A short history of the Methodists in the United States of America beginning in 1766, and continued till 1809 : to which is prefixed a brief account of their rise in England in the year 1729, &c

Front matter

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LIBRARY

Chapter I

Qf the rise of the Methodists in England in 1729, to the beginning of Methodism in the United States of America^ in 1766.

The Rev. John '\Ves\ey. (by the grace of God the Father and Founder of jNlethodism, and second son of the Rev. Samuel Wesley), was born June 17, old style, 1703. In the year 1720, he entered a student in Christ Church College, Oxford, and soon after took his degree of bachelor of arts.

Sept. 19, 1725, he was ordained a deacon, by Dr. Potter, at that time bishop of Oxford,

Shortly after he preached his lirst sermon, at South Leigh, within two miles of Whitney in Ox~ ford shire.

March 17, 1726, he was elected Fellow of Lin= coin College, Oxford.

February 14, 1727, he took his degree of Master of Arts.

September 22, 1728, he was ordained Priest^ by t^e same bishop

10 A SHORT HISTORY [I'/^S

Of the name of Methodist, as applied to Mr, Wesley and his followers, the following account is given, Mr. John Wesley, and by his advice and example his brother Charles, when at Oxford had become deeply serious. They received the sacrament weekly, and prevailed with two or three more young men to do the same. These young men occasionally met together, for the purpose of assisting and encouraging each other in their studies and religioits duties ; they also regu- Jatcd their employments by certain rules. This regularity procured them the distinguishing epithet of Methodists. This title was given in the first instance to Mr. Charles Wesley, by a fellow of JNTerton College, in allusion to an ancient college of physicians at Rome, who began to flourish about the time of Nero, and continued seve ral ages ; they were remarkable for putting their patients under regimen, and were therefore termed raethodists. This is the most accurate account ; for when Mr. Wesley speaks of this appellation, he mentions it only in very gene^'al terms, without attempting to state at what period of the society it was first given. ,' The exact regularity of their lives, as well as studies,'' says he, '^occasioned a young gentleman of Christ's Church to say, ^ There is a new set of Methodists sprung up.' The name was new and quaint, so it took immediately, and the Methodists were known all over the university." It would seem, then, from the above account, that the name was given to the young gentleman in consequence of the remarks of the fellow of Merton College ; and Mr. W^esley in his Journal refers to it after the name had become pretty general. One thing is certain, the name was first given at Oxford in the year 1729,

Thus the society began and continued] t^^^^ ^^^ John Wesley went to Ep worth to assi.§t his fa

4735 j OF THE METHODISTS. 11

ther as Wis curate. In his absence, June IG, 1729, ISlv. Charles Wesley, and one or two more, began again to meet to assist each other. In Nov, 1729, when Mr. John AVesley returned from Epworth, the whole management of the society devolved upon him. The society at that time consisted of the following persons — Mr. John \Vesley, fellow of Lincoln college ; jNIr. Charles ^Vesley, student of Christ's church ; Mr, Richard Morgan, commoner of Christ's church ; and !Mr. Kirkman, of Merton college. The next year, two or three of Mr, John ^Vesley's pupils desired the liberty of meeting with them, and afterwards one of Mr, Chades ^Vesley's pupils. In 1732, Mr. Benjamin Ingham, of Queen's college, and !Mr, Broughton, of Exeter, were added to their number. In April in the same year, Mr, Clayton, of Brazen Nose college, with two or three of his pupils, were added. It was by his advice that they began to observe the fasts of the ancient church, every Wednesday and Friday, About the same time INIr, James Ilarvey, one of Mr. John Wesley's pupils, was added to the societv. And in the year 1735, :Mr. George Whitefield, of Pembroke college, joined them. At that time they were fourteen or fifteen in number, all of one heart and of one mind. They formed rules for the regulation of their time and their studies ; for reading the scriptures, and self-examination. — They also visited the sick, and thepi^isojzer^^ and received the Lord's Supper once a weeic.

