USA > Indiana > Indiana Methodism: a series of sketches and incidents grave and humorous concerning preachers and people of the West with an appendix containing personal recollections, public addresses and other miscellany > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
1
133
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
presented himself before the august episcopos. 'Stand right there, sir,' said the bishop. 'You know where you are ? I want you to understand that, by a vote of this conference, you are now in my hands; and, if, by the time I get through with you, there is a whole bone left in your skin, you may thank your stars. Why, here is Brother Smith, a white elder, who knows that, if a man in his con- ference had done as you have, they would have kill- ed him right straight. You are meaner than Ar- nold, who sold the troops at the red banks ; you are meaner than Judas, who sold his Lord for thirty pieces of silver ; you ain't fit to live, and you ain't fit to die ; the Lord, I know, wouldn't have you, and I don't b'lieve the devil wants you. Two years ago I married you to the church. Think of your ordination vows. On your knees, at the Terre Haute conference, you took the church for your spouse, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, till death should you part ; and now, low and be- hold ! you have left the wife that I married you to, and run off with another gal. Go and sit down, sir.'", Addressing the bishop, Dr. Elliot exclaimed, "Well, well; there's episcopacy for you with a vengeance, sir. Brother Smith is right ; your notion of union won't do at all, sir." The charioteer had accom- plished his purpose ; for, as he was careful to no- tice, the story of Bishop Quinn's "gentle " admoni- tion, was too much for the sedate Bishop Hamline. His sides fairly shook with laughter.
The conference met in the basement of the Fifth- street church, which had just been completed under the able pastorate of the Rev. Samuel Brenton.
134
INDIANA METHODISM,
The preachers, thanks to the pastor for his pains- taking arrangements, were splendidly entertained in the young but goodly Star City. Conference over, the bishop and Dr. Elliott concluded to return to Indianapolis via Crawfordsville and Greencastle, in order to visit the Elston family and the Indiana Asbury University. The party was most hospita- bly entertained at Crawfordsville by the facetious Major Elston, his queenly wife, and accomplished daughters. Thence they made their way, facing a drenching rain, to the seat of the university, where they received a royal welcome at the homes of the Rev. S. C. Cooper and President Simpson.
While en route from Greencastle to Indianapolis the bishop good humoredly remarked, "Well, Brother Smith, we thought we would send you back to finish your work at Roberts chapel ; to take care of the lambs you have received into the fold, and to complete the unfinished house of worship. Think you can do it?" "Yes, " it was answered, "with the help of the Lord."
The second year of the author's experience at the capital city has been to some extent anticipated. Mention has also been made of some of the good people of Indianapolis with whom the writer was associated during his two years' sojourn in the city as pastor. A few additional personals may be of interest. The following extracts are therefore in- serted, from a paper read in May, 1873, at the semi- centennial of the introduction of Methodism into Indianapolis.
I35
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
THE LAITY.
BY REV. DR. J. L. SMITH.
The North Indiana Conference was organized at Ft. Wayne October 16, 1844, Bishop Waugh presid- ing. From that Conference I was appointed to a pastoral charge in this city. The whole number of members returned on the minutes for Indianapolis was 670; of these 282 belonged to the Western charge, now Meridian Street, and 388 to the Eastern charge, now Roberts Park. In the brief time allott- ed me I dare not attempt even a mention of a tithe of the worthy names which graced our records of that day. Among the more prominent at Wesley, I may name Morris, Paxton, Hanaman, Holland, Roll, and old mother Dobson. Nor could any of those mentioned pray more devoutly or shout more gracefully than could this mother in our Israel, whether in the church or at her daily toil. The children loved her, and hailed with delight the ap- pearance of wash-day when mother Dobson was coming to sing them pretty songs and tell them about Jesus and his love ; and, like the woman of the Gospel who was to be remembered, so shall mother Dobson not be forgotten.
AUSTIN W. MORRIS,
an earnest Christian, a man of large heart and broad views, enterprising and sagacious in business, de- vised liberal things, both for the progress of the church and the prosperity of the city. To his skill and liberality was attributable mainly the erection of Wesley Chapel, as is also due to his enterprise
136
INDIANA METHODISM,
and far-seeing wisdom, the credit of laying the foundations of the growth and rapidly increasing wealth of the city, with its centeralization of a rail- road system, that is now one of the wonders of the age.
