JOHN H. VINCENT 477 college, he took a brief course of study at the Wesleyan In- stitutey Newark, New Jersey. Subsequently he completed the Conference course of study, required of all who enter the Methodist ministry. This of itself comprises a pretty thor- ough theological course. Nevertheless, the longer he engaged in preaching, the more he felt' the need of the mental training afforded by a course in college. He endeavored to make up for his deficiency in this respect by laying down for himself a systematic course of study to be pursued privately. In this way he studied Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French, and Physical Science, and beside, gave considerable time to general liter- ature. A trip to the old world, in 1862, likewise contributed an important part to his intellectual training. On this trip he visited Egypt, Palestine, Greece, and Italy, as well as the other countries and cities usually included in a trip abroad. In 1855 he was ordained deacon and continued preaching in the New Jersey Conference. Two years later he received elder 's orders, was transferred to the Bock Biver Conference and was appointed pastor, successively, at Joliet, Mount Morris, Galena, Bockf ord, and Chicago. Any one acquainted witii the gonial disposition and sym- pathetic nature of Bishop Vincent can readily believe that he was an ideal pastor. He was one whom the most timid could approach with perfect confidence, sure of a kindly reception and a patient hearing, as well as all the counsel and consola- tion that the case might require. As respects the Sunday school part of the pastorate. Dr. Vincent was a thorough reformer. As early as 1855 he had organized the Palestine Class, for the study of Bible geogra- phy and history. This class suggested to him the necessity of a thorough training of Sunday school teachers, and in 1857, in Joliet, he organized a church normal class for this purpose. The work grew rapidly, spreading beyond the limits of his own parish and awakening unusual interest in Bible study. In 1861 he held the first Sunday school institute in America. During this year he prepared a manual entitled Little Foot- prints in Bible Lands. This was the first of a large quantity of Sunday school literature, chiefly of an undenominational
