History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

METHODIST REFORM
Edward J. Drinkhouse, M.D., D.D.
APPENDIX E
BOARD OF MINISTERIAL EDUCATION
This paper is furnished by Rev. C. J. Berrien, Corresponding Secretary. The first reference to any
organized or systematic effort to give financial assistance to candidates for the ministry of the
Methodist Protestant Church known to the writer of this sketch is found in the minutes of the
General Conference of delegates from the northern and western conferences held at Pittsburgh, Pa.,
November 14-19, 1860. The following resolution was adopted, offered by Rev. W. H. Miller of the
New York and Vermont Conferences: "Resolved, that we recommend the organization of
Educational Societies in all our churches for the purpose of procuring means to assist poor but
worthy young men in preparing for the work of the ministry." Also "Resolved, that Rev. John Scott,
D.D., and Rev. William Collier, and Rev. William Reeves be appointed a committee to prepare a
uniform plan for the organization and government of said societies."
There is nothing on record to show that this movement produced anything more than local interest
and results until after the formation of the Board of ministerial Education, when these auxiliary
societies in the churches for some years rendered very efficient aid. January 19, 1866, a meeting was
held in Springfield, O., of ministers and members of the Church of the city and its vicinity. The
"Call" says, "Impressed with the inadequacy and inefficiency of our Annual Conference
arrangements to sufficiently advise and assist young men who might desire to enter the ministry, and
that there was no channel through which the whole Church could unite in assisting her sons in
obtaining an education for the work of the ministry;" and, fully believing that it would meet the
unqualified approbation both of the ministry and the laity, they proceeded to organize a Board of
Ministerial Education at this and an adjourned meeting. They formed a Constitution and by-laws,
and elected the following as members of the Board: Revs. George Brown, D.D., M. B. V. Euans, J.
S. Thrap, S. Bartlett, G. H. Binkley, and Alexander Clark, A.M., and Messrs. J. G. Evans, T. J.
Finch, T. Douglass, and J. J. Ware.
The Board organized by electing Rev. J. S. Thrap, President; Rev. M. B. V. Euans, Secretary;
Rev. J. B. Walker, Corresponding Secretary; and T. J. Finch, Treasurer. It began at once raising
funds and receiving applications of properly recommended candidates. Friends in Cincinnati, O., and
Pittsburgh, Pa., contributed generously in forming a permanent fund, the interest of which to be used
for the purposes of the Board. Of these first contributors James Hicks of Cincinnati gave $2000,
Daniel H. Horne of Cincinnati, $500, and Dr. John Sargent of New Brighton, Pa., $200. The Board
continued under this management until the General Conference of November 1420, 1866, in
Allegheny, Pa., when its management and assets were tendered to it to become one of "the general
interests" of the whole Church. It was accepted after a committee had carefully examined the whole
matter. There was in the treasury available for the purposes of the Board at the time $600, and also
a permanent fund of $2500 invested in United States bonds. The Constitution and by-laws of the
Board were adopted, and they have continued substantially the same to the present time. The location
of the Board was changed from Springfield, O., to Pittsburgh, Pa., where it has remained ever since.
The following Board was elected to serve for the ensuing quadrennium Revs. James Robison,