INDIANA COLLECTION
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ALLEN COLINTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
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Gc 977.202 InSmo
Moore , A . Y .
History of the Presbytery of
Indianapolis
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Fund.
PUBLISHED BY THE PRESBYTEKY^
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r?r^IA'»^rDLIS:
J. G. DOUGHTY, PRINTER, CORNER CIRC'LK AND MERIDIAN STS. \/
1876
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HISTORY
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PUBLISHED BY THE PRESBYTERY.
INDIANAPOLIS:
JOHN G. DOUGHTY, PRINTER, CORNER MERIDIAN AND CIRCLE STREETS.
1876.
Ml«n County Public Lih^ry
»0 Weisttr Stre«l
K> Box 2270
■pn Wayne, IN 46801-2270
£ ^' /f f
Extract from the Minutes of the Presbytery of In-
dianapolis, in session at Greenwood, September, 1875 •
" Rev. A. Y. Moore was chosen to prepare a History of the
Presbytery, to be read at the Spring meeting."
Extract from the Minutes of Presbytery, in session
at Southport, April, 1876 : 1360956
" Rev. A. Y. Moore read a part of the History he had prepared
of this Pi-esbytery, and he was requested to complete the History,
and prepare it for publication."
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
Church at Bloomington — Rev. Isaac Reed — Bible Society —
First Preaching in Indiana — First Churches — Early Times
— The State Capital is located and named — Organization of
Church at Indianapolis — Chronological Comparisons 1
CHAPTER II.
Louisville and Salem Presbyteries — Indianapolis as a Mission-
ary Field — First Ordination in the State — Ordination and
Installation at Bloomington — Organization of Churches at
Columbus, Franklin, Greencastle, and Greenwood — Pres-
bytery of Wabash — Synod of Indiana — Difficulties with
Mr. Bush — Presbytery of Crawfordsville — Difficulties in
Presbytery — Difficulties Allayed 16
CHAPTER III,
Presbytery of Indianapolis — First Statistical Report — The
Field and its Occupation in 1830 — Decision of Presbytery
on Representation, Presbytery Resisting Division — Com-
plaint against Presbytery — Dissensions from Diversity in
Doctrine — Items — Hopewell — Industrial Aspects and In-
terests— Southport,. Danville, Greencastle, Shiloh, Bethany
— The Field at the time of the Great Division of the
Church 27
VI CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I V.
Action of the Presbytery of Indianapolis in the Great Division
of the Church — Action of the Presbytery of Crawfordsville —
Greencastle First — Greencastle Second — Putnamville, Pop-
lar Spring, Baimbridge, Carpentersville, Bloomington, Co-
lumbus 43
CHAPTER V.
Second Church of Indianapolis — Indianapolis Presbytery, N.
S. — Enlargement of Presbytery — Ministerial Changes —
Changes in Churches — Missionary Work — Pastoral Relation
— Report to General Assembly 50
CHAPTER VI.
Presbytery of Indianapolis, 0. S. — Churches Organized — Min-
isterial Changes — Lessons from the History of Franklin
Church — Ministerial Support — Missionary Work — Organi-
zation of White Water Presbytery, and Changes in the
Boundaries of the Presbytery 59
CHAPTER VII.
View of the Field from Reports of Indiana Gazetteer — Num-
ber of Old and New School Churches, and their Increase
in Membership — Progress and Prosperity of the Country.. 71
CHAPTER VIII.
Indianapolis Presbytery, O. S. — Changes in Churches — Minis-
terial Changes — State of Religion — Missionary Work — Pres-
byterial Authority — First Church of Indianapolis — Second
Church of Greencastle — Numbers 74
CHAPTER IX.
Indianapolis Presbytery, N. S. — New Churches — Second Church
of Indianapolis — Fourth Church of Indianapolis — Green-
wood— Ministerial Changes — Missionary Work — Danville,
White Lick, Greencastle, Putnamville, Bainbridge, Bloom-
ington, Columbus 83
CONTENTS. vil
CHAPTER X.
Numbers — Census Report of the Statistics of the different De-
nominations in the Field of the Presbytery 92
CHAPTER XI.
Indianapolis Presbytery, N. S. — Greenfield Church — Kingston
and Clarksburg — Edinburg — Sixth Church of Indianapolis
— Shelbyville — Ministerial Changes — Progress — Reunion —
Adjournment sine die — Hendricks County — Pvitnam County
— Bloomington — Columbus — Numbers 96
CHAPTER XII.
Indianapolis Presbytery, 0. S. — Changes in Churches — Ministe-
rial Changes — Deaths — State of the Country — Revivals —
Reunion — First Church at Indianapolis — Seventh Church
at Indianapolis — Brownsburg and Clermont — Greencastle,
Carpentersville, Bloomington — Numbers 107
CHAPTER XIII.
Indianapolis Presbytery — Its Boundaries, Members and
Churches — Changes in Churches — Ministerial Changes —
Missionary Work — Woman's Presbyterial Society — Revivals 119
HISTO R Y
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS.
CHAPTER I
Church at Bloomington — Rev. Isaac Reed — Bible Society —
First Preaching in Indiana — First Churches — Early
Times — The State Capital located and named — Organiza-
tion of Church at Indianapolis — Chronological Compar-
isons.
1805—1823.
The Presbytery of Indianapolis comprises within its
limits the following counties : Putnam, Hendricks, Ma-
rion, Hancock, Johnson, Morgan, Monroe, Brown and
Bartholomew.
The oldest Presbyterian church within this district is
that of Bloomington, Monroe county. This church was
organized the 27th of September, 1819. One year be-
fore this all the rest of the territory now included within
the bounds of the Presbytery of Indianapolis, except
Monroe county, was in the possession of the Indians.
At St. Mary's, Ohio, a treaty was made upon the 3d of
October, 1818, by the government of the United States
2 HISTORY OF THE
with the Delaware Indians, who then occupied this ter-
ritory, h^f which they transferred it to the United States.
In the treaty, the right was reserved to the Indians of
remaining in the country, and occupying it as a hunting
ground for three years; after this they were to be re-
moved by the government of the United States to terri-
tory assigned to them west of the Mississippi.* This
tract of country purchased from the Delawares was
called, in the settlement of the country, the IS'ew Pur-
chase, and known as such.
The county of Monroe was partly within the limits of
the New Purchase and partly within the limits of a pur-
chase made of the Indians by General Harrison at Ft.
Wayne in 1809 ; a purchase which was one of the chief
causes that stirred up the hostility of Tecumseh and his
brother, the Shawnee Prophet, and led to the Indian
war, which was begun with the battle of Tippecanoe,
November 7th, 1811.
The enabling act of Congress which made Indiana a
State in 1816, devolved upon James Monroe, the Presi-
dent of the United States, the duty of setting apart a
township of land for University purposes, in addition to
the township that had been already granted to the Uni-
versity of Vincennes. The President designated for the
State University a township of land in what afterwards
became Monroe county. Doubtless this assignment of
land for University purposes led to the speedy settle-
ment and organization of Monroe county. The county
of Monroe, which was previously a part of Orange
county, with the county seat at Paoli, was organized by
the Legislature of 1818. The county seat was located
April 11th, 1818, and named Bloomington. This was
"^Dillon's Indiana, p. 575.
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 6
six months before the acquisition of the New Purchase
from the Delawares.
The first entrance of a Presbyterian or Congrega-
tional minister within the boundaries of this presbytery
was, in all probability, made in the fall of 1818. The
Rev, Orin Fowler, who spent a year in the State under
the direction of the Connecticut Missionary Society,
visited Bloomington in the fall of 1818. Mr. Fowler
thus writes from Carlisle, in Sullivan county, to Rev.
Isaac Reed, then preaching at IsTew Albany : " I have
been on a tour to Monroe county, (Bloomington county
seat), which was very fatiguing ; have been up the Wa-
bash river to Fort Harrison (Terre Haute), and preached
in nearly every neighborhood in these several direc-
tions."*
In the fall of 1819 the Rev. Isaac Reed, who was then
preaching for the church of New Albany, made a mis-
sionary tour into the interior of the State to distribute
Bibles and to preach. The Bibles, he says, were the re-
mains of a society which had been formed at Jefierson-
ville by the agency of the Rev. Samuel J. Mills and the
Rev. Daniel Smith, during the days of the territorial
existence of Indiana, and while Colonel Posey was Gov-
ernor. In 1814, SamuelJ. Mills and Daniel Smith, under
the combined patronage of the Connecticut and Massa-
chusetts Missionary Societies, made a journey through
the States and Territories of the southwest, preaching
and organizing Bible and other benevolent societies. In
November of this year, these men visited St. Louis, and
" preached the first sermons ever heard from ministers
of their denomination in that French village. "f It was
to distribute the Bibles of this Bible Society, organized
*Reecrs Christian Traveller, p. 97.
fSprague's Annals of the Presbyterian Pulpit, Vol. IV, p. 506.
4 HISTORY OF THE
at Jeffersonville by Samuel J. Mills and his colaborer^
Daniel Smith, and to preach the gospel " in the regions
beyond," that the Rev. Isaac Eeed made, in the fall of
1819, a missionary tour " as far as to the frontier coun-
ties of Monroe and Owen." By this thread of influ-
ence, slight, y^t real, and most interesting and precious,
the organization of the oldest church of the presbytery
becomes associated with the life and labors of one
" whose praise is in all the churches," and to whom is
largely due the organization both of the American
Board of Missions and the American Bible Society.
The church at Bloomington was " the first church,"
says Mr. Reed, " formed by my ministry."* Mr. Reed
became a veteran missionary, and probably organized
more churches in the State than any other man.f
The first record we have of a Presbyterian minister
preaching within the limits of Indiana, is of Thomas
Cleland, of Kentucky. In the Life of Dr. Cleland we
find the following :
'' Transylvania Presbytery had no definite limits in a
southern direction ; it also included Indiana, etc., on
the north. In the spring of 1805 I was directed to visit
Vincennes and the adjoining regions. It was an unin-
habited route I had to go. A small wilderness trace,
with only one residence on the way, in the most desti-
tute part of the way, to entertain me during the night.
Here was my poor animal tied to a tree, fed with the
grain packed in a wallet from Louisville, and myself
stretched on the puncheon floor of a small cabin, for the
night's rest. All passed ofif, however, without any det-
riment or discomfort. The next evening made up for
all previous privations. I was welcomed and agreeably
^Christian Traveller, p. 93.
f Historical Discourse, by Rev. J. H. Johnston.
PRESBYTERY OF lyDIANAFOLIS. 0
entertained at the Governor's palace during my stay in
Viucennes. The late William Henry Harrison, then a
young man, with a Presbyterian wife, was Governor of
the Indiana Territory, as it then was. He had recently
held a treaty with a certain tribe of Indians, who as-
sembled at Vincennes.
" The first sermon I preached — and it was the first
ever preached in the place, at least by a Presbyterian
minister — was in the council house, but a short time
before occupied by the sons of the forest. I preached
also in a settlement twenty miles up the Wabash, where
were a few Presbyterian families, chiefly from Shelby
county, Kentucky."*
It is possible that in Clarke county, which Governor
Harrison established by proclamation February 3, 1801,
there may have been preaching, either by some Presby-
terian or other minister, earlier than the time mentioned
by Mr. Cleland, when he preached at Vincennes.
In the Minutes of the General Assembly for 1805, we
find that about the time Cleland is threading his way
through the wilderness to Vincennes, Mr. Thomas Wil-
liamson, a licentiate of the Second Presbytery of South
Carolina, is appointed to spend three months in mission-
ary services, -' in the lower parts of the State of Ohio,
and in the Indian Territory as low as Kaskaskia."
By Indian Territory in this minute of the Assembly
we must understand Indiana Territory, which was or-
ganized in 1800, and embraced all the territory of the
country west of Ohio, and north of the Ohio river.
When, in 1803, the Lousiana purchase was made, all of
the territory west of the Mississippi, and as far south as
the southern boundary of Arkansas, was added to the
*Life of Dr. Cleland — Moore Wilstach, Keys k Co., Cincinnati,
1859, p. 87.
b HISTORY OF THE
territorial government of Indiana. In 1805, the terri-
torial governments of Missouri and of Michigan were
organized. But it was not until 1809, that the Territory
of Illinois was established by detaching from the Ter-
ritory of Indiana the country which is now embraced
in the States of Illinois and Wisconsin, and that part of
Minnesota which lies east of the Mississippi. In the
Minutes of the Assembly for 1806, we iind this resolu-
tion : " That Mr. Samuel Scott, of the Presbytery of
West Lexington, be a Missionary for three months, in the
Indiana Territory, and especially at Vincennes."
In Mr. Dickey's Brief History, this is the year of
the date of the organization of the Indiana church, the
first Presbyterian church organized in Indiana The
second church organized, was one in the vicinity of
Charlestown, Clarke county, called Palmyra. It was con-
stituted in 1807, by the Rev. James Vance, with about
twelve or fifteen members. When the Charlestown
church was organized, in 1812, the Palmyra church had
become almost extinct, and the few remaining members
were embodied in the Charlestown church. The
Charlestown church was thus the third church organ-
ized in Indiana. The fourth was that of Washington,
Daviess county, with seventeen members, in 1814. The
fifth, that of Madison, with fifteen or twenty members,
in 1815. The sixth, that of Salem, in Washington
county, in 1816. The seventh, that of Blue River, in
Washington county, with seven members, in 1816. The
eighth, that of Pisgah, in Clarke county, with fifteen
members, in 1816. The ninth, that of Graham, in Jen-
nings county, with seventeen members, in 1817. The
tenth, that of New Albany, with ten members, in 1817.
The eleventh, that of Hopewell, in Sullivan county, in
1817. The twelfth, that of Jefiersonville in Jefferson
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. <
county, with fourteen members, in 1818. The thirteenth,
that of New Lexington, Scott county, with twenty mem-
bers, in 1818. The fourteenth, that of Corydon, with
seven members, in 1819. The fifteenth, that of Carlisle,
in Sullivan county, with nine members, in 1819.
The church at Bloomington was the sixteenth Pres-
byterian church organized in the new and, growing
State. It consisted at its organization, of nine persons,
Henry Kirkham, Mary Kirkham, Dr. David H. Max-
well, Mary Dunn Maxwell, John Ketcbam, Elizabeth
Ketcham, Elizabeth Anderson, Elizabeth Lucus and
Patsy Baugh. Of these persons. Dr. David H. Maxwell
and John Ketcham were, during their lives, prominent
and influential citizens. They both took an active part
in the Indian war that begun with the battle of Tippe-
canoe. Their families were obliged to seek shelter in
forts. Ketcham's fort, in Jackson county, the regioa
of country in which he had first settled when he came
from Kentucky into Indiana, was considered far out
from the settlements, and greatly exposed to the savages.
The fort itself was never attacked by the Indians, though
invested one night by a party, who succeeded in driving
oflf the horses belonging to those in the fort. Ketcham
and a comrade, on an errand to a neighboring farm,
were waylaid by the Indians, and Ketcham received two
severe gun-shot wounds, and his comrade was killed.
In a scouting party under Gen. Bartholemew, he is again
in imminent peril. Again a comrade falls at his side,
fatally wounded, and he escapes only by being quicker
with the fatal aim of his rifle than the savage foe, who
has singled him out for his victim.
It was in April, 1818, that John Ketcham moved to
Monroe county. He built the first mill that was built
in the county. The meal his family used while the
« HISTORY OF THE
mill was built, was prepared by a hand mill, the only
kind at the time in the county. He was, in time, hon-
ored with a Colonelcy of the State Militia, because of the
reputation he had gained in the Indian war. He be-
came an associate Judge, and served several times as
Representative in the Legislature. He died February
7th, 1865, at the age of eighty-three.
Dr. David H. Maxwell, moved to Bloomington in the
spring of 1819. He was much in public life. He was
a member from Jefferson county of the Convention of
1816, which framed the constitution with which Indiana,
in December, 1816, was admitted as a State into the
Federal Union. He was the mover in the convention
of the clause iij the constitution, which prohibited
Slavery, for the introduction of which, into the new
State, as shown in Dillon's History of Indiana, strong
and persistent efibrts had been made. Dr. Maxwell fre-
quently represented the county of Monroe in the Legis-
lature, and was the eighth Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives. He was for twenty-five years a member
of the Board of Trustees of the State University, and
almost constantly the President of that Board. He was
elected an elder of the church in June, 1823, and served
the church as such until his death in May, 1854, at the
age of sixty -eight.
Of the original members of the church of Blooming-
ton, two still survive, Mrs. Mary Dunn Maxwell, the
widow of Dr. D. H. Maxwell, and Mrs. Elizabeth Ketch-
am, the widdow of Col. John Ketcham. Mrs. Maxwell
was born in March, 1788, one year before the adoption
of the Federal Constitution. Mrs. Ketcham was born in
Rockingham county, Virginia, November 27th, 1781, six
weeks after tlie surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktovvn.
Uniting with the church when about twenty years of
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. ^
age, she has been a member of the church militant for
seventy-five years, and in faith and hope, is waiting for
her admission into the church triumphant.*
The church at Bloomington was organized in the
Court House, a log building erected for temporary use,
and of which a pen photograph remains in the contract
for its erection, now to be found in the records of the
county. It was, according to the terms of the contract,
to be built after the manner of double cabins, the first
ten feet square, and the second, twelve by twenty, built
ten feet apart, with an entry between. It was to be ten
feet high, of round logs, all to be neatly butted, then
hewed inside and out ; the whole to be covered under
one roof with four courses of boards on each side ; the
floors to be out of half timber, well hewed and jointed,
and two and a half inches thick when they lay on the
sleepers ; one door (doorway) in each apartment of said
house, with one window in the largest, the doors to be
fronting the entry, and shutters made to all and hung
on good wooden hinges, the house to be chinked with
short blocks, after the manner with stone, and well
daubed inside and out and made smooth.
The dwellings of Bloomington were in harmony with
its court house. They were log cabins, and dense for-
ests occupied most of its streets and lots. In this same
year Fort Wayne was vacated by the United States
Government as a frontier military post, and it was left a
small trading post for bartering with the Indians for
their peltries, the same purpose for which it had been
first occupied by the French more than a hundred years
before.
In 1810, the population of the Territory of Indiana was
* Mrs. Ketcham, since the above was written, has entered into
rest, departing this life on Sabbath morning, July 9th, 1876.
10 HISTORY OF THE
24,520. But the streams of immigration were beginning
to flow in rapidly upon the new country, and a commit-
tee had been appointed by the Legislative Council to
locate a permanent Capital for the State. This Council
also petitioned Congress for permission to locate a cer-
tain quantity of the public lands " lying on the main
fork of White River," for this permanent seat of gov-
ernment. The war with the Indians hindered the con-
summation of this work begun by the Legislative Council.
In the enabling act of Congress for the organization of
the State, four sections of unsold land were donated for
a permanent Capital. In January, 1820, a committee
was appointed by the legislature to iix the location of
the State Capital. They located it in June of the same
year. On the 6th of January, 1821, the Legislature con-
firmed the action of their commissioners, and on motion
of Judge Jeremiah Sullivan, of Madison, afterwards, if
not at the time, an elder of the Presbyterian church, the
newly established Capital received its name, Indianapolis.
In the spring of the same year, 1821, in which the Cap-
ital was located, the man, who but two years before was
the first settler in the vicinity of Indianapolis, was mur-
dered by the Indians upon the place upon which he had
settled, and the horses he had owned were driven oif by
them.
In the course of a few months after the location of
the Capital, a population of some hundreds gathered
upon the site of the future city. For this population,
flour and meal were packed on horses through a path-
less wilderness from the White Water settlement at Con-
nersville, a distance of sixty miles. This was necessary
for several reasons. The season was an exceedingly wet
one, and malignant fever and ague so prostrated the in-
habitants of the new settlement, that they were unable
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS.
11
to tend the corn which had been planted, and which
choked by the rank growth of weeds, had brought no
fruit to perfection. IndianapoUs was not destined to a
rapid growth in its early days. George Stephenson had
not yet succeeded in securing the device for rapid trav-
elling by railway, though working very earnestly and
hopefully for it. Indianapolis, before the days of rail-
roads, was too inaccessible a point for rapid growth.
The first sale of city lots occurred in October, 1821. In
1831, three-fourths of the town site and donation of the
government remained unsold. Among the names of the
first arrivals of citizens after the locatian of the Capital
of the State, are the names of Dr Isaac Coe, Caleb
Scudder, James Blake and James M. Ray, names that
will ever be held in honored remembrance in the history
of the Presbyterian church in Indianapolis.
It is a matter of record, that the Rev. Ludlow G.
Gaines, of Ohio, a missionary of the General Assembly,,
preached in a grove upon the site of Indianapolis, sev-
eral months before the lots now covered by the city had
been offered for sale. The first settlers of the new city
had the gospel preached to them only when some travel-
ling minister, overtaken by the Sabbath, paused in his
journey. This lack of gospel privilege, it is said, was
rapidly tending to obliterate the distinction between the
Sabbath and other days. One among the settlers be-
came deeply engaged in finding means to arrest the
growing desecration. This was Dr. Isaac Coe. His first
effort was to organize a Bible class of Christian people.
This class first met February 20th, 1822. A Sabbath
school was organized April 6th, 1823. It was adver-
tised in the Indianapolis Gazette, as the Indianapolis
Sabbath School. So it was for five years, the Indian-
apolis Sabbath School, the only one. It was organized
12 HISTOR Y OF THE
with thirty scholars, its immbers increasing during the
year to ninety-eight, with an average attendance of
forty. James M. Eay was its first Superintendent, al-
though he was not yet a member of the church. Like-
wise, James Blake, an active co-laborer in the Sabbath
School, and in all the outward work of the church, was
not yet a member of the church. It was in a revival
in 1830, that these men became by profession of their
faith, members of the church.
The Rev. David C. Proctor, a missionary under the
direction of the Connecticut Missionary Society, entered
the State late in the fall of 1821. In the fall of 1822,
although there was yet no church organization at Indi-
anapolis, arrangements were made with him to preach
three-fourths of his time at Indianapolis, while every
fourth Sabbath he preached to the little church at
Bloomington. Thus the way was prepared for the or-
ganization of the Presbyterian church at Indianapolis.
The church was organized July 5th, 1823, in Caleb
Scudder's cabinet shop, the same place in which the
Sabbath School had been organized. The Rev. Isaac
Reed, who in the fall of 1822 had moved to Owen coun-
ty, writes in his Christian Traveller:
"My first visit to Indianapolis was through many
perils of waters by the way, in company with Mr, Proc-
tor, the 3d of July. On the afternoon of the 4th, I
preached to the Presbyterian friends at a cabinet ma-
ker's shop ; and at the same place, on the morning of
the 5th, I preached as moderator in the formation of the
church of Indianapolis. The same day two other min-
isters arrived. The next day was the Sabbath, and there
were four ministers with this new formed church. The
church was organized with fifteen members. Dr. Isaac
Coe and Caleb Scudder were elected elders. A church
PRESBYTERY 01 INDIANAPOLIS. IS
edifice had been begun in May before the organization
of the church, and was so far completed that it was oc-
cupied at the sacrament of the Lord's Supper on the
Sabbath, the next day after the organization of the
church."
The building committee that carried through the
erection of this edifice, were Dr. Isaac Coe, James Blake,
and Daniel Yandes. This church building was thirty-
four feet by fifty-four. Its cost was fifteen hundred dol-^
lars. The cost of the lot was one hundred dollars.
CHRONOLOGICAL COMPARISONS.
This church building was erected on the frontiers. Only
a hundred years before this the foundations of the first
Presbyterian church building in the city of New York
had been laid, a building sixty by eighty feet, on Wall
street, near Broadway, and although contributions for the
building were solicited and obtained in Connecticut and
Massachusetts, from the infant church in Philadelphia,
and also from Scotland, yet for twenty years the church
struggled on in poverty, assembling in a house without
galleries, six out of its eight windows being closed with
boards, poverty preventing their being glazed, and the
fraction of light being enough for the handful of peo-
ple.* The churches of Cincinnati and Louisville had
been organized sometime before the church at Indiana-
polis. Cincinnati had been laid out in 1789, its first
Presbyterian church organized in 1790, and its first
Presbyterian church edifice erected in 1792. Louisville
had been laid out still earlier. In 1780 the legislature
of Virginia passed "An act for the establishing the town
of Louisville, at the falls of the Ohio," naming the town
in honor of Louis XVI., whose troops were then aiding
* Webster's History of the Presbyterian Church, pp. 120, 329.
