Lost chapters recovered from the early history of American Methodism

Front matter

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Preface

When on a visit to " Sunnyside," not long ago, my friend, Washington Irving, said to me, in speaking of " The Life of Washington," that had just been published, " I feel, now the volumes are issued, as if I was just prepared with a knowledge of all the facts that are in my possession to commence writing the Life of Washington." I may say, without having the vanity to place myself by the side of this distinguished writer, whose modesty is equal to his talents, that I feel the same in regard to the work that is now placed before the reader. The truth is, when pursuing my studies in another direction, unexpectedly, rich and rare materials were thrown into my hands that shed a flood of light on early Methodism in America. Then I came to the conclusion that I ought to write a book on this subject, and have done so.

A singular old book, that for many years was lost, has recently been found. It contains the earliest authentic records of Methodism in this country. It is a perfect treasure. It is most valuable to the antiquarian, to the historian, and especially to the great Methodist family. It has a denominational interest.

The " old book" is redolent of the virgin soil of Methodism in America, and reproduces, in life-like naturalness, the very "age and body" of long, long time ago. It introduces to us the carpenter-preacher, Philip Embury ; the soldier-preacher, Captain Webb; to Boardman and Pilmoor, and the early trustees ; and their lifeless forms seem to be reanimated, and we see them living, breathing, speaking, and acting, as they were nearly a century ago. We behold them laying the foun-

Vi PEEFAOE.

dation of the temple of Methodism in this new world, on which has been erected a noble superstructure.

What associations cluster around the cradle of Methodism in America! Old John-street Methodist Church is a hallowed place. It is embalmed in the memories and affections of thousands. There is a beauty and a charm about it that age and time cannot annihilate. It bears the same relation to American Methodism that Plymouth Rock, Faneuil Hall, and Independence Hall do to the country. There is but one Plymouth Rock, though there are many rocks in the country ; there is but one Faneuil Hall, the cradle of liberty, though there are many halls in the land; there is but one John-street Methodist Church, though there are many Methodist houses of worship in America. We venerate John-street Church as the mother of us all, the mother of numerous and thrifty children.

The " old book " sheds light upon that part of our history where all before was dark as a starless midnight. It is the first record of the trustees and stewards of the old John-street Church. It is a model book, both on - account of its neatness and exactness. They were very particular in those days to record everything, small and great. What a reproof to the careless manner in which many church records are now kept.

The "old book" is the basis of the work entitled, "Lost Chapters Recovered." We do not publish all that it contains, but make extracts from year to year, from the first to the conclusion.

This work is something more than a mere local history. It describes the early and great men of Methodism, in whom the great Methodist family have a common interest. To make the chapters as complete as possible, I have not only followed the " old book," but availed myself of other material that enriches the volume.

Does the reader inquire where this " old book " has been ? I answer, I cannot tell, only it has been lost for over half a century, and very recently discovered. The oldest ministers now in New- York and the oldest trustees had never seen the book.

PREFACE.

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It is ninety years old. It contains chapters of our early history that were entirely new to the present generation. It extends from 1768 to 1797.

We read of the " lost Chronicles of the Kings of Israel and Judah," also of the " lost chapters of Livy unfortunately, they have never been recovered. What a treasure of history if they could be found. But we are more fortunate with some of the lost chapters in the early history of Methodism. The title of the work is not poetic, romantic, or imaginary, but sober truth. Were they not lost chapters ? Have they not been recovered ?

This old book has been discovered at a period when great attention is being given, not only in different states of the Union, but in the various ecclesiastical bodies, to gather reminiscences of the past; therefore the formation of so many State and Church historical societies. While our sister Churches are so busy, shall we be behind them in a work so commendable? They rejoice when some one fact or incident is rescued from oblivion. Ought there not to be greater joy among the Methodists when a whole volume is discovered that gives light on our early history ?

The " Lost Chapters " will be valuable as material for the future historian. I have secured that which I believe deserves a permanent record. If nothing more, it will be used for future reference. I have rescued from oblivion many a name in the ministry and laity that had been forgotten, and recovered chapters that had been long lost, and soon would have been irrecoverably. How little we knew of the first trustees of John-street Church; even the names of all of them were unknown to us !

