USA > Indiana > Circuit-rider days in Indiana > Part 23
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The character of Thomas F. Spillman was exam- ined and passed and he was granted a located relarton.
The name of John Ritchie having been called, and he having two years since been requested by the con- ference to locate, and having during the last year de- clined to fill the appointment, which was given him as
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
a supernumerary, his presiding elder, understanding from him that he designed to locate at this conference, and some allegation having been made against him, and he not being present to answer, the conference lo- cated him, and directed his presiding elder to withhold his certificate of location until the allegations against him shall have been properly examined.
The characters of the superannuated preachers were now taken up, and the character of Wm. H. Smith, H. Vredenburgh, Wm. Shanks, James L. Thompson, J. C. Harbin, Wm. Knowles were exam- ined and passed, and they were continued in a super- annuated relation and Brother Knowles was elected to elders' orders.
The characters of John H. Brouse, H. S. Dane and Thomas J. Brown, were examined and passed and placed in an effective relation.
The name of George H. Breuing having been called, the following resolution was adopted : Whereas Brother Breuing was transferred to this conference without knowledge from the Ohio Conference, and whereas he was at the time of his transfer a broken down or superannuated man, and is unable and has been unable to do effective work, and whereas the con- ference believes, it is a violation of the rights of an- nual conferences to have men unable to labor trans- ferred to them without their consent, to become pen- sioned upon their funds: Therefore, Resolved, that while the character of Brother Breuing be passed, the conference request the bishop to transfer Brother Breuing to the Ohio Conference, and the Indiana Con- ference do hereby protest against the propriety of such transfers, and especially against the Episcopacy super- intending the Ohio Conference at its session, making appointments affecting the stations and interests of the Indiana Conference.
On motion of Brother Enoch Wood a committee
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
was ordered to take into consideration the propriety of removing the remains of Bishop Roberts to some other place, when the following resolution was pre- sented: "Resolved that a committee of three be ap- pointed to draft resolutions, expressive of the sense of this conference of the character and worth of the late Bishop Roberts. J. C. Smith, John Miller, James Hav- ens." Whereupon C. W. Ruter, M. Simpson and Allen Wiley were appointed to attend to both above named subjects.
On motion of Brother Wiley it was resolved that when conference adjourn it adjourn to meet at 2 o'clock to go into the election of delegates to the next general conference.
On motion, conference proceeded to select the places for holding the next conferences, and the east- ern charge of Indianapolis and Ft. Wayne being in nomination for the northern division, Ft. Wayne was selected, and Bloomington, Madison, New Albany and Evansville being in nomination for the southern divis- ion, Bloomington was selected. And in case the con- ference should not be divided, Indianapolis was se- lected as the place of holding conference.
On motion of Brothers S. C. Cooper and H. S. Tal- bott it was "Resolved that our delegates to the next general conference be and they are hereby instructed to use their best efforts to prevent our German Mis- sions from being disconnected from our regular work."
On motion of Brother Eddy it was "Resolved that the superintendents be requested to fix the times of holding the Indiana and North Indiana Conferences as early in September as possible."
After some notices were given, conference was closed with the benediction by the bishop.
Monday afternoon, October 23, 1843. Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened with
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
prayer by M. Simpson, and the journals were read and approved.
Conference proceeded to the order of the day, which was the election of delegates to the next gen- eral conference, when, upon counting the votes, M. Simpson, A. Wiley, E. R. Ames, John Miller, C. W. Ruter, Aaron Wood, Augustus Eddy and James Havens, having received a majority of all votes upon the first ballot, were declared duly elected, and John C. Smith and Richard Hargrave were elected reserve delegates.
Conference proceeded to the election of nine visitors to the university, and, upon the tickets being received, Brothers Daily and Beach were appointed a committee to count the votes and report to conference tomorrow morning.
On motion, conference adjourned and was closed with the benediction by the bishop.
Tuesday Morning, October 24th, 1843.
Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened with reading, singing and prayer by Brother James Jones, and the journals were read and approved.
The committee appointed to count to votes for visitors reported the following persons duly elected, viz .: L. W. Brry, J. C. Smith, A. Wiley, G. M. Beswick, E. G. Wood, S. T. Gillett, A. Eddy, E. R. Ames and C. W. Ruter.
The Stewards made their report, which was adopted and filed among the Conference papers.
