Hartley Church

(1890-?)

The Gospel Messenger Sept. 9, 1890 page 550 Vol. 28 No. 35

On the Frontier.

By order of the Mission Board of Southern Kansas, I left home July 28, for Guthrie, Oklahoma, to organize churches in Oklahoma Territory, and the Pan Handle of Texas. Upon arrival I was kindly cared for by Borne friends by name of Landis, who, though not members of the church, love it, and show it by their actions. Next day I was met by brethren George Landis and --- Miller, and conveyed to Bro. Landis' home in the vicinity of the little band of members, fourteen miles north-west of Guthrie. Next day, the members, about sixteen in all, met in council at the house of Bro. Burns After a season of worship we proceeded to organize, in accordance with the unanimous wish, and with the consent of all present. After giving some points on the principles of church government, in order to carry on, the Scriptural injunction, " All to be of one mind and all to speak the same thing, we proceeded to call for, and read, their church letters. All promised to labor together to carry out the principles of the Gospel, as understood and interpreted by our general Brotherhood in her Annual Conference.

   This done, they proceeded to elect a Secretary, Treasurer and Solicitor. As they have Bro. Geo. Landis as minister in the second degree, Bro. Burns, in the first degree, and brethren Landis (minister's father) and Prebler as deacons, they decided not to elect any church officers for the present. The name of this new organization is Mount Hope. They then, unanimously, chose Bro. John Wise as their elder. Several of the members present are from the Slate Creek church, where Bro. Wise lives. We bespeak for that little church a hopeful future, as they seem to enter upon the work with good zeal. Any faithful members, passing through that country, will be made welcome among them, as visitors or settlers. Provisions here, however, are scarce the Government is now taking steps to supply their wants.

  There is quite a feeling of rivalry between Guthrie, and Oklahoma City, just now, about the location of the Capital.

  One Saturday, while among the Brethren, we availed ourselves of the sad privilege of attending the funeral of sister Miller, who, just a few days before, in usual health, expected to be present at the organization, but our Father in heaven saw otherwise. She left two small children and a kind husband, who be loss, we felt, resulted in her gain.

  Our work being done here, we next wended our way to Hartley, Pan Handle, Texas, where we were made welcome by the little band of members, about twelve in number, and, on August 7, we proceeded, in like manner, to organize them into a working body. Bro. Henry Strickler is their resident elder, and Bro. Sheaffer, in the second degree of the ministry, is his assistant. The name of this new body is "Hartley church." Hartley is beautiful for situation, and likely, some time, to be a place of considerable importance. One draw-back is, that water can only be obtained at from 150 to 300 feet from the surface.  Any correspondence for needful information will receive due attention by addressing Bro. Henry Strickler, Hartley, Texas, enclosing stamps. Furthermore I should have said, that any one wishing information in reference to the first named church or country, can obtain it by addressing Bro. George Landis, Guthrie, Oklahoma, Indian Territory, enclosing stamp to insure a reply. Thus two more congregations are added to our number of thirty-seven local districts, already belonging to Southern Kansas. One, not yet recorded, in the western part of McPherson County, called Monitor, swells our number to forty. On the night of Aug 7th, I left Hartley for Walnut Valley, Barton Co., Kans., where I remained over Sunday and enjoyed two seasons of worship, and an interesting Sunday-school session. On the 12th, we were conveyed across the Arkansas River to Eden Valley church, in Stafford County, by brother and sister Bower, where we met five of the adjoining elders in council with the church to help set in order things that were wanting. How far we succeeded, the future alone can tell. Man proposes, but God disposes. The Lord must give the increase.

   On the last day of the council, we were called away to attend the funeral of sister Stocksohlager, in the Great Bend congregation. She was anointed four days previous, and was buried in the Brethren's cemetery in the Walnut Valley church. Aug. 15, I returned home and remained over night. Then, by request, I attended a church meeting at McPherson, Aug. 16. I am now enjoying the blessing of home for a few days. We feel to praise the Lord for his goodness in blessing us, through the extreme heat and dust, with good health. E. Eby. Booth, Kansas.