Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-09-18
BARaAra's oHAPsL OhSrhNARY.
when a Wilderness Lay Between
NewYork and Philadelphia W ere
Asbury, Coke and siarFettson
Met One Hundred Years Ago,

Abburys COkc and GarFetfsOn
Met One Hundred Years Ago.
The Centenary celebration OF the organi.
zation OF the Methodist church in America
was begun In Barratt's Chapel, three
fourths Of mile northeast OF Frederics,
on Wednesday week.
The Rev. ]. B. Quigg of Smyrna deliv-
cred the opening address, reviewing the
hietofy OF the church In this country.
lie reoounted briefly the early labors Of
Bishops Coke and Asbury In what was
the wilderness OF new world. Bishop
Asbury came to America in 1771, being
then 26 years old and having been five
years IN the ministry. At that time the
Methodist church In this country num-
bered 10 preachers and about 800 mem.
bsrs.
Fourteen years elapsed from the time
OF Aebury's appointment to America bs-
fore the organic stion Of the NJ. K. church
here. This psriod was season OF great
trial and difficulty, and yet OF great
progress and prosperity. From 500 mem
bers in 177l the American Methodists
had inoreastd In 1884 to 1870, with 50
preachers.
Bishop Coke and ElderJ WhAtoost and
vAsey set sail for America Sept m Der
18th, 1884, and landed at New York
November Sd, being 45 days on the pas
sage. On the night OF his arrival Bishop
Coke preached at John Street Church.
without delay he went to Philadelphia,
where after holding service az the
Methodist churches, and at st. Paul's
hpisoopal Church, ne proceeded south
ward on horseback to Barratt's Chapel.
AT that date New York was little more
than half as large as Wilmington Is to-
day. Philadelphia was q city OF probA bly,
$1,000 people. Wilmington contained a |
population OF probably less thAu 2, coo.
But Delaware south Of Wilmington was
relatively more populaus than Low the
whole State having then 80, 900 inL abb
aanis II Ia quite certain that tue Gel tre
OF population was outside of Whining ton
and that the increase for America yas
then on this Penins ula. Between New
York and Philsdelphis Bishop Coke's
party found wilderness the oouutry
population increasing In density after he |
LETT Philadelphia.
In BArratt's Chapel Bishops Coke and |
Asbury and Freeborn Garrettson gathe red |
the first Methodist conference assembled |
In America. At this conference Bishop |
Coke took the chair and presented his |
credentials from John Wesley. A church |
organization was formed, independent Of |
the mother church In England, and
Asbury and C1ke were unanimously
chosen bishops. High ground was taken
BY the conference against intemperanoe
and slavery in the following memorable
snunciation
Our minister's or travelling preachers should
" no means drink Bplrituous liquors unless it |
% incidentally. We view slavery as contrary to
ne golden law OF God, on which hang all the
aw and the prophets, and inalienable right Of
mankind, as well as every principle OF the
revolution, to hold in the deepest debase-
nent, In more object slavery than is perhaps
o be found in any part Of the world except
america, 80 many souls that arc all capable
Il the image Of God.
Mr.. Quigg in conclusion dwelt upon
he woLdrous growth Of this primitive
hurch and the great good which has
'een accomplished by the NJ. thodists Of
lmerioa.
On Wednesday afternoon the Rev. DR..
|. 5. Hunt Of the American Bible Society,
an eloquent address on the
Ives and iabors Of Bishops Coke and
Isbury, Freeborn Garrettson and other
athers of the Methodist church in this
and. After he had flushed communion
ervioe was held.
On Thursday addresses were delivered
y the Rev. Drs. J. II. Caldwell, 8. p.
lpham, q. A. Butts and the Rev. ]. s.
Willis. Good music was furnished under
be direction OF Mr.. Sweeny.