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.

4 VOLUMES in 6 BOOKS

New York:
Published By Carlton & Porter,
200 Mulberry-Street

1866—1868

Digital Edition 06/20/96
By Holiness Data Ministry

Table of Contents for All Four Volumes

DEDICATORY PREFACE 

INTRODUCTION

Wesley and Watt — The Steam-Engine — Its Importance to America — Necessity of the Methodist System for the Moral Wants of the Country — Development of the Nation after the Revolution — Great Growth of its Population — The "Great West" — Ecclesiastical Methods of Methodism — Its Development in England — It is not a new Dogmatic System — Its Theology — Arminianism — Whitefield — John and Charles Wesley — Bishop Bohler — The Genius of Methodism — Evangelical Life — Its Ecclesiastical Peculiarities Its Catholicity — Its Persecutions — Its Success

VOLUME 1, BOOK I
From The Origin of American Methodism to the Beginning of the Revolutionary War

CHAPTER I
FOUNDERS OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH  

Wesley among the Irish — The "Palatines" — Their Historical Importance — Their Origin — Their Character — Their Emigration to America — Philip Embury — He Founds Methodism in the United States — Captain Webb — Sketch of his Life and Character — His Style of Preaching — Barbara Heck — The First American Methodist Chapel — Embury Retires from New York — His Death — Barbara Heck — Curious Controversy: Note

CHAPTER II
RISE OF METHODISM IN MARYLAND

Robert Strawbridge — Traces of him in Ireland — His Character — His Emigration to America — His Methodistic Labors — Richard Owen, the first native Methodist Preacher — Watters' Eulogy of him — Strawbridge's latter Years — His Death and Funeral — Asbury's Opinion of him — Original Humility of American Methodism

CHAPTER III
EARLY LAY EVANGELISTS

Immigration — The Methodists of New York apply to Wesley for Preachers — Interest in England for America — Robert Williams hastens to the Colonies — Ashton of Ashgrove — Williams' Services — He founds Methodism in Virginia — Rev. Devereaux Jarratt — Jesse Lee — William Watters, the first Native Itinerant — Williams' Death — Asbury's Eulogy on him — Other Testimonials to his Character and Usefulness — John King — He Preaches in the Potter's Field of Philadelphia — He Introduces Methodism into Baltimore — Preaches in the Streets — Traces of his Life — His Faults — Wesley's characteristic Letter to him: Note

CHAPTER IV
WESLEY'S FIRST MISSIONARIES TO AMERICA 

Appeals to Wesley for Missionaries — Dr. Wrangle — John Hood and Lambert Wilmer of Philadelphia — Wesley's Appeal to his Conference — The Response — A liberal Contribution for America — The Conferences — Leeds in Methodist Missionary History — Sketch of Richard Boardman — His Perils by Water — Instrumental in the Conversion of Jabez Bunting — Joseph Pilmoor — A Tempestuous Voyage — Arrival of the Missionaries in America — Pilmoor preaching in the Streets of Philadelphia — His Letter to Wesley — Boardman on the Way to New York — Whitefield greets them — Presentiment of his Death — His last Evangelical Triumphs — Last Sermon — Last Exhortation — Jesse Lee at his Tomb: Note — Boardman in New York — His Success — John Mann — Pilmoor — His Letter to Wesley — Singular Introduction into New Rochelle

CHAPTER V
WESLEY'S AMERICAN MISSIONARIES, CONTINUED 

America appears in Wesley's Minutes — Appeal for more Preachers — More sent — Early Life of Francis Asbury — Methodism in Staffordshire — Asbury becomes a Methodist — His Character — He embarks for America — Richard Wright, his Companion — Their Arrival in Philadelphia — Number of Methodists in America — St. George's Chapel — The First Philadelphia Methodists — Bohemia Manor — Asbury in New Jersey — Peter Van Pelt — Staten Island — Methodism there — Israel Disosway — Asbury enters New York — He Contends for the Itinerancy — He extemporizes a Circuit — In Philadelphia — The Itinerancy in Operation — Asbury's Preaching and Spirit — Wesley appoints him Assistant or Superintendent — His Labors in Maryland — In Baltimore — A Quarterly Conference — Asbury forms Classes in Baltimore — First Methodist Chapel there — Asbury's Baltimore Circuit — Quarterly Conference

CHAPTER VI
WESLEY'S AMERICAN MISSIONARIES, CONTINUED

Captain Webb Recruiting the American Itinerancy — Charles Wesley opposes him — Webb Appeals to the Conference — Thomas Rankin and George Shadford — Rankin's Early Life — Methodism in the British Army — Whitefield — Rankin's Conversion — He becomes a Preacher — His Success — His Appointment to America — George Shadford's Early Life — His Conversion — His Usefulness — He joins Wesley's Itinerancy — Hears Captain Webb's Appeal at Leeds and Departs for America — Wesley's Letter to him — Scenes of the Voyage — Arrival at Philadelphia — Rankin's Invocation — Rankin and Asbury in New York — Rankin in John Street Church — Shadford in New Jersey

CHAPTER VII
FIRST CONFERENCE — RETURN OF ENGLISH PREACHERS

First American Methodist Conference — Its Members — Statistics — Laxity of Discipline — Proceedings of the Conference — The Sacramental Controversy — Robert Strawbridge steadfast to the American Claim — Its Result — Germ of the "Book Concern" — Appointments — Return of Pilmoor and Boardman — Further traces of Boardman — His Death — Further traces of Pilmoor — He leaves the Denomination — Retains his Interest for it — Richard Wright returns to England — Final traces of Captain Webb — His Death

CHAPTER VIII
NATIVE EVANGELISTS

William Watters, the first Native Methodist Itinerant — His Early Life — His Conversion — He becomes an Itinerant — Robert Williams — Rev. Devereaux Jarratt — Great Religious Excitement in Virginia — Watters on the Eastern Shore of Maryland — Methodism in Kent County — Its First Chapel — Philip Gatch, the second Native Itinerant — His Early Life — Nathan Perigan — Gatch's Conversion — He Begins to Preach — Itinerates in New Jersey — Benjamin Abbott — His Character — His Early History — His Moral Struggles — His Conversion — The Fall of Abraham Whitforth — Abbott Begins to Preach — Power of his Word — A Remarkable Example — Daniel Ruff 

CHAPTER IX
PRINCIPAL EVANGELISTS

Rankin after the Conference — Pilmoor — Boardman — Rankin in Maryland — A Quarterly Meeting at the Watters Homestead — Departure of Pilmoor — Rankin in New York — Shadford in New York — His Character and Usefulness — Asbury in Maryland — Exaltation of his Spirit — Baltimore — Otterbein — German Methodism — "United Brethren in Christ" — Sketch of their History — Death of Otterbein — Boehm and Gueting — Otterbein and Asbury's Poetry: Note — Advancement of Methodism in Maryland — New Chapels — Wright in Virginia — Its First Two Chapels — Williams in Virginia — Old Brunswick Circuit — Jarratt — Jesse Lee — Freeborn Garrettson