The reader will, no doubt, be pleased to see a fac-simile of the signatures of the ministers and trustees of old John-street. The year connected with their name sometimes means the date of the signature ; for instance, Mr. Wesley's and Dr. Coke's. Their fac-si miles were taken from letters of that date written to the pastor of Wesley Chapel. The other signatures of names

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raean the first time the writers were stationed in old John-street.

Some may dislike the minuteness of detail into which the writer has gone. Let them remember that as our globe is made up of grains of sand, and as drops of water form the ocean, so history is made up of facts and incidents, small in themselves, which, when blended together, make the historical record.

I am under obligation to many for kindnesses rendered ; but as I have made particular acknowledgments in the work it will be unnecessary to repeat it here. It is with unaffected diffidence that this volume is now submitted to the public, not concerning the facts recorded, but the manner in which the work has been performed. It must stand or fall upon its merits or demerits. The writer is too deeply conscious of its defects to expect credit for all the labor it has cost him, and yet has the consolation to know he has done the very best he could. He is aware that the deep interest and great value of the subject demanded a more able and practiced pen ; but derives encouragement from the reflection that the present work, while it provokes no comparison with others, will fill a void in our ecclesiastical history hitherto unoccupied. If any criticise it, I can find no fault with them, for it is public property ; only let it be manly criticism.

A quarter of a century ago this day I was licensed to preach " the glorious Gospel of the blessed God." It is worthy of note, that on this anniversary I finish the volume entitled, " Lost Chapters Recovered from the early History of American Methodism." I trust it will be read when I have finished my course and been gathered to my fathers.

J. B. Wakeley.

New- York, January 6, 1858.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

1. JOSEPH B. WAKELEY, D.D (Frontispiece).

2. FAC-SLMILE OF PHILIP EMBURY'S ACCOUNT

OF HIS CONVERSION 33

3. PHTLIP EMBURY'S OWN HIRED HOUSE 40

4. THE OLD RIGGING LOFT IN WILLIAM ST . . . 45

5. THE OLD METHODIST PREACHING HOUSE

AND PARSONAGE, JOHN ST 108

6. MRS. BARBARA HICK'S CANDLESTICKS 123

7. CAPTAIN THOMAS WEBB 141

8. BARRATT'S CHAPEL 303

9. LOVE FEAST TICKETS 415

10. PETER WILLIAMS, THE OLD COLORED SEX-

TON 438

12. DUaNE STREET CHURCH AND PARSONAGE 497

13. SECOND METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN

JOHN ST 580

14. SUMMERFIELD 1 S CENOTAPH 582

15. THIRD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

JOHN STREET 584

16. CORPORATE SEAL OF THE METHODIST EPIS-

COPAL CHURCH IN NEW YORK 587

17. F AC SIMILE OF SIGNATURES OF THE MIN-

ISTERS AND LAYMEN CONNECTED WITH THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE JOHN STREET CHURCH 589

18. FAC SIMILE OF VERSES WRITTEN BACK-

WARDS BY DR. WAKELEY 029

Contents

CHAPTER L

NEW-YOEK AS IT WAS.

Manhattan Island — Hendric Hudson — Indians — First Trading Post — First Schoolmaster — First House of Worship — The first Dominie — The first Parsonage — Sad End of the first Minister — First Stone Church — First Episcopal Minister — First City Lots — First Houses — Contrast — First Census — First Houses in Wall-street — First Quakers — First Jewish Synagogue — Name of the City changed — First Lutheran Church — Anecdote — First Trinity Church erected — The first Presbyterian Church — The first Moravian Church — The first Baptist Church — The first Methodist Church — Condition of Things about the Time it was built Page 21

Chapter II. Introduction Of Methodism Into New-yoek

Methodism in the West of Ireland — The Palatines — Their former State — Mr. Wesley visits Balligarane — Great Change in the Character of the Inhabitants — Why they emigrate to America — Philip Embury's Conversion — Acquainted with Mr. Wesley — Emigrates to America — Character of other Emigrants — Sinful Amusements — Effectual Reproof from a Woman — Mr. Embury's first Sermon. 29

Chapter III

MR. EMBURY'S CHARACTER VINDICATED.

