Life and times of Elijah Hedding, D.D. : late senior bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Front matter

.1 Fi:,r- \d-ziZl

Et/Th

LIFE AND TIMES

Preface

volumes of "The Minutes of the Conferences," the bound volumes of " The Methodist Magazine," "Asbury's Journals," "Lee's Methodism," Stevens's " Memorials of Methodism," Bangs's " History of the Methodist Episcopal Church," and various other works. The material gathered from these various sources the author has endeavoured to blend into a new and homogeneous production ; not a mere bald, historical detail — but history illustrated by incident, and illustrating philosophy.

On some portions of the work the author has bestowed more critical and extended attention, because of the important principles involved; and especially because Bishop Hedding desired that his memory should be vindicated by a full and truthful report of his administration

The place of publication being distant from

the author, he was compelled to read the proofsheets without being able to verify the statistics by comparison with the copy Still he trusts that no important error has escaped correction.

PREFACE.

With the humble desire that it may, in some degree, worthily perpetuate the memory of a great and good man to coming ages, and thus prove a blessing to the Church of Christ and to the world, the volume is now sent forth.

The AuinoR.

Chapter I. From His Birth To His Conversion

Birth — Ancestry — Early Religious Instruction — Prayer in Childhood — A Mother's Influence — The Dutchess Circuit — Benjamin Abbot — Wonderful Displays of Divine Power — Grandmother and Mother converted — Exhorted by Abbot in Class-meeting — Removed to Vermont — Temptations to Infidelity — Deism — Atheism — Universalism — Mental Conflicts — A Critical Period — Narrow Escape — Spiritual Destitution of Starksborough — Advent of a Methodist Family — Meetings established — Young Heckling reads Sermons — Studies Methodist Theology — The Methodist Itinerancy — Note, A Picture of Aggressive Methodism — Vergennes Circuit — Joseph Mitchell — Wonderful Revival — A Mother in Israel — Note, Conversion of Mrs. Bushnell — Young Hedding powerfully awakened — His Resolve and Dedication — Sermon from Joseph Mitchell — Obtains Peace — Becomes a Probationer — Obtains the Witness of the Spirit — Triumph over Sin — State of his Mind and his Studies — A Striking Conversion — Point reached in the Narrative — School in which the Prospective Servant of Christ had been trained — Principal Agencies in his Conversion Page 43

Chapter II. Commences His Itinerant Career

General Conviction of the People — Public Exercises — Talents and Graces developed by the Methodist Economy — Exercises of his Mind with reference to the Ministry — Receives an Exhorter's License — Holds Meetings — Lorenzo Dow — Leaves his Circuit — Young Hedding called out to succeed him — His Labours — Rowdies frightened — A Furious Bully — A Brother checked — Perplexed about his Duty — His First Sermon — The Question solved — Subsequent joyful Experience — The Retrospect — Called out by the Elder — Shadrach Bostwick — Admitted on Trial in the New-York Conference— His Companions — The Church— Circuits and Circuit Labours — Primitive Presiding Elders' Districts — Motives of Human Action — These Men and their Work — The Standard-Bearers in the New- York

Conference— Appointed to Pittsburgh— The Circuit— Discouragements —His Colleague— His Studies— Thoroughness of his Investigations— An Illustration— Abundant in Labours— New Ground broken up— Still Another— Closes the Conference Year Page 72

Chapter III

Does not attend the Conference of 1802 — Appointed to Fletcher Circuit — Laban Clark's Description of it — Henry Ryan — Labours and Sufferings — Mode of crossing Rivers — Horse gives out — Walks half round his Circuit— Personal and Ministerial Characteristics — Application to Studies

— Stackhouse's History of the Bible — His Colleague — Religious Condition of the People — St. Albans — Disciples of Thomas Paine — Persecutions — Two Young Women whipped — A Novel Scene — Infant Damnation — Anecdotes of Early Methodism — Ashgrove Conference in 1803

— Ashgrove Society — Conference Services — Ordained Deacon — Appointed to Bridge water — Extent of the Circuit — Promising Indications

— Dangerously Sick — Effects on the Work — Given over to die — Revives — Attempts to resume his Work — Terrible Attack of Rheumatism — Spiritual Conflicts — Prospect of being a Cripple — Thrice tried — A Bright Example of Christian Charity — Resumes his Labours — Visits Saratoga — Incident on board a Sloop — Conference in 1804 — Note to Bishop Asbury — Anecdote of Asbury — Hanover Circuit — Itinerancy of Single Men— Privileges of Study — Revolves his Plan — Studies English Grammar — Mode — Dictionary of the Language — Effects — Subsequent Studies— Successes of the Year 96

Chapter IV

ME. HEDDING UPON BAEEE AND VEESHIEE CIECUITS.

