Connecticut western news., 1875-04-02
History of NIethOdisM.
IN THE OLD CANAAN CIRCUIT.
lby J. u. L.l

In giving the history of Me.hodism in connection with the old Canaan circuit, embraced now in the present charge of North Canaan and Ashley Falls, of Rhine beck District, New York conference, I may be permitted first to glance at the early history of Methodism, and its introduction into New England. According to thv records of our church history. Methodism was first introduced into the Colonies in l766, by Philip Embury, local preacher from Ireland. His first sermon was preach cd at his own private residence in the city of New York, to congregation of four persons 'Paul Heck and Barbara Heck, (his wife, John Lawrence a hired man, and Betty, colored servant" These after. wards were received as members and formed the first Methodist Society in this country. The first Methodist Church built in the colonies was in the city of New York, on what is now called John Street It was dedicated Oct. 3Oth, l76s. At that churches in the colonies, and in order 10 evade the law, fireplace and chimney were built iu this church. When compared with the establishment of other leading denominations it will be seen that Method ism was many years later, as for instance {: The Episcopal Church was establ he'd as early as 1919. The Baptist in 1889. The Reformed Dutch in 1922. The Presbyterian in l7Oo, while the Congregational Church which came over in the May Flower, and established at Plymouth Mass, as early as 1920.
 Four years after Methodsm was estab. lshed in the Colonies the Congregational. Is.s had in New England alone over 500 churches. h Connecticut were l5s, and in Massachusetts 260 churches of this denomination. "For more than Q century the Congregational Church enjoyed the monopoly of all the eastern states. Its ministers were supported by direct tax. Its institutions of learning endowed by the state, and most of the common schools were under it's controlling influence" A quarter of a century before Methodism made an attempt to gain foot hold in New England . gracious revival spread throughout the churches-which melted the heart and fired the brain of both pastors and people. Such was the condition of the churches when Rev. Jesse Lee in l7s9 by appointment of the New York Conference, set out to introduce Methodism into New England. His first sermon in Connecticut was preached at Norwalk, on the 17th of June, l7s9. He gives the following account of the difficulties which he encountered. "On arriving at Norwalk about p. m., mado application for private house 10 preach in, but was refused. then asked for the use of an old deserted building Tn the village, but was refused that also. I then asked to preach in an orchard near by. but was denied even that. then took my stand under an apple tree on the public road, surrounded by twenty hearers. After singing and praying l preached from John 3-7. 'Ye must be born again. At the close of the sermon he appointed a meeting in two weeks from that day, saying, eff no one would permit him to preach m their house, he would meet them at the same place, in the public high way" The next day he preached in Fair field at Penhelds Tavern. Then on the Sabbath following in the Court House ln New Haven. He proceeded on his journey making appointments until he formed e regular circuit, including the towns of