USA > Indiana > Historical data and life sketches of the deceased ministers of the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Association, 1835 to 1915, Volume I > Part 2
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1847
The Conference, which convened in Naperville, Ill., detached the part of Mt. Carmel Circuit, called afterward Vandalia Circuit, and added it to the Illinois District. Trometer was obliged to locate on account of illness. Fr. Wiethaput, Henry Welty, Geo. Messner and Henry Eiterman were licensed as probationers. The appointments on the Indiana District were as follows: A. B. Scha- fer, P. E .; Whitewater, Chr. Glaus; Elkhart Circuit, G. G. Platz, Fr. Wiethaupt and H. Welty; Dubois Circuit, A. Nicolai; Mt. Carmel, Wm. Ficht; DeKalb Circuit, Phil. Bretsch; St. Mary's Circuit, Sam. Dickover.
On the whole, it was a prosperous year. Nicolai was suc- cessful on Dubois Circuit, especially around Huntingburg, War- renton (now Tabor, Elberfeld), and at Rockport and Zoar. Scha- fer reported good meetings on the Elkhart Circuit, having organ- ized two new classes, one at Peter Wiest's place, Marshall County, Ind., the other at Jacob Roth's, Kosciusko County. He also speaks of two new churches being built, one at Ott's, near Benton, Ind., and the other at Salem, Fulton County. In all, Elkhart Circuit had 13 organized classes at this time. Whitewater Circuit showed good progress and could boast of one new church building. Mt. Carmel Circuit was deprived of pastoral care the whole year, ow- ing to severe illness of Brother Ficht, nevertheless the people con- tinued faithful and completed the building of their new brick church. The other fields showed equal signs of progress and en- couragement.
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1848 INDIANA CONFERENCE
1848
Bishop Joseph Long presided at the Conference, held in Emanuel Church, Cook County, Ill. At the session he began a Conference Library for Ministers, by donating ten German gram- mars, for the use of preachers who could not afford to purchase any of their own. He appealed to the ministers to add other books, whose use might increase the efficiency of the young men.
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The Indiana Conference was divided into two parts, Wabash and St. Joseph Districts. The appointments were as follows : Wabash District, A. B. Schafer, P. E .; Whitewater Circuit, Geo. A. Blank; Dubois, A. Nicolai and H. Esh; Mt. Carmel, Chr. Glaus. St. Joseph District, Chr. Augenstein, P. E .; Elkhart Cir- cuit, S. Dickover and B. Uphaus; St. Mary's, Fr. Wiethaup; De- Kalb, H. Eiterman. Wm. Ficht had to locate on account of illness.
This was another prosperous year. Camp-meetings were held at Mt. Carmel, Marshall and Huntingburg, with good results. The newly built brick church at Mt. Carmel was dedicated December 2, 1848.
Regarding Maple Grove Camp-ground, Bishop J. Seybert re- ports as follows: "I attended a camp-meeting at Maple Grove, near Huntingburg, where our friends bought 40 acres of good tim- ber land from the Government for the sum of $50.00. They have built well-covered log-tents, and a preacher's stand and tent, right close to their church, so that the church can be used in case it rains. This property is consecrated to God by a people who, in their poverty, have made a place for the saving of souls. Where can the like be found among the rich converted Americans? No wonder that the windows of heaven were opened over us, and sin- ners were converted and believers greatly blessed."
1849
The Annual Conference was again held at Naperville, Ill., and many changes were made. J. G. Miller and Ph. Bretsch lo- cated on account of ill health, Chr. Augenstein resigned as presid- ing elder. The Conference had new additions in receiving J. P. Kramer of the East Pennsylvania Conference and Peter Goetz of the Ohio Conference. Jacob Keiper and C. A. Schnake were li- censed as probationers. The northern part of Mt. Carmel Circuit was detached and called Marshall Circuit. St. Joseph District was again united to Wabash District on account of the insuffi- ciency of men. The appointments were as follows :
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1849
AUTHENTIC HISTORY PRIOR TO THE ORGANIZATION
Wabash District, Presiding Elder, A. B. Schafer; White- water, W. H. Ragaz; Dubois, Chr. Glaus and J. Keiper; Mt. Car- mel, S. Dickover; Marshall, A. Nicolai; Elkhart, G. G. Platz, Geo. Messner and B. Uphaus; St. Mary's, Peter Goetz; DeKalb, Fr. Wiethaup.
