THE CHURCH AND. ASSIMI'LA'TION
1N AN ISOLATED NATIONALITY
GROIJ:

Them for the Degree of M A,
MICHlfiAN STATE COLLEGE

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THESIO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE CHURCH AND ASSIKILATION
IN AN
ISOLATED NATIONALITY GROUP

A Study of the Role of the Christian Reformed Church
in that
Dutch Community near Manhattan, Montana

by

Meinte Schuurmans

A THESIS
Submitted to the Graduate School of Michigan
State College of Agriculture and Applied
Science in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the degree of

MASTER OF ARTS

Department of Sociology
1941

THESJb

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION. 0 O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 0

CHAPTER
I.

Purpose, Method, Organization.

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE DUTCH COLONY

AT MANHATTAN . . . . . . . . . . .

The Gallatin Valley, Dutch Immigra-
tion, Growth of the Colony

II. DUTCH BACKGROUNDS IN THE NETHERLANDS

AND AWRICA O O O O O O O O O O O 0

Dutch Characteristics, Netherlands
Church History, Dutch Emigration,
Dutch Church History in America

III. THE CHRISTIAN REFORMED DENOMINATION . .

The Presbyterian System, The Church
Order, Church Creed, Church Visita-
tion, The Consistory, The Ministry,
Church Liturgy, Distinctive Prin-
ciples

IV. THE MANHATTAN CHURCH AS AN INSTITUTION .

The Holland West Gallatin Presby-
terian Church, The Congregation
becomes Christian Reformed, Growth
and Expansion, The Budget, Worship
Service Schedule, Church Schisms

v 0 EDUCATION 0 O O O O O O O O O O O O O 0

Early Schooling, The Christian
Schools, Public Schools, Christian
School Expansion, Manhattan High
School, Higher Education, Cate-
chism Classes

132215

Page

10

24

55

72

VI. IVIAICIITG A LIVING o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 87

Crops, Power Machinery, Value of
Water, Irrigation Canals, Decrease
in River Water Supply, Credit, Trad-
ing Centers, The Market Haul, Rail-
roads, Prohibition and Barley,
Economic Status, COOperatives, Other
Occupations, Trend to Towns, Popula-
tion Movement, The Church and Work.

VII 0 TIE FAB’IILY O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 110

Family Dominance, The Father, Size
of Families, Training of Children,
Dutch Homes, Exogamy, Courting,
Forced.Marriages, Divorce, Family
Visitation, Funerals, Cooperative
Burial Association.

VIII. SOCIAL LIFE AND RECREATION . . . . . . . . . 125

Women's Societies, Young PeOple's
Society, EXpansion of Social Interest,

7. Picnics, Music, Reading, "WOrldly
Amusements," Attitude Towards Secret
Societies, Liquor, Radio, Yellowstone
Park. .

IX. AMERICANIZATION AND DUTCH ATTITUDES . . . . lhO
Willingness to Work, Cause and Cure
of Depressions, Labor Unions, The
New Deal, Citizenship, Assimilation,
Another Depression? war, Spanish
Civil War, Anecdotes.
X 0 SUIVEJIARY O O O O O O 0 0 O O 0 O O I O 0 0 0 15h
XI 0 CONCLUSIOIQ. O O 0 O O 0 O O O O O O O O O O 0 166
BIBLIOGRPAPIH O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 0 17 3

APPEI‘IDIX O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 0 O O O O O 176

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE PAGE

1. LOCATION OF THE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH NEAR
MANHATTAN IN GALLATIN COUNTY, MONTANA AND
DENOMINATION IN THE STATE . . . . . . . . . 5

2. THE GALLATIN VALLEY, HOLLAND SETTLEMENT AND
CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH IN GALLATIN
COUNTY , MONOTANA . O O O Q O O Q . O O O Q Q 6

3. CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH OF MANHATTAN, MONTANA
AND THE FIVE PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED IT . . 58

4-A. NUMBER OF FAMILIES IN THE CHRISTIAN REFORMED
CHURCH AT MANHATTAN, MONTANA FROM 1904-1940 59

4-B. TOTAL NUMBER OF SOULS IN THE CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH AT MANHATTAN, MONTANA
FROM 1904-1940 c o o o o o o o o o o o o o 0 6O

5. CHRISTIAN AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE HOLLAND
SETTLEMENT NEAR MANHATTAN, MONTANA . . . . . 77

6. CATECHUMEN ENROLLMENT IN THE CHRISTIAN REFORMED
CHURCH AT MANHATTAN, MONTANA FROM 1907
TO 1940 O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 86

7. AVERAGE YEARLY PRECIPITATION AND AVERAGE PRICE
OF MONTANA SPRING WHEAT, 1892-1935 . . . . . 88

8. PERCENTAGE OF INCREASE OR DECREASE IN NUMBER
OF TENANTS, FULL OWNERS AND PART OWNERS
OF FARMS IN GALLATIN COUNTY AND THE
STATE, 1920-193; 0 o o o o o o o o o o o o o 99

LIST OF TABLES

TABIE ' PAGE

I. DISTRIBUTION OF CONGREGATIONS OF THE
CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH IN
1926 AND 1936 O O O O O C O O O 0 O O O O 23

II. MEMBERSHIP GROWTH OF THE CHRISTIAN
REFIORIVED CHURCH, 1857 TO 1936 o o o o o o 23

III. DESTINATIONS OF EMIGRANT FAMILIES FROM
THE DUTCH COLONY AT MANHATTAN, MONTANA . 105

IV. PERCENTAGE OF RURAL FAMILIES USING VARIOUS
TYPES OF HOME CONVENIENCES . . . . . . . 115

INTRODUCTION
THE PURPOSE AND METHOD OF INVESTIGATION

This paper is a sociological case study of the
Dutch colony located near Manhattan, Montana, giving
special emphasis to assimilation and the role of the
church in the lives of the people.

Purpos . The purpose of the study was to discover
to what extent this foreign group had become assimilated
in American life; how their Christian Reformed faith
directed and controled their lives; and how the church
as an organization functioned to enforce its standards.
An attempt was also made to discover the outside influ-
ences that have operated to change the attitudes or prac-
tices of the people, and to note to what extent and in
what direction the church exerted its influence. Is the
role of this church increasing or decreasing? What is
the probable future role of this church?

Method. The writer was reared in the colony and
lived there until he finished high school in nearby Man-
hattan in 1918. His mother and other members of his fam-
ily still reside there. Also the great majority of the
older folks are his personal acquaintances. During the

summer of 1937 he returned to visit and observe more

carefully. While there he sent a hundred questionnaires
(see sample in appendix) to heads of families, forty-five
of whom returned them in various degrees of completion.

He had long interviews with the pastor, prominent members
of the community, and business men in town. He also ob-
tained considerable information about church procedure
from a brother-in-law, who was also reared in Manhattan,
and is a graduate of the denomination's theological school
in Grand Rapids. Subsequently many questions have been
answered through correspondence with relatives and friends
residing there.

Organization. It was thought desirable first to
describe the location and origins of the colony in Chap-
ter 1. In Chapter II the necessary historical facts
about the Dutch, both in the Netherlands and in the United
States, are presented as a background for a better under-
standing of Dutch psychology, attitudes and customs.
Chapter III deals specifically with the creedal standards,
judicatory organization, and special practices of the
Christian Reformed Church. This is presented in some
detail because the church is the central dominating in-
stitution which exerts a powerful influence on the lives
of the peOple. Chapter IV gives the history of the local
congregation at Manhattan, while succeeding chapters deal

with various phases of life in the settlement.

CHAPTER I

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE DUTCH COLONY
MANHATTAN? MONTANA

The Gallatin Valley. The Dutch settlement at Man-
hattan, Montana lies in the beautiful and fertile Gal-
latin Valley in the southwestern part of the state,
ninety miles north west of the Yellowstone Park. (See
Figures 1 and 2.) The elevation is nearly five thousand
feet, causing the average growing season to be only one
hundred to one hundred and fourteen days. This is the
region where Sacajawea, of Lewis and Clarke Expedition
fame, spent her childhood. Hunters, trappers, and pros-
pectors subsequently roamed the country for years. Later
many wagon trains passed through the valley to Virginia
City and the gold country after John Bozeman, the trapper
and guide, discovered his famous short-cut pass over the
mountains. The earliest permanent settlers arrived in
1864 when Bozeman and others filed claims to the land on
the present site of the city that now bears his name.1

The early settlers raised mainly cattle and horses.

Agriculture seemed impossible, for irrigation was all but

 

1. Mrs. E. Lina Houston, Early History of Gallatin
County, Montana, Bozeman Chronicle Print, Bozeman, Mon-
tana, 1933.

unknown. Only enough food for home use was grown. There
were no railroads and little machinery. Any large ma-
chinery, such as that required for grist and saw mills
had to be shipped in by river boat to Fort Benton near
Great Falls, a hundred forty miles distant, and then
hauled over land by ox teams.

The valley was really Opened up for settlement
only when the Northern Pacific Railroad came through in
1883. It made markets accessible for agricultural pro-
ducts, while machinery could be shipped in at reasonable
rates. Within relatively few years the pOpulation of
the valley increased tremendously. Gradually the cattle
men were forced to turn to agriculture as more and more
land was taken up by new settlers.

Before the Dutch arrived, all the low land along
the rivers had been settled because it could be easily
irrigated. Agriculture was considered impossible with-
out it. In the course of time, however, longer and larger
canals were built to bring more land into cultivation.
Until 1890 the higher table lands were only good for open
range grazing. At that time the longest canal of all,
some thirty miles, was constructed to supply water high
up on the table lands. The West Gallatin Irrigation
Company purchased all Northern Pacific Railway land--
’every other section--under the ditch for $1.25 per acre,

and began selling it at $15.00 per acre. The Company

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FIGURE 2

THE GALLATIN VALLEY, HOLLAND SETTLEMENT AND
CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH IN GALLATIN COUNTY
MONTANA

was organized by a New York brewing concern because the
valley produced such excellent malt barley. The problem
was to get the right kind of settlers. They decided they
should import beer drinking German or Dutch farmers.
Qutgh Immigration. 'It happened that Rev. A. J.

 

Wormser, a preacher of Dutch descent, was then serving
the Presbyterian Church as home missionary at Bozeman,
the county seat. He agreed to become the company's agent
to induce Hollanders to immigrate. He went to the Neth-
erlands, and through advertisements and speeches, gave a
glowing account of the possibilities in the valley.
Times were difficult in Holland and taxes were high.

He finally succeeded in getting nine families, each hav-
ing a little money, to come over in 1893. They had ab-
solute faith in their leader, and being ignorant of the
situation, most of them were induced to buy very unlike-
ly land. They were not informed about the possibilities
of homesteading adjacent sections. When they learned of
it they became very bitter against Rev. Wormser. Later
these and others did file and improve homesteads, how-
ever.

The early years were extremely difficult. Lan-
guage, of course, was a great barrier. Everything was
so strange and new. They hardly knew what to do first
or last. They bought horses, many of which died of

glanders. And worst of all, the irrigation canal, being

new, with loose banks, kept washing out. Fixing the
ditch kept them away from their own work, and they got
no water. Inevitably crops were a failure. Fortunately
for them, a few business men in the towns gave them credit
to carry them over. But with a few years' eXperience,
improved water supply, better prices and more rain, things
began to improve rapidly by 1900.

Growth g; the Colony. In the meantime, by means
of the Dutch language press, letters and travel, the word
spread that a new Holland settlement was developing at
Manhattan. More and more families kept coming, largely
from Michigan and the East, but later also from the Neth-
erlands.

Forty of those who returned the questionnaires

answered the question about where they came from as follows:

Netherlands 13 Michigan 10
Illinois 4 Montana 3
Iowa 2 Massachusetts 2
Minnesota 2 Canada 1
Washington 1 Idaho 1
~California 1

Many of those listed as coming from some other
state were born in the Netherlands. The 1930 United
States Census, Table 18, gives three hundred sixty-five
people in Gallatin County born in the Netherlands. Table
:19 shows six hundred seventy-eight native whites of for-
eign or'mixed parentage under Netherlands. Not all of

‘these can be considered as belonging to the settlement

under discussion, but certainly most of them are. This
indicates how foreign this group is.

In almost every case the people came for economic
reasons--the hope of a better living. A few came in
search of health. In the early nineteen hundreds until
after the World War, prices and production were excel-
lent, and the community prospered. Many large spacious
homes and farm buildings were erected. Also, in 1910,

a large, beautiful, twenty-three thousand dollar church
was built. The fame of the valley spread and the popu-
lation of the colony increased rapidly. During this
period dry-land farming methods were developed and be-
came very successful because of sufficient rainfall dur-
ing those years. The settlement spread out wider and
wider by purchase and rental, until today it covers the
whole southwestern third of the valley. Only here and
there is there an American left stranded in the midst

of the Dutch.

CHAPTER II

DUTCH BACKGROUNDS
IN THE NETHERLANDS AND IN AMERICA

To understand a foreign people, one must know
something of their history. What is today, is the pro-
duct of yesterday's experiences. Chapter II deals with
certain conditions that created the present psychology,
beliefs, practices, and organization of the Dutch in
Manhattan. The Christian Reformed Church is a product
of two secessions, one in the Netherlands, and one in
Michigan. To understand the denomination today, one
must have a knowledge of the struggles and the principles
involved, as they occurred.

Qgtgh Characteristics. The Dutch peOple are al-
ways spoken of as possessing certain distinct character-
istics. They are said to be thrifty, industrious, honest,
religious, unemotional, tenacious, conservative, slow at
innovation, clannish and individualistic. To what degree
they may possess these qualities in certain combinations
to a greater extent than other peoples is difficult to
say. That they, as a people, however, do differ from
other Americans seems beyond dispute. As a matter of

fact, the Dutch themselves see distinguishing character-

istics in the residents of each of their eleven provinces.

11

The Frisian, the Gronniger, and the Zeelander are somehow
different.2 The traditional reputation of the Dutch may
be partly due to the fact that a people gets its reputa-
tion through its most frequent contacts with the outside
world. That part of the population that is sea-faring,
traders, governmental or military, creates a reputation
that is then applied to the total population. And there
is a tendency for groups as well as individuals to live
up to their reputations.

The physical environment, the economic situation,
and the social, religious, and national experiences of a
people are the main influences that mould their charac-
ter. The Dutch, in certain provinces particularly, have
had a constant and unremitting struggle with water and
the ocean. Danger of disaster was ever present. Life
was not easy. Inevitably it influenced their emotional
life and attitudes. Land was scarce, so every available
parcel was utilized. A relatively large population in a
small country on the sea, forced the Dutch into sea-
faring commerce. Situated at the crossroads of Europe,
,every social upheaval on the continent, through all the
centuries, left its influence there. Holland is not

isolated. The Medieval Ages, Renaissance, Reformation,

 

2. H. E. Ryskamp, The Dutch in Western Michigan.
Unpublished Doctor's dissertation, University of Michi-
gan, 1930.

my?»
_

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12

Religious Wars with Spain, Age of Discovery and Coloni-
zation, Wars with England and Napoleon; all left their
traces in Dutch psychology, character and customs.

Holland's history has not been an easy-going one.
Levity and emotional expression are not a Dutchman's
heritage. Tenacious hard work, dogged determination,
and constant struggling against odds developed, possibly
through compensation, a faith in the supernatural nigh
unto fatalism. Self-discipline, and making the very
best of every situation, is the fundamental background
of the people.

Life on earth being hard, it seems quite logical
that the Dutchman tended to sublimate his present lack
by developing a strong faith in the glories of the life
hereafter. They are said to be naturally religious. It
is certainly true that the poorer elements who comprised
the vast majority of the immigrants to this country were
predominantly religious. And such were those who settled
in Manhattan.

Netherlands Church History.3 To understand the

role of a local church one must know the history of the

 

3. Henry Beets, Ihg Christian Reformed Church in
North America, Grand Rapids, Eastern Avenue Book Store,
1923, Chapters 1 and 2. The writer has drawn very heav-
ily upon this work for the most of this chapter.

31.. an? 1.14:4. A... at... 2w. .3315...»

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13

denomination to which it belongs, for no institution can
be understood except in terms of its past.

Principles 9; the Reformation. All Protestant
churches, of course, have their origin in the Reformation
which started when Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five
theses to the church door at Wurtemburg in 1517. There
are said to be three fundamental principles of Protes-
tantism.

The first, or objective principle, affirms that
the Bible is the supreme and infallible rule of our
faith and practice. The second or subjective prin-
ciple . . . is that we are justified before God by
a true and living faith, without any merits of ours,
merely grace. The third Reformation principle is
called the social one. Christ is the King of the
Church, and subject to Him, all believers are of
equal spiritual rank. This involves the general

priesthood of believers, the right to interpret the
Bible, and to share in the government of the church.

4
These principles are not merely words in a history
book as far as the Dutch in Manhattan are concerned.
They are a vital part of their attitudes and characters.
They are principles that govern and influence their daily
activity. They are very real factors in their psychology.
All the Reformers agreed on these principles, but
soon differences arose on views about the Lord's Supper,
Baptism, Church government, and what might be called minor

doctrines. These caused many schisms, which still continue

to occur, resulting in a very confused Protestantism.

 

4. Ibid., p. 14.

14

Th; Reformed Church in the Netherlands. The fol-
lowers of John Calvin and Zwingli formed the Reformed
Churches of Christendom as distinguished from the Lutheran
Churches. Dutch temperament and certain fiery preachers
of the time, together assured the dominance of Calvinism
in the Netherlands after about 1560. It was during the
Eighty Years' War with Spain (1568-1648) that stern Cal-
vinism organized the Reformed Church of the Netherlands.
It was at the famous National Synod of Dordrecht held in
1618-19 that the Church Order subscribed to today by the
people in Manhattan, received its essential present form.

About a century later it was charged corruption
of preaching and doctrine set in. The Church, for the
most part, lost its orthodoxy by the time of the French
Revolution, when it was disestablished. When King Will-
iam I ascended the throne in 1816, after the Napoleonic
Wars, he autocratically forced a new organization upon
the old church, placing it more or less in bondage to
the State, and to that of oligarchies or administrative
bodies, contrary to the Presbyterian order. Doctrinally
there was very flagrant departure from the official
standards of the "Church of the Fathers" while ministers,
through changes in ordination vows, could preach practi-

cally what they liked. However, there were a few pastors

_ . . 1:”. .33. fin... 11”....
saiiwaaéaas... .. . .... _

15

who continued to preach the old faith with vogor and
contention.5
Finally, in 1834, a small group of these ultra-
orthodox seceded, and formed the Christian Reformed Church
of the Netherlands. The reasons given for the secession
were as follows:
(1) A falling away from the pure doctrine of the
Reformed Church, as expressed in its Standards

of Dordrecht.

(2) A hierarchical form of church government and
arbitrary regulations.

(3) The introduction of unsound hymns.

(4) A new and dubious-sounding formula of subscrip-
tion. Reformed doctrine was to be taught not
because \guia) but in so far as (guatenus) it
was contained in the Word of God.

(5) Unfaithfulness 0g preachers regarding their
ordination vows.

These secession principles are looked upon today
by the church in this country as the "work of the fathers,"
and is highly revered.

The seceders were immediately ostracized, despised,
and persecuted. Frequently they were arrested, fined and
boycotted. Their children were often abused and even
stoned on the way to and from church and school, and many

peOple were ejected from their rented farms. To add to

 

5. Ibid., p. 18.
6. Ibid., p. 21.

16

their troubles, the times were unusually hard as an after-
math of the Napoleonic Wars and the introduction of large
amounts of farming machinery. Also Russian wheat flooded
the Dutch market depressing prices and reducing wages,
besides throwing many out of work. To add to these dif-
ficulties, the potato crop failed because of blight, and
the winter of 1844-45 was excessively severe.

Dutch Emigration. Thoughts of migration were

 

thus forced upon these unhappy people. Finally in 1847
after much difficulty, argument, and divisions, a large
Dutch colony was established in western Michigan, center-
ing about the present city of Holland. The wilderness
was most inhOSpitable, and many fell ill and died. Their
first few years were miserable in the extreme. But hard,

persistent work finally produced a prosperous community.

Union with Dutch Reformed Church in America

Dutch Church History in America. Strange to say,
these immigrants did not keep any ecclestical connections
with their church in the Netherlands. The leaders of the
emigration knew in a vague way about the existence of a
Dutch Reformed Church in America which had its origin in
colonial New Netherlands two hundred years earlier. But
there is no evidence that they ever contemplated joining
that church. But in 1849, an emissary of that church,

Dr. I. N. Wyckoff, visited the new colony during its most

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l7

trying period, and invited them to join his denomination.

The leader of the colony, Dr. A. C. Van Raalte, to quote

Dr. Wyckoff,
dispatched letters and messengers to several minis-
ters and consistories, inviting them to a confer-
ence with me on Monday, June 4th. Quite a large
company attended . . . At the Classical meeting it
was soon made known that the brethren were a little
afraid of entering into ecclesiastical connection
with us . . . (but) I stated that they would be most
perfectly free, at any time they found ecclestical
connection opposed to their religious prosperity or
enjoyment, to bid us a fraternal adieu, and be by
themselves again. . . . As the result they agreed,
with those explanations, to join our Synod.

And so, in due time, the union was affected.

That was the beginning of years of trouble and
division amongst the Dutch. The union was consummated
too quickly, almost naively, and without thorough inves-
tigation and understanding. These immigrants were purists,
individualists, sticklers on what might be considered
small matters of doctrine and practice. There had been
no congregational meetings and no public discussion of
any kind. The people seemed to have faith in their leaders,
and the leaders had faith in Dr. Wyckoff.

Church Schism in America. Within a few years dis-
turbing reports started trickling in about many practices
and doctrines of the eastern church which caused many to

shudder. Eventually a few of the immigrants went East

7. Ibid., p. 41, quoted by Beets.

18

for one reason or another and stayed for shorter or longer
periods. Upon their return more news spread about the
"abominable practices" of the "impure" church which they
had joined. A ferment of agitation set in, calling for
a separation on the basis of Dr. Wyckoff's reservation,
which, incidentally, was not incorporated in the official
papers of union.

The following is a resume' of what was usually
objected to:

(1) Departure from the Calvinism of the standards,--
particularly as to . . . atonement and election.

(2) Neglect of Catechism,--preaching and teaching.

(3) The use of 800 hymns, contrary to the Church
Order of Dordrecht. . . . (This was a sore
point because of the great controversy in the
Netherlands years before.)

(4) The toleration of Free Masons as members in good
standing.

(5) Private baptisms taking the place of public
administration of the sacrament in connection
with preaching, according to Reformed principle.

(6) Admission of non—reformed peOple to the Communion
table: open communion.

(7) Neglect of fagily-visiting as required by the
Church Order.

The inevitable break came at the Holland Classis
meeting on April 8, 1857. Two pastors and three congre-

gations presented notices of withdrawal.

8. Ibid., p. 46.

19

There was evidently a pleading that all of the

brethren might return to the "standpoint of 1849,"

as their former condition and position was called.

But most of the clerical leaders defended the

"East" as much and as long as they could.9
The seceding group immediately organized a new denomi-
nation. But not until 1859 was it officially named the
"Holland Reformed Church," to be succeeded two years
later by the name "True Dutch Reformed Church." In 1880
the name "Holland Christian Reformed Church" was adopted.
Finally the "Holland" was drOpped in 1890 because of
German and English speaking churches. The name today is
the "Christian Reformed Church." For fifty years a veri-
table ecclestical civil war existed between the Dutch.
In certain localities the feeling remained extremely
bitter until very recently, especially where both churches
were strong. Both church papers carried polemic after
polemic. Being the smaller, the Christian Reformed
Church was on the defensive, but very militantly so.
Like the seceding church in the Netherlands, it fought
for what it believed, and is still a fighting, aggressive,
orthodox denomination. That is the ecclestical heritage
of the Dutch colony at Manhattan, Montana.

Growth 9; thg Christian Reformed ghuggh. Until

i1880, the church remained very small and feeble. The

secession movement did not take fire. In fact some of

9. Ibid., p. 47.

20

the preachers and churches who had seceded, soon returned
to the old affiliation. Not over one hundred fifty fam-
ilies comprised the entire group. After twenty-three
years of existence, there were only thirty-nine widely
scattered congregations with only three thousand five
hundred sixty-six confessing members. One of their big-
gest difficulties was preachers. The Netherlands was so
far away and the seceding church there could not under-
stand the situation here. They would not allow affilia-
tion, and preachers found it difficult to transfer. The
only recourse was to designate one of their own local
preachers to train candidates in theology. It was an
extremely difficult period. The task would have been
well nigh futile had not a few very able, well-educated
ministers come over from the Netherlands in spite of
obstacles. By 1877 at least nine such had come. Thus,
after twenty years, the church had become well estab-
lished with a secure future, although small.

