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

eheld him with the exception of such were determined to dislike anyone called a Methodist. His
appearance and his manners qualified him for the missionary work; and many of those whom he
found dead in sin, and their tongues defiled with most profane language, he soon rejoiced to hear
their redeemed tongues praising God. He, like most of his brethren that were engaged in planting
Methodism, did not weary his congregations with dry and tedious discourses; but their sermons were
short and energetic: enforcing their preaching with the most sedate and consistent deportment in the
families where they sojourned, always praying with and for them, if permitted so to do; and speaking
to each individual of the family on the great matter of his or her salvation. Such were our father's!
Those that embraced religion under these servants of God were taught to cast off all needless
ornaments, and lay aside costly apparel; and become imitators of their spiritual guides in plainness
and neatness of dress. The principles of Christianity were so deeply fixed in them, that they seemed
to have no desire to exemplify the principles of a wicked world, or show off the pride of life. Having
worn himself down in the work, he located and entered into the mercantile business; in Camden, S.
C. While engaged in this calling, some of his professed friends advised him to keep ardent spirits
for sale, as a means of increasing his business. His reply was, " If I cannot get people to go to heaven,
I will not be the means of carrying them to hell."
In 1820, he re-entered the work; but had to retire from effective service again in 1827. In the last
of his days, he was regarded as the father of the South Carolina Conference -- most beloved, and
most honored by the preachers. Full of faith and of the comfort of the Holy Ghost -- meek beyond
the reach of provocation, breathing the spirit of devotion -- he was a saint indeed. He died of a
cancer, July 20, 1834, in his seventy-sixth year; having been a minister of the gospel for more than
fifty years.
During this year, Dr. Coke and Messrs. Whatcoat and Vasey came to America; and the result was
the forming of the Methodists into a Church, and receiving what they had much and long wanted,
namely, the ordinances of Christianity.
Mr. Thomas Vasey, of England, became an orphan while young, and was educated under the care
of an uncle. He was brought up in the Church of England, and his religious training was so strict as
to preserve him from gross immorality. It seems that it was the intention of his childless uncle to
make him his heir, in sole, or in part, of, his estate, which was considerable. But as Mr. Vasey united
with the Methodists as he sprung into manhood, his uncle required him to renounce his connection
with them, or be disinherited by him. Both remained firm in their purpose: young Vasey kept to the
Methodists, and his uncle bestowed his property on others. Mr. Vasey, having been received by Mr.
Wesley as a traveling preacher, was during this year ordained by Mr. Wesley, assisted by Dr. Coke
and Mr. Creighton -- all presbyters of the Church of England -- both deacon and elder. He did not
remain long in America. The few years that he was here, he acted as elder at the head of a district.
Before he returned to England he was ordained, or reordained, by Bishop White of Pennsylvania.
When he reached England, he was allowed by Mr. Wesley to accept an English curacy; but, in 1789,
he returned to the itinerant work, in which he continued as a zealous and successful laborer, until
1811. From this year until his death, he continued to perform the liturgical services in the City Road
Chapel, London.