USA > Indiana > Circuit-rider days in Indiana > Part 21
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The conference resumed the examination of elders, and the characters of Benjamin P. Griffith, William Shanks, John A. Brouse, H. Vredenburgh, Asa Beck and William H. Smith were examined and passed, and they were continued in a superannuated relation.
The name of William M. Daily having been called, on motion, his case was laid over to allow brethern the opportunity of conversing with him.
The name of William M. Fraley having been laid over, his character was examined and passed.
The recommendations of local preachers to deacons orders, were now taken up, and the following brethern were elected to deacons orders, viz: Parmenius J. Rosecronts, from the Madison district; John W. Willey and Pleasant E. Boyse, from the Charlestown district; Richard J. Tindall, from the Vincennes district ; Nathaniel Jones, from the Greencastle district; Hugh Wells, from the Crawfordsville district; James Red- ding, from the South Bend district; George C. White- man, George Guild, William Curtis and Ezra Lank, Jr., from the Winchester district; David Alley and Alvah Stone, from the Connersville district; James King, from the Bloomington district, and Isaac Martindale, John Robe and David Crawford, from the Indianapolis district ; also William Faulkner, recommended from the Greencastle district, and Charles McCarty, recom- mended from the Winchester district, were not elected.
The following persons, duly recommended from these several districts, and having certified or testified their belief in the doctrines of our Church, and their adherenc to our discipline, were elected to elders orders, viz: Joseph Wheeler, from the Vincennes dis- trict; William Campbell, from the Crawfordsville dis-
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
trict; Townsend Truslow, from the Winchester district ; James Taylor and Presley S. Silvoy, from the Con- nersville district, and Thomas W. Sargent, from the Indianapolis district.
The numbers were then read in the conference and there appeared as follows:
The time of adjournment having arrived, confer- ence was closed with prayer by Brother Patrick.
Monday morning, October 24th, 1842. Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened with reading, singing and prayer by Brother Burns, and the Journals were read and approved.
Bishop Morris then presented the following list of brethern by him ordained on yesterday (the 23) as deacons and elders, viz :
Deacons: Charles W. Miller, Daniel McIntyre, John W. Mellander, Robert H. Colvert, Brinton Web- ster, Allen Skillman, Charles B. Davidson, John B. De- Motte, Asbury Wilkenson, Thomas A. Goodwin, Wil- liam C. Smith, Eli C. Jones, Hayden Hays, Washington Maylick, Pleasant E. Royse, Richard J. Lyndall, David Crawford, David Simmons, Stephen Norman, Edward White, George C. Whiteman, David Alley, George Guild, Ezra Lank, Jr., Elijah Harbour, Alvah Stone and Charles Clemmons (colored) 27.
Elders: John F. Truslow, Barden H. Bradbury, Seth Smith, Cyrus Nutt, Francis A. Conwell, James Hill, Joseph S. Boswick, John L. Kelly, George W. Stafford, John H. Hull, James Crawford, Silas Rawson, Townsend Truslow, James Taylor and Presley S. Sil- vey, 15. Total, 42.
Brother Ruter, chairman of the financial committee reported, which report was adopted and filed among the conference reports.
Brother Swormstedt addressed the conference on the subject of the Book Concern, and reported sever-
Members
Meeting
Houses.
Parsonages.
S. Schools.
Superin-
tendents.
Teachers.
Scholars.
Volumes.
Local
Preachers.
White. Colored.
Mission
Monies.
Madison District.
4-4
3
20
38
164
1.228
1,567
40
5.618
117
275.42
Charlestown District __ 42
4
12
16
102
755
783
60
5,897
26
133.70
Vincennes District ____ 28
6
15
15
97
715
1,124
40
5,199
72.691%
Greencastle District __ 37
4
20
21
99
800
590
44
5.048
17
61.99
Crawfordsville Dist ___
30
2
23
23
605
554
33
4,675
5
135.671%
Lafayette District ____
12
3
10
13
50
439
484
15
4.003
57.4314
South Bend Dist .__.