The year 1880 marks a distinct turning point for
the church. After this date it began to grow very rapid-
ly due to a number of factors, the most important one
being immigration. Industrial and social conditions
*were very unfavorable in the Netherlands, forcing wage
earners to thoughts of migration. Most of these immi-
grants joined the Christian Reformed Church in America

because it was more Dutch in nature, and also because

21

the Netherlands seceding Christian Reformed Church had
come to prefer the American seceded church. In 1882 a
Dutch Reformed Church preacher wrote a letter to the
Netherlands Synod stating:

Many of our best and most orthodox ministers and

church members are Free Masons, . . . Our Synod

could not take action which would virtually ex-

communicate these brethren 5 . . what God hath

cleansed that call thou not common or unclean.lo
This was a shock to the Synod, the result being:

advice to the Netherlands churches no longer to

address membership papers to Reformed congregations

until turned from the abomination of Free Masonry. 1
Since then almost the entire Dutch immigration has been
absorbed by the Christian Reformed Church.

Other factors in the growth of the church were

(1) the tireless work on the part of some devoted preach-
ers in organizing small, isolated groups; (2) immigration
of seceding German elements from just across the Nether-
lands borders; (3) union with the True Reformed Dutch
Church, a seceding group in this country dating from
1822; (4) the joining of eight large Dutch Reformed con-
gregations, plus many individual families elsewhere, who
left their denomination in 1881 because of a resurge of

the Masonic issue. Since then the denomination has had

a steady regular growth until today it is composed of

 

10. Ibid., p. 79, quoted by Beets.
11. Ibid., p. 79, quoted by Beets.

22

two hundred seventy-two congregations in twenty states,
having a total membership of over one hundred eight thou-
sand. (See Tables I and II) However, in recent years,
because of the restriction of immigration by the United
States, the rate of growth of the church has naturally
dropped considerably.

While not all the members of the church at Man-
hattan, especially the younger peOple, know all these
facts about church history, nevertheless the general
spirit and attitudes of the peOple have been affected by
it through the denominational patterns set by church lead-

ers and press through the years.

 

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TABLE I

DISTRIBUTION OF CONGREGATIONS OF
THE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH

————
J

23

 

 

1926 1936 1926 1936

Massachusetts 1 1 North Dakota 2 2
New York 3 3 South Dakota 11 12
New Jersey 14 15 Kansas 2 2
Ohio 4 4 Montana 4 4
Indiana 4 5 Colorado 3 4
Illinois 18 21 New Mexico 1 4
Michigan 100 105 Washington 6 9
Wisconsin 10 11 California 5 9
Minnesota l7 17 Texas 1
Iowa 40 42 Idaho 1
Total 245 272

Increase 27

TABLE II

GROWTH IN MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH

from

1857 TO 1936

 

 

Year _ Churches Communicants Souls

18 7 4 250 750
1880 39 3,566 12,001
1890 99 12, ,4g0

1900 144 17, 54 53, 794
1906 174 26, ,663

1916 226 38, 66 57, 017
1920 24 %§ .995
1926 24 5 4

1936 272 107,9 3

CHAPTER III
THE CHRISTIAN REFORMED DENOMINATION

To the Dutch of the Christian Reformed Church,
their doctrines, organization, and Church Order are very
real things in their lives. They are not merely of his-
torical interest, but of vital import. Creed, synod,
classis, and consistories are powerful factors in their
lives. To understand why the Dutch are as they are, one
must know something of this background. Chapter III deals
with the beliefs, governing bodies, and practices of the
church.

The Presbyterian System 9; Church Government. The
Christian Reformed Church is organized according to the
Presbyterian System of government, comprising the local
church with its consistory, then the classis, and finally.
the synod. .

The following may be called the chief principles
underlying the Presbyterian order of Church Govern-
ment:

(1) The Sovereignty of God. Christ has sovereign-

ly been “set" as King over Zion, and God's
Word is the Constitution of the Church. . . .
(2) Christ exercises His authority by means of His
office bearers. . . . Their power is not
original. They have no authority for legis-

lating laws not found in or based on the Word
of their Lord. 1

25

(3) These office-bearers are called, in the sense
of being designated, by the various churches
as instruments, not deriving their authority
from the congregations, however, . . . but
from Christ whom they gepresegt.

(4) These various churches are considered complete
local manifestations of the body of Christ.
There is a parity of churches as well as of
office bearers, and each congregation possesses
autonomy, except in so far as it has trans-
ferred some of its rights to other church
Judicatories in the interests of Federation
in classical or synodical organizations.

In the Christian Reformed Church, the following
judicatories exist. First, the consistory, composed of
the elders both teaching, (preachers) and ruling,--in
small churches augmented by deacons. These consistory
members are chosen by the communicant male members in
good standing. Second, delegates from consistories com-
prising certain groups of churches meet from time to
time in a classis or presbytery. The Manhattan Church
is part of Classis Pacific comprising all churches in
Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Western Canada. Only
teaching and ruling elders are eligible to represent
their consistories. Specified numbers of both teaching
and ruling elders in equal numbers are delegated by the
classical Judicatories to meet as a third judicatory
called the synod. This judicatory is the final court of
appeal and the supreme legislative body of the Church.

13. Ibid., p. 235.

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26

Its decisions rule in all congregations. Even person-
al problems may be appealed from consistory to classis,
and finallyfsynod for decision. Consistories and indi-
viduals also have the right to overture synod on eccle-
siastical problems. Many of these are received each year.
However, Manhattan seldom sends any. Synod now meets
annually in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but until recently
it met biennially. '
The Church Order. The Church Order, or constitu-
tion dates back to that drawn up at the famous Synod of
Dordrecht in 1618-19.
The authority of the Church Order is built on the
command regarding subjection to office-bearers. Like
children owing obedience to their parents, . . .; and
subjects to magistrates, Rom. 13:1-7, so the Lord de-
mands obedience to church authorities, as evident from
Matt. 16:19 . . . ; and especially Heb. 13:7 and 17.
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to
them; for they watch in Behalf of your souls, as they
that shall give account.

Authority and obedience are two important concepts in

church life, which carry over and permeate their entire

lives.

The Church Order is not considered absolute and
conscience binding. Only the Bible is that. But the
Order is based on "God's Word" and is therefore binding
unless proven contraryto the Bible. The purpose of a
Church Order is to regulate the functioning of the offices

of the church.

 

14. Ibid., p. 239.

27

After repeated attempts to bring the Church Order
of Dordrecht closer to American church life, a limited
revision was adopted by the Synod of 1914 after a much more
elaborate revision had been rejected in 1912.

Church greeg.15 The Christian Reformed Church has
a definite written Creed which it prizes very highly, and
to which it enforces the strictest adherence. In these
days when creeds seem to be outmoded, the Christian Re-
formed Church is as strict as ever. Their argument on the
matter runs as follows: A creed is an official statement
of belief. There are many people today who decry creeds,
or say they have no creed except the Bible, as if the Bible
and creeds had no connection. Calvinists have always be-
lieved in the necessity of specific written creeds, and
that for many reasons. The argument is not about the author-
ity of the Bible, but about the interpretation of its state-
ments so as to fit into some system.

Creedal standards, first of all, form something of
a compendium or digest of the great truths of the Bible, a
resume' of its leading contents. The second reason for a
written creed is that it may serve as a bond of union and
fellowship of like-minded followers of Christ. A third
reason has at times been the need of furnishing outsiders,

particularly government, with official statements of what

 

15. Ibid., Chapter VIII.

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28

was really believed by the group of believers, in the

face of calumny which provoked persecution, or to prove
that all could not be charged with the extreme views
possibly held by a few. A fourth reason for a creed has
resulted from activity of people within the church, pro-
pagating views undermining fundamentals or drawing per-
nicious inferences, so that re-statements were needed, or
more careful defining and elaborating. Finally, a written
creed renders service as a standard of orthodoxy for
preachers and teachers of a given denomination. In case
difficulties or different sentiments regarding them should
arise in the mind, these are not to be proposed, taught or
defended in public until first revealed or submitted to
the consistory, classis or synod. The latter is part of
the formula of subscription which all ministers sign upon
entering the ministry. It is most rigidly enforced.

The creedal standards, often called the three form-
ulas of unity or articles of concord, which all ministers
and officials of the Church must subscribe to are (1) The
HeidelbergCatechism; (2) The Netherlands Confession of
Faith; and (3) The Canons of Dordrecht.

The first doctrinal standard as printed in the
Psalters is the Heidelberg Catechism. It was drawn up in

1563 for Frederick the Pious of the Palatinate to "in-
. struct the people of his domain in the fundamentals of

29

the Christian religion as he had embraced them in the
Reformed presentation as distinct from the Lutheran."16

The Netherlands Confession is the older of the
documents, covering the same field in a different way.

The Canons of Dordrecht are answers to the Arminian
"Remonstrance" dealing with five fundamental doctrines.
Arminius taught (1) that God's decree of election was
based on foreseen faith; (2) that the Atonement of Christ
was general for all who would accept Him; (3) that man
accepts the Gospel according to his own arbitrary choice;
(4) that God's grace is resistable, and (5) that a be-
liever may fall from grace.

The Heidelberg Catechism is the one most commonly
used, as it is the basis of a sermon each Sunday. But
the arguments used in the Canons of Dort are frequently
used in sermons, catechetical classes and Bible study
groups.

Church Visitation. A great deal of care is taken
to assure that all officials subscribe to absolutely sound
doctrine. To make this doubly sure, annual church visita-
tion by delegates from its classis is regularly practiced
in the denomination. In 1922 the synod approved an ex-
tensive set of figlgs :2; Church Visitation. Among other

things, all church books are inspected; the record of

 

16. Ibid., p. 188.

30

the visitation is kept in classical archives, and report
made to classis. There are questions to be asked of the
entire consistory, and also a number in the absence of
each group, the preacher, the elders and the deacons. In-
quiry is made regarding two services per Sunday, Heidel-
berg Catechism preaching at at least one service, four
Lord's Supper celebrations per year, catechetical class-
es, church discipline, lodge memberships, Christian
Schools, how well the minister performs his duties, as
also the elders and deacons.l7
A Special duty of the elders is to watch that the
minister does not preach false doctrine. At each meet-
ing of the classis, delegates from each church are asked,
"Is Church discipline exercised?"
Article 55 of the Church Order reads:
To ward off false doctrines and errors that multi-
ply exceedingly through heretical writings, the
ministers and elders shall use the means of teach-
ing, of refutation, or warning, and of admonition,
as well in the ministry of the Word as in Christian
teaching and family-visiting.18
Advocacy of any doctrines at variance with that of

the Church is always a serious matter that is strictly
dealt W1 th e

 

17. William Stuart and Gerrit Hoeksema, Rules 2:
Order for the Christian Reformed Church. Grand Rapids,

-_*M“

Zondervan Publishing House, 1935, pp.—54 and 65.
18. Ibid., p. 65.

iwa1‘.‘l‘§~fi Macaw?” 4: ~11”... éfiflm‘ ..r~.. \

 

 

31

This procedure is a great unifying factor in the
denomination for it assures uniformity of practice and
doctrine in all parts of the country. The church is a
very closely-knit institution with the membership having
a very strong sense of belonging. In fact this is so
strong that few people move to places where there is no
Christian Reformed Church.

The general atmosphere of the denomination is one
of constant effort to guard against deviation of thought
and practice. Discipline is strong and severe. The
church is small enough for all the preachers to know each
other, and some enjoy the reputation of being the watch-
dogs of the fold. Therefore everybody is very careful.
It is easy to get into trouble so the old and tried ways
,are faithfully trod by all.

However, now and again someone writes or preaches
something that is questioned. Then follows a session of
synod, a good share of which is taken up with trying the
case. Never has an accused been acquitted. Recantations,
schisms or withdrawals are the inevitable result. And
this often over matters that in most other churches would
not have created an issue.

Ihg Qonsistory and Qhuggh_Discipline. The govern-
ing body of every congregation is the consistory which is
composed of the minister, elders and deacons. These are

elected by a majority vote of the male members in good

32

standing, upon nomination of the consistory. Two names
are pr0posed for each office. To quote from a letter:
The nominations are announced two Sundays, and
if objections are received concerning any one,
they must be voiced at a meeting of the consistory
following the second announcement. If the charges
are sustained, another nomination is made. A member
nominated may not refuse except for very good and
proved reasons in the eyes of the consistory. We
believe that the Holy Spirit directs in a Special
way in the work of making nominations, there being
only One King in the Church, namely the Lord Jesus
Christ, Who thru His Spirit and Word guides the con-
sistory. It is asked of the chosen one at his in-
stallation, whether he believes that he was called to
the office by the Consistory and by Christ Himsi%f.
That makes it a very serious matter all around. ,
Members at Manhattan serve for two years with half retir-
ing each year. Often members are reelected. The number
of members increases with the size of the church. In4
Manhattan the number has been thirteen since 1931. The
consistory meets regularIy once a month with the minister
as chairman. Routine matters of congregational business
are first disposed of, and then matters of congregational
welfare are considered. It is the duty of the consistory
to watch over the congregation, and to investigate and
attempt to settle all matters of aggravated difficulty.
Members are expected to attend church services regularly,
and to participate in the feast of the Lord's Supper.
Any one neglecting these duties is called upon by the min-

ister and elders, and questioned. Any moral delinquency

 

19. Private letter from the pastor at Manhattan.

 

 

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33

involving the breaking of one of the Ten Commandments,

or serious infringement of civil law, or participation

in "worldly amusements" is investigated, and dealt with
by the consistory according to the Church Order.

I Corinthians 11:27-29 reads, "Wherefore, who-
soever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the
Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood
of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let
him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that
eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh dam-
nation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."
Matthew 5:23-24 reads, "Therefore, if thou bring thy
gift to the alter, and there rememberest that thy brother
hath ought against thee, leave there thy gift before the
alter, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother,
and then come and offer thy gift." These passages have a
profound influence upon a sincerely religious people. If
any very serious difficulty exists between individuals,
they dare not attend Holy Communion. On the other hand,
they dare not stay away either. There are many cases
where difficulties have been adjusted before the celebra-
tion of the Lord's Supper.

Matthew 18:15-17 reads, "Moreover, if thy brother
trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between
thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee, thou hast gain-
ed thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take

34

with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or
three witnesses every word may be established. And if
he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church;
but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto
thee as an heathen man and a publican." Regarding this,
Articles 73 and 74 of the Church Order state: "Secret
sins of which the sinner repents, after being admonished
by one person in private or in the presence of two or
three witnesses, shall not be laid before the consistory,"
and, "If any one, having been admonished in love concern-
ing a secret sin by two or three persons, does not give
heed, or otherwise has committed a public sin, the matter
shall be reported to the Consistory."20 Great stress is
laid in the Church upon following this procedure. When
anyone brings a matter before the Consistory he is asked
if he has been to the brother himself. If not, he is
requested so to do.

If this procedure does not produce the desired
result, the matter is turned over to the consistory to
act. If, as a result of consistorial efforts, the sinner
is repentant, Article 75 of the Church Order prescribes:

The reconciliation of all such sins as are of their
nature of a public character, or have become public
because the admonition of the Church was despised,

shall take place (upon sufficient evidence of re-
pentance) in such manner as the Consistory shall

 

20. Stewart and Hoeksema, p. 98.

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35

deem conducive to the edification of each Church.
Whether in particular cases this shall take place
in public, shall, when there is a difference of'
opinion about it in the Consistory, be considered
with the advice of two neighboring Churches or of
the Classis.21

A ruling on a specific case by the Synod of 1908
reads:

In case of transgression of the Seventh Commandment
before marriage, the form of confession is left to
the discretion of the Consistory, provided the con-
fession is made at least before the whole Consistory.
The advisability of announcement of the names to the
congregation shall be determined by the Consistory
in each case. 2

Article 76 reads:

Such as obstinately reject the admonition of the
Consistory, and likewise those who have committed

a public or otherwise gross sin, shall be suspended
from the Lord's Supper. And if he, having been
suspended, after repeated admonitions, shows no signs
of repentance, the Consistory shall at last proceed
to the extreme remedy, namely, excommunication,
agreeably to the form adopted for that purpose ac-
cording to the Word of God. But no one shall be ex-
communicated except with the consent of Classis.23

However, before resorting to excommunication, the
sinner shall be dealt with according to instructions given
in Article 77.

After the suspension from the Lord's Table, and sub-
sequent admonitions, and before proceeding to excom-
munication, the obstinacy of the sinner shall be
publicly made known to the congregation, the offense
explained, together with the care bestowed upon him,
in reproof, suspension from the Lord's Supper, and

 

21. Ibid., p. 99.
22. Loc. Cit.
23. Loc. Cit.

36

repeated admonition, and the congregation shall be
exhorted to speak to him and to pray for him. There
shall be three such admonitions. In the first the
name of the sinner shall not be mentioned that he be
somewhat spared. In the second, with the consent of
the Classis, his name shall be mentioned. In the
third, the congregation shall be informed that (un-
less he repent) he will be excluded from the fellow-
ship of the Church, so that his excommunication, in
case he remains obstinate, may take place with the
tacit approbation of the Church. The interval be-
tween the admonitions shall be left to the discre-
7tion of the Consistory.24

Very seldom is there an excommunication in the
Church at Manhattan. USually a person liable to censure
is one who holds his Church membership lightly, and he ,
therefore resigns before censure is ever instituted.
However, it must be remembered that members have the
right of appeal to the Classis and finally to the Synod.
Almost every Synod has appeals of one kind or another to
deal with.

If the sinner be a minister, elder or deacon,
Article 79 prescribes:

When Ministers of the Divine Word, Elders or
Deacons,have committed any public, gross sin, which
is a disgrace to the Church or worthyof punishment
by the Authorities, the Elders and Deacons shall
immediately by preceding sentence of the Consistory
thereof and of the nearest Church, be suspended or
expelled from their office, but the Ministers shall
only be suspended. Whether these shall be entirely
deposed from office, shall be subject to the judg-
ment of the Cigssis, with the advice of the Delegates
of the Synod.

 

24. Ibid., p. 100.
25. Ibid., p. 101.

37

The sins by officials worthy of such punishment
are listed thus in Article 80:

Furthermore among the gross sins, which are worthy
of being punished with suspension or deposition from
office, these are the principal ones: false doctrine
or heresy, public schism, public blasphemy, simony,
faithless desertion of office or intrusion upon that
of another, perjury, adultery, fornication, theft,
acts of violence, habitual drunkenness, brawling,
filthy lucre; in short, all sins and gross offenses,
as render the perpetrators infamous before the world,
and which in any private member of the CBgrch would
be considered worthy of excommunication.

The work of the Consistory in settling difficul-
ties is kept secret up to the point of censure. The
records of proceedings are therefore necessarily secret
and not open to public inspection. Article 81 states:

The Ministers of the Word, Elders and Deacons,

shall before the celebration of the Lord's Supper
exercise Christian censure among themselves and in
a friendly spirit admonish one angther with regard
to the discharge of their office. 7

All these rules are not merely items in the Church
Order, but are functioning factors in the church at Man-
hattan. Church authorities really act according to these
rules.

The Ministry. A ministerial vacancy is filled by
"calling" another minister or candidate. The consistory

nominates a trio of pastors who seem to them desirable

choices. These names are announced for two Sundays at

 

f

26. Ibid., p. 102.

27. Loc. cit.

38

church services and published in the church press. Then
a congregational meeting comprising all male members in
good standing elects the one to be called. Two weeks
are allowed such a one to accept or decline the call. If
unsuccessful the procedure is repeated. This happened
for three years at Manhattan between 1913 and 1916. Min-
isters did not care to come to this isolated Dutch col-
ony. Finally the brother of a prominent member came for
family health reasons. Since then the congregation has
been continuously supplied with a pastor. But at present
the difficulty lies in getting a change of pastors.
The preachers of the Christian Reformed Church
are, without exception, highly trained men. Since 1927
the requirements for ordination have been a college de-
gree plus three years of theological training. With
very few exceptions, the minister is still the most high-
ly educated man in his congregation. Add to this his
ordination to the ministry, and he has tremendous pres-
tige with his pe0ple.
As the Lord's spokesman, he reads and preaches

the Word, administers the sacraments, and blesses

the peOple. He also serves as the mouth of the

pe0ple of God in confessing sin, igaimploring His

mercies, and in praising His Name.

In the realm of religion, doctrine, theology, and the
Bible generally, he is the authority. Here and there,

 

28. H. E. Ryskamp, The Dutch in‘WesterniMichigm
Unpublished Doctor's Dissertation, University of Michi-
gan. 1930

39

there may be a layman who has become an expert in theol-
ogy, who might dare to question him on obscure points,
but generally the pastor's voice is supreme. However,
he is under the strict control of his brethren through
the ecclesiastical organizations of classes, and synod.
Preachers cannot overstep the bounds of a strict creed.
In recent years, a number have been tried by synod for
such causes.

Of course a great deal depends upon the personal-
ity and tact of the preacher. There are some who do not
possess the confidence of the majority of their people,
with the result that their influence is greatly lessened.
And when their reputation spreads very far, they do not
receive calls to other churches, thus seriously vic-
timizing their unfortunate congregations. The latter
seem to have no recourse under the Presbyterian system.
Occasionally congregations suffer great losses on this
account.

The average pastor is usually thoroughly conver-
sant with the troubles of his flock. A tactful minister
helps adjust many difficulties before they become too
aggravated. On the other hand, some are the cause of
much unnecessary trouble. Their great knowledge of creed
and doctrine tends to make them self-important, dicta-

torial and tactless.

40

The denomination is extremely conservative and
doctrinaire. Any hint of liberalism or modernism is ut-
terly taboo. The preachers are the guardians of ortho-
doxy and are all too prone to denounce any new suggestion.
Creative imagination, initiative, new forms of culture,
and social events of a different kind are often frowned
upon as instruments of the devil that will lead the peo-
ple, especially the youth, astray. The criterion of con-
duct is always what has been.

The Christian Reformed preachers tend to be very
exclusive, seldom associating with those of other denomi-
nations. They tend to be polemical and militant in their
ideas, so they find it impossible to cooperate with others
who believe differently. They will never allow ministers
of other denominations in their pulpits except on the
very rarest of occasions, and then not for a regular wor-
ship service.

Neither are they active in civic affairs. Pure
personal religion is their whole interest; everything
else is considered secular. Discussing social, political
or economic problems from the pulpit is utterly taboo.
Textual exegesis is the prevailing form of sermon. In-
terpreting and explaining the Word of God is the minister's

special mission--not promoting reform.

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41

Being conservative and doctrinaire in religion,
the preachers, and people too, tend to be conservative
in secular life as well. The status quo, or even the
past, is usually supported. The "backward-look" prevails.
There is little evidence of creative imagination grap-
pling with great present problems in a realistic manner.
Synods seldom discuss or pass resolutions on social ques-
tions. This can be partially explained by the intense
other-wordly interest of the church and its strong super-
naturalism. They seem to feel that God rules the world
very much like an immense puppet show. The pastor at
Manhattan stated in a sermon, "If the Lord wants to send
rain, He will; if in His plans there is to be no rain,
there won't. You can be sure of that." They believe
that man by his own efforts, can do little or nothing.
God rules the world according to His own will, and ac-
cording to a predestined plan. They seem to have no idea
of the great social and economic forces that control men's
lives. To them the world's problems are the result of
sin, and sin will always remain until the judgment day.
The redeemed are relatively few, so man's efforts are
well nigh senseless. It is God's grace only that brings
about change.

ghppph Liturgy. The Christian Reformed Church is

not a liturgical church, but through the centuries certain

42

forms and prayers for Special occasions have gained com-
mon acceptance and finally, synodical authority. Most of
these date back to near Reformation days with some minor
revisions since. Forms for Baptism and Administering

the Lord's Supper came first, followed in order by those
for Excommunication, Readmitting Excommunicated Persons,
Ordination of Ministers of God's Word, Ordination of Elders
and Deacons (revised 1934), For the Installation of Pro-
fessors of Theology, Ordination of Missionaries, and
finally, the Form for the Solemnization of Marriage.

The latter was adopted only in 1934. The Form used be-
fore that dated from 1566 and was entitled Confirmation

of Marriage Before the Church. "Confirmation" in the
title was due to the situation in the Netherlands where
civil magistrates solemnized the marriage while the Church
confirmed it. The main objection to the old form was

that it did not sufficiently bring out the Christian
character of marriage.

However, the 1934 Synod did not adopt the Dutch
version of the new marriage Form, but decided to continue
the use of the old Form, or whatever new Form might be
adopted by the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands.29
This shows how closely the church is associated with the
old country in psychology and practices.

 

29. Henry Beets, The Christian Reformed Church 1p
North America, p. 194. .

 

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43

Distinctive Principles
cf the

Christian Reformed Church

There are certain distinctive principles and prac-
tices to which the Christian Reformed Church including the
Manhattan congregation, adheres.

