Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-03-13
A METHODIST PATRIARCH.
LIFE AND WORH OF THE REV.
n ENRY OOLOLAZER.

bIFG 5ND UOhh OF TN n hEfs
ENRY OOLOLAzER.
HIS Labors In Ohio, Michigan,
Pennsylvania, Mary land and Della
ware-He is Denounced for Intro
ducing the Fiddle in the Church.
The Rev. Henry Colclazer whose re-
tremsnt from active labor in the Metho-
dit church, after 56 years continuous
service ia the ministry, was q prominent
feature in the proceedings Of fridays
conference, is one of the few men who re-
main among US ss land marks of the age
which produced such men as Garrison,
Lopgfellow, Greeley and Wendell
Phillips. His intellectual capacity is prRo-
tioally unimpaired though he is now in his
18th year his carriage is as erect and
his eyes as bright as those of many q
man in the prime of manhood. Mr..
Colclszsr is below the average height,
perhaps fest q inches high, and sparely
made. His chronological development Is
decidedly good concentration, decision
aud vitality are strongly marked.
Mr. Cololszsr is the son of Thomas
aud Elizabeth Colclazsr, and WAS born at
Georgetown Heights, District Of Columbia,
in the year 1909. He WAS educated IN
Nnc pcuIE IEetOnh ocuOUly huu Wueu
this family removed to Ohio In 1926 the
subject of this memoir accompanied
them. The new arrivals took up their
residence at Coshooton on the banks
of the Muskingum river. In the year
1928 Mr.. Colclazsr entered the old Ohio
annual conference being then in his 10th
year. For two years he lsbored in the
conference aud was then sent to Ann
Arbor, Michigan. Shortly afterwards
the Ohio Conference was divided and the
Michigan Conference constituted. A
further division was made come years
later, but MIR. Colclazsr re-
mained attached to the Ann
Arbor district and was stationed
at Detroit and other points, till in 1846
he was transferred to the New Jersey
Conference and stationed at New Bruins
wick. During his stay In Michigan he
took an important part in the organjza-
tlon OF Michigan University and was ap-
pointed first librarian OF that institution.
1t WAS during his residence in Detroit
that he took the step of introducing in
strumental music in his church, mea-
sure which provoked much opposition
and led to his being presented to oon-
ference for trial. He was triumphantly
acquitted.
On his transfer to New Jersey he con-
tinued to labor in that state until lS48
when he was appointed to Wharton Street
Church, Philadelphia, in succession to
the Rev. Mr.. Cooper, the change arising
out of the elevation of the Rev. Mr.. Scott
to the bishopric. Mr.. Colclazer remained
member OF the Philadelphia Conference
until a division took place resulting in
the formation of the Wilmington Confer
NJ uyhfoh ha ia atii1 ,hor pa
ing admitted into the Philadelphia Con-
ference he served the church at various
points from Pottsville, Pa, down to
Aooomac and Northampton counties In
Virginia.
In 1851 during the troubles on the
Maryland border arising ont of the war
ferment, Mr.. Colclazer ably fulfilled the
duties OF presiding elder for the Salisbury
circuit, and during this time he married
the daughter Of Governor Hicks, and
he has issue, one son Ga we'll known
Philadelphia journalisD and three
daughters. During Mr.. Colclazer's intin-
efscy in the Wilmington district he has
been SUCCESSFULLY stationed at Dover,
Middletown, Newark, New Castle and
other points. The charge which he now
resigns is that OF Bethel and Glasgow
churches in this circuit.
Mr.. Cololazsr's biography is in one
sense history of contemporary Metho-
dism, at all events OF the Methodism OF
the nineteenth century, 40 far as this
country is concerned. He has lived to
see his church rise to prominence which
the most ambitious hope Of its most
ardent sdherents little dreamed of. In
the old Michigan Conference, to which he
was attached in his youth, there were but
ak preachers nov there are over 500,
while the increase of membership In the
other conferences 10 which he has been
attached have been in like proportion.
There is every appearance that Mr.. Col
clazsr will yet be spared Tor many years
to lender aid to his church in the super
numerary relation he now bears.
H. Il. Colclazer of the Philadelphia
Record, son of the Rev. Henry Cololszer,
writes that paper the following sketch
concerning the storm of indignation his
father created in his younger days by in
Producing the fiddle as an accompaniment
to the choir in the Methodist church.
In 1889 conference WAS about to
be hsld in Ann Arbor, Michigan,
aud Mr.. Colclazer concluded that
the day before the conference session
oper ed would be a good time to dedicate
his new church. A bass fiddle, the es-
peoial horror OF most Methodists at that
time, and one or two other instruments
were engaged, thing hitherto unheard
OF in Methodist church. Old Bishop
Soule was TO dedicate the church, and
unconscious of the terrible fiddle, was on
his way TO the building, accompanied by
NJ. Colclazer, when the latter remarked
that he was very sorry that he could not
&c all he III 1sic he wanted. The bishop
~ once, III very diEnitied way, asked
"Do understand You that there is to be
instrumental music at the dedication o.
this church ~
ooh, yes," replied the young pastor,
not underatsnding the full import OF the
bishops remark.
swell, indignantly replied the bishop,
''lf thst is 60 You may 60 and dedicst-
yonr church yourself, and will 60 back
to my lodgings" which he strsightwss
proceeded to do; but the church WAS dedi-
Gated with the musical programme Is
previously arranged Mr.. Colclazer'e
new departure created lively sensation,
but it was not until a year or two after
wards, wnen Mr.. Colclszer established
instrumental music in a church in Dt
troil, that ii beosms the subject of widv
| spread discussion.
One OF the tiNt things Mr.. Colclszer dill
was to establish two hddlers, corret
player aud other musicians in the oho;r
gallery as assistants TO tine singers. Bu
when the conference met at the eud u
the year there was music Of quite snOth
sort fof the pastor. The affair had i4
come the talk of the west. When Ri
Colc!az ,r's mans was called at the confer
suce his character was challenged, and
hot debate, lasting tor several days, iDl
lowed, The 'uEgodly fiddle" was q
nounosd aud referred to 40 an "inst,
msut Of the devil" which would destt
the church if Its notes were not at o.,
| hushei
MIR. COlolazsf's character was fua
passed, but it was evident that many ~.
voted for hiIu were as much opposed
the eddie" as those who voted the ot,.,
way. In few years instrumental mt
was not sn uncommon thing in west,
Methodist churches, and now Ia
orchestra playing airs from "PipaioI
/ would probably not create as much ser.s
tiOn in city Methodist church in tt.
west SIS did the lev fiddlers sccompsny;n.
the singers OF Wesley's hymns in
Detroit congregation.
| Death of David Davis PrOtege
Mary, wife OF the late Perry Vesse-