USA > Indiana > Circuit-rider days in Indiana > Part 17
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Gillet were appointed that committee. On motion, it was resolved that the by-laws of the former session be adopted for the government of the conference, during its present session, and having been read, they were adopted without amendment. On motion, a committee of three to be denominated the committee on finance, was appointed, whose duty it shall be to take into con- sideration the best method of raising funds on the cir- cuits and in the stations, for the support of the preach- ers, and James Jones, Lewis Hurlbott and Zachariah Games were appointed that committee. On motion, conference adjourned.
Thursday, at half past eight o'clock a. m., confer- ence met pursuant to adjournment. Bishop Soule, having arrived, took the chair and opened the confer- ence by reading a portion of the sacred Scripture, sing- ing and prayer; the list was called, the journals read and approved, and conference proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair. On motion, it was resolved that the secretary be authorized to purchase a suitable book in which to transcribe all the proceedings of the Indiana annual conference, from its commencement, and to be used by the conference in the future. Bishop Soule presented a letter from the book agents, G. Mason and G. Lane, giving an exhibit of the Methodist Book Concern, January 1, 1840, which was read and filed among the papers of the conference, also an ac- count against the preachers of the conference which was referred to the appropriate committee. A com- munication from Bishop B. Waugh was read trans- ferring William M. Daily from the Missouri to the In- diana conference; also a communication from Brother Daily, which was also read and filed. The stewards called upon the members of the conference for an ex- hibit of their claims and receipts, and the amounts of the conference collections. The conference voted to draw on the book concern for six hundred dollars and
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also to draw on the chartered fund for seventy-five dollars. A communication from J. Bockman, chairman of the board of stewards of the Michigan conference, stating that their claim on the funds of this conference for the benefit of those preachers who were struck off together with the Michigan district to that conference, by the action of the late General Conference, amounts to $41.80, and on motion, the stewards were authorized to pay over the amount. On motion, it was resolved that in compliance with the recommendation of the late General Conference, we will sit with closed doors dur- ing the examination of character. Conference took up the consideration of the second question on the minutes, viz: Who remain on trial? And the characters of Peter R. Guthrie, Thomas J. Boyle, George W. Walker, George W. Ames, Edward Oldham, Washington Malick, Joseph Carter, Draper Chipman, Hayden Hays, Samuel H. Rodgers, James R. Williams, John V. R. Miller, John F. Truslow, Sealdes Forbes, Rosetter C. Rowley, were severally examined, passed, and they continued on trial. Robert Currain was discontinued at his re- quest. Elkanah F. Remington was discontinued. On motion, it was resolved that when conference adjourns, it adjourn to meet at two o'clock p. m., and that the afternoon session be exclusively devoted to examination of character. On motion, John Cowgill was discon- tinued. The character of George W. Baker, Stephen Ravinscroft, William Bratton, Walter L. Huffman, Wesley Dorsey, John S. Donaldson, Barden H. Brad- bury, Joseph Okerman, Samuel Reed, Enoch Holstock, were severally examined, passed and they continued on trial. When conference adjourned.
At two o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened by C. W. Ruter, by read- ing a portion of Scripture, singing and prayer : the list being called, the journals read, and approved, confer- ence proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair.
(15)
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Conference took up the consideration of the fourth question on the minutes, viz: Who are the deacons? And the character of Samuel T. Gillet, John B. Burt, John Edwards, Jacob Myers, Jacob Miller, Wm. J. Forbes, Francis H. Carey, Emmons Rutledge, John Keiger, George W. Bowers, Alexander L. Miller, Silas Rawson, William Knowles, John W. Weekly, Hauley B. Beers, Wade Posey, were severally examined, and passed. Conference took up the consideration of the fifth question on the minutes, viz: Who are eligible to elder's orders? And the characters of Isaac Craw- ford, Miltiodes Miller, William McGinnis, Amos Bus- scy, William H. Goode, Ezra L. Kemp, John H. Bruce, William M. Fraley, Jared B. Mershow, Anthony Rob- inson, George M. Boyd, Jacob Colclazer and William B. Rop, were severally examined, approved and passed, and elected to elder's orders, and William B. Rop, through his presiding elder, asked and obtained a location. Isaac Kelso was not elected to elder's orders, but his character passed.
