USA > Indiana > Indiana Methodism : being an account of the introduction, progress, and present position of Methodism in the State; and also a history of the literary institutions under the care of the church, with sketches of the principle Methodist educators in the state . . > Part 14
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daunted, with prayerful hearts they took the case to the Lord; and a building, not very suitable, was obtained from James Henry, which was made to answer the pur- pose, until it became too small for a family of one of the tribes of Israel to inhabit.
Necessity was upon them. They could not expect any favors from the authorities, neither were they dis- posed to ask any, having been so summarily dealt with on former occasions. Hence they determined to build a house of their own for the Lord. They secured the lot on which Pearl-street Methodist Episcopal Church now stands, and proceeded at once to erect a frame church, with stone basement in the rear, which, after subscribing and re-subscribing on the part of all the members, and the few friends who were favorably dis- posed, they succeeded in finishing so far that they could occupy it for a two-days' meeting; and these were the only dedicatory exercises for the first church built in Richmond, aside from the Friends.
This was in 1831, and Revs. Asa Beck and Richard S. Robinson were on the circuit. The latter was the junior preacher, and it fell to his lot to be at Richmond and carry on the services, with the help of local breth- ren, who were always on hand at such special occasions. Arrangements had been made with Rev. Mr. Baughman to come over from Eaton and assist. The opposers of Methodism in Richmond had not forgotten the former two-days' meeting, held in the brick school-house, when the truth preached as it was in Christ, became as fiery bomb-shells, disturbing the quiet, formal worshiper, sit- ting " at ease in Zion," as well as waking up the sinner, sleeping in his sins on the verge of perdition ; and they resolved, if possible, to prevent the like occurrence ; but had to devise other means than formerly, as they had
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no power to close the doors of those who worshiped " under their own vine and fig-tree." As Mr. Baugh- man was to come from Eaton, Ohio, it was currently reported by a few leading infidels, then heralded by others throughout the community, that " the small-pox was raging there," and that it would be at the risk of in- troducing that loathsome disease should he be permitted to come. A "Board of Health " was hastily appointed, in view of two such fearful visitations as the small-pox and a Methodist two-days' meeting; and the families who were expected to entertain guests coming from a dis- tance were informed of the sad state of affairs, while the road from Eaton to Richmond was duly guarded. These reports were rife throughout the town; and on Satur- day morning, with sad hearts, the few Methodists of Richmond met those from the country, who came to attend the meeting at the new church, and talked over the situation. Mr. Robinson, nothing daunted, preached in the morning and evening, with extraordinary unction from on high, and held the love-feast Sabbath morning, expecting to preach the morning sermon, when, to the surprise of all, Mr. Baughman made his appearance. The effect was electrical, and went like wild-fire through the community. Satan outdid himself, "the wrath of man " was made to praise God; for the house was soon filled with friend and foe to overflowing, regardless of small-pox, Methodist meeting, or any thing else; and the power of God was revealed, while his servant preached, "with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven," on Isaiah liii, 1: "Who hath believed our report, and to . whom is the arm of the Lord revealed ?" The gates of infidelity were carried away; a Samson had taken hold of its "middle pillars," while the children of God wept and "rejoiced with exceeding great joy." The
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masterly effort in the morning brought the crowd to hear the Gospel message at night, when both the power and glory of God were manifested in the conviction and conversion of souls, resulting, at the close of the meet- ing on Monday, in the accession of thirty-two members to the Methodist Episcopal Church, most of whom had been converted during the meeting. The meeting, with its glorious results, created a great commotion among the infidel portion of community and the staid Friends, who thought the work was too speedily accomplished to be from God, or to be countenanced by his people. The latter have since learned, by a better acquaintance with Methodists and their usages, and the teachings of the Gospel, the truth taught by the Master, "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold," and rejoice in the prosperity of Zion among the other formerly unrecog- nized tribes of Israel.
