CHURCH: Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, Chapter 7, PA & NY Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ________________________________________________ Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 107-123. ________________________________________________ HISTORICAL SOCIETY 107 CHAPTER VII HISTORICAL SOCIETY AT the Conference of 1887 Rev. H. C. McDermott presented the following resolution: "Whereas, The last General Conference having requested the Annual Conferences to organize Historical Societies, that all facts, documents, relics, and reminiscences that relate to the origin and growth of our Church, which may be of historical value, either now or in the future, may be preserved; and, "Whereas, No such organization exists within the bounds of this Conference; therefore, be it "Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare a form of Constitution for a Conference Historical Society, and report the same to the next session. H. C. MCDERMOTT, MANLEY S. HARD." After the adoption of the resolution the bishop appointed the following committee: H. C. McDermott, J. F. Warner, M. S. Hard, T. Harroun, L. L. Sprague. Three members of this committee, H. C. McDermott, T. Harroun, and J. F. Warner, met at New Milford, on September 14, 1887, and formulated a constitution, which was adopted by the Conference of 1888. CONSTITUTION WYOMING CONFERENCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARTICLE I NAME This Society shall be called the Wyoming Conference Historical Society. ARTICLE II OBJECTS The objects shall be to collect and preserve such books, pamphlets, papers, relics, and portraits as shall illustrate the origin and growth of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having special reference to the history of that Church within the bounds of the Wyoming Conference; and to promote a knowledge of history by such means as may seem best adapted to that end. ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP Any minister or member of the Methodist Episcopal Church may become a member of this Society by signing the Constitution. Honorary and corresponding members may be constituted upon recommendation of the 108 WYOMING CONFERENCE Executive Committee, and election by the Society; provided no one shall become a corresponding member who resides within the bounds of this Conference. ARTICLE IV DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS It shall be the duty of members to promote the objects of the Society by collecting books, pamphlets, documents, class - books, records, journals, relics, portraits, reminiscences, or other matter relating to the history and literature of Methodism; and ministerial members shall furnish biographical sketches of themselves, and deposit the same in the archives of the Society. Members shall have access to the archives under the rules of the Society. ARTICLE V OFFICERS The officers of this Society shall be elected annually by ballot, and shall consist of a President; one Vice President for each district; a Corresponding Secretary; a Recording Secretary; a Treasurer; an Archivist, and Librarian. The officers shall constitute the Executive Committee. ARTICLE VI DUTIES OF OFFICERS 1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Society, and perform such other duties as usually pertain to presiding officers in similar societies. 2. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his absence. 3. The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct the general correspondence of the Society; shall notify honorary and corresponding members of their election; shall collect and preserve materials for the history of this Society; shall seek by correspondence to enlarge its historical collection, and shall report the condition of the Society to each annual meeting. 4. The Recording Secretary shall keep a correct record of the proceedings of all meetings of this Society, and cause the same to be entered upon the journal after approval. He shall also keep a full list of the names of the members of the Society, that the same may be properly catalogued. 5. The Treasurer shall take charge of all moneys of the Society; pay all bills when approved by the Executive Committee; keep a full account of all receipts and expenditures, and report the same to the annual meeting. 6. The Archivist and Librarian shall take charge of all books, records, documents, literary contributions, and relics belonging to the Society. He shall classify and catalogue all such articles, and be responsible for the care and custody of the same, and shall reside in or near the place of deposit of said archives. 