13
2
45
48
277
1,647
3,043
32
3,067
2
234.06
Fort Wayne Dist ._
6
12
12
59
497
880
18
2,390
4
30.66
Winchester District ___ 43
3
16
26
71
723
651
40
5,855
14
21.72
Connersville Dist .____. -
54
3
20
29
238
1,317
3,26
59
7.353
18
218.00
Bloomington District __ 34
6
12
15
48
3,336
813
43
5,699
15
99.18
Indianapolis Dist. 40
4
24
37
131
1,161
1,447
49
7,444
20
459.18
383
40
229
293
1,416
10.223
15.200
473
62.248
245
1,798.71$4
473
62,721
Last year
53,146
235
Increase
9,575
10
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
285
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
ally, cases for conference action, which were disposed of as follows, viz:
The claims on Robert Johnson and S. H. Rogers were advised to be considered by the agents as lost debts.
The claims on Jonas L. Belotte and Amasa Johnson were referred to a committee consisting of Brothers Gillet, Games and Scott.
The claims on Dr. Oglesby were referred to the preacher in Third street charge, Madison, and the claims on J. Williams were referred to the preacher on Martinsville circuit ; Brother Balue referred to preach- er on Ft. Wayne; Brother Beharrals to preacher at New Albany ; T. J. Doyles' account referred to preacher on Charlestown circuit, and the secretary was directed to furnish Brother Swormstedt a copy of these reso- lutions.
A collection was now taken up to defray the ex- penses of Bishop Roberts' portrait, and on motion of Brother Wiley, the portrait was ordered to be placed in the college chapel immediately behind the rostrum, and covered with a suitable cloth, and Brother S. C. Cooper was appointed an agent to carry the resolution into effect.
The chair appointed M. Simpson, J. S. Bayless and E. Patrick as a committee to write a pastoral address as alluded to in the financial plan. The conference ordered the printing of one thousand copies of the financial plan, and F. C. Holliday and Thomas A. Good- win were appointed said committee.
On motion of Brother Goode, William V. Daniel was appointed on the committee on periodicals in place of M. Simpson.
Brother William M. Daily's name being called and a charge having been preferred against him, on motion of Brother S. C. Cooper, the matter was referred to a
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
committee, and Brother Thompson, James Jones, Daniel DeMotte, William V. Daniel and Joseph Marsee.
The hour of adjournment having arrived, confer- ence was closed with prayer by Brother Scott.
Tuesday morning, October 25th, 1842. Conference met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with reading, singing and prayer by Brother Brouse; and the minutes were read and approved.
A communication was received from Henry Bren- ton, praying for redress, which was read and laid upon the table, conference declining any action in the premises.
Brothers Sebon and James, agents of the Bible cause, were introduced to conference, and on sugges- tion of Brother James, a committee was appointed con- sisting of Brothers Wiley, Brown and Ames, to confer upon the Bible cause and report to this conference.
The committee on the case of Brother William M. Daily reported that: "After having the persons re- ferred to, consisting of Brothers Cooper, Hargrave, Holliday, Hibben, Hays, Cary, Stiver, Goodwin and John Daniel, are of opinion that no ground of im- peachment whatever exists in reference to the case of Brother William M. Daily, and therefore unanimously recommend that his character be passed without cen- sure by this conference. James L. Thompson, Presi- dent; J. Marsee, J. Jones, D. DeMott, William V. Daniel, Secretary. Which report was adopted, and his relation was changed from superannuated to effective.
The committee on Brother Belotte's case reported as follows: That after hearing the testimony of sev- eral brethern, they have no evidence to convince them that Brother Belotte has in any way wronged the in- terpreter employed by him.
As it regards some other matters, the committee find themselves in an embarassing and painful condi- tion. If there be no mistake in the understanding and
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
memories of Brothers Cooper and Beswick, the com- mittee is led to the conclusion that Brother Belotte did obtain an additional appropriation of missionary funds at the Indianapolis conference by false represen- tations, in stating that he had paid the wages and ex- penses of the interpreter out of his own salary. All of which is respectfully submitted.
ALLEN WILEY, Chairman Committee.
Centerville, October 22nd, 1842.
J. L. Thompson, T. J. Brown.
Testimony was then produced, and Brother Belotte made his defence. (See minutes kept among confer- ence papers.) After Brother Belotte retired, the re- port of the committee was accepted and filed among the conference papers. After some discussion, the fol- lowing motion was made by Brother Johnson: "Re- solved, that in the opinion of this conference the mis- sionary committee were deceived in making the addi- tional appropriation in Brother Belotte's case, but that he did not willfully or intentionally deceive them," which was adopted. Whereupon, on motion of Brother Holliday, it was resolved, that Brother Belotte be re- quired to refund the sum of $42.50 to the Missionary Society, that being the sum collected by him while on the Miami Mission. And on motion, his character passed, and he was located at his own request.
