• Introduction and Background by Richard Kern
• John Winebrenner's Letter to His Daughter, Ellen C. Colder
• Winebrenner's Correspondence by Jack Parthemore
• About the Electronic Version

      John Winebrenner was a strong advocate of mission work, domestic and international. This interest in missions is illustrated in the following letter written by Winebrenner to his daughter, Ellen Winebrenner Colder, who, with her husband, the Rev. James Kirkwood Colder, served with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Fuh Chau, China.

      The letter is from a copy of the original made by another of Winebrenner's daughters, Emma Winebrenner Christman. The letter is printed as written. Style and punctuation are not changed.

      This letter of John Winebrenner's is one in a collection of documents made available to the course in History and Doctrines of the Churches of God at Winebrenner Seminary by our Publishing House in Harrisburg. Pastor Robert Bistline of the Toledo, Ohio, Church of God helped to prepare the above letter for publication.

      Ellen was the eldest daughter of John Winebrenner and his first wife, Charlotte Reutter. Born on July 16, 1824, Ellen attended Cedar Hill Seminary, Mt. Joy, Pa., graduating in 1845. On December 25, 1850, Ellen married a childhood friend, James Colder, and on March 13, 1851, the Colders left for China, arriving at Fuh Chau on July 9. (An autograph quilt, made by her friends and presented to her at the time of their sailing, is now on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D. C.)

      James Colder was born in Harrisburg on February 16, 1826. He received his education at the Harrisburg Academy, Partridge's Military Institute, and the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut. After graduating from the latter institution in 1849, he joined the Philadelphia Methodist Episcopal Conference and was appointed to a circuit in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He served on this circuit until he was appointed a missionary to China in 1851.

      From the first the Colders had difficulties in China. It was over two years until they could find a permanent residence. Both were frequently ill. Anti-western feelings on the part of the Chinese boiled over into frequent revolutions which endangered the missionaries, especially in the 1850's. Then too, Mr. Colder's views on baptism and church government were changing to the extent that he had himself rebaptized (immersed) in Hong Kong in 1853. In December of the same year, the Colders left for the United States, taking with them a young man, Ting Ing-Kau, the first Chinese convert to Christianity at the Fuh Chau mission.

      Back in the United States, Mr. Colder joined the Church of God and became pastor of the Harrisburg First Church. In 1857, he resigned to become principal of the Shippensburg Collegiate Institute and Editor of The Church Advocate.

      Ellen Winebrenner Colder died at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, on March 24, 1858. The relationship between her father and her husband, which had become rather cool prior to her death, rapidly deteriorated after it. James Colder soon left the Church of God for the Free Will Baptist Church, later becoming president of Hillsdale College in Michigan and Pennsylvania State University.

--RICHARD KERN.      

Harrisburg Nov 27 1851      

My Dear Daughter
Ellen C. Colder:

      This being our annual Thanksgiving day I have concluded to Employ a part of it by writing to you. It was in my mind to write you, during your sojurn at New York,¹ last March but for various reasons, I did not get it accomplished.

      After we heard that you had set sail I concluded to wait until you would arrive and we would hear from you. About the time we received your first letters in the beginning of Sept, I happened to be from home on a trip to Maryland;² and after my return and since then have had no time to write you until now. In the meantime however I sent you several packages of papers which I hope you have duly received. Will you then excuse me for not writing sooner. I know you will.

      During the time of your voyage whilst tossing amid the ocean waves and perils, many anxious thoughts flitted through my mind, and many ardent prayers for your health and safety were addressed to Him whose voice the winds and waves obey.

      The emotions felt and the impressions made at the time of our parting on the Morning of the first of March when we gave you the parting hand and commended you to God and bade you an affectionate adieu, will not soon nor easily be forgotten. Your grateful remembrance of my parting words "God bless you my child! Farewell." are not more fondly cherished by you, than your deep Emotions your tender look your soft hand and your sweet warm lips in giving the parting kiss are and shall be by me. Feelings and recollections so pure and intense time and distance shall never obliterate. And although now we are antipodes we are none the less bound together in the strongest and tenderest ties of sympathy and affection. [10]

The Reverend James Kirkwood Colder, husband of Ellen Winebrenner Colder.

