USA > Indiana > Circuit-rider days in Indiana > Part 10
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The Conference Stewards presented their report, which on motion was adopted.
Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference be presented to the Masonic Fraternity for the use of their hall during the sitting of this Conference.
Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference be presented to the citizens of this town for their hospi- tality to this Conference during their session among them.
Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference be presented to the several religious denominations of this town, who offered their houses of worship for oc- cupancy on this occasion.
On motion, A. Wiley, James Armstrong, James Ha- vens, James L. Thompson, William Shanks were ap- pointed a committee to make inquiries relative to the establishment of a Conference Seminary.
The appointments were then read out, after which Conference adjourned its annual session.
JOSHUA SOULE.
C. W. RUTER, Secretary.
APPOINTMENTS IN THE INDIANA CONFERENCE FOR 1833.
Madison District.
Allen Wiley, Presiding Elder.
Madison Station-Lorenzo D. Smith.
Vevay-Richard S. Robinson, John W. Holland.
Lawrenceburg-William M. Daily, John Daniel. Whitewater-Charles Bonner, John Robbins.
Wayne-John C. Smith, Isaac Kimball.
Newcastle-Robert Burns, sup., one to be supplied.
Connersville-John W. McReynolds, James Har- rison.
Greensburg-Joseph Tarkington.
Vernon-Joshua W. Law, Robert Johnson.
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Charlestown District.
William Shanks, Presiding Elder.
New Albany-To be supplied. Jeffersonville-Edward R. Ames. Corydon-John Kerns, Elijah Whitten. Salem-Zecariah Games. Bedford-Hiram Greggs. Brownstown-John T. Johnson. Paoli-Henry S. Talbott, Jesse Harbin. Lexington-Joseph Oglesby.
Indianapolis District.
James Havens, Presiding Elder .-
Indianapolis Station-Calvin Ruter.
Indianapolis Circuit-John W. Sullivan.
Fall Creek-Ancil Beach, Lemuel M. Reeves.
Danville-Joseph White. Mooresville-Philip May.
Columbus-Spencer W. Hunter.
Rushville-Isaac N. Ellsbury, David Stiver.
Franklin-Amos Sparks.
Bloomington-William H. Smith.
Vincennes District.
James L. Thompson, Presiding Elder.
Carlisle-John Richey, James T. Robe.
Petersburg-Samuel Julian.
Princeton-Enoch G. Wood, Cornelius Swank. Boonville-Thomas Ray.
Washington-Miles Huffaker.
Terre Haute-Richard Hargrave, William Watson. Rockville-Samuel C. Cooper, Henry Deputy.
Greencastle-Thomas J. Brown. Crawfordsville-John A. Brouse, Daniel Watkins. Lafayette-Nehemiah B. Griffiths, Hakaliah Vre- denburg.
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Northwestern District.
James Armstrong, Presiding Elder.
St. Joseph-John Newell, Edward Smith.
South Bend-Boyd Phelps.
Pine Creek-William Clark.
Carroll-Enoch Wood.
Frankfort-Stephen R. Ball, William Campbell.
Tippecanoe and Eel River Mission-Amasa John- son.
Mississinaway Mission-Freeman Farnsworth.
Maumee Mission-To be supplied.
Kalamazoo Mission-Richard C. Meek.
THIRD SESSION INDIANA CONFERENCE, 1834.
Journal of the Third Indiana Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church held at Centerville, Wayne county, Indiana, commencing on the 22nd of October, A. D. 1834.
Wednesday morning, 9 o'clock, conference met ac- cording to appointment and opened by Bishop Roberts by reading a portion of the Sacred Scriptures, singing and prayer. The list of membership was called and the following members having answered to their names, took their seats, viz: Allen Wiley, R. L. Rob- inson, William M. Daily, Charles Bonner, John C. Smith, Isaac Kimball, Joseph Tarkington, William Shanks, John Miller, George M. Beswick, Edward R. Ames, John Kern, John T. Johnson, Henry L. Talbott, Samuel C. Cooper, Boyd Phelps, Joseph Oglesby, James Havens, Calvin W. Ruter, Ancil Beach, Spencer W. Hunter, Amos Sparks, William H. Smith, James L. Thompson, John Ritchie, James T. Robe, Enoch G. Wood, Cornelius Swank, Miles Huffaker, R. Hargrave, Thomas J. Brown, Charles M. Holiday.
