Smyrna times., 1880-01-07
For the Smyrna Times
Methodist History on the Peninsula.

Among the preachers that visited my
grandtathsrs house in those early days of
Methodism, was one OF African lineage,
and exceedingly popular among the preach
srs. He travelled with Mr.. AsburV. DR..
Coke and others, acting as coachman.
" lie was small, very black, keen eyed,
possessed great Volubility of tongue, and
although SO llliterate that he could not
road, he was one of the most pleasing preach.
ers Of that age" 1t is said that the great DR..
Rush having heard him, pronounced him,
taking into the account his illiteracy the
greatest orator in America. Mr.. Asbury
said, the way to have large congregation
was to give out that Harry Hoser was 10
preach, as more would come to hear him
than himself. He was a more popular
speaker than almost amy one in his day. On
ono occasion in Wilmington, where Mstho-
dism was long unpopular, number of the
citizens, who did not attend Methodist
preaching came to hear Bishop Asbury
The church was so full that they could not
get in. They stood outside to hear the
bishop, as they supposed, but in reality
they heard Harry. Before they left the
place, they complimented the speake
by saying: If all Methodist preachers
could preach like the bishop, We should
like to be constant heare.s." Some one re.
piled, THAT was not the bishop, but the
bishops servant that you heard"
About two years after the introduction
Of Methodism q lear Blackiston's Cross Roads.
Blackstone Chapel was erected. The plan
of the house, which was forty by sixty feet.
was furnished by Mr.. Asbury. 1t was for a
number of years the largest Methodist
Chapel on the Peninsula, exceeding in gizs
Barratt's Chapel" Some large aud power.
full meetings were held at it. 1t was a
popular place. Sometimes the religious
feeling was so great that the meetings con.
tnued all day. The multitude gathered
here from an Immense distance, and from
other States to Quarterly Meetings. "In
Dec. 1850 Mr.. Asbury met about three
hundred persons at Duck Creek Cross
roads, where he for the first time preached
to them. Some time after this, Mr.. joseph
Wyatt, preacher, moved into this village.
and the preaching was at his house. In
1856 the Msthodists erected their first
house of worship in this place, thirty feet
square, at cost oil two hundred pounds,
which Mr.. Asbury called a comfortable
house"
The lot on which the Chapel was erected
was donation of Col. Allen McLane. He
was such an enthusiastic Methodist that he
wanted the Chapel opened every day for
religious services. His life was saved during
our revolutionary struggle by his faithful
colored servant, Latt, who carried him off
the field of battle. He was the father of
Lewis McLane that was our Representative
in Congress for many years, and then a
member Of President Jackson's Cabinet.
and afterward our ambassador to the Court
of st. James. Lewis was born in or near
this place.
Mr.. Joseph Wyatt was a native of Kent
Co., Del, and raised near the present town
of Smyrna. He embraced religion, and
joined the Methodists when they first came
into his nsighborhood in ITS. In l779 he
began to speak in public. In 1880 Bishop
Asbury employed him as preacher. For
a few years he resided in Duck Creek Cross
Roads. Mr.. Ware says: "In talent he was
little inferior to any among us: and in
purity perhaps to none. His sermons were
short, but composed of the best materials.
and delivered in the most pleasing manner. y
In the latter part Of his life he was chan.
lain to the legislature of MARYLAND. and
resided in Annapolis for number of wears.
He was about the sixth travelling preacher
from the State Of Delaware.
AS we all are, or ought to be, inter.
ested in the History Of Methodsim in this
place, have been particular in naming
Mr.. James Stevenson as being the frat 10
open his house for Methodist Mestine.
have also related what Rev. Mr.. Ware said
OF Rev. Joseph Wyatt, as his house was the
second place where the Methodists Assem-
bled for religious services. SPIN.
SMYRNA, Dec. 2Sth, 1879.