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

Asbury pressed on westward with his usual speed. He was at Portland the Sabbath after the
Readfield Conference, (Sept. 1,) having rode "sixty miles in two days," under the heat of the sun, and
over "desperate roads and rocks." He preached there in the "Widow Bynton's back room, to about,"
he says, "twenty-five persons, chiefly women; my subject was 2 Peter ii, 9. In the afternoon I
preached to about double the number on Phil. iii, 8. I returned Sabbath evening to my very kind
friend's house, Major Illsley's." The next day he traveled "thirty miles to Wells," on Tuesday
forty-seven to Salisbury; on Thursday, 4, he reached Lynn, and the next day preached from Gal. v,
6, 7, 8. We started the following day for Boston, but the retreat at Waltham, in the house of Bemis,
presented a stronger charm. "The heat," he says, "was excessive, and the sun met me in the face, so
that I was almost ready to faint in the carriage. I changed my mind, and concluded to come on to
Waltham, and spend another Sabbath. I missed my way a little, but came in about seven o'clock,
riding, since two o'clock, twenty miles." He preached there the next day (Sabbath) twice. It was the
finest portion of the year, and the retirement and beauty of the farm tempted him to delay, a
temptation which it would have been better for his health oftener to indulge. He tarried three days,
reposing on Monday and Tuesday, but on Wednesday renewed his journey, and preached at Weston.
The few brethren of that society had been prospered somewhat, and had built a chapel, "a well
designed building," says Asbury. He went into their new pulpit and encouraged them from 1 Cor.
xv, 58: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work
of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Hastening forward, he
reached Granville by Tuesday, 18.
The Conference at Granville began at eight o'clock on Wednesday, September 19, 1798, three
weeks after the session at Readfield. It was the largest assemblage of Methodist preachers which had
ever been convened in New England, about fifty being present, many of them from the neighboring
circuits of New York. "We had," says Asbury, "many weighty and deliberate conversations on
interesting subjects, in much plainness and moderation;" and he tells us that they "had more good
accounts of the work of God in different circuits." Here, as at Readfield, encouraging tidings were
brought from all directions. On Granville Circuit, where the Conference sat, more than forty souls
had been received into the new communion. Pittsfield Circuit reported a gain of more than
seventy-five. Michael Coate could speak of the triumphs of the truth on Middletown Circuit, where
great numbers had been awakened and converted, and forty-two were received into the Church.
Shadrack Bostwick had seen remarkable displays of the divine influence on New London Circuit;
the societies had been invigorated on all sides, and about one hundred members had been added to
them. David Buck had good news from Reading Circuit; refreshing showers had fallen through its
length and breadth, and an addition of seventy-three members had been made to its classes.
Methodism had taken root on Martha's Vineyard, and Joshua Hall reported thirteen members, the
first returns from that island. The society in Provincetown having endured persecutions courageously
had at last prevailed, its chapel was erected, and during the last year scores had been converted to
God within its walls, a gain of more than one hundred was reported at the present Conference. Ralph
Williston brought cheering news from Vermont; more than two hundred had been received into the
[6]
new societies of that state the past year. There had been, in fine, general prosperity in
Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont; and, within the range of circuits represented by their
pastors in the present Conference, there had been an increase of about one thousand members. [7]