National Letter Writing Month: A Look Inside a Missionary's Letter Journal Collection

Left: Annie Sanford in 1895, Center: Letter from 1895, Right: Annie Sanford in 1908

April is National Letter Writing Month! Looking back to March, the library honored Lutheran Women missionaries in India at the turn of the 20th century in our entryway exhibit case for Women’s History Month. The exhibit contains a letter from the papers of Miss Annie. E. Sanford. Miss Sanford’s collection at the Seminary Archives is full of letter journals that describe her time in India and serves as a perfect example of the importance of letter writing.  

On her first trip to Guntur, India in 1895, she chronicled her travel experience in a letter to her family. On a boat crossing the Atlantic, Miss Sanford notes in a message to her family about letter writing during travel:

“We spent the afternoon on deck writing to the loved ones at home and learning by observation all we could about life at sea. We were told that at midnight the pilot would return to Philadelphia and carry our letters back- the last we could mail until we landed in Queenstown.”

Clearly, this deadline to write to her family one last time before losing the ability to write home was important to her and worth recording.

In a letter dated February 1896 Miss Sanford notes:

“I am just getting answers from my sea voyage and since I find everybody seems to be satisfied with a company letter I will write my second edition. In fact, everybody gets more news this way as each gets on long letter instead of a short one.”

Often spanning three or four months at a time, Miss Sanford continued to send her family long company letters during her entire missionary experience in India. She sent a total of 21 letter journals home during her first stay to her family recording her travels and experience in Guntur, India. These letters give remarkable insight into late 19^th century travel systems, life in India, and the missionary experience.

In her third letter to her family, Miss Sanford describes everyday life in India but warns that her letters are from her perspective and not to make assumptions:

“I will try to not give you the wrong ideas, but have I have seen so little yet in comparison with what it to be seen that my horizon is very small.”

Miss Sanford’s letters were her only means of communication with her family and as such, expresses the importance of letter writing in history. Preserving letters, like those in Miss Sanford’s collection, provides us with a window into the past offering insights into the cultural and societal norms of the time.

Miss Sanford spent over 40 years in India as Lutheran missionary. Her first trip began in October 1895 and lasted seven years until she returned to the United States for a 2-year furlough. 

To read more of Miss Sanford's letter journals, check out our digital collection by clicking here.

Written by Meriah Swope, Seminary Archives intern from Shippensburg University. 

It's National Library Week!

WHAT? National Library Week!

WHEN? April 9-15, 2017

WHERE? All types of libraries! School, public, academic and special

WHY? Celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support

The theme for this year is "Libraries Transform," reminding everyone that libraries are not just about what they have for people, but what they do for and with people. They are places meant for more than just reading or research: they are places where people can get together as a community and express their creativity and share ideas and hobbies. Beyond books, libraries also offer many access tools such as computers, scanners, software, and training  for their community members.

Here at the A.R. Wentz Library we provide a wide selection of books, periodicals, audio visual materials, and even house two archives! Take some time this week to stop in and celebrate our contributions and wonderful library workers that are here to serve the Seminary and Gettysburg community. We also encourage you to promote national library use and support, as all libraries work together.

Here at the A.R. Wentz Library we offer many different services for our patrons:

• E-Books (just launched!)
• Digital Journal Archives (over 500 titles!)
• Seminary Archives
• Region 8 Archives
• Free Online Websites and Resources
• Free Online Journals and Databases
• Writing and Resource Center
• IT Department
• and much more! 

To see all our of services, please visit our Resource Services page by clicking here.

Women's History Month Archives Exhibit

There is a new archives exhibit in the library in honor of Women's History Month entitled, "Women's Work: Lutheran Missionaries in India at the Turn of the Twentieth Century." Curated by intern, Meriah Swope, the exhibit features missionaries Jessie Brewer, Annie Sanford, and Mary Baer and their work in the Guntur Girl's School in Guntur, India. The exhibit will be up all month in the library entrance. Stop by to check it out!

To learn more about Women's History at LTSG, please contact Assistant Archivist Sheila Joy by email at sjoy@ltsg.edu or by phone at 717-339-1317.

E-Books Are Here!

The A.R. Wentz Library is going digital, thanks to the library’s participation in the Theological Libraries Ebook Lending Project. The library is pleased to announce that we are now offering e-books as part of your available collection of library resources. The Theological Libraries Ebook Lending Project is an initiative of the American Theological Library Association (ATLA). The project currently has 13 participating libraries and plans to increase that number. The new e-book service is powered by Odilo, a software company that specializes in digital content delivery platforms.

