USA > Indiana > Circuit-rider days in Indiana > Part 16
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Monday, one half past eight o'clock a. m., confer- ence met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. Journal read and approved, Bishop Morris in the chair. Conference proceeded to business. L. Swormsteat read before conference an exhibit of the Western Book Concern, which was ordered to be filed with the conference papers. A communication was received from the secretary of the Indianapolis Bible Society, which being read, was, on motion, laid on the table. A communication from the New York conference respecting certain temperance resolutions, was read before conference, and on motion, Resolved that our conference concur with the resolutions of the New York conference on that subject, which carried by
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a vote of seventy-nine to aught. A communication from the New England conference, on the subject of Slavery was laid before the conference by the presi- dent, which, on motion, was acted upon without debate.2
On motion, Resolved that conference do not concur in said resolutions, which carried by a vote of eighty- one to 0, and on motion, resolved, that the balance of the resolutions from said conference be indefinitely postponed. Bishop then asked who are readmitted? William B. Kops, Allen D. Beasley, Henry Vanorder were readmitted. The stewards then spent some time in attending to their business. When conference pro- ceeded to the examination of the characters of the elders. And, on motion, Resolved that the Presiding Elders only be requested to withdraw from the room during the examination of characters, and E. G. Wood, E. R. Ames, S. S. Williams, H. S. Dane, F. C. Holliday, Joseph Tarkington, Charles Bonner, James Jones, Lewis Hulbert, C. B. Jones, C. W. Ruter, I. C. Smith, William V. Daniel, Philip May, Isaac Owen, Augustus Eddy, Allen Wiley, Frances M. Richmond, James Scott, W. W. Hibben, H. S. Talbott, C. M. Holliday, Amasa Johnson, E. Patrick, H. Vredenburgh, were ex- amined and passed. The characters of William H. Smith was examined and passed and his relation changed from supernumary to effective. The char- acters of Miles Huffaker, Samuel C. Cooper, Zachariah Games, were examined and passed. The character of John Kerns was examined and passed and his supernu- nary relation changed to effective. Asa Beck's char- acter passed and his relation continued superanuated. Robert Burns character passed and his relation
2 It is a significant fact that the communication on slavery came from the New England states, as there was situated the heart of the anti-slavery movement. The first Methodist anti- slavery societies were formed in New England. (Sweet Methodist Episcopal Church and the Civil War, 19-20.)
(14)
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changed from superannuated to effective. William Shanks character passed and his superannuated rela- tion continued. John Richie's character passed, and a motion was made to locate him, which, after some de- bate, was withdrawn. A motion was then made to render him effective, which was lost. It was decided that his superannuated relation be continued, which was carried. James V. Watson's character was ex- amined and passed, and his relation was changed from superannuated to effective. The character of John Miller was passed. Rodman Lewis's name was called, and after some debate, his case was, on motion, re- ferred to a committee of three, viz., A. Wiley, I. L. Thompson and Joseph Tarkington. The characters of John Daniel, Thomas Ray, J. C. Harbin, Daniel De- Mott, Thomas Bartlett, Thomas J. Brown, R. S. Rob- inson, James L. Thompson, Jonas L. Belotte, A. Beach, E. P. Palmer, were severally examined and passed, and Brother Farmer asked and received a local relation. John A. Brouse and Joseph White were examined and passed. On motion, Brothers Eddy, Ruter and Cooper were excused from acting on the financial committee, and, on motion, William C. Good, John S. Bayless and John Daniel were nominated and elected to fill those vacancies. Conference adjourned.