His Enemies asperse his Character — His Friends tacitly admit his Guilt — No Evidence that Mr. Embury was playing Cards — Presumptive Evidence he was not — In what his Sin consisted — The House in which Mr. Embury preached the first Methodist Sermon 37

Chapter IV. A Mysterious Stranger

His first Introduction to the little Flock — The Alarm it caused — Why their Fears subsided — His Usefulness — Why he attracted such Crowds — Manner of Preaching 42

CONTENTS.

Chapter V. The Rigging Loft

Rigging Lofts — Singular Fact concerning them — Why the early Methodists worshiped in them — The Locality of the one in New-York — Its Dimensions — The Year it was occupied as a Preaching Place — An honored Place — Preserved long — When demolished — Canes made of its Timbers Page 45

Chapter VI. The Site Of The Methodist Preaching-house In John- Street

Mistake corrected — The Original Lease from Widow Barclay to Philip Embury — Rev. Heury Barclay — Character — Death — His Son and Grandson — Lots in the North Ward — William Lupton — Old Book — Extract from — Ground Rent 50

Chapter VII. The Original Deed For The Property

The first Deed for a Site for a Methodist Preaching-House in America — A Model Deed — The early Trustees business Men — The Property carefully secured — Record concerning it on the Old Book — How the Trustees were appointed — Other Property obtained — From whom — Singular Fact 57

Chapter VIII. The First Methodist Preaching-house In New- York

Its Origin — Difficulties — How overcome — The Plan for the Edifice from Heaven — The Architect Divine — Truth stranger than Fiction — The original Subscription for the Preaching-House — The Model Preamble — Names of Subscribers — Amount of their Subscription. 65

Chapter IX. The Early Trustees And Stewards

Trustees' Subscriptions — Thomas Webb — Pi-incely Subscription — The first — Its Influence on others — William Lupton — Merchant Prince — His Subscription — His splendid Motto — Treasurer — Liberality — Great Size — Death — Vault — Philip Embury — Entry in the old Book

— James Jaevis, Hatter — Liberal Subscription — Treasurer — First of the original Trustees that died — Leader also — Mr. Asbury with him in his last Hours — Heney Newton — Original Trustee — Subscription — Principal Collector of Moneys — Bachelor — Treasurer Twenty Years

— Mrs. Courtney — High-backed Pew — Newton's Death — Where buried 74

CONTENTS.

CHAPTEK X.

EAELY TRUSTEES AND STEWARDS, CONTINUED.

Chakles White — Original Trustee — Subscription liberal — Treasurer during the Revolutionary War — Loyalist — Goes to Nova Scotia — Richard Sause — Charles White and he emigrated from the same Place — At the same Time — Original Trustee — Very liberal Subscription — Richard Sause and Richard Boardman — Mr. Sause highly honored — Extracts from the Old Book — Good Wife — The Name wrongly spelt — Stephen Sands — Very Liberal — Very Useful — Treasurer — Stephen Sands and Dr. Coke — Highly honored — Richard Whatcoat — John Staples — A Prussian — Marriage — Treasurer many Years — The Records on the Old Book — First Sugar Refiner — The famous Sugar House — His House the Home of Garrettson — Singular Meeting at his House — His Son John — Marries a Fortune — Rich — All swept away — Death of the Father — Of the Son — Burial Place — Paul Hick — Subscription — Early an Ofiicer of the Church — Philip Embury's Name not among them — Reason — Thomas Brinkley Page 84

CHAPTEK XI.

ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBERS.

Or. Auchmuty, Rector of Trinity — Successor to Dr. Barclay — Character — End — Rev. John Ogilvie — Missionary among the Mohawk Indians — His Subscription — Sudden Death — Dr. Charles Inglis — Sketch of his Character — Loyalist — Washington and the offensive Prayers — Disturbance in Church — Bishop of Nova Scotia — Distinguished Physicians subscribe — The most distinguished Citizens — Philip Livingston, Signer of the Declaration of Independence — James Duane, first Mayor of the City — Thomas Jones, Recorder — James Delancey, Lieutenant-Governor — Oliver Delancey, his Brother — The Officers of Trinity Church — Sketch of them — Some of the Subscribers poor Men — They paid in Work — Women subscribed — Widows —Poor Colored Girls 94

CHAPTEK XII.