Each currently-enrolled student, faculty and staff member can check out up to two e-books for a period of two weeks with the option of automatic renewal becoming available on the last day of the loan. There is no need to worry about an overdue notice; e-books that are not renewed or returned early will be automatically returned on their due date. E-books offer a large amount of convenience, and our library staff hopes that you will enjoy using our new service.

There are several ways to access this exciting new service:

Detailed instructions for accessing and using the new E-Book collection are available at: http://www.ltsg.edu/doc/705

Microsoft Windows 10 and Android mobile device users can download free the Odilo App to navigate seamlessly the E-Book catalog and manage your checked-out E-Books from a single app.

Those using older versions of Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, or iOS devices will need to visit www.theologicalebooks.org to access the e-book catalog and use either Adobe Digital Editions or Bluefire Reader to view the e-books.

If you have any problems or questions about our new e-books, please feel free to contact the library at: 717-338-3014 or email the staff at library@ltsg.edu.   

Movement Towards Diversity at LTSG

In honor of Black History Month, the A.R. Wentz Library and Seminary Archives would like to highlight African American history here at the Seminary. This post features African American students who fought to create a place of diversity, equality, and inclusion at LTSG, paving the way for future students of color. The research for this post was compiled from Seminary Archives records that are on display on the first floor of the A.R. Wentz Library. The exhibit will be up through March.

The Seminary was founded in 1826 and after only nine years of operation, Daniel Alexander Payne became the first African American student to attend Gettysburg Seminary, graduating in 1835. Payne went on to become a pastor, educator, and bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was also elected as president of Wilberforce University in Ohio in 1863, becoming the first African American to lead an institution of higher education in the United States.

Daniel Alexander Payne

Although the seminary had its first African American student in 1835, they didn’t have their second until the 1960s. America was undergoing a turbulent time engulfed with protests, riots, and assassinations, all in the name of civil rights. Times were changing and many Americans began fighting for equality in all areas of life, especially the school system.

Rudolph Featherstone graduated in 1960 and was hired by the Seminary in 1977 to head a new initiative called the Black/White Studies Program. This program was funded through a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. for the 1976-77 school year.
Read the grant application and objectives by clicking the link below.
A Program For Black Theological Education in the Lutheran Church of America

Rudolph Featherstone

This program, split between the Philadelphia and Gettysburg campuses, was created to equip both black and white seminarians for leadership roles in the church as well as to teach inclusion for all races in their congregations.
Read more information about the Black/White Studies Program and Rev. Featherstone by clicking the link below.
"Black White Studies Begins"

The Black/White Studies program was funded by the Council for Lutheran Theological Education in the Northeast and the Lilly Endowment for three years. After the program was complete, the mission was transferred to the Black Concerns Program and was funded by each of the seminaries separately. Read more about the Black Concerns Program by clicking the link below.
Black Concerns Program Proposal

Many students and faculty voiced their concerns for civil rights in Table Talk, a student-run publication.
"White Perspectives on a Black Conference" by Rogger Digges
"Black Concerns Proposal Accepted" by Ken Regan

In one 1970 Table Talk article, a white student wrote about their experience attending a class at Morgan State College, where the professor and most of the students in the class were black. The student recognized the different perspectives in the classroom and the importance of embracing diversity as future church leaders.
This article can be read by clicking the link below.
"Studying in a Black Class" by Myron Schevy

Also featured in Table Talk is an article highlighting LTSG student participation in the 1980s Anti-Apartheid protests and staged arrests, involving fourteen students. Student Debbie Conrad shares her story, which can be read by clicking the link below.
"Protesting Apartheid" by Debbie Conrad

1985 issue of Table Talk with the headline "Protesting Apartheid."

Lastly,  “An Urgent Message from LHS” asks students to call or write to their representatives regarding bills that concerned the affairs of South Africa and Apartheid. Their plea can be read by clicking the link below.
"Urgent Message from LHS" by Roy J. Enquist

To see these documents in person please stop by the first floor of the A.R. Wentz library to view the exhibit.

Sources Cited

Strobert, Nelson T. Daniel Alexander Payne: The Venerable Preceptor of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Lanham: University Press of American, 2012.

Written by intern Meriah Swope, graduate student at Shippensburg University.

