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

Between them there was the closest intimacy, and the purest friendship, until death. Mr. Asbury
was never out of his way when going to his friend Boehm's: it was one of his resting-places, where
he answered letters, and refitted for his long journeys to the West and South.
For several years past there has been but little preaching, and scarcely a Methodist society at this
ancient stand and stronghold of Methodism; but we hope it is beloved for the sake of the "Fathers;"
and that its latter end will be as the beginning, and more abundantly glorious on account of religion.
Within the last few years there have been indications of returning prosperity, and we are
encouraged to expect that the hope expressed above will be realized.
William Watters attended the Conference at the Brokenback Church, in Fluvanna county, Va, in
May, 1779. A majority of the preachers present at this Conference determined to introduce the
ordinances of the gospel among the Methodists, a committee was appointed to ordain each other, and
then all the others that favored the measure. Mr. Watters, with a small minority, dissented, and took
their stations north of the Potomac. This year he was stationed in Baltimore Circuit, having T. S.
Chew, and William Adams, his brother-in-law, for colleagues. He labored successfully here for six
months. At the fall quarterly meeting, held in his brother's house, at Deer Creek, the first sermon was
preached by the Rev. William Moore, of Baltimore, who pressed sanctification on the Methodists
with such effect, that in the love feast that followed, he observes, "Never did I hear such experiences
before; our eyes overflowed with tears , and our hearts with love." The latter half of this Conference
year he spent in Frederick Circuit. This was the "cold winter" of 1780, as it was long called, in
which. Mr. Watters, and all that had to travel, suffered much. During this winter, his brother-in-law,
William Adams, who had just entered the itinerancy, died, before he was twenty-one years old. He
had lived a holy life, and died a happy death.
Mr. William Duke, it appears, was raised in the Church of England; and when the Methodists
came about, as they were very friendly to that Church, he united with them. In 1779, the Southern
preachers (where Mr. Duke was then laboring) conferred ordination on themselves, in which year
he located. It seems that he disapproved of the course of the Southern brethren; and as he always
considered himself a Churchman, he took orders in the Protestant Episcopal Church some years
afterwards. He lived many years in Elkton, Cecil county, Md., at which place the writer once had an
introduction to him. He was quite a small man, and wore the old-fashioned Methodist coat. He
appeared to be loved and respected by all as a good man; and was generally called "Father Duke."
He died in a good old age, and was buried at the old church in North East, Cecil county, Md.
Captain Webb presented a Greek Testament to Mr. Duke; he, in his latter days, gave it to the Rev.
J. B. Hagany, who passed it to the Rev. L. Scott, now Bishop of the M. E. Church.