(l) Militant Calvinism. First of all the Church
is distinctively and militantly Calvinistic. The main
doctrines of Calvinism are:

(a) Predestination or election-~the purpose or
decree of God from eternity respecting all events; eSpe-
cially the preordination of men to everlasting happiness
or misery.

(b) Total depravity-~The entire sinfulness or moral
depravity of man, which is due to original sin and in
which he remains until regenerated by the influence of
the Spirit of God.

(c) Perseverance of the saints--Continuance in a
state of grace until it is succeeded by a state of glory.
This is the opposite of the Methodist "backslider" concept.

(d) Limited atonement--The righteousness of Christ
'was accepted by the Divine Father as a substitute for the
righteousness of mankind lost through the fall of Adam
and Eve. The suffering and death of Christ were accepted

as an equivalent of the punishment justly incurred by

44

mankind; men being consequently released from punishment,
on condition of their acceptance, through faith, of
Christ's sacrifice.

(e) Effectual Calling--The Holy Spirit produces
conviction of sin and acceptance of salvation by Christ.

Calvinism especially emphasises the sovereignty
of God in the bestowal of grace. God of His free grace
promises eternal blessedness to all who believe in Christ
as the revealed Savior.

(2) Preaching pf php Heidelberg Catechism. A sec-
ond distinctive practice of the Christian Reformed Church
is regular, compulsory preaching of the Heidelberg Cate-
chism. Article 38 of the Church Order insists that mini-
sters expound regularly the fifty-two Lord's Days of the
Heidelberg Catechism. The reasons advanced for this
practice are the following:

(a) It keeps a living contact with the past of our
people. . . .

(b) Catechism-preaching constitutes a living bond
of union between the different congregations of the
denomination . . . in a world full of change. It
means a real, living uniformity of belief, . . . such
as no Confession can bring about. Confessions are
but seldom read, whereas a Catechism explained regu-
larly, gets into the very warp and woof of our intel-
lectual and spiritual life.

(c) Catechism-preaching presents the truths of the
Bible as a system. The doctrines of God's Word form
one systematic whole. . . .

(d) Catechism-preaching safeguards the preacher from.

one-sidedness in his treatment of Bible truth. . . .

45

(e) The usefulness of Catechism-preaching is shown
in the fact that unpleasant as well as pleasant things
can be presented without shocking the congregation.

(f) Catechism-preaching is useful because it mag-
nifies religion as a living, soul-saving revelation,
requiring personal embracing of God's truth and God's
Savior.

(g) The systematic preaching of the Catechism equips
the church member to defend his faith 38d propagate
it. He acquires great self-assurance.

(3) Catechetical Instruction. A third distinc-
tive practice of the Church is regular catechetical in-
struction of the children. Its purpose is to indoctrinate
them in the teachings of the church, to

bring the children of the Covenant of grace to spiri-
tual and ecclesiastical maturity, to a walking in
Covenant ways, to inherit the blessings of the Cove-
nant, to build up the Church and to assist in carrying
out its mission. 1 ‘
The character of this instruction is "religious, ecclesi-
astical, authoritative, and elementary." All the children
of the church are eXpected to attend regularly the classes
provided, which are usually taught by the minister. The
elders of the church check on those who fail to attend.
Parents are disciplined for persistent neglect in sending
their children.
(4) Christian School. Fourthly, the Church, where-

ever possible, maintains free Christian schools. That was

 

30. Ibid., p. 213.
31. Ibid., p. 217.

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46

one of the main reasons for the early Dutch immigration.
The Church maintains that the child really belongs to its
parents, not to the State or Church. Therefore, the first
responsibility for education lies with the parents. The
church may advise and urge, but not usurp, while the

State may only regulate. Therefore Christian parents are
urged to form a Christian School Society, elect their own
board, erect a building, select and pay the teachers and,
in general, run the school to their liking under State
supervision.

(5) Th2 Separated Lifg. The fifth distinctive
practice of the Christian Reformed Church is the laying
of great stress upon the "separated life." God's people
are a "peculiar people." "Be not unequally yoked with
unbelievers," is the apostolic injunction. This applies
to marriages and many other relationships of life. Es-
pecially in two matters is the principle applied--secret
orders and worldly amusement. This is further discussed
in Chapter VIII, RECREATION AND SOCIAL LIFE.

(6) Egalm Singing. The last distinctive practice
is the use of Psalms rather than hymns in the Church wor-
ship service. Until 1932 the Church used only the Psalter
in divine worship. The motto was: "In God's House

nothing but God's Word, also in song." Calvin himself

47

stated,
When we sing them (Psalms) we are certain of it that
God puts these words into ougzmouths as if He Himself
sang in us to His own glory.
One of the most serious charges against the Church by the
seceders, both in the Netherlands and in America, was that
hymns were sung to the exclusion of Psalms. And what was
worse, many of the hymns were doctrinally unsound, taint-
ed with Arminianism.

(a) Th; Hymp Question. In 1928, however, for the
first time, the matter of introducing hymns in public
worship was brought to the synod.

No fewer than nine classes, and one Consistory had
sent overtures concerning this matter, some favoring
:nggggfiringgggiigiiggdogttfié gigggiogegiring a

a a

The following material dealing with the "Hymn
Question" is presented as an illustration of how thorough-
ly and in what detail a subject is analyzed and discussed
by the synod before any change is made affecting the
practices of the church.

The traditional arguments against hymns were as
follows:

(1) God has given but one collection of Psalms in
Holy Scripture, viz., the Old Testament Psalms, and that

 

32. Ibid., p. 208, quoted by Beets.

33. Special report of the Hymn Committee of the
1930 Synod.

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these were designed also for the New Testament Church.
The New Testament contains no poetical books, no psalms.
So God intended that only Old Testament Psalms be sung,
otherwise He would have given poetical works in His

New Testament.

(2) The Psalms excel in spiritual depth.

(3) Psalm singing is more expressive of the unity
with the Church of all ages.

(4) Yet hymns, once introduced, have always sup-
planted the Psalms, so that man's work superceded the
work of God.

The arguments for using hymns were as follows:

(1) Holy Scripture says nothing concerning the use
of hymns in public worship, neither for nor against.
Therefore the matter of singing is left to the freedom
of the New Testament churches.

(2) Hymns need not be in the exact language of
scripture because

Scripture teaches us that in Public Worship the free
expression of divine truth in human language is in
accordance with the will of God and divinely in-
stituted.34

Preaching and praying constitute instances of such free-

dom of expression.

 

34. Ibid.

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49

(3) The Reformed Churches
have never condemned the free Church-song ip prin-
ciple, nor declgred that Hymns are in conflict with
Holy Scripture. 5
Even the Synod of Dordt permitted the "Bedezang voor de
Predicatie," which is truly a free song.

(4) The reformed fathers had a right to be sus-
picious of hymns in their day, under their special cir—
cumstances. But that does not argue that our attitude
should not change for our day under different circumstances.

(5) It is agreed that Psalm-singing is important
and necessary, but it need not be exclusive. Hymns will

enable believers of the New Testament to sing the
praise of the God of their salvation as revealed in
Christ with New Testament tongues. Without Hymns

this can only be done in the Old Testament language

of hopefully expectant prophecy, not in the New Tes-
tament language of jubilant fulfilment. Is it not

the high calling of the Church to make such New Testa-
ment singing possible? Is it not also for the ful-
filling of this task that she gas received the
anointing of the Holy Spirit?3

(6) An untenable situation as to hymns already
exists. New German Churches and those of Classis Hacken-
sack in New York State have for some time been allowed
the freedom of using hymns, while most of the churches
are strictly forbidden their use.

The 1928 Synod appointed a committee to investi-

gate the entire Hymn Question from all points of view;

 

35. Ibid.

50

and if found feasible, to compile a sufficient number of
sound hymns for approval of the Synod of 1930. After very
arduous labors the committee compiled and printed one hun-
dred ninety-seven hymns for the approval of synod. The
language of many of these hymns was revised to make them
more doctrinally sound or appr0priate.

The 1930 Synod then instructed the committee to
revise Article 69 of the Church Order

in such a way that the singing of the 150 Psalms of

David shall remain a requirement for our public wor-

ship, but that our churches shall have the freedom

also to sing a greater number of Synodically-approved

hymns than is now permitted.36
The number of hymns was finally reduced from one hundred
ninety-three to one hundred thirty-eight. The report was
finally accepted by the 1932 Synod. Today the Manhattan
congregation sings at least one hymn at each English ser-
vice, although the consistory had overtured synod not to
allow the introduction of hymns.

The Synod of 1934 also granted permission to the
Holland speaking churches to sing hymns that were accepted
by the last synod of the Reformed Church in the Nether-
lands, but these have not as yet been introduced into the
Dutch services at Manhattan or anywhere else.

The settlement of the hymn question is an illus-

tration of how change gradually creeps into orthodoxy.

 

36. Acts of Synod, 1930.

51

New attitudes in the minds of the people create new in-
terpretations or attitudes towards Scripture. If Scrip-
ture can be drafted to support a change, or at least not
to disapprove, then change is possible.

(b) Choirs. The Synod of 1926 for the first time
allowed churches, at the discretion of their consistories,
to introduce choir singing. However, the synod discouraged
it as a distinct element of public worship on the fol-
lowing grounds:

(1) The danger exists that congregational singing
shall be curtailed.

(2) If the choir sings separately, there is the
difficulty of maintaining the principle of Article 69
(about Psalm singing) of the Church Order. In 1928 Synod
warned consistories having choirs that

they exercise close supervision regarding the mem-
bership of the choir and permit the sin ing of no
gfiggzhwgiggrags not included in Article 69 of our
In 1930 Synod declared that anthems which quote scripture
exactly may be sung by church choirs.38 No choirs have

ever sung in worship services at Manhattan. It will be

interesting to watch when the Choral Society sings its

 

37. William Stuart and Gerrit Hoeksema Rplpp pi
.Qrder for the Christian Reformed Church, p. 88.

38. Ibid.

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52

first numbers before a regular Sunday congregation, as is
done in some of the Michigan churches occasionally.
Internal Changp. The Christian Reformed Church,
however, is not entirely free from internal ferment. Its
membership and clergy do not live in a vacuum. They live
under the constant bombardment of changing economic, po-
litical and social conditions in the world, so new ideas
and attitudes are bound to deve10p. Dr. Beets states
the situation well:

The great World War shook the whole of humanity.
The church, a part of this humanity, could not es-
cape the upsetting of things and the changing of
thoughts involved in this. Moreover, Protestant
North America, to confine ourselves to that, is
rapidly changing. The acceptance and application of
the hypothesis of Evolution has brought forward
"Old foes with new faces": Rationalism including
Higher Criticism as it undermines Bible authority,
Materialism, and Worldliness. These foes from with-
out are also threatening us more and more, since
the former barriers of language isolation and lack
of means to obtain culture are practically removed.
Besides these there are indications, or at least
charges made, that our differences are no longer as
before, intraconfessional, but much deeper and broad-
er. 0 O 0

We do not view the future without apprehension
as we note statements volunteered in some periodi-
cals about Psalms vs Hymns, calls for change in Cate-
chism preaching, a questioning of the value of creedal
statements, etc. Moreover, such books as Dr. James
Orr's The Progress 9: Dogma and the agitation in the
Netherlands Churches about the "extension of the con-
fession," will not fail to bring up new issues among
us. What has been called "the urgent need of a
theology which expresses the social aSpects of Christ's
Gospel with the same emphasis as the New Testament"
. . . "the need of the modern church, requiring in
addition to the well-tested theologiCQl fundamentals,
the formulation and authoritative adoption of ethical

 

 

53

and social dogmas," (Vollmer, New Testament Sociol-
ogy, pp. 269 ff.), that, too, will not leave the
Christian Reformed Church in America untouched. . . .

In the Calvinist of September 15, 1917, the Rev.
W. Groen wrote about "The Difficulties that the
Christian Reformed Church must Overcome in Solving
its Problem of Americanization." He asked: "Can
these churches retain their distinctive features and
flourish as the influence of the religious and church
life of the Netherlands becomes weaker, and our peo-
ple are assimilated by the growing American nation?"
The first difficulty, he stated was the lack of a
single vivid historical background. Three movements
are involved in the growth of the denomination: of
1857, of 1881 and the influence from the Nether-
lands since 1890. "The last has an overwhelming
influence. However, the break with the Netherlands
must come sooner or later, and as a result there will
arise the question: Can the Church be self-sustain-
ing after such a break, or shall this prove fatal?
The answer depends upon whether or not these churches
can reconstruct their historical background and cre-
ate for themselves a definite task for the future."

The second difficulty, it was asserted by Rev.
Groen, would be that of applying a strict discipline
even over the industrial lives of the membership—-
in view of the spirit of American economic principles,
and the third one proceeded, it was said from Amer-
ican religious life, which cares, as a rule, little
for purity of faith and doctrinal distinctions.

No doubt, there are "breakers ahead."39
Even amongst the clergy there seems to be some
ferment, for Dr. Beets writes
At the Synod of 1920 the significant terms "progressives"
and "conserggtives" were used repeatedly without being
challenged.

Dr. Ryskamp also reports a younger element in the church

centering in Calvin College and Grand Rapids who are working

 

39. Henry Beets, The Christian Reformed Church gp
W: PP- 93'95-

54

for what seems to some as radical innovations. There
is also a criticism of too powerful clerical domination
in the church. But the conservative element is still
in the great majority.

. AA _.-. ——
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4

.. ..

 

CHAPTER IV
THE MANHATTAN CHURCH AS AN INSTITUTION

mg HollandjyegpGallatianresbyperian _C_h_u_r_c_h_. It
will be recalled that Rev. A. J. Wormser, who brought the
first Dutch settlers to Manhattan, was a Home Missionary
of the Presbyterian Church. He naturally led his charges
religiously into that denomination, although they could
speak no English. They called themselves the Holland
West Gallatin Presbyterian Church. They first met of-
ficially during the last of October, 1893, in a granary
belonging to one of the members. The first consistory
meeting was held October 27, 1893, when it was decided
to start "home visitation" immediately, to check up on
the spirituality of the people.l*0 This group had set-
tled at the far south end of the valley on the high table
land owned by the irrigation company for which Rev.

Wormser acted as agent.

The next year other Dutch came from various parts
of the United States, but settled nearer Manhattan in
the north end of the valley, on lower ground. A distance
of about seven miles separated the groups, a distance

which was considerable in the horse and buggy days.

 

40. Original minutes of the church.

56

Each group had its own organization and held separate ser-
vices in school houses, but shared the same preacher."l
As other settlers came in, the matter of where to build
a permanent church became a most vexing and heated prob-
lem, each group demanding that it be near them.
,1hp_Cpngregation.Becomes‘Christiap fieforme .
About 1900 a Home'Missionary of the Dutch Reformed Church
visited the settlement, but he considered the prOSpects
poor. Later in 1903 Rev.‘William Stuart of the Christian
Reformed Church stopped while enroute to the Pacific
Coast. He decided that conditions were favorable and
so took matters in hand. Church and spiritual life were
at a low ebb. He ministered to the congregation which
comprised only twenty~five families at that time; helped
settle difficulties; reorganized the two groups; and
directed the building of a lovely church.mideway between
them.at the present location, now commonly called Church
Hill. He preached the dedicatory sermon on April 8,
1904. The congregation then became officially known as
the Christian Reformed Church of Manhattan, Montana.
The change from the Presbyterian Church was logical,
because most of the peeple had belonged to the Christian
Reformed Church in the Netherlands or elsewhere in
America.

 

41. Ibid.

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57

Ggpwth and Expansion. By this time the news of 57
the new settlement had spread far and wide through the
Holland language press and by correspondence. It was a
prosperous period, promising a glowing future. A steady
flow of new settlers began to arrive, many of them from
the Netherlands. ‘Within a very few years the church had
been out-grown. (Membership growth is shown by Figure
4.) So in 1910, a new twenty-three thousand dollar edi-
fice was constructed with a seating capacity of six
hundred. (See Figure 3.) It is believed to be the
largest distinctly rural church west of the Mississippi
‘River. The first plans for the church were rather mod-
est, but various additions made it quite an imposing
structure. Pledges were taken to cover the first set of
plans so money was borrowed for the additions. As is
often the case, expenses ran higher than anticipated and
a few people failed to honor their pledges. As a result,
there is still today, thirty years later, a four thou-
sand dollar debt upon the building. Some say that this
Could and should have been paid off long ago, but no sys-
tematic plan has been made to liquidate it. However, a
large beautiful parsonage was later built; the bell re-
placed three tinas; electricity installed; a new heating
plant put in; and the property kept in good repair.

A succession of five pastors (Figure 3) have served
the church with one period of three years (1913-1916)

 

 

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CELEBRATION
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Twenty/Fifth
Anniversary

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Christian Reformed Church

of Manhattan, Montana

 

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September 25, 1928

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PROGRAM

_. .- A— n. -

TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
‘ of the
Christian} Refermed Church of Manhattan. Manta“
September 25, 1928

 

7:30 P. Me

l—Organ Voluntary

2—Processional (A) ...... . ............. Mrs. John LeFebre
'3—Doxology, “Praise God” (A) .............................. Audience, standing
4—Invocation (H) ............. ...,....................Albert H. Bratt, Pastor

S—Psalm 122:1 (H) .................................................................. Audience

6—«Scripture Reading (H) Psalm 90 .................. Our Nestor, J. H. Bos
7—Apost1es’ Creed (H) .... ..................... . .................... .. ................... Pastor
8—Response (H) Av ondzang 7 ................................................ Audience
9—Psalter No. 125 (A) ........................................................... Audience
lO—Historical Sketch of Church (H) .................................. Elder E. Bos
11—Occasional Sermon ............ . ................... The Rev. A. Guikema
12—Sermonette (A) ................. - .................. The Rev. A. H. Selles, F. M.
lZ—Psalm 68:10 (H) ................................................................ Audience
14—Commemoratory Prayer ....................................................... Pastor
l5—Orchestra ........... . ........................................... ................... Our Own
16—Recitation ....................................................... ‘ ...... J ohn Weidenaar
l7—Announcements ................................ Martin Wybenga, Sec. Y. P. S.
l8—Psalter No. 393 (A) .............................................................. Audience
19—Short‘Address (5 min.) . ....................... The Rev. M. Borduin, H. M.
20—Brief Speech (5 min.) ......... ....................... The Rev. J. Homan
21—Oration (5 min.) .............................................. The Rev. J. W. Brink
22—Psalm 150 (H) .......... . ................................................ Audience
23—A Message (2 min.) ............................... ........... The Rev. J. Mulder
24—Reflecti0ns (2 min.) ............. The Rev. P. Hoekstra
26—Orati0n (2 min.) ..................... ........... The Rev. D. H. MuyskenS
27—Mixed Quartette .................................................................. Our Own

28—Greetings ..-.Dr. Walter J. Feely, Presbyterian Church Manhattan
29—Offertory and Announcements.

, {ED—Refreshments, served in church

Bl—Closing
82—Postlude ................................................................ Mrs. John LeFebre

A J A - ‘ ‘ -A _ -
fl —1 fi

We are happy to announce that Classis Pacific of the Christian
Refmmed Church w ill low us in our festn 1t1es and help us to maket
celebration a success D

(Simon Cole is also an elder of the church... His name was omitted in the WWW
write-up 0n the back page of this program)

 

1h“

 

THE. REV. J. HOLWERDA
FIRST MINISTER—1904 TO 1908

 

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THE REV. A. B. VOSS
FOUMH MINISTER-4923 To 1927

 

 

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1

ITEMS OF INTEREST ANENT OUR PAST HISTORY

We may divide our history into two periods. In the first period we belonged to the
Presbyterian Church. and in the second period we are part of the Christian Reformed
Church of North America.

First Period—1893 to 1903

The Holland immigrants were organized into a Presbyterian Church by the Rev. A.
Wormser. Superintendent of Domestic Mission in Montana. and were served by three
ministers. D. E. Dueninck. J. A. Vanden Hook and H. Scholters. Church was held in a
barn at first and then in the Hill and Heeb schoolhouses. Spiritual life had its ups and
downs and incompatibility icon developed. In spite of the good olfices of the Presbytery
at Helena. Montana. the Hollanders did not feel at home in the new Church. Members
of the first session were: P. Van Dyken, Wm. Broekema. J. Braaksma and L. Van Dyken.

The Second Period—1903 to 1928

In 1903 the Rev. Wm. Stuart was sent by Classis Iowa of the Christian Reformed
Church to Manhattan because of news received in regard to the peculiar situation of the
Hollanders ecclesiattically. The result was the organization of the Christian Reformed
Church on June 22, 1903 with the approval and well—wishes of the Helena Presbytery.
Membership numbered luamilies and five unmarr.ed men. First consistory—Elders, J.
H. Bos. A. Elings and Wm. Eroekma; deacons. E. Bos and J. Braaksma. Presbytery
Helena gave its holdings here locally to the new congregation. At different meetings various
decisions were n.ade as iollows: On Nov. 2 it was decided that “Manhattan" should be
the official narre of the Church and that there be only one place of congregating. Church-
hill being chosen. J. Weidenaar donated two acres of land. On Nov. 8 it was decided
that $200.00 be paid to the Mission Fund each year. On Nov. 9 decision was made that
a church edifice. parsonage and horse stables be built. Feb. 6. 1904, permission was asked
to call a minister when Classis met. On April 18 it was decided that Rev. Wm. Stuart be
called as first minister and that Aprilzs slould be the date of the dedication of the new
church edifice. Present at this dedication were the Presbyterian ministers, R. M. Donald-
son, Wilson and Vanden Hook of Bozeman. and Burrows o.‘ Manhattan. A Free Christian
was also organized. The Rev. Wm. Stuart declined the call extended. The brother left
in May 1904. At this time the Church numbered about _49_ families.

THE REV. J. HOLWERDA—1904 to 1908—First minister. Was installed by the Rev.
W‘m. Stuart. Doings: Church incorporation decided on Feb. 3. 1905. Sunday School.
Y. P. 8., Singing school, Ladies Aid and bend. “Little Holland" organized. First Church
wedding. Wm. Alberda and Miss Braaksma. Farewell sermon was on Act 20:38. At
departure congregation numbered 50 families.

THE REV. J. VANDER MEY—1908 to 1913. Inaugural sermon was on Dan. 12:3.
Happenings. Men’s Society organized. Manhattan became member of Classis Pacific.
In 1910 new church edifice built at cost of $24,378.86. Dedicated March 17. 1911. First
church bell purchased. Young peOple help finance the buying of large pipe-organ. The
Church at this time had grown to 90 families.

Vacancy 1913 to 1916. Girls’ Mission Band organized.

.THE REV. T. VANDER ARK—1913 to 1923. Installed Jan. 28. 1916. Inaugural text
Ps. 122:9. Activities: New personage built at cost of $3500. Girls' Mizsion Band decided
to support a Navaho child in Mission School. Y. P. S. organizeiin Hills. Aug. 29. 1919.
a “Home Coming Feast” in horor of the returned soldiers of our Church who had served
in the World War. One Gold Star in mexrory of Cornelius Lucas who was killed in France.
The Society for Christian Instruction dccidtd to add grades 9 and 10 to its curriculum of
instruction. In 1919 many calls for financial aid were received from sister churches in
Montana and we were able to give aid. Number of families rose to 98.

THE REV. A. B. VOSS—1923 to 1927. Inaugural text was I Cor. 2:2. Matters of
interest: Y. P. S. decided to support Zuni child. The Church agreed to care for Near
East Orphan. Advendo Club organized. Earthquake June 27, 1925. Two church bells
purchased. At farewell Cl‘urch numbered 120 families. Last society to be organized was
American Ladies Aid. 1928.

THE REV. ALBERT H. BRATT—1928. Inaugural text John 3:29, Aug. 19, 1928.
Monies received in 1927 for various purposes was 912,246.12.

The oldest and regular church attendants are Mr. J. H. Bos, 82 years old and Mrs.
Wm. Vander Schaaf, 79 years old. '

The present consistory consists of the following members: Elders—Albert Vander Ark.
John De Boer. E. Bos, N.Danhof and M. Noot; deacons. Thomas ’Iriemstra, Tunis Bolhuis.
Wm. Albert and Klass Dykema. .

Those wno were Charter Members of the Manhattan Christian Reformed Church
and are still. are J. H. Bos, P. Alberda, E. 1505. Jerry Weidcnaar, Sr., A. Brouwer.

Clerks were Wm. Broekerna. A. Vander Ark, P. Wybenga, John Klaver, P. Alberda,
Karko Kimm and John De Boer.