Looking for another read? Check out the On the Glorious Hill Blog.

To learn more about Black History at LTSG, please contact Assistant Archivist Sheila Joy by email at sjoy@ltsg.edu or by phone at 717-339-1317.

Black History Month Exhibit

There is a new Seminary Archives exhibit in the library entitled "Black History Month: Movement Towards Diversity at LTSG." Curated by intern Meriah Swope, a graduate student at Shippensburg University, the exhibit features LTSG's first five African American students and efforts made in the 1970s towards incorporating diversity programs such as the Black/White Studies Program and the Program for Black Theological Education in the Lutheran Church.

The exhibit will be up through March and an accompanying blog post expanding on the exhibit will be published soon. Be sure to stop by the circulation desk area to check it out!

An Update from the Digital Journal Archives

It is a pleasure to announce that the Digital Journal Archives has grown from its original size of 100 issues of sixteen different titles to 370 issues of thirty titles. It has nearly quadrupled in size in a span of just over five months and we are only just past the half way point in the digitization project. We have received emails from our users, one of whom was from the U.K. It’s good to see that the digital collection is being put to good use by users from near and far. Additionally, we encourage our users to contact us at cswisher@ltsg.edu should they experience any difficulties such as missing pages or any other issues.

In another exciting announcement, the holdings within the Digital Journal Archives will soon be made searchable within the online catalog of the A.R. Wentz Library. Currently, the only way to access the holdings of the Digital Journal Archives is by visiting the archives webpage. Once the digital archives holdings are added to the online catalog the digital files of the archive will be able to be discovered by using the online catalog’s search features.  

Visit the Digital Journal Archive here. 

Sermons on Martin Luther King Jr.

Photo Source

On Monday, January 16, we celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was an activist and leader of the Civil Rights Movement. Known for his use of nonviolent disobedience, Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Today we honor him and his advancement in civil rights that has provided the freedoms we have today.

The Seminary Archives contains two sermons from the collections of Rev. Robert W. Koons and Rev. Herman G. Stuempfle that address the tragic event that unfolded on April 4, 1968. These are available to read and download in PDF format in our Seminary Archives Digital Collections which can be found by clicking here under "Sermons."

Rev. Koons addresses the Holy Trinity Church in Lynchburg, VA with the question, "Do you think there is racism in Lynchburg?" and praises Dr. King as an "advocate of non-violence, and of human rights, and of reverence for the truth of God's Word which makes free."
Rev. Koons sermon, "The Church That Makes God Sick" can be read in full here.

Rev. Stuempfle mentions that "we live in a scarred world. And a scarred world is no place for an unscarred God. But whatever else He may be, our God is not unscarred."
Rev. Stuempfle's sermon, "Isaiah 53" can be read in full here.

*****

As we take this day to remember Dr. King, it's important to honor his accomplishments and apply his principals in the present day.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
-Martin Luther King Jr.

Want to learn more about Seminary Archives holdings or Gettysburg Seminary History? Contact Assistant Archivist Sheila Joy by email at sjoy@ltsg.edu or by phone at 717- 339-1317.

Karen's Winter Reading Recommendations

Happy Winter Solstice! Since a new season is upon us it's time for another round up of reading recommendations from our Library Assistant, Karen Hunt. Karen has picked out some reads perfect to cozy up with by the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa or tea.

1. Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth & Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
2. Misty Manor by Linda Rawlins
3. Woman of God by James Patterson
4. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
5. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
6. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
7. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
8. The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose
9. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson
10. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Stay warm this winter and happy reading!

Karen Hunt is the Library Assistant at the A.R. Wentz Library.

For reference assistant please call 717.338.3014.

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

Library staff members Karen Hunt and Sue Currens are happy to put out our stockings!

 Ever wonder how symbols like the candy cane became associated with Christmas? Stop by the library to learn some fun facts about Christmas Traditions.

Start the countdown! Also feel free to grab a bookmark for yourself, made by Karen.

Happy December! It's officially that time of the year again and the library is now decorated for the holiday season. Library Assistant, Karen Hunt, created a Bible Verse Advent Calendar display and "Christmas Traditions" display featuring some fun facts about Christmas, winter book recommendations, recipes from around the world, and fun indoor and outdoor winter activities to try if you're bored at home. 

And don't forget to enter our 13th annual THINK SNOW contest! Stop by the circulation desk to try and guess the date of our first snow fall...the winner will win a GREAT prize.

