From the Archives…

We know the coronavirus is not the first plague strike the earth. If the Lord tarries, it will not be the last. John Mitchell, a historian who works with Reformed Presbyterian archives was asked about references in our denominational documents to the 1918 influenza epidemic. He searched a number of old magazines and publications and has compiled the following reports. 

REFERENCES TO THE SPANISH FLU OF 1918 AS RECORDED IN THE “CHRISTIAN NATION”

VOLUME 69, JULY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 1918 

• NEW ALEXANDRIA, PA. 10/16/1918, p. 8. The communion of the New Alexandria congregation, set for the 20th of October, had to be postponed on account of the epidemic of Spanish influenza. 
• STERLING, KS. 10/16/1918, p.10. Everett Hayes, who is home on a furlough from Newport News, VA, is recovering nicely from the Spanish Influenza. 
• THE CHRISTIAN NATION, 10/30/1918, p. 8. The editor of this paper was laid aside by influenza from October 11 to October 21. The fact is noted here merely to account for his intention to his correspondence during those days. 
• BILLINGS, OK. 10/23/1918, p. 10. James Lucas and William McFarland have been having the Spanish Influenza at Camp Pike, Ark. Both boys are improving now, for which we are truly grateful. 
• SECOND BOSTON, MA. 10/30/1918, p. 8. The Second Boston held an unusually delightful communion the third Sabbath of October. The pastor conducted alone, his assistant, Rev. Boyd White, being kept in Walton, NY by the Spanish influenza. 
• SELMA, AL. 10/30/1918, p. 8. Rev. George A. Edgar, D. D., says: = Our Selma schools were closed up by the city authorities last Wednesday, October 9, with all other places of public resort because of the epidemic of influenza now prevalent in the state. 
• CLARINDA, IA. 10/30/1918, p. 9. Private James Arthur Whitehill, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Whitehill, Clarinda, Iowa, was born at Clarinda July 1, 1895, and died in camp, at Ebert’s Field, Lonoke, Arkansas, from the Spanish Influenza on October 3, 1918. 
• WALTON, NY. 10/30/1918, p. 10. The Walton congregation was favored in having communion services before the quarantine for Spanish influenza went on. During the past two Sabbaths, while the quarantine has been on, the pastor and elder, J. T. Doig, held prayer services in the homes of the village members. While a good many of the members have been sick with the epidemic, all give promise of recovery. Miss Mildred Haines, a student in Albany State Teachers College, who was seriously sick for a time, is now recovering. Messrs. Ralph Alexander and Russell Doig, who were wearing the khaki at Geneva College, have both had the influenza. 
• IN THE PRAYER MEETING COLUMN. 10/30/1918, p. 11. Let us also think of Temperance Reform. We are all pleased with certain reforms along this line. Just here we would like to raise the question, Can the “Spanish Flu” be traced to the wide use of the cigarette? We do not know that it can, and we ask this question for information. 
• VARIOUS. 11/6/1918, p. 8. Knox Academy is closed on account of the epidemic, Geneva College and the Pittsburgh Syrian Mission likewise are suffering the effects of influenza. The closing order of the local Boards of Health has prevailed from East to West. The brethren in Portland, Oregon, and Regina, Canada, report all churches closed. The fall meeting of Pittsburgh Presbytery, to meet at Rehoboth church, was cancelled by the order of the Board of Health. 
• A RESTRICTED FUNERAL. 11/6/1918, p. 8. Rev. A. J. McFarland, D. D. was stricken with paralysis on Thursday evening, October 24, 1918, and quietly fell asleep in Jesus on Saturday morning, at six o’clock. … Owing to the restrictions imposed because of the epidemic of influenza the funeral was private, and the many friends who would have wished to be present could not attend. … 
• LOS ANGELES, CA. 1/6/1918, p. 9. All churches, schools, theatres, etc. in Los Angeles have been closed for a period of at least two weeks owing to the epidemic of Spanish influenza. Our communion was to have been held on October 20 with Rev. J. S. Thompson, assistant, but with the closing of the churches it has been postponed till November. A few of our members have been suffering from influenza but have so far recovered as to be able to be about again. 
• MORNING SUN, IA. 11/13/1918, p. 8. R. J. Allen, writing from Morning Sun, Iowa: — All preaching services have been prohibited in Iowa, and the schools as well. No cases in Sharon as far as I know, but Morning Sun has had one death, and the whole family down. Mrs. Will McElhinney died last Saturday. Surely God’s judgments are abroad. Oh, if only the people could learn wisdom. 
