Webster County

IAGenWeb

THE BAPTIST HOME MISSION MONTHLY

I have used the publication of Sharon Becker's to make this page.  I have included appointments made in and around the counties of Webster, Humboldt and Grundy which I serve as CC in the IAGenWeb.  The letters and reports are very interesting and serve as informative about the lives of our Baptist ancestors.

MISSIONARIES APPOINTED IN NOVEMBER, 1880

The following re-appointments were made:

Rev. E. E. ATKINSON, Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Rev. J. MOUNTAIN, Algona, Iowa.
Rev. C. T. TUCKER, Clarinda, Iowa.

MISSIONARIES APPOINTED IN DECEMBER, 1880

The following new appointments were made:

Rev. E. G. O'GROAT, Gowrie, Iowa.

MISSIONARIES APPOINTED IN FEBRUARY, 1881

The following re-appointments were made:

Rev. T. F. BABCOCK, Eldora, Iowa.

MISSIONARIES APPOINTED IN JUNE, 1881

The following new appointments were made:

Rev. J. B. EDMONSON, Parkersburg, Iowa.
Rev. F. M. ARCHER, Chariton, Iowa.
Rev. R. PERSONS, Rutland, Iowa.
Rev. A. PLUMLEY, Livermore and Humboldt, Iowa.

The following re-appointments were made:

Rev. L. W. ATKINS, Stuart, Iowa.
Rev. T. F. BABCOCK, Eldora, Iowa.

MISSIONARIES APPOINTED IN AUGUST, 1881

The following new appointments were made:

Rev. Samuel DAVIS, Marble Rock, Iowa.
Rev. J. M. BAY, Gowrie, Iowa.
Rev. A. C. McMANIS, Ida Grove, Iowa.
Rev. James MITCHELL, Lyon County, Iowa.
Rev. L. L. CLOYD, Clarinda, Iowa.

MISSIONARIES APPOINTED IN NOVEMBER, 1881

The following new appointments were made:

Rev. C. A. SANDVALL, Swedes in Swede Bend, Iowa.

The following re-appointments were made:

Rev. J. SUNDERLAND, General Missionary to Iowa.
Rev. George H. BROWN, Cherokee, Iowa.
Rev. F. M. ARCHER, Chariton, Iowa.
Rev. C. A. McMANIS, Ida Grove, Iowa.
Rev. James MITCHELL, Judson Church and Lyon Co., Iowa.
Rev. Joseph MOUNTAIN, Algona, Iowa.
Rev. A. PLUMLEY, Livermore and Humboldt, Iowa.
Rev. R. PERSONS, Rutland, Iowa.
Rev. Samuel M. DAVIS, Marble Rock, Iowa.
Rev. William M. HAIGH, D.D., District Secretary for Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota.

MISSIONARIES APPOINTED IN MARCH, 1882

The following new appointments were made:

Rev. C. F. TUCKER, Clarinda, Iowa.
Rev. B. H. BRASTED, Lack City, Rockwell City, and Lohrville, Iowa.
Rev. J. B. EDMONDSON, Parkersburg, Iowa.
Rev. A. PERSON, Scandinavians in Swea, Iowa.

MISSIONARIES APPOINTED IN JUNE, 1882

The following new appointments were made:

Rev. A. CAPPENTER, Eldora, Iowa.

MISSIONARIES APPOINTED IN AUGUST, 1882

MISSIONARIES APPOINTED IN SEPTEMBER, 1882

The following new appointments were made:

Rev. S. MORRIN, Swedes in Swede Bend and Des Moines, Iowa.
Rev. E. E. ATKINSON, Fort Dodge, Iowa.

MISSIONARIES APPOINTED IN NOVEMBER, 1882

The following re-appointments were made:

Rev. D. D. PROPER, General Missionary, Iowa
Rev. E. E. ATKINSON, Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Rev. J. MOUNTAIN, Algona, Iowa.
Rev. C. T. TUCKER, Clarinda, Iowa. 

