History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

Coke, rehabilitated by Wesley's endorsement, traveled extensively through the United Kingdom,
everywhere attracting large congregations, which gave him opportunity to enlarge upon the bright
era for Methodism in the New World. It was this visit undoubtedly that inspired him with the foreign
missionary propagandism, the lustrous side of his versatile character ever afterward. William Black
was at the Christmas Conference, whither he had gone in quest of volunteers for the work in Canada,
especially Nova Scotia. He had been sent over by Wesley at the request of many loyal King George
Methodists who had fled to the north during the Revolutionary War. Coke became deeply interested
in the Nova Scotia work. and raised funds in England for its more vigorous prosecution, volunteered
to go himself, and prevailed on Wesley to send with him Hammett, Warrener, and Clark as
reinforcements, to Freeborn Garrettson, who, with James O. Cromwell, had been ordained in
Baltimore and sent to the same promising field. Coke and his helpers, as already discovered, never
reached their original destination, being driven southward from off the coast of Newfoundland by
a severe gale which threatened the ship and the lives of all on board. They made for the West Indies
and reached Antigua, where they found that little group of Methodists under the slaveholding
layman, Gilbert, whose work was now established and enlarged by this providential intervention.
The mention of Garrettson in this connection makes it opportune to introduce an episode in his
history which has more significance than has been allowed it by the historiographers. He was a man
of ample patrimony, unaffected piety, retiring modesty, and more than average abilities as a preacher.
He accepted the mission to Nova Scotia, and not long after the rise of the Christmas Conference
made his way with Cromwell to Halifax, in Nova Scotia. His biographer, Dr. Nathan Bangs,
furnishes the facts which when collated lead to the conclusion the writer draws from them. Early in
March, 1785, he wrote Superintendent Coke from Halifax, giving an account of his labors. He placed
himself in communication with Black and soon became popular as a preacher as he was at home,
though he discovered some prejudice against him on account of his American birth. April 20, 1785,
he wrote to Wesley, to which Wesley replied from Dublin, June 26, in which he said: "Dr. Coke
gives some account of you in his journal, so that, although I have not seen you, I am not a stranger
to your character." He hoped the way would open for him to visit England, etc. Garrettson pushed
his labors successfully, organizing societies in various places. He continued his correspondence with
Wesley, the letters being given in full by his biographer. Wesley wrote from London, September 30,
1786, and said: "I trust before this comes to hand, you and Dr. Coke will have met and refreshed
each other's bowels in the Lord. I can exceedingly ill spare him from England, as I have no
clergyman capable of supplying his lack of service; but I was convinced he was more wanting in
America than in England." He urged him to send his journal. Again, under date of November 30,
1786: "As I take it for granted you have had several conversations with Dr. Coke, I doubt not you
proposed all your difficulties to him, and received full satisfaction concerning them, etc. P.S. I see
nothing of your journal yet. I am afraid of another American Revolution. I know not how to get the
enclosed safe to Dr. Coke, probably you know: on second thoughts I think it best not to write him
at present."
Thus it will be seen that his communications with Wesley and Coke were closely confidential.
Garrettson answers these letters from Halifax, March 10, 1787, in which he informs Wesley of the
miscarriage of the ship with Coke and company, also of Cromwell's ill-health, of the work of John
Mann, Black, Grandine, and others. September 25, 1786, Bangs inserts a letter of Garrettson's to
Wesley in which he says: "Some months ago I received a letter from Mr. Asbury in which he