Conference then proceeded to business, Bishop Roberts in the chair. C. W. Ruter was nominated and
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elected Secretary, and E. R. Ames Assistant Secretary. Conference proceeded to fix the time for meeting and adjournment as follows, to meet at 8 a. m. and ad- journ at 11:30 a. m .; meet at 2 p. m. and adjourn at 4 :30 p. m.
A. Wiley, J. C. Smith, Isaac Kimball were appoint- ed a committee for the purpose of appointing the preachers to officiate and superintend the congrega- tions during the present session of conference.
Conference proceeded to elect the Stewards; on counting the votes William Shanks, Allen Wiley and E. R. Ames were elected.
On motion a committee of three were appointed to write the memoirs of the dead; C. W. Ruter, B. Phelps and W. Shanks were appointed that committee.
On motion a committee of five were appointed to examine the candidates for admission into full connec- tion; A. Wiley, C. W. Ruter, R. Burns, R. Hargrave and J. Havens were appointed that committee.
On motion a committee of three were appointed, viz : E. G. Wood, H. L. Talbott, S. C. Cooper to adjust the accounts with the Book Concern at New York.
Brother B. Phelps and C. W. Ruter were nominated to fill the vacancy in the missionary committee, occasioned by the death of James Armstrong and N. B. Griffith.
The by-laws of the former session of this confer- ence were read and on motion, were adopted for the government of the present session.
Conference proceeded to the consideration of the first question on the minutes. Joseph Carter, Thomas Bartlett, F. C. Holliday, Sanford L. Williams, Daniel H. Dickerson, recommended from Madison district, were admitted on trial. Colbert Hall was not admitted, but on motion the Presiding Elder has leave to employ him when he deems it expedient. James Jones re- admitted. William V. Daniel, Thomas Gum, John S.
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Bayless, Lewis Hurlbert, Steward P. Moore and D. Stucker were recommended from Charlestown district, and admitted on trial. Conference then adjourned.
Wednesday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pur- suant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. Conference proceeded to business, Bishop Rob- berts in the chair.
The President received some communications from the Book Agents at New York containing an exhibit of the concern, etc., which was read and on motion re- ferred to the book committee, and on motion, ordered that so much of it as concerns the fiscal condition of the concern be spread on the Journal of the conference.
Asa Beck and Aaron Wood were readmitted into this conference.
Conference resumed the consideration of the first question on the minutes. Isaac Owen and M. Reeder were recommended from Vincennes district and ad- mitted on trial and James Ross was readmitted. Eli Rogers, recommended from Pine Creek circuit, was not admitted. Thomas McCool and Gilbert Rose were recommended from the Northwestern district but not admitted. On motion the Presiding Elder has liberty to employ them if he deems it necessary. John Robin- son, recommended from the same district, was ad- mitted.
On motion, the conference requested the Superin- tendent to transfer John Ray,1 a superannuated preacher, from the Kentucky conference to this at his own request, with the understanding that neither him- self nor family should ever be claimants on this con- ference; which transfer was made accordingly.
Conference proceeded to the consideration of the second question on the minutes, viz: Who remain on trial? William Watson was, on motion, discontinued, at his own request, in consequence of affliction. J. W.
1 John Ray was an aged preacher, of Kentucky, who trans- ferred to Indiana in order to be near his son, Thomas Ray.
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Sullivan discontinued at his own request. The char- acters of William Clark, J. A. Brouse, James S. Harri- son, Freeman Farnsworth and R. C. Meek were sever- ally examined and continued on trial. Joshua W. Law was discontinued. William Campbell, J. Harben, Thomas Ray, L. M. Reeves were examined and con- tinued on trial. John Robbins and Daniel Watkins were discontinued at their own request, J. W. Holland and Philip May were also discontinued. Whereupon conference adjourned.
Thursday, 8 o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule and proceeded to business. Bishop Roberts in the chair. Conference voted to draw on the chartered fund for $75.00 and on the Book Concern for $600.00.
On motion the vote was taken on yesterday by which John Robinson was admitted on trial was recon- sidered, and he was permitted to withdraw his applica- tion. The case of Edward Smith next came before the conference and the President (read) a letter from a friend in Warren county, informing the conference that Brother Smith departed this life on the 9th of October.
