History of the M.E. Church, Vol. IV - Media Sabda Org

in a swamp on the Waccamaw Lake, a man "of solemnity of countenance and manners, deeply
serious, of a gentle mind, and Christian spirit." In the same year Nicholas Watters, worthy of his
historic family, a laborer from Pennsylvania to Georgia, "a man of courage," "ready in conversation,"
of "gracious temper" and "simple manners," who died in Charleston, S. C., exclaiming, "I am not
afraid to die, thanks be to God!" In 1805 John Durbin, of Maryland, who expired shouting, "Jesus!
Jesus! angels! angels! I'll go." In 1807 George Dougharty, the persecuted hero, whose death we have
heretofore recorded. The same year Bennet Kendrick, of whom the Minutes say, "What pen can write
his worth? Worthy to supply the place of Dougharty; but, alas! we are deprived of them both, not in
one year only, but within thirteen days of each other. The poor Africans repeat his name, and speak
of his death with tears. He was a willing servant to slaves for the sake of Christ." He was "studious
and skillful in the word," and "ended in triumph." The next year Henry Willis, who has been often
noticed as one of the greatest men of the itinerancy, an evangelist from New York to Charleston and
the West, and who died in Maryland, "with triumphant faith in Christ." Also Edmund Henley, a
native of North Carolina, a laborer in the western mountains and southern low country. Expecting
death, he hastened from his circuit to his father's house, erected a stand at the graveyard, preached
from it his own funeral sermon to his old neighbors and friends, and was soon after buried there.
"Several years he professed sanctification and the full assurance of hope," and was "very circumspect
in his walk." The ruling passion was strong with him in death. He became delirious, "but would
shout and pray, exhort and praise God to the last." The same year Leonard Cassell, of German
parentage, born in the neighborhood of Strawbridge's Chapel, on Pipe Creek, the Summerfield of his
times; of "astonishing genius," a "happy model of pulpit simplicity, eloquence, and piety, which
shone with astonishing luster." The "loss of no young man in the connection," say his brethren,
"could be more deservedly lamented." Like Nicholas Watters, and many other itinerants, he fell a
victim to the epidemic yellow fever, which he bravely confronted at his last post. In Baltimore, and
died "with unbroken confidence in God." In 1809 the veteran Joseph Everett, in Maryland, shouting;
"Glory! glory! glory!" In 1810 Moses Black, of South Carolina, who, dying, requested his attendants
to open his chamber windows, and, looking out, said, "Behold, how beautiful everything looks; I
shall soon go now," and immediately closed his eyes forever, in "great peace and tranquillity." In
1811 Samuel Mills, "grave," "plain in dress and diet, a strict disciplinarian, visiting from house to
house," "a witness of sanctification," of "strong confidence in God, and frequently shouting his
praise." Also Nathan Whedon, of Virginia, a man of "peculiarities," of great afflictions, suffering by
agonies in the head, and at last by blindness, but persisting in his labors till he fell declaring, "I am
not afraid to die." In 1812 Jesse Pinnell, of Virginia, "of blameless and harmless character," dying
of consumption, he testified, as long as "he could whisper, that he was happy, happy." Jacob Rumph,
of South Carolina, "abstemious, steady, studious;" a strict "disciplinarian," "dead to the world;"
"difficult to persuade to receive any pecuniary aid from the Church;" distinguished by his devotion
to the religious welfare of children, with whom he was greatly successful. On his last sacramental
occasion he said: "This day the Lord hath enabled me to be perfectly willing to die in Charleston,"
where he soon after expired with "the smiles of peace and confidence on his countenance." Jesse
Brown, of Virginia, "a witness of perfect love," and " praising God while he had breath." In 1813
Leroy Merritt, also a Virginian, of great "zeal and simplicity, studious and successful;" attacked with
fever on his circuit, he hastened to a Methodist family in Portsmouth, Va., saying that he had "come
to die with them;" they took him in, ministered to him to the last, and witnessed his triumphant
departure, as he exclaimed, "I have gained the victory! Come, Lord, come! I am ready to go! Glory,
glory, glory! Roll on eternity, eternity! Roll on ages, ages, ages!" In 1815 Joel Arrington, a North