BRO. FORNEY.--Allow me to submit the following connected with mission work of the Church of God in the state of Nebraska:

      1. Not many years since Nebraska was considered among the unproductive and barren plains of the West, only the haunt for the wild Indian, the buffalo and kindred animals.

      2. Only a few years have elapsed since the sturdy yeomanry have taken hold of these lands. Learning of their productiveness, soon farm after farm was opened out, and soon the cry was raised, "Here are the homes for the homeless." And soon the giant arms of the railroads stretched across this broad plain, and a market was afforded to the producer. The towns sprang up like a mushroom, and the incomers from other lands, of all nationalities, were numbered not only by the hundred but by the thousand.

      3. Early amid this tide of emigration we find represented not a few of the brotherhood of the Church of God, who scattered all abroad over these beautiful prairies. There were the Andersons and others at Seward, the Moores at Cropsey, G. K. Mooney first at Nebraska City and then elsewhere, but finally a pioneer traveling railroad station agent as the railroad was building; finally, selecting Crete as a permanent location. There were the Kagers at Orton, and a host in Polk county; but I cannot tarry to recount. Many were scattered in groups all abroad. Yes, there was a Kooken settling in Richardson county. Soon the cry was raised, "Come over into Macedonia and help us." We remember the calls through the paper made by Bro. K. A. Moore time and again. Also, by Bro. Mooney, and later by others.

      4. The Board of Missions first took official action toward supplying the State, at its meeting in 1869, held at Lancaster, where they appointed a number of missionaries to be supported by free will offerings made direct to them by the brotherhood at large. Elder P. K. Shoemaker was appointed to Eastern Kansas and Nebraska mission field. The brother made a few visits to parts of Nebraska, as missionary; but as the necessary means for a livelihood came in too meagerly, he was compelled to leave off the Nebraska part of his mission field. Rather a large mission anyhow.

      5. A number of years passed without supplying these much needed and pressing wants, though call after call came, "come to our help." For want of means accessible, or rather adopting a proper policy for raising the funds, these precious interests lay neglected year after year, save the Board of Missions informing those brethren, when men and means are available, we will come to your assistance.

      6. The Secretary of the Board, Elder R. H. Bolton, in a tour made in the year 1871, visited many of these brethren and preached to them the words of this life, and reported through THE ADVOCATE the fine prospects opening up to us to do effective mission work, if we took hold of the matter early. In the spring of the year 1872 he made a second tour to this State, found brethren scattered in many parts, and to many broke the bread of life, and accordingly reported the necessity of immediate action of the Board of Missions to supply these pressing wants. We found a fine field open at Seward, at Crete and other places.

      7. Inasmuch as Elder J. Kennedy, of Mount Joy, Pa., contemplated making a tour to Nebraska, in June, 1872, shortly after the sessions of the General Eldership of the Church of God, held at Mount Carroll, Illinois, the Board of Missions instructed him to examine the condition of affairs in Nebraska and report accordingly to the Chairman and Secretary of the Board of Missions. The duty was performed, and the report was favorable.

      8. Dr. George Ross, of Lebanon, Pa., at the same time, with Elder Kennedy, visited various parts of Nebraska. Sojourning a brief time with Bro. G. K. Mooney and family, at Crete, Saline Co., saw the necessity of immediate action in initiating mission work in the town. Immediately by telegraph and otherwise urged the secretary, R. H. Bolton, to proceed to Crete, and in concert with Bro. G. K. Mooney, to take the initial steps toward erecting a bethel. This was done accordingly. Dr. Geo. Ross, the leading spirit in furnishing means, aided by Elder J. Kennedy, I. Frazer and others, as well as the special liberality of the people at Crete, the bethel was pushed forward to completion, and on October 20, 1872, the secretary enjoyed the pleasure of consecrating this house to the worship of the Lord of hosts. The secretary, by appointment of the Board, assumed charge of mission interests here from dedication up to January 1, 1873. Meanwhile introduced and continued prayer-meetings. We also organized a Bible school and called for help from abroad. The Bible school at Harmony bethel, Iowa, sent us a library of books, including two dozen of song literature--"The Bright Jewels." Bro. H. Funk, of Danville, Iowa, furnished the school with Sunday-school Gems. Subsequently library books were received from the Sunday-school of the Cumberland Presbyterians of Nebraska City, etc., hence, being fairly equipped under the superintendency of our most excellent companion and brother G. K. Mooney, the school opened out fairly, and has ever since been a credit to the mission cause there, and an honor to the place. During the secretary's short stay he enjoyed many precious seasons with the brethren and people of Crete, and enjoyed the presence of fine congregations.

