This collection reflects the missionary work of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Church in India. On one level it documents general missionary work from the mid-nineteenth century to the mid- twentieth century. Another level documents the lives and ministries of individuals who were part of this missionary enterprise from its conception. However, the predominate level that is documented is the ministry of the Badley family. The Badleys gave two generations to Methodist missions in India by dedicating themselves to preaching the Gospel to a people they came to admire and respect.

Correspondence between the Badley family and other individuals within this collection can be found in their respective series and subseries with some overlapping. Not all of the correspondence and/or subsequent record types found in this collection are directly related to the Badley family.

Women's records are located throughout this collection. In most cases they received subseries identification with the exception of photographs.

Part of this collection is in fragile condition.

This collection is made up of material related to the division of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ in 1889 and the property disputes related to the division.

The material in this collection represents Mueller's work from his first years as a pastor in the Evangelical Association to his retirement from the Episcopacy of the United Methodist Church (1921-1975). The earliest manuscripts include sermons and addresses (1921-1975). The rest of the collection consists of correspondence (1941-1973), photographs (1962-1976), addresses (1921-1975), articles, and clippings (1921-1975). The most sustained record of Mueller's work begins in the 1940's with Mueller's election as Executive Secretary of Christian Education. The collection continues with records from his episcopal leadership, his presidency of the N.C.C., and his involvement in the negotiations for the Uniting Conference in 1968.

This collection pertains mostly to Clair's service as Bishop of the Central Jurisdiction. Most of the collection consists of correspondence, incoming and outgoing, pertaining to conferences and specific churches within the Central Jurisdiction, reports and minutes. Some of the outgoing correspondence was written by Clair's secretary while the Clairs were traveling in 1961. There also are many copies of correspondence neither to, nor from Clair.

While most of the materials were produced during Clair's his years as bishop, there are a few pieces that date form the 1920's, '30's, and '40's. There is material pertaining to the controversy over the realignment and desegregation of the Central Jurisdiction. The printed matter in the collection includes annual conferences bulletins, books and pamphlets on race issues, and communism in the Methodist Church.

This collection contains sermons, lectures, a manuscript, correspondence, and biographical materials related to Charles B. Mitchell. The bulk of this collection is sermons. There are approximately four hundred sermons prepared by Mitchell between 1875 and 1941. All the sermons are handwritten. They were folded length- wise in envelopes which provide the date and location the sermon was given. Many of the sermons had news clippings accompanying them. His sermons were often published by The Inter Ocean newspaper, but a few clippings are from other papers. The clippings have been photocopied and are joined with the sermon and the envelope in an acid free mini folder. Additional clippings or short articles that supplemented the sermon or were used in its preparation have been kept with the sermon as well.

Mitchell's sermons are oriented to the Social Gospel, as he speaks of contemporary issues and challenges. He is particularly concerned with the spiritual and moral well being of young men and women. All the sermons have been arranged by text reference, except those that were given as part of a series. There are thirteen sets of sermons prepared as series. These series sermons contained several sermons on a particular topic such as temperance, gambling, the danger of cities, temptations, and the Christian life. One folder contains a sermon Mitchell gave on the death of Ulysses S. Grant. A news clipping of this sermon is from the Leavenworth Times. Another folder contains photocopies of four news clippings to sermons that had no handwritten copy. In addition, there is a folder of fragmented sermons.

Two folders contain prayer meeting materials prepared by Mitchell. There are forty-four prayer meeting talks in one folder. These are short notations on note cards or small pieces of paper. This material is dated 1897 to 1909, although not every piece is dated. These talks have been arranged by text reference. Talks with no text reference are separated from talks with text reference by an acid free sheet of paper. In addition, there are seven prayer meeting addresses which may have been part of a series. These addresses were given between 1901 and 1912. An envelope contains the date and location of each address.

Lectures and addresses given by Mitchell are the second major part of this collection. There are approximately ninety-five addresses given between 1882 and 1933. The lectures were also folded length-wise and placed in envelopes with the date and location of the presentation. Mitchell lectured to a variety of groups including the Y.M.C.A., college commencements, conferences, conventions, Mason meetings, women's clubs, community organizations and civic groups. Topics that Mitchell addressed in his lectures include peace, women's suffrage, missions, teachers, education, citizenship, Memorial Day, revivals, Abraham Lincoln, Sunday school, and youth. Mitchell also spoke at several universities including Hamline, Dakota Wesleyan, Allegheny College, and Nebraska Wesleyan. The lectures also include five travel accounts. The most extensive account is on the Bible lands. Other countries covered are Holland, Italy, Norway, and Russia.

A typed manuscript Mitchell prepared entitled "Questions to Modern Youth" is part of this collection. There are also three letters addressed to Mitchell. Biographical materials include a handwritten copy of a characterization of Mitchell by Reverend J. S. Daney; two short articles on Mitchell; an article on Mitchell's father, Revered Daniel Patrick Mitchell by S. J. Heaton; and an application for membership in the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. This application contains some ancestry information.

