which, with the exception less than $500, was de- frayed contributions $2000 each, from the Women's Missionary Society the Pennsylvania Ministerium and the Women's Missionary Society the Swedish Augustana Synod. These two societies and that the New York and New England Synod began this time contribute $125 each, annually, toward the equipment and expenses the medical work. The bungalow the premises was fitted as residence for the medical missionary and was called "The Medical Home. " On Sunday, March 2, 1go2, P. V. Ratnam was ordained in St. Paul's Church, Rajahmundry, the order the Board. The Rev. Ernst Neudoerffer conducted the Telugu service. The Rev. E. Edman, M. D. , preached the sermon and performed the act ordination. As soon Neudoerffer took charge the Boys' Boarding School Rajahmundry, aimed raise its standard that of High School and succeeded doing April 1, 1902. The school was recognized the educational department of the government High School September, that year. When Neudoerffer, order the Board, handed over the school his successor, Fichthorn, there were 120 pupils en- rolled the High School department, and 194 the Primary and Lower Secondary departments. ' While negotiations with Dr. Schmidt were pending, the Board secured the services tried and experienced missionary direct the work reconstruction Rajah- mundry. 1'The Lower Secondary Department corresponds approximately the Grammar School the United States.

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The Rev. J. H. Harpster, D. D. , brother-in-law the Rev. Prof. H. E. Jacobs, D. D. , foreign missionary the General Synod, who had served its Mission India from 1872 1876, and again from 1893 19o1, happened in the United States furlough, and the attention the Board was called him most suitable man entrust with the reorganization the General Council's Mission. "It was not, however, easy matter secure his consent and that the Board was serving, interfered with plans that had been formed, called for many sacrifices his

part, and offered most uninviting prospect field

thoroughly confused and discordant. " After committee of the Board had made presentation its extreme need to the Board the General Synod Baltimore, they most cordially consented arrange have Dr. Harpster give his services the Rajahmundry Mission for period not less than three years. Dr. Harpster was called the Board March 6, 1902, to the "Temporary Director" the Rajahmundry Mis- sion. accepted this call and entered upon his work April 1st. During the spring and summer visited num- ber synodical and other conventions, besides large number of congregations, and delivered addresses the interest foreign missions. was eminently successful speaker and everywhere aroused increased interest the cause of christianizing the heathen. met with the Board and aided the administrative work the home-land. consultation with him, well with Miss Schade before her return India November, 1go1, ! the Board went over the Revision the Rules and Regulations, which had been made in India during the visit the Rev. F. W. Weiskotten; and they were adopted the Board their final form and printed August, with the understanding that they were to into effect the arrival the "Temporary Director" on the field. "Whatever temporary authority extra- ordinary character was committed Dr. Harpster was in- 1 Miss Schade reached Rajahmundry again December 18, 1901, after furlough only seven and one-half months.

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tended only prepare the way for reconstructing the entire administration accordance with the revised rules. " "The chief change made these Rules the administration India was transfer the responsibility for decision from the Mission Council Executive Committee, composed chairman, appointed the Board, one member for every seven ordained missionaries fraction that number the field, elected the missionaries, and representatives zenana sisters the same proportion. " Among other changes made the new Board was the abolition the office Missionary Superintendent June 1, 1902, ''since its maintenance was found involve the ex- penditure about 10 per cent. the income the treasury, and its duties were not really those superintendence, but almost exclusively those collections and the diffusion information among very limited number congregations. In dispensing with the office the Board duly recognized the zeal and fidelity with which for nearly ten years, excepting two interruptions, the Rev. J. Telleen, D. D. , had discharged its duties. " Several new missionaries were called 1go2, accompany Dr. Harpster India and assist him the work recon- struction. The first one called was the Rev. Andrew S. Fich- thorn, who was born Lewistown, Pa. , 1859. was graduate Pennsylvania College Gettysburg, Pa. , and the Theological Seminary the same place. taught the classical languages Carthage College, Ill. , for short time and served brief pastorates Lutherville, Md. , Cairo, Pa. , and Allegheny, Pa. June 1, 1894, became pastor Trinity Church, Norristown, Pa. The second one called was Miss Hedwig Wahlberg, trained nurse from Chicago, who was sent out with special reference to the hospital and medical work. She left America early in August, order visit her home Sweden before pro- ceeding India. The third one called was Miss Susan E. Monroe, Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, who offered her services the Board woman missionary labor under the Rules but provide

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for her own travelling expenses and support. Her offer was most gratefully accepted. The fourth one called was the Rev. F. W. Wackernagel, the eldest son the Rev. Prof. William Wackernagel, D. D. Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa. , who had been graduated from that college and from the Theological Seminary Philadelphia, and for five years had served congregation Millersville, Pa. Trinity Church, Lancaster, Pa. , pledged itself provide for his support. All the outgoing missionaries, with the exception Miss Wahlberg, were commissioned impressive service St. Mark's English Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, October 14, 1902. "In the morning there was full service with communion and sermon the Rev. Prof. A. Spaeth, D. D. the evening, with audience crowding the church, addresses were made the departing missionaries, Revs. Harpster, Fichthorn and Wackernagel, and the President the Board, the Rev. Prof. H. E. Jacobs, D. D. , with few words from the Rev. G. Sholl, D. D. ; Secretary the Board of the General Synod, who had been sent its representa- tive testify its interest and sympathy our work. " Two days later the whole party sailed from New York. At Naples they were joined Miss Wahlberg and the Rev. and Mrs. Arps, who had left their son and daughter Ger- many receive education. Rajahmundry was reached on Christmas Day, 1go2. Dr. Harpster carried with him letter instructions, which, after defining his position and duties the special agent the Board and the appointed Chairman the Executive Committee India, called for the reorganization the Mis- sion under the new Rules soon convenient after his arrival Rajahmundry, and charged him with inspection of all the departments the work the Mission. ! Dr. Harpster's mission was exceedingly delicate and difficult one, and fulfilled faithful servant the Board and the General Council. rendered our Telugu Mission great and lasting service. 1 See General Council Minutes, 1903, pages 38-40.