Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-03-01
THE METHODIST CENT-ENNuAr.
Early History OF the NJ. e. Church I'm
This Country.

Early History Of the NJ. e. Church in
This Country.
THE EVENT TO BE CELEBRATED DURING THE
PRESENT YBAR-MEEfING OF THE FIRST con-
FERENCE AND THE FIRST GENERAL CONFER
ENCE-THE ORIGIN OF THE TTINERACY-rHE
LABOR0 OF JOHN WESLEY AND WHITFIELD ON
THIS SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC-THE CONDITION
OF THE CHURCH AT THE DAWN OF THIS CEN
TURY.
The present year is the centennial Of Metho-
dism in America, or rather Of the organization
Of the first general conference of the church held
In this country. which met in Baltimore. Deem
Der Oath, 17S4, and adjourned January 3D. Meth
odist preaching had been heardin America some
years before this general conference, and eleven
years before the date given the first conference
had been held In Philadelphia. The year will be
observed by the several branches of Episcopal
Methodism in this country, but as yet no gen.
eral plan has been agreed upon. It is expected
that the general conference of the Methodist
Episcopal church-the largest branch of the de-
nomination, which will convene in Philadelphia
on the 4th of May, will recommend some gen.
eral observance. The Baltimore conference of
the NJ. E. church at its last session took action
looking to proper observance of the year.
At the session which will convene at McKen-
dree NJ. f. church. in this CITY, on the first We'd
nesday in March. action will be taken to carry
into effect the propositions made last year to
provide suitable memorials of an event OF such
interest and Importance to the church. The
objects proposed are: LIST. The founding and
endowment of female seminary (fOr which
Rev. Dr. Goncher, OF Baltimore. has started
the subscription with $25OOO.) 3D. The en-
largement Of the endowment of Dickinson Col
lege, at Carlisle, Pa, and Sd. The elevation of
the Freedmans Centenary Institute to a college
plane and it's endowment.
The NJ. E. Church South has prepared to join
in the celebration of "the centennial ami
versary of the organization of the Methodist
Episcopal church in America" and will COM
memorate the great event throughout its en-
tire bounds with suitable services and by rails
ing funds for educational purposes. church ex-
tension and missions Two millions of dollars
is the amount proposed to be raised for these
objects.
The Wesleys, the founders of the Methodist
church. preached in America as early as 1888
The famous Whitfield subsequently preached
III various parts OF the country. The first regu-
lar Methodist preaching was, however, in New
York. when. in 1865. Philip Embury local
preacher from Ireland, formed a society," and
Capt. Thomas Webb (who came here as quar-
termaster of Braddocks army, and was at the
time in question barrack master at Albany
preached there in a sail loft. About this
time Robert Strawbridge. a local preacher from
Ireland, settled in Frederick county, Md and
preached there, forming some societies.
THE FIRST CHURCH
established in this country was John street
church. New York, erected in 176S Mr..
Embury had charge Of this church, and did
much Of the work upon it with his own hands,
dedicating it on october 3oth Of that year. Mr..
Embury served this church, assisted by Capt.
Webb, and was followed by Robert Williams in
1863. MIR. Embury left New York city in ITO,
and died in Washington county, N. Y, five years
afterwards. John King arrived in ITO. Richard
Boardman, Joseph Pillmoor. Mr.. Asbury (super-
intendent and bishop and Richard Wright came
over in 1771.
In the meantime ST Georges church, in Phil
adclDhla. was purchased of the German Reformed
congregation for the Methodist society there
Capt. Webb aiding in the enterprise. Mr.. Pill
moor was probably the first pastor of this
church.
THE FIRST CONFERENCE,
In 1113 Rev>ThOmas Rankin who had been
appointed by Mr.. Wesley as superintendent for
America arrived with George Shadford Mr.
Rankin. upon his arrival. called the first confer
ence which met at st. Georges church, Phila-
delphia. July 18th. This was attended by eight
preachers one of them, Rev. VIM. Waters, be-
ing the first native born preacher in the confer
ence. Mr.. Walters was native of Virginia
and served for some years on Frederick circuit
when Georgetown was one OF the appointments.
At this conference the membership was reported
as 1.I60. The next conference was held at the
same place in May. 1a14.
TIE MINUTES OF THE EARLY CONFERENCES.
The records of these early gatherings have
been preserved in volume entitled Minutes
of the Methodist conferences, annually held jim
America from 1913 to 1884, inclusive bearing
the imprint 'Philadephia: printed by Henry
Huckniss. No 25. Church Alley. and sold by
John Dickins, No. "A. north I'd street, near
Arch street. MDCCXCV"-a book of ia pages.
measuring four by seven inches. 1t is, how
ever. incomplete. the minutes Of 1773 and most
of those for 1714 not being included in it. On
the 18th page 0114) appear the following rules:
u. Every preacher who is received into full
connection is to have the use and property of
his horse, which any OF the circuits may furnish
him with. q Every preacher to be allowed
SIX pounds. Pennsylvania currency, per quarter
and his travelling charges besides 8. For every
assistant to make a general collection at Easter
IN the circuits where they labor, to be applied
to the sinking of the debts on the houses
and relieving the preachers in want 4. Where.
ever Thomas Rankin spends his time he is to be
assisted by those circuits" The printed pro-
ceedlngs are entitled, minutes of some con-
verSations between the preachers in connection
with the Rev Mr. John Wesley" The
minutes for 1115 show that the meeting
was held at Philadelphia. May 18th. of that year
The preachers admitted that year We're VIM.
Duke, John Wade. Daniel Ruff Edward Drum
COLE. Isaac Rollins and Samuel Spragg, and
there were admitted on trial John Cooper, Rob
ert Lindsay and Vim. Glendenning. The names
Of Thomas Rankin, Francis Asburv and seven
others appear Is assistants. The numbers in
society We're reported at 3,14S-2O0 in New
York. 100 i'll Philadelphia, $40 in Baltimore, 336
in Frederick and 80 in Fairfax. The appoint
ments were to New York. Philadelphia, Tren-
ton. Greenwich, Chester, Kent Baltimore,
Frederick, Norfolk and Brunswick-Francs
Asbury going to Norfolk and VIM. Waters and
Robert Strawbridge to Frederick. A general
fast for the prosperity of the work and for the
peace OF America was ordered for Tuesday, the
18th of July.
The records of these early conferences show
the
STEADY AND RAPID GROWTH
OF the denomination. They are especially inter-
esting as showing the questions that then per-
picked the preachers, and were regarded as of
sufficient Importance to be determined by con-
ference and formally entered into the minutes.
They are valuable also in the fact that they give
an insight into the prvatiOns endured and the
sacrifices made by these early pioneers and mis-
siOnaries, who laid the foundations for one of
the most powerful denominations in this land of
churches.
The conference of TIT was held sat preach
ing house near Deer Creek in Hartford county.
Md" In 177S the conference was held at Lees
burg. Va; in 1779 in Kent county, Del. and