The Century Chest Collection
To the Federation of the Women's Missionary Societies of 2013
(Transcribed from the original)
HISTORY OF FEDERATION OF THE WOMEN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES OF OKLAHOMA CITY
[Photograph of Mrs. H. S. Gilliam – President]
History of Federation of the Woman's Missionary Societies of Oklahoma City.
SPECIAL DATES TO BE REMEMBERED.
1908---June----Constitution adopted
1908---September---Initial steps in Library Work.
1909---January -----First Annual Day of Prayer.
1911---November----Golden Jubilee
1911---December----Rest Room at Y.W.C.A.
1911---December----Revised Constitution adopted.
1912---June------------Missionary Institute.
1912---June------------Two Vice-Presidents Elected.
1912---August---------Historian Elected.
1912---August---------Parliamentarian Elected.
1912---November----Home Mission Campaign.
1913---March----------Livingstone Centenary.
1913---March----------History of Century Chest.
OFFICERS.
1908-1913----President---Mrs. H. S. Gilliam.
1908------------Secretary---Mrs. C. L. Stealey.
1908-1909-----Secretary---Mrs. S. M. Armour.
1909-1910-----Secretary---Mrs. Bunn Booth.
1910-1911-----Secretary---Mrs. J. B. Thorburn.
1911-1912-----Secretary---Mrs. F. O. Sensebaugh.
1912-1913-----Secretary---Miss Bertha Stephens
1908-1910----Treasurer---Mrs. H.K. Dawson.
1910-1913----Treasurer---Mrs. E.L. Wilson.
1912-1913----1st Vice-President—Mrs. R. B. Licklider.
1912-1913----2nd-Vice-President—Mrs. E. B. Surface.
1912-1913----Historian---Mrs. T. C. Carlton.
1912-1913----Parliamentarian—Mrs. Wm. Kelley.
1911-1913----Chairman of Institute Committee---Mrs. J. B. Thoburn.
1912-1913---Chairman of School of Missions Committee, Mrs. G. I. Gordon.
Constitution and By-Laws of the Missionary Federation of Oklahoma City
Constitution
ARTICLE 1. Name.
This organization shall be called "The Missionary Federation of Oklahoma City."
ARTICLE II. Object.
To increase the interest in world-wide missions and promote Christian Fellowship.
ARTICLE III. Officers.
The Officers of this organization shall be a President, two Vice-Presidents, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and Advisory Board. These to constitute the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IV. Duties.
Sec. 1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Federation, and shall actively advance its interests.
Sec. 2. One of the Vice-Presidents shall perform the duties of the President in her absence or when called upon.
Sec. 3. The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of the regular and called meetings, and see that each meeting is properly announced.
Sec. 4. The treasurer shall have charge of the funds of the Federation and shall disburse same under the direction of the Executive Committee. She shall give full report once a year.
Sec. 5. The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct all the correspondence of the Federation.
ARTICLE V. Advisory Board.
The Advisory Board shall consist from one member from each society represented, having been duly elected by the same, and a representative from the Y. W. C. A. and W. C. T. U.
ARTICLE VI. Meetings.
The regular meetings of the Federation shall be held quarterly on the third Friday of June, September, December and March.
ARTICLE VII. Amendments.
This Constitution may be amended at any regular session, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present, provided that written notice of said amendment shall have been presented at the previous regular session.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1.
The regular meetings shall be held from two-thirty to five o'clock p. m., the last hour be given to sociability.
ARTICLE II.
The membership shall consist of the membership of the various societies.
ARTICLE III.
There shall be no regular dues but an offering will be taken
ARTICLE IV.
The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President, at the place designated in the call. It shall prepare the program, decide the place of meeting, and attend to the general business, subject to the will of the Federation.
ARTICLE V.
The annual meeting shall be held in June, and shall be an all-day session, beginning at ten o'clock a. m. and two-thirty o'clock p. m., at which officers shall be elected by ballot, and reports submitted.
ARTICLE VI.
