Edward Raymond Ames

Edward Raymond Ames
Edward Raymond Ames
	Baltimore, Maryland
Occupation	Methodist Episcopal bishop

Edward Raymond Ames (May 20, 1806 – May 15, 1879) was an American Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, elected in 1852.

Birth and family

Ames was born in

Methodist Episcopal

Bishops to be born in Athens County.

Education and ministry

At age 20, Ames became a student at Ohio University at Athens. During his student years he united with the M.E. Church (August 1827). In 1828 he opened a high school in Lebanon, Illinois which later became McKendree University. He taught there until 1830, when he became a pastor in the Illinois Annual Conference. He was licensed to preach by the circuit rider (and presiding elder), Peter Cartwright. He was ordained deacon in 1832 and elder in 1834.^[1]

Upon the organization of the Indiana Conference in 1832, Ames joined that body, serving the majority of his active pastoral life in the State of Indiana (with the exception of two years spent in St. Louis), until becoming a bishop.

Ames was elected a delegate to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church held in

slavery, he remained with the M.E. Church. He received the degree of A.M. in 1844 from the State University of Indiana.^[1]

The Rev. Ames was subsequently elected Delegate to General Conferences in 1844 and 1852.

Native American work

Ames traveled extensively, especially visiting the

Choctaws

, being the first chaplain chosen by an Indian Assembly.

Ames was elected president of Indiana Asbury University in 1848, as well. But he declined the position, preferring to remain in more active ministerial work.