Cheyenne Church

(1886 - ?)

The Gospel Messenger Sept. 7, 1886 page 555

Another New Congregation. – The Cheyenne Church, Kansas

On Monday morning, Aug. 16, elders B. B. Whitmer, John Hollinger and the writer left Quinter, Kan., in private conveyance, for Cheyenne county, to look after the interests of God’s children, and, after a journey of 100 miles, arrived at the house of Bro. Geo. W. Meyers, on the morning of the 18th. On the same day the members assembled in council. Bro. B. B. Whitmer was chosen Foreman of the meeting.

After devotional exercise, reading of 1 Cor. 12, and exhortation, the object of the meeting was stated by Bro. Whitmer.

A letter from Bro. A. C. and sister Hattie J. Snowberger, of Bird City, was read, expressing their inability to be present and desiring to have an organization effected in the county.

Bro. K. Heckman, of the Maple Grove church, being present, reported the voice of the church there as being favorable to building up a congregation in Cheyenne county. This report being favorably received, the following gospel principles were presented for consideration, in order that the members might fully understand their duties as lively stones in god’s temple:

Faith in the Lord Jesus as Head of the “one body.”
Holiness; which embraces love to on another, prayer, covering and uncovering of the head during devotion to god, and non-conformity to the work in customs, manners and apparel for the body, and places of worldly amusement.
Sending and receiving visits when correction becomes necessary.
Benevolence toward all, whether in or out of the church, in entertaining strangers or friends, and aiding the poor, thus cherishing and upholding the gospel principles of giving in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Conversation – to be pure, holy, without covetousness, without joking and jesting.
To attend meeting regularly so as to be edified, and help maintain religious principles and evangelize the world by purity of life and fidelity to God.
To deal and trade with all the glory of God.
To read the divine Scriptures so as to be prepared to repel the enemy of the true enjoyment.
To abstain from such civil offices as require the compromising of the gospel principles. Upon a full land free consideration of the foregoing and other equally life-giving principles, the members unanimously agreed to abide by every principle of the gospel as understood, defined and applied by the general Brotherhood. Thus agreeing and covenanting, they expressed a desire to be know as the Cheyenne church, of Cheyenne County, Kan.
Certificates were then presented and read.
The church expressed the desire that the west line of Decatur county be its eastern boundary, subject to the wish of the Maple Grove church. Her territory, therefore, embraces the counties of Rawlins, Cheyenne and Sherman, until an organization may be effected in Thomas and Sherman.
After consulting the church, an election for minister was held, and brethren Geo. W. Meyers and John Cakerice being a tie, both were accepted. A choice for a deacon was also held, the lot falling on Bro. Theodore Slifer. These were then duly installed amidst tears and weepings, the servants chosen feeling deeply the great responsibilities. We rarely ever witnessed a more affecting scene.
Bro. Theodore Silfe, Bird City, Kan., chosen Clerk; Daniel Fager, Treasurer; Sarah A. Wilson, Lawn Ridge, Solicitor for District Mission; Hattie J. Snowberger, Bird City, Solicitor for the General Mission. The writer, much against his will, was chosen as overseer of the church.

These Brethren reside in a goodly and beautiful land, and seem contented and full of hope for the future. They shall welcome every

earnest, self-denying and faithful members who may conclude to locate amongst them. They realize the importance of a strong church

out upon the borders, - a church that conduct, rather than by tongue alone. Any one wishing information concerning the county, may

address Geo. W. Meyers, Lawn Ridge, or John Cakerice, Bird City, Cheyenne Co., Kan. Do not forget to enclosed stamps for a replay.

M. M. Eshelman

The Gospel Messenger May 29, 1888 page 332 Vol.

From Cheyenne County, Kansas

We are still fighting for the good cause out here upon the frontier. Our church territory has been divided recently, and the lower part is now called Sherman County church, and the northern half is known as the Cheyenne County churches. We have two ministers and one deacon in the Cheyenne County church, and the

The Gospel Messenger May 29, 1888 page 332 Vol.

From Cheyenne County, Kansas

Bro. J. F. Cline, of the Sherman County church, came on the evening of April 11 and preached in the Slifer school-school-house, so called on account of its closed proximity to father’s residence. The next day, in company with Bro. J. H. Cakerice, he started for Bro. Ott’s neighborhood, about thirty miles east of here, and commenced a series of meetings in their new school-house, - each one preaching part of the time. The interest was good, and the people warmly invited the Brethren to come again and give them some minister would located among those people, much good might be done, as there are a number of brethren and sisters living there now.

We have churches in many part of the county, and where there are no churches, they have preaching in the school-houses.

We have regular services at our school-house every two weeks, and Sunday-school every Sunday. We organized our Sunday-school two weeks ago, with Bro. J. H. Cakeride, Superintendent, assisted by the writer and a full set of officers. We have another Sunday-school at the Glendale school-house, which we attend in the afternoon.

The County around Bird City is a level prairie. Many thousand trees have been planted this spring and they are growing nicely. We are having fine rains, for which we feel to thank the giver of all good gifts. Much corn has been planted, and if we continue to have plenty of rain we will no doubt have a season of great abundance. Wheat, rye, oats, and other crops look well. O. C. Slifer. Bird City, Kans.