Iowa
Old Press
Collegian Reporter
Morningside College
Sioux City, Woodbury co. Iowa
October 27, 1900
Students and Faculty Bid Farewell - MISSIONARY SPIRIT OF
THE COLLEGE QUICKENED - Sketches of the Lives of W. B. Empey and
Wife, Who Sail for Moradabad, India, Nov. 17, 1900
[photograph of the couple included with this news article]
Tuesday evening in the auditorium of Main hall a very
enthusiastic missionary meeting was held. The occasion was the
farewell reception of Bruce Empey and his wife, Hattie. It was
not an occasion of sorrow, but of rejoicing. Rejoicing because
the Spirit of the Master had spoken to those in our midst;
because these noble souls had heeded the call and obeyed the
command, "Go ye into all the world;" and because these
are the first from Morningside College to go to foreign field to
do work for the Christ, but not the last: rejoicing because the
Great Father has placed his finger upon our institution, and its
work has been owned; rejoicing that because of these consecrated
lives the Son of Righteousness will shine on a mentally dark spot
of the world and bring the sweet peace of Christian love to
sorrowing hearts. And why should there be sorrowing or crying? It
is true that they are to be removed from us and we will not be
able to speak to them but we have the assurance that we can all
reach the ear of the common Father.
The program was arranged to represent the various interests
centering round the departure of these friends. E. E. Lewis, L.L.
D. represented Sioux City. He was compelled to be out of town but
sent the following paper, which was read by Dr. Lewis.
"In my judgment this is the most auspicious and significant
occasion Sioux City has ever seen. We have been sending out our
commercial missionaries in every direction for many years- all in
the interest of the full dinner pail. Laudable and necessary as
that kind of enterprise is, there is yet another field which
speaketh better things than the satisfying of temporal wants or
the gratification of worldly ambition, and we all rejoice to see
Sioux City entering that field. This is a golden day for
optimists. It brings us into personal contact and sympathy with
all good men and women who have given themselves, their services,
their lives, for the weal of the race. This significant event
brings Sioux City into touch with all that is brightest and best
and purest in the human heart. It gives the world to know that,
commercial people though we are, we have an institution - nobly
supported and fostered at home‹whose prime object is to fit
men and woman for this most sublime work in which Christians can
possibly find employment. Morningside College is actually already
sending its graduates into the foreign mission field. Just think
of it! This day will be a red letter day for all time in the
history of our college. More than that, it will in some sort lift
all and Sioux City in the knowledge and estimation of the
Christian world, and infinitely more than all that, it puts those
who have so faithfully, labored and sacrificed in order to see
this college firmly established, measurably in line with Marshman
and Carey and Ward and Bishop Ridley and John G. Paton, Spencer
and Smith and all those who have been and are engaged in
fulfilling the Great Commission. Go ye into all the world preach
the Gospel to every creature. Sioux City will follow the career
of Mr. and Mrs. Empey with special interest, pride and
pleasure."
The meat and the corn and the bead of the world
Have been shipped from to west to the east.
And millions of famished and perishing men
Have been fed from our Iowa feast.
But now comes a cry from a far distant place
That we give them the true bread of life.
And our college replies with the spirit of grace
We will send this young husband and wife.
Then give them a royal old Sioux City greeting
That as they sail over the main
Each kind recollection in warmest affection
Will sweep to Sioux City again.
REV. TRIMBLE.
Rev. J. B. Trimble appeared in the interest of Northwest Iowa
Conference. Said he, this is the second farewell missionary
service I have been allowed to participate in. While sitting here
I have been trying to pull the past, in contrast, up against the
present. He then traced the early history of Methodist missionary
work in the church and gave statistics showing the growth of
missions and the increase in the missionary collections. He
thought we were nearing the time in the history of the world when
"Nations are born in a day." Money is coming more
easily than ever before but something more than money is needed,
something money cannot buy. Consecrated lives must be placed on
the altar of the church and this is what we have here tonight.