MONEYS RECEIVED FOR PREACHING-HOUSE.

Money from Philadelphia, by Captain Webb — Money from Mr. Wesley, by Boardman — Books brought by Pilmoor — Mistake that Mr. Wesley sent Fifty Pounds in Money — Revenue from the sale of Books — Henry Newton general Collector of Funds — A Settlement between the Treasurer and the Trustees — Autographs of Joseph Pilmoor, Thomas Webb, and others 104

CONTENTS.

CHAPTEK XIII.

THE CKADLE OF AMEKICAN METHODISM.

Wesley Chapel — Its Dimensions — Plain Edifice — Contrast — The Dedication — Memorable Occasion — The Dedicatory Sermon — Appropriate Text — The Time of its Consecration — The Singing — Others ■work on the Preaching-House besides Mr. Embury — David Morris — John Gasner and Samuel Edmonds's Keceipts — Interesting Letter — Antiquity of the Building — Comparison 108

CHAPTEK XIY.

THE ELECT LADY.

Further Particulars of Mrs. Barbara Hick — From the same Place as Philip Embury — Acquainted with him in the Fatherland — His Place went into the Hands of her Family — Her former Dwelling — Why she used such Freedom in reproving Mr. Embury — Her wonderful Power — Mrs. Hick a model Mother — Her Children her Jewels — Her Name not among the Subscribers — Her Great-grandson — The only Kelics left — Two Extremes in regard to Eelics — Wilbur Fisk and Francis Asbury's Cup — Dr. Fisk and Wesley's old Gown — Good Company— The Log Meeting-House — Canes — Washington's old Chairs — Old Tables — Washington Irving and the Chain to which Christopher Columbus was bound — Mrs. Hick's Candlesticks — Not sacred like those in the Tabernacle and Temple — What invests them with peculiar Interest — Bishops Morris and Janes — The Burying-place of Mrs. Hick — Should have a Monument 117

CHAPTEK XY.

PHILIP EMBURY'S HISTOKY COMPLETED.

Embury's Character as a Man — Christian — Minister — Embury and the Methodist Preaching- House — First Treasurer — His Successor— Embury's Eeceipts for Work done to Wesley Chapel — Donation to Mr. Embury — His Usefulness — A distinguished Convert — Leaves New- York — Farewell Gift — Forms a Society at Ashgrove — The First within what is now the Troy Conference — Mr. Embury's sudden Death — Buried in a lonely Place — No Tombstone — His Widow — His Grandson — His Descendants — Mr. Asbury's Notice of him — Eemoval of his Eemains to Ashgrove — Ee-interment — Address by Eev. J. N. Maffitt — Extracts from — Epitaph on his Tombstone 125

CHAPTEK XVI.

THE OLD SOLDIEE'S STOEY FINISHED.

Captain Webb an extraordinary Man — His Titles — A Soldier with General Wolfe — Memorable Battle on the Plains of Abraham — His

CONTENTS.

Conversion — His first Efforts at Preaching — His first Preaching in America — Captain Webb and Wesley Chapel — The main Agent in its Erection — Very useful — Visits Long Island — Captain Webb and Joseph Toy — Captain Webb and John Adams — Captain Webb and Mr. Asbury — Eeturns to England — Mr. Wesley's Testimony concerning him — Captain Webb, Joseph Benson, John and Charles Wesley — Impressions — Eemarks of Dr. James Dixon — Captain Webb and Mr. Shadford and Eankin — Webb and his Greek Testament — Webb and the well-filled Purse — Captain Webb and his Children — His sudden Death — Presentiments concerning it — Buried at Bristol — The Burying-place of many distinguished Persons — Captain Webb's Portrait — His Monument 141

CHAPTER XYLT.

ROBEET STEAWBEIDGE AND THE OLD LOG- MEETING- HOUSE.

