USA > Indiana > First annual catalogue and year-book of the Indiana State Conference of the Christian denomination, and of the district conferences in the state of Indiana > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01216 2845
GO 977.2 IN243ISC
FIRST ANNUAL CATALOGUE
AND
YEAR-BOOK,
OF THE
Indiana State Conference,
OF THE
CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION,
AND OF THE
DISTRICT CONFERENCES
IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.
2
1880-1.
FIRST ANNUAL CATALOGUE AND . YEAR-BOOK, OF THE IND'A STATE CONFERENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION, AND OF THE DISTRICT CONFERENCES IN THE STATE OF INDIANA. 1880-81. PRINTED. ATTHE.CHRISTIAN.AGEOFFICE.+BY. D.&W &JONES. FORT WAYNE, INDIANA. 4 INDI'A. STATE CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE, ORGANIZED AT CASSVILLE, OCTOBER 28th, 1877. INCORPORATED AT MARION, OCTOBER 25th, 1878. :0: OFFICERS: President, REV. JOHN T. PHILLIPS, Graysrille. Vice Pres. PETER WINEBRNNER, Merriam. Scerctary, " DAVID W. JONES, Fort Wayne. Treasurer, DAVID S. DAVENPORT, Harrisville. Trustees : GEORGE ABBOTT, Liberty Mills. DAVID W. FOWLER, Wabash City. " DAVID W. JONES, Fort Wayne. 66 WATSON LUDLOW, Veedersburg. JOHN B. HANN, Indianapolis. JOHN MOSS, Bcechy Mire, Union Co. REV. WM. S. MANVILLE, General Financial Agent. Indiana State Christian Conference. -: 0 :- THIS State Conference was fully Organized and Incorporated at a meeting held at Marion, in accordance with proper notice given in the year 1878, and by duly electing Officers, Trustees, etc. OFFICERS : President, J. T. PHILLIPS, Secretary, D. W. JONES, Treasurer, D. S. DAVENPORT. Trustees: John Byrkitt, James Pepper, G. W. Webster, Watson Ludlow, D. W. Fowler and George Abbott. The Trustees elected proceeded agrecably to law to cast lots, in order to decide which two of the trustees should retire at the ex- piration of one year, and of two years, and of three years, respec- tively. By virtue of said lots cast, John Byrkitt and James Pep- per were to retire at the expiration of one year, and G. W. Web- ster and W. Ludlow at the expiration of two years, and D. W. Fowler and George Abbott at the expiration of three years. Several meetings had been held prior to this one, but this one completed the organization. G. B. Stewart, of Wakarusa, was given an Agency, who took several hundred dollars in notes, which amount was raised mainly in Elkhart County. SECOND ANNUALĮMEETING. The State Conference met in its Second Annual Session in Marion, Grant Co., October 21, 1879. Officers : As above. ADDRESS. The opening address was delivered by Prest. T. C. Smith. Two Trustees were elected to fill the vacancies caused by the expiration of the terms of J. Byrkitt and James Pepper. D. W. Jones was duly elected to fill the" place of John Byrkitt, and J. B. Hann the place of J. Pepper. 4. Catalogue and Year-Book of the Christian STATE AGENT. Elder W. S. Manville's services had been engaged for several months as State Agent. At this session he was appointed as General Agent for the State, and so contracted with by the Trustees. Entering into a bond for the faithful performance of all the duties pertaining to the Agency. The Committee appointed for the purpose, reported that the Conference meet in its next Annnal Session in the Hagarstown Christian Church, on Thursday, after the fourth Sabbath in Oc- tober, 1880. Adjourned to meet at the above named time and place. SESSION AT HAGARSTOWN. The Third Annual Session (called in the Christian Age the Fourth Annual Session of the Indiana State Christian Conference, which includes all the Annual State meetings; while we recon from the time the Conference became a Legal Body,) of the Indi- ana State Christian Conference convened in the Christian Church in Hagarstown, on Thursday, the 28th day of October, 1880, at 10 o'clock. A. M. OFFICERS. President, J. T. PHILLIPS, Vice Prest., W. A. BELL, Secretary, D. W. JONES, Ass't Sec'y, C. V. STRICKLAND, Treasurer, D. S. DAVENPORT. Elder E. W. Humphrey, of Yellow Springs, read a portion of Scripture, and procceded to make some introductory remarks. Singing by the congregation, led by Brother Strickland, of the Eel River Conference. Prayer was offered by Elder C. W. Choate, of Covington, Ohio, and singing of the 766th Hymn by the congregation followed, after which the President declared the Conference was open for businesst PROGRAMME. 1. Reception of Delegates, 2. Misssion Board Report, 3. Receiving Letters, 4. Appointing Committees, 5. Election of Officers, 6. Report of Officers, 7. Unfinished Business, 8. Miscellaneous Business, ROLL OF CONFERENCES WITH DELEGATES. I. CENTRAL CONFERENCE. P. J. Baker, J. W. Carney, A. S. Downey and B. Carmichael. 5. Denomination in the State of Indiana. 2. EASTERN CONFERENCE. R. M. Hayworth, J. C. Kershner, E. Burch, W. Chennowith. T. A. Burns and J. Newhouse. 3. EEL RIVER CONFERENCE. C. V. Strickland, W. D. Samuels, S. MeNeely and Peter Wine- brenner. 4. GRANT COUNTY CONFERENCE. No delegates. 5. SOUTHERN INDIANA CONFERENCE. President T. C. Smith. 6. NORTH-WESTERN CONFERENCE. W. Y. Winegardner, K. E. West and Dr. M. N. Wooley. 