DOCSLIB.ORG

A HISTORY of the METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH by Nathan Bangs

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A HISTORY of the METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH by Nathan Bangs * * * * * * * A HISTORY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH By Nathan Bangs Volume II From The Year 1793 To The Year 1816 Third Edition, Revised And Corrected * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob; and thy tabernacles, O Israel," Numbers xxiv, 5. "Behold, I send an Angel before thee -- beware of him, and obey his voice; provoke him not. -- If thou, shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to thine enemies, and an adversary to thine adversaries," Exod. xxiii, 20-22. Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1838, by T. Mason & G. Lane, in the clerk's office of the Southern District of New-York * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BOOK IV From 1792 to 1812 CONTENTS PART 10 Volume II, Book IV, Chapter 1 Methodism won its way; satisfaction in the doings of the conference of 1792; conferences and circuits; efforts to establish district schools; labors of Bishop Asbury; Methodism in New England; preachers withdrawn, dead, and located, numbers, conferences, and circuits; Methodism in the west; affliction and labors of Bishop Asbury; others labor and suffer with him; Methodism in Vermont and Maine; in New Hampshire; days of fasting and thanksgiving; locations and deaths of preachers; number of members and conferences; poisonous effects of infidelity; a fast proclaimed; thanksgiving; numbers; conferences attended by Bishop Asbury; his labor and sufferings; meets the classes in New York; Benjamin Abbott; his labors and their effects; his last public service; his death; his character; death of other preachers; of Judge White; numbers PART 11 Volume II, Book IV, Chapter 2 Second General Conference; locations deprecated; chartered fund; church property; manner in, and purposes for which it is held; local preachers, rules for the government of rule respecting the use of ardent spirits; Dr. Coke offers his services to the conference, which were accepted; he returns to Europe; an incident of the voyage; conference adjourns. PART 12 Volume II, Book IV, Chapter 3 Conferences and circuits; illness of Bishop Asbury; his labors and sufferings; further sufferings at Tuckehoe, N.Y.; not able to attend conferences, but appoints Jesse Lee in his place; death of preachers, and number in the church; people of color special object of attention; rebuilding of the Light street church; extension of the work in Western New York; numbers; death and character of John Dickins; deaths and locations; revival in Upper Canada;Calvin Wooster; good results of; his labors; others enter into the work; opposition to it; Methodism in Ohio; in Georgia and Mississippi; locations and deaths -- death and character of H. C. Wooster; numbers. PART 13 Volume II, Book IV, Chapter 4 Third General Conference. The oldest journal commences here; debility of Bishop Asbury; conference requests a continuance of his services; to which he consents; the case of Dr. Coke considered; conference consents to his temporary residence in Europe; letter of Bishop Asbury to the British Conference; Dr. Coke returns; address of the American to the British Conference; election of Richard Whatcoat to the episcopal office; his labors and character; allowance of preachers; provision for married preachers; boundaries of conferences; the bishops authorized to ordain colored preachers adjournment. PART 14 Volume II, Book IV, Chapter 5 Great revivals; in Baltimore, Duck Creek, Eastern Shore of Maryland, Philadelphia, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire; Commencement of camp meetings in the west; their good effects great meeting on Desha's Creek; conversion of individuals; opposition to these meetings -- how silenced; number of attendants increase; different denominations unite in them; powerful effects; labors of William McKendree; camp meetings spread other preachers enter into the work; providentially introduced; defence of these meetings; death of preachers, and numbers; labors of Bp. Asbury and Whatcoat; Methodism in N. hampshire and Vermont; in U. Canada; in Charleston, S.C.; deaths of preachers, and numbers; death and character of