The conference then took up the examination of the character of elders, whereupon, the character of Calvin W. Ruter, Enoch Wood, Augustus Eddy, John Miller, Thomas J. Brown, Edward R. Ames, Henry S. Talbott, James Havens, Robert Burns, George M. Beswick and Aaron Woode were severally examined and passed. On motion, conference adjourned.
Friday, at half past eight o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened by Rev. James Jones, by reading a portion of the Scripture, singing and prayer, the list being called, the journals read and approved, conference proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair. The stewards spent some time in attending to their business. The conference instructed the stewards to meet the claim of John H. Worthing, who was received on trial in this conference at its last session, but who in consequence of an omis-
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sion on the part of the superintendent was not ap- pointed to any work, and who died about the middle of the conference year. Conference proceeded in the ex- amination of the characters of elders. And the char- acters of F. C. Holliday, H. S. Dane, C. B. Jones, W. W. Hibben, L. Hurlbutt, C. Bonner, J. C. Smith, J. C. Harbin, J. A. Brouse, T. S. Gunn, B. T. Griffith, W. V. Daniel, Isaac Owen, A. Wiley, M. Huffacer, R. Har- grave, F. H. Richmond, S. S. Williams, J. S. Harrison, J. Daniel, J. Kearns, J. McElroy, Thomas Ray, Joseph White, J. L. Thompson, A. D. Beasley, R. S. Robinson, D. Demott, Enoch Wood, J. S. Bayless, H. Vreden- burgh, William H. Smith, Amasa Johnson, E. Patrick, C. Swank, T. Bartlett, S. C. Cooper, C. M. Holliday, P. May, G. H. Hester, T. F. Spilman, J. Tarkington, B. Westlake, A. Beach, J. S. Ballote, D. Stiver, L. Games, W. Griffith, J. W. Sullivan, J. Scott, J. Jones, E. Whit- ton, J. Richie, W. Shanks, Asa Beck, G. C. Beeks, W. M. Daily, M. Simpson, J. M. Stallard, were severally examined and passed. Sanford S. Williams, James L. Thompson, Hezikiah Vredenburgh, Burrows Westlake, Daniel Stiver and William M. Daily, through their representatives asked and received superannuated rela- tions. J. Richie, William Shanks, A. Beck, were con- tinued in their superannuated relation to this confer- ence. G. C. Beeks asked to have his relation changed from superannuated to effective, which was granted. Bishop Soule informed the conference that he received official information from Bishop Morris that he had transferred Joseph Marsu, an elder from the Kentucky annual conference, to this conference, and directed his name to be entered upon the list. The following pre- amble and resolution were offered: Whereas, the mar- riage and separation of Brother Daniel Stiver and his wife has been very unfortunate, and, whereas she has persisted for years in her refusal to live with him, the church is unwilling to recognize her as a claimant for
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support as his wife. Therefore, Resolved, by the In- diana annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, that we advise Brother Stiver to proceed im- mediately to take such steps as will effect a dissolution of his obligations to her.1 (Signed) Aaron Woode, G. M. Beswick. On motion, this subject was referred to a select committee of three and Matthew Simpson, Wil- liam M. Goode and Charles Bonner were appointed that committee. Resolved, that when conference adjourns it will adjourn to meet again at two o'clock p. m. Con- ference then took up the consideration of the first ques- tion on the minutes, viz: Who are received on trial? And Philip J. Beswick, recommended from the Charles- ton district; Charles B. Davidson, recommended from the Indianapolis district ; Daniel S. Elder, recommended from the Vincennes district, were admitted. Isaac Merrill, recommended from the Crawfordsville district, was not admitted. Whereupon conference adjourned.
At two o'clock p. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment and opened by Rev. James Havens by reading a portion of the Scripture, singing and prayer, the list was called, the journals read and approved and conference proceeded to business. Bishop Soule, in the chair, took up the third question on the minutes, viz: Who are admitted into full connection? And the can- didates having been called forward, were in a most solemn and impressive manner admonished by Bishop Soule, and questioned as the discipline directs. After which the committee on examination having reported, the characters of Seth Smith, John Talbott, John L. Kelly, Lucian W. Berry, Cyrus Nutt, George W. Staf- ford, F. A. Conwell, James Hill, J. H. Hull, George Havens, J. J. Cooper, James Crawford, J. S. Barwick,
1 The widow of a traveling, superannuated, or supernumerary preacher was allowed one hundred dollars per year. The single preachers were allowed one hundred dollars each. Married preachers received an allowance of two hundred dollars. (Meth- odist Discipline, 1840, pp. 169, 170.)
