Troy conference miscellany, containing a historical sketch of Methodism ...

Front matter

I

TROY

CONFEREIE MISCELLMY,

Preface

The First Part of this work does not assume to be any thing' like a full, connected history of Methodism within the region of which it treats; this would have required a separate volume. A mere outline, and that relating chiefly to our early history, is all that has been attempted.

The Second Part is intended as a ftne/*, accessible, and permanent memorial of those men of God, who have been instrumental in the establishment of that form of Christianity in our midst, which is known by the name of Methodism. With but one or two exceptions, no record of their lives or labors remains, save what is found in the Minutes, and the notices that appeared in the papers, at the time of their death; and these are preserved by but few. Gratitude demands that their memories should be cherished, and such recollections must be promotive of piety.

A very common fault of biographical .works, is, that they are overivrought ; every defect is concealed, every real virtue is exaggerated, while many excellencies are attributed to the subjects which they never possessed. However gratifying such memoirs may be to personal friends, they are not calculated to answer the ends contemplated by this class of writings. With the example of the inspired biographers before him, the writei of the following sketches determined that, whatever defects they might possess, they should be truthful, as far as he is capable of making them so. Meagre and defective, some of them, especially, are; and possibly some of the friends of these ex- Bcellent men may think that justice has not been done them. To

Tl PREFACR.

•uch, I cnn only sny that I linvo done the best I could under the circumstances, within my prescribed limits, and with the matcrinlH nt my command. It will be seen that a few of these akotrhos wore wriltftj l»y otlior, and more able pens.

Of the Third Part I might speak more freely. Those contributions, which, with one or two exceptions were written expressly for this work, will be appreciated by the public for their intrinsic worth, and specially valued by the numerous personal friends of the authors as the productions of those whose ministrations have been made a blessing to them in by-gone days.

No pains have been spared to make the tahlts of the Appendix an correct as possible. The kindness of those who have aided in collecting materials is gratefully acknowle<lged. The writer has drawn upon any, and all sources of information within his reach, giving credit, very generally, in the body of the work.

These pages have been prepared with a special reference to their circulation and use as a book of reference, within the range of the Troy Conference.

One fact the writer sincerely deplores; the work has been prepared in haste, and amid the incessant cares and duties of a heavy pastoral charge. Other engagements must have his attention for some time to come; and imder the necessity of committing it to the press thus hastily, or delaying it indefinitely, he has chosen the former.

Courteous reader, such as it is, this unpretending yolume is committed to your hands, in the humble hope that it will do pood.

Albany, February 15, IBM. S. Parks.

Part First

nislorical Sketch of Methodism within the Bonnds of the Troy Conference.

Chapter I

Boundaries of the Conference — General description — Capt. Webb in Albany — "Who preached the first Methodist sermon in America? — Freeborn Garrettson and his coadjutors — Strange notions of their character — Their success — First Society at Ashgrove — Philip Embury — First circuit — First house of worship — David Noble

— David Brown — Mr. Ashton — " Preachers' room" — Old chair

— Garrettson preaching in the Assembly Chamber — First society in Albany — Schenectady — Calvinistic opposition — Canaan — Anecdote of Garrettson — His character — Liberating his slaves

— Hfs sufferings — History of Methodism in Pittsfield — Saratoga circuit — First church built in Albany, ^c. — Church in Johnstown — B. Hibbard's first sermon, and early labors — Warren county — Richard Jacobs — First society and circuit in Western Vermont — Joseph Mitchell — Lorenzo Dow — Bishop Hedding's con version — Joseph Sawyer at Petersburgh — Ebenezer Washburn's conversion — Anecdote of Washburn — Peter Vannest at Dalton — Persecution — Williamstown — Cambridge Circuit — Cruel persecution — Spread of the work — Early preachers — Their toils, sufferings and character — Early societies. Page 19

CHAPTER n.

FROM 1800, TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE TROT CONFERENCE IN 1832.

Hedding's early labors — His first sermon — Jesse Lee at St. Albans, ^c. — Peter Vannest on Essex Circuit — Brandon Circuit — Conversion of Abner Chase — Saratoga Circuit — Quarterly Meetings at Kingsborough — Fish House — Ludicrous Scene — Presiding Elder's District — Annual Conferences — Hedding on Plattsburgh

Vlll CONTENTS.