Mr. Jarratt; conferences; work of God prospers in the west; also in New Jersey; in the District of Columbia and in Vermont; Methodism in Montreal, L. C. and in Upper Canada; labors of the bishops; Baltimore conference; death and character of Bishop Asbury's mother; Methodism in Philadelphia; numbers; conference in Boston; progress of the work by means of camp-meetings in Virginia, Maryland, North and South Carolina, and Georgia; extends to Western New York and Lower Canada; deaths of preacher; comparative view of number in different sections of the country; influence of Methodism on the general state of society. PART 15 Volume II, Book IV, Chapter 6 Fourth General Conference; number and names of those Composing it; rules of proceeding and powers of the bishops; trial of a bishop, amendment of one article of faith, and sundry other alterations; addresses of the American to the British conference; boundaries of conferences; adjournment of the General Conference; effects of camp-meetings; influence declines in Kentucky; Springfield presbytery; wild excesses; Methodist adhere to their standards; Cumberland Presbytery; camp-meetings in Ohio; Methodism in Marietta; in the older states; in Illinois and upper Canada; state of things in Detroit; locations, deaths, and numbers, and conferences; general state of the work; death and character of Tobias Gibson; of Nicholas Watters and Wilson Lee; of others; numbers and conference; proposition of Bishop Asbury for a delegated General Conference; rejected by Virginia conferences; Dr. Cooks marriage and proposition to reside in America; Methodism in Louisiana; in Mississippi; in lower Canada, particularly Quebec; French mission; in Massachusetts, and Eastern Shore, Md; Bishop Asbury in the west; in Charleston, S. C.; death and character of Bishop Whatcoat; withdrawings, locations, and expulsions, numbers and conferences; Bishop Asbury's travels and prayers; Methodism in Missouri; in Savannah, Ga; deaths and numbers. PART 16 Volume II, Book IV, Chapter 7 General Conference of 1808 -- number of members; the case of Dr. Coke -- his letter to the General Conference; conference dissatisfied with him; his letter to Bishop White; the bishop's answer; remarks on this correspondence; Dr. Coke's explanatory letter; letter to Dr. Coke; resolutions in reference to Dr. Coke; address of the British to the American conference; of the American to the British conference; defence of those measures; measures for a delegated General Conference; Memorial of the New York conference; concurred in by other conferences; referred to a committee; report, and its rejection; a source of grief; second report accepted; well received; election of William McKendree to the episcopal office; sketch of his character and labors; E. Cooper resigns his station as book steward, and J. Wilson and D. Hitt appointed; local deacons, raising supplies, settling disputes, and adjournment of conference; minute respecting Dr. Coke. PART 17 Volume II, Book IV, Chapter 8 Extent of the annual conferences; general satisfaction in what had been done; Bishop Asbury relieved in his labors by his new colleague; Bishop McKendree enters upon his work; their manner of traveling; privations and enjoyments; extension of the work in Ohio; singular conversion; progress of the work in New England; revival in the city of New York; locations and deaths of preachers; account of Captain Webb; numbers; Methodism in the west; in Boston; origin of camp meetings; manner in which they are held; Account of one held on Long Island, N.Y.; another in the west; numbers; Genesee conference; Methodism in Cincinnati; in Indiana; revival in New york; locations and deaths of preachers; character of Joseph Everett; of John Wilson; numbers; rumors of war; earthquakes; want of houses of worship; of parsonages; Bishop Asbury in Upper Canada; in the western states; Methodism in Pittsburg; locations and death of preachers; numbers. PART 18 Volume II, Book V, Chapter 1 First delegated General Conference; names of its members; rules; address from Bishop McKendree; referred to committees; Bishop Asbury's desire to visit his native land; Genesee and other conferences; ordination of local deacons; rule for settling disputes; how state of itinerant in the M.E.C.; sad effects of this state of things; Lee's History and efforts to obtain a better; church property; provision for worn