History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

It is necessary to retrace steps to notice the Bible Christian denomination, originating in the
expulsion of William O'Brian, a lay-preacher, from the Wesleyan society in 1810. It is remarkable
that Stevens takes no account of this transaction.
O'Brian was born in Cornwall in 1778. His mother was a deeply pious woman, and, with her
family, joined the Methodists when they organized in her neighborhood. Her son was converted in
his eighteenth year, and at once began to exhort his companions and establish meetings in various
places, which were marked with converting power. In 1804 he suffered a severe illness, and
promised the Lord that if restored he would give himself fully to the ministry. He consulted the
circuit preacher, but was not encouraged. In 1809 the circuit preacher was absent and O'Brian was
called upon to fill his appointments. He did so acceptably, often walking twenty and thirty miles and
preaching three and four times on the Sabbath. Scores were converted and united with the societies.
For six years he hoped to be engaged by the Conference. He attended the annual district meeting and
begged to be heard. He was not heard, and was requested to return home. No data are before us
explaining the reason for this persistent refusal. He kept up his irregular services, and in November,
1810, he was expelled from the local society where he held his membership, and in a chapel built
upon a piece of land he gave. He quietly submitted, but worked and preached, as the way was opened
to him, into distant and destitute neighborhoods. His mother began to hold services also, and a deep
prejudice was created against both of them. In 1814, O'Brian gave up his business that he might
devote himself wholly to the work. He heard that in the east of Cornwall there were thirteen parishes
destitute of evangelical preaching. He went among them in 1815. He was greatly persecuted by the
parish priests and was threatened with the jail if he continued. He made repeated overtures for work
under the Conference. He was as repeatedly rejected. In 1815 he formed the first society of a new
cause in a farmhouse in the county of Devon. Twenty united with the Thorne family, who opened
their farmhouse to him. He was much maligned, but, disproving all the calumnies, grew more
popular than ever. A first quarterly meeting was held January 1, 1816, at Holsworthy, Devon, where
his mother had come to live. The number in society was now 237, all of them O'Brian's converts
under God, none having been received from the old societies. They held their first love-feast and
prospered. A storm of persecution beat upon them from the viler sort of sinners. Johanna Brooks was
converted. She began to tell her neighbors what great things God had done for her. This she did in
the parish church, and a warden turned her out. O'Brian was sent for and began working. Many
influential families were brought to Christ under his crude, but powerful preaching. James Thorne
at twenty years of age began to preach, his parents consenting. He set out upon what proved to be
his life-work of eminent usefulness. He sought for and professed to find the full salvation, and in
consequence "a fervor and a zeal burned through all his life." Making the Bible alone their
guide-book, wonderful results attended their word. Their persecutions were akin to all the early
Methodist preachers. The first church, or chapel, was built on the Thorne estate. It was twenty by
forty feet, and opened May 29, 1818. On the same estate has since been built the Connectional
College. At the quarterly meeting, held October 6, 1817, the membership had increased to 1146.
There were now six traveling preachers and three circuits.
The first Conference was held at Baddash Launcestion, in Cornwall, and about twelve preachers
attended, August 17, 1819. The form of a deed for the conveyance of property was made and duly
enrolled in the High Court of Chancery. The subject of women preaching was discussed and
unanimously agreed to. The printed minutes of the Conference showed sixteen men and fourteen