USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > History of the Presbytery of Indianapolis > Part 4
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We, happily, now have the records of the presbytery.
ACTION OF INDIANAPOLIS PRESBYTERY.
The result of this called meeting was that the presby- tery adhered to the O. S. Assembly. Against this ac- tion the Rev. Eliphalet Kent, the moderator, the Rev. John Todd and Elder Simon Smock, of New Provi- dence, protested, declaring their belief that the New School Assembly was the true Assembly of the Presby-
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HISTORY OF THE
terian church. The churches of Greenwood, South Marion and Eagle Creek united with these brethren in their adhesion to the New School Assembly.
ACTION OF PRESBYTERY OF CRAWFORDSVILLE.
A few days previous to the action of Indianapolis Presbytery, in regard to the division of the church, the Presbytery of Crawfordsville had been convened to hear the report of their commissioners to the Assembly and take such action as might be deemed necessary. The Crawfordsville Presbytery, by a very large majority, ad- hered to the New School Assembly; and among the churches adhering to the New School Assembly, were the churches of Danville, Greencastle and Putnamville. The church of Bloomington, within the Vincennes Pres- bytery, adhered to the O. S. Assembly.
It was a sad thing that irreconcilable differences should divide into two bodies the Presbyterian church, and make it two denominations. But it was doubtless far better that the churches in which such irreconcilable differences existed, should be divided into two denomi- nations, each in harmony with itself, and having frater- nal regard for the other, and each gradually eliminating from itself the hindrances to a true and lasting union to be consummated in due time, than to continue in a state of unceasing internal strife, in which there was more of nominal than real union, and in which the zeal and strength of the church were more expended in strife upon its differences than in pushing forward steadily the work of evangelization, in saving the perishing and in gaining from the world still wider provinces for the do- minion of the Redeemer. Blessed are our eyes, which have seen the repellant differences eliminated and the reunion consummated. Blessed will be the work of our hands as laboring together in the unity of the spirit,
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this union, thorough and complete as it is, becomes more and more efficient in accomplishing the work which the Lord has given His church to do.
GREENCASTLE FIRST.
After the division of the Assembly in 1838, the Green- castle church continued with the New School Assembly. At the time of the division, the Rev. J. R. Wheelock was ministering to it. But very soon after this, he with- drew from connection with the Presbyterian church. In the minutes of the Crawfordsville Presbytery (N. S.) there is this record, made in March, 1839 :
Resolved, That the name of James R. Wheelock be discontinued on our records, he having left our bounds without a dismission and become connected (as we learn) with another ecclesiastical body.
In the fall of 1840, the Rev. James Shields, who had been previously supplying for several months the church at Greencastle, became its pastor. This relation contin- ued only until 1842. In 1842 an addition was made to the church of fifty-six persons. Rev. Ransom Hawley was stated supply from February, 1843, to the fall of 1845. The church continued to increase in numbers du- ring these years. In December, 1845, Rev. Thomas S. Milligan became stated supply of the church and con- tinued in that relation until 1850. Nineteen were ad- ded to the church 1847. The number of members reported to the General Assembly as in connection with the church in 1850 was one hundred and ten.
GREENCASTLE SECOND.
In 1849, the second church of Greencastle was organ- ized in connection with the Presbytery of Crawfordsville, O. S. It was organized by Rev. W. Y. Allen, with thir- teen members, some of whom were dismissed by letter from the first church.
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HISTORY OF THE
PUTNAMVILLE.
On the 26th of November, 1841, the Rev. Ransom Hawley commenced his labors in the church at Putnam- ville, in connection with the church of Bethany, Owen county, for one-half his time. In 1849, a new house of worship was erected at Putnamville. In 1850, the mem- bership reported to the Assembly was fifty-seven.
POPLAR SPRING, BAINBRIDGE AND CARPENTERSVILLE.
The church of Poplar Spring had been divided in the di- vision of the church. The majority adhered to the New School body. The name of the church was changed in 1843 to Bainbridge. It reported in 1850, a membership of forty-three. The Old School portion of the church were organized into a separate body in 1839. They numbered at the time of organization, seventeen members. This became the Carpentersville church. It reported in 1850, a membership of twenty-seven.
BLOOMINGTON.
