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

Some, who came there quite careless, and indeed making derision of the whole, were converted
before they returned. Many hard-hearted opposers were conquered at last, and earnestly sought
salvation.
At the same time the country circuits throughout Maryland, seemed to flame with holy love. In
the Eastern Shore there was a powerful work; hundreds in different parts were turning to God.
As this year was the beginning of Methodism in the New England states, and as the first circuit
was now formed, it will be necessary to speak a little of that part of the work.
I myself began the new circuit at Norwalk, in Connecticut, on the 17th of June 1789, which was
the first Methodist sermon that was ever preached in that place. No house could be procured to
preach in; every person was afraid to give liberty. I then went into the street, and began to sing, and
then prayed and preached, to a decent congregation. On the 21st of June I preached for the first time
in the city of New Haven, to as many people as could crowd into the court-house.
This new circuit took in Norwalk, Fairfield, Stratford, Milford, New Haven, Derby, Newtown,
Reading, Danbury, and Canaan; with several other places within the same bounds. Many people
flocked to hear the word, and sometimes they felt it. But men and women were so fond of disputation
about peculiar sentiments, that they seldom left the place after preaching, without having some
dispute with the preacher.
The first society that was formed in that circuit, was in Stratfield, on the 26th day of September,
and there were only three women that joined; and they remained alone for some months before any
one else united with them. The next class that was formed, was in Reading, on the 28th day of
December. There were only two, one man, and one woman, that joined at first. It was some months
after before any other person joined with them. At length the society increased, and religion revived.
Aaron Sanford, the first man that joined, became a preacher; his brother also, and a lawyer, (Samuel
S. Smith) joined with them and became preachers; and then another of the society began to preach.
Though they were few and feeble in the beginning, they at last became a flourishing society, and four
preachers were raised up among themselves.
This circuit was first called Stamford, since then it is called Reading.
The first Methodist meeting house that was ever built in New England, was in this circuit, near
the upper edge of Stratfield, and is now called Lee's Chapel.
On the 27th day of February 1790, three preachers came to my help from Maryland, namely,
Jacob Brush, an Elder, George Roberts, and Daniel Smith, young preachers. They met me at a
quarterly meeting at a place called Dantown, on the state line between New York and Connecticut.
Their presence was reviving to the brethren, and to me in particular. On Sunday preaching was in
a new unfinished dwelling house. In the time of preaching the Lord visited the people in mercy; and
a great cry was raised among them, such as was not common in that part of the world. The people
were alarmed; some ran out of the house, others that were above in the loft, ran to the end of the