Mr. Strawbridge one of the Heroes of early Methodism — Eev. Wm. Hamilton on early Methodism in Maryland — Brief History of Mr. Strawbridge — The Log Meeting-House — His Family — His Death — Funeral Sermon — His Grave — Supposed Mistakes in the early Histories of Methodism — Mr. Hamilton's Corrections — Claims Priority for Maryland in the Introduction of Methodism — Claims that the Log Meeting-House was built before Wesley Chapel; that Mr. Strawbridge was Years in advance of Philip Embury in forming Methodist Societies — Evidence adduced — Bishop Asbury's Testimony — Examination of the Testimony — Asbury against Asbury — Asbury and Coke's brief Account of the Eise of Methodism — They give Philip Embury and the Wesley Chapel the Priority — If a Mistake, it should have been corrected in future Editions — No Correction made — Eemains in the Discipline of the M. E. Church, both North and South — The first General Conferences held in Baltimore — If an Error, easily corrected there — Many Members of that Body were acquainted with Mr. Strawbridge 156

CHAPTER XYIIL

EOBEET STEAWBEIDGE AND THE OLD LOG MEETING- HOUSE, CONTINUED.

Mr. Hamilton's next Witness — David Evans — Testimony considered very important — It settles a grave Question — The Testimony examined — Proves nothing as to Dates — Fugitive Paper — No Signature — If authentic, indefinite in regard to Time — Written when Old — Quotation from Jesse Lee — Eev. William Fort — The Log Meeting-house — Canes for the Bishops and Dr. Bond — Claims that Strawbridge and the Log Meeting-house were in advance of Embury and Wesley Chapel — Under Conviction — Not Clear — Corrects Errors — Mistaken himself 170

CONTENTS.

CHAPTEK XIX.

STRAWBEIDGE AND THE LOG MEETING-HOUSE, CON- CLUDED.

Should be careful how we settle Dates — Documents in Possession that fix the Time of the Introduction of Methodism into New-York

— Writer in the Arminian Magazine — Short History of the Early Methodists — Dr. Murray and the Mother of Thomas Morrell — Proof positive as to Dates — "Witnesses probably mistaken — Proof of the Priority of Embury and Wesley Chapel — First Witness, Bishop Asbury — Second Witness, Eev. Jesse Lee — Third, Ezekiel Cooper

— The Conclusion of the whole Matter 178

CHAHTER XX.

EOBEET WILLIAMS.

Emigrates to America — His Friend Ashton pays his Passage — Arrives before Boardman and Pilmoor — Mr. Williams and the infant Society in New- York — His new Hat — New Stockings — New Cloak — Doctor's Bill — Shaving Bill — Postage — Love-Feast Ticket— Mr. Williams the first Methodist Minister in America that' published a Book — The first who married — The first who located — The first that died — Has no Monument 190

CHAPTER XXL

THE EEV. EICHAED BOAEDMAN.

Richard Boardman — Joseph Pilmoor — Powerful Appeal to Mr. Wesley — The Leeds Conference — Volunteers called for — A noble Response by Boardman and Pilmoor — Character of Boardman — Rough Passage — Arrival in Philadelphia — First Visit to New-York — Solid Token of Brotherly Love — Letter to Mr. Wesley — Singular Agreement — Prohibitory Law — Money Account — Various Items specified — New Hat — New Clothes — High Transportation — High Postage — Boardman's Tour to Boston — Long Time in New- York — Boardman and the Mother of Dr. Bunting — Usefulness in Europe and America — Return to England — Sudden Death — Place of Burial- Epitaph 197

CHAPTER XXH.

THE REV. JOSEPH PILMOOR.

Letter to Mr. Wesley — Letter to the Conference — Preaches in Philadelphia — Where the first Meetings were held — Inn — Rigging Loft — First Methodist Church in Philadelphia — Mr. Pilmoor in New- York — Sale of Books — John-street Trustees' Accounts with Mr. Pilmoor — Quarterage, Traveling Expenses, Freight — Postage— Barber

CONTENTS.

— Medicine — Travels — Usefulness — Returns to England — Ee visits America — Leaves the Methodists — Joins the Protestant Episcopalians — Petition for Mr. Pilmoor to be Assistant at Trinity — Committee Appointed — Never Report — Cold Shoulder turned to Mr. Pilmoor — Dr. Berrian's Account — Organization of Christ's Church — Pilmoor Pastor — Resolutions against — Schismatics — Pilmoor and Asbury — Personal Appearance —Pilmoor and the New- York Conference 207

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE FIRST METHODIST PARSONAGE IN AMERICA.

