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 17
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In the private circle he never forgot that he was a minis- ter, and yet no man was more popular with our people. Brother Johnson remained in the station two years, and carried with him the love and affection of the Church over which he watched.
" The Conference of 1847 sent to the Terre Haute Station the Rev. John L. Smith, one of the oldest and best-known ministers in that body. Every one had a knowledge of him, either personally or by repute. To receive him kindly, and without dissent, was accepted as a matter of course. He was among the strongest and ablest in the long list of veterans which graced the Church a quarter of a century ago. Unlike his prede- cessor, every one knew and recognized John L. Smith as the peer of any individual in the Conference; and, by common consent, the appointment was considered one eminently ' fit to be made.' His ability as a preacher and his popularity as a citizen were the gifts which gave him a passport to any circle in Terre Haute. In looking back over the quarter of a century which has elapsed since brother Smith's advent to the principal Church here, the writer has not known one who so completely filled the character of an early Methodist minister. Strong in argument, forcible in manner and language, and often eloquent, his congregations and people increased to a noticeable degree. He will not soon be forgotten by our older citizens, among whom he labored for two years.
" The above narrative carries the history of Meth- odism in Terre Haute up to the Summer of 1848, and the further history must find another pen. The writer has aimed only to give a review of the elders and preachers who were workers on the district and on the. station. It is proper to digress here and go back a few years, to notice the agencies by which the Methodist.
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Church has attained a strong and sure foot-hold in this young city.
"The establishment of Asbury College at Green- castle has greatly aided Methodism in this city, and especially at Asbury Church. The head of that College for many years, President (now Bishop) Simpson, was a great favorite in Terre Haute, and the writer of this flatters himself and his neighbors in the belief that Terre Haute was always a great favorite with the bishop. Be that as it may, the President of Asbury College man- ifested a strong interest in the people domiciled here. Very many times he left his quiet home at Greencastle to spend a Sabbath day in Terre Haute, and, on more than one occasion, prolonged his visit for many days, preaching in Asbury Church night after night. To say that the house was full, would but feebly express the crowds which attended on his ministrations. The church was jammed nightly, and even standing-room was not allowed to hundreds who sought admission. This was in 1842, 1843, and 1844. At our camp-meetings in Honey Creek, Otter Creek, and Raccoon, the kind and amiable Matthew Simpson was never absent. On these occa- sions he addressed thousands, and the amount of good which was done, while its fruits were visible in the changed lives of hundreds in this neighborhood, can only be known on the great day 'for which all other days were made.' These were years of unexampled pros- perity to the cause of Methodism and the religion of the Savior. The commanding eloquence and the earnest prayers of that good and great man produced a wonder- ful impression in the community ; hundreds of the best- known and most prominent of our citizens were in con- stant attendance at the then new church. The matter. .and manner of these sermons were new in this place,
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and it is quite unnecessary for me to define them. That style of preaching belongs to himself alone. I would remark, however, that in no town in Indiana could Pres- ident Simpson address a people better prepared to appre- ciate his wonderful gifts. It was in those years that Methodism got the start of all the other denominations in this place; and when I say that Asbury College aided Asbury Church in her career of usefulness, it is simply acknowledging a fact patent to every old inhabitant of Terre Haute. Like all excitements, it begat a spirit of rivalry in the Churches, and, in that way, revivals be- came numerous."
Terre Haute has now two churches, Asbury and Cen- tenary, and one good parsonage, worth on the aggregate $43,000. There are in these charges over six hundred communicants, and more than one thousand one hundred children in their Sabbath-schools; and the prospect for Methodism in Terre Haute in the future is brighter than at any former period. The greatest obstacle to the progress of Methodism in Terre Haute has always been a disposition on the part of those who have assumed to be the leaders in the more wealthy and fashionable circles of society to conform to the questionable amuse- ments of the world ; and because the discipline of Meth- odism is less pliant in that respect than that of some other Churches, a persistent effort has been made to pro- duce the impression that Methodists were less intelligent and less cultivated than the members of some other Churches. But the experiment of letting the Church down to the world can at best only result in temporary success, and is sure to be followed with more lasting evils. An earnest and Scriptural piety is the best guar- antee of the Church's permanent prosperity. And while it is the glory of the Church to lift up the lowly,
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to hunt for the outcasts, and to preach the Gospel to the poor, Methodism is too thoroughly the patron of edu- cation, and her communicants average so well in the general class of good society, that the day of her re- proach on the score of ignorance is gone by. Her mis- sion is to all classes of society, and right well has she thus far fulfilled it.