LETTERS

- Rev. T. M. COFFEY writes from Silver City, a new field in Western Iowa: "Things are favorable for a good substantial church here. The material out of which it is building is good. The people are enterprising and the town is growing. Three substantial members are coming into the church, probably next Sabbath, and more are to follow. I feel sure that for us, now is the nick of time."

- Rev. J. SUNDERLAND, General Missionary, writes: "I wish every member of your Board could see personally just what your work is doing for Iowa. Ours is grand. God bless you for your work and all the people that give for it."

- A missionary in Iowa writes that on his field two neat meeting houses have been completed, adding: "We shall go through by the blessing of God and help of $300."

- The inspiriting effect of a suitable house of worship free of debt, upon the minds and hearts of the members of these feeble frontier churches, is something marvelous. With the new house comes a new life. Says Rev. A. E. SIMONS, of Oskaloosa, Iowa; "When I came upon this field a year ago, I found the church in a very low state. The members were not in harmony with each other. They were very much discourage. So much so, that it seemed to them impossible to do anything. Their house of worship was not favorably located, and was old and dilapidated, needing, imperatively, very extensive repairs, or to be replaced by a new one. We now have a good substantial brick house, 40 x 66, which we have bought. The house and lot, furnishing and bell, cost us $2,800, which is regarded here as a very great bargain. We are meeting with good success in raising funds, all classes cheerfully contributing. We now lack about $750 to place clear from debt. I think I can raise about $350 of this. A little money from the Church Edifice Fund might be placed here to a good advantage. Our congregations since we have occupied the new house have doubled. The church members are very much encouraged, and are poutting new life into all departments of our work. They feel very grateful to the Home Mission Society for past favors; a gratitude which they showed particularly yesterday, by giving to the Society and State Convention, $28. May the Lord bless and prosper the work and soon give 'North America to Christ.'"

- A missionary in Iowa says: "Having meetings only half of the time at this town, with no public place of service while the other churches have places of meeting and regular services is greatly to our disadvantage. Oh! for a meeting house here! It is over a year since I saw one - may the day hasten! Could some of our rich men see and feel the importance of aiding in such a work now, in this growing town, how they would glorify God and help save souls and build up the cause of Jesus Christ. If you know the man, tell him if he wants to approval of the Master, and souls to bless him all through eternity, and wants his money to meet him a hundred-fold in this present time, this is a grand opportunity."

- Rev. J. D. BURR writes from Creston, Iowa: "The church edifice is progressing nicely. People outside of the church have been moved to respond quite liberally. We are receiving a more earnest class of members. Several good families have also become permanent worshippers. The grief of my heart is that I cannot report conversions. The Lord has done and is doing blessed things for us; but the salvation of the lost is my burden now."

- Rev. A. PLUMLEY, writing from Goldfield, Iowa, Oct. 11th [1881], says: "I am now in the midst of a precious revival. Already a number have found Christ precious and others are inquiring. Have no church edifice but expect to build next year."

- Rev. J. SUTHERLAND, General Missionary in Iowa, writes: "I have just returned from a six weeks trip, chiefly of exploration to Northern Iowa. For the thirteen counties of Wright, Hancock, Winnebago, Kossuth, Pocahontas, Palo Alto, Emmett, Dickinson, Clay, O'Brien, Osceola, Lyon and Sioux, we have only four men at work. Each of these counties has been organized for years, and has a population of thousands." After referring to the fact that there are railroads in all except three of these counties and are being built in these; that large sections of land have been put into market, most of which has been sold, all for actual cultivation, and that the immigration is immense, he adds: "We need and must have five or six missionaries in that region without delay." He speaks of important points where churches should be at once organized and says: "Now is our opportunity. In some of these places we could build a house of worship at once, if we could put a good minister into the field. We have great difficulty to find the right kind of men for these frontier fields; men who are willing to endure the hardships; men of fair ability and culture; men of sterling piety and practical common sense. Can't you send us some such from the East? Men who will not frighten us by talking of a $1,000 salary. Such men can be assured about $600 on the average."

- "The reason we have no Sunday school," writes a missionary from Iowa, "is because we have no place to hold church or Sunday school. We are holding meetings around among the members of the church, and trying to do what we can to buy that property I wrote you about before. If you can do anything to aid us, please write soon and let me know."

