Henry Beets Collection, 1824-1981 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Printer-friendly |

Collection Overview

Title: Henry Beets Collection, 1824-1981

Predominant Dates:1910-1945

ID: COLL/011

Primary Creator: Beets, Henry (1869-1947)

Extent: 34.0 Cubic Feet. More info below.

Arrangement: The collection is arranged according to record type since the material was sorted several times prior to deposit in the Archives. No indication of the original order remains.

Date Acquired: 00/00/1962

Subjects: Banner, Calvinism, Christian Reformed Church, Immigrants - North America, Missionary Monthly, Navajo Indians, Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk - History - Secession, 1834, Zuni Indians

Forms of Material: Photographs, Sermons

Languages: English, Dutch;Flemish

Abstract

Henry Beets (1869-1947) was born in Koedijk, the Netherlands. He emigrated to the United States and was a minister of the Christian Reformed Church. The collection details his theological training, his parish ministries in Pella, Iowa, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, and his interests in ecumenical contacts and mission outreach, particularly to the Zunis and Navajos of the western United States. He was a prolific writer on the Christian Reformed Church, Reformed religion, Dutch Calvinism, Dutch immigrants to North America, and related topics. The collection also contains his research notes, drafts, and final publications on these topics and a large collection of pamphlets on the Reformed churches following the secession of the State Church in the Netherlands in 1834.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The correspondence details Beets's extensive contacts and interests in denominational and church histories. An index of significant correspondents is available. Of note are his biographical notes on Christian Reformed Church (CRC) ministers and mission efforts, particularly regarding Johanna Veenstra. The sermons reflect Dutch Reformed Calvinism as it took root in North America during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The speeches reflect a wide range of topics varying from missions in the United States, Canada, China, and Africa to arriving Dutch immigrants. There are speeches and articles on patriotism during the WW I years. His research and manuscripts present a wide range of subjects. Especially noteworthy are those on the history and development of the CRC. Beets gathered together a sizable pamphlet collection which he had bound. An alphabetical index by author is available.

Collection Historical Note

Henry Beets (b. Koedijk, Noord-Holland, the Netherlands, 5 January 1869; d. Grand Rapids, MI, 29 October 1947) graduated from Calvin Theological Seminary in 1895. He immigrated to Luctor, Kansas, in 1886. After graduating he served as a parish minister in the Christian Reformed Church. He served the congregations of Sioux Center, Iowa, 1895-1899; LaGrave Avenue, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1899-1915; and Burton Heights, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1915-1920. A prolific writer, he began his writing as the associate editor of Gereformeerde Amerikaan. In 1902 he headed a group that purchased The Banner, and served as its editor for twenty-five years. During this time the periodical became the official English-language publication of the Christian Reformed Church. Later he also became editor and publisher of the Reformed Review and De Heidenwereld (Missionary Monthly). In addition, he published a number of pamphlets and books. Interested in missions, he became the denominational secretary of the Board of Missions in 1901, a position that became full time in 1920. At the same time, he served for forty years as the denomination's first stated clerk. He also served as a member of a joint committee to revise the metrical versions of the Psalms for which he was awarded an honorary doctorate of letters by Muskingum College. In 1934 he was knighted by Queen Wilhelmina and awarded the Order of Orange Nassau for his support of Dutch culture. He retired in 1939. Beets married Clara Poel on 11 September 1895. They had three sons: Henry Nicholas, Abel Jasper, and William Clarence.

Biographical Note

Subject/Index Terms

Banner
Calvinism
Christian Reformed Church
Immigrants - North America
Missionary Monthly
Navajo Indians
Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk - History - Secession, 1834
Zuni Indians

Administrative Information

Repository: Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Alternate Extent Statement: 72 boxes

Access Restrictions: This collection is open to research. Materials do not circulate.

Acquisition Source: Gift of William B. Eerdmans, 1962

Preferred Citation: [item], folder, box, Henry Beets Collection, Heritage Hall (Hekman Library), Calvin University

Other Note: Collection partly in Dutch

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Correspondence, 1875-1947],
[Series 2: Sermons, 1887-1945, undated],
[Series 3: Speeches, 1900-1940, undated],
[Series 4: Articles, 1900-1981, undated],
[Series 5: Biographical Files],
[Series 6: Research],
[Series 7: Manuscripts],
[Series 8: Christian Reformed Church Missions, 1918-1947, undated],
[Series 9: Various Organizations and Events],
[Series 10: Clippings, Miscellaneous],
[Series 11: Photos],
[Series 12: Personal Files],
[Series 13: Emigration to Canada, 1925-1932],
[Series 14: Pamphlets, 1902-1950],
[Series 15: Marriage Licenses, 1896-1913],
[Series 16: Scrapbooks, 1846- [1942]],
[Series 17: Bound Volumes],
[Series 18: Microfilm],
[All]