Turing to Mr. and Mrs. Empey, Rev. Trimble said, I envy you and
your opportunity, and were I but five and twenty, all the gold of
the world could not keep me from entering foreign missionary
work.
CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
The Christian organizations of Morningside College claim an
interest in Mr. and Mrs. Empey, so A. B. Gilbert and Florence
Cate represented respectively the Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C .A . of
the institution. They spoke very highly of the work of these who
are so soon to leave for India, as workers in these
organizations, and assured them that the prayers and best wishes
of the membership of the Christians organizations would follow
them to distant India, and further that every word from their pen
would be earnestly read.
THE STUDENT TALK.
In behalf of the Orthonians, to which Mr. Empey belonged, Ray
Toothacher spoke words of appreciation and farewell: Mrs. Empey
was an Atheneum and Miss Effie Durst's very graceful words left
the thought that they were glad for this evidence of their good
work. The genial, S. L. Chandler of the Class of '99, now M.E.
pastor at Hull, Ia., said: "Mr. Empey was atypical student
of Morningside College. He did the things every student does. He
had a part in the secret as well as the open work. He was made
president and valedictorian of his class because of real
worth."
Rev. D. M. Yetter spoke very feelingly of the young man's
consecrated mother who had labored hard: denying herself that the
son might enjoy the advantages of an education.
Rev. W. B. Empey spoke a few words concerning his connection with
the institution and of his hopes for the future work in India.
Dr. Lewis in closing spoke a few very earnest words in his
characteristic style.
Special music was furnished by the Choral Union. An informal
reception was held on the third floor in the society halls, where
all the friends were allowed to shake hands and exchange
farewells with Mr. and Mrs. Empey.
Mr. and Mrs. Empey left Morningside Thursday morning. They will
stay at Odebolt until Saturday and from there they will leave for
eastern Iowa where they will visit a short time. Then they will
go to Mr. Empey's old home in Canada and from there to New York
City, when on the 17th of Nov. they will sail for Morabad. Their
work will begin as soon as they arrive. Bruce will spend his time
during the week teaching in English and learning the native
language, on Sunday he will preach to English settlers. Mrs.
Empey will also do some teaching.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Since nothing in the history of Morningside College has caused
more genuine joy and left a deeper impress on the hearts of all
concerned, than God's voice through these friends we take
pleasure in presenting a short sketch of the lives of Mr. and
Mrs. Empey.
WALTER BRUCE EMPEY.
Canada has given many noble sons to Northwest Iowa Methodism, but
none of recent years surpass Walter Bruce Empey in point of
ability and depth of character. Napanee was his Ontario home, but
in 1885, when ten years of age, the family moved to the Iowa
homestead, near Battle Creek, and five years later to Morningside
that the children might enjoy the educational advantages here
offered. For two years the Longfellow teacher's enjoyed his
boyish pranks and earnest toil. The his college career began.
Like every other ambitious boy, he now began to take life more
seriously and to cast about to know his real sphere. Up to this
time the greatest question in human existence had been left
unsettled. From early youth he knew that, if converted, he would
have to preach the Gospel. Weighing his opportunities, realizing
his responsibilities and knowing that the world would demand the
best he could give, he faced the facts in a logical, business
like way. This resulted in his being soundly converted during
that first college year, and in his laying the only foundation
worth laying.
Under the careful oversight of Rev. D. M. Yetter, his pastor, the
following six or nine months, proved to be a time of great
spiritual development. In this newly found, inborn,
heart-satisfying peace, all of the former dread of preaching
completely forsook him, and he remained plastic in Godıs hands.
Speaking of the final settlement of his life work, Mr. Empey
said, "I have had no great struggles, save the one when I
gave up to preach- about a year after my conversion. Since that
decisive point there has been just one - to know the voice of
God."
This question settled, God gently, yet definitely, pointed out
where the work should be. About this time a returned Missionary
spoke one Sunday morning in Grace church on India, and the
message was sent by the Holy Spirit into one heart at least. The
call rang through and through his soul. What was he to do? Ah!