14 HISTORY OF THE
the Americans in the war of Independence. The first
Presbyterian church in Louisville was organized in 1816,
and its first church edifice erected in 1816. At the time
of the organization of the Presbyterian church at Indi-
anapolis, the Kev. Gideon Blackburn had just been set-
tled as pastor over the Presbyterian church at Louisville.
In the spring of 1823, the presbytery of Louisville re-
ported to the General Assembly eleven ministers, thirty-
five churches, and nine hundred and ten church mem-
bers. Of these thirty-five churches, twenty -four were
in Indiana, the church of Indianapolis being the twenty-
sixth organization of that large portion of the State,
which was included within the bounds of the presbytery
of Louisville.
At this time, July, 1823, the Presbyterian church at
St. Louis was still without a church edifice. A Presby-
terian church, consisting of nine members, had been
organized by the Tie v. Salmon Giddings in St. Louis in
November, 1817. A brick church building, forty by
sixty feet, was commenced in 1823, but was not finished
and dedicated until June, 1825. Its cost was eight thou-
sand dollars. The debt upon it, it is said, was reduced
in 1826, by contributions and proceeds of sale of pews,
to five thousand dollars.* In Detroit, on the 5th of
August, 1816, an informal organization of citizens of
Protestant faith was effected by Rev. John Monteith, a
missionary of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
church. In 1819, a church edifice was erected at a cost
of seven thousand dollars, more than eleven hundred
having been obtained by the solicitation abroad of funds.
In January, 1825, the church, consisting of forty-nine
members, was reorganized, adopting Articles of Faith,
*Sprague's Annals, Vol. IV, p. 507.
PRESB YTER Y OF INDIANA POLIS. 15
which fully committed the society to the Presbyterian
doctrines and form of government.*
It was not until ten years after the organization of the
church of Indianapolis, (in June,) 1833, that the first
Presbyterian church of Chicago was organized, with
twenty-five members ; sixteen of these members of the
garrison of Fort Dearborn, and nine citizens of the new
city which had been laid out three years before. The
Rev. Jeremiah Porter, who came with troops from Green
Bay to Chicago in May, 1833, organized the church.
Its first edifice for worship was a frame, twenty-six by
forty, and was opened for worship January 1st, 1834.
* Manual of First Presbyterian Church of Detroit.
16
HLSTORY OF THE
CHAPTER II.
Louhville and Salem Presbyteries — Indianapolis as a Mis-
sionary Field — First Ordination in the State — Ordination
and Installation at Bloomington — Organization of Churches
at Columbus, Franklin, Greencastle and Greenwood —
Presbytery of Wabash — Synod of Indiana — Difficulties
with Mr. Bush — Presbytery of Crawfordsville — Difficulties
in Presbytery — Difficulties Allayed.
1823—1830.
In 1815, upon petition of the Synod of Ohio, the Gen-
eral Assembly made the Ohio river the dividing line
between the synods of Ohio and Kentucky. This placed
Indiana Territory within the boundaries of Miami pres-
bytery. In 1817, upon petition of the Louisville Presby-
tery, it was granted by the General Assembly that so
much of the Synod of Ohio as was west of a line
drawn due north from the mouth of Kentucky river,
should be attached to the Synod of Kentucky. In Octo-
ber, 1823, the Synod of Kentucky constituted all that
part of its territory lying within the boundaries of the
State of Indiana into a new presbytery, denominated the
Salem Presbytery. In October, 1824, the synod added
to this presbytery all that part of the State of Illinois
which is north of a line running due west from the
mouth of White river. At the same time, that part of
the State which lies south and west of a line beginning
at the mouth of Green river, running due north twenty
PRESB YTER Y OF INDIANA POLIS. 17
miles, thence north-westward to the mouth of White
river, was attached to the Presbytery of Muhlenburg.
INDIANAPOLIS AS A MISSIONARY FIELD.
In the fall of 1823, the Rev. D. C. Proctor removed to
Kentucky. "From this time," writes the Rev. Isaac
Reed, then preaching to the Bethany church, in Owen
county, " the particular care of the church of Blooming-
ton and of Indianapolis fell upon me, and neither sacra-
ments nor baptism were administered in either except
by my ministry, until the arrival of Rev. Mr. Bush, at
the latter place, in the summer of 1824, and of Mr. Hall
at Bloomington, near the same time." *
While Mr. Reed was thus, through the latter part of
1823 and the iirst half of 1824, supplying the church at
Indianapolis, he wrote thus of it to the United Domestic
Missionary Society, a society which in 1826 became
merged with the American Home Missionary Society :
"Indianapolis, the new and permanent seat of govern-
ment for the State, is a place of great need and high
hope for a located missionary. I was lately there, and
the session of the church showed me a written resolution
of their society, which they design to forward to you.
This resolution requests the location of a missionary
there. I encouraged them to forward it. There are
many reasons why this location should be made. A
church is commenced there, which has eighteen mem-
bers, four of them are male persons. A meeting-house
is built, at least raised and covered in. The congrega-
tion is willing to raise for your missionary two hundred
dollars a year. There is a little Baptist church and a
little Methodist society ; and there is no church of our
order near enough to unite with these to obtain a minis-
* Christian Traveller, p. 145.
18 HISTORY OF THE
ter ; the nearest is lifty-two miles. It is thought by the
session, if they can have a missionary for one year, they
can support him after that time, they have such pros-
pects from those who are expected to move there within
a year. Now they look to you, brethren, to appoint
them one; and he ought to be there as soon as possible.
The}' want a man of such talents as are favorable to col-
lecting and embodying society ; one who would be
willing to become settled. He should appropriate his
Sabbaths to the town, and have week day appoint-
ments all about that part of the country." * This
communication of Mr. Reed to the United Domestic
Missionary Society was published in their report for 1825.
In March, 1824, the session of the church at Indianap-
olis wrote to Mr. George Bush, a licentiate of the Pres-
bytery of New Brunswick, to secure his services as
their minister. Mr. Bush came to Indianapolis July 9,
1824, as a missionary of the Assembly. September 18^
1824, he was called to the pastorate of the church upon
a salary of three hundred dollars, and as much more as
they could raise.
In January, 1825, the legislature met at the new capi-
tal for the first time. The State offices had been trans-
ferred from Corydon to Indianapolis in the November
preceding.
FIRST ORDINATION IN THE STATE.
On the 4tli of March, 1825, a called meeting of the
Presbytery of Salem was held in Indianapolis. At this
meeting of the presbytery Mr. Bush was received, and
also Mr. Baynard Rush Hall, a licentiate of the Presby-
tery of Philadelphia. The next day Mr. Bush was
ordained and installed as pastor of the Presbyterian
* Christian Traveller, p. 165.
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 19
church of Indiauapolis. This was the first ordination of
a Presbyterian minister in the State. The church build-
ing being still unfinished, the ordination and installation
took place in the building that was used for the State
capitol, a large brick court house. The Rev. John F.
Crowe preached the ordination sermon. The Rev. John
M. Dickey presided and gave the charge to the pastor,
and the Moderator of Presbytery, the Rev. Isaac Reed,
gave the charge to the people.
ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION AT BLOOMINGTON.
At an adjourned meeting of the presbytery at Bloom-
ington on the 12th of the following April, Baynard R.
Hall, who had charge of the State Seminary at Bloom-
iugton, was ordained and installed pastor of the church
at Bloomington. As the church at Bloomington had no
edifice, the ordination and"' installation services took
place in the State Seminary building. The Rev. Isaac
Reed preached the ordination sermon. The Rev. W.
W. Martin presided and gave the charge to the pastor ;
and the Rev. John M. Dickey gave the charge to the
people. The sermon was from II Corinthians 5: 18.
<'And hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation."
The sermon was published.
The church at Bloomington, besides having had Mr.
Proctor to preach for them one-fourth of his time du-
ring one year, had had previous to that occasional mis-
sionary supplies. Among these had been W. W. Martin,
from Livonia, Francis McFarland, a missionary of the
Assembly, and Archibald Cameron, of Shelbyville, Ken-
tucky, in the fall of 1822, the Rev. C. C. Beattie, now
of Steubenville, Ohio, then laboring in the Wabash val-
ley as a missionary of the Assembly's Board of Missions,
preached in Bloomington, also in the spring of 1823.
20 HISTORY OF THE
At the time of Mr. Hall's settlement the church had in-
creased to a membership of thirty. A Sabbath school
was organized in 1823, and has been held every Sabbath
morning since.
COLUMBUS.
The third church organized within the present limits
of the Presbytery of Indianapolis, was the church at
Columbus. This was organized by Rev. John M.
Dickey, July 3, 1824. It consisted of eighteen members.
Mr. Joseph Hart was the first ruling elder. Bartholo-
mew county had been organized in 1821, and Columbus
was laid out and made the county seat the same year.
In 1824, the population of the county was 2,690. The
population of Marion county at this time was about the
same. That of Monroe county -at the same time was
3,400.
The church of Columbifls, it is said,* existed many
years before it had any settled pastor, or even regular
preaching. Mr. Dickey, who organized it, supplied it
at an early day, one Sabbath a month for six months.
For many years, once each year, he held meetings for
several days, including the Sabbath, baptized children*
received members to the church, and administered the
communion.
FRANKLIN.
November 30th, 1824, the church of Franklin, John-
son county, was organized by Rev. John M. Dickey.
The church was constituted with the following five
members : George King, Joseph Young, David W.
McCaslin, Elenor King and Nancy Young. George
King and David W. McCaslin, were chosen elders, and
after a sermon by the Rev. George Bush, they were or-
* Historical Discourse of Rev. N. S. Dickey.
PBE.SBYTEBY OF INDIANAPOLLS. ^1
dained to the office of ruling elder. The session then
received Jane McCaslin, a member of the church on ex-
amination.
Johnson county was organized in 1822. The popula-
tion of the county in 1824 was 910. The Franklin
church was the fourth church organized within the pres-
ent boundaries of the Presbytery of Indianapolis.
GRBENCASTLE.
The church at Greencastle, the county seat of Put-
nam county, was organized with twelve members, by
the Rev. Isaac Reed, August 12th, 1826. Putnam coun-
ty was organized the last day of the year, 1821. In
1824, it had a population of 1,700. Yet, in 1825, from
Oreencastle west, along one of the main routes to Illi-
nois, there was a stretch of dense forest unbroken for
seventeen miles, save by one hut and its adjacent clear-
ing. " To form this church," writes Mr. Reed, "required
much previous labor in preaching, visiting and traveling."
GREENWOOD.
On the last day of the year 1825, the Rev. Isaac Reed
organized another church in Johnson county. It was
the Greenwood church, then called Greenfield. It was
organized with nine members. The formation of the
church was efi"ected just two years and three months
after the arrival of the first two families in the settle-
ment. The day after this church was organized was
both New Year's day and Sabbath day. A sermon was
preached, which was afterwards published with this title:
" The Foundation Stone," 1 Cor. iii: 2. The sermon,
when printed, was dedicated to the Rev. Thomas Cle-
land, D. D., of Kentucky, in these words:
Every member, sir, of the Greenfield church, has come from your
bounds, and has been a worshipper in one or the other of your con
22 HISTORY OF THE
gregations. This fact, together with my long acquaintance with
and friendship for you, as a man, a christian, a gospel minister, and
your pen having so often and so ably moved in defence of that
fundamental doctrine, which is the subject of the sermon, are my
apology for using your name in this dedication.
[Signed,] Isaac Reed.
Cottage of Peace, February 3i), 1826.
The Rev. George Bush, as commissioner from Salem
Presbytery, was a member of the General Assembly of
1825, the first representative from Indiana in that
body.
WABASH PRESBYTERY.
By an act of the Synod of Kentucky, October 1825,
Salem Presbytery was divided, and two presbyteries,
Madison and Wabash, formed. The Columbus church
fell within the bounds of Madison Presbytery. The
Wabash Presbytery consisted at its formation of five
ministers : Samuel T. Scott, Isaac Reed, George Bush,
Baynard R. Hall and Stephen Bliss. It had under its
care nineteen churches. Among these were Bloming-
ton, Indianapolis, Franklin and Greencastle.
SYNOi) OF INDIANA.
In 1826 the General Assembly constituted the Presby-
teries of Missouri, Salem, Wabash and Madison into a
synod denominated the Synod of Indiana. This synod
met in Vincennes October 18th, 1826. There were present
from churches within the bounds of the present Presby-
tery of Indianapolis, Baynard R. Hall, minister of the
church at Bloomington, George Bush, pastor of the
church at Indianapolis, and John Orchard, elder from
the church at Bloomington.
DIFFICULTIES WITH MR. BUSH.
In December, 1826, Mr. Bush, in a sermon preached in
rHE^SB YTER Y OF INDIA NA POLLS. 23
the church at Indianapolis, attempted to prove at length
that the Presbyterian form of church government was
not scriptural, but that the scriptural form of church
government was more like that of Independency. The
elders of the church remonstrated with him. They
thought it was inconsistent with his ordination vows.
They labored and bore long with him, but Mr. Bush
could not change his views, neither could he cease from
propagating them. The church therefore felt con-
strained to apply to presbytery for a dissolution of the
pastoral relation. This they did in March, 1828. Mr.
Bush resisted the application of the church. At an ad-
journed meeting of the Presbytery of Wabash, held in
Indianapolis, June, 1828, the request of the church was
granted, and the pastoral relation was dissolved. Mr.
Bush appealed from the decision of the presbytery to
synod. A portion of the church and congregation sym-
pathized with him, and to these he preached at the
court house. The synod affirmed the decision of the
presbytery, but with resolutions breathing the spirit of
fraternal kindness for Mr. Bush, and also blaming in
some measure the church. The church carried up a
complaint to the General Assembly of 1829 against the
synod. When the complaint was taken up, " after con-
siderable discussion and mature deliberation, it was re-
solved that this business be dismissed on account of in-
formality, and that the papers be returned to the respec-
tive parties."
The Rev. John R. Moreland, of the presbytery of
West Lexington, was called October 27, 1828, to the
pastorate of the church of Indianapolis. Before the in-
stallation of Mr. Moreland, a new presbytery had been
constituted by the synod in October, 1829.
24 HISIORY OF THE
PRESBYTERY OF CRAWFOKDSVILLE.
The new presbytery was that of Crawfordsville. The
north line of Vigo, Clay, Owen and Monroe counties
was the dividing line between the Crawfordsville and
Wabash Presbyteries. Samuel Baldridge, John R.
Moreland, Samuel H. McNutt, George Bush, James
Crawford, James Thompson, Jeremiah Hill and John L.
Thompson, were the ministers constituting the new
presbytery. Thirteen churches were reported to the
General Assembly of 1830 within the presbytery. Indi-
anapolis was included in this presbytery. It was to
have met November 25, 1829, at Delphi, Carroll county,
but owing to an extraordinary fall of rain, and the
swollen and impassable state of the streams, the presby-
tery failed to meet. The moderator called the presbytery
together at Indianapolis, March 25, 1880. At this meet-
ing of presbytery, the Rev. John R. Moreland was
installed pastor of the church at Indianapolis. The Rev.
James Thompson preached the installation sermon, the
Rev. Samuel Baldridge presided and gave the charge to
the pastor, and the Rev. S. H. McNutt gave the charge
to the people. ''
DIFFICULTIES.
At this meeting of the presbyter}' a committee was
appointed to examine and give certificates during the
intervals of presbytery, to any ministers from other
presbyteries who might come within the bounds of
Crawfordsville presbytery and seek to labor in any of its
churches. An examination by either one of a commit-
tee of three, and certificate of approval, seemed to be
deemed sufficient guarantee to the churches that they
w^ould not be led astray. The Rev. Jeremiah Hill and
Elder Cornelius Smock protested against this action
of the presbytery. Presbytery also requested the Rev.
PRESB YTER Y OF INDIA NA POLLS. '!■)
W. W. Woods, a member of Union Presbytery, Tennes-
see, to desist from preaching in the churches of the
presbytery, on account of erroneous views, which it was
supposed he held.
These, and other things left on record, indicate that
differences and divisions were springing up among the
brethren and the churches.
The second meeting of the presbytery was with the
Coal creek church, in Parke county, September 30, 1830.
At this meeting of presbytery the name of George Bush
was ordered to be dropped from the roll, he having ab-
sented himself from the meetings of presbytery, and in-
formed the presbytery that he had renounced the juris
diction of the Presbyterian church.*
DIFFICULTIES ALLAYED.
At this second nfeetifig^f^ tt^^!lNj^bytery of Craw-
* There doubtless should? ib|e^dde(Lt<Y,tJiis record the well known
facts of Mr. Bush's future darefer. Hetiwa determined to consecrate
his life to literature, and, as the, ,\^pst field for^is exertions, made
his residence in New York city, and in ISM^ffe was el
sor of Hebrew and Oriental literaSire inita^University.
his residence in New York city, and in ISM^ffe was elected profes-
__ sntal literaSire inita^University. In 1840 he
commenced the publication onrrs" ""i^fotes. Critical and Explana-
tory," on the Old Testament. Eight volumes were issued, embrac-
ing Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Joshua, Judges and Numbers. De-
voting himself in 1844 to the publication of a monthly magazine, in
which he discussed the nature of prophetic symbols, he soon mani-
fested a disposition to recede from the rules of interpretation and
opinions commonly received in the Protestant churches. In 1844
Dr. James W. Alexander wrote to Dr. Hall : " Bush is going fast
over to the New Jerusalem. In the Tribune, he challenges all the
world to prove the resurrection. He has a book coming out on the
60ul. He practices Mesmerism. He told me of a lady, who can
read any one's character by feeling a paper on which he has wi'itten,
and read me a copy of his own character thus deduced. His talk
is mild, self-complacent and fascinating. He has a man translating
the Germen account of the famous Clairvoyante of Prevorst. You
can imagine nothing of the sort too big for his swallow." What
Dr. J. W. Alexander perceived in 1844 did not, however, occur till
1848, when he consented to receive the rite of ordination privately,
and it was administered to him privately by Dr. Lewis Beers, an
aged clergyman in the New (Jerusalem) Church, at Danby, New
York. — [Index Volume Princeton Review, p. 121.
26 HISTORY OF THE
fordsville, the action of the presbytery at its first meet-
ing concerning Eev. W. W. Wood was, upon application
of the church at Greenwood, reconsidered and reversed,
and Mr. "Wood received as a member of presbytery by
letter from the Presbytery of West Union.
At an adjourned meeting of presbytery, held in Octo-
ber, 1830, at Madison, during the session of the synod,
the following members were present : Samuel H. Mc-
Nutt, James Crawford, Jeremiah Ilill, W. W. Woods,
James Thompson and M. M. Post, ministers, and John
Covert and James M. Ray, elders.
The following action was taken :
Whereas, Harmony of feeling is especially desii-able amongst
brethren, in order to secure union of effort, and thus promote each
other's usefulness as well as happiness ; and.
Whereas, There are differences of sentiment existing amongst
the brethren composing the General Assembly, which, by common
consent, are borne with ; therefore,
Resolved, That it is inexpedient for this presbytery to enforce the
resolutions adopted at the last spring meeting on the subject of ex-
amining ministers, credentials, etc., and that said resolutions be and
are hereby rescinded.
With this manifestation of the spirit of peace, there
was a manifestation of the spirit of missionary zeal.
Every minister of the presbytery was requested to spend
ten days of missionary labor, including one Sabbath, in
the vacancies somewhere in the presbytery, and report
at th6 next stated meeting.
At this same meeting of presbytery, the Rev. David
Monfort, although not present, was received by letter
from the Presbytery of Chillicothe. Also, the Rev. M.
M. Post, reporting the prospects of organizing a church
at Logansport, presbytery advised him to continue his
labors if he could be sustained, and organize a church
as soon as he deemed it expedient.
PRESB YTER Y OF INDIA NA FOLIS. 27
CHAPTER III.
Presbytery of Indiana'polis — First Statistical Heport — The
Field and its Occupation in 1830 — Decision of Presbytery
on Representation, Presbytery resisting division — Com-
plaint against Presbytery — Dissensions from diversity in
Doctrine — Items — Hopewell — Industrial aspects and in-
terests— Southporty Danville, Greencastle, Shiloh, Bethany
— The field at the time of the great division of the Church.
1830—1838.
At the meeting of Synod in Madison, October, 1830^
the presbytery of Indianapolis was organized.* The
action of synod, as recorded in the Minutes of Synod,
was this :
Overture l^o. 4 was taken up, and the following reso-
lutions were adopted :
Resolved, That Revs. Messrs. John R. Moreland, David Monfort,
W. W. Wood, and Jeremiah Hill, of the Presbytery of Crawfords-
ville, and Revs. Messrs. S. G. Lowry and Wm. Sickels, of the Presby-
tery of Madison, be and they are hereby constituted a nevF presby-
tery, to be known by the name of the Presbytery of Indianapolis,
including the counties of Marion, Johnson, Bartholomew, and
Decatur, and all the territory lying north of those counties ; it
being understood that the west line of Hamilton, carried norths
shall be the line between the presbyteries of Crawfordsville and
Indianapolis ; and further
Resolved, That said Presbytery of Indianapolis be directed to-
hold its first meeting at Greensburg on the first Thursday in April
* The first volume of the Records of the Presbytery is lost. Ex-
isting records begin October, 1837.
28 HISTOR Y OF THE
next, at 12 o'clock m., and that the Eev. John R. Moreland be ap-
pointed to open the presbytery with a sermon, and preside till a
moderator shall be chosen ; and in case of his absence, the senior
minister present shall perform this duty.
Upon the opposite page is a copy of the statistical re-
port made to the General Assembly of 1831, by the Pres-
bytery of Indianapolis at its meeting at Greensburg.
The Rev. Samuel G. Lowry was its first commissioner
to the General Assembly, representing the presbytery in
the General Assembly of 1831.
At this first meeting of the presbytery the Rev. Eliph-
alet Kent was received and enrolled.
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS.
29
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30
HISTORY OF THE
Of the counties included within the present Presbytery
of Indianapolis, Monroe continued in Wabash Presby-
tery, and Putnam, Hendricks and Morgan counties in
connection with the Presbytery of Crawfordsville.
Brown county was still a part of Monroe, and was not
organized until 1836. In 1830, the population of the
counties now included in the Presbytery of Indianapolis
was thus reported in the United States census :
Monroe 6,577
Putnam 8,202
Hendricks 3,975
Morgan 5,593
Marion 7,192
Hancock 1,436
Johnson 4,019
Bartholomew 5,476
Total 42,470
In Marion county was the church at Indianapolis. Its
membership had been increased from thirty at the time
Mr. Moreland came to it, to one hundred by 1830, forty
having been received upon examination. At Greenwood,
the Rev. W. W. Woods was preaching, the church num-
bering in 1830 sixty-five.
The church at Franklin had increased by 1830, to
eighty-one. In 1829, twenty-one had been received by
examination. In 1830, twenty-seven were added by cer-
tificate, and three by examination, making the whole
number eighty-one. Until November, 1830, those who
had ministered to the church at Franklin, had been
with the church as missionary supplies, each for a short
time only. Those who had thus ministered to the church
were Isaac Reed, William Duncan, John F. Moreland,
Jeremiah Hill and W. W. Wood. In I^ovember, 1830,
the Rev. David Monfort " commenced labors as a stated
supply or missionary."
The church at Columbus was reported by the Presby-
tery of Madison to the General Assembly of 1829, as
having eighteen members.
The church at Greencastle, left in its feebleness with-
PRESB YTER Y OF INDIANA POLLS. 31
out supplies, and without a house of worship, had be-
come extinct.
In 1829, a church was organized by Rev. Isaac Reed,
at Poplar Spring, Putnam county.