7. U. M. RESERVE CONFERENCE. J. R. Kobb, P. L. Ryker, S. Rains and J. L. Puckett. S. WESTERN INDIANA CONFERENCE. W. T. Warbinton, J. T. Phillips, W. Ludlow, A. L. Carney and L. W. Bannon. VISITING BRETHREN. Elders A. W. Coan, C. W. Garroutte, E. W. Humphries and Rev. Choate, Ohio; G. B. Fuller, Michigan; Dr. Keith, Ohio ; also Elder Moore and wife, Rev. J. M. Mann, W. C. Bowen and others. HAGARSTOWN CHURCH. Upon this Church there was found to rest a debt of about $1,500, which the State Conference assumed. The Trustees obliga- ting to deed the church over to the State Conference. Elder D. W. Fowler was appointed a Special Agent to canvass the State for funds to pay off the debt ; and was put under bonds, for the faithful performance of the same. GENERAL AGENT. Elder Manville was continued General Agent with full powers to continue the canvass of the State. During the last year's canvass the Agent reports in notes and cash some $11,000. There is now in the Treasury, in notes, some over $15,000. Thus it will be seen that our Agent has not been idle, and that our people have done nobly. The interest in this State work is on the rise, and may it continue until we have ample funds, the interest of which may be sufficient to fully sustain the Christian cause in all parts of our beloved Zion. ADDRESS. The Opening Address was delivered by Elder Peter Winebren- ner, which address was voted a place in this Catalogue. Committee on Catalogue : D. W. Jones, J. T. Phillips and P. Winebrenner. After which Peter Winebrenner was appointed Chairman, and ordered to go on with the publication of the same at the very earliest convenience, by the middle of January, if pos- sible. 6. Catalogue and Yoar-Book of the Christian The Christian Age and Union Christian College both received due attention, and were fully discussed. Conference sustaining the Trustees in their contract with the editor of the Christian Age. The election of two Trustees to fill the places of Watson Lud- low and G. W. Webster, whose terms expired at this Conference. Watson Ludlow and John Moss were duly elected said Trustees for the term of' three years. The Board of Trustees now stands : WATSON LUDLOW, Veedersburg, three years. JOHN MOSS, Union County, three years. D. W. JONES. Fort Wayne, two years. J. B. HANN. Indianapolis, two years. D. W. FOWLER, Wabash City, one year. GEORGE ABBOTT, Liberty Mills, one year. OFFICERS ELECT. President, J. T. PHILLIPS, Graysville, Indiana. Vice Prest., P. WINEBRENNER, Merriam. 6: Secretary. D. W. JONES, Fort Wayne. Treasurer, D. S. DAVENPORT, Harrisville, General 1gt., W. S. MANVILLE, Valparaiso, Special Agt., D. W. FOWLER, Wabash City, “ Conference Adjourned to meet again at Hagarstown, in October, 1881. Benediction by Elder George Abbott. J. T. PHILLIPS, President. D. W. JONES, Secretary. CONSTITUTION OF THE Indiana State Conference. WHEREAS, The Christians of the State of Indiana have felt, long and deeply, the want of co-operation among ministers, church- es, and conferences in general enterprises, and of harmony and uniformity in local affairs : therefore, for the "better work of the ministry, the perfecting of the saints, the edifying of the body of Christ," we, the delegates from the several local conferences of the State of Indiana, in conference assembled at Cassville, Howard County, October 24 and 25, 1877, do adopt the following CONSTITUTION : ARTICLE I .- Name .- This body shall be known as the Indiana State Christian Conference. ARTICLE II .- Organization .- The Indiana State Christian Con, ference shall be composed of delegates appointed by the several conferences of the State as follows : 1. Each Conference of the State shall be entitled to oue Dele. gate as a body; and to one additional for each ten churches in number, composing such Conference, 2. These delegates shall be properly accredited in writing to the Secretary of the State Conference by the Secretary or Clerk of Conference sending them. ARTICLE III .- Officers .- The Officers of this Conference shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, whose du- ties shall be the same as in other similar bodies. 1. They shall be elected by ballot at each annual session, and shall serve for the term of one year, but shall not enter upon the duties of their respective offices until the beginning of the annual session next following their election, 8. Catalogue and Year-Book of the Christian ARTICLE IV .- Board of Trustees .- The Board of Trustees shall consist of six members, who shall be elected by ballot and appor- tioned among the several Conferences of the State as fairly as may be done, who shall serve for the term of three years. 1. Four, including the President, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. 2. The first Board shall be organized as is provided by Statue, by determining by lot the time they shall serve, one third for one year, one-third for two years, and one-third for three years. 3. The President and Secretary of the State Conference shall be ex-officio President and Secretary of the Board of Trustees. 