In the Eastern charge we had Foudray and the Fletchers, the Richmonds, the Phipps, the Becks, the Browns, the Brouses, the Wilkins, the Tute- wilers, the Goldsberrys, the Coburns, the Coopers, the Coldstocks, and Aunt Betsey Lawrence. "Aunt Betsey," although occupying a very different social position, was, nevertheless, the Mother Dobson of Roberts Chapel. The old court-house was our sanct- uary, and private houses our class-rooms. In the double parlors of Brother Goldsberry's house on the evening of Thursday, November 8, 1844, we held our first prayer meeting together.
*
%
*
CALVIN FLETCHER,
than whom I never had.a better friend ; kind, plain, sometimes exacting, always just, often generous, and ever true. He was a rare man. He despised ostentation, he sounded no trumpet, his alms and his offerings were done in secret. Professionally, and in his business relations, doubtless many knew him better than I ; but without arrogance, I may say, that, in his church relations, in his religious life, and in his charities none knew him better than myself. I am glad of this opportunity, which now for the first time occures, to say, in this city, and in this presence, that he was one of the most scrupu-
I37
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
lously honest, conscientious, upright and charitable men I ever knew. Some wondered why, with his ample fortune, he did not found an orphan asylum, build a college, or endow a university. I confess that I honor the men who do such things, even if their accumulations are the result of " grinding the faces of the poor " or of gambling in Wall-street stocks ; for it were better than the wages of unright- eousness be used in a good than a bad cause. Mr. Fletcher's charities, for the most part, were private, and he studiously labored to have them so. As an intimate friend I knew much of him. I have met the good man in almost every lane then in this city. He made it well nigh a daily business to call at the houses of the poor, having a systematic plan of vis- iting the sick and needy in the whole town ; inquir- ing at each place what was needed ; giving orders to grocers, millers, and dry goods merchants, and the next day settling his bills. We had an under- standing with each other that, if,in my pastoral vis- itation, I should find any needy family which he had failed to see, I was to report to him, and so he in turn was to report to me any case where he thought I ought to go as a minister. Revivals began now, as in the days of the first gospel preaching, at the foundation, with fishermen and tax gatherers for their first fruit. There are those in this city to-day, with others in the far West, and with still others in the heavenly world, who, thirty years ago, in their poverty, were induced,by the counsel and charities of Calvin Fletcher, to rise to positions of respectibility and usefulness. Eternity alone can show the results of such a man's work in co-operation with his minister
138
INDIANA METHODISM,
in bringing souls to Christ. In a free conversation, on one occasion, he said that when he came to In- dianapolis he had but fifty cents in the world. He paid that for two bushels of potatoes, and his wife gave one bushel of them to a poor family in the neighborhood. Just as he had brought his potatoes home, having wheeled them from the west side of White river, Dr. Coe called on him for a subscription to help build a Presbyterian church. The Doctor put the case strongly, saying "this is now the capi- tal of the State and no church in the village." Mr. Fletcher told him he had nothing to give, but, said he, "Doctor, I will try to be as good at least as the Scribes and Pharisees : I will give you one-tenth of my income this year. Time passed on and little more was thought of the matter until the end of the year, when the Dr. called again. Footing up the year's business it was found that according to agree- ment there was due on subscription $75; Mr Fletch- er added, "I have not from that time to this per- mitted a new year to usher in and find in my hands the Lord's money, but have uniformly given at least a tenth (often more) of my annual income every year of my life since that time, and by the help of God will do so till I die."
I called on him once for the payment of $1,000 he had subscribed towards the building of Roberts chapel. He went to his desk and took out two notes of long standing, which he held against our archi- tect. Looking steadily at the old papers, for a few moments, which he was about to place in my hands for collection. "No," said he, "this will not do. I must not offer a lame lamb in sacrifice, but one without
139'
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
blemish." Then turning leisurely to his drawer, and laying the notes back again, he handed me the thous- and dollars in gold. I could fill a volume with the history of the good deeds in the life of this great and. good man, but I forbear.
MRS. MARGARET GIVANS,
who had been a member of the first class, organized in this city, an "elect lady," for many years presi- dent of the Bible Society, and a true mother in Is- rael, used to delight in narrating incidents of early Methodism in the city, when the eccentric Cravens was her pastor. This good women died at a com- paratively recent date full of faith and the Holy Ghost.
