Tabor College - Bluejay Yearbook (Hillsboro, KS)

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'A' 452: Ai P ' A if 72 4 - 1 f-q,,S:- Agree 12.1 one-2 f ,.,,0,,fJ,.9.,., A,?.,w.Q.Mf . U' -f-Mfr A ' 4949. Q2 .CJ D -2. m?.i.,f7e.f ti ,Iggy 49 rf Wffrfiwf fjfeeef' fgfafyff ,,,,,f,2,,f7 77? 'f ,W ' 04,44 r -' i,,,eWeye,9i5T,2e,, W' Qfeffrflfgffrfrrf QVMVMMWWWAWM Tabor Document Anniversary obligated themselves and organized German church schools. Bible training was particular- ly stressed, besides placing emphasis on read- ing, writing and arithmetic. The schools con- tinued with encouraging success until the peo- ple realized that they were impelled to support the public schools of America. Some young people started with new enthusiasm and suc- ceeded in meeting the American educational re- quirements till finally they were competent to' begin their work as instructors in the various public schools of the respective communities. However, the elementary schools did not meet all the needs, so secondary preparatory schools were organized. The Corn Bible School in Corn, Oklahoma, the Preparatory School in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, the 'fZoar Academy in Inman, Kansas, as well as the Herbert Bible School in Herbert, Saskatchewan, are good examples of these beneficial, educational institutions. At present many young people are studying in American high schools, where they are privileged to finish the four year course. Finally the need for an institution of high- er learning was keenly felt and found its first expression when the Mennonite Brethren Church supported the German department of McPherson College with funds and students. It was here that most of our present leaders in educational activities received their advanced training. After having com- pleted the course they continued their search for knowledge in universities, after which they, with the assistance of other friends, led the agitation for a new denominational in- stitution. As a result our Tabor College was founded in 1908. Professor H. W. Loh- renz, the author of the earliest document, as given in these pages, which led to the organization of our school, will always be remembered for his untiring efforts in behalf of Tabor College. He has served as president from its very beginning up to the present day. At present Tabor College is the most important source of intellectual life for the Mennonite Brethren and Krimer Mennonite Brethren conferences, both of which give it hearty support, and we hope that it will be a uniting factor for our people, where the educational interests may ever find expression. On the religious side our people have loyally and consistently clung to RELIGION the fundamental principles. The more important points in the confession of faith are: that God the Father, Jesus Christ His only Son, and the Holy Spirit as Comforter are one in the great Godheadg that all men have sinned and can be saved alone through faith in the saving blood of Jesus Christg that baptism by emersion and partaking of the Lord's Supper are necessary in Christian life, that the Lord's day must be observed in reverence to Him, that an oath is not scriptural and should be avoidedg that Christ taught non-resistance and that therefore we can not participate in warg that the Holy Scriptures are the inspired Word of Godg and that the second coming of the Lord is imminent. With these fundamental truths in mind we hope to face the future before us. The peace of charity, like lhat of Godj is everywhere. -I 'lil 2f '- V- 'wiulni''v lllllllliwmwl lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllmlm' 'l ' ' ' 1 -H Fifteen

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43 11 - ' 2 52 ri? V-VNC A 1. GPFAB 0Pc1TE.9i E11 . - isiirxr. Jus' Y ,Y l W-gi. Anniversary Stock and dairy farming is fast coming to the foreground, particularly in the north central ,UMW state Wcommilnities.. Today the bare prairie 5, 1 N, 9 .f ,, - landsfhave beenbrought under proper cultiva- 1 0 Zi7 ' tion.,,,.The early' sod houses have disappeared Wccjflf' 91014 4-LZ'fMf'MfffQvfj9zvw-f- and better farm' homes have been constructed. Wwgm ,,Q,2,g,g9,,,,,., MW The walking plow is a thing of thelpast after Z ,AW A! QM? W modern. tractor farming has been introduced. F .V J J U The has neV,er been known to many, for jfrv it has been superceded by modern machinery. 535' The winding roads have been changed to great N, 9 highways whichware practically covered with Ji ZW JMA4 M 9 automobile traffic. The small grinding ma- ffffiw-f--ff : chinesare but a relic of the past, whereas Hour- WLM, -f ' ' ,y-f,,9',,,,-1. ishing flour mills have been constructed. Land 5 4.1 im! .f 0- .f - .. - once bought for two dollars an acre now sells 7 I J 20 for one-hundred dollars an acre. But the descendants of the German Men- nonite immigrants have not been confined to Q11 -- . .f I. Q agricultural pursuits only. Some have entered MW U ffnigirf various other industrial activities and succeed- W ed in making a mark in life as machinists, ' ' Aye merchantmen, publishers, andso forth. Again .f others have chosen the modern business world, and their honesty has enabled them to make an unparalleled success. Thus after fifty . Magma The Earliest years 'of progress our people have successfully entered practically all phases of indus- trial work. Social changes have also been effected. Their ways of living were marked SOCIAL with simplicity. The customs at large were considered in the light of church l LIFE A discipline. Many views, however, have been subject to change' for the Ameri- ' can ways were so different that a certain amount of adaptation was essential. We look back with a large measure of sympathy and appreciation for the vanishing customsland at the same time realize the necessity of adapting ourselves to our envir- onment. The German dialect which our parents have handed down to us is still pro- minent, but in the process of amalgamation it is naturally becoming less important, and thus asocial fusion between our peopleuand English Speaking Americans is being brought about. Our ancestors' could not converse with their neighbors, but the present generation is very efficient in the English language, for the new circumstances and na- tionalobligations have led to the necessity of using the American language, still, we are using. and will continue to study the mother tongue. We must 'admit that there is a strong downward pull towards gross materialism, and that' the highest and best in man is tested to the highest degree of tensity, but with high and elevating ideals our churches and communities have been able to persist, and have inaintained a high moral level as well as an enviable social standard. A V X The two conferences have always shown interest in elementary educa- EDUCATION ation. There were those who had obtained thorough training in the Menno- ' I A nite Bible Schools of Russia, and since most of the people were staunch supporters of religious education they did not neglect the training of their children, but Progress-the onward stride of God. HMI' i'1f 911999911111 i 'i 'i: ' L Fourteen