CHAPTER X
CONFERENCE AND PROGRESS OF 1774

 The Conference of 1774 — Rankin's Disciplinary Rigor — Asbury — Watters and Gatch — Statistics — Progress in the Middle Colonies — The Itinerancy — Its Effect on the Ministry — Asbury's Sufferings and Labors in New York — In Philadelphia — In Baltimore — Otterbein — Williams' Success in Virginia — Asbury and the Revolution — Perry Hall and Henry Dorsey — Gough — Rankin at Quarterly Meetings in Maryland — Shadford in Maryland — Remarkable Incident — Robert Lindsey — Edward Dromgoole — Richard Webster — Their Success — Philip Catch on Frederick Circuit — Shadford's Rule for Effective Preaching — Gatch on Kent Circuit — Hostile Rencounters — "Parson Kain" — Gatch's Success — He Returns to Frederick Circuit — Attacked by Ruffians — Enters New Jersey — Whitforth and Ebert — Benjamin Abbott in New Jersey — An Encounter at Deerfield — Sanctification — Abbott in Salem — His Treatment of Diseased Minds — His Success — Physical Phenomena of Religious Excitement — John King and Robert Williams in Virginia — Jesse Lee — Jarratt — Great Success — Additional Missionaries from England — James Dempster — Martin Rodda — William Glendenning — Asbury and Rankin 

VOLUME 1, BOOK II
From The Beginning of the Revolutionary War to the Episcopal Organization of Methodism

CHAPTER I
THE REVOLUTION AND METHODISM

Effect of the Revolution on Methodism — Providential Character of the Revolution — It was the Normal Consequence of — the Colonial History of the Country — It was not at first Rebellion, — but a Struggle for the Maintenance — of the British Constitution — Chatham's Vindication of the Colonies — Effect of the War on Religion — Desertion of their Church by the English Clergy — Return of English Methodist Preachers — Sufferings of the Methodist Itinerants — Asbury's Integrity — Wesley's "Calm Address" to the Colonies — The Sarcasm of Junius — Wesley and Johnson — Wesley corrects his Opinion on the Colonial Question — He Predicts the Success of the Americans — His Address to his American Preachers

CHAPTER II
LABORS AND TRIALS DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 

Asbury's Course respecting the Revolution — He goes to Norfolk — Alarms of War — Burial of Robert Williams — Methodists in Virginia — Asbury on Brunswick Circuit — Shadford there — His great Success — Examples — Conversion of a Dancing master — Of a Planter — The "Great Revival" of Virginia — Jarratt's Account of it — Jarratt and Asbury — Asbury in Baltimore — His Opinion of Wesley's Pamphlet on the Colonial Question — Visits the Hot Sulphur Springs — On Baltimore Circuit — His Character — Embarrassments from the War — Return of the English Preachers — Asbury in Peril — In Retirement — Abduction of Judge White — Eminent Methodists — Judge White — Mary White — Senator Bassett — Bohemia Manor — Judge Barrett — "Barrett's Chapel" — Asbury's Visit to it in later Life — His Influence on the Higher Circles of Society — Abroad again — His extraordinary Travels — He Meets Coke at Barrett's Chapel 

CHAPTER III
LABORS AND TRIALS DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

Rankin Itinerating — At Perry Hall — Joins Shadford in Virginia — The Great Revival there — Jarratt — Rankin Returns to England — His Death — His Administration in America — His Treatment of Asbury — Martin Rodda — He Intermeddles with Politics — Clowe's Rising and Execution — Persecution of the Methodists — Shadford — His Last Interview with Asbury — His Trials — His Return to England — Further Traces of his Life — His Death

CHAPTER IV
LABORS AND TRIALS DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

Watters Itinerating in Maryland and Virginia — Sanctification — Watters Locates — Freeborn Garrettson — His Early Life — His Conversion — He Emancipates his Slaves — Goes about doing Good — Begins to Preach — Ezekiel Cooper — Garrettson Itinerating in Maryland, Virginia and Delaware — Scenes in his Ministry — Hartley Preaching through the Windows of Talbot Jail — Garrettson Attacked on the Highway — Caleb Boyer — Garrettson Mobbed at Dover — Pioneering — He is cast into Prison — His Success

CHAPTER V
FURTHER REVIEW OF THE PERIOD OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

Philip Gatch itinerating — John Cooper's Trials — Gatch and Parson Kain — His Rencounters on Frederick Circuit — He is "Tarred" by a Mob — Escapes Conspirators — His Courage — On Hanover Circuit — Jarratt — Trials on Sussex Circuit — He Locates — His continued Usefulness — Emancipates his Slaves — Simplicity of the Primitive Minutes — Benjamin Abbott in New Jersey — Wonderful Physical Effects of his Preaching — Methodist Opinion on such Phenomena — Abbott's Character — His Colloquial Ministrations — He goes abroad preaching in New Jersey — Extraordinary Examples of his Usefulness — James Sterling — Abbott and Sterling in Delaware and Pennsylvania — Remarkable Scenes — Martin Boehm — Abbott among the Germans — "Physical Phenomena" again — Scenes in Maryland — Abbott's "Thunder-gust Sermon" — Revisits Delaware — Extraordinary Effects — Jesse Lee — He preaches in a Military Camp — Description of a Primitive Conference — His Labors and Character — Methodism during the Revolution — Church building — Startling Scene in Salem, New Jersey — The British in New York — John Street Church — John Mann and Samuel Spraggs — British Persecutions — Central Methodism

VOLUME 2, 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 Webster — Session of 1777 — Scenes at it — Continued Success — The "Sacramental Question" — Caleb B. Pedicord — John Tunnell — Reuben Ellis — Le Roy Cole — John Dickens — John Littlejohn — Prominent Characters of the Ministry of these Times — First Conference in Virginia, 1778 — Troubles of the Times — The "Sacramental Controversy" — James O'Kelly — Richard Ivey — A Scene in his Preaching — John Major — Power of his Eloquence — Henry Willis — Philip Gatch retires — Garrettson's Reminiscences of the Early Ministry

CHAPTER VII
CONFERENCES AND PROGRESS FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH — CONTINUED

The Two Conferences of 1779 — The Sacramental Controversy — followed by a temporary Rupture — The Right of the Question — Vindication of the Sacramental Party — John Haggerty — Nelson Reed — Philip Cox — He calls out Bishops McKendree and George — Scenes in his Ministry — Conference of 1780 — Conclusion of the Sacramental Controversy — William Partridge — James O. Cromwell — Thomas Foster — Caleb Boyer — George Mair — Scenes in a Love-Feast — Ignatius Pigman — Reminiscences