METHODISM IN MADISON.
METHODISM was early introduced into the city of Madison. A class was formed among the early settlers, and regular circuit-preaching established. Among the early Methodist families was the family of old Mr. M'In- tyre, who for many years was one of the prominent and wealthy men of the city. Rev. Gamaliel Taylor, who came out from Baltimore, was also among the early Meth- odists. He was a zealous and efficient local preacher, and a prominent citizen of the state, and was for some time United States Marshal for the District of Indiana. His oldest son, John H. Taylor, Esq., was for a number of years clerk of the Circuit Court for the county of Jef- ferson, of which the city of Madison is the seat of justice. He was for many years recording steward. Father Tay- lor always dressed in a round-breasted coat and white neck-handkerchief. He was remarkably neat in person, commanding in appearance, active in his movements, and earnest and consistent in his piety. The family of Rob- insons were also Baltimore Methodists, and settled in Madison in an early day. Several families of Richeys settled in and near Madison in an early day, some of whom still remain, and are prominent in the Church. David Wilson was among the early Methodists in Mad- ison ; and, at a little later date, John Pugh, John Wood- burn, and William Thomas are found among the active
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Methodists of the place. The Radical controversy of 1828 rent the Church in two in Madison, and produced great bitterness for a number of years; but finally the waning fortunes of Radicalism left the field to the old Church.
For a number of years Madison was the most promi- nent and prosperous town in the state. The first rail- road in the state had its river terminus at Madison, and after it was opened, the Madison and Indianapolis Rail- road enjoyed a monopoly of the carrying trade and travel for a number of years. All of the goods shipped to the interior passed through Madison; and the travel from a great part of the state, for Cincinnati and points further east, also went through that place. But after the rail- road system of the state became developed, Madison was left at one side ; her commerce declined ; and, although a beautiful and healthy city, she has not been able to com- pete with her more eligibly situated rivals. In their Church extension movements the Methodists of Madison have not been fortunate. Wesley Chapel was centrally and eligibly located, being in the heart of the city, and on one of its principal streets. When Third-street-since called Roberts Chapel-was organized, instead of build- ing in one end of the city, where it could have had a le- gitimate field of its own, those having the enterprise in charge determined to build as near Wesley Chapel as they could; and, as was to have been anticipated, they became rivals and antagonists, when they should have been mutual helpers in promoting the salvation of the people. St. John's, in the upper part of the city, was well located at the time it was built; but when a change of circumstances made it desirable to reduce the number of charges in the city, the location of the churches has been found to be an impediment in the way.
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The charges now are : Wesley, members, 150; Trin- ity, 224; North Madison, which includes some country appointments, and numbers 314 members. The Church property is valued at $16,400. The Sabbath-school children number 645.
METHODISM IN VINCENNES.
METHODIST preaching was established at Fort St. Vin- cent at an early day. Tradition says that General Har- rison held the candle for Rev. William Winans to read his text, at a night service in the fort. The early set- tlers, being French traders and Roman Catholics, and Vincennes continuing to be the head-quarters of the Romish Church in Indiana, being the residence of the Bishop for Indiana, has drawn to it a large Catholic pop- ulation, and made it relatively an unfruitful field for Prot- estantism. But through the liberality of Mr. Bonner, Dr. Hitt, and a few large-hearted Methodists, a good Methodist church was built at an early day, and Vin- cennes was among the early and desirable stations in Indiana Conference.
Vincennes has one church, valued at $10,000, one parsonage, valued at $2,500, a membership of 271, and 275 children in Sabbath-school.
HISTORY OF METHODISM AT FORT WAYNE.