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FIGURE 4-A

NUMBER OF FAHILIES IN THE CHRISTIAN REFORMED
CHURCH AT MANHATTAN, MONTANA FROM 1904-1940

59

. .5... ...,..e_a....sie. ._s...54..se_ 5.2.. 3 x
. . I. . . . . r
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FIGURE 4-B
TOTAL NUMBER OF SOULS IN THE CHRISTIAN

REFORMED CHURCH AT MANHATTAN, MONTANA
FROM 1904 TO 1940

60

L.

.. .33 2&1.£.fi.. aft: 4... .53. ... x
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61

being vacant. The church is at a great distance from
any other of the denomination, so it is not the most
pleasant Situation for a preacher for he is isolated
.from all his colleagues. Some have come because of fame
ily health reasons; others because they wanted to move,
and received this call. The present pastor has been
there since 1928. Unfortunately, he has largely lost the
good will and confidence of the people. But he receives
no other call, so he cannot move. This is a most un-
pleasant impasse' inherent in the Presbyterian form of
church government. It is causing considerable discon-
tent among the peeple, which is discussed later.
Izh§_Budget. The present budget of the church is
four thousand dollars, all raised by freeawill offerings
through the envelOpe system. All donations are recorded.
For many years there was a double budget, one for Salary,
and the other for the General Fund. The Salary Fund was
assessed among the membership while the latter was raised
by church collections. At the beginning of the depres-
sion, the single budget system was begun. The minister
received fifty per cent of the total collections which
never was less than eighteen hundred dollars. on January
1, 1937, the salary was set at two thousand dollars and
became a first charge on the budget. The church seldom

runs behind on its current eXpenses.

5.23.1 ~,«$wfl.u.15.wuwm Hfiwfl Admin .gdfla I.“
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62

Two collections are taken at each service. The
first is a regular budgetary envelope collection; the
second is for stated purposes. The first Sunday of each
month is reserved for special causes like those starred
in the list below. The list is the church's report to
Classis in 1938. Those unstarred are raised by assess-
ment or quota upon each church family.

Classis Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $140.00
Classical Home Missions . . . . . . . . . . 102.45
General Home lissions . . . . . . . . . . . 36.88

CWCh Subsidy O O O O . O O C O O C O O O O 280 O 00
$2.50 per family

Church.Extension. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133.21
1.50 per family

Heathen Missions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 587.46
4.05 per family

Jewish.lissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161.05
.75 per family

Calvin College and Seminary . . . . . . . . 254.67
3.00 per family

meritus Md 0 O O O O O O O O O O O 0 O O 211 O 15
1.75 per family

Church.Help Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73.50
.50 per family

Emergency Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.00
Chicago E. H. Hissioni. . . . . . . . . . . 35.00
Hammond City'lissionfi . . . . . . . . . . . 20.00
American.Bible Societyt . . . . . . . . . . 20.00
Bethesda Sanitarium*. . . . . . . . . . . . 15.00

63

Christian Psychopathic Hospital*. . . . . . $215.00
Immigrant and Seaman's Home*. . . . . . . . 20.84
National Christian Associationt . . . . . . 21.65
National‘Union Christian Schools? . . . . . 21.65
Hollanders in South.America*. . . . . . . . 25.84
Denver Second Churchi . . . . . . . . . . . 46.42
Lord's Day Alliance*. . . . . . . . . . . . 10.00

Synodical Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . 153.50

.40 per family
Total . O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 0 $2,625.17

The second and fourth Sundays are reserved for col-
lections for the poor. In the years before direct relief,
'WPA, old age pensions, and mothers' pensions were in—
augurated, most of this fund was used in the congregation
to help those unable to pay for hOSpital care or the
like. However, in recent years this this money has been
sent to the churches of Denver and Bethesda Tuberculosis
Sanitarium, where large numbers of poorer peOple from
the East go for their health.

The third and fifth Sundays' collections go to
support the two local Christian Schools. This is di—
‘vided according to the number of pupils in each school.
The total collections per year for the schools amounts
to eight or nine hundred dollars.

m.-§§£11_22w- Two services are held
each Sunday, at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Occasionally

64

an evening meeting is held for Special purposes. For
over ten years the English and the Dutch languages were
alternately used. The morning service on the first and
third Sundays was in English, while those of the second,
fourth and fifth were in Dutch. A very large number of
the younger element is not very conversant with the
Dutch language, so they only attend the English ser-
vices. 0n the other hand, a very large per cent of the
older people were born in the Netherlands and prefer
the Dutch, so they are often absent from the English
services. As a result church services were not being
as well attended as fifteen years ago. However, this
year two Dutch preaching services per month were changed
to Dutch reading services by elders. These two services
are held in the basement at the same time as English
services in the sanctuary. This gives the preacher two
more English sermons per month.

In many congregations the language question was
a very serious problem when English services were first
proposed. Bitter q uarrels raged for a number of years,
and in some cases actually caused the organization of
new churches. In.lanhattan the change was gradual.
The first sermon in English was preached by the Rev. T.
VanderArk at a special evening service as an experiment

some time about 1920. Regular English services were
begun in 1924.

65

Besides the regular Sunday services, the following
special days are also observed: New Year's Day, Day of
Prayer, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Day, Pentecost,
Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and 01d Year's Evening.

"cages m. Dutch Calvinism is proverbially
a dour, stern, rigid and cold precept. It is highly in-
tellectual, emphasizing the intricacies of doctrine,
creed and church history. Knowledge, proof-texts, and
argumentation are its atmosphere. One senses a strong
feeling of self-assurance, if not self-sufficiency and
down—right religious egotism. They have little short of
contempt for most other denominations, especially if at
all tinged with what they call "modernism.“

As a result they are peculiarly subject to schisms.
The more doctrinaire a group is, the more likely will it
split over what others might call trivialities. Ho
deviation from doctrine is allowable. There have been
a number of ecclesiastical conflicts and trials in the
denomination with.consequent schisms. Some have been
due to ultra-conservative innovations, but most to con-
tacts with current American fundamentalist, evangelis-
tic, pre-millenial preaching. The latter preach pro-

* phetic explanation of current history and the imminence
of Christ's return. There is something warm.and appeal-

ingin it. Religion does not seem to be quite so distant

 

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V. V V A .
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66

and abstract. It appeals more to the emotions than to
the intellect. Calvinistic predestination has much of
the automatic about it. There is little emotional appeal
to the individual to exert himself. Han has no free will
in the matter. Only God's grace can save people.
. . . if as we believe, the sinner has a will that
.is free only to do evil and to disbelieve; if there
cannot be the least inclination in him to abandon
his sinful life until the Holy Spirit enters his
heart with irresistable a e, such methods are not
only unnecessary but out of place. Intense emotion-
alism, insistent appeals to come to Christ without
a moment's delay, persuading men and women to raise
their hands, enter enquiry rooms, or come to the
front and kneel in prayer-~all are poisoned with
the false supposition that the sinner himself, not
God, must take thizfirst and decisive step on the
way to salvation. ‘

This other preaching does Just that. It appeals
and persuades. It tries to do more than teach.and give
information. The general atmosphere is much less formal
and institutionalized. There is a kind of emotional
thrill and excitement about the sermon messages that
attract certain kinds of people. The emphasis upon pro-
phecy and the certainty of the speedy end of time and
the imminent return of Christ, captivates those who come
under its influence.

This influence has also been felt in Manhattan

where five schismatic groups have been formed. An

 

42. Editorial in The Hanger, Grand Rapids, Sep-
tember 29, 1938.

67

outside minister arranges to hold lectures in some school
house, and before long a few people who are dissatisfied
with the regular preacher or some church doctrine organ-
ize a new group. The first was at Amsterdam in the

heart of the settlement, where ten families have estab-
lished a Christian Hissionary Alliance Tabernacle. Four
Dutch families Joined a similar group in.Manhattan town
called the Manhattan Community Church; and ten Dutch
families are affiliated with the Bozeman Grace Gospel
Tabernacle. These three are all similar, but are what

is known as undenominational, i.e., not officially affile
iated with.any other congregation into a larger organ-
ization. The main doctrinal differences of these groups
‘with the older church concerns infant baptism, the Cove-
nant, and the doctrine of predestination. They are not
so highly organized and operate more on the faith prin-
ciple.

In.lanhattan town there is still another group
called Just "Christians," with which seven Dutch fami-
lies have affiliated. This group is at great variance
with.all the others. They do not believe in church
‘buildings and salaries for preachers. They meet in mem-
bers' homes, while their ministers travel in pairs, and
are supported by faith offerings.

68

The fifth group, known as the Protestant Reformed
Church, is only slightly different from the Christian
Reformed Church. It also meets on Church Hill nearly
next door to the big church. It had its origin in a
church schism in Grand Rapids over the question of whether
there was common grace or not. This group claims there
is no righteousness or goodness except in redeemed peo-
ple. Otherwise its doctrines and practices are the same
as the Christian Reformed Church. Thirteen families
formed this group last year. It is said that this group
left the old organization primarily because of the dis-
like for the present pastor. No doubt that is also a
contributing factor for many others leaving the church.
People find it much easier to visit these groups when
they are discontented at their own services, and thus
become subject to proselyting.

Seldom are immediate families divided on relig-
ious issues. Always it is whole families that transfer
their memberships, indicating the strength of family
loyalty among the Dutch.

Church.membership in the older organization is
too often a traditional, customary thing. Usually, some
time between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one approx-
imately, the applicant appears before the consistory to
be examdned of his faith. After having passed through

 

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69

catechetical classes, and possibly the Christian School;
and after having heard years of doctrinal sermons and
Bible study in the Young People's Society, the appli-
cant knows the proper answers to the questions. On a
succeeding Sunday he is accepted into the Church. Social
pressure about him practically forces him to this step
-it is expected of everyone. But that does not mean
that he is truly religious, having had a real religious
experience or conversion.

0n the other hand, people leave the traditional
and accepted way only with some effort and determina-
tion, usually involving conviction. Dislike of a preach-
er may be sufficient to keep them away from the regular
services of the old church, but it usually involves some
conviction to Join.with a new group. The fact is, that
large numbers of the Dutch who have left the old church
have become more religious in their new organizations.
And not a few who were only nominal church members, or
totally irreligious, have accepted the new teachings with
devotion and enthusiasm. It must also be noted that none
of these organizations is liberal or modernistic. 0n
the contrary, they are all deeply fundamentalist in
their own way.

All these schismatic groups, except the last are
much more American in their atmosphere. All the old

A... é..A_.w._:,_....,_..i..._.. we.” \

 

70

Dutch religious customs and traditions are missing; no
more Dutch language or press; no denominational connec-
tions with other Dutch groups in America; and most sig-
nificantly, each group has many American families in it.
So inevitably, their Dutch.young people are marrying
Americans which will cause these groups to lose their
Dutch identity long before the Christian Reformed group
will. Their Dutch self-consciousness is rapidly disap—
pearing. They will soon be completely assimilated.
These religious schisms naturally carry over into the
social life of the settlement. Belonging to different
churches makes deep cleavages. To quote from a private
letter
No ill will from our side, but we do feel it from the
attitude of some of the Christian Reformed peOple. . .
It seems impossible to visit with some people as our
language is different now.
At first there was a great deal of argument regarding re-
ligious doctrine, but in time that dies down.

The first three schismatic groups mentioned asso—
ciate with each other considerably, but they have abso-
lutely nothing to do with the original church group. They
have their own publications and various organizations and
activities. The fourth group mentioned remains entirely
isolated from all other groups, but they do belong to some
kind of international organization. The new Protestant

Reformed Church continues to support the Christian Schools

71

and participates in the community picnics. Many believe
that if a change in preachers were soon made in the big
church, most of this group would eventually return. Howe
ever, that is questionable for they have already built a
basement church and a fine parsonage. Institutional prop-
erty has been accumulated which makes for more permanent

loyalty.

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CHAPTER V

EDUCATION

E111! W. Upon the arrival of the first

settlers, schooling was very soon arranged for on the
regular district public school basis. A new building

had to be built for the southern~most group in "The H1115,n
so the first school was held in one of the homes. The
northern group attended already established schools.

Later another, known as the Bos School, was built near

the present church location in the center. All the teach-
ers in these schools were Americans until 1904 when a
Hollander took charge of the Hills School.

The Christianwfichogl . The Christian Reformed
Church has always promoted its own Christian Schools. At
the same time that the congregation was being reorganized
in 1903, meetings were also being held to promote a Chris—
tian School. In 1907, three years after the congregation
became Christian Reformed, a building was erected adJacent
to the church, and Christian instruction commenced with
forty pup113.43

 

43. The writer was one of the first pupils to at-
tend this school.

 

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73

The main reasons for having Christian Schools, as

given by Dr. Beets are the following:44

(1) The parents, at baptism of the child, vow to
bring it up in the doctrines of their religion.

(2) Love of the Word of God demands a place for
it in the day school as well as in the home, and in
the Sunday School.

(3) Children should learn to sing of their Re-
deemer as well as of their Creator, something which
State institutions do not allow.

(4) Prayers in Christ's name should be said daily
in the schools.

(5) Religion should permeate the education of
Covenant children; "religious education (must be
made) an integral part of the child's education
throughout the whole period of its plastic develop-
’ment, building religious concepts, attitudes, and
habits into the expanding life from the first, so
that they may become an inseparable part of its
structure."

(6) The chief aim of life is to glorify God and
to enjoy Him forever. Secular education under State ,
control cannot very well aim higher than good citizen-
ship and success.

(7) The doctrine of a fallen mankind in absolute
need of the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit,
which is pledged to the children in Baptism, is
radically different from that of the world, especial-
ly as it is under the spell of the evolutionary
hypothesis.

(8) Religious training is the only real basis for
morality. Without religious authority, morality is
built on sand.

 

44. Henry Beets, The Christian Reformed Church in
North America, p. 222.

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74

(9) Religion should be an integral part of educa-
tion which trains for character and leadership so that
there may be a proper reckoning with God, His revela-
tion, and His judgment day. ‘

The Christian school is not a parochial school, but
a free uncontrolled school, supported by Christian parents
of any evangelical denominstion. The Church, as an organ-
ization, has no connection with it. The school board is
elected from the patrons of the school, and they exercise
full authority. Each month one of them visits the school
and reports to the board. But the County Superintendent
of Schools supervises it like any other rural school. The
county doctor and nurse visit these schools annually like
any others. The curriculum taught includes all that is
prescribed for Montana public rural schools, but in addi-
tion, Bible study, church history, doctrine, and worship
Vservices are incorporated in the program. All teaching in
all subjects is with a definitely religious and Biblical
bias; indoctrination being the purpose.

The Manhattan school has been financed by student
tuition of two dollars per month, and collections in the
church. Needless to say, finances are a continuous prob-
lem, resulting in inferior equipment and poor pay to the
teachers. The total budget with two teachers is only
twenty-five hundred dollars. The first teacher had very
inferior training, but subsequently the standard has be-

come very good. Only teachers who belong to a Reformed

75

Church are acceptable. The school year has always been
ten months.

When the Christian school was established, the near-
by Bos rural public school was closed. There was only one
American left in the district, and he had no school-age
children. However, a school board continued to be elected
until April, 1923. At that time its territory was divid-
ed amongst adJacent districts.

The Church Hill Christian School is not the only
school attended by Dutch Children. Some do come from as
far as four miles, but many attend nearby schools. The
Hills School, about five miles south of the Church, in
which church services were held when settlers first ar-
rived, for a short time after 1909 was also a Christian
School. Because the financial load was too great it soon
reverted to a public school. However, in 1926 a Chris-
tian School was built across the road from.it. Today
grades one to three are taught in the public school,
while grades four to eight, with approximately twenty
pupils, are taught in the Christian School. During the
period when the school was wholly Christian an attempt
'was made to finance it by all the preperty owners agree-
ing to voluntarily pay the public school tax assessments
they had the previous year. With no public school in
session there was no tax levy to support it. However,

the plan failed because all would not c00perate. The

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76

present arrangement seems to be very successful. Both
Christian School Societies have also erected homes for
their Principals.

Public Sghgglg. Besides these two schools, there
are seven other rural district schools attended by Dutch
children, who compose eighty-five to one hundred per cent
of the enrollment, (see Figure 5). As the population of
the settlement increased, the Dutch spread out farther
and farther, buying or renting land from nearby Americans.
Most of the children naturally attended their own district
schools. Today all these schools are taught by teachers
reared in the colony. They all have at least two years
of Normal training, mostly at the Dillon State Normal
College. All of them have opening exercises including
Scripture reading, song and prayer, and usually close
with prayer. Once a week after school they teach cate-
chism. The use of this kind of program in the public
schools is wholly dependent upon the interpretation of
the word "sectarian" in the school law. The present
County Superintendent of Public Instruction interprets
the word very narrowly. She believes general religious
teaching is not meant. In fact she contends that the
teaching in the Christian Schools themselves is not sec-
tarian. But other superintendents have interpreted the

‘word to mean any kind of religious teaching, so the Dutch

II"!!!
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77

 

 

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FIGURE 5

CHRISTIAN AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE HOLLAND
SETTLEMENT NEAR MANHATTAN, MONTANA

 

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78

continue to support their own Free Christian Schools.
Because the public schools are thus being staffed
by local graduates, many parents fail to see the neces-
sity of sending their children great distances to the
Christian Schools, thus paying extra tuition and school
taxes too. Consequently, whereas in the late nineteen
twenties there was an enrollment at the Church Hill Chris-
tian school of from seventy five to one hundred pupils,
in recent years this has declined to from fifty to sixty-
five. The salaries paid in the public schools range from
one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five dollars per
month, while the Christian School pays seventy-five to
eighty-five dollars.
Christian School Expansion. For two years after
its erection there was but one room and one teacher in the
Church Hill Christian School. In 1909 another room, and
teacher were added for the lower grades. In 1914, for the
first time, three Dutch students took and passed the county
eighth grade examinations.45 For a few months the ninth
grade was taught for these students, but soon discontinued.
Two of these later went to the Manhattan High School, seven
miles distant, where in 1918 one became the first high

school graduate in the settlement.46 However, before this,

 

——

45, The present writer
46. The present writer

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79

three young men had gone to Calvin College, the denomi-
nation's college and seminary in Grand Rapids, and had
completed the academy, college, and seminary training
for the ministry.

In the fall of 1925 a third teacher was added to
the school, and limited work in the ninth and tenth grades
was offered. This continued until 1931 when the plan
lapsed for two years. It was again revived from 1934 to
1936, but has since been discontinued. The main reason
was that because the school was not accredited, two girls'
credits were refused for hospital training requirements,
and students were made to take entrance examinations
when they went to Manhattan to finish high school.

Very recently, however, in.May 1940, the two Chris-
tian School Societies voted to cooperate to reopen the
ninth and tenth grades on an accredited basis. .A commit-
tee of seven was appointed to lay plans to build a new
standard building to be completed by the fall of 1941.
Equipment is to be improved, and certified teachers are
to be hired. Late in the summer of 1940 it was suddenly
decided to cpen the ninth grade immediately even before

certification.

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80
iManhattan High School

For a number of years after 1918 only a very few
attended any high school. Most of those who did went to
Grundy Center or Hull in Iowa, or to Grand Rapids. These
were all distinctly Christian Schools. Since about 1930,
however, all the children who have finished high school
have done so at Manhattan, and since 1936, in ever-
increasing numbers.

At present there are forty-seven Dutch students
attending Manhattan High School, riding back and forth
by school buses. The total cost is defrayed by the
IManhattan Schools from.county levies. The Dutch students
comprise more than one-fourth of the total enrollment.

In 1938 there were six Dutch graduates, and in 1939,
five.

According to the Manhattan Superintendent of
Schools, the Dutch students are very much like all the
others, except that they are not so active in the so-
cial activities of the school. Having to return home
by bus immediately after school makes it impossible
for them.to do much, except as they return by private
car in the evening. Then, too, the Church and the
parents disapprove of dances, card parties, movies and
similar social events. However, he states that in and

about school there seems to be no noticeable tendency

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.81

for the Dutch to segregate themselves in any way. Some
of their finest and most pleasant students are Dutch.
Their scholarship range is average, many making the honor
roll. However, a relatively few youngsters are reported
to affect a kind of blase' toughness or sophistication
that is far from popular in the settlement. They seem.
to delight in shocking people. They evidently rebel at
the old controls, and affect a new freedom.

The superintendent reports that many of the stu-
dents seem.to attend from.their own volition only, with-
out any special interest on the part of their parents.
The teachers find it difficult in some cases to get home
cooperation in motivating to more effort. That, of course,
is not peculiar to the Dutch. Occasionally students drop
out for no seeming reason. Later it is found that some
very easily adjusted difficulty or hurt feeling may have
occurred, but they seldom.return. Some parents do not
seem to care whether their children attend or not, some-
'.times even encouraging them to stop school and start
'working.

The great increase in Dutch high school attendance
is due to a number of factors. One is the advent of the
farm.tractor, combine harvester, and other modern farm
machinery. Boys do not have to quit school to help on
the farm.any more. As work is not so plentiful, it is
becoming more and more difficult for the youth to make

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82

a decent living. This not only increases the length of
the schooling period, but also causes more parents and
children alike, to lay plans imp them.to make a livelihood
in some other way besides farming. Almost unconsciously
the first consideration is more education to increase the
likelihood of employment.' Another important factor is
the break-down of isolation, first by the automobile,
and second by the radio. Both parents and youth demand
and expect more. It has now become a common expectation,
a custom, to go to high school. Family social status is
also becoming involved. The group is becoming Americanized.
Higher Education. So far preaching, teaching, with
two or three nurses, and one insurance agent, are the
only occupations that have attracted the educated youth
of the settlement. As stated elsewhere, all the rural
schools largely attended by Dutch children, and which
have Hollanders on the school boards, are now being taught
by local teachers. However only one as yet is teaching
in a near-by town. Their certification is still not high
enough with only two years of Normal training which most
of them.havc. But state requirements are constantly
growing necessitating much correspondence or summer school
‘work on their part. No doubt more will finish college
from now on to prepare themselves for town and high school
teaching. No doubt, too, they will then begin filling

positions in nearby towns. There are some half dozen

 

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83

though who are new teaching in distant towns in Hontana,
‘Washington, and Michigan.

Although.Hontana Agricultural College is located
in nearby Bozeman, the county seat, only one Dutch stu-
dent has been in regular attendance. Only three or four
others have attended previously as short course students,
and under Veteran's Rehabilitation. ‘Very recently a few
have taken short courses in agriculture. So few attend
the college because there is no department of Liberal
Arts there. But with one Dutch student graduating this
year, it is possible that others may follow in increasing
numbers, particularly if the advantages of agricultural
education could be impressed upon the group. Then, too,
the cost of college attendance is a deterring factor. It
costs little extra to attend a high school, but college
is different. There are eight students from the settle-
ment attending other colleges in the United States.

From this little colony have come eight preachers,
five other college graduates, eighteen.Junior College
graduates, three nurses, and a considerable number of
other high school graduates. For a distinctly rural
foreign community this is a most remarkable record. How-
ever, the general educational level of the adult popula-
tion is only about fifth or sixth grade, with many never
having attended beyond the third or fourth grade in the

 

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84

Netherlands. Very few over thirty years of age have comp
pleted the eighth grade. This is largely accounted for
by the European class-attitude towards education of the
lower classes, and by the economic necessity for older
children's"labor. The church as such is largely neutral
as to the amount of education, but it does exert its in-
fluence as to quality, insisting as much as possible that
it be fundamentally Christian. There is no illiteracy.
The Dutch.as a rule are extensive readers and thereby
educate themselves.

Every child is expected to attend catechetical
classes each week. Formerly the minister taught all the
classes immediately after school at the various public
schools on certain designated days each week. But since
1931, when all the public schools in the colony were
being taught by local Dutch teachers, this task was dele-
gated to them. They attempted to protest, but it was
not considered. All classes are now being held Fridays
after school hours. Pupils who have graduated from the
eighth grade are supposed to attend a Saturday after-
noon class at the church taught by the pastor. All too
often, catechetical classes are perfunctory. The stu-
dents and teachers alike look upon them as an extrfibur-
den. However, the pupils do become indoctrinated with
the teachings of the Church, which is their purpose.

The course of instruction is somewhat graded, there

 

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85

being separate texts for different age groups. Pupils
are promoted automatically as they progress through the
grades in school. The greatest weakness of the in-
struction lies in the lack of proper motivation. (Fig-
ure 6 shows catechetical enrollment through the years.)
There is no Sunday School in the settlement,
although for a few years in the beginning, there was.
The population is so scattered that only children near
the church could attend. It was thought the Christian
Schools and catechetical instruction was sufficient.

