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

never was such a gracious outpouring of the Spirit on saints and sinners in that place before, since
the first settlements were made in those parts. Many stout-hearted sinners were conquered, and
brought into the liberty of God's children. One thing in this revival was new and strange to most of
the people in that part of the country. Some of the people when struck under conviction, would fall
helpless on the floor; and some Christians, when very happy, would lose the use of their limbs, and
lie helpless for some time. But the work was generally acknowledged to be of God.
In 1796, we took in another new circuit called Bath, near the mouth of Kennebec river. The
preacher was to spend most of his time in the town of Bath; but was to travel as far as the town of
Union. The first time that the Methodists preached in Bath, was on the 15th day of September 1793.
And the first time in the town of Union, was on the 22d of September 1793. We were not as
successful in our labours in Bath, as we were in many other places: the disputes about the settled
minister ran high; and the contention was too severe on both sides. In Union there was a good work
began, and souls were awakened and brought to God: and religion has been prospering more or less
in that place ever since.
The first time the Methodists preached in Thomas-town was on the 11th day of June 1795. Since
that time we have raised a society there, and some souls have been brought to the knowledge of God.
The prospect of religion in that part of the country was very small when we first went among them;
and the people who enjoyed religion were pretty generally opposed to us, and were afraid that our
plan would hurt the cause of religion; yet we had not laboured among them long, before the Lord
gave us seals to our ministry, and worked by us, in the conversion of many souls. This same year,
1796, we formed a circuit in the upper towns on Kennebec river, and called the circuit Kennebec;
but it is now called Norridgwock. We had some good times in that part of the country; and many
souls to this day have cause to bless God that ever we preached the gospel among them; and that ever
they cast in their lots among us.
In 1797, we took in a new circuit low down in the Province of Maine, and called it Pleasant River,
after the name of the river where the centre of the circuit was to be. The first Methodist preaching
in that country was on the 26th of April 1795, at Pleasant river; on the 27th of April at Machias. On
the first day of May the Methodists preached on Moose-Island. On the 28th at Chandler's river; and
on the 31st in Steuben. On the first day of June, at Eastern Bay and on the second day of June in
Goldsborough. And in 1796, we preached for the first time in Sullivan, on Frenchman's Bay, on the
6th day of May; on the 7th day of May in Trenton; and on the 10th in Eden, on Mount Desert; and
on the 13th in Sedgewick. This was the beginning of Methodism in that part of the world. However,
the circuit was after a short time withdrawn from Pleasant river, and fixed at Union river, and for
many years past our preachers have not gone as far down the country as Pleasant river, but have
continued the lowest circuit at Union river.
In 1800, we took in another circuit in the Province of Maine, called Bethel, which lay pretty high
up the Androscoggin river; and took in most of the new settled towns, and settlements in that part
of the country. When we first went into that unimproved part of the country, we found but few
persons who had a clear sense of the favour of God. We laboured under many hardships and
difficulties; and had many things to discourage us. But the Lord stood by us, and cleared the way