A quorum shall consist of one-third of the members of the Executive Committee, three of whom shall be officers.
ARTICLE VII.
The federation shall be governed by "Robert's Rules of Order."
History of Federation of the Woman's Missionary Societies of Oklahoma City.
By---Mary Heard Carlton, Mrs T. C.
To obey our Lords command "Go therefore and disciple all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things what ever (sic) I commanded "is the surprime (sic) duty of the churches and should be the highest ambition of ever christian.
Some one has said the nineteenth century made the whole world neighbors, and the twentieth century will make the whole world brothers, this is our business and also our joy. We want this and the future generations to look up on us as loyal to our God, eager for the salvation of the world, and in sweet, Christian fellowship and effort, obey God and save our fellow men, and that is what this Federation of Missionary Societies means. We unite our hearts and hands that we may reach the Father and help the more in making the kingdoms of the world the kingdom of Christ our Lord.
1908 marks an epoc (sic) in the history of the missionary societies of Oklahoma City. In April of 1908 at the First Christian Church in a meeting of the Woman's Missionary Society; A general and cordial invitation having been previously sent to the various societies of the other churches. Mrs. Gilliam, H. S. at the close of her special address forcefully impressed the audience with the advisability of organizing of Federation of the societies of all the churches of the city. After the discussion it was learned that the desire for some organization had long been entertained by many of the most earnest missionary workers. It psychological moment, and when Mrs. Gilliam made the motion that an organization be formed the motion was carried unanimously and a committee was elected to draft the constitution. In May 1908 at the First Methodist Church a representative gathering was held Mrs. Thoburn, J. B. chairman, Mrs. Stealy, C. L. secretary pro. tem. The constitution drafted by Mrs. Gilliam was accepted by the committee with a change of only one article. The constitution committee consisted of Mrs. Thoburn J. B. chairman, Mrs. Stealey C. L. temporary secretary, Mrs. Gilliam H. S., Mrs. Gordan G. I., Mrs. Gillogly, H. L., Mrs. Kelley, Wm., Mrs. Coffee, J. H.
From the history of the first four years of the Federation prepared with much care by Mrs. Licklider D. R. the following: "Only a small band of women there were in the initial work of the organization, but these had a large faith and struggled bravely and hopefully, during the trying period of launching this splendid enterprise. Every year the summary of the work done has been given, which reports show a gradual and healthful development along all lines. The promotion of unification among the churches in the great work of soul-winning has been signally marked because of this organization, while the beautiful results of the closer fellow-ship on the part of the beatlife in all our societies can not be measured."
From the minutes of the first meeting "Representatives from eight missionary societies of Oklahoma city met at the English Lutheran Church June 19, 1908 for the purpose of effecting a permanent organization. In the absence of the chairman Mrs. Kelley Wm. Was elected temporary chairman. The constitution and by-laws as prepared by the constitution committee was read and adopted:
(On the preceeding page)
Constitution and By-Laws.
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS.
Art. 1
This organization shall be called the Federation of the Woman's Missionary Societies of the Evangelical Churches of Oklahoma City.
Art.2 Object.
To increase the interest in world-wide missions and to promote sociability.
Art.3
Officers of this Federation shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, these to constitute the executive committee, all to be nominated and elected by ballot, except the new Vice-President.
Art.4 Section 1.
Duties of Officers.
President-To conduct regular meetings, be chairman of executive committee and have care and general oversight of Federation.
Section 2.
Each society represented shall elect on Vice-President. It shall be their duty to attend meetings of the executive committee and assist with the general work of the Federation, and shall preside when called upon.
Section 3.
The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the Federation and the executive committee. Preserve all books and documents belonging to them and deliver same to her successor at expiration of her term of office.
Section 4.
The treasurer shall have charge of fungs of Federation, and shall disburse same under the direction of executive committee. She shall give full report once a year.
Art. 4.
The regular meeting of the Federation shall be held on the third Friday of June, September, December and March.
Art. 6. Amendment.