What's the Seminary's Connection with Jesus Christ Superstar?

 

Jesus Christ Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice’s 1970 rock opera, continues to mesmerize audiences more than forty years later. Usage rights belonging to UK pop impresario Robert Stigwood prohibited any group from staging the opera before its Broadway premiere on October 12, 1971, but controversy on this score created material out of which an interesting book has been written.

Published this month, Jesusmania! The Bootleg Superstar of Gettysburg College chronicles the production and debate attached to the illegal performance of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Gettysburg College chapel on March 25, 1971. Author Devin McKinney highlights the show’s connection with the Gettysburg Seminary, treating Larry Recla, who was an intern for 1970-71 at the College and would graduate from the Seminary the following year, as the star of his book.

Class of 1972. Lawrence Recla (bottom row, three from the right) graduated with a Masters of Divinity.

McKinney's recent research in the Seminary Archives features historical connections between Recla, Professor Eric Gritsch, and the Rev. Dr. Donald R. Heiges, Seminary President from 1962-1976. Images from our photograph collection are also featured, exemplifying the power that archival repositories have in bringing history and stories to life in our community and beyond it. A paperback copy of Jesusmania! may be purchased at the Gettysburg College Bookstore or online here.

McKinney shares his experience research and writing the book in the fall 2016 issue of Friends of Musselman Library newsletter which can be read online here. Also included in this issue is Rev. Recla's experience serving eight months as a chaplain at Ground Zero. In honor of the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Recla recently donated his collection of related artifacts and documents to the Musselman Library that are currently on exhibit in "Remembering 9/12: Rescue and Recovery at Ground Zero" which will be on display until December 19th.

Looking for a specific class photo? Want to learn more about Seminary and Gettysburg history? Contact Assistant Archivist Sheila Joy by email at sjoy@ltsg.edu or by phone at 717- 339-1317.

New Acquisition and Archives Exhibit: Lutheran Historical Postcards

Front of postcard depicting Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg.

The Seminary Archives have recently received a donation of over 700 Lutheran historical postcards! Spanning across the United States and into Canada, the collection contains images of Lutheran camps, colleges universities, schools, hospitals, orphanages, and retirement homes.

Back of postcard, postmarked December 6, 1915.

Some of the postcards contain correspondence, which is a rare find. This one in particular was mailed to Nova Scotia, Canada from Gettysburg on December 6, 1915. The sender, Mrs. Henry Wherley writes to her friend, Mrs. Austin Cleveland, mentioning a recent snowfall, the upcoming Christmas holiday, and that Mrs. Cleveland's mother has fallen ill. Mrs. Wherley asks, "did you even try rubbing dog fat on her legs...?" Quite a strange remedy, which I don't think became too popularized over the century! If you know anything about this so-called "remedy," leave a comment below!

To view more of the historical postcard collection, stop by the Library Lobby where an assortment are on display, or contact  Assistant Archivist, Sheila Joy at sjoy@ltsg.edu or via telephone at 717-339-1317.

Suffering, Death, and Enemies: Rare Books from the A. R. Wentz Library Collection

Thank you to everyone who attended the Suffering, Death, and Enemies: Rare Books from the A. R. Wentz Library Collection and enjoyed our wine and cheese spread. The reception was hosted by our Library Director and Archivist, B. Bohleke and the exhibit was prepared by Karin Bohleke of LTSG and Shippensburg University with assistance from Vince Evener,  LTSG Visiting Instructor in Reformation and Luther Studies. The exhibit featured publications by Martin Luther's contemporaries--both faithful supporters, and "enemies" who wrote against the Reformation. The exhibit will remain up until Friday, October 28th.

Want to learn more about our rare book collection and Seminary Archives holdings? Contact the Assistant Archivist, Sheila Joy by email at sjoy@ltsg.edu or by phone at 717- 339-1317.

Library Book Sale

Mark your calendars! The fall book sale will be happening October 24-29 in the Pioneer Room on the first floor of the library!

Book Sale Schedule

$2.00          Monday, Oct. 24: Students, Faculty, & Staff only (ID will be checked) --

3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.

$2.00          Tuesday, Oct. 25: General Public beginning     8:30 a.m.—5:30 p.m.

$2.00          Wednesday Oct. 26:                                              8:30 a.m. -- 5:30 p.m.

$1.00          Thursday, Oct. 27:                                                 8:30 a.m.—5:30 p.m.