out preachers, widows, and orphans and for missionary purposes; address of G. C to the members of the church; presiding elder question; history of; arguments for and against the measure; end of the controversy; stationing power; its use. PART 19 Volume II, Book V, Chapter 2 War declared; consequences of this; growing importance of the West; commission from the A. B. C. F. M. sent there; report; Bishop Asbury declines in health; remarks on the war and effects of intoxicating liquors; state of the work; numbers; a distressing times on the fronters; secession of Pliny Brett; general state of things; labors of Bishop Asbury; makes his will; mutual affection and influence of the bishops; numbers; cause of the increase; the war rages; its effects on religion; dangerous illness, and recovery of Bishop Asbury; resumes his travels; his debilitated appearance; death and character of Mr. Otterbein, and others connected with him; death of Dr. Coke; locations; deaths and numbers; Bishop McKendree; conversation of Bishop Asbury with him; the war draws near its termination; locations, deaths and numbers; peace
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 1855 Church Link with Early Ingersoll
    .... / ' ■ I EARLY CHURCHES \ , A InGKRSOLL AAD VICINITY PRESBYTERIAN The Erskine Presbyterian congregation was organized in 1852. It was known as a United Presbyterian church often called the UPs. ‘A church of brick construction was erected on the north west corner of Charles St. and Boles St. in 1855* It was a very prominent church in its early years. Thomas Hyslop of Nest Oxford was*one of the elders and sessions clerk as well as precentor for 15 years. Hr. Hyslop was a rural neighbor of B.C. J. Ne*were well acquainted. Hi-h above*the front door of the church in the apex was a circle of wood bearing the inscription "Erskine Presbyterian Church." The congregation of this church joined the Knox church in 188°. The building was used by Nagle and Hills, contractors for a number of yea s. The sash and door factory was in the upper portion, which was the auditorium, and the heavy machinery was on the ground floor. I have be^n in the building many time. The building was demolished in 1950 and a more suitable^buildin^ erected by the Beaver Lumber Co, A’ Knox Presbyterian church, a Free church, also called the Kirk, began worship in a grove of trees i n l E ^ and in .,18^-7 erected, a brick, church on the same site. This church was located on the north side of St. Andrews street and east of Thames Street. The rear of the property extended to the north to a line which later (1881) was C.P.R.
    [Show full text]
  • CHAPTER I CRUSADING in the SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS To
    CHAPTER I CRUSADING IN THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS To ADMIT that one sprang from the second families of Virginia marks a strange trait. Indeed, it may well be argued that if the admission were publicly made and without provocation, it points to positive idiosyncrasies. So much undoubtedly can be proved on William Gannaway Brownlow, known to his time and to history as the Fighting Parson. Like Abraham Lincoln, his ancestry was the short and simple annals of the poor, but un­ like Lincoln he made a virtue out of telling it. Brownlow's father was Joseph A. Brownlow, who was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia in 1781. He spent his life drift­ ing down the great valleys of Southern Appalachia, and by 1816, when he died, he had reached East Tennessee. Brownlow's mother was Catherine Gannaway, also a Virginian. This couple had proceeded southwestward as far as a farm in Wythe County, when their first child was born. Itwas on the ~9th day of August, 1805, and the child was a boy. They named him William, to do honor to one of his father's brothers, and they added Gannaway out of respect for his mother's family. Two brothers and two sisters followed in rather close succession, to be his playmates. At the age of thirty-five his father died, a victim of the hard life of the frontiersman, and his mother, with feelings too tender for so dire a fate, grieved much for her departed husband, and followed him within less than three months. At the age of eleven Andrew Johnson, later to loom large on the Brownlow horizon, had lost only his father; Brownlow at the same age had lost both father and mother.