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: f. A-' to 1 if fm' 4:2 turf'-T-g 1. GZPFAB 0 R.IT,E..9 .5 -Cdgmabzs-1 : , igzzsgmwte V42 Wffezi Anniversary The church organization in America was continued as in Russia. The same creeds were observed, the same leaders and pastors continued to serve, and the same faith was planted into the hearts of the people. Important revivals took place in our early church- es, where many were enlightened by Providence, and by their new walk of life proved that they had actually deserted the way of sin for greater and nobler living in Christ. This awakening intensified the inspiration for Christian service and the hearts and thoughts were directed towards others who had not heard the message of salvation. Traveling evangelists proclaimed the Gospel in the various communities. Further, the new life generated power for missionary work, which is now held to be the most im- portant phase of the Lord's work. Home missions have been started and successfully maintained at various places. A mission for negroes has met with success among the Appalachian hills. A successful mission for the natives of America is being supported on the plains of western Oklaho- ma. Important and prosperous city missions have been established in the cities of Chi- cago, Minneapolis, and Winnipeg. Three charitable institutions are being supported by the churches, namely, the Salem Home and Salem Hospital at Hillsboro, Kansas, and the Old Peoples Home at Winkler, Manitoba. But the conferences have been priviledged to take another step in advance. As ear- ly as 1884 the interest for foreign missions was kindled, when missionaries from foreign fields brought reports from heathen lands. The initial step was taken in pledging sup- port to native workers under the auspices of Baptist missions. However, at the Menno- nite Brethren General Conference of 1898, Rev. and Mrs. N. N. Hiebert were chosen to be the first missionary representatives in India, where a large pioneer field was await- ing them. Thus, the great work was started and today, after continued efforts and sac- rifices have been made, it can be said that multitudes have heard the glad news and five prosperous mission stations have been founded at Hyderabad, Nagar Kurnool, Dever- akonda, Wanaparty, and Kalva Kurthy respectively. The efforts have not been confined to India, but have been extended to the heathen lands of China. Two almost unlimited fields for missionary obligations have been opened in the provinces of Fukien and Mongolia respectively. In addition to these the conferences support other missionary efforts, whereas their volunteers can be traced to all the different continents. Thus, we realize that our people have been and are one in purpose, in sympathy, in principles, as well as one in the Lord. This unity has made possible the triumphant ad- vance of our churches as we have them today. And as the leaf of the palm is borne as a symbol of victory and triumph and rejoicing, so shall this Taborite , which suggests the land of palms, be a symbol of the advances in our cultural and religious life. In the summer of 1924 half a century had passed since our parents THE stepped on American soil. Consequently the fiftieth anniversary was ANNIVERSARY celebrated in commemoration of the important event. The trials and hardships, as well as the joys and benefits of our ancestors, were vividly recalled. Old and young celebrated the jubilee with feelings of reverence, praise, and thanksgiving. Today the spirit of our pioneer fathers is still mighty in the hearts of those who are now building on the foundation, that was laid to the glory of God amidst the deficiencies and privations of the beginnings in America. ffm- mile of God is victory. ll 'MII i'if - 'l!!!!!!!III i 'i'. 'l ': ' ' n Sixteen '