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

learned to sing Light Street to the above named hymn from Mr. Asbury. At that day, when the stock
of Methodist hymns and tunes was much less than it is at this time, this hymn was very popular.
In the early part of 1781, Mr. Asbury attended a quarterly meeting at the Valley preaching house,
in Chester county. On his way to this meeting he called on His Excellency, Governor Rodney, to sign
his certificate, which he did with great readiness and politeness. At the quarterly meeting he found
the Methodists very lively in religion; they were greatly led to speak out in love feast, six or seven
standing up as witnesses of a present salvation from all sin. We impute this to Mr. Abbott's recent
labors in this circuit. He next went into Jersey; where, probably, he attended a quarterly meeting, and
had his first interview with Mr. Abbott. Mr. Asbury had been absent from Jersey almost five years.
From Jersey, he returned to Pennsylvania, and preached at Mrs. Grace's, at Coventry, where one of
his hearers desired him to form an independent church, and settle among them. This was far from
Mr. Asbury's views. From Coventry, he paid his first visit to Old Forest. While in this region, he
heard of the great work going on among the Germans, about Soudersburg -- Mr. Boehm's and some
other places, which had been greatly promoted by Mr. Abbott's labors among them. We have already
observed, that this work commenced as early as 1779, if not sooner, through the preaching of Mr.
Boehm, a Mennonist preacher. From Pennsylvania, he returned to Delaware; and preached the
funeral of J. B., near Dover, a man of distinction, who had been a great enemy to the Methodists:
persecuting his wife and children for hearing them; but, when near death, sent for them to pray for
him, and promised, if raised up, to hear them preach.