In its earliest years, the Michigan Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church apparently did not publish its proceedings. Instead the Conference Secretary wrote the minutes by hand into a large leather‐bound book, which is now housed in the West Michigan Conference Archives at Albion College.
Many years later, someone created typewritten transcripts from the handwritten journal for the years before the Conference began formally printing the record of its meetings. The Archives of the Detroit Conference of the United Methodist Church has digitized this typed transcript to make it more accessible to researchers. •- •• MINUTES o.f the
~riCH IliAN A~NU.\IJ CO~F.b.HE~CE or the
~·ETH0DIST BPISCOPAL CHURCH
THIHD ShSSIIIN
TIFFIN, OHIO , SEPTEA.BER 5, 1838.
BISHOP WAUGH, PHESIDENT • E. THOMSON, SECHtfT.ARY • •
1837) JOURNAL 3
The ~tichigan .Annual Conferen~e com wended its third session in Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio, WednesdaY., 5th of September .A.D.1838, at 9 o'clock A.~·. Bishop \iau~h in the Chair • .Arter reading: the Holy Scriptures, singin~ and prayer by the President. was appointed ~ecre tary. The roll was called. The .following is a ltsL or ne~b~rs. Those marked th us(8) were not present. Adanr Poe l!enry Colclazer George Elliott James F.Dav:f,dson Alvin Billings Eli jal1 1! .Pilcber John Janes Rich'd. Lawrence Elmore Yocum \lilliam Herr Janes.Drewster Luther U.Whitney 'rilliat>r Hunnells William Spra~e Edward Thomson Elijah Crane Samuel M.Allen Arthur D.Elliott George Smith E lia~ Pattee Samuel Lyncb . Willinm. U.BrQckway Jolm II. Power Charles heed # Leonard Hill Peter Sabin :/1: Jolm M. Goshorn · Jon'a E.Chaplin James Wheeler James A. Iiellanr Hiram M.Shaffer Dan' 1 ~ ~. Cpnant Jane& Willson Orin Mitchell Thor1as Thompson , Wes).ey Lroc~ Phillip Warehant Wesley C. Clark Zephaniah Eell Thomas Barkdull Samuel P. Shaw Lar~on Chatfield Leonard D.Gurley# John H. Pitezell John Kinnear John Quigley David Burns . M.G. Perchi~er # U:lam Day John lP. Kellam Peter Sharp Thpnras Dunn Henry Whiteman Elnathan C.Gavit
18:38) JOUilNAL 5
A Tl e follo•dn.,. brethren were exam ~ ni t~ ·1 and approved and they were con t inued on trial, viz:-Hu ~h L.Parish, a G .\1 . i owe , Je&se Warner, Cyrus Sawyer, W ! ~ 1na than Hay1 •ond, Leonard Parker, . Ira '.clntyre, r• • L.Harris, Adar• ~~armis, j ohn Scotfor ct , Ransom R. Richard, Ze bulon C . Brown, Flavel Britton, Albert ~ . Bissell , RufuN L.Dlowers, Osborn \fonett . The Conference proceed to take up the third question, Who are adn•i tted into full connection? On motion of Dro.Chaplin the fol lowing resolution was adopted, viz: hesolved that the examination of character be conducted with closed doDrs. . . . Tl•e candidates for admis sion were examined bef'ore the Conference. Bro. Lane the book a~ent made a co~munication to the Conference. And the Conf"erence adjourned. Cl osed by pra \'er 'hy Bro. Lane.