1. The Board of Trustees shall elect the Treasurer, not from their own number, and shall exercise such power, and perform such duties as may be delegated and referred to it by the general body. ARTICLE V .- Meetings .- The regular meetings of this Conference shall assemble annually at 2 P. M., Tuesday before the last Sunday in October, at such place as may be agreed upon by the Conference. 1. Special meetings may be called by the President and Secre- try, or by any five Trustees. ARTICLE VI .- Amendment .- This Constitution may be changed at any regular session of this body by giving notice of the same in our publications, naming the parts to be amended at least three months before the session at which the motion is to be made, Annual Conference Address, TEXT-Gal. 2: 6; and Acts 15. The word Conference means : The examination of things in the way of comparison. To consult together-To confer. We are here for the purpose of confering together for the fur- therance of our beloved Christianity. May we be somewhat to each other in Conference, and may the Spirit of the Divine Mas- ter guide us into all truth, and be manifested in all our delibera- tions. We will notice : I. The rise of our State Christian Conference : This is of but recent date : a preliminary meeting was held at Marion, July 28th, 1877. The First Annual Session was held at Cassville. October 28th. 1877. Three annual Sessions are past : we are now in our fourth one. We have had, however, less than two years work, done by a regular State Agent, for the purpose of raising means for the Sinking Fund. Some notes, however, were taken by other agents, before the Conference fully endorsed the Sinking Fund system. We are yet in our infancy, but we have been profited somewhat, by the good example of our Seigniour, the Ohio State Christian Association, which is in a flourishing condition. We have suc- seeded in putting into the Treasury a respectable sum of money. We think we are justifiable in making this statement. when we take into consideration, that this is a new thing to the people in onr State. In fact. some of them are surprised to think that we should undertake such a magnificent work as this-it is wondrous in their eyes. Some time is, however, required to educate the people up to the proper standard of giving of their means, in sums sufficiently large, to carry forward to completion such a work as the State Christian Conference has in contemplation, 10, Catalogue and Year-Book of the Christian II. We will next notice the Conferences which compose this State Conference. These are eight in number. We have not been enabled as yet to get a full statistical account of these Conferences ; hence we can only give them in part. We will give their names severally, in the order in which they are spread upon the minutes of the last Annual Session of Conference. 1. The Central Christian Conference. oi Eastern Indiana Conference. 3. 66 Eel River Conference. 4. 66 Grant County Conference. 5. Southern Indiana Conference. 6. North-Western Conference. 7. 66 Union Miami Reserve Conference. 8. Western Indiana Conference. 66 The Western Indiana Conference has celebrated its 50th Anni. versary, Hence was organized fifty years ago; and I am happy to say, that its last session is said to have been one of even unusual interest,-one of the very best. The Eel River Conference has just passed its Thirty-Seventh Anniversary. This Conference was organized Angust 26, 1844, with three ordained, and six licensed ministers; eight churches ; aggregated membership, 258. It numbers at present : ministers 31 : churches 31 ; total membership over 2,200. Father correct statistics I cannat give. but hope that we will get them during this Conference Session. I presume that we have a membership within the State of Indiana of over 20,000, and this membership controls no small amount of wealth; from which amount there should be enough donated to endow the State Con- ference for all intents and purposes, to carry forward its great mission work. Our predecessors have done a noble work for us. Theirs was hard toil and labour. They traveled sometimes on foot, and some of them bare-footed at that; sometimes on horse-back or in a wagon. upon the Indian trail, or a winding wagon road, running around timber falls, called dead falls; and swamps, through marshes: in short any way and any how, so that they might be enabled to reach their appointments. Then the Brethren would bring out their families, either on foot, horse-back, or in wagons, with, sometimes. an ox team; or occa- sionally, a family ox would bear upon its back its load of human beings to the house of the Lord, which was a log cabin ; and usu- ally the humble dwelling of some devoted Christian family. com- posed frequently of one room. This answered for kitchen, parlor, bed room and church; seated with stools, flat rails, and the family beds. Later cabin school honses were erected. If the services were in the evening. there could be seen in the different directions along the winding paths. the approach of the hickory-bark torch- light, which lit up the winding paths of devoted christians and their neighbors, all