Availability of old Grace Brethren publications such as the Brethren Missionary Herald magazine, Grace Theological Journal, and the Grace Journal is closer to reality as the Brethren Digital Archives moves toward accomplishing its mission.
The Archives committee hopes to create a digital record of documents produced by the various Brethren groups that trace their spiritual heritage to Alexander Mack.
Meeting Monday, September 13, at the Brethren Heritage Center in Brookville, Ohio, the committee made further plans to partner to Lyrasis to create an online archive of documents printed in the mid-1800s to 2000. Grant funds make it possible to scan these publications at a rate far below the original $150,000 estimate. Now it is hoped to complete the project, including oversized documents, for approximately $50,000.
Much of this funding needs to be raised before the end of the year, to ensure the project gets underway. The grant which makes the costs so attractive runs out at the end of 2010 and while there is hope the grant will be extended, there is no promise. Gifts to the project may be made through the Brethren Missionary Herald Company, Box 544, Winona Lake, Ind., or the Brethren Heritage Center, 428 Wolf Creek St., Suite No. H1, Brookville, OH 45309-1297. (Be sure to specify Brethren Digital Archives with your gift.)
There are also volunteer opportunities for individuals to help check the accuracy of the documents once they are scanned. If you are able to help, contact the Brethren Heritage Center at 937-833-5222.
The committee requests prayer for the project, as well, asking that the work would be completed well and in a timely fashion. They also want to be good stewards of the funds that have been provided for the work that is to be done.
Plans are being made to scan the following documents and make them available on the Web:
- Ashland Theological Journal
- Bible Monitor (1922-2000)
- Christian Family Companion (1865-1873)
- Christian Family Companion and Gospel Visitor (1874-1875)
- Der Brüderbote (1875-1877)
- Der Brüderbote (1880-1892)
- Der Evangelische Besuch (1852-1861)
- Grace Journal (1960-1973)
- Grace Theological Journal (1980-1991)
- Messenger (1965-2000)
- Schwarzenau (1939-1942)
- The Brethren at Work (1876-1883)
- The Brethren Evangelist (1885-2000) and The Brethren’s Evangelist (1883-1884)
- The Brethren Missionary Herald (1939-1996)
- The Brethren’s Missionary Visitor (1894-1896)
- The Gospel Messenger (1883-1964)
- The Gospel Preacher (1879-1882)
- The Gospel Visitor (1857-1873) and The Monthly Gospel-Visiter (1851-1856)
- The Inglenook (1900-1913)
- The Missionary Visitor (1902-1930)
- The Pilgrim (1870-1871 & 1875-1876) and The Weekly Pilgrim (1872-1874)
- The Pilgrim (1954-2000)
- The Primitive Christian (1876 & 1880-1883) and The Primitive Christian and Pilgrim (1876-1879)
- The Progressive Christian (1878-1882)
In addition, almanacs published by Brethren groups in the late 19th century will be included. So far, this includes:
- The Brethren’s Almanac (Holsinger, 1871-1874)
- Pilgrim Almanac (Brumbaughs, 1873-1874)
- The Brethren Family Almanac (Brumbaughs & Quinter who had purchased Holsinger, 1875)
- Brethren’s Almanac (Brumbaugh’s & Quinter, 1876-1879)
- The Brethren’s Family Almanac (1880-1917, ‘s dropped in 1903)
- Brethren Annual (started by Holsinger about 1884 with almanac format until 1915-1924)
- The Brethren’s Family Almanac, 1875, J. Quinter
- The Brethren’s Annual For the Year of Grace 1885 (Holsinger)
- Our Almanac and Annual Register, 1880, 1883, 1885 (Kurtz)
- The Brethren at Work, Almanac and Annual Register for All The People, 1882, Brethren At Work Steam Printing House
The Brethren Digital Archives is a collaborative effort of publishers, libraries, and archives affiliated with the various branches of the Brethren movement. Partners in the project are:
- Bethany Theological Seminary/Lilly Library
- Ashland University/Library/Brethren Church/Archives
- Brethren Church/The Brethren Evangelist
- Brethren Heritage Center
- Brethren Historical Library and Archives
- Brethren Journal Association/Brethren Life & Thought
- Bridgewater College/Alexander Mack Library
- Grace College and Seminary/Morgan Library
- Church of the Brethren/Messenger
- Conservative Grace Brethren/The Voice Newsletter
- Dunkard Brethren/Bible Monitor
- Elizabethtown College/High Library/Young Center for Anabaptist & Pietist Studies
- Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches/Brethren Missionary Herald
- Juniata College/Beeghly Library
- Manchester College Archives and Brethren Historical Collection/Funderburg Library
- McPherson College/Miller Library
- Old German Baptist Brethren Church New Conference/The Testimony
- Old German Baptist Brethren Church/The Vindicator
- Old Brethren/The Pilgrim
For more information, see Brethren Digital Archives.