History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

METHODIST REFORM
Edward J. Drinkhouse, M.D., D.D.
Volume I
CHAPTER 35
A head-roll of worthy names; Itinerants of this early day who pioneered the Methodist gospel in
America, with brief comments — The General Conference of 1796 — Presence of Coke — Lee's
narrative; the new form of church deed; other salient doings — Response to the British Conference
Address — A general Fast — Proposal to elect another bishop; adroit management by Asbury, and
Coke accepted under restrictions — The instrument defining his relation — The Discipline of 1796
with Notes prepared by Asbury and Coke — A running comment on these Notes; molded in the
interest of Episcopacy — Section on the Trial of Members considered; stringent and summary
method of expulsion of Reformers of that day — Slavery, and the attitude of the Church in 1796; no
comment on it in the Notes — Bishop and not "Superintendent" the term now constantly used
officially — Asbury sends copy of Discipline with Notes to Major Simon Sommers of Virginia,
asking his opinion — The latter replies exhaustively in a letter now published for the first time.
Before cataloguing the salient events of the General Conference of 1796, brief reference will be
made to the prominent workers who successfully preached this Methodist gospel of spiritual
regeneration, the witness of the Spirit, and holiness of life. The career of Benjamin Abbott has
already been sketched. Whatcoat was quietly traveling; more intent upon doing good than interested
in the Asbury-O'Kelly struggle. Stevens, in his running narration of the giants of these times, recites
with romantic fervor the labors of such men as Henry Smith and McCormick, and gives large
eulogistic space to McKendree, every word of which is merited for zeal, abilities, and like Asbury,
ascetic habits and unflinching courage as a herald of the cross in these days of hardship, and in many
cases, of literal martyrdom. Enoch George, afterward Bishop, John Easter, Hope Hull, who left an
undying memory in the far South. Coleman and Simon Carlisle, Stephen G. Roszel, and Joshua
Wells, whose renown was in Maryland and Virginia. George Pickering, Ezekiel Cooper, John
McClaskey and Lawrence McComb, Morrell and Colbert in the East and North. Henry B. Bascom,
the brilliant young itinerant, and who will receive large notice ere this History is concluded. The two
Bowmans, with Thornton Fleming and Valentine Cook. The Emburys and Hecks in Canada.
Dunham and Losee, Coleman and Woolsey. Sylvanus Keeler and Samuel Coate, one of whose
printed sermons is in possession of the writer. Wooster and Lorenzo Dow, who, after much
hesitation by Asbury on account of his eccentricities, was received by the Conference of 1798, but
did not long abide in the regular harness. Benjamin Bemis, and Enoch Mudge, the first native
Methodist preacher of New England. Aaron Hunt, Joshua Taylor, Daniel Ostrander, Zadock Priest,
Joshua Hall, and Thomas Ware, of fragrant memory among Methodists. These and others just as
worthy, but whose names have no embalmment except in the Minutes. These men laid the doctrinal
and spiritual foundation of what the London Quarterly Review of nearly three decades ago
denominated: "American Methodism is the most wonderful instance of Church development which
the world's history has shown." The grandeur of the spectacle is marred only by its numerous
divisions the world over, all of them it may be averred the direct or indirect consequence of the
organized error of 1784 both in Britain and America as to its polity. This is repeated with due
deference to the preponderating opinion of its advocates that ecclesiastical wisdom was about