New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-03-26
Netu4lork DAILY Gribnme
NEW PUBLIC4ZZO

HISTORY OF AMERICAN METHODlSM: By the Rev.
B. WAgELEY. limo. PIP 5ei Carlton Porter
The materials for the preparation of this volume
have been greatly enriched by the discovery of
singular old book containing the earliest authentic
records of Methodsm in this country. This book
ia neither more nor less than the first record of the
trustees and stewards of the old mother hive OF
Methodism in this city, the John-street Church.
Mr.. Wakeley has made it the basis of his work,
making extracts from year to year, from the COM
mencement to the conclusion, during period of
nearly thirty years, from 1868 to 1897. Some of
the details which the author has gathered up with
piOus assduity, may seem of too little significance
for general interest, but they will suggest many
touching remembrance to numerous readers, while
the amateur of antiquarian lore will find not little
food for curiosity in exploring the rubbish of the
past with such an indefatgable guide.
Here is graphic representation Of
THE FIRST METHODIST PARSONAGE IN AMERICA.
This WAS building in the antique style OF the
Dutch, which stood partly in front of the chapel.
They did not dignity it with the name of Parsonage,
for parsons were scarce, but The Preachers House.
As tins was the first house of the kind occupied in
America by Methodist preachers We will be a little
particular in describing it, and show how it fur
nished 1t was little old building that stood upon
u g of the lots the Trustees purchased from Mr..
Forbes. David Morris who did much Of the carpen-
'ers work to the preaching house, repaired this house.
This record in the old book Is found on page IL:
"Apr 80 NO. To cash paid David Morris, on &C.
count of work done to the preaching house and DWELL
il g-house, f25."
The house was rough in its exterior and interior
and very gloomy place with very few windows, and
mer house than Winter. They were not trouble
for wait Of ventilation II was connected with tn
chapel by pair Of stairs in the rear.
The early Methoo lists in New-YOrk set good ex
ample in furnishing their preachers house, which
would be well for others to initiate.
Humble was the place and humble tue furniture
few articles they bought, some were given, and
others lent by those who did not feel able to give
them Seventeen persons gave and six lent articles
of furniture for the preachers house. I1ey were
mostly women. The women have generally furnished
the Methodist parsOnages where the preachers ana
their families are made 70 comfortable. Paul makes
honorable mention of the Phebes and Prscllas, and
the honorable women not few, and says "Heip
those women who abored with me in the Gospel, -.
whose names are in the Book OF Lie. From that
time devout women have been ever ready to do good
and the women of Methodism have not been whit
behind others in this respect. The devout Haanahs
and holy Elizabeths, the humble Marys ana activo
Martbas ought ever TO be held in grateful remem'
braBce. 80 j.,
| think ! see the women of l17O assembling in the
first parsonage, and they inquire How can we fur
nish this housel' One says, can furnish this thng
for it, another says, ~ can give that toward IT,
The days appointed for collecting the things together:
| see Mrs. Sonnet with her "gridirOn aud "par OF
bellows, vending her way to the parsonage. mere
goes Mrs. Earnest with her six cups ana saucers,
determined the preachers should have good cup VI
tea with which to refresh thenelves after their pulpit
sweat Mrs. Leadbetter sends her "tea-ehest ana
canisters knowing that cups and saucers no ma.tsr
how beautiful, amount 10 but little without the ,eh,
;. Of ha nj
Charles White sends copper tea-kette, know
ing canisters and cups and saucers can accomplish
but little without that Indispensable thing tow W
Housekeeping namely, tea-Sclhf. Ihete sSteh sbe
Sause with her 4" six knives and forks when spe
gave most willingly, ard four teaspoons, when she
was willing to "lend though she felt unable 10
give them. -
Mrs. Jarvis, wife OF james one OF the trustees
gave - half dozen cream-colored plates, ana ois,
The very color of the plates transmitted to U.s. MIS-
Harrison helps flu nish the table by giving Mree
burnt China plates, two china cups. and four silver
Teaspoons The excellent Mrs, Cfosheld' Oh precVu'
n emory, furnishes two tabe-cloths.
Mrs. Newton makes provision for the preacneIss
washing and shaving, and therefore sent
and ba.iu,r etc. Mrs. Crook gave two tTwys a.
well az "two piowcSses" and three taoe-Go.m,
Mrs. Lupton in order that they might sleep wen gov
Mn. Newton. two brnkets;' Mrs. TRIGGER lent
" s,t Of curtains" for the bed -
Chairs were also necessary. MIS- necAe{ spn,v
chair belonging to the preachers house, our mrs.
Taylor kindly lent four chairs and one nght cnSu
This made six chairs 10 all. There were Two W.
.curtsinsi-their color wa, "green'-ons lent oy
Mrs.. Jarvis and the other by Mrs. benn1gei E.s
was for the window fronting the street and the o'Iel
the window toward the churchy.rd. That the
preachers might behold their natural ace
Mrs. Trigger supplied than with g." small looHlng-
glass and MIS- Moon in 3rds. that the Pfs' .as.
and then often iL6ruities,' gave three WINE
glasses" IN, 4. D..
,nsefyI . sna tbs,eSoys enc furnished rod rug:
Nothing said about they TsIs mol V wss :sp
p,ied by Mr.. Newton. Mrs Harrison gave one ana
Mrs.. Taylor that there .s were ere. n hSuss ei
up fcr the sccommcda-.on Of Methodist preachers IN
have been thus pariieuar, as tAls sas .ns niss
parsonbce 10 show how il was iWnl'se !, anu ~
whom. 1t j. singular that we have eve'y ps'"sair,
to teaspoon, rwlndo"-
disa." -. ..,..,. \ 49,.
Many houses in viii h Meihed.st preacas,s h'ye
rved have &c, TEEN as vel furnished, ana psoS Ha'e
A ... ......u d.. f.I