Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-12-02
From the Indiana State Journal.
The vVetnodfsfs a. r,a.o,,,

ihc W nuut cso lhe hinisters and Men, |
bers of the M. E. Church in our beloved |
State through the columns of. your
widely extended and extending Journall-
hoping other editors will copy, so as to
give my views as extensive publicity as
possible:
RESPECTED FATHERS AND BRETHREN:
We, as people, have abundant reason
to exclaim, "the Lord has done great
things for u.s." We have been greatly
Prospersd ever since our first organiza-
ton In the state. There has been a
steady increase in numbers, in strength,
and influence, and in all the departments
Of the Church a vast improvement; and,
to the honor of our people, be it stated,
we have as pure form OF Methodsm in
the general as is to be found in any State
in the Union; and owing to this fact, we
have been but little annoyed by schis-
matics-no rupture has disturbed our
Zion-while peace has been within our
borders, aud prosperity within our pala-
ces. There has, also, existed the best
OF feelings, generally speaking, among
the ministers, while they have heartily
cooperated in the great work of saving
souls. What rich treat have our An.
nual Conferences proved. | remember
well the first session OF the Indiana Con-
ference, which met in an upper roam in
New Albany, more than twenty-one
years ago. A more devoted a more united
band Of ministers never lived, than those
comprising that Conference. Isaw then
and there, what should love to see again
at our Conferences, most powerful re-
vival Of religion during the session.
Indiana Conference had a good start.
The IN ost impressive scene | think |
ever witnessed occurred at the close of
that Conference, while the Pres ding
Bishop announced the appointments
THE circuits and missions then were
circuits and missions in fact, as well as
in name. There were hearts there that
throbbed, and eyes bedimmed with tears,
at the thought Of long move, dreary
journey, and no certainty of a home
then long rides, hard fare, and meagre
support-while the more favored for the
time being, with hearts pulsating with
kindest sympathy for those who were to
suffer more, said, "Brother, we'll pray
for YOU" TTey were truly kindly al
fectione one toward the other" The
appointments were read-each brother
knew his destiny--the benediction pro-
nounced. Then came the trying time,
the separation. There was not that
rush to get of that have seen since. The
parting hand was given-tears ran most freely
the "God bless you, brother" fell like
sweetest music on the ear. The spec tator
might well have said, "Behold how thes,
preachers love-" Although the same feeling
to the same extent may not have continue,
from that day to this, yet the harmOniou
character Of all our sessions Of Conference
the unanimitY among the preachers, OF feeling
sentiment. an d action their strong love 4
Church, to the Conference, aud the variou
Conference interesls-their love for thei
I very often the subject Of special remark b.
dsinterested persons Of jucicious minds.
The sentiment contained in the Inscription
on the block of marble placed in the Wash
ington Monument from our beloved State
a "No North, no South, no East, no West, bu
0 our country, our whole country was I'll
sentiment OF the preachers for a number c
5 years, as far as it related to Indiana Confer
ence; yet it was well known, that the tim
was coming, when il would be thought ex
n pedient to form another Conference in IN
y State. So in the judgment of suificier
> number that time arrived in 1913, when "
!, were separated into "two bands" that IL, 3
e far as our relations to Annual Conference
0 were concerned. II was painful scene thu
D to see brethren beloved, and loving. boun
together by ties most dear, bid each 9th,
adieu, never again TO meet in a Conferens
capacity. While this division was deeme
called for, and that the interest Of the Churc
: tendency to check that reciprocity Of feelln
= Of interest, and warm attachments, that exii
:. ted when together, aud kept alive by OF
l. annual greetings, and with this effect as nat,
y rally flowing lhcreirom was brought difsi
IT. ence in views on subjects that affect the II
m terest of our Church In the state, and a col
10 sequent want of concert OF action ia our
"r forts TO sustain those interests, COZ which, "
Is are. mutually responsible. This difference
Of sentiment arses from the want Of an oppo
+, tunity for an inter change Of views and IN
4. pressions, hence that want Of understands
" between us, which Is essential 20 a hearty c.
u operation on the part Of all concerned. tn
To- difficulty has considerably Increased by Il
80 subsequent divisions. Of the once Indian
80 Conference Into four Annual Conferences,
? within the limits Of our State. Methodist
a. being a unit Ia all the Conferences, Il is We
IA desirable, tina, some plan should be adopts
= IA a means Of inlercommunlcaton with en-
% other, by which VIC may think and feel, a
~ work together Ia those enterprises especial
in In which the whole Church, aud all the Co
ut ierenees are alike, deeply Involved. Look
u instance at our much loved unlyeraily
10 Greeneaslle,a creature Of Indiana Methods
l. nurlured aud brought up without the aid
10 foreign interpretation, but still we must ihr'
around Il our fostering care and eoneentr'
e. our energies, In IL support, and nee eye
~ eye la all our plans aud movements respe
Ing that Institution, II we would make II
that the wishes Of IL friends, the honor
r. the Church, aud the Interests Of Educate
10, demand Il should be. Luok again at
~ Preachers Aid Society, Ia which we are all
y, interested, how important We act together
Iut carrying out the objects Of that sacred tru
an and to act together, We must exchange q
y. Views through some channel Of commune
n. ton, 80 that We may undersiane each 9th
Of There Is also the tract movement, mol
It's enterprze, requiring systematic effort !
w. only among ourselves us Conferences, or
d. Conferences acting jointly, but we must {
to operate with the general agent, recently 4
he pointed, who is agent for the VI. l.. ChuI
~, in the whole State; and for ministers d
Il laty TO do this, there must be an nndersiaI
La ing of his plan Of operations, his appoI
sr' ments and movements, hence the necess