7. The Executive Committee shall have general charge of the affairs of the Society; shall arrange for the annual meeting in connection with the session of the Annual Conference, and for special meetings when adjudged necessary; said committee shall provide for an essay or address at each annual meeting, the same to be written and deposited in the archives of the Society. HISTORICAL SOCIETY 109 ARTICLE VII FINANCE The expenses of this Society shall be met by public collections at its annual meetings by donations, bequests, and such other means as the Executive Committee shall deem advisable. ARTICLE VIII AMENDMENTS, ETC. This Constitution shall not be altered except at an annual meeting, and upon the written recommendation of at least five members, and by a majority vote of all members present, and voting; notice of the proposed change having been published in an official church paper circulating within the bounds of this Conference, one month previous. J. F. WARNER, Chairman. THOMAS HARROUN. H. C. MCDERMOTT, Secretary. Since the organization of the society it has held several anniversaries. In fact, it is a policy of the society to hold an anniversary service once in two years. Its anniversary of 1902 was of exceptional interest. It marked the semicentennial of our Conference history. It was anticipated that the Conference of this year would be held in Carbondale, the place of the first Conference. The burning of the Carbondale church prevented, and the Conference was held in Waverly, N. Y. This caused a change in the plan for this anniversary. It is futile to speculate about what the program might have been had the Conference been in Carbondale. This is certain, the program given was very rich. Prayer was offered by Revs. G. W. Leach and Thomas Harroun. Rev. C. M. Surdam called the roll of the first Conference, G. W. Leach and C. L. Rice being the only ones still living to respond to their names. Rev. W. L. Thorpe made a brief address upon "Why Organize the Wyoming Conference?" in which he argued that it was a necessity arising from the development of the country and Methodism. A duet was sung by Revs. J. B. Sumner and J. C. Leacock, after which Rev. C. L. Rice read the following poem, which he had written for the occasion: CARBONDALE AND SOME OF ITS GUESTS FIFTY YEARS AGO 'Twixt granite hills, a narrow vale Denominated Carbondale, With many toilers underground, And coal for millions erst was found. 110 WYOMING CONFERENCE There rang some fifty years ago Glad bells of welcome, as you know, For those who freely gave their all In answer to the Master's call, And went to seek and save the lost At any sacrifice or cost, To spread the name of Christ abroad, And call poor wanderers back to God. Those dear old friends of sterling worth Have gone the way of all the earth; But precious memories remain, Refreshing as the gentle rain. This town, divided into wards, Boasted its Welsh and Irish lords; City of huts, and mansions few, It rapidly to greatness grew. A Yankee met us now and then, Also, some sturdy Englishmen; The honors of the town to share, Old Scotland's sons were also there. A band of Methodists devout, Who dared to say "Amen," and shout, Strong preachers, found in Doctor Clarke For many years a man of mark; And Gorham, full of sweetest song, With sermons eloquent and strong; And he who governed with his fiat, The man magnetic - William Wyatt. By these inspired they made the call, "A cordial welcome to you all." Then came the guests, each in his order, From every charge within our border; Heading the ranks we see on deck The stately form of Doctor Peck. One had received the doctorate, Who edited "Our Advocate,"* And who became about this date Our pastor at the county seat,+ A genial, friendly man to meet, Then a presiding elder made,++ His laurels green will never fade, More scholarly than often found - The well - beloved Nelson Round. One doctor more, revered by all, Was well proportioned, six feet tall, In Binghamton did long reside, Four years as elder did preside; _____ * The Northern, 1844 - 1848. + Wilkes - Barre. ++ Honesdale District, 1852 - 1855. HISTORICAL POEM BY REV. C. L. RICE 111 A man of learning and good sense, And not inclined to give offense; At eighty Doctor Paddock died, And joined in heaven the glorified. These three protected well our health, Which we regarded more than wealth. These latter days it takes a score - Some think we need a dozen more, For epidemics now prevail Enough to make the nation wail. Less medicine and more to eat, And washing one another's feet, Would, no doubt, have good effect, And crown with glory our elect. But please to pardon this digression, Lest we should make a bad impression; Let playfulness your thoughts beguile, And please your ear, and win a smile. All honor to the later growth, The coming ages speak their worth, They're born, no doubt, to fame, And who can tell what's in a name? One other must not be forgot The worthy name of Bishop Scott. Six candidates were deacons made,* On each the bishop's hands were laid; And, can it be? Alas, alas! I only live of all the class: The stronger were the first to fall, And I was the weakest of them all. Mrs. Grace Rounds Dale then read an