Circuit — FMchrr Circuit — Districts — Methodiim in Troy, from 1801 to 1852 — K. Waahburnon Brandon and Vergcnnes circuits — Calvinism — Persecutions — Middlebury — Charlotte — Starksborough — Hinesburgh — Dutchman's child*s funeral — Infant Dacnation — Laban Clark — St. Albans Point — Sudbury — Wi.iiing — Shoreham — Orwell — Benson — William Anson on Grand Isle — Asel Landon — Seymour Landon — John Frazer'i adventures on Lake Chaniplain — Henry B. Taylor "a night and a day in the deep" — Conference at Ashgrove — Methodism in Lansingburgh — Whiting — Anecdote — Methodism in Schenectady — T. Spicer — Asbiiry — Schenectady Circuit — Methodism in Albany — Revivals in l&24and 1828 — Samuel Merwin — Laban Clark — Samuel Draper — Seth Crowel — Samuel Cochran — Lewis Peasij. Page 43

Chapter III

PROQKrSS A!CD PRRSE?«T t.T\TE OF METHODISM I!f THE COXrEUE>CCB.

Plan of this Sketch — Progress since 1832 — Middlebury District — Warren Circuit — Albany District — Original members of the Troy Conference — Statistics — Influence of Millerism — Distinguished men, Lcvinjrs, Olin, Hedding — Church building — Church debu — Free and rented seat's — Steeples and bells — Church music — Cutting up circuits — Missions — Tracts — Spiiituality — Premature failure of our preachers — Causes — Aged members of the conference — Elijah Chichester — Andrew McKean — %Samuel Howe — Henry Stead — Jacob Beeman — Cyprian H. GriJley — Tobias Spicer — Josiah F. Chamberlain — Sherman Minor — Timothy Benedict — James Quinlan. Page 64

Part Second

BEV. NOAH LKVIN08, D. P. — DY RKV. D. \T. CLABK, D. D.

Nativity — Parentage — Early disadvantages — An apprentice in Xroy — Determining where to attend church — Hears P. P. Sandford and L. Clark — Conversion — Public religious exerciaes — " Let that boy alone" — Formation of religious character — Call to the rr inistry — Conflicts — First circuit — Large and small circuits — Intellectual and religious improvement — Error of yoting preacheri — Conferenre — Pownal Circuit — Montfomery Circuit — Marriage — Going north — Middlebury — Bur-

CONTENTS. IX

lington — Success — Devotion to study, ifC — Missionary excursions— Charlotte Circuit —New York City — Popularity — Extracts from his journal — Death of Garrettson — Brooklyn — New Haven — Church difficulties — General Conference — Garrettson Station, Albany — His studies — Dedicates churches — Revival — In Troy — General Conference — Schenectady — Revival — Dedicates seven churches — Dr. Nott — Preaches in the college chapel

— Degree of D. D. — His successor in Schenectady — Appointed P. E. — North Second street, Troy — Revival — Division street, Albany — Bereavement — State street, Troy, again — Vestry street, New York — Fin. Sec. Am. Bible Society —Western tour — Sickness — Death — Character, ^c. Page 73

BEV. COLES CARPENTEB.

Greatly beloved — Left no records of his life — Godly ancestry — Birth — Conversion — Christian decision — Anecdote — Commences to preach — Ordination — Troy Conference — Appointed presiding elder — Sickness — Sudden and happy death — Funeral — Dr. Luckey — Character as a parent — Letters to his son, on leaving home — Bereavements — Letter to his son — More afflictions — Extract of a letter — Death of a daughter — Letter — Another daughter dies — Piety of his children — Character as a preacher — Eloquence — Dr. Luckey — T. Benedict — E. Osborn

— Appointments. P^ge 113

REV. ANDREW C. MILLS.

Birth and death — Pious parents — Passion for music — Never wept until converted — His modesty — Instrumental in a revival — An Era in his history — Preaches — Travels under P. Elder — Joins Troy Conference — Sudden death — Piety — Zeal — Music — Sung himself to death — Divine Providence — Last dreadful conflict with Satan — Peaceful end. Page 122

BET. ARNOLD SCHOLEFIELD, — BY BEV. E. OSBORN.

