Methodism in America : with the personal narrative of the author, during a tour through a part of the United States and Canada

Front matter

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METHODISM IN AMERICA

WITH THK

Contents

PART L

PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

Chap. 1. — The Voyage — Company on Board — Sunday — Reflections— Atlantic — Agitation — Steam Power — Miracles — Banks of Newfoundland — A Snow-storm — Halifax — Nova-Scotia — Passengers — Morality

Part II. Historical Notices Of Methodism In America

Page.

Chap. I. — Introductory Remarks — Mr. Wesley's great Talent for Government — The Confidence reposed in him — His disinterested Encouragement to all who were capable of rendering Service to Religion — Became the Bond of Union to the first Methodists in America 132

Chap. II. — The Introduction of Methodism into New-York — Philip Embury — Begins to preach — Captain Webb — The first Society — Preaching-Houses — Robert Strawbridge commences preaching in Maryland — Freeborn Garrett son — Captain Webb's Labours in Long Island and Philadelphia — Attempts to get Mr. Benson appointed to America — Reflections on these Agents — The Class-Meeting 158

Chap. III. — Application to Mr. Wesley for Missionaries — Messrs. Boardman and Pilmoor appointed — Account of the State of Things — Messrs. Asbury and Wright — Account of the former — The Spirit of the Clergy — Mr. Jarratt — Thomas Rankin and George Shadford arrive — First Conference 1G9

Chap. IV. — The revolutionary Period — Messrs. Rankin, Shadford, and Rodda depart for England — Adventures of Shadford — Asbury determines to remain — His Exercises of Mind — Finds Refuge in the House of Judge White — Persecutions of Messrs. Hartley and Garrettson — Mr. Jarratt's Account of a Revival of Religion in Virginia — Reflections on the Revolution — John Calvin's Dogma- Originates the Revolution — Its Success 177

Chap. V. — Measures preparatory to the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church — Application of the People to Mr. Wesley — His Advice — Dr. Bangs's Account — The Church formed — Success 195

Chap. VI. — The new Order of Things — Mr. Asbury becomes the real Bishop of the Church — His Character and Qualifications for the Office — Dr. Coke exceeds his Powers — Certificate — The Episcopacy defined and guarded — Mr. Wesley's Offence at the use of the Term " Bishop " — Letter to Asbury — Dr. Coke in Difficulties respecting the Address to Washington — And on Slavery — The Church takes its Standing amongst the Institutions of the United States. ... 20G

CONTENTS.

is

Part III. The Institutions Of The Methodist Episcopal Church

Page.

Chap. I. — The doctrinal Basis of the Church — The Articles of Religion — This places the Church on a System of dogmatical Truth — The Difference between this and the English System 215

Chap. II.— The federal Nature of the Church— The Idea of Unity — How secured — Doctrinal — Visible governing Power — Episcopacy 218

Chap. III. — The Methodist Church in its Subdivisions — The Circuit and Station— The Station an Innovation — The Quarterly-Meeting Conference — Its Powers 222

Chap. IV. — Subdivisions continued — The District — How constituted— The presiding Elder — Rules and Laws — The several- Orders of Ministers 225

Chap. V. — Subdivisions continued — The Episcopacy — Bishops, how appointed — Laws and Regulations — Reflections — The Division of Labour amongst the Bishops — Names of those who have received this Office — Purity of Election — Popularity 228

Chap. VI. — Subdivisions continued — The Annual Conference — How constituted — Its Functions — Elects Delegates to the General Conference 234

Chap. VII. — Subdivisions continued — The General Conference — Dr. Bangs's Account of its Formation — Its Powers — Fundamental Principles — Reflections 235

Chap. VIII. — Subdivisions continued — The Author's Presence at the Pittsburgh General Conference — Impressions — The Bishops— The Ministers — Mode of Debate — Decorum and Order — Questions at issue — Mode of conducting Appeal Cases — Reflections 239

X

CONTENTS.

Part IV. Territorial Progress Of The American Methodist Episcopal Church

L THE ATLANTIC CONFERENCES.

Page.

Maine 251

New-Hainpshire 252

New-England 253

Providence 262

New-York 263

New-Jersey 267

Philadelphia 268

Baltimore 270

Virginia 273

North Carolina 275

South Carolina 276

Georgia 278

Florida 284

II. THE HUDSON AND LAKE LINE.

Troy 295

Vermont 297

Black-River 300

Oneida 304

Genesee 304

Erie 306

North Ohio 307

Michigan 308

North Indiana 310

Rock-River 311

UI. THE OHIO LINE.

Pittsburgh 320

Ohio 325

Louisville 334

Kentucky 334

Holston 339

Indiana 342

Tennessee 342

IV. THE MISSISSIPPI LINE.

Iowa . 358

Illinois 358

Missouri 359

St. Louis 360

CONTENTS. xi

Page.

Arkansas 361

Memphis 361

Mississippi 362

Louisiana 364

Alabama 365

Texas 365

East Texas 366

Oregon 366

Indian Missions 367

Part V

MEASURES ADOPTED BY THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH ON THE SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

Chap. I. — Laws on the Subject — Preachers from the Beginning held anti-slavery Views — Opposition of the Planters — The Power of the separate States — Difficulties arising from this. 392

Chap. II. — The Wesleyan-Methodist Connexion — Agitations — The Address of the British Conference — Orange Scott — Debates at the General Conference — The Spirit of Compromise prevails — Fails to heal the Breach — Agitations proceed-— Separation — The New Community established 400

Chap. III. — The Methodist Episcopal Church, South — Progress of the Movement after the former Division — Change of Opinion in the Baltimore Conference — Condemnation of Harding — Confirmed by the General Conference — Bishop Andrew's Case — Debates — Resolutions against him — Protest of the South 420

Chap. IV. — Organization of the Church, South — Preliminary Proceedings — Convention — Measures taken — Settlement — Real Position — Reflections 462

METHODISM IN AMERICA.