CHAPTER VIII
CONFERENCES AND PROGRESS FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH — CONTINUED

Conference of 1781 — Union confirmed — Proceedings -Progress — Sketches of Preachers — Jeremiah Lambert — Joseph Wyatt — Philip Bruce — His last Words to his Conference -Joseph Everett — Character of the Ministry — Sessions of 1782— Asbury and Jarratt — Prosperity of the Year — Sketch of Peter Moriarty — Woolman Hickson — He introduces Methodism into Brooklyn — Ira Ellis — John Easter — Illustrations of his Ministry — Sessions of 1783 — Continued Success -Proceedings — Small Number of Married Preachers — William Phoebus — Thomas Ware — Characteristic Interview with Asbury— Isaac Rollins' Death — Asbury's Letters to Shadford and Wesley

CHAPTER IX 
CONFERENCES AND PROGRESS FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH — CONCLUDED

Conferences of 1784 — Wesley's Counsels to the Preachers — Proceedings — First Obituary Notice — Methodism Crosses the Alleghenies — Mountaineer Local Preachers — The "Three Bishops" — Memorable Pioneers — Historical Importance of the Local Ministry — Sketches of Preachers — Isaac Smith — Wilson Lee — John Smith — William Jessup

VOLUME 2, BOOK III
Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church

CHAPTER I 
ORGANIZATION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH — PREPARATIONS FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Dr. Thomas Coke — His early Life — He is "chimed" out of his Church — Joins Wesley — Importance of his Services — Sketch of Thomas Vasey — He sacrifices a Fortune for Methodism — His Services — Richard Whatcoat — His Appearance and Character — His early History — His Labors and Sufferings in Ireland — Necessity of Wesley's Measures for America — Condition of American Methodism — Condition of the Protestant Episcopal Church —Wesley solicits Ordinations from the Bishop of London for America — Fletcher's Interest for America — Rankin's Interview with him — Wesley's Consultation with Coke — The Ordinations at Bristol — Wesley's Opinion on Church Polity — Voyage of Coke and his Companions to America — Their Arrival at New York — At Philadelphia — At Dover — At Barrett's Chapel

CHAPTER II
BISHOP COKE IN AMERICA

Coke itinerating before the Christmas Conference — Sketch of "Black Harry" — Scenes on the Peninsula — Black Harry's preaching — Ware's Account of Coke — The Bishop meets his English Associates, with Asbury and Black, of Nova Scotia, at Abingdon — They are received at Perry Hall — Coke and Black's Account of the Place — Preparations for the Conference

CHAPTER III
THE CHRISTMAS CONFERENCE
ORGANIZATION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The first General Conference — Lovely Lane Chapel — Wesley's Letter to the American Methodists — Coke and Asbury elected Superintendents or Bishops — Whatcoat's Account of the Proceedings — Coke's Sermon at the Consecration of Asbury — Character of the Conference — Preachers present — Were their Measures in accordance with Wesley's Intentions? —Expediency of the Episcopal Title of the New Church

CHAPTER IV
ORGANIZATION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH — CONTINUED

Legislative Proceedings of the Conference — Its Records — Wesley's "Large Minutes" — Wesley's Prayer Book for American Methodism — Gowns and Bands — The Articles of Religion — Wesley's continued Superintendence recognized — The "Slavery Question" — The Functions of Bishops, Elders, and Deacons defined — Printing of the Minutes — Salaries, or "Allowance" — "Fees"— "The Preachers' Fund" — "The General Fund" — Baptism — The Lord's Supper and Class-Meetings

CHAPTER V
THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL CHARACTER OF AMERICAN METHODISM

Wesley's Abridgment of the Thirty-nine Anglican "Articles" — Its Positive Features — Its Negative Features — Papal traces effaced — The Sacraments — Wesley's Opinion of Baptismal Regeneration determined by his Articles — Distinctive Opinions of Wesley not mentioned in the American Articles — Wesley's Arminianism — His Doctrine of Assurance — "Christian Perfection" — Dr. Whedon's Statement — Doctrinal Liberality of Methodism — Did Wesley design the American "Articles" to be a Term of Church Membership? — Peculiar Theological Attitude of Methodism — The Ecclesiastical System of the New Church — Its Synodal Bodies — The General Conference — Its Early History — The Annual Conference — Its Primitive Character and Proceedings — Reading of the "Appointments" — The Quarterly Conference — Its Original Festival Character — Classification of the Ministry — The Bishop — His extraordinary Powers and Amenability — The "Assistant" or Preacher in Charge — His Functions — The "Helper" — His Duties — His severe Regimen — How a call to preach is to be determined — Ceremony of Reception in the Conference — General Ministerial Discipline — Field Preaching — Visiting from House to House — Uprooting of Popular Vices — Studies — Importance of Knowledge — Pastoral Care of Children — Fasting — Preaching Habits — Conduct toward one another — Self-denial — Circulation of Books — The Methodist Society — The Class-meeting and Class-leader — Other Officers — Symmetrical Polity of the Church — Its New Historical Position.

VOLUME 2, BOOK IV
Episcopal Travels

CHAPTER I
EPISCOPAL TRAVELS OF COKE AND ASBURY, FROM THE CHRISTMAS CONFERENCE TO THE FIRST REGULAR GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1785—1792

The New Church — Its Statistical Strength — Its Territorial Range — General Approval of the New Organization — Coke Journeying Northward — Southward — Perils and Adventures — Jarratt and Slavery — Primitive Quarterly Meetings — Contests with Slavery — First Conference in North Carolina — Coke and Asbury Dining with Washington — Position of the Church on Slavery — Its Failure — Coke Returns to Europe — Asbury Itinerating — In Charleston — Lays the Cornerstone of Cokesbury College — Sketch of the Institution — Its Destruction by Fire — Coke in Europe — He is Attacked by Charles Wesley — Vindicated by John Wesley — Projects Methodist Missions — The Weslayan Mission Scheme an Inspiration of the Christmas Conference — Coke Sails with Missionaries for Nova Scotia — Providential Adversities — Sublime Results — West India Methodist Missions — "Emancipation Eve" — Coke at the First South Carolina Conference — Methodism in the Farther South — Coke Itinerating Re-embarks for Europe — Asbury Itinerating — Is Mobbed in Charleston — First Conference in Georgia — Asbury Crosses the Alleghenies — First Conference beyond the Mountains — Conference in Western Pennsylvania — First Ordination in the Valley of the Mississippi — Other Conferences — Proposed Seminary in Georgia — First Conference in New Jersey — Coke Returns to Europe — Asbury — Coke again in America — Usefulness of a Tract — Death of Wesley — Coke Embarks for England — Returns to America.