Mr. John ^Vesley gives the following account of tlie rise of Methodism. '' h\ 1729, my brother and I, by reading the Bible, saw inward and outward holiness therein ; followed al^er it, and incited others so to do. In 1737, we saw that this iipliness comes by faith, and that men arc justified before they- are sanctified— But still holiness was our point.*'

111 the beginning of the year 1735, Mr. Wesley for the first time preached extempore, whicii practice is now followed by all the Methodist preachers. In the latter part of this year Mr. Wesley and his brother Charles consented to leave their native country, and to come over to Anierica as missionaries to the Indians ; and on the 14th day of October 1735, they set off. After a passage of more than three months^ they landed on the 6th of February 1736, over against Tybee, near Savannah, in Georgia.

In April 1736, Mr. Wesley formed a society at Ills own house in Savannah, and instructed them weekly in the things belonging to their peace. This he used to consider as the second rise of Methodism. But in the end of the following year, Mr. VVeslry left America, and sailed from Charleston, in South-Carolina, for England on December 24th, 1737, and never more returned to America ; of course that society fell through, and there w^as no society of Methodists formed in that town for seventy years afterwards. It was not until the year 1807 that a regular Methodist society was formed in Savannah. Mr. Charles Wesley embai:ked for England in July 1736, aboiit six months after his arrival in Georgia.

May 1, 1738, Mr. Wesley and some Moravian brethren formed themselves into a religious society, which met at Fetter- lane, in London. This he calls in his Ecclesiastical Ilistory, vol. 4, page 175, the third period of Methodism. Mr. Wesley, speaking of this' society, says, *^ Our little society began in London, when forty or fifty of us agreed to meet together every Wednesday evening, in order to a free conversation, began and ended with singing and prayer,"

They also formed themselves into little bands, and drew up rules to live by, nearly, if not quitt ill the order of ovs present Band Rules, lt3J:?J ©:f the METHOnSTS. IS

It was not until the year 1739, that the Methodists were formed into regular j^ocieties. The rise of these societies is thus related by Mr. AVcsley : '^ In the latter end of the year 1739, eight or ten persons came to me in London, who appeared to be deeply couvinced of sin, and earnestly groaning for redemption. They desired, as did two or three more the next day, that i would spend some time with them in prayer, and advise them how to flee from the wratli to come, w^hicii they saw continually hanging over their heads. That they might have more time for this great work, I appointed a day when they might all come together, which from thence forward they did every week, namely, on Thursday in the evening. To these, and as many more as desired to join with them, (for their number increased daily) I gave that advice w^hich I judged most needful for them, and we always concluded our meeting with prayer suited to their several necessities.'' This was the rise of the Methodist society, first in London and then in other places. Such a society is no other than '• a company of persons, having the form, and seeking the power of godliness ; united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhoptation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to workout their salvation.'' All the members of these societies were at liberty to commune in any church, or with any denomination, as they pleased.

This must be considered the fourth period in Methodism. The first at Oxford in 1792 ; the second in America, at Savannah, in 1736— the third in London, in 1738 : and now this in 1739.

This last was properly the first regular society that was formed, on theplan Which has been pursued ever since.

The first itinerant preachers who travelled under the direction of Mr, Wesley^ engaged in that work in 1740. His account oi it is as follows : — after mentioning that he formed the first society in 1739, he says, '^ After a time a young man namcii Thomas Maifield, came and desired to help mo a^ a son in the gospel. Soon after came a second, Thomas Riafiurds ; then a third, Thomas Wcstall. These severally desired to- se4've me as sons, and to labour when and where I should direct/' We coiiclude that this was in the begh^*,- ning of the year 1710.

T'^iTOMAs Maxfield, w as the first Lay Preacher that travelled under the direction of Mr. ^Ves-

In the latter end of the year 1740, Mr. Wesley printed a sermon ao-ainst the Calvinistic notion of Predestination, and sent a copy of it to commissary Garden, at Charleston in South-Carolina, where Mr. Whitefield then was. Mr. White field, having some time before embraced that doctrine^:-wrote a reply, and published it in America, When he returned to England in 1741, he republished this reply in London. The points in dispute were, 1, Unconditional election — 2, Irresistible grace — 3, Final perseverance. Each party remained firm in his opinion, and a separation of course took place between then\ From that time they had different places of worship, and formed different societies. They had then two societies of Methodists, and Mr. Whitefield became the head, or leader, of the party that adhered to the Calvinistic doctrine of Predestination.

