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

Massachusetts 1577 -- 168
New Hampshire 171 -- 40
Province of Maine 1197 -- 80
Vermont 1096 -- 492
Ohio 257 -- 257
Natchees 60 -- 60
Upper Canada 936 -- 70
In all 64894 -- 3543
This year we had 156 traveling elders, and their names were printed in the annual minutes in
regular rotation: the oldest traveling preacher was set down first, and the next oldest, as they were
found on the minutes, was set down next, and so on till the youngest elder was set down last. But
those who had been part of their time located, were all entered at the bottom of the list, with this "t"
mark to each name, that they may be known from the rest of the elders.
There was an alteration made in the 6th question and answer, in the annual minutes this year, and
it was printed thus:
Q. 6. "Who are the Bishops?
A."Thomas Coke, Francis Asbury, Richard Whatcoat."
This year we held our third regular general conference, which began in Baltimore on the 6th day
of May, and continued until the twentieth. We had 119 preachers present, who were regular members
of that conference.
Some time previous to the meeting of the preachers in that conference, Mr. Asbury had said that
when they met he would resign his office as superintendent of the Methodist connection, and would
take his seat in the conference on a level with the elders. He wrote to several of the preachers in
different parts of the connection, and informed them of his intention; and engaged other preachers
to write to their brethren in the ministry, and to inform them of his intention to resign. Withal, he
wrote his resignation with an intention to deliver it in to the conference as soon as they met, and to
have it read in their first meeting. He said, he was so weak and feeble both in body and mind, that
he was not able to go through the fatigues of his office.
When conference met and proceeded to business, they first took up Mr. Asbury's case thus, Q.
"Whereas Mr. Asbury has signified his intention of resigning his official station in our church on
account of his weakness of body, what is the sense of the conference on this occasion?
A. 1. "The general conference consider themselves under many and great obligations to Mr.
Asbury for the many and great services which he has rendered to this connection.
2. "This conference do earnestly entreat Mr. Asbury for a continuation of his services as one of
the general superintendents of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as far as his strength will permit."