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

chapel. After paying his first visit to Dorchester, and attending a large and powerful quarterly
meeting at Brother Airey's, he came, in company with some twenty preachers, by Judge White's, to
quarterly meeting at Barratt's Chapel.
There were four preachers -- William Gill, Moses Park, Henry Metcalf, and David Abbott -- sent
to Sussex Circuit, in Delaware, in 1782. In the course of the year, it was divided; and the upper part
was called Dover, which appears on the Minutes the following year. On this new circuit, Mr. David
Abbott was preaching; and in October of this year, his father, the Rev. Benjamin Abbott, came on
the circuit and filled the appointments for the son, recorded in his Life, pp. 120-126. Mr. Abbott
overtook his son, preaching to a large congregation on the Sabbath, in an orchard which was on the
right hand side of the road from Duck Creek Cross Roads to Duck Creek village. This orchard is no
more. "Coming behind him, he saw nothing of me until he concluded. As soon as he stepped off the
stand, I stepped on, and gave an exhortation -- and instantly God attended the truth with power, the
people cried aloud, and we had a shout in the camp; but as it was likely to interfere with our next
appointment, I dismissed the people, and went to Blackiston's Meeting house, where the people
expected me, and a large multitude was assembled. I preached with life and power, and the Lord
attended the word; many wept, and I trust some good was done." He went home with Mr. Benjamin
Blackiston; and in the evening met class, and endeavored to show them the nature of holiness of
heart. " While speaking to the society, one and another cried out, until the cry became general; and
there was such weeping, crying, and shouting, that I could not speak to any more. One young woman
cried out, that she knew she was not an angel; but that God had given her a clean heart. A young man
-- a Baptist -- clasped me round the neck, and said, I know the Lord is here, for I feel his Spirit. I was
as happy as I could well continue in the body."
"At my next appointment, the power of the Lord was present. One sinner fell to the floor, and
cried mightily to God to have mercy on his soul. When he revived, he declared that his sins were
pardoned; and exhorted the unconverted to seek the Lord." This appointment, as also the two that
follow, were around the present town of Smyrna there were more than half a dozen preaching places
within eight miles of this place.
At his next appointment, "the children of the devil were greatly offended, and intended that day
to kill me; here I had a crowded congregation. The word was attended with power. Several attempted
to go out, but the crowd about the door obliged them to stay in. They began quickly to fall to the
floor, and to cry aloud; and soon there was a shout in the camp. One young man that was struck to
the floor, was for three hours apparently dead; his flesh grew cold, his fingers so stiff; and spread
open, that they would not yield. Many said, he is dead. I now for the first time felt fear that any one
would expire under the mighty power of God; and concluded I would go home, and not proceed a
step further, as killing people would not answer; but at last he came to, and praised God for what he
had done for his soul."
"At my next appointment, I preached in a barn to a large congregation. There was much weeping.
Here I met with two young Nicolites, who spoke freely to me on spiritual things. One of them
followed me three days, and left me full of tender love." The Nicolites sprung from one Nicols, who
held Quaker principles; but was not acknowledged by the Friends. He made plainness of dress, and
light-colored clothes, part of his religion; condemning singing (except singing their discourses), and