This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by two-thirds vote of those present, previous notices of said amendment having been given.
BY – LAWS
ARTICLE 1.
The regular meetings shall be held from two-thirty to five P. M., the last hour to be given to sociability.
ARTICLE 2.
The membership shall be consisted of the membership of the various societies.
ARTICLE 3.
There shall be no regular dues but an offering may be taken.
ARTICLE 4.
The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President at the place designated in the call. It shall prepare the program, decide place of meeting, and attend to the general business, subject to the will of the Federation.
ARTICLE 5.
The annual meeting shall be held in June and shall be an all day session, beginning at 10 A. M., and 2:30 P. M., at which officers shall be elected and reports submitted.
Art. 6.
The Federation shall be governed by Roberts Parliamentary Rules.
The following officers were elected for the year: President, Mrs. Gilliam H. S., Secretary, Mrs. Stealey C. L., Treasurer, Mrs. Dawson H. K.
This constitution served every purpose for three years, when the growth of the work demanded a revision. The President appointed a committee of three years for this responsible work, consisting of Mrs. Gordon S. I., Chairman, Mrs. Dyke K. L., Mrs. Thoburn J. B. we now have a constitution most complete and comprehensive, which has been used as a model by several similar organizations; Page 4.
Too much cannot be said in praise of our capable Officers; Also the Chairman of the various committees. The President, Mrs. Gilliam H. S., with her beautiful Christ-like spirit has ever been unselfish, devoted and impartial in all her ministrations pertaining to her Office, having never missed a single executive or regular meeting of the Federation during these five years. Mrs. Gordon G. I., has only been absent from one meeting in the five years; Notable history, surely, when we know executive and special committee sessions would some times require two and three meetings in one week. Much credit is also due the executive committee, composed of one member from each cooperating society, for the wise and efficient services rendered; The high standard programs rendered at each meeting is proof conclusive of the faithful work of this committee. The average attendance at the meetings of 1910 was 58, of 1911 was 97. Number of cooperating societies in 1908 were 8, in 1913 30.
Several lines of special work has been pursued by the Federation. In 1908 Mrs. Carleton T. C., was sent as delegate to the annual meeting of the State Library Association, which met in Guthrie, for the special purpose of promoting missionary interest, primarily to get missionary books in all Public libraries both for reference and circulation. Some of the results of this effort are especially worthy of recording.
Without going into detail, the President appointed a library committee with Mrs. Carleton T. C., as Chairman. By securing the cooperation of Miss Edith Phelps, Librarian of our Carnegie Library, and of the Chairman of book committee, plans were made whereby the Library, through Librarian, proposed to duplicate all books, which the Societies would furnish to be kept at library for reference, and for general circulation. In this way, 150 missionary and Sunday school books were secured, within a few months; also numerous missionary periodicals have been secured for the reading room. Mission Secretaries from New York and also from elsewhere have declared publicly, that the plan adopted by the Federation, in cooperation with the Librarian, superior to any found in other States, North, South, East or West.
THE DAY OF PRAYER
During the week of Prayer, January, 1909, the Federation observed a day of Prayer in the interest of world-wide evangelization, and the day proved such a blessing to all present by drawing us nearer to God, to each other and the worlds great need.
The Day of Prayer is now placed on the Federation calendar, and planned for with deep concern year by year that we may receive power; Acts 1:8.
THE GOLDEN JUBILEE, NOVEMBER, 1911.
November, 1911 will be remembered and pass into history as a golden month for it was the Golden Jubilee-Fiftieth Anniversary of womens organized missionary societies. Thanks to the overcoming faith of wise Leaders and enthusiastic cooperation of missionary workers, the Federation improved this golden opportunity.
The Stupendous work of preparation served to weld the churches together, and the sweet fellowship in service was a real joy.
The results were glorious in every way. The City was awakened to the magnitude of the missionary enterprise; Christians were given a new and larger vision of world-needs and Twentieth Century opportunity, "Go Ye" of the Master was given profound significance and His blessed promise, "Lo I am with you always", secured a veritable realization as the radiant faces of the Missionaries reflected the very light of heaven and we realized more fully than ever before that Jesus only is the worlds great need.
