hind the desk, ready to begin the services. The Preacher in charge sat
at his right hand, wearing a thoughtful mood. As we took our seats, both
glanced at us, as did several of the congregation, doubtless thinking,
"Well there are two more pioneers, and they must be Methodists to come
thus to church on Saturday."

As soon as I felt assured that the eyes of the congregation were
withdrawn from me, I ventured to look up and take the measure, in turn,
of those present. There were, perhaps, twenty-five in attendance. They
were so like, in their general appearance, congregations usually seen on
such occasions in the east that it was difficult to realize we were in
the far west.

The service proceeded, and at its close the Quarterly Conference was
held. We tarried, and after the opening services, my father arose and
addressed the Elder, stating that we had recently settled at Waupun, and
supposed we were outside of the boundaries of any charge. Yet such was
the flexibility of Methodist institutions, he had no doubt the
boundaries of Fond du Lac Circuit could easily be thrown around Waupun.
If so, we would like to be recognized as members of the church. We were
received on our credentials, my father as an ordained Local Preacher and
I as an Exhorter. Before we left the Quarterly Meeting, it was decided
that Brother Lewis should establish an appointment and form a class at
Waupun. But of this further mention will be made in a subsequent
chapter.

Rev. Wm. H. Sampson, the Presiding Elder of the District, had been a
member of the Michigan Conference. On invitation, he was transferred to
the Rock River in August, 1842. His first appointment was Milwaukee, of
which mention will be made in another place. The next year he was sent
to Kenosha, then called Southport, to save the church property which had
fallen under financial embarrassment. Having accomplished this task, he
was, in July, 1844, appointed to the charge of Green Bay District.

A better selection for the position could not well have been made. He
was just in the strength of his early manhood, an able preacher, a sound
theologian, a wise administrator, and a man of agreeable presence. The
country was new, society in a formative state, and the material limited.
Under these embarrassments, it required no little skill to lay the
foundations wisely and successfully rear the superstructure.

The District extended from Green Bay on the north to Whitewater on the
south, and