Wayman Valley Church

 (1879-?)

Primitive Christian & Pilgrim 03-18-1879 p 175 172 Vol. 17 No. 11

From Clayton, Iowa

Brethren Editors:

  I have been reading your paper and I must say I feel encouraged to see so much God’s work going on in the Brethren Church.  May God help you. I have been wishing to see something in your paper about our Church. -  We had our Church organized on the 17th of February, 1879.  We had three ministers present, Bro. Eby from Illinois, and Breth. Beachly and Fowler from Iowa.  We did not have any preaching here for some time, but elected our deacon to the ministry. He preached his first sermon to-day.  We also elected brethren Charles Stone and George Seward deacons.  May God help them. There are about fifty members in our Church. There have been some called away to the unknown world.  Sister Darrow, the wife of George Darrow, died some time ago. She was 58 years of age.

Martha A. Purman

Brethren At Work June 26, 1879 page 7 Vol. VI No. 26

A Wolf in the Camp.

A SHORT history of an organization of fifty-two members of the German Baptist Church in Clayton County, Iowa, organized February 17th, 1879, by Elders Enoch Eby and Elias K. Buechley. The order of. The church was set before them, and with a unanimous voice promised to be subject to the general orders of the church in dress and be governed by the general Brotherhood. Upon these promises they were organized and an election followed for one speaker and two deacons. The choice for speaker was Brother S. Hansel and for deacons Brethren Charles H. Stone and George Seward. These officers were duly instructed and installed by the elders present. But there was a wolf in the midst of the Hock; one Benjamin Buechley, who was formerly an elder in the Waterloo Church, but was deposed for a crime of a malignant nature, namely: fornication and a case among the worst. After a short interval, he was received back into the church as a private member. After which he moved to Clayton County, and settled among the members there; and after the organization, he being possessed with a large portion of the subtlety that was in the serpent that beguiled' our first parents, be was successful in seducing many of the members got them to call a council and got together twenty-four members out of fifty-two, and nineteen of the twenty-four re-instated him to his former position, wherupon Brother Charles Stone, one 'of the deacons, after doing all he could with the assistance of some of the other members to prevent the action, wrote to the elder, Joshua Shultz, of Clinton County, Iowa. He ordered a council on the 28th of April. The church convened, forty-five members out of fifty-two, this man Buechley being present.

   After opening by singing and prayer, proceeded to investigate matters, and soon learned that there was a large majority strongly set to retain Buechley as their elder, and after every lawful means were used to get them to see their error, they were then told what the consequence would be, and they saw there was no other remedy, the minister, S. Hansel rose to his feet and cried out "All that will go with us, rise up," wherupon thirty-one of those present rose up declaring themselves to have Buechley as their leader. They were dismissed, and in a very short time the house was cleared of them. They going away jubilant over their proceedings. Thus the Wagner Valley Church of Clayton County, Iowa, was seduced, in its infancy, by a wicked and designing man. Those Buechleyites (for I do not know what else to cull them) have started, and with a prostitute for their leader, to get a name for themselves. The faithfu1 few that God reserved that did not bow the knee to the monster is now headed by the faithful deacon, Brother Charles Stone, he being elected to the ministry, and an other faithful brother, Philip Hansel, who was elected to the office of deacon; S. Hansel first minister elected and George Seward, deacon, being among the apostates; hence, any one wishing to write to the Brethren in the Wagmon Valley Church, Clayton County, can and should address Brother Charles Stone, Edgewood, Clayton County, or Brother Philip Hansel, Elkport, Clayton County, Iowa.

  We take this method of informing the Brotherhood of the apostasy and the character of their leader, that the Brethren will be apprised of these things, that these apostates cannot impose on the church or the members thereof. Oh, what will wicked men not do to destroy the church of Christ! It may be truthfully said that, this apostasy is the effect of im proper teaching in the beginning, or in other  words, the truth compromised for the purpose of getting numbers.

  The above is the request of the church, and sanctioned by the elder in charge, Joshua Shultz and Elder Elias K. Buechley, who were called to assist, and other ministers who authorized me to write. M. H. Fowler.

Note: The Bechleyites members of the congregation joined the Progressive Brethren movement and remained a part of it until the death of their minister, Todd Hansel.

Primitive Christian Dec. 9. 1879 page 765 Vol. XVII No. 48

Dear Brethren:

 On the 30th of August last the brethren of the Wayman Valley congregation, Clayton county, Iowa, held a communion meeting.  We had a good meeting, this church was organized last February, and was placed under the oversight of elder Joshua Shultz, of Clinton county, Iowa, but since it organization it has undergone serious trails and troubles. The members appear to be zealous in the Master’s cause. Brother Charles H. Stone is their resident minister.

The Gospel Messenger Oct. 2, 1894 page 620

 Wayman Valley Church, Iowa. – We held out love feast at the Pleasant Valley schoolhouse Sept. 15. Eld. S. H. Miller, of the South Waterloo church, was with us and officiated. A large number of people gathered to witness how we observe the ordinances of the Lord’s house. Fifteen surrounded the table, and our meeting was indeed a fest to the soul. Those looking on are to be commended for their good deportment during the evening. Bro. Miller preached a sermon on feet washing on Sunday morning to a goodly number of eager listeners. He preached again at the same place in the afternoon, from Luke 13, 23. In the evening he preached at a schoolhouse about three miles from the above place. Bro. Miller has won a large number of friends while visiting us from time to time. People appreciable the Truth in it purity. An infidel neighbor who attended our meetings remarked that the Dunkards are the nearest right. According to the Bible of any denomination he was ever met. John Schmidt, Strawberry Point, Iowa. Sept. 18.   

The Gospel Messenger June 11, 1898 page 364 Vol. 36 No. 23

Wayman Valley. – Bro. O. J. Beaver, of Nora Springs, Iowa, came to us May 11, to hold a series of meetings, but, owing to the rainy weather and busy season, the attendance was small, so he closed after preaching eight sermons.  We trust that good seed sown will not be in vain.  Bro. Beaver was present and assisted us in our council, which was held May 21. An election was held for a minister. The lot fell on Bro. Charles C. Schmidt.  We decided to hold our love feast Sept. 3. – Kate Schmidt, Strawberry Point, Iowa, May 22.  

The Gospel Messenger Oct. 7, 1899 page 621 Vol. 37 No. 39

Wayman Valley. – we held our love feast Sept. 16, at the home of Bro. John G. Schmidt, which was enjoyed by all. Bro. S. M. Miller, of Waterloo, was with us and officiated. A special council was held in the afternoon previous to the feast in the evening, at which Bro. Charles C. Schmidt was advanced to the second degree of the ministry. – Kate Schmidt, Strawberry Point, Iowa, Sept. 26.