• SECOND BOSTON, MA. 11/13/1918, p. 10. After ten days from Spanish influenza, Mildred I. Swanson of Second Boston congregation, on October 25 passed hence to be with Christ. She was 17 years of age. 
• LOS ANGELES, CA. 11/13/1918, p. 11. Los Angeles, like other places all over the country, is feeling the hand of God in the influenza epidemic. Just as the war laid its hand upon the flower of our nation to humble her pride and is draining her of her vast wealth in which she has fully trusted, as the pestilence is God’s rebuke of our pleasure-mad generation, our Christian education, and our worldly churches by shutting them all up. Will it leads us to repentance? 
• Mrs. Thomas McClement has returned in safety from six weeks’ visit east. She reports a good visit and is thankful to have escaped the epidemic so prevalent everywhere. 
• Communions and Presbytery on the Pacific Coast are postponed until the ban has been lifted and conditions more settled. 
• WORK OF THE JEWISH MISSION, by Annie Forsyth. 11/13/1918, p. 12. The work of the Jewish Mission has been hindered greatly this past month owing to the prevalence of the Spanish influenza in our city.  In compliance with the command of the Board of Health, no meetings are being held in the mission. The children come to our door frequently, invariably inquiring, “When can we come in to sing and read?” We give them the Sabbath School lesson cards and papers. The Scripture verse in one of our windows, “When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness,” is timely. 
• The number of influenza cases is diminishing, for which we are grateful to our Heavenly Father. In all my experience in welfare work I have never felt so depressed as in this siege of illness. In almost very home we visited we found the disease; from one to seven afflicted, and in one instance discovered nine persons ill with this terrible malady. On being questioned as to what treatment to give the sick ones I suggested a poultice of raw onions to be applied to the soles of the feet, to draw the fever from the head – to use a solution of salt to gargle the throat, and to drink plenty of lemon juice. This was prior to the medical advice given through the public press by Dr. Krusen, director of the Health Bureau. Undertakers were so busy they could not take care of the dead, consequently relatives were compelled to bury their own dead by hiring wagons and digging the graves themselves, One old Jewish person was wrapped in a rug, put in an undertaker’s basket and was so buried. There were many cases where no sign of mourning appeared on the houses because of having no undertaker. It seems a peculiarly sad providence to find so many little ones deprived of their parents because of this scourge. 
• On one morning three men called asking help to bury their dead, certainly a surprising request to us. We asked them in and called up the Electrical Bureau of City Hall, only to receive the answer, “Too busy.” I pleaded if they could only see the grief-stricken faces of the men in the office at his mission they would put someone on the wire who would help. After some delay a gruff voice replied, “Don’t you know, Madam, we cannot get the men to make the necessary boxes for our boys in camp.” I answered, “Nevertheless we are sure your influence would assure help from some source,” and then he gave the name of an undertaker, who, after we explained the circumstances of the families concerned, agreed to take charge of them. 
• A public school house as well as a Settlement House in our neighborhood have been fitted up for patients brought to them by the ambulances and police patrols. Our streets are remarkably quiet as result of the children being kept indoors. All the earth markets and stands and in some cases shops are closed for fear of contracting the dread disease. The Board of Health has had the streets flushed daily and disinfectants freely used to combat the disease and prevent contagion. 

• PHILADELPHA, PA. 11/20/1918, p. 8. At Philadelphia, Dr. W. P. Johnston, assisted Dr. Pearce last Sabbath, (Nov. 10) and Dr. F. M. Wilson, on Sabbath, November 17, These communions are a month late owing to the recent epidemic. Rev. W. J. McKnight was with Dr. McFeeters on Sabbath, November 10. 
• SEATTLE, WA. 11/20/1918, p. 8. Seattle congregation was without preaching five weeks, because of the epidemic, and communion Sabbath was postponed. 
• BEAVER FALLS (GENEVA CONGREGATION), PA. 11/20/1918, p. 10. The congregations here as elsewhere have had an enforced cessation of activities occasioned by the influenza epidemic. 
• WINNIPEG, CANADA. 11/20/1918, p. 10. Owing to an epidemic of influenza all public meetings have been prohibited, as a consequence all the churches and schools have been closed for the past five weeks and no sign of the ban being yet lifted. Rev. Patton is doing all he can to relieve the situation by conducting services in the homes. There is a great amount of sickness in the congregations at present, which involves an unusual amount of pastoral work. Our communion which had been set for the second Sabbath in November has been indefinitely postponed. 