Conference voted to apply the appropriations made to Widow Barnes' child toward the liquidation of Brother Barnes' book debt, and that Brother S. C. Cooper apply the money now in his hands in the same way.
The Secretary read the statement of meeting-houses, parsonages, Sabbath schools, local preachers, members
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
and mission moneys, which was filed among the Confer- ence papers.
The committee on distribution of the funds from the Preachers' Aid Society made their report, which was accepted and filed among the Conference papers.
Conference proceeded to the election of trustees for Indiana Asbury Univrsity, and J. W. Wines, E. R. Ames and J. H. Cravens were elected in room of Havens R. Hardesty and James Nosler.
Brother Wright made a statement of the case of Brother Belotte, as noticed in the journals of last Con- ference, and on motion of Brother E. G. Wood, Con- ference directed the preacher in charge of the place where Brother Belotte resides to proced against him to collect the money, according to discipline.
Brother Wright made a report in reference to the debt of Brother Oglesby, and it was left in the hands of the preacher in charge of Third Street, Madison.
The account of J. Williams was placed in the hands of the preacher in charge of the Madisonville Circuit.
The account of Brother Ballow was continued in the hands of the preacher in charge of Ft. Wayne.
The account of Brother Amasa Johnson was given to the presiding elder in whose district he may be, to be properly secured.
The committee on distributing the funds of the Preachers' Aid Society reported the distribution as follows :
E. G. Wood $ 50.00
W. H. Smith 30.00 1
H. Vredenburgh 1 1
50.00
J. L. Thompson
30.00
R. Hargrave 1 1
25.00
H. S. Talbott 1
25.00
J. Keans I
25.00
E. Whitten
1 1 30.00
J. C. Harbin
1
I
1
1
I
1
1
20.00
1
1 1
1
1
1
1 1
1
1
1
1
1 1 1
I 1
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
A. Wood 25.00
E. Patrick
35.00
A. Beck 30.00 I
C. Bonner 30.00
M. Huffaker 25.00 I I
F. C. Holliday 30.00 1
W. V. Daniel
20.00
J. Daniel 20.00
$500.00
Brother Wright read a paper on the project of publishing a social and domestic library, and the fol- lowing resolution was presented : "Whereas, the Book Committee at Cincinnati has submitted for the consideration of this conference the plan of a social and domestic library, to embrace a great variety of books for popular reading, which we esteem a very necessary and important measure, worthy of the adoption of the church. Therefore, Resolved, by the Indiana Annual Conference that we recommend the contemplated enterprise to the consideration and fa- vorable action of the next general conference, and that the delegates from this conference be requested to use their influence to have the measure adopted by that body." After several motions the resolution was di- vided and amended and passed as follows: "Resolved by the Indiana Annual Conference that we recommend the contemplated enterprise to the careful considera- tion and action of the next general conference."
The committee on the death of Bishop Roberts re- ported the following resolutions: 1st, Resolved, That we regard with deep gratitude that providence which granted us the privilege of claiming for the period of twenty-four years Bishop Roberts as a fellow citizen and a patriarchal minister resident among us. 2d, Resolved, That in view of the intellectual and moral worth of Bishop Roberts and his kind regard for us
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
and the whole church, his death be considered as a paternal bereavement to the church in general and to the Indiana Conference in particular, which calls for proper humiliation and resignation. 3d. Resolved, That we shall be greatly wanting to ourselves, and the cause of God, if we do not imbibe his spirit, and imi- tate his wholesome and Godly examples. 4. Resolved, That the remains of the venerable Bishop (the widow consenting) be removed from the present obscure lodg- ment and be transferred to Greencastle. 5. Resolved, That a suitable monument or tombstone be erected to the memory of the Bishop. 6. Resolved, That the ex- penses incurred in carrying into effect the last two resolutions be met by the Indiana Conference, and should the Conference be divided, by the two Confer- ences jointly, according to their numerical strength. 7. Resolved, That Bishop Soule be requested to furnish a suitable epitaph or inscription for the Bishop's tomb. 8. Resolved, That M. Simpson and the Presiding Elder of the Greencastle District and the district in which Bishop Roberts was buried be a committee to carry into effect the foregoing resolutions. 9. Resolved, That the foregoing resolutions be spread on the jour- nals of this Conference and a copy of them be for- warded to the aged widow of the Bishop, and also a copy be furnished the editor of the Western Christian Advocate for publication, with a request that the other Methodist papers copy. C. W. Ruter, M. Simpson, Allen Wiley."
