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

the pious dead; and among them, the Rev. William Allen, of great equanimity, and young Henderson
-- both of the Philadelphia Conference.
In Talbot county he found some faithful Christians at Brother Hartley's, and shared the hospitality
of General Benson. Passing into Dorchester he observed, "I am now beside the Chesapeake Bay.
Here Calvert and Dorset lie opposite to each other. Eight years ago (when he embarked at Court
house Point, in Cecil county, to pay his first visit to Virginia), when going down the Bay, little did
I think what great things God was about to do for the people of both these shores." In Dorset he held
quarterly meeting at Kane's barn, where he found "a blessed work of religion among a people who
were once brutish and wicked." At Phoebus, in Someset county, he preached at the funeral of
William Wright, one of the traveling preachers. After which he paid his first visit to Accomac
county, Va.
In 1783, Mr. Freeborn Garrettson was stationed on Talbot Circuit. Here he was among a people,
many of whom he had known ever since they had truly known the Lord. One of his appointments
was in Hopkin's Neck, where he preached to many precious souls. In this Neck, he met with one who
had loved the Methodists ever since they came into her neighborhood; and had a desire to join the
society, but the preachers thought her almost too young, when she first made application. At this time
she was swiftly declining to the grave; but was able to testify, though a child, that God loved her;
and that there was no intervening cloud between her and the Saviour. She expressed strong desires
to depart and be with Christ; and meet her sainted mother, who had gone from her a few months
before, in the triumphs of faith, to glory.
In the bounds of this circuit, there lived very remarkable man: he was literally blind; and could,
notwithstanding, as he traveled the road to meeting, point out every turn of the road; so point to the
plantations, informing Mr. Garrettson who lived at each one; and make judicious remarks on the
fields of grain along the road. He knew when he came to a gate: telling his boy that went with him
"to open that gate." He could walk over his plantation, go to any room in his house, or any desk, or
chest; and count money by his sense of feeling. His family generally went blind at the age of twenty,
or twenty-two years. The best of the story is, that he had spiritual sight; and, by faith, could view the
Redeemer. His wife was the converse of himself: she was blessed with good corporeal sight; but was
entirely blind in spiritual matters.
In Talbot county; and throughout the slave holding states, wherever the Methodists exercised their
ministry, many of the people of color were converted, and brought into the Methodist community.
With these Mr. Garrettson had some happy meetings in Talbot. He found them, in their vassalage,
rejoicing in the consolations of Christianity: religion had made them happy; and thus its divine
character was not only shown; but, also, its adaptation to the wants of mankind, -- especially the
poor. While he labored incessantly day and night, for the salvation of both white and colored, his
heart was made to rejoice in the victories of Christ: some of his greatest enemies submitted to the
cross.
In 1784 he was reappointed to Talbot. This is one of the first instances we meet with, of a
preacher being appointed two consecutive years to the same field of labor at that early period of
Methodism. The practice had been to change ever six months. It was the policy of Mr. Asbury at that