iiBimai ■I!!!"!!!!?'!! 1 ?!!!!* jiBiiitirmi'iiiiiiiiri mami bum BimBnHBii iib mmi iiiii ■ miBimBimaiiHBmiBima iiiir iimaniiuiiiiiii iitiiamiaiiiiiaiiiiiiiiiaimaiiii HBmiBiiiiBiiitlmiiiiiiiBiiiiBmiBmiBnHBiiHBimBMiiaijiiBiiiiBiHiijiii " = . . - ,!iiiiiii!iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii m ■ miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii tiBmiBimf him iiijjiiiimiiiiii |ji838.j§- JPHE: YEAR 0F JUBIliEE # 888 - f ■ IIIIB ■iiiii Historic Manual- OF THE ■ mill iiiiii ■;;!!■ iiiiii BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR Biiiib ftiiiii iiiiii FOREIGN MISSIONS ■ HUB OF THE rs::: = iiiiii Reformed Church in the United States. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD. ■ IIIIB a::::r iiiiii I:;::! iiiiii BIIIIB iiiiii iiiiii •Hiii iiiiii STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANY, POTTSVILLE, PA. 1888 - fte:s© ©IT elisd ia fait ft Members of the Board. o£1838.^o REV. DIEDRICH WILLERS, REV. ELIAS HEIN ER, REV. BERNARD C. WOLFF, REV. JOHN CARES, REV. SAMUEL GUTELIUS, REV. JOSEPH F. BERG, REV. SAMUEL R. FISHER. ELDER JOHN J. MAYER, ELDER MATTHEW SHAW, ELDER DANIEL BUCKEY, ELDER JOHN B. SEIDENSTRICKER, ELDER BURCHERT MAYER. THE COMMAND. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Qospel to every creature.” HISTORIC MANUAL —DFTHE— BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS, — DF THE— REFORMED CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES. -o- Grace be Unto you, and Peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Dear Pastors and People:— The Board of Foreign Missions, issues this Memorial Pamphlet, in this, its Year of Jubilee, with the earnest wish, that it may help to revive the precious memories of the past, and improve the golden opportunities of the present. We believe, that a few facts about the origin and growth of the Foreign Missionary work of our church will feed the sacred flame of love for missions in our hearts. Let the heralds of the truth, proclaim in trumpet tones, at the Memorial services to be held in the month of November, the rise and progress of our work among the heathen, for “the Lord hath done great things, whereof we are glad.” It is true, we cannot boast of a separate mission in the foreign field, until ten years ago, but we carried on the work for forty years previously, by giving our men and means to other Missionary soci¬ eties. The Reformed Church has always been imbued with the spirit of missions, and in loyal response to the royal command of the Master, she has ever laid her offering on the altar for the evangeli- 2 zation of the world. All]true mission work must begin in the heart- at home. If it do not begin at home, it will not'convert the world. Ere our Church could carry the Gospel to the heathen in distant lands, she had to provide for her destitute children at home. She had to strengthen her stakes before she could lengthen her cords. Rev. Diedrich Willers, D. D., First President of the Board. It must ever be borne in mind, that we had but few ministers and a people of limited means, to establish the “Church of our Fathers” in the new world, and herein lies the secret, why the Board of For¬ eign Missions’celebrates its /Semi-Centennial instead of its Centennial in 1888 . 3 The Organization of the Board. On the 29th day of September, in the year 1838, the Board of Home Missions held its annual meeting during the sessions of the Synod of the United States, in Lancaster, Pa. It is an interesting fact, that the suggestion to organize a Foreign Missionary Board came from the Home Missionary Society. There was no opposition to it on the part of the brethren. The God of Missions was working in the soul of that synodical body, for immediately upon the forma¬ tion of the Foreign Board, five ministers arose and signified their willingness to sustain a missionary of the cross in heathen lands. The names of these servants of God and the amount given are as follows:— Rev. Elias Heiner, Baltimore, Md.$120 00 Rev. Joseph F. Berg, Philadelphia, Pa.$120 00 Rev. Bernard C. Wolff, Easton, Pa.$120 00 Rev. Daniel Zacharias, Frederick, Md.$120 00 Rev. Daniel Ziegler, York, Pa.$120 00 These fathers have all fallen asleep in Jesus, but their works do follow them. “The Lord our God be with us as He was with our fathers,” and help us to carry on the great work, so that it may not be said to our shame, “They began to build but were not able to finish it.” The First Constitution. From the Constitution, we gather the following facts :— 1. The object of the Board, is to accelerate the Gospel of Christ among the heathen by means of preaching the Gospel, teach¬ ing of schools and the printing press. 2. The Board shall consist of twelve members, and they shall be ministers and elders of the Church. 