The most determined, yet not exclusive, opposition to Methodism, during these years of struggle for a bare existence in Richmond, was from infidels and Hicksite Friends, or those sympathizing with their views-the latter being only a stepping-stone to the former, while both united in rejecting the atonement, with all the essential principles growing out of and clustering around the same. The Sabbath, never very sacredly guarded, even by the old or orthodox Friends, fared badly at the hands of the Hicksites, as may be seen from the follow- ing incident : Mr. C., a Methodist, settled in their midst, and, desiring to raise his family to have due respect for the Sabbath, he was troubled on account of his Hicksite Friends hauling saw-logs through his place on the Sab- bath. After praying over the matter, and reflecting upon it, he said to his neighbors that he wanted to live peaceably among them, but if they continued to haul
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logs through his land on that day, he would feel under the necessity of reporting them to the proper author- ities. They responded : "We also want to live peace- ably, and on friendly terms with thee; and if it is against thy principles that work should be done on the First Day, we will desist hauling logs through thy place on that day; but thee must remember that we do so, not because we regard the day, but because it is annoying to thee."
To return to our subject. The second two-days' meeting in its own house was the crossing of the Ru- bicon for Methodism in Richmond, from which it never went back. It was to it the day of Pentecost-to be repeated until, by the power of God, it stood head and shoulders above its enemies, who were compelled ever afterward, though in heart they despised it, to have some respect for it, by recognizing it as a power for good in the community, and according it at least an ex- istence. In the same year (1831) the first Sabbath- school ever organized in Richmond was organized by the Methodists in their own church. The Orthodox Friends followed with a Bible-class, which they termed a Sunday-school, in 1832-afterward taking the regular form of a Sunday-school.
By the blessing of God, Methodism grew and waxed strong in the (un)friendly soil of Richmond, until the frame church must give way to something better, larger, and more durable. In 1851, a new brick building was erected, on the same ground, superior to any other in the city, and one among the largest and finest churches then in the state; with stone basement for Sunday-school and class-rooms, over which was a fine audience-room-all of which were tastefully finished.
The vine of Methodism had taken such deep root,
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and its leaven had so permeated community, that its spa- cious building was not sufficient to accommodate all who desired at least to be under its influence in the services of the sanctuary. This, with the growth of the city, and the somewhat diversity of tastes, led to the withdrawal of forty-two members from Pearl Street, and the forma- tion of a second Methodist charge. They purchased Star Hall, on Main Street; had it refitted, and took the name of Union Chapel, in September, 1858. The chapel was dedicated by Dr. D. W. Clark, in October, and in the latter part of the month Rev. J. V. R. Miller, a transfer from the South-eastern Indiana Conference, was with them as their first preacher.
The new charge, composed of a few leading men, as William G. Scott, Isaac D. Dunn, A. A. Curme, William Bayless, G. Price, Douay M. M'Means, and others, went to work in earnest for their Master. Some of them being Eastern people, they adopted their own peculiari- ties, and had their church-pewed family sittings, and in- strumental music.
From the number of members in Pearl Street, and their devotion to Christ, they were able to move on with- out embarrassment, and soon filled up the places of those who, though they had gone out from them, yet were one with them in cultivating the vineyard of the Master.
The vine planted by the Lord in Union Chapel, so grew in devotion to God, numbers, and wealth, that in the Spring of 1867, they proceeded to erect a new church building, called Grace Church, on the corner of Seventh Street and Broadway, in the heart of the finest part of the city, which was duly finished, and dedicated to the worship of Almighty God, near the close of 1869. When completed, it was not only the most conveniently arranged, with basement and audience-room, and the:
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finest church in the city, but was excelled only by a few in the state.
