USA > Indiana > Circuit-rider days in Indiana > Part 9
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According to a resolution in the morning session the members of the Conference proceeded to form themselves into a Missionary Society. After which Conference resumed its business. The President pre- sented the case of Bro. James Ward as wishing to be transferred from the Kentucky to this Conference, and after due deliberation it was resolved that it is inex- pedient for the President to transfer Brother Ward to this Conference.
The case of Brother Benjamin Edge was by the President laid before the Conference as wishing to transfer from Virginia to this Conference, and after due deliberation it was resolved on motion that it was inexpedient for the Superintendent to transfer Bro. Benjamin Edge to this Conference.
On motion it was resolved that Bro. Isaac N. Els- bury be elected to Elder's Orders. Whereupon Con- ference adjourned.
Monday, at one-half past eight o'clock a. m. Confer- ence met pursuant to adjournment and was opened ac- cording to rule, Journals read and approved; the list was called. Conference proceeded to business. Bishop Soule in the chair.
The committee appointed to estimate the amount necessary to support the several missions in the bounds of the Indiana Annual Conference presented their re- port which was as follows :
To the Superintendent of Missions $100.00 To the Missionary on upper Wabash 100.00
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To the Missionary at Fort Wayne 75.00
To the Missionaries at St. Joseph and South
Bend 150.00
To the Missionary at Kalamazoo 75.00
Sum total $500.00
The Committee on Missions presented their report, which was read and adopted. On motion, resolved, that each and every missionary within the bounds of this Conference shall make collections on his field of labor, and keep accurate accounts of monies received and expended by him, and also render an account of the time actually employed by him in his mission and re- port the same to the next Annual Conference.
On motion the Conference proceeded to elect a Vice-President of the Missionary Society (parent) of the Methodist Episcopal Church at New York and on counting the votes Allen Wiley was found to have the highest vote and was declared duly elected.
The Book Committee presented their report which was read; whereupon Conference adjourned for one hour. At eleven o'clock Conference met pursuant to adjournment. The Book Committee having their re- port read again to the Conference which was on mo- tion adopted.
On motion a collection was taken up in the Confer- ence room for the aid of Bro. John Strange. On mo- tion, Resolved that each Presiding Elder present to the people of his charges a subscription for the purpose to aid Bro. John Strange in procuring a place of resi- dence and make their return to the preacher who may be stationed in Indianapolis.6
On motion, Resolved, That the vote of thanks of this Conference be given to the citizens of New Albany
6 This collection probably resulted in the purchase of a house and lot for John Strange in Indianapolis. He died December 2, 1832.
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for their kind attention to the preachers, and also to the Presbyterian Church for the use of their meeting house during the session of this Conference, and also to the members of the New Albany Lyceum for the use of their room for the sitting of Conference.
The Journals were read and approved. An ad- dress was delivered to the Conference by Bishop Soule, after which Conference united in singing and prayer; the appointments were then read, whereupon Confer- ence adjourned.
JOSHUA SOULE.
C. W. RUTER, Secretary.
A COURSE OF STUDY FOR THE CANDIDATES ENTERING THE MINISTRY OF THE M. E. CHURCH.
A course of study recommended to the candidates for the ministry in the M. E. Church. The Holy Ghost saith, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly di- viding the Word of Truth." "Give attention to read- ing to exhortation, to doctrine."
It is therefore recommended to candidates for the ministry to study and make themselves acquainted with the following important points of doctrine: The gen- eral depravity of human nature; Redemption by Christ ; repentence toward God; justification by Faith ; the direct witness of the Holy Spirit; holiness of heart and life, including regeneration and sanctification; the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ; perseverance of those who have been justified; Baptism; resurrection of the dead; and future reward and punishment. Fur- ther recommended to study the principles of Church government, especially our own; the philosophy of English grammar, geography, Ancient History, Eccle- siastical History, Moral and Natural Philosophy, Logic. To aid the students in the acquisition of these important branches of knowledge the reading of the
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following books or as many of them as can be obtained is recommended: The Holy Bible, Wesley's Notes, Benson's, Clark's or Coke's Commentary, Wesley's Ser- mons and Answer to Taylor, Saint's Rest, Baxter's Serious Call, Benson's Sermons, Fletcher's Checks and Appeal, Portrait of St. Paul, Watson's Theological In- stitutes, Wood's or Martindale's Dictionary, Methodist Discipline, Murray's Grammar, Morse's Geography, Rollin's Ancient History, Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History, Reid's Philosophy, Paley's Natural Theology and Evidences, Wesley's Philosophy, Duncan's or Watt's Logic, and the Methodist Magazine.