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were severally examined and passed and admitted and they were elected to deacon's orders, except L. W. Berry and J. J. Cooper, who, having been previously ordained, and being eligible, were elected to elder's orders. Wm. F. Wheeler, Elza Vanschoiack, Sandy Havens were continued on trial, to give them further time to make themselves acquainted with the studies required by con- ference. Hezekiah Smith was discontinued at his own request. William Wilson, William Campbell, Daniel F. Stright, Samuel K. Young were continued on trial. L. L. Allen was discontinued at his own request, in consequence of affliction. Henry Beharrall was dis- continued at his own request. On motion, conference adjourned.
On Saturday morning, at half past eight o'clock, conference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened by Rev. William Shanks, by reading a portion of Scripture, singing and prayer. The list was called and journals read and approved. Conference pro- ceeded to business with Bishop Soule in the chair. On motion, the vote by which William Campbell was con- tinued on trial was reconsidered, and he was discon- tinued at his own request, in consequence of ill health. On motion, the presiding elder, in whose district Isaac Merrill may reside, has leave to employ him, should he deem it necessary. Rev. John F. Wright, principal of the Western Book Concern, spent some time in making a verbal statement respecting the condition of the con- cern, and the necessity of prompt payment on the part of its debtors. Conference took up the consideration of local preachers, recommended to deacon's orders. Abner Keen, recommended from the Charleston dis- trict; Richard Hicks, Peter Hudson, Frederick Long, recommended from the Crawfordsville district ; Edward White and Ezekial Johnson, recommended from the Connersville district; David Semons, recom- mended from Richmond district; Eli Rogers and John
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F. Truston, recommended from Logansport district; George Rumsey and Austin Fuller, recommended from South Bend district, and William D. Cox, from the Madison district, and John W. Holland, recommended from the Indianapolis district, were elected to deacon's orders. William Falkner, from Indianapolis district, and Mark Bruffer from Greencastle district, were not elected. A motion made to sit with closed doors on the examination and election of elders, was lost. The con- ference took up the consideration of local deacons, recommended to elder's orders, and Thomas Harget and John Kisling, local deacons, recommended from Madison district, were severally examined and elected to elder's orders. Samuel Barett, from Indianapolis district, having certified his belief and adherence to the doctrines and discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was elected. Townsend Truslow was recom- mended from Indianapolis district, but on motion, his case was laid over. William Rector, recommended from Vincennes district, having certified to his belief in the doctrines and his adherence to the discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church was elected. Elam Genung, recommended from the Greencastle district, was examined and elected. Williamson Terril, recom- mended from the Bloomington district, was examined and elected. Thomas B. Connelly, recommended from the South Bend district, was not elected. Gehial H. Hard, from South Bend district, was elected. Town- send Truslow, having requested his representative to withdraw his recommendation, the conference gave per- mission to do so. Henry Brenton, recommended from the Indianapolis district, having been examined, gave assurance of his belief in the doctrines and his adher- ence to the discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was elected to elder's orders. John A. Decker, from Vincennes district, was readmitted.
Conference resumed the consideration of the first
.
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question on the minutes, viz: Who are admitted on trial? John B. Demotte, recommended from the Craw- fordsville district, was admitted. Elam Genung, recommended from Greencastle district, was admitted. Absalom Paris, recommended from Connersville dis- trict, was not received, but on motion, the presiding elder in whose district he may reside, has leave to em- ploy him should he deem it expedient. Asbury Wilkin- son, recommended from the Connersville district, was admitted. John L. Smith, recommended from the Richmond district, was admitted. James Black, recom- mended from Logansport district, was not admitted, but on motion the presiding elder, in whose district he may reside, shall have liberty to employ him, should he deem it necessary.
