Vol. 10 Number 2 Spring 2012 Judson200 — From Salem to Burma and Back! “It all began with Judson,” explained the guides, co and (Burma). Talking, listening, and each narrating a chapter in the story of Adoniram eating together at First Baptist churches in Judson and the modern mission movement. The Malden and Salem, more than 200 individuals Judson bicentennial events in February kicked off heard about Judson’s call to missionary service three years of celebrations by and how it challenged Christians in America to bringing together churches from organize in support of a new across New England and the na- concept of mission. tion. Each visitor came to honor Many organizations these pioneer missionaries and had a role in the celebrations: to learn more about them. Andover Newton Theologi- A dozen groups in east- cal School where Adoniram ern Massachusetts hosted tours, Judson prepared for his min- receptions, exhibits, drama, istry; United Church of worship, and a conference. Sites Christ, Salem that commis- included First Baptist churches sioned him; the Adoniram in Salem and Malden, Congrega- Judson Baptist Association tional churches in Wenham and The Rev. Dr. Roy Medley, General Secretary of the which keeps his spirit and Andover, and Andover Newton American Baptist Churches, and others on the Jud- legacy alive today; First Bap- son tour bus, Saturday, February 18. Theological School. The pro- tist Church, Malden and gram concluded with a service First Baptist Church, Salem on the wharf in Salem harbor, after which Ann which hosted events; and American Baptist His- Hasseltine (portrayed by Melinda Parry) and torical Society (ABHS) where Judson letters and Adoniram (Thomas R McKibbens) walked off to memorabilia are housed. board the ship Caravan—as they had done on Feb- Deborah Van Broekhoven, Executive Direc- ruary 20, 1812. tor of ABHS, attended the events on February 17 - 20, where she presented certificates to First Bap- tist Church, Salem, MA, The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, and the Adoniram Judson Association of Massachusetts, commend- ing them for their leadership in this memorial. She noted that “America’s leadership in expanding the mission enterprise globally was Crowding into three buses, vans and a car- built around an embrace of the Judsons and their avan of cars, Judson pilgrims came from area Burma Mission as a permanent and growing churches, from two Judson colleges (in Alabama work.” in the United States gathered in and Illinois) and from as far away as San Francis- Continued on p. 2 Book Talk on Judson Legacies

On Saturday, June 23, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 1 volved women in mission work at a time when p.m., Rosalie Hall Hunt will lead a discussion of proper women stayed in the home. Missionaries Ann and Adoniram Judson’s groundbreaking and the mission societies that supported them mission to Burma and its subsequent influence worked to educate people in this country about the on the history of missions. Sponsored by the conditions in the foreign countries in which they American Baptist Historical Society (ABHS), this worked’ This lead to hundreds of missionaries event will be held at Mercer University’s Atlan- working with even more people in Burma to build ta campus. Topics will include the Baptist be- churches, schools, hospitals and clinics and a major ginnings of modern missions and ways that leg- printing and publishing operation. Through these acy continues today. endeavors, missionaries worked alongside local The springboard church leaders to develop and train indigenous for the discussion will be church leaders. Rosalie Hunt’s book, Bless To register for this book discussion, call or God and Take Courage: The email the American Baptist Historical Society or Judson History and Legacy visit the judson200 web site for a registration form. (Judson Press, 2005). The deadline for registering is June 15; the fee is Hunt served as a Baptist $20 and covers the cost of Hunt’s book, Bless God missionary in eight Asian and Take Courage: The Judson History and Legacy. countries, spent six years Each participant will receive a copy of the book. researching the book, and has led several trips to Salem Burma, including one for Continued from page 1 Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas. On January 17-31, 2013, in associa- May of 1814 to form a in tion with ABHS and Dehoney Travel, she will support of mission work. Over the years the con- lead the Judson 200 Legacy Tour to Burma vention changed names and forms, continuing (Myanmar), during which participants will trace the footsteps of the Judsons. today as the American Baptist Foreign Mission Ann and Adoniram Judson were part of Society of the American Baptist Churches USA. the first group of missionaries commissioned by “Most profoundly moving,” commented The American Board of Commissioners for For- Deborah Van Broekhoven, “was the Saturday eign Missions. They set sail for Burma in 1812, evening service of singing, prayer, and testimo- arriving in July 1813—after being baptized by nies—planned and led by Baptists from Burma.” immersion in Calcutta. Conflict and war in Bur- The Rev. Saw Ler Htoo, Executive Secretary of ma led to Adoniram being imprisoned. Ann’s the Karen Baptist Churches USA preached beau- letters about the imprisonment and their work tifully in English, Burmese, and Karen, conclud- went to friends and churches back home, where ing a worship service that honored leaders from they were widely reprinted in newspapers. The our past and challenging all to continue the Jud- letters spurred great interest in the work of son legacy of cross-cultural ministry into the pre- missionaries, made Ann and Adoniram Jud- sent day.” son famous, and attracted more missionaries Celebrations of the Judson Bicentennial to the country. will continue through 2012, 2013 and 2014. Visit The mission in Burma stressed the need www.Judson200.org for information on upcoming for education, which stimulated the translation events, or contact the Society if you are planning of the into local languages. American mis- a public Judson event and would like it to be sionaries spoke out for women’s rights, and in- posted on the Judson200 web page.

