St. Clair County, Illinois - Chapter 4 (1 of 2 so headed), 1928

Chapter 4

QETHODISM was born in a college when the Wesleys organized the "Holy Club" at Oxford; and while it has worked successfully among the poor and uneducated classes, it has also emphasized educational work. Its founders were educated men who taught an intelligent form of religion. Before the days of American Methodism, John Wesley established the Kingswood School in 1748. He carefully worked out the course of study himself and declared that the youth who faithfully pursued and mastered its curriculum would in most cases be better educated than the graduates of Oxford or Cambridge.

In America Asbury had established a school in Brunswick County, Virginia, which there is good reason to believe preceded the more famous Cokesbury. He was fond of scriptural names and therefore it is not strange that it was called Ebenezer. There is scarcely any record to be found concerning it now, but Mr. W. Embury Merritt once a prominent lawyer in Virginia, whose father Rev. Henry Merritt was a trustee of Ebenezer, said it was opened in 1784, at least a year before the opening of Cokesbury, and in all probability earlier in the same year that the Christmas Conference was held where the Methodist Episcopal church was formally organized. Bishop Asbury was not always pleased with the administration of the school. In his journal under date of December 8, 1794 he wrote : "I had a meeting with the trustees of Ebenezer Academy. Matters are very discouraging. People in general care too little for the education of their children."

Jesse Lee's history of Methodism in 1809 mentions the school as in operation at that date. There seems to be no authentic record as to when it was closed. One writer says it was finally sold by authority of the state legislature, but does not tell what was done with the money. A few years ago the Methodist Year Book contained a picture of the old stone building, erected for Ebenezer Academy, but now fallen into decay, and labelled it the oldest educational building in American Methodism. There is a tradition that the first principal of Ebenezer was a Scotchman who was brought to America on purpose to take charge of the school, and that he was a great linguist but rather ignorant in some of the practical things of life. In order to make his living more economical he planted a garden. When his beans came up he noticed that the beans he had planted were on the tips of the growing plants. He concluded that by some strange mistake of nature they had started to grow with the wrong end up. So he

COKESBURY Cokesbury College was the first Methodist educational institution that claimed college rank. Before the Christmas conference of 1784 had adjourned, plans were laid for the founding of a Methodist college in the new world. The corner stone was laid with solemn ceremonies by Bishop Asbury on Sunday, June 5, 1785. Dr. Coke had ardently advocated the enterprise, and helped raise $5,000 for it in the short period of his official visit to America and the institution shared the names of these two great leaders. But Coke under orders from Wesley, hastened back to England while Asbury in the midst of his other arduous duties, took care of the infant educational enterprise. It was located at Abingdon, Maryland, twentyfive miles from Baltimore. Magnificent views extend in either direction. On the one hand the picturesque valley of the Susquehanna, and on the other the magnificent Chesapeake bay stretching away in the distance till it is lost in the ocean. The building is described by John Dickens, the Methodist Book Concern man of that day, in the following words: "The college is one hundred and eight feet in length and forty feet in breadth, and stands on the summit and center of six acres of land with an equal descent and portion of ground on each side. The whole building is painted on the outside and the windows glazed." Wesley sent out a middle aged clergyman from England to be the principal. In September, 1787 an examination of the Preparatory School took place, Bishop Asbury presiding. In December, Mr. Heath, the English Clergyman, was publicly inaugurated as president and Mr. Marsh and Patrick McCloskey as professors. There were then twenty-five students. Abingdon soon became a favorite place of residence for families desiring a beautiful locality and the advantages of a good school. It entertained the conference in 1786 and later it became a common practice for the Baltimore Conference to begin its sessions in that city and then adjourn to Cokesbury College for the conclusion of its deliberations. The Cokesbury curriculum included, besides the English branches, the Latin, Greek, Hebrew, German, and French languages. In the Methodist Discipline for 1789 is given a detailed statement of the purposes and rules of the institution. From this we quote a few extracts.

