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

genius and marvelous eloquence of the uncultivated preacher. He projected a mariner's Church, and,
after he had labored hard in other parts of the country to collect funds for its erection, the people of
Boston, without regard to sectarian distinctions, took it in hand, completed it, effectively endowed
it, and gave it a "Mariner's Home," thus securing to the preacher a lifelong sphere of remarkable
power to which the Church has ever since annually appointed him. [6]
During most of this period, down to 1816, when he was appointed to the Book Concern, New
York, Joshua Soule was the chief itinerant in Maine, traveling, in the outset, its only district, which
comprehended all its Methodist territory; with Taylor, Munger, Heath, Hillman, Baker, Fogg, Kibby,
Virgin, Rater, Newell, and similar men under him. The whole state was now resounding with the
sound of the gospel by their ministrations. A second district was formed, with Portland for its
headquarters, in 1806, and commanded by Oliver Beale, a saintly man, of unwavering zeal and
long-continued services, who became one of the principal founders of the Church in the extreme
East. Soule's single district, with its thirteen circuits, and two thousand one hundred members,
became, by the end of the period, three districts and twenty-seven circuits, with more than six
thousand members.
Hedding labored during these times in Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts,
and Maine, mostly on immense districts, which extended over several of the states. About midway
of the period he thus reviews his work: "I have averaged over three thousand miles' travel a year, and
preached on an average a sermon a day since I commenced the itinerant life. During that period I
have traveled circuits and districts that joined each other, through a tract of country beginning near
Troy, N. Y., going north into Canada; thence east, through Vermont and New Hampshire and thence
southerly, through Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, to Long Island Sound. I have
never in this time owned a traveling vehicle, but have ridden on horseback, except occasionally in
winter, when I have borrowed a sleigh, and also a few instances in which I have traveled by public
conveyance or a borrowed carriage. I have both labored hard and fared hard. Much of the time I have
done missionary work without missionary money. Until recently I have had no dwelling-place or
home; but, as a wayfaring man, lodged from night to night where hospitality and friendship opened
the way. In most of these regions the Methodists were few, and comparatively poor. I was often
obliged to depend upon poor people for food and lodging and horse-keeping, and though in general
they provided for me cheerfully and willingly often felt that I was taking what they needed for their
children, and that my horse was eating what they needed for their own beasts. I have suffered great
trials of mind on this account, and have traveled many a day in summer and winter without dinner,
because I had not a quarter of a dollar that I could spare to buy it. Through nearly all this region there
existed strong prejudices against the Methodists, which greatly hindered their influence and
usefulness. The principal objection was on account of their doctrines. They were regarded by many
as heretics in theology. They were also despised and ridiculed on account of their poverty. The
Methodist preachers were often represented as exceedingly ignorant and incompetent men. The
itinerant system was also another ground of objection. The circuit preacher, coming as a stranger to
a new people, would often find himself beset with the most scandalous reports of crimes and
shameful acts, which it was alleged he had been guilty of on former circuits, and thus the enemies
of Methodism would seek to undermine his influence and destroy his usefulness. Such are some of
the difficulties the Methodist preachers have been compelled to encounter, especially in New
England, during the past ten years. But notwithstanding all, God has been with us, and given us favor