Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-04-11
WHERE COKE AND ASBURY MET. (
Historic Barrett's Chapel, Sacred
to Methodlsm.

senteh to the Little hand of aIqtiiodists
ut Eredcrica--Ilts Famous Meeting
Between Bishops Coke and Asbnry.
George Z. Fisher in Milford Herald,
In u recent issue of tho Philadelphia
Press, We noticed with much interest an
article under the caption ",fhe early
days OF Methodism," in which promi.
hence is given to the oldest Methodist
landmark in this State. Fifty years ago
there was scarcely a single member Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, to
whom the name OF Barretts Chapel was
not as familiar as household words, ~
had then been for many years, not only
holy shrine, where the Gospel was
preached to large congregations ot zeal
Gus and devouL Wesleyans, but also q
trysting. place, where the beaux and
bellies from all parts of kentand Sussex
counties, met during the quarterly meet
ings, held there in the tiowery month OF
May, to exchange garlands, greetings
and mutual pledges of affection. The old
chapel on such occasions was in that
day 20 the followers of Wesley in minia-
ture what Mecca is to the deyotees Of
Mohammed. 1t was there that BILLY"
Barnes and "Billy" Bishop, Solomon
| Sharp and solomon higgins were wont
| to hurl their fiery darts Of denunciati0n
at satan and sin, and their congregation
of saints and sinners, listened with un-
| tagging attention to their soul'stirring
| gospel sermons.
| This now venerable building was pre-
sented to the little band OF Methodists
of Frederick and its neighborhood by
deed of conveyance from Phillip Barrett,
said to be an ancestor of the late Law
renee Barrett, Of histrionic fame, to
Reynear Williams, Waitman Supple and
others, whose names have been per-
petuated and many of whose descend
ants are now residents Of Kent and Sus.
sex counties. The deed bore date as Of
August 18th, 1884, and donated quite a
large tract of woodland in trust for q
"Methodist Preaching House or Chapel,
and it also provided that "those entitled
to preach (therein) shall be appointed, al
the yearly conferences of the peeplt
called Methodists held in America II
preach Coils word; and no other doc.
trinc shall be taught than is contained
in Rev. John Wesley's notes on Tho
New Testament and four volumes o
sermons"
Mr.. Barrett was at that time "Higl
Sheriff of Kent Co." and afterward
became one of its Judges. He was, thu
great-grandfather of DR.. Thomas E
, Martindale, now the able, eloquent anC
much. beloved pastor of the Methods
Episcopal Church of Milford, Del.
On sunday, the 14th of November
! 1884, this newly constructed chapel be
, came memorable as the place wher
| Bishops Coke and Asbury met for tn
I | 30, CT n nf lAp In ~
and where the idea OF Il regularly OF
; ganized Methodist Episcopal Church !
: America had its origin.
, Freedom Garrison was then al
/ pointed to agathcr the preachers K
gether at Baltimore" with the view {
Y calliug a conference Immediately. ii
5 performed this duty with so much e1
i pedition--considering the mode and dit
lance lie had TO travel-that' nearly a
e the little handful of Methodist preache
$ in the country were found convened
;. "Lovely Lane Meeting House" in Bait
more on Christmas day following, whel
they were presided over by Bishop Cox
v and "agreed to form themselves into u
y Episcopal Church."
The Methodists of America in Il
d closing years of the last century, we
&c almost unexceptionally, men and wont
!, of deep piety and zeal, "instant in seasc
y and out of season." and allowed no o
stacle to prevent their attendance
!, their meeting if il were possible to owe
=, come it. AS an instance of this, u
? writer's mother would ride on u pillic
s. twenty miles, starting with dawn
a day, to be present at Glove feast" he
(, at o'clock a. m. She frequently pc
Id formed this journey when only yea
of age, going from st. Johnstown--no
Greenwood--tirst to Barrett's Chap
- where she was present at the meetil
NJ OF the bishops above mentioned, al
ut afterwards making several simll
CIR Journeys 10 what was then known
e. Green's Chapel, u short distance nor
e. Of Canterbury. Her mother house frc
e, the very earliest days of Methodism
ii'es Delaware was known as one of u
u places where the much persecut
ce Methodists, during the Revolutions
Or war, were wont 10 find a shelter a
e, welcome. She became member of
e NJ. Il. Church as its first organization
~ then in lie ninth year. Her story OF
go unexpected meeting of Coke a
''e Ashury rs related by her in tears
Joyous recollection, was truly q mi
interesting one. one Always SpOhe Oh
~, as the great Pcntecosta Love Feast, Il
~. said us Bishop Coke walked into
lit church through the vast throng Il
raj crowde! the house, it seemed as thou
81, the Holy Shekimah accompanied hi
al and that as Asbury hastily decenc
IN from the lofty pulpit with open arms
~ embrace and kiss him, the whole CT
' ,"s eregation broke forth with sweet accc
ir. into songs and shouts, "Hallelujt
eli, inc Lord God omnipotent reigneth."