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

In the same region, and about this time, Mr. Joseph Presbury was also converted. He, too, was a
very prominent Methodist at that early day. Preaching and quarterly meetings were held at his house,
where, also, a society was formed, in which he was an official member. He was present and
officiating, by giving out the hymn, "Give to the winds thy fears," and offering up prayer when
William Watters was justified.
In 1770, John King introduced Methodist preaching into Baltimore. Mr. Strawbridge had preached
in the country not very far from Baltimore; but it was the indomitable and enterprising King who first
threw the banners of Methodism to the people of Baltimore. He had for his pulpit a blacksmith's
block, at the junction of Front and French streets. Mr. James Baker, deputy surveyor of the county,
was awakened; and, soon after converted, and added to the Methodists. Thus, King had one seal
under his first effort in Baltimore.
Mr. King next took his stand at the corner of Baltimore and Calvert streets; this time he had a
table for his pulpit. It being a general training day of the militia, many of whom were intoxicated,
-- this drunken rabble, being among the congregation, took it into their heads to annoy the preacher,
and upset the table, and landed the speaker on the ground. The captain of the company being an
Englishman, and seeing that the preacher was of the same nation, saved him from any further insult
or injury from the people.
By this time Mr. King's preaching had made such a favorable impression on the better and more
religious part of the people of Baltimore, that he was invited to preach in St. Paul's Church, then the
Church of England. He was not, however, permitted to preach in it a second time.
This same year Mr. Pilmoor paid his first visit to Maryland, and preached to the people of
Baltimore as they came out of St. Paul's Church, having the sidewalk for his pulpit. He, nevertheless,
made a very favorable impression on many of his hearers.
Soon after, Mr. Boardman was for the first time in Maryland, and preached in Baltimore.
For the above account of the introduction of Methodism into Baltimore, we acknowledge
ourselves indebted to the Rev. William Hamilton of Baltimore.
In 1770, Mr. Robert Williams, as it appears, first went to labor in Maryland. In July, 1770, Mr.
William Watters first heard the Methodists preach, and his brother John joined them.
It was at this time that the work commenced at Deer Creek. Mr. John Watters and his wife joined
the Methodists in 1770; he was the oldest of seven brethren, and lived at the homestead -- the other
brothers, Henry, Godfrey, Nicholas, Stephen, Walter, and William and two sisters, all professed
justifying faith in the circle of nine months, and joined the Methodists. In May, 1771, Mr. John
Watters, after he had been among the Methodists some months as a seeker, was filled with the
pardoning love of God. The day following William was powerfully blest. Another brother, who was
looking on, was convicted, and soon after converted. The Rev. William Watters, in his Life, page
18, says, "Up to this time there had been no Methodist preachers in Maryland but Strawbridge,
Williams, and King. Sometimes for weeks they had preaching regularly from these men, and then