Thur c:;_day morning, So' clock After reading the Scriptures, sinp: ing_ and prayer by b~oth e r Poe, the list was called and the minutes were .-.read and approved • .., Hrother Swormstedt made a cornoun ication to .the Conference and pre sented an exhibit wh:l,ch \fas .filed. The char~cter of Robt.T.Sheldon Alfas exaMined and approved and he was 111continued on trial. The consideration of the third question was resumed • . T~e characters of the following bret~ren were exam-
10 MICIIGAN ANNUAL CONFEHbNCE (1838
Armstrong from Waynesburg Ct., Samuel B. Giberson from Wyandott ~ iss., Wellington H.Collio~ from Farmington Ct., . Een1. w. Elanchard from Mexico Ct., Jehiel Porter, ~rom Copley Ct., Wm.C.Huestis, Paris Ct., Rolla H.Chubb from De arbornvi lle Ct., Levi Warrener from Dundee ~dss., l}. le~am der Blakeley from Dalton Ct., John McNabb from Waynesburg Ct. The followin ~ brethren though recom ~ended were not a~itted, viz:-Olion Earls frol!l Lapier ~~iss., J.W.Starr from LiMa Ct., Geo.C.Owenhozcr frot1 Te cumseh Ct., Jos. s antley, St.11!ary's Miss., Hiram Al .len from Mt. Gilead Ct,, Evan Makinson from Vermillion Ct., Seth F,Knapp ·from Yp.st ~ tion, Benj.Sabin, Rpring Arbor Ct., Gara C.Norton from Vermillion Ct.,John J. You11 g from Farmington Ct., Thos .Jak- way from Tecumseh Circuit. . · on motion tte Presiding E ld ~ rs were r c rr.,itt ed to employ them. The followin ~ brethren were recomme nded for re-admission, but were not re ac"b.Ji t ted., viz: -Josiah Brakeman and JoJ:n Sayre. . Er.John c.Corart. was reconunended f'or readmission, and was , readmitted. The conference the n al)journed.Closed by Prayer.
' . I I Tuesday Sep.ll, ~838 • .. Conference met tbis .morning. Bishop Waugh in tbe Chair • . After reading. the scriptures, singing and prayer the list w~s called and the mi nutes were rea~. . . . The consideration of the first qu~s t.ion. was . resumed. Th~ following br~t-hren 1838) JOURNAL 11.
~e recorrreended,viz:-nczin SP)p, rrom •n~iJle Circuit, Cco.Bradley,Copley Circuit, and were <) dmi tted on tria_l in- to the travelling connexion. - Tbe :following brethren though recom mended were not ad.JT>i tted, viz: -William Janes rrom ~artinsburg Ct., McK~ndrcc Thrap and Bennet S.Thrap rrom Waynes burg Circuit, GalJriel Sr .i th fr o!:" Cold ·water ct. on moti ons , tl~ c Prcs idi n ;.; LJ (1 Cr~ ~ere authorized to e~ploy in c ose their labor should be r e quired . The following brethren ~ e re recom mended f o r r e admissio n , b u t "!fore n ot rc aclmi tted, viz: -Rosevel t Parke r from Bean Cree ~ Miss, Cyrus S.Carpenter from Davis Ct., Osio Good ale from Tecumseh CiJ:>cuit. The Caie of b ro.Geo.C. Oushizer was r econsider ed, and he was not admitted. A coDUilunication uas received frn:n the Trustees of Alleghan~ Co llege th ro' their Agent, whereupon, on motion, or A.Poe, the a:foresaid communication was referred _t o the committee on the Nor,7al·k Seminary. On motion, the followi ng resolution was adopted, Resolved, tha t t his Con f'erence l1ighly approves o:r the contem jlnate d publication o:r a religious pap ~r in the Gerr1an langual!e by the Book Agents in Cincinnati, and t hat we•·will give it our united patronage and sup- rt. On motion, the secretary was inst ructed to rorward the name or John H. • Powe r as the vice President of the parent missionary society. On motlon, Dro.A.Poe and J.Il.Po\ve r
16 HICI!IGAN ANNUAL CONFERENCE (1838
