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 55
The longest preaching tour that the Rev. Benjamin Abbott made, while he was a local preacher,
was in New Jersey, and is to be found described in his Life, pp. 66-80. It was made in the cold season
of the year, as he speaks of snow and hail being on the ground. It was about nine years before he
traveled Salem Circuit, in 1792: as he told Bishop Asbury that it had been about nine years since he
was round the Salem Circuit to see his children in the gospel (referring, as we understand him, to this
tour), and that he desired to go there. (See his Life, p. 194.) It was before the military forces of the
United States were disbanded: as; he tells us there came up the river (Maurice) a look-out boat with
its crew. (Provisional articles of peace between the two countries were signed in November, 1782.
The definitive treaty was signed in September, 1783. A formal proclamation of cessation of
hostilities was made through the army in April, 1783. New York was evacuated in November, 1783;
and on the 3d of November, 1783, the army of the United States was disbanded by order of
Congress.) Most of the appointments which he visited were made in 1780, and subsequent to that
year. From the above data we place this tour in the beginning of 1783.
He commenced it by attending a quarterly meeting at Maurice's river, where "the slain lay all
through the house, and round it, and in the woods, crying to God for mercy; and others were praising
God for deliverance." The crew of the look-out boat came to the meeting. "One of them stood by a
woman that lay on the ground crying to God for mercy, and said to her, 'Why do you not cry louder?'
She immediately began to pray for him; and he was struck to the ground, and lay and cried louder
for mercy than the woman. This meeting continued from eleven of the clock till night." The number
converted or sanctified he did not ascertain. Next day he preached at Brother Goff's (or Gaugh's), and
had a precious time. At his third meeting there was great power: many tears were shed, and one
professed conversion.
His fourth appointment was at Brother Peter Creassy's, in Cape May county, where "the Lord
made bare his arm of power, and many fell to the floor. Their cries were very great. The sinners
sprang to the doors, falling one over another in getting out; five jumped out at a window. One
woman went close by me and cried, You are a devil! A young man cried out, 'Command the peace!'
But the magistrate (Brother Creassy) answered, 'It is the power of God.' Another, with tears in his
eyes, entreated the people to hold their peace; an old woman replied, 'They cannot hold their peace
unless you cut out their tongues.' This day will not be forgotten in time or eternity! Glory to God!
I was as happy as I could be to contain myself." Brother Creassy told him that his stormy meeting
would frighten the people away from his next meeting; but it had a contrary effect; for at his fifth
appointment he had a crowd; and some cried out under the word. Being warmly attacked by a
Baptist, he gained the day by wielding the Scriptures.