exceedingly interesting article on "The Work of Woman in Fifty Years within Wyoming." We print it in full, as it contains valuable historic material: "To do justice to this theme one should give the history of every church in the Conference; for in each church is found a band of faithful women, a goodly number, and all so good that it would be a pleasure to mention every one by name. But we know that 'In the book of His kingdom, On the page white and fair, The names of the faithful Are all written there.' _____ *A. Bronson, John F. Wilbur, Jasper W. Hewitt, Anthony H. Schoonmaker, Amos P. Mead, Charles L. Rice. 112 WYOMING CONFERENCE "'The present is the focus of the past, as the future will be the focus of the present, and we can only determine the value of the past by what the present is.' We trust our brief sketch will prove both the value of the labors of our mothers in Methodism, whose works shine in a halo of grand character, and that the success we have attained in the Women's Societies of to - day is but the fruit of their labors and the reward of their faithfulness. "Holding the glass of time over fifty years of Church history, we find reflected the forms of loved and honored men and women. Many live only in our memories, and many live to - day, bearing burdens, singing songs, bestowing generous gifts, lifting high the banner of the cross. These forms mingle amid interesting reminiscences, full of touching remembrances and rich experiences. We could fill these pages with facts, stranger than fiction, and provide tales as charming as any romance, for fifty years ago the tinge of Revolutionary valor and enthusiasm had not entirely faded from the horizon - indeed, it had been carried into the Church, where, perhaps, there was quite as much need of bravery and sacrifice. We are proud and thankful to be able to trace back through this line of devoted Christian ancestors our right to belong to the grand association of Daughters of the American Revolution; and quite as proud and thankful of our indisputable claim to a place upon the roll of the Daughters of Methodism. Born in a Methodist parsonage; enrolled a Methodist by infant baptism; my mother a daughter of John Comfort, who so loved Methodism that he annually gave five hundred dollars for Church extension and education; my father a member of both Oneida and Wyoming Conferences, many years a pastor, and presiding elder of four districts, professor of ancient languages in Cazenovia Seminary, principal of the Bethany Seminary, editor of the Northern Christian Advocate, member of the Book Committee from 1848 - 52, president of Willamette University, and superintendent of education in the State of Washington; two uncles and ten cousins being on the roll of the Methodist ministry: all make the earliest recollections and precious memories of my childhood those of the Methodist parsonage and the Methodist Church. "The ministers' wives of thirty, forty, and fifty years ago were educated, refined, and gifted women, who labored earnestly for the Church without the help of organized societies. Their children were educated along all lines of Church work and prepared for life's duties mostly at home. Those childhood scenes in the parsonage, can we ever forget them? Do you remember the WOMAN'S WORK IN THE CONFERENCE 113 pictures? Above all others the portrait of John Wesley? A face which must influence every child who has been made familiar with his history. Then the picture of his escape from the burning rectory? And again the wonderful picture of the 'sunrise service,' where John Wesley preached to an audience of thirty - two thousand people in the natural amphitheater of Gwennap, in England? With what reverence we used to look on the deathbed scene of that holy man! It was from these pictures the children received their object lessons in Methodism. "The ministers' wives were busy women. Their homes and Church filled their hearts and time. Yet, between the periods of moving, they managed to raise flowers and grow plants till the parsonages became homes surrounded with beauty and filled with an atmosphere of Christian sympathy and refinement. "The custom of morning and evening prayers was remarkable, as well as spiritual, in feature. Father used his Hebrew Bible in the morning and the Greek Testament in the evening, and every child with his own Bible reading in turn. Mother sat in the circle, with the youngest in her arms. Those influences and the tender, earnest prayers of mother have followed us through life. How much they have blessed us, and from what they have saved us, who can tell? "Then the memories of the fireside tales as we gathered around mother's chair and listened to her personal experiences, from the time when, as a child, she could hear the cry of the panther in the woods near her home, down through all the experiences of moving from one charge to the next. One move was from the most northern