USA > Indiana > Circuit-rider days in Indiana > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
Respectfully submitted,
A. EDDY, Chairman.
Which report, having been read, was on motion, adopted, and his character approved and passed.
The case of Joseph Oglesby was called and some objections in the form of charges were made against him by a local preacher from Bedford circuit.
First, for ordering the stewards and leaders of Bedford circuit to bring before the church all those members who do not pay quarterage and ordering the preacher in charge to expell them. Second, contend- ing for and receiving half of the public collections at
164
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
the quarterly meetings. Brother Oglesby made some statements and explanations and after some discussion, the following resolution were adopted: Resolved, that we disapprove of the course of Brother Oglesby in dividing the public collections as not being according to the discipline.
The committee on education presented their report containing a charter for the institution of learning founded by this conference, which was read, amended and approved. On motion, the presiding elder of the Indianapolis district and C. Fletcher were appointed to attend to its passage in the Legislature, who were authorized to admit any alterations or amendments which in their opinion will not be fatal to the interest of the institution.
The committee on education also presented an ad- dress to the people within the bounds of this confer- ence on the subject of Education, which was read, ap- proved and ordered to be signed by the president and secretary, to be prepared for the press and forwarded to the editor of the Western Christian Advocate for publication. Said committee also presented a further report relative to an address from the stewards and leaders meeting of New Albany Station praying the conference to take under its patronage the New Albany Seminary? and recommending the adoption of the fol- lowing resolution : Resolved, that the conference com- ply with the request contained in said address as it relates to the patronizing of said institution, which was adopted. Conference proceeded to the election of trustees. A. Wiley, W. V. Daniel, E. R. Ames, C. W. Ruter and Wm. Shanks were nominated and elected trustees of said seminary. And the president appointed
7 The Western Christian Advocate for November 17, 1837, states that the New Albany Seminary was opened for students in the autumn of 1836. During the first and second sessions the number of students was about 80 in the male department and 60 in the female department.
165
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
the presiding elder of Charlestown district together with A. Wood and J. C. Smith a board of visitors, whose duty it shall be to attend the annual examina- tion of said seminary and report to the next session of this conference.
Conference then proceeded to fix the place of its next session, and on counting the votes, New Albany was the place. R. S. Robinson was nominated and elected a member of the missionary committee to fill the vacancy occasioned by the absence of Boyd Phelps. On motion, Resolved, that a vote of thanks be given to the members of the Presbyterian and Baptist Churches for the use of their meeting house, during the session of this conference, which shall be published from the pulpit next Sabbath.
On motion, conference adjourned to meet in the Methodist Church tomorrow at 8 o'clock a. m.
Friday, 8 o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. Bishop Roberts in the chair. On motion, the agent who was appointed to attend to the business relative to the legacy of James Paxton, was instructed to col- lect the money and loan it out for the same interest that the managers loan the funds of the Aid Society. The committee on missions presented their report, fixing the amount necessary for the missions within the bounds of this conference at $1,120.00, which was adopted.
On motion, Resolved, that a vote of thanks be ten- dered to the citizens of this place for their kindness to the preachers and their liberality in the support of our benevolent institutions.
On motion, Resolved, that the president of the conference be requested to furnish the college agents with such instructions as he may think necessary rela- tive to the duties assigned them.
On motion, after singing and prayer and a short
166
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
address by the president, the appointments were read out and conference adjourned to meet at New Albany, Indiana, on the twenty-fifth of October, 1837.
R. R. ROBERTS.
C. W. RUTER, Secretary.
APPOINTMENTS FOR 1836. Madison District.
E. G. Wood, Presiding Elder.
Madison-Rodman Lewis.
Vevay-Joseph Tarkington, Lewis Hurlbert.
Lawrenceburg-James Jones, William B. Ross. Brookville-Isaac Kelso, one to be supplied.
Liberty-Boyd Phelps.
Greensburg-James Scott, L. M. Reeves.