When more than a thousand women attended the banquet we were reminded that the women that published the tidings are a great host. Treasurer reported all expenses paid, more than $700.00, and a balance of $29.46 in treasury. In our hearts we all said "Praise God from whom all blessings Flow".
Y. W. C. A.
The Young Woman's Christian Association has from the beginning of the Federation been a special object of loving interest January 1912, when the ASSOCIATION moved into new apartments in the Gross Building on West Third Streets, between Broadway and Robinson. The Federation considered it a sweet privilege to assume the responsibility of Furnishing the Rest Room.
THE MISSIONARY INSTITUTE
When the Executive Committee thought out, the Missionary Institute and Mrs. Thoburn so enthusiastically presented the possibilities of the Institute to the Federation that the motion to have an Institute was carried.
President appointed Mrs. Thoburn chairman of the Institute Committee. No words can adequately express the appreciation due this Committee for their efficient and devoted services in behalf of the Institute, for no one unacquainted with such work can conceive of the enormous amount of time, tact, talent and toil required for such work. The hearty cooperation of the many was a great factor in the blessed results.
1860
1911
Golden Jubilee
of
Women's Missionary
Societies
Union Missionary
Jubilee Rally
For The
State of Oklahoma
To Be Held In
Oklahoma City
November 13-14
1911
Place of Meeting
First Presbyterian Church
Ninth and Robison Str.
Headquarters
Hotel Lee-Huckins
Main and Broadway
Churches of every denomination in
Oklahoma will be represented
OKLAHOMA STATE MISSIOINARY JUBILEE COMMITTEE
RALLIES PRECEDING GOLDEN JUBILEE
AT OKLAHOMA CITY, NOVEMBER 13-14
HEADQUARTERS 910 W 21ST
Committee
Mrs. G. I. Gordon
23 Park Place
Mrs. Mary Rowe
601 W. Washington
Mrs. E. C. Wills
601 W. Tenth
Mrs. J. B. Thoburn
910 W. Twentyfirst
Miss Sue Howell
1506 W. Twentysixth
Mrs. R. M. Campbell
321 E. Fifth
Mrs. W. M. Knott
223 E. Fourth
Mrs. J. B. Thoburn
Chairman
Oklahoma City, October 17, 19
Dear Co-workers:
Our state committee has called upon us to set apart the first days of November for a series of Jubilee Missionary meetings, the State Campaign to close at Oklahoma City, November 13 and 14. Thirteen Rally Centers have been selected, and for each a local Jubilee Committee, composed of two representatives from each Church should be selected to make all plans for the Rally.
The object is educational and inspirational in character, seeking to bind the women together for unity. A call to more fervent prayer, an incentive to a more intelligent study of the fields abroad and problems at home is made.
SUGGESTIONS ON PREPARATIONS FOR RALLY.
Call together the Presidents and Secretaries of all local Missionary Societies to form a Jubilee Committee. Elect a Chairman and Secretary. Several sub-committees will be needed: A Publicity Commission [use all methods of advertising that may seem advantageous.] plan to secure attendance from all neighborhoods, churches; a Luncheon Committee, a Program Committee, and a Prayer Committee.
Have offerings made at Denominational Rallies. Such offerings are counted in the Jubilee meeting at the closing Mass Meeting, but go to the various Denominational Mission Boards through the Church channels. It is the thought of the Committee that a federation of all Missionary societies of you might be effected at this time if it seems best.
A SUGGESTIVE PROGRAM.
MORNING
"Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion. –Isaiah 52.1
10.00
Prayer and Praise
Address: "Fifty Years of Womans Work in Foreign Missions"
What Our Denominational Boards are Doing (Five minutes each)
Quiet Hour
12.30
Luncheon and Fellowship Hour (Pastors of different Churches to give toasts)
Afternoon
2.30
Devotional Period
"Woman's Share in the Task of Evangelizing the World"
"The Campaign for New Members and Magazines"
"After the Jubilee—What?