2 Church Records Project Begins and Ginny was the secretary of the Rhode Island Council of Churches. They escape the northeast Among the Historical Society’s most valued hold- winters by traveling South in their camper. To ings are our original church records. State bodies, date, they have inventoried the records of Rhode associations, and churches in forty-one states are Island, Massachusetts, , and Pennsylvania, represented in the more than 500 bound volumes and have assisted with the New York state inven- and 900 linear feet of rec- tory. ords in this collection. The church records Treasures include records project requires finely honed of Fifth Baptist (Samson research skills. Recently, for Street) Church in Philadel- example, Thomas Diehl, a phia, when it was pastored Pennsylvania genealogist, by William Staughton, the purchased an unidentified man who presided over the nineteenth century church Triennial Convention that record at auction. Diehl’s appointed Adoniram Jud- knowledge of regional son in 1814. churches led him to believe Until recently, ac- the record was from a Baptist cess to the church records congregation in New York or was limited by a finding New Jersey, so he generously guide with only summary Volunteers Ginny and Don Rasmussen conduct donated the volume to the So- research for church records project. information about individ- ciety. Using his superb ual record groups. This sleuthing abilities and resources in the Society’s January, the Society launched a project to create a collection, Don was able to identify the volume as more detailed inventory of the records, including the clerk’s record book of Amity Baptist Church notes regarding special conservation needs. (New York City). Spearheading this project are three excellent To date, volunteers have collectively spent volunteers: Rev. Garth Brokaw, and Rev. Don and five weeks on the church records project. Much Ginny Rasmussen. All bring a wealth of special work is left to be done, and more volunteers will knowledge and skills to their work. be needed to bring this important work to a suc- Hailing from Rochester, NY, Garth Brokaw cessful conclusion. retired from 32 years of ministry as the Executive Director at Fairport (NY) Baptist Homes. Most recently he has been asked to serve as the interim Volunteers Needed for executive director of the American Baptist Homes Church Records Project and Caring Ministries. He also serves on the Socie- More volunteers are needed to assist with the So- ty’s board as vice president and chair of the Profes- ciety’s Church Records Project. We seek active sional Standards committee. or retired ministers and others who have some broad interest, knowledge, and experience with When he is in the Atlanta area, visiting rela- churches and church history in the various Ameri- tives or attending Board meetings, Garth makes can Baptist geographic regions. Some computer time to roll up his sleeves and volunteer to work in skills required; experience with Excel spread- the Society’s archives. Participation in the National sheets or word processing desired. Volunteers Archives’ Modern Archives Institute, as well as should plan to commit at least two days per on- processing the archives of First Baptist Church, site visit to Atlanta to work on the project. Alt- Adrian, MI (1832-2010), has prepared him well for hough the Society is unable to reimburse volun- the church records project. Garth is currently in- teers for travel or lodging expenses, we will assist them in locating comfortable and affordable ac- ventorying the Society’s extensive collection of commodations. Dorm rooms on the Mercer Cam- church records from New York State churches. pus may be available in the summer. For more Don and Ginny Rasmussen are from Rhode details about volunteering for this project, contact Island, where Don retired as past executive minis- the ABHS office. ter of American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island 3 Friendship Baptist Church Tour Burma with Rosalie Hunt