On motion, resolved, that in the decision on Brother Belotte's case, this conference did not in the least de- gree, discredit the testimony of Brothers Cooper or Beswick.
On motion of Brother Miller, the decision of this conference in the case of Brother Griffith was recon- sidered, and his relation was changed from superan- nuated to effective.
On motion of Brother Havens, the case of Brother
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
Scott was reconsidered and he was placed on a super- numerary relation.
On motion of Brother Burns, Brother Ockerman obtained a location at his own request.
The committee on the Bible reported, and after an eloquent and impressive address by Brother Janes, their report was adopted and filed among the papers.
On motion of Brother Ruter, it was resolved that when conference adjourn, it will adjourn to meet at half past one o'clock to take up the first question of the minutes.
On motion, resolved, that the secretary furnish a copy of the resolution upon the Bible cause to the corresponding secretary of the Bible Society at New York.
The time having arrived, conference adjourned.
Tuesday afternoon, October 25th, 1842. Confer- ence met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with reading and prayer by Brother Kisling, and the minutes were read and approved.
The first question of the minutes was taken up, and the following persons were properly recommended and admitted, viz:
Hozier J. Durbin from the Madison district.
Pleasant E. Boyse from the Charlestown district. Elijah Lilleston from the Vincennes district.
Philip J. Beswick from the Greencastle district. Jacob Cozad from the Lafayette district.
Nelson Green from the South Bend district. John P. Jones from the Fort Wayne district. Arthur Badley from the Winchester district.
John P. Lansey from the Connersville district. Isaac J. Crouch from the Indianapolis district. John S. Winchester from the Madison district. John H. Clippinger from the Vincennes district. Henry C. Benson from the Greencastle district. William Anderson from the Winchester district.
(19)
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
Samuel P. Crawford from the Connersville district.
Thomas M. Eddy from the Connersville district. William G. Stonex from the Madison district. John P. Parrott from the Vincennes district. Oliver H. P. Ash from the Greencastle district. F. F. Sheldon from the Indianapolis district. Elisha W. Cadwell from the Madison district.
Greenlee H. McLaughlin from the Greencastle dis- trict.
James Webb from the Connersville district.
Thomas C. Crawford from the Greencastle district. Samuel B. F. Crain from the Connersville district. William Shreck from the Connersville district.
John Robinson from the Lafayette district and Samuel Hicks from the Madison district were not ad- mitted. J. F. Robe, an applicant for readmission, was not received.
On motion of Brother Ruter, the presiding elder has leave to employ Brother Hicks if necessary.
On motion of Brother S. C. Cooper, the memorial of H. Brenton was placed in the hands of the elders of Indianapolis district, to be returned to him with the reasons why it could not be entertained.
On motion, conference adjourned and was closed with prayer by Brother Griffith.
Wednesday morning, October 26th, 1842. Confer- ence met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with reading, singing and prayer by Brother Spillman, and the minutes were read and approved.
The Bishop then announced the following commit- tee of examination for the following year, viz :
On the Bible-Allen Wiley.
Wesley's Sermons-James Havens.
Fletcher's Appeal-James Jones.
Discipline-C. W. Ruter.
Watson's Life of Wesley-Aaron Wood.
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
The Doctrinal part of Watson's Institutes-A. Eddy.
Ruter's Church History-M. Simpson.
English Grammar and Composition-E. Patrick.
Geography-C. Nutt.
The stewards then made their report, by which it appears that the whole amount of claims are $37,- 267.36. The whole amount of receipts $22,362.58 and the deficit $14,904.78. That there had been raised to meet the deficiency as follows: Fifth collection, $202.51; Book Concern, $800; Chartered Fund, $61; Total, $1,063.51. And the dividends were distributed according to their report, after it had been adopted by the conference.
Which report is filed among the papers of confer- ence. On motion, the balance in the hands of the stewards, after deducting incidental expenses, be ap- propriated to meet the printing of the financial plan. On motion, Brother S. C. Cooper was appointed to correspond with Sister Barnes and endeavor to procure the relinquishment of the claim of her child in favor of the debt due the Book Concern.