Af'ter rleductinp: the Bishops claims the balance was divided amon~ the cla imants at the rate or about 3~ percent. All which is respectf'ully submitted. Elijah H.Pilcher) · ~ Thomas Dunn ) c+ II. Whi ternan ) ~ A. Dillings ) ; James Wheeler ) ID- (JJ The conference proceeded to take up the 4th question. The character of' Tho mas Barkdull, a deacon, was examined and passed and he was placed in a su perannuated relation. The characters of the f'ollowing bre thren deacons were examined and passed. viz: -Lamon Chatf':i:eld, Jolm 11 .Pi tezell, John Quigley, John T.Kellam; John 0. Conoway, Washington Jackson, Wesley J. Wells, Alanson Flemin~. On moti~n the ~ase . gf, ft,~~Sheldbn was reconsidered and he was discontin ued at his own request. 1838) JOURNAL 17
~ On motion the followin~ resolution w was adopted, viz: -\o\11ereas by the r~cOt:' mendation of the General Conference· . tile ti ble Society of the ~·ethociist E. Church was dissolved and conse~uently the ~e~bcrs of the Churc~ at liberty and in Quty bound to co-oprrate with Cl'lristiaDs of ather churches in the .dissemination of the scrirturc~, Thf'ro:for;-. Hesolved~-That a committee of th ree be appointed to confer with com ulittees of other churches in the , St ate of ~ichi~an upon . thc expediency of calling a.general meetin~ of the friends of the Bible in o1·dcr to con sult upon the propriety of forcing a ~tate tible society auxiliary to the AJllN'ican Bi hle Society. Wm. Herr c. Thowson. "hereupon the followinn brrthrcn were appointed said co~~ittee, viz: W:l!lliam I! err, Henry Colclazer, and Jonathan· E. Chaplin. . . The chanacter of Charles Thomas,a d-eacon \Vas exarnined and pa:-:.scd. Br. Chaplin 11resen ted p-roposals for a colle~e from Judge Ely of Ely ria, which on motion were referred e to the committee on the Nonfalk Sem inary • The char~1.ctcr of Brother Poe an -e ldcr \Vas exa111inerl and passed. On n;otlon the conference ad iourn . dto .meet at 2o'clock this after noon. . Clo serl hy prayer. sep . llth,1838. ConfePenr e n•et LJ·is afternoon. Bishop \'iau.rrh in the Chair. 18 l..ICIIIGAN ANNUAL CON I<-EJ LNCE ( 1836
'Tl'e c!' a J· ac ter s of' tJ"le f'ollowine; br e tt·rcn, elders, were cxarrined and pass ed;~iz:-David Gray, Geo.Smith, Thos. • Dunn, Henry Wlli tman Elmore Yoctlllt '· C • , ' .a:.: . . • Gavi t ,' D.A1.Conant, J. H.Power, James Brewster, J.:\l .Goshorn, I.uther D.Whit ney, £lam Day, Jol n ~ · orey, Geo . Elliott, James Wheeler, Zepheniah £ell, S.M.Al l en, l' m.Hcrr, E. l'hornason, W.ll.Erockway. The ch:'.J ·:,c tcr of' IIirnr• ~i . Sha.ff'er was examined and passed and he was placed in a superannuated pelation. ( -The f'ollowin p: preamble and resolut ions were off'ered, and adopted:-Vhera as there has been, and still is much · excitement inthe ~ · .E.Churclt upon the subject of' abolitionism; and whereas we believe such excitement is prejudi cial to the interests of' the church - lhereror;- . Hesolved 1,. That it is t ile duty of the members or tl•is Conf'orence to rc:fr ain rrow agitatinrr the subject in the Church by f'orm in ~ abolition socie ties in or out o:f the churc}l or by attend ing Methodist Abolition Conventions. nesolved 2. That the "Zion's Watch man" is anti-?.\ethodistica.l in its gen eral course, and that it is the duty o:f the members or this Con:ference not to patronize or circulate it. Resolved 3. That those prcacl1ers who t ake a course which is calculated to amput~te tne circulation of our o:f:f icial periodicals to give place to ab oli~ion or any other ·periodicals, vio late their oblieations to the church and should be dealt witl1 accordingly. Uenry Colclazer E. Thomson. 1838) JOURNAL If'