Tuesday, October 29th, one half past eight o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. On motion, the calling of the list was dispensed with the balance of the ses- sion. The Journal was read, amended and approved. Conference proceeded to business, Bishop Morris in the chair. Brother Swormstedt spent some time in attending to business of the Western Book Agency. The committee appointed in the case of Rodman Lewis reported as follows: The committee beg leave to re- port that from all the information they can get on the subject, there has been such a total disregard of pre-
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ordination vows and such duplicity on the part of the said Lewis, that your committee deem him unworthy of an accredited standing as a christian minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, or other respectable denomination, in view, however, of the facts, that he had connected himself with another denomination, and declared himself withdrawn from ours before any action was had in his case, we would recommend that it be stated upon the Journal of the conference, that said Lewis has withdrawn from our connection, and that it be so stated on the minutes of conference, of which is respectfully submitted.
A. WILEY, Chairman.
Said report was read, amended, and adopted, and, on motion, the secretary was requested to furnish said Lewis with a copy of said report. On motion, Aaron Wood was appointed to fill the vacancy in the Mission- ary Committee, occasioned by the absence of William Shanks.
Conference resumed the examination of the char- acters of elders, the characters of Aaron Wood, William Todd, John Eecanbrack, Erastus Kellog, Richard Har- grave, B. Weslake, Warren Griffith, James Havens, I. W. Sullivan, Elijah Whitten, David Stiver, were sever- ally examined and passed. Conference resolved, that Brother Stiver is justifiable in claiming quarterly for his wife. The characters of George W. Beswick, Enoch Wood, James T. Robe were severally examined and passed. Brother Robe asked and obtained a loca- tion.
The case of Joseph Barwick was considered and he continued on trial. On motion, the vote by which Joseph E. Beecher was admitted on trial was recon- sidered and his Presiding Elder asked and obtained leave to withdraw his recommendation. On motion, Resolved, that Brother Eddy be appointed to receive and pay over all centenary monies appropriated to any
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specific purposes, and that all other monies not thus appropriated by donors, shall be given to the Indiana Asbury University. A communication from the Board of Managers of the Preachers' Aid Society requesting the appointment of the Rev. James S. Harrison, as an agent for the society, during the present year, and, on motion, their request was granted. The committee to whom was referred the request of the agents of New York on the subject of postoffices, reported it imprac- ticable to comply with their request, and asked leave to be discharged from further considerations of the sub- ject, which was granted. Conference proceeded to fix the place of its next annual meeting, and on counting the votes, Indianapolis received the majority of votes. A motion was made to go into the election of delegates to General Conference, which was lost. Resolved, that the Bishop be requested to assign to the different mem- bers of the examining committee the respective branches of study on which each shall examine. Re- solved, that conference take up, examine, amend, and adopt the course of study prepared by Bishop Soule, or some other furnished by the Bishop now present. Signed by A. Wiley and A. Eddy.
On motion, Resolved, that the Bishop be requested to prepare a course of study for the preachers on trial for the first year, and appoint a committee to examine them. A motion was made to extend the course of study to the third and fourth year, which was lost. Conference adjourned.
Wednesday, one half past eight o'clock a. m., con- ference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened according to rule. The Journal was read, amended and approved. Conference proceeded to business, Bishop Morris in the chair. On motion, Resolved, that the Bishop be requested to transfer Joseph Marsee to this conference.
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Bishop Morris reported the following course of study for the first year, also the committee:
First year-The Bible, as to doctrine, with the aid of Wesley's Notes, and Watson's Dictionary, C. W. Ruter.
Wesley's Sermons-Aaron Wood.
Fletcher's Appeal-James Havens.
English Grammar and Composition-Ebenezer Patrick.
Second Year-The Bible generally, with the aid of Benson's or Clark's Commentary-A. Wiley.
The Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church -- A. Eddy.
Watson's Life of Wesley-Samuel C. Cooper.
The Doctrinal part of Watson institutes-E. R. Ames.
Ruter's Church History-M. Simpson.
English Grammar and Composition-J. C. Smith.
N. B .- The person first named for each year is chairman of the committee, and in case any member of his committee be absent, he shall conduct the examina- tion on the branch assigned such absent member or appoint some one to do it for him. On motion, Re- solved, that two hundred copies of study be printed for the use of conference, of the work can be done be- fore conference adjourns. On motion, F. C. Holliday and John S. Bayless were appointed a committee to attend to that business.