The following resolutions were presented and adopted, viz :
"Resolved, that the members of this conference and the preachers on trial be required to procure from the recording stewards of their circuits and stations a cer- tificate of their amount of quarterage and receipts and hand it to the stewards of conference on first day of session and that the stewards be requested to make out their report from said certificates.
"Resolved that the presiding elder be required to see that the above resolution is carried into effect in their districts respectfully. S. C. Cooper, C. Nutt."
Joseph F. Randolph, recommended from Green- ville circuit, North Ohio conference, was admitted into traveling connection.
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
The committee on book claims reported as follows : "Resolved, that the claim of the Book Concern against Brother J. L. Belotte be placed in the hands of the preacher in charge, within whose bounds he may reside, and that he immediately secure the claim by mortgage or otherwise, and that Brother Belotte be allowed until the 30th of April, 1843, to pay one half, and until the next annual conference to pay the residue of said claim. Which was adopted.
Resolved that the account of Brother A. Johnson be placed in the hands of his presiding elder, and that he be expected to pay one half of the claim against him by the 31st of January, 1843, and the residue one year from that time, and in event of failure, to pay the first instalment the elder have the claim secured by mort- gage or otherwise, which report was adopted.
The following report was presented and adopted, viz: The committee to whom was referred the dis- course of Bishop Hedding on the administration of discipline, have had the same under consideration, and report that although they have some small objections to some parts of it, yet as a whole, they regard it as a safe directory in the administration of the discipline, and would recommend it to the conference for that purpose.
The report of the visitors of the university was read and adopted, and filed among the conference papers. And conference proceeded to elect nine visit- ors for the ensuing year. And on motion of Brother J. C. Smith, a plurality should determine the election. And after the vote was taken, a committee (of three) consisting of C. Nutt were appointed to count the votes while the conference proceeded to business. On mo- tion, the Bishop was requested to promote Brother S. C. Cooper, an agent of the university, for the ensuing year. On motion, Mr. John M. Allison of Greencastle, was elected a trustee in the university in conformity
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
with the provisions of the charter. On motion of Brothers Eddy and Ruter it was resolved by this con- ference, that we use our best endeavors in our different fields of labor to increase the number of suitable stu- dents in the Indiana Asbury University.
The report of the mission committee was adopted and filed among the papers of conference, and on mo- tion of Brother Wood, W. H. Goode was appointed on said committee in the place of Brother Brown.
On motion, conference proceeded to fix by nomina- tion, the place of holding conference next year, and New Albany, Madison, Indianapolis, Crawfordsville and Charlestown were nominated, and Crawfordsville was selected, and the Bishop announced October 18th, 1843, as the time of said conference.
On motion of Brothers Bayless and Holliday, it was resolved, that a committee be appointed to inquire whether any of the ministers who have officiated in either of the churches during the present session of our conference, have indulged in bitter uncharitable and unchristian denunciatitons of the particular tenets of sister evangelical churches." And the chair ap- pointed J. S. Bayless, F. C. Holliday and J. Marsee.
The stewards presented an additional report, which was adopted.
The following resolutions were offered and adopted, viz: "Resolved, that Friday, the 30th of December next, be set apart as a day of fasting or abstinence and prayer, within the bounds of this conference, and that we recommend to the people of our respective charges to commence on that day a four days' meeting, and that such meeting may be protracted when circum- stances will justify it, and also that the twenty-fifth of the same month be observed as a day of thanksgiving, and that each preacher be requested to preach one sermon on the occasion. William V. Daniel, John W. Brouse."
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
"Resolved, that during this conference year we will endeavor at the close of each day in the twilight, espe- cially to remember our brethern of the Indiana confer- ence at a throne of grace, praying each for the others, that we may be preserved from evil, and that we may greatly increase in knowledge, in holiness, and in use- fulness, and be preserved blameless with the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. C. W. Ruter, A. Eddy."
The report of the committee on book and periodicals was accepted and filed.
"Resolved, that the payment of the balance due on the bill for Bishop Roberts' portrait be deferred till next conference, and Brothers Cooper and Nutt be a committee to appropriate the amount collected. G. M. Beswick, George W. Ames." Adopted.
The committee on periodicals made their report, which was adopted and filed among conference papers, and the following resolution was adopted: "Resolved, that we consider it the duty of each minister in this conference to exert himself to sustain our periodicals generally, and especially the Western Advocate and Ladies Repository."
