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

Deveau. The Rev. Sylvester Hutchinson married his daughter Sarah. After enjoying religion for thirty
years, she died in New York in 1802, and her funeral was preached by Mr. Asbury. Her sister Hester,
was the wife of Rev. John Wilson, who was, at one time, one of the book stewards.
On the 3d of June, 1773, Mr. Rankin, Mr. Shadford, Mr. Yearberry, and Captain Webb, arrived
at Philadelphia. The following is a sketch of Mr. Rankin's life and experience previously to this date.
Mr. Thomas Rankin was a native of Dunbar, in Scotland. When eleven years old, he was deeply
affected, even to tears, on a sacramental occasion -- when the thought first came into his mind, "If
ever I live to be a man, I will be a minister; for, surely, if any persons go to heaven, it must be
minister of the Gospel." Soon after, his father had him taught music and dancing, which he tells us
he found, "Obliterated the good impressions that his mind had been affected with. Parents and
guardians are not aware how soon young minds are ensnared and contaminated with genteel
accomplishments. I aver that young people are in the utmost danger from dancing and music; and
I have often been astonished that any parents professing godliness, should suffer their own children
to be taught these things, or turn advocates for them in others. The dancing school paves the way for
such scenes as both parents and children often have cause to mourn over. Such was Mr. Rankin's
experience of the evil of dancing schools.
The first opportunity that Mr. Rankin had of conversing with experimental Christians, was with
some of those soldiers that used to meet with John Haime, in Germany, who came to Dunbar and
began to hold religious meetings. But, he did not understand them when they spoke of God's spirit
bearing witness with their spirits that they were the children of God.
Not long after, he was at a wedding, and joined in a country dance, when he became so much
affected with dread of mind, that he left the company and went out into the field. Several came to
him and invited him to return to the house, and join in the dance; but, his reply was, "I will dance
no more this day; and, I believe I will never dance any more as long as I live," which resolve, through
grace, he was enabled to keep.
About this time he had an opportunity of hearing Mr. Whitefield, with wonder and surprise; and
remembered more of his sermon than of all the sermons he had ever heard before. The plan of
salvation by faith, was made so plain to him, that he sought the pardoning mercy of God with all his
heart. He had not wrestled long, before his soul was overwhelmed with the presence of God, and he
had a happy, assurance that his sins were forgiven.
Although he was somewhat intimate with the Methodists, and loved them, yet, he resolved, that
if ever he preached, it should be in the Church of Scotland; and he purposed entering college to
prepare for the ministry, but in this he was disappointed. He next made a voyage to Charleston,
South Carolina, as supercargo. This voyage, while it gratified his desire to see foreign countries, was
no benefit to him as a Christian.
In 1759 he became acquainted with Mr. Mather, a man "more dead to the world, more alive to
God, and more deeply engaged in his holy calling" than any he had seen before. He thought it an
honor that this servant of God leaned on his shoulder when he preached out of doors; although he