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

Dr. Phoebus was at the Christmas Conference in Baltimore when the M. E. Church was
organized. While he was located in New York, he sometimes taught school, as well as practiced
physic. At one time he published a magazine. He was regarded as a dignified minister, -- somewhat
metaphysical and philosophical, -- one who thought for himself, and loved antiquity. He was not,
however, a popular preacher; nor is any one of his type of mind likely to please the multitude. He
was interred in First Street Burying-ground, but has since been removed to Cypress Hills.
Mr. Matthew Greentree was a native of Talbot county, Md.; and, probably, was the first that
entered the itinerancy from it. In 1790 he located. At one time he lived at Federalsburg, in Caroline
county, -- at another time in Chestertown; and in 1809, it appears from Mr. Garrettson's Life, p. 214,
he was in Washington City, or Georgetown on the Potomac.
Mr. Thomas Curtis was a native of Caroline county, Md.; and among the first from that county
that came into the traveling connection. It is said that he was a "weeping prophet, armed with the
irresistible eloquence of tears." He was "successful in his labors, and triumphant in death." He was
about seven years in the ministry, and died in 1788. Dorchester was the circuit to which he received
his last appointment.
Mr. Francis Spry, probably, was from Queen Anne's county, Md. After being in the work about
four years, he died, with unshaken confidence in his Saviour, in 1788. His last appointment was to
Baltimore Circuit.
Mr. James Thomas, after three years of useful labor among the Methodists, died in 1786. As a
preacher he was acceptable, and possessed good gifts for the work. His last appointment, according
to the Minutes, was to the Philadelphia Circuit.
Mr. William Wright, a native of Ireland, began to preach in 1780, -- was stationed on Annamessex
in 1783. After a few months of faithful labor he died in peace. Mr. Asbury preached at his funeral,
at Phoebus, in Somerset county. His is the first death found on record in the Minutes.
Mr. Richard Swift was an able and successful Methodist preacher. He broke down in the work,
and located in 1793, -- married, and settled on Berkley Circuit, in the neighborhood of
Shepherdstown, Va. He continued to serve the Methodist Church as a local preacher, faithfully, until
about the year 1804, when he sickened, and died happy in the Lord.
Mr. Joshua Worley seems to have been of the Worley's near Little York: some of the fruit of Mr.
Garrettson's labors in 1781. He ceased to travel after two years. Mr. James Hinton traveled three
years; and located in 1786. Mr. William Ringold also located in 1786. Mr. William Damaron
desisted in 1788. Mr. William Cannon, a preacher of useful talents, located in 1788. Mr. Benjamin
Roberts located in 1790. Mr. Samuel Breeze stopped in 1793. Mr. Thomas Bowen located in 1795.
Mr. Henry Merritt traveled until the year 1796. Mr. Thomas Anderson also located in 1796. Mr.
Thomas Humphries desisted in 1799. The last named ten brethren appear to have been from the
South.