Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-07-10
Fir.t-Methodist Parsonage in America

EIrst-Methodisf parsonage IN AAnericA
The Rev. J. B. Wakeley in his History of
American Melhodism, gives an interesting ae-
count of the first Methodist Parsonage in this
country. 1t was erected in New York, and
how furnished is thus told
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 this was the first house
of the kind occupied in America by Methodist
preachers, we will be little particular in de-
scribiug it, and show how it was furnished. Il
was little old building that stood upon one OF
the lots the trustees purchased from Alr. Forbes.
David Morris, who did much of the carpenters
work to the preaching house, repaired this
house This record in the ol book " is on
page II " April %, l770, to cash paid David
Morris, on account of work done to the preach
| ing house and dwelling g-hOuse, t25."
This house was rough in its exterior and in
terror, and a very gloomy place. with very few
windows, and as cold as a barn in winter. Ii
was better summer house " than winter
They were not troubled for want ofyeniillatiOn.
| 1t was connected with the chapel by pair Of
stairs in the rear.
The early Methodists in New York, set
good example in furnishing their preachers
house, which it would be well for others to I'M
itate.
Humble was the place and humble the furni-
/ tuTe.
| A 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 They were mostly women. The women
have generally furnished the Methodist parson-
ages where the preachers and their families are
made SO comfortable. Paul makes hO-Orlble
+, mention of the Phebes and Priscillas, d" and the
honorable women not a few, and says " Help
thos,, women who aboTed with me in the Cos
-el whose names are in the Book ol
| I;Ea', From that time. devout woman have
been ever ready TO do good, and the women o
Methodisu, hsye not been whit behind Others
in this respect. Tue devOut Hannals and the
holy Elizabeths, the humble Marys and active
Marthas, ought ever to be held in grateful re
membrance.
l think see the women of ITO assembling
in the Ist parsonage, and they enquire, Sc How
can we furnish this housei' One says car
furnish this thing for it - another says " car
give that toward it" Another can lend On ar
tiele, not feeling able to give it The day i
appointed for collecting he things together
see Mrs.Sennet, with her "gridiron" and span
1f bellows" vending her way 10 the parsonage
There goes Mrs Earnest with her ''six cups an,
san,.ers," etermined that preachers shiul,
have GOOD cup of tea with which 10 refresl
themselves after their pulpit sweat. Mrs
Ieajbetter sends her "tea-chest and canisters,
knowing thSt cups and saucers, no matter hOy
: beautiful, amount to but little without the tea
and it being first well drawn out Of the CAMS
ter. Mrs. Charles White sends cooper te
kettle" knowing canisters and cups and sau
GERS can accomplish but little without that n
| dispensible thing toward house e-keeping, name
" a tea-kettle. There goes Mrs. Sause wit
. her s.six knives and forks" which she CAV
most willingly, and four tea-spOohs, which sh
: was willing to {" lend" though she felt unabl
{ to give them
7 Mrs. Jarvis, wife Of James, one Of the trus
tees, gave "haIf dozen cream colored plates
: and dish" The very color OF the plates ]
1 transmitted to us. Mrs. Harrison helps {
e furnish the table by giving " three bHrHt chin
4 plates, two china cnps, and four silver Tel
spoons /" The excellent Mrs. CrOssheld,
, precious memory, furnishes " two tahle-eloths
Mrs. Newton makes provision for the preacl
: ers' washing and shaving, aud therefore sent
"wash-hand basin," etc. Mrs. Cook gave ''tv
towels" as well as "two pillow cases" an
4 Athree table-clOths," Mrs. LuPtOn, in ord
d that they might sleep well, gave ''bed quilt,
: AID Mrs. Ten Eyck ''bed sPrey;" Mrs. New
{ ton 'stwo blankets :" Mrs Trigler lent 4" s.
e of curtains" for the bed
c Chzirs were also necessary Mrs. Heck'
cave 81 one Windsor chair and cushion" Tn
e was the only chair belonging to the preacher
- bouse. but Mrs Taylor kindly lent four chaI
and one might chair" This made six ehai
in all There were two " windOw-curtains' ;
: their color was "greeH"-one lent by MI
; Jarvis and the other by Mrs. Benninger- d
/ was for the window froating the street. and q
i other the window fronting the ehnrehysrd.-
e That the preachers might behold their natur
face in a mirror, Ers Trigler supplied the
It with :" small lookii 'g-glass :" and Mrs. Moo
re in order that the presc hers might take "a lit
- wine for their stomaeh's sake, and their oft
+. infirmities," gave three "w ne glasses
. They went in for the "or. .'1menial' as "
ct as the ''useful," and therefore me furnished
red rug" Nothing said about 'aFPets th
IN were no; very fashionable in those days "IhI
pictures" were supplied by Mr. Newton ii
OF Harrison gave one and Mrs. Taylor leaf IL
so that there were nine pictures with which
se adorn the walls of the first house fitted up
=, the accommodation of Methodist preachers
America.
IN have been thus particular, as this was I
first parsonage, to show how it was f1rnish'
J. and by whom 1t IS singular that We have {
Ie cry particular, to "tea spoon" "window-el
tain" and "wash-dish-"
Many houses in which Methodist preaehs
o' have lived, have not been as well furnished, a
T. many have not been furnished at all; and
many instances preachers have moved 10
n distance to n circuit, and when they arry
NJ there was no house provided. This is cold
Nv Greenland, fIigid as the north pole. In
- early days of MethOdism this could not be avo
ed, as they were breaking new ground but
these latter days it is iDeNcusable. But
81 ioice to say that now We have many parsonag
an especially in the cities, that are furnished m
he neatly and amply with everything to make
L. preachers families comfortable. Every prea'
er's house should be supplied at least "
"s heavy furniture. But my business is not
10, deliver homily on furnishing parsonages,
sir simply to show how the old John street prea
M, er's house was first furnished.
Ur,r,v W nm RrrTurp 1t having hpan