e .On ·mot:i.on, tbe secretary \fUS in structed to f'urnish a copv of the f' 1838) JOUlt~.U. 21 -~..ases. W Resolvcu 4. Unanimously by the ~Iich. Conf. that tl•e P.E.on Lllc several clist ._. rieLs be rcquiPcd to present the above ~pre~•blc and resolutions to all the Q. ~ ~ . Conference s in their respective dis tricts at ~heir first meeting with them, ana endeavor to obtain their adoption. llesolved.5. Tl1at the P.E. 's direct tlte .tttention of -the Q.~ · .Conf. to the nec essity of petitioning the next bencral Conrerence on the subjec t or insertin~ a _- provision in the discipline to se- cul·e a c ou r~e or reading and study for th_ose ]rho apply to tl•e Q.H. Conf. for licens e to preach, etc . John H.Pow~r Elijah Crane. TDe following resolutions were off ere'l and laid upon the table. - Whereas, tl1e practice of excltanp;in g llorses,. · commonly called "horse jockeying" and, also, otbcr worldl r speculati ons and very cm·~on in some patts of this - Conference - Therefore, Hesolved l.'fhat the judgment of t~ · is Conference the al)ove named practices are highly exceptionable, and morally wrong am that by precept and exarnple we will aim at the c.- correction of these e evils, expeciall.Y among our members, so far as our influence extendsw Resolved 2. That if any pre achers .in this conferen ce shall indulge in Mhese practises, ~e shall be deemed an . ff'endc r in the .rlght of his brethren and 1Je subject to such .penal ties as shall be within the province of the Coni'erence t.o inflict. · 22 MICHIGAN ANNUAL CONFl:.R8NCE (1838 nesolvcd 3.That so far as minieter ;ial character and usefulness are con cerned, as well as the. interests ol' re llglon, we deem the habit' of trading hprscs very injurious if not totally rutnous. The chJ racte r o.f Art1Tur £.Elliott Wfi.S examined and a motion \fas made to locate him' pending which the Con:fer e.ucc adjourned. Closed by prayer. Monday morning , Sep.12. Conference met this morning. Bishop Waungl1 in the Chair. On motion, the case or Ira Chase was reoon ~ idered arid he was continued on trial. - 'on motion, the case of Arthur B.Ell iott was taken up, and while under con sideration, the .following resolution was offered and adopted, · to wit:- Resolved:'l'hat Arthur n.Elliott be re proved by this Conference :for his vtola tio'n o.f the Spirit o.f the Discipline in conncctin~ himself in watrimony with a lady not possessed of religious char acter and for hiS unchristian deportment in n eglecting the Society of his breth ren and associating .with those who know not God, and in his :foolishness of app eal'ance,. nnd in neglecting his work on his circuit. Tbe cltaracter of the .following breth ren, elders, were examineu and pas setl, to wit;-Henry Colclazer, James F.Da-tison, Elijah H.Pilcber, Richard Lawrence, Pet er Sharp, Peter Sabin, Elijah Crane, John linnear, John Janes, L.n.Gurley, ( · 27 1838) JOUHDL • d - tller r1efect not involvin r: immorality, and that conrormably to this object, the l.eneral Conference had empowered a the annual conf'et·ences to locate any W or their members without his consent \Yhere they were satisfied that he had so conducted himself as to render him unacceptahle to the people as a trav cllin!!; preacher. That with this un derstanding of tl1e design and object of the General Conference, he should construe the said.clause to apply not to _SlJperannuated members of an annual confer,nce, but to·such only as sus tain such . relations as admit of and require their bein~ appointed to }1er--· :form Jninisterial set·v ices on a cir cuit or station. He admitted that t.here might be a literal and technical construction o:f the rule in question, which mig ht cover the case of a su perannuated preach, because it thus com111ences "when any member" etc. and because, also, a superannuated preach ~r is a travelling preacher by virtue or his membership in the Intinorant cQJmexion, lllut stated that he should consider this a forced construction in view of the design and olJ.iect of 1Atile rule, He, th~refore_ , decided that ~ the rule did not apply to t~e case of a superannuated preacher, because he had no appointment amon ~ thP people as a travelling preacl1er. A The chair having decided against the ~ egality of the preceedings of the Con ference in the case o:f Bro.Patte, the Conference proceeded to examine into his character. A motion was made t~ place hro.Pa tte 28 MICll!uAN ANNUAL CONFEI;ENCE ( 1838 in wn erfective relation, which prevail ed. Pendin~ the question of Lro.Patte's cha racter the rollowinf resolution was offered, viz;Resolved That Bro.Pattee be located because his cbnrse has not been su~h as to be acceptable as a prea cher either to the people or the preach ers- of the ~e thodist Episcopal Church." On motion the Conference agreed to accept t be testimony heretofore taken in the case of brother Pattee as valid un der the pending motion. Additional test imony was adduced. The following ~tness es 1vere examined, viz: Brethren E. Thomsen, James M c~!ahan, William Sprague. The testimony having been heard,Bro. Pattee proceeded to make his defence while makinp; his argument he went tnto a history of his ministe rial career. He was called to order. The President took ·the sense of the Conference and he was p e rmitted to proceed the Conference hav in~ decided that he was not out of order in -relating his history. The resolution to locate Brother Patte was adopted. The cJ,aracter of Adam Uanear was ex alilincd and passed. On motion the Conference agreed to meet at 7l this evening. And the Conference adjourned. Closed by prayer. Wedne9day eve, 7! o'clock. Conference met this Evening. Bishop Waugh _in the Chair. After rcadi:ng the scrfptuPes, singing and prayer. The list was called, and the minutes were read. 1838) JOURN.U. e The committee on the :Sorwalk Serr.inary m.1de a report with accompanyincr resolu tions. The Conrerence proceeded to take up • he resolutions. The first reso lution was adopted, The secnnd resolution was laid on the table. The rollowin ~ 4th resolution was ta ken up, and while under somUd era tion, the Conrerence adjourned. Closed by prayer. Thursday mornin~ Sep.13 Conference ~et this morning. Dishop \ta,.up:J• in the Chair. ·Arter readinJ! the scriptures, sing inp: ard prayer, the list was called and tl1e minutes \Jere read. The Conference took up the rourth resolution reported by the Committee on the Norwalk Seminary, which was adopted. The conrerence took up and adoptecl t he report and resolutions as follows:- The committee on the Norwalk Seminary ~ave had the subject confided them under consideration and be~ leave to report. That since t~e last session of this Conference prop:ress has been made in the ereetion or the new academical edifice, abut for want of rtmtls the same has not W'been completed~ Ybur committee are sat isried that the Agent appointed at the last session has labored in the dis charge or his duties with zeal and rid- ~lity, tho' with limited success, so ~ar aL least, as respects collections. This want of success has b~en owein2 not to unwillingness on the part or the subscribers, and our people to sus tain the Institution by pecuniary aid; 1838) JOUHNAL 31 e ..\11 which is respectfully submit ted, to'!et..ler with the accoJTJpanyinf! reso- lutions. J.E.C~a)lin Chalr1:1an of the Committee. l.kesolved - Tha t the mer .. bcrs of this Conrer e n ~e deeM it primary importance to sustain the Norwalk Se~inary. ~.he sol ved-T11a t the membe rs of t h is Conference pledge themselves to raise the sUI:l of ~5000. for the relief of saicl Institution, one half' tl1ereof durin~ the curren~ year, and the re- 5idue durinrr the n:'xt thereaftt" r en suinf!: 3 .• Hesol ved..... That each efficient !