Nathan Bangs · 12 of 28

Chapter 5. The General Conference of 1820. · Part 3

“Singing forms such an interesting and important branch of divine service, that every effort to improve the science of sacred music should meet with corresponding encouragement. Nothing tends more, when rightly performed, to elevate the mind, and tune it to the strains of pure devotion. Hence the high estimation in which it has been constantly held by the Christian church. Indeed, every considerable revival of true godliness has been attended, not only with the cultivation and enlargement of knowledge in general, but of sacred poetry and music in particular. Singing and making melody in the heart to the Lord is the natural result of having the love of God shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit. The melodious notes of many voices, harmoniously uniting to sound the praises of God, cannot but inspire the heart of the Christian to devotion, and elevate the affections to things spiritual and divine. Who, then, can be uninterested in the improvement of a science so beneficial to the church of God! What hear t that has ever vibrated to the inspiring sounds of sacred and vocal music, but must exult in every attempt that is made to cultivate and diffuse the knowledge of this useful auxiliary in spreading the knowledge of God our Saviour!

“Though the Methodist Episcopal Church has never been insensible to the advantages resulting from the knowledge and practice of vocal music, having always used it perhaps more than most other denominations of Christians — in public assemblies and private associations; yet a suitable tune book, adapted to the various hymns and meters of its Hymn Book, has long been a desideratum in its spiritual economy. Several efforts, indeed, have been made, by individuals, to supply this deficiency. The subject was brought before the General Conference at its last session; and it was finally referred to the discretion of the book agents.

“Believing such a collection of tunes, as should be suited to the various meters and subjects of our hymns, would be highly advantageous to the members and friends of our Church, soon after the conference closed its session, the agents adopted measures to accomplish this very desirable object. For this purpose a committee, consisting of members of our Church, was appointed, who, besides their competency to this undertaking, felt a deep interest in the reputation and utility of this very important part of divine service. They were requested, in conformity as nearly as practicable to the requisition of our Discipline, to make a selection of tunes from authors of approved merit, keeping in view the various sections of our widely extended connection, that the peculiarity of taste, in the choice of tunes, might, as far as possible, be gratified. They entered upon their labor with cheerfulness, and persevered with conscientious care and diligence until they brought their work to a close: and the tunes comprised in the following selection will evince the result of their exertions, and their communication to the agents, with which we close this preface, will explain the manner in which they executed the trust confided to them.

“‘Dear Brethren: — Your Committee, whose task it has been, by your request, to compile a book of tunes for the use of the Methodist Episcopal Church, report: That they have been fully aware of the extreme difficulty of making such a collection of tunes as should in all respects be accommodated either to the fancy or taste of every section of our widely extended connection. In the use of any particular style of tunes, so much generally depends upon education, local feelings, or mental constitution, that, except with those who are skilled in the science of music, the choice of a tune is seldom Caused by a discovery of its intrinsic worth, or its adaptation to the solemnities of Christian worship. Your committee, therefore, will neither be surprised nor disappointed if their selection, in coming before the public, meet with some of those discouragements which have attended works of a similar nature.

“‘Your committee, however, have not been regardless of the partialities of our societies in different parts of the Union. They have availed themselves of standard works which have obtained celebrity in the eastern and southern states, as well as those that are in general use among us. The best European authors have also been consulted. Books edited by members of our Church, or with a design to suit our Hymn Book, have received particular attention. They have neglected no means of ascertaining the wishes of our friends, and of accommodating, as far as possible, their plan to those wishes.

“‘It may be proper to suggest that the primary object of your committee has been, not to prepare a collection of tunes for social circles or singing associations, (though they hope the work will not be unacceptable even in this light,) but, according to your own directions, for the use of worshipping congregations. They have therefore, in the first place, carefully avoided the choice of all such tunes as, from the intricacy or unsuitableness of their style, are incapable of being easily learned by ordinary congregations; for one of the most important objects of public singing is lost when every tuneful voice in the house of God cannot join in the solemn exercise.

“‘Secondly, In cordial approbation of that clause of our Discipline which disapproves of fugue tunes, they have (with the exception of a very few, the use of which has been established by general practice) passed by those distinguished by that peculiarity.

“‘Thirdly, In order to assist leaders of singing, they have carefully affixed over each hymn in the new Hymn Book the name of such tune as, in their opinion, is suitable to that hymn.

“‘Your committee have thought proper to insert brief instructions in the rudiments of music, which will be found of great utility where the work is introduced into singing schools.