3. Fifty dollars, paid at one time, shall constitute the. donor or the person for whom the amount is paid, an Honorary membey of the Board for life. 4 Members of the Board 1838. Rev. Diedrich Willers, Rev. Bernard C. Wolff, Rev. Samuel Gutelius, Rev. Samuel R. Fisher, Elder Matthew Shaw, Rev. Elias Heiner, Rev. John Cares, Rev. Joseph Berg, Elder John B. Seidenstricker Elder John J. Mayer, Elder Daniel Buckey, Elder Burchert Mayer. A Good Beginning. The Synod made a good beginning. The delegates not only spoke in favor of a Foreign Missionary Board, but they gave $945.00 towards the new cause. Why did the Synod then and there resolve to organize a Board of Foreign Missions ? A simple answer would be, because the time had come to do so. The Church was ripe for it. But we find a deeper cause in the mighty influence of the wonderful work of the Rev. Benjamin Schneider, D. D., at Broosa, in Asia Minor. In his effort to lead the heathen to Jesus , he led our C hurch to the heathen. We do well to record the outlines of his life, so full of earnest toil and eminent success. Life and Work of Rev. Benjamin Schneider. He was born at New Hanover, Montgomery County, Pa., on the 18th day of January, 1807, near the old “Lang Schwamm ,, Re¬ formed Church, of which his father was a devout elder for many years. At the age of sixteen he left home to begin his studies in the Academy at Norristown, Pa., under the care of the Rev. James C. How. Here, he not only grew in wisdom, but also in grace. He , became a member of the Presbyterian Church. After pursuing a regular course in Amherst College and in the Andover Theological Seminary, he was solemnly set apart for his future life-work, “the ministry of reconciliation,” by the New Castle Presbytery. 5 In the early part of his course, he thought of laboring in the Church of his fathers in his native state, but during his residence at Andover he heard the cry, “Come over and help us,” and he re¬ plied : “Here am I, send me.” In a letter to his first preceptor he writes: “I am deeply sensible of my inadequacy to so great a work; still, if my services can be useful, I shall be happy in dedicating them to so noble and so glorious a cause.” In the year 1833, on the 15th of September, Rev. Benjamin Schneider was married to Miss Eliza C. Abbott, of Framingham, Mass., who was a pious, intelligent and energetic lady. The same year, December 12th, they sailed from Boston for Turkey to com¬ mence his missionary work under the auspices of the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions. His first field of labor was at Broosa, in Asia Minor, where he spent about fifteen years. In 1849 he was sent to Aintab, where he was very successful in founding congregations, in training a large number of young men for the Christian ministry, and in preaching the Gospel to the mul¬ titudes. Whilst on a visit to America, in 1856, Rev. Schneider received the sad intelligence of the death of his wife at Aintab. In obedience to the wishes of the A. B. C. F. Missions, he did not return until the year 1858. During this time he married Miss Susan M. Abbott, a sister of his first wife, a lady qualified in every respect to be a true help-meet in his arduous labors. In 1875 Dr. Schneider was sent to Marsovan, Turkey, to have charge of the Theological Seminary. On reaching that city he found thousands of famine-stricken people. One hundred and fifty thousand persons of all ages perished by famine in a district not larger than Pennsylvania. It was among these dreadful scenes that his health gave way. He was attacked with softening of the brain. At the close of 1876 he was taken to Switzerland by his devoted 0 \ Rev. Benjamin Schneider, D. D., a Foreign Missionary for Forty-two Years. wife with the hope of regaining his health, but the' k Swiss physicians told her to hasten with him to this country. She brought him for a few weeks to the hospitable home of Elder Rudolph F. Kelker at Harrisburg, Pa., then took him to Boston, where he died Septem¬ ber 14, 1877, aged 70 years, 7 months and 23 days. Dr. Schneider was a true missionary. No one could come in contact with him without discovering that his soul was all aglow with the fire of missions. For more than forty years, he was la- 7 boring in almost every department of missionary service; in preaching, which was ever his delight; in translating, and in pre¬ paring young men for the ministry in their own land. He was a mighty man in prayer. He had his times for prayer and they were sacred. The savor of his prayers was in his preaching. Here was in fact the secret of his success in preaching—his life was a life of prayer. He had a wonderful gift for languages. He spoke the English, the German, the Greek and the Turkish, with an ease and fluency as if each were his vernacular. But with all his attain¬ ments, he had the spirit of a little child. “He did not seek the honor which cometh from men, but that which cometh from God, and the satisfaction of his own conscience in the line of duty. In fact his heaviest work has been silent, but when the result shall be brought out on the day of revelation, more will be seen than is known now. His life was an exhibition of earnestness without ostentation, toil without display and en¬ durance without murmuring.” He Returns to His Mother Church. This man of God was born in the bosom of our Church, but he had been separated from us (ecclesiastically) for a season. How and when did he return to our church f Let us see. After the organization of the Board of Foreign Missions, efforts were made to procure missionaries for the foreign field, but with¬ out success. The question then arose, what particular mission shall receive the aid of our Church ? There was but one answer to the inquiry: “If Brother Schneider, who is ‘flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone,’ will transfer his membership from the Pres¬ byterian to our Church, the funds shall go to the support of the Mission at Broosa.” In 1840, a proposition was made to the New