tla ie Caron Hee, ey i rae ie Lon rereemernnn Onn ALE PI WRLURU MOLAR Pricey rehab! beetarncetiethneeriey af Rage eeay is oe mie ivr rrr en ee ees a iste ee Teer bes ry ORL seat oh Bhs as Vitae ALON OP etn prea Cele ATTAT Db Ay RN ar ANY Eh Vigna Bites a Ciera anh Rec Cornell University Library BX 8248.16H73 TH 3 1924 011 493 156 ota ) ~ “ ) . " 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 PRINCIPAL METHODIST EDUCATORS IN THE STATE, DOWN TO 1872. BY REV. FG. HOLLIDAY, DD. CINCINNATI: HITCHCOCK AND WALDEN. 1873. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, BY HITCHCOCK & WALDEN, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. PREFACE. N writing the following account of Methodism in In- diana, I have desired not only to rescue from oblivion valuable information that would soon be lost, but also to pay a feeble, but justly merited, tribute to the heroic pioneers and founders of Methodism in our state. The record of their toils is found chiefly in the numerous and flourishing Churches that have sprung up all over the state, in the multitudes of living witnesses to the truth and power of the Gospel that they preached, in the schools of learning which they founded, in the vigor of the benovolent institutions which they fostered, and in the educational effect produced by their earnest and evangelical preaching on the public mind and conscience. The pulpit is always a popular educator, and its teachings are the basis of doctrinal belief, to a great ex- tent, in every Christian community. This is especially true in a community where books are scarce, and in a state of society where the opportunities for reading are limited. Such was necessarily the case with the early settlers in Indiana. 3 4 PREFACE. Methodism, with its itinerant system, and its extem- pore method of preaching, found ready access to the people. Its doctrinal basis, so consonant with reason and revelation, was readily accepted by the masses. Total depravity—not total in degree, but in its univer sality as to the powers of the soul—universal redemp- tion, the duty of immediate repentance, justification by faith, regeneration, and perfect love, were the grand themes upon which they dwelt. They preached expe- rience doctrinally, and they preached doctrines experi- mentally. They were too busy to write the results of their labors. Their work was grander than their estimate of it; they planned and builded wiser than they knew. The function of the pulpit as a popular educator is grand. Its mission, always glorious, is pre- eminently so in a new country. The founders of Methodism in Indiana were, many of them, great preachers. Had the sermons of Allen Wiley, James Armstrong, Calvin W. Ruter, George Locke, James Havens, and Richard Hargrave, been reported as they preached them, when, in the days of their vigor, the multitudes that were gathered from far and near attended their camp-meetings and quar- terly-meetings, they would have been regarded as grand specimens of pulpit eloquence. They would have com- pared favorably with the productions of the pulpit in any age or country. The pulpit with them was a sort of telegraph-office, and the people were so many wires in the hand of the preacher. They put themselves in full sympathy with their hearers; their words vibrated PREFACE. 5 from nerve to nerve. There is a power in human sym- pathy that is almost irresistible. They were men of deep, earnest convictions, and loving hearts. And who can resist the fascination of a loving nature? They were the prophets and pioneers of a better day. Their ministry was not only characterized by deep, earnest convictions, and true human sympathy; it had clearness, knowledge, force—convincing the judgment, arousing the conscience, establishing faith, nourishing earnestness, sustaining zeal, and satisfying the felt wants of the soul. They felt an agonizing determination to speak the words of truth to their fellow-men at all hazards. They were impelled by yearnings of super- human import. And while the modern pulpit has gained some in breadth and culture, some in refinement and surface acquirements, it is well if it has lost nothing of the earnestness and honesty of the early days. The mission of the pulpit is the same to-day that it has ever been. It is the grand instrument, the Divinely appointed instrument, of the world’s evangelization. And if the pulpit in our day has rare opportunities for use- fulness, it is also beset with remarkable difficulties. The platform is no mean rival to the pulpit. Popular lectures on current themes engross a large share of pub- lic attention in towns and cities, and command much of the attention of the better educated classes. And thus the platform becomes a rival to the pulpit. If the pulpit would retain the pre-eminence that it should, the sermon must have as much freshness and culture, as much breadth of thought and ease of manner, as the 6 PREFACE. lecture, and it must have superadded the unction of the Holy Ghost. The modern pulpit has another rival in the press, and especially in the style of modern literature. The paper, the magazine, and many of our books, are written in the most fascinating style. This is a reading age, and for the pulpit to retain its hold upon the popular mind, the sermon must be as interesting as the paper, the mag- azine, or the book. No book can perform the peculiar office of the pulpit. The pulpit is missionary in its char- acter; its office is to dig in the garden of the soul, to excavate a road for moral manhood, to indicate a path- way to moral attainments. No book can so well arouse flagging and exhausted powers, no book can so well grapple with wandering convictions, no book can so well quicken generous and active impulses, and no book can rebuke vice with the same withering, scathing force, as the voice of the living preacher. And while we honor the Fathers, and claim that theirs was an efficient min- istry, and adapted to the times, we can not admit that the pulpit, upon the whole, has lost any of its power. Some of the early founders of Methodism in Indiana yet remain with us, most of them suffering from the infirm- ities of age, while a few, as Dr. A. Wood, of the North- western Conference, and Dr. E. G. Wood, of the South- eastern Conference, retain much of the sprightliness and vigor of their earlier years, with the ripeness and ma- turity of age. The spirit of Methodism is retained in its vigor, while its modes of operation have been mod- ified to suit the changed condition of society. PREFACE. 