USA > Indiana > Circuit-rider days in Indiana > Part 14
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Wednesday, 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 appointed to nominate a Board of Visitors of the I. A. University, reported Allen Wiley, James Havens, H. S. Talbott, Augustus Eddy, I. L. Thompson, S. C. Cooper, William Shanks, William M. Dailey and John Brouse, which nomination was confirmed by the conference. The committee ap- pointed to take into consideration the claims of a tem- perance paper presented their report "That in their opinion a paper of that character might greatly sub- serve the cause of temperance in this state, therefore, resolved that this conference will give their united in- fluence for the wider circulation and more permanent usefulness of this publication. Resolved, that this re- port be forwarded to the editor (John W. Osborn) of
3 For many years the only temperance paper in the state was published at Greencastle.
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said paper for publication. J. C. Smith, chairman." The committee appointed to write the memoirs of the dead presented their report containing the memoirs of the Rev. John Ray and Rev. Smith S. Robinson, which was read and, on motion, adopted. The book commit- tee presented their report which was read and adopted. The committee appointed to attend the examination of the New Albany Seminary presented their report which was read and, on motion, adopted. On motion, a com- mittee of three were appointed to attend the next an- nual examination of said seminary. The presiding el- der of Charlestown district and the preachers of New Albany and Jeffersonville were appointed that commit- tee. The committee appointed to district the conference and assign to each college agent their fields of labor, presented their report as follows: William Shanks, Charlestown district and that part of Vincennes dis- trict south of White river. Wm. M. Dailey that part of Vincennes district north of White river and the Bloomington and Madison districts. S. C. Cooper, the town of Indianapolis and the Crawfordsville and La-
porte districts. John A. Brouse, Indianapolis and Centerville districts excepting the town of Indianap- olis. Aaron Wood, chairman. On motion, the vote taken in the case of Mark Bruffy was reconsidered and he was admitted on trial. The report of the committee on the I. A. University was taken up and read, and a motion made that the conference advise the trustees to obtain a loan of fifty thousand dollars if practicable for the benefit of the institution, which after some dis- cussion, the vote was taken but was decided in the negative. A motion was made that the conference pledge themselves to use their best efforts to send as many students as they can to the I. A. University dur- ing the coming year, and to procure as many books as possible by donation for the library, which after some discussion, was decided in the negative. On motion,
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it was resolved that the members of this conference be requested to use their influence to promote the interest of the university and especially in the collection of books. On motion, it was resolved that a committee of three be appointed to memorialize Congress of the United States asking a donation of land for the benefit of the university. Allen Wiley, I. C. Smith and Aaron Wood were appointed that committee. On motion, it was resolved that the joint board of the trustees and visitors be requested to memorialize Indiana Legisla- ture praying that body to memorialize Congress in behalf of the I. A. University praying that body to make a donation of land to said university. A motion was made to adopt the report which was carried in the affirmative. And a committee of three was appointed to prepare such parts of the report as they deemed ex- pedient for publication. Secretary of the conference and the stationary preachers at New Albany and Jef- fersonville to be that committee. On motion, it was resolved that the secretary of the conference furnish the board of trustees with all necessary extracts from the journal for their information. James Havens pre- sented the papers in the case of Fletcher Tivis, an expelled local preacher on Rushville circuit, who ap- pealed to this conference, but he being not present to prosecute the appeal, the conference, on motion, dis- missed said appeal. Conference adjourned 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. Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded to business. The committee appointed to memorialize Congress in behalf of the I. A. University, presented their report which was read, and, on motion, was directed to be placed in the hands of the preacher who may be appointed to Indianapolis station that he may enlarge and prepare it suitably, and forward it to some
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member of Congress as soon as it may be practicable. On motion, it was resolved that a vote of thanks be tendered to the citizens of this town for their kindness to the preachers during the present session of confer- ence. On motion, it was resolved that a vote of thanks be tendered to the several denominations of christians in this town for the use of their meeting houses during the present session of conference. On motion, it was resolved that when conference adjourns it meets at 6:30 o'clock in the Methodist Church in this town. Conference adjourned.