Mr. George Whitefield came first to Ameriea in May 1738 ; he came over a second time in 1739, and then visited New-England in 1740 — afterwards he returned to England^ and parted with Messi^, Wesley s in 174L

174'2] OF THE METKODISXS, IS-

Inl742, the societies Imviog greatly increased, they were divided into classes, each class consist' ing of about twelve persons, who w^ere committed to the care of one person styled the Leader. — Mr, Wesley observes on this occasion as follows ;

'' Feb. 15. 1742— Many of us were met togci^ ther in Bristol, to consult on a proper method of paying the public debt contracted by budding ; and it was agreed, 1, That every member of the society that was able, should contribute a penny a week — 3. That the wliole society should he divided into little companies or classes, of about twelve in each class — 3. That one person in each class should receive the contribution of the rest. Thus began, says he, that excellent institution, merely upon a temporal account, from which we have reaped so many spiritual blessings : we soon fixed the same rule in all our societies.'^

April 9, 17 42-— The first icatch-night was held in London. It is said this custom began first at Kingswood by the colliers there, who, before their conversion, used to spend every Saturday night at the Ale-house. After they were taught better, they spent that night' in prayer. Mr. Wesley heaping of it, ordered it first to be once a month, at the full of the Moon ; then once a quarter, and then recommended it to all his societies.

Mr. Wesley says of it, ^' I was informed, that several, persons in Kingsivood frequently met together, at the school, and (when they could spare the time) spent the greater part of the night in prayer and praise and thanksgiving. Som.e ad,- vised me to put an end to this ; but upon weighing the thing thoroughly, and cQ<mparing it with the practice of the ancient Christians, I could see no cause to forbid it. Rather, I believed, it mig'oit be made of more general use. So I sent them wcrd,^ I designed to watch with them on the

W A SHORT insTORY [1744

Friday nearest the full of the moon, that we might have light thither and back again.' 1 gave public notice of this the Sunday beiore, and withal, that 1 intended to preach, desiring they, antl they only, would meet me there, who could do it without prejudice to their business or families. On Friday abundance of people came. I began preaching between eight and nine, and vve continued till a little beyond midnight_, singing, praying and praising God.''

May 26, 1742— Mr. Wesley visited Birstal, in the county of York, where he met with John JVelsoji, a Lay -Preacher, who was instrumental in turning many of his neighbours from darkness to light. After some time Mr. Nelson, who heartily joined Mr. Wesley in his work, published a journal of his travels and Christian experience, which has been rendered a blessing to thousands, and is still in circulation among the Methodists in the United States.

In the year 1744, June 25, the first conference was held in London. Mr. Wesley invited the persons who attended, and also presided among* ihcm. There were six clergymen, and four travelling preachers present. The names of the clergymen were, John Wesley, Charles W^esley, John Hodges, Henry Piers, Samuel Taylor, and John Meriton. The names of the preachers were, Thomas Maxfield, John Downs, Thomas Richards, and John Burnett. From this time the conference met every year under Mr. Wesley's direction, at London, Bristol, or Leeds ; but he did not annually publish the JNIinutes till the year 1765.

The subject of their deliberations at these conferences, were proposed in the form of questions^ • which were fully discussed, and then with the answers written down, and afterw^ards printed uii*

1714] OS- TB^ MmTHOSlS^S. 17

der the title of '^ Minutes of several conversations between the Rev. ^Ir. Wesl&y and others.'* But now they ure called ** The Minutes of the Conference.''

On Friday, August 24, 1744, Mr. W^esley preached for the last time at Oxford, before the university. He had preached to them twice before, after he began to declare the truth in the fields and highways. He then makes this observation, '* I am now clear of the blood of these men — I have fully delivered my own soul ; and am well pleased that it should be the very day on which, in the last century, near two thousand burning and shining lights were put out at one stroke. Yet what a wide difference is there between their case and mine ! They were turned out of house and home, and all that they had ; whereas I am only hindered from preaching, without any other loss ; and that in a kind of honourable manner ; it being deterrnined, that when my next turn to preach comes, they will pay another person to preach for me.'' And so they did twice or thrice ; even to the time of his resigning his fellowship.

