MINUTES

OF THE

ANNUAL CONFERENCES

OF THE

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

FOR THE YEAR

1856.

Nun—mark: PUBLISHED BY CARLTON & PHILLIPS, 200 MULBERRY-STREET. 1855. Cincinnati Conference, 1855. 635 ingly for some two weeks, on the 2d of September, in calm and holy triumph, he bid adieu to earth. As a friend, he was ever confiding, yet open, frank, and generous; as a Christian, he was ardent, sweet-spirited, and magnanimous; as a minister, he was descriptiver eloquent, and generally successful; and as a. pastor, he was eminently persevering and affectionately faithful. His native intellectual endowments were of the first order; his imitative powers were extraordinary. As a temperance lecturer he was unsurpassed. He was, indeed, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of God. Long will his Christian example and many social virtues be remembered by those who enjoyed his acquaintance.

CINCINNATI CONFERENCE,

Held at Urbana, Ohio, September 26-October 6, 1855.

BISHOP MORRIS, Presiding. J. T. MITCHELL, Secretary.

Quest. 1. Who are admitted on trial? Owens, George W. Kelley, Michael Bitler , David C. Benjamin, John J. Tifiany, John Buswell, Ehrhardt Wunderlich, John William Maxey, James Manning, James Haight, (re-admitted,) Emil Baur, Fred. Stilwell, Albert N. Sphar, Geo. M. Edgar, Kapphahm, John Schweinfurth, Alfred Thomes W. Tipton, C. C. Knowlton, John Wuensch, Henry Stokes, Thomas Audis, Jones, H. Z. Jacobsmuehlen, Charles Henry E. Perkhiser, Geo. Parrott, A. W. Kessinger, Gustavus Bertrams, John Rixe, Musgrove, Wilbur J. Thurbur—28. John W. Fishback, Phili Weber, Jakob Quest. 5. Who have been elected and or Gabler, Gustavus Laas, erman Herzer dained Elders this year? —19. William Kaetter, William Engel, Jaeob Quest. 2. Who remain on trial .7 Krehbiel, Wesley Dennett, Jesse M. Ro John Shinn, William King, Levi F. binson, William Q. Shannon, James Ken Thomas, Samuel Neer, J. Vance, Samuel dall, George H. Reed—8. A. Brewster, J. Braden, Nimrod M’Donald, 6. Who have located this Jesse E. Hall, Daniel Neier, John A. Quest. year! Schmermund, Gottleib Bohlinger, Carl J. V. Baldufi‘. Fritsche, Wm. E. Hines, John C. Deem, Quest. 7. Who are the supernumerary Thomas Head, Thomas S. Dunn, James_ preachers 2 H. Herron, Frederick C.:Wolf—l9. James Smith, E. B. Owen, William Who are admitted into Quest. 3. full Guyer, J. B. Austin—4. Connexion .7 John V. Jahrans, Christian Nachtrieb, Quest. 8. Who are the superannuated or George Weidman, William G. W. Lewis, warn-out preachers? William N. Williams, George B. Owens, Peter Schmuker, David Whitcomb, J. George H. Kennedy, Dennis Callahan, Barton, J. W. Stone, Adam Miller, John Stephen G. Griflis, George W. Kelley, W. Keeley, J. Guyer, S. Barth, A. W. Albert Dunlap, Daniel Grifiis, John F. Elliott, E. D. Roe, W. H. Lawder, A. Spence, John M. Sullivan, Michael Bitler, Dinkins, M. P. Gaddis, P. Nation, M. G. Ehrhardt Wunderlich, John Boswell—l7. Baker, J. B. Finley, D. D. Davidson, B. I Browmiller, Peter Wilkins—19. Quest. 4. Who are the Deacons? Those marked thus (*) were ordained this year. Quest. 9. Who have been expelled from George H. Kennedy,‘ Dennis Callahan,‘ the Connexion this year? Stephen G. Griflis,‘ Daniel Griffis,‘ Albert L. D. Harlan. P. Dunlap,‘ John M. Sullivan,‘ John F. Spence,‘ J. V. J ahraus, Christian Nach Quest. 10. Who have withdrawn from the Connexion this year? trieb, George Weidman, William G. W. Lewis, William N. Williams, George B. Moses P. Jameson, Gustafi' Riche-Q. - 636 Cincinnati Conference, 1855.