The Rev. Ransom Hawley, who, as stated supply took charge of the church at Bloomington in 1834, contin- ued in that relation to the church until the fall of 1841, when he removed to Putnamville. During Mr. Haw- ley's ministry at Bloomington, eighty-three persons were received into the membership of the church, thirty-sev- en upon profession, forty-six by letter. At this time the church of Bloomington was receiving aid from the Board Missions to the amount of a hundred and a hundred and fifty dollars a year.
In the spring of 1843, the Rev. W. W. Martin removed from Livonia to Bloomington, and became stated supply of the church. He remained two years, and then re- turned to Livonia. During these two years, twenty- six persons were added to the church, sixteen by pro-
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fession of faith, ten by letter. The number of members reported to the Assembly in 1845, was eighty-four. In the report of 1846, this number was reduced to sixty- eight.
Upon the return of Mr. Martin to Livonia, the Rev. Alfred Ryors, Professor in the State University, the college having become the State University in 1839, was invited to supply the pulpit for a year, or until a pastor could be secured. Mr. Ryors accepted the invitation, and ministered to the church for a little more than two years, until July, 1847. These were years of great bless- ing to the church. The members of the church had a mind to work. They sought and obtained the labors of a colporteur to distribute tracts and religious books among the people. The congregation was divided into districts by the elders, and a personal responsibility for each district laid upon the elder to whose oversight it was entrusted. The spirit of the Lord moved upon the hearts of the people, and one and another was added to the church. For more than a year this spirit of earn- est work was manifested by the people. Doubtless with this spirit of work there was a spirit of prayer. In the meantime the Synod of Indiana met with the church in 1846, no doubt strengthening and confirming the church. In the spring of 1847, there was a deepening and grow- ing interest. At this time the minister and session sought for help. Upon the 21st of May, the Rev. Dr. Nathan R. Hall, of Kentucky, came to Bloomington by invitation to assist in a protracted meeting. Dr. Hall preached for ten days, preaching at 9 A. M., having an inquiry and prayer meeting at 3 P. M., and preaching again at 7 P. M., with a meeting for prayer, exhortation and inquiry following. During these meetings thirty- eight persons were received upon profession of their faith. A number were received a short time afterwards.
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The number received during Prof. Ryors' ministry was seventy-two, sixty-three upon profession of faith, nine by letter.
In July, 1847, the Rev. Levi Hughes was invited to supply the church for a year. Mr. Hughes had been received into the church of Bloomington upon profes- sion of his faith not quite four years before. He was at that time studying law. His convictions of duty turned him to preparation for the ministry. After he had completed a three years' course of theological study in the Seminaries at New Albany and Princeton, he was invited to become the stated supply of the church at Bloomington. He accepted the invitation, and after this term of service he was called and settled as pastor. This pastorate only continued, however, until the spring of 1851, when Mr. Hughes removed to Logansport, hav- ing accepted a call to the first Presbyterian church of that place.
In 1850, the membership of the church at Blooming- ton as reported to the General Assembly, was one hun- dred and twelve.
COLUMBUS.
The historical records of the church at Columbus are very meagre. The Rev. B. M. Nyce supplied the church during a term of years between 1840 and 1850. Under his ministry, the first Presbyterian church edifice was erected in Columbus. It was built about the year 1841, mainly as a result of Mr. Nyce's persistent and indom- itable energy. The church was then very feeble, and considered itself too poor for such an undertaking, Mr. Nyce himself, aided by a few ladies, solicited subscriptions in material, work and money, and when they could get no more commenced the work and pressed it until the means were exhausted. Then it stood still and the pro-
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cess of procuring means and then expending was again repeated. Thus the work progressed until it was final- ly completed, without debt, at a cost of about twelve hundred dollars.
Mr. Nyce's labors in building the church, in teaching in the county Seminary, which he did for several years, and his preaching were spoken of in the highest terms by those who knew him and his work. The church paid him a salary of one hundred and seventy-five dol- lars, all they could raise. Several seasons of religious interest were enjoyed during his ministry. Mr. Nyce left Columbus in 1849. In the fall of 1849, Mr. Charles Merwin was called to supply the pulpit for one year. During this year several were added to the church. The number of members reported to the General Assem- bly of 1850, was ninety.
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4
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HISTORY OF THE
CHAPTER V.
Second Church of Indianapolis-Indianapolis Presbytery, N. S .- Enlargement of Presbytery-Ministerial Changes- Changes in Churches-Missionary Work-Pastoral Rela- tion-Report to General Assembly.
1840-1850.
