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

cause of Christ -- how much Mr. W. had done for the cause of God -- warning him in the most
solemn manner of his danger until tears flowed." Mr. W. was much offended at this personal address
so publicly made; but the Lord made it a nail in a sure place; and in the first love feast held in Salem
after Mr. Abbott's death, "Mr. W. declared that God had made Father Abbott an instrument in his
restoration to the favor of God." See Abbott's Life, pp. 270-71.
About this time Methodism was working its way into the town of Salem. What year the first class
was formed in this town we are unable to say. In 1783, a few of the scattered Methodists attempted
to build a house of worship, but found themselves too weak to accomplish it. They applied to some
of the Friends for; assistance, who subscribed liberally. The matter was talked over in the Friends'
quarterly meeting, where the objection, "That the Methodists spoke for hire" was raised; but it was
answered "no, they speak only for a passing support;" so there was consent given that Friends who
were free to do it might give. His was about the fourth Methodist chapel founded in New Jersey:
following Bethel, New Mills, and Trenton.
The following account of one of Mr. Abbott's first sermons in this town we had from certain old
Methodists of Salem. He came into town one cold day with his great-coat bound to his body with
a piece of cart rope, driving his ox team with a load of wood. Some of the lawyers and courtly
gentlemen, wishing to have some amusement, concluded to solicit a sermon from this preacher of
rough apparel without giving him an opportunity of having access to his wardrobe to change his
vestments. One of their number was deputed to wait upon him and engage his service, which was
not much expected or desired by them. He told the messenger that if a place was prepared, as soon
as he disposed of his wood he would preach to them. Having gone thus far, these gentry could not
consistently abandon their scheme of pleasure. An upper room in the court house was fixed upon as
the place for the sermon, and a Bible was placed upon the business table of the room; as many of
their class as were prepared for a season of diversion seated themselves in the room. At the appointed
hour Mr. Abbott was there; and drawing the table before the only door of the room took his stand
outside, having them well secured within. They were soon taught that his rough apparel and
appearance were a true type of his peeling words: he made the thunder of Sinai fall upon them like
the hammers of heaven. What they heard that day concerning lawyers trying "to make the worse
appear the better reason," and the damnation of hell, was an effectual caution to them, never to
tamper with him any more.
The early Methodists of Salem had a good deal of opposition and persecution. After they erected
their first little chapel, they were frequently disturbed by mobs, when met for worship; but, on
making application to the magistrates they obtained relief, and the rioters had to pursue another
course to avoid the penalty of the law. To gratify their morbid souls, they met together to turn
experimental religion into a farce. In burlesquing religion they acted band meetings, class meetings,
and love feasts; and thus entertained the profane company. One night, while they were performing
one of their mock meetings, a young actress stood up on one of the benches to speak her feigned
experience; after she had said much to excite the mirth of the audience, she began to beat her breast,
exclaiming, "Glory to God, I have found peace; I am sanctified; I am now fit to die." No sooner had
this wretched girl uttered these words, than she dropped from the bench on the floor, and was taken
up a lifeless corpse. Struck with consternation, the farce ended, and the company broke up. Some
of them put the body of the dead girl on a barrow, and wheeled it to the door of her sister, who was