 

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FIGURE 6

CATECHUMEN ENROLLMENT IN THE CHRISTIAN REFORMED
CHURCH AT MANHATTAN, MONTANA FROM 1907 TO 1940

86

CHAPTER VI
MAKING A LIVING

The Dutch Colony at Manhattan is a distinctly ag-
ricultural group. But not all the Dutch who have settled
there were farmers previous to their coming. As the
years passed, some factory workers from eastern cities
also came in the hope of improving their economic sta-
tus. Usually, for some time, they worked for established
farmers and then later rented and possibly finally
bought places of their own. ‘Until after the'World'War
all factors were very favorable for the community. Land
was cheap and easily procurable; rainfall, as compared
‘with a fifty-year average, was excessive; irrigation
water was plentiful; and market prices were excellent.
(See Figure 7.) The community boomed, and was pros-
perous. Many fine homes and farm buildings were erect-
ed; the large church, parsonage, and school were built;
and the number of families in the community grew very
rapidly. (See Figure 4.)

‘ngpg., The Gallatin Valley has nearly five thou-
sand feet altitude. This makes the growing season much
shorter for the same latitude than nearer sea level, it
being only one hundred to one hundred fourteen days long.
The danger of frost continues late in the spring and

88

 

 

 

 

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FIGURE 7

AVERAGE YEARLY PRECIPITATION AND AVERAGE
PRICE OF MONTANA SPRING WHEAT, 1892-1935

89

comes early in the fall. Therefore only hardy or quick—
maturing crops can be grown. Field corn, tomatoes, and
most fruits cannot ripen. The prevailing field crops
are spring and winter wheat, oats, barley, green and
seed peas, alfalfa, clover, and timothy. Every family
that has irrigation available puts in a large garden for
its own use. A few market a considerable number of po-
tatoes. Besides this, many farmers on irrigated places
keep varying numbers of hogs, sheep, cattle, dairy herds
and chickens. Dry land farmers above the canals cannot
produce feed for animals, for they grow nothing but
spring or winter wheat.

231g; Machinery. The dry land farms are all
much larger than the irrigated ones, some men working
two or three sections. Approximately half of a dry farm
must be summer-fallowed to conserve sufficient moisture
to grow a crop the next year. All the work is now being
done by power tools. Dry farming especially, has been
revolutionized by the tractor, combined harvester, and
trucks. The tractor travels much faster than horses,
and by means of lights, can be used all night if it is ,
necessary. Thus more land can be worked with much less
help and expense. And it therefore-follows that a lower
yield with lower prices can still be profitable to the
large operator. But it is the same recurring story that
fewer people are earning their livelihood from this

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90

production. This tendency also prevails to a less degree
with irrigated farms. But some established farmers are
now working two or three places by hiring local mmn.wdthe
out farms. Often the latter are younger married men who
live in the houses on the other places. There are a numb
ber of instances where these extra houses are rented to
unattached day laborers. It is reported that twenty-
five men work as wage laborers.

333.33 9; My. Moisture, water, is the great
need of the farmer. The dry land farmer has to depend
upon winter snow, slow spring thaw, thorough summer fal-
low, and summer rains. The average annual rainfall in
the valley varies from.ten inches at Three Forks to
eighteen inches on the eastern mountains. This compares
with an average of thirty inches for Michigan for in-
stance. Fourteen inches will grow good dry land crcps.
The irrigation farmer with different crops, depends very
largely on river water produced by thawing snowdrifts in
the higher mountains. An easy winter or early spring
means lack of water. Mbst of the Dutch live on irri-
gated farms, so their prosperity is closely associated
‘with water supply.

Irrigation Canals. The west Gallatin River, whose
origin is in the Yellowstone Park, is the source of sup-
ply for irrigation water for most of the Gallatin Valley,

including the colony under consideration. There are some

91

fifty-eight irrigation canals leading from.various points
on this river to all parts of the valley on both banks.
Until 1909 there had been no difficulty in getting suf-
ficient water for irrigation. But that year one of the
canals far up the river was greatly enlarged and extended,
thereby diverting an excessive amount of water, causing
a shortage for those in the lower reaches. Then started
a protracted litigation instituted by "old water rights"
holders against holders of more recent rights. ‘Water
rights and its units of measure originated with the gold
miners of early days. .A second-foot is a cubic foot of
water passing a point per second. A.miner's inch is a
square inch under a six inch head. This is one-fortieth'
of a second-foot. .A person could file on as much water as
he wanted, but actually the size of the ditch he con-
structed determined the amount of his right. The earlier
rights have precedence over later ones. The earliest
right to be filed on the‘West Gallatin is dated May 1,
1865, and the latest, October l, 1907.

The Decree of the Court of October 1, 1909, Section
XI dealing with the above case reads as follows:

That the parties to this action shall be entitled
to the priority of use of the waters of the West
Gallatin River, and its tributaries, to the extent
of their appropriations, in the order of their sev-
eral and respective appropriations as against any
and all subsequent appropriators, . . . and whenever

there shall not be sufficient water to supply all
the rights of the said parties, then every Junior

 

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92

appropriator in the order of his juniority shall
cease to use the waters of the said river and its
tributaries for any purpose which will diminish the
quantity of said water until the older and prior
appropriators shall have been supplied, . . . upon
notice from.such prior appropriator that he has not
sufficient water as decreed to him.by this Court
and as is needdby him, for any useful purpose, such
Junior and subsequent appropriator is hereby ordered,
and directed to close down his headgate and permit
all of the water of said stream.flowing through his
headgate or ditch to flow down the channel of the
said stream, for the use of such prior appropriator,
or so much thereof as the said prior apprOpriator
shall then be entitled to in this decree, or shall
actually need.

The Dutch get their water from six different canals
with different water rights. Naturally the farms with
the best water rights are the most desirable. A.crop
failure is impossible with sufficient irrigation water.
On the other hand, it is almost a certainty with very
little or no water. Most of the Dutch farmers get their
water from.the two canals constructed by the old‘West
Gallatin Irrigation Company which brought the original
settlers. Since then there have been various reorgan-
izaticns of the companies, and changing of classes of
water rights, and some litigation. Today they are known
as the High Line Canal 00., and the Low Line Canal Co.
They rise at different points on the river and parallel
each other at different levels through the settlement.
The Low Line/supplying forty Dutch farmers, extends to
two miles south of Logan making it nearly thirty miles

long. The High Line serving thirty farmers is nearly

93

fifty mdles long. Both have identical water rights:

2500 inches each filed as of May 9, 1890
BLOO inches each filed as of June 1, 1901

The first is a very good right, but the latter, under
prevailing conditions fails as the summer progresses. If
the above amounts of water could be maintained, the Dutch
colony would be assured bountiful crops. But in recent
years early July brings the shutting off of the latest
water rights. To some farmers this means shutting off
most of their water because the rights they now possess
are inferior to others. This of course is tragic. Then
as August comes on, the original rights are cut down
more and more, often causing a certain amount of crop
damage, depending upon the weather conditions and type

of crops.

Decrease in gi_v_e_1; MEI. Supply. What makes this
situation so serious is the annual decrease in precipi-
tation as shown by the river flow. Montana State Col-
lege records show the average annual river flow to be
dropping precipitously:

1897-1906 The average was 718,000 acre-feet.

1907-1916 The average decreased 58,000 acre-feet
from.the above period.

1917-1926 The average decreased 60,000 acre-feet
from.the 1907-1916 period.

1927-1936 The average decreased 92,000 acre-feet
from.the 1917-1926 period.

9h

The total decrease was 210,000 acre-feet or thirty per
cent less than the 1897-1906 period. This is a most ser-
ious situation, to say the least.

There would still be plenty of water for irrigation
purposes if the spring freshets and chinook thawm could
be conserved. In the summer of 1935 government engineers
surveyed a dam.site far up the‘west Gallatin Canyon, but
nothing has since materialized. Some say politics and
the Montana Power Co. are at fault. Beyond question such
a dam would insure the future of the valley. But the
Dutch have done little or nothing to promote this idea.
They have never organized for a common economic goal. A
farmer and a Dutchman is an utter individualist. Group
action for a distant goal is beyond his social vision.~
They tend to let things go as they have been. After all,
God rules in the world, and they are trustful and make
the best of things as they are. Personal responsibility,
not social responsibility is preached by the church.

Credit. The Dutch are known for their industrious-
ness and frugality. As a result, from.the very beginning,
their trade and business was eagerly solicited by the
merchants and bankers of nearby towns. Their credit has
always been excellent. The earlier settlers pride them,
selves that during the first few years, when conditions
were so difficult, they were given extensive credits by

various business men, and, "no creditor ever lost a

95

dime," they say. The Dutch are honest; they pay if they
can. These characteristics are at least partly due to
their strong religious faith and convictions; belief in
an ever present and watchful God; and a strong sense of
otherworldliness. Personal morality is also constantly
preached on Sundays.

Trading Centers. Before the advent of the auto-
mobile, which only came into common use there as late as
1920, the bulk of Dutch trade went to Manhattan and Bel-
grade, both of which are about seven and a half miles
from the church. Bozeman is about twenty miles. That
was too long a drive with horses. During the prosperous
period both the banks in Manhattan and Belgrade had Hol-
landers as cashiers or assistants. In Bozeman, a son of
one of the very earliest preachers has been one of the
most prominent bankers in that city. However, only in
Belgrade were any of these men identified closely with
the settlement. In Manhattan one of the most successful
merchants was a Hollander, but again, not associated with
the church. At present practically everybody does most
of their trading in Bozeman. It is a common saying in the
towns among business men that if one can get a few of the
Dutch Leaders' business he is assured of the business of

practically all.

96

ThgyMarket Eggl. Before about 1910 all the grain
had to be hauled by wagon or sled to Manhattan or Belgrade
in the late fall or winter. Four horse teams would start
moving at four or five in the morning, trying to get to
the elevators early to get unloaded. By late morning
lines a half mile long would be waiting their turn. The
grain was all bagged, which took time to unload. Later
came the wide tight wagon bin-box, and then a tip-up
arrangement on the scales. This reduced the labor and
time greatly, but entailed granaries for storage.

Railroads. About 1910, the Chicago Milwaukee
and Puget Sound Railroad built a branch line from.Three
Perks through.Manhattan, west of the river right along
the edge of the settlement, to Bozeman. Convenient sid-
ings were constructed all along the line, and also a num»
ber of elevators. This decreased the market haul by
half. The next year the Northern Pacific built a road
straight south from Manhattan right through the heart of
the settlement to Anceny, about fifteen miles distant.
Elevators were built at Amsterdam.and Anceny. ‘With the
advent of the truck, grain could be taken directly from
the threshing rig or combine to an elevator or car sid-
ing, eliminating the long haul and granaries altogether.

Prohibition and Barley. Before 1917 malt barley
had been One of the main crops of the farmers. It was

of such excellent quality that it always drew premium.

l s

i

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97

prices. A large malting plant had been erected in Man-
hattan by the original promoters of the settlement, so
there was always a ready market for the barley. But with
the advent of prohibition the melting company failed, and
the plant was razed so that the farmers lost a profitable
crop. Since the repeal of prohibition there has not been
a return to malt barley growing. Lack of a near market
seems to be the main reason.

Seed peas is a crop that is now widely grown in
the Gallatin. This was introduced about the time of the
‘WOrld‘War. It is a contract crop. The valley does not
have the weevil pest that attacks the pea elsewhere. .A
most recent and profitable crop introduction is the green
canning pea. ‘However only farmers who have excellent
water rights can get such contracts. The cannery is lo-
cated in Bozeman. Last year the cannery refused to give
contracts to the Hollanders because they refused to work
on Sundays. The Sabbath is absolutely sacred, peas or no
peas. But the Dutch were so reliable and were such hard
'workers that the company this year restored the contracts,
to the Hollanders' great satisfaction. This is evidence
of the extent that their religious convictions control
their conduct and shape their personalities and character.

Economic Status. Since the‘World War, as part of

the general crisis in agriculture, the community has been

98

having its difficulties. Many have lost their farm.
equities completely, so that about one-half are tenants
on corporation-owned farms. (See Figures 8 andz9.)
Nearly all have varying degrees of indebtedness. Very
few, possibly five per cent, own their land free and
clear. However only three have gone through bankruptcy
proceedings. Bankruptcy is a public admission of failure
which has a tinge of the dishonorable attached to it for
the Dutch. The church teaches that honest labor and honest
dealings bring divine favor and blessing. Bankruptcy
would be resorted to only under the most extreme circum~
stances. The church has no ruling against it, however,
considering it a legal matter. .A few people have left
the community with considerable amounts of debt left un-
paid. This is distinctly condemned. Tco expensive land
and poor management undoubtedly were important factors
in some such cases. Bad luck, such as crop failure and
excessive expenses due to illness, involved others.
Government statistics show that in Gallatin County be-
tween 1920 and 1935, farm tenancy increased sixty—two
per cent; full owners decreased twenty-seven per cent;
and part owners increased thirty-one per cent. (See
Figure 8.) One prominent farmer has stated that had it
not been for the program of the Agricultural Adjustment

Administration, the entire settlement would have gone

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99

GALLATIN COUNTY
% decrease % increase

-80 -4O 4O .60 _ 80

f
z
i
F
I
I
I
l
I
y
5

Tennants ;

 

Full Owners E27

 

Part Owners ' ; 31 f
‘ 2
THE STATE
% decrease . ‘ % increase
-200 -100 -50 0 50 100 150 200

Nh_—- . ..'_' 'TL‘ .' 7‘ :_ . '. . 1 ' ‘5 I ‘5- -_ . . . .. - -- __ _ 1
I ' l i

Tenants . W/ama 115 i 7

. i
2 .
f F1111 Owners 414%
; I
; Part Owners % 25f

 

 

 

 

 

FIGURE 8

PERCENTAGE OF INCREASE OR DECREASE IN NUMBER OF
TENANTS, FULL OWNERS AND PART OWNERS OF FARMS IN
GALLATIN COUNTY AND THE STATE, 1920-1935

(prepared from U. S. Census Data by the Montana Agricultural
xPeriment Station in Bulletins Numbers 310 and 322.)

x .131 $314.31....

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K.

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101

bankrupt. But that is probably true of agriculture in
general. An unfortunate result of the government program
is given by the following quotation from.a letter of a
prominent person in the colony:

By a queer quirk of good intentions of Uncle Sam.in

helping the farmers by the allotment money given,

the better fixed buy up more land and sgueeze out

those who Uncle Sam wanted to help. The holdings of

a few are becomdng greater, and as a result, people

are moving out of the settlement perforce.

Cooperatives. The Dutch, until recently, have

never learned how to c00perate except along religious
lines, like church and school. Economically they are ex-
tremely individualistic. Being very orthodox in religion
--frowning on change and new ideas--they tend to suspi-
cion all social and economic change as well. Recently,
however, cooperatives have been gaining favor, and slowly
but surely more and more Dutch are Joining them.as others
prove their value. The church has made no specific pro-
nouncements about cooperatives, but some fear that they
are socialistic in their nature, and the church has con-
demned socialism. Estimates of the percent of the Dutch

who are members of various cooperatives by a very progres-

sive member of the group are as follows:

Gallatin Farmers' Gas and Fuel 00.. . . . . . 75%
Gallatin Service Implement Co. . . . . . . . 30%
Gallatin Cooperative Creamery. . . . . . . . 10%
Farm.Bureau . . . . . . . . . . .lO-20%
Gallatianadison Telephone Co. . . . . . . . 25%

I

:51. 3G1.....§a.a§ Ham... :3. 14.1% 3%
. I . .. . . ..i . . ..

 

102

‘Uhile most of the farmers take one or more farm
Journals, very few, until very recently have used the
services of the nearby Agricultural Experiment Station
and the Extension Department of the College. The County
Agent also reports that he has found the Dutch "very dif-
ficult.“ There seems to be a distinct aloofness from
Americans and unsolicited advice. Their religion keeps
them separate. It creates a social chasm that is diffi-
cult to bridge. None of the Dutch, for instance, use
commercial fertilizer. None of them.has ever used it,
so far as they are concerned, it doesn't exist. ‘Until
now they cannot be convinced they need it. However there
is evidence that a different attitude is slowly developing.

Mg; W. Until fairly recently none of
the Dutch attempted to make a livelihood by any other
means than farming. It was known to be an agricultural
colony so only those interested in farming came. The few
bankers, one storeékeeper, and a few preachers, have been
mentioned. In 1911, a widow and her family came from
Grand Rapids and opened a little store next to the church.
Later a local youth began one in Amsterdam, a mile and a
half away. However, it failed. The first establishment
has continued until today, under various managements,
but is now located in the Amsterdam building. About 1914
a blacksmith shop was built in Amsterdam, and was early
purchased by a Hollander. After the advent of the

.3 ..

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103

automobile one young man with a flare for mechanics
erected an auto repair shop near by, which he subsequent-
ly sold to another, and himself moved to Manhattan and
established a machine shop and hardware business. As

the railroad was being completed, a lumber and coal yard
was established at Amsterdam. After a few years a Hol—
land boy became its manager. The blacksmith has now
leased his shop and is operating an implement agency.
Very early one of the settlers became the community paint-
er, and later the carpenter and general handyman. At

one time and another there have been various carpenters
plying their trade. Today there are two who compete for
the building and repair work, while another has pretty
well monopolised the painting. Two Dutch manage the High
and Low line Irrigation Canals; others "ride the ditch?
es" during season; one is a road superintendent; two buy
and ship grain, one of whom also sells coal; two are
stock.buyers; and some ten or twelve teach local schools.
Two or three are connected with the AAA and one has been
elected one of three County Commissioners who administer
county affairs. These all live in the community and are
members of the church. The church has no rules or taboos
for controlling economic endeavor except those of ethi-
cal conduct. Any kind of work is honorable if it be
honest.

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104

1'_r_e_1_1_<_1_,1:_c_> _1_:_1_1_e_ 12E... Besides these , others have
moved into the towns. In Bozeman some ten younger peo-
ple have become clerks or truck drivers; two are in
banks; eleven girls work as maids in homes and the hos—
pital; one retired farmer has been employed by the Coun-
ty Agricultural Agent; one is an insurance agent; and
a Dutch doctor from Grand Rapids has settled there after
having practiced in.Manhattan for some time. Then there
are a few laborers and farmers nearby making a total of
over thirty Dutch people in.Bozeman. Belgrade has at-
tracted very few Hollanders. Only one farmer lives near
there. Manhattan.has always had a number, but few have
ever been connected with the church in the country.

From about 1912 to 1925 the-Dutch.Heformed Church had an
organization there, but it was always very small and fin-
ally had to disband, selling its building to the Catho-
lics. Only a few Hollanders from the settlement have
gone there to work or to retire. .lost of those who live
there are either non—religious, or are connected with the
two schismatic groups.

W_W. Making a living has not been
an easy matter in the settlement. It has meant hard work
and much gamble, so much so, that about seventy-six fame
ilies have moved elsewhere after shorter or longer stays.
Table Ifllgives an analysis of their destinations. Of the

forty-five questionnaires returned, thirteen, in answer

105

TABLE III

DESTINATION OF EMIGRANT FAMILIES
from
THE DUTCH COLONY AT MANHATTAN, MONTANA

 

— I“. :u—

 

ii

 

California 22 Ohio 2
Washington 14 South Dakota 2
Michigan 11 Minnesota 2
Other towns in Montana 7 Colorado 2
Illinois 5 New Jersey 2
Idaho 3 Wisconsin 1
Iowa 2 Canada 1

Total . . . . . . . 76

 

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106

to the question where they would like to move to if they
could, answered: California (6), Michigan (4),‘Washing-
ten (2), and the Netherlands (1). The reasons given were:
climate (7), church life (2), working conditions (3), and
like it better (1). There are two concepts involved in
climate. One is bodily comfort, and the other is growb
ing condition for crops. It is the latter idea that pre-
vails in the answers, I believe. The former is bearable
if a better livelihood were assured. Others did not
answer, or stated that they were satisfied, ot'that there
'were "drawbacks" everywhere. The church makes no attempt
to control population movements except to urge migrants
to settle where there is a Christian Reformed Church.

In recent years there has developed a considerable
mobility of population within the settlement due to the
increase of tenantry. There is a good deal of shifting
about in search of better farms. This has made a great
difference in public school enrollments from year to
year in the various districts. It is an.indication of
an insecure existence for a large part of the population.

The big question facing the Dutch settlement is
‘what the young people who are becoming married are going
to be able to do to make their living. All they can pos-
sibly do is hire out as farm labor at very low pay, or
‘possibly rent a farm. But it is becoming more difficult

to rent farms outside of the settlement. ‘Under present

107

conditions it is impossible to buy a farm and pay for it
by contract out of earnings. Interest payments would
take far too much to leave a margin to live on. Inevi-
tably many will have to leave the settlement. One won—
ders whether the colony has reached the limits of its
expansion. In.fact two families have moved some twenty
miles distant to the neighborhood of Willow Creek, but
they can still come to church. It is rather significant
that no young men from the settlement have entered the
Civilian Conservation Corps, except one as a teacher. A
strong sense of family ties and responsibility plus an
aversion to living in a non-church situation is the
explanation. ‘

1h; Chupch ing, £313. The church in no way attempts
to regulate or control the occupations of its members.
But no member could operate businesses like theaters,
pool halls, saloons, or taverns. The denomination has
never taken a "teetotaler" stand on the liquor issue.
‘While no member may operate a saloon, some merchant meme
bers do sell beer and wine to take out.

In one way the Church most definitely controls
'work, and that is in the matter of the Sabbath.

This day must be so consecrated to religion that

on that day we rest from all toilsome works, except

those of charity and present necessity. Also from
all such recreations as hinder religion.4

 

47. Stuart and Hoeksema, pp. cit., p. 84.

108

Plowing, haying or threshing on the Sabbath would be sub-
Ject to censure. Very few, if any, even change the set-
ting cf the precisious irrigation water on Sundays. There
were a few cases in earlier years when the consistory
definitely took certain people to task for work.on Sunday.
There also was a case when.Americans, threshing for a
Dutch farmer, went to work on Sunday without the consent
or knowledge of the owner, while the family was at church.
But of course he was not held responsible. The general
rule is that nothing should be done on Sunday that could
be done on Saturday, or that could Just as well wait un-
til Monday. Shoes are polished, potatoes are peeled and
men shave on Saturday. However, meals are cooked on Sun-
days. In.case of a fire or storm, they most certainly
'would work. But if the weather report showed rain for
Ilonday, there would be no haying or threshing on Sunday.
There has been very little if any change in these atti-
tudes and practices through the years. There probably
are slight variations in.practices between families.
Calvinism has always laid stress on work as a
duty. "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the
earth and subdue it." (Genesis 1:28) "In.the sweat of
thy face shalt thour eat thy bread." (Genesis 3:19) It
is to be expected. The Dutch also have a tradition of
work; economic necessity in the Netherlands. They also
have a real drive to activity as they are exhorted to

109

work for the glory of God and the maintiinance of the

family. The prevailing opinion of the townspeople is

that the Dutch.are hard workers, thrifty, and generally

good business managers. The banks report their credit

above average, although not one hundred per cent perfect.
The church each.year observes a day of prayer

for rain.and good crops. These services are always well

attended. ‘Whether this is merely a traditional obser-

‘ vance, or whether they really believe it to be effica-

cious is a question. At least it is a duty performed.

CHAPTER VII
THE FAMILY

Family Dominance. Family life among the Dutch in
Manhattan is still central in their lives. Being rural,
and largely socially self-isolated, the family is the most
important social unit. Living on the farm, the interests
of all members are the same. Life for all is similar and
regular, for there are very few forces that tend to break
up the unity of the home. Meals are eaten together, and
all retire about the same time.

'ghg Father. Religion makes the father the high
priest and king of the family. He possesses divine author-
ity, and therefore responsibility. This does not mean
that he acts the Roman tyrant, but it is unequivocally
accepted that the husband is officially or theoretically
the head of the household. The wife, officially at least,
plays an unassuming role. The so-called Pauline attitude
towards women prevails in the church. But that does not
require that in the home the wife be unassuming. Fact is,
many a household is completely dominated by the mother.
Women are not considered inferior or incapable, but the
prevailing attitude most certainly is that the place of the
woman is in the home. Women do not vote in church affairs,

but most of them do vote as citizens.

111

At every meal each day every father, almost with-
out exception, audibly asks the blessing before eating,
and each child until about fifteen, repeats a very short
blessing prayer. Then after the meal, the father or
possibly someone else, reads a portion of Scripture,
usually the next chapter in a cover-to—cover reading. In
many families the last sentence, phrase, or word read must
be repeated by the smaller children to show that they have
been listening. This is followed with a prayer of thanks-
giving by the father, with the usual short prayers again
by the children.

§i§§ 9: Families. Families tend to be large, as
is generally the case in rural sections. The church also
encourages large families. Genesis 1:28 says, "Be fruit-
ful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue
it." Birth control is condemned. A study of the church
records as of 1937, for all families of all ages, who have
ever lived in the settlement, showing the number of children
per familylis given on the next page.

