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

most of the early itinerants, had reduced the moral philosophy of the hermit to everyday experience
and practice --
"Then be content, thy cares forgo,
All earthborn cares are wrong:
Man needs but little here below,
Nor needs that little long."
In the early part of 1785 the Lord took his soul "to the house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens." He was interred at Green's Chapel. (This is an antiquated, dilapidated house, and should
be rebuilt and called Mair's Chapel.) Had there been any one able to point out his grave, a few years
ago, it was the purpose of the Rev. John Bell to set up "the stone of remembrance, and bid it speak
to other years." The Rev. Thomas Ware says he was the second preacher that fell on the walls of
Methodist Zion, after the church was organized. The Minute of his death says, "He was a man of
affliction -- he had a strange affliction in his heel that he called a thorn in the flesh. Sometimes, when
riding along the road, he had to get down and hold it in cold water to ease it (this was a part of his
affliction), but of great patience and resignation; and of excellent understanding." His great tact in
introducing himself to the people as a missionary, as shown by Mr. Ware, saying to Mr. Egbert, as
he rode up to his door, "Pray, sir, can you tell me the way to heaven?" and the manner in which he
addressed the old German: "Peace be on this habitation, &c.," shows that he well understood how
to approach the unconverted. For solemn Christian solidity he had no superior among Methodist
preachers.
Mr. Caleb Boyer was born and brought up in Kent county, Del., below Dover. He was brought
to the Lord under the ministry of Mr. Garrettson, in 1778. About twenty months after, he began to
itinerate. Although he was not at the Christmas Conference, in 1784, he was elected to the office of
deacon. He was a great extemporizer, and considered as one of the greatest preachers that the
Methodists then had. To his scintillating genius was added humility and true devotion to the cause
of Christ. After he had a family, finding that the sum of one hundred and sixty dollars (the married
preachers allowance at that time) was inadequate to keep his family, he located in 1788, and settled
in or near Dover, where the Church enjoyed his talents as a local preacher for the space of
twenty-five years. It was the opinion of Messrs. Whatcoat and Vasey, who came to America with
Dr. Coke, that they had not heard a Methodist preacher in England (Messrs. Wesley and Fletcher
excepted) that was equal in ability to Mr. Boyer. Early in this century he died, and was interred at
Wesley Chapel, in Dover, according to our information.
Mr. Thomas Foster was a native of Queen Anne's county, Maryland. In 1785 he was made an
elder, and placed in charge of a district. The last circuit he traveled was Dover, in 1791. In 1792 he
located. For a number of years he lived in Dorchester county, Md., near the Washington Chapel, and
not far from Crabing, or (as it is called) Cabin Creek. Here he cultivated his little farm; and traveled
about, and attended camp and other meetings -- preaching at funerals and performing other
ministerial duties. No minister was more esteemed on account of sound talent and a holy life than
the Rev. Thomas Foster. Mr. Asbury said he was "of the old stamp, and steady;" and when he was
making the circuit of the Peninsula he was pleased to turn into the pleasant little cottage of Brother
Foster, to tarry for a night. Those who were acquainted with him saw a fair specimen of the first race