    [Show full text]
  • Rev. John Dickins by Charles Hargens, Based on an Eighteenth Century Engraving
    A 1961 Painting of Rev. John Dickins by Charles Hargens, based on an eighteenth century engraving. Rev. John Dickins Outstanding Early Methodist Leader Rev. Dr. Frederick E. Maser (1989) Editor’s Note: Frederick E. Maser (1908-2002) was a member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference for nearly 70 years. A well-known authority on early Methodism, he authored a number of books, including The Dramatic Story of Early American Methodism (1965) and The Story of John Wesley’s Sisters, or Seven Sisters in Search of Love (1988). The following paper was given as a speech on March 28, 1989 for the 200th anniversary meeting of the United Methodist Publishing House, held at St. George’s. The paper has not been published previously, though Dr. Maser’s findings on John Dickins’ son, Asbury, were outlined in his “Discovery” column, in the April 1989 issue of Methodist History. Dr. Maser’s work has been adapted for publication; additional materials have been added by the editor. One of the best educated and finest preachers in early American Methodism, John Dickins has never received his just dues from historians or other church luminaries. Despite his tremendous impor- tance in early Methodism, no life of Dickins has ever been written, and only passing references are made to him in Methodist histories. The most complete portrayal of the man is found in James Pilkington’s 1968 History of the Methodist Publishing House.1 I would like to share a few words about this outstanding early Methodist leader. John Dickins was born in London in 1747. The exact date is unknown, and he, himself wrote in the family Bible, now in possession of the Publishing House: John Dickins was born, (as he supposed) August 24th, 1747.
    [Show full text]
  • Worthies and Workers, Both Ministers and Laymen of the Rock River
    }:/' .*j*. fyxuW %x(mx%\ii Jilr^atg .G^drr^.t.t ..B-j..loI.ic.a.l. i>\sl.i.t..urfe.. -.1 y^^.. ..G,.X..ck.a.Ta.Q..ft,. 678-2 The date shows when this volume was taken. Tq^renew tjhis book "copy. ^l|e(caU No. and give to -f the librarKLTi. 4HOME USE RULES ..»a.; All Books subject to Recall ]. All borrowers must regis- ., ter in the library to borrow books for home use. All books must be re- turned at end of college year for inspection and repairs. Limited books must be re- turned within the four week limit and not renewed. Students must return all books before leaving*town. Officers should arrange for the retiurnjji^; books wanted during their '*dbsence from town. Volumes of periodicals and of pamphlets are held in the library as much as " possible. For, special pur- poses they^e given out for a limited time. Borrowers should not use their library privileges for -. the benefit of other persons. Books of special value and gift books, when the giver wishes it, are not allowed to circulate. Readers are asked to re- port all cases of books • marked or mutilated. Do not deface books by marks and writing. Cornell University Library BX8491 .F45 *°'1!7.!i??...?.nS...yiPir'*®''s.» bot*i ministers and 3 1924 029 471 566 olin The original of tliis book is in tlie Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31 924029471 566 WORTHIES AND WORKERS, BOTH MINISTERS AND LAYMEN, OF THE ROCK RIVER CONFERENCE.
    [Show full text]
  • It Has Long Been Observed That the Reason the Methodist Movement
    .,.,..,.. r,r r ~ .: ·. ' Methodist History, 31:1 (October 1992) "THE ADVANTAGES OF LIBERTY": DEMOCRATIC THOUGHT IN THE FORMATION OF THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH RICK NUTT It has long been observed that the reason the Methodist movement proved overwhelmingly successful in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries was its concern for the commoner. With an emphasis on religious experience and intimate community among the believers, Methodism '. I became a mass movement. As a popular movement in the upper south and Middle Atlantic states, Methodism had appealed to the dispossessed of society. Its adherents in the TJnited States tended to come from the farms of the nation, from those who served the wealthy in town, or those serving on plantations in the south. These people felt unappreciated and ignored by those who held power in the institutions that governed their lives-including the church (notice, for example, how African-Americans in the south responded to Methodist and Baptist preaching). People suddenly felt new hope in their identity , a sense of value, and release from the strictures of society. The i' . church became a world with values and expectations radically at odds with ' those of the world outside its fellowship. Donald Mathews has observed that," ... whether or not a person was a member of the gentry and had fine Clothes and a position of worldly authority was not important because I these distinctions were based on ephemeral things. They were saying i . that the conventional distinctions of society were not authoritative for I them." 1 Francis As bury, although the undisputed authority in the Meth­ odist Episcopal Church, was a man of the people and realized the value of the church to the powerless, largely unchurched, masses.