(Signed) R. R. ROBERTS, JOSHUE SOULE.
New Albany, October 22, 1832.
APPOINTMENTS OF THE INDIANA CONFERENCE, 1832.
Madison District.
James Havens, Presiding Elder.
Madison-To be supplied.
Vevay-John Kerns, William M. Dailey.
Lawrenceburg-Joseph Oglesby, John C. Smith. Whitewater-Joseph Tarkington, Hiram Greggs.
Wayne-Ancil Beach, David Stiver.
Newcastle-Nathan Fairchild, Cornelius Swank.
Connersville-John W. McReynolds, Robert John- son.
Greensburg-To be supplied.
Mississinnewa-To be supplied.
Charlestown District.
William Shanks, Presiding Elder.
Charlestown-John Miller, Zacariah Games.
New Albany and Jeffersonville-Thomas S. Hitt, Edward R. Ames.
Corydon-George Locke, John Hasty.
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Paoli-Henry S. Talbott. Bedford-Daniel Anderson. Lexington-John Daniel. Brownstown-Amos Sparks. Washington-Hakaliah Vredenburgh.
Indianapolis District.
Allen Wiley, Presiding Elder.
Indianapolis-Calvin W. Ruter.
Fall Creek-Isaac N. Ellsbury.
White Lick-Thomas J. Brown.
Vernon-To be supplied.
Columbus-Charles Bonner.
Rushville-Spencer W. Hunter, Isaac Kimball.
Franklin-Asa Beck, Elijah Whitten.
Bloomington-Samuel R. Brenton.
Greencastle-Eli P. Farmer, Henry Deputy.
Vincennes District.
James L. Thompson, Presiding Elder.
Rockville-Joseph White, Enoch Wood.
Terre Haute-Anthony F. Thompson, John Richey.
Carlisle-William H. Smith.
Vincennes-James Scott.
Petersburg-Samuel Julian.
Princeton-Enoch G. Wood.
Boonville-Miles Huffaker.
Lafayette-Richard Hargrave, Nehemiah B. Grif- fith.
Frankfort-Stephen R. Ball.
Crawfordsville-Lorenzo D. Smith.
Pine Creek-Amasa Johnson.
Missionary District.
James Armstrong, Superintendent. Upper Wabash Mission-Samuel C. Cooper.
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St. Joseph and South Bend Missions-Richard S. Robinson, George M. Beswick.
Kalamazoo Mission-James T. Robe.
Ft. Wayne Mission-James Armstrong.
Michael S. Taylor and James Hadley transferred to the Illinois Conference.
Alfred W. Arrington transferred to the Missouri Conference.
SECOND SESSION OF THE INDIANA CONFERENCE, HELD IN MADISON, OCTOBER, 1833.
Journal of the second Indiana Annual Conference, held in Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana, commenc- ing on the 16th of October, A. D. 1833.
Wednesday morning, 9 o'clock, Conference met ac- cording to appointment, and was opened by Bishop Soule by reading a portion of the Holy Scriptures, singing and prayer. The list was called and the fol- lowing persons being present took their seats, viz .: James Havens, Joseph Tarkington, William Shanks, John T. Johnson, Hakaliah Vredenburgh, Allen Wiley, C. W. Ruter, Isaac N. Elsbury, Thomas I. Brown, James L. Thompson, William H. Smith, Ancil Beach, John Ritchie, Joseph Oglesby, Henry S. Talbott, Rich- ard Hargrave, N. B. Griffith, James Armstrong, Rob- ert Burns, Amos Sparks, Richard S. Robinson, Samuel Branton, Boyd Phelps, Miles Huffaker, Asa Beck, Charles Bonner, Isaac Kimble, Edward R. Ames.
Conference proceeded to business. Bishop Soule in the chair. C. W. Ruter was nominated and elected Secretary. Conference proceeded to fix the time of meeting and adjournment; it was voted to meet at 8 o'clock a. m., and adjourn at 11 and meet at 2 o'clock p. m. and adjourn at 6.
The by-laws of the preceding session were read and adopted for the present session. Brothers James Ha- vens, Allen Wiley and W. M. Daily were nominated
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and elected a committee to appoint the preachers to officiate and to superintend the congregations during Conference.
