REV. BISHOP McKENDREE
William McKendree was born in King William County State of Virginia, on the sixth day of July, 1757. His parents were reputable, and appear to have been communicants of the English Church, in which William was educated. Of his early life we know but little, as no biography of this eminent man has as yet been given to the Church. Of one thing, however, we are assured: that he lived to the age of thirty years before he became the subject of converting grace. At the latter age, under the ministry of the Rev. John Easter, who traveled on the circuit near where he lived, he was awakened to a sense of his lost condition as a sinner, and was led to seek for pardon and reconciliation through the atoning blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Nor did he seek in vain; peace and pardon were granted him in answer to the prayer of faith, and his soul became unspeakably happy while "filled with the fullness of God."
This happy change took place in the year 1787, and being possessed of an ardent love for souls, he was led almost immediately after his conversion to sigh for the salvation of his unconverted neighbors and friends. His desire for their salvation led him to improve upon the talents committed to his care by the "master of the vineyard," and soon he became a preacher of that faith which had so recently changed his "darkness into light." The year after his conversion he offered himself to the Virginia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church as a traveling preacher, and was by that body received on trial, and appointed to a circuit. He had not been long engaged in the ministry before he manifested talents of a very high order. In the year 1792, some opposition was manifested by a few of the preachers, to the power of the bishops in stationing them without an appeal to the Conference. The opposition was led by a highly popular preacher, by the name of James O'Kelly, who served as a presiding elder in the State of Virginia. Mr. O'Kelly introduced a resolution to the Conference of 1792, the design of which was to secure to every preacher who thought himself injured, an appeal to the Conference with liberty to state his objections, and if the Conference approved of his objections, require the bishop to appoint him to another circuit. The resolution thus presented elicited very strong debate, which lasted three days, but which was finally lost by a large majority. The failure of the effort to secure the passage of the resolution so operated upon the mind of the mover, that he, with some others, withdrew from the Church, and organized a separate organization, with the name of "Republican Methodists."
Mr. McKendree participated more or less in the discussion, and favored the views of Mr. O'Kelly and his party; and although he did not, like the leader of the movement, withdraw from the Church, he nevertheless was so much disappointed at the failure of the proposed measure, that he refused to take an appointment at that Conference. After the adjournment however, he took pains to examine more critically, the true nature of the measure which had been proposed with so much warmth, and defeated by so large a majority of his brethren, and became convinced of his error, and of the propriety of the course pursued by the Conference. Accordingly, at the request of Bishop Asbury, he again entered the traveling field, and took an appointment, and was stationed in Norfolk, Va. The
examination of the subject alluded to above, convinced him that the only way to preserve the itinerancy of Methodism unimpaired, was to continue in the hands of the bishop the sole power of appointment, and in these views he continued till the end of his life.
In 1796, Mr. McKendree was appointed to the charge of an important district in the Virginia Conference as a presiding elder, and at the expiration of three years of faithful and successful service, was removed to the Baltimore district, where he presided one year with equal fidelity and success.
In 1800 he was selected by Bishops Asbury and Whatcoat to take charge of a Western district, which required fifteen hundred miles travel quarterly, to go around it. He entered upon this field of labor with great zeal, and had the satisfaction of knowing that his labors were not in vain in the Lord.
It was while Mr. McKendree was stationed on this district, that camp meetings were instituted, and no sooner did he become acquainted with their utility, than he at once with all the vigor of a deeply anxious mind, and an ever-burning desire for the salvation of souls, labored heartily in these precious means of grace; and through his instrumentality thousands in that particular part of the work were no doubt converted to God. Such was his success as a preacher, that his fame became known all over the land, and his "praise was in all the Churches."
At the General Conference of 1808, it became necessary to elect a bishop to fill the vacancy occasioned by the decease of Bishop Whatcoat. To most of the senior members of the Conference Mr. McKendree was personally known, and to them he appeared as the most fitting person to fill that important office. Many of the younger members, however, were entirely unacquainted with him, except by reputation. Being called upon to preach before the Conference on Sabbath morning, his sermon was so powerful, that both old and young looked upon him as the man for the office.
Accordingly on the next day, when a balloting for a new bishop was ordered, it was found that out of one hundred and twenty-eight votes cast, ninety-five were for Mr. McKendree, who was therefore declared to be duly elected, and on the 17th of May was consecrated by Bishop Asbury and other elders of the Church.