• HETHERTON, MI. 11/20/1918, p. 10. Communion services were to be held October 3 rd Sabbath, but churches were all quarantined before that time, so that all services were postponed. When J. W. Mathews returned to the navy yard at Boston after Sept. 24, it was his intention to visit some of our churches in that city, but he found the influenza had taken away two of his ship’s officers – one of them the commander of the Signal Division he was in, also a number of enlisted men, and every one was quarantined strictly to the ship and navy yard, except those who lived or had friends in Boston. His ship left for New York on the 10th of October, but no one was allowed to land there. Quarantine on schools and churches was lifted November 8 and church services were resumed the following Sabbath. We expect now to hold our communion service the Sabbath following Thanksgiving day. 
• CINCINNATI, OH. 11/20/1918, p. 12. We have not had services for six weeks on account of Spanish influenza. A number of our congregation have had the disease more or less seriously, but all have recovered now. In one family there were three cases: Mr. Edward Huheey., stationed at Great Lakes Naval Training School; his sister Anna with the Red Cross in France, and another sister, Edith, a nurse at the Cincinnati General Hospital. During the influenza quarantine our pastor worked with shovel and wheel barrow at Ancor, where they are building a government nitrate plant. It necessitated his leaving home at 5:30 A.M. and not reaching home until 7 P.M. Laborers were badly needed and Mr. Reade wanted a hand in the overthrow of kaiserism. We hope the influenza quarantine will be lifted this week that we may be permitted to gather for public worship again. 
• SEATTLE, WA. 11/27/1918, p. 13. Seattle congregation has been making the best use of the time possible during quarantine regulations the past weeks. No public services of any kind have been allowed. As like the plague of darkness in Egypt, when every Israelite family had light in the home, so every family in our congregation has had the Light of God’s Word and the precious privilege of family worship. No deaths have occurred from this pestilence among our families so far. Mr. John Clark, who suffered a stroke of paralysis, died at a good old age and was laid to rest. Owing to quarantine, the funeral services were strictly private. 
• “A VISIT AND ITS VALUE” by Rev. W. P. Johnston, D. D.. 12/11/1918, p. 1. It fell to my lot to spend from Wednesday evening, Nov. 7, to Tuesday morning, Nov. 19, in Philadelphia. The enjoyment of these days, became possible to me, through the invitations of Revs. M. M. Pearce and F. M. Wilson, pastors of our First and Third churches, to be with them during their fall communions, postponed from an earlier date, because of the widely prevalent epidemic. I did greatly enjoy my stay with these younger men. 
• BELLEFONTAINE, OH. 12/11/1918, p. 2. Previous to this date, our city has been favored in having the fewest number of cases of influenza of any town of its size in the State. However, as a preventative, quarantine was laid on Oct. 8 and lifted on Nov. 8, thinking the most was past, but the disease has taken on a new start, striking this city and all of Logan County with greater force than ever.  Miss Mary McLean, one of our girls, who is in training to Grant Hospital, Columbus, is now a patient there, being a victim of the “Flu.” We are glad to her that she is convalescing. Mrs. H. G. Foster is also quite sick with the same malady. Miss Mildred Foster had her turn of the fashionable disease at the first of this epidemic. 
• SUPERIOR, NB. 12/11/1918, p. 5. Joseph Leonard Wilcox, Superior, Nebraska, congregation called in the draft and was ready to go, but the call was first suspended by the influenza epidemic, then cancelled after the signing of the armistice. 
• THE MARCH OF EVENTS by Rev. John H. Prichard. 12/18/1918, p. 1. In a quote of Mr. Henry P. Davison, “The war program of the American Red Cross will thus steadily and rapidly merge itself into a peace program. The wake the war will, however, reveal the prevalence of diseases and give rise to epidemics and emergencies which in all parts of the world will call for unlimited volunteer effort.” 
• SELMA, AL. 12/25/1918, p. 8. Miss Lola Weir, of the Selma, Ala., Mission, accompanied Miss French to her home in Winchester, Kan., on Dec. 13. Miss Weir will return to Selma as soon as the school reopens, when the epidemic subsides. All of the schools in Selma have been closed up again for an indefinite period by the return of the influenza. 