Celebrates Sesquicentennial Follow Rosalie January 17—30, 2013, in retracing the footsteps of Judson One hundred and fifty years ago a boxcar became through Burma. Jud- home to Friendship Baptist Church, Atlanta’s first son200 project archivist, autonomous African-American congreg- Jan Ballard, is also on tion. Founded by Rev. Frank Quarles during the the tour, along with Ex- Civil War, the church survived the brutality of Re- ecutive Director Debo- construction and the difficult Civil Rights era under rah Van Broekhoven. the leadership of such luminaries as Dr. Edward R. Both are excited to visit Carter, Dr. Maynard Jackson, Sr., and Dr. Samuel the places documented Williams. so thoroughly in the Committed to the finest education of black ABHS archives and to youth, Friendship opened its facility to Morehouse meet Burmese Chris- College in 1879, when the school moved from Au- tians who trace their gusta, Georgia, to Atlanta. The church was instru- spiritual lineage back to mental in founding Spelman College, which held its the Judsons. first classes in the basement of Friendship in 1881. This American Baptist Historical Society In more recent years the congregation has sponsored trip to Myanmar includes visits to all the thrived on the corner of Mitchell Street and North- noted Judson sites; (Rangoon), site of the side Drive under the pastoral guidance of Dr. Vin- first mission house; , where Judson was first cent Guy (emeritus) and Dr. Timothy Boddie, who imprisoned, and (Moulmein) site of also serves on the Historical Society’s board of man- the mission compound. Also planned are visits to agers. churches, schools and hospitals connected with the The Society joins in this milestone anniver- Judsons, Myanmar Baptist headquarters, and local sary celebration by partnering with Friendship to markets and temples. preserve and provide public access to the church’s A full itinerary and registration for the Jud- archived records. son200 Legacy Tour are available on the event pages The archives has been loaned to the Society of www.judson200.org or contact the ABHS office. for the summer to be professionally processed (cataloged) by archivist Jan Ballard, who will pro- duce a finding guide to the collection. Additionally, key portions of the collection will be digitized in or- der to preserve fragile originals from excessive han- dling and to provide wider access to researchers ABQ: Why Baptist History Matters wanting to know more about the history and minis- The next issue of the American Baptist Quarterly try of this culturally significant congregation. (ABQ) is on the theme "Why Baptist History Mat- Both the finding guide and digitized prod- ters.” Articles discuss the importance of Baptist ucts will be available through the Society. Watch history in the United States, the , the ABHS website for forthcoming details. Australia, Russia, and throughout Eastern Europe. Another upcoming issue focuses on "Baptist Is Your Church Celebrating a Special Milestone? History and Preaching.” Baptist history can be a ABHS Can Help! The Society offers resources to powerful resource for preachers, and this issue help you collect and preserve your church’s records, highlights how preachers have used or can use it in research and write the history of your congregation, their sermons. or donate historical materials to the ABHS. We A subscription to the journal is a benefit of award certificates of recognition and congratulatory Society membership. For more information contact letters to churches celebrating significant anniver- the ABQ Administrator, Kay Eland. saries. Contact the ABHS office for details.