    [Show full text]
  • Life and Labors of Francis Asbury, Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal
    ^»' THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OV CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES FRANCIS ASBURY. LIFE AND LABORS OF FRANCIS ASBURY, BISHOP OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN AMERICA. BY GEORGE G. SMITH, D.D., AiUlior of "Life and Letters ofJames O. Andrcxv," "Life ami Times of George F, Pierce," "History of .\fethodism in Georgia," etc. Nashville, Tenx.: Publishing House M. E. Chukch, South, Rarbee & Smith, Ac;knts. 1896. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in tlie year 189G, By Georgk G. Smith, In tlie Otlice of the Librarian of Congress, at Wasliington. , iDeMcation. Co yo/m C/irtst/an J^ccnor, 0. 7). Son tor S^/s/to/i o/" fAo 9//cfAoc/tsf £^tsco/ia/ CAurcA, Souf/i, nof on/y docauso o/" //la A/t//i rosjjocf S Aavo /'or Ai's o/A'co and Tnj/ /o/fy nc^/niraft'on /or A/s monfa/ yt'/ts • and /nora/ ojccc/ZoncoSj 6ut as a foAon o/ fAe fcnc/cr /ovo y /co/ /or ono iiiAo /or /onff yoars y Aauo caUocf /iiy /ri'onii. Geobge G. .Smith. (iii) ;i7;>(iG() PREFACE. Soon after the death of Bishop Asbury measures were put on foot to have a full biography of him prepared. Dr. S. K. Jennings, at that time one of llie most sehol- arly men of the Church, was selected to do the work. After a considerable lapse of time, he returned the ma- terial placed in his hands and declined to go any farther. In the meantime the journals of Bishop Asbury were of a published ; and as they partly served the purpose memoir, none was prepared.
    [Show full text]
  • History of the M.E. Church, Vol. Ii
    WESLEYAN HERITAGE Library M. E. Church History HISTORY OF THE M.E. CHURCH, VOL. II By Abel Stevens, LL.D. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” Heb 12:14 Spreading Scriptural Holiness to the World Wesleyan Heritage Publications © 1998 HISTORY of the METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH in the United States of America By Abel Stevens, LL.D., Author of "The History of the Religious Movement of the Eighteenth Century called Methodism," etc. VOLUME II The Planting and Training of American Methodism New York: Published By Carlton & Porter, 200 Mulberry-Street 1868 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1861, by Carlton & Porter, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New-York HISTORY of the METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH By Abel Stevens VOLUME II The Planting and Training of American Methodism CONTENTS VOLUME II -- BOOK II -- CHAPTER VI CONFERENCES AND PROGRESS FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH Annual Conferences before the Organization of the Church -- Their Character and Powers -- Philadelphia Session of 1775 -- Important Success -- John Cooper -- Robert Lindsay -- William Glendenning -- William Duke -- John Wade -- Daniel Ruff at Abbott's Family Altar -- Edward Dromgoole -- First Baltimore Session, 1776 -- Its Character -- Freeborn Garrettson joins it -- Great Prosperity -- Methodism tends Southward -- Nicholas Watters -- James Foster -- Isham Tatum -- Francis Poythress -- Richard
    [Show full text]
  • The Theology of Grace in the Thought of Jacobus Arminius and Philip Van Limborch: a Study in the Development of Seventeenth Century Dutch Arminianism
    The Theology of Grace in the Thought of Jacobus Arminius and Philip van Limborch: A Study in the Development of Seventeenth Century Dutch Arminianism By John Mark Hicks A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy 1985 Faculty Advisor: Dr. Richard C. Gamble Second Faculty Reader: Mr. David W. Clowney Chairman, Field Committee: Dr. D. Claire Davis External Reader: Dr. Carl W. Bangs 2 Dissertation Abstract The Theology of Grace in the Thought of Jacobus Arminius and Philip van Limborch: A Study in the Development of Seventeenth Century Dutch Arminianism By John Mark Hicks The dissertation addresses the problem of the theological relationship between the theology of Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609) and the theology of Philip van Limborch (1633-1712). Arminius is taken as a representative of original Arminianism and Limborch is viewed as a representative of developed Remonstrantism. The problem of the dissertation is the nature of the relationship between Arminianism and Remonstrantism. Some argue that the two systems are the fundamentally the same, others argue that Arminianism logically entails Remonstrantism and others argue that they ought to be radically distinguished. The thesis of the dissertation is that the presuppositions of Arminianism and Remonstrantism are radically different. The thesis is limited to the doctrine of grace. There is no discussion of predestination. Rather, the thesis is based upon four categories of grace: (1) its need; (2) its nature; (3) its ground; and (4) its appropriation. The method of the dissertation is a careful, separate analysis of the two theologians.