      I have indeed often felt happy in the thought that I have a beloved child whose life and labors are lent and consecrated to God in the noblest and best cause--the cause of Christian Missions in a foreign land. This high vocation of God so honorable and precious no one should take upon himself but the chosen and called of God and no one when Chosen and called of Him should shrink from the task but study to show himself approved and worthy of the sacred trust.

      Happily, yet unexpectedly in the over ruling providence of God, it has fallen to your lot to be associated in life with a Minister of Jesus Christ. The young man of your choice with whom you have identified your interests and staked your fortunes for weal or woe will no doubt prove himself to you emphatically "a true man" one in whom you can fully confide and who will make you an excellent husband. Had neither you nor I believed this you would of course not now be the wife of a Missionary on the other side of the globe.

      But with this hope and confidence it becomes you My dear daughter to show yourself a Christian woman worthy of such a responsible and dignified position although I have no doubt but that you will study your husbands happiness and comfort no less than your own; and also, that you will lend him your humble influence and efforts to accomplish the great object of his Mission.

      Yet I am persudaded you will not take it amiss, to receive a few suggestions by way of advice from one who has always taken a deep interest in your welfare and whom you have always tenderly loved and respected. In the first place then let me say to you a word with respect to your duty as a wife. And that you may be the boon of domestic happiness as far as may be, I would not omit saying do not look for perfection and unalloyed happiness and Enjoyment in married life. There is no such thing to be Expected in a world like this. Both men and women in their best estate are fallible beings. Nevertheless all that are happily Married may anticipate a reasonable share of connubial happiness. There is no state better adapted to secure our earthly and social comfort and felisity than a state of matrimony. Assuming then that you have had the good fortune happily to enter the marriage state with a Minister of God; you will I trust always feel it both a privilege and duty to contribute a Christian woman's share to keep full and overflowing the cup of domestic happiness. To this end and for this purpose be careful never to indulge in broodings over imaginary wrongs, and neglects, but always be ready to make great allowance for human infirmities and never use any but kind words and actions to heal a wounded spirit or to soothe and smooth a ruffled temper. Women with a meek and quiet spirit who love and reverence their husbands will seldom be treated otherwise than right and proper. Mildness Kindness and love will almost work a miracle or at least seldom fail to make a good husband. The law of Kindness is exceedingly powerful. As to the duties of economy industry and good housekeeping you will understand for these virtues were inculcated from your youth up.

Mrs. Mary Hamilton Mitchell, second wife of John Winebrenner, stepmother of Mrs. Colder; "Ma" in the letter.

      But in the next place I would give you piece of my mind on another and more important subject, the subject of Missions. In the good providence of God, you now sustain the high position of a Missionary in a foreign land. This Foreign Mission Enterprise is one of grave responsibility hardships and labors. It differs much in many respects from the Home Mission cause. Chiefly because of the great desparity in the moral condition of the people and the tedious inaccessibility to foreigners on account of their language. Missionaries in foreign lands have to toil for years to acquire a knowledge of the language of the people to whom they are sent and [11] then often still longer time before they see any fruit of their labors. Judson labored thus for ten years others for periods more or less.³ Here then is the faith and patience of the saints who are missionaries! However, in some Foreign Missions great and glorious reformations have taken place. Among the sandwich Islanders,⁴ God wrought wonders and got to himself a great name. In the Karen mission 1500 were converted in one revival and more than 1000 in another.⁵

      Now that your time and toils may not be spent in vain you must lay yourself out to do good by word and deed to all men as you may have opportunity. There is as you know a luxury in doing good. It has a glorious reflex action upon our hearts and souls. We usually feel good in the same ratio we do good. And in a general way we are useful and happy, in proportion to the degree and manner of our consecration to God and his cause.