The Building invested with peculiar Interest — Its old Dutch Style — Its Dimensions — Good Summer House — How furnished, and by whom — Furniture bought — Furniture borrowed — Furniture given — The early "Women of Methodism — Parsonages generally furnished by Ladies — The old Parsonage a Home for distinguished Men — Thrilling Scenes have transpired there — The first Methodist Libraries were kept in the old Building — The first Housekeepers — The Ministers' and the People's Library — The early Methodists gave Attention to Reading — Fragments of the old Library — The old Parsonage — Has bowed under the Hand of Time — Those who furnished it, and inhabited it, as well as the Furniture, all have passed away 219

CHAPTER XXIY.

FRANCIS ASBURY AND RICHARD WRIGHT.

Mr. Wesley's second regular Missionaries — Voyage across the Atlantic — Reception in Philadelphia — Asbury's first Visit to New-York — Richard Boardman — Asbury's first Sermon in Wesley Chapel — His Description of the Americans — Their Readiness to receive the Word — Negroes — Asbury's Salary — Scenes in the old Parsonage — Wood — Candles — Letters — Postage — Washing — The Housekeeper — Asbury's Love of Order early developed — Singular Queries — Answers — Debt on the Church — Asbury spreading the Books — First Watch-night — Quarterly Collection — New-York described — Richard Wright's Name on the " Old Book" — Stationed in Wesley Chapel — Young Man — Most of Mr. Wesley's Missionaries young — Why young Men were sent — Wright in Virginia — His Baggage — His Quarterage — His Poll Tax — In Norfolk — Returns to England — Seven Years in the Work — Locates — Contrast between him and Asbury 230

CHAPTER XXV.

THOMAS RANKIN AND GEORGE SHADFORD.

Wesley's third regular Missionaries to America — Captain Webb and Wife

— Generosity of — Missionaries' Arrival — Mr. Rankin Superintendent

CONTENTS.

— "Why Asbury welcomes them — KanMn's first Sermon — Asbury's Prediction — First Conference — Eankin stationed in New- York — The Itinerancy kept up — Eankin and Boardman — Eankin and the Classes — Eankin and the Love-feast — Eevival — Shocked at New- York Extravagance — Prediction — Honorable Testimony concerning Mr. Shadford — Eankin and Asbury — Eankin and John Staples — John Jacob Staples, Jun. — Inventor — His Widow — Young Thomas Staples — Character of — Sick — A Voyage to Europe — Goes to London — Grows worse — Kindly entertained by Mr. Eankin — Kind Attention bestowed — Dr. Whitehead — Young Staples experiences Eeligion — Dies triumphant — Touching Letter from Mr. Eankin to his Father — Shows the Character of the Man — George Shadford highly honored of God — Great Eevival — Moral Miracles — Shadford and Asbury — Shadford in New-York — Name on the "Old Book" — Has Seals to his Ministry in Wesley Chapel — Letter from Mr. Wesley — Characteristic of — Sudden Termination of Mr. Shadford's Labors in America — War — Eeturns to England — Supernumerary — Cannot be idle — Meets three Classes — His devotional Habits — Dr. Bunting— Death of Shadford 238

CHAPTEK XXYI.

JAMES DEMPSTEE.

The last of Wesley's Missionaries to America — Preceded by noble Men — Birth-place — Liberal Education — Ten Years in the Work — Has the Confidence of Mr. Wesley — Wesley's Letter to Mr. Eankin — Wesley's Letters to Dempster — Their Style — Wesley's Simplicity and Familiarity — Dempster abandons his Work — Cause unknown — Becomes a Presbyterian Minister — Field of Labor — Twice married — A Son a Methodist Minister — Mr. Dempster's Death — Leaves a good Name behind him 250

CHAPTER XXYII.

DANIEL EUFF.

Successor to Mr. Dempster — First American Preacher appointed to Wesley Chapel — Sketch of — Eevival — Very Useful — Asbury's description of — Freeborn Garrettson awakened — Converted — Preaches

— Buff encourages him to enter the Ministry — Among the First Pioneers in New- Jersey — Stationed in New- York — Difficulties — War — Battles on Long Island — Cruel Death of Major Woodhull

— British take Possession of the City — Declaration of Independence — Disastrous Fire — The Methodist Ministers abandon New- York — Six Years without a Preacher from the Conference 255

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXYni.