On Monday, half past eight o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened by Rev. A. Eddy, by reading a portion of the Scripture, singing and prayer. The list being called, the journals read and corrected, conference preceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair. On motion, conference resolved to attend the anniversary of the Preachers' Aid Society in the M. E. Church tomorrow at two o'clock. On motion, a committee of three was appointed, consisting of Henry S. Talbott, Allen Wiley and William Shanks, to estimate the table expenses of Bishop Roberts. Con- ference resumed the consideration of the first question on the minutes, viz: Who are admitted to trial? Col- breth Hall, recommended from Logansport district, was admitted. Charles W. Miller, recommended from South Bend district, was admitted. Morris Benton, recommended from Bloomington district, and Daniel McAntire, from Madison district, were admitted. George W. Shively, recommended from Charleston dis- trict, was not admitted, but on motion, the presiding elder in whose district he may reside, has liberty to em- ploy him, if he deems it necessary. Nathan S. Worden,
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recommended from Charleston district, was admitted. John W. Mellander, recommended from Indianapolis district, was admitted. Freeman F. Sheldon, recom- mended from Vincennes district, was admitted. Robert H. Calvert, recommended from Crawfordsville, was admitted. Thomas Goodwin, recommended from Greencastle district, was admitted. John C. Crouch, recommended from Connersville district, was not ad- mitted, but on motion, the presiding elder in whose district he may reside may, if necessary, employ him. Manlove Reid, recommended from Connersville dis- trict, was not admitted. On motion, the presiding elder in whose district John C. Crouch may reside, can, if he thinks expedient, employ him. Brenton Webster, recommended from Richmond district, was admitted. Samuel Smith, recommended from Logansport district, was admitted. Isaac M. Stagg, recommended from South Bend district, was admitted. W. D. Cox, recom- mended from Madison district, was not admitted. Wm. C. Smith, recommended from Indianapolis district, was admitted. Allen Skillman, recommended from Logans- port district, was admitted. Solomon B. Knapp, recom- mended from South Bend district, was not admitted, but on motion, the presiding elder, in whose district he may reside, has leave to employ him, should he deem it expedient. On motion of Rev. Allen Wiley it was re- solved that Alexander L. Miller be located in conse- quence of having absented himself from the state with- out giving the conference any information as to his intention of returning. F. M. Richmond, through his presiding elder, asked and obtained a location. James Scott, through his presiding elder, asked and obtained a superannuated relation to this conference. Asa Beck asked to have his relation changed from superannuated to supernumery, and a motion was made to reconsider the vote by which Brother Beck was continued in his superannuated relation, which was lost. The Bishop
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was called on to decide whether a supernumery preach- er has his full claim on the circuit where he labors, ir- respective of the service rendered by him? The Bishop decided that is not the present usage of the church to allow the full claim where full service has not be ren- dered. Resolved, that a committee of three be ap- pointed to report on the benevolent operations of the Church in Indiana, and also to make such suggestions as in their opinion may be calculated, when adopted, to promote increased action in our various benevolent enterprises. On motion, conference adjourned.
Tuesday, at half past eight o'clock a. m., conference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened by Rev. A. Wiley by reading of Scripture, singing and prayer. The list was called, the journals read and approved, and conference proceeded with business, Bishop Soule in the chair. The secretary presented the book which he was directed to purchase for the records of the con- ference, which was received and paid for by the mem- bers of the conference. Brother George Havens, through his presiding elder, asked and received a loca- tion. Brother John A. Brouse, through his presiding el- der, asked to have his relation changed from effective to superannuated, and his request was granted. The stewards then made their report, showing the total amount of claims of the members of the conference to be $30,645.20. Amounts received $21,818.38, leaving a deficit of $8,826.82. To meet which they have from fifth2 collections $173.81, from book corncern $600.00, from chartered fund $73.00, from conference collec- tion $39.40, which enabled the stewards to declare a dividend of3 443/4% on deficits. The report was adopted
2 The fifth collection was so called to distinguish it from the regular four quarterly collections taken to support the active min- istry. The fund went to the superannuated ministry. (See West- ern Christian Advocate, July 19, 1844, p. 55.)