Wednesday, 6:30 o'clock p. m., conference met pur- suant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. Bishop Soule in the chair. After an appropriate address by the superintendent, on motion, the appoint- ments of the preachers were read out and conference adjourned to meet in Rockville, Parke county, Indiana, on the 17th of October, 1838.
C. W. RUTER.
J. SOULE.
APPOINTMENTS FOR 1837.
Madison District.
Enoch G. Wood, Presiding Elder.
Madison-William B. Ross.
Vevay-Lewis Hurlbert, Isaac Crawford.
Rising Sun-Fernandes C. Holliday.
Lawrenceburg-James Jones, Samuel T. Gillet, Silas Rawson.
Brookville-James T. Robe, Henry S. Dane.
Greensburg-Charles Bonner, Amos Bussey.
Versailles-Thomas F. Spillman.
Vernon-Miles Huffaker.
Sand Creek Mission-Pleasant Royce.
Charlestown District.
Calvin W. Ruter, Presiding Elder.
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New Albany-Aaron Wood.
William H. Good, Principal of the New Albany Seminary.
Corydon-Isaac Owen, Jacob Myers.
Greenville-Benjamin T. Griffith.
Paoli-Jacob M. Stallard.
Salem-Ebenezer Patrick, William Fraley.
Brownstown-Emmons Rutledge.
Lexington-George K. Hester.
Charlestown-William V. Daniel, Jesse C. Harbin. Jeffersonville-John Kearnes.
Indianapolis District.
Augustus Eddy, Presiding Elder.
Indianapolis-John C. Smith.
Indianapolis Circuit-John Edwards.
Shelbyville-John W. Sullivan, John B. Birt.
Rushville-John F. Truslow, Joseph H. Harryman.
Noblesville-Miltiades Miller.
Danville-Asa Beck, John Newell.
Franklin-William W. Hibben.
Columbus-James V. Watson, Constant B. Jones.
Mooresville-Hiram Greggs.
Bloomington District.
Henry S. Talbott, Presiding Elder.
Bloomington-Amasa Johnson.
Springville-Philip May. Bedford-Ezra L. Kemp.
Greencastle-James L. Thompson.
Greencastle Circuit-Jonas L. Belotte. Putnamville-Thomas Ray. Spencer-William Meginnis.
Brown Mission-Eli P. Farmer.
Rockville-Charles M. Holliday. Russelville-Enoch Wood.
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Vincennes District.
John Miller, Presiding Elder.
Vincennes-John S. Bayless.
Terre Haute-John Daniel.
Terre Haute Circuit-Daniel Demott, Daniel H. Dickerson.
Carlisle-Thomas Bartlett, William J. Forbes.
Washington-Isaac McElroy.
Princeton-William Knowles.
Mount Vernon-Lemuel M. Reeves, Joseph S. Bar- wick.
Boonville-Anthony F. Robinson.
Rome-Jacob Miller.
Knox Mission-John M. Cole.
Crawfordsville District.
Allen Wiley, Presiding Elder.
Crawfordsville-Benjamin N. Barnes.
Crawfordsville Circuit-Joseph White.
Cole Creek-Thomas Poyner.
Covington-Cornelius Swank, Colbreth Hall.
Pine Creek-Ancil Beach. Lafayette-Lorenzo D. Smith.
Delphi-Burroughs Westlake.
Monticello-John H. Bruce.
Dayton-Halkaliah Vredenberg.
Frankfort-Thomas Brown.
Logansport-Jared B. Mershon.
Laporte District.
Richard Hargrave, Presiding Elder. Laporte-Boyd Phelps, H. Vanorder. South Bend and Mishawaka-Richard S. Robinson. Niles-James S. Harrison, Sanford S. Williams. Kalamazoo-Erastus Kellog, Jacob Colclazer. St. Joseph-William Todd.
