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Archival description
US NjMdUMCG 4831 · Collection · 1887- 2008

The largest element of the collection consists of Methodist newspapers from Estonia, Latvia and Russia. The time span for these periodicals range from 1909 to 1940. Here the researcher will find a written record of the church's main activities in these specific geographic areas. Many of the periodicals are not in English but their native tongues. There are, however, some English language documents with the most important being the index for the Russian Christian Advocate. General administration records are the next section within the collection. Various minutes make up the bulk of these records. Other documents include histories of the areas, one local church set of records, an Estonian Book of Discipline (1927), and other ephemera. One of the unique aspects of this collection is Bishop Nuelsen's records while serving as bishop for the Baltic-Russia area. These records were separated out from the general administrative records in order to highlight Nuelsen's work for these annual conferences during the turbulent times they both found themselves in. Most of the documents found here are photocopies. The orginal records can be found at various institutions in the Russian-Baltic region.

Kimbrough, S. T.
Barbara Troxell Papers
US NjMdUMCG 5947 · Collection · 1958-2013

This collection contains materials from the ministry of Rev. Barbara Troxell from 1980-2009. The collection is divided into three series. The first series contains materials from retreats that Troxell led along with sermons and other lecture materials. The second series contains materials and interviews Troxell conducted with United Methodist bishops and clergywomen about the concept of ministerial authority for an unpublished book. The interviews have been restricted from the public. The final series contains general materials from events Troxell attended, clippings, and other research material and notes from her ministry.

Troxell, Barbara B.
US NjMdUMCG 1563 · Collection · 1872 - 1978

The Bishop William Burt Collection is an excellent documentary on the life and work of a pioneer minister within the Methodist Episcopal Church. In this collection we see the pathos and commitment Burt and his family brought to the work of the church, especially in Europe. These records illuminate his varying roles as clergyperson, presiding elder, bishop, and family member. Well liked by most, Burt was an influential person within the denomination throughout his career.

Records from his wife, Helen, and daughter Edith are located here, as well. The collection shows the historical and sociological involvement Burt had with the life, events, and politics of Europe, the United States, and the rest of the world. This involvement covered society from its lowest common denominator all the way through and including the very top of the social ladder. Burt was a world traveler and the collection sheds light on Methodist Episcopal work around the globe. This is especially true in the correspondence, diaries, and photograph series. Besides reflecting Burt's ministry in Europe, there are significant records concerning his work in the United States. Other notable personalities are also included

Early missionaries to Europe, especially to Russia, have primary documents located here as well. Many of Italy's leading Methodists such as the Taglialatela family have both published and handwritten materials within the collection. Records by other bishops such as Vincent and Bast are interspersed throughout the first section. Another area which is documented is Burt's commitment to the ongoing work of the Jerusalem Home which was started by Bishop J. P. Newman. There is a sizeable amount of records pertaining to the Crandon Institute in Rome, as well.

Burt, William
C. Willard Fetter Sermons
US NjMdUMCG 742 · Collection · 1941-1990

This collection contains the sermons of C. Willard Fetter. The original collection contained nearly one thousand sermons. However, the first two hundred folders were donated by Fetter to United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. The remaining collection of nearly seven hundred sermons is located at the United Methodist Church Archives.

Fetter's sermons document his ministerial career from 1941 and 1990. Fetter placed each sermon in a folder on which he noted the title and sermon number. On most of the sermons, he also noted the date and location where he preached the sermon. The majority were preached in Akron and Dayton, Ohio, from the late 1940s to the early 1970s.

Most of the sermons are typed. A few are handwritten. Many contain draft, revision, and alternate copies. Fetter kept news clippings and articles that supported or related to a sermon. These clippings and articles have been photocopied onto acid free paper and kept with the sermon. In addition, church bulletins from the service in which a sermon was preached are included in the folder.