Prosperity again smiled upon the Wabash District this year also. A. B. Schafer writes: "In 1844, Wabash District consisted in Whitewater and Ft. Wayne Circuits and Mt. Carmel Mission. We had but one church edifice. Now there are five strong circuits, two missions, eleven church buildings, two more in building and an- other about to be constructed. One parsonage (likely at Ott's) ." Besides this, domestic conditions were greatly improved, and even the roads were more easily traveled. Camp-meetings were held and crowned with success, many finding salvation and uniting with the Church. Churches were dedicated during the year at Canada Class, Union Township, Elkhart County, at Huntingburg, and one at Warrenton. While the latter was being dedicated on Christmas day, the power of God fell upon the whole congregation, and not a single sinner in the house was left without being brought to repentance.
1850
At this session, which again convened at Emanuel's Church, Cook County, Ill., the Conference celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Evangelical Association. It was a great jubilee. This Con- ference heartily approved the action of the Church in establishing a mission in Germany. Arrangements were made for the exam- ination of junior preachers. This was a new departure. The western part of Whitewater Circuit was detached and called Ham- ilton Mission, the southern part of Elkhart Circuit was detached and named Miami Mission. The Wabash District was again di- vided into the Wabash and St. Joseph Districts. A. B. Schafer resigned as presiding elder and returned to the Ohio Conference.
The appointments were as follows: Wabash District, Presid- ing Elder, G. A. Blank; Whitewater, J. G. Esher; Dubois, Fr. Wiethaup and B. Uphaus; Mt. Carmel, S. A. Tobias; Marshall, J. H. Ragaz. St. Joseph District, Presiding Elder, Chr. Augen- stein; Elkhart, J. J. Esher, J. F. Wolf; St. Mary's, P. Goetz, P. Burgener; Miami, Joseph Fisher.
Six hundred and fifty accessions crowned the labors of this most fruitful year, and the brethren were greatly encouraged to do exploits for God and the Church.
19
.
1851 INDIANA CONFERENCE
1851
This was destined to be the last year that the Indiana Dis- trict would continue to be a part of the Illinois Conference. The General Conference, which convened in October, ordered the de- tachment of the Indiana District and the formation of the new Conference, to be called "THE INDIANA CONFERENCE." S. Dick- over and G. A. Blank were the chosen delegates to this General Conference.
The entire year was a prosperous one along all lines. The blessing of God rested upon the Conference as a whole, and espe- cially upon the Indiana section.
The appointments were as follows: Wabash District, G. A. Blank, P. E .; Whitewater Circuit, J. Keiper; Dubois Circuit, Fr. Weithaup, Fr. Schuerman; Mt. Carmel-Marshall, Geo. Messner, J. F. Wolf; Hamilton Mission, A. Nicolai. St. Joseph District, S. Dickover, P. E .; Elkhart Circuit, J. H. Ragaz, Jos. Fisher ; St. Mary, B. Uphaus, Peter Burgener; Miami, P. Goetz, Hauert.
20
ORGANIZATION OF THE INDIANA CONFERENCE: 1852
Organization of the Indiana Conference and Territorial Extent
In keeping with the action of the General Conference, held October, 1851, the Indiana Conference was organized at the regu- lar session of the Illinois Conference, held in Naperville, Ill., June 16, 1852. Bishop Seybert was the chairman, and J. J. Esher the secretary. (As the Indiana Conference did not hold any sepa- rate session when it organized, the session always comes at the close of the Conference year.) The following brethren united with this Conference and became its charter members: Samuel Dickover, Christian Glaus, A. Nicolai, Fred Wiethaup, Bernard Uphaus, Joseph Fisher, Peter Burgener, Peter Goetz, Fred Schuer- man, Jacob Keiper, M. W. Steffey, Gerh. Franzen, Bernard Ruh. Out of this number but three survived to celebrate the 50th anni- versary of the Indiana Conference. These were: M. W. Steffey, J. Keiper and Bern. Ruh.
