History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

esumed his labors, and died in Philadelphia in 1810, followed to his grave by a great procession of
whites and blacks. Thomas Ware met with Coke and gives a good description of him, which Stevens
cites, as well as a fragment of his conversation as to Asbury: "In the presence of Mr. Asbury I feel
myself a child. He is, in my estimate, the most apostolic man I ever saw, except Mr. Wesley." He
baptized in this tour, thousands of children, and the Lord's Supper was celebrated almost whenever
he preached. The purity of his English, the fluency of his style, and the evangelical fervor drew great
crowds to hear him. Meanwhile Asbury, with Whatcoat and Vasey, had taken the Western Shore of
Maryland. Everywhere they went they talked of the plan agreed upon, not Wesley's plan in the "little
sketch," though the publication of it and its dissemination among the congregations would have
expedited information, but Asbury's plan for a Methodist Episcopal Church. At the Calvert quarterly
meeting he met Poythress, a leader among the preachers. "Brother Poythress and myself had much
talk about the new plan." He does not say that Poythress approved it. A few days afterward he
records, "I observed this day as a day of fasting and prayer, that I might know the will of God in the
matter that is shortly to come before our Conference; the preachers and people seem much pleased
with the projected plan; I myself am led to think it is of the Lord. I am not tickled with the honor to
be gained — I see danger in the way. My soul waits upon God. Oh, that He may lead us in the way
we should go. Part of my time is, and must necessarily be, taken up with preparation for the
Conference." Later, "The Rev. M. W____s and myself had an interesting conversation on the subject
of the Episcopal mode of church government." What was the honor he ingenuously confesses did
not tickle him? Surely not the simple setting apart of himself to be a joint superintendent with Coke.
He was already that in fact, the form of it was nothing, if it was to mean only what Wesley meant
when he set apart Coke for the same relation. But a godly man such as he was would see danger in
being a Bishop of a Methodist Episcopal Church. It loomed up before him and he had a struggle with
the phantom. December 14 he met Dr. Coke at Abingdon, "Mr. Richard Datham kindly taking him
there in his coach. We talked of our affairs in great love." They were together at Perry Hall on the
18th, and remained until the morning of the 24th. William Black, the English missionary for the
British dominions in Canada and "superintendent," also met them. He was south trying to secure
recruits for his work. They all met, except Whatcoat, at Perry Hall on the 17 of December. Coke
says, "It is the most elegant and spacious building in this state. Here," he adds, "I have a noble room
to myself, where Mr. Asbury and I may, in the course of the week, mature everything for the
Conference." Whatcoat arrived on the 19th. Black says they then began the revision of "the Rules
and Minutes," and made other provisions for the approaching session, adds Stevens. Four days were
spent in this task. One might wish that they had told all about it. Out of it some excuse might be
framed for what they did, but business that requires concealment is always open to suspicion. It may
be groundless, but the burden of proof lies upon those who conduct business in secret, or their
apologists. All being in readiness and their respective parts agreed upon, Asbury and Coke, Whatcoat
and Vasey, as well as Black, and it may be others in the vicinage, traveled to Baltimore, fifteen miles
distant, starting early on the morning of the 24th of December, so that they reached Lovely Lane
chapel in time to organize the first General Conference at 10 o'clock A.M. The chapel was not yet
finished, but a stove was provided and backs put to the seats for the comfort of the preachers.
Reader, look in upon the gathering. There are conflicting data both as to the day the Conference
convened and the number present. The date named is that now agreed upon, and the number of
preachers present sixty-five, including Coke, Asbury, Whatcoat, and Vasey, out of eighty-three —
the whole number of itinerants. Garrettson, who was there, could congratulate himself on the success