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

1778. -- The sixth conference was in Leesburg, in Virginia, on the 19th day of May; at which time
they added six new circuits. Four of them were in Virginia, Berkley, Fluvanna, James City, and
Lunenburg. And in North Carolina, the preachers divided the one that was there before, so as to form
three circuits, and they were now called Roanoke, Tar River, and New Hope.
Five of the old circuits were left out this year, namely, New York, Philadelphia, Chester,
Frederick, and Norfolk. Some of these circuits could not be attended to, on account of the war, and
some of them were in the possession of the British.
We had seventeen circuits this year, and twenty-nine preachers to travel in them. There were ten
young preachers received on trial.
The form of the annual minutes was changed this year, and the second question was, "What
preachers remain on trial?" Whereas it used to be, "What preachers are admitted on trial?"
In the return of members this year, we found we had lost in numbers 873. This was the first time
that we came short of the old number given in the preceding year. This decrease was wholly owing
to the breaches made upon many societies and circuits by the distresses of war; and some of our
preachers had scruples of conscience about taking the oath of allegiance in the different states where
they labored, and of course were forced to leave their stations.
As paper money was much depreciated, the preachers concluded to allow each traveling preacher
eight pounds Virginia money a quarter, or thirty-two pounds per year. They also appointed the last
Friday in August for a day of fasting and prayer.
This was a year of distress, and uncommon troubles. The war on one hand, and persecution on
the other, the preachers were separated from their flocks, and all conspired to increase the burden
of Christians.
In the beginning of March, G. Shadford left his friends, after he had kept a day of private fasting
and prayer with Mr. Asbury, in order to know the will of God. He then said he saw his way clear to
return to England. Mr. Asbury saw it best to abide in America; so they parted, and each one acted
as he thought right.
On the fifth day of March, Mr. Asbury began to lye by at Thomas White's, in the Delaware state,
where he shut himself up. Speaking of himself he says, "On conscientious principles I was a
non-juror, and could not preach in the state of Maryland; and therefore withdrew to the Delaware
state, where the clergy were not required to take the state oath: though with a clear conscience, I
could have taken the oath of the Delaware state, had it been required; and would have done it, had
I not been prevented by a tender fear of hurting the scrupulous consciences of others."
Notwithstanding Mr. Asbury was shut up in a friend's house, he looked forward, and hoped for
the time to come when he might again visit his brethren, and be of some service to the scattered
flock; among whom he had labored almost seven years.