December 25, 1744 — !.Mr. Wesley drew up directions for the Band Societies, ana recommend, ed them, with tlie Band Rules.

I will here insert the friendly Epistle to the Reverend Mr. George. TVhitefield, v,hich was written in the year 1755, by the Reverend Charles AVesley, A. M. '?^ ,

COME en, my V/hitefjeld ! (since the strife is past, And fnends at first are friends again at last) Our hands, and heai'ts, and counsels let us join In mutual league, t'advance the work Divine. Ouv one contention now, our single aim. To pluck poor souls as brands out of the flame ; To spread the victory of that bloody cross. And gasp our latest breath in the Redeemer's cause.

18 A ^HORf HISTORY [lT4i

Too long;, alas ! we i^ave to Satan place, When pavty.zeul put on an ang-el's face. Too long we list'ne^ to the coz'ning fiend, Whose trumpet sounded, ** For the faith contend ?" With hasty blindfold rage, in error's nig-ht. How did we _with our fellow-soldiers fight ! We could not then our father's children know, But each mistook his brother for his foe. " Foes to the truth, can you in conscience spare ? •' Tear them, Tthe tempter cry'd) in pieces, tear 1" So thick the davkness, so confus'd the noise. We took the stranger's for tlte Shepherd's voice ; Rash nature wav'd the controversial sword, On fire to fight the battles of the Lord, Fraternal love from every breast was driv'n. And bleeding Charity return'd to heaven.

The Saviour saw our strife \vith pitying eye, And cast a lock that made the shadows fly .• Soon as the day-spring in his presence shone. We found the two fierce armies were but one ; Common our hope, and family, and name, •

Our arms, our Captain, and our crown the same,' Enlisted all beneath Immanuel's sign, And purchased every soul with precious bleod divine>

Then let us cordi:dly again embrace. Nor e'er infringe the league of gospel-grace ; Let us in Jesus' name to battle go. And turn our arms against the common foe ; Fight side by side beneath our Captain's eye, "y Chace the Philistines, on their shoulders fl}', ^ And, more than conquerors, in the harness die

For whether I am born to ** blush abovcy^' On earth suspicious of electing love. Or you o'erwhelm'd with honourable shame, ' To sliout the universal Saviour's Name, It matters not ; if, all our conflicts past.

174 ij OF THE MEtHODISTS. IS

Before the great white throne -we meet at last ; Our only care, while sojourning below. Our real Faith by real Love to show : To blast the aliens' hope, and let them see How f. iends of jarring sentiments agree : Not in a pasty's narrow banks confin'd. Not by a sameness of opinions join'dj * Eut cemented with the Redeemer's blood, And bound togetlier in the heart of God.

Can we forget from whence our union camej When first we simply met in Jesus' name ? *rhe name mysterious of the God unknown. Whose secret love allur'd, and drew us on Thro' a long, lonely, legal wilderness. To find the promis'd land of gospel peace. True yqke -fellows, we then agreed to di-aw Th' intolerable burden of the Law. And Jointly lab'ring on with zealous strife, Strengthen'd each other's hands to work ^or Life - *ro turn against the world our steady face. And, valiant for the truth, enjoy disgrace.

Then, when we serv'd our God thro' fear alone. Our views, our studies, and our hearts were one : No smallest difference damp'd the social flame : In Moses' school we thought, and spake the same : And must we, now in Christ, wuth shame confess. Our lo\e was greater when our light was less ? "When darkly thro' a g^lass with servile awe. We first the spiritual commandment saw. Could we not then, our mutual love to show. Thro' fire and water for each other go r We could : — we did : — In a strange land 1 stood, And beckon'd thee to cross th' Atlantic flood : With true affection wing'd, thy ready mind. Left country, fame, and ease, and friends behind. And, eager all heav'n's counsels to explore, Tlew thro' the walry world and grasp'd the sKdre-

Nor did I linger, at ray friends desire, To terrtpt the furnace, and abide the fire : When suddenly sent forth, from the high-ways I call'd poor outcr.sts to the feast of grace ; Urg'd to pursue the work by thee beguttj Thro' good and ill report I still rush'd on, Nor felt the fire of popular applause, Nor fear'd the tort'ring flame in such a glorious cause. Ah ! wherefore did we ever seem to part. Or clash in sentiment, while one in heart ? What dire device did the old Serpent find. To put asunder those whom God had joiu'd ? From folly and self-love Opinion rose. To sever friends who never yet were foes ; To baffle and divert our noblest aim. Confound our pride, and cover us with shame ; To make us blush beneath her short-lived pow'r. And glad the world witli one triumphant hour.