The stewards then presented their report which was read, amended and approved. The stewards re- ported the appropriation which they have made of funds arising from the Preachers' Aid Society, which on motion, was laid on the table.
On motion, O. S. Powell, boatman chaplain, at Cin- cinnati, was permitted to address the conference on the subject of his agency. Whereupon the following resolutions unanimously passed, viz., Resolved, that
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we cordially approve the object of the Boatmen Bethel Society on our navigible waters. A. Eddy, A. Wiley.
Second, Resolved, that we recommend to our mem- bers and ministers to aid in promoting religion among the boatmen within our bounds. A. Eddy, A. Wiley.
The number of members was then called for, after which the missionary committee made their report, which was adopted. When, on motion, the conference went into the election of delegates to the next General Conference and on counting the votes, A. Wiley, E. R. Ames, C. W. Ruter and A. Eddy were declared duly elected on the first ballot. On the second balloting, there was no choice. On motion, Resolved, that con- ference continue its present session half an hour. After three ballotings, Aaron Wood was declared duly elected. A committee of three were appointed to estimate the table expenses of Bishop Roberts. Brothers Ruter, Wiley and Thompson were elected that committee.
A preamble and resolutions were offered by C. W. Ruter and A. Wiley by which Bishop R. R. Roberts, in consequence of his increasing infirmities, be requested to remove to some prominent point in this state which may best suit his feelings, where his brethren and friends may have more ready access to him, that they may render him such attention as the church feels anx- ious he should receive. By a rising vote, conference unanimously resolved to make the request. On motion, resolved, that this conference will cordially receive Brother Edward Smith of the Pittsburgh conference, if the Bishop will transfer him.
On motion, resolved that conference adjourn to meet at half past two o'clock p. m., conference ad- journed.
3 Bishop Roberts, however, in spite of the urgent request of the Indiana Conference and of those of several personal friends in that Conference, declined to move. At his advanced age he did not think it wise to change his residence and form "new neighbor- hood alliances." (Elliott, Life of Roberts, 336.)
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Wednesday, one half past two o'clock p. m., con- ference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. The Journal read and approved, and, on motion, conference proceeded to business, Bishop Morris in the chair. Conference proceeded to elect two reserved delegates and on counting the votes, John C. Smith was elected on the first ballot, and John Miller on the second ballot. On motion, conference proceeded to elect nine visitors to the Indiana Asbury University. On counting the votes, A. Wiley, S. C. Cooper, James L. Thompson, Edward R. Ames, C. W. Ruter, J. C. Smith, James Havens, A. Eddy and H. S. Talbott were declared duly elected. The following resolutions were then offered and passed :
Resolved, that our delegates to the next General Conference be, and are hereby instructed, to use their influence to make the line dividing the state of Indiana and Michigan the northern boundary of this confer- ence. S. C. Cooper, James Havens.
Resolved, that our delegates to the next General Conference be, and they are hereby instructed, to use thir influence to make the line dividing the state of Indiana and Illinois the western boundary of the In- diana conference. S. C. Cooper, A. Wiley.
Resolved, that the preachers of this body be re- quested to return to the original plainness of Meth- odism i. e., that they all be requested to wear either the round breasted or plain frock coat. Thomas I. Brown, I. White.
Resolved, that a committee of three be appointed to employ a person suitable to record the names of donors of centenary offerings, and that said committee report to the next annual conference.
Resolved that said committee are hereby instructed to have said names recorded with india ink in a suit- able book, procured by them prepared for that pur- pose. A. Wiley, J. T. Robe.
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On motion, the committee formallly appointed to attend to this business was released, and, on motion, Brothers A. W. Morris and A. Harrison and the preacher in charge of Indianapolis station were ap- pointed that committee.
Joseph Carter was recommended from the Madison district and received on trial.
