The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-02-23

treason, the obliteration of that strang
political fabric known as ''The Empire,
which had stood thousand and si
years, Napoleon coutestirg kingdoms an'
thrones, and dreaded everywhere; whil
this was the feature of events eastward
the pioneers of Methodlsm We're bearin!
aloft the colors of the cross, with Peace
on Earth, Good Will to Men" writer
upon their flag, to the westward, anr
seeking dominion for God at Hopewell
To Asa Smith we are indebted for thu
first Methodist society organized here a
the home of James Thomson in 1907
Under the preaching of Asa Smith, JAS
Thomson aud a few others were converted
and so incurred tho OdjHm of Methodists
We find Thomas Walker. w. P Chand
Ter, VIM McLenahan, Thomas Boring
James Smith, and John Smith equally
earnest in building UP the church fol
three successive years. Beginning with
fourteen members and still meeting al
appointed their leader their number had
Increased to eighty members. Brother
Thomson proved to be such an excellent
shepherd as to receive the paternal name
of Father" and such he proved to be
in every sense, for here his flock found
the teuderest care, and the travel stained
way worn itinerants found home and
plenty at his board. But Father Thomson
was man OF like passions with our
selves. and often felt concerned for the
Ark of God; and considering the opposi-
ton they had to contend with, the ab.
seuce of men OF position or means, and
no probability OF ever being able to build
themselves meeting house to worship
in, all this filled him with intense anxiety
for the future of the society. While
bowed down under one of these clouds
the preacher came along and upon an in
terview-took in the situation, saw
Father Thomson in trouble, invited him
to walk, wended their way to the top
of hill near by, told him to cast his eye
over the country around, then the
preacher with the gift of prophecy said:
Small as Methodism looks to you now,
you will live to see it possess these lands,
and become the largest and most inf1u-
entail of any denomination of Christians,
not only in this county aud State, but in
these United States" A prophecy which
was fulfilled before the patriarch departed
this life. But this was too much for
Father Thomson, he shook his head in
doubt of any such possibility. Never
theiess in three years from the birth of
this society during the year 1910 Davis
Reed donated half-acre of ground on
the main road connecting the cities of
Wilmington and Baltimore near Blttle
Swamp, and about four miles from Port
Deposit. Upon this ground they erected
a very primitive looking meeting house
of hewn logs 20x25 feet, one story, a mar
row aisle in the middle, and on either
side Imprinted wooden benches. The re-
naming furniture consisted of small
box pulpit, surrounded by rustic rallied
altar. The material and labor were
gratuitously furnished by the Thomsous,
Brookings, Megreiys, Tufts, Mobiles,
Orrs, Whites, Halls, Walkers, Brookses,
Nelson's, Coulsons and others. Thus
Hopewell became fact in Methodism,
being the first Methodist meeting house
erected in that part of Cecil County.
Amongst those who enjoyed the ''times
of refreshing" in this structure and who
experience to this day precious sense OF
the former glory attending their early
worship, only two remain, sister Ann
TAYLOR, daughter of Father Thomson. }
and Brother John Foster, both enjoying
the sweets of religion and getting ripe
for heaven.
On November 1st, 1S49 the society sus
tanned severe loss in the death of Father
Thomson at the age of 80 years, having
labored with the society unremittingly
for forty Two years, About eight years
before he died he requested the Rev
David Jenness in case he survived him tc
preach his funeral sermon which Mr.
Jenness did by basing his remarks upon
Father Thomson's oft quoted experience
, Timothy, 4th chapter, 9th, 7th and Sth
verses.
The Hopewell Methodist meeting house
became wilely known, and from all parts
the people inclined toward the Methodi5ts
attended it's worship. Mary Reynolds
the eldest daughter of John and Hannah
(Knight) Reynolds was the first convert
from Port Deposit, and walked to Hope,
well regularly to attend preaching, prayer
aud class meetings. She became the wife
of Daniel Megredy and after residing for
a short time in Principle they removed
to Port Deposit, where their house be
came the home of the travelling preachers
and the place for holding religious ser,
vices. Indeed the hospitality of this
brother and sister to all Methodists at
tending quarterly or special meetings
became proverbial, that The Methodists
would eat Dan Megredy out of house
and home"
We find in John jackson and Thomas
Burns two live energetic cody mission
o,;ae ,u a. NO a6 frnn1 THAR homes RI the
barrens southeast of IIopewell distance
of ten miles to hold service at the houses
of "Uucle Bob Allen" and "Uncle Bill
johnson" both colored. These meetings
we're attended by mixed multitude both
white and black Meetings were also
held at the cabin of Uncle Mat Sullivan
on a farm owned by Captain Woodward
Abrahams. Through the influence o
these services "Cokesbury" was built fol
the eolored people, and "Uncle Sau
Hawkins" and his spouse ''Aunt Dolly
we're acknowledged Priest and Priestes
of that society. Sam Hawkins had al
unquestioned piety, was highly though
of by the whites, and was terror to evi
doing negros. 1t appears on one occasion
when he was conducting class, one of tn
sisters spoke warmly of her religious jo
and comfort, and at the conclusion of he
speech, Uncle Sam said Every nice ex
perienoe, but it's all lie; no use yo
talking about the grace of God in you
heart while you sneak into the wood
and milk other peoples cows"