History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

METHODIST REFORM
Edward J. Drinkhouse, M.D., D.D.
APPENDIX G
THE BOARD OF HOME MISSIONS
This data for this sketch have been furnished principally by the Corresponding Secretary, Rev.
Benj. Stout. The General Conference of the Church in 1834 organized a Board of Foreign Missions,
the outlying territories of the United States being than regarded as foreign fields. This general board
was located in Baltimore, with Dr. S. K. Jennings as President. A few tentative efforts were made
up to 1850, noticed in the body of the "History of Methodist Reform," but nothing practical came
of them. At the General Conference of 1850 the Board of Missions was changed to Pittsburgh, Pa.,
and the following Board elected: Rev. William Collier, President, and W. J. Troth, Secretary; Rev.
Charles Avery, George Brown, John Cowl, and John Scott; Laymen, John Macaskey, William
Miller, John W. Philips, John L. Sands, Thomas Hatina, and M. W. Laughlin. Frederick Stier was
employed as General Traveling Agent, and entered zealously upon his work, though well advanced
in years, but in the midst be died at Fremont, O., October 17, 1851. J W. Rutledge succeeded him.
The Board selected two missionaries, Rev. Daniel Bagley for Oregon and Rev. David Wilson for
China. The former made an overland journey to his field, and has remained there to this date, faithful
in everything and successful as well. The mission to China failed by reason of the final declinature
of the missionary. Brother Bagley labored indefatigably, and has lived to see an annual conference
organized and a number of churches built principally since the great fire in Seattle, Wash., in 1880,
in which the first church was destroyed. A new site was chosen and a fine building erected at a cost
of about $30,000. The second church cost about $12,000, in which, on the first Sabbath in January,
1801, a church of twenty members was organized. Churches have also been erected at Renton, Elliot,
Yesler, Duwamish, Columbia, South Seattle, and other points. The eight churches within the
conference, including the first, are estimated to be worth $43,200.
For the last three years it has been difficult to sustain the missions in Washington, owing to the
general depression in business. The second church is closed. During the division of the denomination
from 1858 to 1877, nothing was done by the East and South except to continue the Board
organization, owing to the Civil War. Meanwhile the brethren West and North removed the Board
to Springfield, O., in 1875, and the location continued to 1802. The second annual report for
November 1, 1865, exhibits that from 1862-64 the amount collected was $4140.65, and disbursed
$3323.40. From 1864-65 the following appropriations were paid: Oregon mission, $1214.47;
Nebraska, $1330.73; Missouri, $1334.65; Minnesota, $110.50; Iowa, $305.50; California, $20.03;
Kansas, $684.58; Freedmen's, $63.50. In 1872-75 the following: Lincoln City, Neb., $1150;
Nebraska, $150; Peru, $200; East Tennessee and Georgia, $100; North Carolina, $150; Adrian,
Mich., $150. After the reunion of the denomination the foreign and home work being still under one
board, the report of the General Conference of 1888 showed appropriations to Mississippi, $200;
Kansas, $400; Alabama, $100; Adrian, $400; Abingdon, Va., $200; Seattle, Wash., $200; Atlanta,
Ga., $400. April 1, 1885 to May 1, 1888, $20,388.46 had been received and expended for home
missions.