After their return to Michigan, Mr. and Mrs. Hart entered upon the work with renewed zeal; and, the summer months coming on, devoted themselves to journeying to and fro in answer to calls for special services, which were held in schoolhouses, groves, or such other places as afforded them an opportunity to preach the Gospel of a free and full salvation. They were constantly on the lookout for such opportunities, and were quick to avail themselves of them when discovered. With a buggy and harness borrowed from Mr. Pines, and a horse from Mr. Atkinson, Mr. Hart says, "We started to spy out the land. We went from neighborhood to neighborhood, preaching in a different schoolhouse each night. This was kept up nearly all the remainder of the summer, sometimes not being able to commence services until nearly nine o'clock. Oftentimes the schoolhouse would be crowded and as many more standing outside; so taking my position in the door I would announce my text and preach to those outside as well as inside the house. In this way our work became thoroughly advertised throughout all that part of the State."[1]

Commencing on June 13 they held a grove-meeting in Pines neighborhood, at which General Superintendent Roberts was present the latter part of the time, preaching with great liberty and power, and proving a great inspiration and uplift to the work. From this meeting Mr. Hart accompanied Superintendent Roberts to Illinois, visiting their friends at Marengo, and attending the St. Charles camp-meeting, while Mrs. Hart remained in Michigan to assist in the work. C. S. Gitchell was preaching at Marengo at the time, and the membership of the society numbered over a hundred. The camp-meeting at St. Charles was largely attended, and was among the best ever held in that place. On his return to Ida Mr. Hart stopped off at Hillsdale, Michigan, where he had been importuned to come and organize a Free Methodist class, and spent a Sabbath there. He had been suspicious that those who desired to be organized into a class were not the right sort of material, and his visit there confirmed his suspicion. He plainly told them that he could not organize them, and gave them his reason. He gave them to understand, however, that at some future time he and his wife might pay them a visit.

Later, receiving a call from the same man who had been urging him to come to Hillsdale and organize a class, to come and accompany him and his daughter (who, by the way, was a sort of self-styled preacher whom the father was anxious to have appointed to the work in that vicinity, provided a Free Methodist class was organized) on their round of appointments in the southern part of the County; and after trying to go in another direction, but becoming convinced that the man was not in divine order, they finally decided to go to Hillsdale. Mrs. H. A. Coon, of Illinois, had written them that she was to pass through Michigan on her way east, and could stop a few days with them; and so they at once wrote her giving the date of their intended visit to Hillsdale, and requesting her to meet them there.

The event of chief importance connected with the visit to Hillsdale was the meeting with John Ellison and his wife Eunice, who were attracted to one of Mr. Hart's services by the rumor that a woman was to preach on the occasion. Mr. Ellison was attending a Free-will Baptist college at Hillsdale, and preaching to a Church of that denomination a few miles from there. While on the trip to Hillsdale Mr. Hart held a few services at a place called Steamburg. On the Saturday of Mr. Hart's service there they had intended to get an early start and spend the day in visiting among their members at the point where he was supplying; but being detained, and unable to start until late in the day, they decided to stop with one of their members at Steamburg until Sunday morning. On his way to Steamburg some one had informed Mr. Ellison that a woman was to speak at the schoolhouse that evening. He concluded that the woman must be either a Spiritualist or an Adventist, and so determined to attend the meeting and meet any erroneous doctrine which she might advance. On hearing the singing as he approached the schoolhouse he became convinced that there was no Adventism or Spiritualism about it; and on entering the house, seeing Mr. Hart in the pulpit, listening to the discourse, and taking in the general spirit of the service, he felt something about it all which carried him back in memory to meetings lie used to attend in Woodstock, Illinois, which were held by a man whom the people called "Doctor Redfield." He had attended Doctor Redfield's meetings because he liked to hear the man preach, but for some reason the truth had made little impression upon his heart. On that Saturday night, however, the truth reached him, his heart was opened, and Doctor Redfield's preaching in all its spiritual light and power seemed to flash in upon his mind.

At the close of the service he and his wife came forward, introduced themselves to Mr. and Mrs. Hart, and insisted upon their going to the place where they were stopping and remaining for the night. The request was cordially seconded by their host, and it was finally decided that they would go. The next afternoon Mr. Hart was to preach at the Black schoolhouse, and Mr. and Mrs. Ellison and a number of their members were present. Mr. Hart invited Mr. Ellison to attend a grove-meeting which he was to hold some time later near Ida station. He promised to attend if possible.

