C Missouri School of Religion, Papers, 1896-1967 2791 5.8 linear feet

This collection is available at The State Historical Society of Missouri. If you would like more information, please contact us at [email protected].

INTRODUCTION The papers contain correspondence of Deans G.D. Edwards, 1907-1937; Carl Agee, 1930-1949; and Seth Slaughter, 1949-1967. Correspondence of George Wetherell, extension minister, and James Wyker, director of the Rural Church Extension Service. Minutes of board of trustees' and faculty meetings, treasurer's reports, annual reports, and audits.

DONOR INFORMATION The papers were donated to the University of Missouri by the Missouri School of Religion on 9 February 1962 (Accession No. 3501.)

FOLDER LIST

f. 1-50 G.D. Edwards, 1907-1937, Dean 1914-1934 - Correspondence regarding deficient note payments, 1910-1925, arranged in alphabetical order by person’s last name. Shows the problems of raising funds for private higher education. f. 13 Containing some social comments on religion and Negro ministers f. 15 Providing a list of persons deficient in their note payments f. 16-22 Correspondence regarding job placements for ministers mainly in the state of Missouri for the period 1911-1927. Arranged in alphabetical order by first name of the church. Shows impact of World War I on the supply of ministers. Also provides the social and economic criterion of small congregations seeking a minister. f. 23 Correspondence with presidents and faculty of other Missouri Protestant colleges, 1916- 1919. Arranged in alphabetical order by the name of the college. Correspondence reveals the problems of working relations with the University of Missouri at Columbia over credit hours for summer session in religion. f. 24-32 Contains general correspondence of Dean G.D. Edwards for the period 1913-1930. Largely insignificant material regarding request for school catalogs and requirements for admission. A few letters do reveal personal expressions of religious conversion and attitudes toward further education; the advice of Dean Edwards on various applicants also supplies information on his views of religion in higher education. f. 33-36 Contains specific subject files regarding property in Chillicothe 1913-1915 a survey commission for the Disciples of Christ C2791 Missouri School of Religion, Papers, 1896-1967 Page 2

1922- 1930; Jewish relations at the Missouri School of Religion 1927-1941. The latter file contains information on the work of Dr. Keyfitz at the Missouri School of Religion. The folder contains information on the problem of finances, impact of the depression and foreign affairs in Germany in regard to the treatment of the Jewish people. f. 37-40 Correspondence with various American Protestant churches regarding their activities with the Board of Education of the Disciples of Christ 1915-1919. Correspondence includes discussion of the Christian-Standard. Transylvania College controversy over failure of the Standard to recognize the teaching of religion at Transylvania; considerable correspondence between G.D. Edwards and Rev. Harry Pritchard former president of Eureka College and then General Secretary of the Board of Education of the Disciples of Christ. f. 41-46 Correspondence of the Missouri Movement of the Christian Church, 1919-1920 regarding a state-wide campaign to raise 2 million dollars for colleges and the State Missionary Society. Speeches in folder 42 include "The Significance of the Inter Church World Movement," "Some Foreign Survey Relations," "Evangelism from Easter to Pentecost," and "Cooperation" (address by Woman). F. 44-46 Contain the archives of the Missouri Educational Commission of the Christian Church 1917- 1927. f. 47-50 Miscellaneous correspondence of Dean G.D. Edwards 1908- 1937; remarks at the retirement of Dean Edwards, October 3, 1934 which includes remarks by Edwards, the new dean Carl Agee, former Dean Lhomon, Dean Stephens, University of Missouri, and Dr. Mille; miscellaneous advertisements and reports written by Edwards, n.d.; dedication of the Washington Elm, April 27, 1932, Bible College Lawn, Columbia, Missouri. Remarks by Dean Edwards, President Williams, George H. Combs and Mrs. Leila Slaughter and Dr. Jay W. Hudson. f. 51-57 Carl Agee, 1930-1949, Dean 1934-1949 f. 51-54 General correspondence of Carl Agee regarding the administration of the Bible College of Missouri, 1930-1949. Correspondence includes controversy of the Bible College withdrawing from the Missouri Educational Commission 1944; denial by the Board of Curators, University of Missouri to provide water and light to the Bible College of Missouri; correspondence with Dr. Seth Slaughter, Dean of the College of the Bible, Drake University on problems of running the Bible College in Missouri, offer to come to Missouri to be Dean, his refusal and later acceptance, 1944-1949; correspondence regarding the formation of the Rural Ministry program under Rev. V. E. Hartman 1940's; correspondence promoting fund C2791 Missouri School of Religion, Papers, 1896-1967 Page 3