Quest. 11. Were all the preachers’ charac- Whim‘ 0°" Pm WY' . Germantown 132 .. 5 1 18" examine d -2 Franklin 156 .. 5 This was strictly attended to, by calling Miamishufg h an d - . 176 . . 4 over their names before the Conference. Springborougb .4 Middlemwn H7 2 9 ‘ ' u Qu e sL 12 . have this year _2 Red Lion 95 .. . .. _Who Monroe 294 1 24 l died - J. M. Cavln, Thomas Gorsuch, G. C. Concord 255 11 5 -—-— —- ~— '— Townley—3. (See Memmrs.) 3371 T 147 22 Quest. 13. What is the number of mem bers, and what of probationers, in So- U'b‘m“ D‘sm‘i ciety _t Urbana 425 .. 33 9 East Cincinnati District. sPélgigfflgiJ" Whites. Col. Pro. Local p. o -s eat 346 . . B 6 Cincinnati_ ‘Highfitrget 180 2 Wesley Chapel 230 .. 2 l Pique—~ Ninth-street 235 l 20 2 Green'sneet 387 - - 7 2 Collins Chapel 12 ...... Wayne-street 116 -- 16 3 Ellen-street 75 ...... Fletcher 409 . . 16 2 Ashury and Rape,- King’s Creek 443 . . 22 4 405 Chapels 262 _ _ 25 6 Vienna I . . 28 2 Mon“; Auburn 43 h 4 __ North Lewrsbnrgh 575 . . 32 4 336 - - 5 Walnut Hills and T781110!“ - New-street 30 112 7 1 Addison 361 - -_ 20 4 East Cincinnati City 1'06lion 187 -- 25 - Mission ...... “"" _ _' 'h Mission 18 ...... 417° - - 212 38 F11\X'Velshton 200 . . 20 2 . . . X‘m“ Amelia 620 l 82 7 , D""“' Laurel 570 1 12 5 Xenia 395 - - 9 . New.Richmond 125 __ 7 1 South Charleston 252 . . 2 1 West White Oak 640 .. 9 5 Yellow Swings 165 -- 40 . Felicity 419 _ _ 14 3 Jamestown 592 . . 58 9 Bamvia 581 H 22 _ _ New-Burlington 406 . . . . 3 Milford 569 , , 3 9 Wilmington 205 . . 23 . . Goshen 525 . . 51 4 Lennst 380 - - 55 4 _ _._ __ _ Union 601 3 37 9 5159 115 294 45 Lebanon 159 . . 8 . . _ _ _ , New-Carlisle 293 .. 2e 1 West Cincinnati District. Fairfiekl 363 __ 30 1 Cincinnati— Merritstown 160 . . 40 1 Morris Chapel 334 . . 13 3 Beaver Creek 25 . . 15 . . Christie Chapel 328 .. 15 .. —--— -- — — 286 . . 34 2 4196 3 345 29 gark-stéeetnion ha e1 182 . . 10 7 , . . Yorksneetp 103 _ _ lo 3 Hillsbor'ough District. C linton-street 251 . . 45 5 Hillsborough 346 . . 10 8 ’ , Ladies’ Home City Highland 947 .. 25 3 Mission 41 .. 7 2 Sinking Springs 689 2 . ._ 4 Hamilton 198 . , ,'_ _ , Greenfield 195 1 2 ,, Oxford 227 . . 8 2 Buena Vista 100 . . 25 1 North Bend 271 .. 34 1 Clarksville 638 .. I73 8 Harrison , , , . , _ 1 Williamsburgh 422 . . 24 3 Lockland 119 . . 20 . . Winchester 790 l 205 6 Cumminsville 242 . . 29 4 Ripley 172 .. 2 1 Venice 280 2 22 3 Aberdeen 785 . . 3 3 Miami 357 . . 5 5 West Union 500 . . 21 4 Madisonville 437 . . 52 4 East White Oak 433 .. 55 5 -—- _ -— - Georgetown I24 . . 5 . . 3656 2 304 42 *— -

-—-l6 33 —-4 550 45 Dayton District. Dayt°n_.. Cincinnati German Mission District. 3 Wesley Chapel 313 . . . . Cincinnati— 4 Raper Chapel 310 ._ 14 Race-street 150 .. 25 2

Wesley Chapel City Everett-street 105 . . I3 1 1 Mission 27 . . . . Buckeye-street 109 . . 23 2 3 2 Troy 198 .. Congress-street 16 . . 2 . .