BY order of General Wayne, a fort was erected on the banks of the beautiful Maumee, in the year 1794, where the city of Fort Wayne now stands. From that time until about the year 1827 or 1828, there were but few persons there save military men, Indian traders, and Mi- ami Indians. Occasionally a Methodist preacher, travel- ing through the country, preached the word of life to the soldiers, trappers, and traders living there. The first
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Methodists who became permanent citizens were Rev. James Holman and his wife, in the year 1831. He was a local preacher, and, without command of conference or bishop, commenced, immediately after his arrival, to hold prayer and class meetings, and fearlessly to declare the whole counsel of God. Frequently his congregations did not number more than eight or ten persons. He first preached in private rooms and shops. As soon as there was a school-house built, it became the church for all- Protestants and Catholics. The first regular pastor was Rev. N. B. Griffith, who was appointed to Fort Wayne Mission in the Fall of 1831. This Mission was organ- ized by the Illinois Conference, and was in the Madison District, Rev. Allen Wiley, Presiding Elder. The first class regularly organized, under the supervision of the pastor, Rev. Mr. Griffith, consisted of Rev. James Hol- man, class-leader; Mrs. Holman, Robert Breckenridge, Hannah Breckenridge, and Desdemona M'Carty. Be- fore the close of this Conference year Mr. Griffith ob- tained permission and preached in the Masonic Hall-a small brick house which stood near the canal basin. Richard S. Robinson was Mr. Griffith's successor. He was appointed to Fort Wayne Mission in the Fall of 1832. Allen Wiley was presiding elder, and the mission was still in the Madison District. During this Conference year there were added to the society, James Hamilton, Eliza Hamilton, Cynthia Edsall, and Mary Alderman. At the close of this year the Church consisted of nine members. In the year 1833, this mission was set off from the Illinois Conference by the organization of the Indiana Conference. Boyd Phelps was the pastor, and James Armstrong presiding elder. In 1834 and 1835, Freeman Farnsworth was the pastor, and Richard Har- grave was presiding elder, on Laporte District, in which
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Fort Wayne was now included. In 1835 and 1836, J. S. Harrison was pastor, and preached in the court-house. In the Conference year of 1836 and 1837, Stephen R. Ball was pastor. This year the mission was in Center- ville District, and David Stiver was the presiding elder. The preaching-place was changed from the court-house to M'Junkins's school-house. In the Conference year of 1837 and 1838, Stephen R. Ball was continued as pastor; Richard Hargrave was presiding elder. In 1838 and 1839, James T. Robe was pastor. The charge was now a circuit, and was connected with the Logansport Dis- trict, George M. Beswick, Presiding Elder. In the Con- ference year of 1839 and 1840, Rev. Jacob Colclazer was pastor. During this year the first Methodist Sab- bath-school was organized at Fort Wayne. Stephen R. Ball was superintendent; teachers, Eliza Hamilton, Char- lotte Breckenridge, Hannah Johns, Theodore Hoagland, Oliver Fairfield, and John M. Miller. The school was organized with about thirty-eight scholars. A collection was taken for Sunday-school books, amounting to twenty- five dollars and sixty-two cents. Two of the above- named teachers are still living in Fort Wayne-Eliza Hamilton, a member of Berry-street Church, and John M. Miller, a member of Wayne-street Church, both noted for their liberality and zeal.
The growth of Methodism in this city has been grad- ual but permanent and progressive. The following is the present status : Three churches, worth $36,000; two par- sonages, worth $13,000; and a membership of between six and seven hundred.
FORT WAYNE COLLEGE.
