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

In 1798 we had seven Conferences. As the plan had been laid in the preceding year, we now began
the conferences in the south, that we might attend those that were appointed in the large towns in the
spring of the year, before the sickly season came on.
The 141st Conference was held in Charleston, on the second of January 1798.
The 142d at Salem meeting-house, in Virginia, on the ninth of April.
The 143d at Holstein, on the first of May.
The 144th in Baltimore, on the second of May.
The 145th in Philadelphia, on the fifth of June.
The 146th in Readfield, Province of Maine on the twenty-ninth of August.
The 147th in Granville, Massachusetts, on the nineteenth of September.
At these conferences we took in a few new circuits; one of them was in the back part of New York
state, called Chenango; and one in Vermont state called Vergennes. We also sent a preacher to
Providence, in Rhode Island state. We added 1506 members to the society this year, which was a
goodly increase. We took about 25 young preachers upon trial. We lost 16 out of the traveling
connection; 12 located, one left us, and three died, namely, James King, Michael H. B. Wilson, and
John Dickins.
James King was a native of Gloucester county in Virginia. His travels and labours were
principally in Georgia, and South Carolina. He had a good understanding, and great zeal, and in the
two last years of his life he preached with great animation, and the work of God revived under his
ministry. He died in Charleston of the yellow fever in 1797. He was about 25 years old when he died.
He was greatly esteemed by the religious people, both as a Christian and a minister of Jesus Christ.
Michael H. R. Wilson, was a young preacher, and was never admitted into full connection; but
contrary to our common custom, an account of his death was entered on the minutes, and a short
character given him. He was born on the 27th of October, 1770, and departed this life April 24th,
1798, at Strasburg in Pennsylvania. He was patient under afflictions, and enjoyed peace in his soul.
And in the painful struggle with death, he rejoiced in the Lord.
John Dickins, was a native of Great Britain, born and educated in the city of London. He first
joined the Methodists in Virginia in 1774, and was admitted as a traveling preacher in 1777. He
traveled extensively in Virginia and North Carolina in the time of the revolutionary war. -- He
located in 1781, and never traveled a circuit regularly afterwards; but two years after he located,
namely, in 1783, he took a station in New York, where he continued for several years as a stationed
preacher, and the superintendent of our Book business. In 1789 he was stationed in Philadelphia as
Book Agent to superintend our printing business, where he continued till he closed his useful life
by the yellow fever, on the 27th of September 1798, in the 52d year of his age. He was a man of