The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-17
COMMISSIONERS SECRET
TIN BOX OPENED AT CENTRAL-AvE-
NUE. METHODIST CHURCH.
Interesting Documents That Were
Buried when Foundation of Old
Trinity Church Was Laid.

The tin box taken from the cornerstone of
the old Trinity NJ. Z. Church building, Ala
bama and North streets, which has been
occupied recently by the Physio- Medical
College. was opened at the Central-avenue
Methodist Church last night before large
number of the membership. In the audi
ence were persons who were members of the
old Trinity Church.
The box contained list of the officials of
the Trinity Church in 1867 the time the cor
nerstOne of the edifce at Alabama and
North streets was laid. a copy of the min
utes of the Indiana Conference of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church in 1865, during the
session of which President Lincoln was as
sassinated, a Methodist hymnaI discipline
and a small Bible.
The CentraI-avenue Church is a direct out
growth OF the old Trinity Church. and the
books and records which have lain in the
cornerstone of the old building for
thirty-fve years will be preserved by
the church "A heritage of the
mother church. The oldest man at the meet
ing last night was Christian Spiegel, of
Shelbyville, who was a member of the Trim
ity Church and went into the Central-ave-
nue. congregation when the Trinity and Mas
sachusetts-avenue churches consolidated
Others present at the opening of the box
who were identified with the Trinity Church
were Col. Eli Ritter. William H. Smith, ST..
Mrs. Mansfield. Mrs. Fiscus Mr. and Mrs.
John B. Conner. c. W. Brouse and DR.. T. A.
Goodwin.
Informal addresses were made by Colonel
Ritter. Mr.. Spiegel, c. W. Brouse, Dr. Good
win and Mr.. Smith. Attention was called
to the fact that when the cornerstone of the
old Trinity Church was laid only twenty
thousand people lived in Indianapolis. At
that time there were about half dozen
Methodist churches In this city. Now the
Methodist churches here number more than
twenty. The Trinity and the Massa chusetts-
avenue churches consolidated in 1877 and
formed the Central-aVenue Church.
OFFICERS IN 1867.
The list of officers OF the Trinity Church
In the fall of 1867 contains the following
names: The Rev. ]. " r. Miller, president
of the Indiana Conference; the Rev. w. ].
Vigus. pastor OF the church. and Trustees
James F. Mick, Charles W. Brouse. James
Z. Downey. Christian Spiegel. William II.
Smith. Henry Wright, John Northway.
Peter r. Perrine and Frederick Bremmer-
man. Only four OF these men are dead-Mr
Perrine. the Rev. Miller. Mr.. Wright and
Mr.. Northwsy. The Rev. Vigus now resides
at Wabash. Ind, Mr.. Mick lives in Chicago
James Downey is in Pueblo COL Charles
w. Brouse resides in Indiana polls. Christian
Spiesel Is at the head of large manufac-
turing industry at Shelbyville. William III
Smith Is an active member of the Central
avenue Church and Frederick Bremmerman
is now member Of the Meridian-street
Church.
In the minutes of the North Indiana Con-
ference OF the Methodist Episcopal Church
held In Kendallville in April 1865 is the fol-
lowing resolution concerning the death OF
President Lincoln: THE North Indiana Con-
ference has heard with profound sorrow and
Overwhelming grief the announcement of the
assassination and sudden death of his Ex-
cellency, Abraham Lincoln, President of the
United States, comma nder-in- chief of the
army and navy, and author of the proclama-
ton of emancipation. Resolved. that we
cherish with profound gratitude to the King
OF the Nations the memory % che unblem-
ished integrity. incorruptible honesty and
steadfast devotion 10 freedom of our muir
dered chief magistrate. Resolved. further
that this conference deplores the attempt TO
murder W. III. Seward the ACCOMPLISHED
and able secretary of state OF the Nation -
The resolutions of the conference contain
a recommendation that the Constitution Of
the United States be so amended as To ac-
knowledge the existence OF God. the Bible as
His law, and our obligation as a nation to
conform all our laws to its holy teachings -
The conference report on education con-
tains the following about Asbury .Univer-
sity. which Is now De Pauw University:
I'VE rejoice that our cherished university
has increasing prosperity. But the endow-
ment must be Increased. as the interest on
the endowment has not been equal to current
expenses during the past year. Resolved
that We recommend the holding Of an educa-
tional convention In the city Of indianapolis
on May %, 1866