7 Thus the large circuit system has been superseded by smaller charges, and week-day preaching has nearly disappeared. Church interests and ministerial cares have greatly increased as Church institutions have mul- tiplied, and while long journeys and physical exposure have greatly diminished, intellectual exertion and moral responsibility have greatly increased. No notice has been taken of a number of ministers, who, for various causes, have seen fit to leave the minis- try, some for positions in other Churches, and some for secular pursuits. Such cases have been few, and subse- quent history will do them justice. It is enough at present to say that none of them have profited by their changes, and that the men who have remained faithful to their ministerial vows have been the men of the largest influence and the greatest success. Many interesting details in the history of Methodism in the state have been necessarily passed by, and much local history has been omitted for want of room. A full history of Indiana Methodism would fill three vol- umes of the size of this. What has been aimed at in this volume, is to make such a record of the introduction, progress, and present position of Methodism in Indiana, as will convey to the mind of the reader a just estimate of what Indiana Methodism is, what it has achieved, and the circumstances under which it has wrought out its results, without attempting a minute and consecutive history. It is hoped that the plan of the work will be acceptable to the majority of readers. I am indebted to the kindness of brethren in different 8 PREFACE. parts of the state for valuable information. I have had free access to the Journal of Dr. A. Wood, and' he has also furnished many valuable items from his own memory. The difficulty, and in many cases the failure, to obtain needed information, can not be appreciated, except by persons who have labored in the same field. Elliott’s “Life of Bishop Roberts,” Cartwright’s “Au- tobiography,” Smith’s “Indiana Miscellany,” “The Life and Times of Wiley,” the Indiana School Journal, “The Census of the United States,” and Dillon’s “History of Indiana,” have been consulted in the preparation of this work. Where local history has been written by parties on the ground, the names of the writers appear in connection with their articles. This work has been written under the pressure of ministerial duties, and does not claim to be invul- nerable to criticism. With devout thanks to God that, the writer has been enabled to complete his self-im- posed task, and with a sincere prayer that the work may, to some extent, be useful, it is submitted to the public. F. C. Howtrpay. INDIANAPOLIS, Yume 5, 1872. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Earty Civil History—First Romish Church built in the Territory—First Governor and Civil Officers—First session of the “General Court of the Territory of Indiana” —First Grand Jury—Members of the House of Rep- resentatives—Governor's Message—Convention to form a Constitution for the State of Indiana—First General Assembly of the State of Indiana— Indiana admitted into the Union—First Senators elected—Early Public Men—Hugh Cull—Dennis Pennington—Ezra Ferris—James Scott—In- fluence of the Harly Itinerants.............:scccssseeceeeeseeeeerseeseues PAGES 17-22 CHAPTER II. First Protestant Sermon preached in the Territory—First Methodist Society formed—Mr. Cartwright’s Encounter with the Shakers—First Pas- toral Charge in the Territory—First Methodist Meeting-house—Whitewater Circuit—Indiana District organized—Indiana District in 1809—First Prot- estant Preaching at Vincennes—William Winans—Indiana District in 1810— Prominent Members of the Conference—William M’Kendree—Charles Hol- liday—John Collins—Learner Blackman—John Sale—James Quinn—Sol- omon Langdon—William Burke—James B. Finley—John Strange—James Axley—Division of the Western Conference—Missouri Conference organ- ized—Introduction of Methodism into .Decatur County—First Prayer- meeting in the County—First Class formed—Anecdote of Mr. Garrison— Preaching established in Greensburg—Thomas Rice—Salaries of the Karly Preachers— Illustration—First School taught in the Territory—Geo. K. Hester’s account of the School—Sketch of the Introduction of Methodist Preaching into Clarke County by Rev. George K. Hester—First Traveling Preachers sent to the Grant—Benjamin Lakin and Ralph Lotspiech—First Society formed—Silver-creek Circuit organized—Camp-meeting held near Robertson’s—Revivals—The Newlights—Memorable Revival of Religion in 1819—Illinois Conference held at Charlestown in 1825—Bishop M’Kendree and Bishop Roberts both attend and preach........sssceseseessrees PAGES 23-39: (9) 10 CONTENTS. CHAPTER III. Auten Winty and C. W. Ruter admitted on Trial:in the Ohio Confer- ence—Friendship of Wiley and Bigelow—Incidents—First Camp-meeting held in Indiana—Incidents of the Meeting—First Camp-meeting held near Madison—Allen Wiley preaches—Results of the Meeting—Camp-meeting near Cochran—Impressive Closing Services—Remarks on Camp-meetings— Charges in Indiana in 1818—John Schrader’s Account of his Early Labors— He is appointed to the Silver-creek Circuit—Administers the Sacrament for the first time in New Albany—Appointed to Spring-river Circuit, Arkansas Territory—Preaching under Difficulties—Manner of grinding Grain—Ap- pointed to Corydon Circuit, Indiana—Organization of the Missouri Confer- ence—He is appointed to Missouri Circuit—First Camp-meeting at Boone’s- lick—Heroism of the Early Preachers—Harly Jesuit Missionaries—Roman- ism and Protestantism contrasted—Number of Methodists in Indiana in 1810—Number in 1820—Charges in Indiana—Memoir of Samuel Parker— James Havens admitted on Trial—William Cravens received into the Mis- souri Conference—His Hatred of Slavery—An Incident—Remarks on the Labors of Havens and Cravens—Anecdote—Appeintments in Indiana in 1821—Cravens appointed to Indianapolis—Connersville Circuit organized— Extract from the Journal of the Quarterly Conference for Connersville Circuit in 1822—Support of the Pioneer Preachers—Appointments in In- diana in 1823—Dr. A. Wood’s Account of his Journey to his New Circuit— Account of his Year's Work—Division of Missouri Conference—Appoint- ments in Indiana in 1824—Appointments on Madison Circuit....paces 40-62 CHAPTER IV. First Session of the Illinois Conference—Charges in Indiana in 1825— Appointments made at the Illinois Conference for Indiana—Preaching- places in Vincennes District in 1825—Remarks on Circuits and Stations— Sketch of Rev. William Beauchamp—His Eloquence—Incident—Second Session of the Illinois Conference in 1826—Number of Members returned for Indiana—Appointments made in Indiana—Preaching-places in Indian- apolis Circuit in 1825—Honey-creek Circuit in 1825—Paoli Circuit in 1826—Appointments for Indiana at the Third Illinois Conference—Radical Controversy at Madison—Indiana Members reported at the Illinois Confer- ence in Madison, 1828—Extent of Madison District—Revival in Lawrence- burg District—J. V. Watson—Indianapolis Station—Fall-creek—Camp- meeting at Pendleton—Incident connected with the Meeting by Wiley— Illinois Conference at Edwardsville, Illinois, 1829—Incidents concerning John Strange—Illinois Conference in Vincennes in 1830—Number of Mem- bers reported—Indianapolis District organized—Fort Wayne Mission or. ganized—South Bend Mission formed—Division of Illinois Conference— INDIANA METHODISM. 11 First Session of the Indiana Conference—Number of Members reported— Incident of Allen Wiley—Meeting held in Fort Wayne............ PAGES 63-76 CHAPTER V. Rerrosrective View—First Settlers—First Preachers—Settlement of Clarke County—Quaker Settlements—Vincennes District in 1811—“ Rang- ers” of 1812—New Harmony Colony—First Methodist Preaching in Vigo County—Incident—Introduction of Methodism in Harrison County—Early Men of Note—Dennis Pennington—“ Uncle Walter Pennington ””—" Uncle Billy Saffer'’'—Edward Pennington—Early Methodists in New Albany— Peter Stoy, Aaron Daniels, and Others—First Society in Jeffersonville—So- cieties in Charlestown and Madison—Methodist Preaching in Rising Sun— Manner of Introduction—First Class formed—Lawrenceburg Circuit organ- ized—Mr. Bartholomew—Isaac Dunn—Reyv. Elijah Sparks—Mrs. Amos Lane—Isaac Mills—Jacob Blasdell—Rev. Daniel Plummer—Reyv. A. J. Cotton—Samuel Goodwin—Rev. Augustus Jocelyn—Hugh Cull—White- water Circuit formed—Israel Abrams—Camp-meeting- near Saulsbury— Methodism established at Moore’s Hill—Adam Moore and Others—John C. Moore—Moore’s Hill—Origin of the Name—Influence of Local Preach- ers—Names of Noted Local Preachers—' Sketch of Early Society in Indi- ana,” by Rev. A. Wood—The Missionary District in 1832—First Camp-meet- ing in Laporte County—Introduction of Methodism into Elkhart County— First Camp-meeting in the County—Local Preachers in Connersville and Whitewater Circuits—James Conwell and others—An Old-fashioned Quar- terly-meeting—Dr. Benjamin Adams—John Strange—Account of his La- bors—Letter of John Schrader—Facts in the Early History of the Church— Preaching in Bar-rooms—Incident—“ Characteristics of the early Indiana Settlers,” by Rev. A. Wo0d......cccseesceceteeeseeeceretneeseesseenens paces 77-101 CHAPTER VI. GENERAL NARRATIVE. Rev. Epwin Ray—His Life and Labors—Benjamin C. Stephenson— Indiana Conference in 1833—Sketch of John Strange—Anthony F. Thomp- son—Indiana Conference in 1834—George Locke—Reminiscences of his Labors—Sketch of James Armstrong—Nehemiah B. Griffith—James Arm- strong appointed Missionary—His Personal Appearance and Manner of Preaching—First Societies formed in the State—lkhart Circuit formed— Indiana Conference in 1835—Origin of the ‘Preachers’ Aid Society ’—Kd- ward R. Ames, Agent—Indiana Conference in 1836—Indiana Asbury Uni- versity located at Greencastle—John C. Smith, Agent—Camp-meeting on Rushville Circuit in 1837—Memorable Storm—Anecdote connected with Ames and Smith—Indiana Conference in 1837—Scene on a Steam-boat— George Randle—John Decker—Wm, Evans—Eli P. Farmer and Others— Asa Beck—James Scott—Thomas 8. Hitt and Isaac N. Ellsbury—Robert 12 CONTENTS. Burns, Joseph Oglesby, and Others—Anecdote of J. V. Watson—Wm. H. Goode appointed President of New Albany Seminary—Is succeeded by George Harrison—Founders of the Institution—Indiana Conference in 1838—Traveling to Conference in Early Times—Incident—Indiana Confer- ence in 1839—Indiana German Mission established—First Missionaries— Contributions to Missions in 1835 and in 1840.........ssseceseeeee PAGES 102-126 CHAPTER VII. FROM 1841 TO 1886. Inprava ConrereNnce in 1841—George K. Hester—Thomas Gunn—Isaac Kelso—Indiana Conference in 1842—E. W. Sehon and Edmund S. Janes address the Conference—Embarrassment of Janes—Indiana Conference in 1843—General Conference in 1843—Indiana Delegates—Indiana divided into two Conferences—Indiana Conference in 1844—John A. Decker— Ebenezer Patrick—North Indiana Conference in 1845—Peter R. Guthrie and Daniel S. Elder—Growth of Methodism from 1832 to 1843—Division of the State into four Conferences—Benjamin T. Griffith—Walter Prescott— James EK. Tiffany—Wm. C. Hensley—Francis F. Sheldon—Emmons Rut- ledge—Isaac Crawford—Hosier J. Durbin—Isaac Owen—His Life and Labors—Calvin W. Ruter—His Character and Services—James Jones—Seth Smith—George M. Beswick—John H. Bruce—Statistics for 1856—The Early Circuit System—Results of relinquishing Week-day Preaching—Effect of building Churches too close together in the Country............- paGES 127-138 CHAPTER VIII. Sxercn of Samuel C. Cooper—Samuel Brenton—Indiana Conference in 1857—George W. Ames—Transfers—Wm. H. Metts—Time of holding North Indiana Conference changed—Increase in Membership in 1857—North In- diana Conference in 1859—Joseph R. Downey appointed Missionary to India—South-eastern Indiana Conference in 1859—Delegates to General Conference—Indiana Conference Delegates—North Indiana Conference Delegates—North-west Indiana Conference Delegates—Churches in Indiana in 1860, from “United States Census Report’”—Methodist Liberality—Allen Wiley—His Character and Labors—Sessions of the Indiana Conference down to 1850—Annual Increase of Ministers and Membership from the organization of the Conference to 1851—Growth of North Indiana Confer- ence from its organization to 1851—Aggregate Membership in the State in 1850—Nuimber in, [860s wseviossavtssvecsscvesgeseswone se wtanxberesawer ese PAGES 139-147 CHAPTER IX. Prosprerity of the Church during the Civil War—Increase in Church Property—Loyalty of Indiana Methodists—Remarks on the Origin of the War—Election of Mr, Lincoln—Peace Convention—Significance of Mr. CONTENTS. 13 Lincoln’s Election—Bombardment of Fort Sumter—Call for Volunteers— Indiana’s Response—The Political Value of Methodism to the Preservation of the National Life—Remark of Chief Justice Chase—Estimate of Meth- odist Voters in Indiana—Number of Methodist Voters in the Loyal States— Moral Compensations of the War—Retrospective View of the Church—Early Circuits—Loeation of the Places of Worship—Church Architecture—The Vested Funds for Church Purposes in Indiana—Preachers’ Aid Societies— Amount Paid for Ministerial Support—Benevolent Contributions—Meth- odism and Population—Statisties of African Methodist Episcopal Church— Methodism among the Germans.........cccccesecsssseseeeesneneeeons paces 148-159 CHAPTER X. Retrospect of the Conferences—Inptana Conrerence: Number of Preachers—Presiding Elders—Members—Value of Church Property—Num- ber of Sunday-schools, Officers and Teachers—Superannuated Members of the Conference—Sessions of the Conference from 1832 to 1851—Time, Place, Presiding Bishop, Principal Secretary—Norrn Inpiana Conrer- ence: Number of Preachers—Presiding Elders—Church Members—Sunday- schools, Officers, and Teachers—Value of Church Property—Superannuated Preachers—Sessions of the Conference from 1844 to 1871—Sovru-Eastern Inp1ana Conrerence: Preachers, Church Members—Value of Church Prop- erty—Sunday-schools, Officers, and Teachers—Benevolent Contributions— Presiding Elders—Superannuated Members—Sessions of the Conference from 1852 to 1871—Norvru-west Inprana Conrerence: First Session— Number of Preachers—Superannuates—Presiding Elders—Statistics of the Conference—Institutions uf Learning under the care of the Conference— Missionaries connected with the Conference—Sessions of the Conference from 1852) 10: 187) jagsesnck dic nevasete sn aces seoetiadevetonenematnena: PAGES 160-166 CHAPTER XI. SappaTu-scHooL Cause—Sabbath-school organized by Bishop Asbury in 1786—Resolutions passed by the General Conference of 1824—Organ- ization of the “Sunday-school Union of the Methodist Episcopal Church "’— Rules of the Discipline relating to Sunday-schools in 1828—In 1832—In 1840—Reorganization of “Sunday-school Union ’— Sunday-school Advo- cate” Established—Sunday-school Convention in 1844—Superintendents admitted into the Quarterly Conference—Rules of the Discipline on Sun- day-schools in 1861—Sunday-schools in Indiana—Statistics...paces 167-172 CHAPTER XII. Mernopism in some of the Principal Towns of the State—Jerrerson- vinte; by Rev. R. Curran, M. D.