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Elkhart-Thomas P. McCool.
Plymouth Mission-Thomas P. Owen.
Lagrange-George M. Boyd. Fort Wayne-Stephen R. Ball. Warsaw Mission-William Hulbert.
Deep River Mission-Hawley B. Beers.
Centerville District.
David Stiver, Presiding Elder.
Centerville-Elijah Whitten, Greenberry C. Beeks.
Winchester-Wade Posey, Isaac Kelso.
Newcastle-Alexander K. Miller.
Munceytown-Robert Burns, Francis H. Carey. Mississinewa-George W. Bowers.
Connersville-James Scott, John Kiger.
Liberty-George M. Beswick, John Hasty.
Pendleton-Francis M. Richmond, Mark Bruffy.
William Shanks, Samuel C. Cooper, William M. Dailey and John A. Brouse, agents for the Indiana Asbury University.
James Havens, agent for the Preachers' Aid So- ciety.
Edward R. Ames, transferred to the Missouri con- ference and stationed at St. Louis.
JOURNAL of the Seventh Indiana Annual Confer- ence held in Rockville, Parke County, Indiana, October 17, 1838.
Wednesday morning, 9 o'clock a. m., conference met according to appointment and was opened by Bishop Soule by reading a portion of the Holy Scrip- ture, singing and prayer.
The list was called and the following members be- ing present, took their seats: E. G. Wood, H. Vreden- burgh, E. Patrick, H. Hargrave, Wm. V. Daniel, James S. Harrison, F. C. Holliday, Erastus Kellog, John C. Smith, Elijah Whitten, James Jones, James Scott, Wm.
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W. Hibben, Geo. M. Beswick, C. B. Jones, S. C. Cooper, Amasa Johnson, Wm. M. Dailey, James L. Thompson, John A. Bruose, H. L. Dane, James Havens, E. P. Farmer, J. Tarkington, Miles Huffaker, William Smith, John Miller, J. M. Stallard, C. W. Ruter, Lewis Hul- bert, Daniel Demott, I. C. Harbin, Thomas Bartlett, A. Eddy, Allen Wiley, John W. Sullivan, Joseph White, Asa Beck, Ancil Beach, C. Bonnet, H. S. Talbott, James T. Robe, I. S. Belotte, Thomas Ray, C. M. Holliday, Enoch Wood, John S. Bayless, John Daniel, Aaron Wood, I. McEllroy, Isaac Owen, Cornelius Sevant, B. F. Griffith, Thomas I. Brown, Richard S. Robinson, S. S. Williams, David Stiver.
Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded to business. John C. Smith was elected secretary and C. W. Ruter assistant secretary. Conference resolved to hold but one session per day. Resolved, that con- ference meet at 8:30 o'clock a. m. and adjourn at 12:30 p. m. H. C. Talbott, Samuel C. Cooper and C. M. Holli- day were appointed a committee to superintend the congregations, and to appoint ministers to preach dur- ing the present session. Conference proceeded to elect the stewards, and on counting the votes, Samuel C. Cooper, James Scott and E. Patrick were declared duly elected.
Allen Wiley, Wm. M. Dailey and Augustus Eddy were appointed a committee to write the memoirs of the dead. The president presented a communication from the book agents of New York containing an ex- hibit of the condition of the book concern, which was referred to the book committee, viz: John A. Bruose, A. Wood and James T. Robe.
Conference then proceeded to consider the first question on the minutes, viz: Who are admitted on trial? Melville Wiley, Seth Smith, John Talbott, John L. Kelly, Hezekiah Smith, Lucian W. Berry, Cyrus Nutt, Lewis L. Allen, Henry B. Harrold, William F.
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Wheeler, George W. Stafford and William Wilson were admitted. Isaac Welsh was not admitted.