Versailles-Miles Huffaker.
Vernon-George K. Hester. John C. Smith.
Charlestown District.
C. W. Ruter, Presiding Elder.
New Albany-Allen Wiley.
Corydon-Isaac Owen, J. M. Stallard.
Greenville-Sanford S. Williams.
Paoli-James T. Robe.
Salem-John Kearns, Wm. Shanks, sup.
Brownstown-Ezra L. Kemp.
Lexington-William H. Good.
Charlestown-Wm. V. Daniel, Thomas S. Gunn. Jeffersonville-John S. Bayless.
Indianapolis District.
James Havens, Presiding Elder. Indianapolis Station-Augustus Eddy.
Indianapolis Circuit-C. B. Jones, one to be sup- plied.
167
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
Shelbyville-Elijah Whitten.
Rushville-Fernandes C. Holliday, John F. Truslow. Connersville-David J. Cox, John W. Sullivan. Pendleton-Philip May. Noblesville-Hiram Griggs. Danville-Isaac Welch. Edward R. Ames, agent for Preachers' Aid Society.
Bloomington District.
S. C. Cooper, Presiding Elder. Bloomington-Wm. M. Dailey.
Springville-Benjamin T. Griffith. Bedford-Ebenezer Patrick.
Columbus-Wm. W. Hibben, William D. Cox. Franklin-Charles Bonner, one to be supplied. Mooresville-Israel G. Lewis. Greencastle-John Newel. Putnamville-Thomas Ray.
Spencer-Enoch Wood.
Vincennes District.
John Miller, Presiding Elder.
Vincennes-John Daniel.
Terre Haute Station-J. A. Brouse.
Terre Haute Circuit-J. Sinclair, Sol. Miller.
Carlisle-Anthony Robinson, one to be supplied. Washington-Thomas Bartlett.
Princeton-Jesse C. Harbin.
Mt. Vernon-Isaac Mcelroy, one to be supplied.
Boonville-David Stucker. Rome Mission-John M. Cole.
Knox Mission-Ransford R. Burts.
Aaron Wood, college agent.
Crawfordsville District.
James L. Thompson, Presiding Elder.
168
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
Crawfordsville Station-Amasa Johnson.
Crawfordsville Circuit-Thomas J. Brown. Rockville-Charles M. Holliday, J. H. Bruce. Cole Creek Mission-Daniel Demott. Covington-Cornelius Swank, E. Sewell. Pine Creek-Ancil Beach.
Lafayette-Henry S. Talbott.
Delphi-Jared B. Mershon.
Monticello Mission-H. Vredenberg. Dayton-Joseph White. Frankfort-Eli Rogers.
Laporte District.
Richard Hargrave, Presiding Elder.
Laporte-George M. Boyd, one to be supplied. South Bend and Mishawaka-Richard S. Robinson. Niles-Thomas P. McCool, one to be supplied. Kalamazoo-Erastus Kellogg, H. B. Beers. St. Joseph-Richard C. Meek, James D. Sanford. Elkhart-James S. Harrison.
Logansport-B. Westlake.
Plymouth Mission-William Fraley.
Deep River Mission-Jacob Colclazer.
Centerville District.
David Stiver, Presiding Elder.
Centerville-George M. Beswick, one to be supplied.
Winchester-Colbreth Hall.
Newcastle-Francis M. Richmond.
Munceytown-Greenbury C. Beeks.
Fort Wayne Mission-Stephen R. Ball. Mississinewa Mission-Wade Posey.
John W. McReynolds and Spencer W. Hunter trans- ferred to the Illinois conference.
.
169
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
JOURNAL of the Sixth Annual Session of the In- diana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at New Albany, Indiana, October 25, 1837.