MOTHER LYTLE,
converted under the ministry of Gideon Ousley in. the North of Ireland, who could repeat almost entire sermons as she had heard them from the lips. of John Wesley, was no less remarkable for her in- tellectual strength than her power of simple child- like faith. She was even then well stricken in years,. but had a mind unclouded and a clearness of spirit- ual vision rarely witnessed. Her lessons of wisdom, her holy life and her wonderful relations of Chris- tian experience, I trust will never be forgotten by her pastor of nearly thirty years ago.
JOHN FOUDRAY, SR.,
a pioneer Methodist in Indianapolis, was a great man and a model Christian. As a class-leader I never saw his equal. His faith was abiding and un- swerving. He seemed always and everywhere to
140
INDIANA METHODISM,
know just what to say and how to say it. He was a mechanic without having learned a trade, a man of learning without a school education, and a prince in Israel by the power of the Holy Ghost.
**
*
JOSHUA COOPER,
a shoemaker by trade, a good man, singular in his manners, quaint in style, a regular Connecticut Van- kee, had a way of drawing all his comparison or fig- ures of speech from his trade. On one occasion a clerical brother from Illinois preached for us in the court house. He seemed a little confused in thought and somewhatawkward in manner. Services ended, some one asked Brother Cooper what he thought of the sermon. "Well," said he, "I think the brother got the bristle off." Roberts Chapel was dedicated by President (now Bishop) Simpson, who preached as he only can preach. During the sermon Brother Cooper was much agitated, yet true to his Yankee nature, he was not very demonstrative. Returning home he was again asked what he thought of the sermon. "Oh," he replied, "that's a good job ; that work won't rip.
JOHN WILKINS,
than whom few better men ever lived, had peculiari- ties also. The following extract from a letter writ- ten by him to Bishop Morris in 1846, at the close of my two years' labor, which the good Bishop kindly permitted me to copy at the time, I know will sound familiar to those who knew Brother Wilkins: "Dear Bishop- Brother J. L. Smith has been our preacher
141
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
for two years, and I suppose he cannot come back to us, according to our Discipline. Brother Smith has done us good, because he gets up before break- fast ; and after breakfast, on Sunday mornings, he goes to class ; and the congregation don't have to wait for him when preaching hour comes. I think about two hundred have been converted in the two
I years that Brother J. L. has been with us. don't think that Brother Smith converted them ; the Lord did that. Our new church is done. Brother Smith worked hard to get it all finished up before conference, and it's paid for. Now we want another preacher. We don't make any choice, only we want a man that will visit the sick, and get up before breakfast."
"Yours truly, JOHN WILKINS."
MRS. ELIZA RICHMOND,
whose husband in his lifetime had been a law part- ner of Mr. Fletcher, was a woman of rare gifts and accomplishments. For many years she taught a private school of young ladies and little boys in her own house. Her solicitude for those committed to her care was unremitting, not only as it regarded their duties, but as it also regarded the salvation of their souls. During the revival season with which we were favored, both in the old court house and in the basement of Robert's Chapel, Mrs. Richmond was a power for good. Many in this city who were led by her in early life to embrace the faith of the gospel have risen to prominence and to positions of influence in the community and in the church of
142
INDIANA METHODISM,
god, to call the name of Eliza Richmond blessed for having taught them the "right ways of the Lord." The autumn of 1846 was for many years distinguished as the "sickly season." We had a praying band for the spiritual watch-care of the sick, of which Mrs. Richmond was the acknowledged leader. One of the principal families of my charge was pros- trated with typhoid fever. Two of the children died, and were buried without the knowledge of their parents, both of whom were apparently very rap- idly sinking to the grave. In a few days, how ever, the father rallied; consciousness returned. and with it bitter weeping at the loss of his children. On Thursday, September 10, at the close of our weekly prayer-meeting, a little company composed of Sister Richmond, Brother Foudray, and two or three others, called at the house of mourning. It proved to be a memorable occasion ; for, on the night, there was a remarkable test of faith, and a never- to-be-forgotten proof of the power and efficacy of prayer. At ten o'clock the attending physicians, Drs. Dunlap and Stipp, informed us that, in refer- ence to the sick woman, all was over, nothing more could be done, and that she could not possibly live longer than midnight. Some of us follow ed Dr. Stipp to the gate and urged him to remain, hoping against hope that her life might be spared to her stricken family and to her sorrowing church. "I repeat," said the doctor, "nothing can be done; the patient's extremities are now cold." "Shall we not rub them, doctor ?" asked some one. "Non- sense," said the doctor, "she is now dying."