The report of the Board of Visitors of the Indiana Asbury University was read, and on motion, James Fisk and Daniel Harrell were elected to fill two vacancies in the Board of Trustees of said university in the places of Samuel Taylor and Calvin Fletcher, whose seats were vacated in consequence of their ab- sence.
On motion, the report of the stewards in reference to the income from the Preachers' Aid Society was adopted. On motion, conference adjourned.
Tuesday, one half past eight o'clock a. m., confer- ence met pursuant to adjournment and was opened ac- cording to rule, and Journal read.
On motion, the vote by which George M. Beswick was superannuated, was reconsidered and he received an effective relation. On motion, the vote by which Daniel Harrell was elected a trustee of the Indiana Asbury University was reconsidered, and, on motion, A. W. Morris was elected to that office. On motion, the vote by which Lewis Roberts was received on trial, was reconsidered and, on motion, his Presiding Elder ob- tained leave to withdraw his recommendation. The stewards made their report of the disposition which they had made of the funds which they obtained of the Preachers' Aid Society, as follows :
William H. Smith $56.50
H. Vredenburgh 60.00
J. Miller 20.00
J. L. Thompson 30.00
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J. Kerns 50.00
M. Huffaker 30.00
All of which is respectfully submitted.
The committee appointed to estimate the expenses of Bishop Robert's family, reported an allowance of $300, which was adopted. The financial committee presented their report, which was read, and on motion, was adopted and ordered to be published in the Christ- ian Advocate. The book committee presented their re- port, which was read, and on motion, adopted. Re- solved, that the American Colonization Society+ are entitled to the confidence and support of our ministers and members, and is therefore recommended to their charities and general co-operation. A. Eddy, E. R. Ames.
On motion, resolved that the Bishops be, and they are, hereby requested to appoint the next and follow- ing session some time during the month of September.
Resolved, that each preacher in charge be directed so soon as may be to make collections to defray the expenses of delegates to the next General Conference, and that they place the same in the hands of the dele- gates before they start to conference.
On motion, the stewards are directed to pay over the surplus to Thomas Owen. On motion, resolved that a vote of thanks be tendered to the citizens of this town for the hospitality shown to the preachers during the
4 This society was formed in the year 1816, in the city of Washington and very soon there were auxiliary branches formed in most of the states. "In its original formation and subsequent progress, in its avowals, arguments and acts, it was always sin- gularly inconsistent and illogical. It manifestly yielded and pan- dered to the wicked prejudice against race and color, and yet it called upon churches and Christians to assist in sustaining it as an essential part of the missionary enterprise." In reality its purpose was supposed to be that of taking the free negroes to Africa and there giving them a chance to govern themselves. ( Wilson. "Rise and Fall of the Slave Power in America," 208. )
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session of conference, and also to the pastors and mem- bers of the Presbyterian and Baptist Churches for the use of their houses of worship during the session of this conference. On motion, Resolved, that the editor of the Beacon be requested to publish the foregoing resolutions.
The appointments having been read by Bishop Morris, conference adjourned.
THOMAS A. MORRIS.
E. R. AMES, Secretary. Lawrenceburg, October 31, 1839.
APPOINTMENTS FOR 1839.
Madison District.
C. W. Ruter, Presiding Elder.
Madison-F. C. Holliday, Wm. M. Fraley.
Canaan-H. S. Dane.
Vevay-C. B. Jones, George W. Ames.
Rising Sun-S. T. Gillett, P. R. Guthrie.
Lawrenceburg-Wm. W. Hibben.
Wilmington-Charles Bonner, Hayden Hays.
Versailles-L. Hurlburt.
Paris-Amos Bussey, J. C. Harbin.
Indiana German Mission-To be supplied.
Charlestown District.
E. G. Wood, Presiding Elder.
New Albany-J. C. Smith, Wm. Knowls.
Corydon-J. A. Brouse, W. Malick.
Greenville-Thomas S. Gunn.