VOLUME 70, JANUARY 1 – JUNE 30, 1919 

• ARTICLE Entitled “SCIENCE AND THE FLU” by Rev. D. Raymond Taggart. 1/1/1919, p. 5. (The concluding paragraph) …But passing over any connection there may be between the present epidemic of influenza and nation-wide sin, whether or ingratitude or something else, and considering it as merely one of the events that happens alike to the just and the unjust, would it not still be the part of wisdom on the part of our nation to set apart a day of prayer for its removal? We set apart a day for prayer for the success of our arms, and considered that we were graciously spared to have had only 63,000 fatalities. The flu has caused 250,000 deaths, and our churches are closed to meetings for prayer. Would it not be the part of wisdom, and the ultimate conclusion of science, that instead of closing the churches first, as the nonessential gathering of the people, that they should be made the exception, and considered one of the essentials for the health of the community. (Copied form “The Church Outlook”, (Topeka) December number. 
• WALTON, NY. 1/1/1919, p. 6. All has been progressing very nicely since the lifting of the influenza quarantine. Only a few cases of it have developed since. Elder E. F. Thompson is the only one now afflicted with the disease and he is rapidly recovering. 
• STERLING, KS. 1/1/1919, p. 9. There have been no public servicers in Sterling, Kansas, for nine Sabbaths, including December 15. 
• REGINA, CANADA. 1/1/1919, p. 9. For six Sabbaths we were not permitted to hold services, because of the influenza epidemic. We are glad to again avail ourselves of the privilege of going to the House of the Lord. We sympathize with the Chamber brothers and sisters, because of the death of their brother, Alex, who died November 17, from pneumonia, following influenza. 
• MORNING SUN, IA. 1/1/1919, p. 9. We have been experiencing some of the dispensations of God’s providence these past weeks. This plague, which our Heavenly Father has sent upon our land, has not passed by our community, and although, the Omnipotent Hand has not rested upon us as a congregation as heavily as on other places in our vicinity, yet we have to recognize that God is Judge. This scourge which has taken more American lives than German guns, has made its presence felt among us, and taken away one of our faithful workers, Mrs. W. R. McElhinney, and while we sorrow, we sorrow not as those who have no hope, and while these mysterious visitations of God bring with them grief of heart, yet they are the means of bringing us into that closer bond of fellowship with Jesus Christ, and with one another. 
• Our church services were suspended for a period of three weeks, on account of this influenza, and then we realized what privileges God had given to us, and how lightly we prized them. We were much rejoiced when the quarantine was lifted, and were permitted to meet in the place where prayer was wont to be made, but this rejoicing was of short duration; for the day following Thanksgiving the ban was again put upon all public gatherings and we have been deprived for another three weeks of the public services in God’s house. 
• Our second epidemic, while more extensive, was not quite so severe among us, and yet it is because God in His mercy had not visited us as our sins deserved. … Miss Elsie McElhinney is home from Mapleton, Iowa, where she has been teaching. The schools closed in that place, on account of the influenza. 
• DENISON, KS. 1/1/1919, p. 12. Our fall communion was delayed one month, owing to the influenza epidemic. It was finally held on the third Sabbath of November, Rev. D. R.Taggart, of Topeka, assisting. 
• … The second wave of influenza has struck us, and there have been no church services for the past two Sabbaths. We were also closed three Sabbaths in October, under a state order. There is now little prospect of having any services until after the holidays. Several of the our families have been suffering from the influenza, but none have been seriously ill. 
• WASHINGTON, IA. 1/8/1919, p. 12. Ruby Thompson, of Washington, Iowa, congregation, died in the Grant Hospital, Chicago, December 20, aged 28 years. Her chosen calling was that of trained nurse, and she was faithfully performing the duties of her profession when she fell a victim to Spanish influenza. She was loved by all who knew her. W. G. R. 
• CACHE CREEK MISSION. 1/15/1919, p. 12. Since our last communion death has claimed several of our members. Deacon Wilbur Achilta, his little child, and McKee Attacapap were victims of the influenza. The blind woman died a short time ago. Many others have been sick. Yellow Fish and family, also Robert’s family, have been sick with influenza. Della Molkaha has been very bad with pneumonia following influenza, but her life was spared and she is well again. Her little daughter Laura died from the disease. Bessie Yellowfish, who is taking a nurse’s course at Lawton, has been sick with typhoid fever and influenza, but was cared for in the hospital and is at work again. Three of the workers at the mission have had the disease but are able to be back at work again. Maggie Williams came from her home in Blanchard, Okla., Dec. 26, to visit at the mission during the holiday She took the influenza but is recovering from it now. 
