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

A HISTORY
OF THE
RISE OF METHODISM IN AMERICA
by
John Lednum
CHAPTER 47
In 1780, according to the Minutes, Daniel Ruff, Freeborn Garrettson, and Joshua Dudley were
appointed to labor on Baltimore Circuit. Among others who were brought in this year was the
Tschudy family. Martin Tschudy's became a "preaching place on Baltimore Circuit. Here the
Methodists raised a large class. Father T. was a man of few words, but as honest and steady as the
day was long. Mother T. was one of the excellent of the earth; deeply experienced in the things of
God, and a mother to the preachers. Their daughter Barbara was much devoted to God. She was the
preachers' nurse when they were sick at Father Tschudy's. This family was a pattern of order,
neatness, piety, and hospitality. Here the preachers had one of their best homes." Their daughter
Barbara was the first of their family that went to her reward. Next, Father Tschudy, after suffering
much with great patience, went home in 1828, according to our notes, in his eighty-eighth year. "The
dear old mother suffered and labored until a few years past." Many of the early itinerants were nursed
and comforted in this godly family, and one at least went from their house to paradise.
"Joseph Perregoy was leader of the class at Tschudy's for many years. He lived upwards of eighty
years, had been a member of the M. E. Church more than fifty years, and was a man of unblemished
character and deep piety. The few last years of his life his mind was entirely gone on every subject
but religion. He went to the house of God as long as he was able; and though a child in everything
else, in class meetings and love feasts, and when called upon to pray, he was still like himself. We
buried him a few weeks ago. He was beloved by the pious, respected in life by all who knew him,
and honored in death." -- "Recollections of an Old Itinerant," pp. 186-188.
On the 24th day of January, 1781, the Rev. Freeborn Garrettson set off to visit Little York, in
Pennsylvania, for the purpose of introducing Methodism into this region. Stopping at a tavern for
the night, he lectured on a portion of Scripture; and had prayer in the tavern. During these exercises,
Mr. Daniel Worley, who lived near Little York, being present, was deeply awakened.
The next day he went into the town, where he was permitted to preach in the Dutch church. Under
the sermon, Mrs. Worley being present, had her heart reached. On the same evening, Mr. Worley
returned home and said to his wife, "My dear, last night I saw and heard such a man as I never saw
or heard before; and if what he says be true, we are all in the way to hell." She replied, "I suspect I
heard the same man this afternoon in Mr. Wagoner's church; and believe what he preaches to be true
-- that we are in the way to ruin." As they were both awakened, they agreed to unite in seeking the
salvation of God.
Mr. Garrettson was permitted to preach in the Lutheran church also. The hearts of the mother and
sister of the Lutheran minister were touched under his discourse, and accompanied him to Berlin,
where he preached twice to large congregations. By this time a messenger had come, desiring him