CHAPTER II
MINISTERIAL TRAVELS AND LABORS FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH TO THE FIRST REGULAR GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1785—1792

Whatcoat's Labors — Jesse Lee in the South — He forms the Design of Introducing Methodism into New England —Lee, Willis, and Asbury in Charleston, S. C. — Conversion of Edgar Wells — Methodism founded in Charleston — The First North Carolina Conference — Deplorable Fate of Beverly Allen — Lee advances northward and prepares to enter New England — Thomas Ware on Salem Circuit, N.J. — Conversion of Captain Sears — Review of Two Years — Ware in the State of New York — Striking Examples of his Usefulness — His Adventures among the Holston Mountains - A Night Storm — He labors in North Carolina — Destitution and Providential Relief — His Success — His Escape from a "Fortune " — His Return to the North — Review of Seven Years — Benjamin Abbott — Death of his Wife — He joins the Itinerancy — Scenes on Dutchess Circuit — On Long Island — In Philadelphia — Singular Power of his Preaching — Abbott and the Quakers — His Usefulness — Remarkable Scenes of his Ministry — Garrettson — Wesley proposes his Ordination as a Bishop — His Labors in Maryland — He extends Methodism up the Hudson — His Corps of Preachers — Condition of the Country — Great Success — Ashgrove — Ashton — "Black Harry" — An Attempt to Poison Garrettson — Methodism enters the Valley of Wyoming — Anning Owen — Northumberland Valley — Westward Movement of the Church

CHAPTER III
INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM INTO THE WEST

Methodism crosses the Alleghenies — Jeremiah Lambert — Francis Poythress — Robert Wooster, a Local Preacher, first introduces Methodism into the Valley of the Mississippi — John Jones the first Layman — Cooper and Breeze Itinerating in the Redstone Country — Traces of their Labors — Early Chapels — First Traveling Preacher raised up beyond the Mountains — The first Circuit — Asa Shinn — Outspread of the Church — The Holston Country — Lambert's Labors — Henry Willis and other Early Itinerants — Their Field — Their Trials — Thomas Ware's Mountain Adventures — Perils from Savages — First Conference beyond the Alleghenies — General Russell and his Family — William Burke — Outlines of the Field, 1789-1792 — Conversion of Felix Ernest — Van Pelt — Methodism enters Kentucky — Tucker killed by Indians — Early Local Preachers — James Haw and Benjamin Ogden the first Itinerants — The first Society — Subsequent Evangelists and their Success — Asbury beyond the Mountains — First Kentucky Conference — First Western Methodist School — Western Conferences — Asbury's Wayside Home

CHAPTER IV
INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM INTO THE NORTH AMERICAN BRITISH PROVINCES

The Christmas Conference and Missions — Garrettson and Cromwell go to Nova Scotia — Garrettson in Halifax — His Letter to Coke — Introduction of Methodism in the Eastern Provinces — True Epoch of Methodism in the Western Hemisphere: Note — John Coughlan and John McGeary in Newfoundland — William Black in Nova Scotia — John Mann — Garrettson's Travels and Sufferings — African Methodists — Refugees — They Originate the Wesleyan Missions in Africa — Extraordinary Results — Garrettson Itinerating — He Writes to Wesley and Asbury — His Perils — Methodism Enters Upper Canada — William Losee Crosses the St. Lawrence — Self-propagating Power of Methodism — Local Preachers in Canada — Barbara Heck — Commissary Tuppey Preaches in Quebec — Major Neal Preaches in Upper Canada — Lyons and McCarty — A Methodist Martyr — Christian Warner, the First Canadian Class-leader — Losee in Canada — His Character — John Roblin, the First Local Preacher — Early Classes — First Circuit — First Chapel — Results

CHAPTER V
INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM INTO NEW ENGLAND

The Boston Elm — Lee Preaching beneath it — Description of his Preaching — Reasons for the Introduction of Methodism into the New England States — State of Religion — New England Theology — Edwards and Whitefield — Misapprehension of Arminianism — Reaction of Calvinism — Effect of Methodism

CHAPTER VI
INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM INTO NEW ENGLAND — CONTINUED

Lee Enters New England — Preaches on the Highway at Norwalk — Cornelius Cook — Scenes at Fairfield — New Haven — Reading Stratfield — Stratford — Vexatious Trials — Visit to Rhode Island Cheering Reception — Preaches in the Court-House at New London — Returns to his Connecticut Circuit — The First Class in New England — Singular Treatment — Second Society Formed — Reflections — Third Class — Dr. Bangs — New Heralds Enter the Field — The First New England Methodist Ministry — Jacob Brush — His Labors — his Death — Daniel Smith — His Character — Description of his Preaching — Dr. George Roberts — Anecdotes — His Character — Triumphant Death

CHAPTER VII
LEE AND HIS CO-LABORERS IN NEW ENGLAND, 1790-91

Excursion to Wethersfield — Labors at Hartford — Visits Farmington — Interest for "Principles" — Forms the New Haven Circuit — Excursions — Passes through Rhode Island — Unexpected Meeting with Garrettson — Tour of the Latter — "Black Harry" — Lee arrives in Boston — Preaching Excursion — Returns to Boston — Departs for the Conference — Reflections — His Success in the East — Plan of Labor for the ensuing Year — View of the old Circuits — Dr. Roberts — John Bloodgood — John Lee — Nathaniel B. Mills — Henry Christie — Lee's return to New England — Boston — Trials — Lee's Wit: Note — Goes to Lynn — The First Methodist Society in Massachusetts — Erection of the First Chapel — Lee returns to the Conference at New York — Results

CHAPTER VIII
LEE AND ASBURY IN NEW ENGLAND, 1791-92

Plan of Labors — Obscurity of the Early Laborers — Lee Returns to the East — Excursion into New Hampshire — Preaches in Needham — Excursion to Rhode Island — Excursion to Western New England — View of his Labors — Asbury enters New England — His Incessant Preaching — Scenes at Stepney — Stratford — New Haven — Middletown — Newport — Providence — Boston — Lynn — His Return Westward — Results of the Year — Session of the First New England Conference — Asbury — Lee — Services at the Conference — Appointments — Membership — Lee Itinerating — Methodism Prevails — Results of the Year — First New England Conference: Note

CHAPTER IX
CONFERENCES AND PROGRESS, FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH TO THE FIRST REGULAR GENERAL CONFERENCE, 1785-1792

Conferences after the Christmas Conference — Slavery— Children — Church Registers — Colored People — Coke and the Conference of 1787 — Wesley's Name Omitted from the Minutes — The Title of Bishop Adopted — Publication of Books — Reinsertion of Wesley's Name in the Minutes — The Book Concern Begun — Its Importance — The "Council" — Its Failure — Presiding Elders — The Bishops Address President Washington — Sunday-schools Ordered — Methodism and Sunday-schools — Asbury Establishes the First in America — Their great Growth in the Church — Statistical Progress of the Denomination from 1784 to 1790 — From the General Conference of 1784 to that of 1792 — From the First Annual Conference, 1773, to the First Regular General Conference, 1792 — Territorial Extension — The Native Ministry — Their Labors and Sufferings — Asbury's Poverty and Liberality — Locations and Deaths — Apostolic Character of the Ministry.