The first folder of the collection contains a typed index to the sermons. This index is organized in numerical order. Fetter assigned a classification number to each sermon. His classification scheme allowed him to organize his sermons by topics.

Regular sermons are numbered one to five hundred. The first two hundred of these sermons are located at United Theological Seminary. Church-theme sermons are labeled in the five hundreds. Sermons on stewardship are found in the six hundreds. Sermons on communion themes are numbered in the seven hundreds. Advent sermons are found in the eight hundreds. The nine hundred series contains Christmas sermons. Lenten sermons begin at one thousand. The eleven hundred range contains Easter-theme sermons. Sermons on topics of the Christian home are found in the twelve hundreds. The thirteen hundreds contains mission-theme sermons. Holiday sermons are in the fourteen hundreds. Some of his holiday themes are on Armistice Day, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Election Day, and Labor Day. Sermons commemorating special days such as Reformation Day, Children's Day, Youth Sunday, Boy Scout Sunday, Pentecost, Anniversary Day, Thanksgiving are numbered in the fifteen hundreds. Finally, special sermons begin in the sixteen hundreds. These sermons include high school, college, and seminary graduation addresses, funeral sermons, and a memorial tribute to John F. Kennedy.

One folder contains fifteen pamphlet versions of Fetter's sermons. The pamphlets were published by the First Evangelical United Brethren Church in Dayton, Ohio. Some of the pamphlets correspond to typed sermons in the collection, and small tabs of paper inside the front cover indicate the stack location of that sermon. Other pamphlets do not correspond to any sermon in this collection.

The last box of the collection contains a card catalog Fetter used to organize his sermons. The cards contain the sermon title, scripture reference, and sermon number. All the cards have been arranged alphabetically.

Fetter, C. Willard
US NjMdUMCG 3844 · Collection · 1863-1931

This collection reflects the missionary work of the Reverend Carroll Summerfield Long and the Methodist Episcopal Church in Japan. The material ranges from 1863 to 1931, and includes multiple record types. The collection provides an insider’s point of view towards a missionary’s life in 19th century Japan.

Correspondence from the Reverend Long has been recorded in two copy letter books (1881-1885). They include copies of business and personal letters written by Reverend Carroll Summerfield Long, which documents his role as missionary and Presiding Elder in the Nagasaki Conference. Included are financial information describing salaries, grocery lists and other expenses kept by the Japan Mission. Also included is a documented account of the newly established Cobleigh Seminary (1881), as well as the joys and concerns of running a Christian seminary in a foreign land. Personal correspondence is between his friends and family. He keeps his loved ones updates on his life abroad, describing the benefits and challenges he and his family gain while in Japan. One issue which he speaks of often is that of ill health. He writes to his family doctor in one letter, “Our mission is almost broken up by sickness...the few missionaries who are left here...to carry on the work in absence of the sick members” (March 2, 1882). Nearly all the letters are written in English, with a handful written with Japanese characters. In addition, both copy letter books include an index, where the Rev. Long as organized and recorded his letters alphabetically in reference to the respondent.

The collection includes Long’s diary (1881-1883). In which he describes his responsibilities as a minister to the Methodist Episcopal Church, as well as his responsibilities as a father, husband and son to his family. He records his day to day experiences including visitations from various missionaries, his relationship to his students and teachers at Cobleigh Seminary, as well as his reaction and criticism towards his sermons and preaching abilities. He also writes of his personal inspirations to why he joined a religious life and how it has effects his daily routine as a missionary overseas. The collection also includes an excerpt from the diary of the Reverend Long’s daughter Flora Hortense Long Harrison (1908). She describes how her Japanese teacher, Mr. Chiga, became to be a Christian and a Methodist, and the role that her father played in his religious transformation.