Nativity — Conversion — Early preaching — Anecdote — Fields of labor — Dutchess Circuit — E. Osborn, his colleague — Parting scene — Appointed P. Elder — Scene at camp meeting — Another — Delegate to Gen. Conference — Sickness — T. Spicer — Supernumerary — Settles in Columbia county, N. Y. — Resumes Pastoral relation — Daughter's conversion — Controversial sermon — P. Elder again — Paralytic stroke — Affecting scene — Dies at a tavern — Mr. Osborn's remarks on his character — Additional remarks on his character and preaching — A camp meeting sermon. Page 126

X C0>'rENT8.

KIT. WRIGHT UAZEN. — BT REV. SOAU LEVIXG8, D. D.

Dirth and death — Amiability — Apprentice — Becomei pioua — Removes to Troy — Marriage — Preaches — Enters upon the itinerant work — Terrporal embarrassments — Retires to extricate him- •clf — Noble example — Returns to the itinerancy — Revival at Hoosic — Transferred to Troy Conference — Wife dies — Waterford — West Troy — Second Marriage — Bronchial disease — Consumption — Tries sea air — Kindness of Christian friends — "Rocking in the cradle of death" — End — Character. * Page 133

REV. PUILETL'S GREKN.

Birth and 'death — Pious mother — Skeptical — Coach painter — Awakened and converted — Great change — Rules of life — Wilbraham Academy — Joins N. E. Conference — Transferred to Troy Conference — Marriage — Usefulness — Indications of consumption — Bleeding at the lungs — Death — Piety — Extracts from his journal — Letter to a skeptic — Speaking *' too loud" — Happy end. Page 140

REV. AMOS R. RIPLET.

Want of knowledge of him — Conflicts relative to the ministerial calling — Joins Troy Couference — Appointments — Early death

— Character, ^c. Page 146

REV. GILBERT T. PALMER.

Mysteries of Providence — Faith — Heaven — Birth and death — Parentage — Opposition to his becoming a Methodist — Call to preach — Poultney Academy — Enters the iniaistry — Fort Ana — Orwell — Hiram Blamhard — Ticonderoga — Ordained elder — HiB character — S. D. Brown*s account of his last days.

RLT. WM. D. STEAD. — BT REV. C. R. MORRIS.

Parentage — Birth — Conversion — Enters the ministry — Appointments — Sickness and success on Chester Circuit — Death — Sufferings and patience — Character. Pago 152

REV. DANIEL UOLMES.

Nativity — Early conversion — First marriage — Begins to preach

— Appointments — Second marriage — Transferred to Troy Conference — Appointments — Health fails — Supernumerary — His character — Deep atlliclions — Death. Pa^e 154

CONTENTS.

XI

EEV. CHARLES SHXBMAN.

Parentage — Father's character — Mother's piety — Her prayer for her son — Prayer meetings at his father's house — Influence of early associations — Experiences religion — Preaches — Early Character and preaching — L. A. Sandford — Dr. S. Luckey — S. Merwin's prediction — Joins N, Y. Conference — "A prophet in in his own country" — Transferred to Troy Conference — Division •treat, Albany — "Who is Charles Sherman?" — North Second street, Troy — Appointed P. Elder — Revivals on the district — Letter to Mr. Ward — Letter to his brother Samuel — Last visit to his father — Interesting incident — Delegate to General Conference — Affection of the heart — Letter to the writer — Jonesville — North Second street, Troy — Troubles — Sickness and death — Personal appearance — Distinguishing trait of character

— Symmetry of character — Liberality — Letter — Cheerfulness

— Preaching — Pastoral habits — A man of prayer — Public prayers — Gratitude — Character as P. Elder — Letter to the Writer — Another — Skill as a manager — Settling difficulties — Dispersing a mob — Meeting an emergency at a camp-meeting

— Social qualities — In conference — Attachment to the church

— His end. Page 157

REV. JAMES COVEL, A. M.