marching to the house of worship, where they attentively listened to the Word of Life, as expounded to them by 11. Denomination in the State of Indiana. the Man of God, an humble self-sacrificing Minister of Jesus Christ. Those efforts were greatly blessed to the conversion of many prec- ious souls. Churches were organized, and these in due time were formed in- to Conferences, all over our then wilderness country, but now gar- den State. In those early times, the cause of our well beloved Master, Christ Jesus, was moved forward with but little financial aid. Our Fathers labored in the Ministry, with scareely any, and sometimes, with no salary at all. But time moved on ; grain fields took the place of the mighty forests; the Indian and the wild beast measureably disappeared. School houses were erected, then colleges. And here we are to-day, over fifty years in the advance. The forest has melted away before the hand of civilization, the result of christian advancement. Now all over our State are beautiful, rich and productive farms. The log cabin is superceded by magnificent dwellings. The wild plum and crab-apple thickets, by orchards, bearing all the varie- ties of delicious fruits. Then think of our Villages, Towns and Cities, with their manufacturing facilties; our mercantile wealth, etc. Also think of our conveniences for travel: our wagon roads abundant, piked and graveled. All the large streams well bridged ; prancing horses; flashy harness; cushion-seated carriages. Oh ! with what ease we now travel! What a contrast to the Indian trail, winding road, rough, jostling wagon, compared with our soft cushioned seats, and these upon pliable springs. Are we now con- tent ? or are we grumbling on yet, and sighing for the times of yore ; and these we call private conveyances. Then what of public conveyances? Our railroads-their speed, so that distance is measured by time, and not by miles. Now a few hundred miles are passed as quickly as a few miles were in ancient times. Think of the comfort also, of riding in palace coaches. The winds may blow, the rain may fall, storms rage, but here we are as comfortable as if we were at home in the old arm chair. Then, consider also, the no small number of Church edifices we have all over the State. Also the common schools, the high schools, and our beloved Union Christian College, with our CHRIS- TIAN AGE, books, etc .; great population and a vast amount of wealth. With all this before us, we are made to exclaim ; That the look-out for us, is certainly very ebeering, and promises great events. And we flatter ourselves that by doing our part well, and making use, properly, of the means within our reach, that the most cheering results, which the most sanguine might anticipate, will be the outcoming, growing fruits of the work of this Confer- ence. Brethren, be encouraged and go on in your work of honor- ing God in the salvation of precious souls. III. For the furtherance of Christ's cause, and the growth of Christianity, we advise the appointing of Committees as follows : 12. Catalogue and Year-Book of the Christian 1. On the evil of Drunkenness and its Remedy. We ask this Committee, aside from the Committee, on Temper- ance. The crying evil of drunkenness being too great, to be con- nected with other branches of intemperance, such as tobacco, etc. 2. Committee on Temperance, aside from the use of ardent spirits. 3. On Sunday Schools. 4. On CHRISTIAN AGE. Its finance, and how to increase its circulation. 5. On Publications-the whole work. 6. On Union Christian College, in all its several departments, with its claims on the Christian Denomination, and the Denomi- tion on the College. We do not believe that a Committe on Education, could consid- er every department and thing, connected with the Union Chris- tian College. Hence we ask for a Committee to give all its ener- gies to Union Christian College alone. 7. On Education. 8. On Auditing Accounts. 9. On Finance. 10. On Moral Reform. 11. Advice to the Ministry, and the Relation which they sus- tain to the Church. 12. On Advice to the Laity, and the Relationship which they sustain to the Ministry. 13. On Mission Work. To begin without delay. 14. On Closing Exercises. Thus far we have confined our remarks to the State of Indiana alone. We now come to our general work; for we being a part of the whole, have an interest at large, in common, with our Breth- ren, in the working and interests of the people called Christians. IV. Our Cause at Large. 1. Our Rise. With this we go much farther back than with our own State. Instead of being a little over fifty years ago, it is near- ly a century ago. The Christians started up anew, East, West, North and South, nearly simultaneously. This uniform up-rising we claim to be of Divine origin. 