In November 1830, a church consisting of ten mem-
bers was organized by tlie Rev. Isaac Reed, at Putnam-
ville.
The church at Bloomington, having built a comfort-
able brick edifice, and entered into it in 1829, was in a
prosperous condition, having a membership in 1830, of
fifty-eight. The Rev. Baynard R. Hall, who had been
installed as pastor of the church, after a pastorate of
one year, had asked for a dissolution of the pastoral
relation, because of his relations to the State Seminary,
of which he was the first Professor. He was released
from the pastoral care of the church, but continued its
stated supply until 1830.
In 1828 the State Seminary became Indiana College,
and the Rev. Andrew Wylie, D. D., was elected its first
president. In 1830, he became the stated supply of the
church at Bloomington.
In 1830 the Rev. Isaac Reed was also residing at Bloom-
ington, having returned to Indiana from Moriah, New
York, wdiere he had been, for a short period, pastor of
a Congregational church. He was endeavoring to es-
tablish a Female School at Bloomington, while also
laboring as a missionary in the abounding destitutions
of the rapidly settling country. A bird's-eye view of
the field at this time shows then, in a population of
more than forty thousand scattered over these counties,
seven Presbyterian churches, the strongest containing a
hundred members, the weakest ten, and all only a few
over three hundred. There is one pastor, J. R. More-
laud at Indianapolis, and there are two stated supplies.
32 HISTORY OF THE
"W. W. Wood at Greenwood, and David Monfort at
Franklin, who are wholly given to the work of the
ministry. One of these, David Monfort, the last month
but one in the year, has just entered the field. There
are three other ministers at Bloomington engaged in
the work of education, but giving a part of their time
to the work of preaching, the Rev. Andrew Wylie, D.
D., President of Indiana College, and Baynard R. Hall,
Professor in the College, and Rev. Isaac Reed, who is
seeking to establish a school for young ladies, while he
also gives himself in part to missionary labors. Thus
contemplating the field, we very clearly perceive that
the Presbyterians are a feeble folk, yet we have the as-
surance that they are building in the rock, even the Rock
of Ages.
DECISION OF PRESBYTERY ON REPRESENTATION.
In October, 1831, the Synod of Indiana greatly re-
duced in size, the presbyteries of the States of Illinois
and Missouri having been erected by the Assembly of
1831 into the Synod of Illinois, met in Bloomington.
At this meeting of Synod the roll of synod shows no
changes in the membership of the Presbytery of Indian-
apolis. During the sessions of synod, a resolution passed
by the Presbytery of Indianapolis was brought up by
overture before synod. The presbytery in the overture
asked an answer to the constitutional questions involved.
The following was the resolution :
Resolved, That in this presbytery every church be considered
as vacant, and entitled to a representation in presbytery, where a
regular pastoral relation has not been formed, according to the
book of Discipline in the Presbyterian church.
The overture was not answered until the next meeting
of synod at Crawfordsville, when it was answered ad-
versely. The interpretation given by the resolution
PRESBYTERY Ot INDIANAPOLIS. 33
respecting the representation of churches, has, however,
since become the law of the church, having been
adopted by both Assemblies before the reunion ; by the
O. S. Assembly in 1847, and the N. S. Assembly in 1851.*
In the statistical report of the presbytery to the Gen-
eral Assembly of 1882, two new names appear on the
roll of ministers, James R. Wheelock, stated supply at
Greensburg and Mill Creek, and John Todd.
At the meeting of synod at Crawfordsville, just re-
ferred to, in October, 1832, from the records of synod, it
appears that S. G. Lowry had been dismissed from the
Presbytery of Indianapolis to unite with the Presbytery
of Crawfordsville.
October 19, the second day of synod, this record is
made in the minutes : " The synod then solemnly paused
to record the death of one of their members, the Rev.
John R. Moreland, who was taken from this world of
trial and suffering on the 15th inst."
Mr. Moreland had, a short time previous to his death,
been released from the pastoral charge of the church at
Indianapolis.
PRESBYTERY RESISTING DIVISION.
Two matters of importance to the presbytery were
brought before synod. One was a petition by the mi-
nority of the presbytery to have the presbytery divided.
The petition was referred to the committee on bills and
overtures, who reported in favor of the petition and
recommended the formation of a new presbytery, to be
called Union, consisting of the counties of Decatur, Bar-
tholomew, Shelby and Johnson, reserving to John Todd
and his congregation, and David Monfort and his con-
gregation, the privilege of remaining connected with the
Indianapolis Presbytery.
Moore's Digest, pp. 138-139.
3
34 HISTOR Y OF THE
After considerable discussion, the subject was indefi-
nitely postponed.
Mr. Wood then ol)tained leave to bring in the follow-
ing resolution :
Resolved, That it is the duty of this synod to furnish the petition-
ers from Indianapolis Presbytery the information called for in rela-
tion to the previous steps required of them by the constitution, in
order that the synod may regularly and constitutionally act on the
subject of their petition.
The subject was referred by synod to a committee of
three, Messrs. Matthews, Williamson and Dunn, to
report upon before the rising of synod.
The committee reported the following resolution,
which was adopted, viz :
That said members of the minority of Indianapolis Presbytery be
directed to bring the request for a division directly before the pres"
bytery, and if the presbytery refuse to concvn- vpith them in petition-
ing the synod for a division, then they may bring up their petition
to synod by v?ay of complaint, vehen the synod will consider it
regularly before them.
COMPLAINT AGAINST PRESBYTERY.
Another matter of importance before the synod per-
taining to the Presbytery of Indianapolis, was a com-
plaint against the presbytery by Rev. W. W. Woods and
Rev. J. R. Wheelock. The complaint was against a
standing rule of presbytery, requiring an examination on
theology of every minister proposing to connect himself
with said presbytery, provided any two members should
require it. After the complaint was heard, the synod
passed the following resolution, viz:
Resolved, That without censuring the Presbytery of Indianapolis,
the complaint be sustained, so far as regards the expediency of the
standing rule complained of
To this resolution Messrs. Williamson, Martin and
Hummer entered their dissent.
PRE8BYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 35
The next meeting of synod was at Indianapolis, Octo-
ber 10, 1833. No change appears to have occurred in
^he ministers of presbytery during the year.
DISSENSIONS FROM DIVERSITY IN DOCTRINE.
Among the first items of business before synod vras
the presentation of a petition to synod by the Kev. John
S. Weaver, that synod would attach him to the Presby-
tery of Indianapolis, as he had been dismissed to said
presbytery and had as yet had no opportunity to unite
with it. Synod thereupon ordered : " That the Presby-
tery of Indianapolis be directed to meet to-morrow
morning at eight o'clock to afford to Mr. Weaver, and
also to Rev. Hilary Patrick, an opportunity to present
their certificates for admission into said presbytery."
The record states that Mr. Patrick was from the Synod
of South Alabama. It is not stated what the previous
ecclesiastical relation of Mr. Weaver was.
An exception was also made to the records of presby-
tery, that the application of Mr. Weaver to be received
into presbytery had been refused without any reasons
being assigned for the refusal. '1_36095G
Upon the morning of the second day of synod, the
stated clerk of the Presbytery of Indianapolis reported to
the synod that, agreeably to the direction of the synod,
a meeting of presbytery had been held, and Messrs.
Patrick and Weaver received.
The clerk of synod likewise reported that there had
been put into his hands an appeal from a decision of In-
dianapolis Presbytery by Rev. James R. Wheelock, also
a complaint signed by other members of -the presbytery
against such decision.
The case in issue, concerning which this appeal was
taken, was remanded by synod to the presbytery for the
bringing in of a definitive sentence, and as tnis defect in
36 HISTORY OF THE
the proceedings of presbytery occurred in consequence
of a disorderly withdrawal of the friends of Mr. Whee-
lock from the presbytery, it was directed, as the readiest
and most orderly way in the unhappy and difficult case,
that Mr. Wheelock reserve the prosecution of his ap-
peal until presbytery had passed a definitive sentence,
and that .the presbytery meet during the recess of synod
and issue the case of Wheelock or refer said case to
synod.
The case was referred by presbytery to synod. It oc-
cupied the whole of synod for two days. On the morn-
ing of the third day a commitlfte was appointed to
express the judgment of synod. The committee con-
sisted of Andrew Wylie, J. Thompson, John F. Crowe,
B. C. Cressy, ministers, and William Alexander, elder.
The committee made the following report, which was
adopted :
" That having taken the subject under their serious considera-
tion, they have agreed to recommend to synod, for their adoption,
the following resolutions, viz :
''Resolved, That it is well known throughout the bounds of the
Presbyterian church, in the United States, that a difference of
phraseology and mode of illustration, with regard to the doctrinal
points referred to, in the charges referred to by Mr. Hopkins,
against the Rev. J. R. Wheelock, has for a long time prevailed in
our church, and to a certain degree ought to be tolerated. That in
using this liberty of expression, ministers of the gospel ought to be
very careful not to vary from the form of sound words contained in
the standards of our church, since want of due caution in this
respect is calculated to give offence, and to awaken unpleasant and
injurious suspicions in the minds of many people. And that it
appears from the teeiimony, that Mr. Wheelock has not, in his
public ministrations, been sufficiently guarded in this respect.
Nevertheless, the testimony, together with Mr. Wheelock's written
confession of faith with regard to the points alluded to, does suflS-
ciently shew that Mr. Wheelock does not hold doctrines essentially
variant from our standards.
" In regard to the sixth specification, the synod decide that
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 37
though Mr. Wheelock is not proved to have uttered a wilful false-
hood, his language was highly indecorous and offensive ; especially
as uttered from the pulpit and on the Lord's day.
"As it respects the prosecutor, the synod are of opinion that there
is no evidence or reason to believe that he was actuated, in exhib-
iting charges against Mr. Wheelock, by any other motives than
such as become him and all other officers and members of the Pres-
byterian church, who are solemnly bound to be watchful of its
purity and peace ; yet he appears not to have taken such previous
steps in the case as the spirit of the standard of Discipline requires.
Therefore, in view of the whole case, it is further
"Resolved, That Mr. Wheelock be solemnly and affectionately
admonished, and he is hereby admonished, in his future public
ministrations, that he give 'good heed,' and seek to 'find out good
and acceptable words;' and further, that the prosecutor and all
other members of our church should be admonished to observe the
rules jDrescribed in the Word of God and the standards of our
church, respecting commencing j^rocess against a gospel minister."
From the foregoing decision the following dissent was
presented, and ordered to be entered on the minutes,
viz :
" The undersigned dissent from the decision of the synod, by
which they declare that ' testimony, together with Mr. Wheelock's
written confession of faith, in regard to the points alluded to, does
not sufficiently shew that Mr. Wheelock does not hold doctrines
essentially variant from those of our standards,' inasmuch as they
do firmly believe that the testimony adduced clearly shewed that
on the subjects of Federal representation, imputation, and the
atonement of Christ, Mr. Wheelock does vary materially from the
standards of our church ; and moreover, this testimony was abun-
dantly confirmed by Mr. Wheelock's written confession.
"Alexander Williamson, Wm. Sickels,
" John Finley Crowe, Henderson Bell,
" John Campbell, William Beale,
" John List, David McClure,
•' John Hendricks, John S. Weaver,
" Matthew G. Wallace, Wm. 0. Ross,
" David Monfort, James H. Thompson."
38 HISTORY OF THE
ITEMS.
At the meeting of the synod at New Albany in 1834,
three new names appear upon the roll of the presbytery,
Thomas Barr, Samuel Hurcl and W. A. HoUiday.
In September, 1834, the church at Indianapolis called
the Rev. James McKennan, of the Presbytery of Wash-
ington, Pennsylvania. He was installed pastor June
16, 1835.
In October, 1835, J. R. Wheelock was received into
Crawfordsville Presbytery by letter from the Presbytery
of Indianapolis.
From the roll of Synod at Crawfordsville, In 1836, it
appears that "Wells Bushnell was received into the Pres-
bytery of Indianapolis during the year. David M.
Stewart is also reported in the Assembly's minutes as a
licentiate of the presbytery. In 1837, Mr. Stewart is
reported pastor of the church at Rushville, and David
V. Smock is added to the roll of members as pastor of
the church at Knightstown. In October, 1837, W. W.
Woods is received into Crawfordsville Presbytery by
letter from Presbytery of Indianapolis.
HOPEWELL.
Returning now to the history of the cuurches of the
presbytery, we iind that in May, 1831, the church of Hope-
well was, by order of presbytery, organized with forty
members from the Franklin church. In October, 1831, the
Rev. D. Monfort was installed pastor of the Franklin and
Hopewell churches, upon a salary of threehundred dollars.
In explanation of this meagre salary. Judge Banta, in
his Historical Address at the Semi-centenary Anniver-
sary of the Franklin church, makes some statements
which are of general interest, as giving to us a picture
not only of the industrial aspects and economies or
household management of Johnson county, but of this
PRESB YTER Y OF INDIA NAPOLIS. 39
entire interior reg-iou of country, with its base of sup-
splies upon the Ohio river, and the farmers, with their
teams loaded with the produce of their farms for the
exchange of merchandise, threading their way at suita-
ble seasons to the distant river towns. The Judge says :
." The people were still without a market in which to
sell their surplus produce nearer than Madison, on the
Ohio river, sixty-five miles away. Wheat was worth
from twenty-five to thirty-five cents per bushel ; corn
ten, and oats eight. Good work horses sold at from
thirty-five and forty dollars per head, to fifty and sixty;
cows, at from five to ten dollars each ; while all cotton
and imported woolen goods, and groceries of all kinds,
cost at least double the present prices. Those in the
entire county, who were not compelled to toil for daily
bread and raiment, you could have counted off on the
fingers of your right hand. The men tilled the soil
during the tilling season, and cleared land for themselves
or others during the fall and winter seasons, and spent
the long winter evenings in making and mending shoes
for their families, or other domestic labor ; while the
women not only looked after the ordinary and daily
affairs of the household, but spun flax, carded and spun
the wool, and wove linens, flannels and jeans, with which
all were clothed."
SOUTHPORT.
The church at Southport was organized March 30th,
1833, by W. W. Woods, with twenty-four members dis-
missed for the purpose from the church at Greenwood.
The church was named New Providence at its organiza-
tion. Otis Sprague and John S. iSebern were elected
elders. Rev. Hilary Patrick labored for the church for
a short period. The Rev. John Todd also ministered
to the church for several years. Its membership in 1838
was forty -one.
40 HISTORY OF THE
DANVILLE.
The church at Danville, Hendricks county, was organ-
ized by S. G. Lowry in December, 1832, with nineteen
members. Daniel McAuley, Stephen Mahood and
Alexander Morris, were elected elders. Mr. Lowry
preached for some months for the church once a month/
The church was without any stated ministry until 1835,
when Rev. Moody Chase removed to Danville, and took
charge of the church. A church edifice was erected
in 1837. Its membership at the time was thirty-eight.
GREENCASTLE.
The church at Greencastle was reorganized July 14th,
1833, with fourteen members, by S. G. Lowry. In
1834, W. W. Woods commenced his labors with the
church and remained until 1837. In that year J. R*
Wheelock took charge of the church and continued
with it a year and three months. The church wor-
shipped until 1836 in a log house that had been built
by the Methodists. In this year they erected a brick
edifice forty by fifty feet. In 1836 the membership was
forty-nine, in 1837, it was seventy-five.
PUTNAMVILLE.
The church at Putnamville after its organization in
1830, enjoyed the labors a part of the time for nearly
four years of Revs. Jeremiah Hill, James Shields and
S. G. Lowry. At a communion season in August
1831, nineteen persons were received by letter. In less
than four years the church had increased to sixty-five.
W. W. Woods ministered to the church in connection
with his labors at Greencastle. His labors at Putnam-
ville continued for nine years.
BLOOMINGTON.
At Bloomiugton, the Rev. Ransom Hawley had be-
PRESB YTER Y OF INDIANAPOLIS. 41
come stated supply of the church in 1834. Prof. Hall
had removed to Bedford, Pennsylvania. Mr. Reed not
succeeding in his efforts in building up a female school,
had gone to Hanover. A personal difficulty between
Dr. Wylie, President of the State College, and John H.
Harney, Professor in the college, who was also a mem-
ber of the church, led to a church trial, which caused
no little trouble to the church. The case was widely
known in its day, passing through presbytery and synod
to the General Assembly, and sent back by the General
Assembl}^ again occupied the time of presbytery and
synod with all its details. The alienations and divisions
thus originated in the church at Bloomington could not
but hinder its prosperity. The membership reported to
the Assembly in 1838, was seventy-two.
From the minutes of the General Assembly, we find
the Shiloh church first reported in 1836, but without
the number of its members. In 1837, its membership
is reported as thirty-seven.
The Bethany church is first reported in 1837, with
thirty members.
The names of South Marion, Sugar Creek and Eagle
Creek are in the minutes of the Assembly for 1832.
Eagle Creek has then a membership of twenty-five, in
1836, of only nineteen.
In 1830, the church of Columbus was supplied for a
time by the Rev. Hilary Patrick. In 1834, the Rev.
Michael A. Remley resided at Columbus, and supplied
the church. In 1837, Rev. Windsor A. Smith took charge
of the church, and supplied it for two and a half years.
But there was yet no church edifice. The number of
members reported to the General Assembly in 1838, was
thirty-five.
42
JlhSTORY OF THE
Danville
Greencastle ..
Putnamville..
Bloomington.
Columbus
,.; 35
75
65
.72
35
Poplar Spring 90
Total 1,042
From the minutes of the Assembly for 1837 aud 1838,
we have the membership of the churches as follows :
Franklin 114
Hopewell 106
Indianapolis 172
Greenwood 132
New Providence 41
Shiloh 28
Bethany 30
Eagle Creek 28
South Marion 19
On this field are the following ministers : John Todd,
David Monfort, Eliphalet Kent, Wm. Sickels, W. A-
Holliday, James W. McKennan, Moody Chase, W. W.
Woods, Ransom Hawley, Andrew Wylie, D. D., and W.
A. Smith. Of these, Dr. Wylie is President of the
State College, and wholly occupied with its duties. Kev.
W. A. Holliday is also engaged in teaching.
In this field of the present presbytery, there was, two
years later, a population of more than 84,000 ; by coun-
ties as follows :
Monroe 10,143
Brown 2,364
Bartholomew 10,042
Total 84,364
Marion 16,080
Johnson 9,352
Hancock 7,535
Hendricks 11,264
Putnam 16,843
Morgan 10,741
In this growing population the Presbyterians are still
a feeble folk, and unhappily divided. How will they
grow when they are no longer quarreling factions in the
same church, but divided into two different bodies, each
harmonious with itself? We shall see, if we follow on.
PBESB YTER Y OF INDIANAPOLIS. 43
CHAPTER IV.
Action of the Presbytery of Indiariapolis in the Great Divi-
sion of the Church — Action of the Presbytery of Crawfords-
ville — Greencastle First — Greencastle Second — Putnam-
ville, Poplar Spring, Bainbridge, Carpenter sville, Bloom-
ington, Columbus.
1838—1850.
In May, 1838, occurred the division of the General
Assembly, by which the Presbyterian Church became
divided into two denominations. The division accom-
plished in Philadelphia in May, 1888, was accomplished
in the lower judicatories of the church as they were suc-
cessively convened. Upon the 81st of July, 1838, the
Presbytery of Indianapolis met at Franklin, at the call
of the moderator, Eliphalet Kent, for the purpose of at-
tending to any business which the peculiar state of the
church at the time, and especially within the bounds of
the presbytery, might demand.
We, happily, now have the records of the presbytery.
ACTION OF INDIANAPOLIS PRESBYTERY.
The result of this called meeting was that the presby-
tery adhered to the 0. S. Assembly. Against this ac-
tion the Rev. Eliphalet Kent, the moderator, the Rev.
John Todd and Elder Simon Smock, of ^ew Provi-
dence, protested, declaring their belief that the New
School Assembly was the true Assembly of the Presby-
44 HISTORY OF THE
terian church. The churches of Grreenwood, South
Marion and Eagle Creek united with these brethren in
their adhesion to the New School Assembly.
ACTION OF PRESBYTERY OF CRAWFORDSVILLE.
A few days previous to the action of Indianapolis
Presbytery, in regard to the division of the church, the
Presbytery of Crawfordsville had been convened to hear
the report of their commissioners to the Assembly and
take such action as might be deemed necessary. The
Crawfordsville Presbytery, by a very large majority, ad-
hered to the New School Assembly; and among the
churches adhering to the New School Assembly, were
the churches of Danville, Greencastle and Putnamville.
The church of Bloomington, within the Vincennes Pres-
bytery, adhered to the 0. S. Assembly.
It was a sad thing that irreconcilable differences
should divide into two bodies the Presbyterian church,
and make it two denominations. But ic was doubtless
far better that the churches in which such irreconcilable
differences existed, should be divided into two denomi-
nations, each in harmony with itself, and having frater-
nal regard for the other, and each gradually eliminating
from itself the hindrances to a true and lasting union to
be consummated in due time, than to continue in a state
of unceasing internal strife, in which there was more of
nominal than real union, and in which the zeal and
strength of the church were more expended in strife
upon its diflferences than in pushing forward steadily the
work of evangelization, in saving the perishing and in
gaining from the world still wider provinces for the do-
minion of the Redeemer. Blessed are our eyes, which
have seen the repellant differences eliminated and the
reunion consummated. Blessed will be the work of our
hands as laboring together in the unity of the spirit,
PHESB YTER Y OF INDIANA POLIS. 45
this union, thorough and complete as it is, becomes
more and more efficient in accomplishing the work
which the Lord has given His church to do.
GREENCASTLE FIRST.
After the division of the Assembly in 1838, the Green-
castle church continued with the New School Assembly.
At the time of the division, the Rev. J. E. Wheelock
was ministering to it. But very soon after this, he with-
drew from connection with the Presbyterian church. In
the minutes of the Crawfordsville Presbytery (N". S.)
there is this record, made in March, 1839 :
Resolved, That the name of James R. Wheelock be discontinued
on our records, he having left our bounds without a dismission and
become connected (as we learn) with another ecclesiastical body.
In the fall of 1840, the Rev. James Shields, who had
been previously supplying for several months the church
at Greencastle, became its pastor. This relation contin-
ued only until 1842. In 1842 an addition was made to
the church of fifty-six persons. Rev. Ransom Hawley
was stated supply from February, 1843, to the fall of
1845. The church continued to increase in numbers du-
ring these years. In December, 1845, Rev. Thomas S.
Milligan became stated supply of the church and con-
tinued in that relation until 1850. Nineteen were ad-
ded to the church 1847. The number of members
reported to the General Assembly as in connection with
the church in 1850 was one hundred and ten.
GREENCASTLE SECOND.
In 1849, the second church of Greencastle was organ-
ized in connection with the Presbytery of Crawfordsville,
O. S. It was organized by Rev. W. Y. Allen, with thir-
teen members, some of whom were dismissed by letter
from the first church.
46 HISTORY OF THE
PUTNAMVILLE.
On the 26tb of November, 1841, the Rev. Ransom
Hawley commenced his labors in the church at Putnam-
ville, in connection with the church of Bethany, Owen
county, for one-half his time. In 1849, a new house of
worship was erected at Putnamville. In 1850, the mem-
bership reported to the Assembly was fifty-seven.
POPLAR SPRING, BAINBRIDGE AND CARPENTERSVILLE.
The church of Poplar Spring had been divided in the di-
vision of the church. The majority adhered to the
New School body. The name of the church was
changed io 1843 to Bainbridge. It reported in 1850, a
membership of forty-three. The Old School portion of
the' church were organized into a separate body in 1839.
They numbered at the time of organization, seventeen
members. This became the Carpentersville church. It
reported in 1850, a membership of twenty-seven.
BLOOMINGTON.
The Rev. Ransom Hawley, who, as stated supply took
charge of the church at Bloomington in 1834, contin-
ued in that relation to the church until the tall of 1841,
when he removed to Putnamville. During Mr. Haw-
ley's ministry at Bloomington, eighty-three persons were
received into the membership of the church, thirty-sev-
en upon profession, forty-six by letter. At this time the
church of Bloomington was receiving aid from the Board
Missions to the amount of a hundred and a hundred and
fifty dollars a year.