The role which the Reverend Long played in the Methodist Episcopal Church can also be seen in the Presiding Elders Manual which he kept for both North Carolina (1886-1888) and Japan (1888). Both manuals give a detailed account of the different conferences he was involved with. The manuals include the names of pastors, number of church members, attendance for Sunday school, as well as the financial information regarding each organization. The role of Carroll Summerfield Long, as well as other missionaries, are depicted in the collection’s thirty-one photographs. These include portraits of Long, his family, members of the Nagasaki Conference. The photographs also include some buildings, including the Wistorua of Kwassui Joyakko and Kwassui Joen, Girls Home Omura.

The collection also includes a number of publications which showcase Long’s writing and descriptions of a life in Japan to his American audience. Included in the publications are pieces written by missionary Elizabeth Russell, the history of Evangelization of Japan, as well as some biographical writings, including an obituary for the Reverend Carroll Summerfield Long.

Long, Carroll Summerfield
Catherine Ezell Collection
US NjMdUMCG 681 · Collection · 1941-1989

The papers of Catherine Ezell contain a variety of articles and materials on deaconesses. There are several annual reports from the Commission on Deaconess Work (1951-1970). A copy of the 1976 annual report from the National Division of the Board of Global Ministries is contained in these papers. Magazine articles and photographs concerning US-2s are included. This material dates from 1951 to 1989. Several articles about deaconesses and about rural work (1941- 1983) are part of this collection. Most of the articles in this collection pertain to what is now known as Church and Community Work which is part of the National Division of the General Board of Global Ministries. In addition, there are copies of the Deaconess Home Missionary News and View Newsletter from 1956-1980. Material from deaconesses' conferences and convocations from 1951-1976 have also been included in her papers.

Ezell, Catherine
Charles August Sauer Papers
US NjMdUMCG 3605 · Collection · 1902-1971

Sauer's correspondence, and the manuscript and supporting documents for his unpublished "Methodists in Korea," make up the bulk of the collection. These materials document Methodist Episcopal mission work during Sauer's tenure in Korea, including the evacuation of missionary personnel in 1940, and their return in 1945. This was a critical transition phase for the Korean Methodist Church (KMC) as they struggled for power and control during the heightened Japanese control over churches in Korea, and then rebuilt after the war. There is also considerable material covering state of missions and the KMC during the invasion of South Korea in 1950. Photographs and publications nicely supplement this part of the collection.

Sauer, Charles August
Dorothy Nyland Papers
US NjMdUMCG 4669 · Collection · 1932-2009

The Dorothy Nyland papers are comprised of writings, seminars, informational files, photographs, and correspondences, dating from 1935 to 2009. This collection reflects the passion of Nyland in her work for a better spirit among all creeds and races.

The largest part of the collection is correspondences, which can be found throughout most of the folders in the collection. The bulk of the correspondences (1937-1990) are arranged chronologically and can be found in two folders and a bound book of letters. The letters found in the bound book date to 1959 are letters of well wishes for the next step in her life after her departure from the Secretary of Student Work position with the Women’s Division of Christian Service. These letters are from coworkers, friends, and acquaintances she met through the position. The other letters in the two folders date from 1937 to 1990 and contain personal letters, ‘dear friends’ letters, and letters pertaining to general work. Some of these letters are addressed to both Dorothy and her sister, Gertrude. Other correspondences can be found in folders related to an individual, an event, or a trip.

The file folder dealing with her trip to Japan in 1935 include photographs, letters to friends and family, and pamphlets from the ship. There is another file about Japan , which contains personal letters from Yoshi Tokunaga, postcards, and photographs. It also contains clippings, pamphlets, and booklets about international relations and Methodist missions in Japan. The file dealing with her trip to the Conference in Amsterdam in 1939 includes correspondence and writings for the conference, as well as the 1979 Commemoration.

There are also files dedicated to an individual or family. These files include photographs, clippings, pamphlets, and personal letters sent to Nyland from the individual or family members. These individuals are Toyohiko Kagawa, Jameson Jones, Julius S. Scott Jr., Frank and Jean Tubban, Richard Deates, Dr. Benjamin Mays, A.J. Muste, and Theressa Hoover.