"Missionary Pioneers"
Denominational Rallies (Separate into denominational groups and take offerings. Send or bring
To headquarters at Oklahoma City so that all may be reported at Golden Jubilee)
Evening – Mass Meeting
Some form of entertainment—Address or Stereopticon Lecture
Helpers will be sent if traveling expenses are paid.
Send date of meeting.
"The King's business requires haste."
"If ye have faith and doubt not, if thou shalt say unto this mountain, Be thou moved and into the sea, it shall be done."
"And all things ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
Yours in Christian service,
Mrs. J. B. Thoburn
Chairman
RALLY CENTERS
TULSA
BARTLESVILLE
NOWATA
CLAREMORE
CHELSEA
VINITA
SAPULPA
MUSKOGEE
PAUL'S VALLEY
ARDMORE
ADA
DURANT
HUGO
McALESTER
SHAWNEE
CHANDLER
STILLWATER
ENID
BLACKWELL
CHEROKEE
PERRY
PONCA CITY
ALVA
WOODWARD
GUTHRIE
KINGFISHER
EDMOND
NORMAN
EL RENO
CHICKASHA
CLINTON
HOBART
ALTUS
LAWTON
MANGUM
Scattered in City –
Through the [unintelligible]
UNION MISSIONARY
JUBILEE RALLY
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
November 13 and 14
PLACE OF MEETING:
First Presbyterian Church
Corner Ninth and Robinson Sts.
HEADQUARTERS:
Hotel Lee-Huckins
Corner Main and Broadway
Free Entertainment for all visitors
Churches of every denomination
Will participate
First Session
of the
Interdenominational
Missionary Institute of
Oklahoma
Under the Auspices
of the
Missionary Federation
Of Oklahoma City
First Methodist Episcopal Church
Fourth and Robinson
June 4-12, 1912
Remember!
The Interdenominational Missionary Insti-
tute Now in Session at the First
Methodist Church
CORNER FOURTH AND ROBINSON
You are missing a grand treat if not attending.
Season tickets are $1.00; or ten cents for a single admission.
Mormonism – The Islam of America, as
taught by Mrs. Payne, is an excellent preparation for
the year's study, and China's New Day tonight by
Miss Troutman opens up new fields of thought for
leaders and workers for the coming year.
Mrs. Payne in her vivid word pictures takes the
Hearer to the Oriental Lands of the Bible as she tells,
The story of its most noted women.
The entire day, from 8.30 a. m. until evening,
is full of good things.
Wednesday Evening. Musical, by Edwin
Vaile McIntyre, at First Presbyterian Church.
Thursday Evening. Visions and Inspir-
Ations. Rev. Carter Helm Jones, D. D.
Friday Evening. Stereopticon Entertain-
Ment. Rev. Thos. H. Harper.
Monday Evening. W. C. T. U. Evening.
Tuesday Evening. Y. W. C. A. Entertainment.
Wednesday. Grand Church Picnic at
Wheeler Park. Dinner at noon. Every pastor in
the city is to give a toast. Everybody come with
baskets well filled.
All evening entertainments are free. A silver
offering will be taken.
First
Annual Missionary
Institute
June 4-8, 1912
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Advance Announcement
of the
Second Annual
School of Missions
for
Oklahoma
May 25-30, 1913
First M. E. Church,
Fourth and Robinson
Oklahoma City
Under the Auspices of the
FEDERATED MISSIONARY SOCIETIES
Oklahoma City
WOODCOCK PRINTING CO., & NORTH HUDSON
Program
Of
Union Services to make our Country God's Country
Home Mission Week, November 17-24, 1912
First Christian Church Robinson and Tenth Sts.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1912.
2:30 p. m.—Prayer service, Mrs. E. B. Surface, Leader.
Music—Mrs. Maud L. Wilcox.
7:30 p. m.—American Indians, Africans and Asiatics.