In the spring of 1843, the Rev. W. W. Martin removed
from Livonia to Bloomington, and became stated supply
of the church. He remained two years, and then re-
turned to Livonia. During these two years, twenty-
six persons were added to the church, sixteen by pro-
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAFOLIS. . 47
fession of faith, ten by letter. The number of members
reported to the Assembly in 1845, was eighty-four. In
the report of 1846, this number was reduced to sixty-
eight.
Upon the return of Mr. Martin to Livonia, the Rev.
Alfred Ryors, Professor in the State University, the
college having become the State University in 1839, was
invited to supply the pulpit for a year, or until a pastor
could be secured. Mr. Ryors accepted the invitation,
and ministered to the church for a little more than two
years, untilJuly, 1847. These were years of great bless-
ing to the church. The members of the church had a
mind to work. They sought and obtained the labors of
a colporteur to distribute tracts and religious books
among the people. The congregation was divided into
districts by the elders, and a personal responsibility for
each district laid upon the elder to whose oversight it
was entrusted. The spirit of the Lord moved upon the
hearts of the people, and one and another was added to
the church. For more than a year this spirit of earn-
est work was manifested by the people. Doubtless with
this spirit of work there was a spirit of prayer. In the
meantime the Synod of Indiana met with the church in
1846, no doubt strengthening and confirming the church.
In the spring of 1817, there was a deepening and grow-
ing interest. At this time the minister and session
sought for help. Upon the 21st of May, the Rev. Dr.
Nathan R. Hall, of Kentucky, came to Bloomiogton by
invitation to assist in a protracted meeting. Dr. Hall
preached for ten days, preaching at 9 a. m., having an
inquiry and prayer meeting at 3 p. m., and preaching
again at 7 p. m., with a meeting for prayer, exhortation
and inquiry following. During these meetings thirty-
eight persons were received upon profession of their
faith. A number were received a short time afterwards.
48 HISTOR Y OF THE
The number received during Prof. Ryors' ministry was
seventy-two, sixty-three upon profession of faith, nine
by letter.
In July, 1847, the Rev. Levi Hughes was invited to
supply the church for a year. Mr. Hughes had been
received into the church of Bloomington upon profes-
sion of his faith not quite four years before. He was
at that time studying law. His convictions of duty turned
him to preparation for the ministry. After he had
completed a three years' course of theological study in
the Seminaries at New Albany and Princeton, he was
invited to become the stated supply of the church at
Bloomington. He accepted the invitation, and after
this term of service he was called and settled as pastor.
This pastorate only continued, however, until the spring
of 1851, when Mr. Hughes removed to Logausport, hav-
ing accepted a call to the iirst Presbyterian church of
that place.
In 1850, the membership of the church at Blooming-
ton as reported to the General Assembly, was one hun-
dred and twelve.
COLUMBUS.
The historical records of the church at Columbus are
very meagre. The Rev. B. M. Nyce supplied the church
during a term of years between 1840 and 1850. Under
his ministry, the first Presbyterian church edifice was
erected in Columbus. It was built about the year 1841,
mainly as a result of Mr. Nyce's persistent and indom-
itable energy. The church was then very feeble, and
considered itself too poor for such an undertaking, Mr.
Nyce himself, aided by a few ladies, solicited subscriptions
in material, work and money, and when they could get
no more commenced the work and pressed it until the
means were exhausted. Then it stood still and the pro-
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 49
cess of procuring means and then expending was again
repeated. Thus the work progressed until it was final-
ly completed, without debt, at a cost of about twelve
hundred dollars,
Mr. JSTyce's labors in building the church, in teaching
in the county Seminary, which he did for several years,
and his preaching were spoken of in the highest terms
by those who knew him and his work. The church
paid him a salary of one hundred and seventy-five dol-
lars, all they could raise. Several seasons of religious
interest were enjoyed during his ministry. Mr. J^yce
left Columbus in 1849. In the fall of 1849, Mr. Charles
Merwin was called to supply the pulpit for one year.
During this year several were added to the church.
The number of members reported to the General Assem-
bly of 1850, was ninety.
50 HISTORY OF THE
CHAPTER V.
Second Church of Indianapolis — Indianapolis Presbytery, N.
S. — Enlargement of Presbytery — Ministerial Changes —
Changes in Churches — Missionary Work — Pastoral Pela-
tion — Report to General Assembly.
1840—1850.
SECOND CHURCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
One of the first important effects within the Presbytery-
following the great division in the Presbyterian Church,
was the formation of the Second Presbyterian church
of Indianapolis. This was organized by Rev. James H.
Johnson, November 19, 1838, in the Marion county sem-
inary, a small brick building standing, until 1860, at the
south-west corner of University Square. The original
members of the church were fifteen in number. Their
names are as follows : Bethuel F. Morris, Daniel Yandes,
Luke Munsell, Lawrence M. Vance, Mary J. Vance,
Sidney Bates, William Eckert, Alexander H. Davidson,
Robert Mitchell, William S. Hubbard, Joseph F. Holt,
Margaret R. Holt, John L. Ketcham, Jane Ketcham and
Catherine Merrill. On the 20th of November, the day
after the organization, they issued a call to Rev. Sylves-
ter Holmes, of New Bedford, Massachusetts. The call
was declined. Some weeks later, January 15, 1839, they
invited Rev. John C. Young, of Danville, Kentucky, to
become their pastor, but this overture also was unsuc-
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 51
cessful. The Rev. Elihu Baldwin, president of Wabash
College, was solicited to take charge of the new church.
He likewise declined. On the 13th of May, the Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher, then of Lawrenceburg, Indiana,
was called to the pastorate. He accepted the call, and
entered upon his work in the church July 31, 1839. At
this time the church had increased to a membership of
thirty-two. The county seminary was occupied for one
year as a place of worship. The church then went into
its own edifice, occupying at first the lecture room.
Soon, however, the house was completed, and its dedica-
tion occurred October 4, 1840.
INDIANAPOLIS PRESBYTERY, NEW SCHOOL.
A second effect of importance following the division
of the Presbyterian church into Old and New School,
was the formation of the New School Presbytery of In-
dianapolis.
The Rev. Eliphalet Kent, and the Rev. John Todd,
with the churches within the bounds of Indianapolis
Presbytery adhering to the N. S. Assembly, had, in the
adherence of the majority of that presbytery to the O.
S. Assembly, become connected with the Presbytery of
Madison. In October, 1839, the synod of Indiana, N.
S., passed the following:
Resolved, That the Presbyteries of Madison and Crawfordsville be
divided, and the Presbytery of Indianapolis formed, embracing the
following territory, viz : The counties of Morgan, Johnson, Shelby,
Kush, Hancock, Henry, Marion, Hendricks, Hamilton and Madison.
Said presbytery to meet at Franklin, on the last Thursday of March
(1840), at 11 o'clock a. m. The Rev. John Todd, or in his absence
the next oldest minister present, shall preach the opening sermon,
and preside until another moderator be chosen.
In accordance with the above order of synod, the
Presbytery of Indianapolis (N. S.) met at the appointed
time at Franklin. The Rev. John Todd having de-
52 HLSTORY OF THE
ceased, the sermon was preached by the Rev. Moody
Chase. The presbytery was opened with prayer by the
moderator jyro tem. The Rev. Moody Chase was chosen
moderator, and Henry Ward Beecher, temporary clerk,
and subsequently stated clerk. The members present
were : Ministers, A. G. Dunning, Moody Chase and
Henry Ward Beecher; elders, Garret Sorter and E. N.
H. Adams. Rev. E. Kent, another member, was absent.
At an adjourned meeting of the presbytery, held at In-
dianapolis the next month (April), the Rev. P. 8. Cle-
Jand was received by letter from the Salem Presbytery.
The churches included within the original limits of the
presbytery were the following : Danville, Brownsburg,
New Winchester, Second Indianapolis, New Providence
or Southport, Greenwood, South Marion, afterwards Mt.
Pleasant, Eagle Creek, Highland, Sugar Creek and
Batavia.
At the meeting of the General Assembly (IST. S.) in
1840, the territory in south-east Indiana, which had be-
longed to the Synod of Cincinnati, was attached to the
Synod of Indiana. At the meeting of the synod in Oc-
tober, 1840. so much of the territory added to the synod
by the act of the Assembl}^ as was north of Decatur and
Ripley counties was added to the Presbytery of Indian-
apolis.
ENLARGEMENT OF PRESBYTERY.
In October, 1845, the presbyiery was enlarged by the
following action of synod :
Besolved, That the county of Boone, embracing the Rev. Thomp-
son Bird and the churches of Lebanon, Bethel and Thorntown, be
detached from the Presbytery of Crawfordsville and attached to the
Presbytery of Indianapolis; and that the county of Decatur, em-
bracing the Rev. Jonathan Cable and the church of Sand Creek, be
detached from the Presbytery of Madison and attached to the Pres-
bytery of Indianapolis.
PBESB YTER Y OF INDIA NA POLLS. 5 3
Previous to this enlargement of the presbytery, there
was frequent failure of a quorum at appointed times of
meeting.
MINISTERIAL CHANGES.
In October, 1841, William N. Stimson, who had been
received as a licentiate from the Presbytery of Cincin-
nati, was ordained as an evangelist at a meeting of the
presbytery in Highland church.
At this meeting of presbytery, Rev. Alvah G. Dun-
ning was dismissed to the Presbytery of Cincinnati.
Presbytery also appointed Messrs. Cleland and Chase to
visit and spend one Sabbath at Noblesville before the
next stated meeting Likewise W. N. Stimson and
Henry Ward Beecher were to visit and hold communion
service with the church at Danville, spending a Sabbath
with the church.
In April, 1842, Rev. Moody Chase was dismissed to
the Presbytery of Crawfordsville.
Presbytery in session at Danville, April, 1843, re-
ceived from the Presbytery of Cincinnati and ordained
Mr. H. Hanmer, who was ministering as stated supply
to the church at Danville. " Mr. Hanmer," writes one
of the elders of the church concerning him, " was a
young man of talent and piety, and much beloved by his
people. Before the close of the iirst year of his minis-
try, he became insane and was taken to his home in
Connecticut by his friends." In 1859 his name was
dropped from the roll.
In August, 1843, presbytery, in session at Indianapo-
lis, licensed Mr. Charles Beecher. In September, 1844,
he was dismissed to the care of the Presbytery of Lo-
gansport.
In November, 1845, Rev. Benjamin M. Nyce was
received from Salem Presbytery. April, 1846, Rev.
54 HISTORY OF THE
James McCoy was received from Logansport Presbytery.
Also B. F. Stuart, a licentiate, was received from the
Presbytery of Cincinnati and ordained. November,
1847, he was dismissed to Salem.
April, 1847, Rev. Theophilus Lowry was received
from the Presbytery of Crawfordsville. He was with
the church of Danville until the spring of 1849. In Sep-
tember, 1850, he was dismissed to the Presbytery of
Crawfordsville.
In September, 1847, the labors of Henry Ward Beecher
in the Second church of Indianapolis closed, and in Oc-
tober a letter of dismission was granted to him by pres-
bytery " to join the body with which the Plymouth
church, Brooklyn, N"ew York," was connected. From
the beginning of Mr. Beecher's ministry in the Second
church there was a gradual and hopeful growth. In the
beginning of 1842, a very precious revival was experi-
enced. At three communion seasons, held successively
in February, March and April, 1842, nearly one hun-
dred persons were added to the church on profession of
their faith. Early in the following year, at the March
and April communions, the church had large accessions,
as it had also in 1845. During this pastorate of more
than eight years, the membership of the church had
increased to two hundred and seventy-five.
From September, 1847, to April, 1848, the Second
church of Indianapolis was temporarily supplied by
Rev. Shubert Glranby Specs.
In September, 1848, Rev. Abraham S. Avery, who
had been employed by the missionary committee as the
missionary of the presbytery, was received from Patas-
kala Presbytery, Ohio.
Mr. Avery was soon prostrated by sickness, and unable
to continue his missionary labors. In his sickness he
PRESS YTER Y OF INDIA NA POL IS. 5 5
was not forsaken by bis bretbren, but received tbeir
sympatbies and substantial aid, wbile tbe funds contrib-
uted to missionary purposes were employed in securing,
during tbe summer of 1849, at twenty dollars per montb,
tbe labors of Mr. George Davis, a licentiate of tbe Pres-
bytery of Cincinnati.
October, 1848, Clement E. Babb, a licentiate of tbe
Presbytery of Dayton, was received. A call from tbe
Second church of Indianapolis having been placed in his
hands, and having signified his acceptance, he was or-
dained and installed pastor of the church.
October, 1848, Rev. W. H. Rogers was received from
the Presbytery of Cincinnati.
April, 1849, Amos Jones, a licentiate of the Presby-
tery of Cincinnati, was received. At an adjourned
meeting of presbytery in May, he was ordained. He
was stated supply of the church at Danville until 1853.
September, 1849, Rev. Sylvanus Warren, of the Pres-
bytery of Athens, Ohio, was received. His labors were
<?onnected Avith the American Tract Society. In Sep-
tember, 1850, he was dismissed to Salem.
Also, in September, 1849, Rev. Benjamin F. Cole, of
tbe Presbytery of Crawfordsville, was received. A call
from the churches of Thorntown and Bethel was put
into his hands, and, having accepted the call, a commit-
tee was appointed to install him. His installation was
reported at the next meeting of presbytery.
April, 1850, James McCoy was dismissed to Presbytery
of Salem.
CHANGES IN CHURCHES.
In August, 1842, the New Pisgab church was organ-
ized.
In September, 1844, the organization of Stouey Creek
church was reported to presbytery in session at Nobles-
56 \HISTOR Y OF THE
ville. Also the organization of a church at Edinburgh
was reported, and it was further ordered that the mem-
bers of the church of Batavia, in the neighborhood of
Edinburg, be enrolled among the members of the church
at Edinburg, and the name of the church of Batavia be
dropped from the- roll.
April 1846, the organization of the church of Ander-
sontown was reported, also of the churches of Pendle-
ton and Upper Sugar Creek. These two last churches,
however, seem to have never been fully organized, and
they had but a short and sickly existence. April, 1847,
the organization of a church at Greenfield, Hancock
county, was reported.
September, 1850, the Sand Creek and Clarksburg
churches sent a request to the presbytery for permission
to unite with the Felicity Presbytery of the Free Pres-
byterian church. The request was complied with, and
the names of these churches dropped from the roll.
MISSIONARY COMMITTEE.
April, 1848, Rev. J. Cable, Rev. E. Kent and Dr. W.
H. Wishard, were appointed a committee to employ a
missionary. A co-operating committee of one from
each church in the presbytery was appointed to raise
funds for the support of the missionary. This mission-
ary committee was more than a nominal one. It suc-
ceeded in accomplishing missionary work.
REPORT OF HOME MISSIONARY COMMITTEE.
September, 1849, the Committee on Home Missions
made the following report, which was adopted :
" The survey of our field of labor awakens painful feelings. So
much territory lying waste, nominally under our care yet never rep-
resented at our meetings. Your committee recommend a more sys-
tematic effort to meet the wants of the perishing souls, which Prov-
idence has crowded around us. And to secure this object, they sug-
PRESB YTER Y OF INDIANAPOLm 57
gest, that presbytery elect annually a Boai-d on vacancies, sup-
plies and destitutions, to consist of two ministers and one elder,
which shall meet as often as once in two months, and may meet
oftener in case of special business. That this Board be instructed
to secure men for our vacant churches and destitute territory as
fast as possible. That this Board have no power to pledge the pres-
bytery for money without a special vote, but that the presbytery
recommend them and their work to all our churches, and will vol-
untarily aid them in raising funds for such objects as they present.
That the churches that have no stated preaching be directed to apply
to the Board between the meetings of presbytery for supplies, and
that the Board secure members of presbytery to visit those places
occasionally.
COMMITTEE ON PASTORAL RELATION.
The presbytery, with its increasing strength, and gird-
ing itself for presbyterial mission work, took also the
following action respecting the pastoral relation :
Presbytery believes that it is the policy and interest of the Pres-
byterian church, and that it would be for the glory of God and the
good of the community at large, to establish a permanent relation
between the preachers and the people, according to our excellent
form of government. Chapters 15 and 16, which provides for and
enjoins the settling of a pastor over every church, when it shall be
practicable. That for the want of such permanent relation, the
churches are suffering, not only the want of the stated means of
grace, but all the interests of the church are languishing. Semina-
ries and schools, Sabbath schools, Tract distribution, Missionary
operations, and all the means of building up an intelligent church
and evangelizing the world, are entirely wanting or are in a lan-
guishing condition. Therefore
Resolved, 1st, That we advise every church to secure a permanent
pastor as speedily as possible.
Resolved, 2d, That this presbytery will not, unless for very pecu-
liar reasons, agree to grant the relation of stated supply between a
minister and church longer than one year.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PASTORAL RELATION.
September, 1849, the Committee on the Pastoral Rela-
tion made the following report :
58 HISTORY OF. THE
That the churches of Greenwood, New Providence and South
Marion have been enjoying the labors of Brother Cleland for many
years without installing him pastor, and they recommend that pres-
bytery appoint a committee to meet those churches and confer with
them on the subject between this and the first day of December,
and secure, if they can, a compliance with the rule of presbytery
on the subject.
Messrs. Babb and McCoy, were appointed a committee as above
recommended.
As the result of this actiou, a call for the pastoral ser-
vices of P. S. Cleland was made by the churches to
which he had been so long ministering, and in May,
1850, he was installed by a committee of presbytery.
The pastorate was happy and endured for many years.
REPORT OF 1850 TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The Presbytery reported to the Assembly of 1850,
thirteen ministers, twenty-one churches and eight hun-
dred and twenty-one members. Of these churches, ten,
containing six hundred and twenty-five members, were
within the boundaries of the present Presbytery of
Indianapolis.
PBESB YTEB Y OF INDIA NA POLIS. 5 9
CHAPTER VI.
Presbytery of Indiana'polis, 0. S. — Churches Organized —
Ministerial Changes — Lessons from the History of Frank-
lin Church — Ministerial Support — Missionary Work —
Organization of Whitewater Presbytery, and Changes in
the Boundaries of the Presbytery.
1838—1850.
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS, OLD SCHOOL.
We turn now to the Presbytery of Indianapolis, Old
School.
In the fall of 1838, the pastoral relation between the
church of Hopewell and Eev. D. Monfort was dissolved,
that Mr. Monfort might give his undivided labors to the
church at Franklin. Application was made through
the presbytery to the Board of Missions for aid to the
amount of two hundred dollars. The salary was five
hundred. The presbytery returned the application to the
church with directions that they make a vigorous effort
to increase the amount subscribed for their pastor's sup-
port. This vigorous effort resulted in cutting clown the
application to the Board of Missions to one hundred and
fifty dollars.
CHURCHES ORGANIZED.
May 18th, 1838, Rev. David V. Smock organized a
church at Greenfield, styled Hancock church. Wm. T.
Templeton, an elder from said church, was admitted to a
60 HISTORY OF THE
seat in presbytery. Supplies were appointed for several
successive years for this church. A new church was
organized in connection with the!New School Presbytery
in the spring of 1847.
September, 1839, the organization of a church at An-
dersontown was reported to presbytery. Rev. Robert
Irwin was appointed to supply it one Sabbath. In June,
1846, the name of this church was dropped from the roll.
In 1846, the organization of a church at Andersontown
was reported to the New School Presbytery.
The Presbytery of Oxford having organized the
churches of Muncietown and Stony Creek, supposing
said churches to be within their territory, and having
reported these facts to the Presbytery of Indianapolis,
these churches were taken under the care and placed
upon the roll of presbytery in 1839.
The organization of the following churches is reported
in successive years:
New Burlington, April, 1841,
Middletown, April, 1842.
Union, Decatur county, April, 1843.
Amity, Hamilton county, April, 1844.
Windsor, Randolph county, April, 1844.
Newcastle, April, 1844.
Yorktown, September, 1845.
Concord, Rush county, September, 1845.
Georgetown, Brown county, December, 1845.
Napoleon, September, 1846.
Harmony, Bartholomew county, April, 1848.
New Prospect, Johnson county, September, 1850.
MINISTERIAL CHANGES.
Mr. Joseph G. Monfort was received October 1838, as
a licentiate from the Presbytery of Oxford. He became
supply of the Greensburg and Sand Creek churches for
PRESB YTER Y OF INDIA NA POLLS. 61
six months, giving to each church one half his time.
April, 1839, he was ordained and installed pastor of these
congregations. October, 1842, he was released from the
pastoral care of these churches to prosecute an agency
for the endowment of the Theological Seminary at New
Albany. May, 1845, he was again installed pastor of the
church at Greensburg.
W. G. Holliday was dismivssed to Crawfordsville Pres-
bytery, October, 1838.
April, 1839, Rev. Robert Irwin and Rev. Michael Car-
penter were received from the Presbytery of Oxford.
Rev, Robert Irwin was supply of the church at Mun-
cietown. He received a call to the church in 1843, for
one half of his time, and was installed pastor. The
name of the church was changed in 1846, to Muncie.
April, 1839, tlie pastoral relation between J. W. Mc-
Kennan and first church at Indianapolis was dissolved.
By request of the church, Mr. McKennan was appointed
supply of the church until next meeting of presbytery.
September, 1839, a call having been given to Rev.
James W. McKennan by the congregation of Cross
Roads, Washington Presbytery, and he having stated
his acceptance of the call, it was ordered "that he be
furnished with the proper testimonials and be required
to repair to the Presbytery of Washington, that the
proper steps may be taken for his regular settlement."
September, 1839, Wm. Sickles became supply of Shi-
loh for one half of his time. April, 1843, he was dis-
missed to the Presbytery of Oxford, again received from
Oxford September, 1844, and in June, 1846, dismissed to
the Presbytery of Madison.
April, 1839, J. S. Weaver was dismissed to the Pres-
bytery of Oxford.
April, 1840, Rev. Sayrs Gazely was received from the
Presbytery of Cincinnati, a call having been presented
62 HISTORY OF THE
to him by the church of Hopewell. Having accepted
it, he was installed the third Saturday of May, by "W.
Sickles and D. Monfort, a committee of presbytery.
In April, 1842, this pastoral relation was dissolved.
November, 1840, Mr. Colvin McKinney, a licentiate of
Oxford Presbyter}^ was received, and it being deemed
necessary that he should be invested with full ministerial
power in the churches of Shelbyville and St. Omar in
which he was laboring, he was ordained as an evangel-
ist. Of his examination we find these records: "Mr.
McKinney delivered his sermon, which was not deemed
satisfactory, it being partly extemporaneous. Resolved,
that Presbytery require of Mr. McKinney a written dis-
course on the subject assigned as a part of trial with-
out regarding the unwritten sermon preached before us
yesterday as any part of trial. Mr. McKinney presented
a written sermon on the subject assigned, after which
he was further examined on Theology, which sermon
and examination were sustained." June, 1843, Mr. Mc-
Kinney was dismissed to Oxford Presbytery.
In December, 1840, Mr. Phineas D. Gurley, a licenti-
ate of the Presbytery of Forth River, was received, or-
dained and installed pastor of the First church at In-
dianapolis. In June, 1842, the church determined to
build a new house of worship. It was occupied in
May, 1843, and completed in 1846, at a cost of between
eight and nine thousand dollars. In the second year of
Mr. Gurley's ministry, forty-two members were received
upon profession of their faith. For four successive
years the church was increased with goodly numbers on
profession of their faith. In November, 1849, the pas-
toral relation of Mr. Gurley to the church was dissolved.
There was received into it during his ministry, two hun-
dred and seventeen persons, one hundred and lifty-eight
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 63
of these upon profession of their faith, and fifty-nine by
letter. The total membership reported to the General
Assembly in 1850, was two hundred and six.
In February, 1843, the pastoral relation between D. Y.
Smock and the church at Knightstown was dissolved.
