A History Of The Rise Of Methodism In America - Media Sabda Org
A History Of The Rise Of Methodism In America - Media Sabda Org
A History Of The Rise Of Methodism In America - Media Sabda Org
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A HISTORY<br />
OF THE<br />
RISE OF METHODISM IN AMERICA<br />
by<br />
John Lednum<br />
CHAPTER 8<br />
"My thoughts are not your thoughts, saith the Lord." <strong>The</strong> Gospel treasure is in earthen vessels that<br />
the excellency of the power may be of God. <strong>The</strong> knowledge of God goes, not from the greatest unto<br />
the least; but, "From the least of them unto the greatest of them." When <strong>Methodism</strong> was to be<br />
introduced into this great country no titled dignitary of the visible Church was employed, but such<br />
instruments as the world calls "Foolish, weak, base, and things which are not, to bring to naught<br />
things that are; that no flesh should glory in his presence." Three lay preachers, Strawbridge the<br />
farmer, Embury the carpenter, and Webb the soldier, had this honor put upon them by the Head of<br />
the Church; and in this way has the Lord made them memorable among us and, although they acted<br />
under slender human authority, they were moved by Divine impulse; and, therefore, in the order of<br />
God. <strong>The</strong>y had raised up the societies of Pipe Creek, New York and Philadelphia -- Wesley Chapel<br />
was built, if not the Log Meeting House of Pipe Creek, before Mr. Wesley's first missionaries<br />
arrived; and whatever good has resulted to the souls and bodies of mankind in <strong>America</strong> from<br />
<strong>Methodism</strong>, has followed this beginning.<br />
<strong>The</strong> next efficient laborer that came to <strong>America</strong> was Robert Williams: he arrived in New York<br />
in 1769. Mr. Wesley may refer to him in his Journal for 1766, when he says, "At Whitehaven Robert<br />
Williams preached." Afterwards he went to Ireland, where he is again noticed by Mr. Wesley in<br />
1767, "At Dromore I met Robert Williams." "He had engaged to accompany a Mr. Ashton to this<br />
country. Hearing that Mr. A. was embarking for <strong>America</strong>, Mr. W. sold his horse to pay his debts,<br />
hurried to the place of embarkation with his saddlebags on his arm, and a loaf of bread, and a bottle<br />
of milk, and entered on board of the ship, depending on his friend Ashton for support and the<br />
payment of his passage." Bangs "<strong>History</strong> of the M. E. Church."<br />
Mr. Williams arrived in New York, in September of this year [1769], if not earlier. He had Mr.<br />
Wesley's permission to preach in this country, under the direction of Boardman. Soon as he arrived,<br />
he entered upon ministerial and pastoral duty in Wesley Chapel. Brother Wakeley's "Old Book,"<br />
shows what he received from the stewards. <strong>The</strong> first entry is September 20th, 1769 -- To cash paid<br />
Mr. Jarvis for a hat for Mr. Williams, two pounds and five shillings. [September] 22d, [1769] -- To<br />
cash for a book for Mr. Williams, nine pence. October 9th, [1769] -- To cash paid Mr. Newton for<br />
three pair of stockings for Messrs. Williams and Embury, thirty-one shillings and nine pence.<br />
[October 9, 1769] -- Cash for a trunk for Mr. Williams, twelve shillings and six pence. [October] --<br />
30th, [1769] -- Cash paid Mr. Williams for his expenses, thirty-six shillings. [October 30, 1769] --<br />
Cash paid for a cloak for Mr. Robert Williams, three pounds and six pence.<br />
For some two months ministerial and pastoral service, he received nine pounds six shillings and<br />
six pence: the account shows the date of his labors -- that he was in this country two months before<br />
Messrs. Boardman and Pilmoor arrived.