There were thirteen preachers, 1,285 members and 16 church buildings as a beginning of this Conference, which grew until now, 1915, there are 135 preachers, 14,228 members, 160 church buildings, 65 parsonages.
The Conference extended over a vast territory. Beginning at Williams County, Ohio, it continued south through Defiance, Paulding, Van Wert and Mercer Counties, thence a little south- west into Wayne County, Ind., and west through Henry, Hancock, Marion, Hamilton, Madison and Tipton Counties, south again, leaping over many counties, into Dubois, Spencer, Warrick, Gib- son and Vanderburg Counties, then west once more into White County, Ill., and up through Edwards, Wabash, Richland, Law- rence, and Clark Counties, east into Vigo and Clay County, Ind., then north-east into the counties along both sides of the upper Wabash River, and into the northern and eastern counties in In- diana, extending into Southern Michigan. This great field chal- lenged the "Brave Thirteen" to noble battle. With faith and courage they went forth in the name of their Lord and Master to possess the field and make it subject to the Kingdom. Little at- tention was paid to English-speaking people, which surely was a mistake, but with holy abandon they went to seek the lost sheep of the "Fatherland," especially as they were found in the rural districts. The cities were considered impregnable, and the seat of all corruption and beyond cure, and generally "passed by on the other side."
21
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INDIANA CONFERENCE
This territory was divided into two presiding elder districts, called St. Joseph and Wabash. The following were the fields and the various appointments :
ST. MARY'S CIRCUIT
Consisted of the following classes: Fuhrman, 7 miles north- west, and Salem, 2 miles east of Decatur; Furthmiller, 9 miles east; Five Points, 9 miles south-west; Reserve, Bethlehem, 12 miles south of Ft. Wayne; Gottschalk (Salem) and Vera Cruz, in Wells County, and Haley (Zion), Jay County, Stuber County, O .; Hellwarth's and Smith's (Hope), near Celina; Settlers, near Will- shire, Mercer County ; St. Peters and Mohrs (Grand Victory), Van Wert County, and St. Paul, Paulding County, Ohio.
ELKHART CIRCUIT
Composed of Ott's or Salem, Ebenezer, Benton, Waterford, Middleport (Dunlaps), Schwartz's, Loose's, Smith's, Harrison Center, Canada, Union Township, Elkhart County, Berrien and other points in Michigan, Mishawaka, Coalbush, in St. Joseph County, Barren (now Bremen), Hepton and Heim's in Marshall County, Oster's, near Milford, North Webster, near Larville, Strickler's, near Warsaw, in Kosciusko County.
WHITEWATER CIRCUIT
Comprised of New Lisbon, Cambridge, Zion Church, East Germantown, Pennville, Jacksonburg, Winchester, and probably others.
DEKALB MISSION
Was made up of Stroh's and Husselman's, between Waterloo and Auburn; Diehl's, four miles south of Butler, Schutt's and Kramer's, south of Edgerton, Brunnersburg, near Defiance, Dick- man's and Kuhn's, north of Brunnersburg, Miller's, north-west of Avilla, Schlichtenmeyer's, near Kendallville, west, Dutch St. (Wolcottville), Eshelman's (Wright's Corner), Lima and Van Buren, now of the Michigan Conference.
MARSHALL CIRCUIT
Consisted in Marshall, Mill Creek, Big Creek, in Clarke Co .; Dundor's, Tohill's, Ell's, Freudenberger's and Lieberer's appoint- ments, in Lawrence Co., Vandalia and surroundings, in Illinois.