Series 2: Sermons --- 1887-1945, undated

Box 18

Folder 1: Installation, Ordination, Inauguration --- 1887-1945
Folder 2: Special Non-church Days and Events
Folder 3: Funerals --- 1901-1931
Folder 4: Marriages --- 1906-1924
Folder 5: Advent --- 1904-1945
Folder 6: Christmas --- 1904-1918
Folder 7: Old Year's Eve --- 1899-1935
Folder 8: Prayer Day --- 1900-1932
Folder 9: New Year's Day --- 1901-1944
Folder 10: Lenten, Series I to IV --- 1900-1921
Folder 11: Lenten, Series V to XI --- 1902-1940
Folder 12: Lenten --- 1900-1935
Folder 13: Lenten --- 1934-1943
Folder 14: Lenten, Good Friday --- 1906-1945

Box 19

Folder 1: Palm Sunday, Easter --- 1901-1909
Folder 2: Easter --- 1910-1940
Folder 3: Ascension Day --- 1900-1941
Folder 4: Pentecost --- 1900-1943
Folder 5: Thanksgiving --- 1900-1939
Folder 6: Baptism --- 1903-1931
Folder 7: Preparatory for the Lord's Supper --- 1901-1944
Folder 8: Lord's Supper --- 1901-1942
Folder 9: Post-Communion --- 1901-1910
Folder 10: Old Testament --- 1899-1910
Folder 11: Old Testament --- 1911-1924
Folder 12: Old Testament --- 1925-1938
Folder 13: Old Testament --- 1940-1947
Folder 14: Old Testament, undated

Box 20

Folder 1: New Testament --- 1901-1920
Folder 2: New Testament --- 1921-1927
Folder 3: New Testament --- 1928-1934
Folder 4: New Testament --- 1935-1947
Folder 5: New Testament, undated
Folder 6: Heidelberg Catechism; Introduction and Lord's Days 1-3 --- 1935
Folder 7: Heidelberg Catechism; Vol. I, Lord's Days 1-22
Folder 8: Heidelberg Catechism; Vol. I, Lord's Days 23-52
Folder 9: Heidelberg Catechism; Vol. II, Lord's Days 1-37
Folder 10: Heidelberg Catechism; Vol. II, Lord's Days, 1-17
Folder 11: Heidelberg Catechism; Vol. II, Lord's Days, 23-52

Box 21

Folder 1: Heidelberg Catechism; Vol. III, Lord's Days, 1-16
Folder 2: Heidelberg Catechism; Vol. III, Lord's Days --- 18-30
Folder 3: Heidelberg Catechism; Vol. III, Lord's Days, 31-52
Folder 4: Heidelberg Catechism; Vol. IV, Lord's Days 1-13 --- 1908-1909
Folder 5: Heidelberg Catechism; Vol. IV, Lord's Days, 14-22 --- 1909
Folder 6: Heidelberg Catechism; Vol. IV, Lord's Days, 23-37 --- 1909
Folder 7: Heidelberg Catechism; Vol. IV, Lord's Days, 38-52; including one sermon on 350th Anniversary of the Catechism --- 1910-1911
Folder 8: Revelation --- 1902-1920
Folder 9: Missions --- 1902-1917
Folder 10: Missions --- 1920-1927
Folder 11: Missions --- 1928-1945
Folder 12: Missions, undated

Box 22

Folder 1

Item 1: Sovereign Love and Restoring Grace, 30
Item 2: Ten Lenten Meditations for Radio, 1, 2, 3, undated

Folder 2: Ten Lenten Meditations for Radio, 4, 5, 6, undated

Folder 3: Ten Lenten Meditations for Radio, 7, 8, 9, 10, undated

Folder 4: Man of Sorrows,' Lenten Series including seven sermons on the Seven Words from the Cross --- 1928

Folder 5

Item 1: The Great Restoration
Item 2: God's Great Gift of Love to the World
Item 3: Sovereign Grace and Restoring Love
Item 4: The Race to Heaven
Item 5: His Name Immanuel (Advent)
Item 6: The Bible, the Word of God

Folder 6: For Young People --- 1906-1936

Folder 7: Index Textorum Electorum, undated