Rome-B. T. Griffith. Salem-W. V. Daniel, James Crawford. Charlestown-Isaac Owen, T. J. Doyle. Lexington-E. Rutledge, E. Oldham. Jeffersonville-William H. Goode.
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Indianapolis District.
A. Eddy, Presiding Elder.
Indianapolis-A. Wiley.
Noblesville-L. W. Berry, J. V. R. Miller.
Mooresville-Isaac Crawford, Thomas H. Rucker.
Franklin-Miles Huffaker, Isaac Kelso.
Shelbyville-R. Hargrave, Joseph Barwick. Rushville-James Hill, E. F. Remington.
Knightstown-J. B. Birt, J. L. Kelley.
Greenfield-F. M. Richmond, George Havens.
Pipe Creek Mission-S. S. Williams.
Agent for Preachers' Aid Society-J. S. Harrison.
Vincennes District.
John Miller, Presiding Elder.
Evansville -- John Daniel.
Mount Vernon-Henry Beharrel, Samuel H.
Rogers.
Princeton-Anthony Robinson.
Boonville-Stephen Ravenscroft, W. F. Wheeler.
Vincennes-John Kearns.
Washington-Silas Rawson.
Bloomfield-Isaac McElroy.
Carlisle-Thomas Ray, Jacob Miller.
Knox Mission-William Bratton.
Crawfordsville District.
T. J. Brown, Presiding Elder.
Lafayette-H. B. Beers.
Dayton-William Wilson.
Frankfort-Joseph White, George W. Stafford.
Covington-James L. Thompson, Walter L. Huff- man. Newtown-Allen D. Beasley, one to be supplied. Crawfordsville-Richard S. Robinson.
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Crawfordsville Circuit-Daniel Demott. Danville-Enoch Wood, Wesley Dorsey.
Greencastle District.
E. R. Ames, Presiding Elder.
Greencastle-John S. Bayless. Greencastle Circuit-H. Vredenburg, R. C. Rawly. Putnamville-W. H. Smith.
Russellville-Ezra L. Kemp. Rockville-Amasa Johnson.
Terre Haute-Ebenezer Patrick. Terre Haute Circuit-C. Swank, Thomas Bartlett. Alamo-John Edwards.
Indiana Asbury University-M. Simpson, C. Nutt, J. W. Weakly ; Samuel C. Cooper, agent.
Bloomington District.
H. S. Talbott, Presiding Elder.
Bloomington-Robert Curren. Springville-Alexander L. Miller. Bedford-C. M. Holliday. Brownstown-P. May, James R. Williams. Columbus-G. K. Hester, D. Chipman. Spencer-J. M. Stallard, L. Forbes. Paoli-William McGinnis, John Talbott. Brown Mission-Thomas F. Spillman. Richland Mission-George W. Walker.
Connersville District.
James Havens, Presiding Elder. Connersville-Miltiades Miller, G. W. Bowers. Centerville-J. W. Sullivan, Joseph Carter. Newcastle-James Scott. Liberty-John Kizer, Landy Havens. Brookville-James Jones, F. A. Conwell. Greensburg-William B. Ross.
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Milroy-E. Whitten, F. H. Cary. Scipio-Jacob Myers.
Richmond District.
Robert Burns, Presiding Elder.
Richmond-Joseph Tarkington.
Winchester-J. H. Bruce, Joseph Ockerman. Portland-Barden H. Bradbury.
Munceytown-John H. Hull. Marion-Daniel K. Stright. Andersontown-Hezekiah Smith.
Pendleton-John S. Donaldson.
Bluffton Mission-Seth Smith.
Logansport District.
George M. Beswick, Presiding Elder.
Logansport-John F. Truslow. Peru-Burroughs Westlake. Little St. Joseph's Mission-Samuel Reed.
Fort Wayne-Jacob Colclazer.
Delphi-Ancil Beach.
Independence-William Campbell, John Sougill.
Monticello-Joseph J. Cooper.
Rochester Mission-J. B. Mershon. Miami Indian Mission-J. L. Belotte.