At this meeting Mr. Ellison earnestly sought the experience of sanctification. His consecration was deep and thorough, and though he saw, in the new light now shining upon him, that it would probably cost him his present Church relation to follow God fully, he decided to do so, and pressed on in the way of faith until he obtained the witness that his heart was clean. He began to preach the whole truth, as he now saw it and had experienced it, to his own people. A few of them received it and found it the power of God to give them perfect freedom; but the ruling powers of the Church soon held a meeting at which it was decided that they needed him no longer. Then those of his members who had come into the experience of full salvation withdrew, and he began to preach to them at the Blunt schoolhouse. After a little they began to feel that they ought to have a Church home. Most of them desired to unite with the Free Methodists. Mr. Ellison sympathized with them in this, but did not think the time had come for him to take such a step. However, he wrote Mr. Hart of the wishes of his homeless people, and he fixed upon a date for a meeting at the Blunt schoolhouse, at which time he was to organize them into a class. Mr. Ellison had agreed that, if a class was formed, he would continue to preach to them as before. In connection with the service Mr. Hart read the Discipline, and was about to call on those who wished to join the proposed class to step forward, when Mr. Ellison stepped up and whispered in his ear, "Go ahead, Brother Hart, I'll go the whole hog," a terse and rather forceful though not a very elegant expression of his readiness to merge his fortunes with the new movement. A class of considerable size was formed, and Mr. Ellison became their pastor under the new order of things. From this beginning the work of Free Methodism spread throughout the western part of the state. Mr. Ellison became one of the pioneer preachers of the Michigan Conference, which he served either as Pastor or District Chairman so long as he was able to do ministerial work of any kind. His long and faithful ministry was crowned by a triumphant death.

After the grove-meeting near Ida Mr. and Mrs. Hart went on west, to attend the session of the Illinois Conference, to be held at St. Charles, Illinois, beginning December 22, 1864. Joseph Jones also went, as delegate from the Michigan work. Henry Jones, although not able to be present, was received into the traveling connection on probation. Mr. Hart reported from his work in Michigan one member in full connection and thirty-eight on probation. Having been ordained Elder at Aurora in 1863, he was now eligible to the office of District Chairman, to which he was elected and returned to the Michigan district. The Michigan district appointments for the year read: Michigan district, B. P. Hart, chairman and evangelist; Raisinville, W. D. Bishop, H. Jones. The labors of this year were attended with great success. In fact, the previous year bad been much more successful than Mr. Hart's statistical report to the Conference would make it appear. The foundation for an extensive and permanent work had been laid, the report of the "new religion," as Free Methodism was called, had been sounded abroad near and far, and calls were coming from all directions for the introduction of Free Methodism among the people who seemed to be spiritually starving.

During this year Mr. Hart and his wife labored extensively in evangelistic meetings, held a number of very fruitful camp-meetings, saw the work introduced into Branch County, witnessed the raising up of quite a number of excellent workers, some of whom developed into effective preachers, and were able to report at the next session of the Annual Conference members and probationers aggregating nearly two hundred.

At this session of the Illinois Conference, held at Marengo, September 13-18, 1865, L. T. Frink and John Ellison represented the Michigan work as lay delegates. They were both received into the Conference on probation, and H. L. Jones and W. D. Bishop were continued in that relation. There appear to have been thoughts of invading the State of Indiana, since the appointments for Michigan district were made to read "Michigan and Indiana district," and the appointments to it were as follows: "Michigan and Indiana district, E. P. Hart, chairman; Huron, H. L. Jones; Raisinville, Lemuel Frink; Morenci, to he supplied; Van Buren, to be supplied; Ransom, W. D. Bishop; Coldwater, John Ellison." This gave Mr. Hart ix appointments on his district. He took general super-vision of the work on these, holding their Quarterly Meetings, and devoting the rest of his time to labors in the raising up of new circuits. During the winter the work extended into Ohio and Indiana. A camp-meeting was had near the Raisin river in June, 1866. This meeting was remarkable for the manifestations of divine power. A Republican paper tried to caricature it, denouncing its proceedings as "a perfect pandemonium." A Democratic journal indulged a rejoinder to the effect that "if it was apandemonium, it was such a pandemonium as they had on the day of Pentecost," and also published various sarcastic and burlesque remarks regarding the Republican journal and party, thus giving the work of Free Methodism a goodly amount of free advertising throughout pretty much of the entire State.

The way having been prepared for it by the steps indicated in the foregoing part of this chapter, the Michigan Conference was organized June 22, 1866, in connection with above mentioned camp-meeting held on the Raisin river. The organization took place in a schoolhouse near the camp-ground. General Superintendent Roberts presided. E. P. Hart was chosen secretary. The following named preachers were received into full connection by transfer from the Illinois Conference: E. P. Hart, H. L. Jones, C S. Gitchell, W. D. Bishop. John Ellison and L. T. Frink were received by transfer from the Illinois Conference into the second year's probation. Six preachers were also received on trial, making twelve preachers in all. No report of the Church membership was given.