Conference then proceeded to elect three Stewards to attend to the pecuniary matters of the Conference. William Shanks, Allen Wiley and James Armstrong were found to be duly elected to that committee. Con- ference proceeded to elect a committee to write the memoirs of the dead. A. Wiley, C. W. Ruter and James L. Thompson were found duly elected.
On motion Brothers J. Armstrong, Allen Wiley and N. B. Griffith were appointed a committee to take into consideration the propriety of forming a Preacher's Aid Society within the bounds of this Conference to report as soon as possible. The President appointed A. Wiley, C. W. Ruter, James Havens, Thomas C. Hitt and N. B. Griffith a committee to examine the candi- dates for admission into full connection.
Conference proceeded to the consideration of the first question on the minutes, viz .: Who are admitted on trial? The case of Eli Rogers was brought for- ward, but he was not admitted. The Presiding Elder has liberty to employ him when necessary. Whereupon the Conference adjourned.
Wednesday, 2 o'clock p. m. Conference met pursu- ant to adjournment. The list was called, the journal read and approved. Conference then proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair.
Conference resumed the consideration of the first question on the minutes, and Edward Smith, William Campbell, William D. Watson, Jesse Harbin, William Clarke and Thomas Ray recommended from Vincennes District; John W. Sullivan, John Robbins, recom- mended from Madison District, all were admitted Sherwood P. Moore and Daniel Watkins were not ad- mitted, but the Presiding Elder has leave to employ them if thought proper. John A. Brouse, John W.
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Holland, James Harrison, Samuel M. Reeve, Freeman Farnsworth and John Newell recommended from In- dianapolis District, were admitted; Richard C. Meek, recommended from Madison District, was admitted, but John Crouch was not admitted.
Conference proceeded to the consideration of the second question on the minutes, viz .: Who remain on trial ? And the characters of John Daniel, Henry Deputy, David Stiver, Elijah Whitton, Stephen R. Ball, Joseph White, Enoch Wood, Amasa Johnson, Hi- ram Griggs and Zechariah Games were severally ex- amined and continued on trial. John Hasty was dis- continued. Whereupon Conference adjourned.
Thursday, 8 o'clock a. m. Conference met pursu- ant to adjournment, and was opened according to rule. The list was called, journal read and approved. Con- ference proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair.
James Armstrong, James Havens and Allen Wiley were nominated and elected a committee to estimate the table expenses this year of Bishop Roberts. N. B. Griffith, Samuel C. Cooper, William Shanks, James Armstrong and Thomas I. Brown were elected a Mis- sionary Committee, according to the provisions of the Discipline.
Conference proceeded to the examination of the character of the Deacons of one year's standing, and the characters of John C. Smith, Ancil Beach, Isaac Kimble, Henry S. Talbott, John Ritchie, E. R. Ames, and Spencer W. Hunter were severally examined, ap- proved and passed. The case of Brother Anthony S. Thompson was called when it was announced that after laboring faithfully and usefully during the first quar- ter of the past year he sank under affliction and finally died in great peace. Conference then proceeded to the consideration of the third question on the minutes, viz .: Who are admitted into full connection? George
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M. Beswick, Nathan Fairchild, William M. Daily, James T. Robe and Cornelius Swank, having been pre- viously examined by the committee on education, were called forward, examined and admonished before the Conference by Bishop Soule as the Discipline directs, after which their characters were severally examined, approved and admitted, and they were elected to Dea- con's Orders, except Brother Fairchild, who was not admitted. Whereupon Conference adjourned.
Thursday, 2 o'clock p. m. Conference met pursu- ant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. The list was called, Journal read and approved, and proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair. The Stewards spent some time in attending to the pecu- niary affairs of the Conference.
The President presented a communication from the Agents of the New York, containing an exhibit of the Book Concern of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Also a communication from the same agents relative to the propriety of establishing a paper in Cincinnati, Ohio, to bear the same relation to the Church as the Christian Advocate and Journal, and on motion the said communications were referred to a committee of five, C. W. Ruter, E. R. Ames, James Armstrong, Al- len Wiley, and William Shanks.
A communication was received and read from the Ohio Conference on the same subject, which on motion was referred to the same committee.
Conference took up the case of Robert Johnson and after due consideration he was discontinued. The case of Philip May was taken up and recommended for ad- mission into the traveling connection, was admitted. On motion resolved that the Presiding Elder have leave to employ N. Fairchild. Conference proceeded to the consideration of the characters of the candidates for Elder's Orders. Samuel Brinton, R. S. Robinson, (8)
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and Boyd Phelps were examined. Brothers Phelps and Robinson were elected. Conference adjourned.
