History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

missionaries against him. He cut this Gordian knot. True, two years later, when Coke came over to
ordain him General Superintendent with himself, he said, that if the Christmas Conference of 1784
would elect him as their choice for the position he would no longer act under Wesley's authority, thus
making a feint of having done so up to that time. More of this in its place; but it proves the allegation
already made, that Asbury now did not propose to be controlled by any authority in the world. The
Ellis Preaching-House Conference adjourned to Lovely Lane in Baltimore, whither they assembled
May 20, Asbury says, and not 21, as the printed Minutes say. They are treated as one, and there is
no way now of telling who were present at either and who were present at both except as it may be
guessed from the location of the preachers.
For the first time the question and answer occurs: "When and where shall our next Conferences
be held? For Virginia the first Tuesday and for Baltimore the last Wednesday in May." The where
is not given, but they were held again at Ellis' preaching-house and at Lovely Lane. It may be that
Asbury thought it expedient to point up the solid wall he was building against any farther innovations
upon the "old plan." Before the Conference adjourned it passed a vote of thanks to Jarratt for
attending, "and advised the preachers in the South, in the absence of brother Asbury, to consult him."
Thus Asbury set a watch-dog over the troublesome section. Asbury adds: "I am persuaded that the
separation of some, from our original plan about the ordinances, will, upon the whole, have a
tendency to unite the body together and to make preachers and people abide wherein they are called.
I see abundant cause to praise God for what He had done." Nothing can be more evident than when
those of a differing opinion leave the residue will be united. In the Baltimore session all the
preachers signed the agreement, and "there was a unanimous resolve to adhere to the old Methodist
plan." It will be seen, however, farther on that the wall was daubed with untempered mortar. Free
inquiry, sterling conviction, and the manhood equality begotten of the revolutionary struggle, now
drawing to a successful close, could not be repressed for ecclesiastical rights as well. In after years,
if Asbury could have quoted Shakespeare with the same readiness as Wesley, he would have
disclosed his disappointment over the result of his extirpating measures by citing, "the snake is
scotched, not killed." The statistics show a membership of 11,785, a gain of 1246. There were 60
preachers, including Asbury, a gain of 5, with 13 candidates received on trial. Twenty-six circuits
made up the roll of appointments.
Among the heroes of this period Jeremiah Lambert must be named. He died in 1786 an elder of
six years' standing, but his course, though brief, was useful, and his memory was fragrant with the
brethren. He was the first appointee west of the Alleghenies. Joseph Wyatt, from Delaware, began
preaching in 1780, located in 1788 from ill-health, returned two years later and rendered good
service for about seven years, when he was compelled to withdraw. He was for a time chaplain to
the Maryland Legislature. Philip Bruce, named but not fully honored, was one of the most laborious
founders in the South. He retired to his kindred in Tennessee and died in 1826 loved and lamented.
Lednum says that in the General Conference of 1816 there was quite a disposition to elect him
Asbury's successor, and "probably nothing but his age prevented it." He was conscientious and firm,
and Asbury handled him gently. Joseph Everett, of Maryland, is described "as the roughest spoken
preacher that ever stood in the itinerant ranks." His experience was unique. After his conversion he
entered the ranks. For about thirty years he thundered the truth in New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. He died in 1809 in his seventy-eighth year most triumphantly.
Peter Moriarty, of Maryland, was raised a Roman Catholic, but the grace of God found him under