Ancestry — Nativity — Father's prayer — Dull scholar — "I'll try."

— Removed to Poughkeepsie — Conversion — Licensed to preach

— Enters traveling connection — The " boy team " — Studious — Anecdote — Early Preaching — Marriage — Appointments — Death — Character as a scholar — Literary labors — Absentminded — Modesty — Preaching — Personal appearance — Integrity — Sickness — Dr. Skilton's remarks — Dying scenes.

REV. THOMAS KIRBY. BY RET, B. M. HALL.

Birth — Influence of parental piety — Camp-meeting — Prayer Answered.* — His conversion — Early religious activity and usefulness — Appointed class-leader — Wilbraham Academy — Preaches under the presiding elder at Dalton — Anecdote — " Preach will you?" — New Lebanon — Stowe — Berkshire — Success — Hinesburgh — Anecdote — Reception of Preachers by the people — Whitehall — Greatly esteemed — Brandon — Granville Corners — Last sermons — Sickness and death — B. O. Meeker's account of st days — Funeral sermons — Personal appearance — Cheerfulness — His preaching — Preaching to one hearer. Page ] 94

XU CONTENTS.

BKV. ALFRED SAXI.

Introduction — Memory of the dead — Birth — Incident — Desire for knowleilge — Love of h'story — Conversion — Call to the ministry — Desire for an education — Plattsburgh — Burlineton — KcosvilU? — Receives license to exhort — To preach — Early eflbrls — Enters the Wesleyan University — Scholarship — J.G. Saxe — Rev. L. L. Knox — Over-oxertion — Letter — Marriage — Subaequent life at Middletown — Joins the Troy Conference — Ferry Street — Success — Illness — Conference of 18^ — Secretary — Return to Ferry street — Testimonials — North While Creek — Superannuates — Returns to Sheldon — Last Letter — Death — Character — Intellectual power — Cultivation — Amiable spirit — Frien<ls — Love to his parents — Poetical epistles to his mother — Sister's album — Cheerfulness — Knox — Letter — Character as a Christian — View of the Ministry — Letter — Preaching — Affability — Pastoral habits — Conclusion, Page 202.

BEV. SAMUEL RIGHMY.

Early Conversion — Begins to preach — Appointments — Retires — Import of ''Supernumerary" and '* Superannuated " — Toils — Economy — Integrity — Anecdote — " Breaking the preacher down" — Preaching at a camp meeting — His death.

BEV. WILLIAM ANSOX.

Belonged to a former generation — Anecdote of his father — Learned the carpenter's trade — Yellow fever in New York — Conversion — Joined the New York Conference — Grand Isle Circuit — "A savage race" — Crossing the Bar — *' No rum" — His success — Other appointments — Ashgrove District — Rhinebcck District — Appointments — Supernumerary — Death — Hardships — Usefulness — Old-fashioned — Cured the "holy grunt" — Character — Family. Page 229.

BBV. KLIAS VANDrBLIP.

•An old dinciple" — Venerable appearance — Division-street Church — Nativity — Pious nwther — Early disadvantages — Conversion — Jfthn street church — Exborter — Snecess — Removes to Albany Store burnt — Ni^kayuna — Revival — Joins New York Conference — Motives of early prcT-hers — Appointments — Inadequate support — Location — Settles in Albany — Joins Troy Conferencs Sufferings and death — Character. Pa^e 235.

CONTENTS.

XIU

RKV. JOHN D. MORIARTY. — BY EEV. J. E. BOWEN.

Birth — His father a Roman Catholic — Becomes a Methodist preacher — Son's Conversion — "A Nothing^arian " — Corn stalks without corn — Removes to Albany — Licensed to preach — Enters on the itinerant work — Johnstown circuit — Sickness — Narrow escape — M. Bates — Removes to Saratoga Springs — Congress Spring House — Usefulness — Sudden Death — Character.

KEV. WILLIAM RYDER.