Castle Presbytery, but the brethren were loath to part with their faithful missionary, 8 as was also the missionary to part fromTthe Presbytery. “But,” said the Presbytery, after due and prayerful consideration of the whole subject, “if it will be for the interest of Christ’s kingdom, and advance the Foreign Mission cause in the German Reformed Church, we are willing that it shall be made.” The transfer was made in the year 1845, and until the year 1864, our Church was a regular contributor to the American Board for the Central Turkey Mission. From that time on, the subject of Foreign Mis¬ sions took a deeper hold in the hearts of the people, and became an inestimable joy and blessing to many who have since fallen asleep. A Gift From the Schwenkfelders. It is pleasant to note that in the year 1845, the Schwenkfel- ders, a society of Christians of Montgomery county, Pa., contrib¬ uted $273 for the support of the Mission at Broosa. This contri¬ bution was made, no doubt, as a mark of esteem for and confidence in Missionary Schneider. Dr. Schneider’s Visit to America, In 1852, the Synod agreed to ask the Rev. Benjamin Schneider to visit the Reformed Churches in this country at its expense. In 1856, after an absence of twenty-three years, Brother Schneider returned in safety to his native land and to the bosom of the Church of his fathers. During his sojourn in America, he traveled more than fifteen thousand miles and addressed Mis¬ sionary meetings three hundred times. His venerable presence and burning addresses had a happy effect on the contributions of the Church. The people took more interest in the Broosa Mission. Our Aid to the Broosa and Aintab Mission. Although we did not have the Central Turkey Mission under our care, yet the Church sent her contributions to the A. B. C. F. Missions, towards the support of Rev, Dr. Schneider, from October 13th 1840 to October 9th 1865, just 25 years, as follows: 9 For the support of the Mission work in Turkey. To build the First Protestant Church in Aintab. To build and support of the Second Church in Aintab To a library for the native pastor of the First Church. For the suffering Syrians. $25,703 38 1,324 25 697 97 50 00 71 00 $27,846 60 Traveling expenses of Rev. Dr. Schneider visiting the Reformed Churches while in this country. 140 39 Total.$27,986 99 The foundation for the great missionary work in Turkey, to a great extent, was laid by Rev. Benjamin Schneider, D. D., a minister of the Reformed Church. The American Board has never made any special acknowledgment of the fact that our Church furnished such a valuable missionary, or of its regular contributions during a period of twenty-five years towards the Central Turkey Mission. We do not crave for vain-glory in this matter, but our people should know the record of the past. What has been done, has been done for the glory of the dear Redeemer and for the wel¬ fare of perishing souls. On the day of final reckoning the Lord will “set times past in present view” and then shall every man have praise of God. The Church Withdraws Its Support From the American Board. Beginning with 1860, the Synod became dissatisfied with its way of helping to evangelize the heathens. At the Synod held at Lebanon, Pa., arrangements were made to effect a transfer of the control of the Mission at Aintab to our Board of Missions. But Missionary Schneider as well as the American Board thought this inexpedient. A lengthy correspondence ensued between the Hon. R. F. Kelker, the Treasurer of our Board, and the Rev. Rufus Anderson, D. D., Corresponding Secretary of the American Board, which will be found in the Report of the Synod of 1864. We glean a few lines to show the strong desire existing in the hearts of our brethren to to call the Aintab Mission “our own.” “If you will read the ‘Minutes of 1859/” writes Elder Kelker, “you will perceive that we had a strong desire to have Aintab transferred to our own exclusive care in 1859. Since then no action has been taken by Synod in regard to the Aintab field, except to recommend it to the liberality of our people. I could not presume to say, or even conjecture, how long the relation may continue.” In 1865 the Synod decided to estab¬ lish a Mission of our own and io cease contributing to the American Board. The last money was paid October 9th, 1865. The American Board declined to surrender Missionary Schneider, but he contin¬ ued a member of the Maryland Classis until the day of his death. EXTERIOR. Mission School Building at Nihon Bashi. The Dark Period in our Foreign Mission History. The period from 1865 to 1878 is the Sahara in our Foreign Missionary work. No special interest was manifested in, and very little money given for, the spread of the Gospel among the heathen. We may account for this sad state of things in three ways: 1st. We had no Foreign Missionary of our own; 2nd. The Home Mis- 11 sion work had increased in onr hands; and 3rd. We were consum¬ ing our strength in an unhappy theological controversy. Verily, THE WORK OF THE LORD LANGUISHES IN TIMES OF WAR. But this period was not entirely without its gracious results. It was the night of weeping preceding the morning of joy. From the reports of the Board to the General Synod, it is evident that the church was not in a proper frame of mind to institute a separ- INTERIOR. Mission School Building at Nihon Bashi. ate Mission, or to support a missionary of its own, and therefore the General Synod of 1872 directed the treasurer of the Board to pay the annual interest of the money in his hands, as also the con¬ tributions from the churches after that date, to the German Evan¬ gelical Foreign Missionary Society. This was done until 1875, when the Synod resolved to commence a Mission of its own. Our Aid to the East India Mission. The amount paid to the German Evangelical Missionary Society in the United States was $979.81, which amount was applied to the support of Rev. Oscar Lohr, a member of the New 12 A Former Residence of the Lady Missionaries at Sendai. 