June, 1843, calls from the churches of Hopewell and Shi-
loh were put by presbytery into his hands. He accept-
ing, was installed by committee of presbytery. This
pastoral relation was dissolved in July, 1850.
September, 1845, John Dale, a licentiate of Salem
Presbytery, was received, ordained and installed as pas-
tor ot the church at Knightstown, for two-thirds of his
time. This pastoral relation was dissolved in March,
1850, and in April following, Mr. Dale was dismissed to
the Presbytery of Logansport.
August, 1843, George S. Pea, who had previously
been received as a licentiate from the Presbyter}- of Ox-
ford, was ordained and installed as pastor of the church
of Ebenezer. This pastoral relation was dissolved April,
1844. Mr. Rea was dismissed September, 1846, to the
Presbytery of Iowa.
The Rev. T. A. Hendricks, who had been licensed by
the presbytery April, 1841, was ordained and installed
pastor of the churches of St. Omar and Shelbyville.
This pastoral relation was dissolved April, 1845, on ac-
count of ill health of the pastor, disabling him for his
work. Mr. Hendricks was dismissed April, 1847, to the
Presbytery of Vincennes.
In October, 1846, the Rev. Francis Monfort was re-
ceived from the Presbytery of Oxford and installed over
the churches of St. Omar and Concord,
September, 1847, J. M. Wampler, a licentiate of Ox-
ford Presbytery was received. He ministered to the
church of Shelbyville, and was ordained June, 1848.
64 HISTORY OF THE
He was dismissed April, 1849, to the Presbytery of
Logansport.
In September, 1844, B. F. Woods, a licentiate of Sa-
lem Presbytery, was received. In May, 1845, he was
ordained and installed pastor of the Bethany and New
Providence churches. This pastoral relation was dis-
solved April, 1848.
J. C. King, a candidate under the care of the presby-
tery, was licensed April, 1844. September, 1845, he was
ordained and installed pastor of the church of Sand
Creek for one-half his time.
D. A. Wallace, a candidate under care of presbytery,
was licensed April, 1844. In June, 1847, he was or-
dained and installed as pastor of the church of George-
town for one-half his time. This pastoral relation was
not of long continuance. Mr, Wallace was dismissed to
the Presbytery of White Water July, 1849.
In April, 1844, W, A. Holliday was received from
the Presbytery of Oxford. September, 1847, Mr. Holli-
day's name was dropped from the roll, he having united
with the Associate Reformed Church. April, 1849, be
was again received from that body.
April, 1848, John Ross was received from Presbytery
of Oxford.
September, 1848, D. D. McKee was received from the
Presbytery of Alleghany.
July, 1849, Henry I. Coe, a licentiate of the Presby-
tery of New Brunswick, was received. He was ordained
March, 1850.
At the same time, Hugh Marshall was received on
probation as a foreign minister from the Presbytery of
Armagh, Scotland. A few months afterwards he was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Green Brier.
March, 1850, Isaac L. Lyon, a candidate under the
care of Albany Presbytery, was received and ordained.
PBESBYT^EY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 65
September, 1850, he was dismissed to the Presbytery of
Iowa.
July, 1850, James Gallatin was received from the
Presbytery of Iowa.
September, 1850, the pastoral relation between Dr.
David Monfort and the church of Franklin was dis-
solved. Dr. Monfort was also granted a letter of dismis-
sion to the Presbytery of White Water. Presbytery
passed the following resolutions :
Resolved, 1st, That in dismissing Dr. Monfort, for twenty years a
father in the presbytery, we can not do justice to our feelings with-
out expressing gratitude to the Head of the church, who has so long
spared to us his valuable life, labors and counsels. "We shall part
with him with sincere regret, and our best wishes and prayers shall
follow him to any new sphere to which he may be called.
2d, That a copy of this minute be sent with the dismission, prop-
erly certified.
3d, That the presbytery sympathize with Dr. Monfort's late
charge in their destitution, and hope they may be soon supplied by
a regular pastor, and be eminently prospered by the King of Zion.
FRANKLIN.
Judge Banta, in his history of the Franklin church,
gives succinct statements of the blessed results of this
long pastorate. He also gives illustrations in his narra-
tive of facts of the baleful and blighting results of bitter-
ness, alienations and strifes upon the interests of the
church, the salvation of souls, and the glory of Christ.
Such teachings from the history of any of our churches
ough not to be forgotten.
In the history of the church of Franklin, alluded to,
these statements are made : " During the years of Dr.
Monfort's preaching here, the record shows that two
hundred and seventy-nine in all united with the church,
one hundred and forty-nine on profession, and one hun-
dred and forty-eight on certificate. In 1839, from July
5
6b HISTORY OF THE
21st to 28th, eighteen converts were admitted. From
this on to 1842, yearly additions both on certificate and
examination were made, but no special manifestation of
God's grace appears until January of that year, when
from the 5th of that month to the 19th of the month fol-
lowing, thirty-seven were taken into the church on pro-
fession. This ingathering brought the membership, at
the date of the presbyterial report, made in April of the
following year, up to one hundred and eighty-seven.
But from thence on to 1851, a period of nine years,
there was a slow but sure decline." " Right here," says
Judge Banta, " one of the most impressive lessons which
the history of this church presents may be learned.
During the years which mark the decline of this church
under Dr. Monfort's pastorate, a bitter and unrelenting
personal warfare was waged between certain of the
members. I know nothing of the merits of this contro-
versy ; I know not who was right and who was wrong.
But for an examination of the records, I would not have
known of any difficulty at all, and I therefore censure
no man, no party ; I only note the fact of the dissension.
No doubt during these gloomy years the pastor preached
with all the clearness that marked his sermons of former
years; no doubt his appeals were as persuasive and his
exhortations as eloquent; no doubt sinners felt the ar-
rows of conviction, but the war within the camp went
furiously on, and inquirers sought other folds or turned
their backs on the church forever. All the actors in
that whirl of strife are dead save one. Their bodies have
returned to the dust, and their sad difficulties have dis-
appeared with them. The merits of their controversy
no one now knows or cares to know. How insignificant
it must have been, and yet how baleful in its influence
upon the cause of Christianity. Brethren, let us take
PBESB YTER Y OF INDIANAPOLIS. 67
the lesson to our hearts. Forever let us sink out of
sight and memory every element of controversy, every
vestige of discord."
SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY.
From the begining, presbytery was clear and decided
in its teachings, and in the use of its authority as to the
support of the ministry. In September, 1838, the fol-
lowing overture was presented : Should not every
church have one or more deacons regularly elected and
ordained, to take care of the poor and manage the pe-
cuniary matters of the church ? This was answered in
the affirmative, and the churches which had not deacons
were directed to have that office filled so soon as prac-
ticable.
In April, 1839, the following resolutions are passed :
Resolved, ] st, That presbytery earnestly recommend to the early
attention of their churches the minute adopted at the last session
of presbytery as to the election and ordination of deacons.
Resolved, 2d, That the special and faithful attention of the dea-
cons be requested to the prompt collection of the pastor's support
regularly ; and that the members of t^e churches be earnestly so-
licited both to subscribe sufficient amounts for the comfortable
support of their pastor or supply, and also to make that subscrip-
tion available for such purpose by its being regularly paid.
At this same meeting of presbytery, the churches
were called upon to report settlement with their pastors
and supplies. All reported full settlement, except the
churches of Franklin and Rushville. These were di-
rected to settle their arrearages, and present the evidence
of a settlement with their pastors at the next stated
meeting.
The following resolution was also passed :
Resolved, That it be enjoined upon the deacons of our churches
to report to presbytery, at its regular meetings, the state of the ac-
counts between congregations and their pastors, the nature and
68 HISTORY OF THE
extent of their pecuniary engagements with each other, shewing
the exact amounts unsettled, together with the general character
of their respective congregations in meeting all congregational en-
gagements. The foregoing is charged as an official duty, which
deacons may not neglect.
MISSIONARY LABORS OF PRESBYTERY.
An earnest application was sent to the Board of Mis-
sions by the commissioner to the General Assembly, in
1840, that at least one missionary should be sent that
year to labor within the bounds of the presbytery.
At the spring meeting of the presbytery in 1841, the
presbytery was divided into four districts for missionary
labor. Two ministers were assigned to each district,
and the duty laid upon them of performing at least two
weeks missionary labor in their several districts before
the next stated meeting of presbytery.
This scheme of labor was afterwards modified, but in
various ways much missionary labor was done by the
members of presbytery.
MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERY.
The meetings of presbytery were made meetings for
preaching and holding religious services, and reaching
the people through them, as well as for the transaction
of ecclesiastical business. Special topics were assigned
before hand, and several special discourses were fre-
quently preached during a meeting of presbytery. Pres-
byteries met generally on Thursday, and continued in
session until after the vSabbath. At the second meeting
of presbytery at Muncie, in August, 1842, which begun
on Thursday night and continued until after Sabbath, it
was resolved to hold an intermediate meeting before the
regular spring meeting. The time fixed for this meet-
ing was October. It was held with the Lewisville
church in Rush county, a church whose name was short-
PRE8B YTER Y OF INDIANAPOLIS. 69
iy afterward changed to Ebeuezer. The following were
the appointments for preaching at this intermediate
meeting :
W. Sickles, on " Faith."
D. Monfort, on '' Baptism."
P. D. Gurlej, on " Prayer."
R. Irwin, on " Repentance."
J. G. Monfort, on " The Judgment."
These intermediate meetings, with preaching upon
special topics, were held for several years. They doubt-
less were designed for accomplishing missionary work.
WHITE WATER PRESBYTERY.
In 1848, the General Assembly, upon overture from
the Synod of Indiana, made the line between the States of
Indiana and Ohio the line between the Synods of Indiana
and Cincinnati. The Synod of Indiana in session at
Hanover, October 1848, ordered the formation of the
Presbytery of White Water, embracing the counties of
Ohio, Dearborn, Ripley, Decatur, Franklin, Rush, Fay-
ette, Union and so much of the counties of Henry and
Wayne as lies south of the National road, or in the Pres-
bytery of Indianapolis, except the church at Knights-
town.
PRESBYTERY OF MUNCIE.
October, 1848, the Synod of Indiana also ordered the
organization of the Presbytery of Muncie. In 1849, the
General Assembly made the National Road the dividing
line between the Synods ot Indiana and northern Indi-
ana. By this action, the First church of Indianapolis
and Rev. P. D. Gurley and Rev. W. A. Ilolliday, were
transferred to the Presbytery of Muncie, and the Pres-
bytery of Indianapolis, Old School, was without a church
in Indianapolis.
70 HISTORY OF THE
BLOOMINGTON.
By order of Synod in October, 1848, Monroe county^
with the church of Bloomington, then in the Presbytery
of New Albany, was added to the Presbytery of Indian-
apolis. Levi Hughes, pastor elect of the church of
Bloomington, a licentiate of Presbytery of New Albany,
was also received. He was ordained and installed pas-
tor November 3d, 1848.
OWEN AND PUTNAM COUNTIES.
The Synod in 1849, further enlarged the presbytery
by adding to it Owen county, and the part of Putnam
county south of the National Road with the church of
Vandalia, and Rev. Thomas Whallon.
PRESBYTERY Oi INDIANAPOLIS. 71
CHAPTER VII.
View of the Field from JReports of Indiana Gazetteer —
Number of Old and New School Churches and their
increase in Membership — Progress and Prosperity of the
country.
Looking at the field occupied by the present Presby-
tery of ludianapolis, we find from the imperfect sketches
of the Indiana Gazetteer, published in 1849, the follow-
ing statements respecting the occupation of this field
by other denominations. These statements, combined
with the United States census reports of 1850, will give
us a more thorough knowledge of the field and its re-
ligious condition than we can perhaps otherwise obtain.
There is no statement made of the churches and ministers
in Bartholomew county. Its population in 1850 was
12,486. In Brown count}', "there are six churches, one
for each of the denominations of Presbyterians, Metho-
dists, United Brethren, Christian, (or Campbellite) Old
Christian, (or New Light,) and Baptists." The popula-
tion was 4,846. In Hancock county there are " twelve
churches, mostly belonging to the Methodists and Bap-
tists." There are " five lawyers, fourteen physicians,
thirteen preachers." The population was 9,686. In
Hendricks county, " the prevailing religious denomina-
tions are Methodists, Baptists, Christians, Friends, Pres-
byterians and Lutherans." There are thirty-six churches
72 HISTORY OF THE
and twenty ministers of the Grospel. The lawyers num-
ber six, and physicians twenty. The population is 14,083.
In Johnson county there are " twenty-two churches,
mostly belonging to the Baptists, Methodists and Pres-
byterians." There are " five lawyers, twenty-one physi-
cians, twenty-nine preachers." The population was
12,100. Marion county is described as having " forty
lawyers, fifty physicians, forty preachers and thirty-six
churches, of which the Methodists are most numerous,
then follow Baptists, Christians, Presbyterians, Luther-
ans, Friends, Episcopalians, Catholics, Seceders, Univer-
salists, etc." The population of Marion county in 1850,
was 24,103. Of Morgan county it is said " the religious
denominations which have erected churches are as fol-
lows : Cumberland Presbyterians one, Lutherans one,
Baptists five, Reformers or Christians ten, Friends three,
Methodists fourteen." There are " seven lawyers, twen-
ty physicians, thirty preachers." The population was
14,576. Of Monroe county the chronicler facetiously re-
marks, there are " nine lawyers, ten physicians, and
preachers too tedious to mention." No mention is made
of the churches in the county. There were some
eight Baptists, nine Christian and twelve Metho-
dist churches. One Presbyterian, two Cumberland Pres-
byterian, one Associate, one Associate Reformed, one
Old Side Covenanter, one New Side Covenanter. The
population was 11,286. In Putnam county there were
" twenty-nine Methodist, fifteen Baptist, twelve Chris-
tian and five Presbyterian churches." The population
was 18,615. As to the number of ministers reported in
the Gazetteer, the author in his Introduction says : "It
may be said that from the number of preachers of the
gospel represented to be found in the various counties,
it will be supposed there is much more religious instruc-
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 73
tion given than is actually the case. The quality is per-
haps the only thing in dispute. A part of it is not in-
ferior to any other, but a part too, was correctly de-
scribed by one who, when receiving furs and skins for
his salary, was asked 'whether it was not poor pay ? '
' Yes,' he said, 'but he gave poor preaching in return.'"
In this field there were, in 1850, twenty-four Presby-
terian churches ; thirteen New School, eleven Old
School. In these churches there were eighteen hun-
dred and fifty-nine members ; nine hundred and twenty-
five New School, and nin^ hundred and thirty-four Old
School. In 1838, the membership was one thousand
and forty-two. In 1850, the increase had become eighty
per cent. The population had increased from eighty-
four thousand in 1840, to something more than one
hundred and twenty thousand in 1850, an increase of
something less than fifty per cent for that time.
But the mere increase of population does not mark
the real progress and prosperity of this region of coun-
try. The construction of railroads and telegraphs opens
a new era of activity and enterprise. In 1838, when the
great division of the Presbyterian Church occurred, Indi-
anapolis, although the capital of the State, was but a
good country town with a population of twenty-five
hundred. In October, 1847, the Madison and Indianap-
olis railroad was completed and the locomotive first en-
tered the city. City, Indianapolis had become by vote
in March, 1847, and in the actual establishment of city
government in May, 1847. Six months after the rail-
road reached Indianapolis the telegraph came, and des-
patches by the wire were first sent as far east as Rich-
mond May 12, 1848. The population of the city at this
time was about six thousand. In 1850 it was a little
more than eight thousand.
74 HLSTOR Y OF THE
CHAPTER VIII.
Indiayiapolis Presbytery, 0. S. — Changes in Churches — Min-
isterial Changes — State of Religion — Missionary Work —
Presbyterial Authority — First Church of Indianapolis —
Second Church of Greencastle — Numbers.
1850—1860.
Following on the history for the next tvveuty-iive
years, of the churches and presbyteries within the
boundaries of the present presbytery, our limits will for-
bid anything more than a suggestive outline with a
statement of results. Within the Presbytery of Indian-
apolis, O. S., we find the following
CHANGES IN CHURCHES.
April, 1852, the organization of the church of Boggs.
town was reported to presbytery, with a membership of
thirty-six.
The Third Church of Indianapolis, having been trans-
ferred by the General Assembly of 1852, from the Pres-
bytery of MuDcie to the Presbytery of Indianapolis, was,
in July, 1852, enrolled among the churches of the pres-
bytery. This church had been organized September,
23, 1851, by a committee of Muncie Presbytery.
Eighteen members from the First Church of Indianapo-
lis united in its organization.
, April, 1854, the organization of the church of Donald-
son, with twent}'-nine members, was reported; also, the
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 75
organization of the Union church, with fourteen mem-
bers, and of the Greenwood church, with nine members.
September, 1854, the organization of a church at Ed-
inburg, with twenty members, was reported.
September, 1855, the organization of a church at
Greenfield, with eighteen members, was reported.
MINISTERIAL CHANGES.
April, 1851, the pastoral relation between Levi Hughes
and the church at Bloomington was dissolved, and Mr.
Hughes dismissed to the Presbytery of Logansport to ac-
cept the call of the First Church of Logansport.
April, 1851, II. I. Coe was dismissed to the Presby-
tery of Muncie.
James Gallatin was dismissed at the same time to the
Presbytery of Cedar, Iowa.
April, 1851, J. A. McKee was received from the Pres-
bytery of Madison. In the following June he was in-
stalled pastor at Franklin. April, 1860, this pastoral
relation was dissolved, on account of the failing health
of the pastor's wife and the necessity of a change of
climate. In October, 1860, Mr. McKee was dismissed
to the Presbytery of St. Paul.
April, 1851, David Stevenson, a licentiate, was re-
ceived from the Presbytery of Elizabethtown. He was
ordained June, 1851. July, 1852, he was installed pastor
of the Third Church, of Indianapolis. October, 1860,
this pastorial relation was dissolved on account of the
failing health of the pastor.
June, 1851, J. C. Caldwell, a licentiate, was received
from the Presbytery of Crawfordsville, and ordained
and installed at Shelby ville. He was released from his
pastoral charge September, 1856, and dismissed to the
Presbytery of St. Paul, April, 1857.
June, 1851, H. L. Vannuys was licensed, and April,
76 HISTORY OF THE
1853, dismissed to put himself uuder the care of the
Presbytery of Lake.
June, 1851, R. M. Overstreet was licensed, ordained in
September, 1851, and after laboring in the church of
Georgetown and elsewhere in the missionary work of
the presbytery, was dismissed in October, 1852, to the
Presbytery of Palestine.
July, 1852, C. G. McLain, D. D., was received from
the Classis of Montgomery, New York. Dr. McLain es-
tablished in Indianapolis a large and flourishing school
for young ladies, under the name of the McLain Sem-
inary. He died in 1860.
July, 1S52, Thomas Alexander was received from the
Presbytery of Crawfordsville. He was stated supply of
the church in Bloomington. September, 1854, he was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Brazos, Texas.
July, 1852, Orlando Clark was licensed. September,
1857, he was dismissed to put himself under the care of
the Presbytery of Miami.
October, 1852, E. K. Lynn was received from the
Presbytery of New Albany. He was installed at Hope-
well in the succeeding November. He was released
from his pastoral charge in April, 1853, and dismissed
September, 1854, to the Presbytery of Palestine.
April, 1853, Alfred Ryors, D. D., was received from
the Presbytery of Hocking. Dr. Ryors was president
of the State University at Bloomington. He was dis-
missed to the Presbytery of Madison April, 1854.
September, 1853, J. L. Martin was received from the
Presbytery of Louisville. He labored in the churches
of Georgetown and Shiloh for a time, and was dismissed
to the Presbytery of Vincennes April, 1855.
December, 1853, David Monfort, a licentiate, was re-
ceived from the Presbytery of White Water, ordained
PBESBYTEBY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 77
and installed at Knightstown. He was released from
this pastoral charge April, 1858, and in September fol-
lowing dismissed to the Presbytery of White Water.
April, 1855, F. H. L. Laird was received from the
Presbytery of New Albany. He was stated supply at
Bloomington for a year, and dismissed to the Presbytery
of Potosi October, 1856.
April, 1855, A. C. Allen was received from the Pres-
bytery of Crawfordsville, and installed at Hopewell.
The pastoral relation was dissolved July, 1859.
September, 1856, Wm. Sickles was received from the
Presbytery of Madison.
April, 1857, Lowman Hawes was received from the
Presbytery of Milwaukee. He was installed at Bloom-
ington in May following. November, 1857, he was re-
leased, and dismissed to the Presbytery of Madison, to
accept the call of the First Church of Madison.
April, 1857, Blackburn Leffler was received from the
Presbytery of Sangamon. He was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Vincennes April, 1859.
April, 1858, John Gilchrist was received from the
Presbytery of White Water. He was installed over the
church of Sugar Creek June, 1858, for one-half his
time.
June, 1858, E. C. Sickles was licensed, and dismissed
to put himself under the care of the Presbytery of St.
Louis.
April, 1859, L. G. Hay was received from the Presby-
tery of Allahabad, India.
J. J. Smythe was received at the same time from the
Presbytery of Orange. After serving the church at
Shelbyville until November, 1860, he was then installed
its pastor.
April, 1859, T. M. Hopkins, was received from the
78 HISTOR Y OF THE
Presbytery of Miami. He was called to the pastorate
of the church at Bloomins^ton. After several failures
of committees appointed by presbytery for the installa-
tion services, he was finally installed in October, 1860.
April, 1860, J. F. Smith was received from the Pres-
bytery of White Water. November, 1860, he was in-
stalled pastor of the church of Hopewell.
STATE OF RELIGION.
In September, 1851, mention is made in the records
of presbytery of a deplorably low state of religion in '
most of the churches. Because of this low state of
religion, a day of fasting and prayer was appointed.
At the following spring meeting, this record is made :
" In view of the statements made by brethren, in their
conversation on the state of religion in our bounds, of
the gracious dealings of the Lord among us, it was
moved that we spend a short season in thanksgiving to
God for what he had done for our churches, beseech-
ing him at the same time for greater blessings." In
September, 1855, record is again made of a very low
state of religion in the churches of presbytery. April,
1858, mention is made of greatly increased religious in-
terest, and of large accessions to some of the churches.
The Third church of Indianapolis had steadily grown
from its original membership of eighteen in 1851, until
in 1860, it reported a membership of one hundred and
eighty-two.
The largest church in the presbytery, was the Hope-
well church, which reported two hundred and sixty-six
members.
MISSIONARY WORK.
During this decade, the presbytery for several succes-
sive years sought for an intinerant missionary to sup-
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 79
ply the vacancies. Not succeeding in this, the mem-
bers of presbytery, with great diligence and zeal, labored
among their destitute churches and fields.
PKESBYTERIAL AUTHORITY.
Nor was the presbytery lacking in the exercise of its
control over the churches, when in its judgment such
control was demanded. In April, 1857, Rev. J. A. Mc-
Kee applied for a dissolution of the pastoral relation be-
tween himself and the church at Franklin. After hear-
ing the parties, presbytery took the following action :
Resolved, 1st, That the request be not granted.
Resolved, 2d, That the church at Franklin be recommended to
strengthen their session by the accession of two or more elders.
Resolved, 3d, That the session be directed to discipline any mem-
ber of said church who shall continue to pursue a course calculated
in their judgment to be divisive or destructive to the peace, unity
and purity of the church in Franklin.
Resolved, 4th, That a committee of three be appointed with ad-
visory power to aid the session in carrying out this action, and that
the chairman of said committee be directed to make known this
action to the church on next Sabbath.
And not only did presbytery resolve, but at its fall ses-
sion, upon report of the committee it had appointed, it
proceeded to discipline. The benefits of this mainten-
ance of the order and discipline of the church by the
presbytery, are manifest from the concluding paragraph
of a page of Judge Banta's history of the church of
Franklin. He thus speaks of Mr. McKee's labors :
" The year following Rev. Mr. McKee's entry upon his
labors here, the membership of the church went down
to one hundred and fifteen — twenty-nine members hav-
ing been dismissed, and seven having died. Bat in
1852, the gains began to exceed the losses, and with the
exception of two years, this has been the case ever since.