—First Society formed—Persons com- posing It—Quarterage paid—First Quarterly-meeting held—Preacher's 14 CONTENTS. Salary—Mention of Prominent Female Workers— Early Class-leaders—First Record of Church Property—First Church built—Hrection of Wall-street Church—Dedication—Celebration of the Centenary of Methodism—Present Statistics—New ALsany—First Church built—Sacrament administered for the First Time—Number of Churches at the Present Time—De Pauw Col- lege—Mission Churches—Ricamonp; by Rev. Thomas Comstock—First Settlement of Wayne County—Hugh Cull—Arrival of Mr. Elliott—First Sermon preached—First Society formed—Whitewater Circuit formed—First Church built—Incident of Mr. Cull’s Preaching—Meek's Meeting-house built—First Camp-meeting—Temperance Pledge—First Sunday-school in Wayne County—Introduction of Methodism into Richmond—First Meth- odist Church built in the Town—Two-days’ Meeting—First Sunday-school in Richmond—Brick Church built—Formation of Second Charge—Grace Church built—Third Charge formed—Present State of the Churches— Inp1anaporis—Indianapolis Circuit organized—Anecdote concerning Rev. Jesse Hale—First Place of Worship in Indianapolis—First Society formed— First Sermon preached—First Sunday-school—Wesley Chapel built—East- ern Charge organized—Asbury Chapel—Strange Chapel—California-street Church — Trinity — Third-street — Ames — Massachusetts-avenue — German Methodists—S. N. Phipps—Mrs. Paxton—Mrs. Given—John Wilkins—Mrs. Alfred Harrison—Mrs. Richmond—Calvin Fletcher, Esq.—Rev. Joseph Mar- see—Morris Morris—Gen. T. A. Morris—Relative Strength of the Churches in the City—List of Appointments to Indianapolis from 1821 to 1842— Wasuinetor, Daviess County—Organization of the Society—First Church built—Revivals—Larayetre; by Rev. N. L. Brakeman—First Methodist Sermon—Preaching-places on Crawfordsville Circuit in 1828—Logansport Mission formed—Church organized in Lafayette—First Quarterly-meeting— Anecdote of Mr. Strange—Present Church built—Ninth-street Church— Colored Methodist Church—Sixth Ward Methodist Episcopal Church— Trinity—Chauncey Church—Present Strength of Methodism—Souru Benp— Account of John Brownfield, Esq.—First Methodist Prayer-meeting—First Class organized—First Sunday-school—First Board of Church Trustees— Church built—Portage Chapel built—Second Charge—Enterprise of the “Tadies’ Mite Society'"—Value of Church Property—Anpersoy; by Rey. W. H. Goode, D. D.—First House of Worship—Present Church Buildings— Numerical Relation of the Church Membership to the Population—Prrvu— First Class formed—First Church built—Main-street Church—St. Paul's Church—Terre Havrte—First Mention in the Minutes—Minister’s Ap- pointed—Boarding-school for Young Ladies—Anecdote of Mrs. Locke— Sketch of Methodism in Terre Haute, by Col. Thomas Dowling—First Church Organization—First Ministers—Present Church erected—Early State of Society—Ministers appointed to the Charge—Matthew Simpson— Church Statisties—Mapison—Early Methodists—Mr. M'Intire—Gamaliel Taylor—Radical Controversy—Wesley Chapel—Roberts Chapel—St. John'’s— Church Statistics—Vincenves—Value of Church Property—Number of CONTENTS. 15 Members—Forr Wayne—First Class formed—First Sanday-school—Pres- ent Statistics—Fort Wayne College—Origin of the College—Value of Prop- erty—Names of Presidents—EvansvitLe—Circuit Preaching established— Present Charges—Statistics............cccccesssseeeesseseereceeecnonee paGEs 173-240 CHAPTER XIII. Socrat 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 Embree—Hon. R. W. Thompson—Hon. Henry 8, Lane—Hon. A. C. Downey—Hon. Will Cum- back—Mrs. Larrabee—Mrs. Locke—Mrs. Julia Dumont—Father Stock- well—Hon. W. C. De Pauw—John C. Moore—Indiana Missionaries—Joseph R. Downey—Elect Ladies—Eveline Thomas—Lydia Hawes...paces 241-246 CHAPTER XIV. THE FATHERS. Rey. A. Woop, D. D.—Rev. Joseph Tarkington—Reyv. Enoch G. Wood, D. D.—Rev. John Schrader—Rev. John Miller—Rev. Amasa Johnson—Rev. Asa Beck—Rev. James Scott—Rev. Elijah Whitten—Rev. Henry S. Tal- bott—Rev. Richard Hargrave—Reyv. Robert Burns—Rev. John W. Sulli- van—Rev. David Stiver—Rev. James T. Robe—Rev. Charles Bonner— Rev. John Kearns—Rev. John C. Smith—Rev. John A. Brouse—Rev. James Havens—Reyv. Calvin W. Ruter—Rev. Allen Wiley—Rev. Augustus Hdd yiecccsvsnntetssessgecarseaevetesiearrqnestensetseesvcnideess senses venus PAGES 247-276 CHAPTER XV. METHODIST EDUCATORS. Rev. W. H. Goode, D. D.—Rev. Cyrus Nutt, D. D.—Rev. W. C. Larrabee, LL. D.—Dr. Tefft—Rev. T. H. Lynch, D. D.—Rev. John Wheeler, D. D.— Rey. T. A. Goodwin, A. M.—Rev. Philander Wiley, A. Mi—Dr. Benson— Rev. Wm. M. Daily, D. D.—Geo. W. Hoss, A. M—B. T. Hoyt, A. M— Prof. Joseph Tingley, Ph. D.—Prof. S. A. Lattimore—Rev. Daniel Curry, D. D.—Dr. Nadal—Dr. Bragdon—Rev. B. F. Rawlins, D, D.—Albion Fel- lows, A. M.—J. P. Rouse, A. M—Rev. B. W. Smith, A. M—Rev. W. R. Goodwin, A. M.—Rev. O. H. Smith, A. M—Wm. H. De Motte, A. M.—Rev. Thos. Harrison, A. M.—Rev. J. P. D. John, A. M—Rev. Jno. W. Locke, D. D.—J. M. Olcott, A. M.—Rev. J. H. Martin, A. M.—Rev. S. R. Adams, A. M—Miles J. Fletcher, A. M—Rev. L. W. Berry, D. D.—Rev. Thos. Bowman, D. D.—Rev. Erastus Rowley, D. D.—Rev. G. W. Rice—Rev. A. Gurney—Rev. BR. D. Utter......scessescecsrenereseneseenaees digeawaniie PAGES 277-316 16 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XVI. METHODIST EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. Earty Educational Funds controlled by Presbyterians—Effort to amend the Charter of the “State University”—The Legislature memorialized— “Indiana Asbury University” founded—First Meeting of the Board of Trustees—First Commencement—" New Albany Seminary’—'De Pauw College” —" Fort Wayne College’—“ Whitewater College ’—“ Brookville College’—Moore’s Hill College’’—Educational Record for Indiana— Names of Institutions.........sccsessecserseenerseeterseeseceeeeerenees PAGES 317-323 CHAPTER XVII. INDIANA BISHOPS. Bisnop R. R. Roperrs—Licensed to Preach and admitted into the Con- ference—Circuits and Stations filled—Elected to the Episcopacy—Fact leading to his Election—Removes to Indiana—His Personal Appearance— His Manner—Extract from “The Fallen Heroes of Indiana Methodism,” by Hon. R. W. Thompson—Example of his Kindness and Forbearance— Account of his Preaching, by Hon. Mr. Thompson—Funeral Services at Greencastle—Erection of a Monument—Bissop Mattuew Simpson—Enters the Ministry—Elected President of ‘Indiana Asbury University ’—Elected Editor of the “Western Christian Advocate ’’—Elected Bishop—His Services in the Cause of Education—He visits Europe—His Services during the War—Bisuor EK. R. Ames—His Ancestors—His Early Life—Opens a High School at Lebanon—Elected ‘Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society'’—Elected President of “Indiana Asbury University ''—Elected Bishop—His Personal Appearance—Manner of Preaching.....pacEs 324-337 CHAPTER XVIII. FROM 1870 TO 1872. Fortiets Session of the Indiana Conference—Death of B. F. Torr and Thomas A. Whitted—Delegates to the General Conference of 1872—Con- gratulations between the Electoral Conference and the Annual Conference— Statistics and Contributions—South-eastern Indiana Conference—Lay and Clerical Delegates to the General Conference—Thomas Ray—John W. Dole—William T. Saunders—Members—Church Property—Contributions— Largest Churches—Sketch of S. T. Gillett, D. D.