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

We had three old preachers located this year, namely Samuel Row, James G. Martin, and James
Morris. And one was laid aside or expelled, Le Roy Cole.
This year, for the first time we gave a short sketch in our annual minutes, of the characters of our
preachers who died in the work: which was as follows:
Q. "Who have died this year?"
A. "1. Caleb B. Peddicord, a man of sorrows, and like his master, acquainted with grief; but a man
dead to the world, and much devoted to God.
"2. George Mair, a man of affliction, but of great patience and resignation, and of an excellent
understanding."
The form of the minutes of conference was changed this year, and all the Elders, who were
directed to take the oversight of several circuits, were set to the right hand of a bracket, which
inclosed all the circuits and preachers of which he was to take charge.
This may be considered as the beginning of the presiding elder's office; although it was not known
by that name at that time; yet, in the absence of a Superintendent, this Elder had the directing of all
the preachers that were inclosed in the bracket against which his name was set.
As soon as the conference in Baltimore was over, Dr Coke sailed for Europe. The Dr. was much
respected in the United States; but he met with some opposition in the south parts of Virginia, owing
to his imprudent manner of preaching against slavery. No doubt but the Dr. thought at that time he
was doing right: but afterwards, when he printed his journal in England, he acknowledged that he
was wrong in preaching publicly against slavery in Virginia, where the practice was tolerated by law.
There was a great revival of religion this year in most parts of the connection, both in North and
South. On the Eastern Shore of Maryland the work was great, and many souls were brought into the
liberty of the children of God.
Some of the new circuits in the south were greatly blessed, and religion prospered among the
people very much.
The Broad River circuit which we took in this year, was partly formed by James Foster, a local
preacher, who had once been in the traveling connection. After he located and lost his wife, he
moved into South Carolina, and there he preached and labored among the people for a considerable
time, before any traveling preacher went into that part of the country. Several Methodist families had
removed from Virginia into those parts, and they united and held their class meetings regularly, and
the Lord made it a blessing to some of their neighbors: they then petitioned our conference to send
them some traveling preachers; which at last we did, and by taking in the places where the local
preacher used to preach, and adding a few more new places, there was a good circuit formed at once.