Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-09-21
OBJ aasb0ilIr elniuu ann Amrritan.
Lac orLrln o. gIethoals.. b 81 KentucI.r


TAe origin Of MethOdisn In ia Kentucky.
g The resent dsstb Of Ms og6Grn, nearly huO-
bred yes5s old at Carrot0n in this State suggests
sons facts concerning the rise CT the Methodist
church in Kentucky, OF which she was q member
over seventy years.
In 1859 taO preachers were sent from the Mstho-
dist Conference held in London, to travel and
preach in Ausrics. Prior 10 that, certain local
pr sschers hAd been preaching, aud received men,
0urs .'intc society" Among these were Philip En-
bury, 10 New York, and Robert stravbridre in
Maryland. Among the conssrls Of the latter was
the mother Of Dr.. Stevenson, former book agent in
this cay On Der tombstone, In Mason county, Ky,
appears the foioEiug inscription: Sacred to me
memory Of Sarah Stevenson, who was born October
7th, l75e unigedwitA he Methodist church, and
embraced religion, N 1863 lived The gospel half q
century, and aied il peace, May 27th, 1928"
In l77O fourlocal preachers were sent 10 "Amsr.
ice Circuit"
The first Conference Of Methodist preachers in
America, Of which We have regular minutes was
held Ia Philsdelphis, June, 1853 There were Eve
circuits and eleven preachers, and eleven hundred
and sixty (ll60) members. The circuits we're New
York. Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and
Virginia.
Al the Conference of 1856 Bspjsmin oeburn was
appointed 70 Kentucky Cireuit, wi James HaE
IS presiding elder. Kentucky was then hunting
gfound for savage tribes, and the home Of few
dsrirg pioneers from Virginia and Maryland whose
lives we're in continual jeopardy from savage foes
on which account they dwet IN con munities within
strongly def MED forts, called stations"
Among these pioneers were Thomas Stevenson
and bis wife. aresdy referred TO. Both we're mem
bers of the Church, AID to their humble cabin at
"Kenton's Station" the missionary reserved cor
dial welcome. and there found home; and In their
house, sfer Indian hosiliIies ceased the first Meth
odist Church in Kentucky was organized, and for
more than quarter Of a century the gospel was
proclaimed By the fathers.
Between the stations in Virginia and Kentucky
there vas no sign Of human habitation The woods
rsscunded by day with the melody of singing birds
aud The air was perfumed with the odor Of opening
flowers; but the nights we're made hideous by ths
solemn boot Of the owl, and howl of the wolf, the
scream OF the panther and the continual appreaen-
sion of an attack from savage foes. During the
Whole journey from Bottetourt, in Virginia TO
Lexington, Kentucky, Mrs. 0gburn carried her IL
fant son in her arms never for moment intFustpg
BIN TO the care Of another; aad during the thr,e
days journey between the stations referred to, she
never closed her eyes in sleep, either by day CT
night Al the crossing Of Richlsnd Creek, IT, g
bodies OF four Baptist preachers were found, who
had been murdered by the Indians, the week prs
vious. 10 1895. after the cessation I Indian hos
tlliiies, Brother og5urn removed to the mouth f
Kentucky River, and year or two after puI chased
land two miles above. the bank of the Oaio
where be spent the remnant Of his days-Loufs-
EiLie Democrat.