Conference then proceeded to the consideration of the third question on the minutes, viz: Who were ad- mitted into full connection ? Answer, I. Daniel, David Stiver, Joseph White, Enoch Wood, Elijah Whitten and Amasa Johnson, having been previously examined by the committee appointed for that purpose, were called up and examined before the conference as the discipline directs, after which their characters were examined and passed, and elected to Deacons' Orders, except Brothers Stiver and Johnson, who were pre- viously ordained as local preachers. Zac. Games, S. R. Ball, Hiram Grigg were continued on trial at their own request. Robert Johnson and Henry Deputy were discontinued. Whereupon conference adjourned.
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
Thursday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. Conference proceeded to business, Bishop Roberts in the chair. Conference proceeded to the consideration of the third question on the minutes, viz: Who are Deacons? William M. Daily, George M. Beswick, T. Robe and Cornelius Swank, the characters of whom were severally examined and passed. The characters of John C. Smith, Issac Kimball, John Ritchie, S. W. Hunter, A. Beach, Henry Talbott and E. R. Ames were severally examined, approved and passed; also elected to Elders Orders. Isaac Kimball asked and obtained a location.
Conference proceeded to the examination of the characters of Elders. Allen Wiley, L. D. Smith, R. S. Robinson, C. Bonner, R. Burns, J. W. McReynolds, Joseph Tarkington, William Shanks, J. Miller, J. Kern, J. T. Johnson, J. Oglesby, J. Havens, C. W. Ruter, J. N. Ellsbury, A. Sparks, W. H. Smith, J. L. Thompson, Samuel Julian, E. G. Wood, Miles Huffaker, R. Har- grave, S. C. Cooper, T. J. Brown, H. Vredenburgh, B. Phelps, T. S. Hitt and D. Anderson were severally ex- amined and approved. L. D. Smith, J. N. Sallsbury and T. S. Hitt each asked and received a location. The relation of R. Burns was changed from supernumerary to effectual. The names of Brothers G. Lock, N. B. Griffith and James Armstrong were called when it was announced that during the past year they finished their labors and died in peace. James Ray, by vote of conference, was continued in a supernumerary rela- tion. Whereupon conference adjourned.
Friday, 8 o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. Jour- nal read and approved, Bishop Roberts in the chair. Conference proceeded to business. On motion, con- ference reconsidered the vote that changed the hour of morning sitting and fixed the hour at 8:30 a. m.
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Conference proceeded to elect by ballot some per- son to preach the funeral of the said deceased brethren and Bishop Roberts was elected. Henry S. Talbott asked and obtained the supernumerary relation.
The vote by which W. Watson was discontinued was reconsidered and he was continued on trial. John Newel was discontinued at his own request.
The following resolution was presented and ac- cepted, viz : Resolved, that this conference memorialize the Legislature of this state, praying that that honor- able body, in their wisdom, to devise some measures by which the principal denominations of Christians in this state may have their due proportion of influence in the faculty of the State College at Bloomington and that a committee of three be appointed to draft a memorial and present it as soon as practical.
Resolved, second, That Presiding Elder and preach- er in charge use their influence to have the people to petition the Legislature on the same subject, and that a committee of three be appointed to draft a form suit- able for such a petition.2
(Signed) C. W. RUTER. WILLIAM SHANKS.
2 Before any definite steps were taken to establish a Methodist college in Indiana, the Indiana Conference made an attempt to get the State Legislature to change the method of electing trus- tees for the State college at Bloomington. The Methodist objec- tions to the State college as it then existed were: (1) The in- stitution was regarded as belonging to the Presbyterian church. It was listed in the catalogue of Presbyterian colleges. (2) The religious beliefs of Methodist students were not respected. (3) Ef- forts were made to convince the public that none but Presby- terians were competent to teach in higher institutions of learn- ing, and (4) under the existing system no Methodist could be represented on the board of trustees, although the Methodists were the most numerous religious sect in the State. (F. C. Holli- day "Life and Times of Allen Wiley." pp. 71-72.) Seven petitions were presented to the Indiana Legislature in 1834, asking for "a reform in the economy of Indiana college." (House Journal, 1834, pp. 82, 148, 155. 228, 236, 293. 368.)
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
C. W. Ruter, William Shanks and Allen Wiley were appointed that committee.
Conference proceeded to the consideration of the case of local preachers recommended for Deacons Orders. Joseph Hutchens, Adam Bruner, G. W. Walk- er, Lewis Hurlbert and Jonathan Broady (a man of color), C. B. Jones, J. B. Dawson, Joseph Springer, Isaac Merrill and William M. Reyburn were duly elected to that office.
