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

Virginia. As the rule has not been known in general among our preachers, I have thought it proper
to give it this publication.
We appointed the next general conference to be in the city of Baltimore, on the sixth day of May,
1804.
While the general conference was sitting in Baltimore, the preachers were very useful in the
beginning of a glorious revival of religion in that place. And at the close, the preachers parted in
great peace and love, and sat out for their stations in different parts of the United States.
The revival of religion which took place in Baltimore during the conference, began particularly
in Old Town, where the people held meeting in a private house, and some of the preachers attended
them in the afternoon of each day. Several were converted. The work then began to spread, and souls
were converted in the different meeting-houses, and in different private houses, both by day and by
night. The old christians were wonderfully stirred up to cry to God more earnestly, and the preachers
that tarried in town for a few days were all on fire of love. Such a time of refreshing from the
presence of the Lord had not been felt in that town for some years. The young people were greatly
alarmed, and many of them were changed from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to
God.
About two weeks after the close of the general conference, we held our annual conference at Duck
Creek cross-roads; and a good many of the young converts, and of the old christians from Baltimore
came over to that meeting. It appeared to be a place highly favoured of the Lord, and a wonderful
display of the divine power was soon seen among the people, and many souls were brought into the
liberty of the children of God in a short time. The conference sat in a private room, while the local
preachers, the young traveling preachers, and other people were almost continually engaged in
carrying on the meeting in the meeting-house, and in private houses. At one time, the meeting in the
meeting-house continued without intermission for 45 hours, which was almost two days and nights.
When the preachers attended to preach, the people tried to be as quiet as possible till the sermon was
ended; but some times they would break out in loud praises to God, so that the speaker could not be
heard: and when they were silent till the sermon was ended, they commonly gave vent to their full
hearts immediately, and in a few minutes the house would ring with the songs of praise. Thus they
continued day and night. Some of the people when they were almost worn-out, would go home in
the evening or at midnight, and take a little sleep, and then as soon as they awoke, they would hurry
off to meeting again, at any hour of the night. Many of the saints, as well as sinners would tremble,
shake, and fall helpless on the floor, and remain in that condition for a considerable time. They
continued in this delightful frame during the sitting of the conference, which lasted almost a week:
during which time there were but few hours together, in which there was no one converted. Many
people were converted in private houses, when by themselves, or when they were at prayer in the
family. I believe I never saw before, for so many days together, such a glorious work of God, and
so many people brought to the knowledge of God by the forgiveness of their sins. I think there were
at least 150 souls converted at that place, in the course of that week. From that time and place, the
heavenly flame spread through the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and the lower counties of the
Delaware state, in an uncommon manner. The preachers and people carried the fire of love with them