New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-28

powerful impression.
remember, for several successive years, waiting
with other boys Of about my age, at the door Of the
Conference ROOM when the annual session OF that
body about TO close, for the purpose OF taking
last look at the Bishop before be left the city 1t was
bis custom to read the appointments OF the preachers
and Immediately mount his horse, and hasten out to
Perry Hail. the residence Of bis friend Mr. Cough and
thus escape the solicitations of the preachers to change
their appointments. Hence, on the last day of the
session, Bishop Asbury would order his horse, with
SADDLE bride, and saddlebags to be brought to the
door OF the Conference room, while he him ELF would
be dressed for his journey having his eggns on over
bis pantslOons and all ready for start. On the read.
ing Of the appointments be would hasten to the door,
mount his horse seldom delaying longer than to recog
Dze the boys who were waiting to see him. and with
I" God bless you TO each Of us, he would be of.
And yet when he had reached bis retirement Is said
that his ear was ever open to remonstrauces from
either preachers or people, and when lie could without
injury to the work he was always ready to change bis
plan. But, in those days. nobody thought of disobey
ing Bishop Asbury after bis decision was made.
His dress was always black and remarkably plain
He continued to the day Of bis death wear straight
coat and low-crowned, broad-brimmed hat, such as
was then frequently worn by old men, though now
seldom He had large silver buckles in bis shoes,
though, in Winter, and when travelling he wore boots
coming up above the knee, his journeys being chiefly
performed on horseback.
In letter written not four months before his
own lamented death, The late DR.. Francis gives
some curious personal "reminiscences of several
eminent Methodist clergymen, who belonged to
the extensive circle of bis acquaintance:
NEw-YoRK, Oct. 16, 1860.
NJ DEAR SIR: You will readily suppose that il is
not much that can tell you from PERSONAL recollection
concerning Thomas Coke the first Methodist Bishop Of
America siXty-hree years have passed since had
the privilege OF seeing and hearing him; and yet be
left impression on my mind which the Lapse OF even
- 4 r. =. rtuntAa trad
heard Lin in the Summer of 1877, when he was just
fifty years old He vas diminutiye creature, little
higher than is reported to have been the pions Isaac
Watts but somewhat more portly. lie had Keen
vsage wi ich bis aqune nose made the more decided
yet with bis ample wig and triangular hat be bore an
impressive personnel. His nd0mtable zeal and deyo-
ton wee manifest to all An Oxford scholar, clever
author aud glowing with devotional feryor bis shrlil
voice penetrated the remoest part of the Assembly;
lie dscoursed on Gods providence, and terminated
the exercises with reading the beautiful hymn Of Adj
dison-" The Lord my pasture shall prepare. so DIS
tiuctIy enuneatory was his manner, that he almost
electrified the audience. He dealt in the pathetic and
adopts in preaching might profit by Coke.
Let ma add word concerning Francis Asbury, with
whom WAS we'll acquainted. lie wac, by no means,
an uproarions preacher. A second Whiteield In his
activity, in bic locomotive facny sort OF sinDad on
land: wrap up in ample corduroy dress, h babe de-
fance 10 the elements, like the adventurous pioneer
iourueying wbilhersOever he might. He had noble
qualities disinterested principles and enlarged views.
has stronger reasons 10
individual effort for It's enlightened eopdon, It's
increased strength its literature lite more refined MIN
sry and the trophies which already adorn the DrOws
of is scholars than has the Methodist Church to Fran
els Asbury.
As other of the Methodist worthless Of that day come
10 NV remembrance sou will allow me just to mention
one more who was in my estimation, one oil the lead
ing spirits Df the American Pulpit refer to Thomas
+. Sargent. Favored, in high degree, IN 10
personal doyelopmeatwitha large strong, aud robust
frame not unlike that Of the late DIR. John NJ Mason
he filled the pull pit with most imposing elect ana
what vas Of more importance he hled the pews anu,
like another Boanergee untolded with stentorian pow
ers the doctrines OF his Wesleyan belief TO the airni-
ration OF crowded houses and the deep CONVICTION Oh
his followers. Sargent, Iext TO Mason, YVES the most
powerful preacher ever listened TO.
find many circumstances treasured up N my hheul-
ory that marked the progress OF the Methodist Society
in New-YOrk, while was yet Iuere boy Agaln
and again have Listened TO the outdoor preaching OF
those dc voted itinerant ministers Large ana some
times tnmultuOus assembages might be seen IN Tue
public Streets and in the open lots within the suburOs
and tie Garnet exhorier, tho head or hogs cad, or
on some temporary scAiioliing, would utter hlinset
with "A vehemcnce which gave NJ le1s, Outward demon
dn,csay 1895 l7g9-there were but two meetings for
public worship Of that deuOnins ton, among uE-the
Church in john street, and tic Second street meeting
house The liquidation OF the Duane street 1hufch
was Laid IN 1900 Ii, occasionally, some turmoil arose
amid inosc gatherings OF the multitude OF that day IL
should be remembered that the times themselves were
turbulent ine,d-the radical doctrines and dclstIea
principles Of the Trench Revolution were then domi
nan among U.s. they were III several otler contTies
and am confident that Wesleyan Methodism bsd not
O little 10 do in staying their desUlaIing progress
Even Lorenzo Dow, with al lis ecceniTiilcs, had
mission 10 perform, which | doubt not was fraUght
with more or less Of blessing to the world.
WIN peag Sir, Your sincere friend,
JOHN W. FRANCIS.
4 wcll-known Methodist minister of the State
of New-York, tie Rev. Billy Hibbard, is de-
scribed in Il graphic narrative by his son, men,
Der OF the East Genesee Conference:
Nv fathers personal acquaintance was more ex-
IL nded than thar OF almost any other man whom
have known. His unbounded and universal good Will
biz remarkable powers OF conversation, the charm ana
novelty Of hs discourse even the commonest themes,
hi. bcltiness and frankncfs and lis most tenacious
memory even OF local and lsulaed facts an contributed
to swell the ci,ce of his personal acquaintance And
where he had acquaintance he generally had fiend-
ship, never enmity. With an ease Of manner which
made him al home equally in the circles OF the rich
and tie poor he would adapt himself, without appg-
rent effort any eXgency that might occur. have
often observed, with asIOnisbment,. when travelling
with him how easily his memory and Invention would
supuy materials for the Instruction entertainment Of
the nnlrered and the children, aud tiea how dexter
ouy and effectively he would hold his part ~ he ds-
cussion OF public themes with public men, Where &c
wa, known the children would often meet bun az the
gae with a welcome and, when seated by the lire, 1t
waa an ordinary affair for hin 10 have one on each
knee others standing around in listening attitude,
while one or two might be seen reeping over the back
of the chair. Hundreds live to-day whose hrst ac-
quaintanee with lin was Thus formed:
With wonderful felicity he brought this same sim
rlicity iuto the higher walks Of life. he was extern
syely acquainted with the leading men OF his day es-
na,illv of his owa State. Martin Van Buren,, whena
,nenbcr of the Senate Of the United States once asked
nv Oldest brother, DR.. William Hibbard OF New
York ii my father would be willing to serve AS Chap
lain to Congress, and s!ii that i! he would CONSENT
he would procure lis election lie was OF the Jeicr
sorian school of pocs, Familiarity yersed IN tie prin-