On the presentation of the parchment of Bishop Roberts, on the traveling trunk of Bishop Asbury, for- merly in the possession of Bishop Roberts, it was re- solved that the Conference permit Dr. Elliott to use them as he may need in the preparation of the Bishop's life, and then that they be deposited in the cabinet of the Asbury University.
On motion of Brother Wiley, it was "Resolved, That
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
by precept and example we will use our influence to prevent the use of tobacco in our houses of worship."
A memorial in reference to the Indianapolis Insti- tute was read and referred to a committee consisting of Brothers Berry, Larrabee and Bayless.
A memorial was presented from the Eastern charge in Indianapolis concerning church property, which was referred to a committee consisting of Brothers Eddy, Cooper and Gillet.
The committee on church property made a report, which on motion of Brother Eddy was laid on the table.
On motion of Brother Conwell the vote by which Brother Harbin was continued in a superannuated re- lation was reconsidered, and he was placed in an ef- fective relation.
The following presents an abstract by districts of the statistics of this Conference :
In addition of the foregoing amount of mis- sion money of $2,537.77 There was collected at the Conference anni- versary
Making the total amount of missionary collec- tions
From the Steward's report the total amount
of claims was. 39,681.63
The total amount of receipts 25,715.80
Leaving a deficit of $13,965.83
The fifth collection amounted to $267.41
Divided from Book Concern 500.00
Divided from chartered fund. 40.00- $807.41 Making a dividend to claims where receipts were under 27 1-4 per cent., which dividend was distributed as per report.
After a number of notices were given, Conference adjourned, and was closed with the benediction by the Bishop.
(21)
M. Houses.
Parsonages.
Schools. Sabbath
Superin-
tendents.
Teachers.
Scholars.
in Library. No. of Vols
Local
Preachers.
Members.
Whites.
Colored.
Missionary
Monies.
Madison
55
3
35
45
236
1,670
2,663
41
6,372
112
422.89
Charlestown
50
6
20
24
158
1,225
1,723
60
7,036
23
372.53
Evansville
20
3
10
12
70
490
1,100
39
4,463
95.18
Bedford
28
7
10
15
81
675
445
34
4,815
32
42.35
Greencastle
42
5
25
29
166
1,193
1,222
56
6.314
15
157.74
Crawfordsville
40
3
13
21
79
554
935
41
4,981
4
171.51
Lafayette
21
5
8
11
70
445
1,482
24
4,857
12
93.83
South Bend
22
2
57
66
341
2.279
3,465
40
4,323
4
293.55
Ft. Wayne
13
22
29
112
786
803
19
3.257
23
116.38
Winchester
26
2
23
36
122
929
S05
30
5,821
14
114.74
Connersville
64
4
27
31
234
1,746
2.319
66
7,489
13
303.31
Indianapolis
1
38
5
16
24
119
815
1,940
38
7,233
5
353.76
Total
419
45
266
343
1,788
12,807
18,902
488
66,961
257
2,537.72
Last Year
383
40
229
293
1,416
10,223
15,200
473
62,224
245
1.798.72
Increase
36
5
37
50
372
2.584
3,702
15
4,737
12
788.05
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
321
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1
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
Wednesday Morning, October 25th, 1843.
Conference met, pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with reading, singing and prayer by Brother Ames, and the journals were read and approved.
On motion of Brother Wiley, the Secretary was di- rected to furnish such papers as he may think fit for publication in the Western Christian Advocate.
Conrad Muth, recommended from the Evansville District, was received on trial.
Brother Eddy, from the committee on Indianapolis church property, made a report, accompanied by the following resolution :
First. Resolved, That the Bishop be respectfully requested to make Meridian street the dividing line between the two charges.
Second. Resolved, That the members who may be cut off by this change shall be permitted to attach themselves to either charge, at their discretion.
Both of which resolutions were indefinitely post- poned, and the following were adopted, as amended, as follows :
Third. Resolved, That we advise the Trustees of the two charges to make an equal division of the real estate (exclusive of buildings) which belonged to the Church at the time of division, and that the amount of subscriptions made to the Eastern charge by mem- bers of the Western charge shall be deducted from the amount due the Eastern charge, provided such sub- scriptions be estimated at their cash value.
Fourth. Resolved, That if the parties referred to above cannot agree in the division of the property, that they may be advised to submit the same to arbitration.
