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

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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 17: Bound Volumes

Box 67

Item 1: Acts of Synod --- 1857-1898: (bound volume)
Item 2: Beets
Item 3: Notulen of Acta der Breedste Vergaderingen der Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerk in N. Amerika, (Vanaf 1859-1861 genoemd Holl. Geref. Kerk; Van 1860-1880 Ware; en Holl. Chr. Geref. Kerk van 1880-'92. Van de Synoden van 1873 --- 1874
Item 4: [1877] "Algemeene Vergadering, 6 Juni e.v.d. 1877." 2 p. [handwritten]; 21 cm. [1878] "Algemeene Vergadering, 5 Juni e.v.d. 1878." 3 p. [handwritten]; 21 cm. [1879] "Algemeene Vergadering, 11 Juni e.v.d. 1879." 3 p. [handwritten]; 21 cm. [1880] Een Woord Vooraf aan al de Gemeenten der True Dutch Reformed Church in Noord Amerika. 2 p.; 21 cm.
Item 5: [1857-1868; 1865-1872] "Extract der Notulen en Besluiten: Classis Michigan. Algem. Kerkvergaderingen --- 1857-1868
Item 6: [1857-1868] Extract der Notulen en Besluiten: Classis Michigan --- 1857-1868: 6p. [handwritten]; 21 cm.
Item 7: [1865] "(Erste) Algemeene Vergadering, 4 Oct. 1865." 2 p. [handwritten]; 21 cm.
Item 8: [1866] "Algemeene Vergadering, 5, 6 Sept. 1866." 2 p. [handwritten]; 21 cm
Item 9: [1867] "Algemeene Kerkvergadering --- 19 Juni 1867: 2 p. [handwritten]; 21 cm.
Item 10: [1868] "Algemeene Vergadering, 10 Juni 1868." 1 p. [handwritten]; 21 cm.
Item 11: [1869] "Algemeene Vergadering, 7, 8 April 1869." 1 p. [handwritten]; 21 cm.
Item 12: [1870] "Algemeene Vergadering, 15, 16 Juni 1870." 1 p. [handwritten]; 21 cm.
Item 13: [1871] "Algemeene Vergadering, 7, 8 Juni 1871." 1 p. [handwritten]; 21 cm.
Item 14: [1872] "Algemeene Vergadering, 5 Juni 1872." 2 p. [handwritten]; 21 cm.
Item 15: [1873, 1874] Notulen der Algemeene Kerk-Vergaderingen van de Ware Hollandsch
Item 16: Gereformeerde Kerk in Noord Amerika, van de Jaren 1873 en 1874 Gehouden te
Item 17: Chicago, III. 16.5 p. [pasted, damaged edges]; 21 cm.
Item 18: [1875] "Extract Notulen. Algemeene Vergadering. 2 Juni e.v.d. 1875." 1.5 p. [handwritten]; 21 cm.
Item 19: [1876] "Algemeene Vergadering. 2 Feb. e.v.d. 1876." 2 p. [handwritten]; 21 cm. [1880] [Een Woord Vooraf aan al de Gemeenten der True Dutch Reformed Church in Noord Amerika.] Missing frontpiece, starts with p. 3, 3-44 p.; 21 cm. [unbound duplicate insert]
Item 20: [1881] Synodale Vergadering gehouden te Grand Rapids, Mich., 15 Juni, '81, e.v.d. 27 p.; 21 cm.
Item 21: [1882] Synodale Vergadering gehouden te Grand Rapids, Mich., 26 April 1882, e.v.d. 28 p.; 21 cm.
Item 22: [1883] Synodale Vergadering gehouden te Grand Rapids, Mich., 23 Mei --- 1883: e.v.d. 58, 2 p.; 21 cm.
Item 23: [1884] Synodale Vergadering gehouden te Grand Rapids, Mich., Juni 11, e.v.d. --- 1884: 32 p.; 21 cm.
Item 24: [1886] Handelingen van de Synodale Vergadering der Holl. Chr. Geref. Kerk in de Vereenigde Staten van Noord Amerika, gehouden te Grand Rapids, Mich., den 9den Juni, en volgende dagen --- 1886: 48 p.; 21 cm. [bound 16 cm. Beet's note insert] [1888] Synodale Handelingen {der} Holl. Chr. Geref. Kerk in Amerika
Item 25: [1890] Synodale Vergadering gehouden te Grand Rapids, Mich., 4 Juni, e.v.d. --- 1890: 56 p.; 21 cm.
Item 26: [1892] Synodale Handelingen der Hollandsche Christ. Geref. Kerk in Amerika, gehouden te Grand Rapids, Mich., van 15 tot 23 Juni --- 1892: J. B. Hulst, Boekhandelaar, 36 Grandville Ave., Grand Rapids, Mich. 59 p.; 21 cm.
Item 27: [1894] Acta der Synode van de Hollandsche Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerk, in Amerika. Gehouden te Grand Rapids, Mich. Juni 13-27 --- 1894: J. B. Hulst, Nederlandsche Boekhandel. Grand Rapids, Mich. 87 p.; 21 cm.
Item 28: [1896] Acta der Synode van de Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerk, in Amerika. Gehouden to Grand Rapids, Mich., Juni 17 tot 31 --- 1896: J. B. Hulst, Nederlandsche Boekhandel. Grand Rapids, Mich. Verhaar & Keukelaar Drukkers, Grand Rapids, Mich. 122 p.; 21 cm.
Item 29: [1898] Acta der Synode van de Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerk, in Amerika. Gehouden te Grand Rapids, Mich., van 15 tot 24 Juni --- 1898: Verhaar & Keukelaar Drukkers, 21 Canal Straat, Grand Rapids, Mich. 138 p.; 21 cm.