13 York Classis, and his associate, the Rev. Jacob Hauser, a member of the Sheboygan Classis, both Ministers of the Reformed Church. Rev. Oscar Lohr was the founder of the Mission at Bisrampore, India, and our Church can rejoice for contributing in men and means to open a field whose future is most hopeful and encour¬ aging. The Mission Among the Indians. The Sheboygan Classis of the Synod of the Northwest has begun a laudable work among the Winnebago Indians, in Wis¬ consin. Rev. Jacob Stucki is the present missionary. The Mission owns a tract of land at Falls River, the improvements consisting of a neat chapel and a missionary residence. The Board of Foreign Missions has paid to the Sheboygan Classis in aid of this Mission as follows: December 13, 1878. For the erection of the dwelling.$ 200 May 4, 1881 to March 12, 1886. Towards the support of the Mission.. 1,300 Total. .$1,500 The Re-organization of the Board. In the year 1873, the Board of Foreign Missions met for re¬ organization at the residence of Hon. R. F. Kelker, at Harrisburg, Pa. The following brethren were present: Revs. Thomas S. Johns¬ ton, D. D.. J. H. A. Bomberger, D. D., W. K. Zieber, Jacob Dahl- mann, Jr. Elders William D. Gross, William H. Seibert and Ru¬ dolph F. Kelker. Members absent: Revs. Herman Rust, David Winters, D. D. Elder G. S. Griffith and Rev. Daniel Zacharias, D. D., who had died a few weeks before the meeting. Advisory members present: Rev. Benjamin Schneider, D. D., missionary of Aintab, Asia Minor, and Rev. J. M. Ferris, D. D., Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions, Reformed Church of America, Revs. B. S. Schneck, D. D. and W« H. H. Snyder. 14 This was a very significant meeting, for it marked a new era in our foreign mission history. The brethren then laid the foun¬ dation for our present flourishing Mission in Japan. The Effect of the Peace Movement on our Foreign Mission Board. In the year 1878, the Spirit of peace began a most gracious work in our General Synod at Lancaster, Pa., which, among other precious results, gave a new impetus to the Board of Foreign Missions. It was a happy coincidence that in the same church, where the Foreign Board was originally organized, it should receive new life from the God of Missions. A special meeting of the Board was held May 22d, 1878, during the session of the General Synod. In obedience to the instructions of the Synod, the President of the Board, Rev. David Van Horne, D. D., was authorized to obtain the information necessary for the proper founding of a Mission, either in China or Japan. There was no time lost, for on the 30th day of September following, the Rev. Ambrose D. Gring was chosen as our first Missionary to Japan. This was the most important meeting the Board had ever held. From the date of electing a Missionary, the contributions began to flow into|the treasury with such constant increase, that the Treasurer is able to report about $20,000 as the receipts of the year, ending with August 31st, 1888. Our Mission in Japan. During the last ten years, the Board has had the great pleas¬ ure of sending forth four male and three female]'Missionaries. Their names, the time of appointment, the time of departure, and date of arrival at Yokokama are as follows: Name. Rev. Ambrose D. Gring and wife, Rev. Jairus P. Moore and wife, Rev. William E. Hoy, Miss Lizzie R. Poorbaugh, Miss Mary B. Ault, Rev. David B. Schneder and wife, Miss Emma F. Poorbaugh, Appointment. Sept. 30, 1878. March 13, 1883. April 21, 1885. April 21, 1885. April 21,1885. July 7, 1887. Jan. 31,1888. Departure. May, 1879. Sept., 1883. Nov. 1885. June, 1886, June, 1886, Nov. 1887. June, 1888. Arrival. June 1, 1879. Oct. 1,1883. Dec. 1, 188 i. July i, 1886. July 1,1886. Dec. 21,1887. July 9, 1888. Sketches of the Missionaries Bev. Ambrose D. Gring. He was born December 8th, 1849. His father the Bev. Daniel Gring, was a minister of our Church. From his youth he had a strong desire to be a Missionary. In his preparatory course, he ever kept the ambition of his life before him. He is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster, Pa., and of the Yale Theological Seminary. When the Board issued the call for applicants, he with three other young men of piety and ability applied. After hours of 16 earnest and prayerful consideration, the lot was cast, and it fell upon him to go, as the pioneer of our Church, to Japan. The Missionary and wife spent their first year in Japan, in Yokohama, where by the aid of native teachers, he began the study of the difficult Japanese language. It was thought best Mrs. Hattie L. Gring. to transfer the Missionary to Tokio, the. capital city of this inter¬ esting nation. On'the 26th day of April 1880, the Board purchased a fine lot and dwelling, known as 28 