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

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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
house and jumped out on the ground. In the midst of all the confusion, the Christians were exceedingly happy. At these conferences in 1789, a plan was laid for the holding a Council. The Bishops said, they had made it a matter of prayer; and they believed the present plan was the best that they could think of. After some opposition had been made to the plan, and there had been some debating about it, a majority of the preachers agreed to the following plan; which was published in the annual minutes. Q. "Whereas the holding of general conferences on this extensive Continent would be attended with a variety of difficulties, and many inconveniences to the work of God; and whereas we judge it expedient that a council should be formed of chosen men out of the several districts as representatives of the whole connection, to meet at stated times; in what manner is this council to be formed, what shall be its powers, and what further regulations shall be made concerning it?" A. 1st. "Our bishops and presiding elders shall be the members of this council; provided, that the members who form the council be never fewer than nine. And if any unavoidable circumstance prevent the attendance of a presiding elder at the council, he shall have authority to send another elder out of his own district to represent him; but the elder so sent by the absenting presiding elder, shall have no seat in the council without the approbation of the bishop or bishops, and presiding elders present. And if, after the above mentioned provisions are complied with, any unavoidable circumstance, or any contingencies reduce the number to less than nine, the bishop shall immediately summon such elders as do not preside, to complete the number. 2dly. "These shall have authority to mature every thing they shall judge expedient. 1. To preserve the general union: 2. To render and preserve the external form of worship similar in all our societies through the continent: 3. To preserve the essentials of the Methodist doctrines and discipline pure and uncorrupted: 4. To correct all abuses and disorders: And, lastly, they are authorized to mature everything they may see necessary for the good of the church, and for the promoting and improving our colleges and plan of education. 3dly. "Provided nevertheless, that nothing shall be received as the resolution of the council, unless it be assented to unanimously by the council; and nothing so assented to by the council, shall be binding in any district, till it has been agreed upon by a majority of the conference which is held for that district. 4thly. "The bishops shall have authority to summon the council to meet at such times and places as they shall judge expedient. 5thly. "The first council shall be held at Cokesbury, on the first day of next December." This plan for having a council, was entirely new, and exceedingly dangerous. A majority of the preachers voted in favor of it, but they were soon sensible, that the plan would not answer the purpose for which it was intended. The council was to be composed of the bishops, and the presiding
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WESLEYAN HERITAGE Library A SHORT H
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District of Maryland, to wit: BE IT
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CHAPTER 9 From the beginning of the
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I have consulted every author that
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A SHORT HISTORY OF THE METHODISTS B
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They also formed themselves into li
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under Mr. Wesley's direction, at Lo
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For whether I am born to "blush abo
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But lo! the snare is broke, the cap
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thousands of people gathered togeth
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First -- By doing no harm, by avoid
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It will be necessary to insert here
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II. Zealously to maintain good work
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In April there was laid a plan for
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society, that they might assist and
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A. Yes. 2. Ought not the doctrine a
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first quarterly meeting that was ev
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The Christians too were sometimes s
Page 39 and 40: The work of God thus increased on e
Page 41 and 42: and Amelia, in Virginia. Both of th
Page 43 and 44: Some of our preachers were brought
Page 45 and 46: young preacher on trial for two yea
Page 47 and 48: of conscience, and pure religion. T
Page 49 and 50: It was also advised, that the preac
Page 51 and 52: There were twenty-two questions ask
Page 53 and 54: At that time it was but seldom know
Page 55 and 56: Q. What preachers have died this ye
Page 57 and 58: A SHORT HISTORY OF THE METHODISTS B
Page 59 and 60: As soon as Dr. Coke landed in Ameri
Page 61 and 62: A. "Let them be admitted with the u
Page 63 and 64: 10. "Be punctual. Do every thing ex
Page 65 and 66: the making up of the deficiencies o
Page 67 and 68: The annual subscriptions of the tra
Page 69 and 70: XII. Of Sin after Justification. No
Page 71 and 72: intermediate space: but wherever it
Page 73 and 74: incorporated, which was done, and d
Page 75 and 76: In 1786, we had three conferences.
