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

of conscience, and pure religion. They then say," We pass our disapprobation on all our friends who
keep slaves."
It is evident that the preachers in this case went too far in their censures; and their language in
their resolves was calculated to irritate the minds of our people, and by no means calculated to
convince them of their errors.
The whole of the conference that met in Baltimore agreed in disapprobating the conduct of the
preachers in Virginia, in respect to their ordination, and their administering the ordinances, and
concluded that they did not look upon the Virginia preachers as Methodists in connection with Mr.
Wesley, and that conference; neither could they consider them as such unless they came back to their
former standing, and to their elder brethren.
The Baltimore conference then appointed brother Asbury, brother William Waters, and brother
Freeborn Garrettson to attend the conference in Virginia, and to inform the preachers in that
conference of what had been determined on in the Baltimore conference; and to let them know withal
that the only condition upon which they could be united was, that they (the Virginia preachers)
should suspend the administration of the ordinances for one year; and then all the preachers to meet
together at the next annual conference to be held in Baltimore.
In the spring of the year, some time in April, Mr. Asbury left his quiet retreat in Delaware state,
where he had been lying by, (and for the most part of the time at Thomas White's) for two years and
one month; and then met with the preachers in conference at Baltimore, as has been already
mentioned. He then visited his brethren in Virginia, and attended the conference at the Manakin
town, which began on the 8th day of May, 1780. At that time Mr. Asbury had to exert all his powers,
and to use all possible prudence in order to bring about a settled peace and union among all the
preachers. The most influential preachers in that separation in favor of the ordinances, were Philip
Gatch, John Dickins, and James O 'Kelly. These men were much respected for their usefulness in
the ministry.
After much contention, and distress, Mr. Asbury proposed to the southern preachers a plan for
union which was this; that they should not administer the ordinances for a twelve-month, and that
they should all then meet together in conference at Baltimore. And in the course of the year they
would write to Mr. Wesley in England, and lay their situation before him and get his advice. The
plan took with the Virginia preachers, and they consented to the proposal. By this prudent step a
division was prevented, and a blessed union restored. The preachers pretty generally went from that
conference to their circuits, with thankful hearts that the breach was healed, and union restored to
the connection.
A few of the preachers were so fond of their new self-made ordination, that it was with some
reluctance that they gave it up, and submitted to the proposed plan for union.
Mr. Asbury then traveled through the different circuits in the south parts of Virginia, and from
thence into North Carolina, through Roanoak, Tar River, and New Hope circuits; and by his being
often with the preachers, and among the people in the south, the divisive spirit died away; and the