“‘Thus, after the labor of nearly a twelvemonth [a quaint term for “year” — DVM], your committee have the pleasure of delivering into your hands the result of their joint exertions: they are happy in having this opportunity of contributing their part toward the improvement of one of the most delightful, as well as one of the most devotional parts of divine worship. Uninfluenced by the expectation or desire of any pecuniary recompense, they only wish as a reward for their labors the approbation of their brethren, beloved in Christ, who compose the general and annual conferences, and that of the membership of the Methodist Church. We have long needed a work which might be considered as a standard of music for our connection in America. That which your committee present to you is an attempt for this, according to the best of their judgment.

“‘Finally, praying that the blessing of Heaven may accompany their efforts, they would subjoin the language of our bishops as a just expression of their own sentiments: “We exhort all to sing with the Spirit and with the understanding also; and thus may the high praises of God be set up from east to west, from north to south; and we shall be happily instrumental in leading the devotion of thousands, and shall rejoice to join them in time and eternity.” — All which is respectfully submitted.

“‘New York, October 23, 1821.’”

This book continued in use until 1832, when a revised edition of these tunes was published, in obedience to the orders of the General Conference. In 1836, believing that a greater variety of tunes was needed to meet the wants of our growing Church, better suited to the various tastes and peculiar habits of the several sections of our country, our book agents and editors adopted the very judicious course of selecting a committee composed of a member from Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, who prepared the edition now in use, and which, I believe, gives general satisfaction.

With a view to prevent, as far as practicable, our people from running heedlessly into debt in procuring houses of worship, to secure them permanently for the use of the ministers and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the places where they should be built, as well as to check the practice of selling or renting the slips, the following resolutions were adopted, and ordered to be incorporated in the Discipline, in answer to the question, “Is any thing advisable in regard to building?”

That from this date no house of worship under our charge shall be built, or the building commenced, until the site or ground on which such house or houses are to be located is secured to the church as our deed of settlement directs, and said deed is legally executed.

That from and after this date no house of worship under our charge shall be commenced until three-fourths of the money necessary to complete the building be in hand or subscribed. The estimate of the sum necessary for the whole expense of said house or houses to be made by a judicious committee, to consist of at least three members of our Church, to be chosen by the quarterly meeting conference of the circuit or station in which such house or houses are designed to be built.

That it be made the duty of each presiding elder and preacher in charge to make proper inquiry in their districts, circuits, and stations respecting the title we have to our houses of worship; and in all cases where a title is found deficient, to adopt the most judicious and prudent measures to have them secured as directed in our deed of settlement, and whenever a vacancy is found in the trusteeship to have it filled, as directed in the Discipline.

That the practice of building houses with pews, and the renting and selling said pews, is contrary to our economy, and that it be the duty of the several annual conferences to use their influence to prevent such houses from being built in future, and, as far as possible, to make those free which have already been built with pews.

That in future we will admit of no charter, deed, or conveyance for any house to be used by us as a house of worship, unless it be provided in such charter, deed, or conveyance that the trustees of said house shall at all times permit such ministers. and preachers, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church, as shall from time to time be duly authorized by the General Conference of said Church, or by the annual conference, to preach and expound Gods holy word, and to execute the rules and discipline of the Church, and to administer the sacraments therein, according to the true meaning and purport of our deed of settlement.”

The rule in reference to the preliminary steps to be taken in regard to procuring funds for building churches has been but little heeded, our people thinking, probably, that they understand this matter better than the General Conference, and hence, in many instances, debts have been contracted to such an amount as to render the situation of the trustees extremely embarrassing, if not indeed almost ruinous. Nor has all that has been said and done to prevent the renting or selling of slips checked the practice, for it has gone on steadily increasing among us in most of the northern conferences. It would seem, however, that the advocates for the exclusive free seat system were determined at this conference to make a strong effort to annihilate the practice; for in the first answer to the above question, which until now read, “Let all our churches be built plain and decent,” were added the words, “and with free seats.” This amendment, however, was not carried without great opposition from those delegates who felt the necessity, either to have no houses at all, or to permit them to be built with a view to rent or sell the seats.