A new field was now opened before Bishop McKendree, and after the adjournment of the Conference, as already stated in the Life of Bishop Asbury, the latter took him with him for the purpose of introducing him to all the Conferences, and also to the brethren in different parts of the land. It will, however, be unnecessary to repeat the history given in the preceding chapter, where the labors of the two men of God are spoken of in connection: we will therefore pass to the General Conference of 1812. This was the first delegated General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is remarkable also, as the first Conference at which either of the bishops had presented a written address. After the opening of this venerable body in due form, Bishop McKendree over his own signature, presented to the Conference the following document.
"To the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, now assembled in the city of New York.
"Dear Brethren: My relation to you and the Connection in general, seems in my opinion to make it necessary, that I should address you in some way, by which you may get possession of some information, perhaps not otherwise to be obtained by many of you.
"It is now four years since by your appointment, it became my duty jointly to superintend our extensive and very important charge. With anxious solicitude and good wishes, I have looked forward to this General Conference. The appointed time is come, and the Lord has graciously permitted us to meet according to appointment, for which I hope we are prepared jointly, to praise and adore his goodness.
"Upon examination, you will find the work of the Lord is prospering in our hands. Our important charge has greatly increased since the last General Conference: we have had an increase of nearly forty thousand members. At present we have about one hundred and ninety thousand members, upward of two thousand local, and about seven hundred traveling preachers in our Connection, and these widely scattered over seventeen States, besides the Canada's, and several territorial settlements.
"Thus situated, it must be expected in the present state of things, that the counsel and direction of your united wisdom, will be necessary to preserve the harmony and peace of the body, as well as co-operation of the traveling and local ministry, in carrying on the blessed work of reformation, which the Lord has been pleased to effect through our instrumentality. To deserve the confidence of the local ministry and membership, as well as to retain confidence in ourselves, and in each other, is undoubtedly our duty; and if we consider that those who are to confide in us are a collection from all classes and descriptions, from all countries of which the nation is composed, promiscuously scattered over this vast continent — men who were originally of different education, manners, habits, and opinions, we shall see the difficulty, as well as the importance of this part of our charge.
"In order to enjoy the comforts of peace and union among us, we must 'love one another;' but this cannot abide where confidence does not exist; and purity of intention, manifested by proper actions, is the very foundation and support of confidence; thus 'united, we stand': each member is a support to the body, and the body supports each member; but if confidence fails, love will grow cold, peace will be broken, and 'divided we fall.' It therefore becomes this body, which by its example is to move the passions and direct the course of thousands of ministers, and tens of thousands of members, to pay strict attention to the simplicity of gospel manners, and to do everything as in the immediate presence of God. If we consider the nature of our business, and the influence of civil governments and political measures, it will hardly be expected that every individual in so large a body as you form, will continually be sufficiently and strictly evangelical in all cases; it is therefore hoped in cases of failure, that the wisdom and firmness of your united prudence as a body, will counteract evil effects, by a well-ordered and prudent disapprobation and better example. Church and State should never be assimilated.
"Connected as I am, with you and the Connection in general, I feel it my duty to submit to your consideration the appointment of the Genesee Conference; and perhaps it may be for the general good, if in your wisdom you should think proper to take into consideration a division of the work in the western country and a proper arrangement of the work in general; and the magnitude and extent of the work which the Lord has graciously pleased to prosper in our hands, may make it proper for you to inquire if the work is sufficiently within the oversight of the Superintendency, and to make such arrangement and provision as your wisdom may approve. I would also suggest the necessity of keeping in view, not only the traveling, but the relation and situation of our local brethren; and to pursue that plan which may render the whole most useful; and it may also be proper
to bring into view any unfinished business (if any) which we had under consideration at our last General Conference. Hitherto, as a body, we have been preserved by our well-digested system of rules, which are as sinews to the body, and form the bonds of our union. But it is evident both from Scripture and experience that men, even good men, may depart from first principles, and the best of rules; it may therefore be proper for you to pay some attention to the administration, to know the state both of the traveling and local ministry, as it relates to doctrine, discipline, and practice.
"Before I conclude, permit me, my dear brother, to express a few thoughts concerning the view I have of the relation in which I stand connected with this body. It is only by virtue of a delegated power from the General Conference, that I hold the reins of government. I consider myself bound by virtue of the same authority, to exercise discipline in perfect conformity to the rules of the Church, to the best of my ability and judgment. I consider myself justly accountable, not for the system of government, but for my administration; and ought therefore to be ready to answer to the General Conference for past conduct, and be willing to receive information and advice to perfect future operations; and I wish my brethren to feel themselves perfectly easy and at liberty. ( — To give advice, &c.)