- "The building of the house has given the Baptists here a genuine boom. You should see the congregations we are now having." So writes Rev. C. E. HIGGINS, of Allerton, Iowa., where a house has just been erected by the aid of $300 from the Church Edifice Fund.

- Rev. A. R. BUTTON writes from Sheffield, Iowa: "We have during this quarter [1882] completed and dedicated our new house, 30 x 40. It will be paid for when we received the $200. promised by the Home Mission Society. The question at our State Convention was: 'Who borrows money at 10 per cent. to invest for the Lord?' I have the answer. The deacon of our church, rather than have claims against the church unpaid, when due, borrowed money at 20 per cent to pay his subscription."

- As our readers are scanning these notes, will they read the following from our missionary at Sioux Falls, Iowa, Rev. A. V. BLOODGOOD: "I am hungry to see a Baptist-Meeting house. It is over two years since I have had that pleasure." Ought he not to have this satisfaction on he own field for the better prosecution of his own work. Read what he writes of the need: "The only place we have now for our meetings and Sunday school is the school-house and that in the afternoon. At present we hold them in private houses in the morning and in the evening. You will see that we are suffering very much for a house of worship. In the Spring we hope to build if the Home Mission Society can aid us to the amount of $500. We want to build a house worth $1500., if possible. We have over $550. now subscribed toward such a house."

- "I am happy to say that our work never seemed more hopeful. There has never been so deep and genuine missionary enthusiasm among our churches and ministers since I have known the State [Iowa]. God is marvelously blessing our work with the outpouring of his Spirit at several of our stations. Several of our missionary churches are becoming self sustaining, while other doors are opening to us in great numbers." Thus writes Rev. J. SUNDERLAND, our General Missionary for Iowa, who is compelled, we regret to say, to tender his resignation, owing to failure of health.

Fairview Church $30.00
Clarinda Church, Jubilee Offering $5.00
West Union Church, Jubilee Offering $2.14
Cambria Church, Jubilee Offering $11.00
Rossville Church, Jubilee Offering $5.00
    Rev. J. M. WEDGWOOD, Jubilee Offering $5.00
Des Moines Church, Jubilee Offering $25.00
Grand Junction Church, Jubilee Offering $16.52
Nevada Church, Jubilee Offering $12.15
Amos Church, Jubilee Offering $3.97
Maquokita Church, Jubilee Offering $10.00
Danville Church, per Rev. J. SUNDERLAND, Jubilee Offering $14.06
Chariton Church, Jubilee Offering $9.15
Spring Creek, Rev. G. T. COLVIN, Jubilee Offering $1.00
    J. HILLWAY, Jubilee Offering $2.00
New London, P. FRANK and family, Jubilee Offering $3.00
South English Church, Jubilee Offering $3.60
Logan Church, Jubilee Offering $9.00
Waukon Church, Jubilee Offering $4.51
Atlantic Church, Jubilee Offering $3.50
Vinton Church, Jubilee Offering $10.00
Webster City Church, Jubilee Offering $5.60
Prescott Church, Jubilee Offering $3.65
Iowa Falls Church, Jubilee Offering $8.00
Grinnell Church, Jubilee Offering $28.61
Allerton Church, $18.10
Leon Church $2.00
Pattersonville Church $2.50
Rutland Church $5.00
Marble Rock Church $1.00
Fairfield Church $4.50
Stratford, Scandinavian, per Rev. C. A. SANDVALL $10.00

Throughout all the frontier States the severity of the winter has greatly interfered with every department of woman's work in missions. Out sisters have found it impracticable either to hold meetings or make collections; and in many instances those who would gladly have done for others, have been obliged to consider the serious question has to keep their own families from suffering. Especially has this been true in Kansas and Nebraska, where they have taken the first steps towards the organization of our work. in both these States, a few earnest women are faithfully endeavoring to develop and utilize the strength of the sisterhood in aiding the mission work in their own States. If succesful in their efforts, they will each sustain one missionary of their respective State Conventions the present year.

