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

A HISTORY
OF THE
RISE OF METHODISM IN AMERICA
by
John Lednum
CHAPTER 33
Some ten or twelve new laborers entered into the itinerant life in 1778. The Minutes of 1779
return Robert Cloud as desisting from traveling, which implies that he was itinerating in 1778. He
was raised in Newcastle county, Delaware, above Wilmington. Mr. Robert Cloud appears to have
been he second Methodist itinerant from the state of Delaware. He re-entered the work again in 1785.
Two whose names are found in the Minutes this year, namely, Richard Ogburn, a Virginian, and
Daniel Duvall, continued in the work but one year. John Beck itinerated two years. William Moore
was irregularly in the work for about three years. We are led to think that he was the same as Mr.
William Moore, the first man of note that joined the Methodists in Baltimore. Philip Adams,
probably a Virginian, continued to travel and preach until 1781, when he was called by death to
receive his reward. John Atkins traveled about four years.
Mr. James O'Kelly was first known personally to Mr. Asbury in 1780. He was then a warmhearted
Christian, and a zealous preacher -- he would rise at midnight and pour out his soul in prayer, crying,
"Give me children, or I die." He was ordained elder at the organization of the Church in 1784. For
several years he filled high stations in the Church -- acting as elder at the head of a district -- he was
useful and had much influence. He was a member of the first council, that met in 1789. In 1790 he
addressed a letter to Mr. Asbury, complaining of his power, and bidding him halt in his episcopal
career for one year, or he would have to use his influence against him. In 1792, at the first General
Conference, Mr. O'Kelly moved a resolution, "That if any preacher felt himself aggrieved or
oppressed by the appointment made by the bishop, he should have the privilege of appealing to the
Conference, which should consider and finally determine the matter" -- this resolution was lost -whereupon
he withdrew from the M. E. Church and formed a connection that was called "Republican
Methodists." This was the first secession from the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the Southern
District of Virginia, Mr. O'Kelly had considerable influence, and here he and his followers produced
much confusion among the Methodists, but never spread very far over the country; and, at this day,
they are known only in history. Mr. Asbury had his last interview with Mr. O'Kelly in Winchester,
Va., in 1802. They met in peace, asked of each other's welfare, prayed together, and parted in peace.
Of the preachers that were influenced by Mr. O'Kelly's views of church government, and the
power that a Methodist Bishop should possess, the Rev. William McKendree was one, who sent his
resignation in writing to Mr. Asbury in 1792. But, as the District Conference agreed to let the
displeased preachers continue to preach among the Methodists, provided they were quiet, and would
not excite division, Mr. McKendree soon became convalescent, and sixteen years after this was
elected and ordained a Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church.