FORT WAYNE COLLEGE, under its present organization, is the result of a consolidation of the Fort Wayne Female
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College and the Fort Wayne Collegiate Institute, on the 10th of October, 1855. The first of these was intended exclusively for the education of females; the latter, for males only. The present institution educates both. The Fort Wayne Female College originated with the North Indiana Conference at its third session, held in Laporte, in 1846. The Conference, at that session, resolved to found such an institution, located it at Fort Wayne, and appointed therefor a temporary Board of Trustees. On the 18th day of January, 1847, the General Assembly of the State of Indiana passed an act incorporating the Board of Trustees thus appointed by the Conference, and giving to Fort Wayne Female College all the legal rights and privileges usually belonging to such insti- tutions ; this act of legal corporation to take effect on the 19th day of June, 1847; at which time the Board met, and organized by the appointment of the proper officers. The Collegiate Institute had been organized by the friends of the Female College in May, 1853; and, though having a separate act of incorporation, was a little more than an adjunct of the College. It was, therefore, thought best by the friends of both institu- tions to unite them under one management, and form a single institution, for both males and females. This was effected, as before stated, on the 10th of October, 1855; since which the joint institution has been known as Fort Wayne College. For several years it was seriously embarrassed with debt; but, through the ex- ertions of Rev. R. D. Robinson, as financial agent, while acting as President of the College, it was relieved of its burdens, and entered upon a career of greater prosperity. Since the Centenary Year, 1866, financially, the insti- tution has been more prosperous than formerly, and the buildings and grounds have been greatly improved. The
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grounds and buildings are estimated at sixty thousand dollars. The following have served as Presidents of the College : A. C. Heustis, A. M., 1847; Rev. G. M. Round, A. M., 1848; Rev. C. Nutt, D. D., 1849; A. C. Heustis, 1850 and 1851; Rev. Samuel T. Gillet, D. D., 1852; Rev. Samuel Brenton, A. M., 1853 and 1854; Rev. R. D. Robinson, A. M., 1855 and 1866, in- clusive ; Rev. F. M. Heminway, A. M., 1868; Rev. J. B. Robinson, A. M., 1869 and 1870.
METHODISM IN EVANSVILLE.
CIRCUIT-PREACHING was established in Evansville when it was a small village; and, although the society was not large in numbers, they early asked to be made a station, that they might have regular Sabbath preaching. Two local preachers by the name of Wheeler, and another by the name of Parrott, aided much in introducing Meth- odism into that part of the state. Few portions of the state are richer in interesting local Methodist history than Evansville and its vicinity; but the author has been disappointed in securing the accurate data that will enable him to furnish a reliable history of the introduc- tion and progress of the Church in that locality; and hence this brief extract. The present charges are Trinity, Ingle-street, Trinity City Mission, and Evans- ville Circuit, with an aggregate membership of 1,145, with a Church property valued at $108,500. They have 1,250 children in Sabbath-school.
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CHAPTER XIII.
Social Achievements of Methodism-Hon. Amos Lane-Hon. Henry Blasdell-Hon. John H. Thompson-Rev. Samuel Brenton-Hon. James Whitcomb-Hon. Joseph A. Wright-Hon. Elisha Em- bree-Hon. R. W. Thompson-Hon. Henry S. Lane-Hon. A. C. Downey-Hon. Will Cumback-Mrs. Larrabee-Mrs. Locke-Mrs. Julia Dumont-Father Stockwell-Hon. W. C. De Pauw-John C. Moore-Indiana Missionaries-Elect Ladies-Eveline Thomas- Lydia Hawes.
W HILE the mission of Methodism has been emphat- ically to the common people, and while its leaders have never sought the patronage of the State, nor courted the special favor of those in power, it has, never- theless, contributed its share toward molding the in- stitutions of the State, developing and applying its educational resources, shaping its legislation, educating the public conscience, and furnishing a respectable share of our leading public men. Several of the members of the Convention that framed the first Constitution for the State were Methodists ; among whom was Rev. Hugh Cull, of Wayne County, who lived to be over a hundred years of age; and Dennis Pennington, from Harrison County, who also served a number of years in the State Legislature. William Hendricks, who was secretary of the Convention, who was the third Governor of the State, and for some time a representative in Congress, was, in his later years, a member of the Methodist Church.
Hon. Amos Lane, a leading lawyer of Lawrenceburg, and who represented his district several terms in Con- gress, became a member of the Church late in life. He
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had been a regular attendant upon the ministry of the Church all through life, and his house was always a wel- come home to the itinerant. His wife, who was a lady of superior endowments and liberal education, was a con- sistent, earnest Methodist, and carried the savor of true piety into all the circles in which she moved.
Hon. Henry Blasdell, the worthy and popular Gov- ernor of Nevada, himself an active Methodist, is the son of worthy Methodist parents in Dearborn County.
Hon. John H. Thompson, who united with the Church in his boyhood, was in public office in Indiana during the most of a long life. He was commissioned a justice of the peace by Governor Harrison before the State Govern- ment was organized. He was a member of the State Legislature for several terms, and served twelve years as president judge of a judicial circuit. He was Lieu- tenant-Governor for one term, and was Receiver of Public Moneys for several years. He was continually in im- portant offices for a period of thirty years. He never shrank from a frank profession of his faith on all suit- able occasions. He was gathered to his rest in the ninetieth year of his age.