The most natural thing - "Tell Mother." Then what?
Together they waited upon God to know His will. Then came the
conviction: "If ever I do anything, it will be in
India," with its counterpart. "I'll wait till I get
through college."
Someone has said that the voice of the Church is the voice of
God. Be that as it may, the Church recognizes men. She also knows
when God has laid His hand upon His child for service. A few
months after Mr. Empey became a new man in Christ Jesus, Bro.
Yetter secured for him an Exhorter's License, the next year he
became a Local Preacher, and the next he was appointed a class
leader. The church and pastor found in him a loyal worker and his
class mates a leader worthy of his calling.
But while the church was recognizing the power in the man, the
school was reaping largely from his influence. With his
conversion came a deeper thirst for knowledge. He always ranked
high in his class work. The Othonian Literary Society was
impelled to some of its best efforts during the four terms of his
presidency. The religious work received his especial notice;
while athletics knew in him a friend.
But it was the last half of the last year that developed the man.
Up to this time, his life had been freely offered to his equals.
Now God showed to him "the Cross of Christ in the face of
every man." One Sunday afternoon in company with a few
Christian workers, he entered a little one-room house where a
lonely widow, with her four children bowed in earnest prayer.
Eternity itself was wrapped up in that service. That mother's
prayer was another one of Godıs doors opening into his heart.
From that moment despite very heavy school work, every Sabbath
afternoon and evening was given whole heartedly to the lowly
poor. The following summer was devoted gratuously to the
gathering of funds that these less-fortunate children of the
All-Father might have the Gospel preached to them.
"Toward the close of the spring term," said Mr. Empey,
"I became uneasy about India. I talked the entire matter
over with Brother Trimble and Dr. Lewis. My name was sent to the
Missionary Society. After the case was fully in, Dr. Leonard
advised me to wait, so the matter was again dropped."
The Class of '99 showed their appreciation of Mr. Empey by making
him their president and conferring upon him the honor of being
their valedictorian. His graduating address was feighted with an
intense desire for the elevation of the masses and elicited much
hearty comment from his auditors. His degree, A. B., was the
smallest attainment of his college.
Having completed the Local Preachers, course, Bishop Merrill
ordained him Deacon and received him on trial at the session of
the Northwest Iowa Conference, held in Sioux City last year.
Being appointed to Seney, Ia., he cheerfully took up the task
assigned to him. "When I caught sight of the little burg, I
stopped my horse and asked the Lord to give it to me for
Him". At the recent session of Conference at Spencer, Ia.,
where he was ordained Elder under the Missionary rule, he was
able to report ninety-five conversions, thirty-five baptisms,
missionary apportionment doubled, and a new $1600 church at
Struble partly completed.
Mr. Empey found a neat little parsonage on the church lot at
Seney. Again his college experience helped him out. He used
frequently to remark, as he wended his way toward Trimble Hall,
"Boys, its courtship under difficulties, but faint heart
never won fair lady."
For three years the friendship between he and Miss Hattie
Bartlett, which culminated in one of the brightest, happiest,
most joyous weddings we ever attended, was ripening. January 3rd,
last a score of more relatives and intimate friends joined with
the entire neighborhood to celebrate this delightful even, at the
Bartlett homestead. He who had called them separately to definite
missionary endeavor now permitted them to become one in heart and
one in aim, one for Him and one for others.
As to the last steps toward India, Mr. Empey remarked: "The
latter part of July, I visited Sioux City on some matters
relating to the Struble church. India was forgotten in the rush
of business. When I arrived home, Mrs. Empey handed me a letter
from Bishop Parker asking if we would consider an appointment to
India. We wrote him that we would weigh the matter prayerfully
for two weeks. At the expiration of that time we answered, Yes,
we will go". "Sept. 18, I was appointed by Bishop
Thoburn to Moradabad, India. We will sail Nov. 17. We rejoice in
the opportunity."
