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

the first Methodist missionary in Queen Anne's county, who preached at Mr. John Fogwell's. Brother
Peters was the first class leader here, and in the county.
While Mr. Watters labored in Kent, many were turned to the Lord. After spending the winter in
Kent, Mr. Yearbry took his place, and he returned home in the spring of 1774, and spent a month in
Baltimore Circuit.
Mr. Asbury had charge of the Baltimore circuit, which lay in Frederick, Baltimore, Harford, Kent,
and Cecil counties. His colleagues were Messrs. Strawbridge, Whitworth, and Yearbry. Mr. Joseph
Yearbry came over with Messrs. Rankin and Shadford; and, though not sent by Mr. Wesley, he was
in the Conference for two years. In 1773, he was appointed to Baltimore Circuit, and in 1774, to
Chester Circuit. This is all we know of him.
Maryland, where Mr. Asbury went to labor after Conference was over, was the place where he
wished to be; and he was the preacher most desired by the Methodists, especially those of Baltimore.
He found the societies, from which he had been absent but three months, increased in numbers. He
had much fruit from his labor, both in town and country, both in confirming the young disciples, and
in bringing sinners to God. One of the greatest sinners of his neighborhood, a famous leader of
absurd and diabolical sports, who lived not far from Baltimore, was deeply awakened under him, and
invited him to his house for serious conversation.
Mr. Francis Hollingsworth invited him to his house, and they had a close conversation on religion.
He appears to have been a gentleman of large estate -- his family numbered not less than eighty
souls. It seems that he became a Methodist, and many of the same name and family have been in
union with them. Mr. F. Hollingsworth, probably a son of this gentleman, and a spiritual son of Mr.
Asbury, transcribed his journal. There was a special intimacy between Mr. Asbury and this family.
We have already seen that Mr. Jesse Hollingsworth was one of the leading Methodists in building
the chapel at Fell's Point.
Mr. William Lynch, of Patapsco Neck, was brought to the Lord this year. He became a useful
preacher, and his name appears in the Minutes of 1785 as a traveling preacher on Kent Circuit. He
was the fruit of Mr. Asbury's labor, for whom he entertained a warm regard. He was a man of more
than ordinary powers of speech -- one who possessed and lived holiness, and died victorious in the
year 1806.
In 1773 new appointments were made for preaching at the following places: Mr. Joseph
Cromwell, a stiff old Churchman, near Baltimore, differing with his parson about predestination, was
willing to receive the Methodists, and his house became a stand for preaching. Two of the
Cromwell's, Joseph and James, became traveling preachers -- also at Elk Ridge, among the
Worthingtons. Mr. Asbury described the people of this place as being "wealthy and wicked." Many
attended the preaching, and some of them were softened. Some time after a society was formed.
After twenty-two years labor, a Methodist meeting house was built; but so scarce were male
members here that a few good women constituted the board of trustees.