Augusta

"It shall be the purpose of the institution to educate the sons of Methodist preachers, orphans, and other children. It is expected that our friends who send their children to the college will, if they be able, pay a moderate sum for their education and board. The rest will be taught and boarded, and if our finances will allow it, clothed gratis. Our first object shall be to answer the design of Christian education by instilling into their minds the principles of true religion and training them in the ancient way that they may be rational scriptural Christians, and this is one of the reasons why we do not admit students indiscriminately. We shall inflexibly insist on their rising early in the morning; and we are convinced that this is of vast importance to both body and mind. The employments which we have chosen for the recreation of students are such as are of great public utihty, as agriculture and architecture. In teaching the languages care shall be taken to read those authors only who join together the purity, elegance and strength of their several tongues. And the utmost caution shall be used that nothing immodest be found in any of our books. The price of education shall be four guineas. However the sons of travelling preachers shall be boarded, educated, and clothed gratis, except those whose parents, according to the judgment of the conference, are of ability to defray the expense." The regimen of the institution was remarkable for its vigor, if not for its wisdom. The students were required to rise at five o'clock in the morning in summer and winter, and to be in bed by nine o'clock in the evening "without fail." Also to study seven hours every day with intervals of exercise or recreation. No studies were allowed after seven in the evening. The recreations prescribed were, "gardening, walking, riding, bathing, out of doors; and the carpenters', joiners', cabinet makers' and turners' business in doors." It was also specified that the pupils shall not be allowed to sleep on feather beds, nor shall they engage in anything that the world calls play. During its ten years of history Cokesbury educated a number of youths who were afterward leaders in the church. It was also useful in furnishing an opportunity for an education to preachers' sons who probably would not have been able to secure it otherwise. And, especially, training and strict discipline for the sons of itinerant preachers whose fathers were not at home enough to give them the needed discipline. At midnight December 7, 1795 the college was destroyed by fire. This ended its career. The fire was said to be of unknown origin but it would not be strange if it were started by some of the boys who doubtless chafed under the severe discipline of the school. When he heard of it Asbury wrote in his journal; "We have now a confirmed account that Cokesbury College is consumed to ashes. A sacrifice of about ten thousand pounds in ten years. I do not think the Lord called Methodists to build colleges. I wished only for schools. Dr. Coke wanted a college. I feel distressed at the loss of the library." The former site of Cokesbury is now a spot full of historic interest, shown in one issue of the Methodist Year Book. The old bell which survived the fire was in after years taken to Goucher College in Baltimore where it is still in service. AUGUSTA Augusta College in Kentucky had its origin thru a commission of the Ohio and Kentucky conferences. It was opened as a preparatory classical school some time in 1822, with Rev. John P. Finley as principal. In December of the same year it received a charter from the state of Kentucky, with full authority to confer degrees. It was the only Methodist college then in existence which had that authority. The most influential man in securing the establishment of the college was Captain James Armstrong, a lay member of the Methodist church in Augusta. He furnished the land and bore the entire expense of erecting the first Methodist church building in his home town. That was in 1819. He likewise furnished the ground and led in the construction of the college building, which after its completion was duly transferred to the trustees of Augusta College. The building was eighty by forty-two feet. On the first floor was a chapel besides two recitation rooms. On the second floor were six rooms and the third floor was divided into seven rooms. Among the distinguished men who have served on the faculty are Rev. James S. Tomlinson, Rev. John P. Durbin, Rev. Henry B. Bascom, and Rev. Martin Ruter. The last named received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Transylvania University. It is claimed that he was the first minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church upon whom this degree was conferred

In the list of Trustees of August.i is found the name of Bishop Joshua Soule. The college was noted for its religious atmosphere. The revival spirit prevailed. In January 1828, Dr. Durbin wrote to the Christian Advocate as follows: '"We have a most glorious revival. It commenced among our one hundred students. It would do you good to witness the soundness of their conversion and the ardor of their triumph. I had long believed that a college could be made not only the nursery of learning but of morals and religion as well. I am convinced of it more and more every day. I rejoice that we have in the West one regular college where our youth may be educated and neither their morals nor their principles corrupted. I am clearly convinced that our youth should not be taught by any man who is not decidedly pious." For a few years Augusta was the only Methodist school in America having legal authority to confer the baccalaureate and other degrees. Therefore students from distant states sought its advantages. The numbers were at no time great but included representative young men from the best families m Methodism. In 1829 the first class was admitted to the Bachelor of Arts degree. From that time till the repeal of the Charter a class was graduated each year. The total alumni list contains one hundred and fifty-three names. Among these are some who came to prominence in the legal and medical professions and in the ministry. A larger list were students for ft time but did not come to graduation. Among these were Bishop

Bishop Simpson

Randolphs. Foster and Professor John Miley, who was for many years a member of the faculty of Drew Theological Seminary. It is said that Foster and Miley were fellow students and intimate friends. In after years Sallie Miley, John's sister became Mrs. Foster. Also Dr. John W. Locke, once president of McKendree, graduated from Augusta in 1841.

Thedivisionof the church ini844brought about conditions which hindered the progress of Augusta and in 1849 Its charter was repealed and its doors were closed. MADISON