But lo 1 the snare is broke, the captive's freed, -^ By Faith on all the hostile powers we tread, C.

And crush thro' Jesus' strength the Serpents head. J Jesus hath cast the curst Accuser down. Hath rooted up the tares by Satan sown : Kindled anew the never-dying flame, And re-baptiz'd our souls into his Name. Soon as the virtue of his Name we feel, The storm of strife subsides, the sea is stil?, - All nature bows to his benign command. And two are one in his Almigiity hand. One in his hand, 0 may we still remain, Fast bound with love's indissoluble chain ; (That adamant which time and death defies. That golden chain which draws «s to the skies !) His love the tie that binds us to his tiirone. His love the "bond that perfects us in one ; His love (let all the ground of friendship see) His only love constrains our hearts t'agree. And gives the rivet of Eternhy !

1763] OF THE M:ETnOI>ISTS. 21

1749.— This year Mr. Wesley began to compile the Christian Library, and completed it in fiiVy volumes duodecimo. He published it under the following title : *■ A Christian Library, consisting of Extracts from, and Abridgments of, the choicest pieces of Practical Divinity, which have been published in the English tongue. ^^

1760. — In this year a great revival of religion took place among the ^Methodists. JMany persons, men and women, professed to be cleansed from all unrighteousness and made perfect in love ii> a moment ; often while hearing the word, but more frequently while at prayer, or while others were pra} ing for them. l\h\ AVesley thus speaks C)f it : " Here began that glorious work of sanctiiication, v,hich had been nearly at a stand for twenty years. From time to time it spread, first through various parts of Yorkshire, afterwards in London, then through most parts of England ; next to Dublin, Limerick, and through all the south and west of Ireland ; and wherever the work of sanctification increased, the whole v*^ork of God increased in all it's branches. Many were convinced of sin, many justified, and many backsliders healed.*'

1763. — The conference was held in London, on the 19th of July. All the minutes of the former conferences, respecting discipline, v/ere now for the first time piiblished. It appears from their minutes that a great deal of business was done in a few days. 1 will enter one of their questions and answers, respecting their taking a preacher into the travelling connection.

Q. ^Vhat method may we use in receiving a helper ?

A. A proper time for doing this is at a conference, after solema fasting and prayer. We m.ay c then receive him as a probationer, by giving himv the minutes of the conference inscribed thus : - " ToA.B.

" You think it your duty to call sinners to repentance. Make full proof hereof, and we shall be glad to receive you as a fellow-labourer.

" Observe, you are not to ramble up and down, but to go where the Assistant directs, and there only.

" Let him then read, and carefully weigh what is contained therein, and see whether he can agree to it or not. If he can, let him come to the next conference, where, after examination, fasting and prayer, he may be received into full connection with us, by giving him the minutes^ inscribed thus :

" So long as you freely consent to, and earnestly endeavour to walk by these rules, we shall rejoice to acknowledge you as a fellow labourer."

From this it may be seen, that Mr, W^esley and the conference at that time, only required a probationary state of one year, in order to be admitted into full connection among the travelling preachers.

However, in 1784. the conference thought proper to lengthen out the time of their probation to four years, before the young preachers could be admitted into full connection.

At that time all the travelling preachers were called helpers, i. e. helpers of Mr. Wesley ; some were Assistants, and others Preachers.

1764. — Mr. Myles says, " In the beginning of this year, Mr. Erskine re -published in Scotland >ir. Hervey's Eleven Letters, and sptead them with all his might. They prejudiced the Scotch against the Methodists^ doctrine, and hindered the prosperity of the work. These letters did no harm in England. Mr. Wesley and Mr. Scllon

I*r64] OF THE METHODISTS. 23

wrote masterly answers to them. It was afterwards known, that a Mr. Cud worth, a violent Antinomian, had written the most virulent passages in these letters,''

Having considered a few partieulars respecting the bemnning and progress of Methodism in Europe^ I come now to tiicbeghming of Methodism in the United States of America,

Chapter II

From the heginning of the first Society in New- York in 1766, to the first Conference, which - toas held in America in 1773.