    [Show full text]
  • All Rights Reserved by HDM for This Digital Publication Copyright 2000 Holiness Data Ministry
    All Rights Reserved By HDM For This Digital Publication Copyright 2000 Holiness Data Ministry Duplication of this CD by any means is forbidden, and copies of individual files must be made in accordance with the restrictions stated in the B4Ucopy.txt file on this CD. * * * * * * * THE FIRST M. E. CHURCH ELDERS Compiled & Edited By Duane V. Maxey * * * * * * * Digital Edition 02/03/2000 By Holiness Data Ministry * * * * * * * INTRODUCTION This compilation presents biographical sketches of the First Ordained Elders of the Methodist Episcopal Church -- elected to this office at the Christmas Conference of 1784 when the Church was organized. Some of these first Elders were ordained at that conference; some were ordained following it. While their history does not eclipse the 19 to 24 years of American Methodist history prior to their ordination, it does tell us much about the M. E. Church at the birth of its organization. As with some leaders in other organizations, not all of this group turned out for the best:-- one especially fell to horrible depths, and another created a major split from the M. E. Church, but most accounts will tell a better story and can be a source of real inspiration to the reader. These compilations were created from the writings of various different Early Methodist historians and biographers, the four most used sources being the writings of Nathan Bangs, John Lednum, Abel Stevens, and Ezra Squier Tipple. All of the material for them was gathered from digital publications found in our HDM Digital Library. I do not claim to be the author, but simply the compiler and editor.
    [Show full text]
  • “Redeeming the Time”: the Making of Early American Methodism
    “REDEEMING THE TIME”: THE MAKING OF EARLY AMERICAN METHODISM By Michael Kenneth Turner Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Vanderbilt University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Religion May, 2009 Nashville, Tennessee Approved: Dean James Hudnut-Beumler Professor M. Douglas Meeks Professor James P. Byrd Professor Dennis C. Dickerson Copyright ©2009 by Michael Kenneth Turner Al Rights Reserved To my ever-supportive and loving wife, Stephanie and To my father, Thomas, who helped every step of the way iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The idea for this dissertation took nascent form during my time as a participant in the 2006 Wesley Studies Seminar. I am very grateful for the fellowship from Duke Divinity School that enabled me to participate in the seminar and do early research on the dissertation. In particular, I would like to thank that group’s helpful leader and organizer, Dr. Richard Heitzenrater. I am also appreciative of the conversations, suggestions, and encouragement I received from Dean Laceye Warner (Duke Divinity School), Dr. Jason Vickers (United Theological Seminary), Dr. Sarah Lancaster (Methodist Theological School of Ohio), Dr. Rex Matthews (Candler School of Theology), and Dr. Steve McCormick (Nazarene Theological Seminary) both during and following the seminar. I am also thankful for all my colleagues and mentors at Vanderbilt University. First and foremost, I would like to thank the members of my dissertation committee. Dean James Hudnut-Beumler, my chair, is among the most knowledgeable students of American Religious History that I know. I am very grateful for his guidance through the program.