Fifth. Resolved, That the preachers in charge of the two stations in Indianapolis and the Presiding El- ders of the two districts be instructed to use their influ- ence to carry the above resolutions into effect.
The committee on Church property made report in
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
reference to the meeting-house lot in Danville, that they considered the deed to be a good and sufficient one, which report was adopted. The resolutions appended to their former report were taken up and adopted, as follows, viz .: "Resolved, That for the purpose of pro- moting more uniform action and securing the rights to our property we recommend that hereafter the fol- lowing order, as far as practicable, be pursued : First, the preacher in charge, or Presiding Elder, secure the consent of a majority of the Society or Societies to which church property is to be conveyed, to their ap- pointment of five trustees; second, that the preacher or Presiding Elder then, within ten days thereafter certify said appointment, together with the consent of the majority having been obtained thereto, to the rec- ords of the county.
Resolved, second, by the Indiana Conference, That the members of this Conference be and are hereby instructed in all cases, where bonds for deeds have been given, to procure an execution of a suitable deed, and see that it is duly recorded in the proper offices.
Third. Resolved, That it be and it is hereby made the special duty of all our Presiding Elders at the sec- ond Quarterly Meeting in charge for the ensuing year, strictly to enquire into the conditions of Church prop- erty, within the bounds of each charge, and to see that the above resolutions be carried into effect.
At the suggestion of Conference, it was voted that Brother J. L. Thompson's book debt be paid out of his appropriattion, and the balance be paid to Brother Beers for him.
On motion of Brother Wiley, "Resolved, That the preachers in the two charges in Indianapolis be a com- mittee respectfully to request the Supreme Judges of this State to say, as gentlemen learned in the law, whether naming the division of this Conference South
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
and North Indiana Conference will jeopardize any of our chartered or vested rights."
On motion of Brother S. C. Cooper, "Resolved, That Prof. Larrabee be respectfully requested to furnish a copy of his address on the subject of education for publication in the Western Christian Advocate."
The following preamble and resolutions were pre- sented and adopted: "Whereas, The publishers of books in all parts of the United States have greatly reduced the price of their publications, thereby almost entirely monopolizing the Book trade in many parts of the country and forcing our Books out of the market because of the high price at which they are offered for sale, and as we believe it to be of vital importance to the prosperity of our Church that our Books be placed in the hands of all the people; therefore,
"Resolved, That our delegates to the next General Conference be and they are hereby instructed to use their influence to reduce the price of our Books, that we may be able to compete with other Book sellers, and thereby circulate our books among the people.
"Resolved, That in the opinion of this Conference our object in the selling of Books should be to spread religious knowledge and not to make money."
The committee on the Indianapolis Institute made a report, which was adopted, together with the following resolutions :
1. Resolved, That the Indianapolis Female Insti- tute be taken under the patronage of the Conference. Resolved, second, That a committee of three be ap- pointed by the President of the Conference to attend the annual examinations and report to Conference. Third, That we will recommend the Institution to our friends, and use our best exertions to sustain it, and the President was requested to appoint the committee.
The York resolutions were taken up, and on the first, viz .: "The buying or selling of men, women or
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
children, with an intention to enslave them, or the holding of them as slaves in any State, Country or Dis- trict, when the laws of such State, Territory or District will admit emancipation, and permit the liberated slave to enjoy freedom," was concurred in by the Con- ference by a vote of 92 yeas, 34 nays.
The second, viz .: "Making local preachers account- able for offenses, where they may be committed," con- curred in by a vote of 119 yeas, 5 nays.
The third, viz .: Making our rule on spiritous liquors read as follows: "Drunkenness, buying or sell- ing spiritous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity," was concurred in by a vote of 91 yeas, 11 nays.
The fourth, viz .: Altering the restrictive rules so as to change our rules on slavery as to read: "The buying or selling men, women or children with an intention to enslave them," was concurred in, by a vote of 91 yeas, 11 nays.
A petition on the subject of slavery was presented from Westfield, which, by a vote of the Conference, was laid upon the table.
The report from the Visitors of the University was read and adopted.
The parchment of Jeremiah Sherwood was pre- sented to the Conference by Brother E. G. Wood. The chair having decided that a minister could not be ad- mitted to orders without a regular recommendation from the Quarterly Meeting Conference.