Mr. Hedding in the New-England Conference— Leading Men of that Conference—The Lynn Session in 1805 — Examination of Character— Finances—Public Exercises— Progress of the Work in New-England since

1790 — Difficulties and Opposition — Appointed to Barre Circuit Dan

Young, his Colleague — Mutual Assistance — Condition of the Circuit — Prosperity of the Work — Mr. Hedding as a Disciplinarian — Singular

Trial of his Skill — Obstacles opposed to Methodism in Vermont A

" Tithing-man " in a Methodist Meetiug — Session of the Conference for 1806— Yearly Change of Preachers in Early Times — Appointed to Vershire Circuit — Its Situation and Extent — Emigration — Loss of Official Members—Theological Biasses of New-England— Doctrinal Discussions

Onset with a Doctor of Divinity — Results — Characteristic Labours of Methodist Pioneers — Tour of a Young Itinerant through Northern Ver-

OONTENTS. 7

mont — Dialogue with a Poor Woman — Powerful Conversions — Mrs. Bishop — Spirit and Agencies of the Methodistic Revival — First Six Years of Itinerant Labour Page 128

Chapter V

ME. HEDDING ON NEW-HAMPSHIEE DISTRICT.

First Conference in New-England — Jesse Lee's Mission to the Eastern States

— His First Auxiliaries — Results up to the Fifteenth Anniversary — Session of the Conference for 1807 — Mr. Hedding appointed to New-Hampshire District — Charles Virgin — One of his Preachers won over to Calvinism — Effort to save him — Temporary Success — Finally secedes — Cause of Withdrawals — Inadequacy of Support — Enormous Proportion of Locations — Causes of Inadequacy of Support — Preachers partly chargeable — Influence of the same Causes at the Present Day — Deficiencies in the New Hampshire District — Mr. Hedding's Receipts — His Conflicts of Mind — Finds an Associate of his Youth — A Temptation overcome — A Singular Charge preferred against him at Conference — The Disposition made of it — Results to the person preferring it — Session of the Conference for 1808 — Returned to New-Hampshire District — Elected a Delegate to the General Conference — Session of the General Conference — Question of a Delegated General Conference — Failure of the Plan by the Opposition of the Middle Conferences — Excitement and Dissatisfaction

— Mr. Hedding's Labours to prevent a Rupture — The Subject reconsidered— The Plan adopted — Dr. Bangs' s Remarks upon it — Proposed Increase of the Number of Bishops — Conference determines to elect one only — M'Kendree elected and ordained — Close of the Conference — Mr. Hedding returns to his District — Jesse Lee revisits New-England — His Remarks on Pews — His Character drawn by Rev. A. Stevens — An Admirable Pioneer — His First Labours — Present Condition of the Work

— A Triumphal Tour — The Parting Pledge 155

Chapter VI

ME. HEDDING ON NEW-LONDON DISTRICT.

Session of the Conference for 1809 — Mr. Hedding appointed to the New- London District — Preachers on the District — Its Extent — Camp-meeting — First one on the District — Solicitude — Wonderful Display of Divine Power — Five Hundred prostrate on the Earth — Results — Mr. Hedding's Marriage — Sketch of Miss Lucy Blish, afterward Mrs. Hedding — Her Parents — Early Education — Early Religious Impressions — Perplexed by Calvinism — Visits a Sister within the Bounds of Plattsburgh Circuit — Hears Methodist Preaching — Is converted and joins the Church — Returns Home — Her Parents converted — A New Society raised up — Mr. Hedding's