Wednesday, 9 o'clock a. m., conference met pursu- ant to appointment and no1 one of the bishops being present, on motion by C. W. Ruter, Rev. James Havens was called to the chair and opened the conference by reading a portion of scripture, singing and prayer. The list was called and the following members being present, took their seats: Enoch G. Wood, Rodman Lewis, Joseph Tarkington, James Jones, James Scott, Lemuel L. Reeves, Miles Huffaker, John C. Smith, C. W. Ruter, Allen Wiley, Isaac Owen, Sanford L. Wil- liams, John Kerns, William Shanks, Thomas L. Gunn, James Havens, F. C. Holliday, E. R. Ames, Samuel C. Cooper, W. M. Dailey, Thomas Ray, Enoch Wood, John Miller, John Daniel, John A. Brouse, I. C. Harbin, Aaron Wood, James L. Thompson, Amasa Johnson, Charles M. Holliday, Cornelius Swank, H. S. Talbott, Joseph White, Richard C. Meed, David Stiver, George N. Beswick, Stephen R. Ball, William H. Smith.
On motion, it was resolved that conference elect two secretaries by ballot, and on counting the votes, C. W. Ruter and Edward R. Ames were declared duly elected. Conference then proceeded to elect by ballot, a president pro-tem; James Havens was declared duly elected and accordingly took the chair. After having made a few appropriate remarks conference proceeded to business. On motion, it was resolved that confer- ence hold but one session per day. Resolved, that con- ference meet at 8 o'clock a. m. and adjourn at 12 o'clock m. A. Wiley, C. W. Ruter, E. R. Ames were nominated and elected a committee to appoint the preachers who shall preach during conference and also to superintend the congregations. William Shanks,
1 Ministers were often detained because of inclement weather, bad roads, poor means of travel, and sickness.
170
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
James Scott and Aaron Wood were elected conference stewards. James L. Thompson, Aaron Wood and John A. Brown were nominated and elected to write the memoirs of the dead. On motion, it was resolved that a committee of one from each district be elected to be denominated the financial committee, and on motion, the Presiding Elder from each of the different dis- tricts were elected that committee. On motion, it was resolved that a committee to consist of one preacher in charge from each Presiding Elder's district, be ap- pointed to be denominated the committee on itinerancy. The by-laws of the first session of the Indiana confer- ence were read, and on motion, adopted for the govern- ment of the conference during the present session. On motion, it was resolved that a committee of five be appointed to be denominated the committee on univer- sity. Resolved that conference adjourn to meet this afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Wednesday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pur- suant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. Rev. James Havens in the chair, conference pro- ceeded to business. Conference took up the first ques- tion on the minutes, viz: Who are admitted on trial? Samuel T. Gillet, Isaac Crawford, Thomas F. Spill- man, John C. Crouch, were admitted and Henry S. Dane was readmitted. P. Royce, John B. Burt, John Edwards, Miltiades Miller were admitted. Mark Bruffy and Ezra Munson were not admitted, but the Presiding Elder has leave to employ them. The presi- dent announced the following names as the committee on itinerancy : James Jones, J. Daniel, Wm. M. Dailey, John Kern, A. Johnson, F. C. Holiday, F. M. Beswick and R. C. Meeks. And C. H. Ruter, S. C. Cooper, A. Wood, I. C. Smith and Wm. Shanks on the university. Conference adjourned.
Thursday, 8 o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule.
171
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
Brother Havens in the chair, conference proceeded to business. The stewards having spent some time in at- tending to the pecuniary concerns of the conference and Bishop Soule having arrived, and after making a few appropriate remarks, took the chair. Conference voted to draw on the book concern for four hundred dollars and on the charted fund for eighty-two dollars. One of the book agents from Cincinnati being present read a report containing a statement of the situation of the Western Book Concern, accompanied by an ad- dress to the conference. On motion, the college agents were authorized to settle with the trustees for the amount of their salaries. On motion, the conference elected H. S. Talbott, Wm. M. Dailey and John C. Smith on the book committee. The president laid be- fore the conference a communication from the book agents of New York containing an exhibit of the fiscal concerns of that establishment, which was read. An address from the Ohio conference, containing a pre- amble and resolutions on the subject of proper dis- tribution of the revenues arising from the book con- cern, which was read, and on motion, referred to a committee consisting of A. Wiley, E. R. Ames, I. A. Brouse, J. L. Thompson and J. Havens.
