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

a local preacher until near the end of his life, when he died in the itinerancy. See the "Minutes of
Conference for 1786." In 1781, he performed the solemn duty of preaching over the corpse of his
spiritual father, Mr. Strawbridge.
In the "Recollections of an Old Itinerant," on p. 204-5, we are informed that Mr. Samuel
Merryman had occasion to visit Pipe Creek, where he heard of a marvelous preacher (Strawbridge)
who could pray without a book, and preach without a manuscript sermon, which was regarded by
many in that age and place as an impossibility. Mr. Merryman gave him a hearing, and was
astonished at his success in praying without a book, and preaching without a written discourse -- to
him it was the most interesting religious service he had ever attended -- he heard him again -- his
High-Church notions gave way -- he was awakened, and obtained a sense of sins forgiven, and
ceased to wonder how a man could pray and preach without a "book, for he could pray and discourse
about religion (i. e. preach) without the aid of manuscript or printing-press. His house was opened
for such preaching, and a Methodist society was subsequently formed, and a chapel followed.
Sater Stephenson, of Baltimore county, was brought to God through Mr. Strawbridge, and began
to preach soon after Richard Owen commenced. Nathan Perigo, who lived some six miles northeast
of Baltimore, was also a spiritual son of Strawbridge, and an early local preacher. Under his zealous
labors Philip Gatch was awakened, and a Methodist society was raised up at Mr. Simmes in his
neighborhood, before the regular itinerants came along. See "Memoirs of Gatch," by Hon. John
McLean, LL.D., p. 9.
The first society raised up in Baltimore county was at Daniel Evans' near Baltimore. For its
accommodation one of the first chapels in the county was erected; and Mr. Strawbridge was
instrumental in gathering the society, if not in the erection of the chapel. See "Gatch's Memoirs," p.
24.
Mr. Richard Webster, of Harford county, Maryland, was among the first Methodists of the county.
In 1824, the Rev. Freeborn Garrettson was visiting his friends in Maryland; and was with Mr.
Webster a short time before his death; and informs us on page 248 of his life, that Mr. Webster had
been a Methodist fifty-six years, which dates back to 1768, as the year in which he united with them.
As no Methodist preacher had labored in Maryland at that time but Mr. Strawbridge, we must
suppose that Mr. Webster identified himself with the Methodists through him. Mr. Webster's house
became a home for the preachers, and the preaching -- a society was also raised up around him. Soon
he began to preach; and his name is found in "The Minutes for 1774 for Baltimore." In 1775, he was
stationed on Chester circuit; here he became acquainted with a daughter of Mr. George Smith, of
Goshen, Chester county, Pennsylvania, whom he married. After this he was useful as a local
preacher. He died in 1824.
Mr. Thomas Bond, of the same region, and his first wife, were also Mr. Strawbridge's spiritual
children. The Rev. Thomas E. Bond, extensively known as editor of the Christian Advocate and
Journal for several years, was his son; also, the Rev. John Wesley Bond, the last traveling companion
of Bishop Asbury.