1*

First Acquaintance with her— Their Marriage— Survives him— Mr. Hedding takes up his Residence in Winchester, N. H.— Reviews his Pecuniary Profits and Losses as a Single Man— The Session of the Conference at Winchester— How provided for— Bishops Asbury and M'Kendree— Returned to the District — Preachers with him — Removes to Ludlow, Mass. — Attempt to warn him out of Town — Employed by the Town on his Vacant Sabbaths — Invited by the Town to become the Settled Pastor — Declines — Subsequent Occasional Thoughts— Mr. Newhall's " Rich and Refreshing Meditations" when forcing his Way through Snow-drifts — Horse disabled— Travels on Foot — An Attack of Rheumatism — Crippled Condition — A Wayside Incident — A Singular Sweat — Unexpected Restoration — Conference approaching — Remarks upon his Ten Years' Labour — Difficulties encountered by Methodism — Its Great Successes — Progress of the Work on the District — Camp-meeting — Summation at the Close of the Year Page 182

Chapter VII. Laboues In Boston, Nantucket, And Lynn Stations

New-England Conference for 1811 — Mr. Hedding a Delegate to the General Conference — Appointed to Boston — Labours — The Embargo — Pecuniary Embarrassments of the People — Spiritual Prosperity — Conversion of E. T. Taylor— Mr. Hedding's Colleague, Rev. E. R. Sabin— The First Delegated General Conference — The Presiding-Elder Question —The Question in the General Conference of 1808— In 1812— Its Subsequent History— The Question in 181G — Dr. Bangs's Account of the Discussion— The Question in 1S20 — The Compromise — Protest of Rev. Joshua Soule, Bishop Elect — Protest of Bishop M'Kendree— Attempt to reconsider fails — The Rule suspended— Finally rescinded— Mr. Hedding's Views— Change of his Opinion— Final Record of his Opinions on the Subject — The Question of Reserve Delegates — Surviving Members of this Conference— Session of the New-England Conference — War declared— Apprehended Evils— Mr. Hedding appointed to Nantucket— Origin of the Society here— Rev. George Cannon— Evil Results of Locating—Mr. Hedding's Reception on the Island— Excitement among the Islanders— Losses by the War— Condition of the People— State for the Church — Pastoral Labours — A Happy Convert— The Conference for 1813 —State of the Work— Death of one of Mr. Hedding's Early Associates- Thomas. Branch — Character find Labours — Departs for the West Death

—Mr. Hedding discovers his Grave in 182G— His Letter— Stationed at

Lynn Common — Removal — Privations and Sufferings of the People

His Sympathy and Labours for them — His Colleague — Results of the Year — Returned to Lynn in 1814 — Labours of the Year — Detained from Conference by a Revival 206

Chapter VIII. Labours In Boston, Portland, Lynn, And New-london

Conference of 1815 — Bishop Asbury — His Feebleness — Subsequent Labours— Death — Conference Business — Mr. Heckling elected Delegate to the General Conference — Stationed in Boston — Daniel Fillmore, bis Colleague — Their mutual Attachment — An Amusing Anecdote, or "Shallow Preaching" — State of Religion in the Citjr — Niece of Hancock converted — General Conference of 1816 — Session of the New-England Conference at Bristol — Mr. Hedding and his Colleague returned to Boston — Debt on the Churches — Noble and Successful Effort to liquidate it — A Bequest to the Churches — Methodism planted in Dorchester — Also in Charlestown — Prosperity in Boston — Conference in 1817 — Progress of Methodism — Stationed in Portland — State of the Society — Conference in 1818 — Mr. Hedding in Lynn — Member of the General Conference of 1820 — Stationed in New-London — Disorganized Condition of the Society — Character and End of the Disorderly — Health fails — Reaches Conference Page 242

Chapter IX

ME. HEDDING ON BOSTON DISTRICT AND IN BOSTON— FROM 1821

Boston District — An Inhospitable Methodist — State of the Work — Camp-meetings — Conference at Bath — Stationed in Boston — Mr. Hedding's Conference Sermon — Measures to establish Zion's Herald — Mr. Hedding's Colleague, Ephraim Wiley — Conference of 1823 — Returned to Boston — Colleague — John Lindsey — Review of Mr. Hedding's Labours — Progress of Methodism — Elements of its Success — 1. Revival of the Old Doctrines of Christianity — 2. Appeal to Man's Consciousness of hia Relations to God — 3. A Conscious Personal Salvation — 4. Individualizing Characteristics of Methodist Preaching — 5. Peculiar Provisions of Organic Methodism — Perpetuity of these Elements — Confidence reposed in Mi-. Hedding by his Brethren 267

Chapter X

GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1S24, AND MR. HEDDING'S ELECTION

TO THE EPISCOPACY.

