History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

6 In the Dickins minutes of 1795 the words "by regular order and succession" occur in 1789-90 and
1791, but were afterward omitted, and in the republished minutes of 1813 the whole reference is
omitted by order of Bishop Asbury for politic reasons.
7 These are found in Dickins' edition of the minute, of 1795 only. The edition of 1813 omits them
as it does not a few other matters materially important to the truth of history, but altered by the
bishops to suit a purpose hereafter to be exposed. Asbury's industrial school is explained in detail
in his address. "The worship of God in the schoolhouse should be reading the Word of God, singing,
and prayer, every morning and evening. Playing strictly prohibited. A lesson in the instructions
weekly committed to memory, — to enjoin manly exercises, as working in the garden or field,
walking, reading, or speaking in public, or bathing . . . To build a separate school for your daughters,
and put these under a gracious, woman of abilities, to learn to read, write, sew, knit, mark, and make
their own clothing . . . The elder can spend a day in the school once in two weeks to see how the
parts of education are attended to . . . These schools may be open on Sabbath days, two hours in the
morning, and two hours in the evening, for those who have no other time," etc.
8 Ibid.
9 A page or two back, certain conclusions were drawn, based upon Hammett's alleged
correspondence with Wesley, which Dr. Capers produced from memory at the General Conference
of 1844, during Hammett's career in Charleston. It is evident, however, upon such careful
examination as McCaine, who emphasizes this Capers episode in the debates of 1844, did not give
it, that no such correspondence could have taken place between Wesley and Hammett, legitimate as
the conclusions would have been if the correspondence could be established. But it cannot, and
therefore Dr. Capers did wisely when he professed to quote from memory. Hammett did not reach
Charleston until late in February, 1791, and Wesley's death was known in America two months later,
inasmuch as he died March 2, 1791, while Hammett's independent career did not begin for nearly
a year thereafter, so that his grievance with Asbury and the American Methodists, on which the
alleged correspondence is based, did not then exist. It makes a bad case for this portion of Dr.
Capers' speech in 1844, and explodes the idea that Wesley gave his sanction to a slaveholding,
independent church in Charleston as in fellowship with him, and its polity more in accord with his
views. Perhaps the friends of Dr. Capers can explain. There is room for it. This exposure is made
because honesty demands it at the expense of an argument in line with the trend of this History.
Indeed, the writer might blot the whole of this matter of Hammett's alleged correspondence with
Wesley, but for the revelation it gives of the methods of those who make history for a purpose.
Hammett undoubtedly had a correspondence with Wesley, but it antedated the Charleston episode.
10 "Journal," Vol. II. p. 110.
11 "Journal," Vol. II. p. 143.
12 Conjecture only can be indulged for this "Richmond" address, as the letter could not have been
written there. It may be that Dr. Coke uses it constructively as his location in Virginia, the capital
of the state, better known to Bishop White than the smaller towns Coke and Asbury visited during