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

7th. John Jarrell was an honest hearted man, faithful in his ministerial labours, and considering
the charge of his family, his bodily weakness and affliction, he served the church of God in an
unexpected manner. He traveled all the circuits in Delaware, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He
preserved his character as a minister and a christian, and was a plain and lively preacher; a friend to
discipline, order and union. He traveled and preached about ten years. His last illness was short; and
he died in Wilmington, Delaware state, in June 1796.
8th. Zadock Priest, was a native of Connecticut, and had been traveling and preaching upwards
of two years; but was taken with a discharge of blood from the lungs, which prevented him from
traveling the circuit where appointed. He then returned home to his friends. But his disorder soon
terminated in a consumption. He returned to Norton in Massachusetts, where he was confined about
three weeks, in which time he expressed a strong confidence of the favour of God, and had no doubt
of future salvation. He died in peace on the 22d of June 1796, in the 27th year of his age.
9th. Benjamin Abbott, was an aged man when he became a traveling preacher, and he traveled
about seven years before he died. He had been a local preacher for many years, and had often
traveled a few weeks at a time, either on his own appointments, or in the place of another preacher.
He traveled considerably through New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and
Maryland states. He was of a childlike simplicity: possessed great faith, and an unshaken confidence
in God. As a speaker, he was properly a great blunderer, and his language incorrect; more so than
was common; yet he spake with power, and with the demonstration of the Spirit. He was owned of
God in the conviction, conversion, and sanctification of many souls. He was one of the wonders of
America, no man's copy, but an uncommon zealot for the blessed work of sanctification, and
preached it on all occasions, and in all congregations. He was an innocent, holy man, his whole soul
was often overwhelmed with the power of God. His last labors were upon the eastern shore, where
his strength failed. He then returned home to his friends in New Jersey; where he lay sick for a short
time, and shouted, and praised God as long as he was able; and then died in August 1796. Some time
after his death, the account of his life and gospel labours was published, and the book is called
Abbott's Life.
This year we took an account of the number of the members in our society in each state separately,
which was as follows: Members
Province of Maine 357
Maryland 12416
New Hampshire 68
Virginia 13779
Massachusetts 824
North Carolina 8713
Rhode Island 220
South Carolina 3659
Connecticut 1050
Georgia 1174
New York 4044
Tennessee 546