Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-10-17
The John Street Church.


In the fever for moving all the churches
sup town." in New York city there is quite
contention in the Methodist Episcopal
church, concerning the John street church
some for, and some against il. In sI-.~ch
of Dr.. Mitchell, on the subject, lately many
facts were communicate which show the orr
gin of Methodism in this country. We re-
duce his speech to the following
The first Methodist Society n New York
and in America, was Organized in l7G6, by
few Methodist immigrants from Ireland,
one of whom-lhilip Embnry-was W-s-
leyan local preacher, and house carpenter.
An elderly lady, then recently from Ireland,
who found several of her newly arrived friends
engaged in a G lme of cards, after severely
rebuking them and throwing away the card,
hastened to the house Of Mr.. Enlburv, aud
exhorted him 10 use all his inhden aud eff
forts 20 reclaim her straying friends. H
agreed to hold a meeting in his o~n bouse,
situated IL Augusta street, (then Barrack
street, the lady then pledging herself tocoI-
lect the congregation. Six only attended
the first meeting, who, after suitable ex-
horlaLion from Mr.. Embury, enrolled their
names IN class, and resoh ed 10 attead reg-
uiarly al his house for religious instruction.
Shortly after, more coinmodiuus room vas
obtained in the neighborhood Whilst Eor-
Shipping in this room, during singing ON one
occasion, amanin full military uniform made
his appearance among them, 10 their great
CONSERVATION. This geotleman proved 10
be captain Webb, Of tie Royal American
troops, and barrack master at Albany, who
had been converted in England, under MIR.
Wesley, in l765. and shorty after appoin-
ted to his post in Albany. lie labored With
great fervor and success in the infant society
at learning the fact Of lis formation MlIits-
ry men, at all times appeared in reginentals.
he appearance IN the palpit OF man thus
attlred, with his sword living before him BE-
side his Bible, attracted great attention, and
excited curiosity. Soon after the commence
msns to Of he laRSrs Of yGsspsair Webb. The old
Horse street, was secured, for the better ac-
commodation of their increasing numbers.
There MIR. Elnbry and Captain Webb con-
tinued to preach with great success. About
this time they entertained an idea Of building
house for public worship. Messrs. Lup-
ton, Source, Newton, White, Jarvis, and
few more, were The persons engaged in erec-
ting the first Methodist church in American.
Of fthese, William Luptou, a very respectable
merchant, proved himself the chief agent and
support, whose maxim, it is said, was, a. The
church first, and thenmy family" Through
the interest Captain Wetb they procured
lots on Golden Hill, which was rising ground
near the borders of the city, (now named
John Street.) The house was AZ b. 60 feet,
The projectors of this enterprise encountered
very great opposition, and yet success crown
ed their efforts. On the 3oth day IF Octo-
Der, 17G6, Mr.. E,nbusy delivered discourse
from the pulpit which he bad himself con-
, structed, declaring that the best dedication
OF church the minister can make, is to
, preach in it faithful sermon. By the joint
labors Of Embnry and Webb, all the bar
: rers of the enemy we're oversome, the soci-
ETY. rapidly increased, and the much abused
!, Methodists began 10 appear as body Of re.
9 spectabity and:infuence. The house occu
e pied as the parsonage stood partly in from,
of the church, and was building in the
Q antique style of the Dutch. 1t also contain.
ed the Methodist library. Two additiona
q lots on the left side were purchased after the
d revolution, for f2OO. The interior remained
e many years unfinished. The audience room
II for long time, had only benches, without
even back piece to resline against. 81
} homely was the place which the Almight,
!, deigned to honor in the commencement c
I the glorious work that has resulted in th,
= building up of nearly million and a half o
lie COMMITMENTS. extending over all the Uni
0. ted States and Territories, and throughou
IS the British Provinces, and which now own
r nearly one-third of the church edifces of thi
- great nation.
i In vaults beReath the basement, bedie
of the dead were deposited. Wesley's char
Ell, as they called it, bore, upon the who'll
u an appearance as plain and simple as th
e' lives Of its projectors. Mr.. Embury an
ne Captain Webb wrote TO Mr.. Wesley, j
ne England for assistance, who, in 1850, ser
=; Mr.. Richard Boardman and Mr.. JOSEF
th Tilman, to their assistance, and fifty pounc
.ee sterling, torer s24o. to aid them in payir