22
ORGANIZATION OF THE INDIANA CONFERENCE: 1852
DUBOIS CIRCUIT
Embraced Huntingburg, Maple Grove, Warrentown (Tabor), Elberfeld, Kohlmeier, near Sommerville, a class in a Methodist Episcopal Church, in Paris, Posey Co., Boonville, Evansville, Rock- port, Zoar, Miller's, near Rockport, Ind.
MT. CARMEL CIRCUIT
Embodied Mt. Carmel, Grand Prairie, near Olney, West Salem, Lancaster, Timberville, Bonpus and Carmi.
MIAMI CIRCUIT IN OHIO
Embracing Mississinawa, Lightsville, Troy, Vandalia. Phil- lipsburg, Seibles, New Hope, Eaton, Ware's Chapel, and Dayton Mission, were ceded to the Ohio Conference in 1852, but were in- corporated in the Indiana Conference in 1856.
HAMILTON MISSION
Embodied Indian Creek, Stony Creek, Clarksville, Dicks, Cicero, Pendleton and Whitewater appointments.
MIAMI MISSION (FULTON CIRCUIT)
Embraced Barnheisel, New Ark, Condo's, Walter's, Sharpie's, around Bunker Hill; Silver Lake, in Kosciusko Co., Meyer's, Lein- inger's, Stetzel's, in Huntington Co .; Young's and Laketon, in Wabash Co .; Salem and Zwingeisen's, Leidersford, Lake Bruce, South Germany, in Fulton Co .; Zechiel's, Twin Lakes, Maxin- kukee, Flora, in Marshall Co .; two appointments south-west of Logansport, and others.
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INDIANA CONFERENCE
12
GO
8
5
13
BISHOP JOHN SEYBERT
10
St. Joseph Ilist.
EDIL AVER NG L
C.GLAUS P.G. 7
ORIGINAL INDIANA CONFERENCE
1852.
4
1. 8, DICKOVER,
7. CHR. GLAUS,
2. A. NICOLAI.
8. PETER GOETZ.
3. JOSEPH FISHER.
9. M. W. STEFFEY.
4. GERHART FRANZEN.
10. PETER BURGENER.
6 .. B. RUH.
11. F. WIETILAUP.
6. J. KEIPER.
12. BERNHARD UPHAUS,
13, F. SCHUERMAN.
Wabash Dist.
1
24
LEmma ..
).
INDIANA CONFERENCE
12
P. GOETZ
٧١١٩٥٠١٧١٣٦
5
13 =
BISHOP JOHN SEYBERT
8
4
St. Joseph Iist.
.GLAUS, PG. ?
Wabash Dist.
ORIGINAL INDIANA CONFERENCE
1852.
1. 8, DICKOVER.
7. CHR. GLAUS,
2. A. NICOLAI.
8. PETER GOETZ.
3. JOSEPH FISHER.
9. M. W. STEFFEY.
4, GERHART FRANZEN.
10. PETER BERGENER.
6. B. RUH.
11. F. WIRTHAUP.
6. J. KEIPER.
12. BERNHARD UPHAUS,
13. F. SCHUERMAN.
24
Map of the Indiana Conference in 1902
Figures show year when preaching began in the named places by ministers of the Evangelical Association
STATISTICS 1902 Number of Appointmenta
{ Stations
Fields 3 Circuita 16 Total
9 ( Missions
Number of Churches in County Seats In Indiana 13 In Ohio
In Illinois 4 In Kentucky
1
Bremer 42.
· Zion 65
Hepton,4500
Trinta! a 52
Foran
Webstersi:
Kendallville 52
Edgertone
Hicksville,ss" . S. Olives, 64.
Trinity,99.
alvery,
Ministers in netive work in 1852
13 2246
ot Washing
W. Paint
Men licensed to preach since 1852
Men ordained as deacons since 1852
162
Men ordained as elders since 1852'
192
Active Ministers who died since 1852
19
Local Ministers who died since 1852
35
Itinerant Preachers at present
70
Local Preachers at present
56
Total Membership at present 10,549
Number of Sunday Schools
149
Number of Officers and Teachers
2,180
Number of Sunday School Scholars 12,867
Catechetical Classes
35
Catcebumens
432
Young People's Alliances .