On motion, Wm. Shanks, C. W. Ruter and James Scott were chosen a committee to estimate the table expenses of the superintendent (R. R. Roberts) resid- ing within the bounds of the conference. Conference resumed the first question on the minutes. D. H. D. Dickerson, Wm. H. McGunnis were admitted. Wm. Knowles was not admitted, but on motion, the Presid- ing Elder has leave to employ him. Conference ad- journed.
Friday, 8 o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded to business. The committee to whom was referred the
172
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
communication from the Ohio conference on the sub- ject of funds of the book concern, reported as follows : Having had the subject under consideration, we beg leave to recommend to the conference a concurrence with the resolutions adopted by the Ohio conference, viz: Resolved, that the members of the Indiana annual conference of the M. E. Church disapprove of drawing on the book concern for money to pay the expenses of the delegates to the General Conference or any part thereof; and that we do hereby respectfully request that it may never be done again. Signed,
ALLEN WILEY, Chairman.
The report having been read, was, on motion, adopted. Conference proceeded to the consideration of the second question on the minutes: Who are ad- mitted into full connection ? E. Patrick, Isaac McElroy, I. W. Sullivan, I. I. Lewis, Daniel Demott, Wm. B. Ross, I. M. Stollard, B. T. Griffith, W. W. Hibbon, C. B. Jones, Erastus Kellogg having been previously exam- ined by the committee appointed for that purpose, were called forward and questioned, and advised by the bishop as the discipline directs, after which their characters were examined, admitted into full connec- tion and elected to Deacons Orders ; except I. J. Lewis, who was not admitted. Bros. Patrick, Sullivan, De- mott, Jones and Kellog were not elected, having been previously ordained as local preachers. Conference proceeded to the consideration of the sixth question on the minutes, viz: Who have been elected and ordained elders this year? I. A. Brouse, Stephen Ball, Hiram Griggs, James Harrison, I. C. Harlin, Lemuel Reeves were severally examined and elected to Elders Orders. The case of R. C. Meed was laid over. Conference resumed the consideration of the first question on the minutes and Joseph S. Barwick, Jacob Myers, Jacob Miller, I. Harrymen were admitted and Cyrus Nutt was not admitted. Benjamin Barnes, I. V. Watson,
173
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
Eli P. Farmer, L. D. Smith, Jonas L. Belott, Thomas Poyner, Wm. Forbs were admitted. I. Cooper and Daniel Dillon were not admitted, but on motion, the Presiding Elder has leave to employ them. On motion, the conference altered the time of their morning meet- ing from 8 to 8:30 a. m. At the request of R. C. Meed his case was referred to a committee of three, viz: H. Talbott, W. V. Daniel and Thomas Ray. Con- ference adjourned.
Saturday, 8:30 o'clock a. m., conference met pur- suant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded to business. The committee in the case of R. C. Meek presented their report, which after some discussion, was not accepted by the conference. Brother Meek made some statements relative to his case and retired. When his character passed he was elected to Elders Orders. Conference took up the consideration of the case of local preachers recommended for Deacon's Orders. Hosier I. Durbin, recommended from Madi- son district, was elected. John C. Crouch and Peter Weaver were not elected.
