The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-02-07

Neck as it did in that part CT the county
were no longer confined to@the poor and
the lowly. but some of the most eminent
persons, of that part of the county were
found among them. Prominent among
these was Richard Bassctt. before refer
red to in our history of Bohemia Manor,
who came to reside upon his plantation
at Bohemia Ferry, about 1893. lie was
one of the most influential Mcthodists of
that period. His house was the home Of
the poor weary itinerantS, who always
found an open door and a hearty welcome.
Mr.. Asbury was in the habit of stopping
ut his house frequently. and there is no
doubt that it was owing to his ;nstru-
mentality that the first camp meetings i'll
the county were held in 4 grove on his
estate, about a mile north Of Bohemia
Bridge. in 1S0S and the next year.
These camp meetings, there is reason
to believe, were Il source of veXation and
annoyance to the Rev. Mr.. Davis, who
viewed the success of the Methodists
with Jealous eyes. Mr.. Davis was a
learned man and had been elected profess
sor Of the Greek and Latin languages in
Dickinson College. when he was only
nineteen years of age. and. there is reason
to think had no sympathy with the I'M
learned Mcthodists, who had preached
the gospel at IIersey's Mill, Thompson
school house and Bethesda Chapel, and
had been so successful in making prose-
lytcs that there were none left to attend
upon his own ministrations in St. Angus
tine Parish. the church at that time
being closed for want Of a congregation.
In 1909. Mr.. Davis, in letter to the
Bishop. says: Already there have been
several camp meetings in the peninsula
this Summer. At this time. there is one
near Smyrna. Del. Next week one will
be formed in this neighhorhood. and an
other in Wye River in Talbot county.
Tam horri52y a6raid Of tie ctort. With
in the last two years, the church has evil
| IDENTITY declined in almost every part of
| the Eastern Shore This is rather a
gloomy picture to be drawn by a Jealous
| Churchman, but no doubt 1t was true
one, and very probably Mr.. Davis feared
that owing to the zeal and success of the
Methodists the parish of North Sassafras
would also fall into their possession.-
The history Of that parish for the next
fifteen years and all the subsequent his
tory Of st. Augustine. show that the
| fears of Mr.. Davis were well grounded,
! for SO few were the church people and SO
little respect had the others for the old
st. Augustine Church that they not only
suffered it 70 go to ruin but actually
pulled it down and used the bricks Of
which it was constructed in building
chimncys in their houses and for other
| purposes. SO that a quarter of century
later but very little if any part of the
walls were standing. The chapel which
stands near the site of the church was
erected in 1911, mainly by the instrument
| tally of few pious ladies of the neigh
borhood, but so etfectually had Methodisn
supplanted EpiScopacy in the affections
of the peop.c of the Manor that when
the Bishop attended there on st. Patrick $
day of that year in order to consecrate
tit being Il stormy day-hc was obliged,
for want of an audience to postpone the
ceremony till the next Autumn.
!