HATTIE BARTLETT EMPEY
Eight years ago Hattie May Bartlett enrolled as a student of
Morningside College. She is one of the few who endured the years
of deprivation and struggle about which we have heard so much, in
contrast with the prosperity of the present. But these very
conditions have wrought in her these traits of self-sacrifice,
self-possession and submission to a marked degree.
Converted with thirteen at her home, Odebolt, Ia., during the
pastorate of Rev. H. K. Hastings, she was ripe for the influences
of this Christian college. From her earliest recollections, she
has been predisposed to missionary work. While still a child, she
dreaded Missionary Sunday because the sermon always disturbed her
peace of mind. The earnest college prayer meetings led her to a
better understanding of her own heart and one evening during a
consecration service she said, ³I donıt know what this may mean
to me."
In the quiet seclusion of her country home - during a year's
absence from school - the whole matter was "prayed
through" and the surrender completely made, "If God
opened the way."
Returning to M. S. C., the tasks here imposed were mastered one
by one. Faithful is the one word that characterizes the woman.
The Atheneum Literary Society has no more worthy name on its roll
of members. The Y.W.C.A. was guided safely during the first six
months of its existence by her wisdom, tact, and perseverance.
The Missionary Study class was a chief source of joy, and the
Bible Study work was successfully carried through that first
year.
Out of the abundance of her heart-experience, she eulogized 'The
American Home' prior to receiving her Ph. B. last June.
Speaking of India, Mrs. Empey said, "India was in that
consecration made some years ago. I surrendered all then. I will
be at home in India because God has placed me there. If I had not
married Mr. Empey, I would have gone alone."
Y. W. C. A. Notes
At a called meeting on last Saturday afternoon the Y. W. C. A.
elected the following persons delegates to the State Convention:
Pearl Smith, Clara Yetter and Mabel Killiam. The convention will
be held at Cedar Falls, Nov. 1 to 4. The Association girls have
planned to hold short prayer meetings each evening at the various
halls and other places where the girls stay. They hope to gain
much from these little prayer services together. Miss Dimmitt
will lead the devotional meeting Oct. 28.
--
--Mr. Floyd McCaffree spent Sunday with Paullina friends.
--Miss Ruth Swartz who has been quite sick is slowly recovering.
--Professor Garver has had the additional degree K. S. B.
conferred upon him Knight of the Saw Buck.
--The senior academy Geology class took a trip to the Missouri
River Thursday. They were studying stratification.
--Professor Green has just completed a first-class private
observatory. We that he secured his apparatus from Vetch, the
coal man.
--Miss Blood has had a brother visiting her this week.
--Ira Aldrich was at his home in Rock Rapids over Sunday.
--G. W. Smith of Marathon called on his daughter, Pearl and Mable
Monday.
--Laura Empey visited Sunday with Miss Held at her home in
Hinton.
--A system of electric bells are being placed in the Chemical
laboratory rooms.
--Fred Buckwalter will not enter school for awhile. He has the
position of engineer at the mill.
--Miss Carrie Bartlett of Odeboldt attended the farewell services
of Bruce and Hattie Empey Tuesday evening.
--Rev. G. P. Hathaway of Laurens and Rev. E. E. Plummer of Salix
were visitors at the college the first of the week.
--Mr. Griffith, of Peiro, and J. W. Woodworth of the City,
prohibitionists, were at college Thursday fixing their political
fences.
--Rev. S. L. Chandler spent Wednesday at the college. He attended
the Philomathean business meeting and gave a little talk to the
boys.
--Prof. Kratz, superintendent of the city high school, was at the
college this morning and gave a talk before the Normal Class on
the 'Sense Training.' Briefly he said: It is fundamental. Senses
are avenues of knowledge. They are very important in the
education of a child. The soul should have full possession of the
body. Eye should be keen, and ear acute. The training of the eye
and ear are very important in the education of the child.
--Dr. Jastrum, of Remsen, was at the college Tuesday.
[transcribed by L.Z. from copy provided by D. W. E., May 2013]