Friday, 8 o'clock a. m. Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule and proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair. The committee appointed to estimate the table expenses of Bishop Roberts for the ensuing year reported the amount to be $250. On motion E. R. Ames, Joseph Oglesby and Ancil Beach were appointed a committee to inquire into the manner in which the preachers of this conference have discharged their duty during the past year as it relates to the subjects of Sabbath Schools, Tracts and Bible Societies and report as soon as practicable.
Conference resumed the consideration of charac- ters of those eligible to Elder's Orders. The charac- ters of Miles Huffaker, Asa Beck, Charles Bonner, Lo- renzo D. Smith, were severally examined and elected. Conference proceeded to the examination of local preachers presented for Deacon's Orders. Alfred S. Cotton and David Stiver, recommended from Madison District; C. Garner, from Charlestown District; Dan- iel Watkins, Joseph Wheeler, Samuel A. Steward, Thomas Ray, from Vincennes District; Timothy Hunt and Stephen Masters, recommended from Indianapolis District, were elected. John McEwin and John K. Davison were not elected.
Conference proceeded to the consideration of the examination of the characters of local Deacons, recom- mended for Elder's Orders. Thomas McCool and Amos B. Cobb were recommended from Kalamazoo Mission District and elected to that office. Conference pro- ceeded to the examination of the characters of Elders James Havens, John Kern, Joseph Oglesby, Joseph Tarkington, John W. McReynolds, William Shanks, John Miller, Thomas I. Hitt, George Lock, Daniel An- derson, John T. Johnson, Hackaliah Vredenburgh, A.
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Wiley, C. W. Ruter, Isaac N. Elsberry, Thomas J. Brown, Eli P. Farmer, James L. Thompson, William H. Smith, were severally examined, approved and passed. Brothers Hitt, Lock and Anderson received a superannuated relation, and Brother Farmer received a location at his own request. The case of James Scott was called and a motion was made that he receive a location, but before the question was taken the Con- ference adjourned.
Friday, 2 o'clock p. m. Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. Conference proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair. Resumed the consideration of the characters of Elders and the case of Brother Scott being called up, on motion, received a location.
The character of Richard Hargrave, N. B. Griffith, Samuel Julian, Enoch G. Wood, James Armstrong, Samuel C. Cooler, Amos Sparks and Robert Burns were severally examined, approved and passed, and Brother Burns received a superannuated relation.
The name of Brother Strange was called when it was announced that he died in great peace on the 2d of December last, and on motion resolved the commit- tee of appointments be requested to select some one to preach next Sabbath on the death of Brothers Strange and Thompson.
The committee on Missionary affairs presented their report which was read and adopted. On motion resolved that the Presiding Elder in whose District Brother Johnson may reside, shall have leave to em- ploy him if necessary the ensuing year. The agent ap- pointed last year to inquire into the estate of the leg- acy left by James Paxton, deceased, for the benefit of the M. E. Church in Indiana, presented his report, which was read and on motion was adopted.
On motion C. W. Ruter and James L. Thompson were appointed agents to attend the next Illinois An-
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nual Conference to adjust the business relative to the legacy of Samuel Paxton, deceased, left by him for the benefit of the M. E. Church in Indiana, and ordered that so much of the will of James Paxton as relates to the said legacy be spread on the journal of this Con- ference, which is as follows, viz .: "I hereby give and bequeath to Calvin Fletcher, James Armstrong and James Given as trustees five hundred dollars for the use and benefit of the Illinois Annual Conference of the M. E. Church to be appropriated by said Confer- ence to the best of their judgment in extending the work of the Lord in the bounds of the State of Indiana, helping the most needy preachers belonging to that Church either effective or superannuated, which amount is to be paid over by said trustees as soon as convenient."
A. Wiley was appointed agent by this Conference to attend to receiving the legacy left by Isaac Swear- ingin for the benefit of the M. E. Church in Indiana. On motion Conference adjourned.
Saturday, 8 o'clock a. m. Conference met pursu- ant to adjournment and (was) opened according to rule. The list was read and Journal (approved). Con- ference proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair.
The committee appointed to collect information on the subjects of Sunday School Bible and Tract Socie- ties, presented their report, which was read and adopted. And on motion the list was called and every preacher required to answer for himself in case of delinquency, which was done accordingly. On motion, resolved that when Conference adjourns, its present session not to meet again until Monday morning at the appointed hour.