Lewisburgh 301 . . 23 .. Newport and Covington 119 .. 23 1

Eaton . 1 153 . 10 Dayton 146 . . 24 1 2 3 New-Paris 152 12 West Union 90 . . 14 1 2 Camden_ 375 11 3 Mount Pleasant and .

West Winchester 287 . . 13 1 Hamilton 46 . . 1.3 . - Cincinnati Conference, 1855. 637

Whitol. Col. Pro. Loulp. The foregoing collections were divided as follows I... Sidney 69 37 2 .. Claimants. Div. Claimants. Div. Greenville 35 .. 2 l John Barton 22 Mrs. Finley $17 36 Chillicothe 119 .. 11 1 $47 John W. Stone 47 22 Mrs. Stroud and Waverly and Greenfield 57 14 .. John W. Keeley 45 83 Children 29 84 John Geyer 47 22 Mrs. Warrington 1061 201 12 S. Barth 43 05 and children 27 08 Pittsburgh German J’Iission District. A. W. Elliott 34 72 Mrs. Meredith Pittsburgh and Alleghany 145 . . 23 1 E. D. Roe 34 72 and children 22 92 Birmingham 30 . . 4 1 'I‘hos. Gorsuch 39 3?. Mrs. Cooper and Wheeling 150 . . 20 2 W. H. ander 52 77 child 21 52 Captina 144 . . 15 1 A. J. Dinkins 4'7 22 Mrs. Anderson Malaga and Buckhill 106 . 48 l M. P. Gaddis 43 05 and child 21 52 Marietta 71 11 . . Philip Nation 51 38 Mrs. Parrish and Washington 86 . , 20 2 M. G. Baker 43 05 child 2152 Pomeroy 133 .. 15 2 G. C. Townly 28 47 Mrs. Tomlinson Furnaces 92 . . 13 3 James Smith 34 72 and child 20 13 Portsmouth 51 2 .. J. M. Cavin 37 50 Miss Sarah E. Canal Dover 27 10 . . J. B. Austin 34 72 Wolfi" 4 16

.1. B. Finley 34. 72 Philip E. Mutch

1035 181 13 Wm. Geyer 59 71 her 2 78

B. Browmiller 43 05 Surplus, paid b North Ohio German Minion District. L. D. Harlan 43 05 order of Con . 42 . . 20 1 Cleveland B. Browrniller 8 94 to Committee West Cleveland 24 . . 4 A. J. Dinkins 19 61 on Necessitous and Vermilion 41 ,. 20 l Rockport Mrs. Roberts 2 63 Cases Sandusky City 38 .. 16 . . Sale 17 36 Mrs. Tomlinson, Woodville 118 . . 20 1 Barrett 17 36 last year’s ac - Toledo 58 .. 11 l Butler 17 36 count 17 75 Galion and Bucyrus 192 . . 51 2 Jones 17 36 Stationery l 34 Marion 93 . . 21 . . Collins 17 36 — 12 1 Delawan 94 . . Quinn 17 36 $1,239 47 Columbus 46 . . 10 . . Newark 56 11 . . Quest. 16. What has been contributed for the Missions, what the

support of 802 196 7 for Sunday-School Union, what for the Michigan German Mission District. and circulation Tracts, publication of ,, 1 Detroit 82 17 and what to aid the American Bible Ann Arbor 65 .. 10 1 St. Clair and Mount Society? Clemens 80 . . 23 . . For Missions $15,397 37 Lansing 17 . . 9 . . For Sunday-School Union 313 11 Saganaw ...... - - ‘ For Tract Society 1,219 82 Copper Mines . . . . For American Bible Society 1,002 81 244 . 59 2 Quest. l7. IVhere are the preachers sta RECAPITULATION. tioned this year? Coloured. Whites. EAST CINCINNATI DISTRICT. Members 29,827 131 Probationers 2,479 . . William Herr, P. E. Local preachers 256 Cincinnati— Wesley Chapel, Meghill Dustin. Total this year 32,562 131 last year 32,486 132 Ninth-street Chapel, William I. Fee. Asbury Chapel, Charles Adams. Increase 76 dec. 1 Raper Chapel, Arza Brown. M’Kendree Chapel, J. B. Ellsworth. Quest. 14. What amounts are necessary Walnut Hills George Parrott. for the superannuated preachers, and the Chapel, Congress-street Chapel, J. J. Thompson. widows and orphans of preachers; and New-street Chapel, A. U. Beall. to make up the deficiencies of those who Mount Auburn, Cassatt. have not obtained their regular allow John W. Collins Chapel, to be ance on the circuits! supplied. Mission, Answer, $6,833 13. Welsh John Jones. Miami, A. Murphy, J. C. Maddy. collected on the Quest. 15. What has been Lockland, J. S. Peregrine. foregoing accounts, and how has it been Madisonville, B. Glasscoc/c, Thos. Audis. applied .1 Milford, A. M. Lorraine, John Fitch. Chartered Fund 00 837 Leroy Swormstedt, Agent of Western Book Districts and Stations 1,202 47 Concern,—rnember of Wesley Chapel $1,239 47 Quarterly Conference. 638 Cincinnati Conference, 1855.