Conference adjourned.
Thursday, 8:30 o'clock a. m., conference met pur- suant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. First Journal read and approved, Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded to business. The vote by which C. W. Ruter was elected assistant secre- tary was reconsidered,1 and John Daniel was elected in his place. Resolved that the by-laws of the last ses- sion be adopted for the government of this session. Brother Wright, a book agent from Cincinnati, pre- sented a communication to conference exhibiting the condition of that establishment, accompanied with an address. The steward then spent some time in attend- ing to the pecuniary matters of the conference. A communication was made to conference from Brother Phelps containing the credentials of Gilbert Rose, formerly a local deacon in conference. Conference voted to draw on the book concern for four hundred dollars, and on the chartered fund for ninety dollars. A communication received from the managers of the Preachers' Aid Society, informing the conference that they were permitted to draw on that institution for two hundred and fifty dollars.
Conference then resumed the consideration of the first question on the minutes and Wm. H. Sampson, Francis A. Conwell and John Hull were admitted. And John Urcanbrack was readmitted, but Jacob Jameson was not admitted. The Presiding Elder has liberty to employ him if expedient. Moved that Isaac Welsh may be employed by the Presiding Elder if necessary. John Kesling was not admitted, but the Presiding Elder has liberty to employ him. L. Wiley was admitted, but
1 Upon being elected assistant secretary, C. W. Ruter ex- pressed his desire to resign on account of ill health, wherewith the vote was reconsidered and John Daniel was elected in his place.
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Joseph Ockerman was not admitted. Y. Games and Thomas S. Gunn were readmitted. John P. Sinclair was not admitted. James Hill, George Havens, E. Vanschorack, William Campbell, Josiah I. Cooper, Ebenezer Arnold and John B. Jenkins were admitted. On motion, resolved that conference adjourn to meet at 3 o'clock p. m.
Thursday, 3 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. Journals read and corrected and approved. Bishop Soule in the chair, conference proceeded to business. On motion, resolved that the Presiding Elder, in whose district I. P. Sinclair may reside, have liberty to em- ploy him if necessary. Conference resumed the con- sideration of the first question on the minutes, and Daniel K. Stright, Landy Havens, E. S. Sheffield, Joseph Byron, Samuel K. Young, George Stanley, Henry Worthington and Franklin Gage were admitted. E. Lank was not admitted. Thomas Hedrick, Daniel Dilling and Frederick Long were not admitted. But permission was granted to the Presiding Elder in whose districts they may reside to employ them if they think proper, also to employ Eli Rogers if his labors shoulds be required. Wm. C. H. Bliss was not ad- mitted nor William Weslake readmitted, but may be employed by his Presiding Elder should his labors be required. Conference adjourned.
Friday, 8:30 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 report of the trustees of the Indiana Asbury University was presented to conference, which referred to a committee consisting of Samuel C. Coop- er, A. Eddy, C. W. Ruter, A. Wiley and James L. Thompson.
Conference then proceeded to the consideration of the third question on the minutes, viz: Who are ad-
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mitted into full connection ? Wm. H. Good, E. L. Kemp, John H. Bruce, Wm. Frailey, I. B. Mershon, A. F. Robinson, Isaac Kelso, F. M. Richmond, George M. Boyd, Jacob Colclazier, G. C. Becks and Philip May, having been previously examined by the committee, were called forward and questioned and advised by the bishop as the discipline directs, after which their characters were severally examined, and they were all admitted, and elected to deacon orders, except F. Richmond, G. C. Becks and P. May, who were elected to elder's orders, having been previously ordained deacons.
Thos. P. McCool, John Newell and John Hasty were discontinued at their own request. John F. Truslow was discontinued in consequence of ill health. C. Hall and John M. Cole were discontinued. Wade Poesy, H. B. Beets were continued on trial.