The Mellony Turner papers primarily documents her life as a missionary in Bulgaria. There is a number of records on the American School for Girls in Lovetch, consisting of photographs, textbooks, yearbooks, and financial records. Turner's notebooks and lecture notes are included in the collection. It should be noted that there is a single folder containing information on closing the school. Turner kept diaries during her tenure in Bulgaria as well extensive correspondence. There are general images in both photograph and slide format ranging from the royal family of Bulgaria to her own family in the United States. Turner has a copy of a sermon by Bishop Burt; the bishop who had established the Bulgarian mission at the beginning of the twentieth century. Clippings and other types of publications reflect Bulgarian life and politics. There are eight lectures and a sermon written by Turner. Artifacts are personal in nature, reflecting the clothing and accessories of mid-twentieth century Bulgarian dress. There is a pot in the artifact series as well.

The other series within the collection reflects Turner's immediate family. The few records relating to her parents deal with their will and a folder of letters. Mellony's brother, Ewart Turner's three folders are related to his spying for the United States War Department during the World War II. Though he was ministering to a church in the United States during the war, Ewart was familiar with German communities in Europe and South America. The War Department had Turner collect information on Germans, in the U.S., who were thought to be a threat to national security during the war. This information is elucidated in a correspondence folder.

This collection contains scrapbooks and other materials detailing the ministry and life of William Angie Smith, bishop of the Methodist Church. The first part of the collection consists of fifty-nine scrapbooks that document Smith's life from high school until shortly after his retirement from the episcopacy in 1968. While the majority of the material in these scrapbooks encompass the dates listed for each scrapbook, there are exceptions to the rule. Three other scrapbooks attributed to Bess Smith, wife of the Bishop, contain congratulatory letters on the occasion of their retirement. The final segment of the collection is comprised of loose materials that contains his retirement years and portraits. The records themselves illustrate almost every accomplishment Smith achieved whether it be sacred or secular. Methodist related schools in Oklahoma and Texas are well represented. Local church information ends to center on his evangelistic meetings and correspondence with the pastors. Other correspondences are representative of his work with general church boards, jurisdictions and various conferences. Native American work in Oklahoma is strongly represented.

The papers consist of clippings, published transcripts, typed transcripts, reports, correspondence, memoranda, publications, and pamphlets pertaining to the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church. Additional extensive material relates to Bishop Oxnam's hearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities, as well as the Committee on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations.

The first series is comprised of correspondence, the bulk of which relates to the Inter-Jurisdictional Commission of the Methodist Church. The work focused on the dissolution of the Central Jurisdiction and the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist Churches. Some of this correspondence is of minor importance, but much of it reflects opinion and counter opinion and proposals growing out of the subjects under consideration.

The second series is the major part of the collection and includes all the substantive minutes, reports, and legislative proposals which emerged from the work of the Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations. This material is international in scope.

The third series is a two volume collection of Parlin’s speeches and addresses given to churches, schools, universities and business groups. These volumes have been dissembled and organized in chronological order.

The fourth series is biographical in nature in so far as it includes articles, clippings, and statements reflecting Parlin's wide and varied projects and interests.

The fifth series is a Book of Remembrance from the Drew University Collection. These letters and statements of appreciation honor Parlin's achievements and contributions to the life of the church.

The sixth series is a substantial collection of articles, clippings and most importantly working documents regarding the hearings of Bishop G. Bromley Oxnam before the U.S. House Un-American Activities. Parlin served as Oxnam’s counsel and strategist at these hearings.

The bulk of the three hundred and fifty-one folders in this collection are placed in the Study of the Parish System series. In the mid-1960's, the Council of Bishops asked Bishop Garrison to do a comprehensive study on how to restructure the parish ministry to meet the rapid changes in both society and United Methodism. Here we find all the records of Garrison’s study which still influences parish ministry into the early 21st century. The researcher will be surprised at the efficiency and scope Garrison brought to the task. By the early to mid-1970's Garrison wound down his research and presented his findings to the Council of Bishops. The Episcopal series documents Bishop Garrison’s work as administrative head for both the Dakotas and Indian areas. Besides illuminating his bishopric work amongst the annual conferences within the appropriate episcopal geographic boundaries, there are other records on important topics facing the larger denomination as well. A number of audio CD’s created from reel-to-reel tapes record meetings and ordination services that Garrison took part in during his episcopal tenure. The Ministry series covers his professional life prior to his episcopal election. One will find sermons, overseas trips, vital church records where he served and other kinds of materials related to local church ministries. Lastly, is the Education series which centers on higher education. Degrees, earned or honorary, are located in various folders. Correspondence makes up the rest of the series which includes notable figures in church and political circles.

Records in the Paul Washburn papers primarily reflect his professional life. Documents illustrate his pastoral philosophy even when administering denominational work on both a national and international scale. This is evident in the kinds of records such as sermons, Bible studies, episcopal messages and ecumenical discussions. Global interests are manifested with his work at the General Board of Global Ministries, General Board of Christian Unity which reflect contemporary views for the period reflected in related documents. As co-chair of the important United Methodist - Roman Catholic Dialogue, which came from his work with Christian Unity, is rooted in his Evangelical United Brethren Church roots of ecumenical understanding and cooperation. Perhaps his greatest contribution to the church came as Executive Secretary for the group responsible to administratively pull off the merger between the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren churches which is amply documented in the collection..