activities for the Bible College and the hiring of Rev. Gene W. Wetherell to direct the activities, 1946-1949. f. 55-57 Correspondence of subject files which include report of George C. Aydelott to the Bible College of Missouri regarding plans for foundation grant, July 20, 1948; list of National Advisory Committee to raise money for the Bible School of Missouri, November 1, 1948; letters of acceptance to the National Advisory Committee, September 15, 1948 - November 30, 1948. f. 58-72 Seth Slaughter, 1949-1967, Dean 1949-1958 f. 58 Correspondence includes matters of general administration to the Bible College of Missouri; the announcement of a $51,000 Rockefeller Foundation grant to the Department of Rural Sociology at the University of Missouri to make a four-year study of the rural church as a social institution in Missouri on December 14, 1951. Criticism of Carl Agee's article, "All Things in Common" published in the Missourian, March 7, 1951. Correspondence reveals strong reaction by religious leaders and faculty members about the wisdom and scholarship of equating communism with the cause of destroying the Church of Jerusalem during the troubled McCarthy period (Spring, 1952). f. 59-64 Correspondence with the Rockefeller Foundation 1950-1956. Material on Dean Slaughter's retirement from the Missouri School of Religion, May 28, 1964. Also a file on miscellaneous reports 1950-1958. f. 65 Articles and copies of talks given by Slaughter f. 66-72 Correspondence includes the records of various organizations participated in by the Missouri School of Religion. Minutes of Board of Directors, Board of Higher Education, Disciples of Christ, 1950-1956; minutes and correspondence of Home and State Missions Planning Council, 1939-1964; pamphlets of Home and State Missions Planning Council, 1939-1964; minutes and correspondence of the Missouri Association of Christian Churches, 1948-1962. Miscellaneous reports and speeches of Rural Life Missions, etc., all years. f. 73-101 George Wetherell, 1946-1958- General correspondence of Rev. George W. Wetherell, 1946-1958 who served as Extension Minister for the Rural Church of the Bible College of Missouri. Correspondence includes promoting support for the Bible College of Missouri's program for training rural ministers. Most of the correspondence explains the essence of the new program. There are insights into implementing a large fund raising program working through individuals, organizations and foundations. The correspondence is arranged in alphabetical order and the following subject files are filed in the appropriate alphabetical order f. 76 Cumford Incorporated (Ryall Corporation) f. 80 Financial file C2791 Missouri School of Religion, Papers, 1896-1967 Page 4

f. 81 Foundation file f. 87 Kansas City file f. 91 Monsanto Foundation f. 97 St. Louis file f. 98 Sears and Roebuck Foundation f. 101 Wealthy people in Missouri f. 102-104 James D. Wyker, 1950-1954 - These folders contain the general correspondence of James D. Wyker, Director of the Rural Church Extension Service, Bible College of Missouri for the years 1950-1954. The correspondence is largely routine communication with various organizations, schools and individuals in and out of the state of Missouri regarding information on the rural church. The letters often are requests for Mr. Wyker to speak before various organizations. The folders do, however, contain three important letters written by Wyker. 1. Congressman George A. Spencer of Missouri, September 8, 1931 protesting proposed legislation for federal support for private school transportation. Emanuel H. Block of New York, November 14, 1952, protesting the execution of the convicted American spies the Rosenbergs. Dwight David Eisenhower, November 15, 1952, advice on taking the advice of Dr. Kagawa in developing a good Ear Eastern policy in Japan. f. 105-148 Missouri School of Religion, Archives, 1896-1967 f. 105 Annual reports, 1915-1929 f. 106 Sage report "State Universities and New Opportunities," 1924 f. 107 Sage report •"State Universities and New Opportunities," 1925 f. 108 Report of a survey of the Bible College of Missouri, 1926 f. 109 Relations between the University of Missouri and the Bible College with responses, 1937 f. 110 J. Kelly Pool report, 1926 f. 111 Faculty minutes, 1911-1934 f. 112 Faculty minutes, 1957-1963. f. 113 Treasurer 's reports, 1909-1920 f. 114 Treasurer 's reports, 1921-1930 f. 115 Treasurer's reports, 1931-1933 f. 116 Treasurer 's reports, 1934-1936 f. 117 Treasurer's reports, 1946-1948, 1952-1954, 1957-June 1958 f. 118 Treasurer 's reports, July 1959-June 1961 f. 119 Treasurer's reports, July 1961-June 1963 f. 120 Treasurer 's reports, July 1963-June 1964, audit, 1963 f. 121 Treasurer 's reports, July 1964-June 1966 f. 122 Audit reports, 1921-1932 f. 123 Ledger of class grades, 1903-1909, expenses, 1911-1912 (sample selection) f. 124 Ledger - Room rent accounts, September 1906 - May 1915 f. 125 Room rent accounts, 1936-1942 C2791 Missouri School of Religion, Papers, 1896-1967 Page 5