Religion adapted to the afflicted — A son of affliction — Appalling suffering's — Birth — Childhood — " Do it again, Papa" — Apprentice — Conversion — Studies — Embarrassments — Of age — Chester Academy — Growth in grace — Marriage — Conflicts respecting preaching — Itinerancy — Troubles — Father Howe — Anecdote of A. A. Farr — J. Poor — Birth day of his sufl^erings

— Leicester circuit — Poultney — Extraordinary sufferings — Mental conflicts — Saratoga Springs — Deprived of all power of locomotion — Helpless sufferer — Reads three hundred volumes

— His end. Page 246.

REV. DANIEL F. PAGE.

Nativity — Early traits of character — Religious experience — Connection with the Troy Conference — Ordination Credentials — Appointments — J. E. Bowen's account of his death — His wife — His Character. Page 258.

REV. JOHN p. FOSTER.

Birth — Early character — Awakenings and conversion — Enters the ministry — Appointments in New York Conference — Troy Conference — Consuiuption — Last days — Death — Piety — Gaiety of spirit — Benevolence — Domicstic character — Ministerial character — Visit to Petersburgh — Anecdote — Personal Appearance — Style, ^c. — C. Pomeroy — Habits of study — RevivAl on Chester circuit — Prayer-m.eeting in a bar room — H. W. Ransom. Page 262,

REV. JOnX LINDSEY. BY REV. JOHN FRAZER, D. D.

Birth and conversion — Joins New England Conference — Appointments — Agency of Wesleyan University — Transferred to New York Conference — Fields of labor — Troy Conference — Labors

— Death — Want of lecords of him — Character — Bishop Hedding's account of him — His last sermon — Last hours. Page 268.

x!y

CONTKNTS.

nXV. CHESTKIl LTON.

Blnh-place — Early re'igious character — Enters the tnim-try — Fiel.lsof laI>or — AdironJark Mission — Magnanimity — Sickness

— Preparation for death — Lonely, yel happy end — Character.

REV. IIENRT EAME8.

His father and Wesley —Wesley's letters to hinn — Birth, and early piety — A local pre:\cher — A traveling preacher — Marriage — Four hundred conversions — Death of his wife — Appointments — Supernumerary — Death — Unrecorded toils — Old-fashioned preacher— ^ Dutchman and Methodist preacher — Falling in meeting — His preaching — His son. Page 279.

BEV. JAME8 F. DURItOWS.

" The memory of the just " — liirth — Providence — Becomes pious

— Early reli'!:ious activity — Perfect love — Preparation for the Ministry — Biblical Institute — Marriage — Joins Troy Conference — Fields of labor — Bronchial disease — Consumption — Joyful death — His preaching. Page 284.

REV. ELIJAH B. nUDBAED

Einh — Pious parents — Converted very youn;; — Marriage — Profession of reliijion — Zeal — Class-leader — Enters the itinerant work — Success on Fort Ann circuit — Death of his wife — Afflictions — Mental aberration — Recovery — Second marriage — Cause of his death — A murderous custo.n — Personal appearance and habits — Inward conflicts — Deep depression — Extracts from bis diary — Character — End. Page 2S8.

Revival at Rensselacrville — Females without souls — " Cyrus, do your duty " — Conversion — At Wcsleyan University — Tutor in Hon. F. Garretlsnn*s family — Joins New York Conference — Health fails — Lansinglurph and Jonesvillc Academies — Troy Conference— Goes South — Death— Rev Z. Phillips' sketch of his character — Asa Scholar — AnuFiiend — A« a CLiisiian — Asa Minister, Page 295.

BKV. OLIVRB EMKRSOM.

Nativity — Parentage — Hears T. Spicer preach — Brought to Christ by his sister — A worthy e.xarTiple — I'ontoosuc — Mental conflicts

— Wilbraham Academy — His feelings on leaving Wilbraham —

CONTENTS.

XV

TTicological Seminaries — First circuit — Tvcvival at Palatine Bridge — Reception at Waterford — Afllictions — Narrow escapes — Kevival in Lansingburgh — Afiliclions — Superannuated — SufTerings — Deaih. Page 50 1.

EEV. EICnATlD CniFFlN.

A comparative stranger — Native of Ireland — Early usefulness — Emigration — Appointments — Sickness and Death — Opinions of his colleagues — Happy end — Refleclions. Page 3il

REV. DATUS ENSIGN — DY HEV, C. R. MORRIS.

