The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-04-10
A Sketch of the Rise and Progress Of
MethOdism in ElktOn.

J
dist Church at a number of the Stations on
the Eastern Shore, among others we find
the following account Of the church at ;32
Elkton Station, which was furnished by
Mr.. Ellis, and which will be of interest to
a number of our readers.
ELKTON sTATIoN-wILMINGToN DISTRICT.
Asbury, and perhaps properly, that Elkton
was hard soil for Methodism. But find
in his journal, vol. 2, page 10, under date
Of May end, 1887, this note:
"Many attended at Elkton, and we were
received by the Rudolph family with great
respect" In this connection it may be
proper to state that Tobias Rudolph, the
great grandfather of the present genera
ton, left on his death-bed this charge to
his family: " Be careful to entertain the
Methodist preachers, for they have been
the ministers of God to my SOUL
Prior and up to the year 1929, Elkton
was an appointment on the old Cecil Cir
cult, Chesapeake District, Philadelphia
Conference. That district appears on the
minutes as early as the year 11SS, with
Richard Whatcoat as Presiding Elder, and
John Smith and Geo. Wells as travelling
preachers. At what date Elkton was made
regular appointment does not, from any
memoranda within reach at this time, ap-
pear. Sometime about the year 1912, the
old brick church, now occupied as public
school building, was erected on what was
then called High street, on lot conveyed
to Trustees for the NJ. E. Church, by Thos.
Howard, and remained the only church
building in the town until the year 1889.
The other denominations worshiped in the
Court House and Academy. In the years
1928, while Solomon Sharp and James
b. Ayars were the preachers on Cecil Cir
cult, and Laurence Laurenson was presid
/ ing elder Of the District, the circuit was
favored with an extensive revival of relig-
ion, in which Elkton and North East largely
participated. Among the converts were
John S. Taylor, of Elkton, and Charles T.
| Ford, of North East, both of whom be-
came devoted ministers of the Lord Jesus,
greatly beloved by the church-now long
since gone to their reward.
At the Philadelphia Conference in 1s29
Elkton was made station, and Rev. Fran
els Hodson, then young man-admitted
on trial at the previous conference-was
appointed pastor. A few of the present
members can recall with distinct remem-
brance the early promise of that eminent
servant of God, who still fingers among his
brethren an intellectual giant even in his
old age, though little child in the sim
plcity of his faith and love.
Bro Hodson was succeeded by Rev. Viii
liam Barnes; and Bro. Barnes by host of
eminent laborers, among whom we find
the names of John B. Hagany, James H.
Mcfarland, David Shields, Edwin L. James,
and others who have finished their course
with joy, and are now, We believe, in the
upper sanctuary awaiting the coming OF
many who will be stars in the crowns OF
their rejoicing.
During the pastorate OF Rev. E. L. James
in the years 1912, the church building
was enlarged by the addition of fifteen fee.
to it's length, and the interior very much
improved by painting and the introduction
of new and more convenient seats-whle
the membership was greatly quickened in
it's spirituality and numbers added on pro
baton.
In the years 1889, while Rev. VIM. II
Elliott was in charge, a gracious outpour,
ing of the Spirit was realized. A pro
tracted meeting, lasting from watch night
Jan. /, 1919, until the last Of February.
resulted in over one hundred conversions,
and the addition of between ninety and
one hundred to the church; among them a
substantial members-official and non Off
cial.
The second year Of Bro. Elliott's pastor.
ate, the appointments of Bethel, Chesa
peake City, and Bohemia Manor, were
added to Elkton, forming "Elkton Cir
cult" and Rev. w. II. Brisbane was asso
cated with Bro Elliott, as junior preacher
do not find that this connection was form.
ed because of any action of the people of any
of the appointments. 1t appears to have
been the result of considerations operating
upon the minds of the bishop and council
at the session OF 1919, leading them to thai
determination. This connection lasted un
til the year 1854, while Rev. Elon J. Way
was in charge of the circuit, when Elkter
again made a station, and Bro. Way wa.
sent for his second year in charge of the
station. During Bro. Ways passionate, {
number of valuable members were added to
the church. In the year 1853, while Rev
Henry F. Hurn was in charge, the mem
bers, prompted by their pastor, began tc
take definite steps towards the erection o
a more eligible and more comfortable place
of worship, but the enterprise was not pu
into successful operation until the follow
ing year, 1859, while Rev. Jos. S. Cool
was in charge. Under the promptings ane
untiring labors of that faithful servant O.
God (who will long be remembered by ths
people of Elkton for the energy, tact, ant
peculiar ability displayed by him in prose
cutting the enterprise to a successful issue)
the work was commenced in earnest ant
completed. The corner stone was laid il
September, 1859. The lecture room wa
dedicated by Bishop Scott on the 18th da,
of June, 1860, and the whole work com
pleted and the audience room dedicated o,
the 9th of September, 1860, by Rev. d. B
Bartine. The church when completed wa
admitted to be one of the most attractive
and comfortable at that time within tn
bounds of the Conference.
The beautiful and valuable lot on which
the new building was erected, was the gen
erous donation of two daughters of tn
Rev. VIM. Torbert, of precious memory
and great grand daug hters of Tobias Ru
dolph, before referred to. The expense O