P. B. Wilbur, President of the Wesleyan A. Meharry, Superintendent of Collections Female College,-——member of the Wes for Ohio Wesleyan University,—mem ley Chapel Quarterly Conference. ber of Raper Chapel Quarterly Con John M. Leavitt, Professor in Ohio Uni ference, Dayton. of Mount Auburn versity,—member URBANA DISTRICT. Quarterly Conference. W. G. W. Lewis, Professor in Wesleyan J. T. Mitchell, P. E. Female College,——member of Asbury Urbana— Quarterly Conference. First Church, D. Warnoclc. S. D. Clayton, Floating Bethel,—member Second Church, J. F. Chalfant. of Congress-street Quarterly Conf. Springfield— J. F. Wright, Agent to raise funds to Columbia-street, Joseph 'Newson. establish and endow a Literary Institu High-street, William H. Sutherland. tion for the free people of colour,—mem Piqua— ber of Mount Auburn Quarterly Conf. Green-street, C. Brooks, J. Smith, sup. James Kendall. WEST CINCINNATI DISTRICT. Wayne-street, Lockington, Henry Stokes. David Reed, P. E. Fletcher, F. C. \Volf, John M. Sullivan. Cincinnati— Addison, Samuel Brown, Geo. W. Kelley. Morris Chapel, Asbury Lowry. Tremont, E. H. Field. Christie John W. Fowble. Chapel, King’s Creek and Mechanicsburgh, E. C. Park-street 0. Chapel, R. Spencer. Merrick, D. Sharp, E. Owen, sup. Union D. Chapel, L. Barrows. North Lewisburgh, J. T. Bail, J. Vance. Finley Chapel, Charles Ferguson. Vienna, W. N. Williams, Samuel Neer. York-street Chapel, J. C. Bontecou. W. President of Ladies’ Home Mission, John 'F. Loyd, J. Weakley, Springfield High School and Female College,— Wesley Dennett. member of High-street Quarterly Conf. Cumminsville, George B. Owen, John J. L.‘ D. M’Cabe, Professor in Ohio Wes Tiffany. leyan University,—member of North Bend, M. Kaufl'man, Daniel Griflis. High street Conference. Harrison, C. H. Lawton. Quarterly Venice, A. W. Tibbatts, D. C. Benjamin. XENIA DISTRICT. Hamilton, Moses Smith. W. Simmons, P. E. Oxford, Thomas D. Crow. Xenia, Granville Moody. Monroe, H. Baker, D. H. Sargent. South Charleston, George W. Harris. W. Strickland, Agent of Ohio Coloniza P. Lebanon, A. W. MusgTO’UG tion Society,—member of Union Quar Red Lion and Springborough, Moses G. terly Conference. Bennett. DAYTON DISTRICT. New-Carlisle, Wesley Webster, Samuel