VOLUME 3, BOOK V
From The General Conference of 1792 to the General Conference of 1804

OPINIONS OF THE METHODIST PRESS

PREFACE

CHAPTER I
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1792 — O'KELLY'S SCHISM

Necessity of a General Conference — Coke returns to America — The General Conference — The "Council" ignored — Excited Debates — Religious Interest — Amendments of the Discipline — The Presiding Eldership established — General Conferences ordained — Supernumeraries — Preachers' Wives — Other Amendments — O'Kelly and the Appointing Power — Great Debates — O'Kelly and others Secede — Merits of the Question — Conclusion of the Conference — Its Character — O'Kelly's Schism — Disastrous Consequences — War of Pamphlets — Asbury — Loss of Members — Results — Asbury's Interview with O'Kelly — His continued Hostility — Was there a General Conference between 1784 and 1792 — Note

CHAPTER II
METHODISM IN THE SOUTH, FROM THE SECOND TO THE THIRD GENERAL CONFERENCES, 1792 — 1796

Coke — His Proposition to Bishop White for the Union of the Methodist Episcopal and Protestant Episcopal Churches — Cokesbury College — Coke in Philadelphia — At New York — Perilous Accident — Asbury in the South — Among the O'Kellyites — His great Labors and Sufferings — At Rembert Hall — Hammett's Schism in Charleston, S. C. — Asbury in Georgia — At the Ruins of Whitefield's Orphan House — Among the Western Mountains — At General Russell's — Death of the General— Asbury at Baltimore — Scenes and Labors in the South — Death of Judge White — Further Travels and Labors

CHAPTER III
METHODISM IN THE SOUTH CONTINUED — 1792-1796

Benjamin Abbott in Maryland — His Singular Power — Remarkable Examples — Scenes at Quarterly Meetings — His Health fails — His Death — His Character — Whatcoat in Maryland — Henry Smith and Francis McCormick — William McKendree's early Itinerant Life — Anecdotes — His Character — Enoch George — John Easter — Illustrations of George's Life and Character — Hope Hull's Labors — His Prayer in a Ballroom — Interest in Education — Character — Coleman and Simon Carlisle — Remarkable Charge and Deliverance — Stephen G. Roszel — Joshua Wells — Great Men of Southern Methodism — Deaths of Preachers — Statistical Results

CHAPTER IV
METHODISM IN THE MIDDLE AND NORTHERN STATES, 1792 — 1706

Asbury Itinerating in the Middle and Northern States — His Excessive Labors — His Morbid Temperament — On the Northern Frontier — Garrettson — Governor Van Cortlandt — Further Travels — Paucity of his Journals

CHAPTER V
METHODISM IN THE MIDDLE AND NORTHERN STATES, 1792 — 1796

Paucity of Documents in the Middle States — George Pickering — His Spartan Character — Ezekiel Cooper — His Labors — His Character — His Passion for Angling — John McClaskey's Rank and Services — Lawrence McComb's Character and Labors — Dr. Thomas F. Sargent — His Labors — His Death in the Pulpit — Thomas Morrell — A Successful Failure — He Founds Methodism in Chatham, N. J. — Itinerant Labors — Asbury's Tea — Morrell's Triumphant Death — His Appearance and Character — Ware Itinerating among the Tioga Mountains — On the Hudson — Trials of the Itinerancy — A Suffering Preacher — Success — Colbert among the Wyoming, Tioga, and Cumberland Valleys — His Hardships — Henry B. Bascom — Asbury among these Valleys — Thomas and Christian Bowman — Thornton Fleming — Methodism in the Lake Country of New York — Valentine Cook — A Student at Cokesbury — Power of his Preaching His Sufferings — His Farewell Sermon — Results — Extension of Methodism in the Middle States — Its Singular Introduction into Southold, L. I. — Statistics

CHAPTER VI
METHODISM IN THE NORTH, CONTINUED: CANADA, 1792 — 1796

The Emburys and Hecks in Canada — Dunham and Losee — Dunham's Life and Character — Examples of his Sarcasm — First Quarterly Meeting — Paul Heck's Death — Methodism takes precedence of the English Church in the Province — Romantic Close of Losee's Ministry — Final Traces of him — James Coleman enters Canada — Sketch of him — Elijah Woolsey — His early Trials — His Adventurous Passage to Canada — Sufferings and Successes there — Sylvanus Keeler — The First Native Methodist Preacher in Canada — Reminiscences of him — Woolsey's Labors and Death — Samuel Coate — His Eccentricities and Fall — Hezekiah C. Wooster's Extraordinary Power — Lorenzo Dow — Wooster's Death — Success in Canada — Statistical Strength of Middle and Northern Methodism

CHAPTER VII
METHODISM IN THE EASTERN STATES — l793 —1796

Lee at Boston — His Itinerant Excursions — Asbury re-enters New England — The Lynn Conference — Benjamin Bemis — Pickering's Homestead — Conference at Tolland — Enoch Mudge, first Native Methodist Preacher of New England — His Early Labors and Character — Aaron Hunt — Joshua Taylor — Daniel Ostrander — Zadock Priest, first Itinerant who died in New England — His Affecting Death — His Grave — Joshua Hall — Lee itinerating in Maine — First Circuit formed — Persecutions — Thomas Ware — Hope Hull — His Eloquence — Rev. Mr. Williams and Rev. Dr. Huntington attack the Methodists — Methodism in Tolland — Asbury Returns — Methodism in Boston — Results of the Year

CHAPTER VIII
METHODISM IN THE EASTERN STATES, CONTINUED: 1792—1796

Another Conference at Lynn — Asbury Itinerating — The Wilbraham Conference — Interesting Scenes there — New Preachers — Wilson Lee — Scenes in his Ministry — Nicholas Snethen — The Protestant Methodist Controversy — Lee Itinerating — First Preacher Stationed in Maine — Its first Class — First Chapel — First Methodist Administration of the Eucharist — Scenes in Lee's Itinerancy there — Asbury again returns — Results — Conference at New London — Scenes there — Location of Preachers — Lee and Asbury Itinerating — Statistics — Outspread of Methodism — The Thompson Conference — Lorenzo Dow — Results

