The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-19

The Rev. Fernandez c. Holiday, who for
ffty-hve years was identified with Indiana
Methodisn. died last night at 1890 o'clock, at
his residence, No. l64 Broadway
His childhood was passed in. Dearborn county,
where be went with his parenzs from Essex
county. New York, the place Of his birth. that
event occurring in 1914 When . youth DIR
Holiday was converted. and shortly after that.
uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Church, he
decided to preach the gospel He entered the
ministry Ia his eighteenth year with the
limited education which the schools of that time
could only afford. but he became an earnest
student of the classics and, although without
the assistance of instructor he mastered He
brew. Greek and Latin. While riding his cir
cult his text books went with him, and often on
horseback his tedious journeys bscame less so
by the intentness with which be scanned the
daily lessons he set for himself This was his
education. and being man of great force of
character and elequence he early took leading
place among the ministers of that day. With a
zeal and faith that distinguished the pioneers of
Msthodsm. he trAverssd nearly every part of
the State, filing appointments. forming societies.
bnildlug churches and encouraging education.
The most Of his ministerial service was con-
nected with Indianapolis churches He was
pastor Of nearly all the leading Methodist
gregations. Meridian-street, Flstchsr-place and
Roberts Park. When in charge Of the latter he
began the work that led to the erection OF the
present imposing building. Under him 1T
nearly completed, when, following the order
OF the itlnerancy. he went TO another
charge, the work of which he took
at Rushville. which failing health compelled
MIN 70 close last September. There he begun
one OF the handsomsst church edifces in In
diana, and in it he took more than usual pride.
TOT ne believed it would be the last work of the
KIND he would be able TO do. His family tried
TO persuade him to retire before the building
than he could assume in his old age. But he
persisted and when it was dedicated he con-
scented TO take superannuated relation.
In the educational interests we'll as in
church building he showed the faith he had in
his religion. He was one of the founders of
Asbury. now De PAW University. and up TO his
Institution of it's trustees. In the gen.
ersl conferences, to which ha was I'VE times a
delegate. he served on the educational and other
Important committees. The cause of the freed
men bad much of his attention. and in the
chnrch's work IN this direction he always
foremost. holding at his death an important
place on the committee having it in charge.
His last five years in the ministry spent at
Connersville, Madison and Rushville. in the or
der named. During his career he had been the
pastor or all the important churches in the State
In addition to this service he wrote several books
which 20 be found In every Methodist libra
ry. The most pretentious is his History of In
ulduh 4uoGHOulSms Inc LHe ana Times OF
Allen Wiley and "A Bible Handbook"
In early manhood Mr. Holiday married q
daughter of Samuel Hanna Among the chill
dren born to them was Cortez f. Holiday,
whose death in the prime of life occurred two
weeks ago. Since that sad event the aged father
rapidly failed until two days ago. when it
apparent to his friends that but brief space Of
life was left to him. Yesterday only few were
admitted to his bedside, but among them
were two three aged ministers
who had borne with him the
pioneer work Of the church he loved so dearly.
He babe them goodbye and frequently repeat
ing '.All is light in the valley told them to
"Shout from the battlements.' Since the death
of his son he has often quoted, THE cup that
my Father has given me shall not drink itl"
To the last be was a reader of currsnt literature,
secular as well religious, and took great In
terest in the events of the day. He leaves three
children, his wife having died FIVE years ago.