Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1873-11-04
The Father of American Meth
OdiSnl-


IN washington county in this state
there is "A quiet little village rejoicing
jn the rather pretentiously scholastic
name of Cambridge. 1t is q comforta-
ble, secluded place, in no way more re-
markable than many of the other qui
et villsges of Washington, Rensselaer,
and the adjoining counties. 1t is the
market-place for the surrounding dis
trict, and it's little community is in all
respects very much like the other lit
lie communities near by-fair types of
well-to-do average American citizeus.
In this little town there lived, about
ahundred years ago, a man who after
wards became widely Known as prin-
. cipai founder of one of he greatest of
American religious denominations
his name is not 10 oe found in the cur
rent biographical dictionaries of the
day, but 1t occupies high place IN
the history of the methodist Episcopal
church, that vast organization whose
Wide ramlficstiOn extend from the very
centre to the most distant outpOsts of
our country. Philip Embury, a
preacher not of culture of brillisncy,
out Of rare persuasive and magnetic
power, and one of the most ardent of
the followers of Wesley, was one of
The fathers OF American NJ thodism,
and will always find recognition in the
history of that church.
IN his later days Embury liv in
Ash Grove, near cambridge, where, TO
support himself he followed the occu-
Qati"ns of carpenter and a shoema-
ker, al the same time preaching fire.
iuehtly. Ii Is unnecessary to detail
lle particulars of the career Of Embu-
~. He lived life of earnest useful
ness ana died a poor man, as he had al
ways been; but when he fell. mighty
man had fallen in Israel.
Ihe lact that his tomb had been
E'eatly neglected attracted the atten-
uon OF some prominent Methodists.
Ena IN 1870 subscription was started
,or Ihe erection of suitable monu-
utht The required amount was
!omptiy raised, and on Monday next
Hemonument He over the tomb at Cam |
ylage will be formally dedicated. II is |
su''y,one feet high, made of granite, |
al oJellSk in form and weighing T!
''ehty-eight tons. The simple ill.,
ulpVon on the previous slab will be |
'ANttu Oh iilt new illOuuultUl.
Inc dedicatOry services will include |
% an address of welcome by the Rev. Mr.. |
brown, pastor of the Methodist /
onureh of Cambridge, originally or
SSnized by Embury. The Rev. L. T. |
S->ker, OF Philadelphia, will then de-
'er an address i'm behalfof the Ma
glal Association of Preachers. In
evening Rev. j. b Wakely will :
T'er an historical address on the
LSAodlst Church, a subject which he
hade special study. Indeed, if
ememher Alright, DIR. Wakely, ia
Heroes of Methodism." gives the
,. biography of Embury which has
'Ssappealed.
s. AZ lhe Methodists of New York this
N nTnI ,ll is of no small interest. Embury
.arn' preached in this city his first
on mon m ia his carpenters shop, then
oco',l ,'le site of the City hail. He next
ana anSHp'ed sail-loft on William street.
cst;, raising money by personal appli-
Cb"n he built the John Street
hin1-Oi doing the carpenters work
dix tal: This was the first Metho-
tovpIoclety 20 in this country. Wesley.
and dbn boin Embury applied for advice
daineS p sent TO it two regularly or
New Preachers. Embury then left
hear ofk aud went to Ash Grove.
the sahnridge, where he organized
eount.ho Methodist church in this
hutieds, and where he died and was
Grow cSoout 1888. In 1865. as the Ash
ERbur,'s; 'neteI'y was falling 10 decay,
Cambsisss REMAINS were removed 10
c!ety bnii, where the Ash Grove So
An'ilt a church.
TIE visitors TO the dedicato-