EMANUEL SUTER, ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA, OWNED MENNONITE HYMNAL VOLUME, compiled by A Committee of Mennonites, "A Collection of Psalms and Hymns Suited to the Various Occasions of Public Worship and Private Devotion", Elkhart, IN: Mennonite Publishing Co., 1882. Gilt-stamped "E. SUTER." to lower right corner of front leather cover. Together with five additional volumes owned by Suter family members including Brenneman, "Gems of Truth for Children", 1873, "John R. Suter His Book / Presented to him by his / father [Emanuel] November 29th / 1873"; Hartzler and Kauffman, "Mennonite Church History", 1905, "E. J. Suter"; Winebrenner, publisher, "History of All the Religious Denominations in the United States", 1848, "Emanuel Suter"; and McGuffey, "McGuffey's New Fifth Eclectic Reader", 1866, "Reuben D. Suter / Harrisonburg / Rockingham / Co / Virginia". Hard covers. Six pieces total. 1848-1905.
CONDITION NOTE: All condition reports are based on general observations only, and are not meant to serve as a detailed analysis of condition. Please contact the department with your specific condition questions.
Provenance: From the collection of Dr. Scott H. Suter, Bridgewater, VA.
Catalogue Note: Emanuel Suter (1833-1902), noted Shenandoah Valley potter, was a very active member of the Mennonite Church. The present Hymnal was the actual volume that he carried to church every Sunday. He served on the committee formed by the Virginia Conference in 1887 to compile a new Mennonite hymnal. A special session of the Conference was held at Weavers Church near Suter's home on January 6, 1888, to consider the "new hymnbook matter." He continued to work on this committee throughout the year, with many of the meetings being held at his home adjacent to the pottery. Suter commented on these meetings in his diaries which are discussed in Scott Suter's "A Potter’s Progress" and Harry Brunk’s "History of the Mennonites in Virginia."

Most in good to very good condition, having expected wear to covers and other minor imperfections including light soiling; "Religious Denominations" having some foxing to pages throughout; "Gems of Truth" having detached cover.