These figures include couples just married and also
those who may have moved from the settlement some years
ago while yet young and thus might have had more children
by 1937. However it must be recorded that there are a

45.3.3.1.

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.

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112

number of older couples who have no children.

 

Number of Chil— Number of Total Number
dren per Family Families of Children
0 27 O
l 21 21
2 17 84
3 29 7
4 3l 124
S 31 155
6 13 78
7 9 6
8 16 12
9 10 90
10 4 40
ll 5 55
12 1 l2
13 O 0
l4 0 O
15 1 15
215 902

Average 4.2

Training 2; Children. The church, through all its
agencies, preaching, press, and governing pronouncements,
continuously emphasizes the responsibility of the parents

‘for the proper rearing of their children.

Parents, do you know that the home is a greater
factor in the education of your children than the
school? The foundation of education has been laid
before the child enters school...it can be said that the
Christian character of our schools depends upon the
Christian character in our homes. The river can rise
no higher than its source. The duty of parents to
rear and train their children is God-imposed. By
sending their children to a school the parents are
not relieved of their educational responsibility. A
responsibility placed by God, cannot be shifted by
man. The parents will be held accountable for the
training of their children, whether the training be

 

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113

given in the home or elsewhere. Christian parents,
let us ever be mindful of the solemn fact that God
has instituted the family, not only to bring forth
children, but also to bring gp_children. The Chris-
tian school is an auxiliary, that is, an aid to the
Christian home. . . . It may never superszge the
home, but must remain an auxiliary thereof.

25113.29 3.922.? The Dutch housewife is proverbially
epic and Span. This is generally the rule in the settle-
ment. Host of the women are hard workers and take pride
in their homes, and most of the homes are quite comfort-
able. The check list on home conveniences of the ques-

tionnaire produced the following results:

EleCtr1C1ty o o o o o o o o o o o o o 0 16-35%
Running water . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-40%
Hot running water . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20%
EleCtric flat iron. 0 o o o o o o o o 0 16-35%
Gasolene flat iron. . . . . . . . . . . 12-27%
Large floor rugs. . . . . . . . . . . . 26-58%
Linoleum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38-84%
Bath tub o o o o c. o o o o o o o o o 0 7-15%
Indoor water t01let o o o o o o o o o 0 6-13%
Kitchensink.............31-—70%
Electric refrigerator . . . . . . . . . 4-10%
Gasolene lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-60%
ElGCtrj-c Stove o o o o o o o o o o o 0 2" 4%
Gasolene or kerosene stove . . . . . . 21-46%
Heating Stove o o o o o o o o o o o o 0 21.46%
WCBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. 3-6%
Radio 0 O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 30.66%
Electric washer . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-31%
Gasolene power washer . . . . . . . . . 26-58%
Handpower'aSherooooooooooo 1-2%
Scrub board only . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 6%
Telephoneooooooooooooooo19‘42%

excellent showing

3

For a western rural group, this

 

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114

as can be seen from.Table IV. Electric and gasolene wash-
ing machines total forty, with only one hand power washer
and three scrub boards left. Of the latter, one is a
day laborer who went broke farming. He now has an in-
come of about eight hundred dollars per year. He is
forty-one years of age and his wife is thirty-seven.

They have three children, and live in a four room house.
The other two families have no children. One is thirty-
one years old and has Just started farming under a great
debt, while the other has farmed since 1926, but is still
in debt.

However, of the sixteen having electricity only
four have refrigerators, and only two have electric
stoves. Cooking is done largely on ranges which serve
to heat the kitchen at the same time. Twenty-one have
kerosene or gasolene stoves for summer use. In.winter
the living rooms are heated by coal heaters. Only three
furnaces are reported. Economic status determines the
standard of living of the family. The church leaders
generally counsel conservative Spending and the use of
common sense. All live simply but comfortably, for livbfi’
beyond one's means is frowned upon. Credit is used less
than formerly because of economic experience. However,
the church does not attempt to dictate in private affairs
within the bounds of moral and ethical conduct.

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115

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116

The Dutch are great lovers of flowers. Nearly
every home has its windows banked with a variety of house
plants, and in summer every home plat has its many flow-
er patches. However the church is never decorated for
any kind of program. Once the teachers of the Christian
School brought in a number of potted plants for a school
children's program, but some members of the consistory
objected. It Just is not done. Evidently it is supposed
to be a show of vanity. Yet the church itself is rather
beautifully decorated and has stained glass windows. Only
the basement room.may be decorated at will. The incident
is evidence of stern Calvinistic Puritanism. This no
doubt will shortly be modified.

Exogggy. The young people in the settlement have
very seldom.married non-Dutch for they have had very few
social contacts with American youth. This only happens
when individuals attend schools or get work outside the
Dutch orbit. And seldom.do such couples become a part
of the settlement. There is only a single case of a
mixed marriage in the settlement today, and he has left
the church for one of the evangelistic sects. The de-
nomination as a whole is much concerned with this prob-
lem. Synod has warned the churches of this danger, and
has time and again urged pastors and consistories to do

all in their power to prevent it.

117

Courting. Courting is largely an automobile
phenomenon because social life is so limited. There are
no places to go, except to church or some of its organi-
zations. The church Sponsors no kind of social program
where young men and women can get together in each other's
company. The'Young Peoples' Society is the one regular
occasion when the youth meet each other. During recess
in the program.and afterwards the contacts are made that
lead to dates for rides home and other courting oppor-
tunities. In fact the meetings themselves are used by
many for social purposes, only casual and fleeting atten-
tion being paid to the official program. There is a con-
stant undertone of talk, foolishness and giggling. Some
stay out in the cars or leave after recess. Sunday night
is recognized as dating night. But it is dating under
difficulties in public, as it were. The shy or retiring
person is simply cut, and it is therefore very easy to
become an isolated personality. The distinct tendency
has been to date very few different individuals. Very
commonly the first date results in eventual marriage.
Bewever, there seem.to be no evil social effects from
this, as far as divorces or broken homes are concerned.
There is seldom any dating during the‘seek and only ad-
vanced or engaged couples court at home, say in the par-
lor, where there is one. "A side road, drive-way,
(provided 'her' folks are in and not coming home any time)

or some such place are favorite parking places. Rarely

118

does any couple go to town on a date. A preliminary ride
with a main feature at parking is the best summary of an
evening out with a girl."l'9 Engagements, for some reason,
tend to be rather long, rarely less than two years. In-
ability to arrange for economic needs is possibly the
best answer.

Formerly weddings were mostly held in the church,
but since the‘Wbrld War the home of the bride has become
the customary place. Always the minister officiates.
There is only one case on record of a marriage by a Jus-
tice of the Peace.

There has always been a surplus of males in the
settlement as in the‘west generally. This has resulted
in a considerable number of bachelors. There are at
present at least fifteen.men thirty years and over, who
have never married. But there are also a few such women.
The Ybung People's Society has a membership of sixty boys
and fifty girls. This inevitably means that some are
going to lose out in the competition. Upon occasion,
some men have somehow made acquaintances and found wives
elsewhere, as far away as Michigan and even in the Nether-
lands and India .

Forced Marriages. During the early 1930's there

'was a period of a few years when at least nine couples had

 

L9. From.a private letter.

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119

to get married post-conceptually. During the past four
years there have been two. Some have blamed it on too
long engagements due to economic stress. Another expla-
nation is that itswas at that time=that-articles on the
so-called "safe-period" were appearing in magazines,

and couples got naive ideas about it, and experimented

to their regret. There are too few opportunities for
young peeple to be together in normal healthful situations
when others are present. And above all, there is no train-
ing whatsoever in normal sex relations in a positive way.
Possibly once in two years, as the Heidelberg Catechism

is preached through, there is a sermon on the Seventh
Commandment, "Thou shalt not commit adultery,” and some-
where in the catechetical classes the subject may be
lightly brushed. But that does not produce a healthy
moral self-control. Parents do not seem to instruct
their children in this regard.

Where the Seventh Commandment is broken, the church
demands confession of guilt. Formerly this took place be-
fore the entire assembled congregation, but more recently
it has been before the consistory only, with announcement

50 In no case does there result

of that fact in church.
any social ostraciSm. There have never been any cases of
unwed mothers or known cases involving married people of

either sex.

 

50. Cf. Chapter III

120

‘With the passing of the years intermarriage among
the relatively few families in-the settlement is gradu-
ally making the colon; one big related family. A few of
the earlier settlers had a large number of sons, which
today results in their family names being confusingly
represented in every kind of membership list. However
there are enough families in the settlement so there is
no immediate danger of any genetical inbreeding. 0n
related marriages Synod ruled in 1896 that

Marriages within the three most intimate degrees of
relationship are to be condemned as improper. Those
of less close blood-relationship are also to be
discouraged but touching eventual cases, the egi
clesiastical assemblies concerned shall judge.

Divorce. The church is strongly opposed to di-
vorce. There is only one accepted reason for it, adul-
tery. In the history of the settlement there has been
only one divorce, when a man left his wife to marry a
young widow. All three parties resigned from.the church
and left the community. The divorced wife returned to
the Netherlands to live.

On problems involving people unbiblically divorced,

Synod has ruled as follows:
Synod in 1890 answered the following questions in the

negative, “May the man from.whom.the woman legiti-
mately divorced herself, because he commited adultery,

51. Stuart and Hoeksema, o . cit. p. 89.

121
%: gaggmggrremarries while"§%s first wife is living,
of the church?
In 1926 Synod I
decided that a person, once divorced upon non-Biblical
grounds, and having withdrawn from the church can
again be received into the church after sincere peni-
tence is shown, and confession of his sin is made,
fiii‘figi‘hilhiiiiifiSpfifit§°giiiibfi3h§§§£35”“g" “9
Family Visitation. Family visitation is a regular
annual systematic program.oonducted by the minister with
one or more elders in turn during the off-work season.
Each Sunday the announcements includes the names of the
families to be visited each day of the following week
and everyone is expected to be at home. Its purpose is
to canvass the spiritual condition of the congregation.
Questions naturally vary from family to family; warnings
and admonitions are given; and attempts are made to bring
to light any secret difficulties within the families or
between individuals. Especially the personal relation
between individuals and God are inquired into-~their
prayer life, their assurance of being saved, and diffi-
culties of doctrinal beliefs. The "separated life,”
free from worldly contamination, is emphasized where

necessary. Support of the Christian Schools, catecheti-

cal classes, and regular attendance at church are all

52. Loc. cit.

53. Loc. cit.

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II

122

duly stressed. Some ministers use a theme program.from
year to year, using the personal touch as an added means
of edification.
The reaction in families varies a great deal.
Those who are really religious welcome the visit and co-
operate with the visitors, but others dread it and try
to make the visit as short, curt and innocuous as pos-
sible. The practical value of this practice depends
largely upon the esteem of the pastor held by the people.
‘With the situation in Manhattan as it is, this official
visit is in many cases quite perfunctory. The atmosphere
often is not cordial. In some congregations the practice
seems to be undergoing a subtle change, for a prominent
minister writing in the September 18, 1938 issue of Th2
Banner, the official Church paper, states:
Family visiting according to the Church Order,
has in many instances, become a farce. Yes, the
minister with the mistress of the manse make the
rounds, but that is not what is intended by the
Church Order. That is not conducive to good order
of the church.
Evidently it becomes little more than a social call.
This, however, is not yet the case in Manhattan.
Retirement. Church Hill, the immediate vicinity
of the church, is becoming the retiring place of many of
the aged and widows with children. A number of small

homes have been erected there, making a sizable village.

The widows live on widows' pension while the others

. seahorses 4.3.31.1... ...... were... Q

123

draw on savings. A few of the aged have retired in Man-
hattan. Others of course, live with their children.
Very seldom does anyone leave the settlement to retire
elsewhere.

Funerals. Death is the eventual lot of all men.
Funeral services are always held in the church and are
largely attended. The corpse is never brought into the
sanctuary, but is left out in the hallway. Formerly
funerals were very bare, without flowers or even arti-
ficial grass at the cemetery. But today floral tributes
are used in abundance. The services are always lengthy
for the pastor preaches a full length sermon. At such
a time, of course, their religious faith is of the great-
est solace.

The entire community is organized into a Cemetery
Club which is a cooperative burial association. No one
is excluded, schismatic groups nor non-church members.
But there are no American members. There are four dis-
tricts, each having an elected manager. They, with the
secretary-treasurer and the secretary of the Cemetery
Committee constitute the Board of Directors. The member-
ship fee is one dollar per family per year.

Whenever a death occurs the district manager must
be notified as soon as possible. It is his duty to ar-
range the order and duties of certain members. Members'

names are printed in geographical rotation. Numbers one

 

3.139: m. 331;: ... ,3...

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124

and two before and after the family which has the death
must inform.all those who must be notified of the death.
Numbers three, four, and five before and after, are to
be pall bearers. Number six before and after, shall in
case of snow, provide for a good path in the cemetery.
Any one who refuses to do his duty, or fails to pay his
dues, forfeits his membership. There are no insurance
benefits with this plan. Relatives, women, and certain
others are excused from performing these duties.

There are two Dutch cemeteries. One was estab-
lished very early adjoining the school in the Hills,
where most interments are made. Another was established
more recently near the church by one of the prominent
settlers as the result of some kind of altercation.

It is very little used.

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.—

CHAPTER VIII
SOCIAL LIFE AND RECREATION

Social life amongst the Dutch has been rather limit-
ed, but there are evidences of expanding interest. Their
main purpose in life has been religion and maintenance of
the family. Hard work has dominated their lives. The
church is the center of nearly all contacts for everyone
except the youngsters at school. Time before and after
the two Sunday services is commonly used for visiting.
Many groups remain for a considerable time discussing
matters of mutual interest.

Women's Societies. Besides the regular Sunday
services there are the various regular meetings of other
church organizations, particularly those of the women.
There are the Holland and English Ladies' Aids, and the
Girls' Missionary Society, which meet fortnightly. None
of these organizations is very large, their membership
in 1938 being thirteen, nineteen, and thirty-four respec-
tively. This is due to the considerable distances at
which people live, the difficulty of transportation, busy
farm life, and the matter of taking care of the children.

The programs of all three societies are similar,

$214343: 3 2th..
. . . .

I

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126

comprising a devotional period with Bible study, and sew-
ing. In the fall or winter each society has a sale of
its goods as a means of raising money for their projects.
The money is always given to some church work like the
Christian Schools, charitable institutions or missions.

There have never been any regular organizations of
men in the church. During a few winters a Men's Bible
study group met, but it was always short lived. The men
are too busy during the day and too tired in the evening
to attend any such meetings.

Xoung People;§ Society. Probably the most impor-
tant organization from a social point of view is the Young
People's Society of one hundred and ten members, which
meets each Sunday evening. The first hour is spent in
Bible study, led by the minister. The older young people
have their Bible study apart, conducted by themselves, as
they are more advanced. Then after a recess, a general
program of entertainment, recitations, songs and essays
is given. It is at this gathering that the young folks
learn to know each other. It is also the social unit for
larger parties and outings.

Expansion 2; Social Interest. A varied social life
for young folks has been one of the greatest deficiencies

in the settlement. There was nothing to do and no place

"2.....14‘c‘FH. a Lure—1.3.. Hi,
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127

to go. Very few opportunities were provided for young

men and women to get together in each other's company.
There were absolutely no social activities for couples as
such to attend, that would encourage the practice of varied
dating. This created a strong tendency for boys and girls
to go out with very few of the opposite sex in social
situations.

This latter situation may now be in the process of
being alleviated because of the fact that such a large
number of youth from all over the settlement are daily rid-
ing together on the school bus in attending high school in
Manhattan. They have opportunities of acquaintanceship
and social contact that the youngsters of a few years ago
never had, when the majority quit school before finishing
the eighth grade. However, because of the bus schedule,
they are unable to take an active part in the extra-cur-
ricular activities of the school. But these youngsters
are making contacts outside of the settlement group, which
is certain to affect the life of the settlement in years
to come.

For many years a considerable number of the young
men and boys have been interested in baseball. Two or three
evenings each week they have gathered to practice in a

pasture in Amsterdam. They have become fairly proficient

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128

in it too, often playing games with nearby towns and
winning their share. After practice they congregate at
the store or garage for a time and visit before going
home, often some miles distant. But there was very little
interest except on the part of the actual participants.
This year four sectional teams were organized with a
regular schedule. More boys participated and larger
crowds have attended. Needless to say, no games or prac-
tice take place on Sundays, although in some families the
boys do play "catch" or "knock up flies". Many of the
younger men are ardent fans of big league baseball.

The church accepts baseball as a matter of course when
conducted in harmony with their religious tenets.

During this past winter a skating rink was made
near the church. It was well organized with care-takers
and fee charges, and was well patronized by young and old.
These are much-needed innovations that will greatly add
to the social life of the colony. There are excellent
opportunities for skiing and tobogganing, but such equip-
ment has never been seen in the settlement. The Nether-
lands is flat country with canals. Skating is the great
heritage of the Dutch.

Picnics. In the summer time there is an annual

Fourth of July picnic in a grove along the river. This

.323“? .... 24.1.: .3
.x . x . c . ,

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129

event had its origin about 1907. There are patriotic and
religious addresses; contests and games for all and the
inevitable baseball game in the afternoon. And of course
there is the general buzz of family picnics and group con-
versation. The concession stand always does a big business.
However, because of the schismatic events of recent years,
the affair is not as unanimous as it once was. Also, many
avail themselves of the automobile and good roads to go on
trips. Weather and crop conditions often affect the attend-
ance too, for the Fourth comes at the height of the irri-
gation season when water is likely to be turned off.

For a number of years all the young people of the
settlement have had an outing on Memorial Day. It usually
takes the form of a picnic far up oneof the mountain
canyons. A very fine time is usually had by all.

Every wedding is an occasion for a large youth re-
ception. An evening of games and fun marks the occasion.
There are from four to six such a year. Smaller common
interest groups have parties amongst themselves on occa-
sion. These quite naturally leave out the shy and retir-
ing. This is causing some criticism of cliquishness, but
does not as yet seem to be causing any serious divisions
among the young people. Halloween and New Year's Eve are

'the most common occasions for smaller group parties.

 

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130

M2§ig. Since 1907 there has been a band in the
settlement. But it has had its ups and downs, depending
largely on the leadership. It always plays at the Fourth
of July picnic, and usually has a winter concert if suffi-
cient practice has been had. Upon occasion the band has
played at various farmer functions in the county. Five
years ago it accepted an invitation to play at the Three
Forks Fair, but the minister and consistory strenuously
objected. Such a fair is considered to have many immoral
and worldly features with which God's children should
have nothing to do. The younger people composing the band
could not see it that way. They felt that as long as they
did not patronize those objectionable features they should
be allowed the thrill and publicity of playing before a
crowd. However, the will of the officials prevailed. But
the resentment was so great that the organization disband-
ed for two years. Since then it has been revived and
rehearses once a week during the winter months. Their big
problem is to get adequate leadership.

The young people have for many years had a choral
organization whiCh also rehearses weekly during the winter.
They give a very presentable annual program in the church.
Last season, for the first time, a Men's Chorus was organ-

ized. It joined with the Bozeman Community Chorus in pre-

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131

senting Handel's "Messiah". This was indeed an innova-
tion, indicating a broadening interest and a growing
c00peration with non-Dutch. However, there is no church
choir for reasons indicated elsewhere.S4

Quite a number of youngsters take music lessons
of one kind or another. A concern from Portland, Oregon,
sends a violin and guitar teacher once a week to meet
students at either Manhattan or Amsterdam. Piano instruc-
tion is given by four or five local musicians, one of
whom has at least twenty-five pupils. The teaching is
probably far from first class, but it is very valuable
culturally nevertheless. Some years an instructor from
Bozeman has come out to give lessons. Besides this a
number of the high school students are in the school
band. All this indicates a very wide interest in music
among the people of the settlement.

Reading. Nearly every family subscribes for one
or both official Church papers. Ihg Banner has one
hundred and twenty-five subscribers, and the Holland
language paper 2g flgghtgg, sixty-five. There are proba-
bly one hundred and fifty separate households in the
colony. The business manager of these papers states that
gradually 2g Wachter subscribers are taking the English

The Banner. The two papers have different editors and

 

54. Cf. Chapter III.

if,

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132

makeup, but both are printed in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Quoting from a letter, "The church papers are read quite
thoroughly. The people are interested in Church.news.
Since our denomination is small, the people know a great
number of the ministers, the church people, etc., and are
consequently interested in the papers. It's good Sunday
reading for most of us." ,Thg Banner is written in excel-
lent and scholarly English. Its constant reading should
develop a good command of the language. While most of the
Journal is taken up with religious articles and church
news, there are regular departments and occasional articles
on social and personal problems, family life and child
rearing, psychology, and foreign news.

Besides these, a very large percentage get the
fig;eman,§gilz_0hr nicle, the Pathfinder, one or more local
town weekly papers, a farm Journal or two, a women's mag-
azine, and often a Missionary or Christian School magazine.
There are also a considerable number of subscribers to
other Dutch language papers like Qg‘VQISvriend and‘pg
W Amerikaan. This would indicate a high average
of periodical reading. As to books, a few reported hav-
ing read a large number of both Dutch and English books,
'but the majority had read very few. The reasons for this
probably lie} in the fact that the educational level of
the people reporting is not very high; books are more

formidable and demand more sustained effort; they are

 

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133

relatively expensivejand there is no public library nearer
than Bozeman, twenty miles distant. The teachings of the
Church and their religious sensibilities limit what is
read. Modern novels with their ultra realism are con-
sidered filth. The Church papers through their book re-
views and comments on current literature no doubt influence
reading habits.

"wggldly Amusements." "Worldly amusements,‘ as
card-playing, theater-going and dancing are held to be con-
trary to the demands of a really separated life.

Card-playing fosters in our hearts the dangerous

tendency to look away from God, and to put our trust
in Fortune, or Luck, placing Fortune above the dis-
position of God, and the hankering after Chance above
the firm confidence in His will. To fear God, and to
bid for favors of Fortune, seems to the Calvinist as

irreconcilable as fire ggd water. (Dr. A. Kuyper,
Stone Lectures, p. 93.) _

Constant playing produces exaggerated stimulations
which amount to intoxication. This, again, produces
enervation and effects for evil, the whole intellec-~
tual and moral nature. Card-playing finally leads £8
gambling, to all kinds of deception and dishonesty.

There probably is not a deck of regular playing cards in
the settlement. But one does find among the younger fam-
ilies games like Book and Flinch.

The objection to the theater is the claim that it

subordinates education, morality, and public welfare to

 

— W

55. Beets,,gp. cit., p. 229.
56. Loc. cit.

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134

the one demand for entertainment. Often the theater ap-
peals to the unreal and the sensational, and provides
plays that exalt vice, and debase virtue. The actors
frequently are or become men and women of loose charac-
ter, involving moral sacrifice which ruins souls, and
strikes at the foundation of society.

No drama of any kind, Biblical or nonéBiblical,

' has ever been produced in the settlement. There has
been no leadership to promote it. It is quite question-
able whether the minister and the consistory could be
induced to allow such an innovation so suggestive of the
theater.

The Church also distinctly disapproves of moving
picture theater attendance. This ban holds pretty well
in the settlement. However, careful inquiry reveals
probably three or four who attend movies in nearby towns
openly, and probably ten to twelve who attend secretly
upon occasion. A third group includes those who have
been away to school, who attend good shows when away,
but not while in the settlement, out of deference to
their parents and the general attitude of the community.57
Of the forty-five questionnaires returned, only three
reported any attendance. They were "three or four times

a year," "once a month," and "twice in ten years."

 

i w

57. Private leter.

135

But educational films have been shown a number of times
to good crowds in the basement of the church.
As for dancing, it is

passion, however skillfully ve§§ed, (that) lies at
the basis of the modern dance.

The impure suggestion is often more manifest in
the afterthought than in the act of dancing. To
defend the modern dance from the Scriptures, is to
manifest iggorance, and to be almost guilty of
sacrilege.

There probably is not a person in the Manhattan colony
who has ever participated in a dance, unless it might be
some of the youngsters who attend high school or college,
and that is most doubtful.

