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

and Amelia, in Virginia. Both of them were taken off from Brunswick; and some new places were
taken into the plan. There were two more circuits taken on the minutes which had been left of the
year before, viz. Norfolk and Chester. In all, there were fifteen circuits this year, and thirty-five
traveling preachers to travel in them. There was no preacher appointed to New York, the place being
so much distressed by the war, that the preachers could not travel in safety.
This year there were added to the society 2047 members, and thirteen young preachers were taken
on trial to travel the circuits.
It was not customary, at that time, to give an account of the preachers that died, or of those who
stopped traveling; so that we cannot tell at what time some of them stopped traveling, or the cause
of their stopping.
The war raged and spread much in the course of this year, and the conference appointed the 25th
of July to be observed as a fast-day among our societies -- and the preachers came to the following
resolution, "That they would take no step to detach themselves from the work of the ministry, for the
ensuing year." They further say, "We purpose, by the grace of God, to take no step that may separate
us from our brethren, or from the blessed work in which we are engaged."
They also determined not to preach any more funeral sermons, except it was over such persons
as they might have good reason to believe died in the fear and favor of God.
Some of the British preachers who were at that conference, intended to return to England; but they
agreed to stay and continue preaching among the Americans, until their way should be quite open
and clear for them to return to their native country. About the middle of September, Mr. Rankin and
Mr. Rodda left the continent, and sailed for Europe. But some time before they embarked, Mr. Rodda
had taken some imprudent steps in favor of the Tories; a company of them having collected together
in Delaware state, below Philadelphia. Mr. Rodda's conduct brought many sufferings, and much
trouble, on the Methodist preachers and people.
Notwithstanding the opposition that the preachers met with in their labors, there was a gracious
revival of religion in many places; but the greatest was in Brunswick circuit, and the two circuits that
were lately taken from it, Sussex and Amelia. And there was a very gracious work in North Carolina,
where we had but one circuit in all the state.
There was a decrease in the members in several circuits to the north, principally owing to the
spreading of the war in those parts; where the preachers found great difficulties in keeping their
stations, and some were forced to be given up; so that some of the Classes were entirely given up.
It might be well said during this year, that without were fightings, and within were fears. War, and
the shedding of blood, was heard of in all directions: armies marching back and forth, one after
another; and in many places the people were in great confusion, so that religion was almost banished
from some neighborhoods where it had been pretty lively. Some of our societies in the north,
suffered more from that quarter than we did in the south parts of Virginia. But the Lord took care of
his own work, and his own people.