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

there were three circuits, with three preachers, besides Flemming, the presiding elder, in these
northern regions, and the membership had increased to more than five hundred. The whole district
reported nine circuits, fourteen preachers, and more than three thousand three hundred (3,327)
members.
Meanwhile, farther southward, within Virginia, the denomination was pressing forward
energetically. Reese Wolf, a local preacher, and Beauchamp, whom we lately left in New England,
had arrived on the banks of the little Kanawha, and founded it there. Quinn was sent in 1802 to a
large field, formed by the union of Berkeley and Winchester Circuits. He has left a sketch of his
work, written in his old age, but full of the zest of his youthful itinerancy. "At Whitehouse, on
Bull-skin, Bartholomew Smith's, father of old Henry Smith, of Baltimore Conference; Scurff's, near
Battletown; Green's, near Paris, or the Blue Ridge; Northern's, in Sniger's Gap; Weekly's;
Leehewtown, on Shenandoah; North's; we had classes at all save one; and some revival influence,
and refreshing from the presence of the Lord, in the course of the year. This last section was a very
rough portion of the circuit, as we had to cross the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah River each twice.
But we minded not the toil, for in those days Methodist preachers were wont to find their way into
every nook and corner where there were human, beings, provided they could find an open door, and
procure an audience, be the fare rough or smooth. But we have not got round yet. We have still
another important scene, and this will bring us to Stevensburgh, White Post, Middletown, the Cove
among the mountains, on Cedar Creek, Spackelford's Meeting-house, and Sadler's. At all these
stands we had societies. That at Spackelford's, however, was very feeble. I think only four in number.
At Stevensburgh we were favored with a most blessed revival; scores of precious souls were brought
from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Out of this revival several preachers
came forth -- a White, Talbot, Pool, Brison, and others. I have met some of the subjects and
witnesses of that revival in the West, where we have talked and thought of the subject till our hearts
have burned within us. In Winchester we had a charming set of young men, to whom I became much
united in spirit, and with them I often took sweet counsel. Fry had laid down the carpenter's tools,
and gone forth at the Master's bidding to labor in the vineyard. His brother Joseph was still pushing
the plane, and Michael boot and shoemaking. Joseph Carson was making shoes, and Simon Lauk
making guns. They all believed that they heard the Master say, 'Go ye also into my vineyard;' and
they were using all diligence and exerting all their energies to get ready. I often visited their shops;
found on the bench, or near at hand, the Bible, a grammar, logic, some book on science or theology
-- proofs, this, that they gave attention to reading -- no filthiness, foolish talking or jesting, but such
as was good to the use of edifying. They were young men, but sober minded; and yet they had a
cheerfulness and buoyancy of spirit that sweetened society, and made the heart better. O, brothers
of my heart, how I loved them! As might have been expected, they all became useful, yea, able
ministers of the New Testament. I reached my circuit in poor plight, for I had traveled on
Muskingum, Hocking, and Kanawha in 1800, and on Erie in 1801; and, as there were no missionary
funds in those days, my purse was empty, and my clothes threadbare. Nevertheless I was not
ashamed, for I believed I had been sent by Him who sent out his first missionaries without purse or
scrip, while he himself had not where to lay his head, and they suffered from hunger, cold, and
nakedness. Permit me now to mention my visit to the sick room and dying bed of General Daniel
Morgan, that terrible thunderbolt of war. The thunder and din of war had passed, and the hero had
retired to wear in private life the fading laurels accorded to him by a nation. He reached out his hand,
and looking me full in the face, said, 'O, sir, I am glad you have come to see me, and I hope you will