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

society was raised up this year among the Barratts and Sipples, that led to the erection of Barratt's
Chapel, in 1780; Mr. Philip Barratt and Jonathan Sipple, with many others, were awakened under
his preaching, and brought in among the Methodists. About eighteen months after this Brother Sipple
exchanged earth for paradise. Just before Mr. Garrettson came into Murderkill he tells us, "The Lord
had awakened a woman of distinction by an earthquake. She found peace to her soul, and about a
year after died a witness of perfect love." From Mr. Asbury's Journal we conclude that her name was
Ruth Smith, who, in her last hours, was constantly praising God and preaching Christ to all around
her.
Under the second sermon that Mr. Garrettson preached at Mr. Lewis', young Caleb Boyer was
awakened, and in 1780 began to travel a circuit. He became a great preacher among the Methodists,
and we are persuaded that the Rev. Ezekiel Cooper formed his style of argumentative preaching after
Mr. Boyer's, who was said to be the Paul of Methodism while he itinerated. Mr. Garrettson
established preaching at the house of the father of Mr. Boyer, where a society was formed in 1778,
which is still represented at Banning's Chapel below Dover.
Many of the people of this region had been raised Presbyterians. The Rev. Mr. Huston was their
minister during the days of the Revolution. He, like many of his brethren, was fully committed to
the cause of American liberty; and in his church used to pray for the success of the Continental army;
and to this end, "That the Lord would send plenty of powder and ball" to greet their enemies with.
One Sabbath while he was engaged at his church, a detachment of British soldiers came to his
house, and left their compliments by boring their bayonets through the panels of his doors, ripping
up his beds, and carrying off rather more of his livestock, his cows, pigs, and poultry, than they were
welcome to by the feelings of his heart.
The Rev. Mr. Huston's granddaughter is the wife of our brother Solomon Townsend, of Union
Methodist Episcopal Church, of this city.
Mr. Smithers, of Dover, came to Mr. Shaw's in 1778; and under Mr. Garrettson's preaching his
heart was touched, and he invited him to preach in the Academy at Dover; and on the 12th of
September of this year, in the afternoon, he made his appearance at the Academy that stands at the
south end of the town, where he was to preach. Here he found some hundreds assembled, and as
soon as he lighted a clamor arose; some said he was a good man, some called him a deceiver, some
declared him a friend to the king, others proclaimed him one of Clowe's men, that ought to be hung
as Clowe had been. There might have been a serious time if there had not been some friends of order
there; Mr. Pryor, a Whitefieldite, Mr. Lockerman, whose descendants are still in Dover, and the
alderman interposed, and the first Methodist sermon was preached on a stage erected in front of the
Academy, the congregation being within and without. It was a time of tears; some that came to
rescue were there to have the gospel net thrown around them -- the enemy was circumvented. The
preacher was heard all over the town. Some that stayed at home, and one female a quarter of a mile
off; were powerfully convicted. In the even he held meeting at Mr. Smithers', with whom he put up,
when he had many of the chief people of the place to hear him. When he retired to bed, he was sorely
tempted by the enemy; and Mrs. Smithers hearing him sighing and groaning in prayer, was driven
to commence prayer for herself. There were about twenty-five persons brought under deep