In that year a refreshing revival came to bless the la-
80 HISTORY OF THE
bors of the new pastor. The good work seems to have
commenced in the last of February, and it continued up
to the middle of April, during which interval forty per-
sons in all were added on profession of their faith. In
the spring of the succeeding year, another shower came,
and twenty-five converts were added, which, with the
addition of those who joined on certificate, brought the
membership up to one hundred and eighty six, the high-
est number then ever reached. In 1854, the number
was carried up to one hundred and ninety-four, but this in-
crease was mostly due to the admissions on certificate.
It is evident to one who peruses the records of this
date, that a church trouble is again brewing. What the
cause was, I am sure I don't know. All I can say is,
that in 1854, only five converts were added; in 1855, no^
o?ie, in 1856, three, and in ISbl , not one ! Other work
seems to have required the attention of the people du-
ring these gloomy years. The younger members of the
congregation appear to have been seized about this time
with a mania for dancing, while the older brethren had
more serious business of their own on hand. A temp-
est had arisen — a controversy was up — a first class
church quarrel was on the carpet, and while the breth-
ren were cutting and threshing this way and that way
at each other, no recruits ventured to come from the en-
emy without. How eloquently do these mute figures
plead ^or peace within the church ! "
The paragraph of Judge Banta's history immediately
succeeding to these statements, is that which shows the
benefits of the watchful care of the presbytery and its
maintenance of the order and discipline of the church.
" In 18o8," continues this historian of the Franklin
church, " the smoke of this conflict having disappeared,
God smiled again upon the labors of Mr. McKee, and
PRESBYTEBY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 81
in February, Marcli and April of that year, fifty-eight
were added on examination."
FIRST CHURCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
The'Rev. John A. McClung, D.D., of Maysville, Ken-
tucky, was installed as pastor of this church December
31, 1851. This relation continued until dissolved, Sep-
tember, 1855, on account of ill health of the pastor.
The Rev. Thomas M. Cunningham, of St. Louis, was
called as pastor December 12, 1856, and continued until
May, 1860. The membership of the church reported in
1860 was two hundred and thirteen.
SECOND CHURCH OF GREENCASTLE.
This church was ministered to by Rev. J. M. Mc-
Chord for about four years after its organization. He
was succeeded by Rev. E. W. Fiske, who began his
ministry with the church in 1854. It reported, in 1860,
one hundred and ten members.
NUMBERS.
In 1860 the presbyter}^ consisted of eleven ministers
and sixteen churches, containing fourteen hundred and
forty-one members. Fourteen of these churches, and
eleven hundred and ninety members were within the
boundaries of the present Presbytery of Indianapolis.
In connection with the Old School body, there were also
several other churches of Muncie and Crawfordsville
Presbyteries, besides the First Church of Indianapolis
and Second Church of Greencastle, which are now
within the boundaries of the present Presbytery of Indi-
anapolis. These were New Hope, Carpentersville and
Clermont. There was also a German church in Indi-
6
82 HISTORY OF THE
anapolis, which, after appearing for a series of years
in the reports of Muncie Presbytery, disappears. The
total of the membership of the Old School churches is
one thousand seven hundred and forty.
PRESBYTER V OF INDIANAPOLIS. * 83
CHAPTER IX.
Indianapolis Presbytery, N. S. — New Churches — Second
Church of Indianayolis — Fourth Church of Indianapolis
— Greenwood — Miyiisterial Changes — Missionary Work —
Danville, White Lick, Greencastle, Putnamville, Bain-
bridge, Bloomington, Columbus.
1851—1860.
April, 1851, the organization of the Second Church of
Franklin, with a membership of twenty two, was re-
ported to presbytery.
In the spring of 1851, because of the blessing of God
upon the labors of C. E. Babb, pastor of the Second
Church of Indianapolis, the church edifice became too
small for the congregation, and it became a question
with the church whether to enlarge their building or to
colonize and form another church. The pastor advised
the latter. In presbytery, which convened September
4, 1851, Mr. Babb reported that there was great need of
another church in Indianapolis, and that efforts were
being made to organize another church. In conse-
quence of this report presbytery passed the following
resolution :
That we resi^ectfully recommend to the Second Presbyterian
Church of Indianapolis, to take into consideration the propriety
and importance of forming another chvirch of our order in that city ;
and, that if they should embark in such an enterprise, they shall
have our sympathy and co-operation.
84 . HISIORY OF THE
After a full interchange of opinion, September 30,
1851, the session of the Second Church resolved that it
was desirable and practicable to form a colony and or-
ganize another Presbyterian church. On the 30th of
November, 1851, twenty-four persons, dismissed from the
Second Church, were organized into the Fourth Presby-
terian Church of Indianapolis.
September, 1857, the organization of the church at
Zionsville, with six members and one elder, was reported
to presbytery.
April, 1860, the Second Presbyterian Church of Madi-
son county, with ten members, was reported to presby-
tery.
SECOND CHURCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
On account of failing health, the Rev. C. E. Babb was
released from pastoral care of this church January 3],
1853. April, 1854, he was dismissed to the Presbytery
of Cincinnati.
The church remained vacant a full year. January 1,
1854, Rev. Thornton A. Mills, to whom a call had been
extended by the; church the previous October, entered
upon the duties of the pastorate. He was received from
the Presbytery of Cincinnati, and installed February,
1854. Under the ministry of Dr. Mills the church
steadily grew, although there were no seasons of revival.
February, 1857, Dr. Mills was released from pastoral
charge of the church, to enter upon the duties of Secre-
tary of the General Assembly's Committee on Education,
to which he had been elected towards the close of the
year 1856. August, 1857, the church gave a call to the
Rev. George P. Tindall. Having accepted the call, he
was received by the presbytery from the Presbytery of
Dayton, October, 1857, but was not installed until June,
1859. The year 1858 was a year of revival throughout
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 85
the land. The Second Church, from April, 1858, to
April, 1859, received to its membership fifty-three on
profession of faith and sixteen by letter. The member-
ship reported in 1860 was one hundred and ninety-five.
FOURTH CHURCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
The Fourth Church in the beginning of 1852, secured
for its minister the Rev. George M. Maxwell. He was
received from the Presbytery of Franklin, August, 1852.
He first served the church as stated supply. He became
pastor elect April, 1854, and was installed February?
1856. On account of failing health, he was released
from his pastoral charge, December, 1858, and dismissed
to the Presbytery of Cincinnati April, 1860.
During the ministry of Mr. Maxwell in the Fourth
Church, after nearly six years of struggle, the church
dedicated its first house of worship at the corner of Del-
aware and Market streets. Its membership, at that
time, had increased to one hundred and fifteen. In the
spring of 1858 a large accession was reported of thirty-
three by profession and twenty by letter.
October, 1859, A. L. Brooks was called to the church.
He entered upon his labors immediately, and was re-
ceived by the presbytery from the Presbytery of Chicago,
April, 1860. The church reported in April, 1860, only
eighty-five members.
GREENWOOD.
The pastor of the Greenwood church, P. S. Cleland,
continued steadily on in his labors through this decade
in the history of the presbytery, and the second decade
of his labors with the Greenwood church. September
17, 1853, the third house of worship erected by the con-
gregation, was dedicated to the worship of God. The
year 1853 was marked by a season of special religious
86 HISTORY OF THE
interest. There was also a revival in 1856, resulting in
larger additions to the church than at any other time
during the ministry of Mr. Cleland. Twenty-eight per-
sons were received upon profession of their faith. In
1860, there was reported a membership of one hundred
and twenty-six.
MINISTERIAL CHANGES.
To those already mentioned as occurring in this peri-
od of the history of the presbytery, the following are to
be added :
April, 1851, E. Scofield was received from the Presby-
tery of Cincinnati. He was at different times supply 'of
the Highland and Second Franklin churches; also of
Pendleton, Anderson and Greenfield. These were all
missionary churches, with a membership of three, in the
smallest reported, Pendleton, and of twenty-three in the
largest. Highland. Mr. Scofield was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Hamilton, September, 1853. September,
1858, he was again received from the Presbytery of
Hamilton, and ministered to the church at Anderson.
April, 1851, Mr. Nyce was dismissed to Felicity Pres-
bytery.
September, 1851, J. Fairchild was received from the
Presbytery of Crawfordsville. His labors were first in
Hancock county. He afterwards was supply of the
Highland and Second Franklin churches. September
1856, he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Ft. Wayne.
August, 1852, John Stewart was received from the
Presbytery of Lexington. April, 1853, he was dismissed
to the Presbytery of Madison.
April, 1853, W. A. McCampbell was received from
the Presbytery of Green River. He became stated sup-
ply of New Providence or Southport. He was permit-
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLRS. 87
ted to labor in his new field but a few months. He was
removed by death, August, 1853.
April, 1853, J. Brownlee was received from the Pres-
bytery of Madison. He was installed pastor of the
church at Connersville, June, 1853. April, 1855, he was
released from the pastoral care of the church. Septem-
ber, 1859, he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Kan-
sas, having previously labored for some time without
the bounds of the presbytery.
September, 1853, B. F. Cole was released from the
pastoral care of the churches of Thorutowu and Bethel,
and dismissed to the Presbytery of Pataskala.
September, 1854, W. R. Stevens was received from the
Presbytery of Trumbull. He became supply of Thorn-
town and Bethel. September, 1856, he was dismissed to
the Association of Minnesota.
April, 1855, W. H. Rogers was dismissed to the Pres-
bytery of Salem. His principal lield of labor in the
presbytery had been Noblesville.
April, 1855, S. E. Wishard was licensed. April, 1857,
he was dismissed to put himself under the care of the
Presbytery of Schuyler.
September, 1855, A. S. Avery was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Alton. He had been for several years
without a charge.
September, 1855, W. A. McCorkle was received from
the Presbytery of Crawfordsville. April, 1856, he was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Fox River.
April, 1856, Philander Anderson was received from
the Presbytery of Fort Wayne. He remained in the
presbytery without charge.
September, 1856, E. B. Smith was received from the
Presbytery of Harmony. He supplied the church of
»» HISTORY OF THE
Connersville, and September, 1857, was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Clinton.
September, 1856, George H. White, a licentiate of
Fourth Hartford Association, was received. He was or-
dained an evangelist November, 1856, and went as a
missionary to Turkey under appointment from the
American Board of Foreign Missions.
October, 1857, Franklin Putnam was received from
the Presbytery of Dayton. He became stated supply of
Thorntown and Bethel. While engaged in this field, he
was removed by death in the summer of 1859, and so
ceasing from labor entered into heavenly rest.
September, 1858, J. O. Blythe was received from an
Independent church of Philadelphia. September, 1860,
he was dismissed to the Third Presbytery of Philadel-
phia.
September, 1859, D. A. Bassett was received from the
Presbytery of Madison. He became stated supply of the
church at Connersville.
September, 1860, W. N. Stimson was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Greencastle. He had been for several
years without charge, but for several years before supply
of New Pisgah and Sugar Creek.
September, 1860^ Isaac De La Mater was received
from the Presbytery of Crawfordsville. He became
stated supply of Thorntown and Bethel.
MISSIONARY WORK.
Presbytery labored faithfully to supply the vacancies
and destitutions of their field. Strenuous exertions were
made to supply vacant churches with the stated ministry
of the word at least a portion of the time. The mis-
sionaries of the presbytery generally had in charge sev-
eral small churches. The larger part of the funds for
the prosecution of the missionary work within the
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 89
bounds of the presbytery, was raised within the presby-
tery. The balance was supplied through the American
Home Missionary Society.
The salaries paid the missionaries were but meagre,
while their hardships were many. One received two hun-
dred and seventy-five dollars a year ; one hundred from
the Home Missionar}^ Society, and one hundred and
seventy-five from two churches. Another missionary-
had a salary promised of three hundred and seventy -five
dollars ; one hundred and seventy-five from the Home
Missionary Society, two hundred from two churches.
Of this two hundred promised, the churches would fall
short fifty dollars. Another brother had five hun-
dred a year, paid to him quarterly by a member of the
Second Church. Had this good brother of the Second
Church continued to be responsible for a series of years
for that necessary support of a missionary, which the
field itself could not be made to yield, doubtless the re-
gion occupied instead of continuing a moral and spirit-
ual wilderness to so large an extent as it is at the present
time, would have been like a garden of the Lord.
But while missionaries were thus laboring on scanty
stipends, city ministers received but eight hundred dol-
lars a year. This, however, was paid quarterly, not as
it happened, and all paid, and not simply a considerable
portion of it.
In 1859 the Synod of Indiana transferred the church
of Laurel Hill and the county of Franklin from the
Presbytery of Madison to the Presbytery of Indianapo-
lis. The church of Laurel Hill was a feeble church of
ten members, and this transfer of the synod only
widened the missionary ground of the synod.
DANVILLE.
In Danville, Hendricks county. Presbytery of Green-
90 HISTORY OF THE
castle, the Rev. Amos Jones continued his ministry until
March, 1853. He was succeeded by Rev. B. F. Cole,
who labored in the church for three years. The sum-
mer after the departure of Mr. Cole, Rev. S. E. "Wishard
ministered to the church. Rev. H. L. Dickerson became
supply of the church in the fall of -1857. A new church
building was dedicated in December, 1858. March 31,
1860, Mr. Dickerson was called to the pastorate of the
church. The membership reported in 1860 was one
hundred and seven.
WHITE LICK.
The church of White Lick, which was organized from
members of the Danville church, first appears on the
roll of presbytery in 1854. Its membership increased
from twelve in 1854, to thirty-eight in 1860.
GKEENCASTLE.
The first church of Greencastle was ministered to by
Rev. T. M. Oviatt, from 1851 to 1855. He was succeed-
ed by Rev. Henry Rossiter. In 1860, the membership
reported was one hundred and six.
PUTNAMVILLE AND BAINBRIDGE.
Putnamville was ministered to by Rev. Ransom Haw-
ley one-fourth of his time. It enjoyed a season of revi-
val in 1852. Its membership in 1860 was forty.
The Bainbridge church, which was in connection with
the Crawfordsville Presbytery, N. S., reported in 1860 a
membership of eighty-nine.
BLOOMINGTON.
In June, 1852, a Presbyterian church, New School,
was organized, with eleven members, in Bloomington.
This church was in connection with the Presbytery of
Salem. It was ministered to statedly, by Rev. John M.
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 91
Bishop, a portion of his time. After 1854, Professor
Elisha Ballantine, of the State University, supplied it
for several years upon the alternate Sahbaths, upon
which Mr. Bishop v^as absent. The membership re-
ported in 1860 was seventy-seven.
COLUMBUS.
The church of Columbus, in connection with the
Madison Presbytery, N. S., was supplied from 1850 to
1853 by Rev. J. Brownlee. In June, 1853, the Rev. N.
S. Dickey became its stated supply. It reported in 1860
a membership of one hundred and twenty-nine.
92 \HISTORY OF THE
CHAPTER X.
Numbers — Census Report of the Statistics of the different
Denominations in the field occupied by the Presbytery.
In the Presbytery of Indianapolis, JST. S., there were,
in 1860, twelve ministers, eighteen churches, and eight
hundred and three members. Of these eighteen churches,
only nine were within the boundaries of the present
Presbytery of Indianapolis. Of these nine churches,
five were small, aggregating only sixty-seven members.
The other four churches contained a membership of four
hundred and fifty-seven. The membership of the nine
churches was five hundred and four. In the seven other
New School churches that were within the bounds of
the present Presbytery of Indianapolis, there was a
membership of five hundred and eighty six, making a
total membership in the New School churches of eleven
hundred and ten.
This number, added to the seventeen hundred and
forty of the Old School churches, would make the mem-
bership of the Presbyterian churches within the boun-
daries of the present presbytery to have been, in 1860,
two thousand eight hundred and fifty.
This is not so rapid an increase of the members of
the Presbyterian church upon this field as in the prece-
ding ten years of its history. It is only an increase of
little more than fifty per cent., while the increase of the
preceding decade was eighty per cent. But the rate of
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS.
93
increase is greater than that of the population. The
population of the counties within the presbytery in-
creased from a little more than a hundred and twenty
thousand (121,736) to something over a hundred and
fifty-eight thousand (158,853), an increase of little more
than thirty-three per cent. In 1850, the proportion of
the membership of the Presbyterian church in the field
of the presbytery was about one to sixty-five of the
population. In 1860, the proportion is one to fifty-five.
CENSUS REPOET.
The United States census report of 1860, more com-
plete and accurate than that of 1870, gives the following
religious statistics of the field occupied by the presby-
tery :
Bartholomew county, with a population of 17,865,
has —
3 Presbyterian churches, with property valued at $1 ,450.
9 Baptist
6 Christian
1 Friends'
4 Lutheran
1 Moravian
25 Methodist
7,750.
7,650.
1,200.
1,900.
3,500.
17,800.
Brown count}'^, with a population of 6,504, has —
1 Presbyterian church, with property valued at $400.
9 Baptist " " " " " 600.
3 Christian " " " " " 420.
6 Methodist " " " " " 2,450.
Hancock county, with a population of 12,802, has —
2 Christian churches, with property valued at $3,700.
2 Baptist
"
800.
6 Lutheran "
"
" 3,750.
14 Methodist
"
" 8,000.
3 Union "
"
" 1,054.
1 Presbyterian "
no property.
94 HISTORY OF THE
Hendricks county, with a population of 16,953, has-
4 Presbyterian churches, with property valued at $10,000.
11 Baptist " " " " " 4,750.
9 Christian " " " " " 6,400.
4 Friends' " " " " " 14,000.
11 Methodist " " " " " 3.700.
Johnson county, with a population of 14,854, has —
9 Presbyterian churches, with property valued at $15,450.
16 Baptist " " " " " 10,375.
11 Christian " " " " " 8,300.
18 Methodist " " " " " 10,125.
1 Roman Catholic " " " " " 400.
Marion county, with a population of 39,855, has —
9 Presbyterian churches, with property valued at $92,960.
" 31,200.
" 4,600.
" 8,000.
" 27,000.
" 6,500.
800.
" 100,905.
" 19,000.
Monroe county, with a population of 12,847, has —
2 Presbyterian churches, with property valued at $10,500.
9 Baptist " " " " " 3,500.
10 Christian " " " " " 5,000.
13 Methodist " " " " " 14,100.
1 Cumb'rl'nd Pr. " " ' " " " 800.
2 Reformed Pr. " ' " 2,000.
2 United Pr. " " " " " 3,200.
Morgan county, with a population of 16,110, has —
26 Methodist churches, with property valued at $23,800.
4 Baptist " " " " " 11,800.
12 Christian " " " " " 11,800.
2 Episcopal " " " " " 800.
6 Friends' " " " " " 6,100.
1 Cumb'rl'nd Pr. " " " ' " 1,000.
1 Rom'n Catholic " " " " " 300.
10 Baptist
3 Christian
1 Congregational
1 Episcopalian
5 Friends'
1 Lutheran
32 Methodist
2 Roman Catholic
PRESB YTER Y OF INDIA NA POLLS. ^ t>
Putnam county, with a population of 20,681, has —
8 Presbyterian churches, with property valued at $18,700.
18 Baptist " " " " " 11,690.
14 Christian " " " " " 14,700.
27 Methodist " " " " " 42,350.
2 Cumb'rl'nd Pr. '' " " " " 3,200.
The term churches, denoting particular organizations
or congregations, gives no definite information concern-
ing the strong or weak, the prosperous or declining con-
dition of particular organizations. Yet the term church,
denoting an individual congregation, has definite ideas
of organization, of life, of power, of influence, connected
with it. And in the absence of more complete know-
ledge, the United States census report of the number of
the churches of the difl:erent denominations in the field
occupied by our presbytery, and especially in connection
with the value of the property possessed by these
churches, gives us much valuable information and per-
haps clearer and more accurate knowledge of the whole
field than can otherwise be obtained by us.
96 HISTORY OF THE
CHAPTER XI.
Indianapolis Presbytery, N. S. — Greenfield Church — Kings-
tori and Clarksburg — Ediyiburg — Sixth Church of Indi-
anapolis— Shelby oille — Ministerial Changes — Progress —
Reunion — Adjournment sine die — Hendricks County —
Putnam County — Bloomington — Columbus— Numbers.
1861—1870.
Renewing our history of the Presbytery of Indianap-
olis, New School, we will find it in the progress of the
next ten years growing in numbers, strength and
efiiciency.
February, 1861, it received the church of Greenfield,
which was at the time in connection with the Old
School Presbytery of Indianapolis. It also received J.
T. Iddings, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Kaskaskias,
0. S., and installed him pastor of the Greenfield church.
But at the next meeting of presbytery, in April, citations
were issued for the trial of Mr. Iddings, for forgery of
the certificate of licensure, upon which he had been re-
ceived into the presbytery. After long and wearisome
trials before presbytery, and in synod, he was found
guilty and deposed from the ministry. The church of
Greenfield was visited by committees of presbytery at
various times, but had become alienated from the pres-
bytery, and in the spring of 1866 reunited with the Old
School Presbytery.
PRESS YTEB Y OF INDIA NAP 0 LIS. 9 7
May, 1863, the Second Church of Franklin was dis-
solved, and the stated clerk directed to furnish the re-
maining members with letters to unite with such
branches of the church of Christ as they might elect.
April, 1864, the churches of Kingston (formerly Sand
Creek) and Clarksburg were received into the presbytery.
They had left the presbytery years before, because the
General Assembly had not taken such action upon the
subject of slavery as they thought should be taken. They
had united with the Felicity Presbytery of the Free Pres-
byterian Church. The civil war and emancipation procla-
mation of the President of the United States, by which
the system of slavery was destroyed, took away the
standing place and removed the necessity of the exist-
ence of a Free Presbyterian Church, and these churches
now returned to the old fold with a largely increased
membership.
September, 1864, the reorganization of a church at
Edinburg was reported to presbytery.
The Sixth Church of Indianapolis, called Olivet at the
time of its organization, was established by the Second
Church. In June, 1867, a committee was appointed by
the Second Church to buy lots and build a chapel in the
south-western part of the city. A site was selected at
the corner of Union and McCarty streets. A building
was begun in September. In October it was completed.
The 20th of November a church was organized with
twenty-one members. It was reported to presbytery
April, 1868. In the spring of 1870 it reported one hun-
dred and eleven members.
April, 1861, presbytery received under its care the
First German Church of Shelbyville, with one hundred
and twenty-five members.
7
98 HISTORY OF THE
MINISTERIAL CHANGES.
August, 1861, L. P. Webber, a licentiate of Dayton
Presbytery, was received and employed as presbyteriai
missionary. November, 1861, he was ordained. Sep-
tember, 1863, he was dismissed to the Presbytery of San
Jose.
October, 1861, John IS. Craig and John B. Logan,
members of the Presbytery of Holston, Tennessee, un-
able to get their letters from their presbytery on account
of the war, were received without them.
Anderson was for a series of years the scene of the
labors of J. S. Craig ; afterwards Noblesville. J. B.
Logan, as stated supply and home missionary, occupied
various fields.
April, 1862, A. L. Brooks, stated supply of the Fourth
Church of Indianapolis, and D. A. Bassett, stated sup-
ply of the church of Connersville, were dismissed to the
Presbytery of Chicago.
May. 1863, A. A. Jimeson was received from the Pres-
bytery of Dayton. He was pastor elect of the church
at Connersville. April, 1865, he was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Sciota.
May, 1863, A. T. Rankin was received from the Pres-
bytery of Ripley. He was stated supply of the Kingston
and Clarksburg churches.
September, 1863, C. H. Marshall was received from
the South Congregational Association of Illinois. He
was stated supply of the Fourth Church of Indianapolis.
September, 1863, T. A. Steele was received from Salem
Presbytery. He labored as home missionary for one
year, and was dismissed September, 1864, to Salem
Presbytery.
September, 1863, G. P. Tindall was released from the
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 99
pastoral care of the Second Church of Indianapolis, and
dismissed to the Presbytery of Washtenaw.