South Bend District.
Aaron Wood, Presiding Elder. South Bend Station-David Stiver. Mishawaka-Warren Griffith. Goshen-George M. Boyd. LaGrange-Wade Posey, Lewis L. Allen. Steuben-S. K. Young, E. Holdstock. Laporte-Z. Games, George W. Baker. Kankakee Mission-William J. Forbes. Warsaw-Elza Van Schoick.
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Michigan District.
John Ercambrack, Presiding Elder.
Niles-William H. Sampson.
Edwardsburg-Joseph Byron.
White Pigeon-James V. Watson.
Centerville-Erastus Kellogg.
Kalamazoo-Harvey Van Order, O. S. Wells.
Berrien Mission-Franklin Gage.
Pawpaw Mission-Henry Worthington.
Allegon-William Todd.
Melville Wiley and Lysander Wiley transferred to the Missouri conference.
Ebenezer Arnold, transferred to Black River con- ference.
John B. Jenkins, transferred to Genesee confer- ence.
JOURNAL of the Ninth Annual Session of the In- diana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Indianapolis, Indiana, October 21st, 1840.
Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock a. m. conference met pursuant to adjournment, and no superintendent being present, on motion of E. R. Ames, Brother Eddy was requested to take the chair, and organize the con- ference. The conference was opened by Brother James Jones by reading a portion of Scripture, singing and prayer. The secretary of the former conference, hav- ing called the list, the following members answered to their names: Calvin W. Ruter, E. G. Wood, Thomas J. Brown, E. R. Ames, Augustus Eddy, John Miller, Henry S. Talbott, James Havens, Robert Burns, Geo. M. Beswick, Aaron Wood, Henry S. Dane, C. B. Jones, William W. Hibben, Lewis Hulbert, J. C. Harbin, John A. Brouse, William V. Daniels, Allen Wiley, R. Har- grave, John Daniel, John Kerns, Thomas Ray, Allen D. Beasly, Daniel Demott, Enoch Wood, John S. Bay- less, H. Vredenburgh, Amasa Johnson, E. Patrick,
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Cornelius Swank, Thomas Bartlett, Samuel C. Cooper, Charles M. Holliday, Philip May, J. W. Sullivan, James Jones, J. Tarkington, Ancil Beach, Jonas L. Belotte, Isaac Crawford, William McGinnis, Amos Bussy, E. L. Kemp, J. H. Bruce, J. B. Neishon, A. Robinson, Isaac Kelso, George M. Boyd, Jacob Colclazin, Samuel S. Gillet, John B. Burt, John Edwards, Jacob Myers, Francis Carey, Emmons Rutledge, John Kizer, George W. Bowers, Wade Posey, William Shanks, Greenbury C. Beeks, Charles Bonner.
On motion, Resolved, that conference proceed to elect a secretary by ballot, and on counting the votes, Edward R. Ames having received a majority of all the votes given, was declared duly elected. On motion, Resolved, that conference proceed to elect an assistant secretary, and on the second ballot, Ebenezer Patrick, having received a majority of the votes given, was de- clared duly elected. On motion, conference proceeded to elect a president pro tem. and on the third ballot, Calvin W. Ruter, having received a majority of all the votes given, was declared duly elected, and after hav- ing made a few appropriate remarks, took the chair, and conference proceeded to business.
On motion, it was resolved that conference will meet at half past eight in the morning, and adjourn at twelve o'clock noon. Conference then proceeded to elect three stewards by ballot, and Samuel C. Cooper, William Shanks and John Daniels having received a plurality of votes, were declared duly elected. On motion, it was resolved that a committee of three be appointed to appoint the preachers to officiate in the different churches during the session of the confer- ence, and also to superintend the congregations, and Augustus Eddy, Allen Wiley and John A. Brouse were appointed that committee. On motion, it was resolved that a book committee of three be appointed and Wil- liam V. Daniels, Charles M. Holliday and Samuel T.
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