M. Marlay, P. E. ' A. BreWster. Dayton— Fairfield, Jesse Bothin, Nimrod M’Donald. Wesley Chapel, E. G. Nicholson. Yellow Springs, E. G. West. Raper Chapel, William I. Ellsworth. Jamestown, Levi White, John Braden. Miami City— New-Burlington, J. W. Smith, Albert Davisson Chapel, William Fitzgerald. N. Spahr. Troy, J. Ford Courey. Waynesville, I. I. Beal. Germantown and Miamisburgh, William Union, W. L. Hypes, Thomas .M. Gossard. M. Smith, James Stillwell. Merritstown Mission, John C. Deem. Franklin, John F. Marlay. Beaver Creek Mission, to be supplied. West Winchester, Geo. H. Reed, Stephen C. Elliott, Editor of Western Christian G. Griffis. Advocate,——member of Lebanon Quar Camden, C. W. Swain, Geo. H. Kennedy. terly Conference. Middletown, Joseph J. Hill, one to be sup. Eaton, La Fayette Van Cleve. HILLSBOROIIGH DISTRICT. New-Paris, H. S. Sellman. G. W. Walker, P. E. Lewisburgh, Henry E. Perkhiser, one to Hillsborough, G. C. Crum. be supplied. Highland, J. M Gatch, W. J. Thurber. Concord, T. W. Tipton, James Manning. Lynchburgh, William Q. Shannon, Levi S. L. Yourtree, President of Pittsburgh F. Thomas. Female College,—member of Wesley New-Lexington, S. H. Holland, \Villiam Chapel Quarterly Conference, Dayton. Maxey. Cincinnati Conference, 1855. 639

Clarksville, M. G. Perkhiser, J. H. Herrou, William Nast, Editor of Christian Apolo J. B. Austin, sup. gist,—member of Buckeye-st. Church Goshen, D. Kemper, Jesse M. Robinson. Quarterly Conference. Wilmington, Thomas Collell. OHIO GERMAN MISSION DISTRICT. Buena Vista, Dennis Callehan. Greenfield, Silas Bennett. J. A. Klein, P. E. Sinking Springs, W. King, John Buswell. Wheeling, George Danlrer. Newmarket,W. J. Quarry, Jesse E. Hall. Captina, Hugo Rehm. Winchester, M. P. Zink, Geo. M. Edgar. Malaga and Buckhill, C. Wydlenbach. Marietta and Washington, C. G. Fritzche, Joseph 1WD. Matthews, Principal of Oak one to be land Female Seminary,—member of supplied. Geo. Weidman, Hillsborough Quarterly Conference. Pomeroy, W. Guyer, sup. Furnaces, John Rixe. D. PVhetmer, Agent for Hillsborough _ Portsmouth, Female College,—-member of Hills William Kaetler. West Union and W. Fishback. borough Quarterly Conference. Ripley, J. Chillicothe, William Engel. GEORGETOWN DISTRICT. Greenfield and \Vaverly, Gotleib Bohlin William Young, P. E. I ger. West Union, A. P. Dunlap, John Shinn. Aberdeen. B. P. Wheat, Thomas Head. NORTH OHIO GERMAN MISSION DIS Ripley, Wesley Rowe. TRICT. East White Oak, T. A. G. Phillips, John Jacob Rothweiler, P. E. F. Spence. Cleveland, N. Nuhfer. Georgetown, William S. Morrow. West Cleveland, George Reiter. Felicity, William Routledge. Rockport and Vermilion, Philip Weber. West White Oak, C. R. Lovell, Joseph Galion, Ehrhardt Wunderlich. Blackburn. Bucyrus, Alfred Wucnsch. Laurel, James Armstrong, T. S. Dunn. Marion, Conrad Bier. New-Richmond, Isaac Nefi'. Delaware, Christian N achtrieb. Williamsburgh, William E.'Hinds, one to Canal Dover, Frederic/c Heitmeyer. be supplied. Pittsburgh, to be supplied. Batavia, T. S. Cowden, W. B. Jackson. Allegheny, Hermann Z. Jacobsmuehlen. Amelia, L. P. Miller, M. Bitler. Birmingham, William Dressler. Augustus Eddy, transferred to North In MICHIGAN GERMAN MISSION DIS diana Conference, and stationed at Rich TRIC'I‘. mond. N. Callender, P. E. John Haight and Chauncey C. Knowlton, Detroit, Peter Schneider. transferred to Kentucky Conference. Ann Arbor, Emil Baur. CINCINNATI GERMAN MISSION DIS St. Clair and Newport, Daniel Neier. TRIC’I‘. Mount Clemens and Roseville, Gustavus ' William Ahrens, P. E. Laas. Cincinnati— _ Lansing and Grand River, Jacob Krehbiel, Race-street, John Happen. Gustavus Bertrams. Everett-street, John Phetzing. Saganaw, J. Schweinfurth. Buckeye-street, Conrad Gahn. Copper Mines, to be supplied. Congress-street, Charles Helwig. Toledo, Paul Broadbec/c. Newport, Henry Henhe. Woodville and Perrysburgh, Frederick Covington, Charles Kessenger. Kapphalim. Dayton Station and Mission, Christian Sandusky, John V. Jahraus. Vogel, Herman Herzer. Monroe and Dundee, t6 be supplied. Mount Pleasant and Hamilton, W. Floerke. E. Riemcnschneider and Lewis Nippert, Sidney and Knoxville, Frederick Schim Missionaries to Germany. melpfenning, one to be supplied. Greenville, J. A. Schmermund. Quest. 18. Where and when shall our Columbus, Gotleib Nachtrieb. next Conference be held? Newark, Jakob Gabler. At Ripley, Ohio. Time not given.

