leadership of its deacons and Dr. Church had prevented a split between the orthodox and the supporters of Knapp’s new measures
such as had occurred in the Hamilton Church.
As a result of his conversations with Elisha Tucker, Dr. Church called a meeting of a few Rochester friends of Madison University to consider the possibility of removal. Wilder was present and also Professor Conant, Church’s brother-in-law, who supplied information on conditions at Hamilton but gave no opinion as to what should be done. The progress of the discussions warranted a second meeting on September 12 at the First Baptist Church. The pastor and Wilder, pointing out the heavy pecuniary embarrassment
of the University and its out of the way
location, urged Rochester as a better site. Wilder believed it should be moved only on condition that a partial endowment be raised and a good location and buildings be provided. Both he and Dr. Church thought a large proportion of New York State Baptists would approve. When Church moved that it be regarded as the sense of this meeting that Madison University be removed to Rochester,
there was no dissent and a committee of eight was appointed to confer with the churches of Western New York to determine their attitude.
Dr. Church and Wilder, the foremost leaders, immediately set about enlisting support. At an adjourned meeting on September 20, Wilder introduced a resolution, which was adopted, urging the Madison University Trustees to apply for the Legislature’s permission to transfer the institution to Rochester or its vicinity. Another resolution expressed the opinion that the Baptists of the city and Monroe County should raise $30,000 for endowment and that immediate steps be taken to that end. Early in October, Wilder, Church, and others won the unanimous approval of the Monroe Association for these measures. Subsequently other Baptist groups in Western New York pronounced for removal and endowment.
As a means of reaching a wider public, especially the Baptists of the State, the Removalists sent out a letter in October, 1847, probably written by Dr. Church, which, with a few changes, they published as a Circular to the Friends of Madison University. The immediate necessity for endowment was noted and the disadvantages of the Hamilton location developed at length: remoteness from main thoroughfares and the poor condition of Central New York roads; the village’s limited