CHAPTER IX
METHODISM IN THE WEST: 1792 — 1796

Review — Asbury again among the Mountains — His Hardships — John Cooper the first Itinerant appointed to the West — His Colleague Samuel Breese — Henry Willis — His Sufferings, Persistent Labors, and Character — Moriarty, Tunnell, and Poythress — The Frontier at this Period — Smith and Boone in the Wilderness — Extreme Hardships of the Pioneer Itinerants — Character and Condition of the Settlers — Methodism saves them from Barbarism — Barnabas McHenry enters the Field — The first Methodist Itinerant raised up in the West — His Labors — Anecdotes — His Death by Cholera — His Character — William Burke — Perils from Indians — Perils in the Wilderness with Asbury — Martyred Local Preachers — Burke's Trials and Services — John Kobler — Judge Scott — His Early Labors — He receives into the Church Dr. Tiffin — Sketch of Tiffin — His first Preaching — Scott meets him in the West — Tiffin's Usefulness — Mrs. Tiffin — Tiffin becomes the first Governor of Ohio — His Character — Scott's Success — Francis McCormick, Founder of Methodism in Ohio — Sketch of his Life — Henry Smith's Western Adventures — Major McColoch — Valentine Cook — Asbury again in the West — Review

CHAPTER X
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1796

The Third General Conferenee — Coke's Return — Pierre de Pontavice, his Traveling Companion — The Proceedings of the Conference — Definitive Annual Conferences — Chapel Deed — Censorship of the Press — The Methodist Magazine — The Chartered Fund — Local Preachers — Spirituous Liquors — Slavery — Rules for Methodist Seminaries — Marriage with Unbelievers — Address to the British Conference — Asbury and Coke on the Session

CHAPTER XI
REVIEW OF THE PERIOD: 1792 —1796

Importance of the Period — Numerical Declenslon — Sectional Growth — Statistics — Great Number of Locations — Public Fast and Thanksgiving— Slavery and Loyalty — Methodist Preachers and Politics — Washington's Letter to three of them — Ministerial Recruits — The Presiding Elders — Obituary Characterizations — Birchett — Scene at the Grave of Acuff — Prophetic Letter from Coke

CHAPTER XII
METHODISM IN THE SOUTH: 1706—1804

Asbury and Coke Itinerating in the South — Losses by Locations — Slavery — Asbury's Interest for Africans — The Bishop and Black "Punch" — Asbury's Dejection — The Bishops in Charleston, S. C. — Burning of the Second College and Light Street Church — Death of Edgar Mills — Hammett's Failure — Asbury rests — His Sufferings — Death of Jarratt — Lee in the South — Asbury's Letter to him — Methodist Unity — Coke and Asbury — Lee in Charleston His Birthday Refections — Presentiments — Lee and Slavery — His Hard Fare — His Humor — Examples — His Success — An Extraordinary Quarterly Meeting — Great Prosperity — Camp-Meetings — Coke's Visits

CHAPTER XIII
METHODISM IN THE SOUTH, CONTINUED: 1796 — 1804

Prosperity of the Church — Great Revivals — Singular Conversion of Captain Burton — George Clark and Isaac Smith Pioneering — Strong Men of the South — George Dougherty — His Superior Talents — An Example — He is Mobbed and "Pumped" in Charleston — His Death — William Watters re-enters the Itinerancy — The Watters Family — William Gassaway — His Singular Conversion — Victory over an Enemy — He calls out Bishop Capers — Enoch George — William McKendree goes to the West — Tobias Gibson goes to the Southwest — William Ryland — His Eloquence — Chaplain to Congress — General Jackson — James Smith — Statistical View of Southern Methodism

CHAPTER XIV
METHODISM IN THE MIDDLE AND NORTHERN STATES: 1796 — 1804

Great Religious Interest — Its Excesses — It extends over the Nation — Senator Bassett — Asbury — Ware — Dr. Rush's Interest for Methodism — Dr. Chandler's Services — Solomon Sharp's Character — A Practical Joke — Thomas, Smith attempts Suicide — Becomes a Useful Preacher — Curious Fact in his Ministry — A Solemn Wager — Persecution — Restoration of a Decayed Church — Henry Boehm — Boehm's Chapel — Boehm Itinerating in Maryland — The Ennals and Airy Families — Singular Introduction of Methodism into Annamessex — Boehm among the Germans of Pennsylvania — Sketch of Jacob Gruber — Peter Vannest — Thomas Burch — The "Albright" Methodists — Dr. Power's German Translation of the Methodist Discipline

CHAPTER XV
METHODISM IN THE MIDDLE AND NORTHERN STATES, CONTINUED: 1796 — 1804

The New York Conference — William Thacher — Billy Hibbard — His Humor — Early Life — Ministerial Toils and Successes — His Death — Experience of a Dutch Methodist, Note — Samuel Merwin — Sylvester Hutchinson — Ebenezer Washburn —William Anson on Grand Isle — Methodism at the Head of the Hudson — Among the Pennsylvania Mountains and Valleys, and New York Lakes — Ware and Colbert in the Wyoming Valley — Colbert's Hardships — Benjamin Bidlack — Outspread of the Church — Alfred Griffith's Trials — Progress in the Interior of New York — First Chapel of Genesee Conference — Lorenzo Dow — Colbert — Enlargement of the Field — Methodism in New York City — Statistics

CHAPTER XVI
METHODISM IN THE NORTH, CONTINUED: CANADA, 1796—1804

Canada Methodism pertains to New York Conference — Prosperity — Michael Coate — Joseph Jewell — Joseph Sawyer — William Anson — Other Laborers — The Layman Warner — Samuel Draper — Seth Crowell — Great Success — Nathan Bangs — His great Services — His Canadian Life — Sawyer presses him into the Itinerancy — A significant Dream — Looses his Horse — Its Consequences — Fallacy of "Impressions" — Frontier Life — Providential Escape — Calvin Wooster — Bangs's "Double Voice" — Asbury — Sawyer begins Methodism in Montreal — Peter Vannest's Hardships — Thomas Madden — Other Itinerants — Statistical Results — Death of Barbara Heck — The Heck and Embury Families: Note

CHAPTER XVII
METHODISM IN THE EASTERN STATES: 1796 — 1804

New England Methodism — Robert Yellalee — Escape from an Assassin — John Brodhead's Services and Character — Timothy Merritt's Character and Labors — Lee in the East

VOLUME 4, BOOK V

PREFACE

CHAPTER XVIII
METHODISM IN THE EASTERN STATES, CONTINUED: 1796—1804

Asbury in the East — Success — Wilbraham Conference — Lorenzo Dow — Continued Success — Evangelical Adventures of Hibbard and Vannest — First Conference in Maine — Scenes there — Conference at Granville — State of the Church — William Beauchamp — Daniel Webb — Epaphras Kibby — Hardships in Maine — Conversion of General McClellan's Family — Joshua Soule — Results — Lorenzo Dow — Elijah Hedding's Services and Character — Methodism in New England in 1800 — The Bishops in the East — Lee's Farewell Tour — Itinerant Recruits — Thomas Branch's Death in the Wilderness — Martin Ruter and Laban Clark — Persecutions — Great Success

