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

traveled in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine. He formed the first Methodist
society in New Bedford, Mass., and also in Hallowell, Me. and occupied, with distinction, the
stations of Boston, Portland, and New Bedford. He suffered the early hardships of the Maine circuits
courageously, and helped effectually to lay the foundations of Methodism through much of that
country at the beginning of the century. When appointed there in 1800, it seemed a distant and
appalling field to him; but he was accompanied and cheered on the way by a convoy of brave-spirited
itinerants, Merritt, Heath, Webb, and others, all bound to eastern circuits. When be arrived he found
a vast sphere of labor before him. Readfield Circuit then included Monmouth, Winthrop, Readfield,
Kent's Hill, Montville, Vienna, New Sharon, Farmington, Strong, Bethel, the extreme settlement on
Sandy River, New Vineyard, Wilton, Jay, Livermore, Fayette, Wayne, Leeds, and Green, besides
many smaller appointments. He preached and traveled every day, except one Saturday in each month.
The roads were new, and at times dangerous to man and beast. In one section of the circuit he had
to pass through a forest six miles in extent, at first with a guide, and subsequently by marks upon the
trees. Frequently he was obliged to cross frozen streams when the ice would not bear his horse; but
while he himself walked upon it, the latter, led by his hand, had to break a way, cutting himself with
ice, and coming forth exhausted and bloody from the struggle. In other seasons these streams had
to be forded or swum, often at the risk of life. In those remote regions he usually slept in log-cabins,
through the roofs of which the stars shone upon his slumbers and the snow fell upon his bed, forming
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a cover by morning several inches thick. Again his spirit sunk within him. Such exposures and
labors seemed impracticable; he felt that he must retreat, but God interposed for him. When about
to give up in despair, a marvelous revival broke out in the circuit; he took fresh courage and went
on his way rejoicing.
This event was of too remarkable a character to be omitted here. While doubting and praying,
respecting his duty to remain any longer, a young gentleman of Monmouth, of high position in
society, heard him accidentally at a neighboring village, and on returning home reported among his
neighbors an exalted opinion of the young preacher's talents and character and particularly urged his
own wife to go and hear him when he should arrive in their town. He himself made no pretensions
to piety; his lady had been deeply serious some time before, but had apparently lost her religious
convictions. Kibby went to Monmouth to preach in the Congregational Church. As he sat in the desk
waiting, a divine afflatus seemed to descend on him and the gathering people. He has been heard to
say that he never before nor since witnessed a more direct and remarkable agency of the Spirit of
God. A well-dressed lady arrived, and took a seat, tremblingly, near the door, but where the whole
assembly saw her. Without an audible expression her countenance and demeanor exhibited
unutterable feeling, and the whole audience soon seemed to share it. The preacher proceeded with
his discourse with unusual interest and solemnity. As he advanced, exhibiting the mercy of God, the
feeling of awe which had hitherto absorbed the assembly seemed to change, a glad and grateful
emotion sped through the mass, a bright and glowing expression shone on their faces; and the lady,
with streaming tears and overflowing heart, found peace with God, and seemed transfigured before
them. When they rose to sing, she fell insensible under her intense feelings; her husband, near her,
was smitten down, and dropped upon his seat; the presence of God seemed to overshadow the place;
and the assembly was overwhelmed. The lady herself became a devoted member of the Church; her
husband, General McClellan, was the man who invited Kibby. He subsequently was converted, and
their family was long known on the Kennebec for its affluent and Christian hospitality, and its