4 From the Archives

The Morning Star Exhibit Opens on Judson200.org

The Morning Star, one of the earliest and longest- lated by Rev. Mason and a folktale translated by running vernacular periodicals in Southeast Asia, Dr. Womack, most of The Morning Star was never was published in the Sgaw Karen translated into English. Due to language by the American Baptist Burma’s damp climate, official Mission in Burma. This June, a ethnic discrimination, and digital exhibit of articles from The more than six decades of civil Morning Star will open on war, few copies of the publica- www.judson200.org. The curator tion remain available to those for this display is Karen scholar who can read it, either in Bur- Dr. William Womack, who be- ma or elsewhere throughout came familiar with the publica- the world. The Society’s col- tion while conducting research at lection is believed to be the the Society for his dissertation on most complete in existence, literacy networks in Burma. The including most issues from exhibit is especially intended to 1898 to 1942, together with a serve as a resource for immigrant good sample of issues from as Karen congregations in the Unit- early as 1846. ed States. Through a generous The Morning Star, pub- grant from the Palmer Founda- lished between 1842 and 1942, tion, the Society will be able to was the brainchild of Francis Ma- digitize this publication so it son, an American Baptist mis- The Morning Star, July 1913 issue. may be used as a resource for sionary in Tavoy who served as its first editor. Al- Karen Christians trying to maintain traditions though initial issues were written by American from the homeland and communicate their history missionaries, the publication subsequently became to the next generation. As one local Karen pastor, a channel for Karen voices as well. Rev. Mason ac- upon perusing the Society’s collection, poignantly tively solicited articles for the paper. He wrote the remarked, “Due to war, we have Board, “It is my wish to make the paper a vehicle lost our history, and for the natives to convey their thoughts with preci- now you people are giv- sion.” In later years, the paper included summar- ing it back to us …. It is ies of Biblical history and Christian teaching along- like the lost book story side general news items, journals and letters from all over again.” indigenous Karen missionaries, biographical sketches, Karen folklore and other features. The significance of The Morning Star to Ka- ren culture cannot be overestimated: the publica- tion played a key role in developing a sense of com- mon identity among Karen people in Lower Burma. Will Womack doing research at ABHS. Although the exhibit features an early issue trans-

Post this page on your bulletin board. And when you use information from “From the Archives” remember to give credit to the American Baptist Historical Society. 5 Meet Our New Board Members

Time, talent and expertise are just some of the

gifts ABHS receives from volunteers. At the Janu-

ary Corporate Annual Meeting of ABHS, during the American Baptist Churches General Board meeting, five new managers were elected to the ABHS Board of Managers: Kent Berghuis, Jona- than Malone, John Douhan, Everett Goodwin, and Heidi Holstrom. New members bring a strong Board of Managers 2012 array of experience, knowledge, networks, train- ing and interests that will further the mission of Trinette McCray, President the Society and complement those who continue Garth Brokaw, Vice President on the board. Shirley Fair, Treasurer Leroy Gilbert, Secretary Kent Berghuis serves as Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Kent Berghuis, Timothy Boddie, Adam Bond, Lansdale, PA. He feels a calling Barbara Chicks, Lawrence Carter, Sr., John as scholar, pastor, and Christian Douhan, Everett Goodwin, Heidi Holmstrom, journeyman. Kent is part of the Jonathan Malone, Joe Stoner, John Webster, Emerging Theologians Task David Laubach, Louis Barbarin Force, the ABC-USA Pastors Col- loquium, and the Commission for Doctrine and Christian Unity of the Baptist World Alliance. Staff

Deborah Van Broekhoven, Executive Director Jonathan Malone is pastor at Jan Ballard, Archivist the First Baptist Church of Janet Winfield, Office Manager East Greenwich, Rhode Is- Kay Eland, Financial Secretary and land. He recently completed ABQ Secretary a PhD degree in theology at the University of Dayton, Email: [email protected] with his dissertation on Bap- tist ordination. He serves on the Board of General Websites: www.abhsarchives.org Ministry of the ABC-USA. www.judson200.org