SECOND CHURCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
ONE of the first important effects within the Presbytery following the great division in the Presbyterian Church, was the formation of the Second Presbyterian church of Indianapolis. This was organized by Rev. James H. Johnson, November 19, 1838, in the Marion county sem- inary, a small brick building standing, until 1860, at the south-west corner of University Square. The original members of the church were fifteen in number. Their names are as follows : Bethuel F. Morris, Daniel Yandes, Luke Munsell, Lawrence M. Vance, Mary J. Vance, Sidney Bates, William Eckert, Alexander H. Davidson, Robert Mitchell, William S. Hubbard, Joseph F. Holt, Margaret R. Holt, John L. Ketcham, Jane Ketcham and Catherine Merrill. On the 20th of November, the day after the organization, they issued a call to Rev. Sylves- ter Holmes, of New Bedford, Massachusetts. The call was declined. Some weeks later, January 15, 1839, they invited Rev. John C. Young, of Danville, Kentucky, to become their pastor, but this overture also was unsuc -.
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PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS.
cessful. The Rev. Elihu Baldwin, president of Wabash College, was solicited to take charge of the new church. He likewise declined. On the 13th of May, the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, then of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, was called to the pastorate. He accepted the call, and entered upon his work in the church July 31, 1839. At this time the church had increased to a membership of thirty-two. The county seminary was occupied for one year as a place of worship. The church then went into its own edifice, occupying at first the lecture room. Soon, however, the house was completed, and its dedica- tion occurred October 4, 1840.
INDIANAPOLIS PRESBYTERY, NEW SCHOOL.
A second effect of importance following the division of the Presbyterian church into Old and New School, was the formation of the New School Presbytery of In- dianapolis.
The Rev. Eliphalet Kent, and the Rev. John Todd, with the churches within the bounds of Indianapolis Presbytery adhering to the N. S. Assembly, had, in the adherence of the majority of that presbytery to the O. S. Assembly, become connected with the Presbytery of Madison. In October, 1839, the synod of Indiana, N. S., passed the following :
Resoived, That the Presbyteries of Madison and Crawfordsville be divided, and the Presbytery of Indianapolis formed, embracing the following territory, viz: The counties of Morgan, Johnson, Shelby, Rush, Hancock, Henry, Marion, Hendricks, Hamilton and Madison. Said presbytery to meet at Franklin, on the last Thursday of March (1840), at 11 o'clock A. M. The Rev. John Todd, or in his absence the next oldest minister present, shall preach the opening sermon, and preside until another moderator be chosen.
In accordance with the above order of synod, the Presbytery of Indianapolis (N. S.) met at the appointed time at Franklin. The Rev. John Todd having de-
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ceased, the sermon was preached by the Rev. Moody Chase. The presbytery was opened with prayer by the moderator pro tem. The Rev. Moody Chase was chosen moderator, and Henry Ward Beecher, temporary clerk, and subsequently stated clerk. The members present were: Ministers, A. G. Dunning, Moody Chase and Henry Ward Beecher ; elders, Garret Sorter and E. N. H. Adams. Rev. E. Kent, another member, was absent. At an adjourned meeting of the presbytery, held at In- dianapolis the next month (April), the Rev. P. S. Cle- land was received by letter from the Salem Presbytery. The churches included within the original limits of the presbytery were the following : Danville, Brownsburg, New Winchester, Second Indianapolis, New Providence or Southport, Greenwood, South Marion, afterwards Mt. Pleasant, Eagle Creek, Highland, Sugar Creek and Batavia.
At the meeting of the General Assembly (N. S.) in 1840, the territory in south-east Indiana, which had be- longed to the Synod of Cincinnati, was attached to the Synod of Indiana. At the meeting of the synod in Oc- tober, 1840, so much of the territory added to the synod by the act of the Assembly as was north of Decatur and Ripley counties was added to the Presbytery of Indian- apolis.
ENLARGEMENT OF PRESBYTERY.
In October, 1845, the presbytery was enlarged by the following action of synod :
Resolved, That the county of Boone, embracing the Rev. Thomp- son Bird and the churches of Lebanon, Bethel and Thorntown, be detached from the Presbytery of Crawfordsville and attached to the Presbytery of Indianapolis; and that the county of Decatur, em- bracing the Rev. Jonathan Cable and the church of Sand Creek, be detached from the Presbytery of Madison and attached to the Pres- bytery of Indianapolis.
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PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Previous to this enlargement of the presbytery, there was frequent failure of a quorum at appointed times of meeting.