Tsukiji, Tokio,,.for $3,955.50. After 17 Borne necessary repairs were made, the Missionary took possession of the same the following June. The fine certificate, presenting the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Gring and a cut of the Mission house met with a hearty reception in our Sunday Schools, realizing a clear profit of $3,372.00 to the Board, more than five-sixths of the cost of the house. Whilst Brother Gring was acquiring the language, he applied himself diligently to the preparation of an Eclectic Dictionary and to the translation of the Heidelberg Catechism, into the Colloquial Japanese. The dictionary was published by himself, and the Catechism by the Board, with the hope that they will be of great advantage in the future work of the Mission. On May 11th, 1884, he organized the First Church in connection with our branch of the Reformed Church at Nihon Bashi, in the Mission School building, purchased by the donation of Elder Benjamin Kuhns, of Dayton, Ohio, and the picture of which adorns many of the homes of our people. More than fifteen hundred dol¬ lars were realized by the sale of these pictures. In his fifth annual report (1884) Brother Gring writes: “Our work is going on now very nicely, indeed. We have fixed up the second story of the school building for a primary department for the children. We have also the Chinese department for older persons. I have Sunday School there every Sunday morning and preaching in the evening. During the week Mrs. Gring teaches a class of young girls fancy work, after which she closes with reading of the Bible.” As a result of this humble beginning, we have a congregation which promises ere long to support itself, besides four out-stations. On account of the continued ill health of Brother Gring and his wife, and in view of his request to return to this country, the Board granted him a furlough, accepting which, he arrived at San Francisco in May, 1887. He is still with us visiting the churches in the interests of our Mission in Japan. We bespeak for him a hearty welcome from our people, and trust that success may crown his efforts. 18 Rev. Jairus P. Moore. As soon as the way was open, the Board took steps to send out another missionary, and on the 13th day of March, 1883, Rev. Jairus P. Moore was chosen to labor in the same field with Brother Gring. Brother Moore is a native of Bucks County, Pa., and was born November 27th, 1847. He is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., and of the Theological Seminary at Tiffin, Ohio. He had six years experience in teaching, as also five years in the active work of the ministry. Immediately upon his arrival in Japan, he took a lively interest in the study of the 19 Mrs. Annie Moore. Japanese language, and to-day he is a very acceptable preacher of the Gospel in that difficult tongue. The Bancho Church is the fruit of Mr. and Mrs. Moore’s zeal in the work of the Lord. It started from a Sunday evening prayer meeting at their residence, No. 4 Tsukiji. And when they moved into the city, it moved with them, and for one year after that, its only place of meeting was the dining room of their house at Bancho. This congregation has since built a fine chapel, and its membership embraces some excellent families. The Church will be self-supporting in the near future. 20 When the call came for Brother Moore to remove to Sendai, he was loath to break the sacred tie, which bound him to an inter¬ esting people. The officers of the congregation sent a pleading letter to the Board, asking a continuance of the services of their faithful pastor, but the Board could not accede to their wishes. The work is carried on by native pastors. As an obedient servant of Christ, Brother Moore gave heed to the voice of the Board and went to Sendai. He had hardly been settled at Sendai, before the finger of Providence was directing him to go to Yamagata. For the second time within a single year he took up his tent, and now he is the valued principal of a flourishing English- Japanese Boys’ School. His experience as a teacher has been a great help to him in his evangelistic work. He has already laid the foundation for a large congregation, and with the new chapel, he soon expects to repeat the glorious work of Bancho. Mrs. Moore is an invaluable helper, and she is never weary in doing good to the poor and needy. She has proven herself an angel of mercy to the sick and infirm in the hospitals and in the homes of the people. In the year 1884, the Board issued an appeal for another missionary. Mr. William E. Hoy, a student of theology, applied in a thrilling letter. He had already made up his mind to enter the foreign field, at an Inter-Seminary Alliance held at Chicago, in October, 1882. In his letter of application occur these touching words : “For two years, the vision of Macedonia has been before me as a calm and sacred inspiration to prepare myself for the Master’s work. It is plainly my duty to work for Christ among the heathen. I am ready to be sent to the uttermost parts of the earth. For me there can be no peace at home, for God is directing me further on.” Brother Hoy was born June 4th, 1858, near Mifflinburg, Union County, Pa. He is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and of the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa. During the last year of his seminary course, he instructed 21 REV. WILLIAM EDWIN