The committee on the university presented their re- port, which was read and, on motion, said report was laid on the table to be made the order of the day for Monday next. Wm. Pennington, from Charlestown district; Thomas W. Sergeant and John Hardy, from Indianapolis district ; John Mcrea, John Evans, Thomas Guynn, from Bloomington district; Francis V. McGee, D. Dickinson, Wm. Bratton, I. M. Barnett, from Craw- fordsville district; C. C. Beeks, Elijah Harbour and Charles Lumpton, from Centerville district, were all elected to the office of deacons as recommended for Elders Orders. John Linville, from Indianapolis dis- trict; Vance Jones, from Bloomington district; I. L. Belotte, from Crawfordsville district; John Hughs, from Charlestown district, were severally elected to
174
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
that said office. Conference resumed the considera- tion of the third question, viz: Who are admitted into full connection? John Bayless was examined by the Bishop before the conference, and after his character was examined, was admitted into full connection and was elected to deacon's orders. Davis Stucker was also examined, but did not pass ; on motion, the Presid- ing Elder has permission to employ him. On motion, it was resolved that when conference adjourns, we meet again this afternoon at 2 o'clock. On motion, it was resolved that conference will comply with the re- quest of the Rev. Mr. Ranson, agent of the A. B. So- ciety, and will listen to his remarks on Monday morn- ing. Conference adjourned.
Saturday, 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 in consideration of the first question on the minutes, viz: Who are admitted on trial? Wm. Hul- bert, Francis H. Cary, Thomas Owen and Emmons Rutledge were admitted on trial but Thomas Brown was not admitted. Henry Vanorder and Robert Burns were admitted. Conference proceeded to the considera- tion of the second question of the minutes: Who re- main on trial? The characters of Wm. H. Good, Ezra L. Kemp, John H. Bruce, John M. Cole, Wm. Trailey, J. B. Nershon, John F. Trouslow, A. Robinson and Wade Poisy were severally examined and continued on trial. R. R. Burts was discontinued. Conference adjourned.
Monday, 8:30 o'clock a. m., conference met pur- suant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded to business. The Rev. Mr. Ransom, state agent for the American Bible Society, was introduced to the con- ference, who delivered a short address on the subject of his agency after which, on motion, a committee of
175
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
three were appointed to consider the subject and pre- pare it for the action of the conference. Wm. V. Daniel, James Havens and Wm. Shanks were appointed said committee. The following resolution was then introduced, read, and on motion, adopted, viz: Re- solved by the Indiana annual conference in conference assembled, that the first Thursday in December, next, be set apart as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God for the general health of our citizens and abundant fruits of the earth the present year; and that the gov- ernor of the state be respectfully requested to issue his proclamation requesting the citizens generally to unite in offering, on that day especially, ascriptions of praise to the rich donor of all our blessings. C. W. Ruter and E. R. Ames. Conference then resumed the considera- tion of the second question on the minutes: Who are continued on trial? The characters of Isaac Kelso, Frances M. Richmond, G. M. Boyd, H. B. Beers, Jacob Colderidge, C. C. Beeks, Philip May and John Sewell were examined and continued on trial. James D. San- ford, Wm. D. Cox, Isreal Welch, John Sinclair and Soloman Miller were discontinued. Conference then took up the consideration of the fourth question on the minutes: Who are the deacons? The characters of F. C. Holliday, Thomas C. Gunn, Isaac Owen, Thos. Bartlett and S. S. Williams were severally examined and passed. Thos. S. Gunn asked and obtained a loca- tion. The following resolutions were then introduced, read, and on motion, adopted, viz: Whereas, a treatise on Roman Catholicism exposing the errors and hurtful tendencies of that system, is much needed in the Mis- sissippi Valley; and whereas, the Rev. Charles Elliott is now composing a book on that subject and with such aims; therefore, be it resolved by the Indiana annual conference, that the book agents of Cincinnati be re- quested with the approbation of the Western Book com- mittee to secure the copy right of said work and pub-
176
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