Attitude Towards §ecretpSgcie§ies. The Church
maintains that secret societies are contrary to the WOrd
of God. Initiation oaths are administered by men who are
not “God ordained magistrates," and therefore do not have
authority to administer oaths. The oaths often are made
binding before the candidate knows to what he swears. I
Such oaths are unwarranted and therefore sinful. Why
should societies be secret if their works are good? Too
often their good works are selfish and therefore un-

scriptural. "If ye love them which love you, what re-

‘ward have ye?" How can saints and atheists be brothers

 

58. Beets, 22..git., p. 230.
59- L2. 21..

 

 

136

in a lodge and remain scriptural? Some lodges have used
their secret power to become an “empire within an em-
pire," to the detriment of Justice to all, and Special
privileges to none. Some lodge nomenclature is posi-
tively ridiculous and even blaSphemous. No sinner (as
each of us is) ought to dare to assume such names and
titles, full of the most solemn significance. Many of
their ceremonies are too frivolous and even dangerous
for earnest Christians to engage in. And the abuse of
the Bible in lodge ritual is common, passages being dis-
torted in meaning and application. This is especially
true at funerals of members. They are usually consid-
ered saved and in Heaven, even though Christ as Savior
is virtually excluded from all lodges, and the member
may have been an atheist.60
‘Ligggg, The Dutch are not prohibitionists, but
neither are they habitual drinkers. There has been only
one case of habitual drunkenness among the group. Once,
years ago, some young men went to town on a holiday and
in a lark, took some drinks. They got drunk and had to
confess before the congregation. Some of the peeple
constantly have a little wine or possibly beer in the
house. But usually it is served only When visitors come.

Only six of the forty-five returns stated that they used

 

60. Ibid. , p. 224.

 

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.

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137

liquor. However it is said that many of the ministers
of the church enjoy a glass of beer or wine occasional-
1y. At the communion service only fermented wine is
used, no substitutes being allowed by the Church.

‘Rgdig. Fourteen of the questionnaires, or nearly
one-third, stated that they had no radio. This is rath-
er surprising. Of this number, six even have electricity,
and all but one have either electric or gasolene power
washing machines. One has an electric stove, but no
radio. This would seem to indicate a great lag in ac-
ceptance of new culture media. The old way of life is
satisfactory to them. They have no broader interests
and therefore no desire for wider, possibly disturbing
contacts. Probably the cost overbalances all other val-
ues they can imagine. The Church, however, does not op-
pose the possession of radios, although it goes out of
the way to warn against some of the programs, eSpecially
some kinds of radio preaching. The denomination has
been planning a coast to coast transcription broadcast
by its most prominent preachers. All those who reported
having radios indicate their favorite programs to in-
clude various Speakers and gospel singers. Thus, for
the first time, these people hear religion propounded
by other than Christian Reformed preachers. And many of
them.like it. It adds an emotional factor to their
lives. It is a kind of relief from stern mechanistic

 

 

 

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138

Calvinism. And it is also bound to affect their atti-
tude towards their own church. Heretofore they have been
almost fanatical in their religious convictions and prac-
tices. Under these new contacts this attitude is certain
to mellow into greater tolerance of others. The minis-
try may be expected to do all in its power to oppose this
tendency, but it will be a difficult matter to control
the turning of radio knobs. Other programs listened to
are news, speeches, certain continued story programs,
weather and market reports, and Sports. No doubt as

time goes on the radio will become more and more an ac-
cepted and valued instrument in every household, enrich-
ing the lives of these people.

Zellgwstonewgggk. .A very important source of
recreation for the settlement is trips through‘Iellow-
stone Park which is only eighty miles distant. All of
the younger people have gone at least once, some report
having taken the trip ten times, others every year.

The trip became popularized in 1922 when the pastor and
twelve others, including the writer, made the trip.
Others had gone before, but by this time all the Dutch
had cars. Roads were also getting better, making dis-
tances seem smaller. The attention of the people had
been fastened upon the idea with the present result.

During each winter a few people take extended
trips to California, washington, Michigan or even the

 

.11.. 1.. 5.94?! :54.“ \t
.3.... .. . .N

a. .

139

Netherlands, usually to visit relatives. This is espe-
cially true when crops have been good.

Also in the winter many of the younger men go up
to the mountains for a week or two to hunt deer and elk.
This is becoming more popular, as is also fishing. An
afternoon or evening of fishing is now quite common,
though as a boy, the writer cannot recall any of the
Dutch ever doing so. The automobile and tractor have
made the difference.

Thus it is evident that life in the settlement_is
becoming broader and richer. These people are develop-
ing new interests and are becoming more socialized.
There is more time to think of other things to do than
work. However the great majority are still self-conscious
and exclusive. Ho outsiders participate within the
group, but the group is beginning to associate with.and
cooperate with other acceptable groups in certain limit-
ed ways. Their religious beliefs and traditions are
still the dominating and controlling factors.

 

43.

.11.;

N. .c’,.'I..O

\Kouunh \

CHAPTER IX
AMERICANIZATION AND DUTCH ATTITUDES

The Hollanders in Manhattan have been in a sense
a voluntary religiously isolated group. They are not
isolated geographically nor culturally, except as self
discipline does it. As one banker states it
on account of their religious beliefs and moral
fifiiifiniirihii ifienzfirififififijfifitififii.fit° the °°“'
They live their own lives in their own way religiously
.and morally. But in secular matters, they are very much
a part of the general western American scene.
W, 5.9.1933- Economically they conform
very largely to the common rural pattern. Agriculture,
finance, markets, animal husbandry, and farm journals
are very similar to the general American farm scene.
The Dutch may be a little more conservative, careful,
thrifty and hardworking, but otherwise they do not dif-
fer radically from their neighbors. As was stated else-
where, a very large percentage of the adult population
was born in the Netherlands in very poor surroundings.
They left their old homes in the hope of improving their

economic status here. Their desires were not very great.

 

61. Private letter.

 

141

They were willing to work hard at long hours for the
returns they got. 80 they are satisfied and happy with
relatively little. Theirs is not a complicated over-
organized, thrill-seeking life. They find happiness,
contentment, and solace in their practice of religion;
in their faith in God, the Bible and prOphecy; and in
the hard work that keeps them busy. In fact work in
itself is glorified as a duty, for it is God-ordained.
9_a_u__s_§_ gpggpggggDepressions.“ One could hardly
expect a naturally conservative people to be very active
in reform movements. Being intensely given to the belief
in the super-natural as the governing agency in human
affairs, the general attitude is that the problems and
sufferings of humanity are due to God's vengeance upon
a sinful mankind. In answer to a question about the
cause and cure of depressions, of the eighteen who an—
swered it, nine stated the cause variously, as "Unbelief;
Departure from the faith and tradition of the fathers;
Immorality; Falling away from God (disobedience); God
sends them (depressions) to man when people get too
'wicked, so he may stop and think and return to God."
And the cure of course is “Return to God; Turn to Him
and all will be well; the only way out is to look to Him
for help; Turning back to their old faith (repentance)."
There is no recognition at all in these statements of

any impersonal economic forces working through social

organization.

142

However, other answers included the following:
"Do not know (3); Mechanical age; World.War (2); Taking
away free trade; egotism." Three persons answered quite
strikingly as follows:

(1) The cause of depressions are that the capital
interest takes more than their share out of the
nation's income. The cure is that the consuming
public must have a bigger share of the nation's
income in order to get more of the industrial output.

(2) The speculative tendency in human nature,
monopolistic control of industry and prices, in-
stallment buying, etc. (Cure) Apply the Golden
Rule in all our business transactions. Do our ut-
most to shoulder our own reSponsibilities.

(3) After every war has been a depression, and
this new method of working with machinery in every
field is~threwingrlabor out of work. And the-govern-
ment is trying hard to remedy this, but is only
temporary help, and lots of peeple are misusing
this, and that spoils them for society (no work,
unless big pay and small hours). The present New
Deal Government is at least trying to help and rem-
edy the situation (which the old party never did).
But I think they are going too far. When we have to
raise wheat at 29-31, oats for 65¢, anybody knows we
can't live even by working 16 hours dayly in summer.
But the whole thing comes down to this, Religion is
left out, God is left out. The nation as a whole is
forgetting about God and His Christ. And I think,
yes I know, that is the main cause of today's unrest
and strife.

‘Lgbgg_Unions. A question on labor unions elicited
the general response that they were both good and bad.
The general feeling seems to be that they have gone too
far; they demand too much; they are too radical. A
number seemed to feel that unions were necessary so la-

bor could get its share to live on. One answer reads

Labor unions are good because if men have a right
to capitalize their ideas and the resources of their

 

 

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143

country, then that implies the right of men to cap-
italize their labor. In fact men must do so, if
any balance in the social order is to be preserved.
That is why I say I should like to see our country
unionized to the hilt.
This questionnaire reported the husband as 55, wife 52
and that they came from Holland in 1909.

The Christian Reformed denomination in the course
of years has made a number of declarations regarding la-
bor unions. In 188l the Synod condemned unions outright
as unchristian. Two years later it was mentioned that
some unions of employers merited rebuke. In 1892 it was
decreed that each union was to be judged on its own
merits. The Synod of 1904 distinguished between, Egg
generated unions, whose principles and activities were
plainly contrary to Holy Writ . . . and Neutral unions."
The Synod of 1916 stated that there were not enough data
on hand to show that membership in the church was in-
compatable with membership in neutral unions, "unless it
can be shown that a certain union gives constitutional
warrant to a certain sin or sins, or reveals in its regu-
lar activities that it champions sins." It also stated
that if church members were forced to join neutral
unions, they were to witness for Christ by word and
deed, in the midst of these unions, and if hindered in
this, to break with them. It also advised that Chris-
tian unions be established where desirable and that

these cooperate as much as possible with other unions

. :55. \.

, 43.x l

. . ,1: L! h. - 11 “In
‘11. , . ...

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to establish social justice.62 This has been done in
western Michigan in the Christian Labor Association, a
very small organization.
Professor W. Heyns of Calvin College has stated
Since it is undeniable that capital has dealt
unfairly with labor, especially because it pays the
workingman what it must and not what it should;
since it forsakes him in his old age; and the State,
the police and the press usually care less for his
interests than for those of capital, it cannot in
itself be condemned that the laborer by means of
joint action, tries to protect and to strengthen
himself, . . . unless of course, he employs for-
bidden means and himself oversteps the boundaries
of justice and fairness. Consequently the attitude
of the Church regarding unions is entirely dif-
ferent from that regarding Secret Orders. 3
These pronouncements show an evolution of thought
and attitude towards the labor problem, influenced un-
questionably by the factory labor membership of Michigan
cities. But the attitude of most of the Manhattan farm-
ers is like that of most rural pOpulations--decidedly
anti-union, especially anti-C. I. O. and sit-down strikes.
To most of the people, unions are dangerous and radical.
To many they are organizations of agitators who want a
good living without working.
The attitude of the pe0ple in Manhattan is great-
ly influenced by what appears in the Church papers. Con-
siderable is reported about the doings of the Christian

Reformed Church sponsored Christian Labor Association

 

62. Stuart and Hoeksema, 62. cit., p. 92.
63. Beets, 9p. cit. p. 11 .

ak‘. .
r y

.t 4.. . 9.1.4.3 v.1 3.1le \.

145

which outlaws strikes and violence. Many articles on
labor and social problems are also appearing in Ttg
‘ngp g and other church papers, written by men of more
advanced social views. These in time are bound to have
an effect upon the thinking of the entire church member-
ship, for the people have great confidence in their
church papers, considering them absolutely authentic.

1213 Egg 111;. The answers to a question on the
New Deal were in general favorable. Many said it was
both good and bad. Some feared it had gone too far and
was dictatorial. A few representative answers are the
following: "Done good in some ways, and failed in some;
Given needy assistance to down and out; Wholesome
effects upon the country; It has helped the farmer more
than anything else; I think the New Deal has been trying
to do something for the common people; Worth trying;
Abnormal times require abnormal measures which I favor
only as an emergency measure; Hoover is the bunk, Roose-
velt is the man."

.Qltigggghtp. .As citizens the Dutch are regarded
very highly. They are exceptionally law-abiding, only
two or three arrests having been made in the history of
the settlement. And very seldom are Hollanders involved
in any kind of civil suit. As tax payers they have an
extremely low delinquency record. Their general atti-

tude towards the State and Government is that of the

146

highest reapect for authority. All this is very largely
a product of their religious faith, their sense of hen-
esty and duty. They wish to do what is right. Their
record for exercising their right of franchise at elec-
tions is above average. The women generally also vote,
most of them.voting the same as their husbands, accord-
ing to questionnaire answers. Twenty-one reported hus-
bands and wives voting the same ticket, seven reported
differences, three didn't know. In 1924 sixteen reported
voting Republican, and only five Democrat, with three
non-committal. In 1932 fifteen voted Democrat, and ten
Republican, with some non-committal. In 1936 ten voted
Democrat who had voted Republican at some previous elec-
tion, while two voted Republican after having voted
Democrat in 1932. One had voted Democrat until 1924 and
Republican since. In 1936, twenty-three voted Democrat
and eleven Republican. Thus one sees that it is some-
thing besides religion that controls political preference.
Some years ago a Hollander ran for the office of
County Commissioner, but it was not until five years ago
that one of their number was elected to that office.
He has served so capably that it has made the whole set-
tlement proud. He was reelected at the last election.
TFrom.now on, no doubt, they will become more active in
local politics. They have developed a kind of politi-

cal self-confidence.

147

Although such a large number were born in the
Netherlands, less than ten remain unnaturalized. Dur-
ing the WOrld War, before the entry of the United States,
the general sympathy of the older people was with Ger-
many, or possibly more accurately, antiéBritish, because
of European history. But after the United States de—
clared war, they cooperated in Liberty Loans as much as
any others, although a few did it under duress. Only
two young men from the settlement volunteered for ser-
vice although by the close of the war some thirty had
served. One man escaped to Holland to avoid service,
but has since returned and, after serving a prison sen-
tence, now resides in the settlement. Another also had
to serve time at Leavenworth for deserting in France.
Only one from the settlement was killed in action.

Assimilation. Today the younger generation is
thoroughly Americanized. No attempt whatever is made to
keep up the Dutch language or customs, or to develop
any kind of loyalty or sympathy with the Netherlands.
One never hears Holland referred to except in private
conversations among the older people. The youth in fact
know practically nothing about the history of the old
country. There are no Dutch nationaliStic secret soci-
eties, or insurance associations. The Church is the
only organization that continues Dutch self-consciousness,
'but not along nationalistic lines. The Dutch are not a

 

..

m m..r~.
.Ntlbt
rt.
. 1

148

difficult people to assimilate into American life. They
learn the language easily, and seem to adjust themselves
readily to the American situation. Practically all of
the older folks can Speak and read English acceptably
well. For a few years Dutch was taught in the Chris-
tian schools. But today many of the first generation
children can hardly Speak it any more, while the second
generation cannot even understand it. Until about the
WOrld'War, children were always christened with dis—
tinctively Dutch names, but these were always anglicised
in actual use. Since then, however, one hears only the
English version of the names. The most characteristic
names are the Frisian from the province of Friesland.64

Some of the Frisian names and their Americanizations are

as follows. There are no rules except possibly first

letters.

Meinte. . Martin, Mike Hieltje . . Helen
Douwa . . Dan Jella . . . Charles
Jetska. . Julia Wieba . . . 'William
Antje . . Anna Bouka . . . Barney

The minutes of the church consistory are still
kept in Dutch. The question has very recently been
raised as to whether this should not be changed to En—

glish, since most of the church services are now in

 

64. Frisian is a distinct language very closely
allied to the old Anglo Saxon. Dutch is closely related
to the German, but the Frisian is more allied with the
English. A Hollander cannot understand Frisian at all.

149

English. This will probably be done very soon. The
minutes of the Christian School Society were also at
first kept in Dutch, but they have been kept in English
for over twenty years now. Incidentally the year book
of the Christian Reformed denomination was first printed
in English in 1914.

AnotherDepreggtgg? In answering the question
concerning another depression, a good many said they did
not know. One said just, "Yes," another said, "No."
Other answers were, "Depends largely on war conditions;
Expenses larger than income so people cannot control
budget and resort to installment buying; No, unless peo—
ple lose confidence in government or too drastic legis-
lation is passed; You can't eat your cake and have it
too, so it seems the piper will have to be paid, which
may spell further depression; Over-production will bring
it; Not unless God permits; If more.machinery is going
to be used, working hours should be shortened, otherwise
a large number will be without employment."

‘flgg. The verdict was almost unanimous that the
United States should not go to war except for self-
defense. However one answer stated, ”A condition under
which I would favor war must be pending before I could
give my opinion.u Since Germany has conquered the Nether-
lands, the Dutch in this country are furious. They are

r... .... axis/s
b. A e v 4‘ I’ll“ ‘

150

collecting thousands of dollars for relief of their
people. Tremendous bitterness has deve10ped against
Germany.

Spa__r_;ish mfllfiiv.-. Only ten answered the ques-
tion concerning which side they favored in the Spanish
Civil'War. Five of those said they didn't know or didn't
favor either. One said, "None. They receive as a na-
tion what they have done to God's people in former times.
Look up history." This no doubt refers to Holland's
Eighty Years war with Spain, and the Spanish Inquisi-
tion. The other five distinctly favored the Loyalists
because of "democracy, free religion, against German and
Italian interference, freedom of Speech, press and
religion."

Lgsurance.fl For a number of years at the turn of
the century the matter of insurance of all kinds was
argued in the Christian Reformed Church. Many condemned
it on the ground that it showed lack of trust in God's
care. There still are those who believe this, and thus
do not have insurance of any kind. Synod in 1886 decreed
that purchasing fire insurance was a matter for the indi-
vidual conscience. Today the great majority of the peo-
ple under discussion have purchased various kinds of in-
surance, eSpecially fire and crop insurance. Most of

them also have a small amount of life insurance.

151

Anecdotes. The Dutch as a group are considered
very honest, but some of them have very peculiar ways
about them. 'When the church was being built the wind-
mill on a deep well broke down, so the minister ap-
proached an implement dealer for the loan or rental of
a gasolene pumping outfit. After many months of use the
minister returned and said they had decided to keep the
outfit if the dealer would make them a good price, see-
ing as now the machine was a second hand one. The out-
fit retailed for one hundred forty-five dollars. Pre-
viously the dealer had promised to pay one hundred dollars
towards the church building, so he said he would donate
the pump and cancel the pledge.

This same dealer got the contract to supply all
the hardware for the church at four hundred dollars, a
very low price. The church borrowed money to pay all
their bills but his, asking him to wait a year. To
keep his business going, he had to borrow that amount
himself at eight percent. The next year when the trea-
surer came to pay, the dealer added the eight percent
to the bill, but the treasurer objected vehemently, say-
ing he would not dare do that. To keep good will, the
business man let it go.

Another time this implement dealer asked to leave
a demonstrator Oliver plow in a farmer's shed for a

'while. The farmer had another make of plow, and boasted

 

It'll

152

how well his scoured, even though a long-handled wooden
paddle hung from the seat. Later in the fall he asked
how much rent the dealer would charge if he used the
plow, because he liked the way it scoured. "How do you
know?" asked the dealer. Then he had to admit that he
had used it without permission to plow twenty acres.
The dealer said the only rent would be to bring it into
town when he got through. Month after month went by,
but no plow came. Finally he offered the farmer two dol-
lars and fifty cents to bring it in. The next morning
it was there and he took the money.

Another farmer hitched his team to a plow for fif-
teen minutes to demonstrate its scouring ability, and
then stood and talked three quarters of an hour. Upon
invitation to send a bill, he collected five dollars.

These anecdotes are not presented as typical of
all the Dutch, but often there is peculiarity of conduct
that is perplexing, to say the least. They have lacked
refinement, good taste and manners. Many of them are a
bit crude.

In recent years, the Dutch have become more ap-
proachable. For two years a professor from the College
at Bozeman came out once a week and lectured to large
audiences on farm bookkeeping, seed ratios, crop rotation
and similar subjects. Some of the younger men are getting
interested in."educated farming,“ and are taking winter

153

short courses at the College. Also there are a few of
the more progressive or more assimilated farmers who are
active on county committees of various organizations.

At one public school a number of Dutch boys have entered
4H Club work and won many prizes at the County Fair.

This work should rapidly expand in the near future.

With these expanding activities and increased association
with the non-Dutch, the culture patterns of the Dutch
will gradually become modified.

CHAPTER X
SUMMARY

In summary the main facts resulting from this
historical and case study of the Holland settlement near
Manhattan, Montana may be briefly reviewed. They center
around the role of the church in social control.

The first Dutch settlers at Manhattan were brought
there direct from the Netherlands in 1893 to grow barley
for an eastern brewing concern. The early years were
very difficult because of ignorance and water scarcity.
But as conditions improved, the news spread, and soon
more and more Hollanders came from many parts of the
United States and the Netherlands. Most of these people
were of the poorer working class who were members of the
very orthodox Christian Reformed Church, either in the
Netherlands or in this country.

The Christian Reformed Church is the product of
two schisms, one in the Netherlands in 1837 and one in
Michigan in 1857. The creedal standards of the church
are (l) the Heidelberg Catechism, (2) The Netherlands
Confession of Faith, and (3) The Canons of Dordrecht.
The Church Order or constitution is substantially that
drawn up by the famous Synod of Dordrecht in 1618-1619.

 

155

This set up a Presbyterian System of church government
composed of local consistory, classis, and finally the
highest judicatory, the synod. The consistory is the
ruling power in the local congregation. It is composed
of elders and deacons, each having special duties. The
chairman is the pastor. They deal with problems of mem-
bers involving religious and moral issues. The consis-
tory takes its responsibilities seriously. All major
infractions of civil or church laws are investigated,
and, if after due procedure proper relationships are not
reestablished, disciplinary measures are instututed end-
ing in excommunication. Usually the member resigns be-
fore matters proceed so far.

The Christian Reformed Church is distinctive in
its strict adherence to certain principles. (1) It is
militantly Calvinistic; (2) it requires regular preaching
from the Heidelberg Catechism; (3) all children must at-
tend catechism classes; (4) Christian schools are pro-
moted wherever possible; (5) it demands the "separated
life" for its members, being opposed to secret orders
and all forms of worldly amusements; and (6) until re-
cently, it sang only Psalms in public worship.

Until about 1930 there was only the one large church
at Manhattan. But since then there have developed five
schismatic groups, three centered in nearby towns, and

two in the heart of the settlement. An important cause

. u. lilnllh

 

156

of this situation is the inability of the present pastor
to tactfully handle cases of doctrinal dispute, and the
general dislike that the members of the congregation feel
for him. But there are also honest doctrinal differences
involving the doctrines of predestination and infant bap-
tism. Four of these seceding groups have broken complete-
ly with all Dutch traditions. A large part of these con-
gregations and the pastors are non-Dutch. Their youth

are also intermarrying with non-Dutch. Within another
generation they will have been completely assimilated.

In the field of education the Church exerts a
great influence. In 1903 the first Christian School So-
ciety was formed to promote the building of a school.
This was consummated in 1907. Today there are two such
schools. Not all the Dutch children attend these schools
however. There are seven public district schools in
which the pupil membership is from eighty-five to one
hundred per cent Dutch. All these schools today are
taught by local youths who have been graduated from high
school and have secured the required teacher's certifi-
cate. They all incorporate religious worship in their
programs. In 1914 for the first time, three Dutch stu-
dents passed the county eighth grade examinations. Four
years later one of these was graduated from Manhattan
High School. For ten years very few went on to high

school, but those who did went to Christian schools in

157

Iowa and Michigan. Later, for a few years, the ninth
and tenth grades were taught in the Christian School in
the settlement, with many going on to finish at Manhattan.
Since 1936 large numbers have been transported by school
bus to Manhattan where they finish their entire course.
Plans, however, are under way to again offer the ninth
and tenth grade work on an accredited basis in the fall
of 1941. Some thirteen from the settlement have been
graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids with A. B.
degrees. However, only one has been graduated from Mon-
tana Agricultural College in nearby Bozeman because they
have not felt the need for "educated farming." None of
theSe college people have remained in the settlement.
Although the church does not demand that parents
send their children to the Christian Schools, the offi-
cials do urge it very strongly. But it is required that
all children attend catechetical classes. Everything
possible is done to indoctrinate "Biblical truth" as con-
trary to the theory of evolution, materialism, rational-
ism, and humanism. Where Hollanders are on Public School
Boards, they now always insist on local youths as teach-
ers, thus insuring correct instruction of their children,
or at least not mis-instruction. The determination to
reestablish the ninth and tenth grades in spite of ex-
tra expense, is a product of this purpose. It is doubt-

ful whether as many will hereafter complete high school

 

A —-—"- ‘

158

at Manhattan, for the tendency may be to stop at the end
of the tenth grade. These youngsters will also be de-
prived of valuable socializing influences of the town
school. But of course, that is the intention.

Farming is the main occupation of the people.
Between 1900 and 1923 conditions were most prosperous,
but since then most of these people have had difficult
times. As a result debt and tenantry has mounted con-
siderably. The mechanization of farming has increased
the amount of capital necessary, and reduced the amount
of labor needed to operate farms, thus making it more
difficult for young men to become established. As a re-
sult many younger people are going to the nearby towns,
especially Bozeman, to gain employment. Others are going
on to school to become teachers, while a few are entering
various trades or small businesses. Many are just hired ‘
hands. Some are leaving the settlement while a few are
finding farms to work at a considerable distance. One
of the big problems facing the farmers is the scarcity
of water for irrigation purposes. The Church makes no
attempt to control economic endeavors within the bounds
of traditional ethics and morality. However it is very
strict in the matter of Sabbath observance.