The Wesley An

Madison College, located for a few years at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, represents another attempt at higher education in Methodism. Its history as a college dates from 1826. It developed from an academy known as Union Seminary which had been started m 1792 under the direction and leadership of Bishop Asbury, m this strong Methodist center which had already entertained several annual conferences. The college was organized under the patronage of the Pittsburg Conference with Dr. Henry B. Bascom as president and professor of Moral Science, Dr. Charles Elliott as professor of Languages, and Dr. James H. Fielding as professor of Mathematics. It was chartered by the Legislature of Pennsylvania in 1827 and rendered a few years of excellent service as a struggling Methodist college without sufficient endowment. In 182,3 Allegheny College, a Presbyterian institution founded in 181 f at MeadviUe, was ceded to the Methodist Church. This institution, with much the same patronizing territory and, having so much the start of Madison, so completely overshadowed the latter institution that its doors were closed and Its former supporters transferred their allegiance to Allegheny. The building occupied by Madison was afterward used for a college of the Methodist Protestant Church, then as a Female College, later as a school for the orphans of soldiers, and still later as a private residence. Among the few graduates which Madison sent out during its short career was Bishop Matthew Simpson. Had the college done no other service than the training of this wonderful servant of God it would have justified its existence. Allegheny College, founded in 1815 and Dickinson, founded in 1785 are both to be counted among the early enterprises in religious education, but their early struggles are not a part of this story for they were both founded by the Presbyterians and became Methodist institutions by transfer, both in the same year, 183J. THE WESLEY AN The Wesleyan Academy now known as Wilbraham academy and referred to in theCentennial number of theChristian Advocate as "the oldest school in Methodism" was founded in 1817 at New Market, New Hampshire. This location proved unsuitable in several ways. Altho for a time it was under the guidance of that genius of early Methodism, Dr. Martin Ruter, it went behind financially to such an extent that in 1823 it closed its doors. After a thoro reorganization, the school was opened the following year at Wilbraham, Massachusetts. Its first principal in the new location was Rev. Wilbur Fisk, afterwards president of the Wesleyan University, who distinguished himself in after years by refusing to accept the office of Bishop when he was elected by the General Conference on the first ballot. Dr. Fisk was a strict discipHnarian. An interesting story of his diHgence in this line is told in the early annals of Wilbraham. He always appealed to the best that was in his pupils to secure correct deportment, but incorrigibles, instead of being sent home, were treated with stripes, few or many according to their crimes. In extreme cases punishment was administered in the presence of the school as a warning to others. On one occasion a lad who had been a frequent offender was told to come next morning prepared for a switching. After the usual morning devotions he was called to the front and treated to a lengthy homily on good behavior. Then down came the birch over his shoulders. But while the rest of the school were in a state of nervous fear it only produced a smile from the boy himself. His coat was ordered off and the switch was again vigorously applied. The rest of the pupils winced but the lad remained calm and comfortable. Next his vest was ordered off, only to find another and then another and then fell down a large atlas which had furnished effectual protection against the cutting blows of the switch. The whole school broke into roars of laughter in which the principal was compelled to join. After he had recovered his equihbrium he asked "Why did you fixyourselfupin that way?" "You told me to prepare for a flogging and, I did so," was the meek reply, which again brought the house down. Without further attempt at correction he was allowed to resume his seat. He had earned his liberty. Several prominent leaders in Methodism have been connected with this school. Among them Rev. Robert Allyn who was Principal (from 1845 to 1848) and later. President of McKendree College. During his administration the school prospered and increased in numbers. At the close of the year 1848 an alumni reunion was held in the grove north of the school. Many former students were present and memories ofold days were revived. On that occasion Mr. Annis Merrill ofSan Francisco delivered an able historical address. Ten years prior to that time he had been a professor in McKendree and his picture still hangs in McKendree's chapel. For more than a century this famous old school has been active in the field of secondary education. It has prepared thousands for college or for the active duties of life and is still busy molding the character of some hundreds of young Methodists every year.

ON THURSDAY, September 20, 1827, when the leaves in the Wabash valley had just begun to take on their gorgeous autumn colors, a group of serious minded, tho ever cheerful Methodist preachers arrived at Mount Carmel, on the Wabash for the fourth session of the Illinois Conference. They did not travel on limited trains or in limousines, but each on his own faithful steed, with the records of his year's work, his library, and his wardrobe, all in his saddle bags. The territory of the conference at that time included the two states of Illinois and Indiana, so the trip to conference meant several days' journey for some of the circuit riders. The conference host was the Rev. John McReynoIds. Altho It was necessary to furnish lodging for as many horses as men, the entertainment of the conference was not as heavy a task as at the present day. At the opening session only twentyseven members answered roll-call, tho the records show that there were at least fifty-five members. Probably the others arrived later, in time to hear the bishop preach on Sunday. There were also fourteen young men there as applicants for membership in the conference. Of these, eleven were admitted on probation. The other three were rejected for reasons not stated in the minutes. And of those who were received on trial two did not make good. The minutes of the next conference show that one was dropped and one discontinued at his own request. Bishop Roberts was the presiding officer. He was the sixth in order of the bishops of the Methodist church, but the first who was a married man. These men were indeed serious minded and felt the importance of their business in the conference. They held two business sessions daily for a full week and opened the final session at six o'clock in the morning in order to be able to adjourn at noon that day and have the afternoon for a start on the long journey to their new appointments. At that stage of Methodism a preacher was rarely appointed to the same charge for a second year. They adopted resolutions of thanks to the citizens of Mount Carmel for their hospitality and it is probable that a resolution of that kind was more than a mere formality in those days. By a formal vote each member was requested to furnish a brief biography of himself to be presented at the next session for the conference records. A course of reading and study for the preachers was presented by Bishop Roberts and adopted by the conference. But while this conference course was a means of culture for those in actual service and might in some measure atone for their educational deficiencies, yet all the