JOHN MANN.

Sketch of — Birth-place — Marriage — Awakened — Moravi an — Captain Webb's Preaching — Beneficial to — Bichard Boardrnan's — Means of his Conversion — Leaves the Moravians — Unites with the Methodists — Seasons why — Mr. Mann a Class-leader — A Local Preacher — Has Fruit — Commencement of the War — Methodist Preachers leave the City — Mr. Mann supplies the Pulpit at the request of the Trustees — Preacher from Philadelphia — Mr. Mann still preaches in the Chapel — Usefulness as Trustee and Treasurer during the War — Leaves for Nova Scotia — Why — Place of Besidence — Ordained by Asbury and Coke — Part of the Society remove to Nova Scotia — Their Loyalty — Trustees' Election at the close of the War — Mr. Mann's Name in the Minutes — Mr. Garrettson makes honorable Mention of— Mr. Wesley's Letter to — Death of Mr. Manru 260

CHAPTER XXIX.

METHODISM IN NEW-YOEK DURING THE EEVOLUTIONAEY WAB.

Historical Error concerning the real State of Things — Extracts from Dr. Bangs's History — Extracts from P. D. Gorrie's History — Wesley Chapel not closed — Not converted into Barracks — Evidence — James Man — Watson's Sketches of Olden Times — The "Old Book" — Sketch of Bev. Samuel Spraggs, Pastor for several Years — Items from the "Old Book" in 1778 — Preachers' Board and Quarterage — Extracts from the "Old Book" showing the State of Things in 1779 — Chapel still open — Pastor's Salary — 1780 — Preaching-House still occupied — Increase of Preacher's Salary — 1781 — Similar State of Things — Samuel Spraggs still the Pastor — 1782 — Edifice still occupied as a Place of Worship — Preacher's Salary — 1783 — Samuel Spraggs still the Pastor — Final Settlement — Further Extracts from the "Old Book," showing the State of Things during the War — Quiet — Wood, Washing, Sugar, Tea, all for Preachers — Eepairing Preacher's House — Gallery — Bepairing old Parsonage — Lighting the Chapel — Vast Amount of Candies used — Shows the true Condition of Things at that Period — Bible for Chapel — Wood for Classes — Love-feast Tickets — Paid William Lupton 267

CHAPTER XXX.

METHODISM IN NEW-YOEK DURING THE EEVOLUTIONAEY WAE : SAMUEL SPBAGGS.

Samuel Spraggs — Sketch of former Fields of Labor — Brunswick Circuit — Philadelphia — Succeeds Thomas Eankin — Name mysteriously

CONTENTS.

disappears from the Minutes — Keappears — "Why he came to New- York — Pastor of Wesley Chapel — No Two-Years' Eule would apply to him — His Name on the "Old Book" when mentioned first — His Salary in 1778 — His Salary and other Expenses in 1779 — His Salary in 1780 — His Board and Quarterage in 1781 — His Board and Quarterage in 1782 — Board and Quarterage in 1783 — Total Amount received while in New-York 279

CHAPTER XXXI.

METHODISM IN NEW-YOEK D USING THE EEVOLUTIONAEY WAE, CONCLUDED.

Statistics showing how the Trustees and Stewards raised the Money to meet their Liahilities — " Old Book " solves the Mystery — Public and Class Collections — Amount of in 1778 — Public and Class Collections in 1779— Public and Class Collections in 1780 — In 1781 — In 1782 — In 1783 — Whole Amount paid to Mr. Spraggs — Collections during the War greater than before or after — Probable Cause — Large Audiences at Wesley Chapel — British Officers and Soldiers attend — Statistics full of Instruction, though very dry — Lessons we may learn from them — Mr. Spraggs highly esteemed — His Namesake — His spiritual Son, Eichard Ley craft — First Methodist in Newark — Oldest Methodist in New-York when he died — Mr. Spraggs leaves New- York — Becomes an Episcopal Minister — Settles in Elizabethtown — Dies there — Marble Tablet 284