A very important alteration was made at this conference in respect to local preachers. Until now they had been identified with the quarterly meeting conferences, had received their license to preach on the recommendation of this meeting, and were amenable to it for their moral, Christian, and official conduct, with the privilege of an appeal to an annual conference in case they had been censured, suspended, or expelled by the quarterly conference. A little uneasiness had been manifested at times, by some of the local preachers, because they thought they had been abridged of some of their rights, in not being permitted to be examined, licensed, and tried by their peers exclusively. To remove the cause of their dissatisfaction by granting the privilege of transacting the business which related to themselves exclusively, this General Conference created a District Conference,” to be composed of “all the local preachers in the” (presiding elder’s) “district who shall have been licensed two years.” Of this meeting the presiding elder of the district, or, in his absence, such person as the district meeting might elect for the purpose, was to be president. This conference was authorized to grant licenses to proper persons to preach as local preachers, to renew their licenses, to recommend to annual conferences suitable persons for deacon’s or elder’s orders in the local ministry, for admission on trial in an annual conference, to try, suspend, expel, or acquit such local preachers as might be accused; but it could not license any man to preach unless he were recommended by a quarterly meeting conference: in fact, all the powers formerly belonging to the quarterly conference, which related to local preachers, except simply the privilege of recommending the candidates to the office of local preachers, were transferred to this district conference.

As was foreseen by some who were opposed to this startling innovation upon a long established usage, this conference by no means worked well. Many of the local preachers themselves were much dissatisfied with it, and hence, in various parts of the country, it was difficult to convene a sufficient number to do business; while in others, where they were most active in procuring the passage of the law creating and defining the powers of this conference, a spirit of insubordination, incompatible with the rights and privileges of the itinerancy, began to manifest itself; and there can be no doubt that this injudicious measure, which had been presented to and carried through the conference with some precipitancy, tended to foment that spirit of radicalism which ended in the secession of the party who styled themselves “Reformers,” and who have since organized under the name of the “Protestant Methodist Church.”

In consequence of witnessing these effects of the present organization, the powers of the district conferences were from time to time somewhat abridged, replacing in the quarterly meeting conference the power of transacting the affairs relating to local preachers, where and when the district conference did not assemble, until finally, in 1836, the district conference was dissolved, and its rights, powers, and privileges reverted back to the quarterly meeting conference, where they have been and are now exercised, to the general satisfaction of all concerned.

As the constitution of our Missionary Society contemplated the co-operation of the General Conference, having given authority to that body to incorporate an article for the appointment of missionaries, and for regulating the manner in which the funds for their support should be drawn, the subject came up for consideration before this General Conference, and its deliberations resulted in the adoption of the following report, which was drawn up, I believe, by the late Bishop Emory: —

“Your committee regard the Christian ministry as peculiarly a missionary ministry. ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,’ is the very foundation of its authority, and develops its character simultaneously with its origin.

“The success which attended the itinerant and missionary labors of the first heralds of salvation farther establishes the correctness of this view, and demonstrates the divine sanction of this method of spreading the gospel.

“In process of time, however, the missionary spirit declined, and the spirit of genuine Christianity with it. Then it pleased the Lord to raise up the Messrs. Wesleys, Whitefield, and others, through whose itinerant and missionary labors a great revival of vital piety was commenced, the progress and extent of which, at present, your committee cannot but regard as cause of unbounded thankfulness and pleasure.

“The missions of Boardman and Pilmoor, of Wright, of Asbury, and others, are events in our history not soon to be forgotten. A grateful people feel their happy influence and hold their memory dear, and generations yet unborn will rise up and call them blessed.

“Can we, then, be listless to the cause of missions, We cannot. Methodism itself is a missionary system. Yield the missionary spirit, and you yield the very lifeblood of the cause.

“In missionary efforts our British brethren are before us. We congratulate them on their zeal and their success. But your committee beg leave to entreat this conference to emulate their example. The time, indeed, may not yet be come in which we should send our missionaries beyond seas. Our own continent presents to us fields sufficiently vast, which are opening before us, and whitening to the harvest. These, it is probable, will demand all the laborers and all the means which we can command at present.

“You will permit your committee to mention some of those missionary grounds which may have a peculiar claim to your first attentions. They are the Canadas, the Floridas, the state of Louisiana, the territories of Arkansas and Missouri, our western frontiers generally, having regard to those who use the French, Spanish, or other foreign languages, as well as to those who use the English; together with any destitute places in the interior in which circuits may not yet have been formed, and where it may be judged important to have efficient missions.

“In a particular manner the committee solicit the attention of the Conference to the condition of the aborigines of our Country, the Indian tribes. American Christians are certainly under peculiar obligations to impart to them the blessings of Civilization and Christian light. That there is no just cause to despair of success, through grace, in this charitable and pious undertaking, is demonstrated by the fact that there are already gathered into Church fellowship about sixty members of the Wyandot tribe, in the state of Ohio; and that a successful mission, under our direction, is now in operation among them. Why might not similar success attend other missions among other tribes? Is the Lord’s arm shortened that he cannot save our brothers of the forest? or is his ear heavy that he will not hear in their behalf?