—Twentieth Session of the North-west Indiana Conference—Electoral Conference— Resolutions against a Change in our Church Economy—Delegates to the General Con- ference—Members—Contributions—Educational—Twenty-ninth Session of the North Indiana Conference—Members—Contributions—Electoral Con- ference—Delegates to the General Conference—Resolutions on Conference Boundary—Lay Delegation—Thomas Bowman, D. D........... PAGES 338-360 INDIANA METHODISM. CHAPTER. I. Early Civil History—First Romish Church built in the Territory—First Governor and Civil Officers—First Session of the “General Court of the Territory of Indiana”—First Grand Jury—Members of the House of Representatives—Governor’s Message—Convention to form a Constitution for the State of Indiana—First General Assem- bly of the State—Indiana admitted into the Union—First Senators elected—Early Public Men—Hugh Cull—Dennis Pennington—Ezra Ferris—James Scott—Influence of the Early Itinerants. HE first white settlements in the territory of Indiana were made by French traders. The villages of the Miamies, which stood at the head of the Maumee River, the Wea villages, situated about Oniatenon on the Wabash River, and the Piankeshaw villages, which stood near the present site of Vincennes, were regarded by the early French fur-traders as suitable places for the estab- lishment of trading-posts. As early as 1719, temporary trading-posts were erected at the sites of Fort Wayne, Oniatenon, and Vincennes. The Romish Church, with a zeal and perseverance which must command our highest admiration, are found on the frontiers of civil- ization. The missionary of the Church was close on the track of the fur-trader and the trapper. The first Church in the territory was established by a Romish 2 17 18 INDIANA METHODISM. missionary by the name of Meurin, at the Piankeshaw village, in 1749, where the city of Vincennes now is. In 1750 a small fort was built at the same place, and another slight fortification was erected, about the same time, at the mouth of the Wabash River. Vincennes received considerable accessions to its white population in 1754, 1755, and 1756, by the arrival of emigrants from Detroit, Kaskaskia, Canada, and New Orleans. On the division of the territory of the United States north of the Ohio River, by the act of Congress of May 7, 1800, the material parts of the ordinance of July 13, 1787, remained in force in the territory of Indiana, and the inhabitants of the new territory were invested with all the privileges and advantages granted and secured to the people by that ordinance. The seat of Government was fixed at Vincennes. On the 13th of May, 1800, William Henry Harrison was appointed Governor, and on the next day, John Gibson, a native of Pennsylvania, and a distinguished pioneer, to whom Logan, the Indian chief, delivered his celebrated speech, was appointed Secretary of the Ter- ritory. Soon afterward John Griffin, Henry Vanderburg, and William Clark were appointed Territorial Judges. The civilized population of the territory was estimated in 1800 at 4,875. Governor Harrison and the Territorial Judges held their first meeting at Vincennes, January 12, 1801, for the purpose of adopting and publishing “such laws as the exigencies of the times” required, and “for the performance of other acts conformable to the ordinances and laws of Congress, for the government of the Territory.” The Territorial Judges commenced the first session of the General Court of the Territory of Indiana at Vincennes, March 3, 1801. The first grand jury impaneled in the territory consisted of nine- 7 INDIANA METHODISM. 19 teen persons, as follows: Luke Decker, Antoine Mar- chal, Joseph Baird, Patrick Simpson, Antoine Petit, Andre Montplaiseur, John Ockiltree, Jonathan Marney, Jacob Tevebaugh, Alexander Valley, Francis Turpin, Fr. Compaynoitre, Charles Languedoc, Louis Severe, Fr. Languedoc, George Catt, John Bt. Barois, Abraham Decker, and Philip Catt. It will be readily inferred from these names that a large per cent of these early settlers were Frenchmen. The members of the first Legislature of the Indiana Territory convened in Vin- cennes, pursuant to the proclamation of the Governor, on tie 29th of July, 1805. The members of the House of Representatives were Jessie B. Thomas, of Dearborn County, Davis Floyd, of Clark County, Benjamin Park and John Johnson, of Knox County, Shadrach Bond and William Beggs, of St. Clair County, and George Fisher, of Randolph County. In his message, delivered on the 30th of July, 1805, the Governor congratulated the mem- bers of the General Assembly “upon entering on a grade of government which gave to the people the important right of legislating for themselves.” The Convention to frame a constitution for the State of Indiana held its session in Corydon. The Convention was composed of clear-minded, practical men, whose patriotism was above suspicion, and whose morals were fair. The first General Assembly, elected under the authority of the State Con- stitution, commenced its session at Corydon, then the capital of Indiana, on the 4th of November, 1816. The Territorial Government was thus superseded by a State Government, and the State formally admitted into the Union by a joint resolution of Congress, approved on the 11th of December, 1816. On the 8th of Novem- ber, 1816, the General Assembly, by a joint vote of both Houses, elected James Noble and Walter Taylor 20 INDIANA METHODISM. to represent the State of Indiana in the Senate of the United States. Although the history of Fort Wayne and Vincennes date back to the time of Louis XIV, when missionaries and traders led small colonies far from the homes and comforts of civilized life, and ambitious statesmen sent military forces across the ocean and along our northern lakes; and although the Swiss have cultivated the sunny slopes of the Ohio, in the vicinity of Vevay, from the be- ginning of the century, it was not until after the close of the war with Great Britain and the suppression of Indian hostilities that population began to flow into the terri- tory of Indiana. Although the representatives of nearly all nations are found among us, yet a large majority of our people are of the sturdy English stock, which, under the extraordinary influences consequent upon the stirring events of the seventeenth century, spread along the Atlantic coast, from Maine to the region of the tropics. Our population is truly composite. Like some grand piece of mosaic, in which all the colors are united, to the obscuring of none and the enhancing of the luster of each, the typical Indiana man is dependent on every ele- ment for completeness, yet as a whole is dissimilar to any part. He is neither German nor Scotch, nor Irish nor English, but a compound of the whole. The conqueror of our forests and the plowman of our prairies is pos- sessed of a spirit of personal independence that may be sharpened into insolence or educated into manly self- respect. Quite a number of the early public men of Indiana were men of high moral character, and not a few of them were men of decided piety; and they left their impress upon general society. Hugh Cull, one of the delegates from the County of Wayne to the Constitu- tional Convention, to frame the first Constitution for the si & INDIANA METHODISM. 