A motion, Resolved that the president revise the course of study for the conference. The report of the Board of Visitors to the Indiana Asbury University was presented to conference, and on motion, was re- ferred to the committee, to whom was referred the re- port of the Board of Trustees of said university. Con- ference then proceeded to the consideration of the second question on the minutes: Who remain on trial ? Characters of Samuel Gillet, Isaac Crawford, Thomas S. Spillman, I. Royce, John B. Burt, John Edwards, M. Miller, Daniel H. Dickinson, Wm. Meggins, Joseph S. Barwick, Jacob Myers, Jacob Miller, Wm. I. Forbes, F. H. Casey, Thomas P. Owen, Emmons Rutledge, John Kiger, George W. Bowers, Alexander L. Miller, Amos Bussey, Silas Rawson and William Knowles were sev- erally examined and passed. John W. Weekly was, by a transfer from Ohio conference, received on trial. Joseph H. Hannaman, Thomas Poyner, Wm. Hulburt and Mark Bruffy were discontinued. On motion, con- ference adjourned to meet at three o'clock p. m.
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Friday, 3 o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. Jour- nal read and approved, Bishop Soule in the chair, con- ference proceeded to business.
The committee to whom was referred the report of the Board of Trustees of the Indiana Asbury Univer- sity presented their report, which was read and adopted, and on motion, ordered to be spread on the Journal as follows :
The committee to whom were referred the reports of the boards of trustees and visitors of the Indiana Asbury University have had the same under considera- tion, and take leave to report the following resolu- tions :
Resolved, 1st., That the thanks of this conference be presented to the board of trustees for their regular and prudent management of the institution over which they have presided.
Resolved, 2nd., That the president of the confer- ence be requested to appoint two agents from the con- ference to operate in behalf of said university.2
Resolved, 3rd, That we deem it inexpedient at this time to send an agent out of our state to solicit funds for our university.
"2 At the last annual Conference I was appointed one of the agents for the Indiana Asbury University. I commenced my work as an agent in Indianapolis when I spent two or three weeks during the session of the Legislature and did something very handsome among the members. My next point was Spencer, a little town of about 400 population and here I obtained subscrip} tions to the amount of $600. From here I proceeded to Rockville and from there to Crawfordsville and on to Terre Haute. From thence I came to Vincennes. To the astonishment of all I pro- cured in this place funds to the amount of $1,020. My next place was Washington, a little place of about 500 population. From common fame I thought it rather a gloomy outlook for an agent. but to their honor I procured notes to the amount of $700. I am now on my way to Carlisle, March 1, 1838. Yours,"
WILLIAM M. DAILY.
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Resolved, 4th, That the trustees are hereby respect- fully requested not to appropriate any part of the funds raised for a permanent endowment, for any other purpose than the payment of salaries of profes- sors, agents and the purchase of a library and appara- tus for the institution.
Resolved, 5th, That I. M. Allison be appointed a trustee to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of James Montgomery, and that Alexander T. Farrow, William Crumpton, James Nosler and John Wilkins be appointed to fill the places of Robert R. Roberts, S. E. Leonard, Jacob Hays and Martin M. Ray, whose seats have been declared vacant.
Resolved, 6th, That the secretary of the conference be requested to furnish a copy of report of the board of visitors for publication in the Western Christian Ad- vocate. Also a copy of these resolutions to the presi- dent of the board of trustees of the Indiana Asbury University-all of which is respectfully submitted.
S. C. COOPER, Chairman.
Conference then proceeded to the consideration of the fourth question on the minutes, viz .: Who are the deacons? The characters of Isaac McEllroy, Jacob M. Stallard, Benjamin F. Griffith, John F. Bayless and William D. Rops were severally examined and passed. Wm. B. Ross was located at his own request. Confer- ence proceeded to the consideration of the fifth ques- tion on the minutes, viz .: Who have been elected and ordained elders? And that characters of F. C. Holli- day, Isaac Owen, Thomas Bartlett, Sanford S. Will- iams, I. W. Sullivan, Daniel Demott, W. W. Hibben, C. B. Jones, Erastus Kellog and Henry Dane were sev- erally examined and elected to Elders' Orders. James V. Watson was not elected, and on motion changed to a superannuated relation. Conference adjourned.
