Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1853-1903 (Creation)
Extent
1.11 cubic feet
Name of creator
Biographical history
Reuben Yeakel (1827-1904) was an American Evangelical Association editor and bishop. His pastoral ministry began in 1853 in the East Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Association. In 1855 he married Sarah Schubert. After Sarah's death he married Caroline Schloser Klein, widow of John Klein.
Yeakel was elected the first corresponding secretary of the missionary society in 1859. In 1863 he became an editor of Sunday school literature, including The Sunday School Messenger. Subsequently, he edited two general church periodicals: The Evangelical Messenger (1871) and (as assistant editor) Der Christliche Botschafter (1833). He supported holiness teachings and was a prominent member of the National Holiness Association, working with John Inskip and W. MacDonald. In 1870 he co-founded The Living Epistle, the first and only holiness magazine of his denomination. Yeakel became bishop in 1871, a position he held until 1879. He was principal of Union Biblical Institute (later named Evangelical Theological Seminary) from 1879 to 1883.
Yeakel published several important works: Jacob Albrecht und seine Mitarbeiter, 1879 and 1883 (English); The Church Discipline, Doctrine, and Confession of Faith, 1899; The Genius of the Evangelical Church, 1900; "Geschichte der Evangelischen Gemeinschaft, Vol. I, 1890 and 1894 (English), Vol. II, 1895 (English); and Bishop Joseph Long, 1897.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
Consists of manuscripts and clippings. Includes Commentary on the Discipline, from the Bishop S.C. Breyfogle Library. Bishop Breyfogel used this in the preparation of his Digest of Evangelical Church Law. There is also a journal/autobiography written by Yeakel between the years of 1853 to 1865. Another item of note is an oversized scrapbook full of clippings which reflect articles written by Yeakel, points of interest, and a history of "old-time Evangelical preaching."
System of arrangement
The collection is arranged by record type.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
There are no restrictions regarding this collection.
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Detailed use restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the General Commission on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be limited in certain instances. Before using any material for publication from this collection a formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.
Languages of the material
- English
- German
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
General note
The purpose of this finding aid is to help you understand the nature of this collection and to assist you in the retrieval of material from this collection. The following pages contain a brief biographical history of the person, or persons, who created or collected these papers, followed by a general description of the collection in the scope and content note. If more detailed information is warranted then series descriptions also appear. The container listing appears last and is the listing of material in each box, or container, of this collection. To request material you need to turn to the container listing section. It is essentially a listing of file folders, or artifact items, in the collection. Each folder, or item, has a call number associated with it. Each folder also lists the inclusive dates of the material in the folder. On the material request form list both the call number and the folder, or item, title. Use a different line for each folder, or item, requested. When your request sheet is complete, or full, bring it to the archivist and the material will be retrieved.
General note
Preferred citation: When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Reuben Yeakel Manuscripts, United Methodist Church Archives - GCAH, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Sources used
Archivist's note
Prepared by Kristen Turner and Mark C. Shenise, Associate Archivists
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Evangelical Association of North America (Subject)