Representation in the General Conference — British Delegation — Address of the Bishops — Educational Demands upon the Church — Religious Education of the Children — Seminaries and Public Schools — Missionary Society — Book Concern — Slavery and the " Tenth Section " — Memorials on Lay Delegation — Action of the Conference — Reasons assigned—The Presiding-Elder Question — Ballotings for Bishops — Mr. Hedding's Election — His Reluctance to being a Candidate — Rev. E. Mudge's Account — Feelings after Election — Subsequent Resolution of the Conference — Accepts the Office and is ordained — Fitness for the Office Page 292

Chapter XI. First Qtjadkennial Of Episcopal Labour

Division of Episcopal Labour — Bishops George and Hedding attend the New-York Conference — Bishop Hedding makes Lynn his Residence — New-England Conference — Joshua Randle — Bishop George's Opinion of his Colleague — Genesee Conference — Cazenovia Seminary — Proposed Tour in Canada — Excitement there — Rate of Travel — Incident in Toronto — Hardships — A Log-cabin Tavern — Difficulties compromised

— Henry Ryan — Close of Conference — Progress of the Church during the Year — Sickness — A Hard Ride — Reaches Home in March — Difficulties of Travel — Starts for Philadelphia — Desponding Letter — Philadelphia, New-York, New-England, and Maine Conferences — State of the Work in Maine — Journey to Northern New-York — Letter to his Wife

— Genesee Conference — Canada Conference — Progress of the Work

Summation for the Year — Returns Home — A Wayside Incident — Winter of 1825-6 — Meeting of the Bishops in Baltimore — Failure to appoint a Delegate to the British Conference — Philadelphia and New- York Conferences — Genesee Conference — Letter to his Wife — Pittsburgh Conference — The "Radical Movement" — Mr. Hedding's Address to the Conference — Plain Talk in the Cabinet — Changes two Presiding Elders — Letter to Mrs. Hedding — The Ohio Conference — Return to Lynn — Results of another Year — Starts again — A Letter — Philadel phiaand New- York Conferences — Difficulties in Stationing Preachers — An Illustrative Instance —The True Course for a Young Preacher New- England Conference — Fever and Ague — Journey to Portland — Maine Conference — Journey Westward — The Canada Conference — Prevailing- Drought— Sickness of Preachers— Visits the Indian Mission Stations in Canada— Interesting Anecdotes of Converted Indians — Reading the Testament without learning the Letters — Indians at Rice Lake Visit to

Grape Island — Bark Canoe — Novel Mode of Landing — Captain Beaver

— Preaches to the Indians — Sermon of Peter Jones — Church Labour with an Erring Brother — Curious Questions — Estimate of the Work among the Indians — Journey to Troy — Dedicates State-street Church

— Reaches Home — End of the Year — Maine Wesleyan Seminary Bishop

Hedding's Interest in our Educational Movements 305

Chapter XII. Second Quadrennial Of Episcopal Labours

Goes to the General Conference — Doubts about the Duty of Continuing in the Office — The General Conference — Progress of the "Radical Movement" — Changes sought for — The "Union Society" — "Mutual Eights"— Dr. Bond's " Appeal " — Church Trials in Baltimore — Memorial to the General Conference — Report of the Committee — Asa Shinn moves its Adoption — Nine-tenths of the People opposed to the proposed Change — Bishop Hedding misrepresented in the " Mutual Rights " by " Timothy " — Seeks Redress — " Timothy's " Anonymous Certificates — Bishop Hedding brings the Matter before the General Conference — Action of the Committee on the Episcopacy — Testimony of the Pittsburgh Delegation — Confession of Rev. George Brown, the Real "Timothy" — Triumphant Vindication of the Bishop — Progress of the Work during the Four Years — Close of the General Conference — Route to New-York — Perils upon Lake Erie — Parts with Bishop George for the Last Time — Their Association and Attachment — Dr. Bangs's Portraiture of the Character of Bishop George — Outline of his Life and Labours — Responsibility that had rested on Bishop Hedding — Route into New-England — Perilous Accident — Visit to Canada — The Independent Organization of the Canada Conference completed — A Dying Father's Charge to his Son to maintain "the. Family Altar" — The Result — Close of the Ecclesiastical Year — Progress of the Work — Increase in the Church during the "Radical Movement" — Prophesied Ruin of the Church not realized — Bishop Hedding spends the Winter of 1828-9 in Lynn — Sermon on Dancing — Philadelphia, New-York, and New- England Conferences for 1829 — Excitement on Masonry — Maine Conference — Tour of Visitation to the Churches — Refused Entertainment by a Wealthy Methodist Page 350

CHAPTER Xni.

