The Press., 1896-12-17
OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF sTAF- FORD SPRINGS.
BY REV. J. I. BARTHOLOMEW.

our high appreciation of the priviledge of placing in permanent form and presenting to the public matters of historic interest which might otherwise be forgotten
 Methodism is one of the youngest of the great Christian denominations. Before it's origin in England, the church of Eng land, the Friends, the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, and Congregational churches were all largely represented in the American colonies. A brief account of the beginnings of Methodism, and es- pecially Of its introduction into this country will, therefore, fittingly introduce the history of the local church.
 "In the latter end of the year 1739 eight or ten persons who appeared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly grooming for redemption, came to MT. Wesley in London. They desired, as did two or three more the next day, that he would spend some time with them in prayer, and advise them how to flee from the wrath to come, which they saw continually hanging over their heads. That he might have more time for this great work, he appoint ed day when they might all come to- gether; which from thenceforward they did every week, namely, on Thursday, in the evening" To these, and as many more as desired to join with them (for their number increased daily) he gave those advices from time to time which he judged most needful for them ;Fand they always concluded their meeting with prayer suited to their several necessities. This was the rise of the United Society, first in Europe, and then in America"
 These United Societies subsequently, became the Wesleyan Methodist church in England and the Methodist Episcopal church in the United States.
 In 1766 Philip Embury, a Wesleyan local preacher who had come from Ireland to live in this country, began to preach in New York City, and founded a society, now the John Street church. About the same time Robert Strawbridge, also from Ireland, settled in Frederick County, Mary land, and began preaching and forming societies. In 1769, thirty years after the origin of Methodism in England, Wesley sent his first itinerant preachers toAmeri- ca, Richard Boardman and Joseph Pill moore In 1771 he sent two others, one of them being Francis Asbury who became the pioneer bishop of AmericanMetho odism.
 John Wesley, himself member of the Church of England, at first desired that his work should be entirely within the societies only gradually assumed an in dependent existence. In this country the separation was a necessary result of the revolutionary war. A state church state itself was no longer in power, and the American MethOdists, at this time | fifteen thousand strong, were, as MT. Wesley said, totally disentangled both from the state and from the English hier- archy'' He added "They are now at full liberty simply to follow the scriptures and the primitive church, and we judge 1t best that they should stand fast in the made;them free" Accordingly MT. Wesley with the help of presbyters of the Church of England, ordained two presbyt6rs for America, and ''by prayer and the imposi- tion of hands" set apart Thomas Coke, l.. l.. D., to be a superintendent ito pre- side over the flock of Christ in America" "
 At the "Christmas Conference" begun in Baltimore, Maryland, December 24th, 1784, Dr. Coke presiding, Wesley's plan tof organize a separate church, with Epis- cd pal supervision, was heartily and unan- imously adopted
 The necessary deacons and elders were chosen and ordained, Francis Asbury was elected superintendent conjointly with Dr. Coke and duly consecrated to the office by the latter Thus was organized the Methodist Episcopal church, the first with an Episcopal form of government tc ;attain;a an independent existence in the new republic. / :, ,.tt.
 It was more than twenty years after the beginning of Methodism in America, and four years after the organization of g separate church, before any permanent work was done in New England. .
 Before this George Whitefeld, one o1 the early Methodists of England, hac travelled largely in America passing ant repassing from Georgia to, Maine like { flame of fire'' making profound and per manent impression for good. Whitefeld'l theology was Calvinistic. This fact SC cured for him welcome to the pulpits O
 New England and greatly facilitated hi work in, this region. But Wesley was al Armenian in theology, and Whitefeld'I preaching did not open the way to an Ar menian church. Nor did !Whitefield at tempt to prgahike any church of his own.
 Rfh4 Imo7smeht for organic Methodisn in New England really began in 1789, ,whe1 Jesse Lee was appointed to that field b! the New York conference. His frs
 sermon was.preached at Norwalk, Connect icut, June 17. The minutes. of the con EFfGr6ice of 17gd show that five circuits hae | bbeen ,formed apd-. two hundred member
 received. One of these was Hartford cir cuft; Which afterwards included all thi , region. Jesse Lee preached in TollanC April second, 179O, this being, as far as i known, the first Methodist sermon preach , ed in this locality. Several persons wer , converted under the sermon, and were i'm mediately organized into class. Tn . work prospered and during two years end ing August, 1792, Bishop Asbury estimates , that there were one hundred and fifty con } versions at Holland and the neighborin villages. Hope Hull, George Roberts Lem1el Smith, Mezies. 5. Rainor and thei
 colleagues were the preachers,on Hartfor oircI1it duTino this great revival