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

In the latter part of February, Messrs. Asbury, Henry Willis, and myself, went in company to
Charleston, in South Carolina; and were all taken in to lodge at Mr. Edgar Wells's, who was a
merchant, but not religious. We applied for the use of an old meeting house, which formerly
belonged to the Baptists, but had not been occupied for some years. We obtained liberty to preach
in it and advertised in the newspapers, (it being Saturday night) that we would preach there the next
day.
On Sunday, the 27th day of February, I preached the first sermon in Charleston, which may be
considered the first Methodist sermon that was ever preached in the city, with a view of continuing
preaching in that place. Mr. Pilmoor had preached there some years before, as he was passing
through the country.
At this first meeting, Mr. Wells, at whose house we put up, was awakened, and felt the need of
religion. Mr. Willis preached in the afternoon, and I preached again at night, and again the next
night; after which I left the city. Mr. Asbury continued in the city a few days, and then left Mr. Willis
there as a stationed preacher; by whose labors a society was soon formed, and has continued until
the present day.
After the arrival of Dr. Coke in the latter part of the past year, he and Mr. Asbury consulted about
the propriety of building a school or college, and at length began to solicit donations for that purpose.
The business was brought before the conference which met at Christmas, and it was agreed to, and
steps were taken in order to go on with the work. At the close of the conference a plan for erecting
the college was published, and signed by the two Superintendents, and was as follows:
"A plan for erecting a college, intended to advance religion in America, to be presented to the
principal members and friends of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
"The college is to be built at Abingdon in Maryland, on a healthy spot, enjoying a fine air and very
extensive prospect. It is to receive for education and board the sons of the elders and preachers of
the Methodist church, poor orphans, and the sons of the subscribers, and of other friends. It will be
expected that all our friends who send their children to the college, will, if they be able, pay a
moderate sum for their education and board: the rest will be taught and boarded, and, if our finances
will allow of it, clothed gratis. The institution is also intended for the benefit of our young men who
are called to preach, that they may receive a measure of that improvement which is highly expedient
as a preparative for public service. A teacher of the languages with an usher will be provided, as also
an English master to teach with the utmost propriety, both to read and speak the English language:
nor shall any other branch of literature be omitted, which may be thought necessary for any of the
students; above all, especial care shall be taken that due attention be paid to the religion and morals
of the children, and to the exclusion of all such as continue of an ungovernable temper. The college
will be under the presidentship of the superintendents of our church for the time being: and is to be
supported by yearly collections throughout our circuits, and any endowments which our friends may
think proper to give and bequeath, consistently with the laws of the respective States, in which they
are made. The buildings, if it please God, will be begun in next June, and the subscribers are desired
to send in their subscriptions, as far as it is convenient, to any of our ministers or preachers in the