21 State, was a local preacher in the Methodist Church, lived to the extraordinary age of one hundred and one years, retaining his faculties, his untarnished Christian character, and the esteem of all who knew him, to the last. He lived to see the county which he represented in the first Constitutional Convention of the State, be- come the empire county of the State, and a garden-spot both in physical and moral culture, and the population of the State increase from a few thousand to a million and a quarter of inhabitants. Dennis Pennington, from Harrison County, wag also an active and influential member of the Methodist Church. He served a number of years in the State Legislature under the Constitution which he had helped to frame, and died at a good old age, having served his generation faithfully and well. Ezra Ferris, a member of the Constitutional Convention from Dearborn County, was a Baptist preacher of a liberal spirit and great Christian influence. He resided in Law- renceburg till the close of his life, which occurred near the age of eighty years. James Scott, from Clark County, who was subsequently, for a number of years, one of the Supreme Judges of the State, was an exem- plary and earnest Christian, a member of the Presbyte- rian Church, but in hearty sympathy with all Christians. He also lived to a good old age. Such were some of the men that framed the first Constitution for the State of Indiana. A high responsi- bility is devolved upon, and rare opportunities are en- joyed by, the men who lay the foundations of society, whether civilly, socially, or ecclesiastically. Society, like the individual, has its educational period, during which it takes on those characteristics by which it is afterward distinguished and known. History teaches us that social and intellectual peculiarities are almost as transmissable 22 INDIANA METHODISM. as physical traits. John Knox yet lives in the Psalm- singing and rugged Calvinistic theology of Scotland. Every country furnishes illustrations of this truth; and that community is highly favored whose early leaders possessed the requisite intellectual, social, and moral qual- ities. A decidedly religious impression was made upon the minds of a large proportion of the early settlers in Indiana by the preaching of the Methodist itinerants, and the value of their services is recognized by men of all parties. Our itinerant system carried the means of grace to the remotest settlements, gathered the people into societies in the country, as well as in the towns and vil- lages, and went far toward molding the minds and morals of the people. Preaching every day in the week, they lived among the people, sharing their privations and en- joying their scanty but cheerful hospitality. Under their labors “the wilderness and the solitary places have - been made glad, and the desert has blossomed as the rose.” It is fitting that the means, the processes, and the agencies by which Methodism has wrought out her work in Indiana, should be a matter of permanent record. INDIANA METHODISM. 23 CHAPTER II. First Protestant Sermon preached in the Territory—First Methodist Society formed—Mr. Cartwright’s Encounter with the Shakers— First Pastoral Charge in the Territory—First Methodist Meeting- house—Whitewater Circuit—Indiana District organized—Indiana District in 1809—First Protestant Preaching at Vincennes—William Winans—Indiana District in 1810—Prominent Members of the Con- ference—William M’Kendree—Charles Holliday—John Collins— Leander Blackman—John Sale—James Quinn—Solomon Langdon— William Burke—James B. Finley—John Strange—James Axley— Division of the Western Conference—Missouri Conference or- ganized—Introduction of Methodism into Decatur County—First Prayer-meeting in the County—First Class formed—Anecdote of Mr. Garrison—Preaching established in Greensburg—Thomas Rice—Salaries of the Early Preachers—Illustration—First School taught in the Territory—Geo. K. Hester’s account of the School— Sketch of the introduction of Methodist Preaching into Clark County by Rev. Geo. K. Hester—First Traveling Preachers sent to the Grant—Benjamin Lakin and Ralph Lotspiech — First Society formed—Silver-creek Circuit organized—Camp-meeting held near Robertson’s—Revivals—The New-lights—Memorable Revival in 1819—Illinois Conference held at Charlestown in 1825—Both Bish- ops M’Kendree and Roberts attend and preach. MONG the first Methodist sermons ever preached in the territory of Indiana were those preached by the venerable Peter Cartwright in 1804. Some Meth- odist families had removed from Kentucky, and settled in Clark’s Grant, now Clark County, north of the Ohio River, nearly opposite Louisville. Among them were the Robinsons and Prathers, who settled near the present town of Charlestown, the county-seat of Clark County. This was in 1803. In 1804 Benjamin Lakin and Peter Cartwright traveled Salt-river and Shelby Circuits in Kentucky, and Mr. Cartwright, in his “ Autobiography,” 24 INDIANA METHODISM. says that he and Mr. Lakin crossed over the river that year, and preached at Robinson’s and Prather’s. This was between two and three years before the organization of Silver-creek Circuit by Moses Ashworth. Mr. Cartwright has also the honor of organizing the first Methodist society in the south-western part of the state, at a place known in the early history of the state as the Busroe settlement, which, for a time, was the stronghold of Shakerism. We will let Mr. Cartwright tell the story of his encounter with the Shakers in his own language : “TJ will here state a case which occurred at an early day in the state of Indiana, in a settlement called Bus- roe. Many of the early emigrants to that settlement were Methodists, Baptists, and Cumberland Presbyte- rians. The Shaker priests, all apostates from the Bap- tists and Cumberland Presbyterians, went over among them. Many of them I was personally acquainted with, and had given them letters when they removed from Kentucky to that new country. “There were then no Methodist circuit-preachers in that region. There was an old brother Collins, a local. preacher, who withstood the Shakers, and in private combat was a full match for any of them; but he was not eloquent in public debate; and hence the Shaker priests overcame my old brother, and by scores swept members of different Churches away from their stead- fastness into the muddy pool of Shakerism. The few who remained steadfast, sent to Kentucky for me, pray- ing me to come over and help them. I sent an appoint- ment, with an invitation to meet any or all of the Shaker priests in public debate; but, instead of meeting me, they appointed a meeting in opposition, and warned the be- lievers, as they called them, to keep away from my INDIANA METHODISM. 