Dr. William Kostlevy, Brethren Historical Library and Archives, will present “‘Conscience, Scripture and Patriotism: The Church of the Brethren and the Crisis of the Great War” at 4 p.m. on March 3 in the Kreider Room of Marbeck Center.
Kostlevy will trace the deeply divided loyalties experienced by Brethren during the World War 1 era—owing in part to the election of Martin Brumbaugh, an ordained Church of the Brethren minister, as governor of Pennsylvania in 1914.
The presentation is part of a series of events that are being held in coordination with the traveling exhibit “Voices of Conscience,” which will be on display from Feb. 17-March 31 in Bluffton’s Musselman Library.
“Voices of Conscience” remembers the witness of peace-minded people against the First World War from 1914-1918 and immerses visitors in the historical experience of witnessing for peace during “total war.” The exhibit also suggests parallels to the culture of war and violence in our world today. The exhibit was developed and produced at the Kauffman Museum in North Newton, Kan., and was underwritten at Bluffton by Jacob T. and Lola Friesen in memory of Jacob L. and Helena Friesen and Jacob J. and Eva Friesen.
Library hours are 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. Weekend hours are 1-4 p.m. on Saturday and 4-10 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information about additional exhibit-related presentations and the complementary exhibit “Of Bronze and Bravery,” which highlights the Bluffton College experience in the Great War, visit www.bluffton.edu/voices.
All events are free and open to the public.