During this time, prosperity had also attended the old hive at Pearl Street, and their numbers had so in- creased that a portion of her members were contemplat- ing a new swarm, out of which to make a third charge. At this juncture, a discussion arose in reference to instru- mental music being introduced into the congregation, which had already been introduced into the Sunday- school. It was eventually brought in, and some who op- posed it took exceptions, not so much to the music as to the manner in which it was voted in, being by the trust- ees, instead of leaving it to the vote of the entire mem- bership. Consequently, David Sands, Barton Wyatt, D. D. Lesh, Rev. George W. Iliff, William Gersuch, James Hamilton, William Byers, and thirty-six others, withdrew from Pearl Street, in 1867, and were formed into a new charge, called Third Charge. Their organization being completed, they secured the German Methodist Episcopal Church building to worship in, and Rev. George W. Iliff was sent to the session of North Indiana Conference, at Anderson, in April, 1867, to request the appointment of a minister. Rev. J. C. R. Layton was appointed, came on to the work in good spirits, labored faithfully for a time, then became discouraged, in view of opposition to the cause, and the unsettled financial condition of the charge, and resigned at the close of six months. Rev. P. Carland, a member of the South-eastern Indiana Confer- ence, who had been in the service of the country, had just returned; and desiring to be transferred to North Indiana Conference, was appointed pastor, and remained as such for six months, until the conference in 1868. During the fore part of the session of this conference, David Sands and Barton Wyatt bought Union Chapel, the Third
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Charge having been notified that they could only occupy the German Methodist Episcopal Church a few months longer; and Mr. Sands appeared at the seat of Confer- ence, greatly encouraged, to make known the fact, and ask for the continuance of the charge, under the name of Central, it occupying a central position on Main Street. Rev. C. W. Miller was appointed pastor, and during his second year, in view of pewing Grace Church, seventy- seven members, a number of whom were earnest work- ers, withdrew because the trustees would not leave the question to the vote of the entire membership, and united with Central, thus making it almost equal to Grace Church in numbers, and equal to either in a devoted, ear- nest, working membership. The three charges in Rich- mond are in a prosperous condition, steadily progressing, each containing an active, devoted membership, with faithful pastors leading on the hosts of Israel.
From the little band of seven members, in 1822, with . staff in hand, sojourning from house to house, sometimes without any home (until 1831), with the enemy pressing hard from all quarters to destroy, Methodism, under the guidance of the " Captain of Salvation," steadily pro- gressed, surmounting difficulties of almost every kind, until-changing the words but little-her votaries may say, with Jacob (Genesis, xxxii, 10) : "We are not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which thou hast showed unto thy servants; for with our staff we passed over into the city, and now we are become three bands," numbering over eight hundred communi- cants, with three Sabbath-schools, numbering nearly one thousand attendants, well organized, with energetic offi- cers and an efficient corps of teachers,-all worshiping God under their " own vine and fig-tree," with a Church property worth over seventy thousand dollars.
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Methodism, as represented by the Methodist Episco- pal Church, leaving out the other two organizations, has not only kept pace with the material growth and numer- ical population of the city, and other Churches, but has surpassed both city and Churches. With a city of less than ten thousand census inhabitants, over one-twelfth of them are in the yearly census of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and over one-eleventh of her population are members of her Sunday-school organizations, all of which, meeting at the same hour, none of them are du- plicated in the enumeration. Behold, "what hath God wrought!"
INDIANAPOLIS.
INDIANAPOLIS CIRCUIT was organized by. Rev. William Cravens in the Fall of 1821, he having received his appointment from the Missouri Conference, at its session in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in October, 1821; Samuel Hamilton being the presiding elder. There is no record of the metes and bounds of the circuit as it was or- ganized by Cravens, but it included all the settlements in Central Indiana. He was succeeded, in the Fall of 1822, by James Scott; and, in the Fall of 1823, Jesse Haile and George Horn were appointed to Indianapolis Circuit. The circuit then extended east to the Ohio Conference boundary, which was a line due north from the city of Madison. Greensburg, in Decatur County, and the settlements on Flat Rock and Blue River, from the vicinity of Columbus as far north as any settlements extended, were all in Indianapolis Circuit, and also the settlements on Fall Creek and White River.