HOY. two Japanese students in Christian truth. He was sent out by the Board in the fall of 1885. At this time a strong providential call came to the Mission from Sendai, and by the advice of the missionaries in the field, Brother Hoy settled in that city. He applied himself with unusual vigor to acquire the language and at 22 the end of the first year, on the anniversary of his arrival in Japan, he was able to preach his first sermon in Japanese. Seeing the need of Evangelists, in the North of Japan, and recognizing the necessity of a Theological Training School, he began in an humble way to instruct young men of piety and ability. In this manner arose the Theological Training School at Sendai, Mrs. Mary B. Hoy. which is one of the most important branches of our Mission work in Japan. Brother Hoy is the Elijah in this school of the Prophets. Our Lady Missionaries Lizzie R. Poorbaugh. Mary B. Ault. Emma F. Poorbaugh. In the year 1884, Mrs. Hattie L. Gring, the wife of our pioneer Missionary, addressed a very strong appeal to the Board in reference to sending out two lady teachers. This appeal was made public through the Church papers, and several ladies applied, but owing 23 to the necessity of first sending forth a male Missionary, the matter was held under advisement, in the hope that Providence would open the way for the realization of the desire. On the 21st of April, 1885, the Board elected two lady Missionaries—Miss Lizzie R. Poorbaugh and Miss Mary B. Ault, but owing to a lack of sufficient funds in the Treasury, they did not sail for Japan until in June, 1886. Miss Lizzie R. Poorbaugh. Miss Lizzie R. Poorbaugh was born in Berlin, Pa., December 27th, 1854, of pious parents. Her father is a prominent elder in the Church. After graduating in the High School, at York, Pa., she became a successful teacher in the public schools. Miss Mary B. Ault was born in Mechanicsburg, Pa., Sept. 10th, 1863, her father was the late Rev. John Ault, a minister of our Church. She is a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, Kutztown, Pa. At the age of seven years her father took her to hear a foreign 24 Missionary deliver a lecture in the Bethel Church, at Mechanics- burg, Pa., and there she first thought of becoming a foreign Mis¬ sionary. These two ladies were pre-eminently qualified to engage in “Woman’s Work” among the]*women’[of Japan. They are the founders of the Girls’ School at Sendai, have been very success¬ ful, and are fulfilling in every respect the expectations of the Board. Miss Emma F. Poorbaugh. Miss Ault having married Kev. W. E. Hoy, on the 27th of December, 1887, it became necessary to select another lady teacher. The lot fell on Miss Emma F. Poorbaugh, a sister of Miss Lizzie. She was born in Berlin, Pa., November 3rd, 1856, and like her sister received a good education. She was elected January 31st, 1888, and sailed from her native land the following June, to join her sister in her noble work at Sendai. The Board entertains every confidence in the result of the joint labors of these sisters. The removal^of Brother Moore to Yamagata and the return 25 of Brother Gring to America, made the appointment of a fourth male Missionary a necessity. Accordingly at a meeting of the Board held July 6th, 1887, arrangements were made to appoint the Rev. David B. Schneder, who soon thereafter accepted the solemn call. Brother Schneder was born at Bowmansville, Lancaster County, Pa., March 23rd, 1857. He is a graduate of Franklin and Mar¬ shall College, and of the Theological Seminary, at Lancaster, Rev. David B. Schneder. Pa. He had been an efficient pastor prior to his appointment as Missionary. His ripe scholarship and pastoral experience have been very helpful to him in his new work. He is making rapid progress in the study of the language, and is wielding a good influ¬ ence in the Theological Training School at Sendai, where he is assisting Rev. W. E. Hoy. Mrs. Schneder has already shown a very commendable in¬ terest in the spiritual welfare of the women of that city. 26 Our Harvest in Japan. The statisticaljtable of the Mission for the fiscal year ending June 1st, 1888, given below, furnishes a bird’s eye view of the work done by our faithful band of workers. Truly the Lord of the harvest has been smiling upon their efforts to save souls. And the half has not been told. Back of these cold figures are the throbbing hearts of thankful men, women and children who greatly rejoice that Jesus dwells in them—“the hope of glory.” Mrs. Anna M. Schneder. These cheerful tidings of the marvelous success of our dear brethren and sisters in that beautiful land should fill us with fresh zeal and new courage. In behalf of this great work, the Board kindly asks for the earnest prayers, the warm sympathy and the liberal support of all the Churches. Now is the golden opportu¬ nity to bring that interesting and promising people out of the regions of darkness and death into the light and life of Jesus 27 Christ. Let the prayers and alms of our dear Zion in this “Year of Jubilee,” “come up for a memorial before the Lord.” God speed the day, when Japan will be a Christian Nation! The Statistics. Statistical Report. •sasodmg ills ioj snoi^nqxuuoo $ 44 63 17 60 20 98 7 20 405 01 768 27 155 81 67 55 35 00 178 50 210 00 40 00 S s Oi T—1 •U3UIOAV aiqig i— 1 rH •smaptodioo | •XSoroauT. 