• ALLEGHENY, PA. 2/26/1919, p. 12. Mrs. Nellie M. Mitchell, wife of Mr. John P. Mitchell, a member of the Allegheny congregation, died on Wednesday, February 5, of pneumonia resulting from influenza. The funeral services were conducted by Revs. J. T. Mitchell and I, A. Blackwood. 
• THIRD NEW YORK, NY. 3/5/1919, p. 8. Mr. W. J. Beatty, elder in Third New York, and Mrs. Beatty, have had severe attacks of influenza. They are regaining strength slowly. 
• LaJUNTA, CO. 3/5/1919, p. 8. Henry Riddering, a highly esteemed member of LaJunta, Col. congregation, died from diphtheria following influenza, Saturday, Feb. 15, in Mary Embarkation Hospital No. 1, Hoboken, N. J. He was a corporal Bat. A, 45 th Reg. C. A. C., and was on his way home from France. 
• WHITE COTTAGE, OH. 3/5/1919, p. 9. It has been quite awhile since anything has been heard from the little White Cottage congregation, but we are glad to say it is not dead nor even asleep. Like many others we were under the “ban” for several weeks, but this has been lifted and we are back to normal once again. Several of our little flock had the influenza, but all have recovered, and are able to be out again, we are glad to say. Mrs. Wm. Thompson, Sr., entertained her children and grandchildren with a family dinner on Saturday, February 8. The nine children and nine grandchildren were all able to be present, although quite a number of them have had influenza and some have been seriously ill. The eldest grandson, Harvey Thompson, who was at Camp Sherman when he contracted influenza had double pneumonia and was in the Base Hospital for nine weeks, was also able to be present, although he has not fully recovered as yet. 
• ITINERATING IN CHINA, 4/16/1919, p. 6. In the article “Itinerating in China” by Rev. W. M. Robb, he reports: … Just as were starting out in the work a telegram came summoning one of our best workers to the deathbed of his daughter. She was at the time a teacher in the Girls’ School at Loting, and was a victim of pneumonia resulting from influenza. I have seldom witnessed greater fatherly affection, and certainly never before in China, than was shown by our brother upon receiving the sad tidings. There was no tumultuous outburst of grief, but The undercurrent of great compassion was unmistakable. He started at one for her bedside but ere he arrived God had claimed his first born child The shadow that fell upon the little band going forth to preach was as the shadow of death, but only the shadow, for the message we carried was the message of life, and while we missed the presence of one who is never slow to speak concerning the honor of the King, we bowed to the King’s will in calling for the time from the path of service to the house of mourning, and we praised God for His sustaining grace given so abundantly to our brother in his sorrow, and that he was able to join us later. 
• OAKDALE, IL. 4/30/1919, p. 8. Miss Katie Duguid, a trained nurse who was accepted but not called to service for Uncle Sam, had a severe attack of influenza, followed by pneumonia and then sarlet fever has sufficiently recovered to come home on ten days’ furlough to recuperate. 
• STERLING, KS. 4 /30/1919, p. 12. Our hearts have been saddened by the death of one of our loved members, Mrs. Frank McElhenny, from the flu. Her friends ere numbered by her acquaintances, her gracious smile and pleasant words made her a favorite with young and old. 
• ANTA ANA, CA. 4/30/1919, p. 12. A reception for new members and also a farewell for Mr. John M. Dodds and family, was held at the home of our pastor, Friday, March 14. This was the first social event since the influenza struck this city, and you may imagine it was a joyful occasion. About 75 or 80 members and friends of the congregation were present. A delightful literary program was carried out, consisting of short talks, readings, music, etc., and closed with a humorous debate, which proved of interest to all. 
• KANSAS CITY, MO. 1/22/1919, p. 10. Although the epidemic made it impossible to have the annual Sabbath school entertainment during the holidays, the children were remembered with the Christmas treat. The pastor and the superintendent acted the part of Santa Claus and had the pleasure of seeing the happy expression on the faces of the children in response to their visits. 
• HETHERTON, MI. 1/22/1919, p. 9. The McLaughlin University of Grand Rapids, where Flora M. Mathews was taking a business and civil service course of instruction, was closed on Dec. 13 on account of influenza. Miss Flora came home at once, and while here the school board induced her to teach a six months term in Vienna School. 