Rev. Joseph Cotton, of South-eastern Indiana Con- ference, who was raised on Blue River, in the northern part of Shelby County, and whose parents were Bap- tists, attributes the fact of his being a Methodist to a
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visit of Jesse Haile's to his father's house in 1824, when he was a small boy. Mr. Haile came across his father's cabin in the woods one forenoon. His father was out in the clearing. Haile entered into conversation with his mother on the subject of religion; inquired if they were religious, and if there was any preaching in the neigh- borhood. Mrs. Cotton informed him that she was a member of the Baptist Church, but that her husband was not a professor of religion. She proposed to blow the horn and call her husband to the house; but the preacher objected, saying he did not wish to call him from his work, but if the little boy would go with him to the clearing, he would go out and see him. Accord- ingly, little Joseph accompanied the preacher out to the clearing, and the preacher talked to him so kindly and tenderly, explaining to him how to be good, that he felt to love him. Finding Mr. Cotton engaged in chopping up a tree-top, instead of asking him to sit down and talk with him, the preacher picked up and piled the brush, while Mr. Cotton cut it off; meanwhile telling him who he was, and talking to him about personal religion, until the horn blew for dinner, when of course the preacher was invited to dinner; and, as a matter of course, before dinner, was presented with the whisky-bottle; and his refusal to take a dram nearly broke the friendship so suddenly formed. Kindly, but firmly, the preacher de- clined the bottle. He asked a blessing at the table ; the first that young Cotton had ever heard. After dinner he asked for a Bible, read a chapter, giving a brief commentary upon it as he read; making it a sort of family sermon. He then prayed with them, and for each member of the family; and when he bade them farewell, he left his blessing with them, and, putting his hand on the head of little Joseph, said, " God bless you,
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and may you be a good boy and a good man." That visit made a Methodist of the little boy, who has for many years been an efficient minister, although his father's family, and all his relations, continued to be Baptists.
The first place of worship in Indianapolis was a log- house ; used, also, as a school-house, and situated on Maryland, between Meridian and Illinois Streets. In the Fall of 1824, John Miller was appointed to Indianapolis Circuit.
The first society that was organized in Indianapolis was composed of the following members : Robert Bren- ton, Sarah Brenton, Mary Brenton, James Given, Mar- garet Given, Mrs. Dan. Stevens, and Elizabeth Paxton. Mr. Brenton was the class-leader. He was also a licensed exhorter, a man of character and ability. He was the father of Rev. and Hon. Samuel Brenton, whose character and services are elsewhere noticed. This society was organized in 1821, by Rev. William Cra- vens. The first Gospel sermon ever preached in Indian- apolis was preached by Rev. Rezin Hammond, a local preacher from Clarke County. It was preached under a Walnut-tree, just south of the state-house. The first Sunday-school was a Union School, organized in 1822, and conducted in a cabinet-maker's shop, owned by Mr. Scudder, situated on Washington Street, opposite the state-house. The teachers were, Mr. Scudder, James M. Ray, J. N. Phipps, John Wilkins, Samuel Brenton, C. J. Hand, Samuel Merrell, Lismond Bassey, Elizabeth Paxton, and Margaret Given. The school was divided in 1825, and the Methodists organized theirs in their place of worship. Wesley Chapel was built in 1826, on the corner of Meridian and Circle Streets, where the Sentinel building now is. It was taken down, and a
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larger church erected in 1845, which continued to be occupied until 1870, when it was sold, and the present stone church erected, on the corner of Meridian and New York Streets; and the charge has taken the name of Meridian-street Church.
At the session of the Indiana Conference in Center- ville, in 1842, the Church in Indianapolis was divided into two charges. The second charge was organized in the court-house, and had John S. Bayless for its first pastor. The charges were designated as Western and Eastern, and were divided by Meridian Street. L. W. Berry was pastor of the Western charge, and John S. Bayless of the Eastern. Asbury Church, situated on New Jersey Street, near South Street, was the third charge. Strange Chapel, whose history has been a re- markably strange one, was the fourth charge. For some years it was a part of West Indianapolis Circuit. The church stood on the west side of the canal. It was finally made a separate charge, the church building moved on to North Tennessee Street, refitted, and a comfortable parsonage built on the same lot with the church. In 1869, the church and parsonage were sold, and a larger brick church built on the corner of Tennes- see and Michigan Streets. This church was consumed by fire in 1871; and with that conflagration ends the name and legal existence of Strange Chapel. In 1870, Indiana Conference appointed Rev. L. M. Walters to that charge. A majority of the Church declined to re- ceive him as their pastor. The Church authorities fail- ing to interfere for their relief, and make any change, they organized themselves into an independent, or con- gregational Church, rented the Universalist church build- ing, just across the street, and called Rev. J. W. T .. M'Mullen as their pastor, who served them for a few:
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months ; but not being willing to sever his connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church, he declined to re- main. The most of them resumed their places in the Methodist Episcopal Church; attaching themselves to such charges as suited their convenience. Those who accepted Mr. Walters as their pastor, having obtained a part of the value of the Strange Chapel property that was consumed by fire, purchased an eligible site on the corner of California and North Streets, and have erected a good church; the new organization taking the name of California-street Church. The other charges have been organized in the following order: Trinity, Third- street, Ames, Grace, Massachusetts-avenue.