Iowa and Wisconsin, being aided by the Home Mission Society, are also included under the special provision of the Society for frontier States.

Iowa having given to the Society three of its excellent missionaries, viz, Misses PECK, CASSIDY and WILSON, the hearts of not a few of the sisters in that State are expecially drawn towards the work which these missionaries are doing among the freed people; yet they are planning to contribute to their State mission work the support of two missionaries of the Convention. . .We appreciate the fact that in neither of these States [Iowa and Wisconsin] has the work been long established; and in endeavoring to suit their Conventions as above named, the sisters are really attempting great things. They may not speedily reach the full extent of their plans, but there is no doubt of their ultimate success, for God never fails to bless the faithful, persevering service.

The following is from the Baptist Pioneer, published at Selma, Alabama, and will be read with interest by the friends of that mission:

We sincerely regret that Miss CASSIDY, one of the ladies sent by the Women's Baptist Home Mission Society to labor in Selma, has had to leave her work for a time and return North to rest. She proved herself to be not only a most devoted and self sacrificing worker, but also a wise leader and organizer. Her zeal carried her beyond her strength. The prayers of hundreds will follow her. She gladdened the homes of many who had never received a visit from a white Christian, and who felt that none cared for them.

We see then, brethren, that we owe to the work of the Baptist Home Mission Society, during the last fifty years, much besides the numerous church organizations, the 170,000 baptisms, and the many schools and colleges that have resulted from it; we recognize in it an important agency in the preservation of our Christian Sabbath and our free institutions and so of our happy homes. This is certainly true in some sections of our territory.

Brethren, how scanty was our sowing! How abundant the harvest God has given us! With proper consecration to the service of our Lord, our sowing might have been a hundred times greater. If it hd been, who can estimate what the harvest might have been? In view of the comparatively small sowing of the past, let us resolve that we will sow bountifully for the future.

Brethren, what we do we must do quickly. More than a half a million foreigners are yearly coming to us, to settle in this great North-west. Very many more churches must be built, and at once; for delay will be fatal. There must be intense energy in this work. We are urged forward by every notice that can possibly excite to promptest action. The value of these immortal souls, the preservation to our children of the liberties that have been bequeathed to us, are considerations that should move us. We must Christianize those masses or they will heathenize our children. The alternative is before us. During the "War of the Rebellion" we were ready to offer our money and our lives for the preservation of the Union. To-day another, and perhaps greater danger, threatens us. A foreign population is coming in upon us in such numbers, that before the close of this century [1899] we shall doubtless number over eighty million. God is testing us. Will we contribute liberally of our money to His cause, or invest it all in stocks and worldly enterprises? If we so aid the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York, as to enble it, in co-operation with the Home Mission Boards of the different States, greatly to enlarge its work, we can exert an influence for good, that will be permanent, over this great mass of humanity. But if we refuse to consecrate our resources to the service of God in this direction, His blessing will surely be withheld. If we desire to leave a precious legacy to our children, let us do the work for our country, which God plainly marks out, and make Him our banker. Then happy homes, with civil and religious liberty, will be theirs when we are gone. But if, in a spirit of narrow selfishness, we leave undone God's work for our country, He will come out in judgment, visiting our sin upon our children, by making our land a desolation. We can plainly see that by the working of a natural law, if these millions, coming to us, are not truly Christianized, they will, by the power of numbers, drag our own people down to the degradation resulting from intemperance, Sabbath breaking, and other vices.

We now have the opportunity of laying deep and broad foundations for the future; of doing a work that will secure the perpetuity of our free institutions; that will be the means of the spread of the Gospel from this land to all the nations of the earth, through their representatives brought under the influence of our home missionaries; a work for the glory of God and the good of our race in all the future.

SOURCE: The Baptist Home Mission Monthly Vol. 3., No. 1. Pp. 6-7, 17, 24, 66, 77, 88, 103, 112, 154-55, 201, 209, 223, 226, 246, 258, 270, 276, 290, 335-36. American Baptist Home Mission Society. January, 1882.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2009