$  .25          Friday, Oct. 28:                                                      8:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m.

Free            Saturday, Oct. 29:                                                  11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

All proceeds from the book sale are collected specifically to raise money for the purchase of materials and supplies for the A. R. Wentz Library.

Spreading Awareness About Archives

October is American Archives Month! Since 2006, this month is dedicated to promoting the work of archivists, individuals who collect and preserve items of enduring value, and the institutions in which they work. Archivists play a vital role in making these materials accessible to the public. Without archivists and Archives to preserve the unique records of institutions and individuals, the past would be forgotten. The Seminary Archives in the A.R. Wentz Library collects materials of importance relating to the history and day-to-day operations of the Seminary. Many people have heard of Archives, but are not quite sure what they are. Since we are celebrating American Archives this month, there will be a series of blog posts guided toward spreading awareness about the Seminary Archives, what we house, and how can we benefit you as a patron. This first post will be a general introductory post answering basic questions about what an archive is and what archivists do.

Karen's Fall Reading Recommendations

I hope everyone on campus is now settled for Fall Semester 2016!

I wanted to celebrate the Fall season, not just for cooler temperatures, but for its traditions, celebrations and beautiful changes to Mother Nature. With that in mind, in our Library’s collection I have found a couple of inspirational books and a well-known essay by Henry David Thoreau. I searched some fun facts about Fall, and interesting information about the Autumn Equinox. There is even a playlist of great worship songs for autumn--I got you covered!

Come in and take a look in our display cases – you might read or see something you never knew or saw before!

New Archives Exhibit: Signed Mother Teresa Biography

The Seminary Archives has a new exhibit up featuring our newest acquisition! On September 9th, 2016 Rev. Richard Englund donated a biography signed by Mother Teresa during a special Morning Prayer service in commemoration of her canonization. Mother Teresa was canonized, "St. Teresa of Calcutta" on September 5, 2016 by the Roman Catholic Church. Rev. Englund also donated a photograph of St. Teresa with Alice DeGama Brown, whom is the connection between Rev. Englund and the biography written by Navin Chawla.

An important figure to all Christians around the world, the Seminary Archives is delighted to have this signed biography and photograph. We welcome anyone who would like to view them in the A.R. Wentz Library lobby.

Want to learn more about Seminary Archives holdings or Gettysburg Seminary History? Contact Assistant Archivist Sheila Joy by email at sjoy@ltsg.edu or by phone at 717- 339-1317.

Library Resources

Library staff member, Sue Currens, is always happy to help!

Welcome all returning and new students here at the Seminary! The library would like to remind you of the many resources available to help make this fall semester a great one as you work hard towards your educational goals.

If you are a returning student, we would like to highlight some new and updated resources available to you, such as the new A.R. Wentz Library Digital Journal Archives and updated Free Online Websites and Resources Directory. The Seminary Archives is also continually updating its Digital Collections, enabling archival resources to be more accessible. Click read more below to view more of our resources.

A.R. Wentz Digital Journal Archive Now Live

The library is proud to announce that the Digital Journal Archive is now live and accessible to the public. Months of digitization work have gone into creating this new resource that currently provides free access to 100 issues from sixteen journals dating back to the nineteenth century.

The journal archive includes titles like The Christian Disciple, The Home-Maker Monthly, The North American Review, and The Presbyterian Quarterly Review. Collectively the titles in the archive cover a range of topics and all eras of the 1800’s.

All of the issues that are in the archive are delivered as full text searchable PDF files. You can access the Digital Journal Archive from here or use the link available under the Quick Links heading on the library homepage.

This is only the first set of journals that will be added. There are many new titles and hundreds more issues to come, so stay tuned for future announcements of new content.   

New Archives Exhibit: Impact of the Civil War on the Seminary Archives

There is a new exhibit on display in the Library Lobby! Continuing with the theme of the Civil War in honor of the 153rd anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, the new exhibit is entitled, "The Impact of the Civil War on the Seminary Archives." This exhibit complements the previous post on the A.R. Wentz Library Blog, The Civil War's Impact on the Seminary Archives. On display you will find materials from the Samuel Simon Schmucker Collection that predate the Civil War, withstanding the Confederate attack on July 1, 1863.

Want to learn more about Samuel Simon Schmucker and Gettysburg Seminary History? Contact Assistant Archivist Sheila Joy by email at sjoy@ltsg.edu or by phone at 717- 339-1317.