CHAPTER XIX
METHODISM IN THE WEST, 1796 — 1804

Western Methodism — The Redstone Country — Valentine Cook — His great Public Debate — Daniel Hitt — James Quinn — His long Services and Character — Lasley Matthews and Chieuvrant, Converted Papists and Heroic Evangelists — Thornton Flemming — Asa Shinn — Methodism Penetrates to the Erie Country — The Roberts Family — Local Preachers — Robert R. Roberts — His Early Life and Character — He becomes a Bishop — His thoroughly Western Character — His Episcopal Residence a Log-cabin — Illustrations of his Character — Curious Rencounter with a Young Preacher: Note — Methodism in the Erie Conference — Reaches Ohio — Progress in Western Virginia — Quinn's Labors there — Ministerial Recruits — General Morgan — The Holston Country — McKendree and Bruce — The "Western Conference" — Benjamin Lakin's Labors and Character — Valentine Cook in the Holston Country — His subsequent Life His Death and Character — Henry Smith — James McCull — John Sale — Judge McLean's Estimate of him

CHAPTER XX
METHODISM IN THE WEST, CONTINUED: 1790 — 1804

McKendree takes Charge of the Western Field — Poythress' Decline and Insanity — Introduction of Camp-meetings — Remarkable Scenes at them — Grenade — David Young — Making a Circuit — The Southwest opens — Tobias Gibson at Natchez — He falls a Martyr to his Work — Recruits for the Field — Learner Blackman — Methodism in Ohio — McCormick — Dimmitt — Kobler sent to Ohio — Hunt and Smith there — the Miami and Sciota Circuits — Advance of the Church — Philip Gatch in the West — Kobler at the Grave of Gatch — McCormick's End — Sale in Ohio — Methodism in Cincinnati — At other points in Ohio — Bostwick in the Western Reserve — Methodism enters Indiana and Illinois — Benjamin Young — Hardships there — Methodism in Michigan — Planted at Detroit — Asbury in the West in 1797 — terrible Trials there — He has to retreat — Returns in 1800 — Conference at Bethel, Ky. — Its Academy — The First Camp-meetings — Sufferings on the route Eastward — Returns in 1801 — Conference in Tennessee — Back again in 1802 — Reposing on the Holston Heights — Conference at Bethel — The Bishop in a Storm — Reflections on his Sufferings — Again in the West in 1803 — Conference at Cynthiana, Ky. — Early Life in the West — Statistics

CHAPTER XXI
THE GENERAL CONFERENCES OF 1800 AND 1804

Coke returns to America — Session of 1800 — Ordination of Whatcoat — Accounts of the Conference — Lee — Coke — Asbury — "Allowance" to Preachers — Other Provisions — Anticipatory Measures — Richard Allen, the first African ordained in the Church — Antislavery Enactments — William Ormond against Slavery — Leading Members follow his Example — Additions to the Law of the Church on the Subject — Religious Excitement — Catherine Bruff (Catherine Ennalls) — Coke revisits the United States — General Conference of 1804 — Its Members — Unequal Representation — Necessity of a Delegated General Conference — Revision and Changes of the Discipline — Important Declaration on the National Sovereignty — Slavery again Discussed — The Adjournment

CHAPTER XXII
REVIEW OF THE PERIOD 1796 — 1804

Numerical Gains — The Ministry — Locations — The Local Ministry — Joshua Marsden's Views of American Methodism — Itinerants who fell by the Yellow Fever — John Dickins' Character and Death — Deaths of Preachers — Geography of the Church — Its rapid Growth, especially in the West — Ratio of its Growth compared with that of the Nation — Conclusion

VOLUME 4, BOOK VI
From The General Conference of 1804 to the General Conference of 1820

CHAPTER I
METHODISM IN THE SOUTH

Statistical Strength of the Church — Methodism in Savannah, Ga. — Jesse Lee there — Charleston, S. C. — Richmond, Va. — Character of Lewis Myers — William M. Kennedy — James Russell — He learns to read on his Circuit — His Eloquence — President Olin's Estimate of him — Lovick and Reddick Pierce — Richmond Nolley's Conversion — His Early Ministry — A Camp-meeting Scene — Samuel Dunwody

CHAPTER II
METHODISM IN THE SOUTH, 1804 —1820: CONTINUED

Job Guest — Alfred Griffith — Wilson Lee and Black Charles — John Early — His long Services and Character — Major Capers — Conversion of William Capers — Begins to Preach — Interview with Asbury — A Negro Founds Methodism in Fayetteville — His remarkable story — Capers at Charleston — Colored Preachers — Change of Antislavery Policy — Capers' Success and Character — Beverly Waugh — John Davis — Alfred Griffith — Robert R. Roberts

CHAPTER III
METHODISM IN THE SOUTH, 1804 — 1820: CONCLUDED

Asbury's Last Visits to the South — His Episcopal Equipage — John Bond — Rembert Hall — Perry Hall — Last Interview with Otterbein — Asbury in Old Age — Ministerial Celibacy — Prosperity — Asbury's indomitable Persistence — Southern Methodism — Obituary Notices

CHAPTER IV
METHODISM IN THE MIDDLE AND NORTHERN STATES, 1804 — 1820

Condition of the Church — Camp-meetings — John Emory — He forsakes the Bar for the Pulpit — Emory's further Career and Character — Jacob Gruber tried for opposing Slavery — Garrettson and Ware — Marvin Richardson — A Camp-meeting — Nathan Bangs — Heman Bangs — Robert Seney — Samuel Luckey — Origin of the African Methodist Episcopal Church — Richard Allen becomes a Bishop — Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church — Methodism up the Hudson — In Troy — Noah Levings "Exhorting" — Albany — Schenectady — Ministerial Reinforcements

CHAPTER V
METHODISM IN THE MIDDLE AND NORTHERN STATES, 1804 —1820: CONCLUDED

Methodism in the Interior of Pennsylvania and New York — Old Canaan Circuit — Peter Vannest crosses the Genesee River — First Class and first Camp-meeting beyond it — George Lane — Glezen Fillmore "Exhorting" — Thomas Smith's Northern Adventures — A Scene in Lyons, N. Y. — Organization of Genesee Conference — Methodism in Canada — William Case, the Apostle to the Indians — Progress in Canada — The War — Robert Hibbard perishes in the St. Lawrence — Declension of the provincial Church by the War — Its renewed Prosperity — Genesee Conference meets in Canada — Great Revival — Continued Success — Canadian Methodism in 1820 — Methodism of the Middle and North in 1820 — Obituary of Preachers — Asbury

CHAPTER VI
METHODISM IN THE EASTERN STATES, 1804-1820

Review — Lee — Aaron Sandford — Ministerial Recruits — Wilbur Fisk — Importance of his Services — His Character — Edward T. Taylor, Mariners' Preacher, Boston — His Romantic History — Joshua Soule - Elijah Hedding — His Review of his Itinerant Life — George Pickering — Martin Ruter — Progress of the Church