-'rea cher of this Conference l1avin" charg e of a District, Circuit or station, or appointe l te r~>wi th presented. 5.nesolvcd-That the Supe rintendent pre siding over this Confe rence at its pre sent s~ssi o n be requ este~ to appoint a Principal to tale clarge of said Sem inary for t i e ensuin{! year. 6 . nescilved- '.l.'l Jat it.. s lmll be the duty of' t lie Presiclin '!; Lldcrs of this Conf'er~nce to usc n ll prnrcr means to carry i nto effert the above resolutions by urging tt>e clains or t l1e Semin ary upon t JJe at tention or the peorl e hy encouraging tJ·c pren.ct>c-rs on t lteir respcrtive Dis trict~ to enga~e and persevere in the pronotiolJ of the interests of the Sem- ·lnary ~nc1 ry r ccci vina; and trnnsmi ttin[ nopeys collected by t"e preac~ers to tl ' ~ Treasurer, or other person~> author ized by t"c Trustees to r eceive t~ e same. J.E.Chaplin, Ch airman . 'lhursday li JO rning . Conference rccei verl tl•e n.fssj C'nary report. I r. ~ ane ar o:ff'ercd t ~e f'ollowjng resol ution, vi7: Resol vcd that in U te sense of this con.fer·cnce Hisdon 1' issj on is com petent to susta in i tself ard therefore needs no appropriatjon f'rm 1 the mission ary funds. 'l'11e resolut·i 01, did not. prcT vail. The f'o llowj_np; resolution was adopted. viz: - Hesol vecl tlmt tl•c preachers in cJ'l arge of tJ·e different circuits and sta tions be required to ascertain tte cou rse by wJiicJ1 our several meeting }1ouses and parsona ges and bther real estate are · held ancl any peculiar circur1stances in rel_a t ion to the laws in :. ic}1 i gan and OJ,io affecting s uch preperty and report 1888) the next Conference . · 1~ . C0 1 ela? er Adar. Poe . Tl c followinr·: rcsolutj on ,;o.s offct·ed I anf prevailed. Hesolved tl ~ t. , .. c cc rcur j n tJ· c re-· so lntion of tile Ohio Annual Cot fe1 e1 c e i n rccnrr. c-nclitH.: tl·c· ueneral Conference not.. tn arrroprin 1 <· any or tile I!'Onics of tl.e l~ ook conccrn to~·.-at·ds 11ayin.!! the tra~cJlin~ expenses of tic dclegat~s \r!·ic}' are incurccl ir tra>ellin.£" to m a f roP tl'c• ~enera l Confercncc. 11.Colcln.7.er A . Poe·• . Tl1c vote• on tl1 e last rcsol11t.inn st OO!, 48 in ti'C 18~8 ) Dlf3CIPLIN.ARY t.W!"'ST IUXS :19 e .Quest. G. \'.'h~ hav;. located, this ~·ear? . El1as Pattee, b d aJ . 1nrur - ~. Quest. 7 . \';ho are tl1e supernu.werary a prC'ac!~C'rs? • Kone . Que.st.8. Who are the superannuated or worn- out preachers? CL ~' rlcs Heed, ShallJ'acJ-: nuark, Thomas Bar!.:dnll, J!irar· : • Shaf'er - 4 . 1R38 ) DISC 1PLIS.U!'t: (.ll"L .. 'i' I O~ S 43 Clinton J"'iss. Huf'us L .nlo\;ers . Shiawassee r-iss., Isaac Be,nnctt . Lvons, Larmon Chatfield. (:rand Rapids r-t1 ss., James ii .. Erecse. HauMee District. Jo'n Janes, P .. L. ~ awnee ·& Perr.vsbure.:h, David J,urns. Toledo, Wesley Brock, Andrew M.Fitch. Yonroe , Jnlm A . Batt£"hMan. Df"arhornville, Ho'hert Tri.,..,.s, \t'ellin!! t on H • Co 11 in s • Dt'mdee miss., -Ira 'i 1 Intvre, De'fitt c. Jol•nson. Palmyra, John Scotford. \;a tervi 11 e ra·iss ., CLarlc s . Habcock Geore:e \i . Lrown. Defiance r iss.; Sanrtforcl C.Parkt-r, Holla 11. c'hub'h. Pulaski &•iss., Austin Coleman, Henry Warner. Tiffin Distri.r t. Adar- Pne, P.IT. 'l'iffin, \\illiaJll Hunnells • . Sanrlusl{v, Peter Sharp, l::en .1am in .,.. • Blnncl.ard. Woodville miss. Al'he rt S. Vissell. Portlanrl and Peninsular mis s .. , \.eslev J. Wells. Bucvrus , Thomas Thompson, Jol•n hrake ficld. - \lyanclott miss., SaJl-tlel , . •.Allen. Finley, John O.Conoway, Ebenezer H. Hill. Risnon l"l iss.,J.obcrt G.Dubois , Jlesin Sapp. e ~.texico , Ja!"Jes Wilso", Ira Cl,nse. Norwalk Dis t.rict. Leonard D .~urley, P . E . Norwalk, Thomas Dunn, Willia~ C.Hupstis. Dover, ~ •• L.Starr, Leonard Parker.