SECOND QUADRENNIAL OF EPISCOPAL LABOURS— CONCLUDED

Conferences for the Spring of 1830 — Visits the Oneida Indian Mission-*- Sermon to the Indians — Journeys Westward — Review of Labours — A Week's Rest — Visit to Canada — Reaches Home after Nine Months' Absence — Summation for the Year — Baltimore Conference in 1831 — — A "Located Itinerant" — Submits to a Surgical Operation — Conferences attended this Spring — Leaves Home on a Western and Southern Tour — Letter to his Wife — Genesee Conference — Christian Hospitality vs. Hospitality to Office — A Cold Reception — Quartered among Apprentice Boys — Pittsburgh Conference — Journey to Mansfield, Ohio

— Adventures with a Preacher who had "Time enough yet" — Meets the Kentucky Conference at Louisville — Journey from Louisville to East Tennessee — Reaches Athens — Rebuke of a Pompous Young Man — Holston Conference — Visits the Cherokee Nation — State of Society, &c — Encounter with a Watch- Dog — Travels in Georgia — A Slave Auction — The Georgia Conference — South-Carolina Conference — Conversation with a Negro on the Roanoke — Hospitality *of a Tavernkeeper — Virginia Conference — Philadelphia Conference — Arrives at the Seat of the General Conference — Progress of the Work during the Four Years — Educational Movement — Colleges — Seminaries — Missions— Among the Slaves — Liberia — Indian Missions — In Canada — At Green Bay — Rev. John Clark — The Wyandots — Rev. J. B. Finley — Visit to the East with Indians — Choctaws — Cherokees — Death of Ministers Page 377

CHAPTER XIV- THIIiD QUADRENNIAL OF EPISCOPAL LABOUES. General Conference of 1832 — Representation — Character of the Session

— Two Bishops elected — Bishop Hedding's Purpose to resign — Action of the New- York and New-England Delegates — He yields to their Judgment — The New-York Conference — Its Division — Law Questions

— A Question proposed — New-England Conference — Ravages of the Cholera — Aspect in New-York City — The People rushing from the City — Passage up the Hudson — Reflections — Note : Distressing Case of a Widow and her Son — Letter to Bishop Roberts — Oneida Conference— Genesee — Efforts to reach the Canada Conference Fails

Alarming Symptoms — Reaches Home — State of his Feelings Statistics of the Year — Presides over the Virginia Conference in 1833 — A Few Days in Washington — Idea of the City— Old Age an Incurable Disease — Conferences attended — A Great Dinner — The Meeting of Old Friends — Prosperity of the Oneida Conference — Completes3 his Conference Visitation for the Year — Tax upon his Distinction as an Expounder of Ecclesiastical Law — Prosperity of the Church — The Oregon Mission— Educational Interests — Conference Labours for 1834

— Death of two Fellow-labourers — The Labours of a Bishop — Question involving the Administration of Presiding Elders — The Course of Study for Candidates in the Ministry — Action of the Bishops assailed —Letter of Bishop Emory — A Singular Question affecting the Marriage Relation of Slaves — Progress of the Church — Conferences in 1S35 — Development of our Ecclesiastical Jurisprudence — Question upon electing Committees on Trials — Death of Bishop M'Kendree

— Sudden Death of Bishop Emory — Returns of Members — Incident upon Long Island Sound — Attends the Virginia and Baltimore Conferences — Progress of the Church during the four Preceding Years 410

Chapter XV Iotjeth Quadeennial Of Episcopal Laboues

General Conference of 1836 — Representation — Death of M'Kendree and Emory— Address of Bishops Roberts and Hedding — Hedding's Remark upon the Administration of Discipline — Election of three Bishops — Ordination of Messrs. Waugh and Morris — Vote relating to Bishops Roberts and Hedding— Sundry Measures — Adjournment — Bishop Hedding's Labours for the twelve past Years — Conferences met during this Year — Statistical Returns — Causes assigned for declension — True causes — Bishop Hedding removes from Lynn to Lansingburgh, N. Y. — Note made at the close of the Year's Labour — Conferences met in 1837 — ■ An Increase reported this Year — Import of Questions propounded to Candidates for Deacon and Elder's Orders — Labours of 1838 — Visits the Grave of Benjamin Abbott