Quest. 12. Who have died this year? 1. Rev. James M. Cavm was born June, 1824, in Miami County, Ohio. He experienced religion during the winter of 1842—3, and the blessing of perfect love in the winter of 1848-9, while he was a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University. 640 Cincinnati Conference, 1855.

During the winter of 1849—50 he left the university and returned to Piqua. From that period to the day of his death, his whole life was in perfect agreement with his pro fession of perfect love. In the spring of 1850 he was licensed to preach by the quar terly conference of Piqua station, and in the fall of the same year he-was recommended by the same quarterly conference to the Ohio Annual Conference as a suitable person to be admitted into the travelling connexion, and was received into the conference held in Chillicothe that year. He was appointed to Lexington Circuit. In the fall of 1851 he was appointed to Jamestown Circuit. During this year he was happily married to Miss Melissa Millinger, of Piqua, Ohio, who was always ready cheerfully to share with him in the toils and privations of an itinerant life. In 1852 he was appointed to Madionville Circuit, and in 1853 to Raper Chapel, Cincinnati. In all these fields of labour brother Cavin proved himself to be an acceptable and useful minister of Jesus Christ, and doubtless will have many seals to his ministry. In his manner he was grave, dignified, and gentlemanly, and in all his associations his Christian deportment was such as to convince all who knew him that his profession was “ not a mere make believe,” but the result of a deep and abiding conviction of the truth of revealed religion, and a genuine experience of the power of saving grace, and that he was a Christian from principle. His piety was deep, constant, and progressive ; fruitful of every good work, and associated with such attractive and commanding quali ties as gave him influence over others, and secured their confidence in his uniform testimony to a. present experience of renewing grace. As a minister, he was a young man of much promise to the Church. During his short itinerant career he made rapid advancement on the ascending line. While he was connected with Raper Chapel his health so far failed as to make it necessary for him to desist from preaching to a great extent. At the last session of the Cincinnati Conference he took a supernumerary relation, and was appointed to Green-street Charge in Piqua. After his last appoint ment he settled in Piqua, and engaged in manual labour as his strength would allow, and for a time he seemed to improve in his health; but consumption had marked him as her victim. During the winter he preached a few times, and on these occasions his messages were as the messages of a dying man to dying men. As the spring opened he gradually sunk under the influence of his disease, till on the 19th of May he closed his earthly pilgrimage, in the full prospect of a glorious immortality.

2. Rev. THOMAS Gonsucn.—The subject ofthis memoir was the son ofpious Method ist parents. He was born January 1, 1816, in Harford County, Md., and resided in that and the adjoining county till he had grown up to manhood. In his thirteenth year he was converted to God at a camp-meeting, and soon after joined the Methodist Epis copal Church under the ministry of Dr. Edwin Dorsey, of the Baltimore Conference. He was licensed as an exhorter October 14, 1838, and soon after removed west with his father’s family, and settled in the beautiful valley of the Great Miami. In July 17, 1839, he received license to preach at Franklin, Warren County, Ohio, and on the 15th of April, 1840, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Jane Curtis, a most estimable lady, who now survives to mourn her irreparable loss. He was received into the Ohio Conference in the autumn of 1841, and for four successive years appointed to fields of toil in the mountainous Kanawha District in Western Virginia. Subse quently he filled, with great acceptability and usefulness, some of the most important stations in the conference. In 1852 he was sent to Morris Chapel, Cincinnati; here, about the 1st of January of the following year, his health began to fail, and notwith standing the careful and kind attentions of his skilful physician it continued to decline, so that at the ensuing conference at Hillsborough he was compelled to take a super annuated relation. Stricken not less in spirit than in body, he retired, with his little family, to the quiet village of Monroe, where, after lingering about eighteen months, on the evening of the 12th of May, 1855, he closed the labours and sufferings ofa holy and useful life, aged thirty-nine years, four months, and twelve days. Brother Gorsuch was no ordinary man. He was naturally meek and unassuming, ” and had much of “the milk of human kindness in his composition. He was too noble to condescend to a dishonourable act ; he loathed meanness, and was generous and liberal to a fault. His intellect, though not brilliant, was far above mediocrity. He had a discriminating, well-balanced mind, and a large quantum of that invaluable commodity called common-sense. Proverbial for his prudence, and possessing a keen insight into human nature, he excelled in managing the prejudices of men. Uncom Cincinnati Conference, 1855. 641