The committee to count the votes for visitors to the university reported the following persons elected, viz: C. W. Ruter, L. W. Berry, A. Eddy, W. H. Goode, A. Wiley, G. M. Beswick, J. C. Smith and S. T. Gillett, and that James Havens and Aaron Wood were a tie, whereupon conference elected James Havens.
Resolved, that the money raised to make a life director in the Bible Society be so applied, as to make that itinerant preacher a life member who has traveled the greatest number of years in the state of Indiana, E. Patrick." Adopted.
The committee on division of the conference re- ported, and the report was accepted, and the resolu- tions appended were disposed of as follows :
Resolved, that it is expedient to divide the Indiana
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
conference. Adopted. Resolved, that the National road be the line, and that all towns from the state line, east to Indianapolis, on this road, be included in the Northern conference, and that Indianapolis, and all the towns west to the state line, be included in the South- ern division of the conference." The first part as to National road being the line, adopted, the second post- poned with directions to presiding elders to prepare two plans. Resolved, that the Southern conference be called the South Indiana Conference, and the northern, North Indiana Conference. Adopted. Resolved, that the superannuated preachers, widows and orphans be divided between the conferences, according to the numerical strength. Adopted.
Resolved, that the board of trustees of the univer- sity be divided into two classes: the first twelve; the second thirteen; and the first hold the same relation to the North Indiana Conference as the whole board does at the present time to the Indiana conference ; and the second class hold the same relation to the South Indiana Conference. Adopted. Resolved, that the visitors to the Asbury University be appointed five in one conference, and four in the other, alternately; the highest number being first appointed by the South Indiana Conference. Adopted.
Resolved, that the preachers along the National road, be requested to arrange their work during the present year, that the societies near the line on each side may fall in case of a division into the separate conferences. Adopted.
Resolved, that the managers of the Preachers' Aid Society be divided into classes of four and five, and that the vacancies in the former be supplied by the North, and in the latter by the South Indiana Confer- ence, according to the provisions of the charter." Postponed.
Resolved that the proceeds of the Preachers' Aid
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
Society be divided between the conferences in propor- tion to the members of conference in each division." Adopted.
The pastoral address was presented and read and the following resolutions adopted by a rising vote : "Resolved, that the addresses be adopted by the confer- ence signed by the president and countersigned by the secretary, and forwarded to Cincinnati with a request to the editors of the Western Christian Advocate and German Apologist, to publish it at their earliest con- venience. C. W. Ruter, Allen Wiley."
Resolved, that the presiding elder of the Green- castle district and secretary of the conference be a committee on the distribution of the missionary debt, and that they make the distribution according to the numerical strength, and that they report through the Western Christian Advocate, as soon as possible." Adopted.
"Resolved, that the preachers raise the respective sums assigned them by the 4th of July, 1843, and re- port the same to the assistant treasurer at Cincinnati. J. A. Brouse, J. W. Sullivan." Adopted.
"Resolved, that this conference request each preacher in charge to inquire into the state of our church property relative to deeds and trustees, and that they be required to report to a committee, to be appointed at the next conference." Which was adopted.
On motion, resolved that when conference adjourns it adjourn to meet at 2 o'clock p. m. in the new meet- ing house in this town. C. W. Ruter, A. Eddy. Adopted.
Resolved, that the secretary of this conference be directed to forward any of the papers of this confer- ence (at his discretion) to the Western Christian Ad- vocate for publication. Allen Wiley, A. Eddy. Adopted.
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
The time of adjournment having arrived, confer- ence was closed with prayer by Brother Havens.
Wednesday afternoon, October 26th, 1843. Confer- ence met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with reading, singing and prayer, by Brother H. S. Talbott, and the Journals were read and approved.
Resolved, that a vote of thanks be respectfully tendered to the citizens of Centerville for their kind hospitalities to the members of the Indiana conference during its present session, and that this expression be publicly announced by the preacher who shall next Sabbath officiate in this place. C. W. Ruter, A. Eddy. Which was unanimously adopted by a rising vote.
The committee appointed to inquire in reference to the preaching during this conference, made a verbal report, and were discharged from the further con- sideration of the subject.
Some resolutions in reference to the Sabbath School Union were now taken up and adopted as follows, viz:
Resolved, that the secretary of this conference be instructed to forward the Sunday school report of this conference to the secretary of the Sunday School Union, of the Methodist Episcopal Church at New York.
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