A History Of The Rise Of Methodism In America - Media Sabda Org

Mr. Watters, from the Conference in Baltimore, was returned to Fairfax Circuit. He spent a part
of this year in forming Berkley Circuit. In Berkley and Frederick counties, Va., he was, to many of
the people, the first Methodist preacher that they saw and heard. In this new field he found many
anxious inquirers after salvation. The latter part of this year he spent in Frederick Circuit, among
loving friends.
Messrs. McClure and Fonerdon were stationed with Mr. Watters. Adam Fonerdon appears to have
been a local preacher from Baltimore or Frederick county, taken up as a temporary supply; after this
we do not meet with his name.
Mr. Thomas McClure continued to travel and preach until 1782, when he located. He was a firm,
useful preacher.
Messrs. Gatch and Sigman were stationed on Hanover Circuit this year. Mr. John Sigman was a
local preacher in Alexandria, Va., when Methodism was first planted there in 1774. In 1780 he
located.
Mr. Gatch says: "Mr. Rankin asked me if I was willing, at this Conference, to take an appointment
in Virginia. I gave him to understand that I could have no objection. So my next appointment was
to Hanover Circuit. I had the privilege of Mr. Shadford's company into Virginia, he also having an
appointment to that state. My circuit was very large. It lay on both sides of James river, and was a
part of six counties. But it appeared like a new world of grace. The Baptists, who preceded us, had
encountered and rolled back the wave of persecution. Shubal Stearns and Daniel Marshall, who were
the first-fruits of George Whitefield's labors in the East, had become Baptist members of the separate
order. They had traveled extensively through the state, and others, through their instrumentality, were
raised up, and became faithful and zealous ministers, and they endured a great deal of persecution.
As a token of respect, I will here name John Waller, with whom I became intimate. He was an
American in sentiment, a good preacher, and suffered much for the cause. He was confined in jail,
first and last, one hundred and thirteen days, in different counties. Mr. Garrett and Mr. McRoberts,
two ministers of the Church of England, who did not confine their labor to their respective parishes,
had also preached in those parts, and we entered into their labors.
The congregations on the circuit were very large, so that we had frequently to preach in orchards
and in the grove. Mr. Rankin was with us at our first quarterly meeting. Though the labors of the
circuits were hard, yet they were rendered pleasant to me till the fall of the year, when the weather
became cool. From preaching out of doors to large congregations, which made it necessary to extend
the voice, my health failed; and my lungs became so affected that for some time I was entirely unable
to preach. Mr. Shadford, who had been appointed to Brunswick Circuit, attended our second
quarterly meeting, and I took his place. My health remained so poor that it was a considerable time
before I could reach the circuit. On my way I lay sick two weeks at the house of Mr. St. Patrick. I
thought him the most holy person I ever saw. He seemed to breathe in an atmosphere of prayer, and
enjoy communion with God at all times, even while engaged in the secular employments of life. I
found it good to be afflicted at the house of such a saint, and his society and example were a blessing
to me. When I got into my circuit I was able to preach but seldom. Sometimes it was with great
difficulty I attempted to pray in public. It appeared to me that my lungs were entirely gone.