“ promising in principle, yet pliant in non-essentials, like the great apostle, he pleased all men in all things,” and inherited the pleasure, without the woe, of those of whom “everybody speaks well.” As a Christian he was most exemplary. His piety was “ ” uniform, never obtrusive. He made no loud professions, except by a holy walk “ and a chaste conversation.” He seldom had raptures, yet was never gloomy; his “ peace flowed like a river, and his righteousness abounded as the waves of the sea.” As a preacher, though not imaginative, he was always original, sensible, and edify “ ing. He sought not applause; he preached not himself, but Christ Jesus the Lord ;” “ “ and, having studied to show himself approved unto God,” he was, indeed, a work man that needed not to be ashamed.” He “rightly divided the word of truth,” and “ brought forth out of his treasure things new and old,” and it pleased the Master to make him useful. Some, brought to Christ through his instrumentality, have preceded and welcomed him to the land of the blessed, and many more are following. It was fitting that such a life should be crowned with a death so peaceful and triumphant. His sufi’erings were severe and protracted, but he bore them with patience. “ His spirit was ever serene, confident, hopeful. The chamber where he met his fate was indeed a privileged place, quite on the verge of heaven.” His disoourse was “ most edifying and heavenly. 0,” he exclaimed, “the luxury of preaching the Gospel! I would willingly take the hardest circuit, and the poorest fare, if I might once more preach it. Could I live my life over again, and could I foresee all -~ the premature decay, the racking pains, this skeleton form, the early grave—I would be a Methodist preacher. I esteem it that God has conferred the highest honour on me in calling me to the work of the ministry; and if I could live over my ministerial life, I would labour exclusively for the salvation of SOlliS. -I shall die a full Christian, a full believer in the religion of Jesus Christ. I find him an all-sufficient Saviour, ‘ ‘ a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.’ He is precious to me. I find his every promise yea and amen.’ ‘I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.’ If I thought I should be off to-day, I would shout! Tell my brethren that, as they are released from their work, I hope to meet and greet them in heaven.” In this happy frame he continued till “the weary wheels of life stood still,” and he passed, without a struggle or a groan, to the joys of immortality. “ 0 may I triumph so, When all my warfare ’5 past ;' And, dying, find my latest foe Under my feet at last I”

3. Rev. G. C. Townnsv was born in the town of Lansing, Tompkins County, New-York, March 20, 1821, and was reared to manhood in the adjoining town of Ithaca. In 1842 he came to the city of Springfield, Ohio, and commenced the study of law. On the lst of January, 1844, he was united in marriage to his now bereaved widow, then Miss Elizabeth Hedges, of Clarke County, Ohio. Soon after they re moved to Urbana, where he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, under the ministry of the Rev. Cyrus Brooks. At the time of his conversion he had so far completed his legal studies as to be almost, or quite, prepared to engage in law prac tice; but he soon felt that God had called him to another and greater work. That conviction became at once the governing principle of his life. To a young man, with so ardent and hopeful a temperament as was his, this course involved no common sacri fice. Whole years of patient and severe study, which had been crowned with more . than ordinary success, were now in a moment and forever devoted to the cross, and accounted as dross for Christ’s sake. In the fall of 1847 he was employed by the presiding elder to travel Washington Circuit, with Rev. J. B. Austin as colleague; in 1848 he was received on trial, and appointed to Highland Circuit as junior preacher. Here he entered with all his soul into the work of God, and by his zeal, prudence, and power in the pulpit. as well as by his fine social qualities, won a place in the affections of hundreds who cherish his memory to this day. In 1849 he was appointed to West White Oak; in 1850 to Batavia; in 1851 to Milford; in 1852 to Yellow Springs; and in 1853 to Franklintom During the last three years of his ministry - he passed through a series of bodily afflictions that would have broken down the spirit of most men, and led them to abandon the work of an itinerant Methodist preacher; but his heart, his all were there. Perhaps no man ever loved the work of the ministry more than Gilbert C. Townley. When compelled by the extremities of affliction to 73 642 Iowa Conference, 1855.

