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 49
Mr. David Abbott had been received as a traveling preacher, and was stationed on Kent Circuit,
Md. In the summer of 1781, his father the Rev. Benjamin Abbott took his place for a short time, and
had the remarkable meetings recorded in his Life, p. 113-120. At the head of Elk, now Elkton, he
preached his first sermon at S. T.'s. This is the earliest notice we have of the Methodists having an
appointment in this town, as yet they had no society in the place. In after years the Rev. Freeborn
Garrettson had a niece, perhaps the daughter of his brother John, a Mrs. Taylor, living in this place.
See his Life, p. 212. From here he went to Mr. Simmon's, near the head of Sassafras river, where he
had a powerful time: some were awakened, and inquired what they must do to be saved. Here he
found a small class: in meeting it, he had a precious time. He says, "Next day at my appointment,
God attended the word with power: many wept, both white and black. In meeting the class many fell
to the floor, among whom was the ma n of the house; several professed sanctification, and some
justification." It seems that this was at Solomon Hersey's on Bohemia Manor. "Next day being
Sabbath, I preached there again. In the morning I met the black class in the barn; many fell to the
floor like dead men, while others cried aloud for mercy. I had to leave them to attend my
appointment. When I came to the place, it was computed there were more than a thousand people,
and a clergyman among them. I preached in the words, and the Lord preached from heaven in His
Spirit's power, and the people fell on the right and on the left. I saw that many were in a flutter and
ready to flee. I told them to stand still, for God Almighty was come into the camp. They kept their
stations, while I continued to invite them to fly to Jesus. It was a great day to many souls."
Having received an introduction to the clergyman, and an invitation to call on him for
conversation, he hastened to his afternoon appointment, "leaving the slain and wounded on the field.
When I came to the place, I found a large congregation, and preached with great liberty. Many, both
white and black, fell to the earth as dead men, while others were screaming and crying to God for
mercy." These meetings, it appears, had been held on Bohemia Manor and in Sassafras Neck.
After preaching, a gentleman, whom he afterwards calls Mr. K. (could this have been Kankey?)
-- Zebulon Kankey, from this region, became a traveling preacher nine years after this), invited him
to his house, and said to him: "If what he had heard and seen that day was religion, he must confess
he knew nothing of the matter, although he professed to be a good Churchman. He told me that their
minister was both a drunkard and a liar, and advised me not to go near him. Next morning we went
to see the clergyman." Whoever he was, he seems to have been the incumbent of St. Stephen's, in
Sassafras Neck, and lived at Fredericktown, on the Sassafras river.) "We then went on, and crossed
the river (Sassafras) where I preached to a small congregation. Here the gentleman and I parted. We
had a happy time in class. Here I saw what I never met before -- twenty women in class, and but one
man, and he an African." This meeting was near Georgetown, or Georgetown Cross Roads; at one
time the preaching in this neighborhood was at Woodlands.