On motion Brother A. Wiley was appointed to preach the funeral sermon of Brothers Strange and Thompson at 3 o'clock p. m. tomorrow. The commit-
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tee appointed to take into consideration the expedi- ency of forming a Methodist Preacher's Aid Society presented their report, which was read and adopted, and Conference proceeded to elect James Armstrong, Allen Wiley, C. W. Ruter as a committee to prepare a Constitution for the above named Society and report to the next Annual Conference.
Joshua Law, a local preacher recommended from Indianapolis District for Deacon's Orders, was elected, being properly recommended, was admitted on trial, in the traveling connection, with the understanding that his children should not be claimants on this Con- ference. Samuel Brenton and Asa Beck, at their own request, received a location. The committee to whom was referred the communication from the Agents at New York relative to the establishment of a periodical in the West presented their report which was read and adopted unanimously. The report is as follows :
1st. Resolved, That in the opinion of this Confer- ence the establishment of a weekly paper in the city of Cincinnati under the control of the Methodist Episco- pal Church as is the Christian Advocate and Journal, is highly expedient, and that the interest of the West- ern Conferences require it.
2d. That the agents at New York and their proper advisors have the right and may authorize the agents and Book Committee at Cincinnati to establish such a paper in the interval of General Conference and appoint an editor for the same.
3d. That the establishment of such a paper would receive the united support of the Indiana Annual Con- ference as well as their entire approbation. All of which is respectfully submitted.
C. W. RUTER, Chairman of the Committee.
1 "The Western Christian Advocate" began publication in 1834, with Charles Elliott as the editor. From the first issue until the
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Conference proceeded to fix the place of holding their next session, and on counting the votes it was found that Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana, had the majority, and was announced as the place for the next session of this Conference to be held, which will be on the 22d of October, 1834. Conference voted to draw on the book (Concern) room for four hundred dollars and on the chartered fund for seventy-five dol- lars. Whereupon Conference adjourned.
Monday, 8 o'clock a. m. Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. The list was called and journal read and approved. Con- ference proceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair.
The Missionary Committee presented their report, fixing the amount necessary for the support of the Missions within the bounds of this Conference, which are as follows :
For Tippecanoe and Eel River Mission $ 75.00
For Miscellaneous Mission 75.00
For Maumee and St. Moriah Mission I
75.00
For Kalamazoo Mission 50.00
For the Superintendent of those 100.00
$275.00
On motion the Conference reconsidered the vote by which they refused to receive Daniel Watkins on trial into the traveling connection, and after due delibera- tion he was admitted.
On motion Conference reconsidered the vote by which Robert Johnson was discontinued and after due consideration he was continued on trial. On motion C. W. Ruter was appointed a committee to attend, as
present it has maintained a high standard, and has been a great factor in the development of Methodism in the old Northwest. The library of DePauw University possesses the files of the West- ern, with only a few gaps, complete.
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far as possible, to a proper adjustment of the papers of Brother J. Strange, deceased, and to make a collec- tion of any debts due him at the time of his death. A Constitution of a Bible, Tract and Sunday School So- cieties was read, and on motion was laid on the table. On motion Brothers Ames, Armstrong and Thompson were appointed a committee to take into consideration the expediency of forming this Conference into a Mis- sionary, Sunday School, Bible and Tract Society, aux- iliary to the parent Society at New York.
The Committee on Memoirs presented their report which was read, containing a succinct account of the life and death of Brothers John Strange and Anthony Thompson deceased. Said report was adopted. Where- upon Conference adjourned.
Monday, 2 o'clock p. m. Conference met according to adjournment and opened according to rule. Bishop Soule in the chair. Conference proceeded to business. The Committee relative to the Bible, Tract and Sunday School Society presented their report which was adopted and the Conference proceeded to the forma- tion of the society as directed by said report. A Con- stitution for Auxiliary Societies in the stations and Circuits within the bounds of this Conference was adopted. And on motion Brothers Boyd Phelps and John C. Smith were appointed to furnish each of the Presiding elders with a copy of the said Constitution.
Resolved, That we, the members of the Indiana Annual Conference, will uniform ourselves in round- breasted coats and so appear at our next Annual Con- ference, should we be present.
N. B. GRIFFITH, JAMES ARMSTRONG.
Tuesday, 8 o'clock a. m. Conference met pursuant to adjournment and was opened according to rule. List was called and the journal read, and Conference pro- ceeded to business, Bishop Soule in the chair.
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