Phone: 678-547-6680 Everett C. Goodwin of Fairfax, VA, Mailing Address: 3001 Mercer University is an author of books and articles on Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341 Baptist and American social and le- Shipping Address: 2930 Flowers Road South, gal history. He received his educa- Suite 150, Atlanta, GA 30341 tion at The University of , Andover Newton Theological School and Brown University. An ordained American Baptist minister, Everett Goodwin has been senior minister of five church- For ABQ subscriptions and financial matters: es, including the historic First Baptist Church of Phone: 610-768-2269 the City of Washington, DC. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, He has recently completed MMBB: A Pio- PA 19482-0851. neer in Employee Benefits - The First 100 Years, a Email: [email protected] history of the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board of the American Baptists Churches, USA, soon to be available at Mercer University Press.

6 John Douhan retired in 1997 after a distinguished career in Massa- ABHS Volunteer Spotlight chusetts religious circles. He was Della Spearman—Public Historian the associate executive minister of The American Baptist Churches of Della Spearman, a student at Massachusetts (TABCOM), and Columbia Theological Seminary the executive minister of the Inter- in Decatur, GA, began volun- Church Council of Greater New teering at ABHS in January. In Bedford, MA. Since his retirement, he has been her role as the Society’s public president of the Massachusetts American Baptist historian, she seeks to Historical Society and an ecumenical officer of “interpret, engage and educate TABCOM. the public about the available collection of diverse Baptist historical information.” Heidi Holmstrom is a motion picture specialist for Currently she is working with Rev. Veronica the National Archives and Rec- (Ronny) Lanier, interviewing her and working ords Administration in Washing- through some of her papers in order to document ton, DC. She studied anthropol- the life and times of Rev. Ronny Lanier. ogy and film at Bowdoin Col- “I want to present mission work (beginning lege, and history and archives at with Rev. Ronny Lanier), the social gospel move- Western Washington University. ment and the history of the African American She interned at the National Ar- church,” Della explains, “utilizing social media, chives, where she learned tech- blogs, content communities and social networking niques of film preservation. She sites to generate public interest in interactive dialog assisted the Society in successfully applying for a to learn more about ABHS archives and activities. “ National Film Preservation Foundation grant to preserve the film, Good News, the story of the American Baptist Mather School for African- American girls in the rural South. Annual Fund

ABHS at the Cincinnati Art Museum

Yes! I/We believe in a Ministry of Memory and en- close a gift of $______to support the ABHS. Or give online at www.abhsarchives.org (click on the “Donate Now” button)

Please Print

Name ______

Address ______

______

The Art of Sound: Four Centuries of Musical Instru- Phone______ments will be on exhibit at the Cincinnati Art Muse- Email ______um from June 16 through September 2, 2012. The display will include two ABHS images of Howard Date ______Doane, a gifted musician who composed over 2,000 Make checks payable to ABHS and mail with this form to hymn tunes in his lifetime, including the music for ABHS, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851. several hymns by Fanny Crosby.

7 Non-Profit PRIMARY SOURCE Organization U.S. Postage American Baptist Historical Society PAID P.O. Box 851 Permit No. 167 Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 Southeastern PA 19482

INSIDE Cheers for Volunteers

Save the Date Update Your Passport September 21, 2012

On Friday, September 21, 2012 Register now for the Dr. Lerone Martin from Eden Judson200 Legacy Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Tour to Burma, Janu- MO, will give a talk on Rev. J. ary 17-30, 2013, spon- M. Gates (1884-1945). Gates sored by the Ameri- was the pastor of Mount Calva- ry Baptist Church in Atlanta, can Baptist Historical GA and achieved fame as an Society and led by African-American preacher Rosalie Hunt. For Lerone Martin and gospel singer. He carried trip itinerary and oth- his ministry into the age of technology with hun- er details, visit dreds of phonograph records of his sermons. www.Judson200.org.

This annual event will begin at 7 p.m. in the Ad- ministrative And Conference Center (AACC) building at the Mercer University Atlanta cam- pus, located at 2930 Flowers Road, South. There will be a reception following.