Devotions—Mrs. H. S. Gillian.
American Indians—Rev. Charles J. Christian-
Son.
Africans—Rev. J. B. Rounds.
Asiatics—Mrs. D. N. Taylor.
Discussion.
TUESDAY.
7:30 p. m.—Rural Regions and City Problems.
Devotions—Mrs. William Kelly.
Rural Regions—Mrs. R. D. Licklider.
City Problems—Rev. R. A. Chase.
Discussion
WEDNESDAY.
7:30 p. m.—Immigrants.
Devotions—Right Rev. Bishop F. K. Brooke.
Immigrants—Rev. Robert E. Goodrich.
Foreigners in Oklahoma City—Mrs. O. F.
Sensabaugh.
Reading—The Scum of the Earth—Mrs. T.
W. Sparks.
Discussion.
THURSDAY.
2:30 p. m.—Mrs. W. E. Dicken, Presiding.
Devotions—Mrs. S. Smith.
Music—Mrs. J. M. Alford.
Glimpses from Denominational Fields—
Baptist—Miss Sue Howell.
Congregational—Mrs. Thomas Harper.
Christian—Mrs. S. L. McInnis.
English Lutheran—Mrs. C. H. wiggin.
Episcopal—Mrs. Robert Walker.
Methodist—Mrs. J. F. Warren.
Methodist, South—Mrs. R. M. Campbell.
Presbyterian—Mrs. W. A. Knott.
Southern Presbyterian—Mrs. E. L. Wilson.
United Presbyterian—Miss Bertha Stevens.
7:30 p. m.—The Frontier and Island Possessions.
Devotions—Rev. W. C. Wauchope.
The Frontier—Mrs. J. H. O. Smith.
Island Possessions—rev. W. N. Colton.
FRIDAY.
7:30 p. m.—Devotions—Rev. J. C. Gibney.
The Church as a Social Agency and as a
Religious Force—Rev. Thos. H. Harper.
Prayer and Fellowship—Rev. E. B. Surface.
The music each evening will be furnished by the dif-
Ferent choirs of the city.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24.
4:00 p. m.—Young People's Rally, First Presbyterian
Church, L. L. Love, Presiding.
Devotions.
The Home Mission Work of the Christian
Endeavor—William Franklin.
The Home Mission Work of the Epworth
League—Lucien Dyche.
The Home Mission Work of the Baptist
Young People's Union—Sidney Taylor.
The Home Mission Work of the Y. W. C. A.—
Miss Isabelle Harmon.
The Home Mission Work of the Y. M. C. A.—
Mr. L. L. McDonald.
The Home Mission Work of Young Woman's
Missionary Society—Miss Maroney.
Some of Our city's Problems—Mrs. R. E.
Nida.
Music—Edwin Vaile McIntyre, First Presby-
terian Church.
SUNDAY EVENING.
Denominational Rallies.
OKLAHOMA SCHOOL OF MISSIONS
Quotation from Executive Committee in minutes of Feb. 21, 1913, "At this date we are prepared to submit and recommend only the following: First, that the name Missionary Institute be changed to Oklahoma School of Missions: Second, that we hold School of Missions the last of week or May: Third; that the cost of ticket for entire course be $1.00, Mrs. Thoburn having resigned, Mrs. Gordon was elected Chairman, Mrs. Schafer F. Secretary.
HISTORY FOR CENTURY CHEST
The March Quarterly Meeting of Federation after business session, when all recommendations of Executive Committee were presented and accepted as the voice of the whole body. A Livingstone Centenary program was enjoyed.
Now the story perhaps too briefly told is finished, to be read now and if our Lord delays His second coming, to be read by future generations we trust to their inspirations and edification; All for the Glory of God and the exaltation of our Christ the Savior through the Power of God's Holy Spirit.
April 19th, 1913.
P. S. The cover of this History was designed by
Miss Josephine H. Lemmon. Artist.
St. Charles. Mo.
Oklahoma City Address.
1400. West 30th St.