Conference proceeded to the consideration of the case of local deacons recommended for Elders Orders. Joseph Carter, Charles M. Morrow and Ebenezer Fair- child were duly elected to that office.
The committee appointed to write the memoirs of the dead presented their report containing the memoirs of Brothers Armstrong, Lock and Griffith, which were read and accepted.
The conference having requested the superintend- ent to decide whether the widow of Brother A. F. Thompson, deceased, be a legal claimant on the funds of this conference. He decided in the affirmative.
On motion, E. R. Ames was elected to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of James Armstrong in the committee appointed at a former session of this conference to draught a Constitution for the Preach- er's Aid Society.
Resolved, That in future the preachers in return- ing the numbers in society specify the number of local preachers, meeting houses and parsonages within the bounds of this conference.
Whereupon conference adjourned.
Friday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule, Jour- nal read and approved, conference proceeded to busi- ness, Bishop Roberts in the chair. Conference pro- ceeded to take the numbers of local preachers and the number of meeting houses.
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On motion, the conference reconsidered the vote by which James H. Ross was readmitted into this con- ference, and on taking the vote a second time he was not readmitted, but on motion the Presiding Elder has leave to employ him should he deem it necessary.
Conference proceeded to ascertain the most suitable place to hold its next annual session, and on counting the votes, it was decided to be held at Lafayette, Tip- pecanoe county, Indiana, to commence on the 14th of October, 1835.
Whereupon conference adjourned.
Saturday, 8:30 o'clock a. m., conference met pursu- ant to adjournment and was opened according to rule, Bishop Roberts in the chair, conference proceeded to business.
The committee appointed by conference at its last session to attend the Illinois conference for the pur- pose of adjusting the business relative to the bequest made by James Paxton, deceased, to said conference, made their report, which was accepted, and the pre- amble and resolutions of said conference were ordered to be spread on the Journal of this conference, which are as follows: "Whereas, James Paxton, late of the county of Marion and state of Indiana, deceased, did on the third day of April, A. D. 1829, by his last will and testament, among other things, make the follow- ing bequest, viz: I hereby give and bequest to Calvin W. Fletcher, Rev. James Armstrong and James Havens as Trustees, five hundred dollars for the use and bene- fit of the Illinois Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to be appropriated by the said con- ference to the best of their judgment in extending the work of the Lord in the bounds of the state of Indiana, helping the most needy preachers belonging to said Church, either effective or superannuated, which amount is to be paid over by the said Trustees as soon as convenient. And since that time the General Con-
(9)
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ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church held in Philadelphia on the 1st of May, 1832, the said Illinois Conference was divided and the state of Indiana in- cluding a small part of Michigan Territory, formed into a separate conference, denominated the Indiana con- ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Therefore, be it resolved, First, by the members of the Illinois annual conference in session assembled, that we do hereby request the said Indiana annual conference to receive and appropriate said bequest according to the best of their judgment in extending the work of the Lord in the bounds of the state of Indiana, by helping the most needy preachers, belonging to said confer- ence, either effective or superannuated, according to the original design and intent of the testator. And we do hereby, the said Trustees, pay over the said amount of the bequest to the Indiana annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Resolved, that the fore- going preamble and resolutions be spread on the Jour- nals of this conference; and that a copy hereof, signed by the President and countersigned by the Secretary, be forwarded to the said Indiana conference, to be by them spread on the Journals of their conference. Done at Mount Carmel, Illinois, October 3rd, 1834.
PETER AKERS, S. H. THOMPSON, Committee.
The above preamble and resolutions were adopted as the report of their committee and spread upon their Journal by the Illinois annual conference, during their session at Mount Carmel, Illinois, beginning on the 1st day of October, 1834.
(Signed) R. R. ROBERTS. JOHN MITCHELL, Secretary.
Conference then proceeded to elect an agent to re- ceive the money thus bequeathed to this conference, by
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James Paxton deceased, and on counting the votes, C. W. Ruter was declared duly elected. A request was presented from the Illinois annual conference that this conference pay the expenses of an agent sent by that conference to this, last fall and on a motion made that (the) request be granted, which motion was lost.
On motion, the book committee was requested to draw off the accounts in their hands that are unpaid and put them in the hands of the preachers who may be sent to those places where the debtors reside for colllection.