“The government of the United States has manifested a disposition toward the Indians which may contribute much, not only to their civilization, but to their evangelization. Ten thousand dollars annually have been appropriated by congress for the establishment of schools among them. By this act it is required that the plan of education embrace, for the boys, in addition to reading, writing, and arithmetic, the practical knowledge of agriculture, and of such of the mechanic arts as are suited to the condition of the Indians; and for the girls, spinning, weaving, and sewing. This your committee consider a very judicious regulation, and perfectly compatible with the duties of missionaries, if men of families who might be established among them, as teachers in those schools, while their wives would assist in the instruction of the girls in their appropriate departments. The civilization of the Indians will promote their evangelization.

Indeed, your committee are decidedly of opinion, that it is the rising generation among the Indians to whom your attention should be chiefly directed; and that the institution of schools among them, on the government plan, and under the government patronage, should be your first care. It will be necessary, at the same time, in the appointment of teachers to select suitable persons, with a view to the ulterior object of Christian instruction, both to the youth and the adult; which object, it is evident, will be greatly promoted by means of a common language; by the influence which a teacher will have over the youth; and by the free access which will be gained, through them, to their parents and friends. This is the course which has been pursued by our missionary brethren of the British connection in the island of Ceylon, and, your committee believe, with great success.

“Several denominations have already availed themselves of the proffered aid of government above mentioned, and have flourishing schools, of a missionary character, now in operation among different tribes.

“The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions have an establishment of this kind on the Chickamaugah, in the Cherokee country, and another among the Choctaws. At the first are about one hundred Indian Children, and at the second from forty to sixty. This board have also directed their attention to the country west of the Mississippi, and an establishment similar to those above named is already in a state of forwardness there. Besides these, branches are organized in different parts of the Cherokee and Choctaw Countries; and measures are in operation to establish two other principal schools, one for the benefit of the Creeks and the other for the Chickasaws.

“The Baptist society have a school in Kentucky, at the Great Crossings, to which fifteen or twenty Indian children have been sent from the Indian country: and they are about to organize a school at the Valley Towns, in the Cherokee country.

“At Spring-place, in the Cherokee nation, there has been a school for fourteen years, under the care of the Moravians, which is said to have been productive of much good.

“The United Foreign Missionary Society of New York are about organizing a school west of the Mississippi, and also for the benefit of the emigrant Cherokees. It is supposed they will go into operation in the course of this spring and summer.

“Your committee had felicitated themselves on the pleasing and inviting openings for such institutions which had appeared, particularly among the Wyandots; of which tribe many, through the instrumentality of our missions, have already been turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. But while we have been delaying, others have stepped in. The agent of that tribe has informed a member of your committee that he has written to the secretary of war to place the proportion of the ten thousand dollars per annum, allowed by congress, which may be allotted to that agency, at the disposal of the committee of Friends on Indian concerns, in this city; and they have it in contemplation to open three schools, the ensuing summer, in the said agency.

“Your committee hope not to be understood as expressing any regret at the zeal of other denominations in so good a cause. Far from it. The mention of this is intended rather to provoke ourselves to love and to good works. There yet is room.

“From the above sketch it will be seen how the spirit of missions is diffusing itself in our country. It ought to be cherished and rightly directed. If we do not cherish it, others will. It is of God, and will prevail.

“Indeed, many of the Indians themselves, bordering on our improved settlements, are roused to a sense of their deplorable condition. With outstretched arms they cry to us, and say, ‘Come and help us!’ Your Committee believe it a call of Providence, which should be obeyed.

With these views they submit the following resolutions, viz.: —

“Resolved, by the delegates of the annual conferences in General Conference assembled,

That this Conference do highly approve of the institution of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the City of New York, and, on the recommendation of the managers thereof; do agree to and adopt its constitution.

That it be, and hereby is, earnestly recommended to all the annual conferences to take such measures as they may deem most advisable for the establishment of branch societies, auxiliary to the parent Methodist Missionary Society at New York, in all convenient and practicable places within their bounds; and that it be the duty of the general superintendents to communicate this recommendation to the said conferences, and to use their best endeavors and influence to have it carried into speedy and general effect.