      9. By appointment of the Board of Missions, Elder E. D. Aller assumed charge of mission interests at Crete. January 1, 1873, and labored with encouraging success at Crete and elsewhere in the State. During the winter and spring organized at church at Crete, also near Seward, Seward county, after enjoying revivals at each place.

      And during the winter and spring, Elder R. H. Bolton, secretary, made occasional tours to Nebraska, from Danville, Iowa. Meanwhile enjoyed a revival in Richardson county, where he formed a church, and at a later period formed a church at Wayland, Polk county, after enjoying precious meetings with them. Other points were opening out, and the necessity of appointing and sustaining missions became very apparent. Hence the secretary and others wrote up the matter, prayed over the matter, but knew not how the wants could be met.

      10. But, thank the Lord, a way is opened up, a new place; one not dreamed of by many. The Lord put it into the hearts of the good sisters to help supply this demand. It was not only a resolve--(for resolutions without action we have too many)--but it was positive and prompt action. A few leading spirits led off. Others followed, and it is a grand success. The Lord was in the movement. Hence, it resulted in the appointment of Elder D. S. Warner, a good worker, on the Seward Mission--the secretary, to South-east Nebraska. The Lord has blessed the work.

      Elder Aller has added three more churches to the one on his field, with prospects of yet further success; while Crete had quite an ingathering. Elder Warner has added three more churches on his field, to the two before formed by Aller and Bolton--while those before organized were refreshed, and enjoyed accessions. Elder Bolton enjoyed a refreshing season with the church before organized, with some accessions. Also, formed a church at Falls City, seat of Richardson county, with fair prospects for church up-building. Owing to his health failing he could not push the work forward as vigorously as is necessary to secure success. This he regretted; but feels sure there are fine points opening up for successful church work.

      But I must hasten to a close. Suffice to be said, that inside of fourteen months past eleven churches of God have been formed in the State, and fine prospects for more. Again, Elder Aller states that it is a necessity to have two missionaries appointed on the field he now occupies, the coming year. Elder Warner claims it is necessary to have two on the field he labors, in order to hold the ground, and rapidly extend the borders.

      Elder Bolton, on account of failing health, will not accept of a re-appointment as a frontier missionary; but feels sanguine that an able bodied, pious and earnest working minister can be successful on the field he is occupying. But I would state that he had not the benefit of groups of brethren on his field, as were found on the fields of brothers Aller and Warner. But however, as the Church of God and doctrine are known, people readily fall in line with the same.

      A word to you, dear sisters! The Lord has aided you in your mission work. You have been favored by the Lord. This is seen in the collections made and success of the missionaries. Shall your work continue? One thousand dollars the coming year, with the aid on the fields, will almost, if not altogether, sustain the five missionaries demanded. What a glorious work, the Lord aiding, they can accomplish. Will you continue the good work? Let us hear from you. The work must go forward. The secretary has no suggestions to make as to what missionaries you may sustain, or if all alike. Do as seemeth best to you. But let the good work go forward.

      You can be a great power for good in establishing the glorious principles of the Church of God. May the blessings of heaven richly rest upon you, and reward you for your past labors of love, and inspire, your hearts to continuance in the work so well began.

      Writing up mission interests generally in Kansas, Missouri, and other places, I will reserve for another communication. Fraternally submitted,

[The Church Advocate 38 (March 11, 1874): 2.]

      R. H. Bolton's "Nebraska and Mission Work" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 38, No. 45 (March 11, 1874), p. 2. The electronic version has been transcribed from a copy of the article provided by Jean Leathers, Archivist of the Churches of God Historical Society.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 17 April 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.