Rev. Samuel Brenton, the son of a worthy local preacher, himself an itinerant preacher until impaired health compelled him to desist, was for some time Pres- ident of Fort Wayne College, and for three terms a rep- resentative of that district in Congress, where his ability as a statesman was manifest and acknowledged.
Hon. James Whitcomb, twice Governor of the State, and United States Senator at the time of his death, was a Methodist, and a superior Sunday-school teacher. He possessed superior talents, and was a gentleman of culture, and his administration as a governor left an impression on the State for good that will never be wiped out.
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Hon. Joseph A. Wright, twice Governor of the State, twice United States Minister to the Court of Berlin, and for some time United States Senator by appointment, was from early manhood a Methodist, a liberal-minded and efficient Christian worker.
Hon. Elisha Embree, for some time circuit judge in the southern end of the State, and for one term a rep- resentative of his district in Congress, carried with him, on the bench and into the halls of national legislation, the influence of a noble Christian character.
Hon. R. W. Thompson, a gentleman of rare talents as an orator, ripe in scholarship, profound as a jurist and statesman, served for many years in Congress, and filled other important trusts confided to him by the National Government, has, through a series of years, been iden- tified with the Church, sharing her privileges, and cheer- fully doing her work.
Hon. Henry S. Lane, the gifted orator and distin- guished statesman, a representative in the National Con- gress for several terms, Governor of the State, and United States Senator, is an earnest Church worker, and has given much time to the educational interests of Meth- odism in Indiana.
Hon. A. C. Downey, a distinguished jurist, and one of the Supreme Judges of the State, has been a faithful Church member from his boyhood, and is an earnest de- fender of Christian morality, and a consistent exem- plifier of Christian graces.
Hon. Will Cumback served one term as a represent- ative in Congress, and one term as State Senator, and was elected Lieutenant-Governor of the State. Served as United States Paymaster in the army, during the Re- bellion, and has filled sundry offices, from the State and National Government, and always maintained a true
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Christian character. He is an earnest Sabbath-school worker, and a bold advocate of Christian morality.
Methodism has furnished two of the most popular and efficient Presidents of the State University that that in- stitution has ever had-Dr. Daily and Dr. Nutt. She has furnished three of the Superintendents of Public In- struction for the State; to wit, W. C. Larrabee, who served two terms; G. W. Hoss, who served two terms ; and Miles J. Fletcher, who was killed by a railroad dis- aster, during the War, early in his term of service. Methodism is well represented in all the professions. She has furnished a liberal share of writers and educat- ors, considering the age of our State. Few schools have done more to advance female education than the seminary founded at Greencastle by Mrs. Larrabee, and conducted by her for a number of years. Mrs. Locke, the wife of Rev. George Locke, and mother of Rev. John W. Locke, D. D., was among the early educators in Indiana. She taught school and supported the family, while her hus- band traveled and preached the Gospel to the poor. Mrs. Julia Dumont, of Vevay, was in the front rank of gifted writers and poets, in the early history of the State. Father Stockwell, of Lafayette, Hon. W. C. De Pauw, of New Albany, and the late John C. Moore, founder and patron of Moore's Hill College, each, by their generous contributions to the cause of education, rank in the list of public benefactors. These are some of the contributions of Methodism to the front ranks of cultivated society in Indiana.
Methodism in Indiana has contributed to the number of Christian workers in heathen lands. Two of the mis- sionaries now laboring in South America, Rev. H. G. Jackson, Superintendent of the Missions, and Rev. Thomas B. Wood, son of Dr. Aaron Wood, are both from
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Indiana. Rev. W. S. Turner, from Indiana, was the first Methodist preacher ever stationed in the Sandwich Isl- ands. Joseph R. Downey and wife, who went as mis- sionaries to India, in 1859, have, by their labors and their death in that mission field, established a bond of sympathy between that vast empire and Christian hearts in Indiana, that will never be broken until Christ shall receive the "heathen for his inheritance, and the utter- most parts of the earth for his possession."
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