Nativity — Death — Early Conversion — Licensed to preach — Enters the itinerant field — Fields of labor — Marriage — Subsequent Appointments — Perfect love — Superannuated — Resumes iho work — Supernumerary — His preaching — Anecdote — Appearance, fyc. — Family prayer meetings — Declining health — Happy end — Funeral. Page 313.

PART THIRD. Contribntions by Living Members of Troy Conference

The First Commandment -wiTn Promise. Rc7j. B. M. Hall. 319

Christianity an element of Civilization. Rev. H. Dunn. 320

Importance of an elevated aim. Rev. H. L. Starks, A. M. 330

The Transfiguration. Rev. B. Isbcll, 332

The Agony in the Garden. 7?^^;. D. Stai-ks, 330

Was toe Resurrection body of Christ a spiritual and glorified

body. Rev. A. C. Rose, 340

TuE Young Slterannuate. Rev. W, Ford, 346

TnE Christian Profession. Rev. W. A. Miller, 350

Influence of familiar associates 351

Onward ! Upward ! Rev. A. Johnson, 354

Importance of parental piety to successful family government. Rev. M. Wilhcril , 355

Death wttiiout the ligut of revelation. Rev. J. M. Edcjerton, 359

God in intercourse with man. Rev. B. Ilaiclcy, A. If., 306

llow can God be just and merciful and create men whom he knew would sin and consequently be miserable forever?

Rev. C. Dcvol, Af. D., 372

XVI cowTEprrs.

JianMoni, 381

TuK BAm^M or the Holy Guost. liev. K. We$coU, A. J/.,... 382

An ALT8IS or THE NEW EULE ON 8LAVEKY PBOrOSlOi BY TUE TkOT

Conkkeeme in May, 1853. Jiev. A. Withertpoon, 394

TlIK IDENTITY OF THE HUMAN BODY IN THE BESiURRf CTION. licv. J.

M. Wever, 405

Appendix

Lttehart Institutions, Puge 411

Tadlk showing the time and place of the several sessions of the Troy Confereucc, with the names of the piesiJing bisho])s and secretaries. Page 412

Tadlr showing who have been presiding elders of the several districts from lfe3'i to 1854. Page 413

Statistics of membership, Sunday School scholars, collections, i[C.

Tablb containing an alphabetical list of all the preachers who have been connected with the conference from its organization to 1654; ■howinglhe lime of their reception, and who have withdrawn, located, been transferred, expelled, or died, and the date of such events. Page 415

Tbact and book depositories. Page 424

Part First. Historical Sketch Of Methodism Within The Bounds Of

THE TROY CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST

EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

" And thou shalt remember all the way v/hich the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thy heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no." — Deut. viii, 2.

V

HISTORICAL SKETCH.

Chapter I. From 17c0 To Isoo

The Troy Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which had previously constituted a part of the New York Conference, was organized in 1832. It is bounded on the north by Canada East, on the east by the Green Mountains, on the south by a line running east and west from Pittsfield, Mass., to Schoharie county, N. Y., and on the west by a somewhat irregular line running from Schoharie in a northerly direction to Canajoharie, Lake Pleasant, and thence to Canada East, leaving Franklin county on the west, and Clinton county on the east of this line. It therefore includes Rensselaer, Albany, Schenectady, Montgomery, Fulton, Saratoga, Washington, "Warren, Essex, and Clinton counties; with a part of Columbia, Schoharie, and Hamilton counties in New York ; so much of Vermont as lies west of the Green Mountains; and about ten towns in Berkshire county, Mass.

Within its bounds are the cities of Albany, Troy, Schenectady, and Vergennes, together with a large number of flourishing villages, extensive fertile regions, and much picturesque and beautiful scenery. Howes* Cave, Saratoga and Lebanon Springs, and Cohocs, and Glenn's Falls, are among the natural curiosities within its limits. The Hudson river, Lake Champlain, the northern and western canals, and numerous rail roads constitute its thoroughfares, and render traveling within its bounds cheap, pleasant, and expeditious.

