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

with such effect, when he accompanied her to her mother's, was the first Methodist preaching in the
place. See his Life, pp. 97, 98.
While Methodism was thus enlarging on the peninsula, and in other places south and west, it was
also making some progress in Jersey. Though this part of the work was not much attended to by the
traveling preachers, while the hostile armies were contending with each other here; there were a few
local preachers doing what they could. At the head of these stood the Rev. Benjamin Abbott, who,
for the sixteen years that he sustained that relation to Methodism, was, probably, the most available
that the Methodists ever had. He had seen the arm of the Lord revealed under his ministry in the
conversion of all sorts of people; placid Friends found a more spiritual religion than that in which
they had been trained; those who had danced to the sound of the violin, had experienced the love of
Christ, which "danced their hearts for joy;" the inebriate had been brought to beg for mercy on his
knees; and the bigoted Papist, in whose "fiery soul deaths wandered like shadows," had been
changed into the gentleness of the lamb.
It seems to have been in the year 1779, that Mr. Abbott made his first preaching tour in Jersey.
The great work that was going on under his ministry in Mannington, induced the Methodists of New
Mills to invite him to their place; here the people, for the first time, saw the great effects that his
preaching produced in prostrating the people. This new development alarmed them at first, but when
they saw the slain revive as witnesses of God, they rejoiced in it. The town became alarmed with the
exultations of some who found the Lord. From New Mills he went some miles, and preached with
great success in a Presbyterian church. Many were awakened, and about twelve were born again. One
of the deacons of the church was regenerated, and became a Methodist. A very profane young man,
who was called "swearing Jack," was awakened, and became a Christian. A number of Indians being
present, were greatly affected; these were, probably, the descendants of those for whom Mr. Brainerd
had labored.
After having a profitable meeting at Turnip Hill, and spending some time in conversation and
prayer with a family, which resulted in the conversion of a soul to God, he went to his appointment
and preached; after which he came to Trenton, where he held meeting in the Presbyterian church,
as the army was occupying the Methodist chapel as a stable. This is the first notice we meet with of
the Methodists having a place of worship in Trenton.
He next went among his relations, where his conversation and prayers were owned in bringing
some of them to the Saviour. His next appointment was at S. F.'s; this was, probably, at Brother
Fiddler's, an old Methodist family in Jersey. Here he had a powerful meeting. A captain, who came
with his soldiers to arrest Mr. Abbott, was so powerfully arrested by the Spirit of God, as to cry for
mercy. After six weeks of deep distress, during which his friends watched him that he might not
destroy himself, he became a happy Christian.
At his next meeting one soul was brought into gospel liberty. A Quaker woman from
Pennsylvania had come to this meeting from a dream that she had the night before, that two doves
would lead her to a spring as clear as crystal, where she might drink her fill. She was awakened, and
after three days of deep distress, was privileged to drink of the water that is not followed by thirst