MINISTERIAL CHANGES.
In October, 1841, William N. Stimson, who had been received as a licentiate from the Presbytery of Cincin- nati, was ordained as an evangelist at a meeting of the presbytery in Highland church.
At this meeting of presbytery, Rev. Alvah G. Dun- ning was dismissed to the Presbytery of Cincinnati. Presbytery also appointed Messrs. Cleland and Chase to visit and spend one Sabbath at Noblesville before the next stated meeting Likewise W. N. Stimson and Henry Ward Beecher were to visit and hold communion service with the church at Danville, spending a Sabbath with the church.
In April, 1842, Rev. Moody Chase was dismissed to the Presbytery of Crawfordsville.
Presbytery in session at Danville, April, 1843, re- ceived from the Presbytery of Cincinnati and ordained Mr. H. Hanmer, who was ministering as stated supply to the church at Danville. "Mr. Hanmer," writes one of the elders of the church concerning him, "was a young man of talent and piety, and much beloved by his people. Before the close of the first year of his minis- try, he became insane and was taken to his home in Connecticut by his friends." In 1859 his name was dropped from the roll.
In August, 1843, presbytery, in session at Indianapo- lis, licensed Mr. Charles Beecher. In September, 1844, he was dismissed to the care of the Presbytery of Lo- gansport.
In November, 1845, Rev. Benjamin M. Nyce was received from Salem Presbytery. April, 1846, Rev.
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HISTORY OF THE
James McCoy was received from Logansport Presbytery. Also B. F. Stuart, a licentiate, was received from the Presbytery of Cincinnati and ordained. November, 1847, he was dismissed to Salem.
April, 1847, Rev. Theophilus Lowry was received from the Presbytery of Crawfordsville. He was with the church of Danville until the spring of 1849. In Sep- tember, 1850, he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Crawfordsville.
In September, 1847, the labors of Henry Ward Beecher in the Second church of Indianapolis closed, and in Oc- tober a letter of dismission was granted to him by pres- bytery "to join the body with which the Plymouth church, Brooklyn, New York," was connected. From the beginning of Mr. Beecher's ministry in the Second church there was a gradual and hopeful growth. In the beginning of 1842, a very precious revival was experi- enced. At three communion seasons, held successively in February, March and April, 1842, nearly one hun- dred persons were added to the church on profession of their faith. Early in the following year, at the March and April communions, the church had large accessions, as it had also in 1845. During this pastorate of more than eight years, the membership of the church had increased to two hundred and seventy-five.
From September, 1847, to April, 1848, the Second church of Indianapolis was temporarily supplied by Rev. Shubert Granby Spees.
In September, 1848, Rev. Abraham S. Avery, who had been employed by the missionary committee as the missionary of the presbytery, was received from Patas- kala Presbytery, Ohio.
Mr. Avery was soon prostrated by sickness, and unable to continue his missionary labors. In his sickness he
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PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS.
was not forsaken by his brethren, but received their sympathies and substantial aid, while the funds contrib- uted to missionary purposes were employed in securing, during the summer of 1849, at twenty dollars per month, the labors of Mr. George Davis, a licentiate of the Pres- bytery of Cincinnati.
October, 1848, Clement E. Babb, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Dayton, was received. A call from the Second church of Indianapolis having been placed in his hands, and having signified his acceptance, he was or- dained and installed pastor of the church.
October, 1848, Rev. W. H. Rogers was received from the Presbytery of Cincinnati.
April, 1849, Amos Jones, a licentiate of the Presby- tery of Cincinnati, was received. At an adjourned meeting of presbytery in May, he was ordained. He was stated supply of the church at Danville until 1853.
September, 1849, Rev. Sylvanus Warren, of the Pres- bytery of Athens, Ohio, was received. His labors were connected with the American Tract Society. In Sep- tember, 1850, he was dismissed to Salem.
Also, in September, 1849, Rev. Benjamin F. Cole, of the Presbytery of Crawfordsville, was received. A call from the churches of Thorntown and Bethel was put into his hands, and, having accepted the call, a commit- tee was appointed to install him. His installation was reported at the next meeting of presbytery.
April, 1850, James McCoy was dismissed to Presbytery of Salem.
CHANGES IN CHURCHES.
In August, 1842, the New Pisgah church was organ- ized.