3 There seems to be an error here in figuring out the per cent.
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and the funds distributed to the claimants. There being a surplus of $4.40 and a gold watch seal, the stewards were directed to present the same to Brother Vredenburgh. The stewards also report $1.32, which came into their hands after the formation of the re- port, which sum was voted into the hands of Brother J. Myers. The numbers in society were then taken and it was found that there has been an increase of 7,116 members during the past year. Conference then re- sumed the consideration of the first question on the minutes, viz: Who are admitted on trial? Whereupon John Kisling, recommended from the Madison district, was admitted. Martin J. Hofer, recommended from Madison district, was admitted. Eli C. Jones, recom- mended from Vincennes district, was admitted. On motion, the presiding elders in whose districts Wm. D. Cox and Manlove Reid may reside, shall have leave to employ them if expedient. Resolved, that it shall be the duty of those preachers in whose bounds superan- nuated preachers or widows, or orphans of preachers may reside to make special inquiry, concerning their circumstances, and, if orphans, whether they are re- ceiving a proper education? And report the same to the next conference. A communication signed by H. P. DeBruler, complaining that injustice had been done him by the quarterly conference of the Princeton cir- cuit, was received. The communication was, on mo- tion, referred to a committee of three, who shall have power to examine persons and papers, and report to this conference before the close of this session. Samuel C. Cooper, Enoch G. Wood and R. S. Robinson were appointed that committee. On motion, conference ad- journed.
Wednesday, at half past eight o'clock a. m., confer- ence met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened If there were no other funds received than here enumerated the dividend declared was a little over 10 per cent.
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by Rev. Samuel C. Cooper by reading a portion of the Scripture, singing and prayer. The list was called, the journals read and approved, and the conference pro- ceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair. The mission committee presented their report showing an appropriation for the support of missions, within the bounds of the conference, amounting to $905.00 for the current year. The report was concurred in by Bishop Soule. The book committee presented their report, which was adopted. The committee to whom was referred the case of Brother DeBruler report that in their opinion the said DeBruler had no right to appeal to this body. The report was adopted. The financial committee reports the following resolution : "Resolved, that the principle laid down in the report of the financial committee of last year is the only one which can prove just and give general satisfaction." The report was adopted. The stewards reported that they were authorized to draw on the Preachers Aid Society of the Indiana annual conference for $409.69, which was distributed as follows :
To H. Vredenburgh $100.00
To R. Hargrave
40.00
To J. Richie 50.00
To Miles Haffaker 29.69
To Wm. H. Smith 100.00
To C. Bonner 40.00
To J. L. Thompson 50.00
The above report was adopted. The committee to estimate the table expenses of Bishop Roberts reported the sum of $400.00, which was adopted. The commit- tee appointed at the last conference to have the moneys and donations for centenary purposes recorded in a proper book, reported that they have attended to the business assigned them, which book cost $4.38. J. Soule presented his account for recording the names
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of the donors, and it was resolved that he be paid out of moneys which may have been or shall be collected for centenary purposes. The first annual report of the joint Board of Trustees and Visitors of the Indiana Asbury University was presented and accepted, and ordered to be printed in the Western Christian Advo- cate. The following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted: Whereas, Divine Providence has greatly prospered the Indiana annual conference, in her endeavors to establish a valuable institution of learning, and, whereas, said institution is greatly in need of a valuable library, chemical and philosophical apparatus, commensurate with her high destiny, and, whereas, it will need $20,000 to procure such library and apparatus, and whereas, Bishop Soule expects to visit Europe in 1842, and he would be a suitable agent to aid in the purchasing of such part thereof as it will be necessary to purchase in Europe, therefore, be it re- solved, that relying on Divine Providence, we mutually pledge ourselves to use our best endeavors to raise the said sum of $20,000 before Bishop Soule sails for Europe. (Signed) Allen Wiley, C. W. Ruter. Re- solved, that each preacher in the Indiana conference be requested to exert his influence to procure annually one or more suitable students for the Asbury Univer- sity. (Signed) S. C. Cooper, Allen Wiley. Resolved, that the twenty-fifth day of December next, be set apart to be observed as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God for the mercies of the past year, especially for the unexampled increase in the membership of the church, and that we will recom- mend all our people to make on that occasion a mis- sionary thank-offering. A. Eddy, W. W. Hibben. The committee, to whom was referred the peculiar situation of Brother Stiver, reports that it is inexpedient for this conference to give any advice in the case, in which report the conference concur. The agent for the uni-
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