— Protracted Sessions of the New-York and New-England Conferences — Visits the Northern New-York Conferences — Progress of the Church this Year — Conferences attended in 1839 — Exhaustion — Misses old Friends — Influence upon him — Anti-Slavery Excitement — Course he felt obliged to pursue — Prosperity of the Church — Close of the Fourth Quadrennial of his Labours — Some Reflections — Death of Ministers during the four Years — Mr. Hedding's old Associates — John Brodbead

— Martin Ruter — Oliver Beale — Wilbur Fisk — The Dying Testimonies

— Substantial Prosperity of the Church — Embarrassment from Locations — Vitality of the Methodist System Page 448

Chapter XVI. Bishop Hedding And The Abolition Conteoveesy

die Anti-Slavery Agitation — Movements of Rev. Orange Scott during the Conference Year 1834-5 — Anti-Slavery feeling in New-England and Northern New- York — Stand-point from which Bishop Hedding contemplated the Movement — Anticipation of evil results — Feels it his Duty to oppose Ultra Measures — Gives countenance to the " Counter Appeal "

— Anti-Slavery Sentiments expressed in that Appeal — Difficult position ofBishop Hedding — His Pastoral Letter to the New-England and New- Hampshire Conferences— Its effect — Its treatment by the Ultraists — Newspaper Discussions — General Conference of 1836 — The Pastoral Address — Disapprobation of the Me'asures employed by Abolitionists — Avoid electing a Slaveholding Bishop — Extremists on both sides dissatisfied—Binding force of the General Conference action upon the Bishops — Bishop Hedding at the New-England Conference in 1836 — Declines reappointing 0. Scott to the Presiding Eldership — Proposed Action on Slavery — His Administration assailed — New-Hampshire Conference — G. Storrs proposed for Piesiding Elder — The Bishop converses with him— Declines to appoint him — Painful feelings — New-England Conference for 1837 — Calls the attention of the body to the misrepresentations of 0. Scott — Note : Letter from Bishop Hedding to Rev. O. Scott — The Settlement — 0. Scott's retractions — Note : Previous attempt at Adjustment : written statement of T. Merritt, D. Fillmore, and T. C. Peirce — Events at the New-Hampshire Conference — Bishop Hedding's Vindication of his Administration — His celebrated " Golden-Rule Argument in favour of Slavery," and what it amounts to — An Unpardonable Sin — Ruling of Presiding Elders — Character of some of the Resolutions — Rev. O. Scott in the Field — His offences against Bishop Hedding repeated — A few Extracts from his published Letters— Charges preferred against Rev. 0. Scott before the New-England Conference — Decisions of the Conference — Trial of La Roy Sunderland — Mr. Hedding looks to the General Conference for redress — Incident at the close of the New-England Conference — Rev. 0. Scott's ex parte statement of the Trial — Action in the New-Hampshire Conference — Letter from Bishop Morris — Letter from Bishop Hedding in relation to the Trials of Scott and Sunderland — Subsequent misrepresentation and ill-treatment received by Bishop Hedding — An Apologetic Remark concerning the Ultraists — Light in which Bishop Hedding's Administration is to be interpreted — Subject brought up to the General Conference of 1840 Page 480

Chapter XVII

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1840, AND THE FIFTH QUADREN- NIAL OF EPISCOPAL LABOUR.

General Conference of 1840 — Representation — Bishop's Address — Views of Constitutional Powers — Government of the Church — Appeal of Rev. D. Dorchester — Action in relation to the Prerogatives of Bishops and Presiding Elders as Presiding Officers — Bishop Hedding's Communication in relation to the Trials of 0. Scott and La Roy Sunderland — Private Adjustment by the Delegates — Magnanimity of Bishop Hedding — Another instance — Speech upon striking out the Censure of the New-England Conference — His counsel prevails — The Question on the Testimony of Coloured Persons — Dr. Few's Resolution — Tie Vote upon its consideration — Bishop Hedding declines to give the Casting Vote— Shows that a Bishop has no Constitutional Right to Vote- Pastoral Address — Close of the Conference — Annual Conferences — Michigan — Ohio — Dedicates Bedford-street Church in New-York city — Close of the Year — Dedication of John-street Methodist Episcopal Church — Conferences of 1841 — Address on the Administration of Discipline—Address before the New-Jersey Conference on Christian Perfection — Results for the Year — Conferences of 1842 — The Resolution proposed about Transfers in the New-Hampshire Conference — Address upon "Man's Natural Ability," &c— Residence at Saratoga — Great fall of Snow — A hard Sleigh-ride — Conferences of 1843 — Death of Bishop Roberts — Condition of the Work in the Eastern Conferences — Letter to his Wife — Missionary Cause — Kemoves to Poughkeepsie — Unprecedented Increase of Members in the Church — Spring of 1844 Page 537