In September, 1844, the organization of Stoney Creek church was reported to presbytery in session at Nobles-
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ville. Also the organization of a church at Edinburgh was reported, and it was further ordered that the mem- bers of the church of Batavia, in the neighborhood of Edinburg, be enrolled among the members of the church 'at Edinburg, and the name of the church of Batavia be dropped from the roll.
April 1846, the organization of the church of Ander- sontown was reported, also of the churches of Pendle- ton and Upper Sugar Creek. These two last churches, however, seem to have never been fully organized, and they had but a short and sickly existence. April, 1847, the organization of a church at Greenfield, Hancock county, was reported.
September, 1850, the Sand Creek and Clarksburg churches sent a request to the presbytery for permission to unite with the Felicity Presbytery of the Free Pres- byterian church. The request was complied with, and the names of these churches dropped from the roll.
MISSIONARY COMMITTEE.
April, 1848, Rev. J. Cable, Rev. E. Kent and Dr. W. H. Wishard, were appointed a committee to employ a missionary. A co-operating committee of one from each church in the presbytery was appointed to raise funds for the support of the missionary. This mission- ary committee was more than a nominal one. It suc- ceeded in accomplishing missionary work.
REPORT OF HOME MISSIONARY COMMITTEE.
September, 1849, the Committee on Home Missions made the following report, which was adopted :
" The survey of our field of labor awakens painful feelings. So much territory lying waste, nominally under our care yet never rep- resented at our meetings. Your committee recommend a more sys- tematic effort to meet the wants of the perishing souls, which Prov- idence has crowded around us. And to secure this object, they sug-
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PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS.
gest, that presbytery elect annually a Board on vacancies, sup- plies and destitutions, to consist of two ministers and one elder, which shall meet as often as once in two months, and may meet oftener in case of special business. That this Board be instructed to secure men for our vacant churches and destitute territory as fast as possible. That this Board have no power to pledge the pres- bytery for money without a special vote, but that the presbytery recommend them and their work to all our churches, and will vol- untarily aid them in raising funds for such objects as they present. That the churches that have no stated preaching be directed to apply to the Board between the meetings of presbytery for supplies, and that the Board secure members of presbytery to visit those places occasionally.
COMMITTEE ON PASTORAL RELATION.
The presbytery, with its increasing strength, and gird- ing itself for presbyterial mission work, took also the following action respecting the pastoral relation :
Presbytery believes that it is the policy and interest of the Pres- byterian church, and that it would be for the glory of God and the good of the community at large, to establish a permanent relation between the preachers and the people, according to our excellent form of government, Chapters 15 and 16, which provides for and enjoins the settling of a pastor over every church, when it shall be practicable. That for the want of such permanent relation, the churches are suffering, not only the want of the stated means of grace, but all the interests of the church are languishing. Semina- ries and schools, Sabbath schools, Tract distribution, Missionary operations, and all the means of building up an intelligent churcli and evangelizing the world, are entirely wanting or are in a lan- guishing condition. Therefore
Resolved, Ist, That we advise every church to secure a permanent pastor as speedily as possible.
Resolved, 2d, That this presbytery will not, unless for very pecu- liar reasons, agree to grant the relation of stated supply between a minister and church longer than one year.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PASTORAL RELATION.
September, 1849, the Committee on the Pastoral Rela- tion made the following report :
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HISTORY OF. THE
That the churches of Greenwood, New Providence and South Marion have been enjoying the labors of Brother Cleland for many years without installing him pastor, and they recommend that pres- bytery appoint a committee to meet those churches and confer with them on the subject between this and the first day of December, and secure, if they can, a compliance with the rule of presbytery on the subject.
Messrs. Babb and McCoy, were appointed a committee as above recommended.
As the result of this action, a call for the pastoral ser- vices of P. S. Cleland was made by the churches to which he had been so long ministering, and in May, 1850, he was installed by a committee of presbytery. The pastorate was happy and endured for many years.
REPORT OF 1850 TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The Presbytery reported to the Assembly of 1850, thirteen ministers, twenty-one churches and eight hun- dred and twenty-one members. Of these churches, ten, containing six hundred and twenty-five members, were within the boundaries of the present Presbytery of Indianapolis.
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PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS.
CHAPTER VI.
Presbytery of Indianapolis, O. S .- Churches Organized- Ministerial Changes-Lessons from the History of Frank- lin Church-Ministerial Support-Missionary Work- Organization of Whitewater Presbytery, and Changes in the Boundaries of the Presbytery.
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