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

In 1773, Methodism began to take root in Fairfax county, Va. Preaching was established at Mr.
William Adams', and several people were brought to know God in different parts of the county,
through the labors of Messrs. Owen, Strawbridge, and others.
There was a strong expectation entertained by some of the preachers that Mr. Wesley would visit
this country in 1773. But a letter from him to Mr. Asbury informed him "That the time of his coming
over to America was not yet, being detained by the building of the City Road Chapel." Mr. Wesley,
no doubt, would have visited this country if the quarrel between the Colonists and the Crown had
not resulted in the Revolution.
While Mr. Wesley was engaged in building the City Road Chapel in London, Mr. Whitefield's
orphan House, founded in 1740, was burned down. The last time that Mr. Whitefield dined in it he
said, "This house was built for God, and cursed be the man that puts it to any other use." The
institution did not succeed as its founder expected -- it has long ceased to exist, except in history.
Mr. Boardman, in the beginning of January, 1774, sailed from New York for England, where he
continued his itinerant labors in connection with Mr. Wesley, until 1782, in which year he died in
Ireland. He had a presentiment of his approaching end; he told his wife, when he left Limerick, that
he should die in Cork, whither he was going. As he knew that he was ready, he had no fears of death.
He died suddenly, of apoplexy. He was a fine specimen of a man, of a gentleman, of a Christian, and
of a preacher. The following is an epitaph that Mr. Wesley prepared for his tombstone:--
"With zeal for God, with love of souls inspired;
Nor awed by dangers, nor by labors tired,
Boardman in distant worlds proclaimed the word
To multitudes, turned them to his Lord.
But soon the bloody waste of war he mourns,
And, loyal, from rebellion's seat returns:
Nor yet at home, on eagle's pinions flies,
And in a moment soars to paradise."
Mr. Pilmoor, in company with Mr. Boardman, also embarked for England, where he labored a few
years with Mr. Wesley, and then came back to America and took orders in the Protestant Episcopal
Church, spending the remainder of his life in New York and Philadelphia. In the evening of his life
his mind became somewhat impaired. At one time, when Brother David Lake took him a number
of Dr. Clarke's Commentary, to which he was a subscriber, he seemed to have forgotten all about
asking, "Who is Dr. Clarke? I can write as good a commentary on the Bible as Dr. Clarke can; I don't
want it." At another time he came up town where he had a lot, and got into a watchman's box, calling
it his house, and refused to be ejected until his house keeper came and led him home. He died in
1821, in an advanced age, having preached the gospel for almost sixty years -- and is buried at St.
Paul's Church, in Third street below Walnut, in this city; the tablet to his memory is in the church.
His talents, as a preacher, were regarded by many as superior; and at death he left a large circle of
friends.