10 siuapms 1 ^ 1 •STOoaos TuaiSoToaqj. ^ > •aureg m snqoqag 8gm§ 5 SSHti S « •siooqog ^Bpun-; HHHHH 1C rH r~i-H rH l-l •aurBg ux sxeioqog 00 i rH •s[Ooqog ( spiif) •aureg ui sreyoqog S S3 CD rH •sTooiTag ,s£og i I 1 a s 'imoj. 50 38 81 35 124 489 98 58 36 67 ! 103 23 O »-H •uajDTIUD | CO S| 3 •uanxoAV CD CO •uan 353382 S3 £ S O OO •sqpiaa rH *> | ~ •STISSSiaiSKI lOO •u< ^ 3 1 ua»« irr \ n n .r»a.i sjaamaw 17 39 2 > 55 •najmiura naziidug I r ‘ l c ’ 60 _— -r—=r- •s^iaAuoo-^inpy paz^dug — orc^o^ g h h CM OO ___—- :--- CO CN ^ •ffTTOT'l'RlQ SaiU0'R9JrT 1 ____:-:- Saiuoddns-uag saqomqo y ih -< ^ ~ | r-i rH rH rH rH rH | <" •saqoinqo pazitrehio i i : oi : • : : | . : : •'2 : h • : : : h : : :o : o : • • : o : : •*& • m : : : ; os __ . : : : r— l 1 3 as ; • I n t -- • * : : - a — . i ToKIO DlST] Nihon Bashi,... Oji... Iwatsuki. Matsubayashi i. Bancho. Sendai Disi Sendai. Fukushima. Nakamura. Hobara. Iwanuma. Ishinomaki... ] Tome.J Furukawa. Hakodate. Mombetsu.1 Iburi. Mororan. y Yamagata. 1 £h i T3 C3 oi (-> o 28 Officers of the Board. 1838 - 1888 . Presidents. Rev. Diedrich Willers, D. D. Rev. Elias Heiner, D. D. Rev. Bernard C. Wolff, D. D. Rev. Thomas S. Johnston, D. D. Rev. Charles H. Leinbach, D. D. Rev. David VanHorne, D. D. Rev. Clement Z. Weizer, D. D. Rev. Elias Heiner, D. D. Corresponding Secretaries. Rev. Bernard C. Wolff, D. D. Rev. Benjamin Bausman, D. D. Rev. Nicholas Gehr, D. D. Rev. Clement Z. Weiser, D. D. Vice Presidents. Rev. Samuel Gutelius. Rev. Andrew P. Frieze. Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D. D. Rev. Thomas G. Apple, D. D. Rev. Charles H. Leinbach, D. D. Rev. Clement Z. Weiser, D. D. Rev. Nicholas Gehr, D. D. Recording Secretaries. Rev. John Cares. Rev. Daniel Ziegler. Rev. Franklin W. Kremer, D. D. Rev. Thomas S. Johnston, D. D. Secretaries. Rev. Thomas S. Johnston, D. D. Rev. Allen R. Bartholomew. Treasurers. Elder John J. Mayer. Elder Jacob Besore. Rev. Elias Heiner, D. D. Elder Rudolph F. Kelker. Elder Thomas J. Craig. Elder Rudolph F. Kelker. 29 Rev. Elias Heiner, D. D., of Baltimore, Md., was an officer of the Board from its beginning, in 1838, until his death, in 1863,—a period of twenty-five years. He_was among the most active minis¬ ters of our Church in the organization of the Foreign Missionary work and for the space;of twenty years he had nearly the entire management of the society in his hands, filling both the offices of Rev. Elias Heiner, D. D., An Officer of the Board for Twenty-Five Years. President and Treasurer. One of the last papers that in all proba¬ bility, he ever drew up, was the annual report of the society, which was read a few days after his death before the Synod at its meeting in Carlisle, Pa., in October, 1863. He took a deep interest in the work and gave to its support his 'prayers and special efforts to the last hour of his life. Elder Rudolph F. Kelker, the venerable Treasurer of the Board, is the only link that unites the pastJwith the present. He 30 became the successor of Rev. Elias Heiner, D. D., in October, 1863, and has been serving the Church as treasurer, (save three years, 1875, 76 and 77), for the period of twenty-two years. His zeal and fidelity in the Foreign Mission work, so dear to his loving heart, are Hon. Rudolph F. Kelker, Our Present Treasurer. well known to the Church, and what Father Heiner was to the Mission at Aintab, that Father Kelker is to the Mission in Japan. Among the many faithful laborers of the Board, who have been called to their reward, no one wears a brighter crown than 31 our now sainted Secretary, the Eev. Thomas S. Johnston, D. D., who literally died at the post of duty. His minute book is a mar¬ vel of accuracy; his letters to the Missionaries on the field full of pathos and evincing a fatherly interest in their personal welfare as Eev. Thomas S. Johnston, D. D., Our Late Secretary. well as in the cause of Missions. His perceptions were clear, his work methodical, his demeanor firm and yet loving and gentle. m It is a touching and beautiful coincidence that his dying blessing was bestowed upon one who has been chosen by the Board to wear his mantle and to take up the work that he laid down. 32 The brother thus blessed was not at that time a member of the Board, but chosen by them to fill the vacancy, unaware of the incident above mentioned. Dr. Johnston was a member of the Board for fifteen years. He died at his residence in Lebanon, Pa., June 11th, 1887. i I Rev. David Van Horne, D. D., who presided over the Board for ten years with credit to himself and profit to the Church, having been elected to the presidency of the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church, at Tiffin, Ohio, felt it necessary to resign the presidency and also his membership of the Board. This occasioned much regret. His services were of a character that showed zeal and efficiency, greatly endearing him to the Board and the Mis¬ sionaries. MEMORANDA. The first moneys were received for Foreign Missions in our Church Oct. 23rd, 1838, from “The Sunday School Educational and Missionary Society for Foreign Missions/’ of the German Reformed Church, Trenton, N. J., per pastor Rev. John H. Schmaltz, $4.00, and from the Rev. D. Hertz, pastor of the Ephrata Reformed charge, Lancaster County, Pa., $7.31L The first money paid over by our Church to the American Board was to Rev. Armstrong, one of its Corresponding Secretaries, October 13th, 1840, $1000. The Board has issued numerous pamphlets, tracts and articles besides the elegant lithographic pictures of the Mission House at Tokio, the place of worship at Nihon Bashi, and the Girl’s School at Sendai. 