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

A HISTORY
OF THE
RISE OF METHODISM IN AMERICA
by
John Lednum
CHAPTER 15
The Rev. Robert Williams spent the principal part of the year 1773 in Virginia, preaching with
great success. He may have crossed the southern line of Virginia, and preached in North Carolina.
He also formed several societies in Virginia, in the course of the year, in addition to the two or three
he formed in 1772.
In the beginning of 1773, Mr. Pilmoor went south as far as Charleston, Savannah, and Mr.
Whitefield's orphan house. While he was absent from Norfolk, his place was filled by the Rev.
William Watters. At that time Norfolk was considered a place of uncommon wickedness; and, when
the town was burned by the savage Dunmore in 1775, many were disposed to regard it as a judgment
for its many sins. When Mr. Pilmoor arrived at Portsmouth, on his return from the South, he heard
two men swearing horribly. He lifted up his hands and exclaimed: "If I had come here blindfolded
I should know I was near Norfolk." While Mr. Pilmoor was absent, the church minister of Norfolk
attacked, what he was pleased to call the enthusiasm of the Methodists, in a sermon on "Be not
righteous overmuch." He told his hearers that he knew from experience the evil of being over
righteous. This was what the people, who knew his manner of life, had not suspected. An
appointment was made by Mr. Pilmoor to preach on "Be not over much wicked," as an offset to the
parson's discourse. He had a large audience. After telling them that a certain divine of that town had
given a solemn caution to the people against being over righteous, he lifted up his hands, and with
a very significant countenance, exclaimed: "And in Norfolk he has given this caution!" The action
and exclamation being suited to each other, they came down like an avalanche on the congregation,
and, with the sequel of the discourse, swept away the effect of the parsons sermon.
We left Mr. Asbury at the Christmas quarterly meeting at Brother Presbury's. Let us follow him
a little further in his labors in 1773. In the region of Mr. Dallam's, he heard the Rev. Mr. West
preach, and received the sacrament at his hands. Beginning at Bush Forrest, he went to Barnet
Preston's, widow Bond's, Aquilla Standford's, J. Moore's, Baker's, Mr. Sinclair's, Mr. Chamberlain's,
Mr. Gallaway's, John Murry's (a new appointment), Mr. Colgate's, Captain Patton's (at the Point),
Baltimore, S. Stephenson's, N. Perrigau's, Simms', Samuel Merryman's, J. Presbury's, Daniel Ruff's
(this is the first time we meet with this worthy name), Josiah Dallam's, Moses Brown's, Samuel
Litten's (this brother, or one of the same name, entertained Bishop Asbury in the region of Pittsburgh,
several years after this date), and Samuel Forward's; this was one round on his circuit of abut
twenty-four appointments. His congregations were generally large, and his meetings were often full
of spiritual life. There was little, if any, discord among the Maryland Methodists at that day; and the
young converts were warm in their first love; and, Mr. Asbury found it good to be among them.
He began his second round at Barnet Preston's, and went next to J. Dallam's, then to Bond's, Mr.
Duke's (a new place, this was the father of the Rev. William Duke), James Baker's, Chamberlain's,