The doctor departed ; and, on our returning to
143
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
the sick room, Mrs. Richmond said, "Do not the scriptures teach,-'is any sick among you ? let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up?' And now that the doctors have done all they can, let us apply to the Great Physician." For nearly two hours inces- sant prayer was offered, and such manifestations of divine power are rarely witnessed as was realized on that occasion. Just as the clock struck twelve the doctor's dying patient awoke from a sweet slum- ber and smilingly said, "Oh what delightful dreams I have had; I hear now the sweet music floating through the air." Her life had returned, and with it a conscious fullness of joy. In direct answer to prayer her life was spared ; and she and her honored husband still live in this city to bless the church and attest the "profit of prayer," Tyndallism and every other form of infidelity, to the contrary notwith- standing.
IN CONCLUSION.
Following the fashion of the times, though con- trary to my own judgment, I had intended to allude to those only who had passed away from earth. But now, having in one case referred to the living, allow me one other allusion and with that I shall close these hasty and very imperfect sketches.
A young man had returned from an Eastern col- lege to his home in this city with health so impared as to be unable to pursue his studies. His father, thinking that traveling with moderate manual labor, might do his son good, concluded to
144
INDIANA METHODISM,
place him in the care of a Mr. Gentry, of Independence, Missouri, who was then engag- ed in fitting up a caravan of mules an mule- teers for the transportation of goods to Mex- ico. When my young friend was about leaving he came to my study and asked if a person could join church without being at meeting. I answered he could, and picking up what we called "the receiving book," a book for the names of probationers (which I trust has been preserved), I requested him to write his name, which he did. I then gave him a church letter, with a pledge on his part that he would try to give his heart to God. I immediately wrote the min- ister at Independence that he might soon expect a young man from Indianapolis-to seek him out and otherwise give him such attention as the case de- manded.
The following brief extract from my young friend's first letter after his arrival at Independence may show how he was impressed :
"Dear Brother-I find the preacher, here very kind. He called for m'e to go with him to church and Sunday-school ; and, don't you think, they have away out here in Missouri the same kind of little blue-backed Sunday-school hymn books that we have at Roberts Chapel ?" His second letter stated that the train of pack mules would leave on the next day, sufficient in number to carry one hundred thous- and dollars' worth of goods to Santa Fe. In his next he gave a glowing account of the country, roam - ing bands of Mexicans, their use of the lasso, wild Indians, and how his company had almost famished for water, and closed in these words : "We camped
145
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
last night among the ruins of an old city. My turn came to watch the mules grazing ; was out at mid- night, but instead of going to sleep I wandered away for secret prayer. While bowed beside a broken column in this once great city, I surrendered all, and gave my heart to God. Iknow that my dear father and blessed good mother, and you and Sister Richmond, and Father Foudray, and all my friends, have been praying for me. I have been trying to pray for myself ever since I left Indianapolis, and last night the Lord powerfully converted my soul, and I rejoice and praise His name amid the ruins and fallen columns of this ancient city of Pecos."
Our young convert and party were afterwards captured by the Mexicans, but Mr. Gentry being a native of Canada, claimed protection under the British crown, and was sent under escort to Monte- rey, where General Taylor was in command, and from him obtained a safe conduct out of the enemy's country. It was a day to be remembered, for it was a day of joy and rejoicing, when, with restored health, and happy in the love of God, our young friend returned to his native city. Soon, however, was he again at college, where he graduated with distinction, became a traveling preacher, was once stationed at Wesley Chapel in this city, and to-day, though with broken health, and no longer able for the more active work of his high calling, lives in your midst, a useful citizen, a worthy son of a noble sire, an honored minister-the Rev. Elijah T. Fletcher, A. M.
Much as I would love to speak of others, some gone to their reward in heaven, others yet linger-
¥46
INDIANA METHODISM,
ing on the shore of the river, I am admonished that already I have possibly trespassed on the time of the distinguished gentlemen who are to fol- low. I should be glad to say more-less, I could not consent to say.