f. 126 Two statements of student preaching, n.d. List of farm loans, 1917-1935 f. 127 Annual reports and miscellaneous early records, 1906-1908 f. 128 Annual reports, 1908-1920 f. 129 Annual reports, 1911-1925 f. 130 Executive Committee minutes, Board of Trustees, 1896-1912 f. 131 Executive Committee minutes, Board of Trustees, 1912 1923 f. 132 Executive Committee minutes, Board of Trustees, 1924-1925; articles of incorporation, 1896; statistics on students, 1904-1924 f. 133 Executive Committee minutes, Board of f. 134 Executive Committee minutes, Board of Trustees, 1937-1948. f. 135 Executive Committee minutes, Board of Trustees, 1949-1953. f. 136 Executive Committee minutes, Board of Trustees, 1954-1955. f. 137 Executive Committee minutes, Board of Trustees, 1956-1957. f. 138 Executive Committee minutes, Board of f. 139 Executive Committee minutes, Board of Trustees, July 1960- June 1962. f. 140 Executive Committee minutes, Board of Trustees, July 1962- June 1964. f. 141-144 Hudson Essay Contest papers, 1937; 5 papers on the subject, "Moral Law." f. 145-148 History f. 145 Manuscript of Dean W. J. Lhomon's "History of the Bible College of Missouri," n. d. f. 146 Manuscript of Dean Seth Slaughter's "Brief History of the Missouri School of Religion (Bible College of Missouri) and Graduate Rural Seminary, n. d. f. 147 Dean Slaughter 's rough notes on Missouri School of Religion, n. d. f. 148 Miscellaneous notes on Missouri School of Religion, 1931

INDEX TERMS

subject folders Agee, Carl (1889-1954) 51-57 Alexander, Joshua W. (1852-1936) 1 Antioch Church, Monroe County, Missouri 16 Antioch Church, Williamsburg, Missouri 16 Anti-Saloon League 22 Australia 16 Bank of Centralia, Centralia, Missouri 36,51 Bellflower Church, Bellflower, Missouri 17 Big Springs Christian Church, Rocheport, Missouri 17 C2791 Missouri School of Religion, Papers, 1896-1967 Page 6

subject folders Black, William 23 Blacks 13,51,58 Cairo Church, Cairo, Missouri 18 Central College, Fayette, Missouri 23 Christian Church, Armstrong, Missouri 16 Christian Church, Arrow Rock, Missouri 16 Christian Church, Auxvasse, Missouri 16 Christian Church, DeWitt, Missouri 19 Christian Church, Greenridge, Missouri 19 Christian Church, Huntsville, Missouri 19 Christian Church, Laddonia, Missouri 20 Christian Church, Mexico, Missouri 19 Christian Church, Miami, Missouri 21 Christian Church, New Bloomfield, Missouri 21 Christian Church, Palmyra, Missouri 21 Christian Church, Paris, Missouri 21 Christian Church, Pilot Grove, Missouri 21 Christian Church, Prairie Hill, Missouri 21 Christian Church, Renick, Missouri 22 Christian Church, Sumner, Missouri 22 Christian College, Columbia, Missouri 9,36,38 Christian Union Church, Sweet Springs, Missouri 18 Christian University, Canton, Missouri 23 Clarksburg Church, Clarksburg, Missouri 18 Communism 58,61 Community Church, Chilhowee, Missouri 18 Community Church, Rush Hill, Missouri 22 Concord Church, Callao, Missouri 18 Congregation B'nai Jehudah, Kansas City, Missouri 36 Country Life Commission 104 Culver-Stockton College, Canton, Missouri 38,43 DeBra, Harvey Rufus (1862- ) 23 DeFrees, Talmadge 4 Drury College, Springfield, Missouri 23, 38 Edwards, Granville D. (1868-1952) 1-50 Eisenhower, Dwight David (1890-1969) 103 Fairview Christian Church, Macon County, 21 Missouri C2791 Missouri School of Religion, Papers, 1896-1967 Page 7