Another session of the Conference was held in September, the regular season for the holding of the fall Conferences. It was held at Sherwood, Branch County. Since the organization of the Conference in June the first Free Methodist Church ever built in Michigan had been erected at Sherwood. The Rev. Joseph Travis presided at the Conference session instead of the General Superintendent. 'The dedication of the new Church took place on the Salt-bath, Mr. Travis preaching the dedicatory sermon. He was a mighty man in the pulpit, and the sermon on this occasion, from the text, "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former, saith the Lord of hosts; and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts" (Hag. 2: 9), was every way equal to his reputation.

The membership at this session numbered four hundred and eighty-two. Mr. Hart was again elected District Chairman, with a district comprising nine circuits. John Ellison and L. T. Frink were received into full connection. E. P. Hart was elected ministerial and John Plues lay delegate to the General Conference which convened at Buffalo, New York, October 10, 1866, but after the first Sabbath adjourned to Albion for the conclusion of its business. Mr. Hart says, "The Michigan Conference had but two delegates, but with the help of Brother Pines we made noise and stir enough for a half dozen."

Referring to the results of the work in Michigan up to this time, of which a general idea is given in the foregoing paragraphs, the Rev. J. S. MacGeary says: "All this was accomplished in less than three years as the result of the faithful labors of one man and one woman who, without any missionary board or missionary appropriation back of them, went forth trusting God for all and proclaiming the old-fashioned gospel. Surely we of this generation of Free Methodism owe much to these fathers and mothers of 'early Free Methodism' who, 'without scrip or purse,' went forth and blazed the way for this work which has brought so much of spiritual enlightenment and liberty to us."[2]

Until the organization of the Michigan Conference, in 1866, the operations of the Free Methodists had been confined to the southern part of the State. But a spirit of aggressive evangelism possessed the workers, and, after the organization of the Conference, they "kept lengthening their cords and strengthening their stakes." Through the influence of Thomas Riley the Rev. and Mrs. L. T. Frink pushed their way into Richland County, Ohio, and organized a society which proved to he the germ from which the Ohio Conference was later developed. The Rev. C. S. Gitchell struck over into Indiana, where he held meetings, raised up circuits and erected Churches.

About 1868 two responsible laymen, A. W. Perry and Lyman Parker, came with their families from the Genesee Conference, New York State, and settled at Coopersville, Ottawa County, Michigan. They were stanch Free Methodists of the original pattern, and having settled in Coopersville were determined to have Free Methodism established there. During the fall of that year, by invitation of these brethren, Mr. and Mrs. Hart visited their locality and held services at various points. Then, having a favor-able acquaintance with W. R. Cusick, an ordained Deacon of the Genesee Conference, they prevailed on him to move West and settle in that part of Michigan. The minutes for 1869 show that at this time there was a Church membership in the Michigan Conference of 807 in full connection, and 266 on probation, making a total of 1,073.

Mr. Cusick had expected to secure the help of Superintendent Roberts in special services at Coopersville, but failed of this expectation. Then, on the advice of Mr. Perry and Mr. Parker, he sent for Mr. Hart, who went and stayed a number of days, during which a remarkable revival interest was developed. Mr. Hart had to leave while as yet the revival was at white heat, but Mr. Cusick went on with the meetings, and later Mr. Hart returned. The meeting went on for weeks with great power and fruitfulness. Later, under the labors of Mr. Cusick, a fine large Church edifice was erected, and Mr. Hart was sent for to dedicate it. Thus the work at Coopersville prospered, and from that point as a center spread throughout the northern part of the State. Mr. Cusick being a man of marvelous evangelistic ability, raised up work eastward from Coopersville, along the line of the Detroit and Grand Haven railroad. A fine society was organized at St. Johns and an excellent brick Church building was erected, From here some unknown party or parties transferred the holy fire across the border into Canada, which was the beginning of a work which finally resulted in the organization of the West and East Ontario Conferences.

W. H. James had been appointed to Isabella County, which in those days was considered the northern limit of civilization. Mr. Hart had made arrangements to hold one Quarterly Meeting in that field. He took a train to St. Johns, and from there proceeded by stage to St. Louis, where Mr. James met him with his pony and buckboard. Having gone as far as they could by this mode of transportation they reached their place of entertainment, from whence they proceeded on foot over a trail to the schoolhouse. This was a log structure, newly built, and not yet chinked. But twenty-five or thirty persons attended the services, and when Mr. Hart inquired why the people did not turn out, the answer was, "Why, bless you, they are here from miles around."