OHAPTEE XVIH.

SIXTH QUADRENNIAL OP EPISCOPAL LABOUR.

General Conference of 1844 — Representation — Slavery Agitation — The Harding Case — Case of Bishop Andrew — Intensity of Feeling excited — Proposition of the Bishops to suspend Action — Objections in the Minds of Northern Delegates — Bishop Hedding withdraws his Name — Assigns his Reasons — Remarks of Bishops Waugh and Morris — The Communication laid on the Table — Passage of Finley's Resolution — Eventual Separation of the Southern Conferences — Resolution relating to Bishop Hedding's Labours — Election and Consecration of Bishops Hamline and Janes — Close of the Session — Conference Labours — Changed Views of Brethren alienated in the Abolition Controversy — Invitation to fix his Residence again in New-England — Conference Labours in 1845 — Death of three Ministers — Action of the Bishops in Relation to giving Bishop Andrew work — Bishop Soule calls Bishop Andrew out — His Allusion to his Colleagues — Southern Organization completed — Bishops Soule and Andrew connected with it — Action of the Bishops remaining in the Methodist Episcopal Church — Conference Labours in 1846 — A Scene in the New- York Conference — Church Difficulties in Relation to John N. Maffitt — Question of Jurisdiction — Bishop Hedding's Decision — Animadversions upon that Decision — General Conference approves it — Church Statistics — Spring of 1847 — New- England Conference — Address on the Occasion of the Death of George Pickering and Joel Steele — Further Labours — Providence Conference in 1848 587

OHAPTEE XIX.

SEVENTH QUADEENNIAL OF EPISCOPAL LABOUR.

General Conference of 1848 — Bishop Hedding requested to prepare some Biographical Sketch of himself — His Views on the Pastorship of the Methodist Episcopal Church — Appointed Delegate to the British Wesleyan Conference — Feeble Health — Rev. Manning Force accompanies him — Revives an Acquaintance with an old Friend — Sermon before the New-Hampshire Conference — Visit on part of an old Circuit — Vermont Conference at Barre — Maine and East Maine Conferences — Conferences in 1849 — The old Cambridge Circuit— The Bishop's Notes of Travel, &c. — A strong Christian — Kir, singular Death — Sunday Labours — Attends

B the Funeral of Rev. J. A. Merrill — Sick — First failure in Twenty-five Years to meet his Conferences— Travels in 1850 — Remarks upon his Notes of Travel — Views about Preaching — Comparison of Methodism with the Former Time — Zeal of the Early Methodists — Class-meetings

Novel case of proving the Mind — Compliment to a Sermon — Success

of Methodist Agencies Page 611

CHAPTER XX.

LAST HOURS OF BISHOP HEDDENG.

Bishop Hedding viewed in a New Scene — First Attack of Acute Disease — Second Attack — Hopes — Their Disappointment — State of his Mind — Assailed by Satan — Record of God's Mercy — Notes taken of his Experience and Remarks — Gradual Decline — Conversations during the Last Months of his Life — Expression of his Feelings to Rev. Mr. Ferris — Last Public Exercise — Infirmities increased — Draws up his Will — Unabated Interest in the Church — Prospect of seeing and knowing Friends in Heaven — Interest in Prayer — Views on leaving the Church on Earth — Last Sacrament — His Trust in the Midst of Distress — A Day of Suf fering. and of Triumph — Terrible bodily Condition — Wonderful Grace — Visited by Bishop Janes and Dr. Peck — The Closing Scene — Funeral Services — Epitaph upon his Monument 6 7

CHAPTER XXI.

ESTIMATE OF THE CHARACTER AND SERVICES OF BISIIOr