      There are, however, many ways of doing good, but the principal and best way for missionaries is to propagate the doctrines and duties of Christianity. This can be done in different ways, but the original the easiest, and the cheapest method is by Example and precept. These two ways God has joined together, one therefore without the other will be inefficient and powerless "The grace of God or gospel, which has appeared to all men teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously and goodly in this present world." Paul says "The Gospel is the power of God to salvation." Hence therefore the power of Godliness Exemplified, and the power of truth proclaimed, must convert the world and establish the Holy Catholic Church of the Bible; which [27] is the ground and pillar of truth, Mark it. The teachings of the Bible exemplified by the faith and practice of the true church is the testimony of Jesus. Let this pure testimony, then, be your only creed and rule of life. Peter and John Paul and Barnabas and all the primitive disciples had none else. You and I, and every one else, need no better Church standard any surer and safer guide to show us the way to heaven.

      Be sure therefore, never to be ashamed or afraid to make your religious principles a stand point and to insure them against the perils, and scoffs, and frowns, of unprincipled wit and ridicule. Disdain not the idea to differ from the times, and the specious dogmas and humanized usages of a sectarianized Christendom.⁶ Avow to all by word and deed (that) your heart is fixed and that you are both bound and ready to bury the truth and sell it not. "Carry these heaven born principles with you unchanged and untramelled through out the journey of life. Bind them for ornament as chains of gold about your neck. Transcribe them in your daily walk. Disseminate them in China, and wherever else you may go. Scatter them if you can, broadcast among the nations of the earth, and especially among the people of that densly populated and mighty empire where you are appointed to labor for ten years; believing that God will make them a work like leaven in meal and that through redeeming and sanctifying influence, thousands will be converted from Pagan idolatry and superstition to the saving light and knowledge of true religion. If you cannot save them or do them good by force and virtue of this "Armor of righteousness" then be content to leave them to their fate and take consolation from the thought that like [28] Mary of old, you have done what you could. . . .

      Now dear Ellen, don't forget to write often for your letters are very welcome and gladening to us all (.) I would be very much pleased if you and Mr. Colder would both write occasionally for the Ch(urch) Adv(ocate.)⁷ Then your friends who are anxious to hear from you could read your letters for themselves; otherwise we have to read them over so often to different ones that they nearly get worn out. Ma⁸ and the little ones join in sending their love to you and Mr. Colder with many Prayers for your health happiness and prosperity I subscribe myself.

      ¹ While Mr. and Mrs. Colder were waiting for the boat to take them to China.
      ² Winebrenner had many friends and relatives in his home state. He also visited there frequently on business trips. [10]
      ³ In Burma.
      ⁴ The Hawaiian Islands.
      ⁵ In Burma.
      ⁶ i.e., Winebrenner tells his daughter to maintain the witness of the Church of God even while serving on a Methodist mission field. Ellen was successful in doing this, at least up to a point. While in China her husband apparently became dissatisfied with the doctrinal position of the Methodist Church, and, upon returning to the United States joined the Church of God for a short time.
      ⁷ Colder later became editor of The Church Advocate.
      ⁸ Invariably, in his letters, Winebrenner refers to his second wife (Mary Hamilton Mitchell of Harrisburg) as "Ma." The "little ones" are Winebrenner's children by his second marriage, step-brothers and sisters to Ellen.

[The Church Advocate, August 3, 1963, pp. 10-11, 27-29.]

      WE ARE indebted to President-elect Richard Kern of the Winebrenner Seminary and a class on the "History and Doctrines of the Churches of God" at the seminary for making copies of extant letters of John Winebrenner, one of which appears in this issue, with the promise of others to follow.