CHAPTER XII. LAPORTE-FT. WAYNE COLLEGE.
The Conference of 1846, Bishop Morris, president, unet in the city of LaPorte on the 16th of Septem- ber.
Among the important acts of this conference was that of establishing the Ft. Wayne Female College. The hurculean task of raising subscriptions, which were taken in money, lands, or building material, and of educating the people up to the point that as- sured success, was performed mainly by G. M. Boyd, presiding elder of the Ft. Wayne District, and John S. Bayless, pastor of the Ft. Wayne sta- tion. The pastor of Roberts Chapel, being at the end of his term, must at this conference receive a new appointment. Having attended the commence- ment exercises of the Indiana Asbury University, first in 1845, again in 1846, and then, a few months la- ter, hearing the eloquent educational addresses made at the LaPorte conference, he became enthused on the subject of education. He was not unwilling, therefore, to accept from the bishop an appoint-
147
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
ment as agent for the university, to which office he had been elected by the joint Board of Trustees and visitors at their annual meeting in June.
A few weeks after conference the agent was snugly settled with his family among his old friends at Dublin, Wayne county, and at once entered upon his new work. That good man and grand preacher, George M. Beswick, was the popular and useful pre- siding elder of the district. John R. Tansey was the Dublin preacher. Wm. F. Wheeler, who had been sta - tioned at Dublin the year before, having superan- nuated on account of broken health, was also resid- ing in Dublin. T. S. Webb, afterwards so well known as a minister, was then living only two miles from Dublin, at Cambridge City. He was then a sturdy son of Vulcan, and a useful local preacher.
A revival occurred at Dublin in the winter of 1846 -47, known locally as "the great revival," which spread over the eastern part of the State generally. F. A. Hardin, then a boy, now, for these many years, the flaming evangelist, was converted at the Dublin meeting.
The meeting had a splendid working force,-Bes- wick, Wheeler, Tansey, Webb, with Smith thrown in-Beswick to preach, Webb to exhort, Wheeler and Tansey to sing; and besides these, the minister, those mighty people in prayer,-Sisters Lebrick, Ream, Hood, Fortner and Van Buskirk, as also Brothers Ezra Hardin, Thomas Axe, Strickler For- rey, and Alfred Pierce. The Lord came down in wonderful power, to save the people. "The slain of the Lord were many." The power of divine grace "to kill and to make alive" was too manifest to be
148
INDIANA METHODISM,
mistaken. The influence of the meeting still lives. Many of the children, even grandchildren, of those converted at the Dublin meeting, owe to "the great revival" a debt which they can never re- pay. Through all these years the revival fire kin- dled at Dublin has been flaming in the life of F. A. Hardin. The Lord greatly blessed him and so made him a great blessing to the world. He now has a son standing by his side on the walls of Zion, to perpetuate his name and ministry.
John R. Tansey labored with great zeal and suc- cess in various fields in Indiana till 1852, when he was transferred to California by Bishop Waugh. He rose to still greater distinction on the Pacific coast, serving the church several years as presiding elder, and filling numerous important stations. His breth- ren elected him as their delegate to the General Con- ference of 1872, which met at Brooklyn, N. Y. He has recently passed to the land of the immortals, whither most of his interesting family had preceeded him, leaving to the church the fragrance of a good name. Mrs. Tansey, a woman of uniform piety and good sense, who was favored with superior advan- tages in early life, had much to do with shaping the destiny of her husband. She still lives, a saintly her- itage of the California Conference.
George M Beswick, the Addison of Indiana preachers, full of faith and the Holy Ghost,-loved by most, respected by all,-a mighty man, a prince in Israel, has also gone to his reward. His devoted wife is still living. Several of his daughters are now the wives of ministers.
William F. Wheeler, the sweet singer, the earn-
149
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS. .
est and useful preacher, the popular presiding elder, labored about twenty years as an itinerant. He oc- cupied in the course of his ministry, many promi- nent stations, such as Peru, Richmond, Crawfords- ville, Logansport, LaFayette, and last of all, Indian- apolis district. He fell at his post, in the noontide of his manhood, having many seals to his ministry. Doubtless he now has many stars in the crown of his rejoicing.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.