25 meeting; but, from our former acquaintance and inti- mate friendship, many of them came to hear me. I preached to a vast crowd for about three hours, and I verily believe God helped me. The very foundations of every Shaker present were shaken from under him. They then besought me to go to the Shaker meeting that night. I went;.and when I got there, we had a great crowd. I proposed to them to have a debate, and they dared not refuse. The terms were these: A local preacher I had with me was to open the debate, then one, or all of their preachers, if they chose, were to follow, and I was to bring up the rear. My preacher opened the debate by merely stating the points of dif- ference. Mr. Brazelton followed, and, instead of argu- ment, he turned every thing into abuse and insulting slander. When he closed, Mr. Gill rose; but instead of argument, he uttered a few words of personal abuse, and then called all of the Shakers to meet him a few minutes in the yard, talk a little, and then disperse.. Our debate was out in the open air, at the end of a cabin. I arose, and called them to order, and stated that it was fairly agreed by these Shaker priests that I should bring up the rear, or close the argument. I stated that it was cowardly to run; that if I was the devil himself, and they were right, I could not hurt them. I got the most of them to take their seats and hear me. Mr. Gill gathered a little band, and he and they left. They had told the people, in the day, that if I continued to oppose them, God would make an ex- ample of me, and send fire from heaven and consume me. When I arose to reply, I felt a sense of the ap- probation of God, and that he would give me success. IT addressed the multitude about three hours, and when I closed my argument, I opened the doors of the Church, 26 INDIANA METHODISM. and invited all that would renounce Shakerism to come and give me their hand. Forty-seven came forward, and then and there openly renounced the dreadful de- lusion. The next day I followed those that fled; and the next day I went from cabin to cabin, taking the names of those that returned to the solid foundation of truth, and my number rose to eighty-seven. I then or- ganized them into a regular society, and the next Fall had a preacher sent them; and perhaps this victory may be considered among the first fruits of Methodism in that part of the new country. This was in 1808. They were temporarily supplied with preaching until 1811, when they were regularly included in the Vincennes Cir- cuit, then under the care of Thomas Stillwell as preacher in charge.” The first entire pastoral charge in the territory of Indiana was Silver-creek Circuit, in Clark’s Grant, now Clark County, under the ministry of Rev. Moses Ash- worth. The first Methodist meeting-house in the territory was built in what was then, and is still, known as the Robertson neighborhood, near Charlestown. Mr. Ash- worth was an enterprising, energetic man. Three meet- ing-houses were built on this circuit during the first year of its history, and, although they were necessarily cheap log-houses, they evidenced the piety and liberality of the people. They made provision for the public worship of God, as good as they were able to make for the comfort of their own families. Mr. Ashworth returned, at the end of the year, one hundred and eighty-eight members. Whitewater Circuit, on the eastern border of the state, and lying then principally in the state of Ohio— though that part of the circuit lying in Indiana retained the name—had been organized the year before under the INDIANA METHODISM. 27 labors of Rev. Thomas Hellams and Rev. Selah Payne. What classes, if any, were organized by them in Indi- ana, and at what points, is not now known. The cir- cuit, as organized a few years later, included Brookville, Brownsville, Liberty, Connersville, and all of the settled parts of the Whitewater country, from the mouth of Whitewater to as far north as what is now Randolph County. In 1808, Indiana District was organized as follows: INDIANA DISTRICT—SAMUEL PARKER, Presipine Exper. Mlinois—Jesse Walker. Missouri—Abraham Amos. Merrimack—Joseph Oglesby. Coldwater—John Crane. Whitewater—Hector Sanford and Moses Crume. Silver-creek—Josiah Crawford. Here was a district extending from the western border of the state of Ohio to Mexico. There is some- thing sublime in the heroism that planned such fields of labor—a single presiding elder’s district embracing what is now the three great states of Indiana, Illinois, and Mis- souri. The mode of travel was on horseback. The streams were unbridged, and could often be crossed only by swimming. The roads were mostly bridle-paths, “blazed,” as the backwoodsmen called it, by hatchet- marks on the trees. The country was full of Indians, some of them friendly, but many of them exasperated by the encroachments of the white men. Salaries were scarcely thought of; they lived among the people, sharing their scanty, but cheerful hospitality, encountering perils in the wilderness, from floods and swamps and savage men, often compelled to sleep in the woods. Their meet- ing-houses were the rude cabins of the pioneers, where one room served as kitchen, bed-room, and chapel. These were lion-hearted men; they “endured as seeing 28 INDIANA METHODISM. Him who is invisible;” they saw that these fertile valleys were to be seats of empire, that populous cities would rise on the margin of these mighty rivers, that commerce would burden these navigable streams, knowing that they were laying the foundations of Christian civilization that should bless uncounted millions in after years. Grand as were their conceptions, the facts have out-run them, and the reality is already grander than their most sanguine imaginings. Giving them credit for great fore- sight, they, nevertheless, built wiser than they knew. In 1809, Indiana District stood as follows : INDIANA DISTRICT—SAMUEL PARKER, Presipinc ELpEr. Iinois—Abraham Amos. Missouri—John Crane. Merrimack—David Young and Thomas Wright. Coldwater—Isaac Lindsey. Cape Girardeau—Jesse Walker. Vincennes—William Winans. Vincennes appears for the first time on the list of .appointments. Catholic priests had previously officiated there, for Post St. Vincent was an early French trading- post, but it was now an American settlement. General William Henry Harrison, Governor of Indiana Territory, had established his head-quarters there; and William Winans was the first Protestant preacher to visit the place. One of his first services was a night appointment for preaching in the fort. The Government officers, a few English and French settlers, and two or three Indians, make up the audience. A few tallow candles furnish all their light for the occasion. One of these is kindly held by Governor Harrison for the young preacher, while he reads his text and hymn. And in that-dingy room young Winans delivers his Gospel message in such a manner as commends both the preacher and his message to the hearts of his hearers. Winans was a young man INDIANA METHODISM. 