part of the Conference to Wilkes - Barre in wagons. The family was moved in installments, for we were an old - fashioned minister's family. I remember asking my father, when he had been telling us of the early times when the preachers' salaries were increased so much per child, if that were the reason he had so many children. "The women of Methodism early understood that the Church expected every woman to do her duty; and long before the organization of the Women's Missionary Societies they had their sewing circles, pastors' and ladies' aid societies, and temperance unions. So that the history of the Church includes the history of woman's work, and the building of every church, every parsonage, has been to some degree a monument of woman's faithful assistance. "We would love to dwell upon the names of many Christian women who have been active in education, but scarcely dare to 114 WYOMING CONFERENCE mention any lest by omission we shall do injustice to many who have rendered Church and country years of devoted service. Old Cazenovia has reason to be proud of the names found on her roll who have gone out to fill positions as ministers' wives, missionaries, and instructors. Among them Miss Hannah Shoemaker, Mrs. Dr. Reddy, Mrs. Dr. Rounds, Mrs. Dr. Peck, and Mrs. Dr. Nelson, who came to Wyoming Seminary in 1844 and devoted her time and talents to that institution for twenty - seven years, filling the positions of matron, teacher of English and French, and for many years having charge of the art department - a noble woman, of large gifts and gracious insight. What Cazenovia was to our mothers, Wyoming Seminary has been to many of us. Too much praise cannot be given to faithful teachers, whose influence has helped to ennoble the lives of many who were under their care and instruction. Among the earlier preceptresses were Miss Ruth Ingalls, Miss Frances Worthing, afterward Mrs. George Porter, Miss Mary E. Wood, afterward Mrs. Y. C. Smith, whose names are still familiar to the Wyoming Conference. "Among the missionaries sent out from this Conference are the familiar names of Mrs. Charles W. Judd, Mrs. David Spencer, Mrs. Dr. Baldwin, daughter of Rev. B. W. Gorham, Mrs. Mary Chappel, daughter of Rev. P. Holbrook. But the missionary zeal was not confined to the parent board. In the month of June, 1870, Mrs. Dr. William Butler, so many years connected with the work in India, came to Binghamton to confer with Miss Fannie Sparkes regarding her appointment as missionary. Dr. Olin, then pastor of the Centenary Church, the only Methodist church in the city, invited the ladies to meet Mrs. Butler at his home. At that informal meeting the first Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Wyoming Conference was organized, with Mrs. H. R. Clarke as president, who continued for many years the moving spirit of the society, organizing auxiliaries throughout the Conference. In the following October Miss Fannie Sparkes sailed for India, giving the Wyoming Conference the honor of furnishing the first missionary sent out by the New York Branch of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. Mrs. Skidmore once said that Binghamton was a city known in many lands as the home of Miss Sparkes, one of the most successful missionaries ever sent to foreign lands. "This society has prospered greatly, for the work and its supervision commanded public confidence. Among its faithful officers should be mentioned Mrs. Dr. Hard, who for several years filled WOMAN'S WORK 1N THE CONFERENCE 115 the arduous office of corresponding secretary. Since her resignation and removal from this Conference Miss Sparkes has filled the office. "The auxiliary at Tabernacle Church feel they have been honored by having for president Mrs. Charles W. Judd, of saintly memory. "It would be a pleasure to present the long list of life members of this society, but time forbids. Mrs. N. T. Childs, of Binghamton, however, has the honor of being the first life manager from this Conference, by the payment of $100. "The early minutes of this society were lost in the fire which destroyed the residence of Dr. Clarke. But, in looking through the Conference Minutes from 1871 to 1901, we find some items which prove from what small beginnings great things may grow. In 1871 the auxiliary of Providence, Pa., is the only one reported, its contribution to the cause being $12. Every succeeding year the amount raised and the number of auxiliaries have increased until to - day there are 108 auxiliaries in our Conference, with a membership of 2,706. During the thirty years past these auxiliaries have paid to the cause of missions $65,617.92. "The past fifty years have been full of stirring events. Wars and rumors of wars have filled our lives with lessons never to be forgotten, with results which affect not only our own country but many others. 