A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

The Story of Bible Schools and Christian High Schools In reviewing the educational efforts of the early Mennonite Brethren, F. C. Peters, prominent M. B. educator and theologian, makes the following observation: "When viewed from the perspective of the American Mennonite educational scene, Mennonite Brethren have made a significant contribution in one area. . . . The growth of short term Bible schools has been largely a Mennonite Brethren phenomenon." 3 This "Mennonite Brethren phenomenon" should be viewed, however, not in isolation but against the backdrop of the Bible institute movement in conservative Protestantism (Fundamentalism) with which it had some connections, and by which it was strongly influenced. The Bible institute movement in America is less than one hundred years old. It began with the two pioneer schools, Nyack Missionary College (1882) and Moody Bible Institute (1886). These were followed by numerous other Bible schools in the early decades of the twentieth century. According to S. A. Witmer, "the major development in number of schools took place from 1931 to 1960. In this thirty-year period, 73 percent of the existing Bible colleges and institutes were established." 4 It is significant that the Bible school movement among Mennonite Brethren also reached its peak during that period. Institutional Christian education in the M. B. Church of America had an insignificant beginning. Two years after G. B. Simpson founded the Nyack missionary school in the state of New York, J. F. Harms began a small private school at Canada, Kansas. The school curriculum provided for elementary instruction in German, English, and Bible. After two years of operation in Canada, a School Association was formed which took over the school and relocated it in Lehigh (Kansas). Here Harms continued his teaching ministry for two more years 11886-1888). According to J H. Lohrenz, "this school . . . may be regarded as the first Mennonite Brethren school in America, ana J. F. Harms as the pioneer educator of the M. B. Church." 1 256 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH The School Association (Schulverein) also subsidized the training of young men for the teaching profession. P. H. Wedel was one of the most promising young scholars whom the association supported at the Baptist Seminary in Rochester. In 1890 Wedel accepted a call for evangelistic work in the conference. This decision was a great disappointment to the brethren in the School Association. Subsequent- ly, according to one report, Harms asked Wedel: "Why have you done this to us?" The latter replied: "What can you expect? First you send me to a seminary, and make a preacher out of me, — small wonder, that I am no longer a teacher." 6 Shortly thereafter the Association was dissolved. The Corn Bible Academy The concern for biblical instruction led to the founding of a school some years later in the Corn community of Oklahoma. The Corn Bible