68
IZion61.
Membership of Young People's Alliances
2,941
KOKOFRO.
Christliche Botschafter .
794
Portland, 85
Evangelical Messenger
1,228
Magazine
384
Bundesbote
38
.Emmettgrill e.78.
Greenville,34.
Missionary Messenger .
125
Christliche Kinderfreund
749
Sunday School Messenger
2,391
Number of Church Edifices
1541+
Number of Parsonages
49
Estimated Value of Churches
$ 360,975.00
..
" Parsonages
. 8 62,825.00
second 76.
Money contributed for Home and Foreign Missionary Work since 1852. $218,951.50
Brasil.49.
Marshallo 45.
bacity.
GTurn on
Zion, 42
Shelby 66 W.Greek
Altamont, 68.
Edgewood, 64
·Olney.53.
Flats
PRESIDING ELDERS From 1852-1902
S. Dickover. . 4 yrs
E. L. Kiplioger 12 vra
C. Glaus 2 yrs
C. C. Baumgartner 8 yra
G.G. Platz 11 yrs
D. B. Oakes ..... 19 yrs
A. B. Schmeler . 8 yra
J. Berger
3 yru
Ph. Bretch ... .... 2 yrs
A. Geist
4 yre
Jos. Fisher 8 yra
H. Arlen 4 y re
M. W. Steffey 16 yrs
D. E. Martz .
8 yra
M. Haba
. 4 yra
C. F. Hansing
9 y re
M. Meyer
7 yTH
J. M. Haug
4 yra
M. Krueger. 12 yrs
J. H. Evaus
4 yra
J. Fox
5 yrs
Geo. Ræderer -
4 yra
Rockport. ,4
By S. H. Baumgartner
H. L. Fisher 2 yra 8. H. Baumgartner
3 yrs
.93
16. & Ger St
GSalem.46
WOICH 73.
Walcott will 50
CalreRy. 70.
w.copher so
.Sale In. 74.
69
Tabor
Juntas
Harrisonod
&KDays. 62.
Caracwse q6. oenezerst
Palin:84 & C. Line, 64.
Water (00, 67.
.0 Branch, 75.
Wanatah
55.83
OR
Madison 45
32,037 Number of Conversions since 1852 Accessions to the Church since 1862 37.347 Members who died since 1852 8,563
Jerusalem
.Campgrounds
Tinity, 92
Urbana, 7%"
15.83.
Hundusto
Bethlehem. 39.
Decaturod.
alem, 39.
Zie7. 505
ZLOTYS 7
Markless
Sale/m.52.When VEGroves8.
V.Wert,67.
Royalk
Raches ter, 72º ·
manud sp.
1.9
VagasAz Urbana
W. Columbia
Rt.Wayne 67.
St.Paul, 74. U.center 98. .C.Victory.62.
Bethlehembb !! R.Bank636
Jerusalem
Grace Da
·Better 40.
Bipp
Calvery, 39
Berge,si.
But. Carmel, Hope. 5
Salem, 52.
Mt.zion, 52. PHain, 86. Bethel,52.
Herald
€51
Missionsbote
.125
595
Living Epistle
35
noblesville
Living Epistle & Sunday School Teacher
56
,50.
ON-Listen
APHill
Germa
Dayton Cer. 48 Wayne, 88
Indianapolis First. 5. Vwjetta.
34
" Oak-Wood Park $ 10,000.00
* *** other property - $ 5,960.00'
T.Haute,81.
Emmanuel AZion 55.
L.Wabash, 63.
·W. Salem, 54. Lancaster,42.
Mi Carmel 36gg
CiS.
Somerville8
zion41.
Campgroundys)
Grayviusa
NHRYMOTY. 29.
Huntingburg, 43
MISS 89
Garmi 6
Elberfeld 50
Evansville 51
2.00,40,
hawaka,y.
167
Kiser,01 .. S Satem,52
s.pierrezs
74 51
ton. 55
St.Peters,52.
Logansport TH.