• STERLNG, KS. 1/29/1919, p. 8. Serg. Andrew C. Adams, of Sterling, Kansas, congregation, who served in a hospital in Camp Devens, Mass., for three weeks, says the daily deaths from the influenza were never less than fifty and many days more than one hundred. 
• BELLE CENTER, OH. 1/29/1919, p 8. Miss. Minnie McIlroy, High School teacher, was ordered to remain perfectly quiet in bed during the present week, by her physician. She had severe attack of influenza seven weeks ago, and perfect quiet has been prescribed for her. 
• STERLING, KS. 1/29/1919, p. 12. Mr. Sproul Moore has been very sick for the past two weeks from influenza and complications following. At this writing he seems greatly improved. 
• STERLING, KS. 2/5/1919, p. 8. After nearly three months Sterling, Kan. preaching services were resumed, the worst of the epidemic having passed. 
• PORTLAND, OR. 2/5/1919, p. 8 Dear Mr. Pritchard: On Dec. 31 I received my discharge from the army. Portland congregation is suffering along with others these days on account of the “Flu”. About the end of the year Miss Knight and Mr. McBurney had it, though they are now all right. Rev. F. D. Frazer’s daughter had it, and as soon as she got well the two smaller children got sick and both are still suffering from it. … Yours sincerely, James S. Kerr 
• HEBRON, KS. 2/12/1919, p. 6. Mr. Will Milligan’s family have had a siege of the influenza. 
• HETHERTON, MI. 2/12/1919, p. 10. Corporal William Milroy Summerland returned the week ending January 25, 1919, from Camp Custer, where he has been in training since July 1918. While there he had an attack of the influenza, but has fully recovered and looks to be in fine health. 
• SANTA ANA, CA. 2/19/1919, p. 10. The holidays were very quiet here owing to the epidemic, but that has about run its course, and nearly all those affected have recovered. 
• BOVINA, NY. 2/19/1919, p.10. The epidemic of influenza has visited our community and visited most of the homes in our congregation. Although it was a visitor that made its hosts glad at the time of its leaving, we were very glad that it did not remove any from our midst. “Flu” was so well entertained at our pastor’s home that it made a second visit in order not to slight Mr. Graham. 
• WHITE COTTAGE, OH. 2/19/1919, p. 10. Quite a few of our people have been ill with influenza, but are able to be out at church again. 
• ALMONTE, ONTARIO. 2/19/1919, p. 12. As we read the Christian Nation and notice how many of our churches were closed on account of the “flu” epidemic, we wonder if any have as good a record as Almonte congregation. We missed but one evening service and one mid-week prayer meeting. 
• THE LATE J. FRENCH CARITHERS. 2/16/1919, p. 9. J. French Carithers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Reid Carithers, was born July 30, 1890. He died from pneumonia, following an attack of Spanish influenza, in a hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa., December 2, 1918. His father and mother had been called to his beside a few days before his passing away and were with him at the last. His body was brought home, arriving Wednesday morning, Decembef 4, and was buried in the Sharon Cemetery the afternoon of the same day. On account of the prevalence of the influenza, the burial was private. Very brief funeral services were held both at the house and at the grave, conducted by Rev. E. L. McKnight, assisted by Rev. W. C. Allen, of Wyman. … 
• REGINA, CANADA. 2/26/1919, p. 10. Mrs. J. C. French and daughter, Miss Janet, and Miss Anna Muirhead are recovering from Spanish influenza. 
• GENEVA CONGREGATION, PA. 4/30/1919, p. 12. In the Report of Geneva Women’s Missionary Society for 1918-1919, it was reported that notwithstanding the prevalence of the epidemic the health of our members has been uniformly good. 
• REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. 5/14/1919, p. 3. In a report about the Seminary is this record: On account of the prevalence of the Spanish Influenza, the work of the Seminary was discontinued from Tuesday, November 19, till Tuesday, December 3. Mr. Carithers was taken ill on Wednesday, November 13, and died on Monday, December 2. It is not possible for us to fathom the mysteries of Divine providence. To us it seems a great loss to the working force in the cause of Christ that one so gifted and as well equipped for the work of the gospel ministry should be called away just as he stood on the threshold of licensure to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. As he was the only member of his class, there are no students to be licensed this spring. 