subject folders Federal aid to education 102 First Christian Church, Carthage, Missouri 18 First Christian Church, Charleston, Missouri 18 First Christian Church, Sedalia, Missouri 8 Germany 36 Glasgow Church, Glasgow, Missouri 19 Grand Pass Church, Grand Pass, Missouri 19 Greenwood Church, Madison, Missouri (Rural) 19 Hanley, J. W. 23 Harris, J. Morgan 16 Harrisburg Church, Harrisburg, Missouri 19 Hill, Albert Ross (1869-1943) 23 Hutchison, Elizabeth 33 Isserman, Ferdinand M. (1898- ) 36 Jackson Avenue Church, Kansas City, Missouri 19 Jacksonville Church, Jacksonville, Missouri 19 Judaism--Relations--Christianity 36 Keytesville Church, Keytesville, Missouri 20 Liberty Christian Church, Audrain County, 20 Missouri Linn, Paul H. 23 Lowry, Eliza 47 Macedonia Church, Clark, Missouri (rural) 21 Mayerberg, Samuel S. 36 McMullin, Charles O. 9 Missions, Christian 21 Missouri Christian College, Camden Point, 39, 43 Missouri Missouri Church, Dover, Missouri 19 Missouri School of Religion, Columbia 1-148 Missouri Valley College, Marshall 23 Missouri Wesleyan College, Cameron 23 Mitchell, J. T. 9, 13 Moss, Luella St. Clair (1865-1947) 9, 38 New Hope Church, Mexico, Missouri (Rural) 21 Oak Grove Christian Church, Callaway County, 21 Missouri Olean Church, Eldon, Missouri (Rural) 21 C2791 Missouri School of Religion, Papers, 1896-1967 Page 8

subject folders Park College, Parkville, Missouri 23 Roanoke Church, Roanoke, Missouri 22 Rockefeller, John D., Jr. (1874-1960) 51 Rosenberg Case 103 Rothville Church, Rothville, Missouri 22 Salem Church, Moberly, Missouri, (Rural) 22 Salisbury Church, Salisbury, Missouri 22 Salt River Church, Salt River, Missouri 22 Savage, William 13 Serena, Joseph A. 40, 43 Sex discrimination 18, 20 Shively, E. B. 13, 16 Shorter, Fred W. 13 Sikeston Church, Sikeston, Missouri 22 Slaughter, Seth W. (1893-1970) 58-72 South Park Christian Church, Kansas City, Missouri 13 Spencer, George A. (1906-1997) 102 Stankowski, Anton J. Stark, Lloyd Crow (1886-1972) 56, 57 Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri 36 Stephens, Temple 54 Sturgeon Church, Sturgeon, Missouri 22 Temple Israel, St. Louis 36 Thorp, R. L. 39, 48 Trimble, Martha Stout 18 Union Christian Church, Moniteau County, 22 Missouri Union Church, Cedar City, Missouri 18 University of Missouri 1, 23, 24, 28, 36, 47, 48, 50-52, 58-60, 62, 109, 143 University of Missouri, Rockefeller Foundation 58, 60, 62 Grant Waggoner, Luella 18 Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri 23 Wetherell, George W. 73-101 William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri 23 William Woods College, Fulton, Missouri 40, 43 Williams, Walter 50 C2791 Missouri School of Religion, Papers, 1896-1967 Page 9

subject folders Woman's Christian Temperance Union 18 Wood, John Hepler 38, 43 World War, 1914-1918 22 Wyker, James D. 102-104 Yates Christian Church, Yates, Missouri 22