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

Rev. William Phoebus was the first traveling preacher from this county. Afterwards came Hope Hull
and Benton Riggin, if not James Riggin too. Doctor Robinson was a local preacher, and, we
presume, Mrs. Matthew Soren is his granddaughter. The first chapels in Annamessex were Curtis'
and Myles', called after the above named brethren. It seems that they were erected as early as 1784,
as Dr. Coke, as appears from his Journal, preached in both of them this year. At this time Somerset
circuit reached into Worcester county where Methodism was already planted; and into that part of
it between the Pocomoke river and the Atlantic it was introduced in 1783.
Among the societies first raised up on Somerset Circuit was the one on Devil's, or Deal's Island,
which lies at the mouth of the Nanticoke river, in the Chesapeake Bay. Mr. Garrettson informs us,
that on this island there was "a large and faithful society" as early as 1782. Since that time there have
been a number of interesting camp meetings held on this island, as well as on Tangiers, in the same
bay.
During this year while Mr. Garrettson was preaching on Somerset Circuit, when on his way to
Devil's, or Deal's Island, to preach, he had the dream or vision found on pp. 125-126 of his life.
Falling asleep in a friend's house, it appeared to him, "That some wicked people came to the place
where I was, and spoke evil of the ways of God. The man of the house asked me to go to prayer. In
a short time I seemed to be dying. I searched for my witness of God's favor, and felt that I might have
been more faithful. I wished to live longer, that I might be more useful in bringing souls to Christ.
Instead of dying it seemed that I fell into a trance, and was taken to the other world, where I had a
view of hell. It was thought expedient for me to enter its mouth. I thought the fire had no power to
hurt me. An awful scene was presented to my mind. What feelings I had for precious souls! On
looking forward I could see no end to the sea of fire, whose high surges, one after another, at short
intervals, continually rolled along. I saw the damned beat about by them in all the tortures of agony,
toiling and striving to stem the waves, which like molten metal drove them back, while the place
resounded with their groans. O, it was indescribably awful! Sometimes the sea would sink into a
black calm, and a dismal noisome smoke would ascend. I stood and trembled as I saw the damned
rising in the liquid element; and then other waves of fire would arise and beat them back. While I
looked on it was asked, 'Will you after this be faithful in warning sinners?' I thought I would be more
faithful, and that my whole life should be spent in this exercise. I then requested to be carried to
heaven, but the answer was, 'You have seen enough, return and be faithful.' On awaking I sat up in
the bed filled with wonder." Such were the crowds that followed him on Somerset Circuit that no
house would contain them, and he had to preach to them in the open fields and in the groves, where
he had most solemn and profitable seasons.
Mr. Garrettson, having spent about six months in successful labors on Somerset Circuit, attended
the quarterly meeting at Barratt's Chapel in the beginning of November 1782. The last half of this
Conference year he traveled and preached in New Castle and Kent counties, in Delaware, and in
Dorchester, in Maryland. Many of the societies in these counties he had been instrumental in raising
up a few years before. While here, he felt that he was among his children: they took sweet counsel
together, and great was their rejoicing. It was no uncommon thing for him to preach to a thousand
or fifteen hundred people assembled together.