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

preaching to them, there was a cry of fire heard from without, which had broke out near the church;
the flames soon spread to the church, and in a very short time the House of God was burnt down; and
the Preacher's house that stood near it, was much damaged. The Academy, or School-Room was also
laid in ashes. This destruction of property by fire, was just twelve months to a day from the time that
Cokesbury College was burned.
In 1797 we had seven conferences: There were but six appointed on the annual minutes, but it was
thought best to take in the conference in Virginia, which was held in 1796, and that also which was
held in this year, which would make seven in all, and by that means the conferences would be
changed about, so as to begin them in future in the south, and finish them in the north. By the
regulations made at the late General conference, we could not have more than seven conferences in
one year, unless there were new circuits enough formed to compose a conference.
The 134th Conference was held at Mabry's Chapel in Virginia, on the 15th of November, 1796.
The 135th in Charleston, on the 5th of January, 1797.
The 136th at Bethel School, in Kentucky, on the 1st of May.
The 137th at Wilbraham, Massachusetts, on the 19th of September.
The 138th at Duck Creek on the 10th of October.
The 139th in Baltimore, on the 21st of October.
The 140th at Lame's Chapel, on the 25th of November.
At these conferences we took in the following circuits; Pleasant River in the province of Maine,
and Sandwich and Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts.
We had for three years together been declining in numbers; but this year we began again to
increase, and we had an addition of 1999 members.
We admitted on trial about 40 young preachers, and we lost out of the traveling connection 47;
43 of them located; two were expelled; and two died, namely, John Ragan and Albert Van Nostrand.
1. John Ragan, a native of Ireland. He was a traveling preacher about seven years, in which time
he traveled in Maryland, New York, and New Jersey, and in Nova Scotia also. He was an elder in
the church, and a conscientious man, both as a christian and a minister. He was a useful minister, and
was remarkably fond of reading. On a visit to Philadelphia in August last, he took the yellow fever,
of which he died in the beginning of September, soon after his return to Bethel circuit in New Jersey.
2. Albert Van Nostrand, a native of Long Island, in the state of New York, about 40 years of age.
Soon after he became a traveling preacher, he left the work, and was not admitted into full