September, 1864, H. A. Edson was received from the
Presbytery of Niagara. He was called to the pastorate
of the Second Church of Indianapolis November 5, 1863 ;
began his ministry in the Second Church January 17,
1864, and was installed April 26, 1865.
April, 1865, Joseph Swindt was licensed. He was or-
dained June, 1866, and dismissed to Ripley Presbytery
September, 1866.
March, 1866, W. L. S. Clark was received without
credentials. He had been laboring for some months
under direction of the Committee on Home Missions.
September, 1867, he was dismissed to the Presbytery of
St. Louis.
September, 1866, Isaac De La Mater was dismissed to
the Presbytery of Hamilton. He had labored for several
years as stated supply of the church at Thorntown, and in
1863 was commissioned chaphiin of the seventy-second
regiment of Indiana volunteers.
December, 1866, the pastoral relation of P. S. Cleland
and the church at Greenwood was dissolved, after a
ministry of twenty-six years, ten as stated supply and
sixteen as pastor. The reason for the dissolution of the
pastoral relation urged by Mr. Cleland was impaired
health, that, made it perilous for him to continue his
pastoral labors, and impossible for him to discharge the
duties of pastor. Mr. Cleland, who had become stated
clerk of presbytery in 1859, continued to discharge the
duties of stated clerk until April, 1869. In September,
1869, after laboring thirty years within the bounds of
the presbytery, his labors at Greenwood antedating the
organization of the presbytery, he was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Smoky Hill, Kansas.
100 HISTORY OF THE
April, 1867, Alexander Parker was received from the
Presbytery of Madison, He was stated supply of the
church at Connersville.
April, 1867, George D. Parker was licensed. He was
ordained October, 1867, labored at Edinburg, and was
dismissed to Vincennes September, 1869.
April, 1867, Thomas G. Bartholomew was licensed,
ordained April, 1869, and dismissed to the Presbytery of
Lansing April, 1870.
September, 1867, Horace Bushnell, Jr., was received
from the Presbytery of Madison, and became stated sup-
ply of the Southport church.
April, 1868, J. B. Brandt was received from the Pres-
byter}^ of Wabash. His first work was in connection
with the Sixth church of Indianapolis
Rufus Nutting, Jr., was received at tlie same time
from the Presbytery of Illinois, and G. H. White dis-
missed to Windsor Association, Vermont.
April, 1868, Alexander Keid was received from the
Presbytery of Madison, and installed pastor of the
church at Anderson.
April, 1868, Frederick F. Friedgen was received from
the Presbytery of Madison. He was stated supply of
the First German Church of Shelbyville.
December, 1868, Luman A. Aklrich was received from
the Presbyter}^ of Cincinnati, and installed pastor of
the Sixth Cliurch of Indianapolis.
September, 1869, II. L. Dickerson was received from
the Presbytery of Greencastle. He became stuted sup-
ply of the church at Edinburg.
July 2, 1870, J. H. Eschmeier was received from the
Indiana Classis of the German Reformed Church, and
installed pastor of the First German Church of Shelby-
ville.
PRESBYTERY Ot INDIA XAPOLIS. 101
September 0, 1866, Claiborne Young, one of tlie oldest
members of tlie presbytery, died at liis own residence in
Boone county, at the age of sixty-six.
June 19, 1867, Tbornton A. Mills, D. D., Secretary of
the General Assembly's Committee on Education, fell
dead from a stroke of apoplexy as he was stepping from
the ferryboat at Hoboken, ISTew Jersey. So, absent
from the body, he entered into the presence of the Lord.
PROGRESS.
During this period of ten years, the years 1866, 1867
and 1870 were marked with the greatest increase to the
churches. The narrative for 1866 says: "We desire
to express our gratitude to God for the increased pros-
perit}' of many of our churches since the last report to
presbytery. The influence of the numerous revivals du-
ring the last winter is apparent in the large and atten-
tive congregations, the earnest prayer meetings, and the
growing Sabbath schools, of which not a few are able to
speak." 'The revivals of 1868 prevailed in a larger num-
ber of the churches, and resulted in large additions. In
1870, two of the churches of the presbytery were blessed
with very large additions. The church of Kingston re-
ceived one hundred and twenty-two upon profession of
faith ; the Second Church of Indianapolis one hundred
and twenty -six.
During this period, the Second Church of Indianapo-
lis began and completed its second house of worship.
Ground was broken for the structure at the corner of
Pennsylvania and Vermont streets in the spring of 1864.
The corner-stone was laid May 14, 1866 ; the chapel was
first occupied December 22, 1867, and the completed ed-
ifice w^as dedicated January 9, 1870. The entire cost of
102 HISTORY OF THE
the property was about one hundred and five thousand
dollars.
REUNION.
The first mention made of reunion in the records of
presbytery is in April, 1865. Then, Rev. Wm. Phelau
is present as a delegate from White "Water Presbytery,
and presents to the presbytery a series of resolutions
from the White Water Presbytery on the subject of the
reunion of the two branches of the Presbyterian church.
The following resolutions were passed b}^ the presbytery :
First. That the presbytery cordially reciprocate the sentiments
and action of the White Water Presbytery on the subject of the
union of the now divided Presbyterian church.
Second. That we instruct our commissioners to the next General
Assembly to co-operate in any measures which may be proposed in
the Assembly which, in their judgment, may have a tendency to
bring about a harmonious and honorable blending of the two
branches of the Presbyterian church.
Third. That Rev. A. A. Jimeson and Elder P. H. Roots be
appointed to convey to the White Water Presbytery, either in
person, or otherwise, our sincere Christian salutations, and our
, willingness to co-operate in bringing about a union so desirable.
Fourth. That Rev. C. H. Marshall and Elder W. N. Jackson be
appointed delegates to the Indianapolis Presbytery, 0. S., which is
to meet in Indianapolis next week, and extend to that body our
fraternal greetings and our readiness for an organic union with
their branch of the church as soon as in the providence of God the
way is open.
The final action of the presbytery on the subject of
reunion is in September, 1869.
An overture on the reunion of the two branches of
the Presbyterian church, O. S. and iN". S., was received
from the General Assembh^, through its stated clerk,
propounding the following question, and directing that
a report to the Assembly of the answer given should be
made before November 1, 1869:
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 103
" Do yoii approve of the reunion of the two bodies
claiming the name and rights of the Presbyterian church
in the United States of America, on the following
basis, namely :
' The reunion shall be effected on the doctrinal and
ecclesiastical basis of our common standards: the Scrip-
tures of the Old and New Testaments shall be acknowl-
edged to be the inspired word of God, and the only
infallible rule of faith and practice; the Confession of
Faith shall continue to be sincerely received and adopted
as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy
Scriptures; and the Government and Discipline of the
Presbyterian church in the United States shall be
approved as containing the principles and rules of our
polity.' "
The vote being taken on this overture, it was answered
in the affirmative by a unanimous rising vote, and pres-
bytery directed that a special record should be made of
the names of all voting. The list follows :
Ministers. Churches. Elders.
Philips. Cleland
John S. Craig Noblesville H. F. Chappell.
Charles H. Marshall Indianapolis, 4th Samuel Merrill.
John B. Logan Edinburg Henry Ewing.
Rufus Nutting, Jr
Philander A nderson
Alexander Parker
Henry L. Dickerson Thorntown John Higgins.
Archibalds. Reid Anderson, 1st Jacob Beachler.
Arthur T. Rankin Kingston J. B. Hopkins.
Francis F. Friedgen Shelbyville, Ger Henry Burkher.
Hanford A. Edson Indianapolis, 2d Edwin J. Peck.
Horace Bushnell, Jr Southport Samuel Moore.
Greenwood Garret Sorter.
Luman A. Aldrich Olivet C. P. Wilson.
John B. Brandt
104 HISTORY OF THE
FINAL ADJOURNMENT.
July 3, 1870, at the close of installation services in the
First German church, in Shelby ville, " the Presbytery of
Indianapolis, N. S., as existing prior to the reunion,
adjourned sine die, with thankfulness to God for all the
good it had been permitted to do, and for that union,
which gives hope for greater good in the future."
HENDRICKS COUNTY.
The Danville church enjoyed the ministry of W. L.
Dickerson until February, 1868, when the pastoral rela-
tion was dissolved by tlie Presbytery of Greencastle.
W. L. Lee succeeded to the pastorate of the church
July, 1868. The number reported in the church, 1870,
was one hundred and forty-four.
The church at White Lick reported at the same time
sixty-three.
PUTNAM COUNTY.
The Rev. Henry Rossiter ministered to the church at
Greencastle until December, 1868. W. A. Bosworth
became, in 1869, supply, and was supply for one year.
In January, 1864, a new house of worship, begun some
years before, was dedicated to the worship of God. The
membership in 1869 was one hundred and four. Organic
union with the Second church had been completed in
the spring of 1870, and a membership of two hundred
and fifty is reported in connection with the Presbytery
of Crawfordsville, O. S. In the Second church there
was, in 1869, one hundred members.
The Bainbridge church reported in 1870, seventy
members.
In 1865, the Rev. Ransom Ilawley ceased his labors in
the Putnamville church as stated supply. When he
ceased his labors, he had been ministering to the church
PRESB YTER Y OF INDIANA POLLS. 105
one-fonrth of his time for twenty-fonr years. Kev.
Johu Hawks became stated supply of the Putnamville
church for one-fourth of his time. The membership
reported in 1870, was eighty-nine.
BLOOMINGTON.
The church at Bk)omington was supplied by Rev.
John M. Bishop one-half of his time until 1865, when
he was installed as pastor by the Salem Presbytery.
Until this installation, Prof. Ballantine supplied the
church one-half the time. In the fall of 1867, Mr.
Bishop was released from the pastorate of the church,
to accept a call to the church at Rockville. Prof. Bal-
lantine at this time, became stated supply of the church
and ministered to it for two years. In the tall of 1869,
this church, the Second Presbyterian church of Bloom-
ington, made arrangements for united services with
the First church. These services continued until April,
1870, when the organic union of the First and Second
churches was consummated. The Second church had at
the time of this union, a membership of sixty-eight.
COLUMBUS.
This church was ministered to by Rev. iSI. S. Dickey,
until November, 1870, when he terminated his labors
with the church, closing a ministry to it of seventeen
years. The membership reported in 1870, was one hun-
dred and seventy.
At the time of the linal adjournment of the India-
napolis Presbytery, N. S., there were connected with it,
fifteen ministers and nineteen churches, with a member-
ship of nineteen hundred and fifty-nine. Of these
churches, eight are within the bounds of the present
presbytery, and had a membership of one thousand and
106 HISTORY OF THE
thirty-six. The other seven churches that were iu con-
nection with JSTew School presbyteries, had a member-
ship of six hundred and seventy three. The total mem-
bership of all the churches, was seventeen hundred and
seventeen.
PRE8B YTEB Y OF INDIANAPOLIS. 107
CHAPTER XII.
Iiidianapolis Presbytery, 0. S. — Changes in the Churches
— Ministerial Changes — Deaths — State of the Country —
Revivals — Reunion — First Church at Indianapolis — Sev-
enth Church of Indianapolis — Brewnshurg and Clermont
— Greencastle, Carpentersville, Bloomington — Numbers.
1861—1870.
In this last decade of the history of this presbytery,
we note first the changes in the churches.
In Apri), 1861, the Edinburg church was dissolved,
and by request of its members they were united with
the church at Franklin.
April, 1865, the name of New Providence church was
changed to Acton.
April, 1865, the church of Greenwood was dissolved.
April, 1866, the Greenfield church, reporting a mem-
bership of one hundred and thirty-eight, was received.
October, 1867, the organization of the Fifth church
of Indianapolis with eighteen members, was reported to
presbytery.
October, 1867, the church of Bloomington, with its
pastor, T. M. Hopkins, was transferred to the Presbytery
of New Albany.
MINISTERIAL CHANGES.
April, 1861, A. B. Morey, a licentiate of the Presby-
108 HISTORY OF THE
tery of Albany was received. The succeeding month of
May he was ordained and installed at Franklin.
April, 1861, J. B. Vawter was licensed. Marcli, 1868?
he was dismissed to pnt himself under the care of the
Presbytery of Dubuque.
September, 1861, Charles Axtel was received from the
Presbytery of Rock River. He was installed at Knights-
town in the following October. April, 1864, he was re-
leased from his pastoral charge. In September, 1865,
he was dismissed to the i'resbytery of Dubuque.
September, 1861, P. R. Yamitta was received from the
Presbytery of Hillsboro. His labors were in the Bible
cause.
September, 1861, G. G. Heckman was received from
the Presbytery of Milwaukee. October, 1871, he was
installed pastor of the Third church of Indianapolis.
This pastoral relation was dissolved in October, 1867,
and Dr. Heckman dismissed to the Presbytery of Albany
to accept a call from the State Street Church, Albany.
June, 1862, B. F. Wood was released from the pas-
toral care of the Bethany church.
June, 1862, F. Senour was received from the Presby-
tery of Louisville. March, 1863, he was dismissed to
the Presbytery of Chicago.
June, 1862, J. H. Vannuys, a licentiate of the Pres-
bytery of Donegal, was received. April, 1863, he was
dismissed to put himself under the care of the Presby-
tery of Rock River.
September, 1862, Levi Hughes was received from the
Presbytery of St. Paul. This brother losing his hearing,
and becoming entirely deaf by exposure while preach-
ing in Minnesota, became, notwithstanding this great
affliction of being totally deaf, an earnest and successful
evangelist. He labored for some time as evangelist and
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 109
missionary in the presbytery, and then became agent
for Hanover College. He was dismissed to the Presby-
tery of New Albany in October, 1867.
April, 1863, W. AV. Sickles was received from the
Presbytery of New Albany.
April, 1864, J. Q. McKeehan was received from the
Presbytery of Madison. May, 1869, he was dismissed
to the same presbytery.
C. H. Raymond was received at the same time from
the Presbytery of White Water. April, 1866, he was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Oxford.
April, 1865, S. E. Barr was received from the Presby-
tery of New Albany. May following he was installed
at Hopewell.
April, 1865, N. S. Palmer was received from the Pres-
bytery of Crawfordsville. His labors were principally
in connection with the American Tract Society.
April, 1866, James Gilchrist was received from the
Presbytery of White AVater, He was stated supply of
the Bethany church. April, 1870, he was dismissed to
the Presbytery of Crawfordsville.
April, 1866, R. B. Abbott was received from the Pres-
bytery of White Water. He was stated suppl}^ of the
church at Knightstown. In April, 1867, he was dis-
missed to the Presbytery of St. Paul.
April, 1866, J. J. Smythe was released from the pasto-
ral care of the church at Shelbyville. April, 1867, he
was dismissed to the Presbj'tery of Erie.
September, 1866, R. M. Overstreet was received fi-om
the Presbytery of Central Texas.
April, 1867, C. P. Jennings was received from the
Presbytery of Logan sport. He labored in connection
with the church at Shelbj'ville. Dissatisfied with the
reunion of the Presbyterian church, he united with the
110 HISTORY OF THE
Protestant Episcopal church, and his name was dropped
from the roll of the presbytery April, 1870.
April, 1867, Isaac W. Monfort was received from the
Presbytery of White Water. His labors were in con-
nection with the church at Greenfield.
September, 1867, W. B. Chamberlain, a licentiate ot
the Presbytery of Madison, was received. He became
stated supply of the Fifth Church of Indianapolis, and
was ordained October, 1867.
April, 1868, L. B. W. Shryock was received from the
Presbytery of New Castle. He was installed at Knights-
town in the fall of 1868.
September, 1868, Robert Sloss, a licentiate of the
Third Presbytery of New York, was received. Receiv-
ing and accepting a call from the Third Church of Indi-
anapolis, he was ordained and installed.
April, 1869, J. C. King was dismissed to the Presby-
tery of Iowa.
April, 1870, J. R. Walker was received from the In-
diana Presbytery of the United Presbyterian church.
DEATHS.
The death of John Gilchrist, pastor of Sugar Creek
church, is recorded in the minutes of the sessions of
presbytery in April, 1863.
In the minutes of the sessions of presbytery, in Sep-
tember, 1864, the death of William Sickles, at the age
of three score and ten, is recorded. Also the death of
John F. Smith, in the prime of his life, and pastor of
the church at Hopewell at the time of his decease.
STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
September, 1861, the presbytery passed the following
resolution :
Resolved, That this presbytery hereby expresses its cordial ap-
proval of the resolutions adopted at the late meeting of the Assem-
PEESB YTER Y OF INDIANAPOLIS. Ill'
bly, in regard to the state of the country, and express the hope that
the churches under its watch and care will continue instant in
prayer, that the constituted authorities of the nation may be sus-
tained in their efforts to suppress this rebellion, and bring the con-
flict which has been precipitated upon us, to a speedy and suc-
cessful issue.
The following resolutions were also passed :
Resolved, That we are sensible of the evil effects of the present
state of our national affairs upon the kingdom of Christ, and we do
earnestly urge upon the churches under our care the necessity of
frequent and persevering prayer for the presence of the Holy Spirit
to withstand those worldly influences which threaten to secularize
the church and render ineffectual the preaching of the word.
Resolved, That we recognize higher relations and duties than those
imposed by civil governments, and would therefore earnestly ap-
peal to our brethren in the Southern States to unite with us in sup-
plications to our common King and Saviour, that he may bless our
country with a speedy, righteous and permanent jDeace.
Resolved, That we recommend to all our ministers and churches
the propriety of observing the day of prayer appointed by the Pres-
ident of the United States.
April, 1863, the following resolutions were passed :
Resolved, 1st, That presbytery enjoins upon all the churches under
its care the full and faithful observance of the day of fasting and
prayer, as recommended in the recent proclamation of the Presi-
dent of the United States.
2d. This presbytery, as an ecclesiastical court, called to witness
for Christ before the world, can-not refrain a public expression of its
gi'atification that the resolution of the Senate of the United States,
asking the appointment of a day of fasting, makes such distinct
mention of our Lord Jesus Christ as the heaven-appointed way of
access to God the Father. This recognition of our Divine Mediator
by our national authorities is as gratifying as it is rare. Our hope
for our country grows strong as we see our rulers giving heed to the
divine injunction : Be wise, now, therefore, oh, ye kings ; be
instructed, oh, ye judges of the earth ; serve the Lord with fear and
rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and ye per-
ish from the wav when His wrath is kindled but a little.
112 HISTORY OF THE
In the year 1862 a quiet, but efficient work of grace
was wrought in many of the churches. Christians were
revived. This was the especial feature of the work, a
deepening of the piety and a quickening of the activity
of Christians. Sinners also were converted. In the
church of Hopewell forty were added to the church on
the profession of their faith.
In the year 1866 " blessings of more than ordinary
magnitude and preciousness " were bestowed upon the
majority of the churches. One church received into its
membership, upon examination, forty-eight, another
thirty-eight, another thirty, another twenty-seven, other
churches less numbers.
Of the beginning of 1869 it is said : " During the
latter part of April the city of Indianapolis was visited
by a remarkable outpouring of God's spirit. During the
refreshing which followed in the month of May, June
and July, the churches in that city under the control of
this presbytery received a special blessing, both in the
ingatliering of new members and in a general quicken-
ing of spiritual life among the members."
In the spring of 1870 it was reported that in nearly all
the churches there had beeu a deep religious interest,
and in many of them most remarkable works of grace.
In the cburclies of Franklin and Hopewell, immediately
following the week of prayer, God's spirit had been
poured out above what they could ask or think.
In the Franklin church one hundred had been
received on examination ; in the Hopewell church, sev-
enty-seven ; in the Fifth Indianapolis, thirty-five; in
the Third, one hundred and thirty-two.
REUNION.
April, 1865, Rev. C. H. Marshall and Elder W. N.
PRESB YTEB Y OF INDIA NA POLIS. 113
Jackson, of the Indianapolis Presbytery, N. S., appeared
in the Old School Presbytery, and presented the action
their body had taken on the subject of reunion. The
following action was taken :
Resolved, 1st, That this presbytery hail with unusual pleasure the
presence in our sessions of the brethren, Rev. C. H. Marshall and
Ruling Elder W. N. Jackson, corresponding delegates to this body
from the Presbytery of Indianapolis, N. S.
2d, That we heartily reciprocate the action of that presbytery
looking to a harmonious and honorable blending of the two
branches of the Presbyterian church in the United States.
3d, That the Rev. George C. Heckman and Ruling Elder James
Blake be appointed principals, and Rev. A. B. Morey and Professor
Daniel Kirkwood their alternates, as delegates to convey our
Christian salutations and brotherly love to the Presbytery of
Indianapolis, N. S., at its next stated meeting at Edinburg, on the
15th of September next, with the expression of our earnest, prayer-
ful desire for an organic union between our respective bodies, when
such shall be the will of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As the subject of reunion came up time after time in
its progress toward consummation, there were various
discussions, and various resolutions were passed. The
record of the linal and decisive vote in September, 1869,
in response to the action of the General Assembly, is:
Resolved, That we answer the overture of the General
Assembly on the subject of reunion of the two bodies
claiming the name and rights of the Presbyterian church
in the United States, in the affirmative. Ayes, 15 ;
nay, 1,
FIRST CHURCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
The Rev. J. Howard Nixon, of the Presbytery of
Troy, was called to the pastorate of this church, Decem-
ber 17, 1860. This pastoral relation was dissolved April
14, 1869. The Rev. R. D. Harper, D. D., was called
April 22, 1869. The membership of the church in 1870,
was three hundred and fifteen.
8
114 HISTOR Y OF THE
In the fall of 1864, the foundation of the third church
ediiice erected by this church was laid at the corner of
Pennsylvania and New York streets. The following
year the chapel, containing a lecture room and Sabbath
School rooms, was erected. The corner stone of the
main portion of the building was laid July 23, 1866.
The editice was completed and opened for the worship
of God, December 29, 1868. The cost of this building
was between one hundred and four and five thousand
dollars.
SEVENTH CHURCH OF INDIANAPOLIS.
One Sabbath day, early in the year 1865, Wm. R.
Craig, a resident of ihe south-eastern part of Indiana-
polis, was much disturbed by a rude and lawless troop
of boys. Their repeated and flagrant violations of the
Sabbath, and unruly conduct generally, had often out-
raged the feelings of the staid old Scotchman, but never
to such a degree as on this occasion. He now for the
first time began seriously to debate with himself the
question of a remedy. He finally decided that a Sab-
bath School, by reaching the consciences of the offenders
would, in the course of time, eft'ect a thorough and hist-
ing cure. Being an elder of the First Church, he ap-
plied to his brethren for help. They williiigly co-oper-
ated with iiim. A Sabbath School was established. Its
first session was in the room of a carpenter shop, be-
longing to Peter Routier, on Cedar street. The number
of scholars at the first session was seven. The school
rapidly increased. Through the exertions of James M.
Ray of the First Church, a site was secured in Fletcher's
addition, donated by Calvin Fletcher, Sr., A. Stone, W.
S. Witt, Elisha Taylor and James M. Hough. The
Board of Church Extension pledged five hundred dol-
lars to the erection of a building, and the First Church
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLLS. 115
took upon itself the responsibilty of carrying the enter-
prise through. A building was erected at a cost of over
three thousand dollars, and December 24, 1865, dedica-
ted to the service of God. The First Church appropri-
ated live hundred dollars to the support of a mission-
ary in the field. W. W. Sickles first undertook the
work. Becoming discouraged, he resigned in the spring
of 1866. Thomas Gait, a licentiate of Chicago Presby-
tery and member of the Theological Seminary in Chi-
cago, labored in the field during the summer of 1866.
September, 1866, C. M. Howard, from the Presbytery of
St. Paul, was invited to occupy the field. November
27, 1867, a church was organized with twenty-three
members. Six of these, including an elder, W. R.
Craig, were from the First Church. Mr. Craig was the
first elder of the Seventh Church. Mr. Howard served
the church as stated supply until October, 1869, when,
on account of failing health, he withdrew from the field.
He was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Brandt, who served one
year, when being elected Superintendent of the Young
Men's Christian Association of the city, he resigned.
He was succeeded by Rev. L. G. Hay. From April,
1868, to April, 1869, sixty-three were added on profes-
sion of their faith, and a membership of one hundred
and twenty-two reported in the spring of 1869. The
membership reported in 1870, was one hundred and
forty and four.