'The world is centering in America. We reach out one hand and touch all Europe, we reach out the other hand and touch all Asia.' Hither are coming the peoples from all lands. To meet her obligations America must become broadly and deeply Christian. "The desire to meet their share of the obligation resting upon the Church led the women of Methodism to establish the Woman's Home Missionary Society, 'To enlist and organize the efforts of Christian women in behalf of the needy and destitute women and children of all sections of our country, without distinction of race, and to cooperate with the other societies and agencies of the Church in educational and missionary work.' The Woman's Home Missionary Society of Wyoming Conference was organized in April, 1883, at Centenary Church, Binghamton. Bishop Wiley presided at the session of Wyoming Conference this year. We believe this was a happy coincidence, for the society attributes its origin to Bishop Wiley. In Dr. Buckley's History of Methodism he recognizes Bishop Wiley as the originator of the society. Bishop Wiley said at one time: 'Woman's susceptibility is an admirable trait in her character, 116 WYOMING CONFERENCE adapting her to this great work. It enables her so readily to detect human sorrow and human need. She perceives the readiest mode of gaining access to the hearts of those whom she would benefit, and at the same time exercises a power of persuasion which prevails where other means have failed. We often think that the hearts of women must yearn to hear Christ declared by woman's lips, to catch the inspiration in all its delicacy from a woman's heart.' This quotation was once read in the presence of Bishop Wiley, when he said, 'I had forgotten, until I heard it repeated, that I had ever said so bright a thing.' The reply was made, 'It was a bright thing, and we love to repeat it.' So, we love to refer to the fact that our Conference society was organized at a session of Conference at which Bishop Wiley presided. "At that time Mrs. R. S. Rust came to the Conference with Mrs. L. M. Dunton, of Orangeburg, S. C., who gave the address. Mrs. Rust called a meeting, which was attended by interested women and ministers. The result of this meeting was the first auxiliary in this Conference. The officers appointed were: Mrs. J. Hartwell, president; Mrs. E. M. Caswell, corresponding secretary. For seven years Mrs. Hartwell filled the office of president, and during that time the number of auxiliaries grew from one to twenty, organized by the personal efforts of Mrs. Hartwell, who traveled at her own expense from one end of the Conference to the other, organizing in one of these journeys nine auxiliaries. The corresponding secretary, Mrs. Caswell, leaving for the Pacific coast, Miss Maria Judd was elected to fill her term. Since that time this very important office has been filled by faithful and competent women - Mrs. E. S. Tupper, five years; Mrs. O. P. Wright, two years; Mrs. E. Robins, three years, after whom Mrs. George B. Kulp, of Wilkes - Barre, was elected and has served most efficiently until now. In 1886 Mrs. H. H. Crary, of Binghamton, was elected treasurer, and served two years, when her daughter, Mrs. F. H. Haskins was elected and has held the office fourteen years, performing the duties of the office so faithfully, so methodically, so perfectly, that we hope to retain her in that office for a much longer period. The receipts of the society the first year were $578, Mrs. P. L. Bennett giving $500 of that amount for the work in Utah. "The society is now organized in the six districts, with forty - nine (49) auxiliaries, bands, and circles, having a membership of 1,640. The cash receipts of this society from 1883 - 1901 by payment of dues and special gifts have been $30,742.75. Much DEACONESS WORK 117 of the success of this society is due to the untiring zeal of the Conference president, Mrs. Dr. Pearce, who for ten years has been a source of inspiration and help to all. We are glad of this opportunity to give a loving tribute to her devotion, expressing our appreciation of her labors, and our regret that she will be no more numbered among the workers of Wyoming Conference. Mrs. Dr. C. E. Mogg, of Wilkes - Barre, succeeds her in office, with prospect of much usefulness. Mrs. P. L. Bennett, of Wilkes - Barre, has been a generous supporter and friend of the society from the very beginning, giving annually from $500 to $1,000 for the cause so dear to her heart. Many members have left us bequests to be used to further the work they loved so well, among them one of $25,000, the largest ever received by the Home Society. "Mrs. J. W. Thomas, the Conference secretary of the Bureau of Supplies, reports that supplies have been sent to the frontier and the South, during the five years she has held office, valued at $11,727.37. "Mrs. Dr. Griffin, who has been Conference secretary of deaconess work, reports five young ladies from this Conference attending the training school in Washington