20 TROY CONFEKENCE MISCELLANY.

The first Methodist tliat is known to have entered this region was Captain Webb, of the British army. Having received a wound in the arm, and lost his right eye at the battle of QtubLC, under General Wolfe, he returned to Kngland, and in 1764, or 17(55, was converted to God. lie joined the Methodist society, and in 1765, or 1766, returned to this country, having been appointed barrack-master at Albany. Before leaving England, he began to speak in public, and *' when he arrived in Albany, he regularly performed family prayer; some of his neighbors frequently attended, lie often gave them a word of exhortation, and the encouragement he met with emboldened him to extend his labors." (Young's IJist. Meth., p. 235.) Thus began that work which has since 80 wonderfully spread throughout this and other regions of our country. It will be remembered that it was in 1766, that Mr. Philip Embury preached his first sermon in the city of New York, and organized the first Methodist society in America. Whether the honor of preaching the first Methodist sermon in America belongs to Captain Webb, or to Philip Embury, and whether Albany or New York was the place where it was preached, it maybe impossible positively to decide; but that Mr. Embury organized the first society, may be considered a settled historical fact. Dr. Bangs says of Mr. Embury's first sermon, which was preached to five hearers in his own house in New York: " This, it is believed, was the first Methodist sermon ever preached in America." (Hist. Meth., vol. i, p. AH.) Tliis is the general impression, and yet as this is a question of some historic interest, it may be well to investigate it.

•• In the year 1765 or 1766.'- Dr. Hangs says, '* Capt. Webb was appointed barrack-master at Albany. Hero he set up family prayer in his own house, which some of his neighbors frequently attended, to whom he gave

HISTORY OF METHODISM.

a word of exhortation and advice. The blessing of God attending those incipient efforts to do good, he was induced to extend his labors, and he began to hold meetings among his fellow-soldiers and others who wished to attend. After the arrival of Mr. Embury in New York, Capt. Webb, hearing of their having begun to hold meetings, paid them a visit." (Bangs' Hist, Meth., V. ii,p. 257.) From the above, it seems that he began to hold meetings in Albany either the same year that Mr. Embury began in New York, 1766, or the year previous. Capt. Webb appeared among the Methodists in New York " shortly after they had formed themselves into a society," and before the rigging-loft was hired. (Young's Hist. Meth., p. 232; Bangs' Hist. Meth., vol. i, pp. 49, 50). A letter from the infant society in New York to Mr. Wesley, dated Api'il 11, 1768, says, " The above appears to be a genuine account of the state of religion in New York eighteen months ago, when it pleased God to rouse up Mr. Embury to employ his talent by calling sinners to repentance, and exhorting believers to let their light shine before men." ' ' About fourteen months ago, Capt. Webb, barrack-master at Albany, found them out, and preached in his regimentals." (Bangs' Hist. Meth., vol. i, p. 53-4). Thus it appears that Mr. Embury was aroused to duty in October, 1766, i. e., eighteen months before the above letter was written, that Capt. Webb began to hold meetings in Albany in 1765 or 1766, and that he preached in New York about four months after Mr. Embury's first sermon, having previously preached in Albany, " first to his fellovrsoldiers, and afterward to all that were willing to hear him." From the above evidence it seems highly probable that the first Methodist sermon in America was preached by Capt. Webb at Albany, or at least that he there held the first Methodist meetings for exhortation and prayer. I learn also that he visited and preached at Schenectady. No society, however, was formed in either of these cities until several years subsequent to 17GG. Capt. Webb afterwards returned to England whi-rc })is labors were greatly blessed, lie died suddenly in 179G.

TIjc Rei\ Freeborn GarreUson was the apostle of Methodism in all the region now occupied by the Troy Conference. At the Conference of 1788 he was appointed presiding elder of the district north of the city of yew York, and extending from New Roehclle, near New York city, to Lake Ciiamplain. At that time there were but six circuits in his large district, and but two of them within the bounds of what now constitutes the Troy Conference. " The Lord had raised up a number of zealous young men, who had entered the field of itinerancy with hearts lircd and filled with love to God and the souls of men. Several of these were placed under the charge of Mr. Garrettson, who was requested by Bp. Asbury to penetrate the country north of the city of New York, and form as many circuits as he could.