That this conference do fully approve of the plan of education for the civilization of the Indians, required by a circular, in conformity with an act of congress, issued from the department of war, by the Hon. J. C. Calhoun, on the 3d of September, 1819, and by a supplement thereto, issued from the department on the 29th of February last; and that they do hereby authorize the general superintendents of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and any others who, under their direction, may be engaged in establishing, organizing, or conducting such school or schools, to act in conformity therewith.

That the superintendents be, and hereby are, requested to, keep in view the selection of a suitable missionary station westwardly or southwestwardly — where a person may be appointed, as soon as they may deem it expedient, to have charge of the missions which are or may be in that direction, in the absence of the general superintendents.

That a more particular and regular attention ought to be paid to the instruction of the destitute souls in our cities, towns, and country places; and that the same be and is hereby earnestly urged on all our preachers who may be appointed to such places respectively; and more especially in stations where such instructions may be given with the greatest regularity and effect: in which good cause the said preachers are advised and requested, by all prudent and affectionate means, to engage, as far as possible, the aid of our brethren the local preachers.

That this conference do highly approve of the pious zeal which caused the institution of the Mite Society of Philadelphia, for promoting domestic and foreign missions; that the thanks of this conference be, and hereby are, rendered to the said society for the same, and for their friendly address to this conference on the subject; but that, having adopted a modified constitution of a missionary society, to be established in New York, from the objects of which the publishing of Bibles has been separated, for the reasons contained in the said address from Philadelphia, and also on the recommendation of the society in New York, and contemplating very important advantages from having the parent missionary society located where the Book Concern is conducted, so that the editor and general book steward for the time being may always be treasurer thereof, this General Conference do respectfully and affectionately recommend to the society in Philadelphia to become auxiliary to that in New York.

“All which is respectfully submitted. “Wm. Ryland, Chairman. “Baltimore, May 15, 1820.”

It will be perceived from the sixth resolution of this report that our brethren in Philadelphia had also presented an address to the conference, in reference to their missionary society, and likewise the reasons for the preference given to the one which originated in the city of New York; the chief of which was, that the location of the parent society might be in the same place with the Book Concern, as it was expected that these two institutions would greatly aid and mutually support each other, and experience has proved that the expectation was well founded.

At the formation of this society it was intended to print and circulate Bibles and Testaments gratuitously, in connection with spreading the gospel by means of missionary labors; and hence it was called the “Missionary and Bible Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church;” but being convinced, upon more mature reflection, that the American Bible Society, which was now in successful operation, was fully adequate to the task of supplying the community with the sacred Scriptures, the society recommended to the General Conference to strike the word Bible from the title, that it might confine its efforts exclusively to missionary labors, and so more effectually fulfill the primary design of its organization. This was accordingly done, and the word “America” was also stricken out, as this was unnecessary to designate the character of the society, there being no other missionary society of the “Methodist Episcopal Church” in existence.

As the original constitution of this society has been altered from time to time by the General Conference, on the recommendation of the board of managers, that the reader may see at once how the affairs of the society are conducted, and for what ends, I will insert the constitution as it now stands, (1839,) without referring to the minutiae of those amendments by which it has been brought to its present improved character. It is as follows: —

“REVISED CONSTITUTION

Of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Article 1. This association, denominated ‘The Missionary Society of The Methodist Episcopal Church,’ is established for the express purpose of enabling the several annual conferences more effectually to extend their missionary labors throughout the United States and elsewhere; and also to assist in the support and promotion of missionary schools and missions in our own and in foreign countries.

Article 2. The payment of two dollars annually shall constitute a member; the payment of twenty dollars at one time a member for life.

Article 3. The officers of this society shall consist of a president, vice presidents, clerk, treasurer, and assistant treasurer, who, together with thirty-two managers, shall form a board for the transaction of business. They shall all be members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he annually elected by the society. Each annual conference shall have also the privilege of appointing one vice president from its own body.

Article 4. There shall also be a resident corresponding secretary appointed by the General Conference, whose salary shall be fixed and paid by the board of managers, who shall be exclusively employed in conducting the correspondence of the society, and, under the direction of the board, in promoting its general interests, by traveling or otherwise. With the approbation of the managers, he may employ such assistance, from time to time, as may be judged necessary for the interests of the cause; the compensation for which shall be fixed by the board. He shall be, ex officio, a member of the board of managers. Should his office become vacant by death, resignation, or otherwise, the board shall have power to provide for the duties of the office until the next session of the New York conference, which, with the concurrence of the presiding bishop, shall fill the vacancy until the ensuing General Conference.