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CHS Series Preface
Fractured Dance
C. Henry Smith
began teaching at Goshen College, 1903-1913, then taught
history at Bluffton College, 1913-1948, except for
1922-1923 at Bethel College. The first Mennonite in North
America to earn a Ph.D. and remain in the Mennonite
church, Smith was the premier North American Mennonite
historian of his era. He wrote many articles for
Mennonite periodicals and was a central figure in
planning the Mennonite Encyclopedia. He had
published five major works over thirty-five years, more
full-length works than any other Mennonite historian of
his time. Also a church leader, Smith was on the
publication board of the General Conference Mennonite
Church and the Peace Committee of Middle District.
Producing the C. Henry
Smith Series (CHS) with cosponsorship of the Mennonite
Historical Society is one dimension of the service
Bluffton College seeks to provide the Mennonite church as
well as Anabaptists at large. Smith’s historical
expertise, commitment to pacifism and nonresistance,
commitment to the church, and wide-ranging interests
beyond the discipline of history all represent the values
and interests that characterize the series bearing his
name. Naming the series for an individual of multiple
interests and talents signals a vision to publish works
that use a variety of disciplines and modes of inquiry to
serve Anabaptist and Mennonite churches.
Works in the CHS Series
reflect the assumption that a peace church worldview
holds potential to shape discussion of any issue. These
books present no consensus view, however, since none
exists. Instead, they address aspects of Anabaptist and
Mennonite studies pertinent to the future of these
churches. Precisely that future dimension compels CHS
publication.
Fractured Dance orders:
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