Page 77 and 78: A SHORT HISTORY OF THE METHODISTS B
Page 79 and 80: command. The preachers at last agre
Page 81 and 82: together, and uniting with other Ch
Page 83 and 84: The twenty-fourth in Georgia, on th
Page 85 and 86: on the east side of the North River
Page 87 and 88: Several of these conferences were w
Page 89: We had also this N. B. "From this t
Page 93 and 94: 2. To preserve the general union of
Page 95 and 96: A. "First, they unanimously conside
Page 97 and 98: A. "At Cokesbury College, or Baltim
Page 99 and 100: himself to be in the agonies of dea
Page 101 and 102: from being compelled by law to pay
Page 103 and 104: In the close of the annual minutes
Page 105 and 106: Mr. Wesley preached his last sermon
Page 107 and 108: The eighty-first at the New Mills,
Page 109 and 110: This motion brought on a long debat
Page 111 and 112: A. "To the general conference, who
Page 113 and 114: In the tenth section we formed a ru
Page 115 and 116: "Let the evening service consist of
Page 117 and 118: thought proper at this conference t
Page 119 and 120: Four preachers were entered, withdr
Page 121 and 122: put into the harbour, and come to a
Page 123 and 124: The divisive spirit prevailed more
Page 125 and 126: Mr. William Meredith, who had been
Page 127 and 128: Massachusetts; and Vermont, in the
Page 129 and 130: I set out from Lynn in September 17
Page 131 and 132: never was such a gracious outpourin
Page 133 and 134: elonged to circuits in other states
Page 135 and 136: In the close of the minutes there w
Page 137 and 138: month of September, 1795, being abo
Page 139 and 140: New Jersey 2351 Kentucky 1750 Penns
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6th. "The money shall, if possible,
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ARTICLE III It is provided and decl
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majority of them, may be wanting to
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commencement of the trial, appoint
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connection; a few years afterwards
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quick and solid parts, a sound and
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for Upper Canada, where he was owne
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Massachusetts 1577 -- 168 New Hamps
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Nevertheless, this rule shall not a
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Virginia. As the rule has not been
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There was a good revival in Chester
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about one hundred and thirteen pers
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The 175th, at Monmouth, in the Prov
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who visited that place, and preache
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time before his death, and in his l
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of the Sabbath morning. On Sunday t
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October 1803, in Brunswick county,
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The above rules and regulations I h
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together in helping forward in this
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as a circuit, or a stationed preach
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to depart and be with Christ; and h
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F Fidler, John -- Admitted 1784 --
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S Shadford, Geo. -- Admitted 1768 (
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Browning, Geo. -- Admitted 1790 --
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Hardy, Edward -- Admitted 1792 -- L
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Moss, Wm. -- Admitted 1788 -- Locat
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Van Nostrand, Albert -- Admitted 17
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Chandler, Wm. P. -- Admitted 1797 C
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Hunt, Lewis -- Admitted 1799 -- Die
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R Risher, Samuel -- Admitted 1793 -
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The reader will observe, that for t
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Cook, Phenehas -- Admitted 1803 Cov
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J Jean, William -- Admitted 1805 Je
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Porter, John -- Admitted 1805 Prend
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Williams, Joseph -- Admitted 1805 W
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Combs, David -- Admitted 1787 Cook,
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Johnson, James -- Admitted 1793 --
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Saunders, John -- Admitted 1798 Sco
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a. He came to America in 1771 b. He
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On the 19th of April this year we f
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In the month of May we had our fift
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The General Conference elected anot
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years. He was very serious and very
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1794 65,508 2,135 150 298 1795 59,2
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upon which, the people in all their
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The latter part of that year he wen
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was so much crying, that it was som
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At the Conference of 1791 he was ap
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He made note of the many changes th
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