during this time. Miss Standish, of Wilkes - Barre, who is self - supporting, is taking the course of nurse deaconess. Miss Rose E. Santee, daughter of Rev. J. B. Santee, has graduated and is doing most excellent work in Portland, Me. Miss Eliza Blackburn, of Plymouth, is now in the school and very highly spoken of by the preceptress. The Conference has raised toward the tuition of these young ladies $270. It has also sent supplies to the training school and to Sibley Hospital valued at $92.33. These amounts added to the value of supplies sent and money raised make a grand total of $42,832.45 raised by the Woman's Home Missionary Society. "The women of Wyoming Conference rejoice that they had at least a part in bringing to pass the great moral victory which occurred in Washington during the past year. Many names of our consecrated women were inscribed on the petition against the seating of Roberts, of Utah. The curse of Utah must touch every woman's heart, and we must continue to pray that this evil may cease to defy the moral sense of our nation. "Do you remember the eulogy on the Methodist Church given by our martyred President, Abraham Lincoln, during the civil war? He said: 'It is no fault in others that the Methodist Church, by its greater numbers, sends more soldiers, more nurses 118 WYOMING CONFERENCE to the hospitals, and more prayers to heaven than any other.' With these words ringing in our ears, let the women of Wyoming Conference go forth with consecrated zeal to help save the nation by giving ourselves to the saving of individual men and women! 'Let it be our happiness each day to add to the happiness of those around us, to comfort some sorrow, to relieve some want, to add some strength to our neighbor's virtue.'" A medley was then sung, after which Dr. L. L. Sprague read an article on "Why the Wyoming Conference Has Won:" "Have we won? Let us see. In 1852 the membership of the Conference in probationers, members, and local preachers was 12,790. In 1900 the membership was 49,470. Deducting from this the membership of the charges set off from the Oneida Conference in 1868, we have a membership occupying the original territory of 40,437, making an increase of two hundred and sixteen per cent. The population of the United States in 1852 was twenty - four and a half millions. In 1890 it was seventy - five and a half millions, making an increase of population in the United States of two hundred and eight per cent. The increase of the membership of the Conference is greater than this by eight per cent. The comparison will appear even more favorable when we remember that the larger share of the growth of the national population has come through the filling up of the vast territorial domain of the West by migration from the Middle States, the East, and immigration from foreign countries. It is very clear, then, that the Conference in running a race with national growth has come out very perceptibly ahead. So, then, from this standard we have won; and this is saving much, for we remember that the growth of the great republic is the giant phenomenon of the ages. It took Rome seven hundred years to become imperial Rome. It took England more than a thousand years from the time that the Romans left it to become a respectable nation. "It has taken the United States less than one hundred and twenty - five years to become the greatest power of the world - a power that in three months humbled to the very dust proud Castilian Spain, for centuries the proudest blood that flowed in the veins of men. "So it is saying much when Methodism keeps neck and neck with such tremendous advancement; and we must remember, furthermore, that the immigrant who helps so much to increase our population is not usually a Methodist. He does not come from soil where Methodism is indigenous. If he becomes a Methodist he has to be converted. I repeat, then, that we have WHY WE HAVE WON 119 won grandly in membership. Let us take another view. Among the one hundred and twenty - seven Annual Conferences, Wyoming stands twenty - fourth on a basis of membership. It also stands thirteenth in the probable value of its Church property. These are winning positions in the confederation of Conferences. In 1853 we had $177,000 worth of church property, exclusive of debts; in 1900, $4,193,000, a gain of twenty - two hundred per cent. We may therefore regard it as settled that we have won, and may proceed at once to show why we have won. "First, we are located territorially in the winning belt. We are far enough from the north pole not to be frozen, and far enough from the equator not to be enervated by the heat. We are in the zone of power, on the parallel of latitude along which the winning nations of the earth have existed. We have had mountains to climb as well as easy plains to saunter along. We have had the penury of the 'Sorrel District' as well as the richness of the Wyoming Valley. And it