MAC Graw Hill 62;
B.GreekTe.
as manuel
Bethlehemsa
Philipsburg,60. Haple, 34.
.W. Greek
Grace1900.
Mississinawa.
Sunday School Teacher . ...
AViUnTO. 1.73º
Szerinity.7.
8.
Oui Smile 51.65.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CONFERENCE OF 1865
20
19
3
18
4
22
31
5
30
2
39
37
15
29
4
25
28
16
14
27
13
9
12
10
Compliments of Indiana Engraving Co.
MEMBERS OF THE INDIANA CONFERENCE, 1865
1. Absalom B. Schafer
2. Eli L. Kiplinger
3. John M. Gomer
17. Goo. A. Hertel
31. Peter Roth
4. Belt. Hoffman
18. Sam. Kiplinger
32. Mich. Krueger
5. Fr. Wiethaup
19. Carl Schamo
33. Geo. Schmoll
6. John Beck 20. Melchior Mayer
34. Jos. Fisher
7. John Berger
S. Geo. Kloepfer
9. Aug. Scholz
10. Dan'l Bartholomew
11. Chr. Heim
12. And. Parker
26. Mich. Klaiber
40. Chr. Wessling
13. Geo. Zimmer
27. Wm. Wesseler
41. Bernh. Uphaus
14. Adam Hartzler
15. Peter Wiest 29. David S. Oakes
16. Salem S. Albert
21. John Fox 35. John lloffman
22. John Kaufman 36. John M. Kronmiller
23. Chr. Glaus
37. Math. Hoehn
24. Geo. G. Platz
38. John Kastetter
25. Henry L. Fisher 39. Mich. W. Steffey
28. Phil. Porr
42. Bishop Jos. Long
25
30. Edw. Evans
32
yo
INDIANA CONFERENCE
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CONFERENCE OF 1865
At the session of the Annual Conference, held in South Bend, Ind., September, 1865, just fifty years ago, the above photograph was taken. Forty-two sturdy and faithful pioneer workers, who did much toward bringing the Conference to its present standing, are here represented. E. L. Kiplinger, John Beck, Geo. Zimmer, John Fuchs, John Kaufman, Edward Evans, M. Krueger, John Hoffman and Math. Hoehn are still with us, but not in the active ranks.
Of these the following held the office of presiding elder in the Indiana Conference: A. B. Schafer, 3 years; E. L. Kiplinger, 12 years ; John Berger, 314 years; Mel. Mayer, 8 years; John Fuchs, 5 years ; Chr. Glaus, 3 years; G. G. Platz, 12 years; H. L. Fisher, 2 years ; D. S. Oakes, 22 years; M. Krueger, 12 years; Jos. Fisher, 8 years; M. Hoehn, 4 years; M. W. Steffey, 16 years. This office was held in the South Indiana Conference by John Fuchs, 8 years ; H. L. Fisher, 5 years (died in office) ; John Kaufman, 12 years, and J. M. Gomer, in Texas Conference for 11 years.
Of these F. Wiethaup, Chr. Glaus, Jos. Fisher and M. W. Steffey were the only charter members of the Conference who were still in active service.
The following served as secretaries of Conference: A. B. Schafer, 1 year; M. Hoehn, 8 years; G. G. Platz, 1 year; M. Mayer, 5 years; M. Klaiber, 1 year; John Berger, 3 years; D. S. Oakes, 5 years.
The following represented the Indiana Conference and oth- ers as delegates to General Conference: M. W. Steffey, 9 times; D. S. Oakes, 6 times; G. G. Platz, M. Krueger, E. L. Kiplinger, John Fuchs, each 4 times; A. B. Schafer, Jos. Fisher, John Kauf- man, M. Mayer, each 3 times; M. Hoehn, H. L. Fisher, each 2 times.
These three served as Conference treasurers: G. G. Platz, 1862-3; M. Hoehn, 1864-73, and J. M. Gomer, 1874-79.