The family is still a very strong unit in Dutch
life in Manhattan. Within nearly every family religion

is practiced in the traditional manner. There is much

159

reading of the Bible, church papers and other religious
literature; prayers are always said before and after
meals, and by most people at retiring and arising from
bed. This is traditional, habitual and demanded by the
church. Dutch families tend to be large, and family dis-
cipline on the average is quite strong. Religious doc-
trine vests the father with supreme authority. Thus it
happens that most families have been of the authoritar-
ian type. However amongthe younger element there is

less evidence of the autocratic type of father. This

is probably largely due to a gradual change in attitude
towards women as a result of a higher educational level
of both sexes. The ministry no doubt approves of this.
But there is as yet no demand or discussion about women
voting in church elections or holding offices, let alone
entering the ministry, as they have done in some churches.
Dutch homes are usually well equipped, neat and clean.
Courting in the settlement is almost entirely an auto-
mobile phenomenon, because religious scruples deprive the
youth of recreational places to attend. The tendency is
to date very few of the Opposite sex. Because of economic
factors engagements tend to be quite long, resulting at
times in forced marriages. There are very few marriages
with non-Dutch by Christian Reformed young people. There
are very few cases of divorce in the history of the settle-

ment. The church through the consistory and the pastor,

160

annually officially visits each family, conferring with
its members concerning their spiritual lives and general
conduct. Often these are very perfunctory; but they have
been a powerful medium for exerting institutional control.

Most of the associational life of the colony re-
volves about the church and its various organizations.
The Sunday services are the general gatherings of the
population. The youth of the church also meet each Sun-
day evening. Women's and girls' missionary societies
meet bi-weekly, but these are rather small. During the
winter there are regular weekly rehearsals of the band
and singing organizations. These all meet at the church.
Besides these activities there are baseball in summer,
and skating in winter, fishing and hunting, travel, an
annual Fourth of July picnic, wedding receptions and
private parties. There are no card clubs, bingo, movie
or theater attendance, pool halls, dancing or lodges.
Very little liquor is used. The church strictly en-
forces its ban on "worldly amusements." The people
practice the "separated life", but with gradual modifi-
cations.

Most families take a daily paper, church period-
icals and two or three popular magazines. Many read a
number of books also. There is a surprising lag in ac-
ceptance of the radio, however. Fully one third of those
reporting stated that they had no radio, even though they

 

161

may have had electricity and even an electric range.
The church does not oppose radio for the denomination
regularly broadcasts sermons by some of its preachers.
It is simply a case of frugality versus culture. The
expense is not worth the return to them.

The Dutch people have developed a high sense of
the beautiful. Their homes are simply but artistically
arranged; nearly all the women do excellent embroidery
and sewing; and flowers are grown in abundance. The
church is beautifully decorated and has stained glass
windows. Some of the men have also developed handi-
craft to a marked degree. A large proportion of the
people participate in music and singing. It is a real
delight to hear the congregation sing Dutch Psalms or
English Hymns. Everybody sings with utter abandon. Need-
less to say there is no appreciation of the modern ultra-
realistic novel and paintings of nude figures. To them
those are distinctly immoral sentiments parading as art.

The Dutch people possess certain qualities of
character that are generally recognized as being exem-
plary. Among these are willingness to work hard and long,
frugality, careful management, personal integrity and re-
ligious devotion. Much of this is the product of histor-
ical and geographic factors. With such a large proportion
of the group in Manhattan having been born in the Nether-

lands, in the poorer classes of society, it is only to be

162

expected that old country ideas and traditions have been
very strong. Until recently these people were very much
socially self-isolated. They felt themselves to be dif-
ferent nationally, linguistically, and especially re-
1igiously. As the children have grown older the nation-
ality feeling has rapidly declined, the linguistic
barrier has completely disappeared for most of them, and
the religious cleavage with Americans has considerably
mellowed. By means of the radio they have learned that
there are Americans who believe much as they do.

The local congregation at Manhattan is not an
isolated entity, but is part of a nation-wide organ-
ization. It is subject to the decisions of Classis and
Synod--not that there have ever been any decisions to
which there was any serious opposition. But it is im-
portant to their psychology that they belong to a much
larger group. It broadens their horizon and gains their
interest in larger problems than their own. This is
accomplished most effectively through their virile and
well edited church press. Slowly more enlightened posi-
tions are being taken on many matters.

Officially the church remains as orthodox and
fundamentalist as ever, for creedal standards have been
strictly upheld. As long as the ministry is carefully
trained and rigid discipline over preaching is maintained
this will no doubt continue for many years. Change will

163

come in church methods and practices before it will in
the creed. But modification of the Church Order is
probably inevitable.

The work of the ministry is to keep the member-
ship convinced that the traditional creeds, standards,
and disciplines are absolutely true and unchangeable.
However, there are other forces outside of the church
that are working contrariwise. Religiously there are
other doctrines and methods being preached, to which
some listen; educationally there is the question of
scientific fact and theory versus orthodox faith that
creates doubt; culturally the problem resolves itself
in time and energy-~expanding interests leave less time
and energy for the church.

Social pressure in a colony like that at Manhattan
is most powerful when the group feels self conscious and
isolated, for social life is limited within the confines
of the group. There is no escape so individuals almost
necessarily conform without question. However, right
from the beginning there have been a few who were not
religiously inclined, and who have never attended church.
Where these latter have been on the edge of the settle-
ment or in the towns they seem to have found association
with Americans easier than church folk. Thus it would
seem that religion is a greater isolating factor than

language. But for those who have lived in the settlement

 

ther
one.

and

its
cal
of

is

164

there has been very little social intercourse with any-
one. In a number of cases this has produced retiring
and shy personalities in the children.

With the church being somewhat on the defensive
its control by punitive methods is less effective be-
cause not so fearful. The individual or family now have
other places to go; other associations are possible. It
is the larger family connections that tend to exert some
considerable control however. The family plus the church
is the most effective social control factor.

The church is not entirely synonymous with religion.
The Christian Reformed Church is very legalistic, emphas-
izing knowledge of official doctrine. Their people are
trained to know the correct answers to certain questions.
But knowledge does not guarantee a truly religious person-
ality. One is impressed with the fact that in many in-
stances, especially among the younger group, it is the
group mores that controls rather than true religious de-
votion. Their religious practice tends to be intellect-
ual rather than emotional or spiritual. Theirs is merely
a mechanistic conformity which some day under certain
circumstances may make it easy for them to leave the
church. On the other hand those who have left the church
for other schismatic groups have done so as the result of

a conversion or definite conviction. Theirs is a sub-

jective control and not an institutional one. They

165

practice no formal discipline.

One of the most important organizations in the
settlement sociologically is the Young People's Society.
The youth are here further trained in matters of religion
and are kept vitally connected with the church as an or-
ganization. And it is here that associations are formed
that lead to marriage and family life. Upon marriage,
their membership in the organization ceases. But single
people often continue to attend when nearly forty years
of age. Unfortunately there are a dozen or more men who
have never married, having lost out in the competition
for girls. A few girls have also not married due to per-
sonality complications, no doubt. Very few marry non-
Dutch, which practice is frowned upon by the church.
However, the non-Christian Reformed Dutch are marrying
their non-Dutch coreligionists. Very few have civil
weddings.

Politically there is no uniformity of conduct in
the colony. The church is absolutely neutral. Each
individual votes according to his understanding of his
own self-interest. The Dutch are good, loyal citizens,
proud of their adopted country. Very seldom do any of
them run afoul of the law. Their honesty, integrity and
sense of duty and reSponsibility are everywhere highly

commended.

CHAPTER XI
CONCLUSION

The Dutch settlement under consideration is typ-
ical of most Dutch rural communities. A predominantly
common religious faith with its Dutch traditions and
connections, is the strongest force that keeps the mem—
bers united and self-conscious, but socially isolated
or segregated from the rest of the American community.
They exist as ethnic islands under constant bombard-
ment by exterior social, economic and religious forces
which gradually produce modification of attitudes and
traditional behavior. From the facts of the case in
Manhattan, language and national loyalties are the
first to be affected, while the last are religious be-
liefs and church institutional customs and traditions.
Their church history, traditions, creeds and fraternal
connections all emphasize their Dutch origin and dif-
ferences. The church is still interested only in the
Dutch. It would be a shock in Manhattan, at least,
for an American to make application for membership.

However, those Dutch who have resigned in favor
of affiliation with organizations that include Ameri-

cans have severed all Dutch traditional connections and

167

associations, even to the extent of commonly intermarry-
ing with their American co-religionists. These people
can be said to be nearly completely assimilated. Until
the Christian Reformed Dutch accept Americans all un-
consciously into their church and intermarry with them
freely, they cannot be said to be completely assimilated.
It will probably be a good many years before this tran-
Spires. The process will be a gradual and continuous

one probably culminating in the unification of the church
with one of the more orthodox American denominations.

But at present that is almost unthinkable.

In other phases of life the Dutch are quite easi-
1y assimilated. They very readily adopt the English
language and American national sentiments, and make good,
responsible, law abiding citizens. A very high percen-
age always votes and some even hold elective offices.

In no sense do the Dutch constitute a nationalistic
problem. .

With the passing of time, the Dutch become more
and more Americanized, especially through their children.
_The school curriculum, advanced education, newspapers,
periodicals, politics, radio, business connections and
travel all make them conscious of being a part of the
total American scene. There are no nationalistic socie-
ties or other organizations that promote any distinctly
Dutch sentiments. Even the church does not do it at all

consciously.

168

The church exerts a powerful influence over the
lives of its members. In its preaching, teaching and
disciplinary activities it uses many appeals and tech-
niques to maintain its position. It persuades by constant
repetition; inspires love of truth and righteousness
through suggestive imitation of Christ and the Saints,
stressing the otherworldly rewards to the faithful; and
develops restraint and self-discipline through fear of
the ever watchful eye of God and the terror of eternal
punishment in hell. To guard against evil influences and
also as evidence of true religious faith, the church pre-
scribes the separated or segregated life, free from the
evil contamination of an outside world. Coercive measures
of investigation, publicity and final excommunication are
invoked against all non-conformists in faith and overt
behavior. The people are trained to accept authority,
especially that of the Bible. The preeminent status of
the minister is founded upon his authority derived from
the Saints and his great knowledge of the Bible itself.

The church constantly preaches "the separated
life," "the unique chosen few," "the elect," "keeping
oneself unspotted from the world," and the wickedness of
"worldly amusements." All unconsciously the Dutch have
assumed that the non-Dutch social world was the personi-
fication of evil. They have developed a kind of unholy
pride, a "holier than thou" attitude. But this attitude

169

is gradually disappearing as they become more informed
about American groups who believe much as they do. For
example, the Lutheran Hour on the radio has had a great
influence upon Dutch attitudes towards non-Dutch. There
are increasing evidences of a broader outlook. They are
beginning to participate in many non-religious activities
of the community, Sports, athletics, high school atten-
dance, county fair, cooperatives, political rallies and
concerts. They are more and more becoming a participat-
ing part of the larger community to the benefit of all.
Faith in religion as such is not on the decline in
the settlement. In fact the conflict situation as it
exists tends to emphasize the role of religious faith
among the people. All the various groups accept the
Bible as the eternal revealed Word of God, but they dis-
agree about its interpretation. There are very few in-
fluences in the settlement that would lead many to question
the truth of the Bible. The only possibility might be
those who have taken science courses in high school or
college, but they are in the great minority and would
hardly dare reveal their doubts. There are some, no doubt,
who lack religious fervor because their daily personal
experiences do not evidence the kind of supernaturalism
preached. But even such might get into heated arguments

about what the Bible teaches.

170

Those who have left the old church and its tradi-
tions have developed a defense psychology to justify their
position. A kind of fanaticism has grown up that in-
creases the tenseness of the conflict. The social unity
of the settlement has been shattered beyond much hope of
repair. Each group has its own youth organization and
activities, with no cooperation between them. Intermar-
riage will be discouraged because of institutional and
family loyalties. Associational life among the smaller
groups is certain to be greatly restricted with conse-
quent serious effects upon personality deve10pment.

It is quite evident that people possessing a deep
religious faith have a self-discipline that produces
desirable behavior. Their honesty, integrity, high credit
rating, law observance, and general good citizenship are
unquestionably greatly influenced by their religious
faith and practice. Also their remarkable family sta-
bility, shown by the absence of divorce and broken homes,
is further evidence of this.

Change within the Christian Reformed Church is
most likely to originate in the larger urban centers in
Michigan and farther east. Some of it will come from
younger preachers whose backgrounds and contacts before
seminary days have been more liberal. Other modifications
will result from a slow change in membership opinion and

loyalty on certain beliefs and practices. It will very

171

probably not be rapid nor radical, but it will be a def-
inite response to an ever changing social situation.

The events and results of the present World War are
bound to create ideas and problems that will have reper-
cussions in the realm of religion.

The Manhattan church will not be in the vanguard
of denominational change. Being rural and more isolated
it will probably remain more conservative. A social lag
will no doubt exist even in official practice.

Whatever change takes place in Manhattan will be
in the attitudes and loyalties of the people themselves.
As they have ever widening and increasing numbers of con-
tacts with the outside world through the radio, press,
education, and personal contacts in the towns, the young-
er people are certain to modify many of their traditional
attitudes. As their culture expands their interests
will grow and their wants will increase. Thus new forms
of association will develop leaving less time and energy
for religious things. Their absolute certainty and un-
questioned devotion to all that their church stands for
is undergoing a slow change. The very fact that so many
have already severed their connections with the Chris-
tian Reformed Church will make it easier for others to
show dissatisfaction. At the same time this situation
is likely to create a more careful and less rigid atti-

tude on the part of the officials and the rest of the

172

loyal devoted membership. After all, the disciplinary
power of a church depends upon the assent and support of
the great majority of its membership. As membership at-
titudes change, so do the powers of the institution.

It is quite probable that the colony has reached
the limits of its growth, eSpecially if the rural eco-
nomic situation remains unchanged. However with modern
transportation, people can live at quite a distance and
still come to church on Sundays. The peak of church mem-
bership has also probably been passed. A few families
may, from time to time, leave the church for the schis-
matic groups, but barring some unseen conflict, the
church situation is about stabilized. The old church
will probably get no stronger, and its control is not
apt to increase. The chances are that the Opposite will
take place. But much will depend on how soon they will
be able to obtain a new pastor, and what kind of man he
proves to be.

Just as this manuscript is being typed word has
come that the pastor has received and accepted a call
from Edmonton, Canada. The identity and type of man to

replace him has not yet been decided.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books

Abbot, Newton Carl, Montana in the Making, Billings,
Montana: Gazette Printing Company, 1931, ?pp.

Allport, Floyd Henry, Institutional Behavior, Chapel
Hill: The University or North Carolina Press,

1933.526 pp.

Beets, Henry, The Christian Reformed Church in North
America, Grand Rapids: Eastern Avenue Book Store,

Bernard, L. L., Social Control in its Sociological—As-
pects, New”York: Macmillan, 1939, 705 pp.

Chapin, F. Stuart, Contemporary American Institutions,
New Yerk: Harpers, 1935, 423 pp.

Fry, C. Luther, The United States Looksiat_ its Churches,
New“York: Institute of Social and Religious Re-
search, 1930, 181 pp.

Galpin, Charles Josiah, Empty Churches, New York:
Century, 1925, 150 pp.

Houston, Mrs. E. Lina, Early Histor of Gallatin Com tz,
Montana, Bozeman, Montana: ozeman Chronicle
Print: 19359 ? PP-

Landis, Benson‘Y., Rural Church Life in the Middle West,
Committee on Social and Religious“ Surveys, Doran,
NeW'York: Doran Publishing Co., 1922,88 pp.

Landis, Paul H., Three Iron Mining TOWDS’flA Study in
Cultural Change, Ann Arbor, Michigan: Edwards
Brothers Inc., 1938, 148 pp.

LaPiere, Richard T., Collective Behavior, New'York:
McGraw Hill, 1933, 577 pp.

Myers, A. J.‘William.and Sundt, Edwin E., The Country
Church as It Is,New'York: Revell,1930, 189 pp.

174

Stuart, 'William.and Hoeksema, Gerrit, Rules Lf Order
for the Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1935, 150 pp.

Pamphlets

Are‘WeD Doing Our Duty as Parents? As Teachers? The
National Union of Christian Schools, Chicago.

Berkhof, Professor L., The Cornerstone Lr the Christian
School g§_The Covenant 9; Grace and its Educational

Implications, The National Union or Christian
Schools, Chicago, 193k. ZAPP.

Montana Department Lf Agriculture, Labor and Indust
Division of Publicity, Montana--Resources ang Op-

portunities, Helena, Montana. May, 1933. 127 pp.

Mumford, Eben, Thaden, J. F. and Spurwood, Margaret Ca-
wood, The Standard Lf Living LI Farm.Families in
Selected —Michigan Communities, Special Bulletin

,Agricultural Experiment Station, Michigan
State College, East Lansing, Michigan, October,

1932.

Montana Agricultural College, Progrm mPlanning, Planning
an Agricultural Program for Gallatin County, Mon-
tana Extension Service, Bozeman, Montana, October,

1936.

Sewell, William.H., The Construction and Standardization
Lt a Scale for the Measurement Lt the Socio-
Economic Status Lf Oklahoma Farm Families, Tech-
nical Bulletin No. 9, Oklahoma Agriculture and
Mechanical College, Agricultural Experiment
Station, Stillwater, Oklahoma, April, 1940

Taylor, J. 0., Planning §g_Agricultural Program.for
Gallatin County, Montana Extension Service, Boze-

man, Montana, 1936, 100 pp.

175

Unpublished Materials

Ryskamp, H. E., The Dutch in.Western Michigan, Doctor's

Dissertation, The University of Michigan, Ann
Arbor, 1930.

Original Minutes of the Congregation.
Church Membership Books.

APPENDIX

LETTER AND QUESTIONNAIRE
sent to the
FAMILIES OF THE DUTCH COLONY
near ‘
MANHATTAN, MONTANA

Church Hill, Montana
August 5 . 1937

Dear Friend:

No doubt you are surprised to receive this letter
from.me. But besides being home on a visit, I am also
attempting to do some work for a higher College degree.
I wish to write what is called a "Case Study" of the
Holland settlement. To do this I must get a great deal
of detailed information. It is simply impossible for me
to visit every family this summer, so I would appreciate
very much if you would take an evening or so and answer
the following questionnaire as best you can, and return
it to me at your earliest convenience in the enclosed
envelope. I expect to be leaving August 23rd.

These answers will be kept in the strictest con-
fidence. I pledge absolutely that nobody besides myself
and possibly a College Professor in East Lansing, Michigan
will see these sheets. Notice I do not ask you to sign
your name, and no attempt will be made to identify the
sheet later. I am only interested in the TOTAL SITUATION
not in PERSONALITIES. But I would like the most accurate
information possible. Of course only answer the questions
applying to you.

You may wonder why I ask some of the questions I
do. For instance, I want to find the average size of
families; the number of males and females; growth and
change of population; economic status today; changes in
recent years; possible trendsin the future; average in—
come; amount of farm.tenancy; percentage and change of

177

farm ownership; size of farms; total interest payments
of the community; changes in farming etc., etc. No doubt
you will be interested in what I find out.

If I can get enough cooperation on the part of
everybody in this matter, I may return next year and get
the complete family histories of all the people in the
settlement today, plus as much information as I can get
of the more prominent families that have left, and publish
it in booklet form. Naturally the selling price of such
a book would depend upon the number of copies to be print-
ed. My last question then is, "If I can get the book
published to sell for $2.50 or less, how many c0pies might
you be interested in?"

If in answering the questionnaire you need more
space, use the back of the sheet, numbering the question,
please, or use a sheet of your own. Do the very best you

can.
I thank you heartily for your cooperation.

Very sincerely,

 

QUESTIONNAIRE

(If you do not have accurate figures, make the very best
estimate you can)

1. Age of husband Wife Boys at home Girls at
home Total number of children living Died

2. When did you come to the settlement Where
from? Why? .

3. How many of you at home now were born in the
Netherlands?

178
h.‘Where would you like to move to if you could?
Why? .
5. If you are farming, when did you start?

6. How many acres do you work now? Irrigated
Dry

 

7. How many acres did you work in 1922? Irrigated
Dry

 

8. How many acres do you own clear title to now?
In 1922—

9. How many acres do you have mortgaged now?
In 1922

10. How much mortgage do you have now? In 1922
11. How many acres do you rent now? In 1922

12. How long have you stayed on each farm.you have rent-

 

 

ed? (1) (2) (3)
13. What is your total indebtedness of every kind now
In 1922
lh.‘What is your total interest payments now? In 1922

15. Who owns the land you work now?

 

16. Give the various prices that you know your land has
been sold for at various times, giving the years.

17. What was the yield per acre the past two years of the
various kinds of crops you grow?

‘What was the money yield per acre for those crops?

18. What irrigation canal serves you? How many
inches of water right?

19. To what extent have you used commercial fertilizer?

20. In what year, and how much was the very best yield
per acre for various crops you have grown?

What was the income per acre?

21.
22.
23.
2h.
25.
26.

37°
28.
29.

30.

31.
32.

33.

35.
36.

179

Last year what income did you derive from.hogs
Dairy products Cattle Sheep Poultry

In what year did you make most money, and how much,
from.the following? Hogs Dairy products
Cattle Sheep Poultry

To what extent do you keep books of your business?

What machinery and power equipment do you have that
wasn't in common use in 1922?

How many all-year men do you hire now? At what
wage In 1922, number ‘Wage

How many men do you hire for short terms now?
At what wage In 1922, number Wage

How many sons over 15 help you?
What pay if any do they get?

How much Government Aid money have you received to
date?

If you work for wages (a) what do you do? (b) At
what rate are you paid? (0) How much income per
year? (d) How much have you been unemployed the
past five years? (e) For how many years have you
previously farmed? (1) Why did you quit farms
ing? ~ '

How many horses do you have now? 1922

When was your house painted last? Other build-
ings

What improvements have been made on your place dur-
ing the past five years?

What make and year automobile do you have?
To what Cooperative Organizations do you belong?

In what city do you do most of your trading now?_____
In 1922___

37.
38.

39.
L0.
#1.
#2.
#3.

##-
#5.

#6.
#7.
#8.
#9.

50.
51.

52.
53.

5#.
55.

56.

180

To what extent do you trade with Mail order houses?

How many quarts of fruit vegetables meat
do you can each year?

How much baked goods do you buy per week?_____

How much doctor bills have you had the past year?_____
For what causes?

Hospital bills?_____Causes_____

Have the older members of your family been through
Yellowstone Park?

When did you go?

What party did you vote for President from.l9l2 to 1936?
1912 1920 1928 1936 -
1916 192# 1932

Have husband and wife always voted the same ticket?
What language do you mostly speak at home?
Can your children speak Dutch? Understand it

List the papers and magazines of all kinds that are
read by any members of your family.

How does this list compare with 1922?

List as arately the books wife and husband read last
year. On back of sheet)

Do you read the Bible regularly at meals?

What radio programs do you listen to most regularly?
(0n back of sheet)

What kind of special broadcasts do you tune in on?

To what extent do you use beer, wine, or hard
liquor?

How often do any of your family attend moving picture
shows?

. .
. _.._.___._4'__—‘ i.-.-_§.r‘_-n.n-_'_L_L-A-¢__‘_Jr ' .. “ I

181

57. Do you play any kind of card games?
58. How many rooms does your house have?

59. Check the following list for equipment which you have
and use regularly in your home.

Electricity Kerosene mantle lamp
Running water Kerosene wick lamp
Hot running water Electric stove
Electric flat iron Gasoline or Kerosene stove
Gasoline flat iron Coal range
Flat irons Coal heater
Large floor rugs or - Oil heater

carpets Coal furnace
Linoleum Oil furnace
Bath tub Radio
Indoor water toilet Electric washer
Chemical toilet ' Gasolene power washer
Kitchen sink Hand power washer
Electric refrigerator Scrub board only
Gasoline lamp Telephone

' 60. If you will, I would like to have a brief statement
of your opinion on the following subjects.

a. What do you believe to be the cause and cure of
depressions?

b. Are labor unions good or bad. Give reasons for
your answer.

c. What do you think about the New Deal in general?
Do you think we'll have another depression soon?

Why?

d. Under what conditions would you favor the U. S.
going to war?

e. Which side do you favor in the Spanish fight? Why?
(Answer on back of sheet)

61. If I can get the book published to sell for $2.50 or
less, how many copies might you be interested in?

 

 

 

 

 

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0438