is well that we had the mountains and the 'Sorrel District.' Sunny plains with unvarying fertility are not the best fiber builders or character makers. We owe much as a nation to the gray rocks, the hills, and the sturdy forests that our forefathers contended with in New England. Our nation would be a different nation from what it now is if it had been born on the sunny plains of the South or at the Golden Gate instead of on Plymouth Rock. Take Greece, that most marvelous intellectual and physical development of ancient times. The historian asks if Greece had remained forever what it was during the tertiary epoch - a vast plain attached to the deserts of Libya, run over by the lion and rhinoceros - whether it would have been the home of Phidias, Aeschylus, and Demosthenes, and answers, 'Certainly not.' But as it now is the land is a vast series of mountains and valleys. Every city or town has its amphitheater, its hill or mountain, its Acropolis. Greece had its Olympus, its Ossa and Pelion, and its OEta with its Thermopylae as well as its plains of Attica and vales of Thessaly with their sparkling waters. God has made the hills an avenue of moral, intellectual, and physical fiber. Look at the Waldenses of the Italian Alps. Where in the world do we find an intenser religious faith and fortitude than we find in the Waldenses, the Protestant people of Italy? The Wyoming Conference has a good proportion of hills all the way from the beautiful highlands of Otsego County, that have bred more Methodist preachers and more great men than any other equal territory, I believe, in the Union, to the Blue Ridge spurs that encircle the Wyoming Valley. These have stimulated effort 120 WYOMING CONFERENCE and have bred determined and courageous men. This is one reason why we have won. "Still another is we were well - born. Some one has said to be strong we must select strong parents to be born from. Francis Asbury, Anning Owen, the great apostle to the Wyoming Valley, Benjamin Bidlack, Valentine Cook, William Colbert were noble sires of still more noble men, if possible. These were great captains in the army of the Lord, and their leadership made noble soldiers. They were winners, and they breathed the spirit of victory into their followers. They endured hardness as good soldiers. They traversed forests, swam their horses across swollen streams, fasted often voluntarily and often necessarily, ate frozen turnips in the absence of other food, slept on hard floors with hay for pillows, thrashed rowdies who disturbed their meetings and threw them into the street, and then stood solidly against the door to prevent the escape of those who listened unwillingly to their preaching and who often before the sermon ended fell upon their knees and cried for pardon. They were keen of intellect and strong in grace. They smote wickedness hip and thigh. They preached the word, in season, out of season, reproving, rebuking, exhorting with all long - suffering and doctrine, and of course were winners, and they bequeathed to us the sublimest examples of winning. "But if these were responsible for our birth, let us come down to the time of our christening in 1852. Who were present to give us tutelage and inspiration to heroic deeds? Among the men of the Conference were George Peck, Reuben Nelson, Nelson Rounds, Zachariah Paddock, David A. Shepard, Horatio Clarke, William Wyatt, and other noble ones some of whom, as Paul says, 'remain unto this present.' Among superannuated preachers were George Lane, at one time one of the Book Agents at New York; Marmaduke Pierce, who entered the ministry in 1812; Jonathan Worthing, who entered in 1810; and John Kimberlin, who entered in 1808."These were men who had fought on great battlefields, and the fires of those battles still kindled their eyes. They were still heroes even though the sword were sheathed and laid aside. We stood by their bent forms and heard of the great deeds that had been wrought in the past, and we caught their inspiration and were determined to emulate those deeds. Our standard was set by them, and we had but to work up to the standard to be sure winners. George Peck was the most prominent and influential man in the new Conference. WYOMING SEMINARY 121 "Reuben Nelson was another man of strong personality and of pronounced influence in shaping the best work of the Conference. As a man he was of indomitable energy, of great moral power, and an eloquent preacher of especially superior hortatory ability. Of Rounds, Paddock, Shepard, Clarke, and Wyatt I knew but little except of their reputation as great preachers and administrators and as men abounding in every good word and work. They were royal and heroic leaders and led the hosts of God to constant victories. "Wyoming Seminary, the Conference school, has been a powerful auxiliary in serving the best interests of the Conference. Christianity in all ages has ever utilized intellectual