Saturday, one-half past eight o'clock a. m. Con- ference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened
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according to rule. Journal read and approved. Bishop Soule in the chair. Conference proceeded to business. On motion, resolved, that Brother Wiley be requested to preach the funeral sermon of Brother Bames, de- ceased, on Sabbath at three o'clock p. m. S. C. Cooper, A. Eddy and H. S. Talbott were nominated a committee to estimate the table expenses of Bishop Roberts.
Conference proceeded to take up the case of local preachers recommended for Deacons' Orders. And Amos Bussey, Isaac Crawford, David Stucker, Mil- tiades Miller, John A. Spear, Jacob L. Pfoff, Hezikiah Smith, John Newell, E. Van Schoick, William Mc- Gimes, John P. Sinclair, Henry Behassol, Henry D. Lee, William Webb, Thomas C. Griffith, John Robin- son, Josiah I. Cooper, William H. Sampson, William C. H. Bliss, John Martin, Matthias Stover, C. Hall, James Taylor and John Crouch were elected to that office. John G. Gallaspy, R. K. McAllum, Hurbert P. Debuler, Lane W. Posey, Eli Rogers, Samuel Smith and G. Shannahan, were not elected. On motion the vote by which H. P. Debruler was elected to Deacons' Or- ders, was reconsidered, and after some debate on the vote, was taken and lost.
Conference then took up the case of local deacons recommended to Elders' Orders. Alfred I. Colton, Nathan Fairchild and John Decker were elected to that office.
The following preamble and resolution were read and adopted, to-wit:
Whereas, There has been a very general neglect in receiving members into full connection into the church, and,
Whereas, This neglect has been in consequence of the careless manner pursued in recording the names of probationers ; therefore,
Resolved, That each preacher of this conference appointed in charge of a circuit or station, in going to
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his charge, shall cause a church register3 provided in which shall be inserted the names of all members and probationers, stating clearly the dates when the proba- tioners joined on trial, and also who shall cease to be members in the circuit or station, whether by death, removal, expulsion or withdrawal, and the discontinu- ance of all probationers.
A. WILEY, C. W. RUTER.
The following resolution was read and adopted by motion :
Resolved, That the Presiding Elder be requested to inquire at their quarterly meetings if the preachers in charge have attended to the duties enjoined in the fore- going resolution. JAMES L. THOMPSON, SAMUEL C. COOPER.
Whereupon, the following resolution was unani- mously adopted :
Resolved, That we have no discretion in admitting persons to our love and class meetings (not members of our church) oftener than discipline permits.
A. EDDY, W. W. HIBBEN.
A communication was received from Amos Spark relative to his location by this conference and being read a motion was made to readmit him which was lost. A motion was made to reconsider the vote by which Clifford Shannahan was elected to Deacons' Orders, which failed. On motion, resolved, that the secretary of this conference be requested to furnish each Presid- ing Elder a copy of the resolution requiring each
3 The need of such a register was very much in evidence. At this time there were no public places for meeting, neither was there any scheduled time for meeting. The circuitous route over which the circuit rider had to travel together with the long inter- vals in which no service was held, made it almost impossible for him to remember the members of his congregation unless some written accounts were kept.
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preacher in charge to keep a church record. Confer- ence adjourned.
Monday, one-half past eight o'clock a. m. Con- ference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened according to rule. Journal read and approved. Bishop Soule in the chair. Conference proceeded to business. The members in society, after which conference pro- ceeded to fix, by ballot, its next annual session, and on counting the votes, Lawrenceburgh was found to have a majority of votes and was declared the place of hold- ing its next annual session of conference.
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