Mr. and Mrs. Hart went to the township of Berlin, Ionia County, and held a grove-meeting. There was quite a sprinkling of Free Methodists scattered through the Counties in that part of the State, which, although lying far south of the center, was at that time generally spoken of as North Michigan. That whole region was then almost an unbroken wilderness, though at present it is one of the most productive portions of the State. But little was known of the Free Methodist Church in Ionia County. The grove-meeting having been advertised in the Earnest Christian however, the scattered ones through this wild northern region came flocking together "with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads," until the people in the vicinity were astonished beyond measure, judging from the sound that there must be a multitude of them. Pastor James and his wife and a young man named Wilcox came nearly a hundred miles with a horse and buckboard to attend the meeting. The Rev. R. D. Howe, a Wesleyan minister who had been a stanch reformer for many years, "heard the joyful sound, and in the fall of 1870 made his way to the session of the Conference held at Holland, Ohio, September 29, and united, taking a superannuate relation; hut before the close of the year he was called to his everlasting rest."

Mr. Hart continued his labors for the extension and upbuilding of the work in Michigan until, in 1874, the General Conference elected him as additional General Superintendent of the denomination. Up to that time he had been a delegate to all the General Conferences except the first, and had proved himself both wise and efficient in the legislative councils of that body. His election to the office gave general satisfaction, and in his administrative work throughout the denomination he so won the confidence and esteem of the Church as a whole that at each General Conference up to and including that of 1907 re-elected him to the position; and all were grieved when, a year or two later, he felt compelled because of a nervous affection of his throat and vocal organs, to retire from the active duties of the office. In all his travels and labors during the years of his active service his excellent wife has nobly stood by him, generally accompanying him in his Conference, camp-meeting and evangelistic tours, and adding greatly to the efficiency of his efforts by her optimistic faith, earnest prayers and ringing testimonies.

During the period of his labors as District Chairman in the Michigan Conference Mr. Hart took the initiative in founding a school within the Conference, and until his removal to the Pacific Coast was close]y identified with the institution, bearing heavy burdens of responsibility in connection with its manifold interests. The institution, founded in the sacrifices, tears and prayers of those concerned in its welfare, has been a success these many years, and has been of immeasurable value to the Free Methodist Church in the training of its young people for holiness and usefulness. A sketch of Spring Arbor Seminary will be found in the chapter on "Educational Institutions."

Such had been the growth of the Michigan Conference that a division of the same was deemed expedient, and so it was decided to organize the work north of what is known as 'the base line" running from east to west across the State and forming the northern boundary of a tier of two Counties lying across the southern part of the State and the Dominion of Canada into what should be known as the North Michigan Conference. The organization of the new Conference took place at St. Johns, Michigan, September 27, 1876. Superintendent Roberts presided. The Conference roll shows that there were sixteen preachers in full connection, and fifteen on probation. The Church membership within the newly organized territory was 1,300. John Ellison and Septer Roberts were elected Chairmen, and placed in charge of the district work.

Since the formation of the Michigan Conference in 1866 with a membership of six preachers and 475 laymen, it had increased up to the time of division until it had thirty-five ordained ministers, with twenty probationers, and with a Church membership of 2,790. This was good progress, considering the unpopularity of the principles advocated, and the strictness of the Church's disciplinary requirements. It was also very encouraging to the workers, and was felt to be a decided recompense for the toils and sacrifices it had cost. After the division there remained in the Michigan Conference nineteen ordained preachers and sixteen probationers, with a total lay membership of 1,485.

Eight years later this territory was again divided-to form the East Michigan Conference. This body was organized by Superintendent Hart, at Gaines, Michigan, September 18, 1884, with twenty-five preachers in full, four on trial, and with lay members totaling about 1,100. By wise and aggressive leadership it has since grown so that its ministers now number about sixty, with a lay membership of about 2,370, making one of the largest Conferences of the Church. Its ministers and laymen are not to be surpassed elsewhere in the work for purity, spirituality and self-sacrificing devotion to the cause of God.[3]

When Mr. and Mrs. Hart went to Michigan, in 1864, they were the only Free Methodists in the State. The denomination owned no churches, parsonages, or other property in Michigan. But at the time of the formation of the East Michigan Conference there was a total Church membership of 3,000, with property reported at about $72, 000. There has been a moderate but steady growth since then, until now the statistics of the three Michigan Conferences show one hundred thirty-nine preachers, seventeen probationers, and a total of 5,220 lay members, with church and parsonage property aggregating $371,400. They have also Spring Arbor Seminary, valued in 1912 at $35,000.

[1] "Reminiscences of Free Methodism," P. 114.
[2] "Outline History of the Free Methodist Church," p. 79.
[3] For additional information concerning this conference see Appendix D.