culture and made it a powerful factor in its work. Origen, Athanasius, and other early Christians flocked to the Alexandrian Library as naturally as doves flock to their cotes. Methodism has always remembered the place of its birth - Oxford University. Wyoming Conference owned at one time two seminaries and one so - called university. One seminary and the university died in their infancy. Wyoming Seminary has continued a strong, beneficent, and fruitful life. Her children are as green olive trees and are numbered by the thousand. She has taken the children of Methodists and trained them in the faith of their fathers while giving them sound mental culture. She has taken the children of other denominations and while training them intellectually they have imbibed a higher respect for Methodism and a broader view of our Lord's Christianity. Her diplomas are found in every land and in every clime. She has sent nearly, or quite, five hundred young men into the ministry, several of whom have gone into mission work. More than fifteen thousand young people have been brought into contact with Methodist culture, prayers, songs, and fires, and if they have not become actual Christians I believe that they are in warmer sympathy and in closer touch with Christianity and have a sincere determination ultimately to get to heaven because of their attrition with Methodism in one of her Conference seminaries. The seminary has helped the Conference to win. "But there is a greater and more fundamental reason than any of these why we have won. It is found in the genius and spirit of Methodism. This spirit was enunciated by one of the greatest men of recent centuries when he said, 'The world is my parish.' The Methodist preacher in his true form is a hero and a winner. He has an imperturbable faith; an unquenchable zeal, and a courage that is undismayed. He is the very personification 122 WYOMING CONFERENCE of the true warrior. He is fearless, self - sacrificing, persistent, 'avoiding softness and needless self - indulgence.' He has iron in his blood as well as love in his heart. He is the man on horseback with headquarters in the field. Alexander was never more eager for more worlds to conquer than he is for further conquest for his divine Master. Methodism believes in a free salvation, the witness of the Spirit, and that we are to strive for full sanctification. It has kept in full recognition the command, 'Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,' and the promise that followed the command, 'Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.' Wyoming Conference has tried to obey this command, and though our courage has been tested it has been constant because of the assurance that supplemented the command. Then, because of the genius of Methodism, because our Conference has tried to be obedient to the divine command, and because we have been courageous and gone forth in the name of the Lord of hosts, are mainly why we have won." Wyoming Seminary has given the Historical Society the use of a room in Nelson Memorial Hall where may be found a goodly number of interesting articles of historical value. Here one may see the saddle with which Joseph Hartwell began his ministry; George H. Blakeslee's valise, of singular shape; D. C. Olmstead's saddlebags; a set of Disciplines; several volumes of the New York Christian Advocate; two complete sets of Wyoming Conference Minutes; Methodist Review 1818 - 26, 1858 - 84, 1857 - 81 (it is hoped that this set may be completed); about one hundred volumes from the library of Nelson Rounds; Bostwick Hawley's desk; Plan of Entertainment of Oneida Conference held in Wilkes - Barre in 1843; cinders from Anning Owen's blacksmith shop; a letter from John Wesley to his sister. Pictures are to be seen on the wall, among them the Conference picture taken at Honesdale in 1869 by E. J. Stearns, and the group taken at Binghamton in 1890, by W. N. Cobb, pictures of the General Conference of 1864, the Conference Trio, the Old Ship Zion, Jesse T. Peck, George Peck, Mrs. Deborah Bedford (who lived to be ninety - six years old), A. J. Kynett, W. A. Spencer, M. S. Hard and wife, Hon. J. C. Lattimer and wife. Numerous pamphlets, sermons, minutes of district ministerial associations, a copy of the Journal of Genesee Conference from 1810 to 1828 inclusive, quite a number of volumes of historical interest, and a number written by men who were identified with Methodism in Wyoming Conference. A very gratifying beginning has been made. We have OFFICERS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY 123 a chance to gather a fine historical collection. It can be done with the hearty cooperation of the members of our Conference. The present officers are: C. E. Mogg, president; Presiding Elders, vice presidents; L. C. Murdock, secretary; C. M. Surdam, recording secretary; L. L. Sprague, librarian; O. L. Severson, treasurer; W. J. Hill, archivist.