lish it for the M. E. Church. Resolved, secondly, that it be recommended to the book agents at Cincinnati with the approbation of the Western Book Committee to secure the copy right of a book entitled, "History of the Wyandott Mission," now being written by Rev. James B. Finley and publish it for the Methodist Episcopal Church. Signed, Allen Wiley, E. R. Ames; New Albany, Ia., October 30, 1837. The conference then proceeded to the examination of the characters of elders. E. G. Wood, Rodman Lewis, Joseph Tarking- ton, Lewis Hurlburt, James Jones, Boyd Phelps, Geo. K. Hester, John C. Smith, Miles Huffaker, C. W. Ruter, A. Wiley, James T. Robe, John Kerns, Wm. Shanks, W. V. Daniels, James Haven, A. Eddy, E. Whitten, E. R. Ames, Samuel C. Cooper, Wm. C. Dailey, C. Bon- ner, Thomas Ray, Enoch Wood, John Miller, John Daniels, Aaron Wood, James L. Thompson, Amasa Johnson, Thomas Brown, Charles Holliday, Cornelius Swank, Ancil Beach, H. L. Talbott, H. Vedenburgh, Joseph White, R. Hargrave, R. S. Robinson, B. Wes- lake, David Stiver, George M. Beswick, W. H. Smith, Asa Beck and John Pitchey were severally examined and passed. Rodman Lewis, Joseph Tarkington, James L. Thompson, Wm. H. Smith and John Ritchey were superannuated. Asa Beck was reported as effective and Wm. Shanks superannerary. Conference ad- journed.
Tuesday, 8:30 o'clock a. m., conference met pur- suant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded to business. The stewards presented their report, which was read, and on motion, adopted. The commit- tee appointed to estimate the table expenses of Bishop Roberts, presented their report, which was read, and on motion, adopted, viz: three hundred dollars.1 The committee on the Bible Society presented their report
1 See Minutes for 1832.
177
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
embodying several resolutions, which was read, amended, and on motion, adopted, that the presiding elder of Charlestown district and the stationed preach- er in New Albany be appointed to address a meeting which may be appointed on that subject. Conference proceeded to take the number of Sabbath schools, etc. Richard C. Meek asked and obtained a location. On motion, it was resolved that conference take up that part of the report of the committee on the university which relates to the appointment of agents. Resolved, that for the more effectual and speedy endowment of the university it is desirable that four special agents be appointed for the ensuing year. On motion, it was resolved that we adjourn to meet this afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Tuesday, 2 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule, Bishop Roberts in the chair. Conference then pro- ceeded to elect four agents for the Indiana Asbury University and on counting the votes, Wm. Shanks, S. C. Cooper, Wm. M. Dailey and John Brouse were declared duly elected. Conference proceeded to fix the place of its next session, and on counting the votes it was found that Rockville, Parke county, ndiana, had a majority to which place conference was appointed to meet on the 17th of October, 1838. Conference pro- ceeded to elect an agent for the Preacher's Aid Society and on counting the votes, James Havens was declared duly elected. On motion, conference took up that part of the report of the committee on the university, which relates to the filling of vacancies in the board of trus- tees. Henry Havens was elected to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resigning of T. A. Howard, and James Talbott was elected to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of John W. Osborn. A committee of three, consisting of E. R. Ames, Samuel C. Cooper and James Havens, was appointed to nominate nine
(12)
178
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
persons as a board of visitors to the I. A. University. On motion, it was resolved that the agent, C. W. Ruter, appointed by this conference to collect the legacy of James Paxton, deceased, be directed to pay it over with the proceeds thereof to C. I. Hand for the benefit of the Preacher's Aid Society. On motion, the vote by which James L. Thompson was superannuated, was reconsidered. On motion, the vote taken in the case of Wm. Knowles, was reconsidered and he was ad- mitted on trial. On motion, Aaron Wood, James Havens and Richard Hargrave were appointed a com- mittee to divide the conference into four districts, assigning to each college agent, his respective field of labor. On motion, John Smith, John S. Bayless and James Havens were nominated and elected a commit- tee to take into consideration the claims of a temper- ance paper recently established in3 Indianapolis and report to this conference. Conference adjourned.
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.