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 56
About this time there was a great work going on in Lower Penn's Neck, described in Abbott's Life,
pp. 84-89. His preaching at first took no effect on the people. In the spring of 1781, Messrs. Pedicord
and Metcalf; the former appointed to West Jersey, and the latter to East Jersey, came to his house;
he related to them the hard-heartedness of the people; this so affected them that they could eat no
breakfast but retired up stairs to lay the matter before the Lord; where they continued fasting and
praying until one or two o'clock; when they came down, Brother Pedicord, having obtained an
encouraging answer from God, said, "Father Abbott, do not be discouraged; these people will yet
hunger and thirst after the word of God." Soon after, Isaac Holladay, of Lower Penn's Neck, opened
his house for Methodist preaching. This appears to have been in 1782, when Messrs. Dudley and Ivy
traveled West Jersey. Others opened their houses for the Word of God, and soon a work commenced.
It appears that it began in earnest on the day that Mr. Abbott preached on the "Mystery which had
been hid for ages," &c. Many came out, supposing that he was going to prophesy; and would show
how the war would terminate. Under the discourse a professing Quaker, his wife, son, and daughter
were all awakened; and afterwards became Methodists. Soon after, the son died in triumph. The
father was taken ill at his son's funeral, and followed him to glory, praising God. By this time there
was a general alarm spread through the neighborhood, and prayer meetings were held two or three
times a week; and some were convicted or converted at almost every meeting. A young man came
to the house of Father Abbott in great distress. Mr. Abbott, his wife, and his daughter Martha, all
offered up prayer; and the young man found peace to his soul in that family meeting. He joined
society; and, after several years, died clapping his hands, and shouting glory to God.
It seems to have been in this year that Mr. Abbott took his reapers out of his field to attend the
circuit preachers' meeting, paying them for the time they spent in worship as well as for the time they
spent at work: this was a day of power, "several fell to the floor, and two found peace." For about
two months he continued to preach to the people on Sabbath days under the trees, as the house would
not contain the people that came; and at every meeting the power of the Lord was present to heal:
the people were now "hungering and thirsting for the word of God," as Mr. Pedicord had said. "One
day the power of the Lord laid hold of a Quaker woman as she was about to escape, and she fell on
her hands and knees. Some of her friends helped her up, got her into a wagon and carried her off; but
it took them two weeks to kill her convictions." At this time Mr. Abbott had twelve children
converted to God. One of the sisters, belonging to the society, in her exercises for holiness, got out
of her bed one night, and on her knees wrestled with God for the blessing. Her mother came to her,
got hold of her, and told her to go to bed, that there was no use for so much ado about religion. Soon
she was on the floor again, engaged in prayer. The mother put her to bed again. She arose the third
time, treating her mother to let her alone. The power of God came on her so remarkably that she was
helpless. When she recovered she knew that God had answered her prayer. Another sister became
deeply engaged for sanctification. After praying five times in quick succession, she concluded she