The Stewards made a report in reference to the superannuated men, dividing them as follows, viz .: That J. L. Thompson, H. Vredeburgh, William Wilson, Robert Burns, William H. Smith, Widow Armstrong, Widow Williams, Brother Griffith's children and Brother Thompson's child be attached to the North Indiana Conference; and that William Shanks, William Knowles, F. C. Holliday, J. A. Brouse, J. C. Harbin,
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
J. A. Decker, G. W. Bowles, Widow Moore, Widow Chord, Brother Robinson's, Brother Ray's and Brother Barnes' children, Brother Bremey be placed in the South Indiana Conference, which was adopted.
The committee to whom was referred the selecting of a Life Director made their report, and Conference selected Brother Allen Wiley, and directed the Secre- tary to furnish him a certificate thereof.
On motion of Brother Ruter, the following resolu- tions were passed :
Resolved, That we commend to the people in our respective charges to observe Friday, the 22nd day of December next, as a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer; and that we advise them in each society to commence on the evening of that day a four days' prayer meeting, and that such meetings be protracted when circumstances will justify their continuance.
Resolved, That we will endeavor to observe, and that we will recommend our people within the bounds of this conference to observe, Friday, the 26th day of April next, as a day of fasting and prayer, with spe- cial reference to the meeting of our ensuing General Conference, fervently praying the Head of the Church so to direct that body, in all their deliberations, that their minds may be to such conclusions as shall most tend to promote the glory of God and advance the in- terests of the Redeemer's Kingdom upon earth.
Resolved, That during the ensuing Conference year we will endeavor on the evening of each day in the twilight hour, especially to remember our brethren of this Conference, at the throne of grace, praying each for the others, that all may be preserved from evil, that we may greatly increase in knowledge, in holiness and usefulness, and be made more than ever successful in spreading scriptural holiness over the lands.
On motion, Brothers J. A. Brouse and J. C. Harbin were placed in a superannuated relation.
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CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA.
On motion of Brother E. G. Wood: Resolved, That each preacher in charge be instructed to take up a collection in the month of March next for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the delegates to the next General Conference, and forward it to the nearest delegate.
On motion, the Secretary was directed to furnish a copy of the resolutions on Indianapolis church property to the preacher of the Western charge.
After some notices, Conference was closed, with the benediction by the Bishop.
Wednesday Afteroonn, October 25th, 1843.
Conference met, pursuant to adjournment, in the Methodist Church, and the journals were read and approved.
On motion : Resolved, That the thanks of this Con- ference be hereby tendered to those religious denomi- nations who have kindly opened their churches for our occupancy during the session of this Conference.
Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference be hereby tendered to the citizens of Crawfordsville and vicinity, who have kindly opened their hearts and houses for our accommodation during the session of this Conference.
The Bishop announced A. Wiley, W. C. Larrabee and J. C. Smith as visitors to the Female Institute in Indianapolis.
On motion, Brother Bruing was placed in a super- annuated relation. The Committee on the New York Book Concern made their report, which was accepted and filed away among the Conference papers.
Conference was then closed with singing and prayer by the Bishop. And the appointments were read.
JAMES O. ANDREW.
M. SIMPSON, Secretary.
328
CIRCUIT-RIDER DAYS IN INDIANA. APPOINTMENTS FOR 1843.
Brookville District.
A. Wiley, Presiding Elder.
Brookville-M. Miller, Samuel P. Crawford.
Fairfield-James Hill.
Liberty-Francis A. Conwell, J. C. Reed.
Brownsville-Jacob Burner, W. Anderson.
Connersville-William W. Hibben, O. H. P. Ash.
Laurel-George Havens.
Milroy-Landy Havens, J. Wallis.
Greensburg-Joseph S. Barwick.
Indianapolis District.
James Havens, Presiding Elder.
Indianapolis-Western Charge, L. W. Berry.
Rushville-William C. Smith.
Burlington-John W. Melander.
Shelbyville-Charles B. Davidson, George H. Mc- Laughlin.
Columbus-Williamson Terrell, S. A. Ballingall.
Franklin-J. V. R. Miller.
Pleasant View Mission-John L. Kelly.
Milford-J. Miller.
Rising Sun District.
James Jones, Presiding Elder.
Lawrenceburg-Richard S. Robinson.
Manchester-Amos Bussey, Samuel Hicks.
Wilmington-Silas Rawson, John S. Winchester. Milan-E. Lathrop.
Versailles-Henry S. Dane.
Vevay-Thomas A. Goodwin, W. Malick.
Patriot-Hayden Hays, M. Mahen.
Rising Sun-William M. Daily.
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