History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

Valentine Lucas, Alexander Clark, A.M., J. B. Walker (ex-officio), and Messrs. Wm. Rinehart, R.
H. Marshall, and J. H. Clancy. Rev. J. B. Walker was elected Corresponding Secretary. The new
Board organized by electing Rev. James Robison, President; Wm. Rinehart, Recording Secretary,
and John H. Clancy, Treasurer. For thirty years the faithful treasurer had been continued, until 1896,
when the General Conference merged the office into that of the Corresponding Secretary and
Treasurer.
Its first report was issued January 1, 1867, and it showed that seven young men were pursuing
their studies under its care, properly recommended by the following annual conferences: New Jersey,
one; Onandaga, one; Genesee, one; Pittsburgh, three, and Ohio, one. Since its organization the Board
has had upon its roll the names of 262 young men, who have received aid for various periods, from
a single term at college to the entire course of six years, and in later years the course also in the
theological department. To carry this work to the present, May, 1897, over $109,000 have been
expended. This has been contributed by churches, individuals, interest from invested funds, and
return payments by the beneficiaries. The Permanent Fund, including original contributions and the
amount already paid of the Rev. J. B. Walker Memorial Fond, now amounts to $7592.56. Besides
this the Board has the majority notes of Christopher Link of Paris, Ill., for $1000, Rev. Tilghman and
Clara Bailey of Colfax, Ind., for $500, and an annuity note of Dr. H. G. S. Fink of Springdale, Pa.,
for $500. In addition there are interest-bearing notes and pledges of the Walker Memorial Fund of
over $3000.
Any historical sketch of the work done for Ministerial Education would be imperfect without
conspicuous mention of the services of the late Rev. J. B. Walker, who, from its origin, filled the
office of Corresponding Secretary until his death, December 28, 1890. The report of his successor,
Rev. J. C. Berrien, to the General Conference of 1892 says: "He died in the harness. For nearly
twenty-five years he gave continuous and indefatigable labor to this interest. He was a man of
thorough consecration to God and to the work. Possessed of boundless enthusiasm, unfailing tact,
and unceasing in labor, there is hardly a church in the entire connection he has not visited, hardly a
member in all the land who did not know him personally. Their names are legion who in his death
sustained a personal loss, and who testify that it was his impassioned appeals to young people to seek
that triple education of mind, body, and soul that first awakened in them the mental thirst for
knowledge, and enkindled in them a holy ambition to do more in this life than simply live. The wise
and successful labors of this servant of God make it possible for the Church to carry on the work he
began and sustained so long; but the Church cannot fill his place. He is justly called the 'father of
ministerial education in the Methodist Protestant Church.'"
The Board, at a special meeting, March, 1891, elected Rev. J. C. Berrien, then pastor of the church
at Beaver Falls, Pa., to fill the unexpired term, and this choice has been endorsed at the General
Conferences of 1892 and 1896. The General Conference of 1875 amended the Constitution so that
from that time aid given to young men would be in the form of a loan without interest, to be refunded
to the Board at the rate of ten percent of the salary received after the beneficiary entered the active
work of the ministry. In case he leaves the Church, or engages in secular pursuits, he shall refund the
whole amount with interest from the time it was received. Applicants for aid must be members of
the Church for at least one year before they can receive aid, and must be recommended by the
quarterly conference, of the charge of which they are members, to the annual conference, who, if