Previous to the year 1766, soire of the members of the Methodist Society from Europe, settled in the United States (then British colonies) bufe were scattered about as sheep having neither fold nor shepherd. In the beginning of the year 1766 the first permanent Methodist society was formed in the city of New-York. Mr. Philip Embury, an Irishman, began to hold meetings in his own house, and to sing and pray with as many as would assemble with him. Soon after that, he collected and joined a few of them together in society, chiefly of his own countrymen. In about three months alter, Mr. White, and INIr. Sause, from Dublin, joined with them.

They then rented an empty room in their neighbourhood adjoining the barracks, in which they held their meetings for a season : yet but few thought it worth their while to assemble with them in so contemptible a place. Some time after that, cmptain Thomas Webb, (a) barrack-master at Albany, found them out, and preached among them in his regimentals. The novelty of a man preaching in a scarlet coat, soon brought great numbers to hear, morctthan the room could contain. Some more of the inhabitants joining the society, they then united and hired a rigging loft to meet in, that would contain a large congregation. There Mr. Embury used to exhort and preach frequently.

(a) Captaia Webb was a lieutenant in the army that conquered Canada, and took i^ from the French. He lost one eye in the battle on the plains of Abraham, at the taking the city of QHsbcc.

1768] OF THE METHODtSTS. *to

There are a few persons still living in New- York, who formerly met with the society in the rigging-loft ; and are pleased at the recollection of what the Lord did for them in their little society, when they were weak and ignorant in the things of religion ; but were united together in christian love and fellowship, and were willing to be despised for the sake of their Lord and master.

Not long after the society was formed in New- York, Robert Straivhridge, from Ireland, who had settled in Frederick county, in the state q£ Maryland, began to hold meetings in public, aHl joined a society together near Pipe Creek. Mr. Strawbridge was a useful man, and zealous in the cause of God ; and spent much of his time in preaching the gospel in different places before any regular preachers were sent over by Mr. Wesley to this country.

The first Methodist meeting house that was built in the United States, was that in New-York. By the influence of captain \Vebb, the society purchased a lot of ground in John -street, for the purpose of building a house for public worship. — The house was built in 1768, and was sufficiently large to hold twelve or fourteen hundred people. On the 30th day of October, 1768, it was first ©- pened for divine service, and Mr. Embury preached the dedication sermon. This was about twelve months before we had any circuit preachers in America.

There was another meeting house built by Mr. Strawbridge and his society, near Pipe Creek in Maryland, called the Log Meeting-House, which was erected for the use of the first Methodist society that was formed in that county.

The new meeting house in the city of New- York, was first called Wesley's Chap el y which

26 A SHORT it^sTofiy [1769

name it bore for several years after the itinerant preachers came to this country.

In 1769, Mr. Wesley says in his Ecclesiastical History, vol. 4, page 261, '" Tuesday, August 1, our conference began at Leeds. On Thursday I mentioned the case of our brethren at New-York. For some years past, several of our brethren from Kngland and Ireland, (and some of them preachers,) had settled in North America, and had in various places formed societies, particularly in Philadelphia and New- York. The society at New-York had lately built a commodious preaching-house, and now desired our help, being in great want of money, but much more of preachers. Twoof our preachers, Richard Boardman and Joseph Pillmorc, wiUinglyoti'ered themselves for the service ; by whom we determined to send over fifty pounds, as a token of our brotherly love."

Mr. Boardman and Mr. Pillmore came over to America from that conference, and landed at Gloucester Point, six miles below Philadelphia, on the 24th day of October. These were the first regular itinerant Methodist preachers that eve» came to these United States. Mr. Boardman had been an itinerant preacher in Europe for six years, and Mr. Pillmore for four years, before they came to this country as missionaries, a work for which they 'Were well quahfied, and in which they were owned and honoured of God, and made a blessing to thousands.