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Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary |
Summary InformationAbstract
At a Glance
ArrangementArrangementThis collection is arranged in one chronological series.
DescriptionScope and ContentsThis series contains copies of handwritten and typed reports, in German, from the Rheinische Missionsgesellschaft (Rhenish Missionary Society) missionaries located in Southern Africa, Borneo, Sumatra, Nias and New Guinea. Reports discuss progress, experiences of other missionaries, as well as events in each location, such as the Herero uprisings of 1904 in South Africa. The majority of reports are written by J. Spiecker, with others interspersed from such people as G. Haussleiter and R. Wegner.
Burke Library record group:Missionary Research Library Archives: MRL1, Africa Using the CollectionBurke Library at Union Theological Seminary Conditions Governing AccessThis collection is open for research. Onsite storage. Conditions Governing UseSome material in this collection may be protected by copyright and other rights. Information concerning copyright, fair use, and reproduction requests can be consulted at Columbia's Copyright Advisory Office. Preferred CitationItem description, MRL1: Rheinische Missiongesellschaft Reports, 1897-1912, box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York. Immediate Source of AcquisitionFormerly part of the independent Missionary Research Library (MRL), these records were accessioned by the Burke Library at the time of the MRL's closure in 1976. About the Finding Aid / Processing InformationColumbia University Libraries, Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary Processing InformationMaterials were placed in new acid-free folders. Acidic items were separated from one another by interleaving with acid-free paper as needed. Items in an advanced state of deterioration were placed in Mylar envelopes. The finding aid was created by Brigette C. Kamsler in 2011 with the support of the Henry Luce Foundation, and edited by Leah Edelman in 2020. Revision Description2020-07-29 PDF converted to EAD and description updated by Leah Edelman. Subject HeadingsThe subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives. All links open new windows. Subject
History / Biographical NoteBiographical / HistoricalThe Rhenish Missionary Society from Germany was formed in September 1828 as a unification of the Elberfeld Missionary Society of 1799; the Barmen Missionary Society of 1818; the Wesel Missionary Society of 1822; and the Cologne Missionary Society of 1822. It was officially recognized by the King of Prussia in June 1829. The RMS was the largest of the German Protestant Missionary Societies. Along with Southern Africa, it was established in Borneo, China, Batakland/Sumatra, Nias and New Guinea. The RMS had a tempestuous relationship with South Africa; however the time from 1894 to 1904 was relatively peaceful. This sharply ended with the Herero uprisings of 1904. Over the next ten years leading to World War I, Germany increased its military presence in Africa to maintain peace. During this time, the number of converts increased dramatically, as did the number of missionaries. The RMS began to focus their efforts in places other than South Africa. In 1971, the RMS merged with the Bethel Mission to form the Vereinigten Evangelischen Mission (United Evangelical Mission). The RMS had a tempestuous relationship with South Africa, however the time from 1894 to 1904 was relatively peaceful. This ended with the Herero uprisings of 1904. Over the next ten years leading to World War I, Germany increased its military presence in Africa to maintain peace. During this time, the number of converts increased dramatically, as did the number of missionaries. The RMS began to focus their efforts in places other than South Africa. In 1971, the RMS merged with the Bethel Mission to form the Vereinigten Evangelischen Mission (United Evangelical Mission). |