A Short History Of The Methodists... - Media Sabda Org

The divisive spirit prevailed more in the south parts of Virginia, than in any other place. At that
time O'Kelly lived in the south edge of the state, near to the country line dividing between that state
and North Carolina. There were some of our societies in the northeast part of North Carolina, who
felt the painful effects of that division, and were considerably scattered, and greatly injured. Several
of our local preachers, and many of our private members were drawn off from us, and turned against
us. The societies were brought into such troubles and difficulties that they knew not what to do.
Many that were drawn off from us, would not join with the other party. Brother was turned against
brother, and one christian friend against another. The main contention was about the government of
the church; who should govern it, or in what manner it ought to be governed
In this mist of darkness and confusion, many religious people, who had been warm advocates for
the life and power of religion, began to contend about church government, and neglect the duties of
religion, till they were turned back to the world, and gave up religion altogether. It was enough to
make the Saints of God weep between the porch and the altar, and that both day and night, to see
how "The Lord's flock was carried away captive," by that division.
These preachers who turned aside from the truth, did abundance of mischief among the people
that were not religious: many of whom became so deeply prejudiced against religion and religious
professors, that they would hardly attend on preaching at all. It might well be said, "Without were
fightings, and within were fears."
After this O'Kelly began to ordain such preachers as would consent to be ordained by him. He
condemned the Methodist ordination, and called it a "spurious Episcopacy." Yet he received his
ordination from the Methodists, and proceeded from that ordination, to ordain other ministers. The
separate party appeared to prosper in making proselytes for two or three years; and then they began
to decline, and to divide from each other. In most places religion declined where they increased. In
some places it was supposed that they did some good.
About the year 1801, O'Kelly published a pamphlet, in which he styled himself and his party, "The
Christian Church." From that time they began to disown their former name, and refused to call
themselves "Republican Methodists," any longer. Most of the societies belonging to that party, soon
after the publication of that pamphlet, began to call themselves "The Christian church." A difficulty
was then raised among themselves respecting the name of their party. They reasoned thus: "If we are
the Christian church, it will imply there are no Christians but our party." Some of their party
protested against the name of the denomination; and four of their preachers broke off from the new
plan, and united together on a plan of their own in Charlotte county in Virginia.
They have been divided and subdivided, till at present it is hard to find two of them that are of one
opinion. There are now but few of them in that part of Virginia where they were formerly the most
numerous; and in most places they are declining.
It will be proper to mention here another division of less magnitude which took place in
Charleston, South Carolina, which was brought about by Mr. William Hammit, who was an Irishman
by birth. Mr. Hammit had been a Methodist preacher in the West Indies, previous to his coming to
the United States. When he left his station in the West Indies he came to Charleston, and shewed