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

Methodist preaching was introduced into Fredericktown, now Frederick City, by Mr. Strawbridge,
on an invitation from Edward Drumgole, who, on coming from Ireland in 1770, and bearing a letter
to Mr. Strawbridge, heard him preach at Pipe Creek, and gave him an invitation to preach the same
truth in Fredericktown, where Mr. Drumgole then resided. Mr. Strawbridge was the first of Mr.
Wesley's followers that preached on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. About 1769 or 1770, he
preached at the house of John Randle, in Werton, Kent county, Maryland. The Rev. Henry Boehm
testifies that he heard him preach at his father's, the Rev. Martin Boehm, in Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania. This must have been about 1779, when Brother Boehm was only five or six years old.
Methodism was planted in Georgetown on the Potomac, and in other places in Fairfax county,
Virginia, by Mr. Strawbridge and his spiritual son, Richard Owen.
In 1773 and in 1775 Mr. Strawbridge's name is found in the Minutes, as a laborer among the
itinerants; after which it disappears, probably on account of his administering the ordinances, which
was contrary to Mr. Wesley's advice. According to Mr. Asbury's journal, the first Conference, in
1773, allowed him to do it, provided he would do it under the direction of Mr. Rankin, Mr. Wesley's
assistant, which he refused to do, inasmuch as he had not derived his authority from Mr. Rankin or
the Conference. From what source he derived his authority to administer them, we have not been
informed. In his course in this matter, though opposed by most of the Methodist preachers, he was
sustained by his spiritual children. The people were much on his side; and the Rev. Benedict Swope,
of the German Reformed Church, advocated his course, saying, "Mr. Wesley did not do well in
hindering Methodist preachers from giving the ordinances to their followers." It seems that Mr.
Strawbridge felt that he had been the first instrument used by the Head of the church in raising up
Methodism in Maryland; and therefore was unwilling to bear the reins of those, though higher in Mr.
Wesley's authority, who had entered into his labors.
The evidence adduced by the Rev. George C. M. Roberts; in the Christian Advocate and Journal,
and by the Rev. William Hamilton, in the Methodist Quarterly Review of 1856, makes it clear,
beyond a doubt, to all who have duly considered it, and are not committed to another theory, that Mr.
Strawbridge raised up the first society; and also built the first chapel. (See the Quarterly Review for
1856, p. 435). It may be asked, "Why did Bishops Coke and Asbury, in their early account of the rise
of Methodism in this country, as found in the Discipline, make it appear that Methodism began in
New York? also Rev. Jesse Lee, in his history of Methodism, and others who have asserted the
same." The answer is, "They so understood it, not having made it their business to inquire
particularly into the history of Mr. Strawbridge's movements in Frederick county, Md." We have
seen that in 1801 Bishop Asbury came to a more correct understanding of the matter, and entered
in his journal the truth, which we presume he had then and there obtained: thus correcting all that
he had before said on the subject. Mr. Lee never took the pains to investigate the matter, and
remained persuaded that New York was the cradle of Methodism in America. Others have copied
the error without questioning it. We are glad that the matter has at last been placed in a clear light
by the correspondents from Baltimore referred to above.
The evidence adduced warrants the assertion that the first Methodist society raised up in America
(not taking into the account the one formed at Savannah, Ga., by Mr. Wesley) -- the first chapel
(mean as it was) -- the first native American Methodist preacher (Richard Owen) -- the first native