BROWNSBURG AND CLERMONT.
The church of Brownsburg was organized in 1867,
with seventeen members. It was ministered to by Rev.
George Long. It erected a substantial brick edifice, and
reported in 1870, a membership of thirty. The neigh-
boring church of Clermont, reported m 1870, a mem-
bership of fourteen.
116 HISTORY OF THE
GKEENCASTLE.
The Second Church of Greencastle continued under
the ministry of Dr. Fisk until the reunion. He then
became stated supply of the united church, which re-
ported in 1870, as has been already stated, a member-
ship of two hundred and fifty. The membership of the
Second Church reported in 1869, was one hundred. Du-
ring the winter of 1869 and 1870, eighty persons were
received upon profession of faith into the united church.
CAKPENTERSVILLE.
The church of Carpentersville reported, in 1870, a
membership of seventy-one.
BLOOMINGTON.
In 1863 a new church edifice was dedicated to the
worship of God. This church edifice was built under
the ministry of T. M. Hopkins, whose energy and zeal
in the work were untiring. During the ministry of Mr.
Hopkins one hundred and seventeen members were
added to the church, sixty-one upon examination, fifty-
six by letter. In January, 1869, Mr. Hopkins, accept-
ng a call to the First Church of Piqua, Ohio, was
released from the pastorate. In March, 1869, A. Y.
Moore, of the Presbytery of Lake, was called to the pas-
torate. As pastor elect of the First Church and stated
supply of the Second, he ministered to the united con-
gregation from October, 1869, to April, 1870. During
this time the Spirit of God was poured out upon the
people, and thirty-two persons were received into the
two churches upon profession of their faith, twenty-five,
to the First Church, seven to the Second. In April the
two churches became united as the Walnut Street Pres-
byterian Church of Bloomington. A. Y. Moore was
called to the pastorate, and installed by the Presbytery
PRESB YTER V OF INDIA NA POLLS. 117
of New Albany. The Second Church, during its his-
tory, had received into its communion, up to the fall of
1869, one hundred and four persons by examination and
seventy-four by letter. At the time of the union of the
two churches it had a membership of sixty-eight. Up
to October, 1869, there had been received into the com-
munion of the First Church, from the time of its organi-
zation, four hundred and eighty-nine persons. Of these,
two hundred and sixty were received upon profession of
their faith, two hundred and twenty-nine by letter. The
membership of the First Church at the time of the union
was one hundred and sixty-eight. In the spring of 1870
the Walnut Street Church had a membership of two
hundred and thirty-six.
NUMBERS.
In the Presbytery of Indianapolis, 0. S., there were,
in 1870, eleven ministers and fifteen churches, wnth a
membership of two thousand one hundred and sixty-
seven. Of these churches twelve were within the bounds
of the present presbytery. They had a membership of
eighteen hundred and thirty-one. The other Old School
churches in the bounds of the present presbytery aggre-
gated a membership of nine hundred and twenty-six,
making a total membership in the Old School churches
of two thousand seven hundred and lifty-seven. The
membership of the New School churches, within the
bounds of the present presbytery, seventeen hundred and
seventeen, added to the membership of the Old School
churches, gave a membership of four thousand four hun-
dred and seventy-four to the churches within the bound-
aries of the present presbytery at the time of its organi-
zation, July 5, 1870.
The population of the counties within the presbytery
was, in 1870, 188,729. It was, in 1860, 158,534. The
118 HISTORY OF THE
increase was between twenty-five and thirty-five per
cent. The membership of the churches in 1860 was
2,850 ; in 1870, 4,474. The increase is between forty
and fifty per cent. And the proportion of membership
to population in 1870 is a fraction less than one to forty-
five. In 1860 it was one to fifty-five; in 1850, one to
sixty-five. Our church is thus seen to have been grow-
ing, not only with the growth of the population of the
country, but also at a steady rate of progress more rap-
idly than that of the population of the country.
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS.
119
CHAPTER XIII.
Indianapolid Presbytery — Its Boundaries, Members and
Churches — Changes in Churches — Ministerial Changes —
Missionary Work — Women's Presbyterial Society — Revi-
vals— Progress.
1870—1876.
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS.
After the reunion of the Old and New School branches
of the Presbyterian church, the Presbytery of Indianap-
olis, as established by the Synod of Indiana, South, met
in the Third Presbyterian church of Indianapolis, at 9
p. M., July 5, 1870, and was called to order and consti-
tuted with prayer by Rev. Ransom Hawley, according
to the following order of the Synod :
" That the churches located in the counties of Putnam, Hen-
dricks, Marion, Hancock, Johnson, Morgan, Monroe, Brown, Bar-
tholomew, containing about thirty-two ministers, be constituted in
the Indianapolis Presbytery.
" That the Presbytery of Indianapolis, as this day erected and
defined by this Synod, is declared to be, and is the legal successor
to the Presbyteries of Indianapolis, 0. S., and Indianapolis, N. S.,
formerly occupying in greater part the same territory ; and is enti-
tled to succeed to, and does succeed to all the legal and ecclesiasti-
cal rights, privileges, franchises, records, books, papers and property
of each of said other presbyteries. And that Rev. R. Hawley be,
and he hereby is, appointed convener, to convene, open and consti-
tute said Presbytery of Indianapolis, in this house, this evening at
9 o'clock."
120 HISTORY OF THE
Rev. R. Hawley was elected Moderator, and A. B,
Morey Clerk.
The following was the roll of presbytery :
Ministers Present. — B. F. Woods, A. C. Allen, L. G.
Hay, A. B. Morey, C. H. Marshall, H" A. Edson, S. E.
Barr, N. S. Palmer, H. Bushnell, Jr., W. B. Chamber-
lain, J. B. Brandt, R. Nutting, L. A. Aldrich, R. Sloss,
N. S. Dickey, A. Y. Moore, R. Hawley, A. R. Naylor,
R. D. Harper, D. D., E. W. Fisk, D. D.
Ministers Absent. — J. B. Logan, W. W. Sickles, J. VV.
Monfort, George Long, W. J. Lee, E. Ballantine, J.
Greene, E. Wright, C. K. Thompson, John Scott, M. A.
Remley.
Churches JRepresented. — First Indianapolis, W. Sheets*
Columbus, C. H. Paddox ; Walnut street, Bloomington,
James Small ; Southport, S. Moore ; Greencastle, J.
Allen; Second Indianapolis, C. F. Smith; Brownsburg,
E. D. Selent; Carpentersville, G. II. McKee ; Bain-
bridge, J. Brown ; Third Indianapolis, J. Blake ; Fourth
Indianapolis, R. M. Stewart ; Fifth Indianapolis, E. A.
Cobb ; Olivet, C. Wilson ; Seventh Indianapolis, H. C.
Husted.
Churches not Represented. — Franklin, Greenwood, Hope-
well, Shiloh, Acton, Highland, Bethany, Danville,
Georgetown, New Pisgah, New Prospect, Boggstown,
Union, Greenfield, Edinburg, Donaldson, Oak Grove, St.
Louis Crossing, New Hope, Clermont, White Lick, Put-
namville.
CHANGES IN CHURCHES.
September, 1870, the churches of New Pisgah and
New Prospect were consolidated under the name of
New Pisgah.
September, 1870, presbytery, by request, provided sup-
plies for Stilesville, in Hendricks county, where a Sab-
PRESB YTER Y OF INDIA NA POLLS. 121
bath school had been organized, but where there was no
church of Presbyterian order. At the meeting of pres-
bytery, April, 1871, the organization of a church near
Stilesville was reported. It was enrolled as the Hen-
dricks County Church, The name has since been changed
to Hebron. A church edifice has been built, and a mem-
bership of forty-five was reported April, 1876.
September, 1871, presbytery appointed a committee to
organize a church at Indianola. It has received the
name of Eighth Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis.
The field of this church was first occupied by the Meth-
odists. It was an exceedingly hard field. Having been
abandoned by the Methodists, three young members of
the Third Presbyterian Church, H. H. Fulton, E. L.
Williams and John G. Blake, established a mission Sab-
bath school in the building that had been occupied by
the Methodists, Out of their labors and this mission
school grew tbc Eighth Church, Tlie first report to
presbytery, April, 1872, was a membership of twenty -
four, eighteen received upon profession of faith and six
by letter, April, 1876, the membership was one hun-
dred and twenty-eight.
At a special meeting of presbytery, February, 1872, a
committee was appointed to organize the N^inth Presby-
terian Church of Indianapolis. April, 1872, the organi-
zation of this church was reported, with a membership
of twenty. Fourteen had been received by letter, and
six upon profession of their faith. The field of this
church was first occupied with a Sabbath school organi-
zation. It was known as the " Saw Mill Mission." The
first school was not prosperous, and becoming extinct,
another was established in July, 1870. The leading
spirits in the new organization were Gen, Ben. Harrison,
Dr, C. C, Burgess, Ebenezer Sharpe, Capt. E. P. Howe,
122 HISTORY OF THE
I. C. Hays and others, all members of the First Presby-
terian Church. Rev. L. G. Hay took charge of the mis-
sion, and after the organization of the church was its
stated supply for several years. The membership re-
ported April, 1876, was one hundred and thirty.
April, 1872, the church of St. Louis Crossing was dis-
banded.
September, 1872, the Highland church was disbanded.
The Memorial Church was organized March 12, 1873,
with thirty-one members, thirty received upon certifi-
cate, one upon examination. The origin of Memorial
Church is to be traced to the action of the session of the
Second Presbyterian Church, in the winter of 1869-70.
It was the desire to signalize the memorial year of Pres-
byterian reunion by another mission. Lots were pur-
chased and a chapel erected in the north-east quarter of
the city, and a Sabbath school established. The enter-
prise was not at first successful, and it was proposed at
one time to sell the property and abandon the mission.
But better counsels prevailed. The Young Men's Asso-
ciation of the Second Church was entrusted with the
work, and it was prosecuted with vigor, resulting in the
organization of the church. April, 1873, Rev. H. A.
Edson, released from the pastoral charge of the Second
Church, entered upon the labors of the field of the Me-
morial Church. A site was at once purchased for a per-
manent church edifice, and contracts let for the building.
The corner-stone was laid for the new structure April 7,
1874. The chapel and Sabbath school rooms of the new
building were occupied for worship for the first time
Sabbath, March 7, 1875. The church has been self-sus-
taining from the first. It reported April, 1876, a mem-
bership of two hundred and eighty-eight.
April 18, 1875, the Eleventh Presbyterian church of
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 123
Indianapolis was organized. It reported, April, 1876, a
membership of forty, twenty-three had been received by
letter, seventeen upon profession of their faith. Rev.
B. F. Woods has been stated supply of the church.
June 14, 1876, the Twelfth Presbyterian church of
Indianapolis was organized.
MINISTERIAL CHANGES.
The Emperor of Brazil, Dom Pedro, when he saw in
Machinery Hall of the Centennial Exposition, the record
of the number of the revolutions of the great Corliss en-
gine, more than a million, that had been made from the
beginning of its working wittily remarked, " that beats
the South American Republics for revolutions." The
frequency of changes among the ministers of Indianap-
olis Presbytery, is a fitting subject for imperial wit. An
acknowledged evil both to churches and ministers, it
manifestly demands a remedy. We note these changes
from 1870 to 1876.
September, 1870, I. W. Monfort was dismissed to the
Presbytery of St. Paul.
September, 1870, W. J. Lee was released from the
pastoral care of the church at Danville. April, 1873,
he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Osage, Missouri.
September, 1870, L. A. Aldrich was released from the
pastorate of the Sixth church of Indianapolis. Septem-
ber, 1871, he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Cin-
cinnati.
September, 1870, J. G. Williamson was received from
the Presbytery of New Albany. He was supply of the
Bethany church until failing health disabled him from
preaching.
In the fall of 1870, E. W. Fisk, D. D., was installed
pastor of the church at Green castle. This pastoral re-
124 HISTORY OF THE
latioii was dissolved April, 1872, that Dr. Fisk might
devote his labors to the Female College of Indiana.
October, 1870, W. B. Chamberlain was installed pas-
tor of the Fifth Church at Indianapolis. October, 1872,
he was released from this pastoral charge, and dismissed
April, 1873, to the Presbytery of Mankato, Minnesota.
September, 1875, he was again received from the Pres-
bytery of Mankato, leave given him to labor without
the bounds of presbytery, and September, 1876, he was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Council Bluffs.
April, 1871, R. D. Harper, I). D., was released from
the pastoral care of the First Church of Indianapolis,
and dismissed to the Third Presbytery of Philadelphia.
April, 1871, Joseph E. Scott was received from the
Presbyteiy of West Jersey. He was stated supply of
the Sixth Church ot Indianapolis for one year, and then
entered upon the iield of Foreign Missions in eastern
Turkey.
April, 1871, Alexander Parker was received from the
Presbytery of White Water. October, 1871, he was in-
stalled pastor of the church at Columbus.
April, 1871, n. L. Dickerson was received from the
Presbytery of Crawfordsville. After laboring as stated
supply for two years with the Edinburg church, he was
dismissed April, 1873, to the Presbytery of Crawfords-
ville.
April, 1871, N. S. Dickey was dismissed to the Pres-
bytery of Mattoon.
April, 1871, Ambrose Dunn was received from the
Presbytery of New Albany. Ilis field of labor since,
has been the Greenwood church.
April, 1871, R. B. Herron was received from the Pres-
bytery of Cincinnati. lie labored for a season as pas-
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 125
tor elect of the Danville church, is now stated supply
of Brownsburg and Shiloh.
April, 1871, the pastoral relation between A. B. Morey
and the Franklin church was dissolved, and he was dis-
missed to the Presbytery of Cincinnati, to be installed
pastor of the Fifth Church of Cincinnati, a call from
which church had at a previous meeting of presbytery
been placed in his hands.
June, 1871, C. H. Raymond was received from the
Presbytery of Dayton. In the following July, he was
installed pastor of the Seventh Church of Indianapolis.
September 1871, J. P. E. Kumler was received from
the Presbytery of Viucennes, and in October following,
installed pastor of the First Church at Indianapolis.
July, 1875, application was made to presbytery by Mr.
Kumler, for release from this pastoral charge that he
might accept a call to the Third Church of Cincinnati.
The First Church of Indianapolis resisted the appli-
cation of their pastor to the presbytery, and it was not
granted. In September the application was renewed by
the pastor, and was granted, and he was dismissed to
the Presbytery of Cincinnati.
April, 1871, James Williamson was licensed to preach
the gospel. October following he was ordained and
installed pastor of the churches of Acton and Boggs-
town. October, 1875, he was released from the pastoral
care of the Boggstown church.
April, 1872, S. E. Wishard was received from the
Presbytery of Sangamon, and installed pastor of the
Franklin church.
April, 1872, J. B. Logan was dismissed to the Presby-
tery of Crawfordsville. September, 1873, he was again
received.
April, 1872, S. S. Bergen was licensed to preach the
126 HISTORY OF THE
gospel. November, 1872, he was ordained an evangel-
ist. April, 1872, he was dismissed to the Presbytery ot
Austin, Texas.
May, 1872, J. B. Brandt was installed pastor of the
Sixth Church of Indianapolis.
May, 1872, John Dixon was licensed to preach the
gospel. May, 1873, he was dismissed to put himself
under the care of the Presbytery of Boston.
June, 1872, Robert Sloss, accepting a call to the Foiir-
teenth Street Church of New York city, placed by pres-
bytery in his hands, was released from the pastoral care
of the Third Church of Indianapolis, and dismissed to
the Presbytery of New York.
April, 1873, Augustus L. Williams, a licentiate, was
received from the Presbytery of Lansing. He was
stated supply of the church at Greencastle for eighteen
months. September, 1875, he was dismissed to the Cen-
tral Presbytery of Philadelphia.
April, 1873, J. A. Williams was received from the
Presbytery of Austin. He became supply of the church
at Edinburg. September, 1875, he was dismissed to the
Presbytery of White Water.
April, 1873, J. R. Mitchell was received from the
Presbytery of White Water, and installed pastor of the
Fifth Church of Indianapolis.
April, 1873, the pastoral relation of H. A. Edson and
the Second Church of Indianapolis was dissolved, and he
entered upon his work in the Memorial Church.
September, 1873, E. B. Mason was received from the
Puritan Association of Ohio, and installed pastor of the
Fourth Church of Indianapolis.
October, 1873, J. L. Withrow, D. D., called by the
Second Church of Indianapolis, was received Irom the
Central Presbytery of Philadelphia, and installed. This
PRE8B YTER Y OF INDIA NA POLLS. 127
pastoral relation was dissolved June, 1876, that Dr.
Withrow might accept a call to the Park Street Church,
Boston.
December, 1873, G. W. F. Birch was received from
the Presbytery of Ebenezer, Kentucky, and installed
pastor of the Third Church of Indianapolis. This pas-
toral relation was dissolved June, 1876.
April, 1874, George Long was dismissed to the Pres-
bytery of Logansport.
May, 1874, Lucius I. Root was received from the
Presbytery of Mattoon, and installed pastor of the
church at Greencastle. This pastoral relation was dis-
solved, Januar}', 1876, and a letter of dismissal given to
Mr. Root to the Presbytery of Alton.
May, 1874, Charles T. White, D. D., was received
from the Presbytery of Chemung. He became stated
supply of the church at Greeniield, and was dismissed
June, 1876, to the Presbytery of White Water.
May, 1874, William Armstrong was received from the
Presbytery of Portsmouth.
May, 1874, John R. Sutherland, a licentiate, was
received from the Presbytery of Chicago, ordained and
installed pastor of the Eighth Church. He was released
from this pastoral charge November, 1875, and dis-
missed to the Presbytery of Grand Rapids.
June, 1874, S. E. Barr was released trom the pastoral
care of the Hopewell Church, and dismissed to the Pres-
bytery of Fort Wayne.
September, 1874, N. F. Tuck was received from the
Presbytery of Louisville.
January, 1875, E. L. Williams was licensed. June,
1876, he was ordained and installed pastor of the Eighth
and Twelfth Churches of Indianapolis.
April, 1875, L. P. Walker was received from the Pres-
128 HISTORY OF THE
bytery of Mattoon, and in May following installed pas-
tor of the Ninth Church of Indianapolis.
April, 1875, Edwin Black was received from the Pres-
bytery of Mattoon, and installed pastor of the Hopewell
church.
April, 1875, M. M. Lawson was licensed to preach the
gospel. September, 1875, he was dismissed to put him-
self under the care of the Presbytery of Marion.
April, 1875, Henry L. Nave was licensed. June, 1876,
he was ordained and installed pastor of the church at
E din burg.
December, 1875, R. J. L. Matthews was received from
the Presbytery of Cairo.
April, 1876, E. H. Post was received from the Presby-
ter}^ of San Josfe. He became supply of the church at
Danville.
April, 1876, John H. Harris was received from the
Presbytery of Cincinnati. He became supply of the
Bethany church.
DEATHS.
Since 1870 four of the members of presbytery have en-
tered, through the gates of death, into the presence and
joy of their Lord.
Charles H. Marshall died at Indianapolis, January 27,
1872, at the age of forty-eight.
Charles K. Thompson died at Carlisle, February 8,
1872, at the age of sixty-one.
Edward Wright died at Bloomington, November 10,
1872, at the age of sixty-eight.
N. S. Palmer died at Franklin, November 24, 1873, at
the age of tifty-two.
MISSIONARY WORK.
Rev. J. B. Logan was employed in 1870-'71 as presby-
lerial missionary. By instruction from the presbytery,
PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS. 129
one result to be aimed at by the missionary was the
grouping of feeble churches and combining them in the
support of a minister, so that they would require no
aid from the Board of Missions. This object having
been attained, and the churches supplied with ministers,
no new fields outside of Indianapolis opening for occu-
pation, the services of the presbyterial missionary were
discontinued at the close of September, 1871.
September, 1876, but two churches were reported as
receiving aid from the Board of Missions, the Eleventh
Church of Indianapolis and the church of Georgetown.
The amount annually contributed to the cause of
home missions, since 1870, has been, on an average, a
little more than $3,250. A large portion of this has
been expended on mission churches within the city of
Indianapolis.
The work of Foreign Missions has not received so large
an amount from the churches. The annual contribution
from the churches of the presbytery to the cause of For-
eign Missions, has been about $2,000.
woman's mission work.
September, 1872, a resolution of presbytery earnestly
commended the Women's Board of Missions to the ses-
sions and women of the churches of presbytery. In a
number of the churches, missionary organizations of the
ladies of the churches were formed. September, 1874,
the following resolution was passed by presbytery :
Resoloed, That we request a committee of three ladies, members
of our church, to communicate with all the churches of the presby-
tery, requesting them to eflFect the organization of a Woman's Mis-
sionary Society, and to secure the appointment of one or more del-
egates from each church to be present at the next meeting of
presbytery.
Mrs. J. P. E. Kumler, of the First Church of Indian-
9
130 HISTORY OF THE
apolis, Mrs. J. Clark, of the Franklin church, and Mrs.
C. 11. Raymond, of the Seventh Church of Indianapolis,
were appointed this committee.
At the next stated meeting of the presbytery at Indi-
anapolis, April, 1875, a number of ladies, delegates from
their missionary societies, assembled and organized a
presbyterial society. Thirteen societies were reported
to them as organized within the bounds of the presby-
tery. Upon invitation of the Ladies' Presbyterial Soci-
ety, the Woman's Board of the JSTorth-west met in Indi-
anapolis, April, 1876. The meeting of this board,
through the presence of the Spirit of the Lord, was a
glorious occasion, and great good was accomplished.
The ladies are quietly but earnestly pursuing their work
in the different churches, meeting also in their presby-
terial society at the time of the stated meetings of pres-
bytery.
REVIVALS.
Every year since 1870 there have been revivals in
some of the churches of the presbytery. The year of
1872-'73 seemed to be most barren of results in the con-
version of souls and additions to the churches. The
year of 1873-74 was a year of revivals, and additions
were made in goodl}' numbers to many of the churches.
The year of 1874-'75 was also a year of blessing, and
still more signally the year of 1875-76. During this
last named year six hundred and sixty-one were added
to the churches on profession of faith. The next largest
accession to the churches was in 1873-'74, when five
hundred and two were added on profession of faith.
The least number added was in the year 1872-73, when
two hundred and twenty were added on profession of
faith.
PRESB YTER Y OF INDIA NA POLLS. 131
PROGRESS.
One church a year has been added since 1870 to the
roll of the churches of presbytery. All of these churches
have a promising future. Five are in Indianapolis.
One, the Memorial Church, is already one of the strong
churches of the presbytery. Several new church build-
ings have been erected. According to the United States
census report the value of church property held in 1860
by the Presbyterian churches within the bounds of the
present presbytery, was a little less than $150,000. The
estimated value of property now held by the churches is
about $600,000.
During the last six years, the churches have received
into their communion, upon profession of their faith,
two thousand four hundred and seventy-six (2,476) mem-
bers, and by letter, one thousand eight hundred and fif-
teen (1,815.) The present membership of the church is
five thousand eight hundred and nineteen (5,819,) an in-
crease in membership since 1870, of more than thirty-
three per cent. The number of churches is thirty-eight,
the number of ministers forty. Of these ministers ten
are without charge, some by reason of the infirmities of
age, others for other reasons. One is a Professor in the
State University, another is a Foreign Missionary. The
efiective ministerial force of the presbytery, is twenty-
eight ministers. The field is rich and will become richer
and more productive with cultivation. It is the central
region of the State in which it lies. From Indianapolis,
the Capital of the State, streams of influence will go
forth constantly to all parts of the State. And through
the great missionary organizations of the church, the in-
fluence of this field, in common with that of all other
parts of the Presbyterian church in our land, is to go
132 PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS.
forth into all the world. But in the field itself, there are
many spiritual wastes to be made, through the blessing
of the Lord upon labor, to blossom as the rose. "Arise,
O Lord, into thy rest, thou and the ark of thy strength.
Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness, and let
thy saints shout for jo3^"
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