3 The last money paid to the American Board by our Church, was October 9th, 1865. Por reasons satisfactory to the Board, the 28 Tsukiji property was sold on the 14th day of July, 1888, for $3,000, (Mexican currency.) The sale of the Mission house will in no wise interfere with our work in and around Tokio. The Churches at Bancho and Nihon Bashi will remain as heretofore under the care of the Mission who in their last report state that they think they will need no financial support after this year. The money realized from the Sale of the Tokio house will be used in the erection of the buildings at Sendai. 28 Tsukiji Property. New Buildings at Sendai. The Girls’ School building is in course of erection, and the tbkchers expect to occupy it by next Christmas. 34 The Board is also erecting two dwellings, one for the lady- teachers and the other for Missionary Hoy. All of these buildings are being erected in the centre of Sendai, on a lot comprising two and a quarter acres of ground, purchased for $1213.17, toward which the Rev. J. I. Swander, D. D., and his estimable wife of Fremont, Ohio, generously contributed the sum of 1100.00. These improvements, which will cost about $12,000, will be an ornament to the city and an honor to the Reformed Church. Elder Benjamin Kuhns, of Dayton, Ohio, has supplemented the donation of Rev. Dr. Swander by forwarding at his own expense school desks and chairs of the latest and most beautiful designs, at a cost of $706. Support of Pupils. The Board encourages the support of pupils either in the Theo¬ logical Training School or in the Girls’ School by Societies, Sunday Schools or individuals in the Church. It will require a contribution of $60 per annum, payable in half-yearly installments of $30 each in advance. Parties can receive all necessary information from the Secretary of the Board, Rev. Allen R. Bartholomew, Pottsville, Penna. Present Address of the Missionaries. Rev. Ambrose D. Gring, No. 725 Marietta avenue, Lancaster, Pa. Rev. J. P. Moore, Motokoenchi Yamagata, Japan. Rev. W. E. Hoy, 75JEIigashi Sambancho, Sendai, Japan. Rev. D. B. Schneder, 16 Minami Machi Dori, Sendai, Japan. Miss Lizzie R. Poorbaugh, 35 Higashi Yobancho, Sendai, Japan- Miss Emma F. Poorbaugh, 35 Higashi Yobancho, Sendai, Japan. Incorporation of the Board. Upon the petition dated April 4th, 1881, of Rev. David Van Horne, D. D., Rev. Charles H. Leinbach, D. D., Rev. Thomas S. Johnston, D. D., and Elders Rudolph F. Kelker and William H. 35 Seibert, (made in pursuance of the previous instructions of the Board), to the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County, Penn, sylvania, the said Board were incorporated by that Court on the 25th of April, 1881, as “ The Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions of the Reformed Church in the United States.” The names of the Commissioners then incorporated were as follows: Rev. David Van Horne, D. D., Philadelphia, Pa., Rev. Charles H. Leinbach, D. D., near Myerstown, Pa., Rev. Thomas S. Johns¬ ton, D. D., Lebanon, Pa., Rev. Clement Z. Weiser, D. D., East Greenville, Pa., Rev. Benjamin Bausman, D. D., Reading, Pa., Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D. D., Collegeville, Pa., Rev. Nicholas Gehr, D. D., Philadelphia, Pa., Rev. J. W. Santee, D. D., Cavetown, Ma¬ ryland, Rudolph F. Kelker, Harrisburg, Pa., William H. Seibert, Harrisburg, Pa., Goldsborough S. Griffith, Baltimore, Maryland, George Gelbach, Philadelphia, Pa. Members of the Board 1888. Rev. Clement Z. Weiser, D. D. Rev. Allen R. Bartholomew, Rev. Samuel G. Wagner, D. D. Rev. Jacob Dahlmann, D. D., Elder Rudolph F. Kelker, Elder Goldsboro S. Griffith, Rev. Nicholas Gehr, D. D., Rev. Benjamin Bausman, D. D Rev. A. Carl Whitmer, Rev. John H. Prugh, Elder William H. Seibert, Elder Benjamin Kuhns. Present Officers of the Board. President—Rev. C. Z. Weiser, D. D., East Greenville, Mont¬ gomery County, Pa. Secretary—Rev. Allen R. Bartholomew, Pottsville, Pa. Treasurer—Hon. Rudolph F. Kelker, Harrisburg, Pa. Legacies. All Legacies intended for the use of the Board should be in the following form, “I give, devise and bequeath to The Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions of the Reformed Church in the United States” the sum of.Dollars. 30 REV. OSH1KAWA. The success of our work in Tokio and in the North of Japan, is largely due to the ability and zeal of Our native ministers andt evangelists, of whom Rev. Oshikawa deserves special mention. He is the General Superintendent of our Educational and Evangelistic work. As a preacher and leader he has no superior in the Empire, and our Missionaries highly appreciate his invalua¬ ble help. The Benediction. The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and re* main with you always. Amen. GoRtmae; feus Members of the Board. 1888 . °^o REV. CLEMENT Z. WEISER, D. D., REV. NICHOLAS GEHR, D. D., REV. ALLEN R. BARTHOLOMEW, REV. BENJAMIN BAUSMAN, D. D., REV. SAMUEL G. WAGNER, D. D., REV. A. CARL WHITMER, REV. JACOB DAHLMANN, D. D., REV. JOHN H. PRUGH. ELDER RUDOLPH F. KELKER, ELDER WILLIAM H. SEIBERT, ELDER GOLDSBORO S. GRIFFITH, ELDER BENJAMIN KUHNS. THE PROMISE. “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” s ' J0> ■ / . * ■9 \ » *