    [Show full text]
  • The Foreign Minister of Methodism
    The Foreign Minister of Methodism By Warren Thomas Smith Saturday, September 18, 1784, may have dawned as just another day in Bristol, England, but in the province of God it was highly significant. “At ten in the morning we sailed from King—Road for New York. A breeze soon sprung up, which carried us with the help of the tides, about a hundred leagues from Bristol by Monday morning . .” so Thomas Coke made the first entry in his Journal, a little volume published in 1793 and dedicated to John Wesley. The small vessel was not unlike other ships of the time, yet it was playing a role in an important scene of church history. Three of the passengers were to open a new chapter in the religious life of America. Of these one was a dedicated Welsh gentleman who would travel at least a hundred thousand miles on a hundred separate voyages as the Foreign Minister of Methodism and Ambassador of Jesus Christ. Thomas Coke was sailing as the executor of John Wesley’s design for the people called Methodists. It is doubtful that this plump little clergyman, who stood just five feet one inch, fully realized the significance of the voyage he was undertaking. A church was about to be born, and he was to be a key figure in the first moment of its breathing. Background of the Time We cannot form an estimate of the life and work of Thomas Coke without considering the time-spirit in which he lived: (1) His was to be a background of war and threat of war.
    [Show full text]
  • Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church For
    MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCES OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, IN FOR THE YEARS 1773-1 828. VOLUME I. NEW-YORK: PUBLISHED BY T. MASON AND G. LANE, FOR THE METHODIST EPI8COPAL CHURCH, AT THE CONFERENCE OFFICE, 200 MULBERRY-STREEt. J. Collord, Printer. 1840. Minutes for 1819. 319 MINUTES TAKEN AT THE SEVERAL ANNUAL CONFERENCES OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, FOB THE YEAR 1819. Quest. 1. Who are admitted on trial ? George Coles, Nathan Rice, Samuel D. — OHIO CONFERENCE. Ferguson 6. Samuel Adams, Samuel Brockunier, NEW-ENGLAND CONFERENCE. Edward Taylor, James Smith, Dennis Edward T. Taylor, Isaac Stoddard, Goddard, Charles Elliott, Thos. M'Clary, Lawson Walker, Moses Ladd, Elijah Greenbury R. Jones, Josiah Whitaker, Spear, Benjamin Ayer, James Bishop, Hezekiah Holland, Henry Mathews, Aaron Lummus— 8. Zachariah Connell, Le Roy Swormstedt, GENESEE CONFERENCE James T. Wells, Arthur Elliott, Andrew Thomas Demorest, M'Clain, Burwell Spurlock, John Harber, Horace Agard, Davics Williams, Joseph Farrow — 19. Henry Peck, James Brower, Franklin Metca'lf, Belus Shep MISSOURI CONFERENCE. herd, Chester Adgate, Sylvester Carey, Thomas Tennant, Washington Orr, Elijah Boardman — 10. James Lowrey, William Mavity, William 2. Who remain on Medford, John Wallace— 6. Quest. trial t TENNESSEE CONFERENCE. OHIO CONFERENCE. Bennett Dowler, Ira George Brown, John Kesterson, Joshua Eddy, Allen Wi ley, Peter Stephens, Calvin Ruter, Butcher, John Brooks, Samuel Harwell, Philip Greene, John Stewart, Job Baker, John Obadiah Freeman, Samuel D. Sansom, P. Taylor, George Atkins, Thos. Ancel Richardson, Robert Paine, Hart- Lowry, Richard Corwine — 12. well H. Brown, Stirling C. Brown, George Locke, Thomas Madden, Robert MISSOURI CONFERENCE. Hooper, Isaac E.
    [Show full text]