give up his loved work of preaching Christ and him crucified, there then seemed nothing more, except his family, to retain him on earth. In September, 1854, he removed to a small homestead near Springfield, where, in great peace, on the 2d day of November, he closed a brief, painful, but successful life, leaving a widow and three small children to the protection of Almighty God, and the provident sympathy of the Church. As a preacher, brother Townley was simple, clear, and original. His sermons were skilfully planned, well digested, and powerfully uttered. With broad and comprehen sive views of theology, he combined a power of rigid analysis not often surpassed in men of his age. As a companion and friend he was the charm of the circle where he “ moved; easy, affable, and ingenuous, none knew him but to love.” His good sense, kind feelings, and general intelligence fitted him to please in all grades of society where a preacher has any occasion to mingle. As a husband and father, he was kind, gen erous, and pleasant. As a Christian, brother Townley had a bright and cheerful experience. In the darkest hour his confidence in God his Saviour remained un shaken. For months previous to his departure he had no fear of death, but spoke of its near approach with a calmness and serenity peculiar to those who have an inward assurance of immortality and eternal life. A few days before his death he gave direc tions concerning his funeral; requested the Rev. M. Maclay to preach his funeral sermon, desired to be buried in a plain and simple manner, and having arranged these matters waited in hope till his change came.

IOWA CONFERENCE, Held at Keokuk, Iowa, September 26—October 3, 1855.

BISHOP SIMPSON, Presiding. H. W. REID, Secretary.

Quest. 1. Who are admitted on trial .1 Isaac P. Teter, Joseph B. Hiles, George Clifl'ord, G. John Elrod, T. T. Henderson, John R. James Thompson, Lewis S. Ashbaugh, Samuel Hestwood, Jesse Sher Baker, E. C. Byam, S. K. Young, Wil wood, Benjamin Holland, Thomas Dixon, mot C. Munson, William A. Pile, Bennett Franklin Amos, David H. Petefish, Mitchell, William C. Williams, James S. Wm. N. Brown, Albert C. M’Donald, Rand, Hiram Burch, James Haines, Joel Aquila B. M’Elfresh, Mulholland, Wm. Davis, George Quiggin, William Poston, Richard C. Shippen, Charles Woolsey—17. Benjamin F. Williams, Thomas Thompson , Fortner Mather, George W. Friend, Wil Quest. 4. Who are the Deacons .1 liam Howbart, James E. Gardner, Robert Those marked thus (*) were ordained this year. Laing, J. T. Manderville, Samuel S. Gru Isaac P. Teter,* Joseph B. Hiles,‘t ber, Jonas H. Stephenson, J. M. Rust, George Clifi‘ordfi“ James G. Thompson,‘ John Heaton, Joseph Ridlington, John Lewis S. Ashbaugh,* Thomas Dixon,‘ Montgomery, Thomas D. B0yles—30. Franklin Amos,* David H. Petefish,* Wm. N. Brown,* Richard Mulholland,* William Quest. 2. Who remain on trial .7 C. Shippen,* John Darrah, David Dicken Nelson Wells, George C. Whitlock, on, Asa Critchfield, Amos B. Kendig, A. N. Odell, Charles M. Sessions, John Wm. Armstrong, Harvey Taylor, F. W. Webb, Thomas Moore, David Donaldson, Evans, Samuel Hestwood, Jesse Sher John W. Stewart, George Bamford, James wood, (admitted a deacon,) Benjamin Hol F. Hestwood, A. J. Kirkpatrick, Richard land, (admitted an elder,) Albert C. Allender, B. J. B. Rawls, J. Anderson, M’Donald, (admitted a deacon,) A uila B. Isaac Simeon Kelley, Alger, William T. M’Elfresh, (admitted a deacon,) harles David Sweem, Holbrook, T. C. Perry Woolsey, (admitted an elder)—24. Reynolds, Joel Mason, Ole P. Peterson Quest. 5. Who have been elected and or —21. dained Elders this year? Quest. 3. Who are admitted into full Elias L. Briggs, Thomas E. Corkhill, Connexion? Hiram J. Burley, Rufus Ricker, Isaac