Additional files deal with Nyland’s work. A file of seminars she attended, created, and/or organized includes the programs of the “Christian Citizenship Seminar for Students” (first held at the United Nations in 1953) and the “Missionary Education among College Students” seminar. Included in this file are photographs, including two of Eleanor Roosevelt giving a lecture at the “Christian Citizenship Seminar for Students,” letters from parents and participants, and participant surveys. A file that contains her writings includes a copy of the program guide she wrote that accompanied the missionary education movement’s textbook, The Trumpet of the Prophecy by Richard Baker. Other files deal with course outlines, foreign relations, campus co-operatives, Chinese co-operatives, writings about world peace and race relations (especially in the United States). These files all contain clippings, photographs, pamphlets, and some letters.

Nyland, Dorothy A.
US NjMdUMCG 4207 · Collection · 1912-1988

The Jeannette Charlotte and Esther Laura Hulbert Papers consists of personal papers, publications and artifacts stored in one flat box, one 5" letter-sized document box (diaries and notebooks) and two 5" legal size boxes in the following series:

There are many letters to and from both sisters. Jeannette maintained a supportive relationship with the Park family for many years, even after leaving Korea permanently; she provided financial support for the children and they stayed in touch with her for many years. There is personal correspondence from fellow faculty and friends in which she is addressed as "Bert."

Esther also has a similar line of correspondence. Of note are copies of two letters she wrote in retirement to Fidel Castro pertaining to his potitical stance post-revolution. Also, the back of a letter requesting aid for refugees of the Spanish Civil War signed by Pablo Casales was used by Esther to create a copy of a personal typed letter she wrote. Holiday cards are also found.

The collection contains work related correspondence which is mostly received mail, rather than sent by either sister. These items include letters from Dr. Helen Kim, Dr. Alice Appenzeller and notable figures in women's education in Korea.

Documents from this collection include the following: Personal papers of both sisters inclue passports, statement of accrued wages, etc. There is an ID document for Esther written in Chinese. Also, Esther's teaching credentials/license from the state of Ohio is included.

From Korea, a researcher can find 1919 Korean Independence papers, affidavits of arrested students, papers pertaining to the schools at which they taught. Also found are many small leaflets and brochures. A significant collection of photographs contains shots of both sisters, faculty members, students (both individual, groups and engaged in activities, plus landscape images (one of the landscape images is a glass negative) and shots of campus buildings. Images from Ewha contain shots of Helen Kim and Alice Appenzeller. Shots from Cuba include images of activities, class portraits, individual student portaits, images of school buidlings and shots of faculty. From the US are Jeanette's graduation photo from Ohio Wesleyan University (1912) and Esther's commissioning photo. There are scenes from retirement such as Ewha faculty reunions.

Esther left a number of small notebooks and diaries which include poetry, comments on scripture, expense/budget notations, personal musings and scrapbook entries.

Photocopies of newspaper clippings are part of this collection as are full copies of the Ewha Voice and Korea Calling. The Voice is Ewha Women's University's student newspaper, while Korea Calling is publication of news from all of the Protestant missions in Korea. There is one item classified as an artifact. It is a small, flat woven basket said to be a replica of one found in an ancient tomb. From Esther's stay at the high school in Pyengyang are two yearbooks.

Hulbert, Esther
George Edward Epp Papers
US NjMdUMCG 622 · Collection · 1949-1961

This collection contains a copy of the Evangelical Missionary Speaker, which was compiled by George Edward Epp. This fifty-four page booklet contains missionary poems, readings, and exercises prepared for programs on Children's Day and Foreign Day. It was published and distributed by the Missionary Society of the Evangelical Church in Dayton, Ohio. The collection also includes two additional items in German. The first is a hand-drawn booklet depicting the work of the Sunday School . The second item is a photo album depicting the buildings and leaders of the Berlin-Christuskirche.

Epp, George Edward