Smyrna times., 1879-12-17
For the Smyrna Times
Methodist History on the Peninsula.

In following up the history of Mr.. Rich
ara Bassett | found had arrived at Bohem,
Manor, one of the places had studiousl,
avoided. Not being familiar with thu
northern line of the Peninsula, and couIC
not ind out by inquiry, l thought il
netter to remain silent, than give a false
description of events. At last, called on
Dr. urle for information who was we'll ac
qualnted with it, and received from him all
the intelligence necessary. Thus | found
that what | had avoided was full of interest
10 TINS history, as it embraced what is now
the Metropolis of Delaware, and the UNIQUE
the town (now city, of New Castle.
captain Webb an English pensioned
ofhcer was a Methodist Preacher. full of
ZEAL and deriving his support for profes
slonal services from the British govsrn
ment, spent his leisure time in spreading
Methodism wherever he went"
Mr.. Lednum fixes the date of his preach.
ing IN Wilmington and New Castle as
early as 1869.
Mr.. Robert Furness who kept a public.
mouse In New Castle, was the first that re.
ceiVed the preachers, and they preached in
MS WUerh. Here one Of the first Metbo.
dist Societies in Delaware was formed
ne hrst society persisted; and Methodism
had 10 be begun q second, if not a third
time IN New Castle" In 1919 and 1890
the Rev. j. Rushing was stationed in vii.
mlpGton he extended his labors To This
town, and either raised up a society. or
strengthened a feeble one, and erected
brick church in New Castle. It was fft,
years before much success crowned their
efforts Such was the determination of
Rey. j Rushing and Mr. Henry Pepper of
wilmington, to establish Methodism on a
hrm basis i'll New Castle, that they used to
walk from the former to the latter place
and hold meetings. In the fearless dis.
charge OF ministerial duty Mr.. Rushing was
unsurpassed by none. Mr. Pepper was
very plous man and a class leader, and all
lmpedlmsnts failed to retard the work anv
niger. '
" Mr.. j. Stedham was the first friend the
Methodlsts had in Wilmington. He had
preaching In his house for several wears
For long time Wilmington was hostile to /
Methodlsm. Rev. Thomas Ware said in |
~ this borough was inflicted with mvsti. |
cal mlaSm, which had deleterious effect |
especially on the youth. Our church was |
by hundreds of these sons of |
n"Ial' night after night, while there |
we're scarcely fifty worshippers; such was |
Lhelr conduct, that females were afraid to |
attend our meetings at night; and we had
20 commence service in time to dismiss the
congregation before it was dark. After
twenty years of hard labor to plant Metho.
lism IN the borough, Asbury Church was
quit. 1t was the only church (saye one
or the colored people, that they had for
many years, though it was densely crowded
1t Tunes, particularly on quarterly meeting
occasions St. Paul's on Market street was
erected with pews) in 1915, and Union in
ISoO-l85l. Then Scott Church, after Bishop
scott; then Brandywine, Mount Salem.
md seyeFal others, including Grace Church
1ne OF the most beautiful Protestant
churches in the United States. This Fall
nc, congregation raised in few weeks
'bS'OOO to pay off its Indebtedness. and
more than 81 900 above what was needed
SMYRNA Dec. 7th, 1879. SPIN