• REPORT: WIN-THE-WAR WITNESS COMMITTEE . 6/11/1919, p. 12. In the report of the Win-the-War Witness Bearing Committee is this reference: … The Rev. J. M. Coleman, elected last year for full time, began his work October 1, in and about Indianapolis. Two or three friends contributed the salary of the Rev. Paul Coleman for a month who worked with him. The influenza soon stopped all meetings, the Student Army Training Corps in almost every college hindered all lectures there and an entirely new line of activities was devised – personal interviews with pastors with the purpose of persuading them to preach on the Amendment and present it to their people. 

VOLUME 71, JULY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 1919 

• NORTHWOOD, OH. 11/12/1919, p. 11. Northwood congregation again felt the hand of death when one of her younger members, Florence Wroten, was called home on July 11, 1919. Her health had been broken and her nerves prostrated by the influenza last winter. 
• OLATHE, KS. 12/10/1919, p. 8. On account of the coal shortage, Olathe, Kansas, churches were closed during the week and on Sabbath, except for the morning service. They are grateful not to be shut down, as they were last year, by influenza. 

IN THE 1919 MINUTES OF SYNOD 

• Report of the National War Service Commission, p. 12. Only about five months remained after out appointment till the Armistice was signed. The influenza also broke abou t this time, and interfered very seriously with plans on our part in behalf of our boys in the camps at home. Consequently, opportunity for much active work on the part of the Commission did not exist. However. The Commission endeavored to perform the work assigned. . … A letter, expressing the deep interest of the church in her soldiers, was prepared and sent out to all the men and women in the service whom we could reach. Considerable attempt was made to send different ministers in the camps in this country, but little was accomplished because of the prevalence of the Influenza. 
• Report of the Win-The-War, Witness Bearing Committee, pps . 33-4. The influenza soon stopped all meetings (for messages about Christian Amendment Movement), 
• Report of Philadelphia Presbytery, p. 45. Our churches were closed for three weeks, by order of the City Board of Health because of the epidemic of influenza. Though the regular services were thereby suspended, yet the people were deeply earnest in waiting upon the Lord in their homes and in small prayer meetings. 
• Report of the Committee on Bible Reading Folders, p. 47. The lower sales (of Bible Reading Folders) are blamed on the epidemic that hindered church work about the end of last year.
• Report of Committee on Home Missions, pps. 54-5. Touching the Indian Mission we note the discontinuance of the school work, the forbidding of public meetings for a considerable time owing to the influenza epidemic. The Southern Mission has had its trials and has shared in the burden of the plagues that are abroad in the earth. The work was stopped two months by the influenza.
• Report of Central Board of Missions, pps. 55-5. Public meetings were forbidden, because of the sickness with the influenza. Some of the mission force had it. A number of the Indians also had it, and some died with it. Many of those who recovered, took a great deal of attention while their strength was coming back. The government sent a Doctor to help the Mission force, and he worked in hearty accord while the scourge lasted. The effective work done by the women at the Mission, called out a letter of appreciation from the government agent at Anadarko. While the public meetings were forbidden, the Mission force spent the Sabbath in visiting the homes, and presenting Bible truths. 
• Memorials, pps. 67-8. (About J. French Carithers) Mr. Carithers entered the Seminary in the fall of 1917 in order to prepare himself for the Gospel ministry and for the more effective prosecution of his work in the Foreign land. But the Lord has greater work for him to accomplish, and so, after completing a year and a half of his theological course he succumbed to an acute attack of pneumonia following influenza. 
• Report of the Board of Foreign Missions, p. 74. The past year has been the most successful in the history of the work in Cyprus. Despite the interruptions caused by the influenza, an advance in registered in all departments.… There was more illness than usual on the island, the influenza being particularly bothersome. Dr. McCarroll and Mrs. McCarroll, Mr. Weir and Mr. Dimitriades were among the first stricken. A return of the epidemic “went through the whole school – students, teachers, and all. Many of our church members also were ill, but there were no fatalities to record in school or church, although the disease was severe in Cyprus and the mortality heavy.” 
• Report of the Woman’s Assn (in Charge of Aged Peoples Home) p. 110. A dreadful scourge swept over the entire world and not only caused much suffering but many deaths, yet the illness among our members in the Home was less than usual and none died from this cause. … Excepting the month of August and during the period of the epidemic in October, the Board of Managers met regularly and the attendance and interest were both commendable.