Box 68

Item 1: Algemeene Inhoud. A-Z.: 46 p. [handwritten]; 21 cm.
Item 2: Handwritten bound volume by H. Beets:
Item 3: Spine title: Deel 1: 1857-1879 Acta Classis en Alg. Verg Ware Holl. Geref Kerk. Title Page: "Acta of Notulen der Breedste Vergaderingen der Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerk in Amerika. (Van1859-[18]61 Holl. Geref. Kerk; [18]61-[18]80 Ware Holiandsche Gereformeerde Kerk, en van 1880-1890.Holl. Chr. Geref. Kerk.) (Getrouw Afschrift Notulen van 1857-1879) door Henry s, V. D. M. Grand Rapids, Mich. 22 Ap. 1903
Item 4: Spine title: Deel IV: Agenda & Acta der Synodi Chr. Geref Kerk --- 1912-1916: (with handwritten notes and clippings)

Box 69

Item 1: Spine title: Dee, V: Agenda & Acta der Synodi Chr. Geref Kerk --- 1918-1922: (with handwritten notes and clippings)
Item 2: Spine title: Deel VI: Agenda & Acta der Synodi Chr. Geref Kerk --- 1924-1926: (with handwritten notes and clippings)

Box 70: Spine title: Deel VII: Agenda & Acta der Synodi Chr. Geref Kerk --- 1928-1930

(with handwritten notes and clippings)

Box 71

Item 1: Spine title: Yearbooks Chr. Ref. Church 1914-1918 (with handwritten notes and clippings)
Item 2: Spine title: Jaarboeken Christ. Geref. Kerk 1915-1919 (with handwritten notes and clippings)
Item 3: Spine title: Yearbooks Chr. Ref. Church 1919-1923 (with handwritten notes and clippings)

Box 72

Item 1: Spine title: Yearbooks Chr. Ref. Church 1920-1924 (with handwritten notes and clippings)
Item 2: Spine title: Yearbooks Chr. Ref. Church 1924-1929 (with handwritten notes and clippings)