Grace was organized by a division of Roberts Chapel, in 1869. Massachusetts-avenue Church was organized in 1870, and was composed chiefly of members from the United Brethren in Christ, who were dissatisfied with the action of their Church in prohibiting their members from belonging to secret societies, as Masons, Odd-fellows, and Sons of Temperance. Rev. A. Hanway, their first pastor, also came from the United Brethren. The charge has been continuously prosperous since its organization. They have built them a neat frame church, and have a well-organized Church and Sabbath-school.
The German Methodist Church was organized about 1850. John B. Stump, Austin W. Morris, William Han- naman, Henry Tutewiler, and another German brother, constituted the first Board of Trustees. They built a small, one-story brick church on East Ohio, between New .Jersey and East Streets, which was subsequently en- larged ; and in 1870, was superseded by the present spa- .cious and elegant church on the corner of East and New York Streets. Including two Colored Methodist ·Churches, there are, in Indianapolis, twelve self-sustaining
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charges, with a membership of 3,200, a Church prop- erty worth $283,785, and 4,000 Sabbath-school scholars.
Of the first society that was organized in Indianapo- lis, there are but two survivors : Isaac N. Phipps and Elizabeth Paxton, both of whom have been useful and active members in the Church since their first connection with it. Colonel Paxton-the husband of Mrs. Paxton- who has been dead for many years, donated the lot on which the Wesley Chapel parsonage was built, and left a legacy for the support of superannuated preachers, and the widows and orphans of deceased preachers, which formed the foundation of the Preachers' Aid Society of the Indiana Conference, which, in the course of time, became the foundation of similar societies in each of the Indiana conferences, and has been the means of accom- plishing a large amount of good, and of preventing un- told suffering. Mrs. Paxton has abounded in good works all through her life. She has been an active worker in the City Bible Society, the City Benevolent Society, and all of our public charities have been benefited by her contributions and her personal efforts. I. N. Phipps con- tinues an active steward in the Church.
Margaret Given was a truly remarkable woman. She was the first President of the Indianapolis Female Bible Society, and continued to hold the office and efficiently discharge its duties till the day of her death, extending through a period of nearly fifty years. She had a re- markably clear and vigorous intellect, and a capacity for business that many a statesman might covet. She was always busy and always cheerful, giving most of her time to the public, and when nearly eighty years of age would do more walking, uncomplainingly, than most young women of twenty.
John Wilkins, who joined the first class, not long
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after its organization, lived to a good old age, and was all through life a model man, " diligent in business, fer- vent in spirit, serving the Lord." He was liberal to the Church and the poor, and a generous patron of education, being, for a number of years, one of the trustees of In- diana Asbury University.
Among the " elect ladies" that have been ornaments to Methodism in Indianapolis, and who have gone to their reward, are the names of Margaret Given, Mrs. Alfred Harrison, and Mrs. Richmond, the latter of whom, like Mrs. Given, was for many years a widow. Mrs. Rich- mond was a woman of strong faith. She was gifted in prayer and conversation. She was a very active Chris- tian, a lady of agreeable manners, and her consistent piety gave her great influence in society. Mrs. Harrison was less prominent in spiritual matters, but equally use- ful in the community. She abounded in good works. She gave liberally and constantly to the relief of the needy around her. She gave much time and attention, and contributed freely, to the founding and building up of the Orphan Asylum, in our city. These ladies left the savor of a good name, and their instructive example is not lost upon those that have come after them; for in no community, of the same numbers, can there be found a larger number of equally active, intelligent, and earnest female workers, in all appropriate departments of Chris- tian work. Indianapolis is eminently fortunate in this respect.
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