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

Sale, J. Oglesby; Guyandotte, Asa Shinn. When we remember the sparseness of the population, the
distance between the appointments without roads, rivers to be crossed without bridges, it must be
obvious, says a contemporary Methodist, that none but such as felt a necessity laid upon them to
preach the gospel would be likely to engage in such a work." From the same authority we learn, more
particularly, the organization of the Church in Cincinnati by Sale. Several preachers had been there
before. Kobler had visited it in 1798; he describes it as "an old garrison, (Fort Washington,) a
declining, time-stricken, God-forsaken place." He wished to preach, but "could find no opening or
reception of any kind whatever." Lewis Hunt and Elisha Bowman occasionally ventured into the
demoralized place, and preached without result. In 1804 John Collins, who had come the year before
to the territory, but was not yet in the itinerancy, went to it to purchase provisions. He inquired of
a storekeeper, "Is there any Methodist here?" "Yes, sir," was the reply; "I am a Methodist." The local
preacher was taken by surprise at the joyful intelligence, and, throwing his arms around the layman's
neck, he wept. He eagerly inquired if there were any more Methodists in the place. The response was
equally cheering: "O yes, brother, there are several." The heart of Collins leaped for joy. "O," said
the zealous young preacher, "that I could have them altogether!" "In this you shall be gratified, my
brother," rejoined the layman; "I will open my house, and call together the people, if you will
preach." The upper room of Carter, the merchant's house was fitted up with temporary benches,
while every effort possible was made to give the appointment an extensive circulation. Only twelve
persons attended, but "it was a memorable time for Methodism in Cincinnati. It was the planting of
a handful of corn on the tops of the mountains, the increasing and ever, multiplying products of
which were to shake with the fruitage of Lebanon." The next sermon to this infant Church was by
Sale in a house in Main Street, between First and Second Streets. The congregation was increased
to thirty or forty persons. After preaching, a proposition was made to organize a society in the usual
way, according to the Discipline of the Church. A chapter was read from the Bible; then followed
singing, prayer, and the reading of the General Rules of the society. All, then, who felt desirous of
becoming members of the society, and were willing to abide by the General Rules, came forward and
gave in their names. The number was only eight, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Carter, their son and
daughter; Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, and Mr. and Mrs. St. Clair. Mr. Gibson was appointed the leader.
A Church being organized, arrangements were made to have preaching regularly every two weeks
by the circuit evangelists. The society received an accession in the ensuing spring by the arrival in
town of two Methodist families; namely, those of Messrs. Richardson and Lyons, and subsequently
by the arrival of Messrs. Nelson and Hall, and their families. This little band of Christians were
closely attached to each other, and were one in sentiment and action. Meetings were held in the old
log school-house below the hill, not far from the fort. The location of this school-house was such as
to accommodate the villagers; and as its site was near the intersection of Lawrence and Congress
streets, it is presumed that this portion of the town was the most thickly inhabited. In 1805 the small
society began to build their first church, the "Old Stone Chapel." Such was the humble origin of
Methodism in Cincinnati.
We have already had occasion to note that it was, during these times, invading Ohio from the East
as well as from the South. Robert Manly, as early as 1799, formed a circuit reaching from the Ohio
River up the Muskingum some forty miles, organized the first society in Marietta, and left some ten
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or twelve classes on the circuit. Jesse Stoneman followed him, and so enlarged the field, that
Quinn was sent by Hitt in the fall to assist him; the townships on Hockhocking were comprehended
in it, and many societies were formed, and a host of preachers, local and itinerant, raised up. Asa