The committee appointed at the last session of the conference to draft a constitution for the Preacher's Aid Society, presented their report containing a form of a constitution which was read, amended and adopted. Conference voted that they proceed imme- diately on the adjournment of the present sitting to form such a society.
On motion, the conference adjourned until Monday at 8:30 o'clock.
Monday, 8:30 o'clock a. m., conference met pur- suant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. Conference proceeded to business, Bishop Rob- erts in the chair. C. W. Ruter presented a draft of a constitution for auxiliary societies to the Preacher's Aid Society of the Indiana annual conference which was read, amended and adopted. And on motion, J. C. Smith was appointed a committee to procure the print- ing of 300 copies for the use of the preachers who be- long to this conference. On motion, the vote by which I. Kimball was located, was reconsidered.
The Book Agent from Cincinnati presented a com- munication containing a report from the book commit- tee, which was read.
On motion, Resolved, That for the ensuing year we will use increased exertions to promote the circulation of the Western Christian Advocate, and that a copy of
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this resolution be forwarded to the editor for publica- tion.
The committee appointed to draft a memorial in behalf of this conference to the Legislature of this state relative to (the) State College at Bloomington, presented their report, which was read, and on motion, was adopted; which report read as follows :
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana. Your memorialists represent to your honorable body, that they in common with their fellow citizens, recognize in the munificent grant of lands by the general govern- ment to our state (for the purpose of endowing a state institution of learning) a corresponding obliga- tion on our part so to manage it as not to defeat the charitable bequest of our common country. We feel that cause of complaint exists in regard to this matter, yet we do not approach your honorable body as irri- tated and injured individuals asking for the redress of private wrongs, but as patrons and advocates of gen- eral science, pleading her cause and imploring you in your paternal character to open her prison doors. We would impress it upon your honorable body that the Literature belongs to no one denomination of persons, and that no one exclusively should be allowed to possess the keys that unlock her treasures. We apprehend that the funds of our state college were designed by their munificient donors to patronize science and ad- vocate the cause of general literature and not of reli- gious sects, and should it be divested from its original design (directly or indirectly) the donors are despoiled of a rich inheritance, and the legacy itself betrayed to a very questionable purpose. We feel a deep and abiding interest in the success of the institution, we recognize in the provision of its constitution, (and particularly 10th section) the generous confiding spirit in which its powers and functions were bestowed, as it
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were, in the absence of every uncharitable feeling or suspicion, that the hydra of sectarianism might erect its standard there, yet we in common with our fellow men of the state have to regret that our hopes in it have been disappointed. We look in its charter and read that the places of president, professors and tutors are open, soliciting capacity to occupy them without regard to religious professions or doctrines. We then turn our eyes on the faculty from the organization of the institution up to this hour, and we see one com- mon hue, one common religion characterize every member, as if capacity and fitness were confined to one church and one set of religious opinions. We have heretofore borne this without complaint and would now be silent, had we no higher object than to contend for the places and honors of the institution. But when we see the youth of our own and other churches volun- tarily abandoning and renouncing the institution be- cause the religion of their fathers (is but tolerated) and not domiciled : then we feel impelled by every con- sideration that looks to the future, and speak out, and invoke you to reclaim for the state, the power bestowed upon the Board of Trustees of filling their own vacan- cies, and give to them a fixed and definite term of office in future. This wholesome restraint would, it is firmly believed, bring to the service of the institution a due proportion from other religious denominations, and breathe into it a new spirit, full of life and vigor. Your memorialists, therefore, earnestly solicit your inter- ference in this matter, and that you may, in the prem- ises do what is best for the good of science, is the ear- nest prayer of your memorialists."
The committee appointed to draft a petition suit- able for the signatures of the citizens of this state, and send to the General Assembly, relative to the Bloomington College presented their report, which was read and adopted. On motion, J. A. Brouse, William
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M. Daily, B. Phelps, H. S. Talbott and J. S. Harrison were appointed a committee to furnish each preacher belonging to this conference with a copy of the same. Whereupon conference adjourned.
Monday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule, Bishop Roberts in the chair, conference proceeded to business. On motion, resolved, that the Secretary fur- nish the editors of the Indiana Journal and Democrat, with a copy of the memorial relative (to) the Indiana College, with a request that they publish it, and that they request the editors to publish the same. Con- ference proceeded to the consideration of the 16th question on the minutes, viz: What has been raised on the different circuits and stations for Bible, tract and Sunday school purposes ?
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