2. Our Progress. This has been gradual, but constant and steady onward. The little cloud or mound, at first, has become a great mountain. The Denomination is now exerting a wholesome influence over the several States and Canada. And its principles are felt. and acknowledged pretty extensively among the different Denominations throughout Christendom. And they (the Denomi- nations) are more of a Bible people, and have a more extended fellowship for each other, and are doing more good in the world than before our rise, from the fact of the organization of the Christian Connection, as the principle of uniting with all Chris- 13. Denomination in the State of Indiana. tians upon the Bible is a basis, which cannot consistently be op- posed. 3. Our Work is to be continned. Yes, for our Work is not yet done. While much has been done under unfavorable circumstances, when we were weak and poor, now that we have attained to greater wealth and strength, certainly much more can now be done. Under less favorable circumstances we have organized Churches, formed these into Conferences ; and these district Con- ference into State Conferences; and those again into one grand Quadrennial Conference of the whole. We have aided and sent out missionaries, to labor in the fields. Have erected and partial- ly endowed colleges. Have established periodicals, published books, sending out our literature pretty extensively. Probably we have not done this work as thoroughly as we should have done it. But certainly much has been done. Let us go on to a higher state of perfection. We may do this by com- pleting the well-begun work ; and to do this well, we must place our Schools, Publications, and Missionary Work beyond the reach of want. And then you may be well assured that general pros- perity will attend each and every department of our great work. The dissemination of truth, and the upbuilding of the Master's cause. * Just so long as sin abounds, and some are unconverted, infidelity existing, and the union of God's people upon the Bible not com- pleted, so long the mission of the Christians will continne, legiti- mately, and in full force. 4. How to Work. We should work in harmony with each other. By this we do not mean that we should not contend with each other on our differences. For we are to contend earnestly for the I sainted Faith. But we are to do this in the spirit of Christ Jesus, and not in a spirit of strife, therby causing unnecessary division. remembering that we can understand the words spoken by the Son of God just as well as any other book, which was at first written in another tongue, and in ancient times. Truly, the sayings of Jesus are to be spiritually discerned. Then having the Spirit of Christ we may understand his word. We are not to give up what we believe to be Bible doctrine, unless our best judgement is convinced by Bible evidence, that we were mistaken in our views of the subject under consideration ; and be- ing convinced of our error, we should at once frankly acknowledge our mistake- give it up, and just as earnestly, and if possible more earnestly-contend for what we are now satisfied is the doc- trine taught by the Son of God, remembering that His word will judge us in the last day. And we are all, no doubt, fully convinced. that as a denomina- tion, we should fully endow all of our Schools, and lift our Pub- Jishing House out of the mire of debt. And as a State, we should lead out in all the interests of Union Christian College; that we 14. Catalogue and Yoar-Book of the Christian should also sustain, and put the, Christian Age beyond all embar- rassment. Also to so increase the State Conference sinking fund that it may be in all time to come enabled to meet all demands; heeding all calls for aid, in building up our beautiful Zion throughout the State, until righteousness shall cover it, as the waters cover the great deep. And not only our State, but the whole World, until earth shall keep jubilee, and the will of God be done, on earth as it it is done in Heaven. May God grant it, and that right sped- ily. AMEN. Union Christian College. - A BRIEF NOTICE, HISTORY, LOCATION, BUILDING, REGULATIONS, CALENDAR FOR 1880 AND 1881, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, FACULTY, ALUMNI, ETC, -10 :- LOCATION. Union Christian College is located at Merom, Sullivan County, Indiana. The most convenient station is Sullivan, on the Evans- ville & Terre Haute Railroad, twenty-six miles south of Terre Haute, and thirty-two north of Vincennes. A hack runs daily be- tween Merom and Sullivan, a distance of ten miles. A narrow guage railroad is in course of construction from Bed- ford, Indiana, to Quincy, Illinois, passing through Sullivan, Me- rom, and Robinson, Illinois. It is hoped that it will be in opera- tion by July 1, 1880. Merom, the former county-seat, is situated in the western part of the county, on the Wabash River. It is unsurpassed in the Mississippi Valley for the romance and attractiveness of its situation, being located on a high and precipitous bluff overlooking the wa- ters of the Wabash, the prairies of Indiana above and below, and those of Illinois beyond. Its population is about six hundred. The morals. order and quiet of the place are not surpassed and rarely equalled. Grog-shops and gambling-saloons are unknown in the town, and allurements to dissipation and objects that dis- tract the mind from study are few. Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.