"I shall take the liberty here, to present my grateful acknowledgments for the high degree of confidence which my beloved brethren have placed in me, and especially the able counsel and seasonable support afforded by many, which has, I believe, with the divine aid, preserved and supported me. Dear brethren, such are the effects of our high responsibility, connected with a consciousness of the insufficiency of my talents for so great a work, that I move with trembling.
Your eyes, and the eyes of the Lord are upon me for good. We shall rejoice together to see the armies of Israel wisely conducted in all their ranks, carrying the triumphs of the Redeemer's kingdom to the ends of the earth; and the Lord will rejoice to make his ministers a flame of fire. In you I have all confidence, and on you I depend for aid, and above all I trust in divine aid. Influenced by these considerations, and with my situation in full view, I cannot entertain a thought of bearing such awful accountability longer than I am persuaded my services are useful to the Church of God, and feel a confidence of being aided by your counsel and support, which is with you to give in any way or form you may judge proper. And while I join with you, my dear brethren, in pure gospel simplicity to commit and recommend ourselves, and our several charges to the special care of the Great Head of the Church, I remain with sentiments of love and confidence, your servant in the Gospel of Christ,
"WILLIAM McKENDREE.
"New York, May 5th, 1812."
We have thus given at full length the first episcopal message, or opening address, made by a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the General Conference of that Church.. Why Bishop Asbury did not unite in the presentation of the address, we have not the means of knowing. It was evidently, however, not because he dissented from the doctrines contained, or the views expressed in the same; for after the address had been read and referred to appropriate committees Bishop Asbury rose and addressed the Conference extemporaneously, through Bishop McKendree, who occupied the chair, and recommended a consideration of the same, or similar points, alluded to in the written address.
The address thus quoted, serves to throw light upon the character of good Bishop McKendree; and to understand some portions of it, it is necessary to observe that the ground which the bishop found it necessary to take on the presiding elder question — alluded to on a previous page — after be had become convinced of his former errors in that respect, subjected him to no small amount of prejudice during some periods of his episcopal administration. Because he had changed his opinions on the subject, and found it necessary as an honest man, to act in accordance with those opinions, it was thought by some, that he was ambitious, and was actuated by a love of power. These suspicions and prejudices rendered it rather a hard task, especially in some of the northern Conferences, where the O'Kelly doctrines were more generally embraced, to please some of the preachers in relation to the appointments they received from the bishop; but he, conscious of his integrity in the matter, and being satisfied that the existing policy was the only safe one for the Church to pursue, continued to discharge the duties imposed upon him by the General Conference, while he held himself responsible for the manner of their performance to the body from which he had received the authority to discharge the same. Hence the bishop in this address states that he holds himself "justly accountable, not for the system of government, but for his administration," and that he was "ready to answer to the General Conference for past conduct, &c." It should, however, be recorded to the honor of the bishop's memory, that whatever asperities may have existed in relation to the matter alluded to, time has removed any prejudices that may have arisen from the subject; while the history of the Church since that period, has proved the correctness of the bishop's views, and of the policy advocated by him and endorsed by the General Conference.
It may be proper in this connection to speak somewhat more at large of the ministerial character of Bishop McKendree, and in doing so, would avail ourselves of the remarks found in Bangs's
"History of the Methodist Episcopal Church," to which work we are mainly indebted for all that is written in regard to the biography of Bishop McKendree. On page 197, Dr. Bangs, in speaking of the bishop's character, says:
"1. Bishop McKendree gave unequivocal evidence of deep piety, and of a mind and heart thoroughly imbued with gospel truth. This evidence is found in his entire life, in his words and actions.
"2. Having devoted the early days of his ministry chiefly to the new countries west of the Alleghenies, he had neither the time nor the means of acquiring much information from the study of books, though it was evident that he had stored his understanding with a variety of the most useful branches of knowledge for a minister of Jesus Christ. Had he been favored with the opportunity of a thorough education in his youth, and pursued the path of science in after years, he might have shone in the galaxy of literature and science for he had an understanding sufficiently strong and acute to enable him to grapple with any subject within the range of human intellect, and equal to the acquirement of any branch of human knowledge.
"This was evident to all who were intimate with him, and could duly appreciate his worth. His mind indeed was capable of the nicest distinctions of the most critical researches and of the widest expansion. How often did he, by a well timed and pointed remark, unravel the sophistry of the sciolist and confound the pedantic pretender to wisdom and science! As if by a sudden inspiration of thought, he would make a ray of light flash upon a subject, and thereby render that clear and