26
MISSIONARY OPERATIONS AND EXPANSION
Missionary Operations and Expansion in the Conference
True to the spirit of the Evangelical Association, the Indiana Conference has been missionary from the very beginning. In the operation of missionary interests in her Conference bounds she has in the last 38 years alone spent some $196,000.00. She has striven to not only keep pace with the needs of the time, and to enter every open door, but has had to do the same in the face of changing conditions. So long as the work was carried on in the German language, it was not so difficult, for the field was largely our own, and keen church competition was unknown. However, since the Conference has largely become English, and the new work generally begun in the larger cities, extension has not been so rapid and made only at great cost.
Sometimes zeal ran away with better judgment, enterprises hastily entered into, only to be abandoned after much money had been spent. Sometimes patience was absent and fields were aban- doned prematurely. In particular is this true in the larger cities. At times the effort put forth was in such a half-hearted way that nothing permanent or large could be accomplished, especially have our mission churches in the cities been greatly hindered by small, inadequate and cheaply constructed church buildings. Yet we are profoundly thankful to God for the advance that has been made, and trust that we may profit by the errors of the past. Not a few of the so-called "everlasting missions" are such on account of im- proper location, and inadequate and unattractive church build- ings, and we greatly rejoice that these matters are being taken into account in the locating of new missions.
The Indiana Conference Missionary Society, which is auxil- iary to the Parent Missionary Society, has been a great factor in promoting the missionary interests of the Conference, especially in securing the funds needed for the proper prosecution of the work. The society has been earnestly advocating the adoption of the Duplex Envelope System, which provides for the weekly method of giving toward benevolences and missions, and are re- joiced that the leading churches in the Conference have adopted the plan. Also great stress has been laid upon the early payment of missionary money into the missionary treasury, so that the missionaries can be paid their needed salaries.
The following items of interest occurred during the years : At the close of the Civil War the Conference decided to support
27
INDIANA CONFERENCE
a mission among the "Freed Negroes," as soon as the Board of Missions saw fit to establish such a mission, but the Board never saw fit! In 1866 Jacob Henn visited this Conference as repre- sentative of the Central Pennsylvania Conference, soliciting funds for the building of a church and launching a mission in Washing- ton, D. C. He was received with open arms and allowed to collect throughout the Conference for said project. After a few years the field was abandoned and the mission came to naught. In '75 the missionary visions were numerous and almost as futile as numerous. St. Louis, Mound City, Cairo, Richmond and Logans- port were among those that sprang up like mushrooms over night, and, alas! melted away almost as fast, save one, and this one has been a mission for over forty years. In one year alone $2,438 was appropriated to these four fruitless missions, not to mention the drain they were upon the treasury for years. It has been the con- viction of many that St. Louis should have been continued as a mission. Cincinnati, West Louisville, Laporte, West Indianapo- lis, Cumberland, Cleveland and Chattanooga, Tennessee, were other missions in the same category. The church in North-east Indian- apolis was wrecked by a tornado and sold to negroes and the field abandoned. West Louisville Mission was given up in despair. La- porte and Vandalia churches were sold and the proceeds applied to the Conference debt. Cincinnati Mission seemed unpromising, and being greatly involved financially, was ordered sold. Muncie Church was sold also, and the field abandoned.
In 1910 a very important standing committee was appointed, known as the "Committee on Location and Erection of Churches." This committee, consisting of the presiding bishop, the presiding elders and the pastor and trustees where the church is to be built, has for its aim the proper locating of missions and erecting of churches. Premature and unwise locations are thus avoided and many errors guarded against.
That there have been many fruitful and promising missions launched, is a fact that causes us much joy, and especially do we feel elated over the missions established in recent years, and that some of the "everlasting ones" are getting new buildings and be- coming stations. For a complete list of these missions, see "Mis- sions, Stations and Circuits," found elsewhere in this volume.
The Conference has, likewise, taken very active part in the work of foreign missions; especially have our young people done a splendid work in supporting a missionary of their own. We are highly gratified that Indianapolis First Church supports two mis- sionaries on the foreign field, and trust that the time will soon
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