CHAPTER VII
ASBURY AND LEE IN THE EAST

Asbury in the East — His Views of New England — At Buxton Conference, Maine — Great Religions Excitement — At Lynn, Mass. — Characters of Preachers — Great Revival — At Canaan, N. H — Travels and Labors — At Boston — The First Conference there — at New London, Conn. — Increasing Prosperity — Newport, R. I. — Captain Beale — At Boston — Conference at Monmouth, Me. — At Pittsfield, Mass. — At Winchester, N. H. — Lee Revisits the East — Scenes on his Route — Final Views of New England Methodism — Deaths of Preachers — Statistical Progress

CHAPTER VIII
METHODISM IN THE WEST, 1804-1820

Geography of Western Methodism — Progress In Western Pennsylvania — Pittsburgh Conference — Robert R. Roberts' Hardships — Gruber — Usefulness of Shewel, a Local Preacher — Thomas Branch's Death in the Wilderness — A Society formed there — James B. Finley's Character — A great Western Camp-meeting — Finley's Conversion — His Labors and Sufferings — Sketch of William Swayze — Charles Elliott's Services — Alfred Brunson — Quinn in the Northwestern Territory — Whatcoat's Salutation — Jane Trimble — Review of Quinn's Labors — Primitive Camp-meetings — Growth of Methodism In Indiana — In Michigan

CHAPTER IX
METHODISM IN THE WEST, CONTINUED: 1804 — 1820

Progress in Illinois — Jesse Walker — His Pioneer Adventures — McKendree and Walker in the Wilderness — Walker's Camp-meeting — His Success — He enters Missouri — Oglesby and Travis there — Missouri Conference Organized — Walker's Sufferings — He Introduces Methodism into St. Louis — His Determined Struggles there — He goes to the Indian Tribes — Labors at Chicago — His Death and Character — Samuel Parker, "the Cicero of the West" — James Axley's extraordinary Character and Labors — He Attacks Slavery and Whisky — Peter Cartwright's Early Life — Remarkable Scene at a Quarterly Meeting — His extensive Services — David Young — John Collins — Judge McLean's Conversion and Character

CHAPTER X
METHODISM IN THE WEST, CONTINUED: 1804-1820

John Strange — His great Eloquence — Russell Bigelow's Character and Eloquence — Bishop Thomson's Account of one of his Forest Sermons — Sketch of Henry B. Bascom — Of Thomas A. Morris — Of John P. Durbin — Advance of Methodism in the Southwest — Elisha W. Bowman In Louisiana — His Explorations and Hardships — Scene between Asbury and Jacob Young at Governor Tiffin's Home — Young in the Southwest — Lorenzo Dow there — Axley's Sufferings and Achievements — Sketch of William Winans — Other Southwestern Itinerants

CHAPTER XI
METHODISM IN THE WEST, CONCLUDED: 1804 — 1820

Richmond Nolley and his Band of Pioneers set out for the Southwest — Lewis Hobbs and Thomas Griffin — Death of Hobbs — Nolley's Extraordinary Labors — Anecdote — Makes his Way into the Interior of Louisiana — Perishes in the Woods — Daniel De Vinne in Louisiana — Mississippi Conference Organized — Judge Lane — Dr. Kennon — Joseph Travis — Other Itinerants — Asbury in the West — His Opinion of Camp-meetings — His great Interest for the West — His Career closes — Great Progress of Western Methodism — Its Anti-slavery Character — Ecclesiastical Action on Slavery — Camp-meeting Excesses — The "Jerks" — Death of William Lostpeich — Of George Askin — Of Hezekiah Harriman — Aboriginal Missions begun — John Stewart, a Negro, the first Missionary — His Singular History and Success — Mary Stubbs — Outspread of Missions

CHAPTER XII
GENERAL CONFERENCES, 1808 — 1816

Necessity of a Delegated Form of the Conference — Session of 1808 — Committee of Fourteen" on Representative Reorganization — "Presiding Elder Question" — Delegation Adopted — The "Restrictive Rules" — Bishop Coke's Relation to the Church — His attempt to Unite it with the Protestant Episcopal Church — Decisive Evidence that no General Conference was held between 1784 and 1792; Note — Coke's Explanation — His Treatment by the Conference — McKendree elected Bishop — Other Proceedings — The Occasion in the Baltimore Churches — Mckendree's Remarkable Sermon — Session of 1812, first Delegated General Conference — Leading Members — McKendree's "Address"— Proceedings — Slavery — Local Elders — Temperance — Elective Presiding Eldership — Session of 1816 — Canadian Territorial Question — George and Roberts elected Bishops — "Course of Study" — Other Proceedings — Slavery

CHAPTER XIII
AUXILIARY PLANS AND INSTITUTIONS LITERARY, EDUCATIONAL, MISSIONARY, ETC.

Practical Adjuncts of the Methodist system — Its Use of the Press — Wesley the Founder of the System of "Cheap Publications" — Great Variety of his Literary Works — Publishing Enterprise of American Methodism — Robert Williams begins it — Early Legislation respecting it — Origin of the Book Concern — Beauchamp's "Christian Monitor" — "Zion's Herald" — Progress of the Book Concern — Its present Condition and Usefulness — The Sunday-School — Wesleyan Methodism First Incorporates it in the Church — Asbury Establishes the First in America — Early Legislation of the Church respecting it — Sunday-school Union — Results — Education — Early Attempts for It — Asbury's Devotion to it — Rescue Missions — The Position of Methodism in their history — Coke — Sketch of the Progress of American Methodism in Domestic and Foreign Missions — German Methodism

CHAPTER XIV
ACTUAL AND PROSPECTIVE RESULTS: 1820

Statistical Results of the Period — Comparative Statistics — Subsequent Results — Aggregate Statistics of the different Methodist bodies of the United States — Relative Importance of Methodism in Modern Protestantism — The Problem of its Success

CHAPTER XV
REVIEW OF THE PERIOD, 1804 —1820: DEATHS OF WHATCOAT, COKE, ASBURY, AND LEE

Deaths of Preachers — Whatcoat, Character and Death — His Grave — Coke's Death, and Burial in the Indian Ocean — Asbury's Estimate of him — his great Services and Character — Asbury — His Character — Last Scenes of his Life — Funeral Ceremonies at the General Conference of 1816 — Jesse Lee's Death — His Character — His Defeat as Candidate for the Episcopate — His Historical Rank — Conclusion

Text scanned and proofread by Rev. & Mrs. Duane V. Maxey
Holiness Data Ministry
857 East Lyons
Spokane, WA 99208

HTML conversion by Paul Leclerc and George Lyons
Copyright 2000 by the Wesley Center for Applied Theology
of Northwest Nazarene University,
Nampa, Idaho 83686.

Text may be freely used for personal or scholarly purposes, provided this notice is left intact.
This text may not be redistributed in any for-profit form or mirrored at any other websitewithout the expressed, written consent of the Wesley Center.
If you have any questions regarding these files, please contact the Wesley Center for Applied Theology.