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

elonged to circuits in other states. But Vershire was the first circuit that was formed within the
state; and it reached from the towns near Connecticut river to Montpelier, to the north of Onion river,
which runs into Lake Champlain. Many of the places where we preached in that circuit, were quite
new settlements: the houses were very small, and but scattering through the country. The preachers
had to encounter many difficulties, and to endure many hardships. But one thing which made up for
all the difficulties was this, the people were fond of attending meeting by day or night, and were very
kind to the preachers. And the best of all was, sinners were soon awakened, and in a little time some
of them became the happy subjects of the favour of God, and were zealously engaged in trying to
help forward the work of the Lord as far as they could. Since then we have prospered considerably
in this new part of the country.
I have given a brief account in the preceding pages of this chapter, of the beginning and spread
of Methodism in the Province of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont states; but it is only a sketch.
To give a full account of all the revivals of religion, of all the societies that were formed, of all the
young preachers that were raised up, and of all the oppositions and persecutions we met with, would
fill a volume. This being intended for a short history, I have given the reader an account of the most
material things that took place in the beginning. But no one can form a proper idea of what the Lord
has wrought in those parts, except they have been eye and ear witnesses of it. One thing is evident,
and cannot be denied, that hundreds of people who were formerly notoriously wicked, are now civil,
sober, and religious. I have thought proper, for the satisfaction of the people who live in that country
to mention the time when we first preached in particular towns, and when we first formed societies.
I shall now pursue the history of the whole body of Methodists according to my general plan.
In 1795, we had only seven conferences; two of which were held in the latter part of the preceding
year.
The 119th conference was held in Baltimore, on the 20th of October 1794.
The 120th in Petersburg, on the 25th of November 1794.
The 121st in Charleston, on the 1st of January 1795.
The 122d in Kentucky, on the 1st of May.
The 123d in New London, Connecticut, on the 15th of July.
The 124th in New York, on the 22d of September.
The 125th in Philadelphia, on the 5th of October.
From the beginning of these conferences to the end was twelve months within a few days. This
year we took in the following circuits, which had not been entered on our annual minutes before.
Two in the Province of Maine, Penobscot and Portland. In Massachusetts, Province Town. In
Connecticut, Pomfret. In New York Otsego: and one in Canada, called Niagara.