History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

METHODIST REFORM
Edward J. Drinkhouse, M.D., D.D.
Volume I
CHAPTER 19
The regular Conference at Brokenback chapel, Fluvanna County, Va., May, 1779 —
Determination to Presbyterianize the body in polity — Asbury's factional conference a month in
advance at Judge White's in Delaware, with eleven preachers in attendance — Extracts from the
minutes of both conferences and the ground of the contentions between them, with new facts
incorporated, making it the fullest account ever presented in any history — How Asbury, the
strategist, finally prevailed through the weakening of Gatch — Silence of the printed minutes as to
the Brokenback Conference by suppression of the facts by Asbury and Coke in 1795 — Reunion of
the bodies in May, 1781 — Asbury tells how he circumvented the Virginia brethren.
It has been found that the Leesburg Conference of 1778 was presided over by William Watters,
Asbury being in duress at Judge White's in Delaware. Though but twenty-seven years of age, he was
the chairman of the commission of five which the previous session had appointed, and whose names
have been already given, to manage the affairs of the Methodist Societies. The Leesburg Conference
adjourned, to meet at the Brokenback chapel in Fluvanna County, Va., May 18, 1779. It was the only
regular Conference. They had adjourned with the understanding that the matter of the ordinances and
ordination should receive final disposition at this Conference, and it was also known that it was
about settled that the figment of episcopacy and servile dependence upon the clergy of the now
scattered and practically disestablished National Church of England on American soil should be
disowned. Asbury was fully acquainted with these purposes and the temper of the large majority of
the preachers in their support. To circumvent them he laid under contribution all his strategic
resources, and they were fully employed. The situation was critical, and no one was more keenly
alive to it than Asbury. Rankin had retired, thus leaving the societies without a head of Wesley's
[1]
appointment. Asbury had never presided at a Conference of which record is made in the printed
Minutes. No successor was formally appointed to Rankin until 1784. It will be seen how Asbury
reasserted his former position as General Assistant by assumption of its powers through the force
of his personal character. One thing remained to him: in opposing the plans of the Fluvanna
preachers he was in line with Wesley's purpose not to separate from the National Church, and he
used this argument with the hand of a master. He at once put himself in letter-link connection with
such of the preachers north of the Potomac (for all south of it were dissentients) as would yield to
the cogency of this argument, and thus brought to his succor several of the native American
preachers who, but for it, would on general principles have also sided with the Fluvanna men.
Among these were Watters, Garrettson, Peddicord, Gill, and Ruff. He suggested April 28, 1779, as
a time for meeting him at Judge White's for conference. Besides those named, six others found their
way to Asbury's place of seclusion. [2]
Once within the magic circle of his personal presence, he largely molded them at will. What they
did, so far as is known, is on record in the minutes of two printed pages. Reviewing them in reverse
order, as probably the actual one, the question was put, "Ought not brother Asbury to act as General
Assistant in America?" Answer, "He ought: first, on account of his age; second, because originally