The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-11-01
MARYLAND METH0DISM.
Interesting Centennial Services at Bethel
M. E. Church.
Tributes of Respect. Historical and Per.
sonal to tho Memories of the Fathers
of Methodism in Cecil County.

Tributes of Respect. Historical and Per-
sonal to the Memories of the Fathers
of Methodism in Cecil County.
Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church
holds high place in the affectionate
regard of Cecil county Methodists, no.
alone on account of the historic in
terestthatattaches to her as the motherof
of Cecil county Methodism, but because
there repose III the sacred precincts
that surround and beautify her, the
hallowed remains of those, whose lives,
still exhale fragrant odor. Around
her cling cherished memories. The
story of her past is rich in memorial
examples of pious men and devoted
women. 1t IS not surprising therefore
that the Centennial Services held within
her reyered walls on Sunday, excited
unusual interest among local Methodists
The service opened with a hymn
lined and sung after the manner of the
fathers, the Rev. T. Snowden Thomas,
editor of the Peninsula Methodist con-
Quoting the service The tune was
raised by J. Fletcher Kane and sung
by the assembled worshipers, it being
followed by prayer offered lmpressively
by Samuel Thompson, the Oldest surviv-
ing member of the church. The pastor
of the church then read as the morning
lessons the S7th and 122nd Psalms,
when the first hymn, "Oh for a thou
sand tongues to Sing," Was sung by the
congregation. The sum of $50 being
asked for a collection was taken after
which Mr.. Thomas made an address
upon "The Beginning of Methodlsm in
Cecil County" He SAID that In this
country as in England the prime mission
of the people called "Methodists" was
to revive evangelical religion and to
arrest the tide of worldliness and I'm
morality that threatened to submerge
the churches and destroy society. He
reviewed the personal and religious
history of John Wesley and his times,
and said that before the advent of
Methodist Itinerants, the Jesuits had
established themselves in the County
at the junction Of the great and little
Bohenlas their mission dating back to
1904. The Labadist singular monde
SCRIPT German sect had settled on b.
hernia manor as easily as 1854. That
the PreSbyterllnS had been in the
the County since 1923. That the
Society OF Friends had erected meeting
houses in the County, all previous to
advent Of the Methodist itinerant, and
referred to the visits TO the county OIL
Bishop Asbury and his Contemporaries
The Benedlcllon by the Rev. Mr.
Milford closed the morning service
The love feast in charge of the same
gentleman began the afternoon service
IN which many members particl
pated. The following prepared by the
presiding Elder Rev. DR.. VIM. L. S
Murray was then read blythe Rev. S. T
Gardner.
HIsoRY OF BETHEL CHURCH.
Lednum, the Historian states in hi.
rise of Methodism III America, that thu
Methodists had an appointment at Thomp
sons School-house as early as 177I. II
the Fall or Winter of 1872 Bishop AS
bury reached Bohemia Manor for thu
first time. He also visited Mr.. Ephrian
| Thompsons, near Back Creek, by tn,
| Trustees called broad creek. He lodget
at Robert Thompsons on Back Creel
Dec. IA, 1772, and preached twice at th'
School house. AS the appointment wa
established when Bishop Asbury cam
and as Richard Wright spent the winte
of l771 chiefly on the Manor it is pro
bable that he began preaching at tn
School house. At this time Q772) Their
were no annul al conferences and preacher
received their appointment through tn
| @ larterly conference. Isaac Rollins wit
King aud Webster were sent on the PENN
sula in 1773. The people on the Mano
had heard good deal of Rollins and ha
become tired of his Phillipics. Th
School-house seems to have been place
on the Kent Circuit, the first formed o
the peninsula.
There were at first three appointment
Werton, MIR. Herseys and the Schoo
house. The early preachers, were Rct
ard Wright, John King, Mr.. Webster
Isaac Rollins, Mr.. Rodda, Mr.. WriT
Mr.. Hartley, Abraham Whitworth, Wn
Waters, Mr.. Catch, John Cooper, M
Ruff, Freeborn Garretson and Ezeki'
Cooper.
Bethel Church was built in 1870 an
rebuilt in 1S49. The list of subscriber
is still preserved. There are forty nil
names signed to a paper drawn up in tt
form of note. The amount of subscri
lions was s51s Sc. The largest subscr
Der was Richard Bassett, the fourth ma
of means converted and brought into I'll
Methodist Church in America. His SUI
scription was $53 80 and the heavy tin
Der. Bassett had three furnished hous'
one in Dover, one on the Manor and OF
in Wilmington, Del He was memb'
Of the convention of 1877 which frame
the constitution of the U. S. He was
, member of Congress Governor of Del
ware and Judge of the U. S. Distrl
Court for Delaware. His wife was
} shouting Methodist who would as SOC
embrace a darkey sister when rejoicil
on a Camp ground as white one. Juds
Bassett was a sweet singer and powerf
| exhorter He was also ready for Il
skeptic as the following will show. I
meeting man who would not believ
what he could not see, the Judge reptile
"How could man believe by this ru
that be had a back unless he had net
5 like crane or goose"
t When at Camp meetings he pitched
: tent along side o! the colored people al
il called their music his harp. He had
tent at the first camp held on the peni
sula at Parsons Hill near Smprna in Isl
J. He was a great temperance man and d
not suffer distilled liquors to be used
hi, premises when able TO prevent
f What an influence this great and go
T. man must have exerted. The grou
e for Bethel Church was given by Richa
It Thompson and the Deed recorded in Isl
n During this year Samuel Thompson "
g born who yet lives aud is one of t
10 strongest friends of Bethel. He was O.
&C.,. ......,. -. -.