29 of fine personal appearance; not handsome, but com- manding in his appearance; a little above the medium height, with an open countenance, a clear, strong voice, an easy, rather negligent manner, that showed perfect self- possession and self-reliance, qualities of great value to the frontier missionary, who has no treasury to depend on, and whose audiences are, for the most part, composed of strangers. Winans did not disappoint the expectations of his friends. He rose to eminence, and was for many years a recognized leader of the forces of Methodism in the state of Mississippi, into the bounds of which Con- ference he fell by the division of territory. In 1810, Indiana District is continued as follows: INDIANA DISTRICT—SAMUEL PARKER, Presipina Enver. Ilinois—Daniel Fraley. Missouri—Thomas Wright. Merrimack—John M’Farland. Coldwater—George A. Colbert. Cape Girardeau—Jesse Walker. Why it should have been called Indiana District, as thus constituted, is not apparent at the present day. The charges in Indiana were as follows: St. Vincent’s, as it was then written in the Minutes, with Thomas Stilwell as the preacher, and included in the Cumberland District, Learner Blackman as presiding elder; Silver-creek, in- cluded in Green-river District, with Isaac Lindsey for the preacher, and William Burke as presiding elder; White- water, in Miami District, with Moses Crume for the preacher, and Solomon Langdon for presiding elder. The numbers returned for this year were as follows: Silver- creek, 397; Vincennes, 125; Whitewater, 638. In 1811, Lawrenceburg Circuit, on the eastern border of the state, and Patoka, on the south-western part of the state, were added to the organized work in Indiana. Walter Griffith 30 INDIANA METHODISM. traveled the former, and Benjamin Edge the latter. Down to this time, the Church within the bounds of the Western Conference had accumulated but little property in the way of churches, parsonages, or school-houses. In the Winter the log-cabins of the early settlers were the preaching-places, and in the Summer they worshiped in the grand old woods. The early settlements were along the rivers and creeks, as these were the natural highways of the country; and hence the early circuits derived their names from some river or creek upon which they were located, or to which they were contiguous; and not as is the present custom, from city, town, or post-office, for the very good reason that there were no cities, and very few towns and post-offices, after which they could have named them. The old Western Con- ference included in its ranks a large proportion of strong men—men of intellectual vigor, and mighty in the Scrip- tures. William M’Kendree, the enterprising and efficient presiding elder and prince of preachers, was elected bishop in 1808. He was a true champion and a recog- nized leader in the old Western Conference. Charles Holliday, than whom few men were ever more familiar with the Scriptures. He was, a number of years, Book Agent at Cincinnati. At the close of his Book Agency he was transferred to the Illinois Conference, where he continued to labor until the Fall of 1846, when he took a superannuated relation, and in 1849 was called from labor to reward. The sweet-spirited, saintly, and suc- cessful John Collins, who won thousands as jewels for his Master. Learner Blackman, John Sale, James Quinn, and Solomon Langdon were eminently fitted to lead on the Church from “conquering to conquest.” William Burke was a man of decided ability and impress- ive manners, and for many years stood in the front rank INDIANA METHODISM. 31 of Methodist preachers. In an evil hour he withdrew from the Church, but lived long enough to repent the rash deed. He now rests, with the co-laborers of his early manhood, in the better land. James B. Finley, known as the Old Chief, survived most of his early asso- ciates, and, through a long life, declaimed against vice, and proclaimed the Gospel message, with a power and success equaled by few. ‘The thrilling eloquence of John Strange, and the sturdy sense and occasional eccen- tricity of James Axley, are still themes of conversation among those who still remember them. The last session of the old Western Conference was held in Cincinnati, October, 1811. Bishops Asbury and M’Kendree were both present at this Conference. At the General Con- ference of 1812, the Western Conference was divided into two conferences, called Ohio and Tennessee. The Ohio Conference embraced the Ohio, Muskingum, Scioto, Miami, and Kentucky Districts. At the General Con- ference held in the city of Baltimore, in May, 1816, the Missouri Annual Conference was constituted, embracing Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. There were at that time, in Indiana, Lawrenceburg and White-river Circuits, on the eastern border of the state, included in Miami Dis- trict, Ohio Conference ; and Patoka, Vincennes, Harrison, Blue-river, and Silver-creek Circuits, embraced in Illi- nois District, Missouri Conference; Missouri Conference being bounded on the east by a line running due north from the city of Madison. Methodism was introduced into Decatur County as follows: John Robins came to Decatur County, March 28, 1822, and settled on Sand Creek, three and a half miles south of where Greensburg now stands. The town was laid out that same Spring. There were but few persons then in the county. The only family then 32 INDIANA METHODISM, in the limits of what is now Greensburg, was Colonel Hendricks, an honored citizen and a liberal-minded Pres- byterian. At this time there was no Church organization in the county. The first Methodist society, which was the first religious organization in the county, began on this wise: The few scattered Methodists, feeling | their need of spiritual aid and the fellowship of the Church, resolved to see what could be done. John Rob- ins began to hunt for a preacher that could take them into his circuit, and supply them with preaching. Mean- while he appointed prayer-meeting at his own house. At that first prayer-meeting there were present John Robins, Ruth Robins, John H. Kirkpatrick and wife, and Nathaniel Robins; and shortly after, John Steward joined them. Late in the Summer of 1822, James Murray, who was then traveling Connersville Circuit, which was included in the Ohio Conference, sent an appointment to Greens- burg, to the cabin of Colonel Hendricks, to preach. He came; and here he was met by John Robins, who so- licited him to make an appointment at his house. Mr. Murray made a conditional promise. He would come if he could. In a short time after this, Mr. Robins received a class-paper, made out in due form by Mr. Murray, and forwarded to him, not by mail—for such a luxury was then unknown by the early settlers—but conveyed by friends from one neighborhood to another. With that paper was the request that he would open the doors of the Church, and receive such as were willing to join in with them to form a class. Mr. Robins pro- posed, if enough joined to justify it, that he would report the society to the next session of the Missouri Conference. When Mr. Robins presented the question of the organization of a class, seven persons gave their INDIANA METHODISM. 33 names, to wit: Abram L. Anderson, Nancy Anderson, Jacob Stewart, Elizabeth Garrison, Nathaniel Robins, John Robins, and Ruth Robins. These formed the first Methodist class and the first religious organization in Decatur County. Mr. Robins reported the organization of the class to Mr. Murray, and the class was reported in due time to the Missouri Conference. In the Fall of 1823, Aaron Wood was appointed to Connersville Circuit, and, as he was surveying his new field of labor, he met with Mr. Robins, and an arrangement was effected for a regular appointment at his house; but Wood had hardly got possession of this new society, when Jesse Haile, of Indianapolis Circuit, Missouri Conference, appeared, with John Robins’s house on the plan of his circuit. The east line of the Missouri Conference being a line due north from the city of Madison, Greensburg was found to be in the Missouri Conference, and Mr. Wood had to vacate. From Mr. Wood’s first sermon at Mr. Robins’s house, it became a regular preaching-place, and, although nearly half a century has passed by, the results are yet visible: “The handful of corn on the top of the mount- ain shakes like Lebanon.”