      Reading this letter written by John Winebrenner to his daughter, Ellen Winebrenner Colder, who with her husband, the Reverend James Colder, were in China serving as missionaries under appointment of the Methodist Episcopal Church, one is struck by the nature of the content of the letter. There isn't an abundance of "small talk" about trivial matters, but the letter is given over to a consideration of Winebrenner's concern that his daughter fulfill her "duties" as a wife, and in so doing says something about his own insights relative to the vocation of Christian marriage. Winebrenner writes of his conception of the "high vocation" of Christian missions and of his deep interest that his daughter, as Professor Kern expresses it in a footnote, "maintain the witness of the Church of God even while serving on a Methodist mission field."

      Even so, this letter is written by an "affectionate father" who cherished the memory of the farewell in Harrisburg on March 1, 1851, "your tender look, your soft hand and your sweet warm lips in giving the parting kiss are and shall be by me."

      In urging that his daughter Mrs. Colder maintain the witness of the Church of God on a Methodist mission field in China, it was not a narrow sectarianism that he was advocating. This letter speaks of Winebrenner's concern for the establishment of "the Holy Catholic Church of the Bible," which is what he conceived of the Church of God as being--not alone the "Church of God" that came into being under his leadership in or about 1825, but the Church of God that embraces every Christian believer.

      Winebrenner expressed himself in a letter to James Colder, Ellen's husband, "Were all sects and parties who profess pure Christianity merged into one holy catholic Church, and all ministers and missionaries act in harmony and concert with each other to bring the nations and kindreds of the earth to the obedience of the cross of Christ how soon would the heathen be given to Christ for an inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession! Here lies the great secret of success among primitive Christians; and here lies the disparity between the success of ancient and modern missionaries. Their union made them strong--our divisions make us weak." (Copied from another of the extant letters, copy of which was made by the Seminary class.)

      Christian missions today face a resurgent nationalism that wants to reject Christianity as being "the white man's religion," the export of "western imperialism." The situation was not too much different in 1852.

      The Church Advocate of January 1, 1853, prints a letter from Ellen Winebrenner Colder, written in Fuh-Chau, China, September 4, 1852, in answer to the letter from her father printed in this issue. (The letter from John Winebrenner, dated November 27, 1851, had been received in Fuh-Chau, on April 17, 1852. She answered it on September 4.)

      Ellen Winebrenner Colder writes concerning conditions in Fuh-Chau, the reception they have been given by the native population:

      "I would like to write you something about the progress of missionary labor at Fuh-Chau, but as yet (to human sight) very little can be said. Missionaries have been laboring at this post for five years, and upwards, and not one among this poor heathen people has yet become willing to forsake his idols, and believe on Jesus Christ, that he might be saved. I often think the Chinese at Fuh-Chau have as much a dislike to foreigners as at Canton."

      Professor Kern in his introduction to Winebrenner's letter mentions that the Colders were in China over two years before they could find a permanent residence.

      Mrs. Colder writes of the unwillingness of the Chinese to allow the missionaries to build houses. She makes mention that an American "man-of-war" stopped at the mouth of the river Min and an American lieutenant was sent by the captain to Fuh-Chau to try to persuade the Chinese officials to allow the American missionaries to build houses. In summing up the visit of the American man-of-war, Mrs. Colder writes that the chief official said "the people were unwilling that we should build, and he would not grant permission to us, unless the people first gave their consent. So the matter will rest, until we have another visit from a man-of-war."

      ". . . until we have another visit from a man-of-war," perhaps there were some grounds for the lurking suspicion that the Gospel is the export of western imperialism.

      But it is a testimony to the faithful laborers of the Colders at Fuh-Chau that largely from their ministry came the first convert at that mission, who at his insistence returned with them to America. [4]

--JACK PARTHEMORE.      

[The Church Advocate, August 3, 1963, pp. 4.]

      The electronic version of Richard Kern's "John Winebrenner Writes to His Missionary Daughter in China" and Jack Parthemore's "Winebrenner's Correspondence" have been transcribed from a copy of The Church Advocate, 128 (August 3, 1963): 4, 10-11, 27-29. Thanks to Jean Leathers, Archivist of the Churches of God Historical Society, for lending a copy of that issue of the periodical.

      Pagination has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 21 September 1997.
Updated 16 July 2003.