File Folder 2 - Erb, Paul

BOX 33 FOLDER 2 Paul Erb For an excellent biographical entry on Erb, see “Erb, Paul (1894-1984)” in GAMEO [Global Mennonite Encyclopedia On-line
{1} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, January 13, 1958 [to Erb as Executive Secretary of (MC) Mennonite General Conference, Scottdale Pennsylvania]: wanted help in determining how many members the [MC} Mennonite Church should have on Mennonite Central Committee [MCC]; PS Was the meeting to discuss Biblical Criticism now set for February 21 at Pittsburgh?
{2} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, January 14, 1958 [to Erb as Editor of Gospel Herald, Scottdale Pennsylvania]: sending, for “Reader’s Say” page, a discussion to clarify a Bender piece in Gospel Herald of January 7––re use of the word “Church”
{3}THREE ENTRIES • • • REPLY to January 13 letter, Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, January 17, 1958 [stationery of (MC) Mennonite General Conference, Erb its Executive Secretary)]: giving the membership of the [MC] Mennonite Church, omitting several conference because xxx; remark about that Pittsburgh meeting • • • REPLY, handwritten in the margins; a version of the next letter • • • REPLY to January 17 letter, H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, January 21, 1958 [to Erb at Scottdale Pennsylvania]: thanks for the membership statistics; comment on that and on the Pittsburgh paper; enclosing a paper H. S. Bender had read at Seminary faculty discussion
{4} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, January 23, 1958 [to Erb as Editor of Gospel Herald, Scottdale Pennsylvania]: sending second article in series on the Church; would have two more:
{5} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, April 15, 1958 [stationery of (MC) Mennonite General Conference, Erb the Executive Secretary]: responding to your letter of April 15 [not extant here] to Mennonite Research Foundation Board of Directors [MRF]; agreed with steps outlined; remark about dissolving the MRF
{6} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, April 16, 1958 [to Erb as Executive Secretary of (MC) Mennonite General Conference, Scottdale Pennsylvania]: bit of business of the MC General Conference Historical Committee––appointing J C Wenger [John C Wenger] to unexpired term of John Howard Yoder [John H Yoder, John Yoder]
{7} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, April 22, 1958 [to Erb as Executive Secretary of (MC) Mennonite General Conference, Scottdale Pennsylvania]: in your April 15 letter you are correct about procedure to transfer the Mennonite Research Foundation [MRF] of the General Conference’s Historical Committee; send this to Nelson Kauffman; enclosing minutes of that committee––comment about holding another meeting of it; H. S. Bender remarks went on awhile; mention Roy Roth
{8} TW0 ENTRIES Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, April 24, 1958 [stationery of Gospel Herald, Erb the Editor]: enclosing an Erland Waltner article about next year’s seminary plans [Waltner: President of Mennonite Biblical Seminary, the Goshen seminary’s partner in AMBS]; Erb suggesting to Bender that “we are a little slow in our [? Goshen Seminary’s ?] publicity”; mention talking to Lederach and Metzler [? Paul Lederach ? likely A J Metzler, Abram J Metzler, Abram Metzler] • • • REPLY, H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, April 29, 1958 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––Editor of Gospel Herald, etc]: agreed that seminary publicity should be out soon; wanted information about how Erb had received Waltner’s letter, its provenance
{9} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, May 13, 1958 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––addressed as Executive Secretary of {MC} Mennonite General Conference]: the [General Conference’s] Historical Committee had co-opted four persons, who would need Executive Committee approval––the four being Grant Stoltzfus of Harrisonburg Virginia, Ernest Clemens of Lansdale Pennsylvania, Herman Ropp of Wellman Iowa, John W Snyder of Hespeler Ontario; thanks for copy of your ;letter to John R Mumaw
{10} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, July 3, 1958 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––addressed as Executive Secretary of {MC} Mennonite General Conference]: reminder that conference moderator J C Wenger [John C Wenger] had visited Lancaster Conference at its Spring meeting; H. S. Bender thought he should then visit the Franconia, the Washington-Franklin, and the Virginia Conferences as well, not singling out one
{11}TW0 ENTRIES H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, July 16, 1958 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––addressed as Executive Secretary of {MC} Mennonite General Conference]: raised some question because Erb and Boyd Nelson had attended a Civil Defense meeting in Washington, while this fell with scope of the PPC [Peace Problems Committee]; especially in the case of Nelson, whose scope with the [Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities’] Mennonite Relief and Service Committee [MRSC] or with any other of Boyd’s work did not include this • • • REPLY, Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, July 28, 1958 [stationery of {MC} Mennonite General Conference––Erb the Executive Secretary]: the invitation from “the Civil Defense organization” had come to Erb, and Nelson had attended because disaster service was in his scope; yes, policy toward Civil Defense was in the purview of PPC, but Erb knew of no policy stated by PPC; Erb was surprised that Bender thought PPC could administer Civil Defense; perhaps he should submit the matter to “the Committee on Co-ordination”; and really, perhaps the administration was a responsibility that Bender should “lay aside” cc J C Wenger, Boyd Nelson
. {12} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender and Melvin Gingerich, August 26, 1958 [stationery of the Gospel Herald––Erb the Editor]: as H. S. Bender and Gingerich were chairman and secretary of PPC, Erb was writing to them about “the Archie Penner manuscript; Erb would like PPC approval of it in writing....
{13} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, September 19, 1958 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––addressed as Executive Secretary of {MC} Mennonite General Conference]: about appointing a second representative to Mennonite World Conference; as MWC would meet in Canada, Bender favored a Canadian this time and recommended J B Martin [Jesse B Martin, Jesse Bauman Martin].
{14} Irene Hershberger to Paul Erb, October 2, 1958 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House; Hershberger signed as Assistant]: requesting 25 copies of addresses at Laurelville at study Conference on The Nature of the Church; mention Paul M Miller
{15}FOUR ENTRIES Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, October 7, 1958 [stationery of {MC} Mennonite General Conference––Erb the Executive Secretary]: registered his judgment that publicity on the AMBS was too sparse // Wanted Irene Hershberger to prepare something about Mennonite Research Foundation for the Mennonite Board of Education meeting // About salary of Melvin Gingerich // Wanted a meeting of Metzler [likely A J Metzler, Abram J Metzler], H. S. Bender, and Erb on raising funds for the MRF for next year // Some confusion about what Irene Hershberger had sent from that Laurelville conference; one other brief matter;// Handwritten PS reminding that the Executive Committee [apparently of MC General Conference] minutes called for something to be done to educate church members about Civil Defense; reference to PPC and MRSC • • • REPLY to October 2 note from Irene Hershberger, Paul Erb to Irene Hershberger, October 7, 1958 [to Hershberger as assistant to the Dean of Goshen Biblical Seminary]: sending those 25 copies; bill would be $25 • • • REPLY, Irene Hershberger to Paul Erb, October 9, 1958: the pamphlets were the wrong ones.... • • • REPLY, Paul Erb to Irene Hershberger, October 14, 1958 [stationery of {MC} Mennonite General Conference––Erb the Executive Secretary; Hershberger–Dean Bender’s Assistant]: found an error in first lot of books sent; comment; no charge for Guide to Church Vocations.
{16}TWO ENTRIES H. S. Benderto Paul Erb, October 16, 1958 [to John C Wenger as Moderator of {MC} Mennonite General Conference]: Wenger quite disappointed with program at meeting of the General Conference––not enough discussion of important issues, too much that we have heard • • • RESPONSE FROM ERB, Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, October 22, 1958 [stationery of {MC} Mennonite General Conference––Erb the Executive Secretary]: some substantive comment, but mostly perfunctory.
{17} Irene Hershberger to Paul Erb, October 22, 1958 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––addressed as Executive Secretary of {MC} Mennonite General Conference]: sending the $25 check [see above at October 2 ff]
{18}FOUR ENTRIES Telegram, H. S. Bender to Paul Erb and A J Metzler, October 28, 1958 [Abram J Metzler]: a suggestion from “WENGER” [likely J C Wenger, John C Wenger] about handling Co-ordination Committee recommendations re Kansas Home [likely Schowalter Homes, Inc at Hesston]; that a letter follows.... • • • REPLY, Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, October 29, 1958 [stationery of {MC} Mennonite General Conference––Erb the Executive Secretary]: received telegram too late––letters had already gone out; enclosing copy of “the constitution; enclosing copy “the action”; re role of Executive Committee vis-á-vis General Council [likely of MC Mennonite general conference] • • • ATTACHED, sheet with one paragraph [no date or other labeling]––likely “the action” just referenced]; reference to the Schowalter Foundation; appointment of Orie O Miller, Albert Weaver, R S Troyer, and Allen H Erb [Orie Miller, likely Roy S Troyer, Allen Erb] “as a committee with authorization to incorporate Schowalter Homes, Inc, a facility for senior church workers at Hesston, Kansas....; some comments and stipulations • • • CONTIGUOUS, H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, November 1, 1958 [Erb addressed as Executive Secretary of {MC} Mennonite General Conference]: [long, two full single-spaced pages]; 6 major points gleaned from “the Constitution of General Conference”; main issue seems to be role of Executive Committee vis-á-vis General Council [of the general conference]; Bender called for delay until these issues had been worked through.... cc members of the Executive Committee, Paul Mininger, A J Metzler, H Ernest Bennett
{19} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, November 21, 1958 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––Editor of Gospel Herald]: sending an article from Church Management that Erb might wish to reprint.
{20}THREE ENTRIES H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, November 26, 1958 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––addressed as Executive Secretary of {MC} Mennonite General Conference]: “at last” sending statement that “The General Council [likely of MC Mennonite general conference” had directed “us” [likely PPC, Peace Problems Committee] had directed drawn up re “the I-W situation” [conscientious objection, nonresistance, pacifism, military draft, alternative service, Selective Service System, I-O, I-W classification]; sending a letter to [district, likely] conference secretaries for pastors use in appeals to youth.... cc Boyd Nelson, John C Wenger [J C Wenger] • • • ATTACHED, draft of the letter to conference secretaries, November 26, undersigned by J C Wenger as Moderator of [MC] Mennonite Conference [J CWenger], H. S. Bender as Chairman of the Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities’ MRSC [Mennonite Relief and Service Committee], and Boyd Nelson [as Executive Secretary of the MRSC]; the draft has editorial markings, plus further suggestions for such information and assurance that more was available from Nelson • • • ATTACHED, typed sheet, headed ’ATTENTION, MENNONITE YOUTH” text begins “This is a glorious day in which to witness for Jesus Christ” and message is framed around the idea of ‘NONRESISTANT WITNESS NOW” also a paragraph with some basic information
{21} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, December 11, 1958 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House]: a clipping from The Mennonite with cover note giving suggestion that Erb publish it in Gospel Herald with proper information on the source
{22} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, December 30, 1958 [stationery of the Gospel Herald––Erb the Editor]: for 1960 the “Commission theme” was “unity of the Spirit”; asked H. S. Bender to write one of eight planned Gospel Herald articles, Bender’s topic to be “Lessons to Learn from Past Disunity”; due December 1, 1959
{23} Paul Erb to Ira D Landis, March 26, 1959 [stationary of{MC} Mennonite General Conference––Erb the Executive Secretary; Landis at Bareville Pennsylvania {Lancaster County}]: (MC) General Conference’s Budget and Finance Committee wanted a summer meeting; by June 1 please furnish askings for the Historical Committee in the next biennium; and Treasurer Kreider [? J Robert Kreider ?] wanted Landis to have the books audited
{24} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, May 20, 1959 [stationery of the Gospel Herald––Erb the Editor]: had the “article you wrote here last night”; opportunity for changes; about a letter “your committee [likely PPC, Peace Problems Committee] planned to write to President Eisenhower [Dwight Eisenhower, Dwight D Eisenhower].
{25} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, May 21, 1959 [stationery of Mennonite Research Foundation––Erb the Chairman]: re (MC) Mennonite General Conference proposal to have its Historical Committee take over the Mennonite Research Foundation [MRF]; the MRF would need funds in any case; asked Bender to send his annual $50 contribution
{26} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, September 2, 1959 [stationery of Mennonite General Conference––Erb the Executive Secretary]: letter is “official” word that John E Lapp, Orie O Miller, and Peter Wiebe had been re-elected to four-year terms on the (MC) Mennonite General Conference’s Peace Problems Committee [PPC]; others on that committee were Bender Melvin Gingerich, and Amos Horst; some elaboration; reminder that ‘we” want your general conference speech as soon as possible.
{27} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, September 2, 1959 [stationery of Mennonite General Conference––Erb the Executive Secretary]: Irvin Horst, Ira D Landis, and J C Wenger had been re-elected to four-year terms to the (MC) Mennonite General Conference’s Historical Committee; others on that committee were H. S. Bender Melvin Gingerich, and J J Hostetler [Jonathan J Hostetler]....
{28} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, September 8, 1959 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––addressed as Executive Secretary of {MC} Mennonite General Conference]: on getting the Historical Committee organized; Bender much embarrassed “by the wretched reporting by the staff writer of the” Kitchener Record; Bender would never again let himself be interviewed by telephone.
{29}TW0 ENTRIES H. S. Bender to Paul Erb and A J Metzler, September 8, 1959 [both Erb and (Abram J Metzler) at Mennonite Publishing House]: had started work on final editing of BIBLICAL REVELATION AND INSPIRATION manuscript, but delayed by several appointments [see Harold Stauffer Bender {Harold Bender, Harold Bender, H S Bender}, Biblical Revelation and Inspiration, by Harold Stauffer Bender (Scottdale, Pennsylvania : Herald Press, {1986}, ©1959)]; had been a suggestion to publish J C Wenger’s [John C Wenger] recent Gospel Herald article on trustworthiness of the Bible with it, but Bender had no opinion on that idea • • • CONTIGUOUS, H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, September 12, 1959 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––addressed as Executive Secretary of {MC} Mennonite General Conference]: sending corrected copy of general conference address for possible publication (not typed due to lack of help); also sending same piece as J C Wenger’s in July 26 Gospel Herald, which perhaps should not be reprinted in same pamphlet as the Bender address, although a very good article (on trustworthiness of the Bible) [scripture, biblical inspiration, Mennonite fundamentalism]
{30} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, September 18, 1959, 1959 [stationery of the Mennonite Publishing House, Erb the Book Editor: thanks for prompt sending of the manuscript; not publishing anything with yours––explanation; about plan for Focal Pamphlet #4 to publish this Fall; sending 5 galleys at your request
{31} Telegram, H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, September 29, 1959 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House]: meeting on Encyclopedia [likely Mennonite Encyclopedia] proposed for October 25, with meeting of Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities
{32} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, November 3, 1959 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––to him as Editor of Gospel Herald,]: on a review in Christianity Today, by George Ladd of Fuller Theological Seminary, a review of A M McLain book on Dispensationalism; wished to see the review reprinted in Gospel Herald [eschatology, premillenialism, amillenialism, Mennonite fundamentalism]
{33}TW0 ENTRIES Gene Herr to Erb, November 6, 1959 [Mennonite Publishing House Memorandum] about a “Mennonite History text for youth”: that he and Victor Stoltzfus agreed on the need for such a text; certain characteristics needed; a Roland Bainton book cited as a model for writing style; markings on the memorandum––“JCW” [likely John C Wenger, J C Wenger], and, “No such book prepared––although cf the 10 little books of the Menn Faith Series”/ “–J C“ • • • CONTIGUOUS, Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, November 12, 1959 [stationery of Mennonite Publishing House, Erb the Book Editor]: to H. S. Bender as Chairman of the [(MC) General Conference’s Historical Committee]; mention Paul Shank; reference to “a concern of Gideon Yoder” about need for text for Mennonite history in Mennonite high schools; so Erb had referred this to Gene Herr, “wondering if MYF [Mennonite Youth Fellowship]” had such a need; handwritten note about Shem Peachey interest in such a book
{34}SIX ENTRIES Postcard, Maynard Hoover to H. S. Bender, 14, 1959 [return address New Paris Indiana; postcard printed with “Gospel Witness” of {nearby} Goshen Indiana]” and “TOWARDS RECOVERY OF THE ANABAPTIST VISION!”: in cordial tone and excellent typing, Hoover responded to Bender’s inquiry about a “recent meeting at {nearby} Nappanee” • • • ATTACHED, a small printed announcement of that meeting, October 30 - November 1, with a bit of comment about its origin; reverse side has program • • • ATTACHED, spirit-duplicated letter, two single-spaced pages, Maynard Hoover to “Dear Brethren”, September 27, 1959: the letter expresses that folks “yearned for a more spiritual fellowship”, lamented loss of nonconformity in attire, called for “revival”, and invited those who shared such sentiments to the Nappanee meeting • • • ATTACHED, small handwritten note, stamped as if received [perhaps the whole packet received] on November 23, 1959 “Thanks” / “Erb”/; note also indicated that Erb expected a letter about an article by Edgar Metzler [likely on civil disobedience; see below at December 8] • • • CONTIGUOUS, H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, November 18, 1959 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––to him as Editor of Gospel Herald, etc]: enclosing a letter for Gospel Herald’s “Our Readers Say”, concerning a recent meeting at Nappanee Indiana, a “parallel” to one at Lititz [Lancaster County] Pennsylvania of the Herald of Truth group • • • ATTACHED, Document, 2-page double-spaced, dated November 16, 1959, and undersigned by Harold S Bender: a strong and disapproving reply to something in Gospel Herald “Our Readers Say” that had protested apparently against a brief statement of a telegram sent to US President Dwight Eisenhower [Dwight D Eisenhower] and the logic of that statement vis-à-vis scripture and church doctrine
{35}TW0 ENTRIES Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, December 8, 1959 [stationery of the Gospel Herald––Erb the Editor]: reminding Bender that a 1960 theme was “Unity of the Spirit” and Erb wanted “your article on ‘Lessons to Learn from Past Disunity” // Guy Hershberger [Guy F Hershberger, G F Hershberger] mentioned you “have written an article on civil disobedience in answer to Edgar Metzler’s” [see above at November 23]; PS enclosing minutes of the Nappanee meeting • • • REPLY, H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, December 21, 1959 [Erb as Editor of Gospel Herald]: had gotten +a carbon of Maynard Hoover’s letter to you”, with “his strange and radical ideas”; more about Hoover; was enclosing his reply to Edgar Metzler’s article, which Melvin Gingerich and Guy Hershberger had read; had sent a copy to Edgar; enclosing a letter to J B Martin [Jesse B Martin, Jesse Bauman Martin] as General Conference Moderator; expected to write the “Lessons Learned” article in next several weeks
{36} TW0 ENTRIES Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, March 31, 1960 [stationery of Mennonite Publishing House, Erb the Book Editor]: mention Ellrose Zook and approval of Franklin Littell book on Menno Simons [see Littell, A Tribute to Menno Simons]; Erb was now executive secretary of the Conrad Grebel Lectureship Committee and wished to know Bender’s plans re that; had word from Gerald Studer that Elizabeth [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender] was doing a new translation of “Christopher Dock works”; inquired about prospects for Bender book Mennonites in America [see also at March 31, April 6, and May 5, 1961] • • • REPLY, H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, April 6, 1960 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House]: glad for your interest in the Littell book; tentative title of Bender‘s Grebel lectures was “This Is My Body––The Nature of the Church and its Discipleship”; lectures to be ready right after Christmas vacation, then given in the second semester; Elizabeth willing to do that translation, but there were no plans for publication; the Mennonites in America project was now to cover only the MC denomination [see The Mennonite Church in America: Sometimes Called Old Mennonites, by J C Wenger, Harold Stauffer Bender, (Mennonite Church Historical and Research Committee, Eastern Mennonite Publications, Mennonite General Conference Historical and Research Committee, 2003, ©1995)}] [see also at March 31 and May 5, 1961]
{37} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, May 3, 1960 [stationery of {MC} Mennonite General Conference––Erb the Executive Secretary of Conrad Grebel Lectureship Committee]: EMC [Eastern Mennonite College, later Eastern Mennonite University (EMU)] wanted Bender to give his Conrad Grebel lectures there during their Ministers’ Week, January 30–February 3; would you have them written in time that committee members could read them prior to your giving them?
{38} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, May 25, 1960 [stationery of the Gospel Herald––Erb writing as Chairman of the Conrad Grebel Lectureship Committee]: about Bender appointment to give his lectures in their Ministers’ week; mention Tilman R Smith [Tilman Smith]; told Bender about a book by Alf Corell on eschatology .
{39}THREE ENTRIES H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, June 10, 1960 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––Erb as Secretary of Conrad Grebel Lectureship Committee]: accepted invitation to give the lectures at EMC [Eastern Mennonite College, later Eastern Mennonite University (EMU)], but with some change in dates; payment for the preparation, Erb needed to work that out with Paul Mininger and H. S. Bender; wanting to give the lectures in India.... • • • REPLY, Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, June 14, 1960 [stationery of{MC} Mennonite General Conference––Erb the Executive Secretary]: please work directly with Hesston College and EMC [Eastern Mennonite College, later Eastern Mennonite University (EMU)]; wanting Bender’s manuscript as soon as possible; on giving the lectures in India and in South America, and how to finance such endeavor. • • • CONTIGUOUS, Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, June 27, 1960 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––Erb as Secretary of Conrad Grebel Lectureship Committee]: arrangements now made for giving the lectures at Hesston, EMC, and Goshen; handwritten PS––Erb had worked with Mininger and Nelson Kauffman re payment to H. S. Bender “for the writing of these lectures”
{40} RESPONSE TO H. S. Bender letter of March 3, 1959, Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, July 21, 1960 [stationery of Mennonite Publishing House, Erb the Book Editor]: mention John Hostetler [likely John A Hostetler]; subject was “English translation of the Brothers in Christ” [manuscript by Blanke, likely Fritz Blanke]; apparently Bender had offered to write an Introduction to that and to give help editing the translation; Erb wished Bender to do both; details for the tasks–including deadline
{41} J C Wenger for H S Bender to Paul Erb, July 23, 1960 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House; John C Wenger, writing for H. S. Bender who was en route to Europe]: asked that the Blanke manuscript wait for Bender’s return; Wenger too busy to help––completing The Mennonites in Indiana and Michigan
{42} Memorandum, H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, October 5, 1960 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House, Editor of Gospel Herald]: late with article to be published one issue after” the Peace Problems Committee statement; enclosing sketch of “Menno Simons Memorial Church at Witmarsum, Holland” to go with it
{43} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, October 26, 1960 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––as Executive Secretary of Conrad Grebel Lectureship Committee]: requesting $35 for books bought––before Erb left for South America.
{44} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, November 2, 1960 [stationery of The Conrad Grebel Lectures––Erb Executive Secretary of the lecture committee]: putting into writing the date for publishing your Conrad Grebel Lectures; hoped to have the book out by (MC) Mennonite General Conference in August; mention Ellrose Zook acting as Book Editor in Erb’s absence....
{45}THREE ENTRIES Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, March 20, 1961 [stationery of Mennonite Publishing House, Erb the Book Editor]: had just read your “This Is My Body” manuscript; now, when the corrected version? “a few suggestions–including references that made it seem that the book was only for The Mennonite Church; needed shorter paragraphs and sentences.... // Had started production of Anabaptists in Flanders // P S Schedule conflict would not allow Erb to attend meeting of Executive Committee and Committee of Co-ordination, of [MC] Mennonite General Conference • • • REPLY, H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, March 23, 1961 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House]: unable to get the finished manuscript in by May 1, even if losing sales at (MC) Mennonite General Conference // Would see to the certification of Anabaptism in Flanders • • • REPLY, Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, March 28, 1961 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House, as the Book Editor]: anticipating the committee’s approval of Anabaptists in Flanders and “the Littell book on Menno Simons” [see A L E Verheyden, Anabaptism in Flanders, 1530-1650: A Century of Struggle (1961); and A Tribute to Menno Simons, by Franklin H Littell]; about not having the former available in time for [MC] Mennonite General Conference, but might have the Littell book by then; disappointed you cannot keep the May 1 deadline; when can you get the book in? Would like to have it before your going to Europe in June [see also March 31, April 6 and May 5, 1961]
{46} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, April 20, 1961 [stationery of {MC} Mennonite General Conference––Erb the Executive Secretary]: letter worded as if going to various persons, “those who will be preparing reports for [MC] Mennonite General Conference” August 22-25; Treasurer [J Robert Kreider ?] needed reports well ahead of time, delegates needed reports in good time; etc....
{47} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, May 2, 1961 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House, as the Book Editor]: with plans to publish This My Body [re communion], had run into some conflict with Augsburg Publishing Company who had a 1959 book with that title; mention Maynard Shetler // Re “the popular history of Christian Education in the Mennonite Church” [MC?], reportedly to be by Bender––and due for the 1963 Centennial; Erb doubtful that Bender would have time to do it
{48} H. S. Bender and J C Wenger to Paul Erb, May 5, 1961 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House, as Book Editor; H. S. Bender signing as Chairman and John C Wenger as Secretary {of (MC) Mennonite General Conference’s Historical and Research Committee}]: certifying Verheyden’s Flanders book and Littell’s Menno Simons books for publication [see also March 31 and April 6]
{49} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, May 15, 1961 [stationery of Mennonite Publishing House, Erb the Book Editor]: thanks for the certifications // Re your “This Is My Body” manuscript––Erb advised some rather substantially different approach to discussing amillennialist “or nondispensational emphasis”; comment that Elizabeth [Elizabeth Bender, Elizabeth Horsch Bender’s treatment of Old Testament circumcision was rather like that of advocates of infant baptism; Erb encouraged in general that Bender write to appeal to others than only Mennonites; more.... • • • REPLY, H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, May 19, 1961 [Erb as Editor of Gospel Herald]: re that history of Mennonite education, Bender did not recall expressing interest in doing it; Bender had appointed J C Wenger [John C Wenger] and Melvin Gingerich to work with the [MC] Mennonite General Conference’s Historical and Research Committee on the anniversary; those two and H. S. Bender had met with J J Hostetler [Jonathan J Hostetler] about this, and C Norman Kraus’s name had surfaced, and Bender was favorable.
{50} H. S. Bender to J B Martin and Paul Erb, May 19, 1961 [Jesse "J B" Martin, Jesse B Martin, Jesse Bauman Martin, at Waterloo Ontario; Erb at Mennonite Publishing House]: Mennonite World Conference had notified Martin and Bender that “we” would be allowed 300 delegates; Erb had suggested that Bender and Martin were to “report a plan for delegates”; rest is re issues faced in such a plan....[see at April 30]
{51} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, May 29, 1961 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––Editor of Gospel Herald]: that Kermit Derstine had given “an excellent address” to the graduating seminarians on “Jesus is Lord”; Erb had asked him to send it to publish in Gospel Herald
{52} • • • Memorandum, H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, May 30, 1961]: “for Erb to announce over his signature”, in a prominent place in Gospel Herald––General Council of [MC] Mennonite General Conference had appointed H. S. Bender, Martin [Jesse "J B" Martin, Jesse B Martin, Jesse Bauman Martin], and Erb to develop that plan for delegates to Seventh Mennonite World Conference; some committee proposals; more later • • • CONTIGUOUS, H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, May 30, 1961 [to Erb as Editor of Gospel Herald; from H. S. Bender, “for the Mennonite World Conference Executive Committee MWC]: a different version of an announcement for Gospel Herald about delegates; mention that––MWC will be at Kitchener Ontario, with a 7000-seat auditorium; that such a number was too large for discussion groups, so total delegates were limited to 700, with USA and Canada a total of 600, travel costs limiting all other continents [including Europe] to 100; (MC) Mennonite General Conference had been allotted 300....
{53} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, July 26, 1961 [stationery of the Gospel Herald––Erb the Editor]: thanks for a card [not extant here] with “suggested reprintings // Glad “you are home again”; hope you can “complete your manuscript on the church” in August––we “counting on this for September 1”
{54} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, October 27, 1961 [stationery of Mennonite Publishing House, Erb the Book Editor]: giving you “final word” concerning the Sunday School anniversary booklet; format like Blanke’s Brothers in Christ; more; wanted it by July 1, 1962; planning to have your manuscript for The Body of Christ very soon, and hope you can finish Mennonites in America by Fall 1962....
{55} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, November 18, 1961 [stationery of Mennonite Publishing House––Erb the Book Editor]: had received the “news of your resignation”; on Bender’s great service to the church // Did not yet have manuscript for The Body of Christ; reminder of “that Sunday school centennial booklet for 1963”
{56} Memorandum, H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, December 1, 1961: Mennonite Publishing House was asking for title change re This is My Body, as another book had that title [see at May 2, 1961]; Bender unsure he had agreed to that title; list of other books with somewhat similar titles; suggestion instead These Are My People [See These Are My People: The Nature of the Church and Its Discipleship According to the New Testament, by Harold Stauffer Bender (1962, 2003)]
{57} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, January 2, 1962 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House]: sending footnotes for These Are My People Chapters I & II
{58} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, February 7, 1962 [stationery of the Gospel Herald––Erb the Editor]: about his time at Goshen, glad for invitation to speak in Seminary chapel; asked about progress on the centennial Sunday school history; mention Klassen manuscript on Pilgram Marpeck [see “The Hermeneutics of Pilgram Marpeck,” by William Klassen (Thesis, Dissertation, 1960); Covenant and Community: The Life, Writings, and Hermeneutics of Pilgram Marpeck, by William Klassen (©1968); and The Writings of Pilgram Marpeck, by Pilgram Marbeck, William Klassen, Walter Klaassen (1978); or, Pilgram Marbeck]; arrival information
{59}TW0 ENTRIES Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, April 5, 1962 [stationery of The Conrad Grebel Lectures––Erb Executive Secretary of the lectureship committee]: re the jacket of Bender’s book; check will come to you soon, $600 for you, $500 for the Seminary; lectureship committee will decide about disposition of the rest • • • ATTACHED, a short blurb about H. S. Bender as author and summary of “These are my People” booklet.
{60} H. S. Bender to the Editor of Gospel Herald, April 9, 1962 [ie to Paul Erb]: re “ETHNIC MENNONITES AND MENNONITE CULTURE”; had been much on this subject recently in Gospel Herald, which “stirred many of us to serious reflection”; Bender offering a substantial letter, both warning and affirming re ethnicity and re acculturation; made distinction between large an small denominations in his analysis
{61}TW0 ENTRIES Paul Erb to H. S. Bender and Paul Mininger, April 11, 1962 [stationery of The Conrad Grebel Lectures––Erb Executive Secretary of the lecture committee]: Erb had read “Calvin Redekop’s revision of his John F Funk Lecture on ‘Unity and Schism’; Redekop was ready to deliver it to a joint meeting of the two seminaries [AMBS]; invited suggestions re its publication // PS enclosing royalty statement on These Are My People; please sign • • • ATTACHED, copy of Royalty form, filled in
{62} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, April 20, 1962 [stationery of Mennonite Publishing House, Erb the Book Editor]: reminding of wanting manuscript of Sunday School centennial booklet by July 1; at a coming meeting the Conrad Grebel Lectureship Committee would decide whether “part of the allotment for your lecture” could go toward your travel to “Montevideo and/or Yoetmal” [India] to give the lectures
{63} H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, June 20, 1962 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House]: belatedly sending $10 travel money for May 26 meeting; glad for your help there with discussion; hoped for similar meeting at Scottdale, with Erb and C K Lehman present [Chester Lehman, Chester K Lehman]
{64}TW0 ENTRIES H. S. Bender to Paul Erb, August 20, 1962 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House]: thanks for reminder about “writing commitments”; hoped to comply “as strength returns” • • • REPLY, Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, August 31, 1962 [stationery of Mennonite Publishing House, Erb as Book Editor]: thanks; re “History of Christian Nurture”, as Bender was now calling the Sunday school booklet; now setting time for receiving your manuscript at December 1, wished it were earlier
{65} Melvin Gingerich to Paul Erb, September 8, 1962 [Erb at Mennonite Publishing House––at Herald Press]: about Institute of Mennonite Studies “preparing a new Mennonite history text”; understood Herald Press favored it, but wanted approval first from “our Committee” [? (MC) Mennonite General Conference’s Historical and Research Committee ?]; John C Wenger [J C Wenger], the committee’s recording secretary, had given this matter to Gingerich as executive secretary; Gingerich would talk about this with Bender “as soon as possible” cc Ben Cuttrell, H. S. Bender, Cornelius Dyck
